Battery Subpack Switch Circuit for Fault Decoupling and Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle battery systems lack the ability to individually decouple battery subpacks from the rest of the system when communication faults occur between the subpack microprocessors and the master controller, and they cannot apply or remove operational voltage to obtain the subpack's address.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a switch circuit between the master controller and each battery subpack to apply operational voltage to the subpack microprocessor for address determination and to remove it when communication faults occur, allowing the subpacks to be electrically decoupled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the master controller cannot apply operational voltage to the subpack microprocessor, then the address of the battery subpack cannot be obtained, but adding voltage control capability increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A switch circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the master controller and the subpack microprocessor. This switch circuit receives a control signal from the master controller and accordingly applies or removes operational voltage from the subpack microprocessor, enabling address determination while keeping the master controller's design simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage control function is segmented into a separate switch circuit module rather than being integrated into the master controller. This segmentation allows the master controller to focus on control logic while the switch circuit handles the physical voltage application, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If the master controller cannot remove operational voltage from the subpack microprocessor during communication faults, then individual subpack decoupling is not possible, but adding this capability increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The switch circuit serves as a mediator that enables the master controller to remotely control the operational state of individual subpack microprocessors. During communication faults, the master controller can signal the switch circuit to remove voltage, effectively isolating the faulty subpack without requiring complex direct control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch circuit is pre-configured to control the operational voltage to the subpack microprocessor. When a communication fault is detected, the voltage removal action is immediately executed through the pre-established switch circuit pathway, enabling rapid fault isolation without requiring complex real-time control decisions.
3Reliability
If battery subpacks cannot be individually decoupled from the system, then system reliability during faults is reduced, but adding subpack contactors increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The switch circuit acts as an intermediary control mechanism that enables individual subpack decoupling through voltage removal rather than physical contactor disconnection. This approach achieves the same reliability benefit as subpack contactors while avoiding the complexity of additional mechanical switching components at each subpack level.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery system includes a battery subpack having first and second battery cells, a cell monitoring circuit, and a subpack microprocessor. The cell monitoring circuit obtains first and second voltage values. A first switch circuit applies an operational voltage to the subpack microprocessor in response to a first control signal from a master controller. The master controller sends a first message that requests the first and second voltage values from the subpack microprocessor. The master controller stops generating the first control signal to induce the first switch circuit to remove the operational voltage from the subpack microprocessor when the master controller does not receive a second message having the first and second voltage values from the subpack microprocessor within a predetermined amount of time after sending the first message.