Optical Battery Management System Interference Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery management systems face challenges with electromagnetic interference distorting electrical signals used for communication between pack and module controllers, and limited bandwidth leading to potential component failures and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an optically communicative battery management system using optical fiber or light pipes for communication between pack and module controllers, and employing time division multiplexing to increase bandwidth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical signals are used for communication between pack and module controllers, then communication can be established, but electromagnetic interference distorts the signals reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light pipe or optical fiber) to mediate communication between the pack controller and module controllers. This intermediary converts electrical signals to optical signals for transmission, eliminating direct electrical contact and thus blocking electromagnetic interference from distorting the communication signals while maintaining reliable data exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional electrical communication is used, then system complexity is low, but bandwidth is limited leading to potential component failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional electrical communication system with an optical communication system. By substituting electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission through light pipes or optical fibers, the system achieves higher bandwidth and improved reliability while the added complexity is justified by the significant performance gains in data transmission capacity and interference resistance.

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

3Productivity

If optical communication is implemented, then bandwidth is increased and interference is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into distinct optical modules (light pipes or optical fibers) that can be independently implemented and integrated. This segmentation allows the optical communication components to be added as discrete elements, managing the complexity by breaking down the overall system into manageable parts while still achieving high bandwidth and interference reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The optical communication method reduces interference and enhances bandwidth, improving the reliability and efficiency of battery management systems by ensuring clear and rapid data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

communicate optically with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical communication: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP3504696B1Optically communicative battery management system
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 CORVUS ENERGY INC
  • EP3504696B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3504696B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3504696B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An optically communicative battery management system includes a pack controller and one or more module controllers optically coupled to the pack controller. The module controllers may themselves be optically coupled together in series, and communication from an upstream module controller may be relayed through one or more downstream controllers en route to the pack controller. The pack controller may also send an optical signal that is used by the pack controller to determine whether any one or more of the battery modules is experiencing a safety fault, and the communication channel used to transmit that optical signal may, absent any safety faults, be used to multiplex message data to the module controllers.