Wireless mesh network-based battery management system and its operation method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a wireless mesh network-based battery management system and an operation method thereof. The battery management system includes first through Nth Battery Management Units (BMUs) and a master BMU that configure a wireless mesh network. The master BMU may be configured to determine network performance of the first through Nth BMUs, determine a state of charge of the battery modules using operational characteristic data received from the first through Nth BMUs associated with and coupled to the first through Nth battery modules, designate a BMU coupled to a battery module whose network performance is above a standard and whose state of charge satisfies a balancing condition as a router BMU, and designate the remaining BMUs as end BMUs. The router BMU may be configured to form a communication link with each end BMU and transmit the operational characteristic data of the battery modules collected from each end BMU and the operational characteristic data of the battery modules coupled to it to the master BMU.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery management system and an operating method thereof, and more particularly to a battery management system and an operating method thereof that organically links charging state balancing between battery modules and designation of router nodes and end nodes in a wireless network-based battery management system to which a mesh topology is applied.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0171351, filed on December 9, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof. [Background technology]

[0003] Battery packs, which are included in various devices that use batteries, such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS), include multiple battery modules and a battery management system (BMS).

[0004] A battery module includes multiple battery cells and a Battery Management Unit (BMU). In a battery module, multiple battery cells are connected in series and / or parallel depending on the desired output voltage and capacity of the battery module. Similarly, in a battery pack, multiple battery modules are connected in series and / or parallel depending on the desired output voltage and capacity of the battery pack.

[0005] A battery pack's BMS is composed of a master BMU and a slave BMU connected to each battery module. Conventional BMSs are mainly based on wired networks such as CAN (Controller Area Network), in which the master BMU and multiple slave BMUs are connected to each other via communication wires.

[0006] The slave BMU generates measurement data related to the voltage, temperature, and current of the battery module using sensors installed in the battery module, as well as operational characteristic data including the state of charge, and stores the data in a memory device. The master BMU periodically collects operational characteristic data of the battery module from each slave BMU via a wired network and stores the data in a memory device. The master BMU also monitors the operational status of each battery module based on the operational characteristic data, generates command messages required to control the operation of the battery module, and transmits them to the slave BMU via the wired network.

[0007] Traditional BMS architectures based on wired networks are expensive to build due to the complexity of the wire harnesses. The aging of communication lines and the quality of connector connections also affect communication. Especially in large-capacity energy storage systems, a BMS architecture based on wired networks can cause additional costs and communication quality issues.

[0008] Recently, a Wireless Network Based Battery Management System (hereinafter referred to as "WBMS") has been developed. The WBMS is an improved system built using a master BMU and a slave BMU that support wireless communication.

[0009] WBMS does not require communication lines, so network construction costs are low, it is scalable, and maintenance is easy. In addition, WBMS increases the space utilization rate inside the battery pack, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery pack. There is also no problem of communication quality degradation due to aging of communication lines.

[0010] When constructing a WBMS, a mesh topology can be applied, which has the advantage of reducing areas with poor wireless communication reception.

[0011] In a WBMS employing a mesh topology, a communication path is selected that can guarantee maximum performance of the wireless network. Rules for selecting a communication path within a mesh topology are well known in the art.

[0012] To select a communication path, the master BMU monitors the network performance of all slave BMUs and designates one of the slave BMUs with good network performance as a router node and the remaining slave BMUs as end nodes.

[0013] For convenience of explanation, the slave BMU designated as a router node will be referred to as a router BMU, and the slave BMU designated as an end node will be referred to as an end BMU.

[0014] The router BMU is responsible for relaying communications in a wireless network. That is, the end BMUs exchange data with the master BMU through the router BMU without directly communicating with the master BMU. Therefore, the power consumption of the router BMU is relatively higher than that of the end BMU.

[0015] The router BMU and end BMU receive power from the battery modules they are connected to. Therefore, the energy of the battery module connected to the router BMU decreases in State of Charge (SOC) at a faster rate than other battery modules connected to the end BMU.

[0016] The charging state of the battery module must be managed within an appropriate range. Therefore, if the charging state of the battery module to which the router BMU belongs falls outside the appropriate range, the router BMU must be changed at the appropriate time.

[0017] The decrease in the state of charge can be due to power drain of the router BMU or a problem with the battery module itself, such as current leakage.

[0018] Meanwhile, the master BMU may be designed to switch to a sleep mode when the use of a load device (system) powered by the battery pack is interrupted in order to reduce power consumption.

[0019] For example, if an electric vehicle is stopped and the key is turned off, the master BMU switches to sleep mode. Even after the master BMU switches to sleep mode, the router BMU and the end BMU periodically communicate with each other. That is, the end BMU periodically generates operating characteristic data of the battery module and transmits it to the router BMU. Therefore, the router BMU continuously collects operating characteristic data of the battery module even while the master BMU is in sleep mode.

[0020] Meanwhile, the network performance of a router BMU can drop below a critical value due to various reasons. For example, if noise enters the vicinity of the router BMU or if the charge state of the battery module connected to the router BMU drops below a critical value, making it difficult to provide stable power to the router BMU, the network performance of the router BMU can deteriorate. In this case, the router BMU cannot perform its function properly, and communication between the router BMU and the master BMU is not smooth. However, it is not easy to change the router BMU while the master BMU, which is responsible for designating router nodes and end nodes, is in a sleep state. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0021] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to organically link charge state balancing between battery modules and network communication path selection in a battery management system based on a wireless mesh network to which a mesh topology is applied.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery management system and an operating method thereof that can temporarily designate a router BMU without intervention of the master BMU when the charge state of a battery module connected to a router BMU becomes low enough that balancing is no longer necessary after the master BMU of the wireless mesh network-based battery management system is switched to sleep mode.

[0023] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Means for solving the problem]

[0024] A wireless mesh network-based battery management system for achieving the above object may include first to Nth Battery Management Units (BMUs) and a master BMU that configure the wireless mesh network.

[0025] Each of the first through Nth BMUs and the master BMU may include a communication interface that supports wireless communication through the wireless mesh network and a storage medium that stores data.

[0026] The first to Nth BMUs are associated with and coupled to the first to Nth battery management modules, and may record operational characteristic data including the charging states of the battery modules managed by the first to Nth BMUs in a storage medium.

[0027] The master BMU may be configured to form a communication link with the first to Nth BMUs, determine the network performance of the first to Nth BMUs, receive operating characteristic data from the first to Nth BMUs to determine the charging states of the first to Nth battery modules, designate as router BMUs those BMUs among the first to Nth BMUs that are coupled to battery modules whose network performance is above a standard and whose charging states satisfy balancing conditions, and designate the remaining BMUs as end BMUs.

[0028] The router BMU may be configured to form a communication link with each end BMU, collect operational characteristic data of the battery modules from each end BMU, and transmit the collected operational characteristic data and the operational characteristic data of the battery modules combined with it to the master BMU.

[0029] The rate at which the state of charge of the battery module connected to the router BMU decreases may be faster than the rate at which the state of charge of the battery module connected to each end BMU decreases.

[0030] The network performance may be a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) or a Bit Error Rate (BER).

[0031] The master BMU may be configured to designate a BMU coupled to a battery module in a maximum charged state among BMUs whose network performance is above a standard as a router BMU.

[0032] The router BMU and each end BMU may alternately operate in a wake-up mode and a sleep mode, and the router BMU may maintain the wake-up mode for a relatively longer period than each end BMU.

[0033] Each end BMU may be configured to generate operational characteristic data of the battery module to which it is coupled when operating in the wake-up mode, and the router BMU may be configured, while operating in the wake-up mode, to form a communication link with the end BMUs operating in the wake-up mode and collect operational characteristic data of the battery modules from each end BMU with which the communication link is formed.

[0034] The router BMU may be configured to transmit operational characteristic data collected from each end BMU and operational characteristic data of the battery module associated with it to the master BMU when the master BMU is operating in a wake-up mode.

[0035] The router BMU may be configured to suspend transmission of the collected operational characteristic data from each end BMU to the master BMU when the master BMU is switched to a sleep mode and the communication link with the master BMU is disconnected, and to further collect operational characteristic data from each end BMU and maintain it in a storage medium.

[0036] The router BMU may be configured to transmit the collected operational characteristic data and the operational characteristic data of the battery module associated with it to the master BMU when the master BMU is switched from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode and a communication link is re-established.

[0037] The router BMU may be configured to, when the master BMU is switched to a sleep mode and the communication link with the master BMU is disconnected, form a communication link with the remaining end BMUs to determine network performance if the charging state of the battery module connected to the router BMU does not satisfy the balancing condition, and temporarily designate as the router BMU an end BMU connected to a battery module whose network performance is above a standard and whose charging state satisfies the balancing condition.

[0038] The router BMU may be configured to determine that the balancing condition is not met if the state of charge of the battery module to which it is coupled is lower than the state of charge of at least one of the battery modules to which the end BMU is coupled.

[0039] The temporarily designated router BMU may be configured to form a communication link with an end BMU operating in a wake-up mode while the master BMU is in a sleep mode, collect operating characteristic data of the battery module from the end BMU with which the communication link is formed, and record the collected data in a storage medium.

[0040] The temporarily designated router BMU may be configured to form a communication link with the master BMU when the master BMU is switched from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode, and to transmit to the master BMU operational characteristic data of the battery modules collected from each end BMU and operational characteristic data of the battery modules associated with it.

[0041] A method for operating a battery management system to achieve the above object includes: (a) forming a wireless mesh network with a master BMU and first to Nth BMUs that are associated with and coupled to first to Nth battery management modules; (b) each of the first to Nth BMUs generating and storing operational characteristic data including the charge states of the battery modules that it manages; (c) forming a communication link with the first to Nth BMUs by the master BMU; (d) determining network performance of the first to Nth BMUs by the master BMU; (e) receiving the operational characteristic data from the first to Nth BMUs by the master BMU and determining the charge states of the first to Nth battery modules; and (f) storing the operational characteristic data of the first to Nth BMUs by the master BMU. The method may include the steps of: (g) the star BMU designating as router BMUs, among the first to Nth BMUs, BMUs that are coupled to battery modules whose network performance is above a standard and whose charging state satisfies the balancing condition, and the remaining BMUs designating as end BMUs; (h) the router BMU collecting operational characteristic data of the battery modules from each end BMU and transmitting the collected operational characteristic data and the operational characteristic data of the battery modules coupled to it to the master BMU; and (i) the master BMU maintaining the designation of the router BMU until the charging state of the battery module to which the router BMU belongs satisfies the balancing interruption condition.

[0042] Step (h) may include the steps of: switching the operating state of the router BMU to a wake-up mode; and the router BMU forming a communication link with an end BMU operating in the wake-up mode, collecting operational characteristic data of battery modules from the end BMU with which the communication link has been formed, and transmitting the collected operational characteristic data and operational characteristic data of the battery modules associated with the router BMU to the master BMU.

[0043] The method for operating a wireless mesh network-based battery management system according to the present invention may further include a step in which, when the charging state of the battery module connected to the router BMU satisfies a balancing interruption condition while the master BMU is switched to a sleep mode and the communication link with the master BMU is disconnected, the router BMU forms a communication link with the remaining end BMUs and determines network performance; and a step in which the router BMU temporarily designates, as a router BMU, an end BMU connected to a battery module whose network performance is above a standard and satisfies the balancing condition among the remaining end BMUs.

[0044] The method for operating a wireless mesh network-based battery management system according to the present invention may further include the steps of: while the temporarily designated router BMU operates in a wake-up mode, forming a communication link with an end BMU operating in a wake-up mode and collecting operational characteristic data of battery modules from the end BMU with which the communication link has been formed; and when the master BMU is switched from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode, the temporarily designated router BMU forming a communication link with the master BMU and transmitting the operational characteristic data collected from each end BMU and the operational characteristic data of the battery modules associated with it to the master BMU. [Effects of the Invention]

[0045] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery module connected to a BMU with network performance above a standard and having a charge state that satisfies a balancing condition is identified, and the BMU connected to the identified battery module is designated as a router BMU, and the remaining BMUs are designated as end BMUs. This enables balancing of the charge states of the battery modules without wasting energy due to the energy consumption of the battery modules in the process of the router BMU collecting operating characteristic data of the battery modules from the end BMUs through wireless communication and transmitting the data to the master BMU.

[0046] In addition, if the charging status of the battery module connected to the router BMU meets the balancing interruption condition while the master BMU is in sleep mode, the router BMU is temporarily designated among the other BMUs, so that the balancing of the charging status is performed reliably and without interruption regardless of the operating mode of the master BMU.

[0047] The effects of one embodiment 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.

[0048] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0049] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless mesh network-based battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a k-th BMU (Ck) coupled to a k-th battery module (Bk) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating that a router BMU (C* R) and end BMUs (CE1 to CE(N-1)) alternately operate in a wake-up mode and a sleep mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 shows the charging states of the battery modules B1 to B6 and the network performance of the BMUs C1 to C6 at one point in time while the battery pack BP is being discharged according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 shows the charging states of the battery modules B1 to B6 and the network performance of the BMUs C1 to C6 at different points during the discharge of the battery pack BP according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]10 shows the charging states of the battery modules B1 to B6 and the network performance of the BMUs C1 to C6 at other points during the discharge of the battery pack BP according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 shows the charging states of the battery modules B1 to B6 and the network performance of the BMUs C1 to C6 at other points during the discharge of the battery pack BP according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 shows the charging states of the battery modules B1 to B6 and the network performance of the BMUs C1 to C6 at other points during the discharge of the battery pack BP according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as having meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention.

[0051] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of this application.

[0052] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc. are used to distinguish one of various components from the rest, and do not limit the components.

[0053] Furthermore, throughout this specification, when a part is said to be "coupled (connected)" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly coupled (connected)" to another part, but also the case where it is "indirectly coupled (connected)" via another element in between.

[0054] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless mesh network-based battery management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery management system 10 includes first to N battery modules B1 to B2 electrically connected in series and / or in parallel. N The battery pack BP includes:

[0056] In one aspect, the battery pack BP can be installed in a vehicle. The vehicle can include a motor driven using the electrical energy provided by the battery pack BP. The vehicle can be an electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle. The vehicle can have two, three, or four wheels.

[0057] In another aspect, the battery pack BP may be included in an Energy Storage System (ESS).

[0058] In yet another aspect, the battery pack BP may be included in any device or system known in the art that operates on electrical energy.

[0059] The battery management system 10 includes a master BMU (Battery Management Unit) C M and the first to Nth battery modules (B1 to B N 1st to Nth BMUs (C1 to C2) respectively associated with and operably coupled to the N ) and

[0060] Preferably, the master BMU (C M ) and the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N ) may form a wireless mesh network.

[0061] A wireless mesh network has a topology in which wireless nodes constituting the network are interconnected like a mesh. Communication technologies used in wireless mesh networks are well known in the art. Nodes in a wireless mesh network can self-organize the network with ad-hoc characteristics, which enable them to automatically establish and manage mesh connections among themselves, and can select the best packet transmission path. All nodes can act as routers, and intermediate nodes can transmit packets on behalf of other nodes. The mesh-like interconnection between nodes increases the reliability of the transmission path.

[0062] Master BMU(C M ) broadcasts packets to scan for nearby nodes that can communicate, and after forming a communication link with a node that transmits a response packet, it can exchange data packets. M ) and the nodes that form communication links are the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N ). The data packet may include operational characteristic data of the battery module. The operational characteristic data may include at least a State Of Charge (SOC) of the battery module. Optionally, the operational characteristic data may further include measurement data related to at least one of a voltage, a current, and a temperature of the battery module.

[0063] 1st to Nth BMUs (C1~C N ) respectively correspond to the first to Nth battery modules (B1 to B N ) and are associated with each other and coupled to each other, and use sensors to measure and monitor the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery module to which it is coupled, estimate the state of charge of the battery module based on the measurement data related to the voltage, current, and temperature, and adaptively control the charging and discharging of the battery module based on the operating characteristic data.

[0064] Figure 2 shows the kth battery module (B k ) bound to the kth BMU (C k) is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the k-th BMU (C k ) is composed of the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N ) can be commonly applied to

[0065] Referring to Figure 2, the kth BMU (C k ) is a battery module (B) including a plurality of battery cells 21. k ) and operably coupled to a battery module (B k ) for operation.

[0066] The plurality of battery cells 21 may be electrically connected in series. In another example, the plurality of battery cells 21 may be connected in parallel in groups to form a plurality of banks, and the plurality of banks may be connected in series. However, the present invention is not limited by the electrical connection of the plurality of battery cells 21.

[0067] The type of the battery cell 21 is not particularly limited as long as it is a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged. For example, the battery cell 21 may be a lithium secondary battery.

[0068] In one embodiment, the kth BMU (C k ) may include a voltage measuring unit 22, a current measuring unit 23, a temperature measuring unit 24, a control unit 25, a storage medium 26, and a communication interface 27.

[0069] The voltage measurement unit 22 is connected to the positive and negative electrodes of each of the plurality of battery cells 21 via a plurality of voltage sensing lines. The voltage measurement unit 22 is configured to measure the voltage across each battery cell 21 at regular time intervals under the control of the control unit 25 and generate a voltage signal indicating the measured voltage. The voltage measurement unit 22 may include a voltage measurement circuit known in the art. The voltage measurement circuit may include a multi-flex circuit that can sequentially select battery cells to be measured for voltage at regular time intervals, a filter that removes noise from the voltage measurement signal, an amplifier that amplifies the voltage measurement signal, etc.

[0070] The current measurement unit 23 measures the current from the battery module (B k The current measuring unit 23 is connected in series with the battery module (B k ) and generates a current signal indicating the magnitude of the detected current. The current measurement unit 23 may include a current measurement element. The current measurement element may be a conventional sensor known in the art, such as a sense resistor or a Hall sensor. k The current flowing through the capacitor 10 can be a charging current or a discharging current.

[0071] The temperature measuring unit 24 measures the temperature of the battery module (B k ) and generates a temperature signal indicative of the detected temperature. The temperature measurement unit 24 may include a temperature measurement element. The temperature measurement element may be a conventional sensor known in the art, such as a thermocouple. The temperature measurement unit 24 may be provided at multiple locations to independently measure the temperature of each battery cell 21.

[0072] The control unit 25 controls the k-th BMU (C k The control unit 25 may be a control circuit for controlling the overall operation of the device. The control unit 25 may be implemented in hardware using at least one of an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), a DSPD (digital signal processing device), a PLD (programmable logic device), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microprocessor, or other electrical unit for performing a function.

[0073] The storage medium 26 may store data and programs required for the calculations performed by the control unit 25. The storage medium 26 may cumulatively store data indicating the results of the calculations performed by the control unit 25 together with a timestamp. The data may include measurement data including at least one of the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery module and the state of charge of the battery module.

[0074] The storage medium 26 may be a memory device, and may be at least one of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type (SSD type), a silicon disk drive type (SDD type), a multimedia card micro type, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a programmable read-only memory (PROM).

[0075] The communication interface 27 may be a communication circuit capable of supporting a communication protocol used in a wireless mesh network, and may include an antenna 27a for supporting wireless communication.

[0076] In the present invention, the communication protocol may be a short-range wireless communication protocol that supports WiFi (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. Any communication protocol known in the art as usable in wireless mesh networks may be adopted without limitation.

[0077] The control unit 25 may be operatively coupled to the voltage measurement unit 22 , the current measurement unit 23 , the temperature measurement unit 24 , the storage medium 26 and the communication interface 27 .

[0078] The control unit 25 controls the battery module (B k While the battery module (B) is being charged or discharged, sensing signals may be collected from the voltage measuring unit 22, the current measuring unit 23, and the temperature measuring unit 24 at regular time intervals. The sensing signals include voltage signals, current signals, and / or temperature signals detected in a synchronized manner. The control unit 25 converts the voltage signals, current signals, and / or temperature signals into digital data and outputs the digital data to the battery module (B). k ) may generate measurement data including at least one of the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery module (B) and accumulate and store it in the storage medium 26. k ) may be the sum of the voltages of the battery cells 21.

[0079] In one embodiment, the control unit 25 integrates the current of each battery cell 21 using a coulomb counting method to determine the state of charge (SOC) of each battery cell 21, and calculates the arithmetic mean value, median value, or minimum value related to the state of charge of each battery cell 21 as the battery module (B k ) can be determined as the state of charge.

[0080] The coulomb counting method is a well-known method for determining the state of charge in the art. In the coulomb counting method, a voltage measured before charging or discharging of the battery cell 21 is started is determined as the open-circuit voltage, a predetermined open-circuit voltage-state of charge lookup table is referenced to look up the state of charge corresponding to the open-circuit voltage, the looked-up state of charge is determined as an initial value, and when charging or discharging of the battery cell 21 is started, the state of charge of the battery cell 21 can be determined in real time by adding up the initial state of charge value and the rate of change in charge capacity due to current integration. The open-circuit voltage-state of charge lookup table may be pre-recorded in the storage medium 26.

[0081] In another embodiment, the control unit 25 inputs measurement data including at least one of the voltage, current, and temperature of each battery cell 21 into a recursive filter such as an extended Kalman filter known in the art to determine the state of charge of each battery cell 21, and outputs the average, median, or minimum value related to the state of charge of each battery cell 21 as the battery module (B k ) can be determined as the state of charge.

[0082] The present invention is not limited by the method of determining the state of charge, and therefore, it goes without saying that other methods of determining the state of charge known in the art can be adopted without limitation.

[0083] The control unit 25 controls the battery module (B k ) and may cumulatively record the charge state in storage medium 26 along with a timestamp.

[0084] Further referring to Figure 1, the master BMU (C M ) are the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N ) together with the master BMU (C M ) is a battery module (B1~B N ) bound to BMU (C1-C N) may have a similar configuration. M 2, the master BMU (C) may include a control unit 25, a storage medium 26, and a communication interface 27. M ) may not include the voltage measurement unit 22, the current measurement unit 23, and the temperature measurement unit 24.

[0085] Master BMU(C M ) are the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N ) to the first to Nth battery modules (B1 to B N The operating state of the entire battery module can be monitored and controlled by collecting measurement data including at least one of voltage, current, and temperature and / or operating characteristic data including a state of charge.

[0086] In one example, the master BMU (C M When the charging state of a particular battery module falls outside the operating range, the BMU can transmit a control message via wireless communication to the BMU coupled to the battery module to suspend the operation of the battery module.

[0087] Also, Master BMU(C M When a specific battery module is in an overcharge, overdischarge, or overcurrent state, the BMU can transmit a control message via wireless communication to the BMU connected to the battery module to suspend the operation of the battery module.

[0088] In addition, Master BMU(C M ) communicates with the device or system control device to which the battery pack BP is attached, and controls the first to Nth battery modules (B1 to B N ) operating characteristic data to the controller.

[0089] Master BMU(C MThe communication between the wireless communication device and the control device may be performed by wireless communication or wired communication. The wireless communication protocol may be substantially the same as the protocol used in the wireless mesh network. The wired communication protocol may be the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol. However, the present invention is not limited by the type of communication protocol.

[0090] In the following, in the battery management system 10, the master BMU (C M ) and the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N The operation of each BMU is explained in more detail below. It should be made clear in advance that the operation of each BMU is performed by the control unit.

[0091] Master BMU(C M ) are the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N The communication link may be formed by steps conforming to a known standard protocol in short-range communication technology applied to wireless mesh networks.

[0092] Also, Master BMU(C M ) are the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N ) can determine the network performance. The network performance can be determined during the process of transmitting and receiving packets. Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) or Bit Error Rate (BER) can be used as a factor indicating the network performance. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the network performance can be indicated by other factors known in the art. Methods for determining RSSI and BER are widely known, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] Also, Master BMU(C M ) are the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N) and receives measurement data including at least one of the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery module and / or operational characteristic data including the charging state of the battery module, and analyzes the operational characteristic data to determine the charging state of the first to Nth battery modules (B1 to B6).

[0094] Also, Master BMU(C M The network controller 100 may identify battery modules to which BMUs with network performance above a standard are connected and whose charging states satisfy balancing conditions, designate the BMUs connected to the identified battery modules as router BMUs, and designate the remaining BMUs as end BMUs. The balancing conditions may be satisfied when the charging states are at their maximum, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0095] Here, if the factor indicating network performance is RSSI, the condition that the network performance is above standard may be satisfied when the RSSI is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, or if the factor indicating network performance is BER, the condition that the network performance is above standard may be satisfied when the BER is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0096] Also, Master BMU(C M ) broadcasts the network address of the BMU designated as the router BMU to the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N ) to notify the router BMU designation.

[0097] The router BMU establishes a communication link with each end BMU after broadcasting the network address. The router BMU also collects operational characteristic data including the charging status of the battery module from each end BMU, and sends the operational characteristic data of the battery module connected to it and the collected operational characteristic data to the master BMU (C M )

[0098] The router BMU collects operational characteristic data from multiple end BMUs and establishes a master BMU (C M ), and therefore consumes relatively more power than the end BMU. Therefore, the charge state of the battery module connected to the router BMU decreases relatively faster than the charge state of the battery module connected to the end BMU, and thus balancing of the charge states between the battery modules can be performed.

[0099] According to another aspect of the invention, the router BMU and the end BMU can alternately operate in wake-up and sleep modes.

[0100] FIG. 3 shows a router BMU (C * R ) and End BMU(C E1 ~C E(N-1) ) alternately operates in wake-up mode and sleep mode.

[0101] Referring to Figure 3, the router BMU (C * R The duration of the wake-up mode W of the end BMU (C E1 ~C E(N-1) ) is relatively longer than the duration of the wake-up mode W of the router BMU (C * R ) power consumption of the end BMU (C E1 ~C E(N-1) ) is relatively larger than the power consumption of the end BMU (C E1 ~C E(N-1) ) may have substantially the same duration of the wake-up mode W.

[0102] End BMU(C E1 ~C E(N-1) When operating in wake-up mode W, the battery module generates operational characteristic data including the charging state of the battery module to which it belongs and records the data in a storage medium.

[0103] Router BMU(C* R While operating in the wake-up mode W, the router BMU (C) forms a communication link with the end BMUs operating in the wake-up mode W, and collects operational characteristic data including the charging state of the battery module from each end BMU with which the communication link is formed. * R While the router BMU (C) operates in wake-up mode (W), the end BMU (C) operates in sleep mode (S). * R ) and cannot form a communication link with the router BMU (C * R ) does not collect the operating characteristic data of the battery module from the end BMU operating in sleep mode (S). * R ) and End BMU(C E1 ~C E(N-1) ) form a communication link when the time when the wake-up mode W is maintained overlaps with each other, and the router BMU (C * R ) collects the operational characteristic data of the battery module from each end BMU that has formed a communication link, and M ) can be transmitted.

[0104] Master BMU(C M ) can receive power from a separate power supply. M ) when the charging or discharging of the battery pack BP is interrupted, the first to Nth battery modules (B1 to B N ) does not need to monitor and control its operation, it can be switched to a sleep mode to reduce power consumption. M ) can be powered by a separate battery. M ) can switch to sleep mode to reduce power consumption when the electric vehicle is keyed off.

[0105] Master BMU(CM ) is switched to sleep mode, the master BMU (C M ) and other end BMU(C E1 ~C E(N-1) ) is disconnected. * R ) is the Master BMU (C M ) is switched to sleep mode and the master BMU (C M When the communication link with the end BMU (C E1 ~C E(N-1) ) and the operational characteristics data of the battery module collected from the master BMU (C M ) and the end BMU (C E1 ~C E(N-1) ) and may periodically collect operational characteristic data of the battery module and accumulate and record it in a storage medium.

[0106] Also, the router BMU (C * R ) is the Master BMU (C M ) is switched from sleep mode to wake-up mode and the master BMU (C M ) is re-established, the latest operational characteristics data of the battery module recorded on the storage medium is sent to the Master BMU (C M ) can be transmitted.

[0107] Master BMU(C M ) periodically transfers the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N ), evaluate the network performance of each BMU, collect operational characteristic data including the charging state of the battery module from each BMU, identify battery modules to which BMUs with network performance above a standard are connected and whose charging state satisfies the balancing condition, designate the BMU connected to the identified battery module as a router BMU, and designate the remaining BMUs as end BMUs.

[0108] Therefore, when the state of charge of the battery module connected to the router BMU becomes lower than the state of charge of at least one of the other battery modules, another BMU connected to a battery module whose network performance is above the standard and which satisfies the balancing conditions can be newly designated as the router BMU.

[0109] The newly designated router BMU, as described above, forms a communication link with the end BMUs, collects operational characteristic data including the charging state of the battery modules from each end BMU, and transmits the operational characteristic data of the battery modules it is connected to and the collected operational characteristic data to the master BMU (C M During this process, the charge states of the battery modules connected to the newly designated router BMU decrease relatively quickly, so that the charge states of the battery modules can be balanced.

[0110] Meanwhile, Master BMU(C M While the master BMU (C) is in sleep mode, the router BMU communicates with the end BMUs to collect operational characteristic data of the battery modules while operating in wake-up mode. This may cause the state of charge of the battery module connected to the router BMU to continue decreasing, and a balancing interruption condition may be met. The balancing interruption condition may be met when the state of charge of the battery module connected to the router BMU becomes lower than the state of charge of at least one of the other battery modules. In this case, the master BMU (C) M When the master BMU (C) operates in wake-up mode, another BMU that is connected to a battery module that satisfies the balancing conditions can be newly designated as the router BMU. M ) cannot be modified while the router BMU is in sleep mode.

[0111] The router BMU is the master BMU (C M ) is switched to sleep mode and the master BMU (C MWhile the communication link with the battery module is disconnected, the battery module may periodically determine whether the charging state of the battery module to which it belongs satisfies the balancing interruption condition.

[0112] If the router BMU determines that the balancing interruption condition is met, it may perform a process to temporarily designate one of the end BMUs as the router BMU. First, the router BMU may establish a communication link with the end BMU and determine the network performance of the end BMU. The router BMU may also determine the charging state of the battery module connected to the end BMU by referring to the operating status data of the battery module collected from the end BMU. The router BMU may also identify a battery module connected to a BMU with network performance above a standard and whose charging state satisfies the balancing condition, temporarily designate the end BMU connected to the identified battery module as the router BMU, and broadcast the network address of the temporarily designated router BMU to notify the end BMU of the temporary designation of the router BMU. After the network address is broadcast, the previous router BMU is re-qualified as an end BMU.

[0113] After the network address is broadcast, the temporarily designated router BMU establishes a communication link with the end BMU, collects the operating characteristic data of the battery module from each end BMU, and records it in a storage medium.

[0114] In addition, the temporarily designated router BMU is the master BMU (C M ) is switched from sleep mode to wake-up mode, the master BMU (C M ) and transmits the operational characteristic data of the battery modules collected from each end BMU and the operational characteristic data of the battery modules it has combined to the master BMU (C M ) can be transmitted.

[0115] Master BMU(C M) receives the operational characteristic data of the entire battery module from the temporarily designated router BMU, and after a certain period of time, it establishes a communication link with all BMUs again. Then, the master BMU (C M ) determines the network performance of each BMU by sending and receiving communication packets with all BMUs, identifies the battery module to which the BMU with network performance above the standard is connected and whose charge state meets the balancing conditions, and newly designates the BMU connected to the identified battery module as a router BMU, and can designate the remaining BMUs as end BMUs.

[0116] The newly designated router BMU forms a communication link with the end BMU as described above, collects operational characteristic data including the charging state of the battery modules from the end BMU, and transmits the operational characteristic data of the battery modules it is connected to and the collected operational characteristic data to the master BMU (C M ) can be transmitted.

[0117] 4 to 8 are diagrams specifically illustrating an operation method of a wireless mesh network-based battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The battery pack BP includes first to sixth battery modules (B1 to B6). The first to sixth BMUs (C1 to C6) can be coupled to the first to sixth battery modules (B1 to B6) so as to correspond to each other. The battery pack BP is in a discharging state to supply power to a load.

[0118] In the figure, a circle conceptually represents a BMU. The number inside the circle indicates the charge state of the battery module to which the BMU is connected. A hatched circle indicates a BMU whose network performance is above the standard.

[0119] The operation method of the battery management system of the present invention is as follows: M ) and first to sixth BMUs (C1 to C6) configure a wireless mesh network. Preferably, the configuration of the wireless mesh network follows a standard protocol known in the art.

[0120] In addition, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention may include a step in which each of the first to sixth BMUs (C1 to C6) generates operating characteristic data including the charging state of the battery module it manages and records the data in a storage medium.

[0121] The steps of generating and recording the operational characteristic data may be performed when the first to sixth BMUs (C1 to C6) operate in a wake-up mode.

[0122] In addition, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention is a master BMU (C M ) forming communication links with the first through sixth BMUs (C1-C6).

[0123] In addition, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention is a master BMU (C M ) may include determining the network performance of the first through sixth BMUs (C1-C6).

[0124] In addition, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention is a master BMU (C M ) may include a step of receiving operational characteristic data including the charging states of the battery modules from the first to sixth BMUs (C1 to C6) and determining the charging states of the first to sixth battery modules (B1 to B6).

[0125] In addition, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention is a master BMU (C M ) may include identifying battery modules to which BMUs with network performance equal to or higher than a standard are connected and whose charging states satisfy a balancing condition, and designating the BMUs connected to the identified battery modules as router BMUs and the remaining BMUs as end BMUs, where the balancing condition may be satisfied when the charging states are maximum.

[0126] In addition, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention may include a step of the router BMU forming a communication link with each end BMU, and a step of the router BMU collecting operational characteristic data including the charging state of the battery module from each end BMU, and transmitting the operational characteristic data of the battery module connected to the router BMU and the collected operational characteristic data to the master BMU.

[0127] Preferably, the router BMU and each end BMU can alternately operate in wake-up mode and sleep mode.

[0128] In this case, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention may include a step of switching the operating state of the router BMU to a wake-up mode, a step of the router BMU scanning for end BMUs operating in the wake-up mode to form a communication link, a step of the router BMU collecting operating characteristic data of the battery modules from the end BMUs with which the communication link has been formed, and a step of the router BMU transmitting the collected operating characteristic data and operating characteristic data of the battery modules with which it is linked to the master BMU.

[0129] The method for operating a battery management system according to the present invention may further include maintaining the designation of the router BMU until the state of charge of the battery module to which the router BMU belongs satisfies a balancing interruption condition, where the balancing interruption condition may be satisfied when the state of charge of the battery module to which the router BMU belongs becomes lower than the state of charge of at least one of the other battery modules.

[0130] In addition, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention may further include a step of determining the network performance of each end BMU when the charging state of the battery module connected to the router BMU satisfies the balancing interruption condition while the master BMU is switched to a sleep mode and the communication link between the master BMU and the router BMU is disconnected, and a step of the router BMU identifying a battery module connected to a BMU with network performance above a standard and whose charging state satisfies the balancing condition, and temporarily designating the end BMU connected to the identified battery module as the router BMU.

[0131] In addition, the operating method of the battery management system of the present invention may include a step of scanning end BMUs operating in wake-up mode and forming a communication link while a temporarily designated router BMU operates in wake-up mode, and collecting operating characteristic data of the battery modules from the end BMUs with which the communication link has been formed; and a step of, when the master BMU is switched from sleep mode to wake-up mode, the temporarily designated BMU forming a communication link with the master BMU and transmitting the operating characteristic data collected from each end BMU and the operating characteristic data of the battery modules associated with it to the master BMU.

[0132] Meanwhile, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the various operations and / or features of the master BMU, router BMU, and end BMU described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 can all be included in the operating method of the battery management system as at least one or more steps and / or features.

[0133] Hereinafter, a method for operating the battery management system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0134] First, FIG. 4 shows the charging states of the battery modules (B1 to B6) and the network performance of the BMUs (C1 to C6) at a point in time while the battery pack BP is being discharged.

[0135] Referring to Figure 4, the network performance of the first BMU (C1), the third BMU (C3), and the fifth BMU (C5), which are respectively coupled to the first battery module (B1), the third battery module (B3), and the fifth battery module (B5), is above standard, and the state of charge of the third battery module (B3) is the highest at 85%.

[0136] Master BMU(C M ) may designate the third BMU (C3) coupled to the third battery module (B3) as a router BMU, and the remaining BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6) as end BMUs.

[0137] When the third BMU (C3) designated as a router BMU operates in the wake-up mode, it forms a communication link with the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6) operating in the wake-up mode. The third BMU (C3) also collects operational characteristic data of the battery modules (B1, B2, B4, B5, B6) from the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6) and transmits the collected operational characteristic data and the operational characteristic data of the battery module (B3) to the master BMU (C M ) can be transmitted.

[0138] The third BMU (C3) operates as a router BMU and consumes more power than the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, and C6). Therefore, the state of charge of the third battery module (B3) decreases faster than the state of charge of the battery modules (B1, B2, B4, B5, and B6), and state of charge balancing is performed.

[0139] FIG. 5 shows the charging states of the battery modules (B1 to B6) and the network performance of the BMUs (C1 to C6) at different times while the battery pack BP is discharging.

[0140] Referring to Figure 5, the network performance of the first BMU (C1), second BMU (C2), third BMU (C3), and fourth BMU (C4), which are respectively coupled to the first battery module (B1), second battery module (B2), third battery module (B3), and fourth battery module (B4), is above standard, and the state of charge of the fourth battery module (B4) is 75%, the highest.

[0141] Master BMU(C M ) may newly designate the fourth BMU (C4) coupled to the fourth battery module (B4) as a router BMU, and designate the remaining BMUs (C1, C2, C3, C5, C6) as end BMUs.

[0142] The fourth BMU (C4), newly designated as a router BMU, forms a communication link with the BMUs (C1, C2, C3, C5, C6). The fourth BMU (C4) also collects operational characteristic data of the battery modules (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) from the BMUs (C1, C2, C3, C5, C6) and transmits the collected operational characteristic data and the operational characteristic data of the battery module (B4) that it is connected to to the master BMU (C M ) can be transmitted.

[0143] The fourth BMU (C4) operates as a router BMU and consumes more power than the BMUs (C1, C2, C3, C5, and C6). Therefore, the state of charge of the fourth battery module (B4) decreases faster than the state of charge of the battery modules (B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6), and thus state of charge balancing can be performed.

[0144] FIG. 6 shows the state of charge of the battery modules (B1 to B6) and the network performance of the BMUs (C1 to C6) at other times while the battery pack BP is discharging.

[0145] Referring to Figure 6, the master BMU (C M) has been switched from wake-up mode to sleep mode. M Before the 4 BMUs were switched to sleep mode, the fourth BMU (C4) was designated as the master BMU.

[0146] Master BMU(C M Even after the first battery module (B1), the second battery module (B2), the third battery module (B3), and the fourth battery module (B4) were switched to sleep mode, the network performance of the first BMU (C1), the second BMU (C2), the third BMU (C3), and the fourth BMU (C4), which are respectively connected to the first battery module (B1), the second battery module (B2), the third battery module (B3), and the fourth battery module (B4), still exceeded the standard, and the state of charge of the fourth battery module (B4) was also 74%, which was still the highest.

[0147] Therefore, the fourth BMU (C4) is the master BMU (C M Even when the BMUs C1, C2, C3, C5, and C6 are in sleep mode, they form communication links with the BMUs C1, C2, C3, C5, and C6. The fourth BMU C4 also collects operational characteristic data of the battery modules B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6 from the BMUs C1, C2, C3, C5, and C6, and records and maintains the operational characteristic data of the battery module B4 to which it is connected and the collected operational characteristic data in the storage medium 26.

[0148] The fourth BMU (C4) operates as a router BMU, so it consumes more power than the BMUs (C1, C2, C3, C5, C6). M While the battery modules B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6 are in sleep mode, the state of charge of the fourth battery module B4 decreases faster than the state of charge of the other battery modules B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, thereby balancing the state of charge.

[0149] Meanwhile, Master BMU(C M ) is switched from sleep mode to wake-up mode, the master BMU (C M) can scan the router BMU via wireless communication to form a communication link with the fourth BMU (C4), and receive and collect operating characteristic data of all battery modules (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6) recorded in the storage medium from the fourth BMU (C4).

[0150] Also, Master BMU(C M After a predetermined time has elapsed, the BMU (C1 to C6) may further determine the network performance of the BMUs (C1 to C6), establish communication links with the BMUs (C1 to C6), collect operational characteristic data including the charging states of the battery modules (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6), and repeat the process of designating the router BMU and the end BMU by referring to the network performance of the BMUs (C1 to C6) and the charging states of the battery modules (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6).

[0151] FIG. 7 shows the state of charge of the battery modules (B1 to B6) and the network performance of the BMUs (C1 to C6) at other times while the battery pack BP is being discharged.

[0152] Referring to Figure 7, the master BMU (C M ) remains in sleep mode. Because the fourth BMU (C4) operates as a router BMU, it consumes more power than the other BMUs (C1, C2, C3, C5, and C6). Therefore, the state of charge of the fourth battery module (B4) has dropped to 71%, a level at which balancing is not required. That is, the state of charge of the fourth battery module (B4) is not greater than the state of charge of the battery modules (B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6), so the balancing interruption condition is met. In this case, the fourth BMU (C4) may perform the steps of establishing communication links with the other BMUs (C1, C2, C3, C5, and C6), determining the network performance of the other BMUs (C1, C2, C3, C5, and C6), and designating the third BMU (C3) connected to the third battery module (B3) whose network performance is above the standard and whose state of charge satisfies the balancing condition as a temporary router BMU.

[0153] The third BMU (C3), temporarily designated as a router BMU, forms a communication link with the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6). The third BMU (C3) also collects operational characteristic data of the battery modules (B1, B2, B4, B5, B6) from the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6), and records and maintains the operational characteristic data of the battery module (B3) to which it is connected and the collected operational characteristic data in the storage medium 26.

[0154] The third BMU (C3) operates as a router BMU, and therefore consumes more power than the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, and C6). M While the battery modules B1, B2, B4, B5, and B6 are in sleep mode, the state of charge of the third battery module B3 decreases faster than the state of charge of the other battery modules B1, B2, B4, B5, and B6, thereby balancing the state of charge.

[0155] FIG. 8 shows the state of charge of the battery modules (B1 to B6) and the network performance of the BMUs (C1 to C6) at other times while the battery pack BP is discharging.

[0156] Referring to Figure 8, the master BMU (C M ) has been switched from sleep mode to wake-up mode. M ) may scan the router BMU via wireless communication to form a communication link with the third BMU (C3), and receive and collect operational characteristic data including the charging state of the battery modules (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6) from the third BMU (C3).

[0157] Meanwhile, Master BMU(C MSince the first battery module (B1), the third battery module (B3), and the sixth battery module (B6) have been switched to wake-up mode, the network performance of the first BMU (C1), the third BMU (C3), and the sixth BMU (C6), which are respectively connected to the first battery module (B1), the third battery module (B3), and the sixth battery module (B6), has been above standard, and the state of charge of the third battery module (B3) is still high at 71%.

[0158] Therefore, the master BMU (C M ) may redesignate the third BMU (C3) coupled to the third battery module (B3) as a router BMU, and designate the remaining BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6) as end BMUs.

[0159] The third BMU (C3), newly designated as a router BMU, forms a communication link with the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6). The third BMU (C3) also collects operational characteristic data of the battery modules (B1, B2, B4, B5, B6) from the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, C6) and transmits the collected operational characteristic data and the operational characteristic data of the battery module (B3) to which it is connected to the master BMU (C1). M ) can be transmitted.

[0160] The third BMU (C3) operates as a router BMU and consumes more power than the BMUs (C1, C2, C4, C5, and C6). Therefore, the state of charge of the third battery module (B3) decreases faster than the state of charge of the battery modules (B1, B2, B4, B5, and B6), and thus state of charge balancing can be performed.

[0161] According to the above-described embodiment, a BMU with network performance above a standard and connected to a battery module whose charge state satisfies the balancing condition is designated as a router BMU, and the remaining BMUs are designated as end BMUs. Therefore, the charge states of the battery modules can be balanced without wasting energy due to the energy consumption of the battery modules in the process of the router BMU collecting operational characteristic data of the battery modules from the end BMUs through wireless communication and transmitting it to the master BMU.

[0162] In addition, if the charging status of the battery module connected to the router BMU satisfies the balancing interruption condition while the master BMU is in sleep mode, the router BMU is temporarily designated among the first to Nth BMUs, so that the balancing of the charging status is performed reliably and without interruption regardless of the operating mode of the master BMU.

[0163] In the present invention, the master BMU (C M ) and the first to Nth BMUs (C1 to C N The control logic of each BMU may be executed by a controller (25 in FIG. 2) included in each BMU. The controller 25 may optionally include a processor, ASIC, other chipset, logic circuit, register, communication modem, data processing device, etc., known in the art, to execute the various control logics described above.

[0164] Furthermore, when the control logic is embodied as software, the control unit 25 may be replaced by a processor that executes a collection of program modules. In this case, the program modules may be stored in memory and executed by the processor. The memory may be provided inside or outside the processor and connected to the processor by various well-known computer components. The memory may also be included in the storage medium 26. Furthermore, the memory is a general term for devices that store information regardless of the type of device, and does not refer to a specific memory device.

[0165] In addition, various control logics of the control unit 25 may be combined together, and the combined control logic may be written in a computer-readable code system and stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The type of the recording medium is not particularly limited as long as it is accessible by a processor included in the computer. For example, the recording medium may include at least one selected from the group consisting of ROM, RAM, registers, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, hard disk, floppy disk, and optical data storage device. The code system may also be stored and executed in a distributed manner on computers connected via a network. Functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the combined control logic may be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0166] In describing various embodiments of the present invention, components designated as "modules" or "circuits" should be understood as functionally separated elements rather than physically separated elements. Therefore, each component may be selectively integrated with other components, or each component may be divided into subcomponents for efficient execution of control logic. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, if the same functionality is recognized even when components are integrated or divided, the integrated or divided components should also be construed as being within the scope of the present invention.

[0167] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims.

[0168] Furthermore, since the above-described present invention can be variously replaced, modified, and changed by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the technical concept of the present invention, it is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the attached drawings, and can be configured by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment so as to make various modifications.

Claims

1. The wireless mesh network includes first to Nth BMUs and a master BMU, The first to Nth BMUs and the master BMU each include a communication interface that supports wireless communication through the wireless mesh network and a storage medium that stores data; The first to Nth BMUs are associated with and coupled to the first to Nth battery management modules, and record operational characteristic data including charging states of the battery modules managed by the first to Nth BMUs in the storage medium; The master BMU is forming a communication link with the first through Nth BMUs; determining network performance of the first through Nth BMUs; receiving operational characteristic data from the first through Nth BMUs to determine the states of charge of the first through Nth battery modules; Among the first to Nth BMUs, a BMU coupled to a battery module having a network performance equal to or higher than a standard and a charging state satisfying a balancing condition is designated as a router BMU, and the remaining BMUs are designated as end BMUs; The router BMU includes: forming a communication link with each end BMU; A wireless mesh network-based battery management system configured to collect operational characteristic data of battery modules from each end BMU and transmit the collected operational characteristic data and operational characteristic data of the battery modules associated with it to the master BMU.

2. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 1 , wherein a rate at which the state of charge of the battery module connected to the router BMU decreases is faster than a rate at which the state of charge of the battery module connected to each end BMU decreases.

3. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 1 , wherein the network performance is a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a bit error rate (BER).

4. 2. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 1, wherein the master BMU is configured to designate a BMU coupled to a battery module in a maximum charged state among BMUs whose network performance is above a standard as a router BMU.

5. The router BMU and each end BMU alternately operate in a wake-up mode and a sleep mode; The wireless mesh network-based battery management system according to claim 1 , wherein the router BMU maintains the wake-up mode for a period longer than each end BMU maintains the wake-up mode.

6. Each end BMU generates operational characteristic data of the battery module to which it is coupled when operating in a wake-up mode; 6. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 5, wherein the router BMU is configured to form a communication link with each end BMU operating in the wake-up mode while operating in the wake-up mode, and to collect operational characteristic data of the battery module from each end BMU with which the communication link is formed.

7. 7. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 1, wherein the router BMU is configured to transmit operational characteristic data collected from each end BMU and operational characteristic data of the battery module associated with the router BMU to the master BMU when the master BMU is operating in a wake-up mode.

8. 7. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 1, wherein the router BMU is configured to suspend transmission of the operational characteristic data collected from each end BMU to the master BMU when the master BMU is switched to a sleep mode and the communication link with the master BMU is disconnected, and to further collect operational characteristic data from each end BMU and maintain it in the storage medium.

9. 9. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 8, wherein the router BMU is configured to transmit the collected operational characteristic data and the operational characteristic data of the battery module associated therewith to the master BMU when the master BMU is switched from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode and a communication link is established again.

10. The router BMU includes: When the charge state of the battery module connected to the master BMU does not satisfy the balancing condition while the master BMU is switched to the sleep mode and the communication link with the master BMU is disconnected, the master BMU forms a communication link with the remaining end BMUs and determines the network performance; 7. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to temporarily designate, as a router BMU, an end BMU connected to a battery module whose network performance is above a standard and whose charge state satisfies a balancing condition among the remaining end BMUs.

11. 11. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 10, wherein the router BMU is configured to determine that a balancing condition is not satisfied if the state of charge of the battery module connected to the router BMU is lower than at least one of the state of charge of the battery modules connected to the end BMU.

12. 11. The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 10, wherein the temporarily designated router BMU is configured to form a communication link with an end BMU operating in a wake-up mode while the master BMU is in a sleep mode, collect operating characteristic data of the battery modules from the end BMU with which the communication link is formed, and record the collected data in the storage medium.

13. The temporarily designated router BMU is forming a communication link with the master BMU when the master BMU is switched from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode; The wireless mesh network-based battery management system of claim 12, configured to transmit operational characteristic data of the battery modules collected from each end BMU and operational characteristic data of the battery modules associated with each end BMU to the master BMU.

14. (a) forming a wireless mesh network with first to Nth BMUs and a master BMU, each of which is associated with and coupled to a first to Nth battery management module; (b) each of the first to Nth BMUs generating and storing operational characteristic data including a charging state of the battery module managed by the first to Nth BMUs; (c) the master BMU forming communication links with the first through Nth BMUs; (d) the master BMU determining the network performance of the first through Nth BMUs; (e) the master BMU receiving operational characteristic data from the first through Nth BMUs and determining the states of charge of the first through Nth battery modules; (f) the master BMU designating, among the first to Nth BMUs, a BMU connected to a battery module whose network performance is equal to or higher than a standard and whose state of charge satisfies a balancing condition as a router BMU, and designating the remaining BMUs as end BMUs; (g) the router BMU forming a communication link with each end BMU; (h) the router BMU collecting operational characteristic data of the battery modules from each end BMU, and transmitting the collected operational characteristic data and operational characteristic data of the battery modules combined with the router BMU to the master BMU; (i) the master BMU maintaining the designation of the router BMU until the charging state of the battery module to which the router BMU belongs satisfies a balancing interruption condition.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the rate at which the state of charge of the battery module connected to the router BMU decreases is faster than the rate at which the state of charge of the battery module connected to each end BMU decreases.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the network performance is RSSI or BER.

17. The router BMU and each end BMU alternately operate in a wake-up mode and a sleep mode; The step (h) is The operation state of the router BMU is switched to a wake-up mode; 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: forming a communication link with an end BMU operating in a wake-up mode, collecting operational characteristic data of battery modules from the end BMU with which the communication link is formed, and transmitting the collected operational characteristic data and operational characteristic data of the battery modules associated with the router BMU to the master BMU.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the wake-up mode maintenance time of the master BMU is longer than the wake-up mode maintenance time of the end BMU.

19. When the charging state of the battery module connected to the router BMU satisfies a balancing interruption condition while the master BMU is switched to a sleep mode and the communication link with the master BMU is disconnected, the router BMU forms a communication link with the remaining end BMUs and determines network performance; 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: the router BMU temporarily designating, as a router BMU, an end BMU connected to a battery module that has network performance above a standard and satisfies a balancing condition among the remaining end BMUs.

20. While the temporarily designated router BMU is operating in a wake-up mode, forming a communication link with an end BMU operating in a wake-up mode, and collecting operating characteristic data of the battery module from the end BMU with which the communication link is formed; 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: when the master BMU is switched from a sleep mode to a wake-up mode, the temporarily designated router BMU forms a communication link with the master BMU and transmits the operational characteristic data collected from each end BMU and the operational characteristic data of the battery module associated with the temporarily designated router BMU to the master BMU.

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