Battery management device and method

Abstract

A battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification may include a measurement unit that measures the link voltage of each of a plurality of battery packs, and a determination unit that controls a switching circuit provided in each of the plurality of battery packs and determines the connection state of the plurality of battery packs based on the link voltages of the plurality of battery packs according to the driving state of the switching circuit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed herein claim the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0078979, filed June 17, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated by reference as part of this specification. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The embodiments disclosed herein relate to battery management apparatus and methods. [Background technology]

[0002] A secondary battery is generally used as a battery pack including a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and / or parallel, and the state and operation of the battery pack are managed and controlled by a battery management system.

[0003] Among these battery packs, standalone battery packs have a built-in FET and have their own protection function. Conventionally, such battery packs could only be connected in parallel, but new models have been produced that allow series connection through simultaneous cutoff technology and freewheeling diodes.

[0004] As described above, the control method of the battery packs may differ depending on whether the battery packs are connected in parallel or in series. Therefore, it is very important to detect the connection state of the battery packs. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One object of the embodiments disclosed in this specification is to provide a battery management device and method that can determine the series or parallel connection state of battery packs without any additional configuration by activating the precharge circuit of a reference battery pack among multiple battery packs and measuring the link voltages of the remaining battery packs.

[0006] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this specification are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification may include a measurement unit that measures the link voltage of each of the multiple battery packs, and a judgment unit that controls switching circuits provided in each of the multiple battery packs and judges the connection state of the multiple battery packs based on the link voltages of the multiple battery packs according to the driving state of the switching circuit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the determination unit can determine the connection state of the plurality of battery packs based on the link voltages of each of the plurality of battery packs measured when a switching circuit provided in a reference battery pack among the plurality of battery packs is driven.

[0009] In one embodiment, the determination unit may determine that the plurality of battery packs are connected in parallel if the link voltages of the plurality of battery packs measured when driving a switching circuit provided in a reference battery pack among the plurality of battery packs are equal to or greater than a first threshold value.

[0010] In one embodiment, the determination unit may determine that the multiple battery packs are connected in series if the link voltages of each of the multiple battery packs measured when driving a switching circuit provided in a reference battery pack are less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value.

[0011] In one embodiment, the determination unit may determine that there is an abnormality in the parallel connection of the multiple battery packs if the link voltages of each of the multiple battery packs measured when driving the switching circuit provided in the reference battery pack are greater than or equal to a second threshold and less than a first threshold.

[0012] In one embodiment, the determination unit can drive the switching circuits of the remaining battery packs excluding the reference battery pack if the link voltages of each of the plurality of battery packs measured when driving the switching circuit provided in the reference battery pack are less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the determination unit may receive a switching completion signal from the inverter when all of the switching circuits included in the plurality of battery packs are driven.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the determination unit may determine that a plurality of battery packs are connected in series when a switching completion signal is received from the inverter.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the determination unit may determine that there is an abnormality in the series connection of the plurality of battery packs when the determination unit fails to receive a switching completion signal from the inverter. In one embodiment, the switching circuit may include a precharge circuit.

[0016] A battery management method according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification may include the steps of measuring a link voltage of each of a plurality of battery packs, and determining a connection state of the plurality of battery packs based on the link voltages of the plurality of battery packs according to a driving state of a switching circuit provided in each of the plurality of battery packs. Effect of the Invention

[0017] A battery management device and method according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification can determine the series or parallel connection state of the battery packs without any additional configuration by activating a precharge circuit of a reference battery pack among a plurality of battery packs and measuring the link voltages of the remaining battery packs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a battery control system including a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. [Diagram 3] 11 is a diagram for explaining determination of a parallel connection state of battery packs in a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram for explaining determination of the series connection state of battery packs in a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flow chart illustrating a battery management method according to one embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computing system for implementing a battery management method according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, various embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions of the same components will be omitted.

[0020] For the various embodiments disclosed herein, specific structural or functional descriptions have been exemplified solely for purposes of describing the embodiments, and the various embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0021] The terms "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in the various embodiments may modify various components without regard to order and / or importance and do not limit such components. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, the second component may be renamed to the first component without departing from the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0022] The terms used in this specification are merely used to describe a particular embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context.

[0023] All terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art of the embodiments disclosed herein. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning in the context of the relevant art, and unless expressly defined herein, are not interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense. In some cases, even terms defined herein should not be interpreted to exclude the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a battery control system including a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. 1, a battery control system 1 may include a battery pack 10 and a host controller 20. The battery pack 10 may include a plurality of battery modules 12, a sensor 14, a switching unit 16, and a battery management system (BMS) 100. In this case, the battery pack 10 may include a plurality of battery modules 12, sensors 14, switching units 16, and battery management systems 100. The battery packs 10 may be connected in series or parallel and communicate with an externally provided host controller 20.

[0025] The battery modules 12 may include one or more battery cells that can be charged and discharged. In this case, the battery modules 12 may be connected in series or in parallel. The sensor 14 may detect a current flowing through the battery pack 10. In this case, a current detection signal may be transmitted to the battery management device 100. The switching unit 16 may be connected in series to the (+) terminal side and the (-) terminal side of the battery module 12, and may control the flow of charge / discharge current of the battery module 12. For example, the switching unit 16 may use at least one switch, relay, electromagnetic contactor, etc. according to the specifications of the battery pack 10. In particular, the switching unit 16 may include a precharge circuit for preventing a sudden current from flowing into the battery pack 10.

[0026] The battery management device 100 can monitor the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the battery pack 10, and control and manage it to prevent overcharging, over-discharging, etc., and for example, the battery management device 100 may be a pack BMS.

[0027] The battery management device 100 is an interface that receives inputs of measured values ​​of various parameters, and may include a plurality of terminals, a circuit connected to these terminals and processing the received values, etc. The battery management device 100 can also control the ON / OFF of a switching unit 16, such as a switch, relay, or contactor, and is connected to a plurality of battery modules 12 to monitor the states of the battery cells.

[0028] Meanwhile, the battery management unit 100 disclosed in this specification can measure the link voltage of each of the multiple battery packs 10 and control the precharge circuit provided in each of the multiple battery packs 10. In addition, the battery management unit 100 can determine whether the connection state of the multiple battery packs 10 is series or parallel based on a change in the link voltage of each battery pack 10 according to the driving state of the precharge circuit. This will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0029] The upper controller 20 can transmit various control signals for the battery module 12 to the battery management device 100. As a result, the operation of the battery management device 100 can be controlled based on the signals applied from the upper controller 20. Meanwhile, the battery cell of the present disclosure may be configured to be included in a battery module 12 used in an electric vehicle. However, the battery pack 10 of FIG. 1 is not limited to such an application, and for example, a battery rack of an ESS can be included instead of the battery pack 10 of FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. Referring to FIG. 2, a battery management device 100 according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification may include a measurement unit 110 and a determination unit 120.

[0031] The measurement unit 110 may measure the link voltage of each of the battery packs. For example, the measurement unit 110 may measure the link voltage of the remaining battery packs excluding a reference battery pack (e.g., a battery pack in which a precharge circuit is activated) that is arbitrarily selected from the battery packs.

[0032] The determination unit 120 may control a switching circuit provided in each of the battery packs. In addition, the determination unit 120 may determine the connection state of the battery packs based on a change in link voltage of the battery packs according to the driving state of the switching circuit. For example, the switching circuit may include a precharge circuit provided in each of the battery packs.

[0033] In addition, the determination unit 120 may drive a switching circuit included in a reference battery pack among the plurality of battery packs. In this case, the determination unit 120 may determine the connection state of the plurality of battery packs based on the link voltages of the plurality of battery packs (e.g., the remaining battery packs excluding the reference battery pack) measured via the measurement unit 110.

[0034] Specifically, the determination unit 120 may determine that the multiple battery packs are connected in parallel if the link voltages of each of the multiple battery packs measured when driving a switching circuit provided in a reference battery pack among the multiple battery packs are equal to or greater than a first threshold value.

[0035] In addition, the determination unit 120 may determine that the multiple battery packs are connected in series if the link voltages of each of the multiple battery packs measured when driving the switching circuit provided in the reference battery pack are less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value.

[0036] Meanwhile, the judgment unit 120 may determine that there is an abnormality in the parallel connection of the multiple battery packs if the link voltages of each of the multiple battery packs measured when driving the switching circuit provided in the reference battery pack are greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold.

[0037] In addition, the determination unit 120 may drive the switching circuits of the remaining battery packs excluding the reference battery pack when the link voltages of the battery packs measured when the switching circuit of the reference battery pack is driven are less than the second threshold. In this case, the determination unit 120 may receive a switching completion signal from the inverter when all the switching circuits of the battery packs are driven. In this case, the pre-charge completion signal of the inverter may be a signal received from each battery pack or the main control battery pack, and may be a signal indicating whether or not the pre-charge circuit of the battery pack is driven.

[0038] If the determination unit 120 receives a switching completion signal from the inverter, it can determine that the plurality of battery packs are connected in series. However, if the determination unit 120 does not receive a switching completion signal from the inverter, it can determine that there is an abnormality in the series connection of the plurality of battery packs.

[0039] In this manner, the battery management device 100 according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification can determine the series or parallel connection state of the battery packs without any additional configuration by driving the precharge circuit of a reference battery pack among a plurality of battery packs and measuring the link voltages of the remaining battery packs.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining how the parallel connection state of the battery packs is determined in the battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present specification, and Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining how the series connection state of the battery packs is determined in the battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present specification.

[0041] 3 and 4, each of the battery packs may include a battery module 12a, 12b, 12c and a pre-charge circuit 210a, 210b, 210c. The battery packs may also be coupled to an inverter 220.

[0042] For example, one battery pack among the plurality of battery packs may be determined as a main control battery pack. In this case, the main control battery pack may collectively manage the remaining battery packs and may transmit and receive various signals by being communicatively connected to the inverter 220. However, initially, the main control battery pack may not know the connection state between the battery packs. Therefore, in the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification, the main control battery pack may be made to know the connection state between the plurality of battery packs by the following method.

[0043] For example, when a plurality of battery packs are connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 3, the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment disclosed herein can drive one of the precharge circuits 210a, 210b, and 210c provided in each battery pack. For example, the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment disclosed herein can drive the lowest precharge circuit 210c among the precharge circuits 210a, 210b, and 210c. In this case, the battery management device 100 can measure the link voltage Link_V of the remaining battery pack. If the link voltage of the battery pack can be sensed (for example, if the link voltage is equal to or higher than a first threshold), the battery management device 100 can determine that the battery packs are connected in parallel.

[0044] Meanwhile, the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment disclosed herein can drive one of the precharge circuits 210a, 210b, and 210c provided in each battery pack when a plurality of battery packs are connected in series as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment disclosed herein can drive the lowest precharge circuit 210c among the precharge circuits 210a, 210b, and 210c. In this case, the battery management device 100 can measure the link voltage Link_V of the remaining battery pack. If the link voltage of a battery pack is not measured (for example, if the link voltage is less than the second threshold), the battery management device 100 can determine that the battery packs are connected in series.

[0045] In this manner, the battery management device 100 according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification can determine an operating mode that matches the connection state of the battery pack by checking the connection state of the battery pack through the function of the precharge circuit.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a battery management method according to one embodiment disclosed herein. 5, the battery management method according to an embodiment disclosed herein may first drive a precharge circuit of a reference battery pack among a plurality of battery packs (S105). Then, the link voltage of each of the plurality of battery packs may be measured (S110). At this time, the link voltage of the remaining battery packs excluding the reference battery pack may be measured.

[0047] If the link voltage of the battery pack is equal to or greater than the first threshold (S115), it is determined that the battery packs are connected in parallel (S120). On the other hand, if the link voltage of the battery pack is less than the first threshold (S115), it is determined whether the link voltage of the battery pack is less than a second threshold (S125). If the link voltage of the battery pack is equal to or greater than the second threshold, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the parallel connection of the battery packs (S130).

[0048] On the other hand, if the link voltage of the battery pack is less than the second threshold, the precharge circuits of the remaining battery packs excluding the reference battery pack are driven (S135). Then, the battery management unit 100 determines whether or not a precharge completion signal has been received from the inverter (S140). At this time, the precharge completion signal of the inverter is a signal received from each battery pack or the main control battery pack described above, and may be a signal indicating whether or not the precharge circuits of the battery packs can be driven.

[0049] If the battery management unit 100 receives a precharge completion signal from the inverter, it can determine that the battery packs are connected in series (S145). On the other hand, if the battery management unit 100 does not receive a precharge completion signal from the inverter, it can determine that an abnormality has occurred in the series connection of the battery packs (S150).

[0050] In this manner, the battery management method according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification can determine the series or parallel connection state of the battery packs without any additional configuration by driving the precharge circuit of a reference battery pack among a plurality of battery packs and measuring the link voltages of the remaining battery packs.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computing system for implementing a battery management method according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification. Referring to FIG. 6, a computing system 1000 according to one embodiment disclosed herein may include an MCU 1010, a memory 1020, an input / output I / F 1030, and a communication I / F 1040.

[0052] The MCU 1010 may be a processor that executes various programs (e.g., a battery precharge control program, a battery connection diagnosis program, etc.) stored in the memory 1020, processes various data including the link voltage of the battery pack through such programs, and performs the functions of the battery management device shown in Figure 2 described above.

[0053] The memory 1020 can store various programs related to the control of the battery precharge circuit, diagnosis of the connection state, etc. The memory 1020 can also store various data such as the link voltage of the battery pack.

[0054] A plurality of such memories 1020 may be provided as necessary. The memory 1020 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The memory 1020 as a volatile memory may be a RAM, a DRAM, an SRAM, or the like. The memory 1020 as a non-volatile memory may be a ROM, a PROM, an EAROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or the like. The examples of the memory 1020 listed above are merely illustrative and are not limited to these examples.

[0055] The input / output I / F 1030 can provide an interface that connects input devices (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and output devices such as a display (not shown), to the MCU 1010 to enable data transmission and reception.

[0056] The communication I / F 1040 is configured to be able to transmit and receive various data to and from a server, and may be any of various devices capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, a program for controlling a precharge circuit of a battery or diagnosing a connection state, and various data, can be transmitted and received from a separately provided external server via the communication I / F 1040.

[0057] In this manner, a computer program according to one embodiment disclosed in this specification may be recorded in memory 1020 and processed by MCU 1010 to be realized, for example, as a module performing each function shown in FIG. 2.

[0058] Although it has been described above that all components constituting the embodiments disclosed in this specification are combined or operate in combination, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are not necessarily limited to such embodiments. In other words, within the scope of the purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, all components may be selectively combined and operate in one or more combinations.

[0059] In addition, the terms "comprise", "constitute", or "have" described above mean that the relevant element can be contained, unless otherwise specified, and should be interpreted as meaning that other elements may be included, rather than excluding other elements. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed herein belong, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, should be interpreted as consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense, unless expressly defined in this specification.

[0060] The above description is merely an illustrative example of the technical ideas disclosed in this specification, and a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the embodiments disclosed in this specification belong can make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this specification. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are intended to explain, not to limit, the technical ideas of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and such embodiments do not limit the scope of the technical ideas disclosed in this specification. The scope of protection of the technical ideas disclosed in this specification must be interpreted according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present specification.

[0061] 1 Battery control system 10 Battery pack 12a Battery Module 12b Battery module 12c Battery Module 14 Sensors 16 Switching section 20 Upper controller 100 Battery management device 110 Measuring section 120 Judgment Department 210a Precharge circuit 210b Precharge circuit 210c Precharge Circuit 220 Inverter 1000 Computing Systems 1010 MCU 1020 Memory 1030 Input / Output Interface 1040 Communication I / F

Claims

1. A measurement unit for measuring a link voltage of each of the plurality of battery packs; a determination unit that controls a switching circuit provided in each of the plurality of battery packs and determines a connection state of the plurality of battery packs based on a change in link voltage of the plurality of battery packs according to a drive state of the switching circuit; Including, The determination unit is determining that the plurality of battery packs are connected in parallel when a link voltage of each of the plurality of battery packs measured when a switching circuit included in a reference battery pack among the plurality of battery packs is driven is equal to or greater than a first threshold; and a battery management device that determines that the plurality of battery packs are connected in series when a link voltage of each of the plurality of battery packs measured when a switching circuit provided in the reference battery pack is driven is less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value.

2. 2. The battery management device of claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the parallel connection of the plurality of battery packs when a link voltage of each of the plurality of battery packs measured when a switching circuit provided in the reference battery pack is driven is greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold.

3. 2. The battery management device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit drives the switching circuits of the remaining battery packs excluding the reference battery pack when the link voltages of the respective battery packs measured when the switching circuit provided in the reference battery pack is driven are less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value.

4. The battery management device according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit receives a switching completion signal from an inverter when all of the switching circuits included in the plurality of battery packs are driven.

5. The battery management device of claim 4 , wherein the determination unit determines that the plurality of battery packs are connected in series when a switching completion signal is received from the inverter.

6. The battery management device according to claim 4 , wherein the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the series connection of the plurality of battery packs when a switching completion signal is not received from the inverter.

7. The battery management device according to claim 1 , wherein the switching circuit includes a precharge circuit.

8. 1. A battery management method implemented by a computing system, comprising: measuring a link voltage of each of the plurality of battery packs; determining a connection state of the plurality of battery packs based on a change in link voltage of the plurality of battery packs according to a driving state of a switching circuit provided in each of the plurality of battery packs; Including, determining a connection state of the plurality of battery packs, determining that the plurality of battery packs are connected in parallel when a link voltage of each of the plurality of battery packs measured when a switching circuit included in a reference battery pack among the plurality of battery packs is driven is equal to or greater than a first threshold; determining that the plurality of battery packs are connected in series when a link voltage of each of the plurality of battery packs measured when a switching circuit included in the reference battery pack is driven is less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value; A battery management method comprising:

9. A computer program comprising instructions for causing said computing system to carry out the battery management method of claim 8.

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