JP2011030367A - Device, method, program and circuit for control of power supply unit, and power supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device, method, program and circuit for controlling power supply units which are connected in parallel, and to provide a power supply system comprising the power supply units connected in parallel and a power supply control device for controlling the units. <P>SOLUTION: The power supply control device includes a power supply control means for controlling a system such that power supply to a load of the other power supply unit may become uniform when power supply of at least one power supply unit in a plurality of the power supply units connected in parallel to the same load is reduced and a fan for cooling, which is included in the power supply unit, stops. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply unit control device, control method, control program, control circuit, and power supply system, and in particular, a power supply control device that reduces driving power and noise of redundant power supply fans in a plurality of parallel connected power supply units, The present invention relates to a control method, a control program, a control circuit, and a power supply system including power supply units connected in parallel and a power supply control device for controlling them.

  In order to flexibly support equipment with different power requirements and improve power supply reliability, combine as many power units as required to meet the required power and redundancy. In parallel, redundant power supply systems connected in parallel have been developed.

  An example of a method of operating a plurality of power supply units in parallel is described in Patent Document 1.

  Each of the plurality of power supply units described in Patent Document 1 includes a circuit that generates an adjustable reference voltage, and a circuit that transmits a reference voltage that is an output of the circuit to all power supply units including itself. A circuit for receiving a reference voltage transmitted from another power supply unit, and a circuit for determining output power based on the received reference voltage. The power supply unit further includes an output current detection circuit that detects a first voltage that represents the output current value of the power supply unit, and a terminal that detects a second voltage that represents the output current of another power supply device that is operated in parallel. And a circuit for raising the received reference voltage so as to eliminate the difference between the first and second voltages and balancing the output current.

  In the parallel operation method described in Patent Document 1, one of a plurality of power supply units is a master and the other is a slave, and the master and each slave receive a reference voltage generated and transmitted by the master. The master and each slave adjust the output voltage to the reference voltage generated by the master, and if there is a difference between the first and second voltages, raise the reference voltage so that the difference disappears, and output the power supply unit. Operates to balance current.

  Patent Document 2 describes an example of a parallel redundant power supply system that maintains an output voltage within a predetermined required accuracy when there is a variation in output current with respect to a load.

  The parallel redundant power supply system described in Patent Literature 2 includes a plurality of redundant AC-DC switching power supplies connected in parallel to an external AC power supply and a target load. The AC-DC switching power supply includes a self-power supply output current detection unit, a comparison unit, a maximum current tracking control unit, an output voltage stabilization control unit, a reference voltage generation unit, and a reference voltage correction unit, and another power supply that operates in parallel. Are connected to each other by a signal line, and generally operate as follows.

  The own power source output current detection unit detects the output current of the own power source, outputs it to the comparison unit, and outputs it to the signal line via the diode. The voltage on the signal line is a voltage corresponding to the maximum current of a plurality of connected power supplies. The comparison unit compares the output current signal of the own power source with the maximum current signal on the signal line. If the output current of the own power source is smaller, the maximum current tracking control unit sends a signal for increasing the output voltage to the output voltage stabilization control unit, thereby balancing the output currents of the power sources connected in parallel.

  However, the reference voltage obtained from the reference voltage generation unit for the output voltage stabilization control unit to determine the output voltage varies depending on the change in the output current. The reference voltage correction unit minimizes the change in the reference voltage due to the change in the output voltage, and works to cancel the change in voltage drop due to the reverse current prevention diode normally built in the parallel power supply. Increase the accuracy of the output voltage at the time.

  Patent Document 3 describes an example of a parallel power supply system in which a plurality of power supply modules are connected in parallel.

  The parallel power supply system described in Patent Document 3 includes a plurality of power supply modules connected in parallel. The power supply module includes a current sensing circuit and a voltage sensing circuit for sensing the output current and output voltage of the module, a microprocessor, a communication link for connecting and enabling communication between the microprocessors of the plurality of power supply modules, and a fan. . The fan is provided with a tachometer for outputting the rotation speed and a thermometer. This parallel power supply system operates as follows.

  The value of the output current or output voltage of the power supply module sensed by the current sensing circuit or voltage sensing circuit is given to the microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the output current or output voltage of the power supply module so as not to deviate from a predetermined range. The microprocessor also controls the output voltage of the power supply module so that the output current of each power supply module is close to the average output current of each power supply module calculated by the microprocessor of the master module selected from multiple power supply modules. To do.

  The microprocessor also determines the appropriate rotation speed of the fan based on the temperature measured by the thermometer attached to the fan, and controls the voltage applied to the fan to control the fan so that the rotation speed is appropriate. Control the rotation speed. Further, the microprocessor predicts a failure of the fan depending on whether or not the rotational speed when the maximum voltage is applied to the fan is reduced.

  Patent Document 4 describes an example of a power supply cooling system in an electronic apparatus including a plurality of power supply devices.

  The power supply cooling system described in Patent Document 4 includes a plurality of power supply devices, a cooling control unit, a power supply number detection unit, and a power supply operation number detection unit, and is incorporated in an electronic device such as a PC server. The number of power supply devices mounted on the electronic device can be changed according to the redundancy required for the load and the power supply. The power supply device includes a plurality of cooling fans capable of controlling the rotation speed from the outside, and a position detection unit that detects a position where the power supply device is mounted. This power supply cooling device operates as follows.

  The power supply number detection unit detects the number of power supply units installed in an electronic device such as a PC server, and the power supply operation number detection unit detects the number of operating power supply units excluding the power supply unit that has failed and stopped. To detect. Further, the position detection unit detects a position where the power supply device is mounted. The cooling control unit sets the optimal cooling capacity for each power supply unit according to the output to the load according to the load and the number of power supply units installed, and the conditions and environment of the place where the power supply unit is installed. The number of rotations of the cooling fan included in the power supply device is controlled.

JP-A-4-322129 JP 9-93929 A JP-A-10-94252 JP 2000-307283 A

  However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 balance the output power of all the power supply devices equally among the plurality of power supply devices connected in parallel, and drive all the power supply devices. It was necessary to keep the fans included in all the power supply units in operation and perform cooling. Therefore, even if the number of power supply devices is redundant with respect to the load, there is a problem in that it is not possible to stop the fans for the redundant power supplies and reduce the driving power of the fans.

  The technique described in Patent Document 3 controls the power supply apparatus so that the output of the power supply apparatus becomes equal, and operates the fan at an optimum rotational speed with respect to the output of the power supply apparatus. The technology is to operate the fan at an optimum rotational speed with respect to the output of the power supply device and the installation position, but it is assumed that the output power of all normal power supply devices is equal. Therefore, even if the number of power supply devices is redundant with respect to the load, there is a problem in that it is not possible to stop the fans for the redundant power supplies and reduce the driving power of the fans.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, a power supply control device that controls a power supply unit connected in parallel, a power supply control method, a power supply control program, a power supply control circuit, a power supply unit connected in parallel, and their An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply system including a power supply control device that performs control.

  In the power supply control device of the present invention, the power supply of at least one of a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load is reduced, and the cooling fan included in the power supply unit is stopped. In this case, power supply control means for performing control so that power supply to the load of the other power supply unit is equalized is included.

  According to the power supply control method of the present invention, the power supply of at least one of a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load is reduced, and the cooling fan included in the power supply unit is stopped. In such a case, control is performed so that the power supply to the loads of the other power supply units becomes equal.

  The power supply system of the present invention includes a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load, and a power supply control device, each of the plurality of power supply units receives a signal for setting an output voltage, Voltage adjusting means for determining a voltage output by itself according to a signal for setting the received output voltage, power measuring means for measuring power output by itself, and a power value for transmitting a power value measured by the power measuring means The power supply control device includes a transmission unit and a cooling fan, and the power supply control device reduces power supply of at least one of the plurality of power supply units and stops the fan included in the power supply unit. And a power supply control means for performing control so that the power supply to the load of the other power supply unit is equalized.

  In the power supply system control method of the present invention, each of a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load receives a signal for setting an output voltage, and the signal is set by the received signal for setting the output voltage. A step of determining a voltage to be output; a step of measuring power output by itself in each of the power supply units; and transmitting a measured power value; and at least one of the plurality of power supply units in the power supply control device. And controlling to equalize the power supply to the loads of the other power supply units when the power supply decreases and the fan included in the power supply unit stops.

  According to the program of the present invention, the process of reducing the output power of at least one of a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load and the power supply to the load of the other power supply units are equalized. The computer is caused to perform a process for performing the control.

  The circuit of the present invention controls the output power of at least one of a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load so that the power supply to the loads of the other power supply units becomes equal. Power supply control means is provided.

  The present invention has an effect of reducing the driving power of fans corresponding to the redundant number in a power supply system in which redundant power supply units are connected in parallel to a load. In addition, it is possible to reduce the noise of fans for redundant units.

It is a figure which shows the power supply control apparatus 1 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the power supply device 1 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the power supply system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the power supply unit in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the power supply control apparatus in 2nd, 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the power supply system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the power supply system in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the power supply system in 4th, 5th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the power supply system in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the power supply system in 5th Embodiment.

  Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the power supply control apparatus of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the power supply control device 1 according to the first embodiment is connected to voltage control lines 21 to 23 and includes power supply control means 11. The voltage control lines 21 to 23 are connected to the power supply units 3A to 3C, respectively.

  The power supply unit is a device that converts alternating current into direct current and supplies it to a load. In the power supply control device 1 in this embodiment, the power supply control unit 11 controls a plurality of power supply units having a so-called N + 1 redundant configuration via the voltage control lines 21 to 23.

  The N + 1 redundant configuration is a configuration in which the total output power of all power supply units is one power supply unit greater than the required power, and each power supply unit is connected in parallel to the load via a diode for preventing current backflow. Refers to that. Although the number of power supply units in FIG. 1 is three, this is an example and is not limited to three.

  The power supply control means 11 transmits the signal which sets an output voltage separately with respect to the power supply unit connected to each voltage control line via the voltage control lines 21-23, and is output of a power supply unit. Control the voltage.

  When the power supply unit receives the signal for setting the output voltage, the power supply unit determines the output voltage according to the received signal.

  The power supply unit includes a fan, and the fan stops rotating when the output power of the power supply unit including the fan decreases and the power supply unit can operate with natural air cooling.

  Whether or not operation by natural air cooling is possible is determined whether the output power is below a predetermined value, whether the temperature measured by a thermometer attached to the power supply unit is below a predetermined value, etc. , Using a known method.

  Further, the fan may be any fan that stops when the power supply unit including the fan can be operated by natural air cooling, and the rotation speed thereof may be proportional to a predetermined measurement value or the like within a predetermined range. Alternatively, it may be determined whether to rotate or stop at a predetermined speed depending on whether a predetermined measurement value or the like exceeds a threshold value.

  Further, the fan may reduce the rotational speed without stopping. If the fan does not stop and the rotational speed is reduced, the description of stopping the fan in the following description is read as reducing the rotational speed of the fan to the minimum speed.

  Next, the operation of the power supply control device in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply control device 1.

  When the power supply control device 1 starts operating by a user operation (step A1), the power supply control unit 11 first controls each power supply unit so that the output power of all the power supply units becomes equal (step A2). Next, it is confirmed that each power supply unit is operating normally (step A3).

  If there is a faulty power supply unit (step A4, N), the power supply control device 1 causes the power supply control means 11 to make the normal output power of each power supply unit that is operating normally. The output voltage of the power supply unit is controlled (step A8).

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed that all the power supply units are operating normally (step A4, Y), the power supply control device 1 selects one power supply unit by a predetermined method (step A5), A signal for lowering the output voltage is transmitted to the selected power supply unit by the power supply control means 11 (step A6).

  The power supply unit that has received the signal for lowering the output voltage lowers its output voltage. Since each power supply unit is connected in parallel, when the output voltage of one power supply unit starts to decrease, the power supply from the power supply unit whose output voltage has decreased decreases, and the reduced power is consumed by other power supply units. Supply will be started from.

  Since the power supply unit has an N + 1 redundant configuration, even if power supply from one redundant power supply unit is stopped, power can be supplied by another power supply unit. The power supply unit whose output voltage is reduced and the supplied power is reduced stops the fan included in the power supply unit when it can be operated by natural air cooling (step A7).

  If the rotation of the fan included in the power supply unit stops, the power supply from the power supply unit whose output voltage has decreased may be continued while decreasing or may be stopped. The power supply control means 11 may stop the operation of the power supply unit instead of reducing the power supply unit output voltage.

  As described above, the present embodiment has an effect that the power for driving the fan of one redundant power supply unit can be reduced in the power supply units connected in parallel in the N + 1 redundant configuration. In addition, there is an effect that noise caused by stopping the fan for one power supply unit can be reduced.

  The reason for this is that by reducing the voltage of one redundant power supply unit, the output voltage of the power supply unit is lowered to enable natural air-cooling operation and the fan stops.

  Next, a power supply system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

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

  Referring to FIG. 3, the power supply system in the present embodiment includes a power supply control device 1, a plurality of power supply units 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> C, voltage control lines 21 to 23, and power measurement value transmission lines 41 to 43. All the power supply units of this embodiment are connected in parallel to the load via a diode for preventing current backflow.

  The power supply control device 1 and the power supply units 3A to 3C are connected through voltage control lines 21 to 23 so that the power supply control device 1 can set the output voltages of the power supply units 3A to 3C.

  The power supply control device 1 and the power supply units 3A to 3C are further connected via the power measurement value transmission lines 41 to 43 so that the power supply control device 1 can read the measurement values of the output power of the power supply units 3A to 3C. Has been.

  In this embodiment, the number of power supply units is three. However, the number of power supply units is not limited to three, and is the number of power supply units that can cover the power required by the load plus one. I just need it. Further, the voltage control line 21 and the power measurement value transmission line 41 may share the same line. Similarly, the voltage control line 22 and the power measurement value transmission line 42 and the voltage control line 23 and the power measurement value transmission line 43 may share the same line.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power supply unit 3A in the present embodiment. The other power supply units 3B and 3C have the same configuration.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the power supply unit includes an output voltage adjusting unit 31, an output power measuring unit 32, a fan 33, and a fan control unit 34.

  The output voltage adjusting unit 31 receives the set value of the output voltage transmitted by the power supply control device 1 and adjusts the output voltage so that the output voltage of the own power supply unit becomes the received set value. The output power measuring means 32 measures the output power of the own power supply unit, and transmits the measured value of the measurement result to the power supply control device 1 via the power measurement value transmitting means 41.

  The fan control unit 34 controls the fan 33 to stop the rotation when the output power of the power supply unit including the fan control unit 34 is lowered and becomes operable by natural air cooling.

  The determination as to whether or not the operation can be performed by natural air cooling is performed based on, for example, whether the temperature measured with a thermometer or whether the output power measured by the output power measurement unit 32 exceeds a predetermined value. Any known method can be used.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the power supply control device 1 in the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the power supply control device 1 includes a power supply control unit 11, a power measurement value receiving unit 12, and a failure detection unit 13. The power supply control means 11 determines the output voltage of the power supply unit by a predetermined method, transmits the set value of the output voltage to the output voltage adjustment means 31 of each power supply unit via the voltage control lines 21 to 23, and Set the output voltage of the power supply unit.

  The power measurement value receiving unit 12 receives the measurement value of the output power from each power supply unit via the power measurement value transmission lines 41 to 43. The failure detection unit 13 detects a failure of each power supply unit based on the power measurement value received by the power measurement value reception unit 12 and the output voltage set by the power supply control unit 11.

  Generally, there are variations in power supply units and related circuits, and even if the output voltages of all power supply units are set to be the same, the actual output voltages are not necessarily the same. Therefore, the control in which the power supply control means 11 makes the output power of each power supply unit equal, for example, the output voltage of each power supply unit so that the measured power value obtained by the power measurement value receiving means 12 becomes uniform. This can be done by fine-tuning the settings individually.

  When all the power supply units are operating normally without failure, the output power of each power supply unit measured by the output power measuring means 32 should be approximately equal.

  When a power supply unit fails, the supply of power from the failed power supply unit may decrease from the normal time, or power supply may not be performed. In such a case, the measured value of the output power obtained by the output power measuring means included in the failed power supply unit should be small.

  Therefore, when the output power reduction is generated even though the output voltage reduction control is not performed by the power supply control means, it is possible to detect the failure by assuming that the power supply unit has failed. it can.

  For example, the failure detection means 13 detects the failure by adjusting the output voltage setting value of each power supply unit so that the output voltage of each power supply unit becomes equal. Even if it is equal to or larger than the set value, the measured power value is smaller than other power supply units, or the case where the supplied power remains zero remains as a failure, etc. It is possible.

  The power supply unit and the power supply control device can be realized by a hardware circuit or a computer controlled by a program.

  Next, the operation of the power supply system in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system in the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when the power is turned on by the user and the power supply system starts operating (step B1), the power supply control device 1 uses the power supply control unit 11 to equalize the output power of all the power supply units. The output voltage of the power supply unit is controlled (step B2). Next, the power supply control device 1 checks whether each power supply unit is operating normally (step B3).

  When all the power supply units are operating normally (Step B4, Y), the power supply control device 1 selects one power supply unit by a predetermined method (Step B5) and outputs the selected power supply unit. The voltage is lowered (step B6), the output voltage of each power supply unit is controlled so that the output power of the other power supply units is equal (step B8), and it is confirmed whether or not the other power supply unit has failed. (Step B9).

  When the output voltage of one power supply unit selected in step B5 is lowered, power is not supplied from the power supply unit, and energy loss in the power supply unit is reduced. When the energy released as heat decreases and the power supply unit can be operated by natural air cooling, the fan included in the power supply unit stops rotating (step B7).

  If there is one failed power supply unit (step B4, N), the power supply control device 1 controls the output voltage of each power supply unit so that the output power of each normal power supply unit becomes equal (step B11). ).

  Further, as a result of the confirmation in step B9, when a failure is detected in any of the power supply units that are controlled so that the output voltages are equal (step B10, N), the power supply control device 1 causes the power supply control means 11 to Increase the output voltage of the power supply unit that had decreased the output voltage, and control the output voltage of each power supply unit other than the failed power supply unit so that the output power is equal to other normal power supply units (step B11).

  As described above, the failure can be detected by a known method such as detecting a decrease in the output power of the power supply unit that is not controlled by the power supply control unit 11.

  As described above, this embodiment has an effect of reducing the power for driving one fan of the power supply unit. In addition, there is an effect that noise due to the operation of one fan of the power supply unit can be reduced.

  The reason for this is that by reducing the voltage of one redundant power supply unit, the output voltage of the power supply unit is lowered to enable natural air-cooling operation and the fan stops.

  Next, a power supply system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The configuration of the power supply system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. The configuration of the power supply units 3A to 3C is the same as the configuration of the power supply unit shown in FIG. 4, and the configuration of the power supply control device 1 is the same as the configuration of the power supply control device shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the power supply system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system of this embodiment. Here, the difference from the operation of the power supply system according to the second embodiment will be mainly described.

  When the operation of the power supply system of the present embodiment is started by a user operation (step C1), the power supply control device 1 first outputs the output of each power supply unit by the power supply control means so that the output power of all the power supply units becomes equal. The voltage is controlled (step C2).

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not each power supply unit is operating normally (step C3). If all the power supply units are operating normally (step C4, Y), they are selected by predetermined means (step C5). ) Decrease the output voltage of one power supply unit (step C6).

  The fan included in the power supply unit in which the output voltage is reduced and the output power is reduced is stopped (step C7).

  The power supply control device performs control so that the output currents of the other power supply units are uniform (step C8), and checks whether all of the power supply units are operating normally (step C9).

  After a certain period of time has elapsed after the output voltage of the selected one power supply unit has been lowered (step C12, Y), the output voltage of the power supply unit that has reduced the output voltage is raised (and output with other power supply units). The output voltage of each power supply unit is controlled so that the power becomes equal (step C13).

  Next, one power supply unit for decreasing the voltage is selected by a predetermined method (step C14), and the output voltage is decreased to operate in a natural air cooling (step C6). The fan included in the power supply unit whose output voltage has been lowered stops (step C7). Furthermore, the power supply control device 1 controls the output power of the other power supply units to be equal (step C8).

  As described above, the power supply control unit 1 repeats the operation of switching the power supply unit that reduces the output voltage at regular intervals. The selection of the power supply unit that lowers the output voltage next in step C14 is, for example, selected in a predetermined order so that the time during which the output voltage of each power supply unit is reduced is equal for all power supply units. Do it by methods.

  As described above, the present embodiment has an effect that the power for driving the fan of one redundant power supply unit can be reduced. In addition, there is an effect that noise caused by stopping the fan for one power supply unit can be reduced.

  The reason for this is that by reducing the voltage of one redundant power supply unit, the output voltage of the power supply unit is lowered to enable natural air-cooling operation and the fan stops.

  Furthermore, this embodiment has an effect that the deterioration of the power supply unit can be made uniform.

  The reason is that the power supply time is equalized in all power supply units.

  Next, a power supply system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of power supply units 3A to 3D is the same as the configuration of the power supply unit shown in FIG. 4, and the configuration of power supply control device 1 is the same as the configuration of the power supply control device shown in FIG. The following description will focus on the differences from the second embodiment of the power supply system of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the power supply system according to the present embodiment includes a power supply control device 1, power supply units 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D, voltage control lines 21 to 24, and power measurement value transmission lines 41 to 44.

  In the present embodiment, there are four power supply units, and the total output power of these power supply units is two power supply units more than necessary power. Here, as an example, the number of power supply units is four, and the number of redundant units is two of them. However, the number is not limited to these.

  The difference between the present embodiment and the second embodiment is that the number of redundant power supply units is one in the second embodiment, whereas the second embodiment has a plurality of units. There is a point.

  The power supply control device 1 and the power supply units 3A to 3D in the present embodiment are connected by voltage control lines 21 to 24 and power measurement value transmission lines 41 to 44, respectively. In this embodiment, all the power supply units are connected in parallel to the load via a diode for preventing a backflow of current, as in the second embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the power supply system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system of this embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 9, when the power is turned on by the user and the power supply system starts operating (step D1), the power supply control device 1 uses the power supply control unit 11 to equalize the output power of all the power supply units. The output voltage of the power supply unit is controlled (step D2).

  Next, it is confirmed whether each power supply unit is operating normally. If there is a failed power supply unit, the number of failed units is confirmed (step D3). The power supply control device 1 determines the number of power supply units that reduce the output voltage by a predetermined method from the number of power supply unit failures and the required power (step D4).

  The power supply control device 1 selects the determined number of power supply units by a predetermined method, and reduces the output voltage of the selected plurality of power supply units (step D5). The fan included in the power supply unit that has been able to operate with natural air cooling because the output voltage is reduced and the output power is reduced stops the operation (step D6).

  Note that the number of power supply units that operate without lowering the output voltage may be the minimum number required for the load, or a load that minimizes the ratio of energy lost as heat in the power supply unit. However, the number of power supply units that can operate most efficiently may be used.

  The power supply control device 1 controls the output power of the power supply unit by the power supply control means 11 so that the output voltages of the power supply units other than the power supply unit whose output voltage has been reduced become equal (step D7). The power supply control device 1 confirms whether the power supply controlled so that the output power is equalized by the failure detection means 13 is normal (step D8), and if all are normal (step D9, Y), each power supply The output power of the unit is kept equal (step D7).

  When a failure is detected in step D9 (step D9, N), the power supply control device 1 selects only the number of power supply units in which the failure is detected from the power supply units whose output voltage is reduced, and selects the selected power supply. The output voltage of the unit is increased (step D10), and control is performed so that the output power is equal to other power supply units (step D7).

  As described above, this embodiment has an effect that the power for driving the fans of the plurality of power supply units for redundancy can be reduced. Further, there is an effect that noise caused by stopping the fans for a plurality of power supply units can be reduced.

  The reason is that by reducing the voltage of a plurality of redundant power supply units, the output voltage of the power supply unit is reduced, enabling operation with natural air cooling, and the fan is stopped.

  Next, a power supply system according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The configuration of the power supply system according to the fifth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the power supply system according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. The configuration of the power supply units 3A to 3D is the same as the configuration of the power supply unit shown in FIG. 4, and the configuration of the power supply control device 1 is the same as the configuration of the power supply control device shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the power supply system according to the fifth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply system according to the fifth embodiment. Here, the difference from the power supply system according to the third embodiment will be mainly described.

  Referring to FIG. 10, when the power is turned on by the user and the power supply system starts operating (step E1), the power supply control device 1 uses the power supply control unit 11 to equalize the output power of all the power supply units. The output voltage of the power supply unit is controlled (step E2).

  Next, it is confirmed whether each power supply unit is operating normally. If there is a failed power supply unit, the number of failed units is confirmed (step E3). The power supply control device 1 determines the number of power supply units that reduce the output voltage by a predetermined method from the number of power supply unit failures and the necessary power (step E4).

  The power supply control device 1 selects the determined number of power supply units by a predetermined method, and lowers the output voltage of the selected plurality of power supply units (step E5). The fan included in the power supply unit that has been able to operate with natural air cooling because the output voltage has decreased and the output power has decreased, stops operating (step E6).

  The power supply control device 1 controls the output voltage of the power supply units other than the power supply unit whose output voltage is lowered by the power supply control means 11 so that the output power of the power supply unit becomes equal (step E7).

  The power supply control device 1 confirms whether the power supply controlled so that the output power is equalized by the failure detection means 13 is normal (step E8), and if all are normal (step E9, Y), each power supply Keep the output power of the unit even.

  When a failure is detected in step E9 (step E9, N), the power supply control device 1 selects only the number of power supply units in which the failure is detected from the power supply units whose output voltage is reduced, and the selected power supply The output voltage of the unit is increased (step E10), and control is performed so that the output power is equal to other power supply units.

  When a certain time elapses after the output voltage of the power supply unit is decreased (step E11, Y), the power supply control device 1 increases the voltage of the power supply unit so that the output power is equalized with other power supply units. The output voltage of the unit is controlled (step E12).

  The power supply control device 1 selects, by a predetermined method, the same number of power supply units as the power supply unit whose voltage is to be lowered next in step E11 (step E13), and outputs the selected power supply unit. The voltage is lowered (step E5), and a state of operating with natural air cooling is set. The fan included in the power supply unit that is in a state of operating with natural air cooling with the output voltage lowered is stopped.

  The selection method of the power supply unit in step E12 is a method that does not bias the time when the output voltage decreases in each power supply unit, for example, selecting from all the power supply units in order.

  The switching of the power supply units for decreasing the output voltage in Step E11, Step E12, and Step E5 may be performed simultaneously for a plurality of units whose output voltage is decreased, or may be performed one by one at different times. .

  As described above, this embodiment has an effect that the power for driving the fans of the plurality of power supply units for redundancy can be reduced. Further, there is an effect that noise caused by stopping the fans for a plurality of power supply units can be reduced.

  The reason is that by reducing the voltage of a plurality of redundant power supply units, the output voltage of the power supply unit is reduced, enabling operation with natural air cooling, and the fan is stopped.

  Furthermore, this embodiment has an effect that the deterioration of the power supply unit can be made uniform.

  The reason is that the time during which the output voltage is reduced is made uniform for all the power supply units.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply control apparatus 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D Power supply unit 11 Power supply control means 12 Electric power measurement value reception means 13 Failure detection means 21, 22, 23, 24 Voltage control line 31 Output voltage adjustment means 32 Output power measurement means 33 Fan 34 Fan control means 41, 42, 43, 44 Power measurement value transmission line

Claims (14)

When the power supply of at least one of the plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load decreases and the cooling fan included in the power supply unit stops, the other power supply unit Power supply control means for performing control so that power supply to the load is equalized. The power supply control means controls the output power of the power supply unit by transmitting a signal for setting an output voltage to the power supply unit to control the output voltage of the power supply unit. The power supply control device described. The power supply control device according to claim 2, further comprising: a power signal receiving unit configured to receive a signal of a measured value of output power of the power supply unit transmitted from each of the power supply units controlled by the power supply unit. . A failure detection means for detecting a failure of the power supply unit by detecting a decrease in the output power of the power supply unit that is not controlled by the own power supply control device;
When the failure detection means detects a failure of the power supply unit that supplies power to the load, the power supply control means increases the output power of the power supply unit that decreases the output power, and Each power supply unit is controlled so that the power output by the unit is equal to the output power of other power supply units that are supplying power to the load other than the failed power supply unit. Item 4. The power supply control device according to Item 3. 5. The power supply control device according to claim 1, wherein a power supply unit whose output power is to be reduced is sequentially selected from a plurality of power supply units under its control at predetermined time intervals. A plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load;
Including a power control device,
Each of the plurality of power supply units is
Voltage adjusting means for receiving a signal for setting an output voltage and determining a voltage output by the received signal for setting the output voltage;
Power measuring means for measuring the power output by itself;
Power value transmitting means for transmitting the power value measured by the power measuring means;
With a fan for cooling,
The power supply control device
When the power supply of at least one of the plurality of power supply units decreases and the fan included in the power supply unit stops, control is performed so that the power supply to the loads of the other power supply units becomes equal. Power supply control means for performing
A power supply system characterized by that. When the power supply of at least one of the plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load decreases and the cooling fan included in the power supply unit stops, the other power supply unit The power supply control method is characterized in that control is performed so that power supply to the load is equalized. The power supply control method according to claim 7, wherein the output power of the power supply unit is controlled by transmitting a signal for setting an output voltage to the power supply unit to control the output voltage of the power supply unit. The power supply control method according to claim 8, wherein a signal of a measured value of output power of the power supply unit transmitted from each of the power supply units controlled by the power supply unit is received. By detecting a drop in the output power of the power supply unit that is not due to the control of the self-power supply control device, the failure of the power supply unit is detected,
When a failure of the power supply unit that supplies power to the load is detected, the output power of the power supply unit that decreases the output power is increased, and the power output from the power supply unit is the failed power supply unit. The power supply control method according to claim 9, wherein each power supply unit is controlled to be equal to the output power of another power supply unit that is supplying power to a load other than the above. The power supply control method according to claim 7, wherein a power supply unit whose output power is to be reduced is sequentially selected from a plurality of power supply units under its control at predetermined time intervals. In each of a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load, receiving a signal for setting an output voltage, and determining a voltage to be output by the signal for setting the received output voltage;
In each of the power supply units, measuring the power output by itself and transmitting the measured power value;
In the power supply control device, when the power supply of at least one of the plurality of power supply units decreases and the fan included in the power supply unit stops, the power supply to the loads of the other power supply units is equal. And a method for controlling the power supply system. A process of reducing output power of at least one of a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load;
A program for causing a computer to perform a process of performing control so that power supply to other loads of other power supply units is equalized. Power supply control means for reducing the output power of at least one of a plurality of power supply units connected in parallel to the same load and controlling the power supply to the loads of the other power supply units to be equalized A circuit characterized by that.

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