Battery-Buffered Charging Adapter for Fast Charging Without Bulk

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power charging systems require high-power adapters to achieve fast charging, which can be bulky and costly, and often lead to increased battery degradation due to high current demands.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a built-in battery within the charging adapter, which supplements the adapter's power capacity during peak charging demands, allowing for fast charging without increasing the adapter's rated capacity, and using a step charging scheme to minimize battery degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a high-power adapter is used to achieve fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but adapter size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidadapter size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power delivery function is segmented between the adapter and a built-in battery within the adapter. The adapter's charging circuit provides base power, while the built-in battery supplements additional power during fast charging mode, allowing high charging speed without requiring the entire adapter to be high-power rated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The built-in battery is charged in advance during periods when the electronic device is not requiring fast charging, storing energy that can be rapidly discharged when fast charging is needed, thus enabling fast charging capability without continuously requiring high adapter power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If a high-power adapter is used to achieve fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but adapter cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidadapter cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power delivery function is segmented between the adapter and a built-in battery within the adapter. The adapter's charging circuit provides base power, while the built-in battery supplements additional power during fast charging mode, allowing high charging speed without requiring the entire adapter to be high-power rated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter operates with different power parameters depending on mode: during normal charging it uses standard power levels, while during fast charging it activates the built-in battery to temporarily increase power output, thus achieving fast charging without continuously operating at high power costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high current is used for fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but battery degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The built-in battery is charged in advance during periods when the electronic device is not requiring fast charging, storing energy that can be rapidly discharged when fast charging is needed, thus enabling fast charging capability without continuously requiring high adapter power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The built-in battery acts as an intermediary energy buffer between the adapter and the electronic device's battery. During fast charging, the battery provides supplemental power and absorbs current peaks, reducing direct high-current stress on the electronic device's battery and thereby reducing degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables fast charging of electronic devices without enlarging the adapter's size or cost, while reducing battery degradation through efficient power distribution and adaptive charging modes.

Implementation Method 1

a first battery; and a charging circuit configured to charge the first battery with external power and generate first power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS12444972B2Power charging system and power charging method using adapter with built-in battery

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A charging adapter according to an embodiment comprises: a first battery; and a charging circuit configured to charge the first battery with external power and generate first power, wherein in a fast charging mode, the charging circuit is configured to charge a second battery in an electronic device detachably connected to the charging adapter based on the first power generated and the first battery is configured to generate a second power and charge the second battery with the second power while the charging circuit charges the second battery.