Portable Device Cable Impedance Monitoring and Dynamic Power Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for charging portable devices do not effectively account for the quality of removable cables, leading to potential damage from substandard cables and increased impedance due to wear or dust, and may not optimize current delivery for maximum charging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that monitor the impedance of the cable assembly by imposing a time-dependent current variation and detecting the resulting voltage variation, allowing for dynamic power regulation based on the detected impedance, independent of the power supply or cable specifications, using a spreading sequence to determine the impedance without communication between the device and supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed current limit is set based on standard specifications, then safety is ensured for low-quality cables, but charging efficiency is reduced and cannot be optimized for high-quality cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current limiting by continuously monitoring cable impedance and adjusting the charging current accordingly. Instead of using a fixed current limit, the system adapts the current based on real-time measurements of cable quality, allowing maximum safe current for high-quality cables while maintaining safety limits for low-quality cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by measuring the voltage drop across the cable during charging and using this information to determine cable impedance. This feedback loop enables the charging system to automatically adjust the current limit based on the actual cable condition, optimizing charging efficiency while ensuring safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the current limit is set low to prevent damage from substandard cables, then safety is improved, but the ability to charge with maximum current is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary impedance measurement of the cable before initiating full charging. By measuring the cable's voltage drop during an initial current imposition phase, the system determines cable quality in advance and sets an appropriate current limit before high-power charging begins, preventing damage while enabling optimal power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the charging system based on cable impedance measurements. By adjusting the current limit parameter dynamically according to the measured cable characteristics, the system optimizes charging power for each cable quality level while maintaining safety margins.
3Measurement precision
If existing impedance measurement methods are used requiring communication between device and supply, then measurement can be performed, but compatibility is reduced and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the portable device to perform self-measurement of cable impedance using its own internal resources. The device imposes a known current through the cable and measures the resulting voltage drop independently, without requiring communication or cooperation from the power supply. This self-service approach ensures universal compatibility with any power supply while maintaining precise impedance measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the impedance measurement function from a communication-based protocol and implements it as an independent electrical measurement using only the power and ground lines. By separating the measurement function from communication requirements, the system achieves universal compatibility while maintaining measurement precision.
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 approach enables reliable and accurate impedance measurement of the cable assembly, preventing damage and ensuring optimal charging by dynamically adjusting power delivery, regardless of cable quality or wear, and minimizing interference with the charging process.
Implementation Method 1
determining a quantity indicative of an impedance of the cable assembly based on the time-dependent voltage variation and the spreading sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A method of monitoring a process of powering a portable device through a cable connected between a power supply and a portable device is presented. The method includes applying a time-dependent current variation to one end of the cable in accordance with a spreading sequence, detecting a time-dependent voltage variation at the one end of the cable, the time dependent voltage variation resulting from the applying of the time-dependent current variation, and determining a quantity indicative of an impedance of the cable assembly based on the time-dependent voltage variation and the spreading sequence. Further, an apparatus for monitoring a process of powering a portable device through a cable connected between a power supply and a portable device is presented.