Power Management Unit Over-Voltage Protection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless power receivers are vulnerable to damage from over-voltage conditions due to varying wireless power standards, leading to reduced lifetime or direct damage when coupled with transmitters having higher rated maximal voltage values.
Innovation Solution
A power management unit with over-voltage protection, incorporating a rectifier, switches, a reference voltage terminal, and capacitors, which activates a protection circuit to prevent excessive voltage from reaching the rectifier, using a comparator to control switches and capacitors to shunt voltage to ground, forming a voltage-dividing capacitor network to limit input voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless power receivers are coupled with transmitters having higher rated maximal voltage values, then wireless power transmission can be achieved, but the receiver is vulnerable to over-voltage damage leading to reduced lifetime or direct damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protection circuit is activated before over-voltage damage can occur. The comparator continuously monitors the voltage at the rectifier input and triggers the switching element to shunt excess voltage to ground before it can damage the rectifier or other receiver components
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit acts as an intermediary between the wireless power receiver and the rectifier. It includes a comparator that monitors voltage, a switching element that activates when over-voltage is detected, and a capacitor that shunts excess voltage to ground, thereby protecting the rectifier from damage
2Device complexity
If no protection circuit is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the receiver cannot withstand voltage variations from different wireless power standards
Solution Approach 1:
The protection circuit is self-regulating and automatically activates when needed without external control. The comparator monitors the rectifier input voltage and automatically triggers the switching element to shunt excess voltage to ground when over-voltage conditions are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit uses relatively simple and inexpensive components (comparator, switching element, capacitor) that can be easily integrated into the receiver. The circuit acts as a sacrificial protection mechanism that can handle voltage spikes without requiring complex or expensive components
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
Effectively prevents power management units from receiving over-high voltages, thereby extending their lifespan and preventing damage by actively limiting voltage to within safe limits.
Implementation Method 1
The wireless power receiving end receives the wireless power 140 by near-field coupling, for example (but not limited to) inductive coupling between first windings 130 and second windings 150, to generate an AC power into a rectifier 170
Implementation Method 2
a first switch, a second switch, a reference voltage terminal, and a comparator... a voltage-dividing capacitor network to limit input voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power management unit, adapted to a wireless power system, includes: a rectifier, converts an AC power received by an input port thereof to a direct-current (DC) voltage outputted by a rectifying output terminal thereof; a first switch, wherein a first protecting capacitor is coupled between one terminal of the input port and a channel thereof; a second switch, wherein a second protecting capacitor is coupled between the other terminal of the input port and a channel thereof; a reference voltage terminal, for providing a reference voltage; and, a comparator, including two input terminals coupled to the rectifying output terminal and the reference voltage terminal respectively, and including an output terminal coupled to both the control terminals of the first switch and the second switch.