Battery Charging with Discharge-Pulse Feedback for Longer Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery technologies have not kept pace with market demands for improved charging speed and battery life, particularly in terms of charge/discharge cycles and calendar life.
Innovation Solution
Adaptive battery charging method involving the application of charging current followed by a discharging pulse, with real-time measurement of battery parameters during the discharging pulse to adapt charging parameters such as discharging current, ON period, and charging pulse characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If charging current is applied continuously to increase charging speed, then charging efficiency is improved, but battery life and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic discharging pulses during the charging process to create alternating charging-discharging cycles. This periodic action prevents continuous high current stress on the battery, reducing degradation while maintaining overall charging efficiency. The discharging pulse is applied at specific intervals during charging to restore battery health without significantly extending total charging time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures battery parameters (voltage, temperature, impedance) during the discharging pulse and uses this feedback to adaptively adjust subsequent charging parameters. This closed-loop control ensures charging current is optimized based on real-time battery state, preventing excessive current that would harm battery life while maintaining efficient charging when conditions permit.
2Reliability
If discharging pulse is applied during charging to improve battery health, then battery life is extended, but charging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharging pulse is applied partially during the charging process rather than completing full discharge cycles. The pulse duration and magnitude are optimized to provide sufficient battery restoration benefit without removing significant charge capacity, thus extending battery life while minimizing impact on overall charging time.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging process continues uninterrupted through the discharging pulse application. The system maintains charging current during and between pulses, ensuring the useful charging action is continuous rather than paused for separate charge-discharge cycles, thereby minimizing time loss while still providing battery health benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices to adaptively charge a battery. Charging current is applied to charge the battery. After application of the charging current, at least one discharging pulse is applied to the battery. During an ON period of the discharging pulse, at least one battery parameter is measured. One or more charging parameters are adapted based on the at least one battery parameter as measured during the ON period of the discharging pulse. The battery is charged based on the adapted one or more charging parameters.