Battery diagnostic device and method

Abstract

A battery diagnostic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a voltage measurement unit configured to measure the voltages of a plurality of batteries, a control unit configured to calculate voltage deviations of the plurality of batteries, calculate a change amount of each voltage deviation of the plurality of batteries for each predetermined period, and compare a pattern of the change amount of each voltage deviation of the plurality of batteries with a preset diagnostic pattern to diagnose the state of each of the plurality of batteries.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0172880 filed on December 12, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0179139 filed on December 11, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery diagnosis apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a battery diagnosis apparatus and method capable of diagnosing an internal micro short circuit in a battery. [Background Art]

[0003] In recent years, as demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, video cameras and mobile phones has grown rapidly, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, artificial satellites and the like has entered full swing, active research has been conducted on high-performance rechargeable batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0004] Currently commercialized batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium batteries, etc. Among them, lithium batteries have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, so they can be freely charged and discharged, and are in the spotlight due to the advantages of very low self-discharge rate and high energy density. The memory effect is a loss of energy capacity of a rechargeable battery that occurs when charging the battery after the battery is partially discharged.

[0005] An energy storage device using such batteries is a device that stores large-scale electric power and provides the stored electric power to a plurality of load facilities. For example, energy storage devices are used in forms such as industrial, building or household energy management systems, and provide the power stored at each place of use to load facilities, and are used as a permanent power grid and / or an emergency power grid.

[0006] If a micro-short circuit occurs inside a battery, it can cause leakage current in that battery. For example, if a battery pack contains multiple batteries, and a micro-short circuit occurs inside one battery, causing leakage current, the voltage of that battery will gradually become lower than that of the other batteries. If the micro-short circuit persists, a hard short circuit can occur, potentially causing permanent damage to the battery pack. A hard short circuit (or dead short) can occur when the voltage difference between multiple batteries in a battery pack increases persistently. A hard short circuit can induce a surge current inside the battery pack, potentially leading to sparks, overheating, and circuit damage.

[0007] For example, if the voltage difference between multiple batteries increases continuously, an inrush current (or overcurrent) will flow inside the battery pack. This inrush current generates heat, which can result in a hard short circuit. Furthermore, the inrush current can cause permanent damage to the internal circuitry of the battery pack.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to develop technology that can diagnose in advance whether or not a minute short circuit has occurred inside the battery. [Prior art document] [Patent] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2022-0036701 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2020 / 021889 [Patent Document 3] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2022-0139755 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery diagnostic device and method that can diagnose whether or not an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in a battery.

[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly evident from the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A battery diagnostic device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a voltage measuring unit configured to measure the voltages of a plurality of batteries, and a control unit configured to calculate the voltage deviation of the plurality of batteries, calculate the amount of change in the voltage deviation of each of the plurality of batteries at predetermined intervals, and diagnose the state of each of the plurality of batteries by comparing the pattern of the amount of change in the voltage deviation of each of the plurality of batteries with a preset diagnostic pattern.

[0012] The control unit may be configured to diagnose the state of each of the plurality of batteries based on at least one of the sum, magnitude, and increase pattern of a plurality of voltage deviation changes calculated at multiple points in time.

[0013] The diagnostic pattern may be configured to include at least one of the following: a first diagnostic pattern corresponding to the sum of the multiple voltage deviation changes; a second diagnostic pattern corresponding to the magnitude of each of the multiple voltage deviation changes; a third diagnostic pattern corresponding to the maximum magnitude of the multiple voltage deviation changes; and a fourth diagnostic pattern corresponding to the increasing pattern of the multiple voltage deviation changes.

[0014] The control unit may be configured to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery if the pattern of the voltage deviation change corresponds to at least one of the diagnostic patterns.

[0015] The control unit may be configured to determine that the pattern of the voltage deviation changes corresponds to a first diagnostic pattern if the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts are positive numbers and the sum of the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts is equal to or greater than a preset first reference value, and to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery in question.

[0016] The control unit may be configured to determine that the pattern of the voltage deviation changes corresponds to a second diagnostic pattern when the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts are greater than or equal to a preset second reference value, and to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery in question.

[0017] The control unit may be configured to determine that the pattern of the voltage deviation changes corresponds to a third diagnostic pattern if the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts are positive numbers and at least one of the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts is equal to or greater than a preset third reference value, and to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery in question.

[0018] The third reference value may be configured to be less than a first reference value preset to correspond to the first diagnostic pattern, and to exceed a second reference value preset to correspond to the second diagnostic pattern.

[0019] The control unit may be configured to determine that, when the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts are positive and the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts increase over time, the pattern of the voltage deviation change amounts corresponds to a fourth diagnostic pattern, and to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery in question.

[0020] The control unit may be configured to compare the pattern of the voltage deviation change of the battery in question with a preset diagnostic pattern when the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts are positive.

[0021] The control unit may be configured to calculate an average voltage of the plurality of batteries, calculate a difference between the calculated average voltage and a respective voltage of each of the plurality of batteries, and thereby calculate a respective voltage deviation of each of the plurality of batteries.

[0022] The control unit may be configured to output one or more signals indicating respective diagnosis results of the plurality of batteries to an external device.

[0023] The external device may correspond to one of an on-vehicle system, an off-vehicle system, one or more servers that communicate with a vehicle, and a mobile device that communicates with the vehicle.

[0024] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention includes the battery diagnosis device according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0025] An automobile according to still another aspect of the present invention includes the battery diagnosis device according to an aspect of the present invention.

[0026] A battery diagnosis method according to still another aspect of the present invention comprises: a voltage measuring step of measuring voltages of a plurality of batteries; a voltage deviation calculating step of calculating voltage deviations of the plurality of batteries; a voltage deviation change amount calculating step of calculating a respective voltage deviation change amount of each of the plurality of batteries for each predetermined cycle; and a diagnosis step of comparing a pattern of the respective voltage deviation change amount of each of the plurality of batteries with a preset diagnosis pattern to diagnose a respective state of each of the plurality of batteries. Effects of the Invention

[0027] According to an aspect of the present invention, the battery diagnosis device can diagnose the state of each battery by tracking changes in the amount of voltage deviation of the battery at predetermined cycles.

[0028] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects of the present invention not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0029] The following drawings accompanying this specification, along with the detailed description of the invention described later, are intended to further illustrate the technical concept of the present invention, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited solely to what is shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows a battery diagnostic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows the voltages of multiple battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure schematically shows the change in voltage deviation according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure schematically illustrates one example of the first diagnostic pattern. [Figure 5] This figure schematically illustrates one example of the first diagnostic pattern. [Figure 6] This figure schematically illustrates one example of the second diagnostic pattern. [Figure 7] This figure schematically illustrates one example of the second diagnostic pattern. [Figure 8] This figure schematically illustrates one example of the third diagnostic pattern. [Figure 9] This figure schematically illustrates one example of the third diagnostic pattern. [Figure 10] This figure schematically illustrates one example of the fourth diagnostic pattern. [Figure 11] This figure schematically illustrates one example of the fourth diagnostic pattern. [Figure 12] This figure shows an exemplary configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure schematically shows an automobile according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure schematically illustrates a battery diagnostic method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner and concept corresponding to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best describe the invention.

[0032] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for these at the time of this application.

[0033] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function would obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0034] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as "1st," "2nd," etc., are used to distinguish one of several components from others, and these terms do not limit the components themselves.

[0035] When a part of the specification "includes" a certain component, unless otherwise specified, this does not exclude other components, but rather means that it may include other components.

[0036] Furthermore, when a part of the specification is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only "direct connections" but also "indirect connections" mediated by other elements.

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery diagnostic device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Referring to Figure 1, the battery diagnostic device 100 may include a voltage measuring unit 110 and a control unit 120.

[0040] Here, "battery" refers to a single, independent cell that has a negative terminal and a positive terminal and is physically separable. For example, a single lithium-ion battery or lithium-polymer battery can be considered a battery. For the sake of explanation, in the following, "battery" will be described as referring to a single, independent cell.

[0041] The voltage measuring unit 110 may be configured to measure the voltage of multiple batteries. Specifically, the voltage measuring unit 110 may be configured to measure the voltage of each of the multiple batteries.

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the voltages of multiple battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, it is assumed that a first battery Ba, a second battery Bb, a third battery Bc, and a fourth battery Bd are provided. The voltage measuring unit 110 can measure the voltage of the first battery Ba as Va, the voltage of the second battery Bb as Vb, the voltage of the third battery Bc as Vc, and the voltage of the fourth battery Bd as Vd.

[0044] The voltage measurement unit 110 can be connected to the control unit 120 in a communicative manner. For example, the voltage measurement unit 110 and the control unit 120 can be connected by wire and / or wireless. The voltage measurement unit 110 can transmit information about the measured voltage to the control unit 120.

[0045] The control unit 120 may be configured to calculate the voltage deviation of multiple batteries.

[0046] Specifically, the control unit 120 can receive voltage information from multiple batteries from the voltage measurement unit 110 and calculate the voltage deviation of the multiple batteries based on the received voltage information.

[0047] First, the control unit 120 may be configured to calculate the average voltage of multiple batteries. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the control unit 120 can calculate the average voltage for the voltages of the first battery Ba, the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd. For example, the control unit 120 can calculate the average voltage as Vavg by calculating "(Va + Vb + Vc + Vd) ÷ 4".

[0048] The control unit 120 can calculate the average voltage Vavg at predetermined intervals, as described later. The average voltage Vavg corresponding to time t1 can be calculated based on multiple voltage information for multiple batteries obtained at time t1. Similarly, the average voltage Vavg corresponding to time t2 can be calculated based on multiple voltage information for multiple batteries obtained at time t2. Therefore, the average voltage Vavg corresponding to each time point may differ.

[0049] Next, the control unit 120 may be configured to calculate the difference between the calculated average voltage and the voltage of each of the multiple batteries, and to calculate the voltage deviation of each of the multiple batteries. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the control unit 120 can calculate the difference between the voltage of the first battery Ba, the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd and the average voltage, and calculate the voltage deviations of the first battery Ba, the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd. For example, the control unit 120 can calculate "|Va-Vavg|" to calculate the voltage deviation of the first battery Ba as dVa, and calculate "|Vb-Vavg|" to calculate the voltage deviation of the second battery Bb as dVb. Then, the control unit 120 can calculate "|Vc-Vavg|" to calculate the voltage deviation of the third battery Bc as dVc, and calculate "|Vd-Vavg|" to calculate the voltage deviation of the fourth battery Bd as dVd. Here, "||" is the symbol for absolute value, and the calculated voltage deviation can be expressed as the absolute value of the difference between the battery voltage and the average voltage.

[0050] The control unit 120 may be configured to calculate the voltage deviation change amount for each of the multiple batteries at predetermined intervals. For example, the predetermined interval may correspond to the communication interval in which the control unit 120 and the voltage measurement unit 110 communicate with each other.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit 120 can calculate the voltage deviation for each of the multiple batteries at predetermined intervals. Here, the voltage deviation may be the voltage deviation of the multiple batteries measured at the time of the current period (i.e., the voltage measurement time of the current period). The control unit 120 can then calculate the change in voltage deviation between the voltage deviation calculated in the previous period and the voltage deviation calculated in the current period. In other words, the control unit 120 can calculate the change in voltage deviation for each of the multiple batteries at predetermined intervals.

[0052] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the change in voltage deviation according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the embodiment in Figure 3 shows only the voltage deviation of the first battery Ba among the voltage deviations of the first battery Ba, second battery Bb, third battery Bc, and fourth battery Bd calculated at time points t0, t1, t2, and t3. Here, t0, t1, t2, and t3 represent time points determined by a predetermined period.

[0053] On the other hand, although Figure 3 only shows the voltage deviation of the first battery Ba, it should be noted that the voltage deviations of the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd are also calculated for the purpose of diagnosing their condition.

[0054] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the voltage deviation of the first battery Ba calculated at time t0 is dV0, the voltage deviation of the first battery Ba calculated at time t1 is dV1, the voltage deviation of the first battery Ba calculated at time t2 is dV2, and the voltage deviation of the first battery Ba calculated at time t3 is dV3. The control unit 120 can calculate the difference in voltage deviations at consecutive time points in order to calculate the amount of change in voltage deviation for the battery at predetermined cycles. The control unit 120 can calculate the difference between the voltage deviation at time t0 and the voltage deviation at time t1 using "dV1-dV0" and calculate the amount of change in voltage deviation as ΔdV1. The control unit 120 can calculate the difference between the voltage deviation at time t1 and the voltage deviation at time t2 using "dV2-dV1" and calculate the amount of change in voltage deviation as ΔdV2. The control unit 120 can calculate the difference between the voltage deviation at time t3 and the voltage deviation at time t2 using "dV3-dV2" and calculate the amount of change in voltage deviation as ΔdV3.

[0055] The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the state of each of the multiple batteries by comparing the pattern of voltage deviation change of each of the multiple batteries with a preset diagnostic pattern.

[0056] Specifically, the control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the state of a battery by analyzing multiple voltage deviation change patterns calculated for each battery. In other words, the control unit 120 calculates the voltage deviation based on the voltages of multiple batteries, but the pattern of voltage deviation change can be determined based only on the multiple voltage deviation change amounts of a single battery.

[0057] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the voltage deviations (dV0, dV1, dV2, dV3) are values ​​calculated based on the voltages of multiple batteries (first battery Ba, second battery Bb, third battery Bc, fourth battery Bd) at time points t0, t1, t2, and t3, respectively. On the other hand, the voltage deviation change amounts (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) are values ​​calculated based on the voltage deviations (dV0, dV1, dV2, dV3) of the first battery Ba. In other words, the voltage deviations are values ​​based on the voltages of multiple batteries, while the voltage deviation change amounts are values ​​based on the voltage deviation of a single battery.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the control unit 120 can determine a diagnostic pattern to which the voltage deviation change amounts (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) belong from a preset diagnostic pattern. The control unit 120 can then diagnose the state of the first battery Ba in accordance with the determined diagnostic pattern. Similarly, the control unit 120 can diagnose the states of the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd based on their respective voltage deviation change patterns.

[0059] A battery diagnostic device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can diagnose the state of a single battery by considering both the voltage deviation of multiple batteries and the pattern of the voltage deviation change of a single battery. In other words, the battery diagnostic device 100 can individually diagnose the state of each battery by tracking the change in the voltage deviation of the batteries at predetermined intervals.

[0060] On the other hand, the control unit 120 provided in the battery diagnostic device 100 may selectively include a processor, ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, communication modems, data processing devices, etc., known in the industry, in order to execute the various control logics performed in the present invention. Furthermore, when the control logic is embodied as software, the control unit 120 may be embodied as a collection of program modules. In this case, the program modules are stored in memory and can be executed by the control unit 120. The memory may be provided inside or outside the control unit 120 and may be connected to the control unit 120 by various well-known means.

[0061] The battery diagnostic device 100 may further include a recording unit 130. The recording unit 130 may store data and programs necessary for each component of the battery diagnostic device 100 to operate and function, or data generated during the process of operation and functioning. The recording unit 130 is not particularly limited in type, as long as it is a known information recording means that is known to be able to record, erase, update, and read data. Examples of information recording means include RAM, flash® memory, ROM, EEPROM, registers, etc. The recording unit 130 may also store program code that defines processes that can be executed by the control unit 120.

[0062] For example, the recording unit 130 may be connected to the control unit 120 in a communicative manner. The recording unit 130 may store voltage information of multiple batteries measured by the voltage measurement unit 110. The recording unit 130 may also store the voltage deviation and the amount of change in voltage deviation of multiple batteries calculated by the control unit 120 at predetermined intervals.

[0063] The control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the state of each of the multiple batteries based on at least one of the sum, magnitude, and increase pattern of multiple voltage deviation changes calculated at multiple points in time.

[0064] Specifically, the diagnostic pattern may be configured to include a first diagnostic pattern corresponding to the sum of multiple voltage deviation changes, a second diagnostic pattern corresponding to the magnitude of each of the multiple voltage deviation changes, a third diagnostic pattern corresponding to the maximum magnitude of the multiple voltage deviation changes, and a fourth diagnostic pattern corresponding to the increasing pattern of the multiple voltage deviation changes.

[0065] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the control unit 120 can diagnose the state of the first battery Ba based on at least one of the sum (ΔdV1+ΔdV2+ΔdV3), magnitude, and increase pattern of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) calculated at multiple time points (t1, t2, t3) of the first battery Ba.

[0066] The following will specifically describe an example of the diagnostic pattern with reference to Figures 4 to 11. For the sake of explanation, ΔdV1 calculated at time t1 will be referred to as the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), ΔdV2 calculated at time t2 will be referred to as the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and ΔdV3 calculated at time t3 will be referred to as the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3).

[0067] Figures 4 and 5 schematically illustrate one embodiment of the first diagnostic pattern. Specifically, Figure 4 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the voltage deviation over time in the first diagnostic pattern. Figure 5 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the change in voltage deviation over time in the first diagnostic pattern based on Figure 4.

[0068] The control unit 120 may be configured to determine that the pattern of voltage deviation changes corresponds to a first diagnostic pattern if multiple voltage deviation change amounts are positive numbers and the sum of the multiple voltage deviation change amounts is greater than or equal to a preset first reference value (R1), and to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0069] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can be positive numbers. The sum of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can be greater than or equal to the first reference value (R1). For example, the first reference value (R1) can be set to 10mV. The sum of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can exceed 10mV.

[0070] The control unit 120 calculates "ΔdV1 + ΔdV2 + ΔdV3" to determine the sum of the voltage deviation changes, and can compare the calculated sum with the first reference value (R1). In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, since the calculated sum is greater than or equal to the first reference value (R1), the control unit 120 can diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0071] Figures 6 and 7 schematically illustrate one embodiment of the second diagnostic pattern. Specifically, Figure 6 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the voltage deviation over time in the second diagnostic pattern. Figure 7 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the change in voltage deviation over time in the second diagnostic pattern based on Figure 6.

[0072] The control unit 120 may be configured to determine that the pattern of voltage deviation changes corresponds to a second diagnostic pattern when multiple voltage deviation change amounts are greater than or equal to a preset second reference value (R2), and to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0073] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can be positive numbers. Furthermore, the magnitudes of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can be greater than or equal to the second reference value (R2).

[0074] In one embodiment, the second reference value (R2) may be set to a value less than the first reference value (R1). For example, the first reference value (R1) may be set to 10mV and the second reference value (R2) may be set to 2mV.

[0075] The control unit 120 can compare each of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) with a second reference value (R2). In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, since the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) are all greater than or equal to the second reference value (R2), the control unit 120 can diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0076] Figures 8 and 9 schematically illustrate one embodiment of the third diagnostic pattern. Specifically, Figure 8 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the voltage deviation over time in the third diagnostic pattern. Figure 9 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the change in voltage deviation over time in the third diagnostic pattern based on Figure 8.

[0077] The control unit 120 may be configured to determine that the pattern of voltage deviation changes corresponds to a third diagnostic pattern if multiple voltage deviation change amounts are positive numbers and at least one of the multiple voltage deviation change amounts is greater than or equal to a preset third reference value (R3), and to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0078] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can all be positive numbers. Furthermore, the magnitude of the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2) among the first, second, and third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can be greater than or equal to the third reference value (R3). In other words, the maximum magnitude of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can all be greater than or equal to the third reference value (R3).

[0079] In one embodiment, the third reference value (R3) may be configured to be less than the first reference value (R1) preset to correspond to the first diagnostic pattern, and greater than the second reference value (R2) preset to correspond to the second diagnostic pattern. For example, the first reference value (R1) may be set to 10mV, the second reference value (R2) to 2mV, and the third reference value (R3) to 6mV.

[0080] The control unit 120 can compare the maximum magnitudes of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) with a third reference value (R3). In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, since the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2) is greater than or equal to the third reference value (R3), the control unit 120 can diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0081] Figures 10 and 11 schematically illustrate one embodiment of the fourth diagnostic pattern. Specifically, Figure 10 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the time-dependent voltage deviation of the fourth diagnostic pattern. Figure 11 schematically illustrates one embodiment of the time-dependent change in the voltage deviation of the fourth diagnostic pattern based on Figure 10.

[0082] The control unit 120 may be configured to determine that if multiple voltage deviation change amounts are positive numbers and increase over time, the pattern of the voltage deviation change amounts corresponds to a fourth diagnostic pattern, and to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0083] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can be increasing. That is, the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) can gradually increase as time progresses (i.e., as time passes to t1, t2, and t3). For example, the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1) may be less than the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2) may be less than the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3).

[0084] The control unit 120 can compare the magnitudes of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) with each other and determine that the pattern of the battery's voltage deviation change is an increasing pattern. In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, since the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) are all increasing, the control unit 120 can diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0085] On the other hand, the control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery if the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes correspond to any one of the diagnostic patterns.

[0086] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the first diagnostic pattern, but not to the second, third, and fourth diagnostic patterns. For example, since the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2) is less than the second reference value (R2), the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the second diagnostic pattern. Also, since the maximum magnitude of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) is less than the third reference value (R3), the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the third diagnostic pattern. Furthermore, since the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2) is smaller than the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the fourth diagnostic pattern.

[0087] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the second diagnostic pattern, but not to the first, third, and fourth diagnostic patterns. For example, since the sum of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) is less than the first reference value (R1), the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the first diagnostic pattern. Also, since the maximum magnitude of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) is less than the third reference value (R3), the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the third diagnostic pattern. Furthermore, since the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2) is smaller than the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the fourth diagnostic pattern.

[0088] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the third diagnostic pattern, but not to the first, second, and fourth diagnostic patterns. For example, since the sum of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) is less than the first reference value (R1), the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the first diagnostic pattern. Also, since the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1) and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) are less than the second reference value (R2), the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the second diagnostic pattern. Furthermore, since the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) is smaller than the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the fourth diagnostic pattern.

[0089] In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the fourth diagnostic pattern, but not to the first, second, and third diagnostic patterns. For example, since the sum of the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1), the second voltage deviation change (ΔdV2), and the third voltage deviation change (ΔdV3) is less than the first reference value (R1), the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the first diagnostic pattern. Also, since the first voltage deviation change (ΔdV1) is less than the second reference value (R2), the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the second diagnostic pattern. Furthermore, since the maximum magnitude of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) is less than the third reference value (R3), the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the third diagnostic pattern.

[0090] In one embodiment, the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) can correspond to any one of the first, second, third, and fourth diagnostic patterns. In this way, if the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to any one of the diagnostic patterns, the battery diagnostic device 100 can diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery. In other words, by sensitively and strictly diagnosing the state of the battery, the battery diagnostic device 100 can prevent a hard short circuit from occurring in the battery in an unexpected situation.

[0091] In one embodiment, the control unit 120 can sequentially compare patterns of multiple voltage deviation change amounts (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) with a first diagnostic pattern, a second diagnostic pattern, a third diagnostic pattern, and a fourth diagnostic pattern. Specifically, the control unit 120 can sequentially compare patterns of multiple voltage deviation change amounts (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) with a first diagnostic pattern, a second diagnostic pattern, a third diagnostic pattern, and a fourth diagnostic pattern.

[0092] For example, the control unit 120 can check whether the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the first diagnostic pattern. If the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the first diagnostic pattern, the control unit 120 can diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0093] If the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the first diagnostic pattern, the control unit 120 can check whether the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the second diagnostic pattern. If the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the second diagnostic pattern, the control unit 120 can diagnose that an internal minute short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0094] If the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the second diagnostic pattern, the control unit 120 can check whether the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the third diagnostic pattern. If the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the third diagnostic pattern, the control unit 120 can diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0095] If the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the third diagnostic pattern, the control unit 120 can check whether the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the fourth diagnostic pattern. If the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) correspond to the fourth diagnostic pattern, the control unit 120 can diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0096] If the patterns of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) do not correspond to the fourth diagnostic pattern, the control unit 120 can diagnose that no internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery.

[0097] The battery diagnostic device 100 can diagnose whether or not an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery by sequentially comparing patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) with a first diagnostic pattern, a second diagnostic pattern, a third diagnostic pattern, and a fourth diagnostic pattern. In the above-described embodiment, an embodiment was explained in which patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) are sequentially compared with a first diagnostic pattern, a second diagnostic pattern, a third diagnostic pattern, and a fourth diagnostic pattern. However, depending on the case, the multiple voltage deviation changes may be compared with the multiple diagnostic patterns in any order.

[0098] In one embodiment, the control unit 120 may be configured to compare the pattern of voltage deviation changes of the battery with a preset diagnostic pattern when a plurality of voltage deviation change amounts are positive.

[0099] Specifically, the first, second, third, and fourth diagnostic patterns may assume that multiple voltage deviation changes are positive numbers. For example, all of the multiple voltage deviation changes (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) may be positive numbers. That is, a battery with an internal micro-short circuit may experience an increasing voltage deviation compared to other batteries as time passes. Therefore, in order to efficiently use system resources, the control unit 120 may compare the patterns of multiple voltage deviation changes with a preset diagnostic pattern only for batteries where all of the multiple voltage deviation changes are positive numbers.

[0100] If the battery diagnostic device 100 diagnoses that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in at least one battery, it may transmit a signal to an external device containing the diagnostic result for at least one battery. In one embodiment, the battery diagnostic device 100 may transmit multiple signals, each containing the diagnostic result for a plurality of batteries. The external device may include one of the following: an on-board vehicle system, an external vehicle system, one or more servers communicating with the vehicle, and a mobile device communicating with the vehicle.

[0101] The battery diagnostic device 100 according to the present invention can be applied to a battery management system (BMS). That is, the BMS according to the present invention may include the battery diagnostic device 100 described above. In such a configuration, at least some of the components of the battery diagnostic device 100 can be realized by complementing or adding to the functions of components included in a conventional BMS. For example, the voltage measurement unit 110, the control unit 120, and the recording unit 130 of the battery diagnostic device 100 can be realized as components of a BMS.

[0102] Furthermore, the battery diagnostic device 100 according to the present invention may be provided in the battery pack 10. That is, the battery pack 10 according to the present invention may include the battery diagnostic device 100 described above and one or more battery cells. The battery pack 10 may further include electrical components (relays, fuses, etc.) and a case, etc.

[0103] Figure 12 shows an exemplary configuration of a battery pack 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the battery pack 10 may include a battery diagnostic device 100.

[0104] The battery pack 10 may include a first battery Ba, a second battery Bb, a third battery Bc, and a fourth battery Bd. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 12, the first battery Ba, the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd may be connected in series. Note that the number of batteries included in the battery pack 10 and the battery connection relationship (series and / or parallel) are not limited by the embodiment shown in Figure 12.

[0105] The positive terminal of the first battery Ba may be connected to the positive terminal P+ of the battery pack 10, and the negative terminal of the fourth battery Bd may be connected to the negative terminal P- of the battery pack 10.

[0106] The voltage measurement unit 110 can be connected to the first sensing line SL1, the second sensing line SL2, the third sensing line SL3, the fourth sensing line SL4, and the fifth sensing line SL5.

[0107] Specifically, the voltage measuring unit 110 may be connected to the positive terminal of the first battery Ba through the first sensing line SL1 and to the negative terminal of the first battery Ba through the second sensing line SL2. The voltage measuring unit 110 can measure the voltage of the first battery Ba based on the voltages measured at the first sensing line SL1 and the second sensing line SL2, respectively.

[0108] Similarly, the voltage measuring unit 110 can measure the voltage of the second battery Bb through the second sensing line SL2 and the third sensing line SL3, measure the voltage of the third battery Bc through the third sensing line SL3 and the fourth sensing line SL4, and measure the voltage of the fourth battery Bd through the fourth sensing line SL4 and the fifth sensing line SL5.

[0109] External devices may be connected to the positive terminal P+ and negative terminal P- of the battery pack 10. For example, the external device may be a motor of an electric vehicle that receives power from the battery pack 10. Another example is that the external device may be a charging device for charging the battery pack 10.

[0110] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing an automobile 900 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] Referring to Figure 13, the battery pack 910 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in an automobile 900 such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle (HV). The battery pack 910 can drive the automobile 900 by supplying power to a motor through an inverter provided in the automobile 900. The battery pack 910 may also include a battery diagnostic device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery diagnostic method according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] Preferably, each step of the battery diagnostic method can be performed by the battery diagnostic device 100. For the sake of clarity, the following explanation will either omit or briefly explain content that overlaps with the above explanation.

[0114] The voltage measurement step (S100) is a step in which the voltages of multiple batteries are measured, and this can be performed by the voltage measurement unit 110.

[0115] For example, the voltage measuring unit 110 can measure the voltage of each of multiple batteries.

[0116] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the voltage measuring unit 110 can measure the voltages of the first battery Ba, the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd as Va, Vb, Vc, and Vd.

[0117] The voltage deviation calculation step (S200) is a step in which the voltage deviation of multiple batteries is calculated, and can be performed by the control unit 120.

[0118] For example, the control unit 120 can calculate the average voltage of multiple batteries. Then, the control unit 120 can calculate the voltage deviation of each of the multiple batteries by calculating the difference between the calculated average voltage and the voltage of each of the multiple batteries.

[0119] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the control unit 120 can calculate the average voltage of the first battery Ba, the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd as Vavg. The control unit 120 can calculate the difference between the voltages of the first battery Ba, the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd and the average voltage, and calculate the voltage deviations of the first battery Ba, the second battery Bb, the third battery Bc, and the fourth battery Bd as dVa, dVb, dVc, and dVd.

[0120] The voltage deviation change calculation step (S300) is a step in which the voltage deviation change amount of each of the multiple batteries is calculated at predetermined intervals, and can be performed by the control unit 120.

[0121] For example, the control unit 120 can calculate the amount of change in the voltage deviation calculated at predetermined intervals for each of the multiple batteries.

[0122] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the control unit 120 can calculate the voltage deviation changes of the first battery Ba at time points t1, t2, and t3 as ΔdV1, ΔdV2, and ΔdV3.

[0123] The diagnostic stage (S400) is a stage in which the state of each of the multiple batteries is diagnosed by comparing the pattern of the voltage deviation change amount of each of the multiple batteries with a preset diagnostic pattern, and this can be performed by the control unit 120.

[0124] For example, the control unit 120 may be configured to diagnose the state of each battery by analyzing a plurality of voltage deviation change patterns calculated for each battery.

[0125] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the control unit 120 can determine a diagnostic pattern to which the voltage deviation change amounts (ΔdV1, ΔdV2, ΔdV3) belong from a preset diagnostic pattern. The control unit 120 can then diagnose the state of the first battery Ba in accordance with the determined diagnostic pattern.

[0126] The embodiments of the present invention described above are not limited to apparatus and methods, but can also be embodied through a program that realizes the functions corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention, or through a recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Such embodiments can be easily realized by those skilled in the art from the description of the embodiments described above.

[0127] A method according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided as part of 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 machine-readable storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM) or online (e.g., by download or upload) through an application store or direct connection between user devices. When distributed online, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store server, or an intermediary server.

[0128] As described above, the present invention has been explained with limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical concept and claims of the present invention by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0129] Furthermore, the present invention described above can be substituted, modified, and altered in various ways by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, without departing from the technical spirit of the invention, and is not limited by the embodiments described above and the accompanying drawings. For diverse modifications, all or part of each embodiment may be selectively combined to form the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 10: Battery Pack 100: Battery diagnostic device 110: Voltage measurement section 120: Control Unit 130: Records Department 900: Automobile 910: Battery Pack Ba: Battery 1 Bb: Second battery Bc: 3rd battery Bd: 4th Battery

Claims

1. A voltage measuring unit configured to measure the voltage of a plurality of batteries that are electrically connected to each other, The control unit is configured to calculate the voltage deviation of the plurality of batteries, calculate the amount of change in the voltage deviation of each of the plurality of batteries at predetermined intervals, and determine whether the pattern of the amount of change in the voltage deviation of each of the plurality of batteries matches a preset diagnostic pattern. The control unit is configured to calculate multiple voltage deviation change amounts for the relevant battery of the multiple batteries, and to determine whether the pattern of the voltage deviation change amounts based on the multiple voltage deviation change amounts matches the diagnostic pattern. The aforementioned diagnostic pattern is, A battery diagnostic device configured to include at least one of the following: a first diagnostic pattern used to determine whether the sum of the multiple voltage deviation changes matches the diagnostic pattern; a second diagnostic pattern used to determine whether the magnitude of each of the multiple voltage deviation changes matches the diagnostic pattern; a third diagnostic pattern used to determine whether the maximum magnitude of the multiple voltage deviation changes matches the diagnostic pattern; and a fourth diagnostic pattern used to determine whether the increasing pattern of the multiple voltage deviation changes matches the diagnostic pattern.

2. The control unit, The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, configured to determine whether the pattern of the voltage deviation change amount matches any of the diagnostic patterns, and if it is determined that it does not match the diagnostic pattern, to determine whether the pattern of the voltage deviation change amount matches at least one other of the diagnostic patterns.

3. The control unit, The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, configured to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery if the pattern of the voltage deviation change matches at least one of the diagnostic patterns.

4. The control unit, The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein if each of the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts is a positive number and the sum of the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts is greater than or equal to a preset first reference value, it is determined that the pattern of the voltage deviation change amounts matches the first diagnostic pattern, and a diagnosis is made that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery in question.

5. The control unit, The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein if each of the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts is greater than or equal to a preset second reference value, it is determined that the pattern of the voltage deviation change amounts matches the second diagnostic pattern, and a diagnosis is made that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery in question.

6. The control unit, The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein if each of the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts is a positive number, and at least one of the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts is greater than or equal to a preset third reference value, the device determines that the pattern of the voltage deviation change amounts matches the third diagnostic pattern and diagnoses that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery in question.

7. The third reference value mentioned above is: The battery diagnostic device according to claim 6, configured to be less than a first reference value preset for determining whether or not it matches the first diagnostic pattern, and greater than a second reference value preset for determining whether or not it matches the second diagnostic pattern.

8. The control unit, The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, when each of the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts is a positive number and the plurality of voltage deviation change amounts increase over time, it is determined that the pattern of the voltage deviation change amounts matches the fourth diagnostic pattern, and the device is configured to diagnose that an internal micro-short circuit has occurred in the battery in question.

9. The control unit, The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein, when each of the multiple voltage deviation change amounts is a positive number, the pattern of the voltage deviation change amount of the battery in question is compared with the preset diagnostic pattern, and when any of the voltage deviation change amounts is not a positive number, the pattern of the voltage deviation change amount of the battery in question is not compared with the preset diagnostic pattern.

10. The control unit, The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, configured to calculate the average voltage of the plurality of batteries, calculate the difference between the calculated average voltage and the voltage of each of the plurality of batteries, and calculate the voltage deviation of each of the plurality of batteries.

11. The control unit is configured to output one or more signals indicating the diagnostic results of each of the plurality of batteries to an external device. The battery diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the external device corresponds to one of a vehicle-mounted system, an external vehicle system, one or more servers that communicate with the vehicle, and a mobile device that communicates with the vehicle.

12. A battery pack comprising a battery diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. An automobile comprising a battery diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. A voltage measurement step of measuring the voltage of a plurality of batteries that are electrically connected to each other, A voltage deviation calculation step for calculating the voltage deviation of the aforementioned multiple batteries, A voltage deviation change calculation step that calculates the voltage deviation change amount for each of the multiple batteries at predetermined intervals, The diagnostic step includes determining whether the pattern of voltage deviation change of each of the plurality of batteries matches a preset diagnostic pattern, The aforementioned determination step includes calculating multiple voltage deviation change amounts for the relevant battery of the multiple batteries, and determining whether the pattern of the voltage deviation change amounts based on the multiple voltage deviation change amounts matches the diagnostic pattern. The aforementioned diagnostic pattern is, A battery diagnostic method comprising at least one of the following: a first diagnostic pattern used to determine whether the sum of the multiple voltage deviation changes matches the diagnostic pattern; a second diagnostic pattern used to determine whether the magnitude of each of the multiple voltage deviation changes matches the diagnostic pattern; a third diagnostic pattern used to determine whether the maximum magnitude of the multiple voltage deviation changes matches the diagnostic pattern; and a fourth diagnostic pattern used to determine whether the increasing pattern of the multiple voltage deviation changes matches the diagnostic pattern.

Images