Battery Sensor Diagnostic Circuit for Continuous Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery sensors require interruptions in current and voltage measurement during diagnosis, which disrupt continuous monitoring of battery conditions.

Innovation Solution

A battery sensor with a diagnostic circuit independent of the evaluation module, forming a combination signal from measurement and test signals to determine a control signal for error detection, allowing continuous measurement without interrupting data acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the evaluation module is used to diagnose the battery sensor, then the functionality can be verified, but the current and voltage measurement must be interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnosis functionalityVSAvoidcontinuous measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the diagnostic function into a separate diagnostic circuit that is independent of the evaluation module. This segmentation allows the diagnostic circuit to perform verification functions while the evaluation module continues its normal measurement tasks without interruption, resolving the contradiction between diagnosis capability and continuous measurement productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a combination signal as an intermediary element that bridges the test signal and measurement signals. This combination signal allows the diagnostic circuit to inject test signals without directly interfering with the evaluation module's measurement operations, enabling simultaneous diagnosis and continuous measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the third measurement path is used for temperature measurement, then voltage measurement can be temporarily interrupted, but temperature changes are slow and less critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement path flexibilityVSAvoidvoltage measurement continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the third measurement path universal by enabling it to handle both temperature measurement and diagnostic functions. The measurement path can be dynamically configured to receive either temperature signals or combination signals depending on whether temperature monitoring or sensor diagnosis is the priority, providing operational flexibility without sacrificing measurement precision in other paths

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

Data Source

PatentEP3637116B1Sensor and method for verifying same
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3637116B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a sensor (10), in particular a battery sensor for determining the state of charge of a battery, in particular a vehicle battery (12), with at least two measuring devices (22, 24, 26) each designed for detecting measurement parameters, in particular battery parameters, and for outputting a measurement signal (28, 30, 32), with a combination circuit (68) that can form a combination signal (93) from at least one measurement signal (28, 30, 32) and/or a test signal (92), with an evaluation module (34) that has several inputs (40, 42, 44) for measurement signals (28, 30, 32) and/or the combination signal (93), an output (72) for a control signal (98), and an evaluation circuit (54) for determining the control signal (98) from the measurement signals (28, 30, 32) and the combination signal (93), and with a diagnostic circuit (70), for comparing the control signal (98) with the test signal (92) and for outputting an error signal (104) .The invention further relates to a method for testing such a sensor.