JPH03103044A - Fault detecting system for diode in duplex power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable detection of fault in a diode, with a power supply being operated, by detecting potential difference across the diode and judging whether the output terminal voltage fluctuates and whether each potential difference is detected in accordance with the fluctuating output voltage from the power supply. CONSTITUTION:When both diodes 201, 211 operate normally, potential difference across the diode is detected by the potential difference detecting circuit for one power supply which is feeding power to a load. When short circuit fault occurs in one diode, potential difference is not detected because the power supply therefor is at the side of power supply. When open fault occurs in one diode, potential difference across each diode is detected by the potential difference detecting circuit 206, 216 in the power supply 200, 210.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding a fault detection method for diodes inserted in series at the output end of each power supply in a redundant power supply system, a fault in a diode inserted in series at the output section is detected as The purpose is to detect equipment while it is in operation and to enable active maintenance of each power supply.Each power supply whose output voltage can be raised or lowered within a predetermined range is inserted in series at its output terminal. In a dual power supply device that supplies power to a load by connecting diodes in parallel to each other, a potential difference detection means detects the potential difference between both ends of each diode, and the output voltage of each power supply device is adjusted up and down within a predetermined range. whether the output terminal voltage changes according to the changing output voltage.
and a failure determination means for determining whether each diode is normal, a short circuit failure, or an open failure, depending on whether each potential difference is detected by the potential difference detection means.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a failure detection method for diodes inserted in series at the output terminal of each power supply device in a duplex power supply system.

Note that in information processing devices and other devices, redundant power supplies are used to prevent system downs or improve reliability.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, the outputs of two power supplies are connected in parallel via diodes to supply power to the load, in order to avoid system failures or interruptions in subsystem operation due to power supply failures and to improve system reliability. supplying.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional redundant power supply structure.

In the figure, inside two power supply devices 300 and 310 whose outputs are connected in parallel to supply power to a load 330, diodes 301 and 311 are connected to their outputs, respectively.
inserted in series. These diodes 301, 311
is provided for the purpose of preventing dark current between the power supply devices due to the difference in output voltage of each power supply device and stabilizing the operation of the power supply devices.

In such a redundant power supply, the power supply control unit 32 receives the power supply signal 321 output from the host device when the system is powered on.
0 receives the command and instructs both power supply devices 300 and 310 to start up.

The actual supply of power to the load 330 started by this command is carried out by one power supply device having a higher output voltage than the other power supply device, since the power is supplied via the diodes 301 and 311.

Microprocessor (MPU) 3 in the power supply control unit 320
23 periodically monitors the status of power supply to the load 330 by the power supplies 300 and 310 using power supply status signals 303 and 313 obtained from the respective output voltage detection circuits 302 and 312, and detects failures or other failures in the power supplies. If the occurrence is detected, the host device is notified by the power state signal 322.

Further, the output voltage margin control circuits 304 and 314 each have a function of varying the output voltage within a predetermined range by output voltage margin control signals 305 and 315 given from the power supply control unit 320 for purposes such as testing the power supply device. .

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in such a conventional redundant power supply, if the diode 301 of the power supply device 300 has an open failure, the load 33 is removed by the other power supply device 310.
0 continues, but failure of diode 301 cannot be detected. As a result, the power supply 300 in which the diode 301 has failed is left unattended, and if the power supply 310 subsequently fails, the power supply to the load 330 is stopped, and the system (system or subsystem) including the load 330 is goes down.

Also, even if the diode 301 has a short circuit failure,
Power continues to be supplied to the load 330, but the diode 30
1 failure may go undetected. this.
In such a case, dark current may occur between both power supplies 300 and 310 due to the difference in output voltage of each power supply, which impedes the stability of the operation of each power supply and , which could cause failures in secondary power supplies.

Note that the above-mentioned problem may similarly occur with respect to the diode 311 of the other power supply unit W310.

The present invention provides a diode failure detection method for a redundant power supply that detects a failure of a diode inserted in series in the output part of a redundant power supply while the power supply is in an operating state, and enables active maintenance of each power supply. The purpose is to

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

In the duplex power supply device, each power supply device if 1 0 0, 110 whose output voltage can be raised or lowered within a predetermined range is connected in parallel to the load via diodes l01, 111 inserted in series at their output terminals, respectively. This is a configuration that supplies power.

The potential difference detection means 106 and 116 are connected to each diode 101.
, 111 is detected.

The failure determination means 140 fluctuates the output voltage of each power supply device 100 and 1lO up and down within a predetermined range, and determines whether or not the output terminal voltage fluctuates in accordance with the fluctuating output voltage, and the potential difference detection means 106 and 116. Depending on whether or not each potential difference is detected, it is determined whether each of the diodes 101 and 111 is normal, a short circuit failure, or an open failure.

[For production]

If a potential difference between both ends of the diode is detected in one of the power supply devices 100 and 110, the failure determination means 140 recognizes that each diode is normal.

Further, if the potential difference between both ends of each diode of the power supply devices 100 and 110 is not detected, a short-circuit failure has occurred in the power supply side diode, and the output voltage is controlled to determine the power supply device on the power supply side. Identify the short-circuit faulty diode.

In addition, the power supply device 1. If a potential difference across the diodes is detected in both oO and 110, it is determined that an open failure may have occurred in one of the diodes, and the output voltage of each power supply device 100 and 110 is set within a predetermined range. It is recognized that a predetermined output voltage cannot be obtained at the output terminal via the diode when the voltage is sequentially varied up and down within the diode, and an open circuit failure of the diode is detected.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

In the figure, the outputs of the duplicated power supplies 200 and 210 are connected in parallel to a load 230.

Diodes 201 and 211 are inserted in series between the voltage stabilized output a and the output terminal in the power supply devices 200 and 210, respectively, and the voltage stabilized output b is directly connected to the output terminal as a power supply ground. In addition, each power supply device uses external output voltage margin control signals 205 and 215 to vary the output voltage of the voltage stabilizing section within a predetermined voltage range (hereinafter referred to as "specified voltage") that does not cause any damage to the load. Output voltage margin control circuit 204, 214, diode 201
, 211, a potential difference detection circuit 20 detecting the potential difference between both ends of
6, 216, output voltage detection circuits 202, 212 that detect the output terminal voltage of the power supply device.

The power supply control unit 220 is controlled by a microprocessor (MPU) 223 that performs control operations, which will be described later, and others, receives a power-on signal 221 from a host device, and outputs an event occurring in the power system as a power state signal 222 to the host device. do.

Output voltage margin control signals 205 and 215 output from the power supply control section 220 are connected to output voltage margin control circuits 204 and 214 in each power supply device 200 and 210.

Furthermore, the potential difference detection circuit 2 in the power supply devices 200 and 210
Potential difference detection signals 207, 2 output from 06, 216
17 and output voltage detection circuit 202. , 212 are respectively connected to a power supply control section 220.

The power control unit 220 instructs both the power supplies 200 and 210 to start up in response to a power-on signal 221 output by the host device when the system is powered on.

With this command, the power supply devices 200 and 210 are in a state where they can supply power at the respective predetermined power supply voltages, but since the outputs of both are connected in parallel via the diodes 201 and 211, there is no substantial impact on the load 230. The supply of electric power is performed by one power supply device having a higher output voltage than the other power supply device.

The microprocessor 223 in the power supply control unit 220 periodically detects the output voltage and the operating state ( power supply status to the load 230).

Hereinafter, based on such a precept, the diode 201,
211 failure detection, determination, and identification procedures will be explained.

Diodes 201 and 211 of each power supply device 200 and 210
To determine whether both diodes are normal, or whether one of them has a short-circuit failure or an open failure, first check each diode 2.
A potential difference detection signal 207 output from potential difference detection circuits 206 and 216 that detect the potential difference between both ends of 01 and 211,
217.

That is, if both diodes 201 and 211 are normal, one power supply device that supplies power to the load (hereinafter referred to as a "power supply device") and the other power supply device as a "non-power supply device". That's what it means.

The potential difference between the two ends of the diode is detected by the potential difference detection circuit.

Furthermore, if one of the diodes is short-circuited, the power supply device is on the power supply side, so no potential difference is detected in both diodes.

Further, if one of the diodes has an open failure, the potential difference detection circuits 206 and 21 of each power supply device 200 and 210
6, the potential difference between both ends of each diode is detected.
Ru.

(1) Determination of normality If one of the potential difference detection circuits 206 and 216 detects a potential difference between both ends of the corresponding diode, both diodes 201 and 211 are normal. The confirmation procedure will be explained below.

■ The power supply control unit 220 instructs the output voltage margin control circuit of the power supply device on the side where the potential difference between both ends of the diode is not detected to set the output voltage to the upper limit of the specified voltage (hereinafter referred to as "margin high"). I do.

■ Output voltage detection circuit 20 of each power supply device 200, 210
2, 212 to monitor variations in each output voltage.

■ Potential difference detection circuit 206 of each power supply device 200, 210
, 216, the potential difference across each diode 201, 211 is monitored.

(2) The power supply control unit 220 cancels the margin high instruction.

After performing the above processing, if the output voltage detection circuit of the power supply set to margin high detects a fluctuation in the output voltage corresponding to margin high, and the potential difference detection circuit detects a potential difference, each diode Both are normal, indicating that the power supply device has switched to the margin high side.

[2] Short-circuit fault determination and specific potential difference detection circuits 206 and 216, if no potential difference is detected across the corresponding diode, it is determined that at least one of the diodes has a short-circuit fault. The procedure for identifying short-circuited diodes is shown below.

(2) The power supply control unit 220 issues a margin high instruction to the output voltage margin control circuit of one of the power supply devices.

@ Output voltage detection circuit 20 of each power supply device 200, 210
2, 212 to monitor variations in each output voltage.

■ Potential difference detection circuit 206 of each power supply device 200, 210
, 216, the potential difference across each diode 201, 211 is monitored.

(2) The power supply control unit 2.20 cancels the margin high instruction.

■ Give the margin high instruction to the other power supply unit in the same way, and repeat @~[phase].

After performing the above processing, if the output voltage detection circuit of the power supply set to margin high detects a fluctuation in the output voltage corresponding to margin high, and the potential difference detection circuit detects a potential difference, the diode Normal, indicating that the other diode is short-circuited. Note that this margin high instruction indicates that the power supply device has switched to the margin high side.

In addition, a diode with a short-circuit failure can be identified in the same way even if the output voltage detection circuit of the power supply with margin high detects a fluctuation in the output voltage corresponding to margin high, but the potential difference detection circuit does not detect a potential difference. It is.

[3] Open fault determination and specific potential difference detection circuits 206 and 216 both detect a potential difference across the corresponding diode, it is determined that at least one of the diodes has an open fault. The procedure for identifying a diode with an open failure is shown below.

Note that the margin high instruction, each output voltage detection circuit 202,
The monitoring of 212, the potential difference detection circuits 206 and 216, and others are the same as the procedures of (1) to (4) described above.

If the output voltage detection circuit of the power supply device that performs the processing from ■ to ■ and sets the margin high detects a fluctuation in the output voltage corresponding to margin high, and also detects a potential difference in the potential difference detection circuit, The diode is normal, indicating that the other diode is an open fault. Note that since the other diode has an open failure, the power supply device will not be switched in response to the margin high instruction.

Furthermore, a diode with an open circuit failure can be identified in the same way even if the output voltage detection circuit of the power supply device that has set the margin high does not detect a fluctuation in the output voltage corresponding to the margin high.

With this configuration, the output section of each power supply device 200, 210 is connected in series. It is possible to detect short circuit failures or open failures in diodes inserted in the power supply unit while the power supply unit is in operation.

Regarding the correspondence between the diode failure detection method of the redundant power supply shown in this embodiment and the principle block diagram of the present invention shown in FIG.
0 and 110, diodes 201 and 211 correspond to diodes 101 and 111, potential difference detection circuits 206 and 216 correspond to potential difference detection means 106 and 116, respectively, output voltage detection circuits 202 and 212, power supply control unit 220, and microprocessor 223. is included in the failure determination means 140.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, an open failure or a short circuit failure of a diode inserted in series with the output of each power supply device can be detected at an early stage while the power supply device is in the operating state, and it is possible to avoid leaving a failed diode unattended. can. In addition, dark current occurs due to the difference in output voltage between both power supplies in a diode short-circuit fault state, and this obstructs the stability of each power supply's operation and causes failure of secondary power supplies. Occurrence can be prevented.

Therefore, while the other power supply device continues to supply power, it is possible to secure a period for replacement or repair of the device including the failed diode, and to enable active maintenance of each power supply device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conventional dual power supply configuration. In the figure, 100, 110, 200, 210, 300, 310 are power supply devices, 101, 111, 201, 211, 301, 31l are diodes, 106, 116 are potential difference detection means, 140 is a failure determination means/means, 202, 212, 302, 312 are output voltage detection circuits; 203, 213, 303, 313 are power state signals; 20
4, 214, 304, 314 are output voltage margin control circuits, 205, 215, 305, 315 are output voltage margin control signals, 206, 216 are potential difference detection circuits, 207, 217 are potential difference detection signals, 220, 320 are power supply control 221, 321 are power-on signals, 222, 322 are power state signals, 223, 323 are microprocessors, 230, 330
is the load.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Each power supply device (100, 110) whose output voltage can be raised or lowered within a predetermined range is connected in parallel via a diode (101, 111) inserted in series at its output terminal, and supplies power to the load. A redundant power supply device configured to supply a voltage, comprising: potential difference detection means (106, 116) for detecting a potential difference between both ends of each of the diodes (101, 111); Each diode ( 101, 111) is normal, a short-circuit failure, or an open failure.
A diode failure detection method for a redundant power supply, characterized by comprising the following.