Power Supply Voltage Hold-Up Using Pre-Charged Storage Capacitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supplies face challenges in maintaining output voltage during a drop-out of input voltage without increasing the size of the bulk capacitor, which is necessary for extended hold-up times in electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A power supply design incorporating a DC to DC converter, storage capacitor, voltage detector, bypass unit, and voltage-multiplying unit with a transformer configuration that allows for voltage multiplication when input voltage falls below a threshold, ensuring output voltage is maintained for a specific period without enlarging the storage capacitor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the storage capacity of the bulk capacitor is increased to prolong the hold-up time, then the hold-up time is extended, but the size of the power supply becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-multiplying unit performs preliminary action by charging the storage capacitor to a voltage higher than the normal operating voltage before the power failure occurs. This pre-charging allows the capacitor to provide sufficient energy for the extended hold-up period without requiring a larger physical capacity, thereby extending hold-up time without increasing power supply size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the voltage parameter of the storage capacitor by using the voltage-multiplying unit to charge it to a higher voltage level (e.g., 2 times the normal voltage) before power failure. This parameter change allows the same physical capacitor to store more energy, extending the hold-up time without increasing the capacitor size or power supply volume.
2Reliability
If the storage capacity of the bulk capacitor is increased to maintain output voltage during power drop-out, then the output voltage stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-multiplying unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a voltage multiplier to charge the storage capacitor to higher voltage, functions as a power conversion stage, and provides voltage regulation capability. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain output voltage stability during power drop-out without adding separate dedicated components, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the voltage multiplication function with the power conversion and storage functions in a unified circuit architecture. The voltage-multiplying unit is integrated with the existing power supply components, combining multiple functions into a cohesive system that maintains voltage stability without requiring separate additional components, thus avoiding excessive complexity increase.
3Volume of moving object
If a voltage-multiplying unit is added to extend hold-up time without increasing capacitor size, then the power supply size is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage-multiplying unit operates dynamically by switching between different operational modes: during normal operation, it maintains standard voltage levels; during power drop-out conditions, it activates voltage multiplication to charge the capacitor to higher voltage. This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve compact size with reduced capacitor requirements while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than permanent structural complexity.
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 maintains output voltage for a specific period after input voltage drop without increasing the storage capacitor size, enhancing circuit stability and reducing bulkiness.
Implementation Method 1
The voltage-multiplying unit performs a voltage-multiplying procedure for charging the storage capacitor by coupling the first winding to the second winding
Implementation Method 2
the diode electrically connected to the storage capacitor turns off when the input voltage is lower than the capacitor voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply includes a DC to DC converter, a storage capacitor, a voltage detector, a bypass unit, and a voltage-multiplying unit. The DC to DC converter receives a capacitor voltage from the storage capacitor and generates an output voltage; the voltage detector is configured to detect an input voltage. The bypass unit electrically connected to the storage capacitor turns on when the input voltage is equal to or greater than the capacitor voltage and turns off when the input voltage is lower than the capacitor voltage. The voltage-multiplying unit electrically connected to the storage capacitor and the voltage detector includes a first winding and a second winding and performs a voltage-multiplying procedure by coupling the first winding to the second winding while the input voltage is lower than a threshold voltage to ensure that the DC to DC converter can generate the output voltage for a specific period.