Switched Multi-Cell Battery Charging Without Step-Down Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery systems for mobile electronic devices face inefficiencies in charging times and operating durations due to energy loss during electric power conversion, often resulting in longer charge times or shorter device operation times.
Innovation Solution
A switched multi-cell battery system that reduces or eliminates the voltage step-down conversion stage by using a plurality of power control switches to charge battery cells in series and discharge them in parallel, increasing power-transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If voltage conversion is performed at power adapter and battery stages, then power can be supplied to components, but energy loss occurs manifesting as thermal energy
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple individual battery cells that can be independently controlled through separate power control switches. This segmentation allows the system to selectively charge and discharge specific cells in series or parallel configurations, enabling efficient voltage matching without conventional voltage conversion stages that cause energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures the battery cell connections by switching between series and parallel arrangements based on charging or discharging requirements. During charging, cells are connected in series to match input voltage; during discharging, they switch to parallel or single-cell configuration to match device voltage requirements, eliminating the need for DC-DC conversion and associated energy losses.
2Productivity
If conventional battery charging is used, then battery can be charged, but charging time becomes undesirably long
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic switching between different battery cell configurations and selectively charges individual cells in alternating sequences. This periodic action allows multiple cells to be charged in a staggered manner, effectively increasing the total charging throughput and reducing overall charging time compared to charging all cells simultaneously or sequentially in a single configuration.
3Loss of time
If battery is small for quick charging, then charging time is reduced, but operating time on single charge becomes short
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into multiple individual battery cells that can be independently controlled through separate power control switches. This segmentation allows the system to selectively charge and discharge specific cells in series or parallel configurations, enabling efficient voltage matching without conventional voltage conversion stages that cause energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous power availability by keeping multiple battery cells charged and ready. During discharging, it can draw from multiple cells simultaneously in parallel configuration, extending the total energy delivery capacity and operating time while maintaining the ability to quickly recharge individual cells in series configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes apparatuses and techniques for a switched multi-cell battery system for electronic devices. In some aspects, a switched multi-cell battery system may transfer, via a plurality of power control switches electrical power from a power adapter to components of the electronic device by charging battery cells in series and by discharging the battery cells in parallel or as a single battery cell. As a result, the switched multi-cell battery system may reduce or eliminate a voltage step-down conversion stage to increase a power-transfer efficiency of an electronic device. By doing so, charging times may be reduced or operating times may be increased, thereby improving users' experience with their electronic devices.