Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device

• US 8,493,022 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2010
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fantu, Yalkew
• Application Number:
  US12/765,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20100262404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• 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 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/163 with special means for initiating or limiting the excitation current
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.

Claims

1. A system for measuring a condition of a battery coupled to an electrical system of a vehicle, the system comprising:

first and second electrical connections to the battery;

a forcing function source configured to apply a forcing function to the battery;

a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage of the battery;

a current sensor configured to measure current flowing between the battery and the electrical system of the vehicle; and

measurement circuitry configured to;

determine a charge capacity of the battery by measuring a dynamic parameter of the battery based upon a change in the voltage and a change in the current in response of the battery to the applied forcing function, the dynamic parameter comprising at least one of dynamic resistance, dynamic conductance, dynamic admittance, and dynamic impedance,

determine a charge level of the battery as a function of total measured current flowing between the battery and the electrical system of the vehicle which is indicative of the total charge stored by the battery and the charge capacity of the battery.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the forcing function source comprises an electrical component of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the forcing function source comprises an active source.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the forcing function source comprises a passive source.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the voltage sensor and the current sensor obtain voltage and current measurements which are synchronized.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the measurement circuitry collects a plurality of voltage and current measurements and determines charge level of the battery based upon an average value of the voltage and current measurements.

7. The system of claim 1 including a temperature sensor and wherein the measurement circuitry further determines a charge level of the battery as a function of temperature.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the current sensor comprises a resistance shunt.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the current sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the measurement circuitry determines a charge level of the battery based upon a plurality of voltages measurements and a plurality of current measurements which include noise.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the measurement circuitry determines a charge level of the battery based upon information stored in a memory.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the information stored in the memory comprises information related to battery type.

13. The system of claim 1 including an output configured to provide a “

service battery soon”

indication.

14. A method for measuring a condition of a battery coupled to an electrical system in a vehicle, comprising:

applying a forcing function to the battery from a forcing function source;

measuring voltage of the battery;

measuring current flowing between the battery and the electrical system of the vehicle;

identifying an electrical response of the battery to the applied forcing function; and

determining a dynamic parameter of the battery based upon a change in the measured voltage and a change in the measured current in response to the applied forcing function, the dynamic parameter indicative of battery capacity, the dynamic parameter comprising at least one of dynamic resistance, dynamic conductance, dynamic admittance, and dynamic impedance;

determining a charge level of the battery as a function of measured total current flowing between the battery and the electrical system of the vehicle which is indicative of the total charge stored in the battery and the charge capacity of the battery.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the forcing function source comprises an electrical component of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the forcing function source comprises an active source.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the forcing function source comprises a passive source.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the steps of sensing the voltage and sensing current sensor are synchronized.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein determining includes collecting a plurality of voltage and current measurements and calculating an average value of the voltage and current measurements to determine charge level of the battery.

20. The method of claim 14 including measuring a temperature and wherein determining a charge level of the battery is further a function of temperature.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein determining a charge level of the battery is based upon obtaining a plurality of voltages measurements and a plurality of current measurements which include noise.

22. The method of claim 14 wherein the determining a charge level of the battery is based upon information stored in a memory.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the information comprises information related to battery type.

24. The method of claim 14 including providing “

service battery soon”

indication on an output.