Dynamic Charge Pattern Control for Battery Lifespan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge methods for secondary batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, face challenges in achieving quick charging without deteriorating the battery's performance and shortening its lifespan, particularly due to variations in internal resistances and usage conditions, which require complex measurements and large device sizes.
Innovation Solution
A charge control apparatus that calculates and updates a charge pattern based on inner state parameters and deterioration models of the battery, adjusting the charge current to minimize deterioration and ensure efficient charging, even when battery characteristics change over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high current value is used in constant-current charge period to achieve quick charging, then charging speed is improved, but battery performance deteriorates and lifetime is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The charge control apparatus dynamically adjusts the current value during the constant-current charge period based on real-time battery characteristics (internal resistance, capacity). The current value is not fixed but varies according to the battery's state, allowing optimal charging speed while preventing excessive current that would cause deterioration. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the charging rate to the battery's actual condition throughout the charging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters (current value, charge period divisions) based on measured battery characteristics. By calculating internal resistance and capacity, and using these parameters to determine appropriate current values for different charge sections, the system optimizes charging speed while staying within safe limits that preserve battery lifetime. The parameter changes enable quick charging without the harmful effects of fixed high current.
2Reliability
If constant current value is adjusted on basis of battery characteristics to prevent lifetime shortening, then battery lifetime is improved, but quick charge efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The constant-current charge period is divided into multiple sections based on battery characteristics such as internal resistance variations during charging. Each section has an optimized current value tailored to the battery's state in that section. This segmentation allows the system to maintain higher currents when safe (improving charging efficiency) while reducing currents when necessary (preserving battery lifetime), thus resolving the contradiction between quick charge efficiency and battery lifetime.
3Measurement precision
If advanced processing for measuring internal resistances is performed to adjust charge current, then charge current accuracy is improved, but process load is increased and device size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The charge control apparatus measures battery characteristics (internal resistance, capacity) autonomously during the charging process itself, without requiring external measurement devices. The control unit calculates these parameters using voltage and current data already being monitored during normal charging operations. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate advanced measurement tools, reducing device complexity and size while maintaining measurement accuracy needed for optimal charge current adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge control apparatus according to an embodiment controls charge of a secondary battery to be charged, on the basis of a charge pattern which is calculated from inner state parameters of the secondary battery to be charged, and of a deterioration model or deterioration map of a secondary battery. The charge control apparatus updates the charge pattern on the basis of change of the inner state parameters.