Data Port Power Bypass for Peripheral Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information handling systems face inefficiencies in power transfer due to the need for power to pass through internal systems during multidirectional power transfers, leading to thermal energy loss and insufficient power delivery for all components, especially in portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A power transfer manager selectively configures data ports to bypass internal power systems, allowing direct power transfer between external devices, thereby avoiding inefficiencies associated with internal power management and enabling the information handling system to act as an intermediate charging station with reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power is transferred through internal power systems during multidirectional power transfers, then power management control is maintained, but power transfer efficiency deteriorates due to thermal energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power transfer function from the internal power system and creates a separate direct power transfer pathway between data ports. This allows power to be transferred directly between external devices without passing through the internal power management system, thereby eliminating thermal energy loss while maintaining the ability to manage power through software control of switching elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces switching elements as intermediaries that control the power transfer pathway. These switching elements are positioned between the data ports and can be configured to either allow direct power transfer between ports or route power through the internal power system, providing flexible control over power management while enabling efficient direct transfer when appropriate.
2Power
If all integrated components operate simultaneously with sufficient power, then system functionality is maximized, but power consumption increases requiring battery supplementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables external devices to directly power each other through the data ports, allowing the system to serve as a power pass-through without consuming power itself. This self-service mechanism allows integrated components to receive sufficient power for full operation while the system does not need to supplement power from its own battery, as the power transfer occurs directly between external devices.
3Reliability
If USB based power transfer uses standardized current limits, then safety and compatibility are ensured, but power delivery becomes insufficient for heavy power draw operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transfer function into separate pathways: one for data transfer with standardized USB power limits for safety and compatibility, and another for direct high-power transfer between ports. This segmentation allows the system to maintain standardized safe power delivery for general USB operations while enabling high-power direct transfer capabilities when needed for heavy power draw operations like system boot.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system data port system includes plural data ports that support communication of data and power transfer with external devices, such as peripherals. A power transfer manager selectively establishes direct power transfer between data ports in support of power transfer between external devices, such as one external device acting as a power source and another external device acting as a power sink. The power transfer manager establishes direct power transfer with switches that bypass the information handling system power subsystem to provide improved power transfer efficiency.