Battery Assembly With Control Switch For Flexible Capacity Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery technologies face challenges in increasing battery capacity significantly, leading to short service durations in handheld devices due to high power consumption, and existing solutions either increase battery size and weight or require inconvenient battery switching.

Innovation Solution

A battery assembly with a circuit board and battery management module that allows flexible configuration of battery capacity by cascading batteries and controlling charging/discharging through a control switch, enabling efficient power distribution and switching without the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the volume and weight of the battery are increased to prolong working duration, then the service duration is extended, but the battery becomes unsuitable for portable and miniaturized hand-held terminals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking durationVSAvoidbattery volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery system is segmented into multiple independent battery packs (first battery pack, second battery pack, third battery pack) that can be independently controlled. Each pack has its own cell-protection circuit and can be independently connected or disconnected from the power supply circuit through control switches, allowing the system to provide extended working duration without requiring a single large battery volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery system dynamically adjusts which battery packs are connected to the power supply circuit based on power consumption conditions. Control switches (first control switch, second control switch, third control switch) enable or disable specific battery packs in real-time, allowing the system to adapt power supply capacity to actual needs rather than relying on a fixed large battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If batteries of two models with different capacities are designed for the same hand-held terminal, then different working durations are achieved, but the hand-held terminal needs to be shut down and restarted during battery switching which adds battery switch duration and is inconvenient for user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking durationVSAvoidbattery switching convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple battery packs are merged into a single integrated power supply system with unified control. The first battery pack, second battery pack, and third battery pack are electrically connected in parallel through the power supply circuit, allowing seamless switching between packs without requiring device shutdown or restart, thus maintaining ease of operation while providing extended working duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery system performs automatic battery pack selection and switching through its own control logic without requiring user intervention. The control switches and cell-protection circuits automatically manage which battery pack supplies power based on state of charge and power consumption conditions, eliminating the need for manual battery replacement or device restart.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual cell-protection circuits and control switches are implemented for each battery pack, then flexible capacity configuration and efficient power management are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexible capacity configurationVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cell-protection circuits and control switches are designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall complexity. Each control switch serves multiple functions: it controls connection to the power supply circuit, responds to protection signals from cell-protection circuits, and enables automatic battery pack selection. This universal design allows flexible capacity configuration while minimizing the number of separate control elements needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2600440B1Battery, battery component and subscriber equipment
Publication Date: 2016.06.08 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2600440B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2600440B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2600440B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a battery, a battery assembly, and a user equipment. The battery includes a circuit board and a cell. The circuit board includes a first contact, a second contact, a third contact, a fourth contact, a battery management module, and a control switch. The first contact reports a capacity of the cell in the battery, or in the battery and a cascaded battery to an upper-level battery or an electricity load; the second contact receives and output the capacity of the cell in the cascaded battery; when the control switch is opened, the third contact is connected to the cell in the battery to charge or discharge the cell in the battery; when the control switch is closed, the fourth contact is connected to the third contact; and the battery management module triggers opening or closing of the control switch.