Parallel charger circuit with battery feedback control

Abstract

Generally, techniques are described that involve a device that includes a power storage device, an electrical load, and a first regulated power converter that includes components configured to generate a first power signal to charge the power storage device during a first time period and using electrical energy received from a power source external to the device. A second regulated power converter includes components configured to determine a charging current at which the power storage device is charged, determine a total amount of electrical current flowing to the power storage device that includes the current sourced by the second power converter minus the current absorbed by the electrical load, and generate a second power signal to charge the power storage device during a second time period that does not overlap the first time period using electrical energy from the power source and based on the determined total amount of electrical current.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] A device may include multiple onboard chargers, each capable of charging one or more power sources (e.g., batteries) of the device using power received from an external source. The onboard chargers may include a main charger and parallel chargers, each with different characteristics. Depending on the charging environment, the device's controller may utilize either the main charger or the parallel chargers to charge one or more power sources using power received from an external source. Summary of the Invention

[0002] In general, this disclosure relates to devices including dual-onboard regulated chargers. The controller of a device having a regulated main charger and an unregulated parallel charger can regulate the electrical force supplied by the unregulated parallel charger by adjusting the electrical force supplied by an external power source that supplies power to the device. For example, the controller can measure the input current of the parallel charger and request the external power source to increase or decrease the amount of current supplied to the device based on the measured input current. However, such a scheme may present one or more disadvantages. As an example, communication with the external power source may introduce delays. As another example, the input current of the parallel charger may not be an accurate representation of how much current is actually supplied to one or more power storage devices (e.g., because some of the current supplied by the parallel charger may be used by electrical loads including other system components). These disadvantages can lead to inconsistent electrical forces supplied to one or more power storage devices, which may be undesirable.

[0003] According to one or more techniques disclosed herein, an apparatus may include a regulated parallel charger and a controller that regulates the operation of the parallel charger based on the amount of current actually supplied to one or more power storage devices. In this way, the controller can reduce delays and / or smooth the electrical force supplied to the one or more power storage devices.

[0004] In one example, an apparatus includes a power storage device, an electrical load, and a first regulated power converter. The first regulated power converter includes components configured to generate a first power signal to charge the power storage device during a first time period using electrical energy received from a power source external to the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a second regulated power converter including components configured to: determine a charging current for charging the power storage device; determine a total current flowing to the power storage device, the total current including the current sourced by the second regulated power converter minus the current absorbed by the electrical load; and during a second time period not overlapping with the first time period, use electrical energy received from the power source and generate a second power signal based on the determined total current to charge the power storage device with the determined charging current.

[0005] In another example, a method includes charging a power storage device by generating a first power signal using electrical energy received from a power source during a first time period using a first regulated power converter. The method includes determining a charging current for charging the power storage device using a second regulated power converter. The second regulated power converter determines a total current flowing to the power storage device, which includes the current sourced by the second regulated power converter minus the current absorbed by the electrical load. During a second time period not overlapping with the first time period, the second regulated power converter uses electrical energy received from the power source and generates a second power signal based on the determined total current to charge the power storage device with the determined charging current.

[0006] In another example, a system includes a device comprising a power storage device, an electrical load, and a first circuit for generating a first power signal to charge the power storage device during a first time period using electrical energy received from a power source external to the device. The device also includes a second circuit for determining a charging current for charging the power storage device. The second circuit further determines a total current flowing to the power storage device, which includes the current sourced by a second power converter minus the current absorbed by the electrical load. Using the electrical energy received from the power source and based on the determined total current, the second circuit generates a second power signal during a second time period that does not overlap with the first time period to charge the power storage device with the determined charging current.

[0007] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosed subject matter may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a mobile device and a power adapter according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic representation of an example system including a mobile device and a power adapter according to an example of this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic representation of an example system including a mobile device and a power adapter according to an example of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example operation of a parallel charger circuit that provides charge to one or more power storage devices according to an example of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic representation of an example mobile device and a power adapter according to the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system 100 including a mobile device 102 and a power adapter 110 according to various aspects of this disclosure. The power adapter 110 may be an AC adapter, an AC / DC adapter, or an AC / DC converter. The power adapter 110 may be an external power source enclosed in a housing (e.g., an AC plug). The power adapter 110 may also be a plug assembly, a plug-in adapter, an adapter block, a household power adapter, a line power adapter, a wall adapter, a power module, and a power adapter. The power adapter 110 may include a transformer to convert the mains voltage to a lower voltage. Figure 1 As shown, the power adapter 110 can output a voltage level V to the mobile device 102. BUS_IN and current level I BUS_IN DC power signal.

[0014] Mobile device 102 can refer to any device that includes a power storage device capable of being recharged by an external power adapter such as power adapter 110. Examples of mobile device 102 include, but are not limited to, mobile phones (including so-called "smartphones"), smart glasses, smartwatches, portable speakers (including portable smart speakers), laptop computers, portable gaming systems, wireless gaming system controllers, etc. In some examples, mobile device 102 may be a foldable device because the components of mobile device 102 can be distributed across two housings joined by hinges. Figure 1As shown in the example, mobile device 102 may include main charger 112, parallel charger 118, processing circuitry 108, and power storage device 124.

[0015] Processing circuitry 108 may represent circuitry configured to support the operation of mobile device 102 and may execute software (or, in other words, an instruction set) that enables the execution of layered software layers to present various functionalities for user use. Processing circuitry 108 may, for example, execute a kernel forming a base layer through which the operating system interfaces with various other processing units (such as cameras, microphones, sensors, etc.). Processing circuitry 108 may also execute an operating system that presents an application space, in which one or more applications (e.g., first-party and / or third-party applications) may execute to present a graphical user interface used for user interaction.

[0016] The processing circuitry 108 may include one or more of a microprocessor, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), accelerated processing unit (APU), application processor (AP), central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. The functionality attributed to the processing circuitry 108 in this disclosure can be embodied in software (as described above), firmware, hardware, or combinations thereof. Although Figure 1 The example mobile device 102 is illustrated to include a processing circuit 108, but other example mobile devices according to this disclosure may include multiple processors (or multiple so-called "cores," which is another way of referring to processors when packaged together) configured to perform one or more functions attributed to the processing circuit 108 of the mobile device 102 individually or in different cooperative combinations.

[0017] Power storage device 124 can be configured to store electrical energy for use by components of mobile device 102. Examples of power storage device 124 include batteries, such as rechargeable batteries. Some examples of batteries include lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, or any other type of rechargeable battery, such as nickel metal hydride, lead-acid, or lithium-ion polymer. In some examples, power storage device 124 may represent an array of power storage devices. For example, in the case where mobile device 102 is a foldable device, power storage device 124 may include a first battery in a first housing of the foldable device and a second battery in a second housing of the foldable device.

[0018] The main charger 112 may represent a circuit configured to generate a power signal to charge the power storage device 124 and / or provide power to other components of the mobile device 102. For example, the main charger 112 may operate as a DC / DC power converter. The main charger 112 may be a regulated power converter, wherein the voltage and / or current of the power signal output by the main charger 112 can be adjusted by the operation of the components of the main charger 112. Examples of such power converters include DC / DC converters such as buck, boost, buck-boost, Cuk (also known as a dual-inductor inverting converter), flyback, or any other type of regulated DC / DC converter.

[0019] In operation, the main charger 112 may generate heat as a byproduct of the power conversion process. For example, in the case where the main charger 112 is a buck converter, the heat generated by the main charger 112 may be positively correlated with the voltage of the input power signal received from the power adapter 110 (e.g., higher voltage may result in more heat). Components of the main charger 112 can be selected to generate acceptable heat at a specific voltage of the input power signal (e.g., 5 volts). However, some charging standards may allow for increased voltage levels of the input power signal to, for example, reduce charging time. To enable the mobile device 102 to utilize such increased voltage levels, the mobile device 102 may include a second charger circuit, such as a parallel charger 118, which may generate less heat at higher voltage levels of the input power signal compared to the main charger 112.

[0020] The parallel charger 118 and the main charger 112 can be configured such that only one of them provides a power signal to charge the power storage device 124 at any given time. For example, the main charger 112 can generate a first power signal to charge the power storage device 124 during a first time period and using electrical energy received from a power source external to the device (e.g., power adapter 110). The parallel charger 118 can generate a second power signal to charge the power storage device 124 during a second time period that does not overlap with the first time period. As discussed in further detail below, in some examples, the parallel charger 118 and the main charger 112 can operate at the same time (e.g., simultaneously) to perform different tasks. For example, at a particular time, the parallel charger 118 can convert the power signal received from the power adapter 110 to charge the power storage device 124, while the main charger 112 generates a power signal to charge another device (e.g., enabling the mobile device 102 to simultaneously charge the power storage device 124 and provide power to another device via wireless transmission).

[0021] In some examples, the parallel charger 118 may be an unregulated power converter. For instance, the parallel charger 118 may be a 2:1 switched capacitor power converter that converts the input power signal to have half the voltage and twice the current (e.g., V). BUS_OUT =V BUS_IN / 2 and I BUS_OUT =2*I BUS_IN The parallel charger 118 outputs a power signal. In an example where the parallel charger 118 is an unregulated power converter, the processing circuitry 108 can provide regulation of the amount of current supplied to the power storage device 124 via communication with the power adapter 110. For example, the parallel charger 118 can output a representation of the amount of current flowing through it. Based on the amount of current flowing through the parallel charger 118, the processing circuitry 108 can output a request to the power adapter 110 to change the voltage (VBUS_IN) of the power signal supplied by the power adapter 110. While enabling some form of regulation, this control loop may include one or more drawbacks. As an example, the delay in feedback and control commands can be very large, resulting in a bandwidth of less than 0.1 Hz for the entire control scheme. As another example, the amount of current flowing through the parallel charger 118 may not be an accurate representation of how much current is actually supplied to the power storage device 124 (e.g., because some of the current supplied by the parallel charger 118 may be used by electrical loads including other system components such as the processing circuitry 108). These drawbacks can lead to inconsistent amounts of power supplied to the power storage device 124, which may be undesirable. Similarly, as the electrical load siphons power, the charging speed of the power storage device 124 may decrease.

[0022] According to one or more techniques disclosed herein, the parallel charger 118 may be a regulated power converter including a controller configured to operate based on the amount of current actually supplied to the power storage device 124 (e.g., based on I0). PSD The controller of the parallel charger 118 can regulate the operation of the parallel charger 118. For example, the controller of the parallel charger 118 can determine the charging current used to charge the power storage device 124 (e.g., if the power storage device 124 has a capacity of 2400mAh, the controller can determine to charge the power storage device 124 with a charging current of 2400mA to achieve a 1C charging rate). The controller of the parallel charger 118 can use any current level sensor, such as a sensing resistor, to determine the total amount of current flowing to the power storage device 124 (e.g., I...). PSD The total current flowing to the power storage device 124 may include the current sourced from the parallel charger 118 (e.g., I0). PC Subtract the current absorbed by the electrical load (e.g., I) LOADThe controller can adjust the operation of the parallel charger 118 so that the amount of current actually supplied to the power storage device 124 (e.g., I0) PSD This is approximately equal to the determined charging current. In this way, the controller can reduce the delay and / or smooth the electrical force supplied to the power storage device 124. Moreover, in this way, the parallel charger 118 can reduce the amount of time required to charge the power storage device 124.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic representation of an example of a system 200 including a mobile device 202 and a power adapter 210, according to one or more aspects of this disclosure. In some examples, system 200 may be considered as... Figure 1 Example of system 100. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the mobile device 202 may include a processing circuit 208, a main charger 212, a parallel charger 218, a current sensor 222, and a power storage device 224. The processing circuit 208, the main charger 212, the parallel charger 218, and the power storage device 224 can each perform functions similar to... Figure 1 The operation of the processing circuit 108, the main charger 112, the parallel charger 118 and the power storage device 124.

[0024] exist Figure 2 In the example, the parallel charger 218 may include a controller 220 and a regulated power converter 226. The regulated power converter 226 may be any type of power converter capable of generating a regulated output power signal. In some examples, the regulated power converter 226 may be a switch-mode power converter. For example, the regulated power converter 226 may be a buck, boost, buck-boost, Cuk (also known as a dual-inductor inverting converter), flyback, or any other type of regulated DC / DC converter.

[0025] The controller 220 can be configured to control the operation of one or more components of the parallel charger 218, such as the regulated power converter 226. For example, the controller 220 can output one or more signals (e.g., signal 228) to the switch of the regulated power converter 226, which regulates the amount of current supplied by the regulated power converter 226 (e.g., I0). PC Controller 220 can be any combination of analog and digital controllers. Examples of controller 220 include, but are not limited to, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general-purpose microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuits. As a specific example, controller 220 may include an analog compensator.

[0026] As described above and according to one or more aspects of this disclosure, controller 220 can base its operation on the amount of current flowing to power storage device 224 (e.g., I0). PSD The controller 220 can control the operation of the regulated power converter 226. For example, the controller 220 can regulate the current output of the regulated power converter 226 to maintain the amount of current flowing to the power storage device 224 at a specified charging current, regardless of whether the amount of current supplied by the regulated power converter 226 is absorbed by other electrical loads (e.g., as I...). LOAD (Absorbed by processing circuit 208). Therefore, controller 220 can cause regulated power converter 226 to generate a power signal based on the total current flowing to power storage device 224, thereby charging power storage device 224 with a determined charging current.

[0027] As described above, controller 220 can perform operations based on the amount of current flowing to power storage device 224. Controller 220 can also base its operations on the amount of current received from current sensor 222 representing the total current flowing to power storage device 224 (e.g., I0). PSD The signal determines the amount of current flowing to the power storage device 224. For example, as... Figure 2 As shown, current sensor 222 may include a sensing resistor connected in series with power storage device 224 (e.g., such that current flowing to power storage device 224 also flows through current sensor 222), and controller 220 may receive a representation of the voltage drop across the sensing resistor. Since the voltage drop across the sensing resistor of current sensor 222 is proportional to the amount of current flowing through the sensing resistor multiplied by the resistance of the sensing resistor, controller 220 may determine the total amount of current flowing to power storage device 224 based on the voltage drop across the sensing resistor and the resistance of the sensing resistor. The resistance of the sensing resistor of current sensor 222 may be stored in the memory of controller 220 or otherwise made available to controller 220.

[0028] As described above, controller 220 can control the operation of the regulated power converter 226. For example, controller 220 can output a signal 228 that controls the operation of the switch of the regulated power converter 226. In some examples, signal 228 can be a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal and controller 220 can adjust the duty cycle of signal 228 to control the amount of current output by the regulated power converter 226 (e.g., adjusting the duty cycle to adjust I). PC ).

[0029] During operation, the electrical load of the mobile device 202 can draw some current supplied by the parallel charger 218. For example, the processing circuit 208 can draw current denoted as I. LOADThe amount of current. Therefore, all the current generated by the regulated power converter 226 may not flow to the power storage device 224 (i.e., I). PC It may not be equal to I PSD Therefore, if controller 220 wants to control the regulated power converter 226 to generate I... PC If the desired charging current is equal to that of the power storage device 224, the power storage device 224 may not always be charged at the desired charging current. This may present various problems as described above (e.g., increased wear and tear on the power storage device 224, increased charging duration, etc.).

[0030] As described above and according to one or more techniques of this disclosure, controller 220 can control the operation of the regulated power converter 226 to compensate for dynamic power usage of the electrical load, such that the electrical force flowing to the power storage device 224 is relatively consistent and approximately equal to the desired charging current. For example, controller 220 can continuously or periodically monitor the amount of current flowing to the power storage device 224 based on a signal generated by current sensor 222. If I LOAD The increase may be due to the use of the display of the mobile device 202 or by additional calculations being performed by the processing circuitry 208 during charging. PSD The charging current can begin to decrease from the desired level. Controller 220 can control I... LOAD The increase in sensing is I PSD The reduction. Controller 220 can adjust the duty cycle or other parameters of signal 228 to compensate for I by the regulated power supply 226. LOAD The change. As an example, with I PSD Reduce (e.g., in I) LOAD In the case of an increase, controller 220 can increase the duty cycle of signal 228 to increase I. PC And correspondingly add I PSD As another example, with I PSD Increase (e.g., in I) LOAD In the case of reduced load, controller 220 can reduce the duty cycle of signal 228 to reduce I. PD And correspondingly reduce I PSD The controller 220 can implement the control loop at any sufficient frequency. As a concrete example, the controller 220 can implement the control loop at 100 kHz (i.e., based on I0). PSD To adjust the operation of the regulated power converter 226.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic representation of an example of a system 300 including a mobile device 302 and a power adapter 310 according to the examples of this disclosure. In some examples, system 300 may be considered as Figure 1 System 100 and / or Figure 2 Example of System 200. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the mobile device 302 may include a processing circuit 308, a main charger 312, a parallel charger 318, a current sensor 322, a power storage device 324, a wireless power module 336, and a switch 338. The processing circuit 308, main charger 312, parallel charger 318, current sensor 322, and power storage device 324 may each perform at least similar functions to... Figure 2 The operation of the processing circuit 208, the main charger 212, the parallel charger 218, the current sensor 222, and the power storage device 224.

[0032] Also Figure 3 As shown, the mobile device 302 may include a wireless power module 336 and a wired power interface 340. The wireless power module 336 may be a wireless power interface, such as an inductive power interface that uses inductive power transmission to supply power to or from the wireless power module 336. The wireless power module 336 may use inductive coupling, resonant inductive coupling, capacitive coupling, magnetic coupling, microwave coupling, or optical coupling. The wireless power module 336 may be used to transmit power to or from an external device 342. The wired power interface may be any wired connection through which power can be transmitted to or from the mobile device 302. Examples of the wired power interface 340 include, but are not limited to, USB ports (e.g., micro USB, USB-C, Thunderbolt, etc.), proprietary connectors, tip and socket ports, etc.

[0033] Mobile device 302 can be coupled to external device 342. External device 342 can be connected to wired power interface 340 (e.g., instead of power adapter 310) or wirelessly coupled to wireless power module 336. External device 342 may include a USB charger for charging a USB cable, such as that coupled to a computer or power module, or a USB cable for charging via wired power interface 340 using a programmable power supply (such as power adapter 310). External device 342 can be: a portable USB load, such as headphones, flash memory thumb drives, etc.; or a wireless device, such as headphones or a wireless charger.

[0034] exist Figure 3 In the example, with Figure 2 Compared to the example of parallel charger 218, parallel charger 318 may include additional components and / or functions. For example, in Figure 3In the example, the parallel charger 318 can be configured to operate as a bidirectional regulated power converter. Therefore, the parallel charger 318 can be configured to selectively generate a first power signal to charge the power storage device 324 using power from an external power source (e.g., from the power adapter 310 via the wired power interface 340) and / or generate a second power signal to provide power to an external device 342 coupled to the mobile device 302 (e.g., using electrical energy from the power storage device 324).

[0035] The parallel charger 318 may include components configured to direct the flow of electrical energy between the parallel charger 318 and external components. For example, the parallel charger 318 may include a power switch structure 330. Figure 3 As illustrated in the example, the power switch structure 330 may include two back-to-back load switches 332 and 334. Load switches 332 and 334 may act as multiplexers, enabling the power signal generated by the regulated power converter 326 to be selectively routed to various destinations (e.g., via wireless power module 336 or via wired power interface 340 to power storage device 324 and external device 342), and enabling the regulated power converter 326 to generate the power signal using electrical energy received from various sources (e.g., power adapter 310 and external device 342). As an example, load switch 332 may enable the regulated power converter 326 to selectively draw power from power adapter 310 via wired power interface 340. As another example, load switch 334 may enable the regulated power converter 326 to selectively draw power from external device 342, or to supply power to external device 342. Examples of load switches 332 and 334 include transistors (such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs)), vacuum tubes, logic gates, or network switches. Although illustrated as each comprising two switches, in some examples, each of load switches 332 and 334 may comprise a single switch.

[0036] It may be desirable for the mobile device 302 to operate in a variety of charging scenarios, including two scenarios where the mobile device 302 receives power from an external source (e.g., from the power adapter 310 via a wired power interface 340), where the mobile device 302 is supplying power to an external device, and where the mobile device 302 simultaneously receives power from an external source and supplies power to an external device. Power transfer in such scenarios may occur via various connection types, including both wireless (e.g., inductive wireless charging, including wireless charging using the Qi standard) and wired links (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), including USB Power Delivery (USB-PD)). Both the main charger 312 and the parallel charger 318 are capable of bidirectional power transfer. As described below, the mobile device 302 can distribute operations between the main charger 312 and the parallel charger 318 to handle each charging scenario most efficiently.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the switch 338 of the mobile device 302 enables selective connection from the main charger 312 to the wireless power module 336. The main charger 312 and the parallel charger 318 can handle: charging the external device 342, such as cable charging, USB OTG / headphone charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging; and charging the power storage device 324; as well as coexistence use cases. The main charger 312 can also charge the external device via the switch 338, or the parallel charger 318 can charge the external device 342 via the load switch 334 of the power switching structure 330. In one example, the main charger 312 can handle standard cable charging and wireless charging of the power storage device 324, while the parallel charger 318 can handle fast cable charging of the power storage device 324 and powering the external device (e.g., USB OTG / headphone charging or reverse wireless charging) via the power switching structure 330. Figure 3 In the example, there are three load switches (332, 334 and 338) to reuse all internal and external charging and use cases.

[0038] Table 1 lists the possible charging scenarios and corresponding operations for the main charger 312 and the parallel charger 318. In the following discussion, the acronym USB CHG indicates charging a USB cable using the main charger, such as a USB cable coupled to a computer or power module. Parallel CHG indicates charging a USB cable using the parallel charger 318 with a programmable power supply, such as the power adapter 310. OTG indicates a portable USB load, such as headphones, flash memory thumb drives, etc. WLCRx indicates a wireless receiver for normal wireless charging. WTx indicates a wireless transmitter for reverse wireless charging.

[0039] In scenario 1, where a USB charger is coupled to mobile device 302 and power storage device 324 is a "depleted battery" (e.g., <~2.6V), parallel charger 318 is used to charge power storage device 324 via USB charging, such as wired power interface 340. Due to the low voltage of power storage device, no charging of external device 342 occurs.

[0040] In scenario 2, where the USB charger is coupled to the mobile device 302 and the user expects to use reverse wireless charging, the main charger 312 can be used to charge the power storage device 324 and the parallel charger 318 can be used to perform reverse wireless charging via the wireless power module 336.

[0041] In scenario 3, where the wireless charger is coupled to the mobile device 302, the main charger 312 can be used to charge the power storage device 324 via the wireless power module 336 and the switch 338.

[0042] In scenario 4, where the wireless charger is coupled to the mobile device 302 and the USB portable (OTG) external device, the main charger 312 can wirelessly charge the device via the wireless power module 336 and the switch 338, while the parallel charger 318 supplies power to the OTG device via the switch 338.

[0043] In scenario 5-1, where the USB OTG device is coupled to the mobile device 302, the parallel charger 318 can power the OTG device. However, the main charger 312 can alternate with the parallel charger 318 to power the OTG device, as shown in scenario 5-2.

[0044] In scenario 6-1, where the reverse wireless charger is coupled to mobile device 302, the main charger 312 can power the reverse wireless charger. However, the parallel charger 318 can alternate with the main charger 312 to power the reverse wireless charger, as shown in scenario 6-2.

[0045] In scenario 7-1, where the reverse wireless charger and the USB OTG device are coupled to the mobile device 302, the main charger 312 can power the reverse wireless charger, and the parallel charger 318 can power the OTG device. However, the parallel charger 318 can alternate with the main charger 312 to power the reverse wireless charger, and the main charger can power the USB OTG device, as shown in scenario 7-2.

[0046] Scenario 8 shows a scenario in which there is no device coupling (including power adapter 310).

[0047]

[0048] Table 1: Coexistence Use Cases

[0049] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating example operation of a parallel charger circuit that supplies charge to one or more power storage devices according to an example of this disclosure. For illustrative purposes, in Figure 3 The mobile device 302 is described in the context Figure 4 The operation shown is correct. However, other mobile devices can perform the same operation. Figure 4 The operation.

[0050] During the first time period, the main charger 312 of the mobile device 302 can generate a first power signal to charge the power storage device 324 using electrical energy received from the power source 310 (402). For example, if a USB charger is coupled to the mobile device 302 and the user wishes to use reverse wireless charging, the main charger 312 can be used to charge the power storage device 324, and the parallel charger 318 can be used for reverse wireless charging via the wireless power module 336. The main charger 312 can generate a power signal to charge the power storage device 324 using electrical energy received from the power adapter 310 via the wired power interface 340.

[0051] During a second time period (e.g., different from and non-overlapping with the first time period), it may be expected that the parallel charger 318 of the mobile device 302 will generate a power signal to charge the power storage device 324. For example, in the case where a USB charger is coupled to the mobile device 302 and the power storage device 324 is a "dead battery," the parallel charger 318 can be used to charge the power storage device 324 via USB charging, such as a wired power interface 340, and it may be expected that the parallel charger 318 of the mobile device 302 will generate a second power signal to charge the power storage device 324. To generate the second power signal, the parallel charger 318 may determine the charging current (404) for charging the power storage device 324. For example, the controller 320 of the parallel charger 318 may determine I PSD The expected value. As an example, controller 320 can determine the charging current based on the capacity of power storage device 324 (such as a 1C charging rate as described above). In some examples, the charging current determined by controller 320 may be the same as the charging current provided by main charger 312 during the first time period. In some examples, the charging current determined by controller 320 may be different from the charging current provided by main charger 312 during the first time period.

[0052] The parallel charger 318 can determine the total current flowing to the power storage device 324, which includes the current sourced by the parallel charger 318 minus the current absorbed by the electrical load (406). For example, the controller 320 can determine the total current flowing to the power storage device 324 based on the current received from the current sensor 322 (e.g., I...). PSD The signal is used to determine the amount of current flowing to the power storage device 324.

[0053] The parallel charger 318 can generate a second power signal during a second time period that does not overlap with the first time period to use the electrical energy received from the power source 310 and charge the power storage device 324 with a determined charging current based on the determined total current (408). For example, the controller 320 can adjust the duty cycle of one or more switches of the regulated power converter 326 of the parallel charger 318 to increase or decrease I. PC So that I PSD It is closer to the determined charging current.

[0054] During a third time period (e.g., different from and non-overlapping with the second time period), it may be expected that the parallel charger 318 of the mobile device 302 will generate power to be supplied to an external device (e.g., Figure 3 The power signal of the external device 342. For example, in the case where the wireless charger is coupled to both the mobile device 302 and the USB portable (OTG) external device, the main charger 312 can wirelessly charge via the wireless power module 336 and the switch 338, while the parallel charger 318 supplies power to the OTG device via the switch 338. It may be desirable for the parallel charger 318 of the mobile device 302 to generate a third power signal to be output to the external device 342 (e.g., the OTG device). Therefore, the parallel charger 318 can generate a third power signal during a third time period that does not overlap with the second time period to supply power to the external device coupled to the device using electrical energy from the power storage device 324 (410).

[0055] Figure 5 This is a schematic representation of an example mobile device and a power adapter according to the present disclosure. In some examples, system 500 may be considered as... Figure 1 System 100 and / or Figure 2 System 200 and / or Figure 3 Example of System 300. For example... Figure 5As shown, the mobile device 502 may include a processing circuit 508, a main charger 512, a parallel charger 518, a current sensor 522, a power storage device 524, a wireless power module 536, and a switch 538. The processing circuit 508, main charger 512, parallel charger 518, current sensor 522, and power storage device 524 may each perform at least similar functions to... Figure 2 The processing circuit 208, main charger 212, parallel charger 218, current sensor 222, and power storage device 224 and Figure 3 The operation of the processing circuit 308, main charger 312, parallel charger 318, current sensor 322, and power storage device 324 is described. The mobile device 502 can be coupled to an external device 542.

[0056] Overvoltage protection (OVP) can be useful in mobile devices, especially in the USB path, such as during charging. Therefore, some mobile devices may include OVP protection components, such as OVP switches, in the USB path. Including such an OVP switch may present several disadvantages, such as increased component count and board space usage. According to one or more techniques of this disclosure, the power flow through mobile device 502 can be configured such that the switch in load switches 532 / 534 can provide OVP protection. Therefore, mobile device 502 can include OVP protection without necessarily including additional OVP protection components. Figure 5 As shown, switch 544 of load switch 532 can provide OVP function.

[0057] exist Figure 5 In the example, the entire power flow received between the power adapter 510 and the mobile device 502 via the wired power interface 540 is now passed through the parallel charger 518. The current passed from the power adapter 510 through the wired power interface 540 is passed through the OVP switch 54. In an example similar to scenario three above, where a wireless charger is coupled to the mobile device 502, the main charger 512 can be used to charge the power storage device 524 via the wireless power module 536 and the switch 538. In an example similar to scenario 2 above, where a USB charger is coupled to the mobile device 502 and the user wishes to use reverse wireless charging for the external device 542, the main charger 512 can be used to charge the power storage device 524 by routing power from the wired power interface 540 to the main charger 512 and then to the power storage device 524 via the OVP switch 544. The parallel charger 518 can be used for reverse wireless charging via the load switch 534 to the wireless power module 336 and then wirelessly to the external device 542.

[0058] The power adapter 510 can be directly coupled to the parallel charger 518 at the OVP switch 544 in the first pair of load switches 532. After passing through the OVP switch 540, I BUS_IN Power can be transferred to the power storage device 524 via the regulated power converter 526. Alternatively, depending on the charging scenario discussed above regarding the power storage device 524 and the external device 542, I BUS_IN It can be transferred to the main charger 512 via the parallel charger 518.

[0059] The following numbered examples illustrate one or more aspects of this disclosure:

[0060] Example 1. An apparatus comprising: a power storage device; an electrical load; a first regulated power converter including components configured to generate a first power signal to charge the power storage device during a first time period and using electrical energy received from a power source external to the apparatus; and a second regulated power converter including components configured to: determine a charging current for charging the power storage device; determine a total current flowing to the power storage device, the total current including a current sourced by the second regulated power converter minus a current absorbed by the electrical load; and during a second time period not overlapping with the first time period, using electrical energy received from the power source and based on the determined total current to charge the power storage device with the determined charging current.

[0061] Example 2. The device of Example 1, wherein the second regulated power converter includes a bidirectional regulated power converter, wherein the components of the bidirectional regulated power converter are further configured to generate a third power signal to power an external device coupled to the device during a third time period that does not overlap with the second time period and using electrical energy sourced from the power storage device.

[0062] Example 3. The device of Example 1 or 2, wherein the second regulated power converter further comprises: a buck converter configured to generate the second power signal using the electrical energy received from the power source to charge the power storage device; and a controller electrically coupled to the buck converter, the controller controlling the duty cycle of the buck converter based on a determined total current, such that the buck converter generates the second power signal having a current equal to the determined charging current and the current absorbed by the electrical load.

[0063] Example 4. The device of Example 3 further includes a current sensor configured to generate a signal representing the total amount of current flowing to the power storage device, wherein the controller is configured to determine the total amount of current flowing to the power storage device based on the signal generated by the current sensor.

[0064] Example 5. The device of Example 3 or 4, wherein the controller updates the duty cycle of the buck converter at a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 kHz.

[0065] Example 6. The device of any one of Examples 2-5 further includes: a first set of one or more load switches electrically coupled between the second regulated power converter and the power source; and a second set of one or more load switches electrically coupled between the second regulated power converter and the external device.

[0066] Example 7. The device of Example 6, wherein: a first set of load switches is configured to direct the electrical energy received from the power source to the second regulated converter; and a second set of load switches is configured to direct the third power signal from the second regulated converter to the external device.

[0067] Example 8. The device of Example 6, wherein a particular switch in the first set of load switches is configured to operate as an overvoltage protection switch, and wherein the electrical energy used by the first regulated power converter to generate the first power signal flows through the particular switch.

[0068] Example 9. The device of any one of Examples 2-8 further includes: a wired power interface, wherein the electrical energy used by the first regulated power converter to generate the first power signal flows through the wired power interface; and a wireless power module, wherein the third power signal is output to the external device via the wireless power module.

[0069] Example 10. The device of any one of Examples 1-9, wherein the electrical load includes one or more of a processing circuit and a display.

[0070] Example 11. The device of any one of Examples 1-10, wherein the power storage device includes a first power storage device and a second power storage device electrically coupled in parallel with the first power storage device, the second power storage device having a different power storage capacity than the first power storage device.

[0071] Example 12. A method comprising: generating a first power signal by a first regulated power converter during a first time period and using electrical energy received from a power source to charge a power storage device; determining a charging current by a second regulated power converter to charge the power storage device; determining a total current flowing to the power storage device by the second regulated power converter, the total current including current sourced by the second regulated power converter minus current absorbed by an electrical load; and generating a second power signal by the second regulated power converter during a second time period not overlapping with the first time period, using electrical energy received from the power source and based on the determined total current to charge the power storage device with the determined charging current.

[0072] Example 13. The method of Example 12 further includes a second regulated power converter, including a bidirectional regulated power converter, generating a third power signal during a third time period that does not overlap with the second time period and using electrical energy sourced from the power storage device to power an external device coupled to the device.

[0073] Example 14. The method of Example 12 or 13, wherein the second regulated power converter further includes a buck converter that uses the electrical energy received from the power source to generate the second power signal to charge the power storage device; and further includes a controller electrically coupled to the buck converter controlling the duty cycle of the buck converter based on a determined total current, such that the buck converter generates the second power signal having a current equal to the determined charging current and the current absorbed by the electrical load.

[0074] Example 15. The method of Example 14 further includes generating a signal representing the total amount of current flowing to the power storage device by a current sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine the total amount of current flowing to the power storage device based on the signal generated by the current sensor.

[0075] Example 16. The method of Example 14 or 15 further includes updating the duty cycle of the buck converter by the controller at a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 kHz.

[0076] Example 17. The method of Example 14 further includes: directing the electrical energy received from the power source outside the second regulated power converter by a first set of one or more load switches electrically coupled between the second regulated power converter and the power source; and directing the third power signal from the power storage device to the one or more external devices by a second set of one or more load switches electrically coupled between the second regulated power converter and the one or more external devices.

[0077] Example 18. Any combination of Examples 1-17.

[0078] For illustrative purposes, the above description has been described with reference to specific implementations. However, the above illustrative discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations of the disclosed subject matter to the precise form disclosed. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible. These implementations have been chosen and described to explain the principles of the implementations of the disclosed subject matter and their practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to utilize these implementations, as well as various implementations with modifications as may be suitable for the specific intended use.

Claims

1. A device for charging, comprising: Power storage devices; Electrical load; A first regulated power converter, the first regulated power converter including components configured to generate a first power signal for charging the power storage device during a first time period and using electrical energy received from a power source outside the device; as well as The second regulated power converter includes components configured to perform the following operations: Determine the charging current used to charge the power storage device; Determine the total current flowing to the power storage device, the total current including the current sourced by the second regulated power converter minus the current absorbed by the electrical load; as well as During a second time period that does not overlap with the first time period, electrical energy received from the power source is used and a second power signal is generated based on a determined total current to charge the power storage device with a determined charging current.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The second regulated power converter includes a bidirectional regulated power converter, wherein the components of the bidirectional regulated power converter are further configured to generate a third power signal for supplying power to external devices coupled to the device during a third time period that does not overlap with the second time period and using electrical energy sourced from the power storage device.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The second regulated power converter further includes: A buck converter configured to use the electrical energy received from the power source to generate the second power signal for charging the power storage device; and A controller electrically coupled to the buck converter controls the duty cycle of the buck converter based on a determined total current, such that the buck converter generates a second power signal having a current equal to the determined charging current and the current absorbed by the electrical load.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a current sensor configured to generate a signal representing the total amount of current flowing to the power storage device, wherein, The controller is configured to determine the total current flowing to the power storage device based on the signal generated by the current sensor.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein, The controller updates the duty cycle of the buck converter at a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 kHz.

6. The device according to claim 2, further comprising: A first set of one or more load switches electrically coupled between the second regulated power converter and the power source; as well as A second set of one or more load switches electrically coupled between the second regulated power converter and the external device.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The first set of load switches is configured to direct the electrical energy received from the power source to the second regulated converter; as well as The second set of load switches is configured to direct the third power signal from the second regulated converter to the external device.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein, A specific switch in the first set of load switches is configured to operate as an overvoltage protection switch, and wherein the electrical energy used by the first regulated power converter to generate the first power signal flows through the specific switch.

9. The device according to claim 2, further comprising: A wired power interface, wherein electrical energy used by the first regulated power converter to generate the first power signal flows through the wired power interface; and A wireless power module, wherein the third power signal is output to the external device via the wireless power module.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The electrical load includes one or more of the processing circuitry and the display.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The power storage device includes a first power storage device and a second power storage device electrically coupled in parallel with the first power storage device, the second power storage device having a different power storage capacity than the first power storage device.

12. A method for charging, comprising: A first regulated power converter generates a first power signal during a first time period and uses electrical energy received from a power source to charge the power storage device. The charging current for charging the power storage device is determined by the second regulated power converter; The total current flowing to the power storage device is determined by the second regulated power converter, the total current including the current sourced by the second regulated power converter minus the current absorbed by the electrical load; as well as During a second time period that does not overlap with the first time period, the second regulated power converter uses electrical energy received from the power source and generates a second power signal based on a determined total current amount to charge the power storage device with a determined charging current.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The second regulated power converter, which includes a bidirectional regulated power converter, generates a third power signal during a third time period that does not overlap with the second time period and uses electrical energy sourced from the power storage device to power external devices coupled to the device.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The second regulated power converter further includes a buck converter that uses the electrical energy received from the power source to generate the second power signal for charging the power storage device; and Further comprising: a controller electrically coupled to the buck converter controlling the duty cycle of the buck converter based on a determined total current, such that the buck converter generates a second power signal having a current equal to the determined charging current and the current absorbed by the electrical load.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: A signal representing the total amount of current flowing to the power storage device is generated by a current sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine the total amount of current flowing to the power storage device based on the signal generated by the current sensor.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: The duty cycle of the buck converter is updated by the controller at a frequency between 1 Hz and 100 kHz.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: The electrical energy received from the power source outside the second regulated power converter is guided by a first set of one or more load switches electrically coupled between the second regulated power converter and the power source. as well as A second set of one or more load switches electrically coupled between the second regulated power converter and one or more external devices directs the third power signal from the power storage device to the one or more external devices.

18. A device for charging, comprising: Power storage devices; Electrical load; A first circuit is configured to generate a first power signal for charging the power storage device during a first time period and using electrical energy received from a power source outside the device. as well as The second circuit is used for: Determine the charging current used to charge the power storage device; Determine the total current flowing to the power storage device, the total current including the current sourced from the second circuit minus the current absorbed by the electrical load; as well as During a second time period that does not overlap with the first time period, electrical energy received from the power source is used and a second power signal is generated based on a determined total current to charge the power storage device with a determined charging current.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein, The second circuit includes a third circuit for generating a third power signal for supplying power to external devices coupled to the device during a third time period that does not overlap with the second time period and using electrical energy sourced from the power storage device.

20. The device according to claim 18, wherein, The second circuit further includes: A third circuit, the third circuit being used to generate the second power signal using the electrical energy received from the power source for charging the power storage device; and A fourth circuit electrically coupled to the third circuit, the fourth circuit being used to control the duty cycle of the third circuit based on a determined total current, such that the third circuit generates a second power signal having a current equal to the determined charging current and the current absorbed by the electrical load.

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