Standby Circuit Segmentation for Low Power Electrical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical devices in standby mode consume significant amounts of energy due to the power dissipation of power supply units and active control electronics, including microcontrollers, which is not efficiently managed in conventional designs lacking dedicated standby circuits for power-down modes.
Innovation Solution
A dedicated standby circuit with programmable signal inputs, a control unit, and a power supply control output is integrated into the device, allowing for minimal energy consumption during power-down modes while maintaining convenience functions, using a separate energy supply and intelligent power management to activate the device upon signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the power supply unit and control electronics remain active in standby mode to enable convenience functions (remote control, timer, etc.), then the device can be quickly activated and convenience functions are available, but energy consumption increases significantly (1-10 watts residual consumption)
Solution Approach 1:
The control electronics are segmented into two distinct parts: a minimal standby circuit that remains active with very low power consumption, and the main control unit that is completely switched off. The standby circuit only handles basic wake-up functions (detecting remote control signals, timer activation), while the main microcontroller and functional units are powered down completely, reducing standby consumption from 1-10 watts to minimal levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The essential standby functionality is extracted from the main control electronics and implemented in a separate, dedicated standby circuit. This extracted standby circuit contains only the minimum necessary components (signal input, simple control logic, power supply control output) to enable wake-up functions, leaving the energy-intensive main control unit completely inactive during standby mode.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a mechanical mains switch is used to completely isolate the power supply unit from the mains, then energy consumption is reduced to zero, but convenience functions (remote control switching on, timer control) are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The power isolation is segmented into two levels: complete isolation via mechanical mains switch for zero consumption, and partial isolation via electronic switching controlled by the standby circuit for convenience functions. The standby circuit enables the device to operate in an intermediate state where the power supply unit is electrically isolated from the mains but can be quickly reactivated without mechanical intervention, allowing remote control and timer functions to work while consuming minimal power.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply unit is completely isolated from the mains in power-down mode, then energy consumption is minimized, but the device cannot respond to activation signals or maintain timer functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The power-down mode is segmented into complete isolation of the power supply unit from the mains while maintaining a minimal standby circuit that remains connected to detect activation signals. The standby circuit consumes negligible power and can sense remote control signals, timer triggers, or other activation events, then activate the power supply unit electronically without requiring mechanical switch intervention, thus maintaining reliability while minimizing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a standby circuit, an electrical device with a standby circuit, a method for the control of the electrical device and a power supply assembly. Whereas the power supply unit and the control electronics are in permanent operation when conventional devices are in the standby mode and consequently have a high power consumption, the invention proposes a solution for saving energy while retaining convenience of operation by which the power supply unit is switched off in the standby mode. A standby circuit, preferably fed by an energy buffer element, remains active in the standby mode and monitors signal inputs for activation events. When an activation event occurs, the standby circuit switches on the power supply unit.