Power supply circuit and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a power supply circuit and an electronic device. The battery life of the electronic device can be prolonged. The power supply circuit comprises a battery module which comprises at least one power supply branch circuit, each power supply branch circuit comprises a first battery cell and a second battery cell, and the negative electrode of the first battery cell in each power supply branch circuit is connected with the positive electrode of the second battery cell; the input end of the first voltage converter is connected with the positive electrode of the first battery cell, the output end of the first voltage converter is connected with a first load, and the first voltage converter is used for converting the first battery voltage into first power utilization voltage; the input end of the second voltage converter is connected with the positive electrode of the second battery cell, the output end of the second voltage converter is connected with a second load, the second voltage converter is used for converting the second battery voltage into second electricity utilization voltage, and a first absolute difference value between the second battery voltage and the second electricity utilization voltage is smaller than a second absolute difference value between the first battery voltage and the second electricity utilization voltage.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202410238839.2, and the original application date is March 4, 2024. The entire content of the original application is incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of electronic equipment, and in particular to a power supply circuit and electronic equipment. Background Art

[0003] For electronic devices such as laptop computers, in order to ensure their normal operation, the battery module in the electronic device needs to provide power support for various components of the electronic device.

[0004] Currently, the power supply solutions for electronic devices such as laptops have low energy efficiency, which affects the battery life of the electronic devices. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a power supply circuit and an electronic device, which can improve the battery life of the electronic device.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a power supply circuit for use in electronic equipment, the power supply circuit comprising a battery module, a first voltage converter, and a second voltage converter. The battery module comprises at least one power supply branch, each power supply branch comprising a first battery cell and a second battery cell, wherein the negative electrode of the first battery cell in each power supply branch is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, the positive electrode of the first battery cell is used to output a first battery voltage, and the positive electrode of the second battery cell is used to output a second battery voltage; the input end of the first voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell, the output end of the first voltage converter is connected to the first load, the first voltage converter is used to convert the first battery voltage into a first power voltage, and output the first power voltage to the first load; the input end of the second voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, the output end of the second voltage converter is connected to the second load, the second voltage converter is used to convert the second battery voltage into a second power voltage, and output the second power voltage to the second load, wherein the first absolute difference between the second battery voltage and the second power voltage is less than the second absolute difference between the first battery voltage and the second power voltage.

[0007] Through this power supply circuit, the voltage difference across the second voltage converter is a first absolute difference. Compared with the solution in which the input end of the second voltage converter is connected to the positive pole of the first battery cell (in this case, the voltage difference across the second voltage converter is a second absolute difference), since the first absolute difference is smaller than the second absolute difference, and the working efficiency of the second voltage converter is inversely proportional to the voltage difference across it, through the power supply circuit of the embodiment of the present application, the working efficiency of the second voltage converter is improved, the voltage loss of the second voltage converter to the battery module is reduced, the voltage utilization rate of the battery module is improved, and the battery life of the electronic device is improved.

[0008] Exemplarily, a battery module may include m power supply branches, each of which includes n battery cells connected in series. Here, m is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. In each branch, the negative electrode of the i-th battery cell is connected to the positive electrode of the i+1-th battery cell, where i is any positive integer less than n. Furthermore, when m is greater than or equal to 2, the positive electrode of the j-th battery cell on each branch is connected in series, where j is any positive integer less than or equal to n.

[0009] In one example, a branch of a battery module may include only a first cell and a second cell. For example, a battery module may include a branch including two cells connected in series: a first cell P1 and a second cell P2, i.e., "2 in series, 1 in parallel." For another example, a battery module may include two branches, one including two cells connected in series: a first cell P1 and a second cell P2, i.e., "2 in series, 2 in parallel."

[0010] In another example, a branch of the battery module may further include other battery cells in addition to the first battery cell and the second battery cell, for example Figure 7 As shown, a branch includes four cells connected in series, the first cell P1 to the fourth cell P4, namely "4 in series and 1 in parallel". Figure 10 As shown, the battery module may include a branch circuit, and the branch circuit includes three first battery cells P1 to third battery cells P3 connected in series, that is, "3 in series and 1 in parallel".

[0011] For example, the first voltage converter may be a voltage converter connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell, such as a BUCK, BOOST or a buck-boost converter. Figure 7 In the electronic device shown, the first voltage converter may include a first buck-boost converter 127 and a first BUCK 121. For another example, the first voltage converter may be Figure 8 and Figure 9The first BOOST 128, the first BUCK 121, the second step-up / step-down converter 129, the fourth BUCK 124 and the fifth BUCK 125 in the electronic device shown. For another example, the first voltage converter may be Figure 10 The sixth buck converter 126 , the first buck-boost converter 127 , and the first buck converter 121 in the electronic device are shown.

[0012] For example, the second voltage converter may be a voltage converter connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, such as Figure 7 The sixth BUCK126; Figure 8 and Figure 9 The second BUCK122 and the third BUCK123; Figure 10 The fourth BUCK124 and the fifth BUCK125.

[0013] Exemplarily, the first load may be an electrical load connected to the first voltage converter, such as the first load 131 of the present application.

[0014] Exemplarily, the second load may be an electrical load connected to the second voltage converter, such as the second load 132 in the present application.

[0015] Exemplarily, the first battery voltage may be the voltage of the positive electrode of the first battery cell. For example, the first battery voltage Vout1 in the present application. The second battery voltage may be the voltage of the positive electrode of the second battery cell. For example, the second battery voltage Vout2 in the present application. In the case where a branch includes two battery cells connected in series, if the voltage variation range of one battery cell is 3V to 4.5V, the voltage value range of the first battery voltage Vout1 may be 6V to 9V, and the voltage variation range of the second battery voltage Vout2 may be 3V to 4.5V. In the case where a branch includes three battery cells connected in series, if the voltage variation range of one battery cell is 3V to 4.5V, the voltage value range of the first battery voltage Vout1 may be 9V to 13.5V, and the voltage variation range of the second battery voltage Vout2 may be 6V to 9V. In the case where a branch includes 4 battery cells connected in series, if the voltage variation range of a battery cell is 3V to 4.5V, the voltage range of the first battery voltage Vout1 can be 12V to 18V, and the voltage range of the second battery voltage Vout2 can be 9V to 13.5V.

[0016] For example, the second voltage converter may include a first buck converter, and the second power voltage may be less than the minimum voltage of the second battery voltage. For example, when the second battery voltage Vout2 ranges from 3V to 4.5V, the second power voltage may be less than 3V.

[0017] Exemplarily, the first voltage converter can be determined based on the relationship between the voltage of the connected first load and the voltage of the first battery. For example, if the voltage of the first load is greater than the maximum voltage of the first battery, the first voltage converter can be a boost converter (BOOST); if the voltage of the first load is less than the minimum voltage of the first battery, the first voltage converter can be a buck converter (BUCK); and if the voltage of the first load is greater than or equal to the minimum value of the first battery and less than or equal to the maximum value of the first battery, the first voltage converter can be a buck-boost converter (BUCK-BOOST).

[0018] For the first load 131, if its power voltage is less than the minimum voltage value of the first battery voltage, it can be a power load with a power voltage less than the minimum voltage value of the first battery voltage and greater than or equal to the minimum voltage value of the second battery voltage. Alternatively, it can be a load with large peak current and high dynamic response, such as a CPU core, GPU core, or NPU core. Such loads have large load current and low supply voltage.

[0019] For example, the electronic device may be a terminal device. For example, the electronic device may be a laptop computer. For example, a thin and light laptop computer using a "2-in-1-parallel" or "2-in-2-parallel" power supply solution.

[0020] According to the first aspect, each power supply branch further includes a third battery cell, wherein the positive electrode of the third battery cell is connected to the negative electrode of the second battery cell, and the positive electrode of the third battery cell is used to output a third battery voltage; the power supply circuit further includes: a third voltage converter, wherein the input end of the third voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell, and the output end of the third voltage converter is connected to the third load, and the third voltage converter is used to convert the third battery voltage into a third power consumption voltage, and output the third power consumption voltage to the third load, wherein the third absolute difference between the third battery voltage and the third power consumption voltage is less than the fourth absolute difference between the first battery voltage and the third power consumption voltage.

[0021] In this way, when the electronic device includes a third voltage converter, the voltage difference between the input and output ends of the third voltage converter can be further reduced by connecting the input end of the third voltage converter to the positive pole of the third battery cell, thereby improving the working efficiency of the third voltage converter and further improving the battery life of the electronic device.

[0022] For example, the third cell may be Figure 10 The third battery cell P3 in the embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the third voltage converter may include a second BUCK 122 and a third BUCK 123. The voltage of the third battery may vary in the range of 3 to 4.5 V. In another exemplary embodiment, the third battery cell may be Figure 7The third battery cell P3 in the battery pack may include a fourth BUCK 124 and a fifth BUCK 125. The voltage of the third battery may range from 6V to 9V.

[0023] For example, the electronic device may be a laptop computer. For example, a laptop computer using a "3-series-1-parallel" power supply solution may be a laptop computer other than a thin and light laptop or a high-performance laptop computer. For example, its performance requirements may be between those of a thin and light laptop and a high-performance laptop computer.

[0024] According to the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect above, the second voltage converter includes a first buck converter, and the second power voltage is less than the minimum voltage value of the second battery voltage and greater than or equal to the minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage.

[0025] The third voltage converter includes a second step-down converter, and the third power voltage is less than a minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage.

[0026] In this way, the buck converter can provide power to the second and third loads, reducing circuit costs. Furthermore, the first and second buck converters can be connected to the battery cells that maximize their operating efficiency, further improving their efficiency and extending the battery life of the electronic device.

[0027] For example, Figure 10 Taking the electronic device shown as an example, the first buck converter can be a buck converter connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, such as the fourth buck converter 124 and the fifth buck converter 125. The second buck converter can be a buck converter connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell, such as the second buck converter 122 and the third buck converter 123. In this case, the second power voltage range is [3V, 6V), and the third power voltage range is (0, 3V).

[0028] According to the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect above, each power supply branch further includes a fourth battery cell, wherein the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell is connected to the negative electrode of the third battery cell, and the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell is used to input a fourth battery voltage;

[0029] The power supply circuit also includes:

[0030] a fourth voltage converter, wherein the input end of the fourth voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell, the output end of the fourth voltage converter is connected to the fourth load, and the fourth voltage converter is used to convert the fourth battery voltage into a fourth power voltage and output the fourth power voltage to the fourth load.

[0031] The sixth absolute difference between the fourth battery voltage and the fourth power voltage is smaller than the seventh absolute difference between the first battery voltage and the fourth battery voltage.

[0032] In this way, when the electronic device includes a fourth voltage converter, the voltage difference between the input and output ends of the fourth voltage converter can be further reduced by connecting the input end of the fourth voltage converter to the positive pole of the fourth battery cell, thereby improving the working efficiency of the fourth voltage converter and further improving the battery life of the electronic device.

[0033] For example, the electronic device may be a performance notebook, which may adopt a "4-in-1-in-parallel" power supply solution to meet performance requirements.

[0034] For example, Figure 7 Taking the electronic device shown as an example, the fourth battery cell may be the fourth battery cell P4 , the fourth battery voltage Vout4 may range from 3 to 4.5 V, and the fourth voltage converter may include a second BUCK 122 and a third BUCK 123 .

[0035] According to the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect above, the second voltage converter includes a first step-down converter, the second power voltage is less than the minimum voltage value of the second battery voltage and greater than or equal to the minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage; the third voltage converter includes a second step-down converter, the third power voltage is less than the minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage and greater than or equal to the minimum voltage value of the fourth battery voltage; the fourth voltage converter includes a third step-down converter, and the fourth power voltage is less than the minimum voltage value of the fourth battery voltage.

[0036] For example, Figure 7 Taking the electronic device shown as an example, at this time, the value range of the second power voltage can be [6V, 9V), the value range of the third power voltage is [3V, 6V), and the value range of the fourth power voltage is (0, 3V).

[0037] According to the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect above, the first load includes a first sub-load, the second load includes a second sub-load, a power voltage of the first sub-load and a power voltage of the second sub-load are both less than the second battery voltage, a load current of the first sub-load is greater than a load current of the second sub-load, and / or a dynamic response rate of the first sub-load is greater than a dynamic response rate of the second sub-load.

[0038] In this way, a load with high dynamic response requirements and large load current can be connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell through the first voltage converter. Since the voltage of the first battery cell is relatively high, the impedance heat loss of the input path of the first voltage converter and the voltage drop caused by the path impedance can be reduced, thereby improving the battery life and reducing the design difficulty of the power supply design scheme.

[0039] Exemplarily, the first sub-load may be a load with a large peak current and a high dynamic response, such as a CPU core, a GPU core, and an NPU core.

[0040] According to the first aspect, or any implementation manner of the first aspect above, the first load includes a first sub-load, the first voltage converter includes a first voltage conversion element connected to the first sub-load, and the power supply circuit also includes: a first switch, the first connection end of the first switch is connected to the positive pole of the first battery cell, the second connection end of the first switch is connected to the input end of the first voltage conversion element, a second switch, the first connection end of the second switch is connected to the positive pole of the second battery cell, and the second connection end of the second switch is connected to the input end of the first voltage conversion element. When the first sub-load is in the first state, the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off; when the first sub-load is in the second state, the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on.

[0041] In this way, when the first sub-load is in the first state, that is, when the performance requirement is high, the performance requirement of the first sub-load can be met by connecting to the positive electrode of the first battery cell; and when the first sub-load is in the second state, that is, when the performance requirement is low, the voltage difference of the first voltage conversion element is reduced by connecting to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, thereby improving the working efficiency of the first voltage conversion element, thereby further improving the battery life while meeting the performance requirement of the first sub-load.

[0042] Exemplarily, the first sub-load may be the first sub-load 1301 , and the first voltage conversion element may be the first BUCK 121 .

[0043] For example, when the battery module further includes a third battery cell, the first connection end of the second switch is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell. Figure 10 In the electronic device shown, the input end of the first BUCK 121 is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell P3.

[0044] Exemplarily, when the power supply circuit further includes a fourth battery cell, the first connection end of the second switch is connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell. Figure 11 In the electronic device shown, the first connection end of the second switch S2 is connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell P4.

[0045] For example, the first state may be a state with a high load, such as running a large task or running multiple tasks simultaneously. The second state may be a state with a low load, such as running a small number of tasks or running no tasks.

[0046] According to the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect above, the power supply circuit further includes a balancing circuit, which is connected to the first battery cell and the second battery cell respectively, and is used to balance the power of the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0047] In this way, the balancing circuit can reduce the difference in power between the battery cells caused by different connected loads, thereby improving the safety of battery use.

[0048] For example, the balancing circuit can be an active balancing circuit. Compared to a passive balancing circuit, an active balancing circuit has lower energy loss and heat loss to the battery cells, and has a large balancing current and a high balancing speed, thereby improving balancing quality and reducing power loss.

[0049] According to the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect above, the balancing circuit includes: a first control switch, wherein the first connection end of the first control switch is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell, and the second connection end of the first control switch is connected to the first connection end of the third control switch; a second control switch, wherein the first connection end of the second control switch is connected to the negative electrode of the first battery cell, and the second connection end of the second control switch is connected to the first connection end of the fourth control switch; a third control switch, wherein the second connection end of the third control switch is connected to the second connection end of the seventh control switch; a fourth control switch, wherein the second connection end of the fourth control switch is grounded; a fifth control switch, wherein the first connection end of the fifth control switch is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, and the second connection end of the fifth control switch is connected to the first connection end of the seventh control switch; a sixth control switch, wherein the first connection end of the sixth control switch is connected to the negative electrode of the second battery cell, and the second connection end of the sixth control switch is connected to the first connection end of the eighth control switch; a seventh control switch; an eighth control switch, wherein the second connection end of the eighth control switch is connected to the a first balancing capacitor, wherein a first end of the first balancing capacitor is connected to the second connection terminal of the first control switch and the first connection terminal of the third control switch, respectively, and a second end of the first balancing capacitor is connected to the second connection terminal of the second control switch and the first connection terminal of the fourth control switch, respectively; a second balancing capacitor, wherein a first end of the second balancing capacitor is connected to the second connection terminal of the fifth control switch and the first connection terminal of the seventh control switch, respectively, and a second end of the second balancing capacitor is connected to the second connection terminal of the sixth control switch and the first connection terminal of the eighth control switch, respectively; wherein, during the balancing process of the balancing circuit, a first balancing stage and a second balancing stage are alternately entered, in the first balancing stage, the first, second, fifth, and sixth control switches are turned on, and the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth control switches are turned off; and in the second balancing stage, the first, second, fifth, and sixth control switches are turned off, and the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth control switches are turned on.

[0050] In this way, since the balancing capacitor performs balancing by means of electric energy storage and electric energy transfer, the electric energy loss of the balancing circuit is reduced and the balancing rate is increased.

[0051] Exemplarily, the control terminals of the first, second, fifth, and sixth control switches are configured to receive a first drive signal HO. The control terminals of the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth control switches are configured to receive a second drive signal LO. The first drive signal HO and the second drive signal LO are inverse signals.

[0052] When each control switch is an NMOS, in the first balancing stage, the first drive signal HO is high and the second drive signal is low, so that each battery cell is connected in parallel with its corresponding balancing capacitor; in the second balancing stage, the first drive signal HO is low and the second drive signal is high, so that multiple balancing capacitors are connected in parallel. Optionally, each control switch can also be a PMOS. Accordingly, in the first balancing stage, the first drive signal HO is low and the second drive signal LO is high; in the second balancing stage, the first drive signal HO is high and the second drive signal LO is low.

[0053] Illustratively, when the power supply circuit further includes a third battery cell, the balancing circuit may further include ninth to twelfth control switches and a third balancing capacitor.

[0054] Exemplarily, when the power supply circuit further includes a fourth battery cell, the balancing circuit further includes thirteenth to sixteenth control switches and a fourth balancing capacitor.

[0055] According to the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect above, the switching frequency of the first to eighth control switches is positively correlated with the voltage difference between the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0056] In this way, when the cell voltage difference is low, balancing can be performed at a lower switching frequency to reduce balancing losses. And when the cell voltage difference is high, balancing can be performed at a higher switching frequency to improve the balancing effect.

[0057] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, which includes the power supply circuit, the first load, and the second load in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0058] According to the second aspect, the electronic device may be a notebook computer.

[0059] The second aspect and any implementation of the second aspect correspond to the first aspect and any implementation of the first aspect, respectively. The technical effects corresponding to the second aspect and any implementation of the second aspect can be referred to the technical effects corresponding to the first aspect and any implementation of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0061] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a battery power supply circuit in a related technical solution provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0062] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a battery module provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0063] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary relationship between efficiency and load current provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0064] Figure 5 Schematic diagram showing the structure of the electronic equipment

[0065] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the structure of an exemplary electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0066] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0067] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0068] Figure 9 A schematic structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0069] Figure 10 A schematic structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0070] Figure 11 A schematic structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0071] Figure 12 A schematic structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0072] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of an active balancing process provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0073] Figure 14 A schematic structural diagram of an exemplary equalization circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0074] Figure 15 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary driving signal provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0075] Figure 16 An equivalent circuit diagram of an exemplary equalization circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0076] Figure 17 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of another exemplary equalization circuit provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 18 A structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0078] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0079] The term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone.

[0080] In the description and claims of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order of objects. For example, the terms "first target object" and "second target object" are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order of objects.

[0081] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be interpreted as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0082] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more. For example, "multiple processing units" means two or more processing units; "multiple systems" means two or more systems.

[0083] In the process of rapid development, electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers have become indispensable items in people's daily lives. Among them, batteries have become an indispensable and important component of electronic devices because they serve as the power source for various components of electronic devices.

[0084] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the electronic device 100 may be implemented as a personal computer (PC), and the PC may be provided with a battery module 110 .

[0085] With the development of electronic devices, such as personal computers (PCs), the power consumption of electronic devices often reaches tens to hundreds of watts. For example, the power consumption of thin and light notebooks may be tens of watts, and the power consumption of gaming notebooks may reach hundreds of watts. Even after the performance of graphics processing units (GPUs) is further improved, the power consumption of devices may increase further, for example, reaching hundreds of watts. If a single battery cell is used for power supply, the high battery current may make the design of the entire power supply system more difficult.

[0086] Therefore, in a related technology, a battery design with multiple cells connected in series is often used to power electronic devices, such as "2 in series, 2 in parallel", "3 in series, 1 in parallel", or "4 in series, 1 in parallel". Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a battery power supply circuit in a related technical solution provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the electronic device may include a battery module 110, a voltage conversion module 120, an electrical load 130, and a battery protection MOS 140. The positive electrode A1 of the battery module 110 is connected to the input terminal of the voltage conversion module 120, and the negative electrode A2 of the battery module 110 is connected to the ground GND through the battery protection MOS 140. Furthermore, the output terminal of the voltage conversion module 120 is connected to the electrical load 130.

[0087] The battery module 110 may include at least one parallel branch, each branch having two or more single cells connected in series. Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery module provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3In the "4-series-1-parallel" battery design shown in (1), the battery module 110 may include four first to fourth battery cells P1 to P4 connected in series. Specifically, the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 serves as the positive electrode A1 of the battery module 110, the negative electrode of the first battery cell P1 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2, the negative electrode of the second battery cell P2 is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell P3, the negative electrode of the third battery cell P3 is connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell P4, and the negative electrode of the fourth battery cell P4 serves as the negative electrode A2 of the battery module 110.

[0088] In another embodiment, Figure 3 In the “3 series and 1 parallel” battery design shown in (2), the battery module 110 may include 3 first battery cells P1 to third battery cells P3 connected in series.

[0089] In yet another embodiment, Figure 3 In the "2 series and 1 parallel" battery design shown in (3), the battery module 110 may include a first battery cell P1 and a second battery cell P2 connected in series.

[0090] In yet another embodiment, Figure 3 In the "2-series, 2-parallel" battery design shown in (4), the battery module 110 may include two parallel branches, each of which may include two battery cells connected in series. For example, branch 1 may include a first battery cell P1 and a second battery cell P2 connected in series, and branch 2 may include a third battery cell P3 and a fourth battery cell P4 connected in series.

[0091] For the above-mentioned battery module 110, its output voltage can be raised to multiple times the output voltage of a single cell. For example, the "2 series and 1 parallel" and "2 series and 2 parallel" solutions can be raised to twice the output voltage of a single cell, the "3 series and 1 parallel" solution can be raised to three times the output voltage of a single cell, and the "4 series and 1 parallel" solution can be raised to four times the output voltage of a single chip. For example, taking the output voltage of a single cell as 3 to 4.5 volts (V) as an example, the output voltage of the battery module 110 in the "4 series and 1 parallel" solution (hereinafter referred to as the battery voltage) can reach 12 to 18V. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the output voltage of the battery module 110 is variable. For example, when Figure 3 When the power of each cell in the battery module 110 shown in (1) is exhausted, the output voltage thereof may be 12V, and when each cell is in a fully charged state, the output voltage thereof may be 18V.

[0092] After introducing the battery module 110 , the power load 130 and the voltage conversion module 120 will be described next.

[0093] Since different loads in the electronic device require different power voltages, accordingly, the power load 130 can be divided into a first sub-load, a second sub-load, ... according to the different power voltages. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the electrical load 130 may include a first sub-load 1301, a second sub-load 1302, a third sub-load 1303, a fourth sub-load 1304, a fifth sub-load 1305, a sixth sub-load 1306, and a seventh sub-load 1307. In the embodiment of the present application, some of the electrical loads 130 may be located on the circuit board of the electronic device, such as a CPU, which may be soldered to the circuit board. Other electrical loads 130 may be located outside the circuit board of the electronic device, such as a fan, which may be connected to the circuit board of the electronic device via wires.

[0094] Furthermore, electronic devices also need to convert the battery voltage into different power voltages through various voltage conversion modules 120. In the embodiment of the present application, the voltage conversion module 120 can be implemented as a direct current-direct current (DCDC) converter, that is, a voltage converter with an inductor as an energy storage element, such as a buck converter (BUCK), a boost converter (BOOST), or a buck-boost converter (BUCK-BOOST). For example, Figure 2 As shown, the voltage conversion module 120 may include: a first BUCK 121, a second BUCK 122, a third BUCK 123, a fourth BUCK 124, a fifth BUCK 125, a sixth BUCK 126 and a first buck-boost converter 127. In the embodiment of the present application, each converter (such as BUCK or BOOST) can be implemented as a separate chip, or multiple converters can be integrated into a power management chip (Power Management Unit, PMU). It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the voltage conversion module 120 can also be implemented as other converters, such as a switch capacitor (SC) circuit, etc., and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0095] Continue to see Figure 2After the battery module 110 outputs the output voltage Vout1, the first buck converter 121 can step down the output voltage Vout1 to a power voltage of 0.6V, and output the 0.6V power voltage to the first sub-load 1301 to meet the power requirement of the first sub-load 1301; the second buck converter 122 can step down the output voltage Vout1 to a power voltage of 1.2V, and provide the 1.2V power voltage to the second sub-load 1302; ...; the sixth buck converter 126 can step down the output voltage Vout1 to a power voltage of 7.3V, and provide the 7.3V power voltage to the sixth sub-load 1306; the first buck-boost converter 127 can adjust the output voltage Vout1 to a power voltage of 12V, and provide the 12V power voltage to the seventh sub-load 1307.

[0096] The inventors have discovered through research that the operating efficiency of a DC voltage converter, such as a buck converter, is inversely proportional to the voltage difference between its two ends (the voltage difference between the input and output ends). In other words, the greater the voltage difference between the two ends of the DC voltage converter, the lower its operating efficiency (electrical energy conversion efficiency), and the smaller the voltage difference between its two ends, the higher its operating efficiency. For example, Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows an exemplary schematic diagram of the relationship between efficiency and load current provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 As shown, when the output voltage Vout is the same as 1.2V, curves 1-4 show the change curves of the working efficiency of the buck converter with the load current when the input voltage Vin is 5V, 12V, 19V and 23V respectively.

[0097] Comparing curves 1 to 4, we can see that when the input voltage Vin is 5V, the overall efficiency of the buck converter is higher than that of other input voltages. For example, when the load current is 1A, if the input voltage Vin is 19V, the buck converter's efficiency is about 85%; while when the input voltage Vin is 5V, the buck converter's efficiency is about 92%, a difference of 7%. This shows that the greater the voltage difference across the buck converter, the greater the heat loss of the buck converter and the lower the efficiency (power conversion efficiency).

[0098] And, the inventors also found that Figure 2 In the illustrated battery design, the battery module's output voltage Vout1 is relatively high, and some DC voltage converters experience a large voltage differential across them. For example, the input voltage of the first buck 121 can be as high as 18V, while its output voltage can be as low as 0.6V. Consequently, some DC voltage converters suffer from low efficiency due to the large voltage differential across them. This large voltage differential causes increased heat loss during the voltage conversion process, impacting the efficiency of the buck converter, leading to wasted battery power and affecting the battery life of electronic devices.

[0099] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a power supply circuit and an electronic device. When the battery module of the electronic device includes multiple battery cells connected in series, by connecting the voltage converter to the positive poles of different battery cells, the voltage difference between the two ends of some voltage converters can be reduced, the working efficiency of the voltage converter can be improved, and the power utilization rate of the battery module can be improved, thereby improving the battery life of the electronic device.

[0100] Before introducing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms of the embodiments of the present application are first explained.

[0101] (1) Direct Current-Direct Current (DCDC) converter, i.e., a device for converting an input voltage into an output voltage. For example, the DC voltage converter may be a converter using an inductor as an energy storage element. For example, the DC voltage converter may include a buck converter, a boost converter, a buck-boost converter, etc. It should be noted that it may also include a switched capacitor (SC) circuit, etc., without specific limitation.

[0102] (2) A step-down converter, i.e., a device that steps down an input voltage to a fixed output voltage. For example, the step-down converter may be a BUCK converter. In one example, one or more BUCK converters may be integrated into a power supply chip, without limitation to their specific form.

[0103] (3) A boost converter, i.e., a device that can boost an input voltage to an output voltage of a fixed voltage value. For example, the boost converter may be a BOOST converter. In one example, one or more BOOST converters may also be integrated into a power supply chip, without limitation to their specific form.

[0104] (4) A buck-boost converter, i.e., a converter that has both boost and buck functions. For example, the buck-boost converter may be a BOOST-BUCK converter.

[0105] After introducing the above terms, the electronic devices involved in the embodiments of the present application will be described below. It should be noted that the electronic devices provided in the embodiments of the present application include but are not limited to mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, ultra-mobile personal computers (Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer, UMPC), personal digital assistants (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA), point of sales (Point Of Sales, POS) machines, intercoms, car computers, televisions, smart wearable devices (such as smart watches or smart bracelets, etc.), smart home devices (such as Bluetooth speakers, etc.), driving recorders, security equipment and other electronic devices with multiple batteries. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the specific types of the above electronic devices. For the sake of convenience, the embodiments of the present application are described below using the electronic device being a PC as an example.

[0106] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electronic device 200 is shown. It should be understood that Figure 5 The illustrated electronic device 200 is merely one example of an electronic device, and the electronic device 200 may have more or fewer components than shown in the figure, may combine two or more components, or may have a different configuration of components. Figure 5 The various components shown may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and / or application specific integrated circuits.

[0107] The electronic device 200 may include: a processor 210, an external memory interface 220, an internal memory 221, a universal serial bus (USB) interface 230, a charging management module 240, a power management module 241, a battery 242, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 250, a wireless communication module 260, an audio module 270, a speaker 270A, a receiver 270B, a microphone 270C, an earphone interface 270D, a sensor module 280, a button 290, a motor 291, an indicator 292, a camera 293, a display screen 294, and a subscriber identification module (SIM) card interface 295, etc. The sensor module 280 may include a pressure sensor 280A, a gyroscope sensor 280B, an air pressure sensor 280C, a magnetic sensor 280D, an acceleration sensor 280E, a distance sensor 280F, a proximity light sensor 280G, a fingerprint sensor 280H, a temperature sensor 280J, a touch sensor 280K, an ambient light sensor 280L, a bone conduction sensor 280M, etc.

[0108] The processor 210 may include one or more processing units. For example, the processor 210 may include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, a memory, a video codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and / or a neural-network processing unit (NPU). The different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0109] The controller may be the nerve center and command center of the electronic device 200. The controller may generate an operation control signal according to the instruction operation code and the timing signal to complete the control of fetching and executing instructions.

[0110] A memory may also be provided in the processor 210 for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in the processor 210 is a high-speed cache memory. The USB interface 230 is an interface that complies with USB standard specifications, and may specifically be a Mini USB interface, a Micro USB interface, a USB Type-C interface, or the like. The USB interface 230 may be used to connect a charger to charge the electronic device 200, or to transfer data between the electronic device 200 and peripheral devices. It may also be used to connect headphones to play audio through the headphones. This interface may also be used to connect other electronic devices, such as AR devices.

[0111] The charging management module 240 is configured to receive charging input from a charger. The charger can be either a wireless charger or a wired charger. In some wired charging embodiments, the charging management module 240 can receive charging input from the wired charger via the USB interface 230. In some wireless charging embodiments, the charging management module 240 can receive wireless charging input via the wireless charging coil of the electronic device 200. While charging the battery 242, the charging management module 240 can also provide power to the electronic device via the power management module 241.

[0112] The power management module 241 is used to connect the battery 242, the charging management module 240 and the processor 210. The power management module 241 receives input from the battery 242 and / or the charging management module 240, and provides power to the processor 210, the internal memory 221, the external memory, the display 294, the camera 293, and the wireless communication module 260. In the embodiment of the present application, the power management module 241 can be implemented as the voltage conversion module 120. In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the battery 242 can be implemented as the battery module 110. For example, see Figure 3 The battery module may include at least one power supply branch, and each power supply branch may include a plurality of battery cells connected in series.

[0113] The wireless communication function of the electronic device 200 can be implemented through the antenna 1, the antenna 2, the mobile communication module 250, the wireless communication module 260, the modem processor and the baseband processor.

[0114] Antenna 1 and Antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in electronic device 200 can be used to cover a single or multiple communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be reused to improve antenna utilization. For example, antenna 1 can be reused as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In other embodiments, the antennas can be used in conjunction with a tuning switch.

[0115] The mobile communication module 250 can provide solutions for wireless communications including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G, etc., applied to the electronic device 200. The mobile communication module 250 can include at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc. The wireless communication module 260 can provide solutions for wireless communications including wireless local area networks (WLAN) (such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks), Bluetooth (BT), global navigation satellite system (GNSS), frequency modulation (FM), near field communication (NFC), infrared technology (IR), etc., applied to the electronic device 200.

[0116] In some embodiments, antenna 1 of electronic device 200 is coupled to mobile communication module 250 , and antenna 2 is coupled to wireless communication module 260 , so that electronic device 200 can communicate with the network and other devices through wireless communication technology.

[0117] Electronic device 200 implements display functionality through a GPU, display screen 294, and an application processor. A GPU is a microprocessor for image processing that connects display screen 294 and the application processor. The GPU is used to perform mathematical and geometric calculations for graphics rendering. Processor 210 may include one or more GPUs that execute program instructions to generate or modify display information.

[0118] Display screen 294 is used to display images, videos, and the like. Display screen 294 includes a display panel. The display panel can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or the like. In some embodiments, electronic device 200 may include one or M display screens 294, where M is a positive integer greater than one.

[0119] The electronic device 200 can implement a shooting function through an ISP, a camera 293, a video codec, a GPU, a display screen 294, and an application processor.

[0120] The camera 293 is used to capture still images or videos. The object generates an optical image through the lens and projects it onto the photosensitive element. The photosensitive element can be a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) phototransistor. The photosensitive element converts the light signal into an electrical signal, and then passes the electrical signal to the ISP for conversion into a digital image signal. The ISP outputs the digital image signal to the DSP for processing. The DSP converts the digital image signal into an image signal in a standard RGB, YUV or other format. In some embodiments, the electronic device 200 may include 1 or N cameras 293, where N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0121] The external memory interface 220 can be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to expand the storage capacity of the electronic device 200. The external memory card communicates with the processor 210 via the external memory interface 220 to implement data storage functions. For example, files such as music and videos can be stored on the external memory card.

[0122] The internal memory 221 can be used to store computer executable program codes, which include instructions. The processor 210 executes various functional applications and data processing of the electronic device 200 by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 221. The internal memory 221 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. Among them, the program storage area can store an operating system, an application required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.), etc. The data storage area can store data created during the use of the electronic device 200 (such as audio data, a phone book, etc.), etc. In addition, the internal memory 221 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, a universal flash storage (UFS), etc.

[0123] The electronic device 200 can implement audio functions such as music playback and recording through the audio module 270, the speaker 270A, the receiver 270B, the microphone 270C, the headphone jack 270D, and the application processor.

[0124] The audio module 270 is used to convert digital audio information into analog audio signal output, and is also used to convert analog audio input into digital audio signals. The audio module 270 can also be used to encode and decode audio signals. In some embodiments, the audio module 270 can be provided in the processor 210, or some functional modules of the audio module 270 can be provided in the processor 210.

[0125] The buttons 290 include a power button, a volume button, and the like. The buttons 290 may be mechanical buttons or touch buttons. The electronic device 200 may receive key inputs and generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the electronic device 200.

[0126] Motor 291 can generate vibration prompts. Motor 291 can be used for incoming call vibration prompts or touch vibration feedback. For example, touch operations on different applications (such as taking pictures, audio playback, etc.) can correspond to different vibration feedback effects. Indicator 292 can be an indicator light that can be used to indicate charging status, power changes, messages, missed calls, notifications, etc.

[0127] Figure 6 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6As shown, the electronic device 100 may include: a battery module 110, a voltage conversion module 120, a CPU core 130a, a GPU core 130b, a system input / output (IO) module 130c, an embedded controller (EC) module 130d, a cooling fan 130e, a camera module 130f, a speaker amplifier circuit 130g, a USB OTG (short for USB On-The-Go, an interface for connecting electronic devices and other devices) module 130h and a screen module 130i.

[0128] In an embodiment of the present application, the voltage conversion module 120 can provide a dynamic power supply voltage to the CPU core 130a, and the voltage range of the dynamic power supply voltage can be 0.6 V to 1.55 V. For example, when the electronic device 100 is under light load, such as when executing a large task, the voltage conversion module 120 can provide a power supply voltage of 0.6 V to the CPU core 130a, and when the load is high, the voltage conversion module 120 can provide a power supply voltage of 1.55 V to the CPU core 130a, thereby improving the performance of the electronic device while saving the power consumption of the electronic device.

[0129] Furthermore, the voltage conversion module 120 can provide a dynamic power supply voltage to the GPU core 130b, and the voltage range of the dynamic power supply voltage can be 0.3V to 1.3V. The voltage conversion module 120 can also provide a 1.8V voltage to the system IO module 130c, so that the system IO module 130c generates logic levels. The voltage conversion module 120 can also provide a 3.3V power supply voltage to the EC module 130d. The voltage conversion module 120 can also provide a 12V power supply voltage to the cooling fan 130e. The voltage conversion module 120 can also provide 1.2V, 1.8V, 2.8V, and 3.3V power supply voltages to the camera module 130f. The voltage conversion module 120 can also provide 12V and 1.2V power supply voltages to the speaker amplifier circuit 130g. The voltage conversion module 120 can also provide a 5V power supply voltage to the USB OTG module 130h. The voltage conversion module 120 can also provide a 7.3V power supply voltage to the screen module 130i.

[0130] Furthermore, the aforementioned electrical components, such as the CPU core, can be disposed on the circuit board of the electronic device 100. Devices such as cooling fans can be disposed separately from the circuit board, and their placement is not specifically limited. It should be noted that the remaining details of the battery module 110 and the voltage conversion module 120 can be found in the relevant descriptions in the preceding sections of this application and will not be further elaborated upon.

[0131] After introducing the above hardware structure, the specific solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described below.

[0132] Figure 7 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the electronic device may include a battery module 110, a voltage conversion module 120, a power load 130, and a battery protection MOS 140. It should be noted that in the field of laptop computers, performance notebooks such as gaming notebooks have the characteristics of strong performance and high power, and they often require a larger and smaller power supply voltage. Therefore, performance notebooks such as gaming notebooks can adopt Figure 7 A "4 in series and 1 in parallel" power supply design is shown as its power supply circuit.

[0133] and Figure 2 The electronic device shown differs in that Figure 7 In the electronic device shown, the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 outputs a first battery voltage Vout1, the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 outputs a second battery voltage Vout2, the positive electrode of the third battery cell P3 outputs a third battery voltage Vout3, and the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell P4 outputs a fourth battery voltage Vout4. In one example, if the battery voltage VBAT varies in the range of 3 to 4.5V, the first battery voltage Vout1 is equal to four times the battery voltage VBAT, that is, the first battery voltage Vout1 varies in the range of 12 to 18V; the second battery voltage Vout2 is equal to three times the battery voltage VBAT, that is, the second battery voltage Vout2 varies in the range of 9 to 13.5V; the third battery voltage Vout3 is equal to two times the battery voltage VBAT, that is, the third battery voltage Vout3 varies in the range of 6 to 9V; and the fourth battery voltage Vout4 is equal to the battery voltage VBAT, that is, the fourth battery voltage Vout4 varies in the range of 3 to 4.5V.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first battery cell P1 to the fourth battery cell P4 may use the same battery cell, such as a battery cell with the same specifications. In another embodiment, since the power consumption of each battery cell is different, in order to ensure battery safety, the battery capacity of the first battery cell P1 to the fourth battery cell P4 may be different. For example, since the power consumption of the first battery cell P1 to the fourth battery cell P4 increases successively, the battery capacity of the first battery cell P1 to the fourth battery cell P4 may increase successively. Exemplarily, for any battery cell from the second battery cell P2 to the fourth battery cell P4, it may include a plurality of single battery cells connected in parallel to increase the battery capacity of the battery cell. Alternatively, the battery capacity of the battery cell may be increased by selecting a large-capacity battery cell, and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0135] For the voltage conversion module 120, it may include a plurality of voltage converters, each with a different output voltage. In an embodiment of the present application, the voltage converter may be implemented as a BUCK, a BOOST, or a buck-boost converter (BUCK-BOOST). For example, the voltage converter may include a first BUCK 121 to a sixth BUCK 126, and further include a first buck-boost converter 127. In one example, in order to reduce the power supply cost, each voltage converter is preferably a BUCK. Accordingly, the output voltage of each voltage converter should be less than the minimum battery value of the connected battery cell. For example, the output voltage of the BUCK connected to the second battery cell P2 should be less than 9V. And, when the BUCK is not working, you can use BOOST (at this time the output voltage of each voltage converter should be greater than the maximum voltage value of the connected battery cell, for example, the output voltage of the BOOST connected to the second battery cell P2 should be greater than 13.5V) or a buck-boost converter (the output voltage of the buck-boost converter is less than or equal to the maximum voltage of the connected battery cell and greater than or equal to the minimum voltage of the connected battery cell). For example, continue to refer to Figure 7 The seventh sub-load 1307 uses a voltage of 12V. To ensure the normal operation of the voltage converter, the first buck-boost converter 127 is required. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, a buck or buck-boost converter may be selected based on other requirements, and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0136] In one embodiment, the fourth battery cell P4 may be connected to one or more BUCKs, and the output voltage of the BUCKs connected to the fourth battery cell P4 is less than 3V. Figure 7 The input end of the third BUCK 123 and the input end of the second BUCK 122 are both connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell P4.

[0137] The third battery cell P3 can also be connected to one or more BUCKs, and the output voltage of the BUCKs connected to the third battery cell P3 is greater than or equal to 3V and less than 6V. Figure 7 The input terminals of the fifth BUCK 125 and the fourth BUCK 124 are both connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell P3 to obtain the third battery voltage Vout3.

[0138] The second battery cell P2 may also be connected to one or more BUCKs, and the output voltage of the BUCKs connected to the second battery cell P2 is greater than or equal to 6V and less than 9V.

[0139] The first cell P1 can be connected to one or more BUCKs, and the output voltage of the BUCK connected to the first cell P1 is greater than or equal to 9V and less than 9V. Alternatively, when the output end of the BUCK connected to the first cell P1 needs to be connected to a load with a large current peak and high dynamic response requirements, the output voltage of the BUCK is less than 12V. For example, continue to refer to Figure 7 , the input end of the first BUCK121 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 to obtain the first battery voltage Vout1. Alternatively, the first battery cell P1 can be connected to one or more BOOSTs, and the output voltage of the BOOST connected to the first battery cell P1 is greater than 18V. Alternatively, the first battery cell P1 can also be connected to one or more buck-boost converters, and the output voltage of the buck-boost converter can be any voltage value. In one embodiment, the output voltage of the first battery cell P1 connected to the buck-boost converter can be greater than or equal to 12V and less than or equal to 18V. For example, continue to refer to Figure 7 The input end of the first buck-boost converter 127 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 to obtain the first battery voltage Vout1.

[0140] Through the above embodiment, the second battery cell P2 to the fourth battery cell P4 are connected to the BUCK device, and the first battery cell P1 is connected to the BUCK, BOOST or buck-boost converter. While being able to normally supply power to various electrical loads in the electronic device and improve the battery module endurance, it is also possible to reduce the complexity and circuit cost of the power supply circuit.

[0141] It should be noted that, depending on the actual scenario and specific needs, the fourth battery cell P4 can also be connected to BOOST, and the output voltage of the BOOST connected to the fourth battery cell P4 should be greater than 4.5V. In one example, the output voltage of the BOOST connected to the fourth battery cell P4 is greater than 4.5V and less than 9V. Alternatively, the fourth battery cell P4 can also be connected to a buck-boost converter, and the output voltage of the buck-boost converter can be any voltage value. In one embodiment, the output voltage of the buck-boost converter connected to the fourth battery cell P4 can be greater than or equal to 3V and less than or equal to 4.5V.

[0142] And, it should also be noted that when the output end of the BUCK connected to the third battery cell P3 needs to be connected to a load with a large current peak and high dynamic response requirements, the output voltage of the BUCK is less than 6V. Alternatively, the third battery cell P3 can also be connected to BOOST, and the output voltage of the BOOST connected to the third battery cell P3 should be greater than 9V. In one example, the output voltage of the BOOST connected to the third battery cell P3 is greater than 9V and less than 13.5V. Alternatively, the third battery cell P3 can also be connected to a buck-boost converter, and the output voltage of the buck-boost converter can be any voltage value. In one embodiment, the output voltage of the buck-boost converter connected to the third battery cell P3 can be greater than or equal to 4.5V and less than or equal to 9V.

[0143] And, it should also be noted that when the output end of the BUCK connected to the second battery cell P2 needs to be connected to a load with a large current peak and high dynamic response requirements, the output voltage of the BUCK is less than 9V. Exemplarily, the input end of the sixth BUCK126 is connected to the positive pole of the second battery cell P2 to obtain the second battery voltage Vout2. The second battery cell P2 can also be connected to BOOST, and the output voltage of the BOOST connected to the second battery cell P2 should be greater than 13.5V. In one example, the output voltage of the BOOST connected to the second battery cell P2 is greater than 13.5V and less than 18V. Alternatively, the second battery cell P2 can also be connected to a buck-boost converter, and the output voltage of the buck-boost converter can be any voltage value. In one embodiment, the output voltage of the buck-boost converter connected to the second battery cell P2 can be greater than or equal to 9V and less than or equal to 13.5V.

[0144] It should be noted that when the electronic device also includes loads with other power voltages, for example, the electronic device also includes loads with power voltages of 4.8V and 3V, the electronic device also includes a voltage converter for outputting 4.8V and 3V. The embodiment of the present application does not impose specific restrictions on the number of voltage converters and the value of the output voltage.

[0145] After introducing the voltage conversion module 120 , the electrical load 130 will be described next.

[0146] Furthermore, the electrical load 130 may include a first load 131 , a second load 132 , a third load 133 and a fourth load 134 , which will be described one by one below.

[0147] For the first load 131, its power voltage is generated by using the first battery voltage Vout1. In the embodiment of the present application, the first load 131 can meet the following condition 1 or condition 2.

[0148] Condition 1: Load with large current peak or high dynamic response requirement. For example, the first load can be one or more of CPU core, GPU core, and NPU core. In one example, continue to see Figure 7 The first sub-load 1301 can be a device with a large current peak and high dynamic response requirements, such as a CPU core. It should be noted that for devices with large current peaks and high dynamic response requirements, their current peaks can be as high as tens of amperes. For example, the current peak of a CPU core can be as high as tens or even hundreds of amperes, which makes the instantaneous input power of its power supply chip (i.e., voltage converter) very high. If a lower battery voltage is used, such as directly using the fourth battery voltage Vout for power supply, the current drawn from the battery module is very large. In this case, it is necessary to widen the routing to minimize the routing path impedance, which increases the difficulty of layout design. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, the first battery voltage Vout1 is used to power this type of load. Since the first battery voltage Vout1 is higher, the input current can be reduced, which reduces the design difficulty and improves power safety. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the second battery voltage Vout2 or the third battery voltage Vout3 can also be used for power supply, depending on the load peak current and the speed of dynamic response. There is no specific limitation on this.

[0149] Furthermore, when the first sub-load 1301 is one or more of a CPU core, a GPU core, or an NPU core, the output voltage of the first BUCK 121 can dynamically change according to the workload of the core. For example, taking the CPU core as an example, if the CPU core has a light workload, the first BUCK 121 can output a voltage of 0.6V under the control of a controller such as the CPU. Furthermore, when the CPU core has a heavy workload (such as processing a large task or processing multiple tasks in parallel), the first BUCK 121 can output a voltage of 1.55V under the control of a controller such as the CPU. This can meet the power requirements of loads such as the CPU core that have high power and high dynamic response requirements while saving power consumption.

[0150] It should be noted that for loads with large current peaks or high dynamic response requirements, they can also be connected to the positive pole of the second battery cell P2, the third battery cell P3 or the fourth battery cell P4 through a voltage converter according to actual conditions. For example, the instantaneous peak power of the above load can be estimated through the peak current estimation module, and then the voltage value under one times the battery cell voltage (VBAT) - four times the battery cell voltage (4*VBAT) is calculated. The current value then determines the trace width requirement. Based on the PCB wiring conditions and cost requirements, the appropriate trace width and impedance control target are selected to comprehensively determine to which battery cell the above load is connected when the wiring width requirements and impedance requirements are met. This application does not impose specific restrictions on this.

[0151] Condition 2: The power voltage of the first load 131 is within the first value range. For the specific content of the first value range, please refer to the relevant description of the above part of the embodiment of this application. For example, taking the voltage converter connected to the first load 131 as BUCK as an example, the power voltage of the first load 131 can be less than 12V (the minimum voltage value of the first battery voltage Vout1), and the first value range is (0, 12V). For example, the power voltage of the first load 131 is less than 12V and greater than or equal to 9V (the minimum voltage value of the second battery voltage Vout2), and the first value range is [9V, 12V). Taking the voltage converter connected to the first load 131 as BOOST as an example, the power voltage of the first load 131 can be greater than 18V (the maximum voltage value of Vout1). Taking the voltage converter connected to the first battery cell P1 as a buck-boost converter as an example, the power voltage of the first load 131 can be unlimited. Optionally, the power voltage of the first load 131 may be greater than or equal to 12V and less than or equal to 18V, and in this case, the first value range may be [9V, 18V]. Figure 7 The seventh sub-load 1307 has a power voltage of 12V, wherein the seventh sub-load may be a cooling fan 130e.

[0152] For the second load 132, its power voltage can be generated by using the second battery voltage Vout2. In the embodiment of the present application, the second load 132 can meet the following condition 3.

[0153] Condition 3: The power voltage of the second load 132 is within the second value range. In one embodiment, taking the second load 132 connected to the BUCK converter as an example, the second value range can be (0, 9V). In one embodiment, the second value range can be [6V, 9V]. In one example, continue to see Figure 7 , the second load 132 may include a sixth sub-load 1306 (with a power supply voltage of 7.3V), wherein the sixth sub-load 1306 may be Figure 6 The screen module 130i in.

[0154] It should be noted that when the voltage converter connected to the second load 132 is a BOOST converter or a buck-boost converter, the value range of the second load can also be other numerical values. The specific content can be found in the above part of the embodiment of the present application regarding the output voltage of the voltage converter connected to the second battery cell P2, which will not be elaborated on.

[0155] For the third load 133, its power voltage may be generated by using the third battery voltage Vout3. In the embodiment of the present application, the third load 133 may meet the following condition 4.

[0156] Condition 4: The power voltage of the third load 133 is within the third value range. In one embodiment, taking the third load 133 connected to the BUCK converter as an example, the third value range can be (0, 6V). In one embodiment, the third value range can be [3V, 6V]. In one example, continue to see Figure 7 , the third load 133 may include a fourth sub-load 1304 (with a power voltage of 3.3V) and a fifth sub-load 1305 (with a power voltage of 5V). Figure 6 The fifth sub-load 1305 can be Figure 6 The USB OTG module in 130h.

[0157] It should be noted that when the voltage converter connected to the third load 133 is a BOOST converter or a buck-boost converter, the value range of the third load can also be other numerical values. The specific content can be found in the above part of the embodiment of the present application regarding the output voltage of the voltage converter connected to the third battery cell P3, which will not be elaborated on.

[0158] For the fourth load 134, its power voltage may be generated by utilizing the fourth battery voltage Vout4. In the embodiment of the present application, the fourth load 134 may satisfy the following condition 5.

[0159] Condition 4: The power voltage of the fourth load 134 is within the fourth value range. In one embodiment, taking the fourth load 134 connected to the BUCK converter as an example, the fourth value range can be (0, 3V). In one example, continue to refer to Figure 7 , the fourth load 134 may include a second sub-load 1302 (with a power voltage of 1.2V) and a third sub-load 1303 (with a power voltage of 1.8V). The second sub-load 1302 may be Figure 6 The camera module 130f and the speaker amplifier circuit 130g in the third sub-load 1303 can be Figure 6 It should be noted that if a load requires multiple power voltages, such as the camera module 130f and the speaker amplifier circuit 130g, it can be considered as multiple loads such as the third load and the fourth load.

[0160] It should be noted that when the voltage converter connected to the fourth load 134 is a BOOST converter or a buck-boost converter, the value range of the fourth load can also be other numerical values. The specific content can be found in the above part of the embodiment of this application regarding the output voltage of the voltage converter connected to the fourth battery cell P4, which will not be elaborated on.

[0161] In a specific power supply circuit process, for each power load, the voltage converter can be connected to the positive electrode of the battery cell according to the working efficiency of the voltage converter to which it is connected, for example, the voltage converters can be connected according to the efficiency curve.

[0162] In a specific example, for loads with large current peaks or high dynamic response requirements, they can be connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 through a BUCK. For other power loads, if their power voltage is within the value range of (0, 3V), they are the fourth load 134, which can be connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell P4 through a BUCK device; if their power voltage is within the value range of [3V, 6V), they are the third load 133, which can be connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell P3 through a BUCK device; if their power voltage is within the value range of [6V, 9V), they are the second load 132, which can be connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 through a BUCK device; if their power voltage is within the value range of [6V, 9V), they are the second load 132, which can be connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 through a BUCK device; Within the value range of [9V, 12V), it is the first load 131, which can be connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 through a BUCK device; within the value range of [9V, 12V); if its power voltage is within the value range of (18V, +∞), it is the first load 131, which can be connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 through a BOOST device; if its power voltage is within the value range of [12V, 18V], it is the first load 131, which can be connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 through a step-up / step-down converter.

[0163] Through this example, the voltage difference across each voltage converter can be minimized while generating the voltage required by each load, thereby maximizing the working efficiency of the voltage converter and further improving the battery life of the battery module.

[0164] Figure 8 FIG2 shows a structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 It should be noted that in the field of notebook computers, such as thin and light notebooks that are light in weight, small in size, and have moderate or low performance requirements, they can use Figure 8 The "2 series and 1 parallel" shown or Figure 9 The "2 series 2 parallel" power supply design scheme shown is used as its power supply circuit.

[0165] Figure 8 and Figure 7 The difference is that the battery module 110 includes two battery cells connected in series, namely the first battery cell P1 and the second battery cell P2 (i.e., a 2-series and 1-parallel power supply design). Figure 8In the electronic device shown, the second load 132 includes a second sub-load 1302 and a third sub-load 1303. The second sub-load 1302 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 through the second BUCK 122, and the third sub-load 1303 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 through the third BUCK 123. It should be noted that Figure 8 For details about the second load 132, please refer to the previous embodiment. Figure 7 The relevant description of the fourth load 134 in FIG. 1 is omitted for brevity.

[0166] Furthermore, the first load 131 may include a load with a large current peak or a high dynamic response requirement, such as Figure 8 Alternatively, when the voltage converter connected to the first load 131 includes a BUCK, the power voltage of the first load 131 connected to the BUCK can be less than 6V. For example, in order to further improve the endurance of the battery module, when a (0, 3V) load is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 through the BUCK, the power voltage of the first load 131 can be in the range of [3V, 6V), for example Figure 8 Alternatively, when the voltage converter connected to the first load 131 includes a BOOST, the power voltage of the first load 131 connected to the BOOST may be greater than 9V, for example Figure 8 The seventh sub-load 1307 in the embodiment can boost the first battery voltage Vout1 to 12V through the first BOOST 128. Alternatively, when the voltage converter connected to the first load 131 includes a buck-boost converter, the power voltage of the first load 131 connected to the buck-boost converter can be greater than or equal to 6V and less than or equal to 9V, for example Figure 8 The sixth sub-load 1306 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to boost the first battery voltage Vout1 to 7.3V through the second buck-boost converter 129 when the first battery voltage Vout1 is lower than 7.3V, and to buck the first battery voltage Vout1 to 7.3V through the second buck-boost converter 129 when the first battery voltage Vout1 is higher than 7.3V.

[0167] It should be noted that Figure 8 For other contents of the electronic device shown, please refer to the above part of the embodiment of this application. Figure 7 The relevant instructions are not repeated here.

[0168] Figure 9 and Figure 7The difference is that the battery module 110 can include two parallel branches, each of which can include two battery cells connected in series. The negative electrode of the first battery cell P1 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 via node A3, and the negative electrode of the third battery cell P3 is connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell P4 via node A4. In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, node A3 and node A4 are connected, and node A4 is used to output the second power voltage Vout2.

[0169] also, Figure 9 The contents of the electronic device shown, such as the first load 131 and the second load 132, can be referred to in conjunction with the above embodiment. Figure 8 The relevant description is omitted here.

[0170] Figure 10 A structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 10 and Figure 7 The difference is that the battery module 110 can include 3 battery cells connected in series, namely the first battery cell P1 to the third battery cell P3 (i.e. 3 series and 1 parallel power supply design). In the field of notebook computers, the power supply between performance ratio and thin and light can be used. Figure 10 The "3 series and 1 parallel" power supply design is shown as its power supply circuit.

[0171] as well as, Figure 10 The first load 131 is equivalent to Figure 7 The first load 131 and the second load 132 in the battery pack are connected to a first load 131. Accordingly, the first load 131 may include a load with a large current peak or a high dynamic response requirement. Alternatively, when the voltage converter connected to the first load 131 includes a BUCK, the power voltage of the first load 131 connected to the BUCK may be less than 9V. For example, in order to further improve the battery life of the battery module, when the load of (0, 3V) is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell P3 through a BUCK, and when the load of [3, 6V) is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 through a BUCK, the power voltage of the first load 131 may be in the range of [6V, 9V). Alternatively, when the voltage converter connected to the first load 131 includes a BOOST, the power voltage of the first load 131 connected to the BOOST may be greater than 13.5V. Alternatively, when the voltage converter connected to the first load 131 includes a buck-boost converter, the power voltage of the first load 131 connected to the buck-boost converter may be greater than or equal to 9V and less than or equal to 13.5V.

[0172] as well as, Figure 10 The second load 132 is equivalent to Figure 7 The third load 133, Figure 10 The third load 133 is equivalent to Figure 7The fourth load 134, Figure 10 For details about the second load 132 and the third load 133, please refer to the above description of the embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 The relevant descriptions of the third load 133 and the fourth load 134 are omitted for brevity.

[0173] Figure 11 A structural diagram of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 11 and Figure 8 The difference is that the electronic device may further include a first switch S1 and a second switch S2. The first buck 121 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1 via the first switch S1, and the first buck 121 is also connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell P4 via the second switch S2. The first switch S1 and the second switch S2 may be switching devices such as MOS transistors, and their specific types are not limited.

[0174] When the workload of the first sub-load 1301 is light, the second switch S2 is turned on and the first switch S1 is turned off. At this time, the first BUCK 121 reduces the fourth battery voltage Vout4 to the power voltage of the first sub-load 1301 (eg, 0.6V).

[0175] When the first sub-load 1301 is under heavy workload, the second switch S2 is turned off and the first switch S1 is turned on. At this time, the first BUCK 121 reduces the first battery voltage Vout1 to the power voltage of the first sub-load 1301 (eg, 1.55V).

[0176] In this embodiment, when the first sub-load 1301 is under heavy workload, its load power is high, requiring a relatively fast dynamic response. In this case, turning on the first switch S1 to utilize the first battery voltage Vout1 for power supply reduces input current due to the high voltage value of the first battery voltage Vout1. This eliminates the need to reduce trace impedance by widening the trace, thereby reducing power supply wiring complexity and avoiding the safety risks of high current. Furthermore, when the first sub-load 1301 is under light workload, its load power is low, requiring a lower dynamic response speed and input current. Turning on the second switch S1 to utilize the fourth battery voltage Vout2 for power supply improves the energy conversion efficiency of the first buck 121 while ensuring battery safety, further enhancing the battery module's endurance.

[0177] It should be noted that the content of the embodiment of the present application can also be Figures 8-10 The present invention may be combined with other contents of electronic devices shown in other embodiments, and no specific limitation is made to this.

[0178] Figure 12FIG2 shows a structural diagram of another electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 The electronic device shown differs in that Figure 12 The electronic device shown may further include a balancing circuit 150. The balancing circuit 150 is configured to balance the charge between the first battery cell P1 to the fourth battery cell P4.

[0179] In order to reduce the power loss of the battery module, the balancing circuit 150 can balance the power among multiple cells by active balancing. Figure 13 A schematic diagram of an active balancing process provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. Taking a battery module including a first cell P1 and a second cell P2 as an example, if the charge level of the first cell P1 is 80% and the charge level of the second cell P2 is 60%, then during the balancing process, 10% of the charge level of the first cell P1 can be transferred to the second cell P2, so that the charge levels of the first cell P1 and the second cell P2 both reach 70%.

[0180] In one embodiment, Figure 14 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary equalization circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 14 As shown, taking the battery module including the first cell P1 to the third cell P3 as an example, the balancing circuit 150 may include a first gate driver 151 to a third gate driver 153, a first control switch Q1 to a twelfth control switch Q12, and a first balancing capacitor C1 to a third balancing capacitor C3. Each control switch may be implemented as a device with a switching function such as a MOS tube, for example Figure 14 NMOS tube in. Correspondingly, when each control switch is an NMOS tube, the control end of each control switch is the gate, the first connection end is the drain, and the second connection end is the source. It should be noted that each control switch can also adopt a PMOS tube, or other control switches other than MOS tubes. In one example, since the voltage of each battery cell is small and the power carried by the balancing circuit is small, each control switch can be implemented as a low-power semiconductor switching device, such as a MOS tube with a small inter-electrode capacitance (compared to the MOS tube used in vehicles whose power source is a power battery, Figure 14 The inter-electrode capacitance of each control switch shown is low). In addition, each balancing capacitor can be a ceramic capacitor with ultra-low ESR (equivalent series resistance), so that each control switch can operate at a higher switching frequency (for example, tens of kHz to hundreds of kHz), achieving higher balancing efficiency.

[0181] Continue to see Figure 14The control terminals of the first control switch Q1 and the second control switch Q2 are both connected to the first control terminal of the first gate driver 151. The control terminals of the third control switch Q3 and the fourth control switch Q4 are both connected to the second control terminal of the first gate driver 151. The control terminals of the fifth control switch Q5 and the sixth control switch Q6 are both connected to the first control terminal of the second gate driver 152. The control terminals of the seventh control switch Q7 and the eighth control switch Q8 are both connected to the second control terminal of the second gate driver 152. The control terminals of the ninth control switch Q9 and the tenth control switch Q10 are both connected to the first control terminal of the third gate driver 153. The control terminals of the eleventh control switch Q11 and the twelfth control switch Q12 are both connected to the second control terminal of the third gate driver 153. The first control terminals of the first gate driver 151 to the third gate driver 153 are all used to output the first drive signal HO, and the second control terminals are all used to output the second drive signal LO. Each gate driver may receive a control signal from a control module (CPU, SOC, etc.), perform voltage modulation on the control signal, and generate a first drive signal HO and a second drive signal LO with opposite levels.

[0182] Furthermore, a first connection terminal of the first control switch Q1 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1, a second connection terminal of the first control switch Q1 is connected to the first connection terminal of the third control switch Q3, and a second connection terminal of the third control switch Q3 is connected to the second connection terminal of the seventh control switch Q7 and the second connection terminal of the eleventh control switch Q11.

[0183] A first connection end of the second control switch Q2 is connected to the negative electrode of the first battery cell P1 , a second connection end of the second control switch Q2 is connected to the first connection end of the fourth control switch Q4 , and a second connection end of the fourth control switch Q4 is grounded GND.

[0184] A first connection end of the fifth control switch Q5 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 , and a second connection end of the fifth control switch Q5 is connected to the first connection end of the seventh control switch Q7 .

[0185] A first connection end of the sixth control switch Q6 is connected to the negative electrode of the second battery cell P2 , a second connection end of the sixth control switch Q6 is connected to the first connection end of the eighth control switch Q8 , and a second connection end of the eighth control switch Q8 is grounded GND.

[0186] A first connection end of the ninth control switch Q9 is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell P3 , and a second connection end of the ninth control switch Q9 is connected to the first connection end of the eleventh control switch Q11 .

[0187] A first connection end of the tenth control switch Q10 is connected to the cathode of the third battery cell P3 , a second connection end of the tenth control switch Q10 is connected to the first connection end of the twelfth control switch Q12 , and a second connection end of the twelfth control switch Q12 is grounded GND.

[0188] One end of the first balancing capacitor C1 is connected to the second connection end of the first control switch Q1 and the first connection end of the third control switch Q3, respectively. The other end of the first balancing capacitor C1 is connected to the second connection end of the second control switch Q2 and the first connection end of the fourth control switch Q4, respectively.

[0189] One end of the second balancing capacitor C2 is connected to the second connection end of the fifth control switch Q5 and the first connection end of the seventh control switch Q7, respectively. The other end of the second balancing capacitor C2 is connected to the second connection end of the sixth control switch Q6 and the first connection end of the eighth control switch Q8, respectively.

[0190] One end of the third balancing capacitor C3 is connected to the second connection end of the ninth control switch Q9 and the first connection end of the eleventh control switch Q11, respectively. The other end of the third balancing capacitor C3 is connected to the second connection end of the tenth control switch Q10 and the first connection end of the twelfth control switch Q12, respectively.

[0191] In the embodiment of the present application, the balancing process may include a first balancing stage D1 and a second balancing stage D2 that are performed alternately. For example, Figure 15 A schematic diagram of an exemplary driving signal provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0192] In the first balancing stage D1, the first drive signal HO is at a high level and the second drive signal LO is at a low level. At this time, the first control switch Q1, the second control switch Q2, the fifth control switch Q5, the sixth control switch Q6, the ninth control switch Q9 and the tenth control switch Q10 are turned on, and the remaining control switches are turned off. At this time, in the first balancing stage D1, the equivalent circuit of the balancing circuit is as follows: Figure 16 As shown, Figure 16 FIG1 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of an exemplary equalization circuit provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 16 As shown, in the first balancing stage, the first balancing capacitor C1 is connected in parallel to the first cell P1, the second balancing capacitor C2 is connected in parallel to the second cell P2, and the third balancing capacitor C3 is connected in parallel to the third cell P3. During this stage, the cells and the balancing capacitors charge or discharge each other until the voltage of the balancing capacitors equals the voltage of the connected batteries.

[0193] In the second balancing stage D2, the first drive signal HO is at a low level and the second drive signal LO is at a high level. At this time, the third control switch Q3, the fourth control switch Q4, the seventh control switch Q7, the eighth control switch Q8, the eleventh control switch Q11, and the twelfth control switch Q12 are turned on, and the other control switches are turned off. At this time, in the second balancing stage D2, the equivalent circuit of the balancing circuit is as follows: Figure 17 As shown, Figure 17 The equivalent circuit diagram of another exemplary equalization circuit provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. Since the second connection terminal of the third control switch, the second connection terminal of the seventh control switch Q7, and the second connection terminal of the eleventh control switch Q11 are connected, the second connection terminal of the fourth control switch Q4, the second connection terminal of the eighth control switch Q8, and the second connection terminal of the twelfth control switch Q12 are all grounded. Accordingly, as Figure 17 As shown, in the second balancing stage D2, the first balancing capacitor C1 to the third balancing capacitor C3 are connected in parallel.

[0194] In the first balancing phase D1, the excess capacitance of each cell can be transferred to the balancing capacitor to which it is connected, and each cell can also obtain the missing power from the connected balancing capacitor. In the second balancing phase D2, power can be transferred between the balancing capacitors, and the power of the balancing capacitor with more power can be transferred to the balancing capacitor with less power. By alternating between the first balancing phase D1 and the second balancing phase D2, the power between multiple cells can be dynamically balanced.

[0195] In some embodiments, the switching frequency of each control switch is positively correlated with the cell voltage difference of the battery module. In one example, the control module can detect the cell voltage difference of the battery module, for example, it can detect the voltage value of each cell in the battery module, and use the difference between the maximum voltage value and the minimum voltage value as the cell voltage difference of the battery module. And, the control module can determine the target switching frequency corresponding to the cell voltage difference. And the control module generates a control signal (such as a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal) and sends it to each gate driver, wherein the signal frequency of the control signal is the same as the target switching frequency. Each gate controller generates a first drive signal HO and a second drive signal LO based on the control signal, and the signal frequency of the first drive signal HO and the second drive signal LO is the same as the target switching frequency, thereby controlling each control switch to be turned on and off at the target switching frequency through the first drive signal HO and the second drive signal LO. Optionally, the control module can determine the target switching frequency based on a pre-set correspondence between the switching frequency and the cell voltage difference (such as a correspondence table, a correspondence curve, etc.). Alternatively, when the cell voltage difference is greater than the voltage difference threshold, a first switching frequency (high frequency) may be selected as the target switching frequency, and when the cell voltage difference is less than or equal to the voltage difference threshold, a second switching frequency (low frequency) may be selected as the target switching frequency, where the second switching frequency is lower than the first switching frequency. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific method for the target switching frequency.

[0196] It should be noted that the inventors have discovered through research that the higher the switching frequency of each control switch, the better the balancing effect, but also the higher the balancing losses caused by, for example, the gate driver. This embodiment improves balancing speed and balancing effect by increasing the switching frequency when the voltage differential is large, and reduces balancing losses by reducing the switching frequency when the voltage differential is small, further improving the battery module's battery life, thus achieving a balanced balance between balancing efficiency and battery life.

[0197] Furthermore, the inventors discovered through research that balancing losses (such as capacitor charge and discharge losses and MOS tube drive losses) are generated during the balancing process. These balancing losses need to be less than the power saved by the voltage converter in the embodiment of this application to ensure that the overall power utilization of the battery module is improved. The inventors have demonstrated through experiments that when the switching frequency of each balancing switch is a few kHz, the balancing losses are compared with the power saved by the embodiment of this application, resulting in an overall positive benefit, thereby improving battery life.

[0198] In some embodiments, the selection of the control switch in the balancing circuit and the capacitance parameters of the balancing capacitor can also be determined based on the loss of the balancing circuit. For example, the selection of the control switch, the switching frequency, the capacitance value of the balancing capacitor and other balancing parameters can be determined based on the loss parameters such as the trace width and impedance of the electronic device's experimental product (Demo) and the balancing parameters such as the balancing rate. For example, the higher the capacitance value of the balancing capacitor, the higher the balancing rate. For another example, the smaller the on-resistance (Rdson) of the control switch, the smaller the conduction loss, but the larger the inter-electrode capacitance, the greater the switching loss. Therefore, the selection of the control switch needs to strike a balance between the conduction loss and the switching loss, and select the optimal value in the middle to obtain the highest overall efficiency. For another example, the higher the switching frequency of the control switch, the faster the balancing speed, but it will also lead to increased driving loss; conversely, a lower switching frequency can reduce driving loss, but will also reduce the balancing speed. Therefore, a balance can be adjusted between the two.

[0199] In some embodiments, Figure 18 FIG2 shows a structural diagram of another electronic device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 12 The difference is that Figure 18 The electronic device shown further includes a third switch S3 to an eighth switch S8. The third switch S3 to the eighth switch S8 can be implemented as switch elements such as MOS transistors, and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0200] One end of the third switch S3 and one end of the sixth switch S6 are both connected to the node B1, the other end of the third switch S3 is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2, and the other end of the sixth switch S6 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1. The input end of the sixth buck 126 is connected to the node B1.

[0201] One end of the fourth switch S4 and one end of the seventh switch S7 are both connected to node B2. The other end of the fourth switch S4 is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell P3, and the other end of the seventh switch S7 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1. The input end of the fourth buck converter 124 and the input end of the fifth buck converter 125 are connected to node B2.

[0202] One end of the fifth switch S5 and one end of the eighth switch S8 are both connected to node B3. The other end of the fifth switch S5 is connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell P4, and the other end of the eighth switch S8 is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1. The input end of the second buck 122 and the input end of the third buck 123 are connected to node B3.

[0203] Under normal power supply conditions, the third to fifth switches S3 to S5 are turned on, and the sixth to eighth switches S6 to S8 are turned off. Furthermore, when the voltage difference between the second battery cell P2 and the other battery cells is greater than or equal to a preset voltage difference threshold, the third switch S3 is turned off and the sixth switch S6 is turned on, preventing the sixth sub-load 1306 from further increasing the voltage difference between the second battery cell P2 and the first battery cell P1, thereby improving voltage balancing efficiency.

[0204] Furthermore, when the voltage difference between the third battery cell P3 and the other battery cells is greater than or equal to a preset voltage difference threshold, the fourth switch S4 is disconnected and the seventh switch S7 is turned on to prevent the fourth sub-load 1304 and the fifth sub-load 1305 from further increasing the voltage difference between the third battery cell P3 and the other battery cells, thereby improving the balancing efficiency. Alternatively, when the voltage difference between the third battery cell P3 and the other battery cells is greater than or equal to the preset voltage difference threshold, the third switch S3 can be controlled to disconnect and the sixth switch S6 can be turned on. It should be noted that the fourth sub-load 1304 and the fifth sub-load 1305 can also be connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell P2 through other switches, so that when the voltage difference of the third battery cell P3 is too large, in addition to the option of hanging the third load on the positive electrode of the first battery cell P1, the third load can also be hung on the second battery cell P2. There is no specific limitation on this.

[0205] Furthermore, when the voltage differential between the fourth cell P4 and the other cells is greater than or equal to a preset voltage differential threshold, the fifth switch S5 is disconnected and the eighth switch S8 is turned on. This prevents the second sub-load 1302 and the third sub-load 1303 from further increasing the voltage differential between the fourth cell P4 and the other cells, thereby improving balancing efficiency. Alternatively, when the voltage differential between the fourth cell P4 and the other cells is greater than or equal to the preset voltage differential threshold, the third switch S3 can be controlled to disconnect and the sixth switch S6 can be turned on. Alternatively, the fourth switch S4 can be controlled to disconnect and the seventh switch S7 can be turned on to further improve the balancing effect. It should be noted that the second sub-load 1302 and the third sub-load 1303 can also be connected to the positive electrode of the second cell P2 or the third cell P3 via other switches. This allows the fourth load to be connected to the positive electrode of the first cell P1, or to the second cell P2 or the third cell P3, in addition to the option of connecting the fourth load to the positive electrode of the first cell P1, when the voltage differential across the fourth cell P4 is excessive. This is not specifically limited.

[0206] Alternatively, when the balancing speed is slow, the balancing speed can be increased by the above-mentioned switch switching process. For example, as the voltage difference between the battery cells gradually decreases, the balancing speed decreases. Through the above-mentioned switch switching process, for example, when the voltage difference between the second battery cell P2 and the first battery cell P1 is less than the voltage difference threshold, the sixth switch S6 is controlled to be turned on and the third switch S3 is turned off to increase the balancing speed. It should be noted that in this process, for loads that need to be connected to other battery cells, such as the fourth load, the voltage converter connected to it can be connected to the second battery cell P2 or the third battery cell P3 in addition to the fourth battery cell P4, according to actual conditions and specific needs, and there is no specific limitation on this.

[0207] In this embodiment, since the power consumption of each battery cell in the battery module is different, for example, taking the first battery cell P1 to the fourth battery cell P4 as an example, the first battery cell P1 only needs to provide power for the first load 131, the second battery cell P2 needs to provide power for the first load 131 and the second load 132, the third battery cell P3 needs to provide power for the first load 131-the third load 133, and the fourth battery cell P4 needs to provide power for the first load 131-the fourth load 134. The power consumption of the first battery cell P1-the fourth battery cell P4 gradually increases. Accordingly, each battery cell may generate a voltage difference due to the difference in power consumption, and then the voltage difference may lead to risks such as short circuit. Therefore, by setting a balancing circuit, the voltage difference between each battery cell can be reduced, thereby improving the safety of the power supply. In addition, when selecting a device such as Figure 14 The active balancing circuit shown in the figure stores electrical energy in capacitors, reducing heat consumption. Active balancing also draws a large current and a high balancing rate, improving both battery life and the balancing rate. Passive balancing can also be selected based on actual conditions and specific needs, and there are no specific restrictions on this.

[0208] It should be noted that this balancing solution can also be applied to other power supply design solutions such as "4 series in 1 parallel," "2 series in 1 parallel," or "2 series in 2 parallel." For example, in the "2 series in 1 parallel" or "2 series in 2 parallel" solutions, the balancing circuit may include a first balancing capacitor C1 and a second balancing capacitor C2, a first control switch Q1 to an eighth control switch Q8, a first gate driver 151 and a second gate driver 152. For another example, in the "4 series in 1 parallel" solution, the balancing circuit may include a first balancing capacitor C1 to a fourth balancing capacitor C4, a first control switch Q1 to a sixteenth control switch Q16, and a first gate driver 151 to a fourth gate driver 154. The specific circuit structure and balancing process are similar to those of the aforementioned balancing circuit and will not be further described.

[0209] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A power supply circuit, characterized in that: The power supply circuit is provided in the electronic device, and the power supply circuit includes: A battery module, the battery module comprising at least one power supply branch, each power supply branch comprising a first battery cell, a second battery cell, and a third battery cell, wherein the negative electrode of the first battery cell in each power supply branch is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, the negative electrode of the second battery cell is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell, the positive electrode of the first battery cell is used to output a first battery voltage, the positive electrode of the second battery cell is used to output a second battery voltage, and the positive electrode of the third battery cell is used to output a third battery voltage; a first voltage converter, wherein an input end of the first voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell, an output end of the first voltage converter is used to be connected to a first load, and the first voltage converter is used to convert the first battery voltage into a first power voltage and output the first power voltage to the first load; a second voltage converter, wherein the input end of the second voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, the output end of the second voltage converter is used to be connected to a second load, and the second voltage converter is used to convert the second battery voltage into a second power voltage and output the second power voltage to the second load. a third voltage converter, wherein the input end of the third voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell, the output end of the third voltage converter is used to be connected to a third load, and the third voltage converter is used to convert the third battery voltage into a third power voltage, and output the third power voltage to the third load. The second voltage converter includes a first step-down converter, and the second power voltage is less than the minimum voltage value of the second battery voltage and greater than or equal to the minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage; The third voltage converter includes a second buck converter, and the third power voltage is less than a minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage.

2. The power supply circuit according to claim 1, wherein: A first absolute difference between the second battery voltage and the second power usage voltage is smaller than a second absolute difference between the first battery voltage and the second power usage voltage.

3. The power supply circuit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A first absolute difference between the second battery voltage and the second power usage voltage is smaller than a second absolute difference between the first battery voltage and the second power usage voltage.

4. The power supply circuit according to claim 1, wherein: Each power supply branch further includes a fourth battery cell, wherein the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell is connected to the negative electrode of the third battery cell, and the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell is used to input a fourth battery voltage; The power supply circuit further includes: a fourth voltage converter, wherein the input end of the fourth voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the fourth battery cell, the output end of the fourth voltage converter is used to be connected to a fourth load, and the fourth voltage converter is used to convert the fourth battery voltage into a fourth power voltage and output the fourth power voltage to the fourth load. The sixth absolute difference between the fourth battery voltage and the fourth power voltage is smaller than the seventh absolute difference between the first battery voltage and the fourth battery voltage.

5. The power supply circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The third power voltage is less than the minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage and greater than or equal to the minimum voltage value of the fourth battery voltage; The fourth voltage converter includes a third buck converter, and the fourth power voltage is less than a minimum voltage value of the fourth battery voltage.

6. The power supply circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The first load includes a first sub-load, the second load includes a second sub-load, the power voltage of the first sub-load and the power voltage of the second sub-load are both lower than the second battery voltage, The load current of the first sub-load is greater than the load current of the second sub-load, and / or the dynamic response rate of the first sub-load is greater than the dynamic response rate of the second sub-load.

7. The power supply circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first load includes a first sub-load, the first voltage converter includes a first voltage conversion element connected to the first sub-load, and the power supply circuit further includes: a first switch, wherein a first connection end of the first switch is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell, and a second connection end of the first switch is connected to the input end of the first voltage conversion element; a second switch, wherein a first connection end of the second switch is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, and a second connection end of the second switch is connected to the input end of the first voltage conversion element; When the first sub-load is in a first state, the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off; When the first sub-load is in the second state, the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on.

8. The power supply circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The power supply circuit further includes a balancing circuit, which is connected to the first battery cell, the second battery cell, and the third battery cell respectively, and is used to balance the power of the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

9. The power supply circuit according to claim 8, characterized in that: The equalization circuit comprises: a first control switch, wherein a first connection end of the first control switch is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell, and a second connection end of the first control switch is connected to the first connection end of the third control switch; a second control switch, wherein a first connection end of the second control switch is connected to the negative electrode of the first battery cell, and a second connection end of the second control switch is connected to the first connection end of the fourth control switch; the third control switch, wherein the second connection end of the third control switch is connected to the second connection end of the seventh control switch; a fourth control switch, wherein a second connection terminal of the fourth control switch is grounded; a fifth control switch, wherein a first connection end of the fifth control switch is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, and a second connection end of the fifth control switch is connected to the first connection end of the seventh control switch; a sixth control switch, wherein a first connection end of the sixth control switch is connected to the negative electrode of the second battery cell, and a second connection end of the sixth control switch is connected to the first connection end of the eighth control switch; Seventh control switch; an eighth control switch, wherein a second connection terminal of the eighth control switch is grounded; a ninth control switch, wherein a first connection end of the ninth control switch is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell, and a second connection end of the ninth control switch is connected to the first connection end of the eleventh control switch; a tenth control switch, wherein a first connection end of the tenth control switch is connected to the negative electrode of the third battery cell, and a second connection end of the tenth control switch is connected to the first connection end of the twelfth control switch; 11th control switch; a twelfth control switch, wherein a second connection terminal of the twelfth control switch is grounded; a first balancing capacitor, wherein a first end of the first balancing capacitor is respectively connected to the second connection end of the first control switch and the first connection end of the third control switch, and a second end of the first balancing capacitor is respectively connected to the second connection end of the second control switch and the first connection end of the fourth control switch; a second balancing capacitor, wherein a first end of the second balancing capacitor is respectively connected to the second connection end of the fifth control switch and the first connection end of the seventh control switch, and a second end of the second balancing capacitor is respectively connected to the second connection end of the sixth control switch and the first connection end of the eighth control switch; a third balancing capacitor, wherein a first end of the third balancing capacitor is respectively connected to the second connection end of the ninth control switch and the first connection end of the eleventh control switch, and a second end of the third balancing capacitor is respectively connected to the second connection end of the tenth control switch and the first connection end of the twelfth control switch; The balancing circuit alternately enters a first balancing stage and a second balancing stage during the balancing process. In the first balancing stage, the first control switch, the second control switch, the fifth control switch, the sixth control switch, the ninth control switch, and the tenth control switch are turned on, and the third control switch, the fourth control switch, the seventh control switch, the eighth control switch, the eleventh control switch, and the twelfth control switch are turned off. In the second balancing stage, the first control switch, the second control switch, the fifth control switch, the ninth control switch, the tenth control switch, and the sixth control switch are turned off, and the third control switch, the fourth control switch, the seventh control switch, the eighth control switch, the eleventh control switch, and the twelfth control switch are turned on.

10. The power supply circuit according to claim 9, characterized in that: The switching frequency of the first control switch to the twelfth control switch is positively correlated with the voltage difference between the first battery cell to the third battery cell.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: A battery module, the battery module comprising at least one power supply branch, each power supply branch comprising a first battery cell, a second battery cell, and a third battery cell, wherein the negative electrode of the first battery cell in each power supply branch is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, the negative electrode of the second battery cell is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell, the positive electrode of the first battery cell is used to output a first battery voltage, the positive electrode of the second battery cell is used to output a second battery voltage, and the positive electrode of the third battery cell is used to output a third battery voltage; a first voltage converter, wherein an input end of the first voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the first battery cell, an output end of the first voltage converter is used to be connected to a first load, and the first voltage converter is used to convert the first battery voltage into a first power voltage and output the first power voltage to the first load; a second voltage converter, wherein the input end of the second voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the second battery cell, the output end of the second voltage converter is used to be connected to a second load, and the second voltage converter is used to convert the second battery voltage into a second power voltage and output the second power voltage to the second load. a third voltage converter, wherein an input end of the third voltage converter is connected to the positive electrode of the third battery cell, an output end of the third voltage converter is connected to a third load, and the third voltage converter is used to convert the third battery voltage into a third power voltage and output the third power voltage to the third load; the first load; the second load; the third load; The second voltage converter includes a first step-down converter, and the second power voltage is less than the minimum voltage value of the second battery voltage and greater than or equal to the minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage; The third voltage converter includes a second buck converter, and the third power voltage is less than a minimum voltage value of the third battery voltage.

12. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein: The electronic device is a notebook computer.

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