USB Type-C CC Pin Protection for Foreign-Object Short Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

The Type-C universal serial bus interface is vulnerable to corrosion and damage due to short circuits caused by foreign objects, affecting its service life and functionality, particularly when the configuration channel pin is constantly charged.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that detect the voltage variable of the configuration channel pin, determine the conversion time, compare it with a preset time, and cut off power supply if the conversion time is less than or equal to the preset time to prevent short circuits and corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the configuration channel pin is constantly charged to enable plug-and-play detection, then the device can detect the type of inserted device, but the configuration channel pin becomes vulnerable to corrosion and damage due to short circuits caused by foreign objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplug-and-play detection capabilityVSAvoidservice life of configuration channel pin

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of voltage variables and conversion time before allowing normal operation. By detecting abnormal voltage changes and comparing conversion time against preset thresholds, the system identifies foreign objects before they cause corrosion or damage to the configuration channel pin, preventing harmful effects before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of foreign objects into a detectable signal. By monitoring voltage variables and conversion time, the presence of foreign objects that would normally cause short circuits is transformed into a detectable abnormality that triggers protective action, turning a potential harm into a useful detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If the configuration channel pin remains in a charged state for continuous detection, then device type detection is enabled, but the pin is exposed to corrosion and short circuit damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice type detection accuracyVSAvoidcorrosion and short circuit damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of voltage variables and conversion time before allowing normal operation. By detecting abnormal voltage changes and comparing conversion time against preset thresholds, the system identifies foreign objects before they cause corrosion or damage to the configuration channel pin, preventing harmful effects before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of foreign objects into a detectable signal. By monitoring voltage variables and conversion time, the presence of foreign objects that would normally cause short circuits is transformed into a detectable abnormality that triggers protective action, turning a potential harm into a useful detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS12430273B2Protection method, protection apparatus, electronic device, readable storage medium, and chip

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A protection method, a protection apparatus, an electronic device, a readable storage medium, and a chip are provided. The protection method includes: detecting a voltage variable of a configuration channel pin; determining conversion time of the voltage variable according to the voltage variable; comparing the conversion time with preset conversion time to obtain a comparison result; and when the comparison result is that the conversion time is less than or equal to preset conversion time, cutting off power supply of the configuration channel pin.