Battery Voltage Detection Using Segmented Detectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices using disposable batteries fail to accurately detect temporary voltage drops, leading to missed notifications for battery replacement, causing user inconvenience and unnecessary service costs.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a first detector (A/D converter) to measure battery voltage and a second detector (voltage detection block) to detect voltage drops, determining battery utility levels and displaying warnings based on combined output values, allowing for precise detection of abnormal states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional A/D converter with average voltage detection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of battery voltage drops deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidvoltage drop detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into two independent detectors: a first detector (A/D converter) for measuring average battery voltage and a second detector for detecting temporary voltage drops. Each detector operates independently with its own detection mechanism, allowing the system to maintain low complexity while achieving high measurement precision for both average voltage and voltage drop events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If single detector measuring average voltage is used, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability of battery defect detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidbattery defect detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is segmented between two detectors: the first detector monitors overall battery voltage levels while the second detector specifically monitors for temporary voltage drops. This segmentation enables reliable detection of battery defects without requiring a complex unified detection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller receives feedback from both detectors and integrates their information to determine battery utility levels. When the second detector detects a voltage drop, it provides feedback that triggers a utility level reduction, ensuring reliable defect detection while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If average voltage detection method is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of information about temporary voltage drops increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidtemporary voltage drop information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system is segmented into two specialized detectors: the first detector continues to provide easy-to-interpret average voltage information while the second detector captures temporary voltage drop events. This segmentation preserves operational simplicity while preventing information loss about voltage drops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that receives information from both detectors and synthesizes the battery utility assessment. It mediates between the average voltage data and temporary drop data, converting both into a unified utility level indication that is easy to interpret while containing complete information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 detects battery defects due to temporary voltage drops, ensuring timely replacement and reducing unnecessary service costs by providing precise battery utility information.

Implementation Method 1

a first detector configured to convert a voltage value of a battery into a signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a second detector configured to detect a voltage drop of the battery to a reference voltage or lower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2866043B1Electronic apparatus and method of detecting a remaining quantity of the battery thereof
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2866043B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2866043B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2866043B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic apparatus, an input apparatus and a method of determining a remaining utility of a battery of the same, the electronic apparatus including: a battery configured to supply power to the electronic apparatus; a first detector configured to receive a voltage value of the battery, to convert the voltage value into a signal, and to output the signal; a second detector configured to detect a decrease in the voltage value of the battery to a reference voltage or lower and to output a detection result; and a controller configured to receive the output values of the first and second detectors, to determine a remaining utility of the battery based on the output values of the first and second detectors, and to determine an abnormal state of the battery based on the output values of the first and second detectors.