DEEP DISCHARGE PREVENTION CIRCUIT FOR BATTERY

Author(s): Motorola TDB

Robert B. Ford
IP.com number: IPCOM000006481D
Original Publication Date: August 1, 1992
IP.com Electronic Publication: January 8, 2002

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0M MOTOROLA INC. Technical Developments Volume 16 August 1992

DEEP DISCHARGE PREVENTION CIRCUIT FOR BATTERY

by Robert B. Ford

The described circuit within a battery housing is Batteries comprised of many cells in seriescan exhibit
used to disconnect the internal cells from the battery a problem when discharged beyond an acceptable limit.
terminals when discharge has progressed to a low limit Some of the cells within a battery can experience volt-
condition. A battery so designed will protect itself from age reversal at the end of discharge and thereafter for
deep discharge damage. This feature is essential in the subsequent discharges, provide reduced useful power
design of present Lithium-Ion technology batteries for output capacity. Some cell technologies, (i.e. Lithium-
safe operation (must not progress z4vlcell) and is a Ion) presently can be damaged if deep discharged.
benefit in preventing cell reversal for other battery
technologies as well. A battery incorporating this design can be an advan-
tage to all products because it insures higher likehood
The circuit uses a switch coupled to a control cir- of the user obtaining the battery published service life.
cuit to provide this discharge protection. The switch must
have exceptional conduction properties so that its volt-
age drop is minimal during use at highest operating cur-
rent. Use of a T-mos field effect Transistor meets this
requirement without drive circuit complexity, The con-
trol circuit must latch to the battery “off’ condition when
tripped and remain in this state until reset occurs by
connection to a charger. The control circuit below corn-
prised of stages Ql, 2 & 3 performs this function. Bat-
tery terminal voltage is sensed by Ql and its collector
path drives both the latch path Q2 and the inverter Q3.
The diode CR1 is used in most batteries to prevent dis-
charge when the battery is in an inactive charger. The
R3 path provides the reset current for Ql to cause Q2
to unlatch for battery “on” operation.

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