Battery Architecture for Variable Loads in Information Handling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges in designing power delivery architectures that can efficiently accommodate both low-voltage and high-voltage subsystems, often resulting in power losses due to the need to optimize one subsystem at the expense of the other.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a battery architecture with a buck-boost converter system, controlled by an embedded controller that dynamically adjusts scalar factors based on the characteristics of the battery and the load, allowing for simultaneous optimization of power delivery across varying subsystems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a low-voltage topology is selected for optimization, then low-voltage subsystem performance is improved, but high-voltage subsystem suffers power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different battery configurations (series/parallel arrangements) and adjusts the buck-boost converter operation mode based on real-time voltage requirements. The embedded controller monitors subsystem voltage needs and reconfigures the battery architecture accordingly, enabling the system to adapt between low-voltage and high-voltage topologies rather than being fixed in one configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters of the battery system by altering the number of cells connected in series or parallel, thereby changing the output voltage and current characteristics. The buck-boost converter further adjusts voltage parameters to match specific subsystem requirements, allowing the same battery to provide different voltage levels (e.g., 12V, 24V, 48V) as needed by different subsystems.
2Loss of energy
If a high-voltage topology is selected for optimization, then high-voltage subsystem performance is improved, but low-voltage subsystem suffers power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The buck-boost converter acts as an intermediary device between the battery and the subsystems. It receives power from the battery at one voltage level and converts it to the appropriate voltage level required by the load, whether high-voltage or low-voltage. This intermediary conversion process eliminates direct power loss issues that would occur if the battery were hardwired to a fixed voltage topology.
3Power
If the number of battery cells in series is increased, then high-voltage output capability is improved, but the scalar factor for low-voltage loads increases causing power losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically reconfigures the battery cell connections during operation. When high-voltage output is needed, more cells are connected in series; when low-voltage output is needed, the configuration changes to reduce the number of series cells. The embedded controller manages these reconfigurations in real-time based on the active subsystem's voltage requirements, optimizing efficiency for each operating condition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces battery conversion loss to 2% by providing a 'right-sized' voltage architecture that meets the specific power needs of each subsystem, optimizing system-wide power delivery and reducing power losses.
Implementation Method 1
select a scalar factor of a buck-boost converter coupled to an output of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery architecture for variable loads and output topologies in an information handling system (IHS) is described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an embedded controller (EC) and a memory coupled to the EC, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the EC to: determine a characteristic of a battery coupled to the IHS, and select a scalar factor of a buck-boost converter coupled to an output of the battery in response to the characteristic.