Apparatus and method for managing battery

Abstract

A battery management apparatus according to embodiments and experimental examples of the present invention may comprise: a command to detect the occurrence of an abnormality in a battery system; a command to detect a specific battery group in which an abnormality has occurred according to whether balancing is performed if an abnormality has occurred in the battery system; and a command to detect a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred on the basis of the temperatures of a plurality of batteries in the specific battery group.

Description

Battery management device and method

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0144293 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 26, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery management device and method, and more particularly, to a battery management device and method for detecting a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred within a battery system including a plurality of battery groups.

[0003] As fossil fuels deplete and concerns about environmental pollution grow, the importance of environmentally friendly alternative energy sources is growing. Among the various alternative energy sources, demand for rechargeable batteries is rapidly increasing.

[0004] Typically, in the case of electric vehicles or electric scooters, a number of batteries connected in parallel are grouped together to form a battery system.

[0005] For electric vehicles or electric scooters, long-term cycle operation is required to secure driving range, and they are exposed to various voltage and temperature conditions.

[0006] Accordingly, a sudden voltage drop occurs in the battery, which accelerates deterioration or causes a short circuit in the battery due to overheating, resulting in the battery system's operation being interrupted.

[0007] At this time, in order to detect a battery with an abnormality in the battery system, the battery system had to be disassembled and each battery that constituted it had to be inspected for abnormalities, which resulted in a disadvantage in that the analysis took a long time.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a battery management device.

[0009] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a battery management method.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a battery management device located in a battery system including a plurality of battery groups includes a processor and a memory storing at least one command executed by the processor, wherein the at least one command includes a command for detecting an abnormality in the battery system, a command for detecting a specific battery group in which an abnormality has occurred depending on whether balancing is performed when an abnormality has occurred in the battery system, and a command for detecting a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred based on temperatures of a plurality of batteries in the specific battery group.

[0011] Here, the command to detect an abnormality in the battery system may include a command to compare the discharge time of the battery system with a previous discharge time, and a command to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the battery system when the difference between the discharge time and the previous discharge time is greater than a predefined threshold time.

[0012] At this time, the discharge time may be the time required for the fully charged battery system to be completely discharged.

[0013] Meanwhile, the command to detect the specific battery group may include a command to detect a specific battery group that satisfies a balancing performance condition of a predetermined threshold number of times or more during charging and discharging of the battery system.

[0014] Additionally, the command to detect the specific battery may include a command to measure the temperature of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group, and a command to detect a battery cell with the lowest temperature among the plurality of batteries as the specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0015] At this time, the command to measure the temperature of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group may include a command to measure the temperature of the plurality of batteries when the battery system is in a discharge state.

[0016] Meanwhile, the battery management device may further include a command to determine a cause of failure of the specific battery based on the temperatures of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the command to determine the cause of failure of the specific battery may include a command to determine that a short circuit has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature measurement data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined first range.

[0018] In another embodiment, the command to determine the cause of failure of the specific battery may include a command to determine that degradation has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature measurement data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined second range.

[0019]

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a management method by a battery management device located in a battery system including a plurality of battery groups includes a step of detecting an abnormality in the battery system, a step of detecting a specific battery group in which an abnormality has occurred depending on whether balancing is performed when an abnormality has occurred in the battery system, and a step of detecting a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred based on the temperature of a plurality of batteries in the specific battery group.

[0021] Here, the step of detecting an abnormality in the battery system may include a step of comparing the discharge time of the battery system with a previous discharge time, and a step of determining that an abnormality has occurred in the battery system when the difference between the discharge time and the previous discharge time is greater than a predetermined threshold time.

[0022] At this time, the discharge time may be the time required for the fully charged battery system to be completely discharged.

[0023] Meanwhile, the step of detecting the specific battery group may include a step of detecting a specific battery group that satisfies a balancing performance condition of a predetermined threshold number of times or more during charging and discharging of the battery system.

[0024] Additionally, the step of detecting the specific battery may include the step of measuring the temperature of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group and the step of detecting a battery cell having the lowest temperature among the plurality of batteries as the specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0025] Here, the step of measuring the temperature of the plurality of batteries within the specific battery group may include the step of measuring the temperature of the plurality of batteries when the battery system is in a discharge state.

[0026] Meanwhile, the battery management method may further include a step of determining a cause of failure of the specific battery based on the temperatures of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the cause of failure of the specific battery may include the step of determining that a short circuit has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature measurement data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined first range.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the step of determining the cause of failure of the specific battery may include the step of determining that degradation has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature measurement data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined second range.

[0029] The battery management device and method according to the embodiments and experimental examples of the present invention can detect a battery in which an abnormality has occurred in a battery system composed of a plurality of battery groups.

[0030] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a battery system to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0031] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a battery system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a battery system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a battery management device according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a battery management method according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a step of detecting an abnormality in a battery system among battery management methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7 is a graph of discharge voltages of multiple battery groups according to an experimental example of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a step of detecting a specific battery group among battery management methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 9 is a graph of the charging voltage of multiple battery groups according to an experimental example of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a step of detecting a specific battery among battery management methods according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a table summarizing temperature measurement data of batteries within a specific battery group measured using the battery system of FIG. 2 according to an experimental example of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 12 is a table summarizing temperature measurement data of a heat sink measured using the battery system of FIG. 3 according to an experimental example of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 13 is a graph of temperature measurement data over time of the heat sink in Figure 12.

[0043] FIG. 14 is a table summarizing temperature measurement data of batteries within a specific battery group measured using the battery system of FIG. 2 according to another experimental example of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 15 is a table summarizing temperature measurement data of a heat sink measured using the battery system of FIG. 3 according to another experimental example of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 16 is a graph of temperature measurement data over time of the heat sink in Figure 15.

[0046] Figure 17 is an image for explaining an impact test experiment to which a battery management method according to embodiments of the present invention is applied.

[0047] Figure 18 is an image for explaining a long-term charge / discharge experiment to which a battery management method according to embodiments of the present invention is applied.

[0048] 100: Battery system 110: Battery group

[0049] 111: Battery 120: Battery management device

[0050] 121: Memory 122: Processor

[0051] 123: Transmitter / receiver device 124: Input interface device

[0052] 125: Output interface device 126: Storage device

[0053] 127: Bus 130: Temperature sensor

[0054] 140: Heat sink

[0055] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Throughout the description of each drawing, similar reference numerals have been used to designate similar components.

[0056] Terms such as "first," "second," "A," and "B" may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component could be referred to as the "second component," and similarly, the second component could also be referred to as the "first component." The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related items listed or any one of multiple related items listed.

[0057] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0058] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0059] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0060] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0061]

[0062] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a battery system to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0063] Referring to Figure 1, a battery may be configured to include multiple battery modules or cells connected in series. The battery cells or modules are connected to a load through positive and negative terminals and can perform charging and discharging operations. The most commonly used battery cells are lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery cells.

[0064] These battery cells or battery modules may be linked to a battery management system (BMS).

[0065] A battery management system (BMS) monitors the current, voltage, and temperature of each battery cell or module it manages. Based on the monitoring results, it calculates the State of Charge (SOC) and controls charging and discharging. SOC represents the battery's current state of charge, expressed as a percentage (%), while SOH represents the battery's current state of deterioration, expressed as a percentage (%).

[0066] In this way, a battery management system (BMS) can monitor battery cells, read cell voltages, and transmit them to other systems connected to the battery.

[0067] Additionally, the battery management system (BMS) can monitor at least one electrical component that constitutes the battery system and transmit its status data to other systems. To this end, the BMS may include a communication module for communicating with other systems within the devices included in the battery system.

[0068] The communication module of a battery management system (BMS) can communicate with other systems within the device using the Controller Area Network (CAN). In this case, electrical components, modules, or systems within the BMS are interconnected via the CAN bus. Accordingly, the BMS can remotely transmit status data acquired through monitoring of the battery pack or module and at least one electrical component comprising the BMS to other systems using CAN communication.

[0069] Meanwhile, the battery management system (BMS) evenly balances the charge of the battery cells to extend the life of the battery system.

[0070] To perform such operations, a battery management system (BMS) may include various components such as fuses, current sensing elements, thermistors, switches, and balancers, and most of them additionally include an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) or BMIC (Battery Monitoring Integrated Chip) to interface and control them.

[0071]

[0072] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery system (100) may include a plurality of battery groups (110), a battery management device (120), and a plurality of temperature sensors (130).

[0074] The battery system (100) can be provided in a structure in which a plurality of battery groups (110) are connected in series.

[0075] Here, the plurality of battery groups (110) may be provided in a structure in which the plurality of batteries (111) are connected in parallel. In other words, the plurality of battery groups (110) may be provided in a structure in which the plurality of batteries (111) are connected in series and in parallel. For example, the battery system (100) may be provided in a structure in which three battery groups (110), each of which is connected in parallel, are connected in series.

[0076] Here, the battery may be a battery cell, and the battery group (110) may refer to a battery module, a battery pack, or a battery rack, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these entities. Furthermore, depending on the device or system in which the battery is used, the battery module may also be referred to as a battery bank. For example, the battery may be a battery bank.

[0077] The battery management device (120) can be connected in series with a plurality of battery groups (110) connected in parallel. Accordingly, the battery management device (120) can perform charging and discharging for the plurality of battery groups (110).

[0078] In addition, the battery management device (120) can select a target battery group (110) that satisfies balancing requirements from among multiple battery groups (110). Accordingly, balancing of the target battery group (110) can be performed.

[0079] Additionally, the battery management device (120) can detect a battery in which an abnormality has occurred within a plurality of battery groups (110). In other words, when an abnormality occurs in the battery system (100), the battery management device (120) can detect a specific battery (111T) in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0080] To explain more specifically, when an abnormality occurs in the battery system (100), the battery management device (120) can detect a specific battery group (110T) that satisfies the balancing condition a predetermined number of times or more within a plurality of battery groups (110) as a battery group (110A) in which an abnormality occurs. Thereafter, the battery management device (120) can measure the temperatures of the multiple batteries (111) within the specific battery group (110A) in which an abnormality occurs, and determine the battery (111A) with the lowest temperature value as the specific battery (111T) in which an abnormality occurs.

[0081] At this time, the temperature of the plurality of batteries (111) can be individually measured by temperature sensors (130) individually connected to the plurality of batteries (111), according to one embodiment.

[0082] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the temperature of the plurality of batteries (111) can be determined by measuring the temperature of at least one heat sink positioned adjacent to or in contact with each of the plurality of batteries (111).

[0083] Additionally, the battery management device (120) can analyze the cause of a failure of a specific battery (111T) in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0084]

[0085] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of a battery system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery system (100) may further include a plurality of heat sinks (140).

[0087] According to an embodiment, the heat sink (140) may be provided as a metal body. In addition, the heat sink (140) may be positioned adjacent to at least one battery (111), or at least one area may be in contact with it. Accordingly, the battery management device (120) may infer the equilibrium temperature of the at least one battery (111) by measuring the temperature of the heat sink (140).

[0088] To be more specific according to the embodiment, the heat sink (140) may be positioned adjacent to a plurality of batteries (111) arranged in the same column, respectively, targeting a plurality of battery groups (110) within the battery system (100), or at least one area may be in contact with them.

[0089] In other words, a plurality of batteries (111) arranged in a matrix form within the battery system (100) can receive heat generated by a plurality of batteries (111) arranged in the same column by a plurality of heat sinks (140).

[0090] For example, to explain more specifically, when the battery system (100) includes a first battery group (110A), a second battery group (110B), and a third battery group (110C) connected in series, the first heat sink (140A) may be arranged along the first column so as to be adjacent to or in contact with the first battery (111A) of the first battery group (110A), the first battery (111A) of the second battery group (110B), and the first battery (111A) of the third battery group (110C).

[0091] Additionally, the second heat sink (140B) may be positioned along the second column so as to be adjacent to or in contact with the second battery (111B) of the first battery group (110A), the second battery (111B) of the second battery group (110B), and the second battery (111B) of the third battery group (110C).

[0092] Additionally, the third heat sink (140C) may be positioned along the third column so as to be adjacent to or in contact with the third battery (111C) of the first battery group (110A), the third battery (111C) of the second battery group (110B), and the third battery (111C) of the third battery group (110C).

[0093] Meanwhile, temperature sensors (130) may be individually connected to at least one area of ​​each of the first to third heat sinks (140). Accordingly, the temperature sensors (130) may individually measure the temperatures of the first to third heat sinks (140).

[0094] At this time, the temperature of the heat sink (140) may correspond to the equilibrium temperature of a plurality of batteries positioned adjacent to the heat sink (140) or positioned so that one surface thereof is in contact with it.

[0095] For example, to explain in more detail, the temperature of the first heat sink (140A) may be a temperature at which the temperature of the first battery (111A) in the first battery group (110A), the temperature of the first battery (111A) in the second battery group (110B), and the temperature of the first battery (111C) in the third battery group (110A) are in equilibrium.

[0096] Additionally, the temperature of the second heat sink (140B) may be a temperature at which the temperature of the second battery (111B) in the first battery group (110A), the temperature of the second battery (111B) in the second battery group (110A), and the temperature of the second battery (111B) in the third battery group (110C) are in equilibrium.

[0097] Additionally, the temperature of the third heat sink (140C) may be a temperature at which the temperature of the third battery (111C) in the first battery group (110A), the temperature of the third battery (111C) in the second battery group (110A), and the temperature of the third battery (111C) in the third battery group (110C) are balanced.

[0098] Accordingly, when a problem occurs in one of the plurality of batteries (111), the temperature of the heat sink (140) located adjacent to or in contact with the battery (111) may be lower than that of the other heat sinks (140).

[0099] Accordingly, a battery management device according to another embodiment of the present invention can detect a specific battery (111T) in which an abnormality has occurred by measuring the temperature of a plurality of heat sinks (140) and predicting the temperature of batteries (111) within a specific battery group (110T).

[0100] Hereinafter, a battery management method for detecting a battery in which an abnormality has occurred and analyzing the cause thereof using a battery management device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0101]

[0102] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a battery management device according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 4, a battery management device (120) can control the balancing operation of multiple batteries. The batteries may be provided in the form of battery cells or battery assemblies. Here, a battery assembly refers to a set comprising multiple electrically connected battery cells, and is applied to a specific system or device to function as a power supply.

[0104] To describe the hardware configuration of the battery management device (120) in more detail, the battery management device (100) may include a memory (121), a processor (122), a transmission / reception device (123), an input interface device (124), an output interface device (125), and a storage device (126).

[0105] According to an embodiment, each of the components (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) included in the battery management device (120) is connected by a bus (bus, 127) and can communicate with each other.

[0106] Among the above configurations (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126), the memory (121) and the storage device (160) may be configured with at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory (121) and the storage device (126) may be configured with at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0107] Among these, the memory (121) may include at least one command executed by the processor (122).

[0108] According to an embodiment, the at least one command may include a command to detect an abnormality in the battery system, a command to detect a specific battery group in which an abnormality has occurred based on whether balancing is performed when an abnormality has occurred in the battery system, and a command to detect a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred based on the temperature of a plurality of batteries in the specific battery group.

[0109] Here, the command to detect an abnormality in the battery system may include a command to compare the discharge time of the battery system with a previous discharge time, and a command to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the battery system when the difference between the discharge time and the previous discharge time is greater than a predefined threshold time.

[0110] At this time, the discharge time may be the time required for the fully charged battery system to be completely discharged.

[0111] Additionally, the command to detect the specific battery group may include a command to detect a specific battery group that satisfies a balancing performance condition of a predetermined threshold number of times or more during charging and discharging of the battery system.

[0112] Additionally, the command to detect the specific battery may include a command to measure the temperature of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group, and a command to detect a battery cell with the lowest temperature among the plurality of batteries as the specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0113] At this time, the command to measure the temperature of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group may include a command to measure the temperature of the plurality of batteries when the battery system is in a discharge state.

[0114] Meanwhile, the battery management device may further include a command to determine a cause of failure of the specific battery based on the temperatures of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the command to determine the cause of failure of the specific battery may include a command to determine that a short circuit has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature measurement data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined first range.

[0116] In another embodiment, the command to determine the cause of failure of the specific battery may include a command to determine that degradation has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature measurement data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined second range.

[0117] In addition, the memory (121) can store at least one piece of information in real time, such as the time of occurrence of an abnormality in the battery system (100), information on the specific battery in which the abnormality occurred, and the cause of the failure. Accordingly, the processor (122) can transmit at least one piece of information to the administrator terminal via the transmission / reception device (123) upon the administrator's request.

[0118] The processor (122) may mean a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which methods according to embodiments of the present invention are performed.

[0119] As described above, the processor (122) can execute at least one program command stored in the memory (121).

[0120]

[0121] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a battery management method according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 5, the processor (122) in the battery management device (120) can detect an abnormality in the battery system (100) (S510).

[0123] At this time, if an abnormality occurs in the battery system (100), the processor (122) can detect a specific battery group (110) in which an abnormality occurs among a plurality of battery groups (110) depending on whether balancing is performed (S520).

[0124] Thereafter, the processor (122) can detect a specific battery (111T) in which an abnormality has occurred among a plurality of batteries (111) within a specific battery group (110) (S530).

[0125] According to an embodiment, the processor (122) can detect a specific battery (111T) in which an abnormality has occurred based on the temperatures of a plurality of batteries (111) within a specific battery group (110).

[0126] Afterwards, the processor (122) can determine the cause of failure of a specific battery (111T) (S540).

[0127] According to an embodiment, the processor (122) may determine the cause of a failure of a specific battery (111T) based on temperature measurement data of the specific battery (111T) over time. For example, the processor (122) may determine the cause of a failure due to a short circuit or deterioration of the specific battery (111T).

[0128]

[0129] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a step of detecting an abnormality in a battery system among battery management methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 6, the processor (122) can perform charging and discharging of the battery system (100) (S610).

[0131] Thereafter, the processor (122) can measure the discharge time when discharging the battery system (100) (S620). Here, the discharge time may be the time required to completely discharge (SOC 0%) the plurality of battery groups (110) that are fully charged (State of Charge (SOC) 100%). In other words, the processor (122) can start discharging when the plurality of battery groups (110) are fully charged (SOC 100%) and measure the discharge time required until they are completely discharged (SOC 0%).

[0132] Thereafter, the processor (122) can compare the measured discharge time with the discharge time of a plurality of battery groups (110) measured previously (S630).

[0133] According to an embodiment, if the discharge time and the previous discharge time differ by more than a predetermined threshold time, the processor (122) may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the battery system (100) (S640). For example, the predetermined threshold time may be 20 minutes. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the predetermined threshold time may be determined based on the discharge time of the battery system (100) in a normal state. In addition, the previously measured discharge times of the plurality of battery groups (110) may be the discharge times measured immediately before.

[0134] In general, when a problem occurs in at least one battery (111) within a battery group (110), the specific battery (111) in which the problem occurs does not operate. Accordingly, the specific battery group (110) including the specific battery (111) may have a lower charge capacity than the battery group (110) in which all batteries (111) operate normally. Consequently, the discharge time of the battery system (100) including the specific battery group (110) may be shortened compared to when the condition is normal.

[0135] Afterwards, the processor (122) can store the discharge time in the memory (121) (S650).

[0136]

[0137] Figure 7 is a graph of discharge voltages of multiple battery groups according to an experimental example of the present invention.

[0138] Referring to Fig. 7, a battery system was prepared in which three battery groups, each including three parallel-connected batteries, were connected in series. The discharge capacity of the battery system is 3 Ah, and the average discharge current is 1 A.

[0139] At this time, a battery with an abnormality was placed in the third row of the second battery group among the plurality of battery groups. Thereafter, when the battery system was discharged, the discharge time of the plurality of battery groups was measured.

[0140] As a result of the measurement, it was confirmed that the discharge time of the battery system (110) changed from 3 hours to 2 hours, which is more than the predefined critical time.

[0141] Therefore, the battery management method according to the embodiments and experimental examples of the present invention can determine whether an abnormality has occurred in a specific battery within the battery system (100) based on the discharge time of the battery system.

[0142]

[0143] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a step of detecting a specific battery group among battery management methods according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 8, the processor (122) may operate the balancing circuit (S830) when a plurality of battery groups (110) satisfy a balancing performance condition (S820) while performing charging and discharging of the battery system (100) (S810). For example, the balancing performance condition may be a condition in which a voltage difference greater than a predetermined threshold value occurs compared to a battery group (110) with the lowest voltage measurement value by measuring voltages for the plurality of battery groups (110).

[0145] Thereafter, the processor (122) can count the number of balancing operations for each battery group (110) that performs balancing by satisfying the balancing performance conditions (S840).

[0146] Thereafter, if there is a battery group (110) in which balancing has been performed more than a predefined threshold number of times (S850), the processor (122) can detect the battery group (110) as a specific battery group (110T) in which an abnormality has occurred (S860).

[0147]

[0148] Figure 9 is a graph of the charging voltage of multiple battery groups according to an experimental example of the present invention.

[0149] Referring to Fig. 9, when charging a battery system (100), a charging current of the same magnitude output from a charging circuit may be applied to a plurality of battery groups (110). At this time, a battery group (110) in which an abnormality has occurred among the plurality of battery groups (110) may be charged at a faster rate since the charging capacity thereof is lower than that of the battery groups (110) in a normal state. Accordingly, the voltage of the battery group (110) in which an abnormality has occurred may be higher than that of the battery groups (110) in a normal state, thereby generating a voltage difference of more than a predetermined threshold value among the plurality of battery groups (110), thereby satisfying the balancing execution condition. Accordingly, balancing may be performed so that the voltage of the battery group (110) in which an abnormality has occurred becomes the same magnitude as that of the battery groups (110) in a normal state. According to an embodiment, the balancing operation can be performed by discharging a group of batteries (110) in which an abnormality has occurred through a balancing resistor, thereby equalizing the magnitude of the voltage between multiple groups of batteries (110).

[0150] Meanwhile, the balancing operation due to the difference in charge capacity of multiple battery groups (110) may be repeatedly performed by a battery group (110) in which an abnormality has occurred. Therefore, the battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect a battery group (110) that satisfies a discharge performance condition exceeding a predetermined threshold number of times as a specific battery group (110T) in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0151]

[0152] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a step of detecting a specific battery among battery management methods according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 10, the processor (122) can measure the temperature of multiple batteries (111) within a specific battery group (110T) (S1010).

[0154] According to an embodiment, the processor (122) can measure the temperature of each of a plurality of batteries (111) within a specific battery group (110T) when the battery system (100) is discharged.

[0155] Thereafter, the processor (122) can detect the battery with the lowest temperature among the plurality of batteries (111) as the specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred (S1020).

[0156] To be more specific, when the battery system (100) is discharged, batteries (111) in a normal state may discharge, and heat may be generated due to internal resistance. On the other hand, batteries (111A) in which an abnormality has occurred may not be discharged, and thus, no change in the temperature of the batteries may occur. Accordingly, the battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect a specific battery (111T) in which an abnormality has occurred by measuring the temperature of the batteries (111) in a specific battery group (110T) in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0157] According to one embodiment, the processor (122) may measure the temperature of the batteries (111) using temperature sensors individually connected to the plurality of batteries (111), as shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the processor (122) may detect the battery with the lowest temperature as the specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred, based on the individually measured temperatures of the batteries (111).

[0158] According to another embodiment, the processor (122) may measure the temperature of the heat sinks (140) using a temperature sensor connected to the heat sinks (140), as in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the processor (122) may detect, based on the temperatures of the heat sinks (140), a specific battery (111T) within a specific battery group (110T) adjacent to the heat sink (140) with the lowest temperature as a battery in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0159]

[0160] FIG. 11 is a table summarizing temperature measurement data of batteries within a specific battery group measured using the battery system of FIG. 2 according to an experimental example of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a table summarizing temperature measurement data of a heat sink measured using the battery system of FIG. 3 according to an experimental example of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 13 is a graph of temperature measurement data of the heat sink over time in FIG. 12.

[0161] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the processor (122) can determine the cause of a failure based on temperature measurement data of a specific battery (111T) measured over time.

[0162] According to an embodiment, the processor (122) may determine that a short circuit has occurred in the specific battery if the temperature measurement data obtained falls within a predefined first range. Here, the first range may be defined based on temperature measurement data obtained through a pre-test when a short circuit has occurred.

[0163] Typically, when a battery is disconnected, the temperature of the disconnected battery may be constant or within a range of error. Accordingly, the first range may correspond to the measurement error range of the battery in which the disconnection occurred.

[0164] At this time, the temperature measurement data may be data measured through a temperature sensor individually connected to a specific battery (111T), as shown in FIG. 11, or data measured from the temperature of a heat sink (140) positioned adjacent to a specific battery (111T) or positioned with one side in contact with it, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0165] According to an embodiment, when analyzing the cause of a failure using the temperature measurement data of the heat sink (140), the processor (122) can determine whether a short circuit has occurred in a specific battery by comparing the temperature measurement slope over time shown on the graph with the 21st range, as shown in FIG. 13. The first range at this time can be defined as a range of a predefined slope derived based on the temperature measurement data at the time of a short circuit occurrence through a prior test.

[0166]

[0167] FIG. 14 is a table summarizing temperature measurement data of batteries within a specific battery group measured using the battery system of FIG. 2 according to another experimental example of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a table summarizing temperature measurement data of a heat sink measured using the battery system of FIG. 3 according to another experimental example of the present invention. In addition, FIG. 16 is a graph of temperature measurement data of the heat sink over time in FIG. 15.

[0168] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, the processor (122) may determine that degradation has occurred in the specific battery if the generated temperature measurement data falls within a predefined second range. According to an embodiment, the second range may be defined based on temperature measurement data at the time of degradation derived through a pre-test.

[0169] Typically, as a battery degrades, its internal resistance may increase. Consequently, the discharge current within the battery may decrease. Consequently, the battery's output power may decrease, leading to temperature fluctuations.

[0170] Accordingly, the battery management method according to the embodiment of the present invention and other embodiments can analyze the cause of failure due to short circuit or deterioration based on temperature measurement data of a specific battery (111T).

[0171] According to an embodiment, the temperature measurement data may be data measured through a temperature sensor individually connected to a specific battery (111T), as in FIG. 14, or may be data measured from the temperature of a heat sink (140) positioned adjacent to or in contact with a specific battery (111T) on one side, as in FIG. 15.

[0172] At this time, when analyzing the cause of a failure using the temperature measurement data of the heat sink (140), the processor (122) can determine whether a specific battery has deteriorated by comparing the temperature measurement slope over time shown on the graph with the second range, as shown in FIG. 16. The second range at this time can be defined as a range of a predefined slope derived based on the temperature measurement data at the time of deterioration through a prior test.

[0173]

[0174] FIG. 17 is an image for explaining an impact test experiment to which a battery management method according to embodiments of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 18 is an image for explaining a long-term charge / discharge experiment to which a battery management method according to embodiments of the present invention is applied.

[0175] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, a battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a reliability inspection process of a battery.

[0176] According to one embodiment, the battery management method can be applied to a shock test experiment of a battery system.

[0177] To be more specific, a battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can obtain information on the impact strength and impact-vulnerable area of ​​a battery system by checking whether an abnormality has occurred in at least one battery and the location of a specific battery where an abnormality has occurred, for a battery system in which an impact test experiment has been performed.

[0178] In another embodiment, the battery management method can be applied to long-term charge-discharge experiments of a battery system.

[0179] More specifically, a battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention can recognize a point in time when an abnormality occurs in at least one battery in a battery system that has undergone a long-term charge / discharge experiment, and identify a specific point in time when aging is accelerated.

[0180] In other words, the battery management method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a reliability inspection process of a battery system, thereby enabling the manufacture of a high-performance and high-efficiency battery system.

[0181]

[0182] The battery management device and method according to the embodiments and experimental examples of the present invention have been described above.

[0183] The battery management device and method according to the embodiments and experimental examples of the present invention can detect the battery in which an abnormality has occurred and analyze the cause of the failure without separate disassembly when an abnormality in a battery system including a plurality of battery groups is detected.

[0184]

[0185] The operations of the methods according to the embodiments and experimental examples of the present invention can be implemented as computer-readable programs or codes on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Furthermore, computer-readable recording media can be distributed across network-connected computer systems, allowing computer-readable programs or codes to be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0186] Additionally, the computer-readable recording medium may include hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. The program instructions may include not only machine language codes produced by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0187] While some aspects of the present invention have been described in the context of a device, they may also represent a description of a corresponding method, wherein a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may also be described as a corresponding block or item or a feature of a corresponding device. 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 significant method steps may be performed by such a device.

[0188] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A battery management device located within a battery system including multiple battery groups, processor; and A memory that stores at least one instruction to be executed through the processor, At least one of the above commands, A command to detect an abnormality in the above battery system, A command to detect a specific battery group in which an abnormality has occurred depending on whether balancing is performed when an abnormality occurs in the above battery system, and A battery management device comprising a command to detect a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred based on the temperatures of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group.

2. In claim 1, A command to detect an abnormality in the above battery system is: A command to compare the discharge time of the battery system with the previous discharge time, and A battery management device comprising a command to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the battery system when the difference between the discharge time and the previous discharge time is greater than a predetermined threshold time.

3. In claim 2, The above discharge time is, A battery management device, which is the time required for the above battery system to be completely discharged from a fully charged state.

4. In claim 1, The command to detect the above specific battery group is: A battery management device comprising a command to detect a specific battery group that satisfies a balancing performance condition more than a predefined threshold number of times during charging and discharging of the above battery system.

5. In claim 1, The command to detect the above specific battery is: A command to measure the temperature of multiple batteries within the above specific battery group, and A battery management device comprising a command to detect a battery cell having the lowest temperature among the plurality of batteries as a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred.

6. In claim 5, A command to measure the temperature of multiple batteries within the above specific battery group is: A battery management device comprising a command to measure the temperature of the plurality of batteries when the battery system is in a discharge state.

7. In claim 1, A battery management device further comprising a command to determine a cause of failure of a specific battery based on the temperatures of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group.

8. In claim 7, The command to determine the cause of failure of the above specific battery is: A battery management device comprising a command for determining that a short circuit has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature data over time of the specific battery is within a first range defined above.

9. In claim 7, The command to determine the cause of failure of the above specific battery is: A battery management device comprising a command for determining that degradation has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined second range.

10. A management method by a battery management device located in a battery system including multiple battery groups, A step of detecting an abnormality in the above battery system; When an abnormality occurs in the above battery system, a step of detecting a specific battery group in which an abnormality has occurred depending on whether balancing is performed; and A battery management method, comprising a step of detecting a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred based on the temperatures of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group.

11. In claim 10, The step of detecting an abnormality in the above battery system is: A step of comparing the discharge time of the battery system with the previous discharge time; and A battery management method, comprising a step of determining that an abnormality has occurred in the battery system when the above discharge time and the previous discharge time differ by a predetermined threshold time or more.

12. In claim 11, The above discharge time is, A battery management method, wherein the time required for the above battery system to be completely discharged from a fully charged state is the time required for the above battery system to be completely discharged.

13. In claim 10, The step of detecting the above specific battery group is: A battery management method, comprising a step of detecting a specific battery group that satisfies a balancing performance condition more than a predetermined threshold number of times during charging and discharging of the above battery system.

14. In claim 10, The step of detecting the above specific battery is: A step of measuring the temperature of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group; and A battery management method comprising a step of detecting a battery cell having the lowest temperature among the plurality of batteries as a specific battery in which an abnormality has occurred.

15. In claim 14, The step of measuring the temperature of multiple batteries within the above specific battery group is: A battery management method, comprising the step of measuring the temperature of the plurality of batteries when the battery system is in a discharge state.

16. In claim 10, A battery management method further comprising a step of determining a cause of failure of a specific battery based on the temperatures of a plurality of batteries within the specific battery group.

17. In claim 16, The steps for determining the cause of failure of the above specific battery are: A battery management method, comprising a step of determining that a short circuit has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined first range.

18. In claim 16, The steps for determining the cause of failure of the above specific battery are: A battery management method, comprising a step of determining that degradation has occurred in the specific battery when the temperature data over time of the specific battery is within a predefined second range.

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