Dual Power Supply System with Stability Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply systems continue to provide Stand-By-Power (+5 VSB) to motherboards even when the computer is shut down, leading to potential damage over time and failure if the AC power is not switched off, causing instability and failure in the power supply.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with two power supplies connected in parallel, utilizing switch circuits and timing control circuits to detect stable states and output specific voltages (+3V, +5V, +12V) only when both power supplies are active, ensuring stable power delivery and preventing damage by isolating faulty units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If Stand-By-Power is continuously provided to the motherboard even when the computer is shut down, then the power supply remains ready to activate quickly, but the circuit components are more prone to damage and failure over time
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is divided into multiple independent power supply units (first power supply and second power supply), each capable of providing Stand-By-Power independently. This segmentation allows the system to distribute the continuous power provision task across multiple components, reducing the burden and damage risk on any single circuit while maintaining overall system readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a detection mechanism that monitors the stability and health status of power supply circuits before they fully engage in continuous Stand-By-Power provision. By detecting potential issues early and switching between power supply units, the system cushions against damage accumulation, preventing catastrophic failures while maintaining continuous power availability.
2Device complexity
If a single power supply is used to provide all voltages to the motherboard, then the system structure is simple, but the system fails completely when the power supply is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent power supply units, each capable of providing specific voltages to the motherboard. When one unit fails, the other can continue to operate, ensuring system functionality is maintained. This segmentation transforms a single point of failure into a redundant system with continued operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching between different power supply units based on their health status and load requirements. When one power supply unit is detected as faulty, the system changes the operational state by activating the other unit, thereby maintaining voltage provision to the motherboard despite component failure.
3Reliability
If two power supplies are connected in parallel to provide voltages to the motherboard, then the system reliability is improved and damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Two independent power supply units are merged into a single integrated power supply system that shares common control circuitry and output interfaces. This merging approach provides redundancy and improved reliability while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity by consolidating control and management functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual power supply system implements self-service through automatic detection and switching mechanisms. The system autonomously monitors the health status of each power supply unit and automatically switches between them without requiring external intervention or complex manual control, thereby managing the increased complexity through self-regulating behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supplying control method of a computer system for use with a first power supply and a second power supply both providing a first specific voltage to a motherboard, including steps of: detecting whether the first power supply and the second power supply, outputting the first specific voltage, are at a stable state; outputting the first specific voltage to a first pin when the first power supply is at the stable state; outputting the first specific voltage to the first pin when the second power supply is at the stable state; and outputting the first specific voltage to the motherboard via the first pin.