A charger with multi-channel parallel charging

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of chargers of multi-channel parallel charging, including shell, charging circuit being set in shell and at least two charging interfaces being set on shell, the charging circuit includes one public power input terminal and at least two independent charging branches;Each described charging branch includes the management integrated circuit for charging to a lithium ion battery, the power input pin of the management integrated circuit of each charging branch is commonly connected to the public power input terminal, and its charging output pin is independently connected to a corresponding described charging interface;Wherein, each described charging branch is independently charged management to battery pack connected to corresponding charging interface by its management integrated circuit.Charging time is shortened while multiple independent simultaneous charging can be realized by the utility model.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery charging equipment technology, and more specifically, to a charger for multi-channel parallel charging. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium-ion batteries, due to their high energy density and long cycle life, have been widely used in various portable electronic devices. Consequently, battery chargers have become crucial accessories. Currently, there are chargers on the market that can charge multiple battery packs simultaneously. A typical design of these chargers features multiple battery sockets but only one built-in charging management circuit controlled by a microcontroller unit.

[0003] The existing technical solution works as follows: when a user inserts multiple battery packs, the MCU controls the charging management circuit to charge each battery pack sequentially according to the order in which they are connected. That is, the system will only switch to charging the next battery pack after the previous one is fully charged.

[0004] However, this sequential charging strategy has significant drawbacks. Standard lithium-ion battery charging involves two main stages: constant current charging and constant voltage charging. During constant voltage charging, the current gradually decreases until fully charged, making the entire process time-consuming. For example, a 2Ah battery pack takes approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes to fully charge. If three battery packs are charged simultaneously using existing queuing charging methods, the third pack must wait for the first two to fully charge before it can begin charging, resulting in a total charging time of approximately 4 hours. This leads to an excessively long total charging time for multiple battery packs, resulting in a poor user experience.

[0005] In addition, although increasing the single-channel charging current can shorten the charging time of a single battery pack, the improvement on the total charging time is limited under sequential charging architecture, and high-current charging may introduce higher heat loss and safety hazards.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the existing technology for a multi-channel charger solution that can significantly shorten the overall charging time of multiple battery packs while taking into account charging safety and equipment cost. Utility Model Content

[0007] In view of this, this application provides a charger for multi-channel parallel charging, which changes the traditional sequential queuing charging to multiple independent simultaneous charging, thereby shortening the total charging time and improving safety by reducing the charging current of a single channel.

[0008] A charger for multi-channel parallel charging includes a housing, a charging circuit disposed within the housing, and at least two charging interfaces disposed on the housing. The charging circuit includes a common power input terminal and at least two independent charging branches. Each of the charging branches includes a management integrated circuit for charging a lithium-ion battery. The power input pins of the management integrated circuits of each charging branch are connected to the common power input terminal, while their charging output pins are independently connected to a corresponding charging interface. Each of the charging branches manages the charging of the battery pack connected to the corresponding charging interface independently through its management integrated circuit.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, true parallel independent charging of multiple battery packs is achieved, completely eliminating the long waiting time caused by sequential queuing charging in the existing technology; at the same time, by adopting a distributed architecture of multiple dedicated integrated circuits, the complex MCU centralized control scheme is replaced, which improves charging efficiency, significantly simplifies system design, and reduces overall cost.

[0010] In some implementations, the management integrated circuit has a constant current charging current setting pin, which is connected to a common ground via an external resistor to set the current value during the constant current charging phase.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, a simple, reliable and low-cost constant current charging current setting method is provided. The charging current can be accurately set and stably maintained by changing the resistance value of a single external resistor, ensuring the controllability and consistency of the charging process.

[0012] In some implementations, the resistance of the external resistor is configured to make the constant current charging current value 0.8-1.2A.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the single-channel charging current is set in a low range of 0.8-1.2A, achieving the best balance between safety and charging efficiency. The lower current reduces heat loss and lowers the temperature rise of the battery during charging, which not only improves safety but also helps to extend the battery's lifespan. At the same time, this current range is sufficient to ensure a reasonable charging speed.

[0014] In some implementations, the management integrated circuit has a temperature sensing pin that is connected to the power input pin via a pull-up resistor and configured to connect to the temperature sensing terminal of the corresponding charging interface.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, an independent hardware temperature monitoring and protection mechanism is provided for each charging branch. It can detect the battery temperature in real time and automatically cut off charging when the battery temperature exceeds the safe range. This effectively prevents serious safety hazards such as bulging, burning or even explosion of the battery due to overheating, and greatly improves the safety and reliability of the charger.

[0016] In some embodiments, the management integrated circuit has a charging status indicator pin; the charger also includes a status indicator circuit, which includes a light-emitting diode and a current-limiting resistor connected to the charging status indicator pin.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, users are provided with intuitive visual feedback on the charging status. Different light signals (such as constant light, flashing light, off light, or color change) clearly indicate the charging in progress, charging completed, or fault status, which greatly improves the user experience and human-computer interaction of the product.

[0018] In some implementations, the charging status indicator pin is an open-drain output pin, and the anode of the light-emitting diode is connected to the power supply through a current-limiting resistor, while the cathode is connected to the charging status indicator pin.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution and utilizing the characteristics of the open-drain output structure, the status indicator circuit can flexibly use a power supply higher than the chip logic voltage to drive the LED, which enhances the flexibility of circuit design. At the same time, this structure simplifies the internal design of the chip, reduces chip complexity and power consumption, and facilitates the implementation of "wired-AND" logic for multiple indicator signals.

[0020] In some implementations, the management integrated circuit also has an enable pin; the charger also includes a control unit whose input / output port is connected to the enable pin for sending control signals to the enable pin to start or stop the charging operation of the corresponding charging branch.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, an advanced intelligent control dimension is introduced, enabling the upper control unit to actively and accurately start or stop any charging branch based on battery status, temperature, time strategy, or user commands. This achieves intelligent management of the charging process and lays the foundation for realizing advanced functions such as priority charging, timed charging, and high-temperature emergency stop, greatly enhancing the functionality and safety of the product.

[0022] In some implementations, in each charging branch, an input filter capacitor is connected in parallel between the power input pin of the management integrated circuit and the common ground, and an output filter capacitor is connected in parallel between the charging output pin and the common ground.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solutions, the input filter capacitor can effectively suppress ripple and transient interference from the common DC power supply, providing a clean operating voltage for the charging management integrated circuit; the output filter capacitor can smooth the charging output current, reduce the current impact on the battery, improve charging quality, and enhance the anti-interference capability and working stability of the entire charger system.

[0024] In some implementations, the number of charging branches is three, and the management integrated circuit is of model TC4056A, TP4054, or TP5400.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solutions, three market-proven, cost-effective dedicated chip implementation solutions are provided, balancing cost, performance and reliability, making this design easy to implement and industrialize; the three-channel design is an optimized configuration for common multi-battery application scenarios, which can significantly shorten the total charging time in most user scenarios.

[0026] In some implementations, the charging interface is a three-terminal interface, including a battery positive terminal, a temperature detection terminal, and a common ground terminal.

[0027] By adopting the above technical solution and using a standardized three-terminal interface, not only is the charging connection of the positive and negative terminals of the battery realized, but an independent temperature detection channel is also integrated, providing the necessary physical connection for realizing the above-mentioned temperature monitoring safety function. The structure is compact and the connection is reliable.

[0028] In summary, this application has at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. Significantly improves charging efficiency: The architecture of multi-path independent parallel charging completely changes the traditional sequential charging waiting mode, which reduces the total charging time of multiple battery packs by a factor of two, resulting in a leap in user experience.

[0029] 2. Significantly enhanced system safety and reliability: By independently configuring hardware temperature monitoring for each channel, optimizing single-channel charging current, and intelligent enable control, multiple safety protection mechanisms are constructed, effectively avoiding risks such as battery overcharging and overheating. At the same time, the application of filter capacitors improves the system's anti-interference and stability.

[0030] 3. Excellent cost-effectiveness and flexibility: The distributed system is built using mature and dedicated charging management integrated circuits, replacing the expensive MCU centralized control scheme. While achieving high performance, cost and complexity are effectively controlled. Open-drain output, enable control and other designs give the circuit greater design flexibility and functional expansion potential. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a circuit diagram of the charging circuit of this application; Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram of the first charging branch; Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram of the charging interface.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1. Charging circuit; 11. First charging branch; 111. Management integrated circuit; 12. Second charging branch; 13. Third charging branch; 2. Charging interface. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0034] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0037] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0038] This embodiment discloses a multi-channel parallel charging charger, which adopts a fully distributed and independent parallel charging architecture to fundamentally solve the problem of low efficiency caused by "queueing charging" in traditional single-channel sequential charging methods.

[0039] The hardware of this charger includes a housing, a charging circuit disposed within the housing, and at least two charging ports disposed on the housing. The charging circuit includes a common power input terminal and at least two independent charging branches. Each charging branch includes a management integrated circuit for charging a lithium-ion battery. The power input pins of the management integrated circuits of each charging branch are connected to the common power input terminal, while their charging output pins are independently connected to a corresponding charging port. Each charging branch independently manages the charging of the battery pack connected to its corresponding charging port through its management integrated circuit.

[0040] Please see Figure 1 This embodiment uses three charging branches as an example. Charging circuit 1 includes a first charging branch 11, a second charging branch 12, and a third charging branch 13. Each charging branch is truly "parallel input, independent output". The positive VCC of the power input of all charging branches is connected in parallel to the positive terminal of the common power input on the PCB, and the ground GND of all branches is connected in parallel to the negative terminal of the common input. Most importantly, the charging output terminal of each charging branch is independently and exclusively connected to a dedicated charging interface. This "common source, independent discharge" architecture is the physical basis for realizing synchronous charging of multiple battery packs and significantly shortening the total charging time.

[0041] Please see Figure 2 Each charging branch is a complete mini charging system. To achieve optimal cost-effectiveness and performance, there are three charging branches. The management integrated circuit 111 can be a mature solution such as TC4056A, TP4054, or TP5400. Based on its wide availability in the market and excellent overall performance, this invention preferably uses the TC4056A chip.

[0042] The internal connections are described in detail below, taking the first charging branch 11 as an example.

[0043] Power Input, Filtering, and Common Connection: The power input pin (pin 4, VCC) of each charging branch management IC 111 is connected to the common power input terminal. In each charging branch, an input filter capacitor C1 (e.g., 10μF) is connected in parallel between the power input pin of the management IC and the common ground. The ground pin (pin 3, GND) of the management IC is directly connected to the common ground. This provides a stable and clean operating voltage for the management IC.

[0044] Constant current charging current setting: The management integrated circuit 111 has a constant current charging current setting pin, pin 2 PROG. This setting pin is connected to common ground through an external resistor R3, such as 1.2kΩ, to set the current value during the constant current charging phase. The resistance of the external resistor R3 is configured to make the constant current charging current value 0.8-1.2A, with 1A being the optimal value, achieving a perfect balance between speed, safety, and temperature rise.

[0045] Charging Output, Interface, and Filtering: The charging output pin (pin 5, BAT) of the management integrated circuit 111 is independently connected to a corresponding charging interface 2. In each charging branch, an output filter capacitor C2 (e.g., 10μF) is connected in parallel between the charging output pin and the common ground to smooth the output current and reduce current surges to the battery.

[0046] Please see Figure 3 The charging interface 2 is a three-terminal interface, which adopts the form of a USB Type-C connector and has been functionally defined: Battery positive terminal BAT+: corresponds to Figure 3 The VBUS pin of the Type-C connector. This terminal is connected via a line. Figure 2 The charging output pin (BAT) of the management integrated circuit 111 shown is used to provide charging current to the battery pack.

[0047] Temperature sensing TEMP terminal: corresponding to Figure 3 The D+ pin of the Type-C connector. This terminal connects via... Figure 2 The pull-up resistor R2 shown is connected to the temperature detection pin (TEMP) of the management integrated circuit 111 to receive the temperature signal inside the battery pack, thus forming a temperature monitoring and protection loop together with the internal circuitry of the chip.

[0048] Common ground (GND) terminal: corresponding to Figure 3 The GND pin is clearly marked on the label. This terminal is also connected to... Figure 2 The system common ground and the ground pin (GND) of the management integrated circuit 111 form a complete current loop.

[0049] Through the above connection relationships. Figure 2 The single charging branch shown is Figure 3 The charging interface 2 shown constitutes a complete and independent charging channel, realizing the integration of charging output and temperature detection functions.

[0050] Temperature monitoring and protection: The management integrated circuit 111 has a temperature detection pin, pin 1 (TEMP). This pin is connected to the power input pin via a pull-up resistor R2 (e.g., 39kΩ) and configured to connect to the temperature detection TEMP terminal of the corresponding charging interface. This pin, together with the thermistor inside the battery, forms a voltage divider circuit to achieve hardware-level temperature monitoring. Charging is automatically cut off when the temperature exceeds the limit, ensuring safety.

[0051] Charging Status Indication: The management integrated circuit 111 has charging status indication pins, pin 6 (STDBY) and pin 7 (CHRG). The charger also includes a status indication circuit comprising light-emitting diodes (LED1, LED2) and a current-limiting resistor R4 connected to the charging status indication pin. The charging status indication pin is an open-drain output pin; the anode of the LED is connected to the power supply through the current-limiting resistor R4, and the cathode is connected to the charging status indication pin. This provides intuitive visual feedback on the charging status. The open-drain output design enhances the flexibility of circuit driving.

[0052] Intelligent Enable Control (Optional Advanced Function): The management integrated circuit also features an enable pin, pin 8 (CE). The charger also includes a control unit whose input / output ports are connected to the enable pin to send control signals to start or stop the charging operation of the corresponding charging branch. By programming the level of this pin, any charging branch can be remotely and precisely started or stopped, laying the foundation for advanced intelligent management such as timed and priority charging.

[0053] The core innovation of this invention lies in replacing the complex MCU switching control scheme with a pure hardware parallel architecture using multiple dedicated ICs. The three independent branches mentioned above share only the power input electrically, and their respective charging management, status indication, and temperature protection functions are completely autonomous.

[0054] The technical benefits of this design are that when the three battery packs are connected, they begin to be rapidly charged simultaneously without waiting for each other. Even if one of them is fully charged and enters trickle charging mode first, it does not affect the other two from continuing to charge at the maximum current, such as 1A. This reduces the total charging time of the three batteries from approximately 4 hours in the traditional queuing scheme to approximately 2.5 hours, improving efficiency by more than 50%. At the same time, the moderate single-channel current, direct hardware temperature protection, and excellent filtering design together constitute the system's high safety and reliability.

[0055] In summary, this invention, through precise component connections and an optimized system architecture, successfully creates a high-efficiency, safe, and low-cost multi-channel lithium battery charging solution, possessing significant practical value and market competitiveness.

[0056] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments; the embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations fall within the scope of the claimed utility model.

Claims

1. A charger for multi-channel parallel charging, comprising a housing, a charging circuit disposed within the housing, and at least two charging ports disposed on the housing, characterized in that: The charging circuit includes a common power input terminal and at least two independent charging branches; Each of the charging branches includes a management integrated circuit for charging a lithium-ion battery. The power input pins of the management integrated circuits of each charging branch are connected to the common power input terminal, while their charging output pins are independently connected to a corresponding charging interface. Each of the charging branches manages the charging of the battery pack connected to the corresponding charging interface independently through its management integrated circuit.

2. The charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The management integrated circuit has a constant current charging current setting pin, which is connected to a common ground via an external resistor to set the current value during the constant current charging phase.

3. The charger according to claim 2, characterized in that, The resistance value of the external resistor is configured to make the constant current charging current value 0.8-1.2A.

4. The charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The management integrated circuit has a temperature detection pin, which is connected to the power input pin via a pull-up resistor and configured to connect to the temperature detection terminal of the corresponding charging interface.

5. The charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The management integrated circuit has a charging status indicator pin; the charger also includes a status indicator circuit, which includes a light-emitting diode and a current-limiting resistor connected to the charging status indicator pin.

6. The charger according to claim 5, characterized in that, The charging status indicator pin is an open-drain output pin. The anode of the light-emitting diode is connected to the power supply through a current-limiting resistor, and the cathode is connected to the charging status indicator pin.

7. The charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The management integrated circuit also has an enable pin; the charger also includes a control unit, the input / output port of which is connected to the enable pin and is used to send a control signal to the enable pin to start or stop the charging operation of the corresponding charging branch.

8. The charger according to claim 1, characterized in that, In each charging branch, an input filter capacitor is connected in parallel between the power input pin of the management integrated circuit and the common ground, and an output filter capacitor is connected in parallel between the charging output pin and the common ground.

9. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The number of charging branches is three, and the management integrated circuit is of model TC4056A, TP4054 or TP5400.

10. The charger according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The charging interface is a three-terminal interface, including the battery positive terminal, temperature detection terminal, and common ground terminal.

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