Battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery pack that includes a BMS that communicates wirelessly, and enables stable BMS operation without communication quality being affected by antenna sensitivity.SOLUTION: A battery pack 100 including at least one battery module is provided. The battery pack includes a module BMS 140, 150, 160, 170 that monitors the battery module, a main BMS 130 that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the module BMS 140, 150, 160, 170 via wireless communication, and a signal reflection unit 110 that reflects the wireless signals transmitted and received between the module BMS 140, 150, 160, 170 and the main BMS 130 in the direction of the module BMS or the direction of the main BMS 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack including a BMS that communicates wirelessly. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which are not rechargeable, secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders, while high-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as motor drive power sources and power storage batteries in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and the like. Such secondary batteries include an electrode assembly consisting of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a case for accommodating the electrode assembly, and electrode terminals connected to the electrode assembly.

[0003] Wireless BMS (Battery Management System) technology is gaining attention when constructing battery packs for electric vehicles that include such secondary batteries. Wireless BMS has the advantage of eliminating the need for cables for inter-module communication. However, while replacing wired communication with wireless communication, communication quality is inevitably affected by antenna sensitivity in receiving or transmitting situations. Poor communication quality ultimately makes stable BMS operation difficult.

[0004] The above-mentioned information disclosed in the background of the invention is intended to enhance understanding of the background of the invention only, and may therefore include information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack including a BMS that communicates wirelessly.

[0006] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, there is provided a battery pack including at least one battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack including: a module BMS that monitors the battery module; a main BMS that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the module BMS via wireless communication; and a signal reflector that reflects the wireless signals transmitted and received between the module BMS and the main BMS in the direction of the module BMS or in the direction of the main BMS.

[0008] According to one example, the main BMS may include a main BMS antenna unit that transmits and receives radio signals to and from the module BMS.

[0009] According to another example, the signal reflecting portion may have a structure having a parabolic curved surface.

[0010] According to yet another example, the signal reflector may be located at a distance equal to the focal length of the parabolic surface from the main BMS antenna unit of the main BMS, and the main BMS antenna unit may be positioned at the focus of the parabolic surface.

[0011] According to yet another example, the signal reflector may have a structure that reflects a radio signal transmitted from the main BMS antenna toward the module BMS antenna.

[0012] According to yet another example, the signal reflector may have a structure that reflects a radio signal transmitted from the module BMS antenna toward the main BMS antenna.

[0013] According to yet another example, the signal reflector may have a structure in which a surface facing the main BMS antenna is plated with a conductive metal.

[0014] According to yet another example, the signal reflector may have a structure in which the focal length of the parabolic curved surface is preset based on the positions of the main BMS antenna unit and the module BMS antenna unit.

[0015] According to yet another example, the signal reflector may have a structure in which the focal length of the parabolic curved surface is preset so that the radio signal transmitted from the main BMS antenna is reflected and directed toward the module BMS antenna. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, in a battery pack including a BMS that performs wireless communication, reception or sensitivity of an antenna provided in the BMS can be efficiently improved.

[0017] However, the effects obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention to be given later, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters shown in such drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a view schematically illustrating a vehicle body including a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure in which a radio signal is reflected by a signal reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4]4 is a diagram illustrating a focal length of a parabolic curved surface of a signal reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and phrases used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his or her invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of filing this application. Furthermore, when used in this specification, the words "comprise," "include," and / or "comprising," "including," specify the presence of a stated shape, number, step, operation, member, element, and / or group thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, members, elements, and / or groups. Furthermore, when describing an embodiment of the present invention, the words "may" and "may also" may include "one or more embodiments of the present invention."

[0020] In addition, to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated. Furthermore, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same components in different embodiments.

[0021] A statement that two comparison objects are "identical" means that they are "substantially identical." Therefore, "substantially identical" may include deviations that are considered low in the art, for example, deviations within 5%. Furthermore, "uniformity of a parameter in a given region" means uniformity on average.

[0022] Even if terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various elements, it goes without saying that these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another, and it goes without saying that a first element is also a second element unless otherwise specified.

[0023] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated to the contrary, each element may be singular or plural.

[0024] When a structure is placed "on top (or bottom)" of a component or "above (or below)" a component, it may mean that the structure is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the component, and that other structures may be interposed between the component and the structure placed above (or below) the component.

[0025] Furthermore, when a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly coupled or connected to each other, or that other components may be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" via other components. Furthermore, when a component is said to be electrically coupled to another component, this includes not only a direct coupling, but also a coupling via an intermediate element.

[0026] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B, unless specifically stated to the contrary. That is, "and / or" includes all or any combination of the listed items. "C through D" means at least C and at most D, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a signal reflector 110, a main BMS 130, module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190, a main BMS antenna unit 135, and module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195.

[0029] A battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one battery module and a pack housing having an accommodation space for accommodating the at least one battery module. The battery module may include a plurality of battery cells and a module housing. The battery cells may be stacked and accommodated inside the module housing. The battery cells may include positive and negative electrode leads. The battery cells may be circular, rectangular, or pouch-type battery cells depending on the battery shape.

[0030] The battery module includes at least one battery cell, which is also a rechargeable secondary battery, and may include, for example, at least one selected from the group consisting of a nickel-cadmium battery, a lead-acid battery, a nickel metal hydride battery (NiMH), a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, etc.

[0031] The number and connection method of battery cells included in a battery module may be determined based on the amount of power and voltage required for the battery pack 100. For example, the battery cells may be connected in parallel or in series and parallel. The battery pack 100 may include multiple battery modules connected in series, parallel, or series and parallel. A battery module may include only one battery cell.

[0032] A battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a main BMS 130 and module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190. The main BMS 130 and the module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 may represent a battery management system (BMS) for managing the battery pack and the battery modules. For example, the battery management system may include a detection device, a balancing device, and a control device. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 may monitor each battery module. For example, first module BMS 140 may monitor the first battery module, second module BMS 150 may monitor the second battery module, third module BMS 160 may monitor the third battery module, fourth module BMS 170 may monitor the fourth battery module, fifth module BMS 180 may monitor the fifth battery module, and sixth module BMS 190 may monitor the sixth battery module. Main BMS 130 may manage battery pack 100. Main BMS 130 and module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 may transmit and receive wireless signals to and from each other via wireless communication.

[0033] The detection device may sense the battery status (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) and detect status information indicating the battery status. The detection device may detect the voltage of each cell or each battery module constituting the battery. The detection device may also detect the current flowing through each battery module constituting the battery module or battery pack. The detection device may detect the cell and / or module and / or ambient temperature at at least one point of the battery.

[0034] The balancing device may perform a balancing operation on battery modules and / or cells that constitute a battery.

[0035] The control device may receive status information (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) of the battery module from the detection device. The control device may monitor and calculate the status (voltage, current, temperature, state of charge (SOC), state of health (SOH), etc.) of the battery module based on the status information received from the detection device. The control device may also perform control functions (e.g., temperature control, balancing control, charge / discharge control, etc.) and protection functions (e.g., over-discharge, over-charge, over-current prevention, short circuit, fire extinguishing function, etc.) based on the status monitoring results. The control device may also perform wired or wireless communication with an external device of the battery pack (e.g., a host controller, a vehicle, a charger, a PCS, etc.). The control device may also control the charging / discharging and protection operations of the battery. To this end, the control device may include a charging / discharging control unit, a balancing control unit, and a protection unit.

[0036] The battery management system is a system that monitors the battery status and performs diagnostic and control, communication, and protection functions, and can calculate the charge / discharge status, calculate the battery life or state of health (SOH), cut off battery power (relay control) as needed, control thermal management (cooling, heating, etc.), perform high-voltage interlock functions, and detect or calculate insulation and short-circuit conditions.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the main BMS 130 may include a main BMS antenna unit 135. Furthermore, the module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 may include module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195, respectively. For example, the main BMS antenna unit 135 and the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195 may represent antenna devices that perform wireless communication. For example, the main BMS 130 and the module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 may transmit and receive wireless signals to and from each other via wireless communication using the main BMS antenna unit 135 and the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195. For example, the antenna devices and the wireless communication method may be performed using known devices and methods.

[0038] The battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a signal reflector 110. For example, the signal reflector 110 may be a structure having a surface facing an antenna that radiates a wireless signal plated with a conductive metal to reflect the wireless signal. For example, the signal reflector 110 may be a structure that reflects a wireless signal transmitted and received between the module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 and the main BMS 130 in the direction of the module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 or in the direction of the main BMS 130.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a vehicle body equipped with a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] 2, a structure in which a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided under a vehicle body is schematically illustrated. For example, the battery pack 100 may include six battery modules. For example, the six battery modules may be electrically connected to each other in a series / parallel or series-parallel mixed configuration. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2, module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 may be provided in each battery module. Also, each module BMS 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190 may include module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195 that transmit and receive wireless signals to and from the main BMS 130. The main BMS 130 may also include a main BMS antenna unit 135 that transmits and receives radio signals to and from the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195 of each of the module BMSs 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, and 190.

[0041] The signal reflector 110 may also be a structure having a parabolic curved surface. For example, the signal reflector 110 may be a structure in which the surface facing the main BMS antenna unit 135 or the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195 has a parabolic curved surface, and the parabolic curved surface is plated with a conductive metal.

[0042] 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure in which a radio signal is reflected by a signal reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a focal length of a parabolic curved surface of the signal reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to Figures 2 to 4 together, the signal reflector 110 according to one embodiment of the present invention may have a structure that borrows the parabolic curved structure of a parabolic antenna, which is a satellite antenna, to improve the directivity of a radio signal and increase sensitivity when the main BMS antenna unit 135 of the main BMS 130 receives or transmits a radio signal.

[0044] 3 and 4, the signal reflector 110 may be arranged such that the main BMS antenna unit 135 is located at the focal point F of the signal reflector 110. For example, the signal reflector 110 may be located at a focal distance a of the parabolic curve from the main BMS antenna unit 135 of the main BMS 130, and the main BMS antenna unit 135 may be arranged such that it is located at the focal point F of the parabolic curve. For example, the curvature of the parabolic curve of the signal reflector 110 may be calculated and set in advance.

[0045] The signal reflector 110 may have a structure that reflects a radio signal transmitted from the main BMS antenna unit 135 in the direction of the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195. The signal reflector 110 may also have a structure that reflects a radio signal transmitted from the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195 in the direction of the main BMS antenna unit 135. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a radio signal transmitted from the main BMS antenna unit 135 located at the focal point F may be reflected at reflection points P1, P2, and P3 of the signal reflector 110 and propagate in directions Q1, Q2, and Q3 of the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195. For example, the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195 may be arranged in directions Q1, Q2, and Q3 in which the radio signals are reflected by the reflection points P1, P2, and P3.

[0046] The signal reflecting unit 110 is also a structure in which the surface facing the main BMS antenna unit 135 is plated with a conductive metal. The signal reflecting unit 110 according to the present invention functions as a radio signal reflector by plating the inner surface of the semicircular shape with a conductive metal, and can improve the directionality of the radio signal in the direction of the main BMS antenna unit 135 or the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195, thereby increasing the sensitivity of receiving or transmitting the radio signal.

[0047] The signal reflector 110 is also a structure in which the focal length of the parabolic curved surface is predetermined based on the positions of the main BMS antenna unit 135 and the modular BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195.

[0048] The signal reflector 110 is also a structure with a predetermined focal length of a parabolic curved surface so that the radio signal transmitted from the main BMS antenna unit 135 is reflected and directed toward the module BMS antenna units 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, and 195.

[0049] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the main BMS antenna unit 135 may be disposed at the focal point F of the parabolic curved surface of the signal reflector 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] The curvature of the parabolic curved surface of the signal reflecting unit 110 can be calculated by the following formula.

[0051] a = (D × D) / (16 × c) Here, a may represent the focal length of the signal reflecting portion 110, c may represent the depth of the signal reflecting portion 110, and D may represent the width of the signal reflecting portion 110.

[0052] For example, in a signal reflector 110 where D is 10 cm and c is 1 cm, the position of the main BMS antenna section 135 must be placed at a focal distance of 6.25 cm from the center of the signal reflector 110.

[0053] According to the present invention, the sensitivity of an antenna that receives or transmits data in a wireless BMS can be improved through a signal reflector provided in the wireless BMS.

[0054] The signal reflector according to the present invention is a structure that can improve wireless sensitivity by increasing the directivity of a signal in a desired direction when receiving or transmitting wireless signals through the antenna by performing metal plating on the surface that makes the antenna appear semicircular. The principle of a parabolic antenna having a parabolic curved surface can be applied to a wireless BMS to improve the performance of the wireless antenna.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims.

[0056] The various embodiments described above may also be embodied in the form of a computer program executable by various components on a computer, and such a computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. In this case, the medium may continuously store a computer-executable program or temporarily store it for execution or download. The medium may also be various recording or storage means in the form of a single piece of hardware or multiple pieces of hardware combined together. The medium is not limited to a medium directly connected to a specific computer system but may also be distributed over a network. Examples of media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like, configured to store program instructions. Other examples of media include recording or storage media managed by app stores that distribute applications, or by websites or servers that provide or distribute various software.

[0057] In this specification, the terms "module," "module," etc. may refer to a hardware component such as a processor or a circuit, and / or a software component executed by a hardware component such as a processor. For example, a "module," "module," etc. may be embodied by a component such as a software component, an object-oriented software component, a class component, or a task component, as well as a process, a function, an attribute, a procedure, a subroutine, a program code segment, a driver, firmware, microcode, a circuit, data, a database, a data structure, a table, an array, and a variable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 100 Battery Pack 110 Signal reflector 130 Main BMS 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190 Module BMS 135 Main BMS antenna section 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195 Module BMS antenna part

Claims

1. A battery pack including at least one battery module, a module BMS that monitors the battery module; a main BMS that transmits and receives wireless signals to and from the module BMS via wireless communication; a signal reflector that reflects the wireless signal transmitted and received between the module BMS and the main BMS in a direction toward the module BMS or in a direction toward the main BMS.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the module BMS includes a module BMS antenna unit that transmits and receives radio signals to and from the main BMS.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the main BMS includes a main BMS antenna unit that transmits and receives radio signals to and from the module BMS.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the signal reflecting portion has a structure having a parabolic curved surface.

5. 5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the signal reflecting unit is located at a distance from the main BMS antenna unit of the main BMS by a focal length of the parabolic curved surface, and the main BMS antenna unit is positioned at a focal point of the parabolic curved surface.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the signal reflecting unit has a structure that reflects the radio signal transmitted from the main BMS antenna unit toward the module BMS antenna unit.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the signal reflecting portion has a structure that reflects the radio signal transmitted from the module BMS antenna portion toward the main BMS antenna portion.

8. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the signal reflecting portion has a surface facing the main BMS antenna portion plated with a conductive metal.

9. 6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the signal reflecting unit has a structure in which a focal length of the parabolic curved surface is preset based on positions of the main BMS antenna unit and the module BMS antenna unit.

10. 10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the signal reflecting unit has a structure in which a focal length of the parabolic curved surface is preset so that a radio signal transmitted from the main BMS antenna unit is reflected and directed toward the module BMS antenna unit.

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