Protected Power Switch With Periodic Detector Gating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power switches lack current limiting capability and consume high current due to the operation of amplifiers required for maintaining stability in switching circuits, leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed switching circuit incorporates an oscillator, detectors, and memory elements to periodically enable and disable voltage and temperature detectors, reducing operating current by using a comparator and amplifier only when necessary, and enabling current switching based on threshold values to manage load currents efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an amplifier is continuously operated to maintain switching circuit stability, then the switching circuit achieves stable operation, but the current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier is operated periodically rather than continuously. A pulse generator generates periodic pulses that trigger the amplifier to operate only during specific time intervals when needed for stability, while remaining inactive during other intervals to reduce current consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifier's operating state is dynamically changed from static continuous operation to dynamic periodic operation. The circuit transitions between active and inactive states based on periodic signals, optimizing the balance between stability and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If voltage and temperature detectors are continuously operated to monitor conditions, then the switching circuit achieves reliable protection, but the current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage and temperature detectors are enabled periodically by a pulse generator rather than operating continuously. They are activated only when needed to check operating conditions and disable the power switch if abnormalities are detected, reducing current consumption while maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detectors automatically disable the power switch when abnormal conditions are detected, providing self-protecting functionality without requiring continuous active monitoring. The periodic activation allows the system to self-check and self-correct when needed.
3Device complexity
If no current limiting capability is provided in the power switch, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety and protection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage and temperature detectors act as intermediary components that monitor operating conditions and trigger protective action when needed. These detectors serve as mediators between the power switch and the control logic, enabling protection without requiring complex current limiting circuitry within the switch itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Under-voltage, over-voltage, and temperature detectors disposed in a switching circuit are turned on periodically and in response to an oscillating signal having a low duty cycle. Accordingly, because the voltage and temperature detectors remain off for long durations, their operating currents, and thus the operating current of the switching circuit is substantially reduced. The switching circuit has a current limiting function which is disabled when the switch current is below a threshold value, thereby further decreasing the current consumption of the switching circuit at low switch current levels.