Energy Storage Charging Control for Robot Vacuum Battery Lifespan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robot vacuum cleaners' lithium-ion batteries experience capacity loss due to full charging, which shortens their lifespan, as they are often charged to 100% SOC after each cleaning run, leading to increased calendric aging and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that charge the energy storage device only to a predetermined storage charge state, typically 30% SOC, and only when necessary for an upcoming cleaning run, using energy demand signals from the cleaning schedule and route to optimize charging and reduce stress on the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the battery is fully charged to 100% SOC after each cleaning run, then the appliance is ready for the next cleaning operation, but the battery experiences capacity loss and shortened lifespan due to increased calendric aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the charging parameter from full charge (100% SOC) to partial charge (storage charge state), thereby reducing battery stress and extending lifespan while still meeting the energy requirements for upcoming cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary charging to a storage charge state before cleaning operations, and schedules additional charging in advance of when full energy is needed, avoiding the need for frequent full charging cycles
2Reliability
If the battery is charged to a predetermined storage charge state (e.g., 30% SOC) only when necessary, then capacity loss is minimized and lifespan is extended, but the appliance may not have sufficient energy for upcoming cleaning runs
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the state of charge and compares it with the energy requirements for scheduled cleaning operations, dynamically adjusting charging behavior to ensure sufficient energy is available while minimizing unnecessary full charging
Solution Approach 2:
The system schedules charging operations in advance of when energy is needed, charging to the storage charge state beforehand and planning subsequent charging to ensure energy availability without requiring full charging cycles
3Reliability
If the battery is maintained in a lower voltage range through partial charging, then calendric aging is reduced and durability is improved, but the charging system becomes more complex requiring energy demand signal reading and controlled output
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically reads energy demand signals from the cleaning schedule and route data, and autonomously outputs controlled charging signals without requiring manual user intervention or complex external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions including reading energy demand signals, calculating required energy, determining optimal charging timing, and outputting controlled charging signals, consolidating these functions into a single integrated component
Data Source
AI summary
A method for charging an energy storage device for use in a cleaning appliance includes the following steps: reading an energy demand signal representative of an energy required by the cleaning appliance for a predetermined cleaning run; and outputting a charging signal using the energy demand signal, the charging signal causing the energy storage device to be charged as a function of the energy required.