Adaptive Battery Charging Using Electrochemical Response Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging technologies struggle to efficiently balance fast charging times with long cycle life due to variations in manufacturing and end-use, making it difficult to characterize a battery's current state of health and predict future performance accurately.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive charging methods that apply a stimulus to the battery, measure its response to characterize physical phenomena such as metal ion transport and electrochemical reactions, and adjust the charging process based on these characterizations, using oscillating currents and control circuitry to modify charge signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional charging methods are used, then charging speed can be increased, but battery cycle life and reliability deteriorate due to degradation from manufacturing variations and end-use conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The charging method dynamically adjusts charging parameters based on real-time battery state measurements. The system continuously monitors battery response to applied currents and modifies charging conditions accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic control to optimize both speed and longevity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by measuring battery voltage, current, and temperature responses during charging, then using this information to adjust subsequent charging parameters. This closed-loop approach enables the system to adapt to manufacturing variations and degradation over time
Solution Approach 3:
The method changes charging parameters such as current magnitude, pulse duration, and rest periods based on measured battery characteristics. By varying these parameters in response to battery state, the system optimizes charging speed while preventing degradation
2Measurement precision
If manufacturing variations are accounted for, then battery performance prediction improves, but measurement and characterization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery itself provides the measurement data through its natural electrical and thermal responses to applied currents. The system uses the battery's own voltage, current, and temperature characteristics during normal operation to characterize its state, eliminating the need for separate complex diagnostic equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it charges the battery while also characterizing its state, measuring its response to stimuli, and predicting future performance. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining diagnostic and charging operations
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
Enhances the ability to optimize charging processes for both speed and longevity by adapting to the battery's specific conditions, reducing degradation and improving overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
the physical phenomenon includes transport of metal ions in an electrolyte of the battery
Implementation Method 2
the physical phenomenon includes transport of metal ions in an electrode of the battery
Implementation Method 3
the physical phenomenon includes a chemical or electrochemical reaction in or on an electrode of the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatus may carry out analysis of battery physical phenomena, and characterize batteries based on phenomena occurring in particular time and/or frequency domains. These systems may be additionally responsible for charging and/or monitoring a rechargeable battery. Examples of battery physical phenomena include mass transport (e.g., diffusion and/or migration) in battery electrolytes, mass transport in battery electrodes, and reactions on battery electrodes.