Patent ID: 12230986

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of this application provide a foldable electronic device. The electronic device is used in the following two states: a folded state and an expanded state. When the electronic device is in the folded state, there is one display screen (a main display screen) displayed. When the electronic device is in the expanded state, display screens are simultaneously displayed, for example, two screens are displayed, or three screens are displayed. The foldable electronic device is an electronic device such as a smartphone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a smartwatch, an electronic book, a VR (Virtual Reality, virtual reality) device, or an AR (Augmented Reality, augmented reality) device. The foldable electronic device supports installation of various types of desktop applications, and a user displays various desktop applications on a single screen, two screens, or a plurality of screens. The desktop applications include but are not limited to a photo application, a browser application, an instant messaging application, a game application, a video player application, and an office automation application.

The foldable electronic device includes at least two display screens, and in an actual process of use by the user, more power is consumed in multi-screen display than in single-screen display. Therefore, a battery capacity of the foldable electronic device needs to be expanded, to increase standby duration of the electronic device. To achieve the foregoing technical effects, in the embodiments of this application, a multi-battery parallel design is used, batteries with different capacities are connected in a preset connection manner, and proper space layout is performed, to improve internal space utilization of the electronic device, and to maximize the battery capacity of the electronic device. The electronic device is controlled by software to simultaneously charge and discharge a plurality of batteries, to increase a charging speed and improve a discharging capability of the batteries.

The foldable electronic device provided in this application is described below in detail by using specific embodiments. The following several specific embodiments are combined with each other. Same or similar content is not repeatedly described in different embodiments.

For ease of description, a circuit connection and space layout inside the electronic device are described in the following embodiments by using an example in which the electronic device includes two accommodation spaces and two batteries. Certainly, quantities of accommodation spaces and batteries in the electronic device is expanded based on an actual parameters.

FIG.2is a schematic diagram of a hardware connection inside a first foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of this application. As shown inFIG.2, the electronic device10provided in this embodiment includes a charging circuit11, a control circuit12, a first battery branch circuit, and a second battery branch circuit. The first battery branch circuit and the second battery branch circuit are connected in parallel. The first battery branch circuit includes a first battery13and a first switch14. The first battery13and the first switch14are connected in series. The second battery branch circuit includes a second battery15.

FIG.3is a schematic diagram of a spatial structure of a first foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of this application. As shown inFIG.3, the electronic device10provided in this embodiment includes a first accommodation space111and a second accommodation space112. The first accommodation space111and the second accommodation space112are connected through a bendable member113. The first battery13is disposed in the first accommodation space111, and the second battery15is disposed in the second accommodation space112. Optionally, the first switch14and the control circuit12are disposed in the first accommodation space111, and the charging circuit11is disposed in the second accommodation space112.

When a charger is connected to the electronic device, the control circuit12controls the charging circuit11to simultaneously charge the first battery13and the second battery15. The control circuit12is further configured to control a working state of the first switch14, to regulate a charging current that flows to the first battery13.

The first switch14in this embodiment is a charging and current limiting switch, and has a function of a switch and a current limiting function. The control circuit12controls a closing degree of the first switch14, to control a magnitude of the charging current that flows to the first battery13. Specifically, the control circuit12regulates an impedance value of the first switch14, to control the magnitude of the charging current of the first battery13.

In this embodiment, a battery capacity of the first battery13is less than a battery capacity of the second battery15. To simultaneously charge/discharge the two batteries, the first switch14is connected in series in a branch circuit in which the first battery13is located, to limit the magnitude of the charging current that flows to the first battery13, prevent the first battery13from being overcharged, prolong a battery life of the first battery13, and ensure a charging speed and the service life of the battery.

According to the foldable electronic device provided in this embodiment, the first battery and the second battery with different capacities are connected in the preset connection manner, and the control circuit controls the charging circuit and the first switch to simultaneously charge the first battery and the second battery, to increase a charging speed of the electronic device. Proper space layout is performed for the first battery and the second battery with different capacities, and internal space utilization of the electronic device is improved, to maximize a battery capacity of the electronic device.

FIG.4is a schematic diagram of a hardware connection inside a second foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of this application. Based on the embodiment shown inFIG.2, as shown inFIG.4, the first battery branch circuit further includes a second switch16. The second switch16and the first switch14are connected in parallel. The first battery13supplies power to a load circuit of the electronic device10through the second switch16. The second switch16in this embodiment is a discharge switch, and the control circuit12controls the second switch16to be closed, to supply power to the load circuit of the electronic device10.

The second switch16is connected to the first switch14in parallel, and therefore the second switch is disposed in the first accommodation space111.

In a charging process, the control circuit12controls the charging circuit to simultaneously charge the first battery13and the second battery15. Specifically, the control circuit12controls the first switch14in the branch circuit of the first battery13to be closed, and controls the second switch16in the branch circuit of the first battery13to be open, to implement a process of simultaneously charging the first battery13and the second battery15in the electronic device. A battery capacity of the first battery13is less than a battery capacity of the second battery15, and therefore the control circuit12controls a closing degree of the first switch14, to control a magnitude of a charging current of the branch circuit of the first battery13.

In a discharging process, the control circuit12controls the first switch14and the second switch16, so that the first battery13and the second battery15simultaneously supply power to a load. Specifically, the control circuit12controls the first switch14in the branch circuit of the first battery13to be open, and controls the second switch16in the branch circuit of the first battery13to be closed. An impedance value of the second switch16is less than that of the first switch14.

Usually, for batteries made of a same battery material, a larger capacity of a battery indicates a smaller resistance value of the battery. In this embodiment, the battery capacity of the first battery is less than the battery capacity of the second battery. Therefore, when the first battery and the second battery are made of a same material, a resistance value of the first battery is greater than a resistance value of the second battery. At a constant voltage, a current value in the branch circuit of the first battery is less than a current value in a branch circuit of the second battery. In the discharging process, a total current value in a discharging circuit is equal to a sum of the current value in the branch circuit of the first battery and the current value in the branch circuit of the second battery. The two batteries are connected in parallel, to improve a discharging capability of the electronic device.

According to the foldable electronic device provided in this embodiment, the first battery and the second battery with different capacities are connected in the preset connection manner, and the control circuit controls the charging circuit, the first switch, and the second switch to simultaneously charge the first battery and the second battery, or the first battery and the second battery simultaneously supply power to the load circuit of the electronic device, to increase a charging speed and improve a discharging capability of the electronic device.

FIG.5is a schematic diagram of a hardware connection inside a third electronic device according to an embodiment of this application. Based on the embodiment shown inFIG.2orFIG.4, as shown inFIG.5, the electronic device10provided in this embodiment further includes a first galvanometer17. The first galvanometer17is connected to the first battery13in series, and is configured to detect a charging current of the first battery13. When the charging current of the first battery13that is detected by the first galvanometer17is greater than a first preset current, the control circuit12controls a working state of the first switch14, to reduce the charging current of the first battery13. The first preset current is a safety threshold current of the first battery.

The first galvanometer17is disposed in the first accommodation space111.

In a charging process, the control circuit12learns of the charging current of the first battery13by detecting a current value of the first galvanometer17. If the charging current of the first battery13is greater than the first preset current of the first battery13, the control circuit12controls the working state of the first switch14, for example, increases impedance of the first switch14, to reduce the charging current of the first battery13. Alternatively, the control circuit12controls the charging circuit11to reduce an output charging current.

Optionally, the electronic device further includes a second galvanometer (not shown inFIG.5). The second galvanometer is connected to the second battery in series, and is configured to detect a charging current of the second battery. In the charging process, the control circuit12learns of the charging current of the second battery15by detecting a current value of the second galvanometer. If the charging current of the second battery15is greater than a second preset current of the second battery15, the control circuit12reduces the charging current output by the charging circuit11. The second preset current is a safety threshold current of the second battery.

Optionally, the electronic device further includes a third galvanometer (not shown inFIG.5), configured to detect a total charging current that flows to the first battery13and the second battery15. In the charging process, the control circuit12learns of the total charging current that flows to the first battery13and the second battery15by detecting a current value of the third galvanometer. If the total charging current that flows to the first battery13and the second battery15is greater than a third preset current, the control circuit12reduces the charging current output by the charging circuit11, to prevent the first battery13and the second battery15from being overcharged. The third preset current is a safety threshold current output by the charging circuit11.

A discharging process is the same as that in the foregoing embodiments. For details, refer to the foregoing embodiments. Details are not described herein.

According to the foldable electronic device provided in this embodiment, the first battery and the second battery with different capacities are connected in the preset connection manner, and the control circuit controls the charging circuit and the first switch to simultaneously charge the first battery and the second battery, to increase a charging speed of the electronic device. The control circuit further learns of the charging current of the first battery and/or the charging current of the second battery by detecting the galvanometer, and when the charging current is greater than the preset current, controls the charging circuit and/or the first switch to reduce the charging current of the first battery and/or the charging current of the second battery, to prevent the batteries in the electronic device from being overcharged, prolong service lives of the batteries, and ensure the charging speed and the battery lives of the batteries.

FIG.6is a schematic diagram of a hardware connection inside a fourth electronic device according to an embodiment of this application. Based on the embodiment shown in FIG.2,FIG.4, orFIG.5, as shown inFIG.6, the electronic device10provided in this embodiment further includes a battery fuel gauge18. The first battery branch circuit and the second battery branch circuit are connected in parallel, and then are connected to the battery fuel gauge18in series. The battery fuel gauge18is configured to detect a total battery level or a total charging current of the first battery13and the second battery15. The battery fuel gauge18is disposed in the first accommodation space111or the second accommodation space112. This is not limited in this embodiment.

In a charging process, the control circuit12learns of the total charging current that flows to the first battery13and the second battery15by detecting the battery fuel gauge18. If the total charging current that flows to the first battery13and the second battery15is greater than a third preset current, the control circuit12reduces a charging current output by the charging circuit11, to prevent the first battery13and the second battery15from being overcharged. In addition, the control circuit12learns of a value of the total battery level of the first battery13and the second battery15by detecting the battery fuel gauge18, and displays the total battery level of the batteries in the electronic device10on a user display interface of the electronic device10, for example, displays the total battery level 80% of the batteries in the electronic device10. The currently displayed total battery level is the value of the total battery level of the first battery13and the second battery15in the electronic device10.

In a discharging process, the control circuit12learns of the value of the total battery level of the first battery13and the second battery15by detecting the battery fuel gauge18, and displays the total battery level of the batteries in the electronic device10on the user display interface of the electronic device10.

The control circuit12learns of the value of the total battery level of the first battery13and the second battery15by detecting the battery fuel gauge18. Upon determination that the battery is fully charged, the charging circuit11is controlled to stop charging the battery. Upon determination that the total battery level of the batteries is less than or equal to a preset battery level value (for example, 20%), prompt information is pop up on the user display interface of the electronic device10, so that a user charges the electronic device in a timely manner after receiving the prompt information.

According to the foldable electronic device provided in this embodiment, the first battery and the second battery with different capacities are connected in the preset connection manner, and the control circuit controls the charging circuit and the first switch to simultaneously charge the first battery and the second battery, to increase a charging speed of the electronic device. The control circuit further obtains the value of the total battery level of the first battery and the second battery by detecting the battery fuel gauge, and displays the current total battery level of the electronic device on the user display interface. The control circuit obtains the total charging current that flows to the first battery and the second battery by detecting the battery fuel gauge, and when the total charging current is greater than the third preset current, controls the charging circuit to reduce the total charging current output by the charging circuit, to prevent the batteries in the electronic device from being overcharged, prolong service lives of the batteries, and ensure the charging speed and the service lives of the batteries.

FIG.7is a schematic diagram of a hardware connection inside a fifth electronic device according to an embodiment of this application. Based on the embodiment shown inFIG.2andFIG.4toFIG.6, as shown inFIG.7, the electronic device10provided in this embodiment further includes a first temperature sensor19and a second temperature sensor20. Each of the first temperature sensor19and the second temperature sensor20is connected to the control circuit12through a control line (as shown by a dashed line inFIG.7). The first temperature sensor19is disposed near the first battery13, and is configured to detect a working temperature of the first battery13. The second temperature sensor20is disposed near the second battery15, and is configured to detect a working temperature of the second battery15.

The first battery13is located in the first accommodation space111, and therefore the first temperature sensor19is also located in the first accommodation space111. The second battery15is located in the second accommodation space112, and therefore the second temperature sensor20is also located in the second accommodation space.

Optionally, the first temperature sensor19and the second temperature sensor20in this embodiment is negative temperature coefficient (NTC, negative temperature coefficient) thermistors. The negative temperature coefficient thermistor is mainly made of metal oxides such as manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper, is manufactured by using a ceramic process, and is widely applied to temperature measurement, temperature control, temperature compensation, and the like. A resistance of the negative temperature coefficient thermistor decreases exponentially with a temperature.

In a charging process, the control circuit12learns of the working temperature of the first battery13by detecting a resistance value of the first temperature sensor19, and learns of the working temperature of the second battery15by detecting a resistance value of the second temperature sensor20. If the working temperature of the first battery13is greater than a safety threshold temperature of the first battery13, the control circuit12controls a working state of the first switch14, for example, increases impedance of the first switch14, to reduce a charging current of the first battery13, or the control circuit12reduces a charging current output by the charging circuit11, to reduce the working temperature of the first battery13. If the working temperature of the second battery15is greater than a safety threshold temperature of the second battery15, the control circuit12reduces the charging current output by the charging circuit11, to reduce a charging current of the second battery15, so as to reduce the working temperature of the second battery15.

A discharging process is the same as that in the foregoing embodiments. For details, refer to the foregoing embodiments. Details are not described herein.

According to the foldable electronic device provided in this embodiment, the first battery and the second battery with different capacities are connected in the preset connection manner, and the control circuit controls the charging circuit and the first switch to simultaneously charge the first battery and the second battery, to increase a charging speed of the electronic device. The control circuit further obtains the working temperature of the first battery and the working temperature of the second battery by detecting the first temperature sensor disposed near the first battery and the second temperature sensor disposed near the second battery, and when the working temperature of the first battery and/or the working temperature of the second battery exceeds the safety threshold temperature of the battery, controls the charging circuit to reduce the charging current output by the charging circuit, to prevent the batteries in the electronic device from being charged at a relatively high temperature, prolong service lives of the batteries, and ensure the charging speed and the service lives of the batteries.

Based on the foldable electronic device shown inFIG.7, the electronic device includes the following circuit components: the charging circuit, the control circuit, the first switch, the second switch, the first battery, the second battery, the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the first galvanometer, and the battery fuel gauge. A connection relationship between the circuit components is the same as that in the foregoing embodiments. Details are not described herein. Proper layout is performed for the circuit components inside the electronic device, to maximize a battery capacity of the electronic device. For example, a third battery is added in a saved space, or battery capacities of the two existing batteries are expanded.

Space layout of the circuit components inside the electronic device shown inFIG.7is described below in detail by using a specific embodiment. The space layout provided in the following embodiment is merely used as an example, and a person skilled in the art may adjust positions of the circuit components based on an actual parameters.

FIG.8is a schematic diagram of a spatial structure of a second foldable electronic device according to an embodiment of this application. Based on the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the electronic device10provided in this embodiment further includes a first printed circuit board114and a second printed circuit board115. In this embodiment, a size of the first printed circuit board114is greater than a size of the second printed circuit board115.

Usually, a larger capacity of a battery indicates a larger size and a heavier weight of the battery. In this embodiment, a battery capacity of the first battery13is less than a battery capacity of the second battery15. In some embodiments, a size of the first battery13is less than a size of the second battery15. To fully use the two accommodation spaces of the electronic device10, the first battery13of a relatively small size and the first printed circuit board114of a relatively large size are disposed in the first accommodation space111, and the second battery15of a relatively large size and the second printed circuit board115of a relatively small size are disposed in the second accommodation space112.

Specifically, the first printed circuit board114is connected to the first battery13through a first connector116, and the second printed circuit board115is connected to the second battery15through a second connector117. The first switch14, the second switch16, the control circuit12, the first galvanometer17, the battery fuel gauge18, and the first temperature sensor19are disposed on the first printed circuit board114. The charging circuit11, the second temperature sensor20, and a charging interface119are disposed on the second printed circuit board115. The second battery15is connected to the first printed circuit board114through a flexible printed circuit (FPC, flexible printed circuit)118. Through the foregoing setting, the circuit components are arranged on the printed circuit boards in an orderly manner, to implement compact space layout and make room for another functional component.

The charging circuit11in this embodiment is disposed at a position that is of the second printed circuit board115and that is close to the charging interface119. Through the foregoing setting, a charging path is greatly shortened, and a path loss of the charging path is reduced, to increase a charging speed.

Optionally, in this embodiment, the first battery13is disposed on a side that is of the first accommodation space111and that is close to the bendable member113, and the second battery15is disposed on a side that is of the second accommodation space112and that is close to the bendable member113. Correspondingly, the first printed circuit board114is disposed on a side that is of the first accommodation space111and that is far away from the bendable member113, and the second printed circuit board115is disposed on a side that is of the second accommodation space112and that is far away from the bendable member113.

According to the electronic device provided in this embodiment, an internal space is divided into two accommodation spaces by the bendable member, and one battery is placed in each accommodation space, to increase a total battery capacity of the electronic device. Proper layout is performed for the circuit components inside the electronic device, and the path loss of the charging path inside the electronic device is reduced, to increase a charging speed of the battery in the electronic device.

In this embodiment, two accommodation spaces are used as an example for description. Certainly, an electronic device that includes at least two accommodation spaces (for example, three accommodation spaces, which are obtained by performing folding twice) is designed based on an actual parameters. Correspondingly, a third battery is added in a newly added accommodation space. If a battery capacity of the third battery is less than the battery capacity of the first battery, a third switch (a charging and current limiting switch) and a fourth switch (a discharge switch) is added in a branch circuit in which the third battery is located, to ensure charging/discharging safety of the third battery. An implementation principle and technical effects of properly laying out the three batteries in the three accommodation spaces are similar to those in the foregoing embodiments, and are not specifically described herein.

The electronic device provided in this application is not limited to the foregoing foldable electronic device. Provided that the internal space of the electronic device is divided into at least two accommodation spaces, the circuit inside the electronic device provided in the foregoing embodiments and the layout idea of the components in the circuit is used, and a fast charging/discharging function is implemented through software control. For example, the electronic device is a slide mobile phone or a flip mobile phone.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application.