Smart Power Supply Current Sharing for Simultaneous Load and Battery Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging systems often fail to balance powering an application load while simultaneously charging batteries, leading to inefficient use of available current and potential undercharging or overcharging of batteries.
Innovation Solution
A smart power supply system that includes a battery charger control circuit and power source circuit, which uses a state machine to control the charging current based on maximum source current and desired charging rate, allowing for simultaneous powering of an application load and battery charging by adjusting the current allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all available current is allocated to battery charging, then battery charging speed is improved, but application load operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts current allocation between battery charging and application load based on real-time conditions. The state machine monitors battery voltage thresholds and operational status, continuously optimizing the split of available current to achieve both charging speed and load reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between trickle charge mode and full-rate charge mode based on battery voltage thresholds. This parameter change allows the system to optimize charging current while maintaining application load operation across different charging stages
2Adaptability or versatility
If current is allocated to both application load and battery charging, then both functions can operate, but total charging current is reduced compared to dedicated charging
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial charging current to the battery while sufficient current is allocated to the application load. By using a state machine to manage current distribution, the system achieves partial action on charging (trickle or full-rate mode) while maintaining excessive current for load operation, ensuring both functions operate simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The current allocation is dynamically adjusted based on battery voltage thresholds and operational status. The state machine enables the system to transition between different charging modes (trickle charge, full-rate charge) to optimize the balance between simultaneous operation capability and charging speed
3Power
If battery charging is prioritized, then battery is charged faster, but application load may experience power deficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically balances power distribution between battery charging and application load. The state machine monitors power availability and adjusts charging current in real-time, ensuring that battery charging power is maximized only when sufficient power remains for application load operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes charging power parameters by switching between trickle charge mode (lower power) and full-rate charge mode (higher power) based on battery voltage thresholds and available power, optimizing the balance between charging speed and load power availability
Data Source
AI summary
Circuitry for powering a load and charging of a battery from a power source by a smart power supply is provided. The smart power supply controls the maximum current for battery charging based in part upon variables such as the maximum rate of charge of the battery and maximum source current. The smart power supply is thus capable of providing the power requested by the load, and use the remaining power for battery charging.