Optical Battery Module Communication Without BMS Wiring Harnesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery management systems for electric vehicles face challenges such as weight, cost, complexity, and safety issues due to wiring harnesses, electrical interference, and susceptibility to physical degradation, particularly in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a free-space optical communication system that replaces traditional wiring with bidirectional laser-based links between the battery management system and individual battery modules, reducing weight, cost, and improving safety and security while minimizing electrical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wiring harnesses are used to connect BMS to battery modules, then reliable electrical communication is achieved, but system weight and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical wiring harness with an optical communication system using lasers and photodetectors. This substitution eliminates heavy copper wires and connectors while maintaining reliable data transmission between the BMS and battery modules through optical signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical signals as an intermediary medium to transmit communication between BMS and battery modules. Lasers convert electrical signals to optical signals for transmission, and photodetectors convert them back, serving as mediators that enable communication without direct electrical connections.
2Ease of operation
If wiring harnesses with multiple connectors are used in battery compartments, then communication between modules is enabled, but susceptibility to physical degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connector-based wiring system with an optical communication system. This eliminates physical connectors that are susceptible to fatigue, fretting, corrosion, and disconnection, while maintaining the ability to communicate between battery modules in harsh environments.
3Power
If electrical wiring is used in battery management systems, then power and data transmission is achieved, but electrical interference and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical signals as an intermediary to transmit power and data without electrical conduction. Lasers convert electrical signals to optical signals for transmission through free space or optical fibers, and photodetectors convert them back to electrical signals at the receiving end, eliminating electrical interference along the transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission. This replacement eliminates electromagnetic radiation, radio frequency interference, and ground loops while maintaining signal transmission capability between battery management components.
4Measurement precision
If extensive wiring harnesses are installed for battery module connections, then complete monitoring coverage is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex wiring harness installation with optical communication component mounting. Sensors and optical transceivers can be mounted directly on battery modules without requiring extensive wire routing through the battery compartment, significantly simplifying assembly while maintaining monitoring precision.
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 solution reduces weight and cost, enhances high-voltage safety, and improves robustness and security by eliminating electrical interference, supporting modular designs and enabling effective fire detection without the need for distributed temperature sensors.
Implementation Method 1
communication links between a BMS and individual battery modules in an EV or hybrid vehicle are implemented using free-space optical communication (FSOC) technology
Implementation Method 2
some systems have replaced the BMS wiring harness with optical fibers or wireless RF links. However, fiber optic cables and connectors are subject to many of the same sorts of physical degradation as electrical cables and connectors
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is provided that includes a battery management system with an energy storage device configured to power the vehicle. The energy storage device includes a battery module with: at least one sensor, a processor, and an optical transceiver. The battery management system also includes a control unit to control the energy storage device, and a control unit optical transceiver configured for bidirectional free-space optical communication with the battery module optical transceiver via a free-space optical communication link. The battery module processor is configured to receive sensor readings and transmit them to the control unit via the free-space optical communication link. Based on the sensor readings, the control unit sends commands to the battery module processor via the free-space optical communication link.