Power supply control device and control method thereof

Abstract

A power supply control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a power supply control device located in a battery system that supplies power to a drive device, and may include a switching device that is arranged on a power supply path between a battery and the drive device and electrically connects or disconnects the battery and the drive device; a main control device that controls the switching device to control whether the battery supplies power to the drive device; and an auxiliary control device configured to control the switching device in place of the main control device when an abnormality occurs in the main control device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0004053, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on January 11, 2023, and all of the contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a power supply control device and a control method thereof, and more particularly to a power supply control device located in a battery system that supplies power to a drive device, and a control method thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are batteries that can be reused by charging after discharging, and can be used as energy sources for small devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and vacuum cleaners, as well as medium- to large-sized devices such as automobiles and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) for smart grids.

[0004] Secondary batteries are applied to a system in the form of an assembly such as a battery module in which a number of battery cells are connected in series and parallel, or a battery pack in which battery modules are connected in series and parallel, depending on the requirements of the system. In the case of medium- to large-sized devices such as electric vehicles, a high-capacity battery system in which a number of battery packs are connected in parallel can be applied to meet the capacity requirements of the device.

[0005] In general, a battery system applied to a device including a drive unit, such as an electric vehicle, includes a switching device disposed on a power supply path between a battery and the drive unit, and a control unit for controlling the switching device, whereby the stored power of the battery can be supplied or cut off to the drive unit through control of the switching device.

[0006] If an unexpected abnormal state (e.g., an abnormal reset or shutdown) occurs in the control unit while a device to which such a general battery system is applied is operating, the power supply to the driving device may be cut off, causing the driving device to suddenly stop, which may result in a safety accident.

[0007] To solve this problem, a technology is needed that can maintain battery power supply for a certain period of time so that the device can be stably shut down when an abnormal condition occurs in the control unit of the switching device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a power supply control device located in a battery system that supplies power to a driving device.

[0009] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a method for controlling such a power supply control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides a power supply control device located in a battery system that supplies power to a drive device, and includes a switching device that is arranged on a power supply path between a battery and the drive device and electrically connects or disconnects the battery and the drive device; a main control device that controls the switching device to control whether the battery supplies power to the drive device; and an auxiliary control device that controls the switching device in place of the main control device when an abnormality occurs in the main control device.

[0011] The main control device may transmit a first signal requesting an emergency power supply to the auxiliary control device when an abnormal state occurs in the main control device.

[0012] The master controller may output the first signal when an abnormal reset or shutdown occurs.

[0013] The main control device may transmit a second signal to the auxiliary control device to cancel the request if the abnormal condition is resolved after the first signal is transmitted.

[0014] When the first signal is received, the auxiliary control device controls the switching device to a closed state for a predefined period of time to supply emergency power to the driving device.

[0015] If a signal to cancel the request is not transmitted from the main control device within a preset time after the first signal is received, the auxiliary control device can control the switching device to a closed state for a preset period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device.

[0016] If a signal canceling the request is transmitted from the main control device within a preset time period after the first signal is received, the auxiliary control device can operate in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switching device.

[0017] If an abnormal state occurs in the main control device while the driving device is operating, the auxiliary control device can control the switching device to a closed state until the driving device normally stops.

[0018] In order to achieve the above-mentioned another object, a control method for a power supply control device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a switching device arranged on a power supply path between a battery and a drive device, a main control device that controls the switching device, and an auxiliary control device, and includes a step in which the main control device controls the switching device so that the output power of the battery is supplied to the drive device; and a step in which, when an abnormality occurs in the main control device while the drive device is being operated, the auxiliary control device controls the switching device in place of the main control device.

[0019] The control method for the power supply control device may further include a step in which, when an abnormal state occurs in the main control device, the main control device transmits a first signal requesting an emergency power supply to the auxiliary control device.

[0020] Transmitting the first signal to the auxiliary control device may include outputting the first signal when an abnormal reset or shutdown occurs.

[0021] The control method of the power supply control device may further include a step in which, if the abnormal condition is resolved after the first signal is transmitted, the main control device transmits a second signal to the auxiliary control device to cancel the request.

[0022] The step of the auxiliary control device controlling the switching device may further include a step of controlling the switching device to a closed state for a predefined period of time if the first signal is received, thereby supplying emergency power to the drive device.

[0023] The step of the auxiliary control device controlling the switching device may further include a step of controlling the switching device to a closed state for a predefined period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device if a signal to cancel the request is not transmitted from the main control device within a predefined time period after the first signal is received.

[0024] The step of the auxiliary control device controlling the switching device may further include a step of operating in a standby mode without outputting a control signal for the switching device if a signal canceling the request is transmitted from the main control device within a preset time after the first signal is received.

[0025] The step of the auxiliary control device controlling the switching device may include a step of controlling the switching device to a closed state until the driving device is normally stopped if an abnormal state occurs in the main control device while the driving device is operating. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, even if an unexpected abnormal condition occurs in the main control device that controls the switching device, power supply is maintained until the driving device is safely stopped, thereby improving the safety of the device to which the battery system is applied. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a general power supply control device. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply control device according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 4 is an operation flow diagram of a control method for a power supply control device according to the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an operation flow diagram of a control method for a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Since the present invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, it is understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment, but includes all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals are used for similar components while describing each drawing.

[0029] Terms such as first, second, A, B, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, a second component may be named a first component, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple associated listed items or any of multiple associated listed items.

[0030] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but there may also be other components in between. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0031] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined in this application.

[0033] Some terms used in this specification are defined as follows:

[0034] A battery cell is the smallest unit that serves to store electric power, and a battery module refers to an assembly of multiple battery cells that are electrically connected together.

[0035] A battery pack or battery rack refers to a single-structure system that electrically connects modular units set by a battery manufacturer and can be monitored and controlled through a Battery Management System (BMS), and can include multiple battery modules and one BPU or protection device.

[0036] A battery bank can refer to a large-scale collection of battery rack systems that are made up of multiple battery racks connected in parallel. The battery bank BMS can monitor and control the rack BMS (RBMS) for each battery rack.

[0037] The battery assembly means an assembly including a plurality of electrically connected battery cells and applied to a specific system or device to function as a power supply source. Here, the battery assembly may mean a battery module, a battery pack, a battery rack, a battery bank, or the like, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a general power supply control device.

[0039] More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a battery system applied to a device including a drive unit 40 (eg, an electric vehicle, etc.).

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a typical battery system may include a battery 10 , a switching device 20 and a control unit 30 .

[0041] The switching device 20 is disposed on a power supply path between the battery 10 and the drive device 40, and is configured to electrically connect or disconnect the battery 10 and the drive device 40. Here, the switching device 20 may be a MOSFET provided on the output side of the battery 10.

[0042] The control unit 30 can control the switching device 20 to a closed state or an open state to control whether or not power is supplied from the battery 10. Specifically, the control unit 30 can control the switching device 20 to a closed state to supply stored power in the battery 10 to the driving device 40 so that the driving device 40 is driven through the supplied power, or control the switching device 20 to an open state to cut off the supply of power from the battery 10. Here, the control unit 30 may be a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) included in a Battery Management System (BMS).

[0043] According to such a typical battery system, if an unexpected abnormal state (e.g., an abnormal reset or shutdown) occurs in the control unit 30 while the drive device 40 is being driven by the power supplied by the battery 10, the power supply to the drive device 40 may be cut off, causing the drive device 40 to suddenly stop, which may result in a safety accident.

[0044] The present invention has been devised to solve these problems, and relates to a power supply control device and a control method thereof that can maintain power supply from a battery for a certain period of time so that an electric vehicle can be stably stopped even if an abnormality occurs in a control unit of a switching device.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] 2 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply control device according to the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows a battery system 100 applied to a device including a drive unit 200.

[0047] The battery system 100 according to the present invention is located in a device including a driving device 200 and can supply power to the driving device 200. Here, the device including a driving device can refer to an object that is driven by electric energy, such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an electric motorcycle, or an electric bicycle, and the driving device can refer to an object that is driven by electric energy.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, a battery system 100 may include a battery 110 and a power supply controller 120 .

[0049] In the present invention, the battery 110 may refer to a battery cell or a battery assembly, i.e., the battery 110 may refer to one or more battery cells, a battery module, a battery pack, a battery rack, or a battery bank.

[0050] The power supply control device 120 is disposed on a power supply path between the battery 110 and the driving device 200, and is a device that electrically connects or disconnects the battery 110 and the driving device 200. Here, the power supply control device 120 may include a switching device that can be opened or closed by a control signal, and a control device that controls the switching device.

[0051] The control device included in the power supply control device 120 can control the switching device to a closed state or an open state to connect or cut off the power supply path between the battery 110 and the driving device 200. Specifically, the control device can control the switching device to a closed state to supply stored power of the battery 110 to the driving device 200 so that the driving device 200 is operated through the supplied power, or control the switching device to an open state to cut off the supply power of the battery 110.

[0052] The controllers included in the power supply controller 120 may include a main controller and an auxiliary controller.

[0053] The main control device may refer to a main control unit that controls a switching device included in the power supply control device 120. Also, the auxiliary control device may refer to a sub-control unit that controls the switching device included in the power supply control device 120 in place of the main control device when an abnormality occurs in the main control device.

[0054] When the battery system operates in the power supply mode, the main control device may control the switching device to a closed state so that the stored power of the battery 110 is supplied to the driving device 200. If an abnormal state occurs in the main control device while the driving device 200 is driven by the power supplied from the battery 110, the auxiliary control device may control the switching device instead of the main control device. Here, the abnormal state may refer to a state in which an abnormal reset or shutdown of the main control device occurs.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a power supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, a battery system 100 may include a battery 110 and a power supply controller 120 .

[0057] The power supply control device 120 may include a switching device 121 that can be opened or closed by a control signal, a main control device 122 that controls the switching device, and an auxiliary control device 123 .

[0058] The switching device 121 is disposed on a power supply path between the battery 110 and the driving device 200, and is capable of electrically connecting or disconnecting the battery 110 and the driving device 200.

[0059] The switching device 121 may be controlled by control signals from the main controller 122 and the auxiliary controller 123. That is, when a control signal is transmitted from either the main controller 122 or the auxiliary controller 123, the switching device 121 may be opened or closed according to the transmitted control signal.

[0060] The main controller 122 may refer to a main control unit that controls a switching device included in the power supply controller 120. Here, the main controller may be a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) included in a Battery Management System (BMS).

[0061] The auxiliary control device 123 may refer to a sub-control unit that controls the switching device 121 in place of the main control device 122 when an abnormality occurs in the main control device 122. Here, the auxiliary control device may be embodied as a separate integrated circuit (IC) separate from the MCU of the battery management system (BMS).

[0062] The operation of the power supply control device according to the present invention will be described below.

[0063] When the battery system operates in the power supply mode, the main control device 122 can control the switching device 121 to a closed state, so that the stored power of the battery 110 is supplied to the driving device 200, and the driving device 200 can be driven by the power supplied from the battery 110.

[0064] During operation of the driving device 200, the main control device 122 may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred. Here, the main control device 122 may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred based on status information collected through a status information collecting device (not shown) provided in the battery system, or may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred through an abnormal state occurrence signal transmitted from a higher-level control device (not shown). In an embodiment, the abnormal state may include a state in which an abnormal reset of the main control device has occurred or a state in which an abnormal shutdown has occurred.

[0065] When an abnormal state occurs in the main controller 122, the main controller 122 can transmit a predefined first signal to the auxiliary controller 123. Here, the first signal can mean a signal requesting an emergency power supply.

[0066] When the auxiliary control device 123 receives a first signal from the main control device 122, the auxiliary control device 123 may control the switching device 121 to a closed state for a predefined period of time, thereby supplying emergency power to the driving device 200. Here, the emergency power supply period may be defined as a specific time (e.g., 20 seconds) or as the time until the driving device 200 normally stops. Here, the auxiliary control device 123 may check whether the driving device 200 has stopped in conjunction with a higher-level control device or a control device of the driving device 200.

[0067] In the embodiment, after the main controller 122 transmits the first signal to the auxiliary controller 123, if the abnormal state is resolved, the main controller 122 may transmit a predefined second signal to the auxiliary controller 123. Here, the second signal may represent a signal to cancel the emergency power supply request.

[0068] In this embodiment, the auxiliary control device 123 may wait for a preset time without immediately controlling the switching device 121 to a closed state when the first signal is received from the main control device 122. Here, if the main control device 122 does not transmit a second signal within the preset time, the auxiliary control device 123 may control the switching device 121 to a closed state for a preset period of time so that emergency power is supplied to the drive device 200.

[0069] On the other hand, if the second signal is transmitted from the main control device 122 within a preset time, the auxiliary control device 123 can operate in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switching device 121 .

[0070] In other words, if an unexpected abnormal condition occurs in the main control device 122, the main control device 122 notifies the auxiliary control device 123 that a dangerous condition exists that requires the supply of emergency power, and if the auxiliary control device 123 is not notified that the dangerous condition has been lifted within a certain period of time, the auxiliary control device 123 controls the switching device to assist in the supply of temporary power until the drive device can be safely stopped.

[0071] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control method for the power supply control device according to the present invention.

[0072] The power supply control device may include a switching device disposed on a power supply path between the battery and the drive device, a main control device that controls the switching device, and an auxiliary control device.

[0073] When the battery system operates in the power supply mode, the main control device controls the switching device to a closed state so that the stored power of the battery is supplied to the driving device (S410). Thus, the stored power of the battery is supplied to the driving device, and the driving device can be driven by the power supplied from the battery.

[0074] During operation of the driving device, the main control device may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred (S420). Here, the main control device may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred based on status information collected through a status information collecting device (not shown) provided in the battery system, or may determine whether an abnormal state has occurred based on an abnormal state occurrence signal transmitted from a higher-level control device (not shown).

[0075] If an abnormal state occurs in the main control device (YES in S420), the auxiliary control device can control the switching device instead of the main control device (S430).

[0076] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the control method for the power supply control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] When the battery system operates in the power supply mode, the main control device can control the switching device to a closed state (S510), so that the stored power of the battery is supplied to the driving device, and the driving device can be driven by the power supplied from the battery.

[0078] During operation of the drive device, the main control device may determine whether an abnormal condition occurs (S520). In an embodiment, the abnormal condition may include an abnormal reset or an abnormal shutdown of the main control device.

[0079] If an abnormal state occurs in the main control device (YES in S520), the main control device may transmit a predefined first signal to the auxiliary control device (S530). Here, the first signal may represent a signal requesting emergency power supply.

[0080] After the main control device transmits the first signal to the auxiliary control device, if the abnormal state is resolved, the main control device may transmit a predefined second signal to the auxiliary control device, where the second signal may represent a signal to cancel the emergency power supply request.

[0081] The auxiliary control device may wait a preset time upon receiving a first signal from the main control device.

[0082] If the second signal is not transmitted from the main control device within the set time (NO in S540), the auxiliary control device can control the switching device to a closed state for a predefined period of time so that emergency power is supplied to the drive device (S550).

[0083] If the second signal is transmitted from the main control device within the preset time (YES in S540), the auxiliary control device can operate in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switching device (S560).

[0084] The operation of the method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be embodied as a computer readable program or code in a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. In addition, the computer readable recording medium can be distributed to computer systems connected via a network, and the computer readable program or code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0085] Some aspects of the invention have been described in the context of an apparatus, but it may also be presented in terms of a corresponding method, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may be presented in terms of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100: Battery system 110:Battery 120: Power supply control device 121: Switching device 122: Main control device 123: Auxiliary control device 200: Drive unit

Claims

1. A power supply control device located in a battery system that supplies power to a drive device, a switching device disposed on a power supply path between a battery and the driving device, for electrically connecting or disconnecting the battery and the driving device; A main control device that controls the switching device to control whether or not the battery supplies power to the drive device; and an auxiliary control device that controls the switching device in place of the main control device when an abnormality occurs in the main control device; Power supply control device.

2. When an abnormal condition occurs in the main control device, The main control device includes: transmitting a first signal to the auxiliary control device requesting an emergency power supply; The power supply control device according to claim 1 .

3. The main control device includes: outputting the first signal when an abnormal reset or shutdown occurs; The power supply control device according to claim 2.

4. If the abnormal state is released after the first signal is transmitted, The main control device includes: transmitting a second signal to the auxiliary control device canceling the request; The power supply control device according to claim 2.

5. The auxiliary control device includes: If the first signal is received, control the switching device to a closed state for a predefined period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device. The power supply control device according to claim 2.

6. The auxiliary control device includes: if a signal canceling the request is not transmitted from the main control device within a preset time after the first signal is received, control the switching device to a closed state for a preset period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device; The power supply control device according to claim 2.

7. The auxiliary control device includes: if a signal canceling the request is transmitted from the main control device within a preset time after the first signal is received, the switching device operates in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switching device; The power supply control device according to claim 2.

8. The auxiliary control device includes: If an abnormal state occurs in the main control device while the driving device is in operation, the switching device is controlled to a closed state until the driving device is normally stopped. The power supply control device according to claim 1 .

9. A control method for a power supply control device including a switching device disposed on a power supply path between a battery and a drive device, a main control device that controls the switching device, and an auxiliary control device, comprising: The main control device controls the switching device so that the output power of the battery is supplied to the driving device; and When an abnormality occurs in the main control device during operation of the drive device, the auxiliary control device controls the switching device instead of the main control device. A method for controlling a power supply control device.

10. The method further includes the step of: when an abnormal condition occurs in the main control device, the main control device transmits a first signal to the auxiliary control device requesting an emergency power supply; A method for controlling a power supply control device according to claim 9.

11. The step of transmitting the first signal to the auxiliary control device includes: outputting the first signal when an abnormal reset or shutdown occurs. A method for controlling a power supply control device according to claim 10.

12. If the abnormal condition is eliminated after the first signal is transmitted, the main control device transmits a second signal to the auxiliary control device to cancel the request. A method for controlling a power supply control device according to claim 10.

13. The step of the auxiliary control device controlling the switching device includes: If the first signal is received, the method further includes controlling the switching device to a closed state for a predefined period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device. A method for controlling a power supply control device according to claim 10.

14. The step of the auxiliary control device controlling the switching device includes: If a signal to cancel the request is not transmitted from the main control device within a preset time after the first signal is received, the method further includes controlling the switching device to a closed state for a preset period of time to supply emergency power to the drive device. A method for controlling a power supply control device according to claim 10.

15. The step of the auxiliary control device controlling the switching device includes: and if a signal canceling the request is transmitted from the main control device within a preset time after the first signal is received, operating in a standby mode without outputting a control signal to the switching device. A method for controlling a power supply control device according to claim 10.

16. The step of the auxiliary control device controlling the switching device includes: If an abnormal state occurs in the main control device while the drive device is in operation, controlling the switching device to a closed state until the drive device is normally stopped. A method for controlling a power supply control device according to claim 9.

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