Active surge suppression circuit, active surge suppression method, power supply and led driver
The active surge suppression circuit addresses the inadequacies of passive protection by dynamically managing impedance and capacitance to improve surge protection, reducing component stress and enabling higher surge tolerance in power supplies.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- GB · GB
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2020-06-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing passive protection components in power supplies are inadequate in suppressing surge events, leading to potential damage and negative effects on the components, and they do not effectively handle higher surge ranges.
An active surge suppression circuit that includes a detection module to identify surge voltages and a suppression module to dynamically change the impedance or capacitance of the power supply's input side, using components like capacitors, resistors, and switches to actively manage surge events.
The active suppression method enhances surge protection performance, reduces negative effects on passive components, and allows for higher surge endurance in low-cost single-stage devices.
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Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of electrical apparatus, and more particularly to an active surge suppression circuit, an active surge suppression method, a power supply and a LED driver. BACKGROUND
[0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate better understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.
[0003] Surge events usually occur on input sides of AC or DC power. Surge pulses involve a lot of energy. With this amount of energy, it's really easy to do damage to products. There is a need to protect circuits from surge events in a power supply.
[0004] Most of products are designed with passive protection components such as transient voltage suppressor (TVS) diodes, MO Vs, capacitors or an arrestor. SUMMARY
[0005] Inventors of this disclosure found that there exist some problems in the above passive protection components. The suppression performance is not desired and some negative effects on theses passive protection components may be brought.
[0006] In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an active surge suppression circuit, an active surge suppression method, a power supply and a LED driver. In the embodiments, a suppression module is configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when a surge voltage is detected. Therefore, an active suppression method is provided and better suppression performance is achieved. Furthermore, negative effects on the passive protection components are avoidable and it is possible to endure higher burst or surge range for low cost single stage devices.
[0007] In a first aspect, there is provided an active surge suppression circuit, including: a detection module configured to detect a surge voltage of a power supply; and a suppression module configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected.
[0008] In an embodiment, the suppression module includes: a first capacitor or a first resistor, which is connected to the input side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected.
[0009] In an embodiment, the suppression module further includes: a first switch connected to the first capacitor in series, the first switch is turned on when the surge voltage is detected.
[0010] In an embodiment, the suppression module further includes: a second switch connected to the first resistor in parallel, the second switch is turned off when the surge voltage is detected.
[0011] In an embodiment, the suppression module includes: a second resistor, which is a variable resistor and its resistance is increased when the surge voltage is detected.
[0012] In an embodiment, the detection module includes: a voltage dependent resistor (VDR) and a transistor.
[0013] In an embodiment, the active surge suppression circuit is used to drive a light emitting diode (LED) as output load.
[0014] In a second aspect, there is provided a power supply, including: the active surge suppression circuit according to the first aspect.
[0015] In an embodiment, the power supply further includes: a filter module and a rectification module, the active surge suppression circuit is connected to an output end of the rectification module.
[0016] In an embodiment, the power supply further includes: a power factor correction (PFC) module or a converter connected to the active surge suppression circuit.
[0017] In an embodiment, the power factor correction (PFC) module or the converter is a single stage PFC or converter.
[0018] In an embodiment, the power supply is used to drive a light emitting diode (LED) as output load.
[0019] In a third aspect, there is provided an LED driver, including: the active surge suppression circuit according to the first aspect.
[0020] In a fourth aspect, there is provided an active surge suppression method, including: detecting a surge voltage of a power supply; and changing the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected.
[0021] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a suppression module is configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when a surge voltage is detected. Therefore, an active suppression method is provided and better suppression performance is achieved. Furthermore, negative effects on the passive protection components are avoidable and it is possible to endure higher burst or surge range for low cost single stage devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above and other aspects, features, and benefits of various embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully apparent, by way of example, from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals or letters are used to designate like or equivalent elements. The drawings are illustrated for facilitating better understanding of the embodiments of the disclosure and not necessarily drawn to scale, in which:
[0023] Fig. 1 is a diagram of an active surge suppression circuit with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the active surge suppression circuit with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] Fig. 3 is another circuit diagram of the active surge suppression circuit with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] Fig. 4 is a diagram of comparing results of a traditional passive suppression circuit and the active suppression circuit with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] Fig. 5 is a diagram of a power supply with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 6 is another diagram of a power supply with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the active surge suppression method with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to several example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled persons in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure.
[0031] As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” refer to different elements. The singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and / or “including” as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components and the like, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on.” The term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment.” Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below. First embodiment
[0032] An active surge suppression circuit is provided in a first embodiment.
[0033] Fig. 1 is a diagram of an active surge suppression circuit with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, an active surge suppression circuit 100 includes:
[0034] a detection module 101 configured to detect a surge voltage of a power supply and
[0035] a suppression module 102 configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected.
[0036] In an embodiment, the active surge suppression circuit 100 is provided in a power supply. For example, the active surge suppression circuit 100 is connected to an input side of the power supply.
[0037] In an embodiment, the power supply may be any type of power supplies in which a surge pulse may be generated.
[0038] For example, the power supply may be a switching power supply.
[0039] For example, the power supply may be a power supply including a single stage the power factor correction (PFC) or converter and without a bulk capacitor after a rectification module, such as a bridge circuit.
[0040] In an embodiment, the active surge suppression circuit 100 may be used to drive a light emitting diode (LED) as output load. However, it is not limited thereto, the active surge suppression circuit 100 may also be used to drive other output loads.
[0041] For example, an LED is directly driven from the PFC or by a second stage, e.g. DC-DC-converter fed by the PFC and supplying the LED.
[0042] The detection module 101 is configured to detect a surge voltage of the power supply. And the detection module 101 may use various structures to detect the surge voltage.
[0043] For example, the detection module 101 includes a voltage dependent resistor (VDR) and a transistor.
[0044] The suppression module 102 is configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected.
[0045] In an embodiment, when the suppression module 102 mainly used a resistor to suppress the surge event, the impedance of the resistor is changed when the surge voltage is detected; and when the suppression module 102 mainly used a capacitor to suppress the surge event, the impedance of the resistor is changed when the surge voltage is detected
[0046] For example, a resistor or a capacitor is switched on and connected to the input side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected.
[0047] For example, a variable resistor is used and the its resistance is increased when the surge voltage is detected.
[0048] In an embodiment, the suppression module 102 includes a first capacitor and a first switch, the first capacitor is connected to the input side of the power supply via the first switch when the surge voltage is detected.
[0049] For example, the first switch connected to the first capacitor in series, and the first switch is turned on when the surge voltage is detected.
[0050] In an embodiment, the suppression module 102 includes a first resistor and a second switch, the first resistor is connected to the input side of the power supply via the first switch when the surge voltage is detected.
[0051] For example, the second switch connected to the first resistor in parallel, and the second switch is turned off when the surge voltage is detected.
[0052] In an embodiment, the suppression module 102 includes a second resistor, which is a variable resistor and its resistance is increased when the surge voltage is detected.
[0053] Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of the active surge suppression circuit with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0054] As shown in Fig. 2, in a power supply, the active surge suppression 100 is connected to an output end of a rectification module, which includes a bridge circuit in Fig. 2.
[0055] The active surge suppression 100 includes resistors R9, R10, R6, a capacitor C6, a buffer UI and a switch SI. Wherein, the resistors R9, R10 and the buffer UI constitute the detection module and the resistor R6, the capacitor C6 and the switch S1 constitute the suppression module, and the switch SI is connected to the capacitor C6 in series.
[0056] In an embodiment, when a high voltage pulse (surge pulse) is generated, the switch SI is turned on and the capacitor C6 is connected to the input side of the power supply, and the surge is suppressed actively.
[0057] Fig. 3 is another circuit diagram of the active surge suppression circuit with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0058] As shown in Fig. 3, in a power supply, the active surge suppression 100’ is connected to an output end of a rectification module, which includes a bridge circuit in Fig. 3.
[0059] The active surge suppression 100’ includes resistors R13, R17, R16, an inverter U2 and a switch S2. Wherein, the resistors R13, R14 and the inverter UI constitute the detection module and the resistor RI6 and the switch S2 constitute the suppression module, and the switch S2 is connected to the capacitor C16 in parallel.
[0060] In an embodiment, when a high voltage pulse (surge pulse) is generated, the switch S2 is turned off and the resistor R16 is connected to the input side of the power supply, and the surge is suppressed actively.
[0061] Fig. 4 is a diagram of comparing results of a traditional passive suppression circuit and the active suppression circuit with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0062] As shown in Fig. 4, a curve 401 denotes the surge voltage with a traditional passive suppression circuit, and a curve 402 denotes the surge voltage with the active suppression circuit 100. the suppression performance of the active suppression circuit 100 is obviously better.
[0063] As can be seen from the above embodiments, a suppression module is configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when a surge voltage is detected. Therefore, an active suppression method is provided and better suppression performance is achieved. Furthermore, negative effects on the passive protection components are avoidable and it is possible to endure higher burst or surge range for low cost single stage devices. Second embodiment
[0064] A power supply is provided in a second embodiment.
[0065] Fig. 5 is a diagram of a power supply with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, a power supply 10 includes:
[0066] the active surge suppression circuit 100, a structure and functions of which being identical to those described in the first embodiment, which shall not be described herein any further.
[0067] In an embodiment, the power supply may be any type of power supplies in which a surge pulse may be generated.
[0068] For example, the power supply may be a switching power supply.
[0069] For example, the power supply may be a power supply including a single stage the power factor correction (PFC) or converter and without a bulk capacitor after a rectification module, such as a bridge circuit.
[0070] As shown in Fig. 5, the power supply 10 further includes a filter module 200, a rectification module 300 and a power factor correction (PFC) module 400. The active surge suppression circuit 100 is connected to an output end of the rectification module 300. That is to say, the active surge suppression circuit 100 is connected between the rectification module 300 and the PFC module 400. In addition, the line L denotes a live wire, and the line N denotes a neutral wire.
[0071] Fig. 6 is another diagram of a power supply with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6, a power supply 10’ is similar to the power supply 10 in Fig. 5. The difference between them is that the PFC module 400 is replaced by a converter 500.
[0072] In an embodiment, the PFC module 400 or the converter 500 is a single stage PFC or converter.
[0073] In an embodiment, the power supply 10 or 10’ may be used to drive an LED as output load. However, it is not limited thereto, the power supply 10 or 10’ may also be used to drive other output loads.
[0074] For example, an LED is directly driven from the PFC or by a second stage, e.g. DC-DC-converter fed by the PFC and supplying the LED.
[0075] In an embodiment, other constructions and functions of the power supply circuit may be similar to those in the related art, and more details of these parts shall not be described herein any further.
[0076] As can be seen from the above embodiments, a suppression module is configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when a surge voltage is detected. Therefore, an active suppression method is provided and better suppression performance is achieved. Furthermore, negative effects on the passive protection components are avoidable and it is possible to endure higher burst or surge range for low cost single stage devices. Third embodiment
[0077] An LED driver is provided in a third embodiment.
[0078] The LED driver includes the active surge suppression circuit, a structure and functions of which being identical to those described in the first embodiment, which shall not be described herein any further.
[0079] In an embodiment, an LED is directly driven from the PFC or by a second stage, e.g. DC-DC-converter fed by the PFC and supplying the LED. Fourth embodiment
[0080] An active surge suppression method is provided in a third embodiment, corresponding to the active surge suppression circuit described in the first Embodiment.
[0081] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the active surge suppression method with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 7, the method includes:
[0082] Step 701: detecting a surge voltage of a power supply; and
[0083] Step 702: changing the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected.
[0084] In an embodiment, reference may be made to what is described in the first embodiment for particular implementations of the above steps, which shall not be described herein any further.
[0085] As can be seen from the above embodiments, a suppression module is configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when a surge voltage is detected. Therefore, an active suppression method is provided and better suppression performance is achieved. Furthermore, negative effects on the passive protection components are avoidable and it is possible to endure higher burst or surge range for low cost single stage devices.
[0086] Generally, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented 5 in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
[0087] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are 10 disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 22 01 26
Claims
1. An active surge suppression circuit, comprising:a detection module configured to detect a surge voltage of a power supply; anda suppression module configured to change the impedance or capacitance of an input 5 side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected;wherein, the suppression module comprises:a first resistor, which is connected to the input side of the power supply when the surge voltage is detected;a switch connected to the first resistor in parallel,10 wherein the suppression module is configured so that the switch is turned off when the surge voltage is detected.
2. The active surge suppression circuit according to claim 1, wherein, the suppression module comprises:15 a second resistor, which is a variable resistor and its resistance is increased when the surge voltage is detected.
3. The active surge suppression circuit according to any preceding claim, wherein, the detection module comprises:20 a voltage dependent resistor (VDR) and a transistor.
4. The active surge suppression circuit according to any preceding claim, wherein, the active surge suppression circuit is used to drive a light emitting diode (LED) as output load.
255. A power supply, comprising:the active surge suppression circuit according to any one of claims 1-4.22 01 266. The power supply according to claim 5, wherein, the power supply further comprises:a filter module and a rectification module,the active surge suppression circuit is connected to an output end of the rectification 5 module.
7. The power supply according to claim 5, wherein, the power supply further comprises:a power factor correction (PFC) module or a converter connected to the active surge 10 suppression circuit.
8. The power supply according to claim 7, wherein,the power factor correction (PFC) module or the converter is a single stage PFC or converter.
159. The power supply according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein,the power supply is used to drive a light emitting diode (LED) as output load.
10. An LED driver, comprising:20 the active surge suppression circuit according to any one of claims 1-4.
11. An active surge suppression method using the active surge suppression circuit as defined in any of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising:detecting a surge voltage of a power supply; and25 changing the impedance or capacitance of an input side of the power supply when thesurge voltage is detected.