BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD

In a system and method for managing a battery pack (1), wherein the battery pack comprises a plurality of battery modules (2), each module including a plurality of battery cells (3), a plurality of module controllers (5') are provided which are associated, respectively, with the battery modules (2). Each module controller (5') is configured to receive information on voltage and temperature of the battery cells (3) forming the respective battery module (2), and to process this information in such a way as to perform a series of operations, including determining, at each module controller (5'), a state of charge and a state of health of the respective battery module (2), and checking a balance between the battery cells (3) of the respective battery module (2). Each module controller (5') is provided with a respective wireless communication unit (12). In a first example, the result of the processing operations by the module controllers (5') is sent, by means of the wireless communication units (12), to the wireless communication unit (13) of a main controller (7'), which determines a state of charge and a state of health of the entire battery pack (1), and checks a balance between the battery modules (2). In this example, the main controller (7') also controls the operation of a battery disconnecting unit (10). In a second example there is no main controller, and the module controllers (5') each communicate, through the respective wireless communication unit (12), with all the other module controllers (5'). In this second example, the module controllers (5') are programmed so that only one of the module controllers performs, in turn, the function of a main controller, including the function of controlling the operation of the battery disconnecting unit, which in this case is equipped with a microprocessor with an associated wireless communication unit (15).