Latching Relay Power Supply Standby Leakage Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly during standby modes, due to leakage currents in switching power supplies, which lead to unnecessary energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system incorporating a latching relay, a control device, a relay drive circuit, and a battery that disconnects the switching power supply from the AC power supply during standby, using a battery to drive the relay for quick reconnection when power is restored, and employing a thermistor to manage inrush currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the switching power supply remains connected to the AC power supply during standby, then the power supply can quickly resume operation, but leakage currents cause unnecessary power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection between the switching power supply and AC power supply during standby mode by introducing a relay that physically disconnects the power supply from the AC source. This eliminates leakage currents while maintaining the ability to quickly reconnect when power is needed, resolving the contradiction between reducing power consumption and maintaining startup speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by keeping the relay in a predetermined state (connected) before power failure occurs. When power is restored, the relay automatically reconnects the power supply without requiring manual intervention or complex control circuits, enabling quick resumption of operation while minimizing power consumption during standby.
2Loss of energy
If a relay is used to disconnect the power supply during standby, then power consumption is reduced, but the relay requires power to operate its coil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using a latching relay that operates intermittently rather than continuously. The relay coil is energized only momentarily to switch states (connected or disconnected), after which the relay maintains its state without requiring continuous power. This dramatically reduces the relay's power consumption while maintaining the ability to disconnect the power supply during standby.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching relay is designed to maintain its own state without external power assistance. Once switched to the disconnected state during standby, the relay remains in that state using its internal latching mechanism, eliminating the need for continuous power supply to the coil and thereby minimizing power consumption.
3Loss of energy
If the relay is disconnected from the AC power supply during standby, then leakage currents are prevented, but the relay may not have enough power to reconnect when power is restored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage element that bridges the gap between the disconnected power supply and the relay coil. The capacitor stores energy during normal operation and releases it when power is restored, ensuring the relay coil has sufficient power to reconnect the supply even though the relay was disconnected during standby. This resolves the contradiction by providing a hidden energy reservoir.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor is charged in advance during normal operation when the power supply is connected, storing energy before the disconnect occurs. When power is restored, this pre-stored energy immediately becomes available to drive the relay coil for reconnection, ensuring reliable operation without requiring continuous power connection.
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
This configuration effectively reduces power consumption by preventing leakage currents and allowing for quick startup of the power supply when needed, while also minimizing battery capacity and size.
Implementation Method 1
a battery configured to supply electric power to the control device and the relay drive circuit
Implementation Method 2
a latching relay, which is provided at a preceding stage of the switching power supply on an AC input line, and which is configured to switch a connection state of the switching power supply with the AC power supply in response to an input of a relay drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system includes: a switching power supply for converting an AC voltage from an AC power supply into a DC voltage; a latching relay provided on an AC input line for switching a connection state of the switching power supply with the AC power supply in response to a relay drive signal; a control device for generating a relay control signal; a relay drive circuit for generating the relay drive signal in response to an input of the relay control signal and driving the latching relay by the relay drive signal; a battery for supplying electric power to the control device and the relay drive circuit when they are connected; and a switch for switching the connection state of the battery with respect to the control device and the relay drive circuit.