Bleeder Circuitry for Power Adapter Hiccup Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hiccup mode in power adapters can interfere with the operation of portable electronic devices, causing visible flickering of LEDs due to extended hiccup times, which negatively impact user experience.

Innovation Solution

A bleeder circuitry mechanism that increases leakage current during hiccup mode, activated by detecting a voltage drop, using a diode, capacitor, and field-effect transistors to reduce hiccup time and prevent LED flickering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power adapter operates in hiccup mode to detect device connection, then the device connection detection is improved, but the LED flickering occurs due to extended hiccup time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice connection detectionVSAvoidLED flickering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical parameters during hiccup mode by activating a bleeder circuit that increases leakage current. This parameter change accelerates the voltage discharge rate, thereby reducing the hiccup time and preventing LED flickering while maintaining connection detection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bleeder circuit is pre-configured and activated at the beginning of hiccup mode to ensure rapid voltage discharge from the outset. This preliminary action prevents the extended voltage maintenance that would otherwise cause LED flickering during the detection period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the hiccup time is extended to ensure proper detection, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the user experience deteriorates due to visible LED flickering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By modifying the leakage current parameter through the bleeder circuit, the patent achieves faster voltage discharge that reduces hiccup time below the human perceptible threshold for LED flickering, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while improving user experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the power adapter uses standard leakage current during hiccup mode, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the hiccup time is extended causing operational interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidhiccup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bleeder circuit is activated periodically only during hiccup mode rather than continuously, allowing the power adapter to maintain low energy consumption during normal operation while achieving rapid voltage discharge and reduced hiccup time when needed for detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

The bleeder circuitry reduces hiccup time, preventing visible flickering of LEDs by increasing leakage current, thus enhancing user experience by ensuring timely detection of device connection and efficient power adapter operation.

Implementation Method 1

the voltage drop is detected using a diode and a capacitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the bleeding mechanism is activated using one or more field-effect transistors (FETs) coupled to the diode and the capacitor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectField-effect transistor operation:

Data Source

PatentUS9825481B2Bleeder circuitry for increasing leakage current during hiccup modes of power adapters

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 APPLE INC

AI summary

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates operation of a power adapter in hiccup mode. The system includes a bleeding mechanism that reduces a hiccup time of the hiccup mode by increasing a leakage current of the power adapter. The system also includes an activation mechanism that activates the bleeding mechanism upon detecting a voltage drop associated with the hiccup mode.