DC-DC Converter Protection Circuit for Inductor Short Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC-DC converter protection circuits fail to adequately protect inductors and Schottky diodes in the output stage from open or short conditions, leading to potential damage and overheating.
Innovation Solution
A protection circuit incorporating a current sensor, comparators, and a determining circuit that provides over-current and over-voltage control signals to enable short and open protections, preventing damage by monitoring feedback voltages and controlling transistor operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the output voltage becomes abnormal, then the inductor and Schottky diode may become open or short, but conventional protection methods fail to detect these conditions in time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by setting a feedback circuit that continuously monitors the output voltage and compares it with a predetermined reference voltage before damage occurs. The protection circuit is pre-configured with threshold values, enabling it to detect abnormal conditions immediately when they arise, rather than waiting for visible damage or failure symptoms. This allows the system to take preventive action before the inductor or Schottky diode becomes open or short.
2Reliability
If over-current protection is implemented, then the output voltage can be protected from overload, but prolonged over-current states can still cause temperature increase and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a protection circuit that proactively counteracts the harmful effects of over-current before they can cause temperature increase and damage. When the feedback circuit detects that the output voltage exceeds the reference voltage, indicating an over-current condition, the system immediately activates protection mode to prevent the harmful thermal effects from developing. This preemptive approach stops the over-current state before it can lead to temperature rise and component failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A protection circuit of a DC-DC converter is disclosed. An input terminal of the DC-DC converter receives an input voltage and an output terminal of the DC-DC converter provides an output voltage. The DC-DC converter includes an output stage between the input terminal and the output terminal. The protection circuit includes a current sensor, a comparator, a determining circuit, and a protection control circuit. The current sensor provides a sensing signal. The comparator compares a default over-voltage with the sensing signal to provide an over-current control signal. The determining circuit provides a determining control signal. The protection control circuit determines whether to enable a short protection according to the over-current control signal and the determining control signal.