Wireless Battery Power Down Mode for Shelf Life Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium batteries suffer from self-discharge when not in use, leading to reduced shelf life and potential irreversible damage, especially when stored before sale, and existing methods to increase shelf life, such as charging to higher capacities, increase manufacturing costs and negatively impact battery health.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless test, calibration, and shutdown system that allows electronic devices to transition to a low power mode without the need for external interfaces, using over-the-air commands to manage battery state and reduce self-discharge, thereby extending shelf life without compromising battery health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If lithium battery is charged to higher capacity (e.g., 90%) to extend shelf life, then the battery can last longer during storage, but manufacturing costs increase and battery health deteriorates more rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning the electronic device between active and sleep modes based on operational state. The processor dynamically adjusts its operation: performing test functions in active mode, then transitioning to sleep mode with reduced power consumption after testing completes. This dynamic state change allows the battery to be discharged to a lower level (e.g., 50% remaining) rather than being kept charged, extending shelf life without compromising battery health.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If physical interfaces (external debug interface or button press) are used to enable power down mode after testing, then the battery can be caused to enter low power mode, but device complexity increases and manual interaction is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the electronic device automatically transitions from active to sleep mode based on the completion of test functions. The processor monitors its own operational state and autonomously initiates the power down sequence without requiring external debug interfaces, button presses, or manual user interaction. The device serves itself by detecting when testing is complete and automatically entering the low-power state to extend shelf life.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If lithium battery is stored at higher charge levels to reduce self-discharge impact, then shelf life is extended, but the rate of maximum charge capacity decrease accelerates with age
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning the electronic device between active and sleep modes based on operational state. The processor dynamically adjusts its operation: performing test functions in active mode, then transitioning to sleep mode with reduced power consumption after testing completes. This dynamic state change allows the battery to be discharged to a lower level (e.g., 50% remaining) rather than being kept charged, extending shelf life without compromising battery health.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless electronic device includes a rechargeable battery, a receiver, and a shut down module. The rechargeable battery is at least partially charged. The receiver is configured to enable wireless communications for the wireless device. The receiver is capable of receiving wireless commands configured to cause corresponding functions to be performed in the wireless electronic device, which may include test functions, calibration functions, and shut down functions. The shut down module is configured to cause the wireless electronic device to initiate a shut down protocol according to a shut down command received by the receiver.