Dynamic Battery Charging Control for Lifetime Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charging methods for rechargeable batteries, which use constant voltage or current, lead to a shortened battery lifetime by exceeding the limited number of charging cycles, resulting in decreased usable capacity and potential battery failure.
Innovation Solution
A charging control method that adjusts the charge current based on acquired parameters such as charge duration, voltage thresholds, power level, and temperature, modifying the current from a maximal charge current to a lower current after a voltage threshold is reached, and selecting between different charge modes based on the battery's recycle count and accumulated time to optimize battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If constant voltage or current charging is used, then charging speed is maintained, but battery lifetime is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static constant voltage/current charging to dynamic charging where parameters continuously adjust based on battery state. The charging current is modified from a first charge current to a second charge current less than the first charge current based on control parameters including charge duration and temperature, enabling the system to adapt charging speed to battery conditions while extending lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying charging parameters (current, voltage, power) based on battery state parameters such as temperature, charge duration, and power level. The control parameter for charge current includes charge duration, voltage thresholds, power level, and temperature, which trigger adjustments in charging current to balance speed and battery health.
2Loss of time
If high charge current is used, then charging time is reduced, but battery degradation accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by dividing the charging process into distinct phases with different current levels. Time counted from when voltage reaches a first preset threshold until full charge is divided into at least two non-overlapping time periods, each corresponding to different charge currents, with the first period using higher current and subsequent periods using reduced current to prevent degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts charge current based on real-time battery parameters. When charge duration exceeds thresholds or temperature increases, the control module automatically reduces current from first charge current to second charge current, creating a dynamic response that prevents degradation while minimizing charging time.
3Reliability
If charge current is reduced to extend battery lifetime, then charging speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to optimize the trade-off between lifetime and speed. By continuously monitoring control parameters (charge duration, voltage, power level, temperature) and adjusting current in real-time, the system maintains high charging speed during early phases when battery can tolerate higher current, then gradually reduces current to extend lifetime, achieving both goals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by using higher charge current during initial charging phases when the battery is in a state that can tolerate it, maximizing charging speed early on. Before the battery reaches critical thresholds (voltage, temperature, charge duration), the system proactively adjusts current to prevent degradation, thus achieving fast charging without sacrificing lifetime.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are charging control methods for a rechargeable battery and portable computers. The charging control method includes acquiring a control parameter for a charge current of the rechargeable battery; modifying, based on the control parameter, the charge current from a first charge current to a second charge current less than the first charge current; and charging the rechargeable battery with the second charge current. Compared with conventional methods of charging the battery always with the maximal charge current, the present disclosure can improve the battery's lifetime.