Hiccup Protection Circuit with Adaptive Reset Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing short protection circuits in power converters face challenges in recovering to normal operation mode efficiently after a short fault while maintaining low power consumption during the fault condition.

Innovation Solution

A short protection method and circuit that dynamically adjusts the time period of the reset stage based on the detected output voltage during hiccup protection mode, incorporating a sleep control circuit and a reset control circuit to control the switching of the power converter's switches, ensuring efficient recovery and low power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the time period of the reset stage is set short, then the power converter has low power consumption during the short fault, but has difficulty to recover to the normal operation mode when the short fault is removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidrecovery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the reset stage time period adjustable rather than fixed. The control circuit dynamically changes the reset stage duration based on system state, allowing it to be extended when recovery is needed and shortened when power consumption is prioritized, thus resolving the contradiction between low power consumption and recovery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of reset stage time period based on detected system conditions. When the output voltage indicates the short fault is removed, the control circuit extends the reset stage time period to ensure complete recovery, thereby improving reliability without permanently increasing power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the time period of the reset stage is set long, then the power converter can recover to the normal operation mode easily, but has high power consumption during the short fault

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit dynamically adjusts the reset stage duration based on real-time detection of output voltage and fault status. The reset stage is extended only when recovery is detected (when output voltage exceeds threshold), keeping it short during active faults to minimize power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of the output voltage during hiccup protection mode and adjusts the reset stage duration accordingly. This periodic detection and adjustment mechanism ensures the reset stage is lengthened only when necessary for recovery, avoiding continuous high power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS11735901B2Short protection circuit with a hiccup protection mode and the method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 CHENGDU MONOLITHIC POWER SYST

AI summary

A short protection method for a power converter having an output terminal for providing an output voltage. The power converter works in a hiccup protection mode when a short fault occurs. The hiccup protection mode has a sleep stage and a reset stage, the short protection method detects the output voltage during the hiccup protection mode and sets the time period of the reset stage based on the detected output voltage. The time period of the reset stage increases with the increase of the detected output voltage.