Redundant Feedback Pins for Overvoltage Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Improper soldering of feedback pins on printed circuit boards (PCBs) can lead to overvoltage due to the controller increasing voltage output to the highest possible amount, potentially damaging components like ASICs, memory chips, and microprocessors, and current solutions like shunt protection circuitry are expensive and space-consuming.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating redundant feedback pins on PCBs with a controller that adjusts output voltage based on voltage measurements from both pins, ensuring proper connection and preventing overvoltage by using one pin's measurement when the other is disconnected or improperly soldered.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shunt protection circuitry is used to prevent overvoltage, then component safety is improved, but PCB cost and space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent safetyVSAvoidPCB space and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback pins to continuously monitor voltage levels and provide this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts the output voltage based on the feedback measurements, preventing overvoltage conditions without requiring additional protection circuitry. This resolves the contradiction by using information feedback to maintain reliability while avoiding extra hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs self-protection by monitoring its own output voltage through the feedback pins and automatically adjusting the voltage output to prevent overvoltage damage. This eliminates the need for separate protection circuitry, reducing PCB space and cost while maintaining component safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If redundant feedback pins are implemented, then overvoltage protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveovervoltage protectionVSAvoidfeedback pin configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements redundant feedback pins as a preliminary measure before overvoltage can occur. By having multiple feedback paths预先 established, the system can detect and respond to disconnection issues before they lead to overvoltage damage, improving reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The redundant feedback pin acts as a cushion against the harmful effect of single-point failure. If one feedback pin becomes disconnected, the redundant pin provides a backup path, cushioning the system against overvoltage damage and allowing continued safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS8559147B1Providing overvoltage protection by using redundant feedback pins

Publication Date: 2013.10.15 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A circuit board includes a controller, a first feedback pin, and a second feedback pin. The controller determines a first voltage measurement associated with the first feedback pin. The controller further determines whether the first feedback pin is disconnected from the controller based on the first voltage measurement. The controller determines a second voltage measurement associated with the second feedback pin when the first feedback pin is disconnected from the controller. The controller also adjusts an output voltage of the controller based on the second voltage measurement when the first feedback pin is disconnected from the controller.