Battery cluster, battery pack number verification method and energy storage equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of energy storage, and discloses a battery cluster, a battery pack number verification method and energy storage equipment. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring the battery cell voltage of each single battery cell in each battery pack; determining the number of battery packs according to the number of the single battery cells and the battery cell voltage; calculating a first voltage according to the cell voltages of all the single cells; collecting a second voltage of the battery cluster; and based on the second voltage and the first voltage, verifying the number of the battery packs to obtain a verification result. The battery pack number is preliminarily determined according to the cell information collected by the control module, and the battery pack number is verified to obtain the accurate battery pack number, so that the battery pack number does not need to be manually configured, mismatching or missed matching caused by manual configuration is avoided, and the battery pack number detection accuracy is improved. Meanwhile, the working state of each battery pack can be accurately monitored according to the accurate number of the battery packs, and the stability and safety of the battery cluster in the operation process can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of energy storage technology, and in particular to a method for verifying the number of battery clusters and battery packs and an energy storage device. Background Art

[0002] In modern energy management systems, battery clusters (i.e., battery packs consisting of multiple battery packs connected in series) are widely used in various scenarios, such as electric vehicles. With the widespread application of new energy vehicles and renewable energy storage systems, the demand for battery management is also increasing. Therefore, accurately identifying the number of battery packs is the basis for effective battery management and monitoring. If the number of battery packs is not accurately identified, the battery management system (BMS) may not work properly, which in turn affects the performance, safety and life of the entire system.

[0003] However, currently the number of battery packs in a battery cluster is manually configured, which is prone to mismatch and omission problems, that is, there is a difference between the actual number of battery packs in the battery cluster and the manually configured number, which makes it difficult to ensure the stability and safety of the battery cluster during operation. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, in order to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the actual number of battery packs in the battery cluster is easily different from the manually configured number due to the artificial configuration of the number of battery packs, thus affecting the stability and safety of the battery cluster during operation, the present application provides a battery cluster, a battery pack number verification method and an energy storage device.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a battery cluster, comprising:

[0006] Main control box;

[0007] A plurality of battery packs, each of which is connected in series in sequence, and the battery packs connected in series are used to connect to the busbar through the main control box, and each of the battery packs contains the same number of single cells;

[0008] The control module is used to collect the cell information of each battery pack, and control the connection state between the battery cluster and the busbar through the main control box based on the cell information.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the control module is disposed in the main control box, or is disposed independently of the main control box.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for verifying the number of battery packs, which is applied to the aforementioned battery cluster, and the method comprises:

[0011] Collect the cell voltage of each single cell in each battery pack;

[0012] Determining the number of battery packs according to the number of the single battery cells and the battery cell voltage;

[0013] Calculating a first voltage according to the cell voltages of all the single cells;

[0014] collecting a second voltage of the battery cluster;

[0015] Based on the second voltage and the first voltage, the number of battery packs is verified to obtain a verification result.

[0016] In an optional implementation manner, the verifying the number of battery packs based on the second voltage and the first voltage to obtain a verification result includes:

[0017] calculating a voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage;

[0018] Determining whether the absolute value of the pressure difference value is greater than a preset pressure difference threshold;

[0019] If so, it is determined that the number of battery packs is incorrect;

[0020] If not, it is determined that the number of battery packs is correct.

[0021] In an optional implementation manner, after determining that the number of battery packs is correct, the method further includes:

[0022] A voltage protection parameter is set for the battery cluster according to the current number of battery packs, and the voltage protection parameter serves as a protection threshold of the battery cluster under a target abnormal state.

[0023] In a third aspect, the present application provides a battery pack quantity verification device, comprising:

[0024] The first acquisition module is used to collect the cell voltage of each single cell in each battery pack;

[0025] A determination module, used to determine the number of battery packs according to the number of the single battery cells and the battery cell voltage;

[0026] A calculation module, used for calculating a first voltage according to the cell voltages of all the single cells;

[0027] A second acquisition module, used for acquiring a second voltage of the battery cluster;

[0028] A verification module is used to verify the number of battery packs based on the second voltage and the first voltage to obtain a verification result.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an energy storage device, comprising at least one battery cluster, wherein the energy storage device is used to implement the aforementioned method for verifying the number of battery packs on the battery cluster.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, if the energy storage device includes a plurality of battery clusters, and a control module is provided in each battery cluster;

[0031] Each of the control modules is used to collect the cell voltage and the second voltage of each single cell in its own battery cluster; determine the number of battery packs based on the cell voltage and calculate the first voltage; and verify the number of battery packs in its own battery cluster based on the first voltage and the second voltage.

[0032] In an optional implementation manner, each of the control modules is further used for:

[0033] If it is determined that the number of battery packs of the own battery cluster is incorrect, the own battery cluster is controlled to be cut off from the busbar.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, if each battery cluster is also externally connected to the same master controller, and the master controller is connected to the control module of each battery cluster;

[0035] The master controller is used to obtain the voltage values ​​collected or calculated by each of the control modules to respectively determine the number of battery packs in each of the battery clusters, and to respectively verify the number of battery packs in each of the battery clusters.

[0036] In an optional implementation manner, the master controller is further used for:

[0037] If it is determined that the number of battery packs of the first target battery cluster is incorrect, the first target battery cluster is controlled to be cut off from the busbar.

[0038] In an optional embodiment, if the number of single cells in each battery cluster is the same, the master controller is further configured to:

[0039] From the remaining battery clusters not connected to the busbar, find a second target battery cluster with the correct number of battery clusters, and connect the second target battery cluster to the busbar; the number of the first target battery cluster is the same as the number of the second target battery cluster.

[0040] In an optional embodiment, if the energy storage device includes a plurality of battery clusters and a control module; the control module is independently arranged from each of the battery clusters and is connected to each of the battery clusters;

[0041] The control module is used to respectively obtain a target voltage value of each battery cluster, and determine the number of battery packs of each battery cluster based on the target voltage value, and verify the number of battery packs of each battery cluster.

[0042] In an optional implementation manner, the control module is further used to:

[0043] If it is determined that the number of battery packs of the third target battery cluster is incorrect, the third target battery cluster is controlled to be cut out from the busbar.

[0044] In an optional implementation manner, if the number of single cells in each battery cluster is the same, the control module is further configured to:

[0045] A fourth target battery cluster with the correct number of battery clusters is searched from the remaining battery clusters not connected to the busbar, and the fourth target battery cluster is connected to the busbar; the number of the third target battery clusters is consistent with the number of the fourth target battery clusters.

[0046] The embodiments of the present application have the following beneficial effects:

[0047] The embodiment of the present application provides a method for verifying the number of battery packs, the method comprising: collecting the cell voltage of each single cell in each battery pack; determining the number of battery packs according to the number of single cells and the cell voltage; calculating a first voltage according to the cell voltages of all single cells; collecting a second voltage of the battery cluster; verifying the number of battery packs based on the second voltage and the first voltage to obtain a verification result. The present application preliminarily determines the number of battery packs through the cell information collected by the control module, and verifies the number of battery packs to obtain an accurate number of battery packs, thereby eliminating the need to manually configure the number of battery packs during the use of the battery cluster, thereby avoiding mismatches or omissions caused by manual configuration, and also facilitating subsequent operation and maintenance of the battery cluster and optimization of power management according to the accurate number of battery packs. Furthermore, the working status of each battery pack can also be accurately monitored according to the accurate number of battery packs, which is beneficial to improving the stability and safety of the battery cluster during operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present application and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0049] Figure 1 A first structural schematic diagram of a battery cluster in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0050] Figure 2 A second structural schematic diagram of a battery cluster in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0051] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a process for verifying the number of battery packs in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0052] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a first application scenario in which multiple battery clusters exist in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0053] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a second application scenario in which multiple battery clusters exist in an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0054] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a third application scenario in which multiple battery clusters exist in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for verifying the number of battery packs executed by a control module in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 8 A structural schematic diagram of a device for verifying the number of battery packs in an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0058] The components of the embodiments of the present application generally described and shown in the drawings herein may be arranged and designed in various configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the application claimed for protection, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0059] Hereinafter, the terms "including", "having" and their cognates, which may be used in various embodiments of the present application, are intended only to indicate specific features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing items, and should not be understood as first excluding the existence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing items or adding the possibility of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing items.

[0060] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are merely used for distinguishing descriptions and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0061] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the various embodiments of the present application belong. The terms (such as those defined in generally used dictionaries) will be interpreted as having the same meanings as the contextual meanings in the relevant technical field and will not be interpreted as having idealized meanings or overly formal meanings unless clearly defined in the various embodiments of the present application.

[0062] In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, some embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0063] The state of charge (SOC) is used to reflect the remaining capacity of the battery and refers to the ratio of the current remaining charge of the battery to the rated charge.

[0064] Battery State of Health (SOH): Characterizes the ability of the current battery to store electrical energy relative to a new battery. It refers to the ratio of the current battery's fully charged energy to the fully charged energy of a fresh battery.

[0065] At present, in energy storage systems with one or more battery clusters, the number of battery packs and related protection parameters in each battery cluster are manually configured. This results in the need for battery clusters with different numbers of battery packs to be connected to different software versions, increasing the difficulty of management. Manual configuration can easily lead to mismatch or omission of the number of battery packs, and then when the battery cluster is subsequently operated and maintained according to the configured number of battery packs, it is difficult to ensure the stability and safety of the battery cluster during operation.

[0066] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery cluster, which can be applied to equipment or systems with energy storage functions such as two-wheeled electric vehicles and electric vehicles; the battery cluster supports automatic identification of the number of battery packs, and verifies the identified number of battery packs to obtain the accurate number of battery packs, so that there is no need to manually configure the number of battery packs during the use of the battery cluster, thereby avoiding mismatching or missing configuration due to manual configuration, and avoiding increased management difficulty due to connecting to multiple different software versions due to configuring different numbers of battery packs. At the same time, it is also convenient for subsequent operation and maintenance of the battery cluster and optimization of power management according to the accurate number of battery packs. Moreover, the working status of each battery pack can be accurately monitored according to the accurate number of battery packs, which is beneficial to improving the stability and safety of the battery cluster during operation.

[0067] For example, Figure 1As shown, the battery cluster includes a main control box, several battery packs and a control module. After the several battery packs are connected in series, they are connected in series with the main control box to be connected to the busbar (i.e., BUS busbar) through the main control box to realize the charging and discharging of the battery cluster.

[0068] Furthermore, each battery pack includes a plurality of single cells of the same and known number; the multiple single cells in the same battery pack are connected in series in sequence. The specific number of single cells in the battery pack is not limited here.

[0069] In this embodiment, the control module can be set inside the main control box or outside the main control box (that is, independent of the main control box). The setting position of the control module can be set according to actual needs, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0070] If the control module is disposed outside the main control box, the control module and the main control box can be connected to each other by a communication method supported by both parties, for example, directly connected by a communication line such as a CAN bus or an RS485 bus.

[0071] If the control module is disposed inside the main control box, the control module can be connected to communicate with other functional modules or devices inside the main control box, wherein the specific connection method and communication method are not limited here.

[0072] In this embodiment, the control module is used to communicate with each battery pack to collect the battery cell information in each battery pack, wherein the communication method between the control module and each battery pack can be selected from any communication method supported by the battery pack, such as CAN communication, RS485 communication, Modbus communication, etc.; and then the control module can use a communication line adapted to the communication method (such as CAN bus, RS485 bus, etc.) to connect with each battery pack in turn, thereby collecting the battery cell information through the communication line.

[0073] The cell information includes voltage, but is not limited to voltage. The cell information may also include current, temperature, state of charge (SOC), battery state of health (SOH) and other information.

[0074] In addition, the control module is also used to control the connection status of the battery cluster and the busbar through the main control box according to the collected battery cell information.

[0075] That is, the control module can control the main control box to access the busbar, in which case the battery cluster connected to the main control box can transmit power to the busbar to discharge the battery cluster, or obtain power from the busbar to charge the battery cluster.

[0076] In addition, the control module can also control the main control box to disconnect from the busbar, so that the battery cluster is disconnected from the busbar, thereby cutting off the charging circuit or the discharging circuit of the battery cluster.

[0077] It is worth noting that the control module can integrate multiple functional units internally to achieve the above functions or other functions through each functional unit; wherein, the setting and division of each functional unit can be adaptively set according to actual needs, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0078] For example, the control module may include a communication unit, a collection unit and a control unit; wherein the communication unit is used to communicate with a number of battery packs, or to communicate with an external battery cluster; the collection unit is used to collect information about the cells in each battery pack; the control unit is used to send a control signal to the main control box according to the collected cell information, and the control signal is used to instruct the main control box to connect to the busbar, or to instruct the main control box to disconnect from the busbar; that is, the control unit can be used to control the connection status between the battery cluster and the busbar through the main control box.

[0079] In this embodiment, the main control box is used to implement switch control, thereby physically controlling the connection state between the battery cluster and the busbar.

[0080] It is worth noting that multiple functional units or devices can be integrated inside the main control box to realize the above-mentioned functions and other functions through each functional unit or device; among them, the setting and division of each functional unit can be adaptively set according to actual needs, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0081] For example, the main control box includes a switch device or a switch unit for realizing switch control. After receiving a control signal sent by the control module, the switch device or the switch unit realizes closing or opening of the switch device based on the control signal.

[0082] In this embodiment, the control module can collect the electrical characteristics and related electrical parameters of the battery cluster in operation (such as cell information of the single cells in the battery pack, etc.) through the communication lines between the battery packs and the physical lines between the main control box and the battery packs, and then identify and verify the number of battery packs in the battery cluster based on the electrical characteristics and electrical parameters.

[0083] It should be noted that only after the electrical characteristics of a single battery pack are pre-set can the electrical characteristics of the entire battery cluster be measured and analyzed more accurately. In addition, after the control module establishes a communication connection with each battery pack, it can collect the cell information of each battery pack through the corresponding communication protocol.

[0084] Furthermore, the control module can pre-set the electrical characteristics of a single battery pack (such as internal resistance, capacity, temperature characteristics, etc.), and then obtain the electrical characteristics of the entire battery cluster (such as total voltage, total current), as well as collect the electrical characteristics of each battery pack according to the communication protocol supported by the battery pack; then, based on the setting of the electrical characteristics of a single battery pack, the number of battery packs in the battery cluster can be analyzed based on the combination of the electrical characteristics of the battery cluster and the electrical characteristics of each battery pack.

[0085] It is worth noting that, in this embodiment, no matter whether the battery cluster is currently connected to the busbar, the control module can identify and verify the number of battery packs only based on the battery cell information and the battery cell voltage in the electrical characteristics.

[0086] It can be understood that the control module verifies whether the currently identified number of battery packs is correct by collecting the cell voltages of each single cell in all battery packs and the total voltage of all battery packs in series in the battery cluster, thereby ensuring the reliability of subsequent battery pack configuration through the verification results of the battery pack quantity, making it convenient to configure each battery pack according to the accurate number of battery packs or accurately monitor the working status of each battery pack, which is beneficial to improving the stability of the battery cluster.

[0087] by Figure 2 As an example, the battery cluster structure diagram shown below is combined with Figure 3 The following is an example of the process by which the control module identifies and verifies the number of battery packs based on the cell voltage.

[0088] Among them, Figure 2 As shown, the battery cluster includes several battery packs (PACK1~PACKn), a main control box and a control module. The control module is arranged inside the main control box. Each battery pack includes m single cells connected in series in sequence. The single cells in the same battery pack are numbered as C1~Cm in sequence); and each battery pack is connected in series with the main control box through a physical line, and each battery pack is connected to the control module through a CAN bus.

[0089] First, the control module collects the cell voltage of each single cell in each battery pack in the battery cluster (denoted as Ux, where x represents the number of the single cell). Moreover, since the number of single cells in each battery pack is known, the number of battery packs in the battery cluster can be preliminarily determined based on the number of single cells and the number of collected cell voltages of the single cells.

[0090] For example, assume that each battery pack includes 10 single cells, that is, m=10, and the single cells in each battery pack are numbered as C1 to C10; and when the cell voltages of all the single cells in a single battery pack are collected, 10 cell voltages can be collected.

[0091] If the number of currently collected battery cell voltages is 40, it can be preliminarily determined that the battery cluster contains (40 / 10=4) battery packs.

[0092] Next, the control module calculates the sum of the voltages of all the single cells in the battery cluster according to the collected cell voltages of the individual single cells to obtain a first voltage (recorded as Uy).

[0093] That is, the sum of the cell voltages of all the single cells in the battery cluster is calculated. The sum of the cell voltages of all the single cells in each battery pack can be calculated first, and then the sum of the cell voltages of each battery pack is accumulated to obtain the first voltage (Uy) of the battery cluster. For example, the sum of the cell voltages of all the single cells in the first battery pack (recorded as U1_sum) is:

[0094] U1_sum=Uc1+Uc2+…+Ucm.

[0095] By analogy, the sum of the cell voltages of all battery packs in the battery cluster is recorded as U1_sum, U2_sum, ..., Un_sum in sequence; then the first voltage Uy=U1_sum+U2_sum+...+Un_sum.

[0096] Then, the control module collects the second voltage (denoted as Uz) of the battery packs in the battery cluster that are connected in series.

[0097] Among them, the control module can directly collect the second voltage of each battery pack in the battery cluster that is connected in series through a physical line (such as a voltage sampling line) or a communication line between each battery pack; or, the control module can also set a voltage sensor or a sampling circuit inside to directly collect the second voltage of each battery pack in the battery cluster that is connected in series through the voltage sensor or the sampling circuit; wherein the above-mentioned second voltage collection method can be set according to actual needs, and this embodiment is not limited here.

[0098] In this embodiment, it can be exemplarily limited that the control module directly collects the second voltage of each battery pack in the battery cluster that is connected in series through the physical line between the main control box and each battery pack.

[0099] It should be noted that the collection process of the second voltage (Uz) of the battery packs in the above-mentioned battery cluster and the cell voltage (Ux) of each single cell in each battery pack can be executed synchronously or sequentially. The specific execution order can be adaptively set according to actual needs, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0100] Then, the control module verifies the number of battery packs preliminarily determined in the previous step based on the first voltage (Uy) and the second voltage (Uz).

[0101] The verification process includes calculating the voltage difference between the first voltage (Uy) and the second voltage (Uz); and verifying the currently determined number of battery packs based on the voltage difference to obtain a verification result.

[0102] Specifically, determine whether the absolute value of the pressure difference is greater than the preset pressure difference threshold (ΔU); if the absolute value of the pressure difference is greater than the preset pressure difference threshold (ie, |Uy-Uz|>ΔU), it is determined that the number of battery packs is incorrect; if the absolute value of the pressure difference is less than or equal to the preset pressure difference threshold (ie, |Uy-Uz|<=ΔU), it is determined that the number of battery packs is correct.

[0103] Optionally, the process of verifying the currently determined number of battery packs based on the pressure difference value may also be to determine whether the pressure difference value falls within a preset pressure difference range. If the pressure difference value falls within the pressure difference range, the preliminarily determined number of battery packs is determined to be correct; otherwise, the number of battery packs is determined to be incorrect.

[0104] That is, this embodiment can use a pressure difference threshold or a pressure difference range as a reference verification parameter to verify the number of battery packs, and the selection of the specific verification parameter is not limited in this embodiment; in addition, the value of the pressure difference threshold or the pressure difference range can be set according to the actual acquisition error, the value of the pressure difference threshold or the pressure difference range needs to cover the acquisition error, and the pressure difference threshold is less than the second voltage of the battery cluster, so as to accurately verify the number of battery packs.

[0105] Generally speaking, the quotient of the second voltage (Uz) of the battery packs in the battery cluster after being connected in series and the sum of the cell voltages of all the single cells in a single battery pack can be used as the number of battery packs in the battery cluster; that is, Uz / (Uc1+…+Ucm)≈n, where (Uc1~Ucm) is the sum of the cell voltages of all the single cells in a single battery pack. Therefore, if the communication between each battery pack in the battery cluster and the control module is normal, then |Uy-Uz|<=ΔU; where ΔU is the preset voltage difference threshold.

[0106] Among them, if it is assumed that the physical line connecting any part of the main control box and each battery pack in series is broken, the control module cannot detect Uz, and the absolute value of the calculated voltage difference in this case is greater than ΔU, that is, |Uy-Uz|>ΔU; and if it is assumed that any part of the communication line between the control module and each battery pack is abnormal, then in this case, the first voltage (Uy) of the single cell of all battery packs calculated by the control module will be reduced by the first voltage of the single cell of at least one battery pack, resulting in the absolute value of the calculated voltage difference being greater than ΔU, that is, |Uy-Uz|>ΔU.

[0107] Therefore, if the control module determines that (|Uy-Uz|>ΔU), it can further determine that there is an abnormality in the internal circuit of the current battery cluster; that is, this embodiment can monitor the internal circuit of the battery cluster based on the verification result of the battery pack quantity. If it is determined after verification that the battery pack quantity is incorrect, it can be determined that there is an abnormality in the communication circuit or physical circuit within the battery cluster.

[0108] In one embodiment, the control module may also generate fault information when it is determined that the number of battery packs is incorrect (i.e., |Uy-Uz|>ΔU), and the fault information is used to indicate that the battery cluster currently has an abnormal situation of broken communication line or broken physical line; optionally, after informing the user of the fault information in a preset notification manner, the control module may control the battery cluster to exit the current operating mode and enter a protection state, so as to reduce the impact of instability of the battery cluster caused by line abnormalities.

[0109] It can be seen that this embodiment can ensure an accurate number of battery packs by verifying the number of battery packs, and can also quickly identify abnormal conditions of the battery cluster and troubleshoot the causes of the abnormalities to ensure reliable operation of the battery cluster.

[0110] In this embodiment, the control module preliminarily determines the number of battery packs through the collected battery cell information, and verifies the number of battery packs, so as to facilitate the subsequent accurate monitoring of the working status of each battery pack through the precise number of battery packs, thereby improving the stability of the battery cluster. In addition, the identification and verification process of the number of battery packs in this embodiment is simple, and there is no need to adapt to multiple different software versions due to manual configuration of the number of battery packs. It can flexibly adapt to various application scenarios while reducing manual intervention.

[0111] Furthermore, by verifying the number of battery packs through the control module, it is convenient to subsequently configure each battery pack according to the number of battery packs, such as configuring voltage protection parameters. Obviously, the more accurate the identification of the number of battery packs, the more reliable the configuration. When configuring according to the accurate number of battery packs, the reliability and safety of the configuration can be improved, avoiding problems such as incorrect configuration of the battery cluster due to incorrect identification of the number of battery packs, which may lead to unstable operation of the battery cluster and even damage to the equipment.

[0112] In a feasible implementation manner, in order to ensure the safe and efficient operation of each battery pack in the battery cluster, this embodiment may also set corresponding voltage protection parameters for the battery cluster according to the number of battery packs.

[0113] That is, if the number of battery packs is determined to be correct through the aforementioned verification process, the user can set accurate voltage protection parameters for the battery cluster based on the determined number of battery packs, where the voltage protection parameters can be regarded as the protection thresholds for the battery cluster to protect each battery pack under different abnormal conditions; the voltage protection parameters include but are not limited to cut-off voltage, reverse leakage voltage, breakdown voltage, overvoltage protection threshold and output undervoltage protection threshold, etc.

[0114] In the process of setting voltage protection parameters, it is first necessary to determine the basic electrical characteristics of each battery pack, such as the rated voltage (Nominal Voltage), maximum charging voltage (Maximum Charging Voltage), minimum discharge voltage (Minimum Discharge Voltage) and other information; and calculate the total voltage range or average cell voltage of the battery cluster based on the number of battery packs. The total voltage range or average cell voltage is used to set the voltage protection parameters.

[0115] Secondly, the protection strategy is determined according to actual needs (such as the configuration of the main control box or the application scenario of the battery cluster), that is, whether unified voltage protection is required for the entire battery cluster or protection is required for each battery pack separately.

[0116] In addition, when setting the voltage protection parameters, factors such as the safety, lifespan, and system efficiency of the battery cluster and battery pack may also be taken into consideration.

[0117] For example, the overvoltage protection threshold is set above the maximum charging voltage of the battery cluster, while the undervoltage protection threshold is set below the minimum discharge voltage. The overvoltage protection threshold can be calculated based on the maximum charging voltage of a single battery pack. For example, if there are n battery packs connected in series in the battery cluster, the overvoltage protection threshold can be set to the maximum charging voltage of a single battery pack multiplied by n.

[0118] In addition, the undervoltage protection threshold can be set based on the minimum discharge voltage of a single battery pack. For a battery cluster in which n battery packs are connected in series, the undervoltage protection threshold can be set to the minimum discharge voltage of a single battery pack multiplied by n.

[0119] In one example, this embodiment may also set a reasonable voltage protection delay time according to the determined number of battery packs, thereby avoiding unnecessary protection actions caused by short-term voltage fluctuations.

[0120] As an optional implementation, after setting the corresponding voltage protection parameters, before the voltage protection parameters are actually applied, the present embodiment can also simulate various possible working conditions through simulation software to test the battery cluster to ensure that the set voltage protection parameters can correctly respond to voltage changes in different scenarios. In addition, the battery cluster can also be tested in a real environment to observe whether its voltage protection mechanism operates normally under various working conditions (such as charge and discharge cycles), and based on the test results, the voltage protection parameters are adjusted to achieve the best performance, that is, to optimize the voltage protection parameters.

[0121] The above-mentioned process of setting appropriate voltage protection parameters, voltage protection delay time for the battery cluster according to the determined number of battery packs, and the simulation test process can be assisted by an external host computer, that is, the host computer communicates with the control module of the battery cluster. After receiving the number of battery packs after verification by the control module, the host computer configures the voltage protection parameters for the battery cluster through an internal preset processing mechanism, and monitors and records the operation of the battery cluster during the simulation test, thereby providing a basis for subsequent adjustment of the voltage protection parameters.

[0122] This embodiment can effectively ensure the safe and stable operation of the battery cluster through the voltage protection parameter, ensure that the battery cluster will not be overcharged when fully charged and will not be over-discharged when discharged, thereby extending the service life and effectively preventing the battery cluster from being damaged due to over-discharge or over-charge, thereby improving the safety of the battery cluster during use, reducing the frequency and cost of battery replacement, and ensuring that the battery cluster operates within the optimal working range, thereby improving the use efficiency and performance.

[0123] As a feasible implementation mode, after introducing the application scenario of a single battery cluster above, the application scenario of multiple battery clusters will be described below.

[0124] For reference, the energy storage device or energy storage system includes multiple battery clusters, each of which can be connected to the same busbar. Each battery cluster contains a main control box and several battery packs. The battery packs in a single battery cluster are connected in series in sequence and then connected to the busbar through the main control box to realize the charging and discharging of the single battery cluster.

[0125] In one embodiment, if each battery cluster is provided with a control module in this application scenario, regardless of whether the control module is provided independently of the main control box or provided in the main control box, the control module of a single battery cluster can realize the collection of the electrical parameters of its own battery cluster and the cell information of each battery pack after being physically and communicatively connected with each battery pack in its own battery cluster, and control the switching of its own battery cluster to the busbar through the main control box of its own battery cluster.

[0126] Among them, each control module can generate corresponding switching-in or switching-out requirements based on the collected electrical parameters of its own battery cluster and the cell information of each battery pack, and then control the switching of its own battery cluster to the busbar (i.e. connecting to the busbar, or switching out from the busbar) through the main control box.

[0127] For example, Figure 4 Taking the scenario shown as an example, the control modules in battery clusters 1 to 3 can collect the cell voltage and the second voltage of each single cell in their own battery clusters, determine the number of battery packs based on the cell voltage, and calculate the first voltage based on the cell voltage of all single cells in their own battery clusters, and then verify the number of battery packs in their own battery clusters based on the first voltage and the second voltage. That is, the control module in each battery cluster can perform a verification process for the number of battery packs, which is the same as the verification process for the number of battery packs in the aforementioned single battery cluster, so this embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0128] Furthermore, if the control modules in battery clusters 1 to 3 determine that the number of battery packs in their own battery clusters is incorrect, it means that there is an abnormality in their own battery clusters, which may easily affect the safe operation of the energy storage device or system.

[0129] Furthermore, after determining that the number of battery packs in their own battery clusters is incorrect, the control modules of battery clusters 1 and 2 connected to the busbar can also control their own battery clusters to be cut out of the busbar through their own battery cluster's main control box to ensure the operating stability of the energy storage device or system.

[0130] In a feasible implementation, the control modules within battery clusters 1 to 3 can also calculate parameter values ​​such as state of charge based on the collected electrical parameters such as battery voltage and current of their own battery clusters; wherein the control module can control its own battery cluster to cut in or out of the busbar based on the state of charge of its own battery cluster.

[0131] In another embodiment, based on the same application scenario as above, if each battery cluster is externally connected to the same master controller, the master controller is connected to the control module of each battery cluster.

[0132] by Figure 5 Taking the scenario shown as an example, the master controller can communicate with the control modules of each battery cluster (such as battery cluster 1 to battery cluster 3 shown in the figure) to obtain the voltage value collected or calculated by each control module, and can use the voltage value to determine the number of battery packs in each battery cluster, and verify the number of battery packs in each battery cluster.

[0133] That is, the master controller can integrate the function of the control module in the aforementioned embodiment to verify the number of battery packs, so as to manage all battery clusters through one master controller; the master controller can single-control or synchronously control the corresponding battery clusters to be switched on and off to the busbar according to the verification results of the number of battery packs of each battery cluster.

[0134] For example, when the master controller determines that the number of battery packs in the first target battery cluster is incorrect, it can control the first target battery cluster to be cut off from the busbar. That is, the master controller sends a control signal to the control module of the first target battery cluster, and the control signal instructs the main control box to disconnect from the busbar. After receiving the control signal, the control module of the first target battery cluster controls the main control box to disconnect from the busbar, thereby realizing the first target battery cluster being cut off from the busbar. The first target battery cluster corresponds to one or more of the battery clusters 1 and 2 shown in the figure.

[0135] In some examples, if the number of single cells in each battery pack in each battery cluster is the same, then after controlling the first target battery cluster to be cut off from the busbar, the master controller can also select a suitable battery cluster from the remaining battery clusters not connected to the busbar to connect to the busbar, so as to ensure the stability of the charge and discharge capacity of the energy storage device or system and avoid the reduction of the charge and discharge capacity after the battery cluster is cut off; in particular, in order to ensure the operating stability of the energy storage device or the energy storage system, the number of battery clusters cut in and out must be kept consistent.

[0136] For example, after the master controller controls the first target battery cluster to be cut off from the busbar, it searches for the second target battery cluster with the correct number of battery clusters from the remaining battery clusters not connected to the busbar, and connects the second target battery cluster to the busbar; wherein the number of the first target battery cluster is the same as the number of the second target battery cluster. That is, if the first target battery cluster corresponds to any one of the battery clusters 1 and 2 shown in the figure, and the number of battery packs of the battery cluster 3 is verified correctly; then after the master controller controls the battery cluster 1 or the battery cluster 2 to be cut off from the busbar, it can control the battery cluster 3 to be connected to the busbar accordingly, so as to ensure that the number of battery clusters connected to the busbar remains unchanged, thereby ensuring the stability of the charge and discharge capacity of the energy storage device or system.

[0137] In another embodiment, if the aforementioned energy storage device or energy storage system includes multiple battery clusters, and each battery cluster can be connected to the same busbar, only one control module is provided, which is independent of each battery cluster and connected to the main control box of each battery cluster.

[0138] by Figure 6Taking the scenario shown as an example, the control module can control the connection status of each battery cluster and the busbar through the main control box of each battery cluster (such as battery cluster 1 to battery cluster 3 shown in the figure), that is, in this scenario, multiple battery clusters can be switched on and off to the busbar through one control module.

[0139] The control module can control the connection status of each battery cluster and the busbar individually through the main control box of each battery cluster, or synchronously control the connection status of all battery clusters and the busbar.

[0140] For example, if the control module only sends a control signal to the main control box of one of the battery clusters (such as battery cluster 3), and the control signal is used to instruct the main control box to disconnect from the busbar, then the main control box of battery cluster 3 will only disconnect the current battery cluster from the busbar after receiving the control signal, thereby realizing the cutting off of a single battery cluster from the busbar.

[0141] Alternatively, if the control module synchronously sends a control signal to the main control boxes of all battery clusters, and the control signal is used to instruct the main control box to disconnect from the busbar, the main control box of each battery cluster disconnects its own battery cluster from the busbar after receiving the control signal, thereby synchronously cutting off all battery clusters from the busbar.

[0142] In one example, if in this scenario, the control module is also set to be physically connected and communicated with each battery pack in each battery cluster, and then the control module can monitor the electrical characteristics of each battery cluster and collect the cell information of each single cell in each battery cluster, so as to determine and verify the number of battery packs in each battery cluster. That is, the control module obtains the target voltage value of each battery cluster (the cell voltage and the second voltage of the single cell in each battery cluster), and determines the number of battery packs in each battery cluster based on the target voltage value, and verifies the number of battery packs in each battery cluster.

[0143] Furthermore, the control module may also determine whether to connect the battery cluster to the busbar or disconnect it from the busbar according to the verification result of the number of battery packs in each battery cluster.

[0144] For example, if the control module determines that the number of battery packs in the third target battery cluster is incorrect, the control module controls the third target battery cluster to be cut off from the busbar.

[0145] Furthermore, when the number of single cells in each battery cluster is the same, the control module can also search for a fourth target battery cluster with the correct number of battery clusters from the remaining battery clusters that are not connected to the busbar, and connect the fourth target battery cluster to the busbar; wherein the number of the third target battery cluster is consistent with the number of the fourth target battery cluster. This process is similar to the process of the master controller controlling the first target battery cluster to be cut out from the busbar and then controlling the second target battery cluster to be connected to the busbar, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0146] In addition, the control module can also identify the working status of each battery cluster connected to the busbar through the collected electrical parameters. If it is determined that one of the battery clusters has a fault (that is, the working status is abnormal), the control module can control the main control box of the abnormal battery cluster to cut it out from the busbar; in addition, after the control module cuts out the abnormal battery cluster, it can also control one of the remaining battery clusters that is not connected to the busbar to connect to the busbar, so as to ensure the stability of power transmission on the busbar, that is, to achieve overall regulation of the power transmission line.

[0147] In addition, the control module can also calculate parameter values ​​such as the state of charge based on the collected electrical parameters such as battery voltage and current of each battery cluster; wherein the control module can control the corresponding battery cluster to be cut into or out of the busbar based on the state of charge of each battery cluster.

[0148] In addition, the control module can also receive the switching-in or switching-out requirements of each battery cluster through the communication line, and after receiving the switching-in or switching-out requirements of the target battery cluster, control the main control box of the target battery cluster to connect or disconnect with the busbar according to the switching-in or switching-out requirements, so that the target battery cluster is switched in or out of the busbar.

[0149] Furthermore, the control module can also realize the configuration of the battery packs in each battery cluster through the physical lines or communication lines between each battery cluster, and monitor the working status of each battery pack to complete the operation and maintenance of each battery cluster.

[0150] Based on the structure of the aforementioned single battery cluster, the embodiment of the present application further provides a method for verifying the number of battery packs, which is applied to a control module in the battery cluster.

[0151] For example, Figure 7 As shown, the process of the control module executing the method for verifying the number of battery packs may include the following steps:

[0152] S710: Collect the cell voltage of each single cell in each battery pack.

[0153] S720, determining the number of battery packs according to the number of single battery cells and the battery cell voltage.

[0154] S730: Calculate a first voltage according to the cell voltages of all the single cells.

[0155] S740, collecting a second voltage of the battery cluster.

[0156] S750, verify the number of battery packs based on the second voltage and the first voltage to obtain a verification result.

[0157] It can be understood that the control module can collect the total voltage value of each battery pack in the battery cluster after being connected in series (recorded as the second voltage), and calculate the cell voltage and value of all single cells in the battery cluster (recorded as the first voltage) by collecting the cell voltage of each battery cell in each battery pack, and preliminarily determine the current number of battery packs in the battery cluster according to the number of single cells and the cell voltage collection situation; wherein, the two collection processes of collecting the cell voltage of each single cell and collecting the second voltage of the battery cluster can be implemented simultaneously or successively, and the present embodiment does not limit the collection order.

[0158] Furthermore, the control module can verify the preliminarily determined number of battery packs based on the collected second voltage and the calculated first voltage to obtain a verification result; based on the verification result, the abnormality of the communication line or physical line within the battery cluster can be determined, and the voltage protection parameters of the battery cluster can be configured to facilitate subsequent accurate monitoring of the working status of each battery pack.

[0159] The present embodiment verifies the number of battery packs currently preliminarily identified through the battery pack number verification method. The method can be implemented without complicated operating procedures. After the battery pack number is verified, it is convenient to subsequently monitor the working status of each battery pack through the battery pack number and accurately set the voltage protection parameters of the battery cluster, which is convenient for subsequent monitoring and maintenance of the battery cluster and can effectively improve the stability and safety of the battery cluster during use.

[0160] See also Figure 8 The embodiment of the present application also provides a device for verifying the number of battery packs, the device comprising:

[0161] The first acquisition module 810 is used to acquire the cell voltage of each single cell in each battery pack;

[0162] A determination module 820, configured to determine the number of battery packs according to the number of the single cells and the cell voltage;

[0163] A calculation module 830, configured to calculate a first voltage according to the cell voltages of all the single cells;

[0164] A second acquisition module 840, used for acquiring a second voltage of the battery cluster;

[0165] The verification module 850 is used to verify the number of battery packs based on the second voltage and the first voltage to obtain a verification result.

[0166] It can be understood that the functions performed by each module in the battery pack quantity verification device correspond to the various steps in the battery pack quantity verification method of the above embodiment, and the optional items in the above embodiment are also applicable to this embodiment, so they will not be repeated here.

[0167] Furthermore, all functions of the battery pack quantity verification device provided in this embodiment can be realized by the control module or master controller in the aforementioned embodiment, that is, the device can be the control module or master controller in the aforementioned embodiment, or it can be an independent device different from the control module or master controller in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0168] The present application also provides an energy storage device, which exemplarily includes the aforementioned battery cluster, a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the energy storage device to execute the above-mentioned battery pack quantity verification method. Exemplarily, the energy storage device includes but is not limited to capacitors, batteries, supercapacitors, water storage facilities, compressed gas tanks, electrochemical hydrogen storage devices and other devices.

[0169] Among them, the processor can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or at least one of other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, and discrete hardware components. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc., which can implement or execute the disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application.

[0170] The memory may be, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor may execute the computer program accordingly after receiving an execution instruction.

[0171] The present application also provides a computer storage medium for storing the computer program used in the above energy storage device; wherein the computer storage medium may be readable, volatile or non-volatile. For example, the computer storage medium may include but is not limited to: a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other media that can store program codes.

[0172] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can also be implemented in other ways. The device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the flowcharts and structure diagrams in the accompanying drawings show the possible architecture, functions and operations of the devices, methods and computer program products according to multiple embodiments of the present application. In this regard, each box in the flowchart or block diagram can represent a module, a program segment or a part of a code, and the module, a program segment or a part of a code contains one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function. It should also be noted that in an alternative implementation, the functions marked in the box can also occur in a different order from the order marked in the accompanying drawings. For example, two consecutive boxes can actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they can sometimes be executed in the opposite order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each box in the structure diagram and / or the flow diagram, and the combination of boxes in the structure diagram and / or the flow diagram, can be implemented with a dedicated hardware-based system that performs a specified function or action, or can be implemented with a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0173] In addition, the functional modules or units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated together to form an independent part, or each module may exist separately, or two or more modules may be integrated to form an independent part.

[0174] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a smart phone, a personal computer, a server or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application.

[0175] The above description is only a specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery cluster, characterized in that: include: Main control box; A plurality of battery packs, each of which is connected in series in sequence, and the battery packs connected in series are used to connect to the busbar through the main control box, and each of the battery packs contains the same number of single cells; The control module is used to collect the cell information of each battery pack, and control the connection state between the battery cluster and the busbar through the main control box based on the cell information.

2. The battery cluster according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module is arranged in the main control box, or is arranged independently of the main control box.

3. A method for verifying the number of battery packs, characterized in that: Applied to the battery cluster according to any one of claims 1 to 2, the method comprises: Collect the cell voltage of each single cell in each battery pack; Determining the number of battery packs according to the number of the single battery cells and the battery cell voltage; Calculating a first voltage according to the cell voltages of all the single cells; collecting a second voltage of the battery cluster; Based on the second voltage and the first voltage, the number of battery packs is verified to obtain a verification result.

4. The method for verifying the number of battery packs according to claim 3, characterized in that: The verifying the number of battery packs based on the second voltage and the first voltage to obtain a verification result includes: calculating a voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage; Determining whether the absolute value of the pressure difference value is greater than a preset pressure difference threshold; If so, it is determined that the number of battery packs is incorrect; If not, it is determined that the number of battery packs is correct.

5. The method for verifying the number of battery packs according to claim 4, characterized in that: After determining that the number of battery packs is correct, the method further includes: A voltage protection parameter is set for the battery cluster according to the current number of battery packs, and the voltage protection parameter serves as a protection threshold of the battery cluster under a target abnormal state.

6. A battery pack quantity verification device, characterized in that: include: The first acquisition module is used to collect the cell voltage of each single cell in each battery pack; A determination module, used to determine the number of battery packs according to the number of the single battery cells and the battery cell voltage; A calculation module, used for calculating a first voltage according to the cell voltages of all the single cells; A second acquisition module, used for acquiring a second voltage of the battery cluster; A verification module is used to verify the number of battery packs based on the second voltage and the first voltage to obtain a verification result.

7. An energy storage device, characterized in that: It comprises at least one battery cluster, and the energy storage device is used to implement the battery pack quantity verification method described in any one of claims 3-5 on the battery cluster.

8. The energy storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that: If the energy storage device includes a plurality of battery clusters, and each battery cluster is provided with a control module; Each of the control modules is used to collect the cell voltage and the second voltage of each single cell in its own battery cluster; determine the number of battery packs based on the cell voltage and calculate the first voltage; and verify the number of battery packs in its own battery cluster based on the first voltage and the second voltage.

9. The energy storage device according to claim 8, characterized in that: Each of the control modules is also used for: If it is determined that the number of battery packs of the own battery cluster is incorrect, the own battery cluster is controlled to be cut off from the busbar.

10. The energy storage device according to claim 8, characterized in that: If each battery cluster is also externally connected to the same master controller, and the master controller is connected to the control module of each battery cluster; The master controller is used to obtain the voltage values ​​collected or calculated by each of the control modules to respectively determine the number of battery packs in each of the battery clusters, and to respectively verify the number of battery packs in each of the battery clusters.

11. The energy storage device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The master controller is also used for: If it is determined that the number of battery packs of the first target battery cluster is incorrect, the first target battery cluster is controlled to be cut off from the busbar.

12. The energy storage device according to claim 11, characterized in that: If the number of single cells in each battery cluster is the same, the master controller is further used to: From the remaining battery clusters not connected to the busbar, find a second target battery cluster with the correct number of battery clusters, and connect the second target battery cluster to the busbar; the number of the first target battery cluster is the same as the number of the second target battery cluster.

13. The energy storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that: If the energy storage device includes a plurality of battery clusters and a control module; the control module is independently arranged from each of the battery clusters and is connected to each of the battery clusters; The control module is used to respectively obtain a target voltage value of each battery cluster, and determine the number of battery packs of each battery cluster based on the target voltage value, and verify the number of battery packs of each battery cluster.

14. The energy storage device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The control module is also used for: If it is determined that the number of battery packs of the third target battery cluster is incorrect, the third target battery cluster is controlled to be cut out from the busbar.

15. The energy storage device according to claim 14, characterized in that: If the number of single cells in each battery cluster is the same, the control module is further used to: A fourth target battery cluster with the correct number of battery clusters is searched from the remaining battery clusters not connected to the busbar, and the fourth target battery cluster is connected to the busbar; the number of the third target battery clusters is consistent with the number of the fourth target battery clusters.

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