Controllable Switch for Rapid Hardware Isolation During Power Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial PCs face challenges in quickly switching off non-essential hardware components during power failures, which limits the duration of buffer operation and extends power consumption, hindering safe shutdown and data protection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second controllable switch that can be activated independently of the controller's software or firmware to disconnect non-essential hardware components, such as the display unit's backlight, allowing for rapid power shutdown and optimizing energy usage during failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the controller evaluates the power failure signal using software before switching off hardware components, then the shutdown process is controlled and monitored, but the switching off speed is reduced, limiting the buffer time extension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shutdown control into two independent segments: a fast hardware-based switch (controllable switch) that provides immediate disconnection, and a software-based controller that performs evaluation and monitoring. This segmentation allows the hardware switch to operate independently at high speed while the controller maintains supervisory control, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controllable switch acts as an intermediary component between the power supply and the hardware components. It receives control signals from both the power supply unit (for immediate response) and the controller (for monitored control), enabling fast switching while maintaining system-wide coordination and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the controller uses software evaluation to determine which hardware components to switch off, then the decision-making process is flexible and adaptable, but the response time is delayed, reducing the effective buffer time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by pre-defining which hardware components should be switched off during power failure. This information is stored in the controller's memory before the actual power failure occurs. When power failure happens, the controller can immediately retrieve and execute the pre-determined switch-off plan without requiring real-time evaluation, thus maintaining adaptability while minimizing response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functionality is segmented between the controller (which handles adaptive decision-making and component identification) and the controllable switch (which executes the actual switching). This allows the software evaluation to be performed in advance or in parallel, separating the adaptive decision process from the time-critical execution, thereby preserving both flexibility and speed.
3Ease of operation
If all hardware components remain powered during power failure, then the system can maintain full functionality, but energy consumption increases, reducing the buffer operation duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively powering down specific hardware components (such as display units, keyboards, or other non-essential devices) while maintaining power to critical system components needed for safe shutdown. The controllable switch enables independent control of power distribution to different hardware components, allowing the system to preserve essential functionality while eliminating unnecessary energy consumption, thus extending buffer time without completely sacrificing system operability.
Data Source
AI summary
The device has a power supply unit (1) transmitting a power line failure-signal to a controller (7), during the power line-failure. The controller separates one of electrical components i.e. background illumination unit (3) from the power supply unit via a controllable switch (5) based on a power line-failure signal. The electrical components are attached via the switch and an additional controllable switch (6) that is attached downstream to the switch. The additional switch transmits the failure signal to the power supply unit such that the additional switch is opened.