Battery status monitoring device and method, and battery protection device

Abstract

The battery status monitoring device and method, and battery protection device according to the embodiments of the present invention include a contactor including a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of the battery and measuring a first current value, a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery and measuring a second current value, a first contactor located between the positive electrode side of the battery and the first current sensor, and a second contactor located between the negative electrode side of the battery and the second current sensor, and a control unit that calculates a representative current value of the first current value and the second current value to determine whether or not an abnormal current exists.By measuring and monitoring the current using different types of current sensors, stable battery current measurement is possible even when one of the current sensors fails, and a highly efficient, stable and reliable battery status monitoring device and method, and battery protection device can be provided that protects the battery from abnormal current based on the representative current value of the battery.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0173099, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 6, 2021, and all of the contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery status monitoring device and method, and a battery protection device, and more specifically to a battery status monitoring device and method, and a battery protection device that measures and monitors current using different types of current sensors, thereby protecting the battery from abnormal current even when one of the current sensors fails. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic devices such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically. As the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, and other devices has progressed in earnest, research into high-performance batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is actively underway.

[0004] Among batteries, lithium secondary batteries have been attracting attention due to their advantages of being free to charge and discharge, having almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] A battery protection device may generally include a current sensor for measuring current. The current sensor measures the current flowing through the charge / discharge path of the battery to monitor the battery state and detect overcurrent flowing through the battery pack. The current measured by the current sensor may be used as information for calculating the SOC or as a basis for determining whether the charge / discharge process is normal.

[0006] However, since the conventional battery protection device is applied with only one current sensor, it has a drawback in that it is difficult to diagnose the abnormality of the battery due to the current when the current sensor is broken. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery state monitoring device that is highly efficient, stable, and reliable.

[0008] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a highly efficient, highly stable and highly reliable method for monitoring the state of a battery.

[0009] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a battery protection device that is highly efficient, stable and reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides a battery status monitoring device including a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of a battery and measuring a first current value, a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery and measuring a second current value, and a control unit that sets a representative current value between the first current value and the second current value depending on whether or not at least one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor is faulty, and monitors the representative current value.

[0011] In this case, the first current sensor may be of a different type from the second current sensor.

[0012] In addition, the control unit can apply power to the first current sensor and the second current sensor to measure a first average current value and a second average current value, respectively, determine whether or not the first current sensor is faulty based on the first average current value, and determine whether or not the second current sensor is faulty based on the second average current value.

[0013] At this time, the control unit can compare the first average current value with a specific threshold value to determine whether or not the first current sensor is faulty.

[0014] On the other hand, when the control unit cannot receive the CAN signal periodically transmitted from the first current sensor, it can determine that the first current sensor has failed.

[0015] In addition, the control unit may determine that the first current sensor has failed when an error message is received from the CAN signal periodically transmitted from the first current sensor.

[0016] The first current sensor may be a flux type current sensor.

[0017] Meanwhile, the second current sensor may be a Hall-type two-channel current sensor including a first channel and a second channel.

[0018] At this time, the control unit can individually calculate the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel, and compare the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel with the current specification in the first channel.

[0019] In addition, if the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel are greater than or equal to the current specification in the first channel, the control unit can compare the average current value in the second channel with the current specification in the second channel.

[0020] At this time, the control unit determines that the second current sensor has failed if the average current value in the second channel is greater than the current specification of the second channel, If the average current value in the second channel is smaller than or equal to the current specification in the second channel, the average current value in the second channel can be set as the representative current value of the second current sensor.

[0021] Furthermore, when at least one of the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is smaller than the current specification in the first channel, and the variation in the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is below a specific threshold, the control unit can set the average current value in the first channel to the representative current value of the second current sensor.

[0022] On the other hand, if at least one of the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is smaller than the current specification in the first channel, or if the variation in the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel exceeds a specific threshold, the control unit can determine that the second current sensor has failed.

[0023] In addition, when the first current sensor and the second current sensor are determined to be normal, the control unit calculates the variation of the first average current value and the second average current value, and when the variation is below a specific threshold, outputs the first average current value as a representative current value, and when the variation exceeds a specific threshold, determines that a current measurement error has occurred in the battery.

[0024] On the other hand, when it is determined that the first current sensor is normal and the second current sensor is faulty, the control unit can output the first average current value as the representative current value.

[0025] Furthermore, when it is determined that the first current sensor is faulty and the second current sensor is normal, the control unit can output the second average current value as the representative current value.

[0026] Then, when it is determined that the first current sensor and the second current sensor have failed, the control unit can determine that an error in measuring the current of the battery has occurred.

[0027] Furthermore, the battery state monitoring device can be applied to a battery protection device that controls a contactor to protect the battery when the representative current value is equal to or greater than a specific threshold value.

[0028] To achieve the above object, another embodiment of the present invention provides a battery protection device including a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of the battery and measuring a first current value, a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery and measuring a second current value, contactors including a first contactor located between the positive electrode side of the battery and the first current sensor, and a second contactor located between the negative electrode side of the battery and the second current sensor, and a control unit that calculates a representative current value of the first current value and the second current value to determine whether or not an abnormal current is present, wherein the control unit compares the representative current value with a specific threshold value to determine whether or not an abnormal current is present, and controls the contactor depending on whether or not the abnormal current is present to protect the battery.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a battery status monitoring method for setting and monitoring a representative current value among a first current value and a second current value depending on whether or not at least one of a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of a battery for measuring a first current value and a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery for measuring a second current value includes the steps of applying power to the first current sensor and the second current sensor to calculate a first average current value and a second average current value, respectively; determining whether or not the first current sensor has failed based on the first average current value; determining whether or not the second current sensor has failed based on the second average current value; and setting the current value of any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor that is operating normally as a representative current value and monitoring it.

[0030] Here, the step of determining whether or not the first current sensor is faulty based on the first average current value may include a step of comparing the first average current value with a specific threshold value to determine whether or not the first current sensor is faulty.

[0031] The first current sensor may be a flux type current sensor.

[0032] Meanwhile, the second current sensor may be a Hall-type two-channel current sensor including a first channel and a second channel.

[0033] In this case, the step of applying power to the first current sensor and the second current sensor to calculate a first average current value and a second average current value, respectively, may include a step of calculating the first average current value of the first current value measured multiple times by the first current sensor, and a step of individually calculating an average current value in the first channel and an average current value in the second channel in the second current sensor.

[0034] The step of determining whether or not the second current sensor is faulty based on the second average current value may include a step of comparing the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel with a current specification in the first channel.

[0035] In this case, the step of comparing the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel with the current specification in the first channel may include the step of comparing the average current value in the second channel with the current specification in the second channel if the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel are greater than or equal to the current specification in the first channel.

[0036] In this case, the step of comparing the average current value in the second channel with the current specification in the second channel may include a step of determining that the second current sensor has failed if the average current value in the second channel is larger than the current specification in the second channel, and a step of setting the average current value in the second channel to a representative current value of the second current sensor if the average current value in the second channel is smaller than or equal to the current specification in the second channel.

[0037] On the other hand, the step of comparing the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel with the current specification in the first channel may include a step of setting the average current value in the first channel to a representative current value of the second current sensor if at least one of the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is smaller than the current specification in the first channel and if the variation between the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is equal to or less than a specific threshold value.

[0038] The method may also include determining that the second current sensor has failed if the variation between the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel exceeds a specific threshold.

[0039] In addition, the step of setting the current value of any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor that is operating normally as a representative current value and monitoring it may include the steps of: calculating a variation between the first average current value and the second average current value when the first current sensor and the second current sensor are determined to be normal; outputting the first average current value as a representative current value when the variation is equal to or less than a specific threshold; and determining that a current measurement error of the battery has occurred when the variation exceeds a specific threshold.

[0040] In addition, the step of setting the current value of any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor that is operating normally as a representative current value and monitoring it may include the step of outputting the first average current value as the representative current value when it is determined that the first current sensor is normal and the second current sensor is faulty.

[0041] In this case, the step of setting the current value of any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor that is operating normally as a representative current value and monitoring it may include the step of outputting the second average current value as a representative current value when it is determined that the first current sensor is faulty and the second current sensor is normal.

[0042] In addition, the battery state monitoring method may further include a step of determining and outputting an occurrence of a current measurement error of the battery when it is determined that the first current sensor and the second current sensor have failed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0043] The battery status monitoring device and method, and battery protection device according to the embodiments of the present invention include a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of the battery and measuring a first current value, a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery and measuring a second current value, contactors including a first contactor located between the positive electrode side of the battery and the first current sensor, and a second contactor located between the negative electrode side of the battery and the second current sensor, and a control unit that calculates a representative current value of the first current value and the second current value to determine whether or not an abnormal current exists.By measuring and monitoring current using different types of current sensors, stable battery current measurement is possible even when one of the current sensors fails, and a highly efficient, stable, and reliable battery status monitoring device and method, and battery protection device can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional battery protection device. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram of a battery protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram of a control unit in a battery protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a flow chart of a method for monitoring a battery state in a battery protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a step of determining whether or not a second current sensor has failed in a battery protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. While specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description, it is understood that this is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but rather to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout the various drawings.

[0046] Terms such as "first," "second," "A," and "B" may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component can be designated as a second component, and similarly, a second component can be designated as 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 one of multiple associated listed items.

[0047] When a component is said to be "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it is 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 said to be "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it is understood that there are no other components in between.

[0048] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be understood that in this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. 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.

[0050] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional battery protection device.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional battery protection unit (BPU) is a device connected to at least one battery to electrically protect the battery from abnormal current.

[0053] More specifically, conventional battery protection devices provide one current sensor.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the current sensor may be a non-contact type and may be provided in a form that wraps around a bus bar that connects the battery and the contactor, and one end of the current sensor may be located on the positive electrode side of the battery. However, the current sensor is not limited to the above and may be provided in any form that can electrically protect the battery from abnormal current.

[0055] Generally, a current sensor detects when an overcurrent occurs and protects the battery.

[0056] However, conventional battery protection devices have the disadvantage that, since they only provide one current sensor, it is difficult to detect abnormal or faulty currents when the current sensor fails, and therefore it is not possible to prevent damage to the battery.

[0057] Therefore, the present invention describes a battery protection device and method that provides different types of current sensors to prevent damage to the battery due to current sensor failure.

[0058] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a battery protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] 2, as described above, a battery protection unit (BPU) according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to at least one battery to electrically protect the battery from abnormal current such as overcurrent. In this case, the battery may be a battery module or a battery rack. Here, a battery module is configured by combining a plurality of battery cells, which are the smallest unit of a battery, in series and parallel, and a battery rack may be configured to include a plurality of battery modules.

[0060] To explain the battery protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail by component, the battery protection unit (BPU) may include a battery status monitoring device (not shown), a battery status monitoring unit including a first current sensor 1000, a second current sensor 2000, and a control unit 3000, a main contactor (MC) 4000, and a fuse 5000. In this case, the battery status monitoring unit may be provided as a separate device including the first current sensor 1000, the second current sensor 2000, and the control unit 3000. In addition, the fuse 5000 in the battery protection unit (BPU) is not necessarily used.

[0061] To explain in more detail the configuration of the battery status monitoring device provided as a battery status monitoring unit in the battery protection unit (BPU), the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000 may be devices for detecting abnormal currents such as overcurrents generated in the battery.

[0062] The first current sensor 1000 may be located on the positive electrode side of the battery. More specifically, one end of the first current sensor 1000 may be located on the other end side of a first contactor 3100 (described later), and the other end of the first current sensor 1000 may be located on the positive electrode terminal side of a DC link.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the first current sensor 1000 may be a flux type current sensor.

[0064] More specifically, the first current sensor 1000 can transmit the measurement value to the control unit 3000 (described later) using CAN communication. For example, the measurement value of the first current sensor 1000 can be provided as a current measurement value or a voltage measurement value.

[0065] Here, the first current sensor 1000 may have higher detection accuracy than the second current sensor 2000 described below.

[0066] Meanwhile, the second current sensor 2000 may be located on the negative electrode side of the battery. More specifically, one end of the second current sensor 2000 may be located on the other end side of a second contactor 3500 (described later), and the other end of the second current sensor 2000 may be located on the negative electrode terminal side of a DC link.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the second current sensor 2000 may be of a different type from the first current sensor 1000. In other words, the battery state monitoring device may include different types of current sensors. For example, the second current sensor 2000 may be a Hall type current sensor.

[0068] The second current sensor 2000 can transmit the measurement value to the control unit 3000, which will be described later. For example, the measurement value of the second current sensor 2000 can be provided as a voltage measurement value.

[0069] The control unit 3000 can supply power to the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000.

[0070] In addition, the control unit 3000 can determine whether or not there is a malfunction in at least one of the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000. Thus, when an abnormality occurs in one of the sensors and current measurement is not possible, the control unit 3000 can measure the magnitude of the current using a sensor that is operating normally.

[0071] In other words, the control unit 3000 may acquire a first current value measured by the first current sensor 1000 and a second current value measured by the second current sensor 2000. Here, if the measurement values ​​of the first current sensor 1000 or the second current sensor 2000 are provided as voltage values, the control unit 3000 may convert the acquired measurement values ​​into current values ​​and analyze them to determine whether the first current sensor 1000 or the second current sensor 2000 is malfunctioning. Thus, the control unit 3000 may monitor the occurrence of abnormal current in the battery based on the current value measured by the normally operating sensor out of the first current sensor 1000 or the second current sensor 2000. The operation of the control unit 3000 for monitoring the battery state will be described in more detail when describing a battery state monitoring method, which will be described later.

[0072] Meanwhile, the control unit 3000 can control the opening and closing operation of a contactor 4000 (described later) in accordance with the representative current values ​​measured by the first and second current sensors 1000 and 2000. For example, the contactor 4000 may be a bidirectional contactor.

[0073] According to the embodiment, the control unit 3000 can maintain the first contactor 4100 or the second contactor 4500 (described later) in a closed state when the representative current values ​​measured by the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000 are less than a certain reference value. As a result, the battery is connected to the charge / discharge circuit by the first contactor 4100 or the second contactor 4500, and can be charged or discharged.

[0074] Furthermore, when the measurement value of the first current sensor 1000 or the second current sensor is equal to or greater than a certain standard, the control unit 3000 can switch the first contactor 4100 and the second contactor 4500, which will be described later, to an open state. This allows the battery to be disconnected from the charge / discharge circuit by the first contactor 4100 and the second contactor 4500.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the control unit 3000 may be an RBMS (Rack BMS) or may be included in the RBMS as part of the RBMS. The operation of the control unit 3000 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0076] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit in a battery protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 3, a control unit 3000 in the battery protection device may include a memory 100 , a processor 200 , a transceiver 300 , an input interface unit 400 , an output interface unit 500 and a storage unit 600 .

[0078] According to the embodiment, the components 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 included in the control unit 3000 are connected by a bus 700 to communicate with each other.

[0079] Among the components 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600, the memory 100 and the storage device 600 may be configured with at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory 100 and the storage device 600 may be configured with at least one of a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0080] Among other things, memory 100 may contain at least one instruction that is executed by processor 200 .

[0081] According to an embodiment, the at least one command may include an command to apply power to the first current sensor and the second current sensor to calculate a first average current value and a second average current value, respectively; an command to determine whether or not the first current sensor is faulty based on the first average current value; an command to determine whether or not the second current sensor is faulty based on the second average current value; and an command to set any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor that is operating normally as a representative current value and monitor it.

[0082] The processor 200 may refer to a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which methods according to embodiments of the present invention are performed.

[0083] The processor 200 is capable of executing at least one program command stored in the memory 100, as described above.

[0084] 2 again, the contactor 4000 of the battery protection unit (BPU) is an electrical switching device that can be opened or closed by the control unit 3000 (described later). In other words, the contactor 4000 can charge or discharge the battery or cut off the charging or discharging of the battery according to a command from the control unit 3000 (described later). For example, the contactor 4000 can be a magnetic contactor.

[0085] More specifically, the contactor 4000 may include a first contactor 4100 and a second contactor 4500 .

[0086] One end of the first contactor 4100 may be connected in series with the other end of the first fuse 5100 described below, and the other end may be connected in series with the positive terminal of the DC link at which the first current sensor 1000 is located. In other words, the first contactor 4100 may be located between the positive side of the battery and the first current sensor 1000.

[0087] Furthermore, one end of the second contactor 4500 may be connected in series with the other end of the second fuse 5500 (described later), and the other end may be connected in series with the negative terminal of the DC link at which the second current sensor 2000 is located. In other words, the second contactor 4500 may be located between the negative terminal of the battery and the second current sensor 2000.

[0088] The first contactor 4100 and the second contactor 4500 may be provided as bidirectional contactors, whereby the first contactor 4100 and the second contactor 4500 may be opened or closed by the control unit 3000 depending on the measurement value of the first current sensor 1000 or the second current sensor 2000.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the first contactor 4100 and the second contactor 4500 can be controlled by the control unit 3000 to a closed state when the measurement values ​​of the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000 are below a certain standard.

[0090] According to another embodiment, the first contactor 4100 and the second contactor 4500 can be controlled by the control unit 3000 to an open state when the measurement value of the first current sensor 1000 or the second current sensor 2000 is above a certain standard.

[0091] The fuse 5000 is a protective element that is one of the main components of the BPU and that passively opens to protect the battery when a short circuit occurs, for example, the fuse 5000 is a disposable component that must be replaced periodically during use.

[0092] More specifically, the fuse 5000 may include a first fuse 5100 and a second fuse 5500 .

[0093] The first fuse 5100 may have one end connected to the positive terminal of the battery and the other end connected to the first contactor 4100 .

[0094] The second fuse 5500 may have one end connected to the negative terminal of the battery and the other end connected to the second contactor 4500 .

[0095] However, the battery protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily require the use of the fuse 5000.

[0096] Having described the battery protection device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the following describes a battery state monitoring method and a battery protection method that are performed by the process operation of the control unit in the battery protection device.

[0097] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for monitoring a battery state in a battery protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 4, the processor 200 of the control unit 3000 in the battery protection device can apply power to the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000, respectively, to monitor the battery state and measure the current values ​​individually (S1000).

[0099] According to one embodiment, the processor 200 can measure the current value multiple times per second using the first current sensor 1000, where the first current sensor 1000 can be of a flux type.

[0100] According to another embodiment, the processor 200 can measure the current value multiple times per second using the second current sensor 2000. Here, the second current sensor 2000 can be a Hall type sensor including two channels, a Fine channel and a Coarse channel.

[0101] Then, the processor 200 can calculate the average current value of the current value of the first current sensor 1000 and the current value of the second current sensor 2000 measured from the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000, respectively (S2000).

[0102] According to one embodiment, the processor 200 may use the first current sensor 1000 to calculate an average value of multiple current values ​​calculated multiple times per second.

[0103] According to another embodiment, the processor 200 can use the second current sensor 2000 to calculate the average current value of the current values ​​for the Fine channel and the Coarse channel, calculated multiple times per second.

[0104] Thereafter, the processor 200 can determine whether or not there is a malfunction in the first current sensor 1000 based on the calculated average current value. In other words, it can determine whether or not the first current sensor operates normally (S3000).

[0105] According to one embodiment, the processor 200 can determine whether the first current sensor 1000 is faulty by comparing the average current value with a preset first threshold value (Out of Range).

[0106] More specifically, if the average current value exceeds a first threshold, the processor 200 may determine that the first current sensor 1000 has failed. In this case, the first threshold may be preset and may be a specification of the first current sensor 1000.

[0107] According to another embodiment, the processor 200 may perform a sensor Loss of Communication (LOC) diagnostic to determine if the first current sensor 1000 has failed.

[0108] Here, the sensor LOC diagnosis may be a determination as to whether the control unit 3000 receives a CAN signal periodically transmitted by the first current sensor 1000. For example, if the first current sensor 1000 itself transmits a CAN signal to the control unit 3000 every 10 ms, but the control unit 3000 is unable to receive the CAN signal, it can be determined that the first current sensor 1000 is faulty.

[0109] According to another embodiment, the processor 2000 can determine a failure of the first current sensor 1000 when the control unit 3000 receives an error message from the CAN signal transmitted by the first current sensor 1000 itself.

[0110] The processor 200 can then determine whether or not there is a fault in the second current sensor 2000. The determination of whether or not there is a fault in the second current sensor 2000 can be performed independently and simultaneously with the determination of whether or not there is a fault in the first current sensor 1000. The step of determining whether or not there is a fault in the second current sensor 2000 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0111] In one embodiment, when the second current sensor 2000 is determined to be normal (S4000), in other words, when both the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000 are determined to be normal, the processor 200 can calculate the variation in the average current value of the first sensor 1000 and the average current value of the second sensor 2000.

[0112] At this time, if the calculated variation in the average current values ​​of the first sensor 1000 and the second sensor 2000 is equal to or less than a second threshold value (L2) (S5000), the processor 200 can output the average current value of the first current sensor 1000 as a representative current value (S6000). Thereafter, the processor 200 can transmit this to the BBMS. Here, the second threshold value may be a preset reference value.

[0113] On the other hand, if the variation in the calculated average current values ​​of the first sensor 1000 and the second sensor 2000 exceeds a second threshold (S5000), the processor 200 can transmit a current sensor operation error signal (S7000). In other words, if both the first current sensor and the second current sensor are normal, and the variation in the difference between the average current value of the first current sensor and the average current value of the second current sensor is equal to or greater than a certain value, the processor 200 can determine that a current sensor operation error has occurred.

[0114] In another embodiment, if it is determined that the second current sensor 2000 has failed, in other words, if it is determined that the first current sensor 1000 is normal and the second current sensor 2000 has failed (S5000), the processor 200 can again move to step S6000 and set the average current value of the first current sensor 1000 to the representative current value.

[0115] Meanwhile, the processor 200 can determine whether there is a failure in the second current sensor 2000. In other words, the processor 200 can determine (S8000) whether the second current sensor operates normally.

[0116] In one embodiment, if it is determined that the second current sensor 2000 is operating normally (S8000), in other words, if it is determined that the first current sensor 1000 is faulty and the second current sensor 2000 is normal, the processor 200 can select the second average current value of the second current sensor 2000 as the representative average value (S9000).

[0117] In another embodiment, if it is determined that the second current sensor 2000 has failed, in other words, if it is determined that both the first current sensor 1000 and the second current sensor 2000 have failed, the processor 200 can return to step S7000 again and send a current sensor operation error signal.

[0118] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a step of determining whether or not the second current sensor has failed in the battery protection method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] 5, the processor 200 may compare the average current value in the fine channel and the average current value in the coarse channel calculated in step S1000 with a third threshold (L3). In this case, the processor 200 may apply power to the second current sensor 2000 and measure the second current value in step S1000 as described above, but is not limited to this and may also measure the second current value after step S4000.

[0120] According to one embodiment, if the average current value in the Fine channel and the average current value in the Coarse channel are greater than or equal to a third threshold (L3) (S4100), the processor 200 may compare the average current value in the Coarse channel with a fourth threshold (L4), where the third threshold (L3) may be the current specification (A) in the Fine channel, and the fourth threshold (L4) may be the current specification (A) in the Coarse channel.

[0121] At this time, if the average current value in the coarse channel is greater than the fourth threshold value (L4) (S4200), the processor 200 can determine that the second current sensor 2000 has failed (S4300).

[0122] On the other hand, if the average current value in the Coarse channel is smaller than or equal to the fourth threshold (L4) (S4200), the processor 200 can set the average current value in the Coarse channel as the representative current value of the second sensor 2000 (S4400).

[0123] According to another embodiment, when at least one of the average current value in the fine channel and the average current value in the coarse channel is smaller than the third threshold (L3) (S4100), the processor 200 may determine whether the variations in the average current values ​​in the fine channel and the coarse channel are normal. Here, when the average current value in the fine channel and the average current value in the coarse channel are smaller than the third threshold (L3), it may be one of the following cases: when the average current value in the coarse channel is less than the third threshold (L3) and the average current value in the fine channel is less than the third threshold (L3), when the average current value in the coarse channel exceeds the third threshold (L3) and the average current value in the fine channel is less than the third threshold (L3), or when the average current value in the coarse channel is equal to or less than the third threshold (L3) and the average current value in the fine channel exceeds the third threshold (L3).

[0124] Whether the variations in the average current values ​​in the fine channel and the coarse channel are normal or not can be determined by comparing them with a fifth threshold value (L5), which may be a preset reference value.

[0125] If the variation in the average current values ​​in the Fine channel and the Coarse channel is less than a fifth threshold (L5), the processor 200 can determine that the variation is normal (S4500) and set the average current value in the Fine channel as the representative current value of the second sensor 2000 and output it (S4600).

[0126] On the other hand, if the variation in the average current values ​​in the Fine channel and the Coarse channel exceeds the fifth threshold (L5), the processor 200 can proceed to step S4300 and determine that the second sensor 2000 has failed.

[0127] Referring again to FIG. 4, the processor 200 in the battery protection unit (BPU) according to an embodiment of the present invention can compare the representative current value with a specific threshold value to determine whether an abnormal current is occurring in the battery.

[0128] Furthermore, the processor 200 can protect the battery by controlling the contactor depending on whether or not the abnormal current occurs.

[0129] The battery state monitoring device and method, and the battery protection device according to the embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

[0130] The battery status monitoring device and method, and battery protection device according to the embodiments of the present invention include a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of the battery and measuring a first current value, a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery and measuring a second current value, contactors including a first contactor located between the positive electrode side of the battery and the first current sensor, and a second contactor located between the negative electrode side of the battery and the second current sensor, and a control unit that calculates a representative current value of the first current value and the second current value to determine whether or not an abnormal current exists.By measuring and monitoring current using different types of current sensors, stable battery current measurement is possible even when one of the current sensors fails, and a highly efficient, stable, and reliable battery status monitoring device and method, and battery protection device can be provided.

[0131] The operations of the methods according to the embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as computer-readable programs or codes on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include any type of storage device in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. The computer-readable recording medium may also be distributed among computer systems connected via a network, so that the computer-readable programs or codes may be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0132] Furthermore, the computer-readable recording medium may include a hardware device specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, etc. The program instructions may include not only machine language code, such as that produced by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0133] Some aspects of the invention have been described in the context of an apparatus, but they may also be described in terms of a corresponding method, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may be described 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 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.

[0134] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, 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]

[0135] 100:Memory 200: Processor 300: Transmitter / receiver 400: Input interface device 500: Output interface device 600: Storage device 700: Bus BPU:Battery protection device 1000: First current sensor 2000: Second current sensor 3000: Control unit 4000:Contactor 4100: First contactor 4500: Second contactor 5000: Fuse 5100: First fuse 5500: Second fuse

Claims

1. a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of the battery to measure a first current value; a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery to measure a second current value; and a control unit that calculates a first average current value of the first current sensor and a second average current value of the second current sensor, determines whether or not at least one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor is faulty, sets one of the first average current value and the second average current value calculated using a current sensor of the first current sensor and the second current sensor that is determined to be faultless as a representative current value, and monitors the representative current value, wherein the control unit calculates a variation between the first average current value and the second average current value when the first current sensor and the second current sensor are determined to be normal, and outputs the first average current value as the representative current value when the variation is equal to or less than a specific variation threshold.

2. The battery status monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the first current sensor and the second current sensor are of a different type.

3. The control unit is applying power to the first current sensor and the second current sensor to measure the first average current value and the second average current value, respectively; determining whether or not the first current sensor is faulty based on the first average current value; The battery state monitoring device according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining whether or not the second current sensor is faulty based on the second average current value.

4. The control unit is The battery status monitoring device of claim 3 , further comprising: comparing the first average current value with a particular current threshold to determine whether or not the first current sensor is faulty.

5. The control unit is The battery state monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the device determines that the first current sensor has failed when the CAN signal periodically transmitted from the first current sensor cannot be received.

6. The control unit is The battery state monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the device determines that the first current sensor has failed when an error message is received from the CAN signal periodically transmitted from the first current sensor.

7. The battery state monitoring device of claim 1 , wherein the first current sensor is a flux type current sensor.

8. The second current sensor includes:

4. The battery status monitoring device of claim 3, which is a Hall type two-channel current sensor including a first channel and a second channel.

9. The control unit is Calculating an average current value in the first channel and an average current value in the second channel separately; 9. The battery status monitoring device of claim 8, further comprising: comparing the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel to a specification value for the current in the first channel.

10. The control unit is if the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel are greater than or equal to the specification value for the current in the first channel; 10. The battery status monitoring device of claim 9, further comprising: comparing an average current value in the second channel to a specification value for the current in the second channel.

11. The control unit is determining that the second current sensor has failed if the average current value in the second channel is greater than a specification value for the current in the second channel; 11. The battery status monitoring device of claim 10, further comprising: setting the average current value in the second channel to the second average current value if the average current value in the second channel is less than or equal to the specification value of the current in the second channel.

12. The control unit is if at least one of the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is less than the specification value for the current in the first channel; 10. The battery state monitoring device of claim 9, further comprising: a first channel detecting means for detecting a variation in an average current value of the first channel and a second channel detecting a variation in an average current value of the second channel;

13. The control unit is When at least one of the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is smaller than a specification value of the current in the first channel, 9. The battery status monitoring device of claim 8, wherein if a variation in the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel exceeds a specific channel variation threshold, it is determined that the second current sensor has failed.

14. The control unit is The battery status monitoring device of claim 3 , further comprising: a detecting means for detecting a current measurement error of the battery when the first current sensor and the second current sensor are determined to be normal and the variation exceeds the specific variation threshold value.

15. The control unit is 4. The battery state monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the first current sensor is normal and the second current sensor is faulty, the first average current value is output as a representative current value.

16. The control unit is 4. The battery state monitoring device according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined that the first current sensor is faulty and the second current sensor is normal, the second average current value is output as a representative current value.

17. The control unit is The battery state monitoring device according to claim 3 , wherein if it is determined that the first current sensor and the second current sensor have failed, it is determined that an error in measuring the current of the battery has occurred.

18. The battery state monitoring device according to claim 1 , wherein the battery state monitoring device is applied to a battery protection device that controls a contactor to protect the battery when the representative current value is equal to or greater than a specific representative current threshold value.

19. a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of the battery to measure a first current value; a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery to measure a second current value; a contactor including a first contactor positioned between a positive terminal side of the battery and the first current sensor and a second contactor positioned between a negative terminal side of the battery and the second current sensor; and a control unit that calculates a first average current value of the first current sensor and a second average current value of the second current sensor, determines whether or not the first current sensor and the second current sensor are faulty, and determines whether or not an abnormality exists by calculating a current value calculated using a current sensor that is determined to be free of a fault among the first current value and the second current value as a representative current value, The control unit is If the representative current value is greater than a specific representative current threshold, the representative current value is determined to be abnormal, and if the representative current value is less than or equal to the representative current threshold, the representative current value is determined to be non-abnormal; A battery protection device that protects the battery by controlling the contactor depending on whether the representative current value is abnormal, wherein the control unit calculates a variation in the first average current value and the second average current value when the first current sensor and the second current sensor are determined to be normal, and outputs the first average current value as the representative current value when the variation is below a specific variation threshold.

20. A battery state monitoring method, comprising: applying power to a first current sensor located on the positive electrode side of the battery for measuring a first current value and a second current sensor located on the negative electrode side of the battery for measuring a second current value, and calculating a first average current value and a second average current value, respectively; determining whether the first current sensor is faulty based at least on whether the first average current value exceeds a particular current threshold; determining whether the second current sensor is faulty; and a step of setting an average current value calculated using any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor that is determined to be free from a fault and to be operating normally as a representative current value, in which if the first current sensor and the second current sensor are determined to be normal, a variation between the first average current value and the second average current value is calculated, and if the variation is equal to or less than a specific variation threshold value, the first average current value is set as the representative current value; A method for monitoring a battery state, comprising the step of monitoring whether the representative current value is greater than a particular representative current threshold.

21. The step of determining whether or not the first current sensor is faulty based on the first average current value includes:

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of comparing the first average current value with a particular threshold value to determine whether the first current sensor has failed.

22. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first current sensor is a flux type current sensor.

23. The second current sensor includes:

21. The battery status monitoring method of claim 20, wherein the current sensor is a Hall type two-channel current sensor, including a first channel and a second channel.

24. The step of applying power to the first current sensor and the second current sensor to calculate a first average current value and a second average current value, respectively, includes: calculating the first average current value of the first current value measured multiple times by the first current sensor; and 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of calculating an average current value in a first channel and an average current value in a second channel of the second current sensor separately.

25. The step of determining whether or not the second current sensor is faulty based on the second average current value includes:

24. The method of claim 23, comprising comparing an average current value in the first channel and an average current value in the second channel to a specification value for current in the first channel.

26. The step of comparing the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel to a specification value for the current in the first channel includes:

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of comparing the average current value in the second channel to a specification value for current in the second channel if the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel are greater than or equal to the specification value for current in the first channel.

27. The step of comparing the average current value in the second channel to the specification value for current in the second channel comprises: determining that the second current sensor has failed if the average current value in the second channel is greater than the specification value for current in the second channel; and 27. The battery status monitoring method of claim 26, comprising the step of setting the average current value in the second channel to a representative current value of the second current sensor if the average current value in the second channel is less than or equal to the specification value for current in the second channel.

28. The step of comparing the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel to the specification value for the current in the first channel comprises: if at least one of the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is less than the specification value for the current in the first channel; 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of setting the average current value in the first channel to the second average current value if the variation between the average current value in the first channel and the average current value in the second channel is less than or equal to a particular channel variation threshold.

29. 30. The method of claim 28, further comprising determining that the second current sensor has failed if a variation in an average current value in the first channel and an average current value in the second channel exceeds the particular channel variation threshold.

30. The step of setting an average current value measured by any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor, which is determined to be free from a fault and to be operating normally, as a representative current value, comprises:

21. The battery status monitoring method of claim 20, further comprising the step of determining that an error in measuring the current of the battery has occurred if the first current sensor and the second current sensor are determined to be normal and the variation exceeds the particular variation threshold.

31. The step of setting an average current value measured by any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor, which is determined to be free from a fault and to be operating normally, as a representative current value, comprises:

21. The battery status monitoring method of claim 20, further comprising the step of outputting the first average current value as a representative current value when it is determined that the first current sensor is normal and the second current sensor is faulty.

32. The step of setting an average current value measured by any one of the first current sensor and the second current sensor, which is determined to be free from a fault and to be operating normally, as a representative current value, comprises:

21. The battery status monitoring method of claim 20, further comprising the step of outputting the second average current value as a representative current value when it is determined that the first current sensor is faulty and the second current sensor is normal.

33. The battery status monitoring method of claim 20, further comprising the step of determining and outputting that an error in measuring the current of the battery has occurred if it is determined that the first current sensor and the second current sensor have failed.

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