Drone Battery Charge Estimation Using Motor Duty Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flying apparatuses face challenges in precisely estimating battery charge at low cost without increasing weight or complexity, particularly due to variations in battery voltage and the need for current-sensing sensors.
Innovation Solution
A flying apparatus with a rotor, motor, power converting unit, and calculation control unit estimates battery charge based on instruction signals, specifically DUTY values, to adjust power supply and calculate State of Charge (SOC) without dedicated current or voltage sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If battery voltage is used to estimate remaining charge, then the estimation method is simple, but the precision is insufficient due to variations in battery state and external environment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes from using a single parameter (battery voltage) to using multiple parameters (battery voltage, current, temperature, and actual time of use) to estimate remaining charge. This multi-parameter approach compensates for variations in battery state and external environment, significantly improving estimation precision while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a dedicated current sensor is added to measure current value for estimation, then the remaining charge can be precisely estimated, but the cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the existing current detection capability of the power converting unit (which is already necessary for motor control) to obtain current data for battery charge estimation. This self-service approach allows the system to achieve precise remaining charge estimation without adding dedicated current sensors, thereby avoiding increased cost and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The power converting unit serves dual functions: motor control and battery charge estimation. By using the same hardware resources for multiple purposes, the invention eliminates the need for additional sensors while achieving precise remaining charge measurement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple parameters are used to estimate battery charge, then the precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the calculation control unit continuously monitors multiple parameters (voltage, current, temperature, time of use) and uses them to calculate and update the remaining charge estimate. This systematic feedback approach integrates multiple parameters in a coordinated manner, improving precision while managing complexity through structured processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flying apparatus and a method for controlling the same which are capable of precisely measuring a remaining charge of a battery with a simple configuration. A flying apparatus 10 comprises a rotor 11, a motor 12, a power converting unit 14, a battery 21, and a calculation control unit 15. The rotor 11 rotates to generate thrust for causing an airframe base unit 16 to float, and the motor 12 is supplied with an electric power from the battery 21 to rotationally drive the rotor 11. The calculation control unit 15 generates an instruction signal to bring the airframe base unit 16 into a certain positional posture. The power converting unit 14 adjusts an electric power to be supplied from the battery 21 to the motor 12 based on the instruction signal inputted. Further, the calculation control unit 15 estimates a remaining charge of the battery 21 based on the instruction signal.