Dynamic Charging Current Control for Wireless Device Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices face prolonged unavailability due to extended cooling periods required to prevent overheating during charging, as existing systems stop charging when the device's temperature exceeds a threshold, leading to inefficient battery recharge.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a charging control component that adjusts the charging current in multiple stages based on estimated temperature profiles, using thermal parameters from signal processing components to optimize charging and prevent overheating, allowing for continuous operation by minimizing interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If charging is stopped when temperature exceeds threshold to prevent overheating, then battery safety is improved, but device availability deteriorates due to lengthy cooling periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charging control by continuously monitoring temperature and adjusting charging status in real-time. Instead of a static on/off approach, the system dynamically transitions between charging and cooling states based on current temperature conditions, optimizing both safety and device availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic charging intervals where charging is temporarily suspended during high-temperature periods and resumed when temperature decreases. This periodic on-off charging pattern allows the device to cool down briefly and then continue charging, balancing safety requirements with minimizing total charging time and device unavailability.
2Productivity
If high charging current is applied to reduce recharging time, then charging speed is improved, but temperature increase worsens leading to frequent charging interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the charging parameter (current level) based on temperature conditions. When temperature is within safe range, high charging current is applied to maximize charging speed. When temperature approaches threshold, the system reduces or suspends charging current, allowing temperature to decrease before resuming high-current charging.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring and cooling is implemented to maintain safe temperature, then battery reliability is improved, but energy consumption worsens during cooling period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous charging operation by implementing brief cooling intervals rather than prolonged suspensions. The cooling period is optimized to be just long enough to return temperature to safe range, then charging resumes immediately, ensuring continuous useful action with minimal interruption to the charging process.
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
The solution enables efficient battery charging by dynamically adjusting the charging current in response to temperature changes, reducing downtime and ensuring the device operates within safe temperature ranges, thus enhancing usability and reducing recharging time.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature estimation component, configured to receive thermal parameters from one or more thermal drivers for one or more signal processing components, and estimate a first temperature profile for the electronic device based on an operation state of the one or more signal processing components
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include an electronic device, which contains circuitry configured to acquire charging parameters corresponding to a rechargeable battery of the electronic device. The circuitry is also configured to identify an operation state of one or more signal processing components of the electronic device, and estimate a first temperature profile for the electronic device based on an operation state of the one or more signal processing components. The circuitry is also configured to adjust, in multiple stages, a charging current of the rechargeable battery in response to the estimated first temperature profile and a threshold temperature for the electronic device.