Battery Pack Remote Charge Control via Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered electrical devices face limitations in runtime and charging time, making them less available when needed, due to technical and cost constraints on battery capacity and runtime.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for monitoring and remotely controlling the state of charge of battery packs, including a communication device that transmits data to a server and user interface, allowing for remote charging initiation and control, ensuring the battery is charged at the right time based on user schedules and device usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If battery capacity is increased to extend runtime, then device availability improves, but cost and technical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery runtimeVSAvoidbattery capacity constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary charging actions based on predicted future usage needs. The server device analyzes usage patterns and automatically initiates charging processes before the battery is actually needed, ensuring availability without requiring excessively large battery capacity. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the battery in advance rather than relying on increased capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery management system operates autonomously, with the server device automatically monitoring battery status, predicting usage needs, and controlling charging processes without requiring large battery capacity. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions about when and how to charge, improving availability through smart management rather than brute-force capacity increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If charging time is reduced to improve availability, then device readiness improves, but charging control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging timeVSAvoidcharging control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where the communication device monitors battery charge state in real-time and transmits this data to the server. The server uses this feedback to dynamically adjust charging parameters and timing, optimizing charge duration based on actual battery needs and predicted usage patterns. This reduces unnecessary charging time while maintaining simple local charging control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The server device performs preliminary analysis of usage patterns and automatically initiates charging processes before the battery is actually needed. By predicting when the battery will be required, the system can schedule charging to complete exactly when needed, minimizing idle charging time while ensuring availability without complex real-time control adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If remote monitoring and control is implemented to improve availability, then device accessibility improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidcommunication and server infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server device acts as an intermediary between the user and the battery charging system. Instead of requiring complex direct communication between user devices and battery packs, the server mediates all interactions by receiving usage data, analyzing patterns, and sending control commands. This distributes complexity to a centralized server while keeping local battery and user interface components relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery management system operates autonomously with minimal user intervention. The communication device automatically transmits battery data to the server, and the server automatically makes charging decisions based on usage patterns. Users simply benefit from the service without needing to understand or control the complex monitoring and decision-making processes, achieving ease of operation despite backend complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3688736B1System and method for monitoring and remote controlling the charge state of at least one battery pack
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 EINHELL GERMANY AG
  • EP3688736B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (1) for monitoring and remote controlling the charge state of at least one battery pack (2, 3), comprising the at least one battery pack (2, 3) for an electric device (7) which has a communication device (4, 5) that is designed to transmit charge state data of the battery pack (2, 3) to a server device (8) of the system (1). The server device is designed to transmit the charge state data to at least one user interface (9) of the system (1), wherein the user interface is designed to visualize the charge state data of the battery pack (2, 3), and the user interface (9) is additionally designed to transmit control data for actuating a charging device (6) to the server device (8) depending on a user input. The server device is designed to transmit the control data to the communication device (4, 5), which is integrated into the battery pack (2, 3), said communication device being designed to transmit the control data for a charging process of the battery pack (2, 3) to the charging device (6). The invention additionally relates to a method for monitoring and remote controlling the charge state of at least one battery pack (2, 3).