Switching Power Supply Web Interface Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial switched-mode power supplies require flexible and real-time configuration and fault detection to ensure reliable operation and quick recovery from faults, which existing technologies fail to provide effectively, especially in multi-channel configurations.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a real-time Ethernet controller set up as a web server, allowing for real-time configuration and monitoring of operating parameters via a web interface, with immediate reporting of errors and centralized control to prevent consequential damage, and enabling flexible adaptation to system changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a web interface is implemented for configuration and monitoring, then ease of operation and centralized control are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional communication components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration and monitoringVSAvoidcommunication components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Ethernet controller is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a web server for configuration and monitoring, provides real-time data transmission, and enables centralized control. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address several needs, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication network as an intermediary between the operator and the power supply system. The web interface serves as a mediator that translates operator commands into system actions, enabling centralized control without requiring direct physical access to each device, thus improving operational ease while distributing complexity across the network infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If real-time configuration and monitoring are implemented, then reliability and fault response time are improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase due to continuous data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection and responseVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic data transmission through the real-time Ethernet controller, where operating parameters and fault status are transmitted at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic action maintains real-time monitoring capability for reliability while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The web interface provides feedback mechanisms that allow the system to adjust its monitoring and transmission behavior based on operational conditions. When faults are detected, the system increases monitoring intensity and transmission frequency, while during normal operation, it reduces energy consumption, thus balancing reliability with energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple output channels are independently configurable, then adaptability to different consumers is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The web interface provides a universal configuration platform that handles multiple output channels through a single unified system. Instead of requiring separate configuration mechanisms for each channel, the web interface allows centralized management of all channels, maintaining adaptability while reducing operational complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration system is segmented into channel-specific parameters that can be independently adjusted within the unified web interface. This segmentation allows each output channel to be individually configured for different consumers while maintaining overall system manageability through the modular parameter structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If rapid fault reporting and centralized control are implemented, then reliability and productivity are improved, but loss of time for data transmission and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault response speedVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring fault detection thresholds and response protocols before faults occur. When faults are detected, the pre-established communication pathways and response mechanisms enable rapid reporting and centralized control without requiring time-consuming setup or decision-making during critical fault conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The real-time Ethernet controller maintains continuous monitoring and data transmission capabilities, ensuring that fault information is constantly available for immediate reporting. This continuity eliminates interruptions or delays in fault detection and response, maintaining high productivity while the optimized communication protocol minimizes transmission time overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3161952B1Switching power supply with web interface
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3161952B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a switch mode power supply unit (1) having a plurality of output channels (3, 4, 5, 6) and a web interface (8) for connection to a communications network (10), the switch mode power supply unit (1) comprising a real time ethernet controller (9) which is connected to a control (7) of the switch mode power supply unit (1) and is equipped as a web server such that a plurality of operating parameters of the switch mode power supply unit (1) can be set and/or displayed in real time via the web interface (8). In this way, the switch mode power supply unit (1) can be configured and monitored via the communications network (10), while ensuring that any changes to the configuration are immediately effective.