Alarm Signal Generator Circuit for IPM Phase Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Intelligent Power Module (IPM) driver ICs can detect failures such as overheat and overcurrent but cannot determine the specific phase of failure due to limited output pads, leading to increased chip size and cost when trying to provide individual pads for each phase.
Innovation Solution
An alarm signal generator circuit and method that uses a determination unit and alarm signal generation unit to generate pulses based on pulse number or width, allowing the type and phase of failure to be determined from a single terminal, incorporating components like latch circuits and monostable multivibrators to differentiate between failure types and phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pad is provided individually in each phase to determine failure phase, then failure phase determination capability is improved, but chip size increases leading to cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple failure detection functions (overcurrent detection, overheat detection, and phase determination) into a single alarm output pad. By encoding phase information and failure type information within alarm signals generated from one pad, the design eliminates the need for separate pads for each phase, thereby reducing chip size while maintaining full diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter encoding in alarm signals to convey multiple pieces of information through a single output. By varying signal parameters such as pulse width, frequency, or signal pattern to represent different failure phases and types, the system achieves comprehensive failure diagnostics without requiring additional physical pads, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and chip area.
2Area of stationary object
If only one alarm pad is provided to reduce chip size and cost, then chip size is reduced, but the ability to determine specific failure phase is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces signal encoding mechanisms as intermediaries between the failure detection circuits and the single alarm pad. Latch circuits capture failure phase information, and alarm signal generation circuits encode this information into distinguishable signal patterns. These intermediary components enable a single pad to convey detailed failure diagnostics that would otherwise require multiple pads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic alarm signal patterns with distinct characteristics for different failure phases. By generating alarm signals with different pulse widths, frequencies, or temporal patterns corresponding to different failure conditions, the system transmits phase information through time-based encoding, allowing full diagnostic capability through a single pad without information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
With regard to an instrument wherein a plurality of phase operations are carried out, the type of failure or the phase in which the failure has occurred is determined and, in accordance with the result of the determination, an alarm signal is generated. Provided that the failure details and the phase in which the failure has occurred can be determined from the generated alarm signal, it is possible, using a configuration wherein an alarm signal having a pulse number corresponding to the phase in which a failure has occurred is generated, or a configuration wherein an alarm signal having a pulse width corresponding to the phase in which a failure has occurred is generated, to determine the type of failure that has occurred and the phase in which the failure has occurred from the pulse number and pulse width.