Vehicle Battery State Determination via Dynamic Voltage Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the state of a vehicle battery, particularly its starting ability, are not sufficiently precise and do not effectively account for usage and environmental factors, leading to potential failures in starting the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a detection device to monitor the vehicle's onboard voltage, adjusting threshold values based on idle state voltage measurements, usage, and environmental factors, allowing for a more accurate determination of the battery's state without additional sensors, using telematics units connected to the OBD interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fixed threshold values are used for battery state determination, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment by continuously adapting voltage thresholds based on observed quiescent state voltage values. The system transitions from static fixed thresholds to dynamic thresholds that automatically adjust to the specific battery's characteristics over time, resolving the contradiction between simple device operation and precise measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by using its own measurements of quiescent state voltage values to automatically adjust its thresholds. The battery management system serves itself by learning from its operational data and improving its own measurement accuracy without external intervention, maintaining low device complexity while achieving high precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If multiple voltage measurements are taken during quiescent states, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurements of quiescent state voltage values during normal operation to establish baseline characteristics. By collecting data during naturally occurring quiescent periods (when the vehicle is parked), the system prepares threshold adjustment information in advance without requiring dedicated measurement time, thus improving precision without significant time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If additional sensors are added to monitor battery condition, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing voltage detection device perform multiple functions: it not only monitors voltage during operation but also specifically measures quiescent state voltage values for threshold adaptation. By making the detection device universal, the system achieves enhanced measurement precision for battery state determination without adding dedicated sensors, thus avoiding increased device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses existing telematics units and OBD interface components to perform battery state monitoring and threshold adaptation. Rather than adding specialized sensors, the system leverages already-present vehicle electronics to gather necessary data, maintaining simplicity while achieving precise battery state assessment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3610277B1System and method for determining a status of a vehicle battery
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3610277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3610277B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3610277B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system and a method for determining a current and/or forecast status of a vehicle battery (1) of a vehicle. The system (10) is designed with: a detection device (12) by means of which a current voltage value of a voltage on board the vehicle can be detected, wherein the detection device (12) is configured to repeatedly detect a respective current idle-state voltage value during at least one idle state of the vehicle; a data storage device (14) in which at least one voltage threshold value is stored; an adjustment device (16) which is designed to adjust the at least one voltage threshold value in the data storage device (14) based on the detected idle-state voltage values; and a computer device (18) which is designed to determine the current or forecast status of the vehicle battery (1) based on a comparison of a provided comparable voltage value with at least the at least one adjusted voltage threshold value, and to emit an output signal (91) which indicates the determined current and/or forecast status of the vehicle battery (1).