Mobile Terminal Battery Discharge via Processor Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries in mobile terminals, especially lithium-ion batteries, are sensitive to high ambient temperatures, leading to instability and reduced charge storage capacity, and existing solutions either limit charge status or require additional hardware for temperature-based discharge.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the charge status of a rechargeable battery and increases the processor system's energy consumption by adjusting its clock rate or executing intensive tasks, thereby discharging the battery up to a threshold value, while using a cooling device to dissipate heat and potentially limiting recharging based on defined threshold values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charge status of the rechargeable battery is limited to a fixed percentage (e.g. 75%) of the charge storage capacity to reduce impairment at high ambient temperatures, then the battery stability and charge storage capacity are improved under high temperature conditions, but the charge storage capacity cannot be fully utilised generally, including in cases of low ambient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the charge status limit variable rather than fixed. The processor system dynamically adjusts the charge status limit based on ambient temperature conditions - using a first threshold value (e.g., 75%) when ambient temperature exceeds a threshold and a second threshold value (e.g., 100%) when ambient temperature is within acceptable range. This resolves the contradiction by allowing full charge storage capacity utilization at low temperatures while maintaining battery stability at high temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of charge status limit based on ambient temperature. By monitoring ambient temperature and adjusting the charge status threshold accordingly, the system optimizes both battery protection and capacity utilization. When ambient temperature is high, the charge status limit is reduced to protect the battery; when ambient temperature is low, the charge status limit is increased to maximize capacity utilization.
2Extent of automation
If a special discharge circuit is integrated in the housing of a lithium-ion battery to automatically discharge the battery under certain criteria, then the battery can be discharged based on temperature conditions, but additional hardware components are required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the existing processor system perform multiple functions - it not only controls the mobile terminal's normal operations but also monitors ambient temperature and controls battery discharge when necessary. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated discharge control circuit, reducing device complexity while maintaining automatic discharge control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor system serves itself by handling both the terminal's operational control and the battery management functions. The same processor that runs the terminal's software also monitors battery charge status and ambient temperature, and triggers discharge operations when needed, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional specialized hardware.
3Device complexity
If the processor system increases energy consumption to discharge the rechargeable battery, then the battery can be discharged without additional discharge circuits, but heat emission from the processor system increases requiring cooling devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of processor-generated heat into a beneficial discharge mechanism. By intentionally increasing processor energy consumption through dummy routines or clock rate increases, the system generates heat that helps discharge the battery, which is particularly useful when ambient temperature is already elevated. This approach uses the processor's natural heat generation as a discharge mechanism, avoiding the need for separate discharge circuits.
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 method effectively manages battery discharge to prevent damage from high temperatures, allowing for full charge storage capacity utilization at lower temperatures and reducing hardware requirements by using existing processor systems for temperature-based battery management.
Implementation Method 1
increasing the energy consumption of the processor system
Implementation Method 2
a heat emission of the processor system, which is increased as a result of the increase in the energy consumption of the processor system, to be dissipated by the cooling device
Implementation Method 3
dissipated by the cooling device
Data Source
AI summary
A method for discharging a rechargeable battery of a mobile terminal is described, wherein the terminal has a processor system. The method comprises the steps of determining a charge status of the rechargeable battery, comparing the charge status with a threshold value and, if the charge status exceeds the threshold value, discharging the rechargeable battery by increasing the energy consumption of the processor system. A computer program product for executing the process, a mobile terminal and a motor vehicle which comprises the described mobile terminal, are moreover described.