Removable Power Module for Intrinsic Safety in Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile wireless communications devices with voltage regulated battery packs often fail to meet intrinsic safety standards due to excessive capacitance and voltage levels, requiring additional components for clamping, which is impractical in space-constrained portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A removable electrical power supply module with a DC-to-DC converter, output inductor, spark suppression circuit, and output voltage clamp circuit, including a low-dropout voltage regulator and power monitor, is integrated into the device housing to provide intrinsic safety without adding components to the circuitry, reducing voltage and current to meet safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional discrete components (Zener diodes, SCRs) are added to clamp voltages and reduce capacitance for intrinsic safety compliance, then intrinsic safety standards are met, but device complexity and physical space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete components (Zener diodes, SCRs, capacitors, resistors) into an integrated power supply module that provides voltage clamping and capacitance reduction functions internally. This merging approach maintains intrinsic safety compliance while eliminating the need for additional discrete components in the host device circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power supply function into a separate, removable module that contains all intrinsic safety components. This segmentation allows the host device to remain simple while the module handles all voltage clamping and capacitance management, resolving the contradiction between safety compliance and device complexity.
2Reliability
If additional discrete components are added for voltage clamping, then intrinsic safety is achieved, but the physical size of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all voltage clamping components and capacitance elements into a single integrated power supply module, eliminating the need for additional discrete components distributed throughout the device. This consolidation achieves intrinsic safety compliance without increasing the overall device physical size.
3Reliability
If the battery pack output voltage is reduced to meet intrinsic safety standards, then safety compliance is achieved, but the power available to the device circuitry is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs voltage reduction and power conditioning in advance within the power supply module, before power is delivered to the host device circuitry. The module internally manages voltage clamping and capacitance, allowing the host device to receive adequate power while the module ensures intrinsic safety compliance through preliminary power conditioning.
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
This solution allows mobile wireless communications devices to meet rigorous intrinsic safety standards without additional components in the circuitry, enabling a reduction in overall capacitance and voltage, thus ensuring compliance with operational and safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
A removable electrical power supply module may include a battery cell, a DC-to-DC converter coupled to the battery cell
Implementation Method 2
an output inductor coupled to the DC-to-DC converter
Implementation Method 3
a spark suppression circuit coupled to the output inductor
Implementation Method 4
an output voltage clamp circuit coupled to the output inductor
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile wireless communications device may include a device housing, and mobile wireless communications device circuitry carried by the device housing. The device may also include a removable electrical power supply module coupled to the mobile wireless communications device circuitry. The removable electrical power supply module may include a module housing, and within the module housing, a battery cell, a DC-to-DC converter coupled to the battery cell, and an output inductor coupled to the DC-to-DC converter. The removable electrical power supply module may also include, within the module housing, a spark suppression circuit coupled to the output inductor, and an output voltage clamp circuit coupled to the output inductor. The removable electrical power supply module may further include a pair of output terminals carried by the module housing and coupled to the output voltage clamp circuit.