Zinc Battery Charge Cutoff Using Current and Charge Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Zinc batteries in power supply systems degrade over time due to repeated discharge and charge cycles, leading to a decrease in discharge capacity, particularly due to overcharging when the charging current does not sufficiently decrease as the state of charge (SOC) approaches 100%, causing premature battery degradation.
Innovation Solution
A control method for zinc batteries that terminates charging when the charging current falls below a first threshold value or when the charge amount exceeds a second threshold value, even if the current does not decrease sufficiently, to prevent overcharging and extend battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If charging is continued until the charging current sufficiently decreases, then the battery can be fully charged, but overcharging occurs causing battery degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the charging termination parameter from charging current threshold to charge amount threshold. By monitoring the charge amount and terminating charging when it reaches a predetermined threshold, the system prevents overcharging that would occur if charging continued based on current decrease alone, thus extending battery life while ensuring full charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the charge amount during charging and comparing it against a predetermined threshold. When the charge amount reaches the threshold, the system automatically terminates charging, providing a closed-loop control mechanism that prevents overcharging and battery degradation.
2Productivity
If charging is terminated based on charging current threshold, then charging efficiency is improved, but the battery may not be fully charged when current does not decrease sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the primary charging termination parameter from charging current to charge amount. By using charge amount as the main termination criterion, the system ensures the battery is fully charged (reaching 100% SOC) even when charging current does not decrease sufficiently, while still maintaining charging efficiency through the threshold-based control mechanism.
3Productivity
If repeated discharge and charge cycles are performed, then the battery can provide continuous power, but the battery degrades and discharge capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by terminating charging before the battery reaches complete saturation (when charge amount reaches the threshold). This prevents overcharging that would accelerate degradation during subsequent discharge cycles, thereby maintaining discharge capacity and extending battery life while still providing continuous power supply capability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a control method for a zinc battery, when the zinc battery is charged, the charging is terminated when a charging current falls below a first threshold value. Then, even when the charging current does not fall below the first threshold value, the charging is terminated when a charge amount of the zinc battery exceeds a second threshold value. A power supply system comprises a zinc battery and a control unit controlling charging and discharging of the zinc battery. The control unit terminates the charging when a charging current falls below a first threshold value. The control unit terminates the charging when a charge amount of the zinc battery exceeds a second threshold value even when the charging current does not fall below the first threshold value.