Audio Amplifier Power Supply Burst Charging for Fast Wake-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Audio amplifiers face challenges in reducing power consumption and shortening wake-up time from standby mode, as the idle power consumption is significant, and capacitors take time to charge upon startup, leading to prolonged wake-up times.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an audio amplifier system with an isolated power supply that cycles between active and inactive states using a burst mode signal, where capacitors are charged during standby mode, and a duty cycle ramp generator modifies the power supply's duty cycle to reduce peak current draw and enhance charging efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the audio amplifier enters standby mode to reduce power consumption, then power savings are achieved, but the wake-up time increases due to capacitor charging delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidwake-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply performs preliminary charging of capacitors during standby mode by cycling between active and inactive states. The capacitors are charged to a threshold voltage level before full operation is needed, so when the amplifier exits standby mode, the capacitors are already charged and ready to provide immediate power, eliminating wake-up delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply operates in periodic burst cycles during standby mode, alternating between active and inactive states. During each active phase, capacitors are charged; during inactive phases, power consumption is minimized. This periodic charging ensures capacitors maintain sufficient charge for fast wake-up while achieving significant power savings during standby.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If the power supply operates continuously in active state to ensure immediate response, then wake-up time is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewake-up speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary charging of capacitors during standby mode so that when wake-up is needed, the capacitors are already charged to threshold voltage. This eliminates the need for continuous operation while ensuring fast wake-up response when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply dynamically transitions between active and inactive states based on operational needs. During standby, it cycles with increasing duty cycle to charge capacitors; during active operation, it provides full power. This dynamic adaptation optimizes both power consumption and wake-up speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If the duty cycle is increased to charge capacitors faster during standby, then wake-up time is reduced, but peak current draw increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacitor charging timeVSAvoidpeak current draw

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply uses periodic burst cycles with progressively increasing duty cycle during standby mode. Instead of continuous high-current charging, it charges capacitors in periodic increments, allowing current to be managed in controlled pulses rather than sustained peak levels, reducing overall peak current draw while still achieving fast wake-up.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The duty cycle parameter is dynamically adjusted during standby mode, starting at lower values and progressively increasing toward 100%. This gradual parameter change allows capacitors to charge efficiently over multiple cycles without requiring high peak current at any single moment, balancing charging speed with current management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach significantly reduces power consumption and shortens the wake-up time from standby mode, potentially from seconds to milliseconds, while also providing additional power savings by optimizing the duty cycle during burst mode.

Implementation Method 1

an isolated power supply including capacitors and a burst mode input configured to receive a burst mode signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the power supply may receive power from a power source (e.g., a connection to the mains or power grid)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical power conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS11722100B2Audio amplifier with fast wake-up power supply and peak current reduction

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 RGB SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An improved audio amplifier system can both reduce power consumption by supporting a standby mode and shorten wake time when resuming from the standby mode. The audio amplifier system may reduce power by entering a sleep or standby state in response to a command and/or detecting that an audio input signal is not received. Further, the audio amplifier system may use a burst generator to periodically or intermittently activate the power supply during standby mode. By periodically or intermittently activating the power supply, one or more of the capacitors may be charged. By charging the capacitors during standby mode, the time to wake from standby mode may be significantly reduced. In some cases, the wake time may be reduced by several order of magnitudes (e.g., from seconds to milliseconds).