Electronic Battery Tester Combining Forcing Tests And Starter Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is an ongoing need for improved battery testing and diagnostic equipment that can provide accurate results in a short period of time, particularly for automotive vehicle batteries.
Innovation Solution
An electronic battery tester that includes first test circuitry to apply a forcing function to the battery and measure its response, and second test circuitry that utilizes starter voltage profile information collected during the vehicle's starting sequence to provide an enhanced battery test output with improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional battery testing methods are used, then the testing process is simple, but the measurement precision and accuracy of battery condition assessment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The battery tester is divided into distinct functional segments: first test circuitry for applying forcing functions and measuring basic battery response, and second test circuitry for collecting starter voltage profile information and performing enhanced analysis. This segmentation allows each module to specialize in specific measurement tasks, improving overall accuracy without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple testing approaches into a single integrated system: traditional forcing function testing and starter voltage profile analysis are merged to provide complementary information about battery condition. This combination leverages the strengths of both methods to achieve higher measurement precision than either method alone.
2Measurement precision
If multiple testing methods are combined to improve accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery tester is designed with multi-functional circuitry that can perform both traditional forcing function tests and starter voltage profile measurements using shared components where possible. The first and second test circuitries are integrated to share common elements such as microprocessors, memory, and output interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining multiple testing capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If starter voltage profile information is collected and analyzed, then the battery condition assessment accuracy is improved, but the loss of time during testing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects starter voltage profile information during the vehicle's normal starting sequence, which occurs before the actual battery test begins. This preliminary data collection during routine operation eliminates the need for separate measurement time, as the starter voltage profiles are already captured and stored for later analysis during the test phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery tester continuously monitors and collects starter voltage profile information during each vehicle starting event, building up a database of operational data over time. This continuous data collection ensures that comprehensive information is available for analysis without requiring dedicated test time, as the measurement process occurs naturally during normal vehicle operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery in an automotive vehicle includes first test circuitry configured to couple to the storage battery, apply a forcing function to the storage battery, measure a response of the storage battery to the applied forcing function and provide a battery test output related to a condition of the battery based upon the response of the battery to the applied forcing function. Starter voltage measurement circuitry electrically couples to a starter motor of the automotive vehicle and collects starter voltage profile information comprising a plurality of starter voltage measurements obtained at different times while operating the starter motor. Second test circuitry receives the battery test output from the first test circuitry and the starter voltage profile information and provides an enhanced battery test output related to the condition of the battery based upon the battery test output and the starter voltage profile information.