Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS WITH SOFT-START AND
PROTECTION
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
This disclosure generally relates to a power supplying apparatus and, more
particularly, to power supply apparatus with soft-start and protection.
Related Art
In general, an apparatus (including controlling and driving circuits thereof),
such as a motor or a server, needs to connect to a power supply apparatus with
high
power, so as to obtain the power provided by the power supply apparatus for
normal operation. However, an input terminal of the apparatus, such as the
motor
or the server, is often equipped with a voltage stabilizing circuit (usually
composed
of one or more large capacitors). The voltage stabilizing circuit is used to
provide
a stabilized voltage stabilizing when a load is changed. When a main power
switch
of the power supply apparatus with high power suddenly starts to work, the
large
capacitors of the voltage stabilizing circuit may suddenly generate a huge
current,
i.e. an inrush current. Since the excessive inrush current is generated, if
there is no
inrush current protection the system needs to suffer the impact of the huge
inrush
current; if there is certain inrush current or short-circuit protection
circuit, it may
erroneously determine that a short circuit occurs and start a short circuit
protection
function. Thus such that the motor or the server would not normally work.
Even, the power supplying apparatus may support soft-start. However, the
user sometimes starts the power supplying apparatus before the power supplying
apparatus is connected to the load. Then the soft-start function is finished
without
a load. This results in a power voltage generated at the output end of the
power
supplying apparatus. Under such circumstance, when the user connects the power
CA 2999318 2018-03-26
supplying apparatus to the load, a huge inrush current may suddenly occurs,
such
that the protection circuit may erroneously determine that the circuit is
short-
circuited and starts the short circuit protection function, thereby resulting
in mal-
function on the motor or the sever.
Besides, in order to ensure that the power supply apparatus may still supply
the power to the load (motor or server) for operating, some manufactory may
remove the protection mechanism or raise the protection point. However, long
term
existence of the inrush current may damage the power supply apparatus and the
internal components thereof Thus the power supply apparatus would not work
stably or the lifespan of the power supply apparatus may be shortened.
Therefore,
the power supply apparatus needs improvement and needs a new structure to
maintain the normal operation and reliability of the product.
Besides, a load apparatus may have been damaged or failed with internal
short-circuit issue, when the damaged or failed load apparatus is connected to
the
power supply apparatus, generally a true short circuit condition happens with
big
short circuit current to result short circuit protection. User may release
short circuit
protection without fixing the damaged or failed load apparatus, and then re-
try and
re-connect it to the power supply apparatus, such that the true short circuit
condition will happen again and again to cause safety issue. There should be
room
to improve and to avoid this kind of big short circuit current happening again
and
again for safety concern.
SUMMARY
The disclosure provides a power supply apparatus with a soft-start and
protection, thereby avoiding generating an inrush current that damages a
circuit
and avoiding that the power supplying apparatus is locked in a protection
state
since the just instantaneous inrush current resulted in mistakenly determining
the
circuit as the short circuit. At the same time, the current value and energy
of the
inrush current may be depressed and divided, thereby improving the safety,
convenience and reliability of circuit.
The disclosure provides a power supply apparatus with a soft-start and
protection, which is suitable to supply power to a load. The load includes a
voltage
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CA 2999318 2018-03-26
stabilizing unit and a load unit coupled in parallel. The power supply
apparatus
with the soft-start and protection includes a power unit, a soft-start
adjusting unit,
a current detecting unit and a controlling unit. The power unit generates a
power
voltage which could be under monitoring and known voltage. The soft-start
adjusting unit is coupled to the power unit and suitable to couple to the
voltage
stabilizing unit, receives the power voltage, a first controlling signal, a
second
controlling signal, and transforms the power voltage to a soft-start current
according to the first controlling signal, a second controlling signal, so as
to adjust
and output the soft-start current to the voltage stabilizing unit or output
the power
voltage to the voltage stabilizing unit (or stop outputting the power voltage
to the
voltage stabilizing unit). The current detecting unit is coupled to the power
unit and
suitable to couple to the voltage stabilizing unit, measures a current of a
loop
formed between the power unit and the voltage stabilizing unit, so as to
generate
the current detecting signal(s). The controlling unit is coupled to the
current
detecting unit, receives the current detecting signal(s), so as to generate
the first
controlling signal, the second controlling signal.
The disclosure provides a power supply apparatus with a protection
mechanism, which includes a power unit, a soft-start adjusting unit, an output
end,
a detecting unit and a controlling unit. The power unit generates a power
voltage.
The soft-start adjusting unit is coupled to the power unit, receives the power
voltage and a plurality of controlling signals, and transforms the power
voltage to
a soft-start current according to the controlling signals, so as to adjust and
output
the soft-start current or output or stop outputting the power voltage. The
output end
is coupled to the soft-start adjusting unit and suitable to output the soft-
start current
or the power voltage. The detecting unit is coupled to output end and detects
the
current state and/or the voltage state, so as to generate the detecting
signal(s). The
controlling unit is coupled to the detecting unit and the soft-start adjusting
unit,
receives the detecting signal(s), so as to generate the controlling signals.
The disclosure provides a power supply apparatus with protection
mechanism, which includes a power unit, a main power switch, an output end, a
detecting unit and a controlling unit. The power unit generates a power
voltage.
The main power switch is coupled to the power unit, receives the power voltage
and a (or more) controlling signal(s), and output or stop outputting the power
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voltage according to the controlling signal. The output end is coupled to the
main
power switch and suitable to output the power voltage. The detecting unit is
coupled to output end and detects the current state and/or the voltage state,
so as to
generate the detecting signal(s). The controlling unit is coupled to the
detecting
unit and the main power switch, receives the detecting signal(s), so as to
generate
the controlling signal(s).
According to the power supply apparatus with the soft-start function and
the protection mechanism of the embodiments of the disclosure, the controlling
unit generates the first controlling signal, the second controlling signal
according
to the current detecting signal(s) generated by the current detecting unit, so
as to
control the soft-start adjusting unit to adjust a magnitude of the current
value of the
soft-start current, such that the working voltage accumulated by the voltage
stabilizing unit suitably is increased to equal to or similar to the voltage
value of
the power voltage according to the soft-start adjusting unit, thereby
finishing the
soft-start process and then directly outputting the power voltage to the
voltage
stabilizing unit. Therefore an inrush current generated to damage a circuit
function
can be effectively avoided. If the soft-start process fails due to an outer
short circuit,
the controlling unit can detect the failure and perform some protection
actions, stop
outputting the power, generating an alarm, and even turn off the whole power
system. Additionally , the displaying unit may further shows whether the
circuit is
a short circuit or in other conditions, so as to increase the circuit
security.
Furthermore, the controlling unit may generates the corresponding first
controlling
signal, the corresponding second controlling signal according to the current
detecting signal(s) and/or the voltage detecting signal(s) generated by the
voltage
detecting unit at the same time.
Additionally, the detecting unit detects the current state and/or the voltage
state of the output end to generate the detecting signals, and the controlling
unit
determines the operation state of the power supplying apparatus with the
protection
mechanism according to the detecting signals and generates the corresponding
controlling signal to control the soft-start adjusting unit or the main power
switch
to perform the corresponding operation, so as to determines whether the output
voltage is provided continuously or the protection state is entered. Therefore
it can
effectively and accurately determine the occurrence of the circuit current to
avoid
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the mistaken operation, i.e. avoid the erroneous determination of the short
circuit
due to the merely instantaneous inrush current. At the same time, through the
soft-
start process introduced by the soft-start adjusting unit, or by forcing the
main
power switch to turn on according to a predetermined time and a predetermined
counter and a (programmable) short circuit protection mechanism, the current
and
energy of the huge inrush current is divided, so as to avoid that the power
supplying
apparatus with the protection mechanism is locked in the protection state.
It should be understood, however, that this summary may not contain all
aspects and embodiments of the present invention, that this summary is not
meant
to be limiting or restrictive in any manner, and that the invention as
disclosed herein
will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to encompass obvious
improvements and modifications thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the exemplary embodiments believed to be novel and the
elements and/or the steps characteristic of the exemplary embodiments are set
forth
with particularity in the appended claims. The Figures are for illustration
purposes
only and are not drawn to scale. The exemplary embodiments, both as to
organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to
the
detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a power supply apparatus with a soft-
start and protection according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 2 shows a detailed circuit diagram of a soft-start adjusting unit
according to a second embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a power supply apparatus with a
protection mechanism according to a third embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a power supply apparatus with a
protection mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
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The disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention
are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms
and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein,
Rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and
complete, arid \Nil] fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled
in the
art,
Certain terms are used throughout the descriptiOrt and following claims to
refer to particular components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate,
manufacturers may refer to a component by different names. This document does
not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but function.
In
the following description and in the claims, the terms "iticlude/inciuding"
and
"comprise/comprising" are used in an open-ended fa.shi on, and thus should be
interpreted as "including but not limited to", "Substaintia,l/substaintially"
means,
1,5 within an
acceptable error rangt.% the person skilled in the art may so Iv e the
technical problem in a certain error range to achieve the basic technical
effect.
Additionally the term "couple' or "connect" covers any direct or indirect
electrically coupling means, Therefore when one device is electrically
connected
to another device in the context. that connection may be through a direct
electrical
connection, or through an indirect electrical connection via other devices and
connections, The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of
earning out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of
illustration
of the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a
lirniting
sense
Moreover, the terms 'include-, 'contain"õ and any variation thereof are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. Therefore, a process, method,
object,
or device. that includes a series or elements not only includes the.se
elements, but
also includes other elements not specified expressly, or may include inherent
elements attic process, method, object, or device. IT no more limitations are
madeõ
an element limited by "include a/an ..." does not exclude other same elements
existing in the process, the method, the article, or the device which includes
the
element
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-08
In the following embodiment, the same reference numerals is used to refer
to the same or similar elements throughout.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a power supply apparatus with a soft-
start and protection according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. The
power
supply apparatus with the soft-start and protection 100 of the embodiment may
supply power to a load 190, such that the load 190 may normally operate. In
the
embodiment, the load 190 includes a voltage stabilizing unit 191 and a load
unit
192 coupled in parallel. Wherein the voltage stabilizing unit 191 is, for
example, a
capacitor and has an effect of voltage stabilizing, and the load unit 192 is,
for
example, a motor controller, a motor or a server, or even a battery as load to
be
charged.
The power supply apparatus with the soft-start and protection 100 includes
a power unit 110, a soft-start adjusting unit 120, a current detecting unit
130 and a
controlling unit 140.
The power unit 110 generates a power voltage which could be under
monitoring and known voltage. In the embodiment, the power unit 110 is, for
example, a power supply or a battery or a charger, and generates a power
voltage
with a large power to provide to the load 190 to use.
The soft-start adjusting unit 120 is coupled to the power unit 110, receives
the power voltage, a first controlling signal and a second controlling signal,
and
transforms the power voltage to a soft-start current according to the first
controlling
signal and the second controlling signal, so as to adjust and output the soft-
start
current to the voltage stabilizing unit 191 or output the power voltage to the
voltage
stabilizing unit 191. That is, for example, when the soft-start adjusting unit
120
starts the soft-start operation, the soft-start adjusting unit 120 may
generate the
soft-start current according to the first controlling signal and the second
controlling
signal of the controlling unit 140.
The current detecting unit 130 is coupled to the power unit 110 and suitable
to couple to the voltage stabilizing unit 191, measures a current of a loop
(i.e. a
system loop) formed between the power unit 110 and the voltage stabilizing
unit
191, so as to generate the current detecting signal(s). In the soft-start
process, the
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current detecting signal(s) may specifically reflect a state of the current
between
the power unit 110 and the voltage stabilizing unit 191.
The controlling unit 140 is coupled to the current detecting unit 130,
receives the current detecting signal(s), so as to generate the first
controlling signal,
and the second controlling signal. That is, the controlling unit 140 generates
the
corresponding first controlling signal and the corresponding second
controlling
signal according to the state of the current in the current detecting
signal(s), so as
to control the operation of the soft-start adjusting unit 120, i.e. for
example through
a resistance inside the soft-adjusting unit, so as to generate the soft-start
current,
such that a working voltage established by the voltage stabilizing unit 190
may be
quickly increased to a voltage value equivalent to the power voltage. In the
embodiment, the controlling unit 140 is, for example, a micro controller or a
microprocessor.
In the whole operation of the power supply apparatus with the soft-start and
protection 100 and the load 190, firstly, the power unit 110 outputs the power
voltage, and the working voltage on the voltage stabilizing unit 191 is not
established at this time, such as OV. The soft-start adjusting unit 120
generates, for
example, an initial soft-start current predetermined by the resistor power
rating
according to the first controlling signal and the second controlling signal,
such that
the working voltage of the voltage stabilizing unit 191 is gradually
established.
Then, the controlling unit 140 may perform a logic determination according
to a monitoring result of the current detecting unit 130 to adjust the logic
levels of
the first controlling signal and the second controlling signal, so as to
control that
whether the soft-start adjusting unit 120 continues generating the soft-start
current.
That is, when the soft-start process is not finished, the soft-start adjusting
unit 120
continues generating the soft-start current. When the soft-start process is
finished,
the soft-start adjusting unit 120 passes (turning On main power switch) the
power
voltage to the voltage stabilizing unit 191 and stop outputting the soft-start
current.
Additionally, the working voltage established by the voltage stabilizing unit
191 is
provided to the load unit 192, such that the load unit 192 may normally
operate.
According to the above description, the controlling unit 140 generates the
first controlling signal and the second controlling signal according to the
current
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CA 2999318 2018-03-26
detecting signal, so as to control the soft-start adjusting unit 120 to
generate the
soft-start current, such that the working voltage generated by the voltage
stabilizing
unit 191 is gradually increased to similar to the voltage value of the power
voltage.
Thus the soft-start process is finished, then the soft-start adjusting unit
120 is
controlled to directly output the power voltage to the voltage stabilizing
unit 191
which provides the working voltage to the load unit 192. Therefore, the soft-
start
process can reduce or limit the inrush current to happen, so as to increase
circuit
security.
Furthermore, the controlling unit 140 may further compare a current value
of the current detecting signal from the current detecting unit 130 with a
predetermined current value (ex. threshold of a short circuit current under
soft-start
process with the impedance of soft-start circuit) during soft-start process to
identify
if there is short circuit condition at the external circuit or load side, and
generates
a third controlling signal accordingly. For example, when the current value of
the
current detecting signal is less than the predetermined current value (i.e.
the
predetermined short circuit current value) under soft-start process, it
indicates that
a short circuit does not occur, and thus the controlling unit 140 generates,
for
example, the third controlling signal with low logic level; when the current
value
of the current detecting signal is greater than the predetermined current
value (i.e.
the predetermined short circuit current value) under soft-start process, it
indicates
that a short circuit occurs, the controlling unit 140 generates, for example,
the third
controlling signal with high logic level.
The above approach indicates an external short circuit Pere-detection
mechanism during soft-start process under known power unit voltage, soft-start
impedance and the predetermined current value before turning on the main power
switch. Thus this approach can pre-detect external short circuit condition
during
soft-start process and stop turning on the soft-start adjusting unit 120 (with
the
main power switch) to avoid the real short circuit condition happening.
That is, when there is a damaged or short-circuit load apparatus (i.e. the
load 190) connected to the power supply apparatus with the soft-start and
protection 100, the controlling unit 140 can do a pre-detection of "external
system
loop impedance" before deciding to turn on the main power switch or not in the
soft-start adjusting unit 120. (This called as "Pre-Detection of external
system loop
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short circuit function). If the controlling unit 140 (with the pre-detection
mechanism) finds out these is external short circuit exist in the whole
system, the
soft-start adjusting unit 120 (including the main power switch) will not be
turned
on, and this can avoid the short circuit condition happening.
Further, the power supply apparatus with the soft-start and protection 100
includes a displaying unit 150. 'Me displaying unit 150 is coupled to the
controlling
unit 140, receives the third controlling signal generated by the controlling
unig140
to display the third controlling signal. Wherein the displaying unit 150 is,
for
example, an indicator light. For example, when the displaying unit 150
receives the
third controlling signal with low logic level, the displaying unit 150 does
not light.
Thus it indicates that the circuit does not occur the short circuit. When the
displaying unit 150 receives the third controlling signal with high logic
level, the
displaying unit 150 lights. Thus it indicates that the circuit occurs the
short circuit,
thereby notifying the user to perform a subsequent repair process for the
power
supply apparatus with the soft-start and protection 100 or the load 190
thereof
Therefore, the embodiment may further display whether the short circuit occurs
in
the circuit, thereby increasing safety of the use of the power supply
apparatus with
the soft-start and protection 100 or the whole system.
Additionally, the power supply apparatus with the soft-start and protection
100 further includes a voltage detecting unit 160. The voltage detecting unit
160 is
coupled to the controlling unit 140 and suitable to couple to the voltage
stabilizing
unit 191 in parallel (i.e. couple to two terminals of the voltage stabilizing
unit 191),
measures the working voltage on the voltage stabilizing unit 191, so as to
generate
the voltage detecting signal to the controlling unit 140, thereby performing a
subsequent process. In the soft-start process, the voltage detecting signal
may
specifically reflect a state of the established working voltage on the voltage
stabilizing unit 191. Further, in the embodiment, in the soft-start process,
the
controlling unit 140 may monitor the established working voltage on the
voltage
stabilizing unit 191 according to the voltage detecting signal provided by the
voltage detecting unit 160, such that the controlling unit 140 may generate
the first
controlling signal and the second controlling signal to control the soft-start
adjusting unit 120 according to the current detecting signal and the voltage
detecting signal at the same time, so as to adjust the output of the soft-
start current.
CA 2999318 2018-03-26
In another embodiment, after the soft-start is finished, the voltage detecting
unit
160 may continue to monitor the power voltage of the power unit 110 or the
output
end, and the controlling unit 140 may output other over voltage or under
voltage
protection signals depending on the circumstances.
Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the soft-start adjusting
unit 120 is configured to couple to a positive terminal of the power unit 110
and
the current detecting unit 130 is configured to couple to a negative terminal
of the
power unit 110, but it is not limited to the disclosure. The soft-start
adjusting unit
120 and the current detecting unit 130 may change the configuration position,
i.e.
the soft-start adjusting unit 120 is configured to couple to a negative
terminal of
the power unit 110 and the current detecting unit 130 is configured to couple
to a
positive terminal of the power unit 110, and the same efficiency is also
achieved.
The embodiment of the system structure after changing may still refer to the
description of FIG. 1, and the description thereof is omitted.
1 5 FIG. 2 shows a
detailed circuit diagram of a soft-start adjusting unit
according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. The soft-start adjusting
unit
120 includes a first switching unit 210 (which is the main power switch) and a
current adjusting unit 220.
The first switching unit 210 is coupled to the power unit 110 and the
controlling unit 140 and suitable to couple to the voltage stabilizing unit
191,
receives the power voltage and the first controlling signal, and outputs or
stops
outputting the power voltage to the voltage stabilizing unit 191 according to
the
first controlling signal.
The current adjusting unit 220 is coupled to the controlling unit 140 and
coupled to the first switching unit 210 in parallel, receives the power
voltage and
the second controlling signal, and transforms the power voltage to the soft-
start
current to generate the soft-start current to the voltage stabilizing unit
191.
Further, the current adjusting unit 220 includes a first resistor RI and a
second switching unit S2. The first resistor RI has a first terminal and a
second
terminal, the first terminal of the first resistor RI is coupled to the power
unit 110.
The second switching unit S2 is coupled to the second terminal of the first
resistor RI, the controlling unit 140 and the voltage stabilizing unit 191,
and
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CA 2999318 2018-03-26
receives the second controlling signal C2. The second switching unit S2
receives a
second controlling signal C2, so as to conduct or does not conduct according
to a
control of the second controlling signal C2.
The second switching unit S2 is a MOSFET, such as a P-type MOSFET. A
first terminal of the second switching unit S2 (i.e. a gate of the P-type
MOSFET)
receives the second controlling signal C2, a second terminal of the second
switching unit S2 (i.e. a source of the P-type MOSFET) is coupled to the first
resistor RI, and a third terminal of the second switching unit S2 (i.e. a
drain of the
P-type MOSFET) is coupled to the voltage stabilizing unit 191. In another
embodiment, the second switching unit S2 may also be implemented by a N-type
MOSFET.
Additionally, in the embodiment, the first switching unit 210 is a MOSFET,
such as a P-type MOSFET. A first terminal of the first switching unit 210
(i.e. a
gate of the P-type MOSFET) receives the first controlling signal Cl, a second
terminal of the first switching unit 210 (i.e. a source of the P-type MOSFET)
is
coupled to the power unit 110, and a third terminal of the first switching
unit 210
(i.e. a drain of the P-type MOSFET) is coupled to the voltage stabilizing unit
191.
Further, the first switching unit 210 is a MOSFET with large power.
In the whole operation, when the power supply apparatus with the soft-start
and protection 100 starts to work, the controlling unit 140 generates, for
example,
the first controlling signal Cl with high logic level and the second
controlling
signal C2 with low logic level, such that the first switching unit 210 does
not
conduct and the second switching unit S2 conducts. Thus a path flowed by the
soft-
start current is the first resistor R1 and the second switching unit S2, such
that the
working voltage on the voltage stabilizing unit 191 may be increased to a
voltage
value close to the power voltage.
Then, when the working voltage of the voltage stabilizing unit 191 is close
to or almost equal to the power voltage , the controlling unit 140 generates,
for
example, the controlling signal Cl with low logic level to turn on the first
switching
unit 210, such that the first switching unit 210 conducts, and generates, for
example,
the second controlling signal C2 with high logic level, such that the second
switching unit S2 does not conduct to turn off the current adjusting unit 220.
Thus
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CA 2999318 2018-03-26
the soft-start process is finished, such that the power unit 100 is connected
to
voltage stabilizing unit 191 directly to provide working voltage to the load
unit 192.
Therefore, the soft-start current works within the allowed maximum value by
the
power rating of the resistor through the resistor inside the current adjusting
unit
220. The soft-start current gradually establishes the working voltage on the
voltage
stabilizing unit 191. When the working voltage on the voltage stabilizing unit
191
is close to or almost equal to the voltage value of the power voltage, the
first
switching unit 210 is allowed to conduct, thereby avoiding generating an
inrush
current that could damage the circuit function, so as to increase the circuit
security.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a power supply apparatus with a
protection mechanism according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. The
power supply apparatus with the protection mechanism 300 includes a power unit
310, a soft-start adjusting unit 320, an output end 330, a detecting unit 340
and a
controlling unit 350.
The power unit 310 generates a power voltage. In the embodiment, the
power unit 310 is, for example, a power supply or a battery or a charger, and
may
provide a power voltage with a large power to provide to the load to use.
The soft-start adjusting unit 320 is coupled to the power unit 310, receives
the power voltage and a or a plurality of controlling signals, and transforms
the
power voltage to the soft-start current according to the controlling
signal(s), so as
to adjust and output the soft-start current or output the power voltage. That
is, the
soft-start adjusting unit 320 is controlled by the controlling signal(s), so
as to adjust
a magnitude of the soft-start current or directly output or stop outputting
the power
voltage.
Further, the soft-start adjusting unit 320 includes a main power switch 321
and a current adjusting unit 322. The main power switch 321 is coupled to the
power unit 310, the controlling unit 350 and the output end 330. The current
adjusting unit 322 is coupled to the controlling unit 350 and is coupled to
the main
power switch 321 in parallel. For example, when the soft-start adjusting unit
320
starts to operate the soft-start process, the controlling unit 350 can control
the main
power switch 321 to turn-off and control the current adjusting unit 322 to
dynamically control the current value of the soft-start current according to
different
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controlling signals. Alternatively, when the soft-start process is finished,
the main
power switch 321 turns on and directly output the power voltage, and the
operation
of the current adjusting unit 322 is turned off. Alternatively, during the
soft-start
process, if the controlling unit 350 discovers that the soft-start process
fails and
does not finished normally, such as the short circuit from external circuit or
outside
load, and then the controlling unit 350 turns off the main power switch 321
and the
operation of the current adjusting unit 322, i.e. the output of the power
voltage is
turned off at output end.
The output end 330 is coupled to the soft-start adjusting unit 320 and
suitable to output the soft-start current or the power voltage. The output end
330 is
also suitable to connect to the load, so as to output the soft-start current
or the
power voltage to the load.
The detecting unit 340 is coupled to the output end 330 and detects a current
state and/or a voltage state of the output end 330, so as to generate
detecting
signals. Wherein the current state and/or the voltage state of the output end
330
includes, for example, the current value of the soft-start current and/or a
voltage
value of the output end 330, and some detecting signals/events generated by
voltage and/or current protection circuits (such as an overcurrent or a short
circuit)
in the detecting unit. For example, the detecting signals/events of the
protection
circuit with overcurrent or short circuit protection is generated when the
output end
330 is connected to the load after the power supplying apparatus with the
protection
mechanism 300 already operates.
The controlling unit 350 is coupled to the detecting unit 340 and the soft-
start adjusting unit 320, receives the detecting signal(s), so as to generate
the
controlling signals. That is, when the controlling unit 350 receives the
detecting
signal(s), the controlling unit 350 may determine an operation of the power
supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 300 to correspondingly
generate the controlling signals according to the current operation situation
or state
of the system (such as the power supplying apparatus with the protection
mechanism 300), i.e. the change of the current value and/or the voltage value,
and
those input of the detecting signals/events generated by voltage and/or
current
protection circuits. The above operation state includes, for example, whether
the
soft-start operation of the soft-start adjusting unit 320 is finished, whether
the
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output end 330 is connected to the load when the power supplying apparatus
with
the protection mechanism 300 is already operated, or whether a condition for
triggering the short circuit protection is activated when the power supplying
apparatus with the protection mechanism 300 detects a load current for the
first
time.
In the whole operation, assuming that the power supplying apparatus with
the protection mechanism 300 is certainty connected to the load, i.e. the
output end
330 is connected to the load. The user starts operating the power supplying
apparatus with the protection mechanism 300, and then the controlling unit 350
I 0 generates the controlling signals to the soft-start adjusting unit 320,
so as to
perform the soft-start operation. That is, the soft-start adjusting unit 320
can be
controlled to adjust and output the soft-start current, and the soft-start
current is
outputted to the load through the output end 330. Then, the detecting unit 340
may
detect the current state and/or the voltage state of the output end 330, so as
to
accordingly generate the detecting signals to the controlling unit 350, such
that the
controlling unit 350 performs a corresponding subsequent processes, thereby
achieving the effect of monitoring and protection.
During the soft-start process, the controlling unit 350 continues to monitor
whether the current value of the soft-start current to the output end 330 is
normal
through the detecting unit 340. When the detected current value of the soft-
start
current to the output end 330 is normal, the controlling unit 350 may, for
example,
generate corresponding controlling signals to control the soft-start adjusting
unit
320 for adjusting the magnitude of the corresponding soft-start current, such
that
the working voltage of the load is gradually increased to equal to or close to
the
voltage value of the power voltage. When the soft-start process is finished,
the
controlling unit 350 can generate the corresponding controlling signal to the
soft-
start adjusting unit 320, so as to directly output the power voltage to the
load.
Additionally, during the soft-start process, if the current value of the
detecting signals generated by the detecting unit 340 is not the value of the
expected
soft start current, and the current value is greater than a predetermined soft-
start
current value, it indicates that the circuit may have short circuit issue.
After a
predetermined monitoring time, when the controlling unit 350 determines that
the
current value of the received detecting signal thereof is still greater than
the
CA 2999318 2018-03-26
predetermined current value, it indicates that the system circuit has short
circuit
issue. Then, the controlling unit 350 generates the corresponding controlling
signals, such that the power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism
300 stops outputting the soft-start current or is fully turned off, or
generates an
alarm to indicates that the circuit has short circuit issue, so as to inform
the user to
perform a subsequent repairing process for the power supplying apparatus of
the
protection mechanism 300 or the load thereof.
In another embodiment, this embodiment describes that the power
supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 300 is not connected to the
load when it starts to operate, i.e. the output end 330 is not connected to
the load.
The user starts operating the power supplying apparatus with the protection
mechanism 300, the controlling unit 350 controls the soft-start adjusting unit
320
to perform the soft-start process. Then, the controlling unit 350 continues to
monitor whether the current state and/or the voltage state of the output end
330 is
normal through the detecting unit 340, and the controlling unit 350 may
discover
that the output end 330 is not connected to the load. At this time, the
controlling
unit 350 may return to an initial state of the soft-start process, i.e. the
main power
switch 321 is not turned on, only a current limited path with the resistance
of the
soft-start process is started and enabled, and it waits to connect to the
load, so as to
re-perform the soft-start process when the load is connected. When a waiting
time
exceeds a predetermined "idle time" without load connected, the controlling
unit
350 generates the corresponding controlling signals, such that the power
supplying
apparatus with the protection mechanism 300 can be fully turned off and the
power
consumption is saved.
In another situation, when the waiting time does not exceed the
predetermined "idle time" without load connected, the user connects the load
to the
power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 300, i.e. the load is
connected to the output end 330. Since the power supplying apparatus with the
protection mechanism 300 is already in the initial state of the soft-start
process, the
detecting unit 340 can detect the soft-start current value from the detecting
unit 340
when the load is connected. Thus the controlling unit 350 can generate the
corresponding controlling signals, so as to finish the soft-start process and
monitor
that the soft-start process is normal. If the soft-start current value is
greater than the
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predetermined soft-start current value of the controlling unit 350, it
indicates that
the external load circuit is short-circuited. Then, the controlling unit 350
generates
the corresponding controlling signals such that the power supplying apparatus
with
the protection mechanism 300 stops outputting the soft-start current or is
fully
turned off, or generates an alarm to indicates that the circuit is the short-
circuited,
so as to inform the user to perform a subsequent repairing process for the
power
supplying apparatus of the protection mechanism 300 or the load thereof.
In another situation, assuming that the power supplying apparatus with the
protection mechanism 300 is not connected to the load, i.e. the output end 330
is
not connected to the load. The user starts operating the power supplying
apparatus
with the protection mechanism 300, such that the controlling unit 350 controls
the
soft-start adjusting unit 320 to perform the soft-start process, so as to
finish the
soft-start process, and controls the main power switch 321 to turns on to
directly
output the power voltage. Then, the controlling unit 350 continues to monitor
that
the current state and/or the voltage state of the output end 330 is normal or
not
through the detecting unit 340, and waits to connect to the load. When the
waiting
time exceeds the predetermined "idle time" without load connected, the
controlling
unit 350 generates the corresponding controlling signals, such that the power
supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 300 can be fully turned off
and
the power consumption is saved.
In another situation, when the waiting time does not exceed the
predetermined "idle time" without load connected, the user connects the load
to the
power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 300, i.e. the load is
connected to the output end 330. Since the power supplying apparatus with the
protection mechanism 300 already finishes the soft-start process and the main
power switch 321 is turned on, and the detecting unit 340 continues to detect
the
current state and/or the voltage state of the output end 330 and generate the
detecting signals to the controlling unit 350, so as to perform a subsequent
process.
Then, when the current value of the detecting signals generated by the
detecting
unit 340 is suddenly increased, and the current value is greater than a
predetermined short circuit current value of the controlling unit 350 during
soft-
start process, it indicates that the circuit may have the inrush current or
have the
short circuit issue. At this time, the controlling unit 350 may starts the
short circuit
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protection by turning off the main power switch 321, and then re-starts the
soft-
start process to limit the inrush current or perform the protection of the
short circuit.
Afterward, during the re-start of the soft-start process, the controlling unit
350 may continue to monitor the current value of the detecting signals
generated
from the detecting unit 340. If the current value of the detecting signal is
smaller
than the predetermined soft-start current value, it indicates that the circuit
is not
short-circuited, i.e. the above current value increased suddenly is an
instantaneous
inrush current. Then, the controlling unit 350 generates the corresponding
controlling signal, so as to control the soft-start adjusting unit 320 to
continue
performing the soft-start process. During the re-start of soft-start process,
if the
current value of the detecting signals generated from the detecting unit 340
is
greater than the predetermined soft-start current, it indicates that the
circuit is short-
circuited. Thus the controlling unit 350 generates the corresponding
controlling
signal, such that the power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism
300
stops outputting the soft-start current or is fully turned off, or generates
an alarm
to indicates that the circuit is short-circuited, so as to inform the user to
perform a
subsequent repairing process for the power supplying apparatus with the
protection
mechanism 300 or the load thereof. Alternatively, the controlling unit 350 may
lock
the power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 300 in the
protection
state, or may fully turn off the power supplying apparatus with the protection
mechanism 300, so as to save the power consumption.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a power supply apparatus with a
protection mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure. The
power supply apparatus with the protection mechanism 400 includes a power unit
410, a main power switch 420, an output end 430, a detecting unit 440 and a
controlling unit 450.
The power unit 410 generates a power voltage. In the embodiment, the
power unit 410 is, for example, a power supply or a battery or a charger, and
generates a power voltage with a large power to provide to the load.
The main power switch 420 is coupled to the power unit 410, receives the
power voltage and a controlling signal, and outputs the power voltage
according to
the controlling signal. In the embodiment, the main power switch 420 is, for
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example, a MOSFET. The main power switch 420 conducts or does not conduct
according to a control of the controlling signal(s), so as to output or do not
output
the power voltage to output end accordingly.
The output end 430 is coupled to the main power switch 420 and suitable
to output the power voltage. The output end 430 is also suitable to connect to
the
load, so as to output the power voltage to the load.
The detecting unit 440 is coupled to the output end 430 and detects the
current state and/or the voltage state of the output end 430, so as to
generate a
detecting signals. Wherein the current state and/or the voltage state of the
output
end 430 includes, for example, the current and/or voltage value of the output
end
430, and the detecting signals/events generated by protection circuits (such
as an
overcurrent or a short-circuit protection circuit). For example, the detecting
signals/events of the protection circuit with overcurrent or short-circuit
protection
is generated when the output end 430 is connected to a load after the power
supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400 already operates.
The controlling unit 450 is coupled to the detecting unit 440 and the main
power switch 420, receives the detecting signals, so as to generate the
controlling
signal(s). That is, when the controlling unit 450 receives the detecting
signals, the
controlling unit 450 may determine and generate the corresponding controlling
signals according to the change of the current value and/or the voltage value
of the
detecting signals or the current operation state of the power supplying
apparatus
with the protection mechanism 400. The above operation state includes, for
example, whether the output end 430 is connected to the load before or after
the
power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400 starts to operate,
or
whether the short circuit occurs when or after the power supplying apparatus
with
the protection mechanism 400 is connected to the load. It means that the
control
mechanism inside the controlling unit 450 could be configured "dynamically and
"re-programmed" according to the current operation state of the power
supplying
apparatus with the protection mechanism. That is, when the controlling unit
450
receives the detecting signals, the controlling unit 450 may generate the
corresponding controlling signal according to the current setting value or
condition
of the control mechanism of the controlling unit 450. For example, the power
supplying apparatus 400 with the protection mechanism operates for the first
time
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initialization of the system operation during the power-on stage, the setting
value
of "short circuit current protection threshold" and/or "short circuit
protection delay
time threshold" inside the controlling unit 450 may be set as a lower value
with
higher sensitivity, so as to divide the current magnitude and energy of the
inrush
current when the load is connected. After finishing the process for reducing
and
dividing the inrush current, the setting value of "short circuit current
protection
threshold" and/or "short circuit protection delay time threshold" inside the
controlling unit 450 may be set to a higher value with lower sensitivity, so
as to
perform the short circuit protection under the normal operation state.
In the whole operation, in one embodiment, assuming that the power
supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400 is certainty connected
to
the load, i.e. the output end 430 is connected to the load. The user starts
operating
the power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400, and then the
controlling unit 450 generates the controlling signal to the main power switch
420,
such that the main power switch 420 conducts. That is, the main power switch
420
may output the power voltage to the load through the output end 430. Then the
detecting unit 440 can detect the current state and/or a voltage state and
those
detecting signals/events generated by voltage and/or current protection
circuits and
accordingly generate the detecting signals to the controlling unit, such that
the
controlling unit 450 performs a corresponding subsequent processes, thereby
achieving the effect of monitoring and protection.
When the current value of the detecting signal generated by the detecting
unit 440 is suddenly increased and the current value is greater than "the
short-
circuit current protection threshold value" and "short circuit protection
delay time
threshold value" of the controlling unit 450, it indicates that the circuit
may have
the inrush current or may be short-circuited. At this time, the controlling
unit 450
starts the short circuit protection by turning off main power switch 420. And
then
within a predetermined time, the controlling unit 450 may try to determines
that
whether the source of the short-circuited current is the inrush current or a
true short
circuit. Then, according to a predetermined time interval , the controlling
unit 450
controls and conducts the main power switch 420, for example, preset up to 3
times
(counter number), so as to provide the power voltage to the load through the
output
end 430. At the same time, the controlling unit 450 continues to detect the
current
CA 2999318 2018-03-26
state and/or the voltage state of the output end 430 and those detecting
signals/events generated by voltage and/or current protection circuits (such
as an
overcunent or a short circuit event signals) through the detecting unit 440,
so as to
determine whether the circuit is certainly a true short-circuited or inrush
current
still existing in the system or not.
In another embodiment, this embodiment describes that the power
supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400 is not connected to the
load, i.e. the output end 430 is not connected to the load. The user starts
operating
the power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400, such that the
controlling unit 450 controls and conducts the switching unit 420, so as to
output
the power voltage to the output end 430. Then, the controlling unit 450
continues
to monitor that the current state and/or the voltage state of the output end
430 is
normal or not through the detecting unit 440, and waits the load to be
connected.
When a waiting time exceeds a predetermined "idle time" without load
connected,
the controlling unit 450 generates the corresponding controlling signals, such
that
the power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400 is fully
turned
off and the power consumption is saved.
In another situation, when the waiting time does not exceed the
predetermined "idle time" without load, the user connects the load to the
power
supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400, i.e. the load is
connected
to the output end 430. Since the power supplying apparatus with the protection
mechanism 400 already operates, the current value of the detecting current
generated by the detecting unit 440 is suddenly increased. If the current
value is
greater than the "short circuit protection threshold current value" of the
controlling
unit 450, it indicates that the circuit may have a huge inrush current or may
be
short-circuited. At this time, within a predetermined time interval, the
controlling
unit 450 controls and conducts the switching unit 420, such as preset up to 3
times,
so as to provide the power voltage to the load through the output end 430. The
controlling unit 450 continues detecting the current state of the output end
430 and
those detecting signals/events generated by voltage and/or current protection
circuits (such as an overcurrent or a short circuit event signals) through the
detecting unit 440, so as to determine whether the circuit is certainly a true
short-
circuit or inrush current still existing in the system.
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After a predetermined time interval and/or a predetermined counter number
of forcing the controlling unit 450 to control and conduct the main power
switch
420, the controlling unit 450 can determine that the circuit is short-
circuited if the
received current value of the detecting signal thereof is still greater than
the "short
circuit current protection threshold" value. Then, the controlling unit 450
generates
the corresponding controlling signals, such that the power supplying apparatus
with the protection mechanism 400 stops operating, or generates an alarm to
indicates that the circuit is short-circuited, so as to inform the user to
perform a
subsequent repairing process for the power supplying apparatus of the
protection
mechanism 400 or the load thereof, or the controlling unit 450 may lock the
power
supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism 400 in the protection state,
or
may completely turn off the power supplying apparatus with the protection
mechanism 400, so as to save the power consumption.
Then, within a predetermined time interval and/or a predetermined counter
number of forcing the controlling unit 450 to control and conduct the main
power
switch 420, the controlling unit 450 determines that the received current
value of
the detecting signal thereof is smaller than the "short circuit protection
threshold
current value", it indicates that the circuit is not the short circuit, i.e.
the above
current value increased suddenly is an instantaneous inrush current. Then, the
controlling unit 450 generates the corresponding controlling signals, so as to
control switching unit 420 to continue conducting, so as to continue providing
the
power voltage to the load and the circuit is not mistakenly determined as the
short
circuit. Therefore, the power supplying apparatus with the protection
mechanism
is not locked in the protection state.
In another situation, after a predetermined time interval and/or a
predetermined counter number of forcing the controlling unit 450 to control
and
conduct the main power switch 420, the controlling unit 450 determines that
the
received current value of the detecting signal thereof is greater than the
"short
circuit protection threshold current value", it indicates that the circuit is
short-
circuited, i.e. the above current value increased suddenly is occurred by the
short
circuit. Then, the controlling unit 450 generates the corresponding
controlling
signals, so as to control and turn off the switching unit 420 and not provide
the
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power voltage to the load, and thus the power supplying apparatus with the
protection mechanism is locked in the protection state.
Furthermore, the power supplying apparatus with the protection
mechanism 400 further includes a countering and timing unit 460. The
countering
and timing unit 460 is connected to the controlling unit 450 (or is integrated
inside
the controlling unit) and provides a (programmable) countering value to the
controlling unit. When the current value of the detecting signal generated by
the
detecting unit 440 is suddenly increased, the controlling unit 450 controls
and
conducts the main power switch 420 according to a predetermined time interval
and/or a predetermined counter number corresponding to the counter value.
Then,
the controlling unit 450 continues to detect the current state of the output
end 430
through the detecting unit 440, so as to determine whether the current is a
short-
circuited current or a merely instantaneous inrush current.
According to the power supply apparatus with the soft-start function and
the protection mechanism of the embodiments of the disclosure, the controlling
unit generates the first controlling signal, the second controlling signal
according
to the current detecting signal generated by the current detecting unit, so as
to
control the soft-start adjusting unit to adjust a magnitude of the current
value of the
soft-start current, such that the working voltage generated by the voltage
stabilizing
unit suitably is increased to be equal to or close to the voltage value of the
power
voltage according to the soft-start adjusting unit, thereby finishing the soft-
start
process and then directly outputting the power voltage to the voltage
stabilizing
unit. Therefore, an inrush current generated without the soft-start process
that may
damage the circuit could be effectively avoided. Additionally, the displaying
unit
may further shows whether the circuit is short-circuited, so as to increase
the circuit
security. Furthermore, the controlling unit may further generates the
corresponding
first controlling signal, the corresponding second controlling signal
according to
the current detecting signal and the voltage detecting signal generated by the
voltage detecting unit at the same time. Thus the generated inrush current
that may
damage the circuit could be also efficiently avoided.
Additionally, the detecting unit detects the current state and/or the voltage
state of the output end to generate the detecting signals, and the controlling
unit
determines the operation state of the power supplying apparatus with the
protection
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mechanism according to the detecting signals and generates the corresponding
controlling signals to control the soft-start adjusting unit or the main power
switch
to perform the corresponding operation, so as to determines whether the output
voltage is providing continuously or the protection state is entered.
Therefore it
may effectively determine that the circuit is certainly short-circuited or not
to avoid
the erroneous operation, i.e. avoid the merely instantaneous inrush current
resulted
in erroneously determining the circuit as being short-circuited. At the same
time,
through the soft-start process introduced by the soft-start adjusting unit or
multiple
short circuit protection of forcing the controlling unit to control and
conduct the
main power switch, the current and energy of the huge inrush current is
divided, so
as to avoid the power supplying apparatus with the protection mechanism from
being locked in the protection state.
Although the disclosure has been explained in relation to its preferred
embodiment, it does not intend to limit the disclosure. It will be apparent to
those
1 5 skilled in the art having regard to this disclosure that other
modifications of the
exemplary embodiments beyond those embodiments specifically described here
may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly,
such
modifications are considered within the scope of the invention as limited
solely by
the appended claims.
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