Charge Control Circuit Dynamic Voltage Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery chargers face inefficiencies due to a predetermined voltage difference between the battery charging voltage and system input voltage, leading to either unnecessary power consumption or insufficient current during charging, as they struggle to prevent current from flowing back to the system load while optimizing charging efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A charge control circuit that includes a detecting device to monitor the operation of a transistor and adjust the internal voltage source to generate a non-predetermined voltage difference, ensuring the transistor operates in an optimum conductive state by regulating the voltage at the common nodes based on a reference voltage, thereby minimizing power consumption and ensuring effective charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a predetermined voltage difference is set between battery charging voltage and system input voltage, then current backflow from battery to system load is prevented, but power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcurrent backflow prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed predetermined voltage difference to a dynamic voltage difference that adjusts based on transistor conduction state. The detecting device monitors transistor operation and controls the internal voltage source to generate a voltage difference that varies with charging conditions, optimizing power consumption while maintaining backflow prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through a detecting device that continuously monitors the operation of the transistor on the charging path. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust the voltage difference dynamically based on actual charging conditions, ensuring optimal performance without unnecessary power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If a predetermined voltage difference is set between battery charging voltage and system input voltage, then current backflow from battery to system load is prevented, but charging current becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging currentVSAvoidcurrent backflow prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the voltage difference to ensure sufficient charging current while preventing backflow. The detecting device monitors transistor operation and the control circuit adjusts the voltage difference in real-time based on charging current requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the voltage difference parameter from a fixed predetermined value to a variable value that adapts to charging conditions. By adjusting this parameter based on transistor operation state, the system optimizes charging current while maintaining backflow prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a large predetermined voltage difference is set, then current backflow prevention is ensured, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent backflow preventionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic adjustment to maintain the minimum necessary voltage difference for backflow prevention rather than using a large fixed voltage difference. This reduces power consumption while ensuring reliability through real-time monitoring and adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of energy

If a small predetermined voltage difference is set, then power consumption is reduced, but the transistor is not completely turned ON

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransistor conduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detecting device provides feedback on transistor operation state, allowing the control circuit to adjust the voltage difference to ensure the transistor is completely turned ON when needed, while minimizing voltage difference and power consumption during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8917062B2Charging control circuit

Publication Date: 2014.12.23 RICHTEK TECH

AI summary

The present invention discloses a charge control circuit for supplying power from an external power source to a first common node and charging a second common node from the first common node. A regulator circuit is coupled between the external power source and the first common node, and a transistor is coupled between the first common node and the second common node. The present invention detects an operation parameter of the transistor and controls an internal voltage source to generate a non-predetermined voltage difference accordingly. When the sum of the voltage at the second common node and the non-predetermined voltage is equal to or higher than the reference voltage, the voltage at the first common node is regulated to a level higher than the voltage at the second common node, and the transistor is in an optimum conductive state.