Battery Charging Control via Voltage Relaxation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for charging lithium batteries require significant processing and memory resources, and frequent adaptations to account for battery aging, making them costly and inefficient for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves measuring the battery voltage and pausing the charging process when the voltage reaches a target level, allowing the battery to relax before re-checking if it has reached the desired state of charge, thereby reducing the need for extensive measurements and computational resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voltage threshold methods with maps are used to detect end of charge, then charging precision is improved, but device complexity and processing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential voltage threshold information needed for end of charge detection, eliminating the need for complex maps and extensive processing. By focusing on a single voltage threshold parameter rather than comprehensive voltage-current-temperature maps, the solution achieves adequate detection precision with minimal device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive voltage measurement and comparison components rather than expensive high-capacity processors and large memory systems. The approach uses basic electronic components for voltage detection and threshold comparison, achieving functional equivalence to complex systems at much lower cost and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If coulometric counting with maps is used to determine state of charge, then measurement precision is improved, but hardware cost and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical voltage threshold parameter for end of charge detection, removing the need for extensive coulometric counting maps and associated memory resources. This extraction achieves sufficient measurement precision for the application while dramatically reducing hardware and memory requirements.
3Reliability
If multiple measurements and map adaptations are performed to account for battery aging, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and processing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a predetermined voltage threshold that accounts for typical battery aging characteristics, eliminating the need for continuous real-time adaptations. This preliminary setup provides reliable end of charge detection throughout the battery's life without requiring frequent processing interventions or time-consuming map updates.
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
This approach allows lithium batteries to be charged efficiently to a target state of charge without fully charging, thereby slowing down aging and increasing battery life, using minimal processing and memory resources.
Implementation Method 1
a pause step, having a predefined duration, during which the battery is disconnected from the power source and at rest; a second step of measuring the battery voltage at the end of the break
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The process enables the charging of an electrochemical accumulator battery, particularly a lithium battery, using a power supply. It comprises a step of charging the battery by connecting it to the power supply; a first step of measuring the voltage of the battery being charged; a first test to determine if the measured voltage of the battery being charged is equal to or greater than a target voltage; if the first test is positive, a pause step, having a predefined duration, during which the battery is disconnected from the power supply and at rest; a second step of measuring the battery voltage at the end of the pause; a second test to verify if the battery voltage measured at the end of the pause meets a charge completion criterion related to the target voltage.