Battery Pack Authentication via Wired and Near-Field ID Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In systems where replaceable battery packs are used in electric vehicles, there is a risk of incorrect identification and control of battery packs due to multiple vehicles and chargers within communication range, leading to safety and security issues in the charging process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving wireless communication between the controller of a battery pack, a charging device, and an electric vehicle, using identification information to authenticate the correct battery pack through a process of wired transmission, near-field communication, and collation to ensure accurate identification and secure control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used for battery pack identification, then communication range is extended and operation convenience is improved, but identification accuracy deteriorates due to multiple vehicles and chargers in range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication convenienceVSAvoididentification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the identification process into multiple stages: initial wireless detection, followed by wired verification through charging connection, and final confirmation via near-field communication. This segmentation allows the system to use wireless communication for broad detection while using wired connections for precise identification, resolving the contradiction between communication convenience and identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using wired communication during the charging connection process. This intermediary step acts as a mediator between the initial wireless detection and final near-field confirmation, providing an additional layer of verification that ensures accurate identification while maintaining the convenience of wireless operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If only wireless communication is used for authentication, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of authentication deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication system complexityVSAvoidauthentication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic authentication system that adapts the communication method based on the operational stage. The system dynamically switches between wireless communication (for initial detection), wired communication (for charging verification), and near-field communication (for final confirmation). This dynamic approach maintains low device complexity while significantly improving authentication reliability through multi-stage verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary wireless detection and screening before establishing the charging connection. This preliminary action filters out incorrect matches early in the process, so that the subsequent wired and near-field verification steps only need to confirm the pre-selected candidate, maintaining system simplicity while enhancing overall authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If wireless communication range is extended to allow battery replacement, then productivity is improved, but safety risks increase due to erroneous control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery replacement efficiencyVSAvoiderroneous control risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the charging device and vehicle controller continuously verify battery pack identification information during the charging process. The wired communication during charging connection provides real-time feedback to confirm correct battery identification, preventing erroneous control while maintaining extended wireless communication range for efficient battery replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4095976B1Power storage pack authentication method, power storage pack, charging device, electric mobile body, and electric mobile body control device
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4095976B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4095976B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4095976B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first power storage pack (10a) wiredly transmits identification information retained in the first power storage pack to a charging device (20) when the first power storage pack (10a) is detached from an electric movable body (30). The charging device (20) wiredly transmits the identification information received from the first power storage pack (10a) to a second power storage pack (10b). The controller of the second power storage pack (10b) transmits via near-field communication a signal including the identification information received from the charging device (20). The electric movable body (30) collates whether or not the identification information included in the received signal matches the identification information retained in the first power storage pack (10a).