Driver Chip Over-Temperature Protection Control Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional driver chips for DC fans are unable to handle large driving currents, leading to overheating and burn-out issues, especially when used with high-current DC fans, and manufacturers are reluctant to increase chip area for improved heat dissipation due to cost considerations.
Innovation Solution
A control method and system that includes an over-temperature detection module to stop power supply to the driver chip when it exceeds a threshold temperature, allowing it to cool down, and then restarts with a preset voltage to drive the DC fan at a higher rotational speed, potentially using maximum driving voltage, while also incorporating an over-current detection module to adjust output voltage accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the driver chip is designed to handle larger current values to encompass all possible DC fan current values, then the driver chip can drive more types of DC fans, but the chip area must be increased which leads to overheating and burn-out issues
Solution Approach 1:
The driver chip dynamically adjusts its operating parameters based on real-time temperature monitoring. The control method changes the driving strategy from static to dynamic, where the chip can switch between normal operation, reduced power mode, and shutdown based on temperature thresholds, allowing it to handle high-current fans without permanent overheating damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the driver chip continuously monitors its own temperature and adjusts its output accordingly. When temperature exceeds thresholds, the chip reduces or stops power output to prevent overheating, then resumes normal operation when cooled, creating a closed-loop control system that enables safe handling of high-current loads
2Reliability
If protection circuits and driving voltage amplification circuits are integrated in the driver chip, then the driver chip can drive DC fans in most conditions, but it still cannot drive high-current DC fans with high heat dissipation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the driver chip based on temperature conditions. By adjusting output voltage and current limits dynamically according to temperature feedback, the chip can safely operate at higher power levels when cool and reduce power when hot, effectively increasing its maximum sustainable current handling capability without additional protection circuits
3Temperature
If the chip area is increased to improve heat dissipation, then the driver chip can handle higher currents, but cost increases due to larger chip area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical/structural solution (increasing chip area for heat dissipation) with a control-based solution (dynamic power adjustment and temperature monitoring). This substitution allows the same chip area to handle higher effective power loads through intelligent control, reducing manufacturing costs while improving heat dissipation capability
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of over-temperature protection, a driver chip and a control system of over-temperature protection are disclosed. The control method includes the following steps: a driver chip provides an output voltage to drive a DC fan. A temperature of the driver chip is detected by an over-temperature detection module. When the temperature of the driver chip is higher than a first threshold value, the power supplying to the driver chip is stopped, so that the driver chip can cool down. After the temperature of the driver chip is lower than a second threshold value, the driver chip is restarted. A preset voltage is provided to the DC fan by the driver chip and the DC fan rotates at a preset rotational speed which is higher than the rotational speed.