JPH0955566A - Electronic circuit board having power interrupting function and ic - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize the adverse effect of abnormal temperature, overcurrent, etc., on the circuit or apparatus while sustaining the operation at operable parts. SOLUTION: The electronic circuit having a function for interrupting power supply to an electronic circuit mounted on a board upon occurrence of abnormality comprises means 7x, 11 detecting an abnormality occurring in the electronic circuit or on the periphery of board, and a plurality of blocks 5x executing different processing provided by dividing the electronic circuit. The electronic circuit further comprises power interruption circuits 8x corresponding to the plurality of blocks 5x, and a circuit 12 for controlling the power interruption circuits 8x to interrupt power supply to the electronic circuit in units of block based on the information of abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means 7x, 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a general electronic circuit board which needs to cope with abnormal temperature and overcurrent, an electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function in an IC, and an IC.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic circuit board, an IC package, etc., need to be cooled by a fan or the like because the temperature of the electronic circuit board, the IC package, etc. rises. In such a board or the like, when an abnormality occurs due to a fan failure, clogging, or the like, it is indispensable not only to malfunction the circuit but also to prevent the failure from occurring.

Conventionally, when an abnormal temperature rise is detected, the operation is stopped by shutting off the power supply for each substrate.
Suppressing further rise in temperature prevents serious failures such as board failure.

Further, even when a short circuit occurs on the substrate due to an element failure or the like and an overcurrent flows, the function of the entire apparatus is stopped by cutting off the power source to avoid a serious failure.

[0005]

Conventionally, for the purpose of protecting an electronic circuit board or an IC package, as a countermeasure against an abnormal temperature or an overcurrent, as described above, the power supply is cut off for each board or device. And stopped working.

However, if all the functions are stopped by shutting off the power supply for each substrate or device as described above, then
There is a problem that post-processing such as grasping the degree of failure or situation, notification to a higher-level device, and saving of minimum information cannot be performed at all.

Therefore, a great deal of labor may be required to restore the system and device. The present invention has been made in consideration of such an actual situation, and even when there is a temperature abnormality or an overcurrent occurrence, the adverse effect on the circuit or the device is minimized and the operable portion is continued. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic circuit board and an IC with a power cutoff function to operate.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 has an electronic circuit mounted on a substrate and has a power cutoff function for stopping the power supply to the electronic circuit when an abnormality occurs. On an electronic circuit board, an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality that has occurred in the electronic circuit or in the vicinity of the board, a plurality of blocks for dividing the electronic circuit and performing different processes, and a plurality of blocks provided corresponding to each of the plurality of blocks. Power cutoff function having a controlled power cutoff circuit and a control circuit for controlling the power cutoff circuit to stop the power supply to the electronic circuit in block units based on the information on the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means. Attached electronic circuit board.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the abnormality detecting means includes a temperature sensor and a current sensor provided for each of the blocks, and the control circuit has a temperature sensor. When an anomaly is detected by the sensor, the current supply to some or all of the blocks is stopped on a block-by-block basis based on the preset priority order.When an anomaly is detected by the current sensor, the anomaly is detected. It is an electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function that controls the power cutoff circuit to stop the current supply to the block.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is an IC in which an electronic circuit is integrated, and an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality occurring in the electronic circuit itself or in the vicinity thereof,
Based on the information of the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detecting means, a plurality of blocks each of which is formed by dividing the electronic circuit and executes different processing, a power cutoff circuit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of blocks, It is an IC with a power cutoff function, comprising a control circuit for controlling a power cutoff circuit so as to stop the power supply to the circuit in block units.

[0011]

Therefore, first, in the electronic circuit board with the power interruption function of the invention according to the first aspect, the abnormality detecting means detects the abnormality that has occurred in the electronic circuit or its periphery.

Further, the electronic circuit in the substrate is divided into a plurality of blocks which respectively perform different processes. Further, a power cutoff circuit that allows the power supply to be stopped is provided for each of the plurality of blocks.

Then, the control circuit controls the power cutoff circuit so as to stop the power supply for each block based on the information on the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detecting means. As described above, in the electronic circuit board, it is possible to adjust the number of blocks in which the power stop for the board cuts off the power according to the abnormal state of the board. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs, the adverse effect on the board and the device on which the board is mounted should be minimized, and further, the operation should be continued while degrading the functions without stopping all the electronic circuit boards at once. You can

Further, in the electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function of the invention according to claim 2, the same function as in the invention according to claim 1 is provided, and an abnormality detecting means is provided for each temperature sensor and each block. It consists of a current sensor.

Further, when an abnormality is detected from the temperature sensor by the control circuit, the current supply to some or all of the blocks is stopped on a block-by-block basis based on a preset priority order. When an abnormality is detected by the current sensor, the current supply to the block in which the abnormality is detected is stopped.

Therefore, even if the temperature of the board rises or an overcurrent occurs in the block, adverse effects due to these are surely prevented, and further, the function of the electronic circuit board is degenerated without stopping all the electronic circuit boards at once. The operation can be continued.

Further, in the IC with power cutoff function of the invention according to claim 3, the electronic circuit in the invention according to claim 1 corresponds to the integrated electronic circuit in the IC, and the electronic circuit board is replaced with the IC. In case of
It operates similarly to the invention of claim 1.

Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in the IC,
It is possible to reliably prevent damage to the IC chip due to this abnormality, and to continue the operation by degrading the functions without stopping all the functions at once.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a board configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic circuit board 30 includes a pattern layer 1, a pattern layer 2, power supply layers 3a, 3b, 3c ,. . . The power supply layer 3 and the ground layer 4 (hereinafter, represented by the power supply layer 3x) are combined to form one (one set or one set) substrate. That is, each of these layers is formed on a single plate, but all the plates are connected by connecting bolts or connecting rods (not shown) to form the substrate 30 as one integrated plate.

In such an electronic circuit board 30,
Each element is arranged on the pattern layer 1 and the pattern layer 2,
It realizes various functions. The power supply layer 3 supplies electric power to the pattern layers 1 and 2, and the ground layer 4 is grounded. Further, generally, the required number of pattern layers is provided, and in the case of the present embodiment, the number of pattern layers is two.

In the electronic circuit board 30 with a power cutoff function of the present embodiment, each element realized on the pattern layers 1 and 2 is divided into blocks according to the function. In FIG. 1, the functional blocks 5a, 5b, 5 are provided on the pattern layer 1.
c,. . . (Represented by 5x hereinafter) is provided, and other functional blocks and a part of the functional blocks 5c are also provided in the pattern layer 2, but the display thereof is omitted in FIG.

Here, the function block 5x is a unit for realizing each function on the board and a unit for degenerating the function. Power supply layers 3a, 3b, 3c correspond to the respective functional blocks 5a, 5b, 5c, and power is supplied to the corresponding functional blocks via power supply lines 6a, 6b, 6c.

Further, the functional block 5x can be freely divided and set as a unit of division, and is divided in consideration of importance, heat generation amount, patterns in which an abnormality easily occurs, etc. To provide. This block may span the pattern layers 1, 2.

On the other hand, the power supply layer 3 is divided corresponding to the functional blocks, but is one layer as a whole and is mounted on one plate. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control portion that performs a function degenerating operation of the electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 2, in each power supply layer 3x of the electronic circuit board 30 with a power interruption function, the amount of current flowing into the power supply layer 3x is measured, and when the current value exceeding the set value is confirmed, the control circuit 12 Current sensor 7x for notifying the abnormality to
The power cutoff circuit 8x is connected in series, and is further connected to the power supply device 9.

The power supply device 9 does not divide the power supply for each function, but supplies power to all the functions by one. A filter circuit 10x is provided in parallel with each current cutoff circuit 8x. The current sensor 7x, the power cutoff circuit 8x, and the filter circuit 10x are provided in the middle of the route for supplying the electric power from the power supply device 9 to the power supply layer 3x in the substrate 30.

Here, each power cutoff circuit 8x is a SW for controlling the supply of power, and is turned on by a control signal from the control circuit 12 using a thyristor, a relay or the like.
/ OFF is performed. Further, the filter circuit 10x is adapted to remove noise generated by turning on / off the power cutoff circuit 8x.

On the other hand, in the substrate 30, when the ambient temperature or contact temperature is measured and the set temperature is exceeded, the control circuit 12
A temperature sensor 11 for notifying an abnormality is provided, and outputs from the temperature sensor 11 and the current sensor 7x are input to the control circuit 12.

This control circuit 12 includes sensors 7x and 11
Each functional block 5x is monitored on the basis of the information from, and when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the power cutoff circuit 8x is controlled to stop the power supply to the abnormal functional block 5x.

The control circuit 12 also stores information about the priority of each functional block 5x. In the case of a temperature abnormality, the power supply is stopped from the function block 5x having a low priority, for example, the importance is low, and if the temperature rise cannot be suppressed, the function blocks are sequentially stopped in the order of low priority. Has become.

Further, the control circuit 12 stores the present state and keeps in contact with the upper device 40 at all times. In the case of an abnormality, after shutting off the corresponding function block 5x, a contact signal s is output to notify the host device of the content thereof, and the subsequent determination is made.

The control circuit 12 is also a functional block 5
It is provided as one of x. It should be noted that the temperature sensor 11 and the current sensor 7x constitute an example of abnormality detecting means.

Next, the operation of the electronic circuit board having the power cutoff function of the present embodiment having the above-described structure will be described. First, the relationship between the functional blocks 5x, the power supply layer 3 and the like in this embodiment will be shown, and functional degeneracy will be conceptually described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing a unit of functional degeneracy in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a part of the ground layer 4 and the power supply layer 3 is projected on the pattern layer 1, and a part of the ground layer 4 and the power supply layer 3 is projected on the pattern layer 2. Here, the functional blocks 5c and 5c2 are such that one functional block extends over the two pattern layers 1 and 2. These functional blocks 5c and 5c2 are
Since they are the same functional unit, when the power is cut off, they are cut off at the same time and stop functioning.

It is the power supply layers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3c2, 3d that actually supply the power from the device power supply 9,
The corresponding function is realized by each functional block 5a, 5
b, 5c, 5c2 and 5d.

That is, the control unit 12 determines whether or not there is an abnormality for each functional unit consisting of each sensor, power supply layer, functional block, etc., and the ambient temperature rises abnormally due to fan stop, etc. When 11 detects the abnormality,
When an overcurrent flows in due to an element failure or the like and the power sensor 7x detects it, the functional unit is cut off by power cutoff,
Perform function degradation. However, since the normal part continues to operate, as much as possible of the electronic circuit board 30 continues to operate.

In this case, when the overcurrent is detected, the functional unit is shut off, and when the temperature is abnormal, the functional units are shut down in order of priority to suppress the temperature rise. Therefore, the electronic circuit board 30 with a power cutoff function of the present embodiment stops the function unit according to the occurrence of an abnormality and continues the operation in a manner of degenerating the function from the viewpoint of the entire board, and by continuing the operation. , Understanding the degree of failure or situation and notifying higher-level devices,
It is to secure the minimum information storage. Also,
Allows you to continue to maintain the operation of critical functions.

Next, the specific operation of the electronic circuit board 30 with the power cutoff function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the control circuit 12 monitors information from the current sensor 7x (ST1).

Next, if an overcurrent has occurred due to, for example, an element failure, and if there is an abnormal value in the current value in the information monitoring result (ST2), it means that there is any functional unit consisting of the corresponding functional block 5x or the like. Whether or not there is a search / judgment (ST3), the corresponding power cutoff circuit 8x is activated to degenerate the function (ST4).

After that, the control circuit 12 notifies the host device 40 of the result of the function degeneracy, and asks for the subsequent judgment (ST.
5) Return to current value monitoring (ST1). If there is no abnormal value from the current information monitoring result (ST2), then the control circuit 12 monitors the information from the temperature sensor 11 (ST).
6).

If there is no abnormal value from the temperature information monitoring result (ST7), the current value monitoring is returned to (ST1). On the other hand, if the temperature rises due to the stop of the cooling fan or the like and the ambient temperature becomes abnormal (ST7), the process proceeds to step ST8.

At step ST8, the level of abnormality,
That is, the temperature height, temperature rise rate, etc.
A block to be degenerated is determined based on the priority of x. Then, the corresponding power cutoff circuit 8x is activated to degenerate the function (ST9).

Thereafter, the result of the function degeneration is notified to the host device 40 (ST5), and the current value monitoring is returned to (ST1). In addition,
Even if the power supply is cut off in steps ST4 and ST9, the filter circuit 10x removes the noise that occurs due to the change in the load resistance, so that stable power supply is performed as a whole.

Although not particularly shown in FIG. 4,
The control circuit continues to monitor the transition of the situation, and step ST2
In ST6, when the abnormal current value and temperature are restored to the normal state, the function is restored as necessary.

As described above, the electronic circuit board with the power cutoff function according to the present embodiment has the pattern layers 1 and 2 of the board 30.
Is divided into functional blocks 5x, each of which is provided with a power cutoff circuit 8, and the power supply is stopped and cut off in block units based on the outputs from the sensors 11 and 7x. Even in the case of occurrence or the like, it is possible to keep the adverse effect on the circuit or device to a minimum and to continue operating the operable part by degenerating the function.

Therefore, by separating the cause of the abnormality, further deterioration of the situation can be prevented, and by keeping the necessary minimum functions operating, it is possible to grasp the degree of the fault or the situation and notify the host device of the minimum. It is possible to guarantee the execution of abnormal processing such as saving of information, and it is possible to greatly reduce the effort for system and device restoration.

Further, in the electronic circuit board with the power cutoff function according to the present embodiment, the function blocks 5x are prioritized according to their importance and the amount of heat generation, and when abnormal temperature is detected, the power to each block is assigned according to this priority order. By controlling the supply, it is possible to continue operating the minimum required functions without stopping all operations for abnormalities.For example, by setting the blocks in detail, the operation according to the degree of abnormality can be performed. Allows degeneration.

As a result, the heat source can be effectively cut off, and a further temperature rise can be suppressed. Further, by subdividing the blocks into blocks, it becomes possible to degenerate the function according to the degree of temperature rise, and it becomes possible to deal with the degree of failure.

Further, in the electronic circuit board with the power cutoff function according to this embodiment, the current sensor 8x is provided for each functional block 5x.
Is provided, it is possible to detect an abnormality such as an overcurrent for each block and disconnect the functional block 5x in which the abnormality has occurred.

In the present embodiment, the control circuit 12
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control circuit 12 may be provided outside by connecting the power cutoff circuit 8x or the like to the outside through the connection pin.

Further, in the present embodiment, after the power supply to the functional block 5x is cut off, the functional block 5x is restored by the judgment of the control circuit 12. However, for example, after the notification to the higher-level equipment 40 in step ST5 of FIG. Alternatively, the power cutoff circuit 12 may be reconnected in accordance with an instruction from the host device that has determined the situation.

By doing so, more accurate protection of the electronic circuit board and normal operation of the functional block can be ensured. Further, although the electronic circuit board with the power cutoff function is described in the present embodiment, the present invention is applied not only to the electronic circuit board but also to ICs, LSIs, VLSIs and the like in which the electronic circuit board is integrated on a silicon chip or the like. It is possible.

That is, by dividing the internal cell of the IC into functional units, providing similar switches and sensors on the power supply line, and further providing the control circuit 12 at a part of the integrated portion to control the switches and the like. IC as in the above embodiment
It is possible to obtain the same effect by shutting off by the function unit of.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of an electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. , Here, only different parts will be described.

This electronic circuit board 30 'has a pattern layer 1
And pattern layer 2 and power supply layers 3a ', 3b', 3c
´ ,. . . It is composed of one (one set or one set) of substrates (hereinafter, represented by the power supply layer 3x ') and the ground layer 4 which are combined.

In this embodiment, each power supply layer 3x 'corresponds to the power supply layer 3x in the above embodiment,
These are independent plates (layers), and one power supply layer 3x 'corresponds to the power supply layer 3 of the previous embodiment.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of plates (layers) forming the substrate 30 'is increased by the number of the power supply layers 3x'. Further, other configurations and operations are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore their explanations are omitted.

As described above, in the electronic circuit board with the power cutoff function according to this embodiment, each power supply layer 3x 'is provided as each layer for each functional block 5x, so that the same effect as the previous embodiment is obtained. Besides, it is possible to simplify the arrangement configuration of the power supply layer in the electronic circuit board 30 ′,
As a result, the overall structure of the electronic circuit board 30 'can be simplified. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0060]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the inside of the electronic circuit is divided into blocks, and the power supply can be cut off for each block. And an electronic circuit board with a power cut-off function that can keep the adverse effect on the circuit or device to a minimum and keep the operable parts continuously operating, and I
C can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a board configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of an electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing a unit of functional degeneracy in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific operation of the electronic circuit board with a power interruption function of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a board configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... pattern layer, 2 ... pattern layer, 3 ... power supply layer, 3a,
3b, 3c, 3x ... Power supply layer, 4 ... Ground layer, 5x ... Functional block, 7x ... Current sensor, 8x ... Power cutoff circuit,
9 ... Power supply device, 11 ... Temperature sensor, 12 ... Control circuit, 3
0 ... Electronic circuit board.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electronic circuit board having a power cutoff function, wherein an electronic circuit is mounted on a board, and power supply to the electronic circuit is stopped when an abnormality occurs, the abnormality occurring in the electronic circuit or around the board is detected. Abnormality detection means, a plurality of blocks each of which is formed by dividing the electronic circuit and executes different processing, a power cutoff circuit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of blocks, and an abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means. An electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function, comprising: a control circuit that controls the power cutoff circuit so as to stop the power supply to the electronic circuit in block units based on state information. 2. The abnormality detecting means includes a temperature sensor and a current sensor provided for each of the blocks, and the control circuit sets a preset priority when an abnormality is detected from the temperature sensor. On the basis of the above, the current supply to all or some of the blocks is stopped in the block unit, and when an abnormality is detected from the current sensor, the electric power is supplied to stop the current supply to the block in which the abnormality is detected. The electronic circuit board with a power cutoff function according to claim 1, wherein the cutoff circuit is controlled. 3. An IC in which an electronic circuit is integrated, an anomaly detecting means for detecting an anomaly occurring in the electronic circuit itself or in the vicinity thereof, and a plurality of the electronic circuits divided into different parts for executing different processes. Block, a power cut-off circuit provided corresponding to each of the plurality of blocks, and an electric power supply to the electronic circuit is stopped for each block based on the information on the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection means. And a control circuit for controlling the power cutoff circuit.
C.