USB Power Distribution During No-Idling Engine Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution devices for vehicles face instability when the battery voltage decreases during engine restart from a no-idling state, leading to potential fuse burnout and disruption of USB communication and charging operations.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution device with multiple ports that includes a detection unit for no-idling states, a negotiation mechanism to reduce power supply to non-preferred devices while maintaining supply to preferred ones, and a step-up/down portion to manage voltage, preventing fuse burnout and ensuring continuous operation of critical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If power supply to USB devices is increased to meet higher power demands (e.g., 60W), then charging speed and device functionality are improved, but the risk of fuse burnout increases when battery voltage decreases during engine restart
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the no-idling state and proactively reduces power supply to non-preferred USB devices before engine restart occurs. This preventive action ensures that when the battery voltage decreases during cranking, the total power consumption remains within safe limits, preventing fuse burnout while still allowing preferred devices to operate
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system dynamically adjusts the power distribution to USB devices based on the detected engine state. During no-idling state, power is reduced to non-preferred devices; during normal operation, full power is restored. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting power levels to operational conditions
2Reliability
If power supply to all USB devices is reduced during no-idling state, then fuse burnout is prevented, but the functionality of preferred devices (e.g., smartphones needing USB communication) is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different power supply strategies to different USB devices based on their priority classification. Preferred devices (those requiring USB communication for vehicle functionality) maintain full power supply, while non-preferred devices (standalone chargers) have power reduced. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by protecting the fuse while preserving critical device functionality
3Productivity
If maximum power (e.g., 15W per port, 30W total) is supplied to USB devices, then charging efficiency is improved, but battery voltage stability during engine restart becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively reduces power supply to non-preferred USB devices upon detecting the no-idling state, before the battery voltage decreases during engine cranking. This preliminary power reduction ensures that the total power consumption remains within a range that maintains battery voltage stability, while preferred devices continue to charge at maximum power
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power supply parameter (power level) to non-preferred USB devices based on engine state. During no-idling, power is reduced from maximum (e.g., 15W) to a lower level; during normal operation, full power is restored. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining charging efficiency for critical devices while ensuring battery voltage stability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces power supply to non-preferred devices during no-idling states, preventing fuse burnout and ensuring continuous operation of preferred devices like smartphones, even when battery voltage decreases, thereby maintaining usability and preventing hardware damage.
Implementation Method 1
a step-up/down portion configured to step up or down the battery voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A USB power distribution unit according to an embodiment of the present invention has a function of distributing power supplied from a battery to a smartphone connected to a preferred port, and to a mobile battery connected to a non-preferred port. The USB power distribution unit includes a no-idling detection portion, an engine restart detection portion, a PD negotiation portion, and a step-up/down portion, and causes the PD negotiation portion to determine the amount of power supply to the mobile battery when a no-idling state is detected.