Battery Charging Control for Li-Ion Life Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium ion batteries in electronic devices like laptops face capacity deterioration and shortened life when charged to high voltages, and existing methods for managing charge rates are cumbersome, requiring user intervention and potentially leading to improper charging of batteries with different capacities.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a controlling section that uses first information stored in the battery to manage charging, allowing for user-set maximum charge amounts and currents without user awareness, ensuring optimal charging conditions for each battery based on its capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the charge amount of a lithium ion battery is increased to 100% to maximize operation period, then the operation period of time is extended, but the battery capacity deteriorates and life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the charge amount setting changeable based on battery usage history. The system dynamically adjusts between fixed charge amount (80% or 100%) and user-customizable charge amounts based on whether the battery has been used for a long period, thereby optimizing both operation period and battery life at different usage stages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the charge amount parameter from a fixed value to a variable that can be adjusted based on usage conditions. The controlling section modifies the charge amount parameter according to battery usage history and user preferences, allowing optimization of the balance between operation period and battery life
2Device complexity
If a fixed charge current is used for all battery types to simplify the charging circuit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the charge rate becomes inappropriate for batteries with different capacities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the battery pack to automatically report its capacity information to the main body. The battery includes a memory storing capacity information and a controlling section that reads this information and communicates it to the main body, which then automatically sets the appropriate charge current without requiring manual user configuration or complex preset switches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a communication interface where the battery provides capacity information back to the main body. The main body uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the charge current setting, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes charging for different battery capacities
3Reliability
If the charge amount is limited to 80% to suppress capacity deterioration, then the battery life is prolonged, but the operation period of time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charge amount based on battery usage history. For new batteries or those with short usage history, the charge amount is set to 100% to maximize operation period. For batteries with long usage history, the charge amount can be reduced to 80% or user-defined values to extend remaining battery life, creating a dynamic optimization strategy
4Adaptability or versatility
If a switch is provided on the main body side to change charge amount and charge current, then the charging conditions can be adjusted, but the usability is impaired when batteries are replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack performs self-identification by automatically reporting its capacity information to the main body through the communication interface. This eliminates the need for users to manually adjust switches or settings when replacing batteries, as the system automatically configures appropriate charging parameters based on the inserted battery's characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a battery, a main body, a charging section, an obtaining section, and a controlling section. The battery has first information with which charging of the battery is controlled. The main body operates with the battery as a power supply. The charging section charges the battery. The obtaining section obtains the first information from the battery. The controlling section controls the charging section based on the obtained first information and causes the charging section to perform a charging according to another battery.