Battery Charging Control Using Temperature-Based End Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Repetitive charging and discharging of batteries in electronic devices can lead to swelling phenomena, posing safety risks such as fire or explosion, and existing charging control methods do not adequately address this issue.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with sensors and a controller that acquires state information, determines optimal charging conditions based on temperature, and adjusts the charging current to prevent overcharging, including setting different end-of-charge current values for varying temperature ranges to manage battery charging efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If charging current is increased to improve charging speed, then productivity is improved, but battery swelling risk increases due to overheating and excessive charge accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery swelling risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic charging control by continuously monitoring battery temperature and state of charge, and adjusting charging current in real-time based on these parameters. The system transitions from static fixed-current charging to dynamic adaptive charging, modifying charging parameters according to battery conditions to prevent overheating while maintaining efficient charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms by monitoring battery temperature, voltage, and current during charging, and using this information to adjust charging parameters. The controller receives feedback from sensors and modifies charging current accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents battery swelling while optimizing charging speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If charging current is reduced to prevent battery swelling, then safety is improved, but charging time increases reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery safetyVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of battery parameters during charging, with the controller continuously or periodically checking temperature and state of charge. This periodic assessment allows the system to maintain higher charging currents during safe conditions while periodically verifying battery health, thus balancing safety and charging speed without requiring constant current reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes charging parameters dynamically based on battery state. Instead of using a fixed low current for safety, the system adjusts current magnitude according to temperature and charge level parameters, allowing high current when safe and reducing current only when necessary, thereby minimizing impact on charging time while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If temperature-based charging control is implemented to prevent overheating, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverheating preventionVSAvoidcharging control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing charging controller multi-functional by enabling it to perform both voltage regulation and temperature-based current adjustment. Rather than adding a separate dedicated temperature control device, the controller is enhanced to handle multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable overheating prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges temperature monitoring and charging control functions into a single integrated system. The temperature sensor data is combined with voltage and current measurements in the same control loop, and the charging control simultaneously manages multiple parameters based on temperature conditions, reducing component count and system complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively prevents battery overcharging, minimizes the risk of swelling, and enhances the safety and reliability of electronic devices by optimizing battery life through controlled charging based on temperature.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining an ambient temperature measured by a temperature sensor in communication with the charging circuitry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP4060853B1Electronic device and charging control method of electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4060853B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4060853B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4060853B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to various example embodiments, an electronic apparatus includes a battery, a charging module configured to charge the battery, at least one sensor, and a controller. The controller may acquire state information of the battery using the at least one sensor, determine a charging condition of the battery based on the state information of the battery, and control the charging module to charge the battery based on the charging condition. Other embodiments are also applicable.