Hot plug circuit, control method and hot plug circuit board
By combining a voltage follower module with multiple parallel transistors, the safety issue of high-current hot-plug circuits is solved, enabling reliable hot-plugging at high currents and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-27
AI Technical Summary
Existing hot-swap circuits cannot achieve safe insertion and removal at high currents, which may lead to circuit damage.
It employs a voltage follower module and multiple parallel transistors. The voltage follower module controls the gradual conduction of the transistors, and the hot-swap controller adjusts the control voltage to achieve high-current hot-swap.
It enables reliable hot-swapping of high current, avoids circuit damage, and has low cost and simple structure.
Smart Images
Figure CN121749960A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of hot-swappable technology, and more particularly to a hot-swappable circuit, control method, and hot-swappable circuit board. Background Technology
[0002] Hot-swapping, or hot-plugging, allows users to power on and off without disconnecting the power supply. However, when the power supply is high-power, the large current drawn during hot-plugging can damage the circuit. Therefore, existing hot-plugging circuits can only achieve hot-plugging at relatively low currents. Summary of the Invention
[0003] This invention provides a hot-swap circuit, a control method, and a hot-swap circuit board to solve the problem of not being able to achieve high-current hot-swap.
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a hot-swappable circuit is provided, comprising:
[0005] Power connector, used to connect to a power source;
[0006] Multiple transistors connected in parallel, each transistor being connected between the power connector and the load, are used to jointly turn on or off the power supply to the load;
[0007] A voltage follower module is connected to the power connector and also to the control terminal and output terminal of each transistor, for controlling the conduction or cutoff of each transistor.
[0008] A hot-swappable controller, connected to the voltage follower module, the power connector, and the load, is used to input a control voltage to the voltage follower module. The control voltage gradually increases from zero, and the voltage follower module outputs the control voltage accordingly, and outputs it to the control terminals of each of the transistors.
[0009] Optionally, the voltage follower module includes: an isolated power supply and a voltage follower;
[0010] The first end of the isolated power supply is connected to the power supply terminal of the power connector, the first power supply terminal of the isolated power supply is connected to the first power supply terminal of the voltage follower, and the second power supply terminal of the isolated power supply is connected to the output terminal of the transistor. The isolated power supply is used to transform and supply power to the voltage follower.
[0011] The output terminal of the voltage follower is connected to the control terminal of each of the transistors; the following terminal of the voltage follower is connected to the output terminal of the hot-swap controller; and the second power supply terminal of the voltage follower is connected to the output terminal of each of the transistors.
[0012] Optionally, the voltage follower module further includes: a low-power hot-swappable chip;
[0013] The low-power hot-swappable chip is connected between the first end of the isolated power supply and the power supply end of the power connector.
[0014] Optionally, the hot-swap controller is also connected to the power supply terminal of the power connector and the output terminal of the transistor, for detecting the difference between the power supply voltage and the voltage input to the load, and adjusting the control voltage to adjust the conduction level of each transistor.
[0015] Optionally, the hot-swap circuit further includes at least 10 transistors connected in parallel.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a hot-plug control method is provided, which applies the hot-plug circuit described in any embodiment of the present invention, the hot-plug control method comprising:
[0017] The voltage follower module is powered on and put into operation.
[0018] After a delay of one time, the hot-swap controller inputs a control voltage to the voltage follower module, and the voltage follower module outputs the control voltage and outputs it to the control terminal of each transistor.
[0019] The transistor gradually turns on;
[0020] The voltage input to the load gradually rises to the supply voltage of the power source.
[0021] Optionally, the step of controlling the voltage follower module to power on, and putting the voltage follower module into operation, includes:
[0022] An isolated power supply supplies power to a voltage follower, which then starts operating in a second time period; the second time period is shorter than the first time period.
[0023] Optionally, after the transistor is gradually turned on, the method further includes:
[0024] The hot-swap controller detects the difference between the supply voltage of the power supply and the voltage input to the load;
[0025] The hot-swap controller adjusts the control voltage based on the difference.
[0026] Optionally, the hot-swap controller adjusts the control voltage based on the difference, including:
[0027] If the difference is greater than a first preset threshold, the hot-swap controller increases the control voltage to improve the conduction level of each transistor.
[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a hot-swappable circuit board is provided, comprising: the hot-swappable circuit described in any embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] The technical solution provided in this invention, by incorporating a voltage follower module, offers a larger drive current compared to directly controlling transistors via a hot-swap controller. This allows for the effective driving of dozens of transistors. By superimposing the conduction currents of each transistor, high-current hot-swapping can be achieved, meeting the hot-swapping current requirements of high-power power supplies. Furthermore, a gradual increase in output voltage enables soft-start. This invention features a simple structure, low cost, and ensures reliable power-on to the load during high-current hot-swapping.
[0030] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description
[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a hot-swappable circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another hot-swappable circuit provided according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another hot-swappable circuit provided according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a hot-plug control method provided according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of another hot-plug control method provided according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0037] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0038] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.
[0039] This invention provides a hot-swap circuit. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a hot-swappable circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (Reference) Figure 1 The hot-swap circuit includes: a power connector 1, a voltage follower module 2, a hot-swap controller 3, and multiple transistors 4 connected in parallel. The power connector 1 is used to connect to a power source. Each transistor 4 is connected between the power connector 1 and a load 5, used to jointly turn the power supply to the load 5 on or off. The voltage follower module 2 is connected to the power connector 1, and also to the control and output terminals of each transistor 4, used to control the on or off state of each transistor 4. The hot-swap controller 3 is connected to the voltage follower module 2, and also to the power connector 1 and the load 5, used to input a control voltage to the voltage follower module 2. The control voltage gradually increases from zero, and the voltage follower module 2 follows the output control voltage, outputting it to the control terminals of each transistor 4.
[0040] Among them, the power connector 1 is used to connect the power supply. When the power supply is a high-power power supply, if it is directly supplied to the load 5, the surge current at the moment of insertion may be abnormally high, which may cause the power supply voltage to drop momentarily. Finally, it may cause damage to the load 5 or the entire circuit.
[0041] To ensure safe power supply to load 5, multiple transistors can be used. For example, if the conduction current of each transistor 4 is 100A, then using 20 transistors 4 can achieve a conduction current of 2000A, satisfying the high-current output control requirement. Since the hot-swap controller 3 can only output a few microamps of drive current, if the transistors 4 are driven directly through the hot-swap controller 3, this drive current can only effectively control a few transistors 4. Therefore, a voltage follower module 2 is also needed to achieve the driving effect of multiple transistors 4.
[0042] Specifically, when power connector 1 is connected to the power supply, voltage follower module 2 is powered on and put into operation. At this time, voltage follower module 2 does not output voltage.
[0043] After the voltage follower module 2 is fully started, the hot-swap controller 3 begins to work. The hot-swap controller 3 outputs a control voltage, and the voltage follower module 2 outputs a voltage according to the value of this control voltage. To reduce the voltage surge to each transistor 4 and to ensure the gradual turn-on of the transistors, the control voltage gradually increases from zero. For example, when the transistor's turn-on voltage is 13V, the control voltage can gradually increase from zero to 15V to ensure the reliable turn-on of each transistor 4.
[0044] As each transistor 4 gradually turns on, the voltage of the transistor 4 input to the load 5 gradually increases. Therefore, the voltage difference between the control terminal and the output terminal of the transistor 4 will decrease. To ensure that the transistor 4 remains in the conducting state, the hot-swap controller 3 can adjust the control voltage according to the voltage output from the transistor 4 to the load 5, and ensure that the control voltage is always greater than a certain voltage value output to the load 5, such as 15V, thereby ensuring that the voltage difference between the control terminal and the output terminal of the transistor 4 can reach the conduction voltage of the transistor 4.
[0045] The technical solution provided in this invention, by incorporating a voltage follower module, offers a larger drive current compared to directly controlling transistors via a hot-swap controller. This allows for the effective driving of dozens of transistors. By superimposing the conduction currents of each transistor, high-current hot-swapping can be achieved, meeting the hot-swapping current requirements of high-power power supplies. Furthermore, a gradual increase in output voltage enables soft-start. This invention features a simple structure, low cost, and ensures reliable power-on to the load during high-current hot-swapping.
[0046] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another hot-swappable circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 2Based on the above embodiments, optionally, the voltage follower module includes: an isolated power supply 21 and a voltage follower 22. A first terminal of the isolated power supply 21 is connected to the power supply terminal of the power connector 22; the first power supply terminal of the isolated power supply 21 is connected to the first power supply terminal of the voltage follower; a second power supply terminal of the isolated power supply 21 is connected to the output terminal of the transistor 4; and the isolated power supply 21 is used to transform and supply power to the voltage follower 22. The output terminal of the voltage follower 22 is connected to the control terminal of each transistor 4; the following terminal of the voltage follower 22 is connected to the output terminal of the hot-swap controller 3; and the second power supply terminal of the voltage follower 22 is connected to the output terminal of each transistor 4.
[0047] When the output voltage of the power supply does not match the operating voltage of the voltage follower 22, an isolated power supply 21 can be set to perform voltage conversion. For example, when the output voltage of the power supply is 48V and the operating voltage of the voltage follower 22 is 15V, the isolated power supply 21 can convert the 48V voltage to 15V voltage and supply power to the voltage follower 22.
[0048] When transistor 4 outputs a voltage, the isolation power supply 21 can also adjust the voltage of the input voltage follower 22 according to the output voltage of transistor 4, thereby ensuring that the voltage difference between the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal of voltage follower 22 meets the power supply requirements of voltage follower 22. For example, when the output voltage of transistor 4 is 0V, the isolation power supply 21 can output a voltage of 15V to the first power supply terminal of voltage follower 22. When the output voltage of transistor 4 is 10V, the isolation power supply 21 can output a voltage of 25V to the first power supply terminal of voltage follower 22, thereby ensuring that the voltage difference between the first power supply terminal and the second power supply terminal of voltage follower 22 can reach the 15V power supply requirement, thus ensuring the reliability of power supply to voltage follower 22.
[0049] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another hot-swappable circuit provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (Reference) Figure 3 Based on the above embodiments, the voltage follower module 2 may optionally further include a low-power hot-swappable chip 23. The low-power hot-swappable chip 23 is connected between the first end of the isolated power supply 21 and the power supply end of the power connector 1.
[0050] Since each transistor 4 forms the main power supply circuit, and the voltage follower module 2 is not connected to the main power supply circuit, the voltage follower module 2 does not need to withstand a large current value. To ensure the safe and stable operation of the isolated power supply 21, a low-power hot-swappable chip 23 can be provided. For example, the low-power hot-swappable chip 23 can support a hot-swappable current of 1A.
[0051] By incorporating a low-power hot-swappable chip, this invention can ensure the reliability of the isolated power supply while reducing the cost of the hot-swappable circuit.
[0052] refer to Figure 3 Based on the above embodiments, optionally, the hot-swap controller 3 is also connected to the power supply terminal of the power connector 1 and the output terminal of the transistor 4, for detecting the difference between the power supply voltage and the voltage of the input load 5, and adjusting the conduction degree of each transistor 4 by adjusting the control voltage.
[0053] Specifically, when each transistor 4 is turned on, the voltage of the input load 5 must reach the power supply voltage to ensure effective power supply to the load 5. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the power supply voltage and the voltage of the input load 5.
[0054] For example, when the supply voltage of the power supply is close to the voltage of the input load 5, it indicates that the transistor 4 has good conduction. When the supply voltage of the power supply is greater than the voltage of the input load 5, and the difference is large, it indicates that the conduction of the transistor 4 does not meet the power supply requirements of the load 5. At this time, the hot-swap controller 3 can adjust the control voltage to ensure that the transistor 4 has better conduction and to guarantee the power supply effect to the load 5.
[0055] Based on the above embodiments, the hot-swap circuit may optionally include at least 10 transistors connected in parallel.
[0056] In this invention, a voltage follower is set to follow the control voltage output by the hot-swap controller and control the transistors. Because the voltage follower has a larger drive current than the hot-swap controller, it can control more transistors. Furthermore, by increasing the number of transistors, the hot-swap circuit can support higher specifications of hot-swap current.
[0057] This invention also provides a hot-swap control method, applicable to the hot-swap circuits provided in any embodiment of this invention. Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a hot-plug control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (See reference...) Figure 4 Hot-swap control methods include:
[0058] S110: Power on the control voltage follower module, and the voltage follower module is put into operation.
[0059] Optionally, an isolated power supply powers the voltage follower, which then activates during a second time period. For example, this second time period could be 20ms; the voltage follower module activates and operates normally within 20ms of the power connector being connected to the power source.
[0060] S120. After a delay of one time, the hot-swap controller inputs a control voltage to the voltage follower module, which then outputs the control voltage to the control terminals of each transistor.
[0061] To ensure that the voltage follower module outputs voltage after normal operation, the hot-swap controller can be controlled to start only after the voltage follower module is put into operation. For example, the second time is shorter than the first time, which can be 100ms. Within 100ms of the power connector being connected to the power supply, the hot-swap controller is operating normally. At this time, since the voltage follower module is already in operation, it can output voltage following the control voltage output by the hot-swap controller, resulting in a better following effect.
[0062] S130, the transistor gradually turns on.
[0063] S140, The input voltage to the load gradually rises to the power supply voltage.
[0064] As the control voltage increases, the transistor gradually turns on, and the transistor's output voltage rises continuously, thus achieving a soft start. When the load voltage reaches the power supply voltage, the start-up is complete.
[0065] The technical solution provided in this invention first puts the voltage follower module into operation, and then controls the hot-swap controller to output the control voltage. This ensures that the voltage follower module has a good working state when following the control voltage output, achieving reliable control of the transistors. Furthermore, the voltage follower module has a large drive current, enabling effective driving of dozens of transistors. By superimposing the conduction currents of each transistor, high-current hot-swapping can be achieved, meeting the hot-swapping current requirements of high-power power supplies. A soft start can also be achieved by controlling the gradual increase of the output voltage. This invention has a simple structure, low cost, and ensures reliable power-on of the load during high-current hot-swapping.
[0066] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another hot-plug control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. (See reference...) Figure 5 Based on the above embodiments, optionally, in S130, after the transistor is gradually turned on, the following further step is added:
[0067] S150, the hot-swap controller detects the difference between the power supply voltage and the input load voltage.
[0068] S160, the hot-swap controller adjusts the control voltage based on the difference.
[0069] As the transistor gradually changes from the off state to the on state, the voltage at the transistor's output terminal also continuously increases. The degree of conduction of the transistor is determined by the voltage difference between its control terminal and output terminal. The greater the voltage difference, the better the transistor's conduction.
[0070] To ensure that the voltage at the transistor control terminal can change synchronously with the voltage at the output terminal, the hot-swap controller can detect the power supply voltage and the input load voltage, calculate the difference, and adjust the control voltage accordingly.
[0071] Optionally, it can be determined whether the difference is greater than a first preset threshold. If it is, the hot-swap controller increases the control voltage to improve the conduction of each transistor.
[0072] If the difference is greater than a first preset threshold, it indicates that the transistor's conduction level is insufficient, and the hot-swap controller can increase the control voltage. If the difference is less than the first preset threshold, it indicates that the transistor's conduction level meets the requirements, and the transistor can maintain this conduction level and continuously output voltage.
[0073] This invention also provides a hot-swappable circuit board. The hot-swappable circuit board includes the hot-swappable circuit provided in any embodiment of this invention, and has similar beneficial effects to the hot-swappable circuit, which will not be described in detail here.
[0074] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present invention, the acquisition, storage and / or processing of the data and its quality elements, quality inspection classifications, and changes involved comply with the relevant provisions of national laws and regulations and do not violate public order and good morals.
[0075] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used, with steps reordered, added, or deleted. For example, the steps described in this invention can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution of this invention can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.
[0076] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.
Claims
1. A hot-swappable circuit, characterized in that, include: Power connector, used to connect to a power source; Multiple transistors connected in parallel, each transistor being connected between the power connector and the load, are used to jointly turn on or off the power supply to the load; A voltage follower module is connected to the power connector and also to the control terminal and output terminal of each transistor, for controlling the conduction or cutoff of each transistor. A hot-swappable controller, connected to the voltage follower module, the power connector, and the load, is used to input a control voltage to the voltage follower module. The control voltage gradually increases from zero, and the voltage follower module outputs the control voltage accordingly, and outputs it to the control terminals of each of the transistors.
2. The hot-swappable circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The voltage follower module includes: an isolated power supply and a voltage follower; The first end of the isolated power supply is connected to the power supply terminal of the power connector, the first power supply terminal of the isolated power supply is connected to the first power supply terminal of the voltage follower, and the second power supply terminal of the isolated power supply is connected to the output terminal of the transistor. The isolated power supply is used to transform and supply power to the voltage follower. The output terminal of the voltage follower is connected to the control terminal of each of the transistors; the following terminal of the voltage follower is connected to the output terminal of the hot-swap controller; and the second power supply terminal of the voltage follower is connected to the output terminal of each of the transistors.
3. The hot-swappable circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, The voltage follower module also includes: a low-power hot-swappable chip; The low-power hot-swappable chip is connected between the first end of the isolated power supply and the power supply end of the power connector.
4. The hot-swappable circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot-swap controller is also connected to the power supply terminal of the power connector and the output terminal of the transistor, for detecting the difference between the power supply voltage and the voltage input to the load, and adjusting the conduction level of each transistor by adjusting the control voltage.
5. The hot-swappable circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot-swap circuit also includes at least 10 transistors connected in parallel.
6. A hot-swap control method, characterized in that, The hot-swap control method, applied to any one of claims 1-5, comprises: The voltage follower module is powered on and put into operation. After a delay of one time, the hot-swap controller inputs a control voltage to the voltage follower module, and the voltage follower module outputs the control voltage and outputs it to the control terminal of each transistor. The transistor gradually turns on; The voltage input to the load gradually rises to the supply voltage of the power source.
7. The insertion / removal control method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The process of powering on the voltage follower module and putting the voltage follower module into operation includes: An isolated power supply supplies power to a voltage follower, which then starts operating in a second time period; the second time period is shorter than the first time period.
8. The insertion / removal control method according to claim 6, characterized in that, After the transistor is gradually turned on, the following is also included: The hot-swap controller detects the difference between the supply voltage of the power supply and the voltage input to the load; The hot-swap controller adjusts the control voltage based on the difference.
9. The insertion / removal control method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The hot-swap controller adjusts the control voltage based on the difference, including: If the difference is greater than a first preset threshold, the hot-swap controller increases the control voltage to improve the conduction level of each transistor.
10. A hot-swappable circuit board, characterized in that, include: The hot-swappable circuit according to any one of claims 1-5.