Calibration device and method for charger / discharger

Abstract

A calibration apparatus and method for a charger / discharger are provided. The charger / discharger calibration apparatus according to the present disclosure includes: acquiring reference measurement information from a reference charger / discharger, the reference measurement information being a measurement result of charge / discharge information of a first battery while a charge / discharge test is performed on the first battery by the reference charger / discharger, acquiring target measurement information from the target charger / discharger, the target measurement information being a measurement result of charge / discharge information of the second battery while the charge / discharge test is performed on the second battery by the target charger / discharger, and generating calibration information for the target charger / discharger by comparing the reference measurement information with the target measurement information.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to calibration of measurement results from a charger / discharger that charges and discharges a battery.

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0022348, filed in the Republic of Korea on February 16, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND

[0003] Recently, the demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, camcorders, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and with the widespread development of electric vehicles, accumulators for energy storage, robots, and satellites, much research is being conducted on high-performance batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Batteries currently on the market include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium batteries, etc., and among them, lithium batteries have little or no memory effect, and thus they are gaining more attention than nickel-based batteries because of their advantages of being able to complete repeated charging whenever it is convenient, having a very low self-discharge rate, and having a high energy density.

[0005] Currently, many different types of chargers / dischargers are widely used to determine the charge / discharge characteristics of batteries and / or for battery activation processes in battery manufacturing plants. In order for the charger / discharger to perform its function with high accuracy for its purpose, not only high charge / discharge performance is required, but also high measurement performance. Here, the charge / discharge performance refers to a measure of the accuracy of supplying a charge / discharge current or voltage to a battery according to an indication of a user's operation, and the measurement performance can refer to a measure of the accuracy of measuring battery parameters of a battery during charging and discharging.

[0006] Obviously, a charger / discharger with higher measurement performance is expensive, and requires higher maintenance / management / repair costs than a charger / discharger with lower measurement performance. Therefore, a charger / discharger with moderate measurement performance is used in other applications except for some special applications that require very accurate measurement. In addition, the measurement performance can gradually decrease as the charger / discharger deteriorates. SUMMARY

[0007] Technical problem

[0008] The present disclosure is designed to solve the above problems, and thus the present disclosure relates to providing an apparatus and method for calibrating a measurement result from a low-precision charger / discharger ('target charger / discharger' as described below) having lower measurement performance than a high-precision charger / discharger ('reference charger / discharger' as described below).

[0009] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood from the following description, and will be apparent from the embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it will be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the devices set forth in the claims and combinations thereof.

[0010] Technical scheme

[0011] The calibration method for a charger / discharger according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes acquiring reference measurement information from a reference charger / discharger, the reference measurement information being a measurement result of charging / discharging information of a first battery while a charging / discharging test is performed on the first battery by the reference charger / discharger, acquiring target measurement information from a target charger / discharger, the target measurement information being a measurement result of charging / discharging information of a second battery while a charging / discharging test is performed on the second battery by the target charger / discharger, and generating calibration information for the target charger / discharger by comparing the reference measurement information with the target measurement information.

[0012] The reference measurement information can include first charge capacity information of the first battery through a charging process of the charging / discharging test. The target measurement information can include second charge capacity information of the second battery through the charging process of the charging / discharging test.

[0013] Generating the calibration information for the target charger / discharger can include determining a charge capacity calibration value included in the calibration information by comparing the first charge capacity information with the second charge capacity information.

[0014] The reference measurement information can include first discharge capacity information of the first battery through a discharging process of the charging / discharging test. The target measurement information can include second discharge capacity information of the second battery through the discharging process of the charging / discharging test.

[0015] Generating the calibration information for the target charger / discharger can include determining a discharge capacity calibration value included in the calibration information by comparing the first discharge capacity information with the second discharge capacity information.

[0016] The reference measurement information can include first charge / discharge efficiency information indicating a ratio between first charge capacity information of the first battery through a charging process of the charge / discharge test and first discharge capacity information of the first battery through a discharging process of the charge / discharge test. The target measurement information can include second charge / discharge efficiency information indicating a ratio between second charge capacity information of the second battery through a charging process of the charge / discharge test and second discharge capacity information of the second battery through a discharging process of the charge / discharge test.

[0017] Generating the calibration information for the target charger / discharger can include determining a charge / discharge efficiency calibration value included in the calibration information by comparing the first charge / discharge efficiency information with the second charge / discharge efficiency information.

[0018] The charger / discharger calibration method can further include determining a validity condition of the calibration information by comparing the calibration information with previous calibration information.

[0019] The charger / discharger calibration method can further include generating preliminary calibration information of the target charger / discharger by comparing the calibration information with previous calibration information.

[0020] A calibration apparatus for a charger / discharger according to another aspect of the disclosure includes a communication unit for acquiring reference measurement information from a reference charger / discharger, the reference measurement information being a measurement result of charge / discharge information of a first battery while the first battery is subjected to a charge / discharge test by the reference charger / discharger, and for acquiring target measurement information from a target charger / discharger, the target measurement information being a measurement result of charge / discharge information of a second battery while the second battery is subjected to a charge / discharge test by the target charger / discharger, and a processor for generating calibration information for the target charger / discharger by comparing the reference measurement information with the target measurement information.

[0021] The reference measurement information can include first charge / discharge efficiency information indicating a ratio between first charge capacity information of the first battery through a charging process of the charge / discharge test and first discharge capacity information of the first battery through a discharging process of the charge / discharge test. The target measurement information can include second charge / discharge efficiency information indicating a ratio between second charge capacity information of the second battery through a charging process of the charge / discharge test and second discharge capacity information of the second battery through a discharging process of the charge / discharge test.

[0022] The processor can determine a charge / discharge efficiency calibration value included in the calibration information by comparing the first charge / discharge efficiency information with the second charge / discharge efficiency information.

[0023] The processor can determine a validity condition of the calibration information by comparing the calibration information with previous calibration information.

[0024] The processor can generate preliminary calibration information for the target charger / discharger by comparing the calibration information with previous calibration information.

[0025] A charger / discharger calibration system according to still another aspect of the present disclosure includes a charger / discharger calibration device.

[0026] Beneficial effects

[0027] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, measurement information of a high-precision charger / discharger can be used to determine calibration information used to calibrate measurement results from a low-precision charger / discharger having lower measurement performance.

[0028] Further, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a validity condition of current calibration information used to calibrate measurement information of a low-precision charger / discharger can be determined by comparing the current calibration information with previous calibration information.

[0029] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, preliminary calibration information to be used from a time when a validity condition of current calibration information is not satisfied can be determined in advance by comparing the current calibration information with previous calibration information.

[0030] Effects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the attached claims that these and other effects will be clearly understood from the attached claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the following detailed description, provide a better understanding of the technical aspects of the present disclosure, and therefore the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating an architecture of a charger / discharger calibration system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a configuration of a charger / discharger.

[0034] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a diagram referred to in a comparison of measurement performance between a reference charger / discharger and a target charger / discharger.

[0035] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a charger / discharger calibration method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating an architecture of a charger / discharger calibration system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a configuration of a charger / discharger. FIG. 3 is a diagram referred to in a comparison of measurement performance between a reference charger / discharger and a target charger / discharger. FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a charger / discharger calibration method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a charger / discharger calibration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms or words used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as being limited to generally and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on a principle according to the inventor's intention provided that an appropriate definition for the terms can be allowed to best explain a concept of a technical aspect of the present disclosure on an application.

[0038] Accordingly, the embodiments described herein and the drawings shown in the accompanying drawings are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure for describing technical aspects of the present disclosure, but are not intended to be limiting, and thus it should be understood that various other equivalents and modifications can have been made thereto at the time of filing the present application.

[0039] The terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," or the like are used to distinguish one element from another element among a plurality of elements, but are not intended to limit the elements by the terms.

[0040] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms "comprise" and "include" as used herein specify the presence of stated elements but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements, in addition, the term "unit" as used herein refers to at least one processing unit of a function or operation, and can be implemented by hardware and software alone or in combination.

[0041] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, when an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or an intermediate element can be present.

[0042] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating an architecture of a charger / discharger calibration system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Referring to Figure 1 The charger / discharger calibration system 1 includes a reference charger / discharger 100A, a target charger / discharger 100B, and a calibration device 200.

[0044] The reference charger / discharger 100A (also referred to as a 'high-precision charger / discharger') is a charger / discharger whose measurement performance has been verified to be over a predetermined level. The reference charger / discharger 100A can measure a battery parameter at a first sampling rate. That is, the battery parameter can be measured by the reference charger / discharger 100A at each first sampling period corresponding to the first sampling rate. In addition, the reference charger / discharger 100A can measure the battery parameter at a first resolution. The term resolution refers to a measurable precision (e.g., a minimum increment) of a certain battery parameter, and when the resolution is low, a more accurate measured value of the battery parameter can be obtained.

[0045] Specifically, at any time when the battery is charged and discharged by the reference charger / discharger 100A, a difference or error rate between a measured value of a battery parameter (e.g., a charging current, a charging voltage, a discharging current, and / or a discharging voltage as an analog signal) measured by the reference charger / discharger 100A and an actual value of the battery parameter can be within a predetermined tolerance range (a first tolerance range). In addition, for a time period equal to or greater than a predetermined length of time during which the battery is charged and discharged by the reference charger / discharger 100A, an average of the difference or error rate between the measured value of the battery parameter measured by the reference charger / discharger 100A and the actual value of the battery parameter can be within a predetermined tolerance range (a second tolerance range).

[0046] The target charger / discharger 100B (also referred to as a 'low-precision charger / discharger') is a charger / discharger whose measurement performance is lower than the above-described predetermined level or needs to be verified to determine whether it is lower than the above-described predetermined level. Specifically, in contrast to the reference charger / discharger 100A, at any time when the battery is charged / discharged by the target charger / discharger 100B, a difference or error rate between a measured value of a battery parameter measured by the target charger / discharger 100B and an actual value of the battery parameter can be outside a predetermined tolerance range (a first tolerance range). In addition, for a time period equal to or greater than a predetermined length of time during which the battery is charged and discharged by the target charger / discharger 100B, an average of the difference or error rate between the measured value of the battery parameter measured by the reference charger / discharger 100A and the actual value of the battery parameter can be outside a predetermined tolerance range (a second tolerance range).

[0047] The target charger / discharger 100B can be designed to measure the battery parameter at a second sampling rate lower than the first sampling rate. Thus, the battery parameter can be measured by the target charger / discharger 100B every second sampling period longer than the first sampling period. Thus, as much measurement error as a time difference between the first sampling period and the second sampling period caused by the measurement gap can be accumulated on the measurement result from the target charger / discharger 100B. In addition, the target charger / discharger 100B can measure the battery parameter at a second resolution higher than the first resolution.

[0048] The calibration device 200 includes a communication unit 210 and a processor 220.

[0049] The communication unit 210 is configured to support wired communication and / or wireless communication between the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B and the processor 220. The wired communication can include, for example, Controller Area Network (CAN) communication, and the wireless communication can include, for example, Zigbee or Bluetooth communication. The type of communication protocol is not limited to a specific communication protocol, and can include any type of communication protocol that supports wired / wireless communication between the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B and the processor 220.

[0050] The communication unit 210 can include a first communication channel and a second communication channel, and the two communication channels can be respectively coupled to a communication port of the reference charger / discharger 100A and a communication port of the target charger / discharger 100B in a wired and / or wireless manner.

[0051] The communication unit 210 can collect reference measurement information from the reference charger / discharger 100A through the first communication channel. The communication unit 210 can collect target measurement information from the target charger / discharger 100B through the second communication channel.

[0052] The reference measurement information can indicate a measurement result of charging / discharging information of the first battery B1 by the reference charger / discharger 100A during a charging / discharging test of the first battery B1.

[0053] The target measurement information can indicate a measurement result of charging / discharging information of the second battery B2 by the reference charger / discharger 100A during a charging / discharging test of the second battery B2.

[0054] The first battery B1 and the second battery B2 can be pre-verified to have the same electrochemical characteristics.

[0055] The charge / discharge test can refer to a test involving a predetermined number (e.g., 600) of repeated charge / discharge cycles. The charge / discharge cycle includes a charging process and a discharging process. There can be a rest period (a first rest period) between the charging process and the discharging process in the same charge / discharge cycle. Also, there can be a rest period (a second rest period) between the discharging process of the charge / discharge cycle and the charging process of the next charge / discharge cycle. The rest period refers to a period during which charging and discharging are stopped.

[0056] The charging process can be a process of charging the battery according to a constant current (CC)-constant voltage (CV) charging protocol within a predetermined voltage range. For the CC charging of the charging process, a current of a first current rate (e.g., 0.05C) can be set. The CC charging can be completed and then changed to CV charging until the voltage of the battery reaches an upper limit of the predetermined voltage range (a predetermined cutoff voltage) from a lower limit. The CV charging can be completed until the charging current of the battery decreases below a predetermined cutoff current from the time when the voltage of the battery reaches the cutoff voltage. The cutoff current can be, for example, 1 / 10 of the current rate used in the CC charging.

[0057] The discharging process can be a process of discharging the battery at a constant current within a predetermined voltage range. In the CC discharging of the discharging process, a current of a second current rate (e.g., 0.33C) can be set. The second current rate can be higher than the first current rate. For example, the first current rate = 0.05C, and the second current rate = 0.33C.

[0058] The processor 220 can be implemented in hardware using at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microprocessor, or an electrical unit for performing other functions.

[0059] The processor 220 can have a memory 221. The memory 221 can include at least one type of storage medium such as a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk (SSD) type, a silicon disk driver (SDD) type, a multimedia card micro type, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a programmable read-only memory (PROM). The memory 221 can store data and programs required for the operation of the processor 220 as described below. The memory can store data indicating the results of the operations performed by the processor 220.

[0060] The processor 220 can control the communication unit 210 to transmit an operation command to each of the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B. In response to the operation command, the reference charger / discharger 100A can perform a charge / discharge test on the first battery B1, and transmit reference measurement information to the calibration device 200. In response to the operation command, the target charger / discharger 100B can perform a charge / discharge test on the second battery B2, and transmit target measurement information to the calibration device 200.

[0061] Each of the reference measurement information and the target measurement information can include a measurement data set (at least one of a cumulative charge capacity value, a cumulative discharge capacity value, a cumulative charge / discharge capacity value, or a charge / discharge efficiency value) for each reference number of charge / discharge cycles. The set number of cycles can be equal to a value obtained by multiplying the reference number of cycles by a reference value (a predetermined natural number). For example, the set number of cycles = 600, and the reference number of cycles = 100. The set number of cycles can be preset to prevent excessive aging in the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B from exceeding a threshold level.

[0062] In each reference number of charge / discharge cycles, the measurement data set can be based on at least one of a sum of charge capacity values or a sum of discharge capacity values measured in a charge process and a discharge process of the same charge / discharge cycle. For reference, the charge capacity value in the charge process can be determined by ampere counting involving periodically integrating the measurement of the charge current in the charge process. Likewise, the discharge capacity value in the discharge process can be determined by ampere counting involving periodically integrating the measurement of the discharge current in the discharge process.

[0063] For example, the cumulative charge capacity value of the 1st to 100th charge / discharge cycles can indicate the total charge capacity supplied to the battery through 100 charging processes completed in the 1st to 100th charge / discharge cycles. The cumulative discharge capacity value of the 1st to 100th charge / discharge cycles can indicate the total discharge capacity released from the battery through 100 discharging processes completed in the 1st to 100th charge / discharge cycles. The cumulative charge / discharge capacity value of the 1st to 100th charge / discharge cycles can indicate the difference (e.g., 0.02 Ah) between the cumulative charge capacity value (e.g., 0.30 Ah) and the cumulative discharge capacity value (e.g., 0.28 Ah) in the 1st to 100th charge / discharge cycles. The charge / discharge efficiency value of the 1st to 100th charge / discharge cycles can indicate the ratio of any one of the cumulative charge capacity value and the cumulative discharge capacity value to the other, and can be referred to as 'Coulombic Efficiency'.

[0064] Each of the reference measurement information and the target measurement information may include the same number of cumulative charge capacity values, cumulative discharge capacity values, cumulative charge / discharge capacity values, and / or charge / discharge efficiency values ​​as the reference values.

[0065] The reference measurement information may include at least one of the following: first charge capacity information, first discharge capacity information, first charge / discharge capacity information, or first charge / discharge efficiency information. The first charge capacity information, first discharge capacity information, first charge / discharge capacity information, and first charge / discharge efficiency information may respectively indicate the cumulative charge capacity value, cumulative discharge capacity value, cumulative charge / discharge capacity value, and charge / discharge efficiency value of the first battery B1 that has passed the charge / discharge test.

[0066] The target measurement information may include at least one of the following: second charge capacity information, second discharge capacity information, second charge / discharge capacity information, or second charge / discharge efficiency information. The second charge capacity information, second discharge capacity information, second charge / discharge capacity information, and second charge / discharge efficiency information may respectively indicate the cumulative charge capacity value, cumulative discharge capacity value, cumulative charge / discharge capacity value, and charge / discharge efficiency value of the second battery B2 that has passed the charge / discharge test.

[0067] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the charger / discharger. See below for reference. Figure 2 The description of the charger / discharger 100 can be compared with... Figure 1 The reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B shown in the figure share the same features.

[0068] refer toFigure 2 The charger / discharger 100 includes a measurement unit 110, a charge / discharge unit 120, and a charge / discharge controller 130.

[0069] The charge / discharge unit 120 is provided to repeatedly perform a charge / discharge cycle on the battery B. The battery B can correspond to Figure 1 a first battery B1 or a second battery B1 of the battery pack 10.

[0070] The charge / discharge unit 120 has a charge function, a discharge function, and a rest function, and is configured to selectively perform one of the charge function, the discharge function, and the rest function according to a protocol and conditions of each of a charge process and a discharge process specified in the charge / discharge test.

[0071] The charge / discharge unit 120 includes a power supply circuit 121 and a charge / discharge circuit 122.

[0072] The power supply circuit 121 is configured to convert power from an alternating current (AC) power supply and / or a direct current (DC) power supply into DC having a predetermined voltage level satisfying an input specification of the charge / discharge circuit 122. The power supply circuit 121 can include one of or a combination of both of known AC-DC converters and DC-DC converters.

[0073] The charge / discharge circuit 122 can have a pair of charge / discharge terminals (+, -) connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery B, respectively, and can charge or discharge the battery B in response to a command from the charge / discharge controller 130. The charge / discharge circuit 122 can include one of or a combination of both of known CC circuits and CV circuits.

[0074] When an operation command is received through the communication port, the charge / discharge controller 130 controls the charge / discharge circuit 122 and the power supply circuit 121 to repeatedly perform a charge / discharge cycle of a set number of times.

[0075] The measurement unit 110 can measure a battery parameter of the battery during the charge / discharge test through the charge / discharge unit 120, and transmit a measurement value to the charge / discharge controller 130.

[0076] The measurement unit 110 includes a voltage sensor 111 and a current sensor 112. The voltage sensor 111 is connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery through a pair of voltage sensing lines, and measures a voltage of the battery and generates (outputs) a signal indicating a sample value of the measured voltage.

[0077] The current sensor 112 is mounted on a charge / discharge path connecting the battery to the charge / discharge circuit 122, and measures a charge current and / or a discharge current and generates (outputs) a signal indicating a sample value of the measured current. For example, the current sensor 112 can include a known current detection device such as a shunt resistor and / or a Hall sensor. The voltage sensor 111 and the current sensor 112 can be combined into a single chip.

[0078] The charge / discharge controller 130 is operatively coupled to the measurement unit 110 and the charge / discharge unit 120. Here, "operatively coupled" means a direct / indirect connection to enable signal transmission and reception in one or both directions.

[0079] The charge / discharge controller 130 can be implemented in hardware using at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microprocessor 220, or an electrical unit for performing other functions.

[0080] The charge / discharge controller 130 can have a memory. The memory can include at least one type of storage medium such as a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk (SSD) type, a silicon disk driver (SDD) type, a multimedia card micro type, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), or a programmable read only memory (PROM).

[0081] The measurement values generated during the charge / discharge test can be recorded in the memory. After the charge / discharge test is completed, the measurement information including or based on the measurement values recorded in the memory can be transmitted to the calibration device 200 through the communication port of the charge / discharge controller 130.

[0082] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram referred to in comparing the measured performance between the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B. To help understanding, the description will be based on the cumulative charge / discharge capacity value among the measured result values of many different types of parameters (cumulative charge capacity value, cumulative discharge capacity value, cumulative charge / discharge capacity value, and charge / discharge efficiency value).

[0083] Reference Figure 3, curve 310 shows the change in the cumulative charge / discharge capacity value within the repeated charge / discharge cycles of the charge / discharge test of the first battery B1 by the reference charger / discharger 100A, and curve 320 shows the change in the cumulative charge / discharge capacity value within the repeated charge / discharge cycles of the charge / discharge test of the second battery B2 by the target charger / discharger 100B. As a reference, the cumulative charge / discharge capacity value can increase by 1 each time a single charge / discharge cycle is completed.

[0084] It should be noted that the difference in the measured performance between the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B comes from the difference in the Y-axis value (i.e., the cumulative charge / discharge capacity value) between curve 310 and curve 320 at the same X-axis value (i.e., the cycle number), rather than the shape of each of curve 310 and curve 320. The comparison of curve 310 and curve 320 shows that the difference between curve 310 and curve 320 gradually increases in the Y-axis direction as the cycle number increases.

[0085] When (i) the measured value of the charge current measured by the target charger / discharger 100B is greater than the actual value, or (ii) the measured value of the discharge current measured by the target charger / discharger 100B is less than the actual value, the difference between curve 310 and curve 320 can have a Figure 3 trend shown.

[0086] Through many experimental results, the inventors found that the difference (based on the Y-axis) between curve 310 and curve 320 has an approximately linear change with the cycle number.

[0087] Meanwhile, in both curve 310 and curve 320, the cumulative charge / discharge capacity value slowly increases with an increasing cycle number. The reason is, for example, (i) an increase in the charge capacity and a decrease in the discharge capacity due to the formation of a byproduct of the charge / discharge reaction, such as a solid electrolyte interface (SEI), at an early stage of the battery life, and (ii) a decrease in the full charge capacity (FCC) as the battery deteriorates.

[0088] As a reference, due to heat loss, some of the charge capacity supplied to the battery by the charger / discharger can not be stored in the battery and can be used. Therefore, the actual increase in the charge capacity of the battery can be less than the charge capacity supplied from the charger / discharger. In addition, capacity loss can occur during discharging of the battery by the charger / discharger. Therefore, the discharge capacity measured by the charger / discharger can be less than the actual discharge capacity of the battery.

[0089] Figure 4 is a flowchart schematically showing a charger / discharger calibration method according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 4The method can be performed by Figure 1 the calibration device 200.

[0090] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 In step S410, the processor 220 controls the communication unit 210 to transmit an operation command to the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B. The operation command can be transmitted to the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B through the first communication channel and the second communication channel of the communication unit 210. When step S410 is performed, the charging / discharging test of the reference charger / discharger 100A of the first battery B1 and the charging / discharging test of the target charger / discharger 100B of the second battery B2 are started. The operation command can not be transmitted to the reference charger / discharger 100A and the target charger / discharger 100B at the same time. For example, the communication unit 210 can first transmit the operation command to the reference charger / discharger 100A, and then transmit the operation command to the target charger / discharger 100B.

[0091] In step S422, the processor 220 acquires (collects) reference measurement information from the reference charger / discharger 100A. When the charging / discharging test of the first battery B1 is completed, the reference charger / discharger 100A can transmit the reference measurement information to the communication unit 210, which is a measurement result of the charging / discharging information of the first battery B1 recorded for a period of time in which the charging / discharging test is performed.

[0092] In step S424, the processor 220 acquires (collects) target measurement information from the target charger / discharger 100B. When the charging / discharging test of the second battery B2 is completed, the reference charger / discharger 100A can transmit the target measurement information to the communication unit 210, which is a measurement result of the charging / discharging information of the second battery B2 recorded for a period of time in which the charging / discharging test is performed.

[0093] In step S430, the processor 220 generates calibration information of the target charger / discharger 100B by comparing the reference measurement information with the target measurement information. The calibration information can include at least one of a charging capacity calibration value, a discharging capacity calibration value, a charging / discharging capacity calibration value, or a charging / discharging efficiency calibration value.

[0094] When the reference measurement information includes first charging capacity information and the target measurement information includes second charging capacity information, the processor 220 can determine a charging capacity calibration value by comparing the first charging capacity information with the second charging capacity information. The charging capacity calibration value can indicate a ratio of either one of two cumulative charging capacity values of the first charging capacity information and the second charging capacity information to the other.

[0095] When the reference measurement information includes the first discharge capacity information and the target measurement information includes the second discharge capacity information, the processor 220 can determine a discharge capacity calibration value by comparing the first discharge capacity information with the second discharge capacity information. The discharge capacity calibration value can indicate a ratio of any one of the two accumulated discharge capacity values of the first discharge capacity information and the second discharge capacity information to the other.

[0096] When the reference measurement information includes the first charge / discharge capacity information and the target measurement information includes the second charge / discharge capacity information, the processor 220 can determine a charge / discharge capacity calibration value by comparing the first charge / discharge capacity information with the second charge / discharge capacity information. The charge / discharge capacity calibration value can indicate a ratio of any one of the two accumulated charge / discharge capacity values of the first charge / discharge capacity information and the second charge / discharge capacity information to the other.

[0097] When the reference measurement information includes the first charge / discharge efficiency information and the target measurement information includes the second charge / discharge efficiency information, the processor 220 can determine a charge / discharge efficiency calibration value by comparing the first charge / discharge efficiency information with the second charge / discharge efficiency information. The charge / discharge efficiency calibration value can indicate a ratio of any one of the two accumulated charge / discharge efficiency values of the first charge / discharge efficiency information and the second charge / discharge efficiency information to the other.

[0098] Figure 4 The method of the above-described can further include step S440. In step S440, the processor 220 controls the communication unit 210 to transmit a calibration command including the calibration information determined in step S430 to the target charger / discharger 100B.

[0099] After receiving the calibration command from the calibration device 200, the charge / discharge controller 130 of the target charger / discharger 100B can calibrate the measurement information generated during the charging / discharging of another battery based on the received calibration information.

[0100] Suppose that the charge / discharge efficiency calibration value included in the received calibration information is 97.7%, and the charge / discharge efficiency value of another battery determined by the target charger / discharger 100B is 85.4%. The charge / discharge efficiency value of another battery can be calibrated to .

[0101] Meanwhile, as described above, the measurement performance of the target charger / discharger 100B can gradually decrease as the target charger / discharger 100B deteriorates. Therefore, by the above-described, the charge / discharge efficiency value of another battery determined by the target charger / discharger 100B can be calibrated to the charge / discharge efficiency calibration value included in the received calibration information. Figure 4The validity of the calibration information determined by the described method is not permanent, and thus the calibration information must be updated as the target charger / discharger 100B deteriorates. However, while the target charger / discharger 100B performs a charge / discharge test to acquire new target measurement information required for calibration information update, the target charger / discharger 100B cannot be used for its original purpose (e.g., battery activation). In addition, when the target charger / discharger 100B performs a charge / discharge test so frequently to update the calibration information, the measurement performance of the target charger / discharger 100B can quickly deteriorate.

[0102] Figure 5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a charger / discharger calibration method according to still another embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 5 The method of Figure 4 is a subsequent process of step S440, and can be performed by Figure 1 the calibration device 200.

[0103] The method of Figure 4 is performed on the condition that the calibration process of the target charger / discharger 100B according to the method of Figure 5 has been completed at least twice. Thus, when the method of Figure 5 is performed, the previous calibration information is recorded in the memory of the calibration device 200. The previous calibration information can be calibration information recently determined by the method of Figure 4 based on the current time. For example, on the assumption that m is a natural number of 2 or more, when the 1st to mth calibration information is recorded in the memory a total of m times by performing the method of Figure 4 , the mth calibration information can be the 'current calibration information', and the m-1th calibration information can be the 'previous calibration information'.

[0104] Referring to Figure 5 , in step S510, the processor 220 reads the previous calibration information from the memory.

[0105] In step S520, the processor 220 can determine a validity condition of the calibration information determined in step S440 by comparing the calibration information determined in step S440 (referred to as 'current calibration information') with the previous calibration information. The validity condition can include at least one of a valid time or a valid total charge / discharge capacity.

[0106] In the case where the validity condition includes the valid time, the validity condition is not satisfied when the valid time elapses from the time at which the current calibration information is determined. That is, the current calibration information can be set to be used to calibrate only the measurement information of the target charger / discharger 100B until the valid time elapses from the time at which the current calibration information is determined.

[0107] When the increase in the total charge / discharge capacity of the target charger / discharger 100B reaches the effective total charge / discharge capacity in the case where the validity condition includes the effective total charge / discharge capacity, the validity condition is not satisfied. That is, the current calibration information can be set to be used to calibrate the measurement information of the target charger / discharger 100B until the increase in the total charge / discharge capacity of the target charger / discharger 100B reaches the effective total charge / discharge capacity from the time at which the current calibration information is determined.

[0108] In step S530, the processor 220 generates preliminary calibration information of the target charger / discharger 100B by comparing the calibration information (referred to as "current calibration information") determined in step S440 with the previous calibration information. The preliminary calibration information can be used to calibrate the measurement information of the target charger / discharger 100B from a time at which the validity condition is not satisfied from the current calibration information.

[0109] Specifically, in the same manner as the current calibration information, the preliminary calibration information includes a calibration value of at least one type of the charge capacity information, the discharge capacity information, the charge / discharge capacity information, or the charge / discharge efficiency information.

[0110] As the target charger / discharger 100B deteriorates, its measurement performance decreases, and thus the calibration value of a specific type of measurement information included in the preliminary calibration information can be greater than the calibration value of the same type of measurement information included in the current calibration information.

[0111] Each of the validity condition and the preliminary calibration information can be determined based on a difference between two specific types of calibration values of the previous calibration information and the current calibration information. In addition, each of the validity condition and the preliminary calibration information can be determined based on at least one of a length of a work time period from a time at which the previous calibration information is determined to a time at which the current calibration information is determined or a total charge / discharge capacity of the target charger / discharger 100B within the work time period.

[0112] The total charge / discharge capacity, which is different from the cumulative charge / discharge capacity within a time period, can indicate a sum of the cumulative charge capacity and the cumulative discharge capacity. For example, when the cumulative charge capacity for a certain time period is 10 Ah and the cumulative discharge capacity is 9 Ah, the cumulative charge / discharge capacity is 1 Ah, and the total charge / discharge capacity is 11 Ah.

[0113] The following equations are used to describe a relationship between at least two of the previous calibration information, the current calibration information, the validity condition, and the preliminary calibration information by way of example.

[0114] < Equation 1>

[0115] In Equation 1, E represents a difference between two calibration values of a specific type of measurement information in the previous calibration information and the current calibration information (i.e., a measurement error of the target charger / discharger 100B), represents a length of time of an operation time period, represents a total charge / discharge capacity of the target charger / discharger 100B in the operation time period, and t valid represents a valid time. Each of f1, f2, and f3 is a function defining a negative correspondence relationship between an input value and an output value, and a unit of the output value in each function is time. As the input value E is larger, f1 can output a smaller time value. As the input value is larger, f2 can output a smaller time value. As the input value is larger, f3 can output a smaller time value. A sum of the time values output from f1, f2, and f3 can be determined as t valid .

[0116] < Equation 2>

[0117] In Equation 2, E, and as input values of functions f4, f5, and f6, respectively, are the same as those of Equation 1, and represents a valid total charge / discharge capacity. Each of f4, f5, and f6 is a function defining a negative correspondence relationship between an input value and an output value, and a unit of the output value in each function is capacity. As the input value E is larger, f4 can output a smaller capacity value. As the input value is larger, f5 can output a smaller capacity value. As the input value is larger, f6 can output a smaller capacity value. A sum of the capacity values output from f4, f5, and f6 can be determined as .

[0118] < Equation 3>

[0119] In Equation 3, E, At, and as input values of functions f7, f8, and f9, respectively, are the same as those of Equation 1. represents a calibration value of a specific type of measurement information included in the current calibration information, and represents a calibration value of the specific type of measurement information included in the preliminary calibration information. Each of functions f7, f8, and f9 is a function defining a positive correspondence relationship between an input value and an output value, and a unit of the output value in each function is the same as The units of f7, f8 and f9 are the same. As the input value E is larger, f7 can output a larger calibration value. As the input value At is larger, f8 can output a larger calibration value. As the input value is larger, f9 can output a larger calibration value. The sum of the calibration values output from f7, f8 and f9 can be determined as .

[0120] At least one of the validity condition determined in step S520 or the preliminary calibration information determined in step S530 can be included in the calibration command, which in turn can be transmitted to the target charger / discharger 100B in step S440.

[0121] When the validity condition of the received calibration information is not satisfied, the target charger / discharger 100B can send a message to the calibration device 200 to inform that the calibration information needs to be updated.

[0122] Embodiments of the disclosure as described above are not only embodied by devices and methods, and can be realized by a program performing functions corresponding to the exemplary configurations of the disclosure or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and those skilled in the art can easily realize such implementations from the disclosure of the previously described embodiments.

[0123] Although the disclosure has been described above with respect to certain embodiments and drawings, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made in the technical aspects of the disclosure and the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0124] In addition, those skilled in the art can make many substitutions, modifications and changes to the disclosure as described above without departing from the technical aspects of the disclosure, the disclosure is not limited by the above-described embodiments and drawings, and some or all embodiments can be selectively combined to allow various modifications.

Claims

1. A charger / discharger calibration method for calibrating chargers / dischargers, comprising: Reference measurement information is obtained from a reference charger / discharger, which is the measurement result of the charging / discharging information of the first battery while the reference charger / discharger performs a charging / discharging test on the first battery; Target measurement information is obtained from the target charger / discharger, wherein the target measurement information is the measurement result of the charging / discharging information of the second battery at the same time as the charging / discharging test is performed on the second battery by the target charger / discharger; and Calibration information for the target charger / discharger is generated by comparing the reference measurement information with the target measurement information.

2. The charger / discharger calibration method according to claim 1, in, The reference measurement information includes the first charging capacity information of the first battery during the charging process of the charge / discharge test, and The target measurement information includes the second charging capacity information of the second battery during the charging process of the charging / discharging test.

3. The charger / discharger calibration method according to claim 2, in, Generating the calibration information for the target charger / discharger includes: The charging capacity calibration value included in the calibration information is determined by comparing the first charging capacity information with the second charging capacity information.

4. The charger / discharger calibration method according to claim 1, in, The reference measurement information includes the first discharge capacity information of the first battery during the discharge process of the charge / discharge test, and The target measurement information includes the second discharge capacity information of the second battery during the discharge process of the charge / discharge test.

5. The charger / discharger calibration method according to claim 4, in, Generating the calibration information for the target charger / discharger includes: The discharge capacity calibration value included in the calibration information is determined by comparing the first discharge capacity information with the second discharge capacity information.

6. The charger / discharger calibration method according to claim 1, in, The reference measurement information includes first charge / discharge efficiency information, which indicates the ratio between the first charge capacity information of the first battery during the charging process of the charge / discharge test and the first discharge capacity information of the first battery during the discharging process of the charge / discharge test. The target measurement information includes second charge / discharge efficiency information, which indicates the ratio between the second charge capacity information of the second battery during the charging process of the charge / discharge test and the second discharge capacity information of the second battery during the discharging process of the charge / discharge test.

7. The charger / discharger calibration method according to claim 6, in, Generating the calibration information for the target charger / discharger includes: The charge / discharge efficiency calibration value included in the calibration information is determined by comparing the first charge / discharge efficiency information with the second charge / discharge efficiency information.

8. The charger / discharger calibration method according to claim 1, further comprising: The validity conditions of the calibration information are determined by comparing the calibration information with previous calibration information.

9. The charger / discharger calibration method according to claim 1, further comprising: Preliminary calibration information for the target charger / discharger is generated by comparing the calibration information with previous calibration information.

10. A charger / discharger calibration apparatus for calibrating chargers / dischargers, comprising: A communication unit is configured to acquire reference measurement information from a reference charger / discharger, the reference measurement information being the measurement result of the charging / discharging information of the first battery while the reference charger / discharger performs a charging / discharging test on the first battery, and to acquire target measurement information from a target charger / discharger, the target measurement information being the measurement result of the charging / discharging information of the second battery while the target charger / discharger performs the charging / discharging test on the second battery; as well as A processor configured to generate calibration information for the target charger / discharger by comparing the reference measurement information with the target measurement information.

11. The charger / discharger calibration device according to claim 10, in, The reference measurement information includes first charge / discharge efficiency information, which indicates the ratio between the first charge capacity information of the first battery during the charging process of the charge / discharge test and the first discharge capacity information of the first battery during the discharging process of the charge / discharge test. The target measurement information includes second charge / discharge efficiency information, which indicates the ratio between the second charge capacity information of the second battery during the charging process of the charge / discharge test and the second discharge capacity information of the second battery during the discharging process of the charge / discharge test.

12. The charger / discharger calibration device according to claim 11, in, The processor is configured to: The charge / discharge efficiency calibration value included in the calibration information is determined by comparing the first charge / discharge efficiency information with the second charge / discharge efficiency information.

13. The charger / discharger calibration device according to claim 10, in, The processor is configured to: The validity conditions of the calibration information are determined by comparing the calibration information with previous calibration information.

14. The charger / discharger calibration device according to claim 10, in, The processor is configured to: Preliminary calibration information for the target charger / discharger is generated by comparing the calibration information with previous calibration information.

15. A charger / discharger calibration system, comprising a charger / discharger calibration device according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

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