Electric power converter having the function of switching power supply systems in the event of power failure
An electric power converter includes a power failure detection circuit for detecting a power failure state of each power supply system, a first switch having contact points connected to the power supply systems and one output terminal and, when the power failure detection circuit detects a power failure in at least one power supply system, switches to connect to the output terminal of the contact point connected to one of the other power supply systems, a second switch having a charging circuit to inhibit an inrush current from the power supply systems and one input terminal connected to the output terminal of the first switch and switches to connect the input terminal to a contact point on an input side of the charging circuit for a predetermined duration in synchronization with the switching among the power supply systems by the first switch unit, and an electric power conversion circuit.
1. An electric power converter comprising:
a power failure detection circuit connected to a plurality of power supply systems, for detecting a power failure state of each of the plurality of power supply systems;
a first switch unit having a plurality of contact points connected to the plurality of power supply systems and one output terminal, and when said power failure detection circuit detects a power failure of at least one of the plurality of power supply systems, the first switch unit performs switching so as to connect to the output terminal of the contact point connected to one of the power supply systems other than the power supply system having the detected power failure, in accordance with a power failure detection result of said power failure detection circuit;
a second switch unit having a charging circuit for inhibiting an inrush current from the plurality of power supply systems and one input terminal connected to the output terminal of said first switch unit, and said second switch unit performs switching so as to connect the input terminal to a contact point on an input side of the charging circuit for a predetermined duration of time in synchronization with the switching among the power supply systems by said first switch unit; and
an electric power conversion circuit connected to the output terminal of said second switch unit.
2. The electric power converter according to claim 1 , wherein said second switch unit includes a direct connecting portion which is arranged in parallel with the charging circuit.
3. The electric power converter according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a current detection circuit for detecting an electric current flowing from said second switch unit to said electric power conversion circuit, wherein
said power failure detection circuit determines the predetermined duration of time for which the charging circuit is connected, by controlling said second switch unit based on the electric current detected by said current detection circuit.