JP2023038938A - System component and mini pc and operation method for system component - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a system component having a supply circuit for selectively supplying operation power to at least one power consumption part with high efficiency in operation, an operation method for the system component, and a mini PC.SOLUTION: A system component 11 comprises a power consumption part 12 and a supply circuit 13 selectively supplying operation power from different power supplies 15a-15 to one or more power consumption part. The supply circuit includes a first supply passage 14a having an input selectively connecting the first supply passage to a preferential power supply, supply passages 14b-14n having inputs selectively connecting each supply passage to at least one another power supply to which each of them corresponds, a supply line 16 coupled with an output of the first supply passage and an output of another supply passage and supplying operation power to one or more power consumption part, and switching element 18b-18n cutting off the another supply passage when a first input is connected to the preferential power supply. The input of the first supply passage is directly connected to the supply line electrically.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a system component, in particular for a mini PC, comprising at least one power consumer and a supply circuit for selectively supplying operating power from different power sources to the at least one power consumer. Regarding. The invention further relates to mini-PCs containing such system components and methods of operating such system components.

Electronic devices, such as so-called mini-PCs, can receive the current they need to operate from a variety of power sources. For example, such electronic devices may be supplied with, for example, operating power, such as operating voltage and current, by internal or external dedicated power supplies. Alternatively, it can be co-supplied via a peripheral connected to the device. In particular, when multiple power sources are connected to an electronic device at the same time, it is usually necessary to select which of the connected power sources to use to power the electronic device.

The object of the invention is to describe a system component comprising a supply circuit for selectively supplying operating power to at least one power consumer. Preferably, the supply circuit should be of particularly simple construction and should have high efficiency in operation.

Different embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a schematic diagram of a first electronic device that can be connected to multiple power sources; FIG. Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a second electronic device that can be connected to multiple power sources; Fig. 3 shows combined detection, selection and control circuitry of an electronic device; Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the method of operation; 1 shows a schematic diagram of a power supply circuit; FIG.

In the description of the embodiments, the same reference symbols are used for the same or similar components of different embodiments as far as it is useful for understanding. Additionally, different instances of the same or similar components are distinguished by alphabetic suffixes. All examples of each component are referenced when the suffix is omitted.

Before discussing the various embodiments of the claimed invention in detail, FIG. used.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement comprising an electronic device 50 connected to a plurality of power sources 55a-55n. In principle, each power supply 55a to 55n is suitable for supplying the internal power consumption 52 of the electronic device 50 with the necessary operating power, eg operating voltage and current.

To avoid mutual interference between the different power sources 55a-55n, only one of the power sources 55a-55n is selected to supply the power consumer 52 at any one time. To this end, for each power supply 55a-55n, the electronic device 50 comprises a monitoring and selection circuit 59a-59n, a control circuit 56a-56n, and a switching element 58a-58n, respectively. Each monitor and select circuit 59 monitors its associated power supply 55 to provide the desired operating voltage. Furthermore, if several of the power supplies 55a-55n supply operating power, e.g. operating voltage and/or current in parallel, then only one of the power supplies 55a-55n is selected to supply the power consumer 52. Each of the monitoring and selection circuits 59 cooperate with each other as described above. A monitoring and selection circuit 59 controls its associated control circuit 56 to enable a corresponding supply path 54 between each source 51 and power consumer 52 by means of respective switching elements 58 .

Although the circuitry described with reference to FIG. 5 meets the functional requirements for supplying electronic device 50, the circuitry required to do so is relatively sophisticated. Additionally, the switching elements 58 provided in the supply path 54 cause power dissipation, which reduces the energy efficiency of the electronic device 50 .

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an electronic device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The electronic device 10 comprises a system component 11 having a power consumer 12 arranged thereon. Furthermore, the supply circuit 13 is arranged in the system component 11 . A supply circuit 13 is used to select one of a plurality of supply paths 14a-14n between possible power sources 15a-15n and a common supply line 16. FIG. Typically, each supply path 14 includes at least two supply lines, eg, an operating voltage line and a ground line, or includes positive and negative operating voltage lines. Of course, further supply lines and control lines can also be provided, for example for selectively supplying additional supply voltages.

The electronic device 10 according to FIG. 1 differs in particular from the electronic device 50 according to FIG. Connecting. In this context, "directly electrically" means that in particular no transistors or relays and diodes are provided in the middle of the first supply path 14a to interrupt the first supply path 14a.

The provision of the first supply path 14 a may improve the energy efficiency of the electronic device 10 when the associated preferred power source 15 a is connected to the system component 11 . In particular, voltage drops typically occurring in power semiconductors or in control voltages required to drive relays are eliminated. In addition to this, at least for the first supply channel 14a, the component requirements for its implementation are reduced.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, a detection circuit 17 is also provided to additionally ensure that several of the power sources 15a-15n are not connected to the power consumer 12 at the same time. The detection circuit 17 indicates whether the overriding power source 15a is connected to the input (ie, first input) of the first supply path 14a. When the detection circuit 17 detects connection of the priority power source 15a to the first supply path 14a, the other supply paths 14b to 14n are cut off. If the detection circuit 17 detects that the preferred power supply 15a is not connected to the first supply path 14a, one of the other supply paths 14b-14n is selected to supply power to the power consumer 12. One can be selected.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the further supply paths 14b-14n has for this purpose a switching element 18b-18n via which the respective supply path 14b-14n is selectively established or interrupted. can do. These may be, for example, power transistors, such as MOSFETs, or relays.

FIG. 1 shows one switching element 18b-18n for each further supply path 14b-14n. Alternatively or additionally, however, a selection and multiplexer circuit 19 may be provided. A selection and multiplexer circuit 19 isolates the individual power supplies 15b to 15n from each other and at the same time selects only one of the further supply paths 14b to 14n for supplying the power consumer 12 . In this case, switching elements in some or all of the further supply paths 14b to 14n may be omitted. Conversely, the multiplexer circuit 19 can be omitted or formed as a passive busbar if all of the other inputs are actively switched.

Additionally, the selection of the other, non-preferred power supplies 15b-15n may be made by logic implemented in the selection and multiplexer circuit 19, for example. For example, the different supply paths 14b-14n may be assigned individual priorities and the power source 15 connected to the supply path 14 having the highest priority may be selected to be supplied. Alternatively, the power supply 15 may also be selected to provide the highest voltage level via one of the further supply paths 14b-14n.

In the exemplary embodiment described, the preferred power supply 15a is connected to the first supply path 14a, but if it does not supply the operating voltage or operating current that supplies the power consumer 12, another supply path 14b through 14n are also cut off. Such switching logic is intended, inter alia, to prevent electronic device 10 from unintentionally turning on when the overriding power supply is turned off by the user, but the operating power, e.g. Voltage and/or current is supplied via a further supply line 14, for example from a connection of a peripheral device. Also, in order to supply the power consumer 12, the further supply paths 14b to 14n are switched off, depending on the desired functionality, only when the overriding power supply 15a is actually supplying operating voltage or power. You can

FIG. 2 shows another electronic device in the form of a mini PC 20 . The mini-PC includes system components in the form of a system board 21 , which has power consumers in the form of a processor 22 and supply circuits 13 . The components of the supply circuit 13 are substantially identical to the components of the supply circuit 13 of the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 1, so these components will not be described further.

In the exemplary embodiment, the preferred power source 15a is an internal power source 25 that can be located in a corresponding module area of the housing 28 of the mini-PC 20, for example. Such a power supply may optionally be attached to the configuration of the mini-PC 20, for example if the mini-PC 20 is intended for use in a common workstation with a power outlet. On the other hand, in other work environments, such as sales terminals that do not have direct access to power outlets or mini-PCs, remote power may be supplied, for example, via a network connection or peripheral device. In this case, the internal power supply 25 is not installed. However, in other embodiments, the preferred power source 15a may be an external power source that is plugged into a specially provided mechanical connection. Again, the power supply is overridden by a mechanical connection to a specially provided connector.

Various types of supply circuits may be connected to the inputs of the different supply paths 14b-14n. For example, an external power source may be connected via a two pin circular connector. Additionally, peripherals or network devices with remote power options may be connected via corresponding connectors, such as USB type C connectors. Additionally, a wirelessly powered circuit, such as an inductive receiver, may be connected to the input of one of the other feed paths 14b-14n.

Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows how the detection circuit 17 can be realized in a particularly simple manner. To this end, in the exemplary embodiment described, a first connector 23 is provided on the system board 21 by which the preferred power supply 15a can be coupled to the first supply path 14a. In the exemplary embodiment, first connector 23 includes three connection pins 24a-24c. Here, the first connection pin 24a is used to detect whether the prioritized power supply 15a is connected to the system board 21 or not. In the exemplary embodiment, two other connection pins 24b, 24c are used to supply operating power, eg, operating voltage and current, to electronic device 10. FIG. For example, the ground potential may be supplied via the second connection pin 24b and the operating voltage may be supplied via the third connection pin 24c. Of course, the connector 23 may also be used with further connection pins, for example if more than one operating voltage is to be supplied.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, detection circuit 17 further comprises control circuit 26 . A control circuit 26 is used to control the switching elements 18b-18n. In this case, the control circuit 26 is such that when the first connection 24a is connected to a predetermined potential, in the exemplary embodiment the ground potential of the system component 11, the further supply paths 14b to 14n are interrupted. controls the switching elements 18b-18n. In this case it is assumed that the preferred power source 15a is connected to the electrical device 10 and that feeding from one of the other power sources is not desired. This detection works regardless of whether an operating voltage is actually being supplied via the third connection pin 24c.

In the exemplary embodiment, if the overriding power supply 15a is connected, this is particularly easily detected by establishing a short-circuit connection 27 between the first connection pin 24a and the second connection pin 24b. can do. The detection of a short to ground or electrical connection to another predetermined potential as described herein allows the detection circuit 17 and the drive circuit 26 incorporated therein to be configured as a small signal circuit. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows another electrical device 30 according to an embodiment, eg the mini PC 20 according to FIG. The components contained therein correspond substantially to the components of the electronic device 10 or mini PC 20 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 and will not be described here. In the exemplary embodiment described, the electronic device is configured to connect to up to three different power sources 15a-15c.

FIG. 3 shows a combined detection, selection and control circuit 31 configured as a small signal circuit. As already explained with reference to FIG. 2, detection of the connection of the preferred power supply 15a is effected by means of a short-circuit connection 27 between the first connection pin 24a and the second connection pin 24b of the system component 11. FIG. As a result, when the power source 15a with priority is connected to the first supply path 14a, a predetermined potential, especially the ground (potential) is supplied via the first connection pin 24a. Otherwise, no defined voltage potential is supplied via the first connection pin 24a. The voltage potential at the control line 32 connected thereto is thus established based on the two voltage dividers 33 and 34 of the detection, selection and control circuit 31 . Also, voltage dividers 33 and 34 are used to evaluate which of the two alternate power sources 15b, 15c should be used to provide power when preferred power source 15a is not connected to system component 11. Helpful. Alternatively, voltage dividers 33 and 34 can be set to allow both supply paths 14b and 14c when power supply 15a is not connected. Prioritization based on higher voltages is then performed by the subsequent multiplexer circuit 19 . Therefore, in each case only one power source is sent to the power consumer 12 .

To this end, first voltage divider 33 includes a first pull-up resistor 35 and a first pull-down resistor 36 . A first pull-up resistor 35 is coupled to the positive supply line of the second supply path 14b. A first pull-down resistor 36 is coupled to the ground potential of the system component 11 or to the second power supply 15b. When the preferred power supply 15a is not connected to the system component 11 and the supply voltage is provided by the second power supply 15b, the center node of the first voltage divider 33 is pulled (pulled) to an increased voltage level. . In contrast, when the preferred power supply 15a is connected to the system component 11, or when no supply voltage is supplied by the second power supply 15b, the central node is at or towards ground potential. pulled (pulled).

The magnitude of the voltage on first control line 32 also depends on second voltage divider 34 . The second voltage divider 34 includes a second pull-up resistor 37 and a second pull-down resistor 38 to connect the central node of the second voltage divider 34 to the supply line of the third supply path 14c and the second control line 32, respectively. connect to. Thus, the center node of the second voltage divider 34 is pulled in the direction of the supply voltage supplied by the third power supply 3 when the third power supply 15c supplies a positive supply voltage, otherwise the control line 32 , and thus pulled toward ground potential through the first resistor 36 .

The center taps of first voltage divider 33 and second voltage divider 34 are used to drive first transistor 39 and second transistor 40, respectively. The first transistor 39 is configured as a conventional blocking n-channel small signal field effect transistor (FET) whose source/drain channel is cut off when ground potential is applied to its control input. When the control voltage is positive, the first transistor 39 opens the source/drain channel and drives the first switching element 18b to enable the second supply path 14b between the second power supply 15b and the power consumer 12. become The second transistor 40 is configured as a conventional blocking p-channel small-signal FET, blocking the source/drain channel when the voltage potential at its control terminal exceeds a predetermined voltage level. Otherwise, its source/drain channel conducts and drives the second switching element 18 c to enable the third supply path 14 c between the third power source 15 b and the power consumer 12 .

Of course, any type of transistor may be used in place of FETs 39 and 40, such as bipolar NPN-PNO, N-MOS, P-MOS, J-FET. Depending on the type of switching elements 18b and 18c used, different small-signal electronics may be used and the different conductive or blocking behavior of transistors 39 and 40 control the power paths 14b and 14c (supply paths). You can

In the exemplary embodiment, transistors 39, 40 are connected to two separate supply paths, depending on which of the associated supply lines is used to provide the higher supply voltage from power supplies 15b, 15c. Resistors 35-38 and transistors 39 and 40 are sized to alternately turn on one of 14b or 14c. However, both transistors 39 and 40 block both the second supply path 14b and the third supply path 14c when the control line 32 is connected to the ground potential on the side of the first connection pin 24a. inhibit.

In an alternative embodiment not shown, the two transistors 39 and 40 are configured identically, for example as two N-MOSFETs. These together switch the associated switching elements 18 b and 18 c on and off based on the signal on control line 32 . When ground is connected to control line 32, switching elements 18b and 18c are blocked, otherwise both are left open (off). In this case, the multiplexer circuit 19 takes over priority, for example based on the higher voltage.

As shown, the detection, selection and control circuit 31 described includes only six very simple components: four resistors 35-38 and two small signal transistors 39 and 40. FIG. Compared to the monitoring and selection circuitry 59 and associated control circuitry 56 shown in FIG. 5, this significantly reduces the number of components. In addition, the efficiency of the overall arrangement can be improved, especially by omitting any active components within the first feed channel 14a.

FIG. 4 shows schematically how the system components 11 of the electronic device 10 or 30, in particular the mini PC 20, operate.

In a first step S1 it is checked whether the first preferred power supply 15a is connected to the system component 11 or not. For example, the presence of a potential or electrical connection in the form of a short-circuit connection 27 or a predetermined resistance can be checked.

If the preferred power supply 15a is detected, all further supply lines 14b to 14c (14n) are switched off in a second step S2. Therefore, no further operating power, eg operating voltage and/or current, is supplied to the power consumer 12 of the system component 11 via the further supply lines 14b to 14n. The disconnection may be independent of whether the preferred power supply 15a actually supplies operating power, eg operating current or operating voltage.

Otherwise, ie if the preferred power supply 15a is not connected to the system component 11, an optional step S3 can be performed to select another power supply 15b-15n for supply. This step is performed, for example, when some of the other possible power sources 15b-15n are connected to the system component 11. FIG. This may be done, as described above, based on detection of the level of the supplied operating voltage or detection of a predetermined sequence of further supply paths 14b-14n.

In step S4 the operating power, ie the operating current and/or the corresponding operating voltage etc. supplied by one of the further power sources 15b to 15n is made available to the power consumer 12 . For this purpose, at least one connection is established via one of the further supply lines 14b-14n.

The described embodiments have several advantages. First, no active signaling is required on the portion of the power supply 15a that is prioritized. Furthermore, the connection of the preferred power supply 15a can be detected even if the first power supply 15a does not provide an operating voltage and/or is not connected to the power grid. The space required to implement the first supply channel 14a and the number of components required for this are reduced or eliminated entirely, respectively. Also, the energy efficiency of the electronic device is improved when powered by the preferred power source 15a. Very few simple electronic components are used in the remaining detection, selection and control circuitry 31, thus reducing the overall manufacturing costs and space requirements of supply circuitry 13. FIG.

10 electronic device 11 system component 12 power consumer 13 supply circuit 14 supply channel 14a first supply channel 15 power supply 15a preferred power supply 16 supply line 17 detection circuit 18 switching element 19 selection and multiplexer circuit 20 mini PC
21 system board 22 processor 23 first connector 24a first connection pin 24b second connection pin 24c third connection pin 25 internal power supply 26 control circuit 27 short-circuit connection 28 housing 30 electronics 31 detection, selection and control circuit 32 control line 33 third 1 voltage divider 34 second voltage divider 35 first pull-up resistor 36 first pull-down resistor 37 second pull-up resistor 38 second pull-down resistor 39 first transistor 40 second transistor 50 electronic device 52 power consumer 54 supply path 55 power supply 56 control circuit 58 switching element 59 monitoring and selection circuit S1-S4 method steps

Claims (15)

A system component, in particular for a Mini PC, comprising a power consumer and a supply circuit for selectively supplying operating power from different power sources to at least one said power consumer, said system component comprising:
The supply circuit is
a first supply path having an input that selectively connects the first supply path to a prioritized power source;
at least one separate supply line, each separate supply line having an input for selectively connecting the supply line to a corresponding separate power source;
a supply line coupled to the output of said first supply path and to the output of at least one further supply path for supplying operating power to at least one said power consumer, said input of said first supply path is electrically connected directly to the supply line; and
and at least one switching element for interrupting said at least one further supply path when a first input is connected to said preferred power supply. said supply circuit further comprising at least one detection circuit;
At least one of said detection circuits is coupled to said first supply path, and at least one of said detection circuits is responsive to said power supply when said first input is connected to a predetermined voltage potential, in particular ground potential. 2. The system component of claim 1, configured to indicate that it is connected to one supply line. the first input is connected to a first connector for connecting the overriding power source;
The detection circuit indicates that power is connected to the first supply path when a first connection pin of the first connector is electrically connected to a second connection pin of the first connector. 3. The system component of claim 2, configured to: said supply circuit further comprising at least one control circuit, at least one said control circuit being connected to said detection circuit and at least one said switching element;
3. The control circuit is configured to cut off the at least one alternative supply path by the at least one switching element when the first input is connected to the preferred power supply. Listed system components. the control circuit includes a pull-up resistor, a pull-down resistor, and at least one transistor for controlling the at least one switching element;
The pull-up resistor is connected to the supply line of the corresponding supply path,
the pull-down resistor is connected to ground potential and/or the first connection pin;
5. The system component of claim 4, wherein a control terminal of said transistor is connected to a node between said pull-up resistor and said pull-down resistor. At least one said switching element, in particular a power semiconductor, is arranged in each of said further supply paths, said switching element interrupting the corresponding supply path when said first input is connected to said preferred power supply. 2. The system component of claim 1, wherein: said supply circuit further comprising at least one selection circuit, at least one said selection circuit coupled to said switching element of said further supply path;
The selection circuit is configured to select one of the alternative supply paths when the first input is not connected to the preferred power supply, and is configured to select an operating power as a function of predetermined switching logic. , and the selection circuit is configured to interrupt the further supply path by a corresponding switching element. 8. System component according to claim 7, wherein the selection circuit is arranged to compare the magnitude of the voltages supplied over the different supply paths and to select the supply path to which the highest voltage is supplied. . The selection circuit is arranged to check which of the further supply paths supplies voltage in a predetermined order and selects the first supply path to supply voltage in a predetermined order. 8. The system component of claim 7, configured to: Mini PC comprising a housing and a system component according to any one of claims 1 to 9 arranged in said housing. a module area for installation of the power supply;
11. The mini PC of claim 10, further comprising a first connector disposed within said module area and coupled to said first supply path for connecting a power source received at said module area. 12. The mini PC of claim 11, further comprising an internal power supply located in said module area and coupled to said first connector. Said input of said further supply path comprises the following input components: a 2-pin connector for connecting an external power supply, a USB connector, in particular a USB-C connector, a network connector, and an inductive circuit providing wireless power supply. 11. The mini-PC of claim 10, coupled to at least one of . A method of operating a system component including an electrical consumer, comprising:
verifying whether a first preferred power source is connected to the system component;
providing operating power regardless of whether or not operating power is actually provided via the first of the preferred power sources when the first of the preferred power sources is connected to the system component; blocking at least one further supply path configured to
and selectively supplying operating power via the at least one alternate supply path when a first said overriding power source is not connected to said system components. Furthermore, depending on predetermined selection criteria, in particular the presence and/or magnitude of the voltage supplied via each of the further supply paths when the preferred power supply is not connected to the system component. 15. The method of operation of claim 14, comprising selecting the alternate supply path configured to supply operating power in response to .

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