Parallel Battery Charging with Dynamic Resistance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batteries with disparate charge characteristics connected in parallel face challenges in charging and discharging, leading to potential degradation, uneven charge states, and safety risks due to differing charge and discharge rates, which existing methods struggle to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device with charge control circuitry that adjusts the resistance in the charge path between a single charging node and a battery to determine and control the charge rate based on detected battery parameters, ensuring safe and balanced charging and discharging of batteries with different capacities and characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries with disparate charge characteristics are charged in parallel with separate chargers, then each battery can be charged at its optimal rate, but the system cost increases and charge balancing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple charging functions into a single charger by implementing individual charge control circuitry for each battery within the same charging system. This allows parallel charging with separate control, merging the benefits of multiple chargers while reducing system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the charging control by providing dedicated charge control circuitry for each battery, allowing independent charge rate management. This segmentation enables each battery to be charged at its optimal rate while using a shared charger infrastructure.
2Reliability
If batteries with disparate charge characteristics are charged sequentially, then charging safety is improved, but charging time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous charging of multiple batteries simultaneously through parallel connection with individual charge control. This eliminates the idle time between sequential charging operations while maintaining safe charge rates for each battery through dedicated control circuitry.
3Productivity
If a low capacity battery is charged at a higher-than-recommended charge rate, then charging speed increases, but severe battery degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the charge rate parameter for each battery based on its specific characteristics and state. The charge control circuitry monitors battery parameters and modifies charge rates in real-time to optimize both charging speed and battery longevity, preventing degradation from excessive charge rates.
4Reliability
If a high capacity battery is charged at a lower-than-recommended charge rate, then battery life is preserved, but charge time increases and performance capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic charge rate adjustment where the charge control circuitry continuously monitors battery state and modifies charge rates according to real-time conditions. This allows the system to charge at higher rates when safe and at lower rates when battery life preservation is prioritized, optimizing both time and reliability.
5Ease of operation
If batteries with unequal states of charge are electrically coupled, then charge sharing occurs, but uncontrolled discharge may trip current protection and degrade battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback control where charge control circuitry continuously monitors battery voltages and states of charge. When batteries are electrically coupled, the system detects voltage differences and actively controls charge flow to prevent uncontrolled discharge, ensuring safe charge sharing while maintaining battery safety.
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 solution allows for safe and efficient charging and discharging of batteries with disparate characteristics, preventing degradation and ensuring balanced states, thereby extending battery life and maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
controls an adjustable resistance in a charge path between the single charging node and a first battery
Data Source
AI summary
The herein described technology provides a device with at least two batteries having disparate charge characteristics connected in parallel and sharing a single charging node. The device further includes an adjustable resistance in a charge path between the single charging node and a first battery of the two disparate batteries, and charge control circuitry that dynamically determines a charge rate for the first battery based on a detected battery parameter and controls the adjustable resistance to charge the first battery at the determined charge rate.