External Battery Charge Current Control Without Microcontroller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external batteries require a main controller unit (MCU) or microcontroller to determine the amplitude of charge current, increasing development resources and manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
An external battery design that uses a charge unit and control circuit to convert external power into charge currents with different amplitudes based on resistor resistance, controlled by a control signal and switches, eliminating the need for a microcontroller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a main controller unit (MCU) or microcontroller is used to determine charge current amplitude, then the control precision and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charge current amplitude determination function from the main controller unit and implements it independently through a dedicated control circuit. This circuit uses a resistor connected to the control terminal to determine charge current amplitude, eliminating the need for MCU intervention in this specific function. The control circuit operates autonomously based on the resistance value detected at the control terminal, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a resistor as an intermediary element between the charger and the battery. This resistor, when connected to the control terminal, serves as a mediator that communicates charger specifications to the charge unit without requiring complex digital processing. The charge unit reads the resistance value and automatically adjusts the charge current amplitude accordingly, simplifying the overall control architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a main controller unit (MCU) or microcontroller is used to determine charge current amplitude, then the adaptability to different charger specifications is improved, but the ease of manufacture and development cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in resistance value to represent different charger specifications. Instead of requiring the system to process complex digital signals or communicate with the charger through multiple protocols, the solution changes the physical parameter (resistance) of the control resistor to encode charger information. The charge unit detects this resistance parameter and automatically adapts the charge current amplitude, achieving high adaptability with simple manufacturing.
3Device complexity
If the charge current amplitude is determined by resistor resistance without a microcontroller, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the control precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified control model that copies the essential function of the MCU-based system. Instead of implementing the full complexity of a microcontroller, the invention creates a dedicated control circuit that copies only the necessary function: reading resistance value at the control terminal and converting it to appropriate charge current amplitude. This copied function achieves sufficient precision for the application while dramatically reducing device complexity.
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
Enables control of charge current amplitude according to charger specifications without a microcontroller, reducing development and manufacturing costs while maintaining efficient energy supply to portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a charge unit configured to convert external power supplied from a travel adapter into charge currents having different amplitudes depending on the resistance of a resistor connected to a control terminal
Implementation Method 2
a control circuit configured to control the resistance of the resistor connected to the control terminal, using a control signal output from the input stage and at least one switch
Data Source
AI summary
An external battery is disclosed. In one aspect, the external battery includes a battery and an input stage configured to receive external power and output a control signal. The external battery also includes a charger configured to convert the external power into a plurality of charge currents based at least in part on the resistance of at least one resistor detected at a control terminal of the charger, wherein the control terminal is electrically connected to the resistor, wherein the charge currents have different amplitudes, wherein the charger is further configured to provide the converted charge currents to the battery. The external battery further includes a controller configured to control the magnitude of the resistance of the resistor based at least in part on i) the control signal and ii) at least one switch.