Trigger Switch Power Gating for Low-Quiescent Battery Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered devices face challenges in minimizing quiescent current consumption to extend battery life and prevent premature battery failure, particularly for lithium-ion batteries, as existing technologies often result in higher standby current consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power management system that includes a battery pack powered tool with multiple voltage regulators and a controller to enable or disable these regulators using control lines, reducing quiescent current by shutting off or disconnecting sub-circuits when the device is not in use, thereby lowering overall current consumption to less than 7 micro-Amps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If multiple voltage regulators are kept enabled to provide stable power output, then power supply stability is improved, but quiescent current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of voltage regulators by enabling or disabling them based on device state. The trigger switch controls enablement of first and second voltage regulators through control lines, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to operational needs rather than maintaining static regulator states
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic activation of voltage regulators based on trigger events. Rather than continuous operation, regulators are enabled during active use periods and disabled during idle periods, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces average power consumption while maintaining stability when needed
2Speed
If voltage regulators remain active to ensure immediate power availability, then device responsiveness is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger switch is configured to enable voltage regulators in advance of actual power demands. When the trigger is activated, it proactively enables the first and second voltage regulators through control lines, ensuring immediate power availability for subsequent operations without requiring regulators to remain continuously active
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts regulator activation based on real-time trigger state. The voltage regulators are enabled only when the trigger switch detects active use, creating a responsive system that balances immediate power availability with battery conservation by adapting regulator states to actual operational requirements
3Duration of action of moving object
If all voltage regulators are disabled to minimize current consumption, then battery life is extended, but power availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power management system into multiple independently controllable voltage regulators (first and second voltage regulators). Each regulator can be selectively enabled or disabled through separate control lines from the trigger switch, allowing granular control over power consumption rather than all-or-nothing regulator management
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which voltage regulators to activate based on operational needs. The trigger switch enables only the necessary regulators during active use and disables others during idle periods, creating a flexible power management approach that optimizes the balance between battery life extension and power availability
Data Source
AI summary
A power management system that includes a battery pack powered tool, one or more battery packs coupled to the battery pack powered tool, a first voltage regulator providing a first output voltage, a second voltage regulator providing a second output voltage, and a trigger configured to receive the first output voltage and the second output voltage. The system also includes one or more control lines configured to enable or disable one of the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator.