Power Control Apparatus Over-Temperature Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer systems with over-temperature protection mechanisms often shut down repeatedly due to persistent low logic-level sensing signals from temperature sensors, leading to user confusion and reduced system lifetime, as the embedded controller may remain active and continue to receive voltage before complete discharge.
Innovation Solution
A power control apparatus that uses a temperature sensor's sensing signal to control an over-temperature protection unit, indirectly managing the operation of the embedded controller, including voltage converters to ensure sufficient time for voltage discharge and heat dissipation, preventing reiterative system startups and incorrect fault messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the temperature sensor directly outputs a low logic-level sensing signal to shut down the embedded controller, then over-temperature protection is achieved, but the system shuts down repeatedly when the embedded controller restarts before voltage is completely discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an over-temperature protection unit as an intermediary between the temperature sensor and the embedded controller. This unit includes a first voltage converter that converts power voltage to a first voltage, and uses this first voltage to control the embedded controller's operation. When the temperature sensor outputs a low logic-level sensing signal indicating over-temperature, the over-temperature protection unit prevents the embedded controller from operating by controlling the first voltage converter, thereby blocking the direct connection between the temperature sensor and embedded controller. This intermediary mechanism ensures that even if the embedded controller attempts to restart before voltage discharge is complete, the over-temperature condition continues to be properly detected and responded to without causing repeated shutdowns.
2Speed
If the embedded controller is allowed to operate immediately after shutdown, then system responsiveness is improved, but the temperature sensor continues to work and output low logic-level sensing signals causing forced shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the over-temperature protection unit activate before the embedded controller can attempt to restart. When the temperature sensor detects over-temperature conditions and outputs a low logic-level sensing signal, the over-temperature protection unit immediately responds by controlling the first voltage converter to prevent the embedded controller from operating. This preliminary protective action ensures that even if the embedded controller tries to restart before the voltage is completely discharged, the system is already in a protected state, preventing the temperature sensor from causing forced shutdowns due to premature restart attempts.
3Loss of time
If the voltage converter operates quickly to enable the embedded controller, then startup time is reduced, but there is insufficient time for voltage discharge and heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The over-temperature protection unit serves as an intermediary that mediates between the voltage converter and the temperature sensor. It includes a first voltage converter that converts power voltage to a first voltage, and uses this first voltage to control the embedded controller's operation based on temperature conditions. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the embedded controller only operates when temperature conditions are safe, providing sufficient time for heat dissipation while maintaining efficient system startup when conditions permit.
Data Source
AI summary
A power control apparatus is disclosed. The power control apparatus includes a temperature sensor, a first voltage converter, an over-temperature protection, a reset unit and a second voltage converter. The temperature sensor is for sensing a measured temperature to output a sensing signal. The first voltage converter converts the power voltage of a computer system into a first voltage. The over-temperature protection unit receives the first voltage and decides whether or not outputting the first voltage according to the sensing signal. When the reset unit has received the first voltage from the over-temperature protection unit, the reset unit decides whether or not to produce a reset signal according to the level of the power voltage. The second voltage converter is for producing a start signal to enable the embedded controller according to the reset signal.