Battery Module Address Assignment via Current Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Battery Management Systems (BMSs) face challenges in efficiently identifying and assigning unique addresses to battery modules after assembly, which can increase manufacturing time and cost, and require consideration of relative module positions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a switch and current sensor in each battery module to detect currents and assign unique addresses by closing and opening switches based on detected currents, allowing a central controller to communicate and assign identifiers to each module, enabling identification and relative positioning without pre-manufactured addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unique addresses are assigned to battery modules during manufacturing, then each module can be individually identified, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring switch circuits and current sensing capabilities in each battery module during manufacturing, but deferring the actual address assignment until after assembly. The modules are prepared with the hardware infrastructure needed for identification, but the specific address assignment is postponed to when the modules are assembled into a BMS, thereby avoiding the time and cost penalty of individual address programming during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling battery modules to automatically determine their own addresses through current sensing and switch control mechanisms. When a module is assembled into a BMS, it autonomously detects its position in the cascade configuration and assigns itself an appropriate address by controlling its internal switches, eliminating the need for manual or centralized address programming during manufacturing.
2Reliability
If unique addresses are assigned to battery modules during manufacturing, then individual module identification is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring switch circuits and current sensing capabilities in each battery module during manufacturing, but deferring the actual address assignment until after assembly. The modules are prepared with the hardware infrastructure needed for identification, but the specific address assignment is postponed to when the modules are assembled into a BMS, thereby avoiding the time and cost penalty of individual address programming during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling battery modules to automatically determine their own addresses through current sensing and switch control mechanisms. When a module is assembled into a BMS, it autonomously detects its position in the cascade configuration and assigns itself an appropriate address by controlling its internal switches, eliminating the need for manual or centralized address programming during manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If battery modules are assembled without considering relative position, then assembly flexibility increases, but address assignment becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical or manual address assignment methods with an electrical sensing system. Instead of physically configuring modules in specific positions or manually programming addresses, the system uses current sensing through switch circuits to automatically determine module positions and assign addresses. This substitution maintains assembly flexibility while automating the address assignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using current sensing to detect the state of switches in adjacent modules and using this information to determine the module's position in the cascade. The module continuously monitors current flow through its switch circuit and uses this feedback to autonomously assign itself the correct address, thereby simplifying the overall address assignment process despite assembly flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for cost-effective and efficient assignment of unique addresses to battery modules post-assembly, facilitating the determination of module positions and reducing manufacturing complexity, while enabling the assembly of identical modules in any order.
Implementation Method 1
a current sensor configured to sense a current in a second current path, the second current path different from the first current path
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect there is disclosed an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first battery module. The first battery module may include a switch configured to open or close a first current path from a first terminal of a battery to a second terminal of the battery when a second battery module is coupled to the first battery module; a current sensor configured to sense a current in a second current path, the second current path different from the first current path; and a local controller configured to control a state of the switch to open or close the switch, wherein closing the switch is configured to close the first current path, the local controller is further configured to detect the sensed current in the second current path, and the local controller is further configured to receive and store an identifier based at least in part on the current detected in the second current path.