Rechargeable battery packs and related methods

• US 7,956,576 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2009
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Neu, Thorben, Sinclair, Ian, Wadsworth, John, Sween, Barry P., Meyers, Jeff, Seil, Oliver Duncan
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhane; Adolf
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Nguyen
• Application Number:
  US12/646,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20100134072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 320/114, 320/115, 320/122, 320/125, 320/128, 320/135, 323/114, 323/115, 323/122, 323/125, 323/128, 323/135
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

In one embodiment, a rechargeable battery pack can be configured to power an electronic device having a first battery. The rechargeable battery pack can comprise a second battery supplemental to the first battery, an external power input configured to couple to an external power source, a power output for powering the electronic device. The rechargeable battery pack can also comprise a first circuit comprising a first power path between the external power input and the power output, a second power path between the second battery and the power output, and a power switch set. When the external power source is decoupled from the external power input, the first power path is disabled by the power switch set, and the second power path is enabled by the power switch set. When the external power source is coupled to the external power input, the first power path is enabled by the power switch set, and the second power path is disabled by the power switch set. Other examples and embodiments are described herein.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery pack configured to power an electronic device having a first battery,

the rechargeable battery pack comprising:

a second battery;

an external power input port configured to couple to an external power source;

a power output port for powering the electronic device; and

a first circuit comprising;

a first power path between the external power input port and the power output port of the rechargeable battery pack;

a second power path between the second battery and the power output port of the rechargeable battery pack; and

a power switch set;

wherein;

the first circuit is internal to the rechargeable battery pack;

the rechargeable battery pack, along with its second battery, external power input port, power output port, and first circuit, is external to and distinct from the electronic device;

the second battery of the rechargeable battery pack is supplemental to the first battery of the electronic device;

if the external power source is not coupled to the external power input port of the rechargeable battery pack;

the first power path is disabled by the power switch set; and

the second power path is enabled by the power switch set;

and

if the external power source is coupled to the external power input port of the rechargeable battery pack;

the first power path is enabled by the power switch set; and

the second power path is disabled by the power switch set.

2. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, further comprising:

an identification path configured to indicate a presence of the rechargeable battery pack to the electronic device; and

an identification switch coupled to the identification path;

wherein;

the identification switch is internal to the rechargeable battery pack;

the identification switch is distinct from the power switch set;

when the external power source is decoupled from the external power input port of the rechargeable battery pack;

the identification path is enabled for the electronic device by the identification switch;

and

when the external power source is coupled to the external power input port of the rechargeable battery pack;

the identification path is disabled for the electronic device by the identification switch.

3. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 2, wherein:

the identification path comprises a resistance; and

the resistance is detectable by the electronic device, as indicative of the presence of the rechargeable battery pack, when the identification path is enabled by the identification switch.

4. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 2, wherein:

the identification switch comprises;

a control terminal coupled to the external power source;

a second terminal coupled to a first portion of the identification path; and

a third terminal coupled to a second portion of the identification path;

the resistance is located at the first portion of the identification path between the second terminal of the identification switch and a ground path;

when the identification path is enabled, the first and second portions of the identification path are coupled together by the identification switch; and

when the identification path is disabled, the first and second portions of the identification path are decoupled from each other by the identification switch.

5. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, wherein:

the power switch set comprises a switch having;

a first terminal coupled to the power output port;

a second terminal coupled to the external power input port; and

a control terminal coupled to the external power input port.

6. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 5, wherein:

when the external power input port is coupled to the external power source, the control terminal of the switch is actuated to couple the external power input port to the power output port and thereby enable the first power path.

7. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 5, wherein:

the first circuit comprises at least two of;

a capacitor coupled between the control terminal of the switch and the external power input port;

a resistor coupled between the control terminal of the switch and a ground path;

or

a diode coupled between the second terminal of the switch and the external power input port.

8. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, further comprising:

the power switch set comprises a switch having;

a first terminal coupled to the power output port;

a second terminal coupled to the second battery; and

a control terminal coupled to the external power input port.

9. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 8, wherein:

when the external power input port is decoupled to the external power source, the control terminal of the switch is actuated to couple the second battery to the power output port and thereby enable the second power path.

10. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 8, wherein:

the first circuit comprises at least two of;

a resistor coupled between a first node and a ground path, the first node coupled to the external power input port;

a capacitor coupled between the first node and the ground path;

or

one or more diodes coupled between the external power input port and the first node;

the first node being coupled to the control terminal of the switch.

11. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, further comprising:

a switching regulator coupled between the second battery and the second power path.

12. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, further comprising:

a body comprising;

the second battery; and

the power output port;

wherein the external power input port and the power output port are accessible via one or more walls of the body.

13. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, further comprising:

a second circuit configured to;

charge the second battery with a charge current from the external power source; and

toggle the charge current for the second battery between at least two non-zero magnitudes based on a power consumption level of the electronic device.

14. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, wherein:

the power switch set comprises;

a first switch having;

a first terminal coupled to the power output port;

a second terminal coupled to the external power input port; and

a control terminal controlled by the external power input port;

and

a second switch having;

a first terminal coupled to the power output port;

a second terminal coupled to the second battery; and

a control terminal controlled by the external power input port;

wherein;

when the external power input port is coupled to the external power source;

the control terminal of the first switch is actuated to couple the external power input port to the power output port and thereby enable the first power path; and

the control terminal of the second switch is deactuated to decouple the second battery from the power output port and thereby disable the second power path;

and

when the external power input port is decoupled to the external power source;

the control terminal of the first switch is deactuated to decouple the external power input port from the power output port and thereby disable the first power path; and

the control terminal of the second switch is actuated to couple the second battery to the power output port and thereby enable the second power path.

15. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, further comprising:

an attachment apparatus configured to at least partially surround and attach to;

a body of the rechargeable battery pack; and

the electronic device;

an electrical connector configured to electrically connect the rechargeable battery pack to the electronic device; and

an extension projecting from the attachment apparatus and configured to at least partially surround and protect the electrical connector.

16. A method for providing a rechargeable battery pack configured to power an electronic device having a first battery, the method comprising:

providing a second battery supplemental to the first battery;

providing an external power input port configured to couple to an external power source;

providing a power output port for powering the electronic device;

providing a first circuit comprising;

a first power path between the external power input port and the power output port of the rechargeable battery pack;

a second power path between the second battery and the power output port of the rechargeable battery pack; and

a power switch set;

and

providing a body of the rechargeable battery pack, the body comprising;

the second battery, the external power input port, the power output port, and the first circuit;

wherein;

the rechargeable battery pack and the body are external to the electronic device; and

providing the first circuit comprises;

providing the power switch set to both enable the second power path and disable the first power path if the external power source is not coupled to the external power input port of the rechargeable battery pack; and

providing the power switch set to both enable the first power path and disable the second power path if the external power source is coupled to the external power input port of the rechargeable battery pack.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

providing an identification switch coupled along an identification path for the electronic device;

wherein;

the identification switch is internal to the rechargeable battery pack;

the identification switch is distinct from the power switch set;

the identification switch enables the identification path, when the external power source is decoupled from the external power input port of the rechargeable battery pack, to permit the electronic device to detect a resistance indicative of the presence of the rechargeable battery pack;

and

the identification switch disables the identification path when the external power source is coupled to the external power input port of the rechargeable battery pack.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein:

providing the first circuit comprises;

providing a switch of the power switch set to comprise;

a first terminal coupled to the power output port;

a second terminal coupled to the external power input port; and

a control terminal coupled to the external power input port;

and

providing the switch to enable the first power path, when the external power input port is coupled to the external power source, by coupling the external power input port to the power output port.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein:

providing the first circuit comprises;

providing a switch of the power switch set to comprise;

a first terminal coupled to the power output port;

a second terminal coupled to the second battery; and

a control terminal coupled to the external power input port;

and

providing the switch to enable the second power path, when the external power input port is decoupled form the external power source, by coupling the second battery to the power output port.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein:

providing a second circuit configured to;

charge the second battery with a charge current from the external power source; and

toggle the charge current for the second battery between at least two non-zero magnitudes based on a power consumption level of the electronic device.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein:

providing the identification switch comprises;

providing a control terminal configured to couple to the external power source;

providing a second terminal coupled to a first portion of the identification path; and

providing a third terminal coupled to a second portion of the identification path;

the resistance is located at the first portion of the identification path between the second terminal of the identification switch and a ground path;

when the identification path is enabled, the first and second portions of the identification path are coupled together by the identification switch; and

when the identification path is disabled, the first and second portions of the identification path are decoupled from each other by the identification switch.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein:

providing the first circuit comprises;

providing at least two of;

a capacitor coupled between the control terminal of the switch and the external power input port;

a resistor coupled between the control terminal of the switch and a ground path;

or

a diode coupled between the second terminal of the switch and the external power input port.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein:

providing the first circuit comprises;

providing at least two of;

a resistor coupled between a first node and a ground path, the first node coupled to the external power input port;

a capacitor coupled between the first node and the ground path;

or

one or more diodes coupled between the external power input port and the first node;

the first node being coupled to the control terminal of the switch.

21. A rechargeable battery pack configured to power an electronic device having a first battery, the rechargeable battery pack comprising:

a second battery supplemental to the first battery when the first battery is coupled to the electronic device; and

a first circuit coupled to the second battery and configured to dynamically change a charge current supplied from an external power source to the second battery based on a power consumption level of the electronic device;

wherein;

the first circuit is internal to the rechargeable battery pack;

the rechargeable battery pack, along with its second battery, and first circuit, is external to and distinct from the electronic device;

the charge current comprises a first portion and a second portion less than the first portion;

the first circuit comprises;

a current sense subcircuit configured to measure a power consumption level of the electronic device;

a switch having a first terminal electrically coupled to an output of the current sense subcircuit;

a first path coupled to a second terminal of the switch and configured to transmit the first portion of the charge current to the second battery; and

a second path configured to transmit the second portion of the charge current to the second battery when the external power source is coupled to the first circuit;

when the power consumption level is greater than a second level;

the switch is disabled via the output of the current sense subcircuit to restrict a transmission of the first portion of the charge current via the first path; and

when the power consumption level is less than a first level;

the switch is enabled via the output of the current sense subcircuit; and

the first portion of the charge current is transmitted to the second battery via the first path.

22. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 21, wherein:

the second level of the power consumption is greater than the first level of the power consumption.

23. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 21, wherein:

the first and second levels of the power consumption are substantially equal to each other.

24. The rechargeable battery pack of claim 21, further comprising:

a second circuit configured to;

power the electronic device with the second battery when the rechargeable battery pack is decoupled from the external power source; and

power the electronic device with the external power source when the rechargeable battery pack is coupled to the external power source.