Battery Module Charging Control for Voltage Imbalance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery charging methods for portable computers with parallel-connected battery core sets fail to adjust charging parameters effectively, leading to overcharging and reduced battery life due to inconsistent voltage distribution across the battery module, resulting in prolonged charging times and frequent power disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the charging current or voltage based on the voltage of each parallel-connected battery core set, switching to constant voltage charging when a nominal voltage is reached to prevent overcharging and ensure safety, while continuously charging the battery core set with the maximum voltage until the battery module is full.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant current charging is used for the entire charging process, then charging speed is improved, but battery safety deteriorates due to overcharging risk when voltage exceeds safety thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The charging method dynamically switches between constant current charging and constant voltage charging based on real-time voltage monitoring. When any battery core set reaches the nominal voltage threshold, the system transitions from constant current mode to constant voltage mode, allowing the charging parameters to adapt to the battery's state and prevent overcharging while maintaining efficient charging speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the voltage of each parallel-connected battery core set and uses this feedback to control the charging process. When the voltage of any core set reaches the nominal voltage, the feedback signal triggers a switch to constant voltage charging mode, ensuring safety while maintaining charging efficiency.
2Reliability
If constant voltage charging is used from the beginning, then battery safety is improved by preventing overcharging, but charging time increases due to slower charging rate
Solution Approach 1:
The charging process is divided into two distinct periods: first constant current charging phase for rapid charging, then constant voltage charging phase for safety. This periodic switching allows the system to maximize charging speed during the first phase while ensuring safety during the second phase, optimizing both charging time and battery safety.
3Device complexity
If charging parameters are not adjusted based on individual battery core set voltage, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inconsistent voltage distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The charging method applies different charging strategies to different battery core sets based on their individual voltage states. By monitoring each core set's voltage and applying constant voltage charging specifically to core sets that reach the nominal voltage threshold, the system ensures uniform voltage distribution across all core sets while maintaining relatively simple overall control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for charging a battery module including a plurality of parallel-connected battery core sets is provided. In the present method, a constant charging current is provided for charging the battery module first. Then, the voltage of each parallel-connected battery core set in the battery module is determined whether reaches a nominal voltage. If it reaches the nominal voltage, the charging current or charging voltage applied to the battery module is adjusted for charging the parallel-connected battery core set having the maximum voltage with a constant voltage. Finally, it is determined whether the electric power of the battery module is fulfilled. If not yet fulfilled, a constant voltage is continuously supplied to the battery module for charging until the electric power of the battery module is full. Accordingly, the present invention can charge the battery more quickly with taking the safety of the battery into account.