GB2466679A

GB2466679A - Mains adaptor with feedback

Info

Publication number: GB2466679A
Application number: GB0904132A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wang Kuan Chun
Original assignee: Kerio Technologies Inc Taiwan
Current assignee: Kerio Technologies Inc Taiwan
Priority date: 2008-12-31
Filing date: 2009-03-10
Publication date: 2010-07-07
Also published as: GB0904132D0; TW201025783A

Abstract

A power supply has a main body that is connected to an electrical device by a wire set 22 that includes high and low level wires 221,223 and a feedback wire 27. A voltage sensor and feedback unit 24 is provided for measuring the voltage difference between the high and low level wires and the resultant measurement is converted into an electrical signal which is fed back to the main body via the feedback wire 27. The feedback wire can transmit a fault signal indicating that the voltage difference is outside a range stored in a memory 26 and in that event a switch 25 in the feedback unit and a switch in the body (fig 3, 36) can open to interrupt power and a light emitting diode (fig 5, 21) can indicate a fault. The feedback unit can include a clock generator that changes the timing of the transmitted signals when the voltage difference is outside the range. The duty cycle of a PWM signal applied to a feedback loop can be adjusted to compensate for deviation from a preset voltage difference. The main body can include a voltage transformer and provide an output voltage selected from plural distinct output voltages. The power supply may be used to power electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers and game players from an AC wall socket.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB0904 132.8 RTM Date:4 June 2009 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: "MP3" and "iPod" Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk -1-.

OUTPUT VOLTAGE FEEDBACK DEVICE PROVIDED WITH

FEEDBACK WIRE FOR BEING USED IN A POWER SUPPLYING

APPARATUS AND POWER SUPPLYING APPARATUS PROVIDED

WITH THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an output voltage feedback device, and more particularly, to an output voltage feedback device provided with a feedback wire for being used in a power supplying apparatus, as well as a power supplying apparatus provided with the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Nowadays, the major electronic devices for residential use are designed to consume direct-current electricity of 1.5V, 6V, 9V, 12V, 24V, among others.

Therefore, the mains power taken from a wall socket in the form of, for example, AC11OV/6OHz must be converted to meet the voltage demands of the electronic devices before it is supplied to the electronic devices.

Further, because power supplies of various specifications are needed to provide electric power to different electronic devices, each family or even each user usually possesses a large number of power supplies. As portable electronic devices continue to increase in popularity, almost all types of the major electronic devices such as mobile phones, MP3, portable game players and laptop computers are accompanied with power supplies of their own.

These power supplies have their individual specifications with respect of output power and may even vary in the adapter's sizes and shapes.

Efforts have been made by manufacturers to make power supplying products suited for portable electronic devices of various specification demands.

These products are made tolerable to the ordinary incoming voltage ranging from 110 volts to 220 volts and capable of selectively converting the incoming voltage into particular outgoing voltages required by the electronic devices. A power supply of this type, when used together with a universal adapter, will significantly ease the inconvenience of carrying different types of power supplies during leisure or business travel.

As shown in Figure 1, a conventional power supply 7 is configured to operatively adjust the voltage level that is to be output to an external device by pressing one of the button switches 8. However, erroneous operation of the switches 8 during a power supplying process may undesirably cause abrupt fluctuation in output voltage. For example, the laptop computers available in the market are normally manufactured to tolerate a 5% plus/minus variation in the ideal voltage level. If the incoming voltage abruptly rises, for example, from 19 volts to 24 volts and goes far beyond the tolerable range, the laptop computers would easily be halted or shut down, potentially causing data loss and damage to the intrinsic circuits and even endangering the safety of personnel and property.

On the other hand, in the case where a circuit component in the main body is out of order by accident, the accuracy of voltage output level cannot be guaranteed even if the switches are accurately actuated. As described above, conventional power supplies are normally not provided with a circuit design for monitoring the output voltage and for enabling a real-time alarm in response to the occurrence of an output fault. As a result, users of electronic devices still have to deal with the risk of abrupt input voltage fluctuation caused by, such as, an inadequate operation of or a structural defect in the power supplies or an unstable voltage supplying from a wall socket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an output voltage feedback device provided with a feedback wire, which can accurately measure the actual level of voltage output from a power supplying apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an output voltage feedback device provided with a feedback wire, which enables a real-time alarm and even interrupts the supply of electric power in response to the occurrence of an output fault.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a power supplying apparatus adapted to a broad variety of electronic devices which differ in -4-.

the configurations of charging ports and the demands for input voltage.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a power supplying apparatus, which enables double-check monitoring of the voltage output level selected by a user and, when the output voltage is not at the selected level, prevents the faulty voltage from being transmitted to an electronic appliance.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a power supplying apparatus, which is capable of automatically adjusting the output voltage to the level selected by a user.

The present invention therefore provides an output voltage feedback device provided with a feedback wire for being used in a power supplying apparatus, where the power supplying apparatus comprises a main body including an output port for outputting an output voltage to power an electronic device, wherein the output voltage feedback device comprises: a wire set for electrically connecting the output port of the main body to the electronic device in such a manner that the electronic device is powered by the output voltage from the output port of the main body, wherein the wire set includes a high level wire and a low level wire; a feedback wire for transmitting electrical signals back to the main body; and a voltage sensor and feedback unit for measuring a voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire, for converting the measured value for the voltage difference into an electrical signal, and for transmitting the electrical signal back to the main body through the feedback wire.

The invention further provides a power supplying apparatus for powering an electronic device, comprising: a main body, including an output port and a feedback receiving and processing unit; and an output voltage feedback device, comprising: a wire set for electrically connecting the output port of the main body to the electronic device in such a manner that the electronic device is powered by the output voltage from the output port of the main body, wherein the wire set includes a high level wire and a low level wire; a feedback wire for transmitting electrical signals back to the main body; and a voltage sensor and feedback unit for measuring a voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire, for converting the measured value for the voltage difference into an electrical signal, and for transmitting the electrical signal back to the main body through the feedback wire.

The invention contemplates an output voltage feedback device which is configured to match with the charging ports of electronic devices to which it is to be coupled. The output voltage feedback device according to the invention enables continuous monitoring of the voltage level output from the power supplying apparatus. Then, the output voltage feedback device converts the measured value for the actual voltage output to an electronic device into an electrical signal and transmits the electrical signal back to the main body through a feedback wire. This allows a processing device mounted in the main body to compare the electrical signal with the information corresponding to the idea! voltage selected by the user. If the actual output voltage substantially deviates from the ideal voltage, the circuit current will be interrupted with the user being warned by an alert element. As an alternative, the processing device will activate an automatic compensation for the deviation to resume the output voltage to the ideal level and the circuit current will not be interrupted until a predetermined number of failure events in the compensation operation is reached. In particular, the invention enables users to acquire an appropriate output voltage feedback device and utilize the same in conjunction with any compatible types of power supplying apparatuses available in the market, so as to effectively deal with the risk of using power supplying apparatuses of various specifications at low cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and effects of the invention will become apparent with reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional power supply; Figure 2 is a side view diagram of the first embodiment of the invention, showing that a power supply is connected to an electronic device via an output voltage feedback device; Figure 3 is a circuit diagram for the power supply according to the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the invention, showing that the output voltage feedback device is provided with a feedback wire; Figure 5 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention, showing that the output voltage feedback device is additionally provided with an LED alert element; Figure 6 is a schematic working diagram of the second embodiment of the invention, showing that an output voltage feedback device has dual functions of generating a visual warning signal and generating an audio warning signal and can be disunited for exchange of an adapter; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the invention, showing that the output voltage feedback device is connected to another electronic device after exchange of an adapter; Figure 8 is a circuit diagram for the second embodiment of the invention, showing a power supply provided with a clock generator to enable an automatic adjustment of the output voltage level; Figure 9 is a circuit diagram for the third embodiment of the invention, showing that the main body of the power supply is adapted for selecting an output voltage level in a pulse width modulation (PWM) manner; and Figure 1 0 is a schematic diagram of the fourth embodiment of the invention, showing that a portable battery is connected to an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, an electronic device 9 may by way of example be a laptop computer. The power supplying apparatus may by way of example be a power supply 1, which has a main body 3 and an output voltage feedback device 2. The output voltage feedback device 2, which is configured to have the specification and dimension compatible with the electronic device 9, is directly coupled to a charging port of the electronic device 9, such that the electronic device 9 receives electrical power at a desired voltage level.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main body 3 comprises an input port 31 for receiving an incoming voltage, such as mains voltage; a voltage transforming unit 32 for converting the voltage fed to the input port; an output port 33 through which the converted voltage is output; and a feedback receiving and processing unit 34. For instance, the voltage transforming unit 32 receives mains power (which is in the form of alternating current) fed to the input port 31 and converts the mains power into direct-current power. A voltage-selecting unit 35 performs the voltage conversion operation and includes a plurality of voltage transforming circuits 351 electrically connected parallel to each other. Each voltage transforming circuits 351 corresponds to a voltage option required by a certain type of electronic appliances, with the respective voltage options being distinct from one another, so that the voltage-selecting unit 35, responsive to receipt of a command from a user, selectively places one circuit out of the plurality of voltage transforming circuits 351 in an electrical conduction state, whereby the incoming voltage is converted to the voltage selected by the user and the resultant voltage is subsequently output via the output port 33.

The output electric power passes through a wire set 22 mounted in the output voltage feedback device 2. The wire set 22 includes a high level wire 221 and a low level wire 223. According to this embodiment, if the voltage difference between the high level wire 221 and the low level wire 223 as measured by a voltage sensor and feedback unit 24 does not deviate from the voltage information stored in a memory unit 26 (which is chosen by the user) beyond a predetermined deviation, no signal would be transmitted back to the main body 3. -10-

Once the deviation reaches a threshold level, however, the voltage sensor and feedback unit 24 places a switch 25 mounted in the low level wire 223, which may by way of example be a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), to be in a disconnected state where circuit current is interrupted. Meanwhile, a fault signal is transmitted back to the feedback receiving and processing unit 34 of the main body 3 via a feedback wire 27.

The feedback receiving and processing unit 34, in turn, immediately places a built-in protective switch 36 to be in a disconnected state, so as to avoid the power supply from providing a faulty voltage. As shown in Figure 5, the output voltage feedback device 2 according to the invention is further equipped with an alert element 21, which may by way of example be a light emitting diode (LED) configured to either emit strong red light or flashing light to indicate the occurrence of an output fault as detected by the output voltage feedback device 2.

In addition, according to the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7, an output voltage feedback device 2' is optionally manufactured to be in the form of a separable element having an exchangeable adapter for coupling to a charging port of an electronic device 9'. By this way, the output voltage feedback device 2' according to the invention is well-suited for being used with different electronic devices 9' which have various specifications with respect of charging ports. The exchangeable adapter for the PSP socket as used in the embodiment above -11 -can undoubtedly be replaced by a universal serial bus (USB) adapter for meeting the increasing trend for consumer electronics to be provided with universal input ports.

Meanwhile, in order to facilitate convenience for the users in utilizing a wide variety of electronic devices, the inventor contemplates a power supply 1' which is provided with an alert element 21' for generating an alarm light and an alarm sound in case of occurring an output fault. When the power supply 1' is disposed at a remote location where the user cannot perceive visually, the alert element 21' functions to warn the user in the event that the output voltage feedback device 2' detects a non-ideal voltage. The measured voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire is compared with the voltage information stored in the memory unit, and the voltage sensor and feedback unit will generate an electrical signal indicative of a correct output when the voltage difference falls within a predetermined range, thereby driving a switch which is initially set in a disconnected state to be in a connected state. As further shown in Figure 8, a feedback receiving and processing unit 34' includes a clock generator 341' for generating clock signals. When the voltage difference information sent back by the voltage sensor and feedback unit falls outside of a predetermined range chosen by a user, the feedback receiving and processing unit 34' is driven by the clock signals to chronologically change the electrical signals transmitted to the voltage transforming unit until the voltage difference information sent back by the voltage sensor and feedback -12-unit falls within the predetermined range.

Besides the basic modes that determine whether a voltage output is correct or faulty, a sophisticated mode shown in Figure 9 may be employed in the invention, where a feedback receiving and processing unit 34" adjusts the duty-cycle ratio of the PWM-signal at a PWM output terminal 343" based on the electrical signal transmitted back through a feedback wire. The adjusted PWM-signal is then transmitted to, for example, an amplifier 37" having an inverting input terminal 371" and a non-inverting terminal 372" to compensate for the voltage deviation, whereby the output voltage at the output terminal 33" is resumed to a predetermined level.

While mobile phones, MP3, portable game players and laptop computers are broadly used by taking advantage of their portability as described above, these portable electronics are unable to get recharged at the locations where there is a no access to a wall socket. The problem may become serious in view of the limited power available from the rechargeable batteries built in the portable electronics.

In addition, the iPod� series products marketed by Apple Computer Corporation, for example, are only equipped with built-in rechargeable batteries which cannot be removed and replaced by users. If the built-in batteries are out of order, the entire devices would have to be sent back to the company to get checked over and repaired. To ameliorate the -13-inconvenience caused thereby, the battery manufacturers have developed multi-functional portable batteries, such as the device 4" shown in Figure 10, which are suitable for being used as an external power supplying apparatus, especially on the occasion when the built-in batteries are out of order.

The portable battery 4" has to meet the voltage demands of various electronic devices and match in size with the charging ports of different dimensions. To meet such requirements, they are configured to offer variable voltage output and equipped with exchangeable adapters that are normally provided in conventional power supplies and, therefore, the output fault problem that happens in the power supplies as described above may come along. According to the fourth embodiment of the invention, an output voltage feedback device 2" is so connected to an electronic device as to perform the power transmission task and monitor the voltage difference between the high level wire and low level wire, thereby preventing the actual output voltage from falling outside of a predetermined range.

Therefore, the invention enables a user to ensure that any electronic device during use will receive an incoming voltage at a desired level by simply acquiring an appropriate output voltage feedback device for the electronic device and directly coupling the same to the charging port of the electronic device. The output voltage feedback device according to the invention is -14 -simple in structure and can be used in conjunction with any compatible types of power supplies available in the market to effectively deal with the risk of using power supplies of various specifications.

While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments above, it should be recognized that the preferred embodiments are given for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and that various modifications and changes, which will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. -15-

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. An output voltage feedback device provided with a feedback wire for being used in a power supplying apparatus, where the power supplying apparatus comprises a main body including an output port for outputting an output voltage to power an electronic device, the output voltage feedback device comprising: a wire set for electrically connecting the output port of the main body to the electronic device in such a manner that the electronic device is powered by the output voltage from the output port of the main body, wherein the wire set includes a high level wire and a low level wire; a feedback wire for transmitting electrical signals back to the main body; and a voltage sensor and feedback unit for measuring a voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire, for converting the measured value for the voltage difference into an electrical signal, and for transmitting the electrical signal back to the main body through the feedback wire.
2. The output voltage feedback device according to claim 1, wherein the power supplying apparatus is a power supply, and wherein the main body of the power supply further comprises an input port and a voltage transforming unit for converting an input voltage, which is fed to the input port, into an output voltage that is to be output via the output port. -16-
3. The output voltage feedback device according to claim 1, further comprising a memory device, which is provided to store information of a predetermined range for the voltage difference so that the voltage sensor and feedback unit outputs an electrically independent electrical signal indicative of a fault of the output in the event that the voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire substantially deviates from the predetermined range for the voltage difference.
4. The output voltage feedback device according to claim 3, further comprising a switch, which is mounted in the wire set so that the voltage sensor and feedback unit drives the switch to be in a disconnected state where circuit current is interrupted in the event that the voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire substantially deviates from the predetermined range, whereby the electric power supplied to the electronic device is interrupted.
5. The output voltage feedback device according to claim 3, further comprising an alert element, which is arranged so that the voltage sensor and feedback unit drives the alert element to generate a warning signal in the event that the voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire substantially deviates from the predetermined range.
6. The output voltage feedback device according to claim 5, wherein the alert element comprises a light emitting diode.

-. 17 -
7. The output voltage feedback device according to claim 1, further comprising a memory device, which is provided to store information of a predetermined range for the voltage difference so that the voltage sensor and feedback unit outputs to the feedback wire an electrically independent electrical signal indicative of a correct output in the event that the voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire substantially falls within the predetermined range for the voltage difference.
8. A power supplying apparatus for powering an electronic device, comprising: a main body, including: an output port; and a feedback receiving and processing unit; an output voltage feedback device, comprising: a wire set for electrically connecting the output port of the main body to the electronic device in such a manner that the electronic device is powered by the output voltage from the output port of the main body, wherein the wire set includes a high level wire and a low level wire; a feedback wire for transmitting electrical signals back to the main body; and a voltage sensor and feedback unit for measuring a voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire, for converting the measured value for the voltage difference into an -18-electrical signal, and for transmitting the electrical signal back to the main body through the feedback wire.
9. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the main body of the power supplying apparatus further comprises: an input port; and a voltage transforming unit for converting an input voltage, which is fed to the input port, into an output voltage that is to be output via the output port.
10. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the output voltage feedback device further comprises a memory device for storing information of a predetermined range for the voltage difference, and a switch which is mounted in the wire set so that the voltage sensor and feedback unit drives the switch to be in a disconnected state where circuit current is interrupted in the event that the voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire substantially deviates from the predetermined range, whereby the electric power supplied to the electronic device is interrupted.
11. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the output voltage feedback device further comprises a memory device for storing information of a predetermined range for the voltage difference, and a switch which is mounted in the wire set and initially set in a disconnected -19-state where circuit current is interrupted, so that the voltage sensor and feedback unit drives the switch to be in a connected state where circuit current is conducted in the event that the voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire substantially falls within the predetermined range.
12. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the feedback receiving and processing unit includes a clock generator for generating clock signals, and wherein the feedback receiving and processing unit is driven by the clock signals to chronologically change the electrical signals transmitted to the voltage transforming unit in the event that the electrical signal transmitted back by the voltage sensor and feedback unit indicates that the voltage difference falls outside the predetermined range.
13. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the main body further comprises a built-in protective switch electrically connected to the output port, and wherein the feedback receiving and processing unit drives the built-in protective switch to be in a disconnected state where circuit current is interrupted upon receiving the electrical signal and determining that the voltage difference between the high level wire and the low level wire substantially deviates from a predetermined voltage difference beyond a predetermined deviation, whereby the electric power supplied to the electronic device is interrupted. -20-
14. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the voltage transforming unit further comprises a plurality of voltage transforming circuits for converting the input voltage, which is fed to the input port, into a plurality of distinct output voltages, and wherein the main body further comprises a voltage-selecting unit configured to selectively place one circuit out of the plurality of voltage transforming circuits in an electrical conduction state.
15. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the voltage transforming unit comprises an amplifier having an inverting input terminal, a non-inverting input terminal and an output terminal connected to the inverting input terminal to form a feedback loop, and wherein when the voltage difference substantially deviates from a predetermined voltage difference beyond a predetermined deviation, a pulse width modulation (PWM) output terminal provided in the feedback receiving and processing unit outputs a PWM signal to the amplifier and the PWM signal has a duty-cycle ratio adjusted based on the electrical signal to compensate for the deviation.