Power Supply System Leakage Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems, even when in standby mode, continue to consume power due to leakage currents in components like smoothing electrolytic capacitors, indicating a need for further reduction in power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a switch circuit and a low-capacity power supply circuit that can turn off AC power to the switching power supply when not in use, utilizing a relay or self-holding switch to completely cut off power and prevent leakage currents, along with a control device that manages the switching between normal and sleep modes based on external signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the switching power supply is stopped in standby mode, then power consumption is reduced, but leakage current continues to flow in smoothing electrolytic capacitors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful leakage current path from the system by introducing a switch circuit that completely disconnects the AC input line from the switching power supply in standby mode. This removes the source of leakage current that would otherwise flow through the smoothing electrolytic capacitors on the primary side of the output transformer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switch circuit as an intermediary component between the AC input line and the switching power supply. This mediator completely cuts off the power supply path in standby mode, preventing leakage current while allowing full power transmission when needed. The switch circuit acts as a gatekeeper that controls the flow of electrical energy.
2Loss of energy
If a switch circuit is added to cut off AC power, then leakage current is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device utilizes its existing processing capabilities to control the switch circuit without requiring additional dedicated control hardware. The same control device that manages the switching power supply operation also controls the switch circuit's on/off states, making the existing system serve the additional function of leakage current suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions by having the existing control device manage both the switching power supply operation and the switch circuit control. This consolidation avoids adding separate control circuits and integrates the power-saving function into the existing control architecture.
3Loss of energy
If the switch circuit is turned off to stop AC power supply, then power consumption is reduced, but the power supply system cannot respond immediately to external signals
Solution Approach 1:
The control device maintains readiness to control the switch circuit even in standby mode, and the switch circuit itself is designed for rapid switching. When an external signal arrives, the control device can immediately activate the switch circuit and restore AC power supply without delay, as the control logic is already in place and the switch circuit is capable of fast transition.
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 approach effectively suppresses leakage currents and reduces power consumption by completely cutting off AC power to the switching power supply when not in use, thereby minimizing energy loss.
Implementation Method 1
a low-capacity power supply circuit connected to the AC input line at a front stage of the switch circuit, the low-capacity power supply circuit being configured to supply electric power to the switch circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system includes: a switching power supply configured to convert an AC voltage from an AC power supply into predetermined DC voltages, and outputs the DC voltages; a switch circuit provided on an AC input line, the switch circuit being configured to be switched on and off and supply AC power to the power supply when the switch circuit is turned on; a low-capacity power supply circuit connected. to the AC input line at a front stage of the switch circuit, the low-capacity power supply circuit being configured to supply electric power to the switch circuit if the power supply is active and supply predetermined electric power if the power supply is not used; and a control device configured to receive the predetermined electric power from the low-capacity power supply circuit. When the power supply is not used, the control device turns off the switch circuit.