Power supply output protection structure

Abstract

A power supply output protection structure includes a power output port and a working management circuit. The power output port includes multiple power supply pins connected in parallel. The working management circuit individually detects the current of each of the multiple power supply pins and protects the power output port based on the detection results. This prevents uneven current distribution during power output, which could lead to overload on some of the multiple power supply pins and damage to the power output port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model provides a power supply output protection structure, and more particularly a structure for output protection of the power output port on a power supply. Background Technology

[0002] The improved computing performance of CPUs and GPUs requires more power to support these operations; for example, high-end GPUs require 600 to 1800 watts. To meet the demands of high power output, modern power supplies are equipped with dedicated high-power output ports, which have multiple power supply pins connected in parallel.

[0003] Although these power supply pins are connected in parallel, the current in these power supply pins cannot be evenly distributed due to factors such as changes in output power, the material and structure of the power output port. The pins that bear more current are prone to overheating, and prolonged power supply can cause the power output port to burn out. In severe cases, it can lead to a fire in the power supply, affecting safety. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this utility model is to solve the safety problem caused by the inability of the output current of the power output port to be evenly distributed among multiple power supply pins.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a power supply output protection structure, comprising a power output port and a working management circuit. The power output port includes multiple power supply pins connected in parallel. The working management circuit individually detects the current of each of the multiple power supply pins and protects the power output port based on the detection results of each power supply pin.

[0006] In one embodiment, the power output port includes a plurality of signal pins, and the operation management circuit is connected to at least one of the plurality of signal pins. The operation management circuit protects the power output port in one of the following ways:

[0007] A load reduction request is transmitted to a load through at least one of the plurality of signal pins;

[0008] Stop the power output from this power output port.

[0009] In one embodiment, the power supply output protection structure includes a status alert exposed in a power supply housing. The status alert generates at least one visual prompt based on a warning signal to attract the attention of a user. A working management circuit is connected to the status alert, and the working management circuit provides protection to the power output port including:

[0010] The warning signal is output to the status warning device.

[0011] In one embodiment, the condition for the status alert to stop generating the visual prompt is that the operation management circuit receives a reset signal provided by an external device.

[0012] In one embodiment, the external device is disposed on the housing of the power supply.

[0013] In one embodiment, the operation management circuit includes a plurality of detection lines electrically connected to the plurality of power supply pins, a signal amplification circuit connected to the plurality of detection lines, and a microcontroller connected to the signal amplification circuit.

[0014] In one embodiment, the power output port is located on an output circuit board of a power supply.

[0015] In one embodiment, the power output port includes a housing that allows the plurality of power supply pins to be arranged in a matrix configuration.

[0016] In one embodiment, the power output port is a 12V 2x6 output port.

[0017] In one embodiment, the operation management circuit includes a temperature sensor electrically connected to the microcontroller, the temperature sensor being positioned near the temperature of the power output port.

[0018] Compared with conventional technology, the present invention has the following characteristics through the aforementioned technical implementation: the present invention performs current detection on each of the plurality of power supply pins individually through the working management circuit, and protects the power output port according to the detection results of each of the plurality of power supply pins, so as to avoid the power output port from overheating and burning out, and improve the safety of the power supply. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a unit of an embodiment of the power supply output protection structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the power supply's appearance according to an embodiment of the power supply output protection structure of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 A circuit diagram of an embodiment of the power supply output protection structure of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the power supply output protection structure of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 The diagram shows the appearance of a power supply according to another embodiment of the power supply output protection structure of this utility model.

[0024] [Symbol Explanation]

[0025] 20: Power Supply

[0026] 21: Power output port

[0027] 211: Shell

[0028] 212: Power supply pin

[0029] 213: Signal pin

[0030] 22: Operation Management Circuit

[0031] 221: Warning signal

[0032] 222: Circuit detection

[0033] 223: Signal Amplifier

[0034] 224: Microcontroller

[0035] 225: Temperature sensing component

[0036] 23: Output circuit board

[0037] 24: Connection Port

[0038] 25: Status Alert Item

[0039] 26: Power supply casing

[0040] 27: External devices

[0041] 271: Reset signal Detailed Implementation

[0042] In this document, the terminology used in the description of various embodiments is for the purpose of describing particular examples only. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise or intentionally limits the number of elements, the singular forms “a” and “the” used herein also include the plural forms. It will be further understood that the term “comprising” as used herein indicates the presence of the described features, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the addition or presence of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0043] Please see Figures 1 to 3This invention provides a power supply output protection structure for a power supply 20, designed based on ATX or / and its extended specifications. The power supply output protection structure includes a power output port 21 and a working management circuit 22. In one embodiment, the power output port 21 is located on an output circuit board 23 of the power supply 20. In addition to the power output port 21, the output circuit board 23 also has multiple connection ports 24, whose output power is set based on the ATX design specifications. The power output port 21 provides selective connection to a power transmission line (not shown). The power supply 20 provides power to a load connected to the power transmission line via the power output port 21. In one embodiment, the load is a graphics card, which requires 12 volts and 600-1800 watts. Therefore, the power output port 21 is a 12V 2x6 output port. The power output port 21 includes a housing 211 and multiple power supply pins 212. The housing 211 arranges the power supply pins 212 in a matrix configuration. These power supply pins 212 are connected in parallel; more specifically, there are 12 power supply pins 212 arranged in a 2x6 matrix. Two of the pins 212 in the same row are designated as a 12V pin and a ground pin, respectively. Multiple pins 212 in the same column have the same power supply configuration. Although the power supply pins 212 are connected in parallel, the current output from these pins 212 may not be uniform; that is, at least one of these pins 212 may bear a larger current. Under long-term power supply, the pin 212 bearing a larger current is at risk of overheating and burning out. In addition to the foregoing, in one embodiment, the power output port 21 includes multiple signal pins 213, which can be connected to the load via multiple signal lines. The signals on these signal pins 213 can indicate the current available power of the load.

[0044] On the other hand, the operation management circuit 22 individually detects the current of each of these power supply pins 212, and protects the power output port 21 based on the detection result of each of these power supply pins 212. For example, if the detected current value of at least one of these power supply pins 212 exceeds a threshold, the operation management circuit 22 will provide protection to avoid burnout caused by continuous power supply. The aforementioned protection may be a warning or a reduction in the output of the power output port 21. In one embodiment, the operation management circuit 22 is connected to at least one of these signal pins 213. The operation management circuit 22 protects the power output port 21 in one of the following ways:

[0045] A load reduction request is transmitted to the load through at least one of these signal pins 213;

[0046] Stop power output from power output port 21.

[0047] Continuing from the above, the aforementioned protection can form a multi-level protection system. When the current value detected by at least one of these power supply pins 212 exceeds a threshold, the operation management circuit 22 can first request the load to reduce its load through at least one of these signal pins 213. During the load reduction process, the operation management circuit 22 can set to observe the power supply status of the pins 213 whose detection results exceed the threshold for a period of time, and only release the restriction after stabilization. The aforementioned load reduction defines the available power of the load through the set value of each of these signal pins 213, such as an upper limit of 600 watts or an upper limit of 900 watts. Furthermore, when the current value detected by at least one of these power supply pins 212 significantly exceeds the threshold, the operation management circuit 22 stops the power output port 21 from outputting power to protect the power output port 21. Moreover, the aforementioned two protection measures are implemented in a multi-level manner. When the operation management circuit 22 determines that the state is still within a controllable range, it can request the load to reduce its load. Once the state reaches a higher level of risk, it stops the power output port 21 from outputting power. It should be understood that, in order to avoid damage to the load caused by immediately stopping the power output, the operation management circuit 22 does not immediately stop the power supply when executing the power output stop, but provides a buffer time to allow the load to be shut down in a buffered manner.

[0048] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 In addition to the foregoing, in one embodiment, the power supply output protection structure includes a status alert 25 exposed in a power supply housing 26. The status alert 25 generates at least one visual prompt sufficient to attract a user's attention based on an alert signal 221. The operation management circuit 22 is connected to the status alert 25. In this embodiment, the protection provided by the operation management circuit 22 to the power output port 21 includes:

[0049] The warning signal 221 is output to the status warning device 25.

[0050] Continuing on the above, when the status warning element 25 is a light-emitting element, the aforementioned visual prompt can be a conspicuous light signal (e.g., a continuously flashing red light). When the status warning element 25 is a display, the aforementioned visual prompt can be text or an image. Furthermore, this embodiment can be implemented in conjunction with the previous embodiment, that is, the operation management circuit 22 protects the power output port 21 by one of the following:

[0051] The warning signal 221 is output to the status warning device 25;

[0052] A load reduction request is transmitted to the load through at least one of these signal pins 213;

[0053] Stop power output from power output port 21.

[0054] Furthermore, the operation management circuit 22 can be configured to simultaneously "output the warning signal 221" and "transmit a load reduction request to the load," or it can be implemented sequentially at each protection level using a hierarchical concept. In this hierarchical implementation concept, "outputting the warning signal 221" is not limited to being the most basic protection level; rather, "transmitting a load reduction request to the load" can be the most basic protection level, with "outputting the warning signal 221" being the next level of protection.

[0055] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 In embodiments where the power supply output protection structure includes the status warning element 25, the condition for the status warning element 25 to stop generating the visual prompt is that the operation management circuit 22 receives a reset signal 271 provided by an external device 27. The external device 27 is capable of communicating with the operation management circuit 22. In one embodiment, the external device 27 is disposed on the power supply housing 26 and exposed on the power supply housing 26 to allow user operation to generate the reset signal 271. Alternatively, the external device 27 may not be disposed on the power supply housing 26, but may communicate with the operation management circuit 22 via wired or wireless means.

[0056] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the operation management circuit 22 includes multiple detection lines 222 electrically connected to these power supply pins 212, a signal amplifier 223 connected to these detection lines 222, and a microcontroller 224 connected to the signal amplifier 223. The microcontroller 224 has multiple execution programs pre-recorded prior to implementation. See also... Figure 3 In one embodiment, the operation management circuit 22 further includes a temperature sensing element 225 electrically connected to the microcontroller 224. The temperature sensing element 225 is positioned close to the temperature of the power output port 21. This proximity can mean being directly against the housing 211 of the power output port 21, or being positioned next to the power output port 21, where a significant temperature change in the power output port 21 can be detected. In this embodiment, the operation management circuit 22 can incorporate the sensing result of the temperature sensing element 225 into a protection factor. When the temperature of the housing 211 of the power output port 21 significantly increases and meets the temperature rise protection conditions defined in the program stored in the microcontroller 224, the operation management circuit 22 can protect the power output port 21 using the aforementioned protection methods.

Claims

1. A power supply output protection architecture, characterized by, Include: A power output port, comprising multiple power supply pins, wherein the multiple power supply pins are connected in parallel for output; and A working management circuit includes multiple detection lines electrically connected to the multiple power supply pins, a signal amplification circuit connected to the multiple detection lines, and a microcontroller connected to the signal amplification circuit. The working management circuit performs current detection on each of the multiple power supply pins individually and protects the power output port based on the detection results of each of the multiple power supply pins to prevent the power output port from overheating and burning out.

2. The power supply output protection structure of claim 1, wherein, The power output port includes multiple signal pins, and the operation management circuit is connected to at least one of these signal pins. The operation management circuit protects the power output port in one of the following ways: A load reduction request is transmitted to a load through at least one of the plurality of signal pins; Stop the power output from this power output port.

3. The power supply output protection structure of claim 2, wherein, The power supply output protection structure includes a status warning device exposed in the power supply housing. This status warning device generates at least one visual prompt based on a warning signal, sufficient to attract the user's attention. A working management circuit is connected to the status warning device, and the working management circuit provides protection to the power output port including: The warning signal is output to the status warning device.

4. The power supply output protection structure of claim 3, wherein, The condition for the status alert to stop generating the visual prompt is that the operation management circuit receives a reset signal from an external device.

5. The power supply output protection structure of claim 4, wherein, The external device is mounted on the housing of the power supply.

6. The power supply output protection structure of claim 1, wherein, The power output port is located on an output circuit board of a power supply.

7. The power supply output protection structure of claim 6, wherein, The power output port includes a housing that allows the plurality of power supply pins to be arranged in a matrix.

8. The power supply output protection structure of claim 1, wherein, The power output port is a 12V 2x6 specification output port.

9. The power supply output protection structure of claim 1, wherein, The operating management circuit includes a temperature sensor electrically connected to the microcontroller, the temperature sensor being positioned near the temperature of the power output port.

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