Battery Charger Automatic Voltage Detection Microprocessor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery chargers connected to external batteries via cables lack the ability to automatically determine the nominal voltage of the connected battery, requiring user configuration or specific identification techniques not applicable to external connections.
Innovation Solution
A battery charger with automatic voltage detection using a microprocessor to measure and determine the nominal voltage of an external battery connected via cables, overriding user-selected modes if necessary, and incorporating safeguards to prevent overcharging, applicable to various battery types and voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a battery charger uses manual configuration by the user to determine battery type and nominal voltage, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the user must manually configure the charger
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger automatically detects the battery type and nominal voltage through a microprocessor that measures voltage characteristics of the connected battery, eliminating the need for manual user configuration. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-configuration by analyzing the battery's electrical properties and automatically selecting the appropriate charging algorithm.
2Ease of operation
If a battery charger automatically determines battery type and nominal voltage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensing and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical identification methods (such as physical contacts, switches, or manual selection mechanisms) with an electronic sensing system. A microprocessor measures the battery's voltage characteristics through electrical signals to automatically identify battery type and nominal voltage, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic intelligence.
3Extent of automation
If a battery charger uses identification contacts or sensing contacts to determine nominal voltage, then automatic voltage detection is achieved, but the adaptability deteriorates because these techniques are not applicable to external battery cable connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal voltage detection method that works through standard external battery cable connections. The microprocessor measures voltage characteristics across the cable interface, enabling the same detection mechanism to handle various battery types and connection methods without requiring specialized identification contacts or sensing contacts for each battery type.
4Extent of automation
If a battery charger measures voltage to determine nominal voltage, then automatic detection is achieved, but measurement precision may be insufficient without proper calibration and detection algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor implements a feedback-based detection algorithm that measures the battery's voltage characteristics and uses this information to determine the nominal voltage. The system continuously monitors voltage levels and adjusts its detection based on the measured values, improving measurement precision through iterative analysis and comparison against known voltage ranges for different battery types.
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
Enables automatic and safe charging of external batteries by accurately determining their nominal voltage, preventing overcharging and supporting multiple battery types and voltages, ensuring efficient and reliable charging operations.
Implementation Method 1
A battery charger with automatic voltage detection using a microprocessor to measure and determine the nominal voltage of an external battery connected via cables
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A battery charger is disclosed that is configured to be connected to an external battery by way of external battery cables. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the battery charger is configured with automatic voltage detection which automatically determines the nominal voltage of the battery connected to its terminals and charges the battery as a function of the detected nominal voltage irrespective of the nominal voltage selected by a user. Various safeguards are built into the battery charger to avoid overcharging a battery. For battery chargers with user selectable nominal battery voltage charging modes, battery charger is configured to over-ride a user selected battery voltage mode if it detects that the battery connected to the battery charger terminals is different than the user selected charging mode.