Communication Connector Switching for CAN Bus Termination in Battery Clusters

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Solution Overview

Problem

The connection of multiple battery clusters in a household battery energy storage system to a communication bus results in decreased terminal resistance, leading to poor communication signals and abnormalities in communication between the system and a power conversion system (PCS).

Innovation Solution

A communication connector with a transfer switch and interlock device automatically controls the switching of termination resistors, ensuring only one resistor is coupled to the bus when multiple clusters communicate with the PCS, maintaining normal communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple battery clusters are connected to the CAN bus to communicate with the PCS, then the communication coverage and system capacity are improved, but the terminal resistance decreases causing communication signal degradation and abnormalities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidcommunication signal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic terminal resistance management by enabling each communication connector to automatically adjust its termination resistor state based on connection status. When a battery cluster is connected, the corresponding termination resistor is activated; when disconnected, it is deactivated. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal terminal resistance (typically 120Ω) on the CAN bus regardless of the number of connected clusters, preventing signal degradation while allowing flexible system expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If manual intervention is used to manage termination resistors, then communication reliability can be maintained, but system complexity and operational burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidoperational burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication connector is equipped with automatic detection and control functionality that enables it to self-manage its termination resistor without external intervention. The connector monitors its own connection status and automatically activates or deactivates the termination resistor accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual configuration or intervention, reducing operational burden while maintaining communication reliability across varying system configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If termination resistors are always connected for all battery clusters, then communication signal stability is improved, but energy consumption increases and communication abnormalities occur when multiple clusters are connected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication signal stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling each communication connector to independently control its termination resistor based on its specific connection status, rather than having a uniform termination configuration for all clusters. Only the connectors with actually connected battery clusters activate their termination resistors, while others keep them deactivated. This localized control maintains signal stability at the active connection points while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption and signal conflicts from inactive terminations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4629477A1Communication connector, and energy storage battery system and terminal resistor matching method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 SUNGROW POWER SUPPLY CO LTD
  • EP4629477A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4629477A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4629477A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application provides a communication connector, and an energy storage battery system and a terminal resistor matching method therefor. Upon detecting that the input ends of communication connectors are connected to corresponding battery clusters, one communication connector controls the next communication connector in a linkage mode to enable the next communication connector to be disconnected from a terminal resistor of a corresponding battery cluster, and the arrangement sequence of the communication connectors is the same as the sequence that the input ends of the communication connectors are connected to the corresponding battery clusters, and therefore, when a plurality of battery clusters in an energy storage battery system all establish communication with a PCS, the terminal resistors of other battery clusters than a battery cluster corresponding to a first communication connector are disconnected, so that the normal communication between the energy storage battery system and the PCS is ensured. Additionally, since a residential energy storage battery system is also an energy storage battery system, the communication method of the energy storage battery system provided by the present application can ensure the normal communication between the residential energy storage battery system and a PCS when a plurality of battery clusters in the residential energy storage battery system all establish communication with the PCS.