Hybrid Multi-Battery Power Management for Portable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power management systems in portable electronic devices, such as wireless communication devices, suffer from reduced battery life and user experience due to the compromise of using a single battery with multiple DC-DC converters, which fails to maximize overall battery life performance.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid multi-battery power source management system is implemented, utilizing a combination of energy storage devices like fuel cells, lithium batteries, and SuperCapacitors, with smart power management algorithms to leverage the unique characteristics of each device, optimizing energy storage and power supply to extend battery life and enhance user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single battery with multiple DC-DC converters is used, then device complexity is reduced, but battery life performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management system complexityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power management system is segmented into multiple independent battery modules, each with its own DC-DC converter. This allows each battery to operate independently at its optimal voltage and power levels, extending overall battery life while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different battery configurations and power sources based on real-time power demands and battery states. The controller adjusts which batteries are active and how they are connected, optimizing performance and extending battery life without requiring a completely complex fixed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of moving object

If multiple batteries of different technologies are used, then battery life performance is maximized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidpower management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each battery module is designed with universal interfaces and standardized DC-DC converters that can work with different battery chemistries. The system can accommodate various battery types (lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, nickel-metal hydride) using the same basic architecture, reducing complexity while enabling extended battery life through technology diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

DC-DC converters serve as intermediary devices between different battery technologies and the device's power consumption requirements. These converters isolate the complexity of different battery chemistries from the rest of the system, allowing multiple battery types to be used without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If energy transfer between batteries is performed, then overall energy efficiency is improved, but power management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy wasteVSAvoidpower management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power management controller continuously monitors battery states (charge level, voltage, current, temperature) and automatically adjusts energy transfer between batteries based on real-time feedback. This feedback mechanism optimizes energy efficiency by transferring charge from batteries nearing depletion to those with excess capacity, reducing energy waste without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach maximizes battery life and user experience by efficiently managing energy storage and power output, allowing for extended usage and rapid charging, while minimizing energy waste through proactive energy transfer between devices based on usage patterns and power demands.

Implementation Method 1

a fuel cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFuel cell: Fuel Cell

Implementation Method 2

a lithium battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery: Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 3

a SuperCapacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2590249B1Hybrid battery system for portable electronic devices
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2590249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2590249B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2590249B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power management method with a portable electronic device (100) includes identifying, with a controller (202) of the portable electronic device, a power consumption event in the portable electronic device, the power consumption event having a power consumption requirement. The method further includes selecting (818), in response to the identifying, one of a collection of energy storage devices (304, 306, 308, 320) in an energy storage device farm (218) for the portable electronic device, the selecting being based at least on the power consumption requirement of the power consumption event and on one or more characteristics of the one of the plurality of energy storage devices. The portable electronic device executes the power consumption event using energy stored in the selected one of the plurality of energy storage devices. The portable electronic device (100) may be a mobile phone or other wireless communication device.