Crash Switch Circuit for Noise-Tolerant Signal Hold

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crash detection systems face challenges in quickly transmitting crash signals to safety apparatuses without a separate power source, particularly in scenarios where power issues or noise interference occur, such as chattering or ripple noise.

Innovation Solution

A crash switch circuit is designed to operate without a separate power source, utilizing a diode, resistors, and capacitors to detect crash signals and maintain a reference voltage level for a defined time, ensuring reliable signal transmission and noise tolerance, and includes a level converter to adjust signal levels for the main control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate power source is used for the crash detection circuit, then the reliability of crash signal detection is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrash signal detection reliabilityVSAvoidpower source configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crash detection circuit uses the battery pack's own power system to operate the detection circuit. The emitter is connected to the positive terminal voltage of the battery pack, and the circuit operates using the battery's existing power structure without requiring an independent power source, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack's power system serves dual purposes: it powers both the normal battery management operations and the crash detection circuit simultaneously. The existing battery terminals and voltage regulation mechanisms are utilized for crash detection, eliminating the need for separate power infrastructure

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If noise filtering components are added to the crash detection circuit, then the noise tolerance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise toleranceVSAvoidcircuit component count
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit converts the battery's ripple noise characteristics into a useful reference signal. By using the battery's own voltage ripple as the reference voltage for the comparator, the circuit transforms the harmful noise into a beneficial feature that actually helps in crash detection, eliminating the need for separate noise filtering components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor connected to the emitter acts as an intermediary element that filters high-frequency noise while allowing the DC component and useful voltage variations to pass through. This single capacitor provides noise tolerance without requiring a complex array of filtering components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the crash signal transmission is delayed for verification, then the measurement precision is improved, but the speed of safety response deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrash signal accuracyVSAvoidcrash signal transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit performs preliminary verification of the crash signal by comparing it against the reference voltage and checking for sustained voltage levels before triggering the safety response. This preliminary check ensures signal accuracy while maintaining fast response by avoiding post-detection verification delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit rushes through the verification process by using a simple voltage threshold comparison rather than complex multi-stage verification. The comparator directly compares the crash signal with the reference voltage and immediately triggers the output transistor when the threshold is exceeded, eliminating unnecessary verification steps while maintaining sufficient accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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

The solution enables the crash switch circuit to effectively control safety-related circuits even during power issues, preventing malfunctions and noise interference, thereby ensuring timely and accurate crash signal transmission for safety operations.

Implementation Method 1

the diode may be a Zener diode with a breakdown voltage value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectZener breakdown: Avalanche Breakdown

Implementation Method 2

a first resistor and a capacitor connected in parallel with each other between the emitter and the first node

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

a first switch including: an emitter configured to be supplied with a positive terminal voltage of a battery pack; a collector configured to output a crash output signal; and a base connected with a first node

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTransistor switching:

Data Source

PatentEP4477478A1Crash switch circuit and crash detection system including the same
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP4477478A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4477478A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4477478A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A crash switch circuit includes: a first switch including: an emitter to be supplied with a positive terminal voltage of a battery pack; a collector to output a crash output signal; and a base connected with a first node; a first resistor and a capacitor connected in parallel with each other between the emitter and the first node; and a diode including an anode to be supplied with a crash input signal from a crash sensor, and a cathode connected with the first node.