Battery Controller Current Limit via Resistive Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging systems are limited to providing only one or two different magnitudes of charge current, requiring additional logic circuitry to select the appropriate magnitude, which is inefficient and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A resistive network is used to selectively change the current limiting threshold of the battery controller based on the detected power source, allowing the processor to adjust the resistance value and thereby the maximum charge current, enabling flexible charging according to the power source connected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a battery controller limits current magnitude to one or two fixed values, then the controller design is simplified, but the charging system lacks flexibility and requires additional logic circuitry to select between magnitudes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resistance parameter of the resistive network to selectively set different current limit thresholds. By varying the resistance value (e.g., through switchable resistor configurations), the controller can adapt the charging current magnitude without requiring complex logic circuitry, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified design and flexible adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a resistive network as an intermediary component between the power source and the battery controller. This resistive network acts as a mediator that translates power source characteristics into appropriate current limit thresholds, eliminating the need for additional logic circuitry while maintaining design simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional logic circuitry is added to select between different current magnitudes, then charging flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and circuit requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using logic circuitry to select current magnitudes, the patent changes the resistance parameter of the resistive network to directly control the current limit threshold. This approach achieves charging flexibility while avoiding additional logic circuitry, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the current magnitude selection function from the logic circuitry domain and relocates it to the passive resistive network domain. By taking out the active logic selection requirement and replacing it with passive resistance-based threshold setting, the system achieves flexibility without increasing circuit complexity
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 allows for adaptive charging, optimizing the charging rate based on the power source, eliminating the need for additional circuitry and enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of battery charging systems.
Implementation Method 1
The resistance value received by the currently limiting circuitry at this input may set the current threshold and thus the maximum magnitude of current that may be provided to charge a battery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for selectively changing the current threshold of current limiting circuitry are provided. The current limit threshold of current limiting circuitry may be selectively changed based on a detected power source using a resistive network. The current limiting threshold may be selected by changing a resistance value of a resistive network electrically coupled to an input on the current limiting circuitry (e.g., battery controller) for programming the current limiting threshold. The resistance value received by the currently limiting circuitry at this input may set the current threshold and thus the maximum magnitude of current that may be provided to charge a battery or other energy storage device located in the electronic device (e.g., a mobile phone).