Battery cell monitoring and balancing circuit

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method of pre-balancing voltage levels for a plurality of battery cells of a battery pack, said method comprising:
converting a first analog voltage signal from a first battery cell in said battery cells to a first digital signal representative of a first voltage level of said first battery cell for each time period of a plurality of first time periods, to obtain a set of first digital signals; converting a second analog voltage signal from a second battery cell in said battery cells to a second digital signal representative of a second voltage level of said second battery cell for said each time period of said plurality of first time periods, to obtain a set of second digital signals; determining a difference between said first voltage level and said second voltage level for said each time period according to said set of first digital signals and said set of second digital signals; comparing said difference for said each time period of said plurality of first time periods to a battery cell balance threshold; determining whether an imbalance condition between said first battery cell and said second battery cell occurred in said plurality of first time periods according to said comparing; and in response to determining that said imbalance condition occurred, providing a pre-balance signal during a second time period, subsequent to said first time periods, before a difference between a voltage level of said first battery cell and a voltage level of said second battery cell exceeds said battery cell balance threshold.