Power Supply Device Dynamic Target Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply devices for image forming devices face challenges in maintaining accurate voltage supply and minimizing electric power loss, especially when the load size increases, leading to fluctuations in high voltage output and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power supply device with a transformer, upper limiter circuit, power controller, operation mode acquirer, and target value controller that adjusts the target voltage based on the operation mode, ensuring the high output voltage remains within a rated range and minimizing power loss by optimizing the voltage supplied to both low and high voltage loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the necessary amount of high voltage power is increased to 300 W or greater, then the power supply capability is improved, but the accuracy of both output low voltage and output high voltage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the target voltage for low voltage feedback control variable rather than fixed. The target value controller dynamically adjusts the low voltage target based on the operation mode (high current consumption mode or low current consumption mode) to ensure both low voltage and high voltage output accuracy even when high voltage power reaches 300W or greater. This dynamic adjustment compensates for the coupling effect between voltage outputs in the single transformer architecture.
2Measurement precision
If an upper limiter circuit is used to limit output high voltage, then the high voltage accuracy is improved, but electric power loss increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively adjusting the low voltage target value based on the predicted or detected operation mode before the high voltage limitation problem occurs. The target value controller receives operation mode information and pre-adjusts the feedback control target, preventing the need for aggressive high voltage limiting that would cause power loss. This anticipatory control reduces energy waste while maintaining voltage accuracy.
3Device complexity
If only one combination of control circuit and transformer is used to output both low voltage and high voltage, then device complexity is reduced and cost is reduced, but voltage control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the target voltage parameter in the feedback control system based on operation mode. Instead of changing the hardware architecture (which would increase complexity), the system changes the control parameter (target voltage value) to adapt to different operating conditions. This allows a single transformer and control circuit combination to maintain accurate voltage control for both low voltage and high voltage outputs across different power levels.
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 effectively reduces electric power loss and maintains accurate voltage supply even at increased load sizes, improving power efficiency and reducing power consumption by dynamically adjusting target voltages based on operation modes.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer configured to generate, from an input voltage, a low output voltage for the first load and a high output voltage for the second load
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply device including: a transformer generating, from an input voltage, low output voltage and high output voltage; an upper limiter circuit receiving the high output voltage and controlling the high output voltage not to exceed a maximum; a power controller performing feedback control on the input voltage so that the low output voltage matches a target voltage; an operation mode acquirer configured to acquire an operation mode of an image forming device; and a target value controller configured to change the target voltage depending upon the acquired operation mode. The target voltage when consumption amount of current with the high output voltage is relatively great ensures that the high output voltage does not fall below a minimum of a rated voltage range of the high output voltage, and is higher than the target voltage when consumption amount of current with the high output voltage is relatively small.