Traction Battery Control Method for Safe Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-performance batteries in industrial trucks face safety risks and damage due to improper charging and discharging, as existing systems lack effective measures to ensure compatible pairing with charging devices and trucks, leading to potential overloads and internal damage.

Innovation Solution

A control method for high-performance traction batteries that integrates a battery management system with a switching device to de-energize power connections when not in use, checks identification data with connection partners via a communication link, and only enables power if a compatible pairing is confirmed, using a switching device like a battery contactor to prevent unsafe operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high-performance batteries are used to increase energy density and range, then the storage capacity and service life are improved, but the risk of accidental shorting and internal damage increases due to high power density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy densityVSAvoidrisk of shorting and internal damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management system performs preliminary identification of the connection partner before enabling power connections. The switching device is controlled to switch off power connections until compatibility is confirmed through identification data exchange, preventing harmful effects before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A communication connection acts as an intermediary between the battery management system and the connection partner controller. This intermediary enables the exchange of identification data to verify compatibility before allowing direct power connection, thus mediating between the high-power battery and potential incompatible loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If power connections are constantly present at the battery connector to ensure immediate operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the likelihood of accidental shorting and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmediate operation readinessVSAvoidaccidental shorting risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification and compatibility verification through the communication connection before switching on power connections. The battery management system exchanges identification data with the connection partner controller and only enables power after confirming compatibility, eliminating the need for constant power presence while ensuring immediate operation upon valid connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a switching device is added to de-energize power connections when not in use, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management system is merged with the switching device control functionality. The existing battery management system is extended to include identification data checking and switching control, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system rather than adding separate independent components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery management system is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring battery status, managing charging/discharging, exchanging identification data via communication connection, and controlling the switching device. This multi-functional approach avoids the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.

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

4Reliability

If identification data checking is implemented to ensure compatible pairing, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatible pairing assuranceVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The battery management system automatically performs identification data checking and compatibility verification without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously exchanges identification data with the connection partner, processes the information, and makes switching decisions automatically, making the verification process transparent to the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2886388B1Control method for a traction battery
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 LINDE MATERIAL HANDLING GMBH
  • EP2886388B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

In a control method for a traction battery (2) designed as a high-performance battery for a mobile working machine, wherein the traction battery (2) has power terminals (7), at least one of which can be de-energized by a switching device via a battery management system (3) of the traction battery (2), and a communication link (4) for connection with a control unit (5) of a connection partner (6) of the traction battery (2), wherein the power terminals (7) are de-energized by the battery management system (3) when the traction battery (2) is not in operation, the following steps are performed: - The battery management system (3) checks the communication link (4) for identification data.- Comparison of the identification data with stored comparison data of permissible connection partners (6) by the battery management system (3) and - switching on the power connections (7) via the switching device by the battery management system (3) in the case of a permissible connection partner (6).,