Battery rapid charging device and method

Abstract

The battery rapid charging device and method according to an embodiment of the present invention can shorten the rapid charging time by adding a compensation current considering a current gain according to an initial charging state of a battery to a charging current of the battery obtained by considering only the temperature and real-time charging state of an existing battery and supplying the same to the battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0129626, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 11, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery rapid charging device and method, and more particularly, to a battery rapid charging device and method for measuring an initial charge amount of a battery and reflecting a compensation current corresponding thereto.

Background Art

[0003] Due to the depletion of fossil fuels, the price of energy sources has risen, and the concern about environmental pollution has increased rapidly. As an environmentally friendly alternative energy source, the demand for secondary batteries is rapidly increasing.

[0004] Such secondary batteries can be repeatedly charged and regenerated, and are applied to large industrial fields such as automobiles, robots, and energy storage devices from small devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers as countermeasures against current environmental regulations and high crude oil prices.

[0005] Among secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have attracted attention due to advantages such as almost no memory effect, low self-discharge rate, and high energy density compared to nickel-based secondary batteries.

[0006] Conventionally, in response to the increasing use frequency of lithium batteries, rapid charging technologies for quickly charging batteries have been introduced.

[0007] Conventionally, a method has been provided in which a rapid charging map is used to obtain information on the magnitude of a charging current for rapid charging based on the temperature and state of charge (SOC) of a battery to be charged, and the battery is rapidly charged.

[0008] However, conventional fast-charging maps do not take into account the initial charge state of the battery being charged. Therefore, if the battery's initial charge state exceeds the minimum interval, even if charging is possible without lithium deposition when a charging current exceeding the current limit defined in the fast-charging map is provided, the charging current is limited and efficiency decreases. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The objective of the present invention, which aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, is to provide a battery rapid charging device.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention, in order to solve the problems described above, is to provide a method for rapid battery charging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A rapid charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective includes a memory and a processor that executes at least one instruction stored in the memory, wherein the at least one instruction includes an instruction to check the initial charge state (State of Charge, SOC) and temperature information of a battery to be charged, an instruction to calculate the magnitude of an initial charging current based on the initial charge state of the battery, and an instruction to provide the battery with the calculated initial charging current to rapidly charge the battery.

[0012] In this case, the instruction to perform the above calculation may include an instruction to calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current of the battery based on a rapid charging map that defines an upper limit of current according to the battery's charge state and a compensation current map that defines a compensation current according to the battery's initial charge state.

[0013] Here, the command to perform the above calculation may include a command to check the magnitude of the current limit according to the initial charge state of the battery using the rapid charging map, a command to check the magnitude of the compensation current according to the initial charge state of the battery using the compensation current map, and a command to calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current based on the current limit and the magnitude of the compensation current.

[0014] Furthermore, the magnitude of the initial charging current may be the sum of the magnitudes of the current upper limit and the compensation current.

[0015] On the other hand, the instruction to perform the above check may further include an instruction to check the real-time charging status of the battery.

[0016] Furthermore, at least one instruction may further include an instruction to monitor the real-time charging state of the battery, and an instruction to provide the battery with a charging current corresponding to the magnitude of the changed current limit in the fast charging map, in order to fast charge the battery, if the current limit in the fast charging map is changed in response to a change in the real-time charging state of the battery.

[0017] A battery rapid charging method according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective includes the steps of: confirming the initial charge state (State of Charge, SOC) and temperature information of the battery to be charged; calculating the magnitude of the initial charging current based on the initial charge state of the battery; and providing the battery with the calculated initial charging current to rapidly charge the battery.

[0018] In this case, the calculation step described above can calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current of the battery based on a rapid charging map that defines an upper limit of current according to the battery's charge state and a compensation current map that defines a compensation current according to the battery's initial charge state.

[0019] Here, the above calculating step can include a step of using the above rapid charging map to confirm the magnitude of the current upper limit according to the initial state of charge of the battery, a step of using the above compensation current map to confirm the magnitude of the compensation current according to the initial state of charge of the battery, and a step of calculating the magnitude of the initial charging current based on the magnitudes of the above current upper limit and the above compensation current.

[0020] Also, the magnitude of the above initial charging current may be a value obtained by adding the magnitudes of the above current upper limit and the above compensation current.

[0021] On the other hand, the above confirming step can further include a step of confirming the real-time state of charge of the battery.

[0022] In addition, the above battery rapid charging method can further include a step of monitoring the real-time state of charge of the battery, and a step of providing a charging current corresponding to the magnitude of the changed current upper limit to the battery for rapid charging when the current upper limit in the rapid charging map is changed according to the change in the real-time state of charge of the battery.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] The battery rapid charging device and method according to the embodiments of the present invention can shorten the rapid charging time by adding a compensation current considering the current gain according to the initial state of charge of the battery to the charging current of the battery obtained by only considering the temperature and real-time state of charge of the existing battery and supplying it to the battery.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a table of the rapid charging map used in a conventional battery rapid charging device. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram of the battery rapid charging device according to the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart for explaining the battery rapid charging method operated by a processor in the battery rapid charging device according to the embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart for explaining a method of calculating an initial charging current among the battery rapid charging methods according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a table of a compensation current map of the battery rapid charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0025] Since the present invention can be subjected to various modifications and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include 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.

[0026] Terms such as first, second, A, B, etc. can be used to describe various components, but the above components should not be limited by the above terms. The above terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the rights of the present invention, the first component can be named the second component, and similarly the second component can also be named the first component. The term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of relatedly described items or an item among a plurality of relatedly described items.

[0027] When it is mentioned that a certain component is "connected to" or "connected with" another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but there may also be another component in the middle. In contrast, when it is mentioned that a certain component is "directly connected to" or "directly connected with" another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in the middle.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Figure 1 is a table of rapid charging maps used in conventional battery rapid charging devices.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1, conventional battery rapid chargers can perform rapid charging of batteries using a rapid charging map that provides limit currents for each charging section according to temperature.

[0032] More specifically, a conventional battery rapid charger monitors the battery's temperature and charge state, and based on this monitoring information, can provide the battery with a charging current at an upper limit provided in the section corresponding to the rapid charging map. As a result, the battery is rapidly charged.

[0033] The current limit provided in the fast charging map may be a current value that is restricted to prevent lithium plating, which may occur on the negative electrode surface of the battery during fast charging. In other words, the limit current may be a current limit set to prevent lithium plating during fast charging.

[0034] In this case, the magnitude of the limiting current can vary not only depending on the temperature and the battery's charge state, but also on the battery's initial charge state.

[0035] According to the embodiment, the limiting current can be increased as the initial charge state of the battery increases.

[0036] However, the rapid charging map provides temperature-dependent limit currents assuming the battery's initial charge state is at its lowest point, without considering the battery's actual initial charge state. Therefore, conventional battery rapid chargers that use the rapid charging map to provide charging current have the disadvantage that, even though charging is possible without lithium deposition if a charging current exceeding the current limit defined in the rapid charging map is provided when the battery's initial charge state exceeds the lowest point, the charging current is limited and efficiency decreases.

[0037] Therefore, the present invention discloses a rapid battery charging device and method that take into account the initial charge state of the battery and reflect a corresponding compensation current during the initial charging of the battery.

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a battery rapid charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Referring to Figure 2, the battery rapid charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention can provide a charging current that takes into account the initial charge state (State of Charge, hereinafter referred to as SOC) of the battery to be charged, using a rapid charging map and a compensation current map.

[0041] To give a more detailed description of the battery rapid charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery rapid charging 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.

[0042] According to the embodiment, the respective components 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 included in the control unit 4000 are connected by a bus 700 and can communicate with each other.

[0043] Of the above configurations 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600, 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).

[0044] Among these, memory 100 may contain at least one instruction executed by processor 200.

[0045] According to the embodiment, at least one of the above instructions may include an instruction to check the initial charge state (SOC) and temperature information of the battery to be charged, an instruction to calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current based on the initial charge state of the battery, and an instruction to provide the battery with the calculated initial charging current to rapidly charge the battery.

[0046] In this case, the instruction to perform the above calculation may include an instruction to calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current of the battery based on a rapid charging map that defines an upper limit of current according to the battery's charge state and a compensation current map that defines a compensation current according to the battery's initial charge state.

[0047] Here, the command to perform the above calculation may include a command to check the magnitude of the current limit according to the initial charge state of the battery using the rapid charging map, a command to check the magnitude of the compensation current according to the initial charge state of the battery using the compensation current map, and a command to calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current based on the current limit and the magnitude of the compensation current.

[0048] Furthermore, the magnitude of the initial charging current may be the sum of the magnitudes of the current upper limit and the compensation current.

[0049] On the other hand, the instruction to perform the above check may further include an instruction to check the real-time charging status of the battery.

[0050] Furthermore, at least one instruction may further include an instruction to monitor the real-time charging state of the battery, and an instruction to provide the battery with a charging current corresponding to the magnitude of the changed current limit in the fast charging map, in order to fast charge the battery, if the current limit in the fast charging map is changed in response to a change in the real-time charging state of the battery.

[0051] On the other hand, processor 200 can 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] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a battery rapid charging method operated by a processor in a battery rapid charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3, the battery rapid charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention can confirm the rapid charging conditions by the operation of the processor 200 (S1000).

[0055] Here, the rapid charging conditions may be conditions for at least one battery necessary to determine the magnitude of the charging current for rapid charging of the battery. According to the embodiment, the rapid charging conditions may include the initial charge state of the battery to be charged and the temperature information of the battery.

[0056] Subsequently, the above-mentioned rapid battery charger can calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current (S2000). Here, the initial charging current may be a charging current that satisfies the rapid charging conditions of the battery to be rapidly charged. The method for calculating the initial charging current will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5 below.

[0057] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for calculating the initial charging current in a rapid battery charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to Figure 4, the above-mentioned rapid battery charger can use a rapid charge map to confirm the magnitude of the current limit corresponding to the charging state at the given temperature (S2100).

[0059] Here, the rapid charging map may be a table that divides the battery's charge state into certain range intervals and specifies the maximum current at a certain temperature. More specifically, the rapid charging map can be provided with five battery charge state intervals: 10% to less than 20%, 20% to less than 40%, 40% to less than 60%, 60% to less than 80%, and 80% to less than 90%, and can provide the maximum current at the corresponding charge state intervals when the temperature is 25°C, 35°C, and 45°C.

[0060] For example, the rapid charging map may be the same as the rapid charging map provided by the conventional battery rapid charging device disclosed in Figure 1.

[0061] Subsequently, the battery rapid charging device can use a compensation current map to confirm the magnitude of the compensation current corresponding to the charging state at the relevant temperature (S2300).

[0062] In the present invention, it is possible to further provide a compensation current between the current limit confirmed by the rapid charging map and the limit current that prevents lithium deposition, taking into account the initial charge state of the battery.

[0063] Figure 5 is a table showing the compensation current map for a battery rapid charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Referring to Figure 5, the compensation current map may be a table that provides the magnitude of the compensation current at different temperatures depending on the initial charge state of the battery, in order to account for the current gain depending on the initial charge state of the battery, which is not considered in the rapid charging map.

[0065] More specifically, as mentioned above, the fast-charging map can provide a defined limit current, assuming the initial charge state of the battery before charging is the lowest interval of 10%, and then considering only the temperature of the battery to be charged and the real-time charge state.

[0066] As a result, in the battery rapid charging method according to the embodiment of the present invention, if the initial charge state of the battery to be charged exceeds the minimum interval, in other words, if the initial charge state of the battery is 20% or more, it is possible to check the magnitude of the compensation current according to the initial charge state of the battery using a compensation current map, in addition to the current upper limit of the rapid charging map.

[0067] According to the examples, the compensation current map shows that the compensation current value increases as the initial charge state (SOC) of the battery increases.

[0068] Referring again to Figure 4, the above-mentioned rapid battery charger can calculate the initial charge current based on the current limit in the rapid charge map and the magnitude of the compensation current according to the compensation current map (S2500). According to the embodiment, the initial charge current may be the sum of the current limit and compensation current corresponding to the temperature and initial charge state of the battery to be charged.

[0069] For example, the above-mentioned rapid battery charger can achieve a current limit of 250A through the rapid charging map when the temperature of the battery to be charged is 35°C and the charge level is 50%. Here, the charge level of the battery to be charged may be the same as the initial charge level, since no further charging has occurred.

[0070] On the other hand, the above-mentioned rapid battery charger can achieve a compensation current of 11A under the same rapid charging conditions (battery temperature 35°C, initial charge state 50%) by using a compensation current map.

[0071] As a result, the above-mentioned rapid battery charger can calculate an initial charging current of 265A, which is the sum of the current limit of 250A and the compensation current of 11A.

[0072] Referring again to Figure 3, the battery rapid charging device can then rapidly charge the battery by providing an initial charging current corresponding to the calculated initial charging current information (S3000).

[0073] Subsequently, the battery rapid charging device can continuously monitor the battery's charge state.

[0074] According to the embodiment, when the real-time charging state interval of the battery exceeds the interval to which the initial charging state belonged, in other words, when the charging state interval of the battery is changed (S5000), the battery rapid charger can use a rapid charge map to set the magnitude of the current limit corresponding to the real-time charging state interval of the battery to the magnitude of the charging current and provide the battery with a charging current (S7000).

[0075] Subsequently, if the real-time charging state of the battery is changed by continuous rapid charging, the battery rapid charger can charge the battery with a charging current magnitude corresponding to the real-time charging state interval of the battery, based on the rapid charging map, as in step S7000.

[0076] The battery rapid charging device and method according to embodiments of the present invention have been described above.

[0077] The battery rapid charging device and method according to the embodiment of the present invention can shorten the rapid charging time by supplying a battery with a charging current that takes into account the current gain corresponding to the initial charge state of the battery, in addition to the battery charging current obtained by taking into account only the temperature and real-time charging state of the existing battery.

[0078] The operation of the method according to an 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 that store data that can be read by a computer system. Furthermore, computer-readable recording media can be distributed across networked computer systems, allowing computer-readable programs or code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the present invention, those 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]

[0082] 100: Memory 200: Processor 300: Transceiver 400: Input Interface Device 500: Output Interface Device 600: Storage device 700: Bus

Claims

1. A device for rapidly charging batteries, memory; and Includes a processor that executes at least one instruction stored in the memory, The at least one instruction is, A command to check the initial charge state of the aforementioned battery, A command to calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current, including the magnitude of a compensation current added to the current upper limit corresponding to the initial charging state of the battery, based on the initial charging state of the battery, and The command includes providing the battery with an initial charging current of the calculated magnitude to charge the battery, The instruction to perform the aforementioned calculation is: The command includes instructions to calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current of the battery based on a rapid charging map that defines a current upper limit according to the real-time charging state of the battery and a compensation current map that defines a compensation current according to the initial charging state of the battery. The at least one instruction is, A battery rapid charging device further includes a command to change the current limit in the rapid charging map in accordance with the second charging state of the rapid charging map, and to provide the battery with a charging current corresponding to the magnitude of the changed current limit, in accordance with the change in the real-time charging state of the battery, when the charging state section to which the real-time charging state of the battery belongs in the rapid charging map exceeds the first charging state section to which the initial charging state of the battery belongs and enters a second charging state section corresponding to a higher charging state.

2. The instruction to perform the aforementioned calculation is: An instruction to use the rapid charging map to check the magnitude of the current limit according to the initial charge state of the battery, A command to use the aforementioned compensation current map to check the magnitude of the compensation current according to the initial charge state of the battery, and The battery rapid charging device according to claim 1, which includes an instruction to calculate the magnitude of the initial charging current based on the magnitude of the current upper limit and the magnitude of the compensation current.

3. The battery rapid charging device according to claim 2, wherein the magnitude of the initial charging current is the sum of the magnitudes of the current upper limit and the compensation current.

4. The battery rapid charging device according to claim 1, further comprising an instruction to monitor the real-time charging status of the battery.

5. A method for rapidly charging batteries, A step to check the initial charge state of the aforementioned battery; A step of calculating the magnitude of the initial charging current, which includes the magnitude of a compensation current added to the current upper limit corresponding to the initial charging state of the battery, based on the initial charging state of the battery; and The step includes supplying the battery with an initial charging current of the calculated magnitude to charge the battery, The calculation step described above is: The step includes calculating the magnitude of the initial charging current of the battery based on a rapid charging map that defines a current upper limit according to the real-time charging state of the battery and a compensation current map that defines a compensation current according to the initial charging state of the battery. A battery rapid charging method, further comprising the step of, in response to a change in the real-time charge state of the battery, when the charge state section to which the real-time charge state of the battery belongs in the rapid charging map exceeds the first charge state section to which the initial charge state of the battery belongs and enters a second charge state section corresponding to a higher charge state, the current limit of the rapid charging map is changed in accordance with the second charge state section, and a charging current corresponding to the magnitude of the changed current limit is provided to the battery to charge it.

6. The calculation step described above is: A step of using the rapid charging map to confirm the magnitude of the current limit according to the initial charge state of the battery; A step of using the compensation current map to confirm the magnitude of the compensation current according to the initial charge state of the battery; and The battery rapid charging method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of calculating the magnitude of the initial charging current based on the magnitude of the current upper limit and the magnitude of the compensation current.

7. The battery rapid charging method according to claim 6, wherein the magnitude of the initial charging current is the sum of the magnitudes of the current upper limit and the compensation current.

8. The battery rapid charging method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of monitoring the real-time charging status of the battery.

9. A computer program that causes a computer to execute the battery rapid charging method described in any one of claims 5 to 8.

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