Submersion Recognition Patterns for Electronic Device Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices are prone to damage when submerged, and existing methods do not effectively prevent power activation or maintain shutdown in such situations, risking further damage to major chips.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a power source unit, power management unit, and submersion recognition patterns that shut down the device upon recognizing submersion and maintain shutdown even if a power request is made, using multiple submersion recognition patterns connected between the power source and management units to prevent power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electronic device is turned off due to submersion, then damage to the device is prevented, but the user cannot use the device again until power is turned on, which may cause further damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of submersion conditions through multiple recognition patterns (water detection sensors, humidity sensors, or circuit board moisture detection) before allowing power to be turned on. This preliminary action ensures the device is safe to operate before the user attempts to use it, preventing both water damage and unnecessary shutdowns
2Measurement precision
If multiple submersion recognition patterns are implemented, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The submersion detection system is segmented into multiple independent recognition patterns, each using different sensing mechanisms (e.g., water detection sensors on different circuit boards, humidity sensors in different locations, conductive pattern detection). This segmentation allows high detection accuracy through multiple independent checks while keeping each individual sensor simple and the overall system modular for easier maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) acts as an intermediary between the multiple submersion recognition patterns and the main controller. The PMIC consolidates signals from various sensors, processes detection logic, and controls power supply accordingly, reducing the complexity burden on the main processor while maintaining high detection accuracy
3Reliability
If the electronic device maintains shutdown even when power request occurs, then further damage is prevented, but power consumption cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of submersion conditions through the multiple recognition patterns. When submersion is detected, the device maintains shutdown state and continuously monitors until the submersion condition is resolved. This feedback mechanism ensures damage prevention by keeping the device off during harmful conditions while allowing automatic recovery when safe, optimizing power consumption without compromising reliability
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes: a power source unit including power supply circuitry configured to supply power and a signal corresponding to the power; a power management unit including power management circuitry configured to receive the power from the power source unit to supply the power to the electronic device; a controller configured to be activated when receiving the power from the power management unit to supply a signal corresponding to the power to the power management unit; and a plurality of submersion recognition patterns connected between the power source unit and the power management unit and between the power management unit and the controller, the plurality of submersion recognition patterns configured to recognize submersion of the electronic device, wherein the electronic device is shut down when at least one of the plurality of submersion recognition patterns recognizes submersion, and the electronic device is configured to maintain shutdown when submersion is recognized, even if a request for power supply occurs at the power source unit.