Power transmission line of a power supply

Abstract

This utility model provides a power transmission line for a power supply, which includes a plurality of sub-lines and two connectors respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the sub-lines. Further, the power transmission line includes a temperature sensing device, which includes a support and a temperature sensing element disposed on the support. The support is attached to the power transmission line based on the sub-lines. The temperature sensing element includes at least one signal line, and the temperature sensing element changes the electrical signal of the at least one signal line based on the temperature of the segment of the sub-lines located on the support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a power transmission line, and more particularly to a power transmission line for a power supply. Background Technology

[0002] As technology evolves, the wattage of power supplies increases, leading to greater emphasis on power transmission quality. To improve the stability and reliability of power transmission, current power supplies have evolved from single-line power transmission to multi-line harnesses. However, while multi-line harnesses effectively reduce current density in conductors, they also increase wiring issues for electronic devices carrying the power supply and hinder heat dissipation.

[0003] Therefore, the Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG) developed a standard to redefine the specifications for high-power component wiring and connectors, reintegrating the multi-sub-wire bundled pattern into a single power transmission line with a 12VHPWR connector, which serves as a power transmission bridge between high-power components and power supplies.

[0004] However, with the continuous evolution of technology, the aforementioned power transmission lines were found to have problems such as excessive contact impedance and uneven current distribution when the connector terminals are not fully connected, which can lead to the power transmission lines burning out during the operation of electronic devices. To improve these issues, the Peripheral Component Interconnect Special Interest Group (PIC) modified the power transmission lines with 12VHPWR connectors to include 12V-2X6 connectors. The latter adjusted the length of the signal terminals on the connector to reduce the forward pointing problem. However, the current power transmission lines with 12V-2X6 connectors still have concerns about high-temperature burnout, as they do not effectively and reliably detect the temperature of the power transmission lines, or even provide over-temperature protection mechanisms.

[0005] Among the existing published patents, CN 204966866U and CN 115868089A disclose technical solutions for detecting the temperature of power transmission lines using temperature sensing devices. These devices detect the temperature, and when the detected temperature reaches a set value, a high-temperature protection mechanism is triggered to reduce the load on the power supply. However, these solutions require modifications to the structural design of the power transmission line to incorporate the temperature sensing device. This can easily lead to insufficient sealing between the modified connector structure and the power supply, resulting in excessive contact impedance and high temperatures. Utility Model Content

[0006] The main purpose of this invention is to solve the problem arising from the need to modify the original structural design of conventional power transmission lines to provide temperature sensing.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a power transmission line for a power supply, which includes a plurality of sub-wires and two connectors respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the sub-wires. Further, the power transmission line includes a temperature sensing device, which includes a support and a temperature sensing element disposed on the support. The support is attached to the power transmission line based on the sub-wires. The temperature sensing element includes at least one signal line, and the temperature sensing element changes the electrical signal of the at least one signal line based on the temperature of the segment of the sub-wires located on the support.

[0008] In one embodiment, each of the two connectors includes a plurality of signal pins, and the at least one signal line is connected to one of the signal pins. The signal pins are connected to a load, and the electrical signals on the signal pins determine the power that the load can draw through the power transmission line.

[0009] In one embodiment, the support includes a base providing the temperature sensing element and at least one cap that cooperates with the base to hold the sub-wires.

[0010] In one embodiment, the temperature sensing device includes a heat-conducting sheet that contacts the sub-wires and the temperature sensing element.

[0011] In one embodiment, the support includes two caps, which are located on two opposite sides of the base, and the two caps and the base together clamp the sub-lines.

[0012] In one embodiment, the base is shaped to provide a hollow area in which the temperature sensing element is disposed.

[0013] In one embodiment, at least one of the base and the at least one cap is formed with a plurality of grooves for positioning the sub-lines.

[0014] In one embodiment, at least one of the cable trays has a first portion for providing one of the sub-lines and a second portion for providing the at least one signal line.

[0015] In one embodiment, a snap-fit ​​structure is formed on the base and the at least one cap, respectively.

[0016] In one embodiment, the two connectors are 12V-2X6 connectors.

[0017] As disclosed in the foregoing description of this utility model, compared with conventional technology, this utility model has the following characteristics: This utility model includes a temperature sensing device, which is mounted on the power transmission line via a bracket. Compared with conventional technology, the temperature sensing device of this utility model can sense the temperature of the sub-wires of the power transmission line and achieve temperature monitoring by changing the electrical signal of at least one signal line. Furthermore, the temperature sensing device of this utility model does not require modification of the original structural design of the power transmission line, simplifying the assembly of the temperature sensing device and reducing concerns about poor contact caused by structural changes. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a power supply unit used in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of a temperature sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a temperature sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] In the attached figures, the following labels are used:

[0023] 20: Power Supply

[0024] 30: Power transmission lines

[0025] 31: Sub-line

[0026] 32: Connector

[0027] 321: Signal pin

[0028] 322: Current-carrying pin

[0029] 323: Signal Detection Foot Position

[0030] 33: Temperature sensing device

[0031] 330: Line segment

[0032] 331: Support frame

[0033] 332: Temperature sensing component

[0034] 333: Signal Line

[0035] 334: Thermal conductive sheet

[0036] 335: Contact Department

[0037] 336: Connecting section

[0038] 337: Base

[0039] 338: Cap

[0040] 339: Hollowed-out area

[0041] 340: Bump

[0042] 341: Cable tray

[0043] 342: Part One

[0044] 343: Part Two

[0045] 344: Snap-fit ​​structure

[0046] 345: Assembly hook

[0047] 346: Assembly block. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The detailed description and technical content of this utility model are explained below with reference to the drawings:

[0049] Please see Figures 1 to 4 This utility model provides a power transmission line 30, which is a peripheral accessory of a power supply 20, for transmitting electrical signals from the power supply 20 to a load. For example, the load may be a graphics card device (GPU) or the like.

[0050] The power transmission line 30 includes multiple sub-lines 31 and two connectors 32. The sub-lines 31 are located between the power supply 20 and the load, serving as a bridge for electrical signal transmission between them. The two connectors 32 are located on opposite sides of the sub-lines 31, and are used to connect the power supply 20 and the load, respectively. In one embodiment, the two connectors 32 conform to the 12V-2X6 standard specification defined by the Peripheral Component Interconnection Special Interest Group (PIC) and are equipped with... Figure 1 The explanation is that each of the two connectors 32 includes multiple signal pins 321, which can be distinguished as carrying 12 current-carrying pins 322 and 4 signal detection pins 323. The 12V-2X6 standard specification indicates that the aforementioned 12 current-carrying pins 322 include 6 12V pins and 6 ground pins, and these current-carrying pins 322 are arranged in a 2-column 6-row manner.

[0051] The power transmission line 30 further includes a temperature sensing device 33, which includes a support 331 and a temperature sensing element 332. The support 331 and the temperature sensing element 332 do not change the original structure of the power transmission line 30. The support 331 is attached to the power transmission line 30 based on the sub-lines 31, and the temperature sensing element 332 is located on the support 331 and is necessary to sense the temperature of the sub-lines 31 located on the support 331. More specifically, the support 331 can be located at any position of the sub-lines 31. Preferably, the support 331 is located near the two connectors 32 used to connect the load. This is because when the power transmission line 30 transmits power, the temperature rise of the two connectors 32 is more significant due to the contact impedance and copper wire resistance. The proximity of the support 331 to the two connectors 32 used to connect the load allows the temperature sensing element 332 to indirectly monitor the temperature of the two connectors 32 used to connect the load by sensing the temperature of the sub-lines 31.

[0052] Continuing, the temperature sensing element 332 includes at least one signal line 333 connected to a temperature control unit. The temperature sensing element 332 changes the electrical signal of the at least one signal line 333 based on the temperature of the segments of the sub-lines 31 located on the support 331, and transmits the aforementioned electrical signal to the temperature control unit. The temperature control unit then generates corresponding control based on the aforementioned electrical signal, such as temperature monitoring or load reduction. The temperature control unit referred to herein may be the power supply 20 or the load.

[0053] As described above, this utility model detects the temperature of the segments of the sub-lines 31 on the power transmission line 30 by setting the temperature sensing device 33. Furthermore, the design of the temperature sensing device 33 does not require changes to the structural design of the power transmission line 30. The temperature sensing device 33 is directly mounted on the sub-lines 31 in a hanging manner through the support frame 331, thereby reducing installation complexity. Simultaneously, it achieves low implementation cost and high reliability by transmitting heat energy and electrical signals through the sub-lines 31.

[0054] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 4 To improve the temperature sensing effect of the temperature sensing element 332 on the sub-lines 31, in one embodiment, the temperature sensing element 332 is located on one side of the sub-lines 31; in another embodiment, the temperature sensing element 332 is located between the sub-lines 31, so that the sub-lines 31 are located as far as possible on opposite sides of the temperature sensing element 332, just as... Figure 4 .Depend on Figure 1 Upon observation, the temperature sensing element 332 was not visible on the surface of the power transmission line 30.

[0055] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 4In one embodiment, the at least one signal line 333 is connected to one of the signal pins 321, which are connected to the load, such that the at least one signal line 333 is electrically connected to the load. The electrical signals on the signal pins 321 of the two connectors 32 used to connect the load determine the power that the load can draw through the power transmission line 30.

[0056] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the temperature sensing element 332 can be a temperature control switch. The change in the electrical signal on the aforementioned signal pins 321 depends on the temperature sensed by the temperature control switch, which can produce a change in potential. It should be noted that the temperature sensing element 332 of this invention can actually be a thermistor. When the thermistor senses a significant temperature rise in the sub-lines 31 and its resistance increases substantially, the thermistor will open the circuit between at least one signal line 333 and the load, thereby causing the electrical signal on the signal pins 321 to be considered to have changed.

[0057] In this article Figure 3 For example, the at least one signal line 333 can be divided into two segments 330. One segment 330 is connected to the ground terminal of the power supply 20, and the other segment 330 is connected to one of the aforementioned four signal detection pins 323, as referred to by those skilled in the art as S4. Initially, the circuit between the two segments 330 is conductive. When the temperature sensing element 332 senses an increase in the temperature of the segments of the sub-lines 31, it will cause the circuit between the two segments 330 to change to an open circuit, thereby changing the electrical signal of the at least one signal line 333, and reducing the maximum load limit when the load is operating to 300 watts. It should be understood that the above-mentioned load reduction description is only an example, and the actual maximum load limit can be adjusted based on the connection of the at least one signal line 333 to the power supply 20 and the signal pins 321, as shown in the table below.

[0058] Table 1 shows the relationship between circuit control and maximum load limit between signal detection pins.

[0059] S3 S4 Maximum load limit Grounding Grounding 600 watts Open the way. Grounding 450 watts Grounding open circuit 300 watts Short circuit Short circuit 150 watts open circuit open circuit 0 watts

[0060] On the other hand, please see Figures 2 to 4In this invention, to guide the heat energy of the sub-wires 31 to the temperature sensing element 332, in one embodiment, the temperature sensing device 33 further includes a heat-conducting plate 334. The heat-conducting plate 334 contacts the sub-wires 31 and the temperature sensing element 332. The material of the heat-conducting plate 334 needs to have a good thermal conductivity, such as copper. The heat-conducting plate 334 assists in the transfer of heat energy from the sub-wires 31 to the temperature sensing element 332. In another embodiment, since the sub-wires 31 are respectively disposed on both sides of the temperature sensing element 332, the heat-conducting plate 334 includes two contact portions 335 respectively disposed on both sides of the temperature sensing element 332, and at least one connecting portion 336 connecting the two contact portions 335.

[0061] On the other hand, please refer to Figures 2 to 4 In one embodiment, the support 331 of this invention includes a base 337 and at least one cap 338. The base 337 provides the temperature sensing element 332. In one embodiment, the base 337 is disposed between the sub-wires 31 so that the sub-wires 31 are distributed as widely as possible on the surface of the temperature sensing element 332. The at least one cap 338 is disposed on the base 337, and the at least one cap 338 cooperates with the base 337 to clamp the sub-wires 31, while preventing the temperature sensing element 332 from separating from the sub-wires 31.

[0062] More specifically, in another embodiment, the base 337 of this invention has a hollowed-out area 339, in which the temperature sensing element 332 is disposed. In yet another embodiment, the base 337 of this invention has at least one protrusion 340 disposed in the hollowed-out area 339, the at least one protrusion 340 being disposed between two signal lines 333 of the temperature sensing element 332 to space the two signal lines 333.

[0063] Continuing from the above, in another embodiment, a plurality of grooves 341 are formed on at least one of the base 337 and the at least one cap 338, and these grooves 341 are used to position the sub-lines 31. In this embodiment, the base 337 and the at least one cap 338 are simultaneously formed with these grooves 341, and the present invention provides one of the sub-lines 31 for each of these grooves 341, thereby achieving a specific positioning effect. In yet another embodiment, at least one of these grooves 341 provides positioning for both the sub-lines 31 and the at least one signal line 333, and at least one of these grooves 341 has a first portion 342 for providing one of the sub-lines 31 and a second portion 343 for providing the at least one signal line 333.

[0064] In another embodiment, the support 331 includes two caps 338, which are located on opposite sides of the base 337. The two caps 338 and the base 337 together clamp the sub-wires 31, thereby allowing the sub-wires 31 to be disposed on opposite sides of the base 337 and distributed on the surface of the temperature sensing element 332. It should be noted that the shape of the two caps 338 can be designed according to requirements. The two caps 338 are not limited to having the same structure, but the primary requirement is that they together with the base 337 clamp the sub-wires 31. In yet another embodiment, the base 337 and the at least one cap 338 are respectively formed with a fastening structure 344. The fastening structure 344 allows the base 337 and the at least one cap 338 to be selectively separated, thereby facilitating the assembly of the sub-wires 31 by the operator. In one embodiment, the fastening structure 344 includes an assembly hook 345 and an assembly block 346 that can be connected to the assembly hook 345.

Claims

1. A power transmission line for a power supply, the power transmission line comprising a plurality of sub-lines and two connectors respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the sub-lines, characterized in that, The power transmission line includes a temperature sensing device, which includes a support and a temperature sensing element disposed on the support. The support is attached to the power transmission line based on the sub-wires. The temperature sensing element includes at least one signal line. The temperature sensing element changes the electrical signal of the at least one signal line based on the temperature of the sub-wire segment located on the support.

2. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the two connectors includes multiple signal pins, and at least one signal line is connected to one of the signal pins. The signal pins are connected to a load, and the electrical signals on the signal pins determine the power that the load can draw from the power transmission line.

3. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The support includes a base for providing the temperature sensing element and at least one cap that cooperates with the base to hold the sub-wires.

4. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The temperature sensing device includes a heat-conducting sheet that contacts the sub-wires and the temperature sensing element.

5. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The support frame includes two caps, which are located on opposite sides of the base, and the two caps and the base together clamp the sub-lines.

6. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The base is shaped to provide a hollow area for the temperature sensing element.

7. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The base and at least one of the caps are formed with a plurality of grooves for positioning the sub-lines.

8. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 7, characterized in that, At least one of the cable trays has a first portion providing a setting for one of the sub-lines, and a second portion providing a setting for the at least one signal line.

9. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The base and the at least one cap each have a snap-fit ​​structure formed on them.

10. The power transmission line of the power supply as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The two connectors are 12V-2X6 connectors.

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