Power Control Unit for Dynamic Mode Switching in Computing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
As computing systems become more complex and powerful, their power requirements increase, posing safety concerns for users and resulting in high costs and complexity due to the need for multiple power channels, with existing solutions requiring a licensed electrician for safe access, limiting user safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power control unit manages power modes by allowing power channels to consume above a predefined threshold in performance mode, throttling and monitoring power consumption, and shutting down the system when necessary to ensure safety, using multiple power supply channels to maintain safety standards without requiring a licensed electrician.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple power supply channels are configured to meet safety standards, then user safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power mode switching between performance mode and safety mode based on operational conditions. The system transitions from a static multi-channel configuration to a dynamic single-channel configuration, where power channels are activated or deactivated based on whether safety mode is required, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of power channels by switching between different power modes. In performance mode, power channels operate at full capacity without strict VA limits. In safety mode, the system changes parameters to enforce 240 VA limits per channel, allowing the same hardware to meet different safety requirements through parameter adjustment rather than physical reconfiguration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple power channels are used to meet safety standards, then user safety is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power supply system universal by designing it to handle both performance and safety requirements through a single multi-functional architecture. The power channels can serve dual purposes: providing high power in performance mode and enforcing safety limits in safety mode, eliminating the need for separate dedicated safety channels and reducing overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service safety management by automatically detecting operational conditions and switching between power modes without requiring external intervention. The power control unit monitors conditions and autonomously transitions between performance and safety modes, eliminating the need for expensive licensed electrician interventions while maintaining safety standards.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If power channels are limited to 240 VA per channel, then user safety is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power delivery by switching between safety mode with 240 VA per channel limits and performance mode with higher power delivery capabilities. The system dynamically adjusts power channel availability based on operational needs, allowing high productivity when safety is not a constraint while maintaining safety standards when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments power delivery into distinct operational modes: safety mode for low-power safe operation and performance mode for high-power delivery. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for either safety or productivity depending on the operational context, rather than being permanently constrained by safety limits.
Data Source
AI summary
Managing power modes of a computing system that includes a power supply and computing components, the power supply configured to supply power, through power supply channels, to the computing components, wherein power modes are managed by: operating the computing system in a performance power mode, including allowing each power channel to consume power greater than a predefined maximum power consumption threshold; receiving a signal representing a user's access to the computing components; and operating the computing system in a safety mode, insuring that each of the power supply channels does not consume power greater than the predefined maximum power consumption threshold, including: throttling power consumption of one or more of the computing components; monitoring power consumption of each power supply channel; and shutting down the computing system when at least one power supply channel consumes power greater than the predefined maximum power consumption threshold.