Battery Charger Power Control via Voltage-Current Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging systems face challenges in controlling power drawn from a power supply, particularly when the input voltage and current vary, which can lead to exceeding maximum power limits of both the power supply and battery charger, especially in wireless charging systems where induced voltage fluctuations occur.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that senses the output voltage and current of a power supply and generates a control signal based on a scaling factor to regulate the output current drawn by the battery charger, ensuring that power limits are not exceeded, using a feed forward control system that operates efficiently without requiring specific design matching between the power supply and battery charger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the battery charger draws maximum current from the power supply, then charging speed is improved, but power limits of the power supply or battery charger may be exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit continuously monitors the output voltage of the power supply and adjusts the current drawn by the battery charger accordingly. When the output voltage increases (indicating approaching power limits), the control circuit reduces the current demand, ensuring power limits are not exceeded while maximizing charging speed under normal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the current scaling factor based on real-time voltage measurements. The current draw is not fixed but varies continuously with the power supply's output characteristics, allowing optimal charging speed at each moment while maintaining compliance with power limits
2Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional voltage regulation system is used, then voltage stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit proactively adjusts the current draw based on predicted voltage changes rather than reacting to voltage instability after it occurs. By monitoring voltage trends and preemptively scaling current, the system maintains stability without requiring complex feedback loops or additional regulation hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters (current draw) based on voltage conditions rather than attempting to maintain constant voltage through complex regulation. This parameter adaptation approach achieves voltage stability through current modulation, simplifying the overall system architecture
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for limiting the power drawn by a battery charger based on monitoring of the input voltage and input current supplied to the battery charger from a power supply. In certain aspects, a method generally includes sensing an output voltage of the power supply, wherein the output voltage of the power supply is variable. The method further includes sensing an output current of the power supply. The method further includes providing the output voltage and output current to a battery charger. The method further includes generating a control signal indicative of a scaling of the output current based on a scaling factor, wherein the scaling factor is based on the output voltage. The method further includes providing the control signal to the battery charger to control the output current supplied by the power supply to the battery charger.