Bidirectional Charging Case for Wearable Battery Heat Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable battery-operated devices using Li-ion chemistry face degradation due to high temperatures and fully charged states, leading to energy waste and reliability issues when conventional methods dissipate energy as heat.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a bidirectional power flow between the wearable device and its charging case to transfer energy back to the case when high temperature or full charge is detected, preventing degradation by reducing the device's temperature increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the wearable device dissipates energy as heat through conventional methods to reduce battery voltage, then the battery voltage is reduced from 4.4V to 4.2V, but energy is wasted and localized hotspots are created that reduce product reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful excess energy that would normally be wasted as heat into a beneficial resource by enabling reverse power flow to the charging case. The wearable device's battery, when overcharged or at high voltage, transfers excess energy back to the charging case's battery through bidirectional power flow, transforming energy waste into useful energy storage that extends the charging case's operational capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional unidirectional charging architecture by implementing bidirectional power flow capability. Instead of energy flowing only from the charging case to the wearable device, the system allows reverse flow from the wearable device back to the charging case when the wearable battery voltage exceeds 4.2V, fundamentally changing the energy management paradigm.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the wearable device dissipates energy as heat through conventional methods to reduce battery voltage, then the battery voltage is reduced from 4.4V to 4.2V, but localized hotspots are created that reduce product reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful excess energy that would normally be wasted as heat into a beneficial resource by enabling reverse power flow to the charging case. The wearable device's battery, when overcharged or at high voltage, transfers excess energy back to the charging case's battery through bidirectional power flow, transforming energy waste into useful energy storage that extends the charging case's operational capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging case serves as an intermediary energy storage buffer between the wearable device and the ultimate power source. When the wearable device needs voltage reduction, the charging case's battery acts as a mediator to absorb the reverse power flow, preventing direct heat generation in the wearable device and maintaining product reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the wearable device is stored in a fully charged state, then the device is ready for immediate use, but the battery undergoes degradation including swelling and permanent capacity loss especially at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic battery voltage management where the wearable device's battery charge state is continuously adjusted based on temperature conditions. When temperature exceeds 30°C, the system dynamically reduces the battery voltage from the standard 4.2V to between 3.9V and 4.1V, optimizing battery health while maintaining sufficient operational readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the battery voltage parameter from the conventional fixed 4.2V to a dynamic range of 3.9V-4.1V when high temperature is detected. This parameter adjustment prevents battery degradation and swelling while ensuring the device remains functional, and the charging case's bidirectional capability allows the device to maintain adequate charge levels.
4Use of energy by moving object
If Li-ion batteries are used in wearable devices, then high energy density is achieved, but the batteries are sensitive to high temperatures and fully charged states causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy storage function between two separate battery systems: the wearable device's Li-ion battery for portability and the charging case's battery for stable energy storage. This segmentation allows the charging case to handle the bidirectional power flow and voltage management, protecting the wearable device's Li-ion battery from degradation while maintaining high energy density benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging case's battery acts as an intermediary that buffers and stabilizes the energy management system. It absorbs the bidirectional power flow, manages voltage transitions, and protects the wearable device's Li-ion battery from harmful conditions, enabling the use of high-density Li-ion batteries without compromising stability.
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 method preserves energy, reduces temperature, and prevents battery degradation by minimizing the fully charged state, overcoming energy waste and reliability issues.
Implementation Method 1
initiating a reverse power flow across a bidirectional connection from the wearable battery-operated device to a portable charging case
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method may include (i) detecting a battery condition of a wearable battery-operated device that indicates a threat to a battery's health and (ii) in response to detecting the battery condition, performing a battery-protection action by initiating a reverse power flow across a bidirectional connection from the wearable battery-operated device to a portable charging case that is designed to charge the wearable battery-operated device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.