Power Supply Protection Device Switch Failure Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply protective devices face challenges in accurately diagnosing switch failures without disrupting the current path between the power supply and load, leading to potential power failures.
Innovation Solution
A power supply protective device with a first switch, a switching circuit including a second switch and a voltage drop element, a voltage detection unit, and a control unit that determines switch failure by analyzing voltage differences during controlled switching states, ensuring the current path remains intact during diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional switch failure diagnosis methods are used, then switch failure can be detected, but the current path is cut off causing power failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second switch and voltage drop element as intermediary components connected in parallel with the first switch. These intermediaries enable voltage-based diagnosis of the first switch's failure state without requiring direct interruption of the main current path, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and power continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/current-based switch failure detection method with a voltage-based detection method. By measuring voltage at specific nodes during controlled switching states, the system can diagnose switch failures without physically interrupting the current flow through the load, maintaining power supply reliability
2Reliability
If voltage-based diagnosis is implemented, then power supply continuity is maintained, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The second switch serves multiple functions: it acts as a test component for diagnosing the first switch's failure state, and simultaneously serves as a functional switch for normal power supply operation. This multi-functionality reduces the net increase in device complexity while maintaining power continuity during diagnosis
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
The solution effectively diagnoses switch failures without cutting off the current path, preventing power failures and allowing for reliable operation by using voltage differences to determine switch states and failures.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage drop element connected in series to the second switch and causing a voltage drop of a reference voltage by a current flow
Implementation Method 2
a voltage detection unit which detects at least one voltage of a first voltage as a voltage of the first terminal, a second voltage as a voltage of the second terminal, and a third voltage as a voltage at a point between the second switch and the voltage drop element
Data Source
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AI summary
A power supply protective device, (1) when obtaining an open voltage in a case where a second switch is brought into a closed state and a first switch is brought into an open state during discharging of a power supply, and obtaining a close voltage in a case where the second switch is brought into the closed state and the first switch is brought into the closed state during discharging of the power supply, diagnoses the first switch as having a failure or not on the basis of the open voltage and the close voltage, and (2) when executing first instruction processing of giving a close instruction to the first switch and the second switch, if a voltage difference between a first voltage and a second voltage detected by a voltage detection unit during execution of the first instruction processing is less than a first threshold voltage, determines that the first switch has no open failure, and/or when a third voltage detected by the voltage detection unit during execution of the first instruction processing is not less than a second threshold voltage, determines that the second switch has no open failure.