Portable Power Supply Thermal Control for Cold-Start Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable battery power supplies face challenges in enabling functionality at cold ambient temperatures, leading to inability to charge or discharge, and require efficient thermal management to resume operations quickly.
Innovation Solution
A portable power supply with an internal power source, thermal management system, power input and output units, sensing circuits, and a controller that uses a secondary power source to manage temperature and charging based on temperature and state of charge thresholds, enabling rapid heating or cooling to optimize charge rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the power supply uses the internal power source to power the thermal management system, then the system can maintain temperature control during normal operation, but the charging function is disabled when the internal power source voltage is too low (end-of-discharge condition)
Solution Approach 1:
The power source is segmented into two independent sources: the internal power source for normal operation and a secondary power source specifically for thermal management during charging. This segmentation allows the thermal management system to operate independently from the internal power source's charge state, resolving the contradiction between temperature control reliability and charging availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary power source acts as an intermediary that provides power to the thermal management system during charging operations. This intermediary power source enables the thermal management system to function without depleting the internal power source, allowing charging to proceed while maintaining temperature control.
2Reliability
If the power supply waits for the internal power source to recharge before enabling thermal management, then the internal power source has sufficient energy, but the resumption of functionality is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary power source is pre-configured to immediately power the thermal management system when charging is detected, without waiting for the internal power source to recharge. This preliminary arrangement of power availability eliminates wait time and enables immediate thermal management during charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary power source serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between charging initiation and thermal management activation, providing immediate power to the thermal management system without requiring the internal power source to be fully recharged first.
3Productivity
If the power supply enables heating in cold temperatures, then the battery can reach charge temperature thresholds, but the charge time increases due to power consumed by thermal management
Solution Approach 1:
The power sources are segmented such that the secondary power source bears the burden of powering the thermal management system during charging, while the internal power source is dedicated to charging. This segmentation prevents the thermal management power consumption from extending the charge time, as the heating load is independently supported.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary power source acts as an intermediary that absorbs the thermal management power demand, preventing it from impacting the charging duration. This intermediary arrangement allows the battery to be charged at maximum rate while the thermal management system operates independently on secondary power.
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
Enables rapid resumption of charging and discharging functions by independently managing temperature with a secondary power source, minimizing wait times in cold conditions and optimizing charge rates based on temperature thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
Some embodiments of the disclosure enable charge/discharge functionality and minimize charge time and/or wait time in cold ambient conditions by utilizing a secondary power source to power a thermal management system independent of the state of charge of a portable battery power supply
Implementation Method 2
a first sensing circuit configured to detect the temperature of the internal power source
Data Source
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AI summary
A portable power supply includes an internal power source, a thermal management system configured to control a temperature of one or more internal components of the portable power supply, a power input unit configured to charge the internal power source, a power output unit configured to provide power output by the internal power source, a first sensing circuit configured to detect the temperature of the one or more internal components, a secondary power source, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the first sensing circuit, enable the thermal management system based on the temperature of the one or more internal components, and enable charging of the internal power source based on the temperature of the one or more internal components.