Power Converter Photocoupler Outage Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converters with photocoupler-based power outage detection circuits consume power continuously during normal operation, which is inefficient and may not effectively detect momentary power outages.
Innovation Solution
A power converter with a power outage detection circuit that uses a photocoupler with a light emitting diode and phototransistor configuration, where the light emitting diode is only activated during a power outage, reducing power consumption and improving detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light emitting diode of the photocoupler is continuously lit to detect power outages, then power outage detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitting diode is activated periodically through a switching circuit that controls its on/off states. During normal operation, the switching circuit keeps the light emitting diode off to save power. When power outage is detected, the switching circuit activates the light emitting diode to transmit detection signals, thus achieving periodic action that balances reliability with power consumption reduction
2Use of energy by moving object
If the light emitting diode is only activated during power outage to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but detection accuracy for momentary outages may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The switching circuit operates as a feedback-controlled element that continuously monitors the power supply state. When it detects a power outage condition (including momentary outages), it immediately activates the light emitting diode to transmit the detection signal. This feedback mechanism ensures that the light emitting diode is activated at the precise moment power outage occurs, maintaining detection accuracy while minimizing power consumption by keeping the light emitting diode off during normal operation
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
The solution enables efficient power detection and reduced power consumption during normal operation, allowing for accurate transmission of power outage signals to the load, ensuring proper shutdown processes during power failures.
Implementation Method 1
a photocoupler with a light emitting diode and phototransistor configuration, where the light emitting diode is only activated during a power outage
Implementation Method 2
In the phototransistor of the photocoupler, the collector and the emitter are electrically connected (turned on) by the light from the light emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, the power converter includes a power conversion circuit and a power outage detection circuit. The power converter includes a power conversion circuit including an isolation transformer including a primary winding, a secondary winding electromagnetically coupled to the primary winding, and an auxiliary winding, a first DC voltage source which outputs DC power with an input AC power, a switching circuit which switches connection between the first DC voltage source and the primary winding, an auxiliary power supply circuit which supplies the DC power to the switching circuit using a power generated in the auxiliary winding, a second DC voltage source which rectifies and smooths the power generated in the secondary winding and outputs DC power to a load.