Dual input AC/DC/ battery operated power supply

• US 6,751,109 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobility Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Doss, Jeffery S., Dubose, Richard Garrison, Piatetsky, Alexei A., MacDonald, Gilbert, Lord, Charles, Smith, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US10/159,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20030081439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 363/37, 363/65, 363/142, 307/25, 307/26, 307/64, 307/65, 307/66, 307/80
• US Class Current: 363/142
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33561 having more than one ouput with independent control

Abstract

A dual input battery assisted power converter (10) which provides a continuous, regulated DC voltage output to a user-connected mobile device, such as, a lap top computer or a cell phone, for example. The power converter (10) comprises a power supply circuit (12) and a separate, detachable power storage circuit comprising a battery pack (14) having a re-chargeable battery (36). The power supply (12) is adapted to deliver a pair of regulated DC output voltages, of opposite voltage potentials, to a pair of respective output terminals. Preferably these output voltages are derived from two external input voltages: an AC input voltage and a DC input voltage. Advantageously, if both of the external input voltages are temporarily removed, the battery pack (14) will advantageously serve as a substitute DC input power source, thereby allowing the power supply (12) to deliver the same regulated DC output voltage to the user-connected mobile device without interruption. Moreover, once either of the external input voltages are again re-established, the battery pack (14) automatically taps the output terminal of the power supply (12) at a node to recharge the battery pack (14).

Claims

1. A power converter, comprising:

a power supply circuit providing a regulated DC output voltage and having first and second circuits, said power supply circuit receiving an AC input voltage and a DC input voltage at respective said first and second circuits and providing, in response thereto, a DC output voltage at a first node; and

a storage circuit coupled to said power supply circuit, said storage circuit storing a secondary DC input voltage, wherein said storage circuit automatically delivers said secondary DC input voltage to a said power supply circuit only in response to said AC and DC input voltages being temporarily removed to generate the regulated DC output voltage being sufficient to power a portable device.

2. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said storage circuit includes a battery charger and a re-chargeable battery, said battery charger being selectively coupled to the first node of said power supply circuit in response to either said AC input voltage or said DC input voltage being provided to said power supply circuit, charging said re-chargeable battery via a portion said of said regulated DC output voltage.

3. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said storage circuit is selectively countable to, and removable from, said power supply circuit.

4. The power converter of claim 2 wherein said storage circuit further comprises a first switch and a second switch, said battery charger, responsive to said first and second switches charging said re-chargeable battery.

5. The power converter of claim 4 wherein said re-chargeable battery, responsive to said second switch being closed and said first switch being opened by said power supply circuit, providing a DC input voltage to one said circuit.

6. The power converter of claim 5 wherein said storage circuit includes an inverter gate, said inverter gate being coupled to and controlling said first and second switches.

7. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said first circuit comprises a AC-to-DC converter, wherein said AC-to-DC converter is adapted to provide a DC output voltage of between 15VDC and 24VDC.

8. The power converter of claim 7 wherein said second circuit comprises a DC-to-DC boost converter, wherein said DC-to-DC boost converter is adapted to provide a DC output voltage of between 15VDC and 24VDC.

9. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said power supply circuit provides both a first and second regulated DC output voltage.

10. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said storage circuit comprises a battery back having a re-chargeable battery, said power supply circuit providing said regulated DC output voltage in response to receiving a charge voltage from said re-chargeable battery.

11. The power converter of claim 3 wherein said power supply circuit is selectively coupled to said storage circuit at a plurality of different nodes via a common connector.

12. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said power supply circuit is adapted to provide a pair of regulated DC output voltages of between 5VDC and 24VDC.

13. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said power supply circuit is adapted to operate in a direct power mode whenever either said AC and DC input voltages is provided to said first and second circuits and such that the storage circuit is not delivering said secondary DC input voltage to said power supply circuit.

14. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said power supply circuit is adapted to automatically operate in a battery mode from the storage circuit whenever said AC and DC input voltages are not provided to the converter such that the regulated DC output voltage is substantially uninterrupted when the converter transitions from operating from the AC input voltage or the DC input voltage to operating from the storage circuit.

15. The power converter of claim 1 wherein said storage circuit is configured to incorporate a plurality of stacked batteries.

16. A method of operating a power converter powering a portable device, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a DC output voltage responsive to an AC or DC input voltage using a power converter; and

automatically delivering a back-up DC input voltage to said power converter only in response to said AC and DC input voltages being removed therefrom and generating said DC output voltage in response thereto being sufficient to power the portable device.