Universal Power Center With Unique Tip Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for powering portable electronic devices are cumbersome and prone to errors due to the need for multiple adapters with different power requirements, leading to potential device damage and inefficiency, as users must manually select the correct adapter, which can result in incorrect polarity and power surges.

Innovation Solution

A universal power center system that uses unique identifiers on power tips and a database to automatically verify and deliver the correct power requirements to portable devices, eliminating the need for multiple adapters and ensuring safe power supply through automated identification and validation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adapters with different power requirements are used to power different portable devices, then compatibility with various devices is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to manually select the correct adapter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various devicesVSAvoidmanual selection of correct adapter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic identification and power delivery by having the portable device broadcast its power requirements and the power center automatically matching the correct adapter, eliminating the need for manual selection by the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The power center is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple types of portable devices with different power requirements through a single interface, supporting various device types including laptops, PDAs, and mobile phones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adapters with different power requirements are used to power different portable devices, then compatibility with various devices is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential device damage from incorrect polarity and power surges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various devicesVSAvoiddevice damage from incorrect polarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the portable device broadcasts its power requirements and the power center verifies the power specifications before delivery, ensuring correct polarity and preventing power surges that could damage the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary verification of power requirements and polarity matching before power delivery, preventing harmful effects such as incorrect polarity and power surges from occurring in the first place

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional tips are used that require manual lookup and selection, then ease of manufacture is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of conventional tip designVSAvoidtime-consuming manual lookup process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical manual lookup and selection process with an automated electronic identification and verification system that uses broadcasts and database lookups to automatically match devices with appropriate power adapters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If universal power supplies with multiple removable tips are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens due to the need to transport and manage multiple tips

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple device typesVSAvoidnumber of tips to transport and manage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the identification and matching function from the physical adapter selection process, using unique identifiers and database verification to determine power requirements without requiring the user to physically handle or select from multiple tip options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10928873B2Method and system for discovery, validation and delivery of power through a universal power center

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

A system and method of discovery, validation and delivery of power to an electronic device through a universal power center is provided. The method comprises providing a power tip for an electronic device with a unique identification and broadcasting the unique identification to a power center. The method further includes verifying the unique identification and connection location of the electronic device, determining power requirements for the connected electronic device based on the unique identification and connection location, and delivering power to the electronic device based on the determined power requirements.