Alternating Current Battery Heating for Low-Temperature Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries, particularly lithium-based ones, face challenges in charging at low temperatures due to electrolyte freezing, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in charging time and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that alternates between sourcing and sinking current to heat the battery using a processor-controlled circuit, applying harmonically tuned signals to assess and manage battery temperature, ensuring safe and efficient charging by optimizing current flow and signal shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional charging is attempted at low temperatures, then charging time is reduced, but battery damage occurs due to electrolyte freezing and electrode plating
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the battery before charging by applying current in a controlled manner to raise the battery temperature to an acceptable range, preventing electrolyte freezing and electrode plating during subsequent charging operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts charging parameters including current magnitude, voltage, and pulse duration based on real-time battery temperature measurements to optimize both charging speed and safety across different temperature conditions
2Temperature
If heating current is applied to warm the battery, then battery temperature increases enabling charging, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of battery temperature and adjusts heating current dynamically, transitioning from heating mode to charging mode as soon as the battery reaches the minimum acceptable temperature, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The battery's internal resistance is utilized as a heating element during the warming phase, where the current applied to charge the battery also generates heat through resistive heating, combining charging and heating functions efficiently
3Productivity
If high current is used to charge the battery quickly, then charging speed increases, but battery degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging current based on real-time battery conditions including temperature, state of charge, and voltage levels, using pulse charging techniques that alternate between high-current charging phases and rest periods to maintain high charging speed while reducing cumulative stress on the battery
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic pulse charging where high-current charging pulses are alternated with rest periods or lower-current phases, allowing the battery to dissipate heat and recover between pulses, thereby maintaining high average charging speed while reducing degradation from continuous high-current stress
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient battery heating to facilitate charging, reducing the risk of damage and performance degradation, while minimizing energy consumption and optimizing charging time.
Implementation Method 1
the combination of sourcing current to the battery and sinking current from the battery heats the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for heating a battery, which may be performed alone or in combination with charging or discharging a battery. In some implementations, heating involves applying an alternating current waveform, which may be sinusoidal, to a battery. In some implementations, the heating signal is applied at a frequency and/or current with little or no net charge to the battery.