Battery Charging Controller Using Dynamic Current Negotiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging methods for mobile units are inefficient, particularly when using a USB port, as they do not adapt charge current based on available power supplies and may require the processor to be awake during charging, which consumes additional energy.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a controller determines the remaining battery charge and sets a first charge current using a USB port, keeping the processor asleep if necessary, and negotiates for a higher charge current when sufficient power is restored, allowing efficient charging independent of the battery's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a USB port is used to recharge the battery, then the battery can be recharged independently of its state, but the charge current may be insufficient when the battery is completely discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging current based on the battery's state. When the battery is completely discharged, the processor remains asleep and a lower first charging current is used. When the battery is partially charged, the processor wakes up and negotiates for a higher second charging current, optimizing both adaptability and power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging current parameter is changed based on battery state. The system transitions from a first charging current (when processor is asleep) to a second charging current (when processor is awake and negotiates), allowing the same USB port to adapt to different charging scenarios.
2Productivity
If the processor is kept awake during charging to negotiate for higher charge current, then faster charging is achieved, but additional energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The processor operates periodically rather than continuously. It remains asleep during initial charging (consuming minimal energy) and wakes up only when needed to negotiate for higher charging current, achieving periodic action that balances energy consumption with charging speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is initially charged with a first charging current while the processor is asleep. This preliminary charging action prepares the battery to a state where the processor can subsequently wake up and negotiate for optimized charging parameters.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the processor is kept asleep to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the charge current cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: processor asleep mode (low energy consumption, first charging current) and processor awake mode (higher energy consumption, negotiated second charging current). This dynamic approach optimizes the trade-off between energy consumption and charging efficiency based on battery state.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a system and method for charging a battery. The system includes a processor powered by a battery; and a controller determining a remaining battery charge of the battery. The controller sets a first charge current to recharge the battery when the remaining battery charge is insufficient to operate the processor. The controller wakes the processor when the battery has been recharged so that the remaining battery capacity is sufficient to operate the processor. The processor negotiates for a second charge current to recharge the battery. The controller sets the second charge current when the processor successfully negotiated.