FI20196123A1 - Modular power supply system and backpack - Google Patents

Modular power supply system and backpack Download PDF

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Publication number
FI20196123A1
FI20196123A1 FI20196123A FI20196123A FI20196123A1 FI 20196123 A1 FI20196123 A1 FI 20196123A1 FI 20196123 A FI20196123 A FI 20196123A FI 20196123 A FI20196123 A FI 20196123A FI 20196123 A1 FI20196123 A1 FI 20196123A1
Authority
FI
Finland
Prior art keywords
unit
supply system
power supply
batteries
modular power
Prior art date
Application number
FI20196123A
Other languages
Finnish (fi)
Swedish (sv)
Inventor
Robles Mario Luis Aguilera
Original Assignee
Tespack Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tespack Oy filed Critical Tespack Oy
Priority to FI20196123A priority Critical patent/FI20196123A1/en
Priority to PCT/IB2020/062321 priority patent/WO2021130665A1/en
Publication of FI20196123A1 publication Critical patent/FI20196123A1/en

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0013Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/34Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F27/00Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
    • G09F27/007Displays with power supply provided by solar cells or photocells
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/425Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/44Methods for charging or discharging
    • H01M10/441Methods for charging or discharging for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/204Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/251Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders specially adapted for stationary devices, e.g. power plant buffering or backup power supplies
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J1/00Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
    • H02J1/001Hot plugging or unplugging of load or power modules to or from power distribution networks
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02JCIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0042Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction
    • H02J7/0045Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02SGENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S10/00PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
    • H02S10/40Mobile PV generator systems
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02SGENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S40/00Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00
    • H02S40/30Electrical components
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/425Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing
    • H01M2010/4271Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/30Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

This document presents a modular power supply system (100) for providing electric power to at least one electronic device and a backpack (200). The system (100) comprises a power module (10) comprising a first housing (11), a display screen (12), at least one first output (14), a first connecting unit (19), and a power converter unit (16) for converting electrical power to have suitable characteristics for supplying to the at least one electronic device. The system (100) also comprises a main battery unit (20) comprising a second housing (21), slots (22) for receiving batteries (5), and battery connectors (26) arranged into the slots (22) for connecting with the batteries (5) and connected in parallel with each other, a control unit (24) configured for controlling charging and/or discharging of the batteries (5), and a second connecting unit (29). The first connecting unit (19) and the second connecting unit (29) are arranged to be connected removably to each other.

Description

MODULAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM AND BACKPACK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to systems and devices for providing electric power to power electronic devices. In particular, however, not exclu- sively, the present invention concerns a modular power supply system capable of utilizing and charging batteries in order to provide electric power to one or more electronic devices.
BACKGROUND There are known solutions for providing electric power to electronic devices. One known attempt is to back-up power source which can include one or several batteries. Typical back-up power source includes a battery bank and some con- trol electronics by which electric power may be supplied to an electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a personal computer. Such back-up power supplies are designed and specified to have particular properties, even if in some range, and, thus, to some specific type of a device or purpose. The drawback in the known attempts is that they cannot be utilized to power different types of devices and if the type or specification of the devices change, they cannot be adapted to the changed demands.
SUMMARY An objective of the present invention is to provide a modular power supply sys- tem for providing electric power to at least one electronic device and a backpack. o Another objective of the present invention is that the system can be easily S adapted for powering devices having different specifications such as related to N power demand and characteristics.
O N 25 The objectives of the invention are reached by a modular power supply system E as defined by the independent claim.
O N According to a first aspect, a modular power supply system for providing electric 3 power to at least one electronic device is provided. The system comprises a power module and a main battery unit arranged to be removably connected to each other.
The power module comprises a first housing, a display screen, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), optionally a thin-film-transistor (TFT) LCD screen, at least one first output, such as a USB connector or a single-wire connector, a first con- necting unit, such as including a first portion of a connector, and a power con- verter unit comprising at least one converter arranged between the at least one first output and the first connecting unit for converting electrical power there- between to have suitable characteristics for supplying via the at least one first output to the at least one electronic device.
The main battery unit comprises a second housing, slots for receiving batteries, and battery connectors arranged into the slots for connecting with the batteries and connected in parallel with each other, a control unit configured for controlling charging and/or discharging of the batteries, and a second connecting unit, such as including a second portion of a connector.
Furthermore, the first connecting unit and the second connecting unit are ar- ranged to be connected removably to each other for providing an electrical con- nection and, optionally, a data connection between the power module and the main battery unit.
In various embodiments, the system may comprise a further battery unit com- prising a third housing, slots for receiving batteries, and second battery connect- ors arranged into the slots for connecting with the batteries and connected in parallel with each other, and further connecting units arranged to be connected removably to at least one of the following for providing electrical connections and, optionally, data connections therebetween: the main unit, the power mod- ule. oO > 25 In some embodiments, the at least one first output may comprise at least two N outputs, such as identical outputs or different types of outputs.
In addition, the e at least two outputs may comprise at least a USB connector and a single-wire I connector, wherein the power converter unit comprises converters arranged be- E tween the at least two outputs and the first connecting unit for converting elec- 2 30 trical power therebetween to have suitable characteristics for supplying via the o at least two outputs to the at least one or two electronic devices.
Furthermore, > the USB connector may, optionally, be a USB type A connector or a USB type C connector.
In various embodiments, the at least one first output may comprise an alternat- ing current (AC), and/or alternating voltage, output, and the power converter unit comprises an inverter arranged between the alternating current output and the first connecting unit for converting electrical power therebetween to have suita- ble characteristics for supplying via the alternating current output to the at least one electronic device. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to display, via the display screen, a state of charge of the batteries. Alternatively or in addition, the system may be configured to display, via the display screen, if the batteries are being charged. In an embodiment, the power module or the main battery unit may comprise an input for connecting a photovoltaic solar panel thereto for providing electric power to charge the batteries. In this case, additionally, the system may be con- figured to display, via the display screen, a charging voltage of the photovoltaic — solar panel. In some embodiments, the system may comprise at least four slots for batteries in the main battery unit. In some embodiments, the power converter unit may comprise at least one buck- boost converter, that is, a type of DC-to-DC converter that has an output voltage magnitude that is either greater than or less than the input voltage magnitude. In an embodiment, the input of the buck-boost may be connected to the first connecting unit and the output to one of the at least one first output. Alternatively, the converter may be a flyback converter. oO D In some embodiments, the control unit may be arranged on a printed circuit & 25 board (PCB) in the main battery unit. 2 In some embodiments, the control unit may comprise at least a processing unit, = such as a processor or a microcontroller, and a memory unit, such as non-tran- a . en sitory memory.
N O In various embodiments, the control unit may be configured to cause the system > 30 to charge each one of the batteries at a constant rate. In various embodiments, the system may comprise a position sensor, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor.
In various embodiments, the system may comprise communication device or devices, such as a wireless communication device(s). The wireless communi- cation device may be based on, for example, wifi, or short-range communication, such as BlueTooth™ and/or cellular communication, such as Global System for Mobile (GSM), Third Generation (3G), Fourth Generation (4G), or Fifth Genera- tion (5G).
According to a second aspect, a backpack comprising a modular power supply system according to the first aspect, or any embodiment thereof, is presented.
The backpack further comprises at least one of the following arranged therein: a projector, speakers, a photovoltaic solar panel.
In an embodiment, the photovoltaic solar panel may comprise more than one solar cells or modules connected in series and/or in parallel. In addition, the panel may be foldable, such as between the solar cells or modules, so that the foldable photovoltaic solar panel may be fitted into the backpack.
The present invention provides advantages over known solutions. Due to its modular structure, the system according to various of its embodiments can inte- grate different technical demands and requirements for powering different elec- tronic devices to one system or device. It's a scalable design which can integrate different power modules and/or further battery units while the main battery unit may be kept the same. Furthermore, the backpack according to the invention provides a complete portable power supply which is easy to adapt for different purposes.
Various other advantages will become clear to a skilled person based on the o following detailed description.
O N 25 The terms “first”, “second” and “third” are herein used to distinguish one element A from other element, and not to specially prioritize or order them, if not otherwise N explicitly stated.
I a N The exemplary embodiments of the present invention presented herein are not N to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. 3 30 The verb "to comprise" is used herein as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the present inven- tion are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The present invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood from 5 the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. — Figure 1 illustrates schematically a modular power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates schematically a modular power supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates schematically a battery according to an embodiment of the — present invention. Figure 4 illustrates schematically a backpack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 5A-5C illustrate schematically foldable photovoltaic solar panels accord- ing to some embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS = Figure 1 illustrates schematically a modular power supply system 100 according N to an embodiment of the present invention. The modular power supply system = 100 may comprise a power module 10 and a main battery unit 20, preferably, S arranged to be removably, or alternatively irremovably, connected to each other.
I E 25 — In various embodiments, the power module 10 may comprise a first housing 11. 2 The first housing 11 may be essentially of any suitable material, such as of plas- O tic, composite or metal. One purpose of the first housing 11 may be to protect > the electronic components inside the housing 11 against mechanical impacts and/or dirt and moisture from the outside. Furthermore, the power module 10 may comprise a display screen 12. The display screen 12 may be arranged on an outer surface of the first housing 11. The display screen 12 may or may not be a touch screen. Still further, the power module 10 may comprise at least one first output 14, such as a USB connector or a single-wire connector. There may be one or several first outputs 14. Additionally, the power module 10 may com- prise a first connecting unit 19, such as including a first portion of a connector. The first connecting unit 19 may, preferably, be arranged to be, preferably re- movably, connected to a counterpart arranged to the main battery unit 20 or a further battery unit. Furthermore, the power module 10 may comprise a power converter unit 16 comprising at least one converter arranged between the at least one first output 14 and the first connecting unit 19 for converting electrical power therebetween to have suitable characteristics for supplying via the at least one first output 14 to the at least one electronic device. The power module 10 may have, depending on the embodiment, different con- figurations of the at least one first output 14. In an embodiment, the at least one — first output 14 may include a direct current (DC) output with 150 W maximum output power, three USB Type A outputs with 5 V and 2 A ratings, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) type A Quick Charge (QC) output, and a USB type C QC Power Delivery (PD) 24 W power rating output. This module 10 may comprise a power PCB and a buck-boost converter capable of supplying 180 W to 200 W output. In another embodiment, the at least one first output 14 may include two DC out- puts with 150 W power rating each, three USB Type A QC 2.0 outputs, a USB type A QC 3.0 output, and a USB Type C QC PD 65 W power rating output. This module 10 may comprise a power PCB and buck-boost converter capable of o 25 supplying 480 W to 500 W output. N In yet another embodiment, the at least one first output 14 may include a DC = output with 150 W power rating, an AC output with 300 W power rating, three S USB Type A QC 2.0 outputs, a USB type A QC 3.0 output, and a USB type C z QC PD 24 W power rating output. This module 10 may comprise a power PCB N 30 and buck-boost converter capable of supplying 480 W to 500 W output. In this N embodiment, the power converter unit 16, preferably, also comprises an in- 3 verter.
N In still another embodiment, the at least one first output 14 may include one DC output with 150 W power rating, two AC outputs with 500 W power rating, three
USB Type A QC 2.0 outputs, a USB type A QC 3.0 output, and a USB Type C QC PD 24 W power rating output.
This module 10 may comprise a power PCB and buck-boost converter capable of supplying 1000 W output.
In this embodi- ment, the power converter unit 16, preferably, also comprises an inverter or in- — verters.
Furthermore, the modular power supply system 100 may also comprise the main battery unit 20. The main battery unit 20 may comprise a second housing 21. The second housing 21 may be essentially of any suitable material, such as of plastic, composite or metal.
One purpose of the second housing 21 may be to protect the electronic components inside the housing 21 against mechanical im- pacts and/or dirt and moisture from the outside.
Furthermore, the main battery unit 20 may, preferably, comprise slots 22 for receiving batteries 5. The slots 22 may or may not comprise hatches for closing and opening the slots 22. There may be battery connectors 26 arranged into the slots 22 for connecting, that is removably, with the batteries 5 and connected in parallel with each other.
There may additionally be a sliding system inside the slot 22 for sliding the battery 5 into the slot 22 and for connecting to the battery connector 26 arranged therein.
In various embodiments, such as shown in Fig. 1, the second housing 21 may be adapted to define the slots 22 for receiving batteries 5 thereto.
Still further, the main battery unit 20 may comprise a control unit 24 configured for controlling charging and/or discharging of the batteries 5. Furthermore, the main battery unit 20 may comprise a second connecting unit 29, such as including a second portion of a connector such as to connect with the first portion, wherein the first connecting unit 19 of the power module 10 and the second connecting unit 29 are arranged to be connected removably to each other for providing an electrical o connection and, optionally, a data connection between the power module 10 and > the main battery unit 20. As can be seen in Fig. 1, for example, the first connect- N ing unit 19 and the second connecting unit 29 may be arranged on an outer e surface of the housings 11, 21. This is advantageous since the power module I 30 10 may be changed depending on the desired types of connectors and/or volt- E age/current/power ratings, for instance, while having the same main battery unit 2 20. For example, in some applications there may be a need to AC connector o while in others it is sufficient to have several USB connectors.
N In some embodiments, the batteries 5 may be connected, by the control unit 24, — in series for discharging.
In various embodiments, the housings 19, 29 may be shaped or adapted such that interlocking joints (having suitable corresponding shapes on, for example, outer surfaces thereof) are formed between the power module 10 and the main battery unit 20 thus preventing them to move with respect to each other at least in the lateral direction, or in some embodiments at least reducing degrees of freedom, when being removably connected to each other. In an embodiment, the control unit 24 may be arranged on a PCB in the main battery unit 20. Alternatively or in addition, the control unit 24 may comprise at least a processing unit, such as a processor or a microcontroller, and a memory unit, such as non-transitory memory. In various embodiments, the control unit 24 may be configured to cause the system 100 to charge each one of the bat- teries 5 at a constant rate and, optionally, to avoid overcharging such as by hav- ing overcharge protection implemented therein. The overcharge protection may be based on a known method to a skilled person, such as based on measuring open-circuit voltage of the battery 5 or batteries 5. In various embodiments, the PCB having the control unit 24 may be able to support maximum of 16 batteries. The PCB having the control unit 24 will make sure that all the batteries are being charged and discharged at a constant rate and in synchronised way. As can be seen, for example, in Fig. 1, the at least one first output 14 may com- prise at least two outputs 14, or even more outputs 14 which may be identical or different with respect to each other. Additionally, the at least two outputs 14 may comprise at least a USB connector and a single-wire connector, for example, a banana connector, wherein the power converter unit 16 may comprise convert- ers arranged between the at least two outputs 14 and the first connecting unit > 25 19 for converting electrical power therebetween to have suitable characteristics D for supplying via the at least two outputs 14 to the at least one or two electronic N devices. The USB connector(s) may be USB type A connector(s) or a USB type A C connector(s), being optionally of Quick Charge type.
N = In some embodiments, the at least one first output 14 may comprise an AC out- N 30 put (current and/or voltage), and the power converter unit 16 may then comprise N an inverter arranged between the AC output and the first connecting unit 19 for 3 converting electrical power therebetween to have suitable characteristics for supplying via the AC output to the at least one electronic device.
In various embodiments, the system 100 may be configured to display, via the display screen 12, a state of charge of the batteries 5, or if the batteries 5 are being charged.
In some embodiments, the power module 10 or the main battery unit 20 may comprise an input for connecting a photovoltaic solar panel thereto for providing electric power to charge the batteries 5. This provides the advantage that the system 100 may be completely portable because the batteries 5 may be charged wherever there is solar radiation available.
Alternatively, the batteries 5 may be charged by utilising chargers, such as providing electric power from a power grid — or other electric power source, being portable or not.
Furthermore, the system 100 may be configured to display, via the display screen 12, a charging voltage of the photovoltaic solar panel, if any.
Figure 2 illustrates schematically a modular power supply system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The system 100 in Fig. 2 may mostly be identical to the one shown in Fig. 1, however, the system 100 further com- prises a further battery unit 30. The further battery unit 30 may comprise a third housing 31, slots 22 for receiving batteries 5, and battery connectors 26 ar- ranged into the slots 22 for connecting with the batteries 5 and connected in parallel with each other.
Still further, the further battery unit 30 may comprise at least one further connecting unit 39 arranged to be connected removably to at least one of the following for providing electrical connection or connections and, optionally, data connection or connections therebetween: the main unit, the power module.
In Fig. 2, the further battery unit 30 is connected only to the main battery unit 20, however, it could also be connected between the main battery > 25 unit 20 and the power module 10, that is, to both of them.
In an embodiment, D there may be two or more further battery units 30 in the system 100. Further N battery units 30 are advantageous since they may easily be utilized to increase A the capacity of the system 100 with respect to the charge, voltage, current and/or N power.
By adding more further battery units 30 into the system 100, the power E 30 module 10 having even more connectors and, optionally, having higher power 9 ratings may be conveniently used. 3 In a preferable embodiment, the further battery unit 30 does not include control- lers or other processing units but merely electrical connection(s) and con- nector(s). Thus, the further battery unit 30 may be essentially dummy and merely provides more charge storing capacity, such as in form of battery slots 22.
In various embodiments, the main battery unit 20 and the one or several of the further battery units 30, if any, may be arranged to support charging through them. Furthermore, the main battery unit 20 and the one or several of the further bat- tery units 30, if any, may be arranged to comprise at least one DC input, at least one DC output and one data output to provide battery information of each battery 5 connected to the unit 20, 30. Figure 3 illustrates schematically a battery 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery 5 may, preferably comprise third connector(s) 7 for connecting removably with the battery connectors 26 in the slots 22. The battery 5 itself may comprise electronics such as processing unit(s) or the like. The battery 5 may in some embodiments be of a known type of a portable backup power supply or "powerbank”. The battery 5 may even have its own bat- tery management system to charge the battery in a constant speed and/or avoid over charge and discharge. In an embodiment, the battery 5 may have 3000 to 7000 milliampere hours, or preferably 5000 milliampere hours capacity. In some embodiments, the batteries 5 may provide nominally 12 V output voltage and 3 A current output. Figure 4 illustrates schematically a backpack 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The backpack 200 may comprise a modular power sup- ply system 100, for example, such as in accordance with an embodiment de- scribed herein. The backpack 200 may further comprise at least one of the fol- lowing arranged therein: a projector 60, speakers 70, a photovoltaic solar panel
50. One or several of the projector 60 and the speakers 70, as well as other = 25 electronic devices which may have been connected to the system 100 of the N backpack 200 may be powered by the system 100, that is, by electrical charge = stored in the batteries 5 arranged therein. The projector 60 and/or the speakers 2 70 may be connected removably to the connectors in the power module 10 or, = alternatively, may be provided a designated connector, either for removable con- N 30 nection or essentially permanent.
N o In various embodiments, different devices, such as a projector 60, speakers 70, > and/or a photovoltaic solar panel 50, have dedicated pouches or positions within the backpack 200. Furthermore, in addition, said devices may have been at- tached to the backpack 200 by attaching means, for example, by straps, screws,
and/or attaching mechanism, the mechanism which may comprise a chassis be- ing attached to the backpack 200 for receiving one or several of said devices.
The mechanism may be based on a sliding mechanism.
In Fig. 4, the photovoltaic solar panel 50 is shown to be arranged to the backpack 200 in essentially permanent manner, such as to the side of the backpack 200.
However, in some embodiments, the panel 50 may be removably connectable.
In preferable embodiments, the panel 50 may be foldable, such as illustrated in Figs. 5A-5C. The panel 50 may thus be folded and placed, for example, into a pocket or pouch of the backpack 200 for storing and/or transportation.
Figures 5A-5C illustrate schematically foldable photovoltaic solar panels 50 ac- cording to some embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 5A illustrates a fold- able photovoltaic solar panel 50 comprising three photovoltaic modules 55. In various embodiments, the foldable panel 50 may be folded between the modules
55.
The modules 55 may be comprised of one or several photovoltaic solar cells being connected in series and/or in parallel. Fig. 5B illustrates a panel 50 com- prising six modules 55. The modules 55 may, in an embodiment, be connected such that three modules 55 are connected in series so that two sets of three series-connected modules 55 may be formed. Then the two sets are further con- nected in parallel. On the other hand, the modules 55 may alternatively be con- nected in series and/or in parallel in any way in order to obtain desired proper- ties. Furthermore, Fig. 5C illustrates the panel 50 in a folded state. Of course, the halves of the panel 50 may also be folded against each other in order to obtain a planar element which may be easily arranged into the backpack 200.
oO > 25 The photovoltaic solar panel 50 according to various embodiments is preferably N planar, that is, has significantly larger dimensions in two perpendicular direc- e tions, such as x and y, compared to the third perpendicular direction, such as z. I In an embodiment, the panel 50 of Fig. 5A may have dimensions: width 28 cen- E timetres, length 47 centimetres. Thus, the width of a module 55 may be about 2 30 24-26 centimetres and the length about 13-15 centimetres. In an embodiment, o the panel 50 of Fig. 5B may have dimensions: width about 57 centimetres, length > 47 centimetres. The modules 55 may have a maximum power point (MPP) power rating of 7 W.
In various embodiments, such as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and/or 4, or in some other embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the modular power sup- ply system 100 may comprise a position sensor, such as a GPS sensor or the like, for determining the position of the system 100 and/or the backpack 200.
The position sensor may, preferably, be arranged to the main battery unit 20, however, may alternatively be arranged into other parts of the system 100 or the backpack 200. The position sensor is advantageously arranged in connection with the control unit 24 of the main battery unit 20 regardless of the position of the position sensor in the system 100 or the backpack 200. Thus, the control unit 24 may be arranged to receive position information determined by the posi- tion sensor. In some embodiments, the position sensor may be utilized to track the system 100 and/or the backpack 200.
In some embodiments, the position sensor may be utilized in establishing and operating an anti-kidnapping feature in which the position of the system 100 and/or backpack 200 may be utilized.
Still further, the position sensor may be utilized to set up a virtual area or areas, that is a geofence(s), and configured the system 100 to prevent access of de- vices to the system 100 outside the virtual area. The virtual area may refer herein to virtual area which represents some actual geographic area. Thus, an external — device that tries to connect to the system 100 may need to be inside the virtual area in order to connect. This is based on the external device providing its posi- tion or location to the system 100 so that it may be determined if the external device is inside the virtual area.
Furthermore, alternatively or in addition to the position sensor, the control unit = 25 24 may be configured to determine and store real-time data of the energy fed N from the batteries 5 to at least one electronic device, such as the projector 60, = or a laptop or a smart phone, etc.
O - In various embodiments, the system may comprise communication device or E devices, such as a wireless communication device(s). The wireless communi- 2 30 cation device may be based on, for example, Wireless Local Area Network o (WLAN) or Wi-Fi, or short-range communication, such as BlueTooth™, and/or > cellular communication, such as Global System for Mobile (GSM), Third Gener- ation (3G), Fourth Generation (4G), or Fifth Generation (5G).
The wireless communication device may be configured to transmit data, such as data related to the produced energy by the photovoltaic solar panel 50, and/or electrical energy being drawn from the batteries 5, and/or related to the position data of the system 100 or the backpack 200, and/or related to new firmware, etc. The wireless communication device may be utilized for establishing internet- of-things (loT) solution by the system 100 or the backpack 200. The specific examples provided in the description given above should not be construed as limiting the applicability and/or the interpretation of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given above are not exhaustive unless otherwise explicitly stated. oO
O N
N n
N
I =
O
N © o
O N

Claims (15)

1. A modular power supply system (100) for providing electric power to at least one electronic device, characterized in that it comprises: a power module (10) comprising - afirst housing (11), - a display screen (12), - at least one first output (14), such as a USB connector or a single-wire connector, - a first connecting unit (19), such as including a first portion of a con- nector, - a power converter unit (16) comprising at least one converter arranged between the at least one first output (14) and the first connecting unit (19) for converting electrical power therebetween to have suitable char- acteristics for supplying via the at least one first output (14) to the at least one electronic device; and a main battery unit (20) comprising - a second housing (21), - slots (22) for receiving batteries (5), and battery connectors (26) ar- ranged into the slots (22) for connecting with the batteries (5) and con- nected in parallel with each other, - a control unit (24) configured for controlling charging and/or discharging of the batteries (5), and > - a second connecting unit (29), such as including a second portion of a DO connector,
N = 25 wherein the first connecting unit (19) and the second connecting unit (29) are 2 arranged to be connected removably to each other for providing an electrical = connection and, optionally, a data connection between the power module (10) N and the main battery unit (20).
N o
2. The modular power supply system (100) of claim 1, comprising
O N 30 a further battery unit (30) comprising - a third housing (31),
- slots (22) for receiving batteries (5), and battery connectors (26) ar- ranged into the slots (22) for connecting with the batteries (5) and con- nected in parallel with each other, and - at least one further connecting unit (39) arranged to be connected re- movably to at least one of the following for providing electrical connec- tion or connections and, optionally, data connection or connections therebetween: the main unit, the power module.
3. The modular power supply system (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one first output (14) comprises at least two outputs (14).
4. The modular power supply system (100) of claim 3, wherein the at least two outputs (14) comprise at least a USB connector and a single-wire connector, wherein the power converter unit (16) comprises converters arranged between the at least two outputs (14) and the first connecting unit (19) for converting electrical power therebetween to have suitable characteristics for supplying via the at least two outputs (14) to the at least one or two electronic devices.
5. The modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first output (14) comprises an alternating current output, and the power converter unit (16) comprises an inverter arranged be- tween the alternating current output and the first connecting unit (19) for con- — verting electrical power therebetween to have suitable characteristics for sup- plying via the alternating current output to the at least one electronic device.
6. The modular power supply system (100) of claim 4, wherein the USB con- nector is a USB type A connector or a USB type C connector. =
7. The modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding N 25 claims, configured to display, via the display screen (12), a state of charge of N the batteries (5).
N =
8. The modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding N claims, configured to display, via the display screen (12), if the batteries (5) are N being charged. > > 30
9 The modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power module (10) comprises an input for connecting a photovoltaic solar panel thereto for providing electric power to charge the bat- teries (5).
10. The modular power supply system (100) of claim 9, configured to display, via the display screen (12), a charging voltage of the photovoltaic solar panel.
11. The modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least four slots (22) for batteries (5) in the main battery unit (20).
12. The modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power converter unit (16) comprises at least one buck-boost converter.
13. The modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (24) is arranged on a printed circuit board in the main battery unit (20).
14. The modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (24) comprises at least a processing unit, such as a processor or a microcontroller, and a memory unit, such as non-transitory memory.
15. A backpack (200) characterised in that it comprises a modular power supply system (100) of any one of the preceding claims, and the backpack (200) further comprises at least one of the following arranged therein: a projector (60), speakers (70), a photovoltaic solar panel (50), such as a foldable photovoltaic solar panel (50). oO
O
N
N n
N
I =
O
N © o
O
N
FI20196123A 2019-12-23 2019-12-23 Modular power supply system and backpack FI20196123A1 (en)

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US20230007802A1 (en) * 2021-06-30 2023-01-05 Cooler Master Technology Inc. Modular power supply

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GB2613809A (en) * 2021-12-15 2023-06-21 Plustech Ltd Mobile device charging system

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JP6124046B2 (en) * 2012-07-06 2017-05-10 日立工機株式会社 Back load type power supply
AU2013201985B2 (en) * 2013-03-26 2015-02-19 Empower Energy Pty Ltd Power module system
CN204633361U (en) * 2015-05-05 2015-09-09 深圳市比利科技有限公司 A kind of solar energy accumulate bag
TWM557479U (en) * 2017-10-31 2018-03-21 正文科技股份有限公司 Power bank
US11532840B2 (en) * 2018-01-03 2022-12-20 Sung Ub Moon Energy storage systems with multiple matrix energy flow control and programmable charging and discharging options

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230007802A1 (en) * 2021-06-30 2023-01-05 Cooler Master Technology Inc. Modular power supply

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