In-vehicle battery monitor

• US 6,850,037 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• 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): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US10/271,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20030090272A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/430, 324/432, 324/433, 320/132, 320/162
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/36 Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
• 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 7/00714 in response to battery charging or discharging current
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage
• 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 apparatus and a method of monitoring a battery in an automotive vehicle are provided. An output is provided which can be a relative output as a function of minimum and maximum parameters of the battery.

Claims

1. A battery monitor for monitoring a battery of an automotive vehicle comprises:

first and second Kelvin connectors configured to electrically couple to the storage battery;

a processor electrically coupled to the first and second Kelvin connectors and configured to calculate a Reserve State of Health (RSOH) and a Cranking State of Health (CSOH) of the battery and responsively determine a State of Life (SOL) of the battery as a function of the RSOH and CSOH.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the SOL is a function of a product of the RSOH and the CSOH.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the SOL of the battery is a function of a dynamic parameter of the battery.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the SOL is indicative of battery age relative to battery lifespan.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the SOL is a function of a cold cranking amp (CCA) rating of the battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the SOL is a function of temperature.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the processor is further configured to compare a measured dynamic parameter with a historical dynamic parameter and identify replacement of the battery based upon the comparison.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the replacement of the battery is identified if the measured parameter is within 10% of the historical parameter.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the historical parameter is less then one month old.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein in response to replacement of the battery the processor updates a stored parameter of the battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

a voltage sensor configured to monitor a voltage across the battery;

a current sensor configured to monitor an electrical current through the battery;

an analog to digital converter configured to convert sensed current from the current sensor to a digital value; and

a constant offset configured to reduce a quiescent current draw from the sensed current prior to digitizing the sensed current by the analog to digital converter.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the processor enters a sleep mode during periods of vehicle inactivity and is activated from the sleep mode if current is greater than at least the constant offset.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the constant offset has a first value during vehicle operation and a second value during vehicle inactivity.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the processor integrates digitized current values over time.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 the processor uses the constant offset for calculations of the digitized current is less than a threshold.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 including:

a communication link configured to couple to a data bus of the vehicle; and

wherein the processor is further configured to receive a signal from the data bus indicative of operation of an electrical component of the vehicle and responsively wake up from a sleep mode to monitor the electrical current through the battery using the current sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the processor re-enters the sleep mode after operation of the electrical component has terminated.