SMART MODULE AND METHOD WITH MINIMAL STANDBY LOSS

• US 20110254383A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Valentine, Mark F., Franz, Roger L.
• Application Number:
  US12/761,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20110254383A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/131
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/007 Detection of the absence of a load
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

A smart method (100) and module (300) to minimize standby loss is disclosed. The method (100) can include the steps of: detecting (110) a current parameter at a load node; determining (120) whether a current parameter threshold has been reached; and disabling (13) power delivery based on determining whether the current parameter threshold has been reached. Advantageously, the smart method (100) can provide minimal to zero standby loss, when a current parameter threshold has been reached. This method has use in many electronic devices and particularly in battery chargers, for example, when a predetermined current parameter threshold has been reached or an energy storage device (battery) charge is complete, minimal or zero standby loss can be attained. In one embodiment, the smart method (100) can substantially fully switch off AC mains to eliminate standby loss.

Claims

1. A method to minimize standby loss, comprising:

detecting a current parameter at a load node;

determining whether a current parameter threshold has been reached; and

disabling power delivery based on determining whether the current parameter threshold has been reached.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the detecting step includes at least one of periodically detecting a DC current value and periodically detecting a rate of change of a DC current value over time.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein when the detecting step includes periodically detecting a DC current value, the current parameter threshold is set at a predetermined DC current set-point, and 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.

4. The method of claim 1 where the detecting step includes a value of change of current over time that may be realized by one or any of:

fixed circuit elements, parameters set in memory, or parameters programmed by software commands.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an indicating component for visually indicating power delivery is disabled and that the current parameter threshold has been reached, the indicating component including a retracted position and an extended position.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a bypass switch configured to over ride certain operations of the method.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the load node is coupled to an energy storage device.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the detecting, determining and disabling steps is enabled by use of an integrated circuit.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of detecting, determining and disabling, define a battery charger with substantially zero standby loss once the current parameter threshold has been reached.

10. A module to minimize standby loss, comprising:

an enclosure;

an actuator; and

a current sensing circuit configured to detect a current parameter at a load node, determine whether a current parameter threshold has been reached and disable power delivery based on determining whether the current parameter threshold has been reached, by de-actuating the actuator.

11. The module of claim 10, wherein the current sensing circuit includes an activation circuit connected to the actuator to provide a signal to de-actuate the actuator.

12. The module of claim 10, wherein the actuator comprises a shape memory alloy configured to change shape through Joule heating.

13. The module of claim 10, wherein the actuator comprises a button including a retracted position and an extended position.

14. The module of claim 10, wherein the actuator includes at least one of:

dissimilar metal 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 including at least one of solenoids, relays and motors;

electrostatic mechanisms wherein a voltage is 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 produce displacements which can be amplified mechanically or through including a screw drive;

electroactive polymer mechanisms configured with materials that constrict with an application of a voltage;

microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices configured as miniature devices fabricated on silicon including electrostatic or electromechanical means to produce motion.

15. The module of claim 10, wherein the enclosure has an opening for receiving the actuator, the actuator comprising a button including a retracted position configured to enable the current sensing circuit and an extended position arranged to visually indicate that power delivery is disabled.

16. The module of claim 10, wherein the current parameter threshold is set at a predetermined DC current set-point, or is set at a predetermined rate of change of the DC current value over a certain time.

17. The module of claim 10 further comprising a bypass switch configured to over ride certain operations of the module.

18. The module of claim 10 wherein the load node is configured to be coupled to at least one of an electronic device, a wireless communication device and an energy storage device.

19. The module of claim 10 wherein the enclosure comprises at least one of a battery charger, an autonomous electronic device and an internal component in an electronic device.