Battery system, control method, control unit, and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a battery system, a control method, a control unit and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of energy storage, and the battery system comprises the control unit and at least one battery; the battery comprises an electric box, and a plurality of battery cells, a detection unit and a first switch unit which are arranged in the electric box, a plurality of battery cells are connected to form a battery cell assembly; the control unit is connected with the detection unit and the first switch unit and used for controlling the first switch unit to switch off or switch on the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly according to the detection signal collected by the detection unit. According to the embodiment of the invention, accurate safety protection control can be carried out on the battery with abnormal conditions such as electrolyte leakage and the like, safety accidents of the battery under the abnormal conditions such as electrolyte leakage and the like are prevented, the reliability and safety of battery operation are improved, and the service life of the battery is prolonged.

Description

Battery system, control method, control unit and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a battery system, a control method, a control unit, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of battery technology in the fields of energy storage, electric vehicles, etc., battery safety has attracted more and more attention. The battery can be a lithium battery, etc., which usually contains high-energy substances and has certain risks in use. A battery system is provided in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The battery system includes a control unit and a battery cluster device composed of multiple connected batteries. The battery includes an electrical box and multiple battery cells arranged in the electrical box. During the charging and discharging operation of the battery system, when the electrolyte of one or more battery cells leaks, the positive electrode of the battery cell with leaked electrolyte is connected to the electrical box shell through the electrolyte. The leaked electrolyte may be subjected to a higher voltage, and there is a risk of electrolyte smoking and fire, which reduces the safety performance of the battery. At present, there is no technical solution for precise safety protection control of batteries with abnormalities such as electrolyte leakage.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a battery system, a control method, a control unit, and a storage medium, which can improve the reliability and safety of battery operation.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery system, comprising: a control unit and at least one battery; the battery comprises: an electrical box and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the electrical box, a detection unit and a first switch unit; the plurality of battery cells are connected to form a battery cell assembly; the control unit is respectively connected to the detection unit and the first switch unit, and is used to control the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal transmission line and / or external transmission line of the battery cell assembly according to the detection signal collected by the detection unit.

[0006] By arranging a detection unit and a switch unit in the battery case, the switch can be controlled to close or open according to the detection signal collected by the detection unit, so as to cut off or connect the internal transmission line and / or external transmission line of the battery cell assembly. It can accurately control the safety protection of the battery with abnormalities such as electrolyte leakage, prevent the battery from having safety accidents under abnormal conditions such as leakage, improve the reliability and safety of the battery operation, and increase the service life of the battery.

[0007] Optionally, the setting position of the first switch unit includes: at least one of the internal transmission line between the battery cells, the external positive transmission line of the battery cell assembly, and the external negative transmission line of the battery cell assembly; wherein, the external positive transmission line of the battery cell assembly is used to connect to the positive end of the battery box, and the external negative transmission line of the battery cell assembly is used to connect to the negative end of the battery box.

[0008] A switch unit can be set at one or more optional positions. The switch unit can cut off or connect at least one of the internal transmission lines between battery cells, the external positive transmission lines of the battery cell assembly, and the external negative transmission lines of the battery cell assembly, which can effectively protect the battery and improve the reliability and safety of the battery operation.

[0009] Optionally, the detection unit includes: a liquid leakage sensor and / or a thermal runaway detection unit; wherein, the liquid leakage sensor is used to detect electrolyte leakage from the battery cell, and the thermal runaway detection unit is used to detect the temperature and voltage of the battery cell.

[0010] The leakage sensor detects whether the battery cell is leaking, and the thermal runaway detection unit detects the temperature and voltage of the battery cell. The control unit determines whether to perform protection operations based on the electrolyte leakage signal, battery cell voltage and temperature detection signal. This can prevent safety accidents caused by abnormal conditions such as leakage and battery cell thermal runaway, improve the reliability and safety of battery operation, and achieve effective protection of the battery.

[0011] Optionally, the battery includes: a control subunit; the control subunit is respectively connected to the corresponding detection unit and the first switch unit, and is connected to the control unit, for sending the detection signal collected by the detection unit to the control unit; the control subunit is used to control the first switch unit to close or open when receiving a control instruction sent by the control unit.

[0012] By setting a control subunit in the battery, the control subunit exchanges data with the control unit and controls the switch unit, it is possible to prevent safety accidents of the battery and improve the reliability and safety of the battery operation.

[0013] Optionally, multiple batteries are connected to form a battery cluster device; a second switch unit is provided on the external positive power transmission bus and / or the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device; the control unit is connected to the second switch unit, and is used to control the second switch unit to cut off or connect the external positive power transmission bus and / or the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device.

[0014] By providing a switch unit on the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device to cut off or connect the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device, the reliability and safety of the battery cluster device operation can be improved and effective protection of the battery can be achieved.

[0015] Optionally, a switchable current limiting circuit is provided in the external positive electrode power transmission bus of the battery cluster device.

[0016] Setting a current limiting circuit can limit the peak current and play a protective role, which can improve the safety of battery use and extend the battery life.

[0017] Optionally, the current limiting circuit includes a starting resistor and a cut-off switch connected in parallel with the starting resistor.

[0018] The starting resistor can limit the current and play a protective role; short-circuiting the starting resistor when the battery is in working condition can reduce the power consumed by the starting resistor.

[0019] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a control method based on a battery system, which is executed in a control unit and includes: obtaining a detection signal from a detection unit; and controlling a first switch unit to cut off or connect an internal power transmission line and / or an external power transmission line of a battery cell assembly based on the detection signal.

[0020] By acquiring the detection signal collected by the detection unit and controlling the disconnection or connection of the internal power transmission line and / or external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the detection signal, it is possible to perform precise safety protection control on the battery with abnormalities such as electrolyte leakage, prevent the battery from having safety accidents under abnormal conditions such as leakage, improve the reliability and safety of the battery operation, and increase the battery life.

[0021] Optionally, the detection unit includes: a leakage sensor and / or a thermal runaway detection unit, and the detection signal includes: an electrolyte leakage signal of the leakage sensor and / or a voltage and temperature detection signal of the battery cell collected by the thermal runaway detection unit; controlling the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the detection signal includes: judging whether the battery system needs to perform a protection operation based on the electrolyte leakage signal and / or the voltage and temperature detection signal of the battery cell; when it is determined to perform a protection operation, controlling the first switch unit to disconnect, so as to cut off the internal power transmission line and / or the external transmission line of the battery cell assembly.

[0022] The leakage sensor detects whether the battery cell is leaking, and the thermal runaway detection unit detects the temperature and voltage of the battery cell. The control unit determines whether to perform protection operations based on the electrolyte leakage signal, battery cell voltage and temperature detection signal. This can prevent safety accidents caused by abnormal conditions such as leakage and battery cell thermal runaway, improve the reliability and safety of battery operation, and achieve effective protection of the battery.

[0023] Optionally, multiple batteries are connected to form a battery cluster device, and a second switch unit is provided on the external positive power transmission bus and / or the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device; the method further includes: when it is determined to perform a protection operation, controlling the second switch unit to disconnect, so as to cut off the external positive power transmission bus and / or the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device; after controlling the second switch unit to disconnect, controlling the first switch unit to disconnect.

[0024] Before cutting off or connecting the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly, the switch unit provided on the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device is controlled to be disconnected, which can cut off or connect the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the battery operation and achieving effective protection of the battery.

[0025] Optionally, before determining to perform the protection operation and before controlling the second switch to be disconnected, a work stop request signal is sent to a superior control system so that the superior control system stops charging and discharging the battery system.

[0026] Before cutting off or connecting the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device, a signal is sent to the superior control system to stop the superior control system from charging and discharging the battery system, which can further improve the reliability and safety of the battery operation and achieve effective protection of the battery.

[0027] Optionally, other batteries adjacent to the battery requiring protection operation are determined; and first switch units of the other batteries are controlled to be disconnected, so as to cut off internal power transmission lines and / or external power transmission lines of the cell assemblies of the other batteries.

[0028] Cutting off or connecting the internal power transmission lines and / or external power transmission lines of the cell assemblies of other batteries adjacent to the battery requiring protection operation based on the detection signal can improve the reliability and safety of battery operation.

[0029] Optionally, the battery includes: a control subunit; the control subunit is respectively connected to the corresponding detection unit and the first switch unit; the acquisition of the detection signal of the detection unit includes: receiving the detection signal sent by the control subunit; the control of the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal transmission line and / or external transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the detection signal includes: sending a control instruction to the control subunit, so that the control subunit controls the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal transmission line and / or external transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the control instruction.

[0030] By controlling the sub-unit to exchange data with the control unit and controlling the switch unit, safety accidents of the battery can be prevented and the reliability and safety of the battery operation can be improved.

[0031] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a control unit, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the control method provided by the second aspect of the present disclosure based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0032] The control unit of the present disclosure has the advantages of the control method of the present disclosure.

[0033] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and the instructions are executed by a processor to execute the control method provided in the second aspect of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the drawings without creative work.

[0035] FIG1A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery system in the prior art; FIG1B is a schematic diagram of the voltage withstanding by a leaked electrolyte in a battery cell;

[0036] FIG2A is a schematic diagram of a first module of some embodiments of the battery system of the present disclosure; FIG2B is a schematic diagram of a first connection of a control unit in some embodiments of the battery system of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG3A is a schematic diagram of a second module of some embodiments of the battery system of the present disclosure; FIG3B is a schematic diagram of a second connection of a control unit in some embodiments of the battery system of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a third module of some embodiments of the battery system of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of some embodiments of the control method of the battery system disclosed herein;

[0040] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of cutting off a circuit of a battery system in some embodiments of the control method of the battery system disclosed herein;

[0041] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of cutting off the circuits of other batteries in some embodiments of the control method of the battery system disclosed herein;

[0042] FIG8 is a module diagram of some embodiments of the control unit of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. The following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the principles of the present application, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present application, that is, the present application is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0044] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "multiple" refers to more than two (including two). Similarly, "multiple groups" refers to more than two groups (including two groups), and "multiple pieces" refers to more than two pieces (including two pieces).

[0045] This application uses descriptions of directions or positional relationships such as "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "inside" and "outside" to facilitate the description of this application, and does not indicate or imply that the device referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, it should not be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0046] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. "Perpendicular" does not strictly refer to perpendicularity, but rather to the tolerances allowed. "Parallel" does not strictly refer to parallelism, but rather to the tolerances allowed. The directional terms used in the following description refer to the directions shown in the figures and are not intended to limit the specific structure of this application.

[0047] It should also be noted that, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0048] In the related art known to the inventors, a battery system is provided in electric vehicles and energy storage systems, etc. The battery system includes a control unit and a battery cluster device composed of a plurality of connected batteries. The battery includes an electrical box (battery box) and a plurality of battery cells arranged in the electrical box, and the plurality of battery cells are connected to form a battery cell assembly. As shown in FIG1A , the battery box #n of battery n is connected in series with the battery box #n+1 of battery n+1, etc. to form a battery cluster device. The battery cluster device can provide a high-voltage circuit, and the battery cluster device is placed in an electrical cabinet. The electrical cabinet can be a 2500V / DC electrical cabinet, etc. The DC positive and negative poles are formed into an equal potential by a voltage-grading resistor. The main control box housing, the electrical cabinet housing, and the electrical box housing are equal in potential. There is a voltage difference of 1250V between the positive pole of the battery cell in the electrical box and the housing, and between the negative pole of the battery cell and the housing.

[0049] In the event of electrolyte leakage in a battery cell, there are two sources of voltage that the electrolyte must withstand: first, as shown in Figure 1B, after a battery cell in a single battery box leaks electrolyte and a single-point failure occurs, the electrolyte will conduct the negative pole of the battery cell to the metal box. If the series circuit of multiple battery boxes is not disconnected, the electrolyte will need to withstand a voltage of 1250V / DC, and there is a risk of fire for the electrolyte; second, if two battery cells inside a single battery box leak electrolyte, the two battery cells can be connected through the electrolyte, and the pressure difference between the two battery cells is the voltage that the electrolyte needs to withstand; if the voltage that the electrolyte withstands exceeds a certain voltage value, for example, more than 200V / DC, there is a risk of fire for the electrolyte.

[0050] The main control box is equipped with a contactor to connect and disconnect the battery cluster's power bus. During the battery system's charge and discharge operations, if electrolyte leaks in one or more cells within a particular box, the leak sensor within the box transmits a signal. Based on this signal, the main control box controls the contactor to disconnect, severing the charge and discharge circuit. Currently, configuring a leak sensor within a single box without a contactor prevents accurate safety protection for leaking batteries.

[0051] The present disclosure provides a battery system and a corresponding control method, in which a detection unit and a first switch unit are arranged in an electrical box, and the control unit controls the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal transmission line and / or the external transmission line of the battery cell assembly according to the detection signal collected by the detection unit; the system can accurately perform safety protection control on batteries with abnormalities such as electrolyte leakage, prevent safety accidents caused by leakage, etc., improve the reliability and safety of battery operation, and increase the service life of the battery.

[0052] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2A, the present disclosure provides a battery system comprising a control unit 101 and one or more batteries. The control unit 101 can be mounted on a main control board, which can be mounted in a main control box 10. The multiple batteries can be, for example, batteries 20, 30, etc., which are connected to form a battery cluster device. The following uses battery 20 as an example to illustrate the battery structure; the structures of other batteries are similar to those of battery 20.

[0053] The battery 20 includes an electrical box 201 and a plurality of battery cells 203, 204, etc. disposed within the electrical box 20. The plurality of battery cells 203, 204, etc. are connected to form a battery cell assembly. The battery 20 also includes a detection unit and a first switch unit 205 disposed within the electrical box 20. The battery 20 may include a lithium-ion secondary battery, a lithium-ion primary battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery, or a magnesium-ion battery, etc., although this is not limited in the present embodiment. The battery cells 20 may be cylindrical, flat, rectangular, or in other shapes. Depending on the packaging method, the battery 20 may include cylindrical battery cells, prismatic battery cells, and soft-pack battery cells. The battery cells 203, 204, etc. include an electrolyte, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The positive and negative electrodes are the components that undergo the electrochemical reaction. The electrolyte may be any of a variety of existing electrolytes. The electrical box 201 may be made of materials such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and plastic.

[0054] The control unit 101 is connected to the detection unit and the first switch unit 205, respectively, and is configured to control the first switch unit 205 to disconnect or connect the internal power transmission line and / or external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the detection signal collected by the detection unit. The detection unit can be a variety of detection units, such as a leakage sensor and a thermal runaway detection unit. The detection signal includes an electrolyte leakage signal from the leakage sensor and the voltage and temperature detection signals of the battery cell collected by the thermal runaway detection unit. The first switch device unit 205 can be a variety of switch devices, such as various contactors and switches.

[0055] By arranging a detection unit and a switch unit in the battery case, the switch can be controlled to close or open according to the detection signal collected by the detection unit, so as to cut off or connect the internal transmission line and / or external transmission line of the battery cell assembly. It can accurately control the safety protection of the battery in the event of electrolyte leakage, prevent the battery from having safety accidents in the event of leakage, etc., improve the reliability and safety of the battery operation, and increase the service life of the battery.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first switch unit 205 is located at one or more of the internal power transmission line 206 between battery cells, the external positive power transmission line 208 of the battery cell assembly, and the external negative power transmission line 207 of the battery cell assembly. The external positive power transmission line 208 of the battery cell assembly is used to connect to the positive terminal of the battery box 201, and the external negative power transmission line 207 of the battery cell assembly is used to connect to the negative terminal of the battery box 201. A battery cluster device is formed by connecting the positive and negative terminals of the battery box.

[0057] The first switch unit 205 can have multiple optional setting positions. The first switch unit 205 can cut off or connect at least one of the internal transmission line 206 between the battery cells, the external positive transmission line 208 of the battery cell assembly, and the external negative transmission line 207 of the battery cell assembly, which can effectively protect the battery and improve the reliability and safety of the battery operation.

[0058] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the detection unit includes a liquid leakage sensor 202. Liquid leakage sensor 202 can be of various types and can be located at multiple locations within the electrical box 201. It is used to detect electrolyte leakage from battery cells 203, 204, etc. Liquid leakage sensor 202 is connected to the control unit 101 and is used to transmit an electrolyte leakage signal. The electrolyte leakage signal can be of various types.

[0059] The control unit 101 determines whether to perform a protective operation based on the electrolyte leakage signal. If leakage is detected, the control unit 101 controls the first switch unit 205 to open, disconnecting the internal power transmission line 206 between the battery cells. If the first switch unit 205 is located in the external positive power transmission line 208 or the external negative power transmission line 207 of the battery cell assembly, the control unit 101 controls the first switch unit 205 to open, disconnecting the external positive power transmission line 208 or the external negative power transmission line 207 of the battery cell assembly. Based on the electrolyte leakage signal, the control unit 101 can accurately protect the battery, preventing safety accidents such as smoke and fire caused by leakage, improving the reliability and safety of battery operation, and achieving effective battery protection.

[0060] Batteries 20 and 30 are connected to form a battery cluster device, which can be connected to electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and other systems via an external positive power transmission bus 103 and an external negative power transmission bus 104 for charging and discharging. A second switch unit 107 is provided in the external positive power transmission bus 103 of the battery cluster device, and a second switch unit 102 is provided on the external negative power transmission bus 104. Alternatively, the second switch unit 107 can be provided in the external positive power transmission bus 103 of the battery cluster device, or the second switch unit 102 can be provided on the external negative power transmission bus 104. The second switch unit 102, 104 can be a variety of switch units, such as contactors and switches. A control unit 101 is connected to the second switch units 102, 107 and is used to control the second switch units 102, 107 to disconnect or connect the external positive power transmission bus 103 and the external negative power transmission bus 104 of the battery cluster device.

[0061] By providing a switch unit to cut off or connect the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device, the reliability and safety of the battery cluster device operation can be improved, and the battery cluster device can be effectively protected.

[0062] In some embodiments, the leakage sensor 202 monitors the electrolyte status in the battery box 201 in real time. The leakage sensor 202 detects electrolyte in the battery box 201 and sends an electrolyte leakage signal to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 requests the upper control system to stop charging and discharging. The upper control system is the control system of the electric vehicle and energy storage system connected to the battery system. The upper control system can use various methods to control the battery system to stop charging and discharging.

[0063] After determining that the superior control system has stopped charging and discharging the battery system, the control unit 101 controls the second switch units 102 and 107 to disconnect, thereby disconnecting the external positive power transmission bus 103 and the external negative power transmission bus 104 of the battery cluster device. The control unit 101 can use a variety of methods to determine that the superior control system has stopped charging and discharging the battery system. For example, the control unit 101 determines that the superior control system has stopped charging and discharging the battery system based on a stop charge and discharge completion instruction received from the superior control system. After controlling the second switch units 102 and 107 to disconnect, the control unit 101 controls the first switch unit 205 to disconnect, thereby disconnecting the internal power transmission line 206 between the battery cells. By disconnecting the first switch unit, the electrolyte withstand voltage can be ensured to be less than the voltage threshold, preventing the electrolyte from smoking, igniting, etc., preventing battery safety accidents, improving the reliability and safety of battery operation, and increasing the battery life.

[0064] Battery 20 is adjacent to battery 30, and battery 30 has the same structure as battery 20. For example, battery 30 includes an electrical box 301, a leakage sensor 302, and a first switch unit 303. When control unit 101 controls first switch unit 205 to be disconnected, it can also control first switch unit 303 of adjacent battery 30 to be disconnected, thereby improving the reliability and safety of battery operation. Control unit 101 transmits the status of first switch unit 205, first switch unit 303, etc. to a monitoring system; the monitoring system can be a variety of monitoring systems, such as the monitoring system of the battery system itself, the monitoring system of the electric vehicle, the monitoring system of the energy storage system, etc.

[0065] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2B , the detection unit includes a thermal runaway detection unit 209, which may be a unit for detecting the temperature and voltage of the battery cell. Battery thermal runaway refers to a cumulative enhancement of the current and battery temperature during constant voltage charging and gradual damage. The thermal runaway detection unit 209 detects the temperature and voltage of the battery cell and sends the voltage and temperature detection signals of the battery cell to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 determines whether the battery cell has thermal runaway based on the voltage and temperature detection signals of the battery cell and determines to perform a protective operation, thereby preventing safety accidents caused by thermal runaway of the battery cell, improving the reliability and safety of battery operation, and achieving effective protection of the battery.

[0066] The main causes of battery cell leakage are corrosion of the battery cell casing and the spray valve when the battery cell experiences thermal runaway. A thermal runaway detection unit and a leakage sensor can be installed in the battery at the same time, or only a thermal runaway detection unit or only a leakage sensor can be installed in the battery. The thermal runaway detection unit 209 collects the voltage and temperature of the battery cell in real time and sends the voltage and temperature detection signals of the battery cell to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 performs thermal runaway warning analysis and diagnosis based on the voltage and temperature of the battery cell. When it is determined that the battery cell has experienced thermal runaway, it sends an alarm message and the location information of the battery box where thermal runaway has occurred to the monitoring system.

[0067] The control unit 101 requests the upper control system to stop charging and discharging. After confirming that the upper control system has stopped charging and discharging the battery system, the control unit 101 controls the second switch units 102 and 107 to open, disconnecting or connecting the external positive power transmission bus 103 and the external negative power transmission bus 104 of the battery cluster device. After controlling the second switch units 102 and 107 to open, the control unit 101 controls the first switch unit 205 to open, disconnecting the internal power transmission line 206 between the battery cells. If battery 20 is adjacent to battery 30, the control unit 101 can control the first switch unit 303 of the adjacent battery 30 to open when controlling the first switch unit 205 to open. The control unit 101 sends the status of the first switch unit 205, the first switch unit 303, etc. to the monitoring system, which can be a variety of monitoring systems; when it is determined that electrolyte leakage may occur when the battery cell has thermal runaway, by disconnecting the first switch unit, it can be ensured that the electrolyte withstands a voltage less than the voltage threshold, preventing the electrolyte from smoking, igniting, etc., preventing battery safety accidents, improving the reliability and safety of battery operation, and increasing the battery life.

[0068] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the battery 20 includes a control subunit 210, which is connected to the corresponding detection unit and the first switch unit 205, and is also connected to the control unit 101. The detection unit includes a leakage sensor 202, a thermal runaway detection unit 209, etc. A control subunit 304 may also be provided within the battery 30. The control subunit 210 transmits detection signals collected by the detection unit to the control unit 101. The detection signals include electrolyte leakage signals collected by the leakage sensor 202, and the temperature and voltage of the battery cell collected by the thermal runaway detection unit 209.

[0069] Upon receiving a control instruction from the control unit 101, the control subunit 210 controls the first switch unit 205 to close or connect. The control subunit 210 can be of various types, such as a CSC (cell battery management unit). The control subunit 210 can be implemented in various ways. For example, the control subunit 210 can include one or more processors and a memory. The memory can be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory for storing one or more computer program instructions. The processor can execute the program instructions to communicate with the control unit and complete other functions that the processor needs to process.

[0070] The control subunit 210 sends the electrolyte leakage signal collected by the leakage sensor 202 and the temperature and voltage of the battery cell collected by the thermal runaway detection unit 209 to the control unit 101. When it is determined that an electrolyte leakage has occurred or a thermal runaway has occurred in the battery cell, the control unit 101 requests the superior control system to stop charging and discharging. After determining that the superior control system has stopped charging and discharging the battery system, the control unit 101 controls the second switch units 102 and 107 to disconnect. After controlling the second switch units 102 and 107 to disconnect, the control unit 101 sends a control instruction to the control subunit 210. The control subunit 210 controls the first switch unit 205 to disconnect according to the control instruction, cutting off the internal power transmission line 206 between the battery cells. A control subunit is set in each battery, and the control subunit exchanges data with the control unit and controls the switch unit to prevent battery safety accidents and improve the reliability and safety of battery operation.

[0071] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4 , a switchable current-limiting circuit is installed in the external positive power bus 103 of the battery cluster device. This current-limiting circuit reduces the inrush current generated at the start of charging and discharging, thereby improving battery safety and extending battery life. Fuses 105 and 106 prevent excessive transient current during charging and discharging, improving battery safety.

[0072] The battery cluster device's external positive power transmission bus 103 is equipped with both a current limiting circuit and a second switch unit, or it may be equipped with only a current limiting circuit. The current limiting circuit can have various configurations, including a starting resistor 109 and a disconnect switch 110 connected in parallel with the starting resistor 109. Alternatively, a switch 108 connected in series with the starting resistor 109 can be provided. At the start of charging or discharging, switch 108 is closed and disconnect switch 110 is opened, allowing the starting resistor 109 to limit the current. During normal charging and discharging operations, disconnect switch 110 is closed, short-circuiting R1. Disconnecting switch 108 disconnects the starting resistor 109. The starting resistor limits the current at the start of charging or discharging, providing protection.

[0073] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a control method for the battery system described above, which is executed in a control unit. FIG5 is a flow chart of some embodiments of the control method for the battery system disclosed herein, as shown in FIG5 :

[0074] Step 501: Acquire a detection signal from a detection unit.

[0075] Step 502 : Control the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the detection signal.

[0076] The control unit can be implemented in a variety of ways to implement the control methods of various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the control unit includes one or more processors and a memory; the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU) or other form of processing unit with data processing capabilities and / or instruction execution capabilities, and the memory can be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory to store one or more computer program instructions. The processor can execute the program instructions to implement the control methods of various embodiments of the present disclosure or other desired functions.

[0077] The control method of the battery system disclosed in the present invention obtains a detection signal collected by a detection unit set in the battery box, and controls the closing or opening of a switch based on the detection signal to cut off or connect the internal transmission line and / or external transmission line of the battery cell assembly. It can prevent battery safety accidents, improve the reliability and safety of battery operation, and increase the service life of the battery.

[0078] In some embodiments, the detection unit includes a liquid leakage sensor and / or a thermal runaway detection unit, and the detection signal includes an electrolyte leakage signal from the liquid leakage sensor and / or a voltage and temperature detection signal of the battery cell collected by the thermal runaway detection unit. FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a process for cutting off a circuit of a battery system in some embodiments of the control method of the battery system disclosed herein, as shown in FIG6 :

[0079] Step 601: Determine whether the battery system requires a protection operation based on the electrolyte leakage signal and / or the voltage and temperature detection signals of the battery cell. If electrolyte leakage is determined to have occurred based on the electrolyte leakage signal, then the battery system requires a protection operation. If thermal runaway is determined to have occurred based on the voltage and temperature detection signals of the battery cell, then the battery system requires a protection operation.

[0080] Step 602: When it is determined to perform a protection operation, the first switch unit is controlled to be disconnected to cut off the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly.

[0081] By determining whether to perform protection operations based on the leakage signal, battery cell voltage and temperature detection signal, safety accidents caused by battery leakage and battery cell thermal runaway can be prevented, the reliability and safety of battery operation can be improved, and effective protection of the battery can be achieved.

[0082] In some embodiments, multiple batteries are connected to form a battery cluster device, and a second switch unit is provided on an external positive power transmission bus and / or an external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device. If a protection operation is determined to be performed, the second switch unit is controlled to open to disconnect the external positive power transmission bus and / or the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device. After the second switch unit is controlled to open, the first switch unit is controlled to open.

[0083] Before cutting off or connecting the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly, the switch unit provided on the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device is controlled to cut off or connect the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device according to the detection signal collected by the detection unit, thereby achieving effective protection of the battery.

[0084] In some embodiments, before determining to perform the protection operation and controlling the second switch to be disconnected, a work stop request signal is sent to the superior control system so that the control system stops charging and discharging the battery system.

[0085] Before cutting off or connecting the external positive power transmission bus and the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device, a signal is sent to the superior control system to stop the superior control system from charging and discharging the battery system, which can further improve the reliability and safety of the battery operation and achieve effective protection of the battery.

[0086] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of cutting off the circuits of other batteries in some embodiments of the control method of the battery system disclosed herein, as shown in FIG7 :

[0087] Step 701: Determine other batteries adjacent to the battery requiring protection operation. Battery connection topology information in the battery system may be pre-stored, and other batteries adjacent to the battery requiring protection operation may be determined based on the battery connection topology information.

[0088] Step 702 : Control the first switch units of other battery systems to be disconnected, so as to cut off the internal power transmission lines and / or external power transmission lines of the cell assemblies of other batteries.

[0089] By cutting off the internal power transmission lines and / or external power transmission lines of the cell assemblies of other batteries adjacent to the battery that needs protection operation, the effective protection of the battery can be enhanced and the reliability and safety of the battery operation can be improved.

[0090] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a control unit. Figure 8 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a control unit according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8, the control unit may include a memory 801, a processor 802, a communication interface 803, and a bus 804. The memory 801 is used to store instructions. The processor 802 is coupled to the memory 801 and is configured to execute the battery system control method described in any of the above embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory 801.

[0091] Memory 801 can be high-speed RAM, non-volatile memory, or a memory array. Memory 801 can also be divided into blocks, and the blocks can be combined into virtual volumes according to certain rules. Processor 802 can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the battery system control method disclosed herein.

[0092] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, which are executed by a processor to implement the battery system control method in any of the above embodiments.

[0093] Computer readable storage media can adopt any combination of one or more readable media. The readable medium can be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. The readable storage medium can, for example, include but is not limited to a system, device or component of electricity, magnetism, light, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (non-exhaustive enumeration) of readable storage media can include: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0094] The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems) and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram and the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0095] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0096] The methods and systems of the present disclosure may be implemented in many ways. For example, the methods and systems of the present disclosure may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of software, hardware, and firmware. The above order of steps for the method is for illustration only, and the steps of the method of the present disclosure are not limited to the order specifically described above unless otherwise specified. In addition, in some embodiments, the present disclosure may also be implemented as programs recorded in a recording medium, which include machine-readable instructions for implementing the methods according to the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure also covers recording media that store programs for executing the methods according to the present disclosure.

[0097]

Claims

1. A battery system comprising: a control unit and at least one battery; The battery comprises: an electric box and a plurality of electric cells arranged in the electric box, a detection unit and a first switch unit; the plurality of electric cells are connected to form a electric cell assembly; The control unit is connected to the detection unit and the first switch unit respectively, and is used to control the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly according to the detection signal collected by the detection unit.

2. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein: The first switch unit is arranged at a position including: at least one of the internal power transmission line between the battery cells, the external positive power transmission line of the battery cell assembly, and the external negative power transmission line of the battery cell assembly; The external positive power transmission line of the battery cell assembly is used to connect to the positive terminal of the battery box, and the external negative power transmission line of the battery cell assembly is used to connect to the negative terminal of the battery box.

3. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein: The detection unit includes: a liquid leakage sensor and / or a thermal runaway detection unit; The leakage sensor is used to detect electrolyte leakage from the battery cell, and the thermal runaway detection unit is used to detect the temperature and voltage of the battery cell.

4. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein: The battery includes: a control subunit; the control subunit is respectively connected to the corresponding detection unit and the first switch unit, and is connected to the control unit, and is used to send the detection signal collected by the detection unit to the control unit; the control subunit is used to control the first switch unit to close or open when receiving a control instruction sent by the control unit.

5. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of batteries are connected to form a battery cluster device; a second switch unit is provided on the external positive power transmission bus and / or the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device; the control unit is connected to the second switch unit and is used to control the second switch unit to cut off or connect the external positive power transmission bus and / or the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device.

6. The battery system according to claim 5, wherein: A switchable current limiting circuit is provided in the external positive electrode power transmission bus of the battery cluster device.

7. The battery system according to claim 6, wherein: The current limiting circuit includes a starting resistor and a cut-off switch connected in parallel with the starting resistor.

8. A control method for the battery system according to claim 1, wherein the control method is executed in a control unit, comprising: obtaining a detection signal from a detection unit; The first switch unit is controlled to cut off or connect the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the detection signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein: The detection unit includes: a liquid leakage sensor and / or a thermal runaway detection unit, the detection signal includes: an electrolyte leakage signal of the liquid leakage sensor and / or a voltage and temperature detection signal of the battery cell collected by the thermal runaway detection unit; the control of the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the detection signal includes: Determining whether the battery system needs to perform a protection operation based on the electrolyte leakage signal and / or the voltage and temperature detection signals of the battery cell; In the case where it is determined to perform a protection operation, the first switch unit is controlled to be disconnected, so as to cut off the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein: A plurality of batteries are connected to form a battery cluster device, and a second switch unit is provided on an external positive power transmission bus and / or an external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device; the method further comprises: In the case of determining to perform a protection operation, controlling the second switch unit to be opened to cut off the external positive power transmission bus and / or the external negative power transmission bus of the battery cluster device; After controlling the second switch unit to be turned off, controlling the first switch unit to be turned off.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: After determining to perform the protection operation and before controlling the second switch to be turned off, an operation stop request signal is sent to a superior control system so that the superior control system stops charging and discharging the battery system.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: Identify other batteries adjacent to the battery requiring protection operation; The first switch unit of the other battery is controlled to be disconnected, so as to cut off the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the cell assembly of the other battery.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein: The battery includes: a control subunit; the control subunit is connected to the corresponding detection unit and the first switch unit respectively; the detection signal of the detection unit is obtained including: receiving the detection signal sent by the control subunit; The controlling the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the detection signal includes: The control instruction is sent to the control subunit, so that the control subunit controls the first switch unit to cut off or connect the internal power transmission line and / or the external power transmission line of the battery cell assembly based on the control instruction.

14. A control unit comprising: Memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 13 based on instructions stored in the memory. 15 . A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, wherein the instructions are executed by a processor to perform the method according to claim 8 .

Images