What is the difference between a switch mode power supply and a transformer?
A transformer is a device that uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to transform voltage, current, and impedance. Transformers are mainly used in alternating circuit circuits.
Switching power supply is a type of power supply that utilizes modern power electronics technology to control the time ratio of switching transistors on and off, and maintain a stable output voltage. Switching power supply can be divided into two categories: AC/DC and DC/DC; According to whether there is electrical isolation between input and output, it can be divided into two categories: one is called isolated DC/DC converters; Another type is called non isolated DC/DC converters without isolation. Switching power supplies have protection functions such as overcurrent, overheating, and short circuit. The voltage input range is wide, and the isolation voltage between input and output is high.
LED display screens typically consist of display modules, control systems, and power supply systems. The display module is composed of a dot matrix of LED lights, responsible for emitting light for display; The control system can display text, images, videos, and other content on the screen by controlling the brightness of the corresponding area. The LED display screen adopts a low-voltage scanning drive, and the power system is responsible for converting the input voltage and current into the voltage and current required by the display screen. The power system uses a switch mode power supply, which has the characteristics of low cost, small size, light weight, simple peripheral circuit design, high efficiency, low noise, stability and reliability.
Transformers in switch mode power supplies generally require air gaps to increase stored energy
First of all, to correct it, the transformer of a switching power supply usually needs to leave an air gap, depending on what type of switching power supply it is:
Since there is a transformer, you can actually search for a flyback circuit on Baidu. The transformer inside requires an air gap to store energy. In other words, the air gap does not increase the amount of energy to be stored, but rather enlarges the energy storage container.
You can also search on Baidu for forward circuits or full bridge, half bridge, push-pull circuits. Their transformers do not require air gaps, which involves the working principle of their circuits. Air gaps can reduce their efficiency.
Finally, if your question is "The inductance of a switching power supply usually needs to have an air gap, is it to increase the stored energy?", even if you ask rigorously. I can tell you that the air gap of a general inductor is similar to that of a transformer in a flyback circuit mentioned earlier. The air gap does not increase the amount of energy to be stored, but rather increases the size of the energy storage container.
