Battery Module Location via Capacitive Potential Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery control systems cannot accurately identify the installation location of a faulty battery module within a traction battery, leading to potential installation faults and safety risks due to the need for high voltage cables and complex wiring.
Innovation Solution
The method involves measuring the electrical potential of each battery module using capacitive coupling to the low voltage side, eliminating the need for additional high voltage lines and using a ground leakage monitor to establish a stable potential reference, allowing simultaneous measurement of electrical potentials and temperature across all modules without compromising DC isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high voltage cables are used to measure electrical potential of each battery module, then voltage measurement capability is improved, but safety risks and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ground leakage monitor as an intermediary device that measures the electrical potential of battery modules indirectly through capacitive coupling to the low voltage side, rather than direct high voltage connection. This mediator enables voltage measurement while maintaining safety by isolating the measurement circuit from high voltage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical direct connection method (high voltage cables) with an electromagnetic field-based measurement method (capacitive coupling). The ground leakage monitor detects electrical potential through capacitive coupling to the low voltage side, substituting physical high voltage wiring with field-based sensing
2Measurement precision
If additional high voltage lines are installed for measurement, then voltage measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ground leakage monitor serves multiple functions: it monitors ground leakage currents for safety purposes and simultaneously measures the electrical potential of individual battery modules. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated measurement wiring, reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ground leakage monitor acts as an intermediary that accesses battery module potentials through existing low voltage wiring infrastructure via capacitive coupling, rather than requiring new high voltage measurement lines. This leverages existing infrastructure to reduce wiring complexity
3Reliability
If DC isolation is maintained between high voltage and low voltage sides, then safety is improved, but measurement capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ground leakage monitor serves as an intermediary that bridges the isolated high voltage and low voltage sides through capacitive coupling. It measures electrical potential across the isolation barrier without creating a direct conductive path, thereby maintaining DC isolation while enabling measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical contact (conductive measurement) with capacitive coupling (electromagnetic field interaction). This substitution allows measurement of electrical potential while maintaining the DC isolation barrier, as capacitive coupling does not require direct conductive connection
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 approach enables accurate identification of module positions and voltage measurements without introducing safety hazards, simplifying the installation process and reducing the risk of electrical shorts or insulation damage, while maintaining DC isolation and avoiding the need for complex table collations.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the electrical potential of battery modules relative to the low voltage side by means of capacitive coupling to the low voltage side
Implementation Method 2
using a ground leakage monitor to establish a stable potential reference
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating a battery module among multiple battery modules of a traction battery that are electrically connected to one another, having the following features: an electrical potential is measured at each of the battery modules in real time relative to a potential reference that is common to the battery modules; the potentials are used to subtractively compute voltages between the battery modules; a positional relationship for the battery modules is derived from the voltages; a module controller that is univocally denoted within the traction battery is used to retrieve a voltage dropped across the battery module that is to be located; and the retrieved voltage and the computed voltages are used to locate the battery module on the basis of the positional relationship within the traction battery. Also described is a corresponding apparatus, a corresponding computer program and a corresponding storage medium.