Power supply circuit, electronic device, and power supply circuit control method and control program

Abstract

To provide a power supply circuit which contributes to improvement of reliability, an electronic device including the power supply circuit, and a method and a program for controlling the power supply circuit.SOLUTION: In the electronic device, the power supply circuit includes a control circuit, a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel to execute conversion of a prescribed input voltage into a prescribed output voltage, and a detection circuit that outputs a prescribed physical quantity regarding the switching circuit to the control circuit. The control circuit monitors the state of the switching circuit on the basis of the prescribed physical quantity acquired by the detection circuit, and executes control of the switching circuit so as to determine degradation of one of the switching units when one of the switching units is in a conductive state while the switching units other than the one are in a nonconductive state and the prescribed physical quantity acquired from the detection circuit is greater than a prescribed threshold value, to switch the one from the conductive state to the nonconductive state, and to switch the other one from the nonconductive state to the conductive state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply circuit, an electronic device including a power supply circuit, and a control method and control program for the power supply circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] Power supply circuits are electronic circuits with a high failure rate. Conversely, improving the reliability of power supply circuits is the most effective measure to extend the product lifespan. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] “UPS Replacement Proposal”, [online], Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., [Retrieved November 28, 2022], Internet, <URL:https: / / www.fujielectric.co.jp / products / power_supply / service_support / service / ups / replace.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The following analysis was performed by the inventors.

[0005] The above prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] It is difficult to predict the failure of a power supply circuit. Power supply circuits are generally designed to meet the product life of electronic devices by calculating the time of failure based on the operating life and MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) of the components.

[0007] However, in reality, accidental failures in power supply circuits do occur with a certain degree of probability, which can cause serious problems in devices that require high reliability. As a preventative measure, this is often dealt with by periodic replacement (see Non-Patent Document 1 above), which incurs unnecessary costs such as replacing hardware before a failure occurs.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is, inter alia, to provide a power supply circuit, an electronic device including a power supply circuit, and a control method and control program for a power supply circuit that contribute to improving the reliability of the power supply circuit or electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a power supply circuit, the power supply circuit comprising: A control circuit, a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each switching unit performing a conversion of a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage; and connected in series with the switching circuit; and A sensing circuit configured to output a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit to the control circuit. Including, the control circuit is configured to monitor a state of the switching circuit based on a predetermined physical quantity obtained from the detection circuit; when one switching unit of the multiple switching units is in a conductive state and the other switching units of the multiple switching units are in a non-conductive state, and when a predetermined physical quantity acquired from the detection circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold, the control circuit determines that the one switching unit has deteriorated, and executes control of the switching circuit to switch the one switching unit from a conductive state to a non-conductive state and to switch another switching unit of the multiple switching units from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. (Form 1) (2) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a power supply circuit according to the present disclosure, an input power supply for supplying DC power to the power supply circuit; and A load that receives DC power from the power supply circuit An electronic device including the above is provided (form 6). (3) A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling a power supply circuit including a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each of which converts a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage. In the control method, When one switching unit of the plurality of switching units is in a conductive state and the switching units other than the one switching unit of the plurality of switching units are in a non-conductive state, the switching circuit A detection circuit connected in series to the switching circuit detects When a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold, the one switching unit is controlled to be switched from a conductive state to a non-conductive state, and another switching unit of the plurality of switching units is controlled to be switched from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. (Form 7). (4) According to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, A power supply circuit including a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each of which converts a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage. executes the control method according to aspect 7 or aspect 8 described below. The control program is provided ( Form 9).

[0010] (Form 1) See above. (Feature 2) In the power supply circuit of feature 1, Each of the plurality of switching units includes: switching means for performing said conversion; and a load switch connected in series with the switching means and configured to be opened or closed by the control circuit; It is preferred that the compound contains (Feature 3) In the power supply circuit of feature 2, The switching means preferably includes a DC / DC (direct current to direct current) converter. (Feature 4) In the power supply circuit of feature 1, The detection circuit includes: A current detector, and An A / D converter that converts the output of the current detector into an analog to digital form and outputs the converted signal to the control circuit. It is preferred that the compound contains (Feature 5) In the power supply circuit of feature 4, The current detector includes a current sensing resistor connected in series with the switching circuit. M, front The current detection resistor Between both ends It is preferable that a voltage is output as the predetermined physical quantity. (Form 6) See above. (Form 7) See above. (Mode 8) In the control method of mode 7, The predetermined physical quantity is a In the detection circuit Preferably it is the voltage across a current sensing resistor. (Form 9) See above 。

[0011] The above program can be recorded on a computer-readable (non-transient) storage medium. That is, the present disclosure can also be embodied as a computer program product. The program is input to the computer device from an input device or an external device via a communication interface, stored in a storage device, and drives the processor according to a predetermined step or process, and can display the processing result, including an intermediate state, at each stage via a display device as necessary, or can communicate with the outside via the communication interface. For example, a computer device for this purpose typically includes a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and a display device as necessary, which are connectable to each other via a bus. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The present disclosure and each of its aspects can contribute, inter alia, to improving the reliability of power supply circuits and electronic devices that include power supply circuits. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example of an electronic device including a power supply circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a switching circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a switching unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a detection circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart of an example of an operation of a power supply circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of hardware resources. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a power supply circuit according to one variation of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The outline of the present disclosure will be described below. The reference numerals in the drawings attached to this outline are intended solely to aid in the understanding of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the illustrated embodiment. The connecting lines between the blocks in each drawing include both bidirectional and unidirectional. The unidirectional arrows are intended to diagrammatically indicate the flow of signals, information, data, etc., and do not exclude bidirectionality. Furthermore, the connections between the blocks in each drawing can be either wired or wireless. Furthermore, the program is executed via a computer device, which includes, for example, a processor, a storage device, an input device, a communication interface, and a display device as necessary, and the computer device is configured to be capable of communicating with devices (including computers) within or outside the device via the communication interface, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

[0015] Furthermore, in the following description and drawings, elements having the same or common functionality are designated with the same drawing reference numbers.

[0016] (Example of operating principle) When a switching power supply IC (integrated circuit) such as a DC / DC converter deteriorates, its output resistance value decreases, and as a result, the power consumption of the switching power supply IC increases, and therefore the current flowing through the switching power supply IC also increases. At this time, if a resistor is connected in series to the switching power supply IC, the magnitude of the voltage across the resistor is proportional to the magnitude of the current flowing through the resistor, so this voltage increases when the switching power supply IC deteriorates. Therefore, in the following embodiment, this phenomenon is utilized to determine whether or not the switching means of the switching power supply IC such as a DC / DC converter has deteriorated, based on the voltage as a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit.

[0017] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example of an electronic device 1 including a power supply circuit 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] The electronic device 1 includes a power supply circuit 2, an input power source 3 that supplies DC power to the power supply circuit 2, and a load 4 that receives DC power from the power supply circuit 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the switching circuit 5 is disposed on the load 4 side, and the detection circuit 6 is disposed on the input power source 3 side, but this positional relationship can also be reversed.

[0019] The input power source 3 may be an internal battery or an alternating current to direct current (AC / DC) converter that converts external AC power into DC power.

[0020] The load 4 is a device that requires a high degree of reliability, which is essential for the normal operation of the electronic device 1 .

[0021] The power supply circuit 2 includes a switching circuit 5, a detection circuit 6, and a control circuit .

[0022] The switching circuit 5 converts a predetermined DC input power supplied from the input power source 3 into a predetermined DC output power, and supplies the predetermined DC output power to the load 4 .

[0023] The detection circuit 6 is disposed between the input power supply 3 and the switching circuit 5, and is configured to output a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit 5 to the control circuit .

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a switching circuit 5 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] The switching circuit 5 includes three switching units 5a, 5b, and 5c connected in parallel, and these switching units 5a, 5b, and 5c can be controlled to a conductive state or a non-conductive state in response to control signals 7a, 7b, and 7c from a control circuit 7. When controlled to a conductive state, the switching unit can convert a predetermined DC input power supplied from the input power source 3 into a predetermined DC output power and supply the predetermined DC output power to the load 4.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the switching circuit 5 includes three switching sections 5a, 5b, 5c connected in parallel, but may include two or more than three switching sections connected in parallel.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, in the initial state of the electronic device 1, one of the three switching units 5a, 5b, and 5c, in this case switching unit 5a, is controlled to a conductive state (hereinafter also referred to as the main switching unit 5a), and the switching units other than switching unit 5a, i.e., switching units 5b and 5c, are controlled to a non-conductive state (hereinafter also referred to as the backup switching units 5b and 5c).

[0028] 3 shows a block diagram of an example of a switching unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the basic configuration of the main switching unit 5a is shown, but the basic configuration of the backup switching units 5b and 5c is the same as that of the main switching unit 5a. In the illustrated embodiment, the switching means 5a1 is arranged on the input power source 3 side and the load switch 5a2 is arranged on the load 4 side in the main switching unit 5a, but this positional relationship can be reversed (the same applies to the backup switching units 5b and 5c).

[0029] The main switching unit 5a includes a switching means 5a1 and a load switch 5a2.

[0030] The switching means 5a1 is a means for specifically performing the above conversion, i.e., the conversion of a predetermined DC input power supplied from the input power source 3 to a predetermined DC output power, and may include, for example, but is not limited to, a DC / DC converter.

[0031] The load switch 5a2 is controlled to be closed or opened in response to a control signal 7a from the control circuit 7. When the load switch 5a2 is closed, the switching means 5a1, and therefore the main switching unit 5a, is switched to a conductive state or a conductive possible state, and when the load switch 5a2 is opened, the switching means 5a1, and therefore the main switching unit 5a, is switched to a non-conductive state.

[0032] The load switch 5a2 can be configured as, for example, a field effect transistor (FET) switch, but is not limited to this.

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a detection circuit 6 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] The detection circuit 6 includes a current detector 6a and an A / D converter 6b that A / D converts the output of the current detector 6a and outputs the converted output to the control circuit .

[0035] The current detector 6a may include a current sensing resistor connected in series with the switching circuit 5. The current sensing resistor may be, for example but not limited to, a shunt resistor.

[0036] The current detector 6a outputs the voltage across the current detection resistor, particularly across both ends of the resistor, as a predetermined physical quantity serving as an index representing the deterioration state of the switching section 5a etc. (effectively, the switching means 5a1 etc.).

[0037] 5 shows a flowchart of an example of the operation of the power supply circuit 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that, hereinafter, "step" is represented by "S".

[0038] In this operation example, the operation of the power supply circuit 2 according to the above embodiment will be described. That is, in this power supply circuit 2, the switching circuit 5 includes a main switching unit 5a that is controlled to be in a conductive state in the initial state and backup switching units 5b, 5c that are controlled to be in a non-conductive state in the initial state, which are connected in parallel with each other, the switching means of the main switching unit 5a / backup switching units 5b, 5c include a DC / DC converter, and the current detector 6a of the detection circuit 6 includes a current detection resistor.

[0039] Furthermore, the current detector 6a outputs the voltage across the current detection resistor, particularly across both ends of the resistor, as a predetermined physical quantity serving as an index representing the deterioration state of the switching section 5a etc. (effectively, the switching means 5a1 etc.).

[0040] First, the control circuit 7 monitors the voltage across the current detection resistor of the detection circuit 6 (S1).

[0041] Next, the control circuit 7 determines whether or not the voltage being monitored (hereinafter also referred to as the "monitoring voltage") is greater than a predetermined threshold value (S2).

[0042] If the monitored voltage is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold (NO), the control circuit 7 determines that the main switching unit 5a (specifically, its DC / DC converter) has not deteriorated, and continues to monitor the voltage (return to S1).

[0043] If the monitored voltage is greater than the predetermined threshold (YES), the control circuit 7 determines that the main switching unit 5a (specifically, its DC / DC converter) is degraded, and transmits a control signal to the main switching unit 5a to open the load switch 5a2, bringing the main switching unit 5a into a non-conductive state, and transmits a control signal to only one of the two backup switching units 5b and 5c, in this example only the backup switching unit 5b, to close the load switch, bringing only the backup switching unit 5b into a conductive state (S3). This makes it possible to prevent a power supply circuit failure due to degradation of the DC / DC converter (switching power supply IC) in advance, and improves the reliability of the power supply circuit.

[0044] Next, the control circuit 7 treats the backup switching unit 5b, which was made conductive in S3, as the main switching unit, and determines whether there is any backup switching unit in the switching circuit 5 that has not yet been made conductive (hereinafter also referred to as an "unconductive backup switching unit") (S4).

[0045] If there is a non-conducting backup switching unit (YES), the control circuit 7 determines that the reliability of the power supply circuit can be maintained and continues to monitor the voltage (return to S1). In this example, the backup switching unit 5c is not conducting, so this case applies.

[0046] If there is no non-conductive backup switching unit (NO), the control circuit 7 outputs an alarm signal to warn that it is no longer possible to take measures to improve reliability using the backup switching unit (S5). In this example, the monitored voltage for the conductive backup switching unit 5b also exceeds a predetermined threshold, so that the backup switching unit 5b is made non-conductive and the remaining backup switching unit 5c is made conductive, thereby realizing the case where there is no non-conductive backup switching unit.

[0047] In response to this alarm signal, the electronic device 1 turns on an alarm light or the like, thereby letting the user know that the life of the electronic device 1 is nearing the end.

[0048] The above monitoring and control can be performed continuously or can be repeated intermittently, for example, every minute.

[0049] The control circuit according to the above embodiment can be configured by so-called hardware resources (information processing device, computer), and can use one having the configuration shown in Fig. 6. For example, the hardware resource 100 can include a processor 101, a memory 102, a network interface 103, etc., which are connected to each other by an internal bus 104.

[0050] 6 is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the hardware resource 100. The hardware resource 100 may include hardware (e.g., an input / output interface) that is not shown. The processor 101 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), or a graphics processing unit (GPU).

[0051] Furthermore, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. can be used for the memory 102. Here, the memory 102 can store a predetermined threshold value related to the above-mentioned predetermined physical quantity, and can also store a control program for performing the above-mentioned control.

[0052] Furthermore, the network interface 103 may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card, a network adapter, a network interface card, or the like.

[0053] Furthermore, the functions of the hardware resource 100 are realized by a processing module. The processing module is realized, for example, by the processor 101 executing a program stored in the memory 102. The program can be updated by downloading it via a network or by using a storage medium storing the program. Furthermore, the processing module may be realized by a semiconductor chip. That is, it is only necessary that the functions performed by the processing module be realized by executing software on some kind of hardware.

[0054] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, one common detection circuit is assigned to the multiple switching units connected in parallel, but for example, when there are N switching units connected in parallel, it is also possible to configure so that one detection circuit is assigned to each of the N-1 switching units (so that no detection circuit is assigned to the remaining switching unit). In this case, the control circuit can be configured to sequentially control the switching units equipped with a detection circuit to be conductive or non-conductive, and output the above-mentioned alarm signal when it finally controls the switching unit without a detection circuit to be conductive. Note that, for an example of the power supply circuit 20 in the case of two switching units (a main switching unit 50a equipped with a detection circuit 60 and a backup switching unit 50b without a detection circuit), see FIG. 7. These switching units 50a, 50b and the detection circuit 60 are controlled by the control circuit 70 in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0055] (Variation 2) In the illustrated embodiment, the current detector 6a is configured as a resistance detection type current sensor including a current detection resistor such as a shunt resistor, but it can also be configured as a magnetic field detection type current sensor including, for example, a Hall element.

[0056] (Variation 3) In the illustrated embodiment, the control circuit 7 monitors the voltage as an indicator of the deterioration state of the switching unit 5a etc. (effectively the switching means 5a1 etc.), but it can be configured to monitor the current flowing into or out of the switching unit or switching circuit.

[0057] Thus, the lifespan of the power supply circuit, and therefore its reliability, can be increased by a factor of three in the above example in which three switching units are included in the switching circuit and connected in parallel, according to simple calculations. This reduces the number of regular replacements that have conventionally been performed as a preventive measure, making it possible to suppress maintenance costs.

[0058] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes. [Appendix 1] A control circuit, a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each switching unit performing a conversion of a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage; and A sensing circuit configured to output a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit to the control circuit. 2. A power supply circuit comprising: The control circuit is configured to monitor a state of the switching circuit based on a predetermined physical quantity obtained from the detection circuit; When one switching unit of the multiple switching units is in a conductive state and switching units other than the one switching unit of the multiple switching units are in a non-conductive state, the control circuit determines that the one switching unit has deteriorated when a predetermined physical quantity acquired from the detection circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold, and controls the switching circuit to switch the one switching unit from a conductive state to a non-conductive state and to switch another switching unit of the multiple switching units from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. [Note 2] In the above power supply circuit, Each of the plurality of switching units includes: switching means for performing said conversion; and a load switch connected in series with the switching means and configured to be opened or closed by the control circuit; Includes. [Appendix 3] In the above power supply circuit, The switching means includes a switching power supply IC, in particular a DC / DC converter. [Note 4] In the above power supply circuit, The detection circuit includes: A current detector, and An A / D converter that A / D converts the output of the current detector and outputs the converted output to the control circuit. Includes. [Appendix 5] In the above power supply circuit, The current detector includes a current sensing resistor, particularly a shunt resistor, connected in series with the switching circuit; The current detector outputs the voltage of the current detection resistor as the predetermined physical quantity. [Note 6] In the above power supply circuit, The current detector includes a magnetic field detection type current sensor, in particular a Hall element. [Appendix 7] In the above power supply circuit, The current detector outputs the current detected by the current detector as the predetermined physical quantity. [Appendix 8] In the above power supply circuit, The control circuit outputs a warning signal when there is no switching unit in the switching circuit that is not conductive, that is, has never been conductive. [Appendix 9] In the above power supply circuit, The control circuit includes: A control unit (processor) for controlling the switching circuit and / or the detection unit; and A storage unit (memory) for storing a control program for controlling the predetermined threshold value and / or the switching circuit and / or the detection unit. Includes. [Appendix 10] A control circuit, At least one switching section, each of which includes a detection circuit; and One other switching section that does not have a detection circuit A power supply circuit including: the at least one switching unit and the other switching unit are connected in parallel; the at least one switching unit and the other switching unit are each configured to perform a conversion of a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage; The detection circuit is configured to output a predetermined physical quantity related to a switching unit to which the detection circuit is assigned to the control circuit; The control circuit is configured to monitor a state of a switching unit to which the detection circuit is assigned based on a predetermined physical quantity obtained from the detection circuit; When one switching unit of the at least one switching unit is in a conductive state and switching units other than the one switching unit of the at least one switching unit and the other switching units are in a non-conductive state, the control circuit determines that the one switching unit has deteriorated when a predetermined physical quantity acquired from the detection circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold, and controls the switching circuit to switch the one switching unit from a conductive state to a non-conductive state and to switch another switching unit of the multiple switching units from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. [Appendix 11] In the above power supply circuit, The control circuit monitors a voltage or a current related to the at least one switching unit as the predetermined physical quantity. [Appendix 12] In the above power supply circuit, The control circuit outputs a warning signal when the other switching unit is switched from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. [Appendix 13] The power supply circuit, an input power supply for supplying DC power to the power supply circuit; and A load that receives DC power from the power supply circuit Including electronic devices. [Appendix 14] The electronic device turns on a warning light in response to the warning signal. [Appendix 15] A method for controlling a power supply circuit including a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each of which converts a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage. The switching circuit is controlled such that, when one switching unit of the multiple switching units is in a conductive state and switching units other than the one switching unit of the multiple switching units are in a non-conductive state, when a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold, the one switching unit is switched from a conductive state to a non-conductive state and the other switching unit of the multiple switching units is switched from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. [Appendix 16] In the above control method, The predetermined physical quantity is a voltage across a current sensing resistor connected in series with the switching circuit, or a current flowing through the switching circuit. [Supplementary Note 17] In the above control method, if there is no switching unit in the switching circuit that is not conductive, that is, that has never been conductive, an alarm signal is output. [Appendix 18] A control program for a power supply circuit including a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each of which converts a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage. The control program When one switching unit of the plurality of switching units is in a conductive state and the switching units other than the one switching unit of the plurality of switching units are in a non-conductive state, monitoring a state of the switching circuit based on a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit; A process of comparing the predetermined physical quantity with a predetermined threshold value; a process of determining that the one switching unit has deteriorated when the predetermined physical quantity is greater than the predetermined threshold value, and switching the one switching unit from a conductive state to a non-conductive state and switching another switching unit of the plurality of switching units from a non-conductive state to a conductive state; to be executed by the computer. [Appendix 19] In the above control program, The predetermined physical quantity is a voltage across a current sensing resistor connected in series with the switching circuit, or a current flowing through the switching circuit. [Appendix 20] In the above control program, The control program includes a process for outputting an alarm signal when the switching circuit does not have a switching unit that is not conductive, i.e., has never been conductive. to be executed by the computer.

[0059] Within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the scope of claims), modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible based on the basic technical ideas. Furthermore, within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention, various combinations and selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and alterations that a person skilled in the art would be able to make based on the entire disclosure including the scope of claims and the technical ideas. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The present disclosure is applicable to any power supply circuit, and any device, such as an electronic device, that includes such a power supply circuit, in which high reliability is particularly required. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Electronic equipment 2 Power circuit 3 Input Power 4. Load 5 Switching Circuits 5a Main switching section 5b, 5c Backup switching section 5a1 Switching means 5a2 Load Switch 6 Detection circuit 6a Current detector 6b A / D Converter 7 Control Circuit 7a, 7b, 7c Control Signals 20 Power circuit 50a Main switching section 50b Backup switching section 60 Detection circuit 70 Control circuit 100 Hardware Resources 101 Processor 102 Memory 103 Network Interface 104 Internal Bus

Claims

1. A control circuit, a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each switching unit performing a conversion of a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage; and a detection circuit connected in series with the switching circuit and configured to output a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit to the control circuit; A power supply circuit comprising: the control circuit is configured to monitor a state of the switching circuit based on a predetermined physical quantity obtained from the detection circuit; When one switching unit of the multiple switching units is in a conductive state and the switching units other than the one switching unit of the multiple switching units are in a non-conductive state, if a predetermined physical quantity acquired from the detection circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold, the control circuit determines that the one switching unit has deteriorated, and executes control of the switching circuit to switch the one switching unit from a conductive state to a non-conductive state and to switch another switching unit of the multiple switching units from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. A power supply circuit comprising:

2. 2. The power supply circuit according to claim 1, Each of the plurality of switching units includes: switching means for performing said conversion; and a load switch connected in series with the switching means and configured to be opened or closed by the control circuit; Contains A power supply circuit comprising:

3. 3. The power supply circuit according to claim 2, The switching means includes a DC / DC converter. A power supply circuit comprising:

4. 2. The power supply circuit according to claim 1, The detection circuit includes: A current detector, and An A / D converter that A / D converts the output of the current detector and outputs the converted output to the control circuit. Contains A power supply circuit comprising:

5. 5. The power supply circuit according to claim 4, The current detector includes a current detection resistor connected in series to the switching circuit, and outputs a voltage across the current detection resistor as the predetermined physical quantity. A power supply circuit comprising:

6. A power supply circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5. an input power supply for supplying DC power to the power supply circuit; and A load that receives DC power from the power supply circuit Including electronic devices.

7. A control method for a power supply circuit including a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each of which converts a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage, comprising: the switching circuit is controlled such that, when one switching unit of the multiple switching units is in a conductive state and the switching units other than the one switching unit of the multiple switching units are in a non-conductive state, the one switching unit is switched from a conductive state to a non-conductive state and the other one switching unit of the multiple switching units is switched from a non-conductive state to a conductive state when a predetermined physical quantity related to the switching circuit detected by a detection circuit connected in series to the switching circuit is greater than a predetermined threshold value; A control method comprising:

8. 8. The control method according to claim 7, The predetermined physical quantity is a voltage across a current sensing resistor in the sensing circuit that is connected in series with the switching circuit. A control method comprising:

9. 9. A control program for causing a power supply circuit including a switching circuit including a plurality of switching units connected in parallel, each of which converts a predetermined input voltage to a predetermined output voltage, to execute the control method according to claim 7 or 8.

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