Bidirectional Voltage Converter for Unified Charge and Power Delivery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power management systems in mobile devices require separate circuits for charging and delivery modes, leading to increased size and cost.

Innovation Solution

A bidirectional voltage converter circuit and control module that selectively operates in charging and delivery modes, allowing for a single circuit to handle both functions, reducing size and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate circuits are used for charging and delivery modes, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate charging and delivery circuits into a single bidirectional power management circuit. The controller selectively operates the same circuit in different modes (charging when voltage exceeds threshold, delivery when below threshold), eliminating the need for separate hardware circuits while maintaining functional reliability through mode-based operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power management circuit is designed with universal functionality to perform both charging and power delivery operations. The same circuit hardware can bidirectionally transfer power depending on the operational mode selected by the controller, making the system multi-functional without requiring dedicated circuits for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate circuits are used for charging and delivery modes, then functional reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple power management functions into a single integrated circuit, reducing the total component count and assembly requirements. This merging of charging and delivery circuits into one bidirectional system directly lowers manufacturing costs while preserving the reliability needed for power management operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By designing a universal power management circuit that can perform both charging and power delivery, the patent reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing complexity. The same hardware serves multiple purposes, decreasing production costs compared to manufacturing separate dedicated circuits for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If separate circuits are used for charging and delivery modes, then functional reliability is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management reliabilityVSAvoidpower management circuit size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges charging and delivery circuitry into a single bidirectional power management unit, directly reducing the physical space required. The integrated design eliminates redundant components and interconnections that would exist with separate circuits, thereby decreasing the overall volume occupied by power management hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal power management circuit performs both charging and power delivery functions within a single physical footprint. This multi-functional approach reduces device size compared to having separate dedicated circuits for each function, as the same hardware components serve multiple operational purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution provides cost and size reductions by integrating charging and delivery modes into a single circuit, enhancing efficiency and reducing power loss.

Implementation Method 1

the charging mode converts a voltage provided by an interface (e.g., a USB interface) into a charging voltage employed by an energy storage module (e.g., a rechargeable battery)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the delivery mode converts a voltage provided by the energy storage module into a voltage employed by the interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12431717B2Bidirectional power management techniques

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 TAHOE RES LTD

AI summary

Power management techniques are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a bidirectional voltage converter circuit, and a control module that selectively operates the bidirectional voltage converter circuit in a charging mode and a delivery mode. The charging mode converts a voltage provided by an interface (e.g., a USB interface) into a charging voltage employed by an energy storage module (e.g., a rechargeable battery). Conversely, the delivery mode converts a voltage provided by the energy storage module into a voltage employed by the interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.