Portable Device Charging Mode Selection via Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern portable devices with rechargeable batteries are limited by the charging modes selected by charging devices, which often result in lower currents and voltages than what the device can support, leading to inefficient charging and energy wastage as heat.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow portable devices to detect and select the optimal charging mode from those supported by the connected charging device, dynamically adjusting voltage and current to maximize charging speed while minimizing heat loss, by using a power management utility to communicate with the charging device and select the best charging mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the charging device selects the charging mode, then the charging device can control the charging process, but the charging current and voltage are limited to lower values than the maximum supported by the portable device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional charging control architecture by enabling the portable device (chargee) to select and request charging modes from the charging device (charger), rather than the charger unilaterally determining the mode. This inversion allows the portable device to request higher power modes that match its maximum supported capabilities, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving maximum charging power and maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If enhanced charging modes with higher voltages are used, then charging speed is improved, but a increased portion of electrical energy is wasted as heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging mode selection where the portable device monitors battery state (charge level, temperature, health) and dynamically requests appropriate charging modes from the charger. This dynamic adjustment ensures that high-voltage enhanced charging modes are only used when beneficial for charging speed, while automatically switching to lower-voltage modes when heat generation becomes excessive, thus resolving the contradiction between charging speed and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the portable device continuously monitors battery parameters (temperature, charge state, health metrics) and uses this feedback to dynamically select and request optimal charging modes. This closed-loop control ensures that enhanced charging modes are activated only when conditions permit, preventing excessive heat generation while maintaining maximum charging speed when safe, thereby resolving the energy waste versus charging speed contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program product for selecting a charging mode from among the set of charging modes supported by a charging device for charging a battery of a portable device. The method includes detecting a coupling of a charging device and the portable device. In response to detecting the coupling, a set of charging modes supported by the charging device is determined. The method further includes identifying whether the set of charging modes includes a particular charging mode. In response to identifying the charging device supports the particular charging mode, a first notification is issued to the charging device to trigger the charging device to operate in the particular charging mode. In response to identifying the charging device does not support the particular charging mode, an alternate charging mode is selected from among the set of charging modes.