EPO Device Using Non-EPO Ports for Emergency Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to ensure compliance with the United States National Electric Code by implementing an Emergency Power Off (EPO) mechanism for computing devices with internal back-up energy storage, which requires powering down within five minutes without the space for a dedicated EPO interface, especially in devices with limited space and existing non-EPO ports already in use.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing existing non-EPO ports on computing devices to connect and power an EPO device, which transmits an EPO signal to the system manager to instruct the energy storage device to power down, thereby maintaining compliance without altering the device's architecture or requiring additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated EPO interface is implemented to ensure compliance with the National Electric Code, then the reliability of emergency power shutdown is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling existing non-EPO ports to serve dual purposes: their original function and EPO signal transmission. The system manager detects EPO signals through existing port infrastructure without requiring dedicated EPO hardware, making the EPO functionality universal across devices with these ports while maintaining compliance with the National Electric Code
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the EPO functionality with existing port infrastructure by combining the EPO signal transmission capability with non-EPO ports. Instead of separate dedicated interfaces, the system integrates emergency shutdown capability into existing communication or data ports, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
2Device complexity
If existing non-EPO ports are used to transmit EPO signals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of signal transmission may be affected due to port sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The system manager acts as an intermediary that receives EPO signals through existing non-EPO ports and translates them into actionable emergency shutdown commands. This mediator layer ensures reliable signal interpretation and execution while utilizing shared port infrastructure, bridging the gap between multi-use ports and critical EPO functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the system manager monitors the status of energy storage devices and responds to EPO signals by executing shutdown procedures. This feedback loop ensures that even when using shared ports, the EPO signal is properly detected, interpreted, and acted upon to guarantee reliable emergency power shutdown
3Device complexity
If the EPO device is powered through existing ports, then additional hardware and space are saved, but the power availability for the EPO device may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The EPO device utilizes the existing power infrastructure of the computing device through non-EPO ports, making the system self-sufficient. The EPO functionality draws power from the same ports it uses for signal transmission, eliminating the need for separate power supply hardware and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adequate power availability
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an Emergency Power Off (EPO) device can be connected to a non-EPO port of a computing device, and the EPO device can provide an EPO signal via the non-EPO port to a manager connected to an energy storage device of the computing device, wherein the EPO signal comprises instructions to power off the energy storage device.