Battery Heating Circuit Using Susceptance-Guided Cold Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Rechargeable batteries, especially lithium-based ones, cannot be charged at low temperatures without risking damage, such as electrode plating, due to frozen electrolytes, which is a concern for devices discharged in cold conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involve heating the battery by alternating between sourcing current to and sinking current from the battery, using a processor-controlled circuit to generate a harmonically tuned signal that optimizes conductance and reactance responses to heat the battery effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional charging is attempted at low temperatures, then charging time is reduced, but battery damage occurs due to electrode plating from frozen electrolyte
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the battery before initiating the charging process. The processor detects low battery temperature and activates the heating circuit to warm the battery to a safe operating temperature range before allowing conventional charging to begin, thus preventing electrode plating while enabling efficient charging
Solution Approach 2:
The heating circuit acts as an intermediary between the power source and the battery during cold conditions. It provides controlled heating through current cycling to raise the battery temperature to a suitable range, creating safe conditions for subsequent charging without direct conventional charging at low temperatures
2Temperature
If battery heating is performed by continuous current application, then heating efficiency is high, but energy loss increases and battery damage risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies current periodically by alternating between sourcing current to the battery and sinking current from the battery. This periodic current application generates heat through resistive heating while allowing rest periods that reduce energy loss and prevent overheating, achieving efficient heating with minimal energy waste
Solution Approach 2:
The processor dynamically adjusts the heating parameters including current magnitude, pulse duration, and duty cycle based on real-time battery temperature feedback. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system optimizes heating efficiency while minimizing energy loss and preventing battery damage from excessive heat
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 allows for safe and efficient charging of batteries at low temperatures by heating them to a suitable level, reducing the risk of damage and enabling charging in conditions where conventional methods would be ineffective.
Implementation Method 1
the combination of sourcing current to the battery and sinking current from the battery heats the battery
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for low temperature charging a battery, which may be performed alone or in combination with heating a battery. In some aspects, the low temperature charging method involves obtaining a susceptance response of a battery, and upon a change in the susceptance response of the battery, altering a charge signal to the battery. It is understood that changes in susceptance are correlated with phase changes of a battery electrolyte—e.g., as a battery warms from a low temperature where the electrolyte is partially or completely frozen (solid) to a higher temperature where it changes to a liquid state, there is a change in susceptance. As the electrolyte changes from solid to liquid as understood from a change in the susceptance response, the charge may be increased as the electrolyte thaws.