Power control system for mobile workstation and method
Inventors
Coonan, Gary • Inthaluxay, Ary • Werthman, Dean A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8775828-B2
Publication Date
2014-07-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of controlling a power system includes receiving a signal indicative of user interaction with a handle of a removable battery, and switching a power interface of the power system from a first power sourcing mode receiving power from the removable battery to a second power sourcing mode receiving power from a back-up battery. An electronic control unit for the power system includes a memory storing computer executable instructions for controlling power sourcing in the power control system, a detector interface configured to receive a signal indicative of user interaction with a removable battery of the mobile workstation and a microprocessor configured by way of executing the computer executable instructions to switch a power interface of the power control system from a first power sourcing mode to a second power sourcing mode.
Core Innovation
A mobile workstation power control system receives a signal indicative of user interaction with a first one of two batteries coupled with the power system. The first battery includes a removable battery supplying power to a computerized device of the mobile workstation, and the signal is indicative of expected decoupling of the first battery from the power interface. Responsive to the signal, the system switches a power interface from a first power sourcing mode receiving power from the removable battery to a second power sourcing mode receiving power from a second battery resident on the mobile workstation.
The switching is configured so that the second battery supplies power to the computerized device when the removable battery is decoupled from the power system by way of the user interaction. The switching step is performed while the removable battery is electrically connected with the power interface. In addition, the system operates the power interface in a third mode in which the second battery is charged via a replacement battery coupled with the power system in place of the removable battery.
The detector interface is configured to receive the user interaction signal indicative of expected decoupling, and the signal is received from a sensor resident on a battery assembly including the removable battery such that upon decoupling the removable battery the sensor is decoupled from the mobile workstation. A microprocessor coupled with the detector interface and in control communication with the power interface executes instructions to switch between the first, second, and third power sourcing modes responsive to the signal.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are three in number (method, system, and electronic control module). Across these claims, the core coverage is supported by inventive features totaling the detection of expected battery decoupling, responsive power-interface switching between resident and removable batteries, and a third charging mode using a swapped/replacement battery.
Signal indicative of expected battery decoupling
Receiving a signal indicative of user interaction with a first one of two batteries coupled with the power system, including the removable battery, where the signal is indicative of expected decoupling of the first battery from the mobile workstation.
Responsive power interface switching between power sourcing modes
Switching a power interface of the power system from a first power sourcing mode receiving power from the first one of the two batteries via a first input interface to a second power sourcing mode receiving power from the second one of the two batteries via a second input interface, responsive to the user interaction signal, and such that the second battery supplies power to the computerized device when the removable battery is decoupled.
Third charging mode using a swapped/replacement battery
Operating the power interface in a third mode in which the second battery is charged via a third battery swapped with the first battery, including operating the power interface such that the second battery is charged via a replacement battery coupled with the power system in place of the removable battery.
Switching while the removable battery is electrically connected
Switching the power interface while the removable battery is electrically connected with the power interface.
Sensor resident on the battery assembly decouples with the battery
Receiving the user interaction signal from a sensor resident on a battery assembly which includes the removable battery such that upon decoupling the removable battery the sensor is decoupled from the mobile workstation.
Power interface with first and second input interfaces and an output interface
Providing a power interface with a first input interface configured to connect with a first battery, a second input interface configured to connect with a second battery, and an output interface configured to receive power from either of the first and second input interfaces for powering a computerized device of the mobile workstation.
Detector interface and microprocessor controlled switching
Including a detector interface configured to receive the user interaction signal and a microprocessor coupled with the detector interface and in control communication with the power interface, where the microprocessor is configured to switch the power interface responsive to the user interaction signal.
Computer readable memory controlling power sourcing
Storing computer executable instructions for controlling power sourcing in a computer readable memory and executing the instructions with a microprocessor, responsive to the user interaction signal, to switch the power interface between the first and second power sourcing modes and operate the power interface in the third charging mode.
Across the independent claims, the inventive core is the combination of a detector/sensor-based user interaction signal indicating expected battery decoupling, responsive switching of the mobile workstation power interface from removable-battery sourcing to resident-battery sourcing, and a third mode that charges the resident battery using a swapped/replacement battery, with switching characterized as occurring while the removable battery remains electrically connected.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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