Battery system and power transmission method using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery system and a power transmission method using the same. The battery system includes a battery pack and a battery management system (BMS) that receives an auxiliary voltage from an AUX line, selects one of a first power path and a second power path from the auxiliary voltage to a plurality of driving elements according to a level of the auxiliary voltage, and supplies power to the plurality of driving elements via the selected one power path. The BMS includes a first wiring that constitutes the first power path, a second wiring that constitutes the second power path, a switching element including a first end to which the auxiliary voltage is provided, a second end connected to the first wiring, and a third end connected to the second wiring, and a buck-boost element that steps down the voltage supplied via the second wiring.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0177519, dated December 16, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery system and a power transmission method using the same. [Background technology]

[0003] The voltage supplied from the AUX terminal of a vehicle can be 12 V or 24 V. Conventionally, battery systems have been classified into systems compatible with 12 V and systems compatible with 24 V.

[0004] In order to separate the systems corresponding to each voltage level, separate elements are provided in the paths corresponding to each voltage level. A BMS including elements for each voltage level has a large number of elements, which can result in insufficient space within the board or requires separate boards for each voltage level. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention provides a battery system and a power transmission method that can determine a power path for transmitting voltage to various elements according to the level of voltage input from an AUX terminal in the battery system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one feature of the invention, a battery system includes a battery pack and a battery management system (BMS) that receives an auxiliary voltage from an AUX line, selects one of a first power path and a second power path from the auxiliary voltage to a plurality of driving elements according to the level of the auxiliary voltage, and supplies power to the plurality of driving elements via the selected power path, wherein the BMS includes a first wiring that constitutes the first power path, a second wiring that constitutes the second power path, a switching element including a first end to which the auxiliary voltage is provided, a second end connected to the first wiring, and a third end connected to the second wiring, and a buck-boost element that steps down the voltage supplied via the second wiring.

[0007] The BMS further includes a main control unit (MCU) that generates a switch control signal based on a signal indicating a voltage obtained by filtering noise from the auxiliary voltage, and the switching element can connect the first terminal to the second terminal or the third terminal according to the switch control signal.

[0008] The BMS may further include an analog-digital converter (ADC) that performs analog-to-digital conversion on the filtered voltage to generate a voltage signal indicating a level of the filtered voltage and transmits the voltage signal to the MCU.

[0009] Each of the plurality of driving elements is driven at a voltage level of a first voltage, and if the filtered voltage is at a level corresponding to the first voltage, the MCU generates a switch control signal of a first level, and the switching element can connect the second terminal to the first terminal.

[0010] If the filtered voltage is at a level corresponding to a second voltage, the MCU generates a switch control signal of a second level, the switching element connects the third end to the first end, and the buck-boost element steps down the voltage supplied via the second wiring to output a voltage at a level corresponding to the first voltage, and the output voltage can be supplied to the plurality of driving elements.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a power transfer method includes the steps of: a battery management system (BMS) receiving an auxiliary voltage from an AUX line of a vehicle; the BMS selecting one of a first power path and a second power path from the auxiliary voltage to a plurality of drive elements driven at a voltage level of a first voltage according to a level of the auxiliary voltage; the BMS connecting the first end to the second end or the third end according to the selection via a switching element including a first end to which the auxiliary voltage is provided, a second end connected to a first wiring constituting the first power path, and a third end connected to a second wiring constituting the second power path; and the BMS supplying power to the plurality of drive elements via the selected one power path.

[0012] Selecting one of the first power path and the second power path may include performing analog-to-digital conversion on a voltage from which noise has been filtered from the auxiliary voltage to generate a voltage signal indicative of a level of the filtered voltage, and generating a switch control signal based on the voltage signal.

[0013] If the filtered voltage is at a level corresponding to the first voltage, the switch control signal is at a first level, and the switching element may further include connecting the second end to the first end in accordance with the switch control signal.

[0014] If the filtered voltage is at a level corresponding to a second voltage, the switch control signal is at a second level, and the switching element may further include connecting the third terminal to the first terminal in accordance with the switch control signal.

[0015] The method may further include a step of a buck-boost element stepping down a voltage supplied via the second line to output a voltage at a level corresponding to the first voltage, and an output voltage of the buck-boost element being supplied to the plurality of driving elements. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a 12V system and a 24V system can be realized on one board using one BMS, making it possible to flexibly utilize 12V and 24V systems simply by managing the BOM (bill of materials).

[0017] According to the embodiment of the present invention, since it is possible to design both 12V and 24V using one board, it is possible to design a BMS without being limited to the 12V and 24V AUX systems provided at the vehicle end. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a battery system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows the power path when the first auxiliary voltage is supplied from the AUX line. [Figure 3] This shows the power path when the second auxiliary voltage is supplied from the AUX line. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a power transfer method using a battery system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical or similar components will be designated by the same or similar drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and / or "section" used in the following description for components are added or used interchangeably solely for the convenience of drafting the specification and do not have any distinct meanings or functions. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a detailed description of such well-known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such a detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are merely intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and it should be understood that the accompanying drawings do not limit the technical concepts disclosed herein, and all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the concept and technical scope of the present invention are included.

[0020] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0021] It should be understood that in this application, the use of terms such as "comprise" or "have" is intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof stated in the specification, but does not preclude the possible presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0022] According to an embodiment, a component that controls another component under a specific control condition may be installed with a program implemented by a set of commands that embodies a control algorithm required to control the other component. The control component may process input data and stored data using the installed program to generate output data. The control component may include a non-volatile memory that stores the program and a memory that stores data.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a battery system according to one embodiment.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery system 1 may include a battery pack 100, a battery management system (BMS) 200, a main relay 300, a pre-charge relay 310, and a current sensor 400.

[0025] The battery pack 100 may be realized by two or more battery cells connected in series, a plurality of battery cells each having two or more battery cells connected in parallel connected in series, or two or more battery cells connected in parallel.

[0026] One end of the pre-charge relay 310 may be coupled to one end of the main relay 300, and the other end of the pre-charge relay 310 may be coupled to the other end of the main relay 300. One end of each of the main relay 300 and the pre-charge relay 310 is coupled to the battery pack 100, and the other end of each of the main relay 300 and the pre-charge relay 310 is coupled to at least one component in the external device 2.

[0027] The BMS 200 may include an input filter 201, an analog-digital converter (ADC) 202, a switching element 203, a buck-boost element 204, a plurality of driving elements 205-208, and a main control unit (MCU) 209. Each of the plurality of driving elements 205-208 is an example of an element that operates to control charging and discharging of the battery pack 100.

[0028] The BMS 200 receives an auxiliary voltage from the AUX line, determines a power path that connects the auxiliary voltage to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 according to the level of the auxiliary voltage, and can supply power to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 via wiring of the power path.

[0029] The BMS 200 may include at least one AUX line. For example, the AUX line may be supplied with a vehicle auxiliary voltage. For convenience of explanation, it will be described below that one of a first auxiliary voltage V1 and a second auxiliary voltage V2 is supplied via the AUX line. The second auxiliary voltage V2 may be higher than the first auxiliary voltage V1. For example, the first auxiliary voltage V1 may be 12 V, and the second auxiliary voltage V2 may be 24 V.

[0030] The input filter 201 can filter the voltage supplied from the AUX line. One end of the input filter 201 may be connected to the AUX line, and the other end of the input filter 201 may be connected to one end of the switching element 203 via an output line LN_FT. The input filter 201 may be realized by an inductor and a capacitor, and various known types of noise reduction filters may be applied to the input filter 201. The voltage that has passed through the input filter 201 may be transmitted to the switching element 203 via the output line LN_FT. The output line LN_FT may be a wiring that provides a power path from the output end of the input filter 201 to one end of the switching element 203.

[0031] One end of the ADC 202 may be coupled to a node N_FT on the output line LN_FT, and the other end of the ADC 202 may be coupled to the MCU 209. The ADC 202 may perform analog-to-digital conversion on a signal indicating the voltage of the node N_FT to generate a voltage signal VS. The voltage signal VS may be a signal indicating the level of the output voltage of the input filter 201.

[0032] The plurality of driving elements 205-208 may include at least one of a main relay driver 205, a pre-charge relay driver 206, a current sensor regulator 207, and a system basis chip (SBC) 208. A power supply voltage level required for operation of the plurality of driving elements 205-208 may be the voltage level of the first auxiliary voltage V1. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the plurality of driving elements as the main relay driver 205, the pre-charge relay driver 206, the current sensor regulator 207, and the SBC 208, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of driving elements may include a high voltage interlock connector (HVIL).

[0033] The main relay driver 205 can control the driving of the main relay 300. The opening and closing of the main relay 300 can be controlled by a main relay control signal CTR_REL supplied from the MCU 209. The main relay driver 205 can supply a main relay driving voltage V_REL to the main relay 300, which opens or closes the main relay 300 according to the main relay control signal CTR_REL.

[0034] The precharge relay driver 206 can control the driving of the precharge relay 310. The opening and closing of the precharge relay 310 can be controlled by a precharge relay control signal CTR_PRE supplied from the MCU 209. The precharge relay driver 206 can supply a precharge relay driving voltage V_PRE to the precharge relay 310, which opens or closes the precharge relay 310 according to the precharge relay control signal CTR_PRE.

[0035] The current sensor regulator 207 can supply a driving voltage V_CS to a current sensor 400 that measures a current flowing in a high-voltage path to which the battery pack 100 is connected. The current sensor 400 can be located on a high-voltage line that connects the battery pack 100 to both ends P+ and P- of the battery system 1. For example, if an overcurrent flows in the high-voltage path, a short circuit may occur inside the pack. The MCU 209 can detect such a phenomenon by monitoring current information acquired by the current sensor 400. The current sensor 400 can be realized as a resistance detection type that detects current using a resistor or a magnetic field detection type that detects a magnetic field.

[0036] The SBC 208 can supply power to the MCU 209. The SBC 208 can generate a drive voltage 5V_PWR for the MCU 209 and supply it to the MCU 209.

[0037] The switching element 203 may include a first end N_SW1, a second end N_SW2, and a third end N_SW3.

[0038] A first end N_SW1 of the switching element 203 can be connected to a node N_FT via an output line LN_FT.

[0039] The first wiring LN1 may be a wiring that provides a power path from the output of the input filter 201 to a node N1 coupled to one end of each of the driving elements 205-208. One end of the first wiring LN1 may be coupled to the second end N_SW2 of the switching element 203, and the other end of the first wiring LN1 may be coupled to the node N1.

[0040] The second wiring LN2 may be a wiring that provides a power path from the output of the input filter 201 to the buck-boost element 204. One end of the second wiring LN2 may be coupled to the third terminal N_SW3 of the switching element 203, and the other end of the second wiring LN2 may be coupled to one end of the buck-boost element 204.

[0041] The MCU 209 can generate a switch control signal CTR_SW based on a voltage signal VS received from the node N_FT via the ADC 202. The MCU 209 can select a power path from the first auxiliary voltage V1 or the second auxiliary voltage V2 to the plurality of drive elements 205-208 using the switch control signal CTR_SW. The MCU 209 can select one of the first power path formed by the first wiring LN1 and the second power path formed by the second wiring LN2. If the level of the voltage signal VS corresponds to the first auxiliary voltage V1, the MCU 209 can generate a switch control signal CTR_SW at a first level. If the level of the voltage signal VS corresponds to the second auxiliary voltage V2, the MCU 209 can generate a switch control signal CTR_SW at a second level.

[0042] When the switch control signal CTR_SW is at a first level, the switching element 203 can connect the output line LN_FT of the input filter 201 to the first wiring LN1. When the switch control signal CTR_SW is at a second level, the switching element 203 can connect the output line LN_FT of the input filter 201 to the second wiring LN2. The BMS 200 can supply power to the multiple drive elements 205-208 via one power path selected from the first power path formed by the first wiring LN1 and the second power path formed by the second wiring LN2.

[0043] The configuration of the buck-boost element 204 and the method of stepping up and stepping down the voltage of the buck-boost element 204 are not particularly limited. The buck-boost element 204 can operate when a voltage corresponding to the second auxiliary voltage V2 is supplied via the second wiring. The buck-boost element 204 can step down the voltage input via the second wiring LN2 and output a voltage at a level corresponding to the first auxiliary voltage. The other end of the buck-boost element 204 can be connected to a wiring connected to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 via node N1.

[0044] Power can be supplied to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 via the first wiring LN1 or the buck-boost element 204.

[0045] The main relay driver 205 can use the power supply voltage supplied via node N1 as a drive voltage. If the main relay control signal CTR_REL supplied from the MCU 209 is an on-level signal, the main relay driver generates a main relay drive voltage V_REL using the power supply voltage supplied via node N1 and provides the main relay drive voltage V_REL to the main relay 300 to close the main relay 300.

[0046] The precharge relay driver 206 can use the power supply supplied via node N1 as a drive voltage. If the precharge relay control signal CTR_PRE supplied from the MCU 209 is an on-level signal, the precharge relay driver generates a precharge relay drive voltage V_PRE using the power supply voltage supplied via node N1 and provides the precharge relay drive voltage V_PRE to the precharge relay 310 to close the precharge relay 310.

[0047] The current sensor regulator 207 converts the power supply voltage supplied via the node N1 to a voltage at a level suitable for the current sensor 400, and can supply the drive voltage V_CS required for the current sensor 400 to operate.

[0048] The SBC 208 can generate a voltage 5V_PWR based on the power supply supplied via the node N1 and supply it to the MCU 209.

[0049] 1 illustrates node N1 as a single node, the present invention is not limited thereto. BMS 200 may include two or more nodes coupled to the first wiring LN1 and the other end of buck-boost element 204, and multiple driving elements 205-208 may be coupled to the first wiring or the other end of buck-boost element 204 via two or more nodes.

[0050] The battery system 1 can be connected to an external device 2. The external device 2 can include a load and a charging device, such as an inverter or a converter. If the external device 2 is a charger, the terminals P+ and P- of the battery system 1 are connected to the charger to receive power from the charger and charge the battery. If the external device 2 is a load, the terminals P+ and P- of the battery system 1 are connected to the load to allow power supplied by the battery pack 100 to be discharged through the load.

[0051] Hereinafter, the power path according to the voltage supplied from the AUX line will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows the power path when the first auxiliary voltage is supplied from the AUX line.

[0053] 2, when a first auxiliary voltage V1 is supplied to the AUX line, the input filter 201 filters noise from the first auxiliary voltage V1 and transmits the resulting voltage to the switching element 203 via the output line LN_FT. The ADC 202 digitally converts the voltage at a node N_FT on the output line LN_FT and transmits the resulting voltage signal VS to the MCU 209.

[0054] Since the voltage signal VS is at a level corresponding to the first auxiliary voltage V1, the MCU 209 can generate and transmit the switch control signal CTR_SW at a first level to the switching element 203.

[0055] The switching element 203 that receives the first level switch control signal CTR_SW may connect the first terminal N_SW1 and the second terminal N_SW2 and connect the output line LN_FT of the input filter 201 to the first wiring LN1, which may be connected to wiring connected to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 via the node N1.

[0056] Therefore, the first auxiliary voltage V1 supplied to the AUX line can be supplied to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 via the output line LN_FT of the input filter 201, the first wiring LN1, and the node N1.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows the power path when the second auxiliary voltage is supplied from the AUX line.

[0058] 3, when a second auxiliary voltage V2 is supplied to the AUX line, the input filter 201 filters noise from the second auxiliary voltage V2 and transmits the resulting voltage to the switching element 203 via the output line LN_FT. The ADC 202 digitally converts the voltage at the node N_FT on the output line LN_FT and transmits the resulting voltage signal VS to the MCU 209.

[0059] Since the voltage signal VS is at a level corresponding to the second auxiliary voltage V2, the MCU 209 can generate and transmit the switch control signal CTR_SW at a second level to the switching element 203.

[0060] The switching element 203, which receives the second level switch control signal CTR_SW, can connect the first terminal N_SW1 to the third terminal N_SW3 and connect the output line LN_FT of the input filter 201 to the second wiring LN2. The second wiring LN2 can be connected to the buck-boost element 204.

[0061] The buck-boost element 204 operates by a voltage input via a second line LN2 and can output a voltage at a level corresponding to a first auxiliary voltage by stepping up or stepping down the input voltage. The output end of the buck-boost element 204 can be connected to a line connected to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 via a node N1. For example, if the first auxiliary voltage V1 is 12V and the second auxiliary voltage V2 is 24V, the buck-boost element 204 can step down the input voltage corresponding to 24V and output a voltage of 12V.

[0062] Therefore, the second auxiliary voltage V2 supplied to the AUX line can be supplied to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 via the output line LN_FT of the input filter 201, the second wiring LN2, the buck-boost element 204, and the node N1.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for transmitting power using a battery system according to one embodiment.

[0064] In the following description of each component of the BMS 200, the description of parts that overlap with the above description may be omitted.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, the BMS 200 can receive an auxiliary voltage from the AUX line (S100).

[0066] The input filter 201 can filter the input auxiliary voltage (S200).

[0067] The ADC 202 can perform analog-to-digital conversion on a signal indicating the voltage of the node N_FT on the output line LN_FT of the input filter 201 to generate a voltage signal VS (S300).

[0068] The MCU 209 can select a path from the first auxiliary voltage V1 or the second auxiliary voltage V2 to the multiple driving elements 205-208 as one of the first power path and the second power path using the switch control signal CTR_SW, and supply power to the multiple driving elements 205-208 via the selected power path.

[0069] The MCU 209 receives the voltage signal VS from the ADC 202 and can determine whether the level of the voltage signal VS corresponds to the first auxiliary voltage V1 or the second auxiliary voltage V2 (S400).

[0070] If the level of the voltage signal VS corresponds to the first auxiliary voltage V1 in step S400, the MCU 209 may generate a switch control signal of a first level and transmit it to the switching element 203 (S500).

[0071] The switching element 203 that receives the first level switch control signal can connect the first terminal N_SW1 and the second terminal N_SW2 and transmit power to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 through the first wiring LN1 (S600).

[0072] If the level of the voltage signal VS corresponds to the second auxiliary voltage V2 in step S400, the MCU 209 may generate a switch control signal of a second level and transmit it to the switching element 203 (S700).

[0073] The switching element 203 that receives the second level switch control signal can connect the first terminal N_SW1 and the third terminal N_SW3 and transfer power to the buck-boost element 204 via the second wiring LN2 (S800).

[0074] The buck-boost element 204 can step down the power supply and output a voltage at a level corresponding to the first auxiliary voltage (S900).

[0075] The output voltage of the buck-boost element 204 can be transmitted to the plurality of driving elements 205-208 (S1000). The plurality of driving elements 205-208 can be driven using the output voltage of the buck-boost element 204 as a driving voltage.

[0076] In this way, the switching element 203 can supply power to the multiple driving elements 205-208 through wiring of the first wiring LN1 and the second wiring LN2 according to the power path determined by the MCU 209, based on the switch control signal received from the MCU 209.

[0077] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery pack; a battery management system (BMS) that receives an auxiliary voltage from an AUX line, selects one of a first power path and a second power path from the auxiliary voltage to a plurality of driving elements according to a level of the auxiliary voltage, and supplies power to the plurality of driving elements via the selected one power path; The BMS includes: a first wiring that configures the first power path; a second wiring that configures the second power path; a switching element including a first end to which the auxiliary voltage is supplied, a second end connected to the first wiring, and a third end connected to the second wiring; a buck-boost element that steps down the voltage supplied via the second wiring, Battery system.

2. The BMS includes: a main control unit (MCU) for generating a switch control signal based on a signal indicating a voltage obtained by filtering noise from the auxiliary voltage; The switching element is The first terminal is connected to the second terminal or the third terminal according to the switch control signal. The battery system of claim 1 .

3. The BMS includes: an analog-to-digital converter that performs analog-to-digital conversion on the filtered voltage to generate a voltage signal indicating a level of the filtered voltage and transmits the voltage signal to the MCU; The battery system of claim 2 .

4. each of the plurality of drive elements is driven at a voltage level of a first voltage; If the filtered voltage is at a level corresponding to the first voltage, the MCU generates a switch control signal at a first level; The switching element is connecting the second end to the first end; The battery system of claim 2 .

5. If the filtered voltage is at a level corresponding to a second voltage, the MCU generates a switch control signal at a second level; The switching element is The third end is connected to the first end, The buck-boost element is a step-down circuit for stepping down the voltage supplied via the second wiring to output a voltage at a level corresponding to the first voltage, and supplying the output voltage to the plurality of drive elements; The battery system of claim 4 .

6. a battery management system (BMS) receiving an auxiliary voltage from an AUX line of the vehicle; The BMS selects one of a first power path and a second power path from the auxiliary voltage to a plurality of drive elements driven at a voltage level of a first voltage, according to a level of the auxiliary voltage; the BMS connecting the first end to the second end or the third end according to the selection through a switching element including a first end to which the auxiliary voltage is provided, a second end connected to a first wiring constituting the first power path, and a third end connected to a second wiring constituting the second power path; the BMS supplying power to the plurality of drive elements via the selected one power path; A power transfer method comprising:

7. The step of selecting one of the first power path and the second power path includes: performing analog-to-digital conversion on the noise-filtered voltage from the auxiliary voltage to generate a voltage signal indicating the level of the filtered voltage; generating a switch control signal based on the voltage signal. The power transfer method according to claim 6.

8. If the filtered voltage is at a level corresponding to the first voltage, the switch control signal is at a first level; The switching element may further include connecting the second end to the first end in response to the switch control signal. The power transfer method according to claim 7.

9. If the filtered voltage is at a level corresponding to a second voltage, the switch control signal is at a second level; The switching element may further include connecting the third terminal to the first terminal in response to the switch control signal. The power transfer method according to claim 7.

10. a buck-boost element stepping down the voltage supplied via the second line and outputting a voltage at a level corresponding to the first voltage; and supplying the output voltage of the buck-boost element to the plurality of drive elements. The power transfer method of claim 9.

Images