Charger Battery Identification and Adaptive Charging Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chargers are inadequate in charging secondary batteries of different types appropriately, leading to potential harm and safety issues due to inappropriate charging conditions.
Innovation Solution
A charger system with an identification unit to differentiate between compliant and non-compliant batteries, activating either a main charging unit for compliant batteries or an auxiliary unit for non-compliant batteries, using stored charging conditions to ensure safe charging for non-compliant batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a common charger is used to charge multiple types of secondary batteries through adapters, then the charger can accommodate various battery types, but the charging method becomes inappropriate for specific batteries causing safety issues and reduced battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The charging conditions are made dynamic by switching between main charging conditions and auxiliary charging conditions based on the identified battery type. The charger dynamically adjusts charging parameters (current, voltage, timing) to match the specific battery characteristics, resolving the contradiction between universal compatibility and safe charging for each battery type.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes charging parameters (current value, voltage value, charging timing) based on battery type identification. By storing multiple sets of charging conditions and selecting the appropriate set based on the connected battery's identification information, the system achieves both versatility and safety.
2Reliability
If separate adapters are prepared for each battery type, then appropriate charging can be achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charger is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple battery types through a single interface. By incorporating battery type identification capability and storing multiple charging condition sets, the charger replaces the need for multiple specialized adapters, achieving both appropriate charging and reduced component complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification information stored in the battery serves as an intermediary that communicates battery type characteristics to the charger. This intermediary mechanism enables the charger to automatically select appropriate charging conditions without requiring physical adapter variations, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining charging appropriateness.
3Productivity
If main charging conditions are applied to all batteries, then charging speed is optimized, but harmful effects occur on non-compliant batteries
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the battery's identification information to determine the appropriate charging conditions. By reading the identification information and selecting corresponding charging parameters, the charger ensures that each battery receives conditions matched to its characteristics, preventing damage while maintaining optimal charging speed for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging conditions are prepared in advance and stored in the charger's storage unit based on different battery types. By preliminarily setting up multiple charging condition profiles and selecting the appropriate one before charging begins, the system prevents harmful effects while optimizing charging speed without requiring real-time adjustments during charging.
Data Source
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AI summary
The charger includes: a connector to be connected to a battery; an identification unit configured to perform an identification process of judging whether the battery being connected to the connector is a compliant battery allowed to be directly connected to the connector or a non-compliant battery allowed to be indirectly connected to the connector, and output a result of the identification process; a main charging unit configured to charge the compliant battery according to a main charging condition appropriate to the compliant battery; an auxiliary charging unit configured to charge the non-compliant battery according to an auxiliary charging condition which does not cause a harmful effect on the non-compliant battery; and a control unit configured to receive the result from the identification unit, and, when the result indicates the compliant battery, activate the main charging unit, and, when the result indicates the non-compliant battery, activate the auxiliary charging unit.