Battery Charger Current Selection via Battery Type Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery chargers lack the ability to differentiate between batteries of varying capacities, leading to the risk of excessive charging current for older, lower capacity batteries and prolonged charging times for newer, higher capacity batteries, potentially damaging the batteries and inefficient use of charging time.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermistor and capacitor in the battery to indicate temperature and type, and a battery charger with a thermistor contact terminal to detect the impulse response, allowing for appropriate charging current adjustment based on the battery type, preventing excessive charging and optimizing charging time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a new battery charger with higher charging current is introduced to charge newer high-capacity batteries faster, then charging time for new batteries is reduced, but older low-capacity batteries may receive excessive charging current which can damage them
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charger performs preliminary identification of the battery type before initiating charging. The controller detects the battery capacity through electrical characteristics (such as resistance measurements or voltage responses) before charging starts, and pre-configures the appropriate charging current based on the identified battery type, preventing excessive current from being applied to older batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery charger dynamically adjusts the charging current based on the identified battery type. The system transitions from a fixed charging current design to a dynamic one where the charging parameters are modified in real-time according to the detected battery characteristics, allowing optimal charging for both old and new battery types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If battery shape and size are kept identical across different capacities to maintain compatibility with existing tools and chargers, then backwards compatibility is achieved, but the ability to differentiate battery types for appropriate charging current selection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary identification mechanism within the battery-charger interface. This could be a specific electrical characteristic, resistance element, or communication protocol embedded in the battery that allows the charger to query and identify battery capacity without altering the external physical dimensions or basic connectivity, thus maintaining compatibility while enabling differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes changes in electrical parameters (such as internal resistance, voltage response characteristics, or impedance) as identifiers for different battery capacities. By measuring these electrical parameters, the charger can distinguish between battery types without requiring physical modifications to the battery外形, maintaining mechanical compatibility while enabling intelligent identification.
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
Ensures safe charging by preventing excessive current for older batteries and minimizes charging time for newer batteries, maintaining battery health and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a thermistor and a capacitor connected in parallel between the thermistor terminal and one of the other terminals
Implementation Method 2
a thermistor and a capacitor connected in parallel between the thermistor terminal and one of the other terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A battery and a corresponding battery charger, wherein the battery charger can identify a type of the connected battery to ensure that an appropriate charging current is supplied.