Energy storage type power strip for home NAS

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of energy storage type power strip for household NAS, belong to the technical field of household NAS safety power supply.It is in view of the problem that traditional UPS is large in size, high in cost and not applicable to single NAS equipment short-time standby power demand, and a kind of power strip structure of integrated energy storage and direct supply direct current output is presented.The power strip includes shell, power cord, AC socket, lithium battery group, GaN charger, BMS module, DC-DC module and direct current interface;Lithium battery group is arranged along the inner wall of shell, BMS module connects GaN charger, lithium battery group and DC-DC module, and direct current interface provides 12V and 19V output directly for NAS power supply;AC socket is directly supplied by commercial power, and BMS automatically switches to battery power supply when power failure, and sends shutdown signal to NAS through USB interface when power decreases to threshold value.The utility model realizes NAS power failure protection with the size of approximate ordinary power strip, avoids multi-stage electric energy conversion loss, reduces cost and space occupation, and guarantees data security.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of safe power supply technology for home NAS, and in particular to an energy storage power strip for home NAS. Background Technology

[0002] NAS stands for Network Attached Storage, which is essentially a small server specifically designed to provide file and data services over a network. It typically operates 24 / 7, serves multiple devices and users, and focuses on centralized data storage, sharing, and security.

[0003] Common uses of NAS include: Home / Company File Sharing: Access files between computers, mobile phones, tablets, and TVs via protocols such as SMB / NFS / AFP.

[0004] Backup and Sync: Automatic backup of photos on your computer / phone, version management, and cross-device synchronization.

[0005] Media and Entertainment: Plex / Emby / DLNA streaming, family photo albums, music libraries.

[0006] Private cloud and remote access: Securely access internal network data from the external network.

[0007] Lightweight services: download machines, Docker containers, lightweight virtual machines, Home Assistant, NVRs for video surveillance, etc.

[0008] Due to its wide range of uses, NAS has been increasingly widely adopted.

[0009] NAS devices need to consider both backup and power supply reliability. While their file systems (Btrfs / ZFS / ext4, etc.) have logs and verification mechanisms, they are still vulnerable to sudden power outages, which can corrupt the file system or database. NAS devices frequently have write caches, indexes, and metadata updates; power outages can lead to data inconsistencies, array rebuilds, and service disruptions.

[0010] To ensure data security and improve service stability, UPS power supply technology is used in some applications (such as corporate NAS). It can provide continuous power to the NAS after a power grid failure. Its features include mature technology, high output power (hundreds to thousands of watts), and suitability for multiple devices such as NAS, router, switch, and small server to run simultaneously. However, the cost is relatively high and the size is relatively large.

[0011] In recent years, to meet the needs of home NAS and other household applications, home UPS products priced at a few hundred yuan have emerged. While offering lower prices, they still retain the traditional characteristics of UPS systems: independent chassis and relatively large size. Typical dimensions of a small home UPS are 31.5 cm long, 10 cm wide, and 14.3 cm high. In contrast, common dimensions of home power strips are approximately 30 cm long, 7 cm wide, and 4 cm high. Comparatively, the size of home power strips is more suitable for desktop use by home users.

[0012] In home NAS usage scenarios, the device requiring power outage protection is singular (one NAS), and the service target is home use. There is no requirement for continuous power outage protection. The key requirement is to protect data security and prevent data inconsistency, array reconstruction, and service abnormalities caused by writing to the NAS while it is caching, indexing, or updating metadata in the event of a sudden power outage. This also helps to prevent damage to the NAS's file system or database.

[0013] Therefore, with the increasing use of home NAS, it is necessary to develop a low-cost energy storage power strip for home NAS that meets the aforementioned needs and characteristics of home NAS. This power strip would not only meet the data security requirements of home NAS, but also avoid the drawbacks of traditional UPS, such as high cost and large size. In the event of a power outage, it would also smooth out the impact of the trip on the NAS (if it is a momentary trip that is automatically restored, no human intervention is required; if it is a trip of the main power supply in the house, family members need to manually restore the main power supply). Utility Model Content

[0014] The purpose of this invention is to provide a power storage strip for home NAS, which provides short-term power supply for home NAS after power failure in a small size, thus ensuring data security.

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, the energy storage power strip for home NAS of this utility model includes a housing with an inner cavity, a power plug connected to the housing via a power cord, and a number of sockets on the housing, including a number of two-hole sockets and / or a number of three-hole sockets. A lithium battery pack, composed of LFP cells, is connected to the inner wall of one long side of the housing. A GaN charger is located at one end of the housing's inner cavity. Inside the housing, inside the GaN charger, is a BMS module and a power switch. The power switch is exposed on the housing surface. The GaN charger and the power switch are connected to power cords. The GaN charger is connected to the BMS module, which is connected to the lithium battery pack. The BMS module is connected to a DC-DC module (the GaN charger output is connected to the BMS, which manages battery charging and provides input power to the DC-DC module). The DC-DC module is connected to a DC interface for powering the NAS. The DC interface is located on the housing surface, and each socket is connected to the power switch.

[0016] The lithium battery pack 6 is composed of LFP cells, with a preferred capacity of 20Wh. A typical power strip casing is approximately 28–35cm long, 6–7cm wide, and 3–4cm high. The 20Wh lithium battery pack matches the casing size and can be arranged along the long side of the casing. This arrangement makes fuller use of the internal space of the casing, allowing this invention to provide power protection for the NAS in a size similar to that of a common household power strip. Compared to the size of a small household UPS (such as the typical size of 31.5*10*14.3 cm), it is significantly smaller and more suitable for powering a home NAS, ensuring the data security of the NAS.

[0017] This invention directly provides a DC interface for powering the NAS, eliminating the need for an AC power adapter for the NAS. This avoids multiple conversions, such as "battery DC → inverter to AC → NAS power supply then rectified back to DC", thus reducing power loss.

[0018] The preferred DC-DC module is a 12V / 19V adjustable DC-DC module, which allows the DC-DC module to have two output voltages: 12V and 19V.

[0019] In this invention, both the two-hole and three-hole sockets are directly powered by the power cord. The BMS does not supply power to the two-hole and three-hole sockets. Therefore, while providing power protection for the NAS during power outages, this invention can also provide ordinary power to other commonly used household appliances (without power outage protection function), such as powering mobile phone chargers, televisions, and humidifiers.

[0020] The DC-DC module has two output voltages, 12V and 19V, and the DC interface includes two round DC interfaces for 12V and 19V respectively.

[0021] Common DC interfaces for NAS include 12V and 19V round-hole DC interfaces. This invention covers both of these common interfaces and can meet the usage needs of most home NAS devices. Among them, the 12V interface is the most commonly used, while the 19V interface matches the power supply needs of NAS models with 4 or more drive bays.

[0022] The housing also houses several Type-C modules, with the interfaces of each Type-C module exposed on the housing surface; each Type-C module is connected to the BMS module.

[0023] The Type-C module allows for convenient charging of home devices such as mobile phones or tablets. Users only need a Type-C cable, saving them the trouble of finding a charging adapter.

[0024] The housing also houses a USB module, whose USB interface (integrated with DC-DC circuitry) is located on the housing surface; the USB module connects to the BMS module; the USB module selectively provides the following two functions: 1. Connect the USB device and power it; 2. Connect the home NAS via USB data cable. The BMS module stores a preset power percentage threshold (e.g., 5%). After power failure, the BMS uses the energy stored in the lithium battery pack to power the home NAS. When the power of the lithium battery pack drops to or below the threshold, the BMS is triggered to send a shutdown signal to the NAS via the USB data cable.

[0025] This utility model has the following advantages: 1. Strong adaptability to different shapes.

[0026] With dimensions of approximately 30cm × 6.5cm × 3.5cm and a weight of approximately 400g, it is similar to a household power strip. Its form factor better fits home desktop layouts, allowing it to be placed horizontally, wall-mounted, or concealed in a TV cabinet, reducing space usage by over 70% compared to traditional UPS systems. 2. It eliminates the need for multiple conversions: "battery DC → inverter to AC → NAS power supply then rectified back to DC," significantly improving energy efficiency.

[0027] 3. Cost structure optimization.

[0028] By removing components such as inverters, relays, and displays, the BOM cost is reduced by 30-40% compared to a 300 RMB-level UPS, and the retail price can be controlled at around 200 RMB, which is within the budget of home users.

[0029] 4. Compatibility and scalability.

[0030] DC interface: 12V (5.5×2.1mm) and 19V (5.5×2.5mm) dual round holes, with 3 types of adapters included to cover mainstream models such as Synology, QNAP, and ASMedia.

[0031] 5. Multi-protocol support: USB port is compatible with HIDUPS, SerialUPS and proprietary protocols.

[0032] 6. Auxiliary power supply: The Type-C port supports two power levels: 5V / 3A and 9V / 2A, and the USB-A port supports 5V / 2.4A, which can meet the emergency charging needs of mobile phones and tablets.

[0033] 7. Safety and reliability.

[0034] Cell safety: The thermal runaway temperature of the LFP system is >250℃, and it does not smoke when punctured or overcharged, in compliance with GB31241-2022.

[0035] System redundancy: The BMS uses dual backup sampling chips and the MOS driver has an independent watchdog, so it can still safely power down in the event of a single point of failure.

[0036] Lifespan matching: Battery cycle life ≥ 2000 cycles (80% SOH), theoretically usable for 38 years based on one power outage per week (actual lifespan may be accelerated due to complex usage environments), matching the lifespan of the power strip. SOH stands for State of Health, referring to the battery's health status.

[0037] 8. User experience optimization.

[0038] Plug and play, no driver installation required (built-in support in mainstream NAS systems). The LED indicator displays three colors (green for normal AC power, blue for battery power, and red for low battery shutdown), making the status clear at a glance. The battery pack features a modular design, allowing users to easily replace it by unscrewing the bottom cover, reducing maintenance barriers. Of course, the three-color LED indicator is not essential; the absence of the LED indicator does not affect the normal operation of this device.

[0039] In summary, the value of this utility model lies mainly in its ability to accurately meet the core requirements of home NAS for "short-term backup power + safe shutdown + reduced desktop space occupation" through technologies such as form reconstruction (plug strip) and topology simplification (direct DC power supply). Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model. Figure 1 The dashed line indicates a cavity located inside the shell, which is not visible on the shell surface. Detailed Implementation

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the energy storage power strip for home NAS of this utility model includes a housing 1, the housing 1 has an inner cavity, the housing 1 is connected to a power plug 3 through a power cord 2, and the housing 1 is provided with a number of sockets, including a number of two-hole sockets 4 and / or a number of three-hole sockets 5 (that is, the two-hole sockets 4 and the three-hole sockets 5 can be set separately or simultaneously). A lithium battery pack 6, composed of LFP cells, is connected to the inner wall of one long side of the housing 1. A GaN charger 7 (using gallium nitride technology, characterized by its small size and high conversion efficiency) is located at one end of the inner cavity of the housing 1. Inside the housing 1, inside the GaN charger 7, is a BMS module 8 and a power switch 9. The power switch 9 is exposed on the surface of the housing 1. The GaN charger 7 and the power switch 9 are connected to power lines 2. The power switch 9 only controls the AC jack; the DC interface is independently controlled by the BMS. The BMS module 8, or battery management system, is responsible for the charging and discharging management, power monitoring, and safety protection of the lithium battery pack. The GaN charger 7 is connected to the BMS module 8, which is connected to the lithium battery pack 6. The BMS module 8 is connected to a DC-DC module 10 (the output of the GaN charger 7 is connected to the BMS module 8; the BMS module 8 manages battery charging and provides input power to the DC-DC module 10). The DC-DC module 10 is connected to a DC interface 11 for powering the NAS. The DC interface 11 is located on the surface of the housing 1, and each socket is connected to the power switch 9.

[0042] The lithium battery pack 6 is composed of LFP cells, with a preferred capacity of 20Wh. The common power strip housing 1 is approximately 28–35cm long, 6–7cm wide, and 3–4cm high. The 20Wh lithium battery pack 6 matches the size of the housing 1 and can be arranged along the long side of the housing 1. This arrangement makes fuller use of the internal space of the housing 1, allowing this invention to provide power protection for the NAS with a size similar to that of a common household power strip. Compared with the size of a small household UPS (such as the typical size of 31.5*10*14.3 cm), it is significantly smaller and more suitable for powering a home NAS, ensuring the data security of the NAS.

[0043] This utility model directly provides a DC interface 11 for powering the NAS, without the need to power the NAS's AC power adapter. This avoids multiple conversions of "battery DC → inverter to AC → NAS power supply then rectified to DC", thus reducing power loss.

[0044] The DC-DC module 10 is preferably a 12V / 19V adjustable DC-DC module 10, so that the DC-DC module 10 has two output voltages of 12V and 19V.

[0045] In this invention, both the two-hole socket 4 and the three-hole socket 5 are directly powered by the power cord 2. The BMS does not supply power to the two-hole socket 4 and the three-hole socket 5. Therefore, while providing power protection for the NAS during power outages, this invention can also provide ordinary power to other commonly used household appliances (without power outage protection), such as powering mobile phone chargers, televisions, and humidifiers.

[0046] The DC-DC module 10 has two output voltages, 12V and 19V, and the DC interface 11 includes two round DC interfaces 11 for 12V and 19V respectively.

[0047] Commonly used DC interfaces for NAS include 12V and 19V round-hole DC interfaces. This invention covers both of these common interfaces and can meet the usage needs of most home NAS devices. Among them, the 12V interface is the most commonly used, while the 19V interface matches the power supply needs of NAS models with 4 or more drive bays.

[0048] The housing 1 also contains several Type-C modules 12, with the interface of each Type-C module 12 exposed on the surface of the housing 1; each Type-C module 12 is connected to the BMS module 8.

[0049] The Type-C module 12 allows for convenient charging of home devices such as mobile phones or tablets. Users only need a Type-C cable, saving them the trouble of finding a charging adapter.

[0050] The housing 1 also houses a USB module 13, whose USB interface (integrating DC-DC circuitry) is located on the surface of the housing 1; the USB module 13 is connected to the BMS module 8; the USB module 13 selectively provides the following two functions: 1. Connect the USB device and power it; 2. Connect the home NAS via USB data cable. The BMS module 8 stores a preset power percentage threshold (e.g., 5%). After power failure, the BMS uses the power stored in the lithium battery pack 6 to power the home NAS. When the power of the lithium battery pack 6 drops to or below the threshold, the BMS is triggered to send a shutdown signal to the NAS via the USB data cable.

[0051] The battery percentage threshold is factory preset (e.g., 5%), ensuring that the 50W NAS can continue to work for more than 1 minute after a power outage, providing sufficient time for it to execute the safe shutdown process and further ensuring data security.

[0052] BMS module 8 is connected to RGB LED beads, which are embedded in the surface of housing 1 and used to display the working status of the power strip; when the mains power is normal, BMS controls the RGB LED beads to emit green light; when the battery is powered, BMS controls the RGB LED beads to emit blue light; when the power is off due to low battery, BMS controls the RGB LED beads to emit red light.

[0053] RGB LED beads allow users to easily monitor the battery status. Of course, the absence of RGB LED beads does not affect the normal use of this invention.

[0054] Design Notes: A typical 2-bay home NAS consumes approximately 20–30W (idle / light load), and 30–40W during peak write operations or simultaneous drive activity. A typical 4-bay NAS consumes approximately 35–60W. For a 2-bay NAS, based on 30W, an efficiency of 0.93, and a margin of 1.25, a 20Wh battery can provide approximately 30 minutes of battery life. For a 4-bay NAS, based on 50W, an efficiency of 0.93, and a margin of 1.25, a 20Wh battery can provide approximately 18 minutes of battery life, sufficient for continuous operation without interruption during short power outages.

[0055] When the remaining charge of the 20Wh battery is ≥4.5%, it can support a 50W NAS to safely shut down for 60 seconds. Therefore, the shutdown power threshold set at the factory is preferably 5%-8%.

[0056] I. Work process.

[0057] 1. Mains power steady-state power supply mode.

[0058] After mains power is connected, the GaN charger 7 charges the LFP battery pack with constant current / constant voltage via the BMS (charging voltage limited to 21.6V, current limited to 1–2C). Simultaneously, the charger directly supplies power to the 12V / 19V DC interface 11 via the DC-DC module 10, and the battery pack does not discharge externally (the DC-DC input comes from the GaN charger when mains power is on, and switches to the lithium battery pack when power is off). The AC socket is directly connected to the mains power via an independent copper busbar, physically isolated from the battery system.

[0059] 2. Seamless switching mode during power outages.

[0060] In the instant of a power outage, the BMS detects a drop in input voltage (<180V / 10ms) and immediately switches the input source of the DC-DC module 10 from GaN to the lithium battery pack 6 in a switching time of <5ms, ensuring that the NAS does not lose power. The AC jacks then lose power, and the Type-C and USB interfaces are powered by the battery.

[0061] 3. Low battery protection shutdown mode.

[0062] The BMS monitors the battery's SOC (State of Charge) in real time. When the SOC drops to a preset threshold (default 5%, corresponding to approximately 1Wh of remaining power), the BMS sends a standard HID UPS shutdown command (or a vendor-specific protocol) to the NAS via USB module 13. HID UPS refers to a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) communication standard implemented based on the USB HID (Human Interface Device) protocol. It is an industry-standard, driverless technology for status reporting and control command interaction between the UPS and the host device (such as a NAS or PC) via a USB interface.

[0063] After receiving the command, the NAS executes sync() and shutdown, which takes approximately 30–60 seconds. The BMS continues to supply power until the SOC drops to 2% or receives a shutdown completion confirmation from the NAS, after which it cuts off the output. SOC stands for State of Charge, referring to the state of charge or remaining battery capacity.

[0064] 4. Self-recovery and standby modes.

[0065] After mains power is restored, the BMS prioritizes starting the GaN charger 7 to recharge the battery. Once the voltage returns to the normal range, the DC interface 11 output is gradually restored to avoid inrush current. The AC jacks immediately resume power supply after mains power is restored.

[0066] II. Working principle.

[0067] 1. Power path management layer.

[0068] It adopts a parallel architecture of "AC direct supply + DC backup power". The power switch is connected in series in the AC mains circuit of the AC socket to control its on / off state. On the DC side, a main path of "GaNPFC→BMS→DC-DC" and a backup path of "battery pack→BMS→DC-DC" are constructed. The two paths are switched without contact through synchronous rectification MOSFETs inside the BMS, with a loss of <0.5W.

[0069] 2. Battery management and thermal management layer.

[0070] The core functions of a BMS include: Electrochemical protection: Monitoring of individual cell voltages in each LFP battery pack (±10mV accuracy), triggering overcharge protection (≥3.9V), over-discharge protection (≤2.5V), and equalization charging (passive equalization current 50mA).

[0071] Thermal design: A ventilation channel of more than 1 cm is provided between the battery pack and the GaN charger 7. The charger is equipped with an aluminum extruded heat sink (thermal resistance <5K / W), and a micro-hole array is set at the bottom of the casing 1 to ensure that the temperature rise under full load is <15K.

[0072] Safety isolation: withstand voltage ≥3000VAC between AC input and DC output, creepage distance ≥4mm, and insulating barley paper between battery pack and casing 1 to meet the double insulation requirements of GB4943.1-2022.

[0073] 3. Collaboration and communication layer (preferred but not mandatory technology).

[0074] USB module 13 incorporates a CH9328 or compatible HID chip, simulating the standard UPS communication protocol. The BMS microcontroller (MCU) periodically reports battery voltage, current, SOC, and status words. The NAS side parses the data via the USBHID-UPS driver to estimate power consumption and respond to commands. The communication baud rate is 9600, and the response latency is <100ms.

[0075] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate and not limit the technical solutions of this utility model. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can still be made to the utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model. Any modifications or partial substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A home NAS energy storage power strip, including a housing with an inner cavity, a power plug connected to the housing via a power cord, and several sockets on the housing; Its features are: A lithium battery pack is connected to the inner wall of one long side of the housing; a GaN charger is located at one end of the inner cavity of the housing, and a BMS module and a power switch are located inside the housing inside the GaN charger. The power switch is exposed on the surface of the housing, and the GaN charger and the power switch are respectively connected to power cords; the GaN charger is connected to the BMS module, and the BMS module is connected to the lithium battery pack; the BMS module is connected to a DC-DC module, and the DC-DC module is connected to a DC interface for powering the NAS. The DC interface is arranged on the surface of the housing, and each socket is connected to the power switch.

2. The energy storage power strip for home NAS according to claim 1, characterized in that: The DC-DC module has two output voltages, 12V and 19V, and the DC interface includes two round DC interfaces for 12V and 19V respectively.

3. The energy storage power strip for home NAS according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing also houses several Type-C modules, with the interfaces of each Type-C module exposed on the housing surface; each Type-C module is connected to the BMS module.

4. The energy storage power strip for home NAS according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing also houses a USB module, with its USB interface located on the housing surface; the USB module connects to the BMS module; the USB module selectively provides the following two functions: (1) Connect the USB device and power it; (2) Connect the home NAS via USB data cable. The BMS module stores a preset power percentage threshold. After power failure, the BMS uses the power stored in the lithium battery pack to power the home NAS. When the power of the lithium battery pack drops to or below the threshold, the BMS is triggered to send a shutdown signal to the NAS via the USB data cable.

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