Switch diagnostic apparatus and method, battery management system and battery pack comprising the same

Abstract

This invention relates to a switch diagnostic apparatus and method capable of effectively diagnosing switches installed in a battery pack during the diagnostic process. According to one aspect of this disclosure, when multiple battery modules having a parallel structure are provided, the switches installed in the battery module to be diagnosed can be effectively diagnosed based on the voltages of switches installed in other battery modules besides the one to be diagnosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a switch diagnostic apparatus and method, and more specifically, to a switch diagnostic apparatus and method capable of effectively diagnosing a switch during the process of diagnosing a switch set to a battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically, and electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites have been actively developed. Therefore, high-performance rechargeable batteries that allow for repeated charging and discharging are being actively researched.

[0003] Currently commercially available rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-zinc (NiZn), and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries exhibit virtually no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, allowing for free charging and discharging, and possessing a very low self-discharge rate and high energy density. Therefore, lithium-ion batteries have attracted considerable attention.

[0004] Batteries are used in a variety of fields. In recent years, large capacities have become increasingly necessary in areas where batteries are frequently used, such as electric vehicles and smart grid systems. To increase the capacity of a battery pack, the capacity of each secondary battery cell—that is, the capacity of the battery cell itself—can be increased. However, in this case, the capacity does not increase significantly, and increasing the size of the secondary batteries has physical limitations and leads to management inconvenience. Therefore, battery packs with multiple battery modules connected in series and parallel are widely used.

[0005] A battery is connected to a load, charger, etc., to power the load and enable its operation, or to charge the battery using power supplied from the charger. In other words, a battery is typically used for electrical connection to a system such as a load or charger. In this case, the battery and system are connected via a power supply line, and a contactor or MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) is placed in the line between the battery and the system to perform switching operations. However, in the prior art, it is only possible to control whether current is supplied using the MOSFET, and no function for diagnosing MOSFET faults is provided. In this situation, because MOSFET faults are not diagnosed, energy loss increases due to the heat generated from the MOSFET. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] This disclosure is designed to address the problems of the prior art, and therefore aims to provide an improved switch diagnostic apparatus and method that can effectively diagnose the switch during the process of diagnosing the switch set to the battery pack.

[0008] These and other objects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description and will become even more apparent from the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and combinations thereof.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] In one aspect of this disclosure, a switch diagnostic device is provided to diagnose switches connected to a plurality of battery modules, each of the battery modules having at least one secondary battery and the battery modules being connected in parallel with each other. The switch diagnostic device includes: a plurality of positive terminal module switches, each of which is connected to a positive charging / discharging path directly connected to the positive terminal of the plurality of battery modules to disconnect or connect the positive charging / discharging path; a plurality of negative terminal module switches, each of which is connected to a negative charging / discharging path directly connected to the negative terminal of the plurality of battery modules to disconnect or connect the negative charging / discharging path; and a positive diagnostic terminal connected to the plurality of battery modules. An integrated positive path between a positive module switch and the positive terminal of the battery pack; a negative diagnostic terminal disposed on the integrated negative path between the plurality of negative module switches and the negative terminal of the battery pack; a voltage measurement unit configured to measure the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal; and a processor configured to receive the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal from the voltage measurement unit, and to diagnose whether the positive module switch and the negative module switch of at least one of the plurality of battery modules are in a stalled state based on the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal.

[0011] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to diagnose that the positive and negative module switches of at least one of the plurality of battery modules are in the failure state when the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0012] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to diagnose that the positive and negative module switches of the plurality of battery modules are in a normal state when the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0013] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, a switch diagnostic device is provided. The switch diagnostic device diagnoses switches connected to multiple battery modules, each of which has at least one secondary battery and is connected in parallel with each other. The switch diagnostic device includes: multiple positive terminal module switches, each of which is connected to a positive charging / discharging path directly connected to the positive terminal of the multiple battery modules to disconnect or connect the positive charging / discharging path; multiple negative terminal module switches, each of which is connected to a negative charging / discharging path directly connected to the negative terminal of the multiple battery modules to disconnect or connect the negative charging / discharging path; and multiple positive terminal diagnostic terminals, each of which is connected to a switch module. A positive charge / discharge path between a positive module switch and the positive terminal of a battery pack; a plurality of negative diagnostic terminals disposed on the negative charge / discharge path between each negative module switch and the negative terminal of the battery pack; a voltage measurement unit configured to measure the voltage of the plurality of positive diagnostic terminals and the voltage of the plurality of negative diagnostic terminals; and a processor configured to receive the voltage of the plurality of positive diagnostic terminals and the voltage of the plurality of negative diagnostic terminals from the voltage measurement unit, and to diagnose whether the positive module switch and the negative module switch of at least one of the plurality of battery modules are in a failed state based on the voltage of at least one positive diagnostic terminal and the voltage of at least one negative diagnostic terminal.

[0014] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to select a target battery module for diagnosis from the plurality of battery modules, and to diagnose whether the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module are in a faulty state based on the voltages set to the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of battery modules other than the target battery module.

[0015] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to diagnose the failure state of the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module when the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of a battery module other than the target battery module is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0016] Furthermore, the processor can be configured to diagnose the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module as being in a normal state when the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of a battery module other than the target battery module is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0017] Furthermore, the battery management system (BMS) according to embodiments of this disclosure includes the switch diagnostic device of this disclosure.

[0018] Furthermore, the battery pack according to embodiments of this disclosure includes the switch diagnostic device of this disclosure.

[0019] In one aspect of this disclosure, a switch diagnostic method is provided to diagnose switches disposed in a plurality of battery modules, each of the plurality of battery modules having at least one secondary battery and the plurality of battery modules being connected in parallel with each other. The switch diagnostic method includes: measuring the voltage of a positive diagnostic terminal and measuring the voltage of a negative diagnostic terminal, wherein the positive diagnostic terminal is disposed in an integrated positive path between a plurality of positive module switches and the positive terminal of a battery pack, the plurality of positive module switches are respectively disposed in a positive charge / discharge path directly connected to the positive terminal of the plurality of battery modules to disconnect or connect the positive charge / discharge path, the negative diagnostic terminal is disposed in an integrated negative path between a plurality of negative module switches and the negative terminal of the battery pack, the plurality of negative module switches are respectively disposed in a negative charge / discharge path directly connected to the negative terminal of the plurality of battery modules to disconnect or connect the negative charge / discharge path; and diagnosing whether the positive module switch and the negative module switch of at least one of the plurality of battery modules are in a failed state based on the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal measured in the voltage measurement step.

[0020] Beneficial effects

[0021] According to one aspect of this disclosure, if multiple battery modules with a parallel structure are provided, the switches connected to the target battery module can be effectively diagnosed based on the voltage of the switches connected to the switches of battery modules other than the target battery module. Therefore, the switch diagnostic device and method according to embodiments of the present invention can improve stability by performing additional diagnostics beyond those performed on the target battery module itself.

[0022] This disclosure can have various effects in addition to those described above, and these other effects can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood through the implementation of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, are intended to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be construed as limited to the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a switch diagnostic device connected to some components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram illustrating a switch diagnostic device connected to some components of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a flowchart schematically illustrating a switch diagnostic method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terminology used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to its general and dictionary meaning, but rather is interpreted based on the principle of allowing the inventors to appropriately define the terminology for the best interpretation, and on the meaning and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Therefore, the description presented herein is merely a preferred example for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that other equivalents and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0029] Furthermore, in describing this disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known structure or function may obscure the subject matter of this disclosure, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0030] Throughout this specification, when a part is referred to as "comprising" or "including" any element, it means that the part may also include other elements, without excluding other elements, unless otherwise expressly stated. Furthermore, the term "processor" as described in the specification refers to a unit that processes at least one function or operation and can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0031] Furthermore, throughout this specification, when one part is referred to as "connected" to another part, it is not limited to the case where they are "directly connected," but also includes the case where they are "indirectly connected" and another element is inserted between them.

[0032] In this specification, a secondary battery refers to a single, physically separable battery having a positive and a negative terminal. For example, a pouch-type lithium polymer battery can be considered a secondary battery.

[0033] The switch diagnostic device according to embodiments of this disclosure can be a device for diagnosing switches installed in multiple battery modules, each of which has at least one secondary battery and is connected to each other in parallel. For example, the multiple battery modules can be arranged in a battery pack and electrically connected to each other in parallel. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown, the two ends of the battery pack can be electrically connected to the vehicle load 50.

[0034] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating a switch diagnostic device connected to some components of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 The switch diagnostic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include a plurality of positive module switches 11, 21, 31, a plurality of negative module switches 12, 22, 32, a positive diagnostic terminal 100, a negative diagnostic terminal 200, a voltage measurement unit 300, and a processor 400.

[0036] Multiple positive terminal module switches 11, 21, and 31 can be configured to directly connect to the positive terminal charging / discharging paths of multiple battery modules 10, 20, and 30, respectively. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, multiple positive electrode module switches 11, 21, and 31 can be respectively arranged on the positive electrode charging and discharging path that directly connects each positive terminal of the multiple battery modules 10, 20, and 30 to the first node N1. Furthermore, the multiple positive electrode module switches 11, 21, and 31 can disconnect or connect the positive electrode charging and discharging path. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, multiple positive module switches 11, 21, and 31 can disconnect and connect the electrical path of the positive charging / discharging path. For example, the multiple positive module switches 11, 21, and 31 can be electrically connected to the processor 400 to send and receive electrical signals. For example, the multiple positive module switches 11, 21, and 31 can be field-effect transistors (FETs) having a gate terminal, a drain terminal, and a source terminal. Here, the FET can be turned on or off by forming a channel based on the voltage applied between the gate terminal and the source terminal, or not based on the voltage applied between the gate terminal and the source terminal. For example, the FET can be a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET).

[0037] Multiple negative terminal module switches 12, 22, and 32 can be configured to directly connect to the negative terminal charging and discharging paths of multiple battery modules 10, 20, and 30, respectively. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, multiple negative electrode module switches 12, 22, and 32 can be respectively positioned on the negative electrode charging / discharging path of the multiple battery modules 10, 20, and 30, which are directly connected to the negative terminals and the second node N2. Furthermore, the multiple negative electrode module switches 12, 22, and 32 can disconnect and connect the negative electrode charging / discharging path. For example, as... Figure 1As shown, multiple negative electrode module switches 12, 22, and 32 can disconnect or connect the electrical path of the negative electrode charging / discharging path. For example, the multiple negative electrode module switches 12, 22, and 32 can be electrically connected to the processor 400 to send and receive electrical signals. For example, the multiple negative electrode module switches 12, 22, and 32 can be field-effect transistors (FETs) having a gate terminal, a drain terminal, and a source terminal. Here, the FET can be turned on or off by forming a channel based on the voltage applied between the gate terminal and the source terminal, or not based on the voltage applied between the gate terminal and the source terminal. For example, the FET can be a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET).

[0038] The positive diagnostic terminal 100 can be configured to connect to an integrated positive path between multiple positive module switches 11, 21, 31 and the positive terminal of the battery pack. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the positive diagnostic terminal 100 can be configured to connect to the positive terminals of multiple positive module switches 11, 21, 31 and the battery pack. More specifically, as... Figure 1 As shown, the path connecting multiple positive module switches 11, 21, 31 and the first node N1 can be a positive charging / discharging path, and the path connecting the first node N1 and the positive terminal of the battery pack can be an integrated positive path. Here, the positive charging / discharging path and the integrated positive path can be connected at the first node N1.

[0039] The negative terminal 200 can be configured to connect to an integrated negative path between multiple negative module switches 12, 22, 32 and the negative terminal of the battery pack. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the negative terminal diagnostic terminal 200 can be configured to connect to the negative terminals of multiple negative module switches 12, 22, 32 and the battery pack. More specifically, as... Figure 1 As shown, the path connecting multiple negative electrode module switches 12, 22, 32 and the second node N2 can be a negative electrode charging / discharging path, and the path connecting the second node N2 and the negative terminal of the battery pack can be an integrated negative electrode path. Here, the negative electrode charging / discharging path and the integrated negative electrode path can be connected at the second node N2.

[0040] The voltage measurement unit 300 can measure the voltage at the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the voltage at the negative diagnostic terminal 200. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the voltage measurement unit 300 can be electrically connected to the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200 to send and receive electrical signals respectively.

[0041] Furthermore, the voltage measurement unit 300 can be configured to measure the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal 200. More specifically, the voltage measurement unit 300 can measure the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal 200 based on electrical signals received from the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200.

[0042] Preferably, the voltage measurement unit 300 can be electrically connected to the processor 400 to send and receive electrical signals. Furthermore, under the control of the processor 400, the voltage measurement unit 300 can measure the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal 200 at regular time intervals, and output a signal indicating the magnitude of the measured voltage to the processor 400. For example, the voltage measurement unit 300 can be implemented using voltage measurement circuits commonly used in the art.

[0043] The processor 400 can receive the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal 200 from the voltage measurement unit 300, and diagnose whether the positive and negative module switches of at least one of the plurality of battery modules 10, 20, and 30 are in a failed state based on the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200. For example, if the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 are in a failed state, the processor 400 can diagnose that the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the first battery module 10 are in a failed state based on the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200.

[0044] Preferably, if the voltage difference between the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the processor 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can diagnose that the positive and negative module switches of at least one of the plurality of battery modules 10, 20, and 30 are in a failed state. For example, if the voltage difference between the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200 corresponds to the voltage value at both ends of the battery module, the processor 400 can diagnose that the positive and negative module switches of at least one of the plurality of battery modules 10, 20, and 30 are in a failed state.

[0045] Preferably, if the voltage difference between the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200 is less than a predetermined threshold, the processor 400 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can diagnose that the positive module switches 11, 21, 31 and the negative module switches 12, 22, 32 of the plurality of battery modules 10, 20, 30 are in a normal state. For example, if the voltage difference between the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200 corresponds to 0V, the processor 400 can diagnose that the positive module switch and the negative module switch of at least one of the plurality of battery modules 10, 20, 30 are in a normal state. Furthermore, if the voltage difference between the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200 is less than the voltage value at both ends of the battery module, the processor 400 can diagnose that the positive module switch and the negative module switch of at least one of the plurality of battery modules 10, 20, 30 are in a normal state.

[0046] Preferably, such as Figure 1 As shown, the switch diagnostic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a storage device 500.

[0047] The storage device 500 can pre-store information necessary for the operation of the switch diagnostic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the storage device 500 can pre-store threshold voltage values ​​corresponding to a predetermined threshold between the positive diagnostic terminal 100 and the negative diagnostic terminal 200. Additionally, the storage device 500 can pre-store the voltage values ​​across the battery module.

[0048] In addition, the processor 400 may be implemented to selectively include a processor 400, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), another chipset, logic circuitry, registers, a communication modem, and / or data processing devices known in the art.

[0049] Furthermore, the storage device 500 is not particularly limited, as long as it is a storage medium capable of recording and erasing information. For example, the storage device 500 can be RAM, ROM, registers, a hard disk, an optical recording medium, or a magnetic recording medium. The storage device 500 can also be electrically connected to the processor 400 via, for example, a data bus, so that it can be accessed by the processor 400. The storage device 500 can also store and / or update and / or erase and / or transmit programs including various control logics executed by the processor 400 and / or data generated by executing the control logic.

[0050] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a switch diagnostic device connected to some components of a battery pack according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, regarding this embodiment, features that can be applied similarly to the foregoing embodiments will not be described in detail, but features that differ from the foregoing embodiments will be described in detail.

[0051] Reference Figure 2 The switch diagnostic device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include a plurality of positive module switches 11, 21, 31, a plurality of negative module switches 12, 22, 32, a plurality of positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, 130, a plurality of negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, 230, a voltage measurement unit 300, and a processor 400.

[0052] Multiple positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, and 130 can be respectively configured to the positive charging / discharging path between the positive module switch and the positive terminal of the battery pack. For example, Figure 2 As shown, multiple positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, and 130 can be respectively arranged on the positive charging and discharging path between the positive module switch and the first node N1.

[0053] Multiple negative electrode diagnostic terminals 210, 220, and 230 can be respectively configured to the negative electrode charging and discharging path between the negative electrode module switch and the negative terminal of the battery pack. For example, Figure 2 As shown, multiple negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, and 230 can be respectively set on the negative charging and discharging path between the negative module switch and the second node N2.

[0054] The voltage measurement unit 300 can measure the voltage at multiple positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, and 130 and the voltage at multiple negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, and 230. For example, as Figure 2 As shown, the voltage measurement unit 300 can be electrically connected to multiple positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, 130 and multiple negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, 230 respectively to send and receive electrical signals.

[0055] Furthermore, the voltage measurement unit 300 can be configured to measure the voltages of a plurality of positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, 130 and a plurality of negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, 230. More specifically, the voltage measurement unit 300 can measure the voltages of the plurality of positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, 130 and the plurality of negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, 230 based on electrical signals received from the plurality of positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, 130 and the plurality of negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, 230.

[0056] Preferably, the voltage measurement unit 300 can be electrically connected to the processor 400 to send and receive electrical signals. Furthermore, under the control of the processor 400, the voltage measurement unit 300 measures the voltages of multiple positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, 130 and multiple negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, 230 at regular time intervals, and outputs a signal indicating the magnitude of the measured voltage to the processor 400. For example, the voltage measurement unit 300 can be implemented using voltage measurement circuits commonly used in the art.

[0057] The processor 400 can receive voltages from multiple positive diagnostic terminals 110, 120, 130 and multiple negative diagnostic terminals 210, 220, 230 from the voltage measurement unit 300, and diagnose whether the positive and negative module switches of at least one of the multiple battery modules 10, 20, 30 are in a failed state based on the voltages of at least one positive and at least one negative diagnostic terminal. For example, to diagnose whether the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the first battery module 10 are in a failed state, the processor 400 can diagnose whether the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the first battery module 10 are in a failed state based on the voltage difference between the second positive diagnostic terminal 120 and the second negative diagnostic terminal 220. Alternatively, in order to diagnose whether the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the first battery module 10 are in a failed state, the processor 400 may determine whether the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the first battery module 10 are in a failed state based on the voltage difference between the third positive diagnostic terminal 130 and the third negative diagnostic terminal 230.

[0058] Preferably, the processor 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can select a target battery module for diagnosis from a plurality of battery modules 10, 20, and 30, and diagnose whether the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module are in a failed state based on the voltages set to the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of battery modules other than the target battery module. For example, the processor 400 can select a target battery module for diagnosis from a plurality of battery modules 10, 20, and 30. For example, the processor 400 can sequentially select one battery module from the plurality of battery modules 10, 20, and 30 as the target battery module for diagnosis. For example, the processor 400 can select the first battery module 10 as the target battery module for diagnosis. In addition, the processor 400 can diagnose whether the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the first battery module 10 are in a faulty state based on the voltages set to the second positive diagnostic terminals 120 and 130 and the second negative diagnostic terminals 220 and 230 of the second battery module 20 and the third battery module 30 (excluding the first battery module 10).

[0059] Preferably, if the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of a battery module other than the target battery module is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the processor 400 according to an embodiment of this disclosure can diagnose that the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module are in a failed state. For example, when the processor 400 selects the first battery module 10 as the target battery module, if the voltage difference between the second positive diagnostic terminal 120 and the second negative diagnostic terminal 220 of the second battery module 20 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the processor 400 can diagnose that the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the first battery module 10 are in a failed state. Furthermore, when the first battery module 10 is selected as the target battery module, if the voltage difference between the third positive diagnostic terminal 130 and the third negative diagnostic terminal 230 of the third battery module 30 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the processor 400 can diagnose that the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the battery module 10 are in a failed state. Here, the predetermined threshold can be the voltage value across the battery module.

[0060] Preferably, if the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of a battery module other than the target battery module is less than a predetermined threshold, the processor 400 according to the embodiment of this disclosure can diagnose that the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module are in a normal state. For example, when the processor 400 selects the first battery module 10 as the target battery module, if the voltage difference between the second positive diagnostic terminal 120 and the second negative diagnostic terminal 220 of the second battery module 20 is less than the predetermined threshold, the processor 400 can diagnose that the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the first battery module 10 are in a normal state. Furthermore, when the first battery module 10 is selected as the target battery module, if the voltage difference between the third positive diagnostic terminal 130 and the third negative diagnostic terminal 230 of the third battery module 30 is less than the predetermined threshold, the processor 400 can diagnose that the first positive module switch 11 and the first negative module switch 12 of the battery module 10 are in a normal state. Here, the predetermined threshold can be 0V.

[0061] The switch diagnostic device according to this disclosure can be applied to a battery management system (BMS). That is, a BMS according to this disclosure may include the switch diagnostic device of this disclosure as described above. In this configuration, at least some components of the switch diagnostic device according to this disclosure can be implemented by supplementing or adding functionality to components included in a conventional BMS. For example, the processor 400 and storage device 500 of the switch diagnostic device according to this disclosure may be implemented as components of a BMS.

[0062] Furthermore, the switch diagnostic device according to this disclosure can be installed in the battery pack. That is, the battery pack according to this disclosure may include the switch diagnostic device of this disclosure as described above. Here, the battery pack may include at least one secondary battery, the switch diagnostic device, electrical components (including BMS, relays, fuses, etc.), and a housing.

[0063] Figure 3 This is a flowchart schematically illustrating a switch diagnostic method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 In this process, the subject of each step can be each component of the switch diagnostic device for electrical components according to this disclosure, as described above.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown, the switch diagnostic method according to this disclosure includes a voltage measurement step (S100) and a diagnostic step (S110).

[0065] First, in the voltage measurement step (S100), the voltage of the positive diagnostic terminal and the voltage of the negative diagnostic terminal can be measured. The positive diagnostic terminal is set to an integrated positive path between multiple positive module switches and the positive terminals of the battery pack. The multiple positive module switches are respectively set to positive charge / discharge paths directly connected to the positive terminals of the multiple battery modules to disconnect or connect the positive charge / discharge paths. The negative diagnostic terminal is set to an integrated negative path between multiple negative module switches and the negative terminals of the battery pack. The multiple negative module switches are respectively set to negative charge / discharge paths directly connected to the negative terminals of the multiple battery modules to disconnect or connect the negative charge / discharge paths. Then, in the diagnostic step (S110), based on the voltages of the positive and negative diagnostic terminals measured in the voltage measurement step, it can be diagnosed whether the positive and negative module switches of at least one of the multiple battery modules are in a failed state.

[0066] Preferably, in the diagnostic step (S110) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the voltage difference between the positive diagnostic terminal and the negative diagnostic terminal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it can be diagnosed that the positive module switch and the negative module switch of at least one of the multiple battery modules are in a failed state.

[0067] Preferably, in the diagnostic step (S110) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the voltage difference between the positive diagnostic terminal and the negative diagnostic terminal is less than a predetermined threshold, it can be diagnosed that the positive module switch and the negative module switch of the multiple battery modules are in a normal state.

[0068] Furthermore, when the control logic is implemented in software, the processor can be implemented as a set of program modules. In this case, the program modules can be stored in a storage device and executed by the processor.

[0069] Furthermore, there are no particular restrictions on the types of control logic for the processor, as long as one or more control logics are combined and the combined control logic is written into a computer-readable code system that allows computer-readable access. As an example, the recording medium includes at least one selected from the group consisting of: ROM, RAM, registers, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, hard disk, floppy disk, and optical data recording devices. Furthermore, the code system can be stored and executed in a distributed manner on computers connected via a network. Moreover, programmers in the art to which this disclosure pertains can readily deduce the functional programs, code, and segments used to implement the combined control logic.

[0070] This disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are given by way of illustration only while indicating preferred embodiments of this disclosure, as various changes and modifications within the scope of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the detailed description.

[0071] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0109206, filed in Korea on September 12, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] (See attached image labels)

[0073] 10: First battery module

[0074] 20: Second battery module

[0075] 30: Third battery module

[0076] 11: First positive module switch

[0077] 12: First negative module switch

[0078] 21: Second positive module switch

[0079] 22: Second negative module switch

[0080] 31: Third positive module switch

[0081] 32: Third negative module switch

[0082] 100: Positive diagnostic terminal

[0083] 110: First positive diagnostic terminal

[0084] 120: Second positive diagnostic terminal

[0085] 130: Third positive diagnostic terminal

[0086] 200: Negative diagnostic terminal

[0087] 210: First negative diagnostic terminal

[0088] 220: Second negative diagnostic terminal

[0089] 230: Third negative diagnostic terminal

[0090] 300: Voltage Measurement Unit

[0091] 400: Processor

[0092] 500: Storage device

[0093] N1: First node

[0094] N2: Second node

Claims

1. A switch diagnostic device, the switch diagnostic device diagnosing switches installed in a plurality of battery modules, each of the plurality of battery modules having at least one secondary battery and the plurality of battery modules being connected in parallel with each other, the switch diagnostic device comprising: Multiple positive electrode module switches are respectively disposed on the positive electrode charging and discharging path that directly connects the positive terminals of the multiple battery modules and the first node, so as to disconnect or connect the positive electrode charging and discharging path; Multiple negative electrode module switches are respectively disposed on the negative electrode charging and discharging path that directly connects the negative terminals and the second node of the multiple battery modules, so as to disconnect or connect the negative electrode charging and discharging path. Multiple positive diagnostic terminals are provided, which are configured to the positive charge / discharge path between each positive module switch and the first node; Multiple negative diagnostic terminals are provided, which are disposed in the negative charge / discharge path between each negative module switch and the second node; A voltage measurement unit configured to measure the voltage of the plurality of positive diagnostic terminals and the voltage of the plurality of negative diagnostic terminals; as well as A processor configured to receive voltages from the plurality of positive and negative diagnostic terminals from the voltage measurement unit, and to diagnose whether the positive and negative module switches of at least one of the plurality of battery modules are in a fault state based on the voltages of at least one positive and at least one negative diagnostic terminal. The processor is configured to select a target battery module for diagnosis from the plurality of battery modules, and to diagnose whether the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module are in a faulty state based on the voltages set to the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of battery modules other than the target battery module. The processor is configured to diagnose the failure state of the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module when the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of a battery module other than the target battery module is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The processor is configured to diagnose the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module as being in a normal state when the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of the battery module other than the target battery module is less than the predetermined threshold.

2. A battery management system (BMS), the battery management system comprising the switch diagnostic device according to claim 1.

3. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising the switch diagnostic device according to claim 1.

4. A switch diagnostic method using the switch diagnostic device according to claim 1, the switch diagnostic method comprising: The voltage measurement step involves measuring the voltage at the plurality of positive diagnostic terminals and the voltage at the plurality of negative diagnostic terminals. The diagnostic step involves diagnosing, based on the voltage of at least one positive diagnostic terminal and the voltage of at least one negative diagnostic terminal, whether the positive module switch and the negative module switch of at least one of the plurality of battery modules are in a failure state. as well as In the selection step, a diagnostic target battery module is selected from the plurality of battery modules, and the positive and negative module switches of the diagnostic target battery module are diagnosed as being in a failure state based on the voltages set to the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of the battery modules other than the diagnostic target battery module. Specifically, in the diagnostic step, when the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of a battery module other than the target battery module is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module are diagnosed as being in the failure state. In the diagnostic step, when the voltage difference between the positive and negative diagnostic terminals of a battery module other than the target battery module is less than the predetermined threshold, the positive and negative module switches of the target battery module are diagnosed as being in a normal state.

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