Master-Slave Battery Pack Voltage Control via Segmented Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing multi battery pack systems face challenges in controlling numerous slave battery packs without increasing the load on the master battery pack, as the number of slave packs increases, leading to inefficiencies in charging and discharging operations.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a master battery pack that calculates and communicates a target total voltage (TGTTLV) to slave packs, allowing them to manage their own charging or discharging based on this target, thereby distributing the control load and reducing the burden on the master pack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the master battery pack directly controls charging/discharging of numerous slave battery packs, then the control function is achieved, but the load on the master battery pack increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionVSAvoidload on master battery pack
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The control function is segmented between the master battery pack and slave battery packs. The master battery pack only performs high-level control (determining charging/discharging state and sending commands), while slave battery packs independently execute control of their own cells. This segmentation reduces the computational and control load on the master battery pack.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Slave battery packs are equipped with independent control circuits that enable them to autonomously manage their own charging/discharging operations based on commands from the master. This self-service capability eliminates the need for the master battery pack to directly control each slave pack, significantly reducing its load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If the number of slave battery packs is increased to provide sufficient capacity, then the system capacity is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into a hierarchical structure where the master battery pack handles strategic decisions (when to charge/discharge) and slave battery packs handle tactical execution (how to charge/discharge their cells). This segmentation allows the system to scale to numerous slave packs without proportionally increasing control complexity at the master level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Simple communication protocols act as intermediaries between the master and slave battery packs. The master sends high-level commands and receives status information, while slave packs translate these into specific cell control actions. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall control architecture despite the large number of slave packs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the master battery pack manages all data from slave battery packs, then centralized control is achieved, but the processing load on the master increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidprocessing load on master
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Data processing functions are extracted from the master battery pack and distributed to slave battery packs. Each slave pack independently processes its own operational data and only communicates essential status information to the master. This extraction reduces the master's processing load while maintaining centralized oversight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Slave battery packs independently manage and process their own operational data, performing self-service data management. This eliminates the need for the master battery pack to directly process all raw data from each slave pack, significantly reducing its processing burden while maintaining centralized control through summarized status information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1969668B1Multi battery pack system, control method thereof, and battery pack using the same
Publication Date: 2015.07.15 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP1969668B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1969668B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP1969668B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A multi battery pack system is composed of a plurality of battery packs. The master battery pack receives a total voltage from each slave battery pack and calculates a target total voltage using its total voltage and total voltages of all slave battery pack whenever a predetermined time period passes, sends the calculated target total voltage to each slave battery pack, compares the target total voltage with its total voltage, and then connects or disconnects its cell group and output terminals according to the comparison result. The slave battery packs include at least one slave battery pack, which sends its total voltage according to a request of the master battery pack, receives a target total voltage from the master battery pack, compares the target total voltage with its total voltage, and then connects or disconnects its cell group and output terminals according to the comparison result.