Multi-threshold charging of a rechargeable battery
First Claim
1. A battery charging system comprising:
- a junction temperature sensor adapted to measure a junction temperature associated with the battery charging system, wherein the junction temperature is indicative of the temperature at a semiconductor junction in an integrated circuit used to implement the battery charging system;
a charging current generator adapted to provide a charging current to a rechargeable battery; and
a charging controller adapted to receive the measured junction temperature, wherein;
if the measured junction temperature is less than a first threshold temperature, then the charging controller directs the charging current generator to increase the charging current at a first rate;
else, if the measured junction temperature is less than a second threshold temperature that is higher than the first threshold temperature, then the charging controller directs the charging current generator to increase the charging current at a second rate different from the first rate;
else, if the measured junction temperature is less than a third threshold temperature that is higher than the second threshold temperature, then the charging controller directs the charging current generator to decrease the charging current at a third rate;
else, if the measured junction temperature is greater than the third threshold temperature, then the charging controller directs the charging current generator to turn off the charging current.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, a battery charging system in the form of an integrated circuit (IC), incorporated in a consumer electronic device, has a charging controller, a charging current generator, a junction temperature sensor, and a device current monitor. The junction temperature sensor provides to the charging controller a measured junction temperature of the IC. The charging current generator utilizes fractional synthesis, which involves regulating the duty cycles of multiple current sources, to achieve increased current resolution. The charging controller regulates the charging current provided by the charging current generator based on the relation of the measured junction temperature to three or more threshold temperatures. The device current monitor provides to the charging controller information about the current utilization of the consumer electronic device, thus allowing the charging controller to determine the device non-charging current and give priority for available current to user applications running on the consumer electronic device.
35 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A battery charging system comprising:
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a junction temperature sensor adapted to measure a junction temperature associated with the battery charging system, wherein the junction temperature is indicative of the temperature at a semiconductor junction in an integrated circuit used to implement the battery charging system; a charging current generator adapted to provide a charging current to a rechargeable battery; and a charging controller adapted to receive the measured junction temperature, wherein; if the measured junction temperature is less than a first threshold temperature, then the charging controller directs the charging current generator to increase the charging current at a first rate; else, if the measured junction temperature is less than a second threshold temperature that is higher than the first threshold temperature, then the charging controller directs the charging current generator to increase the charging current at a second rate different from the first rate; else, if the measured junction temperature is less than a third threshold temperature that is higher than the second threshold temperature, then the charging controller directs the charging current generator to decrease the charging current at a third rate; else, if the measured junction temperature is greater than the third threshold temperature, then the charging controller directs the charging current generator to turn off the charging current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17)
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14. A method for charging a rechargeable battery, the method comprising:
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measuring a junction temperature, wherein the junction temperature is indicative of the temperature at a semiconductor junction in an integrated circuit used to implement the method; and providing a charging current to a rechargeable battery, wherein; if the measured junction temperature is less than a first threshold temperature, then increasing the charging current at a first rate; else, if the measured junction temperature is less than a second threshold temperature that is higher than the first threshold temperature, then increasing the charging current at a second rate different from the first rate; else, if the measured junction temperature is less than a third threshold temperature that is higher than the second threshold temperature, then decreasing the charging current at a third rate; else, if the measured junction temperature is greater than the third threshold temperature, then turning off the charging current.
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15. Apparatus comprising:
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means for measuring a junction temperature associated with the apparatus, wherein the unction temperature is indicative of the temperature at a semiconductor junction in an integrated circuit used to implement the apparatus; means for providing a charging current to a rechargeable battery; and means for receiving the measured junction temperature, wherein; if the measured junction temperature is less than a first threshold temperature, then the receiving means directs the charging current generator to increase the charging current at a first rate; else, if the measured junction temperature is less than a second threshold temperature that is higher than the first threshold temperature, then the receiving means directs the charging current generator to increase the charging current at a second rate different from the first rate; else, if the measured junction temperature is less than a third threshold temperature that is higher than the second threshold temperature, then the receiving means directs the charging current generator to decrease the charging current at a third rate; and else if the measured junction temperature is greater than the third threshold temperature, then the receiving means directs the charging current means to turn off the charging current.
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Specification