USB Power Source Contract Control Under Supply Rating Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power delivery systems fail to optimize power distribution between power source and sink devices, often exceeding the power supply rating and leading to inefficient use of available power.

Innovation Solution

A power source device equipped with a power measurement controller and contract manager dynamically adjusts power delivery contracts based on total system consumption, power supply rating, and previous contracts to balance power levels, preventing overburdening the supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If power delivery contracts are negotiated based on deliverable power and usable power, then power distribution is optimized, but the system complexity increases due to dynamic adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution efficiencyVSAvoidpower management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power delivery contracts that are continuously adjusted based on real-time power consumption measurements. The power source device dynamically modifies power delivery parameters to match actual demand, transforming the static power delivery system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where power consumption is measured and used to adjust power delivery contracts. The power source device receives feedback on actual power usage and modifies its delivery accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes power distribution based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If total power consumption exceeds power supply rating, then power delivery is reduced to prevent overburdening, but the usable power for the power sink device decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidpower delivery to sink device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by delivering only the necessary power required by the power sink device rather than full power. When total consumption approaches the power supply rating, the system deliberately limits power delivery to prevent overburdening, accepting that not all available power can be delivered under high-demand conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes power delivery parameters dynamically based on system conditions. When power consumption approaches the supply rating, the system modifies power delivery parameters (voltage, current, or both) to reduce total power delivery, thereby preventing overburdening while optimizing the distribution of available power among multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4004684B1Power source devices for power delivery contract selections
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP4004684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4004684B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4004684B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An example power source device includes a universal serial bus interface to couple to a power sink device, a power supply interface to couple to a power supply, a power measurement controller to measure a total power consumption of the power sink device and the power source device, a power contract manager to select a power delivery contract for the power sink device based on the total power consumption, a power supply rating of the power supply and a previous power delivery contract, and a power delivery controller to deliver power to the power sink device according to the selected power delivery contract.