Context-Based Battery Charging for Fast Charge and Longer Battery Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery charging methods often lead to premature degradation due to fast charging and full charging, which reduces battery longevity, and require more powerful and costly chargers, especially for devices that need rapid charging in remote or inaccessible locations.

Innovation Solution

A context-based battery charging system that monitors usage patterns and environmental conditions to optimize charging settings, using a processor to determine when fast charging is necessary and adjusting the charging rate to maintain a near-constant battery level, thereby reducing wear and extending battery life without the need for more expensive chargers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If fast charging is used to charge the battery quickly, then charging speed is improved, but battery degradation accelerates and battery life shortens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time monitoring of battery state-of-charge, temperature, and usage patterns. The charging controller modifies charging parameters during the charging process to optimize both charging speed and battery longevity, transitioning between different charging rates as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes charging parameters (current, voltage, rate) based on battery state and contextual information. By monitoring battery impedance, temperature, and charge level, the system adapts charging parameters to prevent excessive stress on the battery while maintaining efficient charging when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the battery is charged to 100% capacity, then the available energy is maximized, but battery degradation accelerates and battery life shortens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable energyVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system intentionally limits charging to below 100% capacity (partial charging) in many cases, accepting that not all available energy capacity is utilized in exchange for significantly reduced battery degradation. This partial charging strategy is applied when full capacity is not immediately needed, optimizing the trade-off between available energy and battery longevity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The charging system continuously monitors battery state-of-charge, impedance, and usage patterns to provide feedback to the charging controller. This feedback enables the system to determine the optimal charge termination point, balancing the need for available energy with the goal of extending battery life by avoiding excessive charging stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If a more powerful charger is used to enable fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a dynamic charging approach that allows a standard-power charger to achieve fast charging效果 when conditions permit. By intelligently managing charging parameters and timing, the system can provide rapid charging capability without requiring an always-on high-power charger, thus reducing device cost while maintaining fast charging availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If conventional charging methods are used, then device complexity is minimized, but battery degradation is accelerated and battery life is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging system complexityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The charging system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment using onboard sensors and controllers that track battery state, temperature, and usage patterns. This self-service capability enables the system to optimize charging parameters and extend battery life without requiring complex external monitoring equipment or user intervention, keeping the added complexity minimal while achieving significant battery life extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12199461B2Context-based battery charging apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2025.01.14 SK HYNIX NAND PRODUCT SOLUTIONS CORP
  • US12199461B2 patent drawing
  • US12199461B2 patent drawing
  • US12199461B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Software and/or hardware to monitor system usage including how long system ran on a battery or with AC adapter power. The software and/or hardware judges whether fast charging is needed and/or how much charge is needed, and optimizes battery charging settings.