Power supply circuit and power supply method

Abstract

When one or more power supply circuits stop supplying power to a load, this device helps stabilize the voltage of the power line connecting the power supply circuit that has stopped supplying power to the load. [Solution] The power supply circuit according to the present disclosure comprises a first power supply circuit that supplies or stops power to one or more loads, a second power supply circuit that supplies power to one or more loads, including at least one of the loads supplied by the first power supply circuit, and a relay, wherein the relay is configured to be in an open state when the first power supply circuit supplies power to one or more loads, with a contact connecting the power line between the first power supply circuit and the one or more loads and the other end of a resistor, one end of which is connected to ground, and the power line, and to be in a closed state when the first power supply circuit stops supplying power to one or more loads.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply circuit and a power supply method.

Background Art

[0002] One or more electronic circuits may be connected to a plurality of power supply circuits in order to prevent interruption of power supply due to redundancy of the power supply. The plurality of power supply circuits are connected to one or more electronic circuits so that power can be supplied by other power supply circuits even if the power supply by one of the power supply circuits stops. Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic circuit and a power supply device connected in this way.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The disclosure of the above prior art documents is incorporated herein by reference. The following analysis was made by the present inventors.

[0005] When any one of the plurality of power supply circuits stops supplying power to the electronic circuit, the voltage of the power line connecting the power supply circuit that has stopped supplying power and the electronic circuit should originally become the voltage of the ground, for example, 0V. However, even in the power line connecting the power supply circuit that has stopped supplying power and the electronic circuit, a voltage may occur due to the power that has flowed into the electronic circuit from other power supply circuits that are continuing to supply power. Such a voltage may destabilize the operation of other power supply circuits and electronic circuits. Therefore, it is not preferable to leave the power line that is not used for power supply unconnected to the ground or any member with stable power supply.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is, in view of the above-mentioned problems, to contribute to stabilizing the voltage of the power line connecting the power supply circuit that has stopped supplying power to the electronic circuit and the electronic circuit when one or more of the power supply circuits stop supplying power to the electronic circuit in a configuration in which multiple power supply circuits are connected to one or more electronic circuits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In a first aspect of this disclosure, a power supply circuit is provided comprising: a first power supply circuit for supplying or stopping power to one or more loads; a second power supply circuit for supplying power to one or more loads, independently of the first power supply circuit, including at least one of the one or more loads powered by the first power supply circuit; and a relay. In this power supply circuit, the relay is configured to be in an open state, with a contact connecting a power line between the first power supply circuit and the one or more loads and the power line, with one end of a resistor connected to ground, and to be in a closed state, with the contact closed, when the first power supply circuit stops supplying power to the one or more loads.

[0008] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a power supply method comprising a power supply circuit, which includes a first power supply circuit for supplying or stopping power to one or more loads, a second power supply circuit for supplying power to one or more loads, which independently of the first power supply circuit, including at least one of the one or more loads powered by the first power supply circuit, and a relay. In this power supply method, when the first power supply circuit supplies power to the one or more loads, the contacts of the relay connecting the power line between the first power supply circuit and the one or more loads and the other end of a resistor, one end of which is connected to ground, are in an open state, and when the first power supply circuit stops supplying power to the one or more loads, the contacts of the relay are in a closed state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] From each perspective of this disclosure, in a configuration in which multiple power supply circuits are connected to one or more electronic circuits, when one or more of the multiple power supply circuits stop supplying power to the electronic circuit, it is possible to contribute to stabilizing the voltage of the power line connecting the power supply circuit that has stopped supplying power to the electronic circuit and the electronic circuit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A is a diagram illustrating one schematic configuration of a power supply device according to this disclosure. [Figure 1B] Figure 1B is a diagram illustrating one operation of the relay shown in Figure 1A. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a power supply system according to this disclosure. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the power supply system according to this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships and proportions of each element may differ from reality. Also, the dimensional relationships and proportions may differ between drawings. In addition, the connecting lines between blocks such as drawings referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows schematically indicate the direction of current, etc., and do not exclude bidirectionality.

[0012] Figure 1A is a diagram illustrating one schematic configuration of the power supply device 10 according to the present disclosure. Figure 1B is a diagram illustrating one configuration of the relay 2 shown in Figure 1A and its operation. Figures 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating one example configuration of the power supply system 1 according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1A, the power supply device 10 comprises two power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2, a relay 2, and a power line 104-1 connecting the power supply circuit 100-1 and the relay 2.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1B, the relay 2 shown in Figure 1A has terminals A to F and an input terminal for the control signal S. Inside the relay 2, fixed contacts are connected to terminals A, C, D, and F, and movable contacts are connected to terminals B and E. As indicated by the symbol a in Figure 1B, when the voltage value of the control signal S indicates that power is being supplied by the power supply circuit 100-1 (it is ON), the movable contact connected to terminal B and the fixed contact connected to terminal C come into contact and are in a closed state, and the movable contact connected to terminal E and the fixed contact connected to terminal D come into contact and are in a closed state. On the other hand, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 1B, the connection between the movable contact connected to terminal B and the fixed contact connected to terminal A is disconnected and opened, and the connection between the movable contact connected to terminal E and the fixed contact connected to terminal F is disconnected and opened, and are in an open state.

[0014] Furthermore, as indicated by the symbol b in Figure 1B, when the voltage value of the control signal S indicates that power is not being supplied by the power supply circuit 100-1 (it is OFF), the movable contact connected to terminal B and the fixed contact connected to terminal A come into contact and are in a closed state, and the movable contact connected to terminal E and the fixed contact connected to terminal F come into contact and are in a closed state. On the other hand, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 1B, the connection between the movable contact connected to terminal B and the fixed contact connected to terminal C is disconnected and opened, and the connection between the movable contact connected to terminal E and the fixed contact connected to terminal D is disconnected and opened, resulting in an open state.

[0015] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the power supply system 1 comprises a power supply device 10 shown in Figure 1A, a power line 104-2 connecting the power supply circuit 100-1 of the power supply device 10 to electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2 (loads), a power line 104-3 connecting the relay 2 of the power supply device 10 to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 (loads), signal lines 106-1 to 106-3 used for bidirectional input and output of signals between electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 and external electronic circuits (not shown) of the power supply system 1, and a signal line 106-4 used for bidirectional input and output of signals between electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3.

[0016] In other words, in the power supply system 1, electronic circuit 102-1 receives power from power supply circuit 100-2 only, and electronic circuit 102-2 can receive power from both power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2. Also, electronic circuit 102-3 receives power from power supply circuit 100-1 only. Furthermore, the power supply system 1 includes a diode (Di) 108 and a resistor (R) 110 connected to relay 2. Note that, when referring to multiple possible components such as "electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3" without specifying one of them, the subscript "-1" etc. may be omitted, and it may simply be written as "electronic circuit 102", etc.

[0017] In Figures 2A and 2B, the numbers 1 to 8 near relay 2 indicate the terminal numbers 1 to 8 of relay 2. Each of the terminals A to F of relay 2 shown in Figure 1B corresponds to each of the terminals 2 to 7 of relay 2 in Figures 2A and 2B, and the input terminal of the control signal S shown in Figure 1B corresponds to terminals 1 and 8 of relay 2 in Figures 2A and 2B. Terminals 1 and 3 of relay 2 are connected to the power output terminal (not shown) of power circuit 100-1 via power line 104-1, and terminal 8 is connected to ground. Nothing is connected to terminals 2 and 5 of relay 2, terminals 4 and 7 are connected to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 via power line 104-3, and terminal 6 is connected to ground via resistor 110.

[0018] However, the terminal numbers 1 to 8 of the relay 2 shown in Figures 1B, 2A, and 2B, and the variable and fixed contacts connected to these terminals, are merely examples and do not limit the configuration or type of relay 2. Also, the number of electronic circuits 102 is not limited to 3, but can be any number of one or more through appropriate modifications to the power supply system 1. Similarly, the number of power supply circuits 100 is not limited to 2, but can be any number of two or more. Furthermore, between the one or more electronic circuits 102 that power supply circuit 100-1 targets for power supply and the one or more electronic circuits 102 that power supply circuit 100-2 targets for power supply, there is always one or more electronic circuits 102 (electronic circuit 102-2 in Figures 2A and 2B) that both power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2 target for power supply.

[0019] First, let's explain the general operation of the power supply system 1. The power supply system 1, through these components, supplies power from power supply circuit 100-1 (first power supply circuit) to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 via power line 104-1, relay 2, and power line 104-3. The power supply system 1 also supplies power from power supply circuit 100-2 (second power supply circuit) to electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2 via power line 104-2. The voltage (Vcc) of the positive power supply supplied from power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2 to electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 is, for example, +3.3V, and the current value is approximately 2A at most. Furthermore, for example, if the resistance of resistor 110 is 500Ω and the maximum voltage expected to occur on power line 104-3 after power supply circuit 100-1 stops supplying power is 0.5V (500mV), then the power consumed by resistor 110 is 0.0005W (0.5mW) or less.

[0020] In the following description, the ground of the power supply and the negative power supply have the same meaning, and a specific example is that the voltage value (Vss) of the ground of the power supply is 0V. Also, when the power supply circuit 100-1 stops supplying power to the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3, the power supply line 104-3 connecting the relay 2 and the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 is connected to the ground of the power supply via the resistor 110. However, depending on the configuration of each of the electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3, the voltage value of the ground does not necessarily have to be 0V. In such a case, the configurations of the power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2, etc., are also changed according to the voltage value of the ground.

[0021] Next, each component of the power supply system 1 will be described. The power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2 include, for example, a rectifier circuit and a series regulator, or a switching power supply device. The power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2 convert the power supplied from a battery or a commercial AC power supply into power with a positive power supply voltage (Vcc) suitable for the operation of the electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3. The power supply circuit 100-1 outputs the power converted into the positive power supply voltage from the positive power supply output terminal to the power input terminals (not shown) of the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 via the power supply line 104-1, the relay 2, and the power supply line 104-3, and supplies power to the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3. Also, the power supply circuit 100-2 outputs the power converted into the positive power supply voltage from the power supply output terminal to the electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2 via the power supply line 104-2, and supplies power to the electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2.

[0022] In the following description, as described above, a specific example is a case where the relay 2 is connected to the power supply circuit 100-1 via the power supply line 104-1, and the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 are connected to the relay 2 via the power supply line 104-3. The power supply circuit 100-1 supplies power to the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 via the power supply lines 104-1, 104-3 and the relay 2, but may stop supplying power to the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 due to human error or a failure. In the following description, as described above, a specific example is a case where the electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2 are connected to the power supply circuit 100-2 via the power supply line 104-2 without passing through the relay 2 and always receive power supply.

[0023] For example, the power supply circuit 100-1 receives power supply from a commercial power supply (AC power supply). When an operation for starting the power supply is performed by the operator of the power supply system 1 on the power supply switch (not shown) provided in the power supply circuit 100-1, the power supply to the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 is started, and when an operation for ending the power supply is performed, etc., the power supply is ended. It is a so-called DC power supply device. Receiving power supply from a commercial power supply means, for example, inserting the plug of the power supply cable of the power supply circuit 100-1 into a socket for a commercial power supply. Further, for example, the power supply circuit 100-2 is a so-called AC-interlocking power supply device that automatically starts power supply without an operation on the power supply switch when it receives power supply from a commercial power supply.

[0024] In the power supply system 1, if power supply circuit 100-2 stops supplying power to electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2, the operation of electronic circuit 102-1 will always stop. On the other hand, if power supply circuit 100-1 stops supplying power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3, the operation of electronic circuit 102-3 will always stop, but the occurrence of abnormal voltage in power line 104-3 will be prevented. Furthermore, when there is a possibility that power supply circuit 100-2 may stop supplying power, a relay connected to a diode and a resistor (Figures 1A, 2A, and 2B), and a power line connecting power supply circuit 100-2, the relay, and electronic circuit 102 may be connected to power supply circuit 100-2.

[0025] Furthermore, Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a case where electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 all operate with a single positive voltage, for example, +3.3V (Vcc=+3.3V), but this voltage is merely an example. In other words, each of the electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 may operate with the same or different positive voltages other than +3.3V, the same or different negative voltages, or the same or different voltages regardless of whether they are positive or negative. In such cases, power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2 need to be configured to output power of two or more voltages suitable for the electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 to supply power to them. In addition, in such cases, the number of power lines 104 and relays 2, and the connections between relays 2, power supply circuit 100, and electronic circuit 102 via power lines 104 also need to be changed as appropriate.

[0026] Electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 consist of a printed circuit board on which the electronic circuit is arranged, a housing that contains the printed circuit board, and connectors used for power and signal input / output. An electronic circuit is a digital circuit that includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a logic circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and peripheral circuits for these. Alternatively, an electronic circuit is an analog circuit that consists of analog integrated circuits such as an op-amp (Operational Amplifier), transistors, semiconductor elements such as FETs (Field Effect Transistors) and diodes, and passive elements such as diodes, resistors, capacitors, and coils.

[0027] Furthermore, since only electronic circuit 102-2 receives power from both power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2, for example, electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-3 may be considered low-priority circuits where operation stoppage is acceptable, while electronic circuit 102-2 may be considered a high-priority circuit where operation stoppage is not acceptable. Also, electronic circuit 102-2 may include a component that automatically starts operating without any operation of the power switch when power is supplied, and a component that starts operating when power is supplied and an operation to start operation is performed on the power switch, and stops operating when an operation to end operation is performed on the power switch.

[0028] Alternatively, an electronic circuit is a combination of a digital circuit and an analog circuit. One or more of the electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 may be replaced by an electric motor, a light-emitting device such as an LED, or an electrical circuit consisting only of passive elements without active elements. In such cases, in this disclosure, electric motors, light-emitting devices, and electrical circuits are treated as equivalent to electronic circuits.

[0029] Power lines 104-1 to 104-3 consist of wiring components including conductors, such as electric wires or conductive patterns on printed circuit boards, that can supply power from power circuits 100-1 and 100-2 to electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 and relay 2. Power line 104-1 connects the power output terminal of power circuit 100-2 to terminals 1 and 3 of relay 2. Power line 104-2 connects the power output terminal of power circuit 100-2 to the power input terminals of electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2 without going through relay 2. Power line 104-3 connects terminals 4 and 7 of relay 2 to the power input terminals of electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3.

[0030] Signal lines 106-1 to 106-4 consist of wiring members capable of transmitting and receiving signals between electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 and external electronic circuits of the power supply system 1, and between electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3, such as optical fibers, electric wires, and connectors connected to the wiring patterns of electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3. Signal lines 106-1 to 106-3 connect electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 and external electronic circuits of the power supply system 1 so that signals can be transmitted and received bidirectionally. Signal line 106-4 connects electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 so that signals can be transmitted and received bidirectionally using wiring members including conductors and the aforementioned connectors. Furthermore, electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2, and electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-3, or any of these, may be further connected so that signals can be transmitted and received bidirectionally via the signal line 106. In addition, electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 may also be connected to each other by wiring patterns (not shown) provided on the back panel to which they are fixed by the above-mentioned connectors or the like.

[0031] Relay 2 may be a mechanical relay for power control, which drives and moves a movable contact by switching the power supply circuit 100-1 on or off (ON / OFF) current through the coil of an electromagnet, causing the movable contact and fixed contact, each composed of conductors, to come into contact and connect, thereby closing the relay, or disconnecting the connection and opening it, thereby opening the relay. In this case, a portion of the power supplied by the power supply circuit 100-1 to the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 corresponds to the control signal S shown in Figure 1B. However, as described above, when the current flowing through resistor 110 is small, around 1mA (=0.5V / 500Ω), a signal relay may be used as relay 2 instead of a power control relay, as appropriate.

[0032] Inside relay 2, coils that drive the relay's movable terminals are connected to terminals 1 and 8. Terminal 1 is connected to power supply circuit 100-1 via power line 104-1, and terminal 8 is connected to ground. In other words, while power supply circuit 100-1 is supplying power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 via power lines 104-1 and 104-3, power is also supplied to the coil inside relay 2, current flows through the coil, and the coil drives the movable contact inside relay 2. On the other hand, while power supply circuit 100-1 stops supplying power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3, power is also stopped to the coil inside relay 2, no current flows through the coil, and the coil does not drive the movable contact inside relay 2.

[0033] The anode of diode 108 is connected to terminal 1 of relay 2, and the cathode of diode 108 is connected to terminal 8 and ground. Diode 108 absorbs the back electromotive force generated across its terminals when power is supplied to or stopped from the coil (turned ON / OFF). However, if the coil of relay 2 has a built-in diode that absorbs back electromotive force, it is not necessary to externally connect diode 108 to relay 2. When power supply circuit 100-1 supplies negative voltage power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3, the polarity of diode 108 is reversed.

[0034] Terminals 2 and 5 of relay 2 are connected to fixed contacts inside relay 2, but no components are connected to them outside relay 2. Terminals 3 and 6 are connected to separate variable contacts inside relay 2, terminal 3 is connected to power line 104-1 outside relay 2, and terminal 6 is connected to one end of resistor 110 outside relay 2 and connected to ground via resistor 110. Terminals 4 and 7 are connected to separate fixed contacts inside relay 2, and terminals 4 and 7 are connected to power line 104-3 outside relay 2.

[0035] When current flows through the coil, the movable contacts connected to terminals 3 and 6 of relay 2 are driven, causing the movable contact connected to terminal 3 and the fixed contact connected to terminal 4 to come into contact and close, connecting power lines 104-1 and 104-3. On the other hand, the movable contact connected to terminal 6 and the fixed contact connected to terminal 5 come into contact and close, but since terminal 5 is in an open state with nothing connected to it, terminal 6 is also in an open state with nothing connected to it. Note that the connections between terminals 2 and 3 and between terminals 6 and 7 of relay 2 are open as shown by the dotted lines.

[0036] When current stops flowing through the coil, the movable contacts connected to terminals 3 and 6 of relay 2 are no longer driven, and the movable contact connected to terminal 3 and the fixed contact connected to terminal 2 come into contact, closing the relay. However, since nothing is connected to terminal 2, terminal 3 also remains unconnected. Meanwhile, the movable contact connected to terminal 6 and the fixed contact connected to terminal 7 come into contact, closing the relay, and terminals 6 and 7 connect the power line 104-3 to ground via resistor 110.

[0037] The operation of the power supply system 1 will be explained in detail below, divided into two cases: when the power supply circuit 100-1 is supplying power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3, and when the power supply is stopped. First, the operation of the power supply system 1 when the power supply circuit 100-1 is supplying power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 (ON) will be explained. As shown in Figure 2A, when the power supply circuit 100-1 is supplying power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 (ON), power is supplied to the coil of relay 2 connected between terminals 1 and 8 of relay 2, and current flows through the coil.

[0038] As a result, the movable contacts connected to terminals 3 and 6 are driven, closing the connections between terminals 3 and 4 and between terminals 5 and 6, and creating conductivity between terminals 3 and 4 and between terminals 5 and 6. On the other hand, as shown by the dotted lines, the connections between terminals 2 and 3 and between terminals 6 and 7 are opened, resulting in no conductivity between terminals 2 and 3 and between terminals 6 and 7. As a result, power lines 104-1 and 104-3 are connected. Power is supplied to electronic circuit 102-2 from both power circuits 100-1 and 100-2, power is supplied from power circuit 100-1 to electronic circuit 102-3, and power is supplied from power circuit 100-2 to electronic circuit 102-2. Therefore, all electronic circuits 102-1 to 102-3 operate normally.

[0039] Next, we will explain the operation of the power supply system 1 when the power supply circuit 100-1 stops supplying power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3. As shown in Figure 2B, when the power supply circuit 100-1 stops (turns off) supplying power to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3, power is no longer supplied to the coil of relay 2 connected between terminals 1 and 8 of relay 2, and no current flows to the coil. In such a case, as shown by the dotted arrow in Figure 2B, power may leak from the components of electronic circuit 102-1, which is powered by the power supply circuit 100-2, into the power line 104-3. Alternatively, power that has leaked from electronic circuit 102-1 to electronic circuit 102-2 may further leak into the signal line 106-3 via the signal line 106-4 and the components of electronic circuit 102-2. As a result, without any countermeasures, the voltage value of the power line 104-3 may rise and become unstable.

[0040] As a result, the movable contacts connected to terminals 3 and 6 are no longer driven, and as shown by the dotted lines, the connections between terminals 3 and 4 and between terminals 5 and 6 are opened, resulting in no conductivity between terminals 3 and 4 and between terminals 5 and 6. On the other hand, the connections between terminals 2 and 3 and between terminals 6 and 7 are closed, resulting in conductivity between terminals 2 and 3 and between terminals 6 and 7. As a result, the connection between power lines 104-1 and 104-3 is broken and opened, and power is supplied from power circuit 100-2 to electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2 only via power line 104-2. Furthermore, power line 104-3 is connected to ground via resistor 110, and the voltage value of power line 104-3 becomes 0V or slightly higher than 0V, and stabilizes. Even if the power supply from power supply circuit 100-1 to electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 is stopped, power supply circuit 100-2 will continue to supply power to electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2. Therefore, although the operation of electronic circuit 102-3 will stop, electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2 will continue to operate normally.

[0041] The power supply system 1 is configured and operates as described above. Therefore, while the power supply circuit 100-1 is supplying power, the power lines 104-1 and 104-3 are connected, and power is supplied from the power supply circuit 100-1 to the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 via the power lines 104-1 and 104-3. In this case, the power supplied from the power supply circuit 100-1 to the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 passes through conductive contacts that do not generate a potential difference. Therefore, in the power supply system 1, the voltage drop that occurs when current passes through a PN connection or semiconductor channel, which occurs when transistors, FETs, diodes, etc. are inserted into the power lines 104-1 and 104-3 for control, does not occur. Also, while the power supply circuit 100-1 is supplying power, the resistor 110 is disconnected from the power lines 104-1 and 104-3, so no current flows through the resistor 110, and no power loss due to the resistor 110 occurs.

[0042] When the power supplied by power supply circuits 100-1 and 100-2 is such that power drop due to active elements such as diodes or transistors can be ignored, a solid-state relay can be used as relay 2 instead of a mechanical relay. This solid-state relay uses semiconductor elements to close or open the terminals according to the value of an external control signal. When a solid-state relay is used as relay 2, relay 2 receives a control signal indicating whether power supply circuit 100-1 is supplying power, and performs the operation described with reference to Figure 1B.

[0043] Furthermore, since no active elements such as transistors and FETs are used for power control in the power supply unit 10, when the power supply to the power supply circuit 100-1 is stopped, the power line 104-3 is connected to ground via the resistor 110 and its voltage is stabilized without the need for control of these active elements. In addition, since no diodes or active elements are inserted between the power lines 104-1 and 104-3 connecting the power supply circuit 100-1 and the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3, and inside the relay 2, no drop in power supply voltage occurs in the diodes or active elements.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the power supply system 1, the charge stored in the power line 104-3 flows to ground via the resistor 110. Therefore, in the power supply system 1, no large current is generated due to the charge discharged from the power line 104-3 and the electronic circuits 102-2 and 102-3 connected thereto, and no malfunctions caused by such large currents occur. In addition, according to the power supply system 1, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 2B, voltage instability in the power line 104-3 caused by the leakage of power supplied by the power circuit 100-2 to the electronic circuits 102-1 and 102-2 can be suppressed.

[0045] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: [Note 1] (See the first perspective above) [Note 2] The resistor is a power supply circuit as described in Appendix 1, which brings the voltage generated in the power line from the second power supply circuit through the one or more loads closer to the ground voltage when the first power supply circuit stops supplying power to the one or more loads. [Note 3] The power supply circuit described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein there are multiple loads, and the voltage generated in the power supply line via one or more loads is generated in the power supply line via conductors connecting the multiple loads independently of the power supply line. [Note 4] The relay sets each of its multiple contacts to a closed state or an open state in response to the supply of current to the coil or the cessation of the current supply, the coil is connected between the power line and the ground, and the power supply circuit according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3 provides current from the first power supply circuit to the coil of the relay when power is supplied from the first power supply circuit to one or more loads, and stops providing current from the first power supply circuit to the coil of the relay when power is stopped from the first power supply circuit to one or more loads. [Note 5] The power supply circuit described in Appendix 4, wherein the relay is in an open state when current is supplied from the first power supply circuit to the coil, and in a closed state when the current supply from the first power supply circuit to the coil is stopped. [Note 6] (See the second perspective above) [Note 7] The power supply method according to Appendix 6, wherein when the first power supply circuit stops supplying power to the one or more loads, the voltage generated in the power line from the second power supply circuit through the one or more loads is brought closer to the voltage of the ground by the resistor. [Note 8] The power supply method according to Appendix 6 or 7, wherein there are multiple loads, and the voltage generated in the power line via one or more loads is generated in the power line via conductors connecting the multiple loads independently of the power line. [Note 9] The power supply method according to any one of the appendices 6 to 8, wherein the relay sets each of its multiple contacts to a closed state or an open state in response to the supply of current to the coil or the cessation of the current supply, the coil is connected between the power line and the ground, and the first power supply circuit supplies current to the coil of the relay when power is supplied from the first power supply circuit to one or more loads, and the first power supply circuit stops supplying current to the coil of the relay when power is stopped from the first power supply circuit to one or more loads. [Note 10] The power supply method according to Appendix 9, wherein the contact is opened when supplying current from the first power supply circuit to the coil, and the contact is closed when stopping the supply of current from the first power supply circuit to the coil. It goes without saying that any combination of the forms described in the appendices of this disclosure, or any combination of the elements described in each perspective and embodiment (including the non-selection of some elements), can be made from time to time by those skilled in the art, in accordance with the basic concepts of this disclosure.

[0046] Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents and other materials cited is incorporated into this publication by reference. Within the framework of this disclosure (including the claims), further modifications and adjustments to the embodiments or examples are possible based on their fundamental technical concept. Also, within the framework of this disclosure, various combinations or selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, this disclosure naturally includes various modifications and changes that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the entire disclosure, including the claims, and the technical concept. In particular, the numerical ranges described in this publication should be interpreted as specifically describing any numerical value or sub-range included within that range, even if not specifically noted. Furthermore, each disclosure of the above-mentioned cited documents is deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application, which may be used in part or in whole as part of this disclosure, in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure, as necessary. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Power supply system 10 Power supply 100 Power circuit 102 Electronic circuits 104 Power Line 106 signal line 108 diodes 110 resistor 2 relays

Claims

1. A first power supply circuit that supplies or stops power to one or more loads, A second power supply circuit, independent of the first power supply circuit, provides power to one or more loads, including at least one of the one or more loads powered by the first power supply circuit, Relay and A power supply circuit equipped with, The aforementioned relay is The first power supply circuit is configured to open when it supplies power to one or more loads, by opening the power line between the first power supply circuit and the one or more loads, and by opening the contact between the power line and the other end of a resistor, one end of which is connected to ground. The first power supply circuit is configured to close the contact when it stops supplying power to the one or more loads. power circuit.

2. The resistor brings the voltage generated in the power line from the second power circuit through the one or more loads closer to the ground voltage when the first power supply circuit stops supplying power to the one or more loads. The power supply circuit according to claim 1.

3. There are multiple loads as described above. The voltage generated in the power line via one or more of the aforementioned loads is generated in the power line independently of the power line itself, via conductors connecting the multiple loads to each other. The power supply circuit according to claim 2.

4. The relay sets each of its multiple contacts to a closed state or an open state in response to the supply of current to the coil or the cessation of the current supply. The coil is connected between the power line and the ground. When the first power supply circuit is supplying power to one or more loads, the first power supply circuit supplies current to the coil of the relay, and when the power supply from the first power supply circuit to one or more loads is stopped, the first power supply circuit stops supplying current to the coil of the relay. The power supply circuit according to claim 1.

5. The relay is configured to open its contacts when current is supplied from the first power supply circuit to the coil, and to close its contacts when current is stopped from the first power supply circuit to the coil. The power supply circuit according to claim 4.

6. A power supply method using a power supply circuit comprising: a first power supply circuit for supplying or stopping power to one or more loads; a second power supply circuit that independently supplies power to one or more loads including at least one of the one or more loads powered by the first power supply circuit; and a relay, When the first power supply circuit supplies power to one or more loads, the contacts of the relay connecting the power line between the first power supply circuit and the one or more loads and the other end of a resistor, one end of which is connected to ground, are opened. When the first power supply circuit stops supplying power to the one or more loads, the contacts of the relay are closed. Power supply method.

7. The resistor causes the voltage generated in the power line from the second power circuit through the one or more loads to approach the ground voltage when the first power supply circuit stops supplying power to the one or more loads. The power supply method according to claim 6.

8. There are multiple loads as described above. The voltage generated in the power line via one or more of the aforementioned loads is generated in the power line independently of the power line itself, via conductors connecting the multiple loads to each other. The power supply method according to claim 6.

9. The relay sets each of its multiple contacts to a closed state or an open state in response to the supply of current to or cessation of current supply to the coil, and the coil is connected between the power line and the ground. When the first power supply circuit is supplying power to one or more loads, the first power supply circuit supplies current to the coil of the relay, and when the power supply from the first power supply circuit to one or more loads is stopped, the first power supply circuit stops supplying current to the coil of the relay. The power supply method according to claim 7.

10. When supplying current from the first power supply circuit to the coil, the contact is opened. When the current supply from the first power circuit to the coil is stopped, the contact is closed. The power supply method according to claim 9.

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