Battery Pack Type Detection for Temperature-Based Discharge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems lack efficient methods to determine battery pack types and control discharge cycles based on temperature signals, leading to suboptimal power management and potential overheating issues.
Innovation Solution
A battery pack interface with a controller that receives temperature signals from a thermistor and determines the battery pack type by analyzing the signal slope, allowing for controlled discharge cycles with varying power levels, such as constant, step function, or ramp functions, to ensure safe and efficient power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a battery pack uses a simple temperature threshold protection measure, then the device structure is simple, but the power management is suboptimal and overheating issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter from simple temperature threshold detection to slope-based temperature rate of change detection. The controller calculates the slope of temperature signals over time to determine battery pack type, enabling dynamic discharge cycle control that prevents overheating while optimizing power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature signals, calculating their slopes, and using this information to dynamically adjust discharge cycles. The controller receives temperature signals from the thermistor, processes them to determine battery type, and controls discharge accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that improves safety.
2Productivity
If the battery pack uses constant power discharge, then the power delivery is simple, but the power tool performance is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic discharge control where the discharge cycle is adjusted in real-time based on battery pack type determination. Instead of constant power, the system varies discharge parameters dynamically, using different discharge cycles for different battery types to optimize power tool performance while managing thermal characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes discharge parameters (power levels, cycle duration) based on the determined battery pack type. The controller selects from multiple discharge cycle profiles, adjusting electrical parameters dynamically to match the specific battery characteristics, thereby optimizing productivity without excessive complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the battery pack uses multiple temperature signals for type determination, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step where the controller calculates the slope of temperature signals as an intermediate parameter. Instead of directly using multiple raw temperature signals, the system computes their rate of change, which serves as a more reliable indicator for battery pack type determination while simplifying the decision logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms temperature signals into a different parameter domain by calculating slopes (rate of change). This parameter transformation improves measurement precision for battery type identification, as the slope information provides better discrimination between battery types than static temperature values alone.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise control of battery discharge cycles based on battery pack type, enhancing power tool performance and safety by preventing overheating and optimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a thermistor configured to provide a plurality of signals indicating a plurality of temperatures of the battery pack
Data Source
AI summary
A power tool including a battery pack interface configured to receive a battery pack. The battery pack interface includes one or more power terminals and one or more communication terminals. The power tool further includes a controller having an electronic processor. The controller is configured to receive, via the one or more communication terminals, a plurality of signals indicating a plurality of temperatures of the battery pack. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the signals, a battery pack type. The controller is further configured to control discharge of the battery pack based on the battery pack type.