Electronic System Battery Switching Control Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electronic systems with multiple batteries require complex user operations to switch between batteries during extended use, leading to interruptions in power supply and inconvenience, especially in devices like digital cameras capturing high-resolution images or videos.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and system that includes a control circuit to detect the state of an auxiliary battery and automatically switch to a main battery when the auxiliary battery's energy falls below a threshold, ensuring continuous power supply without user intervention through a BG enabling switch and watt-hour meters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual battery switching operations are implemented in existing electronic systems, then users can switch between batteries, but the operations become complex and cause interruptions in power supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery switching operationVSAvoidpower supply continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit automatically monitors battery energy levels and performs battery switching without user intervention. The system detects when the auxiliary battery energy falls below the threshold and autonomously switches to the main battery, eliminating complex manual operations and preventing power interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit continuously monitors the energy level of the auxiliary battery through watt-hour meters and uses this feedback to determine when switching is necessary. This closed-loop monitoring ensures reliable automatic switching at the optimal moment to maintain power supply continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automatic battery switching is implemented, then power supply continuity is maintained, but device complexity increases due to control circuits and state detectors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply continuityVSAvoidcontrol circuit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit performs multiple functions: monitoring auxiliary battery energy levels, determining switching timing, and executing battery switching. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex components into a single integrated unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The state detector and control circuit are integrated into a unified power management system. The watt-hour meters for measuring battery energy are combined with the control logic in a single coordinated subsystem, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If priority settings for multiple batteries are provided, then users can customize battery usage, but the operation becomes more complex requiring setting menus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery usage flexibilityVSAvoidbattery switching operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is pre-configured with default priority settings where the auxiliary battery is used first and the main battery serves as backup. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for users to manually set priorities in most cases, simplifying operation while maintaining adaptability through optional customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit automatically manages battery priority and switching based on pre-programmed logic and real-time energy level monitoring. Users benefit from adaptive battery management without needing to navigate complex setting menus, as the system self-adjusts based on battery states and usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3487033B1Electronic system
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3487033B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3487033B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3487033B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In electronic device (102) of the present disclosure, control circuit (153) selects one of first battery (201) and second battery (202) of extension device (103), and causes selected one to supply electric power to a load circuit. Control circuit (153) detects which state of switch (171) is in a first state or a second state. Control circuit (153) preferentially selects first battery (201) as a supply source of electric power to the load circuit as compared with second battery (202) when switch (171) is in the first state.