Patent Publication Number: US-2006006841-A1

Title: Battery pack and electronic device using the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-0054164, filed on Jul. 12, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a battery pack and an electronic device using the same, and more particularly, to a battery pack and an electronic device using the same to output a plurality of powers of different voltage levels.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      As portable electronic devices such as cellular phones and portable computers have been developed, a secondary battery is being actively studied.  
      Examples of such a secondary battery include a nickel-cadmium battery, a lead storage battery, a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery, a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-polymer battery, a metal lithium battery, and an air zinc storage battery.  
      The secondary battery includes a battery pack together with a charging/discharging circuit. The secondary battery is charged/discharged through a terminal of the battery pack.  
       FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively illustrate configurations of conventional battery packs  200   a  and  200   b.  The battery pack  200   a  shown in  FIG. 1  is an example of a smart battery including a control board  201  provided with a controller such as a microcomputer communicating with an electronic device such as a portable computer through a communication line of a system management BUS (SMBUS). The battery pack  200   b  shown in  FIG. 2  is an example of a dummy battery without a function of communicating with the electronic device.  
      The battery pack  200   a  in the form of the smart battery in  FIG. 1  is provided with a plurality of terminals for communicating with the electronic device as well as a power output terminal  202 . For example, the battery pack  200   a  is provided with a terminal for transmitting a temperature of the battery pack  200   a  and an SMBUS terminal (generally, two pins).  
      As shown, the conventional battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  include: a plurality of battery cells (BC) to output power at a predetermined voltage level respectively; and the power output terminal  202  to supply the power from the battery cells (BCs) to the electronic device.  
      Here, the voltage level of the power outputted from the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  is determined according to the voltage level of each of the respective battery cells (BC), the number of the battery cells (BC), and the types of connections (e.g., connection in series or parallel) between the battery cells (BC).  
      As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when each of the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  includes four battery cells (BC) connected in series and the respective battery cells (BC) supply a voltage of 3.7V, each of the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  supplies a power of 14.8V to the electronic device.  
      Meanwhile, the electronic device receiving power from the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  includes: a system part (not shown); and a system power supply (not shown) to change power from the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  to power for driving the system part.  
      The system part includes a plurality of electronic components to perform a main function of the electronic device. For example, if the electronic device is provided as the portable computer, the electronic components of the system part may include: a CPU; a memory such as: a random access memory (RAM); a chipset; a main board; and a graphic card.  
      The system power supply outputs power from the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  after changing the power into an appropriate power (e.g., ±12V, ±5V, ±3.3V and ±1.2V) for driving the electronic components. Here, the respective electronic components use the power from the system power supply for driving themselves and/or transmitting a signal.  
      However, the voltage level of the power supplied from the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  is fixed to a single value in the conventional electronic device, and the power having the single value of the voltage level is changed into power for driving the respective electronic components of the system, thereby leading to low efficiency.  
      For example, the voltage level of the power supplied to the electronic device from the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  is 14.8V, and the system power supply should change the power of 14.8V into the voltage levels (e.g., ±12V, ±5V, ±3.3V, ±1.5V) for driving the respective electronic components of the system, thereby leading to large power loss while changing the power to ±3.3V and ±1.5V in significant difference from 14.8V.  
      Even though the voltage level of the power supplied from the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  is adjusted, the battery packs  200   a  and  200   b  cannot efficiently correspond to the electronic device requiring power at various voltage levels.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY  
      An aspect of the present invention provides a battery pack and an electronic device using the same to output a plurality of power having a different voltage level each other.  
      According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery pack for an electronic device, including: a power source including a plurality of battery cells, and outputting a plurality of battery powers of different voltage levels through combinations of the battery cells; and a plurality of power output terminals connectable to the electronic device and supplying the respective battery powers to the electronic device.  
      At least two of the battery cells may be connected in series; and output power outputted from the power source ma include power between opposite ends of the battery cells connected in series, and power from at least one of nodes between the battery cells connected in series.  
      At least two of the battery cells may be connected in parallel.  
      The battery pack may also include an output switch selectively connecting one of the two or more battery power outputted from the power source to the power output terminal; and a battery controller controlling switching of the output switch.  
      The battery pack may also include a control signal line for communicating with the electronic device, and the battery controller controls the output switch on the basis of a predetermined control signal received from the electronic device through the control signal line.  
      According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device including a plurality of electronic components, including: a battery pack including a plurality of power output terminals, and a power source having a plurality of battery cells and outputting a plurality of battery powers of different voltage levels by combinations of the battery cells through the plurality of power output terminals; a plurality of power input terminals connected to respective power output terminals; and a system power supply changing the plurality of battery power inputted through the respective power input terminals into power for driving the respective electronic components.  
      At least two of the battery cells may be connected in series, and output power outputted from the power source may include power between opposite ends of the battery cells connected in series, and power from at least one of nodes between the battery cells connected in series.  
      At least two of the battery cells may be connected in parallel.  
      The battery pack may also include an output switch selectively connecting one of two or more battery power outputted from the power source to the power output terminal; and a battery controller controlling switching of the output switch.  
      The electronic device may also include a system power controller outputting a control signal to make the battery controller to control the output switch; and a control signal line for transmitting the control signal from the system power controller to the battery controller.  
      The system power supply may include a plurality of converters receiving one of the plurality of battery power inputted through the power input terminal and converting the battery power into a voltage level of power for driving the electronic components; and an input switch selectively connecting one of two or more power input terminals to the converter according to control of the system power controller.  
      The battery controller may supply information about the voltage level of the battery power outputted through the power output terminal connected to two or more power input terminals selectively connected to the converter to the system power controller through the control signal line, and the system power controller may control switching of the input switch on the basis of the information received through the control signal line.  
      According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery pack, including: a power source including a plurality of batteries, and outputting a plurality of different voltages through different combinations of the batteries; and a plurality of power output terminals outputting the respective voltages, the plurality including a first output terminal connected to a first battery, a second output terminal connected to a second battery, and a third power output terminal connected to a node between the first and the second batteries. A connection of the first and second power output terminals outputs a voltage corresponding to a potential difference between the first and second batteries. A connection of the second and third power output terminals outputs a voltage corresponding to a potential difference between the second battery and the node.  
      According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery pack, including: a power source including a plurality of batteries, and outputting a plurality of different voltages through different combinations of the batteries; and a plurality of power output terminals outputting the respective voltages, the plurality including a first output terminal connected to a first pair of batteries connected in parallel, a second output terminal connected to a second pair of batteries connected in parallel, and a third power output terminal connected to a node between the first and second pairs of batteries. The first and second pairs of batteries are connected in series. A connection of the first and second power output terminals outputs a voltage corresponding to a potential difference between the first and second pairs of batteries, and a connection of the second and third power output terminals outputs a voltage corresponding to a potential difference between the second pair of batteries and the node.  
      Additional and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:  
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a configuration of a conventional battery pack;  
       FIG. 3  illustrates a configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate examples of a battery pack of the electronic device of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 6  illustrates a configuration of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 7  is a configuration of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
      Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes: a system part  32  having a plurality of electronic components; a battery pack  10  having a power source  11  outputting a plurality of battery powers of different voltage levels; and a system power supply  31  to change the battery power supplied from the battery pack  10  into power for driving the respective electronic components of the system part  32 . The power source  11  includes a plurality of battery cells (BC) (shown in  FIG. 4 ), and outputs a plurality of battery power having a different voltage level each other through combination of the plurality of battery cells (BC).  
      Stated a different way, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the battery pack  10  and a system main body  30  provided with the system part  32  and the system power supply  31 .  
      Also, the battery pack  10  and the system main body  30  may physically be separated. Accordingly, the battery pack  10  includes a plurality of power output terminals  13  for supplying the battery power from the power source  11  to the system main body  30 . The system main body  30  includes a power input terminal  33  connected to the power output terminals  13  and supplying the battery power from the battery pack  10  to the system power supply  31  when the battery pack  10  is coupled with the system main body  30 .  
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a battery pack  10   a  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the battery pack  10   a  includes a power source  11   a  having four battery cells (BC) connected in series; and power output terminals  13   a,    13   b  and  13   c  for supplying power from the power source  11   a  to the system main body  30 .  
      The battery power outputted from the power source  11   a  includes power between opposite ends of the four battery cells (BC) connected in series; and power from a node (N) between the adjacent battery cells (BC). Also, the opposite ends of the four battery cells (BC) connected in series are respectively connected to the power output terminals  13   a  and  13   b  (to be referred to as “a first terminal” and “a second terminal” hereinbelow), and the node (N) between the adjacent battery cells (BC) is connected to the remaining power output terminal  13   c  (to be referred to as “a third terminal” hereinbelow).  
      The four battery cells (BC) connected in series supply a voltage of 3.7V respectively, and a potential difference between the opposite ends of the four battery cells (BC) connected in series becomes 14.8V and the power of 14.8V is outputted to the system main body  30  through the first terminal  13   a  and the second terminal  13   b.    
      If the node (N) between the adjacent battery cells (BC) is provided as shown in  FIG. 4 , the power of 3.7V is outputted to the system main body  30  from the node (N) between the battery cells (BC) through the third terminal  13   c  and the second terminal  13   b.    
      Accordingly, the battery pack  10   a  may supply power having voltage levels of 14.8V and    3 . 7   V to the system main body  30 .  
      The battery pack  10   a  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is provided with a single node (N) between the adjacent battery cells (BC) as an example. However, it is to be understood that the battery pack  10   a  may be provided with one, two or more nodes between the adjacent battery cells (BC) as necessary. At this time, the power output terminals  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c  and the power input terminal  33  are additionally provided according to the additional nodes (N).  
       FIG. 5  illustrates another example of a battery pack  10   b  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, the battery pack  10   b  includes a power source  11   b  that pairs of the battery cells (BC) are connected in series with each pair formed parallel connection of the battery cells; and power output terminals  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c  for supplying power from the power source  11   b  to the system main body  30 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the power outputted from the power source  11   b  includes power outputted from four battery cells (BC) connected in series/parallel; and power from a node (N) between the pairs of the battery cells (BC) connected in series. Also, the power outputted from the four battery cells (BC) is supplied to the system main body  30  through the first terminal  13   a  and the second terminal  13   b . The power from the node (N) is supplied to the system main body  30  through the third terminal  13   c  and the second terminal  13   b.    
      The four battery cells (BC) supply a voltage of 3.7V respectively, and a power of 7.4V is supplied to the system main body  30  through the first terminal  13   a  and the second terminal  13   b , and a power of 3.7V is supplied to the system main body  30  through the third terminal  13   c  and the second terminal  13   b.    
      Accordingly, the battery pack  10   b  may supply power having voltage levels of 7.4V and 3.7V to the system main body  30 .  
      Meanwhile, power at various voltage levels outputted from the battery packs  10 , 10   a  and  10   b  is supplied to the system power supply  31  through the power input terminal  33  of the system main body  30 . Here, the system power supply  31  changes the inputted power into power for driving the respective electronic components according to a voltage level of the inputted power.  
      If inputted with power of 3.7V and 14.8V from the battery pack  10   a  shown in  FIG. 4  and the system part  32  requires power of ±12V, ±5V, ±3.3V and ±1.5V, the system power supply  31  may be provided to output a power of ±12V by using a power of 14.8V, and output power of ±5V, ±3.3V and ±1.5V by using a power of 3.7V.  
      Accordingly, the electronic device changes the power from the battery packs  10 , 10   a  and  10   b , thereby minimizing power loss and increasing efficiency.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, the electronic device includes: a system part  132  having a plurality of electronic components; a battery pack  110  having a power source  111  outputting a plurality of battery power having a different voltage level each other; and a system power supply  131  changing the batter power supplied from the battery pack  110  into power for driving the respective electronic components of the system part  132 .  
      Stated a different way, the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes: the battery pack  110 ; and a system main body  130  provided with the system  132  and the system power supply  131  like the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Also, the battery pack  110  includes a plurality of power output terminals  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c , and the system main body  130  includes power input terminals  133   a ,  133   b  and  133   c.    
      Also, the battery pack  110  according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include: an output switch  115  provided between the power source  111  and the power output terminals  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c ; and a battery controller  114  to control the output switch  115 .  
      The output switch  115  receives a plurality of battery power outputted from the power source  111 . Then, the output switch  115  selects at least one battery power from the inputted battery power according to control of the battery controller  114  and supplies the battery power to the power output terminals  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c.    
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , a detailed description of the battery pack  110  according to the second embodiment of the present invention is as follows. Here, the power source  111  includes: of four battery cells (BC) connected in series as an example. Also, the power outputted from the power source  111  includes power between opposite ends of the four battery cells (BC) connected in series; and power from three nodes (N) between the adjacent battery cells (BC) as an example.  
      Here, the power between the opposite ends of the four battery cells (BC) is supplied to the system main body  130  through the first terminal  13   a  and the second terminal  13   b  among the power output terminals  13   a ,  13   b  and  13   c . The power from the three nodes (N) between the adjacent battery cells (BC) is supplied to the output switch  115 .  
      The output switch  115  selects one of the power from the three nodes (N) of the power source  111  according to the control of the battery controller  114 , and supplies the power from the selected node (N) to the system main body  130  through the third terminal  13   c  and the second terminal  13   b.    
      For example, if the four battery cells (BC) connected in series supplies a voltage of 3.7V respectively, a potential difference between the opposite ends of the four battery cells (BC) connected in series becomes 14.8V, and a power of 14.8V is supplied to the system main body  130  through the first terminal  13   a  and the second terminal  13   b.    
      According to selection through the output switch  115 , one of voltage levels of 3.7V, 7.4V and 11.1V is supplied to the system main body  130  through the third terminal  13   c  and the second terminal  13   b.    
      Accordingly, at least a part of voltage levels of the plurality of battery power outputted from the battery pack  110  is changed, thereby appropriately corresponding to the voltage level of power for driving the respective electronic components of the electronic device.  
      Meanwhile, the electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a system power controller  134  to output a control signal to make the battery controller  114  to control the output switch  115 . Accordingly, at least a part of various voltage levels outputted from the battery pack  110  through the system power controller  134  provided in the system main body  130  may be selected. The battery pack  110  may be applied to various system main bodies requiring power at various voltage levels.  
      Here, the system power controller  134  outputs the control signal to the battery controller  114  through a control signal line (CSL) which connects the battery pack  110  and the system main body  130 . If the electronic device according to the present embodiment is provided as a portable computer, the control signal line (CSL) between the system power controller  134  and the battery controller  114  may include a system management BUS (SMBUS).  
      Meanwhile,  FIG. 7  illustrates a configuration of an electronic device  130 ′ according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
      As shown therein, a system power supply  131 ′ of the electronic device  130 ′ according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of converters  136   a ,  136   b  and  136   c ; and an input switch  135 .  
      The respective converters  136   a ,  136   b  and  136   c  convert power inputted from power input terminals  133   a ′,  133   b ′,  133   c ′ and  133   d ′ into voltage levels according to the respective specifications and supplies them to the respective electronic components of a system part  132 . For example, if the electronic device  130 ′ according to the present embodiment is provided as a portable computer, the respective converters  136   a ,  136   b  and  136   c  output various voltage levels (e.g. ±5V, ±3.3V and ±2.5V) for driving the respective electronic components of the system part  132 . The power of the respective voltage levels is supplied as power for driving a CPU, a memory such as: a random access memory (RAM); a chipset; a main board; a graphic card, etc. and transmitting a signal according to requirement of the respective electronic components. The converters  136   a ,  136   b  and  136   c  may include a switching voltage regulator. Alternatively, other voltage regulators may be used to change the voltage level of the inputted power and output it.  
      The input switch  135  selectively connects one of two or more of power input terminals  133   b ′ and  133   c ′ to the converter  136   b . Accordingly, the voltage level of the battery power inputted to the single converter  136   b  may be changed. For example, if the voltage levels of the battery power inputted through the two power input terminals  133   b ′ and  133   c ′ are 15V and 5V respectively and the converter  136   b  of the system power supply  131 ′ connected with the input switch  135  outputs a power of 3V, the input switch  135  operates to make the power input terminal  133   c ′ inputted with a battery power of 5V and the converter  136   b  outputting a power of 3V to be connected with each other for power conversion efficiency and power saving of the battery. Meanwhile, if the voltage levels of the battery power inputted through the two power input terminals  133   b ′ and  133   c ′ are 15V and 5V respectively and the converter  136   b  of the system power supply  131 ′ connected with the switch outputs a power of 12V, the switch preferably operates to make the power input terminal  133   b ′ inputted with the battery power of 15V and the converter  136   b  outputting a power of 12V to be connected with each other for power conversion efficiency and power saving of the battery.  
      Here, the switching of the input switch  135  may be performed according to control of the system power controller  131 ′. At this time, the output voltage level of the converter  136   b  of the system power supply  131 ′ connected with the input switch  135  and the voltage level of the battery power inputted through the power input terminals  133   b ′ and  133   c ′ selectively connected to the corresponding converter  136   b  according to the switching of the input switch  135  may be preset and stored in the system power controller  131 ′. Also, the system power controller  131 ′ may receive information about the voltage level of the battery power outputted through the power output terminal (not shown) connected with the power input terminals  133   b ′ and  133   c ′ selectively connected to the corresponding converter  136   b  from the foregoing battery controller according to the switching of the input switch  135 .  
      In the foregoing embodiments, the battery packs  10 ,  10   a ,  10   b  and  110  are described as elements of the electronic device. However, it is to be understood that each of the battery packs  10 ,  10   a ,  10   b  and  110  may be a device independent of the electronic device. At this time, the electronic device may include only a configuration of the foregoing system main bodies  30  and  130 .  
      Also, the configurations of the battery packs  10   a  and  10   b  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  are provided to describe the battery pack  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention, but not limited thereto. For example, the battery packs  10   a  and  10   b  may output a plurality of battery power having a different voltage level each other through various combinations (connection in series and/or in parallel).  
      In the foregoing embodiments, the battery packs  10 ,  10   a ,  10   b  and  110  are provided as the dummy battery as an example. However, it is to be understood that the battery pack  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided as a smart battery. At this time, the power from the power sources  11 ,  11   a ,  11   b  and  111  may be supplied to the power output terminal through a control board (not shown). Also, the battery controller  114  and the output switch  115  may be provided on the control board.  
      By providing the power sources  11 ,  11   a ,  11   b  and  111  having the plurality of battery cells (BC) and outputting the plurality of battery power having the different voltage level each other through the combination of the plurality of battery cells (BC), and the battery packs  10 ,  10   a ,  10   b  and  110  connected to the electronic device and having the plurality of power output terminals  13  supplying the respective battery power outputted from the power sources  11 ,  11   a ,  11   b  and  111  to the electronic device, the plurality of power having the different voltage level each other are supplied to the electronic device, and the electronic device efficiently uses the power supplied from the battery packs  10 ,  10   a ,  10   b  and  110 .  
      Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.