Power Supply Path Control for Multi-Battery Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with accessory devices, such as digital cameras, face challenges in efficiently charging multiple batteries connected to them, as they require multiple power supply paths and charging control circuits, which increases complexity and circuitry, and do not allow for charging of batteries connected to the accessory device from the digital camera.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a control unit that manages power supply paths between batteries and an external device, enabling charging of batteries connected to the accessory device by prioritizing power supply from the external device to uncharged batteries and from the device itself to charged batteries, using a common power supply path and switchable circuits to control charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a power supply path is provided for each battery connected to the accessory device, then each battery can be charged independently, but the number of connection terminals and charging control circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory device is designed with a universal power supply path that can serve multiple batteries simultaneously. The control unit intelligently manages power distribution to enable one power supply path to charge multiple batteries by dynamically switching connections based on charging status, eliminating the need for dedicated power supply paths for each battery.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple charging control functions are merged into a single control unit within the accessory device. This unified control unit manages power distribution to multiple batteries through a shared power supply path, consolidating what would otherwise require separate control circuits for each battery.
2Power
If the accessory device has multiple batteries, then power supply capacity is increased, but the circuitry required to manage power supply paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory device implements a universal power management architecture where a single power supply path and control unit can handle multiple batteries. The control unit dynamically routes power based on battery charge levels, enabling the system to scale power capacity by adding batteries without proportionally increasing circuitry complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the electronic device charges batteries connected to the accessory device, then charging convenience is improved, but power supply path management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory device autonomously manages power supply path selection and battery charging without requiring complex user intervention. The control unit automatically monitors battery states and switches power paths as needed, making the system easy to use while keeping the control logic centralized in the accessory device rather than the main electronic device.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a connection unit and a control unit. The control unit enables a power supply path for supplying power from a first battery connected to an external device to the electronic device and enables a power supply path for supplying power from a second battery connected to the external device to a predetermined functional unit of the external device, in a case where the first battery or the second battery connected to the external device is not charged. The control unit disables a power supply path for supplying power from the second battery connected to the external device to the predetermined functional unit and enables a power supply path for supplying power from the electronic device to the first battery or the second battery, in a case where the first battery or the second battery connected to the external device is charged.