TWI416842B - Charger - Google Patents

Abstract

A charger including a connector, a first voltage-dividing unit, a second voltage-dividing unit and a switch unit is provided. The connector includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth pins. The first and the second voltage-dividing units are connected between the first and the fourth pins in parallel connection. The second pin connects to a first voltage-dividing node of the first voltage-dividing unit. The third pin connects to a second voltage-dividing node of the second voltage-dividing unit. The switch unit is connected between the first and the second voltage-dividing nodes. The second pin and the third pin are connected when the switch unit operates in a first operating mode. The second pin and the third pin are disconnected when the switch unit operates in a second operating mode.

Description

Charging device

This invention relates to a charging device and, more particularly, to a charging device that can be powered to a variety of electronic devices.

With the advancement of technology, consumer electronic devices have been filled with people's daily lives. The average user usually has at least a consumer electronic device such as a portable computer, a mobile phone, or a music player. However, the charging devices of each consumer electronic device are typically different. In addition, for the same kind of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, different manufacturers will also provide different charging methods. As a result, business people who travel frequently must carry many different types of chargers at any time, causing inconvenience.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a charging device. The charging device includes a first connector, a first voltage dividing unit, a second voltage dividing unit, and a switching unit. The first connector includes a first pin, a second pin, a third pin and a fourth pin. The first partial pressure unit has a first partial pressure node. The second pin is connected to the first voltage dividing node. The second voltage dividing unit connects the first pin and the fourth pin. The first partial pressure unit has a second partial pressure node. The third pin is connected to the second voltage dividing node. One end of the switch unit is connected to the first voltage dividing node, and the other end is connected to the second voltage dividing node. When the switch unit is in the first operating mode, the second pin is shorted to the third pin. When the switch unit is in the second mode of operation, the second pin and the third pin are open.

Based on the above, the charging device provided by the embodiment of the present invention can supply power to a plurality of electronic devices based on the same connector for performing a fast charging mode, wherein the plurality of electronic devices are, for example, a mobile phone sold by a first manufacturer and a second manufacturer. Mobile phones sold.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of functional modules of a charging device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The charging device 100 can receive power from an external power source (mains power source) 10 and then supply power to the electronic device 11. The electronic device 11 can be any electronic device, for example, the first electronic device is a portable electronic device sold by Company A, such as a mobile phone, a PDA, a music player, a navigation device or a tablet computer; The device is a portable electronic device sold by Company B, such as a mobile phone, PDA, music player, navigation device or tablet. The charging device 100 includes a first connector CN1, a power supply unit 110, a first voltage dividing unit 120, a second voltage dividing unit 130, and a switching unit 140. In the embodiment, the switch unit 140 includes a resistor R1 and a switch SW.

In the embodiment, the first connector CN1 is used to connect to the electronic device 11. The first connector CN1 can be a connector of any size. In this embodiment, the first connector CN1 is a universal serial bus (hereinafter referred to as USB) connector, so the pin of the first connector CN1 may be: the first pin + 5V, the first Two pins D+, a third pin D-, and a fourth pin GND.

The first pin +5V of the first connector CN1 and the fourth pin GND are connected to the power supply unit 110. The power supply unit 110 receives the power of the external power source (mains power source) 10, and then outputs a first voltage (for example, 5 volts) to the first pin +5V of the first connector CN1.

The first voltage dividing unit 120 is connected between the power supply unit 110 and the connector CN1. One end of the first voltage dividing unit 120 is connected to the first pin +5V, and the other end of the first voltage dividing unit 120 is connected to the fourth pin GND. . The first voltage dividing unit 120 has a first voltage dividing node N1, wherein the first voltage dividing node N1 is connected to the second pin D+.

The second voltage dividing unit 130 is connected between the power supply unit 110 and the connector CN1. One end of the second voltage dividing unit 130 is connected to the first pin +5V, and the other end of the second voltage dividing unit 130 is connected to the fourth pin GND. . The second voltage dividing unit 130 has a second voltage dividing node N2, wherein the second voltage dividing node N2 is connected to the third pin D-.

In the embodiment, the first voltage dividing unit 120 includes resistors R2 and R3. The resistors R2 and R3 are connected in series between the first pin +5V and the fourth pin GND. The second voltage dividing unit 130 includes resistors R4 and R5. The resistors R4 and R5 are also connected in series between the first pin +5V and the fourth pin GND. A first voltage dividing node N1 between the resistors R2 and R3 is connected to the first end of the switch SW through a resistor R1. The second end of the switch SW is connected to a second voltage dividing node N2 between the resistors R4 and R5.

This embodiment does not limit the implementation and control mechanism of the switch SW. For example, the switch SW may be a mechanical switch (such as a dip switch or a button, etc.), and the switch SW is changed by the user in a manual manner (for example, pressing, pushing/pulling, rotating, etc.) to change its conduction state. As another example, the switch SW can be an electronic switch (eg, a transistor, a relay, etc.), and the user changes its conduction state by operating the switch SW through a simple drive circuit or control unit.

Hereinafter, an illustrative example of the electronic device 11 using a mobile phone having a USB, and a USB socket using a computer as an illustrative example of the external power source 10 will be described. The AC-DC Charger of the mobile phone shorts the second pin D+ and the third pin D- of the USB connector. Therefore, the mobile phone can determine that its USB connector is connected to the charger or the USB socket of the computer by detecting the data pins D+ and D-.

When the mobile phone detects that the second pin D+ is short-circuited with the third pin D-, the mobile phone performs a fast charging mode and draws a charging current greater than the USB rated current (500 mA) to the charger. On the other hand, if the mobile phone detects that the second pin D+ and the third pin D- are not short-circuited, the mobile phone will follow the USB specification and draw a charging current of 500 mA (slow charging) to the USB socket of the computer. In order for the mobile phone to be charged quickly, the traveler must carry the adapter of the laptop and the charger of the mobile phone.

However, USB power management for general computer systems uses "total management" instead of limiting the output current of each USB outlet. For example, it belongs to two USB sockets under the same USB controller, as long as the total output current of the two USB sockets does not exceed 1000 mA. That is to say, in the case where only two USB devices are inserted at the same time, the used USB socket can provide an output current greater than 500 mA without causing a system error.

Therefore, in a case where the total output current of the plurality of USB sockets of the computer system does not exceed the rated current, the user can turn on the switch SW, that is, the second pin D+ and the third connection of the USB connector in the electronic device 11 Pin D- short circuit. At this time, the charging device 100 supplies the first charging current to the electronic device 11. The mobile phone (electronic device 11) performs a fast charging mode and draws a charging current of more than 500 mA through the charging device 100 to the USB socket (external power source 10) of the computer system.

In the case where a plurality of USB sockets of the computer system are used, the user can turn off the switch SW. When the second pin D+ and the third pin D- of the USB connector in the electronic device 11 are open, the charging device 100 provides a second charging current to the electronic device 11. At this time, the mobile phone (electronic device 11) performs a slow charging mode and draws a charging current equal to or less than 500 mA to the USB socket (external power source 10) of the computer system through the charging device 100. Therefore, in the above description, the charging current provided when the second pin D+ and the third pin D- are short-circuited is greater than the charging current provided when the second pin D+ and the third pin D- are open.

When the charging device 100 is connected to some electronic devices (such as portable electronic devices), it may be necessary to open the second pin D+ and the third pin D- to enable the electronic devices to initiate a charging procedure. When the second pin D+ and the third pin D- are open, the electronic device according to the first voltage dividing node N1 of the first voltage dividing unit 120 and the second voltage dividing node N2 of the second voltage dividing unit 130 The voltage is used to initiate the charging process.

For example, the following will consider the AC-to-DC charger of the portable electronic device sold by Company A, which is configured to be connected to the second pin D+ and the third pin D- of the USB connector (PULL UP). Resistor and PULL DOWN resistor. Therefore, the portable electronic device sold by Company A can determine that its USB connector is connected to the charger or the USB socket of the computer by detecting the voltage levels of the pins D+ and D-.

When the electronic device 11 (portable electronic device sold by company A) detects that the second pin D+ and the third pin D- are pulled up/down to a specific voltage level, respectively, the electronic device 11 A fast charging mode is performed and a charging current greater than the USB rated current (500 mA) is drawn to the charger. On the other hand, if the electronic device 11 detects that the voltage levels of the second pin D+ and the third pin D- are not at a specific voltage level, the electronic device 11 will follow the USB specification and draw 500 mA into the USB socket of the computer. Charging current (slow charging).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing functional blocks of the charging apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the charging device 100 further includes a connector CN2 for connecting a USB connector of the portable electronic device (for example, a computer). The connector CN2 is connected to the power supply unit 110. It is assumed here that the connector CN2 is a USB connector.

In addition, in this embodiment, the resistance ratio of the resistors R2 and R3 and the resistance ratio of the resistors R4 and R5 are determined, for example, according to the electrical specifications of the portable electronic device sold by the company A. For example, the resistances of resistors R2 and R3 are 75KΩ and 51KΩ, respectively, while the resistances of resistors R4 and R5 are 43KΩ and 51KΩ, respectively. In addition, the resistance of the resistor R1 may be 10 Ω or the resistor R1 may be omitted. Thus, when the switch SW is off, the voltage of the second pin D+ of the first connector CN1 can be lower than the third connection by the voltage dividing effect of the resistors R2 and R3 and the voltage dividing effect of the resistors R4 and R5. The voltage of the foot D-.

In the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 2, if the electronic device 11 is a mobile phone sold by the company B, the user can make the switch SW (switching unit) into the first operating mode, that is, the conducting state, that is, making the first The second pin D+ and the third pin D- of the connector CN1 are short-circuited to each other. At this time, the mobile phone (electronic device 11) performs a fast charging mode and draws a charging current of more than 500 mA through the charging device 100 to the USB socket (external power source 10) of the computer system.

In FIG. 2, if the electronic device 11 is a portable electronic device sold by Company A, the user can make the switch SW (switching unit) into the second operating mode, that is, the cut-off state, and at this time, the second pin D+ And the third pin D-opening, the voltage of the second pin D+ of the first connector CN1 is lower than the third pin by the voltage dividing effect of the resistors R2 and R3 and the voltage dividing effect of the resistors R4 and R5 D- voltage. Therefore, the portable electronic device sold by Company A performs a fast charging mode and draws a charging current of more than 500 mA through the charging device 100 to the USB socket (external power source 10) of the computer system. Therefore, the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to various electronic devices sold by Company A or Company B. By the operation of the switch SW, the charging device 100 can quickly charge the mobile phone sold by the general company B and the tablet computer sold by the company A. Travelers don't need an extra charger for mobile phones and a charger for tablets.

The connection state of the above switch SW can be controlled by the user. In another embodiment, the connection state of the switch SW may also be controlled by a computer system (external power source 10) that supplies power. For example, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing functional modules of the charging apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The charging device 100 shown in FIG. 3 can refer to the related description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The difference from the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is that the power supply unit 110 of the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 3 further includes the controller 300. The input of the controller 300 is connected to the second pin D'+ and the third pin D'- of the second connector CN2, and the output of the controller 300 is connected to the control terminal of the switch SW. The computer system (external power supply 10) can issue commands to the controller 300 via the USB connector CN2, and the controller 300 generates a corresponding control signal S _sw to the switch SW according to the command of the computer system.

The application of the charging device 100 shown in Fig. 1 should not be limited by the above embodiments. For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the functional modules of the charging device 100 of FIG. 1 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the external power source 10 includes a mains power supply 610 and an adapter 620. The adapter 620 converts the mains power source 610 (e.g., 110V AC) to a power source (e.g., 19V DC) that conforms to the power specifications of the laptop 630. The charging device 100 shown in FIG. 4 can be referred to the related description of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The difference from the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 2 is that the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 4 includes connectors CN2 and CN4. The connector CN2 is connected to the power supply unit 110. The connector CN2 is used to connect to the external power source 10 (the power output of the adapter 620). The power output from the adapter 620 is supplied to the laptop 630 through the connector CN2 and the connector CN4.

The power supply unit 110 may be a DC-DC converter for converting the power outputted by the adapter 620 into a power source conforming to the USB specification. The power input terminal of the power supply unit 110 is connected to the connector CN2, and the power output terminal of the power supply unit 110 is connected to the first pin +5V and the fourth pin GND of the connector CN1. Therefore, regardless of whether the computer 630 enters the sleep mode or whether the computer 630 is turned off, the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 4 can still provide a continuous and stable charging power to the electronic device 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the traveler needs to carry the adapter 620 and the charging device 100. In other embodiments, the adapter 620 and the charging device 100 may be integrated to make the traveler more convenient to carry and use. For example, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing functional blocks of the charging device 100 of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The charging device 100 shown in FIG. 5 can be referred to the related description of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. The difference from the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 4 is that the power supply unit 110 of the charging device 100 shown in FIG. 5 integrates the necessary circuits of the adapter 620. The connector CN2 is used to connect to the external power source 10 (mains power source 610). The power input of the adapter 620 is connected to the second connector CN2. The power output of the adapter 620 is connected to the power input of the power supply unit 110 and the connector CN4. The power output terminal of the power supply unit 110 is connected to the first pin +5V and the fourth pin GND of the connector CN1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing functional blocks of the charging apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The charging device 100 shown in FIG. 6 can be referred to the related description of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. The charging device 100 shown in FIG. 6 further includes a connector CN2, a connector CN3, a diode D1 and a diode D2. Referring to FIG. 6, the connector CN2 is used to connect to a first external power source (for example, the adapter 620). The connector CN3 is used to connect to a second external power source (such as a USB socket of the computer system 810). It is assumed here that the connector CN3 is a USB connector, so the charging device 100 can draw charging power to the USB socket of the computer system 810 via the connector CN3.

The power supply unit 110 may be a DC-DC converter to convert the power output by the adapter 620 into a power source conforming to the USB specification. The power output end of the power supply unit 110 is connected to the first pin +5V of the first connector CN1 via the diode D1, and the other power output end of the power supply unit 110 is connected to the fourth connection of the first connector CN1. Foot GND. In addition, the first pin of the connector CN3 is connected to the first pin +5V of the connector CN1 via the diode D2, and the fourth pin of the connector CN3 is connected to the fourth pin GND of the connector CN1. Therefore, the charging device 100 can receive different power sources in a variety of ways to enable the electronic device 11 to perform rapid charging. The diodes D1 and/or diodes D2 described above may be omitted under certain design considerations.

In summary, the charging device 100 of the above embodiments can supply power to a variety of electronic devices, such as a general hand-held mobile phone and an iPod, for performing a fast charging mode.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10. . . External power supply

11. . . Electronic device

100. . . Charging device

110. . . Power supply unit

120, 130. . . Partition unit

140. . . Switch unit

300. . . Controller

610. . . Mains power

620. . . adapter

630. . . Laptop

810. . . computer system

CN1, CN2, CN3, CN4. . . Connector

N1, N2. . . Partial pressure node

R1~R5. . . resistance

SW. . . switch

D1, D2. . . Dipole

1 is a schematic diagram of functional modules of a charging device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the functional modules of the charging device shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the functional modules of the charging device shown in FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic diagram showing the functional modules of the charging device of FIG. 1 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing functional blocks of the charging device of FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the functional modules of the charging device shown in FIG. 1 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

10. . . External power supply

11. . . Electronic device

100. . . Charging device

110. . . Power supply unit

120, 130. . . Partition unit

140. . . Switch unit

CN1. . . Connector

N1, N2. . . Partial pressure node

R1~R5. . . resistance

SW. . . switch

Claims (9)

A charging device includes: a first connector, a first pin, a second pin, a third pin and a fourth pin; a first voltage dividing unit connected to the first pin And the fourth pin, the first voltage dividing unit has a first voltage dividing node, the second pin is connected to the first voltage dividing node; a second voltage dividing unit is connected to the first pin and the first pin a fourth pin, the second voltage dividing unit has a second voltage dividing node, the third pin is connected to the second voltage dividing node; and a switching unit, one end of which is connected to the first voltage dividing node, and the other end is connected The second voltage dividing node, wherein the charging device is configured to connect a first electronic device through the first connector, and when the switching unit is in a first operating mode, the second pin is shorted to the third pin The charging device provides a first charging current to the first electronic device. When the switching unit is in a second operating mode, the second pin and the third pin are open, and the charging device provides a second charging. Current to the first electronic device, the first charging current is greater than the second charging Flow. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit that connects the first pin and the fourth pin. The charging device of claim 2, wherein the charging device further comprises a second connector for connecting an adapter, the adapter One end is connected to an external power source, and the other end of the adapter is connected to the second connector, and the second connector is connected to the power supply unit. The charging device of claim 2, wherein the charging device further comprises a third connector for connecting to an external power source, the third connector being connected to the power supply unit. The charging device of claim 2, wherein the charging device further comprises a fourth connector for connecting to a universal serial bus connector of the portable electronic device, the fourth connector connecting the Power supply unit. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device is a mobile phone sold by a first manufacturer. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the second connector is connected to the second electronic device through the first connector, and the second pin and the third device are connected when the charging device is connected to the second electronic device The second electronic device starts a charging process according to the plurality of partial pressures of the first voltage dividing node and the second voltage dividing node. The charging device of claim 7, wherein the second electronic device is a portable electronic device sold by a second manufacturer. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device further comprises a control unit that controls the switching unit.