Power Control Circuit Single Pin Over Current Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power control circuits for electronic devices lack flexibility in setting the set voltage for over current protection, relying on a single variable adjustment and requiring multiple pins, which limits their functionality and compatibility with existing circuits.

Innovation Solution

A power control circuit that uses a single pin with a current source to generate a set voltage, which increases over time, and incorporates an amplifier for error voltage comparison and frequency compensation, allowing for flexible setting of the over current protection scheme without additional external components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single pin with current source is used to generate set voltage, then flexibility in setting over current protection reference point is improved, but device complexity increases due to integrating multiple functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in setting over current protection reference pointVSAvoidintegrating multiple functions into single pin

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is designed to perform multiple functions: providing frequency compensation to the negative feedback loop and generating the set voltage for over current protection. By integrating these functions into a single pin, the patent reduces the number of pins required while enhancing flexibility in setting the over current protection reference point through the time-dependent set voltage mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If set voltage is generated using internal current source and external resistor, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability is limited due to single variable adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusing internal current source and external resistorVSAvoidsingle variable adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static set voltage generation into a dynamic process where the set voltage increases over time after the current source provides reference current to the pin. This time-dependent voltage generation allows the over current protection reference point to be adjusted dynamically, providing greater adaptability while maintaining ease of manufacture through the use of internal current source and external resistor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9871443B2Power control circuit for setting triggering reference point of over current protection scheme

Publication Date: 2018.01.16 NUVOTON

AI summary

A power control circuit is provided, which includes a pin and a current source. The current source is electrically coupled to the pin and provides a reference current to the pin to generate a set voltage. The set voltage increases along with time after the current source provides the reference current to the pin. The power control circuit activates an over current protection scheme according to the set voltage.