DC-DC Converter Fault Detection Using Voltage Difference Comparators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing DC-DC converters face challenges in detecting open circuits or short circuits regardless of the direction of the load current, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential device failures in portable electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a circuit with voltage detector circuits coupled across transistors in DC-DC converters, utilizing comparator circuits to compare reference voltages and node voltages with threshold voltages, allowing a controller to detect open circuits or short circuits based on these comparisons, regardless of the load current direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If voltage detector circuits are added to detect open circuits or short circuits in DC-DC converters, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage detector circuit is designed to detect both open circuits and short circuits in transistors regardless of load current direction, making it a universal fault detection mechanism that handles multiple failure modes and operating conditions with a single circuit design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fault detection function is segmented into separate voltage detector circuits for different transistors, with each detector handling specific transistor monitoring. This modular approach allows independent optimization of each detector while maintaining overall system reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple voltage detector circuits are implemented to detect faults regardless of current direction, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent direction independenceVSAvoiddetector circuit count

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage detector circuits are configured with asymmetric threshold comparisons tailored to each transistor's specific operating conditions and current flow characteristics, allowing accurate fault detection adapted to each component's unique electrical behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The detection approach inverts the conventional method by monitoring voltage differences across transistors in reverse polarity configurations, enabling the same detector circuit topology to detect faults regardless of whether load current flows in the forward or reverse direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11079443B2Switch fault detection techniques for DC-DC converters

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 ANALOG DEVICES INT UNLTD CO

AI summary

Using various techniques, each transistor in a DC-DC converter can have a corresponding voltage detector that can compare a difference of a first voltage at a first terminal of the transistor and a second voltage at a second terminal of the transistor to a threshold voltage. Then, based on at least one comparison, a controller can detect an open circuit or a short circuit in one or more of the transistors regardless of the direction of the load current in the DC-DC converter.