Battery Charger Cross-Over Controller for Dynamic Current Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery chargers for multiple batteries are inefficient in utilizing available charge current, leading to prolonged charging times as they do not optimize the use of current capacity when charging multiple batteries simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A battery charger system with multiple charge managers and a cross-over controller that continuously adjusts the charge current between batteries to maximize the use of the available current from a common power source, ensuring that the total charge current applied to both batteries remains substantially equal to the maximum available current before reaching rated voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple batteries are charged simultaneously using existing battery chargers, then the charging capacity is increased, but the charging time is prolonged due to inefficient utilization of available charge current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current allocation where the charge current is continuously adjusted between multiple batteries based on their individual charging states. The controller monitors voltage levels and dynamically redistributes the available current to optimize charging efficiency, transitioning from static current division to adaptive current management that responds to real-time battery conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the charging parameters (current magnitude) based on battery voltage levels and charging progress. By monitoring voltage thresholds and adjusting current distribution accordingly, the system optimizes the charging process for multiple batteries simultaneously, ensuring efficient use of available current while preventing overcharging.
2Device complexity
If a common power source provides charge current to multiple batteries, then the device complexity is reduced, but the charging efficiency decreases due to inability to optimize current distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the voltage levels of multiple batteries and uses this information to adjust current distribution. This closed-loop control system enables efficient current allocation while maintaining a relatively simple common power source architecture, reconciling structural simplicity with charging efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The common power source is designed to serve multiple batteries simultaneously with intelligent current management. The single power source performs the multi-functional role of charging multiple batteries with optimized current distribution, eliminating the need for separate power sources while maintaining high charging efficiency through smart control.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charger for charging a plurality of batteries includes a plurality of charge managers and a cross-over controller coupled to the charge managers. The charge managers are coupled to a common power source that has a finite maximum available current. The cross-over controller is configured to continuously determine the charge current that is applied to one of the batteries by one of the charge managers, and to direct another one of the charge managers to apply to another one of the batteries a charge current that is based on the determined charge current. The total of the determined charge current that is applied to the one battery and the charge current that is applied to the other battery (prior to when the voltage across the other battery reaches a rated value) is continuously substantially equal to the maximum available current.