Power Supply Circuit Idle Time Control for Current Spike Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Power converter circuits experience current spikes when loads connected in parallel with capacitive devices do not consume power, leading to potential malfunction or breakdown, as energy stored in inductors continues to charge capacitors during idle times, causing voltage increases and undesired current spikes upon resumption.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with a detector and controller is implemented to identify idle times in power converter circuits, temporarily limiting power supply to the load and capacitive device, preventing current spikes by adjusting the power supply during periods when the load does not consume power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is continuously supplied to the load during idle time, then the capacitive device remains charged and ready for immediate operation, but current spikes occur when the load resumes operation causing potential malfunction or breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus detects idle time periods in advance and proactively reduces power supply before the load resumes operation. This preliminary action prevents the capacitive device from overcharging during idle time, thereby avoiding current spikes when the load restarts, while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus continuously monitors the operational state of the load and adjusts power supply accordingly. When idle time is detected, the system provides feedback to reduce or pause power supply to the capacitive device, preventing harmful voltage buildup and subsequent current spikes, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining readiness and preventing damage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply circuit continues to charge the capacitive device during idle time, then energy is stored for immediate use, but expensive high-capacity components are required to handle potential current spikes
Solution Approach 1:
By detecting idle time periods in advance and reducing power supply during these periods, the system prevents excessive energy accumulation in the capacitive device. This allows the use of smaller, less expensive capacitive devices while maintaining adequate energy storage for normal operation, thereby reducing device complexity and cost without sacrificing energy availability.
3Loss of energy
If power supply is reduced during idle time, then current spikes are prevented, but energy is wasted by not maintaining charged state for immediate operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus intelligently determines when idle time occurs and reduces power supply only during these specific periods. This selective approach prevents energy waste during actual idle time while maintaining charged state during active operation, thus resolving the contradiction between energy conservation and operational readiness through timely, condition-based power management.
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 solution effectively mitigates current spikes, preventing load malfunctions and component breakdowns by managing power delivery during idle times, ensuring stable operation and reducing the need for expensive, high-capacity components.
Implementation Method 1
a detector configured to detect a period of idle time of the load, wherein the period of idle time corresponds to a period of time when none of the switches of said at least one pair of switches are in closed state
Implementation Method 2
a controller configured to, in response to the period of idle time being detected, control the power supply circuit so as to temporarily limit the power supplied from the power supply circuit to the load and hence to the capacitive device
Implementation Method 3
the capacitive device is configured to act as an energy storage configured to receive and temporarily store energy provided by the power supply circuit
Implementation Method 4
energy stored in inductors continues to charge capacitors during idle times, causing voltage increases
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A control arrangement, e.g. an apparatus, a method and a computer program, for driving an arrangement comprising a power supply circuit configured to supply power to a load, which load is connected in parallel with a capacitive device is provided. The arrangement comprises detecting a period of idle time of the load, wherein the period of idle time corresponds to a period of time when the load consumes no power, and controlling the power supply circuit so as to temporarily limit, in response to the period of idle time being detected, the power supplied from the power supply circuit to the load.