Buck-Boost Converter Supercapacitor Buffer for Battery ESR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face challenges in efficiently supplying power to various components with different voltage and current levels, as the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of batteries leads to voltage drops, reducing battery efficiency and talk time in devices like cellular phones.

Innovation Solution

A power converter system utilizing buck-boost converters and supercapacitors to isolate loads from batteries, providing a buffer that adjusts voltage and current levels, reducing the impact of ESR and improving efficiency by acting as a buffer between the battery and load, and using a second buck-boost converter for further DC-DC conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If batteries directly supply power to electronic components, then the device structure is simple, but voltage drops occur due to ESR reducing efficiency and operating time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply structureVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a power converter system with buck-boost converters and supercapacitors as intermediary components between the battery and electronic components. The supercapacitor acts as a buffer that absorbs voltage fluctuations and reduces the impact of battery ESR, while the buck-boost converters regulate voltage to match component requirements. This intermediary structure eliminates direct battery-component connection, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If batteries directly supply power to components with different voltage levels, then the power supply system is simple, but voltage regulation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion systemVSAvoidpower delivery efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs buck-boost converters that dynamically adjust electrical parameters (voltage and current) to match the specific requirements of different electronic components. The converters change operating parameters based on load conditions, enabling efficient power delivery to components with varying voltage levels. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between system simplicity and power delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If high current is drawn from batteries, then power delivery capability is improved, but voltage drops increase due to ESR

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidvoltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The supercapacitor in the power converter system performs preliminary action by pre-storing electrical energy and being positioned to respond before significant voltage drops occur. When high current demands arise, the supercapacitor immediately supplies additional current to meet peak demands, preventing voltage drops caused by battery ESR. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction between power delivery capability and voltage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution extends battery life by minimizing voltage drops, allowing more battery capacity to be utilized, and improves efficiency, resulting in increased talk time and efficient power delivery to power amplifiers and other components.

Implementation Method 1

A power converter system utilizing buck-boost converters and supercapacitors to isolate loads from batteries, providing a buffer that adjusts voltage and current levels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A power converter system utilizing buck-boost converters and supercapacitors to isolate loads from batteries, providing a buffer that adjusts voltage and current levels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2582004B1Power converter system for mobile devices
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2582004B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2582004B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)
  • EP2582004B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A power converter system for managing power between a power supply and a load, the system including: a first buck-boost circuit connected to the power supply; and a capacitor provided between the buck-boost circuit and the load to buffer power supply for the load. The system may include a second buck-boost circuit between the capacitor and the load. In another embodiment, a power converter system includes: a boost circuit connected to the power supply; a buck circuit connected to the load; and a capacitor provided between the boost circuit and the buck circuit to manage the supply of power to the load.