Power Supply Circuit Startup Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-capacity output-side capacitors require significant time to charge both the output-side and input-side capacitors simultaneously, making it difficult to achieve a power supply circuit with good startup performance.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit configuration that includes a primary capacitor for temporary energy storage, a storage element, a buck converter, a secondary capacitor that operates in two states based on the primary capacitor's voltage, and a control circuit to manage the buck converter's operation, allowing efficient charging of the storage element once the secondary capacitor reaches a defined voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the output-side capacitor is used as the power source for the control circuit, then the startup time is reduced, but the circuit complexity increases due to the need for voltage detection and state switching control
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit detects the voltage of the output-side capacitor in advance and switches to using it as the power source before the input-side capacitor is fully charged, thereby reducing startup time. The voltage detection and state switching are performed preliminarily to ensure quick power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power source for the control circuit is dynamically switched between the output-side capacitor and the input-side capacitor based on real-time voltage conditions. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt to changing states and minimize startup time while managing circuit complexity through controlled transitions.
2Ease of operation
If the buck converter is driven using current from the first fixed current circuit, then the control circuit can operate with the output-side capacitor as power source, but the power consumption increases when the output-side capacitor voltage is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters by switching between two fixed current circuits with different current values. When the output-side capacitor voltage is high, a higher current is used to quickly charge the input-side capacitor. When the voltage is low, a lower current is used to reduce power consumption, thereby adapting the power usage to the available voltage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by using different current levels appropriate to the voltage conditions. Instead of always using maximum current, the system uses just enough current (partial action) based on the output-side capacitor voltage, avoiding excessive power consumption when voltage is low while still achieving necessary charging when voltage is high.
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 enables a power supply circuit with improved startup performance by efficiently charging the storage element using the buck converter once the secondary capacitor reaches the defined voltage, reducing the time required for charging and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a primary capacitor configured to temporarily store the energy from an energy harvester
Implementation Method 2
a buck converter configured to charge the storage element with the energy stored in the primary capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply circuit includes: a primary capacitor configured to temporarily store the energy from an energy harvester; a storage element configured to store the energy for supply to a load; a buck converter configured to charge the storage element with the energy stored in the primary capacitor; a secondary capacitor configured to connect to the primary capacitor to operate in a first state where the voltage between both terminals of the primary capacitor is applied to both terminals of the secondary capacitor and a second state where the voltage between both terminals of the primary capacitor is not applied to both terminals of the secondary capacitor; and a control circuit configured to operate with the secondary capacitor as a power source.