PMIC Charge Cut-Off Compensation for Accurate Battery Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing charging technologies, particularly those involving power management integrated circuits (PMICs), suffer from errors in charging voltage, leading to voltage loss and incomplete battery charging, which affects battery life and causes abnormal power consumption due to the PMIC's incorrect cut-off mechanism.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for charge control that involves controlling the PMIC's charging cut-off function to remain off until a target cell voltage is reached, determined by calculating a target cell voltage based on the present charging voltage and current, and performing charging compensation to ensure the battery is fully charged, thereby reducing voltage loss and extending battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the PMIC charging cut-off function is used to stop charging when battery is full, then charging automation is improved, but voltage measurement precision deteriorates due to PMIC voltage error causing incorrect cut-off timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging cut-off automationVSAvoidcharging voltage measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a processor as an intermediary between the PMIC charging cut-off function and the actual charging control. The processor reads the charging voltage through the battery management interface, compares it with the standard voltage value, and determines whether to activate the cut-off function, thereby mediating the voltage measurement error issue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processor continuously monitors the charging voltage through the battery management interface and uses this feedback information to make intelligent decisions about charging cut-off timing, correcting for PMIC voltage errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If charging is cut off early due to voltage error, then battery overcharging risk is reduced, but charging completeness deteriorates causing voltage loss and reduced battery life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery overcharging preventionVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The processor uses feedback from voltage monitoring to determine the optimal cut-off timing, comparing actual voltage with standard values and adjusting cut-off decisions to prevent both overcharging and undercharging, thereby extending battery life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from fixed PMIC voltage threshold to dynamic voltage monitoring with comparison against standard values, allowing adaptive adjustment of charging cut-off timing based on actual battery state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If continuous voltage monitoring is implemented to correct PMIC errors, then charging precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging voltage measurement precisionVSAvoidcharging control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing processor perform multiple functions: it handles normal device operations, battery management, voltage monitoring, and charging cut-off control, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware while improving precision

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

Data Source

PatentEP4307515A1Method and apparatus for charge control, terminal device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4307515A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4307515A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4307515A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for charge control, a terminal device and a storage medium. The method includes: controlling (S101, S201, S301, S401) a charging cut-off function of a PMIC of a terminal device to be in an off state in response to the terminal device being in a charging state; determining (S102) a target cell voltage of the terminal device in response to the terminal device being in a cut-off interrupt state; and setting (S103) the PMIC based on the target cell voltage to continue charging the terminal device until reaching the target cell voltage.