Load disconnect protection system and power distribution unit including load disconnect protection system

Abstract

This application relates to a load power failure protection system, comprising: a circuit (110) having a power receiving port (110) and a plurality of load ports (120, 130, 140); one or more sensors (A) disposed on the circuit for detecting real-time values ​​related to electrical parameters at each load port; a controller (200) associated with the one or more sensors to receive the real-time values ​​measured by each sensor and to generate a cut-off signal when the real-time values ​​meet preset conditions; and one or more switches (C) associated with the controller and switching to a cut-off state in response to the cut-off signal to cut off the power supply to the associated load ports, wherein the associated load port of each switch is one or more of the plurality of load ports, and each load port is the associated load port of at least one of the one or more switches. This application also relates to a power distribution unit including this system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a load power failure protection system, particularly an intelligent fuse circuit system for overcurrent protection used in a power distribution unit (PDU). This application also relates to a power distribution unit including this load power failure protection system. Background Technology

[0002] The primary function of a power distribution unit (PDU) is to provide power to load devices and protect them in case of overcurrent. Traditional overcurrent protection is typically achieved through fuses. However, traditional fuses have significant limitations. For example, a fuse is a passive device; once designed and manufactured, its overcurrent capability and overcurrent protection threshold are fixed and cannot be adjusted according to actual needs (such as the load). Furthermore, traditional fuses cannot monitor current and therefore cannot provide current monitoring information. Moreover, traditional fuses are non-resettable; that is, once a fuse blows, it must be replaced to restore power to the load, as the fuse cannot be reset and reused. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a load power failure protection system, particularly an intelligent fuse circuit system that selectively disconnects the power supply to one or more of a plurality of loads.

[0004] This application provides a load power failure protection system, including a circuit having a power receiving port for receiving power and a plurality of load ports for electrical connection to a plurality of loads, and further including: one or more sensors disposed on the circuit and configured to detect real-time values ​​related to electrical parameters of the power supplied to each load port; a controller associated with the one or more sensors to receive the real-time values ​​measured by the one or more sensors and to generate a cut-off signal when the real-time values ​​meet the preset conditions; and one or more switches associated with the controller and configured to switch to a cut-off state in response to receiving the cut-off signal therefrom to cut off the power supply to an associated load port among the plurality of load ports, wherein the associated load port of each switch is one or more of the plurality of load ports, and each load port is an associated load port of at least one of the one or more switches.

[0005] According to one embodiment, each switch is reversible to the ON state, and / or the electrical parameter is current and the sensor is a galvanometer.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the plurality of load ports are arranged in parallel.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the one or more sensors include at least one of the following: a first ammeter for measuring the current supplied to one of the plurality of load ports; a second ammeter for measuring the sum of the currents supplied to two or more of the plurality of load ports; and a third ammeter for measuring the sum of the currents supplied to each load port.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the one or more switches include at least one of the following: a first switch for controlling the on / off state of power supplied to only one of the load ports; a second switch for synchronously controlling the on / off state of power supplied to two or more of the load ports; and a third switch for synchronously controlling the on / off state of power supplied to all load ports.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the preset condition includes one or more of the real-time values ​​measured by the one or more sensors exceeding a corresponding threshold.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the controller includes a human-machine interface configured to receive at least one of the following related information: a threshold corresponding to the real-time value; and an input for restoring the at least one switch to an on state.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the controller includes a display configured to display at least one of the following: the real-time value; the cut-off signal; and alarm information corresponding to the cut-off signal.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the switch is an electromagnetic contactor or a semiconductor switch.

[0013] This application also provides a power distribution unit that includes the aforementioned load power failure protection system.

[0014] The load protection circuit system of this application mainly includes a circuit and a controller. The circuit includes a power receiving port electrically connected to a power source and multiple load ports electrically connected to multiple loads to supply power received from the power source to all loads. One or more sensors and one or more switches are provided on the circuit. The number of sensors and switches, and their arrangement on the circuit or associated with all load ports, are designed according to the power-off control requirements of each load in the actual application, such that: the sensors can detect real-time values ​​related to the electrical parameters of the power supplied to each load port, and the switches can cut off the power supply to the associated load ports among the multiple load ports. The cut-off signal is generated by the controller by comparing the real-time value received from the sensor with a threshold corresponding to the real-time value. Based on the power requirements that each load needs to meet in the actual application, preset conditions corresponding to the cut-off signal are set, and the number and arrangement of sensors are set accordingly. The sensors can be arranged to detect the current of only one load port, or to detect the sum of the currents of two or more load ports, or to detect the sum of the currents of all load ports. Based on the practical application requirement of synchronously turning on / off some loads among multiple loads, the number and arrangement of switches can be set. The switches can be arranged to: control the power supply to only one load port; or synchronously control the power supply to two or more load ports; or synchronously control the power supply to all load ports. The advantage of the load protection circuit system in this application is that, in scenarios where some loads among multiple loads have synchronous on / off requirements, the number of switches can be less than the number of loads. A common switch can be used for these loads that need to be turned on and off simultaneously, simplifying the circuit setup, reducing the number of electrical components, and appropriately lowering costs. Furthermore, the switches are resettable switches associated with the controller to receive on / off signals, making them reusable and capable of returning to the on state. The controller can have human-machine interface functionality to modify or set thresholds corresponding to the sensor (arrangement) and the real-time values ​​measured by the sensors. This enables flexible adjustment of protection thresholds based on the actual application scenario and / or different actual loads, making the application of the intelligent fuse circuit system in this application more widespread. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the load power failure protection system of this application.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a simplified circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the load power failure protection system of this application.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a simplified circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the load power failure protection system of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The load power failure protection system of this application is an intelligent fuse circuit system that can, but is not limited to, use in power distribution units to provide power failure protection, such as overcurrent protection, for the powered load.

[0019] refer to Figure 1 The schematic diagram illustrates that the load power failure protection system of this application generally includes a circuit 100 and a controller 200. The circuit 100 electrically connects a power source S to a load L to supply power from the power source to the load. The circuit 100 is equipped with a sensor A and a switch C for measuring electrical parameters of the power supplied to the load L. In the specific example given herein, sensor A is a galvanometer for detecting the current in the circuit 100. While adhering to the principles of this application, the application does not limit the electrical parameter to current, and correspondingly, sensor A is not limited to a galvanometer. Switch C is a resettable switch capable of repeatedly switching between an on and off state, and switch C includes a connection (e.g., a communication connection or an electrical connection) associated with the controller 200 to receive control signals, particularly off signals, from the controller 200. Optionally, switch C is also configured to receive an on signal from the controller 200. Switch C can be a contactor; a feasible example is an electromagnetic switch. Switch C is not limited to a contactor. Switch C can be a semiconductor switch, such as a MOSFET.

[0020] The controller 200 can be embodied in one or more of software, hardware, and firmware. For example, the controller 200 can be an application. The controller 200 is associated (e.g., communicatively or electrically) with both a sensor and a switch, and is configured to: receive real-time values ​​of electrical parameters measured by the sensor A; compare the received real-time values ​​with preset thresholds corresponding to the electrical parameters; and generate a cut-off signal and send it to the switch C if the real-time value exceeds the corresponding threshold. The switch C disconnects the power connection to the load in response to receiving the cut-off signal from the controller 200, thereby providing power outage (e.g., overcurrent) protection for the load.

[0021] Switch C switches from the ON state to the OFF state based on a cut-off signal received from controller 200. Switch C itself is not damaged or malfunctioning and is reversible and resettable. Switch C can be restored to the ON state based on a manual ON operation by an operator or in response to a subsequent ON signal from controller 200. This application does not limit this. As a possible example, the subsequent ON signal from controller 200 can be automatically generated after a preset time period following the issuance of a cut-off signal to switch C, or it can be generated upon receiving manual input from an operator, or it can be automatically generated based on other preset conditions.

[0022] The "threshold" used by the controller 200 to perform the above comparison can be a pre-stored fixed value or a range of values. Preferably, the controller 200 can be configured to allow the threshold to be set, modified, or input according to different actual loads, different actual application scenarios, and / or based on any other factors, which realizes flexible load power failure protection.

[0023] Preferably, the controller 200 may include a human-machine interface, for example, for one or more of the following functions: receiving input about a threshold, receiving input about a cut-off or turn-on command, etc. Optionally, the human-machine interface may also include a display or display area, for example, for: displaying the current state of switch C, displaying real-time values ​​received from sensor A, displaying alarm information (e.g., when the real-time value exceeds a threshold or a cut-off signal is generated), etc.

[0024] Figure 1 The principle of the intelligent fuse circuit system is suitable for applications where electrical connections are made to one or more loads. Figure 2 This is a first embodiment of the intelligent fuse circuit system according to this application applied to multiple loads.

[0025] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 The diagram shows the following: a power receiving port 110 of circuit 100, labeled as positive and negative power receiving ports 110a and 110b; a first load port 120 for electrical connection to a first load (labeled as first positive and negative load ports 120a and 120b); a second load port 130 for electrical connection to a second load (labeled as second positive and negative load ports 130a and 130b); and a third load port 140 for electrical connection to a third load (labeled as first positive and negative load ports 140a and 140b).

[0026] Three loads are electrically connected in parallel between the positive and negative terminals 110a and 110b of the power supply. The currents supplied to the three load ports 120, 130 and 140 (i.e., supplied to the three loads) are represented by I1, I2 and I3, respectively. The circuit I′ is equal to the sum of the currents I2 and I3 supplied to the second and third load ports 130 and 140 (or supplied to the second and third loads).

[0027] The intelligent fuse circuit system of this embodiment includes two sensors and two switches. A first sensor 150a is disposed on circuit 100 to detect the real-time value of a first current I1. A first switch 160a is used to connect or disconnect the power supply to the first load port 120 or to the first load. Both the first sensor 150a and the first switch 160a are associated with a controller 200. The controller 200 can be configured to receive the real-time value of the first current I1 from the first sensor 150a and generate a disconnect signal for the first switch 160a to disconnect when the real-time value exceeds a pre-stored or preset threshold corresponding to the first current I1. After receiving the disconnect signal from the controller 200, the first switch 160a switches to the disconnect state, cutting off the power supply to the first load. The first sensor 150a and the first switch 160a provide overcurrent protection for the first load.

[0028] A second sensor 150b is disposed on circuit 100 to detect the real-time value of the sum of the second and third currents I2 and I3 (i.e., current I′). A second switch 160b is disposed on circuit 100 to simultaneously connect or disconnect the power supply to the second and third load ports 130 and 140. The second sensor 150b and the second switch 160b are associated with a controller 200, which can be configured to receive the real-time value of current I′ from the second sensor 150b and control the second switch 160b to switch it to the off state when the real-time value exceeds a preset threshold corresponding to current I′, thereby cutting off the power supply to the second and third loads. The second sensor 150b and the second switch 160b provide overcurrent protection for the second and third loads.

[0029] This embodiment is applicable to situations where there are special requirements for the current I1 supplied to the first load and the first load can be disconnected independently; and there are special requirements for the sum of the currents supplied to the second and third loads (current I′) and the second and third loads need to be disconnected simultaneously.

[0030] Figure 3 A second embodiment is shown, wherein the same reference numerals denote the same parts as in the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the circuit 100 of the second embodiment also includes three load ports 120, 130 and 140 for three loads, and the three loads L1, L2 and L3 are also electrically connected in parallel between the power receiving ports 110a and 110b.

[0031] Unlike the previous embodiment, the second embodiment includes three sensors: a first sensor 150c, a second sensor 150d, and a third sensor 150e, which are used to detect the currents I1, I2, and I3 supplied to the first load port 120 (or the first load), the second load port 130 (or the second load), and the third load port 140 (or the third load), respectively. The second embodiment also includes two switches: a first switch 160c and a third switch 160d. These two switches are respectively arranged on the positive and negative side trunks between the three loads L1, L2, and L3 and the positive and negative power receiving ports 110a and 110b. That is, each switch can simultaneously connect and disconnect the power supplied to the three loads.

[0032] Three sensors and two switches are all associated with controller 200. Controller 200 can be configured to receive the real-time values ​​of currents I1, I2, and I3. Controller 200 can be configured as needed to control the disconnection of either or both of the first switch 160c and the third switch 160d based on any preset conditions. As an example, the preset conditions could be: the real-time value of current I1 exceeds a threshold corresponding to current I1; the real-time value of current I2 exceeds a threshold corresponding to current I2; the real-time value of current I3 exceeds a threshold corresponding to current I3; any two or all three of currents I1, I2, and I3 exceed their respective thresholds; the real-time value of any one or two of currents I1, I2, and I3 exceeds a third real-time value, etc. Optionally, the preset conditions can be customized as needed. Controller 200 can be set to generate a cut-off signal and simultaneously provide it to both switches 160c and 160d when the real-time values ​​of currents I1, I2, and I3 meet the preset conditions. Alternatively, the controller 200 can be configured to provide the cut-off signal generated in this case to one of the switches, and after a preset time, if it is determined that the real-time values ​​of the currents I1, I2, and I3 still meet the preset conditions (indicating that the above-mentioned switch has failed or malfunctioned and cannot perform its function), the cut-off signal will be provided to the second switch again.

[0033] This embodiment is applicable to situations where it is desirable to simultaneously cut off power supply to three loads. Furthermore, although two switches are shown in the diagram for increased redundancy, omitting either switch is also feasible.

[0034] While this application describes a scenario of three loads connected in parallel with respect to the two illustrated embodiments, this is merely illustrative and the application is not limited thereto. For example, it is conceivable that the number of switches included in the circuit and their arrangement in the circuit can be determined based on the simultaneity requirements for load control in a practical application, such as which or those loads need to be switched on and off simultaneously. For example, it is conceivable that the number of sensors included in the circuit and their arrangement in the circuit can be determined based on the specific loads associated with the disconnection conditions in a practical application, such as which or those loads need to be switched off simultaneously. The number and arrangement of sensors and switches are also based on the electrical connection method of the multiple loads, such as series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel.

[0035] The intelligent fuse circuit system of this application, by setting a resettable switch, achieves the technical effect of resetting the electrical connection between the power supply and the load without damaging the electrical components, thereby realizing electrical insulation between the power supply equipment and the load equipment.

[0036] The intelligent fuse circuit system of this application is particularly advantageous when used to power multiple loads. One or more sensors and one or more switches can be installed on the circuit. In scenarios where power is supplied to multiple loads and some of these loads need to be switched on and off simultaneously, the switches can be configured to synchronously cut off the power supply to these loads without affecting the power supply to other loads. Specifically, in this case, the intelligent fuse circuit system of this application does not necessarily require a sensor and switch for each load; a shared sensor and / or switch can be used for multiple associated loads. This configuration reduces cost and complexity.

[0037] The intelligent fuse circuit system of this application provides overcurrent protection for the load when the current exceeds the threshold, as the controller can modify the threshold corresponding to the measured value as needed. It also provides power outage protection to ensure no power is supplied to the load when it is not in operating mode or when a fault occurs. The controller can also be configured to allow users to update and adjust the threshold locally or remotely via a human-machine interface according to different usage scenarios and needs, without replacing hardware or making physical adjustments (e.g., circuit connection methods). This flexibility makes the intelligent fuse circuit system of this application more advantageous in modern electronic devices and systems, especially in applications requiring dynamic adjustment of protection thresholds.

[0038] This application describes some exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but does not exhaustively list all possible embodiments. Various modifications or variations made by those skilled in the art after reading this application are considered to fall within the protection scope of this application as defined only by the claims.

Claims

1. A load power failure protection system, comprising a circuit (100) having a power receiving port (110) for receiving power and a plurality of load ports (120, 130, 140) for electrically connecting to a plurality of loads (L), characterized in that Also includes: One or more sensors (A) are installed on the circuit and configured to detect real-time values ​​related to electrical parameters of the power supplied to each load port; A controller (200) associated with the one or more sensors to receive real-time values ​​measured by the one or more sensors and to generate a cut-off signal when the real-time values ​​meet preset conditions; and One or more switches (C) associated with the controller and configured to switch to a cut-off state in response to receiving the cut-off signal therefrom to cut off the power supply to an associated load port among the plurality of load ports, wherein the associated load port of each switch is one or more of the plurality of load ports, and each load port is an associated load port of at least one of the one or more switches.

2. The load disconnect protection system of claim 1, wherein, Each switch is reversible to the ON state, and / or the electrical parameter is current and the sensor is a galvanometer.

3. The load disconnect protection system of claim 2, wherein, The multiple load ports are arranged in parallel.

4. The load disconnect protection system of claim 3, wherein, The one or more sensors include at least one of the following: a first ammeter for measuring the current supplied to one of the plurality of load ports; A second ammeter for measuring the sum of the currents supplied to two or more of the plurality of load ports; A third ammeter used to measure the sum of the current supplied to each load port.

5. The load power failure protection system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The one or more switches include at least one of the following: a first switch for controlling the on / off of power supplied to only one of the load ports; a second switch for synchronously controlling the on / off of power supplied to two or more of the load ports; and a third switch for synchronously controlling the on / off of power supplied to all load ports.

6. The load disconnect protection system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The preset conditions include one or more of the real-time values ​​measured by the one or more sensors exceeding the corresponding threshold.

7. The load disconnect protection system of claim 6, wherein, The controller includes a human-machine interface configured to receive at least one of the following related information: a threshold corresponding to the real-time value; and an input for restoring the at least one switch to the on state.

8. The load disconnect protection system of claim 6, wherein, The controller includes a display configured to display at least one of the following: the real-time value; the cut-off signal; and alarm information corresponding to the cut-off signal.

9. The load disconnect protection system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The switch is an electromagnetic contactor or a semiconductor switch.

10. A power distribution unit, characterized by, Includes the load power failure protection system according to any one of claims 1-9.

Images