Battery Capacity Gauging by Temperature and Internal Impedance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery management systems, such as the TI gauging technique, are inaccurate at low temperatures, leading to erroneous battery-related information and potential malfunctions or shutdowns in electronic devices due to insufficient power supply.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid battery algorithm that detects the temperature of a battery module and uses either internal impedance estimation or voltage and current calculations to accurately gauge discharge-capacity, depending on whether the temperature meets a predetermined threshold, ensuring precise residual discharge-capacity estimation even at low temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the TI gauging technique is used to estimate battery residual discharge-capacity, then the gauging can be performed with a known algorithm, but the estimation becomes inaccurate at low temperatures leading to erroneous battery-related information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery residual discharge-capacity estimation accuracyVSAvoidbattery management system reliability at low temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by switching between different gauging algorithms based on temperature conditions. When temperature is above the threshold, the TI gauging technique is used; when temperature is below the threshold, an alternative algorithm considering low-temperature characteristics is employed. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the measurement method to temperature conditions, maintaining accuracy across different thermal environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the gauging algorithm selection dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors temperature and dynamically switches between gauging methods based on whether the temperature meets the predetermined condition. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable and accurate discharge-capacity estimation regardless of temperature variations, resolving the reliability-accuracy contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a single gauging algorithm is used for all temperature conditions, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates at low temperatures causing malfunction risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery management system complexityVSAvoiddischarge-capacity estimation accuracy at low temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the temperature range into different segments and assigning appropriate gauging algorithms to each segment. The temperature threshold creates a clear segmentation point: above-threshold temperatures use one algorithm, below-threshold temperatures use another. This segmentation maintains system precision across different conditions while keeping the control logic relatively simple through clear conditional boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (temperature threshold judgment) that mediates between the simple single-algorithm approach and the complex multi-algorithm approach. The threshold-based conditional logic acts as an intermediary that selectively activates appropriate algorithms without requiring complex decision-making structures, thus maintaining measurement precision while avoiding excessive system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the TI gauging technique is used without temperature-based algorithm switching, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of power supply monitoring is compromised at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery management operation simplicityVSAvoidpower supply monitoring reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing temperature thresholds and corresponding algorithm selection rules before actual battery monitoring begins. The system is pre-configured with the knowledge of which algorithm to use under different temperature conditions, allowing automatic and simple operation during runtime without requiring complex real-time decisions. This preliminary setup maintains ease of operation while ensuring reliability through appropriate algorithm selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3279678B1Gauging method for battery discharge-capacity corresponding to temperature and electronic device using the same
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 GETAC HLDG CORP
  • EP3279678B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3279678B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3279678B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A gauging method for a battery discharge-capacity corresponding to a temperature includes: detecting a temperature of a battery module (130) of an electronic device (10) according to a predetermined condition; detecting an internal impedance of the battery module (130) and estimating the battery discharge-capacity of the battery module (130) according to the internal impedance if the temperature meets the predetermined condition, and detecting an output current and a voltage of the battery module (130) according to the temperature and calculating the battery discharge-capacity of the battery module (130) according to the temperature, the voltage and the output current if the temperature does not meet the predetermined condition.