Battery Sensor with Series Ammeter Resistor for Voltage Imbalance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery monitoring systems for vehicles using multiple 12 V batteries cannot detect voltage imbalances between batteries and are not easily shareable due to variations in ground cable length and direction, limiting their effectiveness and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A battery sensor system with an ammeter resistor connected in series between batteries, utilizing two integrated circuits and a serial communication interface to measure voltages and currents, and transmit data to a master ECU for monitoring and charging control, allowing for detection of voltage imbalances and temperature measurements across multiple batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single 12 V dedicated ASIC is used to monitor 24 V battery voltage, then the total voltage can be measured, but voltage imbalance between batteries cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring function into two separate integrated circuits: the first ASIC measures total voltage and current, while the second ASIC measures individual battery voltage. This segmentation allows both total voltage monitoring and voltage imbalance detection to be achieved simultaneously without requiring a single complex ASIC.
2Measurement precision
If the battery sensor is mounted between the battery and ground, then voltage and current can be measured, but the sensor cannot be shared across different vehicle configurations due to ground cable variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the battery sensor between the batteries rather than between the battery and ground, creating a universal mounting location that can be applied across different vehicle configurations. This location allows the sensor to measure voltage and current for multiple batteries simultaneously, making the sensor shareable across different vehicle types without requiring customization for ground cable variations.
3Measurement precision
If the ammeter resistor is connected between the battery and ground, then current measurement is possible, but the measurement setup becomes complex and vehicle-specific
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ammeter resistor with the battery sensor in a single integrated unit positioned between the batteries. This merging eliminates the need for separate current measurement setups and ground cable connections, simplifying the overall measurement system while maintaining current measurement capability across different vehicle configurations.
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 effective monitoring and control of battery voltages and temperatures, preventing restart failures and allowing for shared sensor usage across different vehicle configurations, while identifying voltage imbalances for proactive battery maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a first current sensing module configured to measure the one-directional current of the first and second batteries based on values obtained by measuring voltages applied to both terminals of the ammeter resistor Rs
Implementation Method 2
a first voltage sensing module configured to measure the voltages of both electrodes of the first battery
Implementation Method 3
a second voltage sensing module electrically connected to a first electrode of the second battery to receive the voltages of both electrodes of the second battery
Data Source
AI summary
A battery monitoring system includes a battery sensor mounted between a plurality of batteries in a battery system for a vehicle using the plurality of batteries. The battery sensor according to an aspect of the present invention, which uses an ammeter resistor connected in series between a first battery and a second battery, includes: a first integrated circuit configured to receive voltages of both electrodes of the first battery and voltages of both terminals of the ammeter resistor to measure a first battery voltage and a one-directional current of the first and second batteries; and a second integrated circuit configured to receive voltages of both electrodes of the second battery to measure a second battery voltage, and receive the first battery voltage and the one-directional current of the first and second batteries from the first integrated circuit through a serial communication interface.