Load Control Device Freewheeling Diode Disconnection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inductive load drive circuits require a drive terminal voltage monitor circuit with a peak-hold function for each inductive load, leading to increased circuit size and cost, especially when controlling multiple inductive loads.
Innovation Solution
A load control device with a switching circuit, freewheeling diodes forming circulation paths, and a control unit that measures the output voltage of the freewheeling diodes to detect disconnection, eliminating the need for a peak-hold function and reducing circuit complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drive terminal voltage monitor circuit with a peak-hold function is used for each inductive load, then disconnection detection capability is improved, but circuit scale and device cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage measurement functions for multiple inductive loads into a single shared voltage measurement unit. Instead of having separate monitor circuits for each load, one voltage measurement unit measures the voltage at the common connection point (ground terminal) that serves all inductive loads. This combining approach maintains disconnection detection capability while significantly reducing the number of circuit components.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage measurement unit is designed to serve multiple functions - it can detect disconnections for multiple different inductive loads by measuring the voltage at the shared ground terminal. The control unit analyzes the measurement results to determine disconnection status for any of the connected inductive loads, making the measurement system universal rather than dedicated to a single load.
2Reliability
If a drive terminal voltage monitor circuit with a peak-hold function is used for each inductive load, then disconnection detection capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage measurement functions for multiple inductive loads into a single shared voltage measurement unit. Instead of having separate monitor circuits for each load, one voltage measurement unit measures the voltage at the common connection point (ground terminal) that serves all inductive loads. This combining approach maintains disconnection detection capability while significantly reducing the number of circuit components.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage measurement unit is designed to serve multiple functions - it can detect disconnections for multiple different inductive loads by measuring the voltage at the shared ground terminal. The control unit analyzes the measurement results to determine disconnection status for any of the connected inductive loads, making the measurement system universal rather than dedicated to a single load.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate drive terminal voltage monitor circuits are used to control multiple inductive loads, then individual load monitoring is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by having the control unit separately analyze voltage measurement results for each inductive load based on their respective switching operations. Although the physical measurement is done at a single point, the control logic segments the analysis to determine disconnection status for each load individually, maintaining measurement precision for each load while avoiding the complexity of multiple physical monitor circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voltage measurement functions for multiple inductive loads into a single shared voltage measurement unit. Instead of having separate monitor circuits for each load, one voltage measurement unit measures the voltage at the common connection point (ground terminal) that serves all inductive loads. This combining approach maintains disconnection detection capability while significantly reducing the number of circuit components.
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
Enables disconnection detection of circulation paths without increasing circuit scale, allowing for efficient control of inductive loads while minimizing device size and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a freewheeling diode that is connected to the load to form a circulation path for circulating the current
Implementation Method 2
a first voltage measurement unit that measures an output voltage of the freewheeling diode
Data Source
AI summary
Disconnection of a circulation path through which a circulation current flows is detected while suppressing an increase in circuit scale. A battery monitoring device includes switching circuits that control currents flowing through coils of main contactors by being controlled to be turned on and off, freewheeling diodes that are connected to the coils of the main contactors to form circulation paths for circulating the currents, and a control unit. The control unit measures output voltages of the freewheeling diodes at an input terminal, and detects the disconnection of the circulation paths based on the output voltages of the freewheeling diodes.