Battery management device

Abstract

A battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a cell monitoring unit including a battery monitoring integrated circuit (IC) that generates first sensing information of a battery module; the battery monitoring unit comprises a battery monitoring integrated circuit and a battery management unit, the battery management unit comprises a main controller communicated with the battery monitoring integrated circuit and an interface integrated circuit for performing communication conversion work to be used for communication between the battery monitoring integrated circuit and the main controller, and the battery auxiliary management part is arranged on the battery module. And the battery monitoring integrated circuit performs communication conversion work to relay and forward communication between the battery auxiliary management part and the interface integrated circuit.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery management device. BACKGROUND

[0002] A battery is not only used in small electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, but also widely used in medium and large mechanical devices such as electric vehicles (EV), and can be implemented as a secondary battery, thus also having the advantage that it can be charged and reused. A battery can include one or more battery modules.

[0003] The safety of a battery also affects the safety of an electronic device / mechanical device including the battery, and thus it is important to ensure the safety of the battery. Sensing information of a battery can be used in ensuring the safety of the battery, and a battery management device (e.g., battery management system, BMS) can collect the sensing information.

[0004] The more or more diverse the sensing information is, the higher the reliability of ensuring the safety of the battery can be. However, the more or more diverse the sensing information is, the lower the effectiveness and stability of the battery management device collecting the sensing information can be. SUMMARY

[0005] One of the problems that the present invention wants to solve is to provide a battery management device capable of improving the effectiveness and / or stability of collecting sensing information of a battery module.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery management device can include a cell monitoring unit including a battery monitoring integrated circuit generating first sensing information of a battery module, and a battery management unit including a main controller in communication with the battery monitoring integrated circuit, and including an interface integrated circuit performing a communication conversion operation for communication between the battery monitoring integrated circuit and the main controller, the cell monitoring unit further including a battery auxiliary management part disposed on the battery module, the battery monitoring integrated circuit performing a communication conversion operation to relay communication between the battery auxiliary management part and the interface integrated circuit.

[0007] For example, the battery auxiliary management part can generate second sensing information of the battery module, the battery management part can receive the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management part, perform a communication conversion on the second sensing information, and transmit the communication-converted second sensing information to the interface integrated circuit.

[0008] For example, the interface integrated circuit can receive the second sensing information converted by the battery management unit, and transmit the received second sensing information to the main controller after converting the second sensing information.

[0009] For example, the battery management device can further include an auxiliary interface unit that performs a communication conversion operation for communication between the battery management unit and the main controller, and the battery management unit can transmit the converted second sensing information to the main controller through the auxiliary interface unit.

[0010] For example, the interface integrated circuit can receive a single-ended signal from the main controller, convert the single-ended signal into a differential signal, transmit the differential signal to the battery management unit, receive a differential signal from the battery management unit, convert the differential signal into a single-ended signal, and transmit the single-ended signal to the main controller.

[0011] For example, the battery management device can further include a first insulated communication port configured to transmit a signal transmitted from the main controller and a signal transmitted from the battery management unit, and a second insulated communication port configured to transmit the second sensing information transmitted from the battery management unit.

[0012] For example, the first sensing information can include at least one of temperature information, voltage information, current information of the battery module, or voltage information of at least one of a plurality of battery cells included in the battery module, and the second sensing information can include at least one of pressure sensing information, gas sensing information, or aerosol sensing information of the battery module.

[0013] For example, the battery management device can further include a printed circuit board disposed on the battery module, and the battery management unit and the battery auxiliary management unit can each include an integrated circuit electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

[0014] A battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application can include a plurality of battery management units each disposed on a plurality of battery modules each including a plurality of battery cells stacked with each other, a main controller in communication with at least one of the plurality of battery management units, an interface integrated circuit performing a communication conversion operation for communication between one of the plurality of battery management units and the main controller, and a plurality of battery auxiliary management units each disposed on the plurality of battery modules, one of the plurality of battery management units performing a communication conversion operation to relay communication between at least one of the plurality of battery auxiliary management units and the interface integrated circuit.

[0015] For example, the plurality of battery management units can transmit the plurality of second sensing information of the plurality of battery auxiliary management units between the plurality of battery management units in a daisy chain manner, and one of the plurality of battery management units can transmit the plurality of second sensing information to the interface integrated circuit or the main controller.

[0016] For example, the plurality of battery management units can convert the daisy chain manner of the plurality of second sensing information into a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter) manner or an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) manner, and thus transmit the plurality of second sensing information, which is converted in communication, to the interface integrated circuit or the main controller.

[0017] For example, one of the plurality of battery management units can receive a control instruction from the main controller through the interface integrated circuit, and the plurality of battery management units can transmit the control instruction between each other in a daisy chain manner.

[0018] For example, the plurality of battery management units can transmit first sensing information between each other in a daisy chain manner, and one of the plurality of battery management units can transmit the plurality of first sensing information of the plurality of battery management units to the interface integrated circuit or the main controller.

[0019] For example, the interface integrated circuit can receive a single-ended signal from the main controller, convert the single-ended signal into a differential signal, and transmit the differential signal to one of the plurality of battery management units, receive a differential signal from one of the plurality of battery management units, convert the differential signal into a single-ended signal, and transmit the single-ended signal to the main controller.

[0020] For example, the plurality of battery management units can each include an integrated circuit, and the plurality of battery auxiliary management units can each include an integrated circuit.

[0021] A battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application can include a battery module including a plurality of battery cells stacked with each other, a battery monitoring integrated circuit generating first sensing information of at least one of the plurality of battery cells, and a battery auxiliary management unit generating second sensing information of at least one of the plurality of battery cells, the battery monitoring integrated circuit receiving the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management unit, converting the second sensing information in communication, and transmitting the second sensing information, which is converted in communication, to the outside.

[0022] For example, the battery management device can further include a printed circuit board disposed on the battery module, the battery monitoring integrated circuit and the battery auxiliary management unit being disposed on the printed circuit board, the battery monitoring integrated circuit receiving the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management unit through the printed circuit board, the battery monitoring integrated circuit transmitting the first sensing information and the second sensing information to an outside separated from the printed circuit board.

[0023] For example, the first sensing information can include at least one of temperature information, voltage information, or current information of at least one of the plurality of battery cells, and the second sensing information can include at least one of pressure sensing information, gas sensing information, or aerosol sensing information of at least one of the plurality of battery cells.

[0024] For example, the battery monitoring integrated circuit can receive additional first sensing information and additional second sensing information from an additional battery monitoring integrated circuit disposed on an additional battery module, and transmit the additional first sensing information and the additional second sensing information to an outside different from the additional battery module.

[0025] The battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application can improve the effectiveness and / or stability of collecting sensing information on a battery module.

[0026] For example, even as the number and variety of sensing information increase with the addition of a battery auxiliary management unit, the cost and / or complexity of implementing a structure in which a main controller (or an outside) of the battery management device collects the sensing information can hardly increase, and the stability of collecting the sensing information can be ensured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an electric vehicle in which a battery according to an embodiment of the present application is installed.

[0028] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a diagram of a portion of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figures 5 to 11 FIG. 5 is a diagram of a battery management device and a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 12a and Figure 12b are graphs showing a daisy chain manner of a battery management device and battery modules according to an embodiment of the present application controlling a plurality of battery modules according to one master controller over time.

[0033] Figure 13a and Figure 13b are graphs showing a daisy chain manner of a battery management device and battery modules according to an embodiment of the present application transmitting sensing data of a plurality of battery modules to one master controller over time.

[0034] Reference Signs: 10: battery module, 10-1, 10-2, 10-N: a plurality of battery modules, 100: a plurality of battery cells, 200: printed circuit board, 500: battery, BMIC: battery monitoring integrated circuit, BMU: battery management unit, CMU: battery cell monitoring unit, IFIC, IFIC_BM: interface integrated circuit, IFIC_SS: auxiliary interface section, MTC: master controller, SYS1, SYS7: battery management device, SSIC: battery auxiliary management section, TF_BM: first insulated communication port, TF_SS: second insulated communication port DETAILED DESCRIPTION The specific matters including other embodiments are included in the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the method of achieving the advantages and features will become apparent from the embodiments described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different ways, and the embodiments are provided only to accomplish the disclosure of the present application and to allow those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present application pertains to completely understand the scope of the present disclosure, and the present application is defined by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals can refer to the same constituent elements.

[0036] Figure 1 is a graph of an electric vehicle EV in which a battery 500 to which a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application is installed is mounted. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery 500 to which a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application is mounted, and can be Figure 1 a battery 500 of FIG. 1, but is not limited thereto.

[0037] Referring to Figure 1An electric vehicle EV can include a battery 500 and a battery management unit BMU. For example, the battery management unit BMU can be implemented by a BMU (Battery Management Unit), can include a main controller that controls the battery 500. According to an embodiment, the battery management unit BMU can further include an interface integrated circuit that relays communication between the main controller and the battery 500. For example, the battery management unit BMU can monitor a state of charge and a remaining life of the battery 500, and output to a driver of the electric vehicle EV through a display or the like.

[0038] Referring to Figure 2 The battery 500 can include one or more battery modules 10, can be implemented by a battery pack. The battery 500 can include: a battery pack housing 510 having an accommodation space 511; one or more battery modules 10 disposed inside the battery pack housing 510; and a battery pack cover member 520 provided at an upper portion of the battery pack housing 510.

[0039] The plurality of battery modules 10 can be separated from each other by a partition member in the accommodation space 511. The partition member can function to prevent the spread or propagation of flames or fires between the battery modules 10.

[0040] The battery pack housing 510 can have at least one battery pack exhaust hole 512. The battery pack exhaust hole 512 can function to discharge exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust hole V of the battery module 10 to the outside of the battery 500.

[0041] The battery pack cover member 520 can function to protect the battery modules 10 in normal times, and can prevent the spread or propagation of flames generated in the battery 500 to the outside of the battery 500 in the event of a fire. This can contribute to the safety of users in an electric vehicle EV in which the battery 500 is installed.

[0042] The battery management unit BMU can be in wired or wireless communication with one or more battery modules 10, can not be directly disposed on the battery 500, and can be disposed outside (e.g., a computing system in an electric vehicle, a computing system of an electronic device, etc.).

[0043] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module 10 of a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present application, and can be Figure 2 The battery 500 can include one or more battery modules 10 included therein, but is not limited thereto. Figure 4 is a view of a battery module 10 of Figure 3

[0044] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 ​, the battery module 10 can include a plurality of battery cells 100 stacked in a Y-axis direction (or, a thickness direction of the battery cell), and can further include at least one of a printed circuit board 200, a casing unit 300, and a busbar unit 400. The printed circuit board 200 can be included in a battery management device (SYS1) of the battery module 10. Figure 5

[0045] The plurality of battery cells 100 can each include a case, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode, and an electrolyte and a separator can be disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode in an inside of the case. When the battery is a lithium ion battery, lithium ions released from the positive electrode can be gathered in the negative electrode through the separator in a charging operation, and lithium ions released from the negative electrode can be gathered in the positive electrode through the separator in a discharging operation.

[0046] The plurality of battery cells 100 can each include a plurality of electrode leads 110 each drawn in a +X direction and a -X direction. The busbar unit 400 can include a busbar member 410 and a busbar frame 420, and can connect the electrode leads 110 drawn in the +X direction of the plurality of battery cells 100 to each other and can connect the electrode leads 110 drawn in the -X direction of the plurality of battery cells 100 to each other.

[0047] The casing unit 300 can include a plurality of plate members 310 surrounding the battery cells 100, and can accommodate the plurality of battery cells 100, the printed circuit board 200, and the busbar unit 400. The plate members 310 can include a first plate member 311, a second plate member 312, a third plate member 313, and a fourth plate member 314 surrounding an outer layer of the battery cells 100. The first plate member 311, the second plate member 312, the third plate member 313, and the fourth plate member 314 can include a material having a property of one or more of heat resistance, fire resistance, and elasticity.

[0048] The first plate member 311 can be opposite to one side electrode lead 110 of the battery cell 100, and the third plate member 313 can be opposite to the other side electrode lead 110 of the battery cell 100. The one side electrode lead 110 and the other side electrode lead 110 of the battery cell 100 can each be connected to the busbar member 410.

[0049] The first plate member 311 and the third plate member 313 can each be opposite to the busbar frame 420. The busbar frame 420 can have a plurality of busbar members 410 fixed thereto, and a busbar exhaust hole (not shown) can be provided in the busbar frame 420 to exhaust exhaust gas generated in the battery cell 100.

[0050] ​The first plate member 311 and the third plate member 313 can each have a vent hole V opposite to the bus bar member 410. Thereby, the exhaust gas generated from the battery cell 100 can be discharged to the outside of the battery module 10 through the bus bar exhaust hole (not shown) and the vent hole V.

[0051] Between the housing unit 300 and the battery cell 100, in addition to the bus bar member 410, an insulating cover (not shown), an insulating sheet (not shown), and a heat-resistant sheet (not shown) or the like can be provided, which can function to insulate the housing unit 300 and the battery cell 100, to suppress a fire of the battery module 10, to suppress the spread of a flame of the battery module 10, or the like.

[0052] The printed circuit board 200 can include a front portion 200a and a rear portion 200b of the printed circuit board, and can include a connection member 240 connecting between the front portion 200a and the rear portion 200b. For example, the connection member 240 can be implemented by a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), an FFC (flexible flat cable), a ribbon, a cable, a wire, or the like, and thus can be softer than the front portion 200a and the rear portion 200b of the printed circuit board.

[0053] Figure 4 The printed circuit board 200 can also be the front portion 200a, and can also be the rear portion 200b. For example, the printed circuit board 200 can include a first substrate 210 connected to the battery cell 100, and a second substrate 220 detachably mounted on the first substrate 210. A connection unit 230 can be connected between the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220 to make the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220 detachable. The connection unit 230 can include a plurality of connectors 231, 232. According to the design, the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220 can also be implemented by a single printed circuit board.

[0054] The electrode lead 110 of the plurality of battery cells 100 and the printed circuit board 200 can be connected by a connection portion C. The connection portion C can include a wire, and can be connected and fixed to the electrode lead 110 and the printed circuit board 200 by welding. The electrode lead 110 can also be connected to the bus bar member 410 by welding.

[0055] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a battery management device SYS1 and a plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N according to an embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the battery management device SYS1 and the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 and Figure 4 the battery module 10, but are not limited thereto.

[0056] Referring to Figures 3 to 5 , the battery management device SYS1 and the battery module 10 according to an embodiment of the present application can include the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC and the battery supplementary management section SSIC, and thus can collect many or various sensing information of the battery module 10. The battery cell monitoring unit CMU can include the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC and the battery supplementary management section SSIC, and can further include the printed circuit board 200. A plurality of battery cell monitoring units CMU can be respectively provided on a plurality of battery modules 10, and each of the plurality of battery cell monitoring units CMU can include the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC and the battery supplementary management section SSIC, and can further include the printed circuit board 200.

[0057] The battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can be provided on the battery module 10, and generate first sensing information of the battery module 10. The first sensing information can include temperature information, voltage information, or current information of at least one battery cell in the battery module 10. For example, the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can be implemented by a semiconductor integrated circuit and / or a semiconductor chip, can be provided (e.g., mounted) on the printed circuit board 200, can be electrically connected to the electrode lead 110 through a wiring and a connection part C of the printed circuit board 200, and can include a circuit for measuring voltage of the electrode lead 110 and / or a circuit for measuring current of the electrode lead 110. For example, the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can be electrically connected to a temperature sensor (not shown) through a wiring of the printed circuit board 200. For example, the temperature sensor can be a thermistor, and the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can include a circuit for measuring voltage or current of the thermistor.

[0058] The battery supplementary management section SSIC can be provided on the battery module 10, and generate second sensing information of the battery module 10. The second sensing information can include at least one of pressure sensing information, gas sensing information, and aerosol sensing information. For example, the battery supplementary management section SSIC can be implemented by a semiconductor integrated circuit, and can be provided (e.g., mounted) on the printed circuit board 200. For example, when the life of the battery module 10 is to be expired, the battery module 10 can be expanded, and the battery supplementary management section SSIC can measure an increase in pressure according to the degree of expansion of the battery module 10. For example, when the life of the battery module 10 is to be expired, the battery module 10 can generate gas or aerosol through a fine gap, and the battery supplementary management section SSIC can measure generation of the gas or aerosol.

[0059] Referring to Figure 5According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery management device SYS1 may include a battery management unit BMU, and the battery management unit BMU may include a main controller MTC and an interface integrated circuit IFIC. The battery management unit BMU may be Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 The battery management unit BMU shown in the figure is not limited thereto.

[0060] The master controller MTC can communicate with the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC by wired or wireless communication. For example, the master controller MTC can control the operation of the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC by sending control instructions to the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC (for example, controlling whether the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC is operating, controlling the time for collecting sensing information from the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC, and controlling the emergency shutdown of the multiple battery modules 10-1, 10-2, and 10-N, etc.).

[0061] The interface integrated circuit (IFIC) performs communication conversion for communication between the battery monitoring integrated circuit (BMIC) and the main controller (MTC). The battery management unit (BMU) can be configured externally to the battery 500 (e.g., in a computing system within an electric vehicle or an electronic device) and can be implemented by a computing system (e.g., including a processor, memory, input / output devices, communication devices, and a motherboard). The main controller (MTC) can be part of the computing system and implemented by a semiconductor integrated circuit mounted on the motherboard.

[0062] The battery management unit (BMU) can be configured outside the battery 500, so the communication between the main controller (MTC) and the battery monitoring integrated circuit (BMIC) may require stability (e.g., low noise, high SNR (Signal-Noise Ratio)). The interface integrated circuit (IFIC) can be included in the battery management unit (BMU), so the communication between the interface integrated circuit (IFIC) and the battery monitoring integrated circuit (BMIC) may require higher stability than the communication between the interface integrated circuit (IFIC) and the main controller (MTC). The stability of multiple communication methods can be different. For example, the interface integrated circuit (IFIC) can perform communication conversion to use a more stable communication method in communication with the battery monitoring integrated circuit (BMIC). This can further improve the stability of communication between the battery management unit (BMU) and the battery monitoring integrated circuit (BMIC).

[0063] For example, the interface integrated circuit IFIC can be implemented by a semiconductor integrated circuit and / or a semiconductor chip, can communicate with the master controller MTC according to a SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) mode or an I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit) mode, and can communicate with the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC according to a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter) mode or a SPI mode. For example, the interface integrated circuit IFIC can perform at least one of a first communication conversion between the SPI mode and the UART mode, a second communication conversion between the I2C mode and the SPI mode, and a third communication conversion between the I2C mode and the UART mode.

[0064] The communication conversion operation of the interface integrated circuit IFIC can include conversion between a single ended signal and a differential signal. For example, the interface integrated circuit IFIC can receive a single ended signal from the master controller MTC, convert the single ended signal into a differential signal, transmit the differential signal to the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC, receive a differential signal from the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC, convert the differential signal into a single ended signal, and transmit the single ended signal to the master controller MTC. The differential signal can be used in a communication mode having high stability, compared to the single ended signal.

[0065] For example, the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can include an interface integrated circuit MDIF and a controller MDC, and can be implemented by a chipset. The controller MDC can generate first sensing information and transmit the first sensing information to the interface integrated circuit MDIF. The interface integrated circuit MDIF can generate a communication signal having the first sensing information and can perform a communication conversion operation. The communication conversion operation can be substantially the same as the communication conversion operation of the interface integrated circuit IFIC. Accordingly, the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can stably transmit the first sensing information to the interface integrated circuit IFIC, and the master controller MTC can receive the first sensing information through the interface integrated circuit IFIC.

[0066] The main controller MTC can further improve the reliability of ensuring the safety of the battery 500 by receiving the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management section SSIC using the second sensing information. The battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can perform a communication conversion operation to relay the communication between the battery auxiliary management section SSIC and the interface integrated circuit IFIC. Thus, even if another communication conversion means is not included for the communication between the battery auxiliary management section SSIC and the interface integrated circuit IFIC, the interface integrated circuit IFIC or the main controller MTC can stably communicate with the battery auxiliary management section SSIC.

[0067] The battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can receive the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management section SSIC, perform a communication conversion on the second sensing information, and transmit the communication-converted second sensing information to the interface integrated circuit IFIC or the main controller MTC. Thus, even if another communication conversion means is not included for the communication between the battery auxiliary management section SSIC and the interface integrated circuit IFIC, the interface integrated circuit IFIC or the main controller MTC can stably receive the second sensing information.

[0068] Therefore, even if the number and variety of sensing information increase as the battery auxiliary management section SSIC is added, the cost and / or complexity of implementing the structure of the main controller MTC to collect the sensing information of the battery management apparatus SYS1 and the battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N according to an embodiment of the present application can hardly increase, and the stability of collecting the sensing information can also be ensured.

[0069] For example, the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can receive the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management section SSIC through the printed circuit board 200 and can communicate with the battery auxiliary management section SSIC according to an SPI method or an I2C method. The interface integrated circuit MDIF of the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can perform at least one of a first communication conversion between an SPI method and a UART method, a second communication conversion between an I2C method and an SPI method, and a third communication conversion between an I2C method and a UART method. The interface integrated circuit IFIC can receive the second sensing information transmitted from the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC, perform a communication conversion on the received second sensing information, and transmit the communication-converted second sensing information to the main controller MTC.

[0070] Reference Figure 5 According to an embodiment of the present application, the battery management apparatus SYS1 and the battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N can include a first insulated communication port TF_BM and a second insulated communication port TF_SS. For example, the first insulated communication port TF_BM and the second insulated communication port TF_SS can each be implemented by a transformer or an isolator.

[0071] The first insulated communication port TF_BM can pass a signal transmitted from the main controller MTC, can pass a signal transmitted from the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC, and can pass a differential signal having first sensing information generated by the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC. The second insulated communication port TF_SS can pass second sensing information transmitted from the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC, and can pass a differential signal having the second sensing information.

[0072] Cost and complexity added by the second insulated communication port TF_SS can be very small compared to cost and complexity added by another communication conversion means for communication between the battery auxiliary management section SSIC and the interface integrated circuit IFIC. The first insulated communication port TF_BM and the second insulated communication port TF_SS can have a point at which a wire between the interface integrated circuit IFIC and the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC is disconnected (a point at which a signal passes based on a magnetic field), and thus can improve insulation. As a result, communication stability between the interface integrated circuit IFIC and the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can be effectively improved.

[0073] Reference Figure 5 The battery management apparatus SYS1 according to an embodiment of the present application can include a plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N, and each of the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N can include a plurality of battery cells 100 stacked with each other (refer to FIG. 1). Figure 3 The battery management apparatus SYS1 according to an embodiment of the present application can include a plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC each disposed on the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N, and can include a plurality of battery auxiliary management sections SSIC each disposed on the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N.

[0074] The plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs can transmit the sensing information to the adjacent battery monitoring integrated circuits in a daisy chain manner among the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs. For example, the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC of the first battery module 10-1 can receive the additional first sensing information and the additional second sensing information from the additional battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC disposed on the second battery module 10-2 which is the additional battery module, and transmit the additional first sensing information and the additional second sensing information to the outside (for example, the interface integrated circuit IFIC or the main controller MTC) different from the additional battery module (for example, the second battery module 10-2). The sensing information can include the second sensing information generated by each of the plurality of battery sub-supervisory units SSICs and / or the first sensing information generated by each of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs. For example, the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs can communicate with the adjacent battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs through the plurality of communication ports LP, UP of each of the interface integrated circuits MDIF.

[0075] According to the daisy chain manner, even if only one of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs communicates with the battery management unit BMU, the remaining battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs among the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs can communicate with the battery management unit BMU through the one of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs. Accordingly, the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs capable of effectively controlling the battery management unit BMU can effectively receive the sensing information from the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs.

[0076] For example, one of the interface integrated circuits MDIF included in each of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs can perform communication conversion between the daisy chain manner and the UART manner or communication conversion between the daisy chain and the SPI manner. One of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs can transmit the plurality of second sensing information to the interface integrated circuit IFIC or the main controller MTC.

[0077] The plurality of second sensing information transmitted from the plurality of battery sub-supervisory units SSICs to the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs can also be converted in communication by one of the interface integrated circuits MDIF and can be transmitted in the daisy chain manner. Accordingly, even if another means for the daisy chain manner of the plurality of battery sub-supervisory units SSICs is not included, the interface integrated circuit IFIC or the main controller MTC can effectively receive the plurality of second sensing information of the plurality of battery sub-supervisory units SSICs according to the daisy chain manner. According to the daisy chain manner, one of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMICs can convert the plurality of second sensing information in communication by the UART manner or the SPI manner, and thus transmit to the interface integrated circuit IFIC or the main controller MTC.

[0078] Figures 6 to 11 1 is a diagram illustrating battery management devices SYS2, SYS3, SYS4, SYS5, SYS6, SYS7 and battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The contents of the battery management device SYS1 are repeated.

[0079] refer to Figure 6 Each of the multiple battery modules 10-1, 10-2, and 10-N may include multiple SSICs. For example, the multiple SSICs included in a battery module 10-N may each be composed of different types of SSICs, such as a pressure SSIC, a gas SSIC, and an aerosol SSIC, or may be dispersed and configured at different physical locations within the battery module 10-N.

[0080] like Figure 6 As shown, even if the number of multiple battery auxiliary management units SSIC increases a lot and the types of multiple battery auxiliary management units SSIC are very diverse, the cost and / or complexity of the structure of the main controller (or external) collecting sensing information in the battery management device SYS2 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be hardly increased, and the stability of collecting sensing information can also be ensured.

[0081] refer to Figure 7 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary battery management unit (SSIC) of the battery management device SYS3 may be configured on only one of the multiple battery modules 10-1, 10-2, and 10-N. The second sensing information of the auxiliary battery management unit (SSIC) may not be transmitted via a daisy chain. For example, the auxiliary battery management unit (SSIC) may generate second sensing information for the battery 500, rather than for the battery module.

[0082] refer to Figure 8 The battery 500 of the battery management device SYS4 according to an embodiment of the present invention may also include only one battery module 10. The battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC may not use a daisy chain approach.

[0083] refer to Figure 9The battery management device SYS5 according to an embodiment of the present application can further include an auxiliary interface unit IFIC_SS which performs a communication conversion operation for communication between the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC and the main controller MTC. The battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can transmit the second sensed information which is converted in communication to the main controller MTC through the auxiliary interface unit IFIC_SS. The interface integrated circuit IFIC_BM can be electrically connected with the first insulated communication port TF_BM, and the auxiliary interface unit IFIC_SS can be electrically connected with the second insulated communication port IF_SS. For example, the main controller MTC can transmit only a control command to the interface integrated circuit IFIC_BM without transmitting to the auxiliary interface unit IFIC_SS, and the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC can transmit only the first sensed information to the interface integrated circuit IFIC_BM without transmitting to the auxiliary interface unit IFIC_SS.

[0084] Referring to Figure 10 The battery management device SYS6 according to an embodiment of the present application can include a plurality of interface integrated circuits IFIC1, IFIC2. The plurality of interface integrated circuits IFIC1, IFIC2 can each perform substantially the same communication conversion operation as the interface integrated circuit IFIC of the battery management device SYS1. Figure 5 The plurality of interface integrated circuits IFIC1, IFIC2 can each communicate with a corresponding one of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC through the first insulated communication port TF_BM1, TF_BM2 and the second insulated communication port TF_SS1, TF_SS2.

[0085] According to the daisy chain method, the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC can transmit (i.e., bidirectionally transmit) sensed information and control commands to both adjacent battery monitoring integrated circuits, and thus a left half of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC can transmit sensed information to the battery management unit BMU through the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC at a left end, and a right half of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC can transmit sensed information to the battery management unit BMU through the battery monitoring integrated circuit BMIC at a right end.

[0086] Referring to Figure 11 The battery management device SYS7 according to an embodiment of the present application can further include a dummy load DL which is electrically connected with another one of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC. The dummy load DL can eliminate received sensed information and control commands according to the daisy chain method. For example, the dummy load DL can be constituted by an impedance element having a preset impedance to eliminate the sensed information and the control commands, but is not limited thereto.

[0087] Referring to Figures 5 to 11may be, one of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC receives the control instruction from the main controller MTC through the interface integrated circuit IFIC (refer to Figure 12a and Figure 12b ), the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC transmit the control instruction to each other in a daisy chain manner (refer to Figure 12a and Figure 12b ). In addition, it can be that the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC transmit the sensing information to each other in a daisy chain manner (refer to Figure 13a and Figure 13b ), one of the plurality of battery monitoring integrated circuits BMIC transmits the plurality of sensing information to the interface integrated circuit IFIC or the main controller MTC (refer to Figure 13a and Figure 13b ).

[0088] Figure 12a and Figure 12b are diagrams showing that one main controller controls a plurality of battery modules in a daisy chain manner according to an embodiment of the battery management device of the present application over time.

[0089] Referring to Figure 12a , the battery management device SYS according to an embodiment of the present application can correspond to Figures 5 to 9 , the battery management devices SYS1, SYS2, SYS3, SYS4, SYS5, the object of the main controller MTC to transmit the control instruction can be sequentially changed from the first battery module 10-1 to the Nth battery module 10-N, but the order of the object to transmit the control instruction is not limited thereto.

[0090] Referring to Figure 12b , the battery management device SYS6 or SYS7 according to an embodiment of the present application can correspond to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the battery management devices SYS6, SYS7, the object of the main controller MTC to transmit the control instruction can be sequentially changed from the Nth battery module 10-N to the first battery module 10-1, but the order of the object to transmit the control instruction is not limited thereto.

[0091] Figure 12a , the main controller MTC generates a plurality of control instructions for each of the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N, Figure 12b , the main controller MTC generates a single control instruction for the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N, but the number of control instructions is not limited thereto. According to the design, Figure 12a , the main controller MTC can also generate a single control instruction for the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N, Figure 12bThe master controller MTC can also generate a plurality of control commands. For example, the master controller MTC can transmit a control command to a target according to identification information such as address information or an ID included in a communication signal.

[0092] Referring to Figure 12a The master controller MTC can generate a control command for the first battery module 10-1 (S40) and transmit the control command to the first battery module 10-1 (S41). The first battery module 10-1 can generate response data for the control command (S42) and transmit the response data to the master controller MTC (S43).

[0093] The master controller MTC can then generate a control command for the second battery module 10-2 and transmit the control command to the first battery module 10-1 (S44). The first battery module 10-1 can transmit the control command to the second battery module 10-2 (S45). The second battery module 10-2 can generate response data for the control command (S46) and transmit the response data to the first battery module 10-1 (S47). The first battery module 10-1 can transmit the response data to the master controller MTC (S48).

[0094] The master controller MTC can then generate a control command for the Nth battery module 10-N and transmit the control command to the first battery module 10-1 (S49). The first battery module 10-1 can transmit the control command to the second battery module 10-2 (S50). The second battery module 10-2 can transmit the control command to the Nth battery module 10-N (S51). The Nth battery module 10-N can generate response data for the control command (S52) and transmit the response data to the second battery module 10-2 (S53). The second battery module 10-2 can transmit the response data to the first battery module 10-1 (S54). The first battery module 10-1 can transmit the response data to the master controller MTC (S55).

[0095] Referring to Figure 12b The master controller MTC can generate a control command for the Nth battery module 10-N (S60) and transmit the control command to the first battery module 10-1 (S61). The first battery module 10-1 can transmit the control command to the second battery module 10-2 (S62). The second battery module 10-2 can transmit the control command to the Nth battery module 10-N (S63). The Nth battery module 10-N can transmit the control command to the master controller MTC or the dummy load DL (S64). The Nth battery module 10-N can generate response data for the control command (S65) and transmit the response data to the second battery module 10-2 (S66). The second battery module 10-2 can transmit the response data to the first battery module 10-1 (S67). The first battery module 10-1 can transmit the response data to the master controller MTC (S68).

[0096] Then, the second battery module 10-2 can generate response data to the received control instruction (S69), and perform bidirectional transmission (S70, S71). The first battery module 10-1 and the Nth battery module 10-N can transmit the response data to the master controller MTC or the dummy load DL (S72, S73).

[0097] Then, the first battery module 10-1 can generate response data to the received control instruction (S74), and perform bidirectional transmission (S75, S76). The second battery module 10-1 and the Nth battery module 10-N can sequentially transmit the response data to the master controller MTC or the dummy load DL (S77, S78).

[0098] Figure 13a And Figure 13b A diagram showing a daisy chain of a battery management device and battery modules according to an embodiment of the present application sending sensing data of a plurality of battery modules to one master controller over time.

[0099] Referring to Figure 13a , the battery management device SYS according to an embodiment of the present application can correspond to Figures 5 to 9 the battery management device SYS1, SYS2, SYS3, SYS4, SYS5. Referring to Figure 13b , the battery management device SYS6 or SYS7 according to an embodiment of the present application can correspond to Figure 10 and Figure 11 the battery management device SYS6, SYS7. Referring to Figure 13a and Figure 13b , the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N can generate a plurality of sensing data, however, the number and timing of the plurality of sensing data are not limited. The plurality of sensing data can correspond to the aforementioned second sensing information and / or first sensing information.

[0100] Referring to Figure 13a , the plurality of battery modules 10-1, 10-2, 10-N can generate a plurality of sensing data (first sensing data, second sensing data, Nth sensing data) (S81, S82, S83). The first sensing data of the first battery module 10-1 can reach the master controller MTC (S84), the second sensing data can be sent from the second battery module 10-2 (S85), and bidirectional transmission can be performed, and the Nth sensing data can be sent from the Nth battery module 10-N (S86).

[0101] Then, the second sensed data can arrive at the master controller MTC (S87), and the Nth sensed data can pass through the second battery module 10-2 (S88). Then, the Nth sensed data can arrive at the master controller MTC (S89).

[0102] Referring to Figure 13b The Nth sensed data can be bi-directionally transmitted to arrive at the master controller MTC or the dummy load DL (S90). Then, the first sensed data can pass through the second battery module 10-2 (S91), and the second sensed data can arrive at the master controller MTC or the dummy load DL (S92). Then, the first sensed data can arrive at the master controller MTC or the dummy load DL (S93).

[0103] Those skilled in the art to which the present application pertains can understand that the present application can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are in all aspects exemplary and not restrictive. The scope of the present application should be determined by the appended claims rather than by the detailed description, and all modifications or altered forms derived from the meaning, scope, and equivalent concept of the claims should be included in the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery management apparatus comprising: a battery cell monitoring unit including a battery monitoring integrated circuit that generates first sensing information of a battery module; and a battery management unit including a host controller that communicates with the battery monitoring integrated circuit, and an interface integrated circuit that performs communication conversion work for communication between the battery monitoring integrated circuit and the host controller, the battery cell monitoring unit further including a battery auxiliary management section that is disposed on the battery module, the battery monitoring integrated circuit performing communication conversion work to relay communication between the battery auxiliary management section and the interface integrated circuit.

2. The battery management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the battery auxiliary management section generates second sensing information of the battery module, the battery monitoring integrated circuit receives the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management section, performs communication conversion on the second sensing information, and transmits the communication-converted second sensing information to the interface integrated circuit.

3. The battery management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the interface integrated circuit receives the second sensing information that is communication-converted by the battery monitoring integrated circuit, performs communication conversion on the received second sensing information, and thereby transmits to the host controller.

4. The battery management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the battery management apparatus further includes: an auxiliary interface section that performs communication conversion work for communication between the battery monitoring integrated circuit and the host controller, the battery monitoring integrated circuit transmits the communication-converted second sensing information to the host controller via the auxiliary interface section.

5. The battery management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the battery management apparatus further includes: a first insulated communication port configured to transmit a signal transmitted from the host controller and a signal transmitted from the battery monitoring integrated circuit; and a second insulated communication port configured to transmit the second sensing information transmitted from the battery monitoring integrated circuit.

6. The battery management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first sensing information includes at least one of temperature information, voltage information, current information of the battery module, or voltage information of at least one of a plurality of battery cells of the battery module, the second sensing information includes at least one of pressure sensing information, gas sensing information, or aerosol sensing information of the battery module.

7. The battery management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the interface integrated circuit receives a single-ended signal from the host controller, converts it into a differential signal, and transmits it to the battery monitoring integrated circuit, and receives a differential signal from the battery monitoring integrated circuit, converts it into a single-ended signal, and transmits it to the host controller.

8. The battery management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the battery cell monitoring unit further includes: a printed circuit board disposed on the battery module, the battery monitoring integrated circuit and the battery auxiliary management section each include a semiconductor integrated circuit that is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

9. A battery management apparatus comprising: a plurality of battery monitoring ICs each configured on a plurality of battery modules each including a plurality of battery cells stacked with each other; a main controller in communication with at least one of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs; an interface IC performing communication conversion work for communication between one of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs and the main controller; and a plurality of battery auxiliary management units each configured on the plurality of battery modules, one of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs performing communication conversion work to relay communication between at least one of the plurality of battery auxiliary management units and the interface IC.

10. The battery management apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of battery monitoring ICs transmit a plurality of second sensing information of the plurality of battery auxiliary management units among the plurality of battery monitoring ICs in daisy chain, one of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs transmits the plurality of second sensing information to the interface IC or the main controller.

11. The battery management apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of battery monitoring ICs convert the daisy chain of the plurality of second sensing information into UART or SPI, and thereby transmit the plurality of second sensing information converted in communication to the interface IC or the main controller.

12. The battery management apparatus according to claim 10, wherein one of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs receives a control instruction from the main controller through the interface IC, the plurality of battery monitoring ICs transmit the control instruction among each other in daisy chain.

13. The battery management apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of battery monitoring ICs transmit a plurality of first sensing information of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs among each other in daisy chain, one of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs transmits the plurality of first sensing information to the interface IC or the main controller.

14. The battery management apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the interface IC receives a single-ended signal from the main controller, converts into a differential signal, transmits to one of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs, receives a differential signal from one of the plurality of battery monitoring ICs, converts into a single-ended signal, and transmits to the main controller.

15. The battery management apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the plurality of battery monitoring ICs each include a semiconductor IC, the plurality of battery auxiliary management units each include a semiconductor IC.

16. A battery management apparatus comprising: a battery module including a plurality of battery cells stacked with each other; a battery monitoring IC generating first sensing information of at least one of the plurality of battery cells; a battery auxiliary management unit generating second sensing information of at least one of the plurality of battery cells, ​ ​ The battery monitoring integrated circuit receives the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management unit, performs communication conversion on the second sensing information, and transmits the second sensing information after communication conversion to the outside.

17. The battery management device according to claim 16, wherein: The battery management device further includes: a printed circuit board, which is arranged on the battery module, The battery monitoring integrated circuit and the battery auxiliary management unit are configured on the printed circuit board. The battery monitoring integrated circuit receives the second sensing information from the battery auxiliary management unit through the printed circuit board, The battery monitoring integrated circuit transmits the first sensing information and the second sensing information to an outside separated from the printed circuit board.

18. The battery management device according to claim 16, wherein: The first sensing information includes at least one of temperature information, voltage information or current information of at least one of the plurality of battery cells. The second sensing information includes at least one of pressure sensing information, gas sensing information, or aerosol sensing information of at least one of the plurality of battery cells.

19. The battery management device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein: The battery monitoring integrated circuit receives additional first sensing information and additional second sensing information from an additional battery monitoring integrated circuit configured on an additional battery module, The additional first sensing information and the additional second sensing information are transmitted to an external source different from the additional battery module.

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