Wire Break Detection in Redundant EV Communications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data communication systems in electric vehicle environments face challenges with electromagnetic interference (EMI), mechanical vibrations, and reliability, particularly in harsh automotive conditions, requiring low-cost, fault-tolerant, and EMI-robust solutions for efficient data exchange between battery modules and a centralized monitoring system.

Innovation Solution

A data communication system utilizing a unidirectional daisy-chain loop architecture with commodity processors, digital isolators, and a fault signaling subsystem, which includes redundant paths and interference rejection mechanisms to maintain reliability and integrity in the presence of EMI, ensuring data transmission even with single wire breaks and varying environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wired communication system is used in EV battery modules, then data exchange between modules and centralized monitoring system is enabled, but the wires and connectors can break or become loose due to mechanical bumps, shocks, and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical vibrations and shocks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication system with a wireless communication system. Each battery module is equipped with a wireless transceiver that communicates with the centralized monitoring system via wireless signals, eliminating physical wires and connectors that are susceptible to mechanical damage from vibrations and shocks in the EV environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If redundant communication paths are implemented for fault tolerance, then reliability under wire break conditions is improved, but wire count and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidwire count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication system eliminates the need for redundant physical wiring to achieve fault tolerance. The wireless medium naturally provides alternative signal paths and the system includes fault detection mechanisms that monitor communication quality without requiring additional wires or connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless transceiver performs multiple functions including data transmission, fault detection, and communication quality monitoring within a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate redundant wiring systems while maintaining fault tolerance capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2663032B1Wire break detection in redundant communications
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 TESLA INC
  • EP2663032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2663032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2663032B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for low-cost, fault tolerant, EMI robust data communications, particularly for an EV environment.