Charging Device with Dynamic Power Circuit Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current USB charging standards limit rapid charging of high-capacity portable devices to dedicated chargers, as USB 2.0 only allows up to 500 mA, necessitating additional mechanisms to determine and exceed power supply capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A charging device with multiple available power indicating circuits that identify and activate the appropriate power supply based on the connected portable device's specifications, allowing for variable current supply through data lines, enabling a single charger to support multiple charging standards and specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If USB 2.0 charging standard is used, then compatibility with portable devices is maintained, but charging speed is limited to 500 mA maximum

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidcharging speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device incorporates multiple available power indicating circuits that support different charging standards (USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Quick Charge, etc.), enabling a single charger to serve multiple functions and accommodate various portable device types while providing appropriate charging speeds for each

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If dedicated chargers with multiple standards are used, then rapid charging capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverapid charging capabilityVSAvoidcharger structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple available power indicating circuits into a single charging device, merging previously separate charging standards into one unified charger that can automatically select and activate the appropriate circuit based on the connected portable device's requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple available power indicating circuits are incorporated, then support for multiple charging standards is achieved, but circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging standard supportVSAvoidcircuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device employs dynamic circuit selection where the control unit activates only the specific available power indicating circuit corresponding to the detected portable device type, rather than keeping all circuits permanently active, thereby managing complexity through selective activation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9153984B2Charging device

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

There is provided a charging device which can rapidly charge, with a single charger, portable devices of a plurality of charging specifications.A plurality of available power indicating circuits included in a USB module 10 notify, through a data line, a portable device coupled to the charging device of a signal indicating suppliable amount of current. A CPU 4 obtains, from a portable device coupled thereto, information identifying the portable device, at the time of adjustment. A memory 6 has a table stored therein, for a plurality of portable devices, defining a correspondence between information identifying a portable device and an available power indicating circuit. Referring to the table based on the obtained information, the CPU 4 selects an available power indicating circuit and, at the time of actual operation, activates only the selected available power indicating circuit.