Power Supply Apparatus with Remote Transducer Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems for electrical appliances in stand-by mode consume non-negligible amounts of energy due to the presence of microcontrollers, and current solutions do not adequately address the challenge of minimizing energy consumption during this mode.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus with an improved power-on circuit that utilizes a remote-controlled transducer, such as a photodiode, to receive a wireless signal and trigger a transition from an off to an on state, featuring a switch and capacitor configuration that prevents DC coupling between the transducer and switch, ensuring efficient power-on only when activated by a specific light signal, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the power supply circuit remains connected to the electric supply mains in stand-by mode to enable remote control functionality, then the electrical appliance can be switched on through a remote control, but the energy consumption is non-negligible due to the presence of a microcontroller and power-on circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the microcontroller and associated power consumption components from the stand-by mode circuitry. The power-on circuit is designed to completely disconnect from the electric supply mains during stand-by mode, eliminating the need for a continuously powered microcontroller while preserving remote control functionality through the transducer-based power-on trigger.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the power-on circuit with a transducer and capacitor that are ready to receive and store energy from a remote control signal. The capacitor is pre-charged through the transducer when activated by infrared light, creating a preliminary energy storage mechanism that triggers the power supply without requiring continuous power consumption during stand-by mode.
2Loss of energy
If a transducer and switch configuration is used to enable remote power-on, then the power supply can be activated only when needed, but the circuit complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the power-on circuit: the transducer serves as both the remote signal receiver and the energy transfer element, the capacitor acts as both energy storage and circuit isolation component, and the switch functions as both the power control element and the circuit disconnect mechanism. This consolidation achieves energy reduction goals while limiting circuit complexity growth.
3Speed
If the switch is DC coupled with the transducer for direct control, then the circuit response is faster, but the transducer is exposed to DC voltage that may interfere with its operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary element between the transducer and the switch. This capacitor couples the AC signal from the transducer to the switch while blocking DC voltage from reaching the transducer, thereby protecting the transducer from DC interference while maintaining fast circuit response through AC signal coupling.
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 power consumption to zero watts in stand-by mode by ensuring that the power supply circuit is only activated when a valid remote control signal is received, providing a reliable and efficient power-on mechanism under various light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer 33 can be a photodiode configured so as to power-on passage of a current through it if activated by a light beam at a particular wavelength or within a range of wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
said power-on circuit comprises a capacitor arranged between the output terminal of the transducer and the driving terminal of the switch and configured so that the switch is not DC coupled with the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus includes a power supply circuit and a power-on circuit. The power-on circuit detects a remotely transmitted control signal and causes a transition of the power supply circuit to a turned on state. The power-on circuit includes a transducer configured to provide a power-on signal in response to the remote control signal. The transducer triggers transition to the turned on state through a switch driven by the power-on signal output from the transducer and arranged to supply a power supply circuit enable signal. A DC blocking capacitor is connected between an output of the transducer and a control terminal of the switch.