Battery Charging Current Control for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery charging methods for dual-pack charging result in prolonged charging duration and reduced efficiency due to over-temperature protection, as the charging process is interrupted when the battery pack temperature exceeds a threshold, leading to inefficient charging cycles.

Innovation Solution

A charging device and method that detect internal and external parameters such as temperature, voltage, and ambient temperature to adjust the charging current, preventing the battery pack from entering an over-temperature protection state by alternately charging two battery packs and adjusting their charging currents and durations to maintain optimal temperatures, thereby reducing charging time and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If constant current charging is used to charge the battery pack, then charging speed is improved, but the battery temperature rises to over-temperature protection limitation value frequently, causing charging interruptions and prolonged charging duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device dynamically adjusts the charging current based on real-time battery temperature feedback. When the battery temperature approaches the over-temperature protection limitation value, the charging current is automatically reduced or interrupted, preventing temperature-related charging interruptions while maintaining high charging speed during safe temperature ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the battery temperature is continuously monitored and used to control the charging current. The charging device receives temperature information from the battery pack and adjusts the charging parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents over-temperature protection activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the battery pack is charged when exposed to high ambient temperature, then charging can proceed, but the battery temperature quickly reaches over-temperature protection limitation value, causing charging to stop and requiring user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidambient temperature effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device proactively monitors battery temperature and takes preventive action by adjusting or interrupting the charging current before the battery temperature reaches the over-temperature protection limitation value. This preliminary anti-action prevents charging interruptions and eliminates the need for user intervention even in high ambient temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Quantity of substance

If parallel charging of two battery packs is used, then charging capacity is improved, but both battery packs continuously rise in temperature and reach over-temperature protection state, prolonging overall charging duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidbattery pack temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The charging device segments the charging process for two battery packs by implementing independent temperature monitoring and control for each pack. The controller can selectively adjust or interrupt charging current to specific battery packs based on their individual temperature conditions, preventing both packs from simultaneously reaching over-temperature protection state while maintaining high overall charging capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution effectively prevents frequent over-temperature protection, reduces charging duration, and enhances charging efficiency by maintaining optimal temperature ranges for both battery packs during the charging process.

Implementation Method 1

a parameter detecting unit configured to detect a parameter related to a charging current for the battery pack, the parameter comprising a temperature of the battery pack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a control unit configured to adjust the charging current for the battery pack according to output of the parameter detecting unit to prevent the temperature of the battery pack from reaching a first preset temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3641046B1Charging device and charging method
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 POSITEC POWER TOOLS (SUZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP3641046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3641046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3641046B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a charging device (and a charging method), the charging device for charging a battery pack, the battery pack being detachably mounted on a power tool to provide power to the power tool, wherein the charging device comprises: a parameter detecting unit configured to detect a parameter related to a charging current for the battery pack, the parameter comprising a temperature of the battery pack; and a control unit configured to adjust the charging current for the battery pack according to output of the parameter detecting unit to prevent the temperature of the battery pack from reaching a first preset temperature, wherein when the temperature of the battery pack reaches the first preset temperature, the battery pack enters an over-temperature protection state, thereby preventing a life of the battery pack from being affected, By adjusting the charging current, the present invention can not only ensure that the battery pack does not enter over-temperature protection, but also ensure that the charging current of the battery pack is not too small, so that the battery pack has the highest charging efficiency.