Power Controller Charging Circuit Battery Deterioration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Repeated charging and discharging of batteries in electronic devices lead to battery deterioration when the device receives power from an external device, especially when the power consumption fluctuates near the maximum supply power of the external device.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with an external power input terminal, a detector for connecting external devices, a battery, a measuring unit for voltage and current, a load circuit, and a power controller that temporarily turns off the charging circuit when battery discharge is detected, thereby reducing the repetition of charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging circuit operates continuously to charge the battery when external power is supplied, then the battery can be kept charged, but repeated charging and discharging cycles cause battery deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The charging circuit is controlled to operate periodically rather than continuously. When external power is supplied and the battery voltage drops below a threshold, the charging circuit is activated for a predetermined period only. This periodic operation reduces the number of charging cycles and prevents continuous charge-discharge fluctuations that cause battery deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system predicts potential battery discharge by monitoring external power supply status and battery voltage trends. When discharge is predicted to occur, the charging circuit is activated in advance for a predetermined period to maintain battery voltage above the threshold, preventing the need for frequent reactive charging cycles.
2Reliability
If the charging circuit is activated frequently to maintain battery voltage, then the battery voltage can be maintained above threshold, but the repeated charging operations accelerate battery deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of frequent continuous charging, the system uses periodic charging intervals. The charging circuit operates for a predetermined period when voltage threshold is approached, then stops even if voltage remains below threshold. This reduces charging frequency and prevents continuous charge-discharge cycles that harm battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging circuit operates for a predetermined period that may be longer than strictly necessary to reach the voltage threshold. This excessive action ensures voltage stability is maintained without requiring precise timing, while still limiting total charging duration compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an external electric power input terminal for inputting electric power from an external device, a detector for detecting that the external device is connected to the external electric power input terminal, a battery that is chargeable, a measuring unit for measuring a voltage and a current of the battery, a load circuit for consuming the electric power, a charging circuit for charging the battery, and a power controller for controlling on/off of the charging circuit, wherein the power controller set the charging circuit off during a predetermined period, when a discharge operation of the battery is detected based on a measuring result of the measuring unit in a state in which the charging circuit is set on, when the detector detects that the external device is connected to the external electric power input terminal.