Battery pack diagnosis device and battery pack diagnosis method, and battery pack including the device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for diagnosing a battery pack, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for diagnosing a battery pack capable of diagnosing a state of the battery pack. According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for diagnosing a battery pack can advantageously diagnose a state of the battery pack in consideration of arrangement information of a plurality of battery modules, rather than simply diagnosing the state of the battery pack based on a temperature of each battery module provided in the battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0002897, filed in Korea on January 8, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to battery pack diagnostic equipment and methods, and more specifically, to battery pack diagnostic equipment and methods capable of diagnosing the state of a battery pack. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically, and electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites are being developed with great care. Therefore, high-performance batteries that allow for repeated charging and discharging are being actively researched.

[0004] Currently available batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries. Among them, lithium batteries have attracted much attention because they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries and also have extremely low self-discharge rates and high energy densities.

[0005] Typically, a battery pack may include multiple battery modules connected in series and / or in parallel, and each battery module may include multiple batteries connected in series and / or in parallel.

[0006] To prevent the battery pack from catching fire, at least one temperature sensor is installed in the battery pack to measure the temperature of the battery modules and battery cells. Furthermore, based on the temperature readings from the temperature sensor, safety measures for high-temperature situations involving the battery pack can be implemented, for example, by disconnecting the main relay located in the charging / discharging path (high-current path) or adjusting the output power of the battery pack.

[0007] However, because battery packs are designed in various ways for high capacity and / or high output, simply comparing temperature measurements to thresholds to implement safety measures could lead to problems where the battery pack becomes unusable under unexpected conditions. Therefore, considering the structure of the battery pack, there is a need to develop technologies capable of identifying high-temperature conditions in the battery pack and implementing appropriate safety measures accordingly. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] This disclosure is designed to address problems in the related art, and therefore relates to providing a battery pack diagnostic device and method that takes into account the structure of the battery pack to measure the internal temperature of the battery pack and diagnose the condition of the battery pack based on the measured temperature.

[0010] These and other objects and advantages of this disclosure will be understood from the following detailed description and will become more fully apparent from exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved by the means and combinations thereof shown in the appended claims.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery pack diagnostic device is a device for diagnosing the state of a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules, and may include: a temperature measurement unit configured to measure the temperature of each of the multiple battery modules via at least one temperature sensor attached to each of the multiple battery modules; and a control unit configured to classify the multiple battery modules into at least one group based on arrangement information of the multiple battery modules, diagnose a first state of each of the multiple battery modules based on the temperature of each of the multiple battery modules measured by the temperature measurement unit and a threshold temperature set for each group to which the corresponding battery module belongs, set a representative temperature for each classified group, diagnose a second state of each of the multiple battery modules based on the temperature of the battery modules belonging to each group and the representative temperature, and diagnose the state of the battery pack based on the diagnostic results of the first state and the diagnostic results of the second state.

[0013] The control unit can be configured to classify the plurality of battery modules into multiple groups based on whether the plurality of battery modules are arranged in a stacked structure.

[0014] As a diagnostic result of the first state, the control unit can be configured to identify the temperature sensor whose measured temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature among the temperature sensors attached to each of the plurality of battery modules as the first target sensor.

[0015] The control unit can be configured to set a threshold temperature corresponding to a group that includes battery modules arranged in a stacked structure to be higher than the threshold temperature corresponding to a group that includes battery modules that are not arranged in a stacked structure.

[0016] As a diagnostic result of the second state, the control unit can be configured to identify the temperature sensor in which the deviation between the measured temperature and the representative temperature of the temperature sensor attached to each of the plurality of battery modules is equal to or greater than a threshold deviation as the second target sensor.

[0017] The control unit can be configured to set a threshold deviation corresponding to a group that includes battery modules arranged in a stacked structure to be lower than the threshold deviation corresponding to a group that includes battery modules that are not arranged in a stacked structure.

[0018] The control unit can be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective when there are battery modules among the plurality of battery modules where the sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors is equal to or greater than a first standard number.

[0019] The control unit can be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective when there is a group in the classification group where the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors corresponding to multiple battery modules belonging to the corresponding group is equal to or greater than a second standard number.

[0020] Multiple temperature sensors can be attached to each of the multiple battery modules.

[0021] The temperature measurement unit can be configured to measure multiple temperatures of the plurality of battery modules respectively through the temperature sensor.

[0022] A battery pack according to another aspect of this disclosure may include the battery pack diagnostic device described in one aspect of this disclosure.

[0023] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a battery pack diagnostic method is a method for diagnosing the state of a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules, and may include the following steps: a temperature measurement step, wherein the temperature measurement step measures the temperature of each of the multiple battery modules by means of at least one temperature sensor attached to each of the multiple battery modules; a group classification step, wherein the group classification step classifies the multiple battery modules into at least one group based on the arrangement information of the multiple battery modules; a first state diagnostic step, wherein the first state diagnostic step diagnoses a first state of each of the multiple battery modules based on the temperature of each of the multiple battery modules measured in the temperature measurement step and a threshold temperature set for each group to which the corresponding battery module belongs; a representative temperature setting step, wherein the representative temperature setting step sets a representative temperature for each group classified in the group classification step; a second state diagnostic step, wherein the second state diagnostic step diagnoses a second state of each of the multiple battery modules based on the temperature of the battery module belonging to each group and the representative temperature; and a battery pack state diagnostic step, wherein the battery pack state diagnostic step diagnoses the state of the battery pack according to the diagnostic results of the first state diagnostic step and the diagnostic results of the second state diagnostic step.

[0024] Beneficial effects

[0025] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the battery pack diagnostic device has the advantage of diagnosing the state of the battery pack by taking into account the arrangement information of multiple battery modules, rather than simply diagnosing the state of the battery pack based on the temperature of each battery module located in the battery pack.

[0026] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the description of the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be construed as limited to the drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 This diagram schematically illustrates a battery pack diagnostic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating another example of the arrangement structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a status diagnostic table according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a status diagnostic table according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating another example of a status diagnostic table according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack diagnostic method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the battery pack condition diagnosis steps in a battery pack diagnosis method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0036] It should be understood that the terms used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to their generic and dictionary meanings, but rather as being interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of this disclosure, on the basis of the principle that allows the inventor to define terms suitable for best description.

[0037] Therefore, the description presented herein is merely a preferred example for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that other equivalents and modifications may be obtained without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0038] In addition, in describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of relevant known elements or functions are omitted herein when they are considered to obscure the key subject matter of the disclosure.

[0039] Ordinal terms such as “first” and “second” can be used to distinguish one element from another among various elements, but are not intended to limit these elements by terminology.

[0040] Throughout this specification, when a section is referred to as "containing" or "including" any element, it means that the section may also include other elements, without excluding the presence of other elements, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0041] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when one part is referred to as "connected" to another part, it is not limited to the case where they are "directly connected," but also includes the case where they are "indirectly connected" and another element is inserted between them.

[0042] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 The battery pack diagnostic device 100 may include a temperature measurement unit 110 and a control unit 120.

[0045] Specifically, the battery pack diagnostic device 100 can be a battery pack diagnostic device 100 used to diagnose the state of a battery pack including multiple battery modules.

[0046] For example, at least one battery module can be included in a battery pack. Additionally, a battery module can include one or more battery cells. Furthermore, a battery cell refers to a physically separable, individual cell with a negative terminal and a positive terminal. For example, a pouch-type lithium-ion battery can be considered a battery cell.

[0047] In the following description, it is assumed that the battery pack includes multiple battery modules, and each battery module includes multiple battery cells. However, it should be noted that the number of battery modules and battery cells included in the battery pack is not limited to the described embodiment. For example, the battery pack may include multiple battery modules, and each battery module may include only one battery cell.

[0048] The temperature measurement unit 110 can be configured to measure the temperature of each of the plurality of battery modules by means of at least one temperature sensor attached to each of the plurality of battery modules.

[0049] Specifically, one or more temperature sensors can be attached to each of the multiple battery modules. The number of temperature sensors attached to each of the multiple battery modules can be different or the same for each battery module. Preferably, to accurately diagnose the state of the battery pack, the same number of temperature sensors can be attached to the multiple battery modules.

[0050] Preferably, to more accurately diagnose the state of the battery pack, multiple temperature sensors can be configured to be attached to each of the multiple battery modules. Additionally, the temperature measurement unit 110 can be configured to measure multiple temperatures of each of the multiple battery modules using the temperature sensors.

[0051] In the following text, it is assumed that the battery pack comprises a total of eight battery modules, and each battery module is attached with four temperature sensors. However, it should be noted that the number of battery modules included in the battery pack and the number of temperature sensors attached to each battery module can vary within an unconstrained range.

[0052] For example, the temperature measurement unit 110 can measure a total of 32 temperatures by using four temperature sensors attached to each of the eight battery modules. That is, the temperature measurement unit 110 can measure four temperatures for each battery module.

[0053] The control unit 120 can be connected to the temperature measurement unit 110 via wired or wireless means to communicate with the temperature measurement unit 110. Therefore, the control unit 120 can receive the temperatures of multiple battery modules measured by the temperature measurement unit 110.

[0054] Additionally, the control unit 120 can be configured to classify multiple battery modules into at least one group based on the arrangement information of the multiple battery modules.

[0055] Here, the arrangement information of multiple battery modules can refer to the design information of multiple battery modules arranged inside the battery pack. Additionally, the battery modules can be arranged in a stacked structure or an inline structure. A stacked structure can refer to a structure in which multiple battery modules are stacked layer by layer based on the lower part of the battery pack. An inline structure can refer to a structure in which the lower parts of multiple battery modules are fixed to the lower part of the battery pack and the side surfaces of the multiple battery modules are connected to each other.

[0056] Specifically, the control unit 120 can be configured to classify multiple battery modules into multiple groups based on whether the multiple battery modules are arranged in a stacked structure.

[0057] For example, the control unit 120 can be configured to classify battery modules arranged in a stacked structure into a first group G1, and adjacent battery modules that are not arranged in a stacked structure into a second group G2.

[0058] That is, the control unit 120 can classify battery modules arranged in a stacked structure into a first group G1, and battery modules arranged in an inline structure into a second group G2. Here, battery modules can be classified into only one group, but cannot be repeatedly classified into two or more groups.

[0059] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating another example of the arrangement structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] For example, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Among the eight battery modules, the first battery module B1 to the fourth battery module B4 can be arranged in a stacked structure, and the fifth battery module B5 to the eighth battery module B8 can be arranged in an inline structure.

[0061] Specifically, if the arrangement structure of the battery modules is described in the form of "length direction (L) × width direction (W) × height direction (H)", then the first battery module B1 to the fourth battery module B4 can be stacked in a 2×1×2 structure, and the fifth battery module B5 to the eighth battery module B8 can be arranged in a straight line in a 4×1×1 structure.

[0062] The control unit 120 can classify the first battery modules B1 to the fourth battery modules B4 into a first group G1, and classify the fifth battery modules B5 to the eighth battery modules B8 into a second group G2.

[0063] The control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose a first state of each of the plurality of battery modules based on the temperature of each of the plurality of battery modules measured by the temperature measurement unit 110 and a threshold temperature set for each group to which the corresponding battery module belongs.

[0064] Specifically, the threshold temperature can be set differently for each group. That is, the control unit 120 can be configured to set the threshold temperature corresponding to the first group G1 to be higher than the threshold temperature corresponding to the second group G2.

[0065] That is, the control unit 120 can be configured to set the threshold temperature corresponding to a group that includes battery modules arranged in a stacked structure to be higher than the threshold temperature corresponding to a group that includes battery modules that are not arranged in a stacked structure.

[0066] Since the first group G1 includes battery modules arranged in a stacked structure, heat transfer between the arranged battery modules can occur more actively than that between battery modules arranged in an inline structure. That is, in terms of temperature, the stacked battery modules are more affected by the temperature of other battery modules in the same group compared to those arranged in an inline structure. Therefore, since the stacked battery modules can have higher temperatures than those arranged in an inline structure, the control unit 120 can set a threshold temperature corresponding to the first group G1 higher than the threshold temperature corresponding to the second group G2.

[0067] For example, the threshold temperature corresponding to the first group G1 can be set to 55°C, and the threshold temperature corresponding to the second group G2 can be set to 50°C.

[0068] Specifically, as a diagnostic result of the first state, the control unit 120 can be configured to identify the temperature sensor whose measured temperature is equal to or higher than a threshold temperature among the temperature sensors attached to each of the plurality of battery modules as the first target sensor.

[0069] For example, when four temperature sensors are attached to each of the eight battery modules as in the previous embodiment, the total number of temperature sensors disposed in the battery pack can be 32. The control unit 120 can identify the temperature sensor among the 32 temperature sensors whose measured temperature is equal to or higher than the corresponding threshold temperature as the first target sensor.

[0070] Here, the control unit 120 can compare the measured temperature with the threshold temperature corresponding to the first group G1 for the 16 temperature sensors attached to the four battery modules included in the first group G1, and compare the measured temperature with the threshold temperature corresponding to the second group G2 for the 16 temperature sensors attached to the four battery modules included in the second group G2.

[0071] In addition, the control unit 120 can be configured to set a representative temperature for each category of group.

[0072] For example, the control unit 120 can calculate the average or median of the measured temperatures of the categorized groups and set the calculated average or median as the representative temperature.

[0073] Additionally, the control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the second state of each of the multiple battery modules based on the temperature of the battery module belonging to each group and a representative temperature.

[0074] Specifically, as a diagnostic result of the second state, the control unit 120 can be configured to identify the temperature sensor among the temperature sensors attached to each of the plurality of battery modules whose measured temperature deviates from the representative temperature by a threshold deviation greater than or equal to a threshold deviation as the second target sensor.

[0075] That is, for each battery module, the control unit 120 can determine the first target sensor by comparing the measured temperature of the battery module with the threshold temperature of the corresponding group. Furthermore, for the classified groups, the control unit 120 can determine the second target sensor by comparing the measured temperature of the battery module with the representative temperature of the corresponding group.

[0076] Additionally, the control unit 120 can be configured to set the threshold deviation corresponding to the first group G1 to be lower than the threshold deviation corresponding to the second group G2.

[0077] That is, the control unit 120 can be configured to set the threshold deviation corresponding to a group that includes battery modules arranged in a stacked structure to be lower than the threshold deviation corresponding to a group that includes battery modules that are not arranged in a stacked structure.

[0078] For example, as described above, heat transfer between the multiple battery modules included in the first group G1 can occur more actively than heat transfer between the multiple battery modules included in the second group G2. Therefore, taking into account the arrangement information of the multiple battery modules, since the temperature difference between the multiple battery modules included in the first group G1 appears to be lower than the temperature difference between the multiple battery modules included in the second group G2, the control unit 120 can set the threshold deviation corresponding to the first group G1 to be lower than the threshold deviation corresponding to the second group G2.

[0079] For example, the threshold deviation corresponding to the first group G1 can be 5℃, and the threshold deviation corresponding to the second group G2 can be 10℃.

[0080] The control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack based on the diagnostic results of the first state and the diagnostic results of the second state.

[0081] For example, the control unit 120 can diagnose the state of the battery pack as either defective or normal.

[0082] The control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective when there are battery modules in a plurality of battery modules where the sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors is equal to or greater than a first standard number.

[0083] Additionally, the control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective when there is a group in the classification group where the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors corresponding to multiple battery modules belonging to the corresponding group is equal to or greater than the second standard number.

[0084] Finally, the control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the battery pack as normal when there are no battery modules among the multiple battery modules whose sum of the number of corresponding first target sensors and the number of corresponding second target sensors is equal to or greater than a first standard number, and there are no groups in the classified groups whose sum of the number of corresponding first target sensors and the number of corresponding second target sensors is equal to or greater than a second standard number for the multiple battery modules belonging to the corresponding group.

[0085] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a status diagnostic table according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] The control unit 120 can record the first-state diagnostic results and the second-state diagnostic results in various ways, and diagnose the state of the battery pack. For example, as in... Figure 4 In one implementation, the control unit 120 can record the first state diagnostic result and the second state diagnostic result in a state diagnostic table and diagnose the state of the battery pack.

[0087] Figure 4 The implementation method is as follows: as in the previous implementation method, the first battery module B1 to the eighth battery module B8 are included in the battery pack, the first battery module B1 to the fourth battery module B4 are classified as the first group G1, and the fifth battery module B5 to the eighth battery module B8 are classified as the second group G2.

[0088] In the following Figure 5 and Figure 6 The control unit 120 will be described based on Figure 4 A specific implementation of a status diagnostic table to diagnose the status of the battery pack.

[0089] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a status diagnostic table according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] exist Figure 5In this embodiment, the first state diagnostic result of the first battery module B1 can be 1, and the second state diagnostic result can be 2. That is, the number of temperature sensors identified as the first target sensor among the temperature sensors attached to the first battery module B1 can be 1, and the number of temperature sensors identified as the second target sensor can be 2. Specifically, among the temperature sensors attached to the first battery module B1, there can be one temperature sensor whose measured temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature set to correspond to the first group G1. In addition, among the temperature sensors attached to the first battery module B1, there can be two temperature sensors whose measured temperature is equal to or higher than the representative temperature set to correspond to the first group G1.

[0091] The first state diagnostic result and the second state diagnostic result of the second battery module B2 to the fifth battery module B5 can both be 0 (zero).

[0092] The first state diagnostic result of the sixth battery module B6 can be 0, and the second state diagnostic result can be 1. That is, among the temperature sensors attached to the sixth battery module B6, there may be no temperature sensor that measures a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature set to correspond to the second group G2. However, among the temperature sensors attached to the sixth battery module B6, there may be one temperature sensor that measures a temperature equal to or higher than the representative temperature set to correspond to the second group G2.

[0093] The first state diagnostic result of the seventh battery module B7 can be 1, and the second state diagnostic result can be 0. That is, among the temperature sensors attached to the seventh battery module B7, there may be a temperature sensor that measures a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature set to correspond to the second group G2. However, among the temperature sensors attached to the seventh battery module B7, there may not be a temperature sensor that measures a temperature equal to or higher than the representative temperature set to correspond to the second group G2.

[0094] The first state diagnostic result of the eighth battery module B8 can be 2, and the second state diagnostic result can be 0. That is, among the temperature sensors attached to the eighth battery module B8, there may be two temperature sensors that measure a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold temperature set to correspond to the second group G2. However, among the temperature sensors attached to the eighth battery module B8, there may be no temperature sensor that measures a temperature equal to or higher than the representative temperature set to correspond to the second group G2.

[0095] For example, in Figure 5 In the implementation of this method, it is assumed that the first standard quantity is preset to 3 and the second standard quantity is preset to 6.

[0096] The sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used in the first battery module B1 can be 3. Additionally, the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used in the first group G1 can also be 3.

[0097] The sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used in the sixth battery module B6 can be 1, the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used in the seventh battery module B7 can be 1, and the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used in the eighth battery module B8 can be 2. Additionally, the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used in the second group G2 can be 4.

[0098] That is, in Figure 5 In this implementation, since the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used for the first battery module B1 is equal to or greater than the first standard number, the control unit 120 can diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective. Specifically, the control unit 120 can diagnose that the state of the battery pack is defective because it belongs to the first battery module B1 of the first group G1.

[0099] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating another example of a status diagnostic table according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0100] exist Figure 6 In this embodiment, the first state diagnostic result of the first battery module B1 can be 0, and the second state diagnostic result can be 2. That is, among the temperature sensors attached to the first battery module B1, the number of temperature sensors identified as the first target sensor can be 0, and the number of temperature sensors identified as the second target sensor can be 2.

[0101] The first state diagnostic result of the second battery module B2 can be 0, and the second state diagnostic result can be 2. That is, the number of temperature sensors identified as the first target sensor among the temperature sensors attached to the second battery module B2 can be 0, and the number of temperature sensors identified as the second target sensor can be 2.

[0102] The first state diagnostic result of the third battery module B3 can be 1, and the second state diagnostic result can be 1. That is, the number of temperature sensors identified as the first target sensor in the temperature sensor attached to the second battery module B2 can be 1, and the number of temperature sensors identified as the second target sensor can be 1.

[0103] The first state diagnostic result of the fourth battery module B4 can be 1, and the second state diagnostic result can be 0. That is, the number of temperature sensors identified as the first target sensor among the temperature sensors attached to the fourth battery module B4 can be 1, and the number of temperature sensors identified as the second target sensor can be 0.

[0104] The first state diagnostic result and the second state diagnostic result of the fifth battery module B5 can both be 0.

[0105] The first state diagnostic result of the sixth battery module B6 can be 0, and the second state diagnostic result can be 1. That is, the number of temperature sensors identified as the first target sensor among the temperature sensors attached to the sixth battery module B6 can be 0, and the number of temperature sensors identified as the second target sensor can be 1.

[0106] The first state diagnostic result of the seventh battery module B7 can be 1, and the second state diagnostic result can be 0. That is, the number of temperature sensors identified as the first target sensor among the temperature sensors attached to the seventh battery module B7 can be 1, and the number of temperature sensors identified as the second target sensor can be 0.

[0107] The first state diagnostic result of the eighth battery module B8 can be 2, and the second state diagnostic result can be 0. That is, the number of temperature sensors identified as the first target sensor among the temperature sensors attached to the eighth battery module B8 can be 2, and the number of temperature sensors identified as the second target sensor can be 0.

[0108] For example, assuming in Figure 6 In the implementation method, like in Figure 5 As in the previous implementation, the first standard quantity is preset to 3 and the second standard quantity is preset to 6.

[0109] Among the first battery modules B1 to the fourth battery modules B4, there may not be any battery modules in which the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors is greater than or equal to the first standard number. However, the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used in the first group G1 may be 7. That is, the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors used in the first group G1 may be greater than the second standard number.

[0110] Among the fifth battery modules B5 to the eighth battery modules B8, there may be no battery module in which the sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors is greater than or equal to the first standard number. Furthermore, the sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors used in the second group G2 may be 4. That is, the sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors used in the second group G2 may be less than the second standard number.

[0111] That is, in Figure 6 In this implementation, since the sum of the number of the first target sensors corresponding to the first group G1 and the number of the second target sensors is equal to or greater than the first standard number, the control unit 120 can diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective. Specifically, the control unit 120 can diagnose that the state of the battery pack is defective because it belongs to the first battery module B1 of the first group G1.

[0112] The battery pack diagnostic device 100 according to the embodiments of this disclosure does not simply diagnose the state of the battery pack based on the temperature of each battery module disposed in the battery pack, but has the advantage of diagnosing the state of the battery pack by taking into account the arrangement information of multiple battery modules and their temperatures together.

[0113] Furthermore, the battery pack diagnostic device 100 can primarily diagnose the battery pack status based on the temperature of each battery module, and secondarily diagnose the battery pack status based on the temperature of the multiple battery modules included in the group. That is, because the battery pack diagnostic device 100 can diagnose the battery pack status complementaryly for both each battery module and each group, it can diagnose the battery pack status more accurately, and the battery pack status diagnosis results can be more reliable.

[0114] Furthermore, the control unit 120 configured in the battery pack diagnostic device 100 may optionally include processors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, communication modems, and data processing devices known in the art to execute the various control logics performed in this disclosure. Alternatively, when the control logic is implemented in software, the control unit 120 may be implemented as a collection of program modules. In this case, the program modules may be stored in a memory and executed by the control unit 120. The memory may be located within or outside the control unit 120 and may be connected to the control unit 120 via various known means.

[0115] Additionally, the battery pack diagnostic device 100 may also include a storage unit 130. The storage unit 130 may store data or programs necessary for the operation and function of the various components of the battery pack diagnostic device 100, data generated during the execution of operations or functions, etc. The type of storage unit 130 is not particularly limited, as long as it is a known information storage device capable of recording, erasing, updating, and retrieving data. As examples, the information storage device may include RAM, flash memory, ROM, EEPROM, registers, etc. Furthermore, the storage unit 130 may store program code defining processes that can be executed by the control unit 120.

[0116] For example, according to Figure 4 The state diagnostic table of the embodiment can be pre-stored in the storage unit 130. Additionally, the control unit 120 can diagnose the state of the battery pack while recording the first and second state diagnostic results of each battery module in the state diagnostic table. Furthermore, the storage unit 130 can store set temperatures used during the diagnosis of the battery pack's state, such as threshold temperature, threshold deviation, and representative temperature.

[0117] In addition, the arrangement information of the multiple battery modules considered by the control unit 120 may include information related to the number of multiple battery modules and the arrangement structure of the multiple battery modules.

[0118] For example, unlike the previous embodiment, it is assumed that the battery pack includes 54 battery modules. Furthermore, it is assumed that among the 54 battery modules, 9 battery modules are arranged in a 3×3×1 structure, 18 battery modules are arranged in a 3×3×2 structure, and 27 battery modules are arranged in a 3×3×3 structure.

[0119] When reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 When describing the battery module layout in the form of "length (L) × width (W) × height (H)", 9 battery modules can be arranged in a 3×3 structure in one layer, 18 battery modules can be arranged in a 3×3 structure in two layers, and 27 battery modules can be arranged in a 3×3 structure in three layers.

[0120] Here, the control unit 120 can classify 9 battery modules into the first group, 18 battery modules into the second group, and 27 battery modules into the third group according to the layout information.

[0121] In addition, the control unit 120 can set the threshold temperature and threshold deviation differently depending on the number of battery modules included in each group.

[0122] For example, the control unit 120 can, based on the arrangement structure and taking into account thermal conductivity, set the threshold temperature corresponding to the third group to the highest and the threshold temperature corresponding to the first group to the lowest. Additionally, the control unit 120 can, based on the arrangement structure and taking into account thermal conductivity, set the threshold deviation corresponding to the first group to the maximum and the threshold deviation corresponding to the third group to the minimum.

[0123] The battery pack diagnostic device 100 according to this disclosure can be applied to a BMS (Battery Management System). That is, the BMS according to this disclosure may include the battery pack diagnostic device 100 described above. In this configuration, at least some components of the battery pack diagnostic device 100 can be implemented by supplementing or adding the functions included in a conventional BMS. For example, the temperature measurement unit 110, control unit 120, and storage unit 130 of the battery pack diagnostic device 100 can be implemented as components of a BMS.

[0124] Furthermore, the battery pack diagnostic device 100 according to this disclosure can be configured for a battery pack. That is, the battery pack according to this disclosure may include the battery pack diagnostic device 100 and at least one battery cell. Additionally, the battery pack may also include electrical equipment (relays, fuses, etc.) and a housing.

[0125] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack diagnostic method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0126] Specifically, the battery pack diagnostic method can be a method for diagnosing the state of a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules. Furthermore, each step of the battery pack diagnostic method can be performed by the battery pack diagnostic device 100.

[0127] In the following text, for ease of explanation, content that is repeated in the previous description will be omitted or briefly described.

[0128] Reference Figure 7 The battery pack diagnostic method may include a temperature measurement step (S100), a group classification step (S200), a first state diagnostic step (S300), a representative temperature setting step (S400), a second state diagnostic step (S500), and a battery pack state diagnostic step (S600).

[0129] exist Figure 7 In one embodiment, the group classification step (S200) is shown to be performed after the temperature measurement step (S100), but the temperature measurement step (S100) and the group classification step (S200) are performed in parallel, and their order can be changed. For example, in another embodiment, the temperature measurement step (S100) may be performed after the group classification step (S200) is performed first.

[0130] In addition, Figure 7 In some implementations, a representative temperature setting step (S400) and a second state diagnosis step (S500) are performed after the first state diagnosis step (S300), but the first state diagnosis step (S300) is performed in parallel with the representative temperature setting step (S400) and the second state diagnosis step (S500), and their order can be changed. For example, in another implementation, the first state diagnosis step (S300) can be performed after the representative temperature setting step (S400) and the second state diagnosis step (S500). However, it should be noted that the second state diagnosis step (S500) cannot be performed earlier than the representative temperature setting step (S400).

[0131] The temperature measurement step (S100) is a step of measuring the temperature of each of the plurality of battery modules by means of at least one temperature sensor attached to each of the plurality of battery modules, and can be performed by the temperature measurement unit 110.

[0132] The group classification step (S200) is a step of classifying multiple battery modules into at least one group based on the arrangement information of multiple battery modules, and can be executed by the control unit 120.

[0133] The first state diagnosis step (S300) is a step of diagnosing the first state of each of the multiple battery modules based on the temperature of each of the multiple battery modules measured in the temperature measurement step (S100) and the threshold temperature set for each group to which the corresponding battery module belongs, and can be executed by the control unit 120.

[0134] The representative temperature setting step (S400) is a step of setting a representative temperature for each group classified in the group classification step (S200), and can be executed by the control unit 120.

[0135] The second state diagnostic step (S500) is a step to diagnose the second state of each of the multiple battery modules based on the temperature and representative temperature of the battery modules belonging to each group, and can be executed by the control unit 120.

[0136] The battery pack status diagnosis step (S600) is a step of diagnosing the status of the battery pack based on the diagnosis results of the first status diagnosis step (S300) and the diagnosis results of the second status diagnosis step (S500), and can be executed by the control unit 120.

[0137] Reference Figure 8 The battery pack condition diagnosis steps (S600) are described in more detail.

[0138] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the battery pack condition diagnosis step (S600) in a battery pack diagnosis method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0139] Reference Figure 8 The battery pack status diagnosis step (S600) may include steps S610 to S640.

[0140] In step S610, it can be determined whether there is a battery module among the multiple battery modules included in the battery pack whose sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors is equal to or greater than the first standard number. If the determination result of the control unit 120 in step S610 is "no", then step S620 can be performed. Conversely, if the determination result of the control unit 120 in step S610 is "yes", then step S640 can be performed.

[0141] In step S620, it can be determined whether there exists a group among the multiple groups where the sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors is equal to or greater than the second standard number. If the determination result of the control unit 120 in step S620 is "no", then step S630 can be performed. Conversely, if the determination result of the control unit 120 in step S620 is "yes", then step S640 can be performed.

[0142] In step S630, the control unit 120 can determine the state of the battery pack as normal.

[0143] That is, the control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the battery pack as normal when there are no battery modules in the plurality of battery modules whose sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors is equal to or greater than the first standard number, and there are no groups in the classified groups whose sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors corresponding to the plurality of battery modules in the corresponding group is equal to or greater than the second standard number.

[0144] In step S640, the control unit 120 can determine that the battery pack is in a defective state.

[0145] That is, the control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective when there are battery modules among the plurality of battery modules where the sum of the number of corresponding first target sensors and the number of corresponding second target sensors is equal to or greater than a first standard number.

[0146] Additionally, the control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective when there is a group in the classification group where the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors corresponding to multiple battery modules belonging to the corresponding group is equal to or greater than the second standard number.

[0147] The embodiments of this disclosure described above can be implemented not only by devices and methods, but also by a program that implements functions corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of this disclosure, or a recording medium on which such program is recorded. Based on the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can easily implement the program or the recording medium.

[0148] This disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of this disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, as those skilled in the art will understand from the detailed description the various changes and modifications within the scope of this disclosure.

[0149] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can make many substitutions, modifications and changes to the present disclosure described above without departing from the technical aspects of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and drawings, and the embodiments can be selectively combined in part or in whole to allow for various modifications.

[0150] (Reference symbols)

[0151] 100: Battery Pack Diagnostic Equipment

[0152] 110: Temperature Measurement Unit

[0153] 120: Control Unit

[0154] 130: Storage unit

Claims

1. A battery pack diagnostic device for diagnosing the status of a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules, the battery pack diagnostic device comprising: A temperature measurement unit is configured to measure the temperature of each of the plurality of battery modules by means of at least one temperature sensor attached to each of the plurality of battery modules. as well as A control unit is configured to classify the plurality of battery modules into at least one group based on the arrangement information of the plurality of battery modules, diagnose a first state of each of the plurality of battery modules based on the temperature of each of the plurality of battery modules measured by the temperature measurement unit and a threshold temperature set for each group to which the corresponding battery module belongs, set a representative temperature for each classified group, diagnose a second state of each of the plurality of battery modules based on the temperature of the battery modules belonging to each group and the representative temperature, and diagnose the state of the battery pack based on the diagnosis results of the first state and the diagnosis results of the second state.

2. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 1, in, The control unit calculates the average or median of the measured temperatures of the categorized groups and sets the calculated average or median as the representative temperature.

3. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 1, in, The control unit is configured to classify the plurality of battery modules into multiple groups based on whether the plurality of battery modules are arranged in a stacked structure. The stacking structure is a structure in which the multiple battery modules are stacked layer by layer based on the lower part of the battery pack.

4. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 3, in, As a diagnostic result of the first state, the control unit is configured to identify the temperature sensor whose measured temperature is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature among the temperature sensors attached to each of the plurality of battery modules as the first target sensor.

5. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 4, in, The control unit is configured to set a threshold temperature corresponding to a group that includes battery modules arranged in a stacked structure to be higher than the threshold temperature corresponding to a group that includes battery modules that are not arranged in a stacked structure.

6. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 4, in, As a diagnostic result of the second state, the control unit is configured to identify the temperature sensor in the temperature sensor attached to each of the plurality of battery modules whose measured temperature deviates from the representative temperature by a deviation equal to or greater than a threshold deviation as the second target sensor.

7. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 6, in, The control unit is configured to set the threshold deviation corresponding to a group that includes battery modules arranged in a stacked structure to be lower than the threshold deviation corresponding to a group that includes battery modules that are not arranged in a stacked structure.

8. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 6, in, The control unit is configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective when there are battery modules among the plurality of battery modules where the sum of the number of the first target sensors and the number of the second target sensors is equal to or greater than a first standard number.

9. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 6, in, The control unit is configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as defective when there is a group in the classification where the sum of the number of first target sensors and the number of second target sensors corresponding to multiple battery modules belonging to the corresponding group is equal to or greater than a second standard number.

10. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 1, in, Multiple temperature sensors are provided and attached to each of the multiple battery modules. The temperature measurement unit is configured to measure multiple temperatures of the plurality of battery modules respectively through the temperature sensor.

11. The battery pack diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The arrangement information includes information related to the number of the plurality of battery modules and the arrangement structure of the plurality of battery modules.

12. A battery pack comprising a battery pack diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A battery pack diagnostic method for diagnosing the state of a battery pack comprising multiple battery modules, the battery pack diagnostic method comprising the following steps: A temperature measurement step, wherein the temperature of each of the plurality of battery modules is measured by at least one temperature sensor attached to each of the plurality of battery modules. The group classification step classifies the multiple battery modules into at least one group based on the arrangement information of the multiple battery modules. The first state diagnostic step diagnoses the first state of each of the plurality of battery modules based on the temperature of each of the plurality of battery modules measured in the temperature measurement step and a threshold temperature set for each group to which the corresponding battery module belongs. A representative temperature setting step, wherein the representative temperature setting step sets a representative temperature for each group classified in the group classification step; A second state diagnostic step, wherein the second state diagnostic step diagnoses the second state of each of the plurality of battery modules based on the temperature of the battery module belonging to each group and the representative temperature; and A battery pack status diagnosis step, wherein the battery pack status diagnosis step diagnoses the status of the battery pack based on the diagnosis results of the first status diagnosis step and the diagnosis results of the second status diagnosis step.

Images