Adaptive Battery Charge Voltage for Runtime and Lifespan Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries in devices like hearing aids degrade over time due to factors such as temperature, depth-of-discharge, and overcharging, leading to reduced operation runtime and unsatisfactory user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method for charging the battery that adjusts the battery fully charged voltage (BFCV) in subsequent charging phases to maintain a minimum capacity, using a control unit to incrementally increase the BFCV based on criteria like accumulated charge, cycle count, or time, reducing voltage stress and preventing overcharging/undercharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the battery is charged to maximum capacity (100% SOC), then the operation runtime is maximized, but the battery degradation accelerates and lifespan reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the charging termination voltage (BFCV) as a variable parameter based on battery age, cycle count, and temperature conditions. Instead of using a fixed maximum voltage, the system modifies this critical parameter to optimize the trade-off between capacity utilization and degradation prevention, thereby resolving the contradiction between runtime and lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The charging strategy transitions from a static fixed-voltage approach to a dynamic adaptive approach where the BFCV is continuously adjusted based on real-time battery state monitoring. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize charging parameters throughout the battery lifecycle, balancing runtime requirements with longevity preservation
2Reliability
If the final charging SOC is limited to a lower value to reduce capacity fading, then the battery lifespan is extended, but the operation runtime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial charging action by intentionally limiting the charging SOC to a value below 100% (e.g., 80-90%) under certain conditions. This partial charging approach prevents the battery from experiencing the most severe degradation zones associated with full charging, thereby extending lifespan while still providing sufficient runtime for typical usage scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the charging termination parameter (BFCV) based on battery state, allowing it to operate at lower SOC levels when degradation risk is high and increase toward maximum SOC when the battery is newer or conditions are favorable, thus balancing lifespan extension with runtime maintenance
3Speed
If external heat energy is applied to charge the battery faster, then the charging speed increases, but the battery degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring and adjustment of charging parameters based on temperature feedback. The system alternates between charging phases and cooling/rest phases, applying heat energy intermittently rather than continuously, which maintains charging speed while preventing thermal accumulation that would accelerate degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system dynamically adjusts the charging rate and termination voltage based on real-time temperature measurements. When temperature rises above thresholds, the system reduces charging power or terminates charging early, creating a dynamic response that balances charging speed with thermal management to prevent degradation
Data Source
AI summary
A method charges a battery of a device. In the method an initial a battery fully charged voltage (BFCV) is set, which after completion of a charging phase yields a capacity less than a maximum capacity of the battery. In each of several charging phases the battery is charged until a charging voltage of the battery reaches a current BFCV. For a first of the charging phases the current BFCV is set to the initial BFCV. The current BFCV is increased after a last charging phase and for a next charging phase such that a minimum capacity of the battery is maintained. Furthermore, a corresponding device and computer program execute the method.