Responding to EU Legislation: USB-C PD Chargers for Medical and ITE Applications
In recent years, the proliferation and accelerated obsolescence of electronic devices have increasingly highlighted the issue of non-unified charging ports for electronic equipment. This inconveniences consumers while exacerbating the generation of electronic waste. To enhance the universality of charging ports, reduce electronic waste, and promote the circular use of resources, the European Union (EU) has introduced TYPE-C legislation.
The core requirement[1] of this legislation mandates that starting from December 28, 2024 (with a deferred compliance date of April 28, 2026, for laptops), all designated electronic products sold in EU member states must be equipped with USB Type-C charging ports compliant with the EN IEC 62680-1-3 standard. This standard stipulates the electrical, mechanical, and compatibility requirements for USB Type-C ports, ensuring interoperability for charging and data transfer across different brands and models.
In response to this EU legislation, UE Electronic has actively engaged in the continuous development of USB-C PD chargers that meet medical and ITE standards, providing a safer, faster, and more convenient charging experience.
The Impact of the EU Type-C Legislation
1. Consumer Demand Changes
With the widespread adoption and increased usage frequency of mobile devices, consumer demand for portable chargers and fast charging capabilities is growing. Particularly in the medical and information technology equipment (ITE) sectors, chargers must offer rapid charging to minimize downtime and enhance efficiency while also meeting rigorous performance and safety requirements to guarantee reliable device operation and user safety.
2. Market Standardization Effect
Currently, the market is overwhelmed with a multitude of charger types, causing significant inconvenience to consumers. Different chargers require different interfaces and cables, not only increasing consumers’ usage costs but also leading to resource wastage and environmental pollution.
The implementation of the EU’s Type-C legislation will drive the unification of charger interfaces. This will greatly simplify chargers usage, reduce consumption costs, and contribute to decreasing the generation of electronic waste.
Moreover, market standardization will bring about a series of positive effects. For instance, the uniformity in chargers will foster industry consolidation and refinement, enhancing the overall competitiveness of the sector. Additionally, it may stimulate innovation and advancement in related technologies, injecting new vitality into the charger market.
The Challenges in Developing USB-C PD Chargers
1. Miniaturization of USB-C PD Chargers
With the ongoing miniaturization and portability of medical and information technology equipment, higher demands are placed on the size and weight of power supplies. We face the challenge of achieving product miniaturization while ensuring performance when developing USB-C PD chargers.
- Solutions
- Adoption of Cutting-Edge GaN Technology: We incorporate the latest Gallium nitride (GaN) technology, leveraging its high power density and low loss characteristics to successfully reduce product size while enhancing efficiency and stability.
- Implementation of Asymmetrical Half-Bridge (AHB) Solution: To further optimize the power supply structure, we apply an asymmetrical half-bridge solution, fine-tuning circuit parameters and layout to minimize size and weight further.
2. High-Temperature Issue in USB-C PD Chargers
During operation, medical devices often generate high temperatures due to prolonged runtime and power output. High temperatures can affect power supply performance and lifespan, posing potential threats to the safety and reliability of equipment.
- Solutions
- Use of High Thermal Conductivity Silicone: We employ high thermal conductivity silicone within the USB-C PD chargers, which offers excellent thermal and insulating properties, effectively reducing internal temperatures.
- Employment of Copper Heat Sinks: To boost heat dissipation efficiency, we opt for copper heat sinks known for their superior thermal conductivity, swiftly expelling internal heat.
- Incorporation of Graphene Materials: We integrate Graphene materials into the thermal design, capitalizing on their exceptional thermal conductivity and robust mechanical properties to enhance cooling effectiveness.
3. EMC Issues in Medical USB-C PD Chargers
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is vital for medical power supply design. Good EMC performance ensures stable operation of medical equipment in complex electromagnetic environments, preventing interference with other devices.
- Solution
For the design of USB-C PD Chargers, we adapt high-performance magnetic core materials such as amorphous and ferrite-silicon aluminum. These materials feature a low loss, high saturation magnetic flux density, and elevated curie temperatures, effectively suppressing electromagnetic interference and improving EMC performance.
UE Electronic USB-C PD Chargers
The UES140AZ/UES140BZ-SPC is our latest USB-C PD charger, designed to comply with the EU’s Type-C legislation and cater to the growing demand for faster, more efficient, and more compact charging solutions.
1. Advanced Materials
Equipped with gallium nitride (GaN) technology, our UES140AZ/UES140BZ-SPC achieves higher efficiency, a smaller form factor, and cooler operation. It is designed for portability and ease of use while delivering more power to your devices with lower energy consumption.
2. PD Fast Charging Protocol
Fully compliant with the Power Delivery (PD) fast charging protocol, the UES140AZ/UES140BZ-SPC offers swift charging for a diverse array of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, so that users can experience the convenience of using a single charger for all the gadgets.
3. Diverse Structural Designs
To cater to different customer needs, this USB-C PD charger comes in two distinct structures: USB port design and built-in USB cable design. The USB port version offers flexibility by allowing users to use their own cables, while the built-in cable version provides a simpler, tangle-free charging experience. Both options are tailored to meet the specific requirements of different applications and user preferences.
4. Water Resistance & Medical Home Healthcare Compliance
The UES140AZ/UES140BZ-SPC conforms to the IP22 water resistance standard, ensuring they can withstand splashes and mild moisture. Additionally, these chargers comply with the medical home healthcare standard IEC/EN60601-1-11, guaranteeing safety and reliability for use in medical settings.
Applications of UE Electronic USB-C PD Chargers
As the demand for miniaturization of CT equipment continues to grow, our UES140AZ/UES140BZ-SPC chargers perfectly align with this requirement, making them particularly suitable for portable CT scanners used for radiological diagnosis. Additionally, this USB-C PD Charger is compatible with both Class I and Class II designs and strictly meets medical standards. Therefore, it can be safely used with various medical devices in hospitals as well.
Conclusion
With the rapid development of medical devices and electronic products, the demand for stable power supply is continually growing, especially in terms of improving charging efficiency, reducing product size, and enhancing device portability. Our UES140AZ/UES140BZ-SPC, as an innovative product from UE Electronic in response to market changes and the EU’s Type-C legislation, demonstrates our leading position in the field of power supply technology and our deep understanding of market needs.
We sincerely invite medical device manufacturers, electronic product developers, and all users to experience the innovative charging solutions brought by the UES140AZ/UES140BZ-SPC.
Reference
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