Universal hi-amperage auto-sensing DC power supply

Archive New Product Ideas
1

I don’t know a lot about power supplies, but now with a toolbox full of wall-warts of varying voltages and currents thought it would be a great thing to have one (or maybe a few of the same) power supplies to do everything.

Naturally it would be a be a big switching PSU to handle higher currents, but would handle most requirements.

As there is probably no way to have an auto-sensing supply each ‘device’ to be powered would have an interface to send it’s voltage/current ‘requirements’ to the supply. Additionally the PSU would sense an on/off signal from the device so that mains switching could be done for less AC power consumption.

I know this sounds wacky and probably best put in ‘patents-r-us-for-crackpots’ or something, but thought I’d run it by you all.

2

I’d use a Dallas 1-Wire link for that:

http://www.maxim-ic.com/products/1-wire/

Each device would need a small MCU, like a PIC10. A more powerful MCU like a dsPIC would be ideal for controlling the PS. A Dallas iButton could also be used on each device, but would be more expensive. You could be even more clever and save a wire, by sending data over the positive supply cable.

Leon

3

Thanks Leon, and I really appreciate your thoughts and knowlege on so many subjects as I’m sure others do also .

However, I was thinking of something a little bit simpler than 1-wire and MCUs.

Maybe an SMD resistor for voltage and another for current just to keep the cost down. Hoping that some sort of defined ‘standard’ would get all this working. Cool ideas indeed from you!

leon_heller:
I’d use a Dallas 1-Wire link for that:

…

Leon

4

In terms of cost there probably isn’t much in it. You’ll need some more wires for the resistors and connections, which would push the cost up to more than the price of a PIC10. If it is a one-off it doesn’t matter, but the difference would be significant for production.

Leon

5

Yes, agreed. you are correct in that the cost difference wouldn’t be much at all.

Just thinking though that the PSU should have the PIC onboard to monitor ADC values from voltage/current supplied from the ‘device’, although, yes I get what you’re saying re. the additional wires needed.

leon_heller:
In terms of cost there probably isn’t much in it. You’ll need some more wires for the resistors and connections, which could push the cost up to more than the price of a PIC10.

Leon

6

I was assuming that the PS would have its own controller. Microchip has special dsPIC versions for use in intelligent switching PSs.

Leon

7

Anyway. I think you know what I’m imagining Leon.

Maybe not so much an original idea, but one that I’ve been thinking about for a while.

What do you think about the concept?

Maybe it’s already been done, but I haven’t yet found anything like this yet.

leon_heller:
I was assuming that the PS would have its own controller. Microchip has special dsPIC versions for use in intelligent switching PSs.

Leon

8

I would be surprised if it hasn’t be done before. If it hasn’t, you’ve lost your chance to patent it by mentioning the details. :smiley:

I think it would be a useful piece of kit.

Leon

9

Yep, been there and done that before (won’t go into details).

Possibly could have been rich, but think it better to share than not.

I’m guessing some smart person in China is looking at this as we chat :smiley:

leon_heller:
I would be surprised if it hasn’t be done before. If it hasn’t, you’ve lost your chance to patent it by mentioning the details. :smiley:

I think it would be a useful piece of kit.

Leon