LV Battery Monitoring With Integrated Sensing and Standby Charging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery health monitoring systems in electric vehicles are costly and lack flexibility, requiring dedicated electronic control units (ECUs) and auxiliary intelligent battery sensor (IBS) modules, which increase complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
Integrate temperature and voltage sensing with electronic control units (ECUs) using a ground busbar and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensors, eliminating the need for dedicated ECUs by leveraging existing circuits and incorporating a bidirectional switch for controlled charging during standby periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated electronic control units and auxiliary intelligent battery sensor modules are used for battery health monitoring, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature sensing and voltage monitoring functions into existing zonal controller ECUs, eliminating the need for separate dedicated battery monitoring ECUs and auxiliary IBS modules. The zonal controllers are enhanced to directly monitor battery parameters through integrated sensing circuits, merging multiple functions into a single control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The zonal controller ECUs are designed to perform multiple functions including battery health monitoring, temperature sensing, voltage measurement, and charging control. This multi-functional approach allows existing control units to serve dual purposes, reducing the need for dedicated battery monitoring hardware while maintaining monitoring precision.
2Reliability
If dedicated electronic control units and auxiliary intelligent battery sensor modules are used for battery health monitoring, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges battery monitoring functions into existing zonal controller ECUs, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware modules. This integration reduces component count and assembly complexity, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining monitoring reliability through the enhanced capabilities of the zonal controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The zonal controller ECUs are designed to autonomously perform battery health monitoring, temperature sensing, and charging control functions without requiring additional dedicated battery management hardware. This self-service approach reduces system complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable monitoring through the integrated control units.
3Reliability
If a bidirectional switch is implemented for controlled charging during standby periods, then battery health is improved by reducing cycling, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional switch for controlled charging is integrated into the existing zonal controller ECU, combining charging control functionality with the battery monitoring functions already present in the controller. This integration reduces the need for separate charging control hardware while enabling intelligent charging management to reduce battery cycling during standby periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The zonal controller ECU is enhanced to perform multiple functions including battery monitoring, temperature sensing, and bidirectional charging control. This multi-functional design allows the same control unit to manage both monitoring and charging operations, reducing overall system complexity while improving battery health through intelligent charging management.
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
Reduces the need for auxiliary modules, saves costs, and enhances flexibility in battery health monitoring by integrating discrete sensors with zonal controllers, ensuring efficient battery management and reduced cycling.
Implementation Method 1
incorporate a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring or managing a low voltage (LV) battery in an electric vehicle may include a ground busbar connected with a negative terminal of the LV battery and a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor. An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive temperature data from the NTC sensor and voltage measurements via dedicated sense wires to monitor battery health. The system includes a bidirectional (BiDi) switch connected between the LV battery and a LV direct current with direct current converter (DCDC), enabling trickle charging during vehicle standby mode while preventing battery overcharging.