Active Clamping Circuit for Power Supply Diode Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply apparatuses are prone to diode damage from voltage spikes, and the energy from these spikes is not effectively recycled.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an active clamping circuit, comprising a clamping energy-storing unit, feedback control unit, and synchronous buck converter, which clamps and stores voltage spikes, detects the energy-storing voltage, and adjusts it for use as output voltage, thereby protecting diodes and recycling energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional power supply apparatus is used, then the structure is simple, but the diodes are damaged easily due to voltage spike
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clamping circuit as an intermediary component between the rectifying diodes and the voltage spike. The clamping circuit includes a clamping diode and a capacitor that work together to divert and absorb the voltage spike energy before it can damage the rectifying diodes, thus protecting them while adding a dedicated protective intermediary structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful voltage spike energy into a beneficial function by using the clamping circuit to capture and redirect this energy. The capacitor in the clamping circuit stores the spike energy temporarily, and the circuit design allows this energy to be dissipated safely or recycled, transforming what was previously destructive into a protective and potentially useful function
2Loss of energy
If conventional power supply apparatus is used, then the circuit is simple, but the energy of voltage spike is not recycled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the previously wasted voltage spike energy into a recoverable resource. The clamping circuit's capacitor captures the spike energy, and through the feedback control mechanism, this energy is redirected to the output side, converting what was harmful waste into useful output energy, thereby reducing overall energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism that monitors the voltage spike conditions and actively controls the clamping circuit's operation. The feedback loop detects when voltage spikes occur and adjusts the circuit parameters to optimize energy recovery, ensuring that the spike energy is efficiently captured and transferred to the output rather than being lost
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active clamping circuit effectively protects diodes from voltage spikes and converts spike energy into usable output energy, reducing losses and enhancing the reliability of the power supply apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping energy-storing unit clamps and stores a voltage spike to obtain an energy-storing voltage
Implementation Method 2
The synchronous buck converter receives the energy-storing voltage and adjusts the energy-storing voltage to obtain an adjusted voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit and an active clamping circuit. The power supply circuit includes a secondary side rectifying unit and a voltage output side. The active clamping circuit includes a clamping energy-storing unit, a feedback control unit and a synchronous buck converter. The clamping energy-storing unit clamps and stores a voltage spike to obtain an energy-storing voltage. The feedback control unit detects the energy-storing voltage and informs the synchronous buck converter of the energy-storing voltage. The synchronous buck converter receives the energy-storing voltage and adjusts the energy-storing voltage to obtain an adjusted voltage when the energy-storing voltage is greater than a predetermined voltage. The synchronous buck converter sends the adjusted voltage to the voltage output side.