# US 2019/0379202 A1 · Methods and apparatus for a battery

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- Number: US 2019/0379202 A1
- Document ID: US20190379202A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/545,211
- Filed: 2019-08-20
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2017-04-04
- Assignees: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
- Applicants: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
- Inventors: Atsushi KAMEI; Yasuaki HAYASHI; Katsumi YAMAMOTO
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190379202A1

## CPC

- H02H 7/18: for batteries; for accumulators
- H01M 10/425: {Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing (printed circuits H05K1/00)}
- H01M 10/48: Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte (constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569)
- H02H 3/006: {Calibration or setting of parameters}
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H)
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A battery apparatus according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a power source, such as a battery. The battery apparatus may include a protection IC, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The power source may be selectively coupled to the battery apparatus at the second and third terminals. The power source may be capable of providing a current through the battery apparatus via one of a first current loop and a second current loop.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A battery apparatus having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, comprising:
an integrated circuit connected to the first, second, and third terminals;
a first current path from the first terminal, across the integrated circuit, through a resistor, and to the second terminal;
a second current path from the first terminal, across the integrated circuit, and to the third terminal, wherein the second current path bypasses the resistor; and
a switch selectively connected to the second and third terminals.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal is configured to connect to a positive terminal of a power source.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second and third terminals are configured to selectively connect to a negative terminal of a power source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resistor comprises:
a first end connected to the second terminal; and
a second end connected to the third terminal.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The battery apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second end of the resistor is also connected to the integrated circuit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery apparatus is further configured to receive a signal from a pulse generator at a fourth terminal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The battery apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery apparatus is further configured to connect to an external current source at a fifth terminal.

### Claim 8

A method for operating a battery system having a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a power supply, comprising:
generating a first current through a first current loop, wherein the first current flows:
from a positive terminal of the power supply to the first terminal;
from the first terminal, across a resistor, and to the second terminal; and
from the second terminal to a negative terminal of the power supply;
generating a second current through a second current loop, wherein the second current flows:
from the positive terminal of the power supply to the first terminal;
from the first terminal to the third terminal; and
from the third terminal to the negative terminal of the power supply;
wherein the second current loop bypasses the resistor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, further comprising disconnecting the power supply from the second terminal with a switch.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, further comprising connecting the power supply to the third terminal with the switch.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the resistor comprises:
a first end connected to the second terminal; and
a second end connected to the third terminal.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein the first and second currents flow through an integrated circuit having a protection function to monitor at least one of a voltage, the first current, and the second current.

### Claim 13

A system, comprising:
a power supply comprising a positive terminal and a negative terminal;
a control circuit, connected to the power supply, comprising:
a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal;
a protection circuit connected to the first, second, and third terminals;
a resistor connected to the second and third terminals;
wherein the control circuit is:
connected to the positive terminal of the power supply via the first terminal; and
selectively connected to the negative terminal of the power supply via one of: the second terminal and the third terminal;
a first current loop comprising: the power supply, the first terminal, the protection circuit, the resistor, and the second terminal; and
a second current loop comprising: the power supply, the first terminal, the protection circuit, and the third terminal, wherein the second current loop bypasses the resistor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, wherein the resistor comprises:
a first end connected to the second terminal; and
a second end connected to the third terminal.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system according to claim 14, wherein the second end of the resistor is also connected to the protection circuit.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive a signal from a pulse generator at a fourth terminal.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, wherein the control circuit is further configured to connect to an external current source at a fifth terminal.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, further comprising a switch connected to the negative terminal of the power supply and configured to selectively connect the negative terminal to the second terminal and the third terminal.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, wherein the first current loop is configured to flow a first current:
from the positive terminal of the power supply to the first terminal;
from the first terminal, through the protection circuit, across a resistor, and to the second terminal; and
from the second terminal to the negative terminal of the power supply.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The system according to claim 13, wherein the second current loop is configured to flow a second current:
from the positive terminal of the power supply to the first terminal;
from the first terminal, through the protection circuit, and to the third terminal; and
from the third terminal to the negative terminal of the power supply.