Power management integrated circuit

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Incorrect wiring connections during HVAC system installation can lead to short circuits, causing permanent damage to thermostats and other components, and blown fuses are difficult to diagnose and remedy, while modern thermostats need to protect against voltage/current anomalies while enabling power stealing functionality without interfering with HVAC operations.

Innovation Solution

A smart-home device with an energy-storage element, power wire connectors, and a solid-state relay (SSR) switching integrated circuit (IC) that includes switching elements and a digital control circuit to manage connections between power and return wires, monitor energy storage, and harvest energy while ensuring uninterrupted HVAC operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fuses are used to protect against short circuits, then protection against voltage/current anomalies is achieved, but blown fuses are difficult to diagnose and remedy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against short circuitsVSAvoiddiagnosis and remedy of blown fuses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical fuses with solid-state circuit protection mechanisms. The SSR switching IC uses electronic circuitry to detect and respond to short circuit conditions, eliminating the need for physical fuse replacement and enabling easier diagnosis through electronic monitoring and reporting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If power stealing is enabled to charge energy storage element, then power management capability is improved, but risk of interfering with normal HVAC functions increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower stealing functionalityVSAvoidHVAC operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the digital control circuit continuously monitors the state of the energy storage element and the HVAC system operation. Based on this feedback, the control circuit dynamically adjusts the switching elements to enable power stealing only when appropriate, preventing interference with normal HVAC functions while maintaining power management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamic switching control where the SSR switching IC can rapidly transition between different operating states. The switching elements are controlled to steal power in a dynamic, intermittent manner rather than continuously, allowing the system to adapt to changing power needs and HVAC operational requirements in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If switching circuitry is used to activate HVAC functions, then HVAC control capability is improved, but vulnerability to voltage/current anomalies increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHVAC function controlVSAvoidvoltage/current anomalies

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates protection mechanisms that are activated before voltage or current anomalies can cause damage. The digital control circuit monitors electrical parameters and preemptively controls the switching elements to disconnect or protect the circuit when abnormal conditions are detected, cushioning the system against harmful effects before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the SSR switching IC as an intermediary between the power source and the HVAC control circuitry. This intermediary component includes built-in protection mechanisms that filter and regulate the electrical signals, blocking voltage and current anomalies before they reach the sensitive control circuitry while still enabling proper HVAC function activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11264833B2Power management integrated circuit

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A device may include a rectifier circuit providing a rectified DC signal, a rechargeable energy-storage element, and a power-management integrated circuit (PMIC). The PMIC may include a charging circuit for the rechargeable energy-storage element; a current-sensing circuit that measures a current provided by the rectified DC signal; a programmable current limit; a voltage-sensing circuit that measures a voltage on the rechargeable energy-storage element; and a controller that regulates the current provided to a DC output of the PMIC. the DC output of the PMIC may be regulated based at least in part on the current provided by the rectified DC signal; the programmable current limit; and the voltage on the rechargeable energy-storage element. The DC output of the PMIC may provide energy to a plurality of other energy-consuming subsystems on the device and to the charging circuit for the rechargeable energy-storage element.