Redundant Power Supply Control Circuit Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redundant power supply systems face inefficiencies due to diode overheating, inrush current issues, and potential damage from high voltages, as existing solutions fail to effectively prevent backflow and manage voltage levels.
Innovation Solution
A redundant power supply control circuit incorporating a power isolating circuit and soft start circuit, along with over-voltage protection, to isolate and manage power flows, prevent backflow, and suppress inrush currents, using switch circuits and control circuits to regulate power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If diodes are connected in series between power supply module output terminal and load to prevent voltage/current backflow, then backflow prevention is achieved, but power consumption increases and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control circuit as an intermediary between the power supply module and load. This control circuit includes switching elements that are controlled to open/close based on power supply status, thereby preventing backflow without the continuous power consumption of diodes. The control circuit acts as a smart mediator that only conducts when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating state of switching elements based on detected power supply parameters (voltage level, presence/absence of power). When a power supply module is detected to be providing power, the control circuit opens the switching element connected to other power supply modules, dynamically adjusting the circuit state to prevent backflow without continuous energy loss.
2Reliability
If diodes are connected in series between power supply module output terminal and load to prevent backflow, then backflow prevention is achieved, but the redundant power supply system overheats and power supply efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit serves as an intelligent intermediary that replaces the passive diode-based backflow prevention mechanism. By using controlled switching elements with low on-resistance and only conducting when necessary, the system prevents backflow without the continuous heat generation associated with diode voltage drops, thereby reducing overall system temperature.
3Device complexity
If inrush current is not suppressed in transient moment when power supply module provides power, then power delivery is simple, but output voltage changes dramatically and load may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary detection of power supply module status before connecting to the load. When a power supply module is detected to be providing power, the control circuit pre-configures the switching elements to prevent inrush current from affecting other modules or causing voltage spikes, thereby protecting the load before the power connection is fully established.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit applies preliminary anti-action by detecting power supply conditions and proactively opening switching elements to prevent inrush current before it can cause damage. This preemptive measure counteracts the harmful inrush current effect before it manifests, protecting the load without requiring complex additional protection circuits.
4Device complexity
If voltage provided by power supply module is not regulated and is too high, then power delivery is straightforward, but internal circuit or load may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect the voltage level provided by power supply modules. Based on this feedback, the control circuit adjusts the state of switching elements to regulate the output voltage, preventing over-voltage conditions that could damage the load or internal circuits while maintaining relatively simple power delivery structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A redundant power supply control circuit including a power isolating circuit (120) and a soft start circuit (140) is provided. The power isolating circuit is configured to isolate a first power (PT1) provided by a first power device (910) from a second power provided by a second power device (920). When the first power is provided to the redundant power supply control circuit, the power isolating circuit (120) outputs the first power as a main power (PT1), and otherwise, the power isolating circuit outputs the second power to a load (RL). The soft start circuit (140) is coupled to the power isolating circuit (120) to receive the main power. The soft start circuit is enabled after the soft start circuit receives the main power, such that the soft start circuit outputs the main power to the load.