Voltage Measurement Apparatus Using Sample-Hold Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage measuring apparatuses for battery cells require high voltage switching elements due to direct connection, leading to increased size and cost, as they need to handle voltages from multiple battery cells with high voltages across them.
Innovation Solution
A voltage measuring apparatus that includes a sample/hold amplifier to sample and hold positive and negative electrode voltages, a differential voltage converter to generate battery cell voltage, and a switching unit that controls output voltages to maintain constant polarity, electrically isolating the switching unit from battery cells using multiplexers and sample/hold switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the switching unit is directly connected to battery cells to measure voltage, then voltage measurement function is achieved, but high voltage switching elements are required which increase size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sample/hold amplifier as an intermediary component between the battery cells and the switching unit. This amplifier buffers the high voltage from battery cells, allowing the switching unit to operate at lower voltage levels. The sample/hold amplifier captures and holds the voltage signal from battery cells, enabling the switching unit to control signal flow without directly exposing switching elements to high battery cell voltages, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving voltage measurement and avoiding high voltage switching elements.
2Measurement precision
If high voltage switching elements are used to directly connect to battery cells, then voltage measurement is enabled, but the size and cost of the voltage measuring apparatus are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The sample/hold amplifier serves as a voltage buffering intermediary that decouples the high voltage battery cell interface from the low voltage switching unit. This allows the use of smaller, lower-voltage-rated switching elements in the switching unit, directly reducing the overall apparatus size while maintaining the capability to measure battery cell voltages through the buffered signal path.
3Measurement precision
If high voltage switching elements are used to directly connect to battery cells, then voltage measurement is enabled, but the cost of the voltage measuring apparatus is increased
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the sample/hold amplifier as an intermediary voltage buffer between battery cells and the switching unit, the patent enables the use of cheaper, lower-voltage-rated switching elements. This intermediate buffering stage isolates the cost-sensitive switching unit from high voltage requirements, reducing component costs while preserving full voltage measurement capability through the buffered signal path.
Data Source
AI summary
The voltage measuring apparatus is connected to a plurality of battery cells connected to each other in series to measure respective voltages of the battery cells. The voltage measuring apparatus includes a sample/hold amplifier configured to sample and hold positive electrode and negative electrode voltages of the battery cells to generate first and second output voltages, a differential voltage converter configured to generate a battery cell voltage according to a voltage difference between a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal, and a switching unit configured to control the first and second output voltages and connection between the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal so that a polarity of the voltage difference is constant. The sample/hold amplifier electrically insulates the switching unit from the battery cells.