Battery Management Unit Wireless Self-Testing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current battery management systems require manual connection of a power source to test slave BMUs, leading to an inefficient testing process for ensuring normal operation before battery pack release.

Innovation Solution

A battery management unit with a sensing unit, a first power supply unit generating an operating voltage from the battery module, and a communication unit using this voltage to detect and test slave BMU parameters wirelessly, eliminating the need for manual power connection, and including isolation units for secure communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual connection of power source is used to test slave BMU, then testing can be performed, but testing efficiency is low and preparation process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The slave BMU is designed to automatically wake up and perform self-testing using its own internal power supply unit and processor. The testing system triggers the slave BMU to wake up from sleep mode, and the slave BMU independently executes the testing routine without requiring manual power connection or external intervention during the test execution phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The slave BMU enters a sleep mode during normal operation to conserve power, and the testing mechanism is pre-configured to automatically wake up the slave BMU when testing is required. This preliminary setup of sleep mode and automatic wake-up capability eliminates the need for manual power connection during testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If slave BMU is kept in sleep mode to save power, then energy consumption is reduced, but testing capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtesting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slave BMU dynamically switches between sleep mode and active mode based on operational requirements. During normal operation, it remains in sleep mode to minimize power consumption. When testing is required, it transitions to active mode to execute testing routines, and can switch back to sleep mode after testing completes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The slave BMU alternates between sleep periods and active testing periods. The system periodically wakes up the slave BMU from sleep mode to perform necessary testing functions, then returns it to sleep mode. This periodic activation balances power consumption with testing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3557687B1Battery management unit and battery pack including same
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3557687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3557687B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3557687B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a battery management unit and a battery management system including the same. The battery management unit includes a sensing unit electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, and configured to detect voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells and output a detection signal including voltage information representing the detected voltage, a first power supply unit configured to generate a first operating voltage using a module voltage of the battery module, and a communication unit which operates using the first operating voltage, the communication unit including an antenna, a wireless communication circuit and a first input port, and configured to receive the detection signal from the sensing unit through the first input port, test at least one preset item based on the detection signal, and output a RF signal representing a result of the test through the antenna and the wireless communication circuit.