Waveguide Isolation for Battery Cell Communication

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing battery management systems (BMS) face challenges in efficiently monitoring and controlling individual battery cells due to voltage differentials that can damage integrated circuits, and current methods for galvanic isolation, such as capacitors and optocouplers, either slow down data transmission or are costly.

Innovation Solution

The use of waveguides made from insulating materials to facilitate communication between galvanically isolated integrated circuits and the BMS, allowing for the transmission of operational characteristics while maintaining isolation and reducing the risk of damage from voltage differentials, and enabling faster data transfer compared to capacitors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If galvanic isolation methods such as capacitors or optocouplers are used to protect integrated circuits from voltage differentials, then the reliability of the integrated circuits is improved, but the data transmission speed deteriorates or the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from voltage differentialsVSAvoiddata transmission speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary coupling mechanism that allows signal transmission between the integrated circuit and battery cell without direct galvanic connection. This intermediary coupling enables data transmission while maintaining isolation from voltage differentials, thus protecting the integrated circuit while avoiding the speed limitations of traditional galvanic isolation methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional galvanic isolation methods (capacitors, optocouplers) with an alternative coupling mechanism that does not rely on electrical isolation components. This substitution eliminates the inherent speed limitations and cost issues associated with conventional galvanic isolation while maintaining protection from voltage differentials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If direct electrical connection is used between integrated circuits and battery cells, then the data transmission speed is improved, but the integrated circuits are damaged by voltage differentials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidprotection from voltage differentials

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary coupling mechanism that allows signal transmission between the integrated circuit and battery cell without direct galvanic connection. This intermediary coupling enables data transmission while maintaining isolation from voltage differentials, thus protecting the integrated circuit while avoiding the speed limitations of traditional galvanic isolation methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional galvanic isolation methods (capacitors, optocouplers) with an alternative coupling mechanism that does not rely on electrical isolation components. This substitution eliminates the inherent speed limitations and cost issues associated with conventional galvanic isolation while maintaining protection from voltage differentials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution enables more optimal control of battery charging and discharging by allowing each battery cell to send data to the BMS without risking damage to the integrated circuits, while being cost-effective and efficient in data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

waveguides made from insulating materials to facilitate communication between galvanically isolated integrated circuits and the BMS, allowing for the transmission of operational characteristics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10050316B2Communication between battery cells

Publication Date: 2018.08.14 INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A system includes a battery and a plurality of integrated circuits. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells. Each integrated circuit of the plurality of integrated circuits is coupled to a respective battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. Each integrated circuit includes at least one sensor configured to determine one or more operational characteristics of the battery cell coupled to the integrated circuit, and a transceiver configured to output a signal indicative of the one or more operational characteristics of the battery cell.