{
  "patent_number": "US 20240047988",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Smartly Turning On and Off a Vehicle Battery Charger",
  "original_title": "Circuit control method, battery and its controller and management system, and electrical apparatus",
  "summary": "This patent describes a smart way to turn on and off a vehicle's battery charging system by checking the generator's power output and battery health, ensuring safe and efficient charging.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent outlines a method for controlling a battery's charging circuit, typically in an electrical apparatus like a vehicle, connected to a generator. First, it acquires a 'wake-up signal' from the apparatus. Then, it checks two main things: if the generator's output voltage (called 'power source terminal voltage' in claim 1) is above a certain 'first threshold' and if that voltage is stable, meaning its change rate over a 'first time length' is below a 'second threshold'. If both conditions are met, it sends an instruction to close a switch, turning on the charging circuit. The method can also check additional factors like the battery's charge level (SOC), whether it has faults, and its temperature before turning on the charger (claim 2). For example, in a hybrid car, this system would ensure the generator only starts charging the main battery when its power output is stable and suitable, and the battery is ready to receive a charge.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover charging systems that rely solely on a fixed voltage level to turn on, without also checking the stability or 'change rate' of that voltage.",
    "Does not cover charging circuits that do not include a controllable 'first switch unit' to physically connect or disconnect the battery from the generator.",
    "Does not cover charging from external power sources like wall outlets or dedicated charging stations, as it specifically references a 'generator'.",
    "Does not cover systems that ignore critical battery health metrics, such as State of Charge (SOC) or cell temperature, when deciding to initiate or terminate charging.",
    "Does not cover methods for actively regulating the *rate* of charge, only the discrete action of turning the charging circuit on or off."
  ],
  "filed": "2023-10-18",
  "granted": null,
  "expires": "2043-10-18",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Contemporary Amperex Technology Co",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/contemporary-amperex-technology-co",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Fangyou Lu",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/fangyou-lu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Zhenhui Huang",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/zhenhui-huang"
    },
    {
      "name": "Wei Tian",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/wei-tian"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hang Ma",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/hang-ma"
    },
    {
      "name": "Xingchang WANG",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/xingchang-wang"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 1,
  "tags": [
    "automotive",
    "consumer_electronics",
    "energy"
  ],
  "abstract": "Provided are a circuit control method, a battery controller, a battery management system, a battery, an electrical apparatus, and a vehicle. The circuit control method includes: acquiring an apparatus wake-up signal; determining whether a power source terminal voltage of a charging circuit of a battery on the apparatus is greater than a first threshold and whether a change rate in a first time length is less than a second threshold, wherein the charging circuit is a circuit connecting the battery on the apparatus and a generator, and the power source terminal voltage is an output voltage of the generator; and issuing a first instruction when the power source terminal voltage of the charging circuit of the battery on the apparatus is greater than the first threshold and the change rate in the first time length is less than the second threshold, so that the charging circuit is turned on.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20240047988/circuit-control-method-battery-and-its-controller-and-management-system-and-elec",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20240047988/circuit-control-method-battery-and-its-controller-and-management-system-and-elec/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US20240047988",
  "relatedPatents": []
}