Power Path Switching in Multi-Port Charging Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices with multiple charging ports face slow power path switching when multiple power sources are connected, leading to potential device crashes during low battery conditions due to the need for sequential activation of over-voltage protection circuits.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a comparison unit that selectively couples charging ports to a power supply based on voltage comparisons, allowing for rapid switching between power sources and maintaining electrical isolation until voltage thresholds are met, thereby preventing back current and ensuring safe power path switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential activation of OVP circuits is used to prevent voltage conflicts, then charging port safety is improved, but power path switching speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the output of the first OVP circuit to match the voltage level of the second charging port before switching. This is achieved by activating a charge pump circuit in advance to raise the voltage at the OVP output to the required level, thereby eliminating the voltage difference that would otherwise cause slow switching and potential device crashes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary charge pump circuit between the OVP circuit and the charging port to facilitate smooth voltage transitions. This intermediary component acts as a buffer that can actively adjust voltage levels, enabling fast switching without directly exposing the charging port to voltage conflicts or instability.
2Reliability
If debounce timer is used to filter voltage ripple, then charging port protection is improved, but turn on time duration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit serves as an intermediary that actively compensates for voltage ripple and instability during the turn-on process. Rather than passively waiting for the debounce timer to filter out fluctuations, the charge pump actively maintains stable voltage levels, thereby reducing the required debounce time while still protecting the charging port.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical timing-based debounce approach with an active electrical solution using the charge pump circuit. Instead of relying on time-based filtering, the charge pump actively regulates voltage in real-time, substituting a passive temporal solution with an active electrical control mechanism that achieves both protection and speed.
3Reliability
If voltage discharge waiting period is implemented before switching, then charging port damage prevention is improved, but power path switching duration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by instead of discharging the first OVP circuit output to below the second port voltage, it actively charges the output up to match the second port voltage level. This inversion of the voltage adjustment direction enables immediate switching without waiting for natural discharge, thereby reducing switching duration while maintaining port safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuit performs preliminary voltage adjustment before the switching operation is initiated. By pre-charging the OVP output to the required voltage level, the system eliminates the need for post-switching voltage equalization or waiting periods, thereby reducing the overall switching duration while preventing port damage.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are directed to power path switching between multiple charging ports of an electronic device. A device may include a charging port of a plurality of charging ports for coupling to a power supply via an over-voltage protection circuit. The device may further including a comparison unit configured to couple the charging port to the power supply based at least partially on a comparison between a voltage at an input of the over-voltage protection circuit coupled to the charging port with a voltage at the output of the over-voltage protection circuit coupled to the power supply.