Parallel Battery Charging Circuit Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
When multiple types of rechargeable batteries are connected in parallel, circulating currents can flow if they are not in equilibrium, leading to currents exceeding the maximum charging or discharging limits of individual batteries, necessitating simultaneous charging while maintaining equilibrium.
Innovation Solution
An electrical device with a charging circuit that monitors and controls the charging current of each battery, interrupting charging when necessary to prevent exceeding maximum currents, using switching elements and capacity computation circuits to manage the charging process and maintain equilibrium among batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple different types of rechargeable batteries are connected in parallel for simultaneous charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but circulating current may flow between batteries causing current to exceed maximum charging limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the charging circuit configuration changeable during operation. The charging circuit dynamically switches between connected and disconnected states for individual batteries based on real-time current monitoring, allowing the system to adapt to changing battery states while maintaining safe operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the charging current flowing to each battery and using this information to control the charging circuit. When the charging current exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically interrupts charging for that battery, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains current within safe limits
2Reliability
If charging current is continuously monitored and controlled for each battery, then current safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the charging system into independent controllable units. Each battery has its own charging circuit that can be independently controlled and disconnected, allowing simplified individual battery management rather than requiring a single complex centralized control system for all batteries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses switching elements as intermediary components between the power source and individual batteries. These switching elements act as mediators that can quickly connect or disconnect charging paths based on current conditions, simplifying the control logic by providing clear on/off states rather than requiring continuous analog control
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical device having a plurality of parallel-connected built-in rechargeable batteries includes a power supply terminal and a charging circuit. The power supply terminal receives electrical power supplied from the outside of the electrical device. The charging circuit executes charge control so as to charge the plurality of rechargeable batteries using the electrical power supplied from the outside. During the execution of the charge control, the charging circuit interrupts charging of any one of the plurality of rechargeable batteries in accordance with a magnitude of a charging current flowing to each of the plurality of rechargeable batteries.