Smart battery device and electronic device thereof

Abstract

An intelligent battery device includes a battery cell and a battery protection circuit. The battery protection circuit includes a microcontroller and a power supply switch. The microcontroller receives a start signal, a repair signal, and an external power source indication signal from outside the battery device. The power supply switch is electrically connected to the battery cell. The microcontroller correspondingly outputs an enable signal to the power supply switch according to the start signal and the repair signal, so that the power supply switch breaks the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit. The microcontroller correspondingly outputs a disable signal to the power supply switch according to the start signal, the repair signal, and the external power source indication signal, so that the power supply switch restores the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, in particular to a battery device, an electronic device including a battery device, and a maintenance method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Whether it's 3C, electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems (ESS), or information technology (IT), any industry using lithium batteries will inevitably encounter the need for maintenance. During maintenance, a complete power outage is essential. The current power-off mechanism allows the system to appear to be dead, but as long as communication signals are maintained, power is still present.

[0003] The cells in the battery pack are always charged, and the battery pack is connected to the motherboard, constantly supplying power to the motherboard. Therefore, unless the battery itself and the cells are powered off, even if the battery pack enters a protection mode, such as thermal or overvoltage protection, it could be activated again with minimal care, potentially causing live wiring during repairs and potentially shorting the system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell and a battery protection circuit. The battery cell is used to store electrical energy. The battery protection circuit is electrically connected to the battery cell. The battery protection circuit includes a microcontroller and a power switch. The microcontroller receives a startup signal, a maintenance signal, and an external power indication signal from outside the battery device. The power switch is electrically connected to the battery cell. Based on the startup signal and the maintenance signal, the microcontroller outputs an enable signal to the power switch, causing the power switch to disconnect the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit. Based on the startup signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal, the microcontroller outputs a disable signal to the power switch, causing the power switch to restore the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit.

[0005] In the battery device described above, the activation signal is used to indicate that a power button of an electronic device including the battery device has been pressed. The maintenance signal is used to indicate that a maintenance button of the electronic device including the battery device has been pressed. The external power indication signal is used to indicate that the electronic device including the battery device is electrically connected to an external power source.

[0006] In the battery device described above, when the microcontroller simultaneously receives the start signal and the maintenance signal for a duration less than or equal to a specific time, the microcontroller outputs an enable signal to the power switch, thereby disconnecting the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit, and the battery device enters a maintenance mode.

[0007] In the battery device as described above, when the battery device has entered the maintenance mode and an external power source has been electrically connected to the battery device, the external power source directly supplies power to the microcontroller, so that the microcontroller is awakened and receives the external power indication signal.

[0008] In the battery device described above, when the microcontroller simultaneously receives the start signal and the maintenance signal for a duration less than or equal to the specified time, and the microcontroller also receives the external power indication signal, the microcontroller outputs a disable signal to the power switch, thereby restoring the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit, and the battery device enters a normal mode.

[0009] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a charging circuit, a power management circuit, a processor, and a battery device. The charging circuit receives a start-up signal and outputs the start-up signal accordingly. When an external power source is electrically coupled to the charging circuit, the charging circuit outputs an external power indication signal accordingly. The power management circuit receives a maintenance indication signal and outputs the maintenance indication signal accordingly. The processor outputs a maintenance signal accordingly based on the maintenance indication signal. The battery device includes a battery cell and a battery protection circuit. The battery protection circuit receives the start-up signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal, and is electrically connected to the battery cell. The battery protection circuit disconnects the electrical connection between itself and the battery cell accordingly based on the start-up signal and the maintenance signal. The battery protection circuit restores the electrical connection between itself and the battery cell accordingly based on the start-up signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal.

[0010] In the electronic device described above, the battery protection circuit includes a microcontroller and a power switch. The microcontroller receives a startup signal, a maintenance signal, and an external power indication signal. The power switch is electrically connected to the battery cell. Based on the startup signal and the maintenance signal, the microcontroller outputs an enable signal to the power switch, causing the power switch to disconnect the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit. Based on the startup signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal, the microcontroller outputs a disable signal to the power switch, causing the power switch to restore the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit.

[0011] In the electronic device as described above, the activation signal is used to indicate that a power button of the electronic device has been pressed, and the maintenance signal and the maintenance indication signal are used to indicate that a maintenance button of the electronic device has been pressed.

[0012] In the electronic device as described above, when the microcontroller simultaneously receives the start signal and the maintenance signal for a duration less than or equal to a specific time, the microcontroller outputs an enable signal to the power switch, thereby disconnecting the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit, and the battery device enters a maintenance mode.

[0013] In the electronic device as described above, when the battery device has entered the maintenance mode and the external power supply has been electrically coupled to the charging circuit, the charging circuit supplies power and outputs an external power indication signal to the microcontroller, so that the microcontroller is awakened to receive the external power indication signal.

[0014] In the electronic device described above, when the microcontroller simultaneously receives the start signal and the maintenance signal for a duration less than or equal to a specified time, and the microcontroller also receives an external power indication signal, the microcontroller outputs a disable signal to the power switch, thereby restoring the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit, and the battery device enters a normal mode.

[0015] A battery device maintenance method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery device having a battery cell and a battery protection circuit. The battery device includes a microcontroller and a power switch. The method includes: simultaneously receiving an activation signal and a maintenance signal, wherein the duration of receiving the activation signal and the maintenance signal is less than or equal to a specific time; outputting an enable signal to disconnect the battery cell from the battery protection circuit; and entering a maintenance mode.

[0016] The maintenance method described above further includes: in a maintenance mode, detecting that an external power source has been electrically connected and correspondingly outputting an external power indication signal; receiving power from the external power source; simultaneously receiving a start signal and a maintenance signal, and the duration of receiving the start signal and the maintenance signal is less than or equal to a specific time; receiving the external power indication signal; outputting a disable signal to restore the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit; and entering a normal mode.

[0017] In the maintenance method described above, the activation signal is used to indicate that a power button of an electronic device including a battery device has been pressed, and the maintenance signal is used to indicate that a maintenance button of the electronic device including a battery device has been pressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 The embodiments of the present invention include Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an electronic device 200 including a battery device 100 .

[0020] Figure 3A For the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 Schematic diagram of logic judgment of the battery device 100 entering a maintenance mode.

[0021] Figure 3B For the embodiment of the present inventionFigure 1 Schematic diagram of logic judgment of the battery device 100 returning to a normal mode.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a flow chart of a maintenance method for a battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention entering a maintenance mode.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of a maintenance method for a battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention returning to a normal mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals throughout the drawings designate similar or identical elements. The drawings are not drawn to scale and are provided solely to illustrate the present invention. Some embodiments of the invention are described below as references to illustrative applications. This means that many specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a complete understanding of the invention. However, a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can still be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with alternative methods.

[0025] In other examples, well-known structures or operations are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the order of the acts or events described; some acts may occur in a different order or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all acts or events described need to be performed in the same manner as in the prior invention.

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the battery device 100 includes a battery cell 102 and a battery protection circuit 104. The battery cell 102 can convert received electrical energy into chemical energy for storage, or convert the stored chemical energy into electrical energy for output. It can also output electrical energy to the battery protection circuit 104. The battery protection circuit 104 can control the electrical energy from the battery cell 102 to be output through a positive terminal P+ of the battery device 100 and to flow back to the battery cell 102 through a negative terminal P- of the battery device 100. Alternatively, the battery protection circuit 104 can control an external power source (not shown) outside the battery device 100 to charge the battery cell 102.

[0027] In some embodiments, the battery protection circuit 104 includes a microcontroller 106, a power switch 108, a sub-microcontroller 110, a protection device 112, a charging switch 114, a discharging switch 116, a temperature sensor 118, and a sensing resistor 120. The microcontroller 106 receives an activation signal 150, a maintenance signal 152, and an external power indication signal 154 from outside the battery device 100 via a communication bus SMBUS_DATA and SMBUS_CLOCK. In other words, the battery device 100 can communicate with the processor of the electronic device that includes the battery device 100 via the communication bus SMBUS_CLOCK and SMBUS_DATA.

[0028] The power switch 108 is electrically connected to the battery cell 102. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 106 outputs an enable signal 130 to the power switch 108 based on the activation signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152, causing the power switch 108 to disconnect the electrical connection between the battery cell 102 and the battery protection circuit 104. Specifically, when the microcontroller 106 simultaneously receives the activation signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152 for a duration less than or equal to a specified time (e.g., 5 seconds), the microcontroller 106 outputs the enable signal 130 to the power switch 108, disconnecting the electrical connection between the battery cell 102 and the battery protection circuit 104, and the battery device 100 enters a maintenance mode.

[0029] In some embodiments, the microcontroller 106 outputs a disable signal 132 to the power switch 108 based on the activation signal 150, the maintenance signal 152, and the external power indication signal 154, thereby causing the power switch 108 to restore the electrical connection between the battery cell 102 and the battery protection circuit 104. Specifically, when the battery device 100 has entered the maintenance mode and an external power source is electrically connected to the battery device 100, the external power source can directly power the microcontroller 106 (via the positive terminal P+), causing the microcontroller 106 to wake up and receive the external power indication signal 154.

[0030] When the microcontroller 106 simultaneously receives the start signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152 for a duration less than or equal to a specified time (e.g., 5 seconds), and the microcontroller 106 also receives the external power indication signal 154, the microcontroller 106 outputs the disable signal 132 to the power switch 108, thereby restoring the electrical connection between the battery cell 102 and the battery protection circuit 104, and the battery device 100 enters a normal mode.

[0031] In some embodiments, activation signal 150 indicates that a power button of an electronic device including battery device 100 has been pressed. Maintenance signal 152 indicates that a maintenance button of the electronic device including battery device 100 has been pressed. External power indication signal 154 indicates that the electronic device including battery device 100 is electrically connected to an external power source. In some embodiments, protection device 112 is configured to automatically disconnect nodes AB when a large current flows between nodes AB, thereby protecting battery cell 102.

[0032] The charging switch 114 changes its state based on a control signal transmitted by the microcontroller 106 via the control line 134. For example, when the control signal on the control line 134 is at a logic low level, such as "0," the charging switch 114 only allows current to flow from node B to node A, but prohibits current from node A to node B. When the control signal on the control line 134 is at a logic high level, such as "1," the charging switch 114 is fully on.

[0033] In some embodiments, the discharge switch 116 changes its state based on a control signal transmitted by the microcontroller 106 via the control line 136. For example, when the control signal on the control line 136 is at a logic low level, such as "0," the discharge switch 116 only allows current to flow from node A to node B, but prohibits current from node B to node A. When the control signal on the control line 136 is at a logic high level, such as "1," the discharge switch 116 is in a fully on state.

[0034] The temperature sensor 118 is used to detect the temperature of the battery device 100. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 118 is a temperature sensing chip. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 118 comprises a thermistor whose resistance changes with temperature. The temperature sensor 118 provides power to the thermistor and measures a voltage across the thermistor, converting the voltage change (corresponding to the resistance change) into a temperature change.

[0035] In some embodiments, the microcontroller 106 can calculate the magnitude of a charging current during charging mode by measuring the voltage across the sensing resistor 120 (e.g., the voltage between nodes D and E). In some embodiments, the battery identification indicators BATTERY_ID and SYSTEM_ID of the battery device 100 allow the processor of the electronic device including the battery device 100 to detect that the battery device 100 has been installed in the electronic device. In some embodiments, the slave microcontroller 110 serves as a backup microcontroller for the microcontroller 106. When the microcontroller 106 is unable to operate, the slave microcontroller 110 performs the operations of the microcontroller 106.

[0036] Figure 2 The embodiments of the present invention include Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an electronic device 200 including a battery device 100. Figure 2 As shown, the electronic device 200 includes Figure 1 The battery device 100 includes a charging circuit 212, a power management circuit 204, a processor 206, a power selector 208, and a main power source 210. When the external power source 212 is electrically connected to the electronic device 200, the external power source 212 charges the battery device 100. In some embodiments, the charging circuit 202 receives an activation signal 150 and correspondingly outputs the activation signal 150 to the battery device 100. When the external power source 212 is electrically coupled to the charging circuit 150 (e.g., through the power selector 208), the charging circuit 202 correspondingly outputs an external power indication signal 154 to the battery device 100.

[0037] In some embodiments, activation signal 150 is used to indicate that a power button (not shown) of electronic device 200 has been pressed. Power management circuit 204 receives a maintenance indication signal 152' and correspondingly outputs maintenance indication signal 152' to processor 206. Processor 206 then outputs a maintenance signal 152 to battery device 100 based on maintenance indication signal 152'. In some embodiments, maintenance signal 152 and maintenance indication signal 152' are used to indicate that a maintenance button (not shown) of electronic device 200 has been pressed.

[0038] In some embodiments, when the external power source 212 is electrically connected to the electronic device 200, the power selector 208 detects the connection of the external power source 212 and accordingly transmits an external power indication signal 154' to the charging circuit 202. Upon receiving the external power indication signal 154' from the power selector 208, the charging circuit 202 transmits the external power indication signal 154 to the battery device 200. Furthermore, when the power selector 208 detects the connection of the external power source 212, the power selector 208 transmits power from the external power source 212 to the main power source 210. The main power source 210 then transmits the power to the power management circuit 204, allowing the power management circuit 204 to supply power to the processor 206.

[0039] When the external power source 212 is not electrically connected to the electronic device 200, the power selector 208 does not detect the external power source 212, and the power selector 208 transmits the power from the battery device 100 to the main power source 210. Then, the main power source 210 transmits the power to the power management circuit 204, so that the power management circuit 204 can supply power to the processor 206. In some embodiments, the battery device 100 includes a battery cell (e.g., Figure 1battery cell 102) and a battery protection circuit (e.g. Figure 1 The battery cell is electrically connected to the battery protection circuit 104.

[0040] The battery protection circuit of the battery device 100 receives an activation signal 150, a maintenance signal 152, and an external power indication signal 154. Based on the activation signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152, the battery protection circuit of the battery device 100 disconnects the electrical connection between itself and the battery cells. Based on the activation signal 150, the maintenance signal 152, and the external power indication signal 154, the battery protection circuit of the battery device 100 restores the electrical connection between itself and the battery cells.

[0041] In some embodiments, the battery protection circuit of the battery device 100 (eg, the battery protection circuit 104) includes a microcontroller (eg, Figure 1 microcontroller 106) and a power switch (eg Figure 1 The microcontroller of the battery protection circuit receives a start signal 150, a maintenance signal 152, and an external power indication signal 154. The power switch of the battery protection circuit is electrically connected to the battery cells of the battery device 100.

[0042] Specifically, the microcontroller of the battery protection circuit outputs an enable signal (e.g., Figure 1 The microcontroller of the battery protection circuit outputs a disable signal (e.g., a power-on signal) in response to the start signal 150, the maintenance signal 152, and the external power indication signal 154. Figure 1 The disable signal 132 is sent to the power switch, so that the power switch restores the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit.

[0043] In some embodiments, when a microcontroller (e.g. Figure 1 When the microcontroller 106 (e.g., the microcontroller 106) simultaneously receives the start signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152 for a duration less than or equal to a specific time (e.g., 5 seconds), the microcontroller outputs an enable signal (e.g., the smart signal 130) to the power switch (e.g., the power switch 108), thereby disconnecting the electrical connection between the battery cell (e.g., the battery cell 102) and the battery protection circuit (e.g., the battery protection circuit 104), and the battery device 100 enters a maintenance mode.

[0044] In some embodiments, Figure 2 The battery device 100 and Figure 3AAfter the battery device 100 of the electronic device 200 enters the maintenance mode, a specific time (e.g., 5 minutes) must pass before the battery device 100 can enter the normal mode based on the start signal 150, the maintenance signal 152, and the external power indication signal 154. This is to prevent the battery device 100 from frequently switching between the maintenance mode and the normal mode.

[0045] In some embodiments, when the battery device 100 has entered the maintenance mode and the external power source 212 is electrically coupled to the charging circuit 202, the charging circuit 202 supplies power and outputs an external power indication signal 154 to the microcontroller of the battery device 100, so that the microcontroller is awakened and receives the external power indication signal 154. When the microcontroller of the battery device 100 simultaneously receives the start signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152 for a duration less than or equal to a specific time (e.g., 5 seconds), and the microcontroller of the battery device 100 also receives the external power indication signal 154, the microcontroller of the battery device 100 outputs a disable signal.

[0046] (eg, the disable signal 132 ) to the power switch of the battery device 100 , so that the electrical connection between the battery cell 102 and the battery protection circuit 104 is restored, and the battery device 100 enters a normal mode.

[0047] Figure 1 For the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 As shown in FIG3 , when the battery device 100 enters a maintenance mode, Figure 2 The microcontroller 106 receives the Start signal 150 The microcontroller 106 receives the activation signal 150 from the charging circuit 202 and the maintenance signal 152 from the processor 206. The microcontroller 106 performs an AND operation on the activation signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152 and outputs the result as the enable signal 130. Table 1 is a truth table for the activation signal 150, the maintenance signal 152, and the enable signal 130.

[0048] Service signal 152 Enable signal 130 Figure 3B 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1

[0049] Table 1

[0050] In other words, only when the microcontroller 106 simultaneously receives the start signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152, and the duration of the received signals exceeds a specific time (e.g., 5 seconds), will the microcontroller 106 correspondingly output the enable signal 130 to the power switch 108. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 106 simultaneously receiving the start signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152 means that the microcontroller 106 simultaneously receives the start signal 150 and the maintenance signal 152 at a logic low level, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0051] Figure 1FIG. 1 illustrates a battery device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. Start signal 150 FIG. 3 illustrates a logic decision diagram for the battery device 100 to return to a normal mode according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, when the battery device 100 has been in a service mode, and the microcontroller 106 receives a start signal 150, a service signal 152, and an external power supply indication signal 154 at the same time, the microcontroller 106 performs an OR operation on the start signal 150 and the service signal 152 to obtain an operation result at an output terminal D, performs a NAND operation on the operation result at the output terminal D and the external power supply indication signal 154, and outputs the final operation result as an disable signal 132. Table II(1) and Table II(2) are truth tables of the start signal 150, the service signal 152, the external power supply indication signal 154, and the disable signal 132.

[0052] Service signal 152 Node D Node D 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1

[0053] Table II(1)

[0054] External power indication signal 154 Disable signal 132 Figure 4 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0

[0055] Table II(2)

[0056] According to Table II(1) and Table II(2) above, only when the microcontroller 106 receives the start signal 150 and the service signal 152 at the same time for a time duration less than or equal to a specific time (for example, 5 seconds), and the microcontroller 106 also receives the external power supply indication signal 154, the microcontroller 106 outputs the disable signal 132 to the power supply switch 108, so that the electrical connection between the battery core 102 and the battery protection circuit 104 is restored, and the battery device 100 enters a normal mode. In some embodiments, the enable signal 130 and the disable signal 132 are mutually exclusive signals.

[0057] In some embodiments, the microcontroller 106 receiving the start signal 150 and the service signal 152 at the same time means that the microcontroller 106 receives the start signal 150 and the service signal 152 at the same time in a logic low level. The microcontroller 106 receiving the external power supply indication signal 154 means that the microcontroller 106 receives the external power supply indication signal 154 in a logic high level, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0058] Figure 4 FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a service method of a battery device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the service method includes the following steps. Figure 1As shown, the maintenance method of the present invention is applicable to a battery device (e.g., battery device 100) having a battery cell (e.g., battery cell 102) and a battery protection circuit (e.g., battery protection circuit 104), wherein the battery device includes a microcontroller (e.g., microcontroller 106) and a power switch (e.g., power switch 108). The maintenance method includes: simultaneously receiving a start signal and a maintenance signal, wherein the duration of receiving the start signal and the maintenance signal is less than or equal to a specific time (step S400); outputting an enable signal to disconnect the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit (step S402); and entering a maintenance mode (step S404). In some embodiments, Figure 5 The microcontroller 106 executes steps S400 and S402, so that the battery device 100 in Figures 1 and 2 can execute step S404.

[0059] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for repairing a battery device according to an embodiment of the present invention returning to a normal mode. Figure 2 As shown, the maintenance method of the present invention includes: in the maintenance mode, detecting that an external power source has been electrically connected and correspondingly outputting an external power indication signal (step S500); receiving power from the external power source (step S502); receiving a start signal and a maintenance signal at the same time, and the duration of receiving the start signal and the maintenance signal is less than or equal to a specific time (step S504); receiving the external power indication signal (step S506); outputting a disable signal to restore the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit (step S508); and entering a normal mode (step S510).

[0060] In some embodiments, Figure 1 The charging circuit 202 performs step S500. ​ The microcontroller 106 executes steps S502, S504, S506, and S508, allowing the battery device 100 to execute step S510. In some embodiments, the activation signal in step S504 indicates that the power button of the electronic device 200 including the battery device 100 has been pressed. The maintenance signal in step S504 indicates that the maintenance button of the electronic device 200 including the battery device 100 has been pressed. The external power indication signal in step S506 indicates that the electronic device 200 including the battery device 100 is electrically connected to the external power source 212.

[0061] The battery device 100, the electronic device 200 including the battery device 100, and the repair method thereof of the present invention not only enable power-off repairs to increase repair efficiency, but also avoid live wire operations to reduce the possibility of short circuits during repairs.

[0062] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that these are presented by way of example only and not limitation. Many variations of the exemplary embodiments described above may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the embodiments described above. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0063] Although the invention has been illustrated and described above with reference to one or more embodiments, equivalent changes and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based on the above specification and drawings. In addition, although a particular feature of an embodiment of the invention has been demonstrated with reference to one of the multiple embodiments, that feature may be combined with one or more other features as may be desirable and useful for any known or particular application.

[0064] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical or scientific terms) are generally understood by persons skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It should be understood that these terms, as defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted in the context of the relevant art. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, these terms are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0065]

Explanation of symbols

[0066] 100: Battery device

[0067] 102: Battery Cell

[0068] 104: Battery protection circuit

[0069] 106: Microcontroller

[0070] 108: Power switch

[0071] 110: Secondary microcontroller

[0072] 112: Protective device

[0073] 114: Charging switch

[0074] 116: Discharge switch

[0075] 118: Temperature sensor

[0076] 120: Sensing resistor

[0077] 130: Enable signal

[0078] 132: Disable signal

[0079] 134, 136: Control lines

[0080] 150: Start signal

[0081] 152: Maintenance signal

[0082] 154: External power indication signal

[0083] P+: positive electrode

[0084] P-: negative electrode

[0085] SMBUS_CLOCK, SMBUS_DATA: communication bus

[0086] Battery_ID, System_ID: Battery identification indicator

[0087] A, B, C, D: nodes

[0088] 200: Electronic devices

[0089] 202: Charging circuit

[0090] 204: Power Management Circuit

[0091] 206: Processor

[0092] 208: Power selector

[0093] 210: Main power supply

[0094] 212: External power supply

[0095] 152': Maintenance indication signal

[0096] 154': External power indication signal

[0097] D: Output

[0098] S400, S402, S404: Steps

[0099] S500, S502, S504: Steps

[0100] S506, S508, S510: Steps

Claims

1. A smart battery device comprising: a battery cell for storing electrical energy; as well as A battery protection circuit electrically connected to the battery cell, comprising: a microcontroller receiving a start-up signal, a maintenance signal, and an external power indication signal from outside the battery device; and a power switch electrically connected to the battery cell; wherein the microcontroller outputs an enable signal to the power switch according to the start signal and the maintenance signal, so that the power switch disconnects the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit; The microcontroller outputs a disable signal to the power switch according to the start signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal, so that the power switch restores the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit.

2. The battery device according to claim 1, wherein The start signal is used to indicate that a power button of an electronic device including the battery device has been pressed; the maintenance signal is used to indicate that a maintenance button of the electronic device including the battery device has been pressed; and the external power indication signal is used to indicate that the electronic device including the battery device has been electrically connected to an external power source.

3. The battery device according to claim 1, wherein When the microcontroller receives the start signal and the maintenance signal simultaneously for a duration less than or equal to a specific time, the microcontroller outputs the enable signal to the power switch, disconnecting the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit, and the battery device enters a maintenance mode.

4. The battery device according to claim 3, wherein: When the battery device has entered the maintenance mode and an external power source has been electrically connected to the battery device, the external power source directly supplies power to the microcontroller, so that the microcontroller is awakened to receive the external power indication signal.

5. The battery device according to claim 4, wherein: When the microcontroller simultaneously receives the start signal and the maintenance signal for a duration less than or equal to the specified time, and the microcontroller also receives the external power indication signal, the microcontroller outputs the disable signal to the power switch, thereby restoring the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit, and the battery device enters a normal mode.

6. An electronic device comprising: a charging circuit that receives an activation signal and outputs the activation signal accordingly; wherein, when an external power source is electrically coupled to the charging circuit, the charging circuit outputs an external power indication signal accordingly; a power management circuit that receives a maintenance indication signal and outputs the maintenance indication signal accordingly; a processor, outputting a maintenance signal correspondingly according to the maintenance indication signal; and A battery device comprising a battery cell and a battery protection circuit; The battery protection circuit receives the start signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal, and is electrically connected to the battery cell; The battery protection circuit disconnects the battery cell from the battery protection circuit according to the activation signal and the maintenance signal. The battery protection circuit restores the electrical connection between itself and the battery cell according to the start signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein: The battery protection circuit includes: a microcontroller receiving the start signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal; and a power switch electrically connected to the battery cell; wherein the microcontroller outputs an enable signal to the power switch according to the start signal and the maintenance signal, so that the power switch disconnects the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit; The microcontroller outputs a disable signal to the power switch according to the start signal, the maintenance signal, and the external power indication signal, so that the power switch restores the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit.

8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein: The activation signal is used to indicate that the power button of the electronic device has been pressed; the maintenance signal and the maintenance indication signal are used to indicate that the maintenance button of the electronic device has been pressed.

9. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein: When the microcontroller receives the start signal and the maintenance signal simultaneously for a duration less than or equal to a specific time, the microcontroller outputs the enable signal to the power switch, disconnecting the electrical connection between the battery cell and the battery protection circuit, and the battery device enters a maintenance mode.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein: When the battery device has entered the maintenance mode and the external power source has been electrically coupled to the charging circuit, the charging circuit supplies power and outputs the external power indication signal to the microcontroller, so that the microcontroller is awakened to receive the external power indication signal.

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