Battery Pack Configuration Detection for Variable Cell Counts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems face challenges in efficiently managing changes in the number of battery cells and temperature sensors within a battery pack, requiring additional development time and manpower for software modifications and integration.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a main control unit (MCU) that derives the actual number of battery cells and temperature sensors based on resistance values, dynamically allocates cell and temperature data arrays, and processes representative values when dynamic allocation is impossible, ensuring accurate monitoring and diagnosis regardless of changes in cell or sensor count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of battery cells or temperature sensors is changed, then the battery pack configuration becomes more adaptable, but additional software modification and distribution tasks are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from fixed software codes to dynamically derived resistance values. The MCU reads resistance values from input terminals and derives the number of battery cells and temperature sensors from these physical measurements, allowing configuration changes without software modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-configuration by automatically deriving battery pack parameters from resistance measurements. The MCU autonomously determines the number of battery cells and temperature sensors based on the measured resistance values, eliminating the need for manual software modification and distribution.
2Device complexity
If fixed maximum numbers of cells and temperature sensors are set in software, then software structure is simplified, but the system cannot respond to changes in battery pack configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static software parameters into dynamic values derived from physical measurements. Instead of fixed maximum numbers hardcoded in software, the system continuously derives the actual number of battery cells and temperature sensors from resistance measurements, enabling real-time adaptation to configuration changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance measurement mechanism serves multiple functions: it characterizes the battery pack configuration (number of cells and temperature sensors) while maintaining a simple software structure. The same input terminals and resistance reading process work for different configurations without requiring separate software paths.
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
Enables efficient software adaptation to changes in battery pack configurations, reducing development time and manpower by dynamically adjusting to varying numbers of battery cells and temperature sensors, thereby enhancing monitoring and diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
deriving, by a main control unit (MCU), information about the number of a plurality of battery cells included in a battery pack based on a set resistance value connected to an input terminal of the MCU
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of setting information about a battery pack includes deriving, by a main control unit (MCU), information about a number of a plurality of battery cells based on a set resistance value connected to an input terminal of the MCU; when the derived number of the plurality of battery cells and a set maximum number N of cells are not the same, changing, by the MCU, a cell parameter indicating the number of battery cells from the maximum number of cells to the derived number of the plurality of battery cells; transmitting, by the MCU, a cell information request signal for requesting a number of cell voltages corresponding to the cell parameter to a battery monitoring integrated circuit (BMIC) connected to the plurality of battery cells; and receiving, by the MCU, a plurality of battery cell voltage signals from the BMIC.