Parallel Sub-Switching Regulators for Laser Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser power-supply devices face challenges in increasing the number of light-emitting elements while maintaining cost-effectiveness and minimizing downtime due to breakage, as the operation stops when any one of the elements fails, leading to increased costs and complex maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple sub-switching regulators connected in parallel with a rectifier circuit, where each sub-switching regulator unit drives a single light-emitting element row, allowing for independent operation and control, reducing the impact of breakage and enabling cost-effective configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light-emitting elements are connected in parallel to increase light power, then the desired light power is achieved, but the device stops operating when any one element breaks (short-circuits)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light-emitting elements into multiple independent rows (first light-emitting element row, second light-emitting element row, etc.), where each row can be independently controlled by separate power supply units. This segmentation allows the device to continue operating with remaining rows when one row fails, resolving the contradiction between achieving high light power through parallel connections and maintaining operation continuity when elements break.
2Device complexity
If a single power supply unit controls all light-emitting elements, then the device structure is simple, but repair and replacement must be performed for the entire power supply unit when any element fails
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit is segmented into multiple independent sub-power supply units (first sub-power supply unit, second sub-power supply unit, etc.), with each sub-unit controlling a specific light-emitting element row. This segmentation maintains relatively simple overall structure while enabling independent maintenance of individual rows, reducing the scope of repair when elements fail.
3Use of energy by moving object
If light-emitting elements are connected in series to increase voltage utilization, then voltage efficiency is improved, but the number of elements is limited by the AC input voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-series connection (one-dimensional limitation by input voltage) to a multi-row parallel structure where each row can be connected in series. This dimensional change allows the system to exceed the original voltage limitation by distributing elements across multiple independent rows, each utilizing the full AC input voltage range.
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 allows for a higher number of light-emitting elements to be mounted at a lower cost, with reduced risk from breakage, enabling continuous operation by using unbroken light-emitting elements and improving controllability of laser oscillator output.
Implementation Method 1
a rectifier circuit that rectifies the AC voltage
Implementation Method 2
the voltage is converted to a DC voltage by the switching circuit and the smoothing circuit
Implementation Method 3
In a light-emitting element such as an LED or a semiconductor laser, light intensity (light power) to be outputted varies in accordance with a current
Data Source
AI summary
A laser power-supply device including a power-supply unit including a voltage input unit into which an AC voltage is inputted, a rectifier circuit, and a plurality of sub-switching regulator units, and a light-emitting unit, in which the plurality of sub-switching regulator units is connected in parallel to output of the rectifier circuit, the light-emitting unit includes a plurality of sub-light-emitting units, each of the sub-light-emitting units includes one light-emitting element row, a current is supplied to the one light-emitting element row from each of the plurality of sub-switching regulator units, and each of the sub-switching regulator units includes a switching circuit, a smoothing circuit, a current detection circuit that detects an output current, and a control circuit that controls the switching circuit on the basis of a current command value and the detected output current.