Battery Runtime Estimation Using Alarm Energy Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems inaccurately estimate remaining runtime due to neglecting energy consumption for alarms and power supply during low-battery conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating runtime remaining circuitry that calculates remaining battery energy by subtracting alarm energy usage and considering power consumption, using a fuel gauge and processing circuitry to determine accurate runtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fuel gauge algorithms are used to calculate remaining runtime, then the calculation is simple, but the accuracy is insufficient because alarm energy usage is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery energy consumption into distinct components: alarm energy usage and non-alarm energy usage. By separating these consumption sources, the system can calculate remaining runtime more accurately by accounting for the specific energy required during alarm conditions versus normal operation, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a complete redesign of the fuel gauge algorithm.
2Reliability
If remaining runtime is calculated without considering alarm power consumption, then the calculation is faster, but the result is inaccurate for patient safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the alarm power consumption value and storing it in memory before runtime calculations are needed. This allows the main runtime calculation algorithm to quickly retrieve and use the pre-calculated alarm energy value, ensuring accurate and reliable results for patient safety without adding significant computation time to the critical runtime determination process.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus for providing an accurate estimate of remaining runtime of a battery is described. The apparatus comprises a fuel gauge and processing circuitry coupled to the fuel gauge. The processing circuitry can receive an indicator of remaining battery capacity from the fuel gauge. The processing circuitry can calculate remaining battery energy based on the remaining battery capacity and further based on an amount of power expected to be used by a battery load during an expected alarm time. The processing circuitry can calculate remaining runtime based on the remaining battery energy. A method and system are also described.