Wireless BMS Intermediary Nodes for Reliable Cell Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicle battery management systems using wired connections for communication between battery cells and controllers increase vehicle weight and inefficiencies, and complicate the replacement of damaged or defective cells.

Innovation Solution

A wireless battery management system (BMS) utilizing RF communication with frequency hopping and time slotted allocations, enabling efficient communication between primary and secondary network nodes, including frame formats for secure data exchange and management of battery cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections are used for communication between battery cells and controllers, then communication reliability is improved, but vehicle weight increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless RF communication system. The BMS uses radio frequency signals to transmit battery cell data between secondary network nodes and the primary network node, eliminating the need for physical wiring harnesses and connectors, thereby reducing vehicle weight while maintaining communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary network nodes (secondary nodes) that relay communication between battery cells and the primary controller. These intermediary nodes use wireless RF communication to forward data packets, enabling indirect communication paths that eliminate heavy wired connections while maintaining system reliability through multiple communication hops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If wired connections are used for communication between battery cells and controllers, then communication stability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BMS communication network into hierarchical levels: primary network nodes at the controller level and secondary network nodes at the battery cell level. This segmentation allows wireless communication modules to be distributed across multiple independent nodes, reducing the complexity of any single component while maintaining overall system stability through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic frequency hopping and time-slotted communication protocols that adapt to changing wireless conditions. The system dynamically selects communication channels and timing based on signal quality and interference levels, maintaining communication stability while using software-based adaptive algorithms rather than complex hardwired switching systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If wired connections are used for communication between battery cells and controllers, then data transmission reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidease of cell replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical wired connections with wireless RF communication, allowing battery cells to be replaced without disconnecting or reconnecting physical wiring harnesses. The wireless communication modules remain fixed in the battery management system, while individual battery cells can be freely replaced, significantly improving ease of repair and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Weight of moving object

If wireless communication is implemented in BMS, then vehicle weight is reduced and efficiency is improved, but communication security challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle weightVSAvoidcommunication security risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary secondary network nodes that act as secure gateways between battery cells and the primary controller. These intermediary nodes implement authentication and encryption protocols, verifying the identity of communicating parties and protecting data integrity, thereby addressing security challenges inherent in wireless communication while enabling weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250222820A1Communication extension through intermediary node

Publication Date: 2025.07.10 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

A vehicular battery management system (BMS) comprises a battery controller, a set of battery cells, a primary network node coupled to the battery controller, and a secondary network node coupled to the set of battery cells. The primary and secondary network nodes are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other using frames that share a common frame format. The frame format includes one or more bits and a status of the one or more bits indicates whether the secondary network node is to communicate with the primary network node on behalf of another secondary network node.