Battery Charge Restriction via Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery packs experience degradation at full charge, particularly due to extended storage and elevated temperatures, which accelerates degradation rates.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that selectively restricts the charge level of a battery by monitoring temperature and charging profile, adjusting the maximum charge level based on battery temperature and time of use, and limiting charging to an intermediate level when not in use or at high temperatures to minimize degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the battery is charged to full charge level, then the battery capacity is maximized, but the battery experiences degradation particularly at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charge level adjustment based on real-time temperature monitoring. The system transitions from a static full charge approach to a dynamic approach where the maximum charge level is adjusted according to temperature conditions, allowing full charge at low temperatures and restricted charge at high temperatures to prevent degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the charge level parameter based on temperature conditions. By monitoring temperature and adjusting the charge level parameter dynamically, the system optimizes battery health by preventing full charge at elevated temperatures while maintaining full capacity utilization when temperatures are favorable
2Ease of operation
If the battery is kept at full charge for extended storage, then the battery is ready for immediate use, but the degradation rate accelerates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature assessment before allowing full charge. By checking temperature conditions in advance and adjusting charge levels accordingly, the system prevents premature degradation while maintaining operational readiness, essentially preparing the battery in the optimal charge state based on predicted storage conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of battery temperature and charge level. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect temperature elevations and adjust charge levels in real-time, preventing the harmful combination of full charge and extended storage at high temperatures that causes accelerated degradation
3Reliability
If the maximum charge level is restricted at high temperatures, then battery degradation is reduced, but the battery cannot be charged to full capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the charge level parameter based on temperature conditions, transitioning between full charge and restricted charge states. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing full capacity when temperatures are low and restricting capacity only when temperatures are high, thus preserving both lifetime and capacity utilization
Data Source
AI summary
For selectively restricting the charge level of a battery, methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed. One apparatus includes a battery, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the battery, a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. Here, the processor selects a maximum charge level using the temperature of the battery, where the maximum charge becomes less than a full charge level of the battery in response to the battery temperature being above a threshold temperature. Moreover, the processor restricts charging of the battery to the maximum charge level in response to the temperature of the battery being above the threshold temperature.