Dynamic Battery Charge Current Management for Turbo Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges in managing battery charge in dynamic discharge environments, leading to excessive charging current and voltage spikes that can cause battery degradation and failure, especially during turbo modes of processor operation when external power supplies are insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that dynamically adjust the maximum charging current downward during taper charging to prevent transient voltage drops from causing excessive charging current and overvoltage conditions, by tracking historical applied current and setting a dynamic maximum charging threshold based on the last charge increment or estimated taper charge current, ensuring that charging current remains below the maximum charge current during constant voltage charging modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If maximum charging current is applied to charge the battery at high rate, then charging speed is improved, but transient voltage drops during dynamic discharge can cause excessive charging current and overvoltage conditions that degrade battery reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the maximum charging current threshold based on real-time battery voltage monitoring. When voltage drops below a threshold during charging (indicating dynamic discharge conditions), the system automatically reduces the maximum charging current threshold. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain fast charging capability under normal conditions while preventing overvoltage and excessive current conditions during transient discharge events, thus resolving the contradiction between charging speed and battery reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery voltage during charging and uses this feedback to adjust the maximum charging current threshold. When voltage drops are detected (indicating the battery is discharging to support processor turbo modes), the feedback mechanism triggers a reduction in the charging current threshold. This closed-loop control ensures that charging speed is optimized when conditions permit while automatically preventing harmful overvoltage conditions, thereby maintaining both high productivity and reliability
2Power
If external power supply capacity is increased to meet peak processor current draw, then power delivery capability is improved, but system cost and housing size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery and external power supply into a unified power delivery system that can draw from both sources simultaneously. The battery serves dual purposes: providing power during external power interruptions and assisting the external power supply during processor peak current draws (turbo modes). This merging allows the use of a smaller external power supply (reducing cost and size) while maintaining the capability to meet peak power demands through coordinated battery discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the primary power source during external power interruptions, assists the external power supply during processor peak demands, and maintains itself through charging during normal operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for an oversized external power supply, as the battery compensates for the reduced external power capacity, thereby reducing system cost and housing size while maintaining adequate power delivery capability
3Power
If battery discharge is used to support processor turbo modes, then power delivery during peak load is improved, but battery charge state depletes faster
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous charging of the battery whenever external power is available, ensuring that the battery is continuously replenished. This continuous useful action (charging) compensates for the battery discharge used to support turbo modes, maintaining the battery charge state over time. The system dynamically balances discharge during peak loads with continuous charging during normal operation, ensuring that power delivery during peak load is improved while battery charge duration is maintained
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 effectively manages battery voltage and current limits, maintaining a full charge state and improving battery life by preventing charge current spikes and overvoltage conditions, thus extending battery life and reliability in operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Portable information handling systems typically integrate a battery to power processing components when external power is not available, such as a lithium ion battery
Implementation Method 2
When external power is available, current from external power is provided to a charger that allocates available external power to run processing components and directs excess external power to charge the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamic battery discharge at an information handling system during battery charge, such as to support increased power use associated with processor turbo mode, is managed by setting a reduced maximum charge current dynamically during constant voltage charging so that battery voltage droop from discharge does not result in command of an excessive charge current after the discharge.