Battery Controller Identification via Daisy-Chain Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying cell monitoring controllers in electric and hybrid vehicle battery packs require unique configuration, leading to increased complexity and costs due to the need for distinct part numbers and assembly procedures, preventing the use of identical controllers and complicating manufacturing and service operations.
Innovation Solution
A method using a low-voltage signal line to activate and identify cell monitoring controllers sequentially, allowing identical controllers to be used throughout the battery pack, where the master controller sends a wake-up signal and unique identification numbers to each controller, enabling them to function uniquely without physical or software differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unique configuration is used for each cell monitoring controller, then each controller can be identified, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each cell monitoring controller automatically determines its own identification number by detecting its position in the daisy-chained network. The controllers self-configure by receiving a wake-up signal and identification number from the master controller, eliminating the need for manual unique configuration of each unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification number is assigned dynamically based on the controller's position in the signal chain rather than being fixed in hardware or software configuration. This parameter change approach allows identical controllers to have different identities based on their network position.
2Reliability
If unique configuration is used for each cell monitoring controller, then each controller can be identified, but manufacturing and service operations become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
All cell monitoring controllers are made identical in hardware and software configuration. The same controller model can be used throughout the battery pack, simplifying manufacturing, inventory management, and service operations while maintaining the ability to uniquely identify each controller through its network position.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating unique configurations for each controller, the system uses identical copies of the same controller model. The uniqueness is achieved through the network topology and signal routing rather than through different controller variants.
3Ease of operation
If sequential activation via signal line is used, then identical controllers can be used, but activation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The master controller activates cell monitoring controllers in a sequential periodic manner through the daisy-chained signal line. Each controller is activated in turn by passing a wake-up signal through the network, allowing identical controllers to be systematically brought online without complex simultaneous activation logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for identifying individual cell monitoring controllers in an electric vehicle battery pack. Several cell monitoring controllers are serially connected to each other and to a master battery pack controller via a signal line, which is also used for communicating alarm signals between the controllers. The master battery pack controller sends a wake-up signal on the signal line. The first cell monitoring controller in the signal line wiring route receives the wake-up signal and receives an identification number from the master battery pack controller. Only then does the first cell monitoring controller allow the wake-up signal to be passed along to the second cell monitoring controller, which activates and receives its identification number, and so forth. In this way, identical cell monitoring controllers can be used in a battery pack, yet each cell monitoring controller can be uniquely identified by the master battery pack controller.