JP2009544264A - Power converter with integrated battery - Google Patents

Abstract

  Adapted to supply power to the portable electronic device, and further adapted to provide an output DC voltage for operating and / or charging the portable electronic device in the absence of a power source. It is a portable and lightweight power converter equipped with a high output battery. Advantageously, the power converter comprises a converter circuit packaged as an extremely small device, as well as a high power battery, and further charges the portable electronic device battery multiple times by recharging. It is configured. The converter may further comprise a charging circuit configured to charge the converter battery when input power is connected.

Description

  This application is filed on July 13, 2006, US Provisional Application No. 60 / 830,783, named MAC WITH INTERGRAL BATTERY, and MAC WITH INTERGARY BATTERY, also filed on July 14, 2006. Claims the priority of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 830,826.

  The present invention is directed to portable power converters, and more particularly to powering portable electronic devices such as PDAs, cell phones, MP3 players, computing devices, digital cameras, game devices, and the like. Intended for portable power converters suitable for supply.

  Power converters are conventionally used to charge and / or operate various devices that operate on batteries. Certain power converters adapted to supply power to portable electronic devices such as PDAs, cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, computing devices, gaming devices, etc. typically have an AC input voltage And / or receiving either or both of the DC input voltages and converting the received input voltage to a DC output voltage. The DC output voltage is available from Mobility Electronics, Inc. of Scottsdale, Arizona, the assignee of the present invention. Can have selectable values that can be established using interchangeable programming modules such as chips marketed as iTips ™. These power converters are well suited for powering portable electronic devices from a variety of available power sources including automobiles, aircraft and wall power sources. What the user needs is a single power converter with a replaceable programming module and one or more suitable for establishing a DC output voltage and supplying power to the appropriate portable electronic device. Only carry multiple programming modules.

Summary of invention

  Improvements adapted to provide greater convenience to users, including mobile users, who may be away from the power source and possibly run out of the battery of the portable electronic device It is desirable to provide a portable power converter of the type.

  According to the present invention, the portable electronic device is adapted to supply and / or charge power, and further operates the portable electronic device when a power source is not available, and / or Alternatively, a technical advantage as a portable power converter with a high power battery adapted to provide an output DC voltage for charging is achieved. Advantageously, the power converter with a high power battery is packaged as an extremely small and lightweight device, and further charges the battery of the portable electronic device multiple times by recharging. It is configured as follows.

1 is a perspective view showing a miniature power converter having a single input and an integrated battery according to a preferred embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment configured to receive either an AC input voltage or a DC input voltage. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a converter circuit for the device shown in FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative converter circuit for the embodiment of FIG. 1 with an integrated charger for charging the integrated battery. FIG. FIG. 6 is an electrical block diagram of another electrical circuit with a high power battery that can also have a DC voltage input. 1 is a detailed electrical schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic diagram of the buck converter of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic diagram of the control circuit of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic diagram of the AC / DC converter of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic diagram of the SEPIC converter of FIG. 6.

  Referring to FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 3, a small portable power converter configured to receive an alternating voltage at an input connector 12 and provide the converted voltage as a direct voltage to an output 14 as shown in FIG. The vessel is shown generally at 10 in a perspective view. FIG. 1 further shows a plurality of cells 16, one on each side of the transducer, visible through a transparent portion of the housing, generally indicated at 18.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, the present invention comprises a small portable power converter having a pair of inputs, an input 22 adapted to receive a DC input voltage and an input 24 adapted to receive an AC input voltage. An alternative embodiment is shown at 20. The converter 20 includes an output 26 configured to provide a selectable DC output voltage to 26, as shown in FIG. Advantageously, each of the small portable power converters 10 and 20 is a high power battery in which all of the battery and electronic converter circuits are packaged in a very small housing, thereby achieving a very high power density. have.

  In accordance with the present invention, the power converter itself is portable, preferably in a small housing with the converter circuit so that it is half the size of a typical portable electronic device to be powered. A technical advantage is achieved in that the power converter comprises a sealed high power and lightweight battery, such as a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery. For example, the converter can be the size of a PDA. In addition, the battery charges the portable electronic device's battery multiple times without the need to charge the battery itself, and repeatedly charges the same device using a portable and small device. Or configured to provide mobile users with the ability to charge multiple devices. Furthermore, the battery is automatically charged when a power source is provided by the charging circuit. This high power, small power converter is lightweight and can be conveniently carried with other portable electronic devices, thus providing true power to the user anytime, anywhere.

  For example, in a preferred embodiment, the power converter can be configured to provide up to 5 watts of continuous power using either input power or batteries as the power source, and the housing is at least 0.75 watts / To achieve a power density of cubic inches, it has a volume of less than 6.80 cubic inches, for example having dimensions of 1.10 × 2.05 × 3.0 inches, and its weight is 3.5002 ounces. And the operating temperature is below 75 ° C. In one exemplary embodiment, the power density is at least 1 watt per cubic inch, and thus the package has a volume of about 5 cubic inches. In a preferred embodiment, the size can be 0.98 × 1.8 × 2.53 inches so that the housing volume is 4.46 cubic inches, thereby 1.12 Watts per cubic inch. The power density can be realized. The housing weighs less than 3.5 ounces and the operating temperature is less than 75 ° C. These dimensions and power are not limited in any way.

  In another preferred embodiment, the power converter can provide up to 15 watts of continuous power. It is highly desirable and advantageous for the present invention to provide a power density of at least 0.75 watts / square inch, preferably at least 1.0 watts / square inch. In an exemplary embodiment, the power converter provides up to 10 watts of continuous power and has a volume of less than about 13.33 cubic inches to achieve a power density of 0.75 watts / cubic inch. Yes. The weight is less than 8 ounces and the operating temperature is less than 75 ° C. The housing can also have a volume of less than 7 cubic inches, for example, a dimension of 1.09 × 1.99 × 2.97 inches to achieve a volume of 6.48 cubic inches. This results in a power density of at least 1.23 watts per cubic inch for a continuous output power of 10 watts. It weighs less than 7 ounces and operates below 75 ° C.

  Volume, power density, weight and chargeability are some of the advantageous features of the present invention that provide many technical advantages to users who need power while on the go. In addition, the output voltage can be selected, so that it is necessary to charge the appropriate output voltage and / or current required for proper operation of the portable electronic device and / or the battery of the portable electronic device. Appropriate output voltage and / or current can be provided.

  Referring now to FIG. 3, an electrical block diagram of a circuit 15 that can be embodied in the power converter 10 is shown. It should be noted that a pair of batteries 16 configured in series boosts the voltage provided by these batteries to an appropriate voltage commensurate with the input voltage requirements of the portable electronic device, indicated at 19. It is coupled to a booster circuit 30 suitable for the purpose. The battery 16 can be charged or discarded as required. In the feedback circuit 32, even when the voltage of the battery 16 changes or decreases with time, for example, when the battery is depleted, an appropriate output voltage is provided to the device 19 by the booster circuit 30. It is configured. The circuit 15 converting AC input voltage to DC voltage may be a conventional flyback topology typically used in AC-DC converters, as shown in the figure. The switch SW1 is closed when power is supplied to the device 19 by the DC voltage drawn from the input 12, but is closed when power is supplied to the device 19 by the battery 16.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4, as shown in the figure, when the switch SW4 is open, it is configured in parallel, or when the switch SW4 is closed, it is configured in series. An alternative electrical block diagram of a circuit 40 that can be used in the power converter 10 with a battery 16 configured to automatically charge when provided at the input 12 is shown. The microcontroller 42 provides primary detection and monitoring of battery voltage, temperature and output current when delivering power to the device 19. When an AC input voltage is present, switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 are closed, thus providing an output DC voltage to device 19 and simultaneously charging the battery. Individual channel charging and series discharging are provided. In order to provide an appropriate output voltage, the voltage provided by the battery is boosted during discharge.

  Referring now to FIG. 5, an electrical block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a converter circuit with a high power battery 16 is shown at 50. The high power battery 16 is, for example, a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery that accumulates a large amount of power and has a high power density, and is lightweight. When an alternating voltage is provided at input 24, switches SW1 and SW2 are closed. While these switches are closed, both device 19 and battery 16 are charged. The circuit 50 further includes a DC input 32 that is configured to receive and provide a DC input voltage to the common node N and to supply a common output circuit, indicated at 52. The charger / power path management circuit 54 is configured to control the switches SW1 and SW2, so that if no input voltage is provided to either the input 22 or 24, the circuit 54 opens the switch. The booster circuit 56 boosts the DC voltage provided by the circuit 54 as necessary, and provides a DC output voltage suitable for charging and / or operation of the portable electronic device 19 to 26. Feedback circuit 58 regulates boost circuit 56 as a function of the output voltage provided to 26 by boost circuit 56 as shown.

  Referring to all the circuits shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the feedback circuits each control individual boost circuits and selectively select the DC output voltage provided to the converter circuit output 26. A replaceable programming component such as a replaceable device connector chip configured to establish may be provided. As already pointed out, the user can establish an appropriate DC output voltage, and the user also establishes an appropriate mechanical interface for connecting to and operating the portable electronic device 19. To be able to do so, Mobility Electronics, Inc. Interchangeable programming chip connectors such as iTips ™ provided by the This additional voltage programming function integrated into a small power converter with high power battery backup allows mobile use that requires the flexibility to power different devices when a power source is not available Provide their own solution. The present invention is more than a power converter with a battery backup. It has a small device, high power density, lightweight, automatically charges the battery when power is present, and powers on demand when no power source is present Is a solution that provides.

  Referring now to FIG. 6, a detailed schematic diagram of one preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, with like reference number designations representing like components. The battery 16 may be an NCS 1400 mAh battery, and the converter 60 can generate up to 8 W of continuous DC power. Most polymer Li-ion / Li-ion batteries have the same charging characteristics. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the battery includes any protection circuitry that monitors temperature, overvoltage and overcurrent. The battery pack can also include a fuel gauge.

  If the device 19 attached to the transducer 60 is present, a constant current of about 0.2 C or 280 mA can be used to charge the battery 16 until the battery voltage reaches 4.2V. When the battery reaches 4.2V, the charge can then be switched to a constant voltage and the current can be gradually reduced to 40 mA or less. The total charging time is about 5 hours. During this charging time, the current available to the portable electronic device 19 can be limited to about 570 mA.

  In the absence of attached device 19, the charging rate can be about 0.6C or 850mA until the battery voltage reaches 4.2V. When the battery 16 reaches 4.2 V, charging can then be switched to a constant voltage, and the current can be gradually reduced to 40 mA or less. As a result, the charging time is about 2 hours.

  The MSP430 microcontroller 42 uses external sensors to continuously monitor the battery temperature and continuously monitor the charging current and charging voltage. Microcontroller 42 also monitors the unit to confirm that a load such as device 19 is attached. When a load is attached, the microcontroller 42 gives priority to the device 19 and reduces the charging current to the battery 16.

  Referring now to FIG. 7, the buck converter 62 is shown. The maximum open circuit voltage from the AC / DC conversion circuit 64 can be 6.42V. The buck converter 62 steps down the voltage from the converter circuit 64 to 4.2V so that the battery 16 can be charged. The MSP 430 constantly monitors the battery voltage and the input of the buck converter and adjusts the battery 16. The switching frequency of the MSP 430 can be 173 kHz. This is based on a 5-bit resolution. Resistor R11 perceives battery charging current, while battery voltage is perceived at resistor R6 node.

  Transistors Q1, Q4 and associated resistors act as pass through from the AC / DC converter 64 to the chip 19. Transistors Q2, Q5 and Q6 act as pass-throughs when using battery 16 as a power source to chip 19.

  Referring now to FIG. 8, LDO 80 provides 3.3V to the VCC pin of the MSP 430 42 and all circuitry. The circuit U5 compares the battery current perception signal and the load perception signal from the AC / DC converter 64 and provides information to the MSP 430. As mentioned above, when the portable electronic device 19 is attached while the battery 16 is being charged, the MSP 430 reduces the battery charging current to a standard rate of about 0.2 C, giving the device 19 priority. To provide up to 570 mA of current.

  The four two-color LEDs D4 to D7 provide information that allows the consumer to visually check the charged and discharged states of 25 to 100%. The MSP 430 processes information from the battery fuel gauge 70 and drives the LEDs based on the processed information. Since the MSP 430 has the ability to perform the same function as a fuel gauge, it is not necessary to have a fuel gauge.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, a detailed electrical diagram of the AC / DC converter 64 is shown. Referring now to FIG. 10, a SEPIC converter 100 is shown. The LTC1619 device shown at 102 in the figure is a low voltage PWM converter configured as a SEPIC converter. This circuit is applied when the battery 16 is used as a power source for discharging to the chip and as a power source for voltage and current perception for AC / DC regulation. When an AC source is provided to the converter 64, all circuits are powered by batteries except for the voltage and current perception operational amplifiers 66 and 68 that are powered by the AC / DC converter 64.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred specific embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this application. Accordingly, the appended claims are to be construed as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims (19)

A housing;
A power converter circuit disposed in the housing and having either an input configured to receive either an alternating voltage or a direct current voltage and to provide a converted direct current output voltage to the output;
A power converter disposed in the housing and configured to provide a DC voltage to the output when no voltage is provided to the input, the battery being portable Electrically coupled to the electronic device and configured to operate or charge the portable electronic device, the battery producing up to 15 watts of power and at least 0.75 watts / legislation A power converter configured to produce a power density of inches.   The power converter of claim 1, having a power density of at least 1.0 watt per cubic inch.   The power converter of claim 2, wherein the power density is at least 1.2 watts per cubic inch.   The power converter of claim 1, wherein the power converter battery is configured to generate up to 10 watts of continuous power and the housing has a volume of less than about 13.33 cubic inches.   The power converter of claim 4, wherein the battery is configured to continuously generate up to 5 watts of power and the housing has a volume of less than about 6.67 cubic inches.   5. The power converter of claim 4 having a power density of at least 1.0 watt per cubic inch.   6. The power converter of claim 5 having a power density of at least 1.0 watt / legal inch.   The power converter of claim 6, wherein the housing has a volume of less than about 6.48 cubic inches.   The power converter of claim 7, wherein the housing has a volume of less than about 4.46 cubic inches.   The power converter according to claim 1, wherein the DC output voltage is selectable.   The power converter of claim 10, further comprising a removable program module configured to establish a value for the DC output voltage.   The power converter of claim 11, wherein the removable program module comprises a chip connector configured to be mechanically and electrically coupled to the portable electronic device.   The power converter of claim 1, wherein the battery is configured to fully charge the battery of the portable electronic device at least twice without requiring charging of the battery.   The power converter of claim 1, further comprising a charging circuit configured to charge the battery when the voltage is provided to the input.   The power converter of claim 14, wherein the charging circuit automatically charges the battery when the voltage is supplied to the input.   The power converter of claim 13, wherein the battery is a user replaceable battery.   The power converter of claim 11, wherein the battery is a user replaceable battery.   The power converter according to claim 16, wherein the battery is an alkaline battery or a lithium ion battery.   The power converter of claim 17, wherein the battery comprises a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery.

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