JP2002058246A - Power supply module and power supply unit used for this - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply module which enables the increased/ decreased combination of a plurality of power supply units of the same power capacity. SOLUTION: This power supply module has a plurality of power supply units 2-5, and at least one power supply unit is made a power supply unit 2 for mater out of those several power supply units, and one or a plurality of other power supply units are made power supply units 3-5 for extension, and they can be connected in parallel so that it can supply external AC from the power supply unit for master to the power supply units for extension, and when the desired capacity of power is over the power capacity of the power supply unit for master, the power supply unit for extension is connected in parallel with the power supply unit for master, thus enabling the extension of the power capacity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a power supply module and a power supply unit used for the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In current switching power supplies and the like,
It is widely used in various machinery and equipment in factories, and the types are various. Even if the output voltage is the same, the power supply capacity (output W)
However, a plurality of power supply series different from each other are currently being used.

In the current situation of using such power supplies, manufacturers, for example, individually develop and manufacture power supply series having the same output voltage with different capacities, and individually prepare power supply series corresponding to each capacity for each series. The company develops and manufactures them and sells them to users.

[0004]

However, if the capacities differ even in the same series, it is necessary to newly develop and design the circuit board configuration, the arrangement of the transformers, etc. corresponding to each capacity. The additional development costs will have to affect the sales price of the power supply.

[0005] In addition, even for users who purchase and use power supplies of these series, even if they are of the same series, it is necessary to purchase various power supplies in the series individually according to various uses such as load used, and the number of power supplies increases. It is also pointed out that there are problems such as high purchase cost.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies to reduce the development cost as described above. As a result, for example, power supplies of a certain capacity can be combined in any number of units in the same series by increasing or decreasing the number of power supplies. Power supply manufacturers only need the cost of developing a power supply with that capacity, and for users, one or more power supplies with that capacity, depending on the application.
Finally, it was possible to invent what could be purchased and used at low cost.

Accordingly, it is a common object of the present invention to provide a power supply module capable of increasing or decreasing a plurality of power supply units having the same power supply capacity.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a desired power supply capacity by increasing or decreasing a plurality of power supply units having the same power supply capacity.

[0009]

A power supply module according to the present invention has a plurality of power supply units. At least one of the power supply units is used as a master power supply unit, and another power supply unit is used as a master power supply unit. One or a plurality of power supply units for expansion are connected so that an external alternating current can be supplied from the power supply unit for master to the power supply unit for expansion.

According to the power supply module of the present invention, only the master power supply unit is required for external AC input, and the external power supply unit can receive external AC from the master power supply unit. The power supply module can obtain an arbitrary power supply capacity as a whole by increasing and decreasing.

In a preferred embodiment of the power supply module according to the present invention, the power supply units have the same power supply capacity. According to this embodiment, it is only necessary to prepare the same type of power supply unit, which is preferable because the combination of increasing and decreasing the number of power supply units becomes easy.

As a preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, when the desired power supply capacity exceeds the power supply capacity of the master power supply unit, the power supply capacity can be expanded by connecting the expansion power supply unit to the master power supply unit. And

According to this embodiment, a power supply maker can provide a user with a power supply having an arbitrary capacity only by manufacturing a power supply unit having the same output voltage. Therefore, there is no need to develop power supplies of different capacities as in the past, and accordingly, development costs can be reduced and selling prices can be reduced, and the number of power supply units of the same capacity can be increased to further increase selling prices. It can be inexpensive and convenient for the user. In this case, for the user, the power supply unit 1
In addition to the low selling price of the unit, compared to purchasing a separate power supply for each capacity, it is only necessary to purchase one or more power supply units of the same capacity according to the application, so it is even more inexpensive. It's convenient.

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, another power supply unit is connected so that an external AC can be input from the master power supply unit, and the other power supply unit outputs its own output voltage. Output is enabled.

According to this embodiment, it is preferable to obtain a multi-output power supply.

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, the output voltage of each power supply unit can be commonly output.

According to this embodiment, the output can be conveniently taken out from the output terminal of any power supply unit.
Wiring for parallel operation is not required, so man-hours are reduced and noise resistance is improved.

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, the output voltage of each power supply unit can be individually output.

According to this embodiment, a multi-output power supply can be freely configured by connecting power supply modules of different voltages, for example, 5 V, 12 V, and 24 V. Also, an insulated output of the same voltage, for example, 24 V, 2
A 4V power supply can be freely configured.

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, at least one of the power supply units has a function of predicting a power supply life.

According to this embodiment, the power supply life prediction function of at least one of the power supply units can preferably predict the life of the power supply module.

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, the power supply unit for master or
Either the master power supply unit or the expansion power supply unit controls the power supply according to the contents of communication with the outside, or enables the communication unit to be connected to these power supply units. Power control is performed in accordance with the communication content of.

According to this embodiment, it is preferable that the communication function facilitates the handling of a power source such as a factory facility.

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, a communication unit can be connected to the power supply unit, and the communication unit controls power supply according to contents of communication with the outside.

According to this embodiment, since the communication function is not built in the power supply unit but is configured as a communication unit, the cost and size of the power supply unit can be prevented and the demand of the user who needs the communication function can be met. .

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, a branch unit can be connected to the power supply unit, and the branch unit can perform a branch operation according to a load state.

For example, if the power supply unit in the power supply module has an overcurrent protection function and has a function of stopping power supply output when an overcurrent occurs, if only these power supply units are used, any one of the power supply units When the load connected to the unit is overloaded, the entire power supply module is in the output stop state. However, in this embodiment, the branch operation of the branch unit causes the load connected to the power supply unit to be overloaded. Therefore, even if an overcurrent flows, it is possible to perform a branching operation capable of eliminating the influence on other loads corresponding to the overcurrent, which is preferable.

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, a power supply unit (UPS) with a battery is provided.
Unit can be connected to the power supply unit.
Power can be supplied to the load from the S unit when required.

According to this embodiment, it is preferable that power can be supplied to the load at a required time such as a power failure.

As a further preferred embodiment of the power supply module of the present invention, a power supply unit (UPS) with a battery is provided.
Unit can be connected to the power supply unit.
The S unit enables operation corresponding to the peak load.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to cope with a peak load such as a peak current, so that it is not necessary to add a power supply or a power supply capacity dedicated to the peak, which is preferable.

[0032] The master power supply unit of the present invention comprises an AC input terminal for inputting an external AC, a power supply circuit for converting the external AC to DC from the AC input terminal and outputting the same, and a DC output from the power supply circuit for receiving the external AC. A DC output terminal for
An AC output unit for supplying an external AC from the AC input terminal to the extension power supply unit in a state of being connected in parallel to the extension power supply unit.

The power supply unit for expansion according to the present invention includes an AC input unit for inputting an AC supplied from the power supply unit for master in a state of being connected in parallel to the power supply unit for master, and an AC input unit for inputting the AC power from the AC input unit. And a DC output terminal for outputting a DC output from the power supply circuit to the outside.

As a preferred embodiment of the extension power supply unit of the present invention, the extension power supply unit is provided with an AC output section for supplying an external AC input from the AC input section to another extension power supply unit.

As a preferred embodiment of the extension power supply unit of the present invention, an AC input terminal for inputting an external AC is provided.

According to this embodiment, AC input is possible from the power supply unit for expansion, and the degree of freedom of wiring for the user is increased, which is preferable.

[0037]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

Note that the power supply device in this embodiment is:
The explanation applies to a relatively small switching power supply.
The power supply device of the present invention is not limited to this switching power supply.

(Embodiment 1) FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a DIN rail and a power supply unit for master mounted on the DIN rail.
4 to 4 show a DIN rail, a master power supply unit and an expansion power supply unit mounted thereon, and FIG. 5 shows an electrical connection between the two power supply units.

In these figures, 1 is a din rail, 2 is a master power supply unit, and 3 to 5 are first to third extension power supply units.

The din rail 1 has a master power supply unit 2 and first to third extension power supply units 3 to 5 movably mounted thereon.

In the master power supply unit 2, 2a
Is an AC input terminal, 2b is a DC output terminal, 2c is a power supply circuit, and 2d is an AC output side connector.

The power supply unit 2 for the master has 100 to 240 VAC in which required power supply circuit components are built in a rectangular parallelepiped casing whose front panel has a vertically long rectangular shape.
It is a switching power supply for input, 24VDC output, 2.5A, 60W output.

The AC input terminal 2a is provided at the upper part of the front panel to guide the external commercial AC of 100 to 240 VAC to the internal power supply circuit 2c, and the DC output terminal 2b
Is provided below the front panel and outputs 24 VDC.

The power supply circuit 2c is a 24 VDC stabilized external AC input through the AC input terminal 2a.
And output to the outside via the DC output terminal 2b. In this embodiment, a power supply circuit such as an insulation type switching regulator is used. In addition,
There are various types of power supply circuit systems, which are well known, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

On the front panel of the master power supply unit 2, English symbols are displayed.
“j” indicates that the left-side volume is used for adjusting the output voltage, “DCon” indicates that the output voltage is output when the left-side lamp is lit, and “Alarm” indicates that the left-side lamp is used to adjust the output voltage. Lighting indicates that the master power supply unit 2 is in an abnormal state.

The DC output terminals 2b have two positive (+) sides and two negative (-) sides, and one pair of one positive side and one negative side forms two pairs of DC output terminals. It has a 2b configuration.

The master power supply unit 2 has an AC output side connector 2d on the side panel side for electrically and mechanically connecting to the AC input side connector 3a of the first expansion power supply unit 3. are doing. The AC output-side connector 2d is connected to the AC input-side connector 3a of the first power supply unit 3 for expansion in the first state.
Is configured to be able to supply an alternating current to the extension power supply unit 3.

In the first expansion power supply unit 3, 3
a is an AC input side connector, 3b is a DC output terminal, 3
c is a power supply circuit, and 3d is an AC output side connector.

The first power supply unit 3 for expansion has a casing configuration substantially the same shape as the power supply unit 2 for master,
And 100 to 240 VAC input, 24 VDC output, 2.5
A, a switching power supply for 60W output, which has a structure in which there is no AC input terminal 2a as in the master power supply unit 2 in the upper part of the front panel and a DC output terminal 3b which outputs 24 VDC in the lower part of the front panel. are doing.

In the above case, each power supply unit is classified into the master power supply unit 2 and the extension power supply units 3 to 5. However, only the master power supply unit 2 is used, , One of them may be a master power supply unit, and the other may be an extension power supply unit.

The power supply circuit 3c includes an AC input side connector 3a.
And converts the AC input from the master power supply unit 2 into a stabilized DC output voltage and outputs it to the outside through the DC output terminal 3b. There are various types of the circuit 3c, which are well-known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

The first extension power supply unit 3 also has an English symbol displayed on the front panel similarly to the master power supply unit 2. Among them, “DCon” indicates that the output voltage is obtained by lighting the left lamp. "A
“Larm” indicates that the first extension power supply unit 2 is in an abnormal state by lighting of the left lamp.

The DC output terminal 3b has the same configuration as that of the master power supply unit 2, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The AC input side connector 3a is a connector electrically and mechanically connected to the AC output side connector 2d of the master power supply unit 2, and is electrically connected to the AC output side connector 2d of the master power supply unit 2. , And an alternating current is supplied from the master power supply unit 2.

The AC output side connector 3 d is connected to the AC input side connector 3 a inside the first extension power supply unit 3.
Are electrically connected to each other via appropriate wiring.

The second and third extension power supply units 4,
Reference numeral 5 denotes a switching power supply having the same configuration as that of the first power supply unit 3 for expansion. That is, 4a and 5a are AC input side connectors,
b and 5b are DC output terminals, 4c and 5c are power supply circuits,
4d and 5d are AC output side connectors.

The front panel configuration of the second and third extension power supply units 4 and 5 is the same as that of the first extension power supply unit 3.

Therefore, the second and third extension power supply units 4 and 5 can be arranged so as to be replaced with each other and replaced with the first extension power supply unit 3. Each of the power supply units 2 to 5 can individually output a DC output voltage from each of the DC output terminals 2b to 5b.

In the power supply module of the first embodiment, the alternating current input from the AC input terminal 2a of the master power supply unit 2 is supplied to each of the extension power supply units 3 to 5, and as a result, each of the power supply units 2 To 5 can be individually output from the DC output terminals 2b to 5b.

Each of the power supply units 2 to 5 has an output 24
Since it is for VDC and 2.5 A (60 W output), the output voltage of each of the power supply units 2 to 5 is 24 V and the output current is 2.5 A.

In the case of the first embodiment, since each of the extension power supply units 3 to 5 has no AC input terminal, the cost can be reduced accordingly.

In the case of the first embodiment, the master power supply unit 2 may be used as an expansion power supply unit to unify the models. In this case, no wiring is required and the cost can be further reduced, which is preferable.

(Embodiment 2) A power supply module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In these figures, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the power supply module according to the second embodiment,
Power supply unit 2 for master and power supply unit 3 for each extension
5 are connected in common to each other, so that the master power supply unit 2 is provided with a DC output side connector 2f, and each of the extension power supply units 3 to 5
Are provided with DC input side connectors 3e to 5e and DC output side connectors 3f to 5f.

Therefore, in the case of Embodiment 2, each of the power supply units 2 to 5 has an output of 24 VDC 2.5 A (60
W output), the output voltage of each of the power supply units 2 to 5 is 24 V, but the output current is 10.0 A.

That is, in the case of the second embodiment, the power supply capacity of only the master power supply unit 2 is 24 V × 2, 5 A = 60
If it is W, but the power capacity alone cannot handle the load, the first expansion power supply unit 3 is expanded. Thereby, the power supply capacity is 24 V × 2, 5 A × 2 = 120 W
Becomes If the power supply capacity is insufficient with this alone, the power supply capacity may be increased by connecting and extending the second and third power supply units for expansion 4 and 5 in parallel thereafter.

As a result, according to the power supply module of the second embodiment, a power supply maker can provide a power supply of an arbitrary capacity to a user only by manufacturing a power supply unit having the same output voltage, for example. Therefore, it is not necessary to develop power supplies having different capacities as in the above, and accordingly, the development cost can be reduced and the selling price can be reduced. Further, the number of power supply units having the same capacity is increased, and the selling price can be further reduced, which is convenient for the user. In this case, for the user, in addition to the low selling price of one power supply unit, one power supply unit having the same capacity is used in accordance with the application as compared with purchasing a separate power supply for each capacity.
You only need to buy one or more, so it is even cheaper.

The above-described second embodiment is further preferred because it can save labor for ordering and inventory management, and can reduce the management cost.

The power supply units 2 to 5 may output 24 VDC independently of each other, or may output 24 VDC individually. In this case, the selection between independent and individual may be performed by, for example, disposing the selection switch on the front panel of the master power supply unit 2 and operating the selection switch. The internal circuit configuration and mechanism in this case are not shown.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Embodiment 3
This is an addition of the intelligent function on the front panel of the power supply unit 2 for the master. The internal power supply circuit uses an aluminum electrolytic capacitor for power generation. It mainly depends on the capacity deterioration of the aluminum electrolytic capacitor. Therefore, when a life prediction circuit for predicting the life of the master power supply unit 2 is built in from the deterioration of the capacity of the aluminum electrolytic capacitor, a life prediction lamp is provided on the front panel, and an intelligent function for predicting the life by lighting this lamp is provided. Provide.

This power supply module is a combination of a plurality of power supply units, and a communication / control microcomputer (CPU) 2g for performing communication with the outside as shown in FIG. To enable communication with a personal computer in a centralized management center at an appropriate place such as a factory.

Note that, besides the CPU 2g, 4 to 20 m
There is a state by analog input / output represented by A, for example, monitoring of the output voltage and output current and control of the state, or control by means such as a logic circuit.

As the contents of such communication, for example, data such as output power, output voltage, power supply efficiency, temperature, etc. may be transmitted and received. By doing so, the control of the power supply module and the individual power supply units in the power supply module can be controlled by communication. As the contents of this control, a control signal for determining the order of start-up of each power supply unit and setting the start-up time can be communicated.
In this case, various operation conditions such as the load factor of the power supply unit, the output voltage of the power supply unit, and the output voltage may be monitored via communication. Such centralized management is performed by a programmable controller (PLC) or the like in addition to the personal computer.

(Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment,
The master power supply unit 2 and the extension power supply units 3 to 5 may be used as main power supply modules, and an extension power supply unit 6 having an output voltage of 12 VDC 5 A, for example, may be added to the main power supply module. By doing so, each of the power supply units 2 to 5 constituting the main power supply module outputs 24 VDC, and the extension power supply unit 6 can provide a power supply capable of outputting 12 VDC, which is capable of multi-output. Of course, one or more of the power supply units for extension of other output voltages may be combined.

(Fifth Embodiment) A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Embodiment 5
In the first embodiment, a terminal box (branch unit) 7 with a fuse function can be added to the main power supply module on the din rail 1 as an option.

The branch unit 7 includes a pair of input terminals 7a1 and 7a2 to which an input voltage of 24 VDC is input from any power supply unit in the main power supply module.
One end of each of the fuses 7b1 to 7b4 is commonly connected to one of the input terminals 7a1 as fuses 7b1 to 7b4, the output terminals 7c1 to 7c4 are respectively connected to the other ends of the fuses 7b1 to 7b4, and the other input terminal. The other output terminals 7d1 to 7d4 commonly connected to 7a2 are provided.

In this case, the output terminals 7c1, 7d1; 7c
4, 7d2; 7c3, 7d3; 7c4, 7d4 constitute four pairs of output terminals, and a load (not shown) can be connected between the output terminals of each pair. The current limiting means may be a breaker other than a fuse, an electronic means, or any other means.

By the way, if the power supply unit in the main power supply module is provided with an overcurrent protection function and has a function of stopping power supply output in case of overcurrent, if only these power supply units are used, When the load connected to one power supply unit becomes overloaded, the entire main power supply module enters an output stop state.

Therefore, in the branch unit 7 described above, even if the load connected between any one of the output terminals becomes overloaded and an overcurrent flows in order to eliminate the output stop state, the branch unit 7 can cope with it. The fuse to be blown is melted and cut to eliminate the effect on other loads.

For example, if the total current is 16 A, if a short circuit occurs on one load side, there is a risk that 16 A or more will flow through the load at maximum. Overcurrent can be prevented from flowing to the load. In this case, when a wiring corresponding to 4 A is used between each output terminal and the load, 16 A
This is preferable because the overcurrent can be prevented from flowing.

Further, when a load current of 4 A is required for the load from each output terminal side and a power supply capable of supplying a load current of 16 A is required, there is a branch unit 7 of the fifth embodiment. Since the current from the input terminal can be branched at each output terminal and supplied to the load, a power supply capable of supplying a large load current is not required.

(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described again with reference to FIG. 5 used for describing the above-described embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the user is set to 7.
In order to cope with a load of 5 A, the power supply unit for master 2 and the power supply units for expansion 3 and 4 can cope with the load. Then, if any of the power supply units fails, the extension power supply unit 5 can be used as a spare.

Conventionally, as a power supply unit for backing up a power supply unit corresponding to a load of 7.5 A, a power supply unit of 7.
Since a power supply unit of 5 A is required, a similar power supply unit for backup is used.
A power supply unit corresponding to 5A is required as a spare, which is disadvantageous in cost.

On the other hand, according to the sixth embodiment, 7.5 A
The power supply modules corresponding to the loads of 3 are three power supply units, in this case, the master power supply unit 2 of 2.5 A each, and the first and second expansion power supply units 3 and 4.
Power is supplied to a 7.5 A load by using the three power supply units, and only the 2.5 A third expansion power supply unit 5 is required as a spare, so that the purchase cost of the spare power supply unit is greatly reduced. can do.

(Seventh Embodiment) A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the seventh embodiment, the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit 8 is connected to the din rail 1
It can be expanded above. A battery is built in the UPS unit 8. In the event of a power failure, power cannot be supplied to the load from each of the master power supply unit 2 and the expansion power supply units 3 to 5 that constitute the main power supply module. To prevent this, power can be supplied from the UPS unit 8 to the load during a power failure. In this case, the UPS unit 8 may be provided with a charging function or the like.

(Eighth Embodiment) An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the eighth embodiment, the UPS unit 9 corresponding to the peak load can be added on the din rail 1.

Here, the power supply load has a peak load. For example, in a load such as a DC motor, a peak current may flow. In order to cope with such a peak current, in the conventional case, a measure such as a power supply for a peak load or an increase in a power supply capacity is required.

In the eighth embodiment, since a current corresponding to a peak load can be supplied from the UPS unit 9 to the load, it is not necessary to take measures such as a power supply for the peak load or an increase in the power supply capacity, which is preferable.

In the above-described embodiment, connectors are used for AC input / output and DC input / output between the master power supply unit and the extension power supply unit and between the extension power supply units. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the AC input unit, the AC output unit, the DC input unit, and the DC output unit may be formed by using other connection means.

Ninth Embodiment A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of the power supply module of Embodiment 9, the communication unit 10
Can be connected, and the communication unit 10 can control the power supply by the built-in microcomputer 11 according to the contents of communication with the outside.

(Tenth Embodiment) A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the case of the power supply module of the tenth embodiment, all the power supply modules are master power supply units 2. In this case, the master power supply unit 2 has the same configuration as shown in FIG. 17, and includes an AC input terminal 2a, a DC output terminal 2b, and a power supply circuit 2.
c, AC output side connector 2d, AC input side connector 2
g, DC input side connector 2e, DC output side connector 2f
have.

In the case of the tenth embodiment, only one type of power supply unit for master is required as the type of power supply unit, and the cost can be reduced.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of power supply units are provided, and at least one of the power supply units is used as a master power supply unit and one of the other power supply units. One or more power supply units for expansion can be connected in parallel so that the external power supply is supplied from the power supply unit for master to the power supply unit for expansion. Since the power supply unit for power supply can input an external alternating current from the power supply unit for master, it becomes a power supply module which can obtain an arbitrary power supply capacity as a whole by increasing or decreasing the number of power supply units.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a front panel of a master power supply unit in the power supply module according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an internal circuit of each power supply unit in the power supply module according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of a terminal box in the power supply module of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power supply module according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of a tenth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 din rail 2 power supply unit for master 3 to 5 first to third power supply unit for extension

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masashi Gojusumi 801 Shidokoji Shimogyo-ku, Shiorikyo-ku, Higashi-iri, Minami-Fudo-cho, Omron Corporation (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Tsubota Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 801 Shiouji-Dori Horikawa Higashi-iri Minami-Fudodou-cho Omron Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tsunetoshi Oba 801 Shiouji-Dori Horikawa Higashi-iri Minami-Fudo-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Omron Corporation (72) Inventor Hideki Kobori Omron Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takatoshi Otomo, Shimogyo-ku, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Shimogyo-ku, Higashi-iri, Higashi-iri Minami-Fudo-do, 801 72) Inventor: Katsuya Marumo None (reference) 5G065 AA00 DA01 EA06 FA01 HA04 MA01 MA10 5H730 AA11 AA15 AA16 AS01 BB82 CC01 FF09 XX15 ZZ01 ZZ04

Claims (17)

[Claims] A plurality of power supply units, at least one of the power supply units serving as a master power supply unit, and one or more of the other power supply units serving as an extension power supply unit; A power supply module, wherein the power supply module is connected so that an external alternating current can be supplied from the master power supply unit to the extension power supply unit. 2. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein said power supply units have the same power supply capacity. 3. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein when the desired power supply capacity exceeds the power supply capacity of the master power supply unit, the expansion power supply unit is connected to the master power supply unit such that the power supply capacity can be expanded. And a power supply module. 4. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein another power supply unit is connected so that an external alternating current can be input from the master power supply unit, and the other power supply unit has its own output. A power supply module capable of outputting a voltage. 5. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein an output voltage of each power supply unit can be output in common. 6. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein an output voltage of each power supply unit can be individually output. 7. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the power supply units has a function of predicting power supply life. 8. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein said master power supply unit controls a power supply in accordance with contents of communication with the outside. 9. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said power supply units controls a power supply according to contents of communication with the outside. 10. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein a communication unit is connectable to the power supply unit, and the power supply is controlled by the communication unit in accordance with contents of communication with the outside. And power supply module. 11. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein a branch unit is connectable to said power supply unit, and said branch unit enables a branch operation according to a load state. Power supply module. 12. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein a battery-mounted power supply unit (UPS) is connectable to said power supply unit, and power can be supplied from said UPS unit to a load when required. A power supply module, characterized in that: 13. The power supply module according to claim 1, wherein a battery-mounted power supply unit (UPS) is connectable to said power supply unit, and said UPS unit is operable to handle a peak load. And power supply module. 14. A power supply unit for a master used in the power supply module according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein an AC input terminal for inputting an external AC, and an external AC converted to DC from the AC input terminal. A power supply circuit for outputting, a DC output terminal for outputting a DC output from the power supply circuit to the outside, and an external AC from the AC input terminal connected to the extension power supply unit in parallel to the extension power supply unit. A power supply unit for a master, comprising: an AC output unit for supplying; 15. An expansion power supply unit used in the power supply module according to claim 1, wherein an AC supplied from the master power supply unit is connected in parallel with the master power supply unit. An AC input unit for inputting, a power supply circuit for converting an AC input from the AC input unit to DC and outputting the same, and a DC output terminal for outputting a DC output from the power supply circuit to the outside. Power supply unit for expansion. 16. The expansion power supply unit according to claim 15, further comprising: an AC output unit for supplying an external AC input from the AC input unit to another expansion power supply unit. Power supply unit. 17. The expansion power supply unit according to claim 15, further comprising an AC input terminal for inputting an external AC.