Adjustable Power Supply with USB Feature Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 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 between data and power contacts, allowing for versatile power delivery to diverse devices using a single adapter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power supplies are used to accommodate different electrical devices with varying voltage and current requirements, then each device receives appropriate power, but the quantity of power supply devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply is designed with a single universal output port that can serve multiple different electrical devices by detecting their power requirements and automatically adjusting output parameters. The system incorporates feature detection mechanisms that identify device types through resistance measurements, enabling one power supply to replace multiple specialized power supplies while maintaining appropriate voltage and current delivery for each device category
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply implements dynamic adjustment of output voltage and current based on real-time detection of connected device characteristics. The system continuously monitors resistance values between data and power contacts, then dynamically reconfigures power delivery parameters to match the specific requirements of the connected device, transitioning from static fixed-output power supplies to adaptive dynamic power delivery
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized connectors are used to adapt power supply output to different devices, then power delivery is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal output port design replaces multiple specialized connectors, maintaining adaptability to different devices through electronic detection and control rather than physical connector variation. The system uses one connector type that can identify and serve multiple device types through resistance-based feature detection, eliminating the need for users to match specific connector types to specific devices while preserving optimized power delivery capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces resistance measurements between data and power contacts as an intermediary mechanism to identify device characteristics. This indirect detection method allows the power supply to determine device type and power requirements without requiring specialized physical connectors, using electrical resistance as a mediator to convey device identity information
3Ease of operation
If conventional power supply ports are reused for various output voltages and currents, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor resistance values between data and power contacts to detect the connected device type. This feedback information is used to automatically adjust output voltage and current parameters, ensuring safe and reliable power delivery for each device category while allowing reuse of the same physical port. The system verifies device characteristics before power delivery and adjusts parameters in real-time based on detected conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of device characteristics through resistance measurements before initiating power delivery. By identifying device type and power requirements in advance through feature detection, the power supply pre-configures appropriate output parameters, ensuring safe operation from the start of power delivery and preventing unreliable or unsafe power conditions
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, simplifying the management of power supplies for multiple devices by automatically adapting to specific requirements through feature detection and resistance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
determine at least one resistance value between one or more data contacts and one or more electrical power contacts
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable output power supply with a data communications connector 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 and power contacts coupled to and providing output electrical power from a programmable power supply. A controller receives an indication of a detection of a feature of a mating connector coupled to the data communications connector, determines, based on receiving the detection, at least one resistance value between a data contact and at least one power contact, and adjusts an output voltage of the programmable power supply based on the at least one resistance value.