Method and device for controlling the charging / discharging of a battery cell

Abstract

Procedure comprising the following steps: Detecting a current temperature value of a battery cell of a battery; Determining whether the current temperature value is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a highest threshold temperature value; Detecting a current electrical current value of the battery in conjunction with a determination that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value; in response to determining that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, determining a temperature sub-range within which the current temperature value falls, the temperature sub-range being one of a plurality of temperature sub-ranges into which the temperature range between the lowest threshold temperature value and the highest threshold temperature value is divided; Determining whether the current electrical current value is higher than a threshold current value corresponding to the current temperature value, wherein the threshold current value corresponding to the current temperature value includes a threshold current value corresponding to the temperature subrange; Interrupting a charging / discharging process of the battery cell in response to determining that the current electric current value is higher than the threshold current value; Detecting, after the charging / discharging process is interrupted, the current temperature value and the current electric current value in real time; Determining whether the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a maximum temperature value in the temperature subrange corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value; in conjunction with a determination that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the maximum temperature value in the temperature subrange corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value, determining whether the current electric current is lower than a threshold current value corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value; and Restarting the charge / discharge process in response to determining that the current electrical current is lower than the threshold current value corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO A RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from Chinese patent application CN 1 06 026 034 A, filed on June 30, 2016. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of battery technology and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for protecting battery cells. BACKGROUND

[0003] Nowadays, laptop batteries use thermal cutout (TCO) circuit breakers, i.e., thermal fuses, for over-temperature / over-current protection. At a certain ambient temperature, when the battery cell's charge / discharge current is greater than a set threshold, the TCO circuit breaker triggers the protection and disconnects the battery cell. The heat accumulation of the TCO circuit breaker exceeds the threshold and leads to bimetallic reverse impact. When the TCO temperature drops below a certain temperature, the TCO circuit breaker is closed. The TCO circuit breaker serves as over-temperature / over-current protection of the battery. At a low temperature, the TCO circuit breaker allows a relatively high charge / discharge current. At a high temperature, the TCO circuit breaker allows a relatively low charge / discharge current.This avoids battery cell safety problems caused by high charge / discharge at high temperature.

[0004] However, the TCO circuit breaker for over-temperature / over-current protection has the following problems. For example, the TCO module for implementing a TCO circuit breaker is expensive, and the TCO module (which includes a TCO body and a welded nickel piece) can cause high power consumption during the charge / discharge process due to its own high impedance. Furthermore, under the influence of the heat generated by the TCO module, the accuracy of the temperature / current protection may be poor, which seriously affects the battery's discharge performance.

[0005] US 2007 / 0 222 419 A1 discloses a system for charging a rechargeable battery, which supplies a current to the battery to charge the battery. The system determines a temperature associated with the battery and identifies a cutoff parameter based on the determined temperature. The system determines when the supplied current corresponds to a value corresponding to the cutoff parameter and stops further supply of the supplied current to the battery when the supplied current corresponds to the value corresponding to the cutoff parameter. SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to enable improved control of the charging / discharging process of a battery cell.

[0007] This object is solved by the subject matter of main claim 1 and the independent claims 6 and 11, which define the present invention.

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] One aspect of the disclosure provides a method according to claim 1.

[0010] Another aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus according to claim 6.

[0011] Another aspect of the disclosure provides an apparatus according to claim 11.

[0012] Other aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the description, claims, and drawings of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings described below show only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and it is possible for those skilled in the art to derive other drawings from these drawings without creative effort. They show: Fig. 1 is a flowchart of an example of a method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a flowchart of another example of a method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a flowchart of another example of a method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 shows an exemplary correspondence relationship between a temperature subrange of a battery cell and a threshold temperature value; Fig. 5 is a structural diagram of an example of a circuit for overcurrent protection of a battery cell consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a structural diagram of another example of a battery cell overcurrent protection circuit consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; and Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an example of an electronic device using embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments consistent with the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to designate the same or similar parts. The described embodiments are only some, and not all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the disclosed embodiments, other embodiments that one skilled in the art can achieve without creative effort fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell. Fig. 1 depicts a flowchart of an example of a method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell consistent with the disclosure. As in Fig. 1, at S101, a current temperature value of a battery cell is detected. At S102, it is determined whether the current temperature value is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a highest threshold temperature value. If, at S103, the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, a temperature sub-range corresponding to the current temperature value is determined. In the present disclosure, a temperature sub-range corresponding to the current temperature value refers to the temperature sub-range within which the current temperature value falls. At S104, a current electric current value of the battery is detected. At S105, it is determined whether the current electric current value is higher than a threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the current temperature value.At S106, if the current electric current value is higher than the threshold current value of the current temperature value, a charge / discharge circuit is turned off.

[0016] If it is determined that the current temperature value is lower than the lowest threshold temperature value or higher than a highest threshold temperature value, the processes S103 to S106 may not need to be executed and, as shown in Fig. 1, another process may be executed. If it is determined that the current electric current value is equal to or lower than the threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the current temperature value, process S106 may not need to be executed, and as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a different process can be performed. Turning off the charge / discharge circuit can interrupt the battery cell's charge / discharge process.

[0017] According to the disclosed method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell, the current temperature of the battery cell can be detected, and the temperature subrange of the current temperature can be determined. If the current electric current based on the temperature subrange is higher than the current protection threshold corresponding to the temperature subrange, a protection mechanism can be started. The disclosed method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell can replace the TCO protection method in the conventional art. The disclosed method can be less costly. The resistance and power consumption of the battery can be reduced if the disclosed method is applied. Furthermore, the accuracy of the overcurrent protection of the battery cell can be improved.Furthermore, the disclosed method and circuit for overcurrent protection of a battery cell may be compatible with or support a high power discharge in a battery cell.

[0018] Fig. 2 depicts a flowchart of another example of a method for overcurrent protection 200 of a battery cell. As in Fig. 2 at S201, a current temperature value of a battery cell is detected. In some embodiments, a thermistor disposed on a surface of the battery cell may be used to detect the current temperature value of the battery cell in real time.

[0019] At S202, it is determined whether the current temperature value is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a highest threshold temperature value. If the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, the process proceeds to S203. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S206.

[0020] In some embodiments, the lowest threshold temperature value and the highest threshold temperature value may be predetermined. The temperature range between the lowest threshold temperature value and the highest threshold temperature value may be divided into a plurality of temperature sub-ranges, and a temperature sub-range may correspond to a threshold current value. In some embodiments, the threshold current values may be predetermined. In various embodiments, the temperature sub-ranges and the threshold current values may be flexibly adjusted depending on the safety conditions of the battery cell.

[0021] At S203, if the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature and lower than the highest threshold temperature, the temperature sub-range corresponding to the current temperature value is determined.

[0022] At S204, a current battery current value is detected. In some embodiments, a sensing resistor may be used to detect the current battery current.

[0023] At S205, it is determined whether the current electric current value is higher than the threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the current temperature value. If the current electric current value is higher than the threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the current temperature value, the process proceeds to S206. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S201.

[0024] At S206, the charging / discharging circuit is controlled to be turned off. In some embodiments, the charging / discharging circuit may include a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). If the current electric current value is higher than the threshold current value corresponding to the current temperature value, the MOSFET may be controlled accordingly to be turned off.

[0025] In some embodiments, after turning off the charging / discharging circuit, the disclosed method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell may further comprise controlling the charging / discharging circuit to turn off if the current temperature value of the battery cell and the current electric current value of the battery satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0026] Fig. 3 depicts a flowchart of an example of a method for overcurrent protection 300 of a battery cell. The method 300 involves controlling the charge / discharge circuit to turn on when the current temperature value of the battery cell and the current electrical current value of the battery satisfy the predetermined condition.

[0027] As in Fig. 3, at S301 the current temperature value of the battery cell and the current electric current of the battery are detected in real time.

[0028] At S302, it is determined whether the current temperature value of the battery cell is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a first threshold temperature value. If the current temperature value of the battery cell is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the first threshold temperature value, the process proceeds to S303. The first threshold temperature value may be the maximum temperature value in the temperature subrange corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value and is also referred to as the "regional threshold temperature value."

[0029] At S303, it is determined whether the current battery current value is lower than a threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the lowest temperature value. If the current battery current value is lower than the threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the lowest temperature value, the process proceeds to S304.

[0030] At S304, the charge / discharge circuit is controlled to turn it on.

[0031] If the current temperature value of the battery cell is lower than the lowest threshold temperature value or higher than the first threshold temperature value, the processes S303 to S304 may not need to be executed and, as shown in Fig. 3, another process may or may not be executed. If it is determined that the current electric current of the battery is equal to or higher than the threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value, it may also be that process S304 does not need to be executed and may, as shown in Fig. 3, another process may or may not be processed.

[0032] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates an example to explain the aforementioned embodiments. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the lowest threshold temperature value Tmin and the highest threshold temperature value Tmax can be determined in advance according to the safety conditions. The temperature range between the lowest threshold temperature value Tmin and the highest threshold temperature value Tmax is divided into six temperature sub-ranges. That is, six temperature sub-ranges can be predetermined. One temperature sub-range can correspond to a threshold current value. Specifically, the six temperature sub-ranges can include a first temperature sub-range (Tmin-T0), a second temperature sub-range (T0-T1), a third temperature sub-range (T1-T2), a fourth temperature sub-range (T2-T3), a fifth temperature sub-range (T3-T4), and a sixth temperature sub-range (T4-Tmax / T5).The threshold current value corresponding to the first temperature sub-range may be A0, the threshold current value corresponding to the second temperature sub-range may be A1, the threshold current value corresponding to the third temperature sub-range may be A2, the threshold current value corresponding to the fourth temperature sub-range may be A3, the threshold current value corresponding to the fifth temperature sub-range may be A4, the threshold current value corresponding to the sixth temperature sub-range may be A5.

[0033] First, the current temperature value of the battery cell can be detected. If the current temperature is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, it can be determined which of the six temperature sub-ranges the current temperature value falls into. Assuming that the current temperature value falls within or corresponds to the second temperature sub-range (T0-T1), it can be determined that the threshold current value corresponding to the current temperature value can be A1.

[0034] Furthermore, the current battery current can be detected. If the current battery current is higher than the threshold current value A1 corresponding to the second temperature sub-range (T0-T1), the charging / discharging circuit, e.g., the MOSFET, can be controlled to turn off. This means that overcurrent protection can be initiated.

[0035] Furthermore, if the current electric current value is equal to or higher than the highest threshold temperature value Tmax, or equal to or lower than the lowest threshold temperature value Tmin, the charging / discharging circuit, e.g., the MOSFET, can be controlled to turn off.

[0036] After overcurrent protection has begun, the temperature value of the battery cell and the electric current value of the battery can be further monitored. When the temperature value of the battery cell is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value Tmin and lower than T0, and the electric current value of the battery is lower than A0, the charge / discharge circuit can be controlled to turn it back on, and the battery can return to normal operation. In some embodiments, the temperature value of the battery cell and the electric current value of the battery can be further monitored until the temperature value of the battery cell is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value Tmin and lower than T0, and the electric current value of the battery is lower than A0.

[0037] According to the disclosed method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell, different current protection thresholds can be set for different temperature sub-ranges based on the safety conditions of the battery cell. When the current temperature value of the battery cell falls within a certain temperature sub-range, if the current electric current of the battery is higher than the current protection threshold corresponding to the temperature sub-range, overcurrent protection can be initiated. After overcurrent protection is initiated, the temperature value of the battery cell and the electric current value of the battery can be further monitored to determine whether the conditions for turning on the charge / discharge circuit are met. If the conditions are met, the charge / discharge circuit can be controlled to turn it back on, and the battery can return to normal operation.The disclosed method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell can replace the TCO protection method in the conventional technology and is more cost-effective. The resistance and power consumption of the battery can be reduced. The accuracy of the current protection of the battery cell can be improved. Furthermore, the disclosed method and circuit for overcurrent protection of a battery cell can support powerful discharge in a battery and improve battery performance. In some embodiments, the disclosed method can avoid adverse effects caused by leakage current when the overcurrent protection is triggered in the conventional technology.

[0038] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a circuit for overcurrent protection of a battery cell. Fig. 5 depicts a structure of an example of a circuit 500 for overcurrent protection of a battery cell. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, circuit 500 includes a temperature detector 501, a current detector 502, and a controller 503 coupled to temperature detector 501 and current detector 502. Temperature detector 501 can detect a current temperature value of the battery cell. Current detector 502 can detect the current electrical current value of the battery in real time. Controller 503 can determine whether the current temperature value of the battery cell detected by temperature detector 501 is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a highest threshold temperature value.When the current temperature value of the battery cell is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, the controller 503 may also determine a temperature subrange within which the current temperature value falls and determine whether the current electric current value of the battery detected by the current detector 502 is higher than a threshold current value of the temperature subrange corresponding to the current temperature value. If the current electric current value of the battery is higher than the threshold current value of the temperature subrange, the controller 503 may control the charge / discharge circuit coupled to the controller 503 to turn it off.

[0039] According to the disclosed battery cell overcurrent protection circuit, the temperature subrange within which the current temperature value of the battery cell falls can be determined based on the current temperature value of the battery cell. When the current electric current value of the battery is higher than the current protection threshold corresponding to the temperature subrange, overcurrent protection can be started. The disclosed battery cell overcurrent protection circuit can replace the TCO protection circuit in the conventional art and is more cost-effective. The resistance and power consumption of the battery can be reduced. The accuracy of the battery cell current protection can be improved. Furthermore, the disclosed battery cell overcurrent protection method and circuit can support high-performance discharge in a battery.In some embodiments, the disclosed circuit can avoid adverse effects caused by leakage current when the overcurrent protection is triggered in the conventional technique.

[0040] Fig. 6 depicts a structure of another example of a circuit 600 for overcurrent protection of a battery cell. As in Fig. 6, the circuit 600 includes a temperature detector 601, a current detector 602 and a controller 603, a charge / discharge driver circuit 604, a thermistor 605, and a measuring resistor 606.

[0041] The temperature detector 601 can detect a current temperature value of the battery cell via the thermistor 605. The thermistor 605 can be arranged above the surface of the battery cell.

[0042] The current detector 602 may detect the current electric current value of the battery via the measuring resistor 606 coupled to or included in the current detector 602 and perform an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion on the detected current electric current value to convert the current electric current value into an appropriate electric current value that can be processed by the controller 603.

[0043] The charge / discharge driver circuit 604, which is coupled to the controller 603, can control the charge / discharge circuit coupled to the charge / discharge driver circuit 604 to turn it on or off.

[0044] The charge / discharge circuit may include a MOSFET. Accordingly, the charge / discharge driver circuit 604 may include a MOSFET driver circuit.

[0045] The controller 603 may determine whether the current temperature value of the battery cell detected by the temperature detector 601 is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a highest threshold temperature value. If the current temperature value of the battery cell is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, the controller 603 may also determine the temperature subrange within which the current temperature value falls and determine whether the current electric current value of the battery detected by the current detector 602 is higher than a threshold current value of the temperature subrange corresponding to the current temperature value. If the current electric current value of the battery is higher than the threshold current value of the temperature subrange, the charge / discharge driver circuit 604 may be controlled to turn off.

[0046] The controller 603 may also control the charge / discharge driver circuit 604 to turn off the charge / discharge circuit when the current temperature of the battery cell detected by the temperature detector 601 is equal to or lower than the lowest threshold temperature value or equal to or higher than the highest threshold temperature value.

[0047] After controlling the charge / discharge circuit to turn off, the controller 603 may control the temperature detector 601 and the current detector 602 to detect the current temperature value of the battery cell and the current electric current value of the battery in real time. The controller 603 may determine whether the current temperature of the battery cell is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the first threshold temperature value. If the current temperature value of the battery cell is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a first threshold temperature value, the controller 603 may determine whether the current electric current value of the battery is lower than the threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the lowest temperature value.If the current electric current value of the battery is lower than the threshold current value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value, the controller 603 may control the charge / discharge circuit to turn it on again. The first threshold temperature value may be the highest temperature value of the temperature sub-range corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value.

[0048] Fig. Figure 7 depicts a block diagram of an example of an electronic device 700 consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. Various components of the electronic device 700 can be configured to perform various functions consistent with the embodiments.

[0049] The electronic device 700 may comprise any suitably configured computer system, such as a laptop, a tablet, or a mobile phone. As in Fig.7, the electronic device 700 includes a processor 702, a random access memory (RAM) 704, a read-only memory (ROM) 706, a storage device 708, a display 710, an input / output interface 712, a database 714, a communications interface 716, a battery 718, a temperature detector 730, and a current detector 722. Other components may be added and certain devices may be removed without departing from the principles of the disclosed embodiments.

[0050] The processor 702 may comprise any suitable type of general-purpose microprocessor, digital signal processor, or microcontroller, and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 702 may execute sequences of computer program instructions to perform various processes associated with the electronic device 700, such as an overcurrent protection method consistent with the disclosure to protect the battery 718 from overcurrent. The computer program instructions may be stored in a memory of the electronic device 700, where the memory includes one or more of the RAM 704, the ROM 706, and the storage device 708. For example, the computer program instructions may be loaded into the RAM 704 from the read-only memory 706 or the storage device 708 for execution by the processor 702.Storage device 508 may include any suitable type of mass storage device provided to store any type of information that processor 702 may need to perform the processes. For example, storage device 708 may include one or more hard disk devices, optical disk devices, flash disks, or other storage devices to provide storage space.

[0051] The display 710 may provide information to one or more users of the electronic device 700. The display 710 may comprise any suitable type of computer display or electronic display device (e.g., CRT- or LCD-based devices). The input / output interface 712 may be provided for users to input information into the electronic device 700 or for users to receive information from the electronic device 700. For example, the input / output interface 712 may comprise any suitable input device, such as a keyboard, a mouse, an electronic tablet, voice communication devices, touch screens, or any other optical or wireless input devices. Furthermore, the input / output interface 712 may receive from and / or send to other external devices.

[0052] Furthermore, the database 714 may include any type of commercially available or custom database, and may also include analysis tools for analyzing the information in the databases. The communication interface 716 may provide communication connections so that the electronic device 700 can be remotely accessed and / or communicate with other systems over computer networks or other communication networks using various communication protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), etc.

[0053] Battery 718 can supply power to various components of electronic device 700. Temperature detector 720 is coupled to processor 702 and can detect a current temperature value of a battery cell of battery 718 and send it to processor 702 for further processing. Current detector 722 is coupled to processor 702 and can detect a current electrical current value of battery 718 and send it to processor 702 for further processing. Temperature detector 720 and current detector 722 are similar to the previously described examples of the temperature detector and current detector, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0054] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a circuit for overcurrent protection of a battery cell. Different current protection thresholds can be set for different temperature sub-ranges based on the safety conditions of the battery cell. When the current temperature value of the battery cell falls within a certain temperature sub-range, if the current electric current of the battery is higher than the current protection threshold corresponding to the temperature sub-range, overcurrent protection can be initiated. After overcurrent protection is initiated, the temperature value of the battery cell and the electric current value of the battery can be further monitored to determine whether the conditions for turning on the charge / discharge circuit are met.When the conditions are met, the charge / discharge circuit can be controlled to turn on again, and the battery can return to normal operation. The disclosed method for overcurrent protection of a battery cell can replace the TCO protection method in the conventional technology and is more cost-effective. The resistance and power consumption of the battery can be reduced. The accuracy of the current protection of the battery cell can be improved. Furthermore, the disclosed method and circuit for overcurrent protection of a battery cell can support high-performance discharge in a battery.

[0055] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described step by step, each focusing on the differences from the other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the various embodiments may be omitted from the description of some embodiments.

[0056] In the embodiments provided by the present disclosure, it is understood that the disclosed method and devices may be implemented differently. For example, the embodiments of the devices described above are merely illustrative. The division of the units / modules is only a logical functional division, and there may be other ways to divide the units / modules in an actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or certain features may be omitted or not implemented. Furthermore, the coupling, direct coupling, or communication connections shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connections via certain communication interfaces, devices, and / or units.The coupling, direct coupling or communication link may be electrical, mechanical or other suitable forms.

[0057] The units / modules / components described as separate may or may not be spatially separated. The units / modules / components shown as units may or may not be physical units, i.e., they may be located at one location or may be distributed across a plurality of network elements. Some or all of the elements may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objective of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional units may be integrated into a processing unit that exists independently or into two or more units that are integrated into one unit.

[0058] The functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium if these functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as stand-alone products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present disclosure may be embodied, either substantially or to the extent that it contributes to the prior art or to a portion of the technical solution, in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium. The technical solution may include multiple instructions to enable a computing device (which may be a PC, a server, a network device, etc.) to perform all or some of the steps described in the various embodiments of the present disclosure.The aforementioned storage medium may include various media capable of storing programs, such as a USB disk, a portable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0059] In the description of the embodiments, the terms "first", "second" and the like are used only to distinguish different objects and are not intended to suggest or indicate any differences in functions or orders.

[0060] The foregoing description of the disclosed embodiments enables one skilled in the art to make or use the apparatus or methods of the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be embodied in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be understood in the broadest sense of the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

[1] Method comprising the following steps: Detecting a current temperature value of a battery cell of a battery; Determining whether the current temperature value is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a highest threshold temperature value; Detecting a current electrical current value of the battery in conjunction with a determination that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value; in response to determining that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, determining a temperature sub-range within which the current temperature value falls, the temperature sub-range being one of a plurality of temperature sub-ranges into which the temperature range between the lowest threshold temperature value and the highest threshold temperature value is divided; Determining whether the current electrical current value is higher than a threshold current value corresponding to the current temperature value, wherein the threshold current value corresponding to the current temperature value includes a threshold current value corresponding to the temperature subrange; Interrupting a charging / discharging process of the battery cell in response to determining that the current electric current value is higher than the threshold current value; Detecting, after the charging / discharging process is interrupted, the current temperature value and the current electric current value in real time; Determining whether the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a maximum temperature value in the temperature subrange corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value; in conjunction with a determination that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the maximum temperature value in the temperature subrange corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value, determining whether the current electric current is lower than a threshold current value corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value; and Restarting the charge / discharge process in response to determining that the current electrical current is lower than the threshold current value corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein interrupting the charging / discharging process comprises turning off a charging / discharging circuit coupled to the battery. [3] The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: in conjunction with a determination that the current temperature value is equal to or lower than the lowest threshold temperature value, or equal to or higher than the highest threshold temperature value, interrupting the charging / discharging process. [4] The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the current temperature value comprises detecting the current temperature value in real time using a thermistor disposed across the battery cell. [5] The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the current electrical current value comprises detecting the current electrical current value using a measuring resistor coupled to the battery. [6] Device comprising: a control unit; a temperature detector coupled to the control unit, the temperature detector detecting a current temperature value of a battery cell of a battery; and a current detector coupled to the control unit, the current detector detecting a current electrical current value of the battery, where the control unit: determines whether the current temperature value is higher than a lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a highest threshold temperature value, and in conjunction with a determination that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, determines a current electrical current value; in response to determining that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the highest threshold temperature value, determining a temperature sub-range within which the current temperature value falls, the temperature sub-range being one of a plurality of temperature sub-ranges into which the temperature range between the lowest threshold temperature value and the highest threshold temperature value is divided; determines whether the current electrical current value is higher than a threshold current value corresponding to the current temperature value, wherein the threshold current value corresponding to the current temperature value includes a threshold current value corresponding to the temperature subrange; in response to determining that the current electric current value is higher than the threshold current value, controls the interruption of a charging / discharging process of the battery cell; after the charging / discharging process is interrupted, the current temperature value and the current electric current value are detected in real time; determines whether the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than a maximum temperature value in the temperature sub-range corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value; in conjunction with a determination that the current temperature value is higher than the lowest threshold temperature value and lower than the maximum temperature value in the temperature subrange corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value, determines whether the current electric current is lower than a threshold current value corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value; and in response to determining that the current electric current is lower than the threshold current value corresponding to the lowest threshold temperature value, restarts the charging / discharging process. [7] The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller further controls a charging / discharging circuit to be turned off to interrupt the charging / discharging process. [8] The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller further controls the interruption of the charging / discharging process in connection with a determination that the current temperature value is equal to or lower than the lowest threshold temperature value or equal to or higher than the highest threshold temperature value. [9] The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the temperature detector detects the current temperature value in real time using a thermistor disposed above the battery cell. [10] The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the current detector detects the current electric current value using a measuring resistor coupled to the battery and performs analog-to-digital conversion to convert the current electric current value into a value to be processed by the controller. [11] Device comprising: a battery; a processor powered by the battery; a memory; a temperature detector coupled to the processor, the temperature detector detecting a current temperature value of a battery cell of the battery; and a current detector coupled to the processor, the current detector detecting a current electrical current value of the battery, wherein code is stored in the memory which, when executed by the processor, directs the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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