KR20050012403A - Power supply system of portable device and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A power supply system for a portable electronic device using an embedded chemical cell and an external fuel cell, and a controlling method thereof are provided to improve portability and efficiently manage power while satisfying a use time required from a user, and charge the embedded chemical cell with the power of the external fuel cell. CONSTITUTION: Remainder detectors(42a,42b) respectively detect the remainder or chemical cell(22) and the fuel cell(32). A keyboard(44) inputs the used time of a system. A consumption power measurer(48) measures consumption power of the system. A switching part(50) receives the DC power to a system power supply(40) from one of the chemical cell and the fuel cell. A microcomputer(52) determines the available use time by remainder of the chemical/fuel cell based on the detected remainder, the inputted used time, and measured consumption power data, and makes the switching part supply the power of the fuel/chemical cell to the system power supply in order of the fuel cell and the chemical cell.

Description

Power supply system of portable electronic device and control method thereof {POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM OF PORTABLE DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a power supply system for a portable electronic device and a method of controlling the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power supply of a portable electronic device capable of improving portability and efficiently managing power while meeting a usage time required by a user. It relates to a system and a control method thereof.

In general, portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, camcorders, cassette recorders, and the like have built-in rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries to operate the system in places where adapters are not available. When operating the system through the battery, since the remaining amount of battery determines the usage time of the system, efforts to save battery power continues.

The power supply system of such a portable electronic device has a configuration as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the power supply system of the portable electronic device supplies an adapter 107 for converting AC power supplied from the outside into a predetermined DC power, and a DC power input from the adapter 107 to the battery 110. A system for converting the DC power from the charging circuit 109 and the adapter 107 or the battery 110 to the DC power having a voltage of a size for use in each part of the system, and applying the same to the system unit 100. A power supply 105, a microcomputer 103 for controlling the system power supply 105, and a system power switch 112 for applying a system power selection signal to the microcomputer 103.

The microcomputer 103 controls the system power supply unit 105 to turn on / off the power of the system unit 100 according to a signal applied from the system power switch 112, or various voltages input to the system unit 100. Control size power supply.

Here, since the microcomputer 103 should be always driven so that the system power selection signal can be detected even when the system power is off, the driving power is supplied even when the system is off.

On the other hand, recently, as a power source having good operating efficiency and environmental characteristics, a fuel cell that generates electricity through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen has attracted much attention. Accordingly, a technique for mounting a fuel cell expansion pack externally in addition to a built-in battery in a portable computer is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 14-32154.

However, this does not suggest a power supply selection and battery charging method according to the usage time required by the user, the power consumption of the system, and the remaining amount of the internal battery and the fuel cell.

In addition, when both the fuel cell expansion pack and the internal battery are mounted, the power supply of the externally mounted fuel cell is not designed to be consumed preferentially, so that the installation time of the fuel cell expansion pack is long, resulting in poor portability.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply system for a portable electronic device and a method of controlling the same, which can improve portability while satisfying a usage time required by a user and enable efficient power management.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a power supply system for a portable electronic device and a method of controlling the same, which can charge power from an externally mounted fuel cell to a chemical cell mounted therein.

1 is a perspective view of a portable computer according to the present invention,

2 is a control block diagram of a power supply system of the portable computer of FIG. 1;

3a and 3b is a control flowchart of a power supply system of a portable computer according to the present invention,

4 is a control block diagram of a power supply system of a conventional portable electronic device.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: portable computer 12: adapter

14: adapter connection 20: system body

22: chemical cell 32: fuel cell

34: fuel cell connection 40: system power supply

42a, 42b: remaining amount detection section 44: keyboard

46: I / O controller 48: power consumption measuring unit

50: switching unit 52: microcomputer

54: charging power supply 56: CPU

58: video controller 60: LCD

The object is, according to the present invention, a power supply system for a portable electronic device including a system power supply for converting and applying the DC power supplied through any one of the internal chemical cell and the external fuel cell to the driving power of each part of the system A residual amount sensing unit for sensing the remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, respectively; An input unit for inputting a system use time; A power consumption measuring unit for measuring system power consumption; A switching unit for supplying DC power from the chemical cell and the fuel cell to the system power supply unit; The remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell based on the remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell detected by the remaining amount detecting unit, the usage time input through the input unit, and the power consumption data measured by the power consumption measuring unit. A control unit which determines whether power supply is possible during the use time, and controls the switching unit to supply DC power from the fuel cell and the chemical cell to the system power supply in order of the fuel cell and the chemical cell according to a determination result. It is achieved by a power supply system of a portable electronic device comprising a.

If it is determined that the power supply is not possible during the use time due to the remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, the controller may control to generate a warning message so that the user can check.

The controller may control the switching unit to supply the DC power from the chemical cell to the system power supply unit when it is determined that the fuel cell has no residual amount as a result of the detection of the residual amount detecting unit.

If the remaining amount of the fuel cell is present, the controller determines whether power supply is possible during the use time only by the remaining amount of the fuel cell, and if it is impossible, supply the DC power of the fuel cell to the system power supply unit. The switching unit is controlled, and if it is determined that the fuel cell is exhausted as a result of the detection through the remaining amount detection unit, it is preferable to control the switching unit to supply DC power from the chemical cell to the system power supply unit.

Herein, when the fuel cell is exhausted and the remaining amount does not exist, the controller controls to generate a notification message indicating that the fuel cell is exhausted, and the user confirms this to remove the external fuel cell from the portable electronic device. It is possible to improve.

The apparatus may further include a charging power supply unit supplying charging power to the chemical cell; The controller determines whether power supply is possible during the use time with only the remaining amount of the fuel cell when the remaining amount of the fuel cell exists, and if possible, supplies the DC power from the fuel cell to the system power supply unit. By controlling the switching unit, by controlling the charging power supply unit to charge a predetermined DC power from the fuel cell to the chemical cell through the charging power supply unit when the sensing result through the remaining amount detection unit is required to charge In addition, DC power from an external fuel cell may be moved to an internal chemical cell to remove the spent fuel cell, thereby improving the portability of the system.

The controller preferably controls to display a usage time setting screen for setting a usage time of the system according to a user's selection.

On the other hand, according to another field of the present invention, a portable electronic device including a system power supply for converting and applying the DC power supplied through any one of the internal chemical cell and the external fuel cell to the driving power of each part of the system A control method of a power supply system, the method comprising: receiving a system usage time from a user; Measuring system power consumption; Sensing remaining amounts of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, respectively; Based on the input system usage time, the measured power consumption of the system, the sensed remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, it is determined whether the remaining power of the chemical cell and the fuel cell is possible to supply power during the use time. Making a step; And switching to supply the DC power from the fuel cell and the chemical cell to the system power supply in order of the fuel cell and the chemical cell according to the determination result. It is also achieved by the control method of.

If it is determined that power supply is impossible during the use time due to the remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, it is preferable to further include generating a warning message so that the user can check.

If it is determined that there is no remaining amount in the fuel cell, it is preferable to further include switching to supply the DC power from the chemical cell to the system power supply.

Determining whether power supply is possible during the use time using only the remaining amount of the fuel cell when the remaining amount of the fuel cell exists; Switching to supply the DC power of the fuel cell to the system power supply if the determination is impossible; If it is detected that the fuel cell is exhausted, it is preferable to further include switching to supply the DC power from the chemical cell to the system power supply.

In this case, when the fuel cell is exhausted and there is no remaining amount, the method further includes generating a notification message informing that the fuel cell is exhausted. It is possible to improve the sex.

In addition, when the remaining amount of the fuel cell is present, determining whether the power supply is possible during the use time only the remaining amount of the fuel cell; Switching to supply DC power from the fuel cell to the system power supply if possible as a result of the determination; The method further includes charging the chemical cell with a predetermined direct current power source from the fuel cell when the chemical cell needs to be charged, thereby moving the direct current power source from the external fuel cell to the internal chemical cell. Eliminating the fuel cells can improve the portability of the system.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the present invention, a portable computer will be described as an example.

1 is a perspective view of a portable computer according to the present invention. As shown in this figure, the portable computer 10 includes a system body 20 provided with a keyboard 44 and a mouse pointing device, and is provided from the system body 20 by being hinged with the system body 20. And an LCD unit 60 for processing video signals and displaying them as images.

The system body 20 of the portable computer 10 includes a main board (not shown) equipped with a central processing unit (not shown), a chemical battery accommodating part accommodating a chemical cell 22 for supplying power to each component, and an external device. The adapter connection part 14 to which the adapter 12 which converts AC power supply into DC power supply to each component, and the fuel cell connection part 34 to which the fuel cell 32 expansion pack is connected are provided.

2 is a control block diagram of a power supply system of the portable computer 10 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the power supply system of the portable computer 10 is a power supply unit for supplying power for the operation of the computer system, the chemical cell 22 and the system body 20 embedded in the system main body 20 Fuel cell 32 mounted as an expansion pack externally and a system power source for converting the DC power from the power supply unit into a DC power source having a voltage of a size for use in each part of the system and applying it to the system unit (not shown). Power supply unit 40, the remaining amount detection unit 42a, 42b for detecting the remaining amount of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32, the input unit for the user input, the power consumption for measuring the power consumption of the system To charge the chemical unit 22, the switching unit 50 for switching the power of any one of the measuring unit 48, the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32 to the system power supply unit 40 Charging power supply unit 54 for controlling and It comprises a compartment (52).

On the other hand, the power supply system of the portable computer 10 is not shown, but typically includes an adapter that receives the AC power from the outside to convert the DC power supply to the system. Since the power supply method from the adapter is the same as the conventional one, the description thereof will be omitted.

The chemical cell 22 is typically a rechargeable secondary battery embedded in the system main body 20, and includes a nickel cadmium battery (Ni-Cd), a nickel hydrogen battery (Ni-MH), a lithium ion battery (Li-Ion), and the like. This is known.

The fuel cell 32 generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell 32 may be one of a variety of types including a phosphoric-acid fuel cell and a molten carbonate fuel cell. The fuel cell 32 is preferably mounted as an expansion pack outside the system body 20.

The system power supply unit 40 is preferably a DC-DC converter which converts the DC power input from the chemical cell 22 or the fuel cell 32 to a predetermined level and supplies it to the system unit.

The system power supply unit 40 turns on the system by applying driving power to the system unit according to the system power application signal applied from the microcomputer 52, and drives the system voltage to the system unit according to the system off signal from the microcomputer 52. Turn off the system by disabling it. In addition, the system power supply unit 40 converts the power supplied from the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32 to supply the microcomputer 52 so that the microcomputer 52 can be driven.

The remaining amount detecting units 42a and 42b detect the remaining amounts of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32 by detecting voltage levels of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32, respectively. Here, the remaining amount detection units 42a and 42b may include an A / D converter to convert the voltages of the chemical cells 22 and the fuel cells 32 into digital data and output them to the microcomputer 52.

The input unit is preferably a numeric key, a hot key, or the like provided on the keyboard 44. For example, upon input of a preset hotkey, the microcomputer 52 causes the video controller 58 to display a usage time setting screen (not shown) on the LCD unit 60 through the CPU 56, so that the user can use the system. To be set. Here, the use time setting screen may be implemented in various ways, such as by providing an input window for receiving a use time directly through the numeric keys of the keyboard 44. Of course, the user can set the system usage time in the CMOS setup window displayed by pressing the 'DEL' key when the computer system is booted, and the user can set the system usage time. It can also be implemented as a running program.

The power consumption measuring unit 48 includes a current sensing unit for sensing output currents from the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32, and a voltage for sensing output voltages from the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32. The detector includes an A / D converter that receives an analog signal from the voltage detector and the current detector, and converts the analog signal into a digital signal.

The current and voltage data output through the power consumption measuring unit 48 is transmitted to the microcomputer 52, and the microcomputer 52 performs interrupt control every predetermined time so that the pre-stored power calculation formula (P = VI, P is power, V is a voltage and I is an electric current, and electric power is calculated and stored every predetermined time.

The switching unit 50 selectively supplies the power of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32 to the system power supply unit 40 according to a signal applied from the microcomputer 52.

The charging power supply unit 54 converts the power input from the fuel cell 32 into the charging power of the chemical cell 22 to charge the chemical cell 22.

The microcomputer 52 typically controls the system power supply 40 to turn on / off the entire power of the system or to control power supply of various voltages input to the system.

The microcomputer 52 measures the remaining amount of the chemical cells 22 and the fuel cells 32 detected through the remaining amount detecting units 42a and 42b, the usage time input through the input unit, and the power consumption measuring unit 48. On the basis of the power consumption calculated by the data, it is determined whether power supply to the system unit is possible during the service time inputted as the remaining amount of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32.

As a result of the determination, if impossible, the microcomputer 52 outputs a predetermined signal to the CPU 56 through the bus to output a warning message. Accordingly, the CPU 56 controls the video controller 58 to display a warning message on the LCD unit 60.

On the other hand, when power is supplied to the system unit during the usage time input by the user with the remaining amount of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32, the microcomputer 52 is the remaining amount detecting unit 42b of the fuel cell 32. It is determined whether there is a residual amount in the fuel cell 32 on the basis of the detection signal output through. When no residual amount is present in the fuel cell 32, the microcomputer 52 controls the switching unit 50 so that DC power from the chemical cell 22 is supplied to the system power supply 40, and the fuel cell When the remaining amount of 32 is present, the switching unit 50 is controlled so that the DC power from the fuel cell 32 is supplied to the system power supply unit 40, and the fuel cell 32 is exhausted so that the remaining amount If it does not exist, the switching unit 50 is controlled so that the DC power from the chemical cell 22 is supplied to the system power supply unit 40.

That is, the microcomputer 52 controls the fuel cell 32 to be consumed first and then the chemical cell 22 to be consumed. Here, if the fuel cell 32 is exhausted so that the user can know through a message, through which the user removes the fuel cell 32 mounted as an expansion pack on the outside of the system main body 20, the weight of the system and By reducing the size, the portability of the portable computer 10 can be improved while using the power supply efficiently. In addition, since there is no power loss caused by charging the chemical cell 22 with the power of the fuel cell 32, it is possible to satisfy the use time required by the user to the maximum.

In addition, when the remaining amount of the fuel cell 32 is present, the microcomputer 52 determines that the power supply to the system unit can be sufficiently supplied to the system unit during the usage time input by the user only with the remaining amount of the fuel cell 32. The charging power supply unit 54 is charged to charge the chemical battery 22 with the extra power of the fuel cell 32 according to whether the chemical cell 22 is fully charged or not based on the detection signal of the remaining amount detection unit 42a of To control.

Then, the microcomputer 52 periodically checks the remaining amount of the chemical cell 22 detected through the remaining amount detecting unit 42a, and when the fully charged state of the chemical cell 22 is confirmed, charging of the chemical cell 22 is performed. Stop it.

Accordingly, the fuel cell 32 can be removed after a predetermined time by charging the power supply of the fuel cell 32 with the chemical cell 22 built in the system main body 20, so that the user can use the required time. It can maximize portability while satisfying.

Here, even if the fuel cell 32 does not have an extra power source other than the power source to meet the usage time, the microcomputer 52 may charge some power of the fuel cell 32 to the chemical cell 22. In addition, after the fuel cell 32 is exhausted, the power supply of the chemical cell 22 is supplied to the system power supply unit 40 through the switching unit 50 to satisfy the usage time required by the user. .

That is, it is advantageous to move the power supply of the fuel cell 32 toward the chemical cell 22 so as to improve portability.

The control flow chart of the power supply system of the present portable computer 10 having such a configuration is as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. First, the microcomputer 52 receives the operating time of the system through the input unit (S10), receives the power consumption through the power consumption measurement unit 48 (S12), and the chemicals through the remaining amount detection units 42a and 42b. The remaining amount of the battery 22 and the fuel cell 32 is sensed (S14). Then, the remaining amount of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32 is input to the system unit during the use time input by the user based on the input usage time, power consumption, and the remaining amount of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32. It is determined whether the power supply is possible (S16). As a result, if it is impossible to output a warning message (S18), if it is possible to determine whether the remaining amount in the fuel cell 32 (S20).

When the remaining amount of the fuel cell 32 does not exist, the microcomputer 52 controls the switching unit 50 so that the power from the chemical cell 22 is supplied to the system power supply unit 40 (S26). On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the fuel cell 32 is present, it is determined whether power can be supplied to the system unit during the use time inputted with only the remaining amount of the fuel cell 32 (S22). If only the remaining amount of the fuel cell 32 is sufficient, the detection result through the remaining amount detecting unit 42a of the chemical cell 22 is that the chemical cell 22 is in the fully charged state (S24). The switching unit 50 is controlled to supply power to the system power supply unit 40 (S28). On the other hand, when the charging of the chemical cell 22 is required, the switching unit 50 is controlled so that the power from the fuel cell 32 is supplied to the system power supply unit 40, and at the same time, the power of the fuel cell 32 or not. Alternatively, the charging power supply unit 54 is controlled to charge some power to the chemical cell 22 (S30).

In addition, when power is not supplied to the system unit during the usage time input only by the remaining amount of the fuel cell 32, the microcomputer 52 may switch the power supply unit 40 so that the power from the fuel cell 32 is supplied to the system power supply unit 40. 50) (S28).

Finally, the microcomputer 52 determines whether the use time has elapsed (S38). If the use time has not elapsed, the microcomputer 52 returns to step S12 to repeat the above-described process.

As described above, according to the present invention, power is consumed in the order of the external fuel cell 32 and the internal chemical cell 22 based on the time required by the user, the power consumption of the system, and the remaining amount of the chemical cell 22 and the fuel cell 32. When the remaining amount of the external fuel cell 32 is sufficient, the power of the fuel cell 32 is charged in the internal chemical cell 22, thereby improving portability while satisfying the usage time required by the user. Enable power management.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a power supply system for a portable electronic device and a method of controlling the portable electronic device, which can improve portability and efficiently manage power while meeting a usage time required by a user.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a power supply system for a portable electronic device and a control method thereof, which can charge power from an externally mounted fuel cell to a chemical cell mounted therein.

Claims (13)

In the power supply system of a portable electronic device including a system power supply for converting and applying the DC power supplied through any one of the internal chemical cell and the external fuel cell to the driving power of each part of the system, A remaining amount sensing unit for sensing remaining amounts of the chemical cell and the fuel cell; An input unit for inputting a system use time; A power consumption measuring unit for measuring system power consumption; A switching unit for supplying DC power from the chemical cell and the fuel cell to the system power supply unit; The remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell based on the remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell detected by the remaining amount detecting unit, the usage time input through the input unit, and the power consumption data measured by the power consumption measuring unit. A control unit which determines whether power supply is possible during the use time, and controls the switching unit to supply DC power from the fuel cell and the chemical cell to the system power supply in order of the fuel cell and the chemical cell according to a determination result. Power supply system for a portable electronic device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The control unit controls to generate a warning message when it is determined that the power supply is impossible during the use time due to the remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, power supply system for a portable electronic device. The method of claim 1, The control unit controls the switching unit to supply the DC power from the chemical cell to the system power supply if it is determined that the fuel cell has no remaining amount as a result of the detection of the remaining amount detecting unit. system. The method of claim 1, The control unit determines whether power supply is possible during the use time with only the remaining amount of the fuel cell when the remaining amount of the fuel cell exists, and if it is impossible as a result of the determination, switching to supply the DC power of the fuel cell to the system power supply unit. And controlling the switching unit to supply the DC power from the chemical cell to the system power supply unit when it is determined that the fuel cell is exhausted as a result of the detection by the remaining amount detection unit. system. The method of claim 4, wherein The control unit is a power supply system for a portable electronic device, characterized in that if the fuel cell is exhausted and there is no remaining, generating a notification message indicating that the fuel cell is exhausted. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a charging power supply for supplying charging power to the chemical cell; The controller determines whether power supply is possible during the use time with only the remaining amount of the fuel cell when the remaining amount of the fuel cell exists, and if possible, supplies the DC power from the fuel cell to the system power supply unit. And controlling the charging power supply unit to charge a predetermined DC power from the fuel cell to the chemical battery through the charging power supply unit when charging of the chemical cell is required as a result of sensing through the remaining amount sensing unit. Power supply system for a portable electronic device, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, The control unit is a power supply system for a portable electronic device, characterized in that for controlling to generate a use time setting screen to set the use time of the system according to the user's selection. In the control method of a power supply system of a portable electronic device comprising a system power supply for converting and applying the DC power supplied through any one of the internal chemical cell and the external fuel cell to drive power of each part of the system, Receiving a system usage time from a user; Measuring system power consumption; Sensing remaining amounts of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, respectively; Based on the input system usage time, the measured power consumption of the system, the sensed remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, it is determined whether the remaining power of the chemical cell and the fuel cell is possible to supply power during the use time. Making a step; And switching to supply the DC power from the fuel cell and the chemical cell to the system power supply in order of the fuel cell and the chemical cell according to the determination result. Control method. The method of claim 8, If it is determined that the power supply is impossible during the use time due to the remaining amount of the chemical cell and the fuel cell, generating a warning message further comprises the step of generating a warning message. The method of claim 8, And if it is determined that there is no remaining capacity in the fuel cell, switching to supply DC power from the chemical cell to the system power supply. The method of claim 8, Determining whether power supply is possible during the use time using only the remaining amount of the fuel cell when the remaining amount of the fuel cell exists; Switching to supply the DC power of the fuel cell to the system power supply if the determination is impossible; And switching to supply DC power from the chemical cell to the system power supply if the fuel cell is exhausted. The method of claim 11, And generating a notification message informing that the fuel cell has been exhausted when the fuel cell is exhausted and there is no remaining amount. The method of claim 8, Determining whether power supply is possible during the use time using only the remaining amount of the fuel cell when the remaining amount of the fuel cell exists; Switching to supply DC power from the fuel cell to the system power supply if possible as a result of the determination; And charging the chemical cell with a predetermined direct current power source from the fuel cell when the sensing result requires charging the chemical cell.