Expandable Power Supply System Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems become inadequate when electronic products are upgraded, leading to unnecessary hardware costs and resource waste due to the need for new power supplies with higher wattage.
Innovation Solution
An expandable power supply system that includes interface units, a determination unit, and a voltage converting unit, allowing additional power supplies to be connected and voltage levels to be adjusted, enabling the redistribution of operation voltages to generate the required supply voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a new power supply with larger watts is purchased to meet upgraded computer requirements, then the power supply capacity is improved, but hardware cost increases and resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is divided into multiple independent power supply units (first power supply, second power supply, etc.) that can be selectively connected. Each unit operates independently and contributes a portion of the total power, allowing the system to be scaled by adding or removing individual units rather than replacing the entire power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system dynamically adjusts its configuration by selectively connecting or disconnecting power supply units based on the actual power requirements. The determination unit detects which units are connected and the voltage converting unit adjusts the output voltage accordingly, enabling the system to adapt to varying power demands without waste.
2Power
If multiple power supplies are connected to provide sufficient power, then the power supply capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system performs self-detection and self-configuration. The determination unit automatically detects which power supply units are connected, and the voltage converting unit automatically adjusts the output voltage based on the detected configuration, eliminating the need for manual setup or complex user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the determination unit continuously monitors the connection status of power supply units and provides this information to the voltage converting unit, which then adjusts its operation accordingly. This closed-loop control simplifies the user interface while managing the complexity of multiple power supplies.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a computer and an expandable power supply system. The expandable power supply system includes N interface units, a determination unit, and a voltage converting unit. N is an integer equal to or more than two. The interface units are electrically connected with at least one power supplies and switching the levels of (N−1) control signals according to conductance of the power supplies. When the interface units are electrically connected with 1st to Mth power supplies, the determination unit outputs a start signal when the determination unit receives power reply signals provided by the 1st to Mth power supplies. M is an integer, and 1≦M≦N. The voltage converting unit is enabled according to the start signal to distribute operation voltages provided by the 1st to Mth power supplies by utilizing the control signals to generate a supply voltage.