Self-Powered Over-Voltage Protection Circuit for Electronic Inputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing over-voltage protection circuits in electronic devices often fail to provide adequate protection when the device is inactive or in a low-power mode, as they require an active power source and may not effectively isolate internal components from voltage spikes during these states.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an over-voltage protection circuit that uses an isolation switch controlled by a comparator and negative over-voltage compensator, which isolates the device input from internal components using energy from the device input itself, even when the device is inactive or in a low-power mode, thereby preventing damage from voltage spikes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an active clamp circuit is used for over-voltage protection, then protection is provided during active operation, but protection fails when the device is inactive or in low-power mode
Solution Approach 1:
The protection circuit uses the device input voltage itself to power the isolation switch control, eliminating the need for an external active power source. The circuit automatically activates when voltage is present at the input, providing self-powered operation across all power states including inactive and low-power modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation switch dynamically responds to voltage conditions at the device input, automatically transitioning between closed and open states based on whether an over-voltage condition is detected, enabling adaptive protection that operates regardless of the device's overall power state.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an isolation switch is used to protect internal components, then complete isolation is achieved, but control of the switch requires additional power management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation switch is controlled by the voltage present at the device input itself, eliminating the need for separate power management circuits. The circuit uses the incoming voltage to automatically control the switch state, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective isolation.
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
This solution ensures continuous over-voltage protection for electronic devices across all power states, including active, inactive, and low-power modes, by utilizing the device input's energy to maintain the isolation switch in an open position, preventing internal component damage from negative or positive voltage drops.
Implementation Method 1
a comparator to detect an over-voltage condition associated with the device input
Implementation Method 2
an isolation switch to open a circuit path between the device input and the internal device components when the over-voltage condition occurs
Implementation Method 3
which isolates the device input from internal components using energy from the device input itself
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for over-voltage protection of device inputs are disclosed. An example apparatus to protect a device from an over-voltage condition disclosed herein comprises a switch coupled between a device input and at least one component of the device, and a voltage compensator to pull a control input of the switch to a voltage associated with the device input to open the switch to protect the device component from the over-voltage condition.