Device for monitoring battery and method for monitoring battery

Abstract

The present invention is entitled "Apparatus for Monitoring a Battery and Method for Monitoring a Battery." The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring a battery and a method for monitoring a battery. Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and systems for monitoring a battery. The system may include a fuel gauge circuit configured to select an energy curve from a plurality of energy curves and determine a remaining energy value based on the selected energy curve and a calculated remaining capacity of the battery. The fuel gauge circuit controls current flowing to a load based on the remaining energy value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for monitoring a battery and a method for monitoring a battery. Background Art

[0002] "Battery capacity" is a measure of the charge stored by a battery (usually in ampere-hours) and is determined by the mass of active materials contained in the battery. The remaining battery capacity can provide an indication of the "run time" (i.e., lifespan) of the battery, which reflects the amount of time the battery will continue to provide power before it is depleted. Accurate estimates of run time are desirable to provide users with warnings about the remaining life of the battery. However, the remaining battery capacity is not always equal to the remaining energy because the elapsed time and battery current used to calculate the remaining capacity may not be the same as the elapsed time used to calculate the remaining energy (which is calculated using elapsed time, current, and voltage). Therefore, it may be desirable to determine the run time of the battery based on the remaining energy in addition to the remaining capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for monitoring a battery and a method for monitoring a battery.

[0004] Various embodiments of the present technology can provide methods and systems for batteries. The systems can include a fuel gauge circuit configured to select an energy curve from a plurality of energy curves and determine a remaining energy value based on the selected energy curve and a calculated remaining capacity of the battery. The fuel gauge circuit controls current flowing to a load based on the remaining energy value.

[0005] The technical problem solved by the present invention is that conventional systems cannot provide an accurate estimate of the runtime of a battery.

[0006] According to one aspect, an apparatus for monitoring a battery includes: a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage of a battery; a memory configured to store: a predetermined voltage threshold; and predetermined battery data, the predetermined battery data including a plurality of energy curves; and a logic circuit configured to: determine whether the measured voltage of the battery is less than the predetermined voltage threshold; and select an energy curve from the plurality of energy curves based on the measured voltage of the battery.

[0007] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a calculation circuit configured to measure a remaining capacity of the battery based on the measured voltage, and wherein the logic circuit is configured to select a remaining energy value from the selected remaining energy curve based on the measured remaining capacity.

[0008] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a timer configured to count to a predetermined time.

[0009] In one embodiment, the logic circuit is further configured to reset the timer if the measured battery voltage is less than a predetermined threshold and restart the timer to count the elapsed time.

[0010] In one embodiment, each energy curve of the plurality of energy curves includes a remaining energy value and a corresponding remaining capacity value.

[0011] In one embodiment, the memory is further configured to store previously measured voltage data, and wherein the logic circuit is further configured to estimate the life of the battery based on the previously measured voltage data and the selected energy curve.

[0012] In one embodiment, the logic circuit is further configured to generate a modified remaining capacity value based on the measured remaining capacity and the selected energy curve.

[0013] According to another aspect, a method for monitoring a battery includes: measuring a voltage of the battery; calculating a remaining capacity of the battery based on the measured voltage; determining whether the measured voltage is less than a predetermined threshold; selecting an energy curve from a plurality of energy curves based on the measured voltage of the battery; and determining a remaining energy value based on the selected energy curve and the calculated remaining capacity.

[0014] In one embodiment, the method further includes generating a modified remaining capacity based on the calculated remaining capacity and the selected energy curve.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method further includes estimating the life of the battery using the remaining energy value.

[0016] The technical effect achieved by the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for more accurately estimating the operating time of a battery using both the remaining energy and the remaining capacity of the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present technology may be more fully understood with reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the following exemplary drawings. In the following drawings, similar reference numerals are used throughout to refer to similar elements and steps in the various drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a battery system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0019] Figure 2 shows voltage characteristics and current characteristics of a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

[0020] Figure 3A is a graph showing a constant voltage of a discharged battery;

[0021] Figure 3B is a graph showing the remaining energy and the remaining state of charge of a discharged battery at a constant current and a constant voltage;

[0022] Figure 4A is a graph showing the variable voltage of a discharged battery;

[0023] Figure 4B is a graph showing the remaining energy of a discharged battery at a constant current and a variable voltage;

[0024] Figure 5 is a graph showing the remaining energy over time at a variable voltage and the remaining energy over time at a constant voltage;

[0025] Figure 6 is a graph illustrating remaining energy as a function of RSOC over time under various voltage conditions according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; and

[0026] Figure 7 is a flow chart for operating a battery system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be implemented by any number of components configured to perform specified functions and achieve various results. For example, the present technology may employ various voltage sensors, current sensors, coulomb counters, logic gates, timers, memory devices, semiconductor devices such as transistors and capacitors that can perform multiple functions. Furthermore, the present technology may be integrated into any number of electronic systems (such as automotive, aviation, "smart devices", portable devices, electronic cigarettes, and consumer electronics), and the systems described are merely exemplary applications of the present technology.

[0028] Methods and systems for batteries according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with any suitable electronic system and / or device, such as "smart devices," wearable devices, consumer electronics, portable devices, battery-powered vehicles, etc. Figure 1 The exemplary system 100 can be integrated into an electronic device (not shown) (such as an electronic cigarette) powered by a rechargeable battery 101 (such as a lithium-ion battery). For example, in various embodiments, the battery 101 can operate in conjunction with a charger 105 to provide power to a load 160 (such as a heating coil in an electronic cigarette).

[0029] The system 100 may also include a fuel gauge circuit 110 to manage various battery operations and monitor various battery conditions. For example, the fuel gauge circuit 110 may be configured to measure the voltage VB , measure the current I of battery 101 DD , calculate the remaining capacity of the battery 101 (also expressed as a percentage and referred to as relative state of charge RSOC), calculate the state of health (SOH) of the battery 101, and estimate the life of the battery 101.

[0030] In addition, the fuel gauge circuit 110 can be configured to store various battery data. For example, the fuel gauge circuit 110 can store predetermined battery characteristics such as a plurality of energy curves that describe the relationship between the remaining energy of the battery at different voltage levels as a function of the state of charge (i.e., RSOC) of the battery 101. The fuel gauge circuit 110 can also store predetermined values, such as a predetermined threshold voltage value V TH .

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit 110 may include a temperature sensor 120 to measure the temperature T of the battery 101. The temperature sensor 120 may include a thermistor (not shown) that generates a signal and an analog-to-digital converter (not shown) that converts the signal into a voltage corresponding to the temperature T of the battery 101. However, the temperature sensor 120 may include any suitable sensor or other device or system for generating a signal corresponding to the temperature of the battery 101.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit 110 may include a voltage sensor 130 to measure the voltage V of the battery 101. B Voltage sensor 130 may be connected to battery 101 and may include any circuit and / or device suitable for measuring voltage potential.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit 110 may include a current sensor 135 to measure the current I to / from the battery 101 and the load 160. DD The current sensor 135 may operate in conjunction with the sense resistor 155 , where the current sensor 135 measures changes in voltage across the sense resistor 155 to determine the current.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit 110 may include a calculation circuit 125 to calculate the remaining capacity RC (measured in ampere hours) and / or RSOC (remaining capacity RC expressed as a percentage). The calculation circuit 125 may be connected to the voltage sensor 130 to receive the measured voltage V B The calculation circuit 125 can also be connected to the current sensor 135 to receive the measured current data I DD The calculation circuit 125 may be configured to calculate the voltage V BThe calculation circuit 125 can calculate the remaining capacity of the battery 101 according to conventional "voltage-based" methods and techniques.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit 110 may include a memory 140 to store known battery characteristics and profile data for the battery 101, such as a plurality of energy curves as a function of voltage and remaining capacity (e.g., Figure 6 The energy curves may be stored in a lookup table or any other data storage device suitable for storing relationship data.

[0036] The memory 140 may also store various previously and currently calculated or measured variables, such as the threshold voltage V TH , an elapsed time value, a measured battery voltage value, a predetermined time value (such as a recovery time RT), etc.

[0037] Memory 140 may include any number of storage devices, such as registers, flash memory devices, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit 110 may include a timer 145 to measure or otherwise count the amount of time t that has passed since the start time. The timer 145 may include any circuit and / or device suitable for measuring / counting the amount of time that has passed since the start time.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit 110 may include a logic circuit 150 to perform various calculations and / or estimate the life of the battery 101. According to an exemplary embodiment, the logic circuit 150 may be configured to estimate the life of the battery 101 based on multiple energy curves, remaining capacity (i.e., RSOC), and voltage V B To determine the remaining energy of the battery 101.

[0040] The logic circuit 150 may be configured to receive the calculated remaining capacity (i.e., RSOC) from the calculation circuit 125. The logic circuit 150 may also be configured to access various data from the memory 140, such as data from a plurality of energy curves. In addition, the logic circuit 150 may be configured to communicate with the timer 145. For example, the logic circuit 150 may be configured to reset and restart the timer 145 and / or receive an elapsed time value t.

[0041] According to an exemplary embodiment, the logic circuit 150 may be configured to generate a voltage V of the battery 101 based on measured parameters and / or known parameters such as the remaining capacity (ie, RSOC), the voltage V Band the remaining energy of the battery 101) to estimate the life of the battery 101.

[0042] Logic circuit 150 may include any number of circuits, systems, and / or logic gates to perform the desired calculations, as described above. For example, logic circuit 150 may include a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, and the like.

[0043] Generally speaking and see Figures 3A to 3B and Figure 5 , if the voltage of the battery 101 is constant over time (during a discharge period) and the current is also constant during that same period, the remaining energy of the battery 101 will be the same as the remaining capacity (i.e., SOC or RSOC), and both will decrease linearly over time. However and see Figures 4A to 4B When the battery voltage is not constant during the discharge period, the remaining energy of the battery 101 is not equal to the remaining capacity and does not decrease linearly. In most applications, the battery voltage is not constant during the discharge period, so the remaining capacity is not equal to the remaining energy of the battery 101, and the remaining capacity may not provide an accurate estimate of the life of the battery 101.

[0044] In addition and see Figure 2 During operation, the load 160 can draw a large current from the battery 101. When this happens, the voltage of the battery 101 drops. If the voltage drops to the threshold voltage V TH After that, the voltage of the battery 101 will not return to its rated voltage immediately, but will recover after a certain period of time. Therefore, the amount of power that the battery 101 can provide may be less than expected.

[0045] In the exemplary operation and see Figure 1 and Figures 5 to 7 , the system 100 can be set to have a threshold voltage V TH (700). For example, the memory 140 can be used to store the threshold voltage V TH .Threshold voltage V TH The value of may be based on the specific characteristics and / or specific application of the battery 101. For example, the threshold voltage V may be determined during a test period of the battery 101 in an intended application (such as an electronic cigarette). TH .

[0046] The system 100 may then set a recovery time RT (e.g., 3600 seconds) (705). For example, the memory 140 may be used to store the recovery time RT. The value of the recovery time RT may be based on the specific characteristics of the battery 101 and / or the specific application. For example, the recovery time may be determined during a test period of the battery 101 in an intended application (such as an electronic cigarette).

[0047] The system 100 may then measure the battery voltage V using, for example, the voltage sensor 130 and / or other conventional voltage measurement techniques or methods. B (710). Then, the voltage sensor 130 can convert the measured voltage V B Transmitted to the logic circuit 150.

[0048] The logic circuit 150 can then determine the measured voltage V B Is it less than the threshold voltage V TH For example, logic circuit 150 may retrieve the threshold voltage V from memory 140. TH and compare it with the measured voltage V B If the measured voltage V B If the voltage is not less than the threshold voltage, the system 100 can re-measure the battery voltage V B .

[0049] If the measured voltage V B Less than the threshold voltage V TH , the system 100 may calculate the remaining capacity (ie, RSOC) of the battery 101 using, for example, the calculation circuit 125 ( 720 ). The calculation circuit 125 may transmit the measured RSOC to the logic circuit 150 .

[0050] In addition, if the measured voltage V B Less than the threshold voltage V TH , the logic circuit 150 may reset the timer 145 and start counting the new elapsed time t N Counting is performed (720).

[0051] The system 100 can then utilize multiple energy curves, the measured RSOC and the battery voltage V B To determine the remaining energy of the battery 101 (725). For example, the logic circuit 150 may use the measured battery voltage V B To determine a specific energy curve from a plurality of energy curves, and then use the measured RSOC to determine the remaining energy of the battery 101. For example and see Figure 6 If the battery voltage V B In the first voltage range (variable voltage 1), the "Energy 1" curve is selected. If the measured RSOC is 50%, then based on the "Energy 1" curve, the remaining energy is approximately 45%. The system 100 can then use the remaining energy to estimate the life of the battery 101 (730).

[0052] The system 100 can utilize the determined remaining energy to control the current from the battery 101 to the load 160, such as to save power and extend the life of the battery 101. For example, the logic circuit 150 can be configured to control (turn on and off) one or more switches connected between the battery 101, the charger 105, and the load 160. The one or more switches can be arranged to prevent current from flowing to the load 160 or to allow current to flow to the load 160.

[0053] Additionally, the system 100 may convert the new elapsed time t N Compare with the recovery time RT. Once the time t has elapsed N When the remaining capacity (RSOC) is equal to the recovery time RT, the system 100 can continue to use the measured remaining capacity (ie, RSOC) to determine the life of the battery 101.

[0054] In the foregoing description, the technology has been described in conjunction with specific exemplary embodiments. The specific embodiments shown and described are used to illustrate the technology and its best mode and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology in any way. In fact, for the sake of brevity, the conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation and other functional aspects of the method and system may not be described in detail. In addition, the connecting lines shown in the multiple figures are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or steps between various elements. In actual systems, there may be multiple alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections.

[0055] The technology has been described in conjunction with specific exemplary embodiments. However, various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present technology. The description and drawings are to be considered in an illustrative and non-restrictive manner, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Therefore, the scope of the technology should be determined by the general embodiments described and their legal equivalents, rather than solely by the specific examples described above. For example, unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps listed in any method or process embodiment may be performed in any order and are not limited to the explicit order provided in the specific examples. In addition, the components and / or elements listed in any device embodiment may be assembled in a variety of arrangements or otherwise configured for operation to produce substantially the same results as the present technology, and are therefore not limited to the specific configurations set forth in the specific examples.

[0056] The above descriptions of benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been made with respect to specific embodiments. However, any benefit, advantage, solution to a problem, or any element that makes any particular benefit, advantage, or solution appear or become more apparent, should not be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component.

[0057] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any variations thereof are intended to refer to a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those enumerated elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition, or apparatus. Other combinations and / or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present technology, except those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise specially adapted to a particular environment, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operational requirements without departing from the general principles thereof.

[0058] The present technology has been described above in conjunction with exemplary embodiments. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology, as described in the following claims.

[0059] According to a first aspect, an apparatus for monitoring a battery includes: a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage of a battery; a memory configured to store: a predetermined voltage threshold; and predetermined battery data, the predetermined battery data including a plurality of energy curves; and a logic circuit configured to: determine whether the measured voltage of the battery is less than the predetermined voltage threshold; and select an energy curve from the plurality of energy curves based on the measured voltage of the battery.

[0060] In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a calculation circuit configured to measure a remaining capacity of the battery based on the measured voltage.

[0061] In one embodiment, the logic circuit is configured to select a remaining energy value from the selected remaining energy curve based on the measured remaining capacity.

[0062] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a timer configured to count to a predetermined time.

[0063] In one embodiment, the logic circuit is further configured to reset the timer and restart the timer to count the elapsed time if the measured battery voltage is less than the predetermined threshold.

[0064] In one embodiment, the battery returns to the initial voltage within the predetermined time.

[0065] In one embodiment, each energy curve of the plurality of energy curves includes a remaining energy value and a corresponding remaining capacity value.

[0066] In one embodiment, the memory is further configured to store previously measured voltage data.

[0067] In one embodiment, the logic circuit is further configured to estimate the life of the battery based on previously measured voltage data and the selected energy curve.

[0068] In one embodiment, the logic circuit is further configured to generate a modified remaining capacity value based on the measured remaining capacity and the selected energy curve.

[0069] According to a second aspect, a method for monitoring a battery includes: measuring a voltage of the battery; calculating a remaining capacity of the battery based on the measured voltage; determining whether the measured voltage is less than a predetermined threshold; selecting an energy curve from a plurality of energy curves based on the measured voltage of the battery; and determining a remaining energy value based on the selected energy curve and the calculated remaining capacity.

[0070] In one embodiment, the method further includes counting for a predetermined period of time if the measured voltage is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0071] In one embodiment, the method further includes generating a modified remaining capacity based on the calculated remaining capacity and the selected energy curve.

[0072] In one embodiment, the method further includes estimating the life of the battery using the remaining energy value.

[0073] According to a third aspect, a system includes: a battery; a fuel gauge circuit connected to the battery and configured to: measure the voltage of the battery; calculate the remaining capacity of the battery based on the measured voltage; store: a predetermined voltage threshold; and predetermined battery data, the predetermined battery data including a plurality of energy curves; determine whether the measured voltage of the battery is less than the predetermined voltage threshold; select an energy curve from the plurality of energy curves based on the measured voltage of the battery; and determine a remaining energy value based on the selected energy curve and the calculated remaining capacity; and a load connected to the battery and the fuel gauge, wherein the fuel gauge controls current flowing to the load based on the remaining energy value.

[0074] In one embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit is further configured to count to a predetermined time.

[0075] In one embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit is further configured to restart counting if the measured battery voltage is less than the predetermined threshold.

[0076] In one embodiment, each energy curve of the plurality of energy curves includes a remaining energy value and a corresponding remaining capacity value.

[0077] In one embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit is further configured to generate a modified remaining capacity value based on the measured remaining capacity and the selected energy curve.

[0078] In one embodiment, the fuel gauge circuit is further configured to estimate the life of the battery based on the remaining energy value.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring a battery, characterized in that ,include: a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage of the battery; a calculation circuit configured to measure the remaining capacity of the battery based on the measured voltage; a memory configured to store: a predetermined voltage threshold; and predetermined battery data, the predetermined battery data comprising a plurality of energy curves; and A logic circuit, the logic circuit being configured to: determining whether the measured voltage of the battery is less than the predetermined voltage threshold; selecting an energy curve from the plurality of energy curves based on the measured voltage of the battery upon determining that the measured voltage is less than the predetermined voltage threshold; and A remaining energy value is selected from the selected energy curve based on the measured remaining capacity.

2. The device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: A timer is included, the timer being configured to count to a predetermined time.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The logic circuit is further configured to reset the timer and restart the timer to count the elapsed time if the measured battery voltage is less than the predetermined threshold.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that Each energy curve of the plurality of energy curves includes a remaining energy value and a corresponding remaining capacity value.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The memory is further configured to store previously measured voltage data, and wherein the logic circuit is further configured to estimate the life of the battery based on the previously measured voltage data and the selected energy curve.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The logic circuit is further configured to generate a modified remaining capacity value based on the measured remaining capacity and the selected energy curve.

7. A method for monitoring a battery, characterized in that include: measuring the voltage of the battery; calculating a remaining capacity of the battery based on the measured voltage; determining whether the measured voltage is less than a predetermined threshold; selecting an energy curve from a plurality of energy curves based on the measured voltage of the battery when the measured voltage is determined to be less than a predetermined voltage; as well as A remaining energy value is determined based on the selected energy curve and the calculated remaining capacity.

8. The method according to claim 7, further characterized in that: include: A modified remaining capacity is generated based on the calculated remaining capacity and the selected energy curve.

9. The method according to claim 7, further characterized in that: include: The remaining energy value is used to estimate the life of the battery.

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