Relay status management equipment and operating methods

Abstract

A relay status management device is disclosed, comprising: a switch connected to one end of a battery module; a resistor unit connected to the switch; a voltage measuring unit measuring the voltage applied to the resistor unit; a relay connected between the battery module and a load; and a controller controlling the switch and the relay to be short-circuited, and diagnosing the status of the relay based on the voltage measured by the voltage measuring unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a relay status management device and its operation method. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, research and development of rechargeable batteries have been actively underway. Here, rechargeable batteries, as rechargeable / dischargeable batteries, can include all traditional nickel (Ni) / cadmium (Cd) batteries, Ni / metal hydride (MH) batteries, and more recently, lithium-ion batteries. Among rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries have a significantly higher energy density than traditional nickel / cadmium and nickel / metal hydride batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured to be small and lightweight, making them suitable for use as power sources in mobile devices. In addition, with the expansion of lithium-ion battery applications to electric vehicles, they are attracting considerable attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0003] Typically, a secondary battery is electrically connected to the load via a relay to supply power to the load. Therefore, problems can occur when the relay malfunctions and supplies power to the load. Thus, a technique is needed to accurately diagnose relay malfunctions or faults. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] The embodiments disclosed herein provide a relay status management device capable of diagnosing relay status and a method for operating the relay status management device.

[0006] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other unmentioned technical problems from the following description.

[0007] Technical solution

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a relay status management device is provided, the relay status management device comprising: a switch connected to one end of a battery module; a resistor unit connected to the switch; a voltage measuring unit for measuring the voltage applied to the resistor unit; a relay connected between the battery module and a load; and a controller for controlling the switch and the relay to be in a short circuit, and for diagnosing the status of the relay based on the voltage measured by the voltage measuring unit.

[0009] In this implementation, the controller can diagnose the state of the relay based on a measured change, which is the change in voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit over a reference time period from when the controller controls the switch to be in a short circuit.

[0010] In this implementation, the controller can diagnose the state of the relay by using a measured change and a first reference change, the first reference change being the change in voltage previously measured by the voltage measurement unit during a reference time from when the controller controls the switch to be short-circuited while the relay is in an open-circuit state.

[0011] In one implementation, the controller can diagnose the relay as faulty when the measured change is greater than or equal to a value obtained by multiplying a first reference change by a predetermined ratio, and diagnose the relay as normal when the measured change is less than a value obtained by multiplying a first reference change by a predetermined ratio.

[0012] In this implementation, the controller can diagnose the state of the relay by using a measured change and a second reference change, the second reference change being the change in voltage previously measured by the voltage measurement unit during a reference time from when the controller controls the switch to be short-circuited while the relay is in a short-circuit state.

[0013] In this implementation, the controller can diagnose the relay as normal when the measured change is within a predetermined range from the second reference change, and diagnose the relay as faulty when the measured change is outside the predetermined range from the second reference change.

[0014] In an implementation, the resistor unit may include a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series with each other.

[0015] In one implementation, the voltage measuring unit can measure the voltage applied to the second resistor.

[0016] In this implementation, the switch can be connected to the negative terminal of the battery module.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an operating method for a relay state management device is provided, the operating method comprising: controlling a switch connected between a battery module and a resistor unit and a relay connected between the battery module and a load to be short-circuited and measuring the voltage applied to the resistor unit; and diagnosing the state of the relay based on the measured voltage.

[0018] In an implementation, the step of diagnosing the state of a relay based on a measured voltage may include: obtaining a measured change, which is a measured change in voltage over a reference time period from when the switch is short-circuited; and diagnosing the state of the relay by using the measured change and a first reference change obtained by previously measuring the change in voltage applied to the resistor unit during the reference time period from when the switch is short-circuited while the relay is in an open-circuit state.

[0019] In one implementation, the step of diagnosing the state of a relay by using a measured change and a first reference change obtained by previously measuring the change in voltage applied to the resistor unit during a reference time from when the switch is short-circuited while the relay is in an open-circuit state may include: diagnosing the state of the relay as faulty when the measured change is greater than or equal to a value obtained by multiplying the first reference change by a predetermined ratio, and diagnosing the state of the relay as normal when the measured change is less than a value obtained by multiplying the first reference change by a predetermined ratio.

[0020] In an implementation, the step of diagnosing the state of a relay based on a measured voltage may include: obtaining a measured change, which is a measured change in voltage over a reference time period from when the switch is short-circuited; and diagnosing the state of the relay by using the measured change and a second reference change obtained by previously measuring the change in voltage applied to the resistor unit over the reference time period from when the switch is short-circuited in the short-circuited state of the relay.

[0021] In one implementation, the step of diagnosing the state of a relay by using a measured change and a second reference change obtained by previously measuring the change in voltage applied to the resistor unit during a reference time from when the switch is short-circuited in the short-circuited state of the relay may include: diagnosing the state of the relay as normal when the measured change is within a predetermined range from the second reference change; and diagnosing the state of the relay as faulty when the measured change is outside the predetermined range from the second reference change.

[0022] Technical effect

[0023] The relay status management device and its operating method according to the embodiments disclosed herein can diagnose the status of a relay.

[0024] The battery management device and method and the battery management system according to the embodiments disclosed herein can charge the auxiliary battery of the battery management device when the target device is powered on. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A battery pack and relay status management device according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 2 A relay status management device according to an embodiment disclosed herein is also illustrated.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a relay status management device according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0028] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a view used to describe the operation of a relay status management device according to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a relay status management device according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a flowchart for describing in detail the operation method of a relay status management device according to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a flowchart for describing in detail an operation method of a relay status management device according to another embodiment disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0032] In the following, the embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary accompanying drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components in the various drawings, it should be noted that even if the same component is represented in different drawings, the same component is given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions interfere with the understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0033] To describe the components of the embodiments disclosed herein, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to limit the components in terms of their nature, order, sequence, etc. The terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art, provided that these terms are not defined differently. Generally, terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or exaggerated meaning, unless they are explicitly defined in this application.

[0034] In this specification, "load" can include an electrical, electronic, or mechanical device that operates by receiving power from a battery pack comprising multiple battery cells, and "load" may be described herein as an example of an electric vehicle (EV), but is not limited thereto.

[0035] Figure 1 A battery pack and relay status management device according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 The battery pack 100 according to the embodiments disclosed herein may include a battery module 110 and a relay status management device 120.

[0037] Battery module 110 may include multiple battery cells 111, 112, 113, and 114. Although multiple battery cells... Figure 1 The example shown is four, but the invention is not limited thereto, and the battery module 110 may include n battery cells (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2). The battery module 110 can supply power to the load 200. For this purpose, the battery module 110 can be connected via a relay (see reference...). Figure 2 and Figure 3 (Description) Electrically connected to load 200.

[0038] The multiple battery cells 111, 112, 113, and 114 can be lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, etc., and are not limited to these. Meanwhile, although in Figure 1 A battery module 110 is illustrated, but according to the implementation, the battery module 110 can be configured as a plurality of modules.

[0039] The relay status management device 120 can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the battery module 110. For example, the relay status management device 120 can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of multiple battery cells 111, 112, 113, and 114 included in the battery module 110. The relay status management device 120 can manage the charging and / or discharging of the battery module 110.

[0040] Additionally, the relay status management device 120 can monitor the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the battery module 110 and / or each of the multiple battery cells 111, 112, 113, and 114 included in the battery module 110. Sensors or various measurement modules (not shown) for monitoring performed by the relay status management device 120 can be additionally installed in the battery module 110, the charging / discharging path, or any location within the battery module 110. The relay status management device 120 can calculate parameters indicating the state of the battery module 110, such as state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH), based on measured values ​​such as monitored voltage, current, and temperature.

[0041] The relay state management device 120 can calculate the cell balancing time of multiple battery cells 111, 112, 113, and 114. For example, the relay state management device 120 can calculate the cell balancing time based on the State of Charge (SOC) of each of the multiple battery cells 111, 112, 113, and 114. The relay state management device 120 can determine a cell balancing target based on the SOC of each of the multiple battery cells 111, 112, 113, and 114. The relay state management device 120 can perform a cell balancing operation based on the cell balancing time of the battery cell among the multiple battery cells 111, 112, 113, and 114 that is determined to be the cell balancing target.

[0042] In this respect, the relay status management device 120 may include the functions of a battery management system (BMS) for managing the operation / status of the battery module 110.

[0043] Additionally, the relay status management device 120 can diagnose the relays connecting the battery module 110 to the load 200 based on internally measured voltage (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 3 The state of the relay (description). For example, the relay state management device 120 can diagnose whether the relay is in a normal or faulty state by using the voltage change measured internally when the relay is in a short-circuit state (that is, when the battery module 110 and the load 200 are electrically connected to each other). In other words, if the relay state management device 120 controls the relay to be in a short-circuit state, a state where the relay is not short-circuited due to a fault or unintentional open circuit can be diagnosed as a fault. The following will refer to... Figures 2 to 5 The operation of the relay status management device 120 is described in more detail.

[0044] Figure 2 An example of a relay status management device according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 The relay status management device 120 may include a switch 121, a resistor unit 122, a voltage measurement unit 123, a controller 124, and a relay 125.

[0046] Switch 121 can connect battery module 110 and resistor unit 122. For example, one end of switch 121 can be connected to the negative terminal of battery module 110, while the other end of switch 121 can be connected to resistor unit 122. Switch 121 can be opened or short-circuited in response to control by controller 124.

[0047] Resistor unit 122 can be connected to the other end of switch 121. When switch 121 is short-circuited, resistor unit 122 can be electrically connected to battery module 110. Resistor unit 122 can be grounded.

[0048] Voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage applied to resistor unit 122. For example, voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage applied to resistor unit 122 when switch 121 is short-circuited, while relay 125 is controlled to be short-circuited. Voltage measurement unit 123 can send the measured voltage to controller 124. For example, voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage applied to resistor unit 122 in real time and send the measured voltage to controller 124.

[0049] Controller 124 can control the operation of switch 121 and relay 125. For example, controller 124 can open or short-circuit relay 125 in response to a control command transmitted from load 200. When relay 125 is short-circuited, power can be supplied to load 200 from battery module 110. Controller 124 can open or short-circuit switch 121 according to the operating state or condition of battery pack 100 and / or battery module 110.

[0050] The controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 based on the voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit 123. For example, while controlling the relay 125 to short-circuit, the controller 124 can obtain a measured change in voltage, which is the change in voltage over a reference time period from when the switch 121 is short-circuited, as measured by the voltage measurement unit 123, and diagnose the state of the relay 125 based on the measured change. The controller 124 can simultaneously control the short circuit of both the switch 121 and the relay 125, and after the controller 124 controls the short circuit of the relay 125, it can also short-circuit the switch 121.

[0051] The controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 by comparing the measured change with a first reference change or a second reference change. For example, the first reference change can be defined as the change in voltage previously measured by the voltage measuring unit 123 during a reference time period starting from the short circuit of the switch 121 when the relay 125 is in an open-circuit state, and the second reference change can be defined as the change in voltage previously measured by the voltage measuring unit 123 during a reference time period starting from the short circuit of the switch 121 when the relay 125 is in a short-circuit state.

[0052] When relay 125 is controlled to be short-circuited, controller 124 can diagnose a fault as a situation where relay 125 is not short-circuited due to a malfunction or unintentional open circuit. The following will refer to... Figures 3 to 5 This will be described in more detail.

[0053] Relay 125 can be connected between battery module 110 and load 200. For example, one end of relay 125 can be electrically connected to battery module 110, and the other end of relay 125 can be electrically connected to load 200. Relay 125 can be open-circuited or short-circuited in response to control by controller 124. When relay 125 is short-circuited, power from battery module 110 can be supplied to load 200.

[0054] According to an embodiment, relay 125 may be designed to be included in relay state management device 120 and may be designed to electrically connect battery module 110 to load 200 which is separate from relay state management device 120. For example, when relay 125 is designed to be separate from relay state management device 120, in one aspect, relay state management device 120 may be understood as a configuration for measuring the insulation resistance of battery pack 100.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a relay status management device according to an embodiment disclosed herein. Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a view used to describe the operation of a relay status management device according to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0056] Reference Figure 3 The relay status management device 120 may include a switch 121, a resistor unit 122, a voltage measurement unit 123, a controller 124, and a relay 125.

[0057] One end of switch 121 can be connected to the negative terminal of battery module 110, while the other end of switch 121 can be connected to resistor unit 122. Switch 121 can be connected to relay 125 around the first node N1. Switch 121 can be opened or short-circuited in response to control by controller 124.

[0058] Resistor unit 122 may include a first resistor R1 and a second resistor R2. The first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be connected in series with each other. The first resistor R1 may be connected to the other end of switch 121. The second resistor R2 may be grounded. When switch 121 is short-circuited, the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be electrically connected to battery module 110.

[0059] Voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage at the second node N2. In one aspect, voltage measurement unit 123 can be understood as measuring the voltage applied to the second resistor R2. Voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage at the second node N2 when switch 121 is short-circuited, while relay 125 is controlled to be short-circuited. Voltage measurement unit 123 can send the measured voltage to controller 124. For example, voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage at the second node N2 in real time to send the measured voltage to controller 124.

[0060] The controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 based on the voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit 123.

[0061] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 When relay 125 is short-circuited at the fifth time t5 while in the open-circuit state, and thus becomes open-circuited at the sixth time t6, the voltage of the second node N2 measured by voltage measurement unit 123 can change to the mode indicated by A. Here, the difference between the fifth time t5 and the sixth time t6 can be defined as a reference time, for example, 200 ms, but it can be set in various ways according to the implementation and is not limited thereto. As in A, the time constant τ for determining the voltage change of the second node N2 can be determined as the product of the sum of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 and the first capacitance component C1 (e.g., the capacitance component of battery pack 100).

[0062] Reference Figure 5 When switch 121 is short-circuited for the reference time in the open-circuit state of relay 125 (i.e., for A), the voltage measured at the second node N2 can be defined as a first reference change ΔVd for the reference time. In the open-circuit state of relay 125, the time constant τ decreases, allowing the voltage change at the second node N2 within the same reference time to be greater than the voltage change at the second node N2 within the reference time in the short-circuit state of relay 125.

[0063] Return to reference Figure 3 and Figure 4When switch 121 is short-circuited at a first time t1 and therefore open-circuited at a second time t2, the voltage at the second node N2 measured by voltage measuring unit 123 can change to the pattern indicated by B under the short-circuit state of relay 125. Here, the difference between the first time t1 and the second time t2 can be defined as the reference time. Even when switch 121 is short-circuited at a third time t3 and therefore open-circuited at a fourth time t4 when relay 125 is in the short-circuit state, the voltage change pattern indicated by B can appear the same or similar. Under the normal short-circuit state of relay 125, the time constant τ for determining the voltage change at the second node N2 can be determined as the product of the sum of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 and the first capacitance component C1 (e.g., the capacitance component of battery pack 100) and the second capacitance component C2 (e.g., the capacitance component of load 200).

[0064] Reference Figure 5 When switch 121 is short-circuited for the reference time while relay 125 is in a normal short-circuit state (i.e., for B), the voltage measured at the second node N2 can be defined as the second reference change ΔV1 within the reference time.

[0065] Return to reference Figure 3 While controlling the short circuit of relay 125, controller 124 can diagnose the state of relay 125 based on the measured change, which is the change in voltage measured by voltage measurement unit 123 during a reference time from when switch 121 is short-circuited.

[0066] The controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 by comparing the measured change with a previously obtained first reference change ΔVd or a second reference change ΔV1. For example, the first reference change can be defined as the voltage change previously measured by the voltage measuring unit 123 during a reference time period starting from the short circuit of the switch 121 while the relay 125 is in an open-circuit state, and the second reference change can be defined as the voltage change previously measured by the voltage measuring unit 123 during a reference time period starting from the short circuit of the switch 121 while the relay 125 is in a short-circuit state.

[0067] The controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 as faulty when the measured change is equal to or greater than the value obtained by multiplying the first reference change ΔVd by a predetermined ratio, and diagnose the state of the relay 125 as normal when the measured change is less than the value obtained by multiplying the first reference change ΔVd by the predetermined ratio. Here, the predetermined ratio can be set to 0.9, but is not limited to this, and can be set in various ways depending on the implementation.

[0068] The controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 as normal when the measured change is within a predetermined range from the second reference change ΔV1, and can diagnose the state of the relay 125 as faulty when the measured change is outside the predetermined range from the second reference change ΔV1.

[0069] Therefore, the controller 124 can diagnose the state where the relay 125 is not short-circuited due to a fault or unintentional open circuit as a fault when the relay 125 is controlled to be short-circuited.

[0070] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a relay status management device according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0071] Reference Figure 6 The operation method of the relay status management device according to the embodiments disclosed herein may include: operation S110, which controls the switch connected between the battery module and the resistor unit and the relay short circuit connected between the battery module and the load, and measures the voltage applied to the resistor unit; and operation S120, which diagnoses the relay status based on the measured voltage.

[0072] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Describe operations S110 and S120 in detail.

[0073] In operation S110, the voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage applied to the resistor unit 122. (See reference...) Figure 3 As described, voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage at the second node N2. For example, voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage applied to resistor unit 122 when switch 121 is short-circuited, while relay 125 is controlled to be short-circuited. Voltage measurement unit 123 can send the measured voltage to controller 124. For example, voltage measurement unit 123 can measure the voltage applied to resistor unit 122 in real time to send the measured voltage to controller 124.

[0074] Simultaneously, one end of switch 121 can be connected to the negative terminal of battery module 110, and the other end of switch 121 can be connected to resistor unit 122. Switch 121 can be connected to relay 125 around the first node N1. Resistor unit 122 may include a first resistor R1 and a second resistor R2. The first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 can be connected in series with each other. The first resistor R1 can be connected to the other end of switch 121. The second resistor R2 can be grounded. When switch 121 is short-circuited, the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 can be electrically connected to battery module 110.

[0075] In operation S120, the controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 based on the voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit 123. The controller 124 can diagnose a state where the relay 125 is not short-circuited due to a fault or unintentional open circuit as a fault, even if the relay 125 is controlled to be short-circuited. (Refer to...) Figure 7 and Figure 8 The operation S120 is described in more detail.

[0076] Furthermore, operations S110 and S120 can be performed when the current flowing through switch 121 and resistor unit 122 is greater than or equal to 20% of the maximum allowable current of battery pack 100 when switch 121 is short-circuited while relay 125 is in a short-circuit state, but are not limited thereto.

[0077] Figure 7 This is a flowchart for describing in detail the operation method of a relay status management device according to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0078] Reference Figure 7 , refer to Figure 6 The described operation S120 may include: operation S121, which obtains a measured change, the measured change being a voltage change measured over a reference time period from when the switch is short-circuited; and operation S122, which diagnoses the state of the relay by using the measured change and a first reference change, the first reference change being obtained by previously measuring the voltage change applied to the resistor unit in the open-circuit state of the relay over the reference time period from when the switch is short-circuited.

[0079] In operation S121, while controlling the relay 125 to short-circuit, the controller 124 can obtain a measured change, which is the change in voltage within a reference time period from when the switch 121 is short-circuited, as measured by the voltage measuring unit 123.

[0080] In operation S122, the controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 by comparing the measured change with a previously obtained first reference change ΔVd. For example, the first reference change can be defined as the change in voltage previously measured by the voltage measuring unit 123 during a reference time from when the switch 121 is short-circuited while the relay 125 is in the open-circuit state.

[0081] The controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 as faulty when the measured change is equal to or greater than the value obtained by multiplying the first reference change ΔVd by a predetermined ratio, and diagnose the state of the relay 125 as normal when the measured change is less than the value obtained by multiplying the first reference change ΔVd by the predetermined ratio. Here, the predetermined ratio can be set to 0.9, but is not limited to this, and can be set in various ways depending on the implementation.

[0082] Therefore, the controller 124 can diagnose the state where the relay 125 is not short-circuited due to a fault or unintentional open circuit as a fault when the relay 125 is controlled to be short-circuited.

[0083] Figure 8 This is a flowchart for describing in detail an operation method of a relay status management device according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0084] Reference Figure 8 , refer to Figure 6 The described operation S120 may include: operation S131, which obtains a measured change, the measured change being the measured voltage change over a reference time period from when the switch is short-circuited; and operation S132, which diagnoses the state of the relay by using the measured change and a second reference change, the second reference change being obtained by previously measuring the voltage change applied to the resistor unit over a reference time period from when the switch is short-circuited in the short-circuited state of the relay.

[0085] In operation S131, while controlling the short circuit of relay 125, controller 124 can obtain a measured change, which is the change in voltage measured by voltage measurement unit 123 during a reference time from when switch 121 is short-circuited.

[0086] In operation S132, the controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 by comparing the measured change with a previously obtained second reference change ΔV1. For example, the second reference change can be defined as the change in voltage measured by the voltage measuring unit 123 during a reference time from the short circuit of switch 121 in the short-circuit state of the relay 125.

[0087] The controller 124 can diagnose the state of the relay 125 as normal when the measured change is within a predetermined range from the second reference change ΔV1, and can diagnose the state of the relay 125 as faulty when the measured change is outside the predetermined range from the second reference change ΔV1.

[0088] Therefore, when relay 125 is controlled to be short-circuited, controller 124 can diagnose the state of relay 125 without short circuit due to fault or unintentional open circuit as a fault.

[0089] The above description is merely an example of the technical concept of the present invention, and various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed herein pertain without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0090] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are intended to describe, and not limit, the technical spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the scope of the technical spirit of the invention is not limited to these embodiments disclosed herein. The scope of protection of the technical spirit disclosed herein should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical spirit within the same scope should be understood to be included within the scope of the invention.

[0091] Cross-references to related applications

[0092] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0163243, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 27, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A relay status management device, the relay status management device comprising: A switch that is connected to one end of the battery module; A resistor unit connected to the switch; A voltage measuring unit that measures the voltage applied to the resistor unit; A relay is connected between the battery module and the load; as well as A controller that keeps the switch and the relay in a short circuit and diagnoses the state of the relay based on the voltage measured by the voltage measuring unit. The controller diagnoses the state of the relay based on a measured change, which is the change in voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit within a reference time period from when the controller controls the switch to be short-circuited.

2. The relay status management device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller diagnoses the state of the relay by using the measured change and a first reference change, the first reference change being the change in voltage previously measured by the voltage measurement unit during a reference time from when the controller controls the switch to be short-circuited while the relay is in an open-circuit state.

3. The relay status management device according to claim 2, wherein, The controller diagnoses the relay as faulty when the measured change is greater than or equal to a value obtained by multiplying the first reference change by a predetermined ratio, and diagnoses the relay as normal when the measured change is less than a value obtained by multiplying the first reference change by the predetermined ratio.

4. The relay status management device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller diagnoses the state of the relay by using the measured change and a second reference change, the second reference change being the change in voltage previously measured by the voltage measurement unit within a reference time period from when the controller controls the switch to be short-circuited in the short-circuited state of the relay.

5. The relay status management device according to claim 4, wherein, The controller diagnoses the relay as normal when the measured change is within a predetermined range from the second reference change, and diagnoses the relay as faulty when the measured change is outside the predetermined range from the second reference change.

6. The relay status management device according to claim 1, wherein, The resistor unit includes a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series with each other.

7. The relay status management device according to claim 6, wherein, The voltage measuring unit measures the voltage applied to the second resistor.

8. The relay status management device according to claim 1, wherein, The switch is connected to the negative terminal of the battery module.

9. An operation method for a relay status management device, the operation method comprising the following steps: The switch of the relay state management device connected between the battery module and the resistor unit of the relay state management device, and the relay of the relay state management device connected between the battery module and the load are short-circuited, and the voltage applied to the resistor unit is measured; as well as The state of the relay is diagnosed based on the measured voltage. The step of diagnosing the state of the relay based on the measured voltage includes the following steps: The measured change is the change in voltage measured over a reference time period starting from when the switch is short-circuited.

10. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein, The step of diagnosing the state of the relay based on the measured voltage further includes the following steps: The state of the relay is diagnosed by using the measured change and a first reference change obtained by previously measuring the change in voltage applied to the resistor unit during a reference time from when the switch is short-circuited while the relay is in an open-circuit state.

11. The operating method according to claim 10, wherein, The step of diagnosing the state of the relay by using the measured change and a first reference change obtained by previously measuring the change in voltage applied to the resistor unit during a reference time from when the switch is short-circuited in the open-circuit state of the relay includes the following steps: diagnosing the state of the relay as faulty when the measured change is greater than or equal to a value obtained by multiplying the first reference change by a predetermined ratio, and diagnosing the state of the relay as normal when the measured change is less than a value obtained by multiplying the first reference change by the predetermined ratio.

12. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein, The step of diagnosing the state of the relay based on the measured voltage further includes the following steps: The state of the relay is diagnosed by using the measured change and a second reference change obtained by previously measuring the change in voltage applied to the resistor unit within a reference time from when the switch is short-circuited in the short-circuited state of the relay.

13. The operating method according to claim 12, wherein, The step of diagnosing the state of the relay by using the measured change and a second reference change obtained by previously measuring the change in voltage applied to the resistor unit during a reference time from when the switch is short-circuited in the short-circuited state of the relay includes the following steps: diagnosing the state of the relay as normal when the measured change is within a predetermined range from the second reference change; and diagnosing the state of the relay as faulty when the measured change is outside the predetermined range from the second reference change.

14. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein, The resistor unit includes a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series with each other, and measures the voltage applied to the second resistor.

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