Inrush Current Suppression in Displacement-Actuated Electronic Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices, such as image forming apparatuses, face challenges in suppressing inrush currents regardless of the connection order of units that open and close paths transmitting electric current between a displacement unit and the main body, leading to voltage fluctuations and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus comprising a displacement unit, a first power source, a first connecting unit to open and close a supply path, a limiting unit to restrict current flow, and a second connecting unit to manage a separate supply path, ensuring the first connecting unit controls the second supply path in response to displacement, thereby preventing inrush currents across various connection orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a capacitor is provided to prevent voltage drop caused by starting current, then voltage stability is improved, but inrush current may still occur when the capacitor is started
Solution Approach 1:
A diode is introduced as an intermediary component in the circuit path. The diode allows current to flow in only one direction, preventing the capacitor from discharging back into the power source during startup. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by maintaining voltage stability through the capacitor while blocking the harmful inrush current that would otherwise occur when the capacitor is energized.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple paths transmitting electric current are opened and closed in response to displacement unit movement, then operational flexibility is improved, but inrush current suppression becomes unreliable depending on connection order
Solution Approach 1:
The diode is pre-installed in the circuit path before operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that regardless of the sequence in which connecting units open or close the multiple current paths, the capacitor can never discharge back into the power source because the diode blocks reverse current flow. The protective action is already in place before any operational flexibility is exercised.
Solution Approach 2:
The diode serves as a mediator between the capacitor and the power source, controlling the direction of current flow. This intermediary component ensures that the capacitor can fulfill its voltage stabilization function while the diode prevents any potential inrush current from affecting the power source, making the system reliable regardless of connection sequence.
3Ease of operation
If a resistance is connected in series with a switch to stop power supply to a load, then power control is achieved, but voltage drop and inrush current issues persist
Solution Approach 1:
The diode acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for resistance-based power control. By allowing current to flow freely in the forward direction while blocking reverse current, the diode enables clean power supply control through switching alone, without the voltage drops and power losses that would occur with series resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus comprises: a displacement unit provided to an electronic apparatus main body; a first power source provided to the main body and supplying power to a load provided to the displacement unit; a first connecting unit that opens and closes a first supply path supplying an electric current from the first power source to the load in response to displacement of the displacement unit; a limiting unit provided on the first supply path and limiting an electric current flowing through the first supply path for a predetermined time from when an electric current is supplied from a second power source; and a second connecting unit that opens and closes a second supply path supplying an electric current from the second power source to the limiting unit in response to the displacement, wherein the first connecting unit opens and closes the second supply path in response to the displacement.