JP2005033946A - Power supply adapter device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply adapter device that dispenses with an output cord corresponding to each voltage, and is singly adaptable to electronic apparatuses of a variety of voltages. <P>SOLUTION: The power supply adapter device comprises: a voltage sweep means 1 that applies voltage sweeping to the connected electronic apparatus E; a detection means 13 that detects the change of current in the voltage sweeping; and a voltage setting means 14 that monitors the change of the detected current and sets a voltage value obtained when the change of the current satisfies prescribed conditions to a voltage fed to the connected electronic apparatus E. When a variety of the electronic apparatuses E are connected, the voltage sweeping is applied to the connected electronic apparatus E, and a value of a voltage fed to each of a variety of the electronic apparatuses E is automatically set in accordance with the change of the current in the voltage sweeping. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power adapter device that supplies a predetermined voltage to various electronic devices.

  Various electronic devices such as PCs (personal computers), PDAs (personal digital assistants), digital cameras and mobile phones that use DC (direct current) power supply use the AC voltage supplied from the AC (AC) outlet of commercial AC power as it is. It cannot be used. Therefore, when using such various electronic devices, it is necessary to use a power adapter device that converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage.

  Since such a power adapter device converts an AC voltage supplied from an AC outlet into a DC voltage fixed for each electronic device and supplies it, when carrying a plurality of electronic devices on a business trip or a trip It is necessary to carry a power adapter device dedicated to each electronic device.

  For solving this problem, for example, a power adapter described in Patent Document 1 is known. This power adapter has a built-in voltage element or voltage setting circuit for determining a voltage value of an output voltage supplied to a device to be used in a plug of an output cord. The power adapter automatically adapts the output voltage value of the voltage converter in the power supply unit based on the voltage setting value in the plug. Accordingly, by selecting an output code suitable for the electronic device used by the user, it is possible to handle various electronic devices with a single power supply unit.

JP 2002-374675 A

  However, in the power adapter described in Patent Document 1, if the voltage of each electronic device is different, an output code corresponding to each voltage is required. Therefore, when carrying a plurality of electronic devices, an output code corresponding to each voltage is also carried.

  Further, since the output cord plug contains voltage identifying elements and circuits, an increase in cost is inevitable. As a result, when the number of electronic devices to be used is large, a considerable burden is imposed on the user.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a power adapter device that does not require an output cord corresponding to each voltage and can be used for electronic devices of various voltages with a single power adapter device.

  The power adapter device of the present invention is a power adapter device that is connected to various electronic devices and supplies a predetermined voltage, and includes a voltage sweep means for performing a voltage sweep on the connected electronic device, and a current at the time of the voltage sweep. A detecting means for detecting a change, a voltage setting means for monitoring a change in the detected current, and setting a voltage value when the change in the current satisfies a predetermined condition as a voltage supplied to the connected electronic device; It is equipped with.

  According to the power adapter device of the present invention, when various electronic devices are connected, a voltage sweep in which the voltage increases from a low voltage to the connected electronic devices is performed. Until the operable voltage of the connected electronic device is reached, the current value detected by the detection means is low, but when the voltage approaches the operable voltage, the current value rapidly increases. The voltage setting means monitors the current change at this time, and when the current change, for example, the current increase amount or the current increase amount per unit time satisfies a predetermined condition, the voltage at that time is Automatically set as the voltage value of the voltage supplied to the electronic device.

  Here, it is desirable that the voltage setting means monitor voltage and current changes after voltage setting and finely adjust the voltage according to the voltage and current changes. As a result, the voltage is automatically finely adjusted according to a change in voltage accompanying charging / discharging of a battery separately connected to the electronic device, and supplied to the electronic device.

  In the power adapter device of the present invention, it is preferable that the connector for connecting to the electronic device is provided with a switch for setting an upper limit of the voltage at the time of the voltage sweep by the voltage sweep means. Thereby, the upper limit of the voltage applied by voltage sweep according to an electronic device can be set according to the connector for connecting with an electronic device.

  Here, it is desirable that the switch sets an upper limit of the voltage by a pattern of unevenness provided on the connector. Thereby, the upper limit of the voltage at the time of voltage sweep can be set only by changing the uneven pattern provided on the connector.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that the power adapter device of the present invention includes timer means for measuring the time when the voltage is supplied to the connected electronic device. Thereby, the utilization time of the electronic device used by connecting to the power adapter device of the present invention can be measured.

  At this time, if the power adapter device of the present invention is provided with a transmission unit that transmits information related to the time measured by the timer unit, the usage time of the electronic device connected to the power adapter device and used can be set remotely. Can be sent to.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Voltage sweeping means for performing a voltage sweep on the connected electronic device, detection means for detecting a change in current during the voltage sweep, and monitoring the detected change in current. Voltage setting means for setting as a voltage to be supplied to the connected electronic device when the voltage value is satisfied, when various electronic devices are connected, the voltage is applied to the connected electronic device. Sweep is performed and the voltage value is automatically set, so it is possible to handle various electronic devices with a single power adapter device, and it is necessary to prepare an output code corresponding to each voltage as in the past. Absent. Further, since no voltage identification element or circuit is required in the output code, the cost can be kept low.

(2) After the voltage is set, the voltage setting means monitors the change in voltage and current, and performs fine adjustment of the voltage according to the change in voltage and current. A constant voltage can be supplied to the electronic device regardless of a change in voltage accompanying charging / discharging of the battery.

(3) The connector for connecting to the electronic device is provided with a switch for setting the upper limit of the voltage at the time of the voltage sweep by the voltage sweep means, so that the upper limit of the voltage applied by the voltage sweep according to the electronic device is set. It is possible to prevent the voltage exceeding the set upper limit from being applied to the electronic device by setting it to the connector, and to prevent the electronic device from being damaged by the application of an overvoltage.

(4) Since the switch sets the upper limit of the voltage by the uneven pattern provided on the connector, the upper limit of the voltage applied to the electronic device can be set only by changing the uneven pattern provided on the connector. It is possible to provide a low-cost connector.

(5) By providing timer means for measuring the time during which the voltage is supplied to the connected electronic device, the usage time of the electronic device connected to the power adapter device is measured, and the usage time of the electronic device Accordingly, it is possible to calculate and charge the usage fee of the power adapter device according to the above.

(6) By providing transmission means for transmitting information relating to the time measured by the timer means, the usage time of the electronic equipment used by connecting to the power adapter device is summed up at a remote place, and based on this, the power adapter It is possible to calculate and charge the usage fee of the apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a power adapter device according to this embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the power adapter device according to the present embodiment includes an adapter body 1 that converts an AC voltage supplied from an AC outlet (not shown) into a DC voltage, and various DC voltages converted by the adapter body 1. And an output code 2 to be output to an electronic device.

  The adapter body 1 includes an outlet plug 3 for connecting to an AC outlet, a power cord 4 for connecting the outlet plug 3 and the adapter body 1, and a connector 5 for connecting to the output cord 2. The output cord 2 includes a connector 6 for connecting to the connector 5 of the adapter body 1 and a plug 7 for connecting to various electronic devices E (see FIG. 2).

  The functional configuration of the adapter body 1 is as shown in the block diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the adapter body 1 includes a voltage conversion unit 11 that converts an AC voltage into a DC voltage, a voltage sweep unit 12 that performs a voltage sweep on the electronic device E, and a voltage and a current from the voltage conversion unit 11. Detection means 13 for detecting a change in the voltage and a voltage setting means 14 for setting a voltage to be supplied to the electronic device E.

  The voltage conversion means 11 converts the AC voltage supplied from the outlet plug 3 connected to the AC outlet through the power cord 4 into a DC voltage and outputs it from the connector 5. The DC voltage output from the connector 5 is supplied from the connector 6 connected to the connector 5 through the output cord 2 to the various electronic devices E from the plug 7.

  The voltage sweep unit 12 controls the DC voltage converted by the voltage conversion unit 11 so as to gradually increase from 0 V in order to perform a voltage sweep on the electronic device E. The detection means 13 detects a change in current during voltage sweep by the voltage sweep means 12 from the voltage conversion means 11.

  The voltage setting unit 14 monitors the change in the current detected by the detection unit 13 and supplies the voltage conversion unit 11 with a voltage value when the change in the current satisfies a predetermined condition as a voltage to be supplied to the electronic device E. It is to set. Here, the predetermined condition is set by an increase amount of current, an increase amount of current per unit time, or the like. The voltage setting unit 14 once sets the voltage, then monitors changes in the voltage and current detected by the detection unit 13, and performs fine adjustment of the voltage according to the change in the voltage and current.

  Further, the adapter main body 1 in the present embodiment includes a timer unit 15 that measures the time when the voltage is supplied to the electronic device E for charging by the charging device S, and information on the time measured by the timer unit 15. And transmitting means 16 for transmitting to the charging apparatus S via the Internet 17 as a telecommunication line.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the power adapter device of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the voltage conversion means 11 includes an AC / DC converter 21 and a DC / DC step-down converter 22.

  The detection means 13 includes a current detection resistor 23 for detecting a change in current and a voltage detection point 24 for detecting a change in voltage. The current and voltage detected by the current detection resistor 23 and the voltage detection point 24 are input to a controller CPU (central processing unit) 27 via OP-AMPs (operational amplifiers) 25 and 26, respectively.

  The voltage sweep unit 12 and the voltage setting unit 14 are configured by a controller CPU 27. When the controller CPU 27 functions as the voltage sweep unit 12 and the voltage setting unit 14, the controller CPU 27 outputs a voltage command by, for example, a PWM (Palse With Modulation) method to the DC / DC step-down converter 22.

  In addition, the adapter main body 1 in this embodiment includes a polarity switching circuit 28. The polarity switching circuit 28 is controlled by the controller CPU 27 based on the result input from the subsequent polarity determination point 29 to the controller CPU 27 via the OP-AMP (operational amplifier) 30.

  The adapter body 1 in this embodiment includes an LCD (liquid crystal) display unit 31 that displays the current value of the current detected by the current detection resistor 23 and the voltage detection point 24, the voltage value of the voltage, and the like.

  The operation of the power adapter apparatus having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Step S101: First, as shown in FIG. 3, the plug 7 of the output cord 2 is connected to an electronic device E such as a notebook PC, the connector 6 of the output cord 2 is connected to the connector 5 of the adapter body 1, and this adapter body. The power plug 4 of the power cord 1 is connected to an AC outlet and the power is turned on.

  Step S102: The controller CPU 27 initializes the DC / DC step-down converter 22. That is, the voltage setting means 14 sets the output voltage of the voltage conversion means 11 to 0V.

  Step S103: Whether the plug 7 is correctly connected to the electronic device E and the polarity are determined. The controller CPU 27 determines whether the polarity is positive or reverse based on the input from the polarity determination point 29. If the polarity is positive, the polarity switching circuit 28 is set to positive connection in step S104. To do. If the polarity is reverse, the controller CPU 27 sets the polarity switching circuit 28 to reverse polarity connection in step S105. If the plug 7 is not properly connected, the controller CPU 27 performs an abnormality process in step S108 and displays the abnormality on the LCD display unit 31.

  Step S106: Voltage sweep by the voltage sweep means 12 is performed. At this time, the controller CPU 27 gradually increases the set voltage of the DC / DC step-down converter 22 from 0V. Then, a change in current detected by the detecting means 13 is monitored by the voltage setting means 14, and a voltage value when the current satisfies a predetermined condition is set in the DC / DC step-down converter 22 by the controller CPU 27.

  FIG. 5 shows the relationship between voltage and current during voltage sweep by the voltage sweep means 12. As shown in FIG. 5, when the voltage output from the plug 7 is gradually increased from 0 V by the voltage sweep means 12, the current suddenly changes from a certain voltage value. This is because the voltage output from the plug 7 exceeds the voltage of the battery 8 separately connected to the electronic device E. In the present embodiment, a threshold value is set for the increase amount of the current, and a voltage value when the threshold value is reached is set as a voltage to be supplied to the electronic device E.

  Step S107: After that, voltage is supplied from the plug 7 to the electronic device E with the set voltage value, but the change of the voltage and current is continuously monitored by the detection means 13. At this time, since the voltage changes with charging / discharging of the battery 8 separately connected to the electronic device E, the voltage setting means 14 determines the voltage to be converted by the voltage conversion means 11 according to the change of the voltage and current. Make adjustments and supply a constant voltage to the electronics.

  As described above, according to the power adapter device of the present embodiment, when various electronic devices E are connected, a voltage sweep is performed on the connected electronic devices E, and a voltage value is automatically set. Therefore, it is possible to cope with various electronic devices E by one power adapter device. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare an output code 2 corresponding to each voltage as in the prior art. Further, since no element or circuit for voltage identification is required inside the output cord 2, the cost can be kept low.

  In addition, after setting this voltage, the voltage and current are monitored, and the voltage associated with charging and discharging of the battery 8 separately connected to the electronic device E is used to finely adjust the voltage according to the change in the voltage and current. A constant voltage can be supplied to the electronic device E regardless of the change in the.

  Further, the power adapter device according to the present embodiment includes a timer unit 15 that measures the time when the voltage is supplied to the electronic device E, and information about the time measured by the timer unit 15 via the Internet 17 by the transmission unit 16. Since it can be transmitted to the charging device S, the usage time of the electronic device E connected to the power adapter device is totaled by the remote charging device S, and based on this, the usage fee of the power adapter device, etc. Can be calculated and charged.

  By the way, in the power adapter device in this embodiment, the switch for setting the upper limit of a voltage can also be provided in the connector 5 on the adapter body 1 side and the connector 6 on the plug 7 side. 6A and 6B show the details of the main body side connector 5 and the plug side connector 6, wherein (A-1) is a top view of the main body side connector 5, (A-2) is a side view, and (A-3) is a front view, (B-1) is a top view of the plug-side connector 6, (B-2) is a side view, and (B-3) is a front view.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the main body side connector 5 is provided with a switch 9a, and the plug side connector 6 is provided with a convex portion 9b only for pressing the switch 9a. The plug-side connector 6 is not provided with an electrical element or the like. Thus, when the plug-side connector 6 is inserted into the main body-side connector 5, the convex portion 9b presses the switch 9a, so that the operating state of the switch 9a is detected on the adapter main body 1 side. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, when a maximum of four convex portions 9b are provided, 4-bit information is obtained depending on the presence or absence of the convex portions 9b.

  By assigning this 4-bit information as information for setting the upper limit of the voltage, when the plug-side connector 6 is inserted into the main body-side connector 5, the information on the upper limit of the voltage can be automatically read. Based on the read information, the voltage sweep unit 12 sets an upper limit of voltage when performing voltage sweep. Thereby, the upper limit of the voltage applied by the voltage sweep according to the electronic device E can be set in the plug-side connector 6 so that the voltage exceeding the set upper limit is not applied to the electronic device E. It is possible to prevent destruction due to overvoltage application to the.

  In addition, it can also be set as the structure which operates switch 9a by providing the recessed part in connector 6 itself instead of the convex part 9b provided in the plug side connector 6. FIG. In short, the upper limit of the voltage can be set by the uneven pattern provided in the connector 6, and it is not necessary to provide an electrical element or the like in the connector 6. Therefore, the low-cost connector 6 can be provided. The main body side connector 5 may be an optical switch or a magnetic switch in addition to an electrical switch.

  The present invention is suitable as a power adapter device that supplies a predetermined voltage to various electronic devices having different operating voltages.

1 is an overall view of a power adapter device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the power adapter device of FIG. It is a circuit diagram of the power adapter apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the power adapter device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the voltage at the time of a voltage sweep, and an electric current. It is the detail of a main body side connector and a plug side connector, (A-1) is a top view of a main body side connector, (A-2) is a side view, (A-3) is a front view, (B-1) is The top view of a plug side connector, (B-2) is a side view, (B-3) is a front view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Adapter main body 2 Output cord 3 Outlet plug 4 Power cord 5,6 Connector 7 Plug 8 Battery 9a Switch 9b Convex part 11 Voltage conversion means 12 Voltage sweep means 13 Detection means 14 Voltage setting means 15 Timer means 16 Transmission means 17 Internet 21 AC / DC converter 22 DC / DC converter 23 Current detection resistor 24 Voltage detection point 25, 26, 30 Operational amplifier 27 Controller CPU
28 Polarity switching circuit 29 Polarity detection point 31 LCD display section E Electronic device S Billing device

Claims (6)

A power adapter device that is connected to various electronic devices and supplies a predetermined voltage,
Voltage sweep means for performing a voltage sweep on the connected electronic device;
Detecting means for detecting a change in current during the voltage sweep;
A power adapter device comprising: a voltage setting unit that monitors a change in the detected current and sets a voltage value when the change in the current satisfies a predetermined condition as a voltage to be supplied to the connected electronic device. . 2. The power adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage setting unit monitors changes in the voltage and current after setting the voltage, and performs fine adjustment of the voltage according to changes in the voltage and current. The power adapter device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for setting an upper limit of a voltage at the time of voltage sweeping by the voltage sweeping means, in a connector for connecting to the electronic device. The power adapter device according to claim 3, wherein the switch sets an upper limit of the voltage by an uneven pattern provided on the connector. 2. The power adapter device according to claim 1, further comprising timer means for measuring a time during which a voltage is supplied to the connected electronic device. 6. The power adapter device according to claim 5, further comprising transmission means for transmitting information relating to the time measured by the timer means.

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