Battery pack, battery management device, and vehicle having the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack, a battery management device, and a vehicle having the battery pack and the battery management device. A battery pack for a vehicle includes a case having an air outlet and an air inlet, a battery having a plurality of battery cells and disposed in the case, a first temperature detector for detecting a temperature of at least one battery cell, a second temperature detector for detecting a temperature of air discharged through the air outlet, and a fan that causes a flow of air drawn in through the air inlet to be discharged toward the air outlet and rotates based on at least one of cell temperature information about the temperature of at least one battery cell detected by the first temperature detector or discharge temperature information about the temperature of the discharged air detected by the second temperature detector.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0077387, filed on June 24, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a battery pack for diagnosing battery overheating, a battery management device, and a vehicle having the battery pack and the battery management device. Background Technology

[0004] Vehicles typically use batteries to control starting, and once starting is complete, the vehicle can be driven by an engine and / or an electric motor. Vehicles include engine-driven vehicles (internal combustion engine-driven vehicles) that are powered by mechanical force generated by burning fuels such as gasoline and diesel, as well as environmentally friendly vehicles that are powered by electricity to reduce harmful fuel emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

[0005] Environmentally friendly vehicles include electric vehicles with a rechargeable power source (consisting of a battery and an electric motor), which drive the wheels by using electricity from the battery to power the electric motor. Environmentally friendly vehicles also include hybrid vehicles with an engine, battery, and electric motor, where the engine provides mechanical power and the electric motor provides electrical power. Environmentally friendly vehicles further include hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

[0006] The battery is a rechargeable and dischargeable secondary battery that is installed in the environmentally friendly vehicle in the form of a battery pack. The battery module, consisting of multiple units, can be connected in series to obtain the required power.

[0007] When a battery cell is charging or discharging, it receives or outputs a relatively large current. As a result, a significant amount of heat is generated in each battery cell.

[0008] In the case of lithium-ion batteries, gas can be produced when the battery overheats, which may cause a fire. Summary of the Invention

[0009] One aspect of the present invention provides a battery pack for detecting the cell temperature of the battery, the intake temperature of air drawn into the housing, and the exhaust temperature of air discharged from the housing.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a battery management device and a vehicle that diagnoses thermal runaway of a battery based on the exhaust temperature of air discharged from the casing and controls the output of notification information based on whether thermal runaway has occurred.

[0011] Another aspect of the present application provides a battery management device and a vehicle that diagnose a thermal runaway of a battery based on any one of an exhaust temperature and a cell temperature of the battery or an intake temperature of intake air, and control output of notification information based on whether the thermal runaway occurs.

[0012] Another aspect of the present application provides a battery management device and a vehicle that, when the thermal runaway occurs, discharge exhaust gas generated from a battery cell to the outside by rotating a fan at a predetermined RPM.

[0013] Other aspects of the present application will be in part apparent and in part pointed out below in the description of the application.

[0014] According to an aspect of the present application, a battery pack can include a case having an air outlet and an air inlet, a battery including a plurality of battery cells, the battery configured to be accommodated in the case, a first temperature detector disposed in at least one of the plurality of battery cells, the first temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the at least one battery cell, a second temperature detector disposed at the air outlet side of the case, the second temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air discharged through the air outlet, a fan disposed around at least one of the air outlet or the air inlet of the case, configured to cause air drawn in through the air inlet to be discharged toward the air outlet, and rotate based on at least one of cell temperature information about the temperature of the at least one battery cell detected by the first temperature detector or exhaust temperature information about the temperature of the discharged air detected by the second temperature detector.

[0015] The battery pack can further include a battery management device configured to determine whether the at least one battery cell is in a thermal runaway state based on the cell temperature information, and control the fan so that the fan rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute (RPM) in response to the at least one battery cell being in the thermal runaway state.

[0016] The battery pack can further include a third temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air drawn in through the air inlet, and a battery management device configured to determine whether the battery is in a thermal runaway state based on intake temperature information about the temperature of the intake air detected by the third temperature detector, the cell temperature information, and the exhaust temperature information.

[0017] In response to determining that the temperature of the discharged air is greater than or equal to the temperature of the at least one battery cell based on the cell temperature information and the exhaust temperature information, the battery management device can be configured to control the fan so that the fan rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0018] The battery pack can further include a switching element configured to supply power to the battery or cut off the supply of power to the battery. The battery management device can be configured to control a disconnection operation of the switching element in response to determining that the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of at least one of the battery cells based on the cell temperature information and the exhaust temperature information.

[0019] The battery management device can be configured to control the fan so that the fan rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute (RPM) in response to determining that the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the intake temperature information and the exhaust temperature information.

[0020] The battery pack can further include a switching element configured to supply power to the battery or cut off the supply of power to the battery. The battery management device can be configured to control a disconnection operation of the switching element in response to determining that the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the intake temperature information and the exhaust temperature information.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present application, a battery management device can include a first temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of at least one of a plurality of battery cells, a second temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air exhausted through an air outlet of a housing of a battery pack, a third temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air taken in through an air inlet of the housing of the battery pack, a fan configured to cause a flow of air taken in through the air inlet to be exhausted toward the air outlet, and a controller configured to determine whether a battery is in a thermal runaway state based on at least one of cell temperature information about the temperature of at least one of the battery cells detected by the first temperature detector, exhaust temperature information about the temperature of the exhaust air detected by the second temperature detector, or intake temperature information about the temperature of the intake air detected by the third temperature detector, control the fan so that the fan rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute (RPM) in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state.

[0022] The battery management device can further include a switching element configured to supply power to the battery or cut off the supply of power to the battery. The controller can be configured to control a disconnection operation of the switching element in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state.

[0023] The controller can be configured to control the RPM of the fan based on the cell temperature information in response to determining that the battery is in a normal state.

[0024] The plurality of battery cells can include at least one first battery cell provided with the first temperature detector, and a second battery cell other than the first battery cell. The controller can be configured to determine whether the at least one first battery cell is in a thermal runaway state based on the cell temperature information of the at least one first battery cell.

[0025] The controller can be configured to determine whether the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the cell temperature information of the at least one first battery cell and the intake temperature information, and in response to determining that the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature, determine whether the second battery cell is in a thermal runaway state based on the exhaust air temperature and the temperature of the at least one first battery cell.

[0026] The controller can be configured to determine whether the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the cell temperature information of the at least one first battery cell and the intake temperature information, and in response to determining that the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is less than the intake air temperature, determine whether the second battery cell is in a thermal runaway state based on the exhaust air temperature and the intake air temperature.

[0027] In response to determining that the battery is in a thermal runaway state, the controller can be configured to transmit notification information to an output device so that notification information about the thermal runaway is output.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle can include: an electric motor configured to generate driving force; a battery including a plurality of battery cells, the battery being configured to supply electric power to the electric motor; a first temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells; a second temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air discharged through an air outlet of a housing of the battery pack; a third temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air taken in through an air inlet of the housing of the battery pack; a fan configured to cause air flow taken in through the air inlet to be discharged toward the air outlet; and a battery management device configured to determine whether the battery is in a thermal runaway state based on at least one of cell temperature information about the temperature of the at least one battery cell detected by the first temperature detector, exhaust temperature information about the exhaust air temperature detected by the second temperature detector, or intake temperature information about the intake air temperature detected by the third temperature detector, in response to determining that the battery is in a thermal runaway state, control the fan so that the fan rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0029] The vehicle can further include a switching element configured to supply power to the battery or cut off the supply of power to the battery. The battery management device can be configured to control a disconnection operation of the switching element in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state.

[0030] The battery management device can be configured to control the RPM of the fan based on the cell temperature information in response to determining that the battery is in the normal state.

[0031] The plurality of battery cells can include at least one first battery cell provided with the first temperature detector, and a second battery cell other than the first battery cell. The battery management device can be configured to determine whether a temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to a set temperature based on the cell temperature information of the at least one first battery cell, determine that the at least one first battery cell is in the thermal runaway state in response to determining that the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to the set temperature.

[0032] The battery management device can be configured to determine whether the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the cell temperature information of the at least one first battery cell and the intake temperature information, determine whether the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the at least one first battery cell in response to determining that the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature, determine that the second battery cell is in the thermal runaway state in response to determining that the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the at least one first battery cell.

[0033] The battery management device can be configured to determine whether the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the cell temperature information of the at least one first battery cell and the intake temperature information, determine whether the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature in response to determining that the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is less than the intake air temperature, determine that the second battery cell is in the thermal runaway state in response to determining that the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature.

[0034] The vehicle can further include at least one of a display or a sound output device. The battery management device can be configured to control the output device to output notification information about the thermal runaway in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] These and / or other aspects of the present application will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of the embodiments of the present application, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 3 is a control configuration diagram of a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Figure 5 is a control flow diagram of a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] It should be understood that the terms "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms used herein generally include motor vehicles such as passenger automobiles including sport utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, and the like, ships including various boats, ships, and the like, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., those powered by fuels other than petroleum-based fuels) as well. As used herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more sources of power, such as a vehicle having both gasoline power and electric power.

[0042] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of 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. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout this specification, unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms "comprise", "comprising", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or integer or group of elements but not the exclusion of any other element or group of elements. In addition, the terms "unit", "device", "part", and "module" described in the specification mean a unit for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and combinations thereof.

[0043] Further, the control logic of the present application can be implemented as non-transitory computer readable media on a computer readable medium, containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, controller, or the like. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact discs (CDs)-ROM, tape, floppy disks, flash memories, smart cards, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over networked computer systems so that the computer readable media is stored and executed in a distributed fashion using a remote data storage facility, or a Controller Area Network (CAN), for example.

[0044] It will also be appreciated that the term "connected" and / or "coupled" and / or "in communication with" (and / or any of their derivatives) used in the detailed description and / or in the claims are used generically and / or in the context of wireless communications and / or wired communications and / or include both indirect connections / couplings and direct connections / couplings.

[0045] It will also be appreciated that the term "coupled" and / or "connected" and / or "in communication with" (and / or any of their derivatives) used in the detailed description and / or in the claims are used generically and / or in the context of wireless communications and / or wired communications and / or include both indirect connections / couplings and direct connections / couplings.

[0046] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these

[0047] The reference signs used for the method steps are merely intended to facilitate the description of the steps and are in no way limiting as to the order of the steps. Therefore, unless otherwise specified by the context, the order of the written steps can be performed in another way.

[0048] The working principle and embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] The vehicle 1 according to the embodiment is an environmentally friendly vehicle, and can be a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle. In the present embodiment, an electric vehicle will be described as an example.

[0051] The vehicle 1 can include a body having exterior and interior parts, and a chassis on which mechanical devices necessary for driving are mounted.

[0052] The chassis is a frame that supports the body, and has wheels arranged at the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle 1, a power system for applying driving force to the wheels, a steering system, a brake system for applying braking force to the wheels, and a suspension system arranged on the chassis.

[0053] As Figure 1 illustrated, the power system of the vehicle 1 can include a battery pack 100, a motor 200, a motor driver 300, a reducer 400, and a slow charger 500.

[0054] The battery pack 100 can include a battery that generates a high-voltage current to supply driving power to the vehicle 1. The battery can be formed by connecting a plurality of battery modules in series and in parallel. Each battery module can be formed of a plurality of battery cells.

[0055] That is, the most basic unit of the battery can be a battery cell, and each battery cell can basically have a voltage of 3.6V to 3.7V. The battery cells can be combined to form a battery module, and the battery modules can be combined to form a battery pack.

[0056] The battery can be electrically connected to electronic devices (for example, various convenience devices and additional devices provided in the vehicle 1) to supply driving power to the electronic devices.

[0057] The battery can be charged with power supplied by a charging device provided at a parking lot or a charging station. That is, the battery can be a battery that can be charged and discharged.

[0058] During regenerative braking of the vehicle 1, the battery can be charged with power generated by the motor 200 that performs a power generation function.

[0059] The battery pack 100 can be disposed under a seat of the vehicle 1. By doing so, the interior space of a trunk within the vehicle 1 can be secured, and safety can be secured in the event of a rear collision.

[0060] In addition, the battery pack 100 can be disposed rearward of a rear seat and a tire well.

[0061] A detailed configuration of the battery pack will be described herein.

[0062] The vehicle 1 can further include a power converter.

[0063] The power converter can convert power supplied from the outside into power for charging the battery, and supply the converted power to the battery. Here, the power supplied from the outside can be power of a charging station.

[0064] The motor 200 can generate a rotational force (also referred to as a rotational power) using electric energy from the battery, and transmit the generated rotational force to a wheel to drive the wheel.

[0065] The motor 200 can convert electric energy of the battery into kinetic energy for operating various electronic devices provided in the vehicle 1.

[0066] When the booting button is turned on, the vehicle 1 can supply the maximum current to the motor 200, thereby generating the maximum torque.

[0067] Due to braking, deceleration, or low-speed driving, the motor 200 can operate as a generator in an energy regeneration mode, thereby being able to charge the battery of the battery pack 100.

[0068] The motor driver 300 can drive the motor 200 in response to a control command from the controller. The motor driver 300 can include an inverter that converts the power of the battery into driving power of the motor 200.

[0069] When the driving power of the motor 200 is output, the inverter can output the driving power of the motor 200 according to a user command, based on a target speed. The driving power of the motor 200 can vary according to a switching signal for outputting a current corresponding to the target speed and a switching signal for outputting a voltage corresponding to the target speed. That is, the inverter can include a plurality of switching elements.

[0070] The inverter can also transmit power generated from the motor 200 to the battery during regenerative braking. That is, the inverter can perform a function of changing the direction and output of the current between the motor 200 and the battery.

[0071] The decelerator 400 can reduce the rotational speed of the motor 200 and transmit rotational force obtained by increasing the torque of the motor 200 to the wheels.

[0072] The vehicle 1 can further include a charger disposed outside the vehicle body, connected to a charging cable, and receiving power for charging the battery.

[0073] The charger can include a high-speed charger for fast charging the battery, and a slow-speed charger 500 for charging the battery at a slower rate than the fast charging rate.

[0074] The cable for fast charging can be connected to the high-speed charger, and the cable for slow-speed charging can be connected to the slow-speed charger 500.

[0075] The high-speed charger for fast charging and the slow-speed charger 500 for slow-speed charging at a slower charging rate than fast charging can also be disposed at the same location or different locations outside the vehicle 1.

[0076] The slow-speed charger 500 can convert external commercial power (AC) into rectified direct current and transmit it to the battery. For example, the slow-speed charger 500 can include an AC rectifier, a power factor correction (PFC), a converter, and a capacitor.

[0077] The high-speed charger can include at least one of a terminal or a cable for directly connecting the external high-speed charger and the battery.

[0078] Figure 2 is a schematic view showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0079] The battery pack 100 can include a housing 101 and a battery 103 accommodated in the housing 101.

[0080] The housing 101 can be provided with an air inlet 102 through which outside air of a vehicle is suctioned into the housing 101. Here, the air inlet 102 can be one or more air inlets. The outside air of the vehicle suctioned into the housing 101 can be air inside the vehicle 1.

[0081] The housing 101 can be provided with a flow path 104 through which the suctioned air can move.

[0082] The housing 101 can be provided with an air outlet 105 through which air or gas in the housing 101 is discharged.

[0083] A fan 160 for generating suction to discharge air or gas in the housing 101 to the outside can be provided at the air outlet 105 of the housing 101.

[0084] The battery 103 can include a plurality of battery modules. Each battery module can include a plurality of battery cells.

[0085] A flow path gap can be provided between the plurality of battery modules. By dividing the battery 103 into a plurality of battery modules in the module unit, stability can be ensured even in the event of a failure of any one battery unit or any one battery module.

[0086] The battery pack 100 can include a plurality of temperature detectors.

[0087] The plurality of temperature detectors can include a first temperature detector 110 provided in the battery unit and detecting a temperature of the battery unit, and a second temperature detector 120 provided in the flow path 104 within the housing 101 and detecting an air temperature discharged from the housing 101 to the outside.

[0088] The first temperature detector 110 can be provided in one or more of the plurality of battery units.

[0089] The first temperature detector 110 can be disposed in the battery cells disposed near the air outlet 105 among the plurality of battery cells within the case 101, and in the battery cells disposed apart from the air inlet 102.

[0090] The first temperature detector 110 can be disposed in the battery cell in which the highest temperature is detected among the plurality of battery cells during discharging or charging, or can be disposed in the battery cell in which the lowest temperature is detected.

[0091] Here, among the plurality of battery cells, the battery cell in which the highest temperature is detected and the battery cell in which the lowest temperature is detected can be determined according to information obtained through experiments.

[0092] The first temperature detector 110 can be disposed on a surface through which air drawn in among a plurality of surfaces of the battery cell flows.

[0093] The first temperature detector 110 can include a first temperature sensor 111 and a second temperature sensor 112 disposed in different battery cells and apart from each other.

[0094] The second temperature detector 120 can be disposed in the flow path 104 within the case 101, but can be disposed around the air outlet 105 of the case 101, and can be disposed near the fan 160.

[0095] The second temperature detector 120 can be disposed on a surface through which air to be discharged among a plurality of surfaces of the battery cell flows.

[0096] The second temperature detector 120 can be disposed behind the first temperature detector 110 based on the battery 103.

[0097] The plurality of temperature detectors can include a third temperature detector 130 for detecting a temperature of air drawn into the case 101 from the outside of the case 101.

[0098] The third temperature detector 130 can be a temperature detector for detecting a temperature within the vehicle 1.

[0099] The third temperature detector 130 can be disposed inside the vehicle 1.

[0100] For example, the third temperature detector 130 can be disposed in the flow path 104 within the case 101, but can be disposed around the air inlet 102 of the case 101. The third temperature detector 130 can be disposed in the flow path 104 within the case 101. The third temperature detector 130 can be disposed outside the case 101, but can be disposed around the air inlet 102. The third temperature detector 130 can be disposed outside the case 101, but can be disposed near the case 101.

[0101] When a plurality of air inlets 102 are provided in the case 101, the third temperature detector 130 can be disposed around each air inlet 102. For example, the third temperature detector 130 can include a third temperature sensor 131 and a fourth temperature sensor 132 disposed around each air inlet 102.

[0102] When a plurality of air inlets 102 are provided in the case 101, the third temperature detector 130 can be disposed around only one air inlet 102.

[0103] The fan 160 can cause air within the case 101 of the battery pack 100 to be discharged to the outside, thereby reducing the temperature of the battery pack 100.

[0104] When gas is generated in the case 101 of the battery pack 100, the fan 160 can cause the generated gas to be discharged to the outside.

[0105] The fan 160 can be disposed on the air inlet 102 side of the case 101 to generate a blowing force.

[0106] The fan 160 can facilitate the flow of air inside the case 101.

[0107] A battery management apparatus for monitoring the state of the battery 103 can be disposed on one side of the battery pack 100.

[0108] The battery management apparatus can also be disposed in the case 101 of the battery pack 100.

[0109] Figure 3 is a control configuration diagram of a battery management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0110] The battery management apparatus (BMS) can communicate with a plurality of temperature detectors 110, 120, 130, an output apparatus 170, and a vehicle controller.

[0111] The battery management apparatus and the vehicle controller can also be implemented with a single processor.

[0112] The battery management device can include one or more communication modules, e.g., at least one of a short-range communication module, a wired communication module, or a wireless communication module, capable of communicating with internal components of the vehicle 1 and internal components of the battery pack 100.

[0113] The short-range communication module can include various short-range communication modules for transmitting and receiving signals within a short distance through a wireless communication network, e.g., a Bluetooth module, an infrared communication module, a radio frequency identification (RFID) communication module, a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication module, a near field communication (NFC) module, a Zigbee communication module, etc.

[0114] The wired communication module can include not only one of various wired communication modules, e.g., a controller area network (CAN) communication module, a local area network (LAN) module, a wide area network (WAN) module, or a value-added network (VAN) module, but also one of various cable communication modules, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB), a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a digital video interface (DVI), a recommended standard (RS) 232, a power line, or a plain old telephone service (POTS).

[0115] The wired communication module can further include a local interconnect network (LIN) module.

[0116] In the present disclosure, the first temperature detector 110, the second temperature detector 120, and the third temperature detector 130 do not include a configuration as a battery management device, but the first temperature detector 110, the second temperature detector 120, and the third temperature detector 130 can be a part of the battery management device.

[0117] The battery management device can monitor a state of charge (SOC) of the battery 103 and transmit state information about the SOC of the battery 103 to a vehicle controller provided in the vehicle 1.

[0118] The battery management device can include a current detector for detecting a current of the battery 103 and a voltage detector for detecting a voltage of an output terminal of the battery 103.

[0119] The battery management device can monitor the SOC of the battery 103 based on the detected current of the battery 103.

[0120] The battery management device can also monitor the SOC of the battery 103 based on the detected current and voltage of the battery 103.

[0121] The battery management device can monitor the SOC of the battery 103 based on the current, the voltage, and the temperature of each battery cell.

[0122] Here, the SOC of the battery 103 can include a charge amount of the battery 103.

[0123] The battery management device can acquire the SOC of the battery 103 corresponding to the current, voltage, and temperature of the battery cell from a pre-stored table. In the pre-stored table, the charge amount of the battery 103 corresponding to the correlation between the current, voltage, and temperature of the battery cell can be matched.

[0124] When a booting on command is received from the vehicle controller, the battery management device can identify the SOC of the battery 103 and output charge state information about the identified SOC of the battery 103 to the vehicle controller.

[0125] The battery management device can receive various temperature information from the plurality of temperature detectors 110, 120, 130, monitor the state of the battery 103 based on the received various temperature information, and diagnose thermal runaway of the battery 103.

[0126] The battery management device can include a controller 140, a storage device 141, and a driver 142.

[0127] The controller 140 can determine whether the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to a set temperature based on cell temperature information about the temperature of the battery cell detected by the first temperature detector 110. When it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the set temperature, the controller 140 can control the output device 170 to output guidance information about thermal runaway.

[0128] When it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the set temperature, the controller 140 can control driving of the fan 160 so that the fan 160 rotates at a maximum revolutions per minute (RPM).

[0129] When it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the set temperature, the controller 140 can control driving of the fan 160 so that the fan 160 rotates at a predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM). The predetermined revolutions per minute (RPM) is an optimal revolutions per minute corresponding to the amount of generated gas.

[0130] When it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the set temperature, the controller 140 can control the operation of the switching element 150 to cut off the supply of power.

[0131] That is, the controller 140 can control the switching element 150 to be turned off. Here, the set temperature is a temperature that is preset and stored, and can be any one temperature between 60℃ and 65℃.

[0132] When the battery 103 is in a normal state, the controller 140 can turn on and control the switching element 150.

[0133] When the plurality of temperature sensors are included in the first temperature detector 110, the controller 140 can determine whether a state of each battery cell is a thermal runaway state based on cell temperature information of each battery cell detected by the plurality of temperature sensors, respectively.

[0134] When the plurality of temperature sensors are included in the first temperature detector 110, the controller 140 can determine whether a state of the battery 103 is a thermal runaway state based on cell temperature information of the battery cell detected by any one of the temperature sensors. Here, the state of the battery 103 can include a state of the entire battery cell.

[0135] When the plurality of temperature sensors are included in the first temperature detector 110, the controller 140 can identify a highest battery cell temperature based on cell temperature information of the battery cell detected by the plurality of temperature sensors, and determine whether a state of the battery 103 is a thermal runaway state based on the highest temperature information.

[0136] When the plurality of temperature sensors are included in the first temperature detector 110, the controller 140 can identify a lowest battery cell temperature based on cell temperature information of the battery cell detected by the plurality of temperature sensors, and determine whether a state of the battery 103 is a thermal runaway state based on the lowest temperature information.

[0137] When the plurality of temperature sensors are included in the first temperature detector 110, the controller 140 can identify an average temperature of the battery cell based on cell temperature information of the battery cell detected by the plurality of temperature sensors, and determine whether a state of the battery 103 is a thermal runaway state based on average temperature information about the obtained average temperature of the battery cell.

[0138] The controller 140 can determine whether the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state based on discharge temperature information about a discharge air temperature detected by the second temperature detector 120.

[0139] The controller 140 can determine whether the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to a reference temperature based on discharge temperature information about a discharge air temperature detected by the second temperature detector 120. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the reference temperature, the controller 140 can determine that the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is less than the reference temperature, the controller 140 can determine that the battery 103 is in a normal state.

[0140] The controller 140 can determine thermal runaway of a battery cell in which the first temperature detector 110 is not installed based on temperature information detected by the first temperature detector 110 and the second temperature detector 120.

[0141] More specifically, the controller 140 can determine whether the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state based on cell temperature information about a temperature of the battery cell detected by the first temperature detector 110 and discharge temperature information about a discharge air temperature detected by the second temperature detector 120.

[0142] The controller 140 can determine whether the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell based on the cell temperature information and the discharge temperature information. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell, the controller 140 can determine that the state of the battery 103 is a thermal runaway state. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is less than the temperature of the battery cell, the controller 140 can determine that the state of the battery 103 is a normal state.

[0143] The controller 140 can determine whether the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state based on intake temperature information about an intake air temperature detected by the third temperature detector 130 and discharge temperature information about a discharge air temperature detected by the second temperature detector 120.

[0144] The intake air temperature detected by the third temperature detector 130 can be a temperature of air taken in from the outside of the battery pack 100 to the inside, and can be a temperature within the vehicle 1.

[0145] The controller 140 can determine whether the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the intake temperature information and the discharge temperature information. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature, the controller 140 can determine that the state of the battery 103 is a normal state. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is less than the intake air temperature, the controller 140 can determine that the state of the battery 103 is a thermal runaway state.

[0146] The controller 140 can determine whether the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state based on cell temperature information about a temperature of the battery cell detected by the first temperature detector 110, intake temperature information about an intake air temperature detected by the third temperature detector 130, and discharge temperature information about a discharge air temperature detected by the second temperature detector 120.

[0147] The controller 140 can determine whether the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the cell temperature information and the intake temperature information. When it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature, the controller 140 can determine whether the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell based on the discharge temperature information and the cell temperature information. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell, the controller 140 can determine that the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is less than the temperature of the battery cell, the controller 140 can determine that the battery 103 is in a normal state.

[0148] The controller 140 can determine whether the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the cell temperature information and the intake temperature information. When it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is less than the intake air temperature, the controller 140 can determine whether the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the discharge temperature information and the intake temperature information. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature, the controller 140 can determine that the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state. When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is less than the intake air temperature, the controller 140 can determine that the battery 103 is in a normal state.

[0149] To determine whether the battery cell on which the first temperature detector 110 is installed (i.e., the first battery cell) is in a thermal runaway state, when the temperature of the first battery cell detected by the first temperature detector 110 is greater than or equal to a set temperature, the controller 140 can determine that the state of the first battery cell is a thermal runaway state.

[0150] To determine whether the battery cell on which the first temperature detector 110 is not installed (i.e., the second battery cell) is in a thermal runaway state, the controller 140 can compare the temperature of the first battery cell detected by the first temperature detector 110 with the intake air temperature, and can compare the discharge air temperature with the temperature of the first battery cell or compare the discharge air temperature with the intake air temperature based on the comparison result of the temperature of the first battery cell and the intake air temperature, to determine whether the state of the second battery cell is a thermal runaway state.

[0151] The controller 140 can control the RPM of the fan 160 based on the cell temperature information of the battery cell to cool the battery 103.

[0152] The controller 140 can control the RPM of the fan 160 based on at least one of the intake temperature information or the discharge temperature information.

[0153] When the state of battery 103 is determined to be thermal runaway, controller 140 can control the operation of switching element 150 to stop the charging and discharging of battery 103. At this time, controller 140 can control switching element 150 to disconnect.

[0154] When the state of battery 103 is determined to be thermal runaway, controller 140 can control the drive of fan 160, causing fan 160 to rotate at maximum RPM. In this way, the gas generated from battery 103 can be discharged to the outside.

[0155] When the state of battery 103 is determined to be thermal runaway, controller 140 can control the drive of fan 160 so that fan 160 rotates at a predetermined RPM.

[0156] like Figure 4 As shown, the battery pack 100 can be arranged under the seat 600 of the vehicle 1, and the gas generated from the battery 103 in the battery pack 100 can be discharged to the outside through the air outlet 105 along the side seat and the partition under the seat 600 by the rotation of the fan 160.

[0157] When it is determined that the state of battery 103 is thermal runaway, controller 140 can control the output of guidance information regarding thermal runaway. Controller 140 can send the guidance information regarding thermal runaway to output device 170.

[0158] The controller 140 can send guidance information about thermal runaway directly to the output device 170 and send guidance information about thermal runaway to the vehicle controller.

[0159] According to one embodiment, the controller 140 can be implemented as a memory and a processor. The memory stores algorithms for controlling the operation of components in the battery pack 100, or data about programs implementing those algorithms. The processor uses the data stored in the memory to perform the aforementioned operations. The memory and processor can be implemented on separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor can be implemented on a single chip.

[0160] Storage device 141 can store information about reference temperature, set temperature and maximum RPM of fan 160.

[0161] Storage device 141 can store information about the predetermined RPM of fan 160.

[0162] Storage device 141 can store information about the RPM of fan 160 corresponding to the cell temperature information of battery cell.

[0163] The storage 141 can be a memory implemented in a chip separate from the processor related to the aforementioned controller 140, or can be implemented in a single chip integrated with the processor.

[0164] The storage 141 can be implemented as at least one of a nonvolatile memory (e.g., a cache, a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM)), a volatile memory (e.g., a random access memory (RAM)), or a storage medium (e.g., a hard disk drive (HDD) or a compact disk (CD) ROM), but is not limited thereto.

[0165] The driver 142 can rotate the fan 160 in response to a control command from the controller 140.

[0166] The driver 142 can adjust a current or a voltage applied to a fan motor (which is disposed in the fan 160). The driver 142 can perform pulse width modulation (PWM) on the current or the voltage applied to the fan motor in response to a control command of the controller 140.

[0167] The driver 142 can include an inverter for controlling the current or the voltage applied to the fan motor.

[0168] The switching element 150 can perform a turn-on or turn-off operation in response to a control command of the controller 140. When the battery 103 is in a normal state, the switching element 150 can perform a turn-on operation, and when the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state, the switching element 150 can perform a turn-off operation.

[0169] The switching element 150 can include a relay that supplies power charged in the battery 103 to the motor 200 and cuts off. The switching element 150 can protect the battery cell and ensure power safety.

[0170] The switching element 150 can further include a switch for disconnecting connection with the battery 103 to prevent an electric shock accident during component maintenance and repair.

[0171] The fan 160 can rotate in response to a current and a voltage applied from the driver 142.

[0172] The fan 160 can perform a cooling function to discharge heat generated when the battery 103 is charged or discharged.

[0173] The fan 160 can rotate when the temperature of the battery pack reaches a certain temperature or a higher temperature. The fan 160 is capable of cooling using an airflow within the housing 101 of the battery pack 100.

[0174] When the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state, the fan 160 can rotate at a maximum RPM so that gas in the battery pack 100 is discharged to the outside.

[0175] When the battery 103 is in a thermal runaway state, the fan 160 can rotate at a predetermined RPM so that gas in the battery pack 100 is discharged to the outside.

[0176] The output device 170 can output state information of the battery 103 in response to a control command of the controller 140.

[0177] The output device 170 can output guide information about thermal runaway of the battery 103 in response to a control command of the controller 140.

[0178] The output device 170 can include at least one of a display 171 that displays various information as an image or a sound output device 172 that outputs various information as a sound.

[0179] The display 171 can display guide information about thermal runaway of the battery 103.

[0180] For the convenience of a user, the display 171 can output information about various functions performed in the vehicle 1 and information about the various functions.

[0181] The display 171 can display battery management information, and can display current charging state information of the battery 103.

[0182] The display 171 can also display a temperature and a gas amount of the battery 103.

[0183] The display 171 can be provided to a head unit or a central instrument panel, or can be provided to a combination instrument panel.

[0184] The sound output device 172 can output information about thermal runaway of the battery 103 as a sound such as a warning sound.

[0185] The sound output device 172 can output output information of at least one of an audio device or a radio device as a sound.

[0186] In addition, a plurality of sound output devices 172 can be provided, and the plurality of sound output devices 172 can be provided at different positions within the vehicle 1. Here, the sound output device 172 can include a speaker.

[0187] Figure 5 is a control flowchart of a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0188] The battery management device can also determine whether the battery cell having the first temperature detector 110 (i.e., the first battery cell) is in a thermal runaway state, determine whether the battery cell not having the first temperature detector 110 (i.e., the second battery cell) is in a thermal runaway state, and determine whether the entire battery cell (i.e., the battery) is in a thermal runaway state.

[0189] The determination of whether the first battery cell is in a thermal runaway state will be described as an example. The battery management device can determine whether the temperature of the first battery cell is greater than or equal to a set temperature based on the cell temperature information about the temperature of the first battery cell detected by the first temperature detector 110. When it is determined that the temperature of the first battery cell is greater than or equal to the set temperature, the battery management device can determine that the state of the first battery cell is a thermal runaway state.

[0190] The determination of the thermal runaway of the second battery cell will be described as an example.

[0191] First, when the battery management device determines that the battery 103 is in a charging / discharging state, the battery management device can identify the cell temperature information about the temperature of the battery cell detected by the first temperature detector 110, the discharge temperature information about the discharge air temperature detected by the second temperature detector 120, and the intake temperature information about the intake air temperature detected by the third temperature detector 130, and obtain the temperature of the battery cell, the discharge air temperature, and the intake air temperature based on the identified cell temperature information, discharge temperature information, and intake temperature information (S181).

[0192] The battery management device can determine whether the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the cell temperature information and the intake temperature information (S182). When it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature, the battery management device can compare the discharge temperature information with the cell temperature information (S183). At this time, the battery management device can determine whether the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell based on the discharge temperature information and the cell temperature information (S184). When it is determined that the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell, the battery management device can determine that the state of the battery 103 is a thermal runaway state and output notification information (S185).

[0193] Here, the output of the notification information can include displaying an image guiding the occupant to escape through the display 171.

[0194] The output of the notification information can include outputting a sound or voice guiding the occupant to escape through the sound output device 172.

[0195] The battery management device can control the operation of the fan 160 such that the fan 160 rotates at a maximum RPM, thereby preparing for gas generation in the battery cell (S186).

[0196] The battery management device can control the operation of the fan 160 such that the fan 160 rotates at a predetermined RPM, thereby preparing for gas generation in the battery cell.

[0197] On the other hand, when the battery management device determines that the exhaust air temperature is less than the temperature of the battery cell, the battery management device can determine that the battery 103 is in a normal state.

[0198] When determining whether the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the cell temperature information and the intake temperature information, when it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is less than the intake air temperature, the battery management device can compare the exhaust temperature information with the intake temperature information (S187). At this time, the battery management device can determine whether the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature based on the exhaust temperature information and the intake temperature information (S187). When it is determined that the exhaust air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature, the battery management device can determine that the state of the battery is a thermal runaway state, and output notification information (S185).

[0199] Further, the battery management device can control the operation of the fan 160 such that the fan 160 rotates at a maximum RPM, thereby preparing for gas generation in the battery cell (S186).

[0200] Further, the battery management device can control the operation of the fan 160 such that the fan 160 rotates at a predetermined RPM, thereby preparing for gas generation in the battery cell.

[0201] On the other hand, when the battery management device determines that the exhaust air temperature is less than the intake air temperature, the battery management device can determine that the battery 103 is in a normal state.

[0202] Determining whether the entire battery cell (i.e., the battery) is in a thermal runaway state can include determining a thermal runaway of the second battery cell.

[0203] According to the present application, an initial thermal runaway can be diagnosed before a fire or explosion, to notify a passenger of a dangerous situation and ensure the stability of the vehicle.

[0204] The present application can diagnose a thermal runaway not only in a battery cell in which a temperature detector is installed, but also in a battery cell in which a temperature detector is not installed. That is, the present application can diagnose the occurrence of a battery thermal runaway with a minimum number of temperature detectors.

[0205] Since it is not necessary to install temperature detectors on all battery packs, this invention can reduce the number and cost of temperature detectors installed in battery packs.

[0206] According to the present invention, during thermal runaway of the battery pack, exhaust gases generated from the battery cells can be discharged to the outside by controlling the rotation of the fan.

[0207] As described above, the present invention can improve the quality and marketability of battery packs, battery management devices, and vehicles, and can further improve user satisfaction, user convenience, reliability, and vehicle safety, thereby ensuring product competitiveness.

[0208] The disclosed embodiments can be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions that can be executed by a processor. These instructions can be stored as program code, and when executed by a processor, they can generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium can be implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0209] Non-transitory computer-readable recording media can include all types of recording media that store commands that can be interpreted by a computer. For example, non-transitory computer-readable recording media can be, for example, ROM, RAM, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0210] Schemes of the present invention have now been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced in other forms besides the described schemes without altering the technical concept or essential characteristics of the invention. The described schemes are merely examples and should not be interpreted in a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A battery pack for a vehicle, the battery pack comprising: a case having an air outlet and an air inlet; a battery including a plurality of battery cells, the battery configured to be accommodated in the case; a first temperature detector provided in at least one of the plurality of battery cells, the first temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the at least one battery cell; a second temperature detector provided on the case, the second temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air discharged through the air outlet; a third temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air drawn in through the air inlet; a battery management device configured to determine whether the battery is in a thermal runaway state based on intake temperature information about the intake air temperature detected by the third temperature detector, cell temperature information, and discharge temperature information; and a fan provided around at least one of the air outlet or the air inlet of the case, the fan configured to cause a flow of air drawn in through the air inlet to be discharged toward the air outlet, and to rotate at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute when it is determined that the battery is in the thermal runaway state; wherein the battery management device is configured to determine that the battery is in the thermal runaway state when it is determined that the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell after it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature, and to determine that the battery is in the thermal runaway state when it is determined that the discharge air temperature is greater than or equal to the intake air temperature after it is determined that the temperature of the battery cell is less than the intake air temperature. 2.The battery pack for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: a switching element configured to supply electric power to the battery or cut off the supply of electric power to the battery, wherein the battery management device is configured to control the opening operation of the switching element when it is determined that the battery is in the thermal runaway state. 3.A battery management device for a vehicle, the battery management device comprising: a first temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of at least one of a plurality of battery cells; a second temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air discharged through an air outlet of a case of a battery pack; a third temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air drawn in through an air inlet of the case of the battery pack; a fan configured to cause a flow of air drawn in through the air inlet to be discharged toward the air outlet; and a controller configured to: determine whether the battery is in a thermal runaway state based on cell temperature information about the temperature of the at least one battery cell detected by the first temperature detector, discharge temperature information about the discharge air temperature detected by the second temperature detector, and intake temperature information about the intake air temperature detected by the third temperature detector, in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state, control the fan such that the fan rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute. ​ wherein the controller is configured to determine that the battery is in the thermal runaway state when, after determining that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the temperature of the intake air, it is determined that the temperature of the exhaust air is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell, and when, after determining that the temperature of the battery cell is less than the temperature of the intake air, it is determined that the temperature of the exhaust air is greater than or equal to the temperature of the intake air.

4. The battery management device for a vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising: a switching element configured to supply electric power to the battery or cut off the supply of electric power to the battery, wherein the controller is configured to control the opening operation of the switching element in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state.

5. The battery management device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein The controller is configured to control the number of revolutions per minute of the fan based on the cell temperature information in response to determining that the battery is in the normal state.

6. The battery management device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: the plurality of battery cells include at least one first battery cell provided with the first temperature detector, and a second battery cell other than the first battery cell; the controller is configured to determine whether the at least one first battery cell is in the thermal runaway state based on the cell temperature information of the at least one first battery cell.

7. The battery management device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein In response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state, the controller is configured to transmit notification information to the output device so that the notification information about the thermal runaway is output.

8. A vehicle comprising: an electric motor configured to generate a driving force; a battery including a plurality of battery cells, the battery being configured to supply electric power to the electric motor; a first temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells; a second temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air discharged through an air outlet of a housing of the battery pack; a third temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of air taken in through an air inlet of the housing of the battery pack; a fan configured to cause air flow taken in through the air inlet to be discharged toward the air outlet; and a battery management device configured to: determine whether the battery is in a thermal runaway state based on cell temperature information about the temperature of the at least one battery cell detected by the first temperature detector, discharge temperature information about the temperature of the exhaust air detected by the second temperature detector, and intake temperature information about the temperature of the intake air detected by the third temperature detector, control the fan so that the fan rotates at a predetermined number of revolutions per minute in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state, wherein the battery management device is configured to determine that the battery is in the thermal runaway state when, after determining that the temperature of the battery cell is greater than or equal to the temperature of the intake air, it is determined that the temperature of the exhaust air is greater than or equal to the temperature of the battery cell, and when, after determining that the temperature of the battery cell is less than the temperature of the intake air, it is determined that the temperature of the exhaust air is greater than or equal to the temperature of the intake air.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising: a switching element configured to supply electric power to the battery or cut off the supply of electric power to the battery, ​ The battery management device is configured to control the opening operation of the switching element in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein, The battery management device is configured to control the number of revolutions per minute of the fan based on the cell temperature information in response to determining that the battery is in the normal state. 11.The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein: the plurality of battery cells include at least one first battery cell provided with the first temperature detector, and a second battery cell other than the first battery cell; the battery management device is configured to determine whether a temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to a set temperature based on cell temperature information of the at least one first battery cell; in response to determining that the temperature of the at least one first battery cell is greater than or equal to the set temperature, it is determined that the at least one first battery cell is in the thermal runaway state. 12.The vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising: at least one of a display or a sound output device, wherein the battery management device is configured to control the output device to output notification information about the thermal runaway in response to determining that the battery is in the thermal runaway state.

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