Method and apparatus for controlling battery charging

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery charging control device may include: at least one processor; and a memory configured to store at least one instruction executed by the at least one processor. The at least one instruction may include an instruction to derive a plurality of optimal charging mappings satisfying a charging target based on the battery state information and the charger state information when user input information including the charging target is received; outputting, through a predefined graphical user interface (GUI), an instruction about each of the derived optimal charging mappings; and an instruction to control the battery to be charged using the optimal charging map corresponding to a user selection signal when the user selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps is received.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0081593 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on June 26, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery charging control device and method, and more particularly, to a battery charging control device and method for controlling charging of a battery using an optimal charging method corresponding to a charging target set by a user. Background Art

[0003] A secondary battery is a battery that can be recharged and reused even after being discharged. The secondary battery can be used as an energy source for small devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and vacuum cleaners, and can also be used as an energy source for medium and large devices such as automobiles and energy storage systems (ESS) for smart grids.

[0004] According to system requirements, secondary batteries are applied to the system in the form of an assembly such as a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and parallel or a battery pack in which battery modules are connected in series and parallel. A high-capacity battery system with a plurality of battery packs connected in parallel can be applied to medium to large equipment such as electric vehicles to meet the required capacity of the equipment.

[0005] Recently, as the capacity of secondary batteries has increased, fast charging technology has emerged that can charge the battery faster. In fast charging of the battery, a step-by-step charging method is mainly used, in which charging is performed with a high charging current at the beginning of charging and charging is performed by gradually reducing the charging current as the SOC (state of charge) or voltage value of the battery increases. Here, in consideration of the safety of charging, the charging current may be adjusted based on the current temperature of the battery.

[0006] Typically, the charging current value during the battery charging process is determined by a pre-stored charging map or charging profile. In other words, the battery is charged according to a preset charging method and the user's choice of charging method is limited.

[0007] Some charging devices provide users with choices regarding charging time, charging speed, etc., but the options for selection are very limited. In addition, when the battery is charged at a high speed according to the user's selection, the life of the battery may be shortened, or the temperature of the battery may exceed the optimal range after charging is completed, resulting in lower output performance.

[0008] Therefore, a suitable charging control technology solution is needed to solve these problems. Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] To eliminate one or more problems of the related art, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a battery charging control apparatus that controls charging of a battery in an optimal charging method corresponding to a charging target set by a user.

[0011] To eliminate one or more problems of the related art, embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a method for controlling battery charging using a battery charging control device.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] To achieve the object of the present disclosure, a battery charging control device may include: at least one processor; and a memory configured to store at least one instruction executed by the at least one processor.

[0014] At least one instruction may include an instruction to derive a plurality of optimal charging maps that meet the charging target based on battery status information and charger status information when user input information including the charging target is received; an instruction to output information about each of the derived optimal charging maps through a predefined graphical user interface (GUI); and an instruction to control a battery to be charged using the optimal charging map corresponding to the user selection signal when a user selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps is received.

[0015] Here, the charging target may include: at least one charging target value, which includes one or more of a target charging amount, a target charging time, and a target battery temperature at the time point when charging is completed; or at least one charging priority item, which includes one or more of a maximum charging amount, a minimum charging time, and a maximum performance.

[0016] The instruction to derive a plurality of optimal charging maps may include an instruction to derive an optimal charging map satisfying a charging target among a plurality of pre-stored charging maps.

[0017] The instructions for deriving a plurality of optimal charging maps may include: instructions for generating charging prediction information for each of a plurality of pre-stored charging maps using a predefined battery behavior prediction model; and instructions for selecting N optimal charging maps that meet a charging target based on the generated charging prediction information.

[0018] The instructions for generating the charging prediction information may include instructions for predicting one or more of a charging completion time, a charge amount at the charging completion time, a battery temperature at the charging completion time, and an accumulation amount of polarization values ​​when charging is performed according to the charging map.

[0019] Instructions for deriving multiple optimal charging maps may include instructions for selecting one or more of a first charging map that allows charging in a minimum time, a second charging map that allows charging with a maximum charge amount, a third charging map that meets a predefined maximum performance condition, and a fourth charging map that meets a predefined maximum life condition among the charging maps that meet the charging target.

[0020] Instructions for deriving multiple optimal charging maps may include instructions for determining one or more of the first charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as optimal charging maps when the charging target is a target charging time or a maximum charging time; instructions for determining one or more of the second charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as optimal charging maps when the charging target is a target charging time or a minimum charging time; and instructions for determining one or more of the first charging map, the second charging map, and the fourth charging map as optimal charging maps when the charging target is a target battery temperature at a charging completion time or maximum performance.

[0021] The instructions to output information through the GUI may include instructions to output identification information and charging prediction information of each of the N optimal charging maps.

[0022] The instruction to output information through the GUI may include an instruction to output each of the optimal charging maps according to a predefined priority.

[0023] The instruction to control the battery to be charged may include an instruction to control the battery to be charged using an optimal charging map defined as a first priority if a user selection signal is not received within a predefined period of time.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery charging control method performed by a battery charging control device may include: upon receiving user input information including a charging target, deriving multiple optimal charging maps that meet the charging target based on battery status information and charger status information; outputting information about each of the derived optimal charging maps through a predefined graphical user interface (GUI); and upon receiving a user selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps, controlling a battery to be charged using the optimal charging map corresponding to the user selection signal.

[0025] Here, the charging target may include: at least one charging target value, which includes one or more of a target charging amount, a target charging time, and a target battery temperature at the time point when charging is completed; or at least one charging priority item, which includes one or more of a maximum charging amount, a minimum charging time, and a maximum performance.

[0026] Deriving the plurality of optimal charging maps may include deriving an optimal charging map satisfying the charging target among a plurality of pre-stored charging maps.

[0027] Deriving the plurality of optimal charging maps may include: generating charging prediction information for each of the plurality of pre-stored charging maps using a predefined battery behavior prediction model; and selecting N optimal charging maps that meet the charging target based on the generated charging prediction information.

[0028] Generating the charging prediction information may include predicting one or more of a charging completion time, a charge amount at the charging completion time, a battery temperature at the charging completion time, and an accumulated amount of polarization values ​​when charging is performed according to the charging map.

[0029] Deriving multiple optimal charging maps may include selecting one or more of a first charging map that allows charging in a minimum time, a second charging map that allows charging with a maximum charge amount, a third charging map that meets a predefined maximum performance condition, and a fourth charging map that meets a predefined maximum life condition among the charging maps that meet the charging target.

[0030] Deriving multiple optimal charging maps may include: determining one or more of the first charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as the optimal charging map when the charging target is a target charge amount or a maximum charge amount; determining one or more of the second charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as the optimal charging map when the charging target is a target charging time or a minimum charging time; and determining one or more of the first charging map, the second charging map, and the fourth charging map as the optimal charging map when the charging target is a target battery temperature at a charging completion time or maximum performance.

[0031] Outputting the information through the GUI may include outputting identification information and charging prediction information for each of the N optimal charging maps.

[0032] Outputting the information through the GUI may include outputting each of the optimal charging maps according to a predefined priority.

[0033] Controlling the battery to be charged may include controlling the battery to be charged using an optimal charging map defined as a first priority if a user selection signal is not received within a predefined period of time.

[0034] Beneficial Effects

[0035] The embodiments of the present invention as described above can derive an optimal charging map that meets the charging target set by the user, and control the battery charging through the charging map selected by the user, and thus can improve the user's freedom of choice regarding the charging method, as well as the battery's charging efficiency, performance, and residual value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a block diagram for explaining a battery charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 is an operation flow chart of a battery charging control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 is an example of a charging map according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 is a reference diagram for explaining a battery behavior prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 5 is a circuit diagram for explaining a voltage prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram for explaining a temperature prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 7 is an operational flow chart of a method for deriving an optimal charging map according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figures 8 to 10 is an example of a screen of a user interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig.11 is a block diagram of a battery charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] 10: Battery

[0046] 100: Battery assembly

[0047] 200: Battery Charger

[0048] 300: Battery charging control device

[0049] 400: User Interface Device DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The present invention can be modified in various forms and have various embodiments, and its specific embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example and will be described in detail below. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, on the contrary, the present invention should cover all modifications, equivalents and substitutes that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Throughout the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

[0051] It will be understood that, although various elements may be described herein using terms such as first, second, A, B, etc., these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of associated listings or a plurality of associated listings.

[0052] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0053] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise", "comprises", "includes", "comprising" and / or "having" are used herein to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts and / or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts and / or combinations thereof.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0055] Certain terms used herein are defined below.

[0056] A battery cell is a minimum unit for storing electricity, and a battery module refers to an assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected.

[0057] A battery pack or battery rack refers to a system of a single structure assembled by connecting module units set by the battery manufacturer in series or parallel, which can be monitored and controlled by a battery management device / system (BMS). A battery pack or battery rack may include several battery modules and a battery protection unit or any other protection device.

[0058] A battery bank refers to a group of large-scale battery rack systems configured by connecting several racks in parallel. A bank BMS for a battery bank can monitor and control rack BMSs, each of which manages a battery rack.

[0059] A battery assembly may include a plurality of electrically connected battery cells and refers to an assembly used as a power supply source by being applied to a specific system or device. Here, a battery assembly may mean a battery module, a battery pack, a battery rack, or a battery bank, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these entities.

[0060] State of charge (SOC) refers to the current state of charge of a battery expressed in percentage points [%), and state of health (SOH) may be the current condition of a battery expressed in percentage points [%) compared to its ideal or original condition.

[0061] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Figure 1 is a block diagram for explaining a battery charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] refer to Figure 1 , the battery charging system may include a battery assembly 100 , a battery charger 200 , a battery charging control device 300 , and a user interface device 400 .

[0064] The battery assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 10 , and the battery cells 10 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0065] The battery assembly 100 may be included in an electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these entities.

[0066] The battery charger 200 is a device that is electrically connected to the battery assembly 100 and performs battery charging. Here, the battery charger 200 may be included inside the device to which the battery assembly 100 is applied, or may be separately provided outside the device.

[0067] The battery charging control device 300 may determine a charging control value and control the battery charger 200 so that the battery is charged according to the charging control value. Here, the charging control value may mean a charging current value, a charging voltage value, or a charging power value applied to the battery assembly 100 or the individual battery 10.

[0068] The battery charging control device 300 may determine the charging control value using a pre-stored charging map. Here, the charging map may include data including each section of the battery state value and a pre-defined charging control value for each section of the charging state value.

[0069] For example, the battery charging control apparatus 300 may determine a charging current value corresponding to a current state of charge value (SOC value or voltage value) and a current temperature value of the battery in a charging map stored in a storage device, and control the battery charger 200 to charge the battery using the determined charging current value.

[0070] The battery charging control device 300 may include a battery state information collection device that senses a state value of the battery, or may be connected to the battery state information collection device. Here, the state value of the battery may include a voltage value, a current value, a temperature value, and a SOC of the battery.

[0071] The battery charging control device 300 may be included in the battery system or the battery charger 200. For example, the battery charging control device 300 may be provided inside the battery system and implemented in conjunction with a battery management system (BMS), or may be implemented by being included in a control system of a fast / quick charging device.

[0072] The user interface device 400 is a device that can be operated by a user and can output specific information to the user or receive specific information input from the user through a predefined graphical user interface (GUI). For example, the user interface device 400 may correspond to a mobile phone or an audio video navigation (AVN) device installed in an electric vehicle. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these entities.

[0073] The user interface device 400 may be connected to the battery charging control apparatus 300 through a network, receive specific information from the battery charging control apparatus 300 , display the information through a GUI, and transmit specific information received from a user to the battery charging control apparatus 300 .

[0074] Figure 2 is an operation flow chart of a battery charging control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] The battery charging control apparatus may receive user input information including a charging target ( S210 ).

[0076] In more detail, the user interface device may receive user input information including a charging target from a user through a graphical user interface (GUI). Thereafter, the battery charging control apparatus may receive the user input information from the user interface device.

[0077] In an embodiment, the charging target may include at least one charging target value, the at least one charging target value including one or more of a target charge amount (SOC_target), a target charging time (t_target), and a target battery temperature (T_end_target) at a time point when charging is completed. For example, the user interface device may receive the following input from the user: [SOC 80%] as the target charge amount, [charging time 20 minutes] as the target charging time, or [25°C] as the target battery temperature, and transmit the input charging target value to the battery charging control device.

[0078] In another embodiment, the charging target may include at least one charging priority item, which includes one or more of a maximum charging amount, a minimum charging time, and a maximum performance. For example, the user interface device may receive a charging priority item corresponding to [maximum charging amount], [minimum charging time], or [maximum performance] from a user, and transmit the input charging priority item to the battery charging control device.

[0079] Upon receiving the user input information, the battery charging control device may collect battery status information and charger status information (S220). Here, the battery charging control device may check battery status information from a battery management system (BMS) of the battery system and charger status information from a battery charger.

[0080] Here, the battery status information may include one or more of a battery voltage value, a temperature value, a state of charge (SOC), and a state of health (SOH). In addition, the charger status information may include one or more of a maximum charging current value, a maximum charging voltage value, a maximum charging power value, and a maximum charging time of the battery charger.

[0081] The battery charging control device may derive a plurality of optimal charging maps that meet the charging target input by the user based on the battery status information and the charger status information (S230). Here, the battery charging control device may derive a predefined number (N) of optimal charging maps that meet the charging target from among a plurality of charging maps pre-stored in a storage device. For example, in the case where the charging target is [charging time 20 minutes], the battery charging control device may select N charging maps that can complete charging within 20 minutes when charging is performed using the battery status information and the charger status information as charging conditions from among a plurality of pre-stored charging maps, and determine the selected charging map as the optimal charging map.

[0082] The charging map may correspond to data in which predefined charging control values ​​are defined for each segment of battery state values ​​and for each segment of charge state values. Figure 3 is an example of a charging map according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 , the charging map can be implemented as a table with predefined charging current values ​​for each SOC zone and temperature zone. Here, the charging current value can be defined as a current value (A) or a charging rate (C-rate). Figure 3 Unlike what is shown in , the charge map may be implemented as a table with predefined charge control values ​​for each voltage zone and temperature zone.

[0083] In an embodiment, the battery charging control device can use a predefined battery behavior prediction model to derive an optimal charging map. Here, the battery behavior prediction model can be predefined to receive a charging target, battery state information, and charger state information as input data, and output charging prediction information for each of the charging maps as output data.

[0084] The charging prediction information may include data indicating battery state information or charging-related information at a time point when charging is completed in a case where charging is performed according to a specific charging map. Here, the charging prediction information may include one or more of a charging completion time, a battery charge amount at the time when charging is completed, a battery temperature at the time when charging is completed, and a cumulative amount of polarization values.

[0085] In other words, the battery behavior prediction model may perform a charging simulation for each of the charging maps using a charging target input by a user, an initial state value of the battery, and a limit value of the charger as charging conditions, and predict a charging result value for each of the charging maps.

[0086] Thereafter, the battery charging control device may determine the optimal charging map by selecting N charging maps that satisfy the charging target based on the charging prediction information according to the battery behavior prediction model.

[0087] The battery charging control device can select one or more of a first charging mapping that allows charging in a minimum time (minimum time charging mapping), a second charging mapping that allows charging with a maximum charge amount (maximum charge amount charging mapping), a third charging mapping that meets a predefined maximum performance condition (maximum performance charging mapping), and a fourth charging mapping that meets a predefined maximum life condition (maximum life charging mapping) from among the charging mappings that meet the charging target, and can determine the selected charging mapping as the optimal charging mapping.

[0088] For example, when the charging target is [charging time 20 minutes], the battery charging control device can select a charging map that allows charging with the maximum charge amount (the second charging map), a charging map that uses the battery temperature at the time point after the end of charging to show a value closest to the predefined optimal temperature value (the third charging map), and a charging map that shows the lowest cumulative quantization value (the fourth charging map) from among the charging maps that can complete charging within 20 minutes, and can determine the three selected charging maps as the optimal charging maps.

[0089] The battery charging control device may output information on each of the optimal charging maps derived in S230 through a predefined GUI ( S240 ).

[0090] The battery charging control device may transmit the identification information and charging prediction information of each of the derived N optimal charging maps to the user interface device, and the user interface device may display the received information through a predefined GUI. For example, the user interface device may output the charging completion time, the SOC at the time of charging completion, the battery temperature (or performance level) at the time of charging completion, and the cumulative amount of polarization values ​​(or life impact level) for each of the [maximum charge amount charging map], [maximum performance charging map], and [maximum life charging map] through a display device.

[0091] Thereafter, the battery charging control apparatus may receive a user selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps from the user interface device ( S250 ).

[0092] Specifically, the user interface device may receive a selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps from the user through the GUI. Thereafter, the user interface device may transmit the user selection signal to the battery charging control apparatus.

[0093] The battery charging control device may control the battery to be charged through the optimal charging map corresponding to the received user selection signal (S260). Here, the battery charging control device may transmit the selected optimal charging map to the battery charger so that the battery is charged according to the optimal charging map. Alternatively, the battery charging control device may check the charging control value corresponding to the current state value of the battery in the selected optimal charging map every unit time, and may transmit the charging control value to the battery charger so that the battery can be charged according to the corresponding optimal charging map.

[0094] Figure 4 is a reference diagram for explaining a battery behavior prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] The battery behavior prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention may receive a charging target, battery state information, and charger state information as input data, and output charging prediction information of each of the charging maps (#1 to #M) as output data.

[0096] The charging target, as a charging target value input by the user, may correspond to a target charging amount (SOC_target), a target charging time (t_target), or a target battery temperature (T_end_target) at a time point when charging is completed. Alternatively, the charging target, as a charging priority item input by the user, may correspond to a maximum charging amount, a minimum charging time, or a maximum performance.

[0097] The battery status information may include one or more of a battery voltage value, a temperature value, SOC, and SOH.

[0098] The charger status information may include one or more of a maximum charging current value, a maximum charging voltage value, a maximum charging power value, and a maximum charging time of the battery charger.

[0099] M charging maps (#1 to #M) may be pre-stored in the storage device. Here, predefined charging maps corresponding to various scenarios may be pre-stored in the storage device. For example, charging maps corresponding to various charger outputs (50kW, 100kW, 250kW, 350kW, etc.), charging maps corresponding to various SOCs at initial charging (0, 20, 40, etc.), and charging maps corresponding to various temperatures at initial charging (0, 15, 25, 40, etc.) may be pre-stored in the storage device.

[0100] The battery behavior prediction model may output charging prediction information for each of the stored charging maps (#1 to #M) based on input data (charging target, battery state information, charger state information).

[0101] Specifically, the battery behavior prediction model may continue the charging simulation according to the charging map (#1) having the battery state information as the initial value, and calculate the battery voltage value, SOC, calorific value, and the cumulative amount of polarization value (the difference between the voltage value and the open circuit voltage value) at each unit time. During the charging simulation process, when the limit value (maximum charging current value, maximum charging voltage value, or maximum charging power value) of the battery charger is reached, the battery behavior prediction model may change the charging control value at that time point to the limit value of the battery charger to continue the charging simulation.

[0102] The battery behavior prediction model may include a predefined voltage prediction model and a temperature prediction model for calculating the charging prediction information.

[0103] The voltage prediction model may be predefined to output the battery voltage value, SOC, calorific value (Q), and polarization value based on the SOC, SOH, battery temperature (T), and charging current value at the previous time point. In addition, the temperature prediction model may be predefined to output the battery temperature (T) based on the battery temperature (T) and calorific value (Q) at the previous time point. Here, the voltage prediction model and the temperature prediction model may be linked to each other, share the result values ​​about the calorific value (Q) and the battery temperature (T), and update the output value per unit time.

[0104] During the charging simulation process, in the case where the charging target is reached or the maximum charging time of the battery charger is exceeded, the battery behavior prediction model can terminate the charging simulation at that time point, and store the accumulated charging time, battery charge amount, battery temperature, and accumulated amount of polarization value at the end of charging. Here, the battery behavior prediction model can output the stored result value as the charging prediction information of the corresponding charging map (#1).

[0105] Thereafter, the battery behavior prediction model may sequentially perform charging simulations for the remaining charging maps (#2 to #M) and generate charging prediction information for each of the charging maps (#2 to #M).

[0106] Figure 5 is a circuit diagram for explaining a voltage prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] The voltage prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in a battery behavior prediction model.

[0108] The voltage prediction model may be defined as an RC equivalent circuit including a battery, one or more resistors, and one or more capacitors. For example, the voltage prediction model may be implemented as an equivalent circuit model including a battery, multiple resistors (Rs, Rp1, Rp2), and multiple capacitors (Cp1, Cp2), such as Figure 5 as shown in .

[0109] Here, the battery voltage (Vt), the calorific value (Q), and the polarization value (Vpol) may be calculated based on the following equations 1 to 3, and the SOC may be calculated based on a predefined open circuit voltage (OCV)-SOC correspondence curve.

[0110] [Equation 1]

[0111]

[0112] [Equation 2]

[0113]

[0114] [Equation 3]

[0115]

[0116] at the same time, Figure 5 The equivalent circuit model shown in is an example for understanding the present invention, and the voltage prediction model included in the battery behavior prediction model can be used with Figure 5 The equivalent circuit model in is implemented differently, or is implemented as an electrochemical model.

[0117] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram for explaining a temperature prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0118] The temperature prediction model according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in a battery behavior prediction model.

[0119] The temperature prediction model may be defined as an RC equivalent circuit including a battery, one or more resistors, and one or more capacitors. For example, the temperature prediction model may be implemented as an equivalent circuit model including a battery, multiple resistors (Rconv, Rcool) and multiple capacitors (Cb, Cc), such as Figure 6 as shown in .

[0120] The battery temperature (Tb) may be calculated based on Equations 4 and 5 below.

[0121] [Equation 4]

[0122]

[0123] Here, the heat generated in the battery (Q) can be obtained from Figure 5 The voltage prediction model in is provided.

[0124] [Equation 5]

[0125]

[0126] (T∞ is the external temperature, Rconv is the thermal resistance between the external air and the battery, Q is the heat generated in the battery, Cb is the heat capacity of the battery, Tb is the battery temperature, Tc is the coolant temperature, and Rcool is the thermal resistance between the battery and the coolant, Qh is the heat gain of the coolant, Qc is the heat loss of the coolant, and Cc is the heat capacity of the coolant).

[0127] at the same time, Figure 6 The equivalent circuit model shown in is an example for understanding the present invention, and the temperature prediction model included in the battery behavior prediction model can be compared with Figure 6 The equivalent circuit model in is implemented differently, or is implemented as an electrochemical model.

[0128] Figure 7is an operational flow chart of a method for deriving an optimal charging map according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0129] The battery charging control apparatus may receive user input information including a charging target ( S510 ).

[0130] The charging target may include a charging target value including one or more of a target charge amount (SOC_target), a target charging time (t_target), and a target battery temperature at the end of charging (T_end_target), or the charging target may include a charging priority item including one or more of a maximum charge amount, a minimum charging time, and a maximum performance.

[0131] Upon receiving the user input information, the battery charging control apparatus may collect battery status information and charger status information ( S520 ).

[0132] The battery charging control device may derive N optimal charging maps satisfying the charging target input by the user based on the battery state information and the charger state information ( S530 ).

[0133] Here, the battery charging control device can use a predefined battery behavior prediction model to select one or more of the following items from the charging mappings that meet the charging target: a first charging mapping that allows charging in a minimum time (minimum time charging mapping), a second charging mapping that allows charging with a maximum charge amount (maximum charge amount charging mapping), and a third charging mapping that meets a predefined maximum performance condition (maximum performance charging mapping) and a fourth charging mapping that meets a predefined maximum life condition (maximum life charging mapping), and determine the selected charging mapping as the optimal charging mapping.

[0134] Here, the maximum performance charging map (third charging map) may be determined as a charging map in which the battery temperature after the end of charging is closest to the target battery temperature, or a charging map showing that the battery temperature after the end of charging is closest to a predefined optimal temperature value. In addition, the maximum life charging map (fourth charging map) may be determined as a charging map showing the lowest cumulative amount of polarization values.

[0135] When the charging target entered by the user is a target charging amount or a maximum charging amount, the battery charging control device may determine the first charging map (minimum time charging map), the third charging map (maximum performance charging map), and the fourth charging map (maximum life charging map) as optimal charging maps (S541).

[0136] When the charging target entered by the user is the target charging time or the minimum charging time, the battery charging control device may determine the second charging map (maximum charge amount charging map), the third charging map (maximum performance charging map), and the fourth charging map (maximum life charging map) as optimal charging maps (S542).

[0137] In a case where the charging target input by the user is a target battery temperature or maximum performance at the time when charging is completed, the battery charging control device may determine a first charging map (minimum time charging map), a second charging map (maximum charge amount charging map), and a fourth charging map (maximum life charging map) as optimal charging maps (S543).

[0138] The battery charging control device may assign priorities to a plurality of selected optimal charging maps.

[0139] When the charging target entered by the user is a target charging amount or a maximum charging amount, the battery charging control device can define the priority of the three selected best selection maps in the order of a first charging map (minimum time charging map), a third charging map (maximum performance charging map) and a fourth charging map (maximum life charging map).

[0140] When the charging target entered by the user is the target battery temperature or maximum performance at the time when charging is completed, the battery charging control device can define the priority of the three selected best selection maps in the order of the second charging map (maximum charge amount charging map), the third charging map (maximum performance charging map) and the fourth charging map (maximum life charging map).

[0141] When the charging target entered by the user is a target charging time or a minimum charging time, the battery charging control device can define the priority of the three selected best selection maps in the order of a first charging map (minimum time charging map), a second charging map (maximum charge amount charging map) and a fourth charging map (maximum life charging map).

[0142] The battery charging control device may output information about each of the derived optimal charging maps through a predefined GUI. Here, the battery charging control device may output the selected optimal charging map according to a predefined priority order.

[0143] Thereafter, the battery charging control apparatus may receive a user selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps from the user interface device.

[0144] The battery charging control device may control the battery to be charged using the optimal charging map corresponding to the received user selection signal.

[0145] If the user selection signal is not received within a predefined period of time (eg, within 10 seconds), the battery charging control apparatus may control the battery to be charged through the optimal charging mapping defined as the first priority.

[0146] Figures 8 to 10 is an example of a screen of a user interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0147] refer to Figure 8 , when the charging target input by the user is the target charging amount (SOC 80%), the battery charging control device may determine the minimum time charging map, the maximum performance charging map, and the maximum life charging map as the optimal charging map. Here, the battery charging control device may define the priorities of the three selected optimal selection maps in the following order: minimum time charging map, maximum performance charging map, and maximum life charging map.

[0148] The battery charging control apparatus may transmit information about each of the optimal charging maps to the user interface device, and the user interface device may display the identification information and the charging prediction information of each optimal charging map in order of priority, such as Figure 8 as shown in .

[0149] The charging prediction information for each item may be output, or at least a portion thereof may be output as a level. Figure 8 As shown in , the battery temperature value at the time of charging completion can be classified into one of the best, good, average and poor levels depending on the size, and the classification result can be output on [Performance Status]. In addition, the accumulation amount of polarization values ​​can be classified into one of the best, good, average and poor levels depending on the size and the classification result, and the classification result can be output on [Life Impact].

[0150] Thereafter, the user interface device may receive a selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps from the user through the GUI. Thereafter, the user interface device may transmit the user selection signal to the battery charging control device. If the user selection signal is not input within a predefined time (e.g., within 10 seconds), the minimum time charging map defined as the first priority may be deemed to be selected by the user.

[0151] Fig. 9 is an example of a screen when the charging target input by the user is the target charging time (20 minutes). When the charging target is the target charging time, the battery charging control device may determine the maximum charge amount charging map, the maximum performance charging map, and the maximum life charging map as the optimal charging map. Here, the battery charging control device may define the priorities of the three selected optimal charging maps in the following order: the maximum charge amount charging map, the maximum performance charging map, and the maximum life charging map. Thereafter, as Fig. 9 As shown in , the user interface device may display identification information and charging prediction information of each of the optimal charging maps according to priority.

[0152] Fig.10 is an example of a screen when the charging target entered by the user is the maximum performance among the charging priority items. When the charging target is [maximum performance], the battery charging control device may determine the minimum time charging map, the maximum charge amount charging map, and the maximum life charging map as the optimal charging map. Here, the battery charging control device may define the priorities of the three selected optimal charging maps in the following order: minimum time charging map, maximum charge amount charging map, and maximum life charging map. Thereafter, as Fig.10 As shown in , the user interface device may display identification information and charging prediction information of each of the optimal charging maps according to priority.

[0153] Fig.11 is a block diagram of a battery charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0154] The battery charging control device 300 may include at least one processor 310 , a memory 320 storing at least one instruction executed by the processor, and a transceiver 330 connected to a network to perform communication.

[0155] At least one instruction may include: an instruction to collect battery status information and charger status information when user input information including a charging target is received; an instruction to derive multiple optimal charging maps that meet the charging target based on the battery status information and the charger status information; an instruction to output information about each of the derived optimal charging maps through a predefined graphical user interface (GUI); and an instruction to control a battery to be charged using the optimal charging map corresponding to the user selection signal when a user selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps is received.

[0156] Here, the charging target may include: at least one charging target value, which includes one or more of a target charging amount, a target charging time, and a target battery temperature at the time when charging is completed; or at least one charging priority item, which includes one or more of a maximum charging amount, a minimum charging time, and a maximum performance.

[0157] The instruction to derive a plurality of optimal charging maps may include an instruction to derive an optimal charging map satisfying a charging target among a plurality of pre-stored charging maps.

[0158] The instructions for deriving a plurality of optimal charging maps may include: instructions for generating charging prediction information for each of a plurality of pre-stored charging maps using a predefined battery behavior prediction model; and instructions for selecting N optimal charging maps that meet a charging target based on the generated charging prediction information.

[0159] The instructions for generating the charging prediction information may include instructions for predicting one or more of a charging completion time, a charge amount at the charging completion time, a battery temperature at the charging completion time, and an accumulation amount of polarization values ​​when charging is performed according to the charging map.

[0160] Instructions for deriving multiple optimal charging maps may include instructions for selecting one or more of a first charging map that allows charging in a minimum time, a second charging map that allows charging with a maximum charge amount, a third charging map that meets a predefined maximum performance condition, and a fourth charging map that meets a predefined maximum life condition among the charging maps that meet the charging target.

[0161] Instructions for deriving multiple optimal charging maps may include: instructions for determining one or more of the first charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as optimal charging maps when the charging target is a target charging time or a maximum charging time; instructions for determining one or more of the second charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as optimal charging maps when the charging target is a target charging time or a minimum charging time; and instructions for determining one or more of the first charging map, the second charging map, and the fourth charging map as optimal charging maps when the charging target is a target battery temperature at a charging completion time or maximum performance.

[0162] The instructions to output information through the GUI may include instructions to output identification information and charging prediction information of each of the N optimal charging maps.

[0163] The instruction to output information through the GUI may include an instruction to output each of the optimal charging maps according to a predefined priority.

[0164] The instruction to control the battery to be charged may include an instruction to control the battery to be charged using an optimal charging map defined as a first priority if a user selection signal is not received within a predefined period of time.

[0165] The battery charging control apparatus 300 may further include an input interface 340 , an output interface 350 , a storage device 360 ​​, etc. The respective components included in the battery charging control apparatus 300 may be connected through a bus 370 to communicate with each other.

[0166] Here, the processor 310 may refer to a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which the method according to an embodiment of the present invention is executed. The memory (or storage device) may include at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory may include at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0167] The operation of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices having data readable by a computer system stored therein. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium can be distributed in a networked computer system, so as to store and execute the computer-readable program or code in a distributed manner.

[0168] Although some aspects of the present invention have been described in the context of an apparatus, they may also represent descriptions according to corresponding methods, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may also represent a corresponding block or item or a feature of a corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware device such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0169] In the foregoing, the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention within the scope without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery charging control device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as a memory configured to store at least one instruction executed by the at least one processor; The at least one instruction includes: upon receiving user input information including a charging target, deriving instructions for deriving a plurality of optimal charging maps that meet the charging target based on the battery status information and the charger status information; instructions to output information about each of the derived optimal charging maps through a predefined graphical user interface (GUI); and Upon receiving a user selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps, an instruction to control a battery to be charged using the optimal charging map corresponding to the user selection signal.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The charging targets include: at least one charging target value, the at least one charging target value comprising one or more of a target charging amount, a target charging time, and a target battery temperature at a time point when charging is completed; or At least one charging priority item, the at least one charging priority item comprising one or more of a maximum charging amount, a minimum charging time, and a maximum performance.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The instruction to derive the plurality of optimal charging maps includes an instruction to derive an optimal charging map that satisfies the charging target among a plurality of pre-stored charging maps.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The instructions for deriving the plurality of optimal charging maps include: instructions for generating charging prediction information for each of the plurality of pre-stored charging maps using a predefined battery behavior prediction model; and Instructions for selecting N optimal charging maps that meet the charging target based on the generated charging prediction information.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The instructions for generating the charging prediction information include instructions for predicting one or more of a charging completion time, a charge amount at the charging completion time, a battery temperature at the charging completion time, and an accumulation amount of polarization values ​​when charging is performed according to the charging map.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The instructions for deriving the plurality of optimal charging maps include: Instructions for selecting, among the charging maps that meet the charging target, one or more of a first charging map that allows charging in a minimum time, a second charging map that allows charging with a maximum charge amount, a third charging map that meets a predefined maximum performance condition, and a fourth charging map that meets a predefined maximum life condition.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein: The instructions for deriving the plurality of optimal charging maps include: an instruction to determine one or more of the first charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as an optimal charging map if the charging target is the target charging amount or the maximum charging amount; instructions to determine one or more of the second charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as an optimal charging map if the charging target is the target charging time or the minimum charging time; and Instructions for determining one or more of the first charging map, the second charging map, and the fourth charging map as an optimal charging map if the charging target is the target battery temperature or the maximum performance at a charging completion time.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The instructions to output information through the GUI include instructions to output identification information and charging prediction information of each of the N optimal charging maps.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The instructions to output information through the GUI include instructions to output each of the optimal charging maps according to a predefined priority.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The instructions for controlling the battery to be charged include instructions for controlling the battery to be charged using the optimal charging map defined as the first priority if the user selection signal is not received within a predefined period of time.

11. A battery charging control method executed by a battery charging control device, the method comprising: upon receiving user input information including a charging target, deriving a plurality of optimal charging maps that meet the charging target based on the battery state information and the charger state information; outputting information about each of the derived optimal charging maps through a predefined graphical user interface (GUI); as well as Upon receiving a user selection signal for one of the optimal charging maps, the battery to be charged is controlled using the optimal charging map corresponding to the user selection signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The charging targets include: at least one charging target value, the at least one charging target value comprising one or more of a target charging amount, a target charging time, and a target battery temperature at a time point when charging is completed; or At least one charging priority item, the at least one charging priority item comprising one or more of a maximum charging amount, a minimum charging time, and a maximum performance.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Derivation of the plurality of optimal charging maps includes deriving an optimal charging map satisfying the charging target among a plurality of pre-stored charging maps.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Deriving the plurality of optimal charging maps comprises: generating charging prediction information for each of the plurality of pre-stored charging maps using a predefined battery behavior prediction model; and N optimal charging maps that meet the charging target are selected based on the generated charging prediction information.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Generating the charging prediction information includes predicting one or more of a charging completion time, a charge amount at the charging completion time, a battery temperature at the charging completion time, and an accumulated amount of polarization values ​​when charging is performed according to the charging map.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Deriving the plurality of optimal charging maps comprises: One or more of a first charging map that allows charging in a minimum time, a second charging map that allows charging with a maximum charge amount, a third charging map that meets a predefined maximum performance condition, and a fourth charging map that meets a predefined maximum life condition are selected among the charging maps that meet the charging target.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: Deriving the plurality of optimal charging maps comprises: determining one or more of the first charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as an optimal charging map if the charging target is the target charging amount or the maximum charging amount; determining one or more of the second charging map, the third charging map, and the fourth charging map as an optimal charging map if the charging target is the target charging time or the minimum charging time; and One or more of the first charging map, the second charging map, and the fourth charging map are determined as optimal charging maps if the charging target is the target battery temperature or the maximum performance at a charging completion time.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Outputting information through the GUI includes outputting identification information and charging prediction information for each of the N optimal charging maps.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: Outputting information through the GUI includes outputting each of the optimal charging maps according to a predefined priority.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: Controlling the battery to be charged includes controlling the battery to be charged using the optimal charging map defined as the first priority if the user selection signal is not received within a predefined period of time.

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