What is the relationship between battery BMS and controller current?

September 06, 2024
What is the relationship between battery BMS and controller current?
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The relationship between the Battery Management System (BMS) and the controller in an electric scooter is crucial, as they work together to ensure the scooter’s performance, safety, and battery life. Here’s a detailed explanation of the current relationship between the two:

1. Current Management by the BMS

  • Current Monitoring and Protection: One of the primary functions of the BMS is to monitor the current output from the battery pack. If the current is too high, the BMS will activate protection mechanisms (such as cutting off the circuit) to prevent the battery from overloading and getting damaged. This situation can occur when the scooter accelerates and the controller demands more current than the BMS’s safe threshold.
  • Balancing Current and Charge/Discharge Management: The BMS is also responsible for balancing the voltage among individual cells within the battery pack, ensuring even charging and discharging. During these processes, the BMS regulates the current to prevent any cell from overcharging or discharging excessively.

2. Current Demand by the Controller

  • Controller Operation: The electric scooter’s controller adjusts the current output based on rider inputs (such as acceleration or braking) to control the motor’s speed and torque. When the rider accelerates, the controller demands more current to increase the motor’s power output.
  • Instantaneous Current Demand: In certain situations, such as rapid acceleration or climbing a hill, the controller may demand more current than usual, requiring the BMS to supply the corresponding current. However, if the controller’s current demand exceeds the BMS’s preset limit, the BMS might intervene to limit the current output, which could result in reduced acceleration performance.

3. Dynamic Balance of Current Relationship

  • BMS Limitation on the Controller: The BMS sets the maximum discharge current of the battery pack, which is based on safety and longevity considerations. The controller must operate within this current limit. For example, if the BMS’s maximum discharge current is 30A and the controller needs 40A in a particular operation, the BMS will limit the current to 30A, potentially causing a decrease in the scooter’s acceleration performance.
  • Controller Adaptation to Battery Status: Controllers are usually designed to adapt to the battery’s status. If the BMS reports low battery or high temperature, the controller will reduce current demand to prevent further damage to the battery or potential safety hazards. This adaptive control helps extend battery life and enhance safety.

4. Overcurrent Protection

  • Dual Protection Mechanism: Both the BMS and the controller have overcurrent protection functions. The BMS primarily protects the battery from over-discharge, while the controller protects the motor and its electronic components from damage due to excessive current. In extreme situations, such as a motor stall or circuit failure, both the BMS and the controller will use their respective protection mechanisms to prevent system damage.

5. System Optimization and Coordination

  • Current Management Optimization: Ideally, the BMS and controller’s current management should be highly coordinated. High-end electric scooters often have BMS and controllers that communicate in real-time via interfaces like the CAN bus, optimizing current output. This coordination maximizes performance while protecting the battery and motor.
  • Adjusting Current Output: The controller adjusts current output based on real-time conditions, such as load, speed, and road gradient. Meanwhile, the BMS monitors the current in the background, ensuring it remains within safe limits. If an anomaly is detected, the BMS will intervene and limit or cut off the current.

Conclusion

The BMS and controller in an electric scooter are closely linked in terms of current management. The BMS’s primary role is to monitor and protect the battery by preventing excessive current, while the controller adjusts current output based on riding demands to achieve optimal performance. The coordination between these two systems ensures a balance of safety, performance, and battery longevity, which is crucial for a stable and efficient riding experience.

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