Logic Circuit Pre-Warning Threshold for Power Switch Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power switch systems cannot determine the reason for shutdowns and do not provide pre-warning alerts, leading to unpredictable failures and increased workload for controllers managing multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a logic circuit in power switch devices that sets pre-warning threshold levels for parameters like current, voltage, and temperature, allowing for alerts to be sent to controllers when these thresholds are approached, reducing unnecessary data transmission and enabling proactive monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the logic circuit continuously transmits parameter values to the controller, then the controller can monitor all parameters, but the data flow and communication load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information (alert flags indicating threshold violations) from the continuous parameter data stream, transmitting only when necessary rather than sending all parameter values continuously. This reduces communication load while maintaining monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The logic circuit acts as an intermediary between the sensor and controller, preprocessing parameter data locally and filtering out normal readings. It only transmits to the controller when parameters exceed thresholds, thus reducing communication volume while ensuring critical information reaches the controller.
2Loss of information
If the controller monitors all parameters of all devices, then complete system visibility is achieved, but the controller complexity and processing workload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is segmented between the logic circuit (local threshold monitoring and alert generation) and the controller (receives and processes only alert flags). This division reduces the controller's processing burden while maintaining complete system monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuously monitoring and processing all parameter values, the system performs partial monitoring at the logic circuit level (comparing against local thresholds) and only transmits alerts when necessary. This partial action approach reduces controller workload while maintaining monitoring effectiveness.
3Reliability
If no pre-warning threshold is set, then the shutdown occurs only at critical levels, but there is no opportunity for predictive maintenance or learning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by setting pre-warning thresholds that trigger alerts before critical failures occur. This allows the system to predict potential failures and enable maintenance before actual shutdowns, improving reliability through proactive monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the controller receive alert flags from logic circuits, analyze failure patterns, and potentially adjust pre-warning thresholds based on learned information. This feedback loop enables continuous improvement of system reliability while managing threshold complexity through adaptive learning.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a device includes a memory configured to store a pre-warning threshold level for a parameter of a power switch. The device also includes a logic circuit configured to receive a signal from a controller and set the pre-warning threshold level in response to receiving the signal from the controller. The logic circuit is also configured to determine that a magnitude of the parameter of the power switch does not satisfy the pre-warning threshold level. The logic circuit is further configured to output an alert to the controller in response to determining that the magnitude of the parameter does not satisfy the pre-warning threshold level.