Wireless Battery Aggregator Redundancy for Failover BMS Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery management systems suffer from performance issues due to non-optimal aggregator operation and fail if the aggregator fails, necessitating system shutdown and network re-provisioning.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a redundant aggregator system with a primary and secondary wireless communication device that seamlessly switches roles without system shutdown, ensuring continuous operation by monitoring and communicating battery module data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single aggregator is used in the battery management system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the system must cease operation if the aggregator fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures a secondary aggregator in advance as a standby unit before any failure occurs. This secondary aggregator is pre-configured with the same communication credentials and system parameters, so it can immediately take over if the primary aggregator fails, eliminating the need for system shutdown and re-provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a redundant aggregator system where the secondary aggregator serves as a backup cushion against primary aggregator failure. This redundancy ensures continuous operation by having a pre-positioned backup that can absorb the shock of primary unit failure without affecting overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If a redundant aggregator system is implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple wireless communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the primary aggregator's configuration and functionality in the secondary aggregator. Both aggregators have identical communication credentials, data processing capabilities, and system access parameters, allowing the secondary unit to perfectly replicate the primary unit's function when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the aggregator system so that either unit can perform the primary aggregator's function. The secondary aggregator is not limited to a single backup role but can universally take over any aggregator function, making the system more flexible and resilient while managing complexity through functional equivalence.
3Reliability
If the primary aggregator fails, then the reliability deteriorates, but implementing a secondary aggregator requires additional use of energy and device resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial redundancy where the secondary aggregator maintains standby readiness rather than full active operation. The secondary unit consumes minimal energy while in standby mode, monitoring system status and preparing to take over only when necessary, thus balancing reliability improvement with energy conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery management system includes: a battery management unit; battery management integrated circuits (ICs) configured to receive measurement data from battery modules; a first wireless communication device configured as a primary aggregator to receive wireless transmissions of the measurement data from the battery management ICs and communicate the measurement data received by the first wireless communication device to the battery management unit; and a second wireless communication device configured as a secondary aggregator to monitor the wireless transmissions of the measurement data from the battery management ICs to the primary aggregator and communicate the measurement data received by the second wireless communication device to the battery management unit. The battery management unit is configured to manage the battery modules based on the measurement data provided to the battery management unit.