System and method for detection of open connections between an integrated circuit and a multi-cell battery pack
AssigneeIntersil Americas Inc.
InventorsEdgardo Laber, Anthony Allen, Carlos Martinez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus comprises an integrated circuit and an open connection detection circuit within the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of inputs for connecting with a plurality of outputs of a multi-cell battery pack. The open connection detection circuit within the integrated circuit detects an open connection on at least one of the plurality of inputs from the multi-cell battery and generates a fault condition responsive thereto.
Claims19
An apparatus, comprising:
- an integrated circuit including a plurality of inputs for connecting with a plurality of outputs of a multi-cell battery pack;
- and
- an open connection detection circuit within the integrated circuit for detecting an open connection on at least one of the plurality of inputs connected to the multi-cell battery pack and generating a fault condition responsive thereto, the open connection detection circuit comprising:
- a plurality of current source devices, each one of the plurality of current source devices respectively connected between one of the plurality of inputs connected to the multi-cell battery and a reference voltage;
- and
- a plurality of switches, each of which is capable of turning on and off one of the plurality of current source devices, wherein each switch, when turned on, causes a current to flow through the input to which its respective current source device is connected.
An open connection detection circuit for detecting an open connection on at least one of a plurality of inputs from a multi-cell battery pack, comprising:
- a plurality of current source devices, each one of the plurality of current source devices respectively connected between one of the plurality of inputs from the multi-cell battery and a reference voltage;
- a plurality of switches, each of which is capable of turning on and off one of the plurality of current source devices, wherein each switch, when turned on, causes a current to flow through the input to which its respective current source device is connected;
- at least one comparator for comparing voltages at adjacent inputs of the plurality of inputs and generating a control signal responsive thereto;
- and
- control logic for generating a fault detection indication responsive to the control signals indicating an open connection on at least one of the plurality of inputs.
A method for detecting an open connection between an integrated circuit device and a multi-cell battery, comprising the steps of:
- monitoring each input in a plurality of inputs on the integrated circuit from the multi-cell battery pack;
- detecting the open connection on at least one of the plurality of inputs from the multi-cell battery pack, wherein the step of detecting the open connection further comprises:
- selectively activating at least one of a plurality of switches, each switch respectively associated with one of a plurality of current source devices, each of the plurality of current source devices respectively connected with one of the plurality of inputs from the multi-cell battery;
- and
- applying a current through each of the plurality of inputs from the one of the plurality of current source devices;
- and
- generating a fault condition responsive to the detected open connection within the integrated circuit device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.