Battery management device and communication method for a battery rack system

Abstract

A battery management device and its communication method in a battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention can provide a battery management device and its communication method without a communication cable by waking up based on the power supply when power is supplied from the battery management device of the battery rack via a first electromagnetic induction coil, receiving information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack from the battery management device, assigning an identifier to the first battery pack based on the information regarding the identifier, and supplying power to a second battery pack located in the vicinity of the first battery pack via a second electromagnetic induction coil.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0159464, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 18, 2021, and all of the content disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application is incorporated herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery management device in a battery rack system and a communication method thereof, and more specifically, to a battery management device in a battery rack system for performing wireless communication in a battery rack system including at least one battery pack and a communication method thereof.

Background Art

[0003] An energy storage system provides a battery rack system including at least one battery pack and a battery rack.

[0004] In a battery rack system, the battery packs are managed by communicating with each other using at least one battery pack and a battery management device (Battery Management System, BMS) individually housed in the battery rack.

[0005] More specifically, conventionally, communication has been performed by connecting the battery management devices of the battery rack and at least one battery pack via a communication cable.

[0006] However, recently, with the application of battery management devices to battery packs, the development of technologies for communication connections between battery management devices has been demanded.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a battery management device with high efficiency and high reliability.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention, in order to solve the problems described above, is to provide a wireless communication method for a battery management device that is highly efficient and highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective, a battery management device for a first battery pack among a plurality of battery packs contained in a battery rack, includes a wireless communication module, a first electromagnetic induction coil, a second electromagnetic induction coil, and a control unit that, when power is supplied from the battery management device of the battery rack via the first electromagnetic induction coil, wakes up based on the power supply, receives information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack from the battery management device via the wireless communication module, assigns an identifier to the first battery pack based on the information regarding the identifier, and supplies power to a second battery pack located near the first battery pack via the second electromagnetic induction coil.

[0010] Here, the control unit can control the wireless communication module to transmit information regarding the identifier of the second battery pack to the second battery pack when the second battery pack is woken up by the supply of the power.

[0011] Furthermore, the second battery pack may be the battery pack that is closest to the first battery pack among the plurality of battery packs.

[0012] Furthermore, the identifier for the second battery pack may be assigned as the next number after the identifier for the first battery pack.

[0013] Furthermore, once the control unit has completed assigning an identifier to the first battery pack, it can transmit information regarding the identifier assigned to the first battery pack to the battery rack via the wireless communication module.

[0014] A battery management device for a battery rack including a plurality of battery packs, according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective, includes an electromagnetic induction coil, a wireless communication module, and a control unit that applies power to a first battery pack via the electromagnetic induction coil to wake up the first battery pack, and transmits information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack to the woken first battery pack via the wireless communication module.

[0015] Here, the first battery pack can assign an identifier to itself based on information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack, and can supply power to the second battery pack via the electromagnetic induction coil of the first battery pack.

[0016] Furthermore, when the second battery pack is woken up by the supply of the power, the first battery pack can control its wireless communication module to transmit information regarding the identifier of the second battery pack to the second battery pack.

[0017] The second battery pack can then assign an identifier to itself based on information regarding the identifier of the second battery pack, and supply power to the third battery pack via the electromagnetic induction coil of the second battery pack.

[0018] On the other hand, the control unit can receive multiple identifiers from the multiple battery packs, each of which is individually assigned to one of the battery packs.

[0019] A wireless communication method for a battery management device in a first battery pack among a plurality of battery packs contained in a battery rack, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective, includes the steps of: being woken up based on the power supply when power is supplied from the battery management device of the battery rack via a first electromagnetic induction coil; receiving information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack from the battery management device; assigning an identifier to the first battery pack based on the information regarding the identifier; and supplying power to a second battery pack located near the first battery pack via a second electromagnetic induction coil.

[0020] Here, when the second battery pack is woken up by the supply of the above-mentioned power, the step of transmitting information regarding the identifier of the second battery pack to the second battery pack may further be included.

[0021] On the other hand, the second battery pack may be the battery pack that is closest to the first battery pack among the plurality of battery packs.

[0022] Furthermore, the identifier for the second battery pack may be assigned as the next number after the identifier for the first battery pack.

[0023] The wireless communication method may further include the step of transmitting information regarding an identifier assigned to the first battery pack to the battery rack. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] In the battery management device and its communication method in a battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention, when power is supplied from the battery management device of the battery rack via a first electromagnetic induction coil, it wakes up based on the power and receives information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack from the battery management device, assigns an identifier to the first battery pack based on the information regarding the identifier, and supplies power to a second battery pack located near the first battery pack via a second electromagnetic induction coil, thereby enabling wireless communication between the battery rack and at least one battery pack in a battery rack system provided wirelessly without a communication cable. It is possible to provide a battery management device in a highly efficient and highly reliable battery rack system and its communication method.

[0025] Also, according to the battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention, identifiers can be assigned to a plurality of battery packs even without a cable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a conceptual diagram of a conventional general battery rack system. [Figure 2] It is a conceptual diagram of a battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram of a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart for explaining a wireless communication method of a battery management device in a battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] The present invention can be subjected to various modifications and can have various embodiments. Therefore, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals are used for similar components while explaining each drawing.

[0028] Terms such as First, Second, A, B, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by such terms. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the First component may be named the Second component, and similarly, the Second component may be named the First component. The terms "and / or" include combinations of multiple related items or one of multiple related items.

[0029] When it is stated that one component is "linked" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that this may mean that it is directly linked or connected to that other component, but that other components may also exist in between. Conversely, when it is stated that one component is "directly linked" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0030] The terms used in this application are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless they are clearly different in context. In this application, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and should not be understood to preemptively exclude the presence or possibility of adding one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as ideal or overly formal unless explicitly defined herein.

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional battery rack system.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1, a typical battery rack system consists of at least one battery pack and a battery rack containing it, and each of the battery rack and at least one battery pack includes a battery management device.

[0035] The battery rack and at least one battery pack can typically communicate via a communication cable.

[0036] For example, to explain more specifically, a battery rack and at least one battery pack can send and receive wake signals and identifier information between adjacent devices using a communication cable.

[0037] However, this has the limitation of only supporting wired communication using communication cables. Therefore, this invention will describe in detail a battery rack system that supports wireless communication.

[0038] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of a battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Referring to Figure 2, the battery rack system can include at least one battery pack.

[0040] Each battery pack may include a battery management system (Pack BMS), and a battery rack may include a battery management system (Rack BMS) for controlling the battery management systems (Pack BMS) of at least one battery pack.

[0041] To describe the battery management device in more detail by its components, the battery management device may include a wireless communication module, an electromagnetic induction coil, and a control unit.

[0042] The wireless communication module is for providing wireless communication functionality to the battery management device and may include, as an example, at least one of a WiFi module, a Bluetooth module, and a ZigBee module. According to one embodiment, information regarding identifiers can be transmitted and received between battery management devices via the wireless communication module.

[0043] The electromagnetic induction coil may include a first electromagnetic induction coil supplied with power and a second electromagnetic induction coil supplied with power. In some embodiments, the battery management device (Rack BMS) of a battery rack may be configured without the first electromagnetic induction coil supplied with power.

[0044] The control unit can control the operation of the wireless communication module and the electromagnetic induction coil.

[0045] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to Figure 3, the battery management device may include a memory 100, a processor 200, a transceiver 300, an input interface device 400, an output interface device 500, and a storage device 600. Here, the processor 200 in Figure 3 may be the control unit of the present invention (for example, the MCU, microcontroller unit in Figure 2).

[0047] According to the embodiment, the respective components 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 included in the battery management device are connected by a bus 700 and can communicate with each other.

[0048] Of the above-mentioned components 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 of the battery management device, the memory 100 and the storage device 600 can be composed of at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory 100 and the storage device 600 can be composed of at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0049] Among these, the memory 100 may contain at least one instruction executed by the processor 200 to control the operation of the wireless communication module.

[0050] According to the embodiment, at least one instruction may include an instruction to wake up based on the power supply when power is supplied from the battery management device of the battery rack via the first electromagnetic induction coil, to receive information about the identifier of the first battery pack from the battery management device of the battery rack, an instruction to assign an identifier to the first battery pack based on the information about the identifier, and an instruction to supply power to a second battery pack located near the first battery pack via the second electromagnetic induction coil.

[0051] The processor 200 may mean a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which the method according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed.

[0052] As described above, the processor 200 can execute at least one program command stored in memory 100.

[0053] The above describes a battery rack system including a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Below, the wireless communication method in the battery rack system including the battery management device will be described in more detail.

[0054] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method for a battery management device in a battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Referring to Figure 4, the battery management device R in the battery rack can supply power to the electromagnetic induction coil (S1000). This allows the battery management device R in the battery rack to supply power to the first electromagnetic induction coil of the first battery pack located nearby, through electromagnetic induction by the induction coil. Here, the power supply can also be called a wake signal, as it wakes up the battery management device of the first battery pack.

[0056] Subsequently, when power is supplied by the first electromagnetic induction coil, the battery management device P1 in the first battery pack is woken up (S2000) and can receive identifier information from the battery management device R in the battery rack via the wireless communication module (S3000). As a result, the battery management device P1 in the first battery pack can assign an identifier to the first battery pack based on the identifier information. At this time, the battery management device R in the battery rack can be positioned as close as possible to the battery management device P1 in the first battery pack.

[0057] Subsequently, the battery management device P1 of the first battery pack can apply power to the second electromagnetic induction coil (S4000). This allows the battery management device P1 of the first battery pack to supply power to the battery management device P2 of the second battery pack, which is located nearby, through electromagnetic induction by the second electromagnetic induction coil. In other words, the battery management device P1 of the first battery pack can transmit a wake signal to the battery management device P2 of the second battery pack (S5000).

[0058] Subsequently, the battery management device P2 of the second battery pack, which has been activated (wake-up) by the power supply described above, can receive identifier information from the battery management device P1 of the first battery pack via the wireless communication module (S6000). As a result, the battery management device P2 of the second battery pack can assign an identifier to the second battery pack based on the identifier information.

[0059] In this case, the battery management device P1 of the first battery pack may be a device that is located closest to and capable of communication with the battery management device P2 of the second battery pack. In other words, the battery management device P2 of the second battery pack is capable of communication and can receive identifier information from the battery management device P1 of the first battery pack, which is located closest to it. In this case, the identifier can be assigned sequentially as the next number after the identifier assigned to the battery management device located closest to it, which is capable of communication—in the case of the second battery pack, to the battery management device P1 of the first battery pack, which is located closest to the second battery pack.

[0060] Subsequently, the battery management device P2 of the second battery pack can use the second electromagnetic induction coil to confirm the presence or absence of the battery management device of the third battery pack, which is within close range and capable of communicating by electromagnetic induction (S7000).

[0061] In the embodiment, if there is a battery management device for the third battery pack, the battery management device P2 for the second battery pack can transmit a wake signal (S8000) to the battery management device for the third battery pack using the second electromagnetic induction coil.

[0062] Subsequently, the battery management device for the third battery pack can repeatedly perform steps S3000 to S8000 until there are no other battery management devices for nearby battery packs.

[0063] Alternatively, when the battery management device R of the battery rack receives a number of identifiers corresponding to the number of battery packs already stored, it can determine that an identifier has been assigned to each of the battery packs contained in the battery rack and terminate the identifier assignment process. For example, if the battery rack contains 17 battery packs, the battery management device R can terminate the identifier assignment process when it receives 17 identifiers.

[0064] The battery management device R of the battery rack can then obtain configuration information of the battery rack system based on the identifier information (S9000) received from the battery management device P of the battery pack.

[0065] The battery management device and communication method for a battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention have been described above.

[0066] The battery management device and communication method for a battery rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a highly efficient and highly reliable battery management device and communication method for a battery rack system that enables wireless communication between a battery rack and at least one battery pack in a battery rack system provided wirelessly without communication cables. This is achieved by, when power is supplied from the battery management device of the battery rack via a first electromagnetic induction coil, the device wakes up based on the power supply, receives information regarding the identifier of a first battery pack from the battery management device, assigns an identifier to the first battery pack based on the information regarding the identifier, and supplies power to a second battery pack located near the first battery pack via a second electromagnetic induction coil.

[0067] The operation of the method according to the embodiment of the present invention can be embodied as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices on which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Furthermore, computer-readable programs or code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner on computer systems connected via a network.

[0068] Furthermore, computer-readable recording media can include hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Program instructions can include not only machine code, such as that produced by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

[0069] Some aspects of the present invention have been described in the context of apparatus, but they can also be described by corresponding methods, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method can be described by corresponding blocks or items or features of corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps can be carried out by (or using) hardware devices such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps can be carried out by such devices.

[0070] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to those skilled in the art, a person skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be modified and altered in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 100: Memory 200: Processor 300: Transceiver 400: Input Interface Device 500: Output Interface Device 600: Storage device 700: Bus P: Battery management device for battery packs P1: Battery management device for the first battery pack P2: Battery management device for the second battery pack R: Battery management device for battery rack L: Communication cable C: Electromagnetic induction coil

Claims

1. A battery management device for a first battery pack among multiple battery packs included in a battery rack, Wireless communication module; First electromagnetic induction coil; A second electromagnetic induction coil; and When power is supplied from the battery management device of the battery rack via the first electromagnetic induction coil, it is woken up based on the power supply and receives information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack from the battery management device via the wireless communication module. Based on the information regarding the identifier, an identifier is assigned to the first battery pack. Power is supplied to the battery management device of the second battery pack, located near the first battery pack, by wireless power transfer based on electromagnetic induction via the second electromagnetic induction coil. Control unit; including, The control unit, When the second battery pack is woken up by the supply of the aforementioned power, the wireless communication module is controlled to transmit information regarding the identifier of the second battery pack to the second battery pack. Battery management device.

2. The second battery pack is, The battery management device according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack is the battery pack located closest to the first battery pack among the plurality of battery packs.

3. The identifier of the second battery pack is, The battery management device according to claim 1, which is assigned as the next number to the identifier of the first battery pack.

4. The control unit, The battery management device according to claim 1, wherein, upon completion of assigning an identifier to the first battery pack, information relating to the identifier assigned to the first battery pack is transmitted to the battery rack via the wireless communication module.

5. A battery management device for a battery rack containing multiple battery packs, Electromagnetic induction coil; Wireless communication module; and Power is applied to the first battery pack via the electromagnetic induction coil to wake up the first battery pack. Information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack is transmitted to the woken first battery pack via the wireless communication module. Control unit; including, The first battery pack is, Based on the information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack, an identifier is assigned to the first battery pack, and power is supplied to the battery management device of the second battery pack via the electromagnetic induction coil of the first battery pack by wireless power transfer based on electromagnetic induction. The first battery pack is, When the second battery pack is woken up by the supply of the aforementioned power, the wireless communication module of the first battery pack is controlled to transmit information regarding the identifier of the second battery pack to the second battery pack. Battery management device.

6. The second battery pack is, The battery management device according to claim 5, which assigns an identifier to the second battery pack based on information relating to the identifier of the second battery pack, and supplies power to the third battery pack via the electromagnetic induction coil of the second battery pack.

7. The control unit, The battery management device according to claim 5, which receives a plurality of identifiers individually assigned to the plurality of battery packs from the plurality of battery packs.

8. A wireless communication method for a battery management device in a first battery pack among multiple battery packs contained in a battery rack, When power is supplied from the battery management device of the battery rack via the first electromagnetic induction coil, the device is woken up based on the power supply and receives information regarding the identifier of the first battery pack from the battery management device; A step of assigning an identifier to the first battery pack based on the information regarding the identifier; A step of supplying power to a battery management device of a second battery pack located near the first battery pack by wireless power transfer based on electromagnetic induction via a second electromagnetic induction coil; and When the second battery pack is woken up by the supply of the aforementioned power, the second battery pack is given information regarding its identifier. Wireless communication methods, including those mentioned above.

9. The second battery pack is, The wireless communication method according to claim 8, wherein the battery pack is the one located closest to the first battery pack among the plurality of battery packs.

10. The identifier of the second battery pack is, The wireless communication method according to claim 8, which is assigned as the next number to the identifier of the first battery pack.

11. The wireless communication method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of transmitting information relating to an identifier assigned to the first battery pack to the battery rack.

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