COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

communication system arranged in a housing and comprising several communication devices (2, 4) that communicate wirelessly with each other, wherein - the multiple communication devices include a specific communication device that is arranged on a mounting surface (501); - the specific communication device has at least one antenna structure, and the at least one antenna structure contains at least one antenna (21, 41); - the at least one antenna structure is arranged between the mounting surface and a predetermined wall surface (301) of the enclosure (200), and the predetermined wall surface is one of the wall surfaces of the enclosure; - which has at least one antenna structure with an outer shell; - a gap between the outer shell of the at least one antenna structure and the predetermined wall surface of the housing is smaller than a wavelength of a radio wave used in the wireless communication of the multiple communication devices; and - the at least one antenna of the specific communication device has a directional effect in a direction parallel to the mounting surface.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system arranged in a housing.

[0002] A communication system is known that has several wireless communication devices arranged in a housing.

[0003] A communication system arranged in an enclosure comprises several communication devices that perform wireless communication with each other. The communication devices include a specific communication device mounted on a mounting surface. The specific communication device has at least one antenna structure, and the at least one antenna structure contains at least one antenna. The at least one antenna structure is located between the mounting surface and a predetermined wall surface of the enclosure. The gap between an outer shell of the at least one antenna structure and the predetermined wall surface of the enclosure is smaller than one wavelength of a radio wave used in the wireless communication between the communication devices.The at least one antenna of the specific communication device has a directional effect in a direction parallel to the mounting surface.

[0004] The inventor of the present disclosure has discovered, based on a detailed study, that wireless communication within an enclosure can become difficult when the enclosure of the communication system is reduced in size and height. Because of the reduction in size and height, for example, the distance between an antenna opening surface of the communication device and a wall surface of the enclosure facing the antenna opening surface becomes smaller than a wavelength of the radio wave used for wireless communication, propagation of the radio waves becomes difficult. The wireless communication referred to here is wireless communication between two or more communication devices arranged within an enclosure.

[0005] From EP 2 980 921 A1 and the subsequently published EP 3 611 789 A1, battery systems with radio communication systems arranged within a battery housing for establishing a communication link between battery modules and a central control unit are known.

[0006] The purpose of the present disclosure is to suppress difficulties in wireless communication carried out within an enclosure that houses a communication system.

[0007] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the main claim. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, in a case where the distance, i.e., the gap, between the outer shell of the antenna structure contained in the communication device and the predetermined wall surface of the housing is smaller than the wavelength of the radio waves used in wireless communication within the low-height housing, the radio waves propagate in a direction parallel to the mounting surface of the antenna structure. This makes it possible to eliminate the difficulties of wireless communication within the housing.

[0009] The functions, features, and advantages of this disclosure are evident from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2. An illustration to demonstrate a perspective view of a housing in which the communication system is arranged; Fig. 3. An illustration to demonstrate a perspective view of the housing and the communication system; Fig. 4. An illustration showing a top view of the communication system; Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of the communication system along a line VV in Fig. 4; Fig. 6. An explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the directional effect of an antenna contained in a terminal device; Fig. 7 an explanatory illustration to demonstrate the propagation of radio waves by a comparison device arranged in the housing; Fig. 8 an explanatory diagram to illustrate a further example of the directional effect of the antenna contained in the terminal device; Fig. 9 an explanatory figure to illustrate a further embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 10 an explanatory figure to illustrate a further embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 11 an explanatory figure to illustrate a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the term "parallel" used herein is not limited to strictly parallel. "Largely parallel" with a similar effect is intended to be encompassed by "parallel" in the present disclosure. The term "perpendicular" in the present disclosure is to be interpreted similarly. (First embodiment)

[0011] Below is a configuration of a communication system 100 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to Fig. The communication system 100 is mounted on a vehicle V1. The communication system 100 comprises at least one management device 2 and several terminal devices 4. The terminal device 4 differs from the management device 2. The communication system 100 can contain at least one composite battery 50. The composite battery 50 can contain several battery cells 5 arranged in a package. Each battery cell 5 is also referred to as a battery unit.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the communication system 100 comprises a management device 2 and three terminal devices 4. The communication system 100 also comprises a composite battery 50, and the composite battery 50 comprises three battery cells 5. It should be noted that the number of management devices 2, the number of terminal devices 4, and the number of battery cells 5 included in the communication system 100 are not limited to the examples described in the present embodiment.

[0013] Below, a module containing an end device 4 and at least one battery cell 5 is referred to as a battery module 3. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows an example where the battery module 3 contains a terminal device 4 and a battery cell 5. It should be noted that the number of battery cells 5 contained in a battery module 3 is not limited to one. The number of battery cells 5 contained in each battery module 3 can vary. In a case where the battery module 3 contains multiple battery cells 5, the battery cells 5 can be connected in series. Alternatively, in a case where the battery module 3 contains multiple battery cells 5, the battery cells 5 can be connected in parallel or in a combination of series and parallel connections.

[0014] Below, each of the several components contained in the communication system 100 can be represented by adding a suffix to a reference symbol, such as terminal 4_1 and battery module 3_1. When describing a similar structure, the suffix can be omitted and only the reference symbol described, such as terminal 4 and battery module 3.

[0015] The following describes a configuration of the management device 2. The management device 2 comprises an antenna 21, a wireless communication unit 22, and a management controller 23. In the present embodiment, the antenna 21 is configured, for example, as a planar omnidirectional antenna exhibiting directional characteristics in all directions. However, the configuration of the antenna 21 is not limited to the example described above.

[0016] The wireless communication unit 22 transmits and receives wireless communication signals via the antenna 21 in a predetermined frequency band F1, which is used in the communication system 100, to and from the terminal device 4 contained in each battery module 3. The predetermined frequency band F1 used in the communication system 100 is also referred to below as the utilization frequency band. The utilization frequency band F1 used in the communication system 100 can utilize the ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) frequency band, which has a frequency range of several gigahertz (GHz).

[0017] The management controller 23 contains a microcomputer 25. The microcomputer 25 contains a CPU 26, a ROM, a RAM, and non-volatile semiconductor memory 27, such as flash memory. Hereinafter, the semiconductor memory is also referred to as memory. The management controller 23 performs various functions by having the CPU 26 execute a program stored in memory 27.

[0018] The management controller 23 can use the wireless communication unit 22 to perform wireless communication with the terminal device 4 as the target device. In particular, the management controller 23 sends a transmit command signal to the terminal device 4, controls the terminal device 4 to transmit battery information received from the terminal device 4, and stores the received battery information in memory 27.

[0019] The battery information is information about the composite battery 50 and can contain various types of information about the composite battery 50, such as the voltage of the composite battery 50 or the temperature of the composite battery 50. The battery information can be information about the composite battery 50 itself or information about each battery cell 5 contained within the composite battery 50. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 4 detects the voltage of the battery cell 5 contained in the battery module 3 as the battery information and sends the battery information to the management device 2.

[0020] The management controller 23 can output the battery information stored in memory 27 via a communication line 30 to an external device located outside the communication system 100. The external device can be an electronic control device contained in the vehicle V1.

[0021] The following describes a configuration of terminal device 4. Each terminal device 4 has the same configuration. Each terminal device 4 has an antenna 41, a wireless communication unit 42, and a terminal controller 43.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the antenna 41 is configured as a horn antenna. The directivity of the antenna 41 is described below. The configuration of the antenna 41 is not limited to the example described above.

[0023] The wireless communication unit 42 sends and receives a wireless communication signal to and from the management device 2 via the antenna 41. The wireless communication unit 42 of the terminal device 4 can be configured similarly to the wireless communication unit 22 of the management device 2.

[0024] The terminal controller 43 contains a microcomputer 45. The microcomputer 45 contains a CPU 46 and a memory 47. The terminal controller 43 performs various functions by having the CPU 46 execute programs stored in the memory 47.

[0025] The terminal controller 43 can acquire the battery information in a predetermined cycle and stores the acquired battery information in memory 47. The terminal controller 43 transmits the battery information to the management device 2 in response to the transmit command signal sent by the management device 2. In the present embodiment, the terminal controller 43 acquires the voltage of the battery cell 5 contained in the battery module 3 of the terminal 4 as the battery information and transmits the acquired battery information to the management device 2 in response to the transmit command signal.

[0026] Below is a configuration of the composite battery 50. The composite battery 50 contains the three battery cells 5, i.e., battery cells 5_1 to 5_3. Each battery cell 5_1, 5_2, and 5_3 has the same shape. The battery cell 5 can be, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows a hexahedral (six-sided) shape. However, the shape of battery cell 5 is not based on the one shown in Figure 3. Fig. The example shown in Figure 3 is limited, but can also have other shapes. The thickness Hs of the battery cell 5 in a predetermined direction is also referred to as the height of the battery 5. The battery cell 5 has a battery surface 501 on which two electrodes are arranged. The two electrodes comprise a first electrode 51 and a second electrode 52.

[0027] The electrodes 51 and 52 contained in each battery cell 5 of the composite battery 50 are connected to each other by a wiring 55. The wiring 55 connects the two electrodes 51 and 52, which are arranged on the battery surface 501 of each battery cell 5, so that the composite battery 50 can be supplied with energy.

[0028] For example, the wiring connects 55_1, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows the electrode 51 of battery cell 5_1 connected to the electrode 52 of battery cell 5_2, and the wiring 55_2 connects the electrode 51 of battery cell 5_2 to the electrode 52 of battery cell 5_3. According to this configuration, battery cells 5_1 to 5_3 are connected in series to be energized as the composite battery 50. The wiring 55_3, which is connected to the electrode 52 of battery cell 5_1, and the wiring 55_4, which is connected to the electrode 51 of battery cell 5_3, can extend to the outside of a housing 200 and be connected to a load.

[0029] The following is a configuration of the 200 housing. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system 100 can be arranged in a rectangular cuboid metal housing (parallelpiped) 200, which is located in the vehicle V1. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the housing 200 has a cover section 201 with a flat plate shape and a bottom section 202 with a box shape. Hereinafter, the x-direction is also defined as a horizontal direction on a sheet surface of the drawings, the y-direction perpendicular to the x-direction is also defined as a depth direction, and the z-direction perpendicular to both the x- and y-directions is also defined as a vertical direction. An upward / downward direction on the sheet surface of the drawings corresponds to a height direction of the housing 200. An upward direction is defined as the +z-direction, and a downward direction is defined as the -z-direction. The battery surface 501 mentioned above is a surface of the battery cell 5 and is defined as the upper surface of the battery cell 5 in the height direction. The thickness Hs of the battery cell 5 in the z-direction is also referred to as the height of the battery 5.

[0030] The 200 housing features a compact size and low height. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the housing 200 has a reduced height A in the +z direction, i.e., a reduced thickness in the +z direction.

[0031] The management device 2 is arranged along an inner circumferential wall surface 302, which is a surface of the housing 200 along an inner circumferential wall. In the present embodiment, a base 60 is arranged along the inner circumferential wall surface 302 of the housing 200. In the present embodiment, "along" can denote an arrangement that is substantially parallel to the housing 200. A management module 28 with the wireless communication unit 22 and the management controller 23 is arranged on an upper surface 601 of the base 60. The antenna 21, which in the present embodiment is a planar antenna, is arranged on the management module 28.

[0032] The antenna 21 is arranged between one of the wall surfaces of the housing 200 and the upper surface 601 of the base 60. More precisely, the antenna 21 is arranged between a lower surface 301 of the cover section 201 of the housing 200 and the upper surface 601 of the base 60. Hereinafter, the lower surface 301 of the cover section 201 of the housing 200 is referred to as a predetermined wall surface 301. The predetermined wall surface 301, to which reference is made in the present embodiment, is one of the wall surfaces of the housing 200 and refers in particular to the lower surface of the cover section 201 of the housing. In the present embodiment, the height Hd of the base 60 is sufficiently lower than the height A of the housing 200.Although not shown in the drawings, a gap between an outer shell of the antenna 21 and the predetermined wall surface 301 can be larger than a wavelength λ of the radio wave with the operating frequency band F1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The gap between the outer shell of the antenna 21 and the predetermined wall surface 301 can be smaller than the wavelength λ of the radio wave with the operating frequency band F1.

[0033] The terminal device 4 is arranged on the battery surface 501 of the battery cell 5. The battery cell 5 is contained in the battery module 3, which contains the terminal device 4. Hereinafter, the battery surface 501 is also referred to as a mounting surface. The mounting surface is any surface on which the terminal device 4 is arranged. In the present embodiment, the mounting surface refers to the battery surface 501.

[0034] In the housing 200, the battery cells 5 are arranged along at least one first direction, i.e., the x-direction, or a second direction, i.e., the y-direction. In the present embodiment, the first direction relates to the x-direction and is one of the directions parallel to the mounting surface, i.e., the battery surface 501. In the present embodiment, the second direction relates to the y-direction and is one of the directions parallel to the mounting surface, i.e., the battery surface 501. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The directions parallel to the mounting surface may include directions contained within the mounting surface. In the present embodiment, the battery cells 5_1 to 5_3 are arranged along the y-direction.

[0035] The wiring 55 is arranged to connect the two electrodes 51 and 52, which are located on the mounting surface, i.e., the battery surface 501 of each battery cell 5, in such a way that the assembled battery 50 can be energized. In the present embodiment, the wiring 55 extends in the x-direction from the x-direction and the y-direction, which are the directions in which the battery cells 5 can be arranged. The electrodes 51 and 52 are connected such that the battery cells 5 are connected in series. The x-direction along which the wiring extends is a longitudinal direction of the battery cell 5.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the wiring 55_1 extends in the x-direction and is arranged between battery cell 5_1 and battery cell 5_2, and the wiring 55_2 extends in the x-direction and is arranged between battery cell 5_2 and battery cell 5_3.

[0037] A cover 70 is arranged on the battery surface 501, i.e., the mounting surface. The cover 70 protects the wiring 55 by covering it. In the present embodiment, the cover 70 is made of metal. However, the material of the cover 70 is not limited to metal. For example, resin can be used partially or entirely as the material of the cover 70. In the present embodiment, the cover 70 has a straight, linear shape. Fig. 4. The cover 70 has a flat plate shape, but the cover 70 can also have a shape other than the flat plate shape.

[0038] As described above, the wiring 55 extends linearly in the x-direction. Consequently, the cover 70 also extends linearly in the x-direction to cover the wiring 55. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the cover 70_1 extends in a linear shape in the x-direction and is arranged on the battery surface 501 of battery cell 5_1 and the battery surface 501 of battery cell 5_2 to cover the wiring 55_1. Similarly, the cover 70_2 extends in a linear shape in the x-direction and is arranged on the battery surface 501 of battery cell 5_2 and the battery surface 501 of battery cell 5_3 to cover the wiring 55_2.

[0039] The cover 70 has a thickness Hc in the z-direction, where the thickness in the z-direction is also referred to as the height of the cover 70. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. Figure 5 shows a gap Gc between an upper end of the cover 70 and the predetermined wall surface 301 of the housing smaller than the wavelength λ of the radio wave with the usage frequency band F1.

[0040] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, for example on battery cell 5_2, two adjacent covers 70_1 and 70_2, which are arranged on the battery surface 501 of battery cell 5_2, and the predetermined wall surface 301 of the housing 200 form a passage-like space S. The passage-like space S extends in the x-direction, which is equal to the extension direction of the cover 70.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the terminal module 48, comprising the wireless communication unit 42 and the terminal controller 43, is arranged on the battery surface 501 of the battery cell 5, on which the cover 70 is arranged as described above. The antenna 41, which is a horn antenna, is arranged on the terminal module 48.

[0042] The antenna 41 is arranged between the predetermined wall surface 301 and the battery surface 501. In the present embodiment, the battery cell 5 has a predetermined height Hs, and the gap Ga between the outer shell of the antenna 41 and the predetermined wall surface 301 of the housing is smaller than the wavelength λ of the radio wave with the operating frequency band F1.

[0043] The antenna 41, which is a horn antenna, is arranged such that an opening surface 411 of the antenna 41 is perpendicular to the battery surface 501. The antenna 41 has a directional characteristic in one of the directions in which the cover 70 extends parallel to the battery surface 501. In particular, the antenna 41, as shown in Fig. Figure 6 shows the directional effect in the +x direction on the xy plane parallel to the battery surface 501. The +x direction is in the direction of the management device 2 and the direction in which the cover 70 extends.

[0044] The configuration of the communication system of the present embodiment is described below in comparison with a comparative example. As in the comparative example of Fig. As shown in Figure 7, a wireless communication device 90 for comparison is arranged in a low-height housing 200 in place of the terminal device 4. The wireless communication device has an antenna with an aperture surface 91 perpendicular to the +z direction. Hereinafter, the wireless communication device 90 for comparison is also referred to as the comparison device 90. In the +z direction, the aperture surface 91 of the antenna of the comparison device 90 is located close to the predetermined wall surface 301, and the gap Gf between them is smaller than the wavelength λ of the radio wave used in the wireless communication. This makes it difficult for radio waves to propagate in the +z direction, i.e., in the direction in which the predetermined wall surface 301 is located. The difficulty in wireless communication can be caused by interference of the reflected waves at the predetermined wall surface 301.

[0045] Between the cover 70 and the predetermined wall surface 301, in the direction from the comparator 90 to the gap Gc, the upper end section of the cover 70 is close to the predetermined wall surface 301, and the distance of the gap Gc is smaller than the wavelength λ of the radio wave. This makes it difficult for the radio waves to propagate in one direction along the gap Gc between the upper end section of the cover 70 and the predetermined wall surface 301, due to the straight-line propagation of the radio waves.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the terminal unit 4 is located as shown in Fig. Figure 5 shows the area near the predetermined wall surface 301, and the gap Ga between the outer shell of the antenna 41 and the predetermined wall surface 301 is smaller than the wavelength λ of the radio wave with the operating frequency band F1. In the present embodiment, the antenna 41 has a directivity in the +x direction. Therefore, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows that radio waves using the F1 frequency band likely propagate in the directions indicated by arrows. This means the radio wave spreads in the +x direction, utilizing the frequency band shown in Figure 4. Fig. The space S shown in Figure 5 serves as the propagation path. This configuration prevents interference with wireless communication between the terminal device 4 and the management device 2, which is located in the +x direction as viewed from the terminal device 4.

[0047] The present embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0048] The communication system 100 is arranged in the housing 200 and comprises several communication devices that communicate wirelessly with each other. In particular, the communication system 100 comprises a management device 2 and three terminal devices 4 as the communication devices. Hereinafter, a specific communication device refers to at least one of the communication devices arranged on the mounting surface, wherein the specific communication device comprises at least one antenna structure. The antenna structure includes at least one antenna. The antenna structure can be a single antenna, or it can contain multiple antennas, or it can contain one or more antennas and other structures. Other structures can be, for example, interconnects, microstrip lines formed on a substrate, and the like.

[0049] The gap Ga between an outer shell of the antenna structure contained in the specific communication device and the predetermined wall surface 301 is smaller than the wavelength of the radio wave used for wireless communication, and the antenna has a directional action in a direction parallel to the mounting surface.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the terminal device 4 corresponds to the specific communication device, and the antenna 41 contained in the terminal device 4 corresponds to the antenna structure. That is, the antenna 41 corresponds to at least one antenna contained in the antenna structure. In the present embodiment, the antenna 41 has a directional characteristic in a direction parallel to the mounting surface, i.e., to the battery surface 501.

[0051] According to the configuration described above, in the low-height enclosure 200, the gap Ga between the outer shell of the antenna 41 contained in the terminal 4 and the predetermined wall surface 301 is relatively small, and the wavelength λ of the radio wave with the operating frequency band F1 is less than λ. In this configuration, the radio wave can also propagate in the direction parallel to the battery surface 501, which is the mounting surface. That is, since the terminal 4 is capable of wireless communication in a direction parallel to the battery surface 501 on which the terminal 4 is located, i.e., in the x-direction described above, the height of the enclosure can be reduced. Consequently, the difficulty of wireless communication in the enclosure 200 can be mitigated despite the reduced enclosure height.

[0052] In communication system 100, the terminal device 4, which corresponds to the specific communication device, can also perform wireless communication within the low-profile housing 200. The terminal device 4 is configured to acquire and transmit battery information. This allows the management device 2 to receive the battery information from the terminal device 4 with a higher probability of successful communication. By positioning the terminal device 4 on the battery surface 501, the terminal device 4 can be stably attached to the battery surface 501 if the battery surface 501 has a flat shape.

[0053] The battery cell 5 can have multiple electrodes 51 and 52 arranged on the battery surface 501. The polarities of electrode 51 and electrode 52 are different from each other. The communication system 100 can include at least one wiring 55 and at least one cover 70 that covers the at least one wiring 55. The wiring 55 connects the multiple electrodes 51 and 52 arranged on the battery surface 501 such that the battery 50 can be energized. At least one cover 70 is arranged on the battery surface 501 and covers the wiring 55. The antenna 41, which is included in the terminal device 4 corresponding to the specific communication device, can be directional in the direction of extension of the cover 70.

[0054] According to the configuration described above, the radio wave propagates in the direction along the coverage area 70. The direction along the coverage area 70 is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the coverage area 70. The radio wave is concentrated more in the longitudinal direction of the coverage area 70 than in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the coverage area 70. This facilitates wireless communication through the radio waves propagating in the longitudinal direction of the coverage area 70.

[0055] The multiple battery cells 5 can be arranged along at least either the first direction or the second direction. The first direction is one of the directions along the battery surface 501 that corresponds to the mounting surface. The second direction is another of the directions along the battery surface 501 that corresponds to the mounting surface and is perpendicular to the first direction. In the present embodiment, the x-direction corresponds to the first direction and the y-direction to the second direction. The wiring 55 can extend in at least either the first direction or the second direction. The cover 70 is configured to cover the wiring 55. Thus, the cover 70 extends in either the first direction or the second direction. In the present embodiment, the cover 70 extends in the x-direction that corresponds to the first direction.

[0056] The antenna 41, which is contained in the terminal device 4 corresponding to the specific communication device, can exhibit directional characteristics in the direction of extension of the coverage area 70. In particular, the antenna 41 contained in the terminal device 4 exhibits directional characteristics in one of the directions along which the coverage area 70 extends, i.e., in the present embodiment, in the x-direction. The direction in which the terminal device 4 exhibits directional characteristics is towards the management device 2, i.e., in the present embodiment, the +x-direction. According to this configuration, the terminal device 4 corresponding to the specific communication device can improve the probability of successful wireless communication with the management device 2.

[0057] The management device 2 can be arranged along the inner circumferential wall surface 302 of the housing 200. This configuration facilitates the connection of the management device 2 to an electronic control device or the like located outside the housing 200 via the communication line 30.

[0058] The terminal 4, corresponding to the specific communication device, can incorporate the horn antenna as its antenna structure. In the horn antenna, the opening surface 411 can be perpendicular to the battery surface 501, which corresponds to the mounting surface. The horn antenna can exhibit directivity in the direction, i.e., in the +x direction, parallel to the battery surface 501, which corresponds to the mounting surface. For example, if the horn antenna is used with strong directivity, the propagation of radio waves in the y-direction, along which the covers 70 are arranged, becomes difficult within the narrow gap Gc. This suppresses the propagation of radio waves in the y-direction, and the radio waves are transmitted more concentrated in the +x direction. The +x direction is the direction in which the management device 2 is arranged as viewed from the terminal 4.According to this configuration, the terminal device 4, which corresponds to the specific communication device, can improve the probability of successful wireless communication with the management device 2.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the management device 2 and the three terminal devices 4 correspond to multiple communication devices. The management device 2 corresponds to at least one first communication device included in the multiple communication devices, and the terminal device 4 corresponds to multiple second communication devices included in the multiple communication devices. The first communication device is one of the communication devices of different types included in the communication system. The second communication device is a communication device different from the first communication device among the communication devices of different types included in the communication system. The terminal device 4 corresponds to the specific communication device.The antenna 41 provided by the horn antenna corresponds to the antenna structure containing at least one antenna and is included in the specific communication device. In the present embodiment, the antenna structure corresponds to the antenna 41 itself. The antenna 41 corresponds to the antenna included in the specific communication device and also corresponds to an antenna included in the second communication device, which functions as the specific communication device.

[0060] The radio wave with the usage frequency band F1 corresponds to the radio wave used in wireless communication between or between the communication devices. Of the wall surfaces of the housing 200, the lower wall surface 301 of the cover section 201 corresponds in the z-direction to the predetermined wall surface 301. The battery surface 501 corresponds to the mounting surface. The x-direction and the y-direction correspond to the directions parallel to the mounting surface. The x-direction corresponds to the first direction, and the y-direction corresponds to the second direction. The x-direction corresponds to at least one direction of the first direction and the second direction and also corresponds to the extension direction of the cover 70. The +x-direction corresponds to one of the extension directions of the cover 70. (Other embodiments)

[0061] Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, but is modifiable in various ways.

[0062] In the embodiment described above, the antenna 41 is provided by the horn antenna, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the antenna 41 can be, as in Fig. 8 shown, provided by a beamforming antenna with directivity in the +x direction.

[0063] In the embodiment described above, all of the terminal devices 4, i.e., the terminal devices 4_1 to 4_3 contained in the communication system 100, are configured as the specific communication devices. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, at least one of the terminal devices 4 contained in the communication system 100 can be configured as the specific communication device. As a specific communication device, the gap Ga between the outer shell of the antenna 41 and the predetermined wall surface 301 of the housing is smaller than the wavelength λ of the radio wave with the operating frequency band F1, and the antenna provided in the specific communication device has a directional characteristic in the direction parallel to the mounting surface.

[0064] In the embodiment described above, the antenna 21 is provided by the planar antenna with omnidirectional action. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, in the embodiment described above, the management device 2 can be arranged such that the gap between the outer shell of the antenna 21 and the predetermined wall surface 301 is smaller than the wavelength λ of the radio wave with the operating frequency band F1. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the antenna 21 can exhibit directional characteristics within a predetermined directional range, such as a directional range that includes at least either the +y direction or the -y direction in the direction (e.g., the x direction or the y direction) parallel to the battery surface 501, which corresponds to the mounting surface. According to this configuration, it is possible to improve the probability of successful wireless communication between the management device 2 and the terminal device 4 in the low-profile housing 200. In this case, in addition to the terminal device 4 described above, the management device 2 also corresponds to the specific communication device. The predetermined directional range corresponds to the directional range that includes at least either the +y direction or the -y direction.

[0065] In the embodiment described above, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the battery cells 5, i.e., battery cells 5_1 to 5_3 of the composite battery 50, also referred to as the composite battery 50a, are arranged along the y-direction such that the electrodes 51 and 52 of the battery cells 5 have the same polarity directions. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. As shown in Figure 4, the battery cells 5, i.e., battery cells 5_1 to 5_3 of the composite battery 50, are arranged such that the electrodes 51 and 52 of the battery cells 5 have the same polarity directions. Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the battery cells 5, i.e., the battery cells 5_1 to 5_3 contained in a composite battery 50b, can be arranged along the y-direction such that the polarities of the electrodes 51, 52 of the battery cells 5 are alternately reversed.

[0066] Wiring 55_5 connects electrode 51 of battery cell 5_1 and electrode 52 of battery cell 5_2, which are arranged in the y-direction. Wiring 55_6 connects electrode 51 of battery cell 5_2 and electrode 52 of battery cell 5_3, which are arranged in the y-direction. Cover 70_3 covers wiring 55_5, and cover 70_4 covers wiring 55_6. Covers 70_3 and 70_4 can be positioned as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the antenna 41, which is contained in the terminal device 4 corresponding to the specific communication device, can have a directional effect in the -y direction, which is the extension direction of the coverage 70 and extends in the direction of the management device 2.

[0067] In the embodiment described above, the battery cells 5 are arranged and aligned along the y-direction. However, the arrangement of the battery cells 5 is not limited to this configuration. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the battery cells 5 in an assembled battery 50c can, for example, be arranged along both the x-direction and the y-direction. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the composite battery 50c contains battery cells 5_1 to 5_6. Battery cells 5_4 to 5_6 are arranged on the side of the +x direction of battery cells 5_1 to 5_3. Battery cells 5_4 to 5_6 are arranged in the y direction, and battery cells 5_1 to 5_3 are also arranged in the y direction. Wirings 55_1 to 55_3 and 55_7 to 55_10 connect battery cells 5_1 to 5_6 in series, making them conductive. Wiring 55_10 extends to the outside of the housing 200 and is connected to a predetermined load. Wirings 55_1, 55_2, 55_8, and 55_9 run in the x direction. This means that covers 70_1, 70_2, 70_5 and 70_6 can be configured to extend in the x-direction.

[0068] The antenna 41, which is contained in the terminal 41, i.e., in each terminal 4_1, 4_2, 4_3 as the specific communication device mounted on the corresponding battery cell 5_1, 5_2, 5_3, can have a directional effect in the direction of extension of the cover 70_1, 70_2 towards the management device 2, i.e., in the +x direction. The antenna 41, which is contained in the terminal 41, i.e., in each terminal 4_4, 4_5, 4_6 as the specific communication device mounted on the corresponding battery cell 5_4, 5_5, 5_6, can have a directional effect in the direction of extension of the cover 70_5, 70_6 towards the management device 2, i.e., in the -x direction.

[0069] In the embodiment described above, the housing 200 is made of metal. However, the material of the housing 200 is not limited to metal. For example, the housing 200 can be made of resin, of metal and resin in combination, or of a material other than metal and resin. In the embodiment described above, the housing 200, as shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows a rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, the shape of the housing 200 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the housing 200 can have any shape other than the rectangular parallelepiped shape that allows the communication system 100 to be housed within it. The housing 200 does not necessarily have to be sealed.

[0070] The communication system 100 can include multiple management devices 2 and multiple terminal devices 4. For example, the terminal device 4 can include an antenna 41 whose directionality, in the direction of extension of the cover 70, is parallel to the battery surface 501, which corresponds to the mounting surface, and is directed towards the management device 2. Likewise, the management device 2 can include an antenna 21 whose directionality, in the direction of extension of the cover 70, is parallel to the battery surface 501, which corresponds to the mounting surface, and is directed towards the terminal device 4. In this configuration, the management device 2 and the terminal device 4 each correspond to the specific communication device, and the antenna 21 and the antenna 41 each correspond to the antenna structure and the antenna, respectively.

[0071] In the embodiment described above, the cover 70 is configured to extend either in the x-direction or in the y-direction. Alternatively, the cover 70 can be configured to extend in both the x-direction and the y-direction. The antenna contained in the antenna structure of the specific communication device can exhibit directional characteristics in one direction along such a configured cover, parallel to the battery surface 501 corresponding to the mounting surface.

[0072] In the embodiment described above, the wiring 55 has a linear shape, and the cover 70 covering the wiring 55 also has a linear shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The wiring can have a different shape, such as a curved line or a polygonal line. Accordingly, the cover covering the wiring can have a different shape corresponding to the shape of the wiring. The antenna included in the antenna structure of the specific communication device can have a directional effect in one direction along a cover configured in this way, parallel to the battery surface 501 corresponding to the mounting surface.

[0073] In the embodiment described above, the management device 2 is arranged along the inner circumferential wall surface 302 of the housing 200. However, the management device 2 can be arranged at any location within the housing 200.

[0074] In the embodiment described above, an example is described in which the surface below the cover section 201, which is one of the wall surfaces of the housing 200, is designated as the predetermined wall surface 301. However, the predetermined wall surface can be any internal wall surface of the housing 200.

[0075] The embodiment described above illustrates the example in which the mounting surface 501 is used as the mounting surface. However, the mounting surface can be any surface arranged in the housing 200 on which the communication devices, such as the management device 2 and the terminal device 4, can be mounted.

[0076] The communication devices included in the Communication System 100 can comprise a first communication device and a second communication device that communicate with each other. The first communication device may not be configured to receive battery information. The second communication device does not need to be configured to receive battery information and send it to the first communication device.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, multiple functions of a single component can be implemented by multiple components, or a single function of a single component can be implemented by multiple components. Additionally, multiple functions of multiple components can be implemented by a single component, or a single function that is implemented by multiple components can be implemented by a single component. Furthermore, the configuration of the above embodiment can be partially omitted. Moreover, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiment can be added to or replaced by the configuration of another embodiment described above.

Claims

[1] Communication system arranged in a housing and comprising several communication devices (2, 4) which communicate wirelessly with each other, wherein - the multiple communication devices include a specific communication device that is arranged on a mounting surface (501); - the specific communication device has at least one antenna structure, and the at least one antenna structure contains at least one antenna (21, 41); - the at least one antenna structure is arranged between the mounting surface and a predetermined wall surface (301) of the enclosure (200), and the predetermined wall surface is one of the wall surfaces of the enclosure; - which has at least one antenna structure with an outer shell; - a gap between the outer shell of the at least one antenna structure and the predetermined wall surface of the housing is smaller than a wavelength of a radio wave used in the wireless communication of the multiple communication devices; and - the at least one antenna of the specific communication device has a directional effect in a direction parallel to the mounting surface. [2] Communication system according to claim 1, wherein - the multiple communication devices comprise a first communication device (2) and multiple second communication devices (4) that are different from the first communication device; - the first communication device is configured to receive battery information sent by the multiple second communication devices; and - each of the several second communication devices is configured to receive information about a composite battery (50) containing several battery cells (5) as battery information and to send the received battery information to the first communication device. [3] Communication system according to claim 2, wherein the specific communication device is the first communication device. [4] Communication system according to claim 3, wherein - the at least one antenna included in the first communication device corresponding to the specific communication device has a directional effect in a predetermined directional range; and - the predetermined direction range is a range that includes the direction parallel to the mounting surface. [5] Communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the specific communication device is the second communication device. [6] Communication system according to claim 5, wherein - the second communication device, corresponding to the specific communication device, is arranged on a battery surface (501); and - the battery surface is a surface of the battery cell and corresponds to the mounting surface. [7] Communication system according to claim 6, further comprising: - at least one wiring connection; and - a cover, whereby - each of the multiple battery cells has multiple electrodes (51, 52) arranged on the battery surface; - which connects at least one wiring system to the multiple electrodes arranged on the battery surface in such a way that the composite battery becomes conductive; - the cover is positioned and configured on the battery surface to cover at least one wiring connection; and - the at least one antenna included in the second communication device, which corresponds to the specific communication device and has a directional effect in a direction of coverage. [8] Communication system according to claim 7, wherein - the multiple battery cells are arranged in at least either a first direction or a second direction; - the first direction is a direction along the battery surface that corresponds to the mounting surface; - the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction; - the wiring extends in at least either the first direction or the second direction; - the cover is configured to cover the wiring; and - the at least one antenna included in the second communication device, which corresponds to the specific communication device and has a directional effect in the direction of coverage. [9] Communication system according to claim 8, wherein the at least one antenna included in the second communication device corresponding to the specific communication device has a directional effect in the extension direction of the coverage to one side. [10] Communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the first communication device is arranged along an inner circumferential wall surface of the housing.

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