초록 ▼

A system and method for monitoring and reporting on the condition of a vehicle battery which measures battery voltage and current drain during engine start, and computes the battery dynamic internal resistance (IR) and dynamic polarization resistance (PR) from these quantities. Also, the quiescent v

A system and method for monitoring and reporting on the condition of a vehicle battery which measures battery voltage and current drain during engine start, and computes the battery dynamic internal resistance (IR) and dynamic polarization resistance (PR) from these quantities. Also, the quiescent voltage (QV) of the battery, which is that measured while the vehicle electrical system has a current drain of from 0 to a predetermined amount, is measured and the battery state-of-charge (SoC) is computed from the QV. From these quantities, calculations are made of quantities such as rate of change of dynamic IR and PR to analyze battery condition, rate of change of QV and SoC to predict the time during which the battery can still start the engine, and minimum ambient temperature at which the battery will be able to start the engine, and of other conditions. Appropriate messages can be displayed of the measured and computed quantities as well as warnings to advise the driver of various real and potential problems related to the battery, its cables and components of its charging system.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for monitoring the condition of a battery installed in a vehicle having an engine, said system comprising:a voltage sensor for determining the voltage of the battery at the time of starting of the vehicle engine; a current sensor for determining the current drain of the battery at said t

1. A system for monitoring the condition of a battery installed in a vehicle having an engine, said system comprising:a voltage sensor for determining the voltage of the battery at the time of starting of the vehicle engine; a current sensor for determining the current drain of the battery at said time of starting of the engine; and computer means for computing the rate of change of the battery dynamic internal resistance (IR) and the rate of change of the battery dynamic polarization resistance (PR) based on determinations of voltage and current by said voltage sensor and said current sensor at different times of vehicle engine start, said computer means further including means responsive to an increasing dynamic IR and an increasing dynamic PR for producing an indication of low electrolyte in the battery.