Transient Voltage Suppression Device With Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transient voltage suppressors can cause electrical over stress and damage to integrated circuits and host systems due to reverse currents and prolonged high voltage conditions, leading to potential short circuits and system failures.

Innovation Solution

A transient voltage suppression device incorporating a Zener diode, diode string, and an isolation device, such as a capacitor or fuse, that blocks abnormal currents and prevents electrical over stress by managing energy thresholds, with optional inclusion of a back drive diode for enhanced protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transient voltage suppressor is used for electrostatic discharge protection, then ESD protection ability is improved, but electrical over stress damage occurs due to reverse currents and prolonged high voltage conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveESD protection abilityVSAvoidelectrical over stress damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protection circuit is divided into multiple functional segments: a Zener diode for voltage clamping and ESD protection, an isolation device (fuse or capacitor) for blocking abnormal currents, and optionally a back drive diode for reverse current protection. Each segment handles specific protection tasks, allowing the system to protect against ESD while preventing EOS damage through coordinated operation of these segmented protection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a transient voltage suppressor conducts high voltage continuously, then voltage suppression function is maintained, but components are damaged due to exceeding current or voltage withstand capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage suppression functionVSAvoidcomponent withstand capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation device (fuse or capacitor) is pre-configured with specific energy thresholds before operation. When abnormal currents occur, these pre-configured devices automatically activate to block excessive energy before it can damage the Zener diode or other components, preventing the system from exceeding its withstand capacity while maintaining normal voltage suppression function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If an isolation device is added to block abnormal currents, then electrical over stress protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical over stress protectionVSAvoidcircuit structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation device uses inexpensive, simple components such as fuses or capacitors that are designed to fail safely under abnormal conditions. These disposable or sacrificial elements provide robust EOS protection through simple physical mechanisms (fuse blowing or capacitor saturation) rather than complex active control circuits, thereby achieving reliable protection with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Effectively eliminates ESD currents and blocks DC high currents, preventing system damage and ensuring reliable operation by managing energy thresholds and providing double protection when necessary.

Implementation Method 1

The Zener diode is coupled between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, and a node is between the Zener diode and the power supply terminal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectZener breakdown: Avalanche Breakdown

Implementation Method 2

When an abnormal current flows through the isolation device and an energy of the abnormal current per unit time exceeds a preset value of the isolation device, the isolation device blocks a path of the abnormal current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy threshold blocking: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11336088B2Transient voltage suppression device

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 UPI SEMICON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a transient voltage suppression device including a power supply terminal, a ground terminal, a Zener diode, a diode string, and an isolation device. The Zener diode is coupled between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, and a node is between the Zener diode and the power supply terminal. The diode string has a first terminal, a second terminal, and an input/output (I/O) terminal. The second terminal is coupled to the ground terminal. The isolation device is coupled between the node and the first terminal. When an abnormal current flows through the isolation device and an energy of the abnormal current per unit time exceeds a preset value of the isolation device, the isolation device blocks a path of the abnormal current.