Battery management apparatus and operating method thereof

Abstract

A battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes: one or more capacitors connected to each of one or more batteries; and a controller for applying a current to and pre-charging the one or more capacitors, measuring a voltage of each of the one or more capacitors, and controlling an impedance measurement of the one or more batteries based on whether the voltage of the one or more capacitors is within a threshold range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0135174 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 19, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to battery management devices and methods of operating the same. Background Art

[0005] Recently, research and development of secondary batteries have been actively carried out. Secondary batteries as rechargeable / dischargeable batteries can include all conventional nickel (Ni) / cadmium (Cd) batteries, Ni / metal hydride (MH) batteries, etc. and recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have an energy density much higher than that of conventional Ni / Cd batteries, Ni / MH batteries, etc. In addition, lithium-ion batteries can be made small and light, so that lithium-ion batteries have been used as power sources for mobile devices, and recently, their scope of use has been expanded to power sources for electric vehicles, thereby attracting attention as the next generation of energy storage media.

[0006] In order to measure the impedance of a lithium-ion battery, an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can be used. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can accurately calculate impedance, which is a factor that hinders electrical transmission when a chemical reaction occurs at the electrodes of a battery. In the method of measuring impedance, after a precise shunt resistor is connected in series to the battery, an alternating current is generated to measure the voltage on the opposite ends of the resistor and the voltage on the opposite ends of the battery, thereby measuring the impedance of the battery. When measuring the voltage on the opposite ends of the battery, the + side and the - side are clamped to a certain DC voltage, and then a pre-charged capacitor is connected to measure the voltage. However, conventional electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measures impedance based on whether a specific time has passed without monitoring the voltage of the pre-charged capacitor connected to the battery, thereby reducing the accuracy of the impedance. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to providing a battery management device and an operating method thereof, wherein the accuracy of battery impedance measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can be improved by monitoring the voltage of a capacitor connected to the battery.

[0009] Technical problems of the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] According to one embodiment disclosed herein, a battery management device includes: at least one capacitor, which is respectively connected to at least one battery; and a controller, which is configured to apply current to the at least one capacitor to pre-charge the at least one capacitor, measure the voltage of each of the at least one capacitor, and control the impedance measurement of the at least one battery based on whether the voltage of the at least one capacitor is within a threshold range.

[0012] In one embodiment, the battery management device may also include at least one measuring unit configured to measure the impedance of the battery, wherein the at least one measuring unit may also be configured to measure the impedance of the battery based on a control signal of the controller, and the controller may also be configured to generate a control signal for measuring the impedance of the battery when the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range and transmit the control signal to the at least one measuring unit.

[0013] In one embodiment, the controller may be further configured to determine whether a pre-charging time for pre-charging at least one capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time when the voltage of each capacitor is outside a threshold range.

[0014] In one embodiment, the controller may be further configured to determine whether a pre-charging time for pre-charging the capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time when the voltage of each capacitor is outside a threshold range.

[0015] In one embodiment, the controller may be further configured to re-determine whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range when the pre-charging time is greater than or equal to a threshold time.

[0016] In one embodiment, the controller may be further configured to generate an abnormality signal of the battery when re-determining whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range for a threshold number of times.

[0017] In one embodiment, the controller may be further configured to pre-charge the capacitor when the pre-charge time is less than a threshold time.

[0018] An operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes the following steps: applying current to capacitors connected to a battery to precharge the capacitors; measuring a voltage of each capacitor; and measuring impedance of the battery based on whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range.

[0019] In one embodiment, the step of measuring the impedance of the battery based on whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range may include generating a control signal for measuring the impedance of the battery when the voltage of each capacitor is within the threshold range, and transmitting the control signal to at least one capacitor.

[0020] In one embodiment, measuring the impedance of the battery based on whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range may include determining whether a precharge time for precharging the capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time when the voltage of each capacitor is outside the threshold range.

[0021] In one embodiment, the operating method may further include the step of determining whether a pre-charging time for pre-charging the capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time.

[0022] In one embodiment, the step of determining whether the precharge time for precharging the capacitor is greater than or equal to the threshold time may include: when the precharge time is greater than or equal to the threshold time, re-determining whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range.

[0023] In one embodiment, determining whether the pre-charging time for pre-charging the capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time may include generating an abnormal signal of the battery when re-determining whether the voltage of each capacitor reaches a threshold number of times within a threshold range.

[0024] In one embodiment, the step of determining whether the precharge time for precharging the capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time may include generating a control signal for precharging the capacitor and transmitting the control signal to at least one capacitor when the precharge time is less than the threshold time.

[0025] Beneficial Effects

[0026] A battery management apparatus and an operating method thereof according to one embodiment disclosed herein may improve the accuracy of battery impedance measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy by monitoring a voltage of a capacitor connected to a battery.

[0027] Furthermore, the battery management system and the method of operating the same according to the embodiments disclosed herein may stably manage the life of the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a battery exchange station according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0029] Figure 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a battery exchange station according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0030] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0031] Figure 4 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a battery pack according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0032] Figure 5 is a flow chart of an operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0033] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a battery management device according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0034] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computing system for executing an operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals even if they are indicated in different drawings. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this document, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this document, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0036] In order to describe the components of the embodiments disclosed herein, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component and do not limit the nature, order, sequence, etc. of the components. The terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art, as long as these terms are not defined differently. Generally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meanings as the contextual meanings of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted as having ideal or exaggerated meanings unless they are clearly defined in this application.

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a battery exchange station according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0038] Reference Figure 1, the battery exchange station (BSS) 1000 can provide an overall management service for evaluation, measurement, charging, exchange, etc. of batteries, and in the present disclosure, the functions of the battery exchange station 1000 will be described based on the battery exchange service. Here, the battery exchange service may mean a service that analyzes the status of multiple batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 as service objects and exchanges the batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 with other batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to the analysis results. This exchange can be automatically performed by the settings of the administrator and / or the user. For example, the battery exchange station 1000 can provide a battery exchange service to the user by collecting the batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 returned from the user and providing the user with other previously charged batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40.

[0039] Here, the batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 may be devices installed on an object device (e.g., an electric transportation vehicle such as an electric vehicle, an electric scooter, an electric bicycle, etc.) to provide power for driving the object device, and may be implemented in the form of a battery pack. The battery pack may include a battery for storing power and a battery management system (BMS) for controlling the operation of the battery. The battery may include at least one battery cell for storing power under the control of the BMS. The battery cell, which is a basic unit of a battery that is available by charging and discharging electric energy, may be a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery, a lithium ion polymer battery, a nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery, a nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery, etc., and is not limited thereto. The BMS may control the charging and discharging of the battery, and collect data as a basis for status analysis of the battery, and send the data to the external device at the request of the external device.

[0040] Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 are implemented in the form of a battery pack. Figure 1 2 , the number of the batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 is illustrated as 4, but the battery may include n batteries (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2).

[0041] According to one embodiment, the battery exchange station 1000 may be disposed in a service station that provides a battery exchange service, or disposed in a space separate from the service station.

[0042] The battery exchange station 1000 can analyze the status of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 connected thereto, and exchange the batteries 10, 20, and 30 with other batteries 10, 20, and 30 or reuse (i.e., not exchange) the batteries 10, 20, and 30 according to the result of the status analysis. The battery exchange station 1000 can autonomously determine whether the status analysis of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 and / or the exchange of the batteries 10, 20, and 30 is required, but according to another embodiment, at least some operations can be performed in association with a server (e.g., a cloud server) connected via a network. For example, the battery exchange station 1000 can send information as a basis for determining whether the battery needs to be exchanged to the cloud server, and the cloud server can send information about whether the battery needs to be exchanged to the battery exchange station 1000.

[0043] Figure 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a battery exchange station according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0044] Reference Figure 2 , the battery exchange station 1000 may include a battery slot portion 100 , a battery management device 200 , and a charger 300 .

[0045] The battery slot portion 100 may accommodate a plurality of connected batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. The battery slot portion 100 may include a plurality of battery slots that respectively accommodate the plurality of connected batteries. The battery slot portion 100 may be connected to a battery management device 200. The plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 accommodated in the battery slot portion 100 may be physically controlled based on a control signal of the battery management device 200.

[0046] The battery management device 200 may manage and / or control the states and / or operations of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. The battery management device 200 may manage charging and / or discharging of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40.

[0047] In addition, the battery management device 200 may monitor the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. The battery management device 200 may calculate parameters indicating the states of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 based on the measured values ​​of the monitored voltage, current, temperature, etc.

[0048] The battery management device 200 may manage the state of charge (SoC) and / or state of health (SoH) of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. The battery management device 200 may receive SoC information of each of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 from the corresponding batteries 10, 20, and 30. Here, the SoC information may indicate the current SoC of the corresponding battery, and the SoC may mean the state of charge of the battery included in the battery, that is, the remaining capacity rate.

[0049] The battery management device for the corresponding battery may calculate the remaining capacity rate by dividing the current available capacity of the battery by the total capacity of the battery. For example, the remaining capacity rate may be calculated as a percentage. According to another embodiment, the battery management device 200 may obtain the SoC information by directly calculating the remaining capacity rate of the battery without receiving the SoC information from the BMS for the battery.

[0050] The charger 300 may charge each of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 under the control of the battery management device 200. The charger 300 may be powered from an external utility power source to convert the power into a power form that can be received by the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40, and supply power to the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. According to one embodiment, the charger 300 may supply power until the SoC of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 reaches 100%, thereby fully charging the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40.

[0051] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 3 The configuration and operation of the battery management device 200 are described in more detail.

[0052] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0053] Reference Figure 3 , the battery management device 200 may include a plurality of capacitors C, a plurality of measuring units 210 , and a controller 230 .

[0054] The battery management apparatus 200 may measure the AC impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. For example, the battery management apparatus 200 may measure the AC impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy may detect impedance, which is a factor that hinders electrical transmission when a chemical reaction occurs at electrodes of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. The battery management apparatus 200 may measure the AC impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 using a non-destructive testing method using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

[0055] When measuring the AC impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40, the battery management device 200 may generate a direct current voltage DC by connecting the capacitor C to the battery to prevent overcurrent, that is, inrush current, from being generated at the early driving of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. Here, the direct current voltage DC generated in the capacitor C by connecting the capacitor C to the battery by the battery management device 200 may be defined as pre-charge, or the voltage charged in the capacitor C may be defined as a pre-charge voltage.

[0056] Each of the plurality of capacitors C may be electrically connected to opposite ends of at least one of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. Each of the plurality of capacitors C may be charged by supplying current from the charger 300. The time for generating a DC voltage by supplying current to the plurality of capacitors C may be referred to as a pre-charging time.

[0057] The plurality of measuring units 210 may measure impedances of the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 electrically connected to the plurality of capacitors C, respectively.

[0058] For example, when the battery exchange station 1000 includes 8 battery slots, a plurality of measuring units 210 may be implemented using one measuring unit 210, and the measuring unit 210 may measure impedances of 8 batteries respectively inserted into the 8 battery slots.

[0059] For example, when the battery exchange station 1000 includes 8 battery slots, the plurality of measurement units 210 may be implemented using two measurement units 210 , and each of the two measurement units 210 may measure impedances of 4 batteries respectively inserted into the 4 battery slots.

[0060] Each of the plurality of measuring units 210 may be electrically connected to any one of the plurality of capacitors C.

[0061] For example, when the battery exchange station 1000 includes 8 battery slots, a plurality of measuring units 210 may be implemented using one measuring unit 210 , and the measuring unit 210 may be electrically connected to 8 capacitors connected to the 8 batteries.

[0062] For example, when the battery exchange station 1000 includes 8 battery slots, the plurality of measurement units 210 may be implemented using two measurement units 210 , and each of the two measurement units 210 may be electrically connected to 4 capacitors connected to 4 batteries.

[0063] Each of the plurality of measuring units 210 may measure impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 based on a control signal of the controller 220. The plurality of measuring units 210 may measure impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

[0064] The plurality of measurement units 210 may calculate an AC impedance spectrum of the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 based on changes in amplitude and phase of signals detected from the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 relative to changes in frequency of alternating current (AC) power applied to the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 .

[0065] The controller 220 may precharge the plurality of capacitors C by applying an alternating current to the plurality of capacitors C. The controller 220 may measure a voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C.

[0066] For example, the controller 220 may obtain the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C from an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C into a digital signal.

[0067] The controller 220 may determine whether the voltages of the plurality of capacitors C are within a threshold range. The controller 220 may control the impedance measurement of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 by the plurality of measuring units 210 based on the voltages of the plurality of capacitors C being within the threshold range. For example, the controller 220 may determine whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within a threshold range of 1.8V±5%.

[0068] When the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range, the controller 220 may generate a control signal for measuring the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 and transmit the control signal to the plurality of measurement units 210 .

[0069] When the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is outside the threshold range, the controller 220 may determine whether the precharge time for precharging the plurality of capacitors C is greater than or equal to the threshold time. For example, when the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is outside the threshold range of 1.8V±5%, the controller 220 may determine whether the precharge time of the plurality of capacitors C is greater than or equal to the threshold time of 4000ms.

[0070] When the precharge time is greater than or equal to the threshold time, the controller 220 may re-determine whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range after a certain time has passed. The controller 220 may re-determine whether the voltage of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range up to a threshold number of times.

[0071] When re-determining whether the voltage of each capacitor C is within the threshold range up to a threshold number of times, the controller 220 may generate an abnormality signal for the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. For example, when re-determining whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range three times, which is the threshold number of times, the controller 220 may generate an abnormality signal.

[0072] When the precharge time is less than the threshold time, the controller 220 may continue to precharge the plurality of capacitors C. For example, when the precharge time is less than the threshold time, the controller 220 may continue to precharge the capacitors C until the remaining time T_remain. Here, the remaining time T_remain will be described with reference to the following [Formula 1].

[0073] [Formula 1]

[0074]

[0075] Here, α may mean an environmental variable, that is, a characteristic value of the capacitor C. V_max may be a maximum charging voltage of the capacitor C, for example, 1.8V. V_adc may mean a voltage of each capacitor C obtained from an analog-to-digital converter. Here, T_adc may mean a pre-charging time for pre-charging a plurality of capacitors C. V_init may mean a voltage of a plurality of capacitors C when pre-charging starts.

[0076] The controller 220 may calculate the remaining time T_remain based on [Equation 1] and continue to pre-charge the plurality of capacitors C during the remaining time T_remain.

[0077] Figure 4 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a battery pack of a vehicle battery system according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0078] Reference Figure 4 , a battery pack 2000 according to one embodiment disclosed herein may include a plurality of battery modules M1 , M2 , M3 , and M4 , a battery management device 200 , and a relay R.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the battery management device 200 may be implemented by using a battery management device of a vehicle battery system.

[0080] The plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4 of the vehicle battery system may include a plurality of battery cells. Figure 4 The plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4 are exemplified as four, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4 may include n battery cells (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2).

[0081] The battery management device 200 of the vehicle battery system can manage and / or control the state and / or operation of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4. For example, the battery management device 200 can manage and / or control the state and / or operation of the plurality of battery cells included in the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4. The battery management device 200 can manage the charging and / or discharging of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4.

[0082] The battery management device 200 may monitor the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4 and / or each of the plurality of battery cells included in the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4. Sensors or various measurement modules (not shown) for monitoring performed by the battery management device 200 may be additionally installed in the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4, a charge / discharge path, any position of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4, etc.

[0083] The battery management apparatus 200 may control the operation of the relay R. For example, the battery management apparatus 200 may short-circuit the relay R to supply power to the target device. The battery management apparatus 200 may short-circuit the relay R when a charging device is connected to the battery pack 1000 .

[0084] The AC impedance of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4 may be measured. For example, the battery management apparatus 200 may measure the AC impedance of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4 by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

[0085] Each of the plurality of capacitors C may be electrically connected to opposite ends of at least one of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4. The plurality of measuring units 210 may measure the impedance of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4, respectively electrically connected to the plurality of capacitors C. Each of the plurality of measuring units 210 may be electrically connected to any one of the plurality of capacitors C. Each of the plurality of measuring units 210 may measure the impedance of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4 based on a control signal of the controller 220.

[0086] The controller 220 may precharge the plurality of capacitors C by applying an alternating current to the plurality of capacitors C. The controller 220 may measure a voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C. For example, the controller 220 may obtain the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C from an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C into a digital signal.

[0087] The controller 220 may determine whether the voltages of the plurality of capacitors C are within a threshold range. The controller 220 may control the plurality of measurement units 210 to measure impedances of the plurality of battery modules M1, M2, M3, and M4 based on the voltages of the plurality of capacitors C being within the threshold range.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the battery management device 200 may be connected to the outside of a battery management device of an existing vehicle battery system to measure impedances of the plurality of battery modules M1 , M2 , M3 , and M4 by communicating with the battery management device of the vehicle battery system.

[0089] As described above, the battery management apparatus according to one embodiment disclosed herein may monitor the voltage of a capacitor connected to a battery to improve the accuracy of the impedance of the battery measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

[0090] Figure 5 is a flow chart of an operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0091] Reference Figure 5 According to one embodiment of the present invention, an operating method of a battery management device includes: operation S101, applying current to a plurality of capacitors connected to a plurality of batteries to pre-charge the plurality of capacitors; operation S102, measuring a voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors; and operation S103, measuring impedance of the plurality of batteries based on whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors is within a threshold range.

[0092] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 1 and Figure 4 Operations S101 to S103 are described in detail. The battery management device 200 may be used with reference to Figures 1 to 4 The described battery management apparatus 200 is substantially the same and thus will be described briefly to avoid redundant description.

[0093] In operation S101 , each of the plurality of capacitors C may be electrically connected to opposite ends of at least one of the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 .

[0094] In operation S101 , the controller 220 may pre-charge the plurality of capacitors C by applying an alternating current to the plurality of capacitors C. As shown in FIG.

[0095] In operation S102 , the controller 220 may measure a voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C. For example, in operation S102 , the controller 220 may obtain the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C from an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C into a digital signal.

[0096] In operation S103, the controller 220 may determine whether the voltages of the plurality of capacitors C are within a threshold range. In operation S103, the controller 220 may control the plurality of measurement units 210 to measure the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 based on the voltages of the plurality of capacitors C within the threshold range. For example, in operation S103, the controller 220 may determine whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within a threshold range of 1.8V±5%.

[0097] In operation S103 , when the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range, the controller 220 may generate a control signal for measuring the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 and transmit the control signal to the plurality of measurement units 210 .

[0098] In operation S103, each of the plurality of measurement units 210 may measure the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 based on a control signal of the controller 220. In operation S103, the plurality of measurement units 210 may measure the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

[0099] In operation S103, the plurality of measuring units 210 may calculate an AC impedance spectrum of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 based on changes in amplitude and phase of signals detected from the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 relative to changes in frequency of alternating current (AC) power applied to the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40.

[0100] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a battery management device according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0101] Reference Figure 6 According to an embodiment of the present invention, an operating method of a battery management device includes: operation S201, applying current to a plurality of capacitors connected to a plurality of batteries to pre-charge the plurality of capacitors; operation S202, measuring the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors; operation S203, determining whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors is within a threshold range; operation S204, determining whether the pre-charging time of the plurality of capacitors is within a threshold time; operation S205, continuing to pre-charge the plurality of capacitors until a threshold time; operation S206, re-determining whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors is within a threshold range for a threshold number of times; operation S207, outputting a battery abnormality signal; and operation S208, measuring the impedance of the battery.

[0102] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 1 and Figure 4Operations S201 to S208 are described in detail. The battery management device 200 may be used with reference to Figures 1 to 4 The described battery management apparatus 200 is substantially the same and thus will be described briefly to avoid redundant description.

[0103] In operation S201 , each of the plurality of capacitors C may be electrically connected to opposite ends of at least one of the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 .

[0104] In operation S201 , the controller 220 may pre-charge the plurality of capacitors C by applying an alternating current to the plurality of capacitors C. ...

[0105] In operation S202 , the controller 220 may measure a voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C. For example, in operation S102 , the controller 220 may obtain the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C from an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that converts the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C into a digital signal.

[0106] In operation S203, the controller 220 may determine whether the voltages of the plurality of capacitors C are within a threshold range. In operation S103, the controller 220 may control the plurality of measuring units 210 to measure the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 based on the voltages of the plurality of capacitors C within the threshold range. For example, in operation S203, the controller 220 may determine whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within a threshold range of 1.8V±5%.

[0107] In operation S204, when the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is outside the threshold range, the controller 220 may determine whether the precharge time for precharging the plurality of capacitors C is greater than or equal to the threshold time. For example, in operation S204, when the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is outside the threshold range of 1.8V±5%, the controller 220 may determine whether the precharge time of the plurality of capacitors C is greater than or equal to the threshold time of 4000ms.

[0108] In operation S205, when the precharge time is less than the threshold time, the controller 220 may continue to precharge the plurality of capacitors C. For example, in operation S205, when the precharge time is less than the threshold time, the controller 220 may continue to precharge the capacitors C until the remaining time T_remain. Here, the remaining time T_remain will be described with reference to the following [Formula 1].

[0109] [Formula 1]

[0110]

[0111] Here, α may mean an environmental variable, that is, a characteristic value of the capacitor C. V_max may be a maximum charging voltage of the capacitor C, for example, 1.8V. V_adc may mean a voltage of each capacitor C obtained from an analog-to-digital converter. Here, T_adc may mean a pre-charging time for pre-charging a plurality of capacitors C. V_init may mean a voltage of a plurality of capacitors C when pre-charging starts.

[0112] In operation S205 , the controller 220 may calculate a remaining time T_remain based on [Equation 1] and continue to pre-charge the plurality of capacitors C during the remaining time T_remain.

[0113] In operation S206, when the precharge time is greater than or equal to the threshold time, the controller 220 may re-determine whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range after a certain time has passed. In operation S206, the controller 220 may re-determine whether the voltage of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range for a threshold number of times.

[0114] In operation S207, when re-determining whether the voltage of each capacitor C is within the threshold range for a threshold number of times, the controller 220 may generate an abnormality signal for the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40. For example, in operation S207, when re-determining whether the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range three times, which is the threshold number of times, the controller 220 may generate an abnormality signal.

[0115] In operation S208 , when the voltage of each of the plurality of capacitors C is within the threshold range, the controller 220 may generate a control signal for measuring the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 and transmit the control signal to the plurality of measurement units 210 .

[0116] In operation S208, each of the plurality of measuring units 210 may measure the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 based on a control signal of the controller 220. In operation S208, the plurality of measuring units 210 may measure the impedance of the plurality of batteries 10, 20, 30, and 40 by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

[0117] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computing system for executing an operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0118] Reference Figure 7 , a computing system 3000 according to one embodiment disclosed herein may include an MCU 3100 , a memory 3200 , an input / output I / F 3300 , and a communication I / F 3400 .

[0119] The MCU 3100 may be a computer that executes various programs (eg, a capacitor voltage calculation program) stored in the memory 3200, processes various data including the SOC and SOH of a plurality of battery cells through these programs, and performs the above-referenced Figure 1 The functions of the battery management device 200 described herein, or the execution of the reference Figure 4 A method for operating a battery management device and a processor is described.

[0120] The memory 3200 may store various programs related to impedance calculation of a plurality of batteries. In addition, the memory 3200 may store various data of each battery, such as SOC data, SOH data, and the like.

[0121] As required, a plurality of memories 3200 may be provided. The memory 3200 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. For the memory 3200 as a volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), etc. may be used. For the memory 3200 as a non-volatile memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically variable ROM (EAROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, etc. may be used. The above examples of the memory 220 are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0122] The input / output I / F 3300 may provide an interface for transmitting and receiving data by connecting an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and an output device such as a display (not shown) to the MCU 3100 .

[0123] The communication I / F 3300 is a component capable of sending and receiving various data to and from a server, and may be various devices capable of supporting wired communication or wireless communication. For example, a program or various data for SOH calculation or target determination of a battery cell, etc. may be sent to and received from a separately provided external server via the communication I / F 3300.

[0124] In this way, the operating method of the battery management apparatus according to one embodiment disclosed herein may be recorded in the memory 3200 and executed by the MCU 3100 .

[0125] The above description is merely an illustration of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure, and a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed herein pertain may make various modifications and changes without departing from the basic features of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0126] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are intended to describe rather than limit the technical spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments disclosed herein. The protection scope of the technical spirit disclosed herein should be interpreted by the attached claims, and all technical spirits within the same scope should be understood to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0127] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0128] 10, 20, 30, 40: Multiple batteries

[0129] 1000: Battery swap station

[0130] 100: Battery slot

[0131] 200: Battery management equipment C: Capacitor

[0132] 210: Measurement unit

[0133] 220: Controller

[0134] 300: Charger

[0135] 2000: Battery Pack

[0136] R: Relay

[0137] M1, M2, M3, M4: battery module 3000: computing system 3100: MCU

[0138] 3200: Memory 3300: Input / output I / F

[0139] 3400: Communication I / F

Claims

1. A battery management device, comprising: at least one capacitor, each of which is connected to at least one battery; as well as A controller is configured to apply a current to the at least one capacitor to pre-charge the at least one capacitor, measure a voltage of each of the at least one capacitor, and control impedance measurement of the at least one battery based on whether the voltage of the at least one capacitor is within a threshold range.

2. The battery management device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one measuring unit configured to measure the impedance of the battery, in, The at least one measuring unit is further configured to measure the impedance of the battery based on a control signal of the controller, and The controller is further configured to generate a control signal for measuring the impedance of the battery when the voltage of each capacitor is within the threshold range and transmit the control signal to the at least one measuring unit.

3. The battery management device according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is further configured to determine whether a pre-charging time for pre-charging the at least one capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time when the voltage of each capacitor is outside the threshold range.

4. The battery management device according to claim 3, wherein: The controller is further configured to determine whether the pre-charging time for pre-charging the capacitor is greater than or equal to the threshold time when the voltage of each capacitor is outside the threshold range.

5. The battery management device according to claim 4, wherein: The controller is further configured to re-determine whether the voltage of each capacitor is within the threshold range when the pre-charge time is greater than or equal to the threshold time.

6. The battery management device according to claim 5, wherein: The controller is further configured to generate an abnormality signal of the battery when re-determining whether the voltage of each capacitor reaches a threshold number of times within the threshold range.

7. The battery management device according to claim 4, wherein: The controller is further configured to pre-charge the capacitor when the pre-charge time is less than the threshold time.

8. A method for operating a battery management device, the method comprising the following steps: applying a current to a capacitor connected to a battery to pre-charge the capacitor; Measure the voltage across each capacitor; as well as The impedance of the battery is measured based on whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range.

9. The operating method according to claim 8, wherein: The step of measuring the impedance of the battery based on whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range includes generating a control signal for measuring the impedance of the battery when the voltage of each capacitor is within the threshold range, and transmitting the control signal to at least one of the capacitors.

10. The operating method according to claim 8, wherein: The step of measuring the impedance of the battery based on whether the voltage of each capacitor is within a threshold range includes determining whether a precharge time for precharging the capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time when the voltage of each capacitor is outside the threshold range.

11. The operating method according to claim 10, further comprising the following steps: It is determined whether a precharge time for precharging the capacitor is greater than or equal to a threshold time.

12. The operating method according to claim 11, wherein: The step of determining whether the precharge time for precharging the capacitor is greater than or equal to the threshold time includes: when the precharge time is greater than or equal to the threshold time, re-determining whether the voltage of each capacitor is within the threshold range.

13. The operating method according to claim 12, wherein: The step of determining whether the pre-charging time for pre-charging the capacitor is greater than or equal to the threshold time includes generating an abnormal signal of the battery when re-determining whether the voltage of each capacitor reaches a threshold number of times within the threshold range.

14. The operating method according to claim 11, wherein: The step of determining whether the precharge time for precharging the capacitor is greater than or equal to the threshold time includes: when the precharge time is less than the threshold time, generating a control signal for precharging the capacitor and transmitting the control signal to at least one of the capacitors.

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