Circuit device, element temperature stabilizing method, and electronic device

Abstract

To stabilize a temperature of an element that configure a circuit device by reducing additional energy consumption for cooling.SOLUTION: A circuit device which connects a front-stage circuit and a post-stage circuit comprises: an element group composed of a plurality of elements; a first selector selectively connected to the elements that compose the element group and outputting an input from the front-stage circuit to the elements connected to the first selector; a second selector selectively connected to the same elements as the first selector and outputting inputs from the connected elements to the post-stage circuit; and a control unit which sets the number n of elements to be used based on the self-heating amounts of the entire element group and an upper limit of a self-heating amount of each element that composes the element groups, and which controls the first selector and the second selector to connect with n elements among the plurality of elements that compose the element groups.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a circuit device, a method for stabilizing an element temperature, and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a circuit device including an electronic element such as a resistor (hereinafter referred to as an element), it is necessary to stabilize the temperature of the element in order to improve the performance of the circuit device.

[0003] Regarding technology for stabilizing the temperature of an element, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a temperature control device for an apparatus having a first heat-generating element whose operating temperature is set at a temperature higher than the ambient temperature, a second heat-generating element which self-heats and has an allowable operating temperature range that includes the operating temperature of the first heat-generating element, and which has a smaller thermal time constant than the first heat-generating element, and a cooling device arranged to simultaneously cool the first and second heat-generating elements, the temperature control device controls the cooling device on and off so that the temperature of the first heat-generating element is maintained at the operating temperature and the temperature of the second heat-generating element is maintained within the allowable operating temperature range, the temperature control device comprising: a first control unit that operates the cooling device until the temperature of the first heat-generating element reaches the upper limit of the set range near the operating temperature based on the output of a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of at least one of the first and second heat-generating elements, and the cooling device operates intermittently at a relatively short fixed cycle outside the set range. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-238511 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of the technology described in Patent Document 1, the temperature of the element is kept constant by providing a cooling device and operating it intermittently, which requires additional energy (electric power) consumption for cooling.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to reduce additional energy consumption for cooling and to stabilize the temperatures of elements that constitute a circuit device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present application includes a number of means for solving at least part of the above problems, examples of which are as follows.

[0008] In order to solve the above problem, a circuit device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a circuit device that connects a previous circuit and a subsequent circuit, and includes: an element group composed of a plurality of elements; a first selector that selectively connects to the elements that constitute the element group and outputs an input from the previous circuit to the connected element; a second selector that selectively connects to the same element as the first selector and outputs an input from the connected element to the subsequent circuit; and a control unit that sets the number n of elements to be used based on the self-heating amount of the entire element group and the self-heating amount upper limit value of each element that constitutes the element group, and controls the first selector and the second selector to connect to n of the multiple elements that constitute the element group. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce additional energy consumption for cooling and stabilize the temperatures of elements that constitute a circuit device.

[0010] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a circuit device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the element temperature stabilization process performed by the circuit device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a circuit device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the element temperature stabilization process performed by the circuit device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a circuit device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the element temperature stabilization process performed by the circuit device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a circuit device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the element temperature stabilization process performed by the circuit device according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made for clarity of explanation. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural. The position, size, shape, and scope of each component shown in the drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, and scope to facilitate understanding of the invention. In all drawings used to explain the embodiments, identical components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description of such components will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, a component (including an element step, etc.) is not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Furthermore, when a term "consists of A," "composed of A," "having A," or "including A" is used, it does not exclude other elements unless otherwise specified, such as when referring to only that element. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of a component, etc., it includes those that are substantially similar or similar to that shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Furthermore, "obtaining" includes, as specific examples, at least the subject generating, calculating, or receiving from outside.

[0013] <Configuration Example of Circuit Device 10 According to First Embodiment of the Present Invention> 1 shows an example of the configuration of a circuit device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The circuit device 10 configures an electronic device by connecting a front-stage circuit and a rear-stage circuit. The electronic device is, for example, an amplifier device.

[0014] The circuit device 10 includes an element group 11, selectors 13 and 14, a sensor 15, and a control unit 16.

[0015] The element group 11 includes a plurality of n Max The same elements R1 to Rn Max The following elements R1 to Rn Max When it is not necessary to distinguish between them, they are referred to as element R. The element R is, for example, a resistor.

[0016] Selector 13, under the control of control unit 16, selectively connects one of the elements R constituting element group 11 and outputs the input from the preceding circuit to the connected element R. Selector 14, under the control of control unit 16, selectively connects the same element R as selector 13 and outputs the input from the connected element R to the following circuit. Selectors 13 and 14 correspond to the first and second selectors of the present invention.

[0017] The sensor 15 acquires status information of the element group 11, converts the acquired status information into a sensor signal s1 that can be used to calculate the self-heat generation amount W of the element group 11 as a whole, and outputs the sensor signal s1 to the control unit 16. Examples of the status information of the element group 11 include, but are not limited to, current, voltage, power, temperature, etc.

[0018] The control unit 16 calculates the amount of self-heating W of the element group 11 based on the sensor signal s1, and controls the selectors 13 and 14 based on the calculated amount of self-heating W (described in detail later). The amount of self-heating W of the element group 11 is measured in units of, for example, watts, but other units may be used as long as they correspond to the temperature rise. The control unit 16 is realized by an arithmetic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0019] <Element Temperature Stabilization Process by Circuit Device 10> FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the element temperature stabilization process performed by the circuit device 10. In FIG.

[0020] The element temperature stabilization process is started, for example, when the power supply of the electronic device including the circuit device 10 is turned on.

[0021] First, the control unit 16 sets the parameter n to a predetermined initial value (for example, the maximum value n Max ) (Step S1). Here, the parameter n is the n MaxThe value n is used to specify the number of elements R to be switched by the selectors 13 and 14, and is 1 or more and n Max The following integers:

[0022] Next, the control unit 16 determines whether or not there is an exception instruction value for the parameter n (step S2). The exception instruction value for the parameter n is, for example, an instruction to limit the element R to be switched by the selectors 13 and 14 to a specific element R, and can be specified to the control unit 16 from inside or outside the electronic device.

[0023] If it is determined that there is no exception indication value for the parameter n (NO in step S2), the control unit 16 then acquires a sensor signal s1 from the sensor 15 (step S3). Next, the control unit 16 calculates the self-heating amount W of the element group 11 based on the sensor signal s1 (step S4). Note that the calculation of the self-heating amount W of the element group 11 based on the sensor signal s1 can use, for example, a function or table prepared in advance.

[0024] Next, the control unit 16 determines whether or not there exists an integer n that satisfies the following formula (1) (step S5). W / n≦W Lim ···(1)

[0025] In equation (1), W Lim is the upper limit of the amount of self-heat generation of each element R constituting the element group 11, and is set in advance in the present embodiment.

[0026] Here, if it is determined that an integer n that satisfies the formula (1) exists (YES in step S5), the control unit 16 sets the smallest integer that satisfies the following formula (2) as the parameter n (step S6). n≧W / W Lim ···(2)

[0027] This allows each element R to reach the upper limit of self-heating W Lim It can be operated as follows:

[0028] Next, the control unit 16 determines the n Max The selectors 13 and 14 are controlled so that n elements R out of the n elements R are selected and connected in sequence at a predetermined cycle (step S7).

[0029] Next, the control unit 16 determines whether the power of the electronic device including the circuit device 10 has been turned off (step S8), and if it determines that the power has not been turned off (NO in step S8), it returns the processing to step S2 and repeats step S2 and subsequent steps.

[0030] In step S5, if it is determined that there is no integer n that satisfies the formula (1) (NO in step S5), it is impossible to operate each element R at or below the design upper limit of the amount of self-heating. Therefore, in order to maximize the heat dissipation efficiency of the element group 11, the control unit 16 sets the parameter n to its maximum value n Max (Step S9). Note that the parameter n is set to the maximum value n Max , it may be set to a predetermined exception indicator value.

[0031] Next, the control unit 16 warns the control unit (not shown) of the electronic device or the user that the amount of self-heating of each element R may exceed the design upper limit (step S10). After this, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0032] If it is determined in step S2 that an exception indication value for parameter n exists (YES in step S2), then the control unit 16 controls the selectors 13 and 14 in accordance with the exception indication value (step S11). After that, the process proceeds to step S8.

[0033] Then, in step S8, if the control unit 16 determines that the power supply of the electronic device has been turned off (YES in step S8), the element temperature stabilization process ends.

[0034] According to this embodiment, the number n of elements R to be used is set according to the self-heating amount W of the element group 11 as a whole, and the n elements R can be switched in sequence at a predetermined period, thereby suppressing heating of the element group 11 as a whole and keeping the temperature constant, and also reducing the power consumption of the element group 11.

[0035] In this embodiment, the control unit 16 calculates the self-heating amount W of the element group 11 based on the sensor signal s1 from the sensor 15. However, if the control unit 16 can obtain information that can be used to calculate the self-heating amount W of the element group 11, such as the current, voltage, power, etc. applied to the element group 11 from a previous circuit, the self-heating amount W can be calculated based on that information, and the sensor 15 may be omitted.

[0036] <Configuration Example of Circuit Device 20 According to Second Embodiment of the Present Invention> 3 shows an example of the configuration of a circuit device 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The circuit device 20 is obtained by adding selectors 21 and 22 and an element heating power supply 23 to the circuit device 10 (FIG. 1). Note that components common to the circuit device 20 and the circuit device 10 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0037] The control unit 16 in the circuit device 20 controls the selectors 13 and 14 based on the self-heating amount W of the element group 11, and also controls the selectors 21 and 22.

[0038] The selectors 21 and 22, under the control of the control unit 16, select and connect an element R (e.g., element R2) that is to be selected and connected next to the element R (e.g., element R1) currently selected and connected by the selectors 13 and 14. The element heating power supply 23 applies heating power to the element R via the selectors 21 and 22. Note that the element R generates heat according to the amount of power when energized. This allows the element R that is to be selected and connected next by the selectors 13 and 14 to be preheated.

[0039] <Element Temperature Stabilization Process by Circuit Device 20> FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the element temperature stabilization process performed by the circuit device 20.

[0040] The element temperature stabilization process is obtained by adding steps S21 to S27 to the element temperature stabilization process by the circuit device 10 (FIG. 2).

[0041] The element temperature stabilization process is started, for example, when the power supply of the electronic device including the circuit device 20 is turned on.

[0042] Steps S1 to S6 are the same as the element temperature stabilization process in FIG. 2, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0043] After step S6, the control unit 16 then determines whether the parameter n set in step S6 is 1 (step S21). If it is determined that the parameter n is 1 (YES in step S21), the control unit 16 then corrects the parameter n to 2 (step S22). Conversely, if the control unit 16 determines that the parameter n is not 1 (NO in step S21), step S22 is skipped.

[0044] Next, the control unit 16 calculates the power supply for heating the element W according to the following equation (3): heater is calculated (step S23). W heater =W Lim -W / n (3)

[0045] Next, the control unit 16 calculates the W heater It is determined whether W is 0 or not (step S24). heater If it is determined that is not 0 (NO in step S24), then the control unit 16 controls the selectors 21 and 22 to select and connect the element R that is to be selected and connected next by the selectors 13 and 14, and supplies the element heating power supply W from the element heating power supply 23. heater Then, preheating is performed by applying a voltage (step S25). After this, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0046] On the other hand, W heater If it is determined that is 0 (YES in step S24), then the control unit 16 controls the selectors 21 and 22 to disconnect the element group 11 and stop preheating the elements (step S27). After that, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0047] If it is determined in step S5 that there is no integer n that satisfies the formula (1) (NO in step S5), then the control unit 16 sets the parameter n to the maximum value n of the parameter n. Max Next, the control unit 16 sets the power supply for heating the element W heater is set to 0 (step S26). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S7 via steps S10 and S27. Steps S7 and onwards are the same as the element temperature stabilization process in FIG. 2, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0048] According to this embodiment, in addition to being able to obtain the same effects as in the first embodiment, it is possible to preheat the element R that is to be next selected and connected by the selectors 13 and 14 to an appropriate temperature.

[0049] In this embodiment, too, if the control unit 16 can obtain information that can be used to calculate the self-heating amount W of the element group 11, such as the current, voltage, power, etc. applied to the element group 11 from a previous circuit, etc., the self-heating amount W can be calculated based on that information, and the sensor 15 may be omitted.

[0050] <Configuration Example of Circuit Device 30 According to Third Embodiment of the Present Invention> 5 shows an example of the configuration of a circuit device 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the circuit device 30, the element group 11 and the selectors 13 and 14 of the circuit device 10 (FIG. 1) are replaced with an element group 31 and selectors 33 and 34. Note that components common to the circuit device 30 and the circuit device 10 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0051] The element group 31 includes a plurality of n MaxThe same elements VR1 to VRn Max The following are the multiple elements VR1 to VRn Max When there is no need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as elements VR. The element VR is an element whose element value can be changed, such as a variable resistor.

[0052] The selector 33 selects one of the plurality of n elements constituting the element group 31 under the control of the control unit 16. Max Of the elements VR, n (1≦n≦n Max ) elements VR simultaneously selected and connected, and outputs inputs from the preceding circuit to the connected n elements VR. Selector 34, under control of control unit 16, simultaneously selects and connects the same n elements VR as selector 33, and outputs inputs from the connected n elements VR to the succeeding circuit. Selectors 33 and 34 correspond to the third and fourth selectors of the present invention.

[0053] The control unit 16 in the circuit device 30 controls the selectors 33 and 34 based on the self-heating amount W of the element group 31, and also controls the plurality of n Max Among the elements VR, the element value (for example, resistance value) of each of the n elements VR is controlled.

[0054] <Element Temperature Stabilization Process by Circuit Device 30> FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the element temperature stabilization process performed by the circuit device 30.

[0055] In this element temperature stabilization process, step S7 of the element temperature stabilization process by the circuit device 10 (FIG. 2) is replaced with steps S31 and S32.

[0056] The element temperature stabilization process is started, for example, when the power supply of the electronic device including the circuit device 30 is turned on.

[0057] Steps S1 to S6 are the same as the element temperature stabilization process in FIG. 2, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0058] After step S6, the control unit 16 then sets the element value of each element VR in accordance with the case where n elements VR are connected in parallel so as to be suitable for the parameter n set in step S6 (step S31). For example, if the elements VR are variable resistors and the combined resistance value when n elements VR are connected in parallel is set to r, the resistance value of each of the n elements VR is set to n·r.

[0059] Next, the control unit 16 determines the n Max The selectors 33 and 34 are controlled so that n elements R are simultaneously selected and connected from among the elements VR (step S32). After this, the process proceeds to step S8. Steps S8 and after are the same as the element temperature stabilization process in FIG. 2, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the number n of elements R to be operated is set according to the self-heat generation amount W of the element group 31 as a whole, and n elements R can be used in parallel, thereby suppressing the self-heat generation amount of each element VR used, thereby making it possible to stabilize the temperature of the element group 31 as a whole, and reducing the power consumption of the element group 11 as a whole.

[0061] In this embodiment, too, if the control unit 16 can obtain information that can be used to calculate the self-heating amount W of the element group 31, such as the current, voltage, power, etc. applied to the element group 31 from a previous circuit, etc., the self-heating amount W can be calculated based on that information, and the sensor 15 may be omitted.

[0062] <Configuration Example of Circuit Device 40 According to Fourth Embodiment of the Present Invention> 7 shows an example of the configuration of a circuit device 40 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The circuit device 40 is obtained by adding a temperature sensor 41 to the circuit device 10 (FIG. 1). Note that components common to the circuit device 40 and the circuit device 10 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0063] The temperature sensor 41 measures the environmental temperature TE of the element group 11 and outputs the measured temperature to the control unit 16 .

[0064] The control unit 16 in the circuit device 40 calculates the self-heating amount W of the element group 11 based on the sensor signal s1, and calculates the self-heating amount upper limit W of each element R based on the environmental temperature TE. Lim (Details will be described later) and calculate the self-heating amount W of the element group 11 and the upper limit value W of the self-heating amount of each element R. Lim The selectors 13 and 14 are controlled based on the above.

[0065] <Element Temperature Stabilization Process by Circuit Device 40> FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the element temperature stabilization process performed by the circuit device 40.

[0066] The element temperature stabilization process is the element temperature stabilization process by the circuit device 10 (FIG. 2) with the addition of steps S41 and S42.

[0067] The element temperature stabilization process is started, for example, when the power supply of the electronic device including the circuit device 40 is turned on.

[0068] Steps S1 to S4 are the same as the element temperature stabilization process in FIG. 2, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0069] After step S4, the control unit 16 next acquires the environmental temperature TE from the temperature sensor 41 (step S41). Next, the control unit 16 calculates the upper limit value W of the self-heat generation amount of each element R constituting the element group 11 based on the environmental temperature TE according to the following equation (4): Lim is calculated (step S42). W Lim =(T Lim -TE) / θ (4)

[0070] where T Lim is the target temperature of each element R, and θ is the thermal resistance value of each element R.

[0071] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5. Steps S5 and onward are the same as the element temperature stabilization process in FIG. 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] According to this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the self-heating amount upper limit W of each element R can be increased or decreased depending on the environmental temperature TE. Lim can be set.

[0073] In addition, if the sensor 15 is a temperature sensor, the self-heating amount upper limit value W of each element R can be calculated based on the signal s1 even if the temperature sensor 41 is omitted. Lim In this case, the self-heating amount W can be calculated from, for example, the amount of temperature change over time. At this time, the amount of temperature change has an offset amount that depends on the ambient temperature, so the heat generation amount limit value W Lim The calculation of is performed by estimating the environmental temperature from the offset amount and finding the difference between the environmental temperature and the target temperature, which enables element temperature control that takes into account fluctuations in the environmental temperature during operation.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with or add to the configuration of another embodiment.

[0075] The present invention can be applied not only to cases where the elements constituting the element group are resistors, but also to cases where the elements are transformers, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10 circuit device, 11 element group, 13 selector, 14 selector, 15 sensor, 16 control unit, 20 circuit device, 21 selector, 22 selector, 23 element heating power supply, 30 circuit device, 31 element group, 33 selector, 34 selector, 40 circuit device, 41 temperature sensor

Claims

1. A circuit device that connects a front-stage circuit and a rear-stage circuit, an element group composed of a plurality of elements; a first selector that selectively connects to the elements that make up the element group and outputs an input from the preceding stage circuit to the connected element; a second selector that selectively connects to the same element as the first selector and outputs an input from the connected element to the subsequent circuit; a control unit that sets the number n of elements to be used based on the amount of self-heating of the entire element group and an upper limit value of the amount of self-heating of each element constituting the element group, and controls the first selector and the second selector to connect to n elements out of the plurality of elements constituting the element group; A circuit device comprising:

2. 2. The circuit device according to claim 1, a sensor for detecting state information of the element group; The control unit calculates the self-heating amount of the entire element group based on the state information detected by the sensor. circuit device.

3. 2. The circuit device according to claim 1, The control unit calculates the self-heating amount of the entire element group based on information related to the output of the pre-stage circuit input to the elements of the element group via the first selector. circuit device.

4. 2. The circuit device according to claim 1, The control unit controls the first selector and the second selector so as to connect the n elements cyclically in order among the plurality of elements constituting the element group. circuit device.

5. 2. The circuit device according to claim 1, The control unit controls element values ​​of the n elements among the plurality of elements constituting the element group, and controls the first selector and the second selector so as to simultaneously connect the n elements in parallel. circuit device.

6. 2. The circuit device according to claim 1, a power supply for heating the element; a third selector and a fourth selector that are selectively connected to the elements constituting the element group and that apply power from the element heating power source to the connected elements, The control unit controls the third selector and the fourth selector to connect to the element next connected by the first selector and the second selector, and preheats the element. circuit device.

7. 2. The circuit device according to claim 1, a temperature sensor for detecting an environmental temperature of the element group; The control unit calculates the upper limit of the amount of self-heating of each element constituting the element group based on the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor. circuit device.

8. A method for stabilizing an element temperature using a circuit device that connects a front-stage circuit and a rear-stage circuit, comprising: The circuit device comprises: an element group composed of a plurality of elements; a first selector that selectively connects to the elements that make up the element group and outputs an input from the preceding stage circuit to the connected element; a second selector that selectively connects to the same element as the first selector and outputs an input from the connected element to the subsequent circuit; a control unit, The control unit setting the number n of elements to be used based on the self-heating amount of the entire element group and the upper limit value of the self-heating amount of each element constituting the element group; The first selector and the second selector are controlled so as to be connected to n elements among the plurality of elements constituting the element group. A method for stabilizing an element temperature comprising the steps of:

9. The front-stage circuit, The subsequent circuit, a circuit device that performs predetermined processing on an input from the preceding circuit and outputs the processed input to the subsequent circuit, The circuit device comprises: an element group composed of a plurality of elements; a first selector that selectively connects to the elements that make up the element group and outputs an input from the preceding stage circuit to the connected element; a second selector that selectively connects to the same element as the first selector and outputs an input from the connected element to the subsequent circuit; a control unit that sets the number n of elements to be used based on the amount of self-heating of the entire element group and an upper limit value of the amount of self-heating of each element constituting the element group, and controls the first selector and the second selector to connect to n elements out of the plurality of elements constituting the element group. electronic equipment.

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