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A monitoring circuit for accurately monitoring a voltage level from each of a plurality of battery cells of a battery pack includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a processor. The ADC is configured to accept an analog voltage signal from each of the plurality of battery cells and convert e

A monitoring circuit for accurately monitoring a voltage level from each of a plurality of battery cells of a battery pack includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a processor. The ADC is configured to accept an analog voltage signal from each of the plurality of battery cells and convert each analog voltage signal to a digital signal representative of an accurate voltage level of each battery cell. The processor receives such signals and provides a safety alert signal based on at least one of the signals. The ADC resolution may be adjustable. A balancing circuit provides a balancing signal if at least two of the digital signals indicate a voltage difference between two cells is greater than a battery cell balance threshold. An electronic device including such monitoring and balancing circuits is also provided. Various methods are also provided.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An electronic device capable of being powered by a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells, said electronic device comprising:a balancing circuit, said balancing circuit comprising:an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to accept an analog voltage signal from

What is claimed is: 1. An electronic device capable of being powered by a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells, said electronic device comprising:a balancing circuit, said balancing circuit comprising:an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to accept an analog voltage signal from each of said plurality of battery cells and convert each said analog voltage signal to a digital signal representative of a voltage level of each said battery cell;a processor configured to receive each said digital signal and to provide a balance signal if at least two of said digital signals are representative of a voltage difference between a first voltage level of a first battery cell and a second voltage level of a second battery cell greater than a battery cell balance threshold; anda bleeding network circuit configured to accept said balance signal and provide a bleeding current to any one of said plurality of battery cells in response to said balance signal, wherein said bleeding current provided by said bleeding network circuit is adjustable in response to said balance signal from said processor and, wherein said bleeding network circuit comprises a plurality of bleeding circuits associated with each said plurality of battery cells, at least one of said plurality of bleeding circuits comprising:a first switch having a first resistive element coupled to a terminal of said first switch, said first resistive element having a first resistive value; anda second switch having a second resistive element coupled to a terminal of said second switch, said second resistive element having a second resistive value, said second resistive value less than said first resistive value.