Hybrid Battery Control Architecture for Flexible Implementation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery control systems face challenges in flexibility and cost efficiency due to varying implementation requirements across different electrical systems and applications, leading to increased complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid battery control system architecture is developed, utilizing basic building blocks such as cell control units, string control units, and system control units, with functions grouped based on voltage domains and control levels, and centralized communication to reduce infrastructure and processing needs, enabling flexible implementation while minimizing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a battery control system is designed to accommodate varying implementation requirements across different electrical systems and applications, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery control system is divided into hierarchical levels (battery control units at cell level, module control units at module level, and pack control units at pack level), allowing each segment to operate independently while contributing to the overall system functionality. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to different configurations without requiring complete redesign of the entire control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control units are designed with universal communication interfaces and standardized protocols that enable them to function across multiple applications and electrical system configurations. The same basic control unit architecture can serve different battery chemistries, voltage levels, and application requirements through software configuration rather than hardware redesign.

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

2Measurement precision

If communication infrastructure is distributed across all control units, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational parameter monitoringVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication infrastructure is segmented into hierarchical levels where battery control units communicate with module control units, which in turn communicate with pack control units. This segmentation allows precise local measurements at each level while reducing the overall communication burden by processing and filtering data locally before transmission to higher levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple communication functions (monitoring, control, diagnostics) are merged into a unified communication protocol and infrastructure that operates across all hierarchical levels. This consolidation reduces the number of separate communication channels needed while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3370996B1Hybrid battery control system architecture
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 CPS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
  • EP3370996B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3370996B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3370996B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

One embodiment of the present disclosure describes a battery system that includes a battery string with a first and second battery module; and a battery control system. The battery control system includes a first cell control that determines first module level operational parameters related to operation of the first battery module; a second cell control that determines second module level operational parameters related to operation of the second battery module; a string control unit communicatively that determines string level operational parameters related to operation of the battery string based at least in part on the first and second module level operational parameters; and a system control unit that determines system level operational parameters related to operation of the battery system based at least in part on the string level operational parameters; and controls operation of the battery system based at least in part on the system level operational parameters.