1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and a method for providing power to external mobile devices and more particularly to a device using a DC battery to activate a 3.5 inch hard drive or a CD/DVD drive of an external mobile device, further getting power from the VBUS pin of a USB port of a desktop computer or a notebook computer, and boosting the power into an operating power through a boost circuit to the 3.5 inch hard drive or the CD/DVD drive of the external mobile device without requiring any other external power supply.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile devices, such as notebook computers, tablet personal computers, ultrabook computers and the like, have widely penetrated into all walks of life in recent years. Due to limited built-in memory capacity of these mobile devices, most users require an additional external hard drive to store or back up digital data and such demand gives rise to significant growth of market demand for external hard drives.
However, to ensure satisfactory transmission performance and smooth data access when a hard drive is accessing a huge amount of files, the hard drive needs to be upgraded in terms of its specification level. Especially for a 3.5 inch hard drive with a high-speed motor, at least one 12V/2 A or 12V/1 A power supply is required to drive the motor. Such a hard drive thus inevitably has a limited portability. Accordingly, how to make such a high-speed hard drive becomes a real portable device that lives up to its name is a subject needing to be solved by manufacturers of the high-speed hard drives.
In view of the drawbacks of the conventional means for providing power to external mobile devices, the present invention is designed based on innovative concepts conceived according to years of experience involving study in many related fields, prototype building practice and numerous modifications.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a structure and a method for providing power to external mobile devices.
To achieve the foregoing objective, the structure for providing power to external mobile devices has a first power supply module and a second power supply module.
The first power supply module has a first voltage source or/and a second boost circuit.
The first voltage source outputted a power with an activation current to a main circuit connected to an external mobile device.
The second power supply module has an activation circuit and a first boost circuit.
The boost circuit is electrically connected to the activation circuit, is adapted to receive and boost a second outputted voltage outputted from a second voltage source, and outputted a first operating current for replacing the activation current to supply power to the main circuit through the activation circuit.
Given the first power supply module inside an external mobile device, the second voltage source can outputted power to the activation circuit to replace the activation current from the first power supply module for supplying an operating power to the main circuit in the external mobile device. In that sense, a DC rechargeable battery is the only power required to drive a 3.5 inch hard drive or a CD/DVD drive inside the external mobile device for stable data access and data recording operations thereof without using power from any power outlet or from any other power supply to achieve real portability as intended. After an external mobile device is connected with a computer device, a 3.5 inch hard drive inside the external mobile device just needs the power supplied from the computer device for operation of the external mobile device and data access of the hard drive instead of being activated or operated by power from any other external power supply or transformer.
Moreover, the first power supply module of the structure for providing power to external mobile devices provided by the present invention further has a blocking circuit serving to block the first power supply module to supply power when the external mobile device is powered off and the second power supply module stops supplying power at the same time, thereby significantly reducing energy waste and attaining the effect of energy conservation and carbon reduction.
The present invention discloses a structure for providing power to external mobile devices. As known to persons who have ordinary skill in the related technical field of the present invention, the concepts adopted by the present invention in association with the operation of hard drives, data access and electronic circuit loops among all related devices are therefore not repeated in the following description. Further, instead of being drawn according to actual scales, the drawings of the present invention mentioned in the following description are dedicated to illustrate the structure pertinent to the characteristics of the present invention.
With reference to
The first power supply module 10 has a first voltage source 11. The first voltage source 11 may be a rechargeable DC battery, such as a lithium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery or the like, and outputs a power with a first output voltage V1 and an activation current A1. The first output voltage V1 is a DC voltage and ranges from 11.1V to 11.7V and the activation current A1 falls in a range of 3 A to 5 A so that a hard drive (in particular a 3.5 inch hard drive) received in the external mobile device 40 can be activated by the first voltage source 11.
The second power supply module 20 has a second voltage source 21, a first boost circuit 24 and an activation circuit 25. The second voltage source 21 supplies power to the first boost circuit 24 from a first interface output port 122 and a second interface output port 123 of a computer device 120 as shown in
With reference to
With reference to
The first power supply module 10 has a first voltage source 11 and a blocking circuit 12. The first voltage source 11 outputs a power with a voltage range of 11.1V to 11.7V and a current range of 3 A to 5 A. The first voltage source 11 is electrically connected to the blocking circuit 12 and outputs a power with a first output voltage V1 in a range of 11.1V to 11.7V and an activation current A1 in a range of 3V to 5V to activate a hard drive 41 (in particular a 3.5 inch hard drive) inside an external mobile device 40.
The second power supply module 20 has a connection port 22, a first boost circuit 24 and an activation circuit 25. The connection port 22 is a USB connection port and is electrically connected to the first boost circuit 24 to receive a second output voltage V2. The second output voltage V2 outputted from the connection port 22 is branched into a first voltage V4, a second voltage V5 and a third voltage V6. The first voltage V4 is outputted to the first boost circuit 24 and is boosted by the first boost circuit 24 to a voltage in a range of 11.7V to 12.58V or to a first operating current A2 in a range of 300 mA to 5 A adjusted by the first boost circuit 24 depending on a resistance value of the first boost circuit 24. The second voltage V5 is electrically connected the hard drive 41 inside the external mobile device 40. The first boost circuit 24 is further electrically connected to the activation circuit 25. The activation circuit 25 is electrically connected to the hard drive 41 of the external mobile device 40 and the block circuit 12. The first operating current A2 is outputted from the activation circuit 25 to replace the activation current A1 outputted from the first power supply module 10 for the purpose of stably supplying power to the hard drive or the CD/DVD drive inside the external mobile device 40. The second voltage V5 is electrically connected to the hard drive 41 to supply a corresponding voltage and current to the hard drive 41.
The main circuit module 30 has a main circuit 31 and a buck circuit 32. The third voltage V6 is dropped through the buck circuit 32 to output a voltage approximately at 3.3V or 1.2V, which is further outputted to the main circuit 31.
The block circuit 12 of the first power supply module 10 is connected between the first voltage source 11 and the hard drive 41 of the external mobile device 40. When the external mobile device is powered off, the computer device 120 supplies no power to the external mobile device to keep its operation up and running and perform data access therein. The blocking circuit 12 blocks the first voltage source 11 to keep supplying power so as to reduce the power consumption of the first voltage source 1 and achieve an effect of energy and carbon reduction.
With reference to
The first power supply module 10 has a first voltage source 11 and a second boost circuit 13. The first voltage source 11 may be a rechargeable DC battery 110, such as a lithium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery or the like. A first output voltage V1 outputted from the first voltage source 11 ranges from 3.7V to 7.4V. The first voltage source 11 is electrically connected to the second boost circuit 13. The second boost circuit 13 boosts the first voltage V1 to a voltage V3 roughly in a range of 11.1V to 11.7V and outputs an activation current A1 (a high transient load current) in a range of 3 A to 5 A to the main circuit 31 to activate the hard drive (in particular a 3.5 inch hard drive) inside the external mobile device 40.
The second power supply module 20 has a connection port 22, a first boost circuit 24 and an activation circuit 25. The connection port 22 is a USB connection port to receive a second output voltage V2 outputted from a second voltage source 21. The first boost circuit 24 is electrically connected to an activation circuit 25 and a main circuit 31. The first boost circuit 24 boosts the second output voltage V2 to a voltage ranging from 11.7V to 12.58V and supplies a current for operating the main circuit 31 and performing data access of the hard drive 41 in the external mobile device 40 to replace the activation current A1 of the first power supply module 10 and charge the first voltage source 11.
With the structure for providing power to external mobile devices formed by the foregoing elements, when the first output voltage V1 outputted from the first voltage source 11 falls in a range of 3.7V to 7.4V, the second boost circuit 13 boosts the first output voltage V1 to a voltage in a range of 11.1V to 11.7V and outputs a high transient load current to the main circuit 31. The activation circuit 25 is further electrically connected to the hard drive 41 inside the external mobile device 40. A first operating current A2 is outputted from the activation circuit 25 to replace the activation current A1 outputted from the first power supply module 10 and to stably supply power to the hard drive or the CD/DVD drive inside the external mobile device 40. The rechargeable DC battery 110 may be one 3.7V battery or two 7.4V batteries connected in series, and can be repeatedly charged and operated.
With reference to
The first power supply module 10 has a first voltage source 11, a blocking circuit 12 and a second boost circuit 13. The first voltage source 11 outputs a first output voltage V1 in a range of 3.7V to 7.4V, and is connected to the second boost circuit 13 so that the first output voltage V1 is boosted by the second boost circuit 13 to a third output voltage V3 in a range of 11.1V to 11.7V or a second operating current A3. The second boost circuit 13 is electrically connected to the blocking circuit 12. An activation current A1 is outputted from the blocking circuit 12 and has a high transient load current in a range of 3 A to 5 A. The blocking circuit 12 is electrically connected to a 3.5 inch hard drive 41. The activation current A1 serves to activate the 3.5 inch hard drive 41 inside an external mobile device 40.
The second power supply module 20 has a connection port 22, a first boost circuit 24 and an activation circuit 25. The connection port 22 is a USB connection port and is electrically connected to the first boost circuit 24 for outputting a second output voltage V2. The second output voltage V2 outputted from the connection port 22 is branched into a first voltage V4, a second voltage V5 and a third voltage V6. The first voltage V4 outputted to the first boost circuit 24 is boosted by the first boost circuit 24 to a voltage in a range of 11.7V to 12.58V or a first operating current A2 in a range of 300 mA to 5 A adjusted by the first boost circuit 24 depending on a resistance value of the first boost circuit 24. The second voltage V5 is electrically connected to the hard drive 41 inside the external mobile device 40. The first boost circuit 24 is further electrically connected to the activation circuit 25 so that the first voltage V4 can be further transmitted to the activation circuit 25. The activation circuit 25 is electrically connected to the hard drive 41 of the external mobile device 40 and the block circuit 12. The first voltage V4 is outputted from the activation circuit 25 to replace the activation current A1 outputted from the first power supply module 10 for the purpose of stably supplying power to the hard drive or the CD/DVD drive inside the external mobile device 40. The second voltage V5 is electrically connected to the hard drive 41 inside the external mobile device 40.
The main circuit module 30 has a main circuit 31 and a buck circuit 32. The third voltage V6 is dropped by the buck circuit 32 to output a voltage approximately at 3.3V or 1.2V, which is further outputted to the main circuit 31.
Operation of the structure 200 for providing power to external mobile devices having the foregoing elements is described as follows. With further reference to
With reference to
Step S01: Transmits an activation signal from a second voltage source. The second voltage source outputs the activation signal to a main circuit of an external mobile device through a connection port.
Step S02: Supply power from a first voltage source. After the main circuit receives the activation signal, the first voltage source outputs a first output voltage V1 and an activation current A1. The first voltage source outputs a voltage in a range of 11.1V to 11.7V or a transient load current in a range of 3 A to 5 A.
Step S03: Boost voltage outputted from the second voltage source. The voltage outputted from the second voltage source is boosted through a first boost circuit and a first operating current A2 is outputted from the boost circuit to the main circuit. The voltage outputted from the first boost circuit ranges from 11.7V to 12.58V. The first operating current A2 is in a range of 300 mA to 400 mA.
Step S04: Supply power from the second voltage source. The first operating current A2 flows through an activation circuit to replace the activation current A1 outputted from the first voltage source for supplying power to the main circuit.
Given the foregoing steps of the method for providing power to external mobile devices, the second voltage source 21 transmits the activation signal to the main circuit 31 through the connection port, and the first voltage source 11 outputs a voltage in a range of 11.1V to 11.7V or a transient load current in a range of 3 A to 5 A to the main circuit 31 to activate a hard drive or a CD/DVD drive inside an external mobile device 40. When the second voltage source 21 outputs a second output voltage V2 to a first boost circuit 24, the second output voltage V2 is boosted to a voltage ranging from 11.7V to 12.58V and a first operating current A2 is further transmitted to the activation circuit 25 to replace the activation current A1 outputted from the first power supply module 10 so as to perform data access of the hard drive or the CD/DVD drive inside the external mobile device 40 connected to the main circuit 31 and charge the first voltage source 11. As no external power outlet or 12V power supply is required to supply power, desired portability can be achieved. The rechargeable DC battery can be charged for multiple uses and has higher level of environmental protection relative to disposable batteries for one-time use.
With reference to
Step S01: Transmits an activation signal from a second voltage source. The second voltage source outputs the activation signal to a main circuit through a connection port.
Step S02: Supply power from a first voltage source. After the main circuit receives the activation signal, the first voltage source outputs a first output voltage V1 and an activation current A1. The first voltage source outputs a voltage in a range of 3.7V to 7.4V or a transient load current in a range of 3 A to 5 A to a second boost circuit.
Step S03: Boost voltage outputted from the first voltage source. The first output voltage V1 outputted from the first voltage source is boosted by a second boost circuit to a third output voltage V3 in a range of 3.7V to 7.4V or the activation current in a range of 3 A to 5 A.
Step S04: Boost voltage outputted from the second voltage source. The voltage outputted from the second voltage source is boosted through a first boost circuit and a first operating current A2 is outputted from the boost circuit to the main circuit. The voltage outputted from the first boost circuit ranges from 11.7V to 12.58V. The first operating current A2 is in a range of 300 mA to 400 mA.
Step S05: Supply power from the second voltage source. The first operating current A2 flows through an activation circuit to replace the activation signal A1 outputted from the first voltage source for supplying power to the main circuit.
By outputting the power from the first voltage source with the voltage in the range of 3.7V to 7.4V or the transient load current in a range of 3 A to 5 A and further outputting the power with the voltage in the range of 11.1V to 11.7V and the activation current in the range of 3 A to 5 A generated by the second boost circuit to the main circuit 31, the hard drive or the CD/DVD drive inside the external mobile device 40 can be activated. One or two rechargeable DC batteries can be used for charging so as to keep the first voltage source compact and achieve desired portability.
With reference to
Step S01: Branch a voltage of a second voltage source. The voltage of the second voltage source connected to a connection port is branched into a first voltage V4, a second voltage V5 and a third voltage V6 to be further outputted.
Step S02: Supply power to a hard drive and simultaneously output an activation signal. The second voltage V5 is supplied to the hard drive, the third voltage V6 is supplied to a buck circuit and the third voltage V6 is dropped to 3.2V or 1.2 V at the same time, and the activation signal is outputted to a main circuit and a hard drive connected to the main circuit.
Step S03: Supply power from a first voltage source. After the main circuit receives the activation signal, the first voltage source outputs a first output voltage V1 and an activation current A1 to the hard drive through a blocking circuit. Alternatively, the first voltage source first supplies power to a second boost circuit, a third output voltage V3 or a current A3 boosted by the second boost circuit is outputted to a blocking circuit, and then the first output voltage V1 and the activation current A1 generated through the blocking circuit is outputted to the hard drive.
Step S04: Boost the voltage of the second voltage source. The first voltage V4 is boosted through a first boost circuit to output a first operating current A2. The voltage outputted from the first boost circuit ranges from 11.7V to 12.58V. The first operating current A2 is in a range of 300 mA to 400 mA
Step S05: Supply power the second voltage source. The first operating current A2 flows through an activation circuit to replace the activation current A1 outputted from the first blocking circuit.
By outputting power from the first voltage source to the blocking circuit in generation of a first output voltage V1 and the activation current A1 and supplying the activation current A1 to an external mobile device, a hard drive or a CD/DVD drive inside the external mobile device can be activated. When the second voltage supplying the external mobile device is shut off, the blocking circuit can block the first voltage source from supplying power, thereby achieving the effects of energy conservation and carbon reduction.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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101135837 | Sep 2012 | TW | national |