Battery Charger Priority Assignment Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery chargers face inefficiencies in charging multiple battery packs, including prolonged charging times due to incorrect priority assignment based on remaining capacity data and temperature fluctuations, leading to suboptimal charging strategies.

Innovation Solution

A battery charger with a state detection unit, remaining capacity detection unit, and charging control unit that stabilizes the state of each battery pack by charging for a specified period, then detects remaining capacity based on temperature, voltage, or current changes, assigning priorities in descending order of closeness to full charge, ensuring precise capacity detection and efficient charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If charging priority is assigned based on remaining capacity data from non-volatile memory, then charging can be automated, but the accuracy of remaining capacity detection deteriorates leading to incorrect priority assignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging priority assignmentVSAvoidremaining capacity detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary charging for a specified period before detecting remaining capacity. This preliminary action stabilizes the battery state and ensures accurate detection by measuring temperature, voltage, or current after the battery has been charged for a predetermined time, rather than relying on stored memory data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors battery parameters (temperature, voltage, current) during charging and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust priority assignment. The remaining capacity is detected based on real-time measurements rather than static stored data, ensuring accurate priority determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If charging continues without interruption for the first loaded battery pack, then charging simplicity is maintained, but total charging time increases when multiple battery packs are involved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging operation simplicityVSAvoidtotal charging time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system dynamically adjusts priority assignment based on detected remaining capacity. Battery packs are reordered in the charging sequence according to their actual charge levels, allowing the system to optimize total charging time while maintaining simple operation through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If priority attachment port is used for charging diversion, then charging flexibility is improved, but charging time efficiency deteriorates when battery pack is in temperature waiting mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging strategy flexibilityVSAvoidcharging completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual priority port assignment with automated detection based on temperature, voltage, or current measurements. The charging control unit automatically determines priority based on real-time battery state, eliminating the time loss associated with temperature waiting modes while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 for accurate detection of remaining capacity and improved priority assignment, resulting in faster and more reliable full charging of battery packs, reducing overall charging time and preventing battery deterioration.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature of the battery pack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a remaining capacity detection unit for detecting a remaining capacity of the battery pack based on a voltage of the battery pack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage detection:

Implementation Method 3

detecting a remaining capacity of the battery pack based on a current of the battery pack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurrent detection:

Data Source

PatentEP1926195B1Charger

Publication Date: 2019.01.23 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

A battery charger includes an attachment portion capable of being connected to a plurality of battery packs; a connection unit for connecting one of the battery packs connected to the attachment portion to a charging path; a state detection unit for detecting a state of each of the battery packs; a remaining capacity detection unit; and a charging control unit. The remaining capacity detection unit detects a remaining capacity based on the state of the battery pack detected by the state detection unit after each of the battery pack is charged for a specified period of time. Further, the charging control unit assigns priorities to the battery packs such that one whose remaining capacity detected by the remaining capacity detection unit is closer to a fully charged state thereof has a higher priority, and controls the connection unit to charge the battery packs according to the assigned priorities.