Battery management systems and how to operate them.

Abstract

A battery management apparatus, according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, may comprise: a plurality of resistors respectively connected to a plurality of batteries; a plurality of first switches that respectively connect the plurality of resistors to output ends of the plurality of batteries; a plurality of second switches that connect the plurality of resistors in parallel with each other; and a controller that determines whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal, and controls, on the basis of whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal, operations of the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches.

Description

Battery management device and its operating method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2022-0122898, filed September 27, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery management device and a method of operating the same.

[0005] Research and development on secondary batteries has been actively underway recently. Secondary batteries are rechargeable and include both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as more recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries boast a significantly higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in small, lightweight designs, making them ideal power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their use has expanded to include power sources for electric vehicles, drawing attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0006] To further enhance the usability and portability of these lithium-ion batteries, battery exchange services are being offered. However, if a single battery within a battery exchange station catches fire, a chain reaction of fires could occur among the surrounding batteries, potentially burning down all of the batteries in the station.

[0007] There is a method to increase the discharge rate of a flammable battery to prevent a chain reaction at a battery exchange station, but the discharge rate of the battery is determined and fixed by the resistance value of the discharge resistor connected to the battery, so there is the inconvenience of having to change the discharge resistor itself to adjust the discharge rate.

[0008] One purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide a battery management device and an operating method thereof that can control the discharge rate and / or heat generation of a battery by using a plurality of resistors connected in parallel with each other.

[0009] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0010] A battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a plurality of resistors each connected to a plurality of batteries, a plurality of first switches each connecting the plurality of resistors to output terminals of the plurality of batteries, a plurality of second switches each connecting the plurality of resistors in parallel, and a controller that determines whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal and controls operations of the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches based on whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the plurality of resistors may be connected in series with each of the plurality of batteries, and the plurality of second switches may be connected in series with each other.

[0012] In one embodiment, the system further includes a communication unit that receives an abnormal signal of the plurality of batteries from a battery management device of each of the plurality of batteries, and the controller can determine, based on the abnormal signal, a first battery among the plurality of batteries in which an abnormal signal is detected and at least one second battery related to the first battery.

[0013] In one embodiment, the controller may obtain temperature information of the plurality of batteries from a plurality of temperature measurement sensors that measure the temperatures of the plurality of batteries, and determine, based on the temperature information, the first battery among the plurality of batteries in which an abnormal temperature is detected and the at least one second battery related to the first battery.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the controller detects an abnormal temperature or an abnormal signal of the first battery among the plurality of batteries, the controller can determine at least one second battery adjacent to the first battery based on the arrangement order of the plurality of batteries.

[0015] In one embodiment, the controller can calculate the capacity of the first battery and the at least one second battery, and compare the capacity of the first battery and the capacity of the second battery to control the operation of the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches.

[0016] In one embodiment, the controller may turn on a first switch among the plurality of first switches that connects the first battery and a resistor connected to the first battery, and turn on at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches, when the capacity of the first battery exceeds the capacity of the at least one second battery.

[0017] In one embodiment, the controller may turn on a first switch among the plurality of first switches that connects the second battery and a resistor connected to the second battery, and turn on at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches, when the capacity of the first battery is less than the capacity of the at least one second battery.

[0018] An operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include a step of determining whether each of a plurality of batteries is abnormal, a step of controlling the operation of a plurality of first switches each connecting a plurality of resistors connected to each of the plurality of batteries and a battery current output terminal of each of the plurality of batteries based on whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal, and a step of controlling the operation of a plurality of second switches each connecting the plurality of resistors in parallel.

[0019] In one embodiment, the step of determining whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal may include receiving an abnormal signal of each of the plurality of batteries from a battery management device of each of the plurality of batteries, and determining a first battery among the plurality of batteries in which an abnormal signal is detected and at least one second battery related to the first battery based on the abnormal signal.

[0020] In one embodiment, the step of determining whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal may include obtaining temperature information of the plurality of batteries from a plurality of temperature measurement sensors that measure the temperature of the plurality of batteries, and determining, based on the temperature information, the first battery among the plurality of batteries in which an abnormal temperature is detected and the at least one second battery related to the first battery.

[0021] In one embodiment, the step of determining whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal may include, when an abnormal temperature or an abnormal signal of the first battery among the plurality of batteries is detected, determining at least one second battery adjacent to the first battery based on the arrangement order of the plurality of batteries.

[0022] In one embodiment, the step of determining whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal may include calculating the capacity of the first battery and the at least one second battery, and comparing the capacity of the first battery and the capacity of the second battery to control the operation of the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches.

[0023] In one embodiment, the step of controlling the operation of the plurality of first switches each connecting the plurality of resistors connected to the plurality of batteries and the battery current output terminals of the plurality of batteries based on whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal may include, when the capacity of the first battery exceeds the capacity of the at least one second battery, turning on a first switch connecting the first battery and the resistor connected to the first battery among the plurality of first switches, and the step of controlling the operation of the plurality of second switches connecting the plurality of resistors in parallel may turn on at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches.

[0024] In one embodiment, the step of controlling the operation of the plurality of first switches that respectively connect the plurality of resistors connected to the plurality of batteries and the battery current output terminals of the plurality of batteries based on whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal may include, when the capacity of the first battery is less than the capacity of the at least one second battery, turning on a first switch that connects the second battery and the resistor connected to the second battery among the plurality of first switches, and the step of controlling the operation of the plurality of second switches that connect the plurality of resistors in parallel may turn on at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches.

[0025] A battery management device and its operating method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can control the discharge speed and / or heat generation of a battery by using a plurality of resistors connected in parallel with each other.

[0026] In addition, the battery management device and its operating method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can stably manage the life of a battery.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery exchange station according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery exchange station according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for explaining the operation of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation method of a battery management device according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computing system that implements an operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When designating components in each drawing, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components are given the same reference numerals, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments disclosed in this document, detailed descriptions of related known structures or functions will be omitted if they are deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0035] 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 only intended to distinguish the components from other components and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery exchange station according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery swapping station (BSS; Battery Swapping System, 1000) can provide comprehensive management services for batteries, such as analysis, evaluation, charging, and exchange of batteries. In the present disclosure, the functions of the battery swapping station (1000) will be described with a focus on the battery swapping service. Here, the battery swapping service may mean a service that analyzes the status of a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) that are service targets, and exchanges a battery (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) with another battery (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) based on the analysis results. This exchange can be performed automatically by settings of an administrator and / or a user. For example, a battery exchange station (1000) can provide a battery exchange service to a user by collecting a battery (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) returned by a user and providing another pre-charged battery (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) to the user.

[0038] Here, the battery (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is a device that is mounted on a target device (e.g., an electric vehicle (EV), an electric scooter, an electric bicycle, etc.) and supplies power for driving the target device, and may be implemented in the form of a battery pack. The battery pack may include a battery that stores power and a battery management system (BMS) that controls the operation of the battery. The battery may include at least one battery cell that stores power under the control of the battery management system. The battery cell is a basic unit of a battery that can be used by charging and discharging electric energy, and may be a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, a lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) battery, a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery, etc., but is not limited thereto. The battery management system may control charging and discharging of the battery, and according to one embodiment, may collect data that serves as the basis for analyzing the state of the battery upon an external request and transmit it to the outside.

[0039] In the following, the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) are described as being implemented in the form of a battery pack. Meanwhile, in Fig. 1, the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is illustrated as five in number, but this is not limited to this, and the batteries may be composed of n batteries (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2).

[0040] Depending on the embodiment, the battery exchange station (1000) may be placed at a service station where battery exchange services are provided or may be placed in a separate space from the service station.

[0041] The battery exchange station (1000) performs a status analysis on a plurality of connected batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), and based on the results of the status analysis, the batteries (10, 20, 30) can be exchanged for other batteries (10, 20, 30) or reused (i.e., not exchanged). The battery exchange station (1000) may perform the status analysis on a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) and / or determine whether the batteries (10, 20, 30) need to be exchanged on its own, but according to another embodiment, at least some of the operations may be performed in conjunction with a server (e.g., a cloud server) connected to a network. For example, the battery exchange station (1000) may transmit information to a cloud server that serves as the basis for determining whether the battery needs to be replaced, and the cloud server may determine whether the battery needs to be replaced based on the received information and transmit information about whether the battery needs to be replaced to the battery exchange station (1000).

[0042] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a battery exchange station according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery exchange station (1000) may include a battery slot unit (100), a battery management device (200), and a charger (300).

[0044] The battery slot unit (100) can accommodate a plurality of connected batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). The battery slot unit (100) can include a plurality of battery slots each accommodating a plurality of connected batteries. The battery slot unit (100) can be connected to a battery management device (200). The plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) accommodated in the battery slot unit (100) can be physically controlled based on a control signal of the battery management device (200).

[0045] The battery management device (200) can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of multiple batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). The battery management device (200) can manage charging and / or discharging of multiple batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

[0046] In addition, the battery management device (200) can monitor the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). The battery management device (200) can calculate parameters indicating the status of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) based on the measured values ​​of the monitored voltage, current, temperature, etc.

[0047] The battery management device (200) can manage the SOC (State of Charge) and / or SOH (State of Health) of a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) used for providing a service. The battery management device (200) can receive SOC (state of charge) information of each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) from the corresponding battery (10, 20, 30). Here, the SOC information indicates the current SOC of the corresponding battery, and the SOC may mean the state of charge of the battery included in the corresponding battery, i.e., the remaining capacity ratio. The battery management device of the corresponding battery can calculate the remaining capacity ratio by dividing the current available capacity of the battery by the total capacity of the battery. For example, the remaining capacity ratio may be calculated as a percentage. According to another embodiment, the battery management device (200) may obtain SOC information by directly calculating the remaining capacity ratio for the battery without receiving SOC information from the battery management device of the battery.

[0048] The charger (300) can charge each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) under the control of the battery management device (200). The charger (300) can receive power from an external commercial power source, convert the power into a power form that the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) can receive, and supply power to the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). According to one embodiment, the charger (300) can fully charge the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) by supplying power until the SOC of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) reaches 100%.

[0049] Below, the configuration and operation of the battery management device (200) will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery management device (200) may include a plurality of resistors (R), a plurality of first switches (210), a plurality of second switches (220), a controller (230), and a communication unit (240).

[0052] The battery management device (200) can discharge the ignited battery or the adjacent battery to remove the fuel, which is the energy source of the ignited battery or the adjacent battery, in order to suppress the spread of heat to the adjacent battery or the entire battery when any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) catches fire. The battery management device (200) can discharge the batteries by connecting a plurality of resistors (R) to the outside of each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) and applying a discharge current to each resistor.

[0053] Here, the discharge rate of the battery is determined by the resistance values ​​of multiple resistors (R), and in order to control the discharge rate of the battery, the resistance values ​​must be changed. Therefore, the battery management device (200) can control the discharge rate by controlling the discharge current value by connecting multiple resistors (R) in parallel and distributing the discharge current to the multiple resistors (R) connected in parallel.

[0054] A plurality of resistors (R) may be connected in series with a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), respectively. In addition, a plurality of resistors (R) may be connected in series with a plurality of first switches (210), respectively. Specifically, the plurality of resistors (R) may be connected in series with a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), which are connected in series with the first switches (210), respectively, when the plurality of first switches (210) are turned on, thereby discharging the batteries.

[0055] In addition, a plurality of resistors (R) are connected in parallel with each other, and can be selectively connected in parallel with each other based on the on / off of a plurality of first switches (210) connected in series to each of the plurality of resistors (R). Specifically, by selectively turning on any one of the plurality of first switches (210) connected in series to each of the plurality of resistors (R), only the resistors (R) connected to the plurality of first switches (210) that are in an on state among the plurality of resistors (R) connected in parallel can be connected in parallel with each other.

[0056] That is, some of the plurality of resistors (R) can be selectively connected in parallel based on whether the plurality of first switches (210) are turned on or off. Accordingly, the resistance values ​​of the plurality of resistors (R) can be changed, and thereby the discharge speeds of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) can be changed.

[0057] A plurality of first switches (210) can connect a plurality of resistors (R) and output terminals of a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), respectively. A plurality of first switches (210) can be connected in series with a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), respectively. In addition, a plurality of first switches (210) can be connected in series with a plurality of resistors (R), respectively.

[0058] Each of the plurality of first switches (210) can be turned on and off by receiving a control signal from the controller (230).

[0059] A plurality of second switches (220) can connect a plurality of resistors (R) in parallel. The plurality of second switches (220) can be connected in series with each other. Each of the plurality of second switches (220) can be turned on and off by receiving a control signal from the controller (230).

[0060] The communication unit (240) can communicate with the battery management devices (BMS) of each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) via wires and / or wirelessly. For example, the communication unit (240) can communicate with the battery management devices of each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) using a differential input communication protocol. Here, the differential input communication protocol may be, for example, the Controller Area Network (CAN). In addition, the communication unit (240) can communicate with the battery management devices of each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) using a wireless communication protocol such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0061] According to an embodiment, the communication unit (240) may periodically communicate with the battery management device of each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). If the battery management device of any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) does not transmit a communication signal after a certain period of time, the communication unit (240) may transmit a communication signal again to the battery management device of any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

[0062] According to an embodiment, the communication unit (240) may receive an abnormal signal of a battery from a battery management device of any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

[0063] The controller (230) can determine whether each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is abnormal.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the controller (230) may determine that one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is a faulty battery when the communication unit (240) fails to receive a communication signal from the battery management device of one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) for a certain period of time and when the communication unit (240) fails to receive a communication signal even after repeatedly transmitting (Retrying) the communication signal to the battery management device of one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

[0065] According to an embodiment, when the communication unit (240) receives an abnormal signal from a battery management device of one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), the controller (230) may determine that one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is an abnormal battery.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the controller (230) receives temperature information of a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) from a plurality of temperature measurement sensors mounted in the battery slot unit (100), and based on the temperature information, if the temperature of any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) exceeds a threshold temperature, the controller (230) may determine any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) as an abnormal battery.

[0067] For example, the controller (230) may determine a first battery (10) among a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) in which an abnormal temperature or an abnormal signal is detected as an abnormal battery. The controller (230) may determine at least one second battery (20) related to the first battery (10) determined as an abnormal battery. For example, the controller (230) may determine at least one second battery (20) adjacent to the first battery (10) based on the previously stored arrangement order of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

[0068] The controller (230) can control the operation of the plurality of first switches (210) and the plurality of second switches (220) based on whether each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is abnormal.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram for explaining the operation of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0070] Below, the operation of the battery management device is specifically described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which five batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) for receiving a battery exchange service are connected to a battery exchange system (1000), but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) batteries for receiving a battery exchange service may be connected to the battery exchange system (1000).

[0072] Referring to FIG. 4, the battery slot unit (100) may include a plurality of battery slots (110, 120, 130, 140, 150). Each of the plurality of battery slots (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) may accommodate any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

[0073] Each of the plurality of battery slots (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) may include a temperature measurement sensor (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5). The plurality of temperature measurement sensors (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) may measure the temperature of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). For example, the plurality of temperature measurement sensors (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) may include a plurality of thermistors. A thermistor refers to a resistor whose resistance sensitively changes according to a change in temperature, and a thermistor can measure temperature by utilizing a change in resistance according to the temperature of a ceramic material. When a current is applied to a thermistor, a self-heating phenomenon may occur, and the temperature of the thermistor itself may increase.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the controller (230) may obtain temperature information of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) from the plurality of temperature measurement sensors (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) that measure the temperatures of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). For example, the controller (230) may determine the first battery (10) among the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) in which an abnormal temperature is detected as an abnormal battery.

[0075] In addition, for example, the controller (230) may determine that the first battery (10) is a faulty battery if the communication unit (240) does not receive a communication signal from the battery management device of the first battery (10) among the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) for a certain period of time and if the communication unit (240) repeatedly transmits (Retry) a communication signal to the battery management device of the first battery (10) but does not receive the communication signal.

[0076] Additionally, for example, if the controller (230) receives an abnormal signal from the battery management device of the first battery (10) among the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) through the communication unit (240), the controller (230) may determine the first battery (10) as an abnormal battery.

[0077] If the controller (230) determines that the first battery (10) is an abnormal battery, it can transmit a signal to stop charging of multiple batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) to the charger (300).

[0078] The controller (230) can calculate the capacity of the first battery (10) and the second battery (20). The controller (230) can receive battery data through communication with the battery management device of the first battery (10) and the battery management device of the second battery (10). Here, the battery data can include, for example, battery voltage, voltage of battery cells constituting the battery, fault signals, internal temperature of the battery, etc. The controller (230) can calculate the capacity of the first battery (10) and the second battery (10) based on the battery data of the first battery (10) and the second battery (10).

[0079] The controller (230) can control the operation of the plurality of first switches (210) and the plurality of second switches (220) by comparing the capacity of the first battery (10) and the capacity of the second battery (20).

[0080] In some embodiments, the controller (230) may discharge the first battery (10) until its capacity becomes equal to that of the second battery (20) when the capacity of the first battery (10) exceeds that of the second battery (20). For example, the controller (230) may discharge the first battery (10) until its capacity becomes equal to that of the second battery (20) when the capacity of the first battery (10) is 8000 mA and the voltage of the first battery (10) is 60 V, and the capacity of the second battery (20) is 4000 mAh and the voltage of the second battery (20) is 50 V. The controller (230) can turn on the first switch (211) connecting the first battery (10) and the first resistor (R1) connected to the first battery (10) among the plurality of first switches (210), and turn off the remaining plurality of first switches (212, 213, 214, 215).

[0081] The controller (230) can control the distribution ratio of the discharge current of the first battery (10) applied to the plurality of resistors (R) by turning on at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches (220).

[0082] For example, when the discharge current of the first battery (10) is 10 A and the voltage of the first battery (10) is 60 V, the controller (230) may turn on some of the plurality of second switches (220) and turn off some of the second switches (220) to control the plurality of resistance (R) values ​​to 60 V / 10 A = 6 ohm.

[0083] For example, when the resistance value of each of the plurality of resistors (R) is 24 ohm, the controller (230) can control the total resistance value of the first resistor (R1), the second resistor (R2), the third resistor (R3), and the fourth resistor (R4) connected in parallel among the plurality of resistors (R) to 6 ohm. Specifically, the controller (230) can turn on some of the second switches (221, 222, 223) that can connect the first resistor (R1), the second resistor (R2), the third resistor (R3), and the fourth resistor (R4) in parallel among the plurality of second switches (220), and turn off the second switch (224) that can connect the fifth resistor (R5) in parallel.

[0084] In some embodiments, the controller (230) may discharge the second battery (20) until its capacity becomes equal to that of the first battery (10) when the capacity of the first battery (10) is less than that of the second battery (20). For example, the controller (230) may discharge the second battery (20) until its capacity becomes equal to that of the first battery (10) when the capacity of the first battery (10) is 4000 mA and the voltage of the first battery (10) is 50 V, and the capacity of the second battery (20) is 8000 mAh and the voltage of the second battery (20) is 60 V. The controller (230) can turn on the first switch (212) connecting the second battery (20) and the second resistor (R2) connected to the second battery (20) among the plurality of first switches (210), and turn off the remaining plurality of first switches (211, 213, 214, 215).

[0085] The controller (230) can control the distribution ratio of the discharge current of the second battery (20) applied to the plurality of resistors (R) by turning on at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches (220).

[0086] For example, when the discharge current of the second battery (20) is 10 A and the voltage of the second battery (20) is 60 V, the controller (230) may turn on some of the plurality of second switches (220) and turn off some of the second switches (220) to control the plurality of resistance (R) values ​​to 60 V / 10 A = 6 ohm.

[0087] For example, when the resistance value of each of the plurality of resistors (R) is 24 ohm, the controller (230) can control the total resistance value of the first resistor (R1), the second resistor (R2), the third resistor (R3), and the fourth resistor (R4) connected in parallel among the plurality of resistors (R) to 6 ohm. Specifically, the controller (230) can turn on some of the second switches (221, 222, 223) that can connect the first resistor (R1), the second resistor (R2), the third resistor (R3), and the fourth resistor (R4) in parallel among the plurality of second switches (220), and turn off the second switch (224) that can connect the fifth resistor (R5) in parallel.

[0088] In some embodiments, the controller (230) may discharge the first battery (10) and the second battery (20) simultaneously when the capacity of the first battery (10) is equal to the capacity of the second battery (20).

[0089] The controller (230) can turn on a first switch (211) connecting a first battery (10) and a first resistor (R1) connected to the first battery (10) among a plurality of first switches (210), turn on a first switch (212) connecting a second battery (20) and a second resistor (R2) connected to the second battery (20), and turn off the remaining first switches (213, 214, 215). In addition, the controller (230) can turn on at least one second switch among a plurality of second switches (220) to control the distribution ratio of the discharge current of the first battery (10) and the second battery (20) applied to the plurality of resistors (R).

[0090] As described above, the battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can control the discharge speed and heat generation of the battery by using a plurality of resistors connected in parallel with each other.

[0091] In addition, the battery management device can prevent a chain reaction of accidents in adjacent batteries by forcibly discharging the abnormal battery and adjacent batteries when a dangerous situation or abnormal symptom occurs in some batteries, thereby enabling stable operation of the battery exchange station.

[0092] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 5, an operating method of a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may include a step (S101) of determining whether each of a plurality of batteries is abnormal, a step (S102) of controlling the operation of a plurality of first switches that respectively connect a plurality of resistors connected to each of the plurality of batteries and a plurality of battery current output terminals based on whether each of the plurality of batteries is abnormal, and a step (S103) of controlling the operation of a plurality of second switches that connect a plurality of resistors in parallel.

[0094] Below, steps S101 to S103 are specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Since the battery management device (200) may be substantially the same as the battery management device (200) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, it is briefly described below to avoid duplication of explanation.

[0095] At step S101, the controller (230) can determine whether each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is abnormal.

[0096] In step S101, if the controller (230) fails to receive a communication signal from the battery management device of any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) for a certain period of time and if the communication device (240) repeatedly transmits (Retry) a communication signal to the battery management device of any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) but fails to receive the communication signal, the controller (230) may determine that any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is a faulty battery.

[0097] In step S101, if the communication unit (240) receives an abnormal signal from the battery management device of one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), the controller (230) can determine that one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is an abnormal battery.

[0098] In step S101, the controller (230) receives temperature information of a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) from a plurality of temperature measurement sensors mounted in the battery slot unit (100), and based on the temperature information, if the temperature of any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) exceeds a threshold temperature, the controller can determine any one of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) as an abnormal battery.

[0099] In step S101, for example, the controller (230) may determine a first battery (10) among a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) in which an abnormal temperature or an abnormal signal is detected as an abnormal battery. The controller (230) may determine at least one second battery (20) related to the first battery (10) determined as an abnormal battery. In step S101, for example, the controller (230) may determine at least one second battery (20) adjacent to the first battery (10) based on the previously stored arrangement order of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

[0100] At step S102, the controller (230) can control the operation of the plurality of first switches (210) based on whether each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is abnormal.

[0101] At step S102, the controller (230) can control the operation of the plurality of first switches (210) by comparing the capacity of the first battery (10) and the capacity of the second battery (20).

[0102] At step S103, the controller (230) can control the operation of the plurality of first switches (210) based on whether each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is abnormal.

[0103] At step S103, the controller (230) can turn on at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches (220) to control the distribution ratio of the discharge current of the first battery (10) applied to the plurality of resistors (R).

[0104] At step S103, for example, when the discharge current of the first battery (10) is 10 A and the voltage of the first battery (10) is 60 V, the controller (230) may turn on some of the plurality of second switches (220) and turn off some of the plurality of second switches (220) to control the plurality of resistance (R) values ​​to 60 V / 10 A = 6 ohm.

[0105] In step S103, for example, when the resistance value of each of the plurality of resistors (R) is 24 ohm, the controller (230) may control the total resistance value of the first resistor (R1), the second resistor (R2), the third resistor (R3), and the fourth resistor (R4) connected in parallel among the plurality of resistors (R) to 6 ohm. In step S103, specifically, the controller (230) may turn on some of the second switches (221, 222, 223) that can connect the first resistor (R1), the second resistor (R2), the third resistor (R3), and the fourth resistor (R4) in parallel among the plurality of second switches (220), and turn off the second switch (224) that can connect the fifth resistor (R5) in parallel.

[0106] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation method of a battery management device according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 6, the operating method of the battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document may include a step of determining whether each of a plurality of batteries is abnormal (S201), a step of stopping charging of all of the plurality of batteries (S202), a step of determining the capacity of the first battery and the second battery (S203), a step of comparing the capacities of the first battery and the second battery (S204), a step of discharging the first battery until the capacity is the same as that of the second battery (S205), a step of discharging the second battery until the capacity is the same as that of the first battery (S206), and a step of starting simultaneous discharge of the first battery and the second battery (S207).

[0108] Below, steps S201 to S207 are specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Since the battery management device (200) may be substantially the same as the battery management device (200) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, it is briefly described below to avoid duplication of explanation.

[0109] At step S201, the controller (230) can determine whether each of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) is abnormal.

[0110] In step S201, for example, the controller (230) may determine a first battery (10) among a plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) in which an abnormal temperature or an abnormal signal is detected as an abnormal battery. In step S201, the controller (230) may determine at least one second battery (20) related to the first battery (10) determined as an abnormal battery. In step S201, for example, the controller (230) may determine at least one second battery (20) adjacent to the second battery (10) based on the previously stored arrangement order of the plurality of batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50).

[0111] In step S202, the controller (230) can stop charging of multiple batteries (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). In step S202, the controller (230) can transmit a signal to stop charging of the first battery (10) determined to be an abnormal battery and the second battery (20) adjacent to the first battery (10) to the charger (300).

[0112] In step S203, the controller (230) can calculate the capacity of the first battery (10) and the second battery (20) determined to be abnormal batteries. In step S203, the controller (230) can receive battery data through communication with the battery management device of the first battery (10) and the battery management device of the second battery (10). Here, the battery data can include, for example, battery voltage, voltage of battery cells constituting the battery, fault signal, internal temperature of the battery, etc. In step S203, the controller (230) can calculate the capacity of the first battery (10) and the second battery (10) based on the battery data of the first battery (10) and the second battery (10).

[0113] At step S204, the controller (230) can compare the capacity of the first battery (10) and the capacity of the second battery (10).

[0114] At step S205, the controller (230) can control the operation of the plurality of first switches (210) by comparing the capacity of the first battery (10) and the capacity of the second battery (20).

[0115] At step S205, if the capacity of the first battery (10) exceeds the capacity of the second battery (20), the controller (230) can discharge the first battery (10) until the capacity becomes the same as that of the second battery (20). At step S205, for example, if the capacity of the first battery (10) is 8000 mA and the voltage of the first battery (10) is 60 V, and the capacity of the second battery (20) is 4000 mAh and the voltage of the second battery (20) is 50 V, the controller (230) can discharge the first battery (10) until the capacity becomes the same as that of the second battery (20). In step S102, the controller (230) can turn on the first switch (211) connecting the first battery (10) and the first resistor (R1) connected to the first battery (10) among the plurality of first switches (210), and turn off the remaining plurality of first switches (212, 213, 214, 215).

[0116] At step S206, if the capacity of the first battery (10) is less than the capacity of the second battery (20), the controller (230) can discharge the second battery (20) until its capacity becomes the same as that of the first battery (10). At step S102, for example, if the capacity of the first battery (10) is 4000 mA and the voltage of the first battery (10) is 50 V, and the capacity of the second battery (20) is 8000 mAh and the voltage of the second battery (20) is 60 V, the controller (230) can discharge the second battery (20) until its capacity becomes the same as that of the first battery (10). At step S102, the controller (230) can turn on the first switch (212) connecting the second battery (20) and the second resistor (R2) connected to the second battery (20) among the plurality of first switches (210), and turn off the remaining plurality of first switches (211, 213, 214, 215).

[0117] At step S207, the controller (230) can discharge the first battery (10) and the second battery (20) simultaneously when the capacity of the first battery (10) is equal to the capacity of the second battery (20).

[0118] In step S207, the controller (230) may turn on a first switch (211) connecting a first battery (10) and a first resistor (R1) connected to the first battery (10) among the plurality of first switches (210), turn on a first switch (212) connecting a second battery (20) and a second resistor (R2) connected to the second battery (20), and turn off the remaining plurality of first switches (213, 214, 215). In step S207, the controller (230) may also turn on at least one second switch among the plurality of second switches (220) to control a distribution ratio of discharge currents of the first battery (10) and the second battery (20) applied to the plurality of resistors (R).

[0119] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computing system that implements an operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 7, a computing system (2000) according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may include an MCU (2100), a memory (2200), an input / output I / F (2300), and a communication I / F (2400).

[0121] The MCU (2100) may be a processor that executes various programs (e.g., a battery capacity calculation program) stored in the memory (2200), processes various data including SOC, SOH, etc. of multiple battery cells through these programs, and performs the functions of the battery management device (200) described with reference to the aforementioned FIG. 1, or may be a processor that executes the operating method of the battery management device described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0122] The memory (2200) can store various programs related to calculating the SOH of a battery cell and determining the cell performance target. In addition, the memory (2200) can store various data, such as SOC and SOH data for each battery cell.

[0123] A plurality of such memories (2200) may be provided as needed. The memories (2200) may be volatile memories or non-volatile memories. As volatile memories (2200), RAM, DRAM, SRAM, etc. may be used. As non-volatile memories (2200), ROM, PROM, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memories, etc. may be used. The examples of the memories (2200) listed above are merely examples and are not limited to these examples.

[0124] The input / output I / F (2300) can provide an interface that enables data transmission and reception between an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and an output device (not shown) such as a display and the MCU (2100).

[0125] The communication I / F (2300) is a component capable of transmitting and receiving various data with a server, and may be any device capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, programs for calculating the SOH of a battery cell or determining a target, as well as various data, can be transmitted and received from a separately provided external server via the communication I / F (2300).

[0126] In this way, the operating method of the battery protection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can be recorded in the memory (2200) and executed by the MCU (2100).

[0127] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea disclosed in this document, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0128] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this document are intended to illustrate, rather than limit, the technical concepts disclosed in this document, and the scope of the technical concepts disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical concepts disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of this document.

[0129] [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 10, 20, 30, 40, 50: Multiple batteries

[0131] 1000: Battery Exchange Station

[0132] 100: Battery slot area

[0133] 110, 120, 130, 140: Multiple battery slots

[0134] T1, T2, T3, T4, T5: Multiple temperature measurement sensors

[0135] 200: Battery management device

[0136] R1: First resistor

[0137] R2: Second resistor

[0138] R3: Third resistor

[0139] R4: Fourth Resistance

[0140] R5: Fifth resistor

[0141] 211, 212, 213, 214, 215: Multiple first switches

[0142] 221, 222, 223, 224: Multiple second switches

[0143] 230: Controller

[0144] 240: Communications Department

[0145] 300: Charger

[0146] 2000: Computing Systems

[0147] 2100: MCU

[0148] 2200: Memory

[0149] 2300: Input / Output I / F

[0150] 2400: Communication I / F

Claims

DEPCT681. A battery management unit comprising: more than one resistor connected in series to more than one battery in sequence; more than one first switch configured to connect more than one resistor to the output terminals of more than one battery in sequence; more than one second switch configured to connect more than one resistor in parallel; and a controller configured to determine whether each individual battery is malfunctioning and to control the operation of more than one first and more than one second switch based on whether each individual battery is malfunctioning.

2. A battery management unit under claim 1 where more than one resistor is connected in series to more than one battery in sequence and more than one second switch is connected in series to another. 3.The battery management system under claim 2, which includes an additional communication unit configured to receive more than one battery fault signals from the Battery Management System (BMS) for each more than one battery, where the controller is additionally configured to determine which battery is the first where the fault signal was detected and which is the second battery associated with the first battery among more than one battery, based on the fault signal.

4. The battery management system under claim 3, where the controller is additionally configured to obtain temperature information for more than one battery from more than one temperature sensor that measures the temperature of more than one battery and determine which battery is the first where the abnormal temperature was detected and which is the second battery associated with the first battery among more than one battery, based on the temperature information. 5.The battery management unit under claim 4, where the controller is further configured to determine the operation of at least one second battery adjacent to the first battery based on the arrangement of more than one battery when an abnormal temperature or fault signal is detected in one of the more than one first batteries; 6. The battery management unit under claim 4, where the controller is further configured to calculate the capacity of the first battery and the capacity of at least one second battery and compare the capacity of the first battery with the capacity of the second battery to control the operation of more than one first switch and more than one second switch; 7.

8. A battery management system under claim 6 in which, when the capacity of the first battery exceeds the capacity of at least one second battery, the controller is further configured to open the first switch for connecting the first battery to the resistor connected to the first battery among more than one first switch, and to open at least one second switch among more than one second switch.

9. A battery management system under claim 6 in which, when the capacity of the first battery is less than the capacity of at least one second battery, the controller is further configured to open the first switch for connecting the second battery to the resistor connected to the second battery among more than one first switch, and to open at least one second switch among more than one second switch.The operating method of the battery management system, which includes the following operations: determining whether each individual battery is faulty; controlling the operation of more than one first switch to connect more than one resistor connected to more than one battery in sequence to the battery current output terminals of more than one battery in sequence, based on whether each individual battery is faulty; and controlling the operation of more than one second switch to connect more than one resistor in parallel.

10. The operating method according to claim 9, which determines whether each individual battery is faulty, includes: receiving fault signals from more than one battery from the Battery Management System (BMS) for each individual battery and determining the first battery where the fault signal was detected, and at least one second battery associated with the first battery among the more than one batteries, based on the fault signal.11.The procedure for claim 10, in which a decision is made whether each of the more than one battery is faulty or not, includes: obtaining temperature information for more than one battery from more than one temperature sensor that measures the temperature of more than one battery, and making a decision to determine the first battery where the abnormal temperature was detected and at least one second battery associated with the first battery among the more than one batteries based on the temperature information.

12. The procedure for claim 11, in which a decision is made whether each of the more than one battery is faulty or not, includes: making a decision to determine at least one second battery adjacent to the first battery based on the arrangement of the more than one batteries when an abnormal temperature or fault signal is detected in the first battery among the more than one batteries.13.The procedure for claim 12, in which the decision is made whether more than one battery is malfunctioning or not, involves calculating the capacity of the first battery and the capacity of at least one second battery, and comparing the capacity of the first battery with the capacity of the second battery to control the operation of more than one first switch and more than one second switch.14.The operating procedure under claim 13, where the operating control of more than one first switch for connecting more than one resistor connected to more than one battery in sequence to the battery current output terminals of more than one battery in sequence, based on whether each of the more than one battery is faulty or not, is comprised of opening the first switch for connecting the first battery to the resistor connected to the first battery among more than one first switch when the capacity of the first battery exceeds the capacity of at least one second battery, and the operating control of more than one second switch for connecting more than one resistor in parallel is comprised of opening at least one of the two second switches among more than one second switch.15.The operating procedure under claim 13, where the operational control of more than one first switch for connecting more than one resistor connected to more than one battery in sequence to the battery current output terminals of more than one battery in sequence, based on whether each of the more than one battery is faulty or not, is combined with the opening of the first switch for connecting the second battery to the resistor connected to the second battery among more than one first switch when the capacity of the first battery is less than the capacity of at least one of the second batteries, and the operational control of more than one second switch for connecting more than one resistor in parallel is combined with the opening of at least one of the second switches among more than one second switch;

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