Apparatus and method for controlling charging of battery pack

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling charging of a battery pack may be provided. A method for controlling charging of a battery pack including a plurality of cells in a battery management system may include: checking identification information of a charging device connected to the battery pack; and controlling, using the charging device, charging of the battery pack based on the charging stop voltage and the charging stop current stored in correspondence with the identification information of the charging device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for controlling charging of a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] In order to maximize the capacity of the battery, the battery must be charged to the maximum capacity according to the battery specifications.

[0003] A normal charging device performs constant current (CC) charging and constant voltage (CV) charging according to the design specification, and can detect full charge using the reduced current value in the CV section. However, if the charging voltage is greater than the design specification due to an error in the charging device, or the voltage of a specific cell rises above a certain voltage due to cell imbalance, it may not be possible to enter the CV section, or even if it enters the CV section, the reduced current value in the CV section does not meet the full charge condition. Therefore, the charging device may not detect full charge, and overcharge may occur.

[0004] If overcharging is a one-time event, there is no major problem with the battery, but if the product is sold as a set with a built-in battery and charging device, overcharging may occur every time the battery is charged. If the battery is kept at a high voltage due to overcharging, the deterioration and expansion of the battery with each charge may be fatal. Summary of the invention

[0005] At least one of the embodiments may provide an apparatus and method for controlling charging of a battery pack, which may prevent overcharging due to an error in a charging device.

[0006] According to one embodiment, a method for controlling charging of a battery pack including a plurality of cells in a battery management system may be provided. The method for controlling charging includes: checking identification information of a charging device connected to the battery pack; and controlling charging of the battery pack using the charging device based on a charging stop voltage and a charging stop current stored corresponding to the identification information of the charging device.

[0007] The checking may include: disconnecting the battery pack and the charging device and measuring a charging voltage of the charging device; and setting the charging voltage of the charging device as the identification information of the charging device.

[0008] Controlling charging of the battery pack may include: monitoring a cell voltage of at least one first cell among a plurality of cells and a cell current flowing through the plurality of cells while the battery pack is being charged; and adjusting a charge stop voltage and a charge stop current based on the cell voltage and the cell current.

[0009] The adjusting may include: stopping charging if the cell voltage reaches a charge stop voltage; measuring an open circuit voltage of the first cell; and changing the charge stop voltage if the open circuit voltage of the first cell does not satisfy a full charge condition of the battery pack.

[0010] Changing the charge stop voltage may include: reducing the charge stop voltage by a set voltage; and updating the reduced charge stop voltage corresponding to the identification information of the charging device.

[0011] The adjusting may further include: stopping charging if the cell current reaches a charge stop current; measuring an open circuit voltage of at least one second cell among the plurality of cells; and changing the charge stop current if the open circuit voltage of the at least one second cell does not satisfy a full charge condition of the battery pack.

[0012] Changing the charge stop current may include: reducing the charge stop current by a set current; and updating the reduced charge stop current corresponding to the identification information of the charging device.

[0013] Controlling the charging of the battery pack may include setting default values ​​of a charge stop voltage and a charge stop current set as specifications of the battery pack to initial values ​​of the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current corresponding to the identification information of the charging device.

[0014] According to another embodiment, a device for controlling charging of a battery pack may be provided. The device for controlling charging includes: a cell voltage measuring unit that measures a cell voltage of each of a plurality of cells; a cell current measuring unit that measures a cell current flowing through the plurality of cells; a storage unit that stores a charge stop voltage and a charge stop current for each identification information of a charging device; and a controller that checks identification information of a first charging device connected to the battery pack, controls charging of the battery pack using the first charging device based on the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current stored corresponding to the identification information of the first charging device, and adjusts at least one of the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current stored corresponding to the identification information of the first charging device based on the cell voltage and the cell current.

[0015] The controller may disconnect the battery pack and the first charging device and measure a charging voltage of the first charging device, and may set the charging voltage of the first charging device as the identification information.

[0016] The controller may stop charging when a cell voltage of a first cell among the plurality of cells reaches a charge stop voltage, may measure an open circuit voltage of the first cell, and may reduce the charge stop voltage when the open circuit voltage of the first cell does not satisfy a battery pack full charge condition.

[0017] The controller may update the charge stop voltage stored corresponding to the identification information of the first charging device to the reduced charge stop voltage.

[0018] The controller may stop charging when the cell current reaches the charge stop current, may measure an open circuit voltage of a second cell among the plurality of cells, and may reduce the charge stop current when the open circuit voltage of the second cell does not satisfy a full charge condition of the battery pack.

[0019] The controller may update the charge stop current stored corresponding to the identification information of the first charging device to the reduced charge stop current. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 is a diagram explaining a charging method of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling charging in a BMS according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling charging according to another embodiment.

[0024] Figures 6 to 9 are graphs respectively illustrating examples of a charge stop voltage and a charge stop current for each charging voltage of a charging device stored in a memory.

[0025] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus for controlling charging according to an embodiment.

[0026] Fig.11 is a diagram illustrating an apparatus for controlling charging according to another embodiment.

[0027] Description of Reference Numerals

[0028] 10: Battery Pack

[0029] 11: Monomer

[0030] 20: Switch

[0031] 30: BMS

[0032] 32: Memory

[0033] 100: Device for controlling charging

[0034] 110: Single cell voltage measurement unit

[0035] 120: Single-cell current measurement unit

[0036] 130: OCV measurement department

[0037] 140: Controller

[0038] 150: Storage DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Example embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art. The drawings and descriptions should be considered illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals represent the same elements. In the flowcharts described with reference to the drawings in this specification, the order of operations may be changed, several operations may be merged, some operations may be split, and specific operations may not be performed.

[0040] Throughout the specification and the claims, if a part is referred to as “comprising” a certain element, it may mean that it may further include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0041] In addition, expressions described in the singular may be construed as being in the singular or in the plural unless an explicit expression such as "one" or "single" is used.

[0042] In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. can be used to describe various elements, but these elements are not limited by these terms. The above terms are only used to distinguish the purpose of one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element can be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element can be referred to as a first element.

[0043] Furthermore, if a component is referred to as being “connected” to another component, it includes not only a case where the two components are “directly connected” but also a case where the two components are “indirectly or non-contact connected” with another component interposed therebetween, or a case where the two components are “electrically connected.” On the other hand, if an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements interposed.

[0044] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to one embodiment.

[0045] refer to Figure 1, the battery pack 1 may include at least one battery module 10, a switch 20, and a battery management system (BMS) 30. The battery pack 1 may further include terminals T and T−.

[0046] The battery pack 1 may be connected to an external device through the terminals T and T- For example, the battery pack 1 may be connected to a charging device or a load through the terminals T and T-, and may be charged by the charging device and discharged by the load.

[0047] At least one battery module 10 may include a plurality of cells 11 electrically connected to each other in series and / or in parallel.

[0048] The switch 20 may be set to be opened or closed according to a switch control signal SCS supplied from the BMS 30 , and may set or block a connection between the battery module 10 and an external device.

[0049] The BMS 30 may control and manage the overall operation of the battery pack 1. The BMS 30 may monitor the overall states of the battery module 10 and the cells 11 included therein, and may perform various control functions to adjust the states of the battery module 10 and the cells 11 included therein.

[0050] The BMS 30 may perform a cell balancing operation for the plurality of cells 11 based on information such as cell voltages and battery currents of the plurality of cells 11. The BMS 30 may measure voltages of the plurality of cells 11 or receive voltages of the plurality of cells 11. The BMS 30 may measure battery current or may receive battery current measured by a current sensor.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the BMS 30 may identify a charging device for charging the battery pack 1 and control the charging of the battery pack 1 based on the identification information of the charging device. If the charging device connected to the battery pack 1 is identified, the BMS 30 may control the switch 20 to open to open the charging path between the battery module 10 and the charging device and measure the charging voltage of the charging device. The BMS 30 may control the charging of the battery pack 1 by using the measured charging voltage of the charging device as the identification information of the charging device.

[0052] The BMS 30 may include a memory 32 storing information about the charging device. In an embodiment, the memory 32 may be a non-volatile memory (NVM). The information about the charging device may include identification information about the charging device (eg, a charging voltage of the charging device), a charge stop voltage, and a charge stop current.

[0053] Figure 2 is a diagram explaining a charging method of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0054] refer to Figure 2 The battery module 10 may be charged using a constant current (CC) method and a constant voltage (CV) method of a charging device.

[0055] If a charging device is connected to the battery module 10 , the battery module 10 may be first charged in the CC method, and may then be charged in the CV method.

[0056] In the CC section of the CC method, the charging device can keep the amount of current flowing through the battery module 10 constant according to the CC condition. At this time, the voltage of the battery module 10 can be continuously increased.

[0057] As time passes and the voltage of the battery module 10 reaches a reference value, charging may be switched to the CV method in order to prevent overvoltage and for safety.

[0058] In the CV section of performing charging of the CV method, the charging device may maintain the voltage of the battery module 10 constant, but may gradually reduce the amount of current flowing through the battery module 10 .

[0059] Thereafter, if full charge is detected based on the current flowing through the battery module 10, the charging of the battery module 10 may be completed. Generally, the reference value for switching from the CC method to the CV method may be set to be higher than the charge stop voltage, which is the design specification of the battery pack 1, and lower than the full charge voltage, which is the design specification of the battery pack 1.

[0060] A normal charging device can detect full charge using a reduced current value in the CV section. However, if the charging voltage becomes greater than the design specification of the charging device due to an error in the charging device, or the voltage of a specific cell rises above a certain voltage due to cell imbalance, the CV section may not be entered, or even if the CV section is entered, the reduced current in the CV section does not meet the full charge condition, so full charge may not be detected, and overcharge may eventually occur.

[0061] If the battery pack 1 continues to maintain a high voltage due to overcharging, the battery pack 1 may deteriorate.

[0062] The BMS 30 may monitor the state of the cell 11 of the battery module 10, may set a charge stop voltage for each charging device based on the state of the cell 11, and may use the charge stop voltage to control the charging of the battery pack 1. By controlling the charging of the battery pack 1 using the charge stop voltage, the BMS 30 according to the embodiment may maximize the charging amount while preventing overcharging of the battery pack 1.

[0063] In addition, the BMS 30 may set a charge stop current for each charging device and use the charge stop current to control charging of the battery pack 1. By controlling charging using the charge stop current, the BMS 30 according to the embodiment may maximize the charge amount while preventing overcharging of the battery pack 1.

[0064] In addition, the battery pack 1 can be charged using various charging devices. Each charging device has different specifications. Accordingly, the BMS 30 can identify each charging device and adjust the charge stop voltage and charge stop current for each charging device.

[0065] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling charging in a BMS according to an embodiment.

[0066] refer to Figure 3 If the BMS 30 can identify that the charging device is connected to the battery pack 1, it can check the identification information of the charging device. The BMS 30 can disconnect the battery module 10 and the charging device, can measure the charging voltage of the charging device (step S302), and can set the charging voltage of the charging device as the identification information of the charging device (step S304).

[0067] The BMS 30 may check whether the charging voltage of the charging device is registered in the memory 32. If the charging voltage of the charging device is not registered in the memory 32, the BMS 30 may identify the charging device as a new charging device. If a new charging device is identified, the BMS 30 may store a default value of a charging stop voltage set to the design specification of the battery pack 1 as a charging stop voltage corresponding to the charging voltage of the charging device.

[0068] The battery module 10 and the charging device are connected, and the battery module 10 (ie, the battery pack 1 ) can be charged using the CC method and the CV method of the charging device.

[0069] The BMS 30 may monitor the cell voltage while the battery module 10 is being charged (step S306). Here, the cell voltage may mean the maximum cell voltage among a plurality of cell voltages of the battery module 10. Alternatively, the cell voltage may mean the average cell voltage of the plurality of cell voltages.

[0070] If the cell voltage reaches the set charge stop voltage (step S308), the BMS 30 may stop charging the battery pack 1 (step S310). The BMS 30 may stop charging the battery pack 1 by controlling the switch 20 to be turned on.

[0071] The BMS 30 can measure the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the cell after a set time has elapsed (step S312). After the battery stops charging, the OCV can be measured when the current change is small. The time can be several tens of minutes. In some embodiments, the time can be 20 minutes to 30 minutes or longer.

[0072] Next, the BMS 30 can determine whether the OCV of the cell satisfies the full charge condition of the battery pack 1 (step S314). The full charge condition can include the full charge voltage set to the design specification of the battery pack 1.

[0073] If the OCV of the cell does not satisfy the full charge condition, the BMS 30 can adjust the charge stop voltage (step S316), and store the adjusted charge stop voltage corresponding to the identification information of the charging device in the memory 32 (step S318).

[0074] Meanwhile, if the OCV of the cell satisfies the full charge condition, the BMS 30 can terminate the charging and maintain the charge stop voltage (step S320).

[0075] During the next charging, the BMS 30 can control the charging of the battery pack 1 through the same process as steps S302 to S320.

[0076] For example, in the design specification of the battery pack 1, assuming that the full charge voltage, which is the full charge condition of the battery pack 1, is set to 4.15V, the overcharge voltage of the cell is set to 4.2V, the charge stop voltage is set to 4.15V, and the charging voltage of the charging device is 4.19V.

[0077] When the charging device is connected to the battery pack 1 and the battery pack 1 is being charged, if the cell voltage reaches 4.15V (which is the charge stop voltage of the battery pack 1 for the charging device), the BMS 30 can stop the charging. The BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell after a set time has elapsed. At this time, if the measured OCV is 4.13V and less than 4.15V, which is the full charge voltage of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can increase the charge stop voltage of the battery pack 1 for the charging device from 4.15V to 4.17V. The BMS 30 can store the 4.17V charge stop voltage corresponding to the identification information (4.19V) of the charging device in the memory 32.

[0078] Thereafter, if a charging device providing a charging voltage of 4.19 V is connected to the battery pack 1 and the battery pack 1 is being charged, the BMS 30 can check that the charging voltage of the charging device is 4.19 V and can check from the memory 32 the stored charging stop voltage of 4.17 V corresponding to 4.19 V. If the cell voltage reaches the charging stop voltage of 4.17 V, the BMS 30 can stop charging, and if a set time has elapsed after stopping charging, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell. The measured OCV is 4.15 V and reaches the full charge voltage of 4.15 V, so the BMS 30 can terminate the charging of the battery pack 1. The BMS 30 can not change the stored charging stop voltage of 4.17 V corresponding to the charging voltage of 4.19 V of the charging device.

[0079] In this way, if the cell voltage reaches the charging stop voltage of the battery pack 1 for the charging device, the BMS 30 can stop charging, can measure the OCV of the cell, and can compare it with the full charge voltage. In this way, the charging amount of the battery pack 1 can be maximized while preventing overcharging that occurs if the charging voltage becomes greater than the design specification of the charging device due to an error in the charging device or the voltage of a specific cell rises above a certain voltage due to cell imbalance.

[0080] Meanwhile, if the charging stop voltage of the battery pack 1 for the charging device is adjusted, the charging voltage of the charging device may become lower than the adjusted charging stop voltage. In this case, the cell voltage may not reach the charging stop voltage of the battery pack 1 for the charging device, and the charging device may enter the CV section.

[0081] As an example, the charging voltage of the charging device is 4.16 V, and the charging stop voltage for the charging device can be adjusted to 4.17 V through the steps of Figure 3 If a charging device providing a charging voltage of 4.16 V is connected to the battery pack 1, the charging voltage of 4.16 V of the charging device is lower than the charging stop voltage of 4.17 V, so if the cell voltage reaches the charging voltage of the charging device in the CC section, the charging device can enter the CV section and can charge the battery pack 1 using the CV method. As a result, overcharging of the battery pack 1 may occur in some cases.

[0082] According to the embodiment, the BMS 30 can set a charging stop current together with the charging stop voltage to stop charging in the CV section, and can control the charging of the battery pack 1 by adjusting the charging stop voltage and the charging stop current based on the cell voltage and the battery current.

[0083] Figure 4 and Figure 5It is a flowchart showing a method for controlling charging according to another embodiment.

[0084] Reference Figure 4 , if the BMS 30 recognizes the connection of the charging device to the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 may disconnect the connection between the battery module 10 and the charging device, and may measure the charging voltage of the charging device (step S402). The BMS 30 may set the charging voltage of the charging device as the identification information of the charging device (step S404).

[0085] The BMS 30 may check whether the charging voltage of the charging device is registered in the memory 32. If the charging voltage of the charging device is not registered in the memory 32, the BMS 30 may identify the charging device as a new charging device. If a new charging device is recognized, the BMS 30 may store the default value of the charging stop voltage and the default value of the charging stop current set as the design specifications of the battery pack 1 as the charging stop voltage and the charging stop current corresponding to the charging voltage of the charging device, respectively.

[0086] When the battery module 10 and the charging device are connected and the battery pack 1 is charged by the CC method, the BMS 30 may monitor the cell voltage and the cell current (step S406). The cell current may represent the current of the battery module 10, that is, the battery current.

[0087] The BMS 30 may check whether the cell voltage has reached the charging stop voltage in the CC section (step S408).

[0088] If the cell voltage does not reach the charging stop voltage in the CC section, the BMS 30 may check whether the cell voltage reaches the charging voltage of the charging device in the CC section (step S409). If the cell voltage does not reach the charging voltage of the charging device in the CC section, the BMS 30 may execute step S406.

[0089] If the cell voltage reaches the charging voltage of the charging device in the CC section, the BMS 30 may check whether the cell current reaches the charging stop current in the CV section (step S410). If the cell voltage reaches the charging voltage of the charging device in the CC section, the battery pack 1 may be charged by the CV method. The situation where the cell current reaches the charging stop current will be described with reference to Figure 5 Describe the case where the cell current reaches the charging stop current.

[0090] First, if the cell voltage reaches the charging stop voltage, the BMS 30 may stop the charging of the battery pack 1 (step S412).

[0091] If a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 may measure the OCV of the cell (step S414).

[0092] Next, the BMS 30 can determine whether the OCV of the cell satisfies the full charge condition of the battery pack 1 (step S416).

[0093] If the OCV of the cell does not satisfy the full charge condition, the BMS 30 can adjust the charge stop voltage (step S418) and store the adjusted charge stop voltage corresponding to the identification information of the charging device in the memory 32 (step S420).

[0094] Meanwhile, if the OCV of the cell satisfies the full charge condition, the BMS 30 can terminate the charging and maintain the charge stop voltage (step S422).

[0095] Meanwhile, referring to Figure 5 , if the cell current reaches the charge stop current of the battery pack 1 in the CV section, the BMS 30 can stop the charging of the battery pack 1 (step S502). The cell current can be reduced in the CV section, and if the cell current is reduced to the charge stop current, the BMS 30 can stop the charging of the battery pack 1 (step S502).

[0096] If a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell (step S504).

[0097] The BMS 30 can determine whether the OCV of the cell satisfies the full charge condition of the battery pack 1 (step S506).

[0098] If the OCV of the cell does not satisfy the full charge condition, the BMS 30 can adjust the charge stop current (step S508) and store the adjusted charge stop current corresponding to the charging voltage of the charging device in the memory 32 (step S510).

[0099] For example, assume that the full charge voltage corresponding to the full charge condition of the battery pack 1 is set to 4.15V, the overcharge voltage of a single cell is set to 4.2V, the default value of the charge stop voltage is set to 4.15V, and the default value of the charge stop current is set to 1A. The charge voltage of the charging device can be 4.16V. When the charging device is first connected to the battery pack 1 and the battery pack 1 is being charged, the cell voltage reaches 4.15V which is the full charge voltage, and the charging stops at the charge stop voltage of 4.15V. However, after a set time has elapsed, the cell voltage is confirmed to be lower than the full charge voltage of 4.15V, and correspondingly, the charge stop voltage of the corresponding charging device can be adjusted to 4.17V and the adjusted charge stop voltage of 4.17V can be stored in the memory 32. That is, the charge voltage of 4.16V of the charging device is lower than the charge stop voltage of 4.17V. Therefore, if the charging device is connected to the battery module 10 again and the battery pack 1 is charged, the charging device can enter the CV section and charge the battery pack 1. In the CV section, the cell current can decrease, and if the cell current reaches the charge stop current of 1A, the BMS 30 can stop the charging. If a set time has elapsed after the charging is stopped, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell. At this time, if the measured OCV of the cell is 4.14V, the OCV of the cell does not reach the full charge voltage of 4.15V, so the BMS 30 can reduce the charge stop current from 1A to 0.8A. The BMS 30 can store the adjusted charge stop current of 0.8A corresponding to the charge voltage of 4.16V of the charging device in the memory 32. When the charge stop current is reduced from 1A to 0.8A and the charge stop current of 0.8A is stored, the BMS 30 can control the switch 20 to charge the battery pack 1 until the OCV of the cell reaches the full charge voltage of 4.15V. The BMS 30 according to the embodiment can maximize the charge amount while preventing overcharging of the battery pack 1.

[0100] Meanwhile, if the OCV of the cell satisfies the full charge condition, the BMS 30 can terminate the charging and maintain the charge stop current (step S512).

[0101] Then, based on Figures 6 to 9 will be described in detail Figure 4 and Figure 5 the method for controlling charging shown in

[0102] According to the design specifications of the battery pack 1, assume that the full charge voltage corresponding to the full charge condition of the battery pack 1 is set to 4.15V, the overcharge voltage of a single cell is set to 4.2V, the default value of the charge stop voltage is set to 4.15V, and the default value of the charge stop current is set to 1A.

[0103] Figures 6 to 9 It is a diagram showing examples of the charge stop voltage and charge stop current for each charging voltage for a charging device stored in a memory.

[0104] For the first charging of battery pack 1, if charging device A is connected to battery pack 1, BMS 30 can disconnect battery module 10 from charging device A and measure the charging voltage and charging current of charging device A. The measured charging voltage of charging device A is at 4.19 V, and the measured charging current of charging device A is at 1.2 A.

[0105] BMS 30 can check whether the charging voltage of 4.19 V of charging device A is registered in memory 32. If the charging voltage of 4.19 V of charging device A is not registered in memory 32, BMS 30 can identify charging device A as a new charging device. BMS 30 can store the default value of 4.15 V for the charge stop voltage and the default value of 1 A for the charge stop current, which are set as the design specifications of battery pack 1, as the charge stop voltage and charge stop current for the charging voltage of 4.19 V of charging device A, respectively.

[0106] After checking the charging voltage of 4.19 V of charging device A, BMS 30 can connect charging device A and battery module 10. Battery module 10 can be connected to charging device A and battery pack 1 can be charged. Since the charging voltage of charging device A is 4.19 V, the cell voltage of battery pack 1 can be increased. If the cell voltage reaches the charge stop voltage of 4.15 V of charging device A in the CC section, BMS 30 can stop the charging of battery pack 1, and if a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of battery pack 1, BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell. If the OCV of the cell is 4.13 V, the OCV of the cell has not reached the full charge voltage of 4.15 V, so BMS 30 can increase the charge stop voltage from 4.15 V to 4.17 V. As Figure 6 shown, BMS 30 can update the charge stop voltage for the charging voltage of 4.19 V of charging device A stored in memory 32 to the adjusted charge stop voltage of 4.17 V. At this time, the charge stop current of 1 A for the charging voltage of 4.19 V of charging device A stored in memory 32 can remain unchanged.

[0107] For the second charging of the battery pack 1, the charging device A is connected to the battery pack 1. If the BMS 30 recognizes the charging device A connected to the battery pack 1, it can disconnect the battery module 10 and the charging device A, and can measure the charging voltage and charging current of the charging device A. The measured charging voltage of the charging device A is at 4.19 V, and the measured charging current of the charging device A is at 1.2 A.

[0108] The BMS 30 can check the charging stop voltage of 4.17 V and the charging stop current of 1 A stored in the memory 32 corresponding to the charging voltage of 4.19 V of the charging device A.

[0109] After checking the charging voltage of 4.19 V of the charging device A, the BMS 30 can connect the charging device A and the battery module 10. The battery module 10 can be connected to the charging device A and the battery pack 1 can be charged. Since the charging voltage of the charging device A is 4.19 V, the cell voltage of the battery pack 1 can increase in the CC section and can reach the charging stop voltage of 4.17 V of the charging device A. If the cell voltage reaches the charging stop voltage of 4.17 V of the charging device A in the CC section, the BMS 30 can stop the charging of the battery pack 1, and if a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell. If the OCV of the cell is 4.15 V, the OCV of the cell reaches the full charge voltage of 4.15 V, so the BMS 30 can terminate the charging of the battery pack 1 and maintain the charging stop voltage of the charging device A at 4.17 V. Accordingly, the charging stop voltage and the charging stop current for the charging voltage of 4.19 V of the charging device A stored in the memory 32 can be maintained at 4.17 V and 1 A respectively, as Figure 6 shown.

[0110] For the third charging of the battery pack 1, the charging device B is connected to the battery pack 1. The BMS 30 can disconnect the battery module 10 and the charging device B, and can measure the charging voltage and charging current of the charging device B. The measured charging voltage of the charging device B is at 4.16 V, and the measured charging current of the charging device B is at 1.2 A.

[0111] The BMS 30 can check the charge stop voltage and charge stop current stored in the memory 32 corresponding to the charging voltage of 4.16V. If the charging voltage of 4.16V is not registered in the memory 32, the BMS 30 can identify the charging device B as a new charging device. If a new charging device can be identified, the BMS 30 can store the default value of 4.15V for the charge stop voltage and the default value of 1A for the charge stop current, which are set as the design specifications of the battery pack 1, as the charge stop voltage and charge stop current for the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B, respectively.

[0112] After detecting the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B, the BMS 30 can connect the charging device B and the battery module 10. The battery module 10 can be connected to the charging device B and the battery pack 1 can be charged. Since the charging voltage of the charging device B is 4.16V, the cell voltage of the battery pack 1 can reach the charge stop voltage of 4.15V in the CC section. If the cell voltage reaches the charge stop voltage of 4.15V of the charging device B in the CC section, the BMS 30 can stop the charging of the battery pack 1, and if a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell. If the OCV of the cell is 4.13V, the OCV of the cell does not reach the full charge voltage of 4.15V, so the BMS 30 can increase the charge stop voltage from 4.15V to 4.17V. As Figure 7 shown, the BMS 30 can update the charge stop voltage of 4.17V, which is stored in the memory 32 and corresponds to the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B, to the adjusted charge stop voltage of 4.17V. At this time, the charge stop current of 1A for the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B stored in the memory 32 can remain unchanged.

[0113] For the fourth charging of the battery pack 1, the charging device B is connected to the battery pack 1. If the BMS 30 identifies the charging device B connected to the battery pack 1, it can disconnect the connection between the battery module 10 and the charging device B, and can measure the charging voltage and charging current of the charging device B. The measured charging voltage of the charging device B is at 4.16V, and the measured charging current of the charging device B is at 1.2A.

[0114] The BMS 30 can check the charge stop voltage of 4.17V and the charge stop current of 1A stored in the memory 32 corresponding to the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B.

[0115] After detecting the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B, the BMS 30 can connect the charging device B and the battery module 10. The battery module 10 can be connected to the charging device B and the battery pack 1 can be charged. Since the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B is lower than the charging stop voltage of 4.17V, the cell voltage reaches the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B in the CC section, and the battery pack 1 can be charged by the CV method.

[0116] If the cell voltage reaches the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B in the CC section, the BMS 30 can check whether the cell current reaches the charging stop current of 1A in the CV section. If the cell current reaches the charging stop current of 1A in the CV section, the BMS 30 can stop the charging of the battery pack 1, and if a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell. If the OCV of the cell is 4.14V, the OCV of the cell does not reach the full charge voltage of 4.15V, so the BMS 30 can reduce the charging stop current from 1A to 0.8A.

[0117] As Figure 8 shown, the BMS 30 can update the charging stop current of 0.8A for the charging voltage of 4.16V stored in the memory 32 to the adjusted charging stop current of 0.8A. At this time, the charging stop voltage for the charging voltage of 4.16V stored in the memory 32 may not change.

[0118] For the fifth charging of the battery pack 1, the charging device B is connected to the battery pack 1. The charging voltage of the charging device B is measured at 4.16V, and the charging current of the charging device B is measured at 1.2A.

[0119] The BMS 30 can check the charging stop voltage of 4.17V and the charging stop current of 0.8A stored in the memory 32 corresponding to the charging voltage of 4.16V.

[0120] After detecting the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B, the BMS 30 can connect the charging device B and the battery module 10. The battery module 10 can be connected to the charging device B and the battery pack 1 can be charged. Since the charging voltage of 4.16V of the charging device B is lower than the charging stop voltage of 4.17V, the cell voltage can increase in the CC section and can reach the charging voltage of 4.16V, and the battery pack 1 can be charged by the CV method. The cell current can decrease in the CV section. If the cell current reaches the charging stop current of 0.8A in the CV section, the BMS 30 can stop the charging of the battery pack 1, and if a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell. If the OCV of the cell is 4.15V, the OCV of the cell reaches the full charge voltage of 4.15V, so the BMS 30 can terminate the charging of the battery pack 1, and the charging stop voltage of 4.17V and the charging stop current of 0.8A for the charging device B can be unchanged. The charging stop voltage and charging stop current for the charging voltage of 4.16V stored in the memory 32 can be maintained, as Figure 8 shown.

[0121] For the sixth charging of the battery pack 1, the charging device C is connected to the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can disconnect the battery module 10 from the charging device C, and measure the charging voltage and charging current of the charging device C. The charging voltage of the charging device C is measured at 4.165V, and the charging current of the charging device C is measured at 1.2A. The BMS 30 can check the charging stop voltage and charging stop current stored in the memory 32 corresponding to the charging voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C. If the charging voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C is not registered in the memory 32, the BMS 30 can identify the charging device C as a new charging device. If a new charging device is identified, the BMS 30 can store the default value of 4.15V for the charging stop voltage and the default value of 1A for the charging stop current set as the design specification of the battery pack 1 as the charging stop voltage and charging stop current for the charging voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C, respectively.

[0122] After detecting the charging voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C, the BMS 30 can connect the charging device C and the battery module 10. The battery module 10 can be connected to the charging device C and the battery pack 1 can be charged. Since the charging voltage of the charging device C is 4.165V, the single-cell voltage can reach the charging stop voltage of 4.15V in the CV section. If the single-cell voltage reaches the charging stop voltage of 4.15V in the CC section, the BMS 30 can stop the charging of the battery pack 1, and if a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the single cell. If the OCV of the single cell is 4.13V, the OCV of the single cell does not reach the fully charged voltage of 4.15V, so the BMS 30 can increase the charging stop voltage of the charging device C from 4.15V to 4.17V.

[0123] As Fig. 9 shown, the BMS 30 can update the charging stop voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C stored in the memory 32 to the adjusted charging stop voltage of 4.17V. At this time, the charging stop current of 1A for the charging voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C stored in the memory 32 can remain unchanged.

[0124] During the seventh charging of the battery pack 1, the charging device C is connected to the battery pack 1. In the BMS 30, it is measured that the charging voltage of the charging device C is 4.165V and the charging current of the charging device C is 1.2A.

[0125] The BMS 30 can check the charging stop voltage of 4.17V and the charging stop current of 1A stored in the memory 32 corresponding to the charging voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C.

[0126] After detecting the charging voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C, the BMS 30 can connect the charging device C and the battery module 10. The battery module 10 can be connected to the charging device C and the battery pack 1 can be charged. Since the charging voltage of 4.165V of the charging device C is lower than the charging stop voltage of 4.17V, the single-cell voltage can reach the charging voltage of 4.165V in the CC section, and the battery pack 1 can be charged by the CV method.

[0127] If the cell voltage reaches the charging voltage of 4.165V in the CC section, the BMS 30 can check whether the cell current reaches the charge stop current of 1A in the CV section. If the cell current reaches the charge stop current of 1A in the CV section, the BMS 30 can stop the charging of the battery pack 1, and if a set time has elapsed after stopping the charging of the battery pack 1, the BMS 30 can measure the OCV of the cell. If the OCV of the cell is 4.15V, the OCV of the cell reaches the full charge voltage of 4.15V, so the BMS 30 can terminate the charging of the battery pack 1, and can maintain the charge stop voltage of 4.17V and the charge stop current of 0.8A for the charging voltage of 4.165V for the charging device C. As Fig. 9 shown, the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current for the charging voltage of 4.165V for the charging device C stored in the memory 32 can be maintained.

[0128] In this way, the BMS 30 can use the charging voltage of each charging device to distinguish each charging device, and can manage and adjust the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current of the battery pack 1 according to the charging voltage. As a result, the charging amount can be maximized while preventing overcharging.

[0129] Fig.10 is a diagram showing a device for controlling charging according to an embodiment.

[0130] Reference Fig.10 , the device 100 for controlling charging may include a cell voltage measurement unit 110, a cell current measurement unit 120, an OCV measurement unit 130, a controller 140, and a storage unit 150. The device 100 for controlling charging may perform the functions of the above-described BMS 30. The device 100 for controlling charging may be the BMS 30 or a device implemented within the BMS 30.

[0131] The cell voltage measurement unit 110 may measure the cell voltage of the battery pack 1.

[0132] The cell current measurement unit 120 may measure the cell current of the battery pack 1.

[0133] The OCV measurement unit 130 may measure the OCV of the cell under the control of the controller 140.

[0134] If a charging device is connected to the battery pack 1, the controller 140 may measure the charging voltage of the charging device, and may manage the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current by using the charging voltage of the charging device as identification information of the charging device. The controller 140 may adjust the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current for each charging voltage based on the charging control method Figures 3 to 9 described.

[0135] If the battery pack 1 is connected to a charging device and being charged, the controller 140 may monitor the cell voltage measured by the cell voltage measurement unit 110 and the cell current measured by the cell current measurement unit 120, may stop the charging of the battery pack 1 based on the cell voltage and the cell current, and may change the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current stored corresponding to the charging voltage of the charging device based on the cell voltage and the cell current. If the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current corresponding to the charging voltage of the charging device are not stored in the storage unit 150, the controller 140 may use the default values of the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current corresponding to the design specifications of the battery pack 1.

[0136] The storage unit 150 may store the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current using the charging voltage of the charging device as identification information of the charging device. The storage unit 150 may be the aforementioned memory 32.

[0137] Fig.11 FIG. is a diagram showing an apparatus for controlling charging according to another embodiment.

[0138] Reference Fig.11 , the apparatus 200 for controlling charging may represent a computing device in which the above-described method for controlling charging is implemented.

[0139] The apparatus 200 for controlling charging may include at least one of a processor 210, a memory 220, an input interface device 230, an output interface device 240, and a storage device 250. Each component may be connected via a bus 260 and may communicate with each other. In addition, each component may be connected around the processor 210 via a separate interface or a separate bus instead of via the common bus 260.

[0140] The processor 210 may be implemented as various types (such as an application processor (AP), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc.), and may be any semiconductor device that executes commands stored in the memory 220 or the storage device 250. The processor 210 may execute program commands stored in at least one of the memory 220 and the storage device 250. The processor 210 may be configured to implement the functions and methods based on the above Figures 1 to 10 description.

[0141] The memory 220 and the storage device 250 may include various types of volatile storage media or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory 220 may include a read-only memory (ROM) 221 and a random access memory (RAM) 222. In an embodiment, the memory 220 may be located inside or outside the processor 210, and the memory 220 may be connected to the processor 210 by various known means.

[0142] The input interface device 230 may be configured to provide data to the processor 210.

[0143] The output interface device 240 may be configured to output data from the processor 210.

[0144] According to at least one of the embodiments, even when a charging device abnormality or cell imbalance occurs, overcharging can be prevented and the charging amount can be increased to the maximum.

[0145] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments, in an environment where various charging devices can be used, overcharging due to an error between charging devices can be prevented, and the charging amount can be adjusted according to the charging device.

[0146] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present disclosure defined in the claims are also included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for controlling charging of a battery pack including a plurality of cells in a battery management system, the method comprising: checking identification information of a charging device connected to the battery pack; as well as Charging of the battery pack using the charging device is controlled based on the charging stop voltage and the charging stop current stored corresponding to the identification information of the charging device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The inspection includes: disconnecting the battery pack and the charging device and measuring a charging voltage of the charging device; and The charging voltage of the charging device is set as the identification information of the charging device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Controlling the charging of the battery pack includes: monitoring a cell voltage of at least one first cell among the plurality of cells and a cell current flowing through the plurality of cells while the battery pack is being charged; and The charge stop voltage and the charge stop current are adjusted based on the cell voltage and the cell current.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The adjustment includes: If the cell voltage reaches the charging stop voltage, charging is stopped; measuring an open circuit voltage of the first cell; and If the open circuit voltage of the first cell does not satisfy a full charge condition of the battery pack, the charge stop voltage is changed.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: Changing the charging stop voltage includes: reducing the charge stop voltage by a set voltage; and The reduced charge stop voltage is updated corresponding to the identification information of the charging device.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The further adjustment includes: If the single-cell current reaches the charging stop current, charging is stopped; measuring an open circuit voltage of at least one second cell among the plurality of cells; and If the open circuit voltage of the at least one second cell does not satisfy the full charge condition of the battery pack, the charge stop current is changed.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Changing the charge stop current includes: reducing the charge stop current by a set current; and The reduced charge stop current is updated corresponding to the identification information of the charging device.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Controlling the charging of the battery pack includes: The default values ​​of the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current set as specifications of the battery pack are set as initial values ​​of the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current corresponding to the identification information of the charging device.

9. A device for controlling charging of a battery pack, the device comprising: a cell voltage measuring unit that measures a cell voltage of each of the plurality of cells; a cell current measuring unit configured to measure a cell current flowing through the plurality of cells; a storage unit storing a charge stop voltage and a charge stop current for each piece of identification information of the charging device; as well as A controller that checks identification information of a first charging device connected to the battery pack, controls charging of the battery pack using the first charging device based on a charge stop voltage and a charge stop current stored corresponding to the identification information of the first charging device, and adjusts at least one of the charge stop voltage and the charge stop current stored corresponding to the identification information of the first charging device based on the single cell voltage and the single cell current.

10. The device for controlling charging according to claim 9, wherein: The controller disconnects the battery pack and the first charging device and measures a charging voltage of the first charging device, and sets the charging voltage of the first charging device as the identification information.

11. The device for controlling charging according to claim 9, wherein: The controller stops charging when a cell voltage of a first cell among the plurality of cells reaches the charge stop voltage, measures an open circuit voltage of the first cell, and reduces the charge stop voltage when the open circuit voltage of the first cell does not satisfy a full charge condition of the battery pack.

12. The device for controlling charging according to claim 11, wherein: The controller updates the charge stop voltage stored corresponding to the identification information of the first charging device to the reduced charge stop voltage.

13. The device for controlling charging according to claim 9, wherein: The controller stops charging when the single cell current reaches the charge stop current, measures an open circuit voltage of a second single cell among the plurality of single cells, and reduces the charge stop current when the open circuit voltage of the second single cell does not satisfy a full charge condition of the battery pack.

14. The device for controlling charging according to claim 13, wherein: The controller updates the charge stop current stored corresponding to the identification information of the first charging device to the reduced charge stop current.

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