Variable Output Power AC Adapter Using Thermal Derating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power sources for information handling systems, such as notebook computers, face challenges in meeting high power demands while maintaining low cost and size, as they often rely on increased size, weight, and complexity, which are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The power source is configured to provide multiple power levels by utilizing unused thermal and electrical capacity, allowing for variable output power profiles that adjust based on temperature and load demands, thereby optimizing the existing design margin of AC adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional techniques use higher efficiency devices, increased size, extra thermal spreader materials, enhanced surfaces, or active cooling to meet higher power level specifications, then power delivery capability is improved, but cost, weight, and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power source dynamically adjusts its output power level based on real-time temperature monitoring and load conditions. The system transitions between different power delivery states (first power level at higher temperature, second power level at lower temperature) to optimize performance while managing thermal constraints, avoiding the need for permanently oversized components
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (output power level) based on temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature and adjusting the power delivery parameter accordingly, the system achieves higher effective power capability without permanently increasing component size or complexity
2Power
If conventional techniques use higher efficiency devices, increased size, extra thermal spreader materials, enhanced surfaces, or active cooling to meet higher power level specifications, then power delivery capability is improved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power source dynamically adjusts its output power level based on real-time temperature monitoring and load conditions. The system transitions between different power delivery states (first power level at higher temperature, second power level at lower temperature) to optimize performance while managing thermal constraints, avoiding the need for permanently oversized components
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (output power level) based on temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature and adjusting the power delivery parameter accordingly, the system achieves higher effective power capability without permanently increasing component size or weight
3Power
If conventional techniques use higher efficiency devices, increased size, extra thermal spreader materials, enhanced surfaces, or active cooling to meet higher power level specifications, then power delivery capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power source dynamically adjusts its output power level based on real-time temperature monitoring and load conditions. The system transitions between different power delivery states (first power level at higher temperature, second power level at lower temperature) to optimize performance while managing thermal constraints, avoiding the need for permanently oversized components
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (output power level) based on temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature and adjusting the power delivery parameter accordingly, the system achieves higher effective power capability without permanently increasing component size or weight
4Ease of manufacture
If a power source is designed with fixed nominal capacity, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to adapt to varying thermal and load conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensing and control logic that continuously monitors thermal conditions and adjusts power output accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the power source to adapt to varying load and thermal conditions while maintaining a simple fixed physical design for manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The power source dynamically adjusts its output power level based on real-time temperature monitoring and load conditions. The system transitions between different power delivery states (first power level at higher temperature, second power level at lower temperature) to optimize performance while managing thermal constraints
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system includes a power source configured to provide a plurality of power levels to a load. At least one of the plurality of power levels corresponds to a level obtained by de-rating a capacity of the power source from a nominal design specification of the power source.