Integrated Battery Desulfator and Sensor System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery desulfation systems are cumbersome and costly, particularly when used in remote or hard-to-reach locations, as they require separate desulfator and sensor systems, which occupy space and complicate the measurement and communication of battery conditions such as state of health, charge, and function.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system that combines desulfation and communication functions, using a microcontroller to sense, store, and transmit battery data, including state of health, charge, and function, and actuate desulfation energy pulses, connected to a vehicle communication bus for real-time data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate desulfator and sensor systems are used, then desulfation function is provided, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the desulfator and sensor systems into a single integrated unit. The microcontroller serves dual purposes: controlling the desulfation process and monitoring battery conditions through integrated sensors. This merging eliminates the need for separate systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining both desulfation and monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the desulfation energy delivery, monitors battery voltage, current, and temperature, and communicates battery status. This multi-functional approach allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing complexity.
2Reliability
If separate desulfator and sensor systems are used, then desulfation function is provided, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the desulfator and sensor systems into a single compact unit. By combining the microcontroller, sensors, and desulfation circuitry into one housing, the overall volume required for the system is significantly reduced compared to having separate systems that would each require their own mounting space.
3Volume of moving object
If battery is located in hard-to-reach spot, then vehicle space is optimized, but measurement and communication of battery conditions becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system performs self-monitoring through built-in sensors that continuously measure battery voltage, current, and temperature. The microcontroller automatically collects this data and communicates battery status without requiring external intervention or physical access to the battery, enabling the system to serve itself even when the battery is in a hard-to-reach location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback through sensors that monitor battery conditions and communicate this information back to the user or control system. This feedback mechanism allows remote monitoring of battery health, charge state, and temperature without requiring physical access to the battery location.
4Device complexity
If integrated system is used, then space and cost requirements are reduced, but system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller is designed as a universal control unit that handles both desulfation control and battery monitoring functions. By programming the microcontroller to perform multiple tasks, the system reduces the number of physical components needed while the integration complexity is managed through software configuration rather than complex hardware wiring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated system reduces space and cost requirements while enabling real-time monitoring and control of battery conditions, facilitating efficient desulfation and data communication within a single, compact unit.
Implementation Method 1
a source of desulfation energy connected to the battery for delivering pulsation energy at predetermined frequencies and durations to desulfate the battery
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated system for desulfating and communicating a condition of a battery includes a desulfator that can be connected to the battery to sense one or more of a voltage across a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery, a current of the battery, and a temperature of the battery; the desulfator further including a source of desulfation energy that can be connected to the battery for delivering pulsation energy at predetermined frequencies and durations; and a system control for actuating the source of desulfation energy, and connected to receive data indicative of a real-time condition of the battery from the sensed one or more of the voltage across the positive and the negative terminals of the battery, the current of the battery, and the temperature of the battery, and transmit the data indicative of the real-time condition of the battery.