Battery Current Measurement Apparatus with Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors for measuring battery charging and discharging currents are affected by heat generated from battery cells, leading to increased measurement errors or failure, necessitating accurate measurement and detection of sensor failures.
Innovation Solution
A battery current measurement apparatus comprising a first sensor part, a second sensor part with multiple current sensors connected in parallel, a switch part, and a processor that calculates battery current and state of charge (SOC) while comparing current values to detect defective sensors and control switches to disconnect them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current sensors are disposed near battery cells to measure charging and discharging currents, then current measurement function is achieved, but measurement errors increase or sensor failure occurs due to heat generated from battery cells
Solution Approach 1:
The current measurement function is divided into multiple sensor parts (first sensor part and second sensor part), each measuring current through different paths. This segmentation allows the system to distribute the measurement burden and compare results to identify and compensate for sensor failures caused by heat, thereby maintaining both measurement accuracy and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The processor compares current values from the first sensor part and second sensor part to detect sensor failure. When a failure is detected, the system switches to using only the non-defective sensor part for measurement. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous reliable measurement despite heat-induced sensor degradation
2Reliability
If multiple current sensors are used to improve measurement reliability, then sensor failure detection capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: first sensor part, second sensor part, switch part, and processor. Each module has a specific function, making the overall system easier to manage despite having multiple sensors. The segmentation allows for systematic failure detection and switching operations
Solution Approach 2:
The switch part dynamically connects or disconnects sensor parts based on their operational status. The processor controls the switching elements to activate only the non-defective sensor parts, making the system adaptable to failure conditions without requiring permanent complex configurations for all possible failure scenarios
3Power
If current sensors operate at high currents to meet battery measurement requirements, then measurement range is sufficient, but heat generation increases causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is segmented across multiple sensor parts with different connection paths. By distributing the high current measurement across multiple parallel paths and comparing results, the system can handle high current requirements while reducing the thermal burden on any single sensor, thereby maintaining measurement range without excessive temperature increase
Data Source
AI summary
A battery current measurement apparatus includes a first sensor part connected to a battery and measuring a current thereof, a second sensor part connected to the first sensor part and measuring a current, a switch part connected to the second sensor part and switching connection of the second sensor part, and a processor calculating a current of the battery based on a first current value of the first sensor part and a second current value of the second sensor part, calculating a state of charge (SOC) of the battery corresponding thereto, and comparing the first current value with the second current value to detect a defective current sensor among multiple current sensors included in the first and second sensor parts. A corresponding battery current measurement method is also provided.