Memory System Power Source Control Circuit Overvoltage Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Memory systems, such as solid state drives (SSDs), face damage from input overvoltage due to the inability of integrated input overvoltage protection circuits to effectively disconnect power before excessive voltage reaches critical components.

Innovation Solution

A power source control circuit with a switch unit, detection control unit, and power source unit is implemented to detect and disconnect power lines when input voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, preventing damage to the memory system's components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If an input overvoltage protection circuit is integrated into a power source circuit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the protection circuit cannot effectively disconnect power before excessive voltage reaches critical components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the power source circuit into separate functional modules: a power source control circuit with switch unit for power disconnection, a detection control unit for voltage monitoring, and a power source unit. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function optimally, with the switch unit能够快速 disconnecting power when overvoltage is detected, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a switch unit as an intermediary component between the power source and the memory system components. This switch unit acts as a protective mediator that can rapidly disconnect the power supply when overvoltage conditions are detected, preventing excessive voltage from reaching critical components like the controller and nonvolatile memory device, thus resolving the contradiction between integrated design and effective protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a power source control circuit with switch unit is implemented to detect and disconnect power lines, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the power source control circuit: the switch unit for power disconnection, the detection control unit for voltage monitoring, and the power source unit are integrated into a unified control system. This merging approach improves reliability by ensuring coordinated operation of protection functions while managing complexity through integrated circuit design where multiple components work together as a cohesive unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection control unit continuously monitors the input voltage before it can reach harmful levels, and the switch unit is pre-configured to rapidly disconnect power when overvoltage is detected. This preliminary detection and pre-positioned protection mechanism ensures that critical components are protected before damage can occur, improving reliability while the integrated control logic manages the complexity of the protection circuitry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11710526B2Memory system
Publication Date: 2023.07.25 KIOXIA CORP
  • US11710526B2 patent drawing
  • US11710526B2 patent drawing
  • US11710526B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A memory system includes a connector through which power for the memory system is to be supplied from an external device, a controller, a nonvolatile memory device, a power source circuit connected to the controller and the nonvolatile memory device by power lines through which power is supplied to the controller and the nonvolatile memory device, and a power source control circuit that receives a supply of power from the external device through the connector and supplies the power to the power control circuit. The power source control circuit is configured to detect using a divided voltage of a voltage of the power supplied thereto, that the voltage of the power supplied thereto is higher than a predetermined voltage and interrupt the power supplied to the power control circuit if the voltage of the power supplied thereto is higher than the predetermined voltage.