Parallel Power Supply Current Matching via Signal Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supplies connected in parallel face challenges in accurately matching output currents due to detection errors in output current detector circuits, leading to inconsistencies in current values across multiple power supplies.
Innovation Solution
A power supply configuration that includes a current detector, signal corrector, matching circuit, and controller to generate and output a corrected current detection signal, which is not affected by detection errors, allowing for precise matching of output currents across multiple power supplies by using a signal corrector with a reference signal outputter, amplifier, and voltage controller for digital processing and error correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a plurality of power supplies are connected in parallel to the same load, then the power supply capacity is increased, but the output currents cannot be accurately matched due to detection errors in the output current detector circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a current balancing terminal as an intermediary element that connects all parallel power supplies. This terminal serves as a common reference point that allows each power supply to sense the average output current of all units and adjust its own output accordingly, enabling accurate current matching despite individual detector errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each power supply's controller continuously monitors the voltage at the current balancing terminal (which represents the average output current) and adjusts its output voltage to maintain equal current distribution. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate current matching across all parallel power supplies
2Device complexity
If the output current detector circuit uses components with tolerance ranges (shunt resistor, amplifier, Hall element), then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of output current decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism compensates for component tolerances by continuously adjusting the output voltage based on the difference between individual output current and average output current. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for high-precision fixed components
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration through the feedback loop, where each power supply automatically adjusts its own output to match the average, compensating for its own component variations without requiring external calibration or high-precision components
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 accurate matching of output currents across multiple power supplies connected in parallel, minimizing the impact of detection errors and ensuring consistent current values, thereby improving the control precision in parallel driving states.
Implementation Method 1
a power converter that converts an input voltage by switching at a switch and supplies an output voltage and an output current
Implementation Method 2
a current detector that detects one of the output current and a current that changes in keeping with the output current and outputs a current detection signal whose voltage value changes in keeping with changes in the output current
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply includes: a power converter that converts an input voltage by switching at a switch and supplies an output voltage and an output current to an output terminal connected to a load; a current detector that detects the output current or a current that changes with the output current and outputs a current detection signal whose voltage value changes with the output current; a signal corrector that inputs and corrects the current detection signal and generates and outputs a corrected current detection signal whose voltage value corresponds to the value of the output current; a matching circuit that inputs the corrected current detection signal and outputs to a balanced terminal; and a controller that inputs the corrected current detection signal and a balanced voltage signal generated at the balanced terminal and controls switching operations of the switch to reduce a difference between the two signals.