Battery Charge Scheduling for Readiness and Longer Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries in battery-powered devices, such as infusion pumps, experience accelerated degradation due to improper charging practices, including prolonged low or high state of charge, frequent recharging, and rapid charging, leading to shortened battery life.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method for dynamic charge management, which calculates an estimated readiness time and adjusts charging rates to maintain the battery at an intermediate state of charge when time allows, and ramps up to a target state of charge when needed, using different charging rates based on historical usage data and real-time adjustments via network communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If batteries are charged quickly or maintained at maximum state of charge for prolonged periods, then charging speed and availability are improved, but battery degradation accelerates and battery life shortens
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time conditions and predicted usage patterns. The processor monitors current state of charge, historical usage data, and environmental factors to modulate charging speed, transitioning between fast charging modes and slower maintenance modes to balance speed requirements with battery longevity protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary charging to an intermediate state of charge before anticipated high-demand periods. By predicting when high discharge rates will be needed based on historical patterns, the system pre-charges the battery to optimal levels, avoiding both prolonged maximum charge states and last-minute fast charging that causes degradation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If batteries are maintained at low or high state of charge for prolonged periods, then device availability is improved, but accelerated degradation occurs and battery life shortens
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic charge adjustments by cycling the battery through controlled charge and discharge phases. Rather than maintaining static high or low charge states, the processor periodically modulates the state of charge within optimal ranges, using historical usage patterns to determine appropriate cycling frequencies that maintain device availability while preventing degradation from prolonged extreme charge states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters including state of charge thresholds, charging rates, and maintenance intervals based on environmental conditions, usage patterns, and battery age. The processor adjusts these parameters in real-time to optimize the balance between maintaining device availability and protecting battery life from degradation caused by prolonged exposure to extreme charge states.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are provided for dynamic management of charge. A method involves obtaining an estimated readiness time for an energy storage element, obtaining a target state of charge for the energy storage element, calculating an estimated charging time based at least in part on a difference between the target state of charge and a current state of charge, using a first charging rate to charge the energy storage element to an intermediate state of charge responsive to determining a time difference between the estimated readiness time and a first time is greater than the estimated charging time, maintaining the energy storage element at the intermediate state of charge, and responsive to determining a time difference between the estimated readiness time and a second time is less than the estimated charging time, using a second charging rate to charge the energy storage element to the target state of charge.