Digitally-Controlled PFC Circuit for Compact Aircraft Cabin Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power factor correction (PFC) circuits are too large for use in space-constrained environments such as aircraft cabins and require significant circuit board space, making them unsuitable for widespread distribution.
Innovation Solution
Digitally-controlled PFC circuits that are substantially smaller, allowing for integration with other functions like LED control, and can operate in discontinuous conduction mode without zero crossing detectors or current sense circuits, reducing electromagnetic interference and enabling single-stage flyback power supply with voltage conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PFC circuits are used, then power factor correction is achieved, but circuit board space consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the PFC circuit with the LED driver circuit into a single integrated circuit board. The PFC circuit shares components and space with the LED driver, eliminating the need for separate PFC circuit boards. This merging approach reduces the total circuit board space while maintaining effective power factor correction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: power factor correction, LED current regulation, and power supply management. By making the circuit board universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates dedicated space for separate PFC circuits and achieves space reduction through functional integration.
2Reliability
If conventional PFC circuits are used, then power factor correction is achieved, but manufacturing cost and time are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates PFC circuitry with LED driver circuitry on a single circuit board, reducing the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces assembly steps, and lowers both manufacturing cost and production time while maintaining power factor correction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional circuit board design allows a single manufacturing process to produce circuits that perform both PFC and LED driving functions. This universality eliminates the need for separate manufacturing lines for PFC circuits and LED drivers, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Area of stationary object
If digitally-controlled PFC circuits are used, then circuit size is reduced, but electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges the EMI generated by the digitally-controlled PFC circuit but converts this potential harm into a benefit by carefully positioning the PFC circuit adjacent to the LED driver circuit. The EMI from the PFC circuit helps to illuminate or activate certain components of the LED driver circuit, creating a synergistic effect that reduces overall system complexity and space requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed power supply includes a power factor correction circuit including a switch, an inductor having a first terminal connected to an input voltage, and a second terminal connected to the switch, a storage capacitor and a load, a value of the inductor selected to operate the power factor correction circuit in discontinuous conduction mode, and a controller programmed to operate the switch to increase a power factor of the power supply. The switching frequency of the switch is periodically adjusted to reduce electromagnetic interference.