GB2525712A

GB2525712A - Power delivery and/or charging for electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2525712A
Application number: GB1502439.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Richard Hobbs
Original assignee: Oe Electrics Ltd
Current assignee: Oe Electrics Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-14
Filing date: 2015-02-13
Publication date: 2015-11-04
Also published as: GB201502439D0; GB201402667D0

Abstract

A power assembly 2 located with an item of furniture comprises a charging module 6, which further comprises at least one USB socket 10 capable of supplying up to 100 watts of power at up to 20V DC to a connected apparatus and a means changing a mains AC power supply to provide a DC power supply to the USB socket 10. The assembly may include a housing 4 provided with means to allow attachment to an aperture or slot formed in the item of furniture. At least one further charging module may be present to provide an alternative charging option, which may be wireless. The charging module 6 or a cover of the housing 4 may be selectively movable with respect to the item of furniture between in-use and storage positions. Control means may be provided to allow data transfer between electrical items connected via respective USB sockets thereby allowing the assembly to act as a data hub. The control means may control the power provided at the sockets 10 in response to a signal received from the electrical items indicating a level of charge and/or power of charge required. The USB sockets may be of USB-C configuration.

Description

I

Power Delivery and/or charging for Electrical Apparatus The invention to which this invention relates is to the provision of power to allow the charging and/or the operation of electrical apparatus, via a charging connection between the item of apparatus and, for example, a Universal Serial Bus SB) socket from which the charge can bc provided and/or wireless charging means.

Conventionally, when many items of electrical apparatus, such as laptop computers, are to be charged this is achieved by the provision of a charging cable which includes a plug connection to a mains AC power supply, a transformer to DC provided at some point on the cable or in the plug connection and a cable connection and plug to the item of apparatus. This type of charging apparatus is required for each item of apparatus which is required to be charged over a certain power level and in certain cases the charging apparatus may be more bulky than the item of electrical apparatus which it is provided to charge.

At present, it is known to be able to provide a USB socket to allow the provision of power at 5V DC for charging electronic apparatus at relatively low levels such as, for example, mobile phones. The USB socket is typically provided to allow the connection of a cable with a USB connection plug at one end and, at the opposing end, a suitable connection to allow connection to the electrical apparatus in order to charge the same.

The development of a new USB charging standard by parties such as the USB Implementers Forum, Tnc. referred to as the LJSB Power Delivery (USBPD) standard, allows power to be provided to electrical apparatus at a higher level of up to, typically, 100 Watts, at voltages up to 20V DC and which allows apparatus to be provided with power so as to be operated and/or charged via a USB cable connection to another item of apparatus such as another laptop or the like and to allow the transfer of power between device rather than each device having to be connccted to a mains power socket either dircctly or via an AC to DC power transformer which is provided for each item of apparatus.

The proposcd approach to provide the TJSB socket or sockets from which this higher charging power supply can be obtained for another device in the same office environment is for the USB sockets in another item of electrical apparatus to be used such as, most typically, a display monitor, which is connected to a mains power supply or is provided with a battery power supply. If connected to the mains power supply the display monitor is provided with a means to convert the mains AC power to DC power and then supply DC power at up to 20V to other items of electrical apparatus connected thereto via the USI3 sockets provided on the monitor.

However, while this proposed approach is possible in an environment where the said further item of electrical apparatus is required to be used in any case, it has been identified by the applicant that there are a number of environments where an item of apparatus in the form of a display monitor, or indeed another item of electrical apparatus in which the USB sockets may conventionally be provided, is not available, such as, for example, due to the fact that a display monitor is not required to be used in that environment. In these situations no higher power USB socket charging capability will be available and the advantages of the same cannot be obtained.

A further problem is that the generation of higher power DC charging capability means that, if provided in a confined space such as in an aperture in an item of furniture, there is the risk of overheating due to the increased heat which is generated in the transformation of the mains power supply and the control means required to control the power which is provided.

A further problem is that there is a proliferation of different charging possibilities and, as such it can be difficult for a power assembly to be provided which will allow all possible charging options to be made available, or for the assembly to be manipulated to allow the selection of specific charging options to be provided at a particular location. Yet further, the provision of the different charging options also requires further cables and control means to be provided with the power assembly in order for the correct power type to be available which, in turn, means that the space constraints when, for example, the power assembly is to be mounted on an item of furniture, are such that not all of the power charging options can be made available.

An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a means of allowing relatively high power USB charging capability in accordance with the USBPD standard to be provided at a wide rangc of locations for items of electrical apparatus via a USE port connection so as to allow the power and charging capability to be made more widely available than is currently possible. A further aim is to allow the power assembly to be provided in a form which allows a number of charging options to be available from the power assembly.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a power assembly, said assembly including at least one charging module for the provision of a charging power supply, said module including at least one USE socket provided therein which has the capability of supplying power therefrom up to 100 Watts at up to 20V DC to an item of apparatus which is connected to the said USB socket via a USE cable connection, said module including or connected to a transformer means provided as part of the power assembly to allow a mains AC power supply to the power assembly to be transformed to provide the DC power supply via the said USE socket and said power assembly is located with an item of furniture such that the said at least one USE socket is accessible for connection at an external face of the item of furniture, In one embodiment, the power assembly includes a housing, and said housing is provided with means to allow attachment to an apcrture or slot formed in thc item of furniture so as to locate the power assembly with respect to the item of furniture. Typically therefore the invention provides an integrated assembly which is preferably provided with a built in transformer means as part thereof. This therefore allows the assembly, as a unit to be installed in an item of furniture, such as in an aperture in the same and fitted via attachment means such as clips or screws or other suitable engagement means or combinations thereof Once fitted in position, the assembly then acts as an integral part of the furniture and provides the USB high power charging facility to any user of the item of furniture regardless of the other items of electrical apparatus which they may have at their disposal at that time.

In one embodiment, the said module with the at least one USB socket is provided in the power assembly along with at least one further module which provides an alternative charging option.

Typically the said further module is provided in connection with the transformer means which is used for the USB socket charging module so that the transformer means is common to the modules and therefore provides savings in terms of space heat generation and therefore energy efficiency in comparison to the conventional approach of providing a transformer for each module.

In one embodiment the said further module or modules provided as part of the power assembly allows charging of an item of electrical apparatus via wireless charging, using, for example, induction or resonance charging techniques in which the item of apparatus can be placed onto a face of the said further module or within a predefmed range of the same in order to be charged. The applicants copending application GB1420194.1 describes suitable wireless charging modules.

In accordance with the invention the power assembly is provided independently of an operable item of apparatus provided for user interaction therewith such as a laptop, display monitor or the like.

Typically the particular modules which are selected to be located with the housing are selected in response to user requirements in a particular environment.

In one embodiment, the power assembly is provided in a fixed position with respect to the item of furniture. Alternatively, the said module is provided as part of a portion of the power assembly and the said portion is selectively movable with respect to the item of furniture between in-use and storage positions in order to allow the USB sockets to be exposed for use when the portion is in the in use position and masked from sight when the portion is in the storage position. Yet further, the said module is provided as part of the assembly housing and the housing is provided with a covet and the cover can be selectively moved between storage and in-use positions in order to allow the IJSB sockets to be exposed for use when the cover is in the in use position and masked from sight when the cover is in the storage position.

S

Typically, the module will incorporate at least one USB socket but preferably, a number of USB sockets are provided and at least one of the said USE sockets is for the provision of thc high power supply of up to tOOWatts at up to 20V DC.

* In one embodiment, the power assembly is provided with control means to allow data transfer between items of electrical apparatus which are connected to the power assembly via respective USB sockets provided thereon, thereby allowing the power assembly to act as a data hub and through which data from the respective items of electrical apparatus can pass to provide 2-way communication, via analogue or digital signals, betwcen the items and the power assembly.

In one embodiment the USE sockets used for the high power charging capability are provided in the USE-C configuration.

In one embodiment the level of charge and/or power of charge required by the item of electrical apparatus is communicated to the power assembly via the cable connection from the item of electrical apparatus connected to the USE socket and the control means of the power assembly controls the power provided at the socket at that time in response to the received signal.

In one embodiment, the module is provided to be located in an item of furniture at the point of manufacture or alternatively, can be provided to be subsequently installed by a person without the need for tooling.

Typically the transformer means allows the transforming of the AC mains power supply into a DC power supply and connection of the same to the one or more USB sockets and/or further charging modules provided as part of the power assembly.

Thus, by providing the transformer means and control means therefore within the power assembly and, in one embodiment as part of a module selectively connectable with the power assembly there is provided a means of providing a high power charging capability directly to a connected item of apparatus without the need for an intermediate transformer means between the power assembly and the item of electrical apparatus.

This is achieved by the provision of the transformer and control means in dimensions so as to be able to meet the space constraints of the power assembly which in turn is achieved by providing the components to operate with increased efficiency and thereby mitigate the increascd heat which is generated by providing the higher power charging capability there is provided, in one embodiment, apparatus which acts as a power hub to allow the delivery of power in accordance with the USBPD standard, said power hub provided in attachment with an item of furniture.

In one embodiment the transformer for the power supply to the module with the USB sockets includes one or more synchronous rectifier integrated circuits in combination with low loss field-effect transistors (FE'T). These are provided instead of the conventionally used low voltage diode in the switch mode power supply and this enables the design of relatively high efficiency and compact transformer means and control means therefore.

Typically the FET uses an electric field to control the shape and hence the conductivity of a channel of one type of charge carrier in the semiconductor material, Thus the conventional problem of increased heat with increased power output due to poor efficiency compounded by the reduced options for heat dissipation in a restricted size, electrically safe, enclosure of the type used in power assemblies for items of furniture, is overcome in accordance with the current invention such that the provision of a module and power assembly as herein described and which previously would be regarded by the person skiUed in the art as impractical, can now be achieved.

In one embodiment a plurality of items can be charged, with a first item connected to a USB socket of the power assembly and subsequent items connected via USB power charging cables to USB sockets on the first item of electrical apparatus.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a power assembly, said assembly including at least one charging module for the provision of a charging power supply including at least one USB socket provided therein which has the capability of supplying power therefrom up to 100 Watts at up to 20V DC to an item of apparatus which is connected to the said USB socket via a USB cable connection and a further charging module provided to allow a wireless charging to be provided to an item of apparatus within a predefined range of the module and wherein the said modules are connected to a common transformer means provided as part of or in connection with the power assembly to allow a mains AC power supply to the power assembly to be transformed to provide a DC power supply to the said modules.

By providing a common transformer means so the space requirements for the power assembly are reduced whilst allowing two different charging options to be provided. Typically each of the modules has a power supply control means incorporated therewith.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a power charging module, said module including at least one USB socket provided therein which has the capability of supplying power therefrom up to 100 Watts at up to 20V DC to an item of apparatus which is connected to the said IJSB socket via a USB cable connection, said module including or connected to a transformer means to allow a mains AC power supply to be transformed to provide the DC power supply via the said USB socket and said module includes location means to selectively locate the module with a power assembly for an item of furniture.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figures la and b illustrates a power assembly including a module in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates another form of power assembly including a module in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates another form of power assembly including first and second modules in accordance with the invention, in another embodiment; and Figures 4a, b and c illustrates examples of power assemblies in accordance with the invention in different embodiments of location with an item of furniture.

Referring firstly to Figure la, there is illustrated a power assembly (2) in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The housing is provided as an integral unit and includes a housing 4 and a module 6 which has a user interface (8) on which are provided, in this case, two USB-C sockets 10, each of which allow

B

connection via a USB plug 12 and cable 14 (one of which is partially shown for illustration purposes) to an item to electrical apparatus such as a laptop computer (not shown). Typically the assembly is fitted in position in the item of furniture via a grommet or support frame, 13 an example of which is shown in broken lines in * Figure 1 and which is turn is secured to the item of furniture, typically in an aperture therein.

In accordance with the invention, at least one of the sockets 10, 10', in this case both, is connected to a USB high power supply which allows the provision of charging power up to at least 100 Watts at up to 20 Volts to be provided from the USB sockets to the item of electrical apparatus connected to the socket via the cable 14 and USB plug 12 when inserted in the port 10. The cable and plug to the item of apparatus will be of the IJSBPD configuration so as to allow data communication and information relating to the charging requirements to be transferred from the item to the power assembly, and the module controlled accordingly by control means provided within the module for the power supply.

As illustrated schematically in Figure lb the power assembly is provided with a means of providing power thereto which, in one embodiment, is an AC mains power supply 7 to a transformer 9 preferably provided as part of the module or power assembly, but may also be provided separately thereto.

In one embodiment, the transformer 9 includes one or more synchronous rectifier integrated circuits in combination with low loss field-effect transistors (FBI) provided as part of a printed circuit board, so as to allow the efficient conversion of DC power.

Control means 11 which will include integrated circuits for intelligent device recognition for optimum power delivery can respond to signals received from a connected item of electrical apparatus to the USB socket 10 at the user interface to allow the required power charging level to be provided to the connected item of electrical apparatus.

Furthermore instead of or in addition to, the power supply to the module being used to provide power to a single connected item of electrical apparatus, the connected item of electrical apparatus can be used to transfer power therefrom to another item of apparatus connected to the module. In one embodiment, the module and power assembly with which the same is provided can also allow the transfer of data between apparatus connected to different USB sockets on the module or power assembly in order to allow the indication of the status of charge of the items of electrical apparatus to be identified at that time. In addition it may also allow the transfer of data between items of electrical apparatus to be achieved so as to allow combined operation of the items of apparatus such as a printer and laptop, such that the module and power assembly operate as a data hub as well as allowing the power charging to be achieved via the cable 14 and plug 12 for the first item of electrical apparatus when connected to the port 10 as indicated by arrow 18 and the cable 14' and plug 12' when connected to the port 10' as indicated by arrow 20 for the second item of electrical apparatus.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention and in which the same reference numerals are used for those components which are common with those shown Figure 1. Tn this case the module 6 includes four USB ports 10, at least one of which is capable of providing power in accordance with the USBPD standard and a wireless charging module 22 and therefore illustrates that other power charging options can be provided in the same power assembly by the provision of a range of modules each of which have the same location means so as to allow die same to be selectively located in the power assembly and allow the power assembly to be configured to meet specific usage requirements.

Furthermore, in accordance with the invention, the different charging options can be provided so as to be connected to the same mains power supply to the power assembly via connection to a common transformer means 9 as shown by the broken line connection in Figure lb. The ability to use the same transformer mcans and with the same improvements in terms of operation means that there is a significant reduction in space requirements and so the different charging modules options can be housed within the same power assembly and typically with each module having its own power supply control means 11,13 respectively.

In Figure 3, there is shown the manner in which the module 6 is provided to be attachable to a power assembly 30 and which includes a housing 32, in one embodiment formed from extruded aluminium, and with location formations 34,36 which allow sliding engagement with a number of modules cach of which are provided with matching location formations. In addition to the modules 6 in accordance with the invention which are shown slid into position, further modules 38, 40 are provided, with module 38 including a conventional power socket 42 and module 40 including a number of data sockets 44. The particular modules can be moved into position on the housing and are selected so as to match the particular use to which the assembly is to be put.

In turn, the assembly can then be provided with means to allow the same to be attached with the item of furniture and again, typically with respect to an aperture in the item of furniture, or on the underside thereof but once more, the interface 8 in which the high power USB ports are provided, are made available for use.

The assembly can preferably be fitted as an integral unit into the item of furniture to then become an integral part thercof The housing 4, 32 in whichcver embodiment is of a form to allow the assembly 2,30 to be connectcd to an item of apparatus and most typically provided in location with an aperture or slot provided in the item of furniture such as in thc top surface of a desk or in a chair, or the like. The module interface 8 is provided to be accessible to the user when the user is in theft normal position of use of the item of furniture. The module may include its own power supply and transformer as part thereof or, alternatively, can be connected by a cable, to the transformer and power supply which is located at a spaced distance from the user interface.

Figures 4a -c, illustrate different forms in which the power assembly including at least one module 6 can be provided. Figure 4a illustrates the assembly 2 of the type shown in Figure 1, in a fixed position in an aperture 44 provided in the top of a desk 46 but equally, it could be an aperture provided on the side wall or panel of another item of furniture. It will be seen in this case that the user interface 8 is provided in a fixed location substantially flush with the external surface 48 of the panel 46 of the item of furniture in which the same is placed.

Figure 4b fflustiraLcs another form of assembly including at least one module 6 provided in which the interface 8 is located with the item of furniture panel 46 and aperture 44 therein such that the interface 8 lies below the external face 48 of the item of furniture and in this case, a lid or cover portion 50 is provided which lies flush with the surface 48 as shown in broken lines when in a storage position and when moved to an in use position as shown the cover 50 is raised so that the :11 interface 8 is accessible from the external surface 48 of the item of furniture and -thereby allows the connection of items or apparatus to the ports provided at the interface.

Figure 4c illustrates a further arrangement in which the interface 8 is provided as part of a portion 52 of the assembly which is moveable with respect to the housing 4 so as to allow the interface 8 to be brought to a position shown where the same can be accessed by a user from the external surface 48 of the item of furniture, as shown or alternatively, is masked from view as indicated in the broken lines 54.

In each embodiment of the invention, the module aUows the provision of high power USB connections to be provided independently from a functional item of apparatus such as a monitor, PC or the like and additionally may allow power transfer and data communication between such items connected to it. This therefore means that a relatively expensive item of apparatus incorporating USBPD capability such as a display monitor does not. need to be present at the location at which the module in accordance with the invention is provided and also means that the provision of the power can be provided at a location which in itself, does not need power for operation such as, for example, an item of furniture.

Claims

Claims 1, A power assembly, said assembly including at least one charging module for the provision of a charging power supply, said module including at least one (JSB socket provided thercin which has the capability of supplying power therefrom up to 100 Watts at up to 20V DC to an item of apparatus which is connected to the said USE socket via a USE cable connection, said module including or connected to a transformer means provided as part of the power assembly to allow a mains AC power supply to the power assembly to be transformed to provide the DC power supply via the said USB socket and said power assembly is located with an item of furniture such that the said at least one LJSB socket is accessible for connection at an external face of the item of furniture.
2, An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the power assembly includes a housing, and said housing is provided with means to allow attachment to an aperture or slot formed in the item of furniture so as to locate the power assembly with respect to the item of furniture.
3.An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the transformer means is provided as an integral part of the power assembly.
4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the said module with the at least one USE socket is provided along with at least one further module which provides an alternative charging option.
5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the said further module is provided in connection with the transformer means which is used for the USB socket charging module so that the transformer means is common to the modules.
6. An assembly according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the said further module or modules allows charging of an item of electrical apparatus via wireless charging techniques in which the item of apparatus can be placed onto a face of the said further module or within a predefined range of the same in order to be charged.
7 An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the power assembly is provided in a fixed position with respect to the item of furniture.
8 An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the said module is provided as part of a portion of the power assembly which is selectively movable with respect to the item of furniture between in-use and storage positions in order to allow the USB socket to be exposed for use when the portion is in the in use position and masked from sight when the portion is in the storage position.
9 An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the said module is provided as part of the assembly housing and the housing is provided with a cover which is selectively moved between storage and in-use positions in order to allow the USIB socket to be exposed for usc when the cover is in the in use position and masked from sight when the cover is in the storage position.
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the power assembly includes a plurality of USB sockets and at least one of the said USB sockets is for the provision of the high power supply of up to lOOWatts at up to 20V DC.
11 An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein control means are provided to allow data transfer between items of electrical apparatus which are connected to the power assembly via respective TJSB sockets provided thereon thereby allowing the power asscmbly to act as a data hub to allow the transfer of data to the power assembly control means and between the items of electrical apparatus.
12 An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the USB sockets used for the high power charging capability are of USB-C configuration.
13 An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the level of charge and/or power of charge required by the item of electrical apparatus is communicated to the power assembly via the cable connection from the item of electrical apparatus connected to the USB socket and the control means of the power assembly controls the power provided at the socket in response to the received signal.
14 An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein the transformer means allows the transforming of the AC mains power supply into a DC power supply and connection of the same to the one or more USB sockets and/or further charging modules provided as part of the power assembly.
15. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the transformer for the power supply to the module includes one or more synchronous rectifier integrated circuits in combination with low loss field-effect transistors (FBI) in order to control the DC power supply.
16 An assembly according to claim 15 wherein the FET use an electric field to control the shape and hence the conductivity of a channel of one type of charge carrier in the semiconductor material.
17 An assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein a plurality of electrical items can be charged, with a first item connected to a USB socket of the power assembly and subsequent items connected via USB power charging cables to USB sockets on the first item of electrical apparatus.
18. A power assembly, said assembly including at least one charging module for the provision of a charging power supply including at least one USB socket provided therein which has the capability of supplying power therefrom up to 100 Watts at up to 20V DC to an item of apparatus which is connected to the said USB socket via a USB cable connection and a further charging module provided to allow a wireless charging to be provided to an item of apparatus within a predefined range of the module and wherein the said modules are connected to a common transformer means provided as part of, or in connection with the power assembly to allow a mains AC power supply to the power assembly to be transformed to provide a DC power supply to the said modules.

19 An assembly according to claim 18 wherein each of the modules has a power supply control means incorporated therewith.A power charging module, said module including at least one USB socket provided therein which has the capability of supplying power therefrom up to 100 Watts at up to 201/ DC to an item of apparatus which is connected to the said USB socket via a USB cable connection, said module including or connected to a transformer means to allow a mains AC power supply to be transformed to provide the DC power supply via the said USB socket and said module includes location means to selectively locate the module with a power assembly for an item of furniture.