Battery Charging Voltage Adjustment by User Type
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging methods do not effectively differentiate between different usage types of batteries, leading to inefficient charging and reduced availability time without maintaining initial capacity.
Innovation Solution
A battery charging method that determines the user type of a battery based on charging and discharging cycles, adjusting the charging voltage in a stepwise manner to extend availability time while maintaining capacity, using a battery management system with a voltage adjustment unit and a user type determiner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a constant high charging voltage is applied to the battery, then the charging speed is fast, but the availability time of the battery decreases and capacity degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The charging voltage is dynamically adjusted based on the determined user type rather than maintaining a constant value. The system transitions from a static charging approach to a dynamic one where voltage changes according to usage patterns, thereby extending battery availability time while maintaining acceptable charging speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The charging voltage parameter is changed based on the determined user type. For mobile user types, a lower voltage (e.g., 4.1V) is applied to extend availability time, while for fixed user types, a higher voltage (e.g., 4.2V) can be used for faster charging. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between charging speed and availability time
2Duration of action of moving object
If the charging voltage is reduced to extend availability time, then the battery lasts longer, but the initial capacity of the battery decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging strategy is segmented into different voltage levels based on user type. Instead of using a single reduced voltage for all cases, the system divides charging approaches into at least two segments: a first voltage level for mobile users prioritizing availability time, and a second voltage level for fixed users where capacity is less critical. This segmentation allows optimizing for availability time without universally sacrificing initial capacity
3Device complexity
If a single charging voltage is used for all user types, then the charging system is simple, but the charging efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system is designed with multi-functionality to handle different user types through a single unified system. The battery management unit can determine user type and automatically select appropriate charging voltages, making the system universal rather than requiring separate charging circuits for different user scenarios. This maintains relative simplicity while improving charging efficiency for each user type
Data Source
AI summary
A battery charging method and a battery pack using the same. The method including: counting an increased number of charging and discharging cycles of the battery for a first reference time; determining a user type of the battery according to the counted increased number of charging and discharging cycles; and reducing a charging voltage of the battery from a first reference voltage to a second reference voltage.