Power Control Apparatus for Voltage Drop Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply systems fail to reliably maintain power to loads during momentary voltage drops or prolonged power failures, which can cause manufacturing defects and equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A power control apparatus comprising a high-speed switch, synchronization control unit, power conditioning system, capacitor, lithium-ion battery power storage unit, rotary machine generator, and energy management system that quickly interrupts power from the system when voltage drops and switches to alternative power sources, including a lithium-ion battery and rotary machine generator, to ensure continuous power supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional power supply system is used without backup mechanisms, then the system structure remains simple, but power supply reliability deteriorates during momentary voltage drops or power failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent components: a main power supply unit for normal operation, a backup power supply unit for abnormal conditions, and a control unit for switching between them. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability through redundancy while managing complexity through modular design, where each component performs a specific function independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backup power supply unit is prepared in advance before any power abnormality occurs. The control unit continuously monitors the main power supply status and pre-configures the switching mechanism, so that when a momentary voltage drop or power failure occurs, the transition to backup power can happen immediately without delay, ensuring continuous power supply to critical loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the power supply system automatically switches to backup power sources during abnormalities, then power supply reliability improves, but the response time may be delayed due to detection and switching mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous power supply capabilityVSAvoidresponse speed to power abnormalities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements continuous feedback monitoring of the main power supply voltage and status. When the monitored parameters indicate an abnormality (voltage drop below threshold or power failure), the control unit immediately triggers the switching mechanism. This closed-loop feedback system ensures rapid detection and response, minimizing the time gap between power abnormality occurrence and backup power activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the main power supply unit and the backup power supply unit. It receives real-time status information from the main power supply, makes rapid switching decisions based on pre-set criteria, and activates the appropriate power source. This intermediary role streamlines the switching process by centralizing control logic and reducing the complexity of direct coordination between power supply units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a distributed power supply system with multiple backup sources is implemented, then power supply reliability during abnormalities improves, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stability during abnormalitiesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle various power supply scenarios: it monitors main power status, detects abnormalities, switches to backup power, manages power distribution to different loads, and controls the timing of transitions. This universal control unit consolidates multiple control functions into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the capability to manage a distributed power supply system with multiple backup sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system effectively prevents adverse effects from momentary drops and long-term power failures by providing reliable power to loads through a combination of rapid capacitor discharge, lithium-ion battery support, and rotary machine generator operation, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and lowering operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor 13 and a lithium ion battery 15 as power storage units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a capacitor 13 and a lithium ion battery 15 as power storage units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 3

a rotary machine generator 16 configured so that output power of the rotary machine generator 16 can be supplied to the load 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3624304B1Power control device and power control method
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 MURATA MFG CO LTD
  • EP3624304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3624304B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3624304B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power control apparatus has a switch unit that interrupts power supply from a system power when the switch unit has detected a drop of voltage from the system power below a threshold, a first power control unit that receives a voltage drop signal supplied from the switch unit, a first power storage unit connected to the first power control unit, a second power control unit that receives a discharge start signal supplied from the first power control unit, a second power storage unit connected to the second power control unit, and a rotary machine generator that receives an operation control signal supplied from the second power control unit or the second power storage unit.