Battery management device and battery system including same

Abstract

A battery management device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a converter unit electrically connected to a node between a battery and one end of a positive relay connected in series to the battery, and configured to convert the battery voltage to a predetermined voltage and output the converted voltage based on an operation mode; and a converter driving unit connected to the node to receive a battery voltage from the battery, and configured to control the operation mode of the converter unit to a shutdown mode in which the converter unit is deactivated or a wake-up mode in which the battery voltage is applied to a driving power source and the converter unit is activated depending on whether a converter driving signal is input from an external device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0038128 filed on March 24, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery management device and a battery system including the same, and more particularly to a battery management device for preventing over-discharge of a battery and a battery system including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has grown rapidly and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and artificial satellites has accelerated, active research is being conducted on high-performance batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Currently, various types of batteries, including nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries, are commercially available. Among them, lithium batteries are attracting attention due to their advantages over nickel-based batteries, such as almost no memory effect, easy charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and a high energy density.

[0005] Generally, a battery is provided in a battery pack, and supplies power to devices such as a BMS (Battery Management System) provided in the battery pack through a DC-DC converter. In this case, since power is constantly supplied from the battery to the BMS, the battery voltage may continue to be consumed even when the battery pack is disconnected from the load. In other words, the battery voltage is continuously consumed while the DC-DC converter is operating, which causes a problem of over-discharging the battery. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of technology that can prevent over-discharging of the battery and extend the life of the battery by controlling the operation of the DC-DC converter. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a battery management device that can prevent over-discharge of a battery by controlling the operating mode of a converter unit, and a battery system including the same.

[0007] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the embodiments of the present invention, and the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A battery management device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a converter unit electrically connected to a node between a battery and one end of a positive relay connected in series to the battery, and configured to convert the battery voltage to a predetermined voltage and output it based on an operation mode, and a converter drive unit connected to the node to receive an input of a battery voltage from the battery, and configured to control the operation mode of the converter unit to a shutdown mode in which the converter unit is deactivated or a wake-up mode in which the battery voltage is applied to a drive power source to activate the converter unit, depending on whether a converter drive signal is input from outside.

[0009] The converter driving unit may be configured to control an operation mode of the converter unit to the shutdown mode when the converter driving signal is not input.

[0010] The converter driving unit may be configured to control an operation mode of the converter unit to the wake-up mode when the converter driving signal is input.

[0011] The converter driving unit may include a FET connected between the node and the converter unit and configured to transmit a battery voltage input from the node to the converter unit depending on an operating state to control an operating mode of the converter driving unit, and a FET control unit configured to control an operating state of the FET to a turn-on state or a turn-off state depending on whether the converter driving signal is input.

[0012] The FET may include a source terminal connected to the node, a drain terminal connected to the converter driver, and a gate terminal connected to the FET controller.

[0013] The FET control unit may be configured such that one end is connected to the gate terminal and the other end is connected to ground.

[0014] The FET control unit may be configured to, when the converter drive signal is input, connect the gate terminal and the ground to energize the source terminal and the drain terminal of the FET and control an operating state of the FET so that the battery voltage is transmitted to the converter unit.

[0015] The converter driving unit may further include a first resistor having one end connected between the node and the source terminal and the other end connected to the gate terminal, and a second resistor having one end connected between the first resistor and the gate terminal and the other end connected to the FET control unit.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery management device further includes a control unit configured to control an operating state of the converter unit to an inactive mode or an active mode based on whether power is applied according to an operating mode of the converter unit, and to control an operating state of the positive electrode relay according to the controlled operating state.

[0017] The control unit may be configured to receive power from the converter unit and control the operating state to the active mode when the operation mode of the converter unit is controlled to the wake-up mode.

[0018] The control unit may be configured such that, if the operation mode of the converter unit is controlled to the shutdown mode, power is not applied from the converter unit and the operation state is controlled to the inactive mode.

[0019] The control unit may be configured to control the operation state of the positive relay to a turn-off state when the operation state is controlled from the active mode to the inactive mode.

[0020] The control unit may be configured to control the operation state of the positive relay to a turned-on state when the operation state is controlled from the inactive mode to the active mode.

[0021] A battery pack according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes a battery management device according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0022] A battery system according to yet another aspect of the present invention includes a battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention, and a load connected to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery pack and configured to output the converter driving signal to the converter driving unit depending on an operating state of a switching unit provided therein.

[0023] The load may be configured to switch the operation mode of the converter unit to the wake-up mode by outputting the converter drive signal before being connected to the battery pack and starting charging of the battery. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the operation mode of the converter unit is controlled to prevent over-discharging of the battery, thereby preventing unnecessary consumption of the battery voltage and extending the life of the battery.

[0025] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0026] The following drawings attached to this specification, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical ideas of the present invention, and the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the battery pack of FIG. 2 in more detail. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a battery system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be interpreted limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept that corresponds to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain the invention in the best possible way.

[0029] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of this application.

[0030] In addition, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known configurations or functions may make the gist of the present invention unclear, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0031] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one of various components from other components, and do not limit the components.

[0032] Throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this does not mean to exclude other elements, but means that it may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified.

[0033] Furthermore, throughout this specification, when a part is referred to as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only a "direct connection" but also an "indirect connection" through other elements.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a battery pack 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a converter unit 110 and a converter driver unit 120.

[0037] The converter unit 110 may be configured to be electrically connected to a node N between the battery 11 and one end of a positive relay 12 connected in series to the battery 11 .

[0038] Here, the battery 11 refers to an independent cell that has a negative terminal and a positive terminal and can be physically separated. As an example, the battery 11 may be a lithium ion battery or a lithium polymer battery. The battery 11 may also be a battery module having a plurality of cells connected in series and / or parallel. For the sake of convenience, the battery 11 will be described below as referring to an independent cell.

[0039] 2, the battery 11 is provided in the battery pack 10. The positive terminal (+) of the battery 11 can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack 10, and the negative terminal (-) of the battery 11 can be connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack 10.

[0040] In addition, a positive electrode relay 12 may be provided between the positive electrode terminal (+) of the battery 11 and the positive electrode terminal (P+) of the battery pack 10. That is, one end of the positive electrode relay 12 may be connected to the positive electrode terminal (+) of the battery 11, and the other end of the positive electrode relay 12 may be connected to the positive electrode terminal (P+) of the battery pack 10.

[0041] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the converter unit 110 is electrically connected to a node N between the positive terminal (+) of the battery 11 and one end of the positive relay 12, and can receive an input of the battery voltage through a first line L1 connected to the node N.

[0042] The converter unit 110 can be configured to convert the voltage of the battery 11 into a predetermined voltage and output it based on the operation mode.

[0043] For example, the converter unit 110 may be a DC-DC converter that converts the voltage of the battery 11 to a predetermined voltage (e.g., 12V) and outputs the converted voltage. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the converter unit 110 may convert the battery voltage input through the first line L1 to a predetermined voltage and output the converted voltage to the control unit 130 and the load 20 through the fourth line L4.

[0044] The converter driver 120 may be connected to the node N and configured to receive an input of a battery voltage from the battery 11 .

[0045] For example, the converter driving unit 120 may be driven by receiving a battery voltage input from the battery 11. That is, the converter driving unit 120 may be driven by receiving power from the battery 11.

[0046] 2, the converter unit 110 and the converter driving unit 120 are connected to a node N and may receive a battery voltage through a first line L1. However, the converter unit 110 and the converter driving unit 120 may not be connected to the node N through a common line (first line L1) and may be connected between a positive terminal (+) of the battery 11 and one end of the positive relay 12 through a separate line.

[0047] The converter driving unit 120 may be configured to control the operation mode of the converter unit 110 to a shutdown mode in which the converter unit 110 is deactivated or a wake-up mode in which the battery voltage is applied to the driving power source to activate the converter unit 110, depending on whether a converter driving signal is input from outside.

[0048] Here, the converter unit 110 may include a terminal for receiving an input of a battery voltage through a first line L1 and a terminal for receiving an input of a control signal from the converter driving unit 120 through a second line L2.

[0049] 2, the converter driving unit 120 may output a control signal for controlling the operation mode of the converter unit 110 through the second line L2 depending on whether or not the converter driving signal is received from the load 20 through the third line L3. Then, the operation mode of the converter unit 110 may be controlled to a shutdown mode or a wake-up mode according to the control signal received from the converter driving unit 120 through the second line L2.

[0050] Here, the shutdown mode refers to a mode in which the converter unit 110 is inactivated and cannot receive a battery voltage through the first line L1. Meanwhile, the wake-up mode refers to a mode in which the converter unit 110 is activated and can convert a battery voltage input through the first line L1 to a predetermined voltage and output the converted voltage through the fourth line L4. That is, the shutdown mode is a mode in which the converter unit 110 is turned off, and the wake-up mode is a mode in which the converter unit 110 is turned on.

[0051] 2, when a converter driving signal is not input from the load 20 to the converter driving unit 120 through the third line L3, the converter driving unit 120 outputs a control signal for controlling the operation mode of the converter unit 110 to a shutdown mode through the second line L2. In this case, the converter unit 110 cannot receive the battery voltage from the battery 11, and the voltage of the battery 11 can be prevented from being continuously consumed by the converter unit 110. Furthermore, since the converter unit 110 is deactivated and the converted voltage is not output from the converter unit 110, other components of the battery pack 10 except for the converter driving unit 120 are also deactivated.

[0052] Meanwhile, when a converter driving signal is input from the load 20 to the converter driving unit 120 through the third line L3, the converter driving unit 120 outputs a control signal for controlling the operation mode of the converter unit 110 to the wake-up mode through the second line L2. In this case, the converter unit 110 receives a battery voltage input from the battery 11, converts the input battery voltage to a predetermined voltage, and outputs the converted voltage. Furthermore, when the converter unit 110 is activated, other components provided in the battery pack 10 are also activated.

[0053] That is, the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it controls the operation mode of the converter unit 110 depending on whether a converter driving signal is input from the outside in order to prevent the voltage of the battery 11 from continuously decreasing by the converter unit 110. As a result, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of leakage current of the battery 11, thereby preventing the battery 11 from being over-discharged and further extending the life of the battery 11.

[0054] FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram of the battery pack 10 of FIG.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3, the converter driver 120 includes a FET 121 and a FET control unit 124.

[0056] The FET 121 is a field effect transistor, and a P-channel FET 121 is applied in the embodiment of Fig. 3. However, the FET 121 is not limited to only the P-channel FET 121 according to the embodiment of Fig. 3, and various switching elements may be applied within a range that does not deviate from the technical concept.

[0057] The FET 121 may be configured to be coupled between the node N and the converter unit 110 .

[0058] 3, the FET 121 may include a source terminal S, a drain terminal D, and a gate terminal G. The source terminal S may be coupled to the node N, the drain terminal D may be coupled to the converter unit 110, and the gate terminal G may be coupled to the FET controller 124.

[0059] The FET 121 may be configured to transmit the battery voltage input from the node N to the converter unit 110 and control the operation mode of the converter driver 120 according to an operating state.

[0060] The operating state of the FET 121 may include a turn-on state or a turn-off state. The turn-on state refers to an operating state in which the source terminal S and the drain terminal D of the FET 121 are electrically connected to each other, and a current flows from the source terminal S to the drain terminal D. Conversely, the turn-off state refers to an operating state in which the connection between the source terminal S and the drain terminal D of the FET 121 is cut off, and a current cannot flow from the source terminal S to the drain terminal D.

[0061] 3, when the operating state of the FET 121 is a turn-on state, the FET 121 outputs the battery voltage input through the first line L1 to the converter unit 110 through the second line L2. Conversely, when the operating state of the FET 121 is a turn-off state, the FET 121 does not output the battery voltage input through the first line L1 through the second line L2.

[0062] The FET control unit 124 may be electrically connected to the FET 121. Specifically, in the embodiment of Fig. 3, the FET control unit 124 may be configured such that one end is coupled to the gate terminal G and the other end is coupled to the ground GND.

[0063] The FET control unit 124 can be configured to control the operation state of the FET 121 to a turn-on state or a turn-off state depending on whether the converter drive signal is input or not.

[0064] Specifically, when a converter driving signal is input, the FET control unit 124 may be configured to connect the gate terminal G to ground GND to energize the source terminal S and drain terminal D of the FET 121, thereby controlling the operating state of the FET 121 so that the battery voltage is transmitted to the converter unit 110.

[0065] 3, when a converter driving signal is input to the FET control unit 124 through the third line L3, the FET control unit 124 is controlled to a turn-on state, and the drain terminal D of the FET 121 is electrically connected to the ground GND. In this case, the operating state of the FET 121 is controlled to a turn-on state, the source terminal S and the drain terminal D of the FET 121 are energized, and the battery voltage input to the source terminal S of the FET 121 through the first line L1 is output to the converter unit 110 through the second line L2.

[0066] Conversely, when the converter driving signal is not input to the FET control unit 124 through the third line L3, the FET control unit 124 is controlled to a turn-off state, and the connection between the drain terminal D of the FET 121 and the ground GND is cut off. In this case, the operating state of the FET 121 is controlled to a turn-off state, and the connection between the source terminal S and the drain terminal D of the FET 121 is cut off. Therefore, the battery voltage input to the source terminal S of the FET 121 through the first line L1 is not output to the converter unit 110 through the second line L2.

[0067] Therefore, the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can prevent the voltage of the battery 11 from continuously decreasing by controlling the operation mode of the converter unit 110 to the shutdown mode when the battery 11 is not connected to the load 20. Therefore, the life of the battery 11 can be extended by preventing unexpected over-discharge of the battery 11.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 3, the converter driver 120 may further include a first resistor 122 and a second resistor 123.

[0069] The first resistor 122 may be configured such that one end is connected between the node N and the source terminal S, and the other end is connected to the gate terminal G.

[0070] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, one end of the first resistor 122 may be connected between the node N and the source terminal S of the FET 121, and the other end of the first resistor 122 may be connected between the gate terminal G of the FET 121 and the FET control unit 124.

[0071] The second resistor 123 may be configured such that one end is connected between the first resistor 122 and the gate terminal G, and the other end is connected to the FET control unit 124.

[0072] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, one end of the second resistor 123 may be connected between the other end of the first resistor 122 and the gate terminal G of the FET 121, and the other end of the second resistor 123 may be connected to the FET control unit 124.

[0073] Therefore, when a converter driving signal is input from the load 20 to the FET control unit 124, the FET control unit 124 is controlled to a turn-on state to energize the gate terminal G of the FET 121 and the ground GND, and the FET 121 outputs the battery voltage input through the first line L1 to the converter unit 110 through the second line L2.

[0074] Conversely, when no converter drive signal is input from the load 20 to the FET control unit 124, the FET control unit 124 is controlled to a turn-off state to cut off the electrical connection between the gate terminal G of the FET 121 and the ground GND, and the FET 121 cannot output the battery voltage input through the first line L1 through the second line L2.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit 130.

[0076] The control unit 130 may be configured to control the operation state of the converter unit 110 to be in an inactive mode or an active mode based on whether or not power is applied according to the operation mode of the converter unit 110.

[0077] Specifically, when the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is controlled to the wake-up mode, the control unit 130 may receive power from the converter unit 110 and control the operation state to the active mode. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the converter unit 110 and the control unit 130 may be connected through a fourth line L4. When the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is the wake-up mode, the converter unit 110 may convert the battery voltage to a predetermined voltage and output the converted voltage through the fourth line L4. Therefore, when the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is the wake-up mode, the control unit 130 receives operating power from the converter unit 110 and control the operation state to the active mode.

[0078] Conversely, if the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is controlled to the shutdown mode, the operation state of the control unit 130 may be controlled to the inactive mode without receiving power from the converter unit 110. For example, when the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is the shutdown mode, the control unit 130 cannot receive the input of the battery voltage. Therefore, the control unit 130 cannot receive the operating power from the converter unit 110, and therefore the operation state of the control unit 130 is controlled to the inactive mode.

[0079] The control unit 130 may be configured to control the operational state of the positive relay 12 depending on the operational state being controlled.

[0080] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit 130 is connected to the positive relay 12 through a seventh line L7 and may output a control signal to the positive relay 12 through the seventh line L7.

[0081] For example, the control unit 130 may be configured to control the operation state of the positive relay 12 to a turn-off state when the operation state is controlled from the active mode to the inactive mode. That is, when the operation state of the control unit 130 is controlled to the inactive mode, the output of the control signal through the seventh line L7 is interrupted. Therefore, when the operation state of the control unit 130 is controlled to the inactive mode, the operation state of the positive relay 12 is controlled to a turn-off state.

[0082] Conversely, the control unit 130 may be configured to control the operation state of the positive relay 12 to a turned-on state when the operation state is controlled from the inactive mode to the active mode.

[0083] 2, if the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is controlled to the wake-up mode, the converter unit 110 outputs a voltage to the control unit 130 and the load 20 through the fourth line L4. Thereafter, the load 20 outputs an enable signal to the control unit 130 through the fifth line L5, and the control unit 130 communicates with the load 20 through the sixth line L6 when the enable signal is input through the fifth line L5. Then, the control unit 130 controls the operation state of the positive relay 12 to a turn-on state through the seventh line L7 while being able to communicate with the load 20 through the sixth line L6.

[0084] Meanwhile, the control unit 130 included in the battery management device 100 may selectively include a processor, an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, a communication modem, a data processing device, etc., known in the art, to execute various control logics performed in the present invention. Also, when the control logic is embodied as software, the control unit 130 may be embodied as a collection of program modules. In this case, the program modules may be stored in a memory and executed by the control unit 130. The memory may be provided inside or outside the control unit 130 and may be connected to the control unit 130 by various known means.

[0085] The battery management device 100 may further include a recording unit (not shown). The recording unit may store data required for each component of the battery management device 100 to operate and function, or data generated in the process of performing a program or an operation and function. The recording unit may be of any type as long as it is a known information recording means known to be capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. As an example, the information recording means may include a RAM, a flash memory, a ROM, an EEPROM, a register, and the like. The recording unit may store program code that defines a process executable by the control unit 130.

[0086] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a battery system 1 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit 130 may include a power supply module 131 and a control module 132.

[0088] The power supply module 131 may be connected to the converter unit 110 through a fourth line L4. When the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is the wake-up mode, the power supply module 131 may receive an input of a converted voltage from the converter unit 110 through the fourth line L4.

[0089] In addition, the power supply module 131 may be connected to the load 20 through a fifth line L5. When the power supply module 131 receives an enable signal from the load 20 through the fifth line L5, the power supply module 131 may apply power to the control module 132 and control the operation state of the control module 132 to an activated state.

[0090] When the control module 132 receives power from the power supply module 131, the control module 132 can be communicatively connected to the load 20 through the sixth line L6. When the control module 132 is in a state in which it can communicate with the load 20 through the sixth line L6, the control module 132 can control the operating state of the positive relay 12 through the seventh line L7.

[0091] 4, the battery pack 10 may further include a negative electrode relay 13 connected between the negative electrode terminal (-) of the battery 11 and the negative electrode terminal (P-) of the battery pack 10. That is, one end of the negative electrode relay 13 may be connected to the negative electrode terminal (-) of the battery 11, and the other end of the negative electrode relay 13 may be connected to the negative electrode terminal (P-) of the battery pack 10.

[0092] After being communicatively connected to the load 20 through the sixth line L6, the control module 132 can control the operating state of the negative pole relay 13 through the eighth line L8.

[0093] 4, when the control module 132 is in a state in which it can communicate with the load 20 through the sixth line L6, the control module 132 controls the operation state of the positive relay 12 to a turned-on state through the seventh line L7, and controls the operation state of the negative relay 13 to a turned-on state through the eighth line L8. Thus, the positive terminal (+) of the battery 11, the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack 10, the load 20, the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack 10, and the negative terminal (-) of the battery 11 are electrically connected, and the battery 11 is charged by the load 20.

[0094] Also, with reference to FIG. 4, the battery system 1 may include a battery pack 10 and a load 20.

[0095] The load 20 may be configured to be connected to the positive terminal (P+) and the negative terminal (P−) of the battery pack 10.

[0096] 4, one end of the load 20 may be connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack 10, and the other end of the load 20 may be connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack 10. Then, when the operating states of the positive relay 12 and the negative relay 13 are all controlled to be turned on, the battery 11 and the load 20 may be electrically connected to each other.

[0097] The load 20 can be configured to output a converter drive signal to the converter drive unit 120 depending on the operating state of a switching unit 21 provided therein.

[0098] Preferably, the load 20 may be configured to switch the operation mode of the converter unit 110 to the wake-up mode by outputting a converter drive signal before being connected to the battery pack 10 and starting charging of the battery 11.

[0099] Specifically, the load 20 controls the operation state of the switching unit 21 to a turn-on state before starting to charge the battery 11 and while the battery 11 is being charged. Then, if the operation state of the switching unit 21 is a turn-on state, the load 20 outputs a converter drive signal to the converter drive unit 120. In this case, the operation state of the FET control unit 124 is controlled to a turn-on state, so that the gate terminal G of the FET 121 and the ground GND are energized, and the battery voltage applied to the FET 121 through the first line L1 is output to the converter unit 110 through the second line L2. After that, the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is controlled to a wake-up mode, and the control unit 130 that receives power from the converter unit 110 is activated. Then, when the control unit 130 is in a state in which it can communicate with the load 20, it controls the operation states of the positive electrode relay 12 and the negative electrode relay 13 to a turn-on state. Finally, the battery 11 and the load 20 are energized, so that the battery 11 is charged by the load 20.

[0100] Conversely, when the battery 11 is not charged or when charging of the battery 11 is completed, the load 20 controls the operation state of the switching unit 21 to a turn-off state. If the operation state of the switching unit 21 is turned-off, the load 20 cannot output a converter drive signal to the converter drive unit 120. In this case, the operation state of the FET control unit 124 is controlled to a turn-off state, and an electrical connection between the gate terminal G of the FET 121 and the ground GND is cut off. Thereafter, the battery voltage applied to the FET 121 through the first line L1 is cut off from being output to the converter unit 110 through the second line L2, and the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is controlled to a shutdown mode. Then, the control unit 130 is deactivated because no power is applied from the converter unit 110. In addition, the operation states of the positive electrode relay 12 and the negative electrode relay 13 are controlled to a turn-off state, and an electrical connection between the battery 11 and the load 20 is cut off. Therefore, the battery 11 is no longer charged by the load 20. In this case, however, the operation mode of the converter unit 110 is controlled to the shutdown mode, and thus discharging of the battery 11 by the converter unit 110 is interrupted, thereby making it possible to prevent the battery 11 from being over-discharged.

[0101] Meanwhile, the battery management device 100 according to the present invention can be applied to a BMS (Battery Management System). That is, the BMS according to the present invention may include the above-mentioned battery management device 100. In this configuration, at least a part of each component of the battery management device 100 may be implemented by complementing or adding functions of components included in a conventional BMS. For example, the converter unit 110, converter driver 120, and control unit 130 of the battery management device 100 may be implemented as components of a BMS.

[0102] The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be embodied not only by an apparatus but also through a program that realizes functions corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and such implementation would be easily embodied by a person skilled in the art from the description of the above-described embodiments.

[0103] As described above, the present invention has been described using limited embodiments and drawings. However, 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 knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims.

[0104] Furthermore, the present invention described above is susceptible to various substitutions, modifications and alterations by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, within the scope not departing from the technical spirit of the present invention, and is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, but may be configured by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment for various modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10: Battery pack 11: Battery 12: Positive relay 13: Negative relay 20: Load 21: Switching section 100: Battery management device 110: Converter section 120: Converter drive unit 130: Control unit 131: Power supply module 132: Control module

Claims

1. a converter unit electrically connected to a node between a battery and one end of a positive relay connected in series to the battery, and configured to convert the voltage of the battery to a predetermined voltage based on an operation mode and output the voltage; a converter driving unit connected to the node to receive a battery voltage from the battery, and controlling the operation mode of the converter unit to a shutdown mode in which the converter unit is deactivated or a wake-up mode in which the battery voltage is applied to a driving power source to activate the converter unit depending on whether a converter driving signal is input from an external source; a control unit that controls an operating state of the positive electrode relay depending on whether the converter drive signal is input or not.

2. A battery management device as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the operating state of the positive relay to a turn-off state in response to the converter unit being controlled to the shutdown mode, and controls the operating state of the positive relay to a turn-on state in response to the converter unit being controlled to the wake-up mode.

3. The converter driving unit includes: When the converter drive signal is not input, the operation mode of the converter unit is controlled to the shutdown mode; The battery management device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the converter drive signal is input, the operation mode of the converter unit is controlled to the wake-up mode.

4. The converter driving unit includes: a FET connected between the node and the converter unit, for transmitting a battery voltage input from the node to the converter unit in accordance with an operating state to control an operating mode of the converter driving unit; 4. The battery management device according to claim 1, further comprising: a FET control unit that controls an operation state of the FET to a turn-on state or a turn-off state depending on whether the converter drive signal is input or not.

5. The FET is a source terminal connected to the node, a drain terminal connected to the converter portion, and a gate terminal connected to the FET control portion; The FET control unit is The battery management device of claim 4 , wherein one end is connected to the gate terminal and the other end is connected to ground.

6. The FET control unit is 6. The battery management device of claim 5, wherein when the converter drive signal is input, the gate terminal and the ground are connected to energize the source terminal and the drain terminal of the FET, and the operating state of the FET is controlled so that the battery voltage is transmitted to the converter section.

7. a converter unit electrically connected to a node between a battery and one end of a positive relay connected in series to the battery, and configured to convert the voltage of the battery to a predetermined voltage based on an operation mode and output the voltage; a converter driving unit connected to the node to receive a battery voltage from the battery, and controlling the operation mode of the converter unit to a shutdown mode in which the converter unit is deactivated or a wake-up mode in which the battery voltage is applied to a driving power source to activate the converter unit depending on whether a converter driving signal is input from an external source, The converter driving unit includes: a FET connected between the node and the converter unit, for transmitting a battery voltage input from the node to the converter unit in accordance with an operating state to control an operating mode of the converter driving unit; a FET control unit that controls an operation state of the FET to a turn-on state or a turn-off state according to whether the converter drive signal is input or not; The FET is a source terminal connected to the node, a drain terminal connected to the converter portion, and a gate terminal connected to the FET control portion; The FET control unit is One end is connected to the gate terminal and the other end is connected to ground; The converter driving unit includes: a first resistor having one end connected between the node and the source terminal and the other end connected to the gate terminal; a second resistor having one end connected between the first resistor and the gate terminal and the other end connected to the FET controller.

8. The control unit is 7. The battery management device according to claim 1, wherein an operating state is controlled to an inactive mode or an active mode based on whether or not power is applied according to an operating mode of the converter unit, and the operating state of the positive electrode relay is controlled according to the controlled operating state.

9. The control unit is When the operation mode of the converter unit is controlled to the wake-up mode, the operation state is controlled to the active mode by receiving power from the converter unit; The battery management device of claim 8 , wherein when the operation mode of the converter unit is controlled to the shutdown mode, power is not applied from the converter unit and the operation state is controlled to the inactive mode.

10. The control unit is When the operation state is controlled from the active mode to the inactive mode, the operation state of the positive relay is controlled to a turn-off state; The battery management device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein when the operation state is controlled from the inactive mode to the active mode, the operation state of the positive relay is controlled to a turn-on state.

11. A battery pack comprising a battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A battery pack according to claim 11; a load connected to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the battery pack, the load outputting the converter driving signal to the converter driving unit in response to an operating state of a switching unit provided therein.

13. The load is The battery system according to claim 12 , wherein the operation mode of the converter unit is switched to the wake-up mode by outputting the converter drive signal before being connected to the battery pack and starting charging of the battery.

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