Multi-device Charging Control via Time-division Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging methods for multiple secondary battery-equipped devices struggle to charge them efficiently in a short time at high capacity, often leading to battery deterioration and increased device cost due to the need for multiple power supplies and controllers.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a control circuitry that adjusts the charging current and duration based on the number of devices connected, using continuous current for fewer devices and intermittent high-current pulses with stopping intervals for multiple devices, while maintaining a constant time average of the charging current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple secondary battery-equipped devices share one charging device, then device cost is reduced, but charging time increases and charging capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-division switching where the charging device alternates between charging different batteries in periodic intervals. Instead of charging multiple devices simultaneously which would require multiple power supplies, the system cycles through each connected device sequentially, providing high-current charging to one device at a time while others wait, thus maintaining high charging capacity with a single power supply
Solution Approach 2:
The charging device dynamically adjusts the switching frequency and current allocation based on the number of connected devices and their individual charging states. The control circuitry modifies charging parameters in real-time to optimize charging speed while preventing battery deterioration, adapting the charging strategy as devices are connected or disconnected
2Productivity
If high current is applied to charge multiple devices simultaneously, then charging time is reduced, but battery deterioration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed charging where high current is applied in intermittent bursts rather than continuously. The control circuitry switches between charging different batteries in rapid succession, allowing each battery to receive high-current pulses for short durations followed by rest periods, which prevents thermal accumulation and chemical stress that cause battery deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The charging device monitors and adjusts charging parameters including current magnitude, pulse width, and duty cycle based on battery state. When a battery approaches full charge or shows signs of stress, the system automatically reduces current or extends rest intervals, dynamically optimizing the balance between charging speed and battery health
3Productivity
If multiple power supplies are used to charge multiple devices at high capacity, then charging speed is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging process in time rather than in parallel hardware. Instead of allocating separate power supplies to each device, the single power supply is time-segmented to serve different devices in sequence. The control circuitry divides the charging timeline into slots assigned to different devices, creating virtual parallel charging capability from a single physical power supply
Solution Approach 2:
The single power supply unit is designed to universally serve multiple different device types and battery configurations. The control circuitry detects the number and type of connected devices and automatically configures the charging strategy, making the single power supply adaptable to various charging scenarios without requiring dedicated hardware for each device
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device of an aspect of the present disclosure includes couplers and control circuitry that controls a charging operation. If the number of one or more secondary battery-equipped devices to be charged is smaller than a set number, the control circuitry charges each of the one or more secondary battery-equipped devices to be charged with a continuous current. If the number is greater than or equal to the set number, the control circuitry intermittently repeats charging of each of the one or more secondary battery-equipped devices to be charged with a stopping interval placed between charging operations while selectively and sequentially switching the one or more secondary battery-equipped devices to which a charging current is supplied at the same time, and the control circuitry increases the charging current and shortens an application duration of the charging current per charging with an increase in the number of secondary battery-equipped devices to be charged.