Current Regulator Circuit for Balanced Multi-Source Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power supply systems using USB and POE interfaces face limitations in balancing current between multiple power sources, leading to inefficiencies and bottlenecks when trying to provide power to loads, as they cannot ensure balanced current distribution, resulting in restrictive application and potential power supply interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A current regulator circuit comprising switches, current detecting circuits, and a control circuit that compares and balances the current from multiple power sources, ensuring balanced power distribution by adjusting the impedance of each power route to prevent single-source domination and ensure continuous power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If two power supplies are connected in parallel to provide larger input wattage, then the maximum power provided is improved, but the current balance between the two power supplies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs current detecting circuits that continuously monitor the current from each power supply and feed this information back to a control circuit. The control circuit adjusts the impedance of each power route based on the detected current levels, ensuring balanced current distribution. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining current balance while allowing both power supplies to operate in parallel for increased power capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the impedance parameter of each power route through controlled adjustment of switching elements. By modifying the impedance values in response to detected current levels, the system optimizes current distribution between parallel power supplies. This parameter change approach enables the system to maintain current balance while utilizing multiple power supplies for higher power output.
2Productivity
If one voltage is higher than the other in parallel power supplies, then the higher voltage provides current to the user side, but the lower voltage stops outputting current
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit continuously monitors current levels from each power supply and adjusts impedance in real-time. When one power supply tends to dominate due to higher voltage, the feedback mechanism detects this imbalance and increases the impedance of that route while decreasing the impedance of the other route, ensuring both power supplies contribute current to the load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent effectively creates equipotential conditions by dynamically adjusting impedances to equalize the contribution from each power supply. The control circuit ensures that both power supplies operate at comparable current levels, preventing voltage dominance by any single source and maintaining continuous power delivery from all supplies.
3Reliability
If USB interface current is limited to 0.5 A for motherboard protection, then the motherboard and back end are protected, but the application is limited when current balance is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power delivery function by introducing separate current detecting circuits and control mechanisms for each power supply route. This segmentation allows independent monitoring and adjustment of each USB interface's current contribution, enabling the system to exceed the 0.5 A limitation on individual interfaces while maintaining overall current balance and motherboard protection through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intermediary between the power supplies and the motherboard. It manages current distribution from multiple USB interfaces, ensuring that no single interface exceeds the 0.5 A protection threshold while collectively providing higher total current to the load. This intermediary control enables both protection and enhanced application flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A current regulator includes a first switch, a second switch, a first current detecting circuit, a second current detecting circuit and a control circuit. Both of the first and second current detecting circuits detect the current of corresponding power route. The control circuit controls the first and the second switches on the route to be turned on or turned off according to detecting signals, and regulates to keep the wiring current in balance.