Power Transmission Apparatus Voltage Threshold Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission apparatuses face issues with detecting abnormal conditions in cables, such as increased resistance leading to power loss and potential fires, without the need for costly temperature sensors, which are difficult to install.
Innovation Solution
A power transmission apparatus that detects abnormal conditions by sensing voltage and current differences between the power delivery unit and the load unit, using control circuits to determine thresholds and manage power switches to prevent damage, eliminating the need for temperature sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature sensor is added to detect over temperature conditions, then the detection capability is improved, but the cost and size of the apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical temperature sensor system with an electrical measurement system. By measuring voltage, current, and power consumption through existing circuitry, the system detects abnormal conditions without requiring additional temperature sensing hardware. This substitution eliminates the need for separate temperature sensors while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own power transmission and measurement circuits to detect abnormal conditions. The voltage sensing circuits, current sensing circuits, and control circuits that already exist for power management are utilized to detect over-temperature conditions indirectly through power consumption measurements, making the existing system serve the additional function of temperature monitoring.
2Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is installed on the cable, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature detection function from the physical temperature sensor and relocates it to the power management circuits at the connector ends. By measuring electrical parameters (voltage, current, power) at easily accessible circuit points, the system achieves temperature monitoring without requiring physical sensors to be installed on the cable itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing voltage sensing circuits, current sensing circuits, and control circuits are designed to perform multiple functions: power management and abnormal condition detection. These universal circuits can detect various abnormal conditions including over-temperature, short circuits, and cable peeling through measurements of voltage, current, and power consumption patterns.
3Loss of energy
If the cable resistance increases due to aging, then the power loss increases, but the detection capability remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures voltage, current, and power consumption and compares these values against expected ranges. When the cable resistance increases due to aging, the power consumption changes accordingly, triggering the feedback mechanism to detect the abnormal condition. This continuous feedback loop enables real-time monitoring of cable health and power loss conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of abnormal conditions by monitoring power consumption patterns before they lead to dangerous situations. By detecting changes in voltage, current, and power early through the sensing circuits, the system can identify cable degradation, peeling, or foreign object insertion before they cause significant power loss or safety hazards.
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
Effectively detects and mitigates abnormal cable conditions by reducing power consumption and preventing overheating without the use of temperature sensors, thereby reducing costs and improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
a delivery voltage sensing circuit, configured to operably sense the delivery voltage and provide corresponding information to the delivery control circuit
Implementation Method 2
at least a current sensing circuit, configured to operably sense the delivery current and/or the load current
Implementation Method 3
the resistance of the cable or connectors may become larger, that is, Rc, Ra or Rb becomes larger, which causes more power consumption on the cable 50 and the connectors 30 and 40, and the power consumption not only results in extra power loss but also generates heat
Data Source
AI summary
A power transmission apparatus includes a power delivery unit generating a power, a load unit receiving the power, a cable, at least a connector, at least a power switch, and a communication interface. The power delivery unit and the load unit is coupled by the connector and the cable, and the power is delivered through the cable and the connector. A voltage threshold is determined according to a delivery current of the power or a load current of the load unit. When a voltage difference between a delivery voltage of the power and a load voltage of the load unit is larger than the voltage threshold, the power switch is turned OFF, wherein information of one of the delivery voltage, the load voltage, the delivery current, and/or the load current is provided through the communication interface.