Simulator of battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention simulates a battery pack comprising a cell module assembly (CMA) including a plurality of battery cell stacks and a battery management system (BMS), and includes a plurality of BMS simulation units that simulate the BMS, wherein each BMS simulation unit manages and controls the state and operation of the battery pack to be simulated.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack simulator, and more specifically, to a battery pack simulator that can be used for the inspection of a battery pack, such as an End-Of-Line (EOL) inspection. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones, as well as energy storage systems (ESS), has increased rapidly, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has accelerated, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively underway.

[0003] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-zinc, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are gaining attention for their advantages, such as the ability to freely charge and discharge with almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0004] The technology forming the background of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Published Patent Application No. 10-2013-0066283 (June 20, 2013). Meanwhile, a battery pack is equipped with a Cell Module Assembly (CMA) and a Battery Management System (BMS), and a process is required to verify (test) the functions in advance to determine whether they will operate normally during the actual operation of the battery pack.

[0005] When performing inspections with actual battery packs, there are limitations in terms of cell lifespan and SOC; therefore, the battery packs must be replaced periodically (e.g., every few months). Consequently, conducting inspections using actual battery packs incurs significant costs. To address this, a method is required to perform battery pack inspections by simulating a virtual battery pack.

[0006] Furthermore, since multiple battery packs can be implemented in various ways by varying the number and connection methods, there is a need for a method to conveniently perform battery pack inspection using a single (or a small number of) simulators, rather than manufacturing a corresponding simulator for each one. The problem to be solved

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a battery pack simulator that enables inspection of multiple battery packs in a simpler and more cost-effective manner.

[0008] However, the problems that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve are not limited to the problems described above and can be expanded in various ways within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention. means of solving the problem

[0009] A battery pack simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention simulates a battery pack comprising a cell module assembly (CMA) including a plurality of battery cell stacks and a battery management system (BMS), and includes a plurality of BMS simulation units that simulate the BMS, and each BMS simulation unit can manage and control the state and operation of the battery pack to be simulated.

[0010] The plurality of BMS simulation units are connected to each other in series and / or parallel and integrated and arranged on a substrate, and each of the plurality of BMS simulation units can be selectively connected by a switch or selector so that the number of battery packs to be simulated and the series and / or parallel connections can be controlled.

[0011] Each of the above plurality of BMS simulation units may be electrically connected to a cell simulation unit that simulates the CMA, and may further include a plurality of connectors that manage and control the state and operation of the cell simulation unit that simulates the BMS simulation unit and electrically connect each BMS simulation unit and each cell simulation unit, and the plurality of connectors may be integrated and arranged on the substrate.

[0012] Each BMS simulation unit and each connector may be detachable from the board.

[0013] The plurality of cell simulation units for simulating the above CMA are further included, and the plurality of cell simulation units can be integrated and disposed on the substrate.

[0015] Each cell simulation unit may be detachable from the substrate.

[0016] An inspection device for inspecting the battery pack may be directly or indirectly connected to the above BMS simulation unit.

[0017] A Rack Battery Management System (RBMS) that manages and controls multiple battery packs overall may be directly or indirectly connected to the above BMS simulation unit, and an inspection device that inspects the battery packs may be connected to the above RBMS.

[0018] The above BMS simulation unit can receive state information of a battery pack including at least one of the voltage of the battery cell of the CMA, the voltage of the battery pack, the current of the battery pack, and the temperature of the battery pack, and transmit it to the inspection device.

[0019] The above BMS simulation unit receives state information of a battery pack including at least one of the voltage of the battery cell of the CMA, the voltage of the battery pack, the current of the battery pack, and the temperature of the battery pack, and can change it to match the inspection conditions or generate state information of the battery pack to match the inspection conditions.

[0020] The above BMS simulation unit may include at least one of a cell voltage control unit that controls the output of an individual battery cell, a pack voltage control unit that controls the output of a pack voltage, a current control unit that controls the output of a current, and a temperature control unit that controls the output of a temperature.

[0021] The above BMS simulation unit may further include at least one of an SOH calculation unit that calculates an SOH estimation value and an SOC calculation unit that calculates an SOC estimation value.

[0022] The above BMS simulation unit may further include a defect determination unit that determines whether the battery pack is defective by comparing a cell voltage value, a pack voltage value, a current value, a temperature value, SOH, or SOC with a predetermined reference value.

[0023] The above BMS simulation unit may further include a calculation unit that calculates the average value or deviation for each of the cell voltage value, pack voltage value, current value, temperature value, SOH, or SOC, or the remaining charging time.

[0024] The above BMS simulation unit may include a transceiver that communicates between the cell simulation unit and the inspection device.

[0025] The above battery pack simulators are provided in multiple units, and can be electrically connected in series or parallel among the battery pack simulators. Effects of the invention

[0026] According to the present invention, during the inspection process of a battery pack, an inspection can be performed in a simple and cost-effective manner by using a battery pack simulator that simulates a virtual battery pack.

[0027] In addition, when implementing multiple battery packs in various ways by varying the number and / or connection methods, testing can be easily performed using one (or a few) simulators.

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

[0029] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a case where a plurality of conventional battery packs (P) are provided. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a battery pack simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates the detailed components of a BMS simulation unit equipped in the battery pack simulator of Figure 2. FIG. 4 is a battery pack simulator according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a variation of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a battery pack simulator according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating another variation of FIG. 2. FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate cases where multiple simulators of FIGS. 2, FIGS. 4, and FIGS. 5 are connected, respectively. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0030] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0031] To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components are assigned identical or similar reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and / or "part" for components used in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the ease of drafting the specification and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description will be omitted. Additionally, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification; the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the invention.

[0033] 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. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0034] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0035] In this application, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0036] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a case where a plurality of conventional battery packs (P) are provided. As shown in FIG. 1, they may be provided in a stacked configuration, for example, but the present invention is not limited thereto and is applicable to cases where a plurality of battery packs (P) are inspected even if they are not necessarily in a stacked configuration. The plurality of battery packs (P) may be provided as n battery packs, where n is a natural number. Each battery pack (P) may include a plurality of Cell Module Assemblies (CMAs) and a Battery Management System (BMS) that manages the CMAs. The BMS may be connected externally to the battery pack (P) separately, or it may be formed by being integrated inside the battery pack (P) as shown in FIG. 1. The BMS can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the CMAs and the plurality of battery cells included in the CMAs. For example, the BMS can monitor the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the CMAs.

[0037] In the specification of the present invention, BMS may more specifically refer to PBMS (Pack BMS) to distinguish it from RBMS (Rack BMS) described later, but for convenience of explanation, it is collectively referred to as “BMS”.

[0038] Multiple battery packs (P) may be connected in series or in parallel, either wholly or partially. Additionally, multiple battery packs (P) are connected to a Rack Battery Management System (RBMS, 200). The RBMS (200) is electrically connected to the BMS of each battery pack (P) to manage and control the multiple battery packs (P) as a whole. For reference, the RBMS (200) and the BMS are also referred to as the Master BMS and Slave BMS, respectively. There are no restrictions on how the RBMS (200) is actually implemented, such as the RBMS (200) being stacked on top of the multiple battery packs (P), being coupled to one side of the multiple battery packs (P), or being separated from the multiple battery packs (P) and provided in a separate space. Various inspection devices (300) can be connected to the RBMS (200) to perform inspections of the battery packs (P).

[0039] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a battery pack simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates detailed components of a BMS simulation unit provided in the battery pack simulator of FIG. 2.

[0040] The battery pack simulator (100) of FIG. 2 simulates the BMS provided in each of the plurality of battery packs (P) of FIG. 1.

[0041] First, the battery pack simulator (100) includes a plurality of BMS simulation units (120). The plurality of BMS simulation units (120) may each be electrically connected to a plurality of cell simulation units (110). In some cases, each of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) may be connected to an actual battery cell stack or an actual battery pack.

[0042] Additionally, the battery pack simulator (100) may additionally include a plurality of cell simulation units (110). Additionally, the battery pack simulator (100) may include a plurality of connectors (130) that allow a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) to be connected to a plurality of cell simulation units (110), respectively.

[0043] Each of the cell simulation unit (110), BMS simulation unit (120), and connector (130) may be provided in n units, for example, where n is a natural number. In FIG. 2, for convenience, the cell simulation units (110) are arranged in order from left to right as 1101, 1102, ..., 110 k , 110 n (Here, k is a natural number from 1 to n) is denoted. Here, k is a natural number from 1 to n. Likewise, the BMS simulation unit (120) is denoted as 1201, 1202, ..., 120 k , 120 n It is labeled as such, and the connector (130) is also 1301, 1302, ..., 130 k , 130 n It was denoted as . Here, k is a natural number from 1 to n.

[0044] As illustrated exemplarily in FIG. 2, a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) and a plurality of connectors (130) may be integrated and arranged on a substrate (140), and a plurality of cell simulation units (110) may each be electrically connected to a plurality of connectors (130). Alternatively, in some cases, a plurality of cell simulation units (110) may also be integrated and arranged on the substrate (140) of the battery pack simulator (100).

[0045] The cell simulation unit (110) is a circuit unit composed of an equivalent circuit to the actual CMA (cell module assembly) so as to be able to simulate the actual CMA. More specifically, it outputs data that implements the specifications of the CMA to be simulated, the operating state and operating conditions of the CMA, etc. For example, it outputs the voltage value of the battery pack to be simulated, the current value of the battery pack, the temperature of the battery pack, the resistance value of the thermistor for temperature measurement, the voltage value of each battery cell of the CMA, etc. The configuration and function of the cell simulation unit (110) can be referenced from the configuration and function of a conventional cell simulation unit.

[0046] The BMS simulation unit (120) can receive inputs such as the voltage value of a battery cell, the voltage value of a battery pack, the current value of a battery pack, the temperature value of a battery pack, and the resistance value of a thermistor for temperature measurement from a cell simulation unit (110) electrically connected to the BMS simulation unit (120).

[0047] Additionally, the BMS simulation unit (120) may generate state information of a battery pack including at least one of the voltage value of a battery cell, the voltage value of a battery pack, the current value of a battery pack, and the temperature value of a battery pack according to inspection (test) conditions, and may change or adjust the value received from the cell simulation unit (110) according to inspection (test) conditions. For example, for various inspections in the inspection device (300), the value received from the cell simulation unit (110) may be arbitrarily changed by the BMS simulation unit (120) to a value corresponding to a defect in the battery pack. In some cases, for inspection under desired conditions in the inspection device (300), data such as the voltage of an individual cell, pack voltage, current, or temperature for simulation under desired conditions may be input to the BMS simulation unit (120).

[0048] The BMS simulation unit (120) can manage and / or control the state and / or operation of the cell simulation unit (110). For example, the BMS simulation unit (120) can monitor and sense voltage values, current values, temperature values, resistance values, etc. of the cell simulation unit (110), and the BMS simulation unit (120) can manage and / or control the state and / or operation of the cell simulation unit (110).

[0049] In addition, the BMS simulation unit (120) can calculate parameters indicating the state of the CMA, such as SOC (State of Charge), SOH (State of Health), and remaining charging time, based on measured values ​​such as cell voltage value, pack voltage value, current value, and temperature value received from the cell simulation unit (110). In addition, it can detect whether an error (defect) has occurred from the voltage value of the battery cell, the voltage value of the battery pack, the current value of the battery pack, and the temperature value of the battery pack received from the cell simulation unit (110).

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, the BMS simulation unit (120) may include at least one cell voltage control unit (121) for controlling the output of individual battery cells, a pack voltage control unit (122) for controlling the output of pack voltage, a current control unit (123) for controlling the output of current, and a temperature control unit (124) for controlling the output of temperature. Additionally, the BMS simulation unit (120) may include a defect determination unit (125) for determining whether there is a defect in the battery pack based on measured values ​​such as cell voltage value, pack voltage value, current value, and temperature value, an SOH calculation unit (126) for calculating SOH, an SOC calculation unit (127) for calculating SOC, a calculation unit (128), and / or a transceiver unit (129) for communicating between the cell simulation unit (110), the RBMS (200), and the inspection device (300).

[0051] In the cell voltage control unit (121), pack voltage control unit (122), current control unit (123), and temperature control unit (124), the voltage, pack voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of individual cells are each received, adjusted and controlled to suit the desired inspection conditions and environment, and transmitted to the RBMS (200) and inspection device (300). Alternatively, control signals for the voltage, pack voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of individual cells may be transmitted to the cell simulation unit (110) to suit the desired inspection conditions and environment.

[0052] The defect determination unit (125) determines (diagnoses) whether the battery pack is defective by comparing the measured values, such as the voltage of individual cells, pack voltage, current, and temperature, which are data to be inspected, with a predetermined reference value.

[0053] At this time, the cell voltage value, pack voltage value, current value, and temperature value may be values ​​received from the cell simulation unit (110), or in some cases, values ​​generated by the cell voltage control unit (121), pack voltage control unit (122), current control unit (123), and temperature control unit (124) of the BMS simulation unit (120), or values ​​adjusted from the values ​​received from the cell simulation unit (110).

[0054] The defect determination unit (125) can generate a first flag value that declares the data as a normal state if the data is determined to be a normal state value that is not a defect, and can generate a second flag value that declares the data as an abnormal state value that corresponds to a defect if the data is determined to be an abnormal state value that corresponds to a defect. The first flag value that declares the normal state may be, for example, “0”, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the second flag value that declares the abnormal state may be, for example, “1”, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second flag value may be designated as various predetermined values ​​depending on various abnormal states. That is, it may be designated as a single-digit binary number, but depending on the case, it may be designated as various values ​​having multiple digits.

[0055] The SOH calculation unit (126) can calculate an estimated SOH value. To do this, the capacity of the battery cell stack can be estimated to predict the degree of battery degradation. Here, the capacity estimation of the battery cell stack can be performed in various ways. For example, the internal resistance of the battery pack (i.e., the cell simulation unit (110)) can be indirectly calculated by applying the current and voltage received from the cell simulation unit (110) that simulates the battery pack to Ohm's law.

[0056] The SOC calculation unit (127) can calculate an estimated SOC value. To do this, for example, the SOC of the battery cell stack can be estimated using the capacity and current of the battery cell stack estimated from the SOH calculation unit (126).

[0057] The calculation unit (128) calculates the average and / or deviation, etc. using at least one of the data including the cell voltage, pack voltage, current, temperature, SOC, SOH, etc. described above. The calculated data may be transmitted to the RBMS (200) and / or inspection device (300), or may be stored in a data storage device (not shown). Alternatively, the calculation unit (128) may calculate the remaining charging time.

[0058] The transceiver (129) transmits and receives data and commands so that bidirectional communication can be achieved between the cell simulation unit (110) - BMS simulation unit (120) - RBMS (200). The transceiver (129) may adopt a communication method used for PCB communication. The transceiver (129) may transmit data and commands using internal communication methods such as, for example, I2C, SMBus, CAN, UART, and SPI, and the present invention is not limited to those described above and may adopt various communication methods suitable for the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0059] The BMS simulation unit (120) may additionally include a data storage device (not shown). The data storage device may be integrated into the BMS simulation unit (120) or may be provided externally and communicate via wired or wireless means. The data storage device may store data including the cell voltage, pack voltage, current, temperature, SOC, SOH, etc. described above, and / or the average and / or deviation calculated by the calculation unit (128) of these data.

[0060] Each component of the above-described BMS simulation unit (120) can be modified or changed in various ways, such as by having all components provided or by selectively providing only the necessary components, depending on the environment in which the present invention is implemented and the purpose of inspection.

[0061] The connector (130) electrically connects the cell simulation unit (110) and the BMS simulation unit (120). In the actual battery pack of FIG. 1, the CMA and the BMS are electrically connected via busbars and wires, etc. On the other hand, in the battery pack simulator (100) of FIG. 2, the BMS simulation unit (120), rather than the actual CMA and BMS, is electrically connected to the cell simulation unit (110), thereby providing compatibility in the electrical connection between the BMS simulation unit (120) and the cell simulation unit (110). The connector (130) may include input / output terminals, switches, etc. It is sufficient for the shape / structure of the connector (130) to be implemented to match (correspond to) the shape / structure of the input / output unit of the cell simulation unit (110), and it may be implemented in various ways depending on the various environments in which the present invention is implemented.

[0062] Additionally, the battery pack simulator (100) may include a thermistor (not shown). In the present invention, the thermistor provides a reference temperature for testing whether the RBMS (200) is operating properly, rather than serving as a temperature sensor. The thermistor may have a resistance of 10 kΩ, which corresponds to, for example, 25 degrees Celsius, as the reference temperature. The thermistor may be placed on a substrate (140) and, for example, between the BMS simulation unit (120) and the RBMS (200), but the present invention is not limited thereto and it is sufficient if it is provided within the battery pack simulator (100).

[0063] Additionally, a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) are electrically connected to an RBMS (200) that manages and controls a plurality of battery packs (P) as a whole. A plurality of BMS simulation units (120) may be directly connected to the RBMS (200). FIG. 2 illustrates a case where a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) are connected in series to simulate a case where a plurality of actual battery packs (P) are connected in series.

[0064] Additionally, by additionally providing a switch (150), if one wishes to simulate only a desired number of battery packs among a plurality of battery packs (P), the switch (150) may be selectively turned on / off to electrically connect a desired number of BMS simulation units (120) among the BMS simulation units (120) provided on the substrate (140) to the RBMS (200). The present invention is not necessarily limited to cases where a plurality of battery packs (P) are connected, and depending on the case, the switch (150) may perform an inspection of a single battery pack (P). For convenience in FIG. 2, the switches (150) are sequentially labeled 1501, 1502, ..., 150 from the left. k , 150 n It is denoted as (where k is a natural number from 1 to n). Here, k is a natural number from 1 to n.

[0065] To elaborate, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of battery packs (P) can be implemented in various numbers in an actual environment. In this case, without individually providing a battery pack simulator (100) with a different number of BMS simulation units (120) corresponding to a different number of battery packs (P), all or some of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) can be selected and connected to the RBMS (200) by individually turning the switch (150) on / off.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a battery pack simulator according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a variation of FIG. 2.

[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates a case where multiple BMS simulation units (120) are connected in parallel to simulate a case where multiple actual battery packs (P) are connected in parallel. For components that overlap with FIG. 2, refer to FIG. 2 for details.

[0068] Meanwhile, the present invention may also be a combination of FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 4. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 4, the invention is not limited to cases where all of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) are connected in series or where all of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) are connected in parallel, and various variations and changes are possible, such as cases where some of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) are connected in series and others are connected in parallel.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a battery pack simulator according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating another variation of FIG. 2.

[0070] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) may be indirectly connected to the RBMS (200) via a selector (160). The selector (160) is provided with wiring to enable serial and parallel connections between, for example, the plurality of BMS simulation units (120), and switches are connected between each of the wires. Accordingly, all of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) provided on the substrate (140) may be electrically connected to the RBMS (200), or a desired number of BMS simulation units (120) among the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) provided on the substrate (140) may be electrically connected to the RBMS (200). The present invention is not necessarily limited to cases where a plurality of battery packs (P) are connected, and in some cases, a single battery pack (P) may be inspected by the switch (150).

[0071] To elaborate, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of battery packs (P) can be implemented in various numbers in an actual environment. At this time, without individually providing a battery pack simulator (100) with a different number of BMS simulation units (120) corresponding to a different number of battery packs (P), all or some of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) can be selected from a selector (160) as in FIG. 5 and connected to an RBMS (200).

[0072] In addition, by using the selector (160), not only can the number of BMS simulation units (120) electrically connected to each other be selected, but serial or parallel connections between the BMS simulation units (120) can also be selected.

[0073] In summary, according to embodiments of the present invention, a single battery pack simulator (100) can simulate various real environments by varying the number of battery packs (P).

[0074] Again, according to the embodiments of FIGS. 2, FIGS. 4, and FIGS. 5, each of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) and each of the plurality of connectors (130) may be individually detached from the substrate (140). Additionally, when the plurality of cell simulation units (110) are integrated and arranged on the substrate (140), each of the cell simulation units (110) may be individually detached from the substrate (140). Therefore, if a malfunction (failure) occurs in some of the plurality of cell simulation units (110), the plurality of BMS simulation units (120), and the plurality of connectors (130), only the malfunctioning cell simulation unit (110), the malfunctioning BMS simulation unit (120), or the malfunctioning connector (130) may be replaced.

[0075] In addition, when attempting to test a case where a larger number of battery packs are connected than the number of battery packs (P) that can be tested with a single battery pack simulator (100), multiple battery pack simulators (100) may be electrically connected to each other.

[0076] FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate cases where multiple simulators (100) of FIGS. 2, FIGS. 4, and FIGS. 5 are connected. FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate cases where two simulators (100) are connected as an example.

[0077] For example, if a cell simulation unit (110), a BMS simulation unit (120), and a connector (130) are each provided with 7 of each in a single battery pack simulator (100), and if one wishes to test, for example, a case where 3 battery packs are connected or 5 battery packs are connected, the test can be performed by connecting as many BMS simulation units (120) as the number of battery packs to be tested using a switch (150) or a selector (160) as described above in FIGS. 2 to 5. However, if one wishes to test, for example, a case where 9 battery packs are connected, 9 BMS simulation units (120) can be connected using a switch (150) or a selector (160) by connecting 2 battery pack simulators (100) as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0078] In summary, instead of the actual battery pack (P) as illustrated in FIG. 1, the inspection device (300) can be connected to the battery pack simulator (100) described above in FIG. 2 to 5 to perform inspections of as many electrically connected battery packs (P) as desired. The types of inspections that can be performed by connecting the inspection device (300) to the battery pack simulator (100) include SOC measurement, cell voltage measurement, cell voltage deviation measurement, battery pack voltage measurement, temperature measurement with a thermistor, BMS function inspection, communication, etc., which can be performed by connecting the inspection device (300) to the actual battery pack (i.e., the actual battery pack equipped with an actual cell module assembly and an actual BMS). The inspection can be performed by connecting the inspection device (300) to the BMS simulation unit (120) of the battery pack simulator (100), and the inspection can be performed via the RBMS (200) between the BMS simulation unit (120) and the inspection device (300). Additionally, as described above, a switch (150) or a selector (160) is provided in the path between the BMS simulation unit (120) and the inspection device (300) so that an inspection of electrically connected battery packs (P) can be performed as desired. In some cases, an inspection of a single battery pack (P) can be performed using the switch (150) or the selector (160).

[0080] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention as defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0081] 100: Battery Pack Simulator 110: Cell Simulation Unit 120: BMS Simulation Unit 121: Cell voltage control unit 122: Pack voltage control unit 123: Current control unit 124: Temperature control unit 125: Defect determination unit 126: SOH Calculation Section 127: SOC Calculation Section 128: Operation unit 129: Transmitter / Receiver 130: Connector 140: Substrate 150: Switch 160: Selector 200: RBMS 300: Inspection device

Claims

Claim 1 A battery pack simulator for simulating a battery pack comprising a cell module assembly (CMA) including a plurality of stacked battery cells and a battery management system (BMS), wherein the battery pack simulator comprises a plurality of BMS simulation units for simulating the BMS, each BMS simulation unit manages and controls the state and operation of the battery pack to be simulated, the plurality of BMS simulation units are connected to each other in series and / or parallel and integrated and arranged on a substrate, and each of the plurality of BMS simulation units can be selectively connected so as to enable adjustment of the number of battery packs to be simulated and adjustment of the series and / or parallel connections. Claim 2 A battery pack simulator according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of BMS simulation units can be selectively connected by a switch or selector. Claim 3 A battery pack simulator according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of BMS simulation units can be electrically connected to a cell simulation unit simulating the CMA, and further comprises a plurality of connectors that manage and control the state and operation of the simulating cell simulation unit and electrically connect each BMS simulation unit and each cell simulation unit, and wherein the plurality of connectors are integrated and disposed on the substrate. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, each BMS simulation unit and each connector is detachable from the substrate, forming a battery pack simulator. Claim 5 A battery pack simulator according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of cell simulation units simulating the CMA, wherein the plurality of cell simulation units are integrated and disposed on the substrate. Claim 6 In paragraph 5, each cell simulation unit is a battery pack simulator that is detachable from the substrate. Claim 7 A battery pack simulator according to claim 1, wherein an inspection device for inspecting the battery pack can be directly or indirectly connected to the BMS simulation unit. Claim 8 A battery pack simulator according to claim 7, wherein an RBMS (Rack Battery Management System) that manages and controls a plurality of battery packs overall is directly or indirectly connected to the BMS simulation unit, and an inspection device that inspects the battery packs is connected to the RBMS. Claim 9 A battery pack simulator according to claim 7, wherein the BMS simulation unit receives state information of a battery pack including at least one of the voltage of a battery cell of the CMA, the voltage of the battery pack, the current of the battery pack, and the temperature of the battery pack, and transmits it to the inspection device. Claim 10 delete Claim 11 A battery pack simulator according to claim 1, wherein the BMS simulation unit comprises at least one of a cell voltage control unit for controlling the output of an individual battery cell, a pack voltage control unit for controlling the output of a pack voltage, a current control unit for controlling the output of a current, and a temperature control unit for controlling the output of a temperature. Claim 12 In claim 11, the above-mentioned BMS simulation unit further comprises at least one of an SOH calculation unit for calculating an SOH estimation value and an SOC calculation unit for calculating an SOC estimation value, a battery pack simulator. Claim 13 In claim 12, the battery pack simulator further comprises a defect determination unit that determines whether the battery pack is defective by comparing a cell voltage value, a pack voltage value, a current value, a temperature value, SOH, or SOC with a predetermined reference value. Claim 14 In claim 12, the above-mentioned BMS simulation unit further comprises a calculation unit that calculates an average value or deviation for each of the cell voltage value, pack voltage value, current value, temperature value, SOH, or SOC, in a battery pack simulator. Claim 15 A battery pack simulator according to paragraph 3, wherein the BMS simulation unit further includes a transceiver that communicates with the cell simulation unit or inspection device. Claim 16 A battery pack simulator according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack simulator is provided in a plurality of units and can be electrically connected in series or parallel between the battery pack simulators.

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