Selective Independent Overload Protection Circuit for Power Supplies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply systems face challenges in meeting the increasing power requirements of high-end computer systems while maintaining user safety, leading to higher development and manufacturing costs due to the need for high-power designs and inconvenient overload protection mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A selective independent overload and group overload protection circuit that allows users to switch between independent and group circuits based on power requirements, with a group overload protection circuit critical value not exceeding the sum of independent circuit values, enabling flexible power output without disconnecting power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a power supply is designed with high power to meet the requirements of multiple loads, then the total output power is improved, but the development cost and manufacturing cost are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal output powerVSAvoiddevelopment cost and manufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply is divided into multiple independent circuits, each with its own overload protection circuit. Each independent circuit can be designed with standard power components, avoiding the need to design a completely new high-power system. This segmentation allows manufacturers to use existing proven designs for each circuit while achieving higher total power output through parallel operation of multiple circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an independent overload protection circuit is provided for each independent output power supply, then the safety of each load is improved, but the device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of each loadVSAvoidcircuit structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While each independent circuit has its own overload protection circuit, all protection circuits share a common control unit that receives overload signals from any independent circuit and executes the same protection logic. This merging of the control function reduces the overall complexity compared to having completely independent protection systems for each circuit, while still maintaining individual load safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the protection circuit is triggered to disconnect power when output power exceeds the maximum allowed value, then user safety is maintained, but the convenience of operation is reduced when multiple loads are connected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser safetyVSAvoidconvenience of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent circuits, each capable of operating independently within its own power limits. When multiple loads are connected to different independent circuits, each circuit's protection mechanism operates independently, allowing legitimate multi-load operation without triggering false protection disconnections. This segmentation enables convenient operation with multiple loads while maintaining safety through independent protection of each circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2012404B1Selective independent overload and group overload protection circuit of power supply
Publication Date: 2013.09.11 SILVERSTONE TECHNOLOGY
  • EP2012404B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention discloses a selective independent overload and group overload protection circuit of a power supply. In the power supply, each of a plurality of loads that require a larger power output has an independent overload protection circuit, and the load is connected to a group overload protection circuit, such that a user can select to turn on the independent overload protection circuit or a group overload protection circuit that allows a larger power output and facilitates the user to select an appropriate power output according to the capacity requirement of the load.