Battery rack management device and operation method thereof

Abstract

A battery rack management device of one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a plurality of power switches connected to each of a plurality of battery racks, and a control unit that turns on at least one of the plurality of power switches and controls the operation of each of the plurality of power switches using an output value based on the plurality of battery racks.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0150004, filed November 3, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery rack management apparatus and method of operation. [Background technology]

[0003] Climate change caused by global warming and the depletion of various fossil fuels are making renewable energy more important. However, because most renewable energy sources are based on natural energy, they have the disadvantage of fluctuating output and making it difficult to adjust the amount of power generated. In fact, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power can be obtained intermittently, making it difficult to match the energy obtained with consumption patterns. Therefore, in order for renewable energy to be widely utilized, an energy storage system (ESS) is needed, which is a means of storing intermittently generated energy and providing a stable supply of energy.

[0004] An energy storage system is a system that stores generated electricity and can stably supply electricity according to demand patterns. It is a storage device that stores excess electricity produced at power plants and transmits it when there is a temporary power shortage. Energy storage systems not only store energy and use it when needed, but can also transmit the stored energy to areas where there is a power shortage or sell it to power companies. An energy storage system includes multiple battery racks connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When battery racks in an energy storage system are connected in parallel to a load, differences in the usage status (e.g., voltage, charge amount, or lifespan) of the connected battery racks may occur due to continuous charging or discharging, which may result in an imbalance in the current output from the battery racks. The imbalance in output current may cause current to concentrate in a specific battery rack, shortening the battery life or reducing the capacity of the energy storage system, causing the system to become unstable.

[0006] To solve the imbalance in battery rack output, a converter for individually adjusting the output of the battery rack is generally connected to each battery rack. However, since a separate converter must be used for each battery rack, there are problems such as increased volume and cost, and it is difficult to individually control the multiple converters.

[0007] The matters described as prior art in the above Background of the Invention and the above Problems to be Solved are merely intended to enhance understanding of the present invention and should not be accepted as acknowledging that they constitute prior art known to those having ordinary skill in the art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A battery rack management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a plurality of power switches connected to each of a plurality of battery racks, and a control unit that turns on at least one of the plurality of power switches and controls the operation of each of the plurality of power switches using an output value based on the plurality of battery racks.

[0009] In one embodiment, the battery rack management device further includes a first detection unit that detects the current values flowing through multiple switching lines connecting the multiple battery racks and the multiple power switches, and can control the operation of each of the multiple power switches based on the current values detected by the first detection unit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the battery rack management device can control the turn-on time or switching duty of each of the plurality of power switches so that the current value flowing through the plurality of switching lines corresponds to a set value.

[0011] In one embodiment, the battery rack management device can set the set value to the average value of the current values detected by the first detection unit. In one embodiment, the battery rack management device can increase the turn-on time or switching duty of a power switch connected to a switching line among the plurality of switching lines whose current value is less than the set value, and decrease the turn-on time or switching duty of a power switch connected to a switching line among the plurality of switching lines whose current value is greater than the set value.

[0012] In one embodiment, the battery rack management device may further include an inductor connected to the plurality of power switches at a first node, and a control switch having one end connected to the inductor at a second node and the other end connected to a third node.

[0013] In one embodiment, the battery rack management device may further include a first diode having one end connected to the first node and the other end connected to the third node, a second diode having one end connected to the second node and the other end connected to a fourth node, and a capacitor having one end connected to the fourth node, the other end connected to the third node, and connected to a load.

[0014] In one embodiment, the battery rack management device further includes a second detection unit that detects the voltage value applied to the capacitor, and can control the operation of each of the multiple power switches based on the voltage value.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the battery rack management device may increase the turn-on time of the plurality of power switches when the voltage value applied to the capacitor is less than a reference value.

[0016] According to one embodiment disclosed in this document, a method for operating a battery rack management device including a plurality of power switches connected to each of a plurality of battery racks and a control unit connected to the power switches may include the steps of the control unit turning on at least one of the plurality of power switches, and the control unit controlling the operation of each of the plurality of power switches using an output value based on the plurality of battery racks.

[0017] In one embodiment, the operating method of the battery rack management device may further include a step in which a first detection unit detects the current values flowing through multiple switching lines connecting the multiple battery racks and the multiple power switches, and a step in which the control unit controls the turn-on time or switching duty of each of the multiple power switches.

[0018] In one embodiment, in the method for operating the battery rack management device, the set value can be set to an average value of the current values detected by the first detection unit. In one embodiment, a method for operating the battery rack management device further including an inductor connected to the plurality of power switches, a control switch connected to the inductor, a capacitor connected to the inductor, and a second detection unit connected to the capacitor may further include a step in which the second detection unit detects a voltage value applied to the capacitor, and a step in which the turn-on time of each of the plurality of power switches is controlled based on the voltage value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The battery rack management device disclosed in this document can solve the problems of shortened battery life, reduced capacity of the energy storage system, or instability of the energy storage system due to current imbalance.

[0020] The battery rack management device disclosed in this document can be commonly connected to multiple battery racks as a single device, thereby minimizing the volume of the device added to the energy storage system.

[0021] The battery rack management device disclosed in this document can be commonly connected to multiple battery racks, thereby minimizing the cost required to install additional devices for each of the multiple battery racks.

[0022] The battery rack management device disclosed in this document is commonly connected to multiple battery racks and can independently control each of the multiple battery racks, thereby facilitating the design of energy storage system control. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a battery rack management device, a plurality of battery racks, and a load according to one embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating an embodiment of a battery rack management device disclosed herein. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a battery rack management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document. [Figure 4a] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a battery rack management device based on a current value detected by a first detection unit according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. [Figure 4b] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a battery rack management device based on a current value detected by a first detection unit according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. [Figure 4c] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a battery rack management device based on a current value detected by a first detection unit according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a battery rack management device based on a voltage value detected by a second detection unit according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of a battery rack management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 7a] 1 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method of operating a battery rack management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 7b] 1 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method of operating a battery rack management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 7c] 1 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method of operating a battery rack management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0024] In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used to refer to the same or similar components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments, but rather to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] The various embodiments and terms used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiment. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the said item unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0027] In this document, each phrase such as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed with that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," or "(b)" may be used simply to distinguish that element from other elements and do not limit that element in other respects (e.g., importance or order) unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0028] In this document, when a (e.g., first) component is referred to as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another (e.g., second) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," or when a reference is made to "coupled" or "connected," this means that the component may be connected to the other component directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0029] According to one embodiment, a method according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store or directly between two user devices. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily generated on a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store server, or an intermediary server.

[0030] According to various embodiments, each of the components described above (e.g., modules or programs) may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be located separately in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the components described above may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the respective components of the multiple components before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by modules, programs, or other components may be performed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be performed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery rack management device, a plurality of battery racks, and a load according to one embodiment disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 1 , a battery rack 10 may include a plurality of battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 connected in parallel. The battery racks 10 may be connected to the battery rack management device 100 via a plurality of switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4. According to an embodiment, the first battery rack 1 may be connected to the battery rack management device 100 via the first switching line L1, the second battery rack 2 may be connected to the battery rack management device 100 via the second switching line L2, the third battery rack 3 may be connected to the battery rack management device 100 via the third switching line L3, and the fourth battery rack 4 may be connected to the battery rack management device 100 via the fourth switching line L4. For example, while FIG. 1 illustrates four battery racks 10 connectable to the battery rack management device 100, this is not limiting, and the battery rack management device 100 may be configured to be connectable to n battery racks (n is a natural number greater than or equal to two). The battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be connected to the battery rack management device 100 simultaneously or at different times. The battery rack 10 can supply power to the battery rack management device 100.

[0032] The battery rack management device 100 can be connected to a load 20. The battery rack management device 100 can transmit power transmitted from a plurality of battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 to the load 20. According to an embodiment, the battery rack management device 100 can operate as a converter.

[0033] The battery rack management device 100 can detect the current values of the currents flowing through the multiple switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 connected to the multiple battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Based on the detected current values, the battery rack management device 100 can determine whether the balance of the outputs of the multiple battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 is maintained. Based on the detected current values, the battery rack management device 100 can adjust the outputs of the multiple battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0034] The battery rack management device 100 can detect a voltage value transmitted to the load 20. The battery rack management device 100 can determine whether the voltage value transmitted to the load 20 is equal to or greater than a preset reference value. The battery rack management device 100 can adjust the output of the plurality of battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 based on the detected voltage value. For a specific configuration and operation of the battery rack management device 100 according to an embodiment disclosed herein, please refer to the following descriptions of FIGS. 2 to 7c.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a battery rack management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 2, the battery rack management device 100 may include a power switch 110, an inductor 120, a control switch 130, a first diode 140, a second diode 150, a capacitor 160, a first detection unit 170, a second detection unit 180, and / or a control unit 190.

[0036] The power switch 110 may include a plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114. The power switch 110 may be connected to the battery rack 10 via a plurality of switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4. According to an embodiment, the first power switch 111 may be connected to the first battery rack 10 via the first switching line L1, the second power switch 112 may be connected to the second battery rack 20 via the second switching line L2, the third power switch 113 may be connected to the third battery rack 30 via the third switching line L3, and the fourth power switch 114 may be connected to the fourth battery rack 40 via the fourth switching line L4. According to an embodiment, the power switch 110 may be configured with a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) element.

[0037] The inductor 120 may be connected to the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 at a first node n1. According to an embodiment, the inductor 120 may be connected to the drain terminals of each of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 at a first node n1.

[0038] The control switch 130 may have one end connected to the inductor 120 at a second node n2 and the other end connected to a third node n3. According to an embodiment, the control switch 130 may be configured with a MOSFET element.

[0039] The first diode 140 may have one end connected to the first node n1 and the other end connected to the third node n3. According to an embodiment, the first diode 140 may have a cathode end connected to the first node n1 and an anode end connected to the third node n3.

[0040] The second diode 150 may have one end connected to the second node n2 and the other end connected to the fourth node n4. According to an embodiment, the second diode 150 may have an anode end connected to the second node n2 and a cathode end connected to the fourth node n4.

[0041] The capacitor 160 may have one end connected to the third node n3 and the other end connected to the fourth node n4. The capacitor 160 may be connected to the load 20. According to an embodiment, the capacitor 160 may be connected in parallel with the load 20.

[0042] The first detector 170 may be connected to each of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4. The second detection unit 180 may be connected to the capacitor 160. According to an embodiment, the second detection unit 180 may be connected in parallel with the capacitor 160.

[0043] The control unit 190 may be connected to the power switch 110, the first detection unit 170, and / or the second detection unit 180. According to an embodiment, the control unit 190 may be a hardware device such as a processor or a central processing unit (CPU), or a program implemented by a hardware device. For example, the components included in the control unit 190 may be implemented as separate devices (or programs) or as a single integrated module. According to various embodiments, the control unit 190 may include the first detection unit 170 and / or the second detection unit 180.

[0044] The following description will focus on the operation of the components included in the battery rack management device 100. The first detector 170 detects the current value i of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4. sw The first detector 170 can transmit the current values detected in the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 to the controller 190.

[0045] The second detection unit 180 may detect a voltage value applied to the capacitor 160. According to an embodiment, the voltage value detected at the capacitor 160 by the second detection unit 180 may be the same as the voltage value transmitted to the load 20. The second detection unit may transmit the voltage value detected at the capacitor 160 to the control unit 190.

[0046] The control unit 190 can turn on or off at least one of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114. In this case, the control unit 190 can also turn on or off the control switch 130. According to an embodiment, when the control unit 190 turns on at least one of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130, the battery rack (e.g., 1, 2, 3, and / or 4) connected to the turned-on power switch, the turned-on power switch (e.g., 111, 112, 113, and / or 114), the inductor 120, and the control switch 130 can form a closed circuit. For example, when the control unit 190 turns on the first power switch 111 and the control switch 130, the first battery rack 1, the first power switch 111, the inductor 120, and the control switch 130 can form a closed circuit. In this case, the first diode 140 and / or the second diode 150 may be reverse biased. According to another embodiment, when the control unit 190 turns off the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130, the inductor 120, the first diode 140, the second diode 150, and the capacitor 160 may form a closed circuit.

[0047] The control unit 190 may adjust the output of the plurality of battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 based on the current value transmitted from the first detection unit 170. To adjust the output of the plurality of battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4, the control unit 190 may control the turn-on and / or turn-off operations of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114, or control the switching duty of each of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114. In this case, the control unit 190 may control both the turn-on and / or turn-off operations of the control switch 130, or control both the switching duty.

[0048] The control unit 190 can determine whether the current value transmitted from the first detection unit 170 corresponds to a preset value. The control unit 190 can control the turn-on time, turn-off time, and / or switching duty of each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and / or the control switch 130 so that the current value of each current flowing through the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 corresponds to the preset value. The control unit 190 can set the preset value. According to an embodiment, the control unit 190 can determine whether the current value i of each of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 corresponds to the preset value. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 The control unit 190 may set the current value i sw Specific operations for controlling the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, 114 and / or the control switch 130 based on the above will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c.

[0049] The control unit 190 may adjust the output of the battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 based on the voltage value transmitted from the second detection unit 180. The control unit 190 may control the turn-on and / or turn-off operations of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 to adjust the output of the battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4. In this case, the control unit 190 may control the turn-on and / or turn-off operations of the control switch 130. According to an embodiment, the control unit 190 may control the switching duties of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 to be the same. For example, when controlling the turn-on and turn-off operations of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114, the control unit 190 adjusts the turn-on time and turn-off time of each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114, and may maintain the same ratio of the turn-on time and turn-off time before and after the adjustment.

[0050] The control unit 190 may determine whether the voltage value transmitted from the second detection unit 180 is equal to or greater than a preset reference value. The control unit 190 may control the turn-on time and / or turn-off time of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, 114 and / or the control switch 130 so that the voltage value applied to the capacitor 160 is equal to or greater than the reference value. According to an embodiment, when the voltage value output from the plurality of battery racks 10 is V in If the switching duty of the power switches 110 is equal to D, the reference value can be set as follows:

[0051]

number

[0052] A specific operation of the control unit 190 to control the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, 114 and / or the control switch 130 based on the voltage value transmitted from the second detection unit 180 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the battery rack management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. 3, the control unit 190 of the battery rack management device 100 can turn on at least one of the plurality of power switches 110. According to an embodiment, the control unit 190 can sequentially turn on the first power switch 111, the second power switch 112, the third power switch 113, and the fourth power switch 114. According to an embodiment, the control unit 190 can turn on the control switch 130 while turning on any one of the plurality of power switches 110.

[0054] The control unit 190 can set the overall switching period of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 to T, and control the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 to repeatedly turn on and off. In this case, the control unit 190 can turn on the first power switch 111 and the control switch 130 between times 0 and t1, turn on the second power switch 112 and the control switch 130 between times t2 and t3, turn on the third power switch 113 and the control switch 130 between times t4 and t5, turn on the fourth power switch 114 and the control switch 130 between times t6 and t7, and turn off the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130 between times t1 and t2, t3 and t4, t5 and t6, and t7 and T.

[0055] While the control unit 190 turns on one of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130, a current value i flowing through the switching line connected to the turned-on power switch is sw is the current value i flowing through the inductor 120 of the battery rack management device 100. L For example, when the control unit 190 turns on the first power switch 111 and the control switch 130 from time 0 to time t1, the current value i flowing through the first switching line L1 during the time period from time 0 to time t1 can be increased in the same manner as above. sw1 is the current value i flowing through the inductor 120 L can be increased in the same way.

[0056] While the control unit 190 turns off the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130, the current value i flowing through the first diode 140 or the second diode 150 is D is the current value i flowing through the inductor 120 of the battery rack management device 100. LFor example, when the control unit 190 turns off all of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130 during the times t1 to t2, t3 to t4, t5 to t6, and t7 to T, the current value i flowing through the first diode 140 or the second diode 150 decreases. D is the current value i flowing through the inductor 120 L can be reduced in the same way.

[0057] When the control unit 190 turns on each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114, the current value i detected in each of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 is sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 According to the embodiment, when the control unit 190 turns on the first power switch 111, the second power switch 112, the third power switch 113, or the fourth power switch 114 together with the control switch 130, the current value i flowing through the first switching line L1, the second switching line L2, the third switching line L3, and / or the fourth switching line L4 may be balanced. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 For example, the current value i flowing through the first switching line L1 during the time period from 0 to t1 may be the same. sw1 is the average value of the current i that flows through the second switching line L2 during the time period from t2 to t3. sw2 The average value of the current i flowing through the third switching line L3 during the time from t4 to t5 sw3 and / or the current value i flowing through the fourth switching line L4 during the time period from t6 to t7 sw4As another example, when the control unit 190 turns on the first power switch 111, the second power switch 112, the third power switch 113, or the fourth power switch 114 together with the control switch 130, the current value i flowing through the first switching line L1, the second switching line L2, the third switching line L3, and / or the fourth switching line L4 may be equal to the average value of sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 The peak value of the current may be the same, or the current value after a specific time has elapsed may be the same.

[0058] The control unit 190 receives the current value i of each of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 from the first detection unit 170. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 The current value i of each switching line L1, L2, L3, and L4 can be transmitted. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 are not balanced, the control unit 190 adjusts each current value i sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 The control unit 190 may control the turn-on time of each of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and / or the control switch 130 to increase, decrease, or maintain the turn-on time so that the current value i transmitted from the first detection unit 170 reaches an equilibrium state. In this case, the control unit 190 controls the turn-on time so that the switching duty of each of the plurality of power switches 110 and / or the control switch 130 can be increased, decreased, or maintained. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 Specific methods for increasing, decreasing, or maintaining the turn-on times and / or switching duties of the plurality of power switches 110 and / or control switches 130 based on the above will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c.

[0059] The control unit 190 may receive a voltage value to be applied to the capacitor 160 from the second detection unit 180. If the voltage value received from the second detection unit 180 is less than a reference value, the control unit 190 may increase the turn-on times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130. The control unit 190 may maintain the switching duty by increasing the turn-off times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130 at the same rate as the rate at which the turn-on times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130 are increased. A specific method by which the control unit 190 increases the turn-on times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and / or the control switch 130 based on the voltage value received from the second detection unit 180 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

[0060] 4a, 4b, and 4c are diagrams for explaining the operation of a battery rack management device based on a current value detected by a first detection unit according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0061] 4a, the control unit 190 can set the set value to the average value of the first and second values. The control unit 190 detects the current value i detected in each of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 The operation of the power switch 110 can be controlled so that each average value corresponds to a set value.

[0062] While the control unit 190 turns on the first power switch 111, the current value i flows through the first switching line L1 from 0 to t1. sw1 The average value of the current i flowing through the second switching line L2 during the period from t2 to t3 when the control unit 190 turns on the second power switch 112 may be equal to the set value. sw2 and the current value i flowing through the fourth switching line L4 during the period t6 to t7 when the control unit 190 turns on the fourth power switch 114.sw4 The average value of the current i flowing through the third switching line L3 during the period from t4 to t5 when the control unit 190 turns on the third power switch 113 may be less than the set value. sw3 The average value of may be greater than the set value. In this case, the control unit 190 may adjust the turn-on time and / or turn-off time of each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 so that the balance of the current values flowing through the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 is maintained.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 4b, the control unit 190 controls the current value i flowing through the first switching line L1. sw1 is determined to be equal to the set value, and the turn-on time of the first power switch 111 connected to the first switching line L1 can be maintained. In this case, the control unit 190 also maintains the turn-off time of the first power switch 111, thereby maintaining the switching duty of the first power switch 111.

[0064] The control unit 190 controls the current value i flowing through the second switching line L2. sw2 is determined to be less than the set value, and the turn-on time of the second power switch 112 connected to the second switching line L2 can be increased from t2 to t3'.

[0065] The control unit 190 controls the current value i flowing through the third switching line L3. sw3 The average value of exceeds the set value, and the turn-on time of the third power switch 113 connected to the third switching line L3 can be reduced to t4' to t5'.

[0066] The control unit 190 controls the current value i flowing through the fourth switching line L4. sw4 is determined to be less than the set value, and the turn-on time of the fourth power switch 114 connected to the fourth switching line L4 can be increased from t6' to t7'.

[0067] When the control unit 190 increases, decreases, or maintains the turn-on time of each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114, the control unit 190 can maintain the turn-off time, thereby increasing, decreasing, or maintaining the switching duty of each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114. That is, the control unit 190 can control the turn-off time of each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 to be the same as follows: Turn-off time = t1~t2 = t3~t4 = t3'~t4' = t5~t6 = t5'~t6' = t7~T = t7'~T

[0068] The control unit 190 can adjust the overall switching period, in which the on / off operation of the entire power switches 110 is repeated, to T' by increasing, decreasing, or maintaining the turn-on time of each of the power switches.

[0069] 4c, the control unit 190 may reduce the turn-on times and turn-off times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 at the same rate to readjust the overall switching period, which was adjusted to T′ in FIG. 4b, to the existing switching period T. By reducing the turn-on times and turn-off times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 at the same rate, the control unit 190 may maintain the switching duties of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 at the same rate. At this time, the current values flowing through the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 may be balanced with each other.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the battery rack management device based on the voltage value detected by the second detection unit according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

[0071] Referring to Figure 5, when the multiple power switches 111, 112, 113, 114 and control switch 130 included in the battery rack management device 100 operate as shown in Figure 3, the voltage value of the capacitor 160 detected by the second detection unit 180 may be less than a preset reference value.

[0072] The control unit 190 can increase the turn-on times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 so that the voltage value transmitted from the battery rack management device 100 to the load 20 becomes equal to or greater than the reference value. The control unit 190 can increase the turn-on times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 so as to increase the overall switching period from T to T″.

[0073]

number

[0074] In this case, the control unit 190 can increase the turn-on time of all of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114.

[0075] If the control unit 190 increases the turn-on times of only some of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114, this may cause an imbalance in the outputs of the battery racks 10. The control unit 190 may increase the turn-off times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 at the same rate as the rate at which the turn-on times of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 are increased. The control unit 190 may maintain the same switching duty before and after the increase in the turn-on time and turn-off time of each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of a battery rack management device according to one embodiment disclosed herein. Referring to FIG. 6, the operating method of the battery rack management device 100 may include a step (S100) of turning on any one of a plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 included in the battery rack management device 100, and a step (S110) of controlling the operation of each of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 using an output value based on a plurality of battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0077] In step S100, the control unit 190 included in the battery rack management device 100 can turn on any one of the multiple power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 so that the multiple power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 included in the battery rack management device 100 can be connected to the multiple battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 via the multiple switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4, respectively. When any one of the multiple power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 is turned on in step S100, the control switch 130 included in the battery rack management device 100 can also be turned on.

[0078] In step S110, the battery rack management device 100 may control the operation of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 to turn on or off at least one of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 using outputs based on the battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4. In this case, the battery rack management device 100 may control the on / off operation of each of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the control switch 130. According to an embodiment, the outputs based on the battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 may correspond to the currents of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 detected by the battery rack management device 100 disclosed herein, or may correspond to the output voltage values transmitted to the load 20 and / or capacitor 160. The first detection unit 170 may detect the current values flowing through the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4. The second detection unit 180 may detect a voltage value transmitted to the capacitor 160. The voltage value of the capacitor 160 detected by the second detection unit 180 may be the same as the voltage value transmitted to the load 20.

[0079] 7a, 7b, and 7c are flowcharts illustrating in more detail the operation method of the battery rack management device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The operations illustrated in 7a, 7b, and 7c may be examples of step S110 illustrated in FIG.

[0080] 7a, the battery rack management device 100 can adjust the switching duty of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 based on the output current of each of the battery racks 10. The battery rack management device 100 adjusts the switching duty of each current value i output from the battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4In order to detect the current value i, the current value of each of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 connected to the plurality of battery racks 1, 2, 3, and 4 and the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 can be detected (S111). At this time, the first detection unit 170 included in the battery rack management device 100 converts the detected current value i sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 may be transmitted to the control unit 190. Based on the current value detected by the first detection unit 170 in step S111, the control unit 190 may adjust the turn-on time and / or switching duty of each of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114, and at this time, may also adjust the turn-on time and / or switching duty of the control switch 130.

[0081] The battery rack management device 100 detects a current value i that is less than a preset value already set in each of the multiple switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4 is detected (S112). The controller 190 may increase the turn-on time of the power switch connected to the switching line where a current value less than the set value is detected (S113). The controller 190 may maintain the turn-off time of the power switch whose turn-on time has been increased. In this case, the switching duty of the power switch whose turn-on time has been increased may be increased. The controller 190 may also increase the turn-on time of the control switch 130 while increasing the turn-on time of the power switch.

[0082] The control unit 190 may determine whether the current value of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4, in which a current value equal to or greater than the set value was detected in step S112, exceeds the set value (S114). The control unit 190 may reduce the turn-on time of the power switch connected to the switching line in which a current value greater than the set value was detected (S115). The control unit 190 may maintain the turn-off time of the power switch whose turn-on time has been reduced. In this case, the switching duty of the power switch whose turn-on time has been reduced may be reduced. The control unit 190 may reduce the turn-on time of the control switch 130 while reducing the turn-on time of the power switch.

[0083] The control unit 190 may maintain the turn-on time and the turn-off time of the power switch connected to the switching line where it is determined through steps S112 and S114 that the current value is equal to the set value. In this case, the control unit 190 may maintain both the turn-on time and the turn-off time of the control switch 130.

[0084] 7b, the battery rack management device 100 may adjust the switching duty of the power switch 110 based on the voltage value transmitted to the load 20. The second detection unit 180 may detect the voltage value applied to the capacitor 160 (S116). The voltage value transmitted to the load 20 may be the same as the voltage value applied to the capacitor 160. The second detection unit 180 may detect the voltage value applied to the capacitor 160 and transmit it to the control unit 190. The control unit 190 may adjust the turn-on time and turn-off time of each power switch 110 based on the voltage value of the capacitor 160 transmitted from the second detection unit 180. In this case, the control unit 190 may also adjust the turn-on time and turn-off time of the control switch 130. According to an embodiment, the control unit 190 adjusts the turn-on time and turn-off time of each of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 and / or the control switch 130 at the same rate, thereby maintaining the switching duty before and after the adjustment.

[0085] The battery rack management device 100 may check whether the voltage value transmitted to the load 20 is less than a reference value (S117). If the control unit 190 determines that the voltage value transmitted to the load 20 is less than the reference value, it may increase the turn-on time and turn-off time of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 (S118). In this case, the control unit 190 may increase both the turn-on time and the turn-off time of the control switch 130. According to an embodiment, the control unit 190 may increase the turn-on time and the turn-off time of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 at the same rate, thereby maintaining the switching duty before and after the increase in the turn-on time and the turn-off time.

[0086] If the battery rack management device 100 determines in step S117 that the voltage value transmitted to the load 20 is greater than or equal to the reference value, the control unit 190 can maintain the turn-on time and turn-off time of the multiple power switches 111, 112, 113, 114 and the control switch 130.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 7c, the battery rack management device 100 can adjust the switching duty of the plurality of power switches based on the output current value of each of the plurality of battery racks 10 and the output voltage value transmitted to the load 20.

[0088] In the battery rack management device 100, the first detector 17 detects a current value i flowing through each of the switching lines L1, L2, L3, and L4 to which the plurality of battery racks 10 and the plurality of power switches 110 are connected. sw1 , i sw2 , i sw3 , i sw4Step S200 may be substantially the same as step S111 of FIG. 7a. The battery rack management device 100 may determine whether the current value detected in step S200 is less than a preset value (S210). Step S210 may be substantially the same as step S112 of FIG. 7a. The control unit 190 may increase the turn-on time and / or switching duty of a power switch connected to a switching line in which a current value less than the preset value is detected in step S210 (S211). Step S211 may be substantially the same as step S113 of FIG. 7a. The control unit 190 may determine whether the current value of a switching line in which a current value equal to or greater than the preset value is detected in step S210 exceeds the preset value (S212). Step S212 may be substantially the same as step S114 of FIG. 7a. The control unit 190 may reduce the turn-on time and / or switching duty of the power switch connected to the switching line where a current value exceeding the set value is detected in step S212 (S213). Step S213 may be substantially the same as step S115 of FIG. 7a. The control unit 190 may maintain the turn-on time and / or switching duty of the power switch of the switching line where a current value equal to the set value is detected through steps S210 and S212. The control unit 190 may maintain a balanced output of the battery rack 10 through steps S200, S210, S211, S212, and / or S213.

[0089] The battery rack management device 100 may increase (S211), decrease (S213), or maintain the turn-on time or switching duty of the plurality of power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 to balance the output of the battery rack 10, and then detect the voltage value applied to the capacitor 160 (S220). Step S220 may be substantially the same as step S116 of FIG. 7b. The voltage value applied to the capacitor 160 may be the same as the voltage value transmitted by the battery rack management device 100 to the load 20. The control unit 190 may adjust the turn-on time and turn-off time of the plurality of power switches 110 based on the voltage value of the capacitor 160 detected by the second detection unit 180. The control unit 190 may increase the turn-on time and turn-off time of the power switch 110 so that the current value output from the battery rack 10 is balanced and the voltage value transmitted to the load 20 is equal to or greater than a reference value (S222). Step S222 may be substantially the same as step S118 of Fig. 7b. In step S222, the control unit 190 increases the turn-on time and the turn-off time of the power switch 110 at the same rate, thereby maintaining the switching duties of the power switches 111, 112, 113, and 114 at the same level.

[0090] Although it has been described above that all components constituting the embodiments disclosed in this document are combined or operate in combination, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not necessarily limited to such embodiments. In other words, within the scope of the objects of the embodiments disclosed in this document, all components may operate in selective combination with one or more other components.

[0091] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the terms "comprise," "comprise," "have," and the like used above mean that the relevant element can be present, and therefore should be interpreted as not excluding other elements but as including other elements. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed herein belong, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as dictionary-defined terms, should be interpreted to be consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0092] The above description merely exemplifies the technical concepts disclosed herein, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed herein belong may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are intended to illustrate, rather than limit, the technical concepts of the embodiments disclosed herein, and such embodiments do not limit the scope of the technical concepts disclosed herein. The scope of protection of the technical concepts disclosed herein should be interpreted according to the claims set forth below, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being within the scope of the rights of the present document. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. Battery Rack No. 1 2 Second Battery Rack 3. Third Battery Rack 4. 4th Battery Rack 10 Battery Rack 17 First detection unit 20 Load 100 Battery rack management device 110 Power switch 111 First power switch 112 Second power switch 113 Third power switch 114 4th power switch 120 Inductor 130 Control Switch 140 First diode 150 Second diode 160 Capacitor 170 First detection unit 180 Second detection unit 190 Control Unit L1 First switching line L2 Second switching line L3 Third switching line L4 4th switching line n1 First node n2 Second node n3 Third node n4 Fourth node

Claims

1. a plurality of power switches connected to the plurality of battery racks, respectively; a control unit that turns on at least one of the plurality of power switches and controls the operation of each of the plurality of power switches using an output value based on the plurality of battery racks; a first detection unit that detects a current value flowing through a plurality of switching lines that connect the plurality of battery racks and the plurality of power switches; the control unit controls a turn-on time or a switching duty of each of the plurality of power switches so that a value of a current flowing through the plurality of switching lines corresponds to a set value; an inductor connected to the plurality of power switches at a first node; a control switch having one end connected to the inductor at a second node and the other end connected to a third node; a first diode having one end connected to the first node and the other end connected to the third node; a second diode having one end connected to the second node and the other end connected to a fourth node; a capacitor having one end connected to the fourth node and the other end connected to the third node and a load; a second detection unit that detects a voltage value applied to the capacitor, The control unit controls the operation of each of the plurality of power switches based on the voltage value. Battery rack management device.

2. The battery rack management device according to claim 1 , wherein the set value is an average value of the current values detected by the first detection unit.

3. The control unit increasing a turn-on time or a switching duty of a power switch connected to a switching line among the plurality of switching lines, the switching line having a current value less than the set value; The battery rack management device according to claim 1 , wherein the device reduces the turn-on time or switching duty of a power switch connected to a switching line of the plurality of switching lines whose current value is greater than the set value.

4. The control unit The battery rack management device according to claim 1 , wherein the turn-on times of the plurality of power switches are increased when the voltage value applied to the capacitor is less than a reference value.

5. A method for operating a battery rack management device including a plurality of power switches connected to a plurality of battery racks, a control unit connected to the power switches, and a first detection unit connected to a plurality of switching lines connecting the plurality of battery racks and the plurality of power switches, turning on at least one of the plurality of power switches by the control unit; a power switch control step of controlling, by the control unit, an operation of each of the plurality of power switches using an output value based on the plurality of battery racks; detecting, by the first detection unit, current values flowing through a plurality of switching lines connecting the plurality of battery racks and the plurality of power switches; the power switch control step includes a step of controlling, by the control unit, a turn-on time or a switching duty of each of the plurality of power switches so that a value of a current flowing through the plurality of switching lines corresponds to a set value; The battery rack management device an inductor connected to the plurality of power switches at a first node; a control switch having one end connected to the inductor at a second node and the other end connected to a third node; a first diode having one end connected to the first node and the other end connected to the third node; a second diode having one end connected to the second node and the other end connected to a fourth node; a capacitor having one end connected to the fourth node and the other end connected to the third node and a load; a second detection unit that detects a voltage value applied to the capacitor; A method for operating a battery rack management device, wherein the power switch control step includes a step of controlling the operation of each of the plurality of power switches by the control unit based on the voltage value.

6. The method for operating a battery rack management device according to claim 5 , wherein the set value is an average value of the detected current values.

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