Low-Voltage Power Supply with Adaptive Overcurrent Ranges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply and distribution devices struggle to efficiently manage temporary increases in power and current demands by low-voltage loads, often leading to thermal overload due to insufficient adaptability in overcurrent handling.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adaptable overcurrent ranges with adjustable maximum durations, allowing for customized power supply to low-voltage loads by defining multiple overcurrent ranges above the rated current, each with specific durations, and utilizing counters to manage thermal load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power supply device allows higher output current for temporary overload, then the load can meet temporary power requirements, but the device experiences thermal overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic overcurrent range adaptation by adjusting the thresholds and durations of overcurrent ranges based on thermal load conditions. The control unit continuously monitors thermal state and dynamically modifies the overcurrent protection parameters, allowing the system to adapt between conservative and permissive operating modes rather than using fixed thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of overcurrent ranges (threshold values and maximum durations) based on thermal load conditions. When thermal load is low, the system allows higher current thresholds and longer durations; when thermal load is high, it reduces these parameters to prevent overheating, thus dynamically optimizing the balance between power delivery and thermal management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the power supply device uses fixed overcurrent ranges, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different load requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms fixed overcurrent ranges into dynamic, adaptable ranges by introducing a control unit that automatically adjusts threshold values and maximum durations based on thermal load conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to accommodate different load requirements without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple fixed modes.
3Reliability
If the power supply device limits overcurrent duration to prevent thermal overload, then device safety is improved, but the load cannot receive sufficient power during temporary peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the maximum duration parameter of overcurrent ranges based on thermal load conditions. When thermal load is low, the system permits longer overcurrent durations to support temporary power peaks; when thermal load is high, it reduces the duration to prevent overheating. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes both safety and power delivery capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
To supply at least one low-voltage load (2) with an output current (Ia) of an electronic power supply and/or distribution device (1, 20), at least two overcurrent ranges (B1, B2) are defined for the output current (Ia), each of which is assigned a maximum overcurrent duration (tB1max; tB2max). According to the invention, the overcurrent ranges (B1, B2) can be adapted to an overcurrent requirement of the low-voltage load (2) with regard to their height (H1, H2), their respective maximum overcurrent duration (tB1max; tB2max), and/or their number. This allows the electronic power supply and/or distribution device (1, 20) to be adapted even more individually and thus better to an overcurrent requirement of the low-voltage load (2).