Battery RTC Power Supply via Single Cell Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing battery systems with real-time clocks (RTC) face high power consumption and high production costs due to the use of low-dropout regulators (LDOs), especially during idle periods, which is disadvantageous for extended idle times in electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with an internally powered RTC that passively draws power from a single battery cell in both operation states, eliminating the need for active regulators or switching means, and using passive elements to adapt voltage, allowing the RTC to draw power from both the battery cell and the control unit's output during active states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low-dropout regulator (LDO) is used to power the RTC, then the RTC can be continuously powered, but the power consumption is high and purchase costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RTC power supply function from the main battery system by designating a specific single battery cell (one of multiple cells in series) to exclusively power the RTC. This separates the RTC power consumption from the main battery pack, allowing the RTC to operate continuously while consuming minimal power from just one cell, eliminating the need for high-power LDOs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single battery cell serves itself dual purposes: it contributes to the overall battery pack capacity while simultaneously independently powering the RTC. The cell's own capacity is sufficient to sustain the RTC through idle periods without requiring external power management components like LDOs, achieving self-sufficient operation.
2Reliability
If a low-dropout regulator (LDO) is used to power the RTC, then the RTC can be continuously powered, but the production costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the LDO component from the power supply architecture by extracting the RTC power function to a dedicated single battery cell. This eliminates the need for purchasing and assembling expensive LDO circuits, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining continuous RTC operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive configuration where a single battery cell directly powers the RTC without expensive active regulation components. This approach trades the use of cheap passive components (the battery cell itself) for the elimination of expensive active components (LDOs), reducing overall manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If active regulators or switching means are used to power the RTC, then power supply control can be achieved, but device complexity and balancing needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RTC power supply to a single dedicated battery cell, eliminating the need for complex active regulators or switching means. The simplicity of directly connecting one cell to the RTC achieves reliable power supply control without adding device complexity or creating battery balancing issues.
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 solution reduces power consumption and production costs by eliminating active switching and balancing needs, ensuring secure and efficient power supply to the RTC throughout the battery system's operational states, with minimal discharge impact on the single battery cell.
Implementation Method 1
An electrolyte solution is injected into the case in order to enable charging and discharging of the battery via an electrochemical reaction of the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the electrolyte solution
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention refers to a battery system with internally powered real time clock (702), comprising a plurality of battery cells (101) connected in series and/or in parallel between a first terminal and a second terminal and a real time clock (702) electrically connected to a first node (111) of the plurality of battery cells (101), wherein the voltage of single battery cell (101) applies to the first node (111), and wherein the real time clock (702) draws power via the first node (111) in a first operation state and in a second operation state of the battery system. Preferably, the battery system further comprises a control unit that is electrically connected to one of the first terminal and the second terminal of the plurality of battery cells (101), wherein the control unit is inactive in the first operation state and active in the second operation state of the battery system. The invention further relates to power supply circuit (100) for a real time clock (702) and method for operating a real time clock (702) of a battery system.