Auxiliary Winding Power Supply for Wide USB PD 3.1 Voltage Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supplies face challenges in efficiently providing power to primary side controllers across a wide output voltage range due to high voltage drops and increased consumption in voltage regulator circuits, especially with the introduction of higher output voltages in USB Power Delivery specifications 3.1.
Innovation Solution
A power supply design utilizing two auxiliary windings and two voltage regulator circuits, where each winding is paired with a rectifier and voltage regulator circuit, allowing for selective power distribution based on output voltage levels to minimize voltage drops and reduce overall loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two auxiliary windings are used with a single voltage regulator circuit, then the supply voltage range for the primary side controller is expanded, but the voltage drop across the voltage regulator circuit increases significantly, leading to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single voltage regulator circuit into two separate voltage regulator circuits, each paired with one of the two auxiliary windings. This segmentation allows each regulator to handle a specific voltage range, reducing the voltage drop across each regulator and thereby lowering overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to supply power across the full voltage range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the total turns of two auxiliary windings are large enough to provide supply voltage at lower output voltages, then the supply voltage range is covered, but the peak voltage across the auxiliary windings becomes much higher at higher output voltages, causing large voltage drop and great consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the auxiliary winding system into two independent winding-regulator pairs. Each winding is designed with appropriate turns to work with its paired voltage regulator for a specific output voltage range. This prevents the scenario where large total turns cause excessive peak voltage and voltage drop at higher output voltages, as each segment operates within optimized parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Each auxiliary winding-regulator pair is optimized for specific local conditions (voltage ranges). The first auxiliary winding and first voltage regulator are configured for one voltage range, while the second auxiliary winding and second voltage regulator are configured for another voltage range, allowing each component to operate with locally optimized characteristics rather than being constrained by global requirements.
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 solution expands the operating voltage range for primary side controllers while reducing power consumption and component selection specifications by dispersing voltage regulation across multiple circuits.
Implementation Method 1
The aforesaid output voltage is proportional to a voltage across the auxiliary winding which is commonly used to power to the primary side controller
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a power supply including first auxiliary winding, a second auxiliary winding, a first supply circuit and a second supply circuit. The first supply circuit includes a first rectifier circuit and a first regulator circuit. The second supply circuit includes a second rectifier circuit and a second regulator circuit. The first auxiliary winding and the second auxiliary winding supply to a primary side controller through the first rectifier circuit and the first regulator circuit of the first supply circuit; or the first auxiliary winding supply to the primary side controller through the second rectifier circuit and the second regulator circuit of the second supply circuit.