Battery Pack Shipping Mode Control via Microcomputer Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium secondary battery packs experience significant current consumption during shipping periods, leading to potential complete discharge before first use, necessitating pre-charge by the end user and increasing the risk of malfunction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a microcomputer-controlled battery pack with a charge switch and discharge switch that can be turned off via an external mode switch, reducing current consumption to minimal levels (2-3 uA/hr) during shipping, and including a light emitting diode unit for capacity indication, allowing the battery pack to be shut down in shipping mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery pack is shipped with a charged state to enable immediate use, then the user convenience is improved, but the current consumption during shipping causes the battery to discharge completely before first use
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack is pre-charged to a high state of charge (e.g., 100% or near 100%) before shipping, so that even after extended storage periods, sufficient charge remains for immediate use upon receipt. This preliminary charging action compensates for the expected self-discharge during shipping and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating voltage of the battery pack is increased to 3 times higher than conventional batteries (e.g., using high-voltage lithium-ion or lithium-polymer cells), which allows for higher energy density and extended charge retention during shipping periods, thereby reducing the impact of current consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the microcomputer is continuously operated to provide full functionality, then the operational capability is improved, but malfunctioning may occur during extended shipping periods
Solution Approach 1:
The microcomputer operates periodically rather than continuously, entering sleep or shutdown modes during extended shipping periods when the battery pack is not in use. This periodic operation reduces power consumption and minimizes the risk of malfunction while maintaining full operational capability when activated by the user.
Data Source
AI summary
In a battery pack, undesired current consumption is reduced during a shipping period to extend the charge keeping time of the battery pack. The battery pack includes at least one of battery cells, a charge switch, a discharge switch, and a microcomputer for controlling the charge switch and the discharge switch in accordance with a voltage of the battery cells. The battery pack has a shipping mode where the battery pack is shut down during the shipping period.