Multi-Output Charger Power Sharing With Single-Stage Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charging devices with two-stage power converters experience efficiency losses and increased heat dissipation when charging multiple electronic devices simultaneously, leading to larger and more costly designs.

Innovation Solution

A single-stage power converter configuration that adjusts output power based on the number of connected devices, using a microcontroller and bidirectional switch to provide shared power when one device is charged and assured power when multiple devices are connected, eliminating the need for a heatsink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a two-stage power converter is used to charge multiple powered devices, then the charging device can provide shared power to each device, but the overall efficiency decreases and heat dissipation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to charge multiple devicesVSAvoidefficiency loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single power converter into multiple independent power converter channels, each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation allows each channel to efficiently convert power for its connected device without the efficiency penalties of a two-stage converter, while still enabling multi-device charging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple independent power converter channels into a single integrated charging device with a shared AC input. This merging approach maintains the efficiency benefits of individual converters while achieving the adaptability of charging multiple devices simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between versatility and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a two-stage power converter is used to charge multiple powered devices, then the charging device can provide shared power, but the device size and cost increase due to required heatsink

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-device charging capabilityVSAvoiddevice size and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the power conversion into multiple independent efficient channels, each operating at optimal efficiency, the overall heat generation is reduced. This eliminates the need for large heatsinks and reduces device size and complexity, while maintaining multi-device charging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of heat dissipation requirements into a benefit by using efficient power converter channels that generate minimal heat. This approach eliminates the need for additional cooling mechanisms like heatsinks, reducing device size and cost while maintaining the ability to charge multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If assured power mode is used when multiple devices are connected, then each device receives minimum required power, but the total power provided is significantly less than shared power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimum power guaranteeVSAvoidtotal power output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the system can switch between assured power mode and shared power mode based on the number of connected devices. When only one device is connected, the full shared power is available. When multiple devices are connected, the system dynamically distributes power across multiple efficient converter channels, maintaining both reliability and total power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the power converter channels based on the number of connected devices. In assured power mode, each channel operates at minimum required output. In shared power mode with single device, the channel operates at maximum capacity. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between guaranteed minimum power and maximum total power availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11799311B2Current sharing for multi-output charging device

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 POWER INTEGRATIONS INC

AI summary

A charging device comprising a first power converter configured to provide a first output power, a second power converter configured to provide a second output power. A switch is coupled to the first power converter and the second power converter. A first socket is configured to deliver the first output power from the first power converter to a first powered device. A second socket is configured to deliver the second output power from the second power converter to a second powered device. A power delivery (PD) controller configured to detect a coupling of the first socket to the first powered device. In addition, the PD controller is configured to detect an absence of coupling of the second socket to the second powered device. Furthermore, the PD controller is configured to control the switch to provide the first output power and the second output power to the first powered device.