On-Site Battery Pack Diagnostic Apparatus for Voltage Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing battery pack diagnostic technologies are inconvenient as they require transporting the battery pack to a separate facility for analysis, leading to increased service costs and downtime.

Innovation Solution

A battery pack diagnostic apparatus that includes a communication port, a measurer, and a controller to measure and analyze the battery pack's voltage and current, calculate error rates, and output correction signals to the battery management system, allowing for on-site diagnosis and correction of output voltage and current errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If battery pack diagnosis is performed using dedicated equipment in a separate facility, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but loss of time and service costs increase due to transportation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage and current measurement accuracyVSAvoidbattery pack unavailability time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a diagnostic device as an intermediary between the battery management system and the user. This device communicates with the BMS via CAN bus to obtain measurement data, performs diagnostic analysis, and provides results without requiring physical transportation of the battery pack. The intermediary handles the complex measurement and analysis functions while keeping the battery pack in its installed location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical transportation of the battery pack to a separate facility with an electronic/digital diagnostic system. Instead of moving the physical battery pack to dedicated equipment, the system uses electronic communication (CAN bus) to transmit data to a diagnostic device that can be accessed at the battery pack's installation site, substituting mechanical transport with electronic data transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If battery pack diagnosis is performed using dedicated equipment in a separate facility, then comprehensive analysis capability is improved, but device complexity and service costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack state analysis accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal diagnostic tool that can interface with the battery management system through standard CAN bus communication protocols. It performs multiple functions including data acquisition, error code reading, live data monitoring, and diagnostic analysis within a single integrated device, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools and facilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The diagnostic device creates a virtual copy or representation of the battery pack's internal state by reading and analyzing data from the BMS sensors and controllers. Instead of requiring physical access to the battery pack's internal components, the system copies the electrical and operational state information through communication protocols, enabling comprehensive analysis without physical disassembly or transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If battery pack diagnosis requires transportation to a separate facility, then specialized measurement capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltage and current measurement accuracyVSAvoiddiagnosis accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic device serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the battery management system and the user. It communicates with the BMS through the existing CAN bus infrastructure, obtaining precise measurement data without requiring direct physical access to the battery pack's internal measurement circuits. The intermediary handles the complexity of precise measurement while providing a simple user interface for diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The diagnostic system enables self-service diagnosis by allowing users to connect the diagnostic device to the battery pack at its installation location and perform comprehensive diagnostics independently. The system automatically retrieves measurement data from the BMS, performs analysis, and provides diagnostic results without requiring specialized transportation facilities or expert intervention, making the process accessible to end users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3462199B1Battery pack diagnostic apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
  • EP3462199B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3462199B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3462199B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A battery pack diagnostic apparatus includes a communication port, a measurer, and a controller. The communication port provides an electrical connection between the battery pack diagnostic apparatus and a battery management system. The measurer is electrically connected to an output terminal of the battery pack and is configured to measure a voltage and a current of the battery pack. The controller is configured to obtain a first measurement value with respect to a voltage and a current of the battery pack from the battery management system. The controller is further configured to obtain a second measurement value with respect to a second voltage and a second current of the battery pack from the measurer. The controller analyzes a state of the battery pack based on the first measurement value and the second measurement value.