Battery Unit Association via Current Pulse Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In industrial truck fleets with multiple battery and charger units, existing technologies face challenges in effectively identifying and associating the correct components for data exchange, leading to potential incorrect data transmission between battery units and control units or charging devices.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a unique identification number carried in an association signal via a communication network, where a control unit applies a current pulse pattern to the battery pack, and if matched, the battery unit responds with its own identification number, ensuring correct association and preventing data exchange with incorrect devices, allowing for directed communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If components are made interchangeable for effective fleet management, then adaptability is improved, but reliability of data exchange deteriorates due to potential incorrect associations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent interchangeabilityVSAvoiddata exchange accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary association between battery units and control units/chargers before data exchange occurs. The association process establishes a verified connection using identification numbers and current pulse patterns, ensuring that only properly paired components can exchange data. This preliminary verification step prevents incorrect associations while maintaining component interchangeability across the fleet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If simple identification methods are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of component identity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation simplicityVSAvoididentification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces current pulse patterns as an intermediary verification mechanism between simple identification numbers and actual component pairing. The control unit sends a current pulse through the electrical connection, and the battery unit measures and verifies this pulse pattern against expected values. This intermediary step adds precision to the identification process while maintaining operational simplicity through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures accurate assignment of battery units to industrial trucks or charging devices, preventing incorrect data exchange and enabling efficient, secure communication for operational and charging processes, while ensuring an intact electrical connection.

Implementation Method 1

The control unit also applies a current pulse pattern to the battery pack via the electrical connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical current: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2110922B1Data exchange between a battery unit and a control unit
Publication Date: 2014.06.25 JUNGHEINRICH AG
  • EP2110922B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

Method for data exchange between a battery unit and a control unit of an industrial truck or charger electrically connected to the battery, wherein - the control unit of the industrial truck or charger applies a current pulse pattern to the battery unit via the electrical connection and the control unit sends an association signal via a communication network, which contains a unique identification number of the control unit and a data sequence that uniquely identifies the current pulse pattern, and - the battery unit compares the data sequence for the current pulse pattern from the received association signal with a measured electrical current pulse pattern and, if they match, sends an association response to the control unit identified by the identification number via the communication network.