Auxiliary Battery Heating via Main Battery Power Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with auxiliary batteries as standby power supplies face challenges in heating the batteries efficiently in low-temperature environments, leading to increased battery consumption and complex configurations for testing the battery's output capability.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a heating element and first and second power supply path formation units that allow power to be supplied from either the main battery or the auxiliary battery to the heating element, enabling efficient heating and functional checking of the auxiliary battery without consuming its power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a sheet heating element is wound around the battery periphery to heat the auxiliary battery, then the battery can be heated in low-temperature environments, but the heating element must be replaced when the battery reaches end-of-life, leading to wastefulness
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated with the battery terminal structure rather than being a separate component. The terminal serves dual purposes: electrical connection and heating function. This merging eliminates the need for separate heating elements that would need replacement, reducing waste while maintaining heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery terminal is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides electrical connection and simultaneously serves as the heating element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated heating components that would become waste when the battery is replaced, resolving the contradiction between heating capability and component waste.
2Temperature
If battery connecting lead wires are used to supply power to the heating element, then the battery can be heated, but power is consumed from the battery itself, increasing battery consumption and reducing standby capability
Solution Approach 1:
The main battery serves as an intermediary power source to heat the auxiliary battery. Instead of the auxiliary battery heating itself (consuming its own power), the main battery provides the heating power through the shared terminal structure. This mediator approach allows the auxiliary battery to be heated without depleting its own charge, preserving its standby capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal structure automatically serves dual purposes: electrical connection and heating element. When power is supplied through the terminal, the same structure that provides electrical connection also generates heat. This self-service design eliminates the need for separate power supply paths and reduces overall system complexity while preventing auxiliary battery self-consumption.
3Measurement precision
If a test resistance element is disposed on the circuit board side to check battery output capability, then the battery function can be tested, but the resistance element is heated during testing, requiring separate heating element design and leading to wasteful configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal structure serves as both the heating element and the test resistance element. During battery output capability testing, the same terminal that provides electrical connection and heating function also serves as the resistance element through which test current flows. This eliminates the need for separate heating elements and test resistance elements, reducing device complexity and avoiding wasteful configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function and test resistance function are merged into a single terminal structure. The terminal's inherent resistance is utilized for both heating during normal operation and for measuring battery output capability during testing. This merging eliminates redundant components and simplifies the overall system design while maintaining both heating and testing capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for simple and efficient heating of the auxiliary battery and checking of its function, reducing wastefulness and battery consumption, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for heating an auxiliary battery (14) incorporated as a standby power supply for a main battery (7)
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an electronic device that can heat an auxiliary battery as a standby power supply and check a function of the auxiliary battery with a simpler configuration. The device is provided with a heater resistor for heating an auxiliary battery incorporated in an in-vehicle emergency notification device as a standby power supply for a main battery, and is also provided with first and second power supply switches for forming first and second power supply paths for supplying power from the main battery and the auxiliary battery to the heater resistor, respectively. A control circuit controls the first and second power supply switches to form the power supply paths so as to conduct a current to the heater resistor.