IP Library Granted Patent US 9,395,394
Granted Patent B2
US 9,395,394 · App. 13/697,964 · Granted Jul 19, 2016

Voltage measuring circuit and method

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,395,394
App. No.
13/697,964
Granted
Jul 19, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An average current value that is the average value of current values is found by connecting a detection resistor in parallel to two terminals that are the object of measurement, measuring the current value that flows in the detection resistor, and subjecting the current value to time-quadrature, and further, dividing the current value that follows integration by the integration time. The average current value is converted to a digital signal and sent to an arithmetic means (processor). The arithmetic means calculates the voltage value across the two terminals from the average current value and the resistance value of the detection resistor.

Claims (29)

1. A voltage measuring circuit that measures voltage across two terminals of a battery that is the object of measurement, comprising:

a detection resistor that is connected in parallel to said two terminals;

current detection means that measures current value that flows in said detection resistor;

integration means that subjects said current value that was measured by said current detection means to time quadrature;

average value calculation means that divides the current value that has undergone integration by the integration time to find the average current value that is the average value of said current value; and

arithmetic means that calculates the value of voltage across said two terminals from said average current value and the resistance value of said detection resistor.

2. The voltage measuring circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a switch that is connected between said detection resistor and one of said terminals;

wherein said arithmetic means turns OFF said switch during standby during which voltage measurement is not implemented.

3. The voltage measuring circuit according to claim 1 , wherein said battery that is the object of measurement is a secondary battery.

4. The voltage measuring circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

A/D conversion means that converts said average current value to a digital signal;

wherein said arithmetic means calculates the value of voltage across said two terminals from said average current value that was converted to a digital signal in said A/D conversion means and said resistance value.

5. The voltage measuring circuit according to claim 4 , further comprising insulated communication means that both separates the ground potential of said current detection means, said integration means, said average value calculation means, and said A/D conversion means and the ground potential of said arithmetic means and connects said A/D conversion means and said arithmetic means to enable transmission of said average current value that was converted to said digital signal.

6. The voltage measuring circuit according to claim 4 , wherein said current detection means, said integration means, said average value calculation means, and said A/D conversion means are realized by a coulomb counter.

7. A voltage measuring method for measuring voltage across two terminals of a battery that is the object of measurement, said voltage measuring method comprising steps of:

current detection means measuring a current value that flows in a detection resistor that is connected in parallel to said two terminals;

integration means subjecting said current value that was measured by said current detection means to time-quadrature;

average value calculation means dividing the current value that was integrated by said integration means by the integration time and finding an average current value that is the average value of said current value;

arithmetic means calculating the value of voltage across said two terminals from said average current value and the resistance value of said detection resistor.

8. The voltage measuring method according to claim 7 , wherein:

a switch is provided between said detection resistor and either one of said terminals; and

said arithmetic means turns OFF said switch during standby during which voltage measurement is not implemented.

9. The voltage measuring method according to claim 7 , wherein said battery that is the object of measurement is a secondary battery.

10. The voltage measuring method according to claim 7 , wherein:

A/D conversion means converts said average current value that was found in said average value calculation means to a digital signal; and

said arithmetic means calculates the value of voltage across said two terminals from said average current value that was converted to a digital signal in said A/D conversion means and said resistance value.

11. The voltage measuring method according to claim 10 , wherein an insulated communication means both separates the ground potential of said current detection means, said integration means, said average value calculation means, and said A/D conversion means and the ground potential of said arithmetic means and connects said AD conversion means and said arithmetic means to enable transmission of said average current value that was converted to said digital signal.

12. The voltage measuring method according to claim 10 , wherein said current detection means, said integration means, said average value calculation means, and said A/D conversion means are realized by a coulomb counter.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2024
From: SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION, AS SECURITY AGENT
To: ENVISION AESC JAPAN LTD.; ENVISION AESC ENERGY DEVICES LTD.
Reel/Frame 069461/0179 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Jul 2, 2019
From: ENVISION AESC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
To: SUMITOMO MITUSI BANKING CORPORATION, AS SECURITY AGENT
Reel/Frame 049649/0924 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 21, 2019
From: NEC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
To: ENVISION AESC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 049556/0123 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2012
From: HORI, YUKI; SUZUKI, SHIN
To: NEC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 029309/0473 →