Battery Charging Apparatus with Independent Malfunction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery charging apparatuses may continue charging even with malfunctions, such as wiring disconnection, leading to potential battery damage due to the lack of effective protection mechanisms between the protection circuit and the battery connector.
Innovation Solution
A charging apparatus with a control unit, charging detecting unit, and diagnosing unit that independently monitors and controls charging based on battery status information, using predetermined conditions to prevent overcharging and detect malfunctions, ensuring safe and reliable charging operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protection circuit is added to stop charging independently when controller malfunctions, then charging safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A diagnosis unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the control unit and charging discontinuing unit. The diagnosis unit generates diagnostic information that indicates whether the protection circuit is functioning properly, allowing the system to verify protection circuit operation without adding complex monitoring mechanisms throughout the entire charging system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the control unit output diagnostic information to the diagnosis unit, which then provides feedback to the charging discontinuing unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to confirm whether the protection circuit is operating correctly and adjust charging accordingly, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity.
2Reliability
If diagnostic information is input to charging discontinuing unit while permitting charging, then malfunction detection is improved, but charging control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional units: control unit, diagnosis unit, charging detecting unit, and charging discontinuing unit. Each unit has a specific responsibility, which simplifies the overall control logic despite the multiple components. The diagnosis unit specifically handles diagnostic information processing, separating this function from the main control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by having the control unit output diagnostic information that automatically indicates the operational status of the protection circuit. This self-service approach allows the system to monitor its own health without requiring external intervention or complex external monitoring systems.
3Reliability
If charging is prohibited when diagnostic information indicates abnormality, then battery protection is improved, but charging productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively prohibiting charging only when diagnostic information specifically indicates an abnormality in the protection circuit or battery status. Normal charging operations continue uninterrupted, maintaining productivity. The charging discontinuing unit responds only to specific diagnostic conditions rather than universally blocking all charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of charging based on diagnostic information. When diagnostic parameters indicate normal operation, charging proceeds at full efficiency. When parameters indicate abnormality, charging parameters are adjusted to prohibit charging only under those specific conditions, maintaining optimal productivity while ensuring battery protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A charging apparatus for charging a battery includes: a control unit that obtains information indicating a status of the battery from the battery and controls to permitting or prohibiting charging the battery depending on whether or not the obtained information satisfies a predetermined first condition; a charging detecting unit that detects whether or not the battery is being charged; a charging discontinuing unit that obtains the information indicating the status of the battery from the battery and discontinues charging the battery independently of the control by the control unit to permit or prohibit charging when the obtained information satisfies a predetermined second condition; and a diagnosing unit that inputs diagnostic information satisfying the second condition to the charging discontinuing unit in addition to the information indicating the status of the battery or as a replacement for the information indicating the status of the battery based upon information entered from the control unit.