Battery Charging Circuit with Trickle Control via Driving Transistor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery charging systems require an extra charging switch and control pin for trickle charging, leading to increased cost and pin count, and may fail to operate when the battery voltage is close to zero, making it difficult to initiate charging.
Innovation Solution
A circuit that includes a switch coupled to the battery in series with a driving transistor, which senses the battery voltage and turns on when it's below a threshold, allowing for both trickle and normal charging currents to be controlled through a single charging switch via a shared control pin, eliminating the need for an extra charging switch and control pin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an extra charging switch and control pin are added for trickle charging, then trickle charging function is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single charging switch is designed to perform multiple functions: normal charging operation and trickle charging for over-drained batteries. The controller manages both modes through one switch, eliminating the need for separate trickle charging hardware and achieving multi-functionality with reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the previously separate normal charging path and trickle charging path into a single unified charging path controlled by one switch. This consolidation combines multiple functions into a single hardware structure, reducing component count while maintaining both charging modes
2Adaptability or versatility
If an extra charging switch and control pin are added for trickle charging, then trickle charging function is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging switch is designed as a universal component that handles both normal charging and trickle charging operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated trickle charging components, thereby reducing bill of materials cost and simplifying manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the trickle charging functionality into the existing normal charging hardware path, the patent eliminates redundant components. This consolidation reduces component count, assembly steps, and overall manufacturing complexity, leading to lower production costs
3Device complexity
If the controller is powered by the battery pack, then power supply is simplified, but the controller cannot operate when battery voltage is close to zero
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary trickle charging action when the battery voltage is low, using the charged capacitor to provide initial power to the controller. This preliminary action restores sufficient voltage to the battery before normal operation, ensuring the controller can subsequently operate reliably from the battery power supply
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 reduces system cost and pin count, ensures reliable operation even when the battery voltage is low, and allows for efficient trickle charging by controlling the driving current within a predetermined range, thereby extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
a driving transistor coupled to the switch and operable for sensing a voltage of the battery
Implementation Method 2
A driving current flowing through the driving transistor determines an on-resistance of the switch
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit for charging and/or discharging a battery includes a switch coupled to a battery in series, and a driving transistor coupled to the switch and operable for sensing a voltage of the battery. The driving transistor is turned on if the voltage of the battery is less than a predetermined threshold. A driving current flowing through the driving transistor determines an on-resistance of the switch.