Power Converter Control Circuit Failure Mode Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control circuits for power converters experience reliability issues due to unguaranteed operations during power supply failures, as the shutdown of the command generator leads to indirect switch off and potential unexpected operations, reducing the reliability of the power converter.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit with a failure mode determiner and switch controller that selectively executes a first switch control task to forcibly shut down the switch independently of the switching command and a second task to continue switching operations based on the command, ensuring direct shutdown and maintaining reliability even during power supply failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the command generator is shut down upon detecting a power failure in the power supply circuit, then the switch is indirectly turned off, but the control circuit enters an unguaranteed period where normal operations cannot be guaranteed and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary action by detecting power supply failures and executing switch shutdown before the command generator is completely shut down. The failure mode determiner detects the power failure condition, and the switch controller immediately shuts down the switch based on this detection, preventing the unguaranteed period caused by command generator shutdown. This ensures the switch is in a known safe state before the control circuit enters the shutdown sequence.
2Reliability
If the switch is indirectly turned off through command generator shutdown, then the power failure is addressed, but unexpected operations may occur during the shutdown transition period
Solution Approach 1:
The failure mode determiner acts as an intermediary between the power supply circuit and the switch controller. It monitors the power supply status and provides reliable failure detection signals to the switch controller. This intermediary component ensures that the switch shutdown decision is based on accurate failure detection rather than waiting for command generator shutdown, eliminating the window for unexpected operations during the transition period.
3Reliability
If the command generator is shut down to address power failure, then the failure is contained, but the shutdown process takes time and creates an unguaranteed operational period
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary failure detection and switch shutdown action before the command generator shutdown process begins. The failure mode determiner continuously monitors power supply status and immediately triggers switch shutdown upon detecting a power failure, rather than waiting for the command generator to complete its shutdown sequence. This preliminary action eliminates the time delay and ensures continuous reliable control.
Data Source
AI summary
In a control circuit for controlling a power converter that includes a switch, a power supply circuit outputs electrical power, and a command generator generates a switching command that controls switching operations of the switch, based on the electrical power output from the power supply circuit. A failure mode determiner executes a determination of whether which of failure modes has occurred in the power supply circuit, and outputs a result of the determination. A switch controller selectively executes, based on the result of the determination, a first switch control task and a second switch control task. The first switch control task forcibly shuts down the switch independently of the switching command, and the second switch control task enables the switching operations of the switch to be continuously controlled based on the switching command.