Multi-Battery Power Supply with Segmented Voltage Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric devices using rechargeable batteries, large potential differences between input and output voltages lead to significant thermal losses during step-down processes, necessitating larger chassis sizes or performance restrictions to manage heat generation and reduce power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The electric device employs a combination of two rechargeable batteries with different full charge voltages, utilizing separate power source circuits to step down voltages and incorporating a third rechargeable circuit for inter-battery charging to balance capacities and reduce thermal losses by minimizing potential differences between battery output voltages and load operating voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single rechargeable battery with high voltage is used to power multiple loads with different operating voltages, then the device can operate various loads, but large potential difference between input and output voltages causes significant thermal loss during step-down process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power supply system into multiple independent battery units, each with different voltage levels (first rechargeable battery with higher voltage, second rechargeable battery with lower voltage). This segmentation allows each battery to directly serve loads with matching voltage requirements, eliminating the need for large step-down conversions and reducing thermal loss while maintaining the ability to operate various loads.
2Temperature
If the chassis size is increased to prevent heat generation, then thermal management is improved, but the device becomes larger and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the power supply into multiple batteries with different voltage levels, the system reduces thermal loss at the source through minimized potential differences during voltage conversion. This eliminates the need for large chassis designs required for heat dissipation, maintaining a compact form factor while improving thermal management.
3Loss of energy
If functions or performances are restricted to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but device functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power supply system into multiple batteries with different voltage levels, allowing each battery to directly power loads with matching voltage requirements. This eliminates the need for high-power step-down conversions that cause thermal loss, thereby reducing overall power consumption without restricting device functionality or performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third rechargeable circuit as an intermediary that enables mutual charging between the first and second rechargeable batteries. This mediator allows the system to balance battery capacities and optimize power distribution, ensuring that each battery operates in its optimal range and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining full device functionality.
4Volume of moving object
If one battery's capacity is reduced, then the device can be more compact or cost-effective, but reliability of continuous operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third rechargeable circuit as an intermediary that enables mutual charging between the first and second rechargeable batteries. This mediator ensures that even when one battery's capacity is reduced, the system can automatically balance capacities by charging the lower-capacity battery from the higher-capacity battery, maintaining reliability of continuous operation while allowing for compact or cost-effective design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the operational parameters of the battery system by enabling mutual charging between batteries with different capacities. The third rechargeable circuit adjusts charging currents and voltages to optimize power distribution, ensuring that the system can adapt to varying battery capacities and maintain reliable continuous operation.
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 configuration allows for efficient operation of various loads with reduced thermal loss, preventing heat generation and maintaining device performance by balancing battery capacities and optimizing voltage differences, thereby ensuring reliable operation even when one battery's capacity is reduced.
Implementation Method 1
a first power source circuit stepping down a voltage output by the first rechargeable battery to a first voltage and outputting the first voltage
Implementation Method 2
a second power source circuit stepping down a voltage output by the second rechargeable battery to a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage and outputting the second voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An electric device includes a first rechargeable battery and a second rechargeable battery that is lower, in a full charge voltage, than the first rechargeable battery; a first power source circuit that steps down a voltage output by the first rechargeable battery to a first voltage and outputs the first voltage; and a second power source circuit that steps down a voltage output by the second rechargeable battery to a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage and outputs the second voltage.