Battery Module ID Assignment via Voltage Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery management systems (BMS) face inconvenience in autonomously recognizing the configuration of battery modules and cells connected in series, requiring manual input for ID allocation, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A system that measures module and pack voltages to autonomously recognize the number of connected battery modules and cells, using a control unit to allocate IDs to each BMS and cell, with a memory to store recognized numbers and perform arithmetic operations to calculate module and cell counts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual input is used to allocate IDs to battery modules and cells, then ID allocation can be performed, but operation convenience deteriorates and labor intensity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveID allocation convenienceVSAvoidManual input time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management system automatically detects the number of battery modules and cells through voltage measurements and performs ID allocation without manual intervention. The control unit calculates the number of modules by dividing pack voltage by module voltage, and determines cell count by dividing module voltage by cell voltage, enabling the system to serve itself in the ID allocation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical input process with an automated electrical measurement and calculation system. Voltage sensors measure pack and module voltages, and the control unit performs arithmetic operations to automatically determine configuration and allocate IDs, substituting human operation with electronic detection and computation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple BMS software versions are stored to match different numbers of battery modules and cells, then system adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSoftware compatibility with different configurationsVSAvoidSoftware management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to different battery configurations by automatically detecting the actual number of modules and cells through voltage measurements. The control unit calculates the specific configuration and allocates IDs accordingly, eliminating the need for multiple pre-configured software versions and enabling a single software to handle variable configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the approach from storing multiple software versions with fixed parameters to using a single software that dynamically adjusts parameters based on measured voltages. The control unit modifies ID allocation parameters according to the detected configuration, allowing the system to adapt to different numbers of modules and cells without requiring multiple software variants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10794957B2Battery module and cell configuration recognition system for ID assignment

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a battery module and cell configuration recognition system for ID assignment, and more specifically, to a battery module and cell configuration recognition system for ID assignment that recognizes the number of battery cells and battery modules connected in series in order to assign an ID to a BMS and a battery cell of each of the battery modules.