Bidirectional Charging Circuit for Mobile Terminal and Peripheral Device

Solution Overview

Problem

Tablet computers have limited battery capacity and short battery life due to space constraints and high power consumption, which limits their portability and usability, especially when used with external devices like keyboards, where battery life is further compromised by the need for separate power sources.

Innovation Solution

A mobile terminal and peripheral device system that can charge each other via a connector, using switches, charging circuits, and controllers to determine and manage charging modes based on battery levels, allowing for mutual power supply and extended battery life when connected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the battery capacity is increased to extend battery life, then the battery life is improved, but the device weight and volume increase due to space limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two power supply systems (mobile terminal battery and peripheral device battery) into a unified power network through the connector. When connected, the batteries work together as a single power source, effectively doubling the available energy capacity without increasing the weight of either individual device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector serves multiple functions: it enables data transmission, device communication, and bidirectional power supply. The same physical interface that connects the peripheral device also facilitates power sharing, eliminating the need for separate power supply mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the battery capacity is increased to extend battery life, then the battery life is improved, but the device volume increases due to space limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two power supply systems (mobile terminal battery and peripheral device battery) into a unified power network through the connector. When connected, the batteries work together as a single power source, effectively doubling the available energy capacity without increasing the volume of either individual device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If separate power sources are used for mobile terminal and peripheral device, then the devices can be independently powered, but the overall battery life is limited and portability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent power supplyVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connector serves multiple functions: it enables data transmission, device communication, and bidirectional power supply. The same physical interface that connects the peripheral device also facilitates power sharing, eliminating the need for separate power supply mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines two power supply systems (mobile terminal battery and peripheral device battery) into a unified power network through the connector. When connected, the batteries work together as a single power source, effectively doubling the available energy capacity without increasing the weight of either individual device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Duration of action of moving object

If a power adapter is used to charge the mobile terminal, then the battery life is extended, but the portability is greatly compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-charging functionality where the mobile terminal and peripheral device can charge each other autonomously when connected. The devices automatically detect battery levels and initiate power transfer without requiring external power adapters or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 extended battery life for both the mobile terminal and peripheral device when used together, improving product functionality and competitiveness by allowing separate powering and mutual charging through hardware connectors.

Implementation Method 1

A first terminal of the second switch is connected to a first end of the first charging circuit, and a second terminal of the second switch is connected to the first connector... A second end of the first charging circuit is connected to the first battery... the first charging circuit is configured to control a charging process of the first battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11258280B2Mobile terminal, peripheral device, and charging method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A mobile terminal, a peripheral device, and a charging method thereof that relate to the field of electronic device technologies, where the mobile terminal and the peripheral device are separately powered, and when coupled by a connector, the mobile terminal and the peripheral device charge each other. The mobile terminal includes a first switch, a second switch, a first charging port, a first charging circuit, a first connector, a first battery, and a first electronic controller.