Anti-Series Switch Turn-Off Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-series switch control circuits cannot reliably confirm whether both transistors in an anti-series configuration are in an OFF state, which is critical for safety in applications like self-driving vehicles where electrical failures can pose safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detection circuit that delivers a signal to the anti-series switch and detects its response to determine if both transistors are in the OFF state, providing redundancy and ensuring safety by actively confirming the OFF state through driver circuitry and additional detection elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a detection circuit is added to actively confirm the OFF state of both transistors, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a detection circuit that actively monitors the state of both transistors in the anti-series switch and provides feedback signals to indicate whether both transistors are in the OFF state. This feedback mechanism ensures safety by confirming the desired state rather than merely controlling it, directly resolving the contradiction by prioritizing reliability through active verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit acts as an intermediary between the anti-series switch and the control system. It includes detection transistors and signaling circuitry that mediate the state verification process, allowing the system to indirectly confirm the OFF state of the main transistors without directly interfering with their primary function, thus adding reliability while managing complexity through modular design.
2Ease of operation
If driver circuits control the gates of both transistors, then switching control is improved, but the ability to confirm OFF state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control and detection functions into separate circuits: driver circuits for controlling the gates of the main transistors, and a separate detection circuit with its own transistors and signaling paths. This segmentation allows the driver circuits to focus on switching control while the detection circuit independently verifies the OFF state, resolving the contradiction by separating control from measurement functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection circuit creates a simplified copy or model of the anti-series switch state using detection transistors that mirror the configuration of the main transistors. By copying the essential state information through this separate detection pathway, the system can accurately measure the OFF state without interfering with the primary control function, thus maintaining measurement precision while preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a circuit is configured to control an anti-series switch comprising a first transistor and a second transistor coupled in an anti-series configuration. The circuit comprises one or more driver circuits configured to control gates of the first transistor and the second transistor, and a detection circuit configured to detect whether both the first transistor and the second transistor are in an OFF state. The detection circuit is configured to deliver a signal to the anti-series switch, detect the signal in the anti-series switch, and determine whether the both the first transistor and the second transistor are in an OFF state based on the detected signal.