Voltage Regulator Switchable Resistors for Equalized Decay
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-voltage electronic devices, different voltage regulators have varying decay times due to different capacitances and loads, leading to uncontrolled shutdowns and delayed reboots, which can result in system lock-ups and prolonged waiting times during power surges or fast power-offs.
Innovation Solution
An energy supply system with at least two voltage regulators and switchable resistors, controlled by a unit that detects power changes to equalize the fall times of operating voltages by connecting additional resistors to outputs with high capacitances and low loads, thereby accelerating the fade-out of voltages and enabling quicker system restarts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system waits for all voltages to fade out naturally, then system stability is maintained, but shutdown time and reboot delay increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit detects power surge conditions in advance and activates the switchable resistors before the shutdown sequence begins, pre-configuring the circuit to achieve equalized voltage decay. This preliminary action prevents the need for long waiting periods during actual shutdown while maintaining system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters of the voltage decay process by introducing switchable resistors that modify the time constants of different voltage rails. By adjusting resistance values dynamically, the system equalizes the fall times of multiple voltages, enabling faster shutdown without compromising stability.
2Loss of time
If switchable resistors are added to equalize fall times, then shutdown speed improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switchable resistors are integrated into the existing voltage regulator architecture, serving dual purposes: they equalize voltage fall times during shutdown and can potentially serve as part of the normal voltage regulation network during operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that manages the switchable resistors, using simple control logic to activate or deactivate these components based on system state. This centralized control simplifies the overall system architecture compared to having distributed control mechanisms at each voltage rail.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different voltage regulators supply different electronic components, then system functionality is enhanced, but voltage decay synchronization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates equipotential conditions in the time domain by equalizing the decay rates of different voltage rails. By adjusting the switchable resistors, all voltage regulators reach their shutdown threshold simultaneously, simplifying the control of multi-voltage systems despite their diverse load requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the resistance values of the switchable components based on the specific characteristics of each voltage rail and its load. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle different electronic components with varying power requirements while maintaining synchronized shutdown behavior.
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
This approach ensures even voltage fade-out and minimizes dead time during shutdowns, allowing for rapid system reactivation with minimal downtime by synchronizing the decay times of different voltage levels.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention provides the energy supply system with at least two voltage regulators that each provide a respective operating voltage... The switchable resistors may be resistors that may be switched-on or connected to an output of a respective voltage regulator... The control unit may switch-on or connect the switchable resistors to the outputs of the voltage regulators such that the fall or fade-out times of the single operating voltages are equalized
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an energy supply system (100, 200, 300) for a multi-voltage electronic device, the energy supply system (100, 200, 300) comprising a main voltage supply (101, 201) configured to provide a main voltage (102, 202, 302), a plurality of voltage regulators (103, 104, 203, 204, 220, 303) each configured to convert the main voltage (102, 202, 302) into a respective operating voltage (107, 108, 207, 208, 221, 307) of a predefined voltage level and comprising a voltage output (105, 106, 305) configured to output the respective operating voltage (107, 108, 207, 208, 221, 307), at least one switchable resistor (109, 110, 209, 210, 309, 310, 311, 312) connected to each of the outputs (105, 106, 305) of the voltage regulators (103, 104, 203, 204, 220, 303), and a control unit (116, 216) configured to connect the switchable resistors (109, 110, 209, 210, 309, 310, 311, 312) to the outputs (105, 106, 305) of the voltage regulators (103, 104, 203, 204, 220, 303) when the main supply voltage is turned off such that the fall times of the operating voltages (107, 108, 207, 208, 221, 307) at the outputs (105, 106, 305) of the voltage regulators (103, 104, 203, 204, 220, 303) are equalized.