Battery Cell Conditioning Device for Impedance-Isolated Data Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for transmitting sensor data from battery cells in multi-cell electrical energy stores face challenges due to low impedance issues, which can lead to short-circuiting and inadequate data communication, especially when using power supply lines as data channels.

Innovation Solution

A communication device with a conditioning device that sets a suitable signal frequency and adjusts AC resistance by using switchable capacitance and inductance to optimize impedance, ensuring reliable data transmission by creating a resonant increase in complex resistance, thereby isolating transmission and reception sides and preventing short-circuiting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If power supply lines are used as data channels for transmitting sensor data, then additional data lines are eliminated and device complexity is reduced, but impedance issues cause short-circuiting and inadequate data communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of data linesVSAvoiddata communication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the signal frequency and impedance characteristics of the power supply lines to enable reliable data transmission. The conditioning device modifies electrical parameters (frequency, impedance) of the power lines to create optimal conditions for communication, transforming the power lines from unsuitable data channels into reliable communication media without adding separate data lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a conditioning device as an intermediary between the power supply lines and the communication process. This device conditions the power lines by adjusting their electrical characteristics, acting as a mediator that enables data transmission over power lines while preventing short-circuiting and ensuring reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If signal frequency is increased to improve data transmission quality, then communication reliability improves, but impedance mismatch and signal reflection increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidimpedance mismatch and signal reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the signal frequency adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The conditioning device can dynamically change the signal frequency to match the optimal transmission characteristics of the power lines, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions and maintain reliable communication while minimizing impedance mismatch and signal reflection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the conditioning device monitors transmission quality and adjusts signal frequency accordingly. This feedback loop allows the system to detect impedance mismatches and signal reflections, then automatically adjust parameters to optimize transmission and eliminate harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If impedance is increased to prevent short-circuiting and isolate transmission sides, then communication reliability improves, but signal attenuation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort-circuit preventionVSAvoidsignal attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting impedance levels based on transmission requirements. The conditioning device modifies impedance parameters to prevent short-circuiting during normal operation while reducing impedance during signal transmission to minimize attenuation, optimizing both protection and signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic action through time-multiplexed operation where impedance is periodically adjusted between high (for protection) and low (for transmission) states. This periodic switching allows the system to alternate between protection mode and transmission mode, preventing short-circuits while enabling effective signal transmission when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables efficient and reliable data transmission through power supply lines by adapting impedance to prevent short-circuiting, allowing for effective communication between sensors and control devices within battery packs, even in complex impedance scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

A preferred frequency range for the signal frequency can be characterized in that within the frequency range there is a resonance increase in the complex cell resistance of the cells of the energy store

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

The transmission device can be designed to modulate the data to be transmitted onto the signal frequency or to modulate it with the signal frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectModulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP2852997B1Conditioning device and method for conditioning a data channel of a cell of an electric energy accumulator
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2852997B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2852997B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2852997B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a conditioning device (453) for conditioning a data channel of a cell (110) of a multi-cell electric energy accumulator (100). Said invention is characterized in that the conditioning device (453) is designed to condition a signal frequency suitable for transmitting data via the data channel and/or an alternating current resistance (Z; ZVer) of the data channel.