Battery management device, energy storage device including the same, and method for controlling the energy storage device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a battery management device that can reduce inrush current in order to reduce the capacity of a power supply device. [Solution] The battery management device includes a detection circuit 110 that detects the state of the battery 102 and a control circuit 120 that monitors the state of the battery 102 and controls functions related to the battery 102, and the control circuit 120 is configured to transmit turn-on signals at predetermined time intervals to each of a first switch 106 and a second switch 108 that electrically connect or disconnect the battery 102 and a power supply device 104 in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging the battery 102.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery management device, an energy storage device including the same, and a method for controlling the energy storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small, portable electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders, while high-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as motor drive power sources and power storage batteries in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and the like. Such secondary batteries include an electrode assembly consisting of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a case to house the electrode assembly, and electrode terminals connected to the electrode assembly.

[0003] Such secondary batteries can be used as battery packs including battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and / or parallel. Furthermore, a plurality of battery modules or battery packs can be connected in series / parallel to form a battery rack, and a plurality of battery racks can be connected in parallel to form a battery container. Furthermore, such battery containers can be used as energy storage systems (ESS) (or energy storage devices).

[0004] Energy storage systems connect renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, whose power output cannot be controlled, to the existing power grid and can charge or discharge energy according to power consumption patterns. In particular, battery energy storage systems that use secondary batteries are not only used to stabilize grid voltage and frequency, but can also store surplus energy in conjunction with renewable energy power generation systems, such as wind and solar power, whose power output is not constant, and discharge the energy stored in the battery to supply energy to loads.

[0005] In such energy storage systems, efficient battery management is one of the important factors. For example, by managing various aspects such as battery charging, discharging, and cell balancing, the battery life can be extended and power can be stably provided to the load. To this end, the energy storage system may include a Battery Management System (BMS) (or battery management device).

[0006] Meanwhile, energy storage systems can include a power supply device that supplies power to peripheral devices, including a battery controller unit (BCU) in an internal battery rack. Such a power supply device can use a switching mode power supply (SMPS), and the SMPS specifications are determined based on the magnitude of inrush current. Accordingly, there is a demand for the development of technology related to a battery management device that can reduce inrush current, an energy storage device equipped with the same, and a control method for the energy storage device, in order to reduce the capacity of the power supply device.

[0007] The above information disclosed as background to the invention is merely intended to enhance understanding of the background to the invention and may therefore include information that does not constitute prior art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1648239 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present disclosure provides a battery management device, an energy storage device including the same, and a method for controlling the energy storage device to solve the above problems.

[0010] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above technical problems, a battery management device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a detection circuit for detecting a battery state and a control circuit for monitoring the battery state and controlling functions related to the battery, and the control circuit may be configured to transmit turn-on signals at predetermined time intervals to a first switch and a second switch that electrically connect or disconnect the battery and a power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging the battery.

[0012] To solve the above technical problems, an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first battery container including a plurality of first battery racks connected in parallel to each other and a first power supply device that supplies power to the plurality of first battery racks, and a first battery management device, wherein the first battery management device may be configured to transmit a turn-on signal at a predetermined first time interval to each of a plurality of first switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of first battery racks and the first power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the plurality of first battery racks.

[0013] To solve the above technical problems, a method for controlling an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include receiving a start signal related to charging or discharging of a plurality of first battery racks included in a first battery container and connected in parallel to each other, and transmitting, in response to the received start signal, a turn-on signal at a predetermined first time interval to a first power supply device included in the first battery container and supplying power to the plurality of first battery racks, and to each of a plurality of first switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of first battery racks. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, by transmitting a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to each switch that electrically connects or disconnects the battery and the power supply device, the inrush current can be reduced, and by reducing the inrush current, the capacity of the power supply device can also be reduced.

[0015] In addition, according to the present invention, by transmitting a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to each of a plurality of switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of a plurality of battery racks to a power supply device, it is possible to reduce inrush current, and by reducing the inrush current, it is also possible to reduce the capacity of the power supply device.

[0016] However, the effects obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters depicted in such drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an energy storage device including a plurality of battery containers according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining the order of battery racks according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining the order of battery racks having different numbers of battery racks according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating the magnitude of inrush current depending on the transmission time interval of a turn-on signal according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for controlling a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for controlling an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] <Summary of the Invention> According to one embodiment of the present invention, the time interval may be determined based on an inrush current due to an electrical connection between the battery and the power supply device.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first time interval may be determined based on at least one of the number of the plurality of first battery racks or the inrush current due to the electrical connection between each of the plurality of first battery racks and the first power supply device.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of first switch units includes a 1-1 switch and a 1-2 switch that electrically connect or disconnect a corresponding battery rack among the plurality of first battery racks and a first power supply device, and the first battery management device may be configured to transmit a turn-on signal to each of the 1-1 switch and the 1-2 switch at a predetermined second time interval in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the battery rack.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first battery management device may be included in the first battery container.

[0022] The energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a second battery container including a plurality of second battery racks connected in parallel to each other and a second power supply device that supplies power to the plurality of second battery racks.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first battery management device may be configured to transmit a turn-on signal at a predetermined third time interval to each of a plurality of second switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of second battery racks to a second power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the plurality of second battery racks.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the third time interval may be determined based on at least one of the number of the plurality of second battery racks or the inrush current due to the electrical connection between each of the plurality of second battery racks and the second power supply device.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the third time interval may be the same as the first time interval.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first battery container further includes a second battery management device that controls functions associated with the first battery container, and the second battery container further includes a third battery management device that controls functions associated with the second battery container, and the first battery management device may be configured to receive first configuration information from the second battery management device, the first configuration information including identification information of each of the plurality of first battery racks and information about the number of the plurality of first battery racks, and determine a first order of the plurality of first battery racks based on the first configuration information, and receive second configuration information from the third battery management device, the second configuration information including identification information of each of the plurality of second battery racks and information about the number of the plurality of second battery racks, and determine a second order of the plurality of second battery racks based on the second configuration information.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first battery management device may be configured to sequentially transmit turn-on signals to each of the plurality of first switch units at a first time interval based on a determined first order, and to sequentially transmit turn-on signals to each of the plurality of second switch units at a third time interval based on a determined second order.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first battery management device may be configured to match an n-th battery rack in a first order among the plurality of first battery racks with an n-th battery rack in a second order among the plurality of second battery racks, where n is a natural number smaller than the number of the plurality of first battery racks and the number of the plurality of second battery racks, and to simultaneously transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch unit associated with the matched battery rack among the plurality of first switch units and a second switch unit associated with the matched battery rack among the plurality of second switch units.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first time interval may be determined based on at least one of the number of the plurality of first battery racks or the inrush current due to the electrical connection between each of the plurality of first battery racks and the first power supply device.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of first switch units includes a 1-1 switch and a 1-2 switch that electrically connect or disconnect a corresponding battery rack among the plurality of first battery racks and a first power supply device, and the step of transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the plurality of first switch units may include transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the 1-1 switch and the 1-2 switch at a predetermined second time interval in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the battery rack.

[0031] A method for controlling an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include receiving a start signal related to charging or discharging of a plurality of second battery racks included in a second battery container different from the first battery container and connected in parallel to each other, and transmitting, in response to the received start signal, a turn-on signal at a predetermined second time interval to each of a plurality of second switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of second battery racks to a second power supply device that supplies power to the plurality of second battery racks included in the second battery container.

[0032] A control method for an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a step of receiving first configuration information including identification information of each of a plurality of first battery racks and information on the number of the plurality of first battery racks from a battery management device included in a first battery container, and determining a first order of the plurality of first battery racks based on the first configuration information; and a step of receiving second configuration information including identification information of each of a plurality of second battery racks and information on the number of the plurality of second battery racks from a battery management device included in a second battery container, and determining a second order of the plurality of second battery racks based on the second configuration information.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the plurality of first switch units may include the step of sequentially transmitting the turn-on signal to each of the plurality of first switch units at a first time interval based on a determined first order, and the step of transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the plurality of second switch units may include the step of sequentially transmitting the turn-on signal to each of the plurality of second switch units at a second time interval based on a determined second order.

[0034] A method for controlling an energy storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes matching an n-th battery rack in a first order among a plurality of first battery racks with an n-th battery rack in a second order among a plurality of second battery racks, where n is a smaller natural number among the number of the plurality of first battery racks and the number of the plurality of second battery racks, and sequentially transmitting turn-on signals to each of the plurality of second switch units at second time intervals may include transmitting the turn-on signal to a first switch unit associated with the matched battery rack among the plurality of first switch units and simultaneously transmitting the turn-on signal to a second switch unit associated with the matched battery rack among the plurality of second switch units.

[0035] <Detailed Description of the Invention> Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe his or her invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0036] Furthermore, when used in this specification, the words "comprise" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of a stated shape, number, step, operation, member, element, and / or group thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, members, elements, and / or groups. Furthermore, when describing an embodiment of the present invention, the words "may" and "might" can include "one or more embodiments of the present invention."

[0037] In addition, to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated. In addition, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same components in different embodiments.

[0038] A statement that two comparison objects are "identical" means that they are "substantially identical." Therefore, "substantially identical" can include cases where there is a deviation that is considered low in the art, for example, a deviation within 5%. Furthermore, "uniformity of a certain parameter in a given region" can mean uniformity on average.

[0039] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various components, it is understood that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, the first component may also be the second component.

[0040] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated to the contrary, each element may be singular or plural.

[0041] When any structure is disposed "on (or below)" a component or "above (or below)" a component, it can mean not only that the structure is disposed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the component, but also that other structures may be interposed between the component and any structure disposed above (or below) the component.

[0042] Furthermore, when a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly coupled or connected to each other, or that other components may be "interposed" between the components, and that the components may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" through other components. Furthermore, when a part is said to be electrically coupled to another part, this includes not only direct coupling, but also coupling via an intermediate element.

[0043] Throughout the specification, when "A and / or B" is mentioned, this means A, B, or A and B, unless specifically stated to the contrary. That is, "and / or" includes all or any combination of the listed items. When "C through D" is mentioned, this means at least C and at most D, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0044] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the battery management system 100 (or battery management system) can manage a battery 102. The battery management system 100 may include a detection circuit 110 and a control circuit 120. However, the configuration of the battery management system 100 is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the battery management system 100 may further include at least one other component in addition to the above-described components. For example, the battery management system 100 may further include a balancing circuit (or balancing device) that performs a balancing operation on the battery 102, the battery modules and / or battery cells that constitute the battery 102.

[0046] The detection circuit 110 (or detection device) can detect the state (e.g., voltage, current, temperature, etc.) of the battery 102. As one example, the detection circuit 110 can detect the voltage of each cell or each battery module that constitutes the battery 102. As another example, the detection circuit 110 can detect the current flowing through each battery module that constitutes a battery module or battery pack. As yet another example, the detection circuit 110 can detect the temperature of the cell, module, and / or surroundings at least one point in the battery 102.

[0047] The control circuit 120 (or a control device) may monitor the state of the battery 102 and control functions related to the battery 102. For example, the control circuit 120 may monitor and calculate the voltage, current, temperature, state of charge (SOC), state of health (SOH), etc. of the battery 102 based on the state of the battery 102 detected through the detection circuit 110. The control circuit 120 may also perform temperature control, balancing control, charge / discharge control, etc. based on the monitoring results. The control circuit 120 may also perform protection functions (e.g., over-discharge, over-charge, over-current prevention, short circuit prevention, fire extinguishing function, etc.) based on the monitoring results. The control circuit 120 may also perform wired or wireless communication functions with external devices (e.g., upper controllers, vehicles, chargers, power conversion devices, etc.) of the battery 102, battery module, or battery pack.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the control circuit 120 may be configured to transmit a turn-on signal at a predetermined time interval to each of the first switch 106 and the second switch 108, which electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) the battery 102 and the power supply device 104 (e.g., SMPS) in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging the battery 102. Here, the first switch 106 and the second switch 108 may include a DC contactor. For example, the control circuit 120 may transmit a turn-on signal to the first switch 106 in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging the battery 102, and transmit a turn-on signal to the second switch 108 a predetermined time after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch 106. In this case, the transmission time interval of the turn-on signals transmitted to the first switch 106 and the second switch 108 may be determined based on an inrush current due to the electrical connection between the battery 102 and the power supply device 104. In this way, by transmitting a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to each of the switches 106 and 108, which electrically connect or disconnect the battery 102 and the power supply device 104, the inrush current can be reduced, and by reducing the inrush current, the capacity of the power supply device 104 can also be designed to be smaller.

[0049] 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the energy storage device (or energy storage system) may include a plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216, a plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226, a power supply unit 230, and a battery management unit 240. However, the configuration of the energy storage device is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the energy storage device may further include at least one other component in addition to the above-described components.

[0050] Each of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, 216 may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery modules, each of which has a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel, or by connecting a plurality of battery packs including the battery modules in series / parallel. Also, the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, 216 may be connected in parallel to each other.

[0051] The plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226 may electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) each of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216 to or from the power supply device 230. Each of the plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226 may include two switches. For example, each of the plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226 may include a first switch 222a, 224a, and 226a and a second switch 222b, 224b, and 226b that electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) the corresponding battery rack to or from the power supply device 230. The first switches 222a, 224a, and 226a and the second switches 222b, 224b, and 226b may include, for example, DC contactors.

[0052] The power supply unit 230 can supply power to the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, 216 and the battery management unit 240. The power supply unit 230 can include, for example, an SMPS.

[0053] The battery management unit 240 may manage battery cells in the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216. According to one embodiment, the battery management unit 240 may be configured to transmit a turn-on signal to each of the plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226 that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216 to or from the power supply unit 230 at a predetermined first time interval in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216. For example, in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, 216, the battery management unit 240 may transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch unit 222, among the plurality of switch units 222, 224, 226, which is connected between a first battery rack 212 and the power supply 230, and, when a predetermined first time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch unit 222, transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch unit 224, among the plurality of switch units 222, 224, 226, which is connected between a second battery rack 214 and the power supply 230. In this manner, the battery management unit 240 may transmit turn-on signals to each of the plurality of switch units 222, 224, 226 at predetermined first time intervals up to the n-th switch unit 226 connected between the n-th battery rack 216 and the power supply 230. At this time, the transmission time interval (first time interval) of the turn-on signal transmitted to each of the plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226 may be determined based on at least one of the number of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216 or the inrush current due to the electrical connection between each of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216 and the power supply device 230. In this way, by transmitting the turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to each of the plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226 that electrically connects or disconnects each of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216 and the power supply device 230, the inrush current can be reduced, and by reducing the inrush current, the capacity of the power supply device 230 can also be designed to be smaller.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the battery management unit 240 may be configured to transmit a turn-on signal at a predetermined second time interval to each of the first switches 222a, 224a, 226a and the second switches 222b, 224b, 226b, which electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) the corresponding battery rack to the power supply device 230, in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of each of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, 216. For example, the battery management unit 240 may transmit a turn-on signal to the first switch 222a between the first battery rack 212 and the power supply device 230 in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the first battery rack 212, and transmit a turn-on signal to the second switch 222b when a predetermined second time has elapsed since transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch 222a. In addition, the battery management unit 240 may transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch 224a between the second battery rack 214 and the power supply 230 in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the second battery rack 214, and may transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch 224b when a predetermined second time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch 224a. In this manner, the battery management unit 240 may transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch 226a between the nth battery rack 216 and the power supply 230 in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the nth battery rack 216, up to the nth battery rack 216, and may transmit a turn-on signal to the second switch 226b when a predetermined second time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch 226a. At this time, the transmission time interval (second time interval) of the turn-on signal transmitted to the first switch 222a, 224a, 226a and the second switch 222b, 224b, 226b included in each of the plurality of switch units 222, 224, 226 may be determined based on the inrush current due to the electrical connection between the corresponding battery rack and the power supply device 230.In this manner, not only are turn-on signals transmitted at predetermined time intervals (first time intervals) between the plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226 connected between each of the plurality of battery racks 212, 214, and 216 and the power supply device 230, but also turn-on signals can be transmitted at predetermined time intervals (second time intervals) between the first switches 222a, 224a, and 226a and the second switches 222b, 224b, and 226b included in each of the plurality of switch units 222, 224, and 226. As a result, inrush current can be reduced, and the reduced inrush current allows the power supply device 230 to be designed with a smaller capacity.

[0055] 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an energy storage device 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the energy storage device 300 (or an energy storage system) may include a plurality of battery racks 310 (e.g., battery racks 212, 214, and 216 in FIG. 2 ), a grid 320 to which the plurality of battery racks 310 are connected in parallel, a first switch 332 (e.g., first switches 222a, 224a, and 226a in FIG. 2 ) and a second switch 334 (e.g., second switches 222b, 224b, and 226b in FIG. 2 ) that electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) each of the plurality of battery racks 310 to the grid 320, and a battery management unit 340 (e.g., battery management unit 240 in FIG. 2 ) that controls the plurality of battery racks 310, the first switch 332, and the second switch 334. However, the configuration of the energy storage device 300 is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the energy storage device 300 may omit at least one of the above-described components and may further include at least one other component.

[0056] Each of the plurality of battery racks 310 may include a number of battery cells 312 connected in series, a voltage sensor 314, a current sensor 316, and a fuse 318. The plurality of battery cells 312 may be arranged in series inside each of the plurality of battery racks 310 and may be configured as secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged.

[0057] The voltage sensors 314 are respectively connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cells 312 to measure the overall voltage of the plurality of serially connected battery cells 312 and transmit the measured voltage to the battery management unit 340 .

[0058] The current sensor 316 is connected to the positive electrode of the battery cell 312 and can measure the total current of the plurality of battery cells 312 connected in series and transmit the measured current to the battery management unit 340 .

[0059] The fuses 318 are respectively coupled to the positive and negative terminals of the battery cells 312 to protect the battery cells 312 from damage due to overcurrent and overvoltage.

[0060] A plurality of battery racks 310 may be connected in parallel to the grid 320. Here, the grid 320 may provide a charging / discharging path for the plurality of battery racks 310.

[0061] The first switch 332 and the second switch 334 may be connected to each of the plurality of battery racks 310, the grid 320, and the battery management unit 340. The first switch 332 and the second switch 334 may receive a control signal from the battery management unit 340 to electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) each of the plurality of battery racks 310 to the grid 320. The first switch 332 and the second switch 334 may include, for example, a DC contactor.

[0062] The battery management system 340 may include a first battery management system 344 and a plurality of second battery management systems 342. Here, the first battery management system 344 may manage and control the entire plurality of battery racks 310 included in the energy storage device 300 and the plurality of second battery management systems 342, and may be referred to as a system battery management system (or SBMS). Also, each of the plurality of second battery management systems 342 may be connected to each of the plurality of battery racks 310 to manage and control the connected battery racks 310a, 310b, 310n-1, 310n, and may be referred to as a rack battery management system (or RBMS). For example, each of the plurality of second battery management devices 342 can perform voltage / temperature measurement of the battery cells 312, cell balancing of the battery cells 312, voltage / current measurement and SOC / SOH estimation of the connected battery racks 310a, 310b, 310n-1, 310n, and control of the first switch 332 and the second switch 334 through event detection.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the battery management unit 340 may transmit a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to each of the first switch 332 and the second switch 334 coupled between the battery racks 310a, 310b, 310n-1, 310n and the grid 320 in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the battery racks 310a, 310b, 310n-1, 310n. For example, the system battery management unit 344 may transmit a turn-on signal to the first switch 332 (or the second switch 334) in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the battery racks 310a, 310b, 310n-1, 310n, and transmit a turn-on signal to the second switch 334 (or the first switch 332) when a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch 332 (or the second switch 334).

[0064] 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an energy storage device including a plurality of battery containers 402, 404 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the energy storage device (or energy storage system) may include a plurality of battery containers 402, 404, a first battery management unit 440 (e.g., battery management unit 240 of FIG. 2 or battery management unit 344 of FIG. 3), a power management unit 460, and a power conversion unit 470. However, the configuration of the energy storage device is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the energy storage device may omit at least one of the above-described components and may further include at least one other component.

[0065] Each of the plurality of battery containers 402, 404 may include a plurality of battery racks 410, 420 (e.g., battery racks 212, 214, 216 in FIG. 2 or battery rack 310 in FIG. 3 ), a second battery management unit 432, 434, load switchgears 482, 484, peripheral devices 492a, 494a, cooling devices 492b, 494b, and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) units 492c, 494c. However, the configuration of the battery containers 402, 404 is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the battery containers 402, 404 may omit at least one of the above-described components and may further include at least one other component. For example, the first battery management unit 440 may be included in one of the plurality of battery containers 402, 404. 4 illustrates a structure in which the energy storage device includes a first battery container 402 and a second battery container 404, the number of battery containers included in the energy storage device is not limited thereto. For example, the energy storage device may further include at least one other third battery container.

[0066] Each of the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 may be configured with battery modules, each having battery cells connected in series and / or parallel, or battery packs including battery modules, connected in series / parallel. According to one embodiment, the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 may transmit and receive data or signals with the first battery management unit 440 using a Controller Area Network (CAN) communication protocol. Furthermore, the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n, 522a, 522b, and 522n may transmit and receive data or signals with each other using the CAN communication protocol. Furthermore, the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n, 522a, 522b, and 522n may transmit and receive data or signals with the second battery management units 432, 434 using the CAN communication protocol.

[0067] Each of the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 may include a BCU 414a, 414b, 414n, 424a, 424b, 424n. The BCU 414a, 414b, 414n, 424a, 424b, 424n is a battery control unit and may include a third battery management device, a switch unit, etc. The third battery management device may manage and control the corresponding battery rack 412a, 412b, 412n, 422a, 422b, 422n and may be referred to as a RBMS. The third battery management device may measure the voltage / temperature of the battery cells included in the corresponding battery rack 412a, 412b, 412n, 422a, 422b, or 422n, perform cell balancing of the battery cells, measure the voltage / current and estimate the SOC / SOH of the corresponding battery rack 412a, 412b, 412n, 422a, 422b, or 422n, and control the switch unit through event detection. The switch unit may electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) the corresponding battery rack 412a, 412b, 412n, 422a, 422b, or 422n to the power management device. The switch unit may include, for example, a DC contactor.

[0068] The second battery management units 432, 434 may control the internal peripheral devices 492a, 494a of the battery container containing the second battery management unit 432, 434 among the battery containers 402, 404, control the RBMS, and control the load switch 482, 484 through event detection. The second battery management units 432, 434 may be referred to as a Control Battery Management System (CBMS). The second battery management units 432, 434 may detect the status of the corresponding battery container. In addition, the second battery management units 432, 434 may receive status information indicating the status of the corresponding battery container from at least one of the peripheral devices 492a, 494a, the cooling units 492b, 494b, the HVAC 492c, 494c, or the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) included in the corresponding battery container or disposed adjacent to the corresponding battery container. At this time, the second battery management units 432 and 434 can transmit and receive data or signals to and from at least one of the peripheral devices 492a and 494a, the cooling devices 492b and 494b, the HVAC 492c and 494c, or the FACP using a serial communication protocol (e.g., RS485). According to one embodiment, the second battery management units 432 and 434 can transmit status information of the corresponding battery containers to the first battery management unit 440. For example, the second battery management units 432 and 434 can aggregate information on the status of the corresponding battery containers and transmit the aggregated information to the first battery management unit 440.

[0069] The load switches 482 and 484 are electrically connected between the battery racks 410 and 420 and the power conversion device 470 to disconnect or connect a load current. The load switches 482 and 484 may include, for example, a DSU (Disconnect Switch Unit).

[0070] The first battery management unit 440 may manage the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 and the plurality of battery containers 402, 404 in the energy storage device and may be referred to as an SBMS. The first battery management unit 440 may receive status information indicating the status of each of the plurality of battery containers 402, 404 from the second battery management units 432, 434 and monitor the status of each of the plurality of battery containers 402, 404 based on the received status information. The first battery management unit 440 may also control functions related to the internal components (e.g., the plurality of battery racks 410, 420) of each of the plurality of battery containers 402, 404 based on the monitoring results. According to one embodiment, the first battery management unit 440 may transmit and receive data or signals to and from the power management unit 460 and the power conversion unit 470 via a hub 450. The communication protocol used may include, for example, the Modbus TCP / IP communication protocol.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the first battery management unit 440 may be included in one of the battery containers 402, 404. For example, the first battery management unit 440 may be included in the first battery container 402.

[0072] The first battery management unit 440 may transmit a turn-on signal at a predetermined first time interval to each of a plurality of switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 to a power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 included in each of the plurality of battery containers 402, 404. Here, one power supply unit may be included in each of the plurality of battery containers 402, 404. For example, the first battery container 402 may include a first power supply unit, and the second battery container 404 may include a second power supply unit. Furthermore, the switch units may be included in the BCUs 414a, 414b, 414n, 424a, 424b, 424n and may include a first switch and a second switch. Furthermore, the first time interval may be determined based on at least one of the number of the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 or an inrush current due to the electrical connection between each of the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 and the power supply device.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the transmission time intervals of turn-on signals transmitted to each of the plurality of switch units that electrically connect or disconnect the power supply to each of the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 included in each of the plurality of battery containers 402, 404 may be different or the same. For example, the transmission time interval of turn-on signals transmitted to each of the plurality of first switch units that electrically connect or disconnect the first power supply to each of the plurality of battery racks 410 included in the first battery container 402 may be a first time interval, and the transmission time interval of turn-on signals transmitted to each of the plurality of second switch units that electrically connect or disconnect the second power supply to each of the plurality of battery racks 420 included in the second battery container 404 may be a second time interval that is different from the first time interval. As another example, the transmission time interval of a turn-on signal transmitted to each of a plurality of first switch units that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 410 included in the first battery container 402 and the first power supply device may be a first time interval, and the transmission time interval of a turn-on signal transmitted to each of a plurality of second switch units that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 420 included in the second battery container 404 and the second power supply device may also be a first time interval.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the first battery management unit 440 may transmit a turn-on signal to each of the first and second switches included in the switch unit associated with the corresponding battery rack at a predetermined second time interval in response to a start signal associated with charging or discharging of each of the plurality of battery racks 410, 420. Here, the second time interval may be determined based on an inrush current due to an electrical connection between the corresponding battery rack and a power supply device.

[0075] The power management unit 460 (or power management system (PMS) or energy management system (EMS)) can manage the power supplied to the energy storage device. For example, the power management unit 460 can manage the power of the components within the battery containers 402, 404 (e.g., the battery racks 410, 420), the first battery management unit 440, and the power conversion unit 470).

[0076] The power converter 470 (or power conversion system (PCS)) can convert the form of electrical energy to supply it to meet the needs of the power system. For example, the power converter 470 can convert AC power from an external power source into DC power and store (or charge) it in the plurality of battery racks 410, 420, and can convert the DC power stored in the plurality of battery racks 410, 420 into AC power and supply (or discharge) it to an external system.

[0077] 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining the order of battery racks according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a first battery management device 540 (e.g., SBMS) of an energy storage device (or energy storage system) can determine the order in which to start charging or discharging the battery racks 510, 520 included in each of the battery containers 502, 504. To determine this order, the first battery management unit 540 receives configuration information from the second battery management units 532, 534 included in each of the battery containers 502, 504, including identification information of each of the battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n, 522a, 522b, 522n included in the corresponding battery container and information on the number of battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n, 522a, 522b, 522n included in the corresponding battery container, and can determine the order of the battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n, 522a, 522b, 522n included in the corresponding battery container based on the received configuration information. For example, the first battery management unit 540 may receive first configuration information including identification information of each of the battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n and information about the number of the battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n from the second battery management unit 532 included in the first battery container 502, and determine the order of the battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n (hereinafter referred to as the first order) based on the received first configuration information. Also, the first battery management unit 540 may receive second configuration information including identification information of each of the battery racks 522a, 522b, 522n and information about the number of the battery racks 522a, 522b, 522n from the second battery management unit 534 included in the second battery container 504, and determine the order of the battery racks 522a, 522b, 522n (hereinafter referred to as the second order) based on the received second configuration information.

[0078] Thereafter, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to each of a plurality of switches that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n, 522a, 522b, 522n to or from a power supply device based on the determined order (first order and second order). For example, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal at predetermined first time intervals to each of a plurality of first switches that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n to or from a first power supply device based on the determined first order. Also, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal at predetermined second time intervals to each of a plurality of second switches that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 522a, 522b, 522n to or from a second power supply device based on the determined second order. In this case, the first time interval and the second time interval may be the same or different from each other.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the first battery management unit 540 may match the n-th battery rack in a first order among the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, and 512n with the n-th battery rack in a second order among the plurality of battery racks 522a, 522b, and 522n, where n may be the smaller natural number among the number of the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, and 512n and the number of the plurality of battery racks 522a, 522b, and 522n. In FIG. 5, the number (n) of the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, and 512n included in the first battery container 502 and the number (n) of the plurality of battery racks 522a, 522b, and 522n included in the second battery container 504 are 14, which shows the same state.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch unit associated with a matching battery rack among a plurality of first switches that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, and 512n to or from a first power supply. Simultaneously, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch unit associated with a matching battery rack among a plurality of second switches that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 522a, 522b, and 522n to or from a second power supply. For example, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 1-1 switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the first battery rack 512a among the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, and 512n included in the first battery container 502 to or from the first power supply. At the same time, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 2-1 switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the first battery rack 522a of the plurality of battery racks 522a, 522b, and 522n included in the second battery container 504 to the second power supply. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 1-2 switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the second battery rack 512b of the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, and 512n included in the first battery container 502 to the first power supply. At the same time, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 2-2 switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the second battery rack 522a of the plurality of battery racks 522a, 522b, and 522n included in the second battery container 504 to the second power supply.In this manner, the first battery management unit 540 transmits a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to a 1-n switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the first power supply to the n-th battery rack 512n among the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n included in the first battery container 502, up to the n-th battery rack 512n, 522n. At the same time, the first battery management unit 540 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 2-n switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the second power supply to the n-th battery rack 522n among the plurality of battery racks 522a, 522b, 522n included in the second battery container 504. As described above, by simultaneously controlling the switches associated with the plurality of battery racks 512a, 512b, 512n, 522a, 522b, 522n included in each battery container 502, 504 in matching order, multiple battery containers can be controlled in the time it takes to control one battery container.

[0081] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining the order of battery racks having different numbers according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates a method for determining the order of battery racks 610, 620 when multiple battery containers 602, 604 include different numbers of battery racks 610, 620. In Figure 6, descriptions of the same or similar configurations as those described in Figure 5 may be omitted.

[0082] 6, a first battery management unit 640 (e.g., SBMS) of an energy storage device (or energy storage system) may determine the order in which to start charging or discharging the battery racks 610, 620 included in each of the battery containers 602, 604. To determine this order, the first battery management unit 640 receives configuration information, including identification information and number information of each of the battery racks 612a, 612b, 612n, 622a, 622b, and 622m included in the corresponding battery container, from a second battery management unit 632, 634 included in each of the battery containers 602, 604. The first battery management unit 640 may determine the order of the battery racks 612a, 612b, 612n, 622a, 622b, and 622m included in the corresponding battery container based on the received configuration information. In FIG. 6, the number (n) of the battery racks 612a, 612b, 612n included in the first battery container 602 is 14, and the number (m) of the battery racks 622a, 622b, 622n included in the second battery container 604 is 12, showing different states.

[0083] In this case, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch unit associated with a matching battery rack among a plurality of first switches that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 612a, 612b, and 612n to or from the first power supply. At the same time, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch unit associated with a matching battery rack among a plurality of second switches that electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of battery racks 622a, 622b, and 622m to or from the second power supply. For example, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 1-1 switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the first battery rack 612a of the plurality of battery racks 612a, 612b, and 612n included in the first battery container 602 to or from the first power supply. At the same time, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 2-1 switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the first battery rack 622a of the plurality of battery racks 622a, 622b, and 622m included in the second battery container 604 to the second power supply. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 1-2 switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the second battery rack 612b of the plurality of battery racks 612a, 612b, and 612n included in the first battery container 602 to the first power supply. At the same time, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 2-2 switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the second battery rack 622a of the plurality of battery racks 622a, 622b, and 622m included in the second battery container 604 to the second power supply.In this manner, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 1-m switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the first power supply to the m-th battery rack 622m (when n > m) among the plurality of battery racks 612a, 612b, and 612n included in the first battery container 602 at predetermined time intervals up to the m-th battery rack 622m. At the same time, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal to a 2-m switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the second power supply to the m-th battery rack 622m among the plurality of battery racks 622a, 622b, and 622m included in the second battery container 604. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the first battery management unit 640 may sequentially transmit a turn-on signal to switches that have not received the turn-on signal. For example, the first battery management unit 640 may transmit a turn-on signal sequentially at predetermined time intervals from a 1-(m+1) switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the first power supply to the (m+1)th battery rack among the plurality of battery racks 612a, 612b, and 612n included in the first battery container 602 to a 1-n switch unit that electrically connects or disconnects the first power supply to the nth battery rack among the plurality of battery racks 612a, 612b, and 612n included in the first battery container 602. As described above, the first battery management unit 640 simultaneously controls the switches associated with the plurality of battery racks 612a, 612b, 612n, 622a, 622b, and 622m included in each battery container 602, 604 in matching order, but controls them based on the battery container with the largest number of battery racks (e.g., the first battery container 602), thereby enabling multiple battery containers to be controlled in the time it takes to control one battery container with the largest number of battery racks.

[0084] 7 is a diagram illustrating the magnitude of inrush current depending on the transmission time interval of a turn-on signal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The graph shown in FIG. 7 shows current values ​​measured at the DC 24V output terminal of an SMPS when the power supply device (e.g., power supply device 230 of FIG. 2) is an SMPS, and the current values ​​are measured at the DC 24V output terminal of the SMPS when a plurality of battery racks (e.g., battery racks 212, 214, 216 of FIG. 2, battery rack 310 of FIG. 3, battery racks 410, 420 of FIG. 4, battery racks 510, 520 of FIG. 5, or battery racks 610, 620 of FIG. 6) are connected to the SMPS by switches (e.g., switches 222, 224, 226 of FIG. 2, switches 332, 334 of FIG. 3, BCUs 414a, 414b, 414c, 414d, 414e, 414f, 414f, 414g, 414h ... 7 is a graph showing measurements of inrush current and transient time when a turn-on signal is transmitted at a predetermined time interval (Delay in FIG. 7) to each of the switch units included in BCUs 14a, 514b, 514n, 424a, 424b, and 424n of FIG. 5, the switch units included in BCUs 514a, 514b, 514n, 524a, 524b, and 524n of FIG. 5, or the switch units included in BCUs 614a, 614b, 614n, 624a, 614b, and 624m of FIG. 6.

[0085] 7, as the transmission time interval (delay in FIG. 7) of the turn-on signal between the switch unit between the battery racks and the SMPS becomes shorter, the maximum value of the inrush current (peak current value) increases and the transient time can be reduced. Based on such experimental data, the capacity of the power supply device and the time interval of the turn-on signal between the switch unit can be determined.

[0086] 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for controlling a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 8, a control circuit (e.g., control circuit 120 of FIG. 1) of a battery management device (e.g., battery management device 100 of FIG. 1) may receive a start signal related to charging or discharging a battery (e.g., battery 102 of FIG. 1) in step 810 (S810).

[0087] In operation S820, the control circuit may transmit a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to a first switch (e.g., first switch 106 of FIG. 1) and a second switch (e.g., second switch 108 of FIG. 1) that electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) the battery and the power supply (e.g., power supply 104 of FIG. 1). Here, the first switch and the second switch may include DC contactors. For example, the control circuit may transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch connected between the battery and the power supply in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging the battery, and transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch connected between the battery and the power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch. At this time, the transmission time interval of the turn-on signals transmitted to the first switch and the second switch may be determined based on an inrush current due to the electrical connection between the battery and the power supply. As mentioned above, by transmitting a turn-on signal at a predetermined time interval to each of the switches (e.g., the first switch and the second switch) that electrically connect or disconnect the battery and the power supply device, the inrush current can be reduced, and by reducing the inrush current, the capacity of the power supply device can also be designed to be smaller.

[0088] 9 is a diagram illustrating a method for controlling an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, a battery management device (e.g., battery management device 240 of FIG. 2) of an energy storage device (or energy storage system) (e.g., the energy storage device of FIG. 2) may receive a start signal related to charging or discharging of a plurality of battery racks (e.g., battery racks 212, 214, and 216 of FIG. 2) in step 910 (S910).

[0089] In operation S920, the battery management unit may transmit a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to each of a plurality of switch units (e.g., switch units 222, 224, and 226 of FIG. 2) that electrically connect or disconnect (or selectively connect) each of the plurality of battery racks to a power supply unit (e.g., power supply unit 230 of FIG. 2). For example, the battery management unit may transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch unit (e.g., switch unit 222 of FIG. 2) connected between a first battery rack (e.g., battery rack 212 of FIG. 2) and the power supply unit among the plurality of switch units in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the plurality of battery racks. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch unit, the battery management unit may transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch unit (e.g., switch unit 224 of FIG. 2) connected between a second battery rack (e.g., battery rack 214 of FIG. 2) and the power supply unit among the plurality of switch units. In this manner, the battery management device can sequentially transmit turn-on signals at predetermined time intervals to each of the plurality of switch units, up to other switch units (e.g., switch unit 226 of FIG. 2) connected between other battery racks (e.g., battery rack 216 of FIG. 2) and the power supply. In this case, the transmission time interval of the turn-on signals transmitted to each of the plurality of switch units can be determined based on at least one of the number of battery racks and the inrush current caused by the electrical connection between each of the plurality of battery racks and the power supply. As described above, by transmitting turn-on signals at predetermined time intervals to each of the plurality of switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of battery racks and the power supply, the inrush current can be reduced, and by reducing the inrush current, the capacity of the power supply 230 can also be reduced.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the battery management unit may transmit a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to each of a first switch (e.g., first switches 222a, 224a, and 226a in FIG. 2 ) and a second switch (e.g., second switches 222b, 224b, and 226b in FIG. 2 ) that electrically connects or disconnects (or selectively connects) the corresponding battery rack to a power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of each of the plurality of battery racks. For example, the battery management unit may transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch (e.g., first switch 222a in FIG. 2 ) between the first battery rack and the power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the first battery rack. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch, the battery management unit may transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch (e.g., second switch 222b in FIG. 2 ). In addition, the battery management unit transmits a turn-on signal to a first switch (e.g., first switch 224a in FIG. 2) between the second battery rack and the power supply in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the second battery rack. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch, the battery management unit may transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch (e.g., second switch 224b in FIG. 2). In this manner, the battery management unit transmits a turn-on signal to a first switch (e.g., first switch 226a in FIG. 2) between another battery rack and the power supply in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the battery rack, up to another battery rack (e.g., battery rack 216 in FIG. 2). Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the turn-on signal to the first switch, the battery management unit may transmit a turn-on signal to a second switch (e.g., second switch 226b in FIG. 2). At this time, the transmission time interval of the turn-on signal transmitted to the first switch and the second switch included in each of the plurality of switch units may be determined based on an inrush current caused by an electrical connection between the corresponding battery rack and the power supply device.As described above, the turn-on signal is transmitted at predetermined time intervals between the plurality of switch units connected between each of the plurality of battery racks and the power supply device, and the turn-on signal can also be transmitted at predetermined time intervals between the first switch and the second switch included in each of the plurality of switch units. As a result, the inrush current can be reduced, and the reduced inrush current allows the power supply device to be designed with a smaller capacity.

[0091] Although the present invention has been described above using limited examples and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims set forth below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 100: Battery management device 102: Battery 104:Power supply device 106, 108: Switch

Claims

1. a detection circuit for detecting the state of the battery; a control circuit that monitors the condition of the battery and controls functions associated with the battery; Including, The control circuit a battery management device configured to transmit a turn-on signal at predetermined time intervals to a first switch and a second switch that electrically connect or disconnect the battery and a power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging the battery.

2. The time interval is: The battery management device of claim 1 , wherein the determination is based on an inrush current due to an electrical connection between the battery and the power supply device.

3. a first battery container including a plurality of first battery racks connected in parallel to each other and a first power supply device that supplies power to the plurality of first battery racks; a first battery management device; Including, the first battery management device, an energy storage device configured to transmit a turn-on signal at a predetermined first time interval to each of a plurality of first switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of first battery racks to the first power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the plurality of first battery racks.

4. The first time interval is: The energy storage device according to claim 3 , wherein the power consumption is determined based on at least one of the number of the plurality of first battery racks and an inrush current due to an electrical connection between each of the plurality of first battery racks and the first power supply device.

5. Each of the plurality of first switch units a first-1 switch and a first-2 switch electrically connecting or disconnecting a corresponding battery rack among the plurality of first battery racks from the first power supply device; the first battery management device, 4. The energy storage device of claim 3, configured to transmit a turn-on signal to each of the first-first switch and the first-second switch at a predetermined second time interval in response to an initiation signal related to charging or discharging of the battery rack.

6. the first battery management device, The energy storage device of claim 3 contained in the first battery container.

7. The energy storage device of claim 6 , further comprising a second battery container including a plurality of second battery racks connected in parallel to each other and a second power supply device that supplies power to the plurality of second battery racks.

8. the first battery management device, 8. The energy storage device of claim 7, wherein the energy storage device is configured to transmit a turn-on signal at a predetermined third time interval to each of a plurality of second switch units that electrically connect or disconnect each of the plurality of second battery racks to the second power supply device in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the plurality of second battery racks.

9. The third time interval is:

9. The energy storage device according to claim 8, wherein the power consumption is determined based on at least one of the number of the plurality of second battery racks or an inrush current due to an electrical connection between each of the plurality of second battery racks and the second power supply device.

10. The energy storage device of claim 8 , wherein the third time interval is the same as the first time interval.

11. The first battery container is a second battery management unit that controls functions associated with the first battery container; The second battery container is a third battery management unit that controls functions related to the second battery container; the first battery management device, receiving first configuration information from the second battery management device, the first configuration information including identification information of each of the first battery racks and information about the number of the first battery racks; and determining a first order of the first battery racks based on the first configuration information; 9. The energy storage device of claim 8, wherein the energy storage device is configured to receive second configuration information from the third battery management device, the second configuration information including identification information of each of the second battery racks and information about the number of the second battery racks, and to determine a second order of the second battery racks based on the second configuration information.

12. the first battery management device, transmitting turn-on signals sequentially to each of the plurality of first switch units at the first time intervals based on the determined first order; The energy storage device according to claim 11 , wherein the device is configured to sequentially transmit turn-on signals to the plurality of second switch units at the third time intervals based on the determined second order.

13. the first battery management device, Matching an n-th battery rack in the first order among the plurality of first battery racks with the n-th battery rack in the second order among the plurality of second battery racks, where n is a smaller natural number among the number of the plurality of first battery racks and the number of the plurality of second battery racks; 13. The energy storage device of claim 12, configured to simultaneously transmit a turn-on signal to a first switch unit associated with the matched battery rack of the plurality of first switch units and a second switch unit associated with the matched battery rack of the plurality of second switch units.

14. receiving a start signal related to charging or discharging of a plurality of first battery racks included in a first battery container and connected in parallel; and transmitting a turn-on signal at a predetermined first time interval to each of a plurality of first switch units, the first switch units being included in the first battery container and supplying power to the plurality of first battery racks, and electrically connecting or disconnecting each of the plurality of first battery racks in response to the received start signal.

15. The first time interval is:

15. The method for controlling an energy storage device according to claim 14, wherein the control is determined based on at least one of the number of the plurality of first battery racks or an inrush current due to an electrical connection between each of the plurality of first battery racks and the first power supply device.

16. Each of the plurality of first switch units a first-1 switch and a first-2 switch electrically connecting or disconnecting a corresponding battery rack among the plurality of first battery racks and the first power supply device; The step of transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the plurality of first switch units includes:

15. The method for controlling an energy storage device according to claim 14, further comprising transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the first-first switch and the first-second switch at a predetermined second time interval in response to a start signal related to charging or discharging of the battery rack.

17. receiving a start signal related to charging or discharging of a plurality of second battery racks included in a second battery container different from the first battery container and connected in parallel with each other; 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting, in response to the received start signal, a turn-on signal at a predetermined second time interval to each of a plurality of second switch units that electrically connect or disconnect a second power supply device that supplies power to the plurality of second battery racks included in the second battery container and each of the plurality of second battery racks.

18. receiving first configuration information including identification information of each of the first battery racks and information about the number of the first battery racks from a battery management device included in the first battery container, and determining a first order of the first battery racks based on the first configuration information; 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving second configuration information, including identification information of each of the second battery racks and information about the number of the second battery racks, from a battery management device included in the second battery container; and determining a second order of the second battery racks based on the second configuration information.

19. The step of transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the plurality of first switch units includes: transmitting turn-on signals to the plurality of first switch units sequentially at the first time intervals based on the determined first order; Including, The step of transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the plurality of second switch units includes:

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: transmitting a turn-on signal to each of the plurality of second switch units at the second time intervals based on the determined second order.

20. The step of matching the n-th battery rack in the first order among the plurality of first battery racks with the n-th battery rack in the second order among the plurality of second battery racks further includes: n being a smaller natural number among the number of the plurality of first battery racks and the number of the plurality of second battery racks; The step of sequentially transmitting turn-on signals to the plurality of second switch units at the second time intervals includes:

20. The method of claim 19, comprising transmitting a turn-on signal to a first switch unit associated with the matched battery rack among the plurality of first switch units and simultaneously transmitting a turn-on signal to a second switch unit associated with the matched battery rack among the plurality of second switch units.

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