Method for automatic battery controller identification and cell indexing via a multi-purpose signal line
First Claim
1. A method for activating and identifying cell monitoring controllers in a battery pack, said method comprising:
- providing a master battery pack controller and a plurality of identical cell monitoring controllers, where the master battery pack controller and the cell monitoring controllers are connected by a signal line in a serial loop, and the master battery pack controller and the cell monitoring controllers are also in communication via a network;
receiving a wake-up signal on the signal line by a first cell monitoring controller from the master battery pack controller;
performing wake-up activities by the first cell monitoring controller;
passing the wake-up signal along the signal line by the first cell monitoring controller to subsequent cell monitoring controllers that also perform wake-up activities; and
terminating the activation process with the battery pack and all cell monitoring controllers in an active state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for identifying individual cell monitoring controllers in an electric vehicle battery pack. Several cell monitoring controllers are serially connected to each other and to a master battery pack controller via a signal line, which is also used for communicating alarm signals between the controllers. The master battery pack controller sends a wake-up signal on the signal line. The first cell monitoring controller in the signal line wiring route receives the wake-up signal and receives an identification number from the master battery pack controller. Only then does the first cell monitoring controller allow the wake-up signal to be passed along to the second cell monitoring controller, which activates and receives its identification number, and so forth. In this way, identical cell monitoring controllers can be used in a battery pack, yet each cell monitoring controller can be uniquely identified by the master battery pack controller.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for activating and identifying cell monitoring controllers in a battery pack, said method comprising:
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providing a master battery pack controller and a plurality of identical cell monitoring controllers, where the master battery pack controller and the cell monitoring controllers are connected by a signal line in a serial loop, and the master battery pack controller and the cell monitoring controllers are also in communication via a network; receiving a wake-up signal on the signal line by a first cell monitoring controller from the master battery pack controller; performing wake-up activities by the first cell monitoring controller; passing the wake-up signal along the signal line by the first cell monitoring controller to subsequent cell monitoring controllers that also perform wake-up activities; and terminating the activation process with the battery pack and all cell monitoring controllers in an active state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for activating and identifying cell monitoring controllers in a battery pack, said system comprising:
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a master battery pack controller for controlling overall operation of the battery pack; a plurality of identical cell monitoring controllers configured to monitor and control a plurality of cells in the battery pack, where the cell monitoring controllers can be sequentially activated and uniquely identified by receiving a wake-up signal from the master battery pack controller; a signal line for sending the wake-up signal from the master battery pack controller to the cell monitoring controllers and for sending alarm signals from the cell monitoring controllers to the master battery pack controller, said signal line connecting the master battery pack controller and the cell monitoring controllers in a serial loop; and a network for communicating between the master battery pack controller and the cell monitoring controllers. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A battery pack system for an electric or hybrid vehicle, said battery pack system comprising:
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a plurality of battery cells arranged into sections; a master battery pack controller for controlling overall operation of the battery pack system; a plurality of identical cell monitoring controllers configured to monitor and control the plurality of battery cells, including one cell monitoring controller for each section of battery cells, where the cell monitoring controllers can be sequentially activated and uniquely identified by receiving a wake-up signal from the master battery pack controller; a signal line for sending the wake-up signal from the master battery pack controller to the cell monitoring controllers and for sending alarm signals from the cell monitoring controllers to the master battery pack controller, said signal line connecting the master battery pack controller and the cell monitoring controllers in a serial loop; and a network for communicating between the master battery pack controller and the cell monitoring controllers. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification