Battery system and battery communication system thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery system and a battery communication system thereof. The battery communication system comprises at least one monitoring chip, a control unit and at least one radio frequency coupler. The monitoring chip is connected to the battery unit. The radio frequency coupler is arranged adjacent to the monitoring chip or arranged between the monitoring chip and the control unit, and the radio frequency coupler forms a daisy communication path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a battery system, and more particularly to a battery system connected by near-field coupling and a battery communication system thereof. Background Art

[0002] To improve the efficiency of battery energy storage systems, most current industrial and automotive battery energy storage systems utilize a series-connected battery pack. The DC voltage of a battery pack increases as the number of cells connected in series increases. However, battery energy storage systems must monitor and collect information such as the voltage and temperature of each cell in the system to maintain operational and safety. As the DC voltage of these series cells increases, the cross-voltage applied to the battery energy storage communication system increases, posing increasing challenges to the safety and stability of these systems.

[0003] The widespread use of lithium iron phosphate batteries, with their relatively flat discharge curve, has increased the capacity of single cells from a few amperes (2-3Ah) to hundreds of ampere-hours (200-300Ah). This has necessitated more precise monitoring of battery parameters in battery energy storage systems. To achieve this, there is a trend toward integrating a monitoring chip with each battery cell in battery energy storage systems.

[0004] Traditionally, series capacitive coupling or parallel inductive coupling has been used to isolate the voltage between batteries. However, series capacitive coupling has low reliability and can significantly impact the safety of the battery energy storage system. Furthermore, parallel inductive coupling must withstand the high voltage accumulated by the series connection of batteries, and the reliability of its components can significantly impact the safety of the battery energy storage system. Furthermore, in parallel communication systems, communication conflicts between different communication ports and the main control chip often affect communication stability. It also makes it difficult to confirm the position and order of the batteries in the system, resulting in difficulties in assembly and maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the purpose of this application is to provide a battery system and a battery communication system thereof, which use a radio frequency coupler or an optical transceiver to realize communication of battery packs in a series structure to improve reliability and avoid communication collisions.

[0006] The objectives and technical problems addressed by this application are achieved using the following technical solutions. In one aspect, this application proposes a battery communication system. The battery communication system includes at least one monitoring chip, a control unit, and at least one radio frequency coupler. The monitoring chip is connected to a battery cell. The radio frequency coupler is disposed adjacent to the monitoring chip or between the monitoring chip and the control unit.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present application, a battery system is provided. The battery system includes at least one battery cell and a battery communication system. The battery communication system includes at least one monitoring chip, a control unit, and at least one radio frequency coupler. The monitoring chip is connected to the battery cell. The radio frequency coupler is disposed adjacent to the monitoring chip or between the monitoring chip and the control unit.

[0008] In order to better understand the above and other aspects of the present application, the following embodiments are specifically described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a battery system and a battery communication system thereof according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a radio frequency coupler according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0011] Figure 3 FIG. 4 illustrates the connection relationship between a radio frequency coupler and a monitoring chip according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0012] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating another battery system and a battery communication system thereof according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0013] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an optical transceiver according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 FIG. 4 illustrates the connection relationship between an optical transceiver and a monitoring chip according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Figure 7 An example is given to illustrate the signal transmission relationship of an optical transceiver according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Figure 8 The following example illustrates the signal transmission relationship of an optical transceiver according to another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The other technical contents, features, and effects previously described in this application will be clearly presented in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following descriptions of the embodiments refer to the accompanying drawings to illustrate specific embodiments that can be implemented in this application. The other technical contents, features, and effects previously described in this application will be clearly presented in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] The accompanying drawings and descriptions are to be considered illustrative in nature and not restrictive. In the drawings, structurally similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, for ease of understanding and description, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0019] In order to further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this application to achieve the intended purpose, the following, in combination with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, describes in detail the specific implementation method, structure, characteristics and effects of a battery system and its battery communication system proposed in this application.

[0020] Please refer to Figure 1 , which shows a schematic diagram of a battery system 1000 and its battery communication system CMS1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The battery system 1000 includes a plurality of battery cells 900j and a battery communication system CMS1. In one embodiment, the number of battery cells 900j may be only one. The battery cell 900j is, for example, a lithium phosphate battery or a ternary lithium battery. These battery cells 900j are connected in series. When the battery system 1000 is in operation, it is necessary to monitor these battery cells 900j to confirm whether the battery parameters such as temperature and voltage are normal. In particular, when the battery cell 900j adopts a lithium phosphate battery, it has a relatively flat battery discharge curve, so it is necessary to provide a monitoring chip 100j for each battery cell 900j for precise monitoring. In one embodiment, the number of monitoring chips 100j may also be only one.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery communication system CMS1 includes the aforementioned monitoring chip 100j, a control unit 200, and a plurality of RF couplers 300j. In one embodiment, there may be only one RF coupler 300j. One monitoring chip 100j can be connected to one battery cell 900j in a one-to-one manner. The number of RF couplers 300j is the same as the number of monitoring chips 100j.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control unit 200 is used to control these monitoring chips 100j and collect monitoring information. The RF coupler 300j can be set to connect between two adjacent monitoring chips 100j, or to connect between the first monitoring chip 100j and the control unit 200. The control unit 200, the first monitoring chip 100j to the last monitoring chip 100j all perform whisper wireless communication through the RF coupler 300j to transmit commands to the monitoring chip 100j or to transmit monitoring information back from the monitoring chip 100j. These RF couplers 300j form a daisy chain communication path, such as Figure 1shown.

[0023] In one embodiment, the whisper wireless communication performed by the RF coupler 300j is only for communication between the two most adjacent RF couplers 300j, without interfering with other non-adjacent RF couplers 300j or being interfered by other non-adjacent RF couplers 300j.

[0024] In one embodiment, the control unit 200 is, for example, a circuit, a circuit board, a storage device storing program code, or a chip. The chip is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microcontroller unit (MCU), microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable controller, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), graphics processing unit (GPU), image signal processor (ISP), image processing unit (IPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), complex programmable logic device (CPLD), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other similar components or combinations thereof.

[0025] In one embodiment, the control unit 200 can be time-calibrated via a host computer or a host server to maintain standard time information within the control unit 200. The control unit 200 can then transmit a timing signal to the monitoring chips 100j via the RF couplers 300j. The monitoring chips 100j then synchronize and calibrate their internal circuit times based on the timing signal.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3FIG2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an RF coupler 300j according to an embodiment of the present application, and FIG3 illustrates the connection relationship between the RF coupler 300j and the monitoring chip 100j according to an embodiment of the present application. The RF coupler 300j utilizes whisper wireless communication technology. Each RF coupler 300j, for example, includes a circuit board BD, a first communication line TR1, and a second communication line TR2. The first communication line TR1 is disposed on the circuit board BD. The second communication line TR2 is disposed on the circuit board BD. The first communication line TR1 and the second communication line TR2 are respectively connected to adjacent monitoring chips 100j.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first communication line TR1 and the second communication line TR2 of the RF coupler 300j are separated by a gap GP and are not directly electrically connected. The medium such as air and the circuit board BD can withstand the high voltage accumulated by the series connection of the battery cells 900j, thereby improving operational safety.

[0028] In one embodiment, the circuit board BD of the RF coupler 300j is a flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board design can tolerate the offset and vibration between the battery cells 900j, thereby improving the connection reliability of the RF coupler 300j.

[0029] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first communication line TR1 of the RF coupler 300j has a first contact C1 and a second contact C2. The second communication line TR2 of the RF coupler 300j has a third contact C3 and a fourth contact C4. The first contact C1 and the fourth contact C4 are respectively connected to adjacent monitoring chips 100j. The first contact C1 and the fourth contact C4 serve as feed points for the adjacent monitoring chips 100j. The first contact C1 and the fourth contact C4 are located, for example, at the two locations farthest from each other between the first communication line TR1 and the second communication line TR2.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the first communication line TR1 of the RF coupler 300j is, for example, a U-shaped structure, and the second communication line TR2 of the RF coupler 300j is, for example, a U-shaped structure. For example, the first communication line TR1 of the RF coupler 300j includes a first metal line M1, a second metal line M2, and a third metal line M3. The first metal line M1, the second metal line M2, and the third metal line M3 are connected in sequence. The first metal line M1 is substantially perpendicular to the second metal line M2, and the second metal line M2 is substantially perpendicular to the third metal line M3, forming a U-shaped structure.

[0031] In one embodiment, the second communication line TR2 of the RF coupler 300j includes a fourth metal line M4, a fifth metal line M5, and a sixth metal line M6. The fourth metal line M4, the fifth metal line M5, and the sixth metal line M6 are sequentially connected. The fourth metal line M4 is substantially perpendicular to the fifth metal line M5, and the fifth metal line M5 is substantially perpendicular to the sixth metal line M6, forming a U-shaped structure.

[0032] In one embodiment, the second metal line M2 and the fifth metal line M5 of the RF coupler 300j are separated by the gap GP and are not directly connected. The gap GP is sufficient to provide sufficient withstand voltage to improve operational safety.

[0033] In one embodiment, the first communication trace TR1 and the second communication trace TR2 can employ the same structural design and dimensions. For example, the widths of the first metal line M1, the second metal line M2, the third metal line M3, the fourth metal line M4, the fifth metal line M5, and the sixth metal line M6 of the RF coupler 300j are substantially the same. The lengths of the first metal line M1, the third metal line M3, the fourth metal line M4, and the sixth metal line M6 of the RF coupler 300j are substantially the same, and the lengths of the second metal line M2 and the fifth metal line M5 are substantially the same.

[0034] According to the above embodiment, the battery system 1000 and its battery communication system CMS1 use a radio frequency coupler 300j to transmit commands and monitoring information. The monitoring chips 100j connected to these monitoring battery cells 900j are connected to each other using a near-field coupling method using the radio frequency coupler 300j to establish radio frequency whisper communication. Compared with traditional wireless broadcasting technology, the above embodiment disclosed in the present invention can reduce network collisions and reduce the impact of jamming signals in the air, so that the battery cells 900j can communicate safely and stably. In addition, the signal strength of the radio frequency whisper wireless communication is low, and the position and sequence of each transmission in the battery system 1000 can be individually identified, increasing the convenience of assembly and maintenance. In addition, the first communication line TR1 and the second communication line TR2 of the radio frequency coupler 300j are not directly connected. Mediums such as air and circuit board BD can withstand the high cross-voltage accumulated by the series connection of battery cells 900j to improve operational safety.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 4, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a battery system 2000 and its battery communication system CMS2 according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , the battery communication system CMS2 includes the above-mentioned monitoring chip 100j, the above-mentioned control unit 200, and a plurality of optical transceivers 400j. In one embodiment, the number of optical transceivers 400j may be only one. One monitoring chip 100j is connected to one battery cell 900j. Each optical transceiver 400j is connected to one monitoring chip 100j or the control unit 200. The control unit 200, the first monitoring chip 100j to the last monitoring chip 100j all perform whisper wireless communication through the corresponding two optical transceivers 400j to transmit commands to the monitoring chip 100j or to transmit monitoring information back from the monitoring chip 100j. These optical transceivers 400j form a daisy chain communication path.

[0036] In one embodiment, the whisper wireless communication performed by two corresponding optical transceivers 400 j is only for communication between the two optical transceivers 400 j and will not interfere with other optical transceivers 400 j or be interfered by other optical transceivers 400 j .

[0037] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an optical transceiver 400 j according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 The connection relationship between an optical transceiver 400j and a monitoring chip 100j according to one embodiment of the present application is illustrated. As shown in FIG5 , the optical transceiver 400j includes an amplifier, a comparator, a mode control unit, a light receiving unit RX, and a light emitting unit TX. The light receiving unit RX is used to receive an optical communication signal SN. The light emitting unit TX is used to emit another optical communication signal SN′.

[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, one monitoring chip 100j is connected to two optical transceivers 400j. When the number of monitoring chips 100j is N, the last monitoring chip 100j can be connected to only one optical transceiver 400j, so the number of optical transceivers 400j is 2N-1, where N is a natural number.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 7 , which illustrates the signal transmission relationship of an optical transceiver 400j according to an embodiment of the present application. In a design where a monitoring chip 100j is connected to two optical transceivers 400j, one optical transceiver 400j is dedicated to uplink communication, while the other optical transceiver 400j is dedicated to downlink communication.

[0040] In one embodiment, the optical transceiver 400j for performing uplink communication includes a light receiving unit RX for receiving an uplink optical communication signal SNu and a light emitting unit TX for emitting another uplink optical communication signal SNu′.

[0041] In one embodiment, the optical transceiver 400j for downlink communication includes a light receiving unit RX for receiving a downlink optical communication signal SNd and a light emitting unit TX for emitting another downlink optical communication signal SNd′.

[0042] In another embodiment, one monitoring chip 100j is connected to one optical transceiver 400j. In this design, the number of optical transceivers 400j is the same as the number of monitoring chips 100j.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 8 This example illustrates the signal transmission relationship of an optical transceiver 400j according to another embodiment of the present application. In a design where a monitoring chip 100j is connected to an optical transceiver 400j, the optical transceiver 400j must perform both uplink and downlink communication functions. For example, each optical transceiver 400j includes a light receiving unit RX for receiving an uplink optical communication signal SNu or a downlink optical communication signal SNd, and a light emitting unit TX for transmitting another uplink optical communication signal SNu' or another downlink optical communication signal SNd'.

[0044] In one embodiment, in a design where one monitoring chip 100 j is connected to one optical transceiver 400 j , no collision will occur as long as uplink communication and downlink communication are not performed simultaneously on the same optical transceiver 400 j .

[0045] According to the above embodiment, the battery system 2000 and its battery communication system CMS2 use an optical transceiver 400j to transmit commands and monitoring information. The monitoring chips 100j of these monitoring battery cells 900j are connected to each other in an optical communication manner using the optical transceiver 400j to establish optical whisper communication. Compared with traditional wireless broadcasting technology, the above embodiment disclosed in the present invention can reduce network collisions and reduce the impact of jamming signals in the air, so that the battery cells 900j can communicate safely and stably. In addition, the signal range of the optical whisper wireless communication is small, and the position and order of each transmission in the battery system 1000 can be individually confirmed, which increases the convenience of assembly and maintenance. In addition, the corresponding optical transceivers 400j for transmission and reception are not directly connected. Media such as air can withstand the high cross-voltage accumulated by the series connection of battery cells 900j to improve the safety of operation.

[0046] The above disclosure provides different features for implementing some embodiments or examples of the present disclosure. The specific examples of components and configurations described above (e.g., the numerical values or names mentioned) are to simplify / suggest some embodiments of the present disclosure. Of course, these components and configurations are only examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, some embodiments of the present disclosure can refer to the same reference signs and / or letters in various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed. The operation and explanation of each component in the wireless communication identification method of the present application are described in the description of each embodiment of the wireless communication identification system, and are not repeated here. The phrase "in an embodiment" is used repeatedly. This phrase is not always referring to the same embodiment; however, it can also refer to the same embodiment. The words "comprise", "have" and "include" are synonymous, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0047] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present application, so as to make those skilled in the art easily understand the content of the present application, and does not limit the present application in any form. Although the present application has been disclosed as above with specific embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present application, and any skilled person in the art can make some changes or modifications within the scope of the technical solution of the present application by using the above disclosed technical content, to obtain equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, but any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made on the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present application, as long as it does not deviate from the content of the technical solution of the present application, still belongs to the scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery communication system, characterized in that: The battery communication system comprises: a monitoring chip connected to a battery cell; a control unit; and A radio frequency coupler is disposed adjacent to the monitoring chip or between the monitoring chip and the control unit. The radio frequency coupler is connected only to the nearest radio frequency coupler by near-field coupling to communicate with each other and establish a daisy-chain communication path for radio frequency whisper communication.

2. The battery communication system according to claim 1, wherein: There are a plurality of monitoring chips, a plurality of battery cells, and a plurality of RF couplers. Each monitoring chip is connected to one of the battery cells. Each RF coupler is arranged between adjacent monitoring chips, or between one of the monitoring chips and the control unit. The RF couplers form the daisy chain communication path.

3. The battery communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The radio frequency coupler comprises: a circuit board; a first communication circuit, disposed on the circuit board; and a second communication circuit disposed on the circuit board, wherein the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit are respectively connected to adjacent different monitoring chips; Wherein, the circuit board of each radio frequency coupler is a flexible circuit board.

4. The battery communication system according to claim 3, wherein: The first communication line and the second communication line of each RF coupler are separated by a gap, and the first communication line and the second communication line of each RF coupler are used to perform whisper wireless communication. The whisper wireless communication is only for communication between the two most adjacent RF couplers, and will not interfere with other non-adjacent RF couplers, nor will it be interfered with by other non-adjacent RF couplers.

5. The battery communication system according to claim 3, wherein: The first communication line of each RF coupler has a first contact and a second contact, and the second communication line of each RF coupler has a third contact and a fourth contact. The first contact and the fourth contact are respectively connected to the adjacent monitoring chip.

6. The battery communication system according to claim 3, wherein: The first communication line of each of the RF couplers includes a first metal line, a second metal line, and a third metal line, the first metal line, the second metal line, and the third metal line are connected in sequence, the first metal line is substantially perpendicular to the second metal line, and the second metal line is substantially perpendicular to the third metal line. The second communication line of each of the RF couplers includes a fourth metal line, a fifth metal line, and a sixth metal line, the fourth metal line, the fifth metal line, and the sixth metal line are connected in sequence, the fourth metal line is substantially perpendicular to the fifth metal line, and the fifth metal line is substantially perpendicular to the sixth metal line, wherein the second metal line of each of the RF couplers is spaced apart from the fifth metal line by a gap.

7. The battery communication system according to claim 6, wherein: The first metal line, the second metal line, the third metal line, the fourth metal line, the fifth metal line, and the sixth metal line of each of the RF couplers have substantially the same widths. Furthermore, the first metal line, the third metal line, the fourth metal line, and the sixth metal line of each of the RF couplers have substantially the same lengths, and the second metal line and the fifth metal line have substantially the same lengths.

8. The battery communication system according to claim 2, wherein: The number of the radio frequency couplers is the same as the number of the monitoring chips.

9. A battery system, characterized in that: The battery system comprises: at least one battery cell; and A battery communication system comprising: a monitoring chip connected to the at least one battery cell; a control unit; and A radio frequency coupler is disposed adjacent to the monitoring chip or between the monitoring chip and the control unit. The radio frequency coupler is connected only to the nearest radio frequency coupler by near-field coupling to communicate with each other and establish a daisy-chain communication path for radio frequency whisper communication.

10. The battery system according to claim 9, wherein: There are a plurality of at least one battery cells, and the battery cells are connected in series; There are a plurality of monitoring chips, each of which is connected to one of the battery cells; and There are a plurality of RF couplers, each of which is disposed between adjacent monitoring chips or between one of the monitoring chips and the control unit. The RF couplers form the daisy chain communication path.

Images