Power Supply Overload Detection for Redundant Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing systems with N + 1 redundant power supply units incur increased costs and unnecessary power saving due to continuous operation with reduced performance when one power supply unit fails, leading to inefficient system operation.
Innovation Solution
The system includes power supply units with voltage conversion circuits, output capacitors, and overload detection circuits that detect overloads and send signals to the load unit to reduce power consumption only when necessary, allowing the system to maintain high performance even with faulty units by suppressing power saving when no overload is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If N + 1 redundant power supply units are used, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the operating status of power supply units and dynamically adjusts the operating mode of the load unit. When a power supply unit fails, the control unit receives feedback about the failure and automatically reduces the load's power consumption to match the remaining capacity, preventing system shutdown while maintaining optimal operation with the available power supply units.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If power saving mode is continuously activated after one power supply unit fails, then system continuity is maintained, but system performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the power consumption mode of the load unit changeable based on real-time conditions. The control unit dynamically switches the load between normal operating mode and power saving mode depending on the number of functional power supply units. This dynamic adjustment ensures the system maintains high performance when all power supply units are operational while ensuring continuity when units fail, optimizing the trade-off between performance and continuity.
3Loss of energy
If the load unit operates in power saving mode, then power consumption is reduced, but system performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the power supply status to intelligently manage power consumption. When all power supply units are functioning normally, the load operates in normal mode with full performance. When a power supply unit fails, the control unit receives feedback about the reduced capacity and automatically adjusts the load to power saving mode, reducing power consumption to match the remaining supply capacity while maintaining system operation.
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
This approach ensures continuous operation with minimal performance reduction and reduced power consumption, avoiding unnecessary power saving and system downtime, while also reducing the number of power supply units required, thus lowering costs and maintaining high system performance.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage conversion circuit that converts input voltage into output voltage within a predetermined voltage range
Implementation Method 2
an output capacitor that outputs supply power while accumulating charges according to the voltage converted by the voltage conversion circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Each of the power supply units (20) in a power supply apparatus includes a voltage conversion circuit (21) that converts input voltage into output voltage within a predetermined voltage range an output capacitor (22) that outputs supply power while accumulating charges according to the voltage converted by the voltage conversion circuit (21), and an overload detection circuit (23) that detects an overload of the output capacitor (22) and when the overload is detected, notifies an apparatus (3) operated using the power supplied from the power supply apparatus of an overload signal requesting a suppression of power consumption.