Power Adapter Voltage Balancing for Multi-Device Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power adapters are limited in their ability to supply power to multiple electronic devices with different voltage requirements, often requiring multiple adapters and unable to dynamically redistribute power between devices.
Innovation Solution
A power adapter with a power balancing function that includes multiple power supply lines, a control unit to monitor power usage, and a balancing unit to transform voltage, allowing for adaptive power distribution across devices without considering individual voltage capacities within a predetermined total power supply range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a USB PD standard adapter supplies power at a specific voltage to one electronic device, then that device receives adequate power, but the adapter cannot supply power to another electronic device requiring a different voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter dynamically adjusts voltage levels based on real-time monitoring of power usage by connected devices. The control unit continuously monitors power consumption and automatically transforms output voltage to match the specific requirements of each device, enabling the same adapter to reliably serve multiple devices with different voltage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter changes its output voltage parameter in response to detected device requirements. When a device is connected, the control unit identifies its voltage needs and adjusts the power transformation accordingly, allowing the adapter to provide appropriate power levels for different devices without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If multiple power adapters are provided for multiple electronic devices with different voltage requirements, then each device receives appropriate power, but the system complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed as a universal power supply capable of serving multiple device types with different voltage requirements. By integrating voltage monitoring and automatic transformation capabilities, a single adapter performs the functions previously requiring multiple specialized adapters, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable power supply for diverse devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple power supply functions into a single integrated adapter unit. The control unit consolidates voltage monitoring, device identification, and power transformation capabilities that were previously distributed across multiple separate adapters, creating a unified system that reduces component count while maintaining comprehensive power supply capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a power adapter operates at fixed voltage output, then the circuit design is simpler, but the adapter cannot adapt to electronic devices with different voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors power usage by connected devices and uses this information to adjust output voltage. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation to different voltage requirements without complex manual configuration, balancing versatility with manageable circuit complexity through intelligent control.
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 simultaneous power supply to multiple electronic devices with different voltage needs, optimizing power usage and reducing the need for multiple adapters by dynamically redistributing power within the adapter's capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a power balancing unit comprising circuitry configured to transform, based on the control signal, a voltage of current drawn from a first power supply line of the plurality of power supply lines and provide the transformed voltage to a second power supply line of the plurality of power supply lines
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to balancing power in a power supply. To this end, a power supply may comprise: a plurality of power supply lines configured to respectively transmit power of a plurality of voltages; a power balancing control unit comprising circuitry configured to obtain each amount of power usage for each of the plurality of power supply lines, and generate a control signal based on each of the obtained amounts of power usages; and a power balancing unit comprising circuitry configured to transform a voltage of a current drawn from a first power supply line from among the plurality of power supply lines and provide the transformed voltage to a second power supply line from among the plurality of power supply lines.