Vehicle Power Interface With Contact Detection for Cable-Free Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing use of electronic equipment in vehicles leads to a messy and space-consuming array of power supply wiring harnesses, making it inconvenient to provide power in vehicle cockpits, especially with the limitations of USB, cigarette lighter, and 220V power supply methods.

Innovation Solution

A power supply interface device with a contact-type power supply circuit that connects directly to a vehicle battery and electrical equipment, incorporating a detection control circuit to ensure safe and efficient power transmission without the need for wiring harnesses, using a device body embedded in the vehicle with magnetic alignment for easy connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If power supply wiring harnesses are used to connect power supply interfaces with electronic equipment, then power can be supplied to multiple devices, but the interior space becomes messy and space-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidinterior space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power transmission function from the traditional wiring harness and integrates it into the power supply interface device itself. The interface device now directly provides power to electronic equipment through built-in power supply circuits, eliminating the need for separate wiring harnesses and reducing interior space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the power supply interface, power supply circuit, and output contacts into a single integrated device. This merging of functions allows the interface device to directly power electronic equipment without requiring external wiring harnesses, thus solving the space and messiness problems while maintaining power supply capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional power supply interfaces (USB, cigarette lighter, 220V) are used, then power can be supplied to electronic equipment, but additional chargers or adapters are required and wiring harnesses are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply compatibilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the power supply interface device with multiple output contacts that can directly power various types of electronic equipment without requiring additional chargers or adapters. The device provides universal power compatibility by integrating multiple power supply functions into a single unit, reducing the number of components users need to carry and connect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If power supply wiring harnesses are used, then power transmission is reliable, but safety risks such as short circuits and electrical leakage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidshort circuit and electrical leakage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a detection control circuit as an intermediary between the power supply circuit and output contacts. This intermediary component detects connection status and controls power transmission accordingly, preventing short circuits and electrical leakage by ensuring power is only transmitted when proper connections are established, thus maintaining reliability while reducing safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution eliminates the need for power supply wiring harnesses, enhancing safety by preventing short circuits and electrical leakage, while providing a convenient and organized power supply to electronic equipment in vehicles, thus saving interior space and improving usability.

Implementation Method 1

the detection control circuit is configured to conduct an electrical connection between the first input interface and the first output interface at least when the detection contact is connected with the second grounding contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical connection detection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

the phase inverting sub-circuit is configured to inform the control chip whether the detection contact is connected with the second grounding contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase inversion:

Implementation Method 3

the voltage dividing sub-circuit is configured to input a high level to the first input end of the AND gate sub-circuit when a voltage of the battery of the vehicle is higher than a preset threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage division:

Implementation Method 4

an output end of the AND gate sub-circuit is connected with the first end of the control chip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLogical AND operation:

Data Source

PatentEP4491462A1Power supply interface device, power supply method and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 XIAOMI EV TECH CO LTD
  • EP4491462A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4491462A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4491462A1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A power supply interface device is applied to a vehicle, and the power supply interface device includes a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit includes: a first input interface (10) configured to be connected with a battery of the vehicle; and a first output interface (20) of the contact type configured to be connected with a second input interface of a contact type of the electrical equipment, so that the battery of the vehicle is configured to transmit a power supply current to the electrical equipment through the power supply circuit.