Battery management device and method

Abstract

A battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a communication unit configured to receive battery information of a plurality of batteries; a priority setting unit configured to determine index values of performance indexes preset for the plurality of batteries based on the battery information and set priorities for the plurality of batteries based on the determined index values; and a battery determination unit configured to determine a target battery from the plurality of batteries based on the battery information and the priorities and provide information related to the determined target battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery management device and method, and more particularly, to a battery management device and method capable of managing a battery used in a Battery Swapping Station (BSS).

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0111914 filed on September 5, 2022, and all of the content disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] Recently, the demand for portable electronic products such as notebook PCs (personal computers), video cameras, and mobile phones has increased rapidly. As the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, artificial satellites, etc. has become full-scale, research on high-performance batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging has been actively underway.

[0004] Currently, commercially available batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium batteries, etc. Among these, lithium batteries have attracted attention because they hardly cause a memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, can be charged and discharged freely, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0005] As power-driven devices such as electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and electric bicycles are commercialized, the demand for high-capacity and high-performance batteries is increasing. However, as the capacity of the battery increases, there is a disadvantage that the time required for battery charging also increases. To solve such problems, technologies for rapidly charging batteries have been developed, but there is a problem that the deterioration of the battery can be accelerated by rapid charging.

[0006] To solve such problems, in recent years, Battery Swapping Stations (BSS) have been introduced. By swapping the battery used in an electric vehicle or the like with a candidate battery provided at the battery swapping station, users can quickly use a battery charged to a certain level or above (for example, a fully charged battery).

[0007] On the other hand, the areas where BSS are installed can be divided into a hot zone where the number of battery swaps is relatively high due to easy access and a cold zone where the number of battery swaps is relatively low. Since the BSS installed in the hot zone has relatively active battery swapping by users, the batteries of the BSS installed in the hot zone can deteriorate due to active use. That is, there is a problem that the batteries in the hot zone can experience accelerated deterioration because they deteriorate as they are used.

[0008] On the other hand, the batteries of the BSS placed in the cold zone are not actively used, but they can deteriorate during the standby process after being fully charged. That is, the batteries in the cold zone can have poor utilization efficiency because they deteriorate during standby for use.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to develop a technology that can improve the overall battery usage efficiency and achieve balanced deterioration.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery management device capable of managing the usage efficiency and degree of deterioration of batteries used in battery swapping stations.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood 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 shown in the claims.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] A battery management device according to an aspect of the present invention may include a communication unit configured to receive battery information of a plurality of batteries, a priority setting unit configured to determine an index value of a performance index preset for the plurality of batteries based on the battery information and set a priority order for the plurality of batteries based on the determined index value, and a battery determination unit configured to determine a target battery from the plurality of batteries based on the battery information and the priority order and provide information related to the determined target battery.

[0013] The battery determination unit may be configured to check the SOC of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, and determine the battery having an SOC equal to or higher than a preset reference SOC among the plurality of batteries and having the highest priority as the target battery.

[0014] The communication unit may be configured to receive a battery replacement request and information on a reference position from a user terminal.

[0015] The battery determination unit may be configured to select one or more candidate batteries from the plurality of batteries based on the distance between the reference position and the plurality of batteries, and determine the target battery based on the SOC and the priority order of the selected candidate batteries.

[0016] The communication unit may be configured to receive information on the position of the user terminal or a position designated by the user as the information on the reference position.

[0017] The communication unit may be configured to receive a battery replacement request from a battery replacement station.

[0018] The battery determination unit may be configured to select one or more candidate batteries provided in the battery replacement station from among the plurality of batteries, and determine the target battery based on the SOC and the priority of the selected candidate battery.

[0019] The performance index may be configured to include at least one of the degradation degree, relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, and stress score of each of the plurality of batteries.

[0020] The priority setting unit may be configured to determine the degradation degree of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, and calculate the relative degradation degree of each of the plurality of batteries by comparing the calculated degradation degree with a preset reference degradation degree for each of the plurality of batteries.

[0021] The priority setting unit may be configured to calculate the usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, and calculate the relative usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries by comparing the calculated usage amount with a preset reference usage amount for each of the plurality of batteries.

[0022] The priority setting unit may be configured to check the usage pattern of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, and calculate the stress score of each of the plurality of batteries by comparing the usage pattern of each of the plurality of batteries with a preset main pattern.

[0023] When there are a plurality of preset performance indicators, the priority setting unit may be configured to determine a plurality of indicator values for each of the plurality of batteries, and set the priority for the plurality of batteries by comparing the indicator values starting from the performance indicator with a higher preset importance.

[0024] When there are a plurality of the preset performance indicators, the priority setting unit may be configured to determine a plurality of indicator values for each of the plurality of batteries, calculate a state score for each battery based on the determined plurality of indicator values, and set the priority for the plurality of batteries according to the calculated state scores.

[0025] The priority setting unit may be configured to calculate the state score by weighted summing the corresponding indicator values with preset weighted values for each of the plurality of performance indicators.

[0026] A server according to another aspect of the present invention may include a battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0027] A battery management method according to still another aspect of the present invention may include a battery information receiving step of receiving battery information of a plurality of batteries, an indicator value determining step of determining indicator values of preset performance indicators for the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, a priority setting step of setting priorities for the plurality of batteries based on the determined indicator values, a target battery determining step of determining a target battery from the plurality of batteries based on the battery information and the priorities, and a battery information providing step of providing information related to the determined target battery.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to one aspect of the present invention, since the battery management device sets priorities in consideration of indicator values for a plurality of batteries in a comprehensive manner, it is possible to prevent non-uniform degradation of the plurality of batteries.

[0029] In addition, since the battery management device recommends the optimal battery among the plurality of batteries to the user in consideration of the battery information and the priorities in a comprehensive manner, there is an advantage that the user experience can be improved.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0031] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate desirable embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Hereinafter, desirable embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims are not to be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, the inventor himself interprets them in accordance with the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention in accordance with the principle that he can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain the invention in the best way.

[0034] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most desirable embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Thus, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0035] In addition, when a specific description of a known function or configuration related to the present invention is determined to obscure the gist of the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. are used for the purpose of distinguishing any one of various components from the rest, and the components are not limited by such terms.

[0037] Throughout the specification, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise specified, it does not exclude other components but may further include other components.

[0038] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a certain part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected", but also the case where it is "indirectly connected" via other elements in between.

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a battery management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery management device 100 may include a communication unit 110, a priority setting unit 120, and a battery determination unit 130.

[0042] The communication unit 110 may be configured to receive battery information of a plurality of batteries.

[0043] Here, a battery refers to one independent cell that has a negative terminal and a positive terminal and can be physically separated. In one example, a lithium-ion battery or a lithium polymer battery can be regarded as a battery. Also, a battery can refer to a battery bank, a battery module, or a battery pack in which a plurality of cells are connected in series and / or in parallel.

[0044] Specifically, the communication unit 110 can be communicably connected to one or more battery replacement stations. And the communication unit 110 can receive battery information of the batteries provided in the battery replacement station from the battery replacement station. For example, the communication unit 110 can receive, as battery information, at least one state information of voltage, current, capacity, resistance, temperature, SOC (state of charge), and SOH (state of health) and usage information related to a usage pattern for a plurality of batteries.

[0045] The priority setting unit 120 can be configured to determine index values of performance indicators preset for a plurality of batteries based on the battery information.

[0046] Specifically, the priority setting unit 120 can determine the index values of the performance indicators for each of the plurality of batteries by using the battery information received by the communication unit 110.

[0047] For example, the performance index may be configured to include at least one of the degradation degree, relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, and stress score of each of the plurality of batteries. Here, the degradation degree is an index related to the SOH of the battery, and the relative degradation degree is an index related to the degradation degree of the battery with respect to a preset reference degradation degree. The relative usage amount is an index related to the usage amount of the battery with respect to a preset reference usage amount. The stress score is an index obtained by quantifying the usage pattern of the battery. Specific descriptions of the relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, and stress score will be described later.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the performance indexes and priorities of a plurality of batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, the plurality of batteries may include the first to ninth batteries B1 to B9. And the priority setting unit 120 can determine the index values of the performance indexes (relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, degradation degree, and stress score) of the first to ninth batteries B1 to B9. For example, the relative degradation degree of the first battery B1 is rd1 (%), the relative usage amount is rc1 (Ah), the degradation degree is d1 (%), and the stress score is s1.

[0050] The priority setting unit 120 may be configured to set priorities for the plurality of batteries based on the determined index values.

[0051] Specifically, the priority setting unit 120 can set the priorities of the plurality of batteries based on the index values determined for each of the plurality of batteries. For example, a battery with a higher priority is more likely to be selected as the target battery to be alternated. Therefore, the priority setting unit 120 can determine the priorities for the plurality of batteries without duplication.

[0052] For example, when there is one preset performance index, the priority setting unit 120 can compare the magnitudes of the index values of the plurality of batteries to determine the priorities for the plurality of batteries.

[0053] In other examples, when there are multiple preset performance indicators, the priority setting unit 120 may determine the priorities for the multiple batteries by comprehensively considering the multiple indicator values of the multiple batteries.

[0054] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the performance indicators are the relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, degradation degree, and stress score, for a total of 4. The priority setting unit 120 may set the priorities of the first to ninth batteries B1 to B9 by comprehensively considering the indicator values of the 4 performance indicators. For example, the priorities of the first to ninth batteries B1 to B9 are 1 to 9 in order. Here, note that the smaller the priority value, the higher the priority. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the priority determined by considering the multiple indicator values is the highest for the first battery B1 and the lowest for the ninth battery B9.

[0055] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to determine a target battery from the multiple batteries based on the battery information and the priority.

[0056] Specifically, the battery determination unit 130 may determine the target battery by considering both the battery information and the priority, rather than depending only on the priority set by the priority setting unit 120. Here, the target battery is the battery selected based on the battery information and the priority, and means the most recommended battery as the replacement target among the multiple batteries.

[0057] For example, the battery determination unit 130 may determine the target battery based on at least one of the state information obtainable from the battery information and the priority. In other examples, the battery determination unit 130 may determine the target battery based on the usage information obtainable from the battery information and the priority. In still other examples, the battery determination unit 130 may determine the target battery based on at least one of the state information, the usage information, and the priority.

[0058] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the battery determination unit 130 determines a target battery based on the SOC and priority of the battery will be described. Note that it should be noted that the factors considered by the battery determination unit 130 in determining the target battery are not limited by the following embodiments.

[0059] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to check the SOC of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the SOC of a plurality of batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to determine, as the target battery, the battery among the plurality of batteries whose SOC is equal to or higher than a preset reference SOC and whose priority is the highest.

[0062] As described above, the target battery is the most recommended battery as the battery to be alternated. Therefore, the battery determination unit 130 can determine the target battery from the plurality of batteries in consideration of the SOC and priority of the plurality of batteries.

[0063] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the SOCs of the first battery B1, the fourth battery, and the seventh battery B7 are equal to or higher than the reference SOC. Therefore, the battery determination unit 130 can determine the target battery according to the priority among the first battery B1, the fourth battery, and the seventh battery B7.

[0064] Desirably, since the first to ninth batteries B1 to B9 are each provided at the battery replacement station, the communication unit 110 can acquire battery information. And since the batteries provided at the battery replacement station are candidate batteries that can be replaced, they can be charged while being provided at the battery replacement station. That is, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the SOCs of the first battery B1, the fourth battery, and the seventh battery B7 are equal to or higher than the reference SOC. However, at a point in time after a plurality of batteries are further charged, the SOCs of more batteries can become equal to or higher than the reference SOC. Therefore, at a later point in time, the battery determination unit 130 can determine the target battery in consideration of the priorities of more batteries.

[0065] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to provide information related to the determined target battery.

[0066] Specifically, the information indicating the change to the target battery can be provided to the user who requested the battery replacement. For example, when the user requests battery replacement from the battery management device 100 using the user terminal, the battery determination unit 130 can provide information related to the target battery to the user terminal. In another example, when the user requests battery replacement from the battery management device 100 using the battery replacement station, the battery determination unit 130 can provide information related to the target battery to the battery replacement station.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery management device 100 can prevent non-uniform deterioration of a plurality of batteries because it sets priorities in consideration of the index values of the plurality of batteries in a composite manner. In particular, since the battery management device 100 sets priorities in consideration of the relative deterioration degree and relative usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries, it is possible to evenly control the deterioration degree of the entire battery to a certain level. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to solve the problem that some batteries are relatively frequently used and thus further deteriorate due to use, while some batteries are relatively less used and thus have poor utilization efficiency due to deterioration during standby.

[0068] In addition, since the battery management device 100 recommends the optimal battery among the plurality of batteries to the user in consideration of the battery information and priorities in a composite manner, it has the advantage of being able to improve the user experience.

[0069] The battery management device 100 may further include a storage unit 140. The storage unit 140 can store data, programs, or data generated during the operation and function of each component of the battery management device 100 that are necessary for the operation and function. 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. As an example, the information storage means may include RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), registers, and the like. In addition, the storage unit 140 can store program codes defining processes executable by each component of the battery management device 100.

[0070] For example, the storage unit 140 can store the battery information of the plurality of batteries. And the storage unit 140 can store the performance index values and priorities of the batteries determined by the priority setting unit 120.

[0071] Preferably, among the plurality of batteries provided in the battery replacement station, the batteries reserved (scheduled) in advance as replacement targets can be excluded from the target battery determination.

[0072] For example, the battery information acquired by the communication unit 110 may include battery reservation information. Specifically, the reservation information may be included in the battery usage information. The priority setting unit 120 can check the reservation information of the plurality of batteries and set priorities for the remaining batteries excluding the pre-reserved batteries.

[0073] The communication unit 110 may be configured to receive a battery replacement request and information on a reference position from a user terminal.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a plurality of batteries and a reference position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] The communication unit 110 may be configured to receive information on the position of the user terminal or the position designated by the user as the reference position information.

[0076] Specifically, the user can use the user terminal to send a battery replacement request and information on the reference position to the battery management device 100. Then, the communication unit 110 can receive the battery replacement request and information on the reference position transmitted from the user terminal.

[0077] For example, the user can basically set the position of the user terminal as the reference position. Here, since the user terminal should be with the user, the position of the user terminal can be strongly estimated as the position of the user. Therefore, the user can send a battery replacement request and the position information of the user terminal to the battery management device 100 to request battery replacement at the current position of the user.

[0078] In another example, the user may send the information of the directly specified position as the reference position information. For example, when the user is moving to or planning to move to the destination, the user may specify the destination as the reference position and request battery replacement.

[0079] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the point indicated by "■" indicates the reference position, and the circle indicated by the solid line indicates the critical distance TH from the reference position.

[0080] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to select one or more candidate batteries from a plurality of batteries based on the distance between the reference position and the plurality of batteries.

[0081] Specifically, the battery determination unit 130 may select candidate batteries located within a preset critical distance TH from the reference position among the plurality of batteries in consideration of the straight-line distance or the path distance between the reference position and the plurality of batteries. For example, the critical distance TH is preset by a program or user settings and can be changed by the user.

[0082] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the batteries located within the critical distance TH from the reference position among the first to ninth batteries B1 to B9 are the fourth to ninth batteries B4 to B9. Therefore, the battery determination unit 130 may select the fourth to ninth batteries B4 to B9 among the first to ninth batteries B1 to B9 as candidate batteries.

[0083] The battery determination unit 130 may be configured to determine the target battery based on the SOC and priority of the selected candidate batteries.

[0084] Specifically, the candidate battery is the battery determined by the position from the reference position. That is, the battery determination unit 130 may determine the target battery by comprehensively considering the position, SOC, and priority of the candidate batteries.

[0085] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the battery determination unit 130 may determine one of the fourth to ninth batteries B4 to B9 as the target battery in consideration of the SOC and priority of the fourth to ninth batteries B4 to B9. Referring to FIG. 3, the batteries with an SOC equal to or higher than the reference SOC are the fourth battery and the seventh battery B7. Then, referring to FIG. 2, since the priority of the fourth battery is higher than the priority of the seventh battery B7, the battery determination unit 130 may determine the fourth battery as the target battery.

[0086] The battery management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can select candidate batteries that can be alternated based on a reference position (the position of the user terminal or the position specified by the user), and determine a target battery based on the SOC and priority of the candidate batteries. That is, the battery management device 100 has an advantage that it can provide the user with information related to the optimal battery comprehensively considering the position, SOC, and priority of the battery.

[0087] In one embodiment, the battery determination unit 130 may be configured to provide information related to a battery replacement station including the determined target battery.

[0088] Specifically, the battery information received by the communication unit 110 may include identification information that can identify the battery and the battery replacement station. That is, the battery information may include identification information, status information, and usage information. Therefore, when providing information related to the determined target battery, the battery determination unit 130 can also provide information related to the battery replacement station including the target battery.

[0089] The communication unit 110 may be configured to receive a battery replacement request from a battery replacement station.

[0090] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a battery replacement station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Specifically, it is also possible to request battery replacement directly at the battery replacement station without using the user's user terminal. For example, the user can request battery replacement by operating the input unit included in the battery replacement station. In this case, the communication unit 110 can receive the battery replacement request and the identification information related to the battery replacement station.

[0092] The battery determination unit 130 can be configured to select one or more candidate batteries provided at the battery replacement station from among a plurality of batteries.

[0093] Specifically, since the user has requested battery replacement at the battery replacement station, the battery determination unit 130 can select the battery provided at the battery replacement station as a candidate battery.

[0094] The battery determination unit 130 can be configured to determine the target battery based on the SOC and priority of the selected candidate battery.

[0095] Specifically, the battery determination unit 130 can determine the target battery by comprehensively considering the SOC and priority of the candidate battery. Then, the battery determination unit 130 can transmit the information related to the target battery to the battery replacement station so that the user can check the information related to the target battery.

[0096] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the user requests battery replacement at the first battery replacement station BSS1. The first battery replacement station BSS1 is equipped with the first to third batteries B1 to B3. Assume that the reference SOC is set to 90%. Among the candidate batteries, the batteries with an SOC equal to or higher than the reference SOC are the first battery B1 and the second battery B2. Since the priority of the first battery B1 is higher than that of the second battery B2, the battery determination unit 130 can determine the first battery B1 as the target battery. Then, the battery determination unit 130 can transmit information related to the target battery to the first battery replacement station BSS1. The first battery replacement station BSS1 receives the information related to the target battery and can output the information related to the target battery by the provided display unit.

[0097] That is, when the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a battery replacement request from a battery replacement station, it can determine a target battery from the candidate batteries provided in the battery replacement station, so that the user can quickly obtain the target battery.

[0098] In one embodiment, although the communication unit 110 receives a battery replacement request from a battery replacement station, it is possible that there is no battery provided in the battery replacement station, or all the provided batteries are in a reserved state. In this case, the battery determination unit 130 sets the position of the battery replacement station as a reference position and can select candidate batteries located within a critical distance TH from the set reference position. Then, the battery determination unit 130 can determine a target battery based on the SOC and priority of the candidate batteries.

[0099] In another embodiment, although the communication unit 110 receives a battery replacement request from the battery replacement station, the SOCs of all the candidate batteries provided in the battery replacement station may be less than the reference SOC. The battery determination unit 130 may determine a spare battery based on the SOCs and priorities of the candidate batteries. Here, the spare battery means a battery that does not meet the SOC standard but can be determined as the target battery if charging further progresses and only the SOC standard is met. Then, the battery determination unit 130 may calculate the estimated time required for the spare battery to meet the SOC standard in consideration of the charging specifications of the battery replacement station and the current SOC of the spare battery. The battery determination unit 130 may transmit information related to the spare battery and the estimated time to the battery replacement station. The information related to the spare battery and the estimated time may be output by the display unit of the battery replacement station.

[0100] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the priority setting unit 120 calculates the relative degradation degrees of a plurality of batteries will be described.

[0101] The priority setting unit 120 may be configured to determine the degradation degree of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information.

[0102] Specifically, the degradation degree of the battery means the SOH of the battery. For example, when the degradation degree of the battery is included in the battery information, the priority setting unit 120 may determine the degradation degree of the battery from the battery information. In another example, when the degradation degree of the battery is not included in the battery information, the priority setting unit 120 may estimate the degradation degree of the battery from the information obtainable from the battery information. Here, various conventional methods can be applied to the method of estimating the degradation degree of the battery.

[0103] The priority setting unit 120 may be configured to calculate the relative degradation degree of each of the plurality of batteries by comparing the preset reference degradation degree and the calculated degradation degree for each of the plurality of batteries.

[0104] Here, the reference degradation degree is a degradation degree preset to correspond to the usage history of the battery. For example, the correspondence between the number of usage days of the battery and the degradation degree can be mapped and stored in advance. For example, the reference degradation degree may mean a desirable degradation degree set according to the number of usage days of the battery for battery quality assurance. That is, the reference degradation degree means the degradation degree expected for each usage day using the target degradation degree within a specific period with respect to the degradation degree by predefined periods.

[0105] The priority setting unit 120 can check the number of usage days of the battery based on the usage information among the battery information, and determine the reference degradation degree corresponding to the confirmed number of usage days. Then, the priority setting unit 120 can calculate the relative degradation degree of the battery based on the reference degradation degree and the degradation degree of the battery.

[0106] For example, the priority setting unit 120 can calculate the difference between the reference degradation degree and the degradation degree of the battery, and calculate the relative degradation degree of the battery. The priority setting unit 120 can calculate the relative degradation degree by the mathematical formula of "reference degradation degree - battery degradation degree".

[0107] In another example, the priority setting unit 120 can calculate the ratio of the degradation degree of the battery to the reference degradation degree, and calculate the relative degradation degree of the battery. The priority setting unit 120 can calculate the relative degradation degree by the mathematical formula of "battery degradation degree ÷ reference degradation degree × 100".

[0108] Since the relative degradation degree is an index based on the usage history and degradation degree of the battery, it is possible to compare the degree of relative degradation compared to the reference degradation degree even between a plurality of batteries with different degradation degrees by comparing the relative degradation degrees.

[0109] For example, assume there are Battery A and Battery B. Although the degree of deterioration of Battery A is higher than that of Battery B (i.e., Battery A is more deteriorated than Battery B), the relative degree of deterioration of Battery A may be lower than that of Battery B. And the fact that the relative degree of deterioration is low means that the rate of battery deterioration is fast. That is, considering the reference degree of deterioration corresponding to the usage history, since Battery B is more likely to fall outside the quality assurance standard than Battery A, the priority can be set higher for Battery A than for Battery B.

[0110] The battery management device 100 can compare the relative degrees of deterioration considering the usage history without directly comparing the degrees of deterioration of a plurality of batteries for the quality assurance of the plurality of batteries.

[0111] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the priority setting unit 120 calculates the relative usage amounts of a plurality of batteries will be described.

[0112] The priority setting unit 120 may be configured to calculate the usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information.

[0113] Specifically, the usage amount means the amount that the battery has been used up to now. The priority setting unit 120 can calculate the usage amount of the battery by calculating it as the total discharge amount of the battery based on the usage information of the battery.

[0114] The priority setting unit 120 may be configured to calculate the relative usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries by comparing the preset reference usage amount and the calculated usage amount for each of the plurality of batteries.

[0115] Here, the reference usage amount is a usage amount preset to correspond to the usage history of the battery. For example, the correspondence between the number of usage days of the battery and the usage amount can be pre-mapped and stored. For example, the reference usage amount may mean a desirable usage amount set according to the number of usage days of the battery for the purpose of battery quality assurance. That is, the reference usage amount means the usage amount expected for each usage day using the target usage amount within a specific period with respect to the usage amount for each predefined period.

[0116] The priority setting unit 120 can check the number of usage days of the battery based on the usage information among the battery information, and determine the reference usage amount corresponding to the confirmed number of usage days. Then, the priority setting unit 120 can calculate the relative usage amount for the battery based on the reference usage amount and the usage amount of the battery.

[0117] For example, the priority setting unit 120 can calculate the ratio of the usage amount of the battery to the reference usage amount, and calculate the relative usage amount for the battery. The priority setting unit 120 can calculate the relative usage amount by the formula "battery usage amount ÷ reference usage amount × 100".

[0118] Since the relative usage amount is an index based on the usage history and usage amount of the battery, a plurality of batteries with different usage amounts can also compare the relative degree of deterioration with respect to the reference usage amount by comparing the relative usage amounts.

[0119] The battery management device 100 can compare the relative usage amounts considering the usage history without directly comparing the usage amounts of a plurality of batteries for the purpose of quality assurance of the plurality of batteries.

[0120] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the priority setting unit 120 calculates the stress scores of a plurality of batteries will be described.

[0121] Here, the stress score is obtained by quantifying and scoring the presence or absence, number of uses, and usage ratio of the main patterns in which stress is applied to the battery. For example, the battery is subject to physicochemical stress depending on the usage pattern, which may accelerate degradation. That is, irreversible damage may occur in the battery. Examples of the main patterns in which stress occurs in the battery include full charge, standby after full charge, full discharge, and high-power usage at low temperature.

[0122] The priority setting unit 120 may be configured to check the usage pattern of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information. Then, the priority setting unit 120 may be configured to calculate the stress score of each of the plurality of batteries by comparing the usage pattern of each of the plurality of batteries with a preset main pattern.

[0123] For example, the priority setting unit 120 may check the presence or absence, number of uses, and usage ratio of the main pattern based on the usage information among the battery information. For a battery with a large history of main patterns such as full charge and full discharge, the stress score may be calculated to be higher than that of other batteries. And the higher the stress score, the lower the priority may be set. That is, the priority setting unit 120 can determine the target battery so that the plurality of batteries deteriorate evenly by setting the priority in consideration of the presence or absence of the use of the main pattern that can apply physicochemical stress to the battery.

[0124] Hereinafter, a case where there are a plurality of preset performance indicators will be described by way of assumption.

[0125] The priority setting unit 120 may be configured to determine a plurality of index values for each of the plurality of batteries.

[0126] In one embodiment, the priority setting unit 120 may be configured to set the priority for the plurality of batteries by comparing the index values from the preset performance indicators with high importance.

[0127] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, it is assumed that the importance of the performance indicators is high in the order of relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, degradation degree, and stress score. The priority setting unit 120 can first compare the relative degradation degrees and set the priorities of the first to ninth batteries B1 to B9. Here, the priorities of the batteries with the same relative degradation degree can be the same. Next, for the batteries with the same priority according to the relative degradation degree, the priority setting unit 120 can compare the relative usage amounts and set the priorities. In such a manner, the priority setting unit can set a plurality of priorities by sequentially considering the relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, degradation degree, and stress score.

[0128] In other embodiments, the priority setting unit 120 can be configured to calculate a state score for each battery based on the determined plurality of indicator values. Then, the priority setting unit 120 can be configured to set the priorities for the plurality of batteries based on the calculated state scores.

[0129] Specifically, the priority setting unit 120 can be configured to calculate the state score by weighted summing the weighted values preset for each of the plurality of performance indicators to the corresponding indicator values.

[0130] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, weighted values can be preset for each of the relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, degradation degree, and stress score. Here, the weighted values for different performance indicators may be the same or different. Also, the weighted values for different performance indicators can be adjusted according to the user's selection. The priority setting unit 120 can add the weighted values to the relative degradation degree, relative usage amount, degradation degree, and stress score respectively, and sum up the values with the weighted values added to calculate the state score for each battery. Here, the state score is a value that allows direct comparison among the plurality of batteries. Therefore, the priority setting unit 120 can set the priorities of the plurality of batteries by directly comparing the state scores of the plurality of batteries.

[0131] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a server 600 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 6, the server 600 may include the battery management device 100. And the server 600 may be communicably connected to one or more battery replacement stations. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the server 600 may be communicably connected to the first to third battery replacement stations BSS1, BSS2, and BSS3.

[0133] Each battery replacement station includes an input unit, a display, and a battery unit, and the battery unit may be provided with a battery. Desirably, the battery included in the battery unit may be charged to a preset end-of-charge voltage. And a battery with an SOC equal to or higher than the reference SOC may become a candidate battery that can be determined as a target battery. The battery replacement station may periodically transmit the battery information of the battery provided in the battery unit to the server 600.

[0134] The server 600 may periodically receive the battery information of a plurality of batteries from a plurality of battery replacement stations. And when a battery replacement request by the user is input, the server 600 may determine the optimal battery among the plurality of batteries as the target battery and provide the information related to the target battery to the user.

[0135] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a battery management method according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0136] Referring to FIG. 7, the battery management method may include a battery information receiving step S100, an index value determining step S200, a priority setting step S300, a target battery determining step S400, and a battery information providing step S500.

[0137] Desirably, each step of the battery management method may be performed by the battery management device 100. Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the content overlapping with the above-described content will be omitted or briefly explained.

[0138] The battery information receiving step S100 is a step of receiving battery information of a plurality of batteries, which can be performed by the communication unit 110.

[0139] For example, the communication unit 110 can be communicably connected to one or more battery replacement stations. Then, the communication unit 110 can receive battery information related to the batteries provided in the battery replacement station from the battery replacement station.

[0140] The index value determining step S200 is a step of determining index values of performance indexes preset for a plurality of batteries based on the battery information, which can be performed by the priority setting unit 120.

[0141] For example, the priority setting unit 120 can determine index values related to the degree of deterioration, relative degree of deterioration, relative usage amount, and stress score of each of the plurality of batteries using the battery information.

[0142] The priority setting step S300 is a step of setting priorities for a plurality of batteries based on the determined index values, which can be performed by the priority setting unit 120.

[0143] For example, since a battery with a higher priority is likely to be selected as the target battery to be replaced, the priority setting unit 120 can determine the priorities for the plurality of batteries based on the determined index values so as not to overlap.

[0144] The target battery determining step S400 is a step of determining a target battery from a plurality of batteries based on the battery information and the priorities, which can be performed by the battery determining unit 130.

[0145] For example, the battery determining unit 130 can be configured to determine, as the target battery, a battery among the plurality of batteries whose SOC is equal to or higher than a preset reference SOC and whose priority is the highest.

[0146] The battery information providing stage is a stage of providing information related to the determined target battery, and can be performed by the battery determination unit 130.

[0147] The embodiments of the present invention described above do not necessarily have to be implemented through the device and method, and can be implemented through a program that realizes functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Such an implementation should be easily achievable by those skilled in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0148] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made within the equivalent scope of the technical idea and claims of the present invention by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

[0149] In addition, the above-described present invention can be variously substituted, modified, and changed within the scope that does not depart from the technical idea of the present invention by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, it is not limited by the above-described embodiments and the attached drawings, and all or part of each embodiment can be selectively combined and configured so that various modifications can be made.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0150] 100 Battery management device 110 Communication unit 120 Priority setting unit 130 Battery determination unit 140 Storage unit 600 Server

Claims

1. A communication unit that receives battery information of a plurality of batteries, a priority setting unit that determines an index value of a performance index preset for the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, and sets a priority order for the plurality of batteries based on the determined index value; A battery management device including a battery determination unit that determines a target battery from the plurality of batteries based on the battery information and the priority order, and provides information related to the determined target battery.

2. The battery determination unit checks the SOC of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, and determines, as the target battery, the battery among the plurality of batteries whose SOC is equal to or higher than a preset reference SOC and whose priority order is the highest. The battery management device according to claim 1.

3. The communication unit receives a battery replacement request and information on a reference position from a user terminal, The battery determination unit selects one or more candidate batteries from the plurality of batteries based on the distance between the reference position and the plurality of batteries, and determines the target battery based on the SOC and the priority order of the selected candidate batteries. The battery management device according to claim 2.

4. The communication unit according to claim 3, wherein the communication unit receives information on the position of the user terminal or a position designated by the user as the information on the reference position.

5. The communication unit receives a battery replacement request from a battery replacement station, The battery determination unit selects one or more candidate batteries provided in the battery replacement station from the plurality of batteries, and determines the target battery based on the SOC and the priority order of the selected candidate batteries. The battery management device according to claim 2.

6. The performance index according to claim 1 includes at least one of a degree of deterioration, a relative degree of deterioration, a relative usage amount, and a stress score of each of the plurality of batteries.

7. The priority setting unit determines the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, compares the calculated degree of deterioration with a reference degree of deterioration preset for each of the plurality of batteries, and calculates the relative degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of batteries. The battery management device according to claim 6.

8. The priority setting unit calculates the usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, compares the calculated usage amount with a reference usage amount preset for each of the plurality of batteries, and calculates the relative usage amount of each of the plurality of batteries. The battery management device according to claim 6.

9. The priority setting unit checks the usage pattern of each of the plurality of batteries based on the battery information, compares the usage pattern of each of the plurality of batteries with a preset main pattern, and calculates the stress score of each of the plurality of batteries. The battery management device according to claim 6.

10. When there are a plurality of the preset performance indicators, the priority setting unit determines a plurality of index values for each of the plurality of batteries, compares the index values starting from the performance indicator with a higher preset importance, and sets the priority for the plurality of batteries. The battery management device according to claim 1.

11. When there are a plurality of the preset performance indicators, the priority setting unit determines a plurality of index values for each of the plurality of batteries, calculates a state score for each battery based on the determined plurality of index values, and sets the priority for the plurality of batteries according to the calculated state scores. The battery management device according to claim 1.

12. The priority setting unit calculates the state score by weighted summation of the preset weighted value corresponding to each of the plurality of performance indicators to the index value. The battery management device according to claim 11.

13. A server including the battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A battery information receiving step of receiving battery information of a plurality of batteries; An index value determining step of determining index values of performance indicators preset for the plurality of batteries based on the battery information; A priority setting step of setting priorities for the plurality of batteries based on the determined index values; A target battery determination step of determining a target battery from the plurality of batteries based on the battery information and the priority; A battery information providing step of providing information related to the determined target battery, the battery management method comprising the steps.

Images