Battery Charging Current Control for Temperature Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium-based batteries require strict temperature control during charging, and existing methods often rely on crude current and voltage control, leading to reduced performance and shorter battery life cycles, especially with newer technologies that generate more heat.

Innovation Solution

A method that monitors the battery cell temperature and adjusts the charging current to maintain it within an optimal range (e.g., 28°C - 30°C) by initially increasing the current to warm up the battery and then reducing it to sustain the temperature, ensuring prolonged battery life cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If higher power requirements are used to improve device performance, then device performance is improved, but the device becomes warmer and battery life cycle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower requirementsVSAvoiddevice temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the charging current based on real-time temperature monitoring. When the device temperature exceeds a threshold during charging, the system reduces the charging current to lower heat generation, thereby controlling temperature while continuing the charging process. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the charging parameters to temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If higher charging current is used to improve charging speed, then charging speed is improved, but battery life cycle is reduced due to increased temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery life cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the charging current adaptive rather than constant. The system continuously monitors battery temperature and dynamically adjusts the charging current accordingly - using higher current when temperature is acceptable to maintain fast charging, and reducing current when temperature rises to protect battery life. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between charging speed and battery longevity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback control by monitoring battery temperature during charging and using this information to adjust the charging current. The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback to the charging control circuit, which modifies the charging parameters in response to temperature conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to balance charging speed with battery life protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If crude current and voltage control techniques are used, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision is insufficient leading to reduced battery performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol technique complexityVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces feedback control by implementing temperature monitoring during charging and using this information to adjust charging parameters. The system includes a temperature sensor that continuously measures battery temperature and a control circuit that modifies charging current based on temperature readings. This feedback mechanism significantly improves temperature control precision without requiring complex external cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the battery charging system to self-regulate its temperature through intelligent current control. The charging circuit automatically monitors its own thermal conditions and adjusts its operating parameters accordingly, eliminating the need for separate active cooling systems or complex external temperature control apparatus while maintaining precise temperature management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach extends the battery life cycle by moderating temperature rise during charging, outperforming traditional methods by maintaining the battery within a specific temperature interval that maximizes longevity.

Implementation Method 1

introducing a charging current into the battery and monitoring a cell temperature of the battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2584666B1Method for charging a battery by current or temperature control
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 SONY MOBILE COMM AB
  • EP2584666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2584666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2584666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method and charging device for charging a battery comprising the steps of introducing a charging current into the battery using a charging device, monitoring a cell temperature of the battery by means of a sensing device, detecting that the cell temperature has reached a given temperature range by comparing the temperature detected to a predefined cell temperature for the battery in a processing unit and instructing a control unit to successively reduce the charging current until the cell temperature reaches a predefined lower limit of the given temperature range. Thereafter, the charging current is maintained at the level at which the predefined lower cell temperature level has been reached. Alternatively, the charging device may use a predefined optimum cell temperature interval to which the current temperature of the cell battery is regulated by regulated the charging current.