Battery control box and control method thereof, battery management system and energy storage system

Abstract

The present application provides a control box for a battery, a method for controlling the same, a battery management system, and an energy storage system. The control box includes an electric disconnect switch, the electric disconnect switch is connected between the battery and a high-voltage power source, and is configured to disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on manual operation or control by the battery management system of the battery. Since the electric disconnect switch has both a manual operation mode and an electric operation mode, it can disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on manual operation or control by the battery management system. This allows it to replace the manual disconnect switch and high-voltage contactor of a conventional control box, thereby resolving issues such as current protection blind spots present in conventional control boxes, adhesion between the high-voltage contactor and the manual disconnect switch, heat generation of the high-voltage contactor, and complexity of internal circuit connections of the control box, and providing more reliable protection for the battery.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application 202410092025.2, filed on January 23, 2024, titled "Battery control box and method for controlling the same, battery management system and energy storage system," the entire contents of said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to a battery control box and a method for controlling the same, a battery management system and an energy storage system. Background Technology

[0003] In the event that a fault, such as a short circuit or grounding failure, occurs in the battery system and causes an abnormality in the current, the power must be cut off in a timely manner to ensure the safety of the battery system. Generally, a control box is connected between the battery and the high-voltage power source and is used to control the on / off state between them, thereby enabling functions such as fault current protection. The problem to be solved

[0004] Therefore, improving the performance of the control box became a challenge to be solved. means of solving the problem

[0005] The present invention provides a battery control box and a method for controlling the same, a battery management system, and an energy storage system.

[0006] In a first aspect, a control box for a battery is provided, said control box includes an electric disconnect switch, said electric disconnect switch is connected between the battery and a high-voltage power source and is configured to disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on manual operation or control by the battery management system of said battery.

[0007] The control box of the present application is equipped with an electric disconnect switch that simultaneously possesses both manual and electric operation modes. Since this allows the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be disconnected based on manual operation or control by a battery management system, it can replace the manual disconnect switch and high-voltage contactor of existing control boxes. This resolves issues such as current protection blind spots present in existing control boxes, adhesion between the high-voltage contactor and the manual disconnect switch, overheating of the high-voltage contactor, and complexity of internal circuit connections within the control box. Furthermore, in the event of an abnormality in the battery current, the high-voltage circuit between the battery and the high-voltage power source can be disconnected in a timely manner, thereby providing more reliable protection to the battery.

[0008] In one possible embodiment, the electric disconnect switch comprises a first switch connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source, and a second switch connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source, wherein the first switch and the second switch are configured to be simultaneously cut off or simultaneously closed.

[0009] Switches are installed in both the positive and negative high-voltage circuits of the battery, and the switches in the positive and negative high-voltage circuits are configured to close or cut off simultaneously, thereby further improving the reliability of the motorized disconnect switch and enabling the high-voltage circuit between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be cut off in a timely manner in the event of an abnormality in the battery current.

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the control box further includes a pyro fuse, the pyro fuse being connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source, or between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source, and the pyro fuse being configured to cut off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on the control of the battery management system.

[0011] In the above implementation, a pyrofuse is installed within the control box. In the event of a current anomaly in the battery, the pyrofuse can timely disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source under the control of the battery management system, thereby providing reliable protection to the battery in conjunction with an electric disconnect switch. Additionally, since the pyrofuse has a wider operating current range, it can eliminate current protection blind spots present in conventional control boxes.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the control box further includes a high-voltage fuse used to blow when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery to cut off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source, wherein the pyrofuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source and the high-voltage fuse is connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source; or the pyrofuse is connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source and the high-voltage fuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source.

[0013] In the above embodiment, a high-voltage fuse can be maintained in the positive high-voltage circuit or the negative high-voltage circuit of the battery, and additional protection can be provided to the control box using the high-voltage fuse. This enables multi-layer protection for the battery by disconnecting the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source through a melting method in the event of a current abnormality, without being controlled by the battery management system.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, the control box is connected to a battery management system, and the battery management system is used to control the cutoff of the electric disconnect switch when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is less than or equal to a first current threshold.

[0015] In the above implementation, a first current threshold is set, and, for example, the first current threshold can be determined based on the operating current range of the electric disconnect switch. When the abnormal current of the battery does not exceed the first current threshold, the electric disconnect switch can perform its function, thereby allowing the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be cut off through the electric disconnect switch to eliminate the abnormal current.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, the battery management system is also used to detect whether the abnormal current has been removed; and if the abnormal current has not been removed, to control the pyro fuse in the control box to be cut off.

[0017] In the above implementation, the battery management system controls the disconnection of the electric disconnect switch, but if the abnormal current is not removed due to a failure such as adhesion of the electric disconnect switch or other causes, the battery management system controls the disconnection of the pyro fuse to protect the battery through the pyro fuse.

[0018] In one possible embodiment, the battery management system is also used to control the pyro fuse in the control box to trip when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is between the first current threshold and the second current threshold, wherein the second current threshold is greater than the first current threshold.

[0019] In the above implementation, when an abnormal current is detected and the abnormal current is located between a first current threshold and a second current threshold, the battery management system controls the pyro fuse to be cut off, thereby protecting the battery more effectively through the direct pyro fuse and enabling the pyro fuse to fully perform its function.

[0020] In one possible embodiment, the control box further includes a pre-charging resistor, and the electric disconnect switch further includes a third switch, one end of the pre-charging resistor is connected to the third switch, and the other end is connected to the first switch or the second switch.

[0021] In the above embodiment, a pre-charge resistor is installed in the control box, which limits the magnitude of the charging and discharging currents to protect the electrical components of the control box and prevent damage to the battery system. The motorized disconnect switch further includes a third switch connected in series with the pre-charge resistor and is used to replace a high-voltage contactor connected in series with the pre-charge group within the existing control box, thereby reducing wiring complexity inside the control box and decreasing heat dissipation.

[0022] In a second aspect, a method for controlling a control box of a battery is provided, wherein the control box includes an electric disconnect switch, and the electric disconnect switch is connected between the battery and a high-voltage power source, and the control method includes the step of detecting whether an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery; and the step of controlling the electric disconnect switch to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery.

[0023] The control box of the present application is equipped with an electric disconnect switch, which simultaneously possesses both manual and electric operation modes. Since this allows the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be disconnected based on manual operation or control by a battery management system, it can replace the manual disconnect switch and high-voltage contactor of existing control boxes. This resolves issues such as current protection blind spots present in existing control boxes, adhesion between the high-voltage contactor and the manual disconnect switch, overheating of the high-voltage contactor, and the complexity of internal circuit connections within the control box. Furthermore, it provides more reliable protection to the battery by enabling the timely disconnection of the high-voltage circuit between the battery and the high-voltage power source in the event of an abnormality in the battery current. To implement the protection of the battery by the control box, it is necessary to detect whether an abnormality occurs in the battery current and, if an abnormality occurs, to disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source by shutting off the electric disconnect switch.

[0024] In one possible embodiment, the step of controlling the electric disconnect switch to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery includes the step of controlling the electric disconnect switch to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is less than or equal to a first current threshold.

[0025] In the above implementation, a first current threshold is set, and, for example, the first current threshold can be determined based on the operating current range of the electric disconnect switch. When the abnormal current of the battery does not exceed the first current threshold, the electric disconnect switch can perform its function, thereby allowing the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be cut off through the electric disconnect switch to eliminate the abnormal current.

[0026] In one possible embodiment, the electric disconnect switch comprises a first switch connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source, and a second switch connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source, wherein the first switch and the second switch are configured to be simultaneously cut off or simultaneously closed.

[0027] Switches are installed in both the positive and negative high-voltage circuits of the battery, thereby further improving the reliability of the electric disconnect switch and enabling the high-voltage circuit between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be cut off in a timely manner in the event of an abnormality in the battery current.

[0028] In one possible embodiment, the control box further includes a pyrofuse, the pyrofuse being connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source, or between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source, and the control method further includes the step of controlling the pyrofuse to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is between the first current threshold and the second current threshold, wherein the second current threshold is greater than the first current threshold.

[0029] In the above implementation, when an abnormal current is detected and the abnormal current is located between a first current threshold and a second current threshold, the battery management system controls the pyro fuse to be cut off, thereby protecting the battery more effectively through the direct pyro fuse and enabling the pyro fuse to fully perform its function.

[0030] In one possible embodiment, the control method further comprises the step of detecting whether the abnormal current has been removed; and the step of controlling the pyro fuse in the control box to be cut off if the abnormal current has not been removed.

[0031] In the above implementation, the battery management system controls the disconnection of the electric disconnect switch, but if the abnormal current is not removed due to a failure such as adhesion of the electric disconnect switch or other causes, the battery management system controls the disconnection of the pyro fuse to protect the battery through the pyro fuse.

[0032] In one possible embodiment, the control box further includes a high-voltage fuse used to blow when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery to cut off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source, wherein the pyrofuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source and the high-voltage fuse is connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source; or the pyrofuse is connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source and the high-voltage fuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source.

[0033] In the above embodiment, a high-voltage fuse can be maintained in the positive high-voltage circuit or the negative high-voltage circuit of the battery, and additional protection can be provided to the control box using the high-voltage fuse. This enables multi-layer protection for the battery by disconnecting the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source through a melting method in the event of a current abnormality, without being controlled by the battery management system.

[0034] In one possible embodiment, the control box further includes a pre-charging resistor, and the electric disconnect switch further includes a third switch, one end of the pre-charging resistor is connected to the third switch, and the other end is connected to the first switch or the second switch.

[0035] In the above embodiment, a pre-charge resistor is installed in the control box, which limits the magnitude of the charging and discharging currents to protect the electrical components of the control box and prevent damage to the battery system. The motorized disconnect switch further includes a third switch connected in series with the pre-charge resistor and is used to replace a high-voltage contactor connected in series with the pre-charge group within the existing control box, thereby reducing wiring complexity inside the control box and decreasing heat dissipation.

[0036] In a third aspect, a battery management system comprising a processor and memory is provided, wherein the memory is used to store instructions and the processor is used to execute instructions, thereby implementing a control method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation form of the second aspect.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, an energy storage system is provided comprising a battery, a battery management system according to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, and a control box according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Effects of the invention

[0038] The control box of the present application is equipped with an electric disconnect switch that simultaneously possesses both manual and electric operation modes. Since this allows the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be disconnected based on manual operation or control by a battery management system, it can replace the manual disconnect switch and high-voltage contactor of existing control boxes. This resolves issues such as current protection blind spots present in existing control boxes, adhesion between the high-voltage contactor and the manual disconnect switch, overheating of the high-voltage contactor, and complexity of internal circuit connections within the control box. Furthermore, in the event of an abnormality in the battery current, the high-voltage circuit between the battery and the high-voltage power source can be disconnected in a timely manner, thereby providing more reliable protection to the battery. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0039] In order to more clearly explain the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present application, the drawings to be used in the embodiments of the present application are briefly introduced below. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present application, and that those skilled in the art may obtain other drawings from the drawings without striving to create an inventive step. Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a conventional control box. FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a control box provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a control method provided in an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a possible specific embodiment of the control method illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a BMS provided in an embodiment of the present application. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0040] Embodiments of the present application are described in further detail below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. The following detailed description of embodiments and drawings are used to illustratively explain the principles of the present application, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present application; that is, the present application is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0041] The directional terms appearing in the following description are directions illustrated in the drawings and are not intended to limit the specific structure of the present application. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "mounted," "connected to one another," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense and should be explained that, for example, they may be fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections, and may be directly connected to one another or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application based on the specific circumstances.

[0042] The term "Examples" as used in this application means that specific features, structures, or properties described in combination with the Examples may be included in at least one Example of this application. The appearance of such phrases in various locations within the specification does not necessarily refer to the same Example, nor are they independent or alternative Examples mutually exclusive from other Examples. Those skilled in the art understand, expressly or impliedly, that the Examples described in this application may be combined with other Examples.

[0043] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely an association describing related objects and indicates that there may be three types of relationships; for example, A and / or B may represent three cases where A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Additionally, in this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship.

[0044] In the event that a fault, such as a short circuit or grounding failure, occurs in the battery system and causes an abnormality in the current, the power must be cut off in a timely manner to ensure the safety of the battery system. Generally, a control box is connected between the battery and the high-voltage power source and is used to control the on / off state between them, thereby enabling functions such as fault current protection.

[0045] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a control box (100) is connected between a battery and a high-voltage power source, wherein the positive and negative terminals of the high-voltage power source are HV+ and HV-, respectively, and the positive and negative terminals of the battery are B+ and B-, respectively. The control box (100) includes a manual disconnect switch (QS) and high-voltage contactors (K1, K2 and K3), wherein the high-voltage contactor (K1) is connected in series with a pre-charge resistor (R), and the high-voltage contactors (K2 and K3) are connected to the positive high-voltage circuit and the negative high-voltage circuit, respectively. Here, the high-voltage circuit between the positive terminal (B+) of the battery and the positive terminal (HV+) of the high-voltage power source is called the positive high-voltage circuit, and the high-voltage circuit between the negative terminal (B-) of the battery and the negative terminal (HV-) of the high-voltage power source is called the negative high-voltage circuit. Additionally, high-voltage fuses (FU 1 and FU 2) are installed in the high-voltage positive circuit and the high-voltage negative circuit, respectively.

[0046] The high-voltage fuses (K1, K2, and K3) are electronic components of the protection circuit capable of interrupting the circuit when the current exceeds a specified value. K2 and K3 are configured to close or interrupt the circuit simultaneously, thereby interrupting both the positive and negative high-voltage circuits in the event of an abnormality in the battery current. K1 acts as a pre-charge contact controller to control the on / off state of the pre-charge circuit. The pre-charge resistor (R) of the pre-charge circuit primarily serves as a current limiter and is generally used to charge the electrical capacity slowly to prevent damage to components such as the electrical capacity and contactor caused by instantaneous current.

[0047] A manual disconnect switch (QS) is used to disconnect high-voltage power. By establishing a clear disconnection point between the battery requiring inspection and the high-voltage power, the manual disconnect switch (QS) can ensure that no electric shock accidents occur when an inspection worker inspects the equipment.

[0048] High-voltage fuses (FU 1 and FU 2) are generally connected in series with the circuit, and if an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery, the high-voltage fuses protect the safety of the battery by using the heat generated by themselves to quickly melt the molten material and interrupt the circuit.

[0049] The above control box (100) may have the following problems. First, the operating current range of the high-voltage contactors (K1 to K3) is generally 0 to 900A, and the operating current range of the high-voltage fuses (FU 1 and FU 2) is generally greater than 2000A, so a current protection blind spot of 900A to 2000A is formed; next, due to the configuration of the manual disconnect switch (QS) and the high-voltage contactors (K1 to K3), there is a possibility of adhesion between the two, so the main circuit cannot be effectively disconnected, and due to the excessive number of switches, the circuit connections inside the control box (100) become complex and the number of connecting copper bars increases; Finally, because the service life of the high-voltage contactors (K1 to K3) is long, when the control box (100) is applied to the energy storage system, the probability of frequently interrupting the high-voltage circuit in the energy storage system is low, so the high-voltage contactors (K1 to K3) have a problem of excessive mechanical performance, causing a mismatch between mechanical performance and electrical performance, and the high-voltage contactors (K1 to K3) generate a large amount of heat during use.

[0050] To this end, the present application provides a control box that improves the performance of the control box by replacing the manual disconnect switch (QS) and high-voltage contactors (K1 to K3) with an electric disconnect switch. The control box of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to an energy storage system to protect the energy storage cells of any battery system, particularly an energy storage system.

[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates a control box (200) of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the control box (200) includes an electric disconnect switch (210), the electric disconnect switch (210) is connected between the battery and a high-voltage power source, and the electric disconnect switch (210) is configured to disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on manual operation or control by a control module. The control module may be, for example, a battery management system (BMS) of the battery.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the positive and negative electrodes of the high-voltage power source are HV+ and HV-, respectively, and the positive and negative electrodes of the battery are B+ and B-, respectively. In an embodiment of the present application, the high-voltage circuit between the positive electrode (B+) of the battery and the positive electrode (HV+) of the high-voltage power source is called the positive high-voltage circuit, and the high-voltage circuit between the negative electrode (B-) of the battery and the negative electrode (HV-) of the high-voltage power source is called the negative high-voltage circuit. The positive high-voltage circuit and the negative high-voltage circuit form the main circuit of the battery. Additionally, the control box (200) is equipped with other circuits, such as a pre-charge circuit connected in parallel with the positive high-voltage circuit and the negative high-voltage circuit, and the pre-charge circuit includes, for example, a pre-charge resistor and a switch connected in series therewith.

[0053] The control box (200) of the present application embodiment is equipped with an electric disconnect switch (210), which has both a manual operation mode and an electric operation mode. Since it can disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on manual operation or control by the BMS, it can replace the manual disconnect switch (QS) and high-voltage contactors (K1 to K3) of a conventional control box such as the control box (100) shown in FIG. 1. This solves problems such as current protection blind spots existing in conventional control boxes, adhesion between the high-voltage contactor and the manual disconnect switch, heat generation of the high-voltage contactor, and complexity of internal circuit connections in the control box. Furthermore, in the event of an abnormality in the battery current, the high-voltage circuit between the battery and the high-voltage power source can be disconnected in a timely manner, thereby providing more reliable protection to the battery. The electric disconnect switch (210) can be viewed as a fusion switch of the manual disconnect switch and the high-voltage contactor.

[0054] Specifically, the electric disconnect switch (210) has both a manual operation mode and an electric operation mode. In the electric operation mode, it can be cut off or closed according to a control signal sent from the BMS. For example, if the BMS detects an abnormality in the battery current, it can transmit a control signal to the electric disconnect switch (210) to control it so that the electric disconnect switch (210) is cut off, thereby cutting off the battery and high-voltage power and enabling the function of a high-voltage contactor in a conventional control box. In the manual operation mode, the operator can cut off the battery by manual operation. For example, in situations such as a power outage or inspection, the battery and high-voltage power can be cut off more completely to protect the operator from electric shock accidents and enable the function of a manual disconnect switch in a conventional control box.

[0055] The operating current range of the electric disconnect switch (210) is generally 0 to 3500A, which, compared to the current range of 0 to 900A of the high-voltage contactor, can significantly reduce the current protection blind spot between 900A and 2000A within the existing control box. In addition, the service life of the electric disconnect switch (210) is sufficient for application in energy storage systems, so the problem of mechanical performance overload of the high-voltage contactor does not occur, which is advantageous for maintaining a balance between mechanical life and electrical life. Furthermore, since the electric disconnect switch (210) replaces the manual disconnect switch and high-voltage contactor within the existing control box, failure problems caused by adhesion between the manual disconnect switch and the high-voltage contactor do not occur, and the complexity of circuit connections within the control box and heat generation caused by the high-voltage contactor can be reduced, as well as the cost of the components.

[0056] Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present application, the electric disconnect switch (210) is used to replace the manual disconnect switch and high-voltage contactor in the existing control box, thereby significantly improving the performance of the control box (200), so that the control box (200) becomes more suitable for the energy storage system and can protect the energy storage battery in the energy storage system.

[0057] In some embodiments, the electric disconnect switch (210) includes a first switch (211) connected between the positive electrode (B+) of the battery and the positive electrode (HV+) of the high-voltage power source, and a second switch (212) connected between the negative electrode (B-) of the battery and the negative electrode (HV-) of the high-voltage power source, and the first switch (211) and the second switch (212) are configured to be simultaneously disconnected or simultaneously closed.

[0058] Thus, switches are installed in both the positive high-voltage circuit and the negative high-voltage circuit of the battery, and the switches of the positive high-voltage circuit and the negative high-voltage circuit are configured to be closed or cut off simultaneously, thereby further improving the reliability of the electric disconnect switch (210) and allowing the high-voltage circuit between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be cut off in a timely manner in the event of an abnormality in the battery current.

[0059] In some embodiments, the control box (200) further includes a pyro-fuse (220), the pyro-fuse (220) is connected between the positive electrode (B+) of the battery and the positive electrode (HV+) of the high-voltage power source, and / or is connected between the negative electrode (B-) of the battery and the negative electrode (HV-) of the high-voltage power source, and the pyro-fuse (220) is configured to cut off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on the control of the BMS.

[0060] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a pyro fuse (220) is installed in the negative high-voltage circuit and connected in series with a second switch (212). In the event of an abnormality in the battery current, the pyro fuse (220) can timely cut off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source under the control of the BMS, thereby providing reliable protection to the battery in conjunction with the electric disconnect switch (210). Since the pyro fuse (220) can be turned on / off based on a trigger from the BMS, it can reduce malfunctions during normal overload compared to a high-voltage fuse, allowing for rapid current cutoff in the event of an actual current failure, thus providing higher reliability. Additionally, the pyro fuse (220) has a wider operating current range, for example, its operating current range may be 0 to 16,000 A, thereby eliminating current protection blind spots present in existing control boxes.

[0061] It can be understood that one or two pyrofuses (220) may be installed in the control box (200) of the embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 2, the high-voltage fuse in the negative high-voltage circuit of the existing control box is replaced with a pyrofuse (220), but in other cases, the high-voltage fuse in the positive high-voltage circuit of the existing control box may be replaced with a pyrofuse (220), or both the high-voltage fuses in the positive high-voltage circuit and the negative high-voltage circuit of the existing control box may be replaced with corresponding pyrofuses (220).

[0062] In some embodiments, the control box (200) further includes a high-voltage fuse (230) which is used to blow and disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery. Here, the pyro fuse (220) is connected between the positive electrode (B+) of the battery and the positive electrode (HV+) of the high-voltage power source, and the high-voltage fuse (230) is connected between the negative electrode (B-) of the battery and the negative electrode (HV-) of the high-voltage power source; or the pyro fuse (220) is connected between the negative electrode (B-) of the battery and the negative electrode (HV-) of the high-voltage power source, and the high-voltage fuse (230) is connected between the positive electrode (B+) of the battery and the positive electrode (HV+) of the high-voltage power source.

[0063] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a high-voltage fuse (230) is installed in the positive high-voltage circuit, and a pyro fuse (220) is installed in the negative high-voltage circuit. Since the high-voltage fuse (230) has high voltage resistance and high current passing capability, it can operate normally even in high voltage and high current environments. By maintaining the high-voltage fuse (230) in the positive high-voltage circuit or the negative high-voltage circuit of the battery and using the high-voltage fuse (230) to provide additional protection to the control box (200), and especially when the fault current is larger, if an abnormality in the current appears without being controlled by the BMS, the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source can be quickly cut off through a blowing method to provide more effective protection to the battery.

[0064] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the control box (200) further includes a pre-charge resistor (R), and the electric disconnect switch (210) further includes a third switch (213), one end of the pre-charge resistor (R) is connected to the third switch (213), and the other end is connected to the first switch (211) or the second switch (212).

[0065] A pre-charge resistor (R) is installed in the control box (200), which limits the magnitude of the charging and discharging currents to protect the electrical components of the control box (200) and prevent damage to the battery system. The electric disconnect switch (210) further includes a third switch (213) connected in series with the pre-charge resistor (R) and is used to replace a high-voltage contactor connected in series with a pre-charge group within the existing control box, thereby likewise reducing wiring complexity inside the control box (200) and reducing heat dissipation.

[0066] In the embodiment of the present application, since the electric disconnect switch (210) and the pyro fuse (220) within the control box (200) must be turned on / off through driving, a low-voltage line group is installed within the control box (200) so that it can be connected to the BMS of the battery through the low-voltage line group, and the low-voltage line group can be used to transmit feedback signals and control signals, etc., so that the BMS can control the on / off of the electric disconnect switch (210) and the pyro fuse (220) based on a pre-set control strategy.

[0067] For example, the BMS can control the electric disconnect switch (210) to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the battery current and the abnormal current is less than or equal to the first current threshold.

[0068] Additionally, the BMS can also detect whether the abnormal current has been removed and, if the abnormal current has not been removed, control the pyro fuse (220) to be cut off.

[0069] For example, the BMS can also control the pyro fuse (220) to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the battery current and the abnormal current is between the first current threshold and the second current threshold. At this time, the motor disconnect switch (210) can be controlled to remain in a closed state.

[0070] For example, if the current of the battery is greater than the second current threshold, the high-voltage fuse (230) may wait until it disconnects the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source through a blowing method. Optionally, the blowing time of the high-voltage fuse (230) can be set in combination with the control strategy of the BMS.

[0071] To more clearly explain how the BMS controls components such as the electric disconnect switch (210) and pyro fuse (220) within the control box (200) to implement fault current protection, the control method (300) of the battery control box (200) provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below by combining FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The control method (300) may be executed by a control module such as the battery BMS. The control method (300) may include some or all of the following steps.

[0072] In step 310, detect whether there is an abnormality in the battery current.

[0073] In step 320, the electric disconnect switch (210) is controlled to be cut off if an abnormality occurs in the battery current.

[0074] After replacing the manual disconnect switch and high-voltage contactor of the existing control box with an electric disconnect switch (210), the closing and disconnection of the electric disconnect switch (210) must be controlled via the BMS to implement protection for the battery of the control box (200). For example, the BMS detects whether there is an abnormality in the battery current, and if an abnormality occurs, it must disconnect the electric disconnect switch (210) to cut off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source.

[0075] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, in step 310, whether an abnormality appears in the current of the battery is detected; and in step 320, the BMS can control the electric disconnect switch (210) to be cut off if an abnormality appears in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is less than or equal to a first current threshold.

[0076] Here, the setting of the first current threshold can refer to the operating current range of the electric disconnect switch (210), for example, the first current threshold can be set within the range of 2500A to 3500A, for example, to 3000A, so that when the abnormal current of the battery does not exceed the first current threshold, the electric disconnect switch (210) can perform its function, thereby allowing the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source to be cut off through the electric disconnect switch (210) to remove the abnormal current.

[0077] Optionally, a specific time can be preset, and if the abnormal current persists for the said time and does not exceed the first current threshold, the motor disconnect switch (210) can be controlled to be cut off to prevent malfunction caused by current fluctuations. For example, the said time may be between 1 s and 5 s, for example, 3 s.

[0078] If the electric disconnect switch (210) is not completely cut off due to reasons such as contact adhesion, or if the abnormal current is not removed due to other reasons, optionally, after step 320, the BMS also detects whether the abnormal current is removed and, if the abnormal current is not removed, controls the pyro fuse (220) to be cut off.

[0079] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the control method (300) further includes step 330.

[0080] In step 330, if an abnormality occurs in the battery current and the abnormal current is between the first current threshold and the second current threshold, the pyro fuse (220) is controlled to be cut off. At this time, the motor disconnect switch (210) can remain in a closed state.

[0081] Here, the second current threshold is smaller than the first current threshold, and the setting of the second current threshold can additionally refer to the operating current range of the pyro fuse (220) and the high-voltage fuse (230). For example, the second current threshold can be set to a value greater than 5000A, for example, 6000A, so that when the abnormal current of the battery is between the first current threshold and the second current threshold, the pyro fuse (220) performs its function and can eliminate the abnormal current by cutting off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source through the pyro fuse (220). When the abnormal current exceeds the second current threshold, the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source is cut off by blowing the high-voltage fuse (230), thereby fully utilizing the high-voltage resistance and high-current passing capability of the high-voltage fuse (230) and providing more reliable protection for the battery.

[0082] As an example, FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic flowchart of a control strategy for a control box (200) of a BMS according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, in step 401, the BMS collects the current of the main circuit.

[0083] In step 402, the BMS detects an abnormal current and determines whether the duration of the abnormal current exceeds 3s and is less than 3000A.

[0084] If the duration of the above abnormal current exceeds 3s and is less than or equal to 3000A, perform step 403; otherwise, perform step 406.

[0085] In step 403, the electric disconnect switch (210) is controlled to be blocked.

[0086] The BMS can transmit a control signal to the electric disconnect switch (210) through the low-voltage line group to drive the electric disconnect switch (210) to be shut off. The status of the electric disconnect switch (210) can be monitored through its feedback contact, and the feedback contact informs the BMS of the status of the electric disconnect switch (210) through the low-voltage circuit so that the BMS can determine whether the electric disconnect switch (210) has been successfully shut off.

[0087] In step 404, the BMS detects whether the abnormal current is removed.

[0088] Here, abnormal current refers to a current that exceeds the safe current range. Accordingly, whether the abnormal current is eliminated refers to whether the battery current recovers to the safe current range; if it recovers to the safe current range, the abnormal current is considered eliminated, and if the abnormal current still exceeds the safe current range, it is considered that the abnormal current has not been eliminated.

[0089] If the abnormal current is not removed, execute step 405; if the abnormal current has already been removed, execute step 408.

[0090] In step 404, it can be understood that the BMS can obtain current information of the main circuit to determine whether the abnormal current is removed. Additionally, the BMS can determine whether to execute step 405 based on information regarding whether the motor disconnect switch (210) is closed, which is fed back from the contact. For example, if the motor disconnect switch (210) is not successfully disconnected due to contact adhesion, it may be determined that step 405 must be continued.

[0091] If the abnormal current duration in step 403 exceeds 3s and exceeds 3000A, or if the abnormal current is not removed in step 404, execute step 405.

[0092] In step 405, control is made so that the pyro fuse (220) is cut off.

[0093] The BMS can transmit a control signal to the pyro fuse (220) through the low-voltage line group to drive the motorized disconnect switch (210) to be cut off. The status of the pyro fuse (220) can be monitored through its feedback contact, and the feedback contact informs the BMS of the status of the pyro fuse (220) through the low-voltage circuit so that the BMS can determine whether the pyro fuse (220) has been successfully cut off.

[0094] In step 406, determine whether the abnormal current exceeds 6000A.

[0095] If the abnormal current does not exceed 6000A, that is, if the abnormal current is within the range of 3000A to 6000A, step 405 is executed to control the pyro fuse (220) to be cut off.

[0096] In step 407, the high-voltage fuse (230) is turned off.

[0097] It should be noted that the location of step 407 is merely an example, and that the interruption of the high-voltage fuse (230) in step 407 may not be controlled by the BMS, may occur before or after any of the above steps, or may occur simultaneously with any of the above steps.

[0098] Of course, a customized high-voltage fuse (230) can be implemented by setting the blowing time of the high-voltage fuse (230) according to actual requirements. For example, based on the control strategy of the BMS, the high-voltage fuse (230) can be set to blow after a certain period of time, and fault current protection can be implemented by interrupting the motorized disconnect switch (210) and / or pyro fuse (220) within this time.

[0099] At step 408, an alarm is output.

[0100] As can be seen in FIG. 4, a motor disconnect switch (210), a pyro fuse (220), and a high-voltage fuse (230) are installed within the control box (200). The BMS controls the motor disconnect switch (210) and the pyro fuse (220) respectively for different fault current ranges through a reasonable control strategy to cut off the fault current, thereby ensuring that the functions of the motor disconnect switch (210) and the pyro fuse (220) are fully utilized. By combining with the high-voltage fuse (230) to perform multiple protection for the battery, the fault current protection of the battery is made more reliable.

[0101] The present application further provides a BMS (500), and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the BMS (500) comprises a processor (510) and a memory (520), wherein the memory (520) is used to store instructions, and the processor (510) is used to read instructions and execute a control method (300) of various embodiments of the present application based thereon. Here, the memory (520) may be a separate component independent of the processor (510) or may be integrated into the processor (510).

[0102] Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the BMS (500) may further include a transceiver (530), and the processor (510) may control the transceiver (530) to communicate with another device or system, such as a control box (200). For example, it may transmit a signal to another device or system and receive a signal transmitted from another device or system.

[0103] The specific method by which the BMS (500) controls the control box (200) and the beneficial effects produced thereby can be described by referring to the description related to the control method (300), and for the sake of simplification, the description is not repeated here.

[0104] The present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, and enables the computing device to implement a control method (300) according to any embodiment when the computer program is executed by the computing device. Optionally, the computer program may be a computer program within a BMS.

[0105] The present application further provides an energy storage system comprising a battery, a BMS (500), and a control box (200), wherein the control box (200) is connected between the battery and a high-voltage power source.

[0106] It may be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In the course of implementation, each step of the embodiments of the method may be completed through instructions in the form of integrated logic circuits in hardware or software within the processor. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic elements, individual gate or transistor logic elements, or individual hardware components. This may implement or execute each method, step, and logic block diagram disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be executed and completed directly by a hardware decoding processor, or executed and completed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in storage media mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. The above storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information within memory and combines it with hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0107] Additionally, the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Here, the non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrical EPROM, EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache memory. By way of exemplary but not limiting description, various forms of RAM, e.g., static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct memory bus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM), etc. It should be noted that the memory of the system and method described herein includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0108] In the embodiments of the present application, the numbering order of each step does not imply a priority of execution order, and the execution order of each step should be determined according to its function and internal logic, and no restrictions should be imposed on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0109] A person skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in electronic hardware, or in combination with computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functions are implemented in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A person skilled in the art may implement the described functions using different methods for each specific application, but such implementations should not be construed as being outside the scope of this application.

[0110] It should be understood that in the various embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in different ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely exemplary, and for example, the division of the units is merely a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into a single system, or some features may be omitted or not implemented. As another point, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection of some interfaces, devices, or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or of other forms.

[0111] Although the present application has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the application, and some components may be replaced with equivalents. In particular, all technical features mentioned in each embodiment may be combined in any manner, provided there is no structural conflict. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein and includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A control box for a battery, wherein the control box includes an electric disconnect switch, the electric disconnect switch is connected between the battery and a high-voltage power source, and the electric disconnect switch is configured to disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on manual operation or control by the battery management system of the battery; wherein the electric disconnect switch includes a first switch connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source, and a second switch connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source, and the first switch and the second switch are configured to disconnect or close simultaneously; the control box further includes a pyro fuse, wherein the pyro fuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source or between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source, and the pyro fuse is configured to disconnect the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source based on control by the battery management system. Claim 2 In claim 1, the control box further includes a high-voltage fuse used to cut off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source by melting when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery, wherein the pyro fuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source and the high-voltage fuse is connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source; or the pyro fuse is connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source and the high-voltage fuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source. Claim 3 A control box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control box is connected to a battery management system, and the battery management system is used to control the electric disconnect switch to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is less than or equal to a first current threshold. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the battery management system is also characterized by being used to detect whether the abnormal current is removed; and, if the abnormal current is not removed, to control the pyro fuse in the control box to be cut off. Claim 5 In paragraph 3, the battery management system is also used to control the pyro fuse in the control box to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is between the first current threshold and the second current threshold, wherein the second current threshold is greater than the first current threshold. Claim 6 A control box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control box further comprises a pre-charging resistor, and the electric disconnect switch further comprises a third switch, wherein one end of the pre-charging resistor is connected to the third switch and the other end is connected to the first switch or the second switch. Claim 7 A control method for a control box of a battery, wherein the control box includes an electric disconnect switch, and the electric disconnect switch is connected between the battery and a high-voltage power source, and the control method comprises: a step of detecting whether an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery; and a step of controlling the electric disconnect switch to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery; wherein, the electric disconnect switch includes a first switch connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source, and a second switch connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source, and the first switch and the second switch are configured to be cut off or closed simultaneously; the control box further includes a pyro fuse, and the pyro fuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source or between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source, and the control method further comprises: a step of controlling the pyro fuse to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is between a first current threshold and a second current threshold, wherein the second current threshold is greater than the first current threshold. method. Claim 8 A control method according to claim 7, wherein the step of controlling the electric disconnect switch to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery comprises: a step of controlling the electric disconnect switch to be cut off when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery and the abnormal current is less than or equal to the first current threshold value. Claim 9 A control method according to claim 8, further comprising: a step of detecting whether the abnormal current is removed; and a step of controlling the pyro fuse in the control box to be cut off if the abnormal current is not removed. Claim 10 A control method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the control box further comprises a high-voltage fuse used to cut off the connection between the battery and the high-voltage power source by melting when an abnormality occurs in the current of the battery, wherein the pyro fuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source and the high-voltage fuse is connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source; or wherein the pyro fuse is connected between the negative electrode of the battery and the negative electrode of the high-voltage power source and the high-voltage fuse is connected between the positive electrode of the battery and the positive electrode of the high-voltage power source. Claim 11 A control method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the control box further comprises a pre-charging resistor, the electric disconnect switch further comprises a third switch, and one end of the pre-charging resistor is connected to the third switch and the other end is connected to the first switch or the second switch. Claim 12 A battery management system comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store instructions and the processor is used to execute instructions, thereby implementing a control method of a control box according to any one of claims 7 to 11. Claim 13 An energy storage system characterized by comprising: a battery; a battery management system according to claim 12; and a control box according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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