A power switching system that maintains continuous connectivity

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of power switching systems that maintain uninterrupted, comprising: the main USB interface of connecting charger, to obtain the external current of supply back-end component operation;Capacitor charging module connects main USB interface and takes electricity, charges supercapacitor module;Power distribution module is electrically connected main USB interface, supercapacitor module and several secondary USB interfaces;Wherein, at least one secondary USB interface connects DRP equipment;Power distribution module is used to remove charger from supercapacitor module when main USB interface, or from any secondary USB interface with DRP performance, take electricity, power supply to internal components, and power supply to the load connected to secondary USB interface.It is thus provided that supercapacitor module, in power switching process, maintain power supply to system itself and load equipment, ensure no power down, uninterrupted, when removing charger, do not affect user experience, realize no-sense switching.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of circuit design technology, and in particular to a power switching system that maintains uninterrupted connectivity. Background Technology

[0002] Dual-Role Power (DRP) devices can switch power after the external power supply is removed. This process typically involves the protocol chip inside the DRP device initiating a PowerRole Swap (PR) or Fast Role Swap (FR) to the DRP device currently acting as a load. After this process is complete, the DRP device switches from a powered role to a discharging role. FR is faster, but not all DRP devices support it.

[0003] Before the power switching is complete, the system power supply will be continuously pulled down by the load. If the load is large at this time, the system power supply voltage may be pulled down below the device's operating voltage before the power switching is completed, resulting in a disconnection and preventing seamless switching. Taking a smartphone as an example, suppose a smartphone's Type-C port is expanded to a charging port and a headphone port, and it is used for charging and audio output simultaneously. If the smartphone does not support FR (front-facing cameras), when the charger is removed, the smartphone's battery cannot take over the system power supply in time, resulting in insufficient operating voltage and disconnection of the decoding chip. Specifically, this manifests as a disconnection between the smartphone and the headphones, severely affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention discloses a power switching system that maintains uninterrupted connectivity, specifically comprising: Connect the charger's main USB port to obtain external current to power the backend components. The capacitor charging module is connected to the main USB interface and draws power to charge the supercapacitor module. The power distribution module is electrically connected to the main USB interface, the supercapacitor module, and several auxiliary USB interfaces; At least one of the secondary USB ports is connected to the DRP device; The power distribution module is used to draw power from the supercapacitor module or from any secondary USB port with DRP performance when the charger is removed from the main USB port, to power the internal components and the load connected to the secondary USB port.

[0005] As an optional implementation, the main USB port or the secondary USB port is configured with a fast charging protocol module.

[0006] As an optional implementation, the power distribution module is electrically connected to each fast charging protocol module to form a protocol channel; The master control module is electrically connected to the protocol channel to provide protocol power to the main USB interface or any of the secondary USB interfaces.

[0007] As an optional implementation, in the power distribution module, the VIN terminal receives external current and supplies power to the capacitor charging module via MOSFET M1 and MOSFET M2, and outputs it to the VOUT terminal; The supercapacitor module is connected to the VOUT terminal via MOS transistor M3; The main control module is connected to the drive pin VG1 of the MOS transistor M1 and the MOS transistor M2 to control whether the supercapacitor module is charged by the capacitor charging module and to control the external current to supply power to the load. The main control module is connected to the drive pin VG2 of the MOS transistor M3 to control whether the supercapacitor module is powered through the VOUT terminal; The main control module determines the source of the operating current output at the VOUT terminal, shunts the operating current, and adjusts the output through several DC-DC conversion units.

[0008] As an optional implementation, when the load is a DRP device, the load is allowed to act as a source to generate a temporary 5V power supply through the VOUT terminal. After the supercapacitor module is ready, the fast charging protocol module in the path where the load is located is allowed to draw power from the VOUT terminal and perform fast charging power supply to other loads.

[0009] As an optional implementation, the voltage regulator / rectifier unit LDO / DC-DC is configured to draw power from the VIN terminal via Schottky diode D0, or from the nth DRP device via Schottky diode Dn, and convert the output 5V voltage for direct power supply to power the load of non-DRP devices.

[0010] As an optional implementation, the fast charging protocol module connected to the main USB interface communicates with the main control module and other fast charging protocol modules to broadcast the charger's insertion status, as well as the maximum voltage and maximum current of the external current provided by the charger. The main control chip reads the charging role of the fast charging protocol module connected to the load and informs any fast charging protocol module whether it acts as a Source to provide fast charging power to other loads.

[0011] As an optional implementation, the main USB interface and the secondary USB interface are connected to any internal data bus, and each of the internal data buses is electrically connected to the power distribution module via an internal port to obtain power.

[0012] As an optional implementation, the supercapacitor module is equivalent to a short circuit when it is not charged, and the charger connected to the main USB interface cannot directly charge the supercapacitor module. The capacitor charging module is used to perform a capacitor charging process on the supercapacitor module using the external current when the charger is connected to the main USB interface.

[0013] As an optional implementation, the capacitor charging process is divided into a constant current stage, a constant power stage, and a constant voltage stage. During the constant current phase, the initial voltage of the supercapacitor module is 0V, and the capacitor charging module outputs the maximum charging current to the supercapacitor module at a constant current. During the constant power phase, the supercapacitor module reaches the standard voltage and continues to increase the voltage, while the capacitor charging module continuously charges the supercapacitor module by reducing the current. During the constant voltage stage, the supercapacitor module approaches the upper voltage limit. When the charging current output by the capacitor charging module to the supercapacitor module decreases to the lower limit of the charging current, the supercapacitor module is fully charged.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this embodiment has the following beneficial effects: In this embodiment, a supercapacitor module is provided to maintain power supply to the system itself and the load device during the power switching process, ensuring no power loss and no disconnection, and not affecting the user experience when the charger is unplugged, thus achieving seamless switching. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this embodiment, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiment will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system structure of a power switching system that maintains uninterrupted connection as disclosed in this embodiment; Figure 2 This is a partial circuit diagram of a power switching system that maintains continuous connection as disclosed in this embodiment; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the capacitor charging process of a power switching system that maintains continuous connection as disclosed in this embodiment. Figure 4 This is the state machine of the fast charging protocol module corresponding to the main USB interface in a power switching system that maintains continuous connection as disclosed in this embodiment; Figure 5This is the state machine of the fast charging protocol module corresponding to the secondary USB interface in a power switching system that maintains continuous connection as disclosed in this embodiment; Figure 6 This is the state machine of the main control module in a power switching system that maintains continuous connection, as disclosed in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The technical solutions in this embodiment will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0018] Please see Figures 1-6 This embodiment discloses a power switching system that maintains uninterrupted connectivity, comprising: Connect the charger's main USB port to obtain external current to power the backend components. The capacitor charging module connects to the main USB interface and draws power to charge the supercapacitor module. The power distribution module is electrically connected to the main USB interface, the supercapacitor module, and several auxiliary USB interfaces. At least one of the secondary USB ports is connected to the DRP device; The power distribution module is used to draw power from the supercapacitor module or from any secondary USB port with DRP capabilities when the charger is removed from the main USB port, to power the internal components and the load connected to the secondary USB port.

[0019] In this embodiment, a supercapacitor module is provided to maintain power supply to the system itself and the load device during the power switching process, ensuring no power loss and no disconnection, and not affecting the user experience when the charger is unplugged, thus achieving seamless switching.

[0020] As an optional implementation, the main USB port or the secondary USB port is configured with a fast charging protocol module.

[0021] As an optional implementation, the power distribution module is electrically connected to each fast charging protocol module to form a protocol channel; The main control module sets the electrical connection protocol channel to distribute power to the main USB interface or any of the secondary USB interfaces.

[0022] Specifically, the main control module is used to perform tasks such as device polling, status detection, and status scheduling during power switching, load connection, load removal, charger insertion, and charger removal.

[0023] As an optional implementation, the fast charging protocol module connected to the main USB interface communicates with the main control module and other fast charging protocol modules to broadcast the charger's insertion status, as well as the maximum voltage and maximum current of the external current provided by the charger. The main control chip reads the charging role of the fast charging protocol module connected to the load and informs any fast charging protocol module whether it acts as a source to provide fast charging power to other loads.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, upon power-on standby and detection of a charger insertion, the fast charging protocol module corresponding to the main USB port broadcasts the maximum voltage and maximum current to other loads after the charger is inserted. The main control module adjusts the system voltage to the maximum voltage accordingly. Furthermore, after the charger is unplugged, it will also broadcast a notification that the charger has been unplugged, and the system adjusts the current and voltage accordingly.

[0025] As an optional implementation, the main USB interface and the secondary USB interface are connected to either internal data bus, and each internal data bus is electrically connected to a power distribution module via an internal port to obtain power.

[0026] As an optional implementation, in the power distribution module, the VIN terminal obtains external current and supplies power to the capacitor charging module through MOSFETs M1 and M2, and outputs it to the VOUT terminal. The supercapacitor module is connected to the VOUT terminal via MOSFET M3; The main control module is connected to the drive pin VG1 of MOSFET M1 and MOSFET M2 to control whether the supercapacitor module is charged by the capacitor charging module, and to control the external current to supply power to the load. The main control module is connected to the drive pin VG2 of the MOSFET M3 to control whether the supercapacitor module supplies power through the VOUT terminal. The main control module determines the source of the operating current output at the VOUT terminal, shunts the operating current, and adjusts the output through several DC-DC conversion units.

[0027] Specifically, MOSFETs M1 and M2, as an NMOS pair, ensure that there is no leakage between the VIN and VOUT terminals. Controlled by the main control module, they allow the capacitor charging module to charge the supercapacitor module after being turned on.

[0028] The MOSFET M3 is turned on by the main control module during the power switching process, so that the supercapacitor module provides temporary power supply to ensure that the system itself and each load do not lose power and remain connected during the switching process.

[0029] As an optional implementation, when the load is a DRP device, the load is allowed to act as a source to generate a temporary 5V power supply through the VOUT terminal. After the supercapacitor module is ready, the fast charging protocol module in the path where the load is located is allowed to draw power from the VOUT terminal and perform fast charging power supply to other loads.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, if a DRP device exists as a load, it will act as a sink and draw power from the system to run.

[0031] At this point, the DRP device is allowed to switch to the Source role during the power conversion process. After broadcasting and reaching an agreement with other loads, it will supply power to other loads in the PR process as the Source.

[0032] For example Figure 5 As shown, after the charger is unplugged, the main control module turns off MOSFETs M1 and M2 via the drive pin VG1 and waits for the fast charging protocol module of the main USB interface to adjust the charger voltage to the highest level.

[0033] Furthermore, when the charger voltage is greater than or equal to the capacitor voltage of the supercapacitor module, the capacitor charging module is controlled to charge the supercapacitor module. After charging is completed, the power switching process is waited for the drive pin VG2 to turn on the MOSFET M3 to maintain power supply, so that the fast charging protocol module corresponding to other DRP devices can complete the power supply role adjustment.

[0034] In addition, when the charger voltage is lower than the capacitor voltage, the stored energy in the supercapacitor is consumed first.

[0035] For example, when the charger is first plugged in, its maximum charging voltage can reach 20V, so the supercapacitor module's capacitor voltage is also 20V after it is fully charged.

[0036] After the charger is unplugged, the stored energy in the supercapacitor module begins to be consumed, and the capacitor voltage gradually decreases from 20V.

[0037] Furthermore, if the highest charging voltage of the subsequently inserted charger is less than 20V, but only 15V, assuming that the supercapacitor module still has stored energy and the capacitor voltage is 18V, the supercapacitor module will be determined to be overcharged, and MOSFETs M1 and M2 will be turned off.

[0038] At the same time, MOSFET M3 is turned on, and the overcharged supercapacitor module fast charges the load until the capacitor voltage drops to 15V, which is the same as the charger's maximum charging voltage. Then, MOSFETs M1 and M2 are turned on, and the charger fast charges the load.

[0039] As an optional implementation, the voltage regulator / rectifier unit LDO / DC-DC is configured to draw power from the VIN terminal via Schottky diode D0, or from the nth DRP device via Schottky diode Dn, and convert the output 5V voltage for direct power supply to power the load of non-DRP devices.

[0040] As an alternative implementation, the supercapacitor module is equivalent to a short circuit when it is not charged, and the charger connected to the main USB interface cannot directly charge the supercapacitor module. The capacitor charging module is used to perform a capacitor charging process on the supercapacitor module using an external current when the charger is connected to the main USB interface.

[0041] As an optional implementation method, the capacitor charging process is divided into a constant current stage, a constant power stage, and a constant voltage stage. During the constant current phase, the initial voltage of the supercapacitor module is 0V, and the capacitor charging module outputs the maximum charging current to the supercapacitor module at a constant current. During the constant power phase, the supercapacitor module reaches the standard voltage and continues to increase the voltage, while the capacitor charging module continuously charges the supercapacitor module by reducing the current. During the constant voltage stage, the supercapacitor module approaches its upper voltage limit. When the charging current output by the capacitor charging module to the supercapacitor module decreases to the lower limit of the charging current, the supercapacitor module is fully charged.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown, during the constant current stage, the output current is controlled at the maximum charging current of 6A until the standard voltage is reached, at which point the constant power stage begins. Assuming the capacitor charging power is 10V*6A at this point, and the voltage continues to rise, to ensure that the maximum power of the charger is not exceeded, the charging current needs to be continuously reduced and adjusted. For example, when the capacitor voltage reaches 20V, the charging current needs to be adjusted to 3A to ensure that 20V*3A=10V*6A is used for constant power charging. Then, in the constant voltage stage, the capacitor charges to close to 20V, the voltage rises slowly, the charging current continues to decrease and approaches the lower limit of the charging current. When the charging current decreases to the lower limit, the supercapacitor module is fully charged.

[0043] Compared with the prior art, this embodiment has the following beneficial effects: In this embodiment, a supercapacitor module is provided to maintain power supply to the system itself and the load device during the power switching process, ensuring no power loss and no disconnection, and not affecting the user experience when the charger is unplugged, thus achieving seamless switching.

Claims

1. A power switching system that maintains uninterrupted connection, characterized in that, include: Connect the charger's main USB port to obtain external current to power the backend components. The capacitor charging module is connected to the main USB interface and draws power to charge the supercapacitor module. The power distribution module is electrically connected to the main USB interface, the supercapacitor module, and several auxiliary USB interfaces; At least one of the secondary USB ports is connected to the DRP device; The power distribution module is used to draw power from the supercapacitor module or from any secondary USB port with DRP performance when the charger is removed from the main USB port, to power the internal components and the load connected to the secondary USB port.

2. The power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: The main USB port or the secondary USB port is configured with a fast charging protocol module.

3. The power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 2, characterized in that, include: The power distribution module is electrically connected to each fast charging protocol module to form a protocol channel; The master control module is electrically connected to the protocol channel to provide protocol power to the main USB interface or any of the secondary USB interfaces.

4. The power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 3, characterized in that, include: In the power distribution module, the VIN terminal receives external current and supplies power to the capacitor charging module through MOSFET M1 and MOSFET M2, and outputs it to the VOUT terminal. The supercapacitor module is connected to the VOUT terminal via MOS transistor M3; The main control module is connected to the drive pin VG1 of the MOS transistor M1 and the MOS transistor M2 to control whether the supercapacitor module is charged by the capacitor charging module and to control the external current to supply power to the load. The main control module is connected to the drive pin VG2 of the MOS transistor M3 to control whether the supercapacitor module is powered through the VOUT terminal; The main control module determines the source of the operating current output at the VOUT terminal, shunts the operating current, and adjusts the output through several DC-DC conversion units.

5. A power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 4, characterized in that, include: When the load is a DRP device, the load is allowed to act as a source to generate a temporary 5V power supply through the VOUT terminal. After the supercapacitor module is ready, the fast charging protocol module in the path where the load is located is allowed to draw power from the VOUT terminal and perform fast charging power supply to other loads.

6. A power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 5, characterized in that, include: The voltage regulator / rectifier unit LDO / DC-DC is configured to draw power from the VIN terminal via Schottky diode D0, or from the nth DRP device via Schottky diode Dn, and convert the output voltage to a direct 5V power supply to power the load of non-DRP devices.

7. A power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 4, characterized in that, include: The fast charging protocol module connected to the main USB interface communicates with the main control module and other fast charging protocol modules, broadcasting the charger's insertion status, as well as the maximum voltage and maximum current of the external current provided by the charger. The main control chip reads the charging role of the fast charging protocol module connected to the load and informs any fast charging protocol module whether it acts as a Source to provide fast charging power to other loads.

8. A power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: The main USB interface and the secondary USB interface are connected to any internal data bus, and each of the internal data buses is electrically connected to the power distribution module via an internal port to obtain power.

9. A power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 1, characterized in that, include: When the supercapacitor module is not charged, it is equivalent to a short circuit, and the charger connected to the main USB interface cannot directly charge the supercapacitor module. The capacitor charging module is used to perform a capacitor charging process on the supercapacitor module using the external current when the charger is connected to the main USB interface.

10. A power switching system for maintaining continuous connection according to claim 9, characterized in that, include: The capacitor charging process is divided into a constant current stage, a constant power stage, and a constant voltage stage. During the constant current phase, the initial voltage of the supercapacitor module is 0V, and the capacitor charging module outputs the maximum charging current to the supercapacitor module at a constant current. During the constant power phase, the supercapacitor module reaches the standard voltage and continues to increase the voltage, while the capacitor charging module continuously charges the supercapacitor module by reducing the current. During the constant voltage stage, the supercapacitor module approaches the upper voltage limit. When the charging current output by the capacitor charging module to the supercapacitor module decreases to the lower limit of the charging current, the supercapacitor module is fully charged.

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