Battery Module Communication Power Imbalance

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Solution Overview

Problem

In battery systems with a daisy chain configuration, a significant difference in power consumption between battery modules occurs due to varying communication loads, leading to performance deterioration and reduced driving range.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a master controller that selects target modules in a specific order and uses bidirectional data transmission to minimize power consumption differences, with the N-th battery module transmitting control commands and response data through terminated ports, ensuring all modules operate uniformly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If battery modules are connected in a daisy chain configuration, then communication between modules is enabled, but power consumption difference between modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption difference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional communication approach by having the master controller transmit commands to all modules simultaneously through terminated ports, rather than sequentially through the daisy chain. This reversal of communication direction and timing ensures all modules receive and process commands equally, eliminating the power consumption gradient that occurs in sequential communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates equipotential communication conditions by using terminated ports at each module to broadcast commands to all modules simultaneously. This ensures that all battery modules operate under equal communication conditions, with identical transmission and reception loads, thereby equalizing power consumption across all modules regardless of their position in the daisy chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Device complexity

If sequential communication is used in daisy chain configuration, then data transmission is simplified, but performance deterioration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication structureVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the sequential communication approach by implementing simultaneous bidirectional communication where all modules can transmit and receive data at the same time through terminated ports. This inversion maintains the simple daisy chain physical structure while transforming the communication protocol to ensure equal participation of all modules, thereby preventing performance deterioration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the master controller send control commands to all modules simultaneously before any module needs to respond. This preliminary broadcasting of commands ensures that all modules are prepared and activated at the same time, preventing the performance lag that occurs in sequential communication where downstream modules wait for upstream modules to complete their operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If first battery module handles more communication traffic, then direct control from master controller is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect control capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption of first module

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the communication flow by having the master controller broadcast commands to all modules simultaneously through terminated ports, rather than routing all traffic through the first battery module. This inversion eliminates the bottleneck at the first module, distributing communication loads evenly across all modules and reducing its power consumption while maintaining direct control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the first battery module from its role as a communication bottleneck by implementing terminated ports that allow direct master controller access to all modules. This extraction removes the excessive communication burden from the first module, allowing it to function equally with other modules while maintaining the system's direct control capability through the terminated communication architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20230204671A1Battery system

Publication Date: 2023.06.29 SK ON CO LTD

AI summary

A battery system includes first to N-th battery modules sequentially connected in a daisy chain configuration; and a master controller connected to the first battery module through an interface IC, selecting at least one target module among the first to N-th battery modules, and transmitting a control command for the target module. The target module unidirectionally transmits the control command received from the master controller, and bidirectionally transmits response data generated in response to the control command. The master controller selects the N-th battery module as the target module first, and selects the first battery module as the target module last.