Battery Control Unit Nanocontroller Isolator Architecture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems for stationary and vehicle applications face high costs and synchronization challenges due to the need for expensive SPI bus isolators and complex safety mechanisms, particularly in communication between high-voltage and low-voltage networks, and require reliable state of charge determination and safety monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A battery system with a nanocontroller connected to cell monitoring units and a microcontroller via an isolator, using a CAN bus for communication, allowing for cost-effective isolator use and precise synchronization of battery voltage measurements, with the nanocontroller generating control signals and receiving voltage data, and redundantly performing tasks to enhance reliability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an SPI bus isolator is used for communication between high-voltage and low-voltage networks, then communication isolation is achieved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive SPI bus isolators with a CAN bus isolator that uses a simpler, more cost-effective isolation architecture. The CAN bus isolator implements galvanic isolation through optocouplers or magnetic isolators, providing the necessary electrical isolation between high-voltage and low-voltage networks while significantly reducing component costs and system complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If CAN bus is used for communication across high-voltage and low-voltage networks, then isolator cost is reduced, but synchronization of battery voltage measurements becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the BCU receives battery voltage measurements from cell monitoring units via the CAN bus isolator, processes this data, and sends control signals back to synchronize measurement timing. The system uses timestamping and configurable sampling intervals to coordinate measurements across the isolated boundary, ensuring that voltage and current measurements are synchronized with an accuracy of at least 10 milliseconds through iterative adjustment and feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts measurement synchronization by allowing flexible configuration of sampling intervals and timing parameters. The BCU can adaptively modify the timing of control signals sent to cell monitoring units based on system conditions, enabling precise synchronization despite the isolation barrier. This dynamic timing adjustment ensures accurate state of charge determination while maintaining cost-effective CAN bus isolation.
3Reliability
If complex safety mechanisms are implemented in battery systems, then microcontroller functionality is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery control system into distinct functional modules: cell monitoring units for voltage measurement, a CAN bus isolator for safe communication, and a BCU for central control and state of charge determination. Each module has a specific safety function, and the segmented architecture allows independent verification and validation of safety mechanisms. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity by clearly defining safety responsibilities for each component while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a battery system having a battery module, comprising a high-voltage grid and a low-voltage network comprising a BCU, wherein the battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells connected in series and a plurality of cell monitoring units designed for measuring and transmitting battery voltages of the battery cells with respect to a first control signal, and wherein the BCU is designed for determining a charge state of the battery cells. The BCU comprises a microcontroller and a nanocontroller, wherein the nanocontroller is or can be directly connected to the cell monitoring units and is connected to the microcontroller by means of an isolator, and is designed for generating the first control signal and transmitting said signal to the cell monitoring units and for receiving the battery voltages of the battery cells transmitted by the cell monitoring units and relaying same to the microcontroller.