Battery Cell Management Unit Master-Slave Mode Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery management systems require significant space and become complex due to the need for separate Battery Management Units (BMUs) and extensive electrical wiring to connect Cell Monitoring Units (CMUs), which complicates the monitoring and control of multiple battery cells.

Innovation Solution

A battery system where multiple battery cell management units are connected in parallel, with each unit capable of switching between master and slave modes based on parameter acquisition, allowing the most stable unit to control others, thereby eliminating the need for a separate BMU and simplifying electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate BMU is introduced to manage multiple CMUs, then the battery system can be monitored and controlled, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery system monitoring and controlVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the BMU and CMU functions into a single integrated battery management unit. Each unit can function as both a monitoring device for its connected battery cell and as a management device for other units, eliminating the need for a separate hierarchical BMU structure and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each battery management unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of both monitoring its connected battery cell and managing other management units through electrical connections. This universal design allows any unit to serve dual purposes, reducing the need for specialized separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If extensive electrical wiring is used to connect each CMU to the BMU, then monitoring and control functions are achieved, but the device complexity and wiring complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring and control functionVSAvoidelectrical wiring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the monitoring and management functions into a distributed architecture where each unit handles both local monitoring and remote management through standardized electrical connections, reducing the overall wiring complexity compared to a centralized BMU approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into multiple independent management units, each capable of autonomous operation and management functions. This segmentation allows for modular connections rather than a complex centralized wiring scheme, simplifying the overall electrical architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Extent of automation

If a separate BMU is introduced, then centralized management is achieved, but the space requirement in the battery system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized management capabilityVSAvoidspace for BMU
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the centralized management capability directly into the distributed management units, eliminating the need for a separate physical BMU component. Management functions are integrated into the existing unit structure, preserving automation capability while minimizing space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each management unit is designed to perform both local monitoring and centralized management functions, allowing the system to maintain automated centralized control without requiring additional dedicated space for a separate BMU

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2299517B1Battery system
Publication Date: 2014.02.12 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2299517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2299517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2299517B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery system manages a plurality of battery cells of an assembled battery. The battery system includes at least a plurality of battery cell management units which is connected to the battery cells and manages the connected battery cells. The battery cell management units are connected to each other. Each of the battery cell management units comprises at least an operation mode switching unit, a parameter-related data generating unit, a parameter data transmitting unit, a parameter data receiving unit, a minimum value specifying unit, a switching command data transmitting unit, and a switching command data receiving unit.