UPS Control Device Monitoring Machine State for Safe Shutdown

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices face challenges in safely managing power failures and voltage fluctuations, leading to data corruption, battery discharge inefficiencies, and potential damage to connected electrical components, as they rely on predetermined time or battery state for shutdown rather than monitoring the operational states of the components.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for UPS that continuously monitors the power supply to machine control components, maintaining power until a specific state change is detected, allowing for controlled shutdown and reducing battery discharge by only supplying power as needed, thus enhancing safety and extending battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the UPS switches off after a predetermined time or battery state of charge, then the power supply duration is limited, but this leads to data loss and corruption of electrical components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply durationVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors the operating state of the machine control component and uses this feedback to determine when to switch off the UPS. Instead of using predetermined time or battery state thresholds, the system receives state information from the machine control component and dynamically decides the shutdown timing, ensuring data integrity while optimizing power supply duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the UPS continuously supplies power until a predetermined time, then data loss is prevented, but battery life is reduced due to unnecessary discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the machine control component's operating state to determine the exact moment when power supply is no longer needed. The control device monitors when the machine control component has reached a safe state (e.g., data saved, shutdown initiated) and immediately switches off the UPS, preventing unnecessary battery discharge and extending battery life while maintaining data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the AEV is used for backup power supply, then power can be maintained after failure, but short-term power failures occur during switchover causing data corruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply continuityVSAvoidpower failure during switchover
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring the operating state of the machine control component before a power failure occurs. When a power failure is detected, the system already has knowledge of the current state and can immediately initiate appropriate shutdown procedures without requiring a switchover to AEV, thereby avoiding short-term power failures and data corruption during transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the UPS monitors only battery state of charge, then the control mechanism is simple, but switching off at predefined battery levels leads to data loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol mechanism simplicityVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device receives feedback not only from battery state monitoring but also from the machine control component's operating state. This dual feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain simple battery monitoring while adding intelligent shutdown control based on the actual state of the protected equipment, preventing data loss without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Ensures reliable and safe operation of processing machines during power failures and voltage fluctuations, preventing data loss and extending battery life by discharging batteries only as necessary, while allowing for controlled shutdown of machine control components.

Implementation Method 1

a power storage medium (1) for storing power, which is connected to the machine control component (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3540909A1Apparatus and method for continuous power supply
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 HOMAG GMBH
  • EP3540909A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3540909A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3540909A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an uninterruptible power supply device comprising: a machine control component that can be supplied with power via a primary power supply and is configured to control a machine, in particular a machine tool; a power storage medium for storing power, which is connected to the machine control component, characterized in that a control device, which is configured to continuously monitor the power supply to the machine control component, supplies the machine control component with power from the power storage medium in the event of a detected interruption of the primary power supply. Furthermore, a method for uninterruptible power supply is disclosed.