Battery Pack Temperature-Based Charge Current Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery charging systems do not effectively control the charge current based on the temperature of the battery pack, leading to safety risks and inefficiencies in charging, particularly at low and high temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack system that monitors temperature in real-time and adjusts the charge current accordingly, using a dedicated command to communicate with the computer's charge control unit to optimize charging conditions and ensure safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If charge current is reduced in low and high temperature ranges, then safety is improved, but charge time increases and usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcharge time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic charge current control by adjusting the charging current based on real-time battery temperature measurements. The charge control unit modifies the charging parameters according to temperature conditions, using multiple temperature thresholds to determine appropriate charge current levels, thereby optimizing both safety and charging efficiency under varying thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the charging current parameter based on temperature variations. By establishing multiple temperature thresholds and corresponding charge current levels, the system dynamically adjusts charging parameters to prevent overheating while maintaining efficient charging within safe temperature ranges

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If charge current is increased for faster charging, then productivity is improved, but safety risk increases at extreme temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge speedVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the charge control unit continuously monitors battery temperature during charging and adjusts the charge current accordingly. Temperature sensors provide real-time feedback to the control unit, which then modifies charging parameters to maintain safe operating conditions while optimizing charging speed within thermal safety limits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If temperature-based charge control is implemented, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the temperature range into multiple discrete thresholds, with each threshold corresponding to a specific charge current level. This segmentation approach simplifies the control logic by dividing the continuous temperature control problem into discrete, manageable stages, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective temperature-based charge control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2149958B1Battery pack, information processing apparatus, charge control system, charge control method by battery pack, and charge control method by charge control system
Publication Date: 2015.09.02 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2149958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2149958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2149958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery pack includes: an obtaining unit for obtaining computation information for calculating a charge current including temperature information of a battery; a computation unit for computing a charge current for the battery based on the computation information; and a notification unit for notifying a computer of the charge current computed by the computation unit. The notification unit uses a dedicated command to notify the computer of the charge current. The battery pack includes: a storage unit for storing therein a first threshold value and a second threshold value relating to the temperature information, and the computation unit may compute the optimal charge current depending on which of ranges divided by the first threshold value and the second threshold value the temperature information belongs to.