Active Limiting Circuit Deactivation for Battery Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered electronic devices, particularly those for hazardous locations, face power drain issues due to active limiting circuits that remain operational even when the battery is not in use, leading to reduced initial charge levels and potential cell damage during shipping and storage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an integrated circuit that can deactivate the active limiting circuit using a sleep command via a single wire data pin, allowing the battery to be charged to a predetermined level and reactivated when needed, thereby reducing current drain during storage and ensuring the battery remains functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active limiting circuits are included in Hazloc batteries to comply with regulations, then safety and regulatory compliance are improved, but current drain during shipping and storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the active limiting circuit's operational state changeable rather than fixed. The circuit transitions between active and inactive states based on whether the battery is in use or in storage/transport, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption characteristics to different operational contexts while maintaining compliance when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the cyclic activation and deactivation of the active limiting circuit. The circuit is activated when the battery is installed in a device and deactivated during storage or transport, creating a periodic on/off pattern that reduces overall energy consumption while ensuring safety compliance during actual use periods
2Reliability
If active limiting circuits with fault tolerance and redundant components are used, then reliability is improved, but power drain during storage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the redundant components dynamic by selectively enabling or disabling them based on operational context. During storage and transport, the redundant fault tolerance components are deactivated to minimize power drain, while being readily available for activation when the battery is installed and operational reliability becomes critical
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the active limiting circuit and its redundant components. By adjusting the power state parameter from fully active to fully inactive based on usage context, the system achieves a balance between maintaining fault tolerance capabilities and minimizing power consumption during storage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If batteries are charged to limited levels for shipping compliance, then safety during transport is improved, but initial charge level upon receipt decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by deactivating the active limiting circuit before shipping and storage. This preliminary deactivation prevents power drain that would otherwise occur during transport, allowing the battery to be charged to higher levels initially while still meeting safety requirements, thereby delivering a more charged battery to the customer
Data Source
AI summary
A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.