Apparatus and method for estimating battery condition of battery pack by solely monitoring one selected battery cell

摘要

A battery condition estimating apparatus for a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells connected in series includes an analog channel switching circuit and a battery gas gauge circuit. The analog channel switching circuit has a plurality of input ports and an output port, wherein the input ports are coupled to the battery cells via a plurality of analog channels, respectively, and the analog channel switching circuit is arranged to couple the output port to a selected input port of the input ports for allowing the output port N5 to be coupled to a selected battery via a selected analog channel. The battery gas gauge circuit is coupled to the output port of the analog channel switching circuit, and used for estimating a battery condition of the battery pack by monitoring the selected battery cell via the selected analog channel.

主权项

1. A battery condition estimating apparatus for a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells connected in series, comprising:
an analog channel switching circuit, having a plurality of input ports and an output port, wherein the input ports are coupled to the battery cells via a plurality of analog channels, respectively, and the analog channel switching circuit is arranged to couple the output port to a selected input port of the plurality of input ports for allowing the output port to be coupled to a selected battery cell via a selected analog channel; a battery gas gauge circuit, coupled to the output port of the analog channel switching circuit, for estimating a battery condition of the battery pack by solely monitoring the selected battery cell via the selected analog channel; and a comparing circuit, coupled to the battery cells and the analog channel switching circuit, for performing comparison upon the battery cells to determine the selected battery cell, and accordingly generating a control signal to the analog channel switching circuit, wherein the analog channel switching circuit couples the output port to the selected input port in response to the control signal.