Vehicle Battery Voltage Estimation Without Voltage or Current Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems for electric vehicles face challenges in accurately estimating battery voltage without functional voltage or current sensors, particularly during malfunctions or aging issues, which hinders continuous operation and battery protection.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control apparatus and non-transitory recording medium that estimate battery voltage by calculating desired electric power and current values using a processor and memory, employing a battery model and vehicle motion models to indirectly determine the voltage, even without voltage or current sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If voltage sensors or current sensors are used to measure battery parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical voltage sensors and current sensors with a computational estimation system. The controller estimates battery voltage by calculating desired electric power amount and current value based on vehicle driving conditions, then deriving voltage from these estimated parameters using battery models, thereby eliminating the need for direct electrical measurement sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary estimation process between the battery and the controller. Instead of directly measuring battery voltage through sensors, the system uses vehicle motion models and battery models as intermediaries to calculate and estimate the voltage based on power consumption and current flow relationships
2Reliability
If voltage sensors or current sensors are installed for continuous monitoring, then reliability is improved during malfunctions, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes physical sensing components with software-based estimation algorithms already present in the vehicle's control system. The existing processor and memory are utilized to perform voltage estimation calculations, eliminating the need for additional sensor hardware and simplifying the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the vehicle's existing control processor perform multiple functions: it not only controls vehicle operations but also estimates battery voltage by integrating vehicle motion models and battery models. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated voltage sensing hardware
3Measurement precision
If direct voltage measurement is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time occurs during sensor malfunction requiring system shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary voltage estimation continuously using vehicle motion and battery models before any malfunction occurs. This pre-established estimation capability allows the system to maintain voltage monitoring even when sensors fail, preventing operational interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the estimated voltage from vehicle motion models and battery models continuously informs the controller's decisions. This continuous feedback loop ensures reliable voltage monitoring without depending on potentially failing physical sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control apparatus is configured to estimate a voltage value of a battery mounted on a vehicle, without using a voltage sensor configured to measure the voltage value of the battery or a current sensor configured to measure a current value of the battery. The vehicle control apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a program to be executed by the processor. The program includes a command. The command causes the processor to execute a processing including: calculating, as estimated values, a desired electric power amount and the current value that are estimated to be used to drive the vehicle; and estimating the voltage value of the battery, based on the calculated estimated values of the desired electric power amount and the current value.