Electronic Circuit for Securing Energy Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic circuits for protecting the power supply of receiving devices, such as those in global satellite navigation systems, face challenges in cost-effectiveness and efficiency in preventing short circuits, overcurrents, and polarity reversals, while also detecting antenna connections.

Innovation Solution

An electronic circuit utilizing commercially available components, including MOSFETs and comparators, is designed to protect against overcurrents, polarity reversals, and short circuits, with a measuring resistor and diodes to limit current and detect antenna connections, allowing for cost-effective production and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specialized protection components are used, then protection reliability is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protection function is divided into multiple independent modules: overcurrent protection module, polarity reversal protection module, and short circuit protection module. Each module uses simple, commercially available components (MOSFETs, diodes, resistors) rather than expensive specialized protection components, achieving reliable protection while reducing production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit uses universal components like MOSFETs (Q1, Q2) and diodes (D1, D2) that can perform multiple protection functions simultaneously. For example, the MOSFETs provide both overcurrent protection and polarity reversal protection, reducing the need for specialized components and lowering overall production cost while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple protection functions are implemented, then protection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection coverageVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple protection functions are merged into a single integrated circuit design. The overcurrent protection, polarity reversal protection, and short circuit detection functions are combined in one circuit board using shared components like MOSFETs Q1 and Q2, which participate in multiple protection mechanisms simultaneously, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Components are designed to serve multiple protection functions. For instance, diode D1 and D2 are used both for polarity reversal protection and overcurrent protection. The MOSFETs Q1 and Q2 function as switching elements for overcurrent protection and as protection elements for polarity reversal, reducing the total component count and simplifying the circuit while achieving comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If commercially available components are used, then production cost is reduced, but component performance may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidcomponent performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit parameters (resistance values, capacitance values, MOSFET gate thresholds) are carefully selected and optimized to ensure that commercially available components operate within their optimal performance ranges. For example, the measuring resistor R1 is chosen with specific resistance value to generate appropriate voltage signals for detection, and MOSFET gate-source threshold voltages are considered in the design to ensure reliable switching, thereby maintaining high component performance despite using standard commercial parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms where the output of protection functions feeds back to control the switching of MOSFETs. For instance, when overcurrent is detected through measuring resistor R1, the voltage signal feeds back to control MOSFET Q1 and Q2 to reduce current flow. This feedback control ensures that commercially available components operate reliably and maintain appropriate performance levels under various protection conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 circuit effectively prevents damage to voltage sources and components by recognizing and mitigating overcurrents, polarity reversals, and short circuits, while detecting antenna connections, thereby ensuring reliable operation and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

a measuring resistor (R1) which is connected in series in the supply path in such a way that current can be limited by the resistor and a voltage can be generated across the resistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOhm's Law: Ohm's Law

Implementation Method 2

The first switching component and/or the second switching component are expediently metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors, so-called MOSFETs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectField-effect transistor operation:

Implementation Method 3

A diode is expediently provided in the connection of a connection of the third switching component to the gates of the first and/or the second switching components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode rectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3568893B1Electronic circuit for securing an energy supply of a receiving device
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3568893B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic circuit for securing an energy supply of a receiving device, comprising the following: - a supply path for connecting the receiving device to a voltage source, said supply path (ANT_SUP-ANT_OUT) having at least one first switch component (M1) in series with a second switch component (M2) and having a measurement resistor (R2), - a functional assembly (2) for securing against an overcurrent in the supply path, - a functional assembly (3) for detecting a connected receiving device, - a functional assembly (4) for securing against a pole reversal of the voltage of the supply path, and - a functional assembly (5) for detecting a mass short circuit of the supply path.