Battery with an internal microcontroller that draws different currents from the cells internal to the battery based on the temperature of the battery

摘要

A rechargeable battery with an internal microcontroller, a memory and a temperature sensor. The microcontroller draws a current from the cells internal to the battery used to power device to which the battery is attached. Normally, the microcontroller, is in a first operating mode in which the microcontroller draws a relatively low current. During these periods the temperature sensor generates a signal representative of the temperature of the battery. When the signal from the temperature sensor indicates the battery temperature exceeds a threshold temperature, the microcontroller enters a second operating mode in which the microcontroller draws a relatively high current. While in the second operating mode the microcontroller records in the memory data regarding the fact that the battery temperature exceeded the reference temperature and the amount of time the battery was at a temperature above the reference temperature.

主权项

1. A battery, said battery including:
a housing; at least one rechargeable cell disposed in the housing; a terminal assembly attached to the housing and connected to the at least one rechargeable cell for storing charge in the cell and withdrawing current from the cell; a temperature sensor disposed in the housing that generates a temperature signal representative of battery temperature; a memory disposed in said housing for storing data; a microcontroller disposed in the housing that receives the temperature signal, said microcontroller being connected to said at least one rechargeable cell for energization by said cell and being connected to said memory to store in said memory data representative of battery temperature as measured by said temperature sensor, wherein said microcontroller is further configured to:
operate in a first mode during which said microcontroller draws a current from the at least one rechargeable cell and monitors the temperature signal to determine if the temperature signal exceeds a threshold temperature; andwhen the temperature signal indicates that the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature, transition to operate in a second mode and write to said memory data indicating that the time the battery temperature exceeded the threshold temperature, wherein, when said microcontroller is in the second mode, said microcontroller draws more current from the at least one rechargeable cell than when in the first mode.