Cooling control device and cooling control method

Abstract

A cooling control device includes: a first coolant passage that cools a battery block group of a battery pack; a second coolant passage that cools a relay box of the battery pack; an electronic valve that is provided at a communication portion between the first coolant passage and the second coolant passage and that controls the first coolant passage and the second coolant passage to each be in an open state or a closed state; a sensing circuit that measures a temperature of the battery block group and a temperature of the relay box; and a controller that determines a first target state of the first coolant passage and a second target state of the second coolant passage based on the battery temperature and the relay temperature, and outputs a valve control command that indicates the first target state and the second target state to the electronic valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cooling control device and cooling control method for a battery pack.

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0016080, filed on February 7, 2025, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2026-0013245, filed on January 22, 2026, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, with the rapid growth in demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, cameras and mobile phones, and with the full-scale development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc., research on high-performance batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged has been actively carried out.

[0004] Currently commercially available batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries. Among these, lithium batteries have attracted considerable attention due to their advantages over nickel-based batteries, such as the near absence of memory effect (which allows for more flexible charging and discharging), very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] This disclosure provides an apparatus and method for the separate cooling operation of the battery group and relay box of a battery pack for active control.

[0007] Other effects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description and will become more apparent from embodiments thereof. Furthermore, it will be obvious that the effects and advantages of this disclosure can be achieved by the means set forth in the claims and combinations thereof.

[0008] Technical solution

[0009] A cooling control device according to one aspect of this disclosure is used for a battery pack including a battery block assembly and a relay box. The cooling control device includes: a first coolant channel for cooling the battery block assembly; a second coolant channel for cooling the relay box; an electronic valve mounted at a connection between the first and second coolant channels and controlling each of the first and second coolant channels to be in an open or closed state; a sensing circuit that measures the battery temperature as the temperature of the battery block assembly and the relay temperature as the temperature of the relay box; and a controller that determines a first target state of the first coolant channel and a second target state of the second coolant channel based on the battery temperature and the relay temperature, and outputs valve control commands representing the first and second target states to the electronic valve.

[0010] When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is lower than the second threshold temperature, the controller can determine that the first target state is the open state and the second target state is the closed state.

[0011] When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature, the controller can determine both the first target state and the second target state as the open state.

[0012] When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature, the controller can determine the opening degree of the second coolant channel based on the temperature difference between the battery temperature and the relay temperature.

[0013] When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature, the controller can determine the opening degree of the second coolant channel by applying a predetermined negative correlation to the temperature difference when the relay temperature is lower than the battery temperature, and can determine the opening degree of the second coolant channel by applying a predetermined positive correlation to the temperature difference when the relay temperature is higher than the battery temperature.

[0014] When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature, the controller can determine the opening degree of the second coolant channel based on the first temperature difference between the battery temperature and the first threshold temperature and the second temperature difference between the relay temperature and the second threshold temperature.

[0015] When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature, the controller can determine the opening degree of the second coolant channel by applying a predetermined negative correlation to the difference between the first and second temperature differences when the second temperature difference is less than the first temperature difference, and can determine the opening degree of the second coolant channel by applying a predetermined positive correlation to the difference between the first and second temperature differences when the second temperature difference is equal to or higher than the first temperature difference.

[0016] When the battery temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature, the controller can determine that the first target state is closed and the second target state is open.

[0017] When the battery temperature is below the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is below the second threshold temperature, the controller can determine both the first target state and the second target state as the off state.

[0018] The cooling control device may also include a coolant circulator connected to the inlet and outlet of the first coolant passage.

[0019] An electronic valve can be a three-port solenoid valve.

[0020] The sensing circuit may include a battery temperature sensor configured to measure battery temperature and a relay temperature sensor configured to measure relay temperature.

[0021] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an electric vehicle includes a cooling control device.

[0022] A cooling control method according to another aspect of this disclosure is used for a battery pack including a battery block assembly and a relay box. The cooling control method includes: measuring a battery temperature as the temperature of the battery block assembly and a relay temperature as the temperature of the relay box; determining a first target state for a first coolant channel configured for cooling the battery block assembly and a second target state for a second coolant channel configured for cooling the relay box based on the battery temperature and the relay temperature; and outputting a valve control command representing the first and second target states to an electronic valve, wherein the electronic valve is installed at a communication portion between the first and second coolant channels and is configured to control each of the first and second coolant channels to be in an open or closed state.

[0023] The determination process may include determining a first target state as an open state and a second target state as a closed state when the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is lower than a second threshold temperature.

[0024] The determination process may include setting both the first target state and the second target state to the open state when the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature.

[0025] The determining step may include determining the opening degree of the second coolant channel based on the temperature difference between the battery temperature and the relay temperature when the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature.

[0026] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium records a program that causes a computer to perform a cooling control method.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] According to at least one embodiment of this disclosure, the individual cooling operation of the battery pack and the relay box can be actively controlled by changing the open / closed state of two interconnected coolant channels based on the respective temperatures of the battery pack and the relay box. Therefore, compared to passive methods, such as using a large relay box, the space efficiency of the battery pack is improved, which is beneficial for weight reduction.

[0029] Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of this disclosure, a limited supply of coolant can be appropriately distributed between two coolant channels by adjusting the opening of the coolant channel provided for cooling the relay box based on the temperature of the battery pack and the temperature of the relay box.

[0030] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects not expressly mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art based on the description of the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The following figures illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and are used to further understand the technical concept of the present disclosure and the content disclosed above. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the content shown in the figures.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an electric vehicle including a cooling control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 2 It is used for explanation Figure 1 A diagram illustrating an example of the coupling relationship between the battery pack and the sensing circuit.

[0034] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is used for explanation Figure 1 A diagram illustrating an example of the coupling relationship between the cooling network, coolant circulator, and electronic valve.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a flowchart schematically describing a cooling control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figures 6 to 11 An illustrative description may include: Figure 5 The flowchart shows various examples of subroutines in step S520.

[0037] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration for implementing a controller included in a cooling control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] In some views of all the accompanying drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote corresponding parts. The drawings presented are for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid in understanding the various embodiments. Moreover, for ease of clear observation of these various embodiments, common but well-known elements that are useful or necessary in commercially viable embodiments are generally not depicted. Detailed Implementation

[0039] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted solely according to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts consistent with the technical concept of the present disclosure, based on the principle that the inventors may appropriately define terminological concepts for the purpose of best illustrating their invention.

[0040] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of this disclosure. It should be understood that, as of the filing date of this application, various equivalents and variations may exist that can replace these configurations.

[0041] Ordinal terms, such as “first” and “second”, are used to distinguish any one of the various components from the others and are not used to limit the components.

[0042] When a part is described as "including" a component throughout the specification, it means that other components may be included, rather than excluded, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, terms such as "unit" described in the specification refer to a unit that performs at least one function or operation and can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0043] Furthermore, when a part is referred to as "connected" to another part throughout the specification, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected," but also cases where another element is inserted between them in an "indirect connection."

[0044] Battery packs used in battery systems that require large capacity and high voltage (e.g., electric vehicles or energy storage systems) may include battery block packs and relay boxes.

[0045] A battery pack may include several to hundreds of battery cells connected in series, parallel or a combination of series and parallel, and when proper cooling fails, so-called "thermal propagation" may occur, that is, multiple battery cells may experience thermal runaway in sequence.

[0046] Therefore, the cooling of the relay box has been relatively neglected compared to the cooling of the battery pack. However, with the increasing demand for fast charging technology for battery packs, dangerous situations where the relay box heats up significantly during the charging and discharging of the battery pack have become more frequent.

[0047] To suppress the heat generated by the relay box, passive cooling methods can be considered, such as using large-sized busbars or attaching thermal pads to the inside and outside of the relay box. However, these methods have the disadvantage of being difficult to effectively handle the constantly changing temperature conditions of the relay box.

[0048] In view of these problems, this disclosure provides a technique for actively controlling the individual cooling operation of the battery pack and the relay box by changing the open / closed state of two interconnected coolant channels according to the respective temperatures of the battery pack and the relay box. Therefore, compared to passive methods, such as using a large relay box, the space efficiency of the battery pack is improved, which is beneficial for weight reduction.

[0049] In the following, a cooling control apparatus and method according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an electric vehicle including a cooling control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Reference Figure 1 The electric vehicle 1 may include a battery pack 10, a vehicle controller 2, a power converter 30, an electrical load 40, and a cooling control device 100. The electric vehicle 1 may also include peripheral equipment 50.

[0052] The battery pack 10 includes a battery block group BG and a relay box RB. The battery block group BG and the relay box RB can be connected in series between the first charging / discharging terminal P1 and the second charging / discharging terminal P2.

[0053] Battery pack BG includes multiple battery packs BB1 to BB1. N Where N is a natural number of 2 or greater. Multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB2 N They can be connected in series, in parallel, or in a combination of series and parallel. In this disclosure, multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB2 are described. N For each common item in the diagram, assign the battery block the reference numeral "BB" or "BB". k The symbol k is a natural number that is not greater than N.

[0054] Each battery block BB comprises at least one battery cell BC and may be referred to by other terms such as “battery cell unit”, “battery cell group”, “battery cell array” or “battery cell assembly”.

[0055] A battery block (BB) may include a single battery module or two or more battery modules. When a battery block (BB) includes multiple battery modules, the multiple battery modules may be connected in series, in parallel, or in a series-parallel combination. Each battery module may include an assembly of two or more individual battery cells. When a battery module includes multiple individual battery cells, the multiple individual battery cells may be connected in series, in parallel, or in a series-parallel combination.

[0056] In one embodiment, multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB N Each of these may include a separate housing containing the individual battery cell BC. In this case, multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB2... N They can be physically distinguished from each other by their respective housings, and can be housed individually in the battery pack housing of the battery pack 10 or separated from the battery pack housing of the battery pack 10.

[0057] In another embodiment, multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB N Each of these can be directly housed within the battery pack housing of the battery pack 10, without requiring a separate housing. For example, this is achieved considering the layout of the battery pack 10, the circuit connection to the cooling control device 100, and the multiple module monitoring units SB1 to SB2. N Sensing range and other factors, multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB N Each of these can be formed by arbitrarily or according to specific criteria by grouping battery cells BC directly housed in the battery pack 10 individually or in groups of two or more. In this case, the battery cells BC are directly housed in the battery pack housing without multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB2. N From the perspective of a single housing, the battery pack 10 can have a module-less (CTP) structure.

[0058] In this specification, a battery cell BC refers to the basic unit of an electrical storage element that can be charged and discharged independently, and is not particularly limited as long as it is rechargeable, such as a lithium-ion battery.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 The relay box RB is mounted on the power line PL that interconnects the battery pack BG with the charging / discharging terminals P1 and P2. Figure 1 In the diagram, the relay box RB is shown connected between the positive terminal of the battery pack BG and the charging / discharging terminal P1. However, the electric vehicle 1 may also include an additional relay box RB connected between the negative terminal of the battery pack BG and the charging / discharging terminal P2. The relay box RB is controlled to turn on and off in response to a switching signal from the cooling control device 100 or the vehicle controller 2.

[0060] The relay box RB includes at least one relay and may also include at least two busbars. The relay can be a mechanical contactor that is turned on and off by the magnetic force of a coil, or it can be a semiconductor switch such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). During the charging or discharging of the battery pack BG, at least one relay in the relay box RB can remain in the on state. The two ends of each relay can be electrically connected to the power line PL via at least two busbars.

[0061] A cooling control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first coolant passage CH1, a second coolant passage CH2, an electronic valve CV, a sensing circuit 120, and a controller 130. The cooling control device 100 may also include a communication circuit 140. The cooling control device 100 may also include a coolant circulator CC.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensing circuit 120 generates monitoring information representing the corresponding states of the battery pack BG and the relay box RB.

[0063] The sensing circuit 120 can periodically or non-periodically measure the status parameters of each of the battery pack BG and the relay box RB, and provide the controller 130 with monitoring information representing the corresponding measured status parameters.

[0064] The status parameters of the battery block group BG may include, for example, battery block BB. k The temperature (which may be referred to as the "block temperature"), the cell voltage of each cell BC included in the battery block BB, or a quadratic parameter derived from it by applying mathematical functions (e.g., amount of change and rate of change). Meanwhile, there are no particular restrictions on the type of state parameters, as long as these parameters can directly or indirectly represent the battery block BB. k The degree of thermal anomaly can be determined.

[0065] A current sensor A is mounted on the power line PL that interconnects the battery pack 10 with the charging / discharging terminals P1 and P2 to measure the current flowing through the battery pack 10. The current sensor A may be included in the sensing circuit 120.

[0066] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the controller 130 may 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, and other electrical units for performing functions. The controller 130 may be a separate device that can be manufactured, used, and / or sold separately from other components of the cooling control device 100.

[0067] The controller 130 is operatively integrated into at least one of the coolant circulator CC, the electronic valve CV, the sensing circuit 120, and the communication circuit 140. When two components are "operatively integrated," it means that the two components are connected so that they can transmit and receive signals in one direction or in both directions.

[0068] The controller 130 may include a memory device. The memory device may include at least one type of storage medium selected from flash memory, hard disk drive, solid-state drive (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), multimedia card micro, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and programmable read-only memory (PROM). The memory device may store instructions, data, and / or programs required for computational operations performed by the controller 130. The memory device may store data representing the results of computational operations performed by the controller 130.

[0069] The controller 130 can determine whether to perform a cooling control operation on the battery pack 10 based on monitoring information received from the sensing circuit 120. Specifically, the controller 130 can perform a cooling control operation when the temperature of the battery pack BG (e.g., the battery temperature) is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature, or when the relay temperature of the relay box RB is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature. Conversely, the controller 130 can stop the cooling control operation when the battery temperature (which is the temperature of the battery pack BG) is lower than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature (which is the temperature of the relay box RB) is lower than the second threshold temperature. The function and structure of the controller 130 will now be described in more detail below.

[0070] The temperature of the battery pack BG can be based on multiple battery packs BB1 to BB2. NThe temperature of at least one of the battery blocks is used to determine this. For example, controller 130 can determine that the temperature of the battery block group BG is equal to the temperature of multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB2. N The highest block temperature, lowest block temperature, or average block temperature.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the power converter 30 may include at least one of a DC-AC inverter and a DC-DC converter. The power converter 30 can convert DC power (e.g., discharge power) supplied from the battery pack 10 into AC power, and supply the converted power to the electrical load 40 during the discharge of the battery pack 10. According to one embodiment, the electrical load 40 may include a three-phase AC motor that generates kinetic energy for driving the electric vehicle 1.

[0072] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, a communication circuit 140 performs wired or wireless communication between a controller 130, a vehicle controller 2, a peripheral device 50, and / or a cooling control device 100. Wired communication may be, for example, a Controller Area Network (CAN), and wireless communication may be, for example, Zigbee or Bluetooth communication. Furthermore, the type of communication protocol is not particularly limited to the examples listed above, as long as it supports wired or wireless communication.

[0073] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the peripheral device 50 may include a vehicle sensor that measures at least one parameter (e.g., vehicle speed) related to the state of the electric vehicle 1. The peripheral device 50 may include output devices (e.g., displays and speakers) that provide information received from the controller 130 and / or the vehicle controller 2 in a user-recognizable form. The peripheral device 50 may be driven using DC or AC power supplied from the power converter 30.

[0074] The first coolant passage CH1 and the second coolant passage CH2 can be collectively referred to as the "cooling network". The cooling network provides cooling for at least one of the battery pack BG and the relay box RB while the coolant flows through at least one coolant path within it. As a coolant, any one or a combination of two or more known substances that induce cooling (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and non-conductive liquids) can be used. For example, in addition to cooling, any one or a combination of two or more known substances that are non-flammable and / or non-flammable can be used as a coolant.

[0075] Although the battery pack 10 and the cooling control device 100 are in Figure 1 While shown as physically independent, the cooling control device 100 may be included as a sub-component, for example, the battery pack 10.

[0076] The electrical energy required to drive the cooling control device 100 can be obtained from multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB2. NAt least one of the supplies. For example, a separate voltage regulator (not shown) can use the electrical energy of the battery pack BG to generate a power supply voltage, and then supply the generated power supply voltage to the cooling control device 100, and each component of the cooling control device 100 can be activated by the power supply voltage.

[0077] Figure 2 It is used for explanation Figure 1 This diagram illustrates an example of the coupling relationship between the battery pack 10 and the sensing circuit 120. For ease of description, Figure 2 Only the multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB1 included in the battery block group BG are shown. N Battery block BB k .

[0078] Reference Figure 2 The sensing circuit 120 includes a relay temperature sensor TR for measuring the relay temperature and a sensor located on the battery block BB. k Module monitoring unit SB in k The relay temperature is the temperature of the relay housing RB. The relay temperature sensor TR is attached to the outer surface of the relay housing RB or installed in an empty space inside the relay housing RB, and measures the relay temperature. The temperature sensor TR generates a temperature signal representing the relay temperature, and the controller 130 can collect the temperature signal from the temperature sensor TR.

[0079] The sensing circuit 120 may include a sensor circuit disposed in the battery block BB. k Module monitoring unit SB in k Therefore, the sensing circuit 120 may include multiple module monitoring units SB1 to SB2. N .

[0080] Module monitoring unit SB k It may include a battery temperature sensor TB, and may also include a voltage detection circuit VS.

[0081] Battery temperature sensor TB is attached to battery block BB k The outer surface or mounted on the battery block BB k At predetermined, spaced-out points, the battery block BB is measured. k The temperature (e.g., block temperature). The battery temperature sensor TB can generate a value representing the battery block BB. k The temperature signal is obtained from the battery temperature sensor TB, and the controller 130 can collect the temperature signal from the battery temperature sensor TB.

[0082] The voltage detection circuit VS includes at least one voltage sensor. The voltage detection circuit VS can measure the voltage of battery block BB. k The module voltage. The module voltage is the battery block BB. kThe voltage between the two terminals. The voltage detection circuit VS can also measure the voltage included in the battery block BB. k The battery cell voltage (BC) is the voltage between the two terminals of each battery cell (BC). The voltage detection circuit VS can generate a value representing the voltage across the battery block (BB). k The voltage signals of the module voltage and the corresponding battery cell voltage BC are obtained, and the controller 130 can collect the voltage signals from the voltage detection circuit VS.

[0083] Controller 130 can identify multiple battery blocks BB1 to BB N The state of charge (SOC) of each of them can be determined, and the state of health (SOH) can also be determined based on monitoring information collected from the sensing circuit 120 (e.g., the voltage signal, current signal, and temperature signal mentioned above). Each of SOC and SOH can be estimated according to one or more combinations of various known techniques, therefore, additional descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0084] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is used to describe Figure 1 A diagram illustrating an example of the coupling relationship between the cooling network, coolant circulator, and electronic valve.

[0085] For ease of understanding, Figure 3 The battery pack BG and relay box RB are shown as being located above the cooling networks CH1 and CH2. Therefore, in Figure 3 In this context, the portion of the first coolant channel CH1 that is blocked by the battery pack BG should be understood as being located at the lower end of the battery pack BG, and similarly, the portion of the second coolant channel CH2 that is blocked by the relay box RB should be understood as being located at the lower end of the relay box RB.

[0086] Reference Figure 3 The two ends of the first coolant passage CH1, which serves as the main coolant path in the first coolant passage CH1 and the second coolant passage CH2, are shown to be connected to the inlet IL and outlet OL provided in the coolant circulator CC.

[0087] The coolant circulator CC supplies coolant to cooling networks CH1 and CH2 through inlet IL. After passing through cooling networks CH1 and CH2, the coolant returning to outlet OL of the coolant circulator CC can be resupplyed to cooling networks CH1 and CH2 through inlet IL after undergoing a heat dissipation process. The first coolant channel CH1 may contact a portion of the outer surface of the battery pack BG, and the battery pack BG may be cooled by the flow of coolant through the first coolant channel CH1. Similarly, the second coolant channel CH2 may contact a portion of the outer surface of the relay box RB, and the relay box RB may be cooled by the flow of coolant through the second coolant channel CH2.

[0088] The first coolant passage CH1 and the second coolant passage CH2 are interconnected through two connecting sections CP1 and CP2. The first coolant passage CH1 can be divided into three sub-coolant passages CH1A, CH1B, and CH1C based on the two connecting sections CP1 and CP2. Sub-coolant passage CH1A is the portion from the inlet IL to the connecting section CP1, sub-coolant passage CH1B is the portion from the connecting section CP1 to the connecting section CP2, and sub-coolant passage CH1C is the portion from the connecting section CP2 to the outlet OL.

[0089] An electronic valve CV can be installed at at least one of the two connecting sections CP1 and CP2. The electronic valve CV can control the first coolant passage CH1 and the second coolant passage CH2 to be in an open or closed state, respectively. For example, a three-port solenoid valve can be used as the electronic valve CV. When the electronic valve CV is installed at only one of the two connecting sections CP1 and CP2 (e.g., CP1), the first coolant passage CH1 and the second coolant passage CH2 can be directly connected to each other at the other connecting section (e.g., CP2).

[0090] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the coupling relationship between the electronic valve CV, the first coolant passage CH1, and the second coolant passage CH2, installed at the connecting section CP1. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The electronic valve CV has three ports PT1, PT2, and PT3. The three ports PT1, PT2, and PT3 are respectively connected to one end of the sub-coolant channel CH1A, one end of the sub-coolant channel CH1B, and one end of the second coolant channel CH2.

[0091] The electronic valve CV can change the open / closed state of the coolant flow path between port PT1 and port PT2 and the open / closed state of the coolant flow path between port PT1 and port PT3 in response to the valve control command from the controller 130.

[0092] When the coolant flow path between ports PT1 and PT2 is opened, the first coolant channel CH1 is opened, allowing coolant to flow through it. Conversely, when the coolant flow path between ports PT1 and PT2 is closed, the first coolant channel CH1 is closed, preventing coolant from flowing through it.

[0093] When the coolant flow path between ports PT1 and PT3 is open, the second coolant passage CH2 is open, allowing coolant to flow through it. Conversely, when the coolant flow path between ports PT1 and PT3 is closed, the second coolant passage CH2 is closed, preventing coolant from flowing through it.

[0094] When a specific coolant passage is opened, the electronic valve CV can adjust the opening degree (also known as the "opening amount") of that specific coolant passage. For example, assuming that the opening degree of a specific coolant passage is 0 when the coolant passage is completely closed, and the opening degree of a specific coolant passage is 1 when the coolant passage is completely open, then the opening degree of the specific coolant passage can be adjusted by the electronic valve CV within the range of 0 to 1.

[0095] As the opening of the coolant flow path between port PT1 and port PT2 increases, the flow rate of coolant through the first coolant channel CH1 can increase, and therefore, the cooling rate of the battery pack BG can increase.

[0096] As the opening of the coolant flow path between port PT1 and port PT3 increases, the flow rate of coolant through the second coolant channel CH2 can increase, and therefore, the cooling rate of the relay box RB can increase.

[0097] Figure 5 This is a flowchart schematically illustrating a cooling control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. According to... Figure 5 The method can be repeated periodically or non-periodically during the charging and discharging of the battery pack (BG).

[0098] Reference Figures 1 to 5 In step S510, the controller 130 measures the battery temperature and the relay temperature using the sensing circuit 120. The battery temperature is the temperature of the battery pack BG, and the relay temperature is the temperature of the relay box RB (also referred to as the "box temperature").

[0099] In step S520, the controller 130 determines the first target state of the first coolant channel CH1 and the second target state of the second coolant channel CH2 based on the battery temperature and the relay temperature.

[0100] In step S530, the controller 130 outputs a valve control command to the electronic valve CV, representing a first target state and a second target state. Therefore, the electronic valve CV can change the open / closed state of the first coolant passage CH1 according to the first target state, and can change the open / closed state of the second coolant passage CH2 according to the second target state.

[0101] Figure 6 It is used to illustrate a description that may include Figure 5 A flowchart of an example of a subroutine in step S520.

[0102] Reference Figure 6 In step S610, the controller 130 determines whether the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and whether the relay temperature is lower than a second threshold temperature. The first threshold temperature can be predetermined as the minimum temperature required to cool the battery pack BG. The second threshold temperature can be predetermined as the minimum temperature required to cool the relay box RB. When the determination result of step S610 is "yes", step S620 is executed.

[0103] In step S620, the controller 130 determines the first target state as the open state and the second target state as the closed state.

[0104] Figure 7 It is used to illustrate a description that may include Figure 5 The flowchart is another example of a subroutine in step S520.

[0105] Reference Figure 7 In step S710, the controller 130 determines whether the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and whether the relay temperature is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature. When the determination result of step S710 is "yes", step S720 is executed.

[0106] In step S720, the controller 130 determines that both the first target state and the second target state are in the open state.

[0107] Figure 8 It is used to illustrate a description that may include Figure 5 The flowchart is another example of a subroutine in step S520.

[0108] Reference Figure 8 In step S810, the controller 130 determines whether the battery temperature is lower than a first threshold temperature and whether the relay temperature is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature. When the determination result of step S810 is "yes", step S820 is executed.

[0109] In step S820, the controller 130 determines the first target state as closed and the second target state as open.

[0110] Figure 9 It is used to illustrate the description and may include Figure 5 The flowchart is another example of a subroutine in step S520.

[0111] Reference Figure 9 In step S910, the controller 130 determines whether the battery temperature is lower than a first threshold temperature and whether the relay temperature is lower than a second threshold temperature. When the determination result of step S910 is "yes", step S920 is executed.

[0112] In step S920, the controller 130 determines both the first target state and the second target state to be in the off state.

[0113] At the same time, in execution Figure 7 Step S720 and then execute Figure 5 Following step S530, coolant flows through both the first coolant channel CH1 and the second coolant channel CH2 via the operation of the electronic valve CV. In this regard, since the amount of coolant supplied from the coolant circulator CC per unit time is limited, it is necessary to control the supplied coolant to properly distribute and flow through the first coolant channel CH1 and the second coolant channel CH2. Since the first coolant channel CH1 corresponds to the main coolant path, when the first coolant channel CH1 is controlled to be in the open state, the opening degree of the first coolant channel CH1 can be maintained at 1 (e.g., in the fully open state).

[0114] Figure 10 It is used to illustrate the description and may include Figure 5 A flowchart of another example of the subroutine in step S520. Figure 7 Under the condition that the judgment result of step S710 is "yes", Figure 10 The method can be executed in parallel with step S720.

[0115] Reference Figure 10 In step S1010, the controller 130 determines whether the relay temperature is lower than the battery temperature. A "yes" result in step S1010 indicates that the cooling of the battery pack BG needs to be strengthened, rather than the cooling of the relay box RB. When the result of step S1010 is "yes," step S1020 is executed. Compared to a "yes" result in step S1010, a "no" result in step S1010 indicates that the cooling of the relay box RB needs to be strengthened more. When the result of step S1010 is "no," step S1030 is executed.

[0116] In step S1020, the controller 130 determines the opening degree of the second coolant channel CH2 by applying a predetermined negative correlation to the temperature difference between the battery temperature and the relay temperature. For example, when the battery temperature is 70°C and the relay temperature is 69°C, the opening degree corresponding to a temperature difference of 1°C can be 0.20, and when the battery temperature is 72°C and the relay temperature is 69°C, the opening degree corresponding to a temperature difference of 3°C can be 0.18.

[0117] In step S1030, the controller 130 determines the opening degree of the second coolant channel CH2 by applying a predetermined positive correlation to the temperature difference between the battery temperature and the relay temperature. For example, when the battery temperature is 70°C and the relay temperature is 72°C, the opening degree corresponding to a temperature difference of 2°C can be 0.40, and when the battery temperature is 70°C and the relay temperature is 73°C, the opening degree corresponding to a temperature difference of 3°C can be 0.45.

[0118] The signal or data indicating the opening degree of the second coolant passage CH2 determined in step S1020 or step S1030 may be included in the valve control command output in step S530.

[0119] Figure 11 It is used to illustrate the description and may include Figure 5 A flowchart of another example of the subroutine in step S520. Figure 7 Under the condition that the judgment result of step S710 is "yes", Figure 11 The method can be executed in parallel with step S720.

[0120] Reference Figure 11 In step S1110, the controller 130 determines a first temperature difference between the battery temperature and a first threshold temperature, and a second temperature difference between the relay temperature and a second threshold temperature.

[0121] In step S1120, the controller 130 determines whether the second temperature difference is less than the first temperature difference. A "yes" result in step S1120 indicates that the cooling of the battery pack BG needs to be strengthened, rather than the cooling of the relay box RB. When the result of step S1120 is "yes," step S1130 is executed. Compared to a "yes" result in step S1120, a "no" result in step S1120 indicates that the cooling of the relay box RB needs to be strengthened more. When the result of step S1120 is "no," step S1140 is executed.

[0122] In step S1130, the controller 130 determines the opening degree of the second coolant channel CH2 by applying a predetermined negative correlation to the difference between the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference. For example, when the battery temperature is 75°C, the first threshold temperature is 70°C, the relay temperature is 74°C, and the second threshold temperature is 72°C, the first temperature difference is 5°C, the second temperature difference is 2°C, and the difference between the first and second temperature differences is 3°C. In this case, the opening degree can be 0.35. When, under the same conditions, only the relay temperature changes to 73°C, the difference between the first and second temperature differences is 4°C. In this case, the opening degree can be 0.29.

[0123] In step S1140, the controller 130 determines the opening degree of the second coolant channel CH2 by applying a predetermined positive correlation to the difference between the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference. For example, when the battery temperature is 72°C, the first threshold temperature is 70°C, the relay temperature is 76°C, and the second threshold temperature is 72°C, the first temperature difference is 2°C, the second temperature difference is 4°C, and the difference between the first and second temperature differences is 2°C. In this case, the opening degree can be 0.47. When, under the same conditions, only the relay temperature changes to 78°C, the difference between the first and second temperature differences is 4°C. In this case, the opening degree can be 0.53.

[0124] The signal or data indicating the opening degree of the second coolant passage CH2 determined in step S1130 or step S1140 may be included in the valve control command output in step S530.

[0125] Each of the negative correlations used in steps S1020 and S1130, and the positive correlations used in steps S1030 and S1140, can be stored in a memory device in the form of a lookup table or a mathematical function. Examples of mathematical functions may include linear regression equations, exponential equations, and polynomial equations.

[0126] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration for implementing a controller 130 included in a cooling control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the controller 130 may include an MCU 132, a memory 134, a communication I / F 136, and an input / output I / F 138.

[0128] MCU 132 is a microcontroller unit and is used as a processor. The processor executes various programs stored in memory 134, processes various data used by the programs, and performs the functions of controller 130.

[0129] Another embodiment of this disclosure may provide a memory 134, which is a computer-readable medium storing programs for causing a computer to execute the various embodiments described above.

[0130] A program can be implemented using hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware and software components. A program can be executed by any system capable of executing computer-readable instructions.

[0131] The software may include computer programs, code, instructions, or combinations thereof, and may configure each processing device to operate as needed, or may independently or jointly instruct the processing devices to perform operations.

[0132] Software can be implemented as a computer program that includes instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic storage media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), floppy disks, and hard disks) and optically readable media (e.g., CD-ROMs and digital versatile discs (DVDs)). Computer-readable storage media can be distributed across network-connected computer systems, allowing computer-readable code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The storage medium can be read by a computer, stored in memory, and executed by a processor.

[0133] Computer-readable media can be configured as non-transitory storage media. Here, the term "non-transitory storage media" refers only to tangible means and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently in a storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0134] Furthermore, the program can be set up as part of a computer program product. A computer program product can be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer.

[0135] Computer program products may include software programs and computer-readable storage media in which the software programs are stored. For example, a computer program product may include a product in the form of a software program (e.g., a downloadable application) that is distributed electronically by a manufacturer of electronic devices or an electronic marketplace. For electronic distribution, at least a portion of the software program may be stored in a storage medium or may be temporarily generated. In this case, the storage medium may be the storage medium of a server belonging to a manufacturer of electronic devices, a server belonging to an electronic marketplace, or a relay server temporarily storing the software program.

[0136] The communication I / F 136 can be configured to send various types of data to and receive various types of data from the server, and can include various devices capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, the communication I / F 136 can send and receive programs for operating the controller 130, various types of data, etc., from an external server via wired or wireless communication; the external server is configured separately.

[0137] The input / output I / F 138 can be configured to connect input devices (not shown), such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and output devices (not shown), such as a display, to the MCU 132 to enable data transmission and reception between them.

[0138] The embodiments of this disclosure described above can be implemented not only by apparatus and methods, but also by programs that implement functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of this disclosure, or by storage media that store programs. Based on the description of the embodiments provided above, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains can readily implement such embodiments.

[0139] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present disclosure and the equivalents of the claims set forth below.

[0140] Furthermore, since those skilled in the art can substitute, modify, and alter the above disclosure in various ways without departing from the technical spirit of the disclosure, the disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and drawings, and all or part of the embodiments can be selectively combined to form various modifications.

Claims

1. A cooling control device, comprising: A first coolant channel, configured to cool the battery block group of the battery pack; A second coolant channel is configured to cool the relay box of the battery pack; An electronic valve is disposed at the communication portion between the first coolant passage and the second coolant passage, and is configured to control the first coolant passage and the second coolant passage to be in an open or closed state, respectively. A sensing circuit configured to measure the battery temperature as the temperature of the battery pack and the relay temperature as the temperature of the relay box; as well as The controller is configured to determine a first target state of the first coolant channel and a second target state of the second coolant channel based on the battery temperature and the relay temperature, and to output a valve control command representing the first target state and the second target state to the electronic valve.

2. The cooling control device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to: When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is lower than a second threshold temperature The first target state is determined to be open and the second target state is determined to be closed.

3. The cooling control device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to: When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature Both the first target state and the second target state are determined to be in the open state.

4. The cooling control device according to claim 3, wherein, The controller is configured to: When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature The opening degree of the second coolant channel is determined based on the temperature difference between the battery temperature and the relay temperature.

5. The cooling control device according to claim 4, wherein, The controller is configured to: When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature If the relay temperature is lower than the battery temperature, the opening degree of the second coolant channel is determined by applying a predetermined negative correlation to the temperature difference. If the relay temperature is higher than the battery temperature, the opening degree of the second coolant channel is determined by applying a predetermined positive correlation to the temperature difference.

6. The cooling control device according to claim 3, wherein, The controller is configured to: When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature The opening degree of the second coolant channel is determined based on a first temperature difference between the battery temperature and the first threshold temperature and a second temperature difference between the relay temperature and the second threshold temperature.

7. The cooling control device according to claim 6, wherein, The controller is configured to: When the battery temperature is equal to or higher than the first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than the second threshold temperature If the second temperature difference is less than the first temperature difference, the opening degree of the second coolant passage is determined by applying a predetermined negative correlation to the difference between the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference. If the second temperature difference is equal to or greater than the first temperature difference, the opening of the second coolant passage is determined by applying a predetermined positive correlation to the difference between the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference.

8. The cooling control device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to: When the battery temperature is below a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature The first target state is determined to be closed and the second target state is determined to be open.

9. The cooling control device according to claim 1, wherein, The controller is configured to: When the battery temperature is below a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is below a second threshold temperature Both the first target state and the second target state are determined to be in the off state.

10. The cooling control device according to claim 1, further comprising: A coolant circulator, which is connected to the inlet and outlet of the first coolant passage.

11. The cooling control device according to claim 1, wherein, The electronic valve is a three-port solenoid valve.

12. The cooling control device according to claim 1, wherein, The sensing circuit includes a battery temperature sensor configured to measure the battery temperature and a relay temperature sensor configured to measure the relay temperature.

13. An electric vehicle comprising the cooling control device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A cooling control method, comprising: Measure the temperature of the battery cells in the battery pack; Measure the relay temperature of the relay box of the battery pack; Based on the battery temperature and the relay temperature, a first target state for a first coolant channel configured to cool the battery pack and a second target state for a second coolant channel configured to cool the relay box are determined. as well as The valve control command representing the first target state and the second target state is output to the electronic valve. The electronic valve is located at the connection between the first coolant channel and the second coolant channel, and is configured to control the first coolant channel and the second coolant channel to be in an open or closed state, respectively.

15. The cooling control method according to claim 14, wherein, The determination steps include: when the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is lower than a second threshold temperature, determining the first target state as an open state and the second target state as a closed state.

16. The cooling control method according to claim 14, wherein, The determination steps include: when the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature, both the first target state and the second target state are determined to be in the open state.

17. The cooling control method according to claim 16, wherein, The determining steps include: when the battery temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold temperature and the relay temperature is equal to or higher than a second threshold temperature, determining the opening degree of the second coolant channel based on the temperature difference between the battery temperature and the relay temperature.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to perform a cooling control method, the method comprising: Measure the temperature of the battery cells in the battery pack; Measure the relay temperature of the relay box of the battery pack; Based on the battery temperature and the relay temperature, a first target state for a first coolant channel configured to cool the battery pack and a second target state for a second coolant channel configured to cool the relay box are determined. as well as The valve control command representing the first target state and the second target state is output to the electronic valve. The electronic valve is located at the connection between the first coolant channel and the second coolant channel, and is configured to control the first coolant channel and the second coolant channel to be in an open or closed state, respectively.

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