Gate Drive Circuit With Integrated Overvoltage Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conversion devices face complications and increased circuit costs when attempting to implement redundant overvoltage detection units due to abnormal conditions, leading to complex configurations.

Innovation Solution

A gate drive circuit that incorporates an overcurrent detection circuit to detect overcurrent states based on current values and uses monitor voltages from power supply lines to identify overvoltage states, simplifying the circuit configuration and reducing costs by integrating overvoltage detection with existing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant overvoltage detection units are implemented to ensure protection when the detection unit is abnormal, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveovervoltage protection reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overcurrent detection circuit is designed to perform dual functions: detecting overcurrent states and detecting overvoltage states. By adding a monitor voltage input terminal that receives voltage from the power supply line and comparing it against a threshold, the same circuit structure serves multiple protection purposes, eliminating the need for separate redundant overvoltage detection units while maintaining comprehensive protection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the overvoltage detection function into the existing overcurrent detection circuit by integrating a monitor voltage input terminal and a comparison mechanism within the same circuit block. This consolidation combines what would traditionally be separate detection units into a single integrated circuit, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring continuous protection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If redundant overvoltage detection units are implemented to ensure protection when the detection unit is abnormal, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveovervoltage protection reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The overcurrent detection circuit is designed to perform dual functions: detecting overcurrent states and detecting overvoltage states. By adding a monitor voltage input terminal that receives voltage from the power supply line and comparing it against a threshold, the same circuit structure serves multiple protection purposes, eliminating the need for separate redundant overvoltage detection units while maintaining comprehensive protection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the overvoltage detection function into the existing overcurrent detection circuit by integrating a monitor voltage input terminal and a comparison mechanism within the same circuit block. This consolidation combines what would traditionally be separate detection units into a single integrated circuit, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring continuous protection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12512746B2Gate drive circuit and power conversion device

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 ASTEMO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a gate drive circuit that controls a gate voltage applied to a gate terminal of a switching element and drives the switching element. The gate drive circuit includes an overcurrent detection circuit that detects an overcurrent state based on a value of a current flowing through the switching element. A monitor voltage of a power supply line that is connected to the switching element and supplies power to the switching element is input to the overcurrent detection circuit, and the overcurrent detection circuit detects an overvoltage state when the monitor voltage is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.