Pre-Powered Circuit for Battery Standby Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered devices with DC power converters face high component costs, increased power consumption, and risk of battery damage due to over-discharging, as well as rapid battery energy exhaustion when powering critical systems during power outages.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered device with a pre-powered circuit comprising a buck and current-limiting module using zener diodes and resistors to manage voltage and current, and a temperature protection module to prevent overheating, allowing operation in a power-saving standby mode and reducing battery energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a DC power converter is used to power the system device, then the system device can be powered during power outage, but the hardware cost increases due to high component costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power conversion function from the main power management chip and implements it through a dedicated pre-powered circuit with voltage regulator and current limiter components. This separation allows the main chip to enter sleep mode while the pre-powered circuit handles power conversion independently, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-powered circuit is designed to be activated before the main power management chip wakes up. The circuit includes pre-charged capacitors and pre-configured voltage regulation components that are ready to immediately power the system device when needed, eliminating the need for complex wake-up sequences and reducing power management complexity.
2Reliability
If a DC power converter is used to power the system device, then the system device can be powered during power outage, but the power consumption increases causing loss of battery energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by allowing the power management chip to alternate between active and sleep modes. During normal operation, the chip controls power distribution. During power outage, the pre-powered circuit takes over independently, allowing the main chip to remain in sleep mode and conserve battery energy while still providing power to the system device.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system is segmented into two independent parts: the main power management chip and the pre-powered circuit. This segmentation allows the pre-powered circuit to handle power conversion during outages independently, preventing the main chip from consuming excessive battery energy while maintaining reliable power supply to the system device.
3Reliability
If a DC power converter is used to power the system device, then the system device can be powered during power outage, but the battery may be over-discharged resulting in damage of battery cell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through voltage regulators and current limiters in the pre-powered circuit. These components continuously monitor battery voltage and discharge current, automatically adjusting their operation to prevent over-discharge conditions. The feedback control ensures the battery operates within safe parameters while still providing reliable power to the system device during outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-powered circuit includes pre-configured protection mechanisms such as current limiting resistors and voltage regulation components that are designed to prevent over-discharge before it can occur. These protective elements are built into the circuit architecture, providing inherent protection against battery damage without requiring complex control algorithms or additional sensing components.
4Ease of operation
If the power management chip is woken up to control the DC power converter, then the power converter can be controlled, but the battery energy is exhausted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-powered circuit is designed to operate autonomously without requiring the main power management chip to remain active. The circuit includes self-regulating components such as voltage regulators and current limiters that automatically control power conversion and protection functions. This self-service capability allows the main chip to enter sleep mode while the pre-powered circuit independently manages power delivery to the system device, significantly reducing battery energy consumption.
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
The solution extends battery life by minimizing discharge voltage and current, preventing over-discharging, and ensuring safety through temperature protection, thereby enhancing the operational time and reliability of battery-powered devices.
Implementation Method 1
a minimum discharge voltage of the battery pack is limited by a voltage drop of the zener diode
Implementation Method 2
a discharging current is limited by the current limiting resistor
Implementation Method 3
the temperature protection module will generate a high impedance, so that a current loop between the battery pack, the pre-powered circuit, and the system device will be disconnected by the high impedance
Data Source
AI summary
A battery powered device includes a battery pack, at least one switch, a power management chip, and a pre-powered circuit. The pre-powered circuit comprises a buck and current-limiting module. The buck and current-limiting module comprises at least one zener diode and at least one current-limiting resistor. When the switch is turned off, the battery pack will be powered to a system device by the pre-powered circuit. Thus, the battery pack can be powered to the system device by the pre-powered circuit even if the battery powered device is operated in a standby mode. Besides, the power management chip can be operated in the standby state when the battery powered device is powered by the pre-powered circuit, so as to reduce the consumption of the battery energy and therefore extend the powered time of the battery powered device.