USB Power Supply Emulating PC Host for Fast Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB charging technologies are limited by the maximum power of 7.5 W available through USB connectors, leading to long charging times for electronic devices with larger batteries, and proposed solutions like USB Power Delivery or dedicated connectors introduce complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method that connects a power supply to a USB port, emulates a personal computer host system to retrieve device descriptors, and sets a charging voltage based on the device's identity, allowing for increased power delivery without modifying the device or exceeding existing USB connector capacities, and is backwardly compatible with legacy standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the current is increased to provide higher charging power, then the charging speed is improved, but the power loss in the cable and connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter instead of increasing current. By detecting device descriptors through USB communication and setting appropriate voltage levels (5V, 12V, 20V, or 48V), the system achieves higher power delivery (up to 240W) without proportionally increasing current, thereby reducing I²R losses in the cable and connector while maintaining fast charging capability
2Power
If USB Power Delivery specification is implemented to provide higher power, then the charging power is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing USB power supply system multi-functional by enabling it to detect device descriptors through standard USB data lines and dynamically adjust output voltage accordingly. This allows a single power supply device to serve multiple functions: standard USB charging at 5V, fast charging at higher voltages (12V, 20V, 48V), and device identification, eliminating the need for separate USBPD transceivers and large bypass capacitors required by the USBPD specification
3Power
If a dedicated connector is provided for higher power charging, then the charging power is improved, but the cost and complexity of the electronic device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the standard USB connector to handle high power charging (up to 240W) by detecting device descriptors through the existing data lines and dynamically adjusting voltage levels. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated high-power connectors, allowing the same USB port to universally support both standard charging and fast charging without adding hardware complexity or cost to the device
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing power through a USB port of an electronic device includes connecting a power supply to a USB port of an electronic device, emulating a personal computer (PC) host system such that the electronic device believes that the power supply is a PC host system, retrieving at least one descriptor from the electronic device, identifying the electronic device from the at least one descriptor, and setting a charging voltage based upon the identity of the electronic device.