System and method for monitoring health parameter of battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery health monitoring (BHM) system and method for monitoring at least one health parameter of a battery pack.SOLUTION: A BHM system includes an internal battery and a clock powered by the internal battery. The clock tracks time. The BHM system further includes a control system that is disposed in communication with the clock in order to receive the tracked time as input from the clock. The control system issues a first trigger signal at a preset wake-up time from within a specified time frame of the tracked time in order to switch the battery pack from a dormant state to an active state for monitoring the at least one health parameter of the battery pack.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for monitoring the health parameters of a battery pack. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method and a system for monitoring the health parameters of a battery pack when the battery pack is in a dormant state, for example, in a warehouse.

Background Art

[0002] Battery packs for mobile and / or stationary machines such as construction machinery can spend a significant amount of time outside of their intended usage areas. For example, such battery packs can be stored for a certain period of time in, for example, a factory, a storage warehouse, a shipping center, a dealer workshop, or another suitable type of storage and / or handling facility. During such periods, health parameters such as the cell temperature, voltage level, state of charge, etc. of the battery pack can change. Such health parameters can be used to determine the remaining useful life of the battery pack by interested parties, in addition to determining the usefulness of the battery pack for customer requirements. If the health parameters are not determined in a timely manner, interested parties may not notice the degradation of the battery pack, and the battery pack may become unusable. As a result, for example, all subsequent efforts that occur in delivery, such as delivering an unqualified battery pack to a remote location, and in the deployment of an unqualified battery pack for specific requirements, may be wasted. Furthermore, in conventionally known techniques for determining the health parameters of a battery pack, it is necessary to continuously supply power from the battery pack itself to a monitoring unit for monitoring the health parameters of the battery pack, resulting in an increase in the power consumption of the battery pack.

[0003] U.S. Publication 2020 / 0076014 (hereinafter, "see '014") relates to a battery module including battery cells and a cell monitoring unit (CMU). The CMU's cell sensing circuit measures battery data, including the cell voltage and cell temperature of each battery cell. The CMU's microprocessor determines that the battery module has been dormant for a predetermined period of time when the battery cells are neither charging nor discharging. In response to such dormancy, a long-term data storage mode is activated in which a radio frequency (RF) communication circuit paired with the cell sensing circuit collects battery data at calibrated intervals and wirelessly transmits and stores the battery data in the CMU's flash memory. However, in the long-term data storage mode of '014, the RF communication circuit remains active for a longer period than necessary to perform the required monitoring, paired with other components of the CMU in low-power mode, thereby resulting in continuous power consumption from individual battery cells even in long-term data storage mode. [Overview of the project]

[0004] In one aspect of this disclosure, a system for monitoring at least one health parameter of a battery pack is disclosed. The system includes an internal battery and a clock powered by the internal battery. The clock is configured to track time. The system further includes a control system configured to communicate with the clock to receive the tracked time as input from the clock. The control system is configured to monitor at least one health parameter of the battery pack and to issue a first trigger signal at a preset wake-up time within a specified time frame of tracked time to switch the battery pack from a hibernation state to an active state.

[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure discloses a method for monitoring at least one health parameter of a battery pack. The method includes powering a clock for tracking time using an internal battery. The method further includes a control system receiving the tracked time as input from the clock. The method further includes the control system issuing a first trigger signal at a predetermined wake-up time within a specified time frame of the tracked time to switch the battery pack from a hibernation state to an active state in order to monitor at least one health parameter of the battery pack.

[0006] In another aspect of this disclosure, a battery system having a battery pack and a system for monitoring at least one health parameter of the battery pack are disclosed. The system for monitoring at least one health parameter of the battery pack includes a built-in battery and a clock powered by the built-in battery, coupled to the battery pack. The clock is configured to track time. The system further includes a control system configured to communicate with the clock to receive the tracked time as input from the clock. The control system is configured to monitor at least one health parameter of the battery pack and to issue a first trigger signal at a preset wake-up time within a specified time frame of tracked time to switch the battery pack from a hibernation state to an active state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary machine having a battery system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a battery pack and a system for monitoring the health parameters of the battery pack. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring battery pack health parameters according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method for monitoring battery pack health parameters according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Here, the examples refer in detail to specific embodiments or features illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to identical or similar parts.

[0009] Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary machine 100 is illustrated. As illustrated exemplary, machine 100 is embodied as a construction machine and may include loaders such as wheel loaders. However, machine 100 may be of a type that can be used to perform work within industries such as mining, construction, agriculture, and transportation. The application of one or more aspects of this disclosure may also be extended to stationary machines such as generator sets. It will be understood that references to machine 100 are exemplary. Other examples of machine 100 may include, but are not limited to, off-highway trucks, articulated carriages, paving machines, excavators, backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders, and compressors. As shown in Figure 1, machine 100 includes, in particular, a set of ground engagement members 104, e.g., wheels, a tool 114, e.g., a bucket 116, and a pair of movable lift arms 118 that can be applied to operate the tool 114.

[0010] The machine 100 may include a prime mover 102 that can provide power to operate the machine 100. The prime mover 102 may include a battery system 120 having a battery pack 122. The battery pack 122 may be applied to power a ground engagement member 104 to move the machine 100 on the ground surface. The battery pack 122 may also be used to power the equipment 114 and / or perform various other functions of the machine 100. The battery pack 122 may work with one or more additional power sources (not shown), such as an internal combustion engine, a generator, a turbine, or any other suitable prime mover that can generate and then supply power to perform one or more functions of the machine 100.

[0011] Referring to Figure 2, the battery system 120 is described herein. The battery system 120 includes a battery health monitoring (BHM) system 204 that monitors at least one health parameter of the battery pack 122. Furthermore, the battery system 120 may include a DC-DC converter 206, a battery management system 208, and relays 210. The battery pack 122, the BHM system 204, the DC-DC converter 206, the battery management system 208, and relays 210 communicate with each other via a local interface (not shown), for example, using a wired or wireless interface. In this disclosure, the use of the term “local interface” may be considered to include data and / or power transmission interfaces, such as buses, CAN links, or other wired or wireless connections known to those skilled in the art. The local interface may have additional elements, in particular, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, in order to enable communication. Furthermore, the local interface may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable proper communication between the various components.

[0012] The battery pack 122 may include a plurality of battery cells (not shown). The battery cells may be embodied in the form of electrochemical cells of different sizes, such as, for example, ultracapacitor cells, supercapacitor cells, ultrabatteries, lithium-ion cells, lithium manganese cells, lithium titanate cells, lithium iron phosphate cells, nickel-cadmium cells, or nickel-metal hydride cells. The battery cells may be rechargeable or disposable. In one embodiment, the battery pack 122 may be further configured to associate with a plurality of components (not shown), such as a circuit board, a converter, an inverter, and a controller. The battery pack 122 and its associated components may be enclosed in a single housing (not shown), which may include one or more additional battery packs (similar to battery pack 122) based on the power requirements of the machine 100 and its application. Once the battery pack 122 is installed in the machine 100, it is configured to operate in an active state to power the machine 100. In this disclosure, the term “active state” means a state in which power is used or drawn from the battery pack 122 to perform one or more functions of machine 100.

[0013] To understand this disclosure, it should be noted that before the battery system 120 is installed in machine 100, the battery system 120 may form part of the inventory and therefore be located in a warehouse or storage facility, or the battery system 120 may be in transit, such as on a truck or in a shipping container. In such scenarios, the battery system 120 may be stored or transported while in a dormant state, i.e., in an inactive state. In this disclosure, the term “dormant state” means a state in which power is not used or drawn from the battery pack 122 so that power can be conserved within the battery pack 122.

[0014] During such periods of non-use of the battery pack 122, one or more health parameters of the battery cells of the battery pack 122 may change, and therefore, these health parameters may be measured and / or monitored periodically. The health parameters may include one or more of the following: the maximum cell temperature of each battery cell of the battery pack 122, the minimum battery temperature of each battery cell of the battery pack 122, the voltage level of each battery cell of the battery pack 122, the current drawn from each battery cell of the battery pack 122, the energy throughput of the battery pack 122, the charge state of each battery cell of the battery pack 122, the health state of each battery cell of the battery pack 122, and high-voltage cutoff warnings.

[0015] The battery management system 208 may be configured to periodically measure and / or acquire health parameters of the battery pack 122. The battery management system 208 may include one or more sensors, such as a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a temperature sensor, for measuring the health parameters of the battery pack 122. For brevity, details regarding the operations required to measure the health parameters of the battery pack 122 and the functions of the battery management system 208 are omitted, as such operations are known to those skilled in the art.

[0016] As shown in the illustrated embodiment of Figure 2, the battery management system 208 is coupled to a DC-DC converter 206. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the term “DC-DC converter” can be considered an electrical component that has direct current as input and output and converts this direct current from high voltage to low voltage, or vice versa. The DC-DC converter 206 may be configured to provide output power from the battery pack 122 to the battery management system 208 in response to one or more trigger signals received from the BHM system 204. The DC-DC converter 206 may be configured to provide output power from the battery pack 122 to one or more components of the BHM system 204 in response to one or more trigger signals received from the BHM system 204, as described in a future disclosure. The DC-DC converter 206 is coupled to the BHM system 204 via a relay 210 and may receive one or more trigger signals.

[0017] The BHM system 204 is configured to monitor at least one health parameter of the battery pack 122 during periods of non-use of the battery pack 122. In one embodiment, the BHM system 204 may be embodied as a telematics electronic control unit. As shown in Figure 3, the BHM system 204 includes an internal battery 212, a clock 214, a control system 216, a transceiver 218, output driver pins 220, and memory 222. The control system 216 may include a primary controller 224 and a secondary controller 226. The internal battery 212, clock 214, control system 216, transceiver 218, output driver pins 220, and memory 222 cooperate with each other to enable the operation of the BHM system 204 consistent with the present disclosure. These components may communicate with each other via a local interface (not shown), for example, using a wired or wireless communication interface.

[0018] The built-in battery 212 may be configured to power one or more components of the BHM system 204, such as the clock 214 and the control system 216. The built-in battery 212 may include one or more of a solar panel, a fuel cell, an inductive RF energy harvesting circuit, or be embodied in another form or type of DC power source known to those skilled in the art. One or more features and / or configurations of the built-in battery 212 may be similar to those of the battery pack 122. According to this disclosure, the built-in battery 212 may be configured to operate in two different power modes, e.g., a low-power mode and a full-power mode, where the power output in the low-power mode is significantly lower than the power output in the full-power mode, for example, the ratio of power outputs in the low-power mode to the high-power mode may be in the range of 0.1:10 to 1:10. The built-in battery 212 may be configured to power the clock 214 and secondary controller 226 of the control system 216 in low-power mode, or it may be configured to power the clock 214, the secondary controller 226, and the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 in full-power mode. In one embodiment, the built-in battery 212 may be charged by a power source such as a battery pack 122.

[0019] The clock 214 is powered by an internal battery 212 and configured to track time. Furthermore, the clock 214 is configured to track a preset wake-up time, during which the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 of the BHM system 204 is configured to switch the battery pack 122 from a dormant state to an active state in order to monitor the health parameters of the battery pack 122. The preset wake-up time may correspond to a time within a specified time frame of the tracked time. In various embodiments, the wake-up time may correspond to multiple periodic wake-up times, so that multiple intervals can be defined during which the health parameters can be monitored.

[0020] The secondary controller 226 of the control system 216 is configured to communicate with the clock 214 and can receive tracked time as input from the clock 214. In response to the input, the secondary controller 226 of the control system 216 is configured to activate the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 within a specified time frame of the tracked time.

[0021] The primary controller 224 of the control system 216 may retrieve a set of instructions from memory 222, execute the set of instructions, and generate one or more trigger signals (e.g., a first trigger signal) within a specified time frame of the tracked time. The primary controller 224 of the control system 216 may also generate a second trigger signal. The second trigger signal may be generated within another specified time frame of the tracked time, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since the generation of the first trigger signal.

[0022] Furthermore, a set of instructions may be executed by the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 to send a trigger signal to the DC-DC converter 206, so that the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 can switch the battery pack 122 between a hibernation state and an active state (for example, from hibernation to an active state based on a first trigger signal, and from active to hibernation based on a second trigger signal). Once the first trigger signal is delivered to the DC-DC converter, the battery management system 208 can be activated to obtain health parameters from the battery pack 122. The transceiver 218 is further configured to transmit the health parameters of the battery pack 122 to a remote battery health monitoring station 230 so that the health parameters can be monitored.

[0023] Memory 222 may include random access memory (RAM) and / or read only memory (ROM). Further, memory 222 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. Control system 216 may include one or more processors, controllers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), state machines, logic circuits, or other devices known to those skilled in the art that process information or signals based on operational instructions or programming instructions. Control system 216 may be implemented using one or more controller technologies such as application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) technology, complex instruction set computing (CISC) technology, or other similar technologies known to those skilled in the art.

[0024] Industrial Applicability Figure 4 shows a method 400 for monitoring at least one health parameter of the battery pack 122. While the battery pack 122 is in a dormant state, the components of the battery system 120 other than the BHM system 204 are configured to be inactive. In step 402, the built-in battery 212 of the BHM system 204 operates in low-power mode to power the clock 214 to track time. The built-in battery 212 also powers the secondary controller 226 of the control system 216 in low-power mode, and the secondary controller 226 of the control system 216 receives the tracked time as input from the clock 214 in step 404. In step 406, when the clock 214 reaches a preset wake-up time, the secondary controller 226 activates the primary controller 224 of the control system 216, which then issues a first trigger signal at the preset wake-up time (i.e., within a specified time frame of the tracked time). According to various embodiments, the control system 216 (for example, the primary controller 224 of the control system 216) issues a first trigger signal to switch the battery pack 122 from a dormant state to an active state in order to monitor the health parameters of the battery pack 122 during wake-up.

[0025] More specifically, the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 delivers a first trigger signal to the DC-DC converter 206 via the relay 210 upon wake-up. When receiving the first trigger signal, the DC-DC converter 206 wakes up and supplies output power (e.g., rectified or properly converted output power) from the battery pack 122 to the battery management system 208 to wake up the battery management system 208 so that the battery management system 208 can obtain the health parameters of the battery pack 122. The DC-DC converter 206 can also provide output power from the battery pack 122 of the BHM system 204 to the transceiver 218 so that the control system 216 (e.g., the primary controller 224 of the control system 216) can control the transceiver 218 to transmit the health parameters of the battery pack 122 to the remote battery health monitoring station 230.

[0026] In one embodiment, the output power is a control signal of 24 Volts. When receiving the control signal, the battery management system 208 switches the state of the battery cells of the battery pack 122 from the resting state to the active state and obtains the health parameters of the battery pack 122. The battery management system 208 provides the health parameters to the BHM system 204.

[0027] In one embodiment, the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 is configured to switch the built-in battery 212 from the low-power mode to the full-power mode at the wake-up time. For this purpose, the clock 214 can be configured to start generating a trigger signal (e.g., the first trigger signal) from the primary controller 224 of the control system 216, and the state of the built-in battery 212 can be changed from the low-power mode to the full-power mode. When receiving a trigger signal from the primary controller 224 of the control system 216, the built-in battery 212 switches to operate in the full-power mode and powers the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 so that the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 can control the monitoring of the health parameters of the battery pack 122.

[0028] In one embodiment, the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 generates a second trigger signal to switch the battery pack 122 from an active state to a dormant state at the end of a specified time frame of tracked time. In one embodiment, the duration of the specified time frame can be predefined. For example, the duration of the specified time frame may be in the range of 1 second to 5 minutes. In this case, the start time of the time frame may be a preset wake-up time, and the end time of the time frame may be another preset time, for example, within 5 minutes of the preset wake-up time, or 5 minutes of the preset wake-up time. For example, if the start time of the time frame is 12:00:00 and the duration of the time frame is 5 minutes, the dormant time is 12:05:00. The values ​​for the duration of the specified time frame are provided for illustrative purposes only and may include any values ​​in actual practice and application.

[0029] If the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 can transmit the health parameters of the battery pack 122 to the remote battery health monitoring station 230 well before the end of a specified time frame, for example, within 2 minutes for a 5-minute time frame, the primary controller 224 of the control system 216 may be configured to generate a second trigger signal in response to transmitting the health parameters to the remote battery health monitoring station 230, or thereafter (for example, immediately thereafter). The primary controller 224 of the control system 216 provides the second trigger signal to the battery management system 208, returning the battery management system 208 to an inactive state. The output power supplied through the DC-DC converter 206 is also cut off or stopped when the battery management system 208 becomes inactive. The battery management system 208 then switches the battery pack 122 from an active state to a hibernation state, and it remains inactive until the next wake-up time. At this stage, the built-in battery 212 also switches to a low-power mode, i.e., powers down, or switches back to a low-power mode in order to supply power to the clock 214 and the secondary controller 226 of the control system 216.

[0030] When a second trigger signal is generated before the end of the specified time frame, the components of the battery system 120 (excluding the BHM system 204) become inactive, resulting in further power savings in the battery pack 122. In various embodiments, the wake-up time can correspond to multiple periodic wake-up times, so that multiple intervals can be defined in which health parameters can be monitored. For example, the wake-up time may occur once a day or once every 19 hours. These values ​​are provided for illustrative purposes only and may include any values ​​in actual practice and application.

[0031] The implementation and use of the method 400 and BHM system 204 of this disclosure enable power saving of the battery pack 122 while simultaneously allowing remote monitoring of the battery pack 122's health parameters. Because an internal battery 212 is present within the BHM system 204, the power required to track wake-up times and provide control signals or output power to other components of the battery system 120 is obtained directly from the internal battery 212. Once a control signal is received, the battery pack 122 is switched from a dormant state to an active state for a predetermined limited period to monitor its health parameters. This eliminates the need to continuously draw power from the battery pack 122 in the battery system 120 to power other components of the battery system 120 for monitoring.

[0032] Where the context in this disclosure is so, the term “immediately” means the immediate switching of the battery pack 122 to a hibernation state in such a way that its power can be conserved. While aspects of this disclosure have been specifically shown and described with reference to the embodiments described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by modifications of the disclosed machines, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed content. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of this disclosure as determined by the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A battery health monitoring (BHM) system for monitoring at least one health parameter of a battery pack, wherein the BHM system is Built-in battery, A watch powered by the aforementioned built-in battery and configured to track time, and A control system configured to communicate with the clock in order to receive the tracked time as input from the clock, wherein the control system A BHM system comprising a control system configured to issue a first trigger signal at a preset wake-up time within a specified time frame of the tracked time in order to monitor the at least one health parameter of the battery pack and to switch the battery pack from a dormant state to an active state.

2. The BHM system according to claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to acquire the at least one health parameter of the active battery pack and to generate a second trigger signal for switching the battery pack from the active state to the dormant state at the end of the specified time frame of the tracked time.

3. The BHM system according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the specified time frame is in the range of 2 minutes to 5 minutes.

4. The BHM system according to claim 1, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit the at least one health parameter of the active battery pack to a remote battery health monitoring station.

5. The BHM system according to claim 4, wherein the control system is configured to control the transceiver for transmitting the at least one health parameter of the active battery pack, generate a second trigger signal in response to the transmission of the at least one health parameter, and switch the battery pack from the active state to the dormant state.

6. The BHM system according to claim 4, wherein the control system includes a primary controller that issues the first trigger signal, and a secondary controller that receives time tracked from the clock and activates the primary controller within the specified time frame of the tracked time, the clock is configured to initiate the generation of a trigger signal from the primary controller of the control system to switch the built-in battery from a low-power mode to a full-power mode, the built-in battery is configured to power the clock and the secondary controller of the control system in the low-power mode, and to power the clock, the secondary controller and the primary controller of the control system, respectively, in the full-power mode.

7. The BHM system according to claim 6, wherein the primary controller of the control system is configured to switch the built-in battery from the low-power mode to the full-power mode at the preset wake-up time.

8. The BHM system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one health parameter of the battery pack includes one or more of the maximum cell temperature of each battery cell of the battery pack, the minimum cell temperature of each battery cell of the battery pack, voltage level, current, energy throughput, charge state, health state, and high voltage cutoff warning.

9. A method for monitoring at least one health parameter of a battery pack, wherein the method is To power the watch for tracking time using its built-in battery, The control system receives the tracked time as input from the clock, and A method comprising the control system issuing a first trigger signal at a predetermined wake-up time within a specified time frame of the tracked time in order to monitor the at least one health parameter of the battery pack and to switch the battery pack from a dormant state to an active state.

10. The control system obtains at least one health parameter of the battery pack, and The method according to claim 9, further comprising the control system generating a second trigger signal to switch the battery pack from the active state to the dormant state at the end of the specified time frame of the tracked time.

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