Rapid charging apparatus for charging a plurality of battery packs and rapid charging method using the same

Abstract

This invention relates to a fast charging device for charging multiple battery packs and a fast charging method using the same device, and more specifically, to the following fast charging device and method for charging multiple battery packs, the fast charging device comprising: a plurality of first variable resistor modules respectively connected to the plurality of battery packs and having adjustable resistance; a plurality of second variable resistor modules respectively connected to the plurality of battery packs and having adjustable resistance; a positive high-voltage terminal branched to each of the first variable resistor modules; a negative high-voltage terminal branched to each of the second variable resistor modules; and a control unit connected to each of the first and second variable resistor modules, the control unit being capable of adjusting the resistance value of the first and second variable resistor modules.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2024-0109485, filed on August 15, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This invention relates to a fast charging device for charging multiple battery packs and a fast charging method using the fast charging device, and more specifically, to a fast charging device for charging multiple battery packs and a fast charging method using the fast charging device, which can easily fast charge multiple battery packs based on the state of each battery pack in the multiple battery packs. Background Technology

[0003] With the recent development of alternative energy sources due to air pollution and energy depletion caused by the use of fossil fuels, the demand for secondary batteries capable of storing the generated electricity has increased.

[0004] Due to the increasing use and complexity of mobile devices, as well as the development of electric vehicles, the required capacity of secondary batteries, which are inevitably used as energy sources for various electronic devices in modern society, has increased. To meet user needs, multiple battery cells are incorporated into small devices, while battery modules or battery packs comprising multiple battery cells electrically connected to each other are used in vehicles and other applications.

[0005] For electric vehicles, which are equipped with high-capacity battery packs, when the high-capacity battery packs are discharged after use, they are usually recharged using fast charging equipment for reuse.

[0006] Due to their large capacity, high-capacity battery packs require a significant amount of time to fully charge at the charging speeds used in typical smartphones. Therefore, fast-charging devices are used to reduce charging time.

[0007] When fast charging is performed using such fast charging equipment, high temperatures are generated in the battery pack, leading to problems such as reduced battery pack performance and decreased charging efficiency.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the charging equipment of a conventional charging system. For example... Figure 1 As shown, a conventional battery pack charging system includes a variable charging voltage and a variable charging current, wherein the battery pack 10 is electrically connected to the variable charging voltage and the variable charging current for charging.

[0009] In a conventional battery pack charging system, when the battery pack 10 is fast charged, heat is generated in the battery pack 10, and the temperature of the battery pack 10 is controlled by adjusting the supplied current and voltage to prevent the heat from exceeding a threshold level that may adversely affect the charging efficiency.

[0010] However, in this prior art, the heat generated during charging is reduced by adjusting the current and voltage, and it is necessary to wait for the temperature to drop. Therefore, it is difficult to implement control to ensure that the battery pack temperature immediately reaches the appropriate temperature or appropriate temperature range.

[0011] Furthermore, such temperature control can be implemented even when the temperature gradually decreases after rising to a suitable or higher temperature. In this case, the battery pack's performance may deteriorate due to the high temperature, and the battery pack's charging efficiency may decrease.

[0012] (Existing technical documents)

[0013] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2023-0166599 Summary of the Invention

[0014] Technical issues

[0015] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a fast charging device for charging multiple battery packs and a fast charging method using the fast charging device, the fast charging device being able to control the heat generated in the battery packs during fast charging so that fast charging can be performed at an appropriate temperature and to prevent the degradation of the battery pack performance and the reduction of the battery pack charging efficiency during charging.

[0016] Technical solutions

[0017] The fast charging device according to the invention for achieving the above objectives comprises: a plurality of first variable resistor modules (100) respectively connected to a plurality of battery packs (P1, P2 and P3), each of the first variable resistor modules having an adjustable resistance; a plurality of second variable resistor modules (200) respectively connected to the plurality of battery packs (P1, P2 and P3), each of the second variable resistor modules having an adjustable resistance; a positive (+) high-voltage terminal (300) branched to the respective first variable resistor module (100); a negative (-) high-voltage terminal (400) branched to the respective second variable resistor module; and a controller (500) connected to each of the first variable resistor module (100) and the second variable resistor module (200), the controller being configured to adjust the resistance value of the first variable resistor module (100) and the second variable resistor module (200).

[0018] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the present invention, the controller (500) may include a plurality of temperature measuring sensors (510), each of which is configured to measure the temperature of a corresponding battery pack among a plurality of battery packs (P1, P2 and P3).

[0019] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the present invention, the controller (500) may include a plurality of temperature regulating units (520), each of which is configured to regulate the temperature of a corresponding battery pack among a plurality of battery packs (P1, P2 and P3).

[0020] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the present invention, the temperature regulating unit (520) may have both heating and cooling functions.

[0021] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the present invention, each of the multiple battery packs (P1, P2 and P3) can be charged via charging transient and charging steady state to reach the target temperature.

[0022] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the present invention, during the charging transient, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module (100) and / or the second variable resistor module (200) can be fixed, and the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled by the temperature adjustment unit (520).

[0023] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the present invention, under steady-state charging conditions, the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled by the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module (100) and the second variable resistor module (200) and / or the temperature adjustment unit (520).

[0024] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the present invention, during the charging transient, the temperature regulation unit (520) can perform or stop heating and cooling of each of the multiple battery packs (P1, P2 and P3) based on the temperature change rate (dT / dt) of the multiple battery packs over time.

[0025] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the invention, under steady-state charging conditions, the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled based on the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module (100) and the second variable resistor module (200), and / or the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled by the temperature adjustment unit (520) based on a predicted temperature value and an allowable temperature range of the target temperature, the predicted temperature value being generated by a recursive filter using the past and current temperature values ​​of each battery pack in the battery pack over time.

[0026] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the invention, if the current temperature value is within the allowable temperature range, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module (100) and the second variable resistor module (200) can be adjusted based on the predicted temperature value to control the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack, and if the current temperature value is outside the allowable temperature range, the resistance value can be adjusted and / or the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled by the temperature regulating unit.

[0027] Furthermore, in the fast charging device according to the invention, the cooling and heating functions of the temperature regulation unit (520) can be executed or stopped by predicting the temperature change of each battery pack (P1, P2 and P3) over time based on at least one of outdoor temperature, C-rate and SoC.

[0028] Additionally, the fast charging method for a battery pack according to the present invention includes: a first step of measuring sensing information of at least one of the temperature of each of a plurality of battery packs, outdoor temperature, C-rate, and SoC; a second step of adjusting at least one of a first variable resistor module, a second variable resistor module, and a temperature regulation unit to charge the battery pack based on the sensing information; a third step of maintaining the temperature of each of the plurality of battery packs within an allowable temperature range; and a fourth step of terminating charging when charging of each of the plurality of battery packs is completed.

[0029] Furthermore, in the fast charging method according to the present invention, each of the multiple battery packs (P1, P2 and P3) can be charged via charging transient and charging steady state to reach the target temperature.

[0030] Furthermore, in the fast charging method according to the present invention, during the charging transient, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module (100) and / or the second variable resistor module (200) can be fixed, and the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled by the temperature adjustment unit (520).

[0031] Furthermore, in the fast charging method according to the present invention, under steady charging conditions, the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled by the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module (100) and the second variable resistor module (200) and / or the temperature adjustment unit (520).

[0032] Furthermore, in the fast charging method according to the present invention, under steady-state charging conditions, the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled based on the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module (100) and the second variable resistor module (200), and / or the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack can be controlled by the temperature adjustment unit (520) based on a predicted temperature value and an allowable temperature range of the target temperature, the predicted temperature value being generated by a recursive filter using the past and current temperature values ​​of each battery pack in the battery pack over time.

[0033] Beneficial effects

[0034] As is apparent from the above description, the fast charging device for charging multiple battery packs according to the present invention, and the fast charging method using the fast charging device, have the following advantages: when charging the battery packs using a variable resistor module and a temperature regulation unit, the battery packs are charged within the allowable temperature range of the target temperature, thereby maintaining the charging efficiency of the battery packs.

[0035] Furthermore, the fast charging device for charging multiple battery packs according to the present invention and the fast charging method using the fast charging device have the following advantages: when the temperature of the battery pack rises and exceeds the allowable temperature range, the battery pack is cooled using a variable resistor module and a temperature regulation unit, thereby preventing the performance degradation of the battery pack due to high temperature. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the charging equipment of a conventional charging system.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a fast charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 This is a graph showing the temperature change of the battery pack over time when using a fast charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a fast charging method for charging a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that these preferred embodiments can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, in describing the operating principles of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted where such descriptions might obscure the subject matter of the invention.

[0041] Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used throughout all the accompanying drawings to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Throughout the specification, where a part is referred to as being connected to another part, a part can be directly connected to another part, and a part can also be indirectly connected to another part via another part. Moreover, including an element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather means that such elements may be included unless otherwise specified.

[0042] In the following description, a fast charging device for charging multiple battery packs according to the present invention and a fast charging method using the fast charging device will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a fast charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 This is a graph showing the temperature change of the battery pack over time when using a fast charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fast charging device includes a first variable resistor module 100, a second variable resistor module 200, a positive (+) high voltage terminal 300, a negative (-) high voltage terminal 400, and a controller 500.

[0045] Battery packs P1, P2, and P3 are connected to one side of the first variable resistor module 100, and the positive (+) high-voltage terminal 300 is connected to the other side of the first variable resistor module. The first variable resistor module is arranged in the same number as the plurality of battery packs P1, P2, and P3, respectively corresponding to the plurality of battery packs P1, P2, and P3 to be charged.

[0046] Each of the battery packs P1, P2, and P3 comprises multiple battery cells connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel. Battery cell 11 can be, for example, a lithium-ion battery cell, and there are no particular restrictions on the type of battery cell, as long as the battery cell can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0047] The first variable resistor module 100 uses a resistor to regulate the current formed by the voltage supplied from the positive (+) high voltage terminal 300 connected to the other side of the first variable resistor module 100, so that the desired value of current flows through the first variable resistor module 100.

[0048] In addition, the first variable resistor module 100 is configured to correspond to each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3, and therefore the current flowing to the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 can be set individually by setting the resistance value.

[0049] Battery packs P1, P2, and P3 are connected to one side of the second variable resistor module 200, and the negative (-) high-voltage terminal 400 is connected to the other side of the second variable resistor module. The second variable resistor module is arranged in the same number as the plurality of battery packs P1, P2, and P3, respectively corresponding to the plurality of battery packs P1, P2, and P3 to be charged.

[0050] The second variable resistor module 200 uses a resistor to regulate the current formed by the voltage supplied from the negative (-) high voltage terminal 400 connected to the other side of the second variable resistor module 200, so that the desired value of current flows through the second variable resistor module 200.

[0051] In addition, the second variable resistor module 200 is configured to correspond to each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3, and therefore, similar to the first variable resistor module 100, the current flowing to the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 can be set individually by setting the resistance value.

[0052] Here, the first variable resistor module 100 and the second variable resistor module 200 adjust the resistance value by methods such as changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor through which the current flows or changing the material of the conductor. There are no particular limitations on the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module, as long as the resistance value can be adjusted.

[0053] The positive (+) high voltage terminal 300 is connected to the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 via the first variable resistor module 100 to supply voltage so that the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 can be charged quickly.

[0054] The positive (+) high voltage terminal 300 is connected to a plurality of first variable resistor modules 100 via wires branching from it, and supplies a constant voltage to rapidly charge battery packs P1, P2 and P3.

[0055] The negative (-) high voltage terminal 400 is connected to the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 via the second variable resistor module 200, and supplies voltage to quickly charge the battery packs P1, P2 and P3.

[0056] The negative (-) high voltage terminal 400 is connected to a plurality of second variable resistor modules 200 via wires branching from it, and supplies a constant voltage to rapidly charge battery packs P1, P2 and P3.

[0057] The positive (+) high-voltage terminal 300 and the negative (-) high-voltage terminal 400 form a device configured to charge battery packs P1, P2 and P3, thereby facilitating parallel control during charging, and reducing damage due to failure by providing another high-voltage terminal even if one of the high-voltage terminals fails.

[0058] The controller 500 is configured to check the charging status of the fast charging device, regulate the temperature of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3, and regulate the charging speed. The controller 500 includes a temperature measurement sensor 510 and a temperature regulation unit 520.

[0059] The controller 500 is connected to multiple first variable resistor modules 100 and multiple second variable resistor modules 200, and can adjust the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor modules 100 and the second variable resistor modules 200, and can set the resistance values ​​of the variable resistor modules differently.

[0060] The controller 500 can measure the real-time temperature of battery packs P1, P2 and P3 through temperature measurement sensor 510, and the temperature measurement sensor 510 can be set to correspond to each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3 in order to measure the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3.

[0061] Here, the temperature measurement sensor 510 can be as follows: Figure 2 The sensor shown is an attachment type that is attached to each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 in close contact with it, or a measuring sensor using an infrared camera. There are no particular limitations on the temperature measuring sensor, as long as it can measure the temperature of each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3.

[0062] The temperature regulation unit 520 of the controller 500 has heating and cooling functions and is positioned to be attached to each of the multiple battery packs P1, P2 and P3 in order to control the temperature of each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3.

[0063] The temperature control unit 520 can be, for example, as follows: Figure 2 The pad-type temperature control unit shown is not particularly limited in type, as long as the temperature control unit has heating and cooling functions to control the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3, and a pouch-type temperature control unit can be used.

[0064] When the heating and cooling functions of the temperature regulation unit 520 are used to control the temperature of each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3, the temperature regulation unit 520 can operate and stop by predicting the temperature changes of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 over time based on at least one of outdoor temperature, C-rate (charge-discharge rate) and SoC (state of charge), via a recursive filter.

[0065] Since the temperature regulation unit 520 has both heating and cooling functions, the temperature can be controlled even when the first variable resistor module 100 and the second variable resistor module 200 malfunction, making it impossible to adjust the resistance value and difficult to control the temperature of each battery pack in the battery packs P1, P2 and P3.

[0066] The controller 500 uses the current temperature value of each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 sensed by the temperature measurement sensor 510 to control the charging process so that each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 can reach the target temperature.

[0067] The target temperature is 60°C, at which each of the battery packs P1, P2, and P3 has high charging efficiency, and the permissible temperature range is ±3°C of the target temperature. If the temperature of each of the battery packs P1, P2, and P3 is below the permissible temperature range, the fast charging efficiency may decrease; conversely, if the temperature of each of the battery packs P1, P2, and P3 is above the permissible temperature range, the fast charging efficiency may decrease and the performance of the battery packs P1, P2, and P3 may deteriorate.

[0068] Under the control of controller 500, each of the multiple battery packs P1, P2, and P3 is charged via charging transient and charging steady-state states until the target temperature is reached. Charging transient refers to the charging state in which the temperature of each of the battery packs P1, P2, and P3 is outside the allowable temperature range, and charging steady-state refers to the charging state in which the temperature of each of the battery packs P1, P2, and P3 is within the allowable temperature range.

[0069] During the charging transient, the controller 500 fixes the resistance value of the first variable resistor module 100 and / or the second variable resistor module 200, and controls the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3 through the temperature adjustment unit 520.

[0070] More specifically, when the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3 is below the allowable temperature range during charging transients, controller 500 fixes the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module 100 and / or the second variable resistor module 200, and uses the heating function of temperature regulation unit 520 to heat battery packs P1, P2 and P3, so that the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3 is within the allowable temperature range.

[0071] Additionally, when the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2, and P3 exceeds the allowable temperature range during charging transients, controller 500 fixes the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module 100 and / or the second variable resistor module 200, and uses the cooling function of temperature regulation unit 520 to cool battery packs P1, P2, and P3, so that the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2, and P3 is within the allowable temperature range.

[0072] In addition, during charging transients, the temperature regulation unit 520 can perform or stop heating and cooling of each of the multiple battery packs P1, P2 and P3 based on the rate of temperature change (dT / dt) over time of the multiple battery packs P1, P2 and P3, which provides the advantage of managing each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 individually.

[0073] Under steady-state charging conditions, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module 100 and the second variable resistor module 200 are adjusted, and the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3 is controlled by the heating and cooling functions of the temperature regulation unit 520.

[0074] When the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3 is controlled by the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module 100 and the second variable resistor module 200 and / or the temperature regulation unit 520 during the steady state of charging, the control can be performed based on the change in temperature value sensed by the temperature measurement sensor 510.

[0075] More specifically, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module 100 and the second variable resistor module 200 can be adjusted, and the heating and cooling functions of the temperature regulation unit 520 can be executed or stopped to control the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3, so that the temperature can be controlled based on a predicted temperature value and an allowable temperature range of 60±3°C for the target temperature. The predicted temperature value is generated by a recursive filter using the past and current temperature values ​​of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2 and P3 measured by the temperature measurement sensor 510 over time.

[0076] If the current temperature value measured by the temperature sensor 510 is within the allowable temperature range, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module 100 and the second variable resistor module 200 are adjusted based on the predicted temperature value. Therefore, the current value is adjusted to control the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2, and P3.

[0077] Furthermore, if the current temperature value measured by the temperature measurement sensor 510 is outside the allowable temperature range, temperature control can be performed by adjusting the resistance value and / or using the heating and cooling functions of the temperature regulation unit 520.

[0078] When reference Figure 3 When describing an embodiment of the present invention, if the current temperature value of each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 measured by the temperature measurement sensor 510 is within the allowable temperature range, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module 100 and the second variable resistor module 200 are adjusted so that the current temperature value converges to the target temperature of 60°C.

[0079] More specifically, if the current temperature value exceeds 60°C but is less than or equal to 63°C, the resistance value of the first variable resistor module 100 and / or the second variable resistor module 200 is increased to reduce the current value, thereby causing the corresponding temperature to drop, so that the current temperature value converges to the target temperature of 60°C.

[0080] On the other hand, if the current temperature is 57°C or higher but less than 60°C, the resistance of the first variable resistor module 100 and / or the second variable resistor module 200 is reduced to increase the current, thereby causing a corresponding increase in temperature, so that the current temperature converges to the target temperature of 60°C.

[0081] Meanwhile, if the current temperature of each of the battery packs P1, P2 and P3 exceeds 63°C and is outside the allowable temperature range, the resistance of the first variable resistor module 100 and / or the second variable resistor module 200 is increased to reduce the current value, and the cooling function of the temperature regulation unit 520 is executed to bring the current temperature within the allowable temperature range.

[0082] At this time, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module 100 and / or the second variable resistor module 200, as well as the setting values ​​for performing the cooling function of the temperature regulation unit 520, are set based on the predicted temperature value obtained by applying past temperature values ​​and current temperature values ​​to the recursive filter.

[0083] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a fast charging method for charging a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Reference Figure 4 A method for fast charging multiple battery packs using a fast charging device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a first step of measuring sensing information of at least one of the temperature of each of the multiple battery packs, outdoor temperature, C-rate, and SoC; a second step of adjusting at least one of a first variable resistor module, a second variable resistor module, and a temperature regulation unit based on the sensing information to charge the battery packs; a third step of maintaining the temperature of each of the multiple battery packs within an allowable temperature range; and a fourth step of terminating charging when charging of each of the multiple battery packs is completed.

[0085] The first step in measuring the sensing information of at least one of the temperature, outdoor temperature, C-rate, and SoC of each of the multiple battery packs is to use a controller to measure the sensing information of at least one of the temperature, outdoor temperature, C-rate, and SoC of each of the multiple battery packs.

[0086] The controller determines whether temperature control is needed for the battery pack based on the sensing information.

[0087] The second step of adjusting at least one of the first variable resistor module, the second variable resistor module, and the temperature regulation unit based on sensing information to charge the battery pack is the following step: while adjusting at least one of the first variable resistor module, the second variable resistor module, and the temperature regulation unit based on the determination in the first step regarding whether temperature control is required, control is executed to charge each battery pack in the battery pack at a target temperature.

[0088] At this point, each of the multiple battery packs is charged via charging transient and charging steady state until the target temperature is reached. As mentioned above, charging transient refers to the charging state in which the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2, and P3 is outside the allowable temperature range, and charging steady state refers to the charging state in which the temperature of each battery pack in battery packs P1, P2, and P3 is within the allowable temperature range.

[0089] During charging transients, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and / or the second variable resistor module are fixed, and the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled using the heating and cooling functions of the temperature regulation unit based on sensing information.

[0090] Of course, while adjusting the resistance values ​​of the first and second variable resistor modules as needed, a temperature control unit can also be used to control the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack.

[0091] As an example, when each battery pack in the battery pack is in a charging transient and the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is below the allowable temperature range, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module can be fixed, and the heating function of the temperature regulation unit can be used to control the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack so that the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is within the allowable temperature range.

[0092] At this point, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module can be reduced, thereby increasing the current supplied to each battery pack in the battery pack and increasing the heat generated in each battery pack due to charging, so that the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is within the allowable temperature range.

[0093] Here, the target temperature at which the battery pack's charging efficiency can be optimally maintained is 60°C, and the allowable temperature range is 60±3°C. Within this temperature range, the battery pack's charging efficiency is relatively stable and the degradation of the battery pack's performance is suppressed.

[0094] The third step of maintaining the temperature of each battery pack in the multiple battery packs within the allowable temperature range is as follows: while continuously performing fast charging of each battery pack in the battery pack under steady-state charging conditions, the temperature of each battery pack in the multiple battery packs is controlled by the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module and / or by using a temperature regulation unit, so that the temperature of each battery pack in the multiple battery packs is maintained within the allowable temperature range.

[0095] In order to maintain the temperature of each of the multiple battery packs within the allowable temperature range under steady-state charging, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module are adjusted and / or the heating and cooling functions of the temperature regulation unit are used to control the temperature of each of the multiple battery packs, so that the predicted temperature value generated by the recursive filter using the past and current temperature values ​​of each of the battery packs over time is maintained within the allowable temperature range of the target temperature.

[0096] Those skilled in the art will understand that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

[0097] (Description of reference numerals in the attached figures)

[0098] 100: First Variable Resistor Module

[0099] 200: Second Variable Resistor Module

[0100] 300: Positive (+) high voltage terminal

[0101] 400: Negative (-) High Voltage Terminal

[0102] 500: Controller

[0103] 510: Temperature Measurement Sensor

[0104] 520: Temperature Control Unit

[0105] P1, P2, P3: Battery packs

Claims

1. A fast charging device for charging multiple battery packs, the fast charging device comprising: Multiple first variable resistor modules are respectively connected to the multiple battery packs, and the resistance of each of the multiple first variable resistor modules is adjustable; Multiple second variable resistor modules are respectively connected to the multiple battery packs, and the resistance of each of the multiple second variable resistor modules is adjustable; It is connected in a branch manner to the positive high-voltage terminal of the corresponding first variable resistor module; It is connected to the negative high-voltage terminal of the corresponding second variable resistor module in a branch manner; as well as A controller connected to each of the first and second variable resistor modules, the controller being configured to adjust the resistance values ​​of the first and second variable resistor modules.

2. The fast charging device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller includes multiple temperature measurement sensors, each configured to measure the temperature of a corresponding battery pack among the multiple battery packs.

3. The fast charging device according to claim 2, wherein, The controller includes multiple temperature regulation units, each of which is configured to regulate the temperature of a corresponding battery pack among the multiple battery packs.

4. The fast charging device according to claim 3, wherein, The temperature control unit has both heating and cooling functions.

5. The fast charging device according to claim 4, wherein, Each of the plurality of battery packs is charged via charging transient and charging steady state to reach the target temperature.

6. The fast charging device according to claim 5, wherein, During the charging transient, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and / or the second variable resistor module are fixed, and the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled by the temperature adjustment unit.

7. The fast charging device according to claim 5, wherein, Under the steady-state charging condition, the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled by the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module, and / or the temperature regulation unit.

8. The fast charging device according to claim 6, wherein, During the charging transient, the temperature regulation unit performs or stops heating and cooling of each of the plurality of battery packs based on the rate of temperature change (dT / dt) of the plurality of battery packs over time.

9. The fast charging device according to claim 7, wherein, In the steady-state charging state, the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled based on the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module, and / or the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled by the temperature adjustment unit based on a predicted temperature value and the allowable temperature range of the target temperature, wherein the predicted temperature value is generated by a recursive filter using the past temperature value and the current temperature value of each battery pack in the battery pack over time.

10. The fast charging device according to claim 9, wherein, If the current temperature value is within the allowable temperature range, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module are adjusted based on the predicted temperature value to control the temperature of each battery in the battery pack. If the current temperature value is outside the allowable temperature range, the resistance value is adjusted, and / or the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled by the temperature regulation unit.

11. The fast charging device according to claim 7, wherein, The cooling and heating functions of the temperature regulation unit are executed or stopped by predicting the temperature change of each battery pack in the battery pack over time based on at least one of outdoor temperature, C-rate, and SoC.

12. A fast charging method for charging multiple battery packs using a fast charging device, the fast charging method comprising: The first step is to measure the temperature of each of the plurality of battery packs, the outdoor temperature, the C-rate, and sensing information of at least one of the SoCs. The second step is to adjust at least one of the first variable resistor module, the second variable resistor module, and the temperature regulation unit based on the sensing information to charge the battery pack. The third step is to maintain the temperature of each of the plurality of battery packs within the allowable temperature range; as well as The fourth step is to terminate charging when each of the plurality of battery packs has completed charging.

13. The fast charging method according to claim 12, wherein, Each of the plurality of battery packs is charged via charging transient and charging steady state to reach the target temperature.

14. The fast charging method according to claim 13, wherein, During the charging transient, the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and / or the second variable resistor module are fixed, and the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled by the temperature adjustment unit.

15. The fast charging method according to claim 13, wherein, Under the steady-state charging condition, the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled by the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module, and / or the temperature regulation unit.

16. The fast charging method according to claim 15, wherein, In the steady-state charging state, the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled based on the resistance values ​​of the first variable resistor module and the second variable resistor module, and / or the temperature of each battery pack in the battery pack is controlled by the temperature adjustment unit based on a predicted temperature value and the allowable temperature range of the target temperature, wherein the predicted temperature value is generated by a recursive filter using the past temperature value and the current temperature value of each battery pack in the battery pack over time.

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