Battery Module Voltage Detection for Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery systems, particularly in hybrid and electric vehicles, face reliability issues due to the failure of a single cell voltage detection unit causing the entire system to fail, leading to potential safety hazards and operational disruptions, as the central control unit can only communicate directly with the uppermost cell voltage detection unit, making it impossible to detect cell voltages if it fails.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a battery system with each module having a module voltage detection unit connected in series via a common communication bus to the central control unit, allowing for separate measurement and verification of module voltages, enabling continued operation in emergency mode by estimating cell voltages using current intensity and last known states, and comparing these estimates with separately recorded module voltages to ensure reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cell voltage detection units are connected in series via a common communication bus to the central control unit, then the system structure is simplified and communication is standardized, but the system reliability deteriorates because a single detection unit failure causes complete system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery system into independent modules, each with its own cell voltage detection unit that can operate autonomously. This segmentation allows the system to continue functioning even if one detection unit fails, as other modules remain operational and can report their data independently to the central control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Each module is equipped with local voltage detection capabilities and local memory storage, enabling independent operation. The local quality enhancement ensures that failure in one module does not propagate to others, maintaining system reliability while preserving the simplified series communication structure.
2Device complexity
If the central control unit communicates only with the uppermost cell voltage detection unit, then the communication protocol is simplified, but the system reliability deteriorates because any detection unit failure prevents all voltage data from being transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
Each cell voltage detection unit is equipped with local memory that pre-stores voltage data before transmission. This preliminary action ensures that even if a detection unit fails during operation, the previously stored data remains available and can be retrieved by the central control unit, preventing complete data loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where each detection unit can directly communicate with the central control unit through the common bus, bypassing the hierarchical limitation. This intermediary capability allows any module to report its data independently, ensuring continuous voltage monitoring even when other modules fail.
3Reliability
If a single battery cell failure leads to complete battery system failure, then the system operates within strict safety limits, but the operational continuity deteriorates causing immediate shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing redundant detection capabilities at the module level and implementing comprehensive safety monitoring that can identify and isolate failing cells before they cause complete system failure. This allows the system to maintain operational continuity by compensating for individual cell failures while preserving safety constraints.
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery system (100) is proposed having at least two modules (24) which comprise a multiplicity of battery cells (10), with each module (24) being associated with a cell voltage detection unit (26) which is connected to a central controller (38) via a common communication bus (36). The invention provides for each module (24) to additionally comprise a module voltage detection unit which is connected to the central controller (38) and is designed to separately detect the voltage of the associated module (24). The invention also relates to a method for determining battery module voltages in a battery system (100), wherein each of the cell voltage detection units (26) determines the voltages of the individual battery cells (10), and the determined voltage values are transmitted via a common communication bus (36) to a central control (38), with a module voltage additionally being detected separately and being supplied to the central controller (38), for each module (24). A motor vehicle having a battery system (100) is also provided, wherein the battery system (100) is connected to a motor vehicle drive system.