Multi-Port USB Power Conversion for Higher-Power Device Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB ports are limited in power supply, making it impossible to drive devices requiring more than 5 W, and most electronic devices lack C-type USB ports or USB Power Delivery (PD) capabilities, restricting the use of higher power standards.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with multiple USB ports, a converter, and a processor that can aggregate power from multiple input ports, convert voltages, and supply power to another device through an output port, including wireless transmission, while managing current and voltage to meet the requirements of connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If USB ports are used for power supply, then compatibility with existing devices is improved, but power supply capability is limited to 5W
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple USB input ports (first USB port and second USB port) to aggregate their power output, connecting their respective power lines to a common power supply line that feeds the converter. This merging of power sources enables the system to overcome the 5W limitation of individual USB ports and provide higher power to devices requiring more than standard USB capability.
2Power
If C-type USB port or USB PD is used, then power supply capability is improved to 100W, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing USB Type-A ports to perform the function of USB Power Delivery by aggregating power from multiple ports and converting the combined output. This multi-functional approach allows standard USB ports to deliver high power without requiring dedicated USB PD hardware, making the system universally compatible while achieving USB PD-level power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a converter as an intermediary component between the multiple USB input ports and the output port. This converter aggregates the combined power from multiple USB ports and converts it to the appropriate voltage and current levels required by the connected device, enabling high power delivery without requiring complex USB PD negotiation and control circuits.
3Power
If multiple USB ports are used for power aggregation, then power supply capability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that automatically detects the power output capabilities of each connected USB device and autonomously determines the optimal power distribution strategy. The processor monitors the power supply lines, identifies the maximum available power from each input port, and automatically adjusts the converter operation to deliver the required power to the output device without requiring manual configuration or complex user intervention.
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 the supply of higher power to external devices using existing USB ports, overcoming the limitations of conventional USB ports and allowing for efficient power distribution and management across multiple devices.
Implementation Method 1
control the converter to convert a plurality of input voltages received from the one or more first external devices through the plurality of input ports into an output voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes: a plurality of input ports to which a plurality of first external devices are connected; a converter; an output port to which a second external device is connected; and a processor that controls the converter to convert a plurality of input voltages of the plurality of first external devices connected to the plurality of input ports into an output voltage, identifies whether power is capable of being supplied by each of the input voltages, and controls the converter to output the converted output voltage to the second external device to the output port, based on whether the power is capable of being supplied.