Switch Integrity Verification Circuit for Short-Circuit Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch monitoring techniques, such as the desaturation function, fail to detect short circuits, leading to potential damage of downstream electronic components and unwanted current injection into the power source.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit with an additional switch controlled by a monitoring enable signal verifies the integrity of a switch by detecting short circuits before connecting it to the supply voltage, using a series connection of a resistor and diode to monitor the switch's condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the desaturation function is used to monitor switch condition, then overcurrent detection is improved, but short circuit detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a short circuit verification test before the switch is connected to the supply voltage. The control circuit activates the switch and monitors the current through the diode to detect any short circuit condition in advance, preventing potential damage to downstream components before normal operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diode as an intermediary component connected in series with the switch. This diode enables the control circuit to monitor the switch's on-state resistance by measuring the voltage across it during a verification phase, providing an indirect method to detect short circuits that the direct desaturation function cannot identify.
2Reliability
If switch verification is performed before connecting to supply voltage, then short circuit detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the switch during normal operation and simultaneously performs short circuit verification before connection. The same control circuit and current path are used for both verification and operational control, avoiding the need for separate verification hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch and diode combination serves dual purposes: the diode protects against reverse current during normal operation and simultaneously enables short circuit detection during verification. The existing switch control mechanism is reused for verification by simply adjusting the control signal timing, allowing the system to verify itself without external testing equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an electronic circuit to verify the integrity of a switch. The circuit comprises a voltage comparator and decoupling switch. The decoupling switch configured receive the driving signal having a first logic value to enable the monitoring of the comparison voltage and is configured to receive the monitoring enable signal having a first logic value to command the opening of the decoupling switch. The electronic circuit is configured to generate the output monitoring signal having a first logic value in an event that the switch is an open circuit and having a second logic value in an event that the switch is a short circuit.