Method and device for charging a battery

Abstract

A method and device for charging a battery are disclosed. The method estimates an aging mode of the battery reflecting an aging factor and an aging degree of the battery based on battery characteristics corresponding to a charging level of the battery, updates a battery model based on the aging mode, and charges the battery using the updated battery model.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0109630, filed on Sep. 4, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The following description relates to a method and an apparatus for charging a battery. Background Art

[0003] Batteries are charged using various methods. For example, the constant current-constant voltage (CCCV) charging method charges a battery using a constant current and then charges the battery at a constant voltage when the voltage of the battery reaches a preset level. The variable current decay charging method charges a battery using a high current in a low state of charge (SOC) and gradually reduces the current when the battery has a predetermined SOC through charging. In addition, the multi-step charging method charges a battery using a multi-step constant current (CC) from a high current to a low current, and the pulse charging method repeatedly applies a pulse current at short time intervals. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described in the following detailed description. The present invention is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one general aspect, a method of charging a battery includes: estimating an aging mode of the battery that reflects an aging factor and an aging degree of the battery based on battery characteristics corresponding to a charging level of the battery, updating a battery model based on the aging mode, and charging the battery using the updated battery model.

[0006] The method may include: estimating the aging mode of the battery based on aging modes of one or more reference batteries having different aging factors and / or different aging degrees.

[0007] The method may include: estimating the aging mode of the battery by applying weights to each of the aging modes of the selected one or more reference batteries, and determining the weights based on a similarity of battery characteristics corresponding to a charging level of the battery.

[0008] The similarity may indicate a similarity between a peak characteristic shown in a graph of battery characteristics corresponding to a charging level of a reference battery and a peak characteristic shown in a graph of battery characteristics corresponding to a charging level of the battery.

[0009] The peak characteristics may include at least one of the position, intensity, full width at half maximum (FWHM), and shape of a peak in a graph of battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level.

[0010] The peak characteristic may be the characteristic of the peak having the lowest charge level among the peaks included in the graph of battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level.

[0011] The aging mode may include: the aging factor of the battery aged due to the aging history of the battery; and the current aging degree of the battery aged due to the aging factor.

[0012] The battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level may be represented by a graph depicted based on: the ratio between the change in the charge amount of the battery and the change in voltage; and the charge level of the battery.

[0013] The charge level of the battery may include one of the state of charge (SOC), voltage, and charge amount of the battery.

[0014] The battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level may correspond to dQ / dV with respect to the SOC, where dQ is the change in the charge amount of the battery and dV is the change in the voltage of the battery.

[0015] The method may include: determining the previously estimated aging mode of the battery as the aging mode of the battery in response to satisfying the aging mode reuse condition.

[0016] The step of determining whether the aging mode reuse condition is satisfied may include one or more of the following: determining whether the time difference between the last time point when the aging mode of the battery was estimated and the current time point is less than or equal to a threshold time; and determining whether the usage of the battery after the last time point is less than or equal to a threshold usage.

[0017] The method may include: charging the battery using a multi-step charge determined based on an updated battery model.

[0018] The battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level may be determined based on the charge curve of the battery.

[0019] The method may include: updating the battery model to reflect the aging factor and aging degree of the battery corresponding to the aging mode in the internal state of the battery model.

[0020] The battery may be a battery cell, a battery module, or a battery pack.

[0021] The battery model may be an electrochemical model.

[0022] In another general aspect, a device for charging a battery includes: a memory configured to store a battery model; and a processor configured to: estimate an aging mode of the battery reflecting an aging factor and an aging degree of the battery based on battery characteristics corresponding to a charging level of the battery, update the battery model based on the aging mode, and control charging of the battery using the updated battery model.

[0023] In another general aspect, a method for charging a battery includes: obtaining a charging curve of a battery including lithium (Li); determining battery characteristics corresponding to a charging level of the battery based on the charging curve; determining whether the battery is aged due to lithium plating based on the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level; in response to determining that the battery is aged due to lithium plating, updating the battery model by estimating an aging mode of the battery to reflect aging of the battery; and charging the battery using the updated battery model.

[0024] The method may include: determining that the battery is aged due to lithium plating in a case where, among a plurality of reference batteries having different aging factors and / or different aging degrees, a reference battery mainly aged due to lithium plating has battery characteristics most similar to the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level.

[0025] The method may include: estimating an aging mode of the battery using an aging mode of a reference battery mainly aged due to lithium plating, and updating the battery model based on the estimated aging mode.

[0026] The method may include: determining a charging condition of the battery using the updated battery model, and charging the battery based on the determined charging condition.

[0027] The battery model may be an electrochemical model.

[0028] The method may include: updating the electrochemical model by reflecting a decrease in lithium capacity at a cathode due to lithium plating.

[0029] In another general aspect, a method includes: estimating an aging mode of a target battery by comparing one or more characteristics of the target battery with corresponding characteristics of at least two reference batteries mainly aged due to different aging factors; and charging the battery using a battery model determined based on the estimated aging mode.

[0030] The at least two reference batteries may include a first reference battery and a second reference battery, the first reference battery mainly aged due to lithium plating, and the second reference battery mainly aged due to a decrease in cathode capacity and an anode solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer.

[0031] Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. Description of the Drawings

[0032] Figure 1 An example of a battery charging system is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 An example of a battery charging method is shown.

[0034] Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example of battery characteristics corresponding to the charging levels of multiple reference batteries is shown.

[0035] Figure 5 An example of estimating the aging mode of a battery is shown.

[0036] Figure 6 An example of charging a battery is shown.

[0037] Figure 7 An example of a battery charging method is shown.

[0038] Figure 8 An example of a battery charging device is shown.

[0039] Figure 9 An example of a vehicle is shown.

[0040] Figure 10 An example of a mobile device is shown.

[0041] Figure 11 An example of a terminal is shown.

[0042] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described or provided, the same reference numerals will be understood to represent the same elements, features, and structures. The drawings may not be to scale, and for clarity, illustration, and convenience, the relative dimensions, proportions, and depictions of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated. Detailed Description

[0043] The following detailed structural or functional description is provided only as an example, and various changes and modifications can be made to the example. Therefore, the example is not to be construed as limited to the disclosure, but should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutions within the scope of the disclosed technology.

[0044] Terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe components. Each of these terms is not used to define the essence, order, or sequence of the corresponding component, but is only used to distinguish the corresponding component from other components. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

[0045] Note that if a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "joined" to another component, then although the first component may be directly connected, coupled, or joined to the second component, a third component may be "connected", "coupled", or "joined" between the first and second components.

[0046] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms are also intended to include the plural forms. It will also be understood that when the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" are used herein, they specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Unless explicitly defined herein, terms (such as those defined in a general dictionary) shall be construed to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and shall not be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0048] Hereinafter, examples are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following specific structural or functional descriptions are exemplary and are provided only to describe the examples, and the scope of the examples is not limited to the descriptions provided in this specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes and modifications thereto. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same elements, and known functions or configurations will be omitted herein.

[0049] Figure 1 An example of a battery charging system is shown.

[0050] Referring Figure 1 , the battery charging system 100 includes a battery charging device 110 and a battery 120.

[0051] The battery 120 corresponds to a battery cell, a battery module, or a battery pack.

[0052] The battery charging device 110 charges the battery 120 using a battery model. For example, the battery charging device 110 estimates the internal state of the battery based on the battery model and uses a multi-step charging method to quickly charge the battery 120 to minimize charging aging. Here, the battery model is an electrochemical model configured to estimate the state information of the battery 120 by modeling the internal physical phenomena of the battery (such as the electric potential or ion concentration distribution). Further, the internal state of the battery includes the cathode lithium (Li) ion concentration distribution, the anode Li ion concentration distribution, and / or the electrolyte Li ion concentration distribution of the battery, and the active materials include the cathode and anode of the battery.

[0053] As it is repeatedly used, the battery 120 gradually ages. The aging state of the battery 120 varies according to the usage history of the battery 120. Therefore, the battery model is updated to reflect the state of health (SOH) that decreases due to the repeated use of the battery 120 and the aging pattern that varies according to the usage history of the battery 120. If a battery model that does not reflect the aging pattern is used, the internal state of the battery model for determining the charging limit conditions for fast charging will be inaccurately estimated, and the aging conditions cannot be avoided, which causes rapid aging of the battery and reduction of the battery life.

[0054] The aging pattern reflects the aging factors of the battery 120 that have aged due to the aging history of the battery 120, and the current aging degree of the battery 120 that has aged due to the aging factors. The aging factors include predetermined aging factors to be reflected in the battery model, such as cathode capacity reduction, anode capacity reduction, Li ion loss, increase in electrode surface resistance, and change in electrode diffusivity. Generally, the battery ages due to a combination of many aging factors. The aging degree indicates the SOH.

[0055] Figure 2 An example of a battery charging method is shown.

[0056] Refer to Figure 2 , a battery charging method executed by a processor of a battery charging device is shown.

[0057] In operation 210, the battery charging device estimates the aging pattern of the battery that reflects the aging factors and aging degree of the battery based on the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery. Here, the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery are represented as a graph of the ratio between the change in the charge amount of the battery and the change in voltage. The charging level of the battery includes one of the state of charge (SOC), voltage V, and charge amount Q of the battery. For example, the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level correspond to dQ / dV with respect to the SOC, where dQ represents the change in the charge amount and dV represents the change in voltage. The battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level are determined based on the charging curve of the battery.

[0058] The battery charging device estimates the aging pattern of the battery based on the aging patterns of one or more reference batteries selected from a plurality of reference batteries having different aging factors and / or different aging degrees. In this example, when one or more reference batteries are selected, the aging pattern of the battery is estimated by applying weights to each of the aging patterns of the selected reference batteries, and the weights are determined based on the similarity of the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery. Details thereof will be provided with reference to Figures 3 to 5 Provide its detailed description.

[0059] In operation 220, the battery charging device updates the battery model based on the aging mode. The battery charging device updates the battery model to reflect the aging factors and aging degree of the battery corresponding to the aging mode in the internal state of the battery model.

[0060] In operation 230, the battery charging device charges the battery using the updated battery model. The battery charging device charges the battery using a multi-step charging method determined based on the updated battery model (e.g., the updated electrochemical model).

[0061] Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example of battery characteristics corresponding to the charging levels of multiple reference batteries is shown.

[0062] As described above, the aging mode of one or more reference batteries is used to estimate the aging mode of the battery. For this purpose, the battery characteristics and aging mode corresponding to the charging levels of multiple reference batteries are pre-stored in the database.

[0063] Each of the multiple reference batteries has different aging factors and / or different current aging degrees. Therefore, each of the multiple reference batteries has battery characteristics and an aging mode corresponding to different charging levels.

[0064] The battery charging device selects one or more reference batteries from the multiple reference batteries that have battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level similar to those of the battery to be charged. In this example, the similarity is determined based on the peak characteristics shown in the graph of the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level. Reference will be made to Figure 3 and Figure 4 to describe the peak characteristics.

[0065] Figure 3 An example of a graph showing the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of a 10°C, 1C aged cell is shown. In this example, the main aging factor is estimated to be lithium plating. Figure 4 An example of a graph showing the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of a 25°C, 1C aged cell is shown. In this example, the main aging factors are estimated to be cathode capacity reduction and the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the anode.

[0066] Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4The curves shown, although at the same aging temperature, represent different curves according to the SOH, and although the SOH is the same, represent different curves according to the aging temperature. In particular, different characteristics are clearly shown at the peaks of the portions with the lowest SOC among the peaks included in the curves (i.e., the initial SOCs 310, 410). That is, the most obvious characteristic differences are shown at the first peak shown in the curves.

[0067] The peak characteristics include at least one of the position, intensity, full width at half maximum (FWHM), and shape of the peaks that appear in the curves. The position of the peak indicates the SOC value at which the peak appears. For example, Figure 3 shows that the position of the peak (i.e., the SOC at which the peak appears) shifts as the SOH changes. Conversely, Figure 4 shows that the position of the peak shifts relatively little as the SOH changes. Additionally, the intensity of the peak indicates the sharpness of the peak. For example, Figure 3 or Figure 4 shows that the intensity of the peak decreases relatively as the SOH decreases. Furthermore, the FWHM of the peak indicates the difference between two variable values corresponding to half of the maximum value of the peak. For example, the FWHM of the peak decreases as the peak becomes thinner and sharper. The shape of the peak indicates the morphology of the peak. For example, the peak is in the form of a sharp rise followed by a gentle decline, or conversely, in the form of a gentle rise followed by a sharp decline.

[0068] For ease of description, battery characteristics corresponding to the charge levels shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 are provided, and the battery characteristics are represented as a curve of dQ / dV versus SOC. The examples are not limited to this. dV / dQ can be applied instead of dQ / dV on the y-axis, and voltage V or charge quantity Q can be applied instead of SOC on the x-axis.

[0069] Figure 5 Shows an example of estimating the aging mode of a battery.

[0070] Referring to Figure 5 , an example of determining the aging mode of a target battery based on the aging modes of one or more reference batteries is shown, where the one or more reference batteries have battery characteristics corresponding to the charge levels that are similar to those of the target battery.

[0071] In Figure 5 , curve 510 shows the battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level of the target battery, curve 521 shows the battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level of the first reference battery, and curve 522 shows the battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level of the second reference battery.

[0072] The database 520 stores battery characteristics and aging patterns corresponding to the charging levels of multiple reference batteries. The battery charging device identifies one or more reference batteries in the database 520 that have battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level that are similar to the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the target battery. For example, the battery charging device identifies one or more reference batteries that have a similarity with respect to the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the target battery that is greater than or equal to a threshold similarity. In addition, the battery charging device identifies n reference batteries that have the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level that are most similar to the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the target battery. Additionally, various examples of identifying one or more reference batteries that have battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level that are similar to the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the target battery can be applied without limitation.

[0073] The battery charging device estimates the aging pattern of the target battery by applying weights determined based on the similarity to the aging pattern of each of the identified one or more reference batteries. The similarity indicates the similarity between the peak characteristics shown in the graph of the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of each identified reference battery and the peak characteristics shown in the graph of the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the target battery.

[0074] For ease of description, in Figure 5 the example, it is assumed that a first reference battery and a second reference battery are identified among the multiple reference batteries in the database 520. Additionally, it is assumed that the first reference battery and the second reference battery are batteries that have aged due to various aging factors (e.g., lithium plating, cathode capacity reduction, and anode SEI layer). For example, it is assumed that the first reference battery is a battery that has aged mainly due to lithium plating, and the second reference battery is a battery that has aged mainly due to cathode capacity reduction and anode SEI layer.

[0075] The battery charging device determines a first similarity between the graph 510 of the target battery and the graph 521 of the first reference battery. In this example, the first similarity is determined based on the similarity of the peak characteristics described above. Similarly, the battery charging device determines a second similarity between the graph 510 of the target battery and the graph 522 of the second reference battery.

[0076] The battery charging device determines a first weight for the first aging pattern of the first reference battery to be applied based on the first similarity, and determines a second weight for the second aging pattern of the second reference battery to be applied based on the second similarity. For example, by determining a high weight for a high similarity, a larger portion of the aging pattern of the reference battery with a higher similarity is reflected in the aging pattern of the target battery.

[0077] The battery charging device estimates the aging mode of the battery to be charged based on a first aging mode to which a first weight is applied and a second aging mode to which a second weight is applied, and updates the battery model based on the estimated aging mode.

[0078] For example, the battery model is updated to reflect the aging that occurs in the battery to be charged due to lithium plating, cathode capacity reduction, and anode SEI layer. If the first weight for the first aging mode applied to the first reference battery is 0.7, and the second weight for the second aging mode applied to the second reference battery is 0.3, then the aging due to lithium plating to be reflected in the battery model is determined by applying 0.7 to the first aging mode indicating lithium plating aging in the first reference battery and applying 0.3 to the second aging mode indicating lithium plating aging in the second reference battery. In addition, the aging due to cathode capacity reduction and anode SEI layer to be reflected in the battery model is determined by applying 0.7 to the first aging mode indicating cathode capacity reduction and anode SEI layer aging in the first reference battery and applying 0.3 to the second aging mode indicating cathode capacity reduction and anode SEI layer aging in the second reference battery.

[0079] As described above, by estimating the aging mode of the target battery to be charged based on the aging modes of one or more reference batteries having battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level similar to the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the target battery, the aging factors, aging history, and current aging state of the target battery can be reflected in the battery model only based on the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level derived from the charging curve of the target battery, thereby effectively avoiding aging conditions while quickly charging the battery.

[0080] Figure 6 An example of charging a battery is shown.

[0081] Figure 6 A flowchart showing an example of a battery charging device charging a battery is shown.

[0082] In operation 601, the battery charging device verifies whether the aging mode reuse condition is satisfied. For example, the reuse condition includes at least one of the following: whether the time difference between the last time point when the aging mode of the estimated battery was estimated and the current time point is less than or equal to a threshold time, and whether the usage amount of the battery after the last time point is less than or equal to a threshold usage amount. That is, if the difference between the last time point when the aging mode was estimated and the current time point is not large enough and / or the battery has not been used extensively after the last time point, then the battery has not aged significantly during that period. Therefore, the previously estimated aging mode is used as it is.

[0083] If the aging mode reuse condition is satisfied, in operation 605, the previous aging mode is applied to the battery model. In this example, operations 602 to 604 are omitted. Conversely, if the aging mode reuse condition is not satisfied, operation 602 is then performed.

[0084] In operation 602, the battery charging device applies a charging current for charge curve analysis to the battery.

[0085] In operation 603, the battery charging device estimates the aging mode of the battery by analyzing the charge curve. For example, the battery charging device determines battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level of the battery by analyzing the charge curve, and estimates the aging mode of the battery based on the determined battery characteristics corresponding to the charge level. The above description also applies here, so for the sake of brevity, the repeated description will be omitted here.

[0086] In operation 604, the battery charging device updates the battery model based on the estimated aging mode.

[0087] In operation 606, the battery charging device uses the updated battery model to estimate the SOC and internal state of the battery. Here, the internal state includes the anode overpotential, cathode overpotential, Li-ion concentration on the anode surface, Li-ion concentration on the cathode surface, cell voltage condition, charge state, and temperature of the battery.

[0088] In operation 607, the battery charging device determines the charging current and charging limit conditions. Here, the charging limit condition is a condition for dividing the process of charging the battery according to the multi-step charging method into multiple charging steps to charge the battery within the range of preventing battery aging. For example, the charging limit condition is set for any one or any combination of the charging time, voltage, current, temperature, and internal state of the battery. The charging current is the current used to charge the battery in each charging step, and is expressed as A, mA, or C-rate.

[0089] In operation 608, the battery charging device sets charging step N to "1".

[0090] In operation 609, the battery charging device uses the charging current I corresponding to a constant current N to charge the battery.

[0091] In operation 610, the battery charging device measures any one or any combination of the current, voltage, and temperature of the battery, and estimates the internal state of the battery based on the measured values and the battery model (e.g., the electrochemical model).

[0092] In operation 611, the battery charging device determines whether the charging limit condition determined in operation 607 is reached. For example, the battery charging device determines whether the charging limit condition is reached based on measured values (such as the charging time, voltage, current, and temperature of the battery) and / or estimated values (such as the internal state of the battery). If the charging limit condition is not reached, operation 609 is then performed. Conversely, if the charging limit condition is reached, operation 612 is then performed.

[0093] In operation 612, the battery charging device increments the charging step N by "1".

[0094] In operation 613, the battery charging device determines whether the charging step N exceeds a predetermined final charging step N F If the charging step N does not exceed the final charging step N F operation 609 is then performed. Conversely, if the charging step N exceeds the final charging step N F the battery charging operation is terminated.

[0095] The charging of the battery may be terminated in response to another charging termination event. For example, if the voltage of the battery reaches a threshold voltage, the battery charging device may terminate the charging of the battery. The threshold voltage may be in the range of 4V to 4.2V. In another example, if the voltage of the battery reaches a threshold voltage, the battery charging device may charge the battery using a constant voltage, and if the current of the battery reaches a termination current (e.g., 0.05C rate), the charging of the battery is terminated.

[0096] Figure 7 An example of a battery charging method is shown.

[0097] Referring to Figure 7 a battery charging method executed by a processor of a battery charging device is shown.

[0098] In operation 710, the battery charging device obtains a charging curve of a battery including Li.

[0099] In operation 720, the battery charging device determines battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery based on the charging curve.

[0100] In operation 730, the battery charging device determines whether the battery is aged due to lithium plating based on the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level. If among a plurality of reference batteries with different aging factors and / or different degrees of aging, the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the reference battery mainly aged due to lithium plating are most similar to the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery, the battery charging device determines that the battery is aged due to lithium plating.

[0101] In operation 740, in response to determining that the battery is aging due to lithium plating, the battery charging device updates the battery model by estimating the aging mode of the battery to reflect the aging of the battery. The battery charging device estimates the aging mode of the battery based on the aging mode of a reference battery that is aging mainly due to lithium plating, and updates the battery model based on the estimated aging mode.

[0102] In operation 750, the battery charging device charges the battery using the updated model. The battery charging device uses the updated battery model to determine the charging conditions of the battery, and charges the battery based on the determined charging conditions.

[0103] Referring to Figures 1 to 6 the description provided also applies to Figure 7 the operations, and thus the repeated description will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0104] Figure 8 FIG. shows an example of a battery charging device.

[0105] Referring to Figure 8 , the battery charging device 800 includes a memory 810 and a processor 820. The memory 810 and the processor 820 communicate with each other via a bus 830. The battery charging device 800 is provided in various electronic devices including a battery, such as a vehicle, a terminal, and a walking assistance device.

[0106] The memory 810 stores computer-readable instructions. When the instructions stored in the memory 810 are executed by the processor 820, the processor 820 performs the operations described above. The memory 810 is a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.

[0107] The processor 820 is a device configured to execute instructions or programs, or control the battery charging device 800. The processor 820 estimates the aging mode of the battery that reflects the aging factors and the degree of aging of the battery based on the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery, updates the battery model based on the aging mode, and controls the charging of the battery using the updated battery model.

[0108] For example, the battery charging device 800 processes the operations described above.

[0109] Figure 9 FIG. shows an example of a vehicle.

[0110] Referring to Figure 9 , the vehicle 900 includes a battery pack 910. The vehicle 900 is a vehicle that uses the battery pack 910 as power. For example, the vehicle 900 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0111] The battery pack 910 includes a battery management system (BMS) and battery cells (or battery modules). The BMS monitors whether an abnormality occurs in the battery pack 910 and prevents overcharging or over-discharging of the battery pack 910. In addition, if the temperature of the battery pack 910 exceeds a first temperature (e.g., 40 °C) or is less than a second temperature (e.g., -10 °C), the BMS performs thermal control on the battery pack 910. Additionally, the BMS balances the state of charge between the battery cells in the battery pack 910 by performing cell balancing.

[0112] The vehicle 900 includes a battery charging device. The battery charging device updates a battery model based on an aging pattern reflecting an aging factor and an aging degree of the battery pack 910 (or battery cells in the battery pack 910), and charges the battery pack 910 (or battery cells in the battery pack 910) using the updated battery model.

[0113] Refer to Figures 1 to 8 The description provided also applies to Figure 9 the examples of

[0114] Figure 10 An example of a mobile device is shown.

[0115] Refer to Figure 10 As shown in

[0116] The mobile device 1000 includes a battery pack 1010. The mobile device 1000 is a device that uses the battery pack 1010 as a power source. The mobile device 1000 is a portable terminal (e.g., a smart phone). The battery pack 1010 includes a BMS and battery cells (or battery modules).

[0117] Refer to Figures 1 to 9 The description provided also applies to Figure 10 the examples of

[0118] Figure 11 An example of a terminal is shown.

[0119] Refer to Figure 11 As shown in

[0120] The battery charging device 110 is provided in the form of an integrated circuit (IC). However, the example is not limited to such a configuration.

[0121] The battery charging device 110 receives power from a power source 1120 in a wired or wireless manner and uses the power to charge the battery 120. The battery charging device 110 updates a battery model based on an aging pattern reflecting an aging factor and an aging degree of the battery 120 and uses the updated battery model to charge the battery 120.

[0122] Refer to Figures 1 to 10 The description provided also applies to Figure 11 the examples of

[0123] Herein, for Figures 1 to 11The described battery charging devices 100 and 800, as well as other devices, units, modules, apparatuses, and other components, are implemented by hardware components. Examples of hardware components that can be used to perform the operations described in this application include, where appropriate: controllers, sensors, generators, drivers, memories, comparators, arithmetic logic units, adders, subtractors, multipliers, dividers, integrators, and any other electronic components configured to perform the operations described in this application. In other examples, one or more of the hardware components that perform the operations described in this application are implemented by computing hardware (e.g., by one or more processors or computers). A processor or computer can be implemented by one or more processing elements, such as a logic gate array, a controller, and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, a field programmable gate array, a programmable logic array, a microprocessor, or any other device or combination of devices configured to respond and execute instructions in a defined manner to achieve a desired result. In one example, the processor or computer includes or is connected to one or more memories that store instructions or software executed by the processor or computer. The hardware components implemented by the processor or computer can execute instructions or software for performing the operations described in this application (such as an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the OS). The hardware components can also access, manipulate, process, create, and store data in response to the execution of the instructions or software. For simplicity, the singular terms "processor" or "computer" are used in the description of the examples described in this application, but in other examples, multiple processors or computers can be used, or the processor or computer can include multiple processing elements or multiple types of processing elements or both. For example, a single hardware component or two or more hardware components can be implemented by a single processor, or two or more processors, or a processor and a controller. One or more hardware components can be implemented by one or more processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or more other hardware components can be implemented by one or more other processors, or additional processors and additional controllers. One or more processors, or a processor and a controller, can implement a single hardware component or two or more hardware components. The hardware components can have any one or more of different processing configurations, examples of different processing configurations include: single processor, independent processors, parallel processors, single instruction single data (SISD) multiprocessing, single instruction multiple data (SIMD) multiprocessing, multiple instruction single data (MISD) multiprocessing, and multiple instruction multiple data (MIMD) multiprocessing.

[0124] Figures 1 to 11The method of performing the operations described in this application, as shown, is performed by computing hardware (e.g., by one or more processors or computers), which is implemented to execute instructions or software as described above to perform the operations performed by the method described in this application. For example, a single operation or two or more operations may be performed by a single processor or two or more processors, or a processor and a controller. One or more operations may be performed by one or more processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or more other operations may be performed by one or more other processors, or additional processors and additional controllers. One or more processors, or a processor and a controller, may perform a single operation or two or more operations.

[0125] The instructions or software for controlling a processor or computer to implement the hardware components and perform the method as described above are written as a computer program, code segment, instruction, or any combination thereof to individually or jointly instruct or configure the processor or computer to operate as a machine or a special-purpose computer to perform the operations performed by the hardware components and method as described above. In one example, the instructions or software include machine code (such as machine code generated by a compiler) directly executable by the processor or computer. In another example, the instructions or software include high-level code executed by the processor or computer using an interpreter. A person of ordinary skill in the art can easily write the instructions or software based on the block diagrams and flowcharts shown in the drawings and the corresponding descriptions in the specification, which disclose algorithms for performing the operations performed by the hardware components and method as described above.

[0126] Instructions or software for controlling a processor or computer to implement the hardware components and perform the methods described above, as well as any associated data, data files, and data structures, are recorded, stored, or fixed in or on one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media include: read-only memory (ROM), random access programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), flash memory, non-volatile memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD+R, CD-RW, CD+RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-R LTH, BD-RE, Blu-ray or optical disk memory, hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), cartridge memory (such as, multimedia card or micro card (e.g., secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD))), magnetic tape, floppy disk, magneto-optical data storage device, optical data storage device, hard disk, solid state disk, and any other device, wherein any other device is configured to store instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures in a non-transitory manner and provide the instructions or software and any associated data, data files, and data structures to the processor or computer such that the processor and computer can execute the instructions.

[0127] Although the present disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are considered to be illustrative only and not for purposes of limitation. The description of a feature or aspect in each example should be considered applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Appropriate results can be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order, and / or if the components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are combined in a different manner, and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the specific embodiments but by the claims and their equivalents, and all variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for charging a battery, the method comprises: estimating an aging mode of the battery that reflects the aging factor and degree of aging of the battery based on battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery; updating a battery model based on the aging mode; and charging the battery using the updated battery model, wherein the estimating step comprises: estimating the aging mode of the battery based on the aging modes of one or more reference batteries selected from a plurality of reference batteries having different aging factors and / or different degrees of aging.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the estimating step comprises: estimating the aging mode of the battery by applying weights to each of the aging modes of the selected one or more reference batteries, wherein the weights are determined based on the similarity of battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the similarity indicates the similarity between the peak characteristics in the graph of battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of each selected reference battery and the peak characteristics in the graph of battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the peak characteristics include at least one of the position, intensity, full width at half maximum, and shape of the peak in the graph of battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the peak characteristics are the characteristics of the peak having the lowest charging level among the peaks included in the graph of battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aging mode indicates: the aging factor of the battery aged due to the aging history of the battery; and the current degree of aging of the battery aged due to the aging factor.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level are represented by a graph based on: the ratio between the change in the charge amount of the battery and the change in voltage; and the charging level of the battery.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the charging level of the battery includes one of the state of charge, voltage, and charge amount of the battery.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level correspond to dQ / dV with respect to the state of charge, where dQ is the change in the charge amount of the battery and dV is the change in the voltage of the battery.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprises: in response to satisfying the aging mode reuse condition, determining the previously estimated aging mode of the battery as the aging mode of the battery.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein it is determined whether the aging mode reuse condition is satisfied by one or more of the following: determining whether the time difference between the last time point when the aging mode of the battery is estimated and the current time point is less than or equal to a threshold time; and determining whether the usage amount of the battery after the last time point is less than or equal to a threshold usage amount.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the charging step comprises: charging the battery using multi-step charging determined based on the updated battery model.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level are determined based on the charging curve of the battery.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the updating step includes: updating the battery model to reflect the aging factors and the degree of aging of the battery corresponding to the aging mode in the internal state of the battery model.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the battery is a battery cell, a battery module or a battery pack.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the battery model is an electrochemical model.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of claim 1.

18. A device for charging a battery, the device comprising: a memory configured to store a battery model; and a processor configured to: estimate the aging mode of the battery reflecting the aging factors and the degree of aging of the battery based on the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery, update the battery model based on the aging mode, and control the charging of the battery using the updated battery model, wherein the processor is further configured to: estimate the aging mode of the battery based on the aging modes of one or more reference batteries selected from a plurality of reference batteries having different aging factors and / or different degrees of aging.

19. A method for charging a battery, the method comprising: obtaining a charging curve of a battery including lithium; determining battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery based on the charging curve; determining whether the battery is aged due to lithium plating based on the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level; in response to determining that the battery is aged due to lithium plating, updating the battery model by estimating the aging mode of the battery to reflect the aging of the battery; and charging the battery using the updated battery model, wherein the estimating step includes: estimating the aging mode of the battery based on the aging modes of one or more reference batteries selected from a plurality of reference batteries having different aging factors and / or different degrees of aging.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, the step of determining whether the battery is aged due to lithium plating includes: determining that the battery is aged due to lithium plating when, among the plurality of reference batteries having different aging factors and / or different degrees of aging, the reference battery mainly aged due to lithium plating has battery characteristics most similar to the battery characteristics corresponding to the charging level of the battery to be charged.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein, the updating step includes: estimating the aging mode of the battery using the aging mode of the reference battery mainly aged due to lithium plating, and updating the battery model based on the estimated aging mode.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein, the charging step includes: determining the charging conditions of the battery using the updated battery model, and charging the battery based on the determined charging conditions.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein, the battery model is an electrochemical model.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The updating step includes: updating the electrochemical model by reflecting the decrease in lithium capacity at the cathode due to lithium plating.

25. A method for charging a battery, the method comprises: estimating an aging mode of a target battery by comparing one or more characteristics of the target battery with corresponding characteristics of at least two reference batteries, the at least two reference batteries being aged mainly due to different aging factors; and charging the battery using a battery model determined based on the estimated aging mode, wherein the estimating step includes: estimating the aging mode of the target battery based on the aging modes of the at least two reference batteries selected from a plurality of reference batteries having different aging factors and / or different degrees of aging.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the at least two reference batteries include a first reference battery and a second reference battery, the first reference battery being aged mainly due to lithium plating, and the second reference battery being aged mainly due to a decrease in cathode capacity and an anode solid electrolyte interface layer.

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