Battery Pack Relative Capacity Calculation Across Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery packs that switch between high capacity and long life modes face complexity in accurately determining the relative remaining capacity of rechargeable batteries due to differing fully-charged capacities and cycle life characteristics, making precise capacity calculation challenging.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack with a controlling/calculating portion that includes an operation mode setting section and a remaining capacity calculating section, which adjusts the maximum charging voltage based on selected modes (high capacity or long life) and recalculates relative remaining capacity by employing learned fully-charged capacities, allowing for precise capacity determination regardless of mode changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the maximum charging voltage is increased to achieve higher fully-charged capacity in high capacity mode, then the charged capacity is improved, but the cycle life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between high capacity mode (4.2V/cell) and long life mode (4.1V/cell) maximum charging voltages. The operation mode setting section allows selective switching between modes, and the remaining capacity calculating section dynamically adjusts the fully-charged capacity value based on the current mode, enabling the system to adapt voltage parameters to different operational requirements.
2Measurement precision
If different fully-charged capacities are used for different operation modes to accurately calculate relative remaining capacity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of fully-charged capacity based on operation mode. In high capacity mode, the fully-charged capacity is set to the rating capacity (DC), while in long life mode, it is set to a value obtained by multiplying the rating capacity by a predetermined factor. This parameter change enables accurate relative remaining capacity calculation for each mode without requiring separate complex measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The remaining capacity calculating section is designed to universally handle both operation modes using a single calculation framework. It employs the rating capacity or learned fully-charged capacity as the fully-charged capacity when one operation mode is selected, and employs a capacity obtained by multiplying the rating capacity by a predetermined factor when another operation mode is selected, achieving multi-functionality in capacity calculation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the maximum charging voltage is limited to a lower voltage in long life mode, then the cycle life is improved, but the charged capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between high capacity mode (4.2V/cell) and long life mode (4.1V/cell) maximum charging voltages. The operation mode setting section allows selective switching between modes, and the remaining capacity calculating section dynamically adjusts the fully-charged capacity value based on the current mode, enabling the system to adapt voltage parameters to different operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A remaining capacity calculating section is provided that acquires a discharged capacity of a rechargeable battery based on a discharging current and a discharging time of the rechargeable battery, and calculates a relative remaining capacity of the rechargeable battery based on the discharged capacity and the fully-charged capacity of the rechargeable battery. The remaining capacity calculating section employs the rating capacity of the rechargeable battery or a learned fully-charged capacity as the fully-charged capacity when a high capacity mode is selected, and employs a capacity obtained by multiplying the rating capacity or learned fully-charged capacity by a predetermined factor not more than 1 as the fully-charged capacity when a long life mode is selected.