Active Power Buffer Circuit for Compact AC-DC Power Supplies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AC-DC power supplies are often too large for smaller electronic devices with increasing power demands, as they require significant physical space for capacitors to store energy, making it difficult to incorporate them within the device's housing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an active power buffer with an energy storage capacitor and switching devices that alternately store and discharge energy, along with a dual control loop system to regulate voltage, allowing for a more compact power converter that maintains unity power factor and efficient power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional capacitor-based energy storage is used, then power supply capacity is sufficient, but physical size becomes too large for smaller electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the energy storage system by using an active power buffer with controlled switching devices instead of passive capacitors. This allows the same energy storage function to be achieved with different electrical characteristics, enabling compact design while maintaining power capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional passive capacitor-based energy storage mechanism with an active electronic power buffer system using switching devices. This substitution enables dynamic control of energy storage and release, achieving the same power capacity in a much smaller physical footprint
2Power
If external power supplies are used to meet power demands, then power capacity is sufficient, but device integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply function directly into the electronic device by providing an internal AC-DC converter with active power buffer. This integration eliminates the need for separate external power supplies while maintaining sufficient power capacity, reducing integration complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The active power buffer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides energy storage, regulates output voltage, and enables compact design. This multi-functionality allows the power supply to be integrated into smaller devices without requiring separate components for each function
3Device complexity
If internal power supplies are used in smaller devices, then device integration is improved, but power delivery capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the active power buffer through switching devices that can rapidly adjust energy storage and release. This dynamic operation enables the compact internal power supply to deliver sufficient power capacity to meet the demands of smaller electronic devices
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
This solution enables a physically smaller AC-DC power supply that meets the power demands of smaller electronic devices while reducing the volume required for energy storage, enhancing packaging efficiency without compromising power delivery performance.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage capacitor and one or more switching devices selectively coupling the energy storage capacitor to the output of the power converter so as to alternately store energy in and discharge energy from the energy storage capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter can include a DC-DC converter stage having an input coupled to an input of the power converter and an output coupled to an output of the converter and an active power buffer coupled to the output of the power converter. The active power buffer can further include an energy storage capacitor and one or more switching devices selectively coupling the energy storage capacitor to the output of the power converter so as to alternately store energy in and discharge energy from the energy storage capacitor. Control circuitry of the power converter can include a first control loop that operates the DC-DC converter stage to regulate an average voltage across the energy storage capacitor of the active power buffer and a second control loop that operates the one or more switching devices of the active power buffer to regulate an output voltage of the power converter.