Bidirectional Switching Converters for Portable Device Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face limitations in bidirectional charging and power management, particularly in efficiently charging internal batteries and powering high-voltage subsystems while accommodating external accessories and batteries, due to the need for flexible voltage conversion and limited board space.
Innovation Solution
A charging system with bidirectional switching converters, including SIDO buck-boost converters and buck converters, that manage power flow between internal batteries, high-voltage, and low-voltage subsystems, and external devices, enabling up-conversion and down-conversion of power across multiple power ports based on battery state and connected accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional switching converters are used for flexible voltage conversion, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power management functions into bidirectional switching converters that can simultaneously perform buck and boost operations. The first and second bidirectional switching converters are integrated to manage power flow between multiple power ports, the internal battery, and external devices, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bidirectional switching converters are designed to perform multiple functions: charging the internal battery from external power sources, powering high-voltage subsystems, and providing power to external accessories. The same converter circuitry adapts its operation based on the connected devices and battery state, providing universal power management capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple power ports and subsystems are supported, then adaptability is improved, but board space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power management paths for multiple power ports into shared circuitry. The bidirectional switching converters serve multiple power ports simultaneously, and the inductors and other components are shared between different power conversion paths, significantly reducing the total board space required compared to having dedicated circuits for each port.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the power management architecture based on which power ports are connected and what mode of operation is required. The bidirectional switching converters can switch between different operating modes (buck, boost, bidirectional power flow) to accommodate different connection scenarios, allowing compact design that adapts to various configurations.
3Productivity
If simultaneous charging and power provision is enabled, then productivity is improved, but energy management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit continuously monitors the battery state, power port connections, and power flow directions to dynamically adjust the operation of the bidirectional switching converters. This feedback mechanism enables the system to manage complex simultaneous charging and power provision operations by automatically adjusting converter parameters based on real-time system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary classification of connected devices to determine whether they are power sources, powered devices, or accessories. Based on this classification, the control circuit pre-configures the bidirectional switching converters for the appropriate operating mode, enabling efficient simultaneous charging and power provision without complex real-time decision-making during power transfer.
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 system provides efficient charging and power management by optimizing voltage conversion, reducing board space requirements, and enabling simultaneous charging of internal batteries and powering of high-voltage subsystems, while supporting external power exchange through flexible power port configurations.
Implementation Method 1
convert an input voltage received through the first or second power port into a set of output voltages for charging an internal battery in the portable electronic device and powering the low-voltage subsystem and the high-voltage subsystem
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments provide a charging system for a portable electronic device. The charging system includes a first bidirectional switching converter connected to a first power port of the portable electronic device, a low-voltage subsystem in the portable electronic device, and a high-voltage subsystem in the portable electronic device and a second bidirectional switching converter connected to a second power port of the portable electronic device, the low-voltage subsystem, and the high-voltage subsystem. The charging system also includes a control circuit that operates the first and second bidirectional switching converters to provide and receive power through the first and second power ports and convert an input voltage received through the first or second power port into a set of output voltages for charging an internal battery in the portable electronic device and powering the low-voltage subsystem and the high-voltage subsystem.