Voltage generation apparatus, battery management apparatus and battery management method

Abstract

To provide a battery management apparatus capable of diagnosing operation of an over-current detection function of a battery, a voltage generation apparatus and a battery management method.SOLUTION: A battery management apparatus includes a voltage generation unit 220 configured to generate a first output value and a second output value which have a difference therebetween corresponding to a magnitude of a voltage applied to a shunt resistor 210 connected to a battery 100, in which the difference between the first output value and the second output value corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when charging over-current or discharging over-current flows in the shunt resistor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2021 - 0023639, filed on February 22, 2021, and all of the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery management device.

Background Art

[0003] Recently, research and development on secondary batteries have been actively conducted. Here, a secondary battery is a battery that can be charged and discharged, and includes all of conventional Ni / Cd batteries, Ni / MH batteries, etc. and recent lithium - ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium - ion batteries have the advantage of having a much higher energy density compared to conventional Ni / Cd batteries, Ni / MH batteries, etc. In addition, lithium - ion batteries can be manufactured in a small size and light weight, are used as a power source for mobile devices, and recently, their usage range has been expanded as a power source for electric vehicles and has attracted attention as a next - generation energy storage medium.

[0004] On the other hand, in the case of a lithium - ion battery, when an over - current flows during charging or discharging, the temperature inside the battery rises, and in severe cases, it may lead to a fire in the vehicle in which the battery is installed. In order to prevent such a situation, an over - current detection function for continuously determining whether an over - current flows through the battery is required, and the operational integrity of the over - current detection function must also be ensured.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] One object of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide a battery management device capable of diagnosing the operation of an over - current detection function of a battery.

[0006] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document includes a voltage generation unit that generates a first output value and a second output value having a difference corresponding to the magnitude of a voltage applied to a shunt resistor connected to a battery and the shunt resistor. The difference between the first output value and the second output value may correspond to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

[0008] In one embodiment, the voltage generation unit may generate the first output value and the second output value in a state where the charging overcurrent or the discharging overcurrent does not flow through the shunt resistor.

[0009] In one embodiment, when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor, the voltage generation unit may generate the first output value, which is a value of the difference between the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor and the voltage of the battery, and may generate the second output value, which is the same value as the voltage of the battery.

[0010] In one embodiment, the voltage generation unit may generate the first output value, which is the same value as the voltage of the battery, and when a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor, may generate the second output value, which is a value of the difference between the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor and the voltage of the battery.

[0011] In one embodiment, it may further include a determination unit that receives the first output value and the second output value and determines whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

[0012] In one embodiment, the determination unit may include an amplifier that receives and amplifies the first output value and the second output value, a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier with a reference value, and a controller that determines whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor based on the output of the amplifier or the comparator.

[0013] In one embodiment, the voltage generation unit may include a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches, and the plurality of switches may be any one of an NPN-type BJT, a PNP-type BJT, and a MOSFET.

[0014] A battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include a shunt resistor connected to a battery, a first resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a first node, a second resistor connected to the first resistor at a second node, a third resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a third node, a fourth resistor connected to the third resistor at a fourth node, a first switch connected to the second resistor, a second switch connected to the fourth resistor, and a determination unit that receives the voltage of the second node and the voltage of the fourth node and determines whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

[0015] In one embodiment, the determination unit may include an amplifier that receives the voltage of the second node and the voltage of the fourth node and amplifies the difference therebetween, a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier with a reference value, and a controller that determines whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor based on the output of the amplifier or the comparator.

[0016] In one embodiment, the controller may control the first switch and the second switch. For detecting a charging overcurrent, the first switch may be short-circuited and the second switch may be opened. For detecting a discharging overcurrent, the first switch may be opened and the second switch may be short-circuited.

[0017] In one embodiment, when the battery is in a charging or discharging state, the controller may open both the first switch and the second switch.

[0018] In one embodiment, it may further include a relay connected to the shunt resistor, the relay may be controlled according to a control signal of the controller, and when the first switch or the second switch is short-circuited, the controller may open the relay.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first switch and the second switch may each be one of a PNP type BJT, an NPN type BJT, and a MOSFET.

[0020] In one embodiment, the magnitudes of the first resistor and the second resistor may be set to correspond to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcurrent flows during the charging process of the battery, where the difference between the magnitude of the voltage at the second node and the magnitude of the battery voltage. The third resistor and the fourth resistor may be set to correspond to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcurrent flows during the discharging process of the battery, where the difference between the magnitude of the voltage at the fourth node and the magnitude of the battery voltage.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] The battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document can diagnose the operation of the overcurrent detection function of the battery.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that for the same components, as much as possible, the same reference numerals should be used even if they are shown on other drawings. Also, when explaining the embodiments disclosed in this document, if a specific explanation of related known configurations or functions is determined to interfere with the understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this document, the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0024] When explaining the components of the embodiments disclosed in this document, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. Such terms are for distinguishing the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by such terms. Also, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong. Terms similar to those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal and overly formal sense unless clearly defined in this application.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery pack 10 according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include a battery module 100, a battery management device 200, and a relay 300.

[0027] The battery module 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110, 120, 130, 140. In FIG. 1, although it is shown that there are four battery cells, it is not limited thereto, and the battery module 100 may be configured to include n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) battery cells. The battery module 100 can supply power to a target device (not shown). For this purpose, the battery module 100 may be electrically connected to the target device. Here, the target device may include an electrical, electronic, or mechanical device that operates by being supplied with power from the battery pack 10 including the plurality of battery cells 110, 120, 130, 140. For example, the target device may be an electric vehicle (EV), but is not limited thereto.

[0028] The plurality of battery cells 110, 120, 130, 140 may be a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, a lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) battery, a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery, etc., and are not limited thereto. On the other hand, in FIG. 1, it is shown as a case where there is one battery module 100, but depending on the embodiment, the battery module 100 may be configured with a plurality of them.

[0029] The battery management device 200 can manage and / or control the state and / or operation of the battery module 100. For example, the battery management device 200 can manage and / or control the state and / or operation of the plurality of battery cells 110, 120, 130, 140 included in the battery module 100. The battery management device 200 can manage the charging and / or discharging of the battery module 100.

[0030] Further, the battery management device 200 can monitor the voltage, current, temperature, insulation resistance, etc. of each of the battery pack 10, the battery module 100, and / or the plurality of battery cells 110, 120, 130, 140 included in the battery module 100. And, for monitoring by the battery management device 200, sensors and various measurement modules (not shown) may be further installed at an arbitrary position such as a charge / discharge path or the battery module 100. The battery management device 200 can calculate parameters indicating the state of the battery module 100, such as SOC (State of Charge) and SOH (State of Health), based on the measured values of the monitored voltage, current, temperature, etc.

[0031] The battery management device 200 can control the operation of the relay 300. For example, the battery management device 200 may short-circuit the relay 300 to supply power to the target device. Also, when a charging device is connected to the battery pack 10, the battery management device 200 may short-circuit the relay 300.

[0032] The battery management device 200 can diagnose whether the overcurrent detection function operates normally. For this purpose, when the battery module 100 is charged or discharged, the battery management device 200 can detect whether an overcurrent flows through the battery module 100. When an overcurrent is detected in the battery module 100, the battery management device 200 may open the relay 300. Thus, the battery management device 200 can confirm whether the overcurrent detection function operates normally and improve the ISO26262, ASIL safety level.

[0033] Hereinafter, the specific operation of the battery management device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0034] FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery management device 200 according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include a shunt resistor 210 and a voltage generation unit 220.

[0036] The shunt resistor 210 can sense the current flowing through the circuit. For example, by measuring the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 by the current flowing through the circuit, the magnitude of the current flowing through the circuit may be sensed. The shunt resistor 210 may be connected to the battery module 100.

[0037] The voltage generation unit 220 can generate a first output value and a second output value. The voltage generation unit 220 may be connected to both ends of the shunt resistor 210. When a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a first output value and a second output value having a difference corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210. That is, the difference between the first output value and the second output value can correspond to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 when a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a first output value and a second output value in a state where no charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210. For example, the battery management device 200 can diagnose a charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent detection function based on the first output value and the second output value generated in a state where no charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210.

[0039] Here, the charging overcurrent may be defined as the overcurrent flowing through the battery module 100, the circuit connected to the battery module 100, and / or the device connected to the battery module 100 during the charging process of the battery module 100. Also, the discharging overcurrent may be defined as the overcurrent flowing through the battery module 100, the circuit connected to the battery module 100, and / or the device connected to the battery module 100, etc. during the discharging process of the battery module 100. For example, in the battery management device 200, the levels of the charging overcurrent and the discharging overcurrent may be preset values.

[0040] According to an embodiment, when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a first output value that is the value of the difference between the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 and the voltage of the battery. For example, when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a first output value that has a value smaller than the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module 100 by only the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210. That is, the first output value can have a value obtained by subtracting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 from the voltage value of the battery module 100 when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210. Also, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a second output value that is the same value as the voltage of the battery. For example, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a second output value having a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module 100.

[0041] The battery management device 200 can detect the charging overcurrent based on the first output value and the second output value generated by the voltage generation unit 220.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a second output value that is the same as the battery voltage. For example, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a first output value having a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module 100. Further, when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a second output value that is the value of the difference between the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 and the voltage of the battery. For example, when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate a second output value having a value smaller than the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module 100 by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210. That is, the second output value can have a value obtained by subtracting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 from the voltage value of the battery module 100 when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210.

[0043] The battery management device 200 can detect a discharge overcurrent based on the first output value and the second output value generated by the voltage generation unit 220.

[0044] On the other hand, according to an embodiment, the voltage generation unit 220 may be implemented with a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches. For example, the plurality of switches may be any one of an NPN-type BJT, a PNP-type BJT, and a MOSFET.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may further include a determination unit 230 in addition to the aforementioned shunt resistor 210 and voltage generation unit 220.

[0046] The determination unit 230 can determine whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 based on the first output value and the second output value generated by the voltage generation unit 220. That is, the voltage generation unit 220 can generate the first output value and the second output value corresponding to the voltage applied when a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 in a state where no charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent directly flows through the shunt resistor 210, and the determination unit 230 can determine whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 when the generated first output value and second output value are input.

[0047] Therefore, it can be diagnosed whether the determination unit 230 normally performs the overcurrent detection function. For example, if the determination unit 230 does not determine that an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 even when the first output value and the second output value are input from the voltage generation unit 220, it can be diagnosed that the determination unit 230 cannot normally perform the overcurrent detection function.

[0048] Hereinafter, in the battery management device 200, the voltage generation unit 220 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram for specifically explaining a voltage generation unit in a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 4, the voltage generation unit 220 according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include a plurality of resistors 221 and a plurality of switches 222.

[0051] The plurality of resistors R1, R2, R3, R4; 221 may be connected to both ends of the shunt resistor 210. Specifically, the first resistor R1 may be connected to the shunt resistor 210 at the first node N1. The second resistor R2 may be connected to the first resistor R1 at the second node N2. The third resistor R3 may be connected to the shunt resistor 210 at the third node N3. The fourth resistor R4 may be connected to the third resistor R3 at the fourth node N4.

[0052] The values of the plurality of resistors 221 may be set such that the voltage of the battery module 100 is distributed based on the levels of the charging overcurrent and the discharging overcurrent.

[0053] For example, the magnitudes of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage applied to the second node N2 and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module 100 corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210. Also, the magnitudes of the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 may be set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage applied to the fourth node N4 and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module 100 corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 when a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210.

[0054] On the other hand, in FIG. 4, the plurality of resistors 221 are shown as including the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, the third resistor R3, and the fourth resistor R4, but are not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, the third resistor R3, and the fourth resistor R4 may be constituted by a plurality of resistors.

[0055] The plurality of switches SW1, SW2; 222 may be respectively connected to the plurality of resistors 221. Specifically, the first switch SW1 may be connected to the second resistor R2, and the second switch SW2 may be connected to the fourth resistor R4.

[0056] On the other hand, the plurality of switches 222 may be any one of a PNP type BJT, an NPN type BJT, and a MOSFET. For example, the plurality of switches 222 may be a PNP type BJT.

[0057] The plurality of switches 222 may be controlled by control signals Scmd1 and Scmd2. For example, the first switch SW1 may be controlled by the first control signal Scmd1, and the second switch SW2 may be controlled by the second control signal Scmd2. The control signals Scmd1 and Scmd2 may be generated by a controller 233 (see FIG. 5). However, it is not limited thereto. There may be a first controller and a second controller, which can generate the first control signal Scmd1 and the second control signal Scmd2 respectively to control the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2.

[0058] The controller 233 may short-circuit the first switch SW1 and open the second switch SW2 for detecting a charging overcurrent. Also, the controller 233 may short-circuit the second switch SW2 and open the first switch SW1 for detecting a discharging overcurrent.

[0059] When the battery module 100 is being charged or discharged, the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 may be opened by the control signals Scmd1 and Scmd2. When the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are opened, the voltage of the first node N1 is applied to the second node N2, and the voltage of the third node N3 is applied to the fourth node N4. The determination unit 230 may receive the magnitude of the voltage applied across the shunt resistor 210. That is, when the battery module 100 is being charged or discharged, the determination unit 230 can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210.

[0060] The determination unit 230 receives the voltages applied to the second node N2 and the fourth node N4, and based on this, can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210. That is, the battery management device 200 can diagnose whether the determination unit 230 operates normally based on the voltages distributed to the second node N2 and the fourth node N4 in a state where no charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent directly flows through the shunt resistor 210.

[0061] Hereinafter, the determination unit 230 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the determination unit in a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, in the battery management device 200 according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the determination unit 230 may include an amplifier 231, a comparator 232, and a controller 233.

[0064] The amplifier 231 may amplify the difference between the first output value and the second output value transmitted from the voltage generation unit 220. For example, the amplifier 231 may amplify the value obtained by subtracting the second output value from the first output value. The amplifier 231 may include an OP-AMP.

[0065] For example, the amplifier 231 may receive the voltages applied to the second node N2 and the fourth node N4. At this time, the magnitude of the voltage of the second node N2 may correspond to the first output value described above, and the magnitude of the voltage of the fourth node N4 may correspond to the second output value described above.

[0066] The comparator 232 receives the output of the amplifier 231 and can output a comparison result compared with a reference value. For example, by comparing the output of the amplifier 231 with the reference value, a first value can be output when the output of the amplifier 231 is greater than the reference value, and a second value can be output when the output of the amplifier 231 is less than the reference value. Here, the reference value may be set to be the same or different when detecting overcharge current and when detecting overdischarge current, respectively.

[0067] The controller 233 can receive the output of the amplifier 231 and convert it into a digital signal, and can compare the converted digital signal with a preset value to determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210. The controller 233 can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 based on the output of the amplifier 231 when both the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are open. For example, the controller 233 can be implemented as a microcontroller or an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) that receives the output of the amplifier 231.

[0068] In addition, the controller 233 can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 based on the comparison result output from the comparator 232. For example, when the comparison result has a first value, the controller 233 can determine that a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210. That is, when the first switch SW1 or the second switch SW2 is short-circuited, the controller 233 can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 based on the comparison result of the comparator 232.

[0069] On the other hand, the controller 233 can generate a control signal for controlling the plurality of switches 222. For example, the controller 233 can generate a first control signal Scmd1 to control the first switch SW1 and generate a second control signal Scmd2 to control the second switch SW2.

[0070] As a result, the controller 233 can diagnose whether the amplifier 231 and the comparator 232 operate normally in a state where no overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 based on the first output value and the second output value input from the voltage generation unit 220. That is, when the charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent detection function does not operate normally, the battery management device 200 can notify the user. Through such a process, it can be diagnosed whether the determination unit 230 performs the overcurrent detection function normally.

[0071] On the other hand, when the battery module 100 is not in a state of being charged or discharged, the controller 233 may open the relay 300. For example, the controller 233 can generate a control signal for opening the relay 300.

[0072] With the relay 300 open, the controller 233 generates control signals Scmd1 and Scmd2 and diagnoses whether the overcharge current detection function or the overdischarge current detection function operates while alternately short - circuiting the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2.

[0073] Hereinafter, based on the structure of the battery management device 200 described above, the diagnosis of the operation of the overcurrent detection function in the overall operation of the circuit will be described.

[0074] As described above, the battery management device 200 according to an embodiment disclosed in this document can diagnose the overcurrent detection function. When the battery module 100 is not charged or discharged, the battery management device 200 opens the relay 300 and can diagnose the overcharge current or the overdischarge current detection function.

[0075] The battery management device 200 can diagnose the overcharge current detection function. To diagnose the overcharge current detection function, the controller 233 can generate a plurality of control signals Scmd1 and Scmd2, short - circuit the first switch SW1, and open the second switch SW2. When the first switch SW1 is short - circuited, the voltage of the battery module 100 may be distributed by the shunt resistor 210, the first resistor R1, and the second resistor R2, and the voltage distributed to the second node N2 may be applied. However, the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 may be very small compared to the voltage applied to the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2. When the second switch SW2 is open, the voltage of the battery module 100 may be applied to the fourth node N4.

[0076] As described above, the magnitudes of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 may be set such that the difference between the voltage applied to the second node N2 and the voltage of the battery module 100 corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210. The voltage applied to the second node N2 and the voltage applied to the fourth node N4 may be input to the amplifier 231. The amplifier 231 may amplify the difference between the voltage applied to the second node N2 and the voltage applied to the fourth node N4, and the amplified voltage may be input to the comparator 232. The comparator 232 may compare the magnitude of the amplified voltage with a first reference value. The output of the comparator 232 is input to the controller 233, and the controller 233 can determine whether a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 based on the output of the comparator 232.

[0077] That is, since the difference between the voltage applied to the second node N2 and the voltage applied to the fourth node N4 corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210, the battery management device 200 can diagnose the operation of the charging overcurrent detection function in a state where no charging overcurrent directly flows through the shunt resistor 210.

[0078] Also, the battery management device 200 can diagnose the discharge overcurrent detection function. To diagnose the discharge overcurrent detection function, the controller 233 can generate a plurality of control signals Scmd1 and Scmd2 to open the first switch SW1 and short-circuit the second switch SW2. While the second switch SW2 is short-circuited, the voltage of the battery module 100 may be divided by the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4, and the voltage divided and applied to the fourth node N4 may be applied. While the first switch SW1 is open, the voltage of the battery module 100 may be applied to the second node N2.

[0079] As described above, the magnitudes of the third resistor R3 and the fourth resistor R4 may be set such that the difference between the voltage applied to the fourth node N4 and the voltage of the battery module 100 corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210. The voltage applied to the second node N2 and the voltage applied to the fourth node N4 may be input to the amplifier 231. The amplifier 231 may amplify the difference between the voltage applied to the second node N2 and the voltage applied to the fourth node N4. The amplified voltage may be input to the comparator 232 and compared with a second reference value. The output of the comparator 232 is input to the controller 233, and the controller 233 can determine whether a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210 based on the output of the comparator 232.

[0080] That is, since the difference between the voltage applied to the second node N2 and the voltage applied to the fourth node N4 corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor 210 when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor 210, the battery management device 200 can diagnose the operation of the discharge overcurrent detection function in a state where no discharge overcurrent directly flows through the shunt resistor 210.

[0081] As described above, the battery management device 200 can diagnose the operation of the charge overcurrent or discharge overcurrent detection function in a state where no charge overcurrent or discharge overcurrent directly flows through the shunt resistor 210. Therefore, the battery management device 200 can confirm the integrity of the overcurrent detection function.

[0082] The above description merely exemplarily explains the technical idea disclosed in this document. A person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong can make various modifications and deformations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0083] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this document are for the purpose of illustration rather than for limiting the technical ideas disclosed in this document, and the scope of the technical ideas disclosed in this document is not limited by such embodiments. The protection scope of the technical ideas disclosed in this document shall be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope shall be construed as being included within the scope of rights of this document. [Item 1] A shunt resistor connected to a battery, and a voltage generation unit that generates a first output value and a second output value having a difference corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor, wherein the difference between the first output value and the second output value is a battery management device corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcharge current or a overdischarge current flows through the shunt resistor. [Item 2] The voltage generation unit is the battery management device according to Item 1, which generates the first output value and the second output value in a state where the overcharge current or the overdischarge current does not flow through the shunt resistor. [Item 3] The voltage generation unit is the battery management device according to Item 1 or 2, which generates the first output value that is the difference value between the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor and the voltage of the battery when an overcharge current flows through the shunt resistor, and generates the second output value that is the same value as the voltage of the battery. [Item 4] The voltage generation unit is the battery management device according to any one of Items 1 to 3, which generates the first output value that is the same value as the voltage of the battery, and generates the second output value that is the difference value between the voltage applied to the shunt resistor and the voltage of the battery when an overdischarge current flows through the shunt resistor. [Item 5] a determination unit that receives the first output value and the second output value and determines whether an overcharge current or an overdischarge current flows through the shunt resistor, The battery management device according to any one of Items 1 to 4, further comprising [Item 6] The determination unit includes an amplifier that receives and amplifies the first output value and the second output value, a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier with a reference value, a controller that determines whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor based on the output of the amplifier or the comparator. The battery management device according to Item 5 [Item 7] The voltage generation unit includes a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches, wherein the plurality of switches includes any one of an NPN-type BJT, a PNP-type BJT, and a MOSFET. The battery management device according to any one of Items 1 to 6 [Item 8] a shunt resistor connected to the battery, a first resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a first node, a second resistor connected to the first resistor at a second node, a third resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a third node, a fourth resistor connected to the third resistor at a fourth node, a first switch connected to the second resistor, a second switch connected to the fourth resistor, a determination unit that receives the voltage of the second node and the voltage of the fourth node and determines whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor. A battery management device [Item 9] The determination unit includes an amplifier that receives the voltage of the second node and the voltage of the fourth node and amplifies the difference therebetween, a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier with a reference value, a controller that determines whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor based on the output of the amplifier or the comparator. The battery management device according to Item 8 [Item 10] The controller controls the first switch and the second switch, and for detecting overcharge current, short - circuits the first switch and opens the second switch, The battery management device according to item 9, wherein for detecting over - discharge current, the second switch is short - circuited and the first switch is opened. [Item 11] The controller opens both the first switch and the second switch when the battery is in a charging or discharging state. The battery management device according to item 9 or 10. [Item 12] further includes a relay connected to the shunt resistor, the relay is controlled according to a control signal of the controller, The controller opens the relay when the first switch or the second switch is short - circuited. The battery management device according to any one of items 9 to 11. [Item 13] The first switch and the second switch include any one of a PNP - type BJT, an NPN - type BJT, and a MOSFET. The battery management device according to any one of items 8 to 12. [Item 14] The magnitudes of the first resistor and the second resistor are set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage at the second node and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when over - current flows during the charging process of the battery, The magnitudes of the third resistor and the fourth resistor are set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage at the fourth node and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when over - current flows during the discharging process of the battery. The battery management device according to any one of items 8 to 13.

Claims

1. A voltage generation device that is connected to a shunt resistor connected to a battery and outputs a voltage for determining whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor, a first circuit including a first resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a first node and a third resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a third node, and a second circuit connected to the first circuit, wherein the voltage generation device outputs an output value of the second circuit to a determination device for determining whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

2. The second circuit includes a second resistor connected to the first resistor at a second node, a fourth resistor connected to the third resistor at a fourth node, a first switch connected to the second resistor, and a second switch connected to the fourth resistor, wherein the first switch and the second switch include any one of a PNP type BJT, an NPN type BJT, and a MOSFET. The voltage generation device according to claim 1.

3. The magnitudes of the first resistor and the second resistor are set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage at the second node and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcurrent flows during the charging process of the battery, and the magnitudes of the third resistor and the fourth resistor are set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage at the fourth node and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcurrent flows during the discharging process of the battery. The voltage generation device according to claim 2.

4. At least one of the first resistor, the second resistor, the third resistor, and the fourth resistor is composed of a plurality of resistors. The voltage generation device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A battery management device comprising the voltage generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the shunt resistor, and the determination device.

6. A battery management method using the voltage generation device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, the step of short-circuiting the first switch and opening the second switch, and the step of opening the first switch and short-circuiting the second switch. A battery management method comprising these steps.

Images