Battery heating device and its operating method

Abstract

A battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a state of charge calculation unit that calculates the state of charge (SOC) of a battery, a sensor unit that measures the voltage, current, or temperature of the battery, a control unit that determines a charging power for the battery based on the state of charge of the battery and the maximum charging power of a charger that charges the battery, and determines whether to heat the battery based on the measured temperature and the charging power, and a heating unit that heats the battery when it is determined to heat the battery.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0132751 filed on October 14, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated as a part of the present specification. The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery heating device and an operating method thereof. [Background Art]

[0002] In recent years, research and development on secondary batteries have been actively conducted. Here, secondary batteries are batteries capable of being charged and discharged, which is meant to include both conventional Ni / Cd batteries, Ni / MH batteries, and the like, and modern lithium ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium ion batteries have the advantage of much higher energy density compared to conventional Ni / Cd batteries, Ni / MH batteries, and the like. Further, since lithium ion batteries can be fabricated to be small and lightweight, they are used as power sources for mobile devices; in recent years, their application range has been expanded even to power sources for electric vehicles, and they are attracting attention as next-generation energy storage media.

[0003] Batteries differ in internal chemical changes depending on the temperature during charging. When charging is performed in a state where the battery temperature is low or high, problems such as degradation of battery performance or permanent damage to the battery function may occur. For example, when charging is performed in a state where the battery temperature is equal to or lower than a specific temperature, a swelling phenomenon, in which the battery expands and the function of the battery is damaged, may occur. In order to solve such problems, systems that heat the battery when the battery temperature is equal to or lower than a specific temperature before or during the execution of battery charging are used. [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Regarding battery heating systems, conventional systems had the problem of unnecessary power consumption because they simply activated a pre-set heating function when the battery temperature was below a certain temperature, without considering the battery specifications, charge status, or charger specifications.

[0005] One objective of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a battery heating device and a method of operation thereof that can reduce power consumption due to unnecessary battery heating by determining whether or not to heat the battery based on various parameters (e.g., the battery's charge state, temperature, and the charger's maximum charging power).

[0006] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed herein may include: a charge state calculation unit that calculates the charge state (SOC) of a battery; a sensor unit that measures the voltage, current, or temperature of the battery; a control unit that determines the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of a charger that charges the battery, and determines whether or not to heat the battery based on the measured temperature and the charging power; and a heating unit that heats the battery when it is determined that the battery should be heated.

[0008] A battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a data acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the maximum charging power from an external server based on user input specifying the charger.

[0009] In a battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed herein, the control unit can estimate the maximum charging power based on the voltage and current of the battery measured via the sensor unit during a specified time period when the battery is being charged via the charger.

[0010] A battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes a data acquisition unit that acquires charging history information of the battery from an external server, and the control unit can estimate the maximum charging power based on the charging history information.

[0011] In a battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the control unit can calculate the expected charge amount of the battery based on the charge state and the target charge state, and determine the charge power to be lower than or equal to the maximum charge power based on the expected charge amount.

[0012] In a battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed herein, the control unit can calculate the expected charging time of the battery based on the expected charge amount and determine the charging power based on the expected charging time.

[0013] In a battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the control unit can determine whether the battery can be charged with the charging power based on the temperature, and if it is determined that the battery cannot be charged with the charging power, it can decide to heat the battery.

[0014] In a battery heating device according to one embodiment disclosed herein, the control unit can calculate a reference temperature required to charge the battery with the charging power, and if the temperature is below the reference temperature, it can determine that the battery cannot be charged with the charging power.

[0015] A battery heating method according to one embodiment disclosed herein may include: an operation to calculate the state of charge (SOC) of a battery; an operation to determine the charging power of the battery based on the state of charge of the battery and the maximum charging power of a charger that charges the battery; an operation to measure the temperature of the battery; an operation to determine whether or not to heat the battery based on the charging power and the measured temperature; and an operation to heat the battery if it is determined that the battery should be heated.

[0016] A battery heating method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include an operation to obtain information regarding the maximum charging power from an external server based on a user input specifying the charger.

[0017] A battery heating method according to one embodiment disclosed herein may include an operation to estimate the maximum charging power based on the voltage and current of the battery measured via the sensor unit during a specified time while the battery is being charged via the charger.

[0018] In a battery heating method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the operation for determining the charging power may include an operation for calculating an expected charge amount of the battery based on the charge state and the target charge state, and an operation for determining a charging power that is lower than or equal to the maximum charging power based on the expected charge amount.

[0019] In a battery heating method according to one embodiment disclosed herein, the operation for determining the charging power may include an operation for calculating the expected charging time of the battery based on the expected charge amount, and an operation for determining the charging power based on the expected charging time.

[0020] In the battery heating method according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, the operation of determining whether to heat the battery may include: an operation of determining whether the battery can be charged with the charging power based on the measured temperature; and an operation of determining to heat the battery when it is determined that the battery cannot be charged with the charging power.

[0021] In the battery heating method according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, the operation of determining whether the battery can be charged with the charging power may include: an operation of calculating a reference temperature required for charging the battery with the charging power; and an operation of determining that the battery cannot be charged with the charging power when the measured temperature is lower than the reference temperature. Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the embodiments disclosed in the present document, the heating efficiency of the battery can be improved by determining whether to heat the battery based on various parameters (e.g., the state of charge of the battery, the temperature, and the maximum charging power of the charger).

[0023] According to the embodiments disclosed in the present document, power consumption caused by unnecessary battery heating can be reduced. In addition, various effects that can be directly or indirectly recognized from the present document can be provided according to the present document. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a battery heating system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is an operational flowchart of a battery heating apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an operational flowchart of a battery heating apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] It is an operational flowchart of a battery heating apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] It is an operational flowchart of a battery heating apparatus according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Various embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this should be understood not as limiting the present invention to any particular embodiment, but rather as including various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] The various embodiments and the terminology used herein should be understood not to limit the technical features described herein to any particular embodiment, but to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar or related reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more such items unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0027] In this document, each phrase such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together with the phrase, or any possible combination thereof. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” or “(b)” may be used simply to distinguish one component from other components and, unless otherwise stated, do not limit the component in any other way (e.g., importance or order).

[0028] Wherever a component (e.g., the first) is referred to as being "connected with," "coupled with," or "linked with" another component (e.g., the second) with or without the terms "functionally" or "communically," or as being "coupled to" or "connected with," this means that the first component may be connected to the other component directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or via the third component.

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

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

[0031] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a battery heating system according to one embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the battery heating system 100 may include a battery 110 and a battery heating device 120.

[0032] The battery heating device 120 may include a sensor unit 121, a charge state calculation unit 122, a heating unit 123, a data acquisition unit 124, and / or a control unit 125. According to some embodiments, the battery heating device 120 may omit at least one of the components shown in Figure 1, or one or more other components may be added.

[0033] The sensor unit 121 may be electrically connected to the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 121 can measure the voltage, current, or temperature of the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 121 can receive a measurement control signal from the control unit 125 in order to measure the voltage, current, or temperature of the battery 110. The sensor unit 121 can measure the voltage, current, or temperature of the battery 110 each time it receives a measurement control signal from the control unit 125. According to one embodiment, the sensor unit 121 can transmit the measured voltage value, current value, or temperature value to the charge state calculation unit 122 and / or the control unit 125.

[0034] The charge state calculation unit 122 can calculate the charge state (SOC) of the battery 110. In one embodiment, the charge state calculation unit 122 can calculate the charge state of the battery 110 based on at least one of the voltage value, current value, or temperature value of the battery 110 transmitted from the sensor unit 121. In one embodiment, the charge state calculation unit 122 can transmit the calculated charge state of the battery 110 to the control unit 125.

[0035] The heating unit 123 is positioned adjacent to the battery 110 and may be a heating means for raising the temperature of the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the heating unit 123 can heat the battery 110 each time it receives a heating control signal from the control unit 125.

[0036] The data acquisition unit 124 can receive data from an external device and / or an external server via wired or wireless connection. According to one embodiment, the data acquisition unit 124 can acquire information from an external server regarding the maximum charging power of a charger that charges the battery 110 or information regarding the charging history of the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the data acquisition unit 124 can transmit the acquired data to the control unit 125.

[0037] The control unit 125 may be electrically connected to the sensor unit 121, the charge state calculation unit 122, the heating unit 123, and the data acquisition unit 124. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can run software to control at least one other component connected to the control unit 125 and perform various data processing or calculations. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can control the overall operation of the battery heating device 120 by controlling at least one other component connected to the control unit 125. The control unit 125 may include at least one processing unit such as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), a PLD (programmable logic device), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), a CPU (central processing unit), a microcontroller, or a microprocessor.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can determine the charging power of the battery 110. Here, charging power may mean the power supplied to the battery 110 from the charger for charging the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 based on the maximum charging power of the charger that charges the battery 110 and the charge state of the battery 110.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can identify whether or not there is a user input specifying a charger to charge the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can acquire the user input from an external device via a data acquisition unit 124. According to another embodiment, the battery heating device 120 may include an interface unit that receives a user input specifying a charger to charge the battery 110.

[0040] According to one embodiment, if the control unit 125 identifies that there is a user input specifying a charger, it can obtain information about the maximum charging power of the charger from an external server. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can obtain information about the maximum charging power of the user-specified charger from an external server via a data acquisition unit 124. For example, if a user input specifying a first electric vehicle charging station is identified, the control unit 125 can obtain information about the maximum charging power of the first electric vehicle charging station (e.g., 220kW) from an external server via a data acquisition unit 124.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can determine whether the battery 110 is charged if it identifies that there is no user input specifying a charger. For example, the control unit 125 can determine whether the battery 110 is charged by whether or not the battery 110 is electrically connected to an external device. As another example, the control unit 125 can determine whether or not the battery 110 is charged based on a change in the voltage or current of the battery 110.

[0042] According to one embodiment, when the control unit 125 identifies that the battery 110 is being charged, it can estimate the maximum charging power of the charger based on the voltage and current of the battery measured during a specified period of time. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can acquire charging history information of the battery 110 from an external server via the data acquisition unit 124. In this case, the control unit 125 can further estimate the maximum charging power of the charger based on the acquired charging history information.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can calculate the expected charge amount of the battery 110 based on the charge state of the battery 110 and the target charge state. Here, the target charge state may be set based on the charging pattern of the user using an external device including the battery 110, or it may be a charge state that has been set in advance by the user. Furthermore, the expected charge amount may mean the difference between the target charge state and the current charge state of the battery 110.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can calculate the expected charging time of the battery 110 based on the expected charge amount. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 based on the expected charge amount or the expected charging time. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 according to the expected charge amount or the expected charging time, within a range less than or equal to the maximum charging power of the charger. For example, within a range less than or equal to the maximum charging power of the charger, the control unit 125 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 to be higher the higher the expected charge amount. As another example, within a range less than or equal to the maximum charging power of the charger, the control unit 125 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 to be higher the higher the expected charging time.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can measure the temperature of the battery 110 via the sensor unit 121. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can decide whether or not to heat the battery 110 based on the temperature of the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can determine whether or not the battery 110 can be charged with a predetermined charging power.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can calculate a reference temperature based on a predetermined charging power of the battery 110. Here, the reference temperature may be the temperature required to charge the battery 110 with a predetermined charging power. That is, the reference temperature may be a lower temperature at which the swelling phenomenon of the battery occurs when charging the battery 110 with a predetermined charging power.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can determine whether or not the temperature of the battery 110 is below a reference temperature. According to one embodiment, if the control unit 125 identifies that the temperature of the battery 110 is below a reference temperature, it can determine that the battery 110 cannot be charged with the charging power. In this case, the control unit 125 can heat the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the control unit 125 can control the heating unit 123 to heat the battery 110.

[0048] According to one embodiment, if the control unit 125 identifies that the temperature of the battery 110 is above a reference temperature, it can determine that the battery 110 can be charged with the charging power. In this case, the control unit 125 does not need to heat the battery.

[0049] In this way, the battery heating device 120 can prevent the swelling phenomenon of the battery by deciding whether or not to heat the battery 110 based on whether the temperature of the battery 110 is lower than or higher than a reference temperature. Furthermore, since the reference temperature is calculated according to the charging power determined based on the charge state of the battery 110 and the maximum charging power of the charger, unnecessary heating of the battery can be minimized. As a result, the battery heating device 120 can reduce unnecessary power consumption.

[0050] Figure 2 is an operation flowchart of a battery heating device according to one embodiment. Figure 2 can be explained using the configuration of Figure 1. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 is only one embodiment, and the order of steps in various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that shown in Figure 2. Some of the steps shown in Figure 2 may be omitted, the order of the steps may be changed, or steps may be merged.

[0051] Referring to Figure 2, in operation 205, the battery heating device 120 can calculate the charge state of the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can calculate the charge state of the battery 110 based on at least one of the voltage value, current value, or temperature value of the battery 110.

[0052] In operation 210, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110. Here, charging power may mean the power supplied to the battery 110 from the charger for charging the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 based on the maximum charging power of the charger that charges the battery 110 and the charge state of the battery 110 calculated in operation 205. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 to a power less than or equal to the maximum charging power of the charger. In addition, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 according to the expected charge amount calculated based on the charge state of the battery 110. For example, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 to a higher power the higher the expected charge amount.

[0053] The operation by which the battery heating device 120 acquires or estimates the maximum charging power of the charger will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 3. Furthermore, the operation by which the battery heating device 120 determines the charging power will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 4.

[0054] In operation 215, the battery heating device 120 can measure the temperature of the battery 110. In operation 220, the battery heating device 120 can decide whether or not to heat the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can decide whether or not to heat the battery 110 based on the temperature of the battery 110 measured in operation 215.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can determine whether or not the battery 110 can be charged with the charging power determined by the operation 210. For example, if the temperature of the battery 110 is below the reference temperature, the battery heating device 120 can determine that the battery 110 cannot be charged with the charging power. Here, the reference temperature may be the temperature required to charge the battery 110 with the charging power determined by the operation 210. That is, the reference temperature may be a temperature at which the swelling phenomenon of the battery occurs when the battery 110 is charged with the charging power determined by the operation 210 at a lower temperature.

[0056] In this way, the battery heating device 120 can prevent the swelling phenomenon of the battery by deciding whether or not to heat the battery 110 based on whether the temperature of the battery 110 is lower than or higher than a reference temperature. Furthermore, since the reference temperature is calculated according to the charging power determined based on the charge state of the battery 110 and the maximum charging power of the charger, unnecessary heating of the battery can be minimized. As a result, the battery heating device 120 can reduce unnecessary power consumption.

[0057] The operation by which the battery heating device 120 determines whether or not to heat the battery will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 3. If it is determined in operation 220 to heat the battery 110 ("YES"), then in operation 225, the battery heating device 120 can heat the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can control the heating unit 123 to heat the battery 110.

[0058] Figure 3 is an operation flowchart of a battery heating device according to one embodiment. Figure 3 can be explained using the configuration of Figure 1. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is only one embodiment, and the order of steps in various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that shown in Figure 3. Some of the steps shown in Figure 3 may be omitted, the order of the steps may be changed, or steps may be merged.

[0059] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the method for obtaining or estimating the maximum charging power of the charger that charges the battery 110, which is one of the processes required when the battery heating device 120 determines the charging power in operation 210 of Figure 2.

[0060] Referring to Figure 3, in operation 305, the battery heating device 120 can identify whether or not there is a user input specifying a charger to charge the battery 110. In one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can acquire user input input via an external device including the battery 110. In another embodiment, the battery heating device 120 may include an interface unit that receives user input specifying a charger to charge the battery 110. In this case, the battery heating device 120 can perform operation 305 based on the user input received via the interface unit.

[0061] If operation 305 identifies that there is user input specifying a charger ("YES"), then in operation 310, the battery heating device 120 can obtain information about the maximum charging power of the charger from an external server. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can obtain information about the maximum charging power of the charger specified in operation 305 from an external server via the data acquisition unit 124. For example, if operation 305 identifies user input specifying a first electric vehicle charging station, the battery heating device 120 can obtain information about the maximum charging power of the first electric vehicle charging station (e.g., 220kW) from an external server via the data acquisition unit 124.

[0062] If operation 305 identifies that there is no user input specifying a charger ("NO"), then in operation 315, the battery heating device 120 can determine whether or not the battery 110 is being charged. For example, the battery heating device 120 can determine whether or not the battery 110 is being charged by whether or not the battery 110 is electrically connected to an external device. As another example, the battery heating device 120 can determine whether or not the battery 110 is being charged based on a change in the voltage or current of the battery 110.

[0063] If operation 315 identifies that the battery 110 is not being charged ("NO"), the battery heating device 120 can terminate the operation shown in Figure 3.

[0064] If operation 315 identifies that the battery 110 is being charged ("YES"), then in operation 320, the battery heating device 120 can estimate the maximum charging power of the charger based on the battery voltage and current measured during a specified time. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can obtain charging history information of the battery 110 from an external server. In this case, the battery heating device 120 can further estimate the maximum charging power of the charger based on the obtained charging history information.

[0065] Figure 4 is an operation flowchart of a battery heating device according to one embodiment. Figure 4 can be explained using the configuration of Figure 1. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 is only one embodiment, and the order of steps in various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that shown in Figure 4. Some of the steps shown in Figure 4 may be omitted, the order of the steps may be changed, or steps may be merged. For example, operation 410 in Figure 4 may be omitted.

[0066] Figure 4 is a diagram that specifically explains how the battery heating device 120 determines the charging power in operation 210 of Figure 2. Referring to Figure 4, in operation 405, the battery heating device 120 can calculate the expected charge amount of the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can calculate the expected charge amount of the battery 110 based on the charge state of the battery 110 and the target charge state calculated in operation 205 of Figure 2. Here, the target charge state may be set based on the charging pattern of the user using an external device including the battery 110, or it may be a charge state that has been set in advance by the user. Furthermore, the expected charge amount may mean the difference between the target charge state and the charge state calculated in operation 205.

[0067] In operation 410, the battery heating device 120 can calculate the estimated charging time for the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can calculate the estimated charging time for the battery 110 based on the estimated charge amount calculated in operation 405.

[0068] In operation 415, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110. Here, charging power may mean the power supplied to the battery 110 from the charger for charging the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 based on the expected charge amount calculated in operation 405 or the expected charging time calculated in operation 410.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 according to the expected charge amount or expected charging time, within a range below the maximum charging power of the charger. For example, within a range below the maximum charging power of the charger, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 to be higher the higher the expected charge amount. As another example, within a range below the maximum charging power of the charger, the battery heating device 120 can determine the charging power of the battery 110 to be higher the higher the expected charging time.

[0070] Figure 5 is an operation flowchart of a battery heating device according to one embodiment. Figure 5 can be explained using the configuration of Figure 1. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is only one embodiment, and the order of steps in various embodiments of the present invention may differ from that shown in Figure 5. Some of the steps shown in Figure 5 may be omitted, the order of the steps may be changed, or steps may be merged.

[0071] Figure 5 is a diagram that specifically illustrates the operations 220 and 225 in Figure 2, which determine whether or not the battery heating device 120 heats the battery and perform the heating of the battery. Referring to Figure 5, in operation 505, the battery heating device 120 can calculate a reference temperature. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can calculate a reference temperature based on the charging power determined in operation 210 of Figure 2. Here, the reference temperature may be the temperature required to charge the battery 110 with the charging power determined in operation 210 of Figure 2. That is, the reference temperature may be the temperature at which the battery swelling phenomenon occurs when charging the battery 110 with the charging power determined in operation 210 at a lower temperature.

[0072] In operation 510, the battery heating device 120 can determine whether the temperature of the battery 110 measured in operation 215 in Figure 2 is below the reference temperature calculated in operation 505.

[0073] If operation 510 identifies that the temperature of the battery 110 is below the reference temperature ("YES"), then in operation 515, the battery heating device 120 can determine that the battery 110 cannot be charged with the charging power.

[0074] In operation 520, the battery heating device 120 can heat the battery 110. According to one embodiment, the battery heating device 120 can control the heating unit 123 to heat the battery 110.

[0075] If operation 510 identifies that the temperature of the battery 110 is above the reference temperature ("NO"), then in operation 525, the battery heating device 120 can determine that the battery 110 can be charged with the charging power. In this case, the battery heating device 120 may choose not to heat the battery.

[0076] In this way, the battery heating device 120 can prevent the swelling phenomenon of the battery by deciding whether or not to heat the battery 110 based on whether the temperature of the battery 110 is lower than or higher than a reference temperature. Furthermore, since the reference temperature is calculated according to the charging power determined based on the charge state of the battery 110 and the maximum charging power of the charger, unnecessary heating of the battery can be minimized. As a result, the battery heating device 120 can reduce unnecessary power consumption.

[0077] The terms “contains,” “constitutes,” or “possesses,” as used above, mean “may contain,” unless otherwise specified, that the component in question may be present, and not exclude other components, but rather may further contain other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed herein belong, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in dictionaries, should be interpreted in accordance with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology and not in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 100 Battery Heating System 110 Batteries 120 Battery heating device 121 Sensor section 122 Charging status calculation unit 123 Heating section 124 Data Acquisition Unit 125 Control Unit

Claims

1. A battery heating device, A charge state calculation unit that calculates the charge state (state of charge, SOC) of the battery, A sensor unit for measuring the temperature of the battery, A control unit that determines the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of the charger used to charge the battery, and determines whether or not to heat the battery based on the measured temperature and the charging power, A heating unit for heating the battery when it is determined that the battery should be heated, Includes, The control unit, Based on the temperature, it is determined whether the battery can be charged with the charging power. A battery heating device that determines that the battery cannot be charged with the charging power and decides to heat the battery.

2. A battery heating device, A charge state calculation unit that calculates the charge state (state of charge, SOC) of the battery, A sensor unit for measuring the temperature of the battery, A control unit that determines the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of the charger used to charge the battery, and determines whether or not to heat the battery based on the measured temperature and the charging power, A heating unit for heating the battery when it is determined that the battery should be heated, Includes, A battery heating device including a data acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the maximum charging power from an external server based on user input specifying the charger.

3. A battery heating device, A charge state calculation unit that calculates the charge state (state of charge, SOC) of the battery, A sensor unit for measuring the temperature of the battery, A control unit that determines the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of the charger used to charge the battery, and determines whether or not to heat the battery based on the measured temperature and the charging power, A heating unit for heating the battery when it is determined that the battery should be heated, Includes, The sensor unit further measures the voltage and current of the battery, The control unit, A battery heating device that, when the battery is being charged via the charger, estimates the maximum charging power based on the voltage and current of the battery measured via the sensor unit during a specified time.

4. Includes a data acquisition unit that acquires battery charging history information from an external server, The battery heating device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit further estimates the maximum charging power based on the charging history information.

5. A battery heating device, A charge state calculation unit that calculates the charge state (state of charge, SOC) of the battery, A sensor unit for measuring the temperature of the battery, A control unit that determines the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of the charger used to charge the battery, and determines whether or not to heat the battery based on the measured temperature and the charging power, A heating unit for heating the battery when it is determined that the battery should be heated, Includes, The control unit, Based on the aforementioned charging state and target charging state, the expected charge amount of the battery is calculated. A battery heating device that determines the charging power to be lower than or equal to the maximum charging power based on the predicted charge amount.

6. The control unit, Based on the estimated charge amount, the estimated charging time for the battery is calculated. The battery heating device according to claim 5, wherein the charging power is determined based on the predicted charging time.

7. The control unit, The reference temperature required to charge the aforementioned battery with the aforementioned charging power is calculated, The battery heating device according to claim 1, wherein if the temperature is below the reference temperature, it is determined that the battery cannot be charged with the charging power.

8. A method for operating a battery heating device, The operation to calculate the battery's charge state (state of charge, SOC), An operation to determine the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of the charger used to charge the battery, The operation of measuring the temperature of the aforementioned battery, An operation to determine whether or not to heat the battery based on the charging power and the measured temperature, An operation to heat the battery when it is decided to heat the battery, Includes, The operation to determine whether or not to heat the aforementioned battery is: An operation to determine whether the battery can be charged with the charging power based on the measured temperature, An operating method comprising: determining that the battery cannot be charged with the charging power, and deciding to heat the battery.

9. A method for operating a battery heating device, The operation to calculate the battery's charge state (state of charge, SOC), An operation to determine the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of the charger used to charge the battery, The operation of measuring the temperature of the aforementioned battery, An operation to determine whether or not to heat the battery based on the charging power and the measured temperature, An operation to heat the battery when it is decided to heat the battery, Includes, The aforementioned operation method, A method of operation that further includes obtaining information about the maximum charging power from an external server based on user input specifying the charger.

10. A method for operating a battery heating device, The operation to calculate the battery's charge state (state of charge, SOC), An operation to determine the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of the charger used to charge the battery, The operation of measuring the temperature of the aforementioned battery, An operation to determine whether or not to heat the battery based on the charging power and the measured temperature, An operation to heat the battery when it is decided to heat the battery, Includes, The aforementioned operation method, A method of operation that, when the battery is being charged via the charger, further includes estimating the maximum charging power based on the voltage and current of the battery measured over a specified period of time.

11. A method for operating a battery heating device, The operation to calculate the battery's charge state (state of charge, SOC), An operation to determine the charging power of the battery based on the charge state of the battery and the maximum charging power of the charger used to charge the battery, The operation of measuring the temperature of the aforementioned battery, An operation to determine whether or not to heat the battery based on the charging power and the measured temperature, An operation to heat the battery when it is decided to heat the battery, Includes, The operation that determines the aforementioned charging power is: An operation to calculate the expected charge amount of the battery based on the charge state and the target charge state, An operating method comprising the operation of determining the charging power to be lower than or equal to the maximum charging power based on the expected charge amount.

12. The operation that determines the aforementioned charging power is: An operation to calculate the estimated charging time of the battery based on the estimated charge amount, The operating method according to claim 11, further comprising the operation of determining the charging power based on the expected charging time.

13. The operation of determining whether the battery can be charged with the charging power is as follows: The operation of calculating the reference temperature required to charge the battery with the charging power, The operating method according to claim 8, further comprising the operation of determining that the battery cannot be charged with the charging power if the measured temperature is below the reference temperature.

14. A computer program for causing the battery heating device to perform the operation method described in any one of claims 8 to 13.

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