Battery control system and method for preventing imbalance between battery cells

Abstract

A battery control system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature of a first battery cell disposed at a first location and a temperature of a second battery cell disposed at a second location separated from the first location among a plurality of battery cells included in a battery assembly; and a control unit that monitors the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell and performs a predefined control operation based on at least one of the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell to prevent a deterioration in condition due to a temperature imbalance between the battery cells.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery control system and a method for controlling a battery control system, and more particularly to a battery control system and a method for controlling a battery control system for preventing deterioration of a battery state due to temperature imbalance between battery cells. [Background technology]

[0002] Secondary batteries are batteries that can be reused by charging after discharging. They can be used as energy sources for small devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and vacuum cleaners, and are also used as medium- to large-sized energy sources for electric vehicles and ESS (Energy Storage Systems) for smart grids.

[0003] Secondary batteries are applied to a system in the form of an assembly such as a battery module in which a number of battery cells are connected in series and / or parallel, or a battery pack in which battery modules are connected in series and / or parallel, depending on the requirements of the system.

[0004] A number of battery cells included in a battery assembly may be placed in different external temperature environments depending on the mounting positions according to the system design, and in this case, an imbalance problem between the cells may occur, in which the performance and deterioration rate differs as the battery cells operate at different temperatures. In particular, when a battery cell operating in a high temperature environment is fully charged and then trickle charged due to the current consumption of the system, the performance degradation and deterioration may be accelerated, and the imbalance phenomenon between the battery cells of the battery assembly may become more serious. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery control system for preventing deterioration of the battery state due to temperature imbalance between battery cells.

[0006] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a battery control device for preventing deterioration of the battery state due to temperature imbalance between battery cells.

[0007] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a method for controlling a battery control system for preventing deterioration of the battery state due to temperature imbalance between battery cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above object, a battery control system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature of a first battery cell located at a first location and a temperature of a second battery cell located at a second location separated from the first location among a plurality of battery cells included in a battery assembly; and a control unit that monitors the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell and performs a predefined control operation to prevent a deterioration in condition due to a temperature imbalance between the battery cells based on at least one of the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell.

[0009] The first location may correspond to a location exhibiting a higher instantaneous temperature value or a higher average temperature value than the second location.

[0010] The first point may correspond to a point exhibiting the highest instantaneous temperature value or the highest average temperature value within the battery assembly, and the second point may correspond to a point exhibiting the lowest instantaneous temperature value or the lowest average temperature value within the battery assembly.

[0011] The control unit can perform the predefined control operation depending on whether or not at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: a first condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value; and a second condition that the difference between the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell exceeds a predefined reference difference value.

[0012] The control unit may perform a first control operation of adjusting a full charge voltage value of the plurality of battery cells down to a predefined voltage value when an event that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition occurs in a charging state of the plurality of battery cells.

[0013] The control unit may, after the first control operation, when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a charging state of the plurality of battery cells, up-adjust the downward-adjusted full charge voltage value to a predetermined voltage value.

[0014] The control unit can perform a second control operation of cutting off trickle charging to the multiple battery cells when an event occurs that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition when the multiple battery cells are in a fully charged state.

[0015] The control unit can allow trickle charging of the multiple battery cells when, after the second control operation, an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is lifted while trickle charging of the multiple battery cells is cut off.

[0016] In order to achieve the above-mentioned another object, a battery control device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes at least one processor in communication with a temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature of a first battery cell located at a first location and a temperature of a second battery cell located at a second location separated from the first location among a plurality of battery cells included in a battery assembly; and a memory that stores at least one instruction to be executed through the at least one processor.

[0017] The at least one instruction may include an instruction for monitoring a temperature of the first battery cell and a temperature of the second battery cell; and an instruction for performing a predefined control action to prevent degradation due to temperature imbalance between battery cells based on at least one of the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell.

[0018] The first location may correspond to a location exhibiting a higher instantaneous temperature value or a higher average temperature value than the second location.

[0019] The first point may correspond to a point exhibiting the highest instantaneous temperature value or the highest average temperature value within the battery assembly, and the second point may correspond to a point exhibiting the lowest instantaneous temperature value or the lowest average temperature value within the battery assembly.

[0020] The command to perform the predefined control operation may include a command to perform the predefined control operation depending on whether or not at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: a first condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value; and a second condition that the difference between the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell exceeds a predefined reference difference value.

[0021] The command to perform the predefined control operation may include a command to perform a first control operation to adjust a full charge voltage value for the plurality of battery cells down to a predefined voltage value when an event that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition occurs in a charging state for the plurality of battery cells.

[0022] The command to perform the predefined control operation may include a command to upwardly adjust the downwardly adjusted full charge voltage value to a predefined voltage value when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a charging state for the plurality of battery cells after the first control operation.

[0023] The command to perform the predefined control action may include a command to perform a second control action of cutting off trickle charge to the plurality of battery cells when an event that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition occurs when the plurality of battery cells are in a fully charged state.

[0024] The command to perform the predefined control operation may include a command to allow trickle charging of the plurality of battery cells when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released while trickle charging of the plurality of battery cells is cut off after the second control operation.

[0025] In order to achieve the above-mentioned another object, a control method of a battery control system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature of a first battery cell arranged at a first point and a temperature of a second battery cell arranged at a second point separated from the first point among a plurality of battery cells included in a battery assembly; and a control unit that performs a predefined control operation based on the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell, and includes a step of monitoring the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell; and a step of performing a predefined control operation to prevent a state degradation due to a temperature imbalance between battery cells based on at least one of the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell.

[0026] The step of performing the predefined control operation may include a step of performing the predefined control operation depending on whether or not at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: a first condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value; and a second condition that the difference between the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell exceeds a predefined reference difference value.

[0027] The step of performing the predefined control operation may include a step of performing a first control operation of adjusting a full charge voltage value for the plurality of battery cells down to a predefined voltage value when an event that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition occurs in a charging state for the plurality of battery cells.

[0028] The step of performing the predefined control operation may further include a step of upwardly adjusting the downwardly adjusted full charge voltage value to a predefined voltage value when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a charging state for the plurality of battery cells after the first control operation.

[0029] The step of performing the predefined control action may include a step of performing a second control action of cutting off trickle charge to the plurality of battery cells when an event occurs that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition when the plurality of battery cells are in a fully charged state.

[0030] The step of performing the predefined control operation may include a step of allowing trickle charging to the plurality of battery cells when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released while trickle charging to the plurality of battery cells is cut off after the second control operation. Effect of the Invention

[0031] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, even if the battery cells operate in different temperature environments depending on the mounting positions of the battery assembly, deterioration of the battery state due to temperature imbalance between the battery cells can be prevented.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the performance degradation and accelerated deterioration phenomenon caused by trickle charging of a battery cell operating in a high temperature environment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 shows a number of battery cells arranged into a battery assembly. [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a temperature imbalance condition between multiple battery cells within a battery assembly. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram of a battery control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an operational flow diagram of a control method for a battery control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 6 is an operational flow diagram of a control method for a battery control system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram of a battery control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Since the present invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, it is understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals are used for similar components while describing each drawing.

[0035] Terms such as first, second, A, B, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, a second component may be named a first component, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple associated listed items or any of multiple associated listed items.

[0036] 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. In contrast, 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.

[0037] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined in this application.

[0039] Some terms used herein are defined as follows:

[0040] A battery cell is the smallest unit that serves to store power, and a battery module refers to an assembly of a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or parallel.

[0041] A battery pack or battery rack refers to a system with a minimum single structure that can be monitored and controlled through a BMS by connecting modular units set by a battery manufacturer in series and / or parallel, and can be composed of multiple battery modules and one BPU or protection device.

[0042] A battery bank can refer to a large-scale collection of battery rack systems that are made up of multiple battery racks connected in parallel. The battery bank BMS can monitor and control the rack BMS (RBMS) for each battery rack.

[0043] The battery assembly means an assembly including a plurality of electrically connected battery cells and applied to a specific system or device to function as a power supply source. Here, the battery assembly may mean a battery module, a battery pack, a battery rack, a battery bank, or the like, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these.

[0044] SOC (State of Charge) is the current charged state of the battery expressed as a percentage [%], and SOH (State of Health) is the current remaining state of the battery expressed as a percentage [%].

[0045] Nominal capacity (Nominal Capa.) can refer to the set capacity [Ah] of a battery set by the battery manufacturer at the time of development.

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a number of battery cells arranged into a battery assembly.

[0048] A plurality of battery cells 10 are connected in series and / or parallel to form a battery assembly depending on the requirements of a system or device.

[0049] The battery cell 10 may correspond to a cylindrical battery as shown in FIG. 1, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the shape type of the battery cell, and may correspond to a pouch-type or rectangular battery.

[0050] Each of the battery cells 10 may be accommodated in a battery case after being seated in a battery holder so that the battery cells 10 can be arranged at predetermined positions spaced apart at regular intervals.

[0051] The battery case may be formed with air inlet holes or air outlet holes for cooling the battery cells 10 housed therein.

[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates a temperature imbalance condition between multiple battery cells in a battery assembly.

[0053] The battery assembly 20 is mounted in a specific location depending on the design of the system or device.

[0054] Here, a temperature imbalance may occur between the battery cells 10 depending on the design structure and operation of the system to which the battery assembly 20 is applied.

[0055] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a device that generates thermal energy (Q) is placed near the battery assembly 20, the battery cells placed close to the device will operate in a high-temperature environment, and the battery cells placed farther away will operate in a relatively low-temperature environment.

[0056] In addition, when the operating mode (e.g., strong, medium, or weak) of a device (e.g., a motor) that generates thermal energy (Q) is changed as needed, the operating temperature of the battery cell 10 changes continuously.

[0057] If a temperature imbalance occurs between the battery cells due to the design structure and operation of the system, the battery cells will continuously operate in different temperature environments, which may cause the performance and deterioration rates to differ, ultimately shortening the life of the battery assembly 20. In addition, if trickle charging is performed due to the current consumption of the system after the battery is fully charged, trickle charging at a high temperature may accelerate the performance degradation and deterioration of the battery cells 10, making the imbalance between the battery cells more severe.

[0058] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention for preventing deterioration of the battery state due to temperature imbalance between battery cells will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a battery control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] 3, a battery control system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include temperature measurement units 110 and 120 and a control unit 200. Here, the temperature measurement units 110 and 120 measure the temperatures of a plurality of battery cells 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-n, and the control unit 200 monitors the measured temperatures and performs a corresponding control operation when a temperature imbalance occurs.

[0061] The temperature measuring units 110 and 120 may be configured to measure the temperatures of some of the battery cells 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-n. The battery control system according to the present invention does not monitor the temperatures of all the battery cells, but performs control measures to prevent deterioration of the battery state based on the temperatures of some of the battery cells, thereby simplifying the control process and improving the efficiency of data processing.

[0062] The temperature measurement unit may include a first temperature sensor 110 and a second temperature sensor 120. Here, the first temperature sensor 110 may measure the temperature of a first battery cell 10-1 disposed at a first point, and the second temperature sensor 120 may measure the temperature of a second battery cell 10-3 disposed at a second point separated from the first point.

[0063] The first point may correspond to a point exhibiting a higher instantaneous temperature value or a higher average temperature value than the second point. That is, in Fig. 3, the first battery cell 10-1 corresponds to a battery placed in a higher temperature environment than the second battery cell 10-3, and the temperature measurement unit may be configured to measure the temperatures of each of the battery cells 10-1 and 10-3.

[0064] The first point may correspond to a point exhibiting the highest instantaneous temperature value or the highest average temperature value in the battery assembly 20, and the second point may correspond to a point exhibiting the lowest instantaneous temperature value or the lowest average temperature value in the battery assembly 20. That is, the first temperature sensor 110 may be configured to measure the temperature of the battery cell 10-1 arranged in the highest temperature environment, and the second temperature sensor 120 may be configured to measure the temperature of the battery cell 10-3 arranged in the lowest temperature environment.

[0065] Here, the temperature values ​​for all battery cells 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-n included in the battery assembly 20 are measured per unit time through a preliminary temperature measurement test, and the instantaneous temperature values ​​or average temperature values ​​for each battery cell 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-n are compared to determine the first and second points.

[0066] The control unit 200 can receive temperature measurement values ​​of the first battery cell 10-1 and the second battery cell 10-3 from the first and second temperature sensors 110, 120 and monitor the temperatures of the first battery cell 10-1 and the second battery cell 10-3.

[0067] The control unit 200 can determine whether or not a temperature imbalance has occurred between the battery cells based on the temperature values ​​of the first battery cell 10-1 and the second battery cell 10-3. Here, the control unit 200 can determine that a temperature imbalance has occurred between the battery cells when at least one of a first condition (T1>Tmax) that the temperature (T1) of the first battery cell 10-1 exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value (Tmax) and a second condition (T1-T2>Td) that the difference between the temperature (T1) of the first battery cell 10-1 and the temperature (T2) of the second battery cell 10-3 exceeds a predefined reference difference value (Td) is satisfied.

[0068] When a temperature imbalance occurs between the battery cells, the control unit 200 can perform different control operations depending on the operating state of the battery cells.

[0069] When an event that satisfies at least one of a first condition (T1>Tmax) and a second condition (T1-T2>Td) occurs during the charging process of the battery cells, the control unit 200 may perform a first control operation of adjusting the full charge voltage value of the plurality of battery cells to a predefined voltage value. That is, when a temperature imbalance occurs during the charging process of the battery cells, the control unit 200 may reduce the full charge voltage value of all the battery cells (e.g., from 5V to 4.10V) to minimize the performance imbalance of the battery cells. Here, the adjustment value for the full charge voltage value may be determined based on at least one of the temperature value (T1) of the first battery, the temperature difference value (T1-T2) between the first and second batteries, the state of the battery (e.g., SOC or SOH), and the number of occurrences of the temperature imbalance. For example, the full charge voltage value can be adjusted to a lower value as the temperature value (T1) of the first battery or the difference value (T1-T2) between the temperatures of the first and second batteries is larger, and the full charge voltage value can be adjusted to a lower value as the accumulated number of temperature imbalance states is larger.

[0070] If an event occurs during charging of the battery cells after the first control operation in which at least one of the conditions satisfied for the first control operation is released, the control unit 200 may increase the full charge voltage value that has been adjusted downward to a predefined voltage value. That is, after the full charge voltage value has been adjusted downward due to the occurrence of a temperature imbalance state, if the temperature imbalance state is released during charging, the control unit 200 may increase the full charge voltage value for all the battery cells to operate at maximum performance. Here, the full charge voltage value may be adjusted to the initially set full charge voltage value (e.g., back to 5V from 4.10V).

[0071] When an event occurs that satisfies at least one of a first condition (T1>Tmax) and a second condition (T1-T2>Td) in a fully charged state of the battery cells, the control unit 200 may perform a second control operation of cutting off trickle charging to a plurality of battery cells. That is, when a temperature imbalance occurs in a fully charged state of the battery cells, the control unit 200 may cut off trickle charging to all the battery cells to prevent deterioration and performance degradation of the battery cells. Here, the control unit 200 may cut off trickle charging by controlling a switch (e.g., C-FET) located in the trickle charging path to an off state.

[0072] In a state where trickle charging of the plurality of battery cells is interrupted by the second control operation, if an event occurs in which at least one of the conditions satisfied for the second control operation is released, the control unit 200 may allow trickle charging of the plurality of battery cells. That is, if trickle charging is interrupted due to the occurrence of a temperature imbalance state in a fully charged state and then the temperature imbalance state is released, the control unit 200 may allow trickle charging of all the battery cells to compensate for minute discharge due to system current consumption. Here, the control unit 200 may allow trickle charging by controlling a switch (e.g., C-FET) located in the trickle charging path to an on state.

[0073] Hereinafter, a control method of a battery control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0074] A control method of a battery control system according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed by a control device 200 in conjunction with temperature measurement units 110, 120 that measure the temperature of a first battery cell located at a first location and the temperature of a second battery cell located at a second location separated from the first location.

[0075] First, the control process in the battery charging state will be described with reference to FIG.

[0076] The first temperature sensor 110 measures the temperature (T1) of the battery cell 10-1 placed in the highest temperature environment, and the second temperature sensor 120 measures the temperature (T2) of the battery cell 10-3 placed in the lowest temperature environment.

[0077] The control device 200 receives temperature measurement values ​​of the first battery cell and the second battery cell from the first and second temperature sensors 110, 120 at predefined unit times and monitors the temperatures (T1, T2) of the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0078] The control device 200 checks whether at least one of a first condition (T1>Tmax) that the temperature (T1) of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit (Tmax) and a second condition (T1-T2>Td) that the difference between the temperature (T1) of the first battery cell and the temperature (T2) of the second battery cell exceeds a predefined reference difference value (Td) is satisfied, and determines whether a temperature imbalance state between the battery cells has occurred (S410). Here, the control device 200 can determine that a temperature imbalance state between the battery cells has occurred if both the first and second conditions are satisfied.

[0079] If an event occurs that satisfies both the first and second conditions, the control device 200 adjusts the full charge voltage values ​​of the multiple battery cells to a predefined voltage value (performs a first control operation) (S420). That is, if a temperature imbalance occurs during the charging process of the battery cells, the control device 200 can minimize the performance imbalance of the battery cells by reducing the full charge voltage values ​​of all the battery cells (e.g., from 5V to 4.10V).

[0080] Thereafter, the control device 200 checks whether an event occurs that cancels at least one of the first and second conditions (S430). Here, if both the first and second conditions are canceled, the control device 200 can determine that the temperature imbalance state between the battery cells has been resolved.

[0081] If an event occurs in which both the first and second conditions are released, the control device 200 adjusts the downwardly adjusted full charge voltage value upward to a predefined voltage value (S440). Here, the full charge voltage value can be adjusted to the initially set full charge voltage value (e.g., from 4.10V back to 5V), thereby allowing all battery cells to operate at maximum performance.

[0082] If no event occurs that cancels either the first or second condition, the control device 200 checks whether the battery is fully charged (S450). If the battery is not fully charged, the process returns to step S430 of checking whether the first and second conditions have been canceled, and if the battery is fully charged, the control process ends.

[0083] Next, the control process in the fully charged state of the battery will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Meanwhile, the fully charged state of the battery means a state in which the battery cell is charged to a fully charged voltage value (initial setting value, a value adjusted downward by the first control operation, or a value adjusted upward after the first control operation).

[0084] The first temperature sensor 110 measures the temperature (T1) of the battery cell 10-1 placed in the highest temperature environment, and the second temperature sensor 120 measures the temperature (T2) of the battery cell 10-3 placed in the lowest temperature environment.

[0085] The control device 200 receives temperature measurement values ​​of the first battery cell and the second battery cell from the first and second temperature sensors 110, 120 at predefined unit times and monitors the temperatures (T1, T2) of the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

[0086] The control device 200 checks whether at least one of a first condition (T1>Tmax) and a second condition (T1-T2>Td) is satisfied to determine whether a temperature imbalance state has occurred between the battery cells (S510). Here, the control device 200 can determine that a temperature imbalance state has occurred between the battery cells if both the first and second conditions are satisfied.

[0087] When an event occurs that satisfies both the first and second conditions, the control device 200 cuts off trickle charging to the multiple battery cells (performs the second control operation) (S520). That is, when a temperature imbalance occurs when the battery cells are fully charged, the control device 200 cuts off trickle charging to all the battery cells, thereby preventing deterioration and performance degradation of the battery cells.

[0088] Thereafter, the control device 200 checks whether an event occurs that cancels at least one of the first and second conditions (S530). Here, if both the first and second conditions are canceled, the control device 200 can determine that the temperature imbalance state between the battery cells has been resolved.

[0089] If an event occurs in which both the first and second conditions are released, the control device 200 allows trickle charging of a plurality of battery cells (S540). That is, if the temperature imbalance state is released, the control device 200 allows trickle charging of all the battery cells to compensate for minute discharges due to system current consumption.

[0090] After trickle charging is permitted, the control device 200 checks whether the battery cells are in a state where they are discharging by supplying power to the system (S550). If they are not in a discharging state, the process returns to step S510 of checking whether a temperature imbalance has occurred between the battery cells, and if they are in a discharging state, the control process ends.

[0091] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a battery control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Hereinafter, the main configuration of a control device 200 that performs a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0093] The control device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one processor 210, a memory 220 for storing at least one instruction to be executed by the processor, and a transceiver 230 for communicating with other components in the battery control system, in cooperation with temperature measurement units 110, 120 for measuring the temperature of a first battery cell located at a first location and the temperature of a second battery cell located at a second location.

[0094] The control device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be embodied in a Battery Management System (BMS) or an Energy Management System (EMS), but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these.

[0095] The at least one instruction executed by the at least one processor may include an instruction for monitoring a temperature of a first battery cell and a temperature of a second battery cell; and an instruction for performing a predefined control action to prevent degradation due to temperature imbalance between battery cells based on at least one of the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell.

[0096] The instruction to perform the predefined control action may include an instruction to perform the predefined control action depending on whether or not at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied.

[0097] The command to perform the predefined control operation may include a command to perform a first control operation to adjust a full charge voltage value for the plurality of battery cells down to a predefined voltage value when an event that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition occurs in a charging state for the plurality of battery cells.

[0098] The command to perform the predefined control operation may include a command to upwardly adjust the downwardly adjusted full charge voltage value to a predefined voltage value when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a charging state for the plurality of battery cells after the first control operation.

[0099] The command to perform the predefined control operation may include a command to perform a second control operation of cutting off trickle charging to the plurality of battery cells when an event that satisfies at least one of the first condition and the second condition occurs when the plurality of battery cells are in a fully charged state.

[0100] The command to perform the predefined control operation may include a command to allow trickle charging of the plurality of battery cells when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released while trickle charging of the plurality of battery cells is cut off after the second control operation.

[0101] The control device 200 may further include an input interface device 240, an output interface device 250, a storage device 260, etc. The components included in the control device 200 are connected by a bus 270 to communicate with each other.

[0102] Here, the processor 210 may refer to a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which the method according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed. The memory (or storage device) may be composed of at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory may be composed of at least one of a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0103] The operation of the method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be embodied as a computer readable program or code in a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. In addition, the computer readable recording medium can be distributed to computer systems connected via a network, and the computer readable program or code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0104] Some aspects of the invention have been described in the context of an apparatus, but it may also be presented in terms of a corresponding method, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may be presented in terms of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0105] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations of the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 10 Battery Cells 10-1 First battery cell 10-2 Battery cell 10-3 Second battery cell 20 Battery Assembly 110 First temperature sensor 120 Second Temperature Sensor 200 Control unit, control device 210 Processor 220 Memory 230 Transmitting and Receiving Equipment 240 Input Interface Device 250 Output Interface Device 260 Storage device 270 Bus

Claims

1. a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of a first battery cell disposed at a first point and the temperature of a second battery cell disposed at a second point not adjacent to the first point, among at least three battery cells included in the battery assembly; and a control unit that monitors a temperature of the first battery cell and a temperature of the second battery cell in a charging state of the at least three battery cells, does not monitor temperatures of battery cells other than the first battery cell and the second battery cell, and performs a first control operation to adjust a full charge voltage value of the at least three battery cells down to a predefined voltage value when an event occurs satisfying a second condition that a difference between the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell exceeds a predefined reference difference value.

2. The first location includes: The battery control system of claim 1 , wherein the second point corresponds to a point exhibiting a higher instantaneous temperature value or a higher average temperature value than the second point.

3. The first location includes: The point in the battery assembly exhibits the highest instantaneous temperature value or the highest average temperature value, The second location includes:

3. The battery control system of claim 2, which corresponds to a point exhibiting the lowest instantaneous temperature value or the lowest average temperature value within the battery assembly.

4. The control unit is When an event occurs that further satisfies a first condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value in a charging state for the at least three battery cells, The battery control system according to claim 1 , wherein the first control operation is performed.

5. The control unit is After the first control operation, when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a charging state of the at least three battery cells, 5. The battery control system according to claim 1, wherein the full-charge voltage value that has been adjusted downward is adjusted upward to a predefined voltage value.

6. The control unit is When an event occurs that satisfies at least one of a first condition and a second condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value in a fully charged state of the at least three battery cells, The battery control system of claim 1 , further comprising a second control action of cutting off trickle charge to the at least three battery cells.

7. The control unit is After the second control operation, when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a state in which trickle charging for the at least three battery cells is cut off, 7. The battery control system of claim 6, wherein the battery control system allows trickle charging of the at least three battery cells.

8. A battery control device that is linked to a temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature of a first battery cell arranged at a first point and a temperature of a second battery cell arranged at a second point not adjacent to the first point, among at least three battery cells included in a battery assembly, At least one processor; and a memory for storing at least one instruction to be executed by said at least one processor; The at least one instruction: instructions for monitoring a temperature of the first battery cell and a temperature of a second battery cell in a charging state for the at least three battery cells, and not monitoring temperatures of battery cells other than the first battery cell and the second battery cell; and an instruction to perform a first control operation to adjust a full charge voltage value for the at least three battery cells down to a predefined voltage value when an event occurs satisfying a second condition that a difference between a temperature of the first battery cell and a temperature of the second battery cell exceeds a predefined reference difference value.

9. The first location includes: The battery control device according to claim 8 , wherein the second point corresponds to a point exhibiting a higher instantaneous temperature value or a higher average temperature value than the second point.

10. The first location includes: The point in the battery assembly exhibits the highest instantaneous temperature value or the highest average temperature value, The second location includes:

10. The battery control device of claim 9, which corresponds to a point exhibiting the lowest instantaneous temperature value or the lowest average temperature value within the battery assembly.

11. The command for performing the predefined control operation is When an event occurs that further satisfies a first condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value in a charging state for the at least three battery cells, The battery control device of claim 8 including an instruction to perform the first control action.

12. The command for performing the predefined control operation is After the first control operation, when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a charging state of the at least three battery cells, The battery control device according to claim 8 or 11, further comprising a command for adjusting the downwardly adjusted full-charge voltage value upward to a predefined voltage value.

13. The command for performing the predefined control operation is When an event occurs that satisfies at least one of a first condition and a second condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value in a fully charged state of the at least three battery cells, The battery control device of claim 8 , further comprising instructions for performing a second control action of cutting off trickle charge to the at least three battery cells.

14. The command for performing the predefined control operation is After the second control operation, when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a state in which trickle charging for the at least three battery cells is cut off, The battery control device of claim 13 , further comprising instructions to allow trickle charging to the at least three battery cells.

15. A control method for a battery control system, the method being executed by a battery control system including: a temperature measurement unit that measures a temperature of a first battery cell arranged at a first point and a temperature of a second battery cell arranged at a second point not adjacent to the first point, among at least three battery cells included in a battery assembly; and a control unit that performs a predefined control operation based on the temperature of the first battery cell and the temperature of the second battery cell, monitoring a temperature of the first battery cell and a temperature of a second battery cell, and not monitoring temperatures of battery cells other than the first battery cell and the second battery cell; and performing a first control operation of adjusting a full charge voltage value for the at least three battery cells down to a predefined voltage value when an event occurs that satisfies a second condition that a difference between a temperature of the first battery cell and a temperature of the second battery cell exceeds a predefined reference difference value in a charging state of the at least three battery cells.

16. The step of performing the predefined control operation includes: When an event occurs that further satisfies a first condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value in a charging state for the at least three battery cells, The control method for a battery control system according to claim 15, further comprising the step of performing the first control operation.

17. The step of performing the predefined control operation includes: After the first control operation, when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a charging state of the at least three battery cells, 17. The method for controlling a battery control system according to claim 15, further comprising the step of: adjusting the downwardly adjusted full-charge voltage value upward to a predefined voltage value.

18. The step of performing the predefined control operation includes: When an event occurs that satisfies at least one of a first condition and a second condition that the temperature of the first battery cell exceeds a predefined upper temperature limit value in a fully charged state of the at least three battery cells, 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of performing a second control operation of cutting off trickle charge to the at least three battery cells.

19. The step of performing the predefined control operation includes: After the second control operation, when an event occurs in which at least one of the satisfied conditions is released in a state in which trickle charging for the at least three battery cells is cut off, 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of allowing trickle charging of the at least three battery cells.

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