Battery pairing device and method

Abstract

A battery pairing device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit configured to receive battery information regarding a plurality of batteries; an index value determination unit configured to determine index values ​​of a plurality of performance indexes for the plurality of batteries based on the battery information; and a battery determination unit configured to compare the determined index values ​​for the plurality of batteries and pair corresponding batteries among the plurality of batteries based on a comparison result.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0111915 filed on September 5, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0117288 filed on September 4, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pairing apparatus and method, and more particularly to a battery pairing apparatus and method for pairing corresponding batteries among a plurality of batteries applied to a battery swapping station (BSS). [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has grown rapidly, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. has progressed in earnest. As a result, research into high-performance secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is being actively conducted.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention for their advantages of being freely chargeable and dischargeable since they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, as well as their extremely low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0005] With the commercialization of electric vehicles, the demand for large-capacity, high-performance batteries is increasing. However, as the capacity of the battery increases, the time required to charge the battery also increases, which is a drawback that has become apparent. To solve this problem, technologies for rapid charging of batteries have been developed, but there are concerns that rapid charging may accelerate battery deterioration.

[0006] To solve these problems, battery swapping stations have been introduced recently. By swapping used batteries from electric vehicles and other devices with spare batteries at battery swapping stations, users can quickly use batteries that have been charged to a certain level (e.g., fully charged batteries).

[0007] On the other hand, some devices may require multiple spare batteries. If the selected spare batteries have different states (e.g., state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH), etc.), the output and capacity that can be obtained from the spare batteries is limited. Therefore, there is a need for a method to pair batteries with similar states to provide the best efficiency. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pairing device and method that can improve the efficiency of battery use and management by pairing and providing corresponding batteries.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will become more apparent from the embodiments of the present invention. Also, the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A battery pairing device according to one aspect of the present invention may include a communication unit configured to receive battery information regarding a plurality of batteries; an index value determination unit configured to determine index values ​​of a plurality of preset performance indexes for each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information; and a battery determination unit configured to compare the determined index values ​​for the plurality of batteries and pair corresponding batteries among the plurality of batteries based on the comparison result.

[0011] The battery determination unit may be configured to compare index values ​​of the plurality of batteries according to a preset priority order for the plurality of performance indexes, and pair corresponding batteries among the plurality of batteries.

[0012] The battery determination unit may be configured to preferentially compare a plurality of index values ​​of the high priority performance indexes.

[0013] The battery determination unit may be configured to calculate a difference in SOH between the paired batteries, and release the pairing of the paired batteries when the calculated difference in SOH is equal to or greater than a preset threshold.

[0014] The battery determination unit may be configured to determine a plurality of non-paired batteries from among the plurality of batteries from which the pairing has been released, compare the plurality of index values ​​for the plurality of non-paired batteries, and pair corresponding batteries among the non-paired batteries based on a comparison result.

[0015] The plurality of performance indicators may be configured to include at least one of a state of charge (SOC), a state of health (SOH), a unit charge capacity, and a degradation rate.

[0016] The index value determination unit may be configured to calculate a cumulative SOC and a cumulative charge capacity of each of the plurality of batteries from the battery information, and to calculate the unit charge capacity based on the cumulative SOC and the cumulative charge capacity.

[0017] The index value determination unit may be configured to calculate a charge capacity per SOC for each preset unit period, and calculate an average value of the charge capacity per SOC in a preset reference period to calculate the unit charge capacity.

[0018] The index value determination unit may be configured to calculate the SOH change and accumulated usage of each of the multiple batteries from the battery information, and to calculate the deterioration rate of each of the multiple batteries based on the SOH change and the accumulated usage.

[0019] A battery exchange station according to another aspect of the invention may include a battery pairing device according to an aspect of the invention.

[0020] A server according to yet another aspect of the present invention may include a battery pairing device according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0021] A battery pairing method according to yet another aspect of the present invention may include a battery information receiving step of receiving battery information regarding a plurality of batteries; an index value determining step of determining index values ​​of a plurality of performance indexes for the plurality of batteries based on the battery information; an index value comparing step of comparing the plurality of index values ​​determined for the plurality of batteries; and a pairing step of pairing corresponding batteries among the plurality of batteries based on the comparison result. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery pairing device advantageously compares multiple batteries based on various performance indicators, thereby pairing batteries that are most similar in battery performance and battery efficiency.

[0023] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0024] The following drawings attached to this specification are intended to facilitate a further understanding of the technical ideas of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention described below, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery pairing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates several performance metrics according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a battery information table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a pairing information table according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which multiple batteries are paired according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which multiple batteries are paired according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which multiple batteries are paired according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which multiple batteries are paired according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which multiple batteries are paired according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a server according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram illustrating a battery pairing method according to still another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The terms and words used in this specification and the claims are not to be interpreted limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but are to be interpreted in a meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of ​​the present invention in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term himself / herself in order to explain the invention in the best possible way.

[0027] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor at the time of this application.

[0028] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is recognized that a specific description of known technology related to the present invention may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0029] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one of various components from other components, and such terms are not intended to limit the components.

[0030] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements, not excluding other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0031] In addition, throughout this specification, when it is said that a part is "connected (coupled)" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected (coupled)" to another part, but also the case where it is "indirectly connected (coupled)" via another element in between.

[0032] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery pairing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1 , the battery pairing device 100 may include a communication unit 110, an index value determination unit 120, and a battery determination unit 130.

[0035] The communication unit 110 may be configured to receive battery information regarding a plurality of batteries.

[0036] Here, the term "battery" refers to an independent cell that has a negative terminal and a positive terminal and can be physically separated. As an example, a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery may be considered as a battery. A battery may also refer to a battery bank, a battery module, or a battery pack in which a plurality of cells are connected in series and / or parallel.

[0037] Specifically, the communication unit 110 may receive battery information regarding a plurality of batteries from an external source. For example, the communication unit 110 may receive, as the battery information, status information regarding at least one of the voltage, current, capacity, resistance, temperature, state of charge (SOC), and state of health (SOH, deterioration state) regarding the plurality of batteries, and usage information regarding the usage pattern.

[0038] The index value determiner 120 may be configured to determine, based on the battery information, index values ​​of a plurality of pre-defined performance indicators for each of the plurality of batteries.

[0039] Specifically, the index value determining unit 120 may use the battery information received by the communication unit 110 to determine index values ​​of a plurality of performance indexes for each of a plurality of batteries.

[0040] For example, the performance indexes may be configured to include at least one of a state of charge (SOC), a state of health (SOH), a unit charge capacity, and a deterioration rate. Here, the unit charge capacity is an index related to a charge capacity required to increase the SOC of the battery by a preset reference SOC. The deterioration rate is an index indicating the degree of deterioration of the battery per unit dose.

[0041] Hereinafter, a number of performance indicators will be described based on the embodiment of FIG. 2. However, it should be noted that the performance indicators that can be compared to pair multiple batteries are not limited to the embodiment of FIG.

[0042] 2 is a diagram illustrating a number of performance indexes according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the number of performance indexes may include SOC, SOH, unit charge capacity, and deterioration rate.

[0043] The battery determiner 130 may be configured to compare multiple index values ​​determined for multiple batteries.

[0044] Specifically, the battery determination unit 130 may compare index values ​​of a plurality of batteries with each other for each performance index. More specifically, the battery determination unit 130 may distinguish between similar index values ​​among the plurality of index values ​​for each of the plurality of performance indexes.

[0045] For example, assuming that the battery determination unit 130 pairs two batteries, the battery determination unit 130 may distinguish between two index values ​​with the smallest difference among the multiple index values. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the battery determination unit 130 may check the SOC of the multiple batteries and distinguish between two SOCs that are most adjacent among the multiple SOCs. In addition, the battery determination unit 130 may check the SOH of the multiple batteries and distinguish between two SOHs that are most adjacent among the multiple SOHs. Furthermore, the battery determination unit 130 may check the unit charge capacities of the multiple batteries and distinguish between two unit charge capacities that are most adjacent among the multiple unit charge capacities. Finally, the battery determination unit 130 may check the deterioration rates of the multiple batteries and distinguish between two deterioration rates that are most adjacent among the multiple deterioration rates.

[0046] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to pair corresponding batteries among the multiple batteries based on the comparison result.

[0047] Specifically, the battery determination unit 130 may pair the most similar batteries among the multiple batteries, taking into consideration the comparison result of the index values. For example, the battery determination unit 130 may pair corresponding batteries among the multiple batteries based on whether the index values ​​of the multiple performance indexes are similar. Therefore, among the multiple batteries, the batteries that are most similar overall in the index values ​​of the multiple performance indexes may be paired.

[0048] For example, in the embodiment of Fig. 2, among the plurality of batteries, batteries having the most similar SOC, SOH, unit charge capacity, and deterioration rate overall may be paired together. In other words, the paired batteries may be the batteries having the most similar battery performance and battery efficiency among the plurality of batteries.

[0049] In other words, the battery pairing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being able to pair batteries that are most similar in battery performance and battery efficiency by comparing multiple batteries based on various performance indicators.

[0050] The battery pairing device 100 may further include a storage unit 140. The storage unit 140 may store data and programs necessary for each component of the battery pairing device 100 to execute operations and functions, or data generated in the process of executing operations and functions. The type of the storage unit 140 is not particularly limited as long as it is a known information storage means capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. Examples of the information storage means include RAM, flash memory, ROM, EEPROM, and registers. The storage unit 140 may also store program code that defines a process that can be executed by the control unit.

[0051] For example, the storage unit 140 may store battery information regarding a plurality of batteries, and may store a plurality of index values ​​determined by the index value determination unit 120 for each performance index.

[0052] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery information table BT according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a pairing information table PT according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] After pairing corresponding batteries among the multiple batteries, the battery determination unit 130 may generate or record a battery information table BT and a pairing information table PT.

[0054] Specifically, the battery information table BT is a table in which information on each of a plurality of batteries is recorded. The battery information table BT may include a battery ID, a pair ID, and status information. That is, a primary key of the battery information table BT is the battery ID. The pair ID is information that can identify a paired battery, and the paired batteries may have the same pair ID. The battery information may include individual information on each battery. For example, the battery determination unit 130 may record the battery information received by the communication unit 110 in the battery information table BT.

[0055] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the battery ID of the first battery is B1 and the pair ID is P1. The battery ID of the second battery is B2 and the pair ID is P2. That is, the first battery and the second battery are paired batteries. The battery ID of the third battery is B3 and the pair ID is P3. The battery ID of the fourth battery is B4 and the pair ID is P4. That is, the third battery and the fourth battery are paired batteries.

[0056] The pairing information table PT is a table in which a plurality of pieces of pairing information are recorded. The pairing information table PT may include a pair ID and pairing information. That is, the basic key of the pairing information table PT is the pair ID. The pairing information may include common information regarding the paired battery. Preferably, the pairing information may include common information after the paired battery is paired with the pair ID. For example, the pairing information may include information of the battery exchange station including the paired battery, charging C rate information, charging time information, usage time information, used vehicle information, mileage information, GPS location information, and battery exchange count information. For example, the battery determination unit 130 may check the usage history of the paired battery and record the pairing information in the pairing information table PT.

[0057] For example, in the embodiment of Fig. 4, the pair ID of the first pair is P1 and the pair ID of the second pair is P2. Referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, since the pair ID is a foreign key in the battery information table BT, it is possible to check the pair ID, battery information, and pairing information for each battery via the battery information table BT and the pairing information table PT.

[0058] Here, since the pairing information is common to paired batteries, if the pairing information is recorded for each battery, the pairing information may be recorded in duplicate for the number of paired batteries. That is, the duplicated recording of the same information may result in inefficient use of system resources. Therefore, the battery pairing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an advantage that it is possible to improve management efficiency for a plurality of batteries and efficiently save system resources required for storing information by managing the pairing information, which is common to paired batteries, in a separate table.

[0059] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to compare index values ​​of the multiple batteries according to a preset priority order for the multiple performance indexes, and pair corresponding batteries among the multiple batteries based on the comparison result.

[0060] Specifically, a priority order may be set in advance for a plurality of performance indexes. Here, the priority order may be set according to the order of performance indexes to be considered for pairing batteries having substantially the same performance efficiency. That is, the priority order may be set to a performance index that is considered first when comparing the performance efficiencies of batteries.

[0061] In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the priorities may be set in the order of SOC, SOH, unit charge capacity, and deterioration rate, i.e., when comparing the performance efficiencies of multiple batteries, SOC is the most important index, SOH is the next most important index, and deterioration rate is the last index to be considered.

[0062] For example, batteries with a difference in SOC of 1% or less may be first considered as candidates for pairing. Then, batteries with a difference in SOH of 1% or less may be considered as candidates for pairing. Next, batteries with a difference in unit charge capacity of 10% or less may be considered as candidates for pairing. Finally, batteries with a difference in degradation rate of 10% or less may be considered as candidates for pairing.

[0063] Preferably, the battery determination unit 130 may be configured to preferentially compare multiple index values ​​for a performance index with a high priority order, i.e., a comparison result of index values ​​of a performance index with a high priority order may have a greater effect on battery pairing than a comparison result of index values ​​of a performance index with a low priority order.

[0064] For example, in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the battery determination unit 130 may pair corresponding batteries by considering the SOC comparison result, the SOH comparison result, the unit charge capacity comparison result, and the deterioration rate comparison result of the plurality of batteries in this order. For example, in consideration of the priority order for each performance index according to the embodiment of Fig. 2, among the plurality of batteries, batteries having similar SOC and SOH but different deterioration rates may be paired.

[0065] The above describes the priorities set for multiple performance indexes based on the embodiment of Figure 2. However, it should be noted that the multiple performance indexes and the priorities for each performance index are not limited to the embodiment of Figure 2.

[0066] An embodiment in which a plurality of batteries are paired according to a preset priority order for a plurality of performance indexes will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Figures 5 to 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating an embodiment in which a plurality of batteries are paired according to the present invention.

[0067] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a plurality of batteries. Referring to Fig. 5, first to twelfth batteries B12 may be deployed. First, the battery determination unit 130 may compare the index values ​​of the first performance index with the highest priority order for the first to twelfth batteries B12.

[0068] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a result of the battery determination unit 130 comparing index values ​​of the first performance indexes of a plurality of batteries. Referring to Fig. 6, the battery determination unit 130 may classify the first to twelfth batteries B1 to B12 into group A and group B based on the result of comparing the index values ​​of the first performance indexes. Group A includes the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the fifth battery B5, the sixth battery B6, the ninth battery B9, and the tenth battery B10, and group B includes the third battery B3, the fourth battery B4, the seventh battery B7, the eighth battery B8, the eleventh battery B11, and the twelfth battery B12.

[0069] 7 is a diagram showing a result of the battery determination unit 130 comparing the index values ​​of the first and second performance indexes of a plurality of batteries. Referring to FIG. 7, the battery determination unit 130 may classify the first to twelfth batteries B1 to B12 into groups C, D, E, and F based on the result of comparing the index values ​​of the first and second performance indexes. Group C includes the first battery B1, the second battery B2, the fifth battery B5, and the sixth battery B6, group D includes the ninth battery B9 and the tenth battery B10, group E includes the third battery B3, the fourth battery B4, the seventh battery B7, and the eighth battery B8, and group F includes the eleventh battery B11 and the twelfth battery B12.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a result of the battery determination unit 130 comparing the index values ​​of the first to third performance indexes of a plurality of batteries. Referring to FIG. 8, the battery determination unit 130 may classify the first to twelfth batteries B1 to B12 into a D group, an F group, a G group, an H group, an I group, and a J group based on the result of comparing the index values ​​of the first to third performance indexes. The D group and the F group are as shown in FIG. 7. The G group includes the first battery B1 and the second battery B2, the H group includes the fifth battery B5 and the sixth battery B6, the I group includes the third battery B3 and the fourth battery B4, and the J group includes the seventh battery B7 and the eighth battery B8.

[0071] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a result of the battery determination unit 130 pairing a plurality of batteries. Referring to Fig. 9, the first battery B1 and the second battery B2 are paired, and the pair ID is P1. The third battery B3 and the fourth battery B4 are paired, and the pair ID is P2. The fifth battery B5 and the sixth battery B6 are paired, and the pair ID is P3. The seventh battery B7 and the eighth battery B8 are paired, and the pair ID is P4. The ninth battery B9 and the tenth battery B10 are paired, and the pair ID is P5. The eleventh battery B11 and the twelfth battery B12 are paired, and the pair ID is P6.

[0072] In the following, an embodiment in which the index value determining unit 120 calculates the unit charge capacity will be described.

[0073] The index value determination unit 120 may be configured to calculate the cumulative SOC and cumulative charge capacity of each of the batteries from the battery information. Specifically, the index value determination unit 120 may calculate the cumulative SOC and cumulative charge capacity of the batteries based on the state information and / or usage information included in the battery information. Here, the cumulative SOC refers to the total SOC [%] to which the battery has been charged up to the present. Also, the cumulative charge capacity refers to the total charge capacity [Ah] to which the battery has been charged up to the present.

[0074] In one embodiment, the index value determination unit 120 may be configured to calculate a unit charge capacity of each of the plurality of batteries based on the cumulative SOC and the cumulative charge capacity, i.e., the index value determination unit 120 may calculate a unit charge capacity of the battery during the entire usage period.

[0075] Specifically, the unit charge capacity is an index related to a charge capacity required to increase the SOC of the battery by a preset reference SOC. Preferably, the reference SOC may be preset to SOC 1%. That is, the unit charge capacity may mean a charge capacity required to increase the SOC of the battery by 1%. For example, the index value determination unit 120 may calculate the unit charge capacity based on a ratio of the accumulated charge capacity to the accumulated SOC. The index value determination unit 120 may calculate the unit charge capacity by calculating the formula "accumulated charge capacity ÷ accumulated SOC".

[0076] In another embodiment, the index value determining unit 120 may calculate the unit charge capacity of each of the multiple batteries based on the cumulative SOC and cumulative charge capacity for each unit period.

[0077] More specifically, the index value determination unit 120 may be configured to calculate the charge capacity per SOC for each preset unit period, and calculate the average value of the charge capacity per SOC in a preset reference period to calculate the unit charge capacity. For example, the index value determination unit 120 may calculate the unit charge capacity using the following Equation 1.

[0078]

number

[0079] where uCh is the unit charge capacity, Ch_i is the cumulative charge capacity in a unit period, SOC_i is the cumulative SOC in a unit period, and n is the reference period.

[0080] For example, assume that the reference period is 30 days. The index value determination unit 120 may calculate the charge capacity per SOC for each day. The index value determination unit 120 may then calculate the unit charge capacity by calculating the average value of the charge capacity per SOC for 30 days.

[0081] An embodiment in which the index value determining unit 120 calculates the deterioration rate will be described below.

[0082] The index value determining unit 120 may be configured to calculate the SOH change amount and the accumulated usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries from the battery information.

[0083] Here, the SOH change amount means the difference between the initial SOH and the current SOH, and the accumulated usage amount means the total usage amount of the battery up to the present time. For example, the accumulated usage amount may be the accumulated discharge amount Ah, the accumulated energy kWH, or the accumulated mileage Km up to the present time.

[0084] The index value determining unit 120 may be configured to calculate a deterioration rate of each of the plurality of batteries based on the SOH change amount and the accumulated usage amount.

[0085] Here, the deterioration rate may mean the degree of deterioration of the battery per unit usage. Specifically, the index value determination unit 120 may calculate the deterioration rate of each of the multiple batteries by calculating the ratio of the SOH change amount to the cumulative usage amount. For example, the index value determination unit 120 may calculate the deterioration rate using the following Equation 2.

[0086]

number

[0087] Here, uSOH is the deterioration rate, ΔSOH is the amount of SOH change, and U is the cumulative amount of use.

[0088] For example, the initial SOH of the battery is set as SOHi, and the current SOH is set as SOHc. The index value determination unit 120 may calculate the deterioration rate by calculating the formula "SOHi-SOHc÷U."

[0089] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to calculate a SOH difference between the paired batteries, and may be configured to cancel the pairing of the paired batteries when the calculated SOH difference is equal to or greater than a preset threshold.

[0090] Specifically, since paired batteries are used and charged together after pairing, theoretically, the paired batteries should be in substantially the same state. However, due to a malfunction of one of the paired batteries or a malfunction of the load, the SOH of the paired batteries may differ by more than a threshold in an actual usage environment. If the SOH differs by more than a threshold, the deterioration of the paired batteries is significantly different, and the batteries are forced to perform efficiently even when used together. Therefore, the battery determination unit 130 may cancel the pairing between batteries whose SOH difference is more than a threshold.

[0091] The battery determination unit 130 can be configured to determine a plurality of non-paired batteries from among the plurality of batteries that have been released from pairing, compare a plurality of index values ​​for the plurality of non-paired batteries, and pair corresponding batteries from among the non-paired batteries based on the comparison results.

[0092] Specifically, the battery determination unit 130 may re-pair the non-paired batteries by comparing the index values ​​of a plurality of performance indexes. That is, even if the pairing is released, there is a possibility that the battery may be paired with another battery, taking into consideration the current state. Therefore, in order to reuse the non-paired batteries, the battery determination unit 130 may re-pair the corresponding non-paired batteries by comparing the index values ​​of a plurality of performance indexes.

[0093] That is, the battery pairing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has an advantage in that it can improve the usage efficiency of the batteries by re-pairing the non-paired batteries that have been released from pairing.

[0094] The battery pairing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in a battery exchange station. The battery exchange station may include a measurement unit that measures the state of a deployed battery. For example, the measurement unit may measure the current, voltage, temperature, and resistance of the battery, and estimate the SOC and SOH of the battery based on the measurement results. The communication unit 110 may receive battery information regarding the plurality of batteries from the measurement unit. The index value determination unit 120 may determine index values ​​of a plurality of performance indexes for the plurality of batteries. The battery determination unit 130 may pair corresponding batteries among the plurality of batteries included in the battery exchange station based on the comparison result of the index values. Since the battery pairing device 100 is included in the battery exchange station, there is an advantage that the plurality of batteries included in the battery exchange station can be quickly paired.

[0095] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a server according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] 10, the server 1000 may include a battery management device. The server 1000 may be communicatively connected to one or more battery exchange stations. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, the server 1000 may be communicatively connected to first to third battery exchange stations BSS1, BSS2, and BSS3.

[0097] Each battery exchange station includes an input unit, a display unit, and a battery unit, and the battery unit may include a battery. Preferably, the battery included in the battery unit may be charged to a preset end-of-charge voltage. And, a battery having a SOC equal to or higher than the reference SOC may be a candidate battery that may be determined to be a target battery. The battery exchange station may periodically transmit battery information regarding the battery included in the battery unit to the server 1000.

[0098] The server 1000 may periodically receive battery information regarding a plurality of batteries from a plurality of battery exchange stations, and when a battery exchange request is input by a user, the server 1000 may determine an optimal battery from among the plurality of batteries as a target battery and provide information regarding the target battery to the user.

[0099] In one embodiment, the server 1000 may pair corresponding batteries among a plurality of batteries provided at each battery exchange station. That is, the server 1000 may pair batteries physically arranged in the same space, so that a user may immediately obtain the paired batteries. When the server 1000 receives a battery exchange request from a user, the server 1000 may provide the user with battery information and pairing information regarding the paired batteries. The user may check the battery information and pairing information and obtain the paired battery from the battery exchange station.

[0100] In another embodiment, the server 1000 may pair corresponding batteries among the plurality of batteries provided in the plurality of battery exchange stations. Preferably, the server 1000 may pair corresponding batteries among the plurality of batteries provided in adjacent battery exchange stations.

[0101] For example, if the paired batteries are installed in the same battery exchange station, the server 1000 may send the battery information and pairing information to the user in response to a battery exchange request, and the user can confirm the battery information and pairing information and secure the paired battery from the battery exchange station.

[0102] As another example, when the paired batteries are installed in other battery exchange stations, the server 1000 can provide the battery information and pairing information to a user or an administrator. The administrator can move one of the paired batteries to the battery exchange station where the other is installed based on the battery information and pairing information. The user can secure a battery corresponding to the pairing information received from each battery exchange station based on the battery information and pairing information.

[0103] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery pairing method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 11, the battery pairing method may include a battery information receiving step S100, an index value determining step S200, an index value comparing step S300, and a pairing step S400.

[0105] Preferably, each step of the battery pairing method may be performed by the battery pairing device 100. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the contents overlapping with those described above will be omitted or will be briefly described.

[0106] The battery information receiving step S100 is a step of receiving battery information regarding a plurality of batteries, and may be performed by the communication unit 110.

[0107] For example, the communication unit 110 may be communicatively coupled to one or more battery exchange stations and may receive battery information from the battery exchange stations regarding batteries installed in the battery exchange stations.

[0108] The index value determining step S200 is a step of determining index values ​​of a plurality of performance indexes for a plurality of batteries based on the battery information, and may be performed by the index value determining unit 120.

[0109] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the index value determining unit 120 may determine index values ​​of SOC, SOH, unit charge capacity, and deterioration rate based on the battery information.

[0110] The index value comparison step S300 is a step of comparing a plurality of index values ​​determined for a plurality of batteries, and may be executed by the battery determination unit 130.

[0111] For example, the battery determination unit 130 may compare index values ​​of a plurality of batteries in consideration of a preset priority order for a plurality of performance indexes. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the priority order may be preset in the order of SOC, SOH, unit charge capacity, and deterioration rate. The index value determination unit 120 may compare the SOC, SOH, unit charge capacity, and deterioration rate of a plurality of batteries in this order.

[0112] The pairing step S400 is a step of pairing corresponding batteries among the plurality of batteries based on the comparison result, and can be executed by the battery determination unit 130.

[0113] 2, the battery determination unit 130 may pair corresponding batteries among the multiple batteries based on the results of comparing the SOC, SOH, unit charge capacity, and deterioration rate in this order. That is, the results of comparing the index values ​​of a performance index with a higher priority may have a greater impact on the pairing of the batteries than the results of comparing the index values ​​of a performance index with a lower priority.

[0114] The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be realized not only by an apparatus and a method, but also by a program for implementing functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of the present invention or a recording medium having the program recorded thereon. Such implementation can be easily achieved by a person skilled in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, based on the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0115] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the scope of the claims.

[0116] Furthermore, the present invention described above may be variously replaced, modified, and altered by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, but may be configured by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment for various modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 100 Battery Pairing Device 110 Communications Department 120 Index value determination unit 130 Battery determination unit 140 Storage section 1000 servers

Claims

1. a communication unit configured to receive battery information relating to a plurality of batteries; an index value determination unit configured to determine index values ​​of a plurality of preset performance indexes for each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information; a battery determination unit configured to compare a plurality of index values ​​determined for the plurality of batteries and pair batteries having similar index values ​​among the plurality of batteries based on a comparison result; a battery pairing device.

2. The battery determination unit 2. The battery pairing device according to claim 1, configured to compare index values ​​of the plurality of batteries according to a preset priority order for the plurality of performance indexes, and pair batteries among the plurality of batteries having similar index values.

3. The battery determination unit The battery pairing device according to claim 2 , configured to compare the multiple index values ​​of the high priority performance indexes in a preferential manner.

4. The battery determination unit 2. The battery pairing device according to claim 1, configured to calculate a difference in SOH between the paired batteries, and cancel the pairing of the paired batteries when the calculated difference in SOH is equal to or greater than a preset threshold.

5. The battery determination unit 5. The battery pairing device according to claim 4, configured to determine a plurality of non-paired batteries from which the pairing has been released among the plurality of batteries, compare the plurality of index values ​​for the plurality of non-paired batteries, and pair the non-paired batteries having similar index values ​​based on a comparison result.

6. The plurality of performance indicators are 2. The battery pairing device of claim 1, configured to include at least one of a state of charge (SOC), a state of health (SOH), a unit charge capacity, and a degradation rate.

7. The index value determination unit 7. The battery pairing device according to claim 6, configured to calculate a cumulative SOC and a cumulative charge capacity of each of the plurality of batteries from the battery information, and to calculate the unit charge capacity based on the cumulative SOC and the cumulative charge capacity.

8. The index value determination unit 8. The battery pairing device according to claim 7, configured to calculate a charge capacity per SOC for each preset unit period, and calculate an average value of the charge capacity per SOC in a preset reference period to calculate the unit charge capacity.

9. The index value determination unit 7. The battery pairing device according to claim 6, configured to calculate an SOH change and an accumulated usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries from the battery information, and to calculate the deterioration rate of each of the plurality of batteries based on the SOH change and the accumulated usage amount.

10. A battery exchange station comprising a battery pairing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A server comprising the battery pairing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. receiving battery information regarding a plurality of batteries; an index value determining step of determining index values ​​of a plurality of performance indexes for the plurality of batteries based on the battery information; an index value comparison step of comparing a plurality of index values ​​determined for the plurality of batteries; a pairing step of pairing batteries having similar index values ​​among the plurality of batteries based on a comparison result; Including battery pairing method.

Images