Nomadic Charging Device Dual Battery Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable charging devices, like power banks, face accelerated battery aging due to prolonged high state of charge, which reduces their lifespan, as they are often left idle with full batteries, contrary to the optimal charging conditions that minimize aging.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating two types of batteries with different lifespans and autonomy characteristics, where a high-autonomy, short-lifespan battery is kept lightly charged by default and a long-lifespan, low-autonomy battery is mostly charged, with an optional boosted mode to increase charge levels when needed, and a control mechanism to manage charging states between standard and enhanced modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the internal battery is kept at high state of charge to provide maximum energy reserve, then the autonomy is improved, but the battery aging is accelerated and lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautonomyVSAvoidbattery lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the internal storage into two separate batteries with different characteristics: a first battery optimized for autonomy (kept at lower charge state) and a second battery optimized for lifespan (kept at higher charge state). This segmentation allows each battery to operate in its optimal charge range, resolving the contradiction between maximum energy reserve and battery longevity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the internal battery is charged to maximum capacity to ensure energy availability, then the energy reserve is improved, but the battery aging accelerates due to prolonged high charge state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy reserveVSAvoidbattery aging
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different charge management strategies to different batteries based on their specific roles. The first battery (for autonomy) is maintained at lower charge state (30-70%), while the second battery (for lifespan) is maintained at higher charge state (70-90%). This local quality approach ensures each battery experiences charge conditions optimal for its intended function, preventing universal overcharging that causes aging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of moving object

If a single battery is used to maximize autonomy, then the energy capacity is improved, but the lifespan is reduced due to repeated deep charge-discharge cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautonomyVSAvoidbattery lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the energy storage function into two batteries: one dedicated to providing autonomy through deeper discharge cycles, and another dedicated to maintaining lifespan through shallower charge-discharge cycles. The control unit manages their coordinated operation, allowing the system to achieve high autonomy while preserving battery lifespan through differentiated usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 extends the lifespan of the high-autonomy battery while providing maximum energy reserve on demand, and also allows for prioritized charging of external batteries to reduce their aging.

Implementation Method 1

two internal batteries (4, 5) for storing electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP3311461B1Nomadic charging device and method for managing the internal charge of said device
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP3311461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3311461B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The charging device comprises a first interface (2) for connecting to an external electrical power source (100), a second interface (3) for connecting to an external battery (101) to be recharged and at least one internal battery for storing electrical power intended to store electrical power received through the first connecting interface and to deliver electrical power to the external battery to be recharged through the second connecting interface, characterized in that it comprises at least two internal batteries (4, 5) for storing electrical power, the first battery (4) having a shorter lifetime than the second battery (5), and a module (7) for managing internal charge arranged to activate by default a standard internal charging mode defined by a state of charge of the first battery (4) that is lower than that of the second battery (5), and, on a specific command, to activate a reinforced internal charging mode in which the state of charge of the first battery (4) is increased with respect to the standard mode.