GB2561361A

GB2561361A - Electrical vehicle battery management sytem and method of operation thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2561361A
Application number: GB1705774.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: lam Albert
Original assignee: Detroit Electric EV Technologies Zhejiang Ltd
Current assignee: Detroit Electric EV Technologies Zhejiang Ltd
Priority date: 2017-04-10
Filing date: 2017-04-10
Publication date: 2018-10-17
Also published as: WO2018189678A2; WO2018189678A3; GB201705774D0

Abstract

An electrical vehicle battery management system (BMS) 102 manages charging and discharging of a battery unit 202 of an electrical vehicle. The battery management system determines from sensor 206 signals parameters of battery modules 204 of the battery unit that are indicative of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery modules, and adjusts charge stored within the battery modules mutually to balance charge stored within the battery modules. User information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit is provided to a user of the electrical vehicle via a user interface 212. The battery management system may include a data processing arrangement 208 including an interfacing data processor 210 for receiving sensor data from the battery unit and for providing control signals back to the battery unit for battery cell charge balancing purposes or for battery unit protection purposes, and a user interface data processor for providing user data indicative of operation of the battery unit.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Electrical vehicle battery management sytem and method of operation thereof

Abstract Title: Electrical vehicle battery management system for balancing charge stored in battery modules (57) An electrical vehicle battery management system (BMS) 102 manages charging and discharging of a battery unit 202 of an electrical vehicle. The battery management system determines from sensor 206 signals parameters of battery modules 204 of the battery unit that are indicative of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery modules, and adjusts charge stored within the battery modules mutually to balance charge stored within the battery modules. User information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit is provided to a user of the electrical vehicle via a user interface 212. The battery management system may include a data processing arrangement 208 including an interfacing data processor 210 for receiving sensor data from the battery unit and for providing control signals back to the battery unit for battery cell charge balancing purposes or for battery unit protection purposes, and a user interface data processor for providing user data indicative of operation of the battery unit.

FIG. 2 /°²

7/4

100

106

FIG. 1

2/4

102

FIG. 2



204

206

302

304

306

BATTERY UNIT 202

FIG. 3

308

3/4

100

508

FIG. 5

4/4

600 /

FIG. 6

ELECTRICAL VEHICLE BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to electrical vehicle battery management systems. Moreover, the present disclosure is concerned with methods of operating aforesaid electrical vehicle battery management systems. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to software products stored on machine-readable data storage carrier and executable upon computing hardware for implementing aforesaid methods.

BACKGROUND

Pure electrical vehicles, and also hybrid vehicles including a combination of electrical motor and internal combustion engine arrangements, are well known. Typically, such vehicles employ a battery arrangement, namely a battery unit, including a plurality of battery cells. With recent improvements in design of batteries, contemporary electrical vehicles, when fully charged, may travel further than corresponding-performance internal combustion engine vehicles are able to travel on a full tank of combustible fuel. Furthermore, conventional rechargeable battery units have a normal operating range between a fully charged state and a fully discharged state. In addition, with the advent of lithium polymer rechargeable batteries, the contemporary electrical vehicles are provided with higher energy storage capacity and are lighter in weight then earlier designs of electrical vehicles. Furthermore, when the aforementioned lithium polymer rechargeable batteries are implemented as lithium iron phosphate polymer batteries, they are capable of surviving in excess of two thousand full recharge cycles without suffering significant charge storage capacity reduction.

Generally, rechargeable battery units are prone to over-charging. Additionally, forcibly over-discharging the battery cells can be extremely damaging to the battery cells, for example by causing unintentional chemical reactions to occur within the battery cells that can cause the rechargeable battery units to lose charge storage capacity, overheat or even, in severe circumstances, catch fire or explode.

Typically, a risk of over-charging of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle can occur during fast-charging of the battery unit. Moreover, the given battery unit risks being over-discharged when driven near depletion of charge stored in the battery unit. Furthermore, problems of over-charging and over-discharging are made worse, when battery cells of a given battery unit are not mutually matched in their charge storage capacities, or are operated in a situation where there occurs a variation in charge state of battery cells within a given battery unit.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exist problems associated with management of battery units in electrical vehicles.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide an improved electrical vehicle battery management system.

Moreover, the present invention seeks to provide an improved method of operating an electrical vehicle battery management system.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an electrical vehicle battery management system for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle, characterized in that:

(i) the battery management system is operable to determine from sensor signals parameters of battery modules of the battery unit that are indicative of a state of charge of the battery modules, and to adjust charge stored within the battery modules mutually to balance charge stored within the battery modules; and (ii) to provide user information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit via a user interface to a user of the electrical vehicle.

The present disclosure seeks to provide an efficient electrical vehicle battery management system for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle; moreover, the electrical vehicle battery management system may also provide useful information associated with operation of the electrical vehicle.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of operating an electrical vehicle battery management system for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle, characterized in that the method includes:

(i) operating the battery management system to determine from sensor signals parameters of battery modules of the battery unit that are indicative of a state of charge of the battery modules, and to adjust charge stored within the battery modules mutually to balance charge stored within the battery modules; and (ii) to provide user information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit to a user of the electrical vehicle.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a software product recording on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing a method of operating an electrical vehicle battery management system for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle.

It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

The present invention is included in the general business context, which aims to substitute vehicles powered by traditional fuels, for example gasoline or diesel, by electric vehicles. In particular, the present invention is intended for use in electric vehicles used within cities, which can be highly beneficial to the local environment due to significant reduction of gaseous emissions as well as significant reduction of noise. Overall environmental benefits can also be significant when electric vehicles are charged from renewable energy sources.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electrical vehicle battery management system of the electrical vehicle of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a battery unit of the battery management system of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electrical motor arrangement of the battery management system of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an environment depicting an electrical vehicle communicating with a server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of steps of a method of operating an electrical vehicle battery management system for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the nonunderlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In overview, embodiments of the present disclosure are concerned with an electrical vehicle battery management system that is operable to monitor battery cells of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle, wherein the battery cells are arranged in groups, referred to as being battery modules.

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a schematic illustration of an electrical vehicle 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the electrical vehicle 100 comprises an electrical motor arrangement 104, and an electrical vehicle battery management system 102 for managing a battery unit 202 of the electrical vehicle 100. Furthermore, the electrical motor arrangement 104 is operable to provide operating torque to rear wheels 106 of the electrical vehicle 100.

Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is a block diagram of the electrical vehicle battery management system 102 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery management system 102 is operable to determine from sensor signal parameters of battery modules 204 of the battery unit 202 that are indicative of a state of charge of the battery modules 204, and to adjust charge stored within the battery modules 204 mutually to balance charge stored within the battery modules 204 and provide user information indicative of a state of operation of the battery unit 202 via a user interface to a user of the electrical vehicle 100 (of FIG. 1). Specifically, the battery unit 202 may io comprise a sensor arrangement 206 for monitoring voltages, currents and temperatures parameters across the battery modules

204 and provide corresponding sensor signal parameters.

It will be appreciated that each of the battery modules 204 comprises battery cells, wherein a battery cell may have a terminal voltage of 4 Volts and a current capacity of 100 Ampere-hours, although other voltages and current capacity are optionally alternatively employed. Furthermore, each of the battery modules 204 may comprise fifty battery cells arranged in a stack formation to provide electrical power to the electrical motor arrangement 104.

Additionally, within a given battery module, the fifty battery cells may be connected to each other as ten groups wherein each group may comprise five battery cells connected to each other in a parallel electrical connection configuration. Furthermore, the battery cells in a given group connected in a parallel electrical connection configuration provide an output electrical terminal potential of 4 Volts and a current capacity of 500 Ampere-hours. Furthermore, the ten groups of the battery module connected in electrical series connection configuration provide an output electrical terminal potential of 40 Volts. Moreover, the ten groups of the battery module may be connected to each other using copper busbars. Additionally, the battery modules of the battery unit 202 may be connected with each other in an electrical series connection configuration. Therefore, the battery unit 100, as an entirety, may provide an output terminal potential of 400 Volts.

In an embodiment, the battery management system 102 may include a data processing arrangement 208 including an interfacing data processor 210 for receiving sensor data from the battery unit 202 and for providing control signals back to the battery unit 202 io for battery cell charge balancing purposes or for battery unit protection purposes, and a user interface data processor 212 for providing user data indicative of operation of the battery unit 202.

Furthermore, the control signals from the interfacing data processor 210 may be provided to a charging module 214 to protect the battery unit 202 against over-charging. Specifically, the main contactors of the battery unit 202 may be disconnected to protect the battery unit 202 against over-charging. Additionally, the interfacing data processor 210 may provide a warning of a state of charge of the battery unit 202 to a driver of the electrical vehicle

100 (of FIG. 1) via the user interface data processor 212.

Subsequently, in an event of low power of the battery unit 202, the driver may reduce the speed of the electrical vehicle 100 to consume lesser amount of power from the battery unit 202.

According to an embodiment, the data processing arrangement 208 may provide control signals for controlling driving characteristics of the electrical vehicle 100. Specifically, the control signals from the data processing arrangement 208 may control an amount of power supplied to the electrical motor arrangement 104 depending on the state of charge of the battery unit 202; for example, the data processing arrangement 208 reduces a power available for electrical motor arrangement 104 during vehicular acceleration, so as to conserve remaining battery unit charge, when the battery unit 202 is approaching a discharged state, because high acceleration events use battery power relatively inefficiently.

In an embodiment, the charging module 214 may provide electrical power for recharging the battery modules 204 of the battery unit 202. Specifically, the charging module 214 may recharge the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePOzQ polymer gel cells arranged in the io battery modules 204 of the battery unit 202. Furthermore, the charging module 214 may receive control signals from the data processing arrangement 208 to control the electrical power supplied to the battery unit 202 and provide protection against overcharging.

In an embodiment, the battery management system 102 may be operable to store temporal data indicative of operation of the battery unit 202 under a plurality of operating conditions, and to use the temporal data to compare with real-time operation of the battery unit 202 to determine a prediction of whether or not the battery unit 202 is likely to develop charge storage problems, or to determine that the battery unit 202 has begun to develop charge storage problems. Specifically, the data processing arrangement 208 may store charging and discharging characteristics of the battery unit 202 at regular intervals of time to determine the standard operation of the battery unit 202. Furthermore, voltage, current and temperature parameters received from the sensor arrangement 206 may be correlated with the charging and discharging characteristics of the battery unit 202 to create a log of temporal data corresponding to the standard operation of the battery unit 202. Additionally, the data processing arrangement 208 may compare the sensor signal parameters, received in realtime or near real-time from the sensor arrangement 206, with the log of temporal data. Subsequently, any unexpected deviations in the parameters may indicate charge storage problems developed in the battery unit 202.

According to an embodiment, the charge storage problems include at least one of: reduced battery cell voltage relative to an historical nominal battery cell voltage, reduced battery cell charge storage io capacity relative to an historical nominal battery cell charge storage capacity. Furthermore, the data processing arrangement 208 may determine the historical nominal battery cell voltage or historical nominal battery cell charge storage capacity from the log of temporal data.

In an embodiment, the battery management system 102 may be operable to employ mathematical models for the battery cells or employ an artificial intelligence (Al) algorithm for identifying the charge storage problems. Specifically, the mathematical model may be a black box numerical model. More specifically, the black box numerical model may employ the log of temporal data to predict the standard operation of the electrical vehicle 100. Furthermore, the artificial intelligence algorithm may analyse the log of temporal data and detect signs that could be early indication of degradation or failure of battery cells. Furthermore, the artificial intelligence algorithm may be based upon a variable state or tree branching neural network arrangement. Additionally, events of whether the battery unit 202 is being charged, or storing energy from regenerative braking, or delivering power to the electrical motor arrangement 104 of the electrical vehicle 100, may define state groups of the variable state adaptive neural network.

In an embodiment, the user interface data processor 212 may comprise a software application management and infotainment system (SAMI) for performing data analysis, strategic control and reporting to a user of the electrical vehicle. Furthermore, the software application management and infotainment system may be operable to provide navigation routes, display information associated with the state of charge of the battery unit 202. io Additionally, the software application management and infotainment system may display warnings to the driver of the electrical vehicle in an event of severe discharging, overcharging, or deviations from the standard operation of the battery unit 202. Furthermore, the software application management and infotainment system may schedule repairs and recharging sessions based on the state of charge of the battery unit 202.

According to another embodiment, a low-voltage electrical battery of the electrical vehicle 100 may be operable to provide power to the battery management system 102 of the electrical vehicle 100, or to the user interface data processor 206 such as a software application management and infotainment (SAMI) system with graphical user interface (GUI) of the electrical vehicle 100.

In an embodiment, each of the battery modules 204 may be provided with a switch which may bypass a given battery module in an event of a failure or degradation of the given battery module. Beneficially, the driver of the electrical vehicle may be able to use the electrical vehicle 100 despite the bypassing of the failed or degraded battery module, but at an overall reduced battery performance. Examples of the switch may include, but are not limited to, an electro-magnetic contactor and a solid-state switch.

Referring to FIG. 3, illustrated is a block diagram of the battery unit 202 of battery management system 102 of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the battery unit 202 comprises the battery modules 204 and the sensor arrangement 206. Furthermore, the sensor arrangement 206 comprises temperature sensors 302, a voltage monitoring arrangement 304 and a current monitoring arrangement 306. In io an embodiment, the battery management system 102 may be operable to receive a plurality of temperature sensor signals from temperature sensors 302, for example implemented using thermistors, that are spatially disposed within the battery cells of the battery unit 202. Furthermore, the battery management system 102 may receive a plurality of voltage and current sensor signals from a voltage monitoring arrangement 304 and a current monitoring arrangement 306 respectively, wherein the voltage monitoring arrangement 304 and current monitoring arrangement 306 may be operatively associated with the temperature sensors

302.

It will be appreciated that the interfacing data processor 210 may receive sensor signals from the sensor arrangement 206 of the battery unit 202. Furthermore, the plurality of voltage and current sensor signals may be correlated with the plurality of temperature sensor signals to estimate accurately the state of operation of the battery unit 202. Specifically, an increase in the value of voltage and current sensor signals may be correlated with a corresponding increase in the value of temperature sensor signal. Alternatively, an increase in the value of temperature sensor signal without a corresponding increase in the value of voltage and current sensor signals may be indicative of a deviation from the standard operation of the electrical vehicle 100.

In an embodiment, the temperature sensors 302 may be disposed in near regions of the battery cells that are proximate to electrical connection terminals of the battery cells. The near regions of the battery cells that are proximate to the electrical connection terminals may exhibit a higher amount of heating relative to the other regions of the battery cells. Furthermore, the voltage io monitoring arrangement 304 and current monitoring arrangement 306 may be disposed proximate to the electrical connection terminals of on each of the battery modules 204.

According to an embodiment, the battery management system 102 may be optionally operable to transfer charge between one or more battery modules 204 or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit 202 for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit 202. Furthermore, the charge may be balanced to utilize each of the battery modules 204 in an equal manner. Additionally, the charge may be balanced to ensure that a given battery module may not discharge while the remaining battery modules remains charged. In an alternate embodiment, the battery management system 102 is operable to partially discharge one or more battery modules 204 or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit 202 for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit 202. Specifically, the interfacing data processor may be operable to send control signals to the discharge unit 308 of the battery unit 202. More specifically, the discharge unit 308 may be operable to include a plurality of discharge circuits for selectively discharging one or more battery modules 204. Furthermore, the plurality of discharge circuits may discharge one or more battery modules 204 to ensure a uniformity of state of charge between the battery modules 204. Additionally, the uniformity of state of charge between the battery modules 204 may ensure uniform utilization of each of the battery modules 204.

Referring to FIG. 4, illustrated is a block diagram of the electrical motor arrangement 104 of the battery management system 102 of FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As, shown the electrical motor arrangement 104 may comprise an io electrical motor controller 402, an electrical motor 404 and a regenerative braking unit 406. Furthermore, the electrical motor

404 may be operable to provide motive power to the electrical vehicle 100 (of FIG. 1). Furthermore, operation of the electrical motor 404 may be controlled by the electrical motor controller 402.

Consequently, the electrical motor controller 102 may control the power dissipation by the electrical motor arrangement 104. Furthermore, the electrical motor controller 402 may be operable to provide electrical power to the electrical motor 404 from the battery unit 202. Additionally, the electrical motor controller is operable to receive control signals from the interfacing data processor 212 to control the operation of the electrical motor 404. Furthermore, the operation of the electrical motor 404 may depend on state of charge of the battery unit 202. Specifically, the interfacing data processor 212 may be operable to send a control signal to the electrical motor controller 402, to limit performance of the electrical motor 404, in an event of the electrical vehicle 100 being operated at peak performance for a prolonged period of time.

In an embodiment, the electrical motor 404 may operate as a generator to harness kinetic energy of parts of the electrical vehicle

100 that are braked and convert the kinetic energy into electrical power. Subsequently, the electrical motor 404 may provide electrical power to the regenerative braking unit 406. Furthermore, the regenerative braking unit 406 may be operable to store the electrical power in the battery unit 202 for use in the electrical vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 5, illustrated is an environment depicting an electrical vehicle communicating with a server, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the io user interface data processor 210 of the battery management system 102 (of FIG. 1) may be operable to communicate with a server 502 for identifying remote charging stations, such as remote charging stations 504 and 506, for the electrical vehicle 100.

Furthermore, the server 502 may comprise a database for storing information associated with locations of the remote charging stations 504 and 506. Furthermore in an embodiment, the server is operable to provide optimized routes, such as optimized route 508, for the electrical vehicle based on number of remote charging stations. Furthermore, such an optimized route may be based upon a number of remote charging stations that are available, a distance of the remote charging stations relative to the electrical vehicle 100, a state of charge of the battery unit 202 (of FIG. 1), and a planned destination of the electrical vehicle 100. For instance, in an event of low charge state of the battery unit 202, the optimized route may be a route with a remote charging station located at least distance relative to the location of the electrical vehicle 100. Alternatively, for a destination relatively far from the electrical vehicle 100, the optimized route may be a route with a relatively higher number of remote charging stations.

In an embodiment, the battery management system 102 may be operable to determine the state of charge of the battery modules 204 of the battery unit 202 (of FIG. 1) of the electrical vehicle 100 and provide an optimized route 508 based on the state of charge of the battery modules 204 and the location of a remote charging station 504. Furthermore, the server 502 may be operable to schedule a recharging session of the electrical vehicle 100 to avoid waiting time when the electrical vehicle 100 reaches the remote charging station, for example by making automatically an automatic io booking a priori.

According to an embodiment, the server 502 may be operable to identify remote service stations for the electrical vehicle 100. Specifically, the battery management system 102 may be operable to determine a state of the battery unit 202 and provide corresponding information associated with servicing and repair of the electrical vehicle 100 via a user interface to the driver of the electrical vehicle 100. Furthermore, the server 502 may be operable to schedule a service session for the electrical vehicle 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, illustrated are steps of a method 600 of operating an electrical vehicle battery management system (such as the electrical vehicle battery management system 102 of FIG. 1) for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At a step 602, the battery management system is operated to determine from sensor signals parameters of battery modules of the battery unit that are indicative of a state of charge of the battery modules, and to adjust charge stored within the battery modules mutually to balance charge stored within the battery modules. At a step 604, user information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit to a user of the electrical vehicle is provided.

The steps 602 to 604 are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. For example, the method may include arranging for the battery management system to include a data processing arrangement including an interfacing data processor for receiving io sensor data from the battery unit and for providing control signals back to the battery unit for battery cell charge balancing purposes or for battery unit protection purposes, and a user interface data processor for providing user data indicative of operation of the battery unit. In another example, the method may include operating the battery management system to store temporal data indicative of operation of the battery unit under a plurality of operating conditions, and to use the temporal data to compare with real-time operation of the battery unit to determine a prediction of whether or not the battery unit is likely to develop charge storage problems, or to determine that the battery unit has begun to develop charge storage problems.

Optionally, the method may include operating the battery management system to employ mathematical models for the battery cells or employ an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for identifying the charge storage problems. Optionally, the method may include operating the battery management system to receive a plurality of temperature sensor signals from temperature sensors that are spatially disposed within the battery cells of the battery unit. More optionally, the method may include arranging for the battery management system to receive a plurality of voltage and current sensor signals from a voltage monitoring arrangement and a current monitoring arrangement respectively, wherein the voltage and current monitoring arrangement are operatively associated with the temperature sensors. Optionally, the method may include operating the battery management system to partially discharge one or more battery modules or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit.

In an example, the method may include operating the battery management system to transfer charge between one or more battery modules or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit. In another example, the method may include operating the user interface data processor of the battery management system to communicate with a server for identifying remote charging stations for the electrical vehicle. Optionally, the method may include allowing the server to provide optimized routes for the electrical vehicle based on number of remote charging stations. Optionally, the method may include allowing the server to provide optimized routes for the electrical vehicle based on the state of charge of the battery modules. More optionally, the method may include allowing the server to identify remote service stations for the electrical vehicle.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a software product recorded on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing the aforementioned described method 600 of operating an electrical vehicle battery management system (such as the electrical vehicle battery management system 102) for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit (such as the battery unit 202) of an electrical vehicle (such as the electrical vehicle 100). Such a software produced is relevant to management of a battery unit of an electrical vehicle as described in the foregoing.

The electrical vehicle battery management system for the battery modules of the battery unit provides many benefits and enhances controlled operation of the battery modules. The battery io management system ensures uniform utilization of charge in the battery modules of the battery unit. Beneficially, the uniform utilization of the battery modules may eliminate risk of early deterioration of one or more battery modules of the battery unit.

Furthermore, the battery management system may protect the battery cells from overcharging, and over-discharging. Additionally, the battery management system may control power dissipation in electrical motor of the electrical vehicle and may regulate performance of the electrical vehicle based on state of charge of the battery modules.

Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as including, comprising, incorporating, have, is used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Claims

1. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit (202) of an electrical vehicle (100), characterized in that:

5 (i) the battery management system (102) is operable to determine from sensor signals parameters of battery modules (204) of the battery unit (202) that are indicative of a state of charge of the battery modules (204), and to adjust charge stored within the battery modules (204) mutually to balance io charge stored within the battery modules (204); and (ii) to provide user information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit (202) via a user interface to a user of the electrical vehicle (100).

2. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of

15 claim 1, characterized in that the battery management system (102) includes a data processing arrangement (208) including an interfacing data processor (210) for receiving sensor data from the battery unit (202) and for providing control signals back to the battery unit (202) for battery cell charge balancing purposes or for

20 battery unit protection purposes, and a user interface data processor (212) for providing user data indicative of operation of the battery unit (202).

3. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 2, characterized in that battery management system (102) is

25 operable to store temporal data indicative of operation of the battery unit (202) under a plurality of operating conditions, and to use the temporal data to compare with real-time operation of the battery unit (202) to determine a prediction of whether or not the battery unit (202) is likely to develop charge storage problems, or to determine that the battery unit (202) has begun to develop charge storage problems.

4. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of

5 claim 3, characterized in that the charge storage problems include at least one of: a reduced battery cell voltage relative to an historical nominal battery cell voltage, a reduced battery cell charge storage capacity relative to an historical nominal battery cell charge storage capacity.

io 5. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 4, characterized in that the battery management system (102) is operable to employ mathematical models for the battery cells or employ an artificial intelligence algorithm for identifying the charge storage problems.

15

6. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery management system (102) is operable to receive a plurality of temperature sensor signals from temperature sensors (302) that are spatially disposed within the battery cells of the battery unit

20 (202).

7. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 6, characterized in that the temperature sensors (302) are disposed in near regions of the battery cells that are proximate to electrical connection terminals of the battery cells.

25

8. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the battery management system (102) receives a plurality of voltage and current sensor signals from a voltage monitoring arrangement (304) and a current monitoring arrangement (306) respectively, wherein the voltage and current monitoring arrangement (304 and 306) are operatively associated with the temperature sensors (302).

5

9. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the temperature sensors (302) comprises at least one of: a thermostat, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermometer, a resistive temperature detector, a semiconductor based temperature sensor.

io

10. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 8, characterized in that the voltage monitoring arrangement (304) comprises at least one of: a capacitive voltage sensor, a resistive voltage sensor, an inductive voltage sensor, a hall-effect sensor.

15

11. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 8, characterized in that the current monitoring arrangement (306) comprises at least one ammeter.

12. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery

20 management system (102) is operable to partially discharge one or more battery modules (204) or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit (202) for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

13. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of any

25 one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the battery management system (102) is operable to transfer charge between one or more battery modules (204) or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit (202) for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

14. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 2, characterized in that the user interface data processor

5 (212) of the battery management system (102) is operable to communicate with a server (502) for identifying remote charging stations (504, 506) for the electrical vehicle (100).

15. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 14, characterized in that the server (502) is operable to io provide optimized routes (508) for the electrical vehicle (100) based on number of remote charging stations (504, 506).

16. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 14, characterized in that the server (502) is operable to provide optimized routes (508) for the electrical vehicle (100) based

15 on the state of charge of the battery modules (204).

17. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 14, characterized in that the server (502) is operable to identify remote service stations (504, 506) for the electrical vehicle (100).

20

18. A method of operating an electrical vehicle battery management system (102) for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit (202) of an electrical vehicle (100), characterized in that the method includes:

(i) operating the battery management system (102) to determine

25 from sensor signals parameters of battery modules (204) of the battery unit (202) that are indicative of a state of charge of the battery modules (204), and to adjust charge stored within the battery modules (204) mutually to balance charge stored within the battery modules (204); and (ii) to provide user information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit (202) via a user interface to a user of the

5 electrical vehicle (100).

19. A method of claim 18, characterized in that the method includes arranging for the battery management system (102) to include a data processing arrangement (208) including an interfacing data processor (210) for receiving sensor data from the io battery unit (202) and for providing control signals back to the battery unit (202) for battery cell charge balancing purposes or for battery unit protection purposes, and a user interface data processor (212) for providing user data indicative of operation of the battery unit (202) .

15 20. A method of claim 19, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to store temporal data indicative of operation of the battery unit (202) under a plurality of operating conditions, and to use the temporal data to compare with real-time operation of the battery unit (202) to

20 determine a prediction of whether or not the battery unit (202) is likely to develop charge storage problems, or to determine that the battery unit (202) has begun to develop charge storage problems.

21. A method of claim 20, characterized in that the charge storage problems include at least one of: a reduced battery cell

25 voltage relative to an historical nominal battery cell voltage, a reduced battery cell charge storage capacity relative to an historical nominal battery cell charge storage capacity.

22. A method of claim 21, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to employ mathematical models for the battery cells or employ an artificial intelligence algorithm for identifying the charge storage problems.

5 23. A method of claim 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to receive a plurality of temperature sensor signals from temperature sensors (302) that are spatially disposed within the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

io 24. A method of claim 23, characterized in that the method includes arranging for the battery management system (102) to receive a plurality of voltage and current sensor signals from a voltage monitoring arrangement (304) and a current monitoring arrangement (306) respectively, wherein the voltage and current

15 monitoring arrangement (304 and 306) are operatively associated with the temperature sensors (302).

25. A method of claim 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to partially discharge one or more battery modules

20 (204) or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit (202) for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

26. A method of claim 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management

25 system (102) to transfer charge between one or more battery modules (204) or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit (202) for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

T7. k method of claim 19, characterized in that the method includes operating the user interface data processor (212) of the battery management system (102) to communicate with a server (502) for identifying remote charging stations (504, 506) for the

5 electrical vehicle (100).

28. A method of claim 27, characterized in that the method includes allowing the server (502) to provide optimized routes (508) for the electrical vehicle (100) based on number of remote charging stations (504, 506).

io 29. A method of claim 27, characterized in that the method includes allowing the server (502) to provide optimized routes (508) for the electrical vehicle (100) based on the state of charge of the battery modules (204).

30. A method of claim 27, characterized in that the method

15 includes allowing the server (502) to identify remote service stations (504, 506) for the electrical vehicle (100).

31. A software product recording on machine-readable data storage media, characterized in that the software product is executable upon computing hardware for implementing a method as

20 claimed in claim 18.

29 05 18

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILLED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit (202) of an electrical vehicle (100), wherein the battery management system

5 (102) is operable:

(i) to determine from sensor signals parameters of battery modules (204) of the battery unit (202) that are indicative of a state of charge of the battery modules (204), and to adjust charge stored within the battery modules (204) mutually to

10 balance charge stored within the battery modules (204); and (ii) to provide user information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit (202) via a user interface to a user of the electrical vehicle (100), characterized in that the battery management system (102) includes 15 a data processing arrangement (208) which comprises a software application management and infotainment system that is operable to communicate with a server (502) for identifying remote charging stations (504, 506) for the electrical vehicle (100) and the server (502) is operable to provide optimized routes (508) for the electrical 20 vehicle (100) based on number of remote charging stations (504,

506) and on the state of charge of the battery modules (204); and the software application management and infotainment system is operable to schedule repairs based on the state of charge of the battery unit (202).

25 2. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 1, characterized in that the data processing arrangement (208) includes an interfacing data processor (210) for receiving sensor data

29 05 18 from the battery unit (202) and for providing control signals back to the battery unit (202) for battery cell charge balancing purposes or for battery unit protection purposes, and a user interface data processor (212) for providing user data indicative of operation of the

5 battery unit (202).

3. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 2, characterized in that battery management system (102) is operable to store temporal data indicative of operation of the battery unit (202) under a plurality of operating conditions, and to use the

10 temporal data to compare with real-time operation of the battery unit (202) to determine a prediction of whether or not the battery unit (202) is likely to develop charge storage problems, or to determine that the battery unit (202) has begun to develop charge storage problems.

15 4. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 3, characterized in that the charge storage problems include at least one of: a reduced battery cell voltage relative to an historical nominal battery cell voltage, a reduced battery cell charge storage capacity relative to an historical nominal battery cell charge storage

20 capacity.

5. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 4, characterized in that the battery management system (102) is operable to employ mathematical models for the battery cells or employ an artificial intelligence algorithm for identifying the charge

25 storage problems.

6. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery management system (102) is operable to receive a plurality of

29 05 18 temperature sensor signals from temperature sensors (302) that are spatially disposed within the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

7. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 6, characterized in that the temperature sensors (302) are

5 disposed in near regions of the battery cells that are proximate to electrical connection terminals of the battery cells.

8. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the battery management system (102) receives a plurality of voltage and current sensor signals from

10 a voltage monitoring arrangement (304) and a current monitoring arrangement (306) respectively, wherein the voltage and current monitoring arrangement (304 and 306) are operatively associated with the temperature sensors (302).

9. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of

15 claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the temperature sensors (302) comprises at least one of: a thermostat, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermometer, a resistive temperature detector, a semiconductor based temperature sensor.

10. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of

20 claim 8, characterized in that the voltage monitoring arrangement (304) comprises at least one of: a capacitive voltage sensor, a resistive voltage sensor, an inductive voltage sensor, a hall-effect sensor.

11. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of

25 claim 8, characterized in that the current monitoring arrangement (306) comprises at least one ammeter.

29 05 18

12. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery management system (102) is operable to partially discharge one or more battery modules (204) or one or more groups of battery cells

5 of the battery unit (202) for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

13. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the battery management system (102) is operable to transfer charge between one or more

10 battery modules (204) or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit (202) for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

14. An electrical vehicle battery management system (102) of claim 1, characterized in that the server (502) is operable to identify

15 remote service stations (504, 506) for the electrical vehicle (100).

15. A method of operating an electrical vehicle battery management system (102) for managing charging and discharging of a battery unit (202) of an electrical vehicle (100), characterized in that the method includes:

20 (i) operating the battery management system (102) to determine from sensor signals parameters of battery modules (204) of the battery unit (202) that are indicative of a state of charge of the battery modules (204), and to adjust charge stored within the battery modules (204) mutually to balance charge stored within

25 the battery modules (204); and (ii) to provide user information indicative of a status of operation of the battery unit (202) via a user interface to a user of the electrical vehicle (100).

29 05 18 characterized in that the battery management system (102) includes a data processing arrangement (208) which comprises a software application management and infotainment system that is operable to communicate with a server (502) for identifying remote charging

5 stations (504, 506) for the electrical vehicle (100) and the server (502) is operable to provide optimized routes (508) for the electrical vehicle (100) based on number of remote charging stations (504, 506) and on the state of charge of the battery modules (204) and; the software application management and infotainment system is io operable to schedule repairs based on the state of charge of the battery unit (202).

16. A method of claim 15, characterized in that the method includes arranging for the data processing arrangement (208) to include an interfacing data processor (210) for receiving sensor data from the

15 battery unit (202) and for providing control signals back to the battery unit (202) for battery cell charge balancing purposes or for battery unit protection purposes, and a user interface data processor (212) for providing user data indicative of operation of the battery unit (202).

20

17. A method of claim 16, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to store temporal data indicative of operation of the battery unit (202) under a plurality of operating conditions, and to use the temporal data to compare with real-time operation of the battery unit (202) to determine a prediction

25 of whether or not the battery unit (202) is likely to develop charge storage problems, or to determine that the battery unit (202) has begun to develop charge storage problems.

29 05 18

18. A method of claim 17, characterized in that the charge storage problems include at least one of: a reduced battery cell voltage relative to an historical nominal battery cell voltage, a reduced battery cell charge storage capacity relative to an historical nominal

5 battery cell charge storage capacity.

19. A method of claim 18, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to employ mathematical models for the battery cells or employ an artificial intelligence algorithm for identifying the charge storage problems.

10 20. A method of claim 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to receive a plurality of temperature sensor signals from temperature sensors (302) that are spatially disposed within the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

15 21. A method of claim 20, characterized in that the method includes arranging for the battery management system (102) to receive a plurality of voltage and current sensor signals from a voltage monitoring arrangement (304) and a current monitoring arrangement (306) respectively, wherein the voltage and current

20 monitoring arrangement (304 and 306) are operatively associated with the temperature sensors (302).

22. A method of claim 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to partially discharge one or more battery modules

25 (204) or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery unit (202) for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

23. A method of claim 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized in that the method includes operating the battery management system (102) to transfer charge between one or more battery modules (204) or one or more groups of battery cells of the battery

5 unit (202) for mutually balancing a state of charge of the battery cells of the battery unit (202).

24. A method of claim 15, characterized in that the method includes allowing the server (502) to identify remote service stations (504, 506) for the electrical vehicle (100).

29 05 18

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1705774.6 Examiner: Mr Rowland Hunt