Battery Life Prediction Using Temperature Profiling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery-powered measurement sensors for remote reading of physical quantities, such as fluid meters, face high operating costs due to the variability of battery lifespan, leading to premature replacement and oversizing of batteries to prevent failure, resulting in inefficient maintenance and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a temperature measurement system that transmits temperature values alongside physical quantity readings to estimate battery lifespan more accurately, using a receiver to establish a temperature profile and trigger alerts for extreme temperatures, allowing for precise determination of battery replacement dates and reducing unnecessary replacements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery lifespan is extended by oversizing batteries, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery reliabilityVSAvoidbattery sizing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter used for battery life prediction from simple voltage measurement to temperature-based degradation modeling. By measuring temperature over time and comparing it with typical temperature profiles, the system accurately predicts battery lifespan without oversizing, thus improving reliability while avoiding increased complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring temperature, storing temperature values, and using this data to update battery life predictions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables accurate prediction of battery lifespan, eliminating the need for conservative oversizing and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If battery replacement is performed prematurely as preventive measure, then reliability is improved, but loss of time and productivity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by predicting battery lifespan in advance using temperature profiling before actual battery failure occurs. This allows operators to plan maintenance at the optimal moment - neither too early nor too late - reducing unnecessary premature replacements and associated time losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring its own battery health through temperature sensing and prediction algorithms. The receiver determines when battery replacement is actually needed, eliminating the need for manual preventive replacement schedules and reducing maintenance time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If temperature monitoring is added to predict battery life, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery life prediction precisionVSAvoidsensor complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature measurement means serves multiple functions: it monitors battery temperature for lifespan prediction, detects extreme temperature conditions that could damage the sensor, and provides data for maintaining operational conditions. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature acts as an intermediary parameter that indirectly reveals battery health status. Instead of directly measuring complex battery chemistry, the system uses temperature - a simple physical quantity - as a mediator to predict battery lifespan with high precision, balancing measurement precision with acceptable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If battery lifespan is underestimated, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery reliabilityVSAvoidbattery material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from using fixed conservative estimates to dynamic temperature-based prediction. By measuring actual operating temperatures and comparing with typical profiles, the system determines the true battery lifespan, preventing waste of battery materials through unnecessary early replacements while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach enhances the maintenance efficiency and reduces operating costs by accurately predicting battery lifespan and preventing damage from extreme temperatures, thereby optimizing the lifespan and performance of measurement sensors.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor (1) comprises a means (7) for measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the battery (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP2260314B1Equipment for logging and transmitting measured values of physical quantities, and measurement sensor for such equipment
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 SUEZ GRP SAS
  • EP2260314B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

Logging and transmission equipment comprising at least one autonomous measurement sensor (1), supplied by an electric cell (2), comprising an emitter (3) able to transmit at various instants at least one value measured by the sensor, and a receiver (5) for gathering the values transmitted by the emitter; the sensor (1) comprises a means (7) of measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the cell (2); a link is provided for supplying the emitter (3) with the temperature values measured, which emitter is provided so as to transmit, in addition to the values of at least one physical quantity, these temperature values measured, at determined intervals, and the receiver (5) is provided so as to store the temperature values measured, estimate the lifetime of the cell by taking account of these measured values, and determine a date for replacing this cell.