Ethernet Battery Cell Management With Independent Board Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems face issues such as power failure leading to loss of monitoring capability, difficulty in identifying failed cells, increased complexity and cost due to backup controllers, high power consumption, and lack of standardization in communication protocols, which affect interoperability.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a zone controller connected via Ethernet for managing battery cells, with management boards powered through a DC power supply and Ethernet connection, incorporating isolating means and SPI connections for robust communication and power distribution, and AC-DC converters for voltage adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If CSCs are powered directly by monitored battery cells in a daisy chain configuration, then the system structure is simple, but failure of one cell causes complete loss of monitoring capability and increases repair complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management system is divided into multiple independent management boards, each capable of autonomous operation. Each board monitors a specific subset of battery cells and maintains its own power supply through DC power supply units, preventing single-point failures from affecting the entire system. This segmentation allows the system to maintain partial monitoring capability even when individual components fail.
Solution Approach 2:
A backup master controller is introduced as an intermediary component to maintain system operation during failures. When the primary master controller fails, the backup controller takes over and can reverse the direction of interrogation of the daisy chain, allowing continued access to CSCs that would otherwise be inaccessible. This intermediary ensures continuous monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If a backup master controller is added to reverse daisy chain direction, then access to CSCs is maintained during failures, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backup master controller is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. It can operate as a standalone master controller, reverse daisy chain direction, and potentially serve as a primary controller if needed. This universal design consolidates control functions into a single component that can handle multiple scenarios, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
3Device complexity
If daisy chain communication is used for CSC connections, then wiring is simplified, but interoperability is limited due to non-standardized communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The proprietary daisy chain communication protocol is replaced with standard Ethernet communication. Management boards are equipped with Ethernet interfaces that communicate with the master controller through standard Ethernet switches using TCP/IP protocols. This substitution maintains the simplified wiring advantage while enabling universal interoperability with standard network infrastructure and devices from different manufacturers.
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 continuous monitoring and identification of failed cells, reduces complexity and power consumption, and enhances interoperability by standardizing communication protocols.
Implementation Method 1
Each management board 1b comprises a data-processing stage 1b2 and a power-supplying stage 1b3. The data-processing stage comprises an Ethernet interface 1b20 connected to the Ethernet connection 2 via an isolating means 1b21.
Implementation Method 2
The power-supplying stage may comprise a DC-AC converter an input of which is connected to the Ethernet connection via a power line
Implementation Method 3
an AC-DC converter, for each cell manager 1b22 of the management board 1b, an isolating means 1b31 connected in series with an AC-DC converter 1b32
Implementation Method 4
the zone controller 1a comprises an Ethernet interface 1a2 designed to communicate with the management boards 1b via an Ethernet connection 2. Each management board 1b comprises an Ethernet interface 1b20 connected to the Ethernet connection 2
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for managing cells (11) of a motor-vehicle battery, comprising a zone controller (1a) and at least two management boards (1b) connected by an Ethernet connection (2), wherein:a. the zone controller (1a) comprises a DC power supply (1a3), designed to provide power on a pair of twisted conductors via the Ethernet connection (2) between the zone controller (1a) and the management boards (1b),b. each management board (1b) comprising:i. a data-processing stage comprising an Ethernet interface (1b20) connected to the Ethernet connection (2) and to the at least two managers (1b22) each designed to monitor at least one cell (11) of the battery,ii. a power-supplying stage connected to the Ethernet connection (2) so as to provide power to each cell manager (1b22) and to the Ethernet interface (1b20) of the management board (1b) from the power provided by the DC power supply (1a3).