Modular Power Supply Unit with ID Pin Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply circuits in electronic devices are permanently attached and designed to output a fixed voltage, making them inflexible and unusable with different electronic devices or circuit boards that require varying power settings, and they cannot be easily removed or reused if the device fails.
Innovation Solution
A modular power supply unit with identity detection pins that dynamically adjust output voltage and current levels based on the host circuit board's power demand, allowing removability and adaptability to different power settings, and incorporating an overcurrent protection circuit to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If power supply circuits are permanently attached and designed to output fixed voltage, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different electronic devices and circuit boards deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply circuit is divided into a permanent main body and a removable module. The module contains the voltage regulator and output connector, which can be detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the main body to remain simple for manufacturing while the module provides adaptability to different power settings and devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system transitions from a static fixed-voltage design to a dynamic configurable system. The removable module enables the output voltage to be dynamically adjusted based on the specific requirements of different electronic devices or circuit boards, while the main body maintains a stable structure for ease of manufacture.
2Device complexity
If power supply circuits are permanently attached, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of repair and reuse deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the power supply into a permanent main body and a removable module, the system maintains structural simplicity in the main body while enabling easy repair and reuse through module detachment. The module can be replaced without affecting the main body, simplifying repair processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable module design allows the module to be discarded (replaced) when faulty or when different power settings are needed, while the main body is recovered and retained. This enables cost-effective repair strategies where only the module needs to be replaced rather than the entire power supply circuit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If identity detection pins are added to detect power demand, then adaptability to different circuit boards is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identity detection functionality is segmented into the removable module rather than being integrated into the permanent main body. This placement reduces the complexity of the main body while maintaining compatibility detection capabilities in the module, which can be easily replaced or updated.
Solution Approach 2:
The identity detection pins automatically detect the power demand characteristics of the connected host circuit board and configure the power output accordingly without requiring external control or complex processing. The module performs the detection and adaptation functions autonomously, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to modular power supply unit. The modular power supply unit may include an output connector through which the modular power supply unit is removably connectible to a host circuit board. The output connector includes ID pins to receive signals indicative of a power demand corresponding to the host circuit board. Further, the modular power supply unit may include a voltage regulator to output an electrical power at a plurality of power settings. Moreover, the modular power supply unit may include control unit coupled to the output connector and the voltage regulator. The control unit may determine a power demand code based on the signals received at the one or more ID pins; identify a power setting, from the plurality of power settings, based on the determined power demand code; and cause the voltage regulator to generate the electrical power at the identified power setting.