Battery Capacity Determination via Voltage Pulse Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining battery capacity are complex, unsuitable for battery chargers, or limited in usability when charging multiple batteries, relying on historic data or user input rather than direct measurement.
Innovation Solution
A method and circuit that generate an electrical pulse across a battery's terminals, measure voltage differences, calculate conductivity, and use a capacity function to determine battery capacity, enabling fast and reliable capacity determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If constant current discharge method is used to determine battery capacity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from slow constant current discharge to fast voltage pulse response. By applying brief voltage pulses and measuring the immediate voltage response, the system captures battery capacity information without the time-consuming discharge process. The pulse duration and amplitude are optimized to achieve accurate measurements while minimizing test time and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical discharge system with an electrical measurement system. Instead of physically discharging the battery through controlled current flow, the system uses electrical pulse injection and voltage measurement to infer capacity. This substitution eliminates the need for complex discharge control circuitry and reduces overall system complexity.
2Loss of time
If historic charging data is used to estimate capacity, then measurement time is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization by measuring the battery's voltage response to standardized pulses. These preliminary measurements capture the battery's electrical characteristics, which are then used to quickly estimate capacity without requiring full discharge cycles or extensive historic data collection. The preliminary pulse response serves as a fingerprint for capacity determination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If battery memory is equipped to store charging states, then adaptability for multiple batteries is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the battery to self-characterize by measuring its own voltage response to applied pulses. The battery's internal electrochemical properties are directly measured without requiring external memory storage or historic data tracking. This self-service approach allows multiple batteries to be characterized using the same simple measurement protocol, improving versatility without adding memory or complex data management systems.
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
Enables fast and reliable determination of battery capacity, allowing for optimized charging characteristics, including calculation of charging current and time, suitable for multiple batteries without relying on historic data.
Implementation Method 1
generating an electrical pulse across a plus terminal and a minus terminal of the connected battery
Implementation Method 2
calculating a conductivity (G) of the battery according to G=I pulse /ΔV
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method, and a circuit for determining a capacity of a connectable battery, as well as a battery charging system. The method comprises generating an electrical pulse across a plus terminal and a minus terminal of the battery, measuring a first voltage (V1) across the plus terminal and the minus terminal at a first time during said pulse. The method further comprises measuring a second voltage (V2) across the plus terminal and the minus terminal at a second time after said pulse, calculating a voltage difference 10 (ΔV) between said first voltage and said second voltage, calculating conductivity (G) of the battery using the current of the electrical pulse and the voltage difference (ΔV). The method further comprises calculating a capacity (Q) of the battery using the conductivity (G).