Variable Current Limit Power Supply for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supplies have a fixed current level that generates heat, limiting thermal management in load devices and affecting charging time and performance, as they do not allow for dynamic adjustment of current based on thermal conditions.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with a communication and control processor that exchanges messages with load devices to configure a variable current limit, allowing for customizable current profiles and thermal mitigation by adjusting the current received, thereby shifting heat dissipation upstream to the power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the power supply provides higher current to reduce charging time, then charging speed is improved, but heat generation in the load device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply implements dynamic current adjustment by allowing the load device to configure variable current limits through communication protocols. The current limit can be adjusted in real-time based on thermal conditions, transforming the static fixed current approach into a dynamic adaptive system that optimizes both charging speed and thermal management
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the current parameter from a fixed value to a configurable variable range. The load device can set different current limits (e.g., 3A, 5A, or higher) based on its thermal state and charging needs, enabling the system to operate at optimal points across different conditions rather than being constrained to a single fixed current level
2Device complexity
If the power supply uses a fixed current level, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The load device takes control of configuring its own charging parameters by communicating current limit preferences to the power supply. This self-service approach allows the load device to autonomously manage its thermal conditions without requiring complex control circuitry in the power supply, maintaining simplicity while enabling adaptive thermal management
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through communication protocols where the load device informs the power supply of its current limit preferences based on thermal conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the power supply to adjust its output dynamically without requiring complex sensing and control circuits, achieving adaptability through information exchange rather than hardware complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply includes a connector, a power conversion controller to generate a power supply signal at the connector, and a communication and control processor. The communication and control processor is to receive a set of current control parameters including a current limit over a communication link in the connector, receive measurements of current and voltage of the power supply signal, and generate a drive signal for controlling the power conversion controller based on the received current control parameters and the measurements of the current and the voltage.