Power Supply Apparatus with Capacitor for Stable Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power supply systems cannot efficiently supply power to loads operating at voltages higher than the output voltage of the storage battery, particularly when high starting power is required, leading to voltage drops and instability.

Innovation Solution

A power supply apparatus that includes a bidirectional DC-DC converter, a step-up circuit, and a backflow prevention circuit, allowing the output voltage of a storage battery to be increased and supplied to a load, with a capacitor providing additional power during high current demands, ensuring stable voltage delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the storage battery directly supplies power to the load without voltage conversion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the load cannot operate at voltages higher than the storage battery output voltage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage compatibilityVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested power supply structure where a capacitor is placed inside the power supply circuit between the storage battery and the load. The capacitor is connected in parallel with the load through a diode, creating a nested configuration where the capacitor is embedded within the existing power supply path. This allows the system to support higher voltage loads while maintaining relatively simple overall circuit structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the storage battery supplies large starting power to the load, then the load can be started stably, but voltage drops occur in the storage battery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestarting stabilityVSAvoidvoltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-charging a capacitor during normal operation when the load is running on storage battery power. When the load requires large starting power, the pre-charged capacitor discharges to supplement the storage battery output, cushioning against voltage drops and ensuring stable starting. This is achieved through a control circuit that detects voltage drops and activates the capacitor discharge path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor serves as an intermediary energy storage element between the storage battery and the load. During high-power demand periods, the capacitor mediates by providing additional current to supplement the storage battery, preventing voltage drops without requiring modification to the storage battery itself. The diode controls the direction of current flow, allowing the capacitor to discharge to the load while preventing reverse current.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If a conventional voltage boosting method using resistors is used, then the output voltage can be increased, but component costs increase and power loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput voltageVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional resistor-based voltage boosting method with a capacitor-based energy storage and release mechanism. Instead of using resistors to drop voltage and then boosting it (which causes continuous power loss), the system uses a capacitor to store energy during low-demand periods and release it during high-demand periods, achieving voltage support without continuous energy dissipation. The control circuit manages the charging and discharging cycles to optimize efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables stable voltage supply to loads operating at higher voltages than the storage battery, reducing voltage drops and component costs by eliminating the need for resistors, thus providing a reliable and efficient power supply system.

Implementation Method 1

a bidirectional DC-DC converter, a step-up circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

with a capacitor providing additional power during high current demands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8294435B2Power supply apparatus supplying power stored in power storage unit to load and power supply system including power supply apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 SHARP KK

AI summary

A power supply apparatus converting electric power stored in a first power storage unit into a prescribed voltage for supply to a load includes: a power storage unit-side terminal coupled to the first power storage unit; a second power storage unit; a load-side terminal coupled to the load; a converter unit for increasing output voltage of the first power storage unit to a first voltage and outputting the first voltage to the load-side terminal at a time of discharging of the first power storage unit; a step-up circuit for increasing the output voltage of the first power storage unit and supplying the increased voltage to the second power storage unit; and a backflow prevention circuit arranged between the second power storage unit and the load-side terminal to allow current to flow from the second power storage unit to the load-side terminal and block current flowing from the load-side terminal to the second power storage unit.