Master-Slave Battery Charger Architecture for Thermal Balancing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging systems for electronic devices lack efficient control mechanisms to manage charging currents across multiple chargers, leading to suboptimal charging performance and potential thermal issues, as they rely on external processors for independent control of each charger.
Innovation Solution
A master-slave charger system where a master charger communicates with a control module and independently controls slave chargers to adjust charging currents based on battery type, load sharing, and thermal balancing, enabling selective enablement, disablement, and adjustment of slave charger outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple chargers operate independently controlled by an external processor, then each charger can be individually managed, but the system lacks efficient coordination leading to suboptimal charging performance and thermal issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the charging control function into a master charger that makes decisions and slave chargers that execute commands. This segmentation allows independent operation of each charger while coordinating through a hierarchical structure, resolving the contradiction between individual control and system-wide optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The master charger acts as an intermediary between the external processor and the slave chargers. It receives coordination signals and translates them into specific control commands for slave chargers, enabling efficient coordination without requiring direct communication between all components
2Ease of operation
If multiple chargers operate independently controlled by an external processor, then each charger can be individually managed, but thermal management becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The master charger monitors the operational status and thermal conditions of slave chargers, using this feedback to dynamically adjust their output. This closed-loop control enables effective thermal management by reducing power to chargers that are generating excessive heat while maintaining optimal charging of the battery
3Measurement precision
If the control module directly communicates with all chargers, then precise control is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control architecture is segmented into a master charger that handles complex decision-making and slave chargers that execute simplified commands. This reduces the communication burden on the control module while maintaining precise control over each charger's operation
Solution Approach 2:
The master charger serves as an intermediary layer between the control module and slave chargers, consolidating communication paths and reducing system complexity while preserving control precision through the master's coordinated management
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charging system includes a master charger that receives a supply voltage, outputs a master charging current based on the supply voltage, and selectively outputs a slave charger control signal. At least one slave charger receives the slave charger control signal from the master charger, receives the supply voltage, and selectively outputs a slave charging current based on the slave charger control signal and the supply voltage.