Temperature-Adaptive Wireless Charging Current Profiles for Li-Ion Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lithium ion batteries are vulnerable to heat generation and overcharging, which can lead to damage, explosion, and personal injury or property damage if not properly protected during charging.

Innovation Solution

A wireless charging apparatus equipped with a power transmitter, temperature sensor, and controller that adjusts the current profile based on temperature, switching to a lower current profile when temperatures exceed a preset reference temperature to prevent overheating and overcharging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high current is used for fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but heat generation increases causing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the current profile adjustable based on temperature conditions. The controller dynamically switches between a first current profile (for normal temperature) and a second current profile (for high temperature) to optimize charging speed while preventing overheating. This resolves the contradiction by making the charging current adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the current parameter based on temperature feedback. When temperature exceeds a reference value, the controller switches to a second current profile with lower current magnitude, thereby reducing heat generation while maintaining charging functionality. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between charging speed and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high current is used for charging, then charging efficiency is improved, but risk of battery explosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging efficiencyVSAvoidbattery safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring battery temperature and adjusting the current profile accordingly. The temperature sensor provides feedback to the controller, which then selects the appropriate current profile (first or second) to maintain charging efficiency while preventing dangerous temperature rise that could lead to battery explosion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the charging current based on real-time temperature conditions. By switching between different current profiles, the system maintains high charging efficiency when safe, and reduces current when temperature rises, thereby preventing battery explosion while maximizing charging performance under normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If temperature monitoring and current profile switching is implemented, then battery safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery safetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs multiple functions: it manages normal charging operations, monitors temperature (via sensor integration), and switches between current profiles based on temperature conditions. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent improves battery safety without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same control unit handles both charging management and safety monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Prevents damage and explosion of batteries by reducing heat generation and overcharging through controlled power transmission, ensuring safe charging operations.

Implementation Method 1

a power transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit power to a battery

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor configured to detect at least one of a temperature of the power transmitter, a temperature of the battery, and a temperature of a power receiver

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4293862A1Wireless charging apparatus, method for controlling wireless charging apparatus, and recording medium storing instructions to perform method for controlling wireless charging apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 SKC CO LTD
  • EP4293862A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293862A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4293862A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

There is provided a wireless charging apparatus comprising a power transmitter for wirelessly transmitting power to a battery, a temperature sensor for detecting at least one of a temperature of the power transmitter, a temperature of the battery, and a temperature of a power receiver, and a controller for changing a current profile of the power transmitter based on the temperature. The controller controls the power transmission in constant current (301, 311) and constant voltage (303, 313) modes based on a preset first current profile (PIC1, PID1) when the temperature is less than a preset reference temperature (e.g. 70°C), and on a preset second current profile (PIC2, PID2) when the temperature is equal to or greater than the preset reference temperature, where the current (Ilow) of the second constant current profile (PIC2) is lower than the current (Imax) of the first constant current profile (PIC1).