Switch Control Circuit for Power Supply with Diode Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switch control circuits for power supplies are prone to damage due to incorrect connections, such as short circuits or reverse polarity, which affects the reliability of power delivery to loads.

Innovation Solution

A switch control circuit incorporating a diode and a short circuit protection element, where the diode prevents damage from reverse connections and the short circuit protection element safeguards against short circuits, ensuring reliable power supply by controlling the on/off state of the loop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a simple switch control circuit is used to control battery pack power supply, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to incorrect connections and short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diode is pre-installed in the circuit to prevent reverse polarity damage before it can occur. This preliminary protective measure ensures that if connections are made incorrectly, the diode blocks reverse current flow, protecting the battery pack and other components from damage before the error can cause harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The diode acts as an intermediary protective element between the battery pack and the potential harm of reverse polarity connections. It mediates the electrical flow, allowing current to pass in the correct direction while blocking it in the reverse direction, thus protecting the system without requiring complex control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If protection circuits are added to prevent incorrect connections, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit component count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diode is a simple, inexpensive component that provides robust protection against reverse polarity. Rather than using complex, expensive protection circuits with multiple components and control logic, the patent employs a single diode that reliably performs the protective function at minimal cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The diode changes the electrical parameter of current flow directionality in the circuit. By introducing this unidirectional flow characteristic, the circuit automatically adapts to prevent reverse polarity damage without requiring additional control mechanisms or complex circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual switching is used to force battery power supply, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to human error in connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual power-up easeVSAvoidpower supply safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diode provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned in the circuit to absorb or block the harmful effects of reverse polarity connections before they can damage the battery pack or other components. This preliminary protective barrier allows manual operation to proceed without fear of connection errors causing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution effectively prevents component damage from incorrect connections, enhancing the reliability of power supply to loads by providing short circuit protection and preventing damage from reverse polarity.

Implementation Method 1

a cathode of a diode is connected with a negative electrode of the power supply, an anode of the diode is connected with a first terminal of a short circuit protection element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode rectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2482412B1Switch control circuit for power supply and power supplying circuit
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2482412B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2482412B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2482412B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A switch control circuit for a power supply and a power supplying circuit are provided. The switch control circuit includes: a cathode of a diode is connected with a negative electrode of the power supply, an anode of the diode is connected with a first terminal of a short circuit protection element, a second terminal of the short circuit protection element is connected with a first terminal of a switch unit, a second terminal of the switch unit is connected with a first junction of a contactor, and a second junction of the contactor is connected with a positive electrode of the power supply. The short circuit protection element is configured to provide short circuit protection to a loop to which it belongs. The switch unit is configured to control on/off of the loop to which it belongs. The control circuit and the power supplying circuit can improve the reliability of power supplying.