Converter Controller Calibrates Battery SOC Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accuracy of state of charge (SOC) information generated by sensors in eco-friendly vehicles is often erroneous, leading to inconsistent voltage control in low voltage DC-DC converters, which affects fuel efficiency and reduces battery durability.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that corrects errors in SOC information by using a converter controller to calculate calibrated and actual SOC values based on predefined conditions, including sensor operation and temperature maps, to improve the accuracy of battery state information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensor-generated SOC information is used directly for voltage control, then the control system is simple and fast, but the accuracy of SOC information is low leading to poor fuel efficiency and reduced battery durability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSOC information accuracyVSAvoidconverter controller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The converter controller pre-calculates calibrated SOC values using temperature-voltage maps before actual voltage control is needed. This preliminary calibration action allows the system to have accurate SOC information ready when required, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by preparing accurate data in advance rather than computing it in real-time during control operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces calibrated SOC values as an intermediary between raw sensor SOC readings and the voltage control system. This intermediary layer processes and corrects the raw sensor data using temperature-compensated voltage maps, providing accurate SOC information to the voltage controller without requiring the controller itself to be complex. The intermediary handles the computational complexity while keeping the control system simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sensor-generated SOC information is used for converter control, then the response time is fast, but the fuel efficiency effect is reduced due to SOC errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconverter response speedVSAvoidfuel efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration of SOC values using temperature-voltage maps before the converter executes voltage control. This advance preparation ensures that accurate, corrected SOC values are ready when the converter needs them, maintaining fast response time while eliminating SOC errors that would otherwise reduce fuel efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the converter controller continuously monitors temperature and voltage conditions, compares actual readings with calibrated values from temperature-voltage maps, and adjusts SOC information accordingly. This feedback loop ensures accurate SOC information is provided to the converter for optimal fuel efficiency while maintaining fast response through real-time correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If sensor-generated SOC information is used for voltage control, then the control process is simple, but battery durability performance is reduced due to inaccurate SOC

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery durabilityVSAvoidconverter controller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The converter controller pre-calculates and stores calibrated SOC values based on temperature-voltage relationships before battery operation begins. This preliminary calibration action ensures accurate SOC information is available for voltage control decisions that protect battery durability, while the computational complexity is handled in advance rather than adding continuous complexity to the control process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces calibrated SOC values as an intermediary that mediates between raw sensor data and voltage control decisions affecting battery durability. This intermediary layer corrects sensor errors using temperature-compensated voltage maps, providing accurate SOC information that protects battery life without requiring the voltage controller to be complex

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If calibrated SOC calculation is performed continuously, then SOC accuracy is maintained, but the processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSOC accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The converter controller performs calibrated SOC calculation periodically based on temperature-voltage map updates rather than continuously. This periodic calibration approach maintains SOC accuracy by updating calibrated values at appropriate intervals while significantly reducing processing time and computational load compared to continuous calculation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and stores temperature-voltage map data and calibrated SOC values before they are needed for control decisions. This preliminary preparation allows the converter to quickly retrieve and use accurate SOC information without performing complex calculations in real-time, maintaining SOC accuracy while minimizing processing time during actual control operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9568558B2Apparatus and method for controlling converter
Publication Date: 2017.02.14 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
  • US9568558B2 patent drawing
  • US9568558B2 patent drawing
  • US9568558B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus and method for controlling a converter are provided. The apparatus includes a battery and a sensor configured to sense the battery to generate sensor state of battery information. A converter controller is configured to acquire the sensor state of battery information and vehicle state information received from a vehicle controller to calculate calibrated state of battery information based on whether a correction execution condition on the sensor state of battery information is satisfied. In addition, the converter controller uses the calibrated state of battery information and the sensor state of battery information to calculate an error correction value and uses the error correction value to calculate actual state of battery information. A converter is then configured to supply power to the battery based on the sensor state of battery information or the actual state of battery information.