Battery system and battery communication system thereof

Abstract

The utility model 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] This application relates to a battery system, and more particularly to a battery system connected by near-field coupling and its battery communication system. Background Technology

[0002] To improve the efficiency of battery energy storage systems, most industrial and automotive battery energy storage systems today use a series connection structure. The DC voltage of a battery pack increases with the number of cells connected in series. However, battery energy storage systems must monitor and collect information such as the voltage and temperature of each cell to maintain the operation and safety of the battery energy storage. As the series DC voltage increases, the voltage across the connected battery energy storage communication system also increases, posing a growing challenge to the safety and stability of the battery energy storage communication system.

[0003] Due to the widespread use of lithium iron phosphate batteries, their relatively flat discharge curves have allowed single-cell capacities to grow from a few amperes (2-3 Ah) to hundreds of amperes (200-300 Ah), necessitating more precise monitoring of battery parameters in battery energy storage systems. To achieve this precise monitoring, there is a growing trend towards equipping each battery in a battery energy storage system with a dedicated monitoring chip.

[0004] Traditionally, series capacitive coupling or parallel inductive coupling is used to isolate voltage between batteries. However, series capacitive coupling has low reliability, which can significantly affect the safety of the battery energy storage system. Furthermore, parallel inductive coupling must withstand the high trans-voltage accumulated from the series connection of batteries, and the reliability of its components can significantly impact the safety of the battery energy storage system. Moreover, in parallel communication systems, communication collisions between different communication ports and the main control chip often affect communication stability and make it difficult to confirm the position and order of batteries in the system, causing difficulties in assembly and maintenance. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the purpose of this application is to provide a battery system and its battery communication system, which utilizes a radio frequency coupler or an optical transceiver to achieve communication between battery packs in a series structure, thereby improving reliability and avoiding communication collisions.

[0006] The objective of this application and the technical problem it solves are achieved by the following technical solution. According to 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 the battery cell. The radio frequency coupler is disposed adjacent to the monitoring chip, or disposed between the monitoring chip and the control unit.

[0007] In another aspect of this 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] To provide a better understanding of the above and other aspects of this application, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a battery system and its battery communication system according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a radio frequency coupler according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

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

[0012] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating another battery system and its battery communication system according to an embodiment of this application is shown.

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

[0014] Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the connection relationship between an optical transceiver and a monitoring chip according to an embodiment of this application.

[0015] Figure 7 This example illustrates the signal transmission relationship of an optical transceiver according to an embodiment of this application.

[0016] Figure 8 This example illustrates the signal transmission relationship of an optical transceiver according to another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

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

[0018] The accompanying drawings and descriptions are intended to be illustrative in nature, not restrictive. In the drawings, structurally similar units 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 arbitrary, but this application is not limited thereto.

[0019] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this application to achieve the intended purpose, the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, describes the specific implementation, structure, features, and effects of a battery system and its battery communication system proposed in this application.

[0020] Please refer to Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a battery system 1000 and its battery communication system CMS1 according to an embodiment of this application. The battery system 1000 includes several battery cells 900j and the battery communication system CMS1. In one embodiment, there may be only one battery cell 900j. The battery cells 900j are, for example, lithium phosphate batteries or ternary lithium batteries. These battery cells 900j are connected in series. When the battery system 1000 is operating, these battery cells 900j need to be monitored to confirm whether battery parameters such as temperature and voltage are normal. Especially when the battery cells 900j use lithium phosphate batteries, which have a relatively flat battery discharge curve, a monitoring chip 100j is needed for each battery cell 900j for precise monitoring. In one embodiment, there may be only one monitoring chip 100j.

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

[0022] In one embodiment, the control unit 200 controls the monitoring chips 100j and collects monitoring information. Radio frequency couplers 300j can be configured to connect between two adjacent monitoring chips 100j, or to connect between the first monitoring chip 100j and the control unit 200. Whisper-like wireless communication is established between the control unit 200 and each monitoring chip 100j from the first to the last via the radio frequency couplers 300j, to transmit commands to the monitoring chips 100j or to receive monitoring information from the monitoring chips 100j. These radio frequency couplers 300j form a daisy chain communication path.

[0023] In one embodiment, the whisper wireless communication performed by the radio frequency coupler 300j is such that it only allows communication between the two nearest radio frequency couplers 300j, without interfering with or being interfered with by other non-adjacent radio frequency 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 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microcontroller (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 perform time calibration through a host computer or a host server to enable the control unit 200 to have standard time information. The control unit 200 can then transmit a time synchronization signal to the monitoring chips 100j through the radio frequency couplers 300j, and the monitoring chips 100j will synchronously correct their internal circuit time according to the time synchronization signal.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an RF coupler 300j according to an embodiment of this application, and Figure 3 illustrates the connection relationship between the RF coupler 300j and the monitoring chip 100j according to an embodiment of this application. The RF coupler 300j employs whispered wireless communication technology. Each RF coupler 300j includes, for example, 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 air and circuit board BD, as dielectrics, can withstand the high trans-voltage accumulated due to 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 circuit board. The design of using a flexible circuit board 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 adjacent monitoring chips 100j. For example, the first contact C1 and the fourth contact C4 are located at the two points furthest apart from 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 has, for example, a U-shaped structure, and the second communication line TR2 of the RF coupler 300j also has a U-shaped structure. For instance, 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 sequentially. 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, thus forming a U-shaped structure.

[0031] In one embodiment, the second communication line TR2 of the radio frequency 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 connected sequentially. 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 not directly connected, but are separated from the aforementioned gap GP. This gap GP is sufficient to provide adequate withstand voltage to improve operational safety.

[0033] In one embodiment, the first communication line TR1 and the second communication line TR2 may adopt the same structural design and the same size design. 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 radio frequency couplers 300j to transmit commands and monitoring information. The monitoring chips 100j connected to these monitoring battery units 900j are interconnected via near-field coupling using radio frequency couplers 300j to establish radio frequency whisper communication. Compared to traditional wireless broadcasting technology, the above embodiment disclosed herein can reduce network collisions and mitigate the impact of airborne jamming signals, enabling safe and stable communication between the battery units 900j. Furthermore, the low signal strength of radio frequency whisper wireless communication allows for individual identification of the location and sequence of each transmission within the battery system 1000, increasing ease 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. The air and circuit board BD, among other media, can withstand the high transverse voltage accumulated due to the series connection of the battery units 900j, thereby improving operational safety.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 4Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a battery system 2000 and its battery communication system CMS2 according to another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the battery communication system CMS2 includes the aforementioned monitoring chip 100j, the aforementioned control unit 200, and several 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 control unit 200. The control unit 200, the first monitoring chip 100j, and the last monitoring chip 100j communicate wirelessly with each other via corresponding pairs of 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 whispered wireless communication between the two corresponding optical transceivers 400j is only for communication between the two optical transceivers 400j, and will not interfere with or be interfered with by other optical transceivers 400j.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an optical transceiver 400j according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the connection between an optical transceiver 400j and a monitoring chip 100j according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the optical transceiver 400j includes an amplifier, a comparator, a mode control unit, a receiving unit RX, and a emitting unit TX. The receiving unit RX is used to receive an optical communication signal SN. The emitting unit TX is used to emit another optical communication signal SN'.

[0038] like Figure 6 As shown, a 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 The example illustrates the signal transmission relationship of an optical transceiver 400j according to an embodiment of this 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; the other optical transceiver 400j is dedicated to downlink communication.

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

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

[0042] In another embodiment, a monitoring chip 100j is connected, for example, to an 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 The example illustrates the signal transmission relationship of an optical transceiver 400j according to another embodiment of this 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 receiving unit RX for receiving an uplink optical communication signal SNu or a downlink optical communication signal SNd, and a transmitting unit TX for transmitting another uplink optical communication signal SNu' or another downlink optical communication signal SNd'.

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

[0045] According to the above embodiment, the battery system 2000 and its battery communication system CMS2 use optical transceivers 400j to transmit commands and monitoring information. The monitoring chips 100j of these monitoring battery units 900j are interconnected via optical communication using the optical transceivers 400j to establish optical whisper communication. Compared to traditional wireless broadcasting technology, the above embodiment disclosed herein can reduce network collisions and mitigate the impact of airborne jamming signals, enabling safe and stable communication between the battery units 900j. Furthermore, the small signal range of optical whisper wireless communication allows for individual confirmation of the position and sequence of each transmission within the battery system 1000, increasing ease of assembly and maintenance. Additionally, the corresponding optical transceivers 400j are not directly connected. Medium such as air can withstand the high transverse voltage accumulated due to the series connection of the battery units 900j, thereby improving operational safety.

[0046] The above disclosure provides different features for implementing some embodiments or examples of this disclosure. Specific examples of components and configurations described above (e.g., mentioned values ​​or names) are used to simplify / illustrate some embodiments of this disclosure. Of course, these components and configurations are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in various instances of some embodiments of this disclosure. This repetition is for simplicity and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed. The operation and explanation of the components in the wireless communication identification method of this application are provided in the description of the various embodiments in the wireless communication identification system, and will not be repeated here. The phrase "in one embodiment" is used repeatedly. This phrase does not usually refer to the same embodiment; however, it may refer to the same embodiment. The words "comprising," "having," and "including" are synonyms unless the context otherwise indicates otherwise.

[0047] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, intended to facilitate understanding of the content of this application by those skilled in the art, and is not intended to limit this application in any way. Although this application has been disclosed above with specific embodiments, it is not intended to limit this application. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the content of the technical solution of this application shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

Claims

1. A battery communication system, characterized in that, The battery communication system includes: A monitoring chip, the monitoring chip being 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 only connected to the nearest radio frequency coupler in a near-field coupling manner to conduct whisper communication and establish a whisper communication path for radio frequency communication.

2. The battery communication system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of monitoring chips is multiple, the number of battery cells is multiple, and the number of radio frequency couplers is multiple. Each monitoring chip is connected to one of the battery cells, and each radio frequency coupler is disposed between adjacent monitoring chips or between one of the monitoring chips and the control unit. The radio frequency couplers form the communication path of the jujube chain.

3. The battery communication system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The radio frequency coupler includes: A circuit board; A first communication line is disposed on the circuit board; and A second communication line is disposed on the circuit board, and the first communication line and the second communication line are respectively connected to adjacent different monitoring chips; The circuit board of each of the radio frequency couplers is a flexible circuit board.

4. The battery communication system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first communication line and the second communication line of each of the radio frequency couplers are spaced apart by a gap, and the first communication line and the second communication line of each of the radio frequency couplers are used to perform a whisper wireless communication, which is only used for communication between the two nearest radio frequency couplers, without interfering with or being interfered with by other non-adjacent radio frequency couplers.

5. The battery communication system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the radio frequency couplers has a first communication line with a first contact and a second contact, and each of the radio frequency couplers 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 as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the radio frequency couplers has a first communication line including a first metal line, a second metal line, and a third metal line, which are connected sequentially. 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. Each of the radio frequency couplers has a second communication line including a fourth metal line, a fifth metal line, and a sixth metal line, which are connected sequentially. 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. The second metal line and the fifth metal line of each radio frequency coupler are separated by a gap.

7. The battery communication system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The widths of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth metal lines of each of the radio frequency couplers are substantially the same, and the lengths of the first, third, fourth, and sixth metal lines of each of the radio frequency couplers are substantially the same, as are the lengths of the second and fifth metal lines.

8. The battery communication system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The number of radio frequency couplers is the same as the number of monitoring chips.

9. A battery system, characterized in that, The battery system includes: At least one battery cell; and A battery communication system, including: A monitoring chip, the monitoring chip being 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 only connected to the nearest radio frequency coupler in a near-field coupling manner to conduct whisper communication and establish a whisper communication path for radio frequency communication.

10. The battery system as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The at least one battery cell is a plurality of cells connected in series; The number of monitoring chips is multiple, and each monitoring chip is connected to one of the battery cells; and The number of radio frequency couplers is multiple, and each radio frequency coupler is disposed between adjacent monitoring chips or between one of the monitoring chips and the control unit, and the radio frequency couplers form the communication path of the chrysanthemum.

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