Daisy-Chain Bus with Bidirectional Drive Circuitry for Fault-Tolerant Cell Status

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems in automotive networks, particularly in electric vehicles, face challenges in reliably communicating battery cell status data over bi-directional data paths, especially when the data path becomes faulty, which can disrupt the management and control of battery performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a bi-directional data path using first and second connection nodes with directional drive circuitry and communication-protocol circuitry to communicate cell-status data in both directions, allowing the system to adapt and maintain communication even if the primary data path fails, and utilizing a daisy-chain bus configuration to connect multiple battery sections for efficient data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single-directional communication path is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates when the data path becomes faulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication circuit dynamically switches between first and second connection nodes based on the operational status of the bi-directional data path. When the primary path is functional, data flows through the first connection node; when faulty, the system activates the second connection node to maintain communication, making the system adaptable to changing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provisions redundant connection nodes and directional drive circuitry in advance, creating a backup communication path before faults occur. This preemptive measure ensures that when the primary data path fails, an alternative route is already available, preventing communication breakdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If redundant communication paths are provided, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication circuit dynamically switches between first and second connection nodes based on the operational status of the bi-directional data path. When the primary path is functional, data flows through the first connection node; when faulty, the system activates the second connection node to maintain communication, making the system adaptable to changing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication circuit is designed with multi-functionality, where the same circuitry can operate in multiple modes by switching between first and second connection nodes. This universal design allows a single communication device to handle both normal and fault conditions without requiring entirely separate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If bi-directional communication capability is implemented, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication adaptabilityVSAvoidcommunication circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication circuit dynamically switches between first and second connection nodes based on the operational status of the bi-directional data path. When the primary path is functional, data flows through the first connection node; when faulty, the system activates the second connection node to maintain communication, making the system adaptable to changing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs reverse-direction communication capability where data can flow from the first connection node to the second, and vice versa. This inversion capability allows the system to adapt to path failures by transmitting data in the opposite direction through alternative connection nodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2884701B1Daisy-chain communication bus and protocol

Publication Date: 2017.01.11 DATANG NXP SEMICON CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus is provided that includes first and second connection nodes and a communication circuit. The communication circuit is configured to communicate cell-status data of a cell over a bidirectional data path connected to the connection nodes. The communication circuit includes directional drive circuitry configured to communicate the cell-status data over the bi-directional data path by communicating the cell-status data via the first connection node to first-side circuitry in the one direction of the bi-directional data path and, in response to an indication that the bi-directional data path is faulty, by communicating via the second connection node to second-side circuitry along the other direction of the bi-directional data path. The communication circuit also includes a communication-protocol circuit configured to control the directional drive circuitry. The apparatus may be connected in-series with other like apparatuses in the bi-directional data path.