PoE-Powered Communication Subsystems for HVAC Power Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building devices, particularly HVAC systems, often require more power than what can be supplied via traditional Power over Ethernet (PoE), leading to limitations in network connectivity and functionality when permanent power sources fail, as they cannot be fully powered by PoE sources alone.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where building devices have dual power sources, with PoE powering communication subsystems and permanent power sources powering functional subsystems, allowing communication to continue even if permanent power fails, and enabling software updates and data transmission through PoE+, thereby maintaining network connectivity and control across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If building devices are powered via PoE, then network connectivity and ease of installation are improved, but the power availability and functional capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The building device is divided into two independent subsystems: a communication subsystem powered by PoE and a functional subsystem powered by permanent power. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be powered appropriately according to its power requirements, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and power availability.
2Power
If building devices use permanent power sources, then power availability and functional capability are improved, but reliability during power failures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the communication subsystem (powered by PoE) from the functional subsystem (powered by permanent power), the system ensures that communication and control functions remain operational during permanent power failures, thereby improving reliability while maintaining adequate power availability for each subsystem.
Solution Approach 2:
The PoE-powered communication subsystem acts as an intermediary that maintains network connectivity and control capability during permanent power failures, allowing the system to communicate status and receive commands even when the functional subsystem is offline.
3Power
If PoE power is increased to support functional subsystems, then power availability is improved, but device complexity and power management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into two independent power sources: PoE for communication and permanent power for functional operations. This eliminates the need for complex power management circuits to handle high-power requirements over Ethernet, as each subsystem has its dedicated power source.
Data Source
AI summary
A power over Ethernet (PoE) device system for a building including building devices connected together and to a PoE source via a network. The PoE source is configured to provide each of the building devices with PoE. A first building device of the building devices includes a communication subsystem circuit configured to receive the PoE from the PoE source via one of the building devices, power the communication subsystem circuit using the PoE received from the PoE source via the one of the building devices, and communicate with the PoE source and the building devices via the network. The first building device includes a functional subsystem circuit configured to power the functional subsystem circuit using power received from a permanent power source of the building and control an environmental condition of the building using the power received from the permanent power source of the building.