Multi-Battery Charging Circuit With Independent Control Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems face challenges in independently controlling and balancing multiple independent batteries, often requiring complex and costly multi-charger setups with impedance-balancing circuitry, which can lead to performance issues and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit incorporating a switching regulator with independently controlled and monitored charging paths, utilizing a single charger to manage multiple batteries without the need for multiple chargers or impedance-balancing circuitry, allowing for flexible charging and monitoring of batteries with varying capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple chargers are used to independently control and balance multiple batteries, then charging control capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single charger circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: charging multiple batteries simultaneously, independently controlling each battery's charging process, and balancing battery voltages. The charger acts as a universal power management device that replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated chargers, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A control circuit serves as an intermediary between the single charger and multiple batteries. This intermediary intelligently distributes power, monitors battery states, and adjusts charging parameters for each battery independently. The mediator enables one charger to effectively manage multiple batteries without requiring direct complex connections between each charger and battery.
2Reliability
If impedance-balancing circuitry is added to manage multiple batteries, then battery balancing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery balancing function is merged with the main charger circuit rather than being implemented as a separate impedance-balancing circuitry. The charger integrates multiple functions including power delivery, voltage regulation, and battery balancing into a single unified system, reducing the number of discrete components and simplifying the overall circuit architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the charger's own output capabilities to balance batteries without requiring external balancing circuitry. By intelligently controlling the charging current distribution and voltage levels through the single charger, the system achieves battery balancing using its inherent power management functions rather than additional specialized components.
3Device complexity
If a single charger is used to manage multiple batteries, then device complexity is reduced, but independent charging control capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The charger employs dynamic control mechanisms that allow real-time adjustment of charging parameters for each battery independently. The control circuit continuously monitors battery states and dynamically modifies current distribution, voltage levels, and charging stages for each battery, enabling independent control functionality within a single static charger hardware platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves independent charging control by changing electrical parameters (current, voltage, power levels) for each battery independently through the single charger. The control circuit manipulates these parameters dynamically based on individual battery requirements, effectively providing dedicated control for each battery without requiring separate charger hardware.
4Reliability
If multiple chargers are deployed for multi-battery systems, then charging reliability is improved, but cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single multi-functional charger circuit is designed to replace multiple single-purpose chargers. This universal charger maintains charging reliability by incorporating redundant control mechanisms and intelligent power distribution, while reducing manufacturing complexity through standardized single-unit production rather than assembling multiple separate charger components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple charging functions are merged into a single integrated charger unit, simplifying the manufacturing process. Instead of producing, testing, and assembling multiple separate charger modules, the system manufactures one unified charger with integrated power management capabilities, reducing production steps, inventory requirements, and assembly 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
This solution enables efficient, cost-effective, and simplified independent charging and balancing of multiple batteries, reducing complexity and performance issues while supporting batteries of different capacities, and allowing for flexible charging strategies.
Implementation Method 1
A switching regulator (also known as a 'switching converter' or 'switcher') may be implemented, for example, by a switched-mode power supply (SMPS)
Implementation Method 2
a switched-capacitor converter (e.g., a divide-by-two (Div2) or a divide-by-three (Div3) charge pump)
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for supplying power, including battery charging. One example power supply circuit generally includes a switching regulator including an output node; a first battery node for coupling to a first battery; a second battery node for coupling to a second battery; a first switch coupled between the output node of the switching regulator and the first battery node; and a second switch coupled between the output node of the switching regulator and the second battery node. Such a power supply circuit may independently control and monitor the charging of multiple independent batteries without using multiple chargers, may balance the batteries during discharging, and may operate without a current limit switch.