BrightCharger Europe Oy Ltd has been granted a patent for its Charging Control invention (EP3529875 (B1) – CHARGING CONTROL) by the European Patent Office on June 10th 2020. The Finland based startup, founded in 2014, is targeting to grow its global partner base, consisting of outlet and charger manufacturers and electronics brand owners, by licensing patent rights for the chip-based technology. The company continues collaboration with ABB as a full member of ABB’s SynerLeap innovation hub.
BrightCharger technology extends the life of devices’ batteries by cutting power once the battery is optimally charged. This prevents overcharging and its associated risks. There is also a rising demand from regulators, consumers and businesses to reduce the amount of e-waste globally created from a limited natural resource.
“The amount of handheld rechargeable devices will grow from 13 billion currently to 17 billion in 2023. By 2030, there will be 11 million tons of cobalt based battery wastage, mostly because batteries cannot hold a useful charge due to overcharging and are thrown away alongside the devices. Simultaneously, demand is increasing for new lithium batteries, which are made from a limited natural resource, like cobalt.
It has been shown scientifically that stopping the repeated overcharging of lithium-ion batteries right after they are optimally charged at 90-100% of charge, maximizes battery’s lifespan and can increase it even by 50% until it ends up as e-waste. Automatic cutting of power is also the key in decreasing fires caused by overheated batteries as well as in saving energy on a global scale,” says BrightCharger CEO and co-founder Jani Rytkönen.
The technology can be integrated directly into wall outlets and device chargers. Using BrightCharger Chip Design makes the technology independent of device, battery type or voltage. The company provides extensive product development support to its industrial clients.
“Our proven chip-based solution is designed to be integrated into USB or 110-240 VAC wall outlets as well as chargers. It enables a unique and sustainable way for charging lithium-ion batteries, by cutting the power to the device after its battery is optimally charged,“ continues Rytkönen. “While BrightCharger has been in discussions with various outlet manufacturers and brand owners, until the grant of the patent, there was a limiting factor. Now with the patent things are looking excellent for licensing.”
As a part of BrightCharger’s expansion strategy, the company seeks partnerships within the electrification and charger business globally. Since June 2019, BrightCharger Europe has been a full member of ABB’s SynerLeap scale up innovation program.
“SynerLeap is continuously looking for startups whose technologies can be scaled with ABB and its networks. BrightCharger’s technology is interesting to ABB, especially because their charging control algorithm can be used in low and high voltage environments, USB-outlets to 110-240 VAC wall outlets. It has potential enabling universal overcharge protection and safety layer for future smart buildings,” says ABB SynerLeap Managing Director Peter Löfgren.
“So far, BrightCharger has executed three pilot projects with ABB and more opportunities are foreseen. We look forward to continuing to elaborate, based on earlier project results, the possibility to extend our collaboration with BrightCharger,” continues Löfgren.
The BrightCharger® technology benefits:
- Enables green values in charging – Longer battery lifespan decreases battery and device waste and the use of natural resources for new Li-ion batteries, which are limited.
- Maximizes safety – No battery/charger explosions and fires (relaxed feeling with worriless charging)
- Universal overcharge protection – Cutting off unnecessary power after charging completed saves batteries, energy and nature
- Improves customer experience – Longer device use time between charging sessions (Bright Charger technology maintains maximum capacity of battery longer)
For additional information:
BrightCharger Europe Oy Ltd
Jani Rytkönen
CEO, Co-founder
+358 50 388 3640
jani.rytkonen@brightcharger.com
SynerLeap powered by ABB
Peter Löfgren
Managing Director
+46 21 32 30 47
peter.lofgren@se.abb.com
BrightCharger Europe Oy Ltd, founded in Finland in 2014, is an IP and R&D company focusing on developing intelligent charging control technologies. The company’s patented chip-based technology enables a new layer of security designed to be integrated to outlets or charger for a wide range of electronic devices. The technology is available to be licensed by device brand owners, manufacturers and distributors. (www.brightcharger.com)
SynerLeap powered by ABB is ABB’s scaleup growth hub with the aim to support startups to accelerate and expand on a global market together with ABB. This membership enhances the possibilities to collaborate both with ABB and other players within ABB’ s ecosystem. (www.synerleap.com)
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 110,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. (www.abb.com)