Diagnostic device and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A diagnostic apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein includes a first information generation unit configured to receive an infrared (IR) signal transmitted from an external transmitter and to generate first information related to a frequency of the IR signal, a second information generation unit configured to receive the IR signal and to generate second information related to a light amount of the IR signal, and a processor configured to diagnose a state of the transmitter based on the first information and the second information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0146831, filed on October 30, 2023, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to diagnostic devices and methods of operation thereof. Background Technology

[0004] Recently, research and development of rechargeable batteries have been actively pursued. Here, rechargeable batteries, as rechargeable / dischargeable batteries, can include all conventional nickel (Ni) / cadmium (Cd) batteries, nickel / metal hydride (MH) batteries, and more recently, lithium-ion batteries. Among rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries have a much higher energy density than conventional nickel / cadmium and nickel / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured to be small and lightweight, making them already used as power sources for mobile devices, and recently, their application has expanded to electric vehicles, thus attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0005] Battery management devices that control the overall operation of secondary batteries communicate with the outside world wirelessly, such as via wired and / or infrared communication. In battery management devices that communicate with the outside world via infrared communication, the positions of the transmitting unit that sends infrared signals and the receiving unit that receives infrared signals are fixed, making it difficult to diagnose the quality of infrared communication. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a diagnostic device and its operating method for verifying the operational status of a battery management device that communicates via infrared rays.

[0008] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on the following description.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] The diagnostic apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein includes: a first information generation unit configured to receive an infrared (IR) signal transmitted from an external transmitter and generate first information related to the frequency of the IR signal; a second information generation unit configured to receive the IR signal and generate second information related to the light intensity of the IR signal; and a processor configured to diagnose the state of the transmitter based on the first and second information.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the first information generation unit may include: a conversion unit configured to convert an IR signal into an electrical signal; and a filter unit including a resistor-capacitor (RC) filter to delay the converted electrical signal for a preset time, wherein the first information is related to the electrical signal delayed for the preset time.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the processor may also be configured to diagnose the operating state of the transmitter based on a comparison between the frequency of a delayed electrical signal obtained based on the first information and a preset reference frequency.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the second information generation unit may include: a conversion unit configured to convert an IR signal into an electrical signal; and a storage unit including a capacitor to store energy associated with the converted electrical signal, wherein the second information is related to the level of a voltage applied to opposite ends of the capacitor.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the processor can also be configured to diagnose the operating state of the transmitter based on a comparison between a voltage level obtained based on second information and a preset voltage level.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the reference voltage level can be correlated with the distance between the diagnostic device and the external transmitter.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the external component may correspond to a transmitting unit of a battery management system (BMS) that performs IR communication.

[0017] The method of operating the diagnostic device according to the embodiments disclosed herein includes receiving an infrared (IR) signal transmitted from an external source, converting the IR signal into an electrical signal, verifying the frequency of the IR signal based on first information generated from the electrical signal, and verifying the light intensity of the IR signal based on second information generated from the electrical signal.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the first information may be related to the frequency of a signal obtained by delaying an electrical signal by a preset reference time, and the second information may be related to the energy of the electrical signal.

[0019] According to an embodiment, verifying the frequency of an IR signal may include: obtaining the frequency of a signal with a delayed reference time based on first information; comparing the frequency of the signal with the delayed reference time with a preset reference frequency; and verifying the frequency of the IR signal based on the result of the frequency comparison.

[0020] According to an embodiment, verifying the light intensity of an IR signal may include: obtaining, based on second information, the voltage level of the opposite terminals of a capacitor storing energy of an electrical signal; comparing the voltage level obtained based on the second information with a preset reference voltage level; and verifying the light intensity of the IR signal based on the comparison result of the voltage levels.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the reference voltage level can be determined based on the distance between the external device and the diagnostic device, and the external device can correspond to the transmitting unit of the battery management system (BMS) that performs IR communication.

[0022] Beneficial effects

[0023] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, a diagnostic device and its operating method are provided for verifying the operational status of a battery management device that communicates based on infrared (IR) rays.

[0024] The effects of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure in this document. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 These are views used to schematically depict a diagnostic apparatus and peripheral components according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a view used to describe a diagnostic apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a view used to describe first information according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0028] Figures 4A and 4B are views used to illustrate second information according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a flowchart describing the operation of a diagnostic apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0030] In the following, the embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to exemplary accompanying drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components will have as many identical reference numerals as possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions interfere with the understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0031] To describe the components of the embodiments disclosed herein, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the components to their nature, order, sequence, etc. The terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art, provided that these terms are not defined differently. Terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or exaggerated meaning unless they are explicitly defined in this application.

[0032] Figure 1 These are views used to schematically depict a diagnostic apparatus and peripheral components according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 The diagnostic device 100 can be configured to diagnose the status of the transmission unit 1211 of the battery management device 1200.

[0034] The battery pack 1000 may include a battery module 1100 and a battery management device 1200.

[0035] The battery module 1100 may include multiple battery cells (not shown). Here, the multiple battery cells (not shown) may be, but are not limited to, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, etc.

[0036] Battery module 1100 can be configured to connect to a target device (not shown) and supply power to the target device. For this purpose, battery module 1100 can be electrically connected to the target device (not shown). The target device may include electrical, electronic, or mechanical devices that operate by receiving power from battery module 1100, and for example, the target device (not shown) may be, but is not limited to, an electric vehicle (EV).

[0037] exist Figure 1 In the illustration, battery pack 1000 is shown to include a battery module 1100, but this disclosure is not limited to this example, and battery pack 1000 may include at least one battery module.

[0038] The battery management device 1200 can control the overall operation of the battery pack 1000. For example, the battery management device 1200 can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the battery module 1100 and / or multiple battery cells (not shown) included in the battery module 1100. The battery management device 1200 can manage the charging and / or discharging of the battery module 1100.

[0039] The battery management device 1200 can measure at least one of the voltage, current, temperature, and resistance of the battery module 1100 and / or each of the plurality of battery cells (not shown) included in the battery module 1100, and / or communicate with an external source to provide the measured voltage, current, temperature, resistance, etc. of the battery module 1100 and / or each of the plurality of battery cells (not shown) included in the battery module 1100. The battery management device 1200 can communicate with an external source using wired and / or wireless communication schemes, wherein the external source may include, but is not limited to, battery management equipment (not shown) and / or a higher-level controller included in another battery pack (not shown).

[0040] According to an embodiment, the battery management device 1200 can communicate with the outside world based on an infrared (IR) communication scheme. Here, IR communication, as a type of wireless communication among various wired and / or wireless communication schemes, can be a scheme that uses IR to remotely transmit data and / or communicate between electronic devices. IR communication can be performed between an IR transmitting unit that generates and / or transmits IR and an IR receiving unit that receives the transmitted IR rays.

[0041] The battery management device 1200 may include an IR communication unit 1210 for performing IR communication, and the IR communication unit 1210 may include a transmitting unit 1211 for generating and / or transmitting IR signals and a receiving unit 1212 for receiving IR signals transmitted from the outside.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the transmitting unit 1211 may include a light-emitting diode (LED) that generates IR rays. The IR transmitting unit may be configured to adjust the intensity of the IR rays generated by the LED by adjusting the amplitude of the current flowing through the LED.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the receiving unit 1212 may include a semiconductor device with light detection capabilities, such as a sensor capable of detecting IR rays, such as a photodiode. The IR receiving unit may be configured to interpret and / or process IR signals transmitted by the IR transmitting unit by converting the current flowing through the photodiode into an electrical signal. However, this is merely an example, and the IR communication unit 1210 may be configured differently to perform IR communication, or may also include various components not described.

[0044] The battery management device 1200 can control the IR communication unit 1210 to generate and / or transmit a test IR signal for diagnosing the communication status of the IR communication unit 1210. Here, the test IR signal can be a signal with a preset constant frequency and constant light intensity. According to an embodiment, the battery management device 1200 can control the IR communication unit 1210 to transmit the test IR signal with a preset constant frequency and constant light intensity to an external location for diagnosing the status of the transmitting unit 1211.

[0045] The diagnostic device 100 can be configured to diagnose the state of the transmitting unit 1211. The diagnostic device 100 can also be configured to diagnose the state of the transmitting unit 1211 at a position far from the reference distance d of the transmitting unit 1211.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 can receive a test IR signal sent by the transmitting unit 1211 and diagnose the state of the transmitting unit 1211 based on the received test IR signal.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 can receive a test IR signal transmitted by the transmitting unit 1211 and diagnose the state of the transmitting unit 1211 based on the frequency and light intensity of the test IR signal.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 can convert a test IR signal into an electrical signal, delay the converted electrical signal for a preset time, and obtain the frequency of the delayed electrical signal.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 can compare the frequency of a delayed electrical signal with a constant reference frequency of a preset test IR signal. Assuming the transmitting unit 1211 operates normally, it can transmit a test IR signal with a preset frequency, ensuring that the frequency of the electrical signal obtained by the diagnostic device 100 is the same as and / or similar to the preset reference frequency. Therefore, when the difference between the frequency of the obtained electrical signal and the preset reference frequency is within the error range, the diagnostic device 100 can diagnose that the state of the transmitting unit 1211 is normal.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the second information generation unit 120 (see...) Figure 1 It can convert the test IR signal into an electrical signal, store the energy associated with the converted electrical signal, and obtain the voltage level value associated with the energy of the converted electrical signal.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 can compare the voltage level value related to the energy of the converted electrical signal with the reference voltage level of the preset test IR signal. Assuming that the transmitting unit 1211 operates normally, the transmitting unit 1211 can normally transmit the test IR signal with a preset light intensity, so that the light intensity of the electrical signal obtained by the diagnostic device 100 can also be the same as and / or similar to the preset light intensity. Therefore, when the difference between the voltage level of the obtained electrical signal and the preset reference voltage level is within the error range, the diagnostic device 100 can diagnose that the state of the transmitting unit 1211 is normal.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the reference voltage level can be correlated with the distance d between the diagnostic device 100 and the transmitting unit 1211. IR communication can transmit and receive data based on IR signals, such that the amount of light in the IR signal received by the receiving unit can decrease as the distance between the transmitting and receiving units increases. Therefore, diagnostics can be performed by setting the reference voltage level differently based on the distance between the diagnostic device 100 and the transmitting unit 1211.

[0053] According to the embodiments, the error ranges of frequency and light intensity can be set and changed differently based on the allowable error range, etc.

[0054] According to the embodiment, when the result of comparing the frequency obtained from the test IR signal sent from the transmitting unit 1211 with the reference frequency and the result of comparing the voltage level obtained from the test IR signal with the reference voltage level are normal, the diagnostic device 100 can diagnose that the communication status of the transmitting unit 1211 is normal.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 may be implemented as an on-board diagnostic (OBD) device. In this case, the diagnostic device 100 may receive a test IR signal from the light-emitting unit 1211 in close proximity to the transmitting unit 1211 to perform diagnostics on the transmitting unit 1211.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 can be configured to diagnose the status of the transmitting unit 1211 that performs IR communication during the production and processing phases of the battery pack 1000. For example, the diagnostic device 100 can be configured to diagnose the status of the transmitting unit 1211 during end-of-line (EOL) inspections in the processing phases, including the production and verification of the battery pack 1000.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 can be configured to diagnose the communication status between multiple battery packs (not shown) included in an energy storage system (ESS). For example, since there may be space between the multiple battery packs performing IR communication included in the ESS, the communication status between the battery packs performing IR communication can be diagnosed by positioning the diagnostic device 100 in the space between the battery packs.

[0058] Figure 2 This is a view used to describe a diagnostic apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0059] The diagnostic device 100 can be configured to receive IR signals transmitted from an external, particularly an external IR transmitter, and to diagnose the IR transmitter based on the received IR signals. The diagnostic device 100 may include a first information generation unit 110, a second information generation unit 120, a processor 130, and a memory 140.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the first information generation unit 110 may include a conversion unit 111 and a filter unit 112. Here, the conversion unit 111 may be configured to convert an IR signal transmitted from an external transmitter into an electrical signal.

[0061] For example, the conversion unit 111 can be configured, but is not limited to, to convert an IR signal into an electrical signal based on the current flowing through a photodiode, thereby detecting IR rays transmitted from an external transmitter.

[0062] The filter unit 112 can be configured to delay the electrical signal converted by the conversion unit 111 by a preset time. For example, the filter unit 112 may include, but is not limited to, a resistor-capacitor (RC) filter. The delay time can be determined by the RC constant and can be set and changed in various ways according to design values.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the first information generation unit 110 can be configured to generate first information. Here, the first information may be related to the frequency of an IR signal transmitted from an external transmitter. For example, the first information generation unit 110 may generate an electrical signal obtained by delaying an IR signal transmitted by an external transmitter and converted into an electrical signal by the conversion unit 121 by a preset time. Here, the first information may include information related to the frequency of the electrical signal delayed by the preset time.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the second information generation unit 120 may include a conversion unit 121 and a storage unit 122. Here, the conversion unit 121 may be configured to convert an IR signal transmitted from an external transmitter into an electrical signal. For example, the conversion unit 121 may be configured, but is not limited to, converting the IR signal into an electrical signal based on the current flowing through a photodiode, thereby detecting IR rays transmitted from an external transmitter. Although in Figure 2 The first information generation unit 110 and the second information generation unit 120 are shown to include conversion unit 111 and conversion unit 121, respectively. However, this disclosure is not limited to this example, and conversion units 111 and 121 can be implemented as a component for converting IR signals transmitted from an external transmitter into electrical signals.

[0065] According to an embodiment, storage unit 122 may be configured to store energy associated with the electrical signal converted by conversion unit 121. For example, storage unit 122 may include a capacitor for storing energy.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the capacitor included in the storage unit 122 can store energy associated with the electrical signal converted by the conversion unit 121.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the second information generation unit 120 can be configured to generate second information. Here, the second information may relate to the energy of an IR signal transmitted from an external transmitter. For example, the second information generation unit 120 may store the energy associated with an IR signal transmitted from an external transmitter and converted into an electrical signal by the conversion unit 121. Here, the second information may include information related to the voltage applied to the opposite ends of a capacitor.

[0068] The processor 130 can control the overall operation of the diagnostic device 100.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the processor 130 may execute software to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software) of the diagnostic device 100 or perform operations such as processing and / or calculating various data.

[0070] Processor 130 can perform operations to diagnose the status of the external transmitter based on the first and second information.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the processor 130 can be configured to diagnose the operating state of the transmitter by comparing the frequency of an electrical signal obtained based on first information with a preset reference frequency. Here, the preset reference frequency can be defined as a frequency predetermined to be transmitted by an external transmitter. For example, a test IR signal transmitted by an external transmitter to diagnose the communication state can have a constant frequency and a constant light intensity. The preset reference frequency can be related to the frequency of the aforementioned test IR signal.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the processor 130 can be configured to diagnose the operating state of the transmitter by comparing a voltage level applied to the opposite end of a capacitor with a preset reference voltage level, wherein the voltage level is related to the energy of an electrical signal obtained based on second information. Here, the preset reference voltage level can be defined as the energy related to the amount of light in a predetermined test IR signal transmitted by an external transmitter.

[0073] According to an embodiment, when the difference between the frequency of the electrical signal obtained based on the first information and the reference frequency is within a threshold and the difference between the voltage level obtained based on the second information and the reference voltage level is within a threshold, the processor 130 can diagnose that the operating state and / or communication state of the external transmitter is normal. Here, the threshold can be set and applied differently depending on the allowable error range and / or the circuit design of the external transmitter, etc.

[0074] The memory 140 may be configured to store data related to a reference frequency and a reference voltage level and / or to store various data generated by the diagnostic device 100. According to embodiments, the memory 140 may include, but is not limited to, volatile memory devices such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and non-volatile memory devices such as read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), and flash memory.

[0075] As described above, the diagnostic device 100 according to the embodiments disclosed herein can receive IR signals transmitted from an external transmitter and perform analysis on frequency and light intensity in parallel based on the received IR signals. The diagnostic device 100 can be implemented as a standalone device to perform diagnostics on the battery pack 1000 performing IR communication, regardless of the environment. The test IR signals and the criteria for their associated frequency and light intensity can be set differently based on the distance and / or permissible error between the diagnostic device 100 and the battery pack 1000, thereby enabling flexible diagnostics of the transmitting unit 1211.

[0076] Figure 3 , Figure 4a and Figure 4b This is a view used to describe the operation of the diagnostic device 100.

[0077] Figure 3 This is a view used to describe first information according to embodiments disclosed herein, and Figure 4a and Figure 4b This is a view used to describe second information according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0078] refer to Figure 3 This illustrates the first information generation unit 110 (see [link]). Figure 2 The generated electrical signal.

[0079] As described above, the first information generation unit 110 can receive an IR signal transmitted from an external transmitter and convert the received IR signal into an electrical signal. Here, the IR signal can be the same as the test IR signal described above. For example, the first information generation unit 110 can convert the received IR signal into an electrical signal to generate a signal (a) resembling a pulse waveform with a constant frequency. However, Figure 3 The waveforms of the signals shown are illustrated for ease of description and are not limited to those having the waveforms shown. Figure 3 Examples of waveforms and / or frequencies, etc., shown.

[0080] The first information generation unit 110 can delay the IR signal (a) converted into an electrical signal by a preset time t1. According to an embodiment, the first information generation unit 110 can generate a delayed signal (b) by passing the signal (a) converted into an electrical signal through an RC filter. Here, the preset time t1 can be set and changed differently depending on the resistance of the RC filter and the capacitance of the capacitor. The first information generation unit 110 can obtain the frequency based on the waveform of the signal delayed by the preset time t1.

[0081] refer to Figure 4a and Figure 4b This shows the second information generation unit 120 (see...) Figure 2 The generated electrical signal.

[0082] As described above, the second information generation unit 120 can receive an IR signal transmitted from an external transmitter and convert the received IR signal into an electrical signal. Here, the IR signal can be the same as the test IR signal described above. For example, the second information generation unit 120 can convert the received IR signal into an electrical signal to generate a signal resembling a pulse waveform with a constant frequency. (See reference...) Figure 4a and Figure 4b The IR signal, converted into an electrical signal, can be represented by a graph depicted as dashed lines. This dashed-line graph indicates a signal with no loss of light intensity in the assumed preset test IR signal. However, Figure 4a and Figure 4b The waveforms of the signals shown are illustrated for ease of description and are not limited to those with the following characteristics. Figure 4a and Figure 4b Examples of waveforms and / or frequencies, etc., are shown.

[0083] According to the embodiment, it is assumed that there is a loss in the amount of light in the IR signal transmitted from the external transmitter, such as... Figure 4a As shown, the level of the electrical signal converted from the IR signal transmitted from the external transmitter can be lower than the level of the test IR signal. In this case, the signal accumulated and applied within the reference time tref to the signal included in the storage unit 122 (see...) Figure 2 The voltage at the opposite terminals of the capacitor in the reference voltage level can be at least a threshold lower than the reference voltage level.

[0084] According to the embodiment, it is assumed that there is no loss in the amount of light in the IR signal transmitted from the external transmitter, such as... Figure 4b As shown, the level of the electrical signal converted from the IR signal transmitted from the external transmitter can be the same as or similar to the level of the test IR signal, even taking into account the loss corresponding to the distance d between the diagnostic device 100 and the transmitting unit 1211. In this case, the signal accumulated and applied within the reference time tref to the signal included in the storage unit 122 (see...) Figure 2 The voltage at the opposite terminals of the capacitor in the capacitor can be similar to the reference voltage level or can be within the threshold.

[0085] As described above, the diagnostic device 100 can diagnose the operating state of the transmitting unit 1211 based on the results of frequency comparison and voltage level comparison.

[0086] Figure 5 This is a flowchart describing the operation of a diagnostic apparatus according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0087] In operation S501, the diagnostic device 100 (see...) Figure 2 It can receive IR signals transmitted from an external source. According to an embodiment, the external source may correspond to the transmitting unit of the BMS that performs IR communication, and the external transmitter may be configured to output a test IR signal with a preset reference frequency level and a preset reference voltage level.

[0088] In operation S503, the diagnostic device 100 can convert the received IR signal into an electrical signal. According to an embodiment, the diagnostic device 100 can be configured, but is not limited to, to convert the IR signal into an electrical signal based on the current flowing through a photodiode, thereby detecting IR rays emitted from an external transmitter.

[0089] In operation S505, the diagnostic device 100 can diagnose the frequency of the IR signal based on first information generated from the converted electrical signal. According to an embodiment, the operation of verifying the frequency of the IR signal may include obtaining the frequency of a signal with a delayed reference time based on the first information, comparing the frequency of the signal with a preset reference frequency, and verifying the frequency of the IR signal based on the result of the frequency comparison. Here, the preset reference frequency may be defined as the frequency of a test IR signal predetermined to be transmitted by an external transmitter. For example, a test IR signal transmitted by an external transmitter to diagnose the communication status may have a constant frequency and a constant light intensity. The preset reference frequency may be related to the frequency of the aforementioned test IR signal.

[0090] When the frequency difference as a comparison result is within the threshold, the diagnostic device 100 can diagnose that the state of the transmitting unit 1211 is normal.

[0091] In operation S507, the diagnostic device 100 can diagnose the light quantity of the IR signal based on second information generated according to the converted electrical signal. According to an embodiment, the operation of verifying the light quantity of the IR signal may include: obtaining the level of the voltage at the opposite terminals of a capacitor storing the energy of the electrical signal based on the second information; comparing the voltage level obtained based on the second information with a preset reference voltage level; and verifying the light quantity of the IR signal based on the comparison result of the voltage levels. Here, the reference voltage level may be defined as the energy related to the light quantity of a test IR signal predetermined to be transmitted by an external transmitter.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the first information may be related to the frequency of a signal obtained by delaying the converted electrical signal by a preset reference time, and the second information may be related to the energy of the converted electrical signal.

[0093] So far, all components constituting the embodiment have been described as being combined or combined to operate as one, but it is not necessarily limited to this embodiment, and all components may optionally be combined with one or more components to operate within the scope of this purpose. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, terms such as “comprising,” “constituting,” or “having” above may mean that the corresponding component may be inherent, and therefore should be interpreted as further including rather than excluding other components.

[0094] The above description is merely an illustration of the technical concept of this disclosure, and various modifications and variations will be possible without departing from the basic features of the embodiments of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0095] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are intended to describe, and not limit, the technical spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the scope of the technical spirit of this disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical spirit disclosed herein should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical spirit within the same scope should be understood to be included within the scope of this document.

[0096] [Explanation of reference numerals for the main elements of the accompanying drawings]

[0097] 100: Diagnostic device

[0098] 110: First Information Generation Unit

[0099] 120: Second Information Generation Unit

[0100] 130: Processor

[0101] 140: Memory

[0102] 1000: Battery pack

[0103] 1100: Battery Module

[0104] 1200: Battery Management Device

[0105] 1210: Infrared communication unit

Claims

1. A diagnostic device, comprising: A first information generation unit is configured to receive an infrared (IR) signal transmitted from an external transmitter and generate first information related to the frequency of the IR signal. A second information generation unit is configured to receive the IR signal and generate second information related to the light quantity of the IR signal. as well as A processor configured to diagnose the state of the transmitter based on the first information and the second information.

2. The diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The first information generation unit includes: A conversion unit, configured to convert the IR signal into an electrical signal; and A filter unit, comprising a resistor-capacitor (RC) filter, delays the converted electrical signal by a preset time. The first information is related to an electrical signal that is delayed by the preset time.

3. The diagnostic device according to claim 2, wherein, The processor is also configured to diagnose the operating state of the transmitter based on a comparison between the frequency of a delayed electrical signal obtained based on the first information and a preset reference frequency.

4. The diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The second information generation unit includes: A conversion unit, configured to convert the IR signal into an electrical signal; and The storage unit includes a capacitor to store energy associated with the converted electrical signal. The second information is related to the level of the voltage applied to the opposite terminals of the capacitor.

5. The diagnostic device according to claim 4, wherein, The processor is also configured to diagnose the operating state of the transmitter based on a comparison between a voltage level obtained based on the second information and a preset voltage level.

6. The diagnostic device according to claim 5, wherein, The reference voltage level is related to the distance between the diagnostic device and the external transmitter.

7. The diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, The external transmitter corresponds to the transmitting unit of the battery management system (BMS) that performs IR communication.

8. A method of operating a diagnostic device, the method comprising: Receives infrared (IR) signals transmitted from the outside; The IR signal is converted into an electrical signal; The frequency of the IR signal is verified based on first information generated according to the electrical signal; and The light intensity of the IR signal is verified based on the second information generated according to the electrical signal.

9. The operating method according to claim 8, wherein, The first information is related to the frequency of a signal obtained by delaying the electrical signal by a preset reference time, and The second information is related to the energy of the electrical signal.

10. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein, Verifying the frequency of the infrared signal includes: The frequency of the signal delayed by the reference time is obtained based on the first information; The frequency of the signal delayed by the reference time is compared with a preset reference frequency; and The frequency of the IR signal is verified based on the results of frequency comparison.

11. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein, Verifying the light intensity of the IR signal includes: Based on the second information, the voltage level of the opposite terminals of the capacitor storing the energy of the electrical signal is obtained; The voltage level obtained based on the second information is compared with a preset reference voltage level; and The light intensity of the IR signal is verified based on the comparison results of voltage levels.

12. The operating method according to claim 11, wherein, The reference voltage level is determined based on the distance between the external environment and the diagnostic device, and The external transmitter corresponds to the transmitting unit of the battery management system (BMS) that performs IR communication.

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