Battery test module

• US 7,058,525 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2002
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Butteris, Jamey L., Cox, Michael, Fritsch, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OMALLEY, MARY CATHERINE
• Application Number:
  US10/217,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20020193955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,393 Days
• Field of Search: 702/57, 702 63- 65, 702117-118, 702/124, 702/126, 702/130, 702/136, 702132-133, 702183-189, 320108-110, 320/134, 320/136, 324426-437
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/379 for lead-acid batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 35/005 Calibrating; Standards or reference devices, e.g. voltage or resistance standards, "golden" references G01R33/0035, G01R35/002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/12 Construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/5044 Cells or batteries structurally combined with cell condition indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A storage battery includes a battery housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected in series to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative terminal of the battery. A first connection is coupled to the positive terminal of the battery and a second connection is coupled to the negative terminal of the battery. A battery test module is mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through the respective first and second Kelvin connection. A display or other output is configured to output battery condition information from the battery test module.

Claims

1. A storage battery comprising:

a battery housing;

a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected in series to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative terminal of the battery;

a first Kelvin connection coupled to the positive terminal of the battery;

a second Kelvin connection coupled to the negative terminal of the battery;

a battery test module mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through respective first and second Kelvin connections, the battery test module, while mounted to the battery housing, configured to actively test the storage battery by applying a signal to the storage battery through the first Kelvin connection and the second Kelvin connection; and

an output from the battery test module configured to output battery condition information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery condition Information relates to a battery test result.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery condition information relates to battery warranty code.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery condition information relates to measurements conducted by the battery test module.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the measurements are conducted in real-time.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the measurements conducted comprise battery voltage measurements.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the measurements conducted comprise battery temperature measurements provided by a temperature sensor included in the battery test module.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the measurements conducted comprise battery current.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein a state of charge of the storage battery is determined as a function of the battery current.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output is attached to the battery housing.

11. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output comprises at least one LED.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information to a remote output device via a communication link.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communication link is a wireless link and wherein the output is configured to provide the, battery condition information to the remote output via the wireless communication link.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communication link is a hard wired communication link and wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information to the remote output via the hard wired communication link.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information in analog form to the remote output device via the communication link.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information in digital form to the remote output device via the communication link.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information in the form of RF signals to the remote output device via the communication link.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information in the form of IR signals to the remote output device via the communication link.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information in the form of audio signals to the remote output device via the communication link.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communication link is an optical communication link and wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information via the optical communication link to the remote output.

21. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the remote output device is a gauge and wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information via the communication link to the gauge.

22. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the remote output device is located in a driver cabin of a vehicle in which the battery is installed.

23. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the remote output device is located on a dashboard of a vehicle in which the battery is installed.

24. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communication link is a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus and wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information to the remote output via the CAN bus.

25. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the communication link is a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus and wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information to the remote output via the LIN bus.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an input configured to receive an activation signal to activate the battery test module.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the input comprises a timing controller configured to apply the activation signal after a predetermined time period.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the input is attached to the battery housing.

29. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the input is configured to receive the activation signal from a remote input via a communication link.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein, the communication link is a wireless link and wherein the input is configured to receive the activation signal from the remote input via the wireless communication link.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the communication link is a hard wired link and wherein the input is configured to receive the activation signal from the remote input via the hard wired communication link.

32. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the activation signal is an analog signal and wherein the input is configured to receive the analog signal from the remote input via the communication link.

33. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the activation signal is a digital signal and wherein the input is configured to receive the digital signal from the remote input via the communication link.

34. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the activation signal is an RF signal and wherein the input is configured to receive the RF signal from the remote input via the communication link.

35. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the activation signal is an IR signal and wherein the input is configured to receive the IR signal from the remote input via the communication link.

36. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the activation signal is an audio signal and wherein the input is configured to receive the audio signal from the remote input via the communication link.

37. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the communication link is an optical communication link and wherein the input is configured to receive the activation signal from the remote input via the optical communication link.

38. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the remote input is a push-button activation device and wherein the input is configured to receive the activation signal from the push-button activation device via the communication link.

39. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the remote input is located in a driver cabin of a vehicle in which the battery is installed.

40. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the remote input is a located on a dashboard of a vehicle in which the battery is installed.

41. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the remote input comprises a timing controller configured to apply the activation signal after a predetermined time period.

42. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein:

the communication link is a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus and wherein the input is configured to receive the activation signal from the remote input via the CAN bus.

43. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the communication link is a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus and wherein the input is configured to receive the activation signal from the remote input via the LIN bus.

44. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the activation signal is provided by the remote input when a vehicle in which the battery is installed is started.

45. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the activation signal is provided by the remote input when a vehicle in which the battery is installed is stopped.

46. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test module is configured to communicate with an external battery charger/tester via a communication link to thereby provide the battery condition information to the external battery charger/tester.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the communication link is a wireless communication link.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the battery test module comprises a memory configured to store historical battery condition information and wherein the battery test module is configured to provide the historical battery condition information to the external battery charger/tester.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the battery condition information relates to a warranty code determined by the battery test module.

50. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the battery test module is configured to receive a warranty code for the battery, which is determined by the external battery charger/tester.

51. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the battery test module is configured to implement a first computational algorithm which is substantially similar to, and compatible with, a second computational algorithm included in the external battery charger/tester.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the first computational algorithm and the second computational algorithm determine the state of charge of the storage battery.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein the first computational algorithm and the second computational algorithm determine the state of health of the storage battery.

54. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the Kelvin connections are external to the battery housing.

55. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the Kelvin connections are internal to the battery housing.

56. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the test module is attached to posts of the battery.

57. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the battery condition information is related to battery cold cranking amps (CCA).

58. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the battery condition information is related to a dynamic parameter of the battery.

59. The storage battery of claim 58 wherein the dynamic parameter is determined as a function of an electrical load to the battery.

60. The storage battery of claim 1 including a user operable switch configured to initiate output of a battery test result.

61. The storage battery of claim 1 including a switch and wherein the battery condition information is obtained from the battery test module only after receipt of a coded input through the switch.

62. The storage battery of claim 1 wherein the output is modulated onto a terminal of the battery.

63. The storage battery of claim 1 including a memory which stores information related to a rating of the battery and the battery condition information is a function of the stored information.

64. A apparatus for testing a storage battery, comprising:

a first Kelvin connection coupled to a positive terminal of the battery;

a second Kelvin connection coupled to a negative terminal of the battery;

a battery test module mounted to the battery housing of the storage battery and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through the respective first and second Kelvin connections, the battery test module, while mounted to the battery housing, configured to actively test the storage battery by applying a signal to the storage battery through the first Kelvin connection and the second Kelvin connection; and

an output from the battery test module configured to output battery condition information.

65. The apparatus of claim 64 wherein the battery condition information relates to a battery test result.

66. The apparatus of claim 64 wherein the battery condition information relates to battery warranty code.

67. The apparatus of claim 64 wherein the battery condition information relates to measurements conducted by the battery test module.

68. The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the measurements are conducted in real-time.

69. The apparatus of claim 64 further comprising a remote output device, wherein the output is configured to provide the battery condition information to the remote output device via a communication link.

70. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the communication link is a wireless link.

71. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the communication link is a hard wired link.

72. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the communication link is an optical link.

73. The apparatus of claim 69 wherein the remote output device is a gauge.

74. The apparatus of claim 64 further comprising an input configured to receive an activation signal to activate the battery test module.

75. The apparatus of claim 74 further comprising a remote input, wherein the input is configured to receive the activation signal from the remote input via a communication link.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the communication link is a wireless link.

77. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the communication link is a hard wired link.

78. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the communication link is an optical link.

79. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the remote input is a push-button activation device.

80. The storage battery of claim 64 wherein the Kelvin connections are external to the battery housing.

81. The storage battery of claim 64 wherein the Kelvin connections are internal to the battery housing.

82. The storage battery of claim 66 wherein the test module is attached to posts of the battery.

83. The storage battery of claim 66 wherein the battery condition information is related to battery cold cranking amps (CCA).

84. The storage battery of claim 66 wherein the battery condition information is related to a dynamic parameter of the battery.

85. The storage battery of claim 84 wherein the dynamic parameter is determined as a function of an electrical load to the battery.

86. The storage battery of claim 66 including a user operable switch configured to initiate output of a battery test result.

87. The storage battery of claim 66 including a switch and wherein the battery condition information is obtained from the battery test module only after receipt of a coded input through the switch.

88. The storage battery of claim 64 wherein the output is modulated onto a terminal of the battery.

89. The storage battery of claim 64 including a memory which stores information related to a rating of the battery and the battery condition information is a function of the stored information.

90. An auxiliary power system, comprising:

an auxiliary battery;

a battery test module electrically coupled to the auxiliary battery through a first Kelvin connection and a second Kelvin connection, the battery test module configured to perform an active battery test on the auxiliary battery, by applying a signal to the auxiliary battery through the first Kelvin connection and the second Kelvin connection, and responsively provide a battery test output; and

an output configured to output results of the battery test output.

91. A method of testing a battery during assembly of an automotive vehicle containing the battery, comprising:

coupling a battery test module to the battery through Kelvin connections to positive and negative terminals of the battery;

performing at least some of the steps required to assemble the automotive vehicle;

performing an active electronic test on the battery with the battery test module, by applying a signal to the battery through the first Kelvin connection and the second Kelvin connection, while performing at least some of the steps required to assemble the automotive vehicle; and

removing the battery test module.

92. The method of claim 91 including outputting a result of the electronic battery test.

93. The method of claim 91 wherein the battery test module is removed subsequent to completion of assembly of the vehicle.