Battery management apparatus

Abstract

A battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a shunt resistor connected to a battery and a voltage generating unit that generates a first output value and a second output value having a difference corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor or when a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery management device. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, active research and development on secondary batteries has been underway. Here, secondary batteries refer to rechargeable batteries, encompassing conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries as well as the more recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of significantly higher energy density compared to conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight manner, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their scope of application has expanded to include electric vehicles, drawing attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0003] Meanwhile, in the case of lithium-ion batteries, if an overcurrent flows during charging or discharging, the internal temperature of the battery rises, and in severe cases, it can lead to a fire in the vehicle equipped with the battery. To prevent such situations, an overcurrent detection function is required to continuously determine whether an overcurrent is flowing through the battery, and the operational integrity of the overcurrent detection function must also be guaranteed. The problem to be solved

[0004] One objective of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide a battery management device capable of diagnosing the operation of the overcurrent detection function of a battery.

[0005] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0006] A battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a shunt resistor connected to a battery and a voltage generating unit that generates a first output value and a second output value having a difference corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor or when a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

[0007] In one embodiment, the voltage generating unit can generate the first output value such that it is smaller than the voltage of the battery by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor, and can generate the second output value such that it is equal to the voltage of the battery.

[0008] In one embodiment, the voltage generating unit can generate the first output value to be equal to the voltage of the battery, and can generate the second output value to be smaller than the voltage of the battery by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

[0009] In one embodiment, a determination unit may be further included to receive the first output value and the second output value and determine whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

[0010] In one embodiment, the determination unit may include an amplifier that receives and amplifies the first output value and the second output value, a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier with a reference value, and a controller that determines whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows in the shunt resistor based on the output of the amplifier or the comparator.

[0011] In one embodiment, the voltage generating unit may include a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches, and the plurality of switches may be any one of an NPN type BJT, a PNP type BJT, or a MOSFET.

[0012] A battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a shunt resistor connected to a battery, a first resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a first node, a second resistor connected to the first resistor at a second node, a third resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a third node, a fourth resistor connected to the third resistor at a fourth node, a first switch connected to the second resistor, a second switch connected to the fourth resistor, and a determination unit that receives the voltage of the second node and the voltage of the fourth node and determines whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor.

[0013] In one embodiment, the determination unit may include an amplifier that receives the voltage of the second node and the voltage of the fourth node and amplifies the difference therebetween, a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier with a reference value, and a controller that determines whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor based on the output of the amplifier or the comparator.

[0014] In one embodiment, the controller can control the first switch and the second switch, short-circuit the first switch and open the second switch to detect a charging overcurrent, and open the first switch and short-circuit the second switch to detect a discharging overcurrent.

[0015] In one embodiment, the controller may open both the first switch and the second switch when the battery is being charged or discharged.

[0016] In one embodiment, a relay connected to the shunt resistor may be further included, and the relay may be controlled by a control signal of the controller, and the controller may open the relay when the first switch or the second switch is short-circuited.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first switch and the second switch may be any one of a PNP type BJT, an NPN type BJT, or a MOSFET.

[0018] In one embodiment, the magnitudes of the first resistor and the second resistor may be set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage of the second node and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcurrent flows during the charging process of the battery, and the third resistor and the fourth resistor may be set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage of the fourth node and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcurrent flows during the discharging process of the battery. Effects of the invention

[0019] A battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can diagnose the operation of the battery's overcurrent detection function. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are drawings showing a battery management device according to embodiments disclosed in this document. FIG. 4 is a drawing for specifically describing a voltage generation unit in a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a judgment unit in a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] The embodiments disclosed in this document are described in detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this document, detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions would hinder understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0022] In describing the components of the embodiments disclosed in this document, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish the components from other components and do not limit the essence, order, or sequence of the components. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery pack (10) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a battery module (100), a battery management device (200), and a relay (300).

[0025] The battery module (100) may include a plurality of battery cells (110, 120, 130, 140). Although the plurality of battery cells is shown as four in FIG. 1, it is not limited thereto, and the battery module (100) may be configured to include n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) battery cells. The battery module (100) may supply power to a target device (not shown). To this end, the battery module (100) may be electrically connected to the target device. Here, the target device may include an electrical, electronic, or mechanical device that operates by receiving power from a battery pack (10) containing a plurality of battery cells (110, 120, 130, 140), and for example, the target device may be an electric vehicle (EV), but is not limited thereto.

[0026] The plurality of battery cells (110, 120, 130, 140) may be lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) batteries, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-hydrogen (Ni-MH) batteries, etc., but are not limited thereto. Meanwhile, although FIG. 1 is illustrated as having one battery module (100), the battery module (100) may be composed of multiple units according to the embodiment.

[0027] The battery management device (200) can manage and / or control the state and / or operation of the battery module (100). For example, the battery management device (200) can manage and / or control the state and / or operation of a plurality of battery cells (110, 120, 130, 140) included in the battery module (100). The battery management device (200) can manage the charging and / or discharging of the battery module (100).

[0028] Additionally, the battery management device (200) can monitor the voltage, current, temperature, insulation resistance, etc. of each of the battery pack (10), the battery module (100), and / or the plurality of battery cells (110, 120, 130, 140) included in the battery module (100). Furthermore, for monitoring by the battery management device (200), sensors not shown or various measurement modules may be additionally installed at any location, such as a charging / discharging path or the battery module (100). Based on the monitored measured values ​​of voltage, current, temperature, etc., the battery management device (200) can calculate parameters indicating the state of the battery module (100), such as SOC (State of Charge) or SOH (State of Health).

[0029] The battery management device (200) can control the operation of the relay (300). For example, the battery management device (200) can short-circuit the relay (300) to supply power to the target device. Additionally, the battery management device (200) can short-circuit the relay (300) when a charging device is connected to the battery pack (10).

[0030] The battery management device (200) can diagnose whether the overcurrent detection function is operating normally. To this end, the battery management device (200) can detect whether an overcurrent flows through the battery module (100) when the battery module (100) is charged or discharged. If an overcurrent is detected in the battery module (100), the battery management device (200) can open the relay (300). Thus, the battery management device (200) can verify whether the overcurrent detection function is operating normally and can improve the ISO26262 and ASIL safety ratings.

[0031] The specific operation of the battery management device (200) will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3.

[0032] FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are drawings showing a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, a battery management device (200) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a shunt resistor (210) and a voltage generating unit (220).

[0034] The shunt resistor (210) can sense the current flowing in the circuit. For example, the magnitude of the current flowing in the circuit can be sensed by measuring the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) according to the current flowing in the circuit. The shunt resistor (210) can be connected to the battery module (100).

[0035] The voltage generating unit (220) can generate a first output value and a second output value. The voltage generating unit (220) can be connected to both ends of the shunt resistor (210). The voltage generating unit (220) can generate a first output value and a second output value having a difference corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210).

[0036] Here, the charging overcurrent may be defined as an overcurrent flowing through the battery module (100), the circuit connected to the battery module (100), and / or the device connected to the battery module (100) during the charging process of the battery module (100). Additionally, the discharging overcurrent may be defined as an overcurrent flowing through the battery module (100), the circuit connected to the battery module (100), and / or the device connected to the battery module (100) during the discharging process of the battery module (100). For example, the levels of the charging overcurrent and the discharging overcurrent in the battery management device (200) may be preset values.

[0037] The voltage generating unit (220) can generate a first output value having a value smaller than the voltage of the battery module (100) by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210). That is, the first output value can have a value obtained by subtracting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) from the voltage of the battery module (100). The voltage generating unit (220) can generate a second output value having a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module (100).

[0038] The battery management device (200) can detect a charging overcurrent based on a first output value and a second output value generated by a voltage generation unit (220).

[0039] Additionally, the voltage generating unit (220) can generate a first output value having a magnitude corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module (100). The voltage generating unit (220) can generate a second output value having a value smaller than the magnitude of the voltage of the battery module (100) by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210). That is, the second output value can have a value obtained by subtracting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) from the voltage value of the battery module (100).

[0040] The battery management device (200) can detect a discharge overcurrent based on a first output value and a second output value generated by a voltage generation unit (220).

[0041] Meanwhile, according to the embodiment, the voltage generating unit (220) may be implemented with a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches. For example, the plurality of switches may be any one of an NPN type BJT, a PNP type BJT, or a MOSFET.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may further include a judgment unit (230) in addition to the shunt resistor (210) and voltage generation unit (220) described above.

[0043] The judgment unit (230) can determine whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) based on the first output value and the second output value generated by the voltage generation unit (220). That is, the voltage generation unit (220) can generate a first output value and a second output value corresponding to the voltage applied when a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) in a situation where a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent does not flow directly through the shunt resistor (210), and the judgment unit (230) can receive the generated first output value and the second output value and determine whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210).

[0044] Accordingly, it can be diagnosed whether the judgment unit (230) performs the overcurrent detection function normally. For example, if the judgment unit (230) receives the first output value and the second output value from the voltage generation unit (220) but fails to determine that an overcurrent is flowing through the shunt resistor (210), it can be diagnosed that the judgment unit (230) does not perform the overcurrent detection function normally.

[0045] Below, the voltage generation unit (220) of the battery management device (200) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a drawing for specifically describing a voltage generation unit in a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, a voltage generating unit (220) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a plurality of resistors (221) and a plurality of switches (222).

[0048] Multiple resistors (R1, R2, R3, R4; 221) can be connected to both ends of the shunt resistor (210). Specifically, the first resistor (R1) can be connected to the shunt resistor (210) at the first node (N1). The second resistor (R2) can be connected to the first resistor (R1) at the second node (N2). The third resistor (R3) can be connected to the shunt resistor (210) at the third node (N3). The fourth resistor (R4) can be connected to the third resistor (R3) at the fourth node (N4).

[0049] The values ​​of the plurality of resistors (221) can be set so that the voltage of the battery module (100) is distributed based on the levels of charging overcurrent and discharging overcurrent.

[0050] For example, the sizes of the first resistor (R1) and the second resistor (R2) can be set so that the difference between the size of the voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the size of the voltage of the battery module (100) corresponds to the size of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210). Additionally, the sizes of the third resistor (R3) and the fourth resistor (R4) can be set so that the difference between the size of the voltage applied to the fourth node (N4) and the size of the voltage of the battery module (100) corresponds to the size of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210).

[0051] Meanwhile, in FIG. 4, the plurality of resistors (221) are shown to include a first resistor (R1), a second resistor (R2), a third resistor (R3), and a fourth resistor (R4), but are not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the first resistor (R1), the second resistor (R2), the third resistor (R3), and the fourth resistor (R4) may be composed of multiple resistors.

[0052] A plurality of switches (SW1, SW2; 222) can each be connected to a plurality of resistors (221). Specifically, the first switch (SW1) can be connected to the second resistor (R2), and the second switch (SW2) can be connected to the fourth resistor (R4).

[0053] Meanwhile, the plurality of switches (222) may be any one of a PNP type BJT, an NPN type BJT, or a MOSFET. For example, the plurality of switches (222) may be PNP type BJTs.

[0054] Multiple switches (222) can be controlled by control signals (Scmd1, Scmd2). For example, the first switch (SW1) can be controlled by the first control signal (Scmd1), and the second switch (SW2) can be controlled by the second control signal (Scmd2). The control signals (Scmd1, Scmd2) can be generated by a controller (233, see FIG. 5). However, it is not limited thereto, and a first controller and a second controller may exist to generate the first control signal (Scmd1) and the second control signal (Scmd2), respectively, to control the first switch (SW1) and the second switch (SW2).

[0055] The controller (233) can short-circuit the first switch (SW1) and open the second switch (SW2) to detect a charging overcurrent. Additionally, the controller (233) can short-circuit the second switch (SW2) and open the first switch (SW1) to detect a discharging overcurrent.

[0056] When the battery module (100) is charged or discharged, the first switch (SW1) and the second switch (SW2) can be opened by control signals (Scmd1, Scmd2). When the first switch (SW1) and the second switch (SW2) are opened, the voltage of the first node (N1) is applied to the second node (N2), and the voltage of the third node (N3) is applied to the fourth node (N4), so that the judgment unit (230) can receive the magnitude of the voltage applied to both ends of the shunt resistor (210). That is, the judgment unit (230) can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) when the battery module (100) is charged or discharged.

[0057] The judgment unit (230) receives the voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the fourth node (N4) and can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) based on this. That is, the battery management device (200) can diagnose whether the judgment unit (230) operates normally based on the voltage distributed to the second node (N2) and the fourth node (N4) in a situation where a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent does not flow directly through the shunt resistor (210).

[0058] Below, the judgment unit (230) will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a judgment unit in a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 5, in a battery management device (200) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the judgment unit (230) may include an amplifier (231), a comparator (232), and a controller (233).

[0061] The amplifier (231) can amplify the difference between the first output value and the second output value transmitted from the voltage generation unit (220). For example, the amplifier (231) can amplify the value obtained by subtracting the second output value from the first output value. The amplifier (231) may include an OP-AMP.

[0062] For example, the amplifier (231) can receive voltages applied to the second node (N2) and the fourth node (N4). At this time, the magnitude of the voltage at the second node (N2) may correspond to the first output value described above, and the magnitude of the voltage at the fourth node (N4) may correspond to the second output value described above.

[0063] The comparator (232) can receive the output of the amplifier (231), compare it with a reference value, and output a comparison result. For example, the output of the amplifier (231) can be compared with a reference value, and if the output of the amplifier (231) is greater than the reference value, a first value can be output, and if the output of the amplifier (231) is less than the reference value, a second value can be output. Here, the reference value can be set to be the same or different in the case of detecting charging overcurrent and in the case of detecting discharging overcurrent, respectively.

[0064] The controller (233) can receive the output of the amplifier (231) and convert it into a digital signal, and can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) by comparing the converted digital signal with a preset value. The controller (233) can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) based on the output of the amplifier (231) when both the first switch (SW1) and the second switch (SW2) are open. For example, the controller (233) can be implemented as a microcontroller or an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) that receives the output of the amplifier (231).

[0065] Additionally, the controller (233) can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) based on the comparison result output from the comparator (232). For example, the controller (233) can determine that a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) if the comparison result has a first value. That is, the controller (233) can determine whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) based on the comparison result of the comparator (232) when the first switch (SW1) or the second switch (SW2) is short-circuited.

[0066] Meanwhile, the controller (233) can generate a control signal to control a plurality of switches (222). For example, the controller (233) can generate a first control signal (Scmd1) to control the first switch (SW1) and generate a second control signal (Scmd2) to control the second switch (SW2).

[0067] Consequently, the controller (233) can diagnose whether the amplifier (231) and comparator (232) are operating normally in a situation where no overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210), based on the first output value and the second output value input from the voltage generation unit (220). That is, the battery management device (200) can notify the user if the charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent detection function is not operating normally. Through this process, it can be diagnosed whether the judgment unit (230) is performing the overcurrent detection function normally.

[0068] Meanwhile, the controller (233) can open the relay (300) when the battery module (100) is not being charged or discharged. For example, the controller (233) can generate a control signal to open the relay (300).

[0069] The controller (233) can diagnose whether the charging overcurrent detection function or the discharging overcurrent detection function is operating by generating control signals (Scmd1, Scmd2) while the relay (300) is open and alternately short-circuiting the first switch (SW1) and the second switch (SW2).

[0070] Below, based on the structure of the battery management device (200) described above, the diagnosis of the overcurrent detection function operation during the overall operation of the circuit will be explained.

[0071] As described above, a battery management device (200) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can diagnose an overcurrent detection function. The battery management device (200) can open the relay (300) when the battery module (100) is not being charged or discharged and can perform a diagnosis of a charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent detection function.

[0072] The battery management device (200) can diagnose the charging overcurrent detection function. To diagnose the charging overcurrent detection function, the controller (233) can generate a plurality of control signals (Scmd1, Scmd2) to short-circuit the first switch (SW1) and open the second switch (SW2). When the first switch (SW1) is short-circuited, the voltage of the battery module (100) can be distributed by the shunt resistor (210), the first resistor (R1), and the second resistor (R2), and the distributed voltage can be applied to the second node (N2). However, the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) may be very small in magnitude compared to the voltage applied to the first resistor (R1) and the second resistor (R2). When the second switch (SW2) is open, the voltage of the battery module (100) can be applied to the fourth node (N4).

[0073] As described above, the magnitudes of the first resistor (R1) and the second resistor (R2) can be set to correspond to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when the difference between the voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the voltage of the battery module (100) causes a charging overcurrent to flow through the shunt resistor (210). The voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the voltage applied to the fourth node (N4) can be input to the amplifier (231), and the amplifier (231) can amplify the difference between the voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the voltage applied to the fourth node (N4), and the amplified voltage can be input to the comparator (232). The comparator (232) can compare the magnitude of the amplified voltage with a first reference value. The output of the comparator (232) is input to the controller (233), and the controller (233) can determine whether a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) based on the output of the comparator (232).

[0074] That is, the difference between the voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the voltage applied to the fourth node (N4) corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210), so the battery management device (200) can diagnose the operation of the charging overcurrent detection function in a situation where a charging overcurrent does not flow directly through the shunt resistor (210).

[0075] Additionally, the battery management device (200) can diagnose the discharge overcurrent detection function. To diagnose the discharge overcurrent detection function, the controller (233) can generate a plurality of control signals (Scmd1, Scmd2) to open the first switch (SW1) and short-circuit the second switch (SW2). As the second switch (SW2) is short-circuited, the voltage of the battery module (100) can be distributed by the third resistor (R3) and the fourth resistor (R4), and the distributed voltage can be applied to the fourth node (N4). As the first switch (SW1) is opened, the voltage of the battery module (100) can be applied to the second node (N2).

[0076] As described above, the magnitudes of the third resistor (R3) and the fourth resistor (R4) can be set to correspond to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when the difference between the voltage applied to the fourth node (N4) and the voltage of the battery module (100) causes a discharge overcurrent to flow through the shunt resistor (210). The voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the voltage applied to the fourth node (N4) can be input to the amplifier (231), and the amplifier (231) can amplify the difference between the voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the voltage applied to the fourth node (N4), and the amplified voltage can be input to the comparator (232) and compared with the second reference value. The output of the comparator (232) is input to the controller (233), and the controller (233) can determine whether a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210) based on the output of the comparator (232).

[0077] That is, since the difference between the voltage applied to the second node (N2) and the voltage applied to the fourth node (N4) corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor (210) when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor (210), the battery management device (200) can diagnose the operation of the discharge overcurrent detection function in a situation where a discharge overcurrent does not flow directly through the shunt resistor (210).

[0078] As described above, the battery management device (200) can diagnose the operation of the charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent detection function in a situation where the charging overcurrent or discharging overcurrent does not flow directly through the shunt resistor (210). Accordingly, the battery management device (200) can verify the integrity of the overcurrent detection function.

[0079] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept disclosed in this document, and a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0080] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this document are intended to illustrate, not limit, the technical concept disclosed in this document, and the scope of the technical concept disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical concept disclosed in this document shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of this document. Explanation of the symbols

[0081] 10: Battery pack 100: Battery module (battery) 110, 120, 130, 140: Multiple battery cells 200: Battery Management Unit 210: Shunt resistor 220: Voltage generation unit 221: Multiple Resistances 222: Multiple Switches 230: Judgment Department 231: Amplifier 232: Comparator 233: Controller 300: Relay

Claims

Claim 1 A battery management device comprising: a shunt resistor connected to a battery; a voltage generating unit that generates a first output value and a second output value having a difference corresponding to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor or when a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor; and a judgment unit that receives the first output value and the second output value and determines whether the charging overcurrent or the discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor; wherein the voltage generating unit generates the first output value and the second output value in a situation where the charging overcurrent or the discharging overcurrent does not flow directly through the shunt resistor, and the judgment unit diagnoses that the overcurrent detection function has not been performed normally if the judgment unit fails to determine that an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor even though it has received the first output value and the second output value from the voltage generating unit. Claim 2 A battery management device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage generating unit generates the first output value such that it is smaller than the voltage of the battery by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when a charging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor, and generates the second output value such that it is equal to the voltage of the battery. Claim 3 A battery management device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage generating unit generates the first output value to be equal to the voltage of the battery, and generates the second output value to be smaller than the voltage of the battery by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when a discharge overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A battery management device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit comprises: an amplifier that receives and amplifies the first output value and the second output value; a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier with a reference value; and a controller that determines whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor based on the output of the amplifier or the comparator. Claim 6 A battery management device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage generating unit comprises a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches, and the plurality of switches comprise any one of an NPN type BJT, a PNP type BJT, and a MOSFET. Claim 7 A battery management device comprising: a shunt resistor connected to a battery; a first resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a first node; a second resistor connected to the first resistor at a second node; a third resistor connected to the shunt resistor at a third node; a fourth resistor connected to the third resistor at a fourth node; a first switch connected to the second resistor; a second switch connected to the fourth resistor; and a determination unit that receives the voltage of the second node and the voltage of the fourth node and determines whether an overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor. Claim 8 A battery management device according to claim 7, wherein the judgment unit comprises: an amplifier that receives the voltage of the second node and the voltage of the fourth node and amplifies the difference thereof; a comparator that compares the output of the amplifier with a reference value; and a controller that determines whether a charging overcurrent or a discharging overcurrent flows through the shunt resistor based on the output of the amplifier or the comparator. Claim 9 A battery management device according to claim 8, wherein the controller controls the first switch and the second switch, short-circuits the first switch and opens the second switch to detect a charging overcurrent, and short-circuits the second switch and opens the first switch to detect a discharging overcurrent. Claim 10 A battery management device according to claim 9, wherein the controller opens both the first switch and the second switch when the battery is being charged or discharged. Claim 11 A battery management device according to claim 9, further comprising a relay connected to the shunt resistor, wherein the relay is controlled by a control signal of the controller, and the controller opens the relay when the first switch or the second switch is short-circuited. Claim 12 A battery management device according to claim 8, wherein the first switch and the second switch comprise any one of a PNP type BJT, an NPN type BJT, and a MOSFET. Claim 13 A battery management device according to claim 8, wherein the magnitudes of the first resistor and the second resistor are set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage of the second node and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcurrent flows during the charging process of the battery, and the magnitudes of the third resistor and the fourth resistor are set such that the difference between the magnitude of the voltage of the fourth node and the magnitude of the voltage of the battery corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the shunt resistor when an overcurrent flows during the discharging process of the battery.

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