Power Factor Correction Circuit State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing apparatuses face inefficiencies in power management, particularly in power saving modes where the PFC circuit is not utilized, leading to unnecessary power consumption when resuming power to control units without PFC correction.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus shifts between power states to manage power factor correction, detecting return requests to perform processing without PFC correction, thereby reducing power consumption by controlling the power state transitions and PFC operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the PFC circuit is activated to correct power factor, then power factor is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the PFC circuit's operational state changeable based on system conditions. The control unit dynamically switches the PFC circuit between active and inactive states depending on whether the information processing apparatus is in a normal operating mode or a power-saving mode, allowing the system to adapt its power factor correction behavior to current operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the PFC circuit from a fixed state to a variable state. By controlling the PFC circuit to operate only when necessary (during normal mode) and remain inactive during power-saving modes, the system optimizes the balance between power factor maintenance and power consumption reduction through parameter adjustment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the PFC circuit is deactivated to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but power factor correction is lost when returning from power saving mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the control unit detect return requests from power-saving mode in advance and proactively reactivate the PFC circuit before full operational processing begins. This ensures that when the apparatus returns to normal operation, the PFC circuit is already active and ready to provide proper power factor correction, avoiding any period of uncorrected power factor.
3Ease of operation
If power is supplied to control units without PFC correction in power saving mode, then processing can be performed, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing limited processing capabilities in power-saving mode while the PFC circuit remains inactive. The system performs only essential processing that can be handled without full PFC correction, and fully reactivates PFC functionality when returning to normal mode, thus achieving partial operational capability with reduced energy loss.
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 approach allows for controlled power state transitions and reduced power consumption by avoiding unnecessary PFC operations during processing in power saving modes, optimizing energy usage in information processing apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply unit that converts an alternating-current voltage supplied from the commercial power supply into a direct-current voltage
Implementation Method 2
a smoothing capacitor that rectifies an input alternating-current voltage and smoothes the rectified voltage
Implementation Method 3
a power factor correction (PFC) circuit is used to reduce phase deviation between the input voltage and the input current
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an output unit configured to output a direct current after converting an alternating current into the direct current and a power factor correction circuit configured to correct a power factor of the output unit, and is shifted from a first power state to a second power state. The information processing apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect predetermined return request in the second power state, and a power control unit configured to shift, based on detection by the detection unit, the information processing apparatus from the second power state to a third power state in which processing corresponding to the predetermined return request is performable. The power control unit shifts the power state of the information processing apparatus from the third power state to the second power state after the processing is completed in the third power state.