Battery Case Power Management Circuitry for Voltage Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power systems with battery cases often fail to handle power efficiently, leading to unsatisfactory performance and potential damage to electronic devices during use, especially when dealing with varying power supplies and power spikes.

Innovation Solution

The battery case is equipped with direct-current-to-direct-current power converter circuitry, current sensor circuitry, and switching circuitry that can step up input voltage, manage power delivery, and handle power spikes by selectively drawing on battery power, ensuring efficient and stable power supply to electronic devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the battery case is connected to a low-capacity power supply during operation, then the power supply capacity is limited, but the electronic device still requires sufficient voltage and power for normal operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidperformance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case pre-charges its internal battery before operation. When connected to a low-capacity power supply, the pre-charged battery provides the necessary power buffer, allowing the electronic device to receive sufficient power even when the external power supply has limited capacity. This preliminary energy storage resolves the contradiction between limited power supply capacity and the need for stable power delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery in the battery case acts as an intermediary between the low-capacity power supply and the electronic device. It receives power from the limited power supply and then provides adequate power to the electronic device, mediating the power transfer to ensure the device receives sufficient voltage and current despite the power supply's limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If power spikes occur during operation, then instantaneous power demand exceeds normal levels, but the power supply may not be able to provide sufficient instantaneous power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstantaneous power deliveryVSAvoiddevice protection
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery in the battery case serves as a power buffer that absorbs and releases energy during power spikes. When instantaneous power demand exceeds normal levels, the pre-charged battery provides the additional instantaneous power needed, cushioning the impact of the power spike and preventing damage to the electronic device. This beforehand energy storage resolves the contradiction between instantaneous power demand and power supply capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the battery case uses complex power management circuitry to handle varying power supplies, then power efficiency and reliability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management capabilityVSAvoidcircuitry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery case is designed with multi-functional circuitry that handles multiple power management tasks: charging the internal battery, delivering power to the electronic device, managing power spikes, and interfacing with varying external power supplies. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system, the design achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same hardware components serve multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration ensures that electronic devices receive sufficient voltage and power, maintaining performance even with low-capacity power supplies and managing power spikes, thereby preventing damage and ensuring efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

The battery case has a battery that can be used to supply power to the electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

Circuitry in the battery case includes direct-current-to-direct-current power converter circuitry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS11303138B2Battery case power system
Publication Date: 2022.04.12 APPLE INC
  • US11303138B2 patent drawing
  • US11303138B2 patent drawing
  • US11303138B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A battery case is operable with an electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The battery case has a battery that can be used to supply power to the electronic device. The battery case is configured to receive power from a power supply that is coupled to a mains power supply using a wired path or to receive power from a wireless charging mat or other wireless power transmitting device. Circuitry in the battery case may include direct-current-to-direct-current power converter circuitry, current sensor circuitry, switching circuitry, and other circuitry for controlling currents and voltages in the battery case and communicating with other electronic devices.