Power Management Circuit with Shared Coils for USB and SIM Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing power consumption in modern mobile phones due to additional functionalities and performance enhancements leads to higher manufacturing costs, particularly due to the need for multiple buck/boost converters and external coils, which complicates the integration of additional interfaces like SIM and MMC without significant cost increases.
Innovation Solution
A Power Management circuit that combines a dual-input DC/DC battery charger with a boost/bypass voltage regulator, using only two coils to achieve USB, mains, OTG, SIM, and MMC compatibility, by employing a buck/boost converter with Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) capabilities and bypass circuits controlled by a sensing mechanism to generate required voltages without additional coils or capacitors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If multiple buck/boost converters and external coils are used to support additional functionalities, then power consumption and performance are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power management functions (USB charging, AC/DC charging, OTG, SIM, and MMC interfaces) into a single integrated power management circuit that shares common coils and control logic, eliminating the need for separate buck/boost converters for each function and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The power management circuit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple interfaces and charging methods through a unified architecture, where the same coils and control circuitry serve multiple purposes depending on the active interface, thereby avoiding additional components
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional interfaces (SIM, MMC) are integrated with separate buck/boost converters, then interface functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional external coils
Solution Approach 1:
The power management circuit implements a universal design where the same coils and control circuitry support multiple interfaces (USB, AC/DC, OTG, SIM, MMC) through configurable operating modes, eliminating the need for additional external coils for each interface and reducing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple interface functions are merged into a single power management circuit that shares common hardware resources (coils, switches, control logic), allowing the circuit to be configured for different interfaces through software or control signals rather than requiring separate hardware for each interface
3Ease of operation
If two separate buck converters are used for USB and AC/DC charging, then charging functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges USB and AC/DC charging functions into a single power management circuit that can operate in different modes depending on the connected interface, sharing common coils and control circuitry to reduce device complexity while maintaining charging flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The power management circuit employs dynamic configuration where the same hardware components are dynamically assigned to different functions based on the active interface, allowing the system to adapt its internal connectivity and operating mode rather than requiring fixed separate circuits for each charging method
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 for flexible and cost-effective energy management, enabling battery charging through USB or AC/DC interfaces while supporting OTG, SIM, and MMC interfaces, minimizing external components and maintaining manufacturing cost efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A first USB charger circuit is based on a buck converter 110 including two switches SA and SB referenced 111 and 112) in addition to a first coil 113
Implementation Method 2
a first coil 113 in series with a resistance 114
Data Source
AI summary
A Power Management Circuit for a portable electronic device comprising an internal battery to be charged either through a first interface or through an AC_DC conversion circuit. The circuit comprises a first buck/boost converter having a Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) mode which can be controlled either in a buck or a boost mode, said first buck/boost controller being associated with a first external coil for the purpose of embodying a battery charging circuit through a first interface (USB). The circuit further comprises a second buck/boost converter which can also be controlled either in a buck or a boost mode. Bypass circuits are used for performing, under control of a control circuit, the bypass of either the voltage of the battery or the voltage generated by said buck/boost controllers when in boost mode to a second interface (SIM/MMC).