Patent Application
20110254383
1. Field
The present disclosure is directed to a smart module and method with minimal standby loss.
2. Introduction
While some incremental improvements in switching supplies have reduced standby power consumption of power supplies, known rapid chargers still draw power at about 100 mW. This problem impacts all consumer electronics devices that typically never fully turn off even when switched off. Over time, in many such devices, wasted energy can be significant.
Labels like Energy Star have partially addressed the issue, but these labels continue to be awarded for reduced standby losses. Other methods known to the inventors, require keeping at least some standby power active at all times, so that the circuit can wake up. This does not resolve the problems, since over time and operation of many such devices globally, they can result in significant wasted power.
Thus, there is a need for smart devices, modules and methods with minimal or zero standby loss, that can substantially fully switch off AC mains when a current parameter threshold has been reached. This can be useful in electronic devices and battery chargers, for example, when charged complete or a predetermined current parameter threshold has been reached, to minimize or eliminate standby loss.
There is also a need to provide a visual and/or tactile indication to a user that power has been turned off, so the user can then reset the power supply on demand, as desired.
There is further a need to provide a zero or near zero standby power solution with “area topographical morphing”, where a smart module with topographical morphing can be used for mode indication which are intuitive to a user, user friendly and ergonomic.
There is also a need to provide a zero or near zero standby power solution, to minimize or eliminate unnecessary power drain when an electronic device is at idle, asleep, or a battery has been fully charged in a charger, for example.
There is yet further a need for a smart module that is electrically and mechanically robust, such as with robust contacts rated for switching AC mains of a power supply, such that, for example, when charge is complete or a certain current parameter threshold is reached, an indicator flag or button visually indicates power has been completely turned off to provide a zero standby power. As desired, a user could unplug the system or reactivate it for a subsequent cycle or charging cycle, or other use in connection with an electronic device.
Thus, there is a need for energy reduction during standby, idle or off mode in connection with electronic devices, by utilizing smart switching.
Accordingly, there is a need to solve many of the above problems and shortcomings in the field, to minimize or eliminate unnecessary power drain.
In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
In one embodiment, the detecting step 110 can include at least one of periodically detecting a DC current value and periodically detecting a rate of change of a DC current value over time. Referring to
In a first preferred embodiment, when the detecting step includes periodically detecting a DC current value, the current parameter threshold is set at a predetermined DC current set-point, shown as item 210 at time 8 in
In a second preferred embodiment, when the detecting step includes periodically detecting a DC current value over time, the current parameter threshold is set at a predetermined rate of change of the DC current value over a certain time, shown as item 220. Stated differently, the set point or trip point can be established by a rate of change of the DC current value over a certain time, as shown in
In more detail, processing of data for current measurement and threshold actions can be performed by processors. Thus it can be seen that any number of rate of change parameters, for example, but not limited to, linear, logarithmic, etc. may be used to provide the desired type of control for any specific power supply and load node configuration. These rate of change parameters may be designed into appropriate circuit elements, coded into a fixed memory element, or may be loaded into the module by means of software commands.
The method 100 can further include providing an indicating component for visually indicating power delivery is disabled and that the current parameter threshold has been reached. Referring to
In one embodiment, the method 100 can provide a bypass switch configured to over ride certain operations of the method, as shown in
In a preferred embodiment or user case, the load node is coupled to an energy storage device. By way of example, the energy storage device can be battery, such as Lithium Ion, Nickel Metal Hydride, etc., as detailed in
As should be understood by those skilled in the art, the smart method has application in other conventional electronic devices, standalone device and appliances, as detailed herein. In this variation, rather than to detect the status of battery charging, current measurement at a load node can be utilized, to sense the status of the device or appliance itself, with Applicant's steps and structure to actuate and shut off the incoming power source. By way of example, the smart method and module herein finds application in cellular telephone handsets, radios, music players, televisions, games, electrical appliances, computers, computer accessories, video recorders, cable TV set top boxes and the like.
In a preferred embodiment, the smart method 100, at least one of the detecting 110, determining 120 and disabling steps 130 is enabled by use of a processor or integrated circuit. Advantageously, such a processor could be simple and robust in design and could be made cost effectively. In more detail, the smart method and module can be configured so as to communicate through a standard bus, for example, Universal Serial Bus (USB), or any other communications protocol, such that threshold settings and the like could be actively changed or adjusted as desired, via software commands.
In a preferred user case, the smart method 100 steps of detecting 110, determining 120 and disabling 130, define a battery charger with substantially zero standby loss once the current parameter threshold has been reached.
Referring to
As shown in
In a preferred embodiment, as best shown in
As should be understood, other potential actuators 310 can include and are not limited to: dissimilar metal (bilayer) mechanisms wherein two metals may contract differentially upon heating and produce a bending effect; electromagnetic mechanisms such that movement may be achieved through action of an electromagnet upon a magnetically soft material, such as solenoids, relays, or motors; electrostatic mechanisms wherein voltage may be used to cause repulsion of like charges, resulting in separation and movement of one element relative to another; piezoelectric mechanisms wherein application of a voltage to materials having piezoelectric properties may produce small displacements which can be amplified mechanically or through means such as a screw drive; electroactive polymer mechanisms wherein materials are known that constrict with the application of external voltage; microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices such that miniature devices are typically fabricated on silicon may use electrostatic or electromechanical means to produce motion and any combination of the above.
As shown in
In a preferred embodiment as shown in
As detailed previously, the load node 320 can be configured to be coupled to at least one of an electronic device, a wireless communication device and an energy storage device via a connector 390, such as a USB connection 395, as shown in
The smart module 300 and method 100 and features herein are preferably implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controllers, flowcharts, and modules may also be implemented on a general purpose or special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device, or the like. In general, any device on which resides a finite state machine capable of implementing the flowcharts shown in the figures may be used to implement the processor functions of this disclosure.
While this disclosure has been described with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in the other embodiments. Also, all of the elements of each figure are not necessary for operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments would be enabled to make and use the teachings of the disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
In this document, relational terms such as “first,” “second,” and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a,” “an,” or the like does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Also, the term “another” is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including,” “having,” and the like, as used herein, are defined as “comprising.”
