Intelligent PDU and power sharing method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an intelligent PDU and a power source sharing method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of data center cabinet PDU application, external power supply equipment leads to a power source input interface of the PDU to input a power source to a power source module to output direct current 12V, an MCU monitors whether 12V output exists in the power source module or not through ADC sampling, if not, a PoE module in the PDU is rapidly switched, and if yes, the power source module is switched to the power source module to output direct current 12V; and a PoE transformer in the PoE switch outputs power supply output for the host PDU to continue to work normally. The device has the beneficial effects that a redundant power supply is provided for the device through a dual power supply mechanism of the output interface of the power supply module and PoE power supply. When the power supply input interface works normally, the equipment preferentially uses the power supply module to output the power supply for power supply, which is a relatively stable and efficient power supply mode. If the power interface of the power module fails (such as power failure, power line damage and the like), the PoE power supply can be seamlessly taken over.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of PDU application technology, and in particular to an intelligent PDU and its power sharing method. Background Technology

[0002] PDUs (Power Distribution Units) are the rack power outlets in server rooms and the last line of defense for server power. Their safety and stability are a strong guarantee for the value of server room equipment and the entire data center system. PDUs are divided into basic PDUs and intelligent PDUs. Intelligent PDUs monitor and remotely manage all power data and connected sensor information. However, if the power supply in an intelligent PDU fails, the manager in the intelligent PDU will lose power, resulting in the loss of monitoring data. To ensure that the PDU manager is not affected by power failure, PoE (Power over Ethernet) functionality has been added to intelligent PDUs on the market. Intelligent PDUs with power failures can be connected to a PoE-enabled switch via Ethernet twisted-pair cables. The PoE switch can provide the DC power required by the intelligent PDU to maintain its operation, as disclosed in application number 202120541751.X. However, the aforementioned PDUs are powered solely by a PoE switch, and each PDU is connected to a PoE switch, resulting in a relatively short power supply path. This limits the power supply capacity of the PoE switch. If the number of PDUs is too large, it may cause excessive power load on the PoE switch, affecting power stability and efficiency. Furthermore, increasing the number of PDUs within the rack requires adding additional PoE switch ports or replacing the switch with one with one that has more ports. Each additional PDU necessitates rewiring to connect to the PoE switch, which limits system scalability, especially in situations with limited rack space. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One of the objectives of this application is to address the problem that current smart PDUs on the market are connected to a PoE switch when they are powered, making it impossible to share power. This results in an excessive power load on the PoE switch, affecting the stability and efficiency of power supply. Therefore, this application provides a smart PDU and a power sharing method thereof.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: a power sharing method for an intelligent PDU. External power supply equipment provides power via cables, which then outputs power through the power input interface of the intelligent PDU unit. The MCU monitors whether the power module outputs 12V via ADC sampling. If not, it quickly switches to the PoE module inside the PDU, which outputs power through the PoE transformer inside the PoE switch to allow the host PDU to continue operating normally. The switching is achieved by the MCU using a MOSFET as a switch to connect and disconnect the two paths. When the slave PDU's power input interface normally receives power from the external power supply equipment, the PoE module does not output voltage. When the MCU in the slave PDU monitors via ADC sampling that the slave PDU's AC / DC output does not have 12V, the PDU network control board inside the slave PDU controls the DC input source to immediately switch to the Ethernet port to receive the DC output from the host PDU, thus completing the power sharing operation.

[0005] This application provides another technical solution: a smart PDU. The smart PDU unit includes a host PDU and a slave PDU, which are evenly arranged inside the data center rack. The host PDU and the slave PDU are electrically connected to the power supply unit via cables. The host PDU is connected to an external PoE switch via an Ethernet twisted-pair cable. The host PDU and the slave PDU are connected via Ethernet twisted-pair cables, and adjacent slave PDUs are connected via Ethernet twisted-pair cables.

[0006] Preferably, the host PDU and the slave PDU have the same structure, specifically including a power input interface, a PDU network control board, a circuit breaker protection module, a socket metering control module, and a power module. The power input interface, the PDU network control board, the circuit breaker protection module, the socket metering control module, and the power module are all installed inside a fixed housing for protection. The power module can be either AC / DC or DC / DC.

[0007] Preferably, the power input interface is located at the top of the fixed housing and is used for electrical connection with external cables. The inside of the power input interface is electrically connected to the power module, which is used for power conversion and output of DC 12V. A PDU network control board is provided on the outside of the power module.

[0008] Preferably, the PDU network control board has two Ethernet interfaces on its outer side for connecting Ethernet twisted-pair cables.

[0009] Preferably, the circuit breaker protection module includes circuit breakers arranged at equal intervals inside a fixed housing.

[0010] Preferably, the socket metering control module includes sockets arranged at equal intervals, and the socket metering control module is electrically connected to the circuit breaker protection module and the PDU network control board respectively.

[0011] Preferably, the fixed housing includes a mounting shell plate and a snap-fit ​​shell, which snap together with each other. The mounting shell plate is used for installing the power input interface, PDU network control board, circuit breaker protection module, and socket metering control module power module.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows: (1) The dual power supply mechanism of the power module input interface and PoE power supply provides redundant power for the equipment. When the power input interface is working normally, the equipment uses the power module for power supply first, which is a relatively stable and efficient power supply method. If the power module fails (such as power outage, power cord damage, etc.), PoE power supply can seamlessly take over, ensuring that the equipment will not stop working due to power interruption.

[0013] (2) The host PDU is the core device and is centrally connected to the PoE switch, which can realize centralized management and monitoring of the entire power supply system. Only one PoE switch is needed to connect the host PDU, which reduces the requirement for the number of PoE switch ports. Compared with each PDU being connected to the PoE switch, this method can significantly reduce the purchase cost of the PoE switch. The slave PDUs share power through network cable connection, which reduces the number of network cables used and the length of cabling. When it is necessary to add slave PDUs, the new PDU can be connected to the existing slave PDUs through network cable. There is no need to make large-scale adjustments to the PoE switch, which reduces the complexity of cabling projects and labor costs. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the PDU main view structure of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the PDU of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the host PDU and the slave PDU of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the Ethernet interface structure on the PDU network control board of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating the power sharing between the host PDU and the slave PDU of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the DC input selection circuit of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the DC detection and DC source switching principle of the present invention.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Intelligent PDU unit; 11. Main PDU; 12. Slave PDU; 2. Power input interface; 3. PDU network control board; 31. Ethernet interface; 4. Circuit breaker protection module; 5. Socket metering control module; 51. Socket; 6. Power module; 7. Fixed housing; 71. Mounting plate; 72. Locking housing. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present application will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., which indicate the orientation and positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this application.

[0024] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0025] One preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1 to 7As shown, a power sharing method for an intelligent PDU is described. External power supply devices provide power via cables, which is then converted to 12V output through the power input interface 2 of the intelligent PDU unit 1. The MCU (Microcontroller Unit) monitors the power module output via ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) to detect the presence of 12V output. If no 12V output is detected, the PDU quickly switches to the PoE module inside the PDU, using the PoE transformer inside the PoE switch to provide power to the host PDU 11 for continued normal operation. The switching is achieved by the MCU using a MOSFET as a switch to connect and disconnect the two paths. When the power input interface 2 of the slave PDU 12 is receiving power from the external power supply device, the power output from the PoE transformer is only used by the host PDU 11. When the MCU in the slave PDU 12 detects no 12V output from its power module via ADC, the PDU network control board 3 inside the slave PDU 12 immediately switches to the Ethernet port to receive the DC output from the host PDU 11, completing the power sharing process.

[0026] The intelligent PDU unit 1 includes a host PDU 11 and a slave PDU 12, which are evenly arranged inside the data center cabinet. The host PDU 11 and slave PDU 12 are electrically connected to the power supply unit via power lines. The host PDU 11 is connected to an external PoE switch via an Ethernet twisted pair cable. The host PDU 11 and slave PDU 12 are connected via Ethernet twisted pair cables, and adjacent slave PDU 12 are connected via Ethernet twisted pair cables. The host PDU11 and slave PDU12 have the same structure, specifically including a power input interface 2, a PDU network control board 3, a circuit breaker protection module 4, a socket metering control module 5, and a power module 6. The power input interface 2, the PDU network control board 3, the circuit breaker protection module 4, the socket metering control module 5, and the power module 6 are all installed inside a fixed housing 7 for protection. The power module 6 can be either AC / DC or DC / DC.

[0027] The power input interface 2 is located at the top of the fixed housing 7 and is used to make an electrical connection with the external power cord. The power modules 6 inside the power input interface 2 are electrically connected. The power modules 6 are used to convert the input power to output 12V. A PDU network control board 3 is provided on the outside of the power modules 6.

[0028] The PDU network control board 3 has two Ethernet interfaces 31 on its outer side for connecting Ethernet twisted-pair cables.

[0029] The circuit breaker protection module 4 includes circuit breakers arranged at equal intervals inside the fixed housing 7.

[0030] The socket metering control module 5 includes sockets 51 arranged at equal intervals, and the socket metering control module 5 is electrically connected to the circuit breaker protection module 4 and the PDU network control board 3 respectively.

[0031] The fixed housing 7 includes a mounting shell plate 71 and a snap-fit ​​shell 72, which are snap-fitted together. The mounting shell plate 71 is used for installing the power input interface 2, the PDU network control board 3, the circuit breaker protection module 4, the socket metering control module 5, and the power module 6.

[0032] Working principle: First, the power input interface 2, PDU network control board 3, circuit breaker protection module 4, socket metering control module 5, and power module 6 are all installed on the top of the mounting shell 71. After the connections between each component are completed, the assembly of the entire PDU can be completed by engaging the housing 72 with the mounting shell 71. After assembly, the host PDU11 and slave PDU12 are installed according to the number of host PDU11 and slave PDU12 required inside the data center cabinet. During the installation process, the power input interface 2 at the top of the host PDU11 and each slave PDU12 is connected to the external power supply equipment through cables. External power supply equipment inputs power to power input interface 2 via cable (this is the first choice for DC output inside intelligent PDU unit 1). Then, the power is transferred to the 12V output of power module 6. After that, the 12V is transmitted to PDU network control board 3 and socket metering control module 5 through internal connection lines. Thus, the circuit board inside the PDU can complete the power supply work. During the power transfer process to power module 6, if the DC detection circuit detects an output fault, it quickly switches to the PoE transformer output inside the PDU to supply power to the PDU management module to continue working normally. Specifically, the MCU (microcontroller unit) samples and monitors whether the power module output has a 12V output through the ADC (analog-to-digital converter). If not, it quickly switches to the PoE module inside the PDU and supplies power to the host PDU11 to continue working normally through the PoE transformer output inside the PoE switch. At this time, the power output provided by the PoE transformer is only for use by the host PDU11. When the MCU (microcontroller unit) in the slave PDU12 detects through the ADC (analog-to-digital converter) that there is no 12V output from the power module of the slave PDU12, the DC input source of the PDU controller controlled by the PDU network control board 3 inside the slave PDU12 will immediately switch to the Ethernet port to receive the DC output from the host PDU11, thus completing the power sharing work. The DC output of the host PDU11 can be provided by the power module or by the PoE transformer in the PoE switch. In this application, external power supply equipment supplies power to the power input interface 2 via a cable. When a high-power device is accidentally connected to the socket 51, causing the current to exceed the rated value of the socket 51, the circuit breaker inside the circuit breaker protection module 4 will also cut off the power supply to protect the equipment from damage.

[0033] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of this application have been described above. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely the principles of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made to this application without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection claimed by this application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A power sharing method for an intelligent PDU, characterized in that, External power supply equipment is powered by cables, and then the power input interface (2) of the intelligent PDU unit (1) is used for power conversion and output. The microcontroller monitors whether the power module output has 12V output through the analog-to-digital converter. If not, it quickly switches to the PoE module inside the PDU and outputs the power output of the host PDU (11) through the PoE transformer inside the PoE switch. The switching is done by the microcontroller using MOSFET as a switch to turn the two paths on and off. When the power input interface (2) of the slave PDU (12) normally receives the power output of the external power supply equipment, the PoE module of the PDU does not output voltage. When the microcontroller in the slave PDU (12) monitors and finds that the power module output of the slave PDU (12) does not have 12V output through the analog-to-digital converter, the PDU network control board (3) inside the slave PDU (12) controls the DC input source inside the PDU to immediately switch to the Ethernet port to receive the DC output from the host PDU (11) to complete the power sharing work.

2. A smart PDU, characterized in that: The intelligent PDU unit (1) includes a host PDU (11) and a slave PDU (12), and the host PDU (11) and slave PDU (12) are evenly arranged inside the data center cabinet. The host PDU (11) and slave PDU (12) are electrically connected to the power supply unit through cables. The host PDU (11) is connected to the external PoE switch through an Ethernet twisted pair cable. The host PDU (11) and slave PDU (12) are connected through Ethernet twisted pair cables, and adjacent slave PDUs (12) are connected through Ethernet twisted pair cables.

3. The intelligent PDU as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The host PDU (11) and slave PDU (12) have the same structure, specifically including a power input interface (2), a PDU network control board (3), a circuit breaker protection module (4), a socket metering control module (5) and a power module (6). The power input interface (2), the PDU network control board (3), the circuit breaker protection module (4), the socket metering control module (5) and the power module (6) are all installed inside a fixed housing (7) for protection. The power module (6) can be either AC / DC or DC / DC.

4. The intelligent PDU as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The power input interface (2) is located at the top of the fixed housing (7) and is used to make an electrical connection with the external cable. The inside of the power input interface (2) is electrically connected to the power module (6), which is used to input a 12V power supply and output power. The power module (6) has a PDU network control board (3) on its outside.

5. The intelligent PDU as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The PDU network control board (3) has two Ethernet interfaces (31) on its outer side for connecting Ethernet twisted-pair cables.

6. The intelligent PDU as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The circuit breaker protection module (4) includes circuit breakers arranged at equal intervals inside a fixed housing (7).

7. The intelligent PDU as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The socket metering control module (5) includes sockets (51) arranged at equal intervals, and the socket metering control module (5) is electrically connected to the circuit breaker protection module (4) and the PDU network control board (3) respectively.

8. The intelligent PDU as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The fixed housing (7) includes a mounting shell plate (71) and a snap-fit ​​shell (72), which snap into each other. The mounting shell plate (71) is used for the installation of the power input interface (2), the PDU network control board (3), the circuit breaker protection module (4), the socket metering control module (5), and the power module (6).

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