Battery Charging Control via Dynamic Voltage and Current Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery charging methods often accelerate battery deterioration and reduce lifespan by supplying high voltage or current without considering the battery's state, leading to increased damage and potential swelling.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a processor that identifies an external power source, determines a charge start and end time based on situation information, and divides the charging period into sections to manage charge speed and voltage, preventing excessive full charge voltage exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high voltage or current is supplied to the battery during charging, then the charging speed increases and charging time is reduced, but battery deterioration is accelerated and lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic charging control by adjusting voltage and current based on real-time battery state monitoring. The processor continuously monitors battery parameters and dynamically modifies charging power levels, transitioning from static predetermined settings to adaptive dynamic control, thereby optimizing both charging speed and battery lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes charging parameters (voltage and current levels) based on battery state. By monitoring battery voltage, current, and temperature, the system adjusts charging parameters in real-time, using higher power when battery needs are greater and reducing power when deterioration risk increases, thus resolving the contradiction between charging speed and battery lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high voltage or current is supplied to the battery without considering its state, then charging efficiency improves, but battery damage is accelerated especially in high voltage state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidbattery damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the processor continuously monitors battery state parameters (voltage, current, temperature) and uses this feedback to adjust charging control. This closed-loop control ensures charging efficiency while preventing damage by responding to real-time battery conditions rather than using fixed predetermined settings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static charging control to dynamic adaptive control, continuously adjusting voltage and current based on monitored battery state. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high charging efficiency when conditions permit while preventing damage when battery state indicates vulnerability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If the battery is maintained at full charge voltage for extended periods, then charge capacity is maximized, but battery swelling is increased and deterioration is accelerated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge capacityVSAvoidbattery swelling
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic charging cycles with intervals rather than continuous full charge maintenance. The processor controls charging to reach full capacity periodically while introducing rest intervals, preventing prolonged exposure to full charge voltage that causes swelling, thus balancing charge capacity utilization with battery health protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3972076A1Electronic device including battery and method of controlling charging thereof
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3972076A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3972076A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3972076A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An electronic device is provided to include a battery and a processor. The processor is configured to identify whether an external power source for charging the battery is connected, identify a voltage of the battery when connection of the external power source is identified, determine a charge start time based on time when the connection of the external power source is identified, determine a charge end time based on situation information of the electronic device, determine a charge stop time of the battery based on the charge start time, the charge end time and the voltage of the battery when a difference between the charge start time and the charge end time satisfies a designated threshold, and divide a period between the charge start time and the charge end time into a first charge section, a charge stop section and a second charge section based on the charge stop time.