Power Supply Device Threshold Control for Overcurrent Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply systems face issues with overcurrents due to residual charge in capacitors, leading to potential failures in electronic components, especially when electromotive force is generated on the load side during operations like paper jams in image forming apparatuses, which delays power supply resumption.
Innovation Solution
A power supply device with a control circuitry and a switch that manages voltage supply from multiple power units, using threshold voltages to prevent overcurrents by enabling power supply only when the voltage falls below specific threshold values, ensuring optimal timing for resuming power even with electromotive force generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is supplied after voltage decreases to a fixed value to prevent overcurrent, then component safety is improved, but power supply resumption is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by switching between two different threshold voltages based on the operational state. When the first switch is closed (normal operation), a first threshold voltage is used; when the first switch opens (abnormal operation like paper jam), a second threshold voltage is applied. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both component protection and power resumption speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage threshold parameter according to different operational conditions. By using a first threshold voltage during normal operation and a second threshold voltage during abnormal operation, the system adapts the protection level to match the actual operational context, balancing safety and responsiveness.
2Device complexity
If a single threshold voltage is used for power supply control, then control simplicity is maintained, but both component protection and rapid power resumption cannot be optimized simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage threshold control into two distinct thresholds: a first threshold voltage for normal operation and a second threshold voltage for abnormal operation. This segmentation allows each threshold to be optimized for its specific operational context, improving both component protection and power resumption efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is pre-configured with two different threshold voltages ready for use. When abnormal operation is detected (first switch opens), the system immediately switches to the appropriate threshold without requiring complex real-time calculations, enabling rapid response while maintaining simple control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply device includes a power supply line, control circuitry, and a first switch. The power supply line supplies voltage from a first power supply unit to a load. The control circuitry controls voltage supply from the first power supply unit. The first switch is connected between a second power supply unit and the control circuitry. The control circuitry causes the first power supply unit to start the voltage supply on condition that the first switch is in a closed state and a voltage of the power supply line is not greater than a first threshold voltage, and causes the first power supply unit to start the voltage supply on condition that the voltage of the power supply line is not greater than a second threshold voltage higher than the first threshold voltage when the first switch changes from an open state to the closed state.