Industrial Technology Research Institute

Benq Corporation

Ying-Hao Hsu

Shou-Hung Ling

Chein-Chung Sun

Chiu-Yu Liu

Chung-Jen Chou

Heng-Hui Tu

Shih-Hao Liang

A charger apparatus and a charging method are provided for charging/discharging battery modules connected in series. The chargers of the charger apparatus are grouped at least into a first charger group and a second charger group. The first terminal of the first charger of the first charger group is coupled to the positive terminal of the i-th battery module of the battery modules, and the second terminal of the first charger is coupled to a first node between the j-th battery module and the k-th battery module of the battery modules, wherein j ranges between i and k. The first terminal of the second charger of the second charger group is coupled to a second node between the i-th battery module and the j-th battery module, and the second terminal of the second charger is coupled to the negative terminal of the k-th battery module.

Matrix charger apparatus and charging method

A charging method for a rechargeable battery and a related charging architecture are provided. The provided charging method includes following steps. A characteristic curve of the rechargeable battery related to charge cycle vs. a residual capacity of a non-constant voltage charging stage under a warranty life limitation is provided. An expected residual capacity corresponding to a condition when a terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery reaches a limited charge voltage is found from the characteristic curve related to the charge cycle vs. the residual capacity of the non-constant voltage charging stage by using a current charge cycle count of the rechargeable battery. A real residual capacity corresponding to a condition when the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery reaches the limited charge voltage approaches to the expected residual capacity by adjusting a charging current of the rechargeable battery.

Charging method for a rechargeable battery and charging architecture therewith

A method for estimating battery degradation is provided. In this method, a remaining capacity is obtained by looking up a device characteristic table according to a steady open circuit voltage of a battery. Besides, a constant current is provided to charge the battery, and when a terminal voltage of the battery reaches to a charging preset voltage, a constant voltage is provided to charge the battery. The transition point information at the transition from a constant current mode to a constant voltage mode, which includes a transition point estimated open circuit voltage, a transition point voltage, a transition point current and a transition point battery temperature, is analyzed based on voltage, current, temperature and capacity information measured during the charging process. A battery degradation index is calculated from the transition point information.

Method for estimating battery degradation

A method for estimating a capacity of a battery includes providing a look-up table storing data relating to a voltage and a capacity of the battery, and initializing the battery to reach an initialization state which serves as a starting point for a discharging process. The method also includes discharging the battery, from the initialization state, by a first amount of charge to reach a first state, calculating an actual capacity of the battery based on a measured amount of charge discharged from the initialization state to the first state, measuring an open-circuit voltage at the first state, obtaining a look-up capacity of the battery from the look-up table according to the open-circuit voltage measured at the first state, calculating a difference between the actual capacity and the look-up capacity, and correcting the look-up table based on the difference.

Method and system for estimating a capacity of a battery

The invention provides a digital camera with a disposition device for automatically converting a picture to an appropriate image meeting the vision via the viewfinder, wherein the disposition device for auto-detecting the holding condition of a digital camera comprises: an insulating envelope having a cavity which is formed by an insulating bottom and side wall, wherein the cavity is divided into a plurality of concave regions; a conductive plate covering the cavity of the insulating envelope and connected to the power source; a plurality of conductive pads selectively located on the insulating bottom; and a conductive ball rolling in the cavity by the influence of gravity, wherein the movable sensor touching one of the conductive pads and the conductive plate represents the holding condition of the digital camera.

Disposition device for auto-detecting the holding condition of a digital camera

The invention provides an automatic charging device via a USB and method of operating the same. The charging device comprises: a battery charger; an indicator; an USB interface; and a charging controller. The method of operating the charging device comprises the steps of: establishing a connection between the USB interface and the host system; providing a charging controller in the host system, wherein the charging controller obtains appropriate current from the bus-power through the connection; providing a battery charger electrically connecting the USB interface to electrify a battery; transferring data through the USB interface and electrifying a battery by the battery charger; continually adjusting the current of the bus-power to meet a maximum load current of the USB by the charging controller; showing the current of the bus-power and the rate of progress of the battery charger by an indicator in the host system; and determining whether the battery is fully charged or not, either terminating the charge as the battery is fully charged and decreasing the current to meet a minimum load current of the USB or repeating the steps of adjusting the current of the bus-power.

Growing community of inventors

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Ying-Hao Hsu