Printed circuit board coupling

Abstract

The invention relates to printed circuit board coupling. A battery management system (110) is disclosed. The battery management system (110) includes a plurality of printed circuit boards (126, 128). The first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (128) are electrically isolated from each other and are arranged for transmitting electrical signals via a non-conductive electrical coupling therebetween. Further, a method for arranging and operating a battery management system (110) is disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery management system, methods for arranging and operating the battery management system, and their uses. The disclosed battery management system and methods are particularly suitable for automotive applications (such as for controlling battery cells in a vehicle). However, other applications are certainly possible as well. Background Technology

[0002] A battery management system (BMS) typically controls several battery cells in at least partially different voltage domains. Therefore, several cell monitoring circuits, each controlling different battery cells, can be interconnected to form a BMS. Specifically, the cell monitoring circuits can be arranged in a daisy-chain configuration. The cell monitoring circuits can be electrically isolated, such as by using capacitors to provide electrical isolation. In practice, cell monitoring circuits are typically daisy-chained using a two-wire communication bus, requiring two connectors to be placed during manufacturing. This typically involves a labor-intensive process, particularly requiring manual labor. Therefore, there is a particular need to reduce the workload of arranging a BMS, and even more importantly, to eliminate manual labor in this process. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect, a battery management system is disclosed. The battery management system includes multiple printed circuit boards. A first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board are electrically isolated from each other. The first and second printed circuit boards are also arranged for transmitting electrical signals via non-conductive electrical coupling between them.

[0004] On the other hand, a method is disclosed. This method includes:

[0005] a) A first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board are arranged within a battery management system such that the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are electrically isolated and electrically coupled via non-conductive electrical coupling.

[0006] b) Transmitting electrical signals between the first and second printed circuit boards via the non-conductive electrical coupling between the first and second printed circuit boards.

[0007] On the other hand, the use of battery management systems and / or methods for automotive applications has been disclosed.

[0008] Those skilled in the art will recognize the additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description and reviewing the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which the same reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily proportional to each other. Features of the various illustrated examples can be combined unless mutually exclusive.

[0010] Figure 1 An example of the electrical settings of a battery management system is illustrated schematically.

[0011] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example of the arrangement of two printed circuit boards within a battery management system.

[0012] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example of the arrangement of three printed circuit boards within a battery management system.

[0013] Figure 4 An example of the mechanical setup of a battery management system is illustrated schematically.

[0014] Figure 5 The flowchart illustrates an example of a method for deploying and operating a battery management system. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The examples described herein offer considerable advantages. Specifically, the disclosed battery management system includes multiple printed circuit boards arranged to transmit electrical signals via non-conductive electrical coupling (such as capacitive coupling). Thus, printed circuit boards that can carry cell monitoring circuitry for monitoring battery cells can be arranged such that they form capacitive coupling with each other (e.g., by at least partially overlapping). This arrangement of the printed circuit boards can be automated during manufacturing. Therefore, manual placement of connectors for the cell monitoring circuitry is no longer required, significantly reducing the manufacturing effort required to arrange the battery management system.

[0016] Figure 1An example of the electrical settings of a battery management system 110 is schematically illustrated. The battery management system 110 can be configured to control, monitor, or regulate one or more battery cells 112. Therefore, the battery management system 110 can be configured to determine the physical characteristics (such as state of charge, temperature, or output voltage) of at least one battery cell 112. Battery cells 112, or at least some of them, can form a battery stack 114 (e.g., by connecting multiple battery cells 112). The battery management system 110 may include at least one cell monitoring circuit 116. The cell monitoring circuit 116 can be configured to monitor at least one battery cell 112. Therefore, the cell monitoring circuit 116 can be configured to sense at least one physical parameter of the battery cell 112. Additionally or alternatively, the cell monitoring circuit 116 can be configured to regulate the battery cell 112 (e.g., to disconnect or connect the battery cell 112).

[0017] The battery management system 110 can be a high-voltage battery management system, particularly in the range of 120V to 1500V, and more particularly in the range of 400V to 800V. Additionally or alternatively, the battery management system 110 can be a distributed battery management system. Therefore, the battery management system 110 can include multiple unit monitoring circuits 116. The unit monitoring circuits 116 can be spatially distributed. The battery management system 110 can also include a host controller 118. The host controller 118 can be the master controller of the battery management system 110. Therefore, the host controller 118 can be a superior controller, particularly a superior controller to the unit monitoring circuits 116. The host controller 118 can be configured to control the battery management system 110, particularly for overall or global control of the battery management system 110. Therefore, the host controller 118 can, for example, receive monitoring information from the unit monitoring circuits 116, evaluate that information, and transmit adjustment information to the unit monitoring circuits 116. The host controller 118 can include a microcontroller. The microcontroller 120 can be configured to evaluate or process information. The host controller may also include a transceiver 122. The transceiver 122 may be configured to receive and / or transmit information.

[0018] The battery management system 110 (and particularly, the distributed battery management system 110) can be an interconnected battery management system 110. Therefore, components of the battery management system 110 can be at least partially and / or indirectly connected to each other. Specifically, the cell monitoring circuits 116 can be arranged in a daisy-chain topology. At least one cell monitoring circuit 116 can be connected to the host controller 118, and particularly to the transceiver 122 of the host controller 118. For example, two cell monitoring circuits 116 can be connected to the host controller 118, and particularly to the transceiver 122 of the host controller 118 (such as in a ring topology). However, other topologies are also possible. The cell monitoring circuits 116 can be electrically isolated, particularly electrically isolated from each other and / or electrically isolated from the host controller 118. Therefore, the battery management system 110 can include at least one transformer 124. The transformer 124 can be configured to inductively couple the host controller 118 to at least one cell monitoring circuit 116. The transformer 124 can be arranged between the host controller 118 and the cell monitoring circuits 116. In the case of the aforementioned ring topology, the battery management system 110 may include, for example, two transformers 124 between the host controller 118 and the daisy-chained unit monitoring circuit 116. In principle, in addition to the indicated inductive coupling, another electrical coupling (e.g., capacitive coupling) to the host controller 118 is also feasible.

[0019] The cell monitoring circuits 116 can, for example, be capacitively coupled to each other. However, also here, another electrical coupling (such as inductive coupling) between the cell monitoring circuits 116 is feasible. As indicated, electrical coupling between two adjacent cell monitoring circuits 116 can be achieved by using a two-wire connection with a plug, which may have to be manually placed during manufacturing. However, electrical coupling can also be achieved in another more advantageous manner, as described below. In particular, electrical coupling of the proposed type can significantly reduce the manufacturing effort required for arranging the battery management system 110, and more specifically eliminate manual labor in the process.

[0020] Figure 2An example arrangement of two printed circuit boards 126 and 128 within a battery management system 110 is schematically illustrated. Therefore, the battery management system 110 includes at least a first printed circuit board 126 and a second printed circuit board 128. Printed circuit boards 126 and 128 can be configured to carry one or more electronic circuits (such as cell monitoring circuitry 116). Printed circuit boards 126 and 128 may include traces for connecting the electronic circuits. Printed circuit boards 126 and 128 may include a substrate for mechanically supporting the electronic circuits. At least one of printed circuit boards 126 and 128 can be a flexible printed circuit board. In other words, at least one of printed circuit boards 126 and 128 can be at least partially flexible or bendable. Therefore, the aforementioned substrate can be a flexible substrate, particularly a flexible plastic substrate.

[0021] Specifically, the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 can each carry the unit monitoring circuit 116. In other words, the unit monitoring circuit 116 can be mounted on printed circuit boards 126 and 128. Instead of manually placing a connector between the unit monitoring circuits 116, the unit monitoring circuits 116 can now also be electrically isolated by properly arranging the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128. Therefore, the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 are electrically isolated from each other. Furthermore, the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 are arranged to transmit electrical signals via non-conductive electrical coupling between them. Therefore, the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 can be indirectly coupled (e.g., there is no direct conduction or resistive conduction between the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128). The non-conductive electrical coupling can be, in particular, capacitive coupling. Therefore, electrical signals (such as voltage or current) can be transmitted between printed circuit boards 126 and 128 via a change in the electric field formed between them, where the change in the electric field is formed by the arrangement of the printed circuit boards 126 and 128. However, other electrical couplings (particularly inductive couplings) are also possible. Thus, non-conductive electrical couplings can, for example, be or include inductive couplings.

[0022] like Figure 2As envisioned by the capacitor symbol shown, the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 can form a capacitor, and particularly a parallel plate capacitor, due to their arrangement. Therefore, the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 can at least partially overlap each other. The first printed circuit board 126 may include a first conductive layer 130 and a first insulating layer 132. The second printed circuit board 128 may include a second conductive layer 134. The first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 can be arranged at least partially such that the first conductive layer 130 and the second conductive layer 134 are spatially separated by a first insulating layer 132. Additionally, the second printed circuit board 128 may also include a second insulating layer 136. The first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 can then be arranged at least partially such that the first conductive layer 130 and the second conductive layer 134 are spatially separated by the first insulating layer 132 and the second insulating layer 136. For better understanding, the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 can be arranged as follows: Figure 2 The gaps shown are spaced apart. However, preferably, the first insulating layer 132 can be in direct contact with the second insulating layer 136.

[0023] Figure 3 An example arrangement of three printed circuit boards 126, 128, and 138 within a battery management system 110 is schematically illustrated. Therefore, the battery management system 110 may specifically include a third printed circuit board 138. The third printed circuit board 138 may be of the same type as the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128. Therefore, the third printed circuit board 138 may also specifically be a flexible printed circuit board. Regarding... Figure 3 A description of the arrangement of the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 can also be found in [reference]. Figure 2 The description. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138 can also overlap each other at least partially, and thus form a capacitor, particularly a parallel plate capacitor. Therefore, the second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138 can also be electrically isolated from each other. Furthermore, the second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138 can also be arranged to transmit electrical signals via non-conductive electrical coupling (and particularly via capacitive coupling between them). In summary, the first printed circuit board 126, the second printed circuit board 128, and the third printed circuit board 138 can be arranged for transmitting electrical signals between the first printed circuit board 126 and the third printed circuit board 138 via the second printed circuit board 128. Therefore, in Figure 3 In the arrangement shown, the second printed circuit board 128 may specifically be the connecting printed circuit board between the first printed circuit board 126 and the third printed circuit board 138.

[0024] The third printed circuit board 138 may include a third conductive layer 140. The second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138 may be arranged at least partially such that the second conductive layer 134 and the third conductive layer 140 are spatially separated by the second insulating layer 136. The third printed circuit board 138 may also include a third insulating layer 142. The second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138 may then be arranged at least partially such that the second conductive layer 134 and the third conductive layer 140 are spatially separated by the third insulating layer 142. Furthermore, the second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138 may be arranged at least partially such that the second conductive layer 134 and the third conductive layer 140 are spatially separated by the second insulating layer 136 and the third insulating layer 142. Similarly, the second insulating layer 136 may be in direct contact with the third insulating layer 142.

[0025] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 Where applicable, at least one of the first conductive layer 130, the second conductive layer 134, and the third conductive layer 140 may be a structural layer (such as a layer including traces or other structures). However, in principle, at least one of the first conductive layer 130, the second conductive layer 134, and the third conductive layer 140 may also be a planar layer. For example, regarding Figure 3 In the illustrated arrangement, the first conductive layer 130 and the third conductive layer 140 can be structural layers, while the second conductive layer 134 can be a planar layer (e.g., for improving capacitive coupling when using interconnected printed circuit boards). Therefore, at least one of the first conductive layer 130, the second conductive layer 134, and the third conductive layer 140 can be configured to perform an electrical function. The electrical function can be selected from the group consisting of sensing functions, regulating functions, processing functions, communication functions, and power supply functions. At least one of the first conductive layer 130, the second conductive layer 134, and the third conductive layer 140 may include copper. At least one of the first insulating layer 132, the second insulating layer 136, and the third insulating layer 142 may include polyimide. Other choices of materials or electrical functions are, of course, also possible.

[0026] Figure 4An example of the mechanical setup of a battery management system 110 is schematically illustrated. The battery management system 110 may include at least one carrier 144. The carrier 144 may be configured to mechanically carry additional components. Specifically, the carrier 144 may be configured to carry at least one printed circuit board (such as the first printed circuit board 126 described above). Thus, at least one of the printed circuit boards 126, 128, and 138 may be mechanically attached to the carrier. Additionally or alternatively, the carrier 144 may be configured to carry at least one battery cell connector 146. The battery cell connector 146 may be configured to electrically connect a plurality of battery cells 112. At least one of the printed circuit boards 126, 128, and 138 may be electrically connected to the battery cell connector 146, and thus indirectly connected to the battery cells 112. At least one of the printed circuit boards 126, 128, and 138 may carry a cell monitoring circuit 116. In other words, the cell monitoring circuit 116 may be mounted, for example, on the first printed circuit board 126. The cell monitoring circuit 116 can be configured to monitor at least one battery cell 112. Therefore, the cell monitoring circuit 116 can be specifically indirectly connected to the battery cell 112 for monitoring the battery cell 112.

[0027] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for arranging and operating a battery management system 110 is shown. The method includes the following method steps. The proposed method steps can be performed in the indicated order. However, it should be noted that a different order is also possible. The method may include other method steps not listed. Furthermore, one or more method steps may be performed once or repeatedly. Additionally, two or more method steps may be performed simultaneously or in a time-overlapping manner.

[0028] a) (identified by reference numeral 146) The first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 are arranged within the battery management system 110 such that the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 are electrically isolated from each other and electrically coupled via non-conductive electrical coupling, and

[0029] b) (identified by reference numeral 148) transmits electrical signals between the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128 via non-conductive electrical coupling between the first printed circuit board 126 and the second printed circuit board 128.

[0030] The method may also include one or more of the following steps:

[0031] c) The third printed circuit board 138 and the second printed circuit board 128 are arranged such that the second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138 are electrically isolated and electrically coupled via non-conductive electrical coupling.

[0032] d) (identified by reference numeral 152) transmits electrical signals between the second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138 via non-conductive electrical coupling between the second printed circuit board 128 and the third printed circuit board 138, and

[0033] e) (identified by reference numeral 154) transmits electrical signals between the first printed circuit board 126 and the third printed circuit board 138 via the second printed circuit board 128.

[0034] Therefore, the same electrical signal can be transmitted specifically from the first printed circuit board 126 to the third printed circuit board 138 via the second printed circuit board 128. Further details regarding the method can also be found in the above description of the battery management system 110. As already noted, the described battery management system 110 and / or the described method can be specifically used in automotive applications. Therefore, the battery management system 110 and / or the method can be used for battery management in vehicles (such as for managing battery cells 112 in a vehicle). Generally, the terms "first," "second," "third," and (if applicable) other designations are used herein only as a naming convention and do not indicate order or hierarchy. The terms "first," "second," "third," and (if applicable) other designations are used only to indicate different elements of the same kind mentioned.

[0035] In addition to the examples above, the following examples are disclosed in this article:

[0036] Example 1: A battery management system includes a plurality of printed circuit boards, wherein a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board are electrically isolated from each other and are arranged for transmitting electrical signals via non-conductive electrical coupling between them.

[0037] Example 2: The battery management system according to the previous example, where the non-conductive electrical coupling is capacitive coupling.

[0038] Example 3: A battery management system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board at least partially overlap each other.

[0039] Example 4: A battery management system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the first printed circuit board includes a first conductive layer and a first insulating layer, wherein the second printed circuit board includes a second conductive layer, and wherein the first and second printed circuit boards are arranged at least partially such that the first and second conductive layers are spatially separated by the first insulating layer.

[0040] Example 5: According to the battery management system of the foregoing example, the second printed circuit board further includes a second isolation layer, wherein the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board are arranged at least partially such that the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are spatially separated by the first isolation layer and the second isolation layer.

[0041] Example 6: The battery management system according to the previous example, wherein the first isolation layer is in direct contact with the second isolation layer.

[0042] Example 7: A battery management system according to any of the three examples above, wherein at least one of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is a structural layer.

[0043] Example 8: A battery management system according to any of the four examples above, wherein at least one of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer is configured to perform electrical functions.

[0044] Example 9: According to the battery management system of the foregoing example, the electrical function is selected from the group consisting of: sensing function, regulation function, processing function, communication function, and power supply function.

[0045] Example 10: The battery management system according to any of the preceding examples further includes a third printed circuit board, wherein the second printed circuit board and the third printed circuit board are electrically isolated from each other and are arranged for transmitting electrical signals via non-conductive electrical coupling between them.

[0046] Example 11: According to the battery management system of the foregoing example, a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board and a third printed circuit board are arranged to transmit electrical signals between the first printed circuit board and the third printed circuit board via the second printed circuit board.

[0047] Example 12: A battery management system according to either of the two examples above, wherein the electrical coupling between the second printed circuit board and the third printed circuit board is capacitive coupling.

[0048] Example 13: A battery management system according to any of the three examples above, wherein the second printed circuit board and the third printed circuit board at least partially overlap each other.

[0049] Example 14: A battery management system according to any of the four examples above, wherein the second printed circuit board includes a second conductive layer and a second insulating layer, wherein the third printed circuit board includes a third conductive layer, and wherein the second and third printed circuit boards are arranged at least partially such that the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer are spatially separated by the second insulating layer.

[0050] Example 15: According to the battery management system of the foregoing example, the third printed circuit board further includes a third isolation layer, wherein the second and third printed circuit boards are arranged at least partially such that the second and third conductive layers are spatially separated by the second and third isolation layers.

[0051] Example 16: The battery management system according to the previous example, wherein the second isolation layer is in direct contact with the third isolation layer.

[0052] Example 17: A battery management system according to any of the three examples above, wherein at least one of the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer is a structural layer.

[0053] Example 18: A battery management system according to any of the four examples above, wherein at least one of the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer is configured to perform electrical functions.

[0054] Example 19: According to the battery management system of the foregoing example, the electrical function is selected from the group consisting of: sensing function, regulation function, processing function, communication function, and power supply function.

[0055] Example 20: A battery management system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards is a flexible printed circuit board.

[0056] Example 21: A battery management system according to any of the preceding sixteen examples, wherein at least one of the first isolation layer, the second isolation layer, and optionally the third isolation layer comprises polyimide.

[0057] Example 22: A battery management system according to any of the preceding eighteen examples, wherein at least one of the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and optionally the third conductive layer comprises copper.

[0058] Example 23: A battery management system based on any of the preceding examples, wherein the battery management system is a distributed battery management system.

[0059] Example 24: A battery management system according to any of the preceding examples, wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards carries a cell monitoring circuit configured to monitor the battery cells.

[0060] Example 25: The battery management system according to any of the preceding examples further includes at least one battery cell connector configured to connect a plurality of battery cells.

[0061] Example 26: A battery management system according to the foregoing example, wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards is electrically connected to the battery cell connector.

[0062] Example 27: The battery management system according to either of the two examples above also includes at least one carrier configured to carry at least a battery cell connector.

[0063] Example 28: A battery management system according to the foregoing example, wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards is mechanically attached to a carrier.

[0064] Example 29: The battery management system according to any of the five examples above also includes multiple battery cells.

[0065] Example 30: A battery management system according to the foregoing example, wherein battery cells form a battery stack.

[0066] Example 31: The battery management system according to any of the five examples above also includes a host controller configured to control the battery management system.

[0067] Example 32: A method that includes:

[0068] a) Arranging a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board within the battery management system, such that the first and second printed circuit boards are electrically isolated and electrically coupled via non-conductive electrical coupling,

[0069] b) Transmit electrical signals between the first and second printed circuit boards via non-conductive electrical coupling between the first and second printed circuit boards.

[0070] Example 33: According to the method of the foregoing example, the non-conductive electrical coupling between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board is capacitive coupling.

[0071] Example 34: Based on any of the methods in the preceding method examples, the method also includes:

[0072] c) Arrange the third and second printed circuit boards such that the second and third printed circuit boards are electrically isolated and electrically coupled via non-conductive electrical coupling.

[0073] d) Transmit electrical signals between the second and third printed circuit boards via non-conductive electrical coupling between the second and third printed circuit boards.

[0074] Example 35: Based on the method in the preceding examples, it also includes:

[0075] e) Transmit electrical signals between the first and third printed circuit boards via the second printed circuit board.

[0076] Example 36: According to the method of either of the two examples above, the non-conductive electrical coupling between the second printed circuit board and the third printed circuit board is capacitive coupling.

[0077] Example 37: A method according to any of the foregoing method examples, wherein a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board, and optionally a third printed circuit board are arranged within a battery management system according to any of the foregoing examples involving a battery management system.

[0078] Example 38: A battery management system according to any of the foregoing examples involving a battery management system and a method according to any of the foregoing method examples for use in an automotive application.

[0079] While specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that various alternatives and / or equivalent embodiments may be used to replace the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the specific examples discussed herein. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0080] It should be noted that the methods and apparatuses, including those with preferred embodiments outlined in this document, can be used alone or in combination with other methods and apparatuses disclosed in this document. Furthermore, features outlined in the context of the apparatus also apply to the corresponding methods, and vice versa. Moreover, all aspects of the methods and apparatuses outlined in this document can be combined arbitrarily. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined with each other in any manner.

[0081] It should be noted that the specification and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the proposed methods and systems. Those skilled in the art will be able to implement various arrangements, although not explicitly described or shown herein, which embody the principles of this disclosure and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and embodiments outlined in this document are primarily intended for illustrative purposes only to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the proposed methods and systems. Moreover, all statements and specific examples of the principles, aspects, and embodiments of this disclosure provided herein are intended to cover their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery management system (110) comprising a plurality of printed circuit boards (126, 128), wherein a first printed circuit board (126) and a second printed circuit board (128) are electrically isolated from each other and are arranged for transmitting electrical signals via non-conductive electrical coupling between them.

2. The battery management system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the non-conductive electrical coupling is capacitive coupling.

3. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (110) at least partially overlap each other.

4. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first printed circuit board (126) includes a first conductive layer (130) and a first insulating layer (132), wherein the second printed circuit board (128) includes a second conductive layer (134), wherein the first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (128) are at least partially arranged such that the first conductive layer (130) and the second conductive layer (134) are spatially separated by the first insulating layer (132).

5. The battery management system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second printed circuit board (128) further includes a second insulating layer (136), wherein the first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (128) are arranged at least partially such that the first conductive layer (130) and the second conductive layer (134) are spatially separated by the first insulating layer (132) and the second insulating layer (136).

6. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein at least one of the first conductive layer (130) and the second conductive layer (134) is a structural layer.

7. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding three claims, wherein at least one of the first conductive layer (130) and the second conductive layer (134) is configured to perform an electrical function.

8. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a third printed circuit board (138), wherein the second printed circuit board (128) and the third printed circuit board (138) are electrically isolated from each other and arranged for transmitting electrical signals via non-conductive electrical coupling between them.

9. The battery management system (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first printed circuit board (126), the second printed circuit board (128) and the third printed circuit board (138) are arranged for transmitting electrical signals between the first printed circuit board (126) and the third printed circuit board (138) via the second printed circuit board (128).

10. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards (126, 128, 138) is a flexible printed circuit board.

11. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery management system (110) is a distributed battery management system.

12. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards (126, 128, 138) carries a cell monitoring circuit (116) configured to monitor the battery cell (112).

13. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding claims further includes at least one battery cell connector (146) configured for connecting a plurality of battery cells (112).

14. The battery management system (110) according to the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards (126, 128, 138) is electrically connected to the battery cell connector (146).

15. The battery management system (110) according to any one of the preceding two claims further includes at least one carrier (144) configured to carry at least the battery cell connector (146), wherein at least one of the printed circuit boards (126, 128, 138) is mechanically attached to the carrier (144).

16. A method comprising: a) The first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (126) are arranged within the battery management system (110) such that the first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (126) are electrically isolated and electrically coupled via non-conductive electrical coupling, and b) Transmitting electrical signals between the first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (128) via the non-conductive electrical coupling between the first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (128).

17. The method according to the preceding claims, wherein the non-conductive electrical coupling between the first printed circuit board (126) and the second printed circuit board (128) is capacitive coupling.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises: c) Arrange the third printed circuit board (138) and the second printed circuit board (128) such that the second printed circuit board (128) and the third printed circuit board (138) are electrically isolated and electrically coupled via non-conductive electrical coupling, and d) Transmitting electrical signals between the second printed circuit board (128) and the third printed circuit board (138) via the non-conductive electrical coupling between the second printed circuit board (128) and the third printed circuit board (138).

19. The method according to the preceding claims, further comprising: e) Transmitting electrical signals between the first printed circuit board (126) and the third printed circuit board (138) via the second printed circuit board (128).

20. A battery management system according to any one of the preceding claims relating to a battery management system (110) and at least one of the methods according to any one of the preceding method claims for use in an automotive application.

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