Power Management IC Sharing Current Between Internal and External Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries experience reduced discharge current capability at low temperatures, affecting battery run times in electronic devices, and external batteries also perform poorly under these conditions, necessitating improved power management systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power management system that intelligently shares power between internal and external power sources in electronic devices, using a processor and power management integrated circuit (PMIC) to distribute current requirements, allowing multiple power sources to supply a fraction of the load and adjust voltage and current based on device settings and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single lithium ion battery is used as the power source, then the device structure remains simple, but the battery run time is significantly reduced at low temperatures due to reduced discharge current capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power sources (internal lithium ion battery and external battery) into a unified power system that operates together. The power management circuit integrates the power output from both batteries, allowing them to collectively supply the load current. This merging of power sources increases the total available current capacity, enabling the device to maintain full functionality at low temperatures where a single battery would be insufficient.
2Duration of action of moving object
If an external battery is added to increase battery run time, then the duration of action is extended, but the external battery also experiences significantly reduced discharge current capability at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power output from multiple batteries (internal and external) through a power management circuit that combines their current capabilities. By operating the batteries in parallel through the PMIC, the system achieves additive current capacity, where the total available current is the sum of individual battery contributions. This resolves the limitation of individual batteries having reduced discharge capability at low temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management circuit dynamically adjusts the power distribution between internal and external batteries based on real-time conditions including temperature, state of charge, and load requirements. The processor continuously monitors battery parameters and the PMIC adjusts the power sharing ratio accordingly, optimizing the discharge current capability across varying operating conditions, particularly at low temperatures where dynamic adjustment is most critical.
3Duration of action of moving object
If multiple power sources are used to improve low temperature performance, then the device can maintain full load functionality for extended periods, but the power management system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple tasks: it manages power distribution between multiple batteries, monitors battery parameters (voltage, current, temperature), controls charging/discharging operations, and communicates with the processor for system-level coordination. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single integrated circuit, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate dedicated circuits for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The PMIC acts as an intermediary device between the multiple power sources and the load, managing all power flow relationships through a single control interface. Rather than requiring complex direct connections and control logic between each battery and the load, the PMIC mediates all power transactions, simplifying the system architecture. The processor communicates high-level commands to the PMIC, which then handles the detailed power management operations autonomously.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for sharing power between power sources are disclosed. The power sources may be internal to an electronic device, external to the electronic device, or both. An electronic device may include a power source, a switch circuit, a processor, and a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The processor may determine a load current estimate. The load current estimate may be based on a device setting, an external temperature, or both. The processor may determine a power source voltage, an external power source voltage, or both. The processor may determine a power source current, an external power source current, or both. The PMIC may set an output power source current of the power source. The PMIC may set an output external power source current of the external power source.