Shared Temperature Sensor Voltage Ranging for Battery Protection ICs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods require multiple devices to have separate temperature sensors, which complicates size and cost reduction due to the need for duplicate temperature detection functionality.
Innovation Solution
A temperature sensor sharing system where a single temperature sensor is used by multiple devices, with each device having a determination circuit to assess the terminal voltage and control circuits to adjust and detect the sensor's output within specific voltage ranges, allowing shared temperature detection and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each device is provided with its own temperature sensor to ensure independent temperature detection capability, then temperature detection reliability is improved, but device size and manufacturing cost increase due to duplicate components
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is designed to serve multiple devices simultaneously. The sensor output is shared between the battery pack and the charger through a common terminal, allowing one sensor to perform temperature detection for both devices without requiring duplicate sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature detection functions of the battery pack and charger are merged into a single detection system. The control circuits of both devices read from the same temperature sensor terminal, combining what would traditionally be separate detection paths into one unified approach.
2Device complexity
If a single temperature sensor is shared between multiple devices, then device size and cost are reduced, but temperature detection accuracy and reliability may deteriorate due to voltage range conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage range is segmented into multiple distinct ranges, with each range assigned to a specific device for exclusive use. The battery pack uses a first voltage range for temperature detection, while the charger uses a second voltage range that does not overlap with the first. This segmentation prevents voltage conflicts and ensures accurate temperature readings for both devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different voltage ranges based on which device is actively performing temperature detection. The control circuits can adjust the terminal voltage to appropriate ranges depending on whether the battery pack or charger is the active detecting device, ensuring measurement accuracy regardless of which device is using the sensor.
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
Enables multiple devices to utilize a temperature sensor on a shared basis, reducing redundancy and improving cost-effectiveness while maintaining effective temperature protection.
Implementation Method 1
The resistance value of the NTC thermistor decreases at high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A first device: determines whether or not a terminal voltage at a terminal, where a temperature sensor, in which a physical quantity such as a resistance value or a voltage value varies due to changes in temperature, is connected, is in a first voltage range; controls the terminal voltage to vary in accordance with changes of the physical quantity, within the first voltage range, when the terminal voltage is determined to be in the first voltage range, and stops controlling the terminal voltage to vary within the first voltage range when the terminal voltage is determined not to be in the first voltage range; and detects temperature based on the terminal voltage. A second device: controls the terminal voltage to vary in accordance with changes of the physical quantity, within a second voltage range, which is different from the first voltage range; and detects temperature based on the terminal voltage.