Power supply unit

• US 6,434,025 B2
• Filed: 10/08/1999
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nippon Signal Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nippon Signal Company Limited
• Inventors: Yuasa, Takayuki, Sakai, Masayoshi, Shirai, Toshihito, Futsuhara, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Shawn
• Application Number:
  US09/414,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20020006045A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 363/21, 363/49, 363/95, 363/131, 363/97, 363/21.11, 363/21.1, 363/21.08
• US Class Current: 363/21.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/1213 for DC-DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/1255 responsive to internal faults, e.g. by monitoring ripple in output voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/32 Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/28 using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac

Abstract

The invention relates to a power supply unit which can fail-safely monitor not only for an excessive power supply output but also for an abnormal drop in output level. At the time of start-up, with the start signal from a start circuit, an AC signal is supplied to a primary side of a transformer and based on an AC output from a secondary side of the transformer, an output for supplying to an external load is generated and this output is monitored with a monitoring circuit. If the output level is within a set upper and lower limit threshold value range the output is judged to be normal and a high level normal verification signal is generated from the monitoring circuit, and with the high level normal verification signal, an AC signal is supplied to the primary side of the transformer, and the output supply to the external load is continued.

Claims

1. A power supply unit which switches a DC signal to produce an AC signal, and supplies a power supply output based on the produced AC signal, comprising:

a monitoring circuit for monitoring a previously set upper and lower limit threshold values to provide a threshold value range for said power supply output, and generating a normal verification signal indicating a normal condition when said power supply output is within said threshold value range;

a first switching element for passing or interrupting said DC signal for input to a primary side of a transformner;

a switching control circuit for generating a control signal for ON/OFF switching of said first switching element, which generates the power supply output based on the AC power supply output generated in a secondary side of said transformer with ON/OFF operation of said first switching element, and at the same time inputs said power supply output to said switching control circuit and compares the power supply output with a target level set within said threshold value range, and controls said control signal so that a level of the power supply output approaches said target level, to stabilize the power supply output; and

a start circuit for generating a start signal for starting power supply output, wherein

said power supply output is supplied to outside of said power supply unit when the normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit, and

when at least one of said start signal and said normal verification signal is being generated, the control signal of said switching control circuit is supplied to the first switching element.

2. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein after an abnormality is detected and said normal verification signal is temporarily stopped, said normal verification signal is not generated from said monitoring circuit even if said abnormality is cancelled.

3. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein said start circuit generates the start signal for a predetermined time.

4. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein said start circuit generates the start signal for a predetermined time on input of a generation command signal after power supply output start-up.

5. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein when the normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit, said start signal is not generated.

6. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a limited output generating circuit for generating at the time of power supply start-up, an output which is limited to a level within said threshold value range, and the generated limited output is input to said monitoring circuit, and said normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit.

7. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein switch means is provided in an output supply path for supplying said power supply output, and said switch means is switched on by the normal verification signal from said monitoring circuit, resulting in said output supply path.

8. The power supply unit according to claim 7, wherein said switch means is constructed with a first switch and second switch connected in series, and the first switch is switched on after the second switch is switched on and is switched off prior to the second switch.

9. The power supply unit according to claim 8, wherein said monitoring circuit is able to generate the normal verification signal under the condition that said first switch is off and said second switch is off.

10. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein there is provided logical sum means for generating a logical sum output for said normal verification signal and said start signal, and an output from said logical sum means is made a drive power supply for said switching control circuit.

11. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein signal transmission means is disposed in a control signal supply path for supplying said control signal of said switching control circuit to said first switching element, for closing said control signal supply path when at least one signal of said start signal and said normal verification signal is generated, and transmitting the control signal to said first switching element.

12. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a limited output generated circuit for generating, when the start signal is generated from said start circuit, an output which is limited to a level within said threshold value range, and the generated limited output is input to said monitoring circuit, and said normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit.

13. The power supply unit according to claim 12, wherein said limited output is input to said monitoring circuit via said transformer.

14. The power supply unit according to claim 13, wherein a series circuit including a second switching element and an output limiting impedance element is connected in parallel with said first switching element which is connected in series to the primary winding of said transformer and there is provided first and second signal supply paths for respectively supplying the control signal of said switching control circuit to the first and second switching elements, and when the start signal is generated the second signal supply path provides said control signal to the second switching element and a limited output is produced in the secondary side of said transformer, and when based on the limited output, the normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit, the first signal supply path provides said control signal to the first switching element.

15. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein a switch means is disposed in an output supply path for supplying said power supply output, and when the normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit, said switch means switches to the output supply path.

16. The power supply unit according to claim 15, wherein said switch means is constructed with a plurality of switches connected in series.

17. The power supply unit according to claim 16, wherein of said plurality of switches, one switch comes on before the other switch and goes off after the other switch.

18. The power supply unit according to claim 17, wherein said monitoring circuit incorporates a level verification means for verifying that a voltage level of the power supply output is within said threshold value range, a ripple verification means for verifying that a ripple level of the power supply output is equal to or less than a predetermined level, a logical product means into which the outputs from the two verification means are connected, off-delay means for generating an output after a predetermined off-delay time lapse from an input of the output from said logical product means, and an on-delay means which takes the output from said off-delay means and generates an output and stops the output after a predetermined on-delay time lapse from said output generation, and said one switch is driven based on the output from said off-delay means, and the output from said on-delay means is said normal verification signal.

19. The power supply unit according to claim 15, wherein there is provided a switch off verification circuit for detecting an OFF condition of said switch means and outputting an OFF verification signal, and said monitoring circuit is able to generate the normal verification signal on the condition that said OFF verification signal is being generated.

20. The power supply unit according to claim 19, wherein said monitoring circuit incorporates a level verification means for verifying that a voltage level of the power supply output is within said threshold value range, a ripple verification means for verifying that a ripple level of the power supply output is less than a predetermined level, a logical product means into which the outputs from the two verification means are connected, an off-delay means for generating an output after a predetermined off-delay time lapse from an input of the output from said logical product means, a self hold means with an output from said off-delay means connected to a hold input terminal, and the off verification signal of said switch off verification circuit input connected to a trigger input terminal, which self holds a trigger output by its own output, and an on-delay means which takes the output from said off-delay means and generates an output and stops the output after a predetermined on-delay time lapse from said output generation, and said switch means is driven based on the output from said self hold means, and the output from said on-delay means is said normal verification signal.

21. The power supply unit according to claim 20, wherein a contact point is disposed in an off verification signal supply path for connecting to the trigger input terminal of said self hold means.

22. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein said monitoring circuit incorporates a level verification means for verifying that a voltage level of the power supply output is within said threshold value range, a ripple verification means for verifying that a ripple level of the power supply output is equal to or less than a predetermined level, a logical product means into which the outputs from the two verification means are connected and an off-delay means for generating an output after a predetermined off-delay time lapse from an input of the output from said logical product means, and the output from said off-delay means is said normal verification signal.

23. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein said start circuit generates the start signal for a predetermined time from the time of power supply start-up.

24. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein when said normal verification signal is generated, the supply of said start signal is stopped.

25. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein with an AC power supply unit incorporating an oscillator for generating an oscillating signal with input of said DC signal, and an output circuit having a switch circuit which is switchingly operated with the oscillation signal from said oscillator to generate an AC power supply output, supply of the AC power supply output to outside of said power supply unit is made possible when the normal verification signal is being generated from said monitoring circuit.

26. The power supply unit according to claim 25, wherein the construction is such that when said normal verification signal is being generated, an oscillating signal from said oscillator is transmitted to said switch circuit.

27. The power supply unit according to claim 25, wherein the switching operation of said switching circuit is made possible when said normal verification signal is being generated.

28. The power supply unit according to claim 25, wherein a switch means is disposed in an output supply path for supplying said power supply output, and said switch means is driven by the generation of the normal verification signal from said monitoring circuit to connect to the output supply path and supply the power supply output.

29. The power supply unit according to claim 28, wherein said switch means has two switches connected in series.

30. The power supply unit according to claim 29, wherein of said two switches one switch comes on before the other and goes off after the other.

31. The power supply unit according to claim 28, wherein there is provided a switch off verification circuit for detecting an OFF condition of said switch means and outputting an off verification signal, and said monitoring circuit is able to generate the normal verification signal on the condition that said off verification signal is being generated.

32. The power supply unit according to claim 25, wherein said monitoring circuit incorporates a level verification means for verifying that a voltage level of the power supply output is within said threshold value range, a frequency verification means for verifying that the power supply output frequency is within a predetermined frequency range based on a pulse width of the power supply output, and a logical product means into which the outputs of the two verification means are connected, and the output from said logical product means is said normal verification signal.

33. The power supply unit according to claim 32, wherein the construction is such that said frequency verification means detects the pulse width of the power supply output to verify the power supply output frequency.

34. The power supply unit according to claim 32, wherein said frequency verification means filters the power supply output with a band-pass filter and detects if the output level of the band-pass filter is equal to or above predetermined value to verify the power supply output frequency.

35. The power supply unit according to claim 25, wherein the AC power supply output is supplied from said output circuit when at least one of said start signal and the normal verification signal of said monitoring circuit is being generated.

36. The power supply unit according to claim 25, wherein there is provided a limited output generating circuit for generating a limited output of a level within said upper and lower limited threshold value range, and when the start signal is generated, the limited output of said limited output generating circuit is supplied from said output circuit.

37. A power supply unit which switches a DC signal to produce an AC signal, and supplies a power supply output based on the produced AC signal, comprising;

a monitoring circuit for monitoring a previously set upper and lower limit threshold values to provide a threshold value range for said power supply output, and generating a normal verification signal indicating a normal condition when the produced AC signal is within said threshold value range;

a first switching element for passing or interrupting said DC signal for input to a primary side of a transformer; and

a switching control circuit for generating a control signal for ON/OFF switching of said first switching element, which generates the power supply output based on the AC power supply output generated in a secondary side of said transformer with ON/OFF operation of said first switching element and supplies the power supply output to outside of said power supply unit, and at the same time inputs said power supply output to said switching control circuit and compares this with a target level set within said threshold value range, and controls said control signal so that a level of the power supply output approaches said target level, to stabilize the power supply output, wherein

said power supply output is supplied to outside of said power supply unit when the normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit, and

a switch means is provided in an output supply path for supplying said power supply output, and said switch means is driven by the normal verification signal of said monitoring circuit to thereby conduct the output supply path.

38. The power supply unit according to claim 37, wherein said switch means is constructed with a first switch and second switch connected in series, and the construction is such that said first switch is switched on after the second switch is switched on and switched off prior to the second switch.

39. The power supply unit according to claim 38, wherein said monitoring circuit is able to generate the normal verification signal under the condition that said first switch is off and said second switch is off.

40. The power supply unit is according to claim 39, wherein said monitoring circuit incorporates a level verification means for verifying that a voltage level of the power supply output is within said threshold value range, a ripple verification means for verifying that a ripple level of the power supply output is equal to or less than a predetermined level, a logical product means into which the outputs from the two verification means are connected, a first off-delay means for generating an output after a predetermined off-delay time lapse from an input of the output from said logical product means, a self hold means with an output from said first off-delay means connected to a hold input terminal, and an off verification signal off verification circuit for verifying the OFF condition of said first switch input to a trigger input terminal as a result of an off verification of said second switch, which self holds the trigger input by its own output, a second off-delay means for generating an output after a predetermined off-delay time lapse from input of the output from said self hold means, and an on-delay means which takes the output from said self hold means and generates an output and stops the output after a predetermined on-delay time lapse from said output generation, wherein

said monitoring circuit drives said second switch based on the output from said second off-delay means and drives said first switch based on the output from said on-delay means.

41. A power supply unit which switches a DC signal to produce an AC signal, and supplies a power supply output based on the produced AC signal, comprising:

a monitoring circuit for monitoring a previously set upper and lower limit threshold values to provide a threshold value range for said power supply output, and generating a normal verification signal indicating a normal condition when said produced AC signal is within said threshold value range, wherein

said power supply output is supplied to outside of said power supply unit when the normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit,

with an AC power supply unit incorporating an oscillator for generating an oscillating signal with input of said DC signal, and an output circuit having a switch circuit which is switchingly operated with the oscillation signal from said oscillator to generate an AC power supply output, supply of the AC power supply output to outside of said power supply unit is made possible when the normal verification signal is being generated from said monitoring circuit,

the construction is such that when said normal verification signal is being generated, said oscillating signal from said oscillator is transmitted to said switch circuit, and

a band-pass filter with a previously set predetermined frequency for the oscillator signal as a central frequency, is disposed in a signal supply path for supplying the oscillating signal from said oscillator to the switch circuit.

42. A power supply unit which switches a DC signal to produce an AC signal, and supplies a power supply output based on the produced AC signal, comprising:

a monitoring circuit for monitoring a previously set upper and lower limit threshold values to provide a threshold value range for said power supply output, and generating a normal verification signal indicating a normal condition when the produced AC signal is within said threshold value range, wherein

said power supply output is supplied to outside of said power supply unit when the normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit,

with an AC power supply unit incorporating an oscillator for generating an oscillating signal with input of said DC signal, and an output circuit having a switch circuit which is switchingly operated with the oscillation signal from said oscillator to generate an AC power supply output, supply of the AC power supply output to outside of said power supply unit is made possible when the normal verification signal is being generated from said monitoring circuit,

a switch means is disposed in an output supply path for supplying said power supply output, and said switch means is driven by the generation of the normal verification signal from said monitoring circuit to conduct the output supply path and supply the power supply output,

there is provided a switch off verification circuit for detecting an OFF condition of said switch means and outputting an off verification signal, and said monitoring circuit is able to generate the normal verification signal on the condition that said off verification signal is being generated,

said monitoring circuit incorporates a level verification means for verifying that a voltage level of the power output is within said threshold value range, a frequency verification means for verifying that the power supply output frequency is within a predetermined frequency range based on a pulse width of the power supply output, a logical product means into which the outputs of the two verification means are connected and a self hold means with an output from said logical product means connected to a hold input terminal, and the off verification signal from said switch off verification circuit connected to a trigger input terminal, and

said self hold means holds the trigger input by its own input, and said switch means is driven based on the output from said self hold means.

43. The power supply unit according to claim 42, wherein a contact point is disposed in an off verification signal supply path for connecting to the trigger input terminal of said self hold means.

44. A power supply unit which switches a DC signal to produce an AC signal, and supplies a power supply output based on the produced AC signal, comprising:

a monitoring circuit for monitoring a previously set upper and lower limit threshold values to provide a threshold value range for said power supply output, and generating a normal verification signal indicating a normal condition when the produced AC signal is within said threshold value range, wherein

said power supply output is supplied to outside of said power supply unit when the normal verification signal is generated from said monitoring circuit,

with an AC power supply unit incorporating an oscillator for generating an oscillating signal with input of said DC signal, and an output circuit having a switch circuit which is switchingly operated with the oscillation signal from said oscillator to generate an AC power supply output, supply of the AC power supply output to outside of said power supply unit is made possible when the normal verification signal is being generated from said monitoring circuit,

a switch means is disposed in an output supply path for supplying said power supply output, and said switch means is driven by the generation of the normal verification signal from said monitoring circuit to conduct the output supply path and supply the power supply output,

said switch means has two switches connected in series, and

said monitoring circuit generates the normal verification signal on the condition that one switch is off, and there is provided a switch drive means for intermittently switching the other switch off based on said normal verification signal, and a switch performance verification means for detecting ON/OFF switching of said other switch and generating a hold signal so that the normal verification signal continues and inputting the hold signal to said monitoring circuit, and said one switch is driven ON by the normal verification signal of said monitoring circuit.