Adaptive Battery Charging Current Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery charging methods do not effectively adapt to the dynamic internal state and degradation conditions of batteries, leading to inefficient charging and potential battery degradation.

Innovation Solution

A battery charging method and apparatus that determine the variation in charging current based on the battery's internal state and degradation condition, using an electrochemical model to estimate the internal state and apply a degradation factor, thereby adjusting the charging current in real-time to prevent degradation and optimize charging efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV) charging scheme is used, then charging speed is maintained initially, but battery degradation occurs due to lack of adaptation to internal state changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The charging current is dynamically adjusted based on the battery's internal state (SOC, temperature, degradation condition) rather than maintaining a fixed constant current. The controller continuously monitors internal state changes and modifies the charging current in real-time, transitioning from a static CC-CV scheme to a dynamic adaptive charging scheme that responds to battery conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by monitoring the battery's internal state (including SOC, temperature, and degradation condition) and using this information to adjust the charging current. The controller receives feedback about the battery's condition and modifies the charging parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents degradation while maintaining efficient charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If multi-step charging scheme with multiple constant current steps is used, then charging efficiency is improved, but complexity of charging control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidcharging control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the charging current parameter dynamically based on the battery's internal state rather than using multiple discrete constant current steps. Instead of pre-defined charging stages with fixed current levels, the current is continuously adjusted according to real-time measurements of SOC, temperature, and degradation condition, simplifying the control logic while maintaining high charging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The charging scheme transitions from static multi-step constant current charging to dynamic continuous adjustment of charging current. The controller continuously adapts the current based on the battery's internal state, eliminating the need for complex multi-stage control while achieving similar or better charging efficiency through real-time optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If high charging current is applied to maintain fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but battery degradation accelerates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous fast charging by continuously adjusting the current to optimal levels rather than using fixed high current that causes degradation. The adaptive control ensures the charging current remains at the maximum safe level throughout the charging process, preventing degradation while sustaining fast charging performance through continuous optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The charging current parameter is continuously modified based on the battery's internal state to prevent degradation. When the battery approaches critical states (high SOC, elevated temperature, or degradation thresholds), the current is automatically reduced, while still maintaining fast charging speeds when conditions permit, thus dynamically optimizing between speed and battery health.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11368034B2Method and apparatus with battery charging
Publication Date: 2022.06.21 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US11368034B2 patent drawing
  • US11368034B2 patent drawing
  • US11368034B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A battery charging method and apparatus are provided. The battery charging apparatus determines, in a present charging operation, a variation in a charging current to charge a battery based on a degradation condition of the battery and an internal state of the battery in the present charging operation, and determines a charging current of a subsequent charging operation based on the variation in the charging current in the present charging operation and the charging current in the present charging operation.