Infrared Battery Management Unit for Flexible Cell Arrangements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems struggle to be flexibly applied to various arrangements of battery cells, requiring redesign when the arrangement or number of cells changes, and they often rely on antenna-based wireless communication that needs reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
A battery management apparatus with infrared (IR) communicators that allow data transmission between neighboring units, enabling IR communication in multiple directions without the need for changing the structure, and includes a processor for collecting and processing data such as voltage, current, and temperature, with fixers to secure the apparatus to the battery and block non-adjacent IR light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If antenna-based wireless communication is used for data transmission between battery management units, then communication flexibility is improved, but the system requires reconfiguration when battery cell arrangements change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces antenna-based wireless communication with infrared (IR) communication using IR communicators and photodetectors. This substitution eliminates the need for antenna tuning and reconfiguration when battery cell arrangements change, as IR communication provides direct line-of-sight data transmission between neighboring battery management units without requiring system reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The IR communicator structure serves multiple functions: it provides data transmission between neighboring battery management units, works across different battery cell arrangements without modification, and maintains communication reliability through fixed structural positioning. This universal solution eliminates the need for arrangement-specific communication configurations.
2Manufacturing precision
If battery management system is designed for specific battery cell arrangements, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different arrangements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery management unit with IR communicators designed according to a universal pattern can be applied to any battery cell arrangement without modification. The fixed structural positioning of IR communicators on the housing enables data transmission to neighboring units regardless of the overall battery pack configuration, achieving both manufacturing precision and universal adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the battery management system into independent battery management units, each equipped with IR communicators that communicate with neighboring units. This segmentation allows each unit to be manufactured with precise IR communicator positioning while the overall system can be configured in different battery cell arrangements, separating the precision requirement from the adaptability requirement.
3Reliability
If infrared communicators are positioned to face neighboring battery management apparatus, then data transmission reliability is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the IR communicator with the battery management unit housing in a fixed structural arrangement. The communicator is integrated into the housing structure and positioned to face neighboring units, merging the communication function with the structural design. This integration maintains reliable line-of-sight communication while avoiding separate complex positioning mechanisms.
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
Enables flexible application to different battery cell arrangements without structural changes, ensuring reliable data transmission and control across the battery pack, even in misaligned configurations, by using IR communication instead of antenna-based systems.
Implementation Method 1
infrared (IR) communicators located to face a neighboring battery management apparatus of the battery management apparatus, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the collected sensing data to the neighboring battery management apparatus using one of the IR communicators
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery management apparatus includes a processor configured to collect sensing data of a battery using a sensor, and infrared (IR) communicators located to face a neighboring battery management apparatus of the battery management apparatus. The processor is configured to transmit the collected sensing data to the neighboring battery management apparatus using one of the IR communicators.