Adapter Attribute Detection via Voltage Divider Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical adapters often lack clear identification of the devices they are designed to power, making it difficult to reuse or replace them correctly, which can lead to damage or destruction of devices when incompatible adapters are used.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus determines attributes of an adapter, such as power rating, by using a first and second voltage divider connected between a power node and a ground node, with analog-to-digital converters measuring output voltages to calculate the adapter's resistance and attributes, allowing for safe operation within the adapter's capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adapter attributes are not clearly identified, then adapters can be reused or replaced more freely, but device damage risk increases due to incompatible adapter usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects adapter attributes (power rating, voltage, current) without requiring manual identification or user input. The electronic device performs self-diagnosis by measuring voltage divider outputs and calculating adapter characteristics, enabling safe reuse and replacement while preventing device damage through automated compatibility verification
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the adapter's electrical characteristics through voltage dividers and analog-to-digital converters. The measured voltage ratios provide feedback about the adapter's power rating and compatibility, allowing the device to adjust operations or alert users to incompatible adapters, thereby preventing damage while enabling informed reuse
2Ease of operation
If voltage measurement methods are simplified, then the determination process becomes faster and easier, but measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces voltage dividers as intermediary components between the adapter voltage source and the analog-to-digital converters. These voltage dividers scale down the adapter voltage to safe measurement levels while preserving the voltage ratio information that encodes the adapter's power rating. This intermediary approach enables simple, safe measurements without sacrificing precision, as the voltage ratios remain proportional to the original adapter characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from absolute voltage values to voltage ratios. By measuring the ratio of voltages from two different voltage dividers connected to the same adapter, the system eliminates dependencies on absolute voltage accuracy and reference standards. This parameter transformation simplifies the measurement process while improving robustness and precision, as ratios are inherently more stable and easier to measure accurately than absolute values
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
This method enables accurate determination of an adapter's attributes, preventing damage by ensuring operations are within the adapter's power limits, facilitating safe reuse and replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a first voltage divider connected between a power node of an adapter and a ground node, and a second voltage divider connected between the power node and the ground node
Data Source
AI summary
An example provides an apparatus for determining an attribute of an adapter based on a ratio of voltage divider outputs. The apparatus may include a first analog-to-digital converter to provide a first digital signal corresponding to a first output voltage of a first voltage divider connected between a power node and a ground node, the first voltage divider formed, at least in part, when the apparatus is operatively coupled to the adapter. The apparatus may include a second analog-to-digital converter to provide a second digital signal corresponding to a second output voltage of a second voltage divider connected between the power node and the ground node. The attribute of the adapter may be determined based on a ratio of the output voltages.