Single-Pin Timing Control Circuit for Startup Blanking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the consumer power tool market, there is a need for low-cost, compact IC components with minimal pin count that can implement over-current protection while allowing temporary disablement during startup to prevent unnecessary tripping due to noise, and existing technologies do not efficiently address this.
Innovation Solution
A circuit design utilizing a single input pin to control multiple timing functions, including over-current protection, through a pre-circuit configuration with external hardware components, enabling enable/disable capability and timing configurations, such as over-current protection blanking and startup retry delay, using a switch driver to control a switch externally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple timing functions are implemented using separate pins, then each function can be independently controlled, but the pin count increases leading to larger packaging and higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The input pin is designed to serve multiple functions by detecting different pre-circuit configurations. The pin can control enable/disable capability, over-current protection blanking, and startup retry delay functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate pins for each timing function while maintaining full control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses external passive components (resistors, capacitors) configured in different arrangements to create distinct pre-circuit configurations that the input pin detects. By changing the circuit parameters (component values and connections) rather than adding more pins, multiple timing functions are achieved with a single pin
2Reliability
If over-current protection is always active, then system safety is improved, but unnecessary tripping occurs during startup due to noise and inrush current
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-circuit configuration is established before system operation to pre-determine the desired protection behavior. During startup, the configured circuit automatically provides appropriate blanking periods that prevent noise-induced tripping while maintaining protection capability, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex software control
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own input pin and pre-circuit configuration to automatically manage the over-current protection timing without requiring external control signals or additional control circuitry. The protection circuitry monitors and adjusts its own behavior based on the detected configuration, providing self-regulating startup behavior
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus may include an input pin\ and timing control circuitry coupled to the input pin. The timing control circuitry selectively executes one or more timing control functions based on a set of one or more hardware components coupled to the input pin. The set of one or more hardware components are disposed external to the apparatus. A configuration of the set of one or more hardware components determines which of one or more of the multiple timing control functions are enabled.