USB Charger Power Control Using Data-Pin Voltage Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current charging methods are unsafe due to the risk of overloading the charging circuit of terminal devices that skip power detection, potentially causing damage or safety accidents.

Innovation Solution

A charging apparatus equipped with a first and second comparison module, a control module, and a charging module, which compares data voltage values with target preset values to determine appropriate voltage levels and control the charging power to ensure safe charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the charging apparatus charges a terminal device without performing power detection, then the charging speed can be increased, but the charging circuit of the terminal device may be overloaded causing damage or safety accidents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidcharging safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging apparatus performs voltage comparison detection on the data pins before initiating high-power charging. The comparison modules detect voltage levels on D+ and D- pins to determine whether the terminal device supports high-power charging, preventing overload before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the data pins (D+ and D-) as intermediary elements to transmit voltage signals that indicate the terminal device's charging capability. By comparing voltages on these intermediary pins, the charging apparatus infers the device's power handling capacity without direct communication protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the charging apparatus performs power detection according to BC1.2 specification, then the charging safety is improved, but the charging process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging safetyVSAvoidcharging process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential safety check from the complex BC1.2 power detection protocol. Instead of implementing the full BC1.2 specification with multiple communication steps, it isolates and implements only the voltage comparison detection on data pins, which is the core safety-determining element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a simple voltage comparison mechanism that requires minimal hardware resources and processing time. The comparison modules perform rapid voltage level detection without requiring complex communication protocols, making the safety check efficient and low-cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12244167B2Charging apparatus and charging method

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

A charging apparatus includes: a first comparison module, a second comparison module, a control module, and a charging module. The first comparison module is configured to compare a first data voltage value with a target preset value when it is detected that the charging apparatus is connected to a device to be charged, and output a first voltage level set according to a comparison result. The second comparison module is configured to compare a second data voltage value with the target preset value when it is detected that the charging apparatus is connected to the device to be charged, and output a second voltage level set according to a comparison result. The control module is configured to control the charging module to charge the device to be charged with a target power according to the first voltage level set and the second voltage level set.