Multipoint Communication System for Battery Packs Using Distributed Antennas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional battery management systems face challenges in scaling to large numbers of densely packed battery modules due to space constraints and susceptibility to communication cable failures and electromagnetic interference.

Innovation Solution

A multipoint communication system utilizing distributed antennas and an RF gateway for wireless communication between nodes and a controller, reducing the need for physical communication cables and enhancing reliability through signal shielding and electromagnetic compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional communication cables are used to connect each battery module to the controller, then communication between nodes and controller is established, but space constraints are violated and the system becomes susceptible to cable failures and electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcable routing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based communication system with a wireless communication system. Each battery module node communicates with the controller wirelessly through antennas, eliminating the need for physical communication cables throughout the battery pack. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining communication reliability while eliminating cable routing complexity and associated failure points.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the communication cables from the battery pack system. By eliminating the cables entirely and replacing them with wireless communication capabilities integrated into each node, the system achieves reliable communication without the space-consuming and failure-prone cable infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If communication cables are routed throughout the battery pack to connect each module, then communication coverage is achieved, but space constraints and electromagnetic interference susceptibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes wireless communication for cable-based communication, allowing each battery module node to transmit and receive signals wirelessly through integrated antennas. This eliminates the physical cables that would otherwise be susceptible to electromagnetic interference while maintaining complete communication coverage across all battery modules.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium for communication between battery nodes and the controller. This intermediary replaces the physical cable medium, enabling communication coverage throughout the battery pack without the harmful effects of cable-based electromagnetic interference and physical constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a large number of communication cables are installed for each battery module, then communication capability is maintained, but system reliability decreases due to cable failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of communication cables
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the cable-based communication infrastructure with wireless communication capabilities embedded in each battery node. This substitution eliminates the need for numerous physical cables throughout the battery pack, thereby removing the failure points associated with cable connections while maintaining reliable communication across all modules.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes all communication cables from the battery pack system. By eliminating the entire cable infrastructure and replacing it with wireless communication, the system achieves the desired communication capability without any cable-related failures or maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If battery modules are densely packed to maximize energy density, then space utilization is improved, but cable routing becomes increasingly difficult and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcable routing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the cable routing infrastructure with wireless communication capabilities integrated into each battery node. This allows battery modules to be densely packed to maximize energy density without the manufacturing complexity of routing numerous cables through the compact battery pack structure. Each node communicates wirelessly, eliminating the need for cable access and routing during assembly.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the cable routing requirement entirely from the battery pack design. By extracting the physical cable infrastructure and replacing it with wireless communication, the system enables maximum module density while eliminating the manufacturing difficulty and cost associated with cable routing in densely packed configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10777851B2Multipoint communication systems for battery management systems, and associated systems and methods
Publication Date: 2020.09.15 MAXIM INTEGRATED PROD INC
  • US10777851B2 patent drawing
  • US10777851B2 patent drawing
  • US10777851B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A multipoint communication system for a battery management system includes a distributed antenna at least partially disposed within a battery pack, a plurality of nodes, each node being wirelessly coupled to the distributed antenna and configured to acquire battery information, and a radio frequency gateway electrically coupled to the distributed antenna.