Master-Slave Power Supply Wiring Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power supply systems require a large number of wires to connect multiple power supplies in a master-slave arrangement, making the wiring process cumbersome and inefficient when powering a single load.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that includes a pair of input terminals, a master terminal, a slave terminal, a switching power supply, an indicative voltage generator, and an operation switcher, which allows for a reduced wiring configuration by connecting the master terminal to the slave terminals of other power supplies, enabling efficient operation in a master-slave arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple power supplies are connected in a master-slave arrangement using the conventional configuration (connecting current balance terminals, common signal terminals, and reference output voltage terminals), then the system can achieve equalized output current and stable voltage following, but the number of wires required increases significantly, making wiring cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary wiring connections from the conventional master-slave configuration. By removing the need to connect current balance terminals and common signal terminals separately, the patent reduces wiring complexity while maintaining voltage stability through the essential connection between master and slave power supplies
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple wiring functions into a single connection. The master terminal connects to slave terminals in a way that combines voltage reference, current balancing, and signal synchronization into one integrated wiring path, thereby reducing the total number of wires required
2Ease of operation
If multiple power supplies are connected in a master-slave arrangement with the conventional wiring configuration, then proper current balancing and voltage control are achieved, but the time and effort required for wiring installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes unnecessary wiring steps from the installation process. By eliminating the need to connect current balance terminals and common signal terminals separately, the patent reduces both the time and effort required for wiring installation while maintaining proper current balancing
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply is pre-configured with internal wiring and control circuitry that automatically performs current balancing and voltage following functions. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex external wiring during installation, reducing both wiring time and operational 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
This configuration reduces the complexity and time required for wiring, allowing multiple power supplies to be connected efficiently in a master-slave arrangement, enabling quick restoration of voltage to a target value and maintaining stability during fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a switching power supply that includes a switch that switches a direct current (DC) input voltage, which has been generated based on the input voltage, and is configured to switch between and execute a constant-voltage operation that generates a DC voltage of a set target voltage value base on the input voltage and outputs to the output terminals and a constant-current operation that generates a DC current of a set target current value based on the input voltage
Implementation Method 2
an indicative voltage generator that generates a current indicating voltage whose voltage value changes in proportion to a current value of a current outputted from the switching power supply
Implementation Method 3
an operation switcher that compares an applied voltage value of an applied voltage, which is applied from the periphery to the slave terminal, and the threshold voltage value, outputs a control signal for switching to the constant-voltage operation to the switching power supply when the applied voltage value is below the threshold voltage value
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply can be driven in parallel in a master-slave arrangement using fewer wires. Each power supply includes: input terminals; output terminals; a master terminal; a slave terminal; a switching power supply that switches an inputted voltage and executes one of a constant-voltage operation that outputs a DC voltage of a target voltage value and a constant-current operation that outputs a DC current of a target current value; an indicative voltage generator that generates a current detection signal indicating the current outputted from the output terminals, superimposes a bias voltage (>a threshold voltage), and outputs to the master terminal; and an operation switcher that compares a voltage applied to the slave terminal and the threshold voltage and outputs, based on the result, a control signal for switching to the constant-voltage operation or the constant-current operation, to the switching power supply.