Protection Circuit With Free-Wheeling Energy Dissipation Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protection circuits face challenges in efficiently dissipating energy during over-voltages or over-currents without incurring high costs, area consumption, or causing damage to components.
Innovation Solution
A protection circuit design incorporating a transistor, transient voltage suppressor diodes, and a controllable rectifying arrangement, such as a thyristor or triac, to quickly clamp over-voltages and create a free-wheeling loop for energy dissipation, minimizing power loss and component heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protection circuits are used to dissipate energy during over-voltages or over-currents, then component protection is achieved, but cost and circuit area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protection functions into a single integrated circuit block. The protection circuit integrates over-voltage suppression, over-current protection, and energy dissipation functions in one compact unit, eliminating the need for separate protection components and reducing overall circuit area while maintaining comprehensive component protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit is designed to perform multiple protection functions simultaneously - it suppresses over-voltages, protects against over-currents, and dissipates stored energy all through a single circuit implementation. This multi-functional approach reduces the total component count and circuit footprint compared to using separate dedicated protection devices for each function.
2Reliability
If conventional protection circuits are used to dissipate energy during over-voltages or over-currents, then component protection is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protection functions into a single integrated circuit block. The protection circuit integrates over-voltage suppression, over-current protection, and energy dissipation functions in one compact unit, eliminating the need for separate protection components and reducing overall circuit area while maintaining comprehensive component protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit is designed to perform multiple protection functions simultaneously - it suppresses over-voltages, protects against over-currents, and dissipates stored energy all through a single circuit implementation. This multi-functional approach reduces the total component count and circuit footprint compared to using separate dedicated protection devices for each function.
3Reliability
If high energy dissipation capability is implemented, then component protection improves, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy dissipation function from the main power path by creating a separate free-wheeling loop. When over-voltage or over-current conditions occur, the circuit diverts excess energy through this dedicated dissipation path containing resistive elements, allowing high energy absorption capability while minimizing power loss during normal operation since the dissipation path remains inactive under normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit dynamically switches between normal operation mode and protection mode. During normal operation, the circuit maintains low power loss by keeping the dissipation path disconnected. When over-voltage or over-current conditions are detected, the circuit automatically activates the free-wheeling loop to dissipate excess energy, thus adapting the energy dissipation capability dynamically based on operating conditions.
4Reliability
If high energy dissipation capability is implemented, then component protection improves, but component heating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy dissipation function from the main power path by creating a separate free-wheeling loop. When over-voltage or over-current conditions occur, the circuit diverts excess energy through this dedicated dissipation path containing resistive elements, allowing high energy absorption capability while minimizing power loss during normal operation since the dissipation path remains inactive under normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection circuit dynamically switches between normal operation mode and protection mode. During normal operation, the circuit maintains low power loss by keeping the dissipation path disconnected. When over-voltage or over-current conditions are detected, the circuit automatically activates the free-wheeling loop to dissipate excess energy, thus adapting the energy dissipation capability dynamically based on operating conditions.
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 provides efficient energy dissipation with low clamping voltage across the transistor, reducing power loss and component heating, while maintaining a compact design and low component count.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transient voltage suppressor diode having its anode connected to a third node and its cathode coupled to the first node
Implementation Method 2
a controllable rectifying arrangement coupling the second node to ground... create a free-wheeling loop for energy dissipation
Data Source
AI summary
A protection circuit is provided comprising a transistor having one first conduction node connected to a first node and one second conduction node connected to a second node, the first node connectable to a power source referenced to ground, and the second node configured to be coupled to a load referenced to ground; one driver circuit coupling a control node of the transistor to ground, and configured to deactivate the transistor when an overvoltage or an overcurrent occurs; a first transient voltage suppressor diode having its anode connected to a third node and its cathode coupled to the first node; a second diode having its anode connected to the third node and its cathode connected to the controlling node of the transistor; a controllable rectifying arrangement coupling the second node to ground; and a third diode having its cathode connected to a controlling node of the rectifying arrangement.