Power Supply Type Detection for Automatic Control Strategy Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of ensuring timely adjustment of control strategies in power-consuming devices when switching between different power grids, particularly from a strong to a weak power grid, often results in potential damage or malfunction due to manual operation failures.

Innovation Solution

A power-consuming device equipped with a switch circuit, first and second processing devices, and a controller that automatically detects the type of external power supply through communication protocols, allowing for seamless adaptation of control strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual operation is used to adjust control strategy when switching power grids, then the user has control over the adjustment process, but the timeliness and reliability of the adjustment cannot be ensured when power grid switching occurs frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of control strategy adjustmentVSAvoidautomation of power type detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The power-consuming device automatically detects the power supply type through its processing devices and communication protocols without requiring user intervention. The system self-adjusts the control strategy based on the detected power type (strong grid or weak grid), eliminating the need for manual operation while ensuring timely and reliable adaptation to power grid changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses communication protocols between the first processing device (connected to power supply) and second processing device (connected to control circuit) to continuously monitor and detect power supply type. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to automatically adjust control strategies based on real-time power grid conditions, ensuring both reliability and timeliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the control strategy is not adjusted timely when switching from strong power grid to weak power grid, then the power-consuming device may be damaged or malfunction, but manual adjustment is too slow to respond to frequent power grid switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of power-consuming deviceVSAvoidresponse time for control strategy adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of power supply type through communication protocols before the controller executes the control strategy. The first processing device continuously monitors the power supply status and communicates with the second processing device, enabling the system to be prepared and respond immediately when power grid switching occurs, thus preventing device damage without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with an automated electronic detection and control system. The processing devices use communication protocols to automatically detect power type and trigger controller adjustments, eliminating the time delay associated with manual operation and ensuring instantaneous response to power grid changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If communication protocols are used between processing devices to detect power type, then automatic and timely detection is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic power type detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of communication system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication protocol serves multiple functions: it detects power supply type, communicates device status, and coordinates control strategy adjustment. By making the communication system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated detection mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving automatic and timely power type detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4683170A1Power supply system for electrical device and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 HISENSE (GUANGDONG) AIR CONDITIONER
  • EP4683170A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4683170A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP4683170A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The present application provides a power supply system and a control method for a power-consuming device. The power supply system includes: a switch circuit, a first processing device, a second processing device and a controller. The switch circuit has one end being connected to an external power supply and another end being connected to the power-consuming device. The external power supply includes a first power supply and a second power supply, and the switch circuit is configured to connect one of the first power supply and the second power supply to the power-consuming device to supply power to the power-consuming device. The first processing device and the second processing device are capable of communicating with each other. The controller is connected to the first processing device and the second processing device respectively and is configured to control the first processing device and the second processing device to enter a power type detection mode. In the power type detection mode, the first processing device is connected to the first power supply and the second processing device is connected to the power-consuming device. The second processing device is configured to determine a type of the external power supply currently connected to the power-consuming device according to a communication result between the second processing device and the first processing device.