Capacitor Voltage Control in Power Supply Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In regions with unstable AC power, traditional power stabilizers can damage electric devices with impulse voltages and incur additional costs, making stable power supply both expensive and risky for equipment longevity.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus comprising a converter, a switched mode power supply (SMPS), a capacitor, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element, and switches controlled by a controller to manage voltage levels, ensuring stable power delivery by charging and discharging the capacitor to maintain optimal voltage levels, thereby protecting devices from overvoltage damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power stabilizer is installed to provide stable power supply, then power stability is improved, but impulse voltage damage to devices occurs and additional costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage device between the power source and the load. The capacitor absorbs voltage fluctuations and provides smooth power delivery, preventing impulse voltage damage while maintaining power stability. The controlled switching mechanism acts as a mediator to manage the capacitor's charging and discharging cycles, ensuring safe operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary charging of the capacitor to a target voltage level before power is needed by the load. By pre-charging the capacitor through the PTC element and controlled switching, the system prepares energy in advance, preventing voltage spikes when the load is connected while avoiding overvoltage conditions.
2Reliability
If a power stabilizer is installed to ensure stable power supply, then power quality is improved, but economic burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor serves multiple functions: it stabilizes voltage, stores energy for continuous power delivery, and protects against voltage spikes. By integrating this single component with controlled switching into the existing power supply circuit, the system achieves power stabilization without requiring a separate, expensive power stabilizer device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own capacitor and controlled switching mechanism to self-regulate power delivery. The PTC element provides automatic overcurrent protection, and the controller manages the charging/discharging cycles based on voltage levels, eliminating the need for external stabilization equipment and reducing overall system cost.
3Reliability
If the capacitor is charged to high voltage level to ensure stable power delivery, then power stability is improved, but overvoltage damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the capacitor voltage and provides feedback to adjust the switching states. When the voltage reaches the target level, the controller stops charging by opening the switch. If voltage exceeds the target, the controller activates discharge path to reduce voltage. This closed-loop feedback ensures the capacitor maintains optimal voltage without overcharging, providing stable power while preventing overvoltage damage.
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 provides stable power supply at a minimum cost by effectively managing voltage levels across the capacitor, preventing overvoltage damage and maintaining device stability without the need for additional power stabilizers, thus reducing economic burden and equipment risk.
Implementation Method 1
a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element connected to an input side of the converter
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus includes a converter to convert AC power into DC power, an SMPS to convert the DC power into DC powers desired by loads, a capacitor to interconnect the converter and the SMPS, a PTC element connected to the converter, a first switch connected in parallel with the PTC element, and a second switch connected in series with the first switch. The method includes turning on the second switch to start charging of the capacitor, turning on the first switch to charge the capacitor to a target voltage level, and turning off both the first switch and second switch if a voltage across the capacitor rises over the target voltage level, to discharge the voltage across the capacitor so as to lower the voltage across the capacitor to the target voltage level or lower.