Backup Battery Power Cutoff for Fuse-Limited Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing electrical consumption in devices with backup batteries fail to instantly reduce power consumption during a mains power failure, potentially damaging the safety fuse and impacting device performance, while also not being transparent to the user and lacking cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a power monitoring module and a power cut module, both implemented as hardware components, which detect a mains power failure and reduce power consumption by selectively cutting off power to non-essential hardware modules, allowing the device to operate within the fuse's current limit without user-noticeable performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software-based power management processes are used to reduce power consumption during mains power failure, then power consumption can be reduced, but the response time is insufficient to prevent fuse damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based power management with a hardware-based solution. A detection circuit continuously monitors mains voltage and automatically triggers power cut-off transistors when voltage drops indicate a mains failure. This hardware implementation achieves millisecond-level response times, sufficient to protect the fuse, whereas software processes operate too slowly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring mains voltage through the detection circuit before a power failure occurs. When voltage drops are detected (indicating impending mains failure), the system proactively activates the power cut-off transistors to reduce power consumption to within fuse limits, preventing fuse damage before it can occur.
2Reliability
If power consumption is reduced by cutting off hardware modules during mains power failure, then fuse damage is prevented and battery energy is conserved, but device functionality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into multiple independent power domains, each controlled by its own power cut-off transistor. The detection circuit can selectively activate specific transistors to cut power to non-essential hardware modules while leaving critical functions powered. This allows the system to reduce power consumption to within fuse limits while preserving essential device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selectively cutting power to only those hardware modules necessary to reduce consumption within fuse limits, rather than shutting down the entire device. Critical functions remain powered while non-essential modules are deactivated, maintaining adequate device functionality for backup operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a low current rating fuse is used to reduce mechanical design constraints, then ventilation openings can be maintained, but the device must operate within stricter current limits during battery power
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring mains voltage and controlling power distribution to hardware modules based on power source availability. During battery operation, the detection circuit and power cut-off transistors automatically manage current consumption to stay within fuse limits, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex mechanical redesigns.
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain apparatuses, in particular supplied by a mains power supply, also comprise a battery backup power supply capable of taking over from the mains power supply. The batteries used by the backup power supply are generally protected by a fuse. These apparatuses are likely to consume a higher amount of energy that that which could be provided by the backup supply batteries. When the mains power supply is interrupted, it is then preferable to limit the current consumed by the apparatus in order not to damage the fuse protecting said batteries. And yet, the fuses are hardware modules which have a reaction time of several hundred milliseconds. When seeking not to damage a fuse, it is thus imperative to reduce the current consumption of the apparatus in a shorter time than the fuse reaction time. The invention relates to a system and a method which makes it possible to reduce the electricity consumption of an apparatus instantaneously in the case of a mains power supply interruption.