Power Module Phase-Voltage Detection for High-Side Switch Shorts
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Solution Overview
Problem
DC/DC voltage converters in motor vehicles can experience short circuits due to failed high-side switches, leading to irreversible damage to the voltage conversion module and connected equipment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a device for detecting short-circuit malfunctions in the high-side switch, which includes a voltage generator and a voltage comparison module to monitor the voltage at the mid-point and generate an error signal when a short circuit is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a high-side switch is used in the voltage conversion module, then the voltage conversion efficiency is improved, but the risk of short-circuit failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a detection device that continuously monitors the mid-point voltage before a short-circuit failure can cause damage. The voltage generator and voltage comparison module detect abnormal voltage conditions in advance, triggering an error signal that activates the safety device to disconnect the inductor from the low-voltage terminal, preventing catastrophic failure
2Reliability
If a detection device is added to monitor the high-side switch, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device utilizes the existing mid-point voltage signal in the voltage conversion module without requiring external monitoring equipment. The voltage generator converts the mid-point voltage into a detectable signal using the module's own electrical characteristics, and the voltage comparison module compares this signal against reference voltages to detect short-circuit conditions, enabling self-diagnosis within the module
3Measurement precision
If the mid-point voltage is continuously monitored, then the detection precision is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage comparison module continuously compares the generated voltage signal against reference voltages and provides feedback through the error signal output. When the mid-point voltage indicates a short-circuit condition (voltage remains above or below reference for excessive time), the feedback mechanism triggers the safety device to disconnect, achieving precise detection with minimal energy consumption by only activating protection when abnormal conditions are detected
Data Source
AI summary
Voltage conversion module including a high-voltage terminal, low-voltage terminal, ground terminal, an inductor, and a switching arm having a high-side switch and a low-side switch connected at a mid-point. The switching arm is connected between the high-voltage terminal and the ground terminal, the mid-point is electrically connected to the low voltage terminal via the inductor and a device for controlling the switches. The conversion module further includes a device for detecting failure of the high-side switch including a voltage generator having two input terminals and an output terminal and being configured to receive on one of its input terminals voltage of the mid-point, and on the other of its input terminals first reference voltage, and to generate on its output terminal an increasing voltage from a predetermined voltage lower than a threshold value provided that the voltage of the mid-point is higher than or equal to the first reference voltage.