A three pin current triggered TVS protection semiconductor device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TVS protection devices are dependent on parasitic inductances and resistances in the system design, leading to insufficient protection against overcurrent and overvoltages in integrated circuits.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a small resistor into the IC path of the TVS protection device, which is triggered by a voltage drop to divert current away from the IC, independent of parasitic inductances or external resistors, using silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCR) or open base transistors (BJT) to create a regenerative feedback loop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing TVS protection devices are used, then protection is provided against transient voltage spikes, but the protection is dependent on parasitic inductances and resistances in the system design, leading to insufficient protection against overcurrent and overvoltages
Solution Approach 1:
A small resistor is introduced as an intermediary component in the IC path. This resistor works in conjunction with the TVS device to create a voltage drop that triggers the protection mechanism, making the system independent of parasitic inductances and resistances. The intermediary resistor enables reliable detection of overcurrent conditions without relying on unpredictable parasitic elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the voltage drop across the small resistor is continuously monitored. When the voltage drop exceeds a threshold (indicating overcurrent), the TVS device is triggered to divert current away from the IC. This closed-loop feedback ensures the protection responds dynamically to actual operating conditions, providing reliable protection independent of system design variations.
2Reliability
If a small resistor is incorporated into the IC path to trigger voltage drop, then independent protection against overcurrent is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The small resistor serves multiple functions: it acts as a current-sensing element, a trigger mechanism for the TVS device, and a protection initiator. By making the resistor multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable independent protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protection triggering function with the existing current path by incorporating the small resistor directly into the IC path. This integration approach combines the sensing and triggering functions within the existing structure, reducing the need for separate discrete components and minimizing overall device complexity.
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 provides reliable protection against overcurrent and overvoltages, independent of system design, ensuring effective diversion of current and maintaining signal integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a semiconductor device arranged to be triggered by a voltage drop across the resistor to open a path between the input terminal and the ground terminal
Implementation Method 2
The TVS protection device may include a first silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR). The first SCR may include a first transistor and a second transistor
Data Source
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AI summary
A transient voltage suppressor (TVS) protection device is presented comprising: an input terminal; an integrated circuit (IC) terminal, a ground terminal; a resistor connected between the input terminal and the IC terminal; and a semiconductor device arranged to be triggered by a voltage drop across the resistor to open a path between the input terminal to the ground terminal.