Battery device and method for determining the application of the battery device

Abstract

A battery device attached to a system may include a control IC that controls the operation of the battery device, a memory that stores multiple applications corresponding to multiple systems, and switching logic that, in a mode in which the battery device cannot perform power operations, determines a protocol version that is an identification ID for identifying the system from a message received from the system, and provides the control IC with an application from the multiple applications that corresponds to the determined protocol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0158746 filed on November 23, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated as a part of the present specification.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery device and a method for determining an application of a battery device. Background Art

[0003] Each of a plurality of systems can be used by replacing a plurality of batteries. Conventionally, a replaced battery (hereinafter referred to as a replacement battery) does not operate in accordance with the system to which the replacement battery is attached. That is, regardless of the system to which the replacement battery is attached, the replacement battery provides the same function to said system.

[0004] Recently, a replacement battery is attached to a system via a Battery Swapping Station (BSS), and the replacement battery can recognize the system through CAN communication with the system to which the replacement battery is attached. An application switching function can be provided in the replacement battery so that the replacement battery can operate in a manner suitable for the characteristics of the recognized system. After the replacement battery is attached to a system, the replacement battery periodically receives data from the system, but the periodic data received by the replacement battery may contain errors. Due to said errors, the replacement battery may recognize that the system to which it is attached has been changed, or may fail to recognize said system. This can cause malfunction of the replacement battery. Summary of Invention Problem to be Solved by Invention

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a battery device that can distinguish and recognize multiple systems and operate based on the recognition results. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery device attached to a system according to one feature of the invention may include a control IC for controlling the operation of the battery device, a memory for storing multiple applications corresponding to multiple systems, and switching logic that, in a mode in which the battery device cannot perform power operation, determines a protocol version which is an identification ID for identifying the system from a message received from the system, and provides the control IC with the application from the multiple applications that corresponds to the determined protocol version.

[0007] The battery device further includes a communication device that receives a message from the system via CAN communication and transmits it to the switching logic, the message may be a CAN message.

[0008] The mode may include a slip mode in which the battery device performs only monitoring operations to detect abnormal conditions in the battery device at low power.

[0009] The aforementioned mode may include a shutdown mode in which power is supplied only to the control IC.

[0010] The control IC can control the operation of the battery device based on the application provided by the switching logic.

[0011] A method for determining the application of a battery device according to other features of the invention may include the steps of: a communication device receiving a message from any system; a switching logic determining whether the battery device is in a particular mode; if the battery device is in a particular mode, the switching logic deriving a protocol version which is an identification ID for identifying the any system from the message provided by the communication device; the switching logic confirming the derived protocol version and selecting an application corresponding to the confirmed protocol version; the switching logic providing the selected application to a control IC; and the control IC performing a control operation based on the provided application.

[0012] The aforementioned specific mode may indicate a state in which the battery device is unable to operate.

[0013] The message may be a CAN message transmitted via CAN communication between the communication device and the arbitrary system.

[0014] The aforementioned specific mode may include a slip mode in which the battery device performs only monitoring operations to detect abnormal conditions in the battery device at low power.

[0015] The aforementioned specific mode may include a shutdown mode in which power is supplied only to the control IC.

[0016] The step of determining whether the battery device is in a particular mode may include the steps of the switching logic requesting information about the mode from the control IC, and the control IC transmitting information about the mode to the switching logic in response to the request. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] This invention provides a battery device and a method for determining the application of a battery device that can distinguish and recognize multiple systems through communication and operate based on the recognition results. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery device according to one embodiment and a system in which the battery device is attached. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing how a battery device according to one embodiment determines its application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] The suffixes "module" and / or "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably solely for the sake of ease of specification drafting and do not have any distinct meaning or role in themselves. Furthermore, terms such as "...part," "...machine," and "module" as used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0020] Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific description of the relevant prior art may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided solely to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and it should be understood that the accompanying drawings do not limit the technical ideas disclosed herein and include any modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the concept and scope of the present invention.

[0021] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms. Said terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0022] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it is to be understood that it may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but other components may also exist therebetween. Contrastingly, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it is to be understood that no other components exist therebetween.

[0023] In the present application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify that the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification exist, and it is to be understood that this does not exclude in advance the existence or possible addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery device according to an embodiment and a system equipped with the battery device.

[0025] At a battery swapping station (Battery Swapping Station, BSS), there may sometimes exist a system group that can be used by replacing batteries. The system group includes a plurality of systems 1 to N, and each of the plurality of systems 1 to N may have different power operations to be provided from a battery device. The power operation may include a power operation and an operation of supplying power from the battery device to the system. The system may be an electrical load that requires various types of electric power, such as vehicles, robots, and the like. Each system may have different rated voltage, rated current, etc., of the power to be supplied from the battery. When each of the plurality of systems 1 to N is attached with the battery device 1 and electrically connected, the system may be a master system that transmits a control command for controlling a power operation to the battery device 1.

[0026] The battery device 1 can operate based on an application that processes and calculates a control command received from the master system and generates a control signal for controlling a power operation. For example, in FIG. 1, the battery device 1 is attached to a system i2, and the system i2 can transmit a protocol version of the system i2. A protocol version is an identification ID for identifying each of the plurality of systems 1 to N, and a unique identification ID, that is, a protocol version, is assigned to each system. The battery device 1 can recognize the system i2 as the master system using the protocol version received from the system i2. The system i2 is a master system for the battery device 1, and can transmit a control command instructing the battery device 1 to supply power.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery device 1 may include a battery management system 10, a battery pack 20, a communication device 30, a current sensor 40, and a relay 50.

[0028] The communication device 30 can provide communication between the battery device 1 and system i2. For example, if the battery device 1 and system i2 send and receive information via CAN communication, the communication device 30 may include a CAN transceiver. The communication method between the battery device 1 and system i2 is not limited to CAN communication, and the communication device 30 can be implemented based on the communication method between the battery device 1 and system i2. The communication device 30 can transmit the received information to the battery management system 10 and transmit the information provided by the battery management system 10 to the outside.

[0029] The battery pack 20 may include multiple battery cells connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel. Although only one battery pack 20 is shown in Figure 1, the battery device 1 may include two or more battery packs, in which case the multiple battery packs may be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel. A relay 50 may be electrically connected between the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals of the battery pack 20 and the positive (+) and negative (-) output terminals of the battery device 1. The relay 50 can be opened and closed by control of the battery management system 10.

[0030] The current sensor 40 can measure the pack current flowing through the battery pack 20. For example, when power is supplied from the battery device 1 to system i2, the current sensor 40 can measure the pack current flowing from the battery pack 20 to system i2. The current sensor 40 can also measure the pack current supplied to the battery pack 20 when the battery device 1 is being charged. The current sensor 40 can be implemented as a Hall sensor. In Figure 1, the current sensor 40 is located between the positive terminal (+) and the positive output terminal (+) of the battery pack 20. The position of the current sensor 40 shown in Figure 1 is an example, and the invention is not limited thereto.

[0031] The battery management system 10 can acquire various information (hereinafter referred to as "status information") indicating the status of the battery pack 20 to monitor the battery pack 20, control the charging or discharging of the battery pack 20 based on the monitoring results, control cell balancing operations for multiple battery cells, and control protective operations for the battery pack 20. The status information includes information on the voltages of multiple battery cells, and the battery management system 10 can be connected to the multiple battery cells constituting the battery pack 20 to measure the cell voltages. The status information also includes information on the pack current, and the current sensor 40 can measure the current flowing through the battery pack 20 and provide the battery management system 10 with information on the pack current. The battery management system 10 can detect abnormal events that may occur in the battery pack 20, such as overvoltage, overcurrent, and overheating, and can initiate protective operations for the detected abnormal events.

[0032] The battery management system 10 may include an application implemented as a program, which is a set of instructions necessary for controlling and executing monitoring operations, charge / discharge control operations, cell balancing control operations, protection operations, etc. The battery management system 10 may include multiple applications corresponding to at least some of the systems among a plurality of systems 1 to N. The battery management system 10 can select and execute an application from among the multiple applications that corresponds to the system to which the battery device 1 is attached, i.e., the master system. By executing this application, the battery management system 10 can control monitoring operations, charge / discharge operations, cell balancing operations, and protection operations.

[0033] The battery management system 10 includes a main control circuit 11 and a monitoring IC 12, the main control circuit 11 including switching logic 111, memory 112, and control IC 113.

[0034] The monitoring IC 12 is connected to each of the multiple battery cells that make up the battery pack 20 and can measure the voltages of the multiple battery cells, as well as the battery pack voltage, which is the voltage across the battery pack 20. The monitoring IC 12 can measure the temperature of the battery pack 20. The monitoring IC 12 can perform cell balancing for the multiple battery cells based on the control of the control IC 113.

[0035] The control IC 113 can execute applications transmitted through the switching logic 111 to control and perform monitoring, charging / discharging, cell balancing, and protection operations. For example, the control IC 113 can control the measurement of cell voltage for each of multiple battery cells by providing a cell voltage measurement control signal for each monitoring cycle. The control IC 113 can control charging / discharging operations by controlling the coupling and uncoupling of relay 50. The control IC 113 can control cell balancing operations for overvoltage battery cells among multiple battery cells by providing a cell balancing control signal to monitoring IC 12. The control IC 113 can control protection operations by detecting abnormal conditions and uncoupling relay 50.

[0036] Memory 112 can store each of the multiple applications 112_1 to 112_M in each of the multiple application storage areas. Each of the multiple applications 112_1 to 112_M may be an application for a corresponding system among the multiple systems 1 to system M. "M" may be a natural number less than or equal to "N". Memory 112 can be implemented as non-volatile memory. Each of the multiple application storage areas can be separated by address within memory 112.

[0037] The switching logic 111 is provided with CAN messages received by the communication device 30 under specific conditions and can derive a protocol version for the master system from the CAN messages. The switching logic 111 can determine the derived protocol version as the protocol version that indicates the master system to which the current battery device 1 is attached. The switching logic 111 can determine the application from among multiple applications 112_1 to 112_M that corresponds to the determined protocol version and provide the determined application to the control IC 113.

[0038] The specific conditions are conditions relating to the state of the battery device 1 and do not necessarily include a working mode in which the battery device 1 performs normal power operations (charging or discharging) and a standby mode indicating a standby state in which power operations can be performed. The normal mode includes the working mode and the standby mode, where the battery device 1 actually performs power operations in the working mode and the standby mode is a standby state in which the battery device 1 can perform power operations but does not actually do so. The specific conditions may also include modes that are not normal modes, i.e., modes in which the battery device 1 is unable to perform power operations. For example, the specific conditions may include a slip mode and a shutdown mode. The slip mode may indicate a state in which the battery device 1 performs only specific operations defined in a low-power state. The specific operations may include only monitoring operations to detect abnormal situations in the battery device 1. The shutdown mode may indicate a state in which power is supplied only to the control IC 113 in the battery device 1. In the shutdown mode, the battery device 1 is substantially stopped. The slip mode and the shutdown mode are examples of states in which the battery device 1 does not perform power operations, and the invention is not limited thereto. The slip mode and shutdown mode may be determined in various ways based on the design.

[0039] The switching logic 111 can determine an address indicating the application corresponding to the confirmed protocol version, read the application from the application storage area corresponding to the determined address, and provide it to the control IC 113.

[0040] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing how a battery device according to one embodiment determines its application.

[0041] The communication device 30 can receive messages from any system at any given time (S1). For example, the communication device 30 can receive CAN messages via CAN communication. The CAN messages may include a protocol version. The communication device 30 can transmit the received messages to the control IC 113 and the switching logic 111. In Figure 1, the communication device 30 is shown providing messages to both the switching logic 111 and the control IC 113, but it can provide CAN messages only to the switching logic 111. Alternatively, the communication device 30 can provide CAN messages only to the control IC 113, and the control IC 113 can transmit the CAN messages to the switching logic 111. In this case, the control IC 113 must perform an operation in slip mode and shutdown mode to transmit at least the messages provided by the communication device 30 to the switching logic 111.

[0042] The switching logic 111 can determine whether the battery device 1 is in slip mode or shutdown mode when a message is provided from the communication device 30 (S2). For example, the switching logic 111 can request information about the mode from the control IC 113 (S21) and receive information about the mode in response (S22). If the switching logic 111 does not receive a response from the control IC 113 within a predetermined period after requesting information about the mode, it can determine that the battery device 1 is in slip mode or shutdown mode.

[0043] If the determination in step S2 indicates that the battery device 1 is in slip mode or shutdown mode, the switching logic 111 can derive the protocol version from the message (S3). If the determination in step S2 indicates that the battery device 1 is neither in slip mode nor shutdown mode, the switching logic 111 may not respond to the message. The switching logic 111 can repeat steps S21, S22, and S2 each time a message is received from the communication device 30. The control IC 113 can control the battery device 1 in standby mode or working mode based on the current application.

[0044] Following step S3, the switching logic 111 can determine the derived protocol version and select an application corresponding to the determined protocol version (S4).

[0045] The switching logic 111 can provide the selected application to the control IC 113 (S5). The control IC 113 can perform control operations based on the application provided through the switching logic 111 (S6).

[0046] Thus, the main control circuit 11 of the battery device 1 according to one embodiment can derive and determine the protocol version from a message received from the master system only when the battery device 1 is in slip mode or shutdown mode. As a result, even if the master system to which the battery device 1 is attached sends a message containing an incorrect protocol version to the battery device 1 while it is operating, the battery device 1 can ignore the protocol version contained in the message and operate stably based on the application corresponding to the determined protocol version. This solves the problem of conventional battery devices malfunctioning due to recognizing an incorrect protocol version received from the system.

[0047] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention as defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a battery device attached to the system, A control IC that controls the operation of the battery device, Memory that stores multiple applications compatible with multiple systems, The battery device, in a mode where it cannot perform power operation, includes switching logic that obtains a protocol version, which is an identification ID for identifying the system, from a message received from the system, and provides the application corresponding to the obtained protocol version from among the multiple applications to the control IC, The control IC controls the operation of the battery device based on the application provided by the switching logic. Battery device.

2. The system further includes a communication device that receives messages from the system via CAN communication and transmits them to the switching logic. The aforementioned message is a CAN message. The battery device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned mode is, The battery device includes a sleep mode in which it performs only monitoring operations to detect abnormalities in the battery device at low power. The battery device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned mode is, Includes a shutdown mode in which power is supplied only to the control IC, The battery device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. In a method for determining the application of a battery device, The communication device receives a message from any system, The switching logic includes the step of determining whether the battery device is in a specific mode, If the battery device is determined to be in a specific mode, the switching logic takes the step of obtaining a protocol version, which is an identification ID for identifying the arbitrary system, from the message. The switching logic includes the step of selecting an application corresponding to the acquired protocol version, The switching logic provides the selected application to the control IC, The control IC includes the step of performing a control operation based on the provided application, The aforementioned specific mode indicates a state in which the battery device is unable to perform power operations. A method for determining the application of a battery device.

6. The aforementioned message is a CAN message transmitted via CAN communication between the communication device and the arbitrary system. A method for determining the application of a battery device according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned specific mode is, The battery device includes a sleep mode in which it performs only monitoring operations to detect abnormalities in the battery device at low power. A method for determining the application of a battery device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The aforementioned specific mode is, Includes a shutdown mode in which power is supplied only to the control IC, A method for determining the application of a battery device according to claim 5 or 6.

9. The step of determining whether the battery device is in a specific mode is: The switching logic includes the step of requesting information about the mode from the control IC, The control IC includes the step of transmitting information about the mode to the switching logic in response to the request, A method for determining the application of a battery device according to claim 5 or 6.

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