Battery Module Count Detection via Resistive Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular battery pack systems lack an efficient method to accurately determine the number of cell modules, which can lead to errors in power management and operation, especially when modules are added or removed.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle traction battery system that includes a primary controller and cell modules with resistive elements, where the primary controller communicates with secondary controllers to determine the total number of modules by measuring resistance or other parameters, setting error flags if discrepancies are detected, ensuring accurate power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If modular battery packs allow dynamic addition or removal of cell modules, then flexibility and performance are improved, but accurate determination of the total number of modules becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A resistive element is introduced as an intermediary component between the battery cell and the external circuit. This resistive element serves as a unique identifier for each module, allowing the controller to accurately count modules through resistance measurements without requiring complex communication protocols or additional identification hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or manual module identification methods with electrical resistance measurement. Instead of requiring physical tags, barcodes, or manual input for module identification, the system uses electrical properties (resistance values) to automatically and accurately determine the number of modules connected to the high voltage bus.
2Loss of information
If the system uses communication signals from module controllers to determine module count, then identification capability is improved, but reliability is reduced when modules are dynamically added or removed
Solution Approach 1:
Each module's resistive element automatically provides identification information through its inherent electrical property. The resistive element passively presents its resistance value to the controller, eliminating the need for active communication or self-reporting mechanisms. This self-identifying property ensures reliable module counting regardless of whether modules are dynamically added or removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active communication-based identification with passive electrical property-based identification. Instead of relying on module controllers to report their presence and identity through communication protocols, the system uses the inherent resistance of dedicated resistive elements, which provides more reliable and error-free module counting.
3Reliability
If the system implements error detection for module count discrepancies, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the total resistance value and compares it against the expected resistance for the reported number of modules. This feedback mechanism automatically detects discrepancies between the actual module count (derived from resistance measurement) and the reported module count, enabling error detection without requiring complex additional hardware or algorithms.
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 solution enables precise determination of the number of battery modules, allowing for robust power limit settings and error detection, enhancing the flexibility and reliability of modular battery packs in vehicles and energy storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
a measured resistance of the passive circuit elements being indicative of a same total number of the cell modules
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an electric machine, a traction battery pack, and a battery controller. The traction battery pack includes a plurality of cell modules electrically connected with the electric machine. Each of the cell modules includes a housing having a battery cell, a passive circuit element isolated from the battery cell, and a module controller contained therein. The passive circuit elements are electrically connected in series or parallel. The battery controller is in communication with each of the module controllers and is electrically connected with the passive circuit elements. Responsive to signals from the module controllers indicative of a total number of the cell modules and a measured parameter associated with the passive circuit elements being indicative of a same total number of the cell modules, the battery controller operates the battery cells according to power limits defined by the total number.