Portable Device Battery Switching for Efficient Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable devices face challenges in increasing battery capacity without enlarging the device size, and fast charging methods often incur high costs and inefficiencies due to the need for complex charging circuits and high-power adapters.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with switch control circuitry that allows batteries to operate in various modes, including one-battery and two-battery charging modes, using a simple buck charger and omitting expensive buck-boost switching chargers, enabling flexible battery arrangement and efficient charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If two battery cells are coupled in series to increase battery capacity, then the device size can be reduced, but the charging cost and complexity increase due to the need for expensive buck-boost switching chargers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between series and parallel battery configurations based on charging conditions. The switch control circuitry dynamically reconfigures the battery connections: using series configuration for fast charging with simple buck chargers, and parallel configuration for compatibility with standard 5V adapters, thereby eliminating the need for complex buck-boost chargers while maintaining size efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical configuration parameters of the battery system by switching between series and parallel connections. This parameter change allows the same battery pack to operate at different voltages and current levels, enabling compatibility with both high-power fast charging adapters and standard 5V USB adapters without requiring complex voltage conversion circuitry
2Adaptability or versatility
If a buck-boost switching charger is used to enable fast charging with a typical 5V adapter, then charging compatibility is improved, but charging speed decreases and device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between parallel battery configuration for slow charging with 5V adapters and series configuration for fast charging with high-power adapters. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the system to achieve both adapter compatibility and fast charging speed by matching the battery configuration to the charging adapter being used
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the battery system universal by enabling it to function with multiple types of charging adapters through dynamic reconfiguration. The same battery pack can be charged in parallel mode with standard 5V USB adapters or in series mode with high-power fast charging adapters, eliminating the need for specialized buck-boost chargers and achieving multi-functionality
3Reliability
If a switched capacitor buck converter is added to convert two-cell battery voltage to one-cell battery voltage, then PMIC compatibility is achieved, but device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary switched capacitor buck converter from the system. By implementing dynamic switching between series and parallel battery configurations, the system can directly provide the appropriate voltage to the PMIC without requiring additional voltage conversion circuitry, thereby reducing device size and eliminating the power consumption associated with the buck converter
Solution Approach 2:
The battery system serves itself by dynamically reconfiguring to provide the correct voltage directly to the PMIC. When one battery needs to power the PMIC, the system switches to parallel configuration to provide appropriate voltage levels, eliminating the need for external voltage conversion and reducing overall system power consumption
Data Source
AI summary
In a portable device, a first battery has a positive terminal coupled to, through a first switch, an interface used to receive input power, and a negative terminal coupled to a reference terminal. A second battery has a positive terminal coupled to the interface, and a negative terminal coupled to the reference terminal through a second switch, and to the first battery's positive terminal through a third switch. A control circuitry controls the switches such that the device has multiple operation modes including at least a one-battery charging mode and a two-battery-in-series charging mode. In the one-battery charging mode, the circuitry turns off the third switch, and controls the other switches such that one battery is charged by the input power. In the two-battery-in-series charging mode, the control circuitry turns on the third switch and turns off the other switches, such that two batteries are charged by the input power.