Multi-Battery Power Circuit for Unequal Capacity Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small-sized electronic devices with multiple batteries of different capacities face inefficiencies in charging, leading to wasted battery capacity due to limited space and the need for simultaneous charging, where existing methods result in uneven charging and efficiency losses.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit and method that connects two batteries in series during charging to ensure equal charging currents based on their capacities, and in parallel during discharging to maintain optimal voltage and avoid efficiency losses, using switches and voltage conversion circuits to manage charging and discharging processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two batteries with different capacities are charged simultaneously using the same charging current, then the charging process is simple, but the battery with smaller capacity cannot be fully charged while the larger capacity battery is still charging, leading to wasted battery capacity resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the charging process into two independent paths: one charging circuit for the first battery and another charging circuit for the second battery. This segmentation allows each battery to receive appropriate charging current independently, enabling the smaller capacity battery to be fully charged without waiting for the larger capacity battery, thus eliminating the waste of battery capacity resources while maintaining simple simultaneous charging operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If two batteries are connected in series during charging, then charging current is evenly distributed, but the charging time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a series connection that forces uniform current through both batteries, the patent segments the charging system into parallel independent charging circuits. Each circuit can be configured to provide the optimal charging current for its respective battery based on capacity, enabling both batteries to be charged simultaneously at their respective optimal rates without the time penalty of series charging.
3Stability of the object's composition
If power conversion circuitry is used to manage charging and discharging of batteries with different capacities, then charging balance is improved, but system complexity and energy loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent avoids complex power conversion circuitry by segmenting the system into independent charging circuits for each battery. Each charging circuit operates independently without requiring DC-DC conversion or complex power management, thereby achieving charging balance through simple parallel architecture rather than complex power conversion, reducing both system complexity and energy loss.
4Adaptability or versatility
If batteries with different capacities are used in small-sized electronic devices, then device functionality is enhanced, but battery capacity resources are wasted due to inefficient charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables effective utilization of multiple batteries with different capacities by segmenting the charging system into independent circuits. This allows the device to benefit from the enhanced functionality provided by multiple batteries of different capacities while eliminating the capacity waste that would occur during charging, as each battery can be fully charged independently and simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a multi-battery power supply, a charging/discharging method, and an electronic device. A power supply circuit includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a first switch, a second switch, a first battery, and a second battery. When the first switch is off, a first controlled terminal of the second switch is electrically connected to a second controlled terminal of the second switch, and when the first circuit is on, the first circuit and the second circuit are configured to supply power to two batteries. When the first switch is on, the first controlled terminal of the second switch is electrically connected to the third controlled terminal of the second switch, and when the first circuit is off, both the batteries supply power to the outside through the second circuit.