Battery Charging Control Apparatus OCV Measurement

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery charging and discharging control methods fail to effectively improve cycle characteristics while maintaining volume energy density, leading to inefficiencies in charging rate changes and internal resistance.

Innovation Solution

A charging and discharging control apparatus that executes second charging and discharging control, which includes a circuit configured to control the temporal change of the charging rate of a secondary battery at or below 1%/h, based on detection results such as voltage, temperature, and charge/discharge integrated capacity, and conducts OCV measurement for intermittent charging and discharging control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional charging and discharging control methods are used, then charging rate changes are rapid, but cycle characteristics deteriorate and internal resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle characteristicsVSAvoidcharging rate temporal change

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by conducting OCV measurements at specific intervals during charging and discharging cycles. The control unit measures OCV when the absolute value of charging rate temporal change is below a threshold, creating periodic measurement opportunities that allow the system to assess battery state without continuous interruption. This periodic approach improves cycle characteristics by providing regular data points for optimization while maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing OCV measurements before making charging/discharging control decisions. The control unit measures OCV in advance when conditions are met (low temporal change in charging rate), then uses this pre-acquired data to determine subsequent charging/discharging parameters. This preliminary measurement approach allows the system to proactively adjust control strategies, improving cycle characteristics through anticipatory optimization rather than reactive adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If OCV measurement is conducted frequently, then cycle characteristics improve, but measurement time and operational interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle characteristicsVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by conducting OCV measurements at specific intervals during charging and discharging cycles. The control unit measures OCV when the absolute value of charging rate temporal change is below a threshold, creating periodic measurement opportunities that allow the system to assess battery state without continuous interruption. This periodic approach improves cycle characteristics by providing regular data points for optimization while maintaining operational continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by using the temporal change of charging rate as a dynamic threshold parameter to gate OCV measurements. Instead of measuring at fixed intervals or continuously, the system adjusts the measurement decision based on the real-time parameter of charging rate temporal change. When this parameter falls below the threshold, measurements are permitted; otherwise, they are deferred. This parameter-based control reduces unnecessary measurements and associated time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If charging rate temporal change is reduced to improve cycle characteristics, then volume energy density may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle characteristicsVSAvoidvolume energy density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the OCV measurement strategy adaptive to real-time battery conditions. The control unit dynamically evaluates the temporal change of charging rate and adjusts measurement frequency accordingly. When charging rate changes slowly (below threshold), the system permits measurements to improve cycle characteristics. When charging rate changes rapidly, the system defers measurements to maintain charging efficiency and energy density. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for cycle characteristics only when it won't compromise volume energy density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by using the temporal change of charging rate as a dynamic threshold parameter to gate OCV measurements. Instead of measuring at fixed intervals or continuously, the system adjusts the measurement decision based on the real-time parameter of charging rate temporal change. When this parameter falls below the threshold, measurements are permitted; otherwise, they are deferred. This parameter-based control reduces unnecessary measurements and associated time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2908402B1Charging control apparatus, battery, electronic device, vehicle, charging control method, and electric storage system

Publication Date: 2022.09.07 MURATA MFG CO LTD

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AI summary

A charging control apparatus (100) is provided and includes a control unit (110) configured to transmit instructions to a charging unit (3) to execute charging of a battery (2). The control unit (110) is configured to cause a scheme change from a first charging scheme to a second charging scheme based on charging scheme information received by the control unit (110).