Dynamic Voltage Control for High Power Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for providing power to electrical devices, such as USB chargers, face limitations in transferring high power due to maximum current constraints, leading to increased electrical losses and voltage drops in transmission lines, and require complex installations to exceed standard voltage levels.

Innovation Solution

An electrical power supply device with a controllable power converter that dynamically adjusts voltage levels in response to changing power demands, allowing increased power transmission without raising current levels, and includes a controller to monitor voltage and switch to higher voltage levels when necessary, reducing losses and voltage drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the current is increased to provide higher power, then the power transmission capability is improved, but the electrical losses and voltage drops in the transmission line increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidelectrical losses
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the voltage level at which electrical power is provided. When voltage drop exceeds a threshold, the system switches from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, thereby changing the operating parameters to reduce current and minimize electrical losses while maintaining power transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the current is increased to provide higher power, then the power transmission capability is improved, but the voltage drop in the transmission line increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidvoltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the voltage drop in the transmission line. When the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically responds by switching to a different voltage level, thereby maintaining voltage stability and ensuring reliable power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Power

If a voltage higher than 5V is used to provide more power, then the power transmission capability is improved, but the system complexity increases due to complex installations required in every load device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a power supply device that automatically manages voltage level switching. This eliminates the need for complex charging modules in every load device, as the voltage management function is centralized in the power supply device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling high-power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 efficient high-power delivery to electrical devices by automatically adjusting voltage levels, reducing electrical losses and voltage drops, and simplifying the system by eliminating the need for complex installations or separate data communication.

Implementation Method 1

a controllable power converter, with a power input which is connectable to a power source and with a power output, wherein the power converter is configured to controllably provide electrical power at one of a number, i.e. two or more, of different electrical voltage levels via the power output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical power conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a controller, which is coupled to the power output and configured to monitor the voltage at the power output, wherein if the monitored voltage drops below a predetermined voltage threshold for the present voltage level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage monitoring: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3160001B1Supplying electrical power
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 VESTEL ELEKTRONIK SANAYI & TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
  • EP3160001B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3160001B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3160001B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an electrical power supply device (100; 200) comprising a controllable power converter (101; 201), with a power input (102; 202) which is connectable to a power source and with a power output (103; 203), wherein the power converter (101; 201) is configured to controllably provide electrical power (Pout) at one of a number of different electrical voltage levels (V1, V2) via the power output (103; 203), and a controller (104; 204), which is coupled to the power output (103; 203) and configured to monitor the voltage (Vout) at the power output (103; 203), wherein if the monitored voltage (Vout) drops below a predetermined voltage threshold (Vt1, Vt2) for the present voltage level (V1, V2) the controller (104; 204) is configured to control the power converter (101; 201) to provide the electrical power (Pout) at the next higher voltage level (V1, V2). Furthermore, the present invention provides a respective method.