Power control apparatus, system, and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power control apparatus, system, and method for efficiently supplying and blocking power to an electronic device. The power control apparatus according to the present invention comprises an energy storage, a power control switch, and a power controller. The energy storage stores electrical energy. The power control switch turns on / off the supply of power from the energy storage to the electronic device. The power controller is connected to the electronic device through a data interface. The power controller switches the power control switch to control the supply of power from the energy storage to the electronic device wherein, when the supply of power to the electronic device is blocked, a leakage current through the data interface is blocked by adjusting an output of the data interface to a VDD or GND state.

Description

Power control devices, systems and methods

[0001] The present invention relates to power control technology, and more particularly, to a power control device, system and method for efficiently supplying and cutting off power from a power control device to a load (electronic device).

[0002] With the widespread use of electronic devices such as mobile devices and IoT devices, technologies that efficiently utilize power and operate with low power consumption are becoming increasingly important. For example, batteries are being used in electronic devices in environments where wired power is difficult to access or for user convenience. Self-powered IoT devices are also emerging, utilizing energy harvesting technology to charge their batteries from surrounding energy sources.

[0003] These electronic devices are limited in their operational time due to the finite power supply of their batteries. Typically, electronic devices maintain a standby mode, consuming little standby current when idle for low-power operation. When a function is required during standby mode, the device switches to an operating mode that consumes operating current. After performing the function in the operating mode, the device transitions from the operating mode to standby mode.

[0004] [Prior Art Literature]

[0005] [Patent Document]

[0006] Patent Publication No. 10-1863138 (registered on May 25, 2018)

[0007] However, since existing electronic devices consume standby current even in standby mode, a technology is needed to completely block standby current and keep standby current at zero.

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a power control device, system and method capable of blocking power consumption according to the standby mode of an electronic device.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a power control device, system and method that efficiently perform power supply and cut-off by controlling power and ground in multiple ways.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a power control device, system and method capable of blocking leakage current through a data interface between a power control device and an electronic device.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a power control device including: an energy storage that stores electric energy; a power control switch that turns on / off power supply from the energy storage to an electronic device; and a power controller that is connected to the electronic device through a data interface, controls power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device by switching the power control switch, and blocks leakage current through the data interface by adjusting the data interface output to a VDD or GND state when power supply to the electronic device is cut off.

[0012] The above power control switch includes at least one of a power switch and a ground switch.

[0013] The power controller controls the on / off of at least one of the power switch and the ground switch.

[0014] The power controller keeps the data interface output in a GND state when the power switch is turned off to cut off power supply to the electronic device.

[0015] The power controller keeps the data interface output in the VDD state when the ground switch is turned off to cut off power supply to the electronic device.

[0016] A power control device according to the present invention further includes an energy harvester that collects ambient energy, converts it into electrical energy, and stores it in the energy storage; and a power converter that converts the power stored in the energy storage into power required by the electronic device and the power controller, and supplies the converted power.

[0017] The present invention also provides a power control system including an electronic device; and a power control device for controlling power supply to the electronic device.

[0018] And the present invention provides a power control method of an electronic device to which a power control device is connected via a data interface, wherein the power control device controls the power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device by switching a power control switch that turns on / off the power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device, and when the power supply to the electronic device is cut off, the data interface output is adjusted to a VDD or GND state to block leakage current through the data interface.

[0019] According to the present invention, a power control device can block standby power consumption due to a conventional standby mode by supplying power to an electronic device in a power cutoff mode and a power supply mode. This can extend the operating time of the electronic device.

[0020] The power control device according to the present invention can efficiently perform power supply and cut-off by controlling power and ground in multiple ways.

[0021] And, the power control device according to the present invention can block power waste due to leakage current by blocking leakage current through the data interface by adjusting the data interface output to the VDD or GND state when power supply to the electronic device is cut off.

[0022] A power control device according to the present invention can efficiently supply and cut off power to an electronic device.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the power control system of Figure 1 in detail.

[0025] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the pull-up and pull-down of Figure 2.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the first leakage current through the data interface according to the power switch on / off method in the power control system of FIG. 2.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a second leakage current through a data interface according to a ground switch on / off method in the power control system of FIG. 2.

[0028] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a power control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that in the following description, only the parts necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present invention are described, and the description of other parts will be omitted to the extent that it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0030] The terms and words used in this specification and claims described below should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best describe his or her own invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the power control system of Fig. 1 in detail. And Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the pull-up and pull-down circuits of Fig. 2.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a power control system (100) according to the present embodiment includes an electronic device (10) and a power control device (20) that controls power supply to the electronic device (10).

[0034] Here, the electronic device (10) is a device that performs a set function using power supplied from a power control device (20). Such electronic devices (10) include, but are not limited to, mobile devices and IoT devices. For example, the IoT devices can be applied to various fields such as, but are not limited to, industrial / home IoT sensors, beacons, smart tags, rental bicycle theft prevention services, medical services, environmental monitoring services, building condition management services, agricultural and livestock management services, logistics services, medical patient management services, and remote environment monitoring services.

[0035] And the power control device (20) performs power control by turning on / off the power supply to the electronic device (10). That is, the power control device (20) operates in a power cut-off (power off) mode that cuts off the power supply to the electronic device (10) when the electronic device (10) is not in operation, in order to block the consumption of standby current according to the standby mode of the electronic device (10). When power supply to the electronic device (10) is required in the power cut-off mode, the power control device (20) converts the power cut-off mode into a power supply (power on or operation) mode and supplies power to the electronic device (10).

[0036] The power control device (20) according to this embodiment includes an energy storage (40), a power control switch (60), and a power controller (70). The energy storage (40) stores electric energy. The power control switch (60) turns on / off the power supply from the energy storage (40) to the electronic device (10). The power controller (70) is connected to the electronic device (10) through a data interface (71), and controls the power supply from the energy storage (40) to the electronic device (10) by switching the power control switch (60). In addition, when the power controller (70) cuts off the power supply to the electronic device (10), it cuts off the leakage current through the data interface (71) by adjusting the output of the data interface (71) to a VDD or GND state.

[0037] In addition, the power control device (20) according to the present embodiment may further include an energy harvester (30) and a power converter (50).

[0038] The energy harvester (30) performs energy harvesting by collecting ambient energy and converting it into electrical energy. The energy harvester (30) can perform energy harvesting under the control of a power controller (70). The energy harvester (30) includes an energy converter that collects ambient energy and converts it into DC power. Here, the ambient energy may be solar energy, vibration, geothermal energy, wind energy, hydraulic energy, electromagnetic waves, etc.

[0039] The energy storage (40) receives and stores electrical energy converted from the energy harvester (30). The energy storage (40) supplies the necessary power to each electronic device (10) under the control of the power controller (70). The energy storage (40) includes at least one of a rechargeable secondary battery and a supercapacitor. The energy storage (40) may be configured in multiple units.

[0040] The power converter (50) converts the power stored in the energy storage (40) into power required by the electronic device (10) or the power controller (70) and supplies the converted power under the control of the power controller (70). This power converter (50) may be a DC-DC converter.

[0041] The power control switch (60) switches the power supply to the electronic device (10) under the control of the power controller (70). The power control switch (60) includes at least one of a power switch (61) and a ground switch (63). In the present embodiment, an example of using the power switch (61) and the ground switch (63) together as the power control switch (60) is disclosed, but only one of the power switch (61) and the ground switch (63) may be used.

[0042] The power switch (61) connects the power converter (50) and the electronic device (10). The on / off of the power switch (61) is performed by the power controller (70). The power switch (61) is connected to the VDD terminal of the electronic device (10).

[0043] The ground switch (63) is connected to the electronic device (10) at one end and is grounded. One end of the ground switch (63) is connected to the GND terminal of the electronic device (10). The on / off of the ground switch (63) is performed by the power controller (70). The power controller (20) is connected to the other end of the ground switch (63) and is grounded.

[0044] And the power controller (70) includes a microprocessor that controls the overall operation of the power control device (20). The power controller (70) is connected to the electronic device (10) via a data interface (71). That is, the power controller (70) and the electronic device (10) are provided with a data interface terminal (DI) that can be connected to each other.

[0045] The power controller (70) switches the power supply to the electronic device (10) in an on / off manner using the power control switch (60). The power controller (70) according to the present embodiment switches the power supply to the electronic device (10) based on the energy harvested ambient energy.

[0046] The power controller (70) basically manages the electronic device (10) in a power cutoff mode. The power controller (70) can supply power to the electronic device (10) by switching from the power cutoff mode to the power supply mode according to a set cycle. Alternatively, the power controller (70) can supply power to the electronic device (10) by switching from the power cutoff mode to the power supply mode according to a wake-up signal input from the outside.

[0047] Such a power controller (70) can switch the power supply to the electronic device (10) as follows.

[0048] First, the power controller (70) basically operates in a power cut-off mode that cuts off the power supply to the electronic device (10) when the electronic device (10) is not in operation, in order to block the consumption of standby current according to the standby mode of the electronic device (10).

[0049] When power supply to the electronic device (10) is required in the power cutoff mode, the power controller (70) converts from the power cutoff mode to the power supply mode and supplies power to the electronic device (10). For example, the power controller (70) can convert from the power cutoff mode to the power supply mode according to a set cycle or an external wake-up signal.

[0050] And the power controller (70) returns (switches) from the power supply mode to the power cut-off mode after performing the function of the electronic device (10) according to the power supply mode.

[0051] When the power controller (70) cuts off the power supply to the electronic device (10) by only turning the power control switch (60) on / off, leakage current may occur through the data interface (71).

[0052] Accordingly, the power controller (70) according to the present embodiment can maintain the data interface (71) output in the VDD or GND state according to the switching method through the power control switch (60) in order to block leakage current through the data interface (71) when power supply to the electronic device (10) is cut off.

[0053] In order to maintain the data interface (71) output in the VDD or GND state, the power controller (70) may be implemented in a pull-up or pull-down state using a resistor, or the output of the buffer driver may be implemented in a High or Low state, but is not limited thereto.

[0054] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, it is possible to control to maintain a pull-up or pull-down state depending on the switching method through the power control switch (60).

[0055] That is, when the power controller (70) turns off the power switch (61) to cut off the power supply to the electronic device (10), it maintains a pull-down state, as shown in (a) of Fig. 3. The pull-down circuit can be implemented by connecting a pull-down resistor (75) to the rear end of the ground switch (63) that is grounded. The pull-down resistor (75) can be connected to a line that is connected to the rear end of the ground switch (63) and is grounded by the electronic device (10).

[0056] When the power controller (70) turns off the ground switch (63) to cut off the power supply to the electronic device (10), it maintains a pull-up state, as shown in (b) of Fig. 3. The pull-up circuit can be implemented by connecting a pull-up resistor (73) between the power converter (50) and the power switch (61).

[0057] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the first leakage current that occurs in the power control system (100) according to the present embodiment when a pull-down circuit is not provided. Here, FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the first leakage current through the data interface (71) according to the on / off method of the power switch (61) in the power control system (100) of FIG. 2.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 4, the power controller (70) can turn off the power switch (61) and turn on the ground switch (63) to cut off the power supply to the electronic device (10).

[0059] At this time, even if the power switch (61) is turned off to cut off the power, the first leakage current may flow in the A direction through the data interface (71), which causes the first leakage current to continue to flow without the power being cut off, resulting in power consumption. The first leakage current may flow through the power controller (70), the electronic device (10), and the ground switch (63) connected to the data interface (71).

[0060] Therefore, the power controller (70) maintains a pull-down state through a pull-down circuit, as shown in (a) of Fig. 3, in order to block the first leakage current.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a second leakage current that occurs in a power control system (100) according to the present embodiment when a pull-up circuit is not provided. Here, FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a second leakage current through a data interface (71) according to the on / off method of the ground switch (63) in the power control system (100) of FIG. 2.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 5, the power controller (70) can turn off the ground switch (63) and turn on the power switch (61) to cut off the power supply to the electronic device (10).

[0063] At this time, even if the ground switch (63) is turned off to cut off the power, the second leakage current may flow in the B direction through the data interface (71), which causes the second leakage current to continue to flow without the power being cut off, resulting in power consumption. The second leakage current may flow through the line connected to the power switch (61) and the data interface (71). That is, the second leakage current may flow through the power converter (50), the electronic device (10), and the power controller (70).

[0064] Therefore, the power controller (70) maintains a pull-up state through a pull-up circuit, as shown in (b) of Fig. 3, in order to block the second leakage current.

[0065] In this way, the power control device (20) according to the present embodiment can block standby power consumption according to the existing standby mode by supplying power to the electronic device (10) in a power cut-off mode or a power supply mode. As a result, the power control system (100) according to the present embodiment can extend the operating time of the electronic device (10).

[0066] The power control device (20) according to the present embodiment can efficiently perform power supply and cut-off by controlling power and ground in multiple ways. That is, when there are multiple electronic devices (10) connected to the power control device (20), the power supply can be switched by selecting one of the power switch (61) and the ground switch (63) based on the power usage of the electronic devices (10). For example, when switching the power supply, an electronic device (10) with relatively low power usage can use the ground switch (63), and an electronic device (10) with relatively high power usage can use the power switch (61).

[0067] And the power control system (100) according to the present embodiment can block power waste due to leakage current by blocking leakage current through the data interface (71) between the power control device (20) and the electronic device (10).

[0068]

[0069] A power control method using a power control system (100) according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 6. Here, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a power control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] First, in step S10, the power control device (20) can supply power to the electronic device (10) by controlling the power control switch (60). At this time, in the power supply mode, the power switch (61) and the ground switch (63) are maintained in the on state. In the power supply mode, the power converted by the power converter (50) is supplied to the electronic device (10) through the power switch (61).

[0071] Meanwhile, the power control device (20) can perform energy harvesting before performing step S10. That is, the energy harvester (30) collects ambient energy and converts it into electrical energy. The energy harvester (30) stores the converted electrical energy in the energy storage (40).

[0072] And in step S10, the power control device (20) converts the power stored in the energy storage (40) into the necessary power required by the electronic device (10) using the power converter (50), and then supplies the power to the electronic device (10) through the power switch (61).

[0073] At this time, energy harvesting can be performed regardless of the power supply mode and power cutoff mode, or energy harvesting can be performed only in the power cutoff mode.

[0074] Next, in step S20, the power control device (20) can convert from power supply mode to power cut-off mode.

[0075] At this time, when the power cutoff mode is performed by turning off the power switch (61), the power control device (20) maintains the data interface (71) output in the GND state at step S30. By maintaining the data interface (71) output in the GND state, the generation of the first leakage current through the data interface (71) can be blocked. The ground switch (63) remains in the on state.

[0076] When the power cut-off mode is performed by turning off the ground switch (63), the power control device (20) maintains the data interface (71) output in the VDD state at step S40. By maintaining the data interface (71) output in the VDD state, the generation of a second leakage current through the data interface (71) can be blocked. The power switch (61) remains in the on state.

[0077] And at step S50, the power control device (20) can determine whether to switch to power supply mode.

[0078] When switching to power supply mode at step S50, the power control device (20) performs step S10.

[0079] When the power cutoff mode is maintained in step S50, the power control device (20) maintains another power cutoff mode in step S20.

[0080] Meanwhile, the embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings are merely specific examples to aid understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications based on the technical concepts of the present invention are possible in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0081] [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10: Electronic devices

[0083] 20: Power control unit

[0084] 30: Energy Harvester

[0085] 40: Energy Storage

[0086] 50: Power converter

[0087] 60: Power control switch

[0088] 61: Power switch

[0089] 63: Ground switch

[0090] 70: Power controller

[0091] 71: Data Interface

[0092] 73: Pull-up resistor

[0093] 75: Pull-down resistance

[0094] 100: Power Control System

Claims

1. Energy storage that stores electrical energy; A power control switch for turning on / off the power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device; and A power controller connected to the electronic device through a data interface, and controlling power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device by switching the power control switch, and blocking leakage current through the data interface by adjusting the data interface output to a VDD or GND state when power supply to the electronic device is cut off; A power control device comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, The above power control switch includes at least one of a power switch and a ground switch, A power control device characterized in that the power controller controls the on / off of at least one of the power switch and the ground switch.

3. In paragraph 2, A power control device characterized in that the power controller keeps the data interface output in a GND state when the power switch is turned off to cut off the power supply to the electronic device.

4. In paragraph 2, A power control device characterized in that the power controller maintains the data interface output in the VDD state when the ground switch is turned off to cut off the power supply to the electronic device.

5. In paragraph 1, An energy harvester that collects ambient energy, converts it into electrical energy, and stores it in the energy storage; and A power converter that converts and supplies power stored in the energy storage into power required by the electronic device and the power controller, respectively; A power control device characterized by further including:

6. Electronic devices; and A power control device for controlling power supply to the electronic device; The above power control device, Energy storage that stores electrical energy; A power control switch for turning on / off the power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device; and A power controller connected to the electronic device through a data interface, and controlling power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device by switching the power control switch, and blocking leakage current through the data interface by adjusting the data interface output to a VDD or GND state when power supply to the electronic device is cut off; A power control system comprising:

7. In paragraph 6, The above power control switch includes at least one of a power switch and a ground switch, A power control device characterized in that the power controller controls the on / off of at least one of the power switch and the ground switch.

8. In paragraph 7, A power control device characterized in that the power controller keeps the data interface output in a GND state when the power switch is turned off to cut off the power supply to the electronic device.

9. In paragraph 7, A power control device characterized in that the power controller maintains the data interface output in the VDD state when the ground switch is turned off to cut off the power supply to the electronic device.

10. In paragraph 6, An energy harvester that collects ambient energy, converts it into electrical energy, and stores it in the energy storage; and A power converter that converts and supplies power stored in the energy storage into power required by the electronic device and the power controller, respectively; A power control device characterized by further including:

11. A method for controlling power in an electronic device in which a power control device is connected to a data interface, The power control device controls the power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device by switching a power control switch that turns on / off the power supply from the energy storage to the electronic device. A power control method characterized in that leakage current through the data interface is blocked by adjusting the data interface output to a VDD or GND state when power supply to the electronic device is cut off.

12. In paragraph 11, The above power control switch includes at least one of a power switch and a ground switch, The above power control device keeps the data interface output in the GND state when the power supply to the electronic device is cut off by turning off the imaginary power switch, A power control method characterized in that the power control device maintains the data interface output in a VDD state when the ground switch is turned off to cut off power supply to the electronic device.

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