Battery Energy Manager Voltage Thresholds Data Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable electronic devices waste remaining battery power and risk data loss due to low power thresholds, leading to premature shutdowns and potential malfunctions, especially when batteries are replaced.
Innovation Solution
A battery-driven electronic device with a battery energy manager that sets a higher low-voltage threshold and includes a system to automatically suspend data when the battery is removed, using a switch, voltage detecting units, and a battery door detector to maximize battery discharge and prevent data loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the low-power threshold is set to 5-10% battery capacity to prevent data loss, then data safety is improved, but battery life is reduced due to premature shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data suspension before the battery reaches critical low power levels. When voltage drops to the low-voltage threshold (higher than cutoff threshold), the system proactively suspends data operations and triggers save routines, preventing data loss while still allowing the device to operate until the cutoff threshold is reached, thus maximizing battery utilization.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the low-voltage threshold is set close to 0V to maximize battery discharge, then battery life is extended, but device malfunction risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage range is segmented into two distinct thresholds: a low-voltage threshold for data suspension and a cutoff threshold for complete power shutdown. This segmentation allows the system to manage power in stages - first suspending data operations at the higher low-voltage threshold, then completely shutting down at the lower cutoff threshold - thereby preventing malfunction while maximizing battery discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-voltage threshold acts as an intermediary between normal operation and critical shutdown. By introducing this intermediate threshold higher than the cutoff threshold, the system creates a buffer zone where data suspension occurs before critical low voltage is reached, preventing direct transition to malfunction state while still allowing near-complete battery discharge.
3Ease of operation
If the battery door is made detachable for easy battery replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but data loss risk increases due to unintentional opening
Solution Approach 1:
The battery door detector triggers data suspension in advance when the battery door is opened, regardless of battery voltage level. This preliminary action ensures that data is saved before the battery can be accidentally removed, combining the convenience of detachable battery doors with data protection by performing the protective action before the potential hazard occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery-driven electronic device includes a battery for outputting a battery voltage, a plurality of loads, a system unit, and a battery energy manager which is electrically connected with the battery, the loads and the system unit. The battery energy manager is adapted for detecting the battery voltage and set with a cutoff threshold, and a low-voltage threshold higher than the cutoff threshold. When the battery voltage is equal to or lower than the low-voltage threshold, the battery energy manager stops supplying power from the battery to at least one of the loads, and outputs a suspension command for the system unit to perform suspension process. When the battery voltage is equal to or lower than the cutoff threshold, the battery energy manager stops supplying power to the loads and the system unit.