Battery Charging Profiles Using Electrochemical Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging technologies often prioritize battery health over reducing charging time, resulting in sub-optimal charging times due to conservative current limits.
Innovation Solution
A system that controls battery charging by dynamically adjusting current based on real-time electrochemical phenomena using a learning agent to optimize charging profiles, incorporating performance variables like electrolyte ion concentration and anode potential, and updating profiles based on reward-based learning processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If charging current is increased to reduce charging time, then charging speed is improved, but battery health deteriorates due to excessive current stress and electrochemical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging control by continuously monitoring battery state (temperature, voltage, current) and adjusting charging parameters in real-time. The system transitions from static fixed current limits to dynamic adaptive current profiles that respond to battery conditions, enabling higher currents when safe and reducing currents when risk increases, thus resolving the contradiction between charging speed and battery health
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring battery parameters (temperature, voltage, current) during charging and using this information to adjust charging current. The control algorithm receives feedback from battery state measurements and modifies charging parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that balances charging speed with battery protection, directly addressing the contradiction
2Reliability
If charging current is limited to protect battery health, then battery reliability is maintained, but charging speed decreases resulting in longer charging times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes charging parameters (current, voltage, power) dynamically based on battery state. Instead of using fixed conservative current limits, the system adjusts multiple parameters simultaneously based on temperature, state of charge, and battery age, enabling optimized charging profiles that maintain battery health while maximizing charging speed through coordinated parameter changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of battery conditions before initiating or modifying charging. By evaluating battery state upfront and during charging, the system can pre-determine safe current limits and charging profiles, avoiding overly conservative restrictions while ensuring battery protection, thus improving charging speed without compromising health
3Productivity
If real-time monitoring and dynamic control systems are implemented, then charging optimization is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the battery management system to autonomously monitor its own state and make charging decisions without external intervention. The system uses built-in sensors and control algorithms to self-regulate charging parameters, eliminating the need for complex external control infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high charging efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring temperature, measuring voltage and current, estimating state of charge, determining safe current limits, and controlling charging output. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional battery management system, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby managing complexity while achieving comprehensive charging optimization
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 allows for faster charging while maintaining battery health by dynamically adjusting current limits, minimizing negative effects like lithium plating and capacity loss.
Implementation Method 1
estimating a dynamic performance variable, the performance variable related to an electrochemical phenomenon occurring within the battery system during the charging process
Data Source
AI summary
A system for control of a battery system includes a processor connected to the battery system and configured to perform, in real time during a charging process, acquiring a set of charging parameter measurements, estimating a dynamic performance variable related to an electrochemical phenomenon occurring within the battery system during the charging process, and selecting a stored charging profile from a stored relation based on the charging parameter measurements. The processor is further configured to perform applying a charging current to the battery system based on the selected stored charging profile, inputting the charging parameter measurements, the stored charging profile and the stored relation to a learning agent, and evaluating the stored charging profile according to a reward-based learning process, the learning process including estimating a performance value associated with the stored charging profile. The processor is configured to periodically update the stored charging profile based on the learning process.