Dynamic Battery Charge Rate Adaptation for Thermal Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rechargeable batteries face challenges in balancing charging speed with thermal tolerance, leading to either long charge times or reduced lifespan due to overly conservative or aggressive charging profiles.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for dynamically adapting the charge rate based on real-time battery temperature monitoring, adjusting the rate by calculating the rate of change of temperature to prevent overheating, using a charge controller to modify the charge rate when the temperature exceeds a threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the charge rate is increased to accelerate battery recharging, then charging speed is improved, but battery temperature increases causing overheating damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging speedVSAvoidbattery temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic charge rate adjustment by continuously monitoring battery temperature and modifying the charge rate in real-time. The charge controller adapts the charging parameters based on thermal conditions, transitioning from static to dynamic control to resolve the contradiction between charging speed and temperature management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by monitoring battery temperature and using this information to adjust the charge rate. The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback to the charge controller, which modifies charging parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that balances speed and thermal safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a conservative charging profile is used to prevent overheating, then battery safety is improved, but charge time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery safetyVSAvoidcharge time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static conservative charging profiles with dynamic charge rate adjustment. By continuously adapting the charge rate based on real-time temperature monitoring, the system maintains safety while minimizing unnecessary time loss, allowing faster charging when thermal conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes charging parameters (charge rate, current, voltage) dynamically based on battery temperature. Rather than maintaining a fixed conservative profile, the parameters are adjusted in response to thermal conditions, optimizing both safety and charging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If an aggressive charging profile is used to reduce charge time, then charging speed is improved, but battery lifespan is reduced due to thermal damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge timeVSAvoidbattery lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback control to prevent aggressive charging from causing thermal damage. The temperature monitoring system provides continuous feedback that triggers charge rate reduction when thermal limits are approached, protecting battery lifespan while still enabling fast charging within safe thermal boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by monitoring temperature trends and reducing charge rate before thermal damage can occur. The predictive temperature monitoring and proactive charge rate adjustment prevent the cumulative thermal stress that would otherwise reduce battery lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 faster charging while maintaining battery health by dynamically adjusting the charge rate to prevent overheating, thereby optimizing charge time and extending battery lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

a battery temperature sensor to detect a battery temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

modifying the charge rate by the charge rate adjustment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal management through charge rate control:

Data Source

PatentUS11289742B2Method and system for dynamic battery charge rate adaptation

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

A method of charging a battery in an electronic device includes: supplying electrical power to the battery at a charge rate equal; determining if a battery temperature exceeds an adaptive temperature threshold; responsive to the battery temperature exceeding the adaptive temperature threshold: determining a rate of change of the battery temperature; obtaining a charge rate adjustment based on the rate of change; and modifying the charge rate by the charge rate adjustment.