Device for supplying electrical power having a single connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for supplying electrical power, comprising: - an internal battery (2) for storing energy, - an external connector (3) for connecting the device (1) to an external device (10), - a microcontroller (4), - a power supply unit (31) connected to the internal battery (2) and to the external connector (3), - an internal power supply unit (41), and - a module (54) for managing power supply to the microcontroller, the microcontroller (4) being configured to control the device (1) for supplying electrical power between a charging mode (Mc) in which the internal battery (2) is charged by the external device (10), and a discharging mode (Md) in which the internal battery (2) supplies power to the external device (10), the module (54) for managing power supply to the microcontroller being configured to control a supply of power to the microcontroller (4) by the internal power supply unit (41) when the device (1) for supplying electrical power is in discharging mode (Md) or in charging mode (Mc).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Single-connector power supply device

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] This disclosure relates to the general field of rechargeable and communicating power sources, and more specifically to power supply devices comprising a single connector.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Many systems may require power from a power source, including portable power supply devices such as chargers ("power bank" in Anglo-Saxon terminology).

[0007] Such power supply devices typically include a first connector, allowing the charging of an internal battery storing energy, and a second connector, allowing the power supply device to provide power to external devices.

[0008] Alternatively, a power supply device may include a single connector that performs both charging and discharging functions. For example, the connector may be a universal type and conform to the Universal Serial Bus USB On-The-Go (or USB OTG) standard. Such a connector allows for bidirectional data exchange or power delivery (PD), without distinguishing between a "host" and a "slave." This is made possible by the presence of an additional pin, called the ID pin, compared to standard USB connectors. The charging or discharging state of the power supply device can be detected by the state of this pin, defined by a nominal resistance. However, this USB-PD connector offers limited flexibility because it requires the external "slave" system to be supplied with a voltage of 5V or higher.In general, the change in operation is made possible by the addition of extra pins.

[0009] Other solutions have been considered to enable the use of a power supply in charge / discharge mode using a single connector. For example, US patent 2017 / 0256967 proposes a power supply including an external switch-type button to control whether the internal battery should be charged or discharged through the connector. Such a device therefore requires an external operator to switch between charging and discharging modes. However, in some cases, such as when using the power supply for an embedded system, or in confined, inaccessible, or highly vibration-prone environments, manual operation is not feasible.

[0010] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One aim of the present invention is to provide a power supply device that can both power an external device and be recharged via a single, standard connector, without manual action by an operator.

[0012] This goal is achieved by a power supply device comprising: an internal battery, configured to store energy; an external connector configured to connect the power supply device to an external device; the external connector comprising terminals to which a voltage is applied; a microcontroller configured to measure the voltage across the terminals of the external connector; and a power supply unit, connected to the internal battery and the external connector; the microcontroller being configured to control the power supply device between a charging mode in which the internal battery is charged by the external device, and a discharging mode in which the internal battery powers the external device.The power supply device is in discharge mode when the measured voltage has a first value, and the power supply device is in charge mode when the measured voltage has a second value, higher than the first value.

[0013] The power supply device further includes an internal power supply unit and a microcontroller power management module, the microcontroller power management module being configured to drive power to the microcontroller from the internal power supply unit when the power supply device is in discharge or charge mode.

[0014] The proposed power supply device overcomes the various technical limitations of the prior art. It does not require the use of a mechanical element, such as a cable, a button, or an additional pin on the external connector to detect the need to change the device's mode.

[0015] The microcontroller uses a measurement of the voltage applied to the terminals of the external connector to change the operating mode of the power supply. The state machine implemented in the proposed power supply allows the power supply to automatically switch from a discharge mode, where it powers an external device, to a battery charging mode.

[0016] The invention is advantageously complemented by the following features, taken individually or in any of their technically possible combinations:

[0017] - the first voltage value is equal to 3.6 V and the second voltage value is equal to 5.0 V;

[0018] - the power supply is configured to provide the external connector and the internal power unit with energy stored in the internal battery when the power supply device is in discharge mode;

[0019] - the power supply device includes a voltage booster configured to increase the voltage across the terminals of the power supply unit;

[0020] - the power supply device includes a microcontroller-controlled power management module configured to connect the internal battery to the power supply directly or via the voltage booster depending on the voltage across the terminals of the internal battery;

[0021] - the external connector is a USB-GPIO connector, and the microcontroller is configured to transmit, via the external connector, information relating to the mode of the power supply device and / or the state of the internal battery;

[0022] - the internal battery is a rechargeable NiMH battery with a nominal voltage of 1.2V.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for powering up the power supply device described above is proposed, comprising the following steps: powering the microcontroller from the internal battery via a diode in the microcontroller's power management module; then starting the power supply; and powering the microcontroller from the power supply via a switch in the microcontroller's power management module and the internal power supply unit.

[0024] The power-up process may include, prior to the microcontroller power-up step, a step of connecting a voltage booster if the voltage across the internal battery terminals is below a threshold voltage, and a step of disconnecting the voltage booster after the microcontroller has been powered.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for charging and discharging a power supply device as described is proposed, comprising the steps of: measuring the voltage across the terminals of the external connector; when the voltage measured across the terminals of the external connector is greater than the first value, powering the microcontroller by an external device connected to the external connector, deactivating the power supply, and charging the internal battery by the external device; when the voltage measured across the terminals of the external connector is less than or equal to the first value, powering the power supply by the internal battery and powering the microcontroller by the power supply via the internal power unit, and powering the external device connected to the external connector by the power supply.

[0026] The method may optionally include, when the voltage measured across the terminals of the external connector is less than or equal to the first value, a step of cutting off the power supply to the power supply by the microcontroller, the microcontroller remaining powered by the internal battery and the external device no longer being powered.

[0027] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] Other features, purposes and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings on which:

[0029] Figure 1 schematically illustrates the power supply device according to a first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the power supply device according to a second embodiment.

[0031] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the power supply device according to a third embodiment. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the steps involved in energizing the power supply device according to one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5 is a flowchart of steps of a charging and discharging process of the electrical power supply device according to one embodiment.

[0033] Across all figures, similar elements bear identical references.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] With reference to Figure 1, the power supply unit 1 (or "power supply unit", PSU in Anglo-Saxon terminology) comprises an electrical circuit with an internal battery 2, a power supply unit 31, a microcontroller 4 and an external connector 3.

[0036] The internal battery 2 is configured to store energy. The internal battery 2 is connected via the electrical circuit to the power supply 31 and the microcontroller 4. It provides power to the power supply 31 and the microcontroller 4.

[0037] External connector 3 is connected to the power supply 31. External connector 3 is configured to connect the power supply 1 to an external device 10. External connector 3 has terminals to which a voltage is applied. As will be described later, the power supply 1 can operate in two modes: a charging mode Mc in which the internal battery 2 is charged, and a discharging mode Md in which the internal battery 2 powers the external device 10.

[0038] The power supply 31 is configured to provide the external connector 3 with energy stored in the internal battery 2. This allows power from the internal battery 2 to be supplied to the external device 10 connected to the external connector 3 when the power supply 1 is in discharge mode Md. As will be described later, the power supply 31 also provides power to the microcontroller 4 via an internal power supply 41 during a startup sequence of the power supply 1 and then when the power supply 1 is in discharge mode Md.

[0039] More specifically, when the power supply unit 1 is driven in charging mode Mc, the power supply unit 1 is connected, via the external connector 3, to an external power source 10, and the internal battery 2 is recharged by the energy supplied by the external power source 10. In this operating mode, the microcontroller 4 is also powered by the external power source 10. When the power supply unit 1 is driven in discharging mode Md, for example when the power supply unit 1 is connected, via the external connector 3, to an external device 10 that needs to be powered and / or recharged, the power supply unit 1 supplies power to the external device 10 from the internal battery 2, via the power supply unit 31. In this operating mode, the microcontroller 4 is also powered via the power supply unit 31.

[0040] The external connector 3 is advantageously of the standard USB type and comprises four pins. As is well known, the four pins correspond to a ground pin, a power pin, and two DP / DM pins (for 'data minus' and 'data plus') for data transfer. Unlike USB OTG-PD connectors, such an external connector does not have a specific pin for automatically changing the operating mode of the power supply device 1.

[0041] The microcontroller 4 is configured to measure the voltage applied to the terminals of the external connector 3, and to implement a state machine such that:

[0042] - the power supply device 1 is in discharge mode Md when the measured voltage has a first value U1; and

[0043] - the power supply device 1 is in Mc charging mode when the measured voltage has a second value U2, greater than the first value U1.

[0044] Thus, the external connector 3 allows, depending on the state machine of the power supply device 1, either to connect the power supply device 1 to an external power source 10, for example a computer, a USB charger or any other power supply device, or to supply power to the external device 10, for example to power a sensor acquisition module.

[0045] The first voltage value U1 can be between 3.0 V and 4.0 V, preferably equal to 3.6 V. The second voltage value can correspond to a standard USB connector supply voltage, for example equal to 5.0 V.

[0046] As will be detailed later, the microcontroller 4 controls the operating modes of the power supply device 1. It can control the state of the different components of the power supply device 1.

[0047] The microcontroller 4 can transmit information regarding the operating mode of the power supply device 1 to the external device 10 via the external connector 3. Alternatively or in addition, the microcontroller 4 can transmit information relating to the state of the internal battery 2, for example, but not limited to, the temperature of the internal battery 2, the percentage of capacity or available power, the voltage Ub across the terminals of the internal battery 2, or the current Ib delivered by the internal battery 2 (discharge mode Md) or received by the internal battery 2 (charge mode Mc). For this purpose, the external connector 3 may include a GPIO module (standard designation for "General-Purpose Input / Output"), allowing the transmission of analog data to the external device 10.The transmitted data can be USB bus data signals transmitted via the DP / DM pins if the external connector 3 is of the USB type.

[0048] Microprocessor 4 can measure the voltage applied to the terminals of the external connector

[0049] 3, particularly when the external connector 3 is connected to an external device 10 that includes another external connector. To achieve this, the voltage controller 32 is connected to the terminals of the external connector 3.

[0050] With reference to Figure 2, the power supply device 1 may include a voltage controller 32, configured to measure the voltage Uce applied across the terminals of the external connector 3, and transmit the measured voltage Uce to the microcontroller 4. The voltage controller 32 may typically be an analog-to-digital converter (or ADC for "Analog to Digital Converter").

[0051] The power supply device 1 further includes an internal power supply unit 41 (IPU) and a microcontroller power management module 54.

[0052] The internal power supply unit 41 is connected by the electrical circuit to the microcontroller 4. It allows the microcontroller 4 to be correctly powered, that is to say powered according to its needs, regardless of the voltage Uce across the terminals of the external connector 3 and regardless of the operating mode of the power supply device 1.

[0053] The power management module of microcontroller 54 is controlled by the microcontroller

[0054] 4, It is configured to power the internal power supply unit 41 so as to power the microcontroller 4 regardless of the operating mode of the power supply device 1, in other words to allow power to the microcontroller 4 by the internal power supply unit 41 when the power supply device 1 is in discharge mode Md or in charge mode Mc.

[0055] As illustrated in Figure 2, the power management module of the microcontroller 54 may include an internal circuit with a diode 541 and a switch 542.

[0056] For example, when the voltage Uce across external connector 3 is equal to the second value U2, typically 5V, the power supply 1 is powered by an external power source (charge mode Mc). Switch 542 is in the closed position, so the microcontroller 4 is powered by the external power source 10 via the internal power supply 41. Alternatively, when the voltage Uce across external connector 3 is equal to a first value U1 lower than the first value U2, the power supply 1 is powered by the internal battery 2 (discharge mode Md). Switch 542 is in the closed position, so the microcontroller 4 is powered by the power supply 31 via the internal power supply 41.

[0057] Preferably, the power supply device 1 includes a voltage booster 6 connecting the power supply unit 31 to the internal battery 2. The voltage booster 6 is configured to increase a voltage in the electrical circuit, and in particular the voltage across the power supply unit 31, during a startup sequence as described below. It can also be used to increase the voltage across the external connector 3, via the power supply unit 31, when the power supply device 1 is in discharge mode Md or when the voltage Ub across the internal battery 2 is insufficient.

[0058] The voltage booster 6 can, for example, provide an additional voltage so that the power supply device 1 can operate in charging mode Mc even with an internal battery 2 having a low nominal voltage, typically 1.2V, or when the voltage Ub across the terminals of the internal battery 2 is too low. This is illustrated in Figure 2.

[0059] With reference to Figure 3, the power supply device 1 preferably includes a power management module 53. The power management module 53 is controlled by the microcontroller 4.

[0060] The power management module 53 is configured to connect the internal battery 2 to the power supply 31 directly, or via the voltage booster 6 depending on the voltage Ub across the terminals of the internal battery 2.

[0061] This optimizes the efficiency of the power supply device 1 by allowing the voltage booster 6 to be disconnected so that it is not connected to the circuit when not required.

[0062] With reference to Figure 3, the power management module 53 typically includes a circuit connecting the internal battery 2 to the power supply 31 via a first switch, and a circuit connecting the voltage booster 6 to the power supply 31 via a second switch. By default, particularly when the power supply 1 is off or resetting, the second switch is in the closed position and the first switch is in the open position. This allows, in particular, the use of the voltage booster 6 during the start-up sequence of the power supply 1 in the power-up procedure described later.

[0063] In one embodiment, the internal battery 2 comprises a Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) battery. For this type of battery, starting without a voltage booster is not always possible because the voltage Ub of the internal battery 2 may be too low to allow the power supply 31 to start. The Ni-MH internal battery 2 can advantageously operate at full capacity for many recharge cycles, for example, several hundred. The internal battery 2 may, in particular, include a standard rechargeable battery of type AAA or AAA. For example, the internal battery 2 may include a rechargeable NiMH battery configured to deliver a nominal voltage of 1.2V.

[0064] Alternatively, the internal battery 2 includes a lithium base battery. Such an internal battery 2 has the advantage of not experiencing a power loss as it discharges. When the internal battery 2 includes a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer type battery, the internal battery 2 fulfills the function of the voltage booster 6, and the voltage booster block 6 can be omitted for this type of battery. Indeed, the lithium base internal battery 2 has a higher nominal operating voltage, typically a Ub voltage of 3.6 V, and can deliver a high current on demand.

[0065] Preferably, the internal battery 2 allows the power supply device 1 to operate autonomously in discharge mode Md for more than 5 hours, preferably more than 6 hours.

[0066] The internal battery 2 has a capacity greater than 1000mAh, preferably greater than 2000m Ah.

[0067] The power supply device 1 may further include a monitoring module 22 for the internal battery 2. The monitoring module 22 is controlled by the microcontroller 4 and is configured to monitor the voltage, current, and total power consumed by the internal battery 2. In one embodiment, the internal battery 2 includes at least one of the following protection elements: a protection circuit 23 configured to cut off the power supply in the event of a short circuit; a thermal protection layer configured to isolate the other electrical components of the power supply device 1 and prevent their damage if the internal battery 2 generates significant heat. Preferably, the internal battery 2 includes both a protection circuit 23 and a thermal protection layer.This helps to protect the electronics contained in the power supply device 1, but also to prevent an explosion or ignition of the chemical element of the internal battery 2.

[0068] The internal battery 2 may include a charging module 21. The charging module 21 is controlled by the microcontroller 4 and enables the battery to be charged when the power supply device 1 is in charging mode Mc.

[0069] Resetting or restarting the device

[0070] The power supply device 1 can be in an off state or in a reset state, from which it can switch into discharge mode Md or charge mode Mc.

[0071] Typically, the power supply device 1 can be put into a reset state when a fault in a component is detected by the microcontroller 4. The power supply device 1 in load mode Mc can be put into a reset state when the microcontroller 4 detects a drop in the voltage Uce measured across the terminals of the external connector 3, or when the external device 10 is disconnected from the external connector 3, for example unplugged by an operator.

[0072] Preferably, when the power supply unit 1 is in discharge mode Md, the microcontroller 4 can periodically restart the electronic circuit of the power supply unit 1 (i.e., perform a "hard reset"), so that the power supply unit 1 returns to the reset state. For example, the microcontroller 4 can drive the power management module 54 to open the switch, resulting in a power interruption to the internal power supply unit 41 and thus to the microcontroller 4.

[0073] When the power supply device 1 changes from the off state to the on state, for example when the internal battery 2 is installed in the power supply device 1 or when the power supply device 1 is in a reset state, the microcontroller 4 is configured to implement the following power supply device 1 power-up process.

[0074] The power-up process consists of a start-up sequence. Initially, the internal battery 2 is active, while the other components of the electrical circuit can be switched off.

[0075] With reference to Figure 4, the process of powering up the power supply device 1 includes the following steps: powering the microcontroller 4 from the internal battery 2 via a diode 541 of the microcontroller power management module 54; then starting the power supply unit 31; and powering the microcontroller 4 from the power supply unit 31 via a switch 542 of the microcontroller power management module 54 and the internal power supply unit 41.

[0076] Preferably, the circuit includes an auxiliary voltage controller, implementing a voltage measurement Ub across the terminals of the internal battery 2. The voltage measurement Ub can be carried out by the monitoring module 22 of the internal battery 2, by the power supply unit 31 or by the voltage booster 6.

[0077] The measured voltage Ub is compared to a minimum required voltage Uo, corresponding to the minimum internal battery voltage 2 required for starting the internal battery 2 and therefore for starting the power supply device 1. If the measured voltage Ub is lower than the minimum required voltage Uo, i.e., Ub < Uo, the power supply device 1 remains in the off state until another external device 10 is connected to the external connector 3. This prevents starting the internal battery 2 with Ub < Uo, which could damage the internal battery 2.

[0078] Preferably, during the startup sequence, before the microcontroller 4 is powered on, the voltage booster 6 can be connected to the internal battery 2 if the voltage Ub measured across the terminals of the internal battery 2 is less than a threshold voltage Umin. Indeed, as explained previously, depending on the type of internal battery 2 used, starting the power supply device 1 is not always possible without the voltage booster 6. By default, when the microcontroller 4 is powered off, the voltage booster 6 can be connected to the power supply 31, for example, via the second switch of the power management module 53, with the first switch open, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0079] While the power supply 31 is off, diode 541 allows the microcontroller 4 to be powered via the internal power supply 41. Then, the power supply 31 starts up. The power supply 31 can then power the microcontroller 4 via switch 542 through the internal power supply 41. The microcontroller power management module circuit 54, which includes diode 541, can be deactivated at this point.

[0080] Preferably, when the microcontroller 4 is powered, it can disconnect the voltage booster 6, if it had been connected. For example, the microcontroller 4 can drive the power management module 53 so that the first switch moves to the closed position, and the second switch moves to the open position. The power supply 31 can be directly powered by the internal battery 2 (Figure 2).

[0081] Microcontroller 4 is now functional. It can control the operating mode of power supply device 1.

[0082] Device charging and discharging method

[0083] With reference to Figure 5, the charging and discharging process of the power supply device 1 includes a first step S1 of measuring the voltage Uce across the terminals of the external connector 3 by the microcontroller 4, using the voltage controller 32.

[0084] The microcontroller 4 compares the measured voltage Uce across the external connector 3 to the first voltage value U1. If the measured voltage Uce across the external connector is greater than the first value U1, i.e., Uce > U1, this means that the external connector 3 is connected to an external power supply 10. The microcontroller 4 controls the electrical circuit so that the power supply device can be in charging mode Mc.

[0085] Thus, during an S21 step, the microcontroller 4 is powered by the external device 10, through the external connector 3.

[0086] During step S22, the microcontroller 4 turns off the power supply 31. The microcontroller 4 can also turn off the voltage booster 6 and the power management module 53. For example, the microcontroller 4 can drive the first and second switches of the power management module 53 to the open position. Typically, the power supply 31, the voltage booster 6, and the power management module 53 are no longer powered, as the internal battery 2 no longer supplies current to the circuit. Alternatively or additionally, the power supply 31, and / or the voltage booster 6 and the power management module 53 can be disconnected from the circuit by switches controlled by the microcontroller 4.

[0087] The power supply for the power supply device 1 is then external. The internal battery 2 is charged by the external device 10. The power supply device 1 is in charging mode Mc.

[0088] Typically, the microcontroller 4 activates the charging module 21 of the internal battery 2, so that current is injected into the internal battery 2 from the external device 10 connected to the external connector 3. Preferably, the microcontroller 4 can measure the voltage Ub across the terminals of the internal battery 2, so as to interrupt the charging of the internal battery 2 by the external device 10 when the voltage Ub reaches a sufficient voltage, for example, the nominal operating voltage. In a manner known per se, the charging module 21 can interrupt the current injection into the internal battery 2.

[0089] The power supply device 1 is preferably maintained in charging mode Mc as long as the external connector 3 is connected to the external power supply 10. If an external operator, for example a human or software, removes the external device 10 from the external connector 3, for example by removing a power cable connecting the external device 10 to the external connector 3, or by disconnecting the power supply to the external device 10, it enters a reset state in charging mode, and the power-up procedure described previously is implemented by the microcontroller 4. Furthermore, the power management module of the microcontroller 54 includes the switch 542, which is controlled by the microcontroller 4. The switch 542 can be flipped to an open position, so that the internal power supply unit 41 is no longer powered.The microcontroller 4 is therefore no longer powered (this is called a hardware "reset"), which forces the power supply device 1 to return to its reset state. The power-up procedure described previously is then implemented. This is followed by step S1.

[0090] Preferably, the voltage controller 32 or the microcontroller 4 regularly measures the voltage Uce across the terminals of the external connector 3, so that the microcontroller 4 drives the power supply device 1 so as to return to the reset state if the measured voltage Uce is less than a threshold voltage value, or reset voltage.

[0091] The threshold voltage is higher than the first value U1. Preferably, the threshold voltage is between the first value U1 and a standard supply voltage, typically 5V for a USB connector. For example, the threshold voltage is 4.5V.

[0092] If the measured voltage Uce is less than or equal to the first value U1, and therefore to the threshold voltage, this means that the external device 10 to which the external connector is connected does not supply power to the power supply device 1.

[0093] When the external connector 3 is not connected to an external power supply 10, the power supply 1 automatically changes its operating mode. As explained later, the microcontroller 4 can activate the power supply 31 (and optionally the voltage booster 6 and the power management module 53) to supply the external device 10 with energy stored in the internal battery 2, without intervention from an external operator. The power supply 1 can automatically switch to discharge mode Md, so as to generate a voltage across the external connector 3 equal to the first value U1.

[0094] During an S31 step, the microcontroller 4 can measure the voltage Ub across the terminals of the internal battery 2. If the voltage Ub measured by the auxiliary voltage controller is greater than a minimum voltage Umin, the internal battery 2 can power the circuit of the power supply device 1.

[0095] During an S32 step, the power supply unit 31 is started and powered by the internal battery 2.

[0096] Depending on the state of the internal battery 2, the voltage booster 6 can be activated by the microcontroller 4.

[0097] For example, if the power supply 1 includes an internal NiMH battery 2 with a low nominal voltage, typically 1.2V, the power supply 31 cannot be started. The power supply 31 starts only if the voltage across its terminals is greater than a starting voltage U31, typically greater than 2.5V. The voltage booster 6 is configured to increase the voltage across the power supply 31 to reach the starting voltage U31 and allow the power supply 31 to start. The voltage booster 6 is a so-called "boost" power supply. The starting voltage U31 can vary depending on the electronics of the power supply 31 and may, for example, be equal to or less than 2.5V.

[0098] After activation of the power supply 31, the microcontroller 4 is powered by the power supply, preferably via the internal power supply unit 41.

[0099] The microcontroller 4 is functional and the power supply for the power supply device 1 is internal. The microcontroller 4 drives the power supply device 1 in discharge mode Md, that is, the microcontroller 4 controls the circuit of the power supply device 1 so as to provide power to the external device 10.

[0100] Preferably, the power supply 31 is configured to apply to the terminals of the connector a voltage equal to the first value U1, for example 3.6V.

[0101] With reference to Figure 5, in a control in discharge mode Md of the power supply device 1, i.e. when the voltage Uce measured across the terminals of the external connector 3 is less than or equal to the first value U1, the method may include an additional step S33 of deactivating the voltage present on external connector 3.

[0102] The power supply to the power supply 31 can be cut off by the microcontroller 4. The power supply 31 no longer supplies current to the external connector 3. For example, the circuit may include a switch controlled by the microcontroller 4, allowing the power supply between the power supply 31 and the external connector 3 to be cut off. Preferably, the power cut to the external connector 3 is performed when the microcontroller 4 turns off the power supply 31. Typically, the first and second switches of the power management module 53 move to the open position.

[0103] Alternatively, the electrical circuit may include a switch (not shown) controlled by the microcontroller 4, at the external connector 3. The microcontroller 4 can put the switch in the open position.

[0104] During step S33, the microcontroller 4 remains powered by the internal battery 2, for example through the diode of the microcontroller power management module 54 and the internal power supply unit 41.

[0105] External device 10 is no longer powered.

[0106] The additional step S33 can be implemented if an overconsumption of the power supply 31 is detected by the microcontroller 4, for example if an overconsumption of the internal battery 2 is detected, typically by the monitoring module 22. This prevents damage to the internal battery 2. The power supply device can switch to a reset state by force ("hard reset").

[0107] Preferably, the microcontroller 4 can receive commands from the connected external device 10, for example, if the external device is a computer. The additional step S33 can be implemented by the microcontroller 4 upon command from the external device 10, for example, if the external device 10 enters sleep mode or is switched off.

[0108] This reduces the power consumption of the internal battery 2 and allows the power supply 1 to be used for longer periods. Specifically, it prevents the external device 10 connected to the external connector 3 from drawing power, and prevents voltage from being present on the external connector 3 when no external device 10 is connected to it.

[0109] Depending on the connected external device 10, the additional step S33 can also allow for a hard reset of the external device 10. Preferably, the microcontroller 4 drives the power supply device 1 to switch from discharge mode Md to charge mode Mc as soon as the power supply device 1 is connected to an external device 10 that applies a voltage across the terminals of the external connector 3 equal to a second value U2, greater than the first value U1, or in other words, if the voltage Uce measured across the terminals of the external connector 3 changes from the first value U1 to the second value U2. In this case, the microcontroller 4 is functional and its power source becomes external, without implementing the power-up procedure described previously.

[0110] The value of U1 can be selected according to the needs of the external device 10. However, the first value U1 is less than the second value U2 allowing the change of mode of the power supply device 1, from discharge mode Md to charge mode Mc.

[0111] Preferably, the microcontroller 4 drives the power supply 1 to switch from discharge mode Md to charge mode Mc as soon as the voltage Uce measured across the external connector 3 changes from a first voltage value U1 to a switching voltage. The switching voltage that enables the power supply 1 to switch to charge mode Mc is higher than the first voltage value U1, and preferably lower than the standard supply voltage, typically 5V, and the second voltage value U2. This allows for a voltage margin (or hysteresis) between the two operating modes.

[0112] The voltage controller 32 frequently measures the voltage Uce across the terminals of the external connector 3, so that step S1 is repeated until the microcontroller 4 determines that the voltage Uce measured across the terminals of the external connector 3 is equal to the second value U2.

[0113] In the illustrated embodiments, the internal battery 2 is a rechargeable battery. However, the internal battery 2 may not be intended to be recharged. In this case, the power supply device 1 does not have a charging mode Mc.

[0114] Preferably, when the power supply unit 1 is in discharge mode Md, the internal battery 2 can be completely discharged. The power supply unit 1 can thus be used for single purposes. This improves the energy capacity of the power supply unit 1 without reducing its compactness.

[0115] The described power supply device 1 is particularly useful for powering external devices 10 in confined spaces, for example, for powering an onboard electrical system in a small space, such as an aircraft wing. In this context, the power supply device 1 can have a cylindrical shape, allowing it to use the aircraft wing's hydraulic circuits as a support. The power supply device 1 can also be used, for example, to power equipment onboard in a vehicle subject to vibrations. Preferably, the power supply device 1 is connected to a low-power external device.

[0116] The power supply device 1 can also be used as an energy buffer in the case of supplying an external device 10 with an energy source that has energy absences, for example in the case of energy switching between two generators.

[0117] The power supply 1 advantageously allows the use of a single external connector 3 for charging the internal battery 2 and powering an external device, such as a sensor acquisition system. The external connector 3 requires only four pins for connection on the external device's interface. Therefore, a widely available USB-type external connector is sufficient.

[0118] The unloading modes Md and loading modes Mc of the power supply device 1 are controlled solely by software, implemented by the microcontroller 4. This limits the number of mechanical parts in the circuit and therefore reduces the size of the power supply device 1. It also allows for scenarios of use without operator intervention when the power supply device is installed in a hard-to-reach space.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Power supply device (1) comprising: - an internal battery (2), configured to store energy, - an external connector (3) configured to connect the power supply device (1) to an external device (10), the external connector (3) comprising terminals to which a voltage (Uce) is applied, - a microcontroller (4) configured to measure the voltage (Uce) across the terminals of the external connector (3), - a power supply unit (31), connected to the internal battery (2) and the external connector (3), - an internal power supply unit (41), and - a microcontroller power management module (54), the microcontroller (4) being configured to drive the power supply device (1) between a charging mode (Mc) in which the internal battery (2) is charged by the external device (10), and a discharging mode (Md) in which the internal battery (2) powers the external device (10), the power supply device (1) being in discharging mode (Md) when the measured voltage (Uce) has a first value (U1); the power supply device (1) being in charging mode (Mc) when the measured voltage (Uce) has a second value (U2), greater than the first value (U1); and the microcontroller power management module (54) being configured to drive a power supply to the microcontroller (4) by the internal power supply unit (41) when the power supply device (1) is in discharging mode (Md) or in charging mode (Mc).

2. Power supply device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first voltage value (U1) is equal to 3.6 V and the second voltage value (U2) is equal to 5.0 V.

3. Power supply device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the power supply unit (31) is configured to supply the external connector (3) and the internal power supply unit (41) with energy stored in the internal battery (2) when the power supply device (1) is in discharge mode (Md).

4. Power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a voltage booster (6) configured to increase a voltage across the terminals of the power supply unit (31).

5. Power supply device (1) according to claim 4, comprising a power management module (53) controlled by the microcontroller (4) and configured to connect the internal battery (2) to the power supply unit (31) directly or via the voltage booster (6) according to a voltage (Ub) across the terminals of the internal battery (2).

6. Power supply device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the external connector (3) is a USB-GPIO connector, and wherein the microcontroller (4) is configured to transmit, via the external connector (3), information relating to the mode of the power supply device (1) and / or the state of the internal battery (2).

7. Power supply device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the internal battery (2) is a rechargeable NiMH battery with a nominal voltage of 1.2 V.

8. Method of powering up the power supply device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following steps: powering the microcontroller (4) by the internal battery (2) via a diode (541) of the microcontroller power management module (54); then starting the power supply unit (31); and powering the microcontroller (4) by the power supply unit (31) via a switch (542) of the microcontroller power management module (54) and the internal power supply unit (41).

9. A method for charging and discharging a power supply device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of: - measurement of the voltage (Uce) across the terminals of the external connector (3); - when the voltage (Uce) measured across the terminals of the external connector (3) is greater than the first value (U1), o the microcontroller (4) is powered by an external device (10) connected to the external connector (3), o the power supply (31) is deactivated, and o the internal battery (2) is charged by the external device (10), - when the voltage (Uce) measured across the terminals of the external connector (3) is less than or equal to the first value (U1), the power supply (31) is powered by the internal battery (2) and the microcontroller (4) is powered by the power supply (31) via the internal power supply unit (41), and o power supply of the external device (10) connected to the external connector (3) by the power supply unit (31).

10. Method according to claim 9, comprising, when the voltage (Uce) measured across the terminals of the external connector (3) is less than or equal to the first value (U1), a step of cutting off the power supply to the power supply unit (31) by the microcontroller (4), the microcontroller (4) remaining powered by the internal battery (2) and the external device (10) no longer being powered.

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