Temperature-Dependent Battery Charging Current Regulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery systems experience significant capacity degradation due to adverse ambient temperature conditions, leading to reduced battery life, especially in cold environments, which is not effectively mitigated by existing Constant Current-Constant Voltage charging mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a temperature-dependent current regulation algorithm that adjusts battery charge current based on sensed ambient temperature, using software or firmware to control the charging current and reduce degradation, allowing for variable charge current values to mitigate capacity loss across different temperature ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If Constant Current-Constant Voltage charging mechanism is used, then charging speed is maintained, but battery capacity degradation increases under adverse temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery capacity degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static charging mechanism (fixed CC-CV parameters) to a dynamic one where charging current and voltage are continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback. The control system modifies charging parameters adaptively according to temperature conditions, allowing the system to maintain optimal charging speed while preventing degradation under varying thermal environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying charging current and voltage values based on temperature conditions. Under adverse temperature conditions (extreme cold or heat), the system reduces charging current and adjusts voltage thresholds to prevent battery degradation. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing fast charging under favorable conditions while protecting the battery under unfavorable conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If charging current is increased to reduce charging time, then productivity improves, but battery capacity degradation worsens under cold temperature conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging timeVSAvoidcapacity loss in cold environments

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively reducing charging current when cold temperature conditions are detected, before significant capacity degradation can occur. The control system monitors temperature and preemptively adjusts charging parameters to counteract the harmful effects of cold temperatures on battery chemistry, preventing capacity loss rather than addressing it after the fact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring battery temperature and using this information to adjust charging current in real-time. The temperature sensor provides feedback to the control system, which then modifies charging parameters accordingly - reducing current when cold temperatures are detected and maintaining higher currents when temperatures are favorable, thus resolving the contradiction between charging speed and capacity preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If temperature control hardware is added to prevent degradation, then battery reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery performance in temperature extremesVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the battery system to self-regulate its charging parameters based on its own temperature conditions. The existing battery management system uses its built-in temperature sensing capabilities to automatically adjust charging current and voltage without requiring external temperature control hardware. This approach maintains reliability while avoiding increased complexity by utilizing the system's inherent monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by making the battery management system perform multiple functions: it continues to monitor battery charge state and voltage while also using temperature data to dynamically adjust charging parameters. This multi-functional approach allows the system to protect against temperature-related degradation without adding dedicated temperature control hardware, thus improving reliability without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7615969B2Systems and methods for temperature-dependent battery charging

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling battery cell charge current based on the ambient temperature conditions to which battery cell/s of a battery are exposed, for example, to control battery cell charging current for battery systems that may be exposed to environments where ambient temperature conditions are not controllable.