Adjustable Power Supply With Resistance-Based Device Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supplies require multiple units to accommodate different electrical devices with varying voltage and current requirements, and existing adapters often need specialized connectors to adjust output characteristics, limiting the reuse of conventional power supply ports.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable output power supply with a connector that complies with standards like USB, featuring a feature detection mechanism to adjust output voltage and current based on resistance values, allowing it to provide power to diverse devices through a single adapter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a power supply is configured to provide electrical power with specific voltage and current for a particular device, then the power supply meets the device's requirements, but the power supply cannot be used with other devices having different power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system dynamically adjusts its output characteristics based on real-time detection of device requirements. The controller monitors device power needs and automatically modifies voltage and current parameters, enabling a single power supply to serve multiple devices with different power requirements without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its output parameters (voltage and current) based on detected device characteristics. By measuring resistance values and identifying device types, the power supply transforms its electrical output parameters to match the specific requirements of each connected device, achieving versatility through parameter adaptation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power supplies are used to accommodate different electrical devices, then each device receives appropriate power, but the number of power supplies and connectors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple types of electrical devices through a single connector type. By incorporating detection capabilities and adjustable output, one power supply unit can replace multiple specialized power supplies, reducing the total quantity needed while maintaining broad device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary detection mechanism that identifies device requirements through resistance measurement. This intermediary detection layer allows the power supply to bridge between a single standardized connector and multiple device types with different power needs, enabling one power supply to serve many devices without requiring multiple specialized connectors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized connectors are used to adapt power supply output to different devices, then the power supply can accommodate various devices, but conventional power supply ports cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical connector specialization with electrical detection and control. Instead of using different physical connector types to indicate device requirements, the system uses electrical resistance measurement and controller-based parameter adjustment, allowing conventional standardized connectors to be reused while achieving the same adaptation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance detection mechanism serves as an intermediary that translates device requirements into control signals for the power supply. This intermediary approach allows the use of standardized connectors while still enabling differentiation and adaptation to various device types through electrical characteristics rather than mechanical ones.
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
Enables the reuse of conventional power supply ports to provide power at various voltages and currents, accommodating multiple devices with a single adapter, enhancing flexibility and reducing the need for multiple power supplies.
Implementation Method 1
determining at least one resistance value between one or more data contacts and one or more power supply contacts
Data Source
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Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An adjustable output power supply (102) with a data communications connector (120, 222) that at least partially complies with physical specifications of a defined data interface standard connector, such as a USB connector. The data communications connector has a number of data contacts (832, 834) and power contacts (830, 832) coupled to and providing output electrical power from a programmable power supply (220). A controller (202) receives an indication of a detection of a feature (302, 516, 616, 802) of a mating connector (122, 514, 614, 804) coupled to the data communications connector, determines (706), based on receiving the detection, at least one resistance value between a data contact and at least one power contact, and adjusts (714) an output voltage of the programmable power supply based on the at least one resistance value.