High-Side and Low-Side Voltage Checks for Shorted Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting short circuits across a load in circuit configurations with high-side and low-side paths are complex, time-intensive, and stressful on components, often requiring sequence controls that prolong detection time and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines voltage values in both paths and checks for threshold exceedance over a predefined time interval, allowing for rapid and reliable detection of short circuits across the load without additional switching effort, using a single threshold value for both paths and leveraging existing voltage monitoring during regular operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sequence controls are used to detect short circuits, then detection reliability is improved, but detection time increases and component stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously monitoring voltage values in both high-side and low-side paths during regular circuit operation, rather than waiting for a short circuit event to trigger detection sequences. The control unit already determines these voltage values as part of normal load control, so short circuit detection conditions are pre-prepared and ready for immediate evaluation when threshold exceedance occurs, eliminating the need for time-consuming detection sequences.
2Reliability
If conventional sequence controls are used to detect short circuits, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges short circuit detection functionality with the existing load control operations. The same control unit that controls the load also determines voltage values and evaluates short circuit conditions. The voltage determination and short circuit detection share common resources (control unit, voltage measurement circuits), eliminating the need for separate detection hardware and complex control sequences, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection reliability.
3Measurement precision
If additional switching effort is used for detection, then detection precision is improved, but component stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the existing voltage monitoring infrastructure and control unit resources to perform short circuit detection without requiring additional switching operations or dedicated detection hardware. The control unit leverages voltage values it already determines for load control purposes, making the detection system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for extra components or operations that would increase stress on the circuit.
4Measurement precision
If different threshold values are used for high-side and low-side paths, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different threshold values to be configured for the high-side path and low-side path independently. The control unit can store and evaluate against path-specific thresholds that account for the different electrical characteristics and failure modes of each path. This enables precise detection tailored to each path's requirements without requiring complex adaptive algorithms, as the thresholds can be set based on simple electrical parameter differences.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining a first voltage that is in a high-side path of a circuit, the path including a high-side switch connected between a first potential connection of the circuit and a first connection of a load of the circuit; determining a second voltage that is in a low-side path of the circuit, the path including a low-side switch connected between a second potential connection of the circuit and a second connection of the load; responsive to a determination that one of the voltages exceeds a threshold for at least a duration of a predefined time interval, checking whether the other voltage currently exceeds the threshold; and determining that there is a short circuit across the load or in whichever of the paths has the voltage that exceeded the threshold for the duration, respectively, if the result of the check is positive or negative.