Battery Health Monitoring via Voltage Threshold Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the state of health and power capability of electrical energy storage devices, such as vehicle batteries, are costly and require additional hardware, making them inefficient for reliable and cost-effective monitoring, especially in modern vehicles with complex electrical systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the state of charge and temperature of an electrical energy storage device after a stabilization period, measures the minimum voltage during motor actuation, and calculates the remaining useful life by comparing it to a threshold voltage based on calibration data, using a control module to execute algorithms and provide accurate battery health assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional hardware devices are used to monitor battery state of health, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control module that already exists for engine management is made multi-functional by adding battery monitoring capabilities. The same processor and memory that control engine operations are also used to execute battery health assessment algorithms, eliminating the need for separate dedicated monitoring hardware while maintaining measurement precision through software-based voltage, temperature, and state of charge monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical test equipment to measure battery parameters, the system creates a virtual model of battery behavior through software algorithms. The control module copies the function of expensive external testing devices by implementing computational models that calculate state of charge, state of health, and remaining useful life based on voltage and temperature measurements from existing sensors
2Reliability
If complex monitoring algorithms are implemented, then reliability of battery assessment is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery monitoring system is completely automated and self-operating. The control module automatically executes the monitoring algorithm at predetermined intervals, retrieves voltage and temperature data from sensors, calculates battery parameters including state of charge and state of health, and stores results in memory without requiring any manual intervention. Service personnel simply read the assessed parameters without needing to understand or operate the complex underlying algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary battery assessment actions automatically at predetermined intervals before faults occur. The control module proactively monitors battery parameters, calculates state of health trends, and identifies potential failures in advance, allowing service personnel to address issues before they affect vehicle operation without needing to manually initiate testing
3Productivity
If continuous monitoring is performed during engine operation, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The battery monitoring algorithm is executed at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, which reduces the impact of electrical noise from engine operation. The control module periodically retrieves battery voltage and temperature data, executes the monitoring algorithm at these discrete intervals, and updates battery parameter assessments accordingly, maintaining productivity while improving measurement precision by avoiding continuous sampling during high-noise conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A method and article of manufacture for monitoring an electrical energy storage device adapted to supply electrical power to a selectively actuable electric motor is described. This comprises determining a state of charge and a temperature of the electrical energy storage device subsequent to a stabilization period, and measuring a minimum voltage output from the electrical energy storage device during selective actuation of the electric motor. One of a plurality of predetermined threshold voltage states is selected based upon the state of charge and the temperature. The minimum voltage is compared to the selected predetermined threshold voltage.