Electronic Fuse With Integrated Sensor For Resettable Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical fuses are inadequate for safety-critical applications as they require replacement upon activation, leading to potential outages and are not suitable for precise control, redundancy, or integration with semiconductor switches.
Innovation Solution
An electronic fuse system comprising hardware and software entities that monitor each other, utilizing current-dependent signals to determine fuse conditions and trigger events, enabling precise control, redundancy, and self-testing, with the ability to be reset or switched on/off, and integrated into semiconductor switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical fuses are used, then simple protection function is provided, but replacement is required upon activation leading to outages and lack of precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fuses with an electronic fuse system that uses electronic switching elements (such as MOSFETs or IGBTs) to perform fuse functions. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical replacement, allows for electronic reset capability, and enables precise control through integrated sensors and control units, thereby improving reliability while enhancing ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic fuse system incorporates self-diagnosis and self-monitoring capabilities through integrated sensors that continuously monitor parameters such as current, temperature, and voltage. The system can automatically detect fuse conditions, trigger appropriate responses, and even reset itself after a trip event, reducing the need for manual intervention and replacement.
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical fuses are used, then basic protection is achieved, but precise control and integration with semiconductor switches are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuse functionality with semiconductor switches by integrating the electronic fuse control circuitry directly into or alongside the switching element. This combination allows the fuse and switch to operate as a unified system with shared sensing and control mechanisms, enabling precise control while maintaining functional safety without requiring separate discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic fuse system is designed to be universally applicable with various semiconductor switch types (MOSFETs, IGBTs, etc.) and can perform multiple functions including overcurrent protection, temperature monitoring, voltage detection, and controlled switching. This multi-functionality achieves precise control and broad integration capability while maintaining reliable protection.
3Device complexity
If conventional mechanical fuses are used, then simple design is maintained, but redundancy and self-testing capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic fuse system incorporates feedback mechanisms through integrated sensors that continuously monitor operational parameters and provide real-time information to the control unit. This feedback enables the system to detect abnormal conditions, adjust operations accordingly, and trigger protective actions, thereby reducing failure probability while maintaining a relatively simple overall design through intelligent monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary self-testing and diagnostics by continuously monitoring parameters such as current, temperature, and voltage before critical failures occur. The integrated sensors detect potential issues in advance, allowing the control unit to take preventive actions or alert the system operator, thereby reducing failure probability without significantly increasing design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example, a device is suggested, said device comprising a switching element, an integrated sensor providing a signal and an electronic fuse that is arranged to determine a fuse condition based on the signal and based on at least one fuse characteristic and to trigger a fuse event in case the fuse condition is met.