Selective Backup Power Enablement via Demand Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing back-up power systems for computing systems, relying on energy components like capacitors and batteries, face limitations due to space constraints and fast-charging solutions that generate heat, reducing battery lifecycles and increasing costs, while requiring recharging periods during which they are unavailable for backup power.
Innovation Solution
A back-up power apparatus comprising a battery module and a back-up power control module that selectively enables power output based on the battery's power capacity and demand, allowing earlier availability of backup power without full charging, and includes features like power charging and discharging control, protection mechanisms, and communication with the host device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery module waits for full charging before providing backup power, then the battery is available for backup power, but the availability time is delayed and space constraints limit the battery size
Solution Approach 1:
The control module enables the battery module to provide backup power at partial charge levels rather than waiting for full charge. The control module determines to enable the battery when its power capacity meets a threshold sufficient for the estimated backup power demand, allowing earlier availability while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary estimation of backup power demand based on host device information before the actual power failure occurs. This preliminary assessment allows the control module to determine appropriate enablement thresholds in advance, so the battery can be enabled earlier when partial charge is sufficient for the predicted demand.
2Loss of time
If fast-charging solutions are used to reduce recharging time, then the backup power availability improves, but heat generation increases and battery lifecycle reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The system avoids the need for fast-charging by enabling the battery module at partial charge levels. This approach accepts longer recharging periods but eliminates the harmful effects of fast-charging (heat generation and reduced battery lifecycle), as the battery only needs to reach sufficient charge levels rather than being rapidly charged.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module dynamically adjusts the enablement threshold based on host device power demand characteristics. By changing the parameter of when the battery should be enabled (from fixed full-charge threshold to dynamic threshold based on demand estimation), the system avoids fast-charging while ensuring adequate backup power availability.
3Reliability
If multiple energy components are used to ensure backup power availability, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves reliable backup power with a single battery module by enabling it at partial charge levels sufficient for the estimated power demand. This eliminates the need for multiple energy components or redundant backup systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability through intelligent control based on demand estimation.
4Reliability
If the battery module is enabled earlier at partial charge, then the backup power availability improves, but the power capacity margin decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module performs preliminary estimation of the host device's backup power demand based on device information before power failure occurs. This preliminary assessment allows the system to calculate the specific charge threshold at which the battery should be enabled, ensuring that sufficient power capacity margin is maintained while enabling the battery earlier than traditional full-charge requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The enablement threshold is not fixed but dynamically determined based on the specific power demand characteristics of the host device. The control module adjusts the threshold dynamically according to the estimated demand, optimizing the balance between early availability and maintaining adequate power capacity margin for each specific application scenario.
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
Enables the battery module to provide backup power more reliably and efficiently by determining the power demand and capacity, ensuring availability beyond what would be possible with delayed power output until full charge, thus reducing heat generation and cost while maintaining battery lifecycle.
Implementation Method 1
a battery module (104) for providing back-up power (108) to a host device
Data Source
AI summary
Described are examples of back-up power apparatuses and systems including such back-up power apparatuses. An example may include a battery module, and a back-up power control module to determine a back-up power demand of a host device and selectively enable an output of power from the battery module to the host device if the battery module has a power capacity greater than the back-up power demand.