USB-C Ground Isolation Switching for Short-Circuit Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB-C/PD systems face challenges in safely and quickly recovering from short circuit conditions, particularly in automotive environments where the vehicle battery is exposed, leading to potential damage and transients.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control circuit with a ground isolation switch and current sense amplifier allows for the detection and management of short circuit conditions, disconnecting the Type-C ground from system ground to prevent damage and enabling safe recovery without causing transients to the power source, using existing circuits and components to reduce cost and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Type-C ground is directly connected to system ground, then the system ground provides a stable reference potential, but short circuit conditions can cause damage and transients to the power source
Solution Approach 1:
A ground isolation switch is introduced as an intermediary component between the Type-C ground and system ground. This switch can be controlled to connect or disconnect the two grounds, allowing the system to maintain a stable reference potential during normal operation while preventing short circuit damage and transients by disconnecting the grounds when a short circuit condition is detected
Solution Approach 2:
The ground connection is made dynamic through the ground isolation switch, which can change its state between connected and disconnected based on system conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different operational states, providing stability when needed and protection when short circuit conditions occur
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ground isolation switch disconnects the Type-C ground from system ground during short circuit, then damage and transients are prevented, but the recovery time from short circuit conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
A control circuit continuously monitors the system for short circuit conditions and provides feedback to the ground isolation switch. When a short circuit is detected, the control circuit signals the switch to disconnect the grounds. After the short circuit condition is resolved, the control circuit signals the switch to reconnect the grounds, enabling automatic and timely recovery without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic detection and recovery mechanisms. The control circuit automatically detects short circuit conditions and manages the ground isolation switch to protect the system. Once the fault is resolved, the system automatically restores normal operation by reconnecting the grounds, eliminating the need for manual reset or intervention
3Reliability
If complex protection circuits are implemented to prevent short circuit damage, then reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ground isolation switch serves as a simple intermediary component that provides effective short circuit protection without requiring complex circuitry. By placing a single controllable switch between the Type-C ground and system ground, the system achieves reliable protection while maintaining circuit simplicity and minimizing cost
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
This solution enables quicker and safer recovery from short circuits in USB-C/PD systems, minimizing the risk of damage to both the system and the power source, and works with both standard and non-standard USB-C cables, effectively managing short circuit conditions without causing transients.
Implementation Method 1
disconnecting the Type-C ground from system ground to prevent damage
Implementation Method 2
current sense amplifier allows for the detection and management of short circuit conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first USB Type-C Power Delivery (USB-C/PD) port and a control circuit operatively coupled to the first USB-C/PD port. The control circuit is configured to determine whether a short circuit condition has occurred based on a first threshold voltage. The control circuit is also configured to turn off a ground isolation switch when short circuit condition occurs. The control circuit is further configured to determine a whether a voltage on a ground line is less than a second threshold voltage. The control circuit is further configured to turn on the ground isolation switch when the voltage on the ground line is less than the second threshold voltage. The control circuit may perform one or more error recovery operations after turning on the ground isolation switch.