Surge Protector Bypass Circuit for Signal Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surge protection devices in information technology and communications technology systems often fail to prevent signal path failures when overvoltage protection components are triggered, leading to either signal short-circuiting or interruption, resulting in data loss.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical tripping device is implemented to disconnect current paths through the overvoltage protection circuit, allowing external voltage signals to bypass the protection circuit, responding to both overload and aging phenomena by using a conductor track connecting device with a solder or conductive adhesive connection that melts when a triggering current is exceeded, and a mechanical actuating device that opens and closes switching contacts to divert leakage currents to ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If overvoltage protection components (suppressor diodes, gas discharge arresters) are used to protect signal paths, then overvoltage protection is improved, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates when components are triggered or fail due to short-circuiting or high-resistance states
Solution Approach 1:
The signal path is segmented into two separate paths: a first current path through the overvoltage protection circuit device and a second current path bypassing it. This segmentation allows the system to switch between protection mode and reliable signal transmission mode, preventing single-point failures from affecting the entire signal path.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical tripping device acts as an intermediary between the overvoltage protection circuit and the signal path. When triggered by overload or aging conditions, this device automatically switches the signal transmission from the vulnerable protection path to the reliable bypass path, ensuring continuous signal flow despite component failures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If overvoltage protection components are installed in series with the signal path, then protection is provided, but signal flow is interrupted when components fail or are triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational states: normally using the overvoltage protection path for safety, and automatically transitioning to the bypass path when triggered. This dynamic adaptation ensures both protection and continuous signal transmission without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the electrical connectivity parameters automatically: when overvoltage components are triggered, the mechanical tripping device alters the circuit configuration to redirect current flow through the bypass path, maintaining signal transmission while isolating the failed protection components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple overvoltage protection components are used in the signal path, then comprehensive protection is achieved, but device complexity and failure probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overvoltage protection components are extracted from the main signal path and placed in a parallel branch. This allows the signal to flow through either the protection path or the bypass path independently, reducing the impact of component failures on overall system complexity and reliability.
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
Prevents signal path failures by ensuring continuous signal transmission even when overvoltage protection components are triggered, allowing for safe separation of defective components without interrupting the signal flow, and enabling the use of multiple surge protection components to be disconnected simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
a conductor track connecting device attached to the circuit board with a solder connection or conductive adhesive connection, which can be melted in a triggered state when the predetermined triggering current is exceeded
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical actuating device for opening the first switching contact device in the non-triggered state and for closing the first switching contact device in the triggered state
Implementation Method 3
Known overvoltage protection circuit devices have, as overvoltage protection components, gas discharge arresters with breakdown voltages of typically a few 100 V on the input side and suppressor diodes, e.g. Zener diodes, with breakdown voltages of typically a few 10V on the output side
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention provides a surge protector, in particular for information technology and/or communications technology systems, which is equipped with: a housing (ST, BT; GT); a first input terminal (E1) for applying a first external voltage signal; a second input terminal (E2) for applying a second external voltage signal; a first output terminal (A1) for outputting the first external voltage signal; a second output terminal (A2) for outputting the second external voltage signal; a surge protection circuit device (G1, R1, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1, Z2), at least part of which is provided on a circuit board (P) located in the housing (ST, BT; G); a first current path (ST1) for conducting the first external voltage signal from the first input terminal (E1) to the first output terminal (A1) bypassing the surge protection circuit device (G1, R1, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1, Z2); a second current path (ST2) for conducting the second external voltage signal from the second input terminal (E2) to the second output terminal (A2) bypassing the surge protection circuit device (G1, R1, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1, Z2); a third current path (ST3) for conducting the first external voltage signal from the first input terminal (E1) to the first output terminal (A1) via the surge protection circuit device (G1, R1, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1, Z2); a first switching contact device (F1) for opening and closing the first current path (ST1); a first electrical surge protection component (G1) which is connected between the first and third current paths (ST1, ST3); and a mechanical tripping device (AU; B, S, EF, SL) for opening the first switching contact device (F1) when in a non-tripped state and for closing the first switching contact device (F1) in order to interrupt the third current path (ST3) when in a tripped state at a tripping current in the surge protection circuit device (G1, R1, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1, Z2) caused by exceeding a nominal parameter and/or by degradation of the components.