TW201943171A - Multiport battery charger - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a multiport battery charger. The multiport battery charger comprises a power supply conversion unit used for converting an external power supply to an electric supply suitable for operation of the multiport battery charger, and a charging unit connected with the power supply conversion unit through an electric power output line, the charging unit comprises a charging circuit and a plurality of charging ports, the charging circuit is used for connecting the plurality of charging ports to the electric power output line in parallel to provide electric power for the charging ports, and each charging port in the plurality of charging ports is connected with a charging battery. According to the multiport battery charger, parallel charging of a plurality of charging batteries is allowed, and direct-connection fast charging of the single charging battery is also allowed.

Description

Multi-port battery charger

The invention relates to the field of batteries, in particular to a multi-port battery charger.

With the development of technology, the types of batteries are increasing, and rechargeable batteries have been widely used, for example, in electric vehicles, power tools, video games, notebooks, photovoltaics, digital and small portable electronic devices and electronic appliances. A battery charger is an electronic device used to charge a rechargeable battery. A battery charger widely used today is a port charger used to charge a single rechargeable battery. However, many devices that use rechargeable batteries require high current discharge. One battery has insufficient battery life. One device usually requires two or more batteries to obtain longer battery life. But using a port charger to charge multiple batteries requires waiting in line.

In view of one or more of the problems described above, the present invention provides a multi-port battery charger.

A multi-port battery charger according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a power conversion unit configured to convert an external power source into a power supply suitable for the multi-port battery charger to work; a charging unit, the charging unit The charging unit is configured to be connected to a power conversion unit through a power output line. The charging unit includes a charging circuit and a plurality of charging ports. The charging circuit is used to connect the plurality of charging ports to the power output line in parallel to provide power to each charging port. Each of the charging ports is configured to connect a rechargeable battery.

The multi-port power charger according to the embodiment of the present invention implements parallel charging of multiple rechargeable batteries by configuring multiple charging ports. In addition, it also protects the charging circuit by configuring circuit protection elements and allows a single rechargeable battery to be implemented. Direct connect fast charge.

100‧‧‧multi-port battery charger

2, 3, J2, J3‧‧‧ auxiliary charging port

1.J1‧‧‧main charging port

V1, V2, GND‧‧‧ voltages are

2S, 3S‧‧‧battery

F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6‧‧‧Thermistors

102, 302, 402, 502‧‧‧ charging units

101, 103, 401, 501‧‧‧ Power Conversion Unit

According to the detailed description given below and the appended description of various embodiments of the present invention Figures, embodiments of the present disclosure will be more fully understood. However, although the drawings are helpful for explanation and understanding, they are merely an aid and should not be considered to limit the present disclosure to the specific embodiments depicted therein. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-port battery charger according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 is an embodiment according to the present invention FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-port battery charger including a main charging port and an auxiliary charging port; FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a multi-port battery charger for charging a 2S battery according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates a multi-port battery charger for charging a 2S battery according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 illustrates a 3S battery for charging a 2S battery according to an embodiment of the present invention Illustration of a charged multi-port battery charger; Figure 6 shows an example of a multi-port battery charger according to one embodiment of the invention.

Features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be described in detail below. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented without the need for some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely for providing a better understanding of the present invention by showing examples of the present invention. The present invention is by no means limited to any specific configuration proposed below, but covers any modification, replacement, and improvement of elements and components without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the drawings and the following description, well-known structures and techniques are not shown in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-port battery charger according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-port battery charger 100 includes a power conversion unit 101 configured to convert an external power source into a power supply suitable for the operation of the multi-port battery charger. The external power source can be an AC power source or a DC power source. Electricity or electricity from other commercial or civilian generators, for example, the external power source is China's mains, that is, 220V AC. The power conversion unit 101 includes a circuit that regulates an external power source to convert it into a power supply suitable for the operation of the multi-port battery charger described herein. In one embodiment, the power conversion unit 101 is an AC / DC converter for converting, for example, an external mains power source into DC power, so as to transmit the DC power through a power output line for charging one or more rechargeable batteries.

In one embodiment, the multi-port battery charger 100 further includes a charging unit 102 configured to be connected to the power conversion unit 101 through a power output line. The power output line can be according to various suitable wire gauge standards, such as the American Wire Gauge (SWG) and the like. In one embodiment, the power output line is pluggably connected to the power conversion unit 101, for example, connected through an interface (eg, USB, Type-C interface, etc.). In one embodiment, the power output line is directly connected to the power conversion unit 101, for example, the power output line is non-pluggable to the power conversion unit 101, for example, integrally formed. In one embodiment, the power output line is pluggably connected to the charging unit 102, for example, through an interface (eg, a USB, Type-C interface, etc.). In one embodiment, the power output line is directly connected to the charging unit 102, for example, the power output line is non-pluggable to the power conversion unit 101, for example, integrally formed.

The charging unit 102 includes a charging circuit and a plurality of charging ports, wherein the charging circuit connects the plurality of charging ports to a power output line in parallel to provide power to each charging port, and each of the plurality of charging ports is configured as Connect the rechargeable battery. The charging unit 102 may include two or more charging ports. It should be noted that although the charging unit 102 is shown to include three charging ports in the embodiment of FIG. 1, those skilled in the art should understand that the charging port of the multi-port battery charger according to the embodiment of the present invention The number can be any number of two or more.

In one embodiment, the rechargeable battery that can be charged using the multi-port battery charger according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium polymer battery, or a lead storage battery, and the like. In one embodiment, a rechargeable battery that can be charged using a multi-port battery charger according to an embodiment of the present application may include one or more cells in series.

In one embodiment, the plurality of charging ports include a main charging port and a Or multiple auxiliary charging ports, where the main charging port is configured to be directly connected to the power output line in the charging circuit to quickly charge the rechargeable battery connected to the main charging port while charging a rechargeable battery, one or The plurality of auxiliary charging ports are configured to be connected with the power output line through the protection element in the charging circuit to protect the charging circuit in the case of charging a plurality of rechargeable batteries at the same time. In one embodiment, the protection element is configured to limit the discharge current between the rechargeable batteries, thereby protecting the charging circuit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a multi-port battery charger including a main charging port and a secondary charging port according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-port battery charger includes a main charging port 1 and two auxiliary charging ports 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the power output line and the auxiliary charging ports 2 and 3 are respectively connected through a protection element in the charging circuit, and the power output line and the main charging port 1 are directly connected in the charging circuit. When three rechargeable batteries need to be charged at the same time, the three rechargeable batteries can be connected to the main charging port 1, the auxiliary charging ports 2 and 3, respectively. When a rechargeable battery needs to be charged, the rechargeable battery can be connected to the main charging port 1 for fast charging. It should be noted that although the charging unit 102 is shown to include three charging ports in the embodiment of FIG. 2, those skilled in the art should understand that the charging port of a multi-port battery charger according to an embodiment of the present invention The number can be any number of two or more.

In one embodiment, the protection element is connected in the charging circuit to each of the one or more cells of the rechargeable battery that will be connected to each of the one or more auxiliary charging ports. One or more lines associated with the positive terminal and / or the negative terminal of the rechargeable battery, so that one or more cells of the rechargeable battery connected to the auxiliary charging port are connected in series with the protection element, respectively. When the voltage difference is large, the discharge current between the rechargeable batteries is limited.

In one embodiment, the protection element is a thermistor. In the circuit of the charging circuit, a thermistor is added between each cell in each battery to limit the current. When the voltage difference between the parallel rechargeable batteries is large, the large current generated through the thermistor will increase the resistance value of the resistor. As a result, the current is reduced, and the resistance of the thermistor is extremely small when the voltage difference becomes small or there is no voltage difference, thereby achieving a balance between the batteries. This can alleviate the risk of burning the circuit board when the voltage difference of the parallel rechargeable batteries is large due to excessive heating current and excessive heating temperature.

In the following, a 2S battery (including two cells in series) is taken as an example, and a multi-port battery according to an embodiment of the present invention for charging a 2S battery will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. charger. FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a multi-port battery charger for charging a 2S battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a multi-port battery charger for charging a 2S battery according to another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-port power charger for charging a 2S battery includes a power conversion unit 301 and a charging unit 302, wherein the power conversion unit 301 and the charging unit 302 are connected through a power output line, and the power output line is connected through three The connection lines transmit power from the power conversion unit 301 to the charging unit 302, and the corresponding voltages on the three connection lines are V1, V2, and GND, respectively. The charging unit 302 includes three charging ports J1, J2, and J3 connected in parallel in the charging circuit through three lines 1, 2, and 3, respectively. As shown in Figure 3, line 1 of the three lines of each charging port is used to connect to the negative terminal of the first cell of the rechargeable battery connected to the charging port and to the GND connection line in the power output line. 2 is used to connect to the positive end of the first battery cell and the negative end of the second battery cell connected to the charging port, and is connected to a voltage line V1 in the power output line; line 3 is used to connect The positive end of the second battery cell of the rechargeable battery that enters the charging port is connected and connected to the connection line V2 of the power output line. That is, V1 and V2 are the positive terminal of the first cell and the second terminal of the 2S battery in the charging ports J1, J2, and J3, respectively. The ground GND is the 2S in the charging ports J1, J2, and J3. The negative terminal of the first cell of the battery.

The three charging ports in the charging unit 302 include a main charging port J1 and two auxiliary charging ports J2 and J3. GND / V1 / V2 is directly connected to J1, and is connected to J2 and J3 through thermistors F1 / F2, F3 / F4 connection. As shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary charging ports J2 and J3 are connected to the power output line by connecting a protection element (for example, a thermistor) in the lines 2 and 3 associated with the positive end of the battery cell to simultaneously (For example, 3) 2S batteries protect the charging circuit while charging, and the main charging port J1 is directly connected to the power output line to charge a 2S battery to the 2S battery connected to the main charging port J1 Perform fast charging. Specifically, the thermistors F1 and F2 are connected to the lines 2 and 3 of the auxiliary charging port J2, and the thermistors F3 and F4 are connected to the lines 2 and 3 of the auxiliary charging port J3, respectively. When the voltage difference between 2S batteries is large, the discharge current of the high voltage battery to the low voltage battery is limited.

In one embodiment, the auxiliary charging port may be connected to the power output line by connecting a protection element in a line associated with the negative terminal of each cell of the rechargeable battery at the port. In order to protect the charging circuit when charging multiple rechargeable batteries at the same time. As shown in FIG. 4, the multi-port power charger for charging a 2S battery includes a power conversion unit 401 and a charging unit 402. Wherein, the auxiliary charging ports J2 and J3 in the charging unit 402 are connected to the power output line by connecting a thermistor in the lines 1 and 2 associated with the negative end of the battery cell to charge multiple 2S batteries at the same time. Protect the charging circuit. Specifically, the thermistors F1 and F2 can be connected to the lines 1 and 2 of the auxiliary charging port J2, and the thermistors F3 and F4 can be connected to the lines 1 and 2 of the auxiliary charging port J3, respectively. When the voltage difference between 2S batteries is large, the discharge current of the high voltage battery to the low voltage battery is limited.

In another embodiment of a multi-port battery charger for a 2S battery, the protection element (eg, thermistor) may be configured differently. In one embodiment, the auxiliary charging port may be connected with a protection element in a line associated with the positive terminal and the negative terminal of each battery cell of the rechargeable battery, for example, it may be connected to the positive terminal of the battery cell of the first section respectively. The thermistors are connected to the lines 1 and 2, which are associated with the negative terminal, and the lines 3 and 2, respectively, which are associated with the positive and negative terminals of the second cell, that is, connected to lines 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Thermistor. In one embodiment, the auxiliary charging port may be connected to a protection element in a line associated with the positive or negative terminal of each cell of the rechargeable battery, for example, the line associated with the negative end of the first battery cell may be separately connected. 1 and the thermistor connected to the line 3 associated with the positive end of the second cell.

In one embodiment, the power output line may follow different standardized wire gauges, for example, according to the American Wire Gauge (AWG). As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connection line for GND and V2 can be based on 20AWG, and the connection line for V1 can be based on 28AWG. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the power output line according to the embodiment of the present invention may adopt other wire gauge standards, which is not limited herein. In addition, the length of the power output line can be any length, for example, 0.5 m, which is not limited herein.

Taking a 3S battery (including three cells in series) as an example, a multi-port battery charger according to an embodiment of the present invention for charging a 3S battery is described in detail below with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a multi-port battery charger for charging a 3S battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the multi-port power charger for charging a 3S battery includes a power conversion unit 501 and a charging unit 502, of which the power conversion unit 501 and the charging unit 502 is connected through a power output line. The power output line transmits power from the power conversion unit 501 to the charging unit 502 through four connection lines. The corresponding voltages on the four connection lines are V1, V2, V3, and GND. The charging unit 502 includes three charging ports J1, J2, and J3 connected in parallel in the charging circuit through four lines 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. As shown in Figure 5, line 1 of the four lines used for each charging port is used to connect to the negative terminal of the first cell of the rechargeable battery connected to the charging port and to the GND connection line in the power output line Line 2 is used to connect to the positive end of the first battery cell and the negative end of the second battery cell connected to the rechargeable battery connected to the charging port, and is connected to the connection line of voltage V1 in the power output line. Line 3 is used for It is connected to the positive terminal of the second battery cell and the negative terminal of the third battery cell connected to the charging port, and is connected to a voltage line V2 in the power output line. Line 4 is used to connect to the charging The positive end of the third battery cell of the rechargeable battery of the port is connected and connected to the connection line of voltage V3 in the power output line. That is, V1, V2, and V3 are the positive end of the first cell, the positive end of the second cell, and the positive end of the third cell of the 3S battery in the charging ports J1, J2, and J3, respectively. The ground GND is The negative terminal of the first cell of the 3S battery in the charging ports J1, J2, and J3.

The three charging ports in the charging unit 502 include a main charging port J1 and two auxiliary charging ports J2 and J3. Among them, GND / V1 / V2 / V3 is directly connected to J1, and it is connected to J2 and J3 through thermistor F1 / respectively. F2 / F3, F4 / F5 / F6 connection. The auxiliary charging ports J2 and J3 are connected to the power transmission line by connecting a protection element (for example, a thermistor) in the charging circuit in lines 2, 3, and 4 associated with the positive end of the battery cell to simultaneously (3 pcs) to protect the charging circuit when the 3S battery is being charged, and the main charging port J1 is directly connected to the power output line to perform the 3S battery connection to the main charging port J1 under the condition of charging only one 3S battery fast charging. As shown in FIG. 5, thermistors F1, F2, and F3 are connected to the lines 2, 3, and 4 of the auxiliary charging port J2, and the thermistor F4, F5 and F6, thereby limiting the discharge current between the batteries.

In another embodiment of a multi-port battery charger for a 3S battery, the protection element (eg, thermistor) may be configured differently. For example, in one embodiment, the auxiliary charging port may connect a protection element in a line associated with the negative terminal of each cell of the rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the auxiliary charging port may connect a protection element in a line associated with the positive terminal and the negative terminal of each cell of the rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the auxiliary charging port can be A protection element is connected to the line associated with the positive or negative terminal of each cell of the battery.

In one embodiment, the power output line may follow different standardized wire gauges, for example, according to the American Wire Gauge (AWG). As shown in Figure 5, the connection lines for GND and V3 can be based on 20AWG, and the connection lines for V1 and V2 can be based on 28AWG. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the power output line according to the embodiment of the present invention may adopt other wire gauge standards, which is not limited herein. In addition, the length of the power output line can be any length, for example, 0.5 m, which is not limited herein.

It should be understood that although a 2S battery and a 3S battery are used as examples to describe a multi-port battery charger with three charging ports, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the multi-port battery charger according to the embodiment of the present invention may It is designed for different types of rechargeable batteries, can be designed to have different numbers of charging ports, and can also have different protection element configurations.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a multi-port battery charger according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the charging circuit of the charging unit is packaged in a casing, and a plurality of charging ports of the charging unit are on the surface of the casing for connecting with a plurality of rechargeable battery interfaces. In one embodiment, the charging port may be a USB, Type-C interface, for example. In one embodiment, the charging port may be the same as the port of the rechargeable battery, for example, it is an XH-2.54mm interface. In one embodiment, the charging port may use any interface capable of being connected to a terminal of the rechargeable battery. As shown in FIG. 6, the charging unit is connected to the conversion head (that is, the power conversion unit) through an interface through a power output line. In one embodiment, the interface may be USB, Type-C, or any capable of being connected to the power conversion unit. Interface. However, it should be understood that, as mentioned above, the power output line may be directly connected to the power conversion unit and the charging unit or indirectly (eg, through an interface).

It should be understood that although the multi-port battery charger shown in FIG. 6 is shown as including three charging ports, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the multi-port battery charger according to the embodiment of the present invention may be Designed to have different numbers of charging ports.

The present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. For example, the algorithms described in particular embodiments may be modified without the system architecture departing from the basic spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Definitions, and all changes that fall within the meaning of the claims and the scope of equivalents are thus included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (9)

A multi-port battery charger includes a power conversion unit configured to convert an external power supply into a power supply suitable for the multi-port battery charger to work; a charging unit configured to: Is connected to the power conversion unit through a power output line, and the charging unit includes a charging circuit and a plurality of charging ports, wherein the charging circuit is configured to connect the plurality of charging ports to the power output line in parallel to Each charging port provides power, and each of the plurality of charging ports is configured to connect a rechargeable battery. The multi-port battery charger according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the plurality of charging ports include a main charging port and one or more auxiliary charging ports, and the main charging port is configured to charge the battery. The circuit is directly connected to the power output line to quickly charge the rechargeable battery connected to the main charging port when charging a rechargeable battery, and the one or more auxiliary charging ports are configured to The charging circuit is connected to the power output line through a protection element to protect the charging circuit when a plurality of rechargeable batteries are charged at the same time. The multi-port battery charger according to item 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the protection element is connected to the charging circuit and will be connected to each of the one or more auxiliary charging ports. The positive terminal and / or the negative terminal of each of the one or more cells of the rechargeable battery of the charging port are connected to one or more lines, so that one of the rechargeable batteries connected to each auxiliary charging port is connected. Or a plurality of cells are connected in series with the protection element to limit the discharge current between the rechargeable batteries. The multi-port battery charger according to item 2 or item 3 of the patent application scope, wherein the protection element is a thermistor. The multi-port battery charger according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the power output line is directly connected to the charging unit. The multi-port battery charger according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the power output line is connected to the charging unit through an interface. The multi-port battery charger according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the power output line is directly connected to the power conversion unit. The multi-port battery charger according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the power output line is connected to the power conversion unit through an interface. The multi-port battery charger according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the charging port includes a USB interface or a Type-C interface or the same interface as the interface of a rechargeable battery.