Battery Charging Method Using Variant Pulse Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fast charging methods for batteries significantly reduce battery life, necessitating a method that can perform rapid charging without compromising the battery's longevity.
Innovation Solution
A battery charging method that monitors physical quantities during charging, adjusting the charging operation based on sensed values exceeding thresholds, including voltage and charging time, to switch from an initial charging mode to an adjusted mode with reduced current values, thereby mitigating degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If fast charging method is used, then charging time is reduced, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulse charging instead of continuous charging. The charging current is applied in pulses with on-time and off-time periods, allowing the battery to rest between charge cycles. This periodic action enables faster charging while giving the battery time to stabilize and reduce degradation, thus extending battery life compared to continuous fast charging methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts charging parameters based on real-time battery state monitoring. The charging current, voltage, and pulse timing are continuously adapted according to the battery's temperature, charge level, and response to previous pulses. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize charging speed while preventing conditions that would accelerate battery degradation.
2Productivity
If constant current charging is applied, then charging speed is maintained, but battery degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes multiple charging parameters throughout the charging process including current amplitude, pulse width, duty cycle, and voltage thresholds. Instead of maintaining constant current, the system varies these parameters based on battery state to maintain optimal charging speed while preventing degradation. The pulse charging parameters are specifically adjusted to balance charging efficiency with battery health preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging process is segmented into multiple phases: initial pulse charging phase, intermediate adjustment phase, and final topping charge phase. Each phase uses different current levels and pulse patterns appropriate to the battery's charge level. This segmentation allows high-speed charging when the battery can accept it, while using gentler methods when approaching full charge to prevent degradation.
3Loss of time
If high current charging is used, then charging time is reduced, but battery stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse charging method with periodic on-off cycles allows high current to be applied briefly during on-time to reduce charging time, while the off-time periods allow the battery to recover and reduce stress accumulation. This periodic high-current application achieves fast charging without the continuous stress that would otherwise damage the battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preventive measures by monitoring battery temperature and charge level before applying high current pulses. The system cushions against potential stress by adjusting or pausing high-current pulses when the battery shows signs of approaching stress thresholds, preventing harmful effects before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charging method and corresponding apparatus include charging a battery based on an initial charging operation, and verifying whether a change event, with respect to a charging operation, occurs based on the charging of the battery. The battery charging method and corresponding apparatus also include changing the charging operation to an adjusted charging operation in response to verifying that the change event, with respect to the charging operation, occurs. The change event includes a physical quantity event in which a physical quantity of the battery sensed during a charging rest time of the initial charging operation is greater than or equal to a threshold physical quantity.