Patent Description:
Today electrical energy storage solutions are brought in various application areas in addition to ones already know. For example, vehicles are equipped with batteries for supplying electrical energy to an electric motor residing in the vehicle. Moreover, other entities, such as buildings, may be equipped with batteries which may be taken into use if a power failure occurs. The battery solutions nowadays are usually established as battery packs comprising a plurality of battery cells included in a space, such as in a housing. The battery cells are typically identical arranged in series or parallel or in any mixture of both to provide desired voltage in the application area. In order to control the battery pack a control unit may be arranged in the battery pack for enabling a battery management.

Identification of the battery cells within the battery pack is required in various situation. Especially, in a situation where it is recognized, in one manner or other, that a performance of at least one battery cell is degraded it is important to identify the one or more battery cells not operating properly. The identification comprises, among others, a determination of a position of the battery cell in the battery pack. By determining the position of the battery cell in question it is possible to take maintenance actions in efficient manner with respect to battery cell not operating properly.

In a prior art document <CIT> it is disclosed one solution for identifying a particular battery cell within an application. The solution is based on a resistor divider network in which by measuring voltages in between resistors of the resistor divider network associated with the battery cells, and based on voltage variation between the measurement points it is possible to identify each cell uniquely.

Another example of a prior art solution for managing battery packs is disclosed in a document <CIT> wherein the battery modules of a battery pack communicate with each other.

The existing solutions are applicable as such, but alternative solutions may be developed which improve, at least in part, a determination of a position of battery cells in the battery pack structure.

An object of the invention is to present a computer implemented method, a control unit and a computer program for determining a configuration of a battery pack.

The objects of the invention are reached by a computer implemented method, a control unit and a computer program as defined by the respective independent claims.

According to a first aspect, a computer implemented method for determining a configuration of a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules operationally connected as a string of battery modules is provided, the method, performed by a control unit (<NUM>), comprising: receiving first data from a first battery module, wherein the first data comprises module identifier of the first battery module associated with second data of a second battery module adjacent to the first battery module, the second data comprising at least module identifier of the second battery module; and determining the configuration of the battery pack based on the first and second data by detecting an identifier of a frame tag as the second data received from the first battery module and applying a known position of the frame tag in the configuration of the battery pack in the determination.

The method may further comprise: receiving data indicating a number of the battery modules belonging to the battery pack; and determining the configuration of the battery pack using the data indicating the number of the battery modules belonging to the battery pack.

Further, the configuration of the battery pack may be determined by detecting an identifier of a RFID control reader as the first data and applying a known position of the RFID control reader in the configuration of the battery pack in the determination.

The data received from the first battery module may comprise further data comprising at least one further identifier received from at least one further battery module.

The configuration of the battery pack may be determined by detecting an identifier of the RFID control reader as the first data, and by detecting an identifier of a frame tag as the second data received from a battery module of the string of battery module. For example, the method may further comprise: determining data indicating a number of the battery modules belonging to the string of battery modules. The configuration of the battery pack may be determined by applying the data indicating the number of the battery modules in the determination.

According to a second aspect, a control unit for determining a configuration of a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery modules operationally connected as a string of battery modules is provided, the control unit comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the control unit to: receive first data from a first battery module, wherein the first data comprises module identifier of the first battery module associated with second data of a second battery module adjacent to the first battery module, the second data comprising at least module identifier of the second battery module; and determine the configuration of the battery pack based on the first and second data by detecting an identifier of a frame tag as the second data received from the first battery module and applying a known position of the frame tag in the configuration of the battery pack in the determination.

The control unit may further be configured to: receive data indicating a number of the battery modules belonging to the battery pack; and determine the configuration of the battery pack using the data indicating the number of the battery modules belonging to the battery pack.

Still further, the control unit may be configured to determine the configuration of the battery pack by detecting an identifier of a RFID control reader as the first data and applying a known position of the RFID control reader in the configuration of the battery pack in the determination.

Moreover, the control unit may be configured to receive further data from the first battery module, the further data comprising at least one further identifier received from at least one further battery module.

The control unit may further comprise a RFID control reader, wherein the control unit may be configured to determine the configuration of the battery pack by detecting an identifier of the RFID control reader as the first data, and by detecting an identifier of a frame tag as the second data received from a battery module of the string of battery modules. The control unit may also be configured to determine data indicating a number of the battery modules belonging to the string of battery modules. For example, the control unit may be configured to determine the configuration of the battery pack by applying the data indicating the number of the battery modules in the determination.

According to a third aspect, a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium comprising computer executable program code is provided, which code, when executed by at least one processor of a control unit, causes the control unit to: receive first data from a first battery module, wherein the first data comprises module identifier of the first battery module associated with second data of a second battery module adjacent to the first battery module, the second data comprising at least module identifier of the second battery module; and determine the configuration of the battery pack based on the first and second data by detecting an identifier of a frame tag as the second data received from the first battery module and applying a known position of the frame tag in the configuration of the battery pack in the determination.

To operate an electric vehicle, such as a marine vessel, an enormous amount of power is required. That is why electric vehicles, such as marine vessels or power plants with balancing backup, need as many as tens of thousands of battery cells. The composition of a battery might vary slightly depending on the types of electric vehicles, but generally electric vehicle batteries could be configured to be composed of cells, modules and a pack.

In fact, to safely and efficiently manage the countless battery cells mounted in one vehicle, such as marine vessel, the cells are installed in forms of modules and packs. Simply put, cells, modules and packs are units of gathered batteries. A cluster of cells make up a module and a cluster of modules make up a battery pack. Ultimately, in an electric vehicle, one form of battery is installed: a battery pack.

A cell is understood to be the basis of a battery that must possess high capacity per unit volume in order to show maximum performance in a restricted area within a vehicle or power plant and the cell also needs to have much longer lifespan compared to batteries used in consumer mobile devices. Thus cell-level identification and service are more important in vessels and power plants than in consumer products, for example. Furthermore, cells must endure shocks transmitted during the drive and possess high reliability & stability to the extent of being able to withstand high and low temperatures.

When a number of cells are put into a frame to protect them better from external shocks such as heat or vibration, this may be called as a battery module. And when a number of battery modules come together with a BMS (Battery Management System) and a cooling device that control and manage battery's temperature, voltage, etc., this may be called as a battery pack. This is how numerous cells are installed in an electric vehicle through the form of a pack.

The above described concepts are schematically illustrated in <FIG> in which a battery pack <NUM> comprises a plurality of battery modules <NUM> each comprising a number of battery cells <NUM>. The configuration schematically depicted in <FIG> is a non-limiting example and the configuration may vary a lot. For example, the battery pack <NUM> may comprise only one battery cell <NUM> which means that the battery pack <NUM> corresponds to the battery module <NUM> and the battery module <NUM> corresponds to the battery cell <NUM> with the definitions as described. As also derivable from <FIG>, each battery module <NUM> may comprise a various number of battery cells <NUM>.

For a purpose to describe at least some aspects of the invention the <FIG> is referred to. <FIG> illustrates schematically a system according to an example embodiment as a block diagram. The system according to the example may comprise a battery module <NUM> consisting of a plurality of battery cells <NUM> and a control unit <NUM>. The battery module <NUM> may be implemented as a housing for a number of battery cells <NUM>. At least some of the plurality of the battery cells <NUM> are equipped with a communication device suitable for a short range communication. For sake of clarity, the communication device in a context of the present invention may e.g. be a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) module comprising a RFID tag <NUM> and a RFID reader <NUM>. The RFID tag <NUM> may comprise electronically stored information, such as an identifier of the RFID tag <NUM> in question. The information is readable with a RFID reader <NUM> which may send a signal to the RFID tag <NUM> and read its response. In the described manner it is possible e.g. to identify an entity into which the RFID module is mounted to. Hence, in an implementation as illustrated in <FIG> the RFID module of a battery cell <NUM> may communicate with at least one other RFID module of another battery cell <NUM>. Still further, the RFID modules, and specially the reader portion <NUM> therein, may be arranged to communicate with the control unit <NUM> either directly or indirectly. The direct communication may e.g. be implemented with a wired or wireless communication interface implemented both in each RFID reader <NUM> and the control unit <NUM>. The indirect communication, in turn, may be implemented by arranging one RFID module to communicate with the control unit <NUM> through at least one other RFID module. Some non-limiting examples of an implantation utilizing a wired communication may be such that a data bus, such as a CAN bus, is arranged between the control unit <NUM> and the RFID readers <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, a power line connecting e.g. the batteries and the control unit <NUM> may be used. In such an implementation, the RFID module, and especially the RFID reader <NUM> is equipped with an applicable interface to access the power line. On the other hand, the wireless communication may be implemented with any known short range communication protocol or a dedicated wireless communication implementation by arranging necessary devices and interfaces to the communicating entities.

As mentioned, in various embodiments the battery cells <NUM> may be arranged as battery modules <NUM>, the battery modules <NUM> each comprising a number of battery cells <NUM>. In such an embodiment the RFID module may be arranged to each battery module for identifying a number of battery cells <NUM> arranged in the module in question. Correspondingly, the battery modules <NUM> may form a subsystem in which is battery cell <NUM> is equipped with RFID module wherein each battery module <NUM> is further equipped with a control unit <NUM> corresponding the one as described in the context of <FIG>. One of the control units <NUM>, or a separate control unit <NUM>, may be arranged to operate as a master control unit for communicating and operating as is described herein.

As discussed above, the system may comprise a control unit <NUM> for communicating with the RFID modules as well as for processing of data. <FIG> illustrates schematically as a block diagram an example of the control unit <NUM> applicable in the battery pack <NUM>. The block diagram of <FIG> depicts some components of an apparatus that may be employed to implement the control unit <NUM>. The apparatus comprises a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may store data and computer program code <NUM>. The apparatus may further comprise communication means <NUM> for wired or wireless communication with other apparatuses and/or user I/O (input/output) components <NUM> that may be arranged, together with the processor <NUM> and a portion of the computer program code <NUM>, to provide the user interface for receiving input from a user and/or providing output to the user. In particular, the user I/O components may include user input means, such as one or more keys or buttons, a keyboard, a touchscreen or a touchpad, etc. The user I/O components may include output means, such as a display or a touchscreen. The components of the apparatus may be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus <NUM> that enables transfer of data and control information between the components.

The memory <NUM> and a portion of the computer program code <NUM> stored therein may be further arranged, with the processor <NUM>, to cause the apparatus, i.e. the control unit <NUM>, to perform a method as will be described in a forthcoming description. The processor <NUM> may be configured to read from and write to the memory <NUM>. Although the processor <NUM> is depicted as a respective single component, it may be implemented as respective one or more separate processing components. Similarly, although the memory <NUM> is depicted as a respective single component, it may be implemented as respective one or more separate components, some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent / semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

The computer program code <NUM> may comprise computer-executable instructions that implement functions that correspond to steps of the method as will be described when loaded into the processor <NUM>. As an example, the computer program code <NUM> may include a computer program consisting of one or more sequences of one or more instructions. The processor <NUM> is able to load and execute the computer program by reading the one or more sequences of one or more instructions included therein from the memory <NUM>. The one or more sequences of one or more instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor <NUM>, cause the apparatus to perform the method will be described.

Hence, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor <NUM> and at least one memory <NUM> including the computer program code <NUM> for one or more programs, the at least one memory <NUM> and the computer program code <NUM> configured to, with the at least one processor <NUM>, cause the apparatus to perform the method described in the foregoing.

The computer program code <NUM> may be provided e.g. a computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable non-transitory medium having the computer program code <NUM> stored thereon, which computer program code <NUM>, when executed by the processor <NUM> causes the apparatus to perform the method. The computer-readable non-transitory medium may comprise a memory device or a record medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc or another article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program. As another example, the computer program may be provided as a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program.

Still further, the computer program code <NUM> may comprise a proprietary application, such as computer program code for battery management. The proprietary application may be a client application of a service whose server application is running on a server apparatus of the system. The proprietary application may detect an anomaly within the battery pack <NUM>, identify the battery cell <NUM>, or a battery module <NUM>, that the anomaly is related to, and automatically generate a service task associated information of the anomaly and the location of the battery cell <NUM> using the automatic battery location configuration.

Any of the programmed functions mentioned may also be performed in firmware or hardware adapted to or programmed to perform the necessary tasks.

The control unit <NUM> as described may be arranged to perform its task with respect to one or more battery modules <NUM> each comprising one or more battery cells <NUM>.

Next, a method in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention is described by referring to <FIG> for automatically determining a configuration of battery pack <NUM>. A step <NUM> as illustrated in the <FIG> may be performed by one or more RFID modules and an aim of the step <NUM> is to establish a necessary amount of information for performing the method in accordance with the example embodiment of the invention. In the mentioned step a plurality of RFID modules associated with battery cells <NUM> of the battery pack <NUM> are arranged to communicate with each other. The communication may e.g. be initiated with a trigger signal generated by the control unit <NUM> to the RFID modules of the battery cells <NUM>. Depending on a type of RFID modules, and especially the RFID tags <NUM> therein, a receipt of the trigger signal by the RFID reader <NUM> of the RFID module may cause at least one of the following. Either the RFID reader <NUM> may generate a radio signal to activate at least one RFID tag <NUM> to transmit information to the RFID reader <NUM>. Alternatively, the receipt of the trigger signal may cause the RFID reader <NUM> to obtain data carried in a signal generated by the RFID tag <NUM>. The above described alternative mechanisms are dependent on if the RFID tag <NUM> of the RFID module is passive (RFID tag <NUM> becomes active in response to an interrogating radio wave) or active (RFID tag <NUM> equipped with a power source). Hence, in step <NUM> the RFID reader <NUM> of a first RFID module may be arranged to communicate with a RFID tag <NUM> of at least one second RFID module. In the communication the RFID reader <NUM> of the first RFID module may receive at least an identifier transmitted by the RFID tag <NUM> of the at least one second RFID module, the identifier representing the battery module <NUM> into which the RFID tag <NUM> of the at least one second RFID module is associated to. Hence, the RFID reader <NUM> of the first RFID module receives an identifier representing the battery module <NUM> belonging to the battery pack <NUM>, such as a neighboring battery module <NUM>, and the RFID reader <NUM> in question may be configured to associate its own identifier representing the identifier of a battery module <NUM> with the at least one identifier representing the identifier of a second battery module <NUM> received from the RFID tag <NUM> of the at least one second RFID module. The own module identifier may be called as a first data and the other module identifier may be called as the second data. The association of the identifiers may be performed in any manner by means of which pieces of data may be combined together, such as by including them in a same data record in a predetermined manner. As a result, the RFID reader <NUM> of the first battery module <NUM> may possess first data comprising an identifier of the battery module <NUM> into which the RFID module <NUM> is associated to and at least one other second data comprising another identifier of at least one other battery module <NUM>. In response to the described operation the RFID module possessing the data may be arranged to transmit the data to the control unit <NUM> by generating a signal over a predefined communication channel to the control unit <NUM>.

Hence, the control unit <NUM> may be arranged, in step <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, to receive signal carrying the first data and the second as described from a plurality of RFID modules. In response to a receipt of data the control unit <NUM>, specifically the processor by executing a computer program code, may be caused to start determining <NUM> a configuration of the battery pack <NUM>. The determination of the configuration may be performed by establishing a model of the configuration of the battery pack <NUM> comprising a plurality of the battery modules <NUM> based on the data received from the plurality of the battery modules <NUM>. The model may be established for generating a representation of mutual positions of the battery modules <NUM> in the battery pack <NUM>. The establishment of the model may be performed by analyzing identifiers included in the received data i.e. represented by the first data and the second data. The analysis may e.g. be performed so that a first battery module <NUM> is determined on a basis of an identifier included in the first data. One or more other identifiers are also identified from the second pieces of data received by the control unit <NUM>. Next, a second battery module <NUM> is determined on a basis of another identifier included in the second data. The operation described above is performed with respect to all battery modules <NUM> from which the data is received by the control unit <NUM>. Next, the control unit <NUM> may be arranged to compare if the data received from the plurality of battery modules <NUM> comprise any same identifiers.

Based on detections of the same identifier in data received from a plurality of battery modules <NUM> it may be concluded that the battery modules <NUM> are neighboring ones. In such a manner it is possible to establish a chain of the battery modules <NUM> belonging to the battery pack <NUM>, and to determine the configuration of the battery pack <NUM>. In an advantageous embodiment the RFID readers <NUM> may be arranged to capture signals from only one RFID module adjacent to the RFID reader <NUM> in question on the basis of which the above described method for determining the configuration may be established.

Moreover, in an implementation in which a RFID reader <NUM> of RFID module is capable of receiving signals from RFID tags <NUM> of RFID modules residing distantly i.e. not only from at least one adjacent RFID module, but one or more RFID modules residing further than the adjacent ones, the RFID readers <NUM> may be arranged to include further information to the data comprising at least the identifier of the battery module <NUM> provided by the RFID tag <NUM>. The further data may e.g. comprise a value representing a signal strength of the received signal by the RFID reader <NUM>. The experienced signal strength is dependent on the distant of the transmitter, i.e. the RFID tag <NUM>, and by means of the value it is possible to create differentiation between the RFID tags <NUM>. The differentiation, in turn, enables the control unit <NUM> to "understand" the mutual distances between the RFID modules associated with respective battery modules <NUM> and by applying the information on the signal strengths with the identifiers the control unit <NUM> may establish the model. For example, it may be determined the closest battery module <NUM> on the basis of the signal strength and to apply the decision-making with respect to the configuration as described. Naturally, the above described way of including the further data, such as signal strength value may also be applied in an implementation in which only the neighboring RFID modules, or specifically the RFID tags <NUM>, are detected.

Alternatively or in addition to the signal strength value some other, or additional, data may also be included in the data to be transmitted to the control unit <NUM>. In some example embodiments the RFID module may determine a direction from which at least the identifier data is received. The direction may be determined with respect to some reference value. By receiving the directional data together with the identifier data from the RFID module the control unit <NUM> may be arranged to differentiate the RFID tags <NUM> detected by a certain RFID module, and, hence, to determine the configuration of the battery pack <NUM> in more efficient way e.g. by determining the adjacent battery module <NUM> on the basis of the directional data.

Generally speaking, as regards to distances between communicating entities some hardware may be designed for maximizing read range, while other hardware is designed to limit read range. For example, the battery modules <NUM> may be configured so that read range is limited but the control unit <NUM> may be configured to have read range maximized. For instance, antenna gain may be used for adjusting the read ranges. If an increased read range is needed, higher gain antennas may be used. On the other hand, if less read range is needed, lower gain antennas may be selected. Further, if the RFID tags <NUM> are read up close, very low gain proximity antennas may be used.

As is commonly known a higher gain antenna increases the power received from the RFID reader <NUM>. If there is need to make sure that the antennas have a longer "reach," then high gain antennas (e.g. <NUM> dBi, or higher) may be applied to. Due to application environment of the present invention battery cells <NUM> may require a tightly controlled configuration. For example, in systems where the RFID tag <NUM> will always be the same short distance away from the antenna, a high gain antenna simply isn't needed. Even so-called proximity scan may be used so as to not read RFID tags <NUM> too far away and a low gain proximity RFID antenna is perfect for such a situation. Hence, the higher the gain, the higher the range of the antenna, and vice versa. Additionally, lower gain antennas are smaller in size than high gain antennas; so, if in case application environment has size restrictions in terms of the antenna's dimensions, a lower gain RFID antenna may be experimented with.

Another option to the optimization of antenna gain may be to use antenna polarization. If RFID tags <NUM> are aligned with the polarization of the antenna, linear polarized antennas may be read farther than circular polarized antennas. If RFID tags <NUM> are not aligned with the polarization of the antenna, then circular polarized antennas read farther than linear polarized antennas.

A still further option may be to control how much power is sent to the antennas. The higher the dB number, the more increase read range, and vice versa. Because the power is measured in decibels (dB), the power will double (or be cut in half) for every <NUM> dB you increase (or decrease). For example, <NUM> dB is twice as powerful as <NUM> dB, and <NUM> dB is twice as powerful as <NUM> dB. Lastly, RFID reader's receive sensitivity settings may be set. If the RFID reader <NUM> is set to maximum sensitivity, it will report weaker RFID tag <NUM> signals (which typically come from tags that are farther away, thus increasing read range); a lower sensitivity setting will ignore the weaker signals, thus decreasing read range.

As may be seen from the above there are various mechanisms to affect read ranges of the RFID readers <NUM>. By adjusting the setup it is e.g. possible to define the system so that each cell row is capable of "listening" to neighbor cells in the same row, and e.g. each of the first module 120of each row is capable of "listening" to neighboring first module <NUM> of the next column. The cell here corresponds to a respective RFID tag <NUM>.

According to various example embodiments of the invention the control unit <NUM> may be arranged to determine a number of battery modules <NUM> included in the battery pack <NUM> it is arranged to monitor in the manner as described. The awareness of the number of the battery modules <NUM> may e.g. be arranged so that information on the number of the battery modules <NUM> is stored in a memory <NUM> of the control unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> may be arranged to determine that it receives the signals comprising the data from the corresponding number of the RFID modules associated to the battery modules <NUM>. Naturally, if one RFID module is arranged to represent a plurality of battery modules 120it is taken into account in the arrangement. The awareness of the number of the battery modules 120in the battery pack <NUM> also allows also the control unit <NUM> to set limits in the determination of the configuration, and in that manner a complexity in the calculation may be reduced. In some example embodiment the control unit <NUM> may determine the number of the battery modules <NUM> by performing a calculation based on data received from the battery modules, for example.

Alternatively or in addition, the complexity of the calculation may be optimized by giving consideration to applied RFID modules and/or their positions in the battery modules <NUM> of the battery pack <NUM>. Namely, by arranging so that either RFID tags <NUM> under monitoring or the RFID reader <NUM> of the RFID module or both are arranged to communicate only in a certain direction, it is possible to define at least one rule for determining a configuration of the battery pack <NUM>. In other words, if at least one RFID reader <NUM> may receive signals only from certain direction, or from a certain directional beam, the positions of the RFID modules with respect to each other may be defined in an efficient manner. Naturally, the directions shall be defined so that the RFID readers <NUM> of the RFID modules receive signals from RFID tags <NUM> so that RFID readers <NUM> detect RFID tags <NUM> being common in order to be capable of establish the configuration by means of common detections. As indicated, the directional detection may e.g. be achieved by selecting directional antennas either for RFID tags <NUM> or RFID readers <NUM> of the RFID modules and/or mounting them in the battery modules 120in a manner that the directional detection may be achieved.

In a simple example of the determination of the configuration of the battery pack <NUM>, such as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, it may be arranged that each battery module <NUM> has only one neighbour on a side into which a RFID reader <NUM> of the RFID module associated to the battery module <NUM> in question. Respectively, a RFID tag <NUM> of a neighbouring battery module 120is arranged on the other side i.e. on the other battery module 120so as to enable a communication between the RFID reader <NUM> of a first module and the RFID tag <NUM> of the second module. Moreover, the positioning of the entities with respect to each other as well as technical parameters, such as described in the foregoing description, may be adjusted so that each RFID reader <NUM> may only read a signal from one neighbouring RFID tag <NUM>. This means that the outermost RFID reader <NUM> does not receive any signal, i.e. sets the data identifying the at least one other battery module in the signal from a RFID reader <NUM> null, based on which it is possible to conclude that the corresponding battery module 120with which the RFID module <NUM> is associated with resides at one side (outmost) of the battery pack <NUM>. Based on the mentioned detection the control unit <NUM> may start building up the configuration of the battery pack <NUM>. In a similar manner, i.e. by limiting a capability to read a plurality of RFID tags <NUM> by the RFID readers <NUM>, the configuration of the battery pack <NUM> may be determined in more complex structures of the battery packs <NUM>. In other words, the build-up of the configuration of the battery pack <NUM> is based in relative positions of the RFID modules, i.e. the RFID readers <NUM> and RFID tags <NUM>, associated to the battery module <NUM> of the battery pack <NUM>.

For clarifying the determination of the configuration of the battery pack <NUM> it is referred to <FIG>. The battery pack <NUM> comprises a plurality of battery modules <NUM>, referred as BM1 and BM2 in <FIG>. The battery modules <NUM> are equipped with RFID modules comprising a RFID reader <NUM> and a RFID tag <NUM>. The arrangement is such that the RFID reader <NUM> is arranged to communicate with a RFID tag <NUM> of an adjacent battery module <NUM> and to one direction only. The battery modules <NUM> comprise dedicated identifiers, referred as ID1 and ID2 in <FIG>. Now, each battery module <NUM> may be arranged to detect a neighbouring battery module <NUM> and receive its identifier ID1, ID2, and to generate a data record comprising own identifier as a first data and an identifier of the neighbouring battery module <NUM> as a second data. A non-limiting example of a format of the data record generated by the battery module <NUM> is schematically illustrated in <FIG> (ID-own; ID-neighbour). As a result, the battery modules <NUM>, BM1, BM2, may be arranged to transmit data records to the control unit. The data record transmitted by the first battery module <NUM>, BM1, may comprise data as follows: ID1; ID0 and the data record transmitted by the second battery module <NUM>, BM2, may comprise data as follows: ID2; ID1. Correspondingly other battery modules <NUM> may provide corresponding data records to the control unit <NUM>. In response to the receipt of the data records the control unit may start establishing a model of the configuration of the battery pack <NUM>. The above mentioned data records received from the first and from the second battery module <NUM>, BM1, BM2 comprise a common identifier i.e. an identifier of the first battery module <NUM>, ID1. The detection allows the control unit <NUM> to determine that a mutual order of the battery modules <NUM> on the basis of received data records is then BM0, BM1, BM2 (battery module <NUM> BM0 not illustrated in <FIG>). Correspondingly, an order of the battery modules <NUM> in the string may be determined with respect to additional battery modules <NUM>.

In <FIG> it is schematically illustrated non-limiting examples of setups based on the principle as disclosed in <FIG> for determining the configuration of the battery pack in accordance with the present invention. The embodiments disclosed in <FIG> are as follows:.

Embodiments may also be used for determining number and / or configuration of other types of modules than battery cells and battery modules. Not only may it be used for battery system up to container level, but the same type of automatic configuration may be used for complete containers regardless of their content, for electronics in high numbers like diesel cylinder controllers, and in a system the configurations on many levels may simultaneously be automatically detected. From packages inside a container to strings of containers and all the way to a complete container ship or container harbour, the hierarchical physical location of every physical unit may be automatically detected.

For sake of completeness <FIG> illustrates a RFID module according to an example embodiment as a simplified block diagram. The RFID module comprises a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM> storing data and computer program code <NUM>. The RFID module may further comprise communication means <NUM>, such as a communication interface, for wired or wireless communication with other apparatuses, such as with the control unit <NUM>. and/or user I/O (input/output) components. Additionally, the RFID module comprises at least RFID reader unit <NUM> comprising at least an antenna for communicating with one or more RFID tags <NUM> of other RFID modules. Depending on an implementation the RFID module may also comprise a RFID tag <NUM>, but it may also be a separate entity to the RFID module. The mentioned entities in the RFID module may be communicatively coupled to each other via a bus <NUM> that enables transfer of data and control information between the components. The example of RFID module as illustrated in <FIG> is a non-limiting example of the entity, and RFID modules having another implementation may be used to. In the non-limiting example of <FIG> both the RFID reader <NUM> and the RFID tag <NUM> of the same RFID module are schematically illustrated to reside in the same housing, but it may also be arranged that they are distinct entities arranged in the same battery cell <NUM> e.g. in a manner as schematically illustrated in <FIG>.

It should be noted that the examples described above and illustrated in at least some of the Figures are conceptual ones and omit a number of elements required in a real-life solution for determining a configuration of battery pack <NUM> and it may be varied or complemented in a number of ways without departing from the scope for determining a configuration of battery pack <NUM> as is described in the present disclosure. As an example, in this regard, the battery modules <NUM> of the battery pack <NUM> may be a single RFID module, two or more RFID modules <NUM> arranged in a single physical location in the battery module <NUM> or in a plurality of locations both arrange to transmit the same identifier or different identifier. Further, the control unit <NUM> may be associated with the battery modules <NUM> or it may be remotely located e.g. within a distance a direct communication may be arranged with the control unit <NUM> and the RFID modules residing in the battery pack <NUM>. Moreover, the control unit <NUM> should be construed as a logical entity, that may be provided as one or more separate entities or components, some of which may be co-located with the other elements as e.g. depicted in the example of <FIG> and some of which may be remotely located. However, the framework of <FIG> is sufficient for description of various characteristics of solution for determining the configuration of the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure.

In the foregoing description of some embodiments it is derivable that for one battery pack <NUM> there is arranged only one control unit <NUM>. However, the present invention is not only limited to such an implementation. For example, in a battery pack <NUM> there may be a plurality of control units <NUM> each arranged to determine a configuration of a predetermined number of battery modules <NUM> belonging to the battery pack <NUM>. The control units <NUM> may be arranged to communicate with each other, and it may e.g. be arranged to only one of the control units <NUM> is arranged to determine the configuration of the whole battery pack <NUM> e.g. for maintenance purposes.

One preferred outcome of the solution according to the present invention is an ability of such a system to perform a determination of a configuration of a battery pack, and, hence, a location battery cells therein. This allows swapping of faulty units without the need of a manual configuration of the system.

Claim 1:
A computer implemented method for determining a configuration of a battery pack (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of battery modules (<NUM>) operationally connected as a string of battery modules (<NUM>), the method, performed by a control unit (<NUM>), comprising:
receiving (<NUM>) first data from a first battery module (<NUM>; BM1), wherein the first data comprises module identifier of the first battery module (<NUM>; BM1) associated with second data of a second battery module (<NUM>; BM2) adjacent to the first battery module (<NUM>; BM1), the second data comprising at least module identifier of the second battery module (<NUM>; BM2); and
determining (<NUM>) the configuration of the battery pack (<NUM>) based on the first and second data by detecting an identifier of a frame tag (<NUM>) as the second data received from the first battery module (<NUM>) and applying a known position of the frame tag (<NUM>) in the configuration of the battery pack (<NUM>) in the determination (<NUM>).