Power supply control apparatus and control method thereof

Abstract

A power supply control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a power supply control device located within a battery system that supplies power to a driving device, and may include: a switching device disposed on a power supply path between a battery and the driving device to electrically connect or disconnect the battery and the driving device; a main control device for controlling the switching device to control whether the battery supplies power to the driving device; and an auxiliary control device configured to replace the main control device and control the switching device when an error occurs in the main control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0004053 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on January 11, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a power supply control device and method, and more particularly to a power supply control device and a control method thereof in a battery system that supplies power to a driving device. Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries capable of being recharged and reused may be used as energy sources for small devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and vacuum cleaners, and may also be used as energy sources for medium to large devices such as automobiles and energy storage systems (ESS) for smart grids.

[0004] The secondary battery can be used in the form of an assembly such as a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or in parallel, or a battery pack in which a plurality of battery modules are connected in series or in parallel, depending on the requirements of the system. In the case of medium to large equipment such as electric vehicles, a high-capacity battery system with a plurality of battery packs connected in parallel can be applied to meet the required capacity of the corresponding equipment.

[0005] Generally, a battery system applied to a device including a drive unit such as an electric vehicle includes a switch device arranged on a power supply path between the battery and the drive unit and a controller controlling the switch device. Here, by controlling the switch device, the stored power of the battery can be supplied or blocked to the drive unit.

[0006] During driving of a device equipped with the universal battery system, if an unexpected abnormal condition (eg, abnormal reset or shutdown) occurs in the controller, the power supply to the drive unit may be cut off, causing the drive unit to stop suddenly and leading to a safety accident.

[0007] In order to solve this problem, a technical solution is needed that can maintain the power supply of the battery for a certain period of time so that the device can be stably stopped when an abnormal condition occurs in the controller of the switch unit. Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] To avoid one or more problems of the related art, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a power supply control apparatus in a battery system that supplies power to a driving device.

[0010] In order to solve one or more problems in the related art, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a control method for a power supply control device.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] In order to achieve the purpose of the present disclosure, a power supply control device, located in a battery system that supplies power to a drive device, may include: a switching device, which is arranged on a power supply path between the battery and the drive device to electrically connect or disconnect the battery to the drive device; a main controller, which is configured to control whether the battery should supply power to the drive device by controlling the switching device; and an auxiliary controller, which is configured to control the switching device instead of the main controller in the event of an abnormality in the main controller.

[0013] The main controller may also be configured to transmit a first signal for requesting emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller in the event that an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller.

[0014] The main controller may also be configured to output a first signal in the event of an abnormal reset or shutdown.

[0015] The main controller may be further configured to transmit a second signal for cancelling the request for emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller if the abnormal state is resolved after transmitting the first signal.

[0016] The auxiliary controller may also be configured to control the switch device to be in a closed state for a predefined period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device upon receiving the first signal.

[0017] The auxiliary controller can also be configured to control the switching device to a closed state for a predefined period of time after receiving the first signal, if no signal is received from the main controller to cancel the request for emergency power supply within a preset time period after receiving the first signal, so that the auxiliary controller provides emergency power to the drive device.

[0018] The auxiliary controller may be further configured to operate in the standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switchgear if a signal canceling the request for emergency power supply is received from the main controller within a preset period of time after receiving the first signal.

[0019] The auxiliary controller may also be configured to control the switching device to be in a closed state in the event that an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller while the driving device is operating until the driving device is normally stopped.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a control method for a power supply control device, the power supply control device including: a switching device arranged on a power supply path between a battery and a driving device; a main controller for controlling the switching device; and an auxiliary controller, the control method may include: controlling the switching device by the main controller so that the output power of the battery is supplied to the driving device; and controlling the switching device by the auxiliary controller instead of the main controller in the event that an abnormality occurs in the main controller while the driving device is operating.

[0021] The method may further include: in the event that an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller, transmitting, by the main controller, a first signal for requesting emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller.

[0022] Transmitting, by the main controller, the first signal for requesting emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller may include outputting the first signal in the event of an abnormal reset or shutdown.

[0023] The method may further include, in a case where the abnormal state is resolved after the first signal is transmitted, transmitting, through the main controller, a second signal for canceling the request for the emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller.

[0024] Controlling the switch device by the auxiliary controller may include controlling the switch device to be in a closed state for a predefined period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device upon receiving the first signal.

[0025] Controlling the switching device through the auxiliary controller may include: after receiving the first signal, if no signal is received from the main controller to cancel the request for emergency power supply within a preset time period, controlling the switching device to be in a closed state for a predefined period of time, so that the auxiliary controller provides emergency power to the drive device.

[0026] Controlling the switchgear by the auxiliary controller may include the auxiliary controller operating in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switchgear when a signal canceling a request for emergency power supply is received from the main controller within a preset period of time after receiving the first signal.

[0027] Controlling the switch device through the auxiliary controller may include, in the event that an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller while the drive device is operating, controlling the switch device to be in a closed state until the drive device is normally stopped.

[0028] Beneficial Effects

[0029] According to the embodiments of the present invention as described above, even if an unexpected abnormal situation occurs in a main controller controlling a switching device, power supply can be maintained until a driving device is safely stopped, thereby improving safety of devices to which a battery system is applied. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a block diagram for explaining a general power supply control device.

[0031] Figure 2 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 is an operation flow chart of a control method of a power supply control device according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 is an operation flow chart of a control method of a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] 100: Battery System

[0036] 110: Battery

[0037] 120: Power supply control device

[0038] 121: Switchgear

[0039] 122: Main controller

[0040] 123: Auxiliary controller

[0041] 200: Driving equipment DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention can be modified in various forms and have various embodiments, and its specific embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example and will be described in detail below. However, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but on the contrary, the present invention will cover all modifications, equivalents and substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Throughout the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

[0043] It should be understood that although various elements may be described using terms such as first, second, A, B, etc., these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple associated listings or any of multiple associated listings.

[0044] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element, or there may be intervening elements. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0045] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "include", "comprise", "include", "include" and / or "have" specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts and / or combinations thereof when used herein, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts and / or combinations thereof.

[0046] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0047] Some terms used herein are defined below.

[0048] A battery cell is a minimum unit for storing electricity, and a battery module refers to an assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected.

[0049] A battery pack or battery rack refers to a system of a single structure assembled by electrically connected module units set by a battery manufacturer and can be monitored and controlled by a battery management device / system (BMS). A battery pack or battery rack may include several battery modules and a battery protection unit or any other protection device.

[0050] A battery library refers to a group of large-scale battery rack systems configured by connecting multiple racks in parallel. The library BMS for the battery library can monitor and control the rack BMS, each of which manages the battery racks.

[0051] A battery assembly may include a plurality of electrically connected battery cells and refers to an assembly used as a power supply source by being applied to a specific system or device. Here, a battery assembly may mean a battery module, a battery pack, a battery rack, or a battery bank, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these entities.

[0052] Figure 1 This is a block diagram for explaining a general power supply control device.

[0053] More specifically, Figure 1 A battery system applied to a device including the drive unit 40 (eg, an electric vehicle, etc.) is shown.

[0054] refer to Figure 1 A typical battery system may include a battery 10 , a switching device 20 , and a control unit 30 .

[0055] The switch device 20 is disposed on a power supply path between the battery 10 and the drive unit 40 and is configured to electrically connect or disconnect the battery 10 from the drive unit 40. Here, the switch device 20 may be a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) provided at an output terminal of the battery 10.

[0056] The control unit 30 may control whether power is supplied by the battery 10 by controlling the switch device 20 to be in a closed state or an open state. Specifically, the control unit 30 controls the switch device 20 to be in a closed state so that the stored power of the battery 10 is supplied to the drive unit 40 and the drive unit 40 can be driven by the supplied power, or controls the switch device 20 to be in an open state so that the power supplied from the battery 10 can be blocked. Here, the control unit 30 may be a microcontroller unit (MCU) included in a battery management system (BMS).

[0057] According to the universal battery system, when an unexpected abnormal state (e.g., abnormal reset or shutdown) occurs in the control unit 30 while the drive unit 40 is driven by power supplied from the battery 10, the power supply to the drive unit 40 may be cut off, causing the drive unit 40 to stop suddenly, which may result in a safety accident.

[0058] The present invention has been developed to solve this problem and relates to a power supply control device and a control method thereof, which can maintain power supply of a battery for a certain period of time even if an abnormal condition occurs in a control unit of a switching device, so that an electric vehicle can be stably stopped.

[0059] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] Figure 2 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In more detail, Figure 2 The battery system 100 applied to a device including a driving device 200 is shown.

[0061] The battery system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be located in a device including a driving device 200, and may supply power to the driving device 200. Here, the device including the driving device may refer to an object driven by electric energy, such as an electric car, a hybrid car, an electric bicycle, or an electric scooter, and the driving device may refer to an object driven by electric energy.

[0062] refer to Figure 2 , the battery system 100 may include a battery 110 and a power supply control device 120 .

[0063] In this specification, the battery 110 may refer to a battery cell or a battery assembly. In other words, the battery 110 may mean one or more battery cells, a battery module, a battery pack, a battery rack, or a battery bank.

[0064] The power supply control device 120 may be arranged on a power supply path between the battery 110 and the driving device 200, and is a device that may electrically connect or disconnect the battery 110 from the driving device 200. Here, the power supply control device 120 may include a switch device that may be opened and closed by a control signal and one or more controllers that may control the switch device.

[0065] The controller included in the power supply control device 120 can control the switch device to be in a closed state or an open state, thereby connecting or blocking the power supply path between the battery 110 and the drive device 200. Specifically, the controller can control the switch device to be in a closed state so that the stored power of the battery 110 is supplied to the drive device 200, and thus, the drive device 200 can be driven using the supplied power, or can control the switch device to be in an open state so that the power supplied from the battery 110 is cut off.

[0066] The controller included in the power supply control device 120 may include a main controller and an auxiliary controller.

[0067] The main controller may refer to a main control unit that controls the switching device included in the power supply control device 120. In addition, the auxiliary controller may refer to a sub-control unit that controls the switching device included in the power supply control device 120 instead of the main controller if an abnormality occurs in the main controller.

[0068] When the battery system is operated in the power supply mode, the main controller may control the switch device to be closed so that the stored power of the battery 110 is supplied to the driving device 200. If an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller while the driving device 200 is being driven using the power supplied from the battery 100, the auxiliary controller may replace the main controller and control the switch device. Here, the abnormal state may mean a state in which an abnormal reset or shutdown of the main controller has occurred.

[0069] Figure 3 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] refer to Figure 3 , the battery system 100 may include a battery 110 and a power supply control device 120 .

[0071] The power supply control device 120 may include a switch device 121 that can be opened and closed by a control signal, a main controller 122 that controls the switch device, and an auxiliary controller 123 .

[0072] The switch device 121 may be disposed on a power supply path between the battery 110 and the driving device 200 , and may electrically connect or disconnect the battery 110 from the driving device 200 .

[0073] The switch device 121 may be controlled by control signals from the main controller 122 and the auxiliary controller 123. In other words, when a control signal is transmitted from the main controller 122 or the auxiliary controller 123, the switch device 121 may be opened or closed according to the transmitted control signal.

[0074] The main controller 122 may refer to a main control unit that controls a switching device included in the power supply control apparatus 120. Here, the main controller may be a microcontroller unit (MCU) included in a battery management system (BMS).

[0075] The auxiliary controller 123 may refer to a sub-control unit that replaces the main controller 122 and controls the switching device 121 when an abnormality occurs in the main controller 122. Here, the auxiliary controller may be implemented as a separate integrated circuit (IC) from an MCU of a battery management system (BMS).

[0076] Hereinafter, the operation of the power supply control device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0077] When the battery system operates in the power supply mode, the main controller 122 may control the switch device 121 to be in a closed state. Therefore, the stored power of the battery 110 is supplied to the driving device 200, and the driving device 200 may be driven using the power supplied from the battery 110.

[0078] While the drive device 200 is operating, the main controller 122 may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred. Here, the main controller 122 may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred based on state information collected by a state information collection device (not shown) provided in the battery system or based on an abnormal condition occurrence signal sent from a higher-level controller (not shown). According to an embodiment, the abnormal state may include a state in which an abnormal reset of the main controller occurs or a state in which an abnormal shutdown of the main controller occurs.

[0079] When an abnormal situation occurs in the main controller 122, the main controller 122 may transmit a predefined first signal to the auxiliary controller 123. Here, the first signal may refer to a signal for requesting emergency power supply.

[0080] When receiving the first signal from the main controller 123, the auxiliary controller 123 may control the switch device 121 to be closed for a predefined period of time so that emergency power can be supplied to the drive device 200. Here, the time period of emergency power supply may be defined as a specific time (e.g., 20 seconds) or as a time until the drive device 200 is normally stopped. Here, the auxiliary controller 123 may check whether the drive device 200 is stopped by connection with an upper controller or by connection with a controller of the drive device 200.

[0081] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the abnormal state is cleared after the main controller 122 sends the first signal to the auxiliary controller 123, the main controller 122 may send a predefined second signal to the auxiliary controller 123. Here, the second signal may mean a signal for canceling the emergency power supply request.

[0082] In the present embodiment, when receiving the first signal from the main controller 123, the auxiliary controller 123 may wait for a preset period of time without immediately controlling the switch device 121 to be in a closed state. Here, in the case where the second signal is not sent from the main controller 123 within the predetermined period of time, the auxiliary controller 123 may control the switch device 121 to be in a closed state for a predefined period of time, and emergency power can be supplied to the drive device 200.

[0083] Meanwhile, when the second signal is transmitted from the main controller 123 within a preset period of time, the auxiliary controller 123 may operate in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switching device 121 .

[0084] In other words, when an unexpected abnormal condition occurs in the main controller 122, the main controller 122 can notify the auxiliary controller 123 that it is in a dangerous state requiring emergency power supply. Without notifying the auxiliary controller 123 to remove the dangerous state within a specific time period, the auxiliary controller 123 can control the switch device to provide temporary power supply to the drive device until the drive device is safely stopped.

[0085] Figure 4 is an operation flow chart of a control method of a power supply control device according to the present invention.

[0086] The power supply control device may include a switch device arranged on a power supply path between the battery and the drive device, a main controller that controls the switch device, and an auxiliary controller.

[0087] When the battery system operates in the power supply mode, the main controller may control the switch device to be closed so that the stored power of the battery can be supplied to the driving device (S410). Therefore, the stored power of the battery is supplied to the driving device, and the driving device can be driven using the power supplied from the battery.

[0088] While the driving device is operating, the main controller may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred (S420). Here, the main controller may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred based on state information collected by a state information collecting device (not shown) provided in the battery system or based on an abnormal condition occurrence signal sent from a higher-level controller (not shown).

[0089] If an abnormal condition has occurred in the main controller (Yes in S420 ), the auxiliary controller may replace the main controller and control the switching device ( S430 ).

[0090] Figure 5 is an operation flow chart of a control method of a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] When the battery system operates in the power supply mode, the main controller may control the switch device to be in a closed state (S510). Therefore, the stored power of the battery can be supplied to the driving device, and the driving device may operate using the power supplied from the battery.

[0092] While the driving device is operating, the main controller may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred (S520). According to an embodiment, the abnormal state may include a state in which an abnormal reset of the main controller occurs or a state in which an abnormal shutdown of the main controller occurs.

[0093] If an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller (Yes in S520), the main controller may transmit a predefined first signal to the auxiliary controller (S530). Here, the first signal may refer to a signal for requesting emergency power supply.

[0094] If the abnormal state is resolved after the main controller sends the first signal to the auxiliary controller, the main controller may send a predefined second signal to the auxiliary controller. Here, the second signal may mean a signal for canceling the emergency power supply request.

[0095] When the first signal is received from the primary controller, the secondary controller may wait for a preset period of time.

[0096] If the second signal is not transmitted from the main controller within the preset time period (No in S540 ), the auxiliary controller may control the switch device to be closed for a predefined period so that emergency power can be supplied to the drive device ( S550 ).

[0097] If the second signal is transmitted from the main controller within the preset period of time (Yes in S540 ), the auxiliary controller may operate in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switching device ( S560 ).

[0098] The operation of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices having data readable by a computer system stored therein. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium can be distributed in a networked computer system to store and execute a computer-readable program or code in a distributed manner.

[0099] Although some aspects of the present invention have been described in the context of an apparatus, they may also represent descriptions according to corresponding methods, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may also represent features of a corresponding block or item or a corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware device such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0100] In the foregoing, the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention within the scope without departing from the spirit and area of ​​the invention described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power supply control device, located in a battery system that supplies power to a driving device, the device comprising: a switch device arranged on a power supply path between the battery and the drive device to electrically connect or disconnect the battery from the drive device; a main controller configured to control whether the battery should supply power to the driving device by controlling the switching device; as well as An auxiliary controller is configured to control the switch device in place of the main controller if an abnormality occurs in the main controller.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The main controller is also configured to transmit a first signal for requesting emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller if an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The main controller is further configured to output the first signal in the event of an abnormal reset or shutdown.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The main controller is further configured to transmit a second signal for cancelling a request for emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller if the abnormal condition is resolved after transmitting the first signal.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The auxiliary controller is further configured to control the switch device to be in a closed state for a predefined period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device upon receiving the first signal.

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The auxiliary controller is also configured to control the switching device to be in a closed state for a predefined period of time after receiving the first signal, if no signal is received from the main controller to cancel the request for emergency power supply within a preset time period, so that the auxiliary controller provides emergency power to the drive device.

7. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The auxiliary controller is further configured to operate in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switchgear if a signal canceling a request for emergency power supply is received from the main controller within a preset period of time after receiving the first signal.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The auxiliary controller is further configured to control the switching device to be in a closed state until the driving device is normally stopped, if an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller while the driving device is operating.

9. A control method for a power supply control device, the power supply control device comprising: a switch device arranged on a power supply path between the battery and the drive device; A main controller, the main controller is used to control the switch device; and an auxiliary controller, the method comprising: controlling the switch device by the main controller so that the output power of the battery is supplied to the drive device; as well as In the event that an abnormality occurs in the main controller while the drive device is operating, the switch device is controlled by the auxiliary controller instead of the main controller. 10 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising transmitting, through the main controller, a first signal for requesting emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller in the event that an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Transmitting the first signal for requesting emergency power supply to the auxiliary controller through the main controller includes outputting the first signal in the event of an abnormal reset or shutdown.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: In a case where the abnormal condition is resolved after the first signal is sent, a second signal for canceling the request for emergency power supply is sent to the auxiliary controller through the main controller.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Controlling the switch device by the auxiliary controller includes controlling the switch device to be in a closed state for a predefined period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device upon receiving the first signal.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Controlling the switching device through the auxiliary controller includes: controlling the switching device to be in a closed state for a predefined period of time after receiving the first signal, when no signal is received from the main controller to cancel the request for emergency power supply within a preset time period, so that the auxiliary controller provides emergency power to the drive device.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein: Controlling the switchgear by the auxiliary controller includes: when a signal canceling a request for emergency power supply is received from the main controller within a preset time period after receiving the first signal, the auxiliary controller operates in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switchgear.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein: Controlling the switch device by the auxiliary controller includes, in the event that an abnormal condition occurs in the main controller while the drive device is operating, controlling the switch device to be in a closed state until the drive device is normally stopped.

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