Humidity-Adjusted Power Supply Circuit for Leakage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage power supply systems in humid environments suffer from current leakage across printed circuit boards (PCBs), leading to out-of-specification behavior in high-voltage/low-current applications such as HVDC sources for toner-based printers.
Innovation Solution
A humidity-adjusted power supply system that includes a power supply circuit and a humidity control circuit positioned on the same PCB to experience correlated environmental changes. The humidity control circuit uses a humidity sensor and a heater controlled by a signal converter to maintain optimal humidity levels, reducing current leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If high-voltage power supply circuits are placed in humid environments, then the system can operate in diverse conditions, but current leakage increases across the PCB surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a humidity sensor continuously monitors the local humidity level near the high-voltage circuit, and a control circuit adjusts the heater element accordingly to maintain optimal humidity conditions. This closed-loop feedback system dynamically compensates for humidity changes, preventing current leakage while maintaining environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of humidity by introducing a heater element controlled by humidity sensing. The system actively modifies the local environmental parameter (humidity level) around the PCB to prevent water absorption and surface conduction, thereby reducing current leakage while allowing operation in diverse environmental conditions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If shielding techniques are used to reduce current leakage, then leakage current is reduced, but the shielding structures can increase leakage and cause insulation breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of humidity into a useful indicator by using humidity sensing to detect moisture levels before they cause leakage. Instead of trying to block humidity with shields, the system uses the presence of humidity as feedback to activate heating that prevents water absorption, thereby eliminating the root cause of leakage without introducing insulating breakdown risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (heater controlled by humidity sensor) between the humid environment and the high-voltage circuit. This intermediary actively manages the environmental interaction, preventing direct contact between moisture and the PCB surface, thereby reducing leakage without the insulating breakdown risks associated with conductive shields.
3Measurement precision
If humidity sensors are used to monitor environmental humidity, then humidity levels can be tracked, but the sensors do not account for local humidity variations near the power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing the humidity sensor in close proximity to the high-voltage power supply circuit on the same PCB. This localized sensing ensures that the humidity measurement reflects the actual environmental conditions experienced by the high-voltage circuit, rather than general ambient conditions, thereby improving compensation accuracy and reliability.
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 system effectively reduces current leakage and maintains consistent performance in humid environments by actively controlling humidity levels, thus ensuring accurate output current and voltage in high-voltage/low-current applications.
Implementation Method 1
the heater control circuit includes an amplifier connected to a humidity sensor, and a signal converter connected to the amplifier and the heater
Implementation Method 2
The amplifier is connected to receive a portion of the output voltage from the transformer component (a proportional voltage that is lower than, and proportional to, the output voltage)
Data Source
AI summary
A humidity-adjusted power supply includes a power supply circuit (e.g., relatively higher-voltage circuit) connected to a printed circuit board. The power supply circuit is adapted to provide output voltage to a voltage load. The humidity-adjusted power supply also includes a humidity control circuit (e.g., relatively lower-voltage circuit) connected to the printed circuit board adjacent the power supply circuit. The humidity control circuit outputs a heater control signal to a heater that is also connected to the printed circuit board. The heater is in a location to receive the heater control signal from the humidity control circuit. The power supply circuit and the humidity control circuit are positioned, relative to each other, on the printed circuit board to experience the same environmental conditions.