Flash Memory Power Circuit Voltage Drop Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power circuits for flash memory systems fail to efficiently lower the charging voltage of the output side capacitor in a specified time when the input or charging voltage drops below a setting value, leading to potential system failures.

Innovation Solution

A power circuit with a first voltage regulation unit that regulates the input voltage and charging voltage to a first operating voltage, and includes a discharging unit with a detection unit and switching element to discharge electricity from the output side capacitor when either voltage falls below the setting value, ensuring the charging voltage is lowered within a specified time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a capacitor is disposed on the output side of a voltage regulation circuit, then the voltage regulation circuit can maintain stable operation, but the charging voltage of the capacitor cannot be lowered in a specified time when input voltage drops below setting value

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable operationVSAvoidtime to lower charging voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a discharging unit that is prepared in advance and can immediately discharge the output side capacitor when voltage drops below the setting value. This pre-configured discharge mechanism ensures that the capacitor voltage is lowered within a specified time without waiting for the voltage regulation circuit to naturally discharge, thus resolving the time loss problem while maintaining stable operation during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the voltage regulation circuit regulates voltage to maintain operating voltage, then system stability is maintained, but system failure occurs when input voltage drops below setting value without timely discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating voltage stabilityVSAvoidsystem failure prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using a detection unit that continuously monitors the input voltage and charging voltage of the output side capacitor. When the voltage drops below the setting value, the detection unit triggers the discharging unit to discharge the capacitor, and this process is repeated until the voltage reaches a safe level. This feedback mechanism prevents system failure by ensuring timely discharge while maintaining operating voltage stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If no discharging unit is provided, then the circuit structure remains simple, but the charging voltage cannot be lowered in specified time causing system failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidsystem failure prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the discharging function with the existing voltage regulation circuit by integrating the discharging unit and detection unit into the same circuit architecture. The discharging unit shares the voltage regulation circuit's components and control logic, allowing the circuit to perform both voltage regulation and discharge functions without adding excessive complexity. This merged design ensures system failure prevention while keeping the overall circuit structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively lowers the charging voltage of the output side capacitor in a specified time, preventing system failures and maintaining operational stability during voltage drops, while also providing a method for simultaneous discharge of both input and output side capacitors.

Implementation Method 1

a first voltage regulation unit configured to regulate any higher one of the input voltage and a charging voltage of the first input side charging unit to be the first operating voltage and to output the voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage regulation:

Implementation Method 2

a discharging unit configured to discharge electricity that has been charged to the first output side charging unit in the case in which any higher one of the input voltage and the charging voltage becomes lower than the setting value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentUS8804439B2Power circuit, flash memory system provided with the power circuit, and power supply method
Publication Date: 2014.08.12 TDK CORP
  • US8804439B2 patent drawing
  • US8804439B2 patent drawing
  • US8804439B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A power circuit configured to supply an operating voltage to a memory controller configured to control a flash memory and an access to the flash memory, comprises an input side charging unit that is a charging unit configured to be charged by an input voltage that is supplied from the outside, a voltage regulation unit configured to regulate any higher one of the input voltage and a charging voltage of the input side charging unit to be the operating voltage and to output the voltage, an output side charging unit that is a charging unit configured to be charged by the operating voltage, and a discharging unit configured to discharge electricity that has been charged to the output side charging unit in the case in which any higher one of the input voltage and the charging voltage becomes lower than the setting value.