Battery Charging Circuit with Dual Current Paths for Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery charging circuits face challenges in simultaneously supplying power to a load and charging a battery efficiently, often requiring complex control functions and increasing charging time, while also risking inaccurate battery charge level measurement due to varying parameters like cell voltage, temperature, and aging.
Innovation Solution
A battery charging circuit design that incorporates a common circuit portion for both charging and supplying power, featuring a current metering system with an integration function to accurately measure and control the charging current, allowing for simultaneous operation without additional current regulation circuits, thereby optimizing charging time and battery health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common circuit portion is used for both charging and power supply, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of battery charge level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the charging current measurement into two distinct paths: a first current path for normal charging current measurement, and a second current path for accurate measurement when the first path carries large currents. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific operating range, maintaining measurement precision while using a common circuit structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second current path as an intermediary measurement path that activates when the first current path's measurement becomes inaccurate due to large currents. This intermediary path uses different measurement components (second shunt, second ADC) that are suitable for high-current conditions, thereby maintaining overall measurement precision across all operating ranges.
2Reliability
If additional current regulation circuits are added for simultaneous operation, then reliability of charging control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal voltage regulator that serves dual functions: regulating voltage for battery charging and regulating voltage for power supply to the load. The regulator responds to different input signals (first input signal for charging, second input signal for power supply) but uses the same output stage, eliminating the need for separate regulation circuits while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the charging control function and power supply control function into a single integrated circuit structure. The voltage regulator, ADC, and control logic are combined to handle both charging operations and power supply operations through a common circuit path, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining control reliability.
3Productivity
If conventional charging methods are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but charging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging current adjustment by continuously monitoring battery parameters (voltage, temperature, charge level) and adapting the charging current accordingly. The system transitions between different charging phases (constant current, constant voltage, tapering) based on real-time battery state, optimizing charging speed while ensuring battery safety and longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple feedback mechanisms including voltage feedback from the battery, temperature feedback from sensors, and current feedback from the ADC measurements. This feedback information is used by the control circuit to dynamically adjust the charging parameters, enabling faster charging while preventing overheating and overcharging, thus reducing overall charging time compared to conventional fixed-parameter methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charging circuit comprises: a first voltage regulator, wherein the first voltage regulator has a control input designed for reception of a signal generated by a current metering circuit; the current metering circuit; and a terminal for connecting a battery. An electronic device, in particular a mobile device, comprises a battery charging circuit as defined above.