Exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can discontinue, or disable, charging of the rechargeable battery in accordance with various C rates, such as the C/40 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/15 rate to provide some examples, in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can discontinue, or disable, charging of the rechargeable battery in accordance a first C rate, such as the C/40 rate to provide an example, when the temperature of the rechargeable battery is within a first temperature range. The exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can dynamically adapt the discontinuing, or cutting off, of the charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery increasing and/or decreasing as the rechargeable battery being charged. The exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can dynamically adapt the discontinuing, or cutting off, of the charging of the rechargeable battery from being in accordance with the first C rate to be in accordance with a second C rate, such as the C/20 rate or the C/15 rate to provide some examples, when the temperature of the rechargeable battery increases from the first temperature range to a second temperature range.

BACKGROUND

Advances in technology and engineering have allowed designers and manufacturers to offer more portable electronic devices to consumers. These portable electronic devices range from mobile computing devices, also referred to as handheld computers, to mobile communication devices. At the heart of the portable electronic devices lies one or more batteries to provide necessary power for operation. The one or more batteries store energy in a chemical form and convert the stored chemical energy into electrical energy via electrochemical reactions. Generally, each of the one or more batteries include two electrodes separated by an electrically insulating and ionically conducting electrolyte and optionally an electrically insulating separator. During operation of the portable electronic devices, a first chemical reaction within a first electrode, called the anode, generates electrons and a second chemical reaction within a second electrode, called the cathode, receives these electrons. This flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode discharges electrical energy from the one or more batteries for operation of the portable electronic devices. The one or more batteries continue to provide this electrical energy until the anode and/or the cathode can no longer perform their respective chemical reactions. Conventionally, the designers and the manufacturers of the portable electronic devices often use rechargeable batteries for the one or more batteries of the portable electronic devices. The chemical energy of rechargeable battery can be restored by applying electrical energy from an outside source to the rechargeable battery. This outside source supplies electrons to the anode and removes electrons from the cathode which forces their respective chemical reactions into reverse to replenish the stored chemical energy within the rechargeable battery.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

Some embodiments of this disclosure describe a temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system for charging a rechargeable battery. The temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system includes a battery charger and processing circuitry. The battery charger provides a charging current to charge the rechargeable battery. The processing circuitry monitors a temperature of the rechargeable battery, determines a temperature dependent C rate for charging the rechargeable battery based upon the temperature of the rechargeable battery, and causes the battery charger to disable the charging current in response to the charging current reaching the selected temperature dependent C rate.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry can select a first temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a first temperature range, a second temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a second temperature range, and a third temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a third temperature range. In these embodiments, the first temperature dependent C rate can include a C/40 rate, the second temperature dependent C rate can include a C/20 rate, and the third temperature dependent C rate can include a C/15 rate. In these embodiments, the first temperature range can include temperatures less than thirty (30) degrees Celsius, the second temperature range can include temperatures between thirty (30) degrees Celsius and thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius, and the third temperature range can include temperatures greater than thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry can determine the temperature dependent C rate from:

wherein C represents a 1.0C rate and x represents a mathematical function, for example, f(T), having the temperature (T) of rechargeable battery as the argument of the mathematical function.

In some embodiments, the battery charger can vary a voltage at the rechargeable battery to maintain a constant current flow from the charging current in a constant current (CC) charging operation, and vary the constant current flow toward the selected temperature dependent C rate to maintain the voltage at the rechargeable battery in a constant voltage (CV) charging operation. In these embodiments, the processing circuitry can monitor the voltage at the rechargeable battery and cause the battery charger to switch from the CC charging operation to the CV charging operation in response to the voltage reaching a pre-determined battery voltage.

Some embodiments of this disclosure describe a method for reducing an exposure time of a rechargeable battery to slow a degradation of the rechargeable battery. The method includes monitoring a temperature of the rechargeable battery as the rechargeable battery is being charged by a charging current, selecting a temperature dependent C rate from among multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery, and cutting off charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the charging current reaching the selected temperature dependent C rate to reducing the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, the selecting can include selecting a first temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a first temperature range, a second temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a second temperature range, and a third temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a third temperature range. In these embodiments, the first temperature dependent C rate can include a C/40 rate, the second temperature dependent C rate can include a C/20 rate, and the third temperature dependent C rate can include a C/15 rate. In these embodiments, the first temperature range can include temperatures less than thirty (30) degrees Celsius, the second temperature range can include temperatures between thirty (30) degrees Celsius and thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius, and the third temperature range can include temperatures greater than thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius.

In some embodiments, the method can further include causing a voltage at the rechargeable battery to be varied to maintain a constant current flow from the charging current in a constant current (CC) charging operation and causing the constant current flow to be varied toward the selected temperature dependent C rate to maintain the voltage at the rechargeable battery in a constant voltage (CV) charging operation. In these embodiments, the method can further include monitoring the voltage at the rechargeable battery and switching from the CC charging operation to the CV charging operation in response to the voltage reaching a pre-determined battery voltage. In these embodiments, the pre-determined battery voltage can include a maximum battery voltage.

Some embodiments of this disclosure describe a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can include a temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system and a host processor. The temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system provides a charging current to charge the rechargeable battery. The host processor monitors a temperature of the rechargeable battery, determines a temperature dependent C rate in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery, and causes the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system to disable the charging current in response to the charging current reaching the selected temperature dependent C rate.

In some embodiments, the host processor can select a first temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a first temperature range, a second temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a second temperature range, and a third temperature dependent C rate from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates as the temperature dependent C rate in response to temperature of the rechargeable battery being within a third temperature range. In these embodiments, the first temperature dependent C rate can include a C/40 rate, the second temperature dependent C rate can include a C/20 rate, and the third temperature dependent C rate can include a C/15 rate. In these embodiments, the first temperature range can include temperatures less than thirty (30) degrees Celsius, the second temperature range can include temperatures between thirty (30) degrees Celsius and thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius, and the third temperature range can include temperatures greater than thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius.

In some embodiments, the host processor can determine the temperature dependent C rate from:

wherein C represents a 1.0C rate and x represents a mathematical function, for example, f(T), having the temperature (T) of rechargeable battery as the argument of the mathematical function.

In some embodiments, the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system can vary a voltage at the rechargeable battery to maintain a constant current flow from the charging current in a constant current (CC) charging operation, and vary the constant current flow toward the selected temperature dependent C rate to maintain the voltage at the rechargeable battery in a constant voltage (CV) charging operation. In these embodiments, the host processor can monitor the voltage at the rechargeable battery and cause the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system to switch from the CC charging operation to the CV charging operation in response to the voltage reaching a pre-determined battery voltage. In these embodiments, the pre-determined battery voltage can include a maximum battery voltage.

This Summary is provided merely for purposes of illustrating some embodiments to provide an understanding of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter in this disclosure. Other features, aspects, and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

C Rate of a Rechargeable Battery

Before describing exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems, the charging and/or discharging of a rechargeable battery is to be generally described. The chemical energy of the rechargeable battery can be restored by applying electrical energy, such as a charging current, to the rechargeable battery. This electrical energy supplies electrons to the anode and removes electrons from the cathode that forces their respective chemical reactions into reverse to replenish the stored chemical energy within the rechargeable battery. Often times, the charging of the rechargeable battery can be expressed as a C rate to normalize the charging of the rechargeable battery to its battery capacity. Typically, a C rate represents a measure of the rate at which the rechargeable battery can be charged relative to its maximum capacity. A rechargeable battery being charged at a 1C rate indicates that the electrical energy being applied to the rechargeable battery should charge the rechargeable battery in one (1) hour. For example, with a rechargeable battery having a capacity of one (1) ampere hour (Ah), this rechargeable battery will be fully charged in one (1) hour in accordance with a charging current of 1 ampere (A). Similarly, a rechargeable battery being charged at a C/40 rate indicates that the electrical energy being applied to the rechargeable battery should charge the rechargeable battery in 40 hours. For example, with a rechargeable battery having a capacity of one (1) ampere hour (A-h), this rechargeable battery will be fully charged in forty (40) hours in accordance with a charging current of 25 milliamperes (mAs). Likewise, a rechargeable battery being charged at a C/20 rate and a C/15 rate indicates that the electrical energy being applied to the rechargeable battery should charge the rechargeable battery in 20 hours and 15 hours, respectively.

Overview

Often times, the rechargeable battery degrades as it is being repetitively charged over and over. For example, a high-end lithium-polymer battery can lose twenty (20) percent of its capacity after one thousand (1000) charge cycles. A speed at which the rechargeable battery degrades can be related to its exposure time. The rechargeable battery degrades faster when its exposure time is longer and/or degrades slower when its exposure time is shorter. In some situations, as the rechargeable battery degrades, material can be removed from the anode causing the anode to generate less electrons and/or material can be removed from the cathode causing the cathode to receive less electrons. Moreover, as the rechargeable battery degrades, the cathode can become unstable, oxidized, and/or more reactive which can lead to increased side reactions, electrolyte oxidation, and/or cathode mutation forming electrochemically inactive spinels. These above degradations in the rechargeable battery are often irreversible which can result in the rechargeable battery having less capacity over time. As to be described in further detail below, the exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can adaptively discontinue, or disable, charging of the rechargeable battery in accordance with various C rates to reduce the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery.

As to be described in further detail below, the exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can discontinue, or disable, charging of the rechargeable battery in accordance with various C rates, such as the C/40 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/15 rate to provide some examples, in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can discontinue, or disable, charging of the rechargeable battery in accordance a first C rate, such as the C/40 rate to provide an example, when the temperature of the rechargeable battery is within a first temperature range. From the example above with the rechargeable battery having a capacity of one (1) ampere hour (A-h), the C/40 rate can specify that the charging of the rechargeable battery is to discontinued, or disabled, when the charging current is at 25 milliamperes (mAs) when the rechargeable battery is within the first temperature range. As to be described in further detail below, the exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can dynamically adapt the discontinuing, or cutting off, of the charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery increasing and/or decreasing as the rechargeable battery being charged. In some embodiments, the exemplary temperature-adaptive battery charging systems can dynamically adapt the discontinuing, or cutting off, of the charging of the rechargeable battery from being in accordance with the first C rate to be in accordance with a second C rate, such as the C/20 rate or the C/15 rate to provide some examples, when the temperature of the rechargeable battery increases from the first temperature range to a second temperature range. From the example above with the rechargeable battery having a capacity of one (1) ampere hour (A-h), the C/20 rate of the second temperature adaptive charging protocol can specify that the charging of the rechargeable battery is to discontinued, or disabled, when the charging current is at 50 milliamperes (mAs) when the rechargeable battery is within the second temperature range.

Exemplary Portable Electronic Device

FIG.1graphically illustrates a simplified block diagram of a portable electronic device in accordance with various embodiments. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.1, a portable electronic device100communicates information, such as audio data, video data, image data, command data, control data and/or other data to provide some examples, between a near-end user and a far-end user over various wired and/or wireless communication networks. In some embodiments, the portable electronic device100can include mobile telephony devices, such as mobile phones; mobile computing devices; mobile internet devices, such as tablet computers and/or laptop computers; video game consoles; portable media players; wearable electronic devices, such as smartwatches, and/or other suitable mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical devices that include rechargeable battery that will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.1, the portable electronic device100can include a rechargeable battery that can be charged in accordance with a temperature adaptive charging protocol that can be thermally adapted in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery. As to be described in further detail below, the temperature adaptive charging protocol can include a series of charging operations to charge the rechargeable battery in accordance with one or more C rates, such as a 1.3C rate, a 1.0C rate, a 0.7C rate, a 0.4C, the C/15 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/40 rate to provide some examples. As to be described in further detail below, the portable electronic device100can select from among the one or more C rates of the temperature adaptive charging protocol in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery to reduce the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.1, the portable electronic device100can include a communication module102, a host processor104, a touch screen display106, a temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108, a rechargeable battery110, and a communication interface112.

The communication module102can include a Bluetooth module, a Global Position System (GPS) module, a cellular module, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module, a near field communication (NFC) module, a radio frequency identification (RFID) module and/or a wireless power transfer (WPT) module. The Bluetooth module, the cellular module, the WLAN module, the NFC module, and the RFID module provide wireless communication between the portable electronic device100and other Bluetooth, other cellular, other WLAN, other NFC, and other RFID capable communication devices, respectively, in accordance with various communication standards or protocols. These various communication standards or protocols can include various cellular communication standards such as a third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) communications standard, a fourth generation (4G) mobile communications standard, or a third generation (3G) mobile communications standard, various networking protocols such a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communications standard or a Wi-Fi communications standard, various NFC/RFID communications protocols such as ISO 1422, ISO/IEC 14443, ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000, or FeliCa to provide some examples. The GPS module receives various signals from various satellites to determine location information for the portable electronic device100. The WPT module supports wireless transmission of power between the portable electronic device100and another WPT capable communication device.

The host processor104controls overall operation and/or configuration of the portable electronic device100. In some embodiments, the host processor104represents a central processing unit (CPU) that can receive commands, perform calculations, and/or provide various electronic signals throughout the portable electronic device100. Typically, the host processor104can perform arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations specified by instructions in one or more computer programs. In these embodiments, the one or more computer programs can include one or more applications such as Short Message Service (SMS) for text messaging, electronic mailing, and/or audio and/or video recording to provide some examples, and/or software applications such as a calendar and/or a phone book to provide some examples. The host processor104can include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) to perform arithmetic and logic operations, one or more processor registers to supply operands to the ALU and store results of ALU operations, and one or more control units that executes the instructions in the computer program by directing the coordinated operations of the ALU, registers and other components of the portable electronic device100. In some embodiments, the host processor104can include a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an image processing unit (IPU), and/or other dedicated processing units that will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The touch screen display106represents a graphical display device that allows a user to interact with the portable electronic device100. In some embodiments, the user can provide various inputs for the one or more computer programs executing on the host processor104and/or control overall operation and/or configuration of the portable electronic device100through simple or multi-touch gestures by touching the touch screen display106with a special stylus and/or one or more fingers. In some embodiments, the touch screen display106can display various graphical images generated by the one or more computer programs executing on the host processor104to the user. The touch screen display106can be implemented as a resistive touchscreen, a surface acoustic wave touchscreen, and/or a capacitive touchscreen to provide some examples. In some embodiments, the touch screen display106can include a liquid-crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display to provide some examples.

The temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108provides a charging current150to charge the rechargeable battery110in accordance with a temperature adaptive charging protocol that can be thermally adapted in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery110. In some embodiments, the temperature adaptive charging protocol can include one or more constant current (CC) charging operations, one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations, and/or one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations to charge the rechargeable battery110in accordance with multiple temperature independent C rates, such as a 1.3C rate, a 1.0C rate, a 0.7C rate, and/or a 0.4C to provide some examples, and/or multiple temperature dependent C rates, such as the C/15 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/40 rate as described above to provide some examples. However, those skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that other temperature independent C rates and/or temperature dependent C rates are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The one or more constant current (CC) charging operations can represent various charging operations performed by the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108that effectively vary the voltage at the rechargeable battery110to maintain a constant, or near constant, current flow from the charging current150to the rechargeable battery110. The one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations can represent various charging operations performed by the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108that effectively vary the current flow from the charging current150to the rechargeable battery110to effectively maintain a constant, or near constant, voltage at the rechargeable battery110. The one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations can represent various combinations of the one or more constant current (CC) charging operations and/or the one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.1, the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108performs the one or more constant current (CC) charging operations, the one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations, the and/or one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations in accordance with the multiple temperature independent C rates specified by the temperature adaptive charging protocol to charge the rechargeable battery110to a pre-determined battery voltage, for example, a maximum battery voltage. Thereafter, the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108can reduce the charging current150in accordance with a temperature dependent C rate that is selected from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates based upon the temperature of the rechargeable battery110. In some embodiments, the host processor104and/or the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108can select a first temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/40 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery110being within a first temperature range, for example, less than thirty (30) degrees Celsius. In these embodiments, the host processor104and/or the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108can select a second temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/20 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery110being within a second temperature range, for example, between thirty (30) degrees Celsius and thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius. In these embodiments, the host processor104and/or the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108can select a third temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/15 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery110being within a third temperature range, for example, greater than thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius. Alternatively, or in addition to, in some embodiments, the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108can determine the temperature dependent C rate from:

wherein C represents the 1.0C rate and x represents a mathematical function, for example, f(T), having the temperature (T) of rechargeable battery110as the argument of the mathematical function. In some embodiments, the host processor104and/or the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108can discontinue, or disable, the charging of the rechargeable battery110in response to the charging current150being at, or to, the selected temperature dependent C rate to reduce the exposure time of the rechargeable battery110to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery110

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.1, the rechargeable battery110stores energy in a chemical form and can convert the stored chemical energy into electrical energy via electrochemical reactions. In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery110can include one or more rechargeable battery cells that can be implemented using one or more nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable battery cells, one or more nickel-iron (NiFe) rechargeable battery cells, one or more nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery cells, one or more lithium-ion rechargeable battery cells, and/or lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery cells, and/or any other suitable battery chemistry, or chemistries, that will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery110can be implemented as a smart battery that provides one or more parameters, attributes, and/or characteristics, such as voltage, temperature, and/or time under charge to provide some examples, to the host processor104and/or the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108. In these embodiments, the rechargeable battery110can include a battery management system (BMS) to provide the one or more parameters, attributes, and/or characteristics of the rechargeable battery110to the host processor104and/or the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108via the communication interface112, which is to be described in further detail below. During operation of the portable electronic device100, a first chemical reaction within one or more first electrodes, called the anodes, of the one or more rechargeable battery cells generates electrons and a second chemical reaction within one or more second electrodes, called the cathodes, of the one or more rechargeable battery cells receives these electrons. This flow of electrons from the anodes to the cathodes discharges electrical energy from the one or more rechargeable battery cells for operation of the portable electronic device100. The chemical energy of one or more rechargeable battery cells can be restored by applying the charging current150in accordance with the series of charging operations as described above. The charging current150supplies electrons to the anodes and removes electrons from the cathodes that forces their respective chemical reactions into reverse to replenish the stored chemical energy within the one or more rechargeable battery cells.

The communication interface112routes various communications between the communications module102, the host processor104, and the proximity screen display interface108. These communications can include various digital signals, such as one or more commands and/or data to provide some examples, various analog signals, such as direct current (DC) currents and/or voltages to provide some examples, or any combination thereof. The communication interface112can be implemented as a series of wired and/or wireless interconnections between the communications module102, the host processor104, and the proximity screen display interface108. The interconnections of the communication interface112can be arranged to form a parallel interface to route communications between the communications module102, the host processor104, and the proximity screen display interface108in parallel, a serial interface to route communications between the communications module102, the host processor104, and the proximity screen display interface108, or any combination thereof.

Exemplary Temperature Adaptive Charging Protocols

FIG.2AandFIG.2Bgraphically illustrate exemplary temperature adaptive charging protocols to charge an exemplary rechargeable battery in accordance with various embodiments. As described above inFIG.1, a rechargeable battery, such as the rechargeable battery110to provide an example, can be charged in accordance with a temperature adaptive charging protocol that can be thermally adapted in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery. As illustrated inFIG.2AandFIG.2B, a temperature adaptive charging protocol200and a temperature adaptive charging protocol220, respectively, can include one or more constant current (CC) charging operations, one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations, and/or one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations to charge the rechargeable battery in accordance with one or more temperature independent C rates, such as a 1.3C rate, a 1.0C rate, a 0.7C rate, and/or a 0.4C to provide some examples, and/or one or more temperature dependent C rates, such as the C/15 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/40 rate as described above to provide some examples. The temperature adaptive charging protocol200, as illustratedFIG.2A, represents a simple temperature adaptive charging protocol having a single constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operation. However, those skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that more complex temperature adaptive charging protocols are possible having multiple constant current (CC) charging operations, multiple constant voltage (CV) charging operations, and/or multiple constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations, such as the temperature adaptive charging protocol220as illustratedFIG.2B, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the temperature adaptive charging protocol200and the temperature adaptive charging protocol220are not illustrated to scale inFIG.2A. andFIG.2B, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.2A, the temperature adaptive charging protocol200represents a constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operation having a constant current (CC) charging operation202and a constant voltage (CV) charging operation204. As illustrated inFIG.2A, a charging current can be provided to the rechargeable battery to charge the rechargeable battery during the constant current (CC) charging operation202to charge the rechargeable battery to a pre-determined battery voltage, for example, a maximum battery voltage. In some embodiments, the charging current can be configured according to the one or more temperature independent C rates, such as a 1.3C rate, a 1.0C rate, a 0.7C rate, and/or a 0.4C to provide some examples. Upon reaching the pre-determined battery voltage, the temperature adaptive charging protocol200switches from the constant current (CC) charging operation202to the constant voltage (CV) charging operation204. As illustrated inFIG.2A, the constant voltage (CV) charging operation204effectively reduces the charging current in accordance with a temperature dependent C rate that is selected from among the one or more temperature dependent C rates, such as the C/15 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/40 rate as described above to provide some examples based, upon the temperature of the rechargeable battery.

In some embodiments, the C/40 rate can be selected in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery being less than thirty (30) degrees Celsius, the C/20 rate can be selected in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery between thirty (30) degrees Celsius and thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius, and/or the C/15 rate can be selected in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery being greater than thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius. As illustrated inFIG.2A, the temperature adaptive charging protocol200can discontinue, or disable, the charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the charging current being at, or to, the selected temperature dependent C rate to reduce the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery. For example, upon selection of the C/40 rate, the temperature adaptive charging protocol200can discontinue, or disable, the charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the charging current being at, or to, the C/40 rate as illustrated by the dotted line inFIG.2A. In this example, upon selection of the C/20 rate, the temperature adaptive charging protocol200can discontinue, or disable, the charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the charging current being at, or to, the C/20 rate as illustrated by the dashed line inFIG.2A. In this example, upon selection of the C/15 rate, the temperature adaptive charging protocol200can discontinue, or disable, the charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the charging current being at, or to, the C/150 rate as illustrated by the solid line inFIG.2A.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.2B, the temperature adaptive charging protocol220represents multiple constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations having constant current (CC) charging operations222.1through222.mand constant voltage (CV) charging operations224.1through224.m. As illustrated inFIG.2B, a charging current can be provided to the rechargeable battery to charge the rechargeable battery during the constant current (CC) charging operations222.1through222.mto charge the rechargeable battery to pre-determined battery voltages. In some embodiments, the charging current can be configured according to the one or more temperature independent C rates, such as a 1.3C rate, a 1.0C rate, a 0.7C rate, and/or a 0.4C to provide some examples. Upon reaching the pre-determined battery voltages, the temperature adaptive charging protocol220switches from the constant current (CC) charging operations222.1through222.mto corresponding constant voltage (CV) charging operations from among the constant voltage (CV) charging operations224.1through224.m. As illustrated inFIG.2B, the constant voltage (CV) charging operations224.1through224.3effectively reduce the charging current in accordance with the one or more temperature independent C rates, such as a 1.3C rate, a 1.0C rate, a 0.7C rate, and/or a 0.4C to provide some examples, and the constant voltage (CV) charging operation224.meffectively reduces the charging current in accordance with a temperature dependent C rate that is selected from among the one or more temperature dependent C rates, such as the C/15 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/40 rate as described above to provide some examples based, upon the temperature of the rechargeable battery as described above. In some embodiments, the temperature adaptive charging protocol200can discontinue, or disable, the charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the charging current being at, or to, the selected temperature dependent C rate to reduce the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery in a substantially similar manner as described above inFIG.2A.

Exemplary Temperature-Adaptive Rechargeable Battery System

FIG.3graphically illustrates a simplified block diagram of an exemplary temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system in accordance with various embodiments. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.3, a temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system300can provide a charging current to charge a rechargeable battery302in accordance with a temperature adaptive charging protocol that can be thermally adapted in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery302. As illustrated inFIG.3, the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system300can include processing circuitry304and a battery charger306. The rechargeable battery system300and the rechargeable battery302can represent exemplary embodiments of the rechargeable battery system108and the rechargeable battery108, respectively, as described above inFIG.1.

The processing circuitry304controls overall operation and/or configuration of the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system300in charging the rechargeable battery302in accordance with the temperature adaptive charging protocol. Although the processing circuitry304is illustrated as being a standalone device, or a discrete device inFIG.3, those skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that the processing circuitry304can be incorporated within or coupled to one or more other electrical, mechanical, and/or electro-mechanical devices, or host devices, such as the host processor104as described above inFIG.1, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, those skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that some of the operations of the processing circuitry304can be performed by the battery charger306without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For the purposes of this discussion, the term “processing circuitry” shall be understood to be one or more: circuit(s), processor(s), or a combination thereof. For example, a circuit can include an analog circuit, a digital circuit, state machine logic, other structural electronic hardware, or a combination thereof. A processor can include a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or other hardware processor. The processor can be “hard-coded” with instructions to perform corresponding function(s) according to embodiments described herein. Alternatively, the processor can access an internal and/or external memory to retrieve instructions stored in the memory, which when executed by the processor, perform the corresponding function(s) associated with the processor. As described above, the temperature adaptive charging protocol can include one or more constant current (CC) charging operations, one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations, and/or one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations to charge the rechargeable battery in accordance with multiple temperature independent C rates, such as a 1.3C rate, a 1.0C rate, a 0.7C rate, and/or a 0.4C to provide some examples, and/or multiple temperature dependent C rates, such as the C/15 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/40 rate as described above to provide some examples. Exemplary embodiments of this temperature adaptive charging protocol were described above inFIG.2AandFIG.2B.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.3, the processing circuitry304provides a charging signal350to the battery charger306to charge the rechargeable battery302in accordance with the temperature adaptive charging protocol. In some embodiments, the charging signal350can indicate the one or more constant current (CC) charging operations, the one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations, and/or the one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations to charge the rechargeable battery to be used by the battery charger306to charge the rechargeable battery302. In these embodiments, the processing circuitry304can monitor one or more parameters, attributes, and/or characteristics of the rechargeable battery302, such as a temperature of the rechargeable battery302, a voltage at the rechargeable battery302, collectively referred to as temperature/voltage352inFIG.3, and/or a charging current354to provide some examples. In these embodiments, the processing circuitry304can monitor the one or more parameters, attributes, and/or characteristics of the rechargeable battery302before the rechargeable battery302is about to be charged, during the charging of the rechargeable battery302, and/or after the rechargeable battery302has been charged. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry304can provide the charging signal350to the battery charger306to cause the battery charger306to switch from among the one or more constant current (CC) charging operations, the one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations, and/or the one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations in response to the one or more parameters, attributes, and/or characteristics of the rechargeable battery302.

For example, the processing circuitry304can provide the charging signal350to the battery charger306to cause the battery charger306to operate in a constant current (CC) charging operation, such as the constant current (CC) charging operation202as described above inFIG.2Aand/or one of the constant current (CC) charging operations222.1through222.mas described above inFIG.2Bto provide some examples. In this example, the processing circuitry304can monitor the voltage at the rechargeable battery302as the battery charger306is charging the rechargeable battery302. Thereafter, the processing circuitry304can provide the charging signal350to the battery charger306to cause the battery charger306to switch from the constant current (CC) charging operation to a constant voltage (CV) charging operation, such as the constant current (CV) charging operation204as described above inFIG.2Aand/or one of the constant voltage (CV) charging operations224.1through224.mas described above inFIG.2Bto provide some examples, in response to the voltage at the battery reaching a pre-determined battery voltage.

In some embodiments, the charging signal350can alternatively, or additionally, indicate one or more temperature independent C rates, such as the 1.3C rate, the 1.0C rate, the 0.7C rate, and/or the 0.4C to provide some examples, and/or one or more temperature dependent C rates, such as the C/15 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/40 rate to provide some examples, to be utilized by the battery charger306to charge the rechargeable battery302. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.3, the processing circuitry304can select a temperature dependent C rate from among multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery302. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry304can select a first temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/40 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery302being within a first temperature range, for example, less than thirty (30) degrees Celsius. In these embodiments, the processing circuitry304can select a second temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/20 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery302being within a second temperature range, for example, between thirty (30) degrees Celsius and thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius. In these embodiments, the processing circuitry304can select a third temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/15 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery302being within a third temperature range, for example, greater than thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius. Alternatively, or in addition to, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry304can determine the temperature dependent C rate from:

wherein C represents the 1.0C rate and x represents a mathematical function, for example, f(T), having the temperature (T) of rechargeable battery304as the argument of the mathematical function. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry304can provide the charging signal350to the battery charger306to cause the battery charger306to discontinue, or disable, charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the charging current being at, or to, the selected temperature dependent C rate to reduce the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.3, the battery charger350provides the charging current354to the rechargeable battery302to charge the rechargeable battery302in accordance with the temperature adaptive charging protocol. In some embodiments, the battery charger350can be implemented as a simple charger, a fast charger, a three-stage charger, an induction-powered charger, a smart charger, a motion-powered charger, a pulse charger, and/or any other suitable mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical device that is capable of charging the rechargeable battery302that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the battery charger350configures the charging current354in accordance with the one or more temperature independent C rates and/or the one or more temperature dependent C rates provided by the processing circuitry304to the battery charger350using the charging signal350. For example, the battery charger306can configure the charging current354to be a constant, or near constant, current in accordance with the one or more temperature independent C rates and/or the one or more temperature dependent C rates indicated by the charging signal350and/or can adjust, for example, reduce, the charging current354in accordance with the one or more temperature independent C rates and/or the one or more temperature dependent C rates indicated by the charging signal350to implement the one or more constant current (CC) charging operations, the one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations, and/or the one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations provided by the processing circuitry304to the battery charger350using the charging signal350.

In some embodiments, the battery charger350can control the charging current354to implement the one or more constant current (CC) charging operations, the one or more constant voltage (CV) charging operations, and/or the one or more constant voltage/constant current (CVCC) charging operations provided by the processing circuitry304to the battery charger350using the charging signal350. For example, the battery charger306can configure the charging current354to be a constant, or near constant, current and/or can control the constant, or near constant, current to implement a constant current (CC) charging operation, such as the constant current (CC) charging operation202as described above inFIG.2Aand/or one of the constant current (CC) charging operations222.1through222.mas described above inFIG.2Bto provide some examples. In this example, the battery charger306can switch from the constant current (CC) charging operation to a constant voltage (CV) charging operation, such as the constant current (CV) charging operation204as described above inFIG.2Aand/or one of the constant voltage (CV) charging operations224.1through224.mas described above inFIG.2Bto provide some examples, in response to the charging signal350indicating that the voltage at the rechargeable battery302has reached a pre-determined battery voltage. In this example, the battery charger306can reduce the charging current354while maintaining the voltage at the rechargeable battery302constant, or near constant, to implement the constant current (CV) charging operation.

The rechargeable battery304stores energy in a chemical form and can convert the stored chemical energy into electrical energy via electrochemical reactions. In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery304can include one or more rechargeable battery cells that can be implemented using one or more nickel-cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable battery cells, one or more nickel-iron (NiFe) rechargeable battery cells, one or more nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery cells, one or more lithium-ion rechargeable battery cells, and/or lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery cells, and/or any other suitable battery chemistry, or chemistries, that will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery304can be implemented as a smart battery that provides one or more parameters, attributes, and/or characteristics, such as the temperature/voltage352, to the processing circuitry304. In these embodiments, the rechargeable battery304can include a battery management system (BMS) to provide the one or more parameters, attributes, and/or characteristics of the rechargeable battery304to the processing circuitry304. In some embodiments, the chemical energy of one or more rechargeable battery cells can be restored by applying the charging current354in accordance with the series of charging operations as described above. The charging current354supplies electrons to the anodes and removes electrons from the cathodes that forces their respective chemical reactions into reverse to replenish the stored chemical energy within the one or more rechargeable battery cells.

Exemplary Routines to Reduce Exposure Time of a Rechargeable Battery

FIG.4illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary operation for selecting temperature dependent C rates in accordance with various embodiments. The disclosure is not limited to this operational description. Rather, it will be apparent to ordinary persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that other operational control flows are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The following discussion describes an exemplary operational control flow400to select a temperature dependent C rate from among multiple temperature dependent C rates, such as the C/15 rate, the C/20 rate, and/or the C/40 rate to provide some examples, in response to a temperature of a rechargeable battery, such as the rechargeable battery110as described above inFIG.1and/or the rechargeable battery302as described above inFIG.3. In some embodiments, the temperature dependent C rate can be utilized by a battery charger, such as the temperature-adaptive rechargeable battery system108as described above inFIG.1and/or the battery charger306as described above inFIG.3, to reduce the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery as to be described in further detail below inFIG.5. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.4, the exemplary operational control flow400can be performed by processing circuitry, such as the host processor104as described above inFIG.1and/or the processing circuitry304as described above inFIG.3.

At operation402, the operational control flow400monitors the temperature of the rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry304can monitor the operational control flow400before the rechargeable battery is about to be charged, during the charging of the rechargeable battery, and/or after the rechargeable battery has been charged.

At operation404, the operational control flow400determines whether the temperature of the rechargeable battery is within a first temperature range, for example, less than thirty (30) degrees Celsius. The operational control flow400proceeds to operation406when the temperature of the rechargeable battery is within the first temperature range or to operation408when the temperature of the rechargeable battery is not within the first temperature range.

At operation406, the operational control flow400selects a first temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/40 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery being within the first temperature range.

At operation408, the operational control flow400determines whether the temperature of the rechargeable battery is within a second temperature range, for example, between thirty (30) degrees Celsius and thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius. The operational control flow400proceeds to operation410when the temperature of the rechargeable battery is within the second temperature range or to operation412when the temperature of the rechargeable battery is not within the second temperature range.

At operation410, the operational control flow400selects a second temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/20 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates in response to the temperature of the rechargeable battery being within the second temperature range.

At operation412, the operational control flow400selects a third temperature dependent C rate, such as the C/15 rate to provide an example, from among the multiple temperature dependent C rates. At operation412, the temperature of the rechargeable battery is within a third temperature range, for example, greater than thirty-seven (37) degrees Celsius.

FIG.5illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary operation for reducing the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery in accordance with various embodiments. The disclosure is not limited to this operational description. Rather, it will be apparent to ordinary persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that other operational control flows are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The following discussion describes an exemplary operational control flow500to reduce the exposure time of a rechargeable battery, such as the rechargeable battery110as described above inFIG.1and/or the rechargeable battery302as described above inFIG.3, to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.5, the exemplary operational control flow500can be performed by processing circuitry, such as the host processor104as described above inFIG.1and/or the processing circuitry304as described above inFIG.3.

At operation502, the operational control flow500monitors a charging current, such as the charging current150as described above inFIG.1and/or the charging current354as described above inFIG.3.

At operation504, the operational control flow500determines whether the charging current has reached a selected temperature dependent C rate. In some embodiments, the temperature dependent C rate can be selected from among multiple temperature dependent C rates in a substantially similar manner as described above. Alternatively, or in addition to, in some embodiments, the temperature dependent C rate can be determined from:

wherein C represents the 1.0C rate and x represents a mathematical function, for example, f(T), having the temperature (T) of rechargeable battery as the argument of the mathematical function. The operation control flow500proceeds to operation506when the charging current is at, or to, the selected temperature dependent C rate. Otherwise, the operational control flow500reverts to operation502to continue to monitor the charging current.

At operation506, the operational control flow500can discontinue, or disable, charging of the rechargeable battery in response to the charging current being at, or to, the selected temperature dependent C rate to reduce the exposure time of the rechargeable battery to effectively slow the degradation of the rechargeable battery.

Conclusion

Embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software application, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the disclosure can also be implemented as instructions stored on one or more computer-readable mediums, which can be read and executed by one or more processors. A computer-readable medium can include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a computer (e.g., a computing circuitry). For example, a computer-readable medium can include non-transitory computer-readable mediums such as read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; and others. As another example, the computer-readable medium can include transitory computer-readable medium such as electrical, optical, acoustical, or other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Further, firmware, software application, routines, instructions have been described as performing certain actions. However, it should be appreciated that such descriptions are merely for convenience and that such actions in fact result from computing devices, processors, controllers, or other devices executing the firmware, software application, routines, instructions, etc.