TWI736492B - Power supply system and method for extending battery life - Google Patents

Abstract

A power supply system for extending the battery life includes a main circuit board, a charger, and a battery element. The charger has a first temperature and provides a first output power for the main circuit board. The battery element has a second temperature and provides a second output power for the main circuit board. The charger adjusts the first output power and the second output power according to the first temperature and the second temperature. The charger can directly communicate with the battery element without using the main circuit board.

Description

Power supply system and method for prolonging battery life

The present invention relates to a power supply system, and more particularly to a power supply system that can extend battery life.

Generally speaking, when the battery element of a mobile device undergoes a discharge process, its temperature will gradually rise. In a high temperature environment, battery components are more prone to aging and swelling, and the service life of battery components is also shortened. In view of this, it is necessary to propose a new solution to overcome the difficulties faced by the previous technology.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a power supply system for extending battery life, including: a main circuit board; a charger having a first temperature and providing a first output power to the main circuit board; and A battery element has a second temperature and provides a second output power to the main circuit board; wherein the charger adjusts the first output power and the second output according to the first temperature and the second temperature Power; the charger can communicate directly with the battery element without going through the main circuit board.

In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, specific embodiments of the present invention are listed below, with the accompanying drawings, and detailed descriptions are as follows.

Certain vocabulary is used to refer to specific elements in the specification and the scope of the patent application. Those skilled in the art should understand that hardware manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. This specification and the scope of the patent application do not use differences in names as a way to distinguish elements, but use differences in functions of elements as a criterion for distinguishing. The terms "including" and "including" mentioned in the entire specification and the scope of the patent application are open-ended terms and should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". The term "approximately" means that within an acceptable error range, those skilled in the art can solve the technical problem within a certain error range and achieve the basic technical effect. In addition, the term "coupling" includes any direct and indirect electrical connection means in this specification. Therefore, if it is described in the text that a first device is coupled to a second device, it means that the first device can be directly electrically connected to the second device, or indirectly electrically connected to the second device through other devices or connection means. Two devices.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a power supply system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The power supply system 100 can be applied to a desktop computer, a notebook computer, or an integrated computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system 100 includes a main circuit board 110, a charger 200, and a battery element 300. For example, the main circuit board 110 and the battery component 300 can be internal components of a notebook computer, and the charger 200 can be an external component of the notebook computer, but it is not limited thereto. The charger 200 has a first temperature T1 and can provide a first output power POUT1 to the main circuit board 110. The battery element 300 has a second temperature T2 and can provide a second output power POUT2 to the main circuit board 110. It must be noted that the charger 200 can directly communicate with the battery element 300 without going through the main circuit board 110, so that the operation of the battery element 300 can be directly controlled. The charger 200 can adjust the first output power POUT1 and the second output power POUT2 according to the first temperature T1 and the second temperature T2 to maximize the service life of the battery element 300.

The following embodiments will introduce the detailed structure and operation of the power supply system 100. It must be understood that these drawings and descriptions are only examples, and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the charger 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the charger 200 includes at least a bridge rectifier 210, a transformer 220, a power switch 230, an output stage circuit 240, and a controller 250. It should be noted that although not shown in Figure 2, the charger 200 may further include other components, such as a voltage regulator or (and) a negative feedback circuit.

The bridge rectifier 210 can generate a rectified potential VR according to a first input potential VIN1 and a second input potential VIN2. Both the first input potential VIN1 and the second input potential VIN2 can come from an external input power source, wherein an AC voltage having any frequency and any amplitude can be formed between the first input potential VIN1 and the second input potential VIN2. For example, the frequency of the AC voltage can be about 50Hz or 60Hz, and the root mean square value of the AC voltage can be 90V to 264V, but it is not limited to this. The transformer 220 includes a main coil 221 and a secondary coil 222, and the transformer 220 has a built-in magnetizing inductor LM. The main coil 221 can receive the rectified potential VR, and in response to the rectified potential VR, the auxiliary coil 222 can generate an induced potential VS. The power switch 230 can selectively couple the main coil 221 and the magnetizing inductor LM to a ground potential VSS (for example, 0V) according to a first pulse width modulation potential VM1. For example, if the first pulse width modulation potential VM1 is at a high logic level (for example, logic "1"), the power switch 230 can couple the main coil 221 and the magnetizing inductor LM to the ground potential VSS( That is, the power switch 230 can be approximated as a short-circuit path); on the contrary, if the first pulse width modulation potential VM1 is at a low logic level (for example, logic "0"), the power switch 230 will not The coil 221 and the magnetizing inductor LM are coupled to the ground potential VSS (that is, the power switch 230 can be approximated as an open path). The output stage circuit 240 can generate a first output potential VOUT1 associated with the first output power POUT1 according to the induced potential VS and a second pulse width modulation potential VM2. For example, the first output potential VOUT1 may be approximately a DC potential, and its level may be about 19V, but it is not limited to this. The controller 250 can generate a first pulse width modulation potential VM1 and a second pulse width modulation potential VM2. In some embodiments, both the first pulse width modulated potential VM1 and the second pulse width modulated potential VM2 have the same frequency and complementary logic levels.

In detail, the charger 200 has a first input node NIN1, a second input node NIN2, and an output node NOUT. The first input node NIN1 and the second input node NIN2 can be used to receive the first input potential VIN1, respectively. And the second input potential VIN2, and the output node NOUT of the charger 200 can be used to output the first output potential VOUT1 to the main circuit board 110. The detailed circuit structure of the charger 200 can be as follows.

The bridge rectifier 210 includes a first diode D1, a second diode D2, a third diode D3, and a fourth diode D4. The anode of the first diode D1 is coupled to the first input node NIN1, and the cathode of the first diode D1 is coupled to a first node N1 to output the rectified potential VR. The anode of the second diode D2 is coupled to the second input node NIN2, and the cathode of the second diode D2 is coupled to the first node N1. The anode of the third diode D3 is coupled to the ground potential VSS, and the cathode of the third diode D3 is coupled to the first input node NIN1. The anode of the fourth diode D4 is coupled to the ground potential VSS, and the cathode of the fourth diode D4 is coupled to the second input node NIN2.

Both the main coil 221 and the exciting inductor LM can be located on the same side of the transformer 220, and the secondary coil 222 can be located on the opposite side of the transformer 220. The magnetizing inductor LM can be an inherent component that is incidental to the manufacture of the transformer 220, and it is not an external independent component. The first end of the main coil 221 is coupled to the first node N1 to receive the rectified potential VR, and the second end of the main coil 221 is coupled to a second node N2. The first end of the magnetizing inductor LM is coupled to the first node N1, and the second end of the magnetizing inductor LM is coupled to the second node N2. The first end of the auxiliary coil 222 is coupled to a third node N3 to output the induced potential VS, and the second end of the auxiliary coil 222 is coupled to a common node NCM. The common node NCM can be regarded as another ground potential of the charger 200, which may be the same as or different from the aforementioned ground potential VSS.

The power switch 230 includes a first transistor M1. The first transistor M1 can be an N-type MOSFET. The control terminal of the first transistor M1 is used to receive the first pulse width modulation potential VM1, the first terminal of the first transistor M1 is coupled to the ground potential VSS, and the second terminal of the first transistor M1 is Coupled to the second node N2. When the first pulse width modulation potential VM1 is at a high logic level, the first transistor M1 will be enabled; conversely, when the first pulse width modulation potential VM1 is at a low logic level, the first transistor M1 will be Was banned.

The output stage circuit 240 includes a second transistor M2 and an output capacitor CO. The second transistor M2 can be an N-type MOSFET. The control terminal of the second transistor M2 is used to receive the second pulse width modulation potential VM2, the first terminal of the second transistor M2 is coupled to the output node NOUT, and the second terminal of the second transistor M2 is It is coupled to the third node N3 to receive the induced potential VS. The first end of the output capacitor CO is coupled to the output node NOUT, and the second end of the output capacitor CO is coupled to the common node NCM. When the second pulse width modulation potential VM2 is at a high logic level, the second transistor M2 will be enabled; conversely, when the second pulse width modulation potential VM2 is at a low logic level, the second transistor M2 will be Was banned.

In some embodiments, the charger 200 further includes a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistor RN. In detail, the first end of the negative temperature coefficient resistor RN is coupled to the ground potential VSS, and the second end of the negative temperature coefficient resistor RN is coupled to a detection node ND of the controller 250. The controller 250 can output a detection current ID flowing through a negative temperature coefficient resistor RN, and can obtain a detection potential VD at the detection node ND. According to Ohm's law, the relationship between the detection potential VD and the detection current ID can be as described in the following equation (1):

………………………………………(1) 其中「VD」代表偵測電位VD之電位位準，「ID」代表偵測電流ID之電流值，而「RN」代表負溫度係數電阻器RN之電阻值。

…………………………………(1) Where "VD" represents the potential level of the detection potential VD, "ID" represents the current value of the detection current ID, and "RN" represents negative The resistance value of the temperature coefficient resistor RN.

In some embodiments, the detection current ID has a fixed current value, so that the potential level of the detection potential VD and the resistance value of the negative temperature coefficient resistor RN are in a proportional relationship. Under this design, when the first temperature T1 of the charger 200 increases, the detection potential VD will become lower (because the resistance value of the negative temperature coefficient resistor RN decreases), and when the first temperature T1 of the charger 200 When it decreases, the detection potential VD will become higher (because the resistance value of the negative temperature coefficient resistor RN increases). By analyzing the detected potential VD, the controller 250 can accurately estimate the first temperature T1 of the charger 200.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a battery element 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the battery element 300 includes a plurality of battery cells 310-1, 310-2, ..., 310-N, a temperature sensor 320, and a battery management unit (Battery Management Unit, BMU) 330. The number of the battery cells 310-1, 310-2, ..., 310-N is not particularly limited in the present invention. The battery cells 310-1, 310-2, ..., 310-N can generate a second output potential VOUT2 associated with the second output power POUT2. In some embodiments, the main circuit board 110 is powered by the first output potential VOUT1 of the charger 200 and the second output potential VOUT2 of the battery element 300 at the same time. The temperature sensor 320 can detect the second temperature T2 of the battery element 300. The battery management unit 330 is coupled to the temperature sensor 320 to obtain information of the second temperature T2. In addition, the battery management unit 330 can be controlled by the controller 250 of the charger 200 to adjust the second output potential VOUT2 and the second output power POUT2 of the battery cells 310-1, 310-2, ..., 310-N. It should be noted that the battery management unit 330 of the battery element 300 can directly communicate with the controller 250 of the charger 200 without going through the main circuit board 110. In some embodiments, the battery management unit 330 of the battery element 300 is directly electrically connected to the controller 250 of the charger 200.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation mode of the power supply system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S410, the controller 250 of the charger 200 can obtain the detection potential VD of the negative temperature coefficient resistor RN (that is, the controller 250 can estimate the first temperature T1 of the charger 200). In step S420, the temperature sensor 320 of the battery element 300 can detect the second temperature T2 of the battery element 300. In step S430, the controller 250 of the charger 200 determines whether the detection potential VD is lower than a threshold potential. If the detection potential VD is lower than the aforementioned threshold potential (or the first temperature T1 is higher than a predetermined temperature), then in step S440, the controller 250 of the charger 200 can reduce the first output power POUT1 of the charger 200. Then, in step S450, the controller 250 of the charger 200 can increase the second output power POUT2 of the battery element 300 through the battery management unit 330. Conversely, if the detected potential VD is higher than or equal to the aforementioned threshold potential (or the first temperature T1 is lower than or equal to the aforementioned predetermined temperature), then in step S460, the controller 250 of the charger 200 may further determine the second Whether the temperature T2 is higher than a critical temperature. If the second temperature T2 is higher than the aforementioned critical temperature, in step S470, the controller 250 of the charger 200 can increase the first output power POUT1 of the charger 200. Then, in step S480, the controller 250 of the charger 200 can reduce the second output power POUT2 of the battery element 300 through the battery management unit 330. If the second temperature T2 is lower than or equal to the aforementioned critical temperature, the procedure will return to step S410.

In short, if the detection potential VD is lower than the aforementioned critical potential (or the first temperature T1 is higher than the aforementioned predetermined temperature), the controller 250 can reduce the first output power POUT1 of the charger 200 and can increase the battery element 300 The second output power POUT2; if the detection potential VD is higher than or equal to the aforementioned threshold potential (or the first temperature T1 is lower than or equal to the aforementioned predetermined temperature) and the second temperature T2 is higher than the aforementioned threshold temperature, the controller 250 may increase the charge The first output power POUT1 of the device 200 can reduce the second output power POUT2 of the battery element 300; and in other cases, the controller 250 does not take any further action. Under this negative feedback design, since the first temperature T1 of the charger 200 and the second temperature T2 of the battery element 300 can be dynamically maintained within an acceptable range, the service life of the charger 200 and the battery element 300 are both Can be significantly improved.

In some embodiments, the controller 250 reduces the first output power POUT1 of the charger 200 by shortening the duty cycle of the first pulse width modulation potential VM1, and increases the first pulse width modulation potential VM1. The duty cycle is to increase the first output power POUT1 of the charger 200. In some embodiments, the predetermined temperature corresponding to the aforementioned critical potential is approximately equal to 100 degrees Celsius, and the aforementioned critical temperature is approximately equal to 70 degrees Celsius, but it is not limited to this.

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a power supply method according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the power supply method includes the following steps. In step S510, a charger is used to provide a first output power to a main circuit board, wherein the charger has a first temperature. In step S520, a second output power is provided to the main circuit board by a battery element, wherein the battery element has a second temperature. In step S530, the first output power and the second output power are adjusted according to the first temperature and the second temperature, wherein the charger can directly communicate with the battery element without going through the main circuit board. It must be noted that the above steps do not need to be performed sequentially, and all the features of the power supply system 100 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 can be applied to the power supply method of FIG. 5.

The present invention proposes a novel power supply system. According to the actual measurement results, the use of the power supply system designed as described above can effectively extend the service life of the charger and battery components at the same time, so it is very suitable for use in various types of devices.

It is worth noting that the above-mentioned potential, current, resistance value, inductance value, capacitance value, and other component parameters are not limitations of the present invention. The designer can adjust these settings according to different needs. The power supply system and method of the present invention are not limited to the state illustrated in Figures 1-5. The present invention may only include any one or more of the features of any one or more of the embodiments in FIGS. 1-5. In other words, not all the illustrated features need to be implemented in the power supply system and method of the present invention at the same time. Although the embodiment of the present invention uses metal oxide half field effect transistors as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. Those skilled in the art can use other types of transistors, such as junction field effect transistors or fins. Type field effect transistors, etc., without affecting the effect of the present invention.

The method of the present invention, or a specific type or part thereof, can exist in the form of code. The program code can be included in physical media, such as floppy disks, CDs, hard disks, or any other machine-readable (such as computer-readable) storage media, or not limited to external forms of computer program products. Among them, When the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. The code can also be transmitted through some transmission media, such as wire or cable, optical fiber, or any transmission type. When the code is received, loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes used to participate in this Invented device. When implemented in a general-purpose processing unit, the program code combined with the processing unit provides a unique device that operates similar to the application of a specific logic circuit.

Although the present invention is disclosed as above in the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Anyone who is familiar with the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, The scope of protection of the present invention shall be subject to those defined by the attached patent scope.

100: power supply system 110: main circuit board 200: Charger 210: Bridge rectifier 220: Transformer 221: main coil 222: secondary coil 230: power switch 240: output stage circuit 250: Controller 300: battery element 310-1,310-2,310-N: battery cell 320: temperature sensor 330: battery management unit CO: output capacitor D1: The first diode D2: The second diode D3: The third diode D4: The fourth diode ID: Detection current LM: Magnetizing inductor M1: The first transistor M2: second transistor N1: the first node N2: second node N3: third node NCM: Common Node NIN1: the first input node NIN2: second input node NOUT: output node POUT1: first output power POUT2: second output power RN: Negative temperature coefficient resistor T1: first temperature T2: second temperature VD: Detection potential VIN1: the first input potential VIN2: second input potential VM1: first pulse width modulation potential VM2: second pulse width modulation potential VOUT1: first output potential VOUT2: second output potential VR: Rectified potential VS: induced potential VSS: Ground potential

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power supply system according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the charger according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a battery element according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation mode of the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a power supply method according to an embodiment of the invention.

100: power supply system

110: main circuit board

200: Charger

300: battery element

POUT1: first output power

POUT2: second output power

T1: first temperature

T2: second temperature

Claims (10)

A power supply system for extending battery life, including: A main circuit board; A charger having a first temperature and providing a first output power to the main circuit board; and A battery element having a second temperature and providing a second output power to the main circuit board; The charger adjusts the first output power and the second output power according to the first temperature and the second temperature; The charger can directly communicate with the battery element without going through the main circuit board. The power supply system according to claim 1, wherein the charger includes: A bridge rectifier that generates a rectified potential according to a first input potential and a second input potential; A transformer, including a main coil and a secondary coil, wherein the transformer has a built-in magnetizing inductor, the primary coil is used to receive the rectified potential, and the secondary coil is used to generate an induced potential; A power switch, which selectively couples the main coil and the magnetizing inductor to a ground potential according to a first pulse width modulation potential; An output stage circuit for generating a first output potential associated with the first output power according to the induced potential and a second pulse width modulation potential; and A controller generates the first pulse width modulation potential and the second pulse width modulation potential. The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the charger further includes: A negative temperature coefficient resistor has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the negative temperature coefficient resistor is coupled to the ground potential, and the second end of the negative temperature coefficient resistor Is coupled to a detection node of the controller; The controller outputs a detection current flowing through the negative temperature coefficient resistor, and obtains a detection potential at the detection node. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the battery element includes: A plurality of battery cells generate a second output potential associated with the second output power; A temperature sensor to detect the second temperature; and A battery management unit is coupled to the temperature sensor and controls the battery cells, wherein the battery management unit communicates directly with the controller. The power supply system described in claim 4, wherein: If the detection potential is lower than a critical potential, the controller reduces the first output power of the charger and increases the second output power of the battery element; If the detection potential is higher than or equal to the critical potential and the second temperature is higher than a critical temperature, the controller increases the first output power of the charger and reduces the second output power of the battery element. The power supply system according to claim 2, wherein the bridge rectifier includes: A first diode has an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode of the first diode is coupled to a first input node to receive the first input potential, and the first diode of the The cathode is coupled to a first node to output the rectified potential; A second diode has an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode of the second diode is coupled to a second input node to receive the second input potential, and the second diode of the The cathode is coupled to the first node; A third diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode of the third diode is coupled to the ground potential, and the cathode of the third diode is coupled to the first input Node; and A fourth diode having an anode and a cathode, wherein the anode of the fourth diode is coupled to the ground potential, and the cathode of the fourth diode is coupled to the second input node. The power supply system according to claim 6, wherein the main coil has a first end and a second end, the first end of the main coil is coupled to the first node to receive the rectified potential, and the main The second end of the coil is coupled to a second node, the magnetizing inductor has a first end and a second end, the first end of the magnetizing inductor is coupled to the first node, the magnetizing inductor The second end of the device is coupled to the second node, the auxiliary coil has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the auxiliary coil is coupled to a third node to output the induced potential , And the second end of the secondary coil is coupled to a common node. The power supply system according to claim 7, wherein the power switch includes: A first transistor has a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the control terminal of the first transistor is used to receive the first pulse width modulation potential, and the first transistor The first end of the crystal is coupled to the ground potential, and the second end of the first transistor is coupled to the second node. The power supply system according to claim 8, wherein the output stage circuit includes: A second transistor has a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal, wherein the control terminal of the second transistor is used to receive the second pulse width modulation potential, and the second transistor The first terminal of the crystal is coupled to an output node to output the first output potential, and the second terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the third node to receive the induced potential; and An output capacitor has a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the output capacitor is coupled to the output node, and the second terminal of the output capacitor is coupled to the common node. A power supply method includes the following steps: A charger is used to provide a first output power to a main circuit board, wherein the charger has a first temperature; Providing a second output power to the main circuit board by a battery element, wherein the battery element has a second temperature; and The first output power and the second output power are adjusted according to the first temperature and the second temperature, wherein the charger can directly communicate with the battery element without going through the main circuit board.

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