Power Supply Circuit Bypass Path for Redundant Power Delivery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conversion circuits face the risk of failing to supply electric power to an electrical load if an abnormality occurs in either the first or second direct-current voltage source, and if a switching element malfunctions, neither source can provide power.

Innovation Solution

A power supply circuit with a power conversion circuit and a bypass path, utilizing a first and second inductor and multiple switching elements to form loop paths, including a bypass path with a switch to connect the direct-current voltage sources directly to the load, ensuring redundancy and rapid power supply even in abnormal conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a power conversion circuit shares switching elements between two voltage sources, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because a switching element abnormality can prevent both voltage sources from supplying power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent power supply paths: a normal path through the power conversion circuit and a bypass path directly connecting the second voltage source to the load. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability by switching paths when the normal path fails, while keeping device complexity manageable through shared components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bypass path with a switch is provided in advance as a backup route. When an abnormality occurs in the power conversion circuit, the switch can be activated to redirect power through the bypass path, cushioning against the failure and maintaining system reliability without requiring complete redundancy of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a bypass path is added to ensure power supply reliability, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass path shares the second inductor and the second switching element with the normal power conversion path. By merging components between the bypass path and the normal path, the system achieves improved reliability through path redundancy while minimizing the increase in device complexity through component sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second switching element serves dual functions: it operates as part of the normal power conversion circuit during normal operation and as part of the bypass path when activation is required. This multi-functionality allows a single component to support both operational modes, reducing the need for additional dedicated components in the bypass path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4641904A1Power-supply circuit and power-supply system
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 JTEKT CORP
  • EP4641904A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4641904A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4641904A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A power supply circuit (70) includes a power conversion circuit (72). A terminal voltage of a first direct-current voltage source (60) and a terminal voltage of a second direct-current voltage source (82) are applied to the power conversion circuit. The power supply circuit includes a bypass path. The bypass path is a path that bypasses the power conversion circuit and connects the first direct-current voltage source and an electrical load, and includes a switch (76) that opens and closes the path.