Battery Charge Detection Using Voltage Trend Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery charging methods fail to detect faults during the charging process, leading to incomplete charging and lack of timely alerts when batteries or chargers malfunction, resulting in prolonged charging times and short service life.

Innovation Solution

A battery charge detection method that sets charge parameters such as full charge voltage, critical voltage, and charge times, and detection parameters like sampling period and number of sampling times, to monitor voltage trends and charge times, identifying faults by comparing sampled voltages with set thresholds and prompting users to stop charging when faults are detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional charging detection methods are used, then the charging process is simple, but charging faults cannot be detected timely leading to incomplete charging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging fault detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charging detection process is segmented into multiple stages: initial voltage detection, continuous sampling during charging, and post-charging verification. Each stage uses different detection thresholds and sampling frequencies, allowing comprehensive fault detection without requiring complex continuous monitoring throughout the entire charging cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary voltage detection before charging begins and sets predetermined voltage thresholds in advance. During charging, it continuously compares real-time voltage against these pre-set thresholds to identify abnormal conditions early, preventing incomplete charging before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If continuous voltage monitoring is performed, then charging faults can be detected, but charging time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging fault detection capabilityVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic voltage sampling during charging at predetermined intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The sampling frequency is adjusted based on the charging stage, performing more frequent checks during critical phases and less frequent checks during stable phases, reducing overall detection time while maintaining fault detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system uses the existing charging circuitry and voltage sensing capabilities already present in the charging device, rather than requiring separate dedicated detection hardware. This allows fault detection to occur using the same components that perform charging, eliminating additional time overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If voltage thresholds are set strictly, then charging completeness can be ensured, but normal charging may be interrupted falsely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging completeness assuranceVSAvoidcharging process stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different voltage thresholds and detection criteria are applied to different charging stages and battery conditions. The system adjusts detection sensitivity based on the current charging phase, battery type, and historical charging data, allowing strict thresholds during critical phases while being more tolerant during normal operation to prevent false interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors charging parameters and provides feedback to adjust detection thresholds in real-time. When abnormal conditions are detected, the system can dynamically modify voltage thresholds and sampling frequencies, and communicate with the user to confirm whether to interrupt charging, balancing completeness assurance with operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If multiple sampling times are performed, then detection accuracy improves, but detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage detection accuracyVSAvoidsampling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple sampling process is segmented into distinct phases with different sampling frequencies and thresholds. Initial sampling occurs at high frequency with strict thresholds to detect immediate abnormalities, followed by periodic sampling at lower frequencies during normal charging, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs excessive sampling (more samples than strictly necessary) during critical charging phases where faults are most likely to occur, while reducing sampling during stable phases. This targeted approach improves detection accuracy when needed without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2645115B1Battery charge detection method and charge detection device
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 ZTE CORP
  • EP2645115B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2645115B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2645115B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A battery charge detection method and a charge detection device are provided. The method includes the steps: setting charge parameters and detection parameters of a battery (S1); detecting a current voltage of the battery (S2); detecting a voltage according to a preset time when the detected voltage of current battery is more than or equal to a full charge voltage (S41); when the detected voltage is less than the full charge voltage after the preset time and all sampled voltages are more than a charge critical voltage and do not follow a monotone increasing trend, obtaining current charge time of the battery, namely a first charge time (S8); comparing the first charge time with the rating charge time of the charge parameters; when the first charge time is more than the rating charge time, confirming that a charge fault occurs in charge course. The charge fault occurring in the battery charge course can be detected by using the method and the device.