USB Type-C Receptacle Water Detection via Toggle Voltage Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB type-C receptacles face issues in determining whether water has been applied, as foreign matter can cause false pull-up currents, leading to pin corrosion and incorrect bus power provision.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a power delivery integrated circuit (PD IC) and USB chipset that transmits toggle voltage signals between voltage levels to pins in a USB type-C receptacle interface to detect the presence of water by monitoring voltage levels, differentiating between connection and water presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pull-up current is provided to determine USB device connection, then connection detection is enabled, but water or foreign matter can cause false detection and pin corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting water presence before enabling the pull-up current mechanism. The water detection circuit checks for water contamination in advance, and only allows the pull-up current to be provided if no water is detected. This prevents false connection detection and pin corrosion while maintaining accurate connection detection when the environment is clean.
2Reliability
If water detection is added to prevent pin corrosion, then pin protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water detection function with the existing USB type-C receptacle interface structure. The water detection circuit is integrated into the same physical and electrical infrastructure used for connection detection, sharing pins and signal paths. This combining approach enables pin protection without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the water detection leverages existing hardware resources.
3Measurement precision
If toggle voltage signal is transmitted to detect water, then water detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by transmitting toggle voltage signals at specific intervals rather than continuously. The water detection circuit periodically checks for water presence using voltage level changes, and only consumes power during these periodic detection cycles. This approach maintains accurate water detection capability while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
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
Effectively prevents pin corrosion from water and accurately determines the presence of water, allowing for safe provision of bus power and differentiation between fresh and salt water types.
Implementation Method 1
transmit a toggle voltage signal to a first pin among the pins such that the toggle voltage signal toggles between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, and to detect a voltage level of a signal output from the first pin
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a receptacle which comprises a plurality of pins according to a universal serial bus (USB) type-C receptacle interface and a power delivery integrated circuit (PD IC) which transmits a toggle voltage signal that toggles between a first voltage level and a second voltage level to a first pin among the pins and detects a voltage level of a signal output from the first pin.