Autonomous Adapter Pass-Through Mode in Buck-Boost Battery Charger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery chargers face challenges in managing power when a USB-C adapter is connected but the system is idling, requiring reduced current consumption and battery protection, while also needing to accommodate various voltage ranges and external device power supply, with existing solutions failing to autonomously enter and exit pass-through modes effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an autonomous adapter pass-through mode in a buck-boost charger, which allows direct coupling of adapter power to the charger output, stops main switching to reduce consumption, and uses circuitry and IC modules to monitor and control key parameters for safe operation, enabling independent entry and exit from this mode without external processing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the battery charger operates in conventional mode with main switching active, then the battery can be charged and power can be supplied to external devices, but the current consumption is high when the system is idling
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger IC autonomously monitors system conditions and automatically transitions to adapter pass-through mode when appropriate, eliminating the need for external processing overhead while ensuring battery protection through built-in circuitry that detects and responds to charging states and power delivery requirements
2Loss of energy
If the battery charger enters adapter pass-through mode to reduce current consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the battery may be unprotected without proper monitoring and control
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger IC continuously monitors system conditions including charging state, power delivery requirements, and adapter connection status, using this feedback to autonomously determine when to enter or exit adapter pass-through mode, ensuring battery protection while optimizing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The circuitry within the battery charger IC is designed to detect potential harmful conditions before they can damage the battery, such as overvoltage or improper power flow, and preemptively prevents these conditions by controlling the transition to and from pass-through mode
3Extent of automation
If external processing overhead is used to manage pass-through mode, then mode transitions can be controlled, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pass-through mode management functionality is merged into the battery charger IC itself, combining the charging control, power monitoring, and mode transition logic into a single integrated component, thereby eliminating external processing overhead while maintaining autonomous operation
Data Source
AI summary
According to certain aspects, the present embodiments are related to systems and methods providing an autonomous adapter pass through mode in a battery charger. For example, when an adapter is connected to the battery charger, but the system is idling, embodiments allow for power from the adapter to be directly coupled to the battery charger output, and main switching to be stopped, thereby dramatically reducing battery charger current consumption. These and other embodiments provide various circuitry and techniques to ensure that the battery is protected in this mode. According to further aspects, the present embodiments provide for the charger itself to autonomously enter and exit the adapter pass through mode, thereby eliminating the need for excessive processing overhead in components external to the battery charger.