Cell Group Switching Circuit for Low-Loss Charging and Power Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power supply systems for electronic devices, such as mobile phones, experience inefficiencies in charging due to excessive heating and reduced standby time caused by buck switch circuits, which lead to energy loss and capacity reduction.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system that includes a toggle switch circuit and a buck switch circuit, allowing the connection status of cell groups to be switched between serial and parallel configurations, thereby avoiding the need for buck switch circuit voltage reduction during charging and discharging, reducing energy loss and heat generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cells are connected in parallel to supply power to load, then the system rated voltage is met, but the buck switch circuit causes excessive heating and reduced charging efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating of mobile phoneVSAvoidcharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches between parallel and series connection configurations of battery cells based on operational mode (discharging vs charging). During discharging, cells are connected in parallel to meet voltage requirements; during charging, cells are switched to series connection to eliminate buck converter losses. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by adapting the connection topology to the specific operational phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electrical connection parameter (series vs parallel) of battery cells based on the operational state. By changing the connection configuration from parallel (during discharging) to series (during charging), the system avoids the harmful effects of buck converter heating while maintaining voltage compatibility, thus improving charging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If cells are connected in series to charge, then charging efficiency improves, but the voltage exceeds system rated voltage requiring buck switch circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidvoltage matching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the cell connection configuration based on operational mode. During charging, cells are connected in series to enable direct high-voltage charging without buck converters. During discharging, the configuration switches to parallel to match the system's rated voltage requirements. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for voltage reduction circuits while maintaining compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Power

If buck switch circuit is used for voltage reduction, then voltage matching is achieved, but energy loss increases and standby time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage matchingVSAvoidheat consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the buck switch circuit from the charging path by implementing a dual-mode system. In charging mode, cells are connected in series to directly accept high voltage without requiring voltage reduction. In discharging mode, cells switch to parallel configuration to provide the required voltage level. This extraction eliminates the energy losses associated with buck converters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the connection parameter of battery cells from parallel to series configuration during charging operations. This parameter change enables direct voltage matching between the charger and battery, eliminating the need for buck converters and their associated energy losses, thereby reducing heat consumption and extending standby time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves charging efficiency, reduces heat-related issues, and extends the standby time of electronic devices by directly charging cell groups in a serially-connected state and supplying power in a parallelly-connected state, minimizing energy loss and ensuring continuous power delivery.

Implementation Method 1

The toggle switch circuit is configured to switch a connection status of at least two cell groups to be serially-connected or parallelly-connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical connection configuration switching:

Implementation Method 2

the buck switch circuit is configured to adjust a voltage of the charger to a system rated voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

When the external interface is inserted into the charger to charge the at least two cell groups, the toggle switch circuit is configured to switch the connection status of the at least two cell groups to be serially-connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy transmission: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

When supplying power to the load by the at least two cell groups, the toggle switch circuit is configured to switch the connection status of the at least two cell groups to be parallelly-connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical energy transmission: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4050754B1Power supply system, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4050754B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4050754B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4050754B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application relate to the field of power supply and discloses a method for switching a connection status of a cell, a power supply system, and an electronic device, which can switch the connection status of a plurality of cell groups in the electronic device between a serially-connected state and a parallelly-connected state. The power supply system is applied to the electronic device, where the electronic device includes at least two cell groups, an external interface, and a load, and each of the cell groups comprises at least one cell; the power supply system includes a toggle switch circuit and a buck switch circuit; two poles of the cell group are respectively coupled to an input end of the toggle switch circuit; a first output end of the toggle switch circuit is coupled to an input end of the buck switch circuit, a second output end of the toggle switch circuit is coupled to an output end of the buck switch circuit, and the input end of the buck switch circuit is coupled to an external interface; and the output end of the buck switch circuit is further coupled to the load, and the external interface is configured to connect a charger.