Programmable Battery Power Conversion for Multi-Chemistry Compatibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices are often designed for specific battery types, limiting their compatibility with new battery technologies and requiring costly redesigns to benefit from advancements in battery chemistry, energy density, and price reductions, while also facing issues with energy efficiency and battery management circuit complexities.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent battery power delivery apparatus with a programmable conversion module that includes a DC/DC converter, fuel gauging unit, and telemetry terminals, allowing for digital power conversion and management, enabling compatibility with various battery types and loads, and providing overcharge/over-discharge protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic devices are designed for specific battery types, then battery management is simplified, but compatibility with new battery technologies is limited and redesigns are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) as an intermediary between the battery and the electronic device. This PMIC acts as a mediator that handles battery-specific characteristics (chemistry, voltage, charging protocols) while presenting a standardized interface to the device, enabling compatibility with different battery types without requiring device redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The PMIC is designed with universal functionality to support multiple battery chemistries and types through programmable control. It can adapt its behavior based on detected battery characteristics, providing a single device solution that works across different battery technologies rather than requiring dedicated circuits for each battery type.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery chemistry is optimized for high energy density, then device runtime is extended, but safety risks and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PMIC incorporates continuous feedback monitoring of battery parameters including voltage, current, temperature, and charge state. This real-time feedback enables the system to detect unsafe conditions (such as overcharging, overheating, or abnormal current draw) and immediately adjust or terminate charging/discharging operations to prevent safety incidents while maximizing usable capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary characterization of the battery during initial connection or charging cycles, storing safety parameters and operational limits in the PMIC's memory. This preliminary action establishes safe operating boundaries before normal operation begins, allowing the high-energy-density battery to be used safely without requiring complex real-time decision-making during operation.
3Power
If battery capacity is increased, then energy delivery capability is improved, but voltage stability and power management become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The PMIC implements dynamic voltage regulation and current control that adapts to the battery's state of charge and load requirements. As the battery discharges and voltage naturally drops, the PMIC dynamically adjusts its conversion ratio and control parameters to maintain stable output voltage, enabling high-capacity batteries to deliver consistent power throughout their discharge cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (switching frequency, duty cycle, conversion ratio) based on battery state to optimize performance. When battery voltage varies due to capacity changes or discharge state, the PMIC modifies its conversion parameters to maintain stable output, effectively decoupling the high-capacity battery's natural voltage variations from the device's power requirements.
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 power delivery and management across different battery chemistries and loads, maintaining high energy efficiency over a wide range of conditions, and simplifies device design by integrating power management within the battery, reducing the need for frequent recalls and redesigns.
Implementation Method 1
a conversion module programmable to maintain output power characteristics at the output terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for digital management and control of power conversion from battery cells. The system utilizes a power management and conversion module that uses a CPU to maintain a high power conversion efficiency over a wide range of loads and to manage charge and discharge operation of the battery cells. The power management and conversion module includes the CPU, a current sense unit, a charge/discharge unit, a DC-to-DC conversion unit, a battery protection unit, a fuel gauge and an internal DC regulation unit. Through intelligent power conversion and charge/discharge operations, a given battery type is given the ability to emulate other battery types by conversion of the output voltage of the battery and adaptation of the charging scheme to suit the battery.