Battery Sensor Line Voltage Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles equipped with automatic stop-start systems, the failure of either the battery or the generator as a power source can lead to safety risks, particularly when the internal combustion engine cannot be safely restarted, and existing methods struggle to detect interruptions in the current path within the battery sensor, which can be exacerbated by the additional risk of a break in the electrical connection.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a battery sensor and control device connected via a connecting line, where the line voltage is measured to determine if it falls within a predetermined normal or error range, allowing for the detection of faults such as a break in the connection between the battery sensor and ground, and utilizing criteria like AC voltage components, battery current, and voltage comparisons to identify error conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery sensor with additional measuring components is installed to monitor battery status, then battery monitoring capability is improved, but the risk of electrical connection interruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery monitoring capabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection interruption risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a shunt resistor as an intermediary component in the electrical connection path between the battery and the vehicle electrical system. This shunt resistor serves as a measurable element that enables monitoring of current flow and connection status without compromising the overall system reliability. By placing the measurement function at a strategic intermediate point, the system can detect connection interruptions while maintaining continuous power supply capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the internal combustion engine is deactivated to minimize consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the ability to restart the engine safely is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidengine restart capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary monitoring of battery status and connection integrity before engine deactivation occurs. The control device continuously evaluates battery charge level, connection status, and system voltage through the battery sensor. By performing these checks in advance, the system ensures that the battery is in sufficient condition to support engine restart, thereby enabling safe stop-start operation without compromising restart capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback loop where the battery sensor continuously monitors electrical parameters and communicates this information to the control device. The control device uses this feedback to dynamically adjust engine operation decisions - preventing engine shutdown when battery status indicates insufficient charge or potential connection issues. This closed-loop control ensures fuel efficiency benefits are achieved only when safety conditions are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If voltage measurement on connecting lines is implemented to detect faults, then fault detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the battery sensor to perform multiple functions using a single integrated device. The sensor not only monitors battery current through the shunt resistor but also measures voltage on connecting lines, detects connection interruptions, and provides overall battery status information. By combining these measurement functions in one universal sensor unit, the system achieves comprehensive fault detection capability without proportionally increasing system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the voltage measurement function with the existing current measurement capability in the battery sensor. The control device integrates both measurement channels into a unified evaluation process, where voltage data from the connecting line and current data from the shunt resistor are processed together to detect faults. This merging approach allows fault detection through existing infrastructure rather than adding separate dedicated measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3433625B1Method for detecting a fault state, control device, battery sensor and vehicle on-board network
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
  • EP3433625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3433625B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3433625B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for detecting a fault state in an on-board network by monitoring a line voltage of a connection line. The invention further relates to an associated control device, an associated battery sensor and an associated vehicle on-board network.