Battery Module Identification Across Flexible Communication Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery control apparatuses face limitations in the number of connectable batteries due to signal attenuation and inflexible communication channel configurations, restricting the flexible arrangement of batteries.

Innovation Solution

A battery control apparatus that includes a counter to count connected battery modules, a serial information setter to assign identifying information based on the count, and an information transmitter to associate status information with each module, allowing for flexible arrangement of batteries by minimizing communication load and processing load on the control apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple communication channels are provided to increase the number of connectable batteries, then the number of connectable batteries increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of connectable batteriesVSAvoidcommunication channel configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments battery identification into two parts: a common communication channel identifier and a unique module number identifier. This segmentation allows multiple batteries to be connected through a single communication channel while maintaining individual identification, thereby increasing the number of connectable batteries without proportionally increasing communication channel complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication channel is designed to serve multiple functions: it transmits both common identification information (channel ID) and unique identification information (module number). This multi-functionality allows a single communication channel to manage multiple batteries efficiently, increasing connectivity capacity while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single communication channel is used to reduce device complexity, then the device complexity decreases, but the number of connectable batteries is limited due to signal attenuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication channel configurationVSAvoidnumber of connectable batteries
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds an identification dimension by incorporating module numbers as a second layer of identification beyond the communication channel ID. This dimensional addition allows the system to distinguish between multiple batteries on the same communication channel, effectively increasing the number of connectable batteries without requiring additional physical communication channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If batteries are arranged flexibly in series or parallel configurations, then the adaptability increases, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring battery states increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidbattery state monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by having each battery module transmit its module number and status information back to the control device. The control device uses this feedback to automatically identify and track each battery's position and state, regardless of its configuration position. This feedback mechanism simplifies the detection and measurement of battery states in flexible arrangements by providing automatic identification and status reporting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3370298B1Battery control apparatus and battery system
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3370298B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370298B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3370298B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a battery control apparatus according to an embodiment includes a counter, a serial information setter, and an information transmitter. The counter counts, for communication lines to which a plurality of battery modules are connected to form communication channels, the number of battery modules connected to each of the communication lines. The serial information setter sets a series of pieces of information about the battery modules connected to the plurality of communication lines as information for identifying the battery modules on the basis of the number of battery modules counted by the counter. The information transmitter transmits, to an external apparatus, management information in which status information of each of the battery modules is associated with each piece of the series of pieces of information set by the serial information setter.