Redundant power supply units and power systems

Abstract

To provide a redundant operation power supply unit in which loss is small.SOLUTION: A redundant operation power supply unit includes a plurality of power supply units. Any one of output voltages of the plurality of power supply units is complementarily applied to a load. Each of the plurality of power supply units includes a control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling a transistor that is disposed between the power supply unit and the load, and that controls whether or not the output voltage of the power supply unit is applied to the load. The respective control units of the plurality of power supply units are configured to communicate with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to redundantly operating power supply units and power supply systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Non-Patent Document 1 shows a method of performing backup operation by butt-connecting the positive pole outputs of two power supply units via a diode. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Power Supply Technical Guide, P.1870 "Backup Operation", [online], Omron Corporation, [Retrieved March 2, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.fa.omron.co.jp / data_pdf / commentary / etc / ps / ps_guide.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The method disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the diode connected to the positive electrode side of the power supply unit causes a large loss.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a redundant operation power supply unit with small loss. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The redundant operation power supply unit of the present disclosure is a redundant operation power supply unit that includes a plurality of power supply units, and applies any one of the output voltages of the plurality of power supply units to a load in a complementary manner. , electric A transistor that controls whether the output voltage of the power supply unit is applied to the load. and the transistor to control system control unit are provided corresponding to each of the multiple power supply units. A redundant operation power supply unit in which control units of a plurality of power supply units are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] The redundant operation power supply unit of the present disclosure is a redundant operation power supply unit that complementarily applies any one of the output voltages of a plurality of power supply units to a load. Each of the plurality of power supply units includes a control unit that outputs a control signal for controlling a transistor disposed between the power supply unit and the load and that controls whether the output voltage of the power supply unit is applied to the load. The control units of each of the plurality of power supply units are configured to be able to communicate with each other. Thereby, a redundant operation power supply unit with small losses is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a redundant operation power supply unit and a power supply system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a redundant operation power supply unit and a power supply system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control unit.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <A. Embodiment 1> <A-1. Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a power supply system 31 according to Embodiment 1.

[0010] The power supply system 31 includes a main power supply 20 and a redundant operation power supply unit 11. The main power supply 20 is a power supply that supplies power to the redundant operation power supply unit 11.

[0011] The redundant operation power supply unit 11 includes two power supply units 1. The two power supply units 1 are referred to as a power supply unit 1A and a power supply unit 1B.

[0012] The power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B have the same output voltage and the same performance such as rated output power.

[0013] The redundant power supply unit 11 includes a transistor Q A and transistor Q B It is equipped with:

[0014] The redundant operation power supply unit 11 complementarily applies one of the output voltages of the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B to the load 21. In other words, the redundant operation power supply unit 11 performs redundant operation using the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B.

[0015] The power supply unit 1 includes an input terminal 2, an input terminal 3, an output terminal 4, an output terminal 5, and a control unit 6.

[0016] Power is supplied from a main power supply 20 via input terminals 2 and 3 to each of the power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 11 .

[0017] The current supplied from the main power supply 20 to the power supply unit 1 may be either a direct current or an alternating current. The main power supply 20 is, for example, a system power supply or a battery.

[0018] The power supply unit 1 generates a voltage of 2V (V is a variable representing the magnitude of the voltage) between output terminal 4 and output terminal 5, and applies the voltage to a load 21. Output terminal 4 is the positive output terminal, and output terminal 5 is the negative output terminal. For example, the potential of output terminal 4 is +V, and the potential of output terminal 5 is -V.

[0019] The voltage output from the main power supply 20 is different from the voltage required by the load 21. Therefore, the voltage output from the main power supply 20 is converted by the redundant operation power supply unit 11 into a voltage suitable for the load 21, and then applied to the load 21.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 6 includes a communication unit 61, a transistor control unit 62, and a monitoring unit 63. The communication unit 61 is for communicating with the other power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 11. In other words, the communication unit 61 of power supply unit 1A and the communication unit 61 of power supply unit 1B communicate with each other. The monitoring unit 63 is for monitoring the state of the power supply unit 1 including the monitoring unit 63. The control unit 6 monitors the state of the power supply unit 1, for example, by monitoring the temperature, output voltage, and / or output current of the power supply unit 1 using the monitoring unit 63. The control unit 6 also detects an abnormality in the power supply unit 1 including the monitoring unit 63, for example, using the monitoring unit 63.

[0021] Transistor Q A and transistor Q B are, for example, FETs (Field Effect Transistors) and MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors), respectively.

[0022] Output terminal 4 of power supply unit 1A is connected to transistor Q A and the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1B is connected to the butt point 50 via the transistor Q B Between the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1A and the butting point 50, a transistor Q A Between the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1B and the butting point 50, a transistor Q B Transistor Q A and transistor Q BAs shown above, elements arranged between the butting points where the power supply units are connected and each power supply unit are called butting elements.

[0023] Transistor Q A is a transistor that controls whether the output voltage of the power supply unit 1A is applied to the load 21. B is a transistor that controls whether the output voltage of the power supply unit 1B is applied to the load 21.

[0024] The output terminal 5 of the power supply unit 1A is connected to the butt point 51 without a transistor therebetween, and the output terminal 5 of the power supply unit 1B is connected to the butt point 51 without a transistor therebetween.

[0025] The control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A controls the transistor Q A The control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B controls the on and off of the transistor Q by the transistor control unit 62. B As a result, current is supplied to the load 21 from only one of the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B.

[0026] The control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A and the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B are configured to be able to communicate with each other. The control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A and the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B are connected by a single communication line 71, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. The communication line 71 is a communication line for communicating using, for example, electrical signals.

[0027] For example, the communication unit 61 of the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A communicates with the frequency f A A sinusoidal signal S A is output to the communication line 71, and the communication unit 61 of the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B outputs the frequency f B A sinusoidal signal S B The communication unit 61 of the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A outputs the sine wave signal S BThe communication unit 61 of the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B transmits a sine wave signal S to the communication line 71. A This allows power supply unit 1A and power supply unit 1B to communicate with each other. A and frequency f B The frequency f is different from A and frequency f B Since the sine wave signal S is different from the sine wave signal S, the sine wave signal S is transmitted through a single communication line 71. A Communication by sinusoidal signal S B Communication can be performed simultaneously using frequency f A and frequency f B That is, the control unit 6 of each of the power supply units 1A and 1B outputs a sine wave signal S A and a sinusoidal signal S B are different enough to be resolvable.

[0028] In the redundant operation power supply unit 11, it is possible to set a priority for the complementary application of the output voltages of the multiple power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 11 to the load 21. In other words, a priority is set for each of the power supply units 1A and 1B in the redundant operation power supply unit 11. The priority indicates which of the power supply units 1A and 1B will have priority in supplying current to the load 21.

[0029] When both power supply units 1A and 1B are operating normally, the power supply unit with the higher priority supplies current to the load 21. If the power supply unit with the higher priority is unable to supply current normally due to a malfunction or other reason, the power supply unit with the lower priority supplies current to the load 21. Hereinafter, power supply unit 1A will be referred to as the power supply unit with the higher priority, and power supply unit 1B will be referred to as the power supply unit with the lower priority. In other words, power supply unit 1A is the active system, and power supply unit 1B is the standby system. The priorities may be stored in software or hardware. For example, the priority of each power supply unit 1 is predetermined, and for example, the priority of the power supply unit 1 that includes that control unit 6 is stored in each control unit 6. Each power supply unit 1 may have an interface for a user to set the priority, and the user may set the priority of the power supply unit 1 via the interface.

[0030] The functions of the communication unit 61 and transistor control unit 62 of the control unit 6 are realized by a processing circuit. That is, the power supply unit 1 includes a processing device for transmitting and receiving sine wave signals and transmitting control signals for controlling the transistors. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware or a CPU (also called a central processing unit, processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, processor, or DSP) that executes a program stored in memory.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 6 when the processing circuit is dedicated hardware. The control unit 6 is realized using a processing circuit 101, which is dedicated hardware, and a monitoring device 102. The processing circuit 101 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination of these. The functions of the communication unit 61 and the transistor control unit 62 may be realized by separate processing circuits, or the functions of each unit may be combined and realized by a single processing circuit. The monitoring unit 63 is realized by the monitoring device 102. The monitoring device 102 may be, for example, a thermometer, an ammeter, a voltmeter, or a combination thereof.

[0032] The hardware configuration of the control unit 6 when the processing circuit is a CPU is shown in FIG. 5. The control unit 6 is implemented using a monitoring device 102, a CPU 103, and a memory 104. When the processing circuit is a CPU 103, the functions of the communication unit 61 and the transistor control unit 62 are implemented by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the memory 104. The CPU 103 implements the functions of the communication unit 61 and the transistor control unit 62 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 104. Here, the memory may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, a DVD, or any other storage medium that will be used in the future. The transmission and / or reception of the sine wave signal by the communication unit 61 may be performed by the CPU 103 directly transmitting and / or receiving the sine wave signal, or by the CPU 103 driving a communication device that transmits and / or receives the sine wave signal. Furthermore, the output of the control signal by the transistor control unit 62 may be performed by the CPU 103 directly outputting the control signal, or by the CPU 103 controlling a drive unit that outputs the control signal.

[0033] Regarding each function of the communication unit 61 and the transistor control unit 62, part of them may be realized by dedicated hardware, and part of them may be realized by software or firmware. For example, regarding the communication unit 61, its function can be realized by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware, and regarding the transistor control unit 62, its function can be realized by the processing circuit reading and executing a program stored in a memory.

[0034] In this way, the processing circuit can realize each of the above functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0035] <A-2. Operation> First, the steady state during the operation of the redundant operation power supply unit 11 will be described.

[0036] In the steady state, the transistor Q A is turned on under the control of the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A which is the operating system, and the current supply to the load 21 is performed from A. Also, in the steady state, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A outputs a sine wave signal S A to the communication line 71.

[0037] In the steady state, the transistor Q B is turned off under the control of the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B which is the standby system, and the current supply from the power supply unit 1B to the load 21 is cut off. In the steady state, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B detects that there is a sine wave signal S A from the power supply unit 1A on the communication line 71. Also, in the steady state, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B does not output the sine wave signal S B to the communication line 71.

[0038] In the steady state, the current supply to the load 21 is performed only by the power supply unit 1A.

[0039] Next, the operation of the redundant operation power supply unit 11 at the time of start-up will be described.

[0040] When the redundant operation power supply unit 11 is started up, power supply from the main power supply 20 to the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B is started, and the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B start to operate. At this time, the power supply unit 1A, which is the operating system, receives a sine wave signal S from the power supply unit 1B on the communication line 71. B Check that there is no sine wave signal S from power supply unit 1B. B When it is confirmed that there is no signal on the communication line 71, the power supply unit 1A turns on the transistor Q A This causes the power supply unit 1A to start supplying current to the load 21. At the same time, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A outputs a sine wave signal S A Start outputting.

[0041] When the redundant operation power supply unit 11 is started up, the control unit 6 of the standby power supply unit 1B turns on the transistor Q B is turned off, and the sine wave signal S B During this period, the power supply unit 1A does not output the sine wave signal S. A The time is sufficient to start outputting the sine wave signal S from the power supply unit 1A, and is, for example, predetermined and stored in the control unit 6. The control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B transmits the sine wave signal S from the power supply unit 1A to the communication line 71 during the predetermined time. A , and after the certain time, the transistor Q B is kept off to continue cutting off the current supply from the power supply unit 1B to the load, and the sine wave signal S B Continue not to output.

[0042] Next, we will explain the operation when an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1A, which is the active system, during operation of the redundant operation power supply unit 11, and the current supply to the load 21 becomes unable to be normal. In this case, the transistor Q Ais turned off by the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A, and the current supply from the power supply unit 1A to the load 21 is cut off. At the same time, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A outputs the sine wave signal S A On the other hand, the control unit 6 of the standby power supply unit 1B stops outputting the sine wave signal S A The absence of power is detected and transistor Q B This causes the power supply unit 1B to start supplying current to the load 21. The control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B also outputs a sine wave signal S A When it detects that the power supply is no longer in the normal state, it outputs a sine wave signal S B As a result, when the power supply unit 1A, which is the active system, is in an abnormal state, the current supply to the load 21 is performed only by the power supply unit 1B, which is the standby system.

[0043] Next, an operation will be described in the case where an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1A and the current supply to the load 21 is performed only by the power supply unit 1B, and then the abnormality in the power supply unit 1A is eliminated and the current supply from the power supply unit 1A to the load 21 can be performed normally again. When the power supply unit 1A is restored while the current is being supplied to the load 21 by the power supply unit 1B, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A transmits the sine wave signal S from the power supply unit 1B to the communication line 71. B Confirm that the sine wave signal S from the power supply unit 1B is present on the communication line 71. B When it is confirmed that there is a A is kept off, and the sine wave signal S A As a result, the state in which current is supplied to the load 21 by only the power supply unit 1B of the standby system continues.

[0044] After power supply unit 1A recovers from an abnormality, if an abnormality occurs in power supply unit 1B while current is being supplied to load 21 only by power supply unit 1B, power supply unit 1B performs the same operation as power supply unit 1A performs when an abnormality occurs in power supply unit 1A described above. At that time, power supply unit 1A also performs the same operation as power supply unit 1B performs when an abnormality occurs in power supply unit 1A described above. As a result, power supply unit 1A starts supplying current to load 21.

[0045] As explained above, the redundant operation power supply unit 11 supplies current to the load 21 from one power supply unit 1. For example, the redundant operation power supply unit 11 supplies current to the load 21 from only one power supply unit 1 at most. This reduces the effects of the difference in output voltage between the two power supply units 1, i.e., power supply unit 1A and power supply unit 1B, such as the generation of noise. This eliminates the need for a complex mechanism for matching the output voltages of the two power supply units 1, thereby reducing costs.

[0046] Transistor Q A and transistor Q B If a diode is used instead of each, the transistor Q A Diode and transistor Q instead of B Since current flows through each of the diodes instead of the diodes Q, losses occur in both diodes. A and transistor Q B are used, and are controlled in a complementary manner so that only one is turned on, A and transistor Q B Losses will occur in only one of these cases.

[0047] Also, transistor Q A and transistor Q BBy using two power supply units 1 and dividing their roles into an operating system and a standby system, it is possible to create a difference in the degree of wear between the two power supply units 1, and it is possible to reduce the risk that the two power supply units 1 will fail simultaneously.

[0048] Since the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B communicate via a single communication line, the cost for enabling communication between the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B can be reduced.

[0049] By using sine wave signals with different frequencies for the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B, the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B can communicate via a single communication line.

[0050] The power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B notify each other of their own states depending on whether or not they transmit sine wave signals.

[0051] By using a FET as the matching element for the outputs of the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B, the on-resistance of the matching element can be suppressed to, for example, 1 / 10 or less compared to the case of using a diode as the matching element, and the power loss in the matching element can be suppressed to, for example, 1 / 10 or less.

[0052] <A-3. Effects> The redundant operation power supply unit 11 is a redundant operation power supply unit including a plurality of power supply units 1, and is a redundant operation power supply unit that complementarily applies any one of the output voltages of the plurality of power supply units 1 to the load 21. Also, each of the plurality of power supply units 1 includes a control unit 6 that outputs a control signal for controlling a transistor disposed between the power supply unit 1 and the load 21 and that controls whether or not the output voltage of the power supply unit 1 is applied to the load 21. The control unit 6 included in each power supply unit 1 is configured to be communicable with other power supply units included in the redundant operation power supply unit 11. Thereby, the redundant operation power supply unit 11 is a redundant operation power supply unit with small losses.

[0053] The redundant operation power supply unit 11 includes one communication line 71 that connects a plurality of power supply units 1, and the control unit 6 communicates with other power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 11 via the one communication line 71. Thereby, the cost for enabling communication between the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1B can be suppressed.

[0054] <A-4. Modified Example> When the redundant operation power supply unit 11 is starting up, for example, if the power supply unit 1B starts supplying current to the load 21 earlier due to a malfunction, the power supply unit 1A detects that there is a sine wave signal S from the power supply unit 1B on the communication line 71. B In that case, the power supply unit 1A, for example, keeps the transistor Q A off and continues the state of not outputting the sine wave signal S to the communication line 71. In this case, for example, the power supply unit 1B operates as the operating system and the power supply unit 1A operates as the standby system. When it is not necessary to assume the operation that the power supply unit 1B starts supplying current to the load 21 earlier when the redundant operation power supply unit 11 is starting up, the power supply unit 1A may be configured to start supplying current to the load 21 without checking whether there is a sine wave signal S from the power supply unit 1B on the communication line 71 when the redundant operation power supply unit 11 is starting up. A B

[0055] In the redundant operation power supply unit 11, when starting up the redundant operation power supply unit 11, it is not necessary to assume the situation where the power supply unit 1B starts supplying current to the load 21 earlier, and there is no recovery from an abnormality of the power supply unit 1A, etc., and when the power supply unit 1B supplies current to the load 21 and the power supply unit 1A does not supply current to the load 21 again, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A may not have a function of detecting whether there is a sine wave signal S on the communication line 71, and the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B also has a sine wave signal S on the communication line 71 B B ​​​Even in such a configuration, the state of the power supply unit 1A, which is the power supply unit 1 with a relatively high priority, is notified to the power supply unit 1B, which is the power supply unit 1 with a relatively low priority among the multiple power supply units 1, and the power supply unit 1B operates the transistor Q B As a result, the redundant operation power supply unit 11 can perform redundant operation in which, if an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1A while the power supply unit 1A is supplying current to the load 21, the power supply unit 1B starts supplying current to the load 21.

[0056] In the redundant operation power supply unit 11, transistor Q A and transistor Q B were connected to the positive output terminal 4 of power supply unit 1A and the positive output terminal 4 of power supply unit 1B, respectively, but transistor Q A and transistor Q B may be connected to the negative output terminal 5 of the power supply unit 1A and the negative output terminal 5 of the power supply unit 1B, respectively.

[0057] The redundant power supply unit 11 is a transistor Q A and transistor Q B However, the transistor Q A and transistor Q B may be an external element of the redundant operation power supply unit 11. In other words, the redundant operation power supply unit 11 outputs the output voltages of the power supply units 1A and 1B provided in the redundant operation power supply unit 11 through the external element, transistor Q A and transistor Q B The load 21 may be applied complementary to the transistor Q. A and transistor Q B may be an external element of the power supply system 31. In other words, the power supply system 31 controls the output voltages of the power supply units 1A and 1B provided in the power supply system 31 by using the transistor Q A and transistor Q BIt may be applied to the load 21 complementarily via

[0058] <B. Embodiment 2> <B-1. Configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power supply system 32 of Embodiment 2.

[0059] The power supply system 32 includes a main power supply 20 and a redundant operation power supply unit 12. The main power supply 20 is a power supply that supplies power to the redundant operation power supply unit 12.

[0060] The redundant operation power supply unit 12 of the present embodiment includes three or more power supply units 1. The redundant operation power supply unit 12 performs redundant operation by the three or more power supply units 1. The number of power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 may be any number as long as it is three or more. The configuration of each of the plurality of power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 is the same as the configuration of the power supply unit 1 described in Embodiment 1.

[0061] Hereinafter, as an example, as shown in FIG. 3, it will be described assuming that the plurality of power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 are from power supply unit 1A to power supply unit 1N.

[0062] In each of the power supply unit 1A, the power supply unit 1B, the power supply unit 1C, ···, and the power supply unit 1N, the output voltage is the same, and the performance such as the rated output power is the same.

[0063] Power is supplied from the main power supply 20 to each of the power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 via the input terminal 2 and the input terminal 3.

[0064] Each of the power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 generates a voltage of 2V (V is a variable representing the magnitude of the voltage) between the output terminal 4 and the output terminal 5.

[0065] The voltage output from the main power supply 20 is different from the voltage required by the load 21. Therefore, the voltage output from the main power supply 20 is converted by the redundant operation power supply unit 12 into a voltage suitable for the load 21, and then applied to the load 21.

[0066] Transistor Q A is controlled to be turned on and off by the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A, and the transistor Q B is controlled to be turned on and off by the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B, and the transistor Q C is controlled to be turned on and off by the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1C, and so on. N The on / off of the power supply unit 1N is controlled by the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1N.

[0067] Transistor Q A is a transistor that controls whether the output voltage of the power supply unit 1A is applied to the load 21, and transistor Q B is a transistor that controls whether the output voltage of the power supply unit 1B is applied to the load 21, and transistor Q C is a transistor that controls whether the output voltage of the power supply unit 1C is applied to the load 21, and so on, and transistor Q N is a transistor that controls whether the output voltage of the power supply unit 1N is applied to the load 21.

[0068] Transistor Q A is connected to the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1A. B is connected to the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1B. C is connected to the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1C. N is connected to the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1N.

[0069] The output terminal 4 of each power supply unit 1A to 1N is connected to a transistor Q A From transistor Q N, and the butting point 52. That is, the transistor Q A is disposed between the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1B and the butting point 52. B is disposed between the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1C and the butting point 52. C is arranged between the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit 1N and the butting point 52, and so on. N The butt point 52 is connected to the load 21.

[0070] The output terminal 5 of each of power supply units 1A to 1N is connected to a butt point 53. No butt element is disposed between the output terminal 5 of each of power supply units 1A to 1N and the butt point 53. The butt point 53 is connected to a load 21.

[0071] The control units 6 of the power supply units 1A to 1N are configured to be able to communicate with each other. The control units 6 of the power supply units 1A to 1N are connected in a straight line by a single communication line 72, for example.

[0072] Power supply unit 1A uses frequency f A A sinusoidal signal S A The power supply unit 1B outputs a frequency f B A sinusoidal signal S B The power supply unit 1C outputs a frequency f C A sinusoidal signal S C Similarly, the power supply unit 1N outputs a signal having a frequency f N A sinusoidal signal S N Output.

[0073] frequency f A to frequency f N are different from each other. Frequency f A to frequency f NSince they are different from each other, a single communication line 72 can simultaneously perform communication by each of the sine wave signals S A and the sine wave signal S N respectively.

[0074] Priority is determined for each of the power supply units 1A to 1N from the power supply unit 1A to the power supply unit 1N in the redundant operation power supply unit 12. The priority represents which power supply unit among the power supply units 1A to 1N preferentially supplies current to the load 21. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the power supply units 1A, 1B, 1C, ···, 1N have higher priorities in this order. That is, the power supply unit 1A has the highest priority and the power supply unit 1N has the lowest priority. The power supply unit 1A is an operating system, and the power supply units 1B to 1N are standby systems.

[0075] <B-2. Operation> In the steady state, the transistor Q A is in the on state under the control of the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A which is the operating system. Thereby, current is supplied from the power supply unit 1A to the load 21. Further, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A continues to output the sine wave signal S A to the communication line 72.

[0076] In the steady state, the transistors Q B to Q N are respectively turned off under the control of the control units 6 of the power supply units 1B to 1N which are standby systems. Therefore, the current supply from each of the power supply units 1B to 1N to the load 21 is interrupted. In the steady state, the control units 6 of each of the power supply units 1B to 1N detect that there is the sine wave signal S A from the power supply unit 1A on the communication line 72. Also, in the steady state, the control units 6 of each of the power supply units 1B to 1N do not output the sine wave signal S B to the sine wave signal S N to the communication line 72.

[0077] In the steady state, current is supplied to the load 21 only by the power supply unit 1A.

[0078] Next, a case will be described in which an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1A, and the power supply unit 1A is unable to supply current to the load 21 normally. In this case, the transistor Q A is turned off by the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A, and the current supply from the power supply unit 1A to the load 21 is cut off. A On the other hand, the control unit 6 of the standby power supply unit 1B stops outputting the sine wave signal S A When it detects that the B is turned on, and the power supply unit 1B starts supplying current to the load 21. At the same time, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B outputs a sine wave signal S B When an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1A and the power supply unit 1A is unable to supply current to the load 21 normally, the control units 6 of the standby power supply units 1C to 1N start outputting the sine wave signal S A When the absence of the signal is detected, a sine wave signal S is transmitted to the communication line 72. A After the power supply unit 1B has stopped transmitting the sine wave signal S B , and during that time, a sine wave signal S is transmitted from the communication line 72. B Therefore, the control unit 6 of each of the power supply units 1C to 1N detects the transistor Q C From transistor Q N is kept off, and a sine wave signal S is applied to the communication line 72. C to a sinusoidal signal S N Continue not to output any of the above.

[0079] If an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1A, cutting off the current supply from the power supply unit 1A to the load 21, and then a current is being supplied from the power supply unit 1B to the load 21, when an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1B, the transistor Q Bis turned off by the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1B, and the current supply from the power supply unit 1B to the load 21 is cut off. B Then, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1C stops outputting the sine wave signal S B When it detects that the C is turned on, and the power supply unit 1C starts supplying current to the load 21. At the same time, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1C outputs a sine wave signal S C Similarly, when the control unit 6 of each of power supply units 1C to 1N no longer detects on communication line 72 the sine wave signal of a power supply unit with a higher priority than the power supply unit in question, it turns on the transistor connected to the output terminal 4 of the power supply unit in question to start supplying current to load 21 from the power supply unit in question, and also starts outputting a sine wave signal to communication line 72. When the control unit 6 of each of power supply units 1C to 1N confirms that it no longer detects the sine wave signal of a power supply unit with a higher priority than the power supply unit in question, it waits for a sufficient time for the power supply unit with a higher priority than the power supply unit in question to start outputting a sine wave signal to communication line 72 after the sine wave signal from the power supply unit that was originally supplying current to load 21 is no longer detected on communication line 72, and performs the above operation if it does not detect a sine wave signal of a power supply unit with a higher priority than the power supply unit in question during that time.

[0080] In this way, even when there is an abnormality in the power supply unit 1A of the active system, current is supplied to the load 21 by only one of the power supply units 1B to 1N of the standby system.

[0081] Next, a description will be given of the operation at the time of starting up the redundant operation power supply unit 12. At the time of starting up the redundant operation power supply unit 12, that is, when the main power supply 20 starts supplying power to each of the power supply units 1A to 1N and the power supply units 1A to 1N are about to start operating simultaneously, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A, which is the operating system, sends a sine wave signal SB to a sinusoidal signal S N Then, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A turns on the transistor Q A is turned on to start supplying current from the power supply unit 1A to the load 21. At the same time, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1A outputs a sine wave signal S A Start outputting.

[0082] When the redundant operation power supply unit 12 is started up, the control unit 6 of each of the standby power supply units 1B to 1N turns on the transistor Q B From transistor Q N Each is kept in an off state, and a sine wave signal S B to a sinusoidal signal S N The control unit 6 of each of the power supply units 1B to 1N keeps the output of each unit stopped. During this fixed time, the control unit 6 of each of the power supply units 1B to 1N controls the output of the sine wave signal S A After confirming that the output of transistor Q B From transistor Q N Each is kept in an off state, and a sine wave signal S B to a sinusoidal signal S N As a result, in a steady state after the redundant operation power supply unit 12 has started up, current is supplied to the load 21 only by the power supply unit 1A, which is the operating system.

[0083] As described above, in the redundant operation power supply unit 12, the control units 6 of the multiple power supply units 1 provided in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 are configured to be able to communicate with each other, and the redundant operation power supply unit 12 performs redundant operation by applying one of the output voltages of each of the multiple power supply units 1 in a complementary manner to the load 21.

[0084] Since the redundant operation power supply unit 12 includes three or more power supply units 1, the occurrence rate of power supply failures in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 as a whole can be reduced by the amount of the power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12.

[0085] By supplying current from any one of the power supply units 1 to the load 21, the timing at which abnormalities occur in the power supply units 1 is spread out, making it easier to predict the occurrence of power supply failures in the redundant operation power supply units 12 as a whole.

[0086] The multiple power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 are butt-connected via transistors, thereby reducing losses. Also, the control units 6 of the multiple power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 are connected and communicate with each other via a single communication line 72, thereby reducing the cost of the configuration required for communication.

[0087] In the redundant operation power supply unit 12, the control unit 6 of each of the multiple power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 does not need to know information about the overall configuration of the redundant operation power supply unit 12. Information about the overall configuration of the redundant operation power supply unit 12 includes, for example, how many power supply units 1 the redundant operation power supply unit 12 includes, and the highest priority of the power supply unit 1 that includes it.

[0088] Even if information regarding the overall configuration of the redundant operation power supply unit 12 is not known, the above-described operation can be realized as long as a standby time sufficient for a power supply unit 1 with a higher priority than the redundant operation power supply unit 12 to start supplying current to the load 21 and transmitting a sine wave signal is set according to priority when the redundant operation power supply unit 12 is started up or when an abnormality occurs in a power supply unit 1 that was supplying current to the load 21. Furthermore, the priority of each of the multiple power supply units 1 may be set by setting the standby time for each of the multiple power supply units 1. In this case, a power supply unit 1 with a short standby time is a power supply unit with a high priority, and a power supply unit 1 with a long standby time is a power supply unit with a low priority.

[0089] <B-3. Variant Example> The redundant operation power supply unit 12 may be configured such that the state of the power supply unit 1 with relatively higher priority among the plurality of power supply units 1 is notified to the power supply unit 1 with relatively lower priority among the plurality of power supply units 1 through communication between the plurality of power supply units 1. That is, it may be configured such that no notification is made from the power supply unit 1 with relatively lower priority to the power supply unit 1 with relatively higher priority. For example, the control unit 6 of the power supply unit 1 detects only the sine wave signal transmitted by the power supply unit 1 with higher priority than itself. Even in this case, each of the plurality of power supply units 1 controls a transistor that controls whether its output voltage is applied to the load 21 based on the state of the power supply unit 1 with higher priority than itself notified from the power supply unit 1 with higher priority than itself in the communication between the plurality of power supply units 1, and outputs a control signal. Thus, the redundant operation power supply unit 12 can perform redundant operation in the form that it first supplies current from the power supply unit 1A to the load 21, supplies current from the power supply unit 1B to the load 21 when an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1A, supplies current from the power supply unit 1C to the load 21 when an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit 1B, and so on. However, by the control units 6 of the plurality of power supply units 1 included in the redundant operation power supply unit 12 notifying each other of the state of the power supply unit 1 they each include, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the power supply unit 1 that has once entered an abnormal state returns again, and the operation of complementarily applying any one of the output voltages of the plurality of power supply units 1 to the load 21 is realized more stably.

[0090] It should be noted that it is possible to freely combine each embodiment or appropriately modify or omit each embodiment.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0091] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1N power supply unit, 2, 3 input terminal, 4, 5 output terminal, 6 control unit, 11, 12 redundant operation power supply unit, 20 main power supply, 21 load, 31, 32 power supply system, 50, 51 matching point, 52, 53 matching point, 61 communication unit, 62 transistor control unit, 63 monitoring unit, 71, 72 communication line, 101 processing circuit, 102 monitoring device, 103 CPU, 104 memory, Q A ,Q B ,Q C ,Q N Transistor, S A ,S B ,S C ,S N sine wave signal.

Claims

1. A redundant operation power supply unit having a plurality of power supply units, a redundant operation power supply unit that applies any one of the output voltages of the plurality of power supply units to a load in a complementary manner; a transistor that controls whether or not an output voltage of the power supply unit is applied to the load, and a control unit that controls the transistor are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of power supply units; The control units of the plurality of power supply units are configured to be able to communicate with each other. Redundant power supply unit.

2. 2. The redundant power supply unit according to claim 1, the control unit of each of the plurality of power supply units notifies the control unit of the other power supply units of the corresponding power supply unit of the state of the power supply unit; Redundant power supply unit.

3. 3. The redundant power supply unit according to claim 2, the control unit of each of the plurality of power supply units controls the transistor based on the notified state of the other power supply units. Redundant power supply unit.

4. A redundant operation power supply unit according to claim 3, the control unit of the power supply unit that has detected that the output voltage of another of the power supply units is not being applied to the load controls the transistor of the power supply unit so that the output voltage of the power supply unit is applied to the load; notifying the control unit of the other power supply unit that the output voltage of the corresponding power supply unit is being applied to the load; Redundant power supply unit.

5. A redundant power supply unit according to claim 3 or 4, when an abnormality occurs in the power supply unit whose output voltage is being applied to the load, the control unit of the power supply unit controls the transistor of the power supply unit so that the output voltage of the power supply unit is not applied to the load; notifying the control units of the other power supply units that the output voltage of the power supply unit is not being applied to the load; Redundant power supply unit.

6. 6. A redundant power supply unit according to claim 1, a first power supply unit configured to supply a first output voltage to the load; a second power supply unit configured to supply a second output voltage to the load; Redundant power supply unit.

7. 7. The redundant power supply unit according to claim 6, a state of the power supply unit having a relatively high priority among the plurality of power supply units is notified to the power supply unit having a relatively low priority; Redundant power supply unit.

8. 8. The redundant power supply unit according to claim 7, each of the plurality of power supply units controls the corresponding transistor based on the state of the power supply unit notified by the power supply unit having a higher priority than the power supply unit itself; Redundant power supply unit.

9. A redundant operation power supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8; a power supply that supplies power to the redundant power supply unit; Equipped with Power supply system.

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