Vehicle Battery State Detection During Engine Cranking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining the state of vehicle batteries are inaccurate, costly, and complex, often leading to unexpected battery failure and inconvenience due to parasitic loads and ambient temperature confounding driver assessments.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that measures battery voltage and temperature during engine starting, using a microprocessor to compare these values against predetermined thresholds to determine the battery's state, providing a user comprehensible output indicating if the battery is compromised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If prior art apparatus are used to provide information on vehicle battery, then battery state information is available, but inaccuracy, cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function needed for battery state determination - measuring voltage during cranking - and eliminates all other complex diagnostic functions. This focuses the apparatus on a single critical parameter (voltage drop during starter motor operation) to provide accurate battery state information without the complexity of comprehensive battery testing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs simple, low-cost voltage measurement components rather than expensive, complex battery testing equipment. The apparatus uses basic voltage detection circuitry that is inexpensive and easily replaceable, providing accurate battery state assessment without requiring costly professional-grade diagnostic tools.
2Measurement precision
If prior art apparatus drain significant power from the vehicle electrical circuit, then measurement functions are available, but starting problems may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs voltage measurements only during specific periodic events - namely during engine cranking operations - rather than continuously monitoring the battery. This periodic measurement approach provides necessary battery state information while consuming minimal power from the vehicle electrical circuit, avoiding the risk of causing starting problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the existing cranking operation as its own power source for measurement, rather than drawing additional power during normal operation. The voltage drop that occurs naturally during starter motor operation is measured to assess battery state, turning the cranking event itself into both the test condition and the measurement opportunity without requiring separate power consumption.
3Ease of operation
If driver assessments are confounded by ambient temperature, then driver judgment is affected, but battery replacement timing may be incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective driver assessment with an objective electronic measurement system that automatically determines battery state based on voltage characteristics during cranking. This substitution eliminates the confounding influence of ambient temperature on driver judgment, as the electronic apparatus provides reliable battery state information regardless of temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary measurement system between the driver and the battery assessment process. Rather than relying on the driver's direct observation of cranking performance (which is temperature-dependent), the apparatus acts as an intermediary that objectively measures voltage parameters and communicates battery state to the driver, removing temperature as a confounding variable.
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
Accurately assesses battery health, reducing the risk of unexpected failure by alerting drivers to replace batteries before they fail, thus avoiding roadside assistance and extending battery life through minimal power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage measurement means configured to measure a voltage value in a rechargeable battery
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus for determining the state of a rechargeable battery (15) used to power a starter motor (20) of an engine. The apparatus comprises: a voltage measurement means (25) configured to measure a voltage in a rechargeable battery (15) of an engine starting circuit configured to power the starter motor (20), a voltage relation means in operable connection with the voltage detector (15), and a user comprehensible output means (40). The apparatus is configured such that during powering of the starter motor (20) the voltage measurement means (25) measures one or more voltage values of the rechargeable battery (15), and the voltage relation means relates the measured one or more voltage values to a predetermined one or more voltage values so as to determine a state of the rechargeable battery (15). The user comprehensible output (40) is configured to output an indication of the state of the rechargeable battery (15).