Switchable PDU Wiring Between Star and Delta Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution units (PDUs) in data centers are inefficient as they can only support one wiring mode, requiring redeployment when wiring requirements change, which is time-consuming and inefficient due to the need to change circuit connections.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution unit with a controller that automatically switches between delta and star connection modes by controlling star-connected and delta-connected switching circuits, allowing it to adapt to changing three-phase power wiring requirements without redeployment, and includes voltage and current detection circuits for safety and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a PDU is deployed with a fixed wiring mode (delta or star connection), then the initial deployment is simple, but when wiring requirements change, redeployment is needed which changes circuit connections, resulting in long deployment time and low deployment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing switching circuits that can dynamically change the wiring mode between delta and star connections. The switching circuit includes multiple switches (first switch, second switch, third switch, fourth switch, fifth switch, sixth switch) that can be controlled to reconfigure the connection topology, transforming a static PDU into a dynamic one that adapts to different wiring requirements without physical redeployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single PDU that can perform multiple wiring modes (both delta and star connections) through the switching circuit. This multi-functional design allows the PDU to serve different electrical apparatus with different voltage requirements using the same physical device, eliminating the need for separate PDUs for different wiring modes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a PDU is redeployed to change wiring mode, then the wiring requirement is met, but the circuit connection must be changed, which is not easy to be realized and results in long deployment time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of physically reconnecting circuits with an automated switching mechanism. The switching circuit, controlled by a controller, automatically reconfigures the wiring mode through electrical switching rather than manual mechanical connection changes, making the process easier and faster to execute.
Solution Approach 2:
The PDU with the switching circuit can automatically adapt to different wiring requirements through controller-based switching, reducing the need for manual intervention and expert operation. The system serves itself by internally reconfiguring the connection topology in response to control signals, making redeployment simpler and more accessible.
3Reliability
If voltage and current detection circuits are added for safety protection, then safety is improved by detecting and responding to thresholds, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection and control functions into an integrated system. The voltage detection circuit and current detection circuit are combined with the switching circuit and controller to form a unified protection mechanism. This consolidation achieves safety protection while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the voltage detection circuit continuously monitors voltage and the current detection circuit continuously monitors current, feeding this information back to the controller. When thresholds are exceeded, the controller automatically triggers the switching circuit to disconnect, creating a closed-loop safety system that improves reliability through automated monitoring and response.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a power distribution unit (PDU), including three monophase sockets, a star-connected switching circuit, a delta-connected switching circuit and a controller. The controller is configured to correspondingly control the star-connected switching circuit or the delta-connected switching circuit to be turned on according to a current three-phase power wiring requirement of the power distribution unit, so that three phase windings on a secondary side of a distribution transformer are connected according to a target wiring mode conforming to the three-phase power wiring requirement, and three phase power under the target wiring mode is supplied to the three monophase sockets respectively. The PDU of the present disclosure simultaneously supports a delta wiring mode and a star wiring mode, and automatically selects a corresponding wiring mode according to the current three-phase power wiring requirement of the PDU.