Battery module including cell controller connected to plurality of battery cells

Abstract

A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a main battery management system (BMS) for managing the plurality of battery cells, a bus bar connecting the plurality of battery cells and electrically connected with the main battery management system, and a plurality of cell controllers. The plurality of cell controllers includes: a first cell controller connected to a first battery cell and a second battery cell, configured to transmit a first signal indicating a state of the first battery cell and a state of the second battery cell to the main battery management system; and a second cell controller connected to a second battery cell and a third battery cell and configured to transmit a second signal indicating a state of the second battery cell and a state of the third battery cell to the main battery management system. The primary battery management system is configured to monitor a state of the plurality of battery cells based at least in part on the first signal and the second signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module including a cell controller connected to a plurality of battery cells. Background Art

[0002] A battery module may be composed of a plurality of electrically connected battery cells. The plurality of battery cells may be connected in series and / or in parallel with each other. The plurality of battery cells can age at different rates. The plurality of battery cells may be housed in a casing.

[0003] The battery module may include a battery management system (BMS) for monitoring the states of the plurality of battery cells. The battery management system can transmit and / or receive data signals to / from the plurality of battery cells in order to monitor the plurality of battery cells constituting the battery module and control the operation of the battery cells. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical Problem

[0005] In order for the BMS to monitor and control each of the plurality of battery cells, it is necessary to electrically connect the BMS and the plurality of battery cells to each other. For example, the battery module may include a wiring harness that electrically connects the BMS and each of the plurality of battery cells. As the number of the plurality of battery cells constituting the battery module increases, the number and length of the wiring harnesses also increase. Therefore, the design of the battery module becomes complicated and the weight also increases.

[0006] The plurality of battery cells constituting the battery module may be housed in a casing. In order to connect additional structural elements to the plurality of battery cells, it may be necessary to remove the casing and then disassemble the plurality of battery cells.

[0007] The technical problems to be solved herein are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description.

[0008] Technical Solution

[0009] A battery module according to an embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells, a main battery management system (BMS), bus bars, and a plurality of unit controllers. The plurality of battery cells may include a first battery cell, a second battery cell, and a third battery cell. The main battery management system may be configured to manage the plurality of battery cells. The bus bars may connect the plurality of battery cells. The bus bars may be electrically connected to the main battery management system. The plurality of unit controllers may be configured to send a signal including a numeric value for indicating the state of the plurality of battery cells to the main battery management system through the bus bars. The plurality of unit controllers may include a first unit controller and a second unit controller. The first unit controller may be connected to the first battery cell and the second battery cell. The first unit controller may be configured to send a first signal including a first numeric value for indicating the state of the first battery cell and the state of the second battery cell to the main battery management system through the bus bars. The second unit controller may be connected to the second battery cell and the third battery cell. The second unit controller may be configured to send a second signal including a second numeric value for indicating the state of the second battery cell and the state of the third battery cell to the main battery management system through the bus bars. The main battery management system may be configured to monitor the state of the plurality of battery cells based at least in part on the first signal and the second signal.

[0010] Advantages of the Invention

[0011] Due to the fact that the main battery management system and the plurality of battery cells can communicate with each other through the bus bars respectively, according to an embodiment, an additional wiring harness can be omitted in the battery module. According to an embodiment, omitting the wiring harness can simplify the design and reduce the weight. According to an embodiment, the plurality of unit controllers can be connected to the plurality of battery cells that have been manufactured and assembled without disassembling the battery module.

[0012] The advantages that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned advantages. Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can clearly understand other advantages not mentioned from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a unit controller according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3Shows an example of a first battery cell constituting a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 Shows an example of a data packet of signals transmitted and received through a cell controller of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 Shows an example of the transmission and reception actions of data signals of a plurality of battery cells of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 Is a simplified block diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 Shows an example of the operation between a main battery management system and a plurality of cell controllers of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 Is a simplified block diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 Is a simplified block diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10a Shows a battery module before a plurality of cell controllers are connected.

[0023] Figure 10b Schematically shows that a plurality of cell controllers are connected to Figure 10a The state of the battery module shown. Detailed Description

[0024] Figure 1 Is a schematic block diagram of a battery module (according to an embodiment). Figure 2 Is a schematic block diagram of a cell controller according to an embodiment.

[0025] Referring to Figure 1 , a battery module 100 according to an embodiment may include a plurality of battery cells 120 connected in series with each other and a main battery management system (BMS) 110 operably coupled to the plurality of battery cells 120. The plurality of battery cells 120 may be connected in series to form the battery module 100. Although Figure 1Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of battery cells 120 may be connected to a load via an inverter or a pulse generator, and thus may operate as a driving source of the load. The circuits described below may represent circuits including circuit elements connected to each other to provide a specific function.

[0026] According to an embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 120 may be connected in series with each other. Referring to Figure 1 , the first battery cell 120-1 may be connected to the main battery management system 110. The second battery cell 120-2 may be connected to the first battery cell 120-2. The third battery cell 120-3 may be connected to the second battery cell 120-2. According to an embodiment, the first battery cell 120-1 to the nth battery cell 120-n may be sequentially connected in series along the first direction D1. For example, the negative terminal of the first battery cell 120-1 may be electrically connected to the positive terminal of the second battery cell 120-2. The negative terminal of the second battery cell 120-2 may be electrically connected to the positive terminal of the third battery cell 120-3. When a plurality of battery cells 120 are connected in series with each other, the voltage of the entire system may be set to the sum of each battery cell 120 constituting the plurality of battery cells 120. In Figure 1 , a plurality of battery cells 120 are shown arranged along the first direction D1, but this is only for explaining the electrical connection of the plurality of battery cells 120 and is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of battery cells 120 may be stacked and assembled to form a battery module 100.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to control the overall operation of the plurality of battery cells 120. According to an embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to pass through a bus bar (e.g., Figure 6The bus bar 500) communicates with the multiple unit controllers 200 of the multiple battery cells 120 without a separate wiring harness. The main battery management system 110 may be configured to obtain information related to the health status of each of the multiple battery cells 120 through the bus bar. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to obtain information related to the voltage and / or current of each of the multiple battery cells 120 through the bus bar. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to obtain information related to the state of each of the multiple battery cells 120, such as the remaining capacity (state of charge, SOC), state of health (SOH), and temperature of the multiple battery cells 120 through the bus bar. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to transmit, through the bus bar, signals for requesting charging and / or discharging for each of the multiple battery cells 120 to the multiple unit controllers 200 configured within the multiple battery cells 120.

[0028] The main battery management system 110 according to an embodiment may include multiple unit controllers 200 configured in each battery cell 120 to collect information related to the state of the multiple battery cells 120. For example, the first battery cell 120-1 may include a first unit controller 200-1 configured within the first battery cell 120-1. The second battery cell 120-2 may include a second unit controller 200-2 configured within the second battery cell 120-2. For example, the multiple unit controllers 200 may be configured on the power lines within the multiple battery cells 120. The multiple unit controllers 200 may be configured to send and / or receive data using the power line as a transmission medium. According to an embodiment, the multiple battery cells 120 may transmit, using the multiple unit controllers 200, signals including information related to the state of each of the multiple battery cells 120 to the main battery management system 110. The main battery management system 110 may transmit, using the multiple unit controllers 200, signals for requesting actions of each of the multiple battery cells 120 and / or signals for requesting information related to the health status of each of the multiple battery cells 120 to each of the multiple battery cells 120.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2 , the main battery management system 110 may include a communication circuit 210, a charge and discharge control circuit 220, a monitoring circuit 230, a notification circuit 240, and a memory 119.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the communication circuit 210 may send and / or receive signals with the unit communication module 125 of the multiple battery cells 120 through the bus bar. The communication circuit 210 may be connected to the power line for data signal transmission and power supply with the battery cell 120.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the charge and discharge control circuit 220 may control the charging and / or discharging of a plurality of battery cells 120. For example, the charge and discharge control circuit 220 may perform functions of monitoring the voltage and remaining capacity (state of charge, SOC) of secondary batteries (e.g., Figure 3 secondary battery 121) within the plurality of battery cells 120, functions of controlling the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells 120, and functions of preventing overcharging and over-discharging.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the monitoring circuit 230 may be configured to monitor the states of the plurality of battery cells 120. When an abnormal situation occurs, the monitoring circuit 230 may notify the abnormality of the battery cells 120 through the notification circuit 240. For example, the notification circuit 240 may be connected to a display that outputs a visual signal and a light emitting diode (LED). For example, the notification circuit 240 may be connected to a speaker that outputs an auditory signal. However, it is not limited thereto.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the memory 119 may be configured to store various information about the plurality of battery cells 120. For example, the memory 119 may store a unique ID and state for each of the plurality of battery cells 120. For example, the memory 119 may store an ID table of the battery cells 120 described later. For example, the memory 119 may store information related to the charge and discharge records, charging capacity, and remaining life of the battery cells 120.

[0034] According to an embodiment, an ID may be assigned to each of the plurality of battery cells 120. Signals sent from the main battery management system 110 and signals sent from the battery cells 120 may include information related to the ID assigned to each of the plurality of battery cells 120. According to an embodiment, the plurality of unit controllers 200 may be configured to identify the ID-related information included in the signal when the plurality of unit controllers 200 receive a signal from the main battery management system 110. The plurality of unit controllers 200 may be configured to identify the battery cell that is the recipient of the signal received from the main battery management system 110 based on the identified ID-related information.

[0035] For example, when the main battery management system 110 sends a signal for requesting a specified action to the third battery unit 120-3, the main battery management system 110 may send a signal including information related to the ID assigned to the third battery unit 120-3 to the first battery unit 120-1. The first unit controller 200-1 disposed within the first battery unit 120-1 may be configured to receive the signal and identify the ID-related information included in the signal. The first unit controller 200-1 may identify that the ID-related information included in the signal is inconsistent with the ID-related information assigned to the first battery unit 120-1, and based on the above identification, send the signal to the second battery unit 120-2. The second unit controller 200-2 disposed within the second battery unit 120-2 may be configured to receive the signal and identify the ID-related information included in the signal. The second unit controller 200-2 may identify that the ID-related information included in the signal is inconsistent with the ID-related information assigned to the second battery unit 120-2, and based on the above identification, send the signal to the third battery unit 120-3. The third unit controller 200-3 disposed within the third battery unit 120-3 may be configured to receive the signal and identify the ID-related information included in the signal. The third unit controller 200-3 may identify that the ID-related information included in the signal is consistent with the ID-related information assigned to the third battery unit 120-3, and based on the identification, identify the specified action included in the signal. The third unit controller 200-3 may be configured to perform at least one action corresponding to the specified action to execute the specified action.

[0036] For example, when a signal including information related to the state of the first battery unit 120-1 is sent to the main battery management system 110, the main battery management system 110 may identify it as a signal related to the first battery unit 120-1 through the ID-related information included in the signal. For example, when receiving a signal including information related to the charge and / or discharge signal of the first battery unit 120-1, the plurality of battery units 120 may identify it as a signal related to the first battery unit 120-1 through the ID-related information included in the signal.

[0037] The battery module 100 according to an embodiment may perform communication through a bus bar connecting the plurality of battery units 120, and thus, the design for sending and / or receiving communication between the main battery management system 110 and the plurality of battery units 120 may be simplified.

[0038] According to one embodiment, when the main battery management system 110 sends a signal to a specific battery cell (e.g., the second battery cell 120-2), the signal can be transmitted through other battery cells (e.g., the first battery cell 120-1) other than the battery cell that is the signal receiving object (e.g., the second battery cell 120-2). Also, when a specific battery cell (e.g., the second battery cell 120-2) sends a signal to the main battery management system 110, the signal can be transmitted to the main battery management system 110 through at least one other battery cell (e.g., the first battery cell 120-1).

[0039] For example, when the main battery management system 110 sends a signal for requesting information related to the state of the third battery cell 120-3 to the third battery cell 120-3, the main battery management system 110 can send a signal S to the first battery cell 120-1 connected to the main battery management system 110 01 . The signal S 01 can be transmitted in the first direction D1. After the signal S 01 is transmitted to the first battery cell 120-1 connected to the main battery management system 110, it can be changed to the signal S transmitted from the first battery cell 120-1 to the second battery cell 120-2 12 . After the signal S 12 transmitted from the first battery cell 120-1 to the second battery cell 120-2 is transmitted to the second battery cell 120-2, it can be changed to the signal S transmitted from the second battery cell 120-2 to the third battery cell 120-3 23 .

[0040] For example, when the third battery cell 120-3 sends a signal including information related to the state of the third battery cell 120-3 to the main battery management system 110, the signal can be transmitted in the second direction D2. The signal S 32 sent from the third battery cell 120-3 to the second battery cell 120-2 can be transmitted to the second battery cell 120-2. After the signal S 32 transmitted from the third battery cell 120-3 to the second battery cell 120-2 is transmitted to the second battery cell 120-2, it can be changed to the signal S transmitted from the second battery cell 120-2 to the first battery cell 120-1 21 . After the signal S 21 transmitted from the second battery cell 120-2 to the first battery cell 120-1 is transmitted to the first battery cell 120-1, it can be changed to the signal S transmitted from the first battery cell 120-1 to the main battery management system 110 10 . The main battery management system 110 can receive the signal S 10 , and obtain the signal S10 Information related to the state of the third battery unit included therein.

[0041] When a signal passes through the battery unit 120 in sequence, the intensity of the signal may decrease due to the impedance inside the battery unit 120 (e.g., the resistance inside the battery unit). Since the signal intensity weakens each time the signal passes through the battery unit 120, it is necessary to maintain the signal intensity when transmitting the signal through multiple battery units 120. Also, when the signal is sent in other directions, signal conflicts may occur, so it is necessary to set the transmission directionality of the signal.

[0042] Figure 3 Shows an example of the first battery unit constituting a battery module according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, the structural elements described for the first battery unit 120-1 can be equally applied to other battery units.

[0043] Refer to Figure 3 , the first battery unit 120-1 may include a secondary battery 121, a protection circuit 123, and a first unit controller 200-1.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the secondary battery 121 can store electrical energy. The secondary battery 121 is a secondary battery that can charge and discharge electrical energy, and may include a negative electrode material, a positive electrode material, a separator, and an electrolyte. According to an embodiment, the first battery unit 120-1 may include at least one secondary battery 121.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the protection circuit (protection circuit module (PCM)) 123 is a protection circuit for the secondary battery 121 that can prevent over-discharge, over-charge, and over-current of the secondary battery 121. Over-charging of the secondary battery 121 may cause internal overheating and swelling phenomena, which may damage the secondary battery 121. Over-discharging of the secondary battery 121 damages the electrodes and may cause a failure of the secondary battery 121. The protection circuit 123 can block the charging circuit when it recognizes that the voltage of the secondary battery 121 reaches the charging limit voltage, and block the discharging circuit when it recognizes that the voltage of the secondary battery 121 reaches the discharging limit voltage, to prevent damage and / or failure of the secondary battery 121. According to an embodiment, the protection circuit 123 can acquire information related to the state of the secondary battery 121 and provide the acquired information to the first unit controller 200-1.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to be connected between the protection circuit 123 and the secondary battery 121, and receive signals from or send signals to the main battery management system 110. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may be connected to the power line within the first battery cell 120-1, but is not limited thereto.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 may obtain information related to the state of the secondary battery 121 from the protection circuit 123. For example, the information related to the state of the secondary battery 121 may include information related to the voltage, current, and temperature of the secondary battery 121, but is not limited thereto. The first unit controller 200-1 may be electrically coupled to the protection circuit 123 and may receive information related to the state of the secondary battery 121 from the protection circuit 123. The first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to transmit the received information related to the state of the secondary battery 121 to the main battery management system 110.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 may receive signals from the main battery management system 110 through a bus bar (e.g., Figure 6 the bus bar 500). When the first unit controller 200-1 receives a signal from the main battery management system 110, the signal may be transmitted through a plurality of battery cells connected to each other (e.g., Figure 1 the plurality of first battery cells 120-1), so the signal strength may be reduced. For example, when a signal is sent from the main battery management system 110 to the third battery cell 120-3, the signal may be transmitted to the third battery cell 120-3 through the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2. When the signal is transmitted, the signal strength may be reduced due to the impedance inside the first battery cell 120-1 and the impedance inside the second battery cell 120-2.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 may identify whether the target of the signal received from the main battery management system 110 is the first battery cell 120-1. The signal may include target ID-related information, which is information related to the ID of the first battery cell 120-1 that is the recipient of the signal. The first unit controller 200-1 may compare the target ID included in the signal received from the main battery management system 110 with the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1. The first unit controller 200-1 may perform an action corresponding to the signal when it identifies that the target ID corresponds to the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1. The first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to amplify the signal and then transmit it to a second battery cell (e.g., Figure 1 the second battery cell 120-2) connected to the first battery cell 120-1 when it identifies that the target ID does not correspond to the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1.

[0050] For example, when a signal for requesting information related to the state of the first battery cell 120-1 is transmitted from the main battery management system 110 to the first battery cell 120-1, the first unit controller 200-1 of the first battery cell 120-1 connected in series to the main battery management system 110 may receive the signal. The signal may include information related to a target ID set as the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1. The first unit controller 200-1 of the first battery cell 120-1 may identify the target ID included in the received signal and identify whether the identified target ID corresponds to the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1. The first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to generate a signal including information related to the state of the first battery cell 120-1 and transmit the generated signal to the main battery management system 110 when it identifies that the identified target ID corresponds to the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1.

[0051] For example, when a signal for requesting information related to the state of the second battery unit 120-2 is transmitted from the main battery management system 110 to the second battery unit 120-2, the first unit controller 200-1 of the first battery unit 120-1 connected in series to the main battery management system 110 may receive the signal. The first unit controller 200-1 of the first battery unit 120-1 may identify the target ID included in the received signal and identify whether the identified target ID corresponds to the ID assigned to the first battery unit 120-1. The first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to, when the identified target ID does not correspond to the ID assigned to the first battery unit 120-1, amplify the signal and transmit it to the second battery unit 120-2 connected in series to the first battery unit 120-1. The second unit controller (e.g., Figure 1 the second unit controller 200-2) of the second battery unit 120-2 may generate a signal including information related to the state of the second battery unit 120-2 when it is identified that the target ID included in the signal corresponds to the ID assigned to the second battery unit 120-2. The second unit controller 200-2 may be configured to transmit the generated signal to the main battery management system 110.

[0052] Referring to Figure 3 , the first unit controller 200-1 may include a microprocessor 201 for controlling the transmission and / or reception of signals, an amplifier circuit 202 for amplifying the signals transmitted to and / or received from the microprocessor 201, and a switch SW for controlling the signal transmission path.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the signals transmitted to and / or received from the first unit controller 200-1 are amplified by the amplifier circuit 202 before being transmitted and / or received. When a signal is received from outside the first unit controller 200-1, the switch SW is closed so that the microprocessor 201 can receive the signal, thereby providing a signal reception path. When a signal is transmitted from the first unit controller 200-1, the switch SW is closed so that the signal can be transmitted from the microprocessor 201, thereby providing a signal transmission path.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 may be connected between the protection circuit 123 and the secondary battery 121. Referring to Figure 3, the first unit controller 200-1 may include a first terminal 125a and a second terminal 125b. The first terminal 125a is connected to the positive electrode tab 121a of the secondary battery 121 and the first terminal 123a of the protection circuit 123, and the second terminal 125b is connected to the negative electrode tab 121b of the secondary battery 121 and the second terminal 123b of the protection circuit 123. The signal transmitted to the first battery unit 120-1 may be transmitted to the first unit controller 200-1 through the first terminal 125a of the first unit controller 200-1. The first unit controller 200-1 may identify the signal received from the main battery management system 110 based on the potential difference (V2-V1) between the second terminal 125b and the first terminal 125a of the first unit controller 200-1. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may detect the potential V2 of the second terminal 125b of the first unit controller 200-1 and the potential V1 of the first terminal 125a of the first unit controller 200-1, and identify the signal through the potential difference (V2-V1) and receive and / or transmit the signal.

[0055] According to an embodiment, when the target ID included in the received signal does not correspond to the ID assigned to the first battery unit 120-1, the first unit controller 200-1 may apply an amplified signal to the first terminal 125a of the first unit controller 200-1 to send a signal to the second battery unit 120-2. The amplified signal applied to the first terminal 125a of the first unit controller 200-1 may be transmitted to the second battery unit 120-2 through the secondary battery 121. Therefore, even if the signal passes through the first battery unit 120-1, it is amplified at the first terminal 125a of the first unit controller 200-1, so that the signal can maintain a certain intensity during passing through a plurality of battery units 120 connected to each other.

[0056] The battery module 100 according to an embodiment may simplify the structure for transmitting and / or receiving communication signals between battery units through a plurality of battery units 120 connected to each other, and while ensuring the stability of power supply, maintain the intensity of the signals using a plurality of unit controllers 200.

[0057] Figure 4 is an example of a data packet of a signal transmitted and received through a unit controller of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the signal transmitted and received through a plurality of unit controllers 200 of a battery module (e.g., Figure 1 the battery module 100) may include information for setting directivity. Refer to Figure 4, the data packet 300 of the signal is the start of header (SOH) 301, the direction (DIR) 302 of the signal transmission, the target ID (TAR_ID) 303, the transmit ID (TX_ID) 304, the length (LEN) 305, the command (CMD) 306 representing the actual action, the payload 307 as the transmitted data, and the information related to the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) 308 for error checking. For example, when the DIR 302 is 0, the transmission direction of the signal can be Figure 1 the first direction (e.g., Figure 1 the first direction D1), and when the DIR 302 is 1, the transmission direction of the signal can be Figure 1 the second direction (e.g., Figure 1 the second direction D2). However, it is not limited thereto. The TX_ID 304 can represent the battery management system that transmits the signal (e.g., Figure 1 the main battery management system 110) or the ID assigned to multiple battery cells (e.g., Figure 1 the multiple battery cells 120). The TAR_ID 303 can represent the ID of the main battery management system 110 that receives the signal or the ID assigned to the multiple battery cells 120.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the CMD 306 included in the data packet 300 can include information related to a specific action. Referring to Figure 4 , the CMD 306 can include packet 306a and packet 306b. The packet 306a includes information for requesting the assignment of an ID related to each of the multiple battery cells 120, and the packet 306b includes information for requesting the reset of the ID pre-assigned to the multiple battery cells 120. For example, the multiple battery cells 120 can transmit the data signal of the packet 306a with an input of 1 to the main battery management system 110 to request the assignment of an ID. In addition to the above packet 306a and 306b, the CMD 306 can also include packet 306c (including various information). For example, the main battery management system 110 can transmit a data signal to the first battery cell 120-1, and the data signal includes information for requesting information related to the state of the first battery cell (e.g., Figure 1 the first battery cell 120-1). The first battery cell 120-1 can transmit the information related to the state of the first battery cell 120-1 to the main battery management system 110 when receiving the data signal.

[0060] According to an embodiment, when a signal is transmitted to any one of a plurality of battery cells 120, a cell controller configured in the one battery cell among the plurality of cell controllers (e.g., Figure 1 the plurality of cell controllers 200) of Figure 1 can compare DIR 302 with the ID assigned to the any one battery cell.

[0061] For example, when DIR 302 is 0 and the ID assigned to the second battery cell 120-2 is inconsistent with TAR_ID 303, and the battery cell having the ID corresponding to the TAR_ID 303 is located at a position in the first direction D1 from the battery cell having the ID corresponding to TX_ID 304, the second cell controller 200-2 can ignore the received signal. The above example is a case where a signal is erroneously transmitted in a direction opposite to the transmission direction of the signal, so the second cell controller 200-2 can ignore the received signal.

[0062] For example, when DIR 302 is 1 and the ID assigned to the second battery cell 120-2 is inconsistent with TAR_ID 303, and the battery cell having the ID corresponding to the TAR_ID 303 is located at a position in the second direction D2 from the battery cell having the ID corresponding to TX_ID 304, the second cell controller 200-2 can transmit the signal in the second direction D2. As described above, the second cell controller 200-2 can transmit the signal after amplifying it. The above example is based on the case where the signal is transmitted in the transmission direction of the signal, so the second cell controller 200-2 can amplify the received signal and transmit it in the second direction D2 so that the signal can be transmitted to the battery cell having the ID consistent with TAR_ID 303. The signal is transmitted sequentially and can be transmitted to the battery cell where TAR_ID 303 and the ID are consistent, and an action corresponding to the signal can be executed in this battery cell.

[0063] For example, when the ID assigned to the second battery cell 120-2 is consistent with TAR_ID 303, the second cell controller 200-2 can execute a specified action based on CMD 306 included in the data packet 300 of the signal.

[0064] According to an embodiment, in a battery module 100 including a plurality of battery cells 120 connected to each other, the signal transmission and reception between the main battery management system 110 and the plurality of battery cells 120 can be smoothly executed. By including a signal including information related to the signal transfer direction and the target ID, the battery module 100 according to an embodiment can prevent signal conflicts caused by series connection.

[0065] Figure 5This is an example of the transmission and reception operations of data signals of a plurality of battery cells of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0066] Assume that the operations are performed in a case where IDs are sequentially assigned to a plurality of battery cells 120 connected in series to the main battery management system 110. Figure 5 Assume a case where the ID assigned to the main battery management system 110 is 0 (ID = 0), the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1 is 1 (ID = 1), the ID assigned to the second battery cell 120-2 is 2 (ID = 2), and the ID assigned to the third battery cell 120-3 is 3 (ID = 3), and perform the operations shown. Figure 5 The operations shown.

[0067] Referring to Figure 5 , in order to transmit a data signal to the third battery cell 120-3, the main battery management system 110 generates a data signal 401a and transmits the generated data signal 401a to the first battery cell 120-1. The data signal 401a may include target ID-related information, transmission ID-related information, and transmission direction-related information. Referring to Figure 5 , the data signal 401a may include information that the target ID is 3, the transmission ID is 0, and the transmission direction is the first direction D1.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the first battery cell 120-1 may receive a data signal 401b from the main battery management system 110. The first unit controller of the first battery cell 120-1 (e.g., Figure 1 the first unit controller 200-1) may identify the target ID-related information included in the data signal 401b and compare it with the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1. Since the target ID-related information included in the data signal 401b is 3, the first unit controller 200-1 of the first battery cell 120-1 may identify that the target ID does not correspond to the ID assigned to the first battery cell 120-1 and transmit a data signal 402a to the second battery cell 120-2. The data signal 402a may include information that the target ID is 3, the transmission ID is 1, and the transmission direction is the first direction D1.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the second battery cell 120-2 may receive a data signal 402b from the first battery cell 120-1. The second unit controller of the second battery cell 120-2 (e.g., Figure 1The second unit controller 200-2 of the second battery unit 120-2 can identify the target ID-related information included in the data signal 402b and compare it with the ID assigned to the second battery unit 120-2. Since the target ID-related information included in the data signal 402b is 3, the second unit controller 200-2 of the second battery unit 120-2 can identify that the target ID does not correspond to the ID assigned to the second battery unit 120-2 and transmit the data signal 403a to the third battery unit 120-3. The data signal 403a may include information that the target ID is 3, the sending ID is 2, and the transmission direction is the first direction D1.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the third battery unit 120-3 may receive the data signal 403b from the second battery unit 120-2. The third unit controller of the third battery unit 120-3 (for example, Figure 1 the third unit controller 200-3) can identify the target ID-related information included in the data signal 403b and compare it with the ID assigned to the third battery unit 120-3. The target ID-related information included in the data signal 403b is 3, and the third unit controller 200-3 of the third battery unit 120-3 can identify that the target ID corresponds to the ID assigned to the third battery unit 120-3 and perform the action corresponding to the data signal 403b.

[0071] According to an embodiment, when the first battery unit 120-1 receives the data signal 403b from the second battery unit 120-2, the first unit controller 200-1 can confirm the information included in the data signal 403b. The transmission ID included in the data signal 403b is 2, and the transmission direction is the first direction D1. Therefore, the first unit controller 200-1 of the first battery unit 120-1 can ignore the data signal 403b.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the third battery unit 120-3 can perform the action corresponding to the information included in the data signal 403b. When the information included in the data signal 403b includes a request for information related to the state of the third battery unit 120-3, the third battery unit 120-3 can send the data signal 404a including the information related to the state of the third battery unit 120-3 to the second battery unit 120-2. The data signal 404a may include target ID-related information, sending ID-related information, and transmission direction-related information. Referring to Figure 5 Figure, the data signal 404a may include information that the target ID is 0, the sending ID is 3, and the transmission direction is the second direction D2.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the second battery unit 120-2 may receive a data signal 404b from the third battery unit 120-3. The second unit controller 200-2 of the second battery unit 120-2 may identify the target ID-related information included in the data signal 404b and compare it with the ID assigned to the second battery unit 120-2. Since the target ID-related information included in the data signal 404b is 0, the second unit controller 200-2 of the second battery unit 120-2 may identify that the target ID does not correspond to the ID assigned to the second battery unit 120-2 and transmit a data signal 405a to the first battery unit 120-1. The data signal 405a may include information that the target ID is 0, the sending ID is 2, and the transmission direction is the second direction D2.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the first battery unit 120-1 may receive a data signal 405b from the second battery unit 120-2. The first unit controller 200-1 of the first battery unit 120-1 may identify the target ID-related information included in the data signal 405b and compare it with the ID assigned to the first battery unit 120-1. Since the target ID-related information included in the data signal 405b is 0, the first unit controller 200-1 of the first battery unit 120-1 may identify that the target ID does not correspond to the ID assigned to the first battery unit 120-1 and transmit a data signal 406a to the main battery management system 110. The data signal 406a may include information that the target ID is 0, the sending ID is 1, and the transmission direction is the second direction D2.

[0075] According to an embodiment, when the third battery unit 120-3 receives a data signal 405b from the second battery unit 120-2, the third unit controller 200-3 of the third battery unit 120-3 may confirm the information included in the data signal 405b. Since the transmission ID included in the data signal 405b is 2 and the transmission direction is the second direction D2, the third unit controller 200-3 of the third battery unit 120-3 may ignore the data signal 405b.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may receive a data signal 406b from the first battery unit 120-1. The main battery management system 110 may identify the target ID-related information included in the data signal 406b and compare it with the ID assigned to the main battery management system 110. Since the target ID-related information included in the data signal 406b is 0, the main battery management system 110 may identify that the target ID corresponds to the ID assigned to the main battery management system 110. The main battery management system 110 may receive the data signal 406b.

[0077] According to an embodiment, when the second battery unit 120-2 receives the data signal 406b from the first battery unit 120-1, the second unit controller 200-2 of the second battery unit 120-2 may confirm the information included in the data signal 406b. Since the transmission ID included in the data signal 406b is 1 and the transmission direction is the second direction D2, the second unit controller 200-2 of the second battery unit 120-2 may ignore the data signal 406b.

[0078] As described above, through a plurality of unit controllers (e.g., Figure 1 a plurality of unit controllers 200), the signal transfer structure between the main battery management system 110 and the plurality of battery units 120 connected to each other can be simply implemented. According to an embodiment, the information included in the transmitted and received signals may prevent errors in signal transfer and improve accuracy.

[0079] Figure 6 is a simplified block diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0080] Referring to Figure 6 , a battery module according to an embodiment may include a plurality of battery units, a main battery management system (BMS, battery management system), a bus bar, and a plurality of unit controllers. The content described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 may be equally applicable to the battery module 100 described below, and thus its repeated description is omitted.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the bus bar 500 may connect the plurality of battery units 120. For example, if the plurality of battery units 120 are connected in series, the bus bar 500 may connect the positive terminal of one battery unit to the negative terminal of another battery unit. Figure 6 The illustrated bus bar 500 is illustrated as a part of the connection line between the plurality of battery units 120, but may also be configured in the entire connection line between the plurality of battery units 120. The bus bar 500 may be electrically connected to the main battery management system 110. For example, the main battery management system 110 and at least a part of the plurality of battery units 120 may be connected to each other through the bus bar 500, however, it is not limited thereto.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to manage the plurality of battery units 120. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to obtain the information of each of the plurality of battery units 120 and infer the state of each of the plurality of battery units 120 based on the information.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to communicate through the bus bar 500 and a plurality of unit controllers 200. The main battery management system 110 may transmit signals to the plurality of unit controllers 200 through the bus bar 500, and the plurality of unit controllers 200 may transmit signals to the main battery management system 110 through the bus bar 500.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the plurality of unit controllers 200 may be configured to send, through the bus bar 500, a signal including a numeric value for indicating the state of the plurality of battery cells 120 to the main battery management system 110. As described later, the signal including the numeric value may be referred to as a signal including data related to the state of health of the plurality of battery cells 120.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the plurality of unit controllers 200 may be connected to the plurality of battery cells 120. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may be connected to the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2. The first unit controller 200-1 can obtain power for operation from the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2. The second unit controller 200-2 may be connected to the second battery cell 120-2 and the third battery cell 120-3. The second unit controller 200-2 can obtain power for operation from the second battery cell 120-2 and the third battery cell 120-3.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the plurality of unit controllers 200 may be configured to communicate with the main battery management system 110 through the bus bar 500. For example, if the main battery management system 110 sends a signal to the second unit controller 200-2, the signal can be transmitted to the second unit controller 200-2 through the bus bar 500. The signal generated by the main battery management system 110 can be transmitted to the first battery cell 120-1 through the bus bar 500. The signal can pass through the first battery cell 120-1 and then be transmitted to the second unit controller 200-2 through the bus bar 500.

[0087] For example, if the second unit controller 200-2 sends a signal to the main battery management system 110, the signal can be transmitted to the main battery management system 110 through the bus bar 500. The signal generated by the second unit controller 200-2 can be transmitted to the first battery cell 120-1 through the bus bar 500. The signal can pass through the first battery cell 120-1 and then be transmitted to the main battery management system 110 through the bus bar 500.

[0088] For example, if the main battery management system 110 sends a signal to the third unit controller 200-3, the signal can be transmitted through the first unit controller 200-1. The signal generated by the main battery management system 110 can be transmitted to the first unit controller 200-1 through the bus bar 500. The first unit controller 200-1 can identify the information of the target ID included in the signal (e.g., Figure 4 's TAR_ID 303). The first unit controller 200-1 can transmit the signal to the third unit controller 200-3 through the bus bar 500. However, it is not limited thereto. According to other examples, the signal can be transmitted to the third unit controller 200-3 through the bus bar 500. The signal generated by the main battery management system 110 can be transmitted to the first battery unit 120-1 through the bus bar 500. The signal can be transmitted to the second battery unit 120-2 through the bus bar 500 after passing through the first battery unit 120-1. The signal can be transmitted to the third unit controller 200-3 through the bus bar 500 after passing through the second battery unit 120-2.

[0089] According to an embodiment, multiple unit controllers 200 can be connected to the outside of multiple battery units 120. For example, multiple battery units 120 of the battery module 100 can be packed into a housing (e.g., Figure 10a 's housing 600). Multiple battery units 120 can be fastened to the structure of the housing 600 in a manner fixed to a specified position within the housing 600. Multiple unit controllers 200 can be connected to the outside of multiple battery units 120 in a state where multiple battery units 120 are packed into the housing 600. If the battery module 100 is composed of multiple battery units 120 without unit controllers configured inside, multiple unit controllers 200 can be connected to multiple battery units 120 afterwards to be able to manage multiple battery units 120 respectively.

[0090] According to an embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 can be configured to obtain information about the state of the first battery unit 120-1 and the state of the second battery unit 120-2 connected to the first unit controller 200-1. The second unit controller 200-2 can be configured to obtain information about the state of the second battery unit 120-2 and the state of the third battery unit 120-3 connected to the second unit controller 200-2. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 can be configured to obtain data on the degradation of the first battery unit 120-1 and data on the degradation of the second battery unit 120-2.

[0091] The deterioration-related data may mean various data that quantitatively show the degree of the state of health of the battery cell. According to an embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to acquire data on at least one of voltage, current, temperature, and changes in the state of charge (SOC) caused by charging and / or discharging for the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may identify changes in the state of charge (SOC) of the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2 when the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2 are charging. The first unit controller 200-1 may acquire data including information on changes in the state of charge of the battery cell over time. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may identify changes in the state of charge of the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2 when the first battery cell 120-1 is discharging. The first unit controller 200-1 may acquire data including information on changes in the state of charge of the battery cell over time. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may identify the temperature of the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2 when the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2 are operating. The first unit controller 200-1 may acquire data including information on temperature changes that occur in the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2 over the operating time.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to send a first signal including a first value for indicating the states of the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2 to the main battery management system 110 via the bus bar 500. For example, the first signal can be referred to the degradation-related data of the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2 as in the foregoing example. The first value included in the first signal may be the sum of the value indicating the state of the first battery cell 120-1 and the value indicating the state of the second battery cell 120-2. For example, the value indicating the health state of the plurality of battery cells 120 may be indicated as a%. Here, a% may be a ratio of numerically indicating the current state with respect to the ideal state of each of the plurality of battery cells 120. For example, if the health state of the first battery cell 120-1 is 90%, the current health state of the first battery cell 120-1 is 90% of the state that can be expected for a new product of the first battery cell 120-1. Assuming that the health state of the first battery cell 120-1 is a1% and the health state of the second battery cell 120-2 is a2%, the first value may be (a1 + a2)%. The first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to generate a first signal including (a1 + a2)% and send the generated first signal to the main battery management system 110.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the second unit controller 200-2 may be configured to send a second signal including a second value for indicating the states of the second battery cell 120-2 and the third battery cell 120-3 to the main battery management system 110 via the bus bar 500. The description of the first unit controller 200-1 is equally applicable to the second unit controller 200-2, and thus its detailed description is omitted.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to receive the first signal and the second signal. The main battery management system 110 may be configured to monitor the states of the plurality of battery cells 120 based at least in part on the received first signal and second signal. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to identify the first value in the first signal and the second value in the second signal and obtain information of each of the plurality of battery cells 120 through a plurality of calculation processes described later. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to identify the states of the first battery cell 120-1, the second battery cell 120-2, and the third battery cell 120-3 based on the first value and the second value.

[0095] According to an embodiment, even for a battery module 100 composed of a plurality of battery cells 120 that do not include a cell controller, the battery module 100 can be subsequently connected to a plurality of cell controllers 200. Thus, each of the plurality of battery cells 120 can be managed by the plurality of cell controllers 200 and the main battery management system 110. According to an embodiment, it is not necessary to separately disassemble the plurality of battery cells 120 for connecting the cell controllers, and the cell controllers can be connected to two or more battery cells. The plurality of battery cells 120 can be managed through communication using a bus bar 500 between the main battery management system 110 and the plurality of cell controllers 200. According to an embodiment, the plurality of cell controllers 200 can be subsequently applied to a battery module 100 that has already been manufactured.

[0096] Figure 7 Shows an example of the operation between the main battery management system of a battery module and a plurality of cell controllers according to an embodiment.

[0097] Refer to Figure 7 The description of the first cell controller (e.g., Figure 6 the first cell controller 200-1) and the second cell controller (e.g., Figure 6 the second cell controller 200-2) can also be equally applicable to the cell controllers of the remaining plurality of battery cells.

[0098] In operation 701, the first cell controller 200-1 can be configured to obtain information including the state of the first battery cell (e.g., Figure 6 the first battery cell 120-1) and the second battery cell (e.g., Figure 6a first signal of a first value of the state of the second battery unit 120-2). For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to obtain data of at least one of voltage, current, temperature, charge state change caused by charging and / or discharging of the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2. The first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to obtain the data regardless of whether the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 are activated or not. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to measure the temperature, operating voltage and / or operating current of the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 within the activated state of the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 and obtain data on the measured temperature, operating voltage and / or operating current. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to measure the open voltage of the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 within the non-activated state (e.g., slip state, turn-off state) of the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 and obtain data on the measured open voltage. The foregoing data is merely exemplary and is not limited thereto.

[0099] In operation 702, the second unit controller 200-2 may be configured to obtain a second signal including a second value for indicating the state of the second battery unit 120-2 and the state of the third battery unit. The description of operation 701 may equally apply to operation 702.

[0100] In operation 703, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to request the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 to send the acquired first signal and second signal. For example, in operation 703, the main battery management system 110 may transmit a signal to the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 requesting to send the acquired first signal and the signal. The signal may be transmitted from the main battery management system 110 to the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 through a bus bar (e.g., Figure 6 through the bus bar 500). For example, the main battery management system 110 may transmit the signal to the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-3 at each period specified by the user. For example, the main battery management system 110 may transmit the signal to the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 when a specified event occurs.

[0101] According to an embodiment, operation 703 may also be omitted. If operation 703 is omitted, the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 can execute operations 704 and 705 even without receiving an additional request from the main battery management system 110. According to an embodiment, operation 703 can be executed based on the states of the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2. According to an embodiment, the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 can be configured to, during the operations of the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2, instead of receiving an additional request signal from the main battery management system 110, send the first signal and the second signal obtained through the bus bar 500 to the main battery management system 110. When the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 are operating, it may mean that the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 are in a state of supplying power to the load.

[0102] According to an embodiment, when the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 are in a cut-off state, a low-power operation state, or a slip state where they do not supply power to the load, the main battery management system 110 can be configured to send a signal for requesting the transmission of the first signal and the second signal to the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2. In the foregoing situation, it is necessary to significantly reduce the power consumption of the first battery unit 120-1. Therefore, the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 can be configured to transmit the first signal and the second signal to the main battery management system 110 based on the received signal. For example, in a situation where the driving power of the load is insufficient, if the first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 continue to execute the operation of sending a signal to the main battery management system 110, the load may not be able to be driven due to insufficient power. The first unit controller 200-1 and the second unit controller 200-2 can significantly reduce the power consumption of the first battery unit 120-1 and the second battery unit 120-2 caused by the data transmission.

[0103] In operation 704, the first unit controller 200-1 can be configured to transmit the obtained first signal to the main battery management system 110. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 can transmit the obtained first signal to the main battery management system 110 based on receiving a signal from the main battery management system 110 requesting the transmission of the data. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 can transmit the obtained first signal to the main battery management system 110 at each period specified by the user. For example, when a specified event occurs, the first unit controller 200-1 can transmit the obtained first signal to the main battery management system 110.

[0104] In operation 705, the second unit controller 200-2 may be configured to transmit the acquired second signal to the main battery management system 110. The description of operation 704 may be equally applicable to operation 705.

[0105] In operation 706, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to identify the states of the plurality of battery cells 120 based at least in part on the acquired first signal and second signal. The main battery management system 110 may be configured to identify a first value within the first signal and a second value within the second signal and obtain information for each of the plurality of battery cells 120 through the arithmetic process described below.

[0106] Figure 8 and Figure 9 is a simplified block diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment.

[0107] Figure 8 The battery module 100 shown represents a first state in which the main battery management system 110 can identify the states of the plurality of battery cells 120 based at least in part on the first signal and the second signal.

[0108] Referring to Figure 8 , the first unit controller 200-1 may be configured to acquire a first signal including a first value a1 indicating the state of the first battery cell 120-1 and the state of the second battery cell 120-2. The first value a1 may be the sum of a value x1 indicating the state of the first battery cell 120-1 and a value x2 indicating the state of the second battery cell 120-2 (a1 = x1 + x2). The second unit controller 200-2 may be configured to acquire a second signal including a second value a2 indicating the state of the second battery cell 120-2 and the state of the third battery cell 120-3. The second value a2 may be the sum of a value x2 indicating the state of the second battery cell 120-2 and a value x3 indicating the state of the third battery cell 120-3 (a2 = x2 + x3). The third unit controller 200-3 may be configured to acquire a signal including a third value a3 indicating the state of the third battery cell 120-3 and the state of the fourth battery cell 120-4. The third value a3 may be the sum of a value x3 indicating the state of the third battery cell 120-3 and a value x4 indicating the state of the fourth battery cell 120-4 (a3 = x3 + x4). The fourth unit controller (200-4) may be configured to acquire a second signal indicating a fourth value a4 of the state of the fourth battery cell 120-4 and the state of the fifth battery cell 120-5. The fourth value a4 may be the sum of a value x4 indicating the state of the fourth battery cell 120-4 and a value x5 indicating the state of the fifth battery cell 120-5 (a4 = x4 + x5).

[0109] According to an embodiment, as Figure 7For operations 701 to 706, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to receive a first signal, a second signal, a third signal, and a fourth signal. The main battery management system 110 may be configured to identify the states of the first battery cell, the second battery cell 120-2, the third battery cell 120-3, the fourth battery cell 120-4, and the fifth battery cell 120-5 based on the received signals.

[0110] For example, the main battery management system 110 may perform calculations for identifying the states of the respective battery cells. The main battery management system 110 may identify the sum of the voltages of the plurality of battery cells 120 supplied to the load (i.e., the operating voltage of the load). The sum of the voltages may be the sum value of the operating voltage x1 of the first battery cell 120-1, the operating voltage x2 of the second battery cell 120-2, the operating voltage x3 of the third battery cell 120-3, the operating voltage x4 of the fourth battery cell 120-4, and the operating voltage x5 of the fifth battery cell 120-5 (A = x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 + x5). The main battery management system 110 may obtain a value (B = x1) through a calculation of subtracting a second value (a2 = x2 + x3) and a fourth value (a4 = x4 + x5) from the value A. The value B may be substantially the same as the operating voltage x1 of the first battery cell 120-1, so the main battery management system 110 may identify the operating voltage x1 of the first battery cell 120-1. The main battery management system 110 may obtain a value (C = x2) through a calculation of subtracting the value (B = x1) from a first value (a1 = x1 + x2). The value C may be substantially the same as the operating voltage x2 of the second battery cell 120-2, so the main battery management system 110 may identify the operating voltage x2 of the second battery cell 120-2. According to an embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may identify the operating voltages of the first battery cell 120-1, the second battery cell 120-2, the third battery cell 120-3, the fourth battery cell 120-4, and the fifth battery cell 120-5 through the foregoing calculation process.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to obtain values for showing the states of the respective battery cells 120 within a first state that can recognize the states of multiple battery cells 120, at least in part based on a first signal, a second signal, a third signal, and a fourth signal. The main battery management system 110 may recognize the states of the respective battery cells 120 through the values for showing the states of the respective battery cells 120. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to determine that the third battery cell 120-3 is in an abnormal state when the difference in the operating voltage of the third battery cell 120-3 compared to the operating voltages of the remaining multiple battery cells is above a specified range. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to determine that the multiple battery cells 120 are in a normal state when the difference in the multiple operating voltages of the multiple battery cells 120 is within a specified range. The foregoing description is merely exemplary and is not limited thereto. For example, the multiple values may represent other parameters other than the operating voltage.

[0112] As described above, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to monitor the states of the respective cells through multiple cell controllers 200 connected to the multiple battery cells 120. If the battery module 100 is composed of multiple battery cells 120 that do not include cell controllers, the multiple cell controllers 200 are connected later to manage the multiple battery cells 120 that make up the battery module 100 respectively.

[0113] Figure 9 The shown battery module 100 represents a second state in which the main battery management system 110 cannot recognize the states of the multiple battery cells 120 at least in part based on the first signal and the second signal.

[0114] Refer to Figure 9 , the multiple cell controllers 200 may further include a cell controller configured inside a certain battery cell. For example, the multiple cell controllers may further include a fourth cell controller 200-4 configured to send a signal including a value for showing the state of the first battery cell 120-1 or the state of the fourth battery cell 120-4 connected to the end to the main battery management system 110 through the bus bar 500. In Figure 9 , the fourth cell controller 200-4 is configured inside the fourth battery cell 120-4, but the fourth cell controller 200-4 may also be configured inside the first battery cell 120-1.

[0115] The first unit controller 200-1 can be configured to obtain a first signal including a first value a1 showing the state of the first battery cell 120-1 and the state of the second battery cell 120-2. The first value a1 can be the sum value of a value x1 showing the state of the first battery cell 120-1 and a value x2 showing the state of the second battery cell 120-2 (a1 = x1 + x2). The second unit controller 200-2 can be configured to obtain a second signal including a second value a2 showing the state of the second battery cell 120-2 and the state of the third battery cell 120-3. The second value a2 can be the sum value of a value x2 showing the state of the second battery cell 120-2 and a value x3 showing the state of the third battery cell 120-3 (a2 = x2 + x3). The third unit controller 200-3 can be configured to obtain a signal including a third value a3 showing the state of the third battery cell 120-3 and the state of the fourth battery cell 120-4. The third value a3 can be the sum value of a value x3 showing the state of the third battery cell 120-3 and a value x4 showing the state of the fourth battery cell 120-4 (a3 = x3 + x4). The fourth unit controller (200-4) can be configured to obtain a signal including a fourth value a4 showing the state of the fourth battery cell 120-4.

[0116] According to one embodiment, along with Figure 7 operations 701 to 706, the main battery management system 110 can be configured to receive the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal. The main battery management system 110 can be configured to identify the states of the first battery cell, the second battery cell 120-2, the third battery cell 120-3, and the fourth battery cell 120-4 based on the received signals.

[0117] For example, the main battery management system 110 may perform calculations for identifying the states of the respective battery cells. For example, the plurality of numerical values can be referenced by the respective temperatures of the plurality of battery cells 120. The third numerical value a3 may represent the sum value of the temperature x3 of the third battery cell 120-3 and the temperature x4 of the fourth battery cell 120-4 (a3 = x3 + x4). The main battery management system 110 may identify the temperature x4 of the fourth battery cell 120-4 through the fourth numerical value a4 in the fourth signal (a4 = x4). The main battery management system 110 may identify the temperature x3 of the third battery cell 120-3 through the calculation of subtracting the fourth numerical value (a4 = x4) from the third numerical value (a3 = x3 + x4) in the third signal. The main battery management system 110 may identify the temperature x2 of the second battery cell 120-2 through the calculation of subtracting the temperature x3 of the third battery cell 120-3 from the second numerical value (a2 = x2 + x3) in the second signal. The main battery management system 110 may identify the temperature x1 of the first battery cell 120-1 through the calculation of subtracting the temperature x2 of the second battery cell 120-2 from the first numerical value (a1 = x1 + x2) in the first signal. According to one embodiment, the main battery management system 110 can identify the respective temperatures of the first battery cell 120-1, the second battery cell 120-2, the third battery cell 120-3, and the fourth battery cell 120-4 through the foregoing calculation process.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to monitor the states of the plurality of battery cells 120 based on the first signal, the second signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to determine that the third battery cell 120-3 is in an abnormal state when the difference in the temperature of the third battery cell 120-3 compared to the temperatures of the remaining plurality of battery cells is above a specified range. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to determine that the plurality of battery cells 120 are in a normal state when the temperature difference of the plurality of battery cells 120 is within a specified range. The foregoing description is merely exemplary and is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of numerical values may represent other parameters other than temperature.

[0119] As described above, as needed, at least one of the plurality of unit controllers 200 may be disposed inside a certain battery cell. If the battery module 100 is composed of the plurality of battery cells 120 that do not include a unit controller, one of the plurality of battery cells 120 can be replaced with a battery cell including a unit controller and the plurality of unit controllers 200 can be subsequently connected to manage the plurality of battery cells 120 constituting the battery module 100 respectively.

[0120] Refer again to Figure 7, in operation 707, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to infer the performance of the battery module 100 based on the state information of the plurality of battery cells 120. For example, the main battery management system 110 may be configured to infer the state of health (SOH) of each of the plurality of battery cells 120 based at least in part on a first signal and a second signal and infer the performance of the battery module 100 based on the inferred state of health of each of the plurality of battery cells 120.

[0121] Figure 10a Shows the battery module before the plurality of unit controllers are connected. Figure 10b Schematically shows the connection of the plurality of unit controllers to Figure 10a the state of the battery module shown.

[0122] Referring to Figure 10a , the battery module 100 may include a housing 600 that houses the plurality of battery cells 120. The plurality of battery cells 120 may be fastened to the structure of the housing 600 in a manner fixed to a specified position within the housing 600. The plurality of battery cells 120 may be electrically connected to each other through a bus bar 500. In order to dispose the plurality of unit controllers 200 for managing the plurality of battery cells 120 inside the plurality of battery cells 120 in a state where the plurality of battery cells 120 are packaged in the housing 600, the connection structure of the housing 600 may be released and the plurality of battery cells 120 may be removed from the housing 600. During the process of removing the plurality of battery cells 120, the plurality of battery cells 120 may be damaged or the housing 600 may be damaged. For example, the battery cells may be subjected to physical shock during the process of removing the plurality of battery cells 120. For example, the physical shock applied to the battery cells may cause the electrolyte inside the battery cells to leak.

[0123] Referring to Figure 10b , the plurality of unit controllers 200 may be connected to the plurality of battery cells 120. The plurality of unit controllers 200 may be connected to the outside of the plurality of battery cells 120. Connecting the plurality of unit controllers 200 such that the main battery management system (e.g., Figure 6The main battery management system 110) can manage multiple battery cells 120 as described above. According to an embodiment, in order to connect multiple unit controllers 200, it is not necessary to disconnect the connection structure of the housing 600 and it is also not necessary to individually disassemble the multiple battery cells 120. The multiple unit controllers 200 can be connected to the multiple battery cells 120 afterwards. For example, the first unit controller 200-1 can be connected to the first battery cell 120-1 and the second battery cell 120-2. The second unit controller 200-2 can be connected to the second battery cell 120-2 and the third battery cell 120-3. The multiple unit controllers 200 can be connected to the bus bar 500. The multiple unit controllers 200 can be configured to obtain information about the state of one or more connected battery cells. As needed, a certain battery cell among the multiple battery cells 120 can also be removed and replaced with a battery cell that includes a unit controller inside. According to an embodiment, even for a battery module 100 composed of multiple battery cells 120 that do not include unit controllers, by connecting the multiple unit controllers 200 afterwards, each of the multiple battery cells 120 that make up the battery module 100 can be managed and monitored.

[0124] A battery module according to an embodiment (for example, Figure 6 the battery module 100) can include multiple battery cells (for example, Figure 6 the multiple battery cells 120), a main battery management system (BMS, battery management system) (for example, Figure 6 the main battery management system 110), a bus bar (for example, Figure 6 the bus bar 500) and multiple unit controllers (for example, Figure 6 the multiple unit controllers 200). The multiple battery cells can include a first battery cell (for example, Figure 6 the first battery cell 120-1), a second battery cell (for example, Figure 6 the second battery cell 120-2) and a third battery cell (for example, Figure 6 the third battery cell 120-3). The main battery management system can be configured to manage the multiple battery cells. The bus bar can connect the multiple battery cells. The bus bar can be electrically connected to the main battery management system. The multiple unit controllers can be configured to send a signal including a numeric value for indicating the state of the multiple battery cells to the main battery management system through the bus bar. The multiple unit controllers can include a first unit controller (for example, Figure 6 the first unit controller 200-1) and a second unit controller (for example, Figure 6The second unit controller (200-2). The first unit controller may be connected to the first battery unit and the second battery unit. The first unit controller may be configured to send a first signal including a first value for indicating the state of the first battery unit and the state of the second battery unit to the main battery management system through the bus bar. The second unit controller may be connected to the second battery unit and the third battery unit. The second unit controller may be configured to send a second signal including a second value for indicating the state of the second battery unit and the state of the third battery unit to the main battery management system through the bus bar. The main battery management system may be configured to monitor the state of the plurality of battery units at least in part based on the first signal and the second signal.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the main battery management system may be configured as follows. Within a state where it can identify the state of the plurality of battery units at least in part based on the first signal and the second signal, it obtains a plurality of values for indicating the state of each of the plurality of battery units based on the first value and the second value.

[0126] According to one embodiment, the plurality of unit controllers may further include a third unit controller (e.g., Figure 9 the fourth unit controller (200-4)). The third unit controller may be configured to send a third signal including a third value for indicating the state of the first battery unit or the state of the third battery unit to the main battery management system through the bus bar. The main battery management system may be configured to monitor the state of the plurality of battery units based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the signal for indicating the state of the plurality of battery units may include at least one of information about the state of health (SOH) of the plurality of battery units, the voltage of the plurality of battery units, and the current of the plurality of battery units.

[0128] According to one embodiment, the main battery management system may be configured to infer the performance of the battery module composed of the plurality of battery units at least in part based on the first signal and the second signal.

[0129] It should be understood that the various embodiments herein and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to a specific embodiment, and include various modifications, equivalents or alternatives of such embodiment. In the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like or related structural elements. Unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form of a noun corresponding to a certain item may include one or more of the above items. In this document, phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase or any possible combination thereof. Terms such as "first", "second", or "the first" or "the second" may simply be used to distinguish one structural element from another, and these structural elements are not restricted in other aspects (such as importance or order). When referring to a certain (e.g., first) structural element being "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., second) structural element, whether with terms such as "functionally" or "communicatively" or without these terms, it means that the certain structural element can be connected to the other structural element by a direct means (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third structural element.

[0130] The various embodiments herein may be implemented as software (e.g., a program) including more than one instruction stored in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., internal memory or external memory). For example, a processor of a machine may call at least one instruction from the more than one instruction stored in the storage medium and execute the instruction. This allows the machine to be run to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction called. The more than one instruction may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Herein, "non-transitory" only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between the case where data is stored semi-permanently in the storage medium and the case where data is stored temporarily.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the methods according to the various embodiments disclosed herein are provided in a computer program product. The computer program product, as a commodity, can be traded between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product can be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed directly or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) through an application store (e.g., the Play Store TM ). In the case of online distribution, at least a part of the computer program product can be at least temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server).

[0132] According to various embodiments, each of the above structural elements (e.g., a module or a program) can include a single or multiple individuals, and some of the multiple individuals can be separately placed in other structural elements. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above corresponding structural elements or actions can be omitted, or one or more other structural elements or actions can be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple structural elements (e.g., modules or programs) can be integrated into one structural element. In this case, the integrated structural element can perform one or more functions of each of the multiple structural elements in the same or similar manner as the corresponding structural elements of the multiple structural elements performed before integration. According to various embodiments, the actions performed by a module, a program, or other structural elements can be performed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the actions can be performed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other actions can be added.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, comprising: a plurality of battery cells, including a first battery cell, a second battery cell and a third battery cell; a main battery management system for managing the plurality of battery cells; a bus bar connecting the plurality of battery cells and electrically connected to the main battery management system; and a plurality of unit controllers configured to send signals containing values for indicating the states of the plurality of battery cells to the main battery management system through the bus bar, the plurality of unit controllers including: a first unit controller connected to the first battery cell and the second battery cell, configured to send a first signal including a first value for indicating the states of the first battery cell and the second battery cell to the main battery management system through the bus bar; and a second unit controller connected to the second battery cell and the third battery cell, configured to send a second signal including a second value for indicating the states of the second battery cell and the third battery cell to the main battery management system through the bus bar, the main battery management system being configured to monitor the states of the plurality of battery cells at least in part based on the first signal and the second signal.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main battery management system is configured as follows, within the ability to at least in part identify the states of the plurality of battery cells based on the first signal and the second signal, to obtain a plurality of values for indicating the respective states of the plurality of battery cells based on the first value and the second value.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, the plurality of unit controllers further include a third unit controller configured to send a third signal including a third value for indicating the state of the first battery cell or the state of the third battery cell to the main battery management system through the bus bar, the main battery management system being configured to monitor the states of the plurality of battery cells based on the first signal, the second signal and the third signal.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signals for indicating the states of the plurality of battery cells include at least one of information about the health state of the plurality of battery cells, the voltage of the plurality of battery cells, and the current of the plurality of battery cells.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main battery management system is configured to infer the performance of the battery module constituted by the plurality of battery cells at least in part based on the first signal and the second signal.

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