Charger Connection Unit Temperature Sensor for Short-Circuit Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chargers lack protection against heat generation due to short-circuiting caused by dust or water at the connection units between chargers and electronic apparatus, despite miniaturization of connection units increasing the risk of such hazards.
Innovation Solution
A charger with a temperature sensor integrated into the connection unit that detects temperature increases and suspends charging power output if a threshold is exceeded, maintaining the suspension state until a cancellation signal is received, ensuring fail-safe processing and preventing dangerous heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If connection units are miniaturized to reduce size, then portability and compactness are improved, but the risk of short-circuiting due to dust and water increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is installed in the connection unit to detect temperature changes before they lead to dangerous short-circuiting. This preliminary detection allows the system to take preventive action by suspending power output when abnormal temperature rise is detected, thus resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and safety risk
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor acts as an intermediary element between the connection unit and the power output unit. It monitors the thermal state of the connection unit and transmits this information to the power output unit, enabling the system to respond to potential short-circuiting risks without requiring larger connection units
2Reliability
If temperature monitoring is added to the connection unit, then safety against short-circuiting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature monitoring function is extracted as a separate, dedicated sensor component within the connection unit. This modular approach allows for simple integration of safety functionality without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the sensor is a standalone element that communicates with the existing power output control system
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor enables the connection unit to self-monitor its own thermal state and automatically trigger power suspension when necessary. This self-service capability improves safety without requiring additional external monitoring systems or complex control mechanisms
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 solution effectively detects and mitigates temperature increases from short-circuiting, ensuring the safety of the electrical connection and preventing hazardous situations such as melting, thereby providing a reliable charging environment.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor which is provided in the connection unit, and which is configured to detect temperature in the vicinity of the connection unit
Implementation Method 2
an output suspending unit which suspends the output of the charging power from the power output unit if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is higher than or equal to a prescribed temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A charger capable of charging an electronic apparatus includes a charger main body having a power output unit which output charging power, a connection unit which is attached to the charger main body, which is configured to be connected to the electronic apparatus, and which is configured to supply the charging power from the power output unit to the electronic apparatus in a state that the connection unit is connected to the electronic apparatus, and a temperature sensor which is provided in the connection unit, and which is configured to detect a temperature in the vicinity of the connection unit.