Battery monitoring system with integrated battery holder

• US 6,208,114 B1
• Filed: 07/22/1999
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Brian W., Jones, Scott E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US09/359,940
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/112, 320/132, 320/149, 320/161
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16542 for batteries charge condition monitoring in G01R31/36
• 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 31/367 Software therefor, e.g. for battery testing using modelling or look-up tables
• 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 50/216 adapted for button or coin cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/12 Precharging analysis, e.g. determining presence of battery

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring the condition of a battery. The apparatus includes a battery clip that is used to secure a battery to a battery connection and a battery monitoring IC. The battery monitoring IC takes a “load vs. no-load measurement” and the results are recorded in a register. When the battery reaches a certain low voltage state, register bits are set and an output is generated. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiment includes a removal detection circuit for detecting removal and replacement of the battery and for preventing voltage floating on the battery output line.

Claims

1. A battery monitoring system for monitoring the state of a battery, the system comprising:

a printed circuit board (PCB);

an electrical contact connected to the PCB, the electrical contact for electrically coupling with the battery;

a battery monitoring integrated circuit (IC) attached to the PCB, the battery monitoring IC for determining the state of the battery; and

a battery clip attachable to the PCB, the battery clip, when attached to the PCB, for securing the battery to the electrical contact.

2. The battery monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the battery monitoring IC comprises:

measurement circuitry for performing a DELTA-V measurement.

3. The battery monitoring system of claim 2, wherein the battery monitoring IC further comprises:

a storage location for storing the DELTA-V measurement.

4. The battery monitoring system of claim 3, wherein the battery monitoring IC further comprises:

an interface connected to the storage location, the DELTA-V measurement stored in the storage location being accessible through the interface.

5. The battery monitoring system of claim 2, further comprising:

circuitry for signaling a low battery condition.

6. The battery monitoring system of claim 5, further comprising:

a storage device connected to the circuitry;

wherein an indicator of the low battery condition is stored in the storage device.

7. The battery monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the battery monitoring IC comprises:

a battery removal detector for detecting the removal of the battery from the electrical contact.

8. The battery monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the battery removal detector limits voltage floating on a battery output line responsive to the battery being removed from the electrical contact.

9. The battery monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the battery clip is configured to secure a coin-shaped primary cell.