Power cut-off method and vehicle system providing the method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power cut-off method and an automobile system that provides the method. The automobile system of the present invention includes a battery system including a main battery including a plurality of battery cells, a main relay electrically connecting the main battery to a charging system, a BMS (Battery Management System) that controls the main relay, and a battery communication unit, an auxiliary battery that supplies driving power to the main relay, a first power cut-off switch that connects the auxiliary battery and the main relay so that power discharged from the auxiliary battery is supplied to the main relay as driving power, an automobile communication unit that communicates with the charging system and the battery communication unit, and an automobile control unit that turns off the first power cut-off switch when a first emergency alarm message including status information that the main relay is not controlled to be turned off is received from the battery system via the automobile communication unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0057832, filed on May 3, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for powering down a rapid charging system and an automotive system that provides the method. [Background technology]

[0003] Environmentally friendly vehicles, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, are equipped with a high-voltage battery for supplying driving power to an electric motor. The battery system includes a main relay for controlling an electrical connection with a quick charger, which is an external device. The battery system may further include a quick charge relay for protecting the high-voltage battery during the high-voltage charging process.

[0004] In a structure in which the main relay and fast charge relay are connected in series, the main relay and fast charge relay must both be turned on to electrically connect the high-voltage battery and fast charger. For example, if a failure occurs in the main relay, the fast charge relay can be turned off to prevent problems such as overcharging of the high-voltage battery.

[0005] If the BMS (Battery Management System), which controls the charging and discharging of the high-voltage battery, malfunctions, it may be impossible to control the main relay and / or the fast-charging relay. Alternatively, if the main relay and / or the fast-charging relay malfunctions, such as fusion, the BMS may be unable to control the turn-on and turn-off of the battery. This can lead to serious problems with the high-voltage battery, such as overcharging, fire, or a shortened lifespan.

[0006] In response to this, a method is needed to electrically isolate the battery system and the fast charger even if at least one of the BMS, main relay, and fast charge relay fails. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention provides a power cut-off method that can cut off the power supplying driving power to the main relay and the quick charge relay, and electrically isolate the battery system and the quick charger in an emergency, and an automotive system that provides the method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an automobile system includes a battery system including a main battery including a plurality of battery cells, a main relay electrically connecting the main battery to a charging system, a BMS (Battery Management System) controlling the main relay, and a battery communication unit; an auxiliary battery supplying driving power to the main relay; a first power cut-off switch connecting the auxiliary battery to the main relay so that power discharged from the auxiliary battery is supplied to the driving power of the main relay; an automobile communication unit communicating with the charging system and the battery communication unit; and an automobile control unit turning off the first power cut-off switch when receiving a first emergency alarm message from the battery system via the automobile communication unit, the first emergency alarm message including status information indicating that the main relay is not turned off.

[0009] The automotive system may further include a quick charge relay connected in series with the main relay, and a second power cut-off switch connecting the auxiliary battery and the quick charge relay so that power discharged from the auxiliary battery is supplied to drive the quick charge relay.

[0010] The vehicle control unit may control the second power cut-off switch to turn off when the first emergency alarm message is received.

[0011] When the vehicle control unit receives a second emergency alarm message including status information indicating that a preset charging condition is not satisfied from the charging system via the vehicle communication unit, the vehicle control unit may turn off the main relay and the quick charging relay via the BMS.

[0012] The automobile control unit may control the first power cut-off switch and the second power cut-off switch to turn off when the automobile control unit receives the second emergency alarm message.

[0013] The auxiliary battery may be a low-power battery that supplies driving power to electrical components mounted on the automobile system.

[0014] The charging system may be a rapid charging system that charges the main battery within a time shorter than a predetermined reference time.

[0015] A power cut-off method according to one aspect of the present invention is a power cut-off method for cutting off an electrical connection between a battery system including a main battery including a plurality of battery cells and a main relay electrically connecting the main battery to the charging system, and a charging system, the method including the steps of receiving a first emergency alarm message from the battery system including status information that the main relay is not controlled to be turned off, and turning off a first power cut-off switch connecting the main relay to an auxiliary battery that supplies driving power to the main relay.

[0016] the battery system further includes a quick charge relay connected in series with the main relay, and a second power cutoff switch connecting the quick charge relay to the auxiliary battery that supplies driving power to the quick charge relay;

[0017] The step of controlling the first power cut-off switch to turn off may further include the step of controlling the second power cut-off switch to turn off.

[0018] The power cutoff method may further include, before the step of receiving the first emergency alarm message from the battery system, receiving a second emergency alarm message from the charging system, the second emergency alarm message including status information indicating that a preset charging condition is not satisfied, and transmitting a signal to the battery system to control the main relay and the quick charge relay to be turned off. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in an emergency situation where it is not possible to turn off the main relay using a control signal due to a failure in a battery management system (BMS), for example, the driving power supplied to the main relay is cut off to physically turn off the main relay, thereby reliably disconnecting the large current path connecting the battery system and the quick charging system.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of turning off a main relay electrically connecting a battery system and a quick charging system using a control signal and a method of turning off the main relay by cutting off the driving power supplied to the main relay can both be used, thereby effectively preventing dangerous situations such as fires. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a battery system according to an embodiment, an automobile system in which the battery system is installed, and a charging system electrically connected to the battery system to supply power. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating in detail the connection relationship between the battery system and the charging system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]10 is a flowchart illustrating a power cut-off method according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a power cut-off method according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical or similar components will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and / or "section" used in the following description are used solely for ease of description and do not have any distinct meanings or functions. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if a detailed description of related publicly known technology is deemed to obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the technical concepts disclosed herein should not be limited by the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0023] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited to those terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0024] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0025] In this application, the use of terms such as "comprises" or "having" is intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but is understood not to preclude the possible presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a battery system according to one embodiment, an automobile system in which the battery system is installed, and a charging system electrically connected to the battery system to supply power, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating in detail the connection relationship between the battery system and the charging system in FIG. 1.

[0027] 1 and 2, the automobile system 1 may be an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle equipped with the battery system 2. However, the automobile system 1 is not limited thereto, and may include various types of upper systems equipped with the battery system 2.

[0028] The automobile system 1 includes a first power cutoff switch P_SW1, an automobile control unit (ECU, Electronic Control Unit) 11, an auxiliary battery 13, and an automobile communication unit 15.

[0029] The first power cut-off switch P_SW1 may electrically connect the auxiliary battery 13 and the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 of the battery system 2. When the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 is turned on, driving power may be supplied to the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2. When the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 is turned off, driving power may not be supplied to the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2. For example, the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 may be an electronic relay using semiconductor elements, which has a fast response speed and low electrical noise and vibration.

[0030] For example, the first power cutoff switch P_SW1 may be installed in the automobile system 1 that uses a boosting charge method. The boosting charge method may be a method for charging the main battery 21 of the battery system 2 within a time shorter than a predetermined reference time.

[0031] 1, when the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 is turned off under the control of the vehicle control unit (ECU) 11, the driving power is cut off to the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 of the battery system 2. Thereafter, the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 are turned off. In other words, the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 may be a switch that cuts off the supply of driving power and physically controls the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 to be turned off.

[0032] The vehicle control unit (ECU) 11 can control the entire vehicle system 1. According to this embodiment, when an event corresponding to an emergency occurs in a charging mode in which the battery system 2 and the charging system 3 are electrically connected and the main battery 21 is being charged, the vehicle control unit (ECU) 11 can directly control the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 to cut off the driving power supplied to the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2. Alternatively, the vehicle control unit (ECU) 11 can control the battery management system (BMS) 23 to turn off the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2. When the driving power is cut off or the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 are turned off by a control signal, the large current path connecting the battery system 2 and the charging system 3 can be cut off.

[0033] The auxiliary battery 13 may be a low-power battery that supplies driving power to various electrical components mounted on the automobile system 1. For example, the auxiliary battery 13 may be a lead-acid battery that supplies driving power (for example, 12 V voltage power) to a mechanical relay (switch).

[0034] The vehicle communication unit 15 may include a communication module capable of communicating with each of the battery system 2 and the charging system 3. For example, the vehicle communication unit 15 may receive a first emergency alarm message from the battery system 2. The first emergency alarm message may include information regarding a state in which the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 of the battery system 2 are not controlled to be turned off due to various causes. As another example, the vehicle communication unit 15 may receive a second emergency alarm message from the charging system 3. The second emergency alarm message may include information regarding a state in which a preset charging condition is not satisfied. That is, if an abnormality occurs during the charging of the main battery 21 of the battery system 2, the charging system 3 may transmit a second emergency alarm message to the vehicle system 1.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery system 2 includes a main battery 21, main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2, quick charge relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2, a second power cut-off switch P_SW2, and a battery management system (hereinafter referred to as "BMS") 23.

[0036] The main battery 21 may include a plurality of battery cells connected in series and in parallel. In one embodiment, the battery cells may be rechargeable secondary batteries. A predetermined number of battery cells may be connected in series to form a battery module, a predetermined number of battery modules may be connected in series to form a battery pack, or a predetermined number of battery packs may be connected in parallel to form a battery bank, all of which may supply a desired amount of power. While FIG. 1 illustrates the main battery 21 having a plurality of battery cells connected in series, the main battery 21 may be configured as a battery module, a battery pack, or a battery bank.

[0037] The main battery 21 may be a battery that provides high-power electric power to an external device (e.g., a motor, etc.). In Fig. 1, the main battery 21 is connected between two output terminals OUT1 and OUT2 of the battery system 2. The configurations and the connections between the configurations shown in Fig. 1 are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0038] The main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 can electrically connect or disconnect the battery system 2 and the charging system 3. For example, the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 can correspond to mechanical relays that are turned on when supplied with driving power.

[0039] The main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 may be turned on or off by a control signal from the BMS 23 while receiving driving power from the auxiliary battery 13. According to an embodiment, even if the BMS 23 transmits a turn-on control signal to the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2, if the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 cannot receive driving power from the auxiliary battery 13, the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 may be in an off state.

[0040] The first main relay M_SW1 is connected between the positive electrode of the main battery 21 and a first output terminal OUT1 of the battery system 2. The second main relay M_SW2 is connected between the negative electrode of the main battery 21 and a second output terminal OUT2 of the battery system 2. Although both the first main relay M_SW1 and the second main relay M_SW2 are illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the battery system 2 may include only the first main relay M_SW1.

[0041] The quick charge relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 are connected in series with the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 to strengthen the electrical connection between the battery system 2 and the charging system 3. For example, the quick charge relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 may correspond to mechanical relays that are turned on or off when supplied with driving power. According to an embodiment, the quick charge relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 may be installed in a battery system 2 that uses a boosting charge method.

[0042] The quick charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 may be turned on or off by a control signal from the BMS 23 while receiving driving power from the auxiliary battery 13. According to an embodiment, even if the BMS 23 transmits a turn-on control signal to the quick charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2, if the quick charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 cannot receive driving power from the auxiliary battery 13, the quick charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 may be in an off state.

[0043] The first quick charging relay BC_SW1 may be connected in series with the first main relay M_SW1 between the positive electrode of the main battery 21 and the first output terminal OUT1 of the battery system 2. The second quick charging relay BC_SW2 may be connected in series with the second main relay M_SW2 between the negative electrode of the main battery 21 and the second output terminal OUT2 of the battery system 2. Although both the first quick charging relay BC_SW1 and the second quick charging relay BC_SW2 are illustrated in FIG. 1 , the present invention is not limited to this, and the battery system 2 may include only the first quick charging relay BC_SW1.

[0044] The BMS 23 can generally manage the battery system 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the BMS 23 may include a second power cutoff switch P_SW2, a battery control unit (MCU) 231, and a battery communication unit 233.

[0045] The second power cut-off switch P_SW2 electrically connects the auxiliary battery 13 and the quick charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 and controls the quick charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 to supply or cut off driving power. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 may be located on one side of the automobile system 1 or the BMS 23 or the external battery system 2. Furthermore, for example, the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 may be an electronic relay using semiconductor elements that has a fast response speed and low electrical noise and vibration.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 may be a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). A base B of the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 is connected to the automotive system 1 and can receive the driving signal CS. A collector C of the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 is connected to the output terminal of the auxiliary battery 13. An emitter E of the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 may be connected to the fast charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2.

[0047] For example, the second power cutoff switch P_SW2 may be an NPN-type transistor that is turned on by a high-level drive signal CS and turned off by a low-level drive signal CS, and when the second power cutoff switch P_SW2 is turned on, the drive power of the auxiliary battery 13 can be supplied to the fast charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2.

[0048] According to the embodiment, an event such as overheating of the main battery 21 may occur in a state where at least one of the main relays M_SW1, M_SW2 and the quick charging relays BC_SW1, BC_SW2 cannot be controlled by the control signal due to a failure of the main relays M_SW1, M_SW2, the quick charging relays BC_SW1, BC_SW2, and / or the BMS 23. In this case, the BMS 23 can transmit a first emergency alarm message to the automotive system 1. In response, the automotive system 1 can turn off the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 and the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 to cut off the driving power supplied to the main relays M_SW1, M_SW2 and the quick charging relays BC_SW1, BC_SW2.

[0049] The battery control unit (MCU) 231 can manage the entire BMS 23. For example, when an event such as an emergency situation occurs, such as overheating of the main battery 21, the control unit (MCU) 231 can transmit a turn-off control signal to the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 and / or the quick charge relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 to electrically disconnect the battery system 2 from the charging system 3.

[0050] The battery communication unit 233 may include a communication module capable of communicating with the vehicle communication unit 15. For example, the battery communication unit 233 may transmit a first emergency alarm message to the vehicle system 1 under the control of the battery control unit (MCU) 231.

[0051] The charging system 3 can supply power to the main battery 21 of the battery system 2. That is, the main battery 21 can be charged with the power provided by the charging system 3. For example, the charging system 3 can charge the main battery 21 of the battery system 2 using a quick charging method.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, the charging system 3 includes a telecommunication unit 31 and a charging control unit (CCU) 33.

[0053] The charging control unit (CCU) 33 can transmit the status of the charging system 3 to the automobile system 1 via the electrical communication unit 31. According to an embodiment, the charging control unit (CCU) 33 can transmit a second emergency alarm message to the automobile system 1 via the charging communication unit 31.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a power cut-off method according to another embodiment.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3, the automobile system 1 receives a first emergency alarm message from the battery system 1 (S100).

[0056] The first emergency alarm message may include information regarding a condition in which the battery system 1 is unable to control at least one of the main relays M_SW1, M_SW2 and the rapid charging relays BC_SW1, BC_SW2.

[0057] Next, the automobile system 1 controls the first power cutoff switch P_SW1 and the second power cutoff switch P_SW2 to turn off (S200).

[0058] 1, when the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 is turned off, the driving power supplied to the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 is cut off. After that, the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 are turned off, and the battery system 1 and the charging system 3 can be electrically separated.

[0059] For example, if the charging system 3 is a quick charging system that charges the main battery 21 within a time shorter than a predetermined reference time, the battery system 1 may include all of the quick charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 and the power cut-off switches P_SW1 and P_SW2. Upon receiving a first emergency alarm message from the battery system 1, the automobile system 1 may control the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 and the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 to turn off.

[0060] 2, when the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 and the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 are turned off, the driving power supplied to the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 and the rapid charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2 is cut off, which turns off the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 and the rapid charging relays BC_SW1 and BC_SW2, electrically isolating the battery system 1 and the charging system 3.

[0061] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a power cut-off method according to another embodiment.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, the automobile system 1 receives the second emergency alarm message from the charging system 3 (S210).

[0063] The second emergency alarm message may include status information indicating that a preset charging condition is not met, for example, the second emergency alarm message may include information regarding the occurrence of an event that requires immediate electrical isolation between the charging system 3 and the battery system 2.

[0064] Next, the automobile system 1 transmits a control signal to the battery system 2 to turn off the main relays M_SW1 and M_SW2 (S230).

[0065] For example, if the charging system 3 is a quick charging system that charges the main battery 21 within a time shorter than a predetermined reference time, the battery system 1 may include all of the quick charging relays BC_SW1, BC_SW2 and the power cut-off switches P_SW1, P_SW2. When the automobile system 1 receives the second emergency alarm message from the charging system 3, it transmits a control signal to the battery system 2 to turn off the main relays M_SW1, M_SW2 and the quick charging relays BC_SW1, BC_SW2.

[0066] Next, the automobile system 1 determines whether or not the first emergency alarm message has been received from the battery system 1 (S250).

[0067] Next, if the first emergency alarm message is not received (S250, NO), the automotive system 1 ends the current state. Specifically, the fact that the battery system 1 has not sent the first emergency alarm message to the automotive system 1 may indicate that the main relays M_SW1, M_SW2 and the quick charge relays BC_SW1, BC_SW2 have been successfully turned off by the battery system 1.

[0068] Next, if the result of the determination is that the first emergency alarm message has been received (S250, YES), the automotive system 1 controls the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 and the second power cut-off switch P_SW2 to turn off (S270).

[0069] Step S270 may be the same as step S200 described above. That is, for example, when the charging system 3 is a quick charging system and receives the first emergency alarm message from the battery system 1, the automobile system 1 may control to turn off the first power cut-off switch P_SW1 and the second power cut-off switch P_SW2.

[0070] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a battery system including a main battery including a plurality of battery cells, a main relay electrically connecting the main battery and a charging system, a BMS controlling the main relay, and a battery communication unit; an auxiliary battery that supplies driving power to the main relay; a first power cutoff switch that connects the auxiliary battery and the main relay so that power discharged from the auxiliary battery is supplied to drive the main relay; an automobile communication unit that communicates with the charging system and the battery communication unit; an automobile control unit that turns off the first power cut-off switch when a first emergency alarm message including status information indicating that the main relay is not turned off is received from the battery system via the automobile communication unit.

2. a quick charge relay connected in series to the main relay; 2. The automotive system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second power cutoff switch that connects the auxiliary battery and the rapid charging relay so that power discharged from the auxiliary battery is supplied to drive the rapid charging relay.

3. The automobile control unit 3. The automobile system according to claim 2, wherein the second power cut-off switch is turned off when the first emergency alarm message is received.

4. The automobile control unit 4. The automotive system according to claim 3, wherein when a second emergency alarm message including status information indicating that a predetermined charging condition is not satisfied is received from the charging system via the automotive communication unit, the automotive system controls to turn off the main relay and the rapid charging relay via the BMS.

5. The automobile control unit 5. The automobile system according to claim 4, wherein when the second emergency alarm message is received, the first power cut-off switch and the second power cut-off switch are turned off.

6. The auxiliary battery is The automobile system according to claim 1 , wherein the battery is a low-power battery that supplies driving power to electrical components mounted on the automobile system.

7. The charging system includes:

6. The automobile system according to claim 3, wherein the automobile system is a rapid charging system that charges the main battery within a time shorter than a predetermined reference time.

8. 1. A power interruption method for interrupting an electrical connection between a battery system including a main battery including a plurality of battery cells and a charging system, the battery system including a main relay electrically connecting the main battery to the charging system, the method comprising: receiving a first emergency alarm message from the battery system, the first emergency alarm message including status information that the main relay is not controlled to be turned off; and turning off a first power cutoff switch that connects the main relay to an auxiliary battery that supplies driving power to the main relay.

9. The battery system includes: the power supply system further includes a quick charge relay connected in series with the main relay, and a second power cutoff switch connecting the quick charge relay to the auxiliary battery that supplies driving power to the quick charge relay; The step of turning off the first power cut-off switch includes: The power cut-off method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of controlling the second power cut-off switch to be turned off.

10. before receiving the first emergency alarm message from the battery system; receiving a second emergency alarm message from the charging system, the second emergency alarm message including status information indicating that a predetermined charging condition is not satisfied; The power cut-off method of claim 9 , further comprising: transmitting a signal to the battery system that controls the main relay and the quick charge relay to be turned off.

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