Battery System Direct Communication Lines for Hierarchical Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In large-scale battery systems with multiple hierarchical levels, communication and processing delays occur, which can lead to delayed response times when abnormalities arise, particularly in systems with three or more hierarchical levels.

Innovation Solution

A battery system design where direct communication lines connect battery module control units and battery block control units without relying on battery pack control units as intermediaries, allowing for efficient data collection and processing across hierarchical levels, thereby reducing communication delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a battery system is constructed with multiple hierarchical levels (battery module, battery pack, battery block), then the system can achieve large-scale construction and flexible configuration, but communication delay and processing delay increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem construction capabilityVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the battery system into multiple hierarchical levels (battery module, battery pack, battery block) with dedicated control units at each level. This segmentation enables large-scale construction while managing communication complexity by localizing control functions at each hierarchical level, reducing the need for lengthy communication paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a battery management server as an intermediary that receives battery information directly from battery module control units via communication lines, bypassing the need for information to traverse through multiple hierarchical control units. This intermediary architecture reduces communication delay while maintaining the benefits of hierarchical structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If direct control units are assigned according to hierarchical relations, then the system achieves structured control, but communication delay occurs when abnormalities need immediate response

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol structureVSAvoidabnormality response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes communication lines between battery module control units and the battery management server in advance, creating direct communication pathways before abnormalities occur. This preliminary setup ensures that when abnormalities happen, information can be transmitted immediately without waiting for hierarchical relay, thus improving response time while maintaining structured control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery management server acts as an intermediary that directly receives abnormality information from battery module control units through dedicated communication lines. This intermediary architecture allows the system to maintain hierarchical control structure while enabling direct, rapid communication channels for critical abnormality responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2645734B1Battery system
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 HITACHI LTD
  • EP2645734B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2645734B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2645734B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery system in which delay in communication and processing is restrained even if the battery system is constructed with plural hierarchical structures is provided. The battery system includes: a battery module 30 having plural battery cells 20 and a battery module control unit 31 which collects battery information of the plural battery cells 20; a battery pack 40 having plural battery modules 30 and a battery pack control unit 230 which collects information of the plural battery modules 30; and a battery block 50 having plural battery packs 40 and a battery block control unit 240 which collects information of the plural battery packs 40. The battery module control unit 31 and the battery pack control unit 230 communicate with each other via a first communication line. The battery pack control unit 230 and the battery block control unit 240 communication with each other via a second communication line. The battery module control unit 31 and the battery block control unit 240 have a communication line in which direction communication is carried out without having a relay of the battery pack control unit 230.