Battery Charging System with Feedback Control for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
High voltage battery chargers for portable electronic devices face inefficiencies due to high conversion ratios, leading to reduced power conversion efficiency and incompatibility with compact designs, as they typically rely on inductive step-down converters with high inductance coils that are not suitable for modern portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A charging system comprising an adapter and a battery charger with power transmission and communication means, where the adapter regulates the transfer voltage and current based on feedback from the battery charger to optimize power efficiency, potentially using wireless power transmission and capacitive power converters for high efficiency and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If inductive step-down power converters are used for high voltage battery charging, then power conversion is achieved, but conversion efficiency decreases due to high conversion ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is divided into two separate functional units: an external adapter that performs AC-to-DC conversion and a battery charger that performs DC-to-DC conversion. This segmentation allows the battery charger to operate at optimal efficiency with lower conversion ratios, while the adapter handles the high voltage conversion externally.
Solution Approach 2:
An external adapter acts as an intermediary between the AC power source and the battery charger. The adapter converts AC power to DC transfer voltage, which is then transmitted to the battery charger through power transmission means, isolating the high voltage conversion from the battery charging process.
2Power
If inductor based power converters are used, then power conversion is achieved, but device size increases making it unsuitable for portable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The bulky inductor-based power conversion functionality is extracted from the portable device and placed in an external adapter. This removes the volume constraint from the battery charger, making it suitable for portable devices while maintaining power conversion capability in the external unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional inductor-based magnetic power conversion with a capacitive power converter that uses capacitors and switching circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for large inductors, significantly reducing the size of the battery charger while maintaining power conversion functionality.
3Loss of energy
If feedback control is implemented, then power efficiency is optimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger includes a control unit that monitors battery voltage and current, and communicates with the adapter through communication means. The adapter adjusts the transfer voltage and current based on feedback information from the battery charger, optimizing power efficiency during charging while managing system complexity through standardized communication protocols.
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
The system achieves increased power efficiency, potentially exceeding 95%, by optimizing voltage conversion ratios and minimizing power dissipation, allowing for a compact and efficient charging solution suitable for portable electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the power transmission means may comprise a wireless power transmission unit (e.g. as part of the adapter) which is configured to generate an electromagnetic charging field using the power at the transfer voltage
Implementation Method 2
the power transmission means may comprise a wireless power reception unit (e.g. as part of the battery charger) configured to derive power at the transfer voltage (i.e. the transfer current at the transfer voltage) from the electromagnetic charging field
Data Source
AI summary
A charging system for a battery of an electronic device is described. The charging system comprises an adapter configured to derive a transfer current at a transfer voltage from a power source. Furthermore, the charging system comprises a battery charger configured to charge a battery of the electronic device with a battery current at a battery voltage using the transfer current at the transfer voltage. In addition, the charging system comprises power transmission means configured to transmit the transfer current at the transfer voltage to the battery charger. In addition, the charging system comprises communication means configured to transmit feedback information which is indicative of the battery voltage and/or battery current from the battery charger to the adapter. The adapter is configured to set the transfer voltage and/or transfer current in dependence of the feedback information.