TW201631892A - Electronic apparatus with output voltage compensation function - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic apparatus with output voltage compensation function is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a power supply circuit, a protection switch, a connector, a routing circuit and a controller. The first and the second terminals of the protection switch are respectively coupled to the output terminal of the power supply circuit and the power pin of the connector. The first selection terminal, the second selection terminal and the common terminal of the routing circuit are respectively coupled to the output terminal of the power supply circuit, the power pin of the connector and the feedback terminal of the power supply circuit. The routing circuit selects the first terminal for electrically connecting to the common terminal when the connector is not connected to an external device. The routing circuit selects the second terminal for electrically connecting to the common terminal when the connector is connected to an external device.

Description

Electronic device with output voltage compensation function

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device having an output voltage compensation function.

FIG. 1 is a power circuit illustrating a universal serial bus (hereinafter referred to as USB) of an electronic device. The circuit shown in Figure 1 does not depict a known USB data transmission circuit and ground circuit. A voltage regulator 110 can provide a power supply voltage 111 to the power pins of a plurality of USB connectors (such as the USB connectors 130_1 and 130_2 shown in FIG. 1). The power supply voltage 111 can be fed back to the feedback terminal of the voltage regulator 110. The voltage regulator 110 can adjust the power supply voltage 111 according to the voltage level of the feedback terminal to maintain the power supply voltage 111 at 5 volts (5V). The feedback and voltage regulation operation of the voltage regulator 110 is well known and will not be described again.

To prevent short circuits, or to protect the regulator 110 from being burned out during high current draw, a USB power switch (Power Switch) is placed between the USB connector and the regulator 110. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the USB connector 130_1 is stable. A protection switch 120_1 is disposed between the voltage regulators 110, and a protection switch 120_2 is disposed between the USB connector 130_2 and the voltage regulator 110. The amount of current that the protection switch 120_1 and the protection switch 120_2 can withstand will vary depending on the design requirements. The protection switch 120_1 and the protection switch 120_2 may be an active integrated circuit or a returnable fuse (Poly Switch). The impedance R of the protection switch 120_1 and the protection switch 120_2 (for example, Poly Switch) increases as the usage time increases. Based on Ohm's law V=I*R, under the condition that the current I flowing through the protection switch 120_1 is a certain value, as the impedance R of the protection switch 120_1 rises, the voltage difference V across the protection switch 120_1 will increase. For a long time, the voltage difference between the two ends of the protection switch 120_1 may cause the voltage of the power pin of the USB connector 130_1 to be lower than 5V or even lower than the rated voltage range. The protection switch 120_2 also has a similar situation to the protection switch 120_1.

The present invention provides an electronic device to compensate for voltage attenuation generated by a protection switch.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device. The electronic device includes a power supply circuit, a first protection switch, a first communication connector, a routing circuit, and a controller. The power supply circuit is configured to provide a supply voltage via the output and to adjust the supply voltage based on the voltage level of the feedback terminal. The first end of the first protection switch is coupled to the output end of the power supply circuit to receive the power supply voltage. The first protection switch is configured to remain conductive during normal operation. The power pin of the first communication connector is coupled to the first protection The second end of the switch. The routing circuit is configured to be electrically connected to the common terminal from the plurality of selection terminals, wherein the first selection terminal of the selection terminals is coupled to the output end of the power supply circuit, and the second selection terminal of the selection terminals The power pin is coupled to the first communication connector, and the common terminal is coupled to the feedback end of the power supply circuit. The controller is coupled to the control end of the routing circuit. The controller is configured to control the routing circuit to selectively electrically connect the first selection end to the common end during the first period in which the first communication connector is not connected to the external device, and to second connect the external device to the first communication connector The control routing circuit selects to electrically connect the second selection terminal to the common terminal.

In an embodiment of the invention, the power supply circuit includes a voltage regulator.

In an embodiment of the invention, the first protection switch comprises a returnable fuse (Poly Switch).

In an embodiment of the invention, the first communication connector includes a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller includes an embedded controller (EC).

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller knows whether the first communication connector is connected to the external device from an operating system (OS) operating on the electronic device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic device further includes a second protection switch and a second communication connector. The first end of the second protection switch is coupled to the output end of the power supply circuit to receive the power supply voltage. The second protection switch is configured to be in normal It remains on during operation. The power pin of the second communication connector is coupled to the second end of the second protection switch. A third one of the selection ends of the routing circuit is coupled to a power pin of the second communication connector. The controller is configured to control the routing circuit to selectively electrically connect the third selection terminal to the common terminal during a third period in which the second communication connector has been connected to the external device.

Based on the above, during the connection of the first communication connector to the external device, the routing circuit electrically connects the power pin of the first communication connector to the feedback terminal of the power supply circuit to compensate for the voltage attenuation generated by the first protection switch. .

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

110‧‧‧Regulator

111, 211‧‧‧ power supply voltage

120_1, 120_2‧‧‧ protection switch

130_1, 130_2‧‧‧USB connector

200, 300‧‧‧ electronic devices

210‧‧‧Power supply circuit

220_1‧‧‧First protection switch

220_2‧‧‧Second protection switch

230_1‧‧‧First USB connector

230_2‧‧‧Second USB connector

240, 340‧‧‧ routing circuit

250‧‧‧ Controller

1 is a power circuit illustrating a universal serial bus (USB) of an electronic device.

2 is a block diagram showing the circuit of an electronic device with an output voltage compensation function according to an embodiment of the invention.

3 is a circuit block diagram showing an electronic device with an output voltage compensation function according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The term "coupled" as used throughout the specification (including the scope of the patent application) may be used in any direct or indirect connection. For example, if the text is described in the text The first device is coupled to the second device, and the first device may be directly connected to the second device, or the first device may be indirectly connected to the first device through other devices or some connection means. Two devices. In addition, wherever possible, the elements and/ Elements/components/steps that use the same reference numbers or use the same terms in different embodiments may refer to the related description.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit of an electronic device 200 with an output voltage compensation function according to an embodiment of the invention. The circuit shown in Figure 2 does not depict a known USB data transmission circuit and ground circuit. The electronic device 200 includes a power supply circuit 210, a plurality of protection switches, a plurality of communication connectors, a routing circuit 240, and a controller 250. This embodiment does not limit the number of the plurality of protection switches. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the first protection switch 220_1 and the second protection switch 220_2 as an illustrative example. This embodiment does not limit the number and types of the plurality of communication connectors. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a first universal serial bus (hereinafter referred to as USB) connector 230_1 and a second USB connector. 230_2 is an implementation example of the plurality of communication connectors. In other embodiments, the plurality of communication connectors may include a USB connector, a High-Definition-Multimedia-Interface (HDMI) connector, and/or other communication connectors with power pins.

The power supply circuit 210 can supply the power supply voltage 211 to the power pins of the plurality of communication connectors (for example, the first USB connector 230_1 and the second USB connector 230_2 shown in FIG. 2) via the output terminal. The power supply circuit 210 can adjust the power voltage 211 according to the voltage level of the feedback terminal. For example, when routing circuit 240 selects to supply power When the output end of the circuit 210 is electrically connected to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210, the power supply voltage 211 can be fed back to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210. Therefore, the power supply circuit 210 can adjust the power supply voltage 211 according to the voltage level of the feedback terminal to maintain the power supply voltage 211 at a rated voltage (for example, 5V).

This embodiment does not limit the implementation of the power supply circuit 210. In some embodiments, the power supply circuit 210 may include a voltage regulator (such as a well-known voltage regulator), a DC-DC converter (such as a well-known DC-to-DC converter), and an AC-DC converter. A converter (AC-DC converter, such as a well-known DC-to-DC converter) or other power supply circuit.

The first end of the first protection switch 220_1 is coupled to the output end of the power supply circuit 210 to receive the power voltage 211. The second end of the first protection switch 220_1 is coupled to a power pin of the first communication connector (eg, the first USB connector 230_1). The first protection switch 220_1 can remain turned on during normal operation. When a short circuit occurs between the power pin of the first USB connector 230_1 and the ground pin, or the external device draws a large current (over the rated current range) via the power pin of the first USB connector 230_1, the first protection switch 220_1 can be disconnected immediately to protect the power supply circuit 210 from being burned. The amount of current that the first protection switch 220_1 can withstand will vary depending on the design requirements.

The first end of the second protection switch 220_2 is coupled to the output end of the power supply circuit 210 to receive the power voltage 211. The second end of the second protection switch 220_2 is coupled to the power pin of the second communication connector (eg, the second USB connector 230_2). The second protection switch 220_2 can remain conductive during normal operation. When the second USB connection When a short circuit occurs between the power pin of the connector 230_2 and the ground pin, or the external device draws a large current (over the rated current range) via the power pin of the second USB connector 230_2, the second protection switch 220_2 can be immediately disconnected. Turn on to protect the power supply circuit 210 from being burnt. The amount of current that the second protection switch 220_2 can withstand will vary depending on the design requirements.

In this embodiment, the first protection switch 220_1 and the second protection switch 220_2 may be a returnable fuse (Poly Switch) or other power switch. The impedance R of the first protection switch 220_1 and the second protection switch 220_2 increases as the usage time increases. The impedance of the first protection switch 220_1 is increased, so that the voltage difference V across the first protection switch 220_1 will increase. In a situation where the voltage of the power pin of the first USB connector 230_1 is not compensated, the voltage difference between the two ends of the first protection switch 220_1 may cause the voltage of the power pin of the first USB connector 230_1 to drop or even be low. In the rated voltage range. The second protection switch 220_2 also has a similar situation to the first protection switch 220_1.

Routing circuit 240 has a plurality of select terminals and a common terminal. The first selection end of the selection terminals is coupled to the output end of the power supply circuit 210, and the second selection end of the selection ends is coupled to the power supply pin of the first communication connector (eg, the first USB connector 230_1). . The common end of the routing circuit 240 is coupled to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210. The controller 250 is coupled to the control end of the routing circuit 240. According to the control of the controller 250, the routing circuit 240 can select a selected selection terminal from the plurality of selection terminals and electrically connect the selected selection terminal to the common terminal.

The controller 250 can include embedded control according to different design requirements. Embedded controller (hereinafter referred to as EC), keyboard controller (KBC), baseboard management controller (BMC), microcontroller (Microcontroller) or other control circuit. The controller 250 can know whether the first communication connector (for example, the first USB connector 230_1) is connected to the external device from the operating system (OS) operating on the electronic device 200. During the first period (during the first USB connector 230_1 is not connected to the external device), the controller 250 can control the routing circuit 240 to selectively connect the first selection terminal to the common terminal, that is, select the output of the power supply circuit 210. The terminal is electrically connected to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210. Therefore, the power voltage 211 output by the power supply circuit 210 can be fed back to the feedback terminal of the power supply circuit 210. The power supply circuit 210 can adjust the power supply voltage 211 according to the voltage level of the feedback terminal to maintain the power supply voltage 211 at a rated voltage (for example, 5V).

During the second period (during the first USB connector 230_1 has been connected to the external device), the controller 250 can control the routing circuit 240 to selectively connect the second selection terminal to the common terminal, that is, select the first USB connector. The power pin of 230_1 is electrically connected to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210. Therefore, the power supply circuit 210 can adjust the power voltage 211 according to the voltage level of the power pin of the first USB connector 230_1 to compensate for the voltage attenuation generated by the first protection switch 220_1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit of an electronic device 300 with an output voltage compensation function according to another embodiment of the present invention. The circuit shown in Figure 3 does not depict a known USB data transmission circuit and ground circuit. The electronic device 300 includes a power supply circuit 210, a plurality of protection switches, a plurality of communication connectors, a routing circuit 340, and a controller 250. The embodiment does not limit the number of the plurality of protection switches and the plurality of communication connectors. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates the first protection switch 220_1 and the second protection switch 220_2 as an illustrative example, and illustrates the first The USB connector 230_1 and the second USB connector 230_2 serve as an implementation example of the plurality of communication connectors. The electronic device 300, the power supply circuit 210, the first protection switch 220_1, the second protection switch 220_2, the first USB connector 230_1, the second USB connector 230_2, the routing circuit 340, and the controller 250 shown in FIG. 3 can be referred to FIG. The descriptions of the electronic device 200, the power supply circuit 210, the first protection switch 220_1, the second protection switch 220_2, the first USB connector 230_1, the second USB connector 230_2, the routing circuit 240, and the controller 250 are analogous, so Let me repeat.

Routing circuit 340 has a plurality of select terminals and a common terminal. The first of the selection terminals is coupled to the output of the power supply circuit 210. The second of the selection terminals is coupled to the power pin of the first communication connector (eg, the first USB connector 230_1). The third selection terminal of the selection terminals is coupled to the power pin of the second communication connector (eg, the second USB connector 230_2). The common end of the routing circuit 340 is coupled to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210. The controller 250 is coupled to the control end of the routing circuit 340. According to the control of the controller 250, the routing circuit 340 can select a selected selection terminal from the plurality of selection terminals and electrically connect the selected selection terminal to the common terminal.

During the first period (during the period when all the USB connectors 230_1 and 230_2 are not connected to the external device), the controller 250 can control the routing circuit 340 to selectively connect the first selection terminal to the common terminal, that is, select the power supply circuit 210. Output The terminal is electrically connected to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210. During the second period (during the first USB connector 230_1 has been connected to the external device), the controller 250 can control the routing circuit 340 to selectively connect the second selection terminal to the common terminal, that is, select the first USB connector. The power pin of 230_1 is electrically connected to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210. During the third period (during the second USB connector 230_2 has been connected to the external device), the controller 250 can control the routing circuit 340 to selectively connect the third selection terminal to the common terminal, that is, select the second USB connector. The power pin of 230_2 is electrically connected to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210.

In summary, the routing circuit in the embodiment of the present invention can selectively connect a communication connector (such as a USB connector) to the feedback end of the power supply circuit 210. Therefore, the power supply circuit 210 can adjust the power voltage 211 according to the voltage level of the power pin of the communication connector (such as a USB connector) to compensate for the voltage attenuation generated by the protection switch, and avoid the connected communication connector (such as a USB connection). The device of the device is abnormally operated due to insufficient voltage.

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

200‧‧‧Electronic devices

210‧‧‧Power supply circuit

211‧‧‧Power supply voltage

220_1‧‧‧First protection switch

220_2‧‧‧Second protection switch

230_1‧‧‧First USB connector

230_2‧‧‧Second USB connector

240‧‧‧ routing circuit

250‧‧‧ Controller

Claims (7)

An electronic device includes: a power supply circuit configured to provide a power supply voltage via an output terminal, and adjust the power supply voltage according to a voltage level of a feedback terminal; a first protection switch having a first end coupled thereto The output terminal of the power supply circuit is configured to receive the power supply voltage and is configured to remain conductive during a normal operation; a first communication connector having a power pin coupled to a second end of the first protection switch And a routing circuit configured to be electrically connected to a common end of the routing circuit from a plurality of select terminals of the routing circuit, wherein a first one of the select terminals is coupled to the power supply circuit The output terminal of the selection terminal is coupled to the power pin of the first communication connector, and the common terminal is coupled to the feedback terminal of the power supply circuit; and a control And a control end coupled to the routing circuit, configured to control the routing circuit to selectively connect the first selection terminal to the first communication connector during a first period in which the external device is not connected to the external device Common end In a second period and the first communication connector is connected to the external control means of the routing circuit to select the second selection terminal electrically connected to the common terminal. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the power supply circuit comprises a voltage regulator. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first protection switch comprises a returnable fuse. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first communication connector comprises a universal serial bus connector. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises an embedded controller. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controller knows whether the first communication connector is connected to the external device from an operating system running on the electronic device. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a second protection switch, a first end of which is coupled to the output end of the power supply circuit to receive the power supply voltage, configured to operate in a normal operation And maintaining a conduction period; and a second communication connector, wherein a power pin is coupled to a second end of the second protection switch; wherein a third one of the selection ends of the routing circuit is coupled to The power pin of the second communication connector, and the controller is configured to control the routing circuit to select the third select terminal during a third period in which the second communication connector is connected to the external device Connect to the common end.