Battery Current Sensor Check via Parallel Rectifier Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring current due to offset errors, which can lead to incorrect measurement values even when the true current is zero, affecting the reliability and accuracy of current sensors.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage apparatus is designed with a parallel circuit and a cutoff switch, including a rectifier element, a first current sensor, a discharge circuit, and a controller that determines correct current measurement by using inspection currents and switching between discharge paths to validate measurement values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a parallel circuit with a rectifier element is connected in parallel to the cutoff switch to maintain power supply, then power supply reliability is improved, but it becomes difficult to measure zero current accurately for offset error detection
Solution Approach 1:
The current measurement function is segmented into two distinct modes: normal operation mode (measuring load current through the cutoff switch) and inspection mode (measuring inspection current through the parallel circuit). This segmentation allows the system to achieve both power supply reliability through the parallel circuit and accurate current measurement by switching between measurement paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different current measurement paths based on operational mode. During normal operation, the current sensor measures load current; during inspection, it measures inspection current through the parallel circuit. This dynamic switching enables the system to maintain both reliable power supply and accurate measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If the cutoff switch is open to cut off current for inspection, then current measurement accuracy can be improved, but power supply to the load is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel circuit with the rectifier element acts as an intermediary path that allows inspection current to flow through the current sensor without interrupting the load power supply. This intermediary mechanism enables accurate current measurement while maintaining continuous power supply to the load through the cutoff switch path.
3Measurement precision
If a discharge circuit is added to discharge inspection current through the parallel circuit, then current sensor functionality can be verified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel circuit serves multiple functions: it maintains power supply reliability during normal operation, enables accurate current measurement during inspection by providing a dedicated inspection current path, and allows verification of current sensor functionality through the discharge circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
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 configuration allows for accurate determination of correct current measurement by the first current sensor, enabling reliable operation and correction of offset errors, thereby improving measurement accuracy and maintaining power supply even when the cutoff switch is open.
Implementation Method 1
a parallel circuit including a rectifier element in which a discharge direction is set to a forward direction
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage apparatus 20 includes: energy storage devices B1 to B4; a cutoff switch 40 that cuts off current of the energy storage device; a parallel circuit 70 including a rectifier element 75 in which a discharge direction is set to a forward direction, the parallel circuit 70 being connected in parallel to the cutoff switch 40; a first current sensor 50 that measures the current of the energy storage devices B1 to B4; a discharge circuit 90 that discharges an inspection current to the first current sensor 50 through a discharge path including the parallel circuit 70 using the energy storage device as a power source; and a controller 80. The controller 80 determines whether the first current sensor 50 correctly measures the current based on a measurement value of the inspection current Ib.