Power supply system for supplying power to an electronic apparatus

• US 7,166,989 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2004
• Issued: 01/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Acer, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Acer, Inc.
• Inventors: Mummah, Phil, Handa, Mark, Maskatia, Arif
• Primary Examiner(s): Tibbits; Pia
• Application Number:
  US10/788,283
• Publication Number:
  US 20050189819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 320/128, 320/132, 320/135, 320/106, 713/300, 713/321, 702/63
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0025 Sequential battery discharge in systems with a plurality of batteries

Abstract

A power supply system for supplying power to a load of an electronic apparatus includes first and second battery units, and a selector coupled to the load and the first and second battery units. The selector is operable so as to break electrical connection between the second battery unit and the load and to simultaneously make electrical connection between the first battery unit and the load when a remaining capacity of the first battery unit is higher than a predetermined reference value, and so as to break electrical connection between the first battery unit and the load and to simultaneously make electrical connection between the second battery unit and the load when the remaining capacity of the first battery unit is lower than the predetermined reference value. A controller coupled to the selector, is responsive to a first control command, which may be issued by the electronic apparatus, so that the controller overrides the detector and enables operation of the selector in the first state.

Claims

1. A power supply system for supplying power to an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus including a load, said power supply system comprising:

first and second battery units;

a selector adapted to be coupled to the load, and coupled to said first and second battery units, said selector being operable in a first state, where said selector breaks electrical connection between said second battery unit and the load and simultaneously makes electrical connection between said first battery unit and the load such that said first battery unit supplies the power to the load, and a second state, where said selector breaks electrical connection between said first battery unit and the load and simultaneously makes electrical connection between said second battery unit and the load such that said second battery unit supplies the power to the load;

a detector coupled to said selector and said first battery unit, and operable so as to detect a remaining capacity of said first battery unit and so as to compare the remaining capacity of said first battery unit with a predetermined reference value; and

a controller coupled to said selector, and responsive to a first control command such that said controller overrides said detector and enables operation of said selector in the first state,

said detector enabling operation of said selector in the first state when the remaining capacity of said first battery unit is higher than the predetermined reference value,

said detector enabling operation of said selector in the second state when the remaining capacity of said first battery unit is lower than the predetermined reference value.

2. The power supply system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller is further responsive to a second control command such that said controller overrides said detector and enables operation of said selector in the second state.

3. The power supply system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detector derives the remaining capacity of said first battery unit from a detected voltage output of said first battery unit.

4. The power supply system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined reference value is a function of a minimum operating voltage required by the load.

5. The power supply system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second battery unit has a total power supplying capacity that is less than that of said first battery unit.

6. The power supply system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detector is coupled to said selector through a system management bus.

7. The power supply system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller is coupled to said selector through a system management bus.