Battery life information providing apparatus and method of operating same

Abstract

A battery life information providing apparatus according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes: a determination unit configured to determine whether a first battery pack included in a first vehicle is replaced based on a reference power consumption and first data on the first vehicle; a calculation unit configured to calculate a first replacement travel distance of the first vehicle based on the first data; and a diagnosis unit configured to calculate life information on the first battery pack based on the first replacement travel distance and the first data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0181137, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 21, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery life information providing apparatus and an operating method thereof. Background Art

[0005] Recently, research and development of secondary batteries have been actively conducted. Herein, secondary batteries, which are rechargeable / dischargeable batteries, may include all conventional nickel (Ni) / cadmium (Cd) batteries, Ni / metal hydride (MH) batteries, etc., as well as recent lithium ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium ion batteries have a much higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd batteries, Ni / MH batteries, etc. In addition, lithium ion batteries can be manufactured small and light in weight, such that lithium ion batteries have been used as power sources for mobile devices, and recently, the range of use of lithium ion batteries has been extended to power sources for electric vehicles, attracting attention as next-generation energy storage media.

[0006] Batteries installed in electric vehicles tend to deteriorate as they are repeatedly charged and discharged. For example, as batteries installed in electric vehicles are repeatedly charged and discharged for their driving, their capacity and resistance may deteriorate, and their remaining life may decrease. In addition, the degree of deterioration and the remaining life of the batteries may vary depending on the usage conditions of the electric vehicles.

[0007] When the remaining life of the batteries rapidly decreases, safety problems may occur during the use of electric vehicles. Therefore, a method for pre-diagnosing the state of batteries installed in electric vehicles and preventing risks caused by a sharp drop in battery performance, and a method for providing battery life information to users are needed.

[0008] In particular, when there is a history of battery replacement, user convenience can be improved by providing life information reflecting the replacement history. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical Problem

[0010] The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to determining a reference power consumption based on driving data and determining whether a battery pack has been replaced based on the reference power consumption and state data of the battery pack.

[0011] The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to providing an apparatus for providing lifespan information of a battery pack by reflecting whether the battery pack has been replaced, and an operating method of the apparatus.

[0012] Technical problems of the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery life information providing device includes: a determination unit, which is configured to determine whether a first battery pack included in a first vehicle is replaced based on a reference power consumption and first data about the first vehicle; a calculation unit, which is configured to calculate a first replacement driving distance of the first vehicle based on the first data; and a diagnosis unit, which is configured to calculate life information about the first battery pack based on the first replacement driving distance and the first data.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the battery life information providing apparatus may further include an electric consumption determining unit configured to receive a plurality of second data of a second vehicle of the same type as the first vehicle and calculate the reference electric consumption based on the plurality of second data.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the plurality of second data may include a plurality of second accumulated discharge currents of second battery packs respectively included in the second vehicle and a plurality of second accumulated driving distances of the second vehicle.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the power consumption determination unit may be further configured to determine whether the second battery pack is replaced, and calculate the reference power consumption based on a plurality of second data of the second vehicle including the second battery pack that is not replaced.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the electric consumption determination unit may be further configured to calculate the second electric consumption based on a plurality of second accumulated driving distances relative to a plurality of second accumulated discharge currents, and determine a third quartile electric consumption of the second electric consumption as the reference electric consumption.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the power consumption determination unit may be further configured to calculate an average power consumption of the second power consumption, the first data may include a first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and a first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle, and the calculation unit may be further configured to calculate a cumulative driving distance when the cumulative discharge current is 0 on a straight line having the average power consumption as a gradient of the first cumulative driving distance relative to the first cumulative discharge current as the driving distance before replacement, and calculate a result of subtracting the driving distance before replacement from the first cumulative driving distance as the first replacement driving distance.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first data may further include a first cumulative discharge voltage of the first battery pack, and the diagnosis unit may also be configured to calculate life information based on the first cumulative discharge current and the first cumulative discharge voltage with respect to the first replacement driving distance.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first data may include a first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and a first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle, and the determination unit may also be configured to determine that the first battery pack has been replaced when the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current exceeds a reference power consumption.

[0022] A method of operating a battery life information providing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: determining whether a first battery pack included in a first vehicle has been replaced based on a reference power consumption and first data regarding the first vehicle; calculating a first replacement driving distance of the first vehicle based on the first data; and calculating life information regarding the first battery pack based on the first replacement driving distance and the first data.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the method of operation may further include receiving a plurality of second data of a second vehicle of the same type as the first vehicle, and calculating a reference power consumption based on the plurality of second data.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the plurality of second data may include a plurality of second cumulative discharge currents of second battery packs respectively included in the second vehicles and a plurality of second cumulative driving distances of the second vehicles.

[0025] According to one embodiment, calculating the reference power consumption may include determining whether the second battery pack has been replaced, and calculating the reference power consumption based on the plurality of second data of the second vehicles including the non-replaced second battery packs.

[0026] According to one embodiment, calculating the reference power consumption may include calculating a second power consumption based on the plurality of second cumulative driving distances with respect to the plurality of second cumulative discharge currents, and determining a third quartile power consumption of the second power consumption as the reference power consumption.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the first data may include a first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and a first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle, and calculating the first replacement driving distance may include: calculating an average power consumption of the second power consumption; calculating a cumulative driving distance as the driving distance before replacement when the cumulative discharge current is 0 on a straight line having the average power consumption as a gradient of the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current; and calculating a result of subtracting the driving distance before replacement from the first cumulative driving distance as the first replacement driving distance.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the first data may further include a first cumulative discharge voltage of the first battery pack, and calculating life information regarding the first battery pack may further include calculating the life information based on the first cumulative discharge current and the first cumulative discharge voltage with respect to a first replacement driving distance.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the first data may include a first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and a first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle, and determining whether the first battery pack has been replaced may include determining that the first battery pack has been replaced when the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current exceeds a reference power consumption.

[0030] Advantageous Effects

[0031] A battery life providing apparatus and an operating method thereof according to an embodiment disclosed herein may determine whether a battery pack has been replaced.

[0032] A battery life providing apparatus and an operating method thereof according to an embodiment disclosed herein may calculate a driving distance of a vehicle after replacing a battery pack, and calculate life information of the battery pack based on the driving distance of the vehicle.

[0033] In addition, various effects directly or indirectly identified from the present disclosure may be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle including a battery pack.

[0035] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a battery life information providing apparatus according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0036] Figure 3 is a view for describing an operating method of a power consumption determination unit according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0037] Figure 4 is a view for describing a method for determining whether a battery pack has been replaced and a method for calculating a replacement driving distance.

[0038] Figure 5 is a view for describing life information calculated by a diagnosis unit according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0039] Figure 6 is a view for describing an operating method of a battery life information providing apparatus according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0040] Figure 7 is a view for describing an operating method of a battery life information providing apparatus according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0041] Figure 8 is a view for describing an operation method of a battery life information providing apparatus according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computing system for performing an operation method of a battery life information providing apparatus according to an embodiment disclosed herein. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals even if they are indicated in different drawings. Further, when determining that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this document, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0044] To describe components of the embodiments disclosed herein, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the components to their nature, sequence, order, etc. Terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art, provided that these terms are not defined differently. Generally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as their context in the related art and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or exaggerated meaning unless they are clearly defined in this application.

[0045] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle including a battery pack.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 , a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery pack 100 and a higher-level controller 200.

[0047] As Figure 1 shown, the battery pack 100 may include: a battery module 120 including one or more battery cells and being rechargeable / dischargeable; a switch unit 160 connected in series to a positive (+) terminal side or a negative (-) terminal side of the battery module 120 to control the flow of charging / discharging current of the battery module 120; and a battery management system (e.g., RBMS) 180 for controlling and managing to prevent overcharging, over-discharging, etc. of the battery pack 100 and for monitoring data on the battery module 120. The battery pack 100 may include a plurality of battery modules 120, sensors 140, switch units 160, and battery management systems (BMSs) 180 provided.

[0048] The sensor 140 can be connected between the battery module 120 and the battery management system 180 to sense the voltage, current, temperature, internal resistance, impedance, etc. of the battery module 120 and transmit them to the battery management system 180.

[0049] The switching unit 160, as an element for controlling the current flow for charging or discharging the battery module 120, such as at least one relay, magnetic contactor, etc., can be used according to the specification of the battery pack 100.

[0050] The battery management system 180, as an interface for receiving the measured values of the above various parameters, can include a plurality of terminals and circuits connected thereto for processing the input values, etc. The battery management system 180 can control the on / off of the switching unit 160, such as relays, contactors, etc., and can be connected to the battery module 120 to monitor the state of each battery module 120.

[0051] The higher-level controller 200 can send control signals regarding the battery module 100 through the battery management system 180. The battery management system 180 can be controlled in its operation based on the signals applied from the higher-level controller 200.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the battery management system 180 can receive data of the battery module 120 from the sensor 140, such as voltage, current, temperature, internal resistance, impedance, number of charge and discharge cycles, charge / discharge current, charge / discharge voltage, etc.

[0053] Data such as voltage, current, temperature, internal resistance, impedance, number of charge and discharge cycles, charge / discharge current, charge / discharge voltage, etc. of the battery module 120 can be data as a basis for determining the life information of the battery pack 100 included in the vehicle.

[0054] The battery management system 180 can transmit the data to an external device (such as a battery life information providing device, etc.).

[0055] The higher-level controller 200 can receive data regarding the driving of the vehicle 10 from another controller included in the vehicle 10 (such as a vehicle control unit (VCU)). For example, the data regarding the driving of the vehicle 10 can include information regarding the cumulative driving distance of the vehicle. The cumulative driving distance can be the total distance the vehicle 10 has traveled since the vehicle 10 left the factory. The higher-level controller 200 can provide the data received from another controller included in the vehicle 10 to the battery life information providing device ( Figure 2 of 20).

[0056] The battery life information providing device can receive data from the battery management system 180 and the higher-level controller 200. That is, the battery life information providing device can receive data regarding the vehicle 10.

[0057] The battery life information providing device can calculate life information regarding the battery pack 100 based on the received data.

[0058] The life information regarding the battery pack 100 can include, for example, the state of health (SOH), which is a performance index indicated by comparing the ideal state of the battery pack 100 with the current state of the battery pack 100.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the battery life information providing device can calculate the SOH based on the driving distance of the vehicle 10 including the battery pack 100, as well as the cumulative discharge current and cumulative discharge voltage of the battery pack 100.

[0060] The data collected by the battery pack 100 and the higher-level controller 200 can respectively correspond to multiple vehicles. The data may be affected by the driving habits of the driver and the environment in which the vehicle travels.

[0061] The battery life information providing device can be connected to multiple vehicles via a network to receive the data collected for each vehicle.

[0062] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a battery life information providing device according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0063] In Figure 2 it shows vehicles 10a and 10b connected to the battery life information providing device 20 via a network.

[0064] The vehicles can be respectively referred to as the first vehicle 10a and the second vehicle 10b, where the first vehicle 10a can include the first battery pack 100a and the first higher-level controller 200a, and the second vehicle 10b can include the second battery pack 100b and the second higher-level controller 200b.

[0065] The battery life information providing device 20 can be connected to multiple vehicles via a network. For ease of description, it will be described on the assumption that the first vehicle 10a can be the vehicle for which the life information is calculated and the second vehicle 10b is the vehicle that provides data for reference power consumption. The first vehicle 10a and the second vehicle 10b can be of the same type.

[0066] The battery life information providing apparatus 20 may include: a power consumption determination unit 320 that calculates a reference power consumption based on second data received from a second vehicle 10b; a determination unit 340 that determines whether a first battery pack 100a of the first vehicle 10a has been replaced based on the reference power consumption and data about the first vehicle 10a; a calculation unit 360 that calculates a first replacement driving distance of the first vehicle 10a after replacing the first battery pack 100a; and a diagnosis unit 380 that calculates life information about the first battery pack 100a.

[0067] Generally, power consumption may mean the driving distance (km) of a vehicle with respect to the consumed power (kWh). However, in this specification, for ease of description, the driving distance (km) of a vehicle with respect to the cumulative discharge current (Ah) may be the unit of power consumption.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the battery life information providing apparatus 20 may be connected to a plurality of second vehicles 10b and receive a plurality of second data. The second data may include the cumulative driving time and cumulative driving distance of the second vehicle 10b, and the cumulative discharge current and cumulative discharge voltage of a second battery pack 100b included in the second vehicle 10b.

[0069] The power consumption determination unit 320 may calculate a second power consumption based on the plurality of second data, and calculate a reference power consumption and an average power consumption based on the second power consumption.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the reference power consumption may be the power consumption for determining whether the first battery pack 100a included in the first vehicle 10a has been replaced, and the average power consumption may be the power consumption for calculating a first replacement driving distance, which is the driving distance of the first vehicle 10a after replacing the first battery pack 100a.

[0071] The reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 A method for determining the reference power consumption or the average power consumption performed by the power consumption determination unit 320 will be described in detail.

[0072] The power consumption determination unit 320 may select second data about a second vehicle among the second vehicles having an unreplaced battery pack, and calculate a plurality of second power consumptions based on the selected second data.

[0073] The determination unit 340 may determine whether the first battery pack 100a of the first vehicle 10a has been replaced based on the reference power consumption and the first data. The first data may include the cumulative driving time and cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle 10a, and the cumulative discharge current and cumulative discharge voltage of the first battery pack 100a included in the first vehicle 10a.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the first cumulative driving distance may be the total distance traveled by the first vehicle 10a since its factory production until the life information calculation time. The first cumulative discharge current may be the cumulative discharge current after the first battery pack 100a is installed on the first vehicle 10a.

[0075] Therefore, when the first battery pack 100a is a replacement battery pack, the first cumulative driving distance may be greater than the first cumulative discharge current.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the first data may include the first cumulative driving distance and the first cumulative discharge current at the life information calculation time. On the other hand, the second data may include total data regarding the change in the second cumulative driving distance and the change in the second cumulative discharge current of the second vehicle with respect to a preset time period.

[0077] Therefore, the power consumption determination unit 320 may determine whether the second battery pack 200a has been replaced based on the state changes of the second vehicle 10b and the second battery pack 200b over time.

[0078] On the other hand, the first data may only include data at the life information calculation time regarding the first vehicle 10a and the first battery pack 100a, such that the determination unit 340 may determine whether the first battery pack 100a has been replaced by introducing additional determination criteria (e.g., referring to power consumption).

[0079] According to one embodiment, the determination unit 340 may show the reference power consumption on a driving distance plane with respect to the discharge current, and compare the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current with the reference power consumption.

[0080] When the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current exceeds the reference power consumption, that is, when the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current on the driving distance plane with respect to the discharge current is higher than the reference power consumption graph, the determination unit 340 may determine that the first battery pack 100a of the first vehicle 10a has been replaced.

[0081] The reference Figure 3 A method for determining whether a battery pack has been replaced, which is performed by the determination unit 340, will be described in detail.

[0082] The calculation unit 360 may calculate the first replacement driving distance, that is, the driving distance of the first vehicle 10a after replacing the first battery pack 100a. The calculation unit 360 may calculate the first replacement driving distance by subtracting the driving distance before replacing the first battery pack 100a from the first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle 10.

[0083] The calculation unit 360 can calculate the driving distance before replacing the first battery pack 100a based on the average power consumption, the first cumulative discharge current, and the first cumulative driving distance. Reference will be made to Figure 4 Describe the detailed calculation operation of the calculation unit 360.

[0084] The diagnosis unit 380 can calculate the life information about the first battery pack 100a based on the first replacement driving distance and the first data. The life information can include the SOH information about the first battery pack 100a.

[0085] When the first battery pack 100a of the first vehicle 10a is replaced, the first cumulative driving distance may not correspond to the first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack 100a. Therefore, when calculating the life information (e.g., SOH) of the replaced first battery pack 100a by reflecting the first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle 10a, it may be difficult for the diagnosis unit 380 to calculate accurate life information.

[0086] For example, the first replacement driving distance may be less than the first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle 10a at the life information determination time. Therefore, when calculating the life information of the first battery pack 100a based on the first cumulative driving distance, the SOH of the first battery pack 100a may be calculated to be less than the actual SOH.

[0087] When the SOH of the first battery pack 100a is calculated to be less than the actual SOH, accurate information may not be provided to the user, and the user may not be able to predict the state of the first battery pack 100a.

[0088] The first data can include the first cumulative discharge voltage, which is the cumulative discharge voltage of the first battery pack 100a.

[0089] The diagnosis unit 380 can calculate the SOH of the first battery pack 100a for the first replacement driving distance. The diagnosis unit 380 can calculate the cumulative charge / discharge power of the replaced first battery pack 100a based on the first cumulative discharge voltage and the first cumulative discharge current, and calculate the SOH based on the cumulative charge / discharge power and the first replacement driving distance.

[0090] Figure 3 is a view for describing an operation method of the power consumption determination unit according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0091] More specifically, Figure 3 is a view for describing a method of selecting second data for a second vehicle having an un-replaced second battery pack from among a plurality of second data.

[0092] The power consumption determination unit 320 may collect a plurality of second data from a second vehicle of the same type as the first vehicle for which the life information is calculated.

[0093] The power consumption determination unit 320 may select, from among the plurality of collected second data, the second data regarding the second vehicle having an un-replaced second battery pack, and calculate a reference power consumption or an average power consumption based on the selected second data.

[0094] The power consumption determination unit 320 may calculate a second cumulative discharge current curve with respect to the number of driving days or a second cumulative driving distance curve with respect to the second cumulative discharge current for the second vehicle according to the plurality of second data, and determine whether the second battery pack is replaced based on the curve.

[0095] Figure 3 (a) shows a curve in which the second cumulative discharge current changes with respect to the number of driving days. As Figure 3 shown in (a), when a period in which the second cumulative discharge current decreases discontinuously with respect to the number of driving days is included, the power consumption determination unit 320 may determine that the second battery pack corresponding to the second data is replaced, and exclude the second data from the calculation of the reference power consumption or the average power consumption.

[0096] Figure 3 (b) shows a second cumulative driving distance curve with respect to the second cumulative discharge current. As Figure 3 shown in (b), when the cumulative driving distance is not 0 km for a cumulative discharge current of 0 Ah, the power consumption determination unit 320 may determine that the second battery pack corresponding to the second data is replaced, and exclude the second data from the calculation of the reference power consumption or the average power consumption.

[0097] The power consumption determination unit 320 may select, from among the plurality of second data, the second data corresponding to the un-replaced second battery pack, and calculate a reference power consumption based on the selected second data, so as to more accurately identify whether the first battery pack of the first vehicle for which the life information is calculated is replaced.

[0098] The power consumption determination unit 320 may calculate a plurality of second power consumptions according to the second data regarding the second vehicle including the un-replaced second battery pack. The power consumption determination unit 320 may calculate a reference power consumption or an average power consumption based on the plurality of second power consumptions.

[0099] Figure 4 is a view for describing a method for determining whether a battery pack is replaced and a method for calculating a replacement driving distance.

[0100] Figure 4 (a) shows a plurality of second power consumptions E1, E2, E3, and E4, a reference power consumption R, and an average power consumption M.

[0101] Figure 4 The second power consumptions E1, E2, E3, and E4 shown in (a) are merely examples, and the power consumption determination unit 320 may calculate the reference power consumption R and the average power consumption M based on more second power consumptions than the second power consumptions shown in Figure 4 the second power consumptions shown in.

[0102] The power consumption determination unit 320 may calculate the second power consumptions E1, E2, E3, and E4 of the plurality of second vehicles by calculating the second cumulative driving distance with respect to the second cumulative discharge current. The second power consumptions E1, E2, E3, and E4 may respectively correspond to random second vehicles.

[0103] As described in the reference Figure 3 the power consumption determination unit 320 may calculate the second power consumption based on the second data regarding the second vehicle including the un-replaced second battery pack. Therefore, the second power consumptions E1, E2, E3, and E4 used in the reference power consumption calculation may pass through the origin of the plane of the driving distance (km) with respect to the cumulative discharge current (Ah).

[0104] According to one embodiment, the power consumption determination unit 320 may determine the third quartile power consumption of the plurality of second power consumptions as the reference power consumption.

[0105] The third quartile value may be a value between the median and the maximum value. More specifically, the third quartile value may be a value at which 75% of all the materials have a value equal to or less than the third quartile.

[0106] When the third quartile power consumption of the second power consumption is the reference power consumption, the reference power consumption may be a power consumption corresponding to 75% of all the second power consumptions of the second vehicle including the un-replaced second battery pack.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the third quartile value may be a value that bisects the median and the maximum value. Therefore, the reference power consumption R may have a bisected value between the central power consumption (not shown) and the maximum power consumption (e.g., E1), where the central power consumption is a power consumption corresponding to 50% of all the second power consumptions E1, E2, E3, and E4, and the maximum power consumption is the maximum value among all the second power consumptions.

[0108] The power consumption determination unit 320 may calculate the average power consumption based on the second data regarding the second vehicle including the un-replaced second battery pack.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the average power consumption M may be the average rate of change of all the second power consumptions E1, E2, E3, and E4.

[0110] For ease of description, Figure 4 the reference power consumption R and the average power consumption M shown in (a) are shown as examples.

[0111] Figure 4 (b) is a view for describing a method of determining whether a battery pack is replaced, which is performed by the determination unit 340.

[0112] Figure 4 The reference power consumption R, the average power consumption M, and the first data S1 of the first vehicle are shown.

[0113] According to one embodiment, the first data S1 of the first vehicle, which undergoes life information determination, may include a first cumulative discharge current and a first cumulative driving distance.

[0114] When the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current included in the first data S1 exceeds the reference power consumption R, the determination unit 340 may determine that the first battery pack of the first vehicle has been replaced.

[0115] Reference Figure 4 Regarding (b), the first data S1 may be higher than the reference power consumption R. That is, the first cumulative driving distance for the first cumulative discharge current included in the first data S1 may be in a region exceeding the reference power consumption R. Therefore, the determination unit 340 may determine that the first battery pack of the first vehicle has been replaced.

[0116] The calculation unit 360 may calculate a first replacement driving distance based on the first cumulative discharge current and the first cumulative driving distance included in the first data S1.

[0117] When it is determined that the first battery pack has not been replaced, the calculation unit 360 may not separately calculate the first replacement driving distance.

[0118] When the first battery pack has not been replaced, the diagnosis unit 380 may calculate life information regarding the first battery pack based on the first cumulative driving distance.

[0119] When it is determined that the first battery pack has been replaced, the calculation unit 360 may calculate the first replacement driving distance based on the average power consumption, the first cumulative discharge current, and the first cumulative driving distance.

[0120] For example, in Figure 4 (b), the determination unit 340 may determine that the first battery pack corresponding to the first data S1 has been replaced, and the calculation unit 360 may calculate the replacement driving distance of the first vehicle.

[0121] According to one embodiment, the calculation unit 360 may calculate the first replacement driving distance by subtracting the driving distance of the cumulative discharge current of 0 Ah (the driving distance before replacement) from the first cumulative driving distance.

[0122] The calculation unit 360 may calculate the driving distance before replacement based on the average power consumption, the first cumulative discharge current, and the first cumulative driving distance.

[0123] Figure 4 The initial data S0 shown in (b) is calculated by the calculation unit 360 based on the first data S1 and the average power consumption M, and may indicate the state of the first vehicle before the first battery pack is replaced.

[0124] When the first battery pack is replaced, the cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack may be 0 Ah. That is, the driving distance included in the initial data S0 may be the driving distance before the first battery pack is replaced.

[0125] Reference Figure 4 Referring to (b), the gradient between the first data S1 and the initial data S0 may be the same as the average power consumption M.

[0126] The calculation unit 360 may calculate the first cumulative driving distance by subtracting the pre-replacement driving distance included in the initial data S0 from the first object driving distance included in the first data S1.

[0127] When calculating the first replacement driving distance, the diagnosis unit 380 may calculate the life information about the first battery pack based on the first replacement driving distance. According to one embodiment, the life information about the first battery pack may include, for example, the SOH of the first battery pack.

[0128] Figure 5 is a view for describing the life information calculated by the diagnosis unit according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0129] Figure 5 shows the result of determining whether the first battery pack is replaced and calculating the SOH value based on the first replacement driving distance and the first data when the first battery pack is replaced, and the result of calculating the SOH value based on the first cumulative driving distance and the first data when it is not determined whether the first battery pack is replaced.

[0130] The SOH value calculated by reflecting the replacement of the first battery pack may be greater than the SOH value calculated without reflecting the replacement.

[0131] When the first battery pack is replaced, the SOH value indicating the remaining life or current performance of the first battery pack may be greater than the SOH value when the first battery pack is not replaced. That is, when it is determined that the first battery pack is replaced and the SOH is calculated based on the first replacement driving distance (which is the driving distance after the first battery pack is replaced), a result close to the actual SOH value can be obtained.

[0132] Figure 6 is a view for describing an operation method of a battery life information providing device according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0133] In operation S100, the battery life information providing device may receive a plurality of second data of a second vehicle of the same type as the first vehicle.

[0134] The first vehicle may be a vehicle for which life information is calculated.

[0135] In operation S200, the battery life information providing device may calculate a reference power consumption based on the plurality of second data.

[0136] The plurality of second data may include a plurality of second cumulative discharge currents of a second battery pack included in the second vehicle and a plurality of second cumulative driving distances of the second vehicle, respectively.

[0137] The battery life information providing device may determine whether the second battery pack has been replaced, and calculate the reference power consumption based on the plurality of second data of the second vehicle including the unreplaced second battery pack.

[0138] More specifically, the battery life information providing device may determine whether the second battery pack has been replaced based on a second cumulative discharge current curve with respect to the elapsed number of driving days or a cumulative driving distance curve with respect to the cumulative discharge current, and may not use the second data for calculating the reference power consumption when the second battery pack has been replaced.

[0139] In operation S300, the battery life information providing device may determine whether the first battery pack included in the first vehicle has been replaced based on the reference power consumption and the first data regarding the first vehicle.

[0140] The first data may include a first cumulative discharge current or a first cumulative driving distance. The first cumulative discharge current is the cumulative discharge current of the first battery included in the first vehicle for which life information is calculated, and the first cumulative driving distance is the cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle.

[0141] When the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current exceeds the reference power consumption, the battery life information providing device may determine that the first battery pack has been replaced.

[0142] More specifically, when the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current exceeds the reference power consumption in the driving distance plane with respect to the discharge current, the battery life information providing device may determine that the first battery pack has been replaced.

[0143] In operation S400, the battery life information providing device may calculate a first replacement driving distance of the first vehicle based on the first data.

[0144] The first replacement driving distance may be the driving distance after replacing the first battery pack in the first vehicle.

[0145] In operation S500, the battery life information providing device may generate life information about the first battery pack based on the first replacement driving distance and the first data.

[0146] According to one embodiment, the first data may include the cumulative discharge voltage of the first battery pack for which life information is calculated.

[0147] The life information providing device may calculate life information about the first battery pack based on the first cumulative discharge current and the first cumulative discharge voltage relative to the first replacement driving distance.

[0148] When the life information providing device calculates life information including SOH by reflecting the first replacement driving distance, the accuracy of SOH calculation can be improved.

[0149] Figure 7 is a view for describing an operation method of a battery life information providing device according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0150] Reference will be made to Figure 7 describe operation S200 for calculating the reference power consumption in more detail.

[0151] In operation S210, the battery life information providing device may calculate a second power consumption based on a plurality of second cumulative driving distances relative to a plurality of second cumulative discharge currents.

[0152] The battery life information providing device may calculate the second cumulative driving distance relative to the second cumulative discharge current as the second power consumption. The battery life information providing device may calculate a plurality of second power consumptions respectively corresponding to a second vehicle including the non-replaced second battery pack.

[0153] In operation S220, the battery life information providing device may determine the third quartile power consumption of the plurality of second power consumptions as the reference power consumption. The third quartile power consumption may be the power consumption corresponding to 75% of all the second power consumptions of the second vehicle including the non-replaced second battery pack.

[0154] Figure 8 is a view for describing an operation method of a battery life information providing device according to another embodiment disclosed herein.

[0155] Reference will be made to Figure 8 describe operation S400 for calculating the first replacement driving distance in more detail.

[0156] The first data may include the first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and the first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle including the first battery pack.

[0157] In operation S410, the battery life information providing device may calculate an average power consumption of the second power consumption based on the second power consumption calculated according to a plurality of second data.

[0158] In operation S420, the battery life information providing device may calculate, as the pre-replacement driving distance, the cumulative driving distance when the cumulative discharge current is 0 on a straight line having the average power consumption as the gradient of the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current.

[0159] More specifically, the battery life information providing device may show, in a driving distance plane with respect to the discharge current, a straight line having the same gradient as the average power consumption.

[0160] This straight line may pass through the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current. For this straight line, when the cumulative discharge current is 0, the cumulative driving distance may be the driving distance before replacing the first battery pack.

[0161] In operation S430, the battery life information providing device may calculate the result of subtracting the pre-replacement driving distance from the first cumulative driving distance as the first replacement driving distance.

[0162] By subtracting the pre-replacement driving distance from the first cumulative driving distance, the battery life information providing device may calculate the actual distance traveled by the first vehicle since replacing the first battery pack.

[0163] Fig. 9 FIG. is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computing system for performing an operation method of a battery life information providing device according to an embodiment disclosed herein.

[0164] Reference Fig. 9 , a computing system 1000 according to an embodiment disclosed herein may include a microcontroller unit (MCU) 1010, a memory 1020, an input / output interface (I / F) 1030, and a communication I / F 1040.

[0165] The MCU 1010 may execute various programs stored in the memory 1020 (for example, a relay control program included in the battery pack, a program for collecting voltage, current, temperature, internal resistance, impedance, number of charge and discharge cycles, charge / discharge current, charge / discharge voltage, etc.), or process data collected through such programs. According to an embodiment, the MCU 1010 may be a processor for performing the functions of the battery life information providing device 10 shown in Figure 1 above, or a processor for performing the functions of a higher-level controller, and a processor for performing the functions of the data processing device 20 shown in Figure 2 above.

[0166] The memory 1020 may store driving data and / or status data, and store various programs regarding collection and data processing of battery data. The memory 1020 may be provided as multiple ones as needed. The memory 1020 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. For the memory 1020 as a volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), etc. may be used. For the memory 1020 as a non-volatile memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an electrically changeable ROM (EAROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, etc. may be used. The above-listed examples of the memory 1020 are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0167] The input / output I / F 1030 may provide an interface for transmitting and receiving data by connecting input devices (not shown) such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. and output devices (not shown) such as a display (not shown) to the MCU 1010.

[0168] The communication I / F 1040, as a component capable of transmitting and receiving various data, may be various devices capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, the battery life information providing device may directly transmit driving data and / or status data to the vehicle and receive driving data and / or status data from the vehicle through the communication I / F 1040. The battery life information providing device may also transmit driving data and / or status data to a separately provided external server or receive driving data and / or status data from a separately provided external server through the communication I / F 1040.

[0169] Therefore, a computer program according to an embodiment disclosed herein may be recorded in the memory 1020 and processed by the MCU 1010, and thus be implemented as a module that executes Figure 1 and Figure 2 the functions shown therein.

[0170] The above description only illustrates the technical concept of the present disclosure, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed herein belong may make various modifications and variations without departing from the basic characteristics of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0171] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are intended to describe rather than limit the technical spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments disclosed herein. The protection scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical spirits within the same scope should be understood to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery life information providing device, comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether a first battery pack included in the first vehicle has been replaced based on a reference power consumption and first data regarding the first vehicle; a calculation unit configured to calculate a first replacement driving distance of the first vehicle based on the first data; and a diagnosis unit configured to calculate life information regarding the first battery pack based on the first replacement driving distance and the first data.

2. The battery life information providing device according to claim 1, further comprising a power consumption determination unit configured to receive a plurality of second data of a second vehicle of the same type as the first vehicle, and calculate the reference power consumption based on the plurality of second data.

3. The battery life information providing device according to claim 2, wherein The plurality of second data respectively includes a plurality of second cumulative discharge currents of a second battery pack included in the second vehicle and a plurality of second cumulative driving distances of the second vehicle.

4. The battery life information providing device according to claim 3, wherein, The power consumption determination unit is further configured to determine whether the second battery pack has been replaced, and calculate the reference power consumption based on the plurality of second data of the second vehicle including the non-replaced second battery pack.

5. The battery life information providing device according to claim 3, wherein The power consumption determination unit is further configured to calculate a second power consumption based on the plurality of second cumulative driving distances with respect to the plurality of second cumulative discharge currents, and determine the third quartile power consumption of the second power consumption as the reference power consumption.

6. The battery life information providing device according to claim 5, wherein, The power consumption determination unit is further configured to calculate an average power consumption of the second power consumption, the first data includes a first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and a first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle, and the calculation unit is further configured to calculate a cumulative driving distance before replacement as the cumulative driving distance when the cumulative discharge current is 0 on a straight line having an average power consumption as the gradient of the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current, and calculate a result of subtracting the cumulative driving distance before replacement from the first cumulative driving distance as the first replacement driving distance.

7. The battery life information providing device according to claim 6, wherein, The first data further includes a first cumulative discharge voltage of the first battery pack, and the diagnosis unit is further configured to calculate the life information based on the first cumulative discharge current and the first cumulative discharge voltage with respect to the first replacement driving distance.

8. The battery life information providing device according to claim 1, wherein, The first data includes a first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and a first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle, and the determination unit is further configured to determine that the first battery pack has been replaced when the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current exceeds the reference power consumption.

9. An operation method of a battery life information providing device, the operation method comprising: determining whether a first battery pack included in the first vehicle has been replaced based on a reference power consumption and first data regarding the first vehicle; calculating a first replacement driving distance of the first vehicle based on the first data; and calculating life information regarding the first battery pack based on the first replacement driving distance and the first data.

10. The operation method according to claim 9 further includes: Receiving a plurality of second data of a second vehicle of the same type as the first vehicle; And Calculating the reference power consumption based on the plurality of second data.

11. The operating method according to claim 10, wherein, The plurality of second data respectively include a plurality of second cumulative discharge currents of a second battery pack in the second vehicle and a plurality of second cumulative driving distances of the second vehicle.

12. The operating method according to claim 11, wherein, Calculating the reference power consumption includes: Determining whether the second battery pack is replaced; and Calculating the reference power consumption based on the plurality of second data of the second vehicle including the non-replaced second battery pack.

13. The operating method according to claim 11, wherein, Calculating the reference power consumption includes: Calculating a second power consumption based on the plurality of second cumulative driving distances with respect to the plurality of second cumulative discharge currents; and Determining the third quartile power consumption of the second power consumption as the reference power consumption.

14. The operation method according to claim 13, wherein the first data includes a first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and a first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle, and Calculating the first replacement driving distance includes: Calculating an average power consumption of the second power consumption; Calculating, as the driving distance before replacement, the cumulative driving distance when the cumulative discharge current is 0 on a straight line having the average power consumption as the gradient of the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current; And Calculating the result of subtracting the driving distance before replacement from the first cumulative driving distance as the first replacement driving distance.

15. The operating method according to claim 14, wherein, The first data further includes a first cumulative discharge voltage of the first battery pack, and Calculating the life information about the first battery pack includes calculating the life information based on the first cumulative discharge current and the first cumulative discharge voltage with respect to the first replacement driving distance.

16. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein, The first data includes a first cumulative discharge current of the first battery pack and a first cumulative driving distance of the first vehicle, and Determining whether the first battery pack is replaced includes determining that the first battery pack is replaced when the first cumulative driving distance with respect to the first cumulative discharge current exceeds the reference power consumption.

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