Power Supply Circuit Stops Switching to Fix State

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dual-role power (DRP) devices with USB-power delivery (PD) configurations continuously switch the connection between pull-up and pull-down resistors even when powered off, leading to unnecessary power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device alternately switches between power supply and reception states using a power supply circuit that stops switching operations when off, fixing the state to either supply or receive power, thereby reducing power consumption by maintaining connections to pull-up or pull-down resistors accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the power supply circuit continuously switches between power supply and reception states even when the electronic device is off, then the device maintains dual-role power functionality, but power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual-role power functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption in off-state

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply circuit performs periodic switching between power supply mode and power reception mode only when the electronic device is in the on-state. When the device is off, the switching operation is suspended and the state is fixed, eliminating unnecessary periodic actions that consume power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the power state: in the on-state, the circuit dynamically switches between supply and reception modes to maintain adaptability; in the off-state, the circuit transitions to a static fixed state to minimize power consumption while preserving the capability to resume dynamic switching when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the changeover switches continuously alternate connection between pull-up and pull-down resistors, then the device can determine source and sink roles dynamically, but energy is wasted during off-state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic role determinationVSAvoidenergy waste in off-state

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The changeover switches perform periodic alternation between connecting to pull-up and pull-down resistors only during the on-state for dynamic role determination. During the off-state, the periodic switching is stopped and the connection is fixed, eliminating energy waste from unnecessary periodic actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the switching operation from the off-state, separating the dynamic role determination function (performed only when needed in on-state) from the idle state (off-state), thereby removing the harmful energy consumption during periods when the function is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11082617B2Electronic device including power supply and method to be executed by electronic device including power supply

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes a power supply and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit is configured to alternately switch a state of the electronic device between a first state to supply power to another device and a second state to receive power from said another device, and stop a switching operation of the state of the electronic device when the electronic device is off, to fix the state of the electronic device to one of the first state and the second state.