Switching Power Supply Snubber Circuit Surge Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching power supply apparatuses experience significant electrical power loss due to energy absorbed by capacitors being consumed by resistors to suppress surge voltages in feedback windings.
Innovation Solution
A switching power supply apparatus with a transformer, a switching unit that inverts voltage, and a snubber circuit comprising a second rectifier element and capacitor connected in series with the secondary winding, along with resistance or inductive impedance, which accumulates and discharges charge to suppress surge voltage while minimizing power loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a capacitor and resistor are used to suppress surge voltage in the feedback winding, then surge voltage is suppressed, but electrical power loss increases due to energy being consumed by the resistor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful surge voltage energy into a beneficial effect by using the capacitor to absorb the surge energy and then discharge it back to the circuit through the diode, rather than dissipating it as heat in a resistor. The capacitor absorbs surge voltage energy during voltage spikes and releases it during normal operation, transforming a harmful energy dissipation mechanism into a beneficial energy recycling mechanism that suppresses surges while reducing power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy dissipation parameter from resistive consumption to capacitive storage and release. By replacing the resistor-capacitor parallel combination with a capacitor-diode series combination connected in parallel with the feedback winding, the system changes how surge energy is handled - from immediate dissipation to temporary storage and controlled release, thereby reducing overall energy loss while maintaining surge suppression.
2Reliability
If energy is absorbed by the capacitor to suppress surge voltage, then surge voltage is suppressed, but the absorbed energy is accumulated as charge and consumed by the resistor, resulting in large electrical power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor absorbs surge energy and converts it into stored electrical charge, which is then beneficially discharged back into the circuit through the diode during appropriate cycles. This transforms the previously harmful energy that would be wasted as heat in the resistor into a useful energy source that helps maintain circuit operation and reduces overall power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers the energy that would otherwise be discarded by the resistor. The capacitor stores the surge energy that would be lost, and the diode enables the recovery and reuse of this stored energy by directing it back into the circuit, effectively recycling energy that would have been wasted and reducing the need for continuous power supply.
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 suppresses surge voltage while reducing electrical power loss by efficiently managing charge accumulation and discharge in the capacitor, thereby improving the efficiency of the power supply.
Implementation Method 1
a first capacitor, which are connected in series with each other, are connected in parallel with the secondary winding
Implementation Method 2
a first rectifier element that has a rectification direction extending from a high-potential side toward a ground side of the load and that is provided along the conduction path
Implementation Method 3
a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding
Data Source
AI summary
A transformer that realizes ZVS operation includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. A control circuit turns switching elements on and off in a complimentary manner in order to repeatedly invert the voltage applied to the primary winding. A conduction path supplies a voltage excited in the secondary winding to a load connected between a high-potential side and a ground side of the secondary winding. A first rectifier diode has a rectification direction extending from the high-potential side toward the ground side of the load and is provided along the conduction path. A second rectifier diode and a capacitor, which are connected in series with each other, are connected in parallel with the secondary winding. An inductor is connected in parallel with the second rectifier diode. A rectification direction of the second rectifier diode matches the direction extending from the high-potential side to the ground side.