Thermal System, Fast Charging System for Battery Pack and Method of Its Fast Charging

Abstract

The present invention provides a thermal system (100) for a battery pack (102), comprising a pump (104) and a plurality of tubes (108) fluidly coupled to the pump (104) and mounted on a battery case (106) of the battery pack (102). The plurality of tubes (108) are adapted to circulate a thermal fluid to maintain a rapid charge temperature of the battery pack (102). A control unit (110) is communicatively coupled to the pump (104) and to a BMS (112). The control unit (110) is adapted to control the operation of the pump (104) based on one or more battery-related parameters (114) to circulate the thermal fluid within the plurality of tubes (108) to maintain a rapid charge temperature of the battery pack (102) during a rapid charge period of the battery pack (102). The thermal system (100) is adapted to reduce the temperature of the battery pack (102) during a rapid charge period, thereby minimizing degradation of the battery pack (102).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal system for a battery pack. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rapid charging system and a method of rapidly charging a battery pack using the thermal system.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, rapid charging has been one of the significant features to address the range anxiety issue associated with the shift from existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). The rapid charging of a battery pack depends on the temperature limits, thermal limits, and electrochemical limits of the cells within the battery. Rapid charging also depends on the cell structure or design and the method in which the cells are being used. Therefore, the charging rate of new cells is different compared to the older cells of the battery pack. Additionally, the connection between the battery cells and the battery management system (BMS) is very crucial for the efficient operation of the battery pack. This is because the BMS monitors the cell voltage, charging current, temperature, state of charge (SoC), etc. to ensure the effective operation and long life of the battery pack.

[0003] So far, in the existing technology, rapid charging systems employ one common rapid charging profile regardless of the SoC of the battery. In other words, in conventional rapid charging systems, a constant current is provided to the battery for charging regardless of the SoC of the battery pack. These rapid charging systems also do not include any means to determine the state / health of the individual cells of the battery pack and thus provide a common charging rate. Providing a constant current for rapid charging to the battery can degrade the battery life and may lead to thermal runaway, which is undesirable. As a result, the battery degrades within one or two years with time and duty cycle, thus affecting the life of the battery pack.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, there is a need for a thermal system for a battery pack, a rapid charging system, and a method for rapidly charging a battery pack that addresses one or more of the limitations described above.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a thermal system for a battery pack is provided. The thermal system of the present invention includes a pump attached to the battery case of the battery pack. A plurality of tubes are fluidly coupled to the pump and attached onto the battery case of the battery pack. The plurality of tubes are adapted to circulate a thermal fluid for maintaining the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack when the pump is operated. A control unit is communicably coupled to the pump and a battery management system (BMS). The BMS is communicably coupled to one or more cells of the battery pack. The control unit is adapted to control the operation of the pump based on one or more battery-related parameters to maintain the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack during a rapid charging period of the battery pack by circulating the thermal fluid in the plurality of tubes.

[0006] In one embodiment, the plurality of tubes surround the battery case of the battery pack, thereby being adapted to uniformly promote the circulation of the thermal fluid around the battery pack.

[0007] In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of tubes is inserted into the case of the battery pack to monitor the temperature of the battery pack.

[0008] In one embodiment, a display unit is attached to the case to display the temperature of the battery pack, and the display unit is an audiovisual display unit.

[0009] In one embodiment, one or more battery-related parameters include the temperature of the battery pack, the ambient temperature, the previous charge cycles of the battery pack, the previous discharge cycles of the battery pack, the state of charge of the battery pack, and the degradation status of the battery pack.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a rapid charging system for a battery pack is provided. The rapid charging system of the present invention includes a BMS communicatively coupled to one or more cells of the battery pack and adapted to monitor one or more battery-related parameters of the battery pack. The rapid charging system also includes a thermal system including a pump attached to the battery case of the battery pack. A plurality of tubes are fluidly coupled to the pump and attached onto the battery case of the battery pack. The plurality of tubes are adapted to circulate a thermal fluid for maintaining the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack when the pump is actuated. A control unit is communicatively coupled to the pump and the BMS. The BMS is communicatively coupled to one or more cells of the battery pack. The control unit is adapted to control the operation of the pump based on one or more battery-related parameters to maintain the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack during the rapid charging period of the battery pack by circulating the thermal fluid in the plurality of tubes. A current supply device is communicatively coupled to the BMS and adapted to be coupled to the battery pack. The current supply device is configured to supply current to the battery pack to rapidly charge the battery pack based on one or more battery-related parameters determined by the BMS.

[0011] In one embodiment, the BMS is adapted to identify the battery pack based on an identification number provided on the battery pack. The BMS is configured to obtain one or more battery-related parameters of the battery pack when identifying it.

[0012] In one embodiment, the BMS is adapted to calculate the necessary current to be supplied from the current supply device to the battery pack based on one or more battery-related parameters of the battery pack.

[0013] In one embodiment, the BMS is configured to calculate the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack based on the current to be supplied and one or more battery-related parameters.

[0014] In one embodiment, the BMS is configured to calculate the necessary current and the rapid charging temperature to be supplied from the current supply device to the battery pack based on the input received from the user through the input device regarding the necessary rapid charging range and charging time.

[0015] In another aspect, a method for rapidly charging a battery pack is disclosed. The method includes identifying the battery pack to be charged by the BMS through an identification number provided to the battery pack. Thereafter, the BMS acquires one or more battery-related parameters of the battery pack. Next, the BMS calculates the current to be supplied from the current supply device to the battery pack for rapidly charging the battery pack based on the one or more battery-related parameters. Subsequently, the BMS calculates the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack based on the current to be supplied and the one or more battery-related parameters. Thereafter, the control unit operates a pump to circulate the thermal fluid in the plurality of tubes to maintain the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack. Next, the BMS operates the current supply device to supply the calculated current to the battery pack for rapidly charging the battery pack.

[0016] Reference is made to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to these particular embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Here, various features and embodiments of the present invention will become recognizable from the following further description thereof, which is set forth below.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a thermal system 100 for a battery pack 102 (shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The thermal system 100 is adapted to maintain the rapid charge temperature of the battery pack 102, thereby preventing degradation of the battery pack 102 during a rapid charge event period.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2-4 together with FIG. 1, the thermal system 100 includes a housing 122 adapted to be mounted on the battery case 106. The housing 122 is adapted to house or surround the components of the thermal system 100. In this embodiment, the housing 122 may be a box-shaped member adapted to surround the components of the thermal system 100. In one embodiment, the housing 122 is mounted on the side surface of the battery case 106. The housing 122 houses a pump 104, a motor (not shown), and a control unit 110, and the control unit 110 is communicatively coupled to the pump 104. In one embodiment, the pump 104 may be directly attached to the battery case 106 of the battery pack 102 instead of the housing 122.

[0021] The thermal system 100 further includes a plurality of tubes 108 fluidly coupled to the pump 104. The plurality of tubes 108 are mounted on the battery case 106 of the battery pack 102. In one embodiment, the plurality of tubes 108 surround the battery case 106 while ensuring thermal contact. The plurality of tubes 108 are adapted to circulate a thermal fluid to maintain the rapid charge temperature of the battery pack 102 when the pump 104 is actuated. In one embodiment, the plurality of tubes 108 surround the battery case 106, such that the plurality of tubes 108 can uniformly circulate the thermal fluid around the battery pack 102 to maintain the rapid charge temperature. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the plurality of tubes 108 are selected based on the flow requirements of the thermal fluid. In another embodiment, the plurality of tubes 108 are a cascaded tubular structure. Alternatively, the profile and configuration of the plurality of tubes 108 may be selected according to design feasibility and requirements. Also, at least one tube 108a of the plurality of tubes 108 is inserted into the battery case 106 to monitor the temperature of the battery pack 102. The at least one tube 108a may contact one or more cells (not shown) within the battery pack 102 to monitor the temperature of the battery pack 102.

[0022] In one embodiment, the thermal fluid can be a coolant capable of extracting heat from the battery pack 102 through the battery case 106. In another embodiment, the thermal fluid may be a fluid adapted to provide heat to the battery pack 102 through the battery case 106.

[0023] In one embodiment, a plurality of fin members 106a (shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) are provided on the outer surface of the battery case 106. The plurality of fin members 106a are configured to increase the surface area available for contact with the ambient air, thereby ensuring heat dissipation.

[0024] In one embodiment, a plurality of tubes 108 may be coupled to a heat exchanger (not shown). Thus, based on the temperature to be maintained on the battery pack 102, the thermal fluid can be cooled or heated to ensure that the battery pack 102 is maintained at a rapid charge temperature.

[0025] In one embodiment, the rapid charge temperature of the battery pack 102 relates to the temperature of the battery pack 102 that needs to be maintained to ensure that degradation of the battery pack 102 is minimal or non - existent during a rapid charge event.

[0026] Further, a control unit 110 housed within the housing 122 is also communicatively coupled to a battery management system (BMS) 112 (shown in FIG. 5), and the BMS 112 is in turn communicatively coupled to one or more cells (not shown) of the battery pack 102. In one embodiment, the control unit 110 is communicatively coupled to the BMS 112 via a wired or wireless connection. The control unit 110 is adapted to control the operation of the pump 104 based on one or more battery - related parameters 114 to circulate the thermal fluid within the plurality of tubes 108 to maintain the rapid charge temperature of the battery pack 102 during a rapid charge period of the battery pack 102.

[0027] In one embodiment, one or more battery-related parameters 114 include the temperature of the battery pack 102, the ambient temperature, the previous charge cycles of the battery pack 102, the previous discharge cycles of the battery pack 102, the state of charge (SoC) of the battery pack 102, and the degradation status of the battery pack 102.

[0028] In one embodiment, the previous charge cycles of the battery pack 102 include data regarding the previous charge events of the battery pack 102. This data may include the number of charge cycles of the battery pack 102, the duration of the charge, the current supplied for charging, the amount of charge, etc.

[0029] In one embodiment, the previous discharge cycles of the battery pack 102 include data regarding the discharge rate of the battery pack 102. This data may include the rate of discharge of the battery pack 102, the usage of the battery pack 102 during the discharge event, etc.

[0030] In one embodiment, the state of charge of the battery pack 102 includes data regarding the charge level of the battery pack 102.

[0031] In some embodiments, the control unit 110 may include one or more additional components, such as, but not limited to, an input / output module (not shown), a preprocessing module (not shown), and an analysis module (not shown).

[0032] In one embodiment, the control unit 110 communicates with components such as a processing module (not shown) and an analysis module (not shown). In another embodiment, the control unit 110 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single-core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single-core processors. For example, the control unit 110 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices or modules such as, for example, a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuit with or without an attached DSP, or may include integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a dedicated computer chip, etc. of various other processing devices. In yet another embodiment, the control unit 110 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In yet another embodiment, the control unit 110 may be embodied as an instruction execution device, and the instructions are specifically configured so that the control unit 110 performs the steps or operations described herein to rapidly charge the battery pack 102.

[0033] Furthermore, the control unit 110 is communicatively coupled to a memory unit (not shown). The memory can store information processed by the control unit 110, data regarding one or more battery-related parameters 114, and data received and / or processed by the BMS 112. The memory unit can be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and / or a combination thereof, such as a magnetic storage device, a magneto-optical storage device, etc., depending on the design feasibility and requirements. The memory unit communicates with the control unit 110 via a suitable interface, such as an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) adapter, a Serial ATA [SATA] adapter, a Small Computer System Interface [SCSI] adapter, a network adapter, or any other component that enables communication between the memory unit and the control unit 110.

[0034] Furthermore, the thermal system 100 includes a display unit 116 attached to the housing 122. The display unit 116 is adapted to display the temperature of the battery pack 102. In one embodiment, the display unit 116 is an audiovisual display unit 116 that can provide an audio alert, a visual alert, or an audiovisual alert regarding the temperature of the battery pack 102. In one embodiment, the display unit 116 may be a color-emitting device, and the display unit 116 is configured to emit green when the temperature of the battery pack 102 during rapid charging is within the rapid charging temperature. The display unit 116 may be configured to emit red when the temperature of the battery pack 102 during rapid charging exceeds the rapid charging temperature.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 5 in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4, a rapid charging system 118 for the battery pack 102 is illustrated. The rapid charging system 118 is adapted to rapidly charge the battery pack 102 without degrading the life of the battery pack 102.

[0036] The rapid charging system 100 includes a BMS 112, which can be communicatively coupled to one or more cells of the battery pack 102. The BMS 112 is adapted to monitor one or more battery-related parameters 114 of the battery pack 102 to determine the soundness of the battery pack 102. In one embodiment, the BMS 112 is communicatively coupled to one or more cells of the battery pack 102 via a wired connection or a wireless connection to monitor one or more battery-related parameters 114. In this embodiment, the BMS 112 is disposed inside the battery pack 102. The BMS 112 may include components identical to those of the control unit 110 to receive and process data from one or more cells of the battery pack 102.

[0037] The rapid charging system 118 further includes the thermal system 100 described in FIGS. 1-4, and the BMS 112 is communicatively coupled to the control unit 110. Therefore, the BMS 112 can control the operation of the thermal system 100. In one embodiment, the BMS 112 controls the operation of the thermal system 100 through the control unit 110. Also, the BMS 112 and the control unit 110 can exchange information according to feasibility and requirements.

[0038] In one embodiment, the BMS 112 is adapted to receive one or more battery-related parameters 114 and details of the configuration or design of the battery pack 102 based on an identification number (not shown) assigned to the battery pack 102. Therefore, when the battery pack 102 is connected to the rapid charging system 118, the BMS 112 can obtain data such as the type of the battery pack 102, the charging capacity, etc.

[0039] Additionally, the rapid charging system 118 includes a current supply device 120 communicatively coupled to the BMS 112. The current supply device 120 is configured to supply current to the battery pack 102 to rapidly charge the battery pack 102 based on one or more battery-related parameters determined by the BMS 112. In one embodiment, the current supply device 120 is part of a charging station (not shown) or a charging device (not shown) of a charging terminal (not shown). When connected to the current supply device 120 of the charging station, the BMS 112 determines one or more battery-related parameters of the battery pack 102 for rapid charging. As an example, when connected to the current supply device 120, the BMS 112 is adapted to determine the charge level of the battery pack 102, the previous charge cycles of the battery pack 102, the ambient temperature, the previous discharge cycles of the battery pack 102, and the temperature of the battery pack 102.

[0040] In one embodiment, the BMS 112 may be communicatively coupled to an input device 124 provided at the charging station or the charging terminal. In one embodiment, the input device 124 may be a touch screen device attached to a charging device (not shown) of the charging station or the charging terminal. The input device 124 is adapted to receive commands from the user related to the charging requirements for charging the battery pack 102 and / or the driving distance and / or the charging time. As an example, if the user is required to drive 50 kilometers and the time available for charging is 10 minutes, the user may input into the input device 124 50 kilometers and a charging time of 10 minutes. Based on the received input and the ambient temperature, the BMS 112 calculates the rapid charging temperature and the necessary charging current to be provided. In another embodiment, the BMS 112 may be configured to receive data from the charging station or the charging terminal provided by the user through the input device 124.

[0041] As an example, BMS112 can calculate the rapid charging temperature to be maintained at 50 degrees and the rapid charging current at 25 A. Thus, BMS112 provides a feedback signal to the current supply device 120 to supply a current of 25 A to the battery pack 102. At the same time, BMS112 provides another feedback signal to the thermal system 100, and thus operates the pump 104 to circulate the thermal fluid around the battery pack 102, ensuring that the temperature of the battery pack 102 does not exceed 50 degrees and that rapid charging is achieved within a specified time.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method 600 for rapidly charging the battery pack 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] In step 602, when the battery pack 102 is connected to the current supply device 120, BMS112 identifies the battery pack 102 through an identification number. When identifying the battery pack 102, in step 604, BMS112 obtains one or more battery-related parameters 114 corresponding to the battery pack 102 together with details of the design or configuration of the battery pack 102.

[0044] In step 606, BMS112 estimates the level of degradation of the battery pack 102 by determining the lithium plating status and resistance increase in the battery pack 102. When the details of the degradation of the battery pack 102 are determined, method 600 proceeds to step 608.

[0045] In step 608, BMS112 calculates the required current to be supplied from the current supply device 120 to the battery pack 102 to charge the battery pack 102. From the above example, BMS112 can calculate the charging current at 25 A.

[0046] Thereafter, in step 610, BMS 112 receives from the charging station, through the input device 124 from the user, the rapid charging range (i.e., distance) and the charging time. In view of the example already described above, the user may input the rapid charging range as 50 kilometers and the charging time as 10 minutes. Upon receiving the input through the input device 124, the method 600 proceeds to step 612. In step 612, BMS 112 measures the initial SoC and temperature of the battery pack 102.

[0047] Based on the temperature and SoC measurement results, BMS 112 calculates, in step 614, the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack 102. From the above example, when the ambient temperature is 25 degrees, the temperature is 35 degrees, and the SoC of the battery pack 102 is 10 percent of the maximum value, BMS 112 may calculate the rapid charging temperature as 50 degrees. In one embodiment, BMS 112 may determine the rapid charging temperature based on the capacity of the battery pack 102. In other words, if the details of the configuration of the battery pack 102 include 50 degrees as the maximum rated temperature that the battery pack 102 can withstand, BMS 112 calculates the rapid charging temperature as, for example, 40 degrees, which is well below 50 degrees.

[0048] Thereafter, in step 616, BMS 112 communicates with the control unit 110 to control the operation of the pump 104. In this scenario, the control unit 110 operates the pump 104 according to the rapid charging temperature to be maintained. When the pump 104 is operated, the thermal fluid circulates within the plurality of tubes 108 to maintain the rapid charging temperature. In one embodiment, when the ambient temperature is hot, for example, 40 degrees, the pump 104 is appropriately operated by the control unit 110 to supply a cooler thermal fluid to maintain the rapid charging temperature. In another embodiment, during cold weather conditions, for example, during a period of 20 degrees, the pump 104 may be operated to supply a warmer thermal fluid to maintain the rapid charging temperature. The warmer or cooler thermal fluid may be generated based on a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the plurality of tubes 108.

[0049] In step 618, the BMS 112 operates the current supply device 120 to supply the calculated current to the battery pack for rapid charging. Then, in step 620, the BMS 112 re-estimates the supplied current based on the real-time acquisition of one or more battery-related parameters 114 of the battery pack 102. Therefore, if the battery life is affected due to the supplied charging current, the BMS 112 changes the charging current for the safety of the battery pack 102.

[0050] The claimed invention as disclosed above is not routine, conventional, or well-understood in the art because the claimed aspects enable the following solutions to existing problems in the prior art. Specifically, the claimed aspect of providing a thermal system 100 including a control unit 110 for monitoring the temperature of the battery pack 102 ensures the safety of the battery pack 102 during rapid charging. Also, due to monitoring one or more battery-related parameters 114 in real time during rapid charging, the degradation of the battery pack 102 is minimized, thereby extending the life of the battery pack 102. Additionally, due to the maintenance of the battery pack 102 during charging, the performance of the battery pack 102 is improved.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0051] 100 Thermal system 102 Battery pack 104 Pump 106 Battery case 108 Plurality of tubes 108a At least one tube 110 Control unit 112 BMS 114 Battery-related parameters 116 Display unit 118 Rapid charging system 120 Current supply device 122 Housing 124 Input supply device

Claims

1. A thermal system (100) for a battery pack (102), comprising: a pump (104) attached to a battery case (106) of the battery pack (102); a plurality of tubes (108) fluidly coupled to the pump (104) and attached on the battery case (106) of the battery pack (102), the plurality of tubes (108) being adapted to circulate a thermal fluid to maintain a rapid charge temperature of the battery pack (102) when the pump (104) is operated; a control unit (110) communicably coupled to the pump (104) and to a battery management system (BMS) (112), the BMS (112) being communicably coupled to one or more cells of the battery pack (102); and the control unit (110) is adapted to control the operation of the pump (104) based on one or more battery-related parameters (114) to circulate the thermal fluid in the plurality of tubes (108) and maintain the rapid charge temperature of the battery pack (102) during a rapid charge period of the battery pack (102).

2. The thermal system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of tubes (108) surround the battery case (106) of the battery pack (102), thereby uniformly promoting circulation of the thermal fluid around the battery pack (102).

3. The thermal system (100) according to claim 1, wherein at least one tube (108a) of the plurality of tubes (108) is inserted into the battery case (106) of the battery pack (102) to monitor the temperature of the battery pack (102).

4. The thermal system (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit (116) attached to the battery case (106) to display the temperature of the battery pack (102), the display unit (116) being an audio-visual display unit.

5. The one or more battery-related parameters (114) include: the temperature of the battery pack (102); the ambient temperature; the previous charge cycles of the battery pack (102); the previous discharge cycle of the battery pack (102), the state of charge of the battery pack (102), and the degradation status of the battery pack (102) The thermal system (100) according to claim 1, comprising.

6. A rapid charging system (118) for a battery pack (102), comprising: a battery monitoring system (BMS) (112) communicatively coupled to one or more cells of the battery pack (102) and adapted to monitor one or more battery-related parameters (114) of the battery pack (102); a thermal system (100), wherein the thermal system (100) a pump (104) mounted on a battery case (106) of the battery pack (102); a plurality of tubes (108) fluidly coupled to the pump (104) and mounted on the battery case (106) of the battery pack (102), the plurality of tubes (108) being adapted to circulate a thermal fluid to maintain a rapid charging temperature of the battery pack (102) when the pump (104) is operated; a control unit (110) communicatively coupled to the pump (104) and to the BMS (112), the BMS (112) being communicatively coupled to the battery pack (102), the control unit (110) being adapted to control the operation of the pump (104) based on the one or more battery-related parameters (114) to maintain the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack (102) during a rapid charging period of the battery pack (102) by circulating the thermal fluid within the plurality of tubes (108); The rapid charging system (118) further comprises a current supply device (120) communicatively coupled to the BMS (112) and adapted to be coupled to the battery pack (102), the current supply device (120) being configured to supply current to the battery pack (102) to rapidly charge the battery pack (102) based on the one or more battery-related parameters determined by the BMS (112). The rapid charging system (118).

7. The plurality of tubes (108) surround the battery case (106) of the battery pack (102) and are adapted to uniformly promote the circulation of the thermal fluid around the battery pack (102), the rapid charging system (118) according to claim 6.

8. At least one tube (108a) of the plurality of tubes (108) is inserted into the battery case (106) of the battery pack (102) to monitor the temperature of the battery pack (102), the rapid charging system (118) according to claim 6.

9. Comprising a display unit (116) mounted on the battery case (106) to display the temperature of the battery pack (102), the display unit (116) being an audiovisual display unit, the rapid charging system (118) according to claim 6.

10. The one or more battery-related parameters (114) are the temperature of the battery pack (102), the ambient temperature, the previous charging cycles of the battery pack (102), the previous discharging cycles of the battery pack (102), the state of charge of the battery pack (102), the degradation status of the battery pack (102) and include, the rapid charging system (118) according to claim 6.

11. The BMS (112) is adapted to identify the battery pack (102) based on an identification number provided on the battery pack (102), and the BMS (112) is configured to obtain the one or more battery-related parameters of the battery pack (104) when identifying, the rapid charging system (118) according to claim 6.

12. The BMS (112) is adapted to calculate the necessary current to be supplied from the current supply device (120) to the battery pack (102) based on the one or more battery-related parameters of the battery pack (102), the rapid charging system (118) according to claim 6.

13. The BMS (112) is configured to calculate the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack (102) based on the current to be supplied and the one or more battery-related parameters (114), the rapid charging system (118) according to claim 6.

14. The rapid charging system (118) according to claim 6, wherein the BMS (112) is configured to calculate a required current to be supplied from the current supply device (120) to the battery pack (102) and the rapid charging temperature based on an input received from a user through an input device (124) regarding a required rapid charging range and charging time.

15. A method for rapidly charging a battery pack (102), comprising: identifying, by the BMS (112), the battery pack (102) to be charged through an identification number provided for the battery pack (102); acquiring, by the BMS (112), one or more battery-related parameters (114) of the battery pack (102); calculating, by the BMS (112), a current to be supplied from the current supply device (120) to the battery pack (102) for rapidly charging the battery pack (102) based on the one or more battery-related parameters (114); calculating, by the BMS (112), a rapid charging temperature of the battery pack (102) based on the current to be supplied and the one or more battery-related parameters (114); operating, by a control unit (110) communicatively coupled to the BMS (112), a pump (104) of a thermal system (100), the operation of the pump (104) circulating a thermal fluid in a plurality of tubes (108) attached on a battery case (106) of the battery pack (102) to maintain the rapid charging temperature of the battery pack (102); operating, by the BMS (112), the current supply device (120) to supply the calculated current to the battery pack (102) for rapidly charging the battery pack (102); and a method comprising the steps of:

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