Power Adapter Light Source Management for Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power adapters consume excess electricity by keeping LEDs illuminated continuously, leading to increased energy costs and light pollution, while failing to indicate power state changes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A power adapter with a source controller that manages a light source by illuminating it only during power events and turning it off during threshold periods of inactivity, using a semiconductor light source to indicate power receipt and delivery, and negotiating light modes with the information handling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the light source is kept illuminated continuously to indicate power adapter status, then the user can always see the power state, but electricity consumption increases and light pollution is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The light source operates periodically rather than continuously - illuminating during power events (power receipt, power delivery start, power delivery end) and remaining unilluminated during threshold periods of inactivity. This periodic operation maintains necessary information communication while dramatically reducing energy consumption and light pollution.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the light source is turned off during inactivity to save energy, then electricity consumption decreases, but the user cannot see power state changes
Solution Approach 1:
The source controller continuously monitors power events and system state, providing feedback-based control of the light source. When power events occur (power receipt, power delivery initiation, power delivery termination), the controller activates the light source to communicate state changes, then deactivates it during defined threshold periods of inactivity, optimizing between information communication and energy conservation.
3Loss of information
If multiple light source modes are provided for different operational states, then the information communication capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs different light source modes including different colors (e.g., green for power receipt, amber for power delivery) and different illumination patterns (continuous, blinking) to communicate various power states. This visual differentiation enhances information communication capability while the controller manages the complexity of coordinating these different modes.
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
Reduces electricity consumption and light pollution by only illuminating the light source during necessary power events, while providing clear power state indications to the user.
Implementation Method 1
using a semiconductor light source to indicate power receipt and delivery
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method for managing a light source of a power adapter includes: determining that the power adapter is coupled to a power supply; causing the light source to be in a first illuminated state indicating that the power adapter is receiving the power from the power supply; determining that a first instance of a threshold period of inactivity has occurred; causing the light source to be in an unilluminated state; determining that the power adapter is communicably coupled to an information handling system; causing the light source to be in a second illuminated state indicating that the power adapter is providing the power to the information handling system; determining that a second instance of the threshold period of inactivity has occurred; and causing the light source to be in the unilluminated state.