Battery Capacity Monitoring Using Discrete Voltage Threshold Counters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring battery capacity in UPS systems are not precise enough to predict battery life accurately, leading to potential battery voltage failure before system shutdown during power outages.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that track end-of-discharge voltage values, internal resistance, and temperature to calculate the maximum available battery capacity, incorporating counters for end-of-discharge voltage and temperature-weighted factors to determine the decrease in capacity, enabling precise battery state-of-charge monitoring and life prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing monitoring methods are used to track battery capacity, then the monitoring system can operate with simple measurement, but the prediction accuracy of battery life is insufficient leading to potential failure before system shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery capacity monitoring into multiple discrete depth-of-discharge voltage thresholds (e.g., 10V, 9.5V, 9V, 8.5V, 8V). Counters are assigned to each threshold level, tracking how many times the battery reaches each voltage during discharge. This segmentation allows precise tracking of capacity degradation at different discharge depths, resolving the contradiction between simple measurement and accurate prediction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining multiple end-of-discharge voltage thresholds and their corresponding counters before battery operation begins. The system proactively tracks and accumulates discharge cycle data at each threshold level, enabling accurate battery life prediction before actual failure occurs. This preliminary structuring of monitoring parameters ensures reliable predictions without requiring complex real-time analysis.
2Measurement precision
If multiple end-of-discharge voltage values with counters are implemented, then the battery capacity degradation can be tracked precisely, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing automatic counter incrementing logic within the control unit. When the battery voltage reaches a predefined threshold, the corresponding counter automatically increments without requiring external intervention or complex processing. The system self-manages the tracking of discharge cycles at each voltage level, achieving precise monitoring while minimizing device complexity through automated bookkeeping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by using discrete voltage thresholds and integer counters instead of continuous analog measurements. Each voltage level (10V, 9.5V, 9V, etc.) has an associated counter that stores the number of times that discharge depth has been reached. This parameter transformation from continuous voltage tracking to discrete counter accumulation simplifies the monitoring device while maintaining precise capacity degradation tracking.
3Measurement precision
If temperature-weighted factors and internal resistance measurements are incorporated, then the maximum available capacity can be determined accurately, but the monitoring system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple monitoring functions into a single control unit that handles voltage threshold detection, counter management, temperature measurement, and internal resistance calculation. By combining these functions in one integrated controller, the system achieves accurate maximum available capacity determination through temperature-weighted factors and resistance measurements without proportionally increasing device complexity. The unified control architecture efficiently manages all parameters together.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves providing multiple different discharge end voltage values, where a counter is assigned to each of the voltage value. The discharge end voltage values are determined, on which a battery (110) is discharged during the current drain. The meter reading of the counter is incremented and is assigned to the determined discharge end voltage values. An independent claim is also included for a device for monitoring the maximum available capacity of a battery.