Simultaneous Charging of Primary Device and Accessory Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack the capability to simultaneously charge both a primary battery-powered device and its accessory using a single charger, while balancing the energy provided to both devices effectively, which is essential for portable communication devices like two-way radios and their accessories.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a primary battery coupler and an accessory interface for a battery-powered accessory, where a processing unit obtains operating parameters of the accessory battery, determines the charging voltage, and provides power to charge the accessory battery, allowing for simultaneous charging and intelligent energy balancing between the primary device and the accessory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single charger is used to charge both the primary device and accessory simultaneously, then the quantity of chargers is reduced and space is saved, but the complexity of energy balancing and power distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the charging function for both the primary device and accessory into a single charger unit. The charger includes a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) that consolidates multiple charging paths and control functions into one device, eliminating the need for separate chargers while managing power distribution through integrated circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) as an intermediary component that mediates power distribution between the charger, primary device, and accessory. The PMIC monitors battery states, regulates voltage and current, and makes intelligent decisions about power allocation, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling simultaneous charging with proper energy balancing.
2Ease of operation
If daisy chaining is used to connect the charger to both devices, then the connection simplicity is improved, but the charging functionality and energy balancing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging system into distinct functional paths: one path for charging the primary device and another path for charging the accessory. The PMIC independently controls each charging path, allowing simultaneous charging with proper power management. This segmentation enables the system to maintain simple connections while providing sophisticated charging control through separate, dedicated charging circuits within the integrated charger.
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 efficient and simultaneous charging of both the primary battery-powered device and its accessory using a single charger, reducing the need for multiple chargers and optimizing energy distribution based on the state-of-charge and operating parameters of both devices.
Implementation Method 1
a battery management integrated circuit to manage charging of the accessory battery from the primary battery-powered device
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for charging primary battery-powered devices and battery-powered accessories tethered to the primary devices are disclosed. The two devices may include batteries of different types having different nominal voltages. A processing unit on the primary device may obtain state-of-charge information and other operating parameters of the batteries and may determine when to provide power to the accessory to charge its battery. The primary device may select its own battery, power provided by a charger to which it is coupled, or conditioned power as the source of charging energy provided to the accessory to charge its battery. Processing units on the two devices may adjust charging parameters to perform energy balancing while the batteries are simultaneously charged, based on operating parameters of the batteries, operating contexts of the devices, a charging prioritization scheme, or a current distribution scheme.