JP2012100375A - Parallel power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

A parallel power supply system capable of obtaining high reliability without hindering downsizing is provided.
An auxiliary power supply unit that supplies an auxiliary voltage to an electronic device, a plurality of parallel main power supplies that supply a main voltage to the electronic device and the auxiliary power supply unit, and between the parallel main power supply, the auxiliary power supply unit, and the electronic device. A backboard that relays the supply of the main voltage and the auxiliary voltage, and the auxiliary power supply unit converts the main voltage supplied from each parallel main power supply or the voltage supplied from the battery of the auxiliary power supply unit to the auxiliary voltage. And an auxiliary voltage conversion circuit for converting to an auxiliary voltage conversion circuit, and a control circuit for switching between supply of the auxiliary voltage converted by the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit and supply of the main voltage from the main power supply.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply technology using a power supply system, and particularly to a parallel power supply system that is effective when applied to a power supply using a power supply system that performs parallel operation and an electronic apparatus including the power supply system.

  Conventionally, there is a power supply system that supplies power to various electronic devices such as servers and computers by parallel operation. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-289539, a main power supply circuit using a switching system for supplying power from a DC main power supply for supplying power to a main circuit of a personal computer by inputting an AC power supply and an AC power supply are input. And an auxiliary power supply circuit using a switching method for supplying power from a DC auxiliary power supply for supplying power to a display unit or the like of a personal computer, and a technique for appropriately supplying power by controlling them is disclosed. . Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-199583 discloses a system configured by connecting a plurality of power supply circuits in parallel and operating in parallel as a power supply system for supplying power to an electronic apparatus such as a computer.

  As in the power supply system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the current power supply device converts a main power supply (DC main power supply) from an AC power supply and outputs the main power supply circuit, and converts the AC power supply to an auxiliary voltage (DC auxiliary power supply). The mainstream is an auxiliary power supply circuit that converts and outputs, outputs a main voltage and an auxiliary voltage, and supplies electric power to an electronic device. Further, like the power supply circuit disclosed in Patent Document 2, the power supply device having the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 is connected to a system configured by a plurality of parallel operation power supplies connected in parallel, and the parallel operation power supply outputs. It is common to supply main and auxiliary voltages to electronic devices.

  The power consumption of the main voltage required by the electronic device that receives power supplied from these parallel power supply systems is high integration of the CPU and memory of the electronic device, speeding up the processing speed, and further mounting of the CPU and memory. Increasingly due to high-density mounting such as using blades for modules and mounting multiple modules in the equipment chassis. In order to cope with such an increase in power consumption of the main voltage, the conventional parallel power supply system secures power to be supplied to the main voltage by increasing the number of power supplies operated in parallel.

JP-A-8-289539 JP 2002-199583 A

  However, the power consumption of the auxiliary voltage with respect to the power consumption of the main voltage of the electronic device is generally extremely small because it is consumed in a standby state before the main logic circuit of the electronic device operates. Even if each power supply in the parallel operation power supply system is operated by a small number of units, it is possible to supply the power of the auxiliary voltage. For this reason, as in the prior art described above, when the number of each power supply that performs parallel operation becomes large, the power supply capability of the auxiliary voltage included in each power supply exceeds the allowable amount of the electronic device on the receiving side, and the supply is excessive. There is a problem that it will be in a bad state.

  In other words, the number of auxiliary power supply circuit components that supply the auxiliary voltage provided for each power supply increases, so that the entire parallel power supply system increases in size, and the auxiliary power supply provided for each power supply as the number of auxiliary power supply circuit components increases. There was a problem that the failure rate of circuit components would increase. That is, the configuration as in the above-described conventional technique has a problem in that the parallel power supply system is not reduced in size and high reliability cannot be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a parallel power supply system that can obtain high reliability without hindering downsizing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a parallel power supply system according to the present invention supplies an auxiliary power supply unit that supplies an auxiliary voltage to an electronic device, and supplies a main voltage to the electronic device and the auxiliary power supply unit. A plurality of parallel main power supplies, and a backboard that relays the supply of the main voltage and the auxiliary voltage between the parallel main power supply, the auxiliary power supply unit, and the electronic device, and the auxiliary power supply unit includes: An auxiliary voltage conversion circuit that converts the main voltage supplied from each of the parallel main power supplies or a voltage supplied from a battery of the auxiliary power supply unit into the auxiliary voltage, and the auxiliary voltage converted by the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit And a control circuit for switching between supply of voltage and supply of the main voltage from the main power supply.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a parallel power supply system capable of obtaining high reliability without hindering downsizing.

It is a block diagram of the parallel power supply system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a control flowchart of the parallel power supply system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the parallel power supply system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a control flowchart of the parallel power supply system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the parallel power supply system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a control flowchart of the parallel power supply system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the parallel power supply system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Exemplary embodiments of a parallel power supply system according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.
(Embodiment 1)
The configuration of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an example of a diagram showing a configuration of a parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the parallel power supply system includes a plurality of power supplies for supplying the electronic device 3 with a main voltage and an auxiliary voltage that are consumed by an electronic device 3 including an information processing device such as a server or a PC (Personal Computer). A parallel operation power source 1 (1-1 to 1-n) composed of a plurality of power sources, an auxiliary power unit 2, and a backboard 4 for electrically connecting the parallel operation power source 1, the auxiliary power unit 2, and the electronic device 3. It is comprised including. The specific configuration of the auxiliary power supply unit 2 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the parallel operation power supply 1 relays a backboard 4 in which the connection of each power supply is shared, and outputs the main voltages of these power supplies to the electronic device 3 and the auxiliary power supply unit 2. Can be supplied. Moreover, ON / OFF of the output of the main voltage of the parallel operation power supply 1 is controlled by the auxiliary power supply unit 2 through the backboard 4. The electronic device 3 has a function of relaying a power supply stop signal instructing stoppage of power supply when stopped to the auxiliary power supply unit 2 via the backboard 4.

  The auxiliary power supply unit 2 converts the main voltage supplied from the parallel operation power supply 1 via the backboard 4 and the diode 9 included in the auxiliary power supply unit 2 or the battery 5 included in the auxiliary power supply unit 2 into an auxiliary voltage value using the power source. Output auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6, switch 7 that auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6 continues / shuts off power supply from battery 5, ON / OFF control of main voltage output of parallel operation power supply 1, and switch 7 ON Control circuit 8 that enables ON / OFF control, reception processing of the power supply stop signal transmitted from the electronic device 3, and reception processing of the activation signal transmitted from the control circuit activation unit 10, and operation start of the control circuit 8 Is provided with a control circuit starting unit 10 that can transmit a starting signal for instructing the electronic device 3 through the backboard 4 with the auxiliary voltage output from the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6. Feeding possible to be.

  Next, a control flowchart of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. First, the operation of starting the parallel power supply system and starting the power supply to the electronic device will be described.

  The control circuit activation unit 10 of the auxiliary power supply unit 2 receives the input signal (flow S30) and transmits the activation signal to the control circuit 8 (flow S31, timing T1a). The input means is, for example, a start button provided in the control circuit starting unit 10, and is triggered by the manual pressing of the start button. The control circuit 8 starts the operation in response to the activation signal (flow S32). When the control circuit 8 sends an ON instruction to the switch 7 and the switch 7 is turned on (flow S33, timing T2a), the power of the battery 5 is supplied to the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6, and the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6 The power supply voltage is converted into an auxiliary voltage value, and the auxiliary voltage is output to the electronic device 3.

  The control circuit 8 sends a main voltage output ON instruction to the parallel operation power supply 1, the parallel operation power supply 1 starts the main voltage output (flow S34, timing T3a), and outputs the main voltage output to the electronic device 3 and the auxiliary power supply unit 2. Start. When the control circuit 8 sends an OFF signal to the switch 7 and the switch 7 is turned off (flow S35, timing T4a), the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6 is cut off from the power supply from the battery 5, and instead the parallel operation power source 1 Is switched to an auxiliary voltage conversion operation using the main voltage from the power source as a power source, and the auxiliary voltage is output to the electronic device 3 without consuming the power of the battery 5.

  Next, an operation in which the electronic device 3 enters a stop process and the parallel power supply system stops supplying power to the electronic device 3 will be described.

  The electronic device 3 has a function of transmitting a signal (power supply stop signal) instructing to stop power supply to the power supply side that receives power supply when the device is stopped, and the control circuit 8 transmits the signal transmitted from the electronic device 3. The determination is NO until the power supply stop signal is input, and the operation is continued. When the power supply stop signal is received, the determination is YES (flow S36, timing T5a). The control circuit 8 sends an ON instruction to the switch 7, and the switch 7 is turned on (flow S37, timing T6a). The control circuit 8 sends an instruction to turn off the main voltage output to the parallel operation power supply 1, the main voltage output is turned OFF (flow S38, timing T7a), and the main voltage supply to the electronic device 3 and the auxiliary power supply unit 2 is stopped. .

  Simultaneously with the stop of the main voltage supply, the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6 continues to output the auxiliary voltage to the electronic device 3 using the electric power from the battery 5 as the power source by cutting off the supply of the main voltage from the parallel operation power supply 1. . The control circuit 8 sends an OFF instruction to the switch 7, the switch 7 is turned OFF (flow S39, timing T8a), the power supply from the battery 5 to the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6 is stopped, and the output of the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6 is output. Stops.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary power supply circuits incorporated in each of the power supply devices in the conventional parallel power supply system are integrated into the auxiliary power supply unit in the present invention, and the input source of the auxiliary power supply circuit is changed from the AC power supply. By substituting for a DC power supply, the number of parts of the conventional auxiliary power supply circuit can be reduced, and the parallel power supply system can be reduced in size and increased in reliability.
(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, an example of a parallel operation power supply system that has the function of the parallel operation power supply system in the first embodiment and can save power of the auxiliary power supply unit will be described.

  The configuration of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an example of a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the parallel power supply system according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which a switch 11 is added in parallel to the diode 9 as compared with the parallel power supply system according to the first embodiment. It has a configuration that can be controlled.

  Next, a control flowchart of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the following, the control flows S50 to S55 and S59 to S61 shown in FIG. 4 are the same as the control flows S30 to S35 and S37 to S39 of FIG. Explain up to.

  The control circuit 8 sends an ON instruction to the switch 11 (flow S56, timing T5b), and the switch 11 is turned ON, whereby the main voltage supply path of the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 6 is switched from the diode 9 to the switch 11. The control circuit 8 makes a NO determination until the power supply stop signal transmitted from the electronic device 3 is input, and continues the operation. When the power supply stop signal is received (flow S57, timing T6b), the control circuit 8 makes a YES determination, and the control circuit 8 An OFF instruction is sent to the switch 11, and the switch 11 is turned off (flow S58, timing T7b).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the forward power loss of the diode due to the power supply from the diode 9 of the first embodiment is switched to the power supply from the diode 9 to the switch 11, thereby preventing the power loss due to the diode from occurring. As a result, power saving can be realized.
(Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, the function of the parallel operation power supply system in the first embodiment is provided, the charging circuit 12 and the charge control function of the battery 5 included in the auxiliary power supply unit 2 are added, and the battery 5 can also be charged. An example of a possible parallel power supply system will be described.

  The configuration of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an example of a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the parallel operation power supply system in the third embodiment has a switch 13 and a charging circuit 12 connected in series between the cathode side of the diode 9 and the battery 5 as compared with the parallel operation power supply system in the first embodiment. With the added configuration, the charging function of the battery 5 can be added, and the control circuit 8 can control the switch 13.

  Next, a control flowchart of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the following description, the control flows S70 to S75 and S79 to S81 in FIG. 6 are the same as the control flows SS30 to S35 and S37 to S39 already described in FIG. To do.

  When the control circuit 8 sends an ON instruction to the switch 13 and the switch 13 is turned ON (timing T5c), the charging circuit 12 supplies the main voltage from the parallel operation power source 1 to the battery 5 via the switch 13. Then, charging of the battery 5 is started (flow S76). The control circuit 8 makes a NO determination until a power supply stop signal transmitted from the electronic device 3 is input, and proceeds to the flow S82. Return to.

  When the control circuit 8 receives the charge completion signal in the flow S82 (timing T7c), the process proceeds to YES determination, and the control circuit 8 instructs the switch 13 to be turned off, and the switch 13 is turned off (flow S83). Power supply to the battery is stopped, and charging of the battery 5 is stopped. After the switch 13 is turned off in the flow S83, the process returns to the flow S77. Further, when the flow shifts from the flow S77 to the flow S82, when the capacity of the battery 5 decreases and the charge completion signal is turned OFF, the flow shifts to NO determination and returns to the flow S76. Start charging.

  Then, in flow S77, if a power supply stop signal is input, a YES determination is made, and the control circuit 8 sends an OFF instruction to the switch 13 regardless of the state of charge of the battery 5 (timing T7c), and turns off the switch 13 (flow). S78).

Thus, in this embodiment, the battery can be reduced in size by providing the battery charging circuit in the auxiliary power supply unit, and the parallel power supply system can be reduced in size.
(Embodiment 4)
In the present embodiment, an example of a parallel power supply system in which the auxiliary power supply unit 2 having the functions of the first, second, and third embodiments is made redundant to improve reliability will be described.

  The configuration of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an example of a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the parallel power supply system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the parallel power supply system according to the fourth embodiment includes a plurality of auxiliary power supply units in addition to the auxiliary power supply unit 2-1 corresponding to the auxiliary power supply unit 2 described in the first, second, and third embodiments. 2-2 is connected in parallel.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary power supply unit 2 is made redundant, so that it is possible to continue supplying the auxiliary voltage to the electronic device 3 even in the event of a failure of the auxiliary power supply unit. A highly parallel power supply system can be realized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Parallel operation power supply 2 Auxiliary power supply unit 3 Electronic device 4 Back board 5 Battery 6 Auxiliary voltage conversion circuit 7 Switch 8 Control circuit 9 Diode 10 Control circuit starting part 11 Switch 12 Charging circuit 13 Switch

Claims (6)

An auxiliary power supply unit for supplying an auxiliary voltage to the electronic device;
A plurality of parallel main power supplies for supplying a main voltage to the electronic device and the auxiliary power unit;
A backboard that relays the supply of the main voltage and the auxiliary voltage between the parallel main power supply, the auxiliary power supply unit, and the electronic device;
The auxiliary power unit includes an auxiliary voltage conversion circuit that converts the main voltage supplied from each parallel main power supply or a voltage supplied from a battery of the auxiliary power supply unit into the auxiliary voltage, and the auxiliary voltage conversion. A control circuit for switching between the supply of the auxiliary voltage converted by the circuit and the supply of the main voltage from the main power supply;
A parallel power supply system characterized by comprising: The auxiliary power unit further includes a first switch for connecting or blocking between the battery and the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit,
The control circuit operates the first switch to connect or cut off between the battery and the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit, thereby supplying the auxiliary voltage and supplying the main voltage from the main power source. Switch
The parallel power supply system according to claim 1. The auxiliary power supply unit further includes a control circuit starting unit for starting the operation of the control circuit,
The control circuit starts supplying the auxiliary voltage when the control circuit starting unit receives a start instruction from the outside.
The parallel power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the system is a parallel power supply system. The auxiliary power supply unit is connected in parallel with the diode between the diode that sends the main voltage supplied from the main power supply to the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit and the auxiliary voltage conversion circuit from the main power supply. 2 switches, and
The control circuit switches from supplying the main voltage via the diode to supplying the main voltage via the second switch by turning on the second switch.
The parallel power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The auxiliary power supply unit includes a third switch for connecting or disconnecting the battery and the diode, a fourth switch connected in parallel with the third switch, and the fourth switch in series. A connected charging circuit,
The control circuit, when supplying the main voltage, by turning on the fourth switch, the charging circuit charges the battery using the main voltage as a power source,
The parallel power supply system of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. A plurality of the auxiliary power supply units are connected in parallel to the parallel main power supply and the electronic device via the backboard;
The parallel power supply system according to claim 1, wherein:

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