Power Supply Communication via Inductive Output Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power supplies lack the ability to effectively communicate their status, such as output voltage, output current, and operating temperature, to external electronic circuits, complicating power management and protection.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that includes a power converter and a communication unit coupled to the output cable, using an inductive device to create a communication channel for transmitting modulated frequency-shift-key (FSK) signals to report the power converter's status to the electronic circuit, ensuring effective power management and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an external power supply is used to simplify product design, then device complexity is reduced, but information feedback capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inductive device as an intermediary component coupled to the output cable. This inductive device enables magnetic coupling between the power supply side and the electronic circuit side, allowing communication of status information (output voltage, current, temperature) without direct electrical connection, thus preserving information feedback while maintaining the simplicity of external power supply design.
2Reliability
If the power supply is isolated from the electronic circuit for safety, then safety protection is improved, but communication capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inductive device serves as a safety-isolated intermediary that enables bidirectional communication between the power converter and the electronic circuit. The magnetic coupling allows status information to be transmitted from the power supply side to the circuit side while maintaining galvanic isolation, thus preserving both safety protection and communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the power converter's status information (output voltage, current, temperature) is continuously monitored and transmitted to the electronic circuit through the inductive communication channel. This enables real-time power management and protection functions while maintaining safety isolation.
3Ease of operation
If a communication channel is added to transmit status data, then power management capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The output cable serves multiple functions: it transmits power from the power supply to the electronic circuit and simultaneously serves as the communication channel for status information transmission. The inductive device is coupled to this existing cable structure, enabling dual functionality without adding separate communication wiring, thus improving power management capability while minimizing additional complexity.
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
Enables real-time reporting of power converter status to the electronic circuit, enhancing power management and protection by providing critical information like input voltage, output voltage, and temperature, thereby improving safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An inductive device is further coupled to the output cable to provide impedance in between the power converter and the communication unit
Implementation Method 2
The communication data is modulated to a frequency-shift-key (FSK) signal for the transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system is introduced herein. The power supply system includes a power converter to supply a power source to an electronic circuit through an output cable of the power supply. A communication unit is coupled to the output cable of the power supply to develop a communication channel between the power converter and the electronic circuit in order to report the status of the power converter to the electronic circuit.