Capacitive Circuit Line Error Detection Without Dedicated Multiplexer Inputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing error detection methods in electronic systems for household appliances require a dedicated input per multiplexer for reference signals, reducing available inputs and necessitating additional multiplexers, which is inefficient in terms of hardware resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
An electronic system and method that performs a test routine on circuit lines by selecting, determining, and discharging voltage values, comparing them to a threshold, and returning an error indicator, allowing error detection without reserving a multiplexer input, and enabling detection of errors on and between circuit lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated input per multiplexer is reserved for reference signals to enable error detection, then error detection capability is improved, but the number of available multiplexer inputs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the multiplexer inputs universal by enabling them to serve dual purposes: normal signal processing during operation and error detection during test routines. Each input can be configured to accept either a reference signal for error detection or a functional signal for normal operation, eliminating the need for dedicated error detection inputs and maximizing hardware utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of multiplexer inputs through control signals that can switch between operational mode and test mode. The system dynamically reconfigures the multiplexer connections during manufacturing or initialization to allocate inputs for error detection based on the specific appliance configuration, allowing flexible adaptation without hardware changes
2Reliability
If additional multiplexers are added to compensate for reduced available inputs, then error detection is maintained, but hardware resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures that existing multiplexer inputs serve multiple functions - they handle normal operational signals during appliance operation and can be reconfigured to provide reference signals for error detection during manufacturing tests. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional multiplexers while maintaining full error detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the error detection function with the existing signal processing function by using the same multiplexer inputs and control infrastructure. The test routine combines error detection operations with normal multiplexing operations, allowing a single multiplexer to perform both functions without requiring separate dedicated hardware for error detection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances hardware resource utilization by allowing error detection without dedicating a multiplexer input, enabling efficient analysis of multiple circuit lines and improving compliance with safety norms like IEC/UL/CSA 60730.
Implementation Method 1
determining the voltage of the selected circuit line and storing the voltage value
Implementation Method 2
discharging the selected circuit line to ground level
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic system comprising a plurality of circuit lines and an error detection component for detecting errors on and between the plurality of circuit lines, wherein each circuit line having a voltage different to ground level, the error detection component being adapted to perform a test routine comprising the steps of: —selecting one circuit line out of the plurality of circuit lines; —determining the voltage of the selected circuit line and storing the voltage value; —discharging the selected circuit line to ground level; —iteratively repeating the aforementioned steps of selecting a circuit line, determining and storing its voltage and discharging for further circuit lines; —comparing the stored voltage values associated with the respective circuit lines with a threshold value; and —generating an error indicator if at least one stored voltage value is below the threshold value.