High Voltage Charging for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices face long charging times due to limited battery capacity and the need for higher voltage charging, which poses safety risks and inefficiencies in current low-voltage charging methods.
Innovation Solution
A method for safely charging portable devices using high voltage (up to 20 V) by detecting and authenticating power supplies capable of delivering such voltages, establishing communication channels, and adjusting voltage output based on device capabilities, utilizing a power supply with a voltage regulator and controller to manage voltage and communication with the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high voltage (up to 20 V) is used for charging portable devices, then charging time is reduced and charging efficiency is improved, but safety risks increase and device damage may occur if the device is not capable of handling high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification and authentication of the power supply capabilities before enabling high voltage charging. The portable device detects coupling with the power supply, receives identification information, and determines whether the power supply is capable of providing high voltage (up to 20 V) before switching from low voltage (5 V) to high voltage charging mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a communication channel between the portable device and power supply to exchange capability information. The device sends requests to query power supply capabilities, receives responses indicating voltage capabilities, and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate charging voltage. The system continuously monitors communication line status to detect disconnection and adjusts voltage accordingly.
2Reliability
If communication protocols are established between portable device and power supply, then safe high voltage charging is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing universal communication protocols (UART or USB transport) that are already integrated into portable devices and power supplies. By leveraging these pre-existing communication capabilities, the system avoids adding specialized communication hardware or protocols, thereby minimizing increased device complexity while still enabling safe high voltage charging through capability exchange.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for performing high-voltage charging of electronic devices are provided. A portable device can communicate with a power supply over a data communication line to determine if the power supply is capable of performing the high-voltage charging operation. If yes, the portable device instructs the power supply to provide a specific voltage.