Multi-battery electronic device and protection method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-battery electronic device and a protection method thereof. The multi-battery electronic device comprises a plurality of batteries, a plurality of battery detectors and a control circuit. The plurality of battery detectors are respectively connected to the plurality of batteries, and a control circuit is configured to detect battery states of the plurality of batteries through the plurality of battery detectors. When the control circuit judges that the current capacity difference between any two of the batteries is larger than a capacity difference critical value, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter a load reduction mode. Therefore, in the multi-battery electronic device and the protection method thereof provided by the invention, as long as the capacity difference between any two batteries is abnormal, load reduction is carried out immediately, and the electric power of the batteries is prevented from being exhausted by the load.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a protection method thereof, and in particular to an electronic device supporting multiple batteries and a protection method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Currently, computers usually only have a charger and a battery inside. When the graphics card used in a computer is of high specification, the system power consumption may be as high as 400 watts. Since the output power of a single battery is only about 70 watts, the computer may lose power instantly, or even damage the battery. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a multi-battery electronic device in view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the multi-battery electronic device comprising: a plurality of batteries, a plurality of battery detectors and a control circuit. The plurality of battery detectors are respectively connected to the plurality of batteries, and the control circuit is configured to detect the battery status of the plurality of batteries through the plurality of battery detectors, and when it is determined that the current capacity difference between any two of the plurality of batteries is greater than the capacity difference threshold value, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter a load reduction mode.

[0004] Preferably, the control circuit is further configured to control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the load reduction mode when a discharge current of any one of the plurality of batteries is greater than a first current upper limit.

[0005] Preferably, the control circuit is further configured to control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the load reduction mode when the temperature of any one of the plurality of batteries exceeds a temperature protection range.

[0006] Preferably, the device further comprises a central processing unit and a display card. When the multi-battery electronic device enters the load reduction mode, the operating frequency of at least one of the central processing unit and the display card decreases.

[0007] Preferably, it also includes a central processing unit and a display card, wherein the load reduction mode includes a first load reduction stage and a second load reduction stage, in the first load reduction stage, the operating frequency of the display card is reduced, and in the second load reduction stage, the operating frequencies of the display card and the central processing unit are reduced.

[0008] Preferably, the control circuit is also configured to control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the first load reduction stage when the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than the first current upper limit, and to control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the second load reduction stage when the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than a second current upper limit, and the first current upper limit is less than the second current upper limit.

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a protection method for a multi-battery electronic device in view of the shortcomings of the prior art. The protection method for a multi-battery electronic device includes configuring a control circuit to perform the following steps: respectively detecting the battery status of a plurality of batteries through a plurality of battery detectors; determining whether a current capacity difference between any two of the plurality of batteries is greater than a capacity difference critical value; and when it is determined that the current capacity difference between any two of the plurality of batteries is higher than the capacity difference critical value, controlling the multi-battery electronic device to enter a load reduction mode.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes determining whether a discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than a first current upper limit; when the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than the first current upper limit, controlling the multi-battery electronic device to enter the load reduction mode.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes determining whether the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries exceeds a temperature protection range; when the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries exceeds the temperature protection range, controlling the multi-battery electronic device to enter the load reduction mode.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes judging whether a discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than a first current upper limit; when the discharge current is greater than the first current upper limit, judging whether the discharge current is greater than a second current upper limit, the second current upper limit is greater than the first current upper limit; when the discharge current is not greater than the first current upper limit, the multi-battery electronic device is maintained in a normal mode; when the discharge current is not greater than the first current upper limit, controlling the multi-battery electronic device to enter a first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode; when the discharge current is greater than the second current upper limit, controlling the multi-battery electronic device to enter a second load reduction stage in the load reduction mode.

[0013] One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the multi-battery electronic device and the protection method thereof provided by the present invention can immediately reduce the load as long as the capacity difference between any two batteries is abnormal, thereby preventing the battery power from being exhausted by the load.

[0014] To further understand the features and technical contents of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, the drawings provided are only for reference and description and are not intended to limit the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a functional block diagram of a first embodiment of a multi-battery electronic device provided by the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 For application Figure 1 Flow chart of a protection method for a multi-battery electronic device.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a functional block diagram of a second embodiment of the multi-battery electronic device provided by the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 For application Figure 3 Flow chart of a protection method for a multi-battery electronic device.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a functional block diagram of a third embodiment of the multi-battery electronic device provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 For application Figure 5 Flow chart of a protection method for a multi-battery electronic device.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a functional block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the multi-battery electronic device provided by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 For application Figure 7 Flow chart of a protection method for a multi-battery electronic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following is an explanation of the implementation methods of the "multi-battery electronic device and its protection method" provided by the present invention through specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the content provided in this specification. The present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of the present invention. In addition, the drawings of the present invention are only simple schematic illustrations and are not depicted according to actual dimensions. It is stated in advance. The following implementation methods will further explain the relevant technical content of the present invention in detail, but the content provided is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] It should be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are mainly used to distinguish one component from another component, or one signal from another signal. In addition, the term "or" used herein may include any one or more combinations of the associated listed items depending on the actual situation.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of the first embodiment of the multi-battery electronic device provided by the present invention. Figure 1The multi-battery electronic device includes a plurality of batteries 1, a plurality of battery detectors 2, and a control circuit 3. The plurality of battery detectors 2 are respectively connected to the plurality of batteries 1 so as to detect a plurality of battery states of the plurality of batteries 1. The control circuit 3 can be implemented by one or more of a microcontroller unit, a system on a chip, a programmable logic array, and a field programmable logic array, for example, and the control circuit 3 is electrically connected to the plurality of battery detectors 2 so as to obtain a plurality of battery states. The control circuit 3 is further electrically connected to various loads in the multi-battery electronic device so as to control the operating frequency of each load.

[0026] When the tasks handled by multi-battery electronic devices become more complex and require more system resources, the power consumption of the load increases accordingly. Taking the central processing unit as an example, there may be power consumption levels such as Power Limit 1 (PL1), Power Limit 2 (PL2), Power Limit 3 (PL3) and Power Limit 4 (PL4). Among them, PL1 usually represents the thermal design power consumption, while PL2 represents short-term power consumption, which is suitable for full load operation or overclocking state under accelerated boost frequency, that is, in order to allow the CPU to operate at a high clock frequency, the highest power consumption that can be achieved, so usually the PL2 value will be greater than the PL1 value. As for PL3 and PL4, they are relatively higher power consumption modes.

[0027] Each battery detector 2 includes a capacity detection circuit 21, which is used to detect the current capacity of the battery 1, and the control circuit 3 obtains the current capacity of each battery 1 through the capacity detection circuit 21. The control circuit 3 determines whether the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries 1 is greater than the capacity difference critical value. When the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries 1 is greater than the capacity difference critical value, the control circuit 3 causes the multi-battery electronic device to enter a load reduction mode, while the battery detector 2 continues to detect the capacity status of each battery 1. When the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries 1 is not greater than the capacity difference critical value, the multi-battery electronic device maintains a normal mode, and the battery detector 2 continues to detect the capacity status of each battery 1.

[0028] Figure 2 For application Figure 1 A flow chart of a method for protecting a multi-battery electronic device, and Figure 2The protection method includes configuring the control circuit 3 to perform the following steps. In step S201, the current capacities of the multiple batteries are respectively detected by multiple capacity detection circuits 21. In step S202. Determine whether the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries is greater than the capacity difference critical value. When the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries is greater than the capacity difference critical value, enter step S203. When the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries is not greater than the capacity difference critical value, return to step S201. In step S203, control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, and then return to step S201.

[0029] Specifically, the load reduction mode includes a first load reduction stage and a second load reduction stage. When the control circuit 3 reduces the operating frequency of the display card 4, the multi-battery electronic device enters the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode. When the control circuit 3 simultaneously reduces the operating frequencies of the display card 4 and the central processor 5, the multi-battery electronic device enters the second load reduction stage in the load reduction mode.

[0030] For example, in the normal mode, PL1, PL2 and PL4 of the CPU 5 are 45 W, 109 W and 109 W respectively. In the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, PL1, PL2 and PL4 of the CPU 5 are 10 W, 10 W and 109 W respectively. In the second load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, PL1, PL2 and PL4 of the CPU 5 are 6.5 W, 6.5 W and 109 W respectively.

[0031] pass Figure 2 The protection method is to immediately reduce the load as soon as the capacity difference between any two batteries is abnormal to prevent the battery power from being exhausted by the load.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a functional block diagram of the second embodiment of the multi-battery electronic device provided by the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 1 , Figure 3 The battery detector 2 includes a current detection circuit 22, which is used to detect the discharge current of the battery 1, and the control circuit 3 obtains the discharge current of each battery 1 through the current detection circuit 22. When the control circuit 3 determines that the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries 1 is greater than the current upper limit, the control circuit 3 controls the multi-battery electronic device to enter the load reduction mode, and the battery detector 2 still continues to detect the discharge current of each battery 1. When the control circuit 3 determines that the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries 1 is not greater than the current upper limit, the multi-battery electronic device maintains the normal mode, and the battery detector 2 still continues to detect the discharge current of each battery 1.

[0033] Figure 4 For application Figure 3A flow chart of a method for protecting a multi-battery electronic device, and Figure 4 The protection method includes configuring the control circuit 3 to perform the following steps. In step S401, the discharge currents of the multiple batteries are respectively detected by the multiple current detection circuits 22. In step S402, it is determined whether the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than the current upper limit. When the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than the current upper limit, the process proceeds to step S403. When the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is not greater than the current upper limit, the process returns to step S401. In step S403, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, and then the process returns to step S401.

[0034] For example, the current upper limit is set to 6 amperes (A). When the control circuit 3 determines that the discharge current of any of the multiple batteries is greater than 6A, the control circuit 3 reduces the operating frequency of the display card 4 so that the multi-battery electronic device enters the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode.

[0035] pass Figure 4 A protection method is used. As long as the discharge current of any battery is abnormal, the load will be reduced immediately to prevent the battery power from being exhausted by the load.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a functional block diagram of the third embodiment of the multi-battery electronic device provided by the present invention. Figure 5 and Figure 1 , Figure 5 The battery detector 2 includes a temperature detection circuit 23, which is used to detect the temperature of the battery 1, and the control circuit 3 obtains the temperature of each battery 1 through the temperature detection circuit 23. When the control circuit 3 determines that the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries 1 is not within the temperature protection range, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter the load reduction mode, and the battery detector 2 still continues to detect the temperature state of each battery 1. When the control circuit 3 determines that the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries 1 is within the temperature protection range, the multi-battery electronic device maintains the normal mode, and the battery detector 2 still continues to detect the temperature state of each battery 1.

[0037] Figure 6 For application Figure 5 A flow chart of a method for protecting a multi-battery electronic device, and Figure 6The protection method includes configuring the control circuit 3 to perform the following steps. In step S601, the temperatures of the multiple batteries are respectively detected by the multiple temperature detection circuits 23. In step S602, it is determined whether the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries is within the temperature protection range. When the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries is within the temperature protection range, return to step S601. When the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries is not within the temperature protection range, enter step S603. In step S603, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, and then return to step S601.

[0038] For example, the temperature protection range is -17 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius. When the control circuit 3 determines that the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries is lower than -17 degrees Celsius or higher than 50 degrees Celsius, the control circuit 3 reduces the operating frequency of the display card 4 so that the multi-battery electronic device enters the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode.

[0039] pass Figure 6 With this protection method, even in extreme climate environments, the battery can still supply power to the load normally, allowing the load to operate normally.

[0040] Figure 7 This is a functional block diagram of the fourth embodiment of the multi-battery electronic device provided by the present invention. Figure 7 and Figure 1 , Figure 7 The battery detector 2 includes a capacity detection circuit 21, a current detection circuit 22 and a temperature detection circuit 23. The capacity detection circuit 21 is used to detect the current capacity of the battery 1, the current detection circuit 22 is used to detect the discharge current of the battery 1, and the temperature detection circuit 23 is used to detect the temperature of the battery 1. The control circuit 3 obtains the current capacity, discharge current and temperature of each battery 1 through the capacity detection circuit 21, the current detection circuit 22 and the temperature detection circuit 23.

[0041] Figure 8 For application Figure 7 A flow chart of a method for protecting a multi-battery electronic device, and Figure 8 The protection method includes configuring the control circuit 3 to perform the following steps.

[0042] In step S801, the current capacities of the multiple batteries are detected respectively by the multiple capacity detection circuits 21. In step S802, it is determined whether the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries is greater than the capacity difference critical value. When the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries is higher than the capacity difference critical value, the process proceeds to step S803. When the current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries is not higher than the capacity difference critical value, the process returns to step S801. In step S803, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, and then the process returns to step S801.

[0043] In step S804, the discharge currents of the multiple batteries are respectively detected by the multiple current detection circuits 22. For example, the relationship between the discharge current and the first current upper limit and the second current upper limit can be determined. In the present embodiment, the second current upper limit can be designed to be greater than the first current upper limit. In step S805, it is determined whether the discharge current of any of the multiple batteries is greater than the first current upper limit. When the discharge current of any of the multiple batteries is greater than the first current upper limit, the process proceeds to step S806. When the discharge current of any of the multiple batteries is not greater than the first current upper limit, the process returns to step S804. In step S806, it is determined whether the discharge current of any of the multiple batteries is greater than the second current upper limit, wherein the second current upper limit is greater than the first current upper limit. When the discharge current of any of the multiple batteries is greater than the second current upper limit, the process proceeds to step S807. When the discharge current of any of the multiple batteries is not greater than the second current upper limit, the process proceeds to step S808. In step S807, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter the second load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, and then the process returns to step S804. In step S808 , the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, and then returns to step S804 .

[0044] For example, the first current upper limit is 4 amperes, the second current upper limit is 7 amperes, and when the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries 1 is lower than 4 amperes, the multi-battery electronic device is maintained in the normal mode. In the normal mode, PL1, PL2 and PL4 of the CPU 5 are 45W, 109W and 109W respectively. When the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries 1 is greater than 4 amperes and less than 7 amperes, the control circuit 3 reduces the operating frequency of the display card 4 to make the multi-battery electronic device enter the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode. In the first load reduction stage, PL1, PL2 and PL4 of the CPU 5 are 10W, 10W and 109W respectively. When the control circuit 3 determines that the discharge current of any one of the four batteries 1 is greater than 7 amperes, the control circuit 3 simultaneously reduces the operating frequencies of the display card 4 and the CPU 5 to make the multi-battery electronic device enter the second load reduction stage in the load reduction mode. In the second load reduction stage, PL1, PL2 and PL4 of the CPU 5 are 6.5W, 6.5W and 109W respectively.

[0045] In step S809, the temperatures of the multiple batteries are detected respectively by the multiple temperature detection circuits 23. In step S810, it is determined whether the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries is within the temperature protection range. When the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries is within the temperature protection range, the process returns to step S809. When the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries is not within the temperature protection range, the process proceeds to step S811. In step S811, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter the first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode, and then the process returns to step S809.

[0046] Furthermore, Figure 8 Steps S801, S804 and S809 may be executed simultaneously or sequentially.

[0047] pass Figure 8 The protection method is to immediately reduce the load as long as any one of the battery capacity difference, battery discharge current and battery temperature is abnormal, so as to prevent the battery power from being exhausted by the load and enable the load to operate normally.

[0048] [Beneficial effects of the embodiment]:

[0049] One of the beneficial effects of the present invention is that the multi-battery electronic device and protection method provided by the present invention can immediately reduce the load as long as any one of the battery capacity difference, battery discharge current and battery temperature is abnormal, thereby preventing the battery power from being exhausted by the load and allowing the load to operate normally.

[0050] The contents provided above are only preferred feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the claims of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made using the contents of the specification and drawings of the present invention are included in the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-battery electronic device, characterized in that: The multi-battery electronic device comprises: Multiple batteries; a plurality of battery detectors, connected to the plurality of batteries respectively; and A control circuit is configured to detect the battery status of the multiple batteries through the multiple battery detectors, and control the multi-battery electronic device to enter a load reduction mode when it is determined that a current capacity difference between any two of the multiple batteries is greater than a capacity difference threshold.

2. The multi-battery electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The control circuit is also configured to control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the load reduction mode when a discharge current of any one of the plurality of batteries is greater than a first current upper limit.

3. The multi-battery electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The control circuit is also configured to control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the load reduction mode when the temperature of any one of the plurality of batteries exceeds a temperature protection range.

4. The multi-battery electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The multi-battery electronic device further includes a central processing unit and a display card. When the multi-battery electronic device enters the load reduction mode, the operating frequency of at least one of the central processing unit and the display card decreases.

5. The multi-battery electronic device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The multi-battery electronic device further includes a central processing unit and a display card, wherein the load reduction mode includes a first load reduction stage and a second load reduction stage. In the first load reduction stage, the operating frequency of the display card decreases, and in the second load reduction stage, the operating frequencies of the display card and the central processing unit decrease.

6. The multi-battery electronic device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The control circuit is also configured to control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the first load reduction stage when the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than the first current upper limit, and to control the multi-battery electronic device to enter the second load reduction stage when the discharge current of any one of the multiple batteries is greater than a second current upper limit, and the first current upper limit is less than the second current upper limit.

7. A method for protecting a multi-battery electronic device, characterized in that: The protection method of the multi-battery electronic device comprises: A control circuit is configured to perform the following steps: Using a plurality of battery detectors to detect the battery status of a plurality of batteries respectively; Determining whether a current capacity difference between any two of the plurality of batteries is greater than a capacity difference threshold; and When it is determined that the current capacity difference between any two of the plurality of batteries is higher than the capacity difference threshold, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter a load reduction mode.

8. The protection method of a multi-battery electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The protection method of the multi-battery electronic device further includes determining whether a discharge current of any one of the plurality of batteries is greater than a first current upper limit; When the discharge current of any one of the plurality of batteries is greater than the first current upper limit, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter the load reduction mode.

9. The protection method of a multi-battery electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The protection method of the multi-battery electronic device also includes determining whether the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries exceeds a temperature protection range; when the temperature of any one of the multiple batteries exceeds the temperature protection range, controlling the multi-battery electronic device to enter the load reduction mode.

10. The protection method of a multi-battery electronic device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The protection method of the multi-battery electronic device further includes determining whether a discharge current of any one of the plurality of batteries is greater than a first current upper limit; When the discharge current is greater than the first current upper limit, determining whether the discharge current is greater than a second current upper limit, the second current upper limit being greater than the first current upper limit; When the discharge current is not greater than the first current upper limit, the multi-battery electronic device is maintained in a normal mode; when the discharge current is not greater than the first current upper limit, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter a first load reduction stage in the load reduction mode; when the discharge current is greater than the second current upper limit, the multi-battery electronic device is controlled to enter a second load reduction stage in the load reduction mode.

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