Battery Simulator With Thermal Control For Accurate DUT Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery simulators only mimic electrical behavior and fail to account for temperature fluctuations, which are crucial for testing high-end devices like smartphones where thermal constraints impact performance.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that simulate both electrical and thermal characteristics of a battery by using a battery simulation unit with a controller, temperature sensor, and heater to mimic real battery behavior, allowing for testing of device-under-test responses to temperature changes during charging and discharging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery simulator only mimics electrical behavior, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the testing accuracy and reliability are worsened because temperature fluctuations are not accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical simulation and thermal simulation functions into a single battery simulator device. The battery simulation unit integrates both electrical characteristics simulation (through adaptive power supply) and thermal characteristics simulation (through heater unit and temperature sensor), allowing comprehensive battery behavior modeling without requiring separate testing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery simulator is designed to perform multiple functions: it can simulate both electrical characteristics (voltage, current) and thermal characteristics (temperature fluctuations) of batteries. This multi-functional capability allows the device to replace both traditional battery simulators and thermal testing equipment, improving testing accuracy while managing device complexity.
2Reliability
If thermal simulation is added to the battery simulator, then the testing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional heater and sensor components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical simulation and thermal simulation functions into a single battery simulator device. The battery simulation unit integrates both electrical characteristics simulation (through adaptive power supply) and thermal characteristics simulation (through heater unit and temperature sensor), allowing comprehensive battery behavior modeling without requiring separate testing equipment.
3Reliability
If real batteries are used for testing, then the testing accuracy is improved, but safety risks and testing time increase due to thermal management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of real battery behavior through the battery simulation unit, which replicates both electrical and thermal characteristics without using actual battery chemistry. This allows testing to proceed without waiting for real battery thermal processes, eliminating safety risks and reducing testing time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery simulator allows pre-configuration of temperature profiles and electrical characteristics before actual testing begins. Test conditions can be prepared in advance without needing to physically charge or condition real batteries, saving time and enabling immediate testing once configured.
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 accurate simulation of real battery behavior, including thermal management, allowing for more realistic testing of device performance under varying temperature conditions, thus improving testing efficiency and safety by avoiding the use of real batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a heater unit (16) configured to heat the battery simulation unit (12)
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor (15) configured to measure a temperature at or in the battery simulation unit (12)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for simulating a battery of a device-under-test (DUT), comprising a battery simulation unit adapted to fit into a battery reception unit of the DUT; and a controller configured to control the battery simulation unit to simulate electrical characteristics of a battery; wherein the battery simulation unit is configured to supply electrical power to the DUT or drain electrical power from the DUT based to the simulated electrical characteristics. The device further comprises a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature at or in the battery simulation unit; and a heater unit configured to heat the battery simulation unit.