Removable Power Inlet Current Rating Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing devices that supply power to other devices face challenges in accommodating varying power requirements due to the physical integration of removable power inlets and supplies, limiting flexibility and potentially leading to unsafe conditions or overloads when mismatched, and requiring higher infrastructure capacity.

Innovation Solution

Separate removable power inlets and supplies that communicate through a signal to ensure compatibility, allowing the power supply to limit current based on the inlet's rating, enabling flexible configuration and safe operation without the need for a single orientation or high-capacity infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If removable power inlet and removable power supply are physically integrated together, then compatibility between inlet and supply is ensured, but flexibility in physical orientation and configuration is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility between power inlet and power supplyVSAvoidflexibility in physical orientation and configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power inlet and power supply are separated into independent removable components. The power inlet can be removed from the computing device independently, and the power supply can be removed independently. This segmentation allows each component to be configured separately based on power requirements and physical orientation needs, while maintaining compatibility through independent detection and signaling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If highest rated AC removable power inlet is used to ensure compatibility, then safe operation is guaranteed, but infrastructure capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe operation of power systemVSAvoidinfrastructure capacity requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The power inlet detects its own current rating through a signal (such as an open-drain signal indicating ampere rating) and communicates this information to the power supply. The power supply then adjusts its operation based on this feedback, limiting current draw to match the inlet's rating. This feedback mechanism ensures safe operation at the appropriate power level without requiring infrastructure to accommodate maximum possible power ratings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If power supply current is limited based on inlet rating, then safe operation is ensured, but current flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe operation preventing overloadsVSAvoidcurrent configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply dynamically adjusts its current output based on the detected rating of the connected power inlet. Rather than being fixed at a single current level, the power supply can adapt its current capability to match different inlet ratings (such as 15 amps or 20 amps). This dynamic adjustment ensures safe operation while maintaining flexibility to operate at different current levels based on the connected inlet's capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11249529B2Detection of removable power inlet current rating

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

Examples described herein include a removable power inlet, a removable power supply, and an electrical connection between the removable power inlet and the removable power supply. The removable power inlet may send a signal to the removable power supply to indicate an ampere rating of the removable power inlet. The removable power supply may set a current limit on a power supplied from the removable power supply based on the signal.