Multiphase Converter Failure Coding via Shared Feedback Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-phase power converters fail to accurately pinpoint the phase circuits experiencing failure events and their types, necessitating extensive debugging by users.
Innovation Solution
A convertor circuit with power stage circuits and a control circuit that utilizes current and temperature feedback terminals to detect failure events, outputting failure code signals through current feedback terminals to precisely identify the affected phase circuits and failure types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing multi-phase power convertor is used, then the system can operate with multiple phase circuits, but it cannot pinpoint the specific phase circuit where failure occurs or identify the type of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the failure detection function by assigning independent detection circuits to each phase circuit. Each phase circuit has its own detection circuit that can independently detect failures, allowing precise identification of which specific phase circuit has failed and what type of failure occurred, rather than treating all phases as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where detection circuits continuously monitor phase circuits and provide failure information back to the control circuit. When a failure is detected, the system generates feedback signals containing specific failure codes that indicate both the location and type of failure, enabling precise failure identification through the feedback loop.
2Productivity
If existing multi-phase power convertor is used, then the system can process power conversion, but extensive debugging time is required when failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring detection circuits and failure code generation mechanisms in each phase circuit before failures occur. The system is prepared in advance with specific failure codes assigned to different failure types and locations, so when a failure happens, the pre-established detection and coding system immediately provides diagnostic information, eliminating the need for extensive manual debugging.
3Measurement precision
If detection circuits are added to each phase circuit to identify failures, then failure location and type can be precisely identified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing detection circuits that can serve multiple functions: detecting failures in their assigned phase circuit, generating failure codes, and providing feedback to the control circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining precise failure identification capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides convertor circuit and related failure reporting method. The convertor circuit includes multiple power stage circuits and a control circuit, and the control circuit is coupled with multiple temperature feedback terminals of the power stage circuits at a node, and is configured to receive a highest temperature signal through the node. The failure reporting method includes: in response to at least one failure event of at least one of the power stage circuits, controlling, by the at least one of the power stage circuits, the highest temperature signal to be in a preset voltage level; and outputting, by the at least one of the power stage circuits, at least one failure code signal to the control circuit through at least corresponding one of multiple current feedback terminals of the power stage circuits.