Power Management Module Voltage Drop Negotiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management modules in digital video surveillance systems face challenges in preventing damage to devices due to voltage drops, which can cause high currents when supplying power, especially when the voltage applied is too low or too high, leading to potential damage to the apparatus.

Innovation Solution

A power management module that estimates and negotiates the power supply to an apparatus, taking into account voltage drops and resistance values, to ensure safe and efficient power allocation, and includes features for re-negotiating power allocation based on measured voltage drops to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If power is supplied to the apparatus without negotiation, then power delivery speed is improved, but device safety deteriorates due to potential voltage drops causing excessive current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery speedVSAvoiddevice safety
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power management module performs preliminary power negotiation with the apparatus before supplying power. This preliminary action includes determining the power class of the apparatus and calculating the maximum allowable voltage drop, thereby establishing safe power delivery parameters in advance to prevent excessive current while maintaining efficient power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the power management module continuously monitors the power supply status and adjusts power delivery based on the apparatus's actual power consumption and voltage drop conditions, ensuring device safety while optimizing power delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Power

If voltage is increased to deliver more power, then power delivery capability is improved, but device damage risk worsens due to excessive voltage causing high current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoiddevice damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power management module dynamically adjusts power delivery parameters including voltage and current limits based on the negotiated power class and calculated voltage drop. By changing these parameters adaptively rather than using fixed high voltage, the system achieves adequate power delivery capability while preventing excessive voltage that could cause device damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by calculating the maximum allowable voltage drop before power delivery and setting protective limits. This preemptive measure counteracts the potential harmful effect of excessive voltage by establishing safety boundaries in advance, allowing high power delivery capability without device damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If power negotiation is performed before power supply, then device safety is improved, but power delivery time worsens due to additional negotiation steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice safetyVSAvoidpower delivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The power negotiation process implements partial action by determining only the essential power class and maximum voltage drop parameters needed for safe power delivery, rather than performing exhaustive negotiations. This streamlined approach maintains device safety while minimizing the time loss associated with negotiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Power

If maximum power is supplied to the apparatus, then power delivery capability is improved, but system reliability worsens due to voltage drops causing excessive current

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power management module implements dynamic power adjustment based on real-time monitoring of voltage drop and apparatus power consumption. Rather than supplying fixed maximum power, the system dynamically optimizes power delivery to match actual needs while staying within safety limits, thereby maintaining high power capability without compromising system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3446437B1Power management module and method for managing power supply
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 CANON KK
  • EP3446437B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3446437B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3446437B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

A power management module (204) for managing power supply from a power sourcing equipment item to an associated apparatus, comprises: - a connexion interface (114) suitable for connecting said power management module (204) to the associated apparatus; - means for estimating a power (304, 305) that said power management module is able to supply via said connexion interface (114); - means for negotiating, based on the power estimated by said means for estimating power (304, 305), the start-up of the associated apparatus in a power class, said means for negotiating comprising means for supplying power (309) via said connexion interface (114); - means for determining an updated power that said power management module (204) is able to supply, when power is supplied to the associated apparatus by said means for supplying power (309); and - means for re-negotiating the start-up of the associated apparatus based on said determined updated power.