Battery Management System Initialization via Centralized Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems require individual software versions for each sensor controller, which is costly and error-prone, and lacks flexibility in handling varying numbers of cell sensors and battery cells, leading to complex maintenance and potential configuration errors.
Innovation Solution
A method where the central controller determines and transmits configuration data, including the number of cell sensors and battery cells, to sensor controllers via a communication channel, allowing uniform software operation without non-volatile memory, using checksums and one-way functions for secure data transmission and verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual software versions are used for each sensor controller to handle varying numbers of cell sensors, then the system can accommodate different hardware configurations, but the software maintenance complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal software version that can handle multiple hardware configurations through runtime parameter adaptation. The sensor controller determines the actual number of cell sensors at runtime and adjusts its operation accordingly, eliminating the need for multiple specialized software versions while maintaining compatibility with varying battery module configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (specifically the number of cell sensors) at runtime based on the actual hardware configuration. This allows a single software version to adapt to different numbers of cell sensors by modifying its operational parameters rather than requiring different software builds for each configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-volatile memory is added to sensor controllers to store configuration data, then individual configurations can be stored, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration storage function from the sensor controller hardware by moving it to the central controller. The central controller determines and manages the configuration data, while the sensor controller only needs to receive and use this information during operation, eliminating the need for non-volatile memory in the sensor controller
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller acts as an intermediary that manages configuration data and transmits it to sensor controllers. This mediator approach allows configuration information to be stored centrally rather than in each sensor controller, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining configuration capabilities
3Speed
If configuration data is transmitted without verification to reduce transmission time, then the initialization speed increases, but configuration errors may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sensor controller sends an acknowledgment signal to the central controller after receiving configuration data. The central controller waits for this confirmation before proceeding, ensuring that configuration data is correctly received and transmitted without errors while maintaining efficient initialization timing
Data Source
AI summary
A method for starting a battery management system (1) is disclosed. The battery management system includes a central controller (2) and at least one battery module (4) with a sensor controller (14) and at least one cell sensor (16) which is assigned to at least one battery cell (8). The method includes determining configuration data of each battery module (4) by the central controller (2), which configuration data comprises at least the indication of the number of cell sensors (16) assigned to each battery module (4), transmitting the configuration data by the central controller (2) to each sensor controller (14) via a communication channel (5), checking the configuration data by the respective sensor controller (14), and initializing each battery module (4) on the basis of the configuration data by the respective sensor controller (14) after successful checking.