Portable Battery Charger With Preheating for Low-Temperature Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries, particularly those using lithium chemistry, can degrade quickly or become unsafe when charged outside their specified temperature range, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A portable battery charger equipped with a heater, temperature sensor, and electronic processor that monitors battery temperature and disables charging if below a threshold, activating the heater to bring the battery to a safe temperature before initiating charge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If charging circuit is enabled at low temperatures, then charging speed is improved, but battery safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature assessment before enabling charging. The processor evaluates battery temperature via the temperature sensor, and only enables the charging circuit after confirming the temperature is within the safe range (above the first threshold). This preliminary check prevents unsafe charging before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors battery temperature through the temperature sensor and uses this feedback to dynamically control the charging circuit and heater. When temperature drops below the first threshold, the system activates the heater and disables charging. When temperature rises above the threshold, charging is enabled. This closed-loop feedback ensures safety while maximizing charging speed when conditions permit.
2Reliability
If heater is activated to warm battery, then battery safety is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater operates periodically rather than continuously. It is activated only when the temperature sensor detects that battery temperature is below the first threshold, and deactivated when the temperature rises above the threshold. This periodic operation minimizes energy consumption while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature feedback from the sensor to control heater operation. The processor continuously monitors temperature and adjusts heater state accordingly - enabling heating only when necessary (temperature below threshold) and disabling it when the battery reaches safe temperature. This feedback-based control optimizes energy usage by eliminating unnecessary heating.
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
Ensures safe charging of lithium batteries by maintaining them within the manufacturer-specified temperature range, preventing degradation and ensuring safety.
Implementation Method 1
a heater surrounding the battery receptacle
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor disposed in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A portable battery charger includes a housing. The housing includes a battery receptacle configured to receive and connect to a battery. The charger also includes a heater surrounding the battery receptacle and a charging circuit provided in the housing to charge the battery. The charger further includes a temperature sensor disposed in the housing and an electronic processor in communication with the temperature sensor, the charging circuit, and the heater. The electronic processor is configured to determine, using the temperature sensor, a temperature of the battery, determine whether the temperature satisfies a low temperature threshold, in response to the temperature satisfying the low temperature threshold disable the charging circuit, and enable the heater to heat the battery.