Active Load Circuit for Power Supply Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computer systems experience power supply instability and potential malfunction when in an idle or low-load state due to reduced power consumption, leading to inefficiencies and increased manufacturing costs when attempting to address this with dummy loads or detection circuits.
Innovation Solution
An active load circuit that automatically connects or disconnects a dummy load based on the voltage level of the power-good input signal, using a control circuit, active switching circuit, and dummy load to maintain power supply stability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dummy load is added on the secondary side to prevent power supply instability, then power supply stability is improved, but efficiency is reduced and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the dummy load configurable rather than fixed. The control circuit dynamically adjusts the dummy load resistance value based on detected power supply parameters, allowing the system to adapt between providing sufficient load for stability and minimizing energy consumption for efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resistance parameter of the dummy load based on detected power supply conditions. The control circuit monitors voltage and current parameters and adjusts the dummy load resistance accordingly, transforming the dummy load from a static component to a dynamically adjustable element that optimizes both stability and efficiency.
2Reliability
If a detection circuit is disposed on the primary side to detect power supply status, then power supply stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the primary side and relocates it to the secondary side. The detection circuit is disposed on the secondary side to detect output voltage and current, simplifying the primary side circuitry while maintaining the ability to monitor and control power supply stability.
3Reliability
If the primary side stops transmitting energy to stabilize output voltage, then output voltage stability is improved, but power-good input signal voltage level drops causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the dummy load continuously present on the secondary side, ready to immediately absorb excess energy and stabilize voltage when the primary side stops transmitting. This pre-positioned load prevents voltage spikes and maintains stable power-good input signal levels without requiring reactive measures.
Data Source
AI summary
An active load circuit applicable to a power supply. The active load circuit includes a control circuit, a dummy load and an active switching circuit. The control circuit is coupled to a ground terminal, an output terminal of a power supply and the detection circuit. The dummy load is coupled to the output terminal The active switching circuit is coupled to the control circuit, the dummy load and the ground terminal. The control circuit receives an output voltage via the output terminal and receives a power-good input signal via the detection circuit. When a voltage level of the power-good input signal is lower than a threshold value, the control circuit controls the active switching circuit to enter a load-on mode so that the dummy load is connected to the ground terminal and that the output terminal is connected to the dummy load.