Battery Cable Terminal Sensor for Accurate Charging Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery charging systems face inaccuracies in temperature measurement due to variable positioning of thermistors, leading to inconsistent charging voltages applied to batteries, even when their true temperatures are the same.
Innovation Solution
A battery assembly with a temperature sensor integrated into the battery cable, allowing the Power Supply Manager (PSM) to control charging voltage based on accurate temperature readings close to the battery cells, using a thermistor or other temperature sensors for precise temperature monitoring and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a thermistor is located on the control board of the PSM to detect battery temperature, then the temperature can be monitored during charging, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to variable positioning of the thermistor leading to inconsistent temperature readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temperature sensor integrated into the battery cable as an intermediary element between the PSM and the battery. This cable-mounted sensor serves as a mediator that directly contacts the battery terminal, providing accurate temperature readings without being affected by positioning variability on the PSM control board. The cable acts as a stable platform for the sensor, eliminating the positioning issues inherent in board-mounted thermistors.
2Ease of manufacture
If the thermistor is positioned at different locations on the control board in different charging apparatus, then the device complexity is reduced with a simple control board design, but the measurement precision deteriorates as different apparatus detect different temperatures for the same battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature sensing function from the PSM control board and relocates it to the battery cable. This segmentation allows the control board to remain simple while the temperature measurement function is independently implemented in the cable, ensuring consistent readings across different charging apparatus without complicating the control board design.
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is located away from the battery cells (on the PSM control board), then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to distance from the actual heat source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the temperature sensor from the spatial dimension of the PSM control board to the cable dimension that directly connects to the battery. This dimensional relocation places the sensor in immediate proximity to the battery terminal and cells, enabling accurate temperature measurement of the actual heat source while keeping the overall system design straightforward through cable integration.
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 ensures more consistent and accurate temperature measurement and voltage control, optimizing battery charging conditions to extend battery life and prevent overheating or undercharging issues.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor located in or on one of the respective first terminals... more accurate temperature measurement
Implementation Method 2
using a thermistor or other temperature sensors for precise temperature monitoring
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A battery assembly comprising a battery, a power supply manager (PSM) (32) for controlling charging of the battery, and a battery cable (12) comprising first and second wires (20a,b) having respective first terminals (16a,b) for connection to respective terminals of the battery and respective second terminals (18a,b) for connection to the PSM (32), the battery cable (12) having a temperature sensor (26) located in or on one of the respective first terminals (16a,b), wherein the PSM (32) is connected to the temperature sensor (26) and configured to control the charging of the battery based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor (26).