Charging Control Device for Battery Overcharge Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Excessive and unnecessary charging of battery-powered devices leads to energy wastage, reduced battery lifespan, and increased risk of fire due to continuous charging beyond full capacity and standby current consumption.

Innovation Solution

A charging control device that detects the maximum charging current, sets a threshold, and automatically disconnects the charging when the current decrease becomes gentle, ensuring the battery is fully charged without unnecessary extension, thereby saving energy and preventing overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the charging operation continues until the battery is fully charged, then the battery capacity is maximized, but the charging time is extended considerably beyond what is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery charge capacityVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the charging current and detects when it drops below a predetermined threshold, indicating that the battery is fully charged. This feedback mechanism automatically terminates the charging operation at the optimal moment, preventing both undercharging and excessive charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a predetermined current threshold before charging begins. This preliminary setting allows the system to automatically recognize when charging is complete based on the characteristic current drop that occurs when a battery reaches full capacity, eliminating the need for user monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the charger remains connected to the mains current when not needed, then the device is ready for immediate use, but unnecessary energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice readinessVSAvoidstandby energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when charging is complete and terminates the charging operation without user intervention. The charger also automatically disconnects from mains power when not in use, eliminating the need for user action while preventing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses current monitoring feedback to detect both charging completion and idle states, automatically adjusting its operation to eliminate unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining readiness when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If excessive charging current is supplied to the battery, then the charging speed is increased, but the battery lifetime is reduced and fire risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery lifespan and safety
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the charging operation based on real-time current monitoring. When the battery approaches full capacity, the charging current naturally decreases, and the system detects this change to terminate charging at the optimal point, preventing overcharging that would reduce battery lifespan or create safety hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of time

If the user manually monitors the battery charge percentage, then the charging can be stopped at the right time, but user effort is required and charging may still extend longer than necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimal charging durationVSAvoiduser monitoring effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system performs self-monitoring by continuously detecting the charging current and automatically determining when charging is complete. This eliminates the need for user monitoring while ensuring charging stops at the optimal moment, combining ease of operation with time optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback-based control by monitoring charging current and terminating charging when the current drops below the predetermined threshold, eliminating manual user intervention while achieving optimal charging duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3529875B1Charging control
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 BRIGHTCHARGER EURO OY LTD
  • EP3529875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3529875B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3529875B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is an object to provide a charging control device. In an embodiment, a device comprises: a detector con- figured to detect a charging current of a battery of an electrical device and to determine charging current values in relation to the charging current; a switch configured to connect and disconnect the charging; a controller configured to detect a maximum value of the charging current values; after detecting the maximum value, the controller is further configured to detect a threshold current value of the charging current values; after detecting the threshold current value, the controller is configured to detect a change of subsequent values of the charging current values, and based on the change to detect whether the change exceeds a threshold change value; after detecting the exceeding of the threshold change value, the controller is further configured to control the switch for disconnecting the charging. Other embodiments relate to a method and a computer program for controlling a charger device.