Wireless Battery Module Metadata for Easier wBMS Servicing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless battery management systems (wBMS) face challenges in dynamic configuration and servicing due to the need for extensive databases and complex logic on service devices to manage various packet formats, leading to inefficiencies in diagnosing and displaying battery information.
Innovation Solution
A battery module that stores metadata defining the battery information payload format in a non-volatile memory and transmits it to a service device, allowing the service device to parse and understand the payload structure, eliminating the need for large databases and complex logic, and enabling on-demand retrieval of data structure information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless battery management system uses extensive databases and complex logic on service devices to manage various packet formats, then the system can handle multiple battery module variants, but the device complexity and servicing overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the service device store extensive databases and complex logic to understand various packet formats, the patent inverts the approach by having battery modules self-describe their data formats through metadata. The metadata contains schema definitions that enable the service device to automatically generate appropriate parsing logic without pre-stored databases, thus reducing service device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery module performs self-description by including metadata that defines its own data payload formats, data structures, and interpretation rules. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the service device to have pre-programmed knowledge of each battery module variant's format, reducing the service device's complexity while maintaining the ability to service multiple variants.
2Ease of operation
If a wireless battery management system stores metadata defining payload formats in non-volatile memory, then the system enables on-demand retrieval and simplifies servicing, but the battery module requires additional memory resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data format definition information from the service device's database and places it directly into the battery module's metadata. This extraction eliminates the need for extensive databases on service devices while the metadata in battery modules contains only the essential schema definitions needed for data interpretation, balancing the memory trade-off between modules and service devices.
3Reliability
If a wireless battery management system uses conventional wiring harnesses to connect battery packs, then the system ensures reliable data transmission, but the wiring schematics become complex and differ for each vehicle model
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring harness system with a wireless communication system. Battery modules communicate with the battery management system and service devices via wireless protocols, eliminating the need for complex physical wiring schematics that differ between vehicle models while maintaining reliable data transmission through protocol-based communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery monitoring system configured to monitor one or more parameters of the plurality of battery cells. The battery module includes a processor configured to execute a battery monitoring script to generate a battery information payload defined by a battery information payload format. The battery module includes a radio configured to receive a container file including metadata defining the battery information payload format and the battery monitoring script; transmit the metadata to a service device; and transmit the battery information payload to the service device. A battery pack includes one or more battery modules and a wireless battery management system controller configured to: receive the battery information payload from each of the plurality of the battery modules; and provide aggregated battery information to a battery management controller of a host.