Battery Pack Charging Control via Parallel Power Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses lack efficient charging methods that utilize multiple power paths simultaneously, limiting charging speed due to the coupling of charging paths for contact and contactless charging without consideration for parallel operation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with first and second power receiving portions, battery cells, and a processor that controls the on-and-off switching of a third charging path to efficiently manage charging based on the receiving states of powers from multiple power paths, allowing for simultaneous contact and contactless charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If charging current is increased to reduce charging time, then charging speed is improved, but the current capacity limitations of the battery cell and charging circuit prevent significant increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the charging system into multiple independent charging paths (first charging path for AC adapter, second charging path for battery charging stand) that can operate simultaneously. Each path has its own power receiving portion and charging circuit, allowing parallel charging operations to achieve higher total charging current without overloading a single path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple charging paths into a unified battery pack system with a common battery cell. The charging control unit merges the power from different charging paths (AC adapter and battery charging stand) to charge the battery simultaneously, achieving accelerated charging while managing current distribution across both paths.
2Productivity
If multiple power paths are used for charging, then charging speed is improved, but the coupling of charging paths without parallel operation consideration limits efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the charging paths through a charging control unit that can independently switch and regulate each charging path. The first and second charging circuits can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on which power source is available, allowing flexible parallel operation when both AC adapter and battery charging stand are connected simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging control unit monitors the receiving states of both power paths and adjusts the charging operation accordingly. The control unit detects whether AC adapter power or battery charging stand power is being received and controls the switching of charging paths based on this feedback, optimizing charging efficiency while managing system complexity.
3Device complexity
If a single charging path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but charging time increases due to current capacity limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is designed with multi-functionality to support both AC adapter charging and battery charging stand charging through separate but integrated paths. The first power receiving portion and second power receiving portion can independently receive power from different sources, and the charging control unit manages both functions within a single battery pack structure, achieving rapid charging without excessive 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
Enables efficient charging by parallel operation of multiple power paths, reducing charging time by allowing simultaneous charging through both AC adapter and battery charging stand, thereby enhancing charging speed.
Implementation Method 1
first and second battery cells that are charged with the first or second power
Implementation Method 2
contactless charging for performing charging using an electromagnetic induction technology
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes first and second power receiving portions that receive first and second powers respectively supplied through two power paths, first and second battery cells that are charged with the first or second power, a first charging path that couples the first power receiving portion to the first battery cell, a second charging path that couples the second power receiving portion to the second battery cell, a third charging path that couples the first charging path to second charging path, and a processor configured to control on-and-off switching of the third charging path in accordance with receiving states of the first and second powers.