Current Equalization Module for PoE Power Supply Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing power over Ethernet (PoE) systems require multiple DC/DC modules to supply larger powers, leading to increased costs and bulkiness due to current equalization after conversion, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A current equalization module detects and equalizes currents from multiple power supply lines before they reach a voltage converter, allowing a single DC/DC module to handle the combined currents, reducing the number of required converters and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple DC/DC modules are used to supply larger power, then the power delivery capability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple power supply lines into a single DC/DC module by implementing current equalization before the voltage conversion stage. Multiple input lines are merged at the current equalization module, which balances the current distribution, and then a single DC/DC module processes the combined current, replacing the need for multiple separate DC/DC modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a current equalization module as an intermediary component between the multiple power supply lines and the single DC/DC module. This mediator balances the current distribution across input lines before they enter the voltage conversion stage, enabling efficient operation of a single DC/DC module with multiple input sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If multiple DC/DC modules are used to supply larger power, then the power delivery capability is improved, but the implementation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple power supply lines into a single DC/DC module by implementing current equalization before the voltage conversion stage. Multiple input lines are merged at the current equalization module, which balances the current distribution, and then a single DC/DC module processes the combined current, replacing the need for multiple separate DC/DC modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If current equalization is performed after DC/DC conversion, then each power line can be independently converted, but the number of DC/DC modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent conversion capabilityVSAvoidnumber of DC/DC modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs current equalization before the DC/DC conversion stage rather than after. By balancing the current distribution across multiple input lines prior to voltage conversion, the system enables a single DC/DC module to efficiently process the combined current, avoiding the need for multiple separate conversion modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2773063B1Power supply method, current sharing module and power supply system
Publication Date: 2015.12.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2773063B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2773063B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2773063B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention provides a power supply method, a current equalization module, and a power supply system. The power supply method includes detecting, by the current equalization module, currents of at least two power supply lines; equalizing the currents of the at least two power supply lines based on the intensity of the currents that have been detected in order to enable the currents of at least two power supply lines to have the same intensity; sending the equalized currents to a voltage converter where the voltage corresponding to the equalized currents is converted to supply power to a terminal device. According to the present invention, currents have been equalized before arriving at a voltage converter (that is, a DC/DC module), so that only one voltage converter (that is, one DC/DC module) is used even in the case of large power output, which reduces the number of required voltage converters (that is, DC/DC modules) and thereby reduces the costs.