Battery Swelling Prevention via Dynamic Discharge Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic devices with slim structures, battery swelling can damage the display and increase replacement costs, as swollen batteries cannot be easily replaced without additional hardware modules for prevention.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a sensor module and processor that detects temperature and state of charge (SoC) to determine if the battery should be discharged, executing operations to prevent swelling without additional hardware modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the battery is charged to high state of charge (SoC) and operated at elevated temperatures, then the energy capacity and performance are improved, but battery swelling occurs causing damage to the display and device
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary discharge actions before battery swelling can occur. When temperature and SoC conditions indicate risk of swelling, the processor proactively discharges the battery to reduce SoC to a safe level, preventing the harmful swelling effect before it manifests
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature and battery SoC conditions, using this feedback to dynamically control battery discharge. The processor adjusts discharge operations based on real-time sensor data, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains battery safety while preserving energy capacity
2Reliability
If additional hardware modules are added to prevent battery swelling, then battery safety is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs multiple functions: it executes normal device operations, monitors battery conditions through sensor data, and controls battery discharge to prevent swelling. By making the processor multi-functional, the system achieves battery safety without adding dedicated hardware modules for swelling prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The battery management system is self-service, using the device's existing processor and sensor resources to monitor and control battery conditions. The system leverages already-present hardware components rather than requiring additional specialized hardware for battery protection
3Reliability
If the battery is discharged to prevent swelling, then battery safety is improved, but available energy capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial discharge action only when necessary for safety, not continuous discharge. When temperature and SoC conditions are safe, the battery operates at full capacity. Discharge is applied partially and selectively to maintain safety while preserving maximum available energy capacity during normal operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for preventing battery swelling in an electronic device are provided. The operating method of an electronic device includes checking a temperature of the electronic device and state of charge (SoC) of a battery, determining whether to discharge the battery based on the temperature of the electronic device and the SoC of the battery, and discharging the battery in response to the battery discharge determination.