Battery Charger Reverse Boost Mode for CPU Performance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery chargers for mobile computing devices face challenges in managing system shutdown conditions during low battery levels, leading to reduced CPU performance and potential system shutdown, especially when the battery discharges below a certain threshold.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a reverse boost mode in the battery charger that transitions from an ideal diode mode to a reverse boost mode when the battery is discharged below a threshold level, using battery control transistors and bypass transistors to regulate system voltage and prevent shutdown, allowing CPU to operate at maximum performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional battery charger operates in ideal diode mode during battery only operation, then system shutdown is prevented at normal battery levels, but system shutdown occurs when battery discharges below threshold level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem shutdown preventionVSAvoidCPU performance period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The battery charger dynamically switches between ideal diode mode and reverse boost mode based on battery voltage threshold. When battery voltage is above threshold, ideal diode mode operates; when battery voltage falls below threshold, reverse boost mode activates to maintain regulated output voltage and prevent system shutdown, thereby extending CPU performance period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating mode parameter of the battery charger based on battery voltage level. By detecting battery voltage threshold and switching between different operational modes (ideal diode vs. reverse boost), the system maintains reliable operation and prevents shutdown during low battery conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If reverse boost mode is activated to maintain regulated voltage during low battery, then CPU maximum performance is extended, but battery depletes earlier compared to conventional approaches

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCPU performance periodVSAvoidbattery operational duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reverse boost mode is activated only partially - specifically when battery voltage falls below a predetermined threshold level. This partial activation maintains regulated output voltage to extend CPU performance period during critical low-battery conditions, rather than continuously operating in reverse boost mode which would deplete battery faster from the start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential shutdown by monitoring battery voltage and switching to reverse boost mode before system shutdown occurs. This preliminary action maintains regulated voltage output during low battery conditions, preventing the harmful effect of system shutdown and extending usable CPU performance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If battery charger uses conventional ideal diode mode only, then device complexity is low, but system shutdown occurs during low battery conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharger architectureVSAvoidshutdown prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery charger is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both ideal diode mode and reverse boost mode. This universal design allows the single charger architecture to handle both normal battery conditions (ideal diode mode) and low battery conditions (reverse boost mode), preventing system shutdown without requiring separate charger designs.

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 solution extends the maximum CPU performance period by maintaining regulated voltage and preventing system shutdown until the battery is fully discharged, even when the battery level falls below a specified charge level, although it may result in earlier battery depletion compared to conventional approaches.

Implementation Method 1

a battery only mode to transition from an ideal diode mode to a reverse boost mode when the battery is discharged below a threshold level of battery capacity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Energy Transformation:

Data Source

PatentUS11387667B2Combo buck boost battery charger architecture with reverse boost mode

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 RENESAS ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC

AI summary

The present embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for operating a battery charger in computing systems having certain system load requirements, battery configurations and external device power supply support. According to some aspects, the present embodiments provide methods and apparatuses for providing a reverse boost mode of operation when the battery charger is providing system power from a battery, such as when an adapter is not connected. The reverse boost mode of operation according to embodiments provides a regulated output voltage, thereby allowing a load such as a CPU to operate at maximum performance, even when the battery has discharged below a threshold discharge level.