Smooth Switching Device Double Power Supplies Relay Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for switching between main and backup power supplies often result in voltage fluctuations, powerdown phenomena, high costs due to bulk capacitors, and increased temperatures, which affect the reliability and miniaturization of devices.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a relay with a stationary contact switching unit, controlled by a relay control unit, and auxiliary units with schottky diodes and P-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors to manage voltage and prevent over-discharge, ensuring smooth transitions between power supplies without bulk capacitors and radiators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bulk capacitor is used to implement smooth switching between main and backup power supplies, then the energy storage function of the backup power supply is fully exerted, but the voltage of the load fluctuates significantly and the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth switching between power suppliesVSAvoidbulk capacitor introduction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the bulk capacitor from the circuit, replacing it with a relay-based switching mechanism. The relay directly connects between the main power supply and backup power supply without requiring energy storage capacitors, thereby eliminating the associated voltage fluctuations and cost issues while maintaining smooth switching capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay serves as an intermediary component that enables smooth power supply switching. By using the relay's movable contact to transition between connecting the main power supply and backup power supply, the system achieves continuous power delivery without requiring bulk capacitors for energy storage and voltage stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a diode is used to implement power supply switching, then smooth switching can be achieved without a bulk capacitor, but a large voltage drop is generated and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth switching without bulk capacitorVSAvoidvoltage drop and power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electronic diode-based switching mechanism with a mechanical relay-based system. The relay uses electromagnetic actuation to physically connect or disconnect power supply paths, avoiding the inherent voltage drop across diode PN junctions and reducing power consumption while maintaining smooth switching capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a transistor is used to implement power supply switching, then smooth switching is achieved with low voltage drop, but the backup power supply can be overcharged and large power consumption is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth switching with low voltage dropVSAvoidpower consumption and overcharging risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the transistor-based switching mechanism, replacing it with a relay-based system. This eliminates the risk of backup power supply overcharging through transistor failure and reduces power consumption by using the relay's low-resistance contact path for power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The relay acts as an intermediary that provides electrically isolated switching between power supplies. The electromagnetic actuator controls the movable contact connection without direct electrical connection between control and power circuits, preventing overcharging scenarios while maintaining low voltage drop during power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a relay with movable contact is used for power supply switching, then smooth switching is achieved, but the device cannot be miniaturized due to radiator requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth power supply switchingVSAvoidheat dissipation and miniaturization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the radiator component from the system by eliminating the diode and transistor-based switching mechanisms that generate significant heat. The relay-based switching system generates minimal heat, allowing the device to be miniaturized without requiring thermal management components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 prevents powerdowns, protects backup power supplies from over-discharge, reduces heat dissipation needs, miniaturizes products, and eliminates the risks associated with bulk capacitors, while ensuring continuous current supply during transitions.

Implementation Method 1

a relay control unit for detecting output voltages of the main power supply and the backup power supply, and controlling the switch of the stationary contact of the relay in the main/backup power supply switching unit between the first contact and the second contact according the detected result

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage detection: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

a charging management unit for detecting the output voltage of the backup power supply, and controlling the main power supply to charge the backup power supply when the output voltage of the backup power supply is lower than a preset charging threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical charging: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 3

auxiliary units with schottky diodes and P-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors to manage voltage and prevent over-discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode rectification: Diode

Implementation Method 4

P-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors to manage voltage and prevent over-discharge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectField effect transistor conduction control:

Data Source

PatentEP2579425B1Smooth switching device and method for double power supplies
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 HYTERA COMM CORP
  • EP2579425B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2579425B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2579425B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A smooth switching device and method for double power supplies. The devices includes a main/backup power supply switching unit (1), a relay control unit (3), a charge management unit (2), a main power supply switching auxiliary unit (4) and a backup power supply switching auxiliary unit (5). The device and the method enable the main power supply (200) and the backup power supply (300) which supply power for electric equipment (100) to be switched smoothly, so that it is not easy for the electric equipment (100) to be disconnected with the power supplies and the fluctuation of a load voltage is small. Moreover, the device doesn't need a bulk capacitor used for auxiliary switching and doesn't need to be used together with a radiator.