Modular Battery Backup System With Hot-Swappable Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery backup systems are inconvenient to maintain, replace, and expand, leading to increased operating costs due to the need for shutdown during maintenance and the inability to adjust specifications during data center expansion.
Innovation Solution
A modular battery backup system with swappable modules and casings that allow for hot-swappable maintenance and replacement without shutting down the system, featuring a base with receiving portions, microcontrollers, energy storage units, and DC-DC converting circuits, enabling easy assembly and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional battery backup units are assembled in a fixed housing, then the system provides stable power backup, but the maintenance and replacement require shutting down the system and disassembling the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The battery backup system is divided into independent modular units, each containing a battery module and control circuitry. These modules can be individually accessed and replaced without affecting the entire system, enabling maintenance without shutdown and eliminating the need for complex housing disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery modules are extracted from a fixed housing structure and designed as hot-swappable units that can be independently removed and inserted into designated slots. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to replace modules without shutting down the system or disassembling protective housing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specific battery backup units are chosen to meet particular data center demands, then the system provides customized power capacity, but the specification cannot be adjusted during data center expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The battery backup system transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable architecture. Modules can be added, removed, or repositioned based on changing power requirements, allowing the system to adapt to data center expansion while maintaining a relatively simple modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular battery units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized dimensions, enabling them to function in multiple configurations and positions within the system. This universality allows the same module type to serve different power capacity requirements, facilitating easy expansion without requiring specialized components.
3Productivity
If battery backup modules require housing disassembly for replacement, then the system structure remains intact, but the operating costs increase due to downtime and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The battery backup system enables continuous operation during module replacement through hot-swappable architecture. The modular design with independent power pathways allows one module to be replaced while other modules continue to provide power backup, eliminating downtime and maintaining system availability throughout the maintenance process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy maintenance and replacement of battery backup modules, simplifies assembly, and reduces operating costs by allowing for continuous power supply during maintenance and expansion without shutting down the system.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage unit, disposed in the first modular casing and connected with the microcontroller for charging or discharging electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a DC-DC converting circuit, disposed in the first modular casing and connected with the microcontroller for converting a DC voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A battery backup system includes a base and a plurality of battery backup modules. The base has a plurality of receiving portions. Each of the battery backup modules includes a first modular casing, a microcontroller, an energy storage unit and a DC-DC converting circuit. The microcontroller is disposed in the first modular casing. The energy storage unit is disposed in the first modular casing and connected with the microcontroller for charging or discharging electrical energy. The DC-DC converting circuit is disposed in the first modular casing and connected with the microcontroller for converting a DC voltage. The first modular casing is swappable to be accommodated within one of the receiving portions of the base. When the first modular casing is accommodated within the receiving portion, the energy storage unit is controlled to charge or discharge electrical energy by the microcontroller.