Semiconductor Leakage Current Detection Circuit with Flare Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional earth leakage circuit breakers manufactured using the BCD process face increased variations in sensitivity current due to the short channel effect, making it difficult to maintain the sensitivity current within the defined control range for high-sensitivity types, and existing solutions complicate the structure and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of flare current stabilization (FCS) circuits in the signal amplification and interruption determination units of the semiconductor integrated circuit, independent of the short channel effect, to stabilize unwanted current variations and improve reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional semiconductor integrated circuits are manufactured using the BCD process with micro process of 3 μm or less, then device integration and compactness are improved, but the short channel effect increases causing significant variation in channel current and sensitivity current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flare current stabilization circuit as an intermediary component between the signal amplification unit and the interruption determination unit. This circuit stabilizes the flare current that is subject to short channel effect variations, thereby reducing the impact of process scaling on sensitivity current variation while maintaining device compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the electrical parameters of the semiconductor integrated circuit by introducing the flare current stabilization circuit, which changes the current characteristics to compensate for short channel effects. This parameter modification allows the circuit to maintain stable sensitivity current despite using advanced micro processes with 3 μm or less channel length
2Measurement precision
If the sensitivity current variation is reduced to within 5 mA range for high-sensitivity type earth leakage circuit breakers, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to additional stabilization circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flare current stabilization function with the existing signal amplification and interruption determination units by strategically connecting the stabilization circuit to shared nodes. This integration approach achieves sensitivity current variation reduction while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flare current stabilization circuit is designed to automatically compensate for current variations without requiring external control or adjustment mechanisms. The circuit self-regulates the flare current to maintain stable sensitivity current, reducing the need for additional complex control systems
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit for detecting leakage current to determine whether an electric leakage occurs in an electric line based on an induced voltage input from a leakage current detection unit 20 installed in the electric line, and an earth, leakage circuit breaker having the semiconductor integrated circuit. A semiconductor integrated circuit 100 for detecting leakage current includes: a signal amplification unit 110 configured to amplify the induced voltage; an interruption determination unit 130 configured to compare an output voltage output from the signal amplification unit with a preset reference voltage, and output an interruption signal for interrupting a power supply to the electric line; a flare current stabilization (FCS) circuit 150 for a signal amplification unit connected to the signal amplification unit; and a flare current stabilization (FCS) circuit 170 for an interruption determination unit connected to the interruption determination unit.