Docking station safe connection equipment with hot plug protection function

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of docking stations, in particular to docking station safety connection equipment with a hot plug protection function. According to the technical scheme, one end of a shell is provided with a reading interface, and the shell is provided with an expansion interface. The internal main PCB comprises a reading interface, the main PCB is electrically connected with the auxiliary PCB, the expansion interface is arranged on the auxiliary PCB, and a power interface is arranged on one side of the expansion interface. The main PCB is provided with a socket and a switch. And a support frame is arranged on one side of the expansion interface and is provided with an electromagnet and a movable pin block. A wireless communication module (including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi), a hot plug protection circuit, a main control module and a hardware encryption module are arranged on the back face of the main PCB. According to the invention, through cooperation of the Hall sensor and the composite detection module, access equipment is accurately identified and safe connection is ensured. The hot plug protection circuit dynamically regulates and controls the power and adapts to various devices. And the hardware encryption module is used for protecting data security, and is combined with the design of wireless communication, a state indicating lamp and the like, so that the stability, the security and the user use convenience of the equipment are comprehensively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of docking stations, and particularly to an extended dock safety connection device with a hot plug protection function. Background Art

[0002] A USB docking station, also known as a port replicator, is an external device designed for devices such as laptop computers. By connecting to the USB interface or other specific interfaces of the computer, such as the Thunderbolt interface, etc., it expands and converts the interface signals of the computer. The USB hub inside it expands one USB interface into multiple USB interfaces, thus enabling the simultaneous connection of multiple external devices, just like an interface "transfer station".

[0003] After retrieval, information from the National Intellectual Property Administration shows that the patent with the patent publication number CN119271600A was applied for by Jiangxi Luxshare Precision Industry Co., Ltd. and is named "Docking Station Management Circuit and Docking Station". This patent discloses a solution for detecting the operating state of a docking station by setting a docking station state detection module. When an abnormal situation occurs in the docking station, the input path and output path of the voltage are timely cut off through a switch module and a charging protocol chip, thereby avoiding damage to the docking station or the extended device.

[0004] Although this device guarantees the safety of the device to a certain extent in abnormal situations, there are still many defects. During hot plugging, it is unable to dynamically adjust the power output according to the requirements of external devices, which makes it difficult to adapt to external devices with different power requirements, most likely resulting in unstable device power supply, further affecting the normal operation of the device, and even causing device damage. In terms of interface status feedback, due to the lack of an intuitive status indicator design, it is difficult for users to quickly know the connection status of the expansion interface. When connection failures or devices are not properly recognized occur, troubleshooting is relatively inconvenient. From the perspective of data security, this patented technology does not have encryption measures for OTA transmitted data and device status information, and there is a risk of data being stolen or tampered with during data transmission and storage, which obviously cannot meet the requirements for scenarios with high requirements for data confidentiality and integrity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides an extended dock safety connection device with a hot plug protection function, which solves the problems proposed in the background art.

[0006] The solution of the present invention to the above technical problems is as follows: An extended dock safety connection device with a hot plug protection function includes a housing. One end of the housing is provided with a reading interface, and the housing is provided with expansion interfaces. Inside the housing, there is a main PCB board. The reading interface is located on the main PCB board. A secondary PCB board is electrically installed on the main PCB board. The expansion interface is installed on the secondary PCB board. On the secondary PCB board, a power interface is installed on one side of the reading interface. A socket is installed on the main PCB board. A switch is installed on the main PCB board through the socket. On one side of the expansion interface, there is a support frame. An electromagnet is installed on the expansion interface through the support frame. And a pin block is movably installed on the electromagnet. On the back of the main PCB board, there are a wireless communication module, a hot-swap protection circuit, a main control module, and a hardware encryption module. Through the wireless communication module, wireless data transmission between the device and external devices is realized, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication methods.

[0007] Based on the above technical solutions, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0008] Further, a status indicator light is installed on one side of the housing where the socket is located. The status indicator light is electrically connected to the main PCB board. Its working principle is to control the on / off and color change of the status indicator light through the signal transmitted by the main PCB board. When the expansion interface at the corresponding position is in normal connection and good working condition, the status indicator light shows a green constant light. When a fault occurs in the connection of the expansion interface, the status indicator light shows a red flash. When a device is inserted into the expansion interface but not recognized normally, the status indicator light shows a yellow constant light, etc. Through different status indications, users can intuitively understand the working status of the expansion interface.

[0009] The beneficial effect of adopting the above further solution is: The working status of the expansion interface is intuitively displayed through different colors and on / off states, eliminating the need for users to additionally detect the device connection situation, greatly improving the use convenience. Users can understand the device connection status in the first time and timely handle connection failures or unrecognized devices, etc., improving work efficiency. For example, in a multi-device connection scenario, the problem interface can be quickly located, reducing the troubleshooting time.

[0010] Further, the main control module integrates an FPGA chip. The FPGA chip has powerful programmable logic functions. Before hot-swap, the FPGA chip takes a status snapshot of the power supply parameters and data transmission rate of the external device through its internal logic circuit and related algorithms. For example, for power supply parameters, it will detect parameters such as the voltage and current required by the external device. For the data transmission rate, it will detect the data transmission rate of the current device. Then these status snapshot data are stored in a non-volatile memory, so that even if the device is powered off, the data will not be lost. When the device is reconnected, the main control module will preferentially call the historical status parameters to complete the initialization, greatly shortening the startup and adaptation time of the device and improving the user experience.

[0011] The beneficial effects of adopting the above further solution are as follows: During hot plugging, by taking snapshots and storing the power supply parameters and data transfer rate status, the device can be quickly initialized when it is reconnected. This significantly shortens the device startup and adaptation time, reduces user waiting, and improves the user experience. It is especially suitable for scenarios where devices are frequently plugged and unplugged, such as repeatedly connecting mobile storage devices and external monitors in an office environment, enabling users to quickly enter the working state.

[0012] Furthermore, the hot plug protection circuit includes a dynamic power distribution module and a composite detection module. The dynamic power distribution module dynamically adjusts the power output according to the requirements of the external device; different external devices require different powers. For example, an external monitor may require a higher power, while an external mouse requires a lower power; the dynamic power distribution module monitors the power requirements of the external device in real time through internal circuits and algorithms, and adjusts its own output circuit, such as changing the output values of voltage and current, to meet the power requirements of the external device; the composite detection module monitors the interface voltage, current, temperature, and signal integrity data in real time; for the interface voltage and current, data is collected in real time through a high-precision detection circuit and fed back to the main control module; temperature monitoring is carried out through a temperature sensor to constantly monitor the temperature at the interface to prevent device damage due to excessive temperature; signal integrity detection uses professional circuits and algorithms to ensure the stability and accuracy of the data transmission signal and avoid problems such as signal distortion.

[0013] The beneficial effects of adopting the above further solution are as follows: The dynamic power distribution module dynamically adjusts the power output according to the requirements of the external device, ensuring that all types of devices can obtain appropriate power supply, and avoiding affecting device performance or even damaging the device due to insufficient or excessive power. The composite detection module monitors multi-dimensional data in real time, ensuring the stable operation of the interface, preventing data transmission errors or device damage caused by abnormal voltage, current, temperature, or signal distortion, and improving device reliability and data transmission stability.

[0014] Furthermore, the dynamic power distribution module includes a programmable power management chip, multiple independent power supply paths, and a surge suppression unit. The programmable power management chip supports adaptive switching between PD3.1 and QC4+ protocols. When the external device supports different charging protocols, the programmable power management chip can automatically identify and switch to the corresponding protocol to achieve the best charging effect. For example, when connecting a device that supports the PD3.1 protocol, the chip automatically switches to the PD3.1 protocol for power supply. Each power supply path of the multiple independent power supply paths is configured with overvoltage, undervoltage, and overcurrent protection circuits. When the voltage is too high, too low, or the current is too large in a certain power supply path, the corresponding protection circuit will quickly act to cut off the power supply of that path, preventing the external device from being damaged due to abnormal power supply. The response time of the surge suppression unit is ≤10ms, and the peak absorption capacity is ≥50A. When an instantaneous voltage surge occurs, the surge suppression unit can quickly respond within 10ms, absorb the excessive voltage and current generated by the surge, and can absorb a peak current of up to 50A at most, effectively protecting the device from surge impact.

[0015] The beneficial effects of adopting the above further solution are as follows: The programmable power management chip supports adaptive switching between multiple protocols, can automatically match the best charging protocol according to the external device, and achieve fast and efficient charging. The protection circuits of the multiple independent power supply paths can accurately protect each power supply path, preventing the device from being damaged due to abnormal power supply. The surge suppression unit responds quickly and absorbs surges, effectively reducing the risk of the device being damaged due to voltage surges, extending the service life of the device, and ensuring the stable operation of the device in a complex power supply environment.

[0016] Furthermore, the composite detection module includes a voltage / current detection unit, a signal integrity detection unit, and a temperature sensing unit. The voltage / current detection unit collects real-time parameters through a high-precision ADC chip at the interface. The ADC chip converts the analog voltage and current signals at the interface into digital signals and then transmits them to the main control module for analysis and processing. Its acquisition accuracy can reach multiple decimal places, ensuring the accuracy of the detection data. The signal integrity detection unit integrates a Retimer chip to correct high-speed signal distortion. During high-speed data transmission, the signal is easily distorted by interference. The Retimer chip can reshape and amplify the distorted signal to ensure that the signal can be accurately transmitted to the external device. The temperature sensing unit uses a surface-mounted NTC thermistor to monitor the load status of the circuit. The resistance value of the NTC thermistor changes with the temperature. By detecting the change in its resistance value, the temperature of the circuit can be calculated, and then the load status of the circuit can be understood. When the temperature is too high, an alarm is issued in a timely manner or corresponding protection measures are taken.

[0017] The beneficial effects of adopting the above further solution are as follows: The voltage / current detection unit collects data with high precision, providing a basis for precise control and fault diagnosis. The signal integrity detection unit corrects high-speed signal distortion, ensuring the stable and accurate transmission of high-speed data, and meeting scenarios with high requirements for data transmission stability, such as 4K video transmission and fast large-file copying. The temperature sensing unit monitors the circuit temperature in real time, can promptly detect potential overheating hazards and take measures to avoid performance degradation or damage of the device due to overheating.

[0018] Furthermore, the hardware encryption module performs AES-256 encryption on OTA transmission data and status snapshot information. When transmitting OTA data, the hardware encryption module encrypts the transmitted data, converting the original data into ciphertext, and only the correct key can be used at the receiving end to decrypt and restore the data. For status snapshot information, AES-256 encryption is also performed to prevent information from being stolen or tampered with, ensuring the security and integrity of the data.

[0019] The beneficial effects of adopting the above further solution are: Performing AES-256 encryption on OTA transmission data and status snapshot information effectively prevents data from being stolen or tampered with during transmission and storage. In scenarios where data security is crucial, such as enterprise data transmission and personal privacy data backup, it ensures the security and integrity of the data, avoiding losses and risks caused by data leakage or tampering.

[0020] Furthermore, the expansion interface is built-in with a Hall sensor, which can detect changes in the surrounding magnetic field. When a device is inserted into the expansion interface, the magnetic component on the device will cause changes in the magnetic field around the Hall sensor, which are then detected by the Hall sensor. At the same time, the composite detection module will determine the parameters of the inserted device. When the determined parameters are normal, the main control module will send a drive signal to drive the electromagnet to energize, and the electromagnet generates a magnetic field to push the pin block into the groove on the plug, achieving physical locking to prevent the device from accidentally falling off.

[0021] The beneficial effects of adopting the above further solution are: The Hall sensor can sensitively detect the insertion of the device. Combining the composite detection module and the physical locking mechanism, physical locking is achieved when the device parameters are normal. This effectively prevents the device from accidentally falling off, avoiding data transmission interruption or device damage caused by device loosening, and is applicable to scenarios where devices are easily affected by external forces, such as mobile office and industrial production.

[0022] Furthermore, a customized flexible flat cable is used to connect the main PCB board and the secondary PCB board; this flexible flat cable is characterized by its small size and good flexibility; the customized design can better adapt to the spatial layout and connection requirements between the main PCB board and the secondary PCB board, ensure the stability of signal transmission, and at the same time facilitate the installation and disassembly of the circuit board, improving the production and maintenance efficiency of the device.

[0023] The beneficial effects of adopting the above further solution are as follows: The customized flexible flat cable is small in size and good in flexibility, adapts to the spatial layout of the main and secondary PCB boards, and ensures stable signal transmission. At the same time, it is convenient for the installation and disassembly of the circuit board, can improve the assembly efficiency and reduce the production cost during the device production process; during device maintenance, it is convenient for maintenance personnel to replace the circuit board, shorten the maintenance time, and improve the device availability.

[0024] Furthermore, the power interface is equipped with an over-temperature protection device, which consists of a thermosensitive element and a control circuit; when the temperature of the power interface rises to a preset threshold, such as 80 °C, due to long-term high-power charging or abnormal conditions, the resistance value of the thermosensitive element changes, triggering the control circuit to act and automatically cutting off the power output to prevent safety accidents such as fires and equipment damage caused by high temperature; when the temperature drops to a safe range, such as within 60 °C, the control circuit automatically resumes the power output, ensuring the safety of the device charging process, and when the temperature is abnormal, an alarm can also be sent to the user through a status indicator or other means.

[0025] The beneficial effects of adopting the above further solution are as follows: When the temperature of the power interface rises abnormally, the power is automatically cut off to avoid serious safety accidents such as fires and equipment damage caused by high temperature. After the temperature returns to normal, the power supply is automatically restored to ensure the charging safety of the device. Combined with the alarm function, it can timely remind the user to pay attention to abnormal temperature, enhance the user's confidence in the safe use of the device, and is applicable to various application scenarios with high requirements for electrical safety.

[0026] The present invention provides an expansion dock safety connection device with a hot-swap protection function. It has the following beneficial effects: A customized flexible flat cable is used to connect the main PCB board and the secondary PCB board, which is characterized by its small size and good flexibility, can better adapt to the spatial layout and connection requirements, ensure the stability of signal transmission, and is also convenient for the installation and disassembly of the circuit board, improving the production and maintenance efficiency.

[0027] The expansion interface is built-in with a Hall sensor, which can detect the insertion of the device by sensing the change of the surrounding magnetic field, improving the sensitivity and accuracy of device connection detection. When the composite detection module determines that the inserted device parameters are normal, the main control module drives the electromagnet to be energized, pushing the pin block into the groove on the plug to achieve physical locking, preventing the device from falling off accidentally and enhancing the stability of the connection.

[0028] The power interface is equipped with an over-temperature protection device composed of a thermosensitive element and a control circuit. When the temperature rises to the preset threshold, the power output is automatically cut off, and it automatically resumes when the temperature drops to the safe range. It can effectively prevent accidents such as fires and device damage caused by high temperature. At the same time, it can also send an alarm to the user, ensuring charging safety.

[0029] Through the on / off and color change of the status indicator, users can intuitively understand the working status of the expansion interface. For example, when the connection is normal and working well, it shows a steady green light; when there is a connection fault, it shows a flashing red light; when a device is inserted but not recognized normally, it shows a steady yellow light, etc., which is convenient for users to discover and handle problems in time.

[0030] The device realizes wireless data transmission with external devices through a wireless communication module, supporting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication methods, providing diverse connection means and facilitating data interaction with different devices. The FPGA chip integrated in the main control module takes a status snapshot of the power supply parameters and data transmission rate of the external device before hot plugging and stores it. When the device is reconnected, it preferentially calls the historical status parameters to complete the initialization, greatly shortening the startup and adaptation time and enhancing the user experience.

[0031] The dynamic power distribution module in the hot plug protection circuit can dynamically adjust the power output according to the requirements of the external device, monitor the power demand in real time through the internal circuit and algorithm and adjust the output, support the adaptive switching of multiple charging protocols, and is also equipped with overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent protection circuits and a surge suppression unit, which can effectively protect the device from abnormal power supply and surge impact. The composite detection module monitors the interface voltage, current, temperature and signal integrity data in real time, collects the interface real-time parameters through a high-precision ADC chip, integrates a Retimer chip to correct high-speed signal distortion, and uses a surface-mounted NTC thermistor to monitor the circuit load status, ensuring the stability of device operation and the accuracy of data transmission.

[0032] The hardware encryption module encrypts the OTA transmission data and status snapshot information with AES-256 to prevent the information from being stolen or tampered with, ensuring the security and integrity of the data. Description of the Drawings

[0033] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form a part of this application. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation to the present invention.

[0034] In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is the front view schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 is the rear view schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 3 is the front view schematic diagram of the main PCB board of the present invention; Figure 4 is the rear view schematic diagram of the main PCB board of the present invention; Figure 5 is the bottom view schematic diagram of the main PCB board of the present invention; Figure 6 is the front view schematic diagram of the expansion interface of the present invention; Figure 7 is the rear view schematic diagram of the expansion interface of the present invention.

[0035] In the accompanying drawings, the list of components represented by each reference numeral is as follows: 1. Housing; 10. Wireless communication module; 11. Hot-swap protection circuit; 12. Main control module; 13. Hardware encryption module; 2. Reading interface; 3. Power interface; 4. Switch; 5. Expansion interface; 501. Pin block; 502. Support frame; 503. Electromagnet; 6. Status indicator light; 7. Main PCB board; 8. Sub-PCB board; 9. Socket. Detailed implementation manners

[0036] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1 to 7 as shown, the embodiments provided by the present invention: Embodiment 1 An expansion dock safety connection device with hot-swap protection function, including a housing 1, one end of the housing 1 is provided with a reading interface 2, the housing 1 is provided with an expansion interface 5, the interior of the housing 1 is provided with a main PCB board 7, the reading interface 2 is located on the main PCB board 7, and a secondary PCB board 8 is electrically installed on the main PCB board 7. The main PCB board 7 and the secondary PCB board 8 are connected by a customized flexible flat cable; the flexible flat cable (FFC) is a new type of data cable made of PET insulating material and extremely thin tin-plated flat copper wire, which is laminated by a high-tech automated equipment production line. It has the characteristics of small size and good flexibility, which are determined by its material properties and structure. The PET insulating material is light and thin, and the flat shape of the tin-plated flat copper wire also makes the overall thickness of the cable smaller, so the volume is small; at the same time, the PET material itself has a certain flexibility and can be bent at a small bending radius without affecting performance. The customized design can better adapt to the spatial layout and connection requirements between the main PCB board 7 and the secondary PCB board 8. From the perspective of circuit theory, different PCB board layouts will lead to differences in signal transmission paths and electrical characteristics. The customization can be designed according to specific requirements such as impedance matching and signal interference to ensure the stability of signal transmission. At the same time, it also facilitates the installation and disassembly of the circuit board, improves the production and maintenance efficiency of the device. The customized flexible flat cable is small in size, good in flexibility, adapts to the spatial layout of the main and secondary PCB boards, and ensures stable signal transmission. At the same time, it is convenient for the installation and disassembly of the circuit board, can improve the assembly efficiency and reduce the production cost during the device production process; during device maintenance, it is convenient for maintenance personnel to replace the circuit board, shorten the maintenance time, and improve the device availability. The expansion interface 5 is installed on the secondary PCB board 8, and a Hall sensor is built in the expansion interface 5. The Hall sensor works based on the Hall effect principle. The Hall effect refers to that when a current passes through a semiconductor perpendicular to an external magnetic field, the carriers are deflected, and an additional electric field will be generated in the direction perpendicular to the current and the magnetic field, thereby generating a potential difference at both ends of the semiconductor. Therefore, the Hall sensor can detect changes in the surrounding magnetic field; when a device is inserted into the expansion interface 5, the magnetic element on the device will cause changes in the magnetic field around the Hall sensor, which is then detected by the Hall sensor; at the same time, the composite detection module will judge the parameters of the inserted device. When the judged parameters are normal, the main control module 12 will send a drive signal to drive the electromagnet 503 to be energized. The electromagnet 503 generates a magnetic field, which pushes the pin block 501 into the groove on the plug to achieve physical locking and prevent the device from accidentally falling off. The Hall sensor can sensitively detect the insertion of the device. Combining the composite detection module and the physical locking mechanism, physical locking is achieved when the device parameters are normal.This effectively prevents the device from accidentally falling off, avoiding data transmission interruption or device damage caused by device loosening, and is applicable to scenarios where devices are easily affected by external forces, such as mobile office and industrial production. A power interface 3 is installed on one side of the reading interface 2 on the secondary PCB board 8. The power interface 3 is equipped with an over-temperature protection device, which consists of a thermosensitive element and a control circuit; the thermosensitive element generally has a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) or a positive temperature coefficient (PTC). Taking the NTC thermistor as an example, its resistance value decreases as the temperature rises. When the temperature of the power interface 3 rises to a preset threshold, such as 80 °C, due to long-term high-power charging or abnormal conditions, the resistance value of the thermosensitive element changes. According to Ohm's law, the change in resistance in the circuit will cause a change in current or voltage, thus triggering the control circuit to act and automatically cut off the power output, preventing safety accidents such as fires and device damage caused by high temperatures; when the temperature drops to a safe range, such as within 60 °C, the control circuit automatically resumes the power output, ensuring the safety of the device charging process. And when the temperature is abnormal, an alarm can also be sent to the user through the status indicator 6 or other means. When the temperature of the power interface 3 rises abnormally, the power is automatically cut off to avoid serious safety accidents such as fires and device damage caused by high temperatures. After the temperature returns to normal, the power supply is automatically restored to ensure the charging safety of the device. Combining with the alarm function, it can timely remind the user to pay attention to the abnormal temperature, enhancing the user's confidence in the safe use of the device, and is applicable to various application scenarios with high requirements for electrical safety. A socket 9 is installed on the main PCB board 7, and a switch 4 is installed on the main PCB board 7 through the socket 9. A status indicator 6 is installed on one side of the housing 1 at the socket 9. The status indicator 6 is electrically connected to the main PCB board 7. Its working principle is to control the on / off and color change of the status indicator 6 through the signal transmitted by the main PCB board 7; when the expansion interface 5 at the corresponding position is connected normally and in good working condition, the status indicator 6 shows a green constant light; when there is a fault in the connection of the expansion interface 5, the status indicator 6 shows a red flash; when a device is inserted into the expansion interface 5 but not recognized normally, the status indicator 6 shows a yellow constant light, etc. Through different status indicators, the user can intuitively understand the working status of the expansion interface 5, and visually display the working status of the expansion interface 5 through different colors and on / off states, without the user having to additionally detect the device connection situation, greatly improving the use convenience. The user can understand the device connection status in the first time, timely handle connection faults or problems such as unrecognized devices, and improve work efficiency. For example, in a multi-device connection scenario, the problem interface can be quickly located, reducing the troubleshooting time.

[0038] Embodiment 2 To ensure the installation and connection of the device, exemplarily, such as Figures 1 to 7As shown in the figure, the present invention further includes: a support frame 502 is provided on one side of the expansion interface 5, an electromagnet 503 is installed on the expansion interface 5 through the support frame 502, and a pin block 501 is movably installed on the electromagnet 503. On the back of the main PCB board 7, there are a wireless communication module 10, a hot-swap protection circuit 11, a main control module 12, and a hardware encryption module 13. The wireless communication module 10 is used to realize wireless data transmission between the device and external devices, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication methods. The main control module 12 integrates an FPGA chip. The FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) chip is a programmable logic device, which consists of a large number of logic units and programmable interconnection resources. It has powerful programmable logic functions, and users can program it according to needs to implement different logic circuits and algorithms. Before hot-swap, the FPGA chip takes a status snapshot of the power supply parameters and data transmission rate of the external device through its internal logic circuit and related algorithms. From the perspective of digital circuit theory, the logic circuit inside the FPGA can realize signal acquisition, processing, and storage. For example, for power supply parameters, it will detect parameters such as the voltage and current required by the external device; for data transmission rate, it will detect the data transmission rate of the current device; and then store these status snapshot data in a non-volatile memory, so that the data will not be lost even if the device is powered off. When the device is reconnected, the main control module 12 will give priority to calling the historical status parameters to complete the initialization, greatly shortening the startup and adaptation time of the device and improving the user experience. During hot-swap, through the status snapshot and storage of the power supply parameters and data transmission rate, the device can quickly complete the initialization when it is reconnected. This significantly shortens the device startup and adaptation time, reduces user waiting, and improves the user experience.Particularly suitable for scenarios where devices are frequently plugged and unplugged, such as repeatedly connecting mobile storage devices, external monitors, etc. in an office environment, it can enable users to quickly enter the working state. The hot-swap protection circuit 11 includes a dynamic power distribution module and a composite detection module. The dynamic power distribution module dynamically adjusts the power output according to the requirements of the external device. Different external devices require different powers. For example, an external monitor may require a relatively high power, while an external mouse requires a relatively low power. According to the power formula P = UI (power equals voltage multiplied by current), the dynamic power distribution module, through internal circuits and algorithms, continuously monitors the power requirements of the external device and adjusts its own output circuit, such as changing the output values of voltage and current, to meet the power requirements of the external device. The composite detection module continuously monitors interface voltage, current, temperature, and signal integrity data. For interface voltage and current, through a high-precision detection circuit, data is continuously collected and fed back to the main control module 12. Temperature monitoring is carried out through a temperature sensor to constantly monitor the temperature at the interface to prevent device damage due to excessive temperature. Signal integrity detection is carried out through professional circuits and algorithms to ensure the stability and accuracy of data transmission signals and avoid problems such as signal distortion. The dynamic power distribution module dynamically adjusts the power output according to the requirements of the external device to ensure that various devices can obtain appropriate power supply and avoid affecting device performance or even damaging the device due to insufficient or excessive power. The composite detection module continuously monitors multi-dimensional data to ensure the stable operation of the interface and prevent data transmission errors or device damage caused by abnormal voltage, current, temperature, or signal distortion, improving device reliability and data transmission stability. The dynamic power distribution module includes a programmable power management chip, multiple independent power supply paths, and a surge suppression unit. The programmable power management chip supports PD3.1 and QC4+ protocol adaptive switching. Different charging protocols specify different voltages, currents, and communication methods. When the external device supports different charging protocols, the programmable power management chip can automatically identify and switch to the corresponding protocol to achieve the best charging effect. This is based on the protocol detection and matching circuit inside the chip. By communicating with the external device, it identifies the protocol supported by the device and makes corresponding configurations. For example, when connecting a device that supports the PD3.1 protocol, the chip automatically switches to the PD3.1 protocol for power supply. Each power supply path of the multiple independent power supply paths is configured with overvoltage, undervoltage, and overcurrent protection circuits. When a certain power supply path has excessive voltage, low voltage, or excessive current, the corresponding protection circuit will quickly act to cut off the power supply of that path to prevent the external device from being damaged due to abnormal power supply. The response time of the surge suppression unit ≤ 10 ms, and the peak absorption capacity ≥ 50 A. A surge refers to a phenomenon of instantaneously appearing high voltage and large current. The surge suppression unit uses components such as varistors and gas discharge tubes.When there is an instantaneous voltage surge, the resistance values of these components will rapidly decrease, thereby absorbing the excessive voltage and current generated by the surge. It can absorb a peak current of up to 50A, effectively protecting the device from surge impacts. The programmable power management chip supports multiple protocol adaptive switching and can automatically match the best charging protocol according to the external device to achieve fast and efficient charging. The protection circuit of the multi-channel independent power supply path can accurately protect each power supply path and prevent equipment damage caused by abnormal power supply. The surge suppression unit responds quickly and absorbs surges, effectively reducing the risk of device damage due to voltage surges, extending the service life of the device, ensuring the stable operation of the device in a complex power supply environment. The composite detection module includes a voltage / current detection unit, a signal integrity detection unit, and a temperature sensing unit. The voltage / current detection unit collects real-time parameters through a high-precision ADC chip acquisition interface; the role of the ADC (analog-to-digital converter) chip is to convert analog signals into digital signals. In the voltage / current detection unit, the ADC chip converts the analog voltage and current signals at the interface into digital signals and then transmits them to the main control module 12 for analysis and processing. Its acquisition accuracy can reach multiple decimal places, which is based on the high-precision sampling circuit and algorithm inside the chip, ensuring the accuracy of the detection data; the signal integrity detection unit integrates a Retimer chip to correct high-speed signal distortion; during high-speed data transmission, signals are easily distorted by factors such as transmission line loss, reflection, and crosstalk. The Retimer chip can reshape and amplify the distorted signals, and through the internal clock recovery and signal conditioning circuit, ensure that the signals can be accurately transmitted to the external device; the temperature sensing unit uses a surface-mounted NTC thermistor to monitor the circuit load status. The resistance value of the NTC thermistor changes with temperature. By detecting the change in its resistance value, the temperature of the circuit can be calculated, and then the load status of the circuit can be understood. When the temperature is too high, an alarm is issued in a timely manner or corresponding protection measures are taken. The voltage / current detection unit collects data with high precision, providing a basis for precise control and fault diagnosis. The signal integrity detection unit corrects high-speed signal distortion, ensuring the stable and accurate transmission of high-speed data, meeting scenarios with high requirements for data transmission stability such as 4K video transmission and large file quick copying. The temperature sensing unit monitors the circuit temperature in real time, can detect overheating hazards in a timely manner and take measures to avoid performance degradation or damage of the device due to overheating. The hardware encryption module 13 performs AES-256 encryption on OTA transmission data and status snapshot information; AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm, and AES-256 indicates that the key length is 256 bits.When the OTA transmits data, the hardware encryption module 13 encrypts the transmitted data, converting the original data into ciphertext. Only by using the correct key at the receiving end can the data be decrypted and restored. For the status snapshot information, AES-256 encryption is also performed. According to cryptography theory, a longer key length increases the complexity and security of encryption, preventing information from being stolen or tampered with, ensuring the security and integrity of the data. AES-256 encryption of the OTA transmitted data and status snapshot information effectively prevents the data from being stolen or tampered with during transmission and storage. In scenarios where data security is crucial, such as enterprise data transmission and personal privacy data backup, it guarantees the security and integrity of the data and avoids losses and risks caused by data leakage or tampering.

[0039] Working principle: When the docking station is powered on through the power interface 3, the power supply starts to supply power to the entire system. The over-temperature protection device equipped on the power interface 3 starts to work. The thermosensitive element monitors the temperature of the power interface 3 in real time, and the control circuit is in a standby state, ready to respond when the temperature is abnormal.

[0040] The main control module 12 on the main PCB board 7 starts to boot up, and the integrated FPGA chip performs self-check. If there is status snapshot data stored after hot-plugging of a device previously, the main control module 12 will call these historical status parameters from the non-volatile memory, quickly complete the initialization configuration of itself and related circuits, and shorten the startup time.

[0041] The wireless communication module 10, the hot-plug protection circuit 11, and the hardware encryption module 13 also start up and complete initialization accordingly, getting ready for subsequent work. The initial state of the status indicator 6 shows the corresponding color according to the system self-check result. If everything is normal, it shows a green constant light, indicating to the user that the device is ready to work.

[0042] When an external device is inserted into the expansion interface 5, the Hall sensor built into the expansion interface 5 detects the change in the surrounding magnetic field caused by the magnetic element on the device and sends this signal to the composite detection module.

[0043] The composite detection module immediately determines the various parameters of the inserted device. These parameters include but are not limited to power supply parameters (such as voltage and current requirements) and data transmission rate, etc. At the same time, the voltage / current detection unit collects the real-time voltage and current data of the interface through a high-precision ADC chip, the signal integrity detection unit monitors the signal quality using a Retimer chip, and the temperature sensing unit monitors the temperature at the interface through a surface-mounted NTC thermistor.

[0044] If the composite detection module determines that the parameters of the insertion device are normal, the main control module 12 issues a drive signal to energize the electromagnet 503. The electromagnet 503 generates a magnetic field, pushing the pin block 501 into the groove on the plug, achieving physical locking of the insertion device and preventing the device from accidentally falling off. At this time, the status indicator light 6 shows a constant green light, indicating normal connection and good working condition.

[0045] The dynamic power distribution module continuously monitors the power requirements of the external device. The programmable power management chip automatically identifies the charging protocols supported by the external device (such as PD3.1, QC4+, etc.) and performs adaptive switching to provide the best charging effect. The multiple independent power supply paths provide corresponding voltages and currents according to the different requirements of the external device. For example, a higher power is provided for the external monitor, and a lower power is provided for the external mouse.

[0046] The overvoltage, undervoltage, and overcurrent protection circuits configured for each power supply path continuously monitor the power supply situation. Once a situation of excessive voltage, low voltage, or excessive current occurs in a certain power supply path, the corresponding protection circuit will quickly act to cut off the power supply of that path, preventing the external device from being damaged due to abnormal power supply.

[0047] When there is an instantaneous voltage surge, the surge suppression unit quickly responds within ≤10ms. With its peak absorption capacity of ≥50A, it absorbs the excessive voltage and current generated by the surge, protecting the device from surge impact.

[0048] If the external device supports wireless communication, the device can perform Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless data transmission with external devices through the wireless communication module 10. If a wired connection method is adopted, the data is transmitted through the main PCB board 7, the secondary PCB board, and a customized flexible flat cable.

[0049] During the data transmission process, the signal integrity detection unit keeps working. The Retimer chip reshapes and amplifies the signals that may be distorted during high-speed data transmission to ensure that the data signals are stably and accurately transmitted to the external device, avoiding problems such as signal distortion.

[0050] The thermosensitive element in the over-temperature protection device of the power interface 3 and the temperature sensing unit in the composite detection module simultaneously monitor the temperature of key parts of the circuit. The thermosensitive element at the power interface 3 focuses on monitoring the temperature of the power interface 3, while the surface-mounted NTC thermistor of the temperature sensing unit monitors the overall temperature of the interface and related circuits.

[0051] When the temperature of the power interface 3 rises to a preset threshold (such as 80 °C), the resistance value of the thermosensitive element changes, triggering the control circuit to act and automatically cutting off the power output. At the same time, if the composite detection module detects that the temperature of the interface or other parts of the circuit is too high, it will also promptly feedback to the main control module 12. The main control module 12 will issue an alarm according to the situation, such as showing a red flash through the status indicator 6 or using other methods to remind the user. When the temperature drops to the safe range (such as within 60 °C), the control circuit of the power interface 3 automatically restores the power output, and the device continues to work normally.

[0052] When performing OTA data transmission and storing status snapshot information, the hardware encryption module 13 performs AES-256 encryption processing on this data. The original data is converted into ciphertext, and only the correct key can be used at the receiving end to decrypt and restore the data, preventing the information from being stolen or tampered with during transmission and storage.

[0053] During the transmission and storage of the encrypted data, even if it encounters an external attack, due to its encryption characteristics, the attacker cannot obtain valid information, thus ensuring the security and integrity of the data.

[0054] When the user unpluggs the external device, the Hall sensor built in the expansion interface 5 detects the magnetic field change and feeds this signal back to the system. After receiving the signal, the main control module 12 controls the electromagnet 503 to cut off the power, and the pin block 501 retracts due to the loss of magnetic force, releasing the physical lock on the plug. The status indicator 6 updates the display status according to the device unplugging situation. If there is no device inserted in the expansion interface 5 and there is no fault, it may show an off state; if there is an abnormal unplugging or other situations, it may show a red flash to remind the user. At the same time, the main control module 12 updates the system status accordingly and prepares to welcome the next device connection.

[0055] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, from any point of view, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description. Therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims are intended to be included in the present invention. Any reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the claimed rights.

[0056] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative way of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A docking station safety connection device with hot-swap protection function, comprising a housing (1), one end of the housing (1) being provided with a reading interface (2), and the housing (1) being provided with an expansion interface (5), characterized in that: A main PCB board (7) is provided inside the housing (1); the reading interface (2) is located on the main PCB board (7); a secondary PCB board (8) is electrically mounted on the main PCB board (7); the expansion interface (5) is mounted on the secondary PCB board (8); a power interface (3) is mounted on one side of the secondary PCB board (8) located at the reading interface (2); a socket (9) is mounted on the main PCB board (7); and a switch (4) is mounted on the main PCB board (7) via the socket (9); A support frame (502) is provided on one side of the expansion interface (5), an electromagnet (503) is installed on the expansion interface (5) through the support frame (502), and a pin block (501) is movably installed on the electromagnet (503), and a wireless communication module (10), a hot plug protection circuit (11), a main control module (12) and a hardware encryption module (13) are provided on the back side of the main PCB board (7), and wireless data transmission between the device and the external device is realized through the wireless communication module (10), including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication methods.

2. According to claim 1, a docking station safety connection device with hot-swap protection function is characterized in that: A status indicator light (6) is installed on one side of the housing (1) located at the socket (9). The status indicator light (6) is electrically connected to the main PCB board (7). Its working principle is to control the on / off and color change of the status indicator light (6) through the signal transmitted by the main PCB board (7); when the expansion interface (5) at the corresponding position is in normal connection and good working condition, the status indicator light (6) is always green; when the expansion interface (5) connection fails, the status indicator light (6) is always red and flashing; when a device is inserted into the expansion interface (5) but is not recognized normally, the status indicator light (6) is always yellow. Through different status indications, the user can intuitively understand the working status of the expansion interface (5).

3. According to claim 1, a docking station safety connection device with hot-swap protection function is characterized in that: The main control module (12) integrates an FPGA chip, which has powerful programmable logic functions. Before hot plugging, the FPGA chip uses its internal logic circuit and related algorithms to take a status snapshot of the power supply parameters and data transmission rate of the external device. For example, for the power supply parameters, the voltage and current parameters required by the external device will be detected; for the data transmission rate, the data transmission rate of the current device will be detected. These status snapshot data are then stored in a non-volatile memory, so that even if the device is powered off, the data will not be lost. When the device is reconnected, the main control module (12) will preferentially call the historical status parameters to complete initialization, greatly shortening the startup and adaptation time of the device and improving the user experience.

4. According to claim 1, a docking station safety connection device with hot-swap protection function is characterized in that: The hot-swap protection circuit (11) comprises a dynamic power allocation module and a composite detection module. The dynamic power allocation module dynamically adjusts the power output according to the requirements of the external device. Different external devices require different powers. For example, an external display requires a higher power, while an external mouse requires a lower power. The dynamic power allocation module monitors the power requirements of the external device in real time through internal circuits and algorithms, and adjusts its own output circuit, such as changing the output values ​​of voltage and current, to meet the power requirements of the external device. The composite detection module monitors the interface voltage, current, temperature and signal integrity data in real time. For the interface voltage and current, the high-precision detection circuit collects data in real time and feeds it back to the main control module (12). The temperature monitoring uses a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature at the interface at all times to prevent damage to the device due to excessive temperature. The signal integrity detection uses professional circuits and algorithms to ensure the stability and accuracy of the data transmission signal and avoid signal distortion.

5. The expansion dock safety connection device with hot-swap protection function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The dynamic power allocation module includes a programmable power management chip, multiple independent power supply paths and a surge suppression unit. The programmable power management chip supports PD3.1 and QC4+ protocol adaptive switching; When the external device supports different charging protocols, the programmable power management chip can automatically identify and switch to the corresponding protocol to achieve the best charging effect; for example, when connecting a device that supports the PD3.1 protocol, the chip automatically switches to the PD3.1 protocol for power supply; Each of the multiple independent power supply paths is equipped with overvoltage, undervoltage and overcurrent protection circuits; when a power supply path has too high voltage, too low voltage or too large current, the corresponding protection circuit will act quickly to cut off the power supply of the path to prevent external devices from being damaged due to power supply abnormalities; the response time of the surge suppression unit is ≤10ms, and the peak absorption capacity is ≥50A; when a momentary voltage surge occurs, the surge suppression unit can respond quickly within 10ms to absorb the excessive voltage and current generated by the surge, and can absorb a maximum peak current of 50A, effectively protecting the equipment from surge shocks.

6. The expansion dock safety connection device with hot-swap protection function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The composite detection module comprises a voltage / current detection unit, a signal integrity detection unit and a temperature sensing unit. The voltage / current detection unit collects real-time parameters of the interface through a high-precision ADC chip. The ADC chip converts analog voltage and current signals at the interface into digital signals, which are then transmitted to the main control module (12) for analysis and processing. Its acquisition accuracy can reach multiple decimal places, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the detection data. The signal integrity detection unit integrates a Retimer chip to correct high-speed signal distortion. During high-speed data transmission, the signal is easily distorted by interference. The Retimer chip can reshape and amplify the distorted signal to ensure that the signal can be accurately transmitted to the external device. The temperature sensing unit uses a surface-mount NTC thermistor to monitor the circuit load state. The resistance value of the NTC thermistor changes with the temperature. By detecting the change in its resistance value, the circuit temperature can be calculated, thereby understanding the circuit load state. When the temperature is too high, an alarm is issued in time or corresponding protective measures are taken.

7. The expansion dock safety connection device with hot-plug protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hardware encryption module (13) performs AES-256 encryption on the OTA transmission data and the state snapshot information. When the OTA transmits data, the hardware encryption module (13) encrypts the transmitted data and converts the original data into ciphertext, and the data can only be decrypted and restored by using the correct key at the receiving end. The state snapshot information is also encrypted with AES-256 to prevent the information from being stolen or tampered with, thereby ensuring the security and integrity of the data.

8. The expansion dock safety connection device with hot-swap protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion interface (5) is equipped with a Hall sensor, which can detect changes in the surrounding magnetic field. When a device is inserted into the expansion interface (5), the magnetic element on the device will cause changes in the magnetic field around the Hall sensor, which will be detected by the Hall sensor. At the same time, the composite detection module will determine the parameters of the inserted device. When the parameters are determined to be normal, the main control module (12) will send a driving signal to drive the electromagnet (503) to be energized, and the electromagnet (503) will generate a magnetic field to push the pin block (501) into the groove on the plug, thereby achieving physical locking and preventing the device from accidentally falling off.

9. The expansion dock safety connection device with hot-swap protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main PCB board (7) and the auxiliary PCB board (8) are connected by a customized flexible flat cable; the flexible flat cable has the characteristics of small size and good flexibility; the customized design can better adapt to the spatial layout and connection requirements between the main PCB board (7) and the auxiliary PCB board (8), ensure the stability of signal transmission, and also facilitate the installation and removal of the circuit board, thereby improving the production and maintenance efficiency of the equipment.

10. The expansion dock safety connection device with hot-swap protection function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power interface (3) is equipped with an over-temperature protection device, which is composed of a thermistor and a control circuit. When the temperature of the power interface (3) rises to a preset threshold value, such as 80°C, due to long-term high-power charging or abnormal conditions, the resistance value of the thermistor changes, triggering the control circuit to automatically cut off the power output to prevent fire and equipment damage accidents caused by high temperature. When the temperature drops to a safe range, such as within 60°C, the control circuit automatically resumes the power output to ensure the safety of the device charging process, and when the temperature is abnormal, it can also issue an alarm to the user through a status indicator light (6) or other means.

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