Battery diagnostic apparatus and method

Abstract

A battery diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a measurement unit configured to measure, for each of a plurality of batteries, a vibration value generated in a preset axial direction; and a control unit configured to diagnose a state of the plurality of batteries according to a vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries based on at least one of a reference deviation value preset for the plurality of batteries and a reference vibration value preset to correspond to the axial direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0096083 filed in Korea on Jul. 24, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery diagnostic apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a battery diagnostic apparatus and method for diagnosing a state of a battery based on a vibration value generated in the battery. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, video cameras, and portable phones has increased dramatically, and electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. have been developed in earnest. Therefore, high-performance batteries that allow repeated charging and discharging are being actively researched.

[0004] Currently commercially available batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium batteries, etc. Among these batteries, lithium batteries have attracted much attention because they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, and have a very low self-charging rate and high energy density.

[0005] As electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles, and other electric-powered devices become commercially available, demand for high-capacity and high-performance batteries is increasing. To meet these demands, electric vehicles and other devices include multiple battery packs. For example, multiple battery packs are connected to each other using connectors to meet the output requirements of the electric vehicle.

[0006] However, if vibration or external impact is applied to the multiple connected battery packs, connection failures may occur between the multiple battery packs. Such connection failures may weaken the connector connection and cause micro short circuits. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] The present disclosure is intended to solve the problems of the related art, and thus the present disclosure is intended to provide a battery diagnosis device and method for diagnosing a state of a battery based on a vibration value generated in the battery.

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood from the following detailed description and will become more fully apparent from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it is easy to understand that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and their combinations.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery diagnostic device may include: a measuring unit configured to measure a vibration value generated in a preset axial direction for each of a plurality of batteries; and a control unit configured to diagnose the status of the plurality of batteries according to the vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries based on at least one of a baseline deviation value preset for the plurality of batteries and a baseline vibration value preset to correspond to the axial direction.

[0012] The preset axial direction can be configured to include at least one of the following: an X-axis direction set as the moving direction of the multiple batteries; a Y-axis direction set as the left-right direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the multiple batteries; and a Z-axis direction set as the up-down direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the multiple batteries.

[0013] The control unit may be configured to: calculate a vibration value deviation of a plurality of vibration values measured by the measuring unit for each axial direction, compare each calculated vibration value deviation with the reference deviation value; and diagnose a state of each of the plurality of batteries based on a comparison result.

[0014] The control unit may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery whose vibration value deviation is less than or equal to the reference deviation value as a normal state, and diagnose the state of the battery whose vibration value deviation exceeds the reference deviation value as a defective state.

[0015] The measuring unit may be configured to measure a first vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries generated in the X-axis direction for each preset measurement period.

[0016] The control unit may be configured to count the number of times a maximum value of the first vibration value measured for each measurement period during a preset threshold time is equal to or greater than a first reference vibration value preset to correspond to the X-axis direction, and calculate a vibration value deviation relative to the first vibration value when the calculated number reaches a reference number.

[0017] The measuring unit may be configured to measure a second vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries generated in the Y-axis direction.

[0018] The control unit may be configured to diagnose a battery whose second vibration value is less than or equal to a second reference vibration value preset corresponding to the Y-axis direction as a normal state, and diagnose a battery whose second vibration value exceeds the second reference vibration value as a defective state.

[0019] The measuring unit may be configured to measure a third vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries generated in the Z-axis direction.

[0020] The control unit may be configured to diagnose a state of a battery whose third vibration value is less than or equal to a third reference vibration value preset corresponding to the Z-axis direction as a normal state, and diagnose a state of a battery whose third vibration value exceeds the third reference vibration value as a defective state.

[0021] The control unit may be configured to diagnose a state of each of the plurality of batteries as a normal state or a defective state, and electrically isolate the battery diagnosed as the defective state from the battery diagnosed as the normal state.

[0022] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present disclosure may include the battery diagnostic apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] A vehicle according to still another aspect of the present disclosure may include the battery diagnostic apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a battery diagnosis method may include the following steps: a vibration value measuring step, which measures the vibration value generated in a preset axial direction for each of a plurality of batteries; and a battery status diagnosis step, which diagnoses the status of the plurality of batteries according to the vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries based on at least one of a reference deviation value preset for the plurality of batteries and a reference vibration value preset to correspond to the axial direction.

[0025] Beneficial effects

[0026] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery diagnostic device can diagnose the battery status based on the amount of vibration in an axial direction set according to the movement direction of multiple batteries. In other words, because the battery diagnostic device can quickly diagnose the status of multiple batteries based on the amount of vibration of the multiple batteries, it can prevent accidents that may occur due to poor fastening between multiple batteries or external impact.

[0027] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and therefore, the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 2is a diagram schematically illustrating a plurality of batteries and an axial direction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing an exemplary configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing an exemplary configuration of a vehicle according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery diagnosis method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] It should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted according to the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure based on the principle of allowing the inventor to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation.

[0035] Therefore, the descriptions herein are merely preferred examples for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that other equivalent substitutions and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] Additionally, in describing the present disclosure, when it is considered that the detailed description of related known elements or functions makes the key subject matter of the present disclosure obscure, the detailed description is omitted herein.

[0037] Terms including ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” etc. may be used to distinguish one element from another of various elements, but are not intended to limit the elements by these terms.

[0038] Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as “including” or “comprising” any element, it means that the part may further include other elements, without excluding other elements, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0039] In addition, throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as being “connected” to another part, it is not limited to the case where they are “directly connected” but also includes the case where they are “indirectly connected” with another element interposed therebetween.

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery diagnostic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Reference Figure 1, the battery diagnostic apparatus 100 may include a measuring unit 110 and a control unit 120 .

[0043] The measuring unit 110 may be configured to measure a vibration value generated in a preset axial direction for each of the plurality of batteries B.

[0044] Here, a battery refers to a physically separable individual battery cell having a negative electrode terminal and a positive electrode terminal. For example, a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-polymer battery may be considered a battery. Furthermore, a battery may refer to a battery module having multiple battery cells connected in series and / or in parallel. Furthermore, a battery may refer to a battery pack having multiple battery modules connected in series and / or in parallel.

[0045] In addition, the preset axial direction may be set according to the moving direction of the plurality of batteries B. Specifically, the preset axial direction may include an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction.

[0046] For example, the X-axis direction may be set as the moving direction of the multiple batteries B. The Y-axis direction may be set as the left-right direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the multiple batteries B. The Z-axis direction may be set as the up-down direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the multiple batteries B.

[0047] Figure 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a plurality of batteries B and an axial direction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] For example, in Figure 2 In an embodiment, the multiple batteries B may be electrically connected. The movement direction of the multiple batteries B may be set as the X-axis direction. The left-right direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the multiple batteries B may be set as the Y-axis direction. The up-down direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the multiple batteries B may be set as the Z-axis direction.

[0049] In the example where a plurality of batteries B are provided in the vehicle, the X-axis direction is the direction of travel of the vehicle. For example, the X-axis direction may be the normal direction of travel of the vehicle. And, the Y-axis direction is the left-right direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle (X-axis direction). For example, the Y-axis direction may be a direction parallel to the ground on which the vehicle is located, among a plurality of directions perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle (X-axis direction). Finally, the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle (X-axis direction). For example, the Z-axis direction may be a direction perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle is located, among a plurality of directions perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle (X-axis direction).

[0050] The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the status of the plurality of batteries B according to the vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries B based on at least one of a reference deviation value preset for the plurality of batteries B and a reference vibration value preset to correspond to the axial direction.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit 120 may diagnose the state of the battery as a normal state or a defective state.

[0052] For example, the control unit 120 can diagnose the status of multiple batteries B based on a preset reference deviation value. The control unit 120 can calculate the vibration value deviation for each of the multiple vibration values. Specifically, the control unit 120 can calculate the average of the multiple vibration values and calculate the difference between the multiple vibration values and the average value to calculate the vibration value deviation of each of the multiple batteries B. The control unit 120 can compare the calculated multiple vibration value deviations with a preset reference deviation value. The control unit 120 can be configured to diagnose the status of a battery whose vibration value deviation is less than or equal to the reference deviation value as a normal state, and diagnose the status of a battery whose vibration value deviation exceeds the reference deviation value as a defective state.

[0053] As another example, the control unit 120 may diagnose the status of multiple batteries B based on a preset reference vibration value. The control unit 120 may compare the multiple vibration values measured by the measurement unit 110 with the preset reference vibration value. Here, the reference vibration value may be a reference value preset to correspond to the axial direction. The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the status of a battery whose vibration value is less than or equal to the reference vibration value as a normal state, and diagnose the status of a battery whose vibration value exceeds the reference vibration value as a defective state.

[0054] As another example, the control unit 120 may diagnose the status of multiple batteries B based on a preset baseline deviation value and a preset baseline vibration value. If the status of a battery diagnosed by comparing the baseline deviation value and the vibration value deviation is assumed to be the status of a first battery B1, and the status of a battery diagnosed by comparing the baseline vibration value and the vibration value is assumed to be the status of a second battery B2, the control unit 120 may be configured to: if both the status of the first battery B1 and the status of the second battery B2 are normal, diagnose the battery status as a normal state. In other words, if the status of the first battery B1 or the status of the second battery B2 is a defective state, the control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the battery status as a defective state.

[0055] The battery diagnostic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantage that it can diagnose the status of the batteries based on the amount of vibration in the axial direction set according to the movement direction of the plurality of batteries B. That is, since the battery diagnostic device 100 can quickly diagnose the status of the plurality of batteries B based on the amount of vibration of the plurality of batteries B, it has the advantage that accidents that may occur due to poor fastening between the plurality of batteries B or external impact can be prevented in advance.

[0056] Meanwhile, the control unit 120 included in the battery diagnostic device 100 may optionally include a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, a communication modem, a data processing device, etc., known in the art for executing the various control logics implemented in the present disclosure. Furthermore, when the control logic is implemented as software, the control unit 120 may be implemented as a set of program modules. In this case, the program modules may be stored in a memory and executed by the control unit 120. The memory may be internal or external to the control unit 120 and may be connected to the control unit 120 via various well-known means.

[0057] The battery diagnostic device 100 may also include a storage unit 130. This storage unit 130 can store data required for the operation and function of each component of the battery diagnostic device 100, as well as data generated during the execution of operations or functions. The type of storage unit 130 is not particularly limited, as long as it is a known information storage device capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. Examples of information storage devices include RAM, flash memory, ROM, EEPROM, registers, and the like. Furthermore, the storage unit 130 can store program code that defines the processes executable by the control unit 120.

[0058] The control unit 120 may be configured to calculate a vibration value deviation of the plurality of vibration values measured by the measuring unit 110 for each axial direction.

[0059] Specifically, the measurement unit 110 may measure the vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries B. Furthermore, the control unit 120 may calculate an average value of the plurality of vibration values measured for the plurality of batteries B. Furthermore, the control unit 120 may calculate a vibration value deviation of the plurality of vibration values by calculating the difference between each of the plurality of vibration values and the average value. Preferably, the control unit 120 may separately calculate the vibration value deviation in the X-axis direction, the vibration value deviation in the Y-axis direction, and the vibration value deviation in the Z-axis direction.

[0060] For example, in Figure 2 In an embodiment, the measuring unit 110 may measure the vibration values in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4. Here, the vibration values in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction may each be measured four times. The control unit 120 may calculate the vibration value deviation in the X-axis direction, the vibration value deviation in the Y-axis direction, and the vibration value deviation in the Z-axis direction of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4, respectively.

[0061] The control unit 120 may be configured to compare each generated vibration value deviation with a reference deviation value.

[0062] Specifically, a reference deviation value can be set for each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. For example, assuming a vehicle includes multiple batteries B, vibrations may occur as the batteries B shake in the vehicle's direction of travel (X-axis direction). However, the frequency of batteries B shaking in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) or the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) relative to the vehicle's travel direction is relatively low. Therefore, a reference deviation value can be set for each axial direction.

[0063] For example, in Figure 2 In the embodiment, the control unit 120 may compare the vibration value deviation of the first battery B1 in the X-axis direction with the reference deviation value in the X-axis direction, compare the vibration value deviation in the Y-axis direction with the reference deviation value in the Y-axis direction, and compare the vibration value deviation in the Z-axis direction with the reference deviation value in the Z-axis direction. Similarly, the control unit 120 may compare the vibration value deviation of the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 with the reference deviation value.

[0064] The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose a state of each of the plurality of batteries B based on the comparison result.

[0065] Specifically, the control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the state of a battery whose vibration value deviation is less than or equal to a reference deviation value as a normal state, and diagnose the state of a battery whose vibration value deviation exceeds the reference deviation value as a defective state.

[0066] Here, the normal state means that the connection state with other batteries is normal. On the contrary, the defective state means that the connection state with other batteries is defective.

[0067] For example, in Figure 2 In an embodiment, if a connection member (such as a connector connecting the first and second batteries B1 and B2) is damaged, the vibration values measured for the first and second batteries B1 and B2 may be greater than the vibration values measured for the third and fourth batteries B3 and B4. If the deviation of the vibration values of the first and second batteries B1 and B2 exceeds a reference deviation value, the control unit 120 may diagnose the states of the first and second batteries B1 and B2 as defective. Conversely, if the deviation of the vibration values of the third and fourth batteries B3 and B4 is less than or equal to the reference deviation value, the control unit 120 may diagnose the states of the third and fourth batteries B3 and B4 as normal.

[0068] The battery diagnostic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is advantageous in that the state of each of the plurality of batteries B can be diagnosed through relative comparison of their vibration values (eg, vibration value deviations).

[0069] Next, an example of diagnosing the state of a battery by comparing a first vibration value generated in the X-axis direction with a first reference vibration value will be described.

[0070] The measuring unit 110 may be configured to measure a first vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries B generated in the X-axis direction for each preset measurement period.

[0071] For example, in Figure 2 In the embodiment, the measuring unit 110 may measure the first vibration values of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 for each preset measurement period.

[0072] The control unit 120 may be configured to count the number of times a maximum value of the first vibration value measured per measurement period during a preset threshold time is greater than or equal to a first reference vibration value preset to correspond to the X-axis direction.

[0073] Here, the first reference vibration value is a reference vibration value preset for the X-axis direction.

[0074] For example, assuming the threshold time is 100 seconds and the measurement period is 10 seconds, 10 measurement periods may occur during the threshold time. The control unit 120 may count the number of times the maximum value of the first vibration value of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 is greater than or equal to the first reference vibration value in each of the 10 measurement periods.

[0075] The control unit 120 may be configured to calculate a vibration value deviation relative to the first vibration value when the calculated number of times reaches a reference number. Furthermore, the control unit 120 may diagnose the battery state as normal if the vibration value deviation is less than or equal to the reference deviation value. Conversely, the control unit 120 may diagnose the battery state as defective if the vibration value deviation exceeds the reference deviation value.

[0076] Specifically, if the maximum value of the first vibration values of the plurality of batteries B is greater than or equal to the first reference vibration value a reference number of times, there is a problem with the connection of at least one of the plurality of batteries B. In this case, the control unit 120 may calculate a vibration value deviation of the plurality of first vibration values and compare the calculated vibration value deviation with a reference deviation value to diagnose the state of the battery as a normal state or a defective state.

[0077] For example, in the previous embodiment, assuming that the maximum value of the first vibration value of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 is greater than or equal to the first reference vibration value a reference number of times, the control unit 120 may calculate the vibration value deviation of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4, which was last measured. Furthermore, the control unit 120 may compare the calculated vibration value deviation of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 with the reference deviation value to diagnose the condition of each of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4.

[0078] Therefore, the battery diagnostic device 100 can first determine whether a connection problem has occurred by comparing the maximum value of the plurality of first vibration values with the first reference vibration value. Furthermore, when a connection problem is likely to occur in at least one of the plurality of batteries B (when the maximum value of the first vibration value is greater than or equal to the first reference vibration value a reference number of times), the battery diagnostic device 100 can perform a secondary diagnosis of the condition of each of the plurality of batteries B by comparing the vibration value deviations of the plurality of batteries B.

[0079] Next, an example of diagnosing the state of a battery based on vibration values generated in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is described.

[0080] The measuring unit 110 may be configured to measure a second vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries B generated in the Y-axis direction.

[0081] For example, in Figure 2 In the embodiment, the measuring unit 110 may measure the second vibration values of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 for each preset measurement period.

[0082] The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the battery state as normal when the second vibration value is lower than or equal to a second reference vibration value preset corresponding to the Y-axis direction. Conversely, the control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the battery state as defective when the second vibration value exceeds the second reference vibration value.

[0083] Here, the second reference vibration value is a reference vibration value preset for the Y-axis direction.

[0084] For example, in Figure 2In an embodiment, the control unit 120 may compare the second vibration value of the first battery B1 with the second reference vibration value, and diagnose the condition of the first battery B1 based on the comparison result. The control unit 120 may compare the second vibration value of the second battery B2 with the second reference vibration value, and diagnose the condition of the second battery B2 based on the comparison result. The control unit 120 may compare the second vibration value of the third battery B3 with the second reference vibration value, and diagnose the condition of the third battery B3 based on the comparison result. The control unit 120 may compare the second vibration value of the fourth battery B4 with the second reference vibration value, and diagnose the condition of the fourth battery B4 based on the comparison result.

[0085] Next, an example of diagnosing the state of a battery by comparing the third vibration value generated in the Z-axis direction with the third reference vibration value will be described.

[0086] The measuring unit 110 may be configured to measure a third vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries B generated in the Z-axis direction.

[0087] For example, in Figure 2 In the embodiment, the measuring unit 110 may measure the third vibration values of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 for each preset measurement period.

[0088] The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose a battery whose third vibration value is lower than or equal to a third reference vibration value preset corresponding to the Z-axis direction as a normal state. Conversely, the control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose a battery whose third vibration value exceeds the third reference vibration value as a defective state.

[0089] Here, the third reference vibration value is a reference vibration value preset for the Z-axis direction.

[0090] For example, in Figure 2 In an embodiment, the control unit 120 may compare the third vibration value of the first battery B1 with the third reference vibration value, and diagnose the condition of the first battery B1 based on the comparison result. The control unit 120 may compare the third vibration value of the second battery B2 with the third reference vibration value, and diagnose the condition of the second battery B2 based on the comparison result. The control unit 120 may compare the third vibration value of the third battery B3 with the third reference vibration value, and diagnose the condition of the third battery B3 based on the comparison result. The control unit 120 may compare the third vibration value of the fourth battery B4 with the third reference vibration value, and diagnose the condition of the fourth battery B4 based on the comparison result.

[0091] As mentioned above, the batteries B typically generate little vibration in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) or the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) relative to the moving direction (X-axis direction). Therefore, to more accurately diagnose the battery status, it is necessary to independently set a first reference vibration value corresponding to the X-axis direction, a second reference vibration value corresponding to the Y-axis direction, and a third reference vibration value corresponding to the Z-axis direction.

[0092] If a reference vibration value (e.g., a first reference vibration value corresponding to the X-axis direction) is compared with vibration values in other axial directions (e.g., the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction) without considering the movement characteristics of the plurality of batteries B in the axial direction, the battery condition may not be accurately diagnosed. This is because the vibration value (permissible vibration range) that generally occurs in each axial direction is different.

[0093] Therefore, the battery diagnostic apparatus 100 is advantageous in that it is possible to more accurately diagnose the state of the battery by using the reference vibration value corresponding to each axial direction.

[0094] The control unit 120 may be configured to electrically isolate the battery diagnosed as being in a defective state from the battery diagnosed as being in a normal state.

[0095] Specifically, a battery having a poor or weak connection with another battery may be diagnosed as being in a defective state. The control unit 120 may electrically isolate the battery diagnosed as being in a defective state from the battery diagnosed as being in a normal state to prevent electrical problems such as short circuits from occurring due to the battery diagnosed as being in a defective state.

[0096] For example, the control unit 120 can electrically isolate the battery diagnosed as defective from the battery diagnosed as normal by controlling a relay connecting the battery diagnosed as defective and the battery diagnosed as normal, or by performing a protective action such as cutting off a fuse.

[0097] Therefore, the battery diagnostic apparatus 100 has an advantage in that it is possible to prevent electrical accidents that may occur from a battery in a defective state.

[0098] The battery diagnostic device 100 according to the present disclosure can be applied to a battery management system (BMS). That is, the BMS according to the present disclosure can include the battery diagnostic device 100 for diagnosing the above-mentioned battery. In this configuration, at least some of the components of the battery diagnostic device 100 can be implemented by supplementing or adding the functions of components included in a conventional BMS. For example, the measurement unit 110, control unit 120, and storage unit 130 of the battery diagnostic device 100 can be implemented as components of the BMS.

[0099] In addition, the battery diagnostic device 100 according to the present disclosure can be provided in a battery pack. That is, the battery pack according to the present disclosure can include the battery diagnostic device 100 described above for diagnosing a battery and at least one battery cell. In addition, the battery pack can also include electrical components (relays, fuses, etc.) and a housing.

[0100] Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing an exemplary configuration of a battery pack 1 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] The battery pack 1 may include a plurality of batteries 10. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the first battery 10a, the second battery 10b, the third battery 10c and the fourth battery 10d can be connected in series. However, it should be noted that the connection relationship of the plurality of batteries 10 is not limited to Figure 3 , and a plurality of batteries 10 may be connected in series and / or in parallel.

[0102] Positive electrode terminals of the plurality of batteries 10 may be connected to the positive electrode terminal P+ of the battery pack 1 , and negative electrode terminals of the plurality of batteries 10 may be connected to the negative electrode terminal P− of the battery pack 1 .

[0103] The measuring unit 110 may measure the vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries 10 through the sensing line. Specifically, the measuring unit 110 may measure the first vibration value, the second vibration value, and the third vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries 10.

[0104] For example, the measurement unit 110 may be connected to a first sensing line SL1, a second sensing line SL2, a third sensing line SL3, and a fourth sensing line SL4. The measurement unit 110 may measure the vibration value of the first battery 10a through the first sensing line SL1, and may measure the vibration value of the second battery 10b through the second sensing line SL2. The measurement unit 110 may measure the vibration value of the third battery 10c through the third sensing line SL3, and may measure the vibration value of the fourth battery 10d through the fourth sensing line SL4.

[0105] An external device may be connected to the positive electrode terminal P+ and the negative electrode terminal P− of the battery pack 1. For example, the external device may be a charging / discharging device or a motor of an electric vehicle that receives power from the battery pack 1.

[0106] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle 800 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] Reference Figure 4The battery pack 810 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be included in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle (HV). In addition, the battery pack 810 may drive the vehicle 800 by supplying power to a motor via an inverter provided in the vehicle 800.

[0108] Hereinafter, it is described that the battery pack 810 includes the plurality of batteries B.

[0109] Considering the characteristic of the vehicle 800 moving back and forth, the driving direction of the vehicle 800 can be matched with the moving directions of the plurality of batteries B. For example, Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the driving direction of the vehicle 800 is parallel to the X-axis direction. The control unit 120 may diagnose the state of each of the plurality of batteries B based on the first vibration value of the plurality of batteries B in the X-axis direction.

[0110] In addition, the left-right direction of the vehicle 800 may be a left-right direction perpendicular to the direction in which the vehicle 800 is traveling. For example, the left-right direction of the vehicle 800 may be a direction parallel to the ground among directions perpendicular to the direction in which the vehicle 800 is traveling. In addition, the left-right direction of the vehicle 800 may be a left-right direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of batteries B are moving. For example, Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the left-right direction of the vehicle 800 is a direction parallel to the Y-axis direction. The control unit 120 may diagnose the state of each of the plurality of batteries B based on the second vibration value of the plurality of batteries B in the Y-axis direction.

[0111] Furthermore, the up-down direction of the vehicle 800 may be a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the vehicle 800 is traveling. For example, the up-down direction of the vehicle 800 may be a direction perpendicular to the ground among directions perpendicular to the direction in which the vehicle 800 is traveling. Furthermore, the up-down direction of the vehicle 800 may be a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of batteries B are moving. For example, Figure 4 In the embodiment of FIG. , the up-down direction of the vehicle 800 is a direction parallel to the Z-axis direction. The control unit 120 may diagnose the state of each of the plurality of batteries B based on the third vibration value of the plurality of batteries B in the Z-axis direction.

[0112] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery diagnosis method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] Preferably, each step of the battery diagnosis method may be performed by the battery diagnosis apparatus 100. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, contents overlapping with the previously described contents will be briefly described or omitted.

[0114] The vibration value measuring step ( S100 ) is a step of measuring a vibration value generated in a preset axial direction of each of the plurality of batteries B, and may be performed by the measuring unit 110 .

[0115] For example, in Figure 2 In an embodiment, the measuring unit 110 may measure a first vibration value in the X-axis direction, a second vibration value in the Y-axis direction, and a third vibration value in the Z-axis direction for each of the first to fourth batteries.

[0116] The battery status diagnosis step (S200) is a step of diagnosing the status of multiple batteries B according to the vibration value of each of the multiple batteries B based on at least one of the baseline deviation value preset for the multiple batteries B and the baseline vibration value preset to correspond to the axial direction, and can be executed by the control unit 120.

[0117] Specifically, the control unit 120 may diagnose the state of the battery as a normal state or a defective state.

[0118] For example, in Figure 2 In an embodiment, during a preset threshold time, the number of times that the maximum value of the first vibration value of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 measured according to the measurement period is greater than or equal to the first reference vibration value can be calculated. Here, the first reference vibration value is a reference vibration value set for the X-axis direction. If the calculated number of times reaches a reference number, the control unit 120 can calculate the vibration value deviation of the first vibration value of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4. The control unit 120 can diagnose the state of a battery whose vibration value deviation is less than or equal to the reference deviation value as a normal state, and diagnose the state of a battery whose vibration value deviation exceeds the reference deviation value as a defective state.

[0119] As another example, in Figure 2 In an embodiment, the control unit 120 may compare the second vibration values of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 with a second reference vibration value. Here, the second reference vibration value is a reference vibration value set for the Y-axis direction. The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the state of a battery whose second vibration value is less than or equal to the second reference vibration value as a normal state, and diagnose the state of a battery whose second vibration value exceeds the second reference vibration value as a defective state.

[0120] As another example, in Figure 2In an embodiment, the control unit 120 may compare the third vibration values of the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the third battery B3, and the fourth battery B4 with a third reference vibration value. Here, the third reference vibration value is a reference vibration value set for the Z-axis direction. The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose a battery whose third vibration value is less than or equal to the third reference vibration value as a normal state, and diagnose a battery whose third vibration value exceeds the third reference vibration value as a defective state.

[0121] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be implemented not only by devices and methods, but also by programs that implement functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of the present disclosure or recording media having the programs recorded thereon. Those skilled in the art can easily implement the programs or recording media from the description of the embodiments described above.

[0122] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, as various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0123] In addition, without departing from the technical aspects of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art may make many substitutions, modifications and changes to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and drawings, and each embodiment may be selectively or all selectively combined to allow various modifications.

[0124] (Explanation of Reference Numerals)

[0125] 1: Battery pack

[0126] 10: Multiple batteries

[0127] 100: Battery diagnostic equipment

[0128] 110: Measurement unit

[0129] 120: Control unit

[0130] 130: Storage unit

Claims

1. A battery diagnostic device, comprising: a measuring unit configured to measure a vibration value generated in a preset axial direction for each of the plurality of batteries; as well as A control unit is configured to diagnose a state of the plurality of batteries according to a vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries based on at least one of a reference deviation value preset for the plurality of batteries and a reference vibration value preset to correspond to the axial direction.

2. The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, in, The preset axial direction is configured to include at least one of the following: an X-axis direction set as the moving direction of the multiple batteries; a Y-axis direction set as the left-right direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the multiple batteries; and a Z-axis direction set as the up-down direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the multiple batteries.

3. The battery diagnostic device according to claim 2, in, The control unit is configured to calculate a vibration value deviation of a plurality of vibration values measured by the measuring unit for each axial direction, compare each calculated vibration value deviation with the reference deviation value, and diagnose a state of each of the plurality of batteries based on a comparison result.

4. The battery diagnostic device according to claim 3, in, The control unit is configured to: diagnosing the state of the battery in which the vibration value deviation is less than or equal to the reference deviation value as a normal state; and The state of the battery in which the vibration value deviation exceeds the reference deviation value is diagnosed as a defective state.

5. The battery diagnostic device according to claim 3, in, The measuring unit is configured to measure a first vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries generated in the X-axis direction for each preset measurement period, and The control unit is configured to calculate the number of times that the maximum value of the first vibration value measured for each measurement period during a preset threshold time is equal to or greater than a first reference vibration value preset corresponding to the X-axis direction, and calculate the vibration value deviation relative to the first vibration value when the calculated number reaches the reference number.

6. The battery diagnostic device according to claim 2, in, The measuring unit is configured to measure a second vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries generated in the Y-axis direction, and Wherein, the control unit is configured as follows: The state of the battery is diagnosed as a normal state when the second vibration value is less than or equal to a second reference vibration value preset corresponding to the Y-axis direction, and The state of the battery in which the second vibration value exceeds the second reference vibration value is diagnosed as a defective state.

7. The battery diagnostic device according to claim 2, in, The measuring unit is configured to measure a third vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries generated in the Z-axis direction, and Wherein, the control unit is configured as follows: The state of the battery in which the third vibration value is less than or equal to a third reference vibration value preset corresponding to the Z-axis direction is diagnosed as a normal state, and The state of the battery in which the third vibration value exceeds the third reference vibration value is diagnosed as a defective state.

8. The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, in, The control unit is configured to diagnose a state of each of the plurality of batteries as a normal state or a defective state, and electrically isolate the battery diagnosed as the defective state from the battery diagnosed as the normal state. 9 . A battery pack comprising the battery diagnostic device according to claim 1 . 10 . A vehicle comprising the battery diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

11. A method for diagnosing a battery, comprising the following steps: a vibration value measuring step of measuring a vibration value generated in a preset axial direction for each of the plurality of batteries; as well as A battery status diagnosis step for diagnosing the status of the plurality of batteries according to the vibration value of each of the plurality of batteries based on at least one of a reference deviation value preset for the plurality of batteries and a reference vibration value preset to correspond to the axial direction.

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