Thermal Hiccup Control in Overcurrent Protection Circuits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching devices lack enhanced safety features in their overcurrent protection functions, particularly in hiccup operation where the on-period and off-period of the switching element are fixed, leading to potential overheating risks.
Innovation Solution
An overcurrent protection circuit with a hiccup controller that alternates the on-period and off-period of the switching element based on temperature sense signals, allowing for dynamic adjustment of these periods to prevent overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the on-period and off-period are fixed in hiccup operation, then the control is simple, but the overheating risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the on-period and off-period adjustable rather than fixed. The control circuit dynamically modifies these time periods based on temperature conditions, allowing the system to adapt to thermal changes and prevent overheating while maintaining manageable control complexity through structured adjustment mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the on-period is extended to maintain output current, then the productivity is improved, but the heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a temperature detection circuit to monitor thermal conditions and feed this information back to the control circuit. Based on this feedback, the control circuit adjusts the on-period and off-period to maintain output current while preventing excessive heat generation, thus balancing productivity with thermal management.
3Temperature
If the off-period is extended to reduce heat generation, then the temperature is controlled, but the output current maintenance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting both the on-period and off-period based on temperature conditions. Rather than simply extending the off-period to reduce heat, the system modifies both time parameters in coordination to maintain output current while controlling temperature, optimizing both thermal management and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An overcurrent protection circuit includes a hiccup controller which is configured to hiccup-drive a switching element such that an on-period and an off-period alternate. The hiccup controller controls at least one of the on- and off-period according to a temperature sense signal. The temperature sense signal can be generated by detecting at least one of temperature of the switching element and a difference in temperature between the switching element and another element. When at least one of temperature of the switching element and the difference in temperature between the switching element and the other element is higher than a predetermined threshold value, the hiccup controller can reduce the on-period ton and increase the off-period.