Redundant Power Supply Using PoE Backup for Independent Input Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply units in industrial applications face vulnerabilities to power interruptions and component failures due to shared input mains and identical configurations, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A redundant power supply unit with a first and second power converter, an Ethernet port for Power over Ethernet (PoE) to power the second converter, a redundancy manager, a DC/DC voltage converter, and a microcontroller for selective power output, along with smart features for power distribution and monitoring, enabling efficient power management and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two identical power supply units are used with shared input mains, then power redundancy is provided, but both units remain vulnerable to the same power interruptions and component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the two power supply units different in their power sources: one uses mains power while the other uses PoE power. This differentiation ensures that they are not affected by the same power interruptions or component failures, as each unit draws power from independent sources with different characteristics and failure modes.
2Reliability
If two identical power supply units are deployed for redundancy, then backup capability is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power source parameter from identical mains power connections to different power sources (mains and PoE). This parameter change allows the use of different, potentially more cost-effective power supply units while maintaining redundancy, as PoE-powered units can be simpler and less expensive than full-featured mains-powered units.
3Productivity
If a redundancy manager selectively outputs power from one of the power converters, then power distribution is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redundancy manager automatically monitors the status of both power converters and selectively activates the appropriate one based on operational conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-manages the switching between power sources, optimizing power distribution while minimizing the operational complexity for users.
Data Source
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AI summary
A redundant power supply unit that comprises a first power converter having a mains power input and a power output and a second power converter having a power input and a power output. The redundant power supply unit further has an Ethernet port electrically connected to the power input of the second power converter. The Ethernet port is configured to accept Power over Ethernet (PoE) from an external source to power the second power converter. The redundant power supply unit further comprises a redundancy manager electrically connected to the power outputs of the first and the second power converter and configured to selectively output power from one of the power converters. The redundant power supply unit further comprises a DC/DC voltage converter having its input electrically connected to the redundancy manager and configured to output power to an external device.