Intelligent battery device and method of fast charging thereof

Abstract

A battery device with a charging rate of 1C includes a battery cell, a protection chip, and a microcontroller. The protection chip is electrically connected to the battery cell and determines whether to activate a protection measure of the battery device according to a state of the battery cell. The microcontroller is electrically connected to the protection chip and detects a relative charge state of the battery cell. When an external power source is electrically coupled to the battery device and the relative charge state of the battery cell is less than 50%, the microcontroller controls the battery cell to perform a fast charge for up to 10 minutes. The fast charge is a charging rate of 1.7C to 1.8C controlled by the microcontroller. When the protection measure is activated by the protection chip or the microcontroller detects that the battery cell has changed from a constant current state to a constant voltage state within the 10 minutes of the fast charge, the microcontroller stops the fast charge and simultaneously restores the charging rate of the battery cell to 1C.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to a battery device and a method for quickly charging the same. Background Art

[0002] Whether it's 3C, electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems (ESS), or information technology (IT), as long as lithium batteries are used, they will encounter charging problems. Charging time is often slow. Due to the current battery cell materials and current technology, existing lithium batteries are charged in CC-CV mode. Figure 1 A charging curve diagram of a battery device. Figure 1 A charging capacity curve 100 , a charging current curve 102 , and a charging voltage curve 104 of a battery device are disclosed.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery device is charged at a charge rate of 1C. For the first 0.6 hours of charging, the battery device operates in CC mode. In CC mode, the battery capacity curve 100 increases linearly. After the first 0.6 hours of charging, the battery device switches to CV mode. In user experience, reaching approximately 60% battery capacity in just 10 minutes is generally considered acceptable to many users / consumers. Therefore, how to utilize CC mode to instantly charge a battery device to a full capacity or a certain percentage of capacity to avoid low battery panic has become an important issue. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery device with a charging rate of 1C includes: a battery cell, a protection chip, and a microcontroller. The protection chip is electrically connected to the battery cell and determines whether to activate a protection measure of the battery device based on the status of the battery cell. The microcontroller is electrically connected to the protection chip and detects the relative charge state of the battery cell. When an external power supply is electrically coupled to the battery device and the relative charge state of the battery cell is lower than 50%, the microcontroller controls the battery cell to perform a fast charge for up to 10 minutes. Fast charging is when the microcontroller controls the battery cell to charge at a charging rate of 1.7C to 1.8C. When within 10 minutes of fast charging, the protection chip activates the protection measure, or the microcontroller detects that the battery cell has changed from a constant current state to a constant voltage state, the microcontroller stops fast charging and simultaneously restores the charging rate of the battery cell to 1C.

[0005] In the battery device described above, the protection measures include overvoltage protection (OVP), overcurrent protection (OCP), overtemperature protection (OTP), undervoltage protection (UVP), undertemperature protection (UTP), reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection.

[0006] As in the above battery device, wherein the relative state of charge of the battery cell when it changes from the constant current state to the constant voltage state is 60% to 70%.

[0007] The battery device further includes a charging switch electrically coupled to the positive electrode of the battery cell. When the battery cell is charging and the protection chip activates overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and overtemperature protection, the protection chip turns off the charging switch.

[0008] The battery device further includes a discharge switch electrically connected between the charge switch and the positive electrode of the battery device. When the battery cell is discharging and the protection chip activates overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection, the protection chip turns off the discharge switch.

[0009] The battery device further includes a protection device electrically connected between the positive electrode of the battery cell and the charging switch. When the protection chip activates the protection measure but cannot turn off the charging switch or the discharging switch, the microcontroller directly disconnects the protection device.

[0010] A fast charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to a battery device with a charging rate of 1C, including: detecting that an external power source is electrically coupled to the battery device; controlling the battery device to charge at a charging rate of 1C; detecting that the relative state of charge of the battery device is less than 50%; controlling the battery device to perform a fast charge for a maximum of 10 minutes; wherein the fast charge is controlling the battery device to charge at a charging rate of 1.7C to 1.8C; stopping the fast charge when a protection measure is activated during the fast charge; stopping the fast charge when it is detected that the battery device has transitioned from a constant current state to a constant voltage state; and stopping the fast charge when the fast charge has been performed for a full 10 minutes.

[0011] As in the above-mentioned fast charging method, the protection measures include overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection.

[0012] The above-mentioned fast charging method also includes: when it is detected that there is no external power supply electrically coupled to the battery device, controlling the battery device to discharge; when it is detected that the relative charge state of the battery device is greater than or equal to 50%, not performing fast charging, and continuing to control the battery device to charge at a charging rate of 1C; and after stopping fast charging, resuming charging of the battery device at a charging rate of 1C.

[0013] The above-mentioned fast charging method further includes: when the battery device is charging and the overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and overtemperature protection among the protection measures have been activated, outputting a first signal to a charging switch included in the battery device to turn off the charging switch; when the battery device is discharging and the overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection among the protection measures have been activated, outputting a second signal to a discharge switch included in the battery device to turn off the discharge switch; and when the protection measures have been activated but the charging switch or the discharge switch cannot be turned off, outputting a third signal to a protection device to trip the protection device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 A charging curve diagram of a battery device.

[0015] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 Flowchart of a fast charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Reference Signs List

[0018] CC: Constant current state

[0019] CV: Constant voltage state

[0020] 100: Charging capacity curve

[0021] 102: Charging current curve

[0022] 104: Charging voltage curve

[0023] 200: Battery device

[0024] 202: Battery Cell

[0025] 204: Protection chip

[0026] 206: Microcontroller

[0027] 208: Charging switch

[0028] 210: Discharge switch

[0029] 212: Protective device

[0030] 214: Secondary protection chip

[0031] 216: Temperature sensor

[0032] 218: Sensing resistor

[0033] 230, 232, 234, 234: Signal

[0034] P+: positive electrode

[0035] P-: negative electrode

[0036] SMBUS_DATA,SMBUS_CLOCK: communication bus

[0037] BATTERY_ID, SYSTEM_ID: Battery identification indicator

[0038] A, B, D, E: nodes

[0039] S300, S302, S304, S306: Steps

[0040] S308, S310, S312: Steps DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals throughout the drawings designate similar or identical components. The drawings are not drawn to scale and are provided solely to illustrate the present invention. Some embodiments of the invention are described below as references to illustrative exemplary applications. This means that many specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a complete understanding of the invention. However, a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with alternative methods.

[0042] In other examples, well-known structures or operations are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the order of the acts or events described; some acts may occur in a different order or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all acts or events described need to be performed in the same manner as in the prior invention.

[0043] Figure 2 FIG is a schematic diagram of a battery device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2As shown, battery device 200 includes a battery cell 202, a protection chip 204, a microcontroller 206, a charging switch 208, a discharging switch 210, a protection device 212, a primary protection chip 214, a temperature sensor 216, a sensing resistor 218, a communication bus SMBUS_DATA and SMBUS_CLOCK, battery identification indicators BATTERY_ID and SYSTEM_ID, a positive terminal P+, and a negative terminal P-. Battery cell 202 can convert received electrical energy into chemical energy for storage or convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy for output. Protection chip 204 is electrically connected to battery cell 202 and determines whether to activate a protection measure of battery device 200 based on the status of battery cell 202 (e.g., charging voltage, charging current, or discharging current). In some embodiments, the protection measures include overvoltage protection (OVP), overcurrent protection (OCP), overtemperature protection (OTP), undervoltage protection (UVP), undertemperature protection (UTP), reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection.

[0044] In some embodiments, when the battery cell 202 is charging and the protection chip 204 activates overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and overtemperature protection among the protection measures, the protection chip 204 may output a signal 230 to the charging switch 208, causing the charging switch 208 to close, thereby stopping charging of the battery device 200. In some embodiments, when the battery cell 202 is discharging and the protection chip 204 activates overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection among the protection measures, the protection chip 204 may output a signal 232 to the discharging switch 210, causing the discharging switch 210 to close, thereby stopping discharging of the battery device 200.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the charging switch 208 is electrically connected between the protection device 212 and the discharging switch 210. The discharging switch 210 is electrically connected between the positive terminal P+ and the charging switch 208. The charging switch 208 changes its state based on a signal 230 from the protection chip 204. For example, when the signal 230 is at a logic low level, such as "0," the charging switch 208 only allows current to flow from node B to node A, but prohibits current from node A to node B. When the signal 230 is at a logic high level, such as "1," the charging switch 114 is fully on. The discharging switch 210 changes its state based on a signal 232 from the protection chip 204. For example, when the signal 232 is at a logic low level, such as "0," the discharging switch 210 only allows current to flow from node A to node B, but prohibits current from node B to node A. When the signal 232 is at a logic high level, such as "1," the discharging switch 210 is fully on.

[0046] The microcontroller 206 is electrically connected to the protection chip 204 and can detect the relative state of charge (RSOC) of the battery cell 202. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 206 can communicate with the protection chip via a communication interface 240. For example, the microcontroller 206 can obtain information such as the charge and discharge current and charge and discharge voltage of the battery cell 202 from the protection chip 204 via the communication interface 240. In some embodiments, the communication interface 240 is I 2 C communication interface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The microcontroller 206 can control the power from the battery cell 202 to be output via the positive terminal P+ of the battery device 200 and to flow back to the battery cell 202 via the negative terminal P- of the battery device 200. Alternatively, the microcontroller 206 can control an external power source (not shown) outside the battery device 200 to charge the battery cell 202.

[0047] Generally speaking, during normal charging and discharging, the battery device 200 has a charge rate of 1C and a discharge rate of 2C, but the present invention is not limited thereto. When an external power source is electrically coupled to the battery device 200 and the relative state of charge of the battery cell 202 is less than 50%, the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to perform a fast charge for up to 10 minutes. During fast charging, the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charge rate of 1.7C to 1.8C. If, within 10 minutes of fast charging, the protection chip 204 activates a protective measure or the microcontroller 206 detects that the battery cell 202 has transitioned from a constant current (CC) state to a constant voltage (CV) state, the microcontroller 206 stops fast charging and simultaneously restores the battery cell's charge rate to 1C. In some embodiments, the relative state of charge of the battery cell 202 when it transitions from the CC state to the CV state is 60% to 70%.

[0048] In some embodiments, the battery device 200 is included in an electronic device having at least one processor. The electronic device may be, for example, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a wearable device, and a smart phone. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 206 can communicate with the at least one processor of the electronic device including the battery device 200 via the communication buses SMBUS_CLOCK and SMBUS_DATA. For example, the at least one processor of the electronic device can adjust the maximum time (e.g., 10 minutes) and the charging rate (e.g., 1.7C to 1.8C) for the microcontroller 206 to perform fast charging via the communication buses SMBUS_CLOCK and SMBUS_DATA. In some embodiments, the battery identification indicators BATTERY_ID and SYSTEM_ID of the battery device 200 allow the at least one processor of the electronic device including the battery device 200 to detect that the battery device 200 has been installed in the electronic device.

[0049] The temperature sensor 216 is used to detect a temperature of the battery device 200 and transmit the detected temperature information to the protection chip 204. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 216 is a temperature sensing chip. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 216 includes a thermister whose resistance value changes with temperature. The temperature sensor 216 provides a power source to the thermister and converts the change of the cross voltage (corresponding to the change of the resistance) to the change of the temperature by measuring the cross voltage across the thermister. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 206 can measure the cross voltage across the sensing resistor 218 (e.g., the cross voltage between nodes D and E) to calculate the magnitude of the charging current in the charging mode.

[0050] Table 1 is a comparison table of the average 10-minute capacity increase of the battery device 200 at different charging rates according to embodiments of the present application.

[0051]

[0052] Table 1

[0053] As shown in Table 1, when the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charging rate of 1.1C, the battery cell 202 can reach 50% of the battery capacity after 30 minutes of charging. Therefore, the average 10-minute capacity increase of the battery device 200 is 16.67% when the charging rate is 1.1C. When the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charging rate of 1.5C, the battery cell 202 can reach 50% of the battery capacity after 20 minutes of charging. Therefore, the average 10-minute capacity increase of the battery device 200 is 25.00% when the charging rate is 1.5C. When the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charging rate of 1.7C to 1.8C, the battery cell 202 can reach 35% of the battery capacity after 12 minutes of charging. Therefore, the average 10-minute capacity increase of the battery device 200 is 29.17% when the charging rate is 1.7C.

[0054] When the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charging rate of 2.5C, the battery cell 202 can reach 40% of the battery capacity after 10 minutes of charging. Therefore, the average 10-minute capacity increase of the battery device 200 is 40.00% when the charging rate is 2.5C. According to the results of Table 1, the higher the charging rate of the battery device 200, the higher the average 10-minute capacity increase of the battery device 200. However, the battery device 200 is not charged at a charging rate of 2.5C according to the present application, and the reason is shown in Table 2.

[0055] Table 2 is a comparison table of the performance ratios of the battery device 200 at different charging rates according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the performance ratio is defined as the result obtained by dividing the charging rate by the average capacity increase per minute.

[0056]

[0057] Table 2

[0058] As shown in Table 2, when the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charging rate of 1.1C, the performance ratio of the battery device (i.e., the ratio of the charging rate to the average capacity increase per minute) is 1.52. When the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charging rate of 1.5C, the performance ratio of the battery device is 1.67. When the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charging rate of 1.7C to 1.8C, the performance ratio of the battery device is 1.72. When the microcontroller 206 controls the battery cell 202 to charge at a charging rate of 2.5C, the performance ratio of the battery device is 1.6. As shown in Table 2, the present invention achieves the highest performance ratio (i.e., the ratio of the charging rate to the average capacity increase per minute) by charging the battery device 200 at a charging rate of 1.7C to 1.8C.

[0059] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, the protection device 212 is electrically connected between the positive terminal (node ​​B) of the battery cell 202 and the charging switch 208. In some embodiments, when the protection chip 204 activates a protection measure but is unable to close the charging switch 208 or the discharging switch 210, or detects an imbalance or abnormality in the cells of the battery cell 202, the microcontroller 206 may directly output a signal 234 to the protection device 212 to trip the protection device 212. In some embodiments, when the protection chip 204 activates the overvoltage protection measure but is unable to close the charging switch 208 or the discharging switch 210, the secondary protection chip 214 may output a signal 236 to the protection device 212 to trip the protection device 212.

[0060] Figure 3 The fast charging method of the present invention is applicable to a battery device (e.g., a battery with a charging rate of 1C) Figure 2 Battery device 200). Figure 3As shown, the fast charging method of the present invention includes: detecting that an external power source is electrically coupled to the battery device (step S300); controlling the battery device to charge at a charging rate of 1C (step S302); detecting that the relative state of charge of the battery device is less than 50% (step S304); controlling the battery device to perform a fast charge for a maximum of 10 minutes, wherein the fast charge is to control the battery device to charge at a charging rate of 1.7C to 1.8C (step S306); stopping the fast charge when a protection measure is activated during the fast charge (step S308); stopping the fast charge when it is detected that the battery device has changed from a constant current state to a constant voltage state (step S310); and stopping the fast charge when the fast charge has been performed for a full 10 minutes (step S312).

[0061] In some embodiments, steps S300 to S312 are performed by Figure 2 In step S300, if the fast charging method of the present invention does not detect that the external power source is electrically coupled to the battery device, the microcontroller (eg Figure 2 The microcontroller 206 controls the battery device to discharge. In other words, the battery device enters a discharge mode. In step S304, if the microcontroller detects that the relative state of charge of the battery device is greater than or equal to 50%, it does not perform fast charging and continues to control the battery device to charge at a charge rate of 1C. In step S306, protection measures include overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection. In step S312, after the microcontroller stops fast charging, it resumes charging the battery device at a charge rate of 1C.

[0062] In some embodiments, when the battery device of the present invention (e.g. Figure 2 The battery device 200 is being charged, and the overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and overtemperature protection in the protection measures have been activated. The fast charging method of the present invention outputs a first signal (e.g., signal 230) to the charging switch (e.g., Figure 2 The charging switch 208 is turned off.

[0063] In some embodiments, when the battery device of the present invention is being discharged and the overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection among the protection measures have been activated, the fast charging method of the present invention outputs a second signal (e.g., signal 232) to a discharge switch (e.g., Figure 2 In some embodiments, when the protection chip of the electronic device of the present invention (e.g., Figure 2When the protection chip 204 of the present invention has activated the protection measure but cannot turn off the charging switch or the discharging switch (for example, the charging switch and / or the discharging switch is damaged), the fast charging method of the present invention outputs a third signal (for example, signal 234) to a protection device (for example, Figure 2 The protection device 212) is disconnected.

[0064] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that these are presented by way of example only and not limitation. Many variations of the exemplary embodiments described above may be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the embodiments described above. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0065] Although the invention has been illustrated and described above with reference to one or more embodiments, equivalent changes and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based on the above specification and drawings. In addition, although a particular feature of an embodiment of the invention has been demonstrated with reference to one of the multiple embodiments, that feature may be combined with one or more other features as may be desirable and useful for any known or particular application.

[0066] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical or scientific terms) are generally understood by persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. It should be understood that these terms, as defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted in the context of the relevant art. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, these terms are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

Claims

1. A battery device having a charge rate of 1C, comprising: Battery cells; a protection chip electrically connected to the battery cell and determining whether to activate a protection measure of the battery device according to a status of the battery cell; as well as a microcontroller electrically connected to the protection chip and detecting the relative charge state of the battery cell; When an external power source is electrically coupled to the battery device and the relative state of charge of the battery cell is less than 50%, the microcontroller controls the battery cell to perform a fast charge for a maximum of 10 minutes; wherein the fast charge is controlled by the microcontroller to charge the battery cell at a charge rate of 1.7C to 1.8C; When the protection chip starts the protection measure within 10 minutes of the fast charge, or the microcontroller detects that the battery cell has changed from a constant current state to a constant voltage state, the microcontroller stops the fast charge and simultaneously restores the charging rate of the battery cell to 1C.

2. The battery device according to claim 1, wherein The protection measures include overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection.

3. The battery device according to claim 1, wherein The relative charge state of the battery cell when it changes from the constant current state to the constant voltage state is 60% to 70%.

4. The battery device according to claim 2, further comprising: a charging switch electrically coupled to the positive electrode of the battery cell; When the battery cell is being charged and the protection chip activates the overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and overtemperature protection in the protection measures, the protection chip turns off the charging switch.

5. The battery device according to claim 4, further comprising: a discharge switch electrically connected between the charge switch and the positive electrode of the battery device; When the battery cell is discharging and the protection chip activates the overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection in the protection measures, the protection chip turns off the discharge switch.

6. The battery device according to claim 5, further comprising: A protection device electrically connected between the positive electrode of the battery cell and the charging switch; When the protection chip starts the protection measure but cannot turn off the charging switch or the discharging switch, the microcontroller directly disconnects the protection device.

7. A fast charging method, applicable to a battery device having a charging rate of 1C, comprising: detecting that an external power source is electrically coupled to the battery device; Controlling the battery device to charge at a charging rate of 1C; Detecting that the relative state of charge of the battery device is less than 50%; Controlling the battery device to perform a fast charge for a maximum of 10 minutes; wherein the fast charge is controlling the battery device to charge at a charge rate of 1.7C to 1.8C; When a protective measure is initiated during the fast charging, the fast charging is stopped; or When it is detected that the battery device has switched from a constant current state to a constant voltage state, stopping the fast charging; or When the fast charging has been performed for 10 minutes, stopping the fast charging; and After stopping the fast charge, the battery device is resumed to be charged at a charge rate of 1C.

8. The fast charging method according to claim 7, wherein: The protection measures include overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection.

9. The fast charging method according to claim 7, further comprising: When detecting that the external power source is not electrically coupled to the battery device, controlling the battery device to discharge; When it is detected that the relative state of charge of the battery device is greater than or equal to 50%, the fast charging is not performed, and the battery device continues to be controlled to be charged at a charging rate of 1C.

10. The fast charging method according to claim 8, further comprising: When the battery device is being charged and the overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and overtemperature protection among the protection measures are activated, a first signal is output to a charging switch included in the battery device to turn off the charging switch; When the battery device is discharging and overcurrent protection, overtemperature protection, low voltage protection, low temperature protection, reverse voltage protection, and short circuit protection among the protection measures are activated, a second signal is output to a discharge switch included in the battery device to close the discharge switch; as well as When the protection measure is activated but the charging switch or the discharging switch cannot be turned off, a third signal is output to the protection device to cause the protection device to trip.

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