Battery Charger with Dynamic Current Allocation for Simultaneous Multi-Battery Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery chargers can only charge one battery at a time, leading to lengthy recharge periods when multiple batteries are needed, as they do not optimize the use of the maximum charge current available from the power supply.

Innovation Solution

A battery charger with a power source and a charge manager that supplies a primary charge current to one battery while simultaneously charging another battery with a secondary charge current, controlled by a continuous comparison between a predefined maximum current limit and the total current drawn from the power source, ensuring efficient use of the available current capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single-capacity charger is used, then the device can be used while the battery charges, but the recharge period becomes lengthy when multiple batteries are needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidrecharge period

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The charger is divided into multiple independent charge circuits (first charge circuit and second charge circuit), each capable of charging a battery simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel charging operations, thereby reducing the total recharge period when multiple batteries are needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charger is designed with multi-functionality to charge multiple batteries simultaneously through different charge circuits. The system can handle both single-battery and multi-battery charging scenarios, making it universally applicable and eliminating the need for sequential charging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple batteries are charged simultaneously using existing solutions, then charging capacity increases, but the maximum charge current from the power supply is not optimally utilized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of batteries chargedVSAvoidcharge current utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The charger dynamically adjusts the charge current distribution between multiple batteries based on real-time conditions. The charge controller continuously monitors and optimizes current allocation to ensure the maximum charge current from the power supply is fully utilized across all charging circuits, preventing wasted capacity while charging multiple batteries simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the charge current parameters dynamically during operation. By adjusting current magnitude and distribution based on battery states and power supply capacity, the system optimizes current utilization efficiency while maintaining the ability to charge multiple batteries at the same time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8063606B2Battery charger for a handheld computing device and an external battery

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A battery charger includes a power source for supplying a primary charge current to a first battery, and a charge manager for charging a second battery. The charge manager is coupled to the power source and is configured to charge the second battery with a secondary charge current in accordance with a continuous comparison between a predefined maximum current limit and a total current drawn from the power source.