Arithmetic Unit Power State Detection Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

In factory automation systems, determining the power supply state of an arithmetic unit is challenging due to the complexity of connections with power supply units and the need for reliable backup power management.

Innovation Solution

The arithmetic unit employs a state management circuit to detect the presence or absence of a power supply unit and a backup circuit to ensure continuous operation, using voltage thresholds and blocking circuits to prevent current flow between ports, and voltage conversion circuits to generate different voltages for various apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the arithmetic unit uses multiple power supply ports and backup circuits to ensure continuous operation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidpower supply circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backup circuit includes a capacitor that charges in advance during normal operation. When power is cut off, this pre-charged capacitor immediately provides backup power, ensuring continuous operation without interruption. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing power backup beforehand, maintaining reliability while managing complexity through proactive rather than reactive design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The state management circuit acts as an intermediary between the power supply circuit and the arithmetic processing part. It detects power supply states and generates appropriate control signals, simplifying the overall system by centralizing power management logic in a dedicated component rather than distributing complex control throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the state management circuit monitors multiple voltage thresholds to accurately determine power supply status, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply state detection accuracyVSAvoidstate management circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The state management circuit determines power supply status by monitoring voltage levels at different thresholds. It identifies power cutoff conditions by detecting when voltages fall below specific threshold values, enabling accurate state determination through parameter-based detection rather than complex logic circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or logical state detection mechanisms with electrical voltage threshold monitoring. The state management circuit uses voltage level detection to infer power supply states, substituting simpler electrical measurements for more complex detection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the blocking circuit prevents current flow between ports to protect against power reversal, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against current reversalVSAvoidpower supply circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking circuit extracts and isolates the current prevention function from the main power supply circuit. By separating this protective function into a dedicated blocking circuit with diodes, the patent maintains reliability through targeted protection while managing overall system complexity through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the voltage conversion circuit generates multiple voltage levels for different apparatuses, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage compatibilityVSAvoidpower supply circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage conversion circuit provides multiple voltage levels (first voltage and second voltage) to support different apparatuses with varying power requirements. This multi-functional power supply capability enables the system to adapt to diverse devices while maintaining a unified power supply architecture, balancing versatility with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3540562B1Arithmetic unit and control apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 OMRON CORP
  • EP3540562B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3540562B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3540562B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

There is expected a technique capable of determining a power supply state with respect to an arithmetic unit (10) according to a connection status with a power supply unit (30). The arithmetic unit (10) includes a state management circuit (110) outputting a state signal indicating whether or not supply of power from the power supply circuit (101) is valid. The state management circuit (110) of the arithmetic unit (10) determines a value of the state signal based on a voltage of a second port (12), a voltage of a first port (11), and a signal indicating whether or not the power supply unit (30) exists.