Battery management devices and methods

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery management device comprising a structured characteristic curve acquisition unit for acquiring a battery characteristic curve representing the corresponding relationship between the resistance and voltage of the battery; and a structured controller for determining the voltage and resistance patterns of the battery based on the battery characteristic curve, comparing at least one of the voltage and resistance patterns with a predefined diagnostic rule, and diagnosing the state of the battery based on the comparison results.

Description

Battery management device and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery management device and method, and more particularly, to a battery management device and method capable of diagnosing the deterioration state of a battery in stages and more appropriately controlling the battery based on the diagnosis results.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2024-0015218, filed January 31, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003]

[0004] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has been in full swing, research into high-performance batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively being conducted.

[0005] Currently commercialized batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries. Among these, lithium batteries are receiving attention for their advantages of being able to charge and discharge freely, having a very low self-discharge rate, and having a high energy density, as they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries.

[0006] While extensive research is being conducted on these batteries to improve capacity and density, improving lifespan and safety is also crucial. To improve battery safety, technologies are needed to diagnose the current state of battery degradation.

[0007] In this regard, research is being conducted to diagnose the degree of battery deterioration by tracking changes in voltage and / or resistance. Previously, as battery deterioration progressed, voltage increased and resistance decreased. Instead, the point at which resistance increased despite increasing voltage was considered to be the point at which the battery deteriorated excessively and entered an abnormal state.

[0008] However, because batteries gradually deteriorate, there is a need for technology that can diagnose battery condition in detail based on the degree of deterioration and enable more appropriate battery control based on the diagnostic results. In other words, beyond simply diagnosing whether a battery is in an abnormal state, there is a need for technology that can diagnose battery deterioration in more detail and, based on the diagnostic results, more appropriately control the battery to prevent accelerated deterioration.

[0009]

[0010] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a battery management device and method capable of diagnosing the deterioration state of a battery in stages and controlling the battery more appropriately based on the diagnosis results.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0012]

[0013] A battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention may include a profile acquisition unit configured to acquire a battery profile indicating a correspondence between resistance and voltage of a battery; and a control unit configured to determine a voltage pattern and a resistance pattern of the battery based on the battery profile, compare the voltage pattern and / or the resistance pattern with a preset diagnosis rule, and diagnose a state of the battery based on the comparison result.

[0014] The above voltage pattern can be configured to include a voltage increase pattern, a voltage decrease pattern, and a voltage constant pattern.

[0015] The above resistance pattern can be configured to include a resistance increase pattern and a resistance constant pattern.

[0016] The control unit may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as the voltage constant pattern when the voltage of the battery is maintained within a preset voltage range, determine the voltage pattern as the voltage increase pattern when the voltage of the battery increases over time but falls outside the voltage range, and determine the voltage pattern as the voltage decrease pattern when the voltage of the battery decreases over time but falls outside the voltage range.

[0017] The control unit may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as the resistance constant pattern when the resistance of the battery is maintained within a preset resistance range, and to determine the resistance pattern as the resistance increase pattern when the resistance of the battery increases over time but goes out of the resistance range.

[0018] The control unit may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery as a normal state if the voltage pattern is the voltage reduction pattern, and to diagnose the state of the battery as a deteriorated state if the voltage pattern is not the voltage reduction pattern.

[0019] The control unit may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery as an early deterioration state if the resistance pattern is the resistance constant pattern when the state of the battery is the deterioration state, and to diagnose the state of the battery as an intermediate to late deterioration state if the resistance pattern is the resistance increase pattern.

[0020] The control unit may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery as a mid-to-late degradation state if the voltage pattern is the voltage constant pattern when the state of the battery is the mid-to-late degradation state, and to diagnose the state of the battery as a late degradation state if the voltage pattern is the voltage increase pattern.

[0021] The control unit may be configured to set usage conditions for the battery based on the state of the battery.

[0022] The voltage constituting the above battery profile may be the voltage after the discharge of the battery is completed.

[0023] The resistance constituting the above battery profile may be the resistance after the discharge of the battery is completed.

[0024] A battery management device according to another aspect of the present invention further includes a display coupled to the control unit, and the control unit may be configured to output the diagnosis result through the display.

[0025] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention may include a battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0026] A vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention may include a battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0027] A server according to another aspect of the present invention may include a battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0028] A battery management method according to another aspect of the present invention may include a profile acquisition step of acquiring a battery profile indicating a correspondence between resistance and voltage of the battery; a pattern determination step of determining a voltage pattern and a resistance pattern of the battery based on the battery profile; and a status diagnosis step of comparing the voltage pattern and the resistance pattern with a preset diagnosis rule and diagnosing the status of the battery based on the comparison result.

[0029]

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery management device has the advantage of being able to diagnose the deterioration state of the battery in more detail based on the change patterns of voltage and resistance.

[0031] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, the battery management device has the advantage of being able to effectively prevent degradation or accelerated degradation of the battery by controlling the battery in a manner suitable for each degradation stage based on the diagnosis result.

[0032] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0033]

[0034] The following drawings attached to this specification serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention described below, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in such drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are drawings for reference in explaining a specific embodiment in which a battery management device according to the present invention determines a voltage pattern and a resistance pattern.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a drawing for reference in explaining a specific embodiment in which a battery management device according to the present invention diagnoses the state of a battery.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary configuration of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0042]

[0043] Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best possible manner.

[0044] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0045] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0046] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one of the various components from the rest, and are not used to limit the components by such terms.

[0047] Throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0048] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected" but also cases where it is "indirectly connected" with other elements in between.

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery management device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a profile acquisition unit (110) and a control unit (120). The battery management device (100) may further include a storage unit (130).

[0052] Here, a battery refers to a physically separate, independent cell having a negative terminal and a positive terminal. For example, a lithium-ion battery or a lithium polymer battery may be considered a battery. Furthermore, the battery may be of a cylindrical type, a prismatic type, or a pouch type. Furthermore, a battery may also refer to a battery bank, a battery module, or a battery pack in which multiple cells are connected in series and / or parallel. For convenience of explanation, the term "battery" will be described herein below as referring to a single, independent cell.

[0053] The profile acquisition unit (110) can be configured to acquire a battery profile indicating a correspondence between the resistance and voltage of the battery.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery profile (BP) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the horizontal axis (X-axis) represents voltage [V], and the vertical axis (Y-axis) represents resistance [Ohm].

[0056] The embodiment of FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery profile (BP) that represents the correspondence between voltage and resistance measured at each predetermined charge / discharge cycle from the beginning of life (BOL) state to the end of life (EOL) state of the battery. For example, P1 represents the voltage and resistance measured when the battery is in the BOL state, and P5 represents the voltage and resistance measured when the battery is in the EOL state. In other words, the battery deteriorates as it goes from P1 to P5.

[0057] In one embodiment, the voltage constituting the battery profile (BP) may be the voltage after the discharge of the battery is terminated, and the resistance may be the resistance after the discharge of the battery is terminated. In other words, the battery profile (BP) may be a profile representing the relationship between the voltage and resistance after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the discharge of the battery is terminated.

[0058] For example, a battery profile (BP) may be a profile that represents the relationship between voltage and resistance measured after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after discharge ends at each predetermined discharge cycle.

[0059] The battery can be discharged until the voltage (or SOC) reaches a preset discharge termination voltage (or preset discharge termination SOC). The profile acquisition unit (110) can calculate the resistance of the battery based on the amount of voltage change from the time when the battery voltage reaches the discharge termination voltage until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

[0060] For example, it is assumed that the discharge current is Id, the discharge end voltage is Vi, and the voltage after a predetermined time after the discharge of the battery is completed is Vf. In this case, the profile acquisition unit (110) can calculate the resistance of the battery by calculating the formula “(Vf-Vi)÷Id” using Ohm’s law. In addition, the predetermined time here may be a time set in advance experimentally or theoretically. For example, the predetermined time may be set in advance to 1 second or 0.1 second.

[0061] In one embodiment, the profile acquisition unit (110) can directly receive a battery profile (BP) from the outside. That is, the profile acquisition unit (110) can acquire a battery profile (BP) by receiving a profile through a wired and / or wireless connection to the outside.

[0062] In another embodiment, the profile acquisition unit (110) may receive battery information regarding the resistance and voltage of the battery. Furthermore, the profile acquisition unit (110) may generate a battery profile (BP) based on the received battery information. That is, the profile acquisition unit (110) may directly generate the battery profile (BP) based on the battery information, thereby acquiring the battery profile (BP).

[0063] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may directly measure the voltage and current of the battery. For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may be directly connected to the positive and negative terminals of the battery to directly measure the voltage of the battery. In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) may measure the charge and discharge current of the battery and calculate the resistance of the battery based on the measured current. In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) may generate a battery profile (BP) based on the voltage and resistance of the battery. In other words, the profile acquisition unit (110) may acquire the battery profile (BP) based on the directly measured voltage and current of the battery.

[0064] The profile acquisition unit (110) may be connected to the control unit (120) so as to be able to communicate with it. For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may be connected to the control unit (120) by wire and / or wirelessly. The profile acquisition unit (110) may transmit the acquired battery profile to the control unit (120).

[0065] The control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern and resistance pattern of the battery based on the battery profile (BP).

[0066] The voltage pattern may include a voltage increase pattern, a voltage decrease pattern, and a voltage constant pattern. And, the resistance pattern may include a resistance increase pattern and a resistance constant pattern.

[0067] The control unit (120) may be configured to compare a voltage pattern and / or resistance pattern of the battery with a preset diagnostic rule and diagnose the condition of the battery based on the comparison result.

[0068] The diagnostic rule may be a rule indicating a correspondence between the voltage pattern and / or resistance pattern of the battery and the battery's condition. The diagnostic rule may be preset and stored in the storage unit (130).

[0069] The battery's condition is an indicator of its degradation. For example, the battery's condition can be categorized into a normal state and a degraded state. Furthermore, the degraded state can be categorized into an early degraded state and a mid-to-late degraded state, and the mid-to-late degraded state can be categorized into a mid-to-late degraded state and a late degraded state. When listed in descending order of battery degradation, the order is: normal, early degraded, mid-to-late, and late degraded. In other words, a battery in a normal state is considered close to a BOL state, while a battery in a late degraded state is considered close to an EOL state.

[0070] A battery management device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being able to diagnose the deterioration state of a battery in more detail based on the change patterns of voltage and resistance.

[0071]

[0072] Meanwhile, the control unit (120) provided in the battery management device (100) may optionally include a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), another chipset, a logic circuit, a register, a communication modem, a data processing device, etc. known in the art to execute various control logics performed in the present invention. In addition, when the control logic is implemented in software, the control unit (120) may be implemented as a set of program modules. At this time, the program modules may be stored in a memory and executed by the control unit (120). The memory may be located inside or outside the control unit (120) and may be connected to the control unit (120) by various well-known means.

[0073] In addition, the battery management device (100) may further include a storage unit (130). The storage unit (130) may store data or programs required for each component of the battery management device (100) to perform operations and functions, or data generated in the process of performing operations and functions. The storage unit (130) is not particularly limited in type as long as it is a known information storage means known to be capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. As an example, the information storage means may include RAM, flash memory, ROM, EEPROM, registers, etc. In addition, the storage unit (130) may store program codes defining processes executable by the control unit (120).

[0074] Specifically, the storage unit (130) can store information necessary for the control unit (120) to diagnose the state of the battery. For example, the storage unit (130) can store a battery profile (BP) and diagnosis rules, etc. In addition, the control unit (120) can access the storage unit (130) to obtain information necessary for diagnosing the state of the battery. For example, the battery profile (BP) obtained by the profile obtaining unit (110) is stored in the storage unit (130), and the control unit (120) can access the storage unit (130) to obtain the stored battery profile (BP).

[0075]

[0076] Below, an embodiment in which a battery management device (100) determines a voltage pattern and a resistance pattern is described.

[0077] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are drawings for reference in explaining one embodiment in which a battery management device (100) according to the present invention determines a voltage pattern and a resistance pattern.

[0078] For example, the voltage range may be a preset range within which the control unit (120) can determine that the battery voltage is maintained at a constant level. Preferably, the voltage range is a range having a size within which the control unit (120) can determine that the battery voltage is maintained at a constant level. The voltage range may be preset experimentally or theoretically, and the voltage pattern may be determined based on whether the voltage change amount of the battery falls within the voltage range. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the size of the voltage range may be preset to 0.002 [V].

[0079] If the voltage of the battery is maintained within a preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage constant pattern. For example, even if the voltage of the battery increases over time, if the voltage of the battery is maintained within the preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage constant pattern. As another example, even if the voltage of the battery decreases over time, if the voltage of the battery is maintained within the preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage constant pattern.

[0080] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit (120) can determine the voltage pattern of the battery for the section from point P3 to point P4 as a voltage constant pattern.

[0081] As time passes and the voltage of the battery increases beyond a preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage increase pattern.

[0082] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit (120) can determine the voltage pattern of the battery for the section from point P2 to point P3 and the section from point P4 to point P5 as a voltage increase pattern.

[0083] As time passes and the voltage of the battery decreases beyond a preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage decrease pattern.

[0084] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit (120) can determine the voltage pattern of the battery for the section from point P1 to point P2 as a voltage reduction pattern.

[0085] The resistance range may be a preset range within which the control unit (120) can determine that the resistance of the battery remains constant. Preferably, the resistance range is a range having a size within which the control unit (120) can determine that the resistance of the battery remains constant. The resistance range may be preset experimentally or theoretically, and the resistance pattern may be determined based on whether the amount of change in the battery's resistance falls within the resistance range. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the size of the resistance range may be preset to 0.0015 [V].

[0086] If the resistance of the battery is maintained within a preset resistance range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as a constant resistance pattern. For example, even if the resistance of the battery increases over time, if the resistance of the battery is maintained within the preset resistance range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as a constant resistance pattern. As another example, even if the resistance of the battery decreases over time, if the resistance of the battery is maintained within the preset resistance range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as a constant resistance pattern.

[0087] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit (120) can determine the resistance pattern of the battery for the section from point P2 to point P3 as a resistance constant pattern.

[0088] As the resistance of the battery increases over time and goes beyond a preset resistance range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as a resistance increase pattern.

[0089] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit (120) can determine the resistance pattern of the battery for the section from point P1 to point P2 and the section from point P3 to point P5 as a resistance increase pattern.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 3, in step S310, the control unit (120) may determine whether the voltage of the battery is maintained within a preset voltage range. For example, the control unit (120) may determine whether the voltage of the battery is maintained within a preset voltage range based on a predetermined number of voltage data of the battery profile (BP). That is, the control unit (120) may determine whether the voltage of the battery is maintained within a preset voltage range based on a voltage history of a predetermined discharge cycle. If the result of step S310 is YES, step S330 may be performed. If the result of step S310 is NO, step S320 may be performed.

[0091] In step S320, the control unit (120) may determine whether the voltage of the battery increases. For example, the control unit (120) may determine whether the voltage of the battery increases based on a predetermined number of voltage data of the battery profile (BP). That is, the control unit (120) may determine whether the voltage of the battery increases based on the voltage history of a predetermined discharge cycle. If the result of step S320 is YES, step S340 may be performed. If the result of step S320 is NO, step S350 may be performed.

[0092] In step S330, the control unit (120) can determine the voltage pattern of the battery as a voltage constant pattern.

[0093] In step S340, the control unit (120) can determine the voltage pattern of the battery as a voltage increase pattern.

[0094] In step S350, the control unit (120) can determine the voltage pattern of the battery as a voltage reduction pattern.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 4, in step S410, the control unit (120) may determine whether the resistance of the battery is maintained within a preset resistance range. For example, the control unit (120) may determine whether the resistance of the battery is maintained within a preset resistance range based on a predetermined number of resistance data of the battery profile (BP). That is, the control unit (120) may determine whether the resistance of the battery is maintained within a preset resistance range based on the resistance history of a predetermined discharge cycle. If the result of step S410 is YES, step S430 may be performed. If the result of step S410 is NO, step S420 may be performed.

[0096] In step S420, the control unit (120) can determine whether the resistance of the battery increases. For example, the control unit (120) can determine whether the resistance of the battery increases based on a predetermined number of resistance data of the battery profile (BP). That is, the control unit (120) can determine whether the resistance of the battery increases based on the resistance history of a predetermined discharge cycle. If the result of step S420 is YES, step S440 can be performed. If the result of step S430 is NO, step S450 can be performed.

[0097] In step S430, the control unit (120) can determine the resistance pattern of the battery as a resistance constant pattern.

[0098] In step S440, the control unit (120) can determine the resistance pattern of the battery as a resistance increase pattern.

[0099] In step S450, the control unit (120) may suspend the battery status diagnosis. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the control unit (120) may perform step S410 again.

[0100]

[0101] FIG. 5 is a drawing for reference in explaining an embodiment in which a battery management device according to the present invention diagnoses the state of a battery.

[0102] The control unit (120) can compare the voltage pattern and / or resistance pattern of the battery with a preset diagnostic rule and diagnose the status of the battery based on the comparison result.

[0103] The control unit (120) can determine whether the battery's voltage pattern is a voltage reduction pattern. If the battery's voltage pattern is a voltage reduction pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery's condition as normal. Conversely, if the battery's voltage pattern is not a voltage reduction pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery's condition as deteriorated.

[0104] If the battery condition is diagnosed as a deteriorated state, the control unit (120) can determine whether the resistance pattern of the battery is a constant resistance pattern. If the resistance pattern of the battery is a constant resistance pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery condition as an early deteriorated state. Conversely, if the resistance pattern of the battery is a resistance increasing pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery condition as a mid-to-late deteriorated state. In addition, if the resistance pattern of the battery does not correspond to either a constant resistance pattern or a resistance increasing pattern, the control unit (120) can postpone the diagnosis of the battery condition.

[0105] If the battery's condition is diagnosed as a mid-to-late deterioration state, the control unit (120) can determine whether the battery's voltage pattern is a constant voltage pattern. If the battery's voltage pattern is a constant voltage pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery's condition as a mid-to-late deterioration state. Conversely, if the battery's voltage pattern is a voltage increasing pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery's condition as a late deterioration state.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 5, in step S510, the control unit (120) can determine whether the voltage pattern of the battery is a voltage decrease pattern. If the result of step S510 is YES, step S515 can be performed. If the result of step S510 is NO, step S520 can be performed.

[0107] In step S515, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery status as normal.

[0108] In step S520, the control unit (120) can diagnose the state of the battery as a deteriorated state.

[0109] In step S525, the control unit (120) can determine whether the resistance pattern of the battery is a constant resistance pattern. If the result of step S525 is YES, step S530 can be performed. If the result of step S525 is NO, step S535 can be performed.

[0110] In step S530, the control unit (120) can diagnose the state of the battery as an initial deterioration state.

[0111] In step S535, the control unit (120) can determine whether the resistance pattern of the battery is a resistance increase pattern. If the result of step S535 is YES, step S540 can be performed. If the result of step S535 is NO, step S545 can be performed.

[0112] In step S540, the control unit (120) can diagnose the state of the battery as a mid-to-late deterioration state.

[0113] In step S545, the control unit (120) may suspend the battery status diagnosis. In one embodiment, the control unit (120) may perform step S410 again after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In another embodiment, the control unit (120) may perform step S510 again after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0114] In step S550, the control unit (120) can determine whether the voltage pattern of the battery is a constant voltage pattern. If the result of step S550 is YES, step S555 can be performed. If the result of step S550 is NO, step S560 can be performed.

[0115] In step S555, the control unit (120) can diagnose the state of the battery as a mid-stage degradation state.

[0116] In step S560, the control unit (120) can diagnose the state of the battery as a late deterioration state.

[0117]

[0118] The control unit (120) may be configured to set usage conditions for the battery based on the battery's condition. Since the battery's condition diagnosed by the control unit (120) is an indicator of the degree of battery deterioration, the control unit (120) may appropriately set usage conditions related to battery deterioration based on the battery's condition.

[0119] If the battery is diagnosed as being in a normal state, the control unit (120) may not change the usage conditions for the battery. Conversely, if the battery is diagnosed as being in a deteriorated state, the control unit (120) may change the usage conditions for the battery.

[0120] According to one embodiment, when a battery is diagnosed as being in a deteriorated state, the control unit (120) can appropriately control the usage conditions for the battery according to the degree of degradation of the battery. That is, the control unit (120) can gradually adjust the control strength of the usage conditions for the battery according to the diagnosis result. For example, the control unit (120) performs stronger control on a battery diagnosed as being in a mid-deteriorated state than on a battery diagnosed as being in an early-deteriorated state, and in the case of a battery diagnosed as being in a late-deteriorated state, it may regard it as an abnormal failure and output an alarm recommending that the battery be discontinued. According to one embodiment, the recipient of such an alarm may be an external device that manages the battery, such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a server, or a user terminal. In addition, the alarm may also be output to an external device that diagnoses the battery state, a display, or an audio device.

[0121] For example, if the battery is diagnosed as being in a deteriorated state, the control unit (120) may adjust the charge / discharge rate (C-rate) range for the battery. For example, the control unit (120) may reduce the upper limit of the charge / discharge rate range for the battery.

[0122] The control unit (120) may determine the amount of change in the charge / discharge rate range for the battery by considering the degree of degradation of the battery. For example, if the battery is diagnosed as being in a mid-to-late degradation state, a mid-to-late degradation state, or a late degradation state, the control unit (120) may set the upper limit reduction rate of the charge / discharge rate range to be greater than if the battery is diagnosed as being in an early degradation state. Similarly, if the battery is diagnosed as being in a late degradation state, the control unit (120) may set the upper limit reduction rate of the charge / discharge rate range to be greater than if the battery is diagnosed as being in an intermediate degradation state.

[0123] As another example, if the battery is diagnosed as being in a deteriorated state, the control unit (120) may adjust the available SOC range for the battery. Here, the available SOC range refers to the range between the minimum SOC and the maximum SOC of the battery during charging or discharging. For example, the control unit (120) may reduce the upper limit of the available SOC range for the battery. As another example, the control unit (120) may increase the lower limit of the available SOC range for the battery. As yet another example, the control unit (120) may reduce the upper limit of the available SOC range for the battery and increase the lower limit of the available SOC range.

[0124] The control unit (120) may determine the amount of change in the available SOC range for the battery by considering the degree of degradation of the battery. For example, if the battery is diagnosed as being in a mid-to-late degradation state, a mid-to-late degradation state, or a late degradation state, the control unit (120) may set the upper limit decrease rate or the lower limit increase rate of the available SOC range to be larger than if the battery is diagnosed as being in an early degradation state. Similarly, if the battery is diagnosed as being in a late degradation state, the control unit (120) may set the upper limit decrease rate or the lower limit increase rate of the available SOC range to be larger than if the battery is diagnosed as being in an intermediate degradation state.

[0125] A battery management device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent degradation or accelerated degradation of a battery by appropriately setting usage conditions for the battery based on detailed diagnosis results regarding the degradation state of the battery.

[0126]

[0127] The battery diagnostic device according to the present invention is connected to a display device (not shown) and can output information about a battery diagnosed as being in an abnormal state. This allows information about the battery diagnosed as being in an abnormal state to be displayed on the display device.

[0128] The battery diagnostic device according to the present invention is connected to an alarm device (not shown) and can output information on a battery diagnosed as being in an abnormal state, thereby operating the alarm device.

[0129] The battery management device (100) according to the present invention can be applied to a BMS. That is, the BMS according to the present invention can include the battery management device (100) described above. In this configuration, at least some of the components of the battery management device (100) can be implemented by supplementing or adding to the functions of the components included in a conventional BMS. For example, the profile acquisition unit (110), control unit (120), and storage unit (130) of the battery management device (100) can be implemented as components of the BMS.

[0130]

[0131] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a battery pack (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] The battery management device (100) according to the present invention may be provided in a battery pack (10). That is, the battery pack (10) according to the present invention may include the battery management device (100) described above and one or more battery cells. In addition, the battery pack (10) may further include electrical components (relays, fuses, etc.) and a case.

[0133] The positive terminal of the battery (11) can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (10), and the negative terminal of the battery (11) can be connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10).

[0134] The measuring unit (12) can be connected to the positive terminal and negative terminal of the battery (11). In addition, the measuring unit (12) can measure the positive potential and negative potential of the battery (11), and calculate the difference between the positive potential and negative potential to measure the voltage of the battery (11).

[0135] And, the measuring unit (12) can be connected to the current measuring unit (A). For example, the current measuring unit (A) can be an ammeter or a shunt resistor capable of measuring the charging current and discharging current of the battery (11). The measuring unit (12) can measure the charging current of the battery (11) using the current measuring unit (A) to calculate the charging amount. In addition, the measuring unit (12) can measure the discharging current of the battery (11) through the third sensing line (SL3) to calculate the discharging amount.

[0136] An external device (not shown) may have one end connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (10) and the other end connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10). Accordingly, the positive terminal of the battery (11), the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (10), the external device, the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10), and the negative terminal of the battery (11) may be electrically connected.

[0137] For example, the external device may be a charger or a load such as a motor of an electric vehicle that is powered by a battery (11).

[0138]

[0139] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a vehicle (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 7, a battery pack (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in a vehicle (1), such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle (HV). Furthermore, the battery pack (10) may drive the vehicle (1) by supplying power to a motor through an inverter provided in the vehicle (1). Here, the battery pack (10) may include a battery management device (100). That is, the vehicle (1) may include a battery management device (100).

[0141] In this case, the battery management device (100) may be an on-board diagnostic device included in the vehicle (1). That is, the battery management device (100) may diagnose the status of the battery based on a profile for the battery included in the vehicle (1). In addition, the battery management device (100) may provide information on the status of the diagnosed battery to the user.

[0142]

[0143] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a server may include a battery management device (100). For example, the server may receive a profile from a BMS connected to the battery. As another example, the server may receive information regarding the voltage and resistance of the battery from the BMS and directly generate a profile based on the received information.

[0144] The server can determine the battery's voltage and resistance patterns based on the profile. Furthermore, the server can diagnose the battery's condition based on the voltage and resistance patterns according to preset diagnostic rules. Furthermore, the server can provide battery status information by transmitting information about the diagnosed battery's condition to the BMS.

[0145]

[0146] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 8, the battery management method may include a profile acquisition step (S100), a pattern determination step (S200), and a status diagnosis step (S300). The battery management method may further include a control step (S400).

[0148] Preferably, each step of the battery management method can be performed by a battery management device (100). In the following, for convenience of explanation, any content that overlaps with the previously described content will be omitted or briefly described.

[0149] The profile acquisition step (S100) is a step of acquiring a profile indicating a correspondence between the resistance and voltage of a battery, and can be performed by a profile acquisition unit (110).

[0150] The pattern determination step (S200) is a step of determining the voltage pattern and resistance pattern of the battery based on the profile, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0151] The voltage pattern may include a voltage increase pattern, a voltage decrease pattern, and a voltage constant pattern. And, the resistance pattern may include a resistance increase pattern and a resistance constant pattern.

[0152] The voltage range may be a preset range within which the control unit (120) can determine that the voltage of the battery is maintained constant.

[0153] If the voltage of the battery is maintained within a preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage constant pattern. For example, even if the voltage of the battery increases over time, if the voltage of the battery is maintained within the preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage constant pattern. As another example, even if the voltage of the battery decreases over time, if the voltage of the battery is maintained within the preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage constant pattern.

[0154] As time passes and the voltage of the battery increases beyond a preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage increase pattern.

[0155] As time passes and the voltage of the battery decreases beyond a preset voltage range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the voltage pattern as a voltage decrease pattern.

[0156] The resistance range may be a preset range within which the control unit (120) can determine that the resistance of the battery is maintained constant.

[0157] If the resistance of the battery is maintained within a preset resistance range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as a constant resistance pattern. For example, even if the resistance of the battery increases over time, if the resistance of the battery is maintained within the preset resistance range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as a constant resistance pattern. As another example, even if the resistance of the battery decreases over time, if the resistance of the battery is maintained within the preset resistance range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as a constant resistance pattern.

[0158] As the resistance of the battery increases over time and goes beyond a preset resistance range, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine the resistance pattern as a resistance increase pattern.

[0159] The status diagnosis step (S300) is a step of comparing a preset diagnosis rule with a voltage pattern and a resistance pattern and diagnosing the status of the battery based on the comparison result, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0160] The control unit (120) can determine whether the battery's voltage pattern is a voltage reduction pattern. If the battery's voltage pattern is a voltage reduction pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery's condition as normal. Conversely, if the battery's voltage pattern is not a voltage reduction pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery's condition as deteriorated.

[0161] If the battery condition is diagnosed as a deteriorated state, the control unit (120) can determine whether the resistance pattern of the battery is a constant resistance pattern. If the resistance pattern of the battery is a constant resistance pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery condition as an early deteriorated state. Conversely, if the resistance pattern of the battery is a resistance increasing pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery condition as a mid-to-late deteriorated state. In addition, if the resistance pattern of the battery does not correspond to either a constant resistance pattern or a resistance increasing pattern, the control unit (120) can postpone the diagnosis of the battery condition.

[0162] If the battery's condition is diagnosed as a mid-to-late deterioration state, the control unit (120) can determine whether the battery's voltage pattern is a constant voltage pattern. If the battery's voltage pattern is a constant voltage pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery's condition as a mid-to-late deterioration state. Conversely, if the battery's voltage pattern is a voltage increasing pattern, the control unit (120) can diagnose the battery's condition as a late deterioration state.

[0163] The control step (S400) is a step of setting usage conditions for the battery based on the status diagnosis results, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0164] For example, the control unit (120) can adjust the charge / discharge rate range or available SOC range for the battery.

[0165]

[0166] The embodiments of the present invention described above are not implemented only through devices and methods, but may also be implemented through a program that realizes a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and such implementation can be easily implemented by an expert in the technical field to which the present invention belongs based on the description of the embodiments described above.

[0167] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0168] In addition, the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the attached drawings, and all or part of each embodiment may be selectively combined and configured so that various modifications can be made, as those skilled in the art can make various substitutions, modifications, and changes within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0169]

[0170] [Explanation of symbols]

[0171] 1: Car

[0172] 10: Battery pack

[0173] 11: Battery

[0174] 12: Measurement section

[0175] 100: Battery management device

[0176] 110: Profile acquisition section

[0177] 120: Control unit

[0178] 130: Storage

Claims

1. A profile acquisition unit configured to acquire a battery profile indicating a correspondence between the resistance and voltage of the battery; and A battery management device characterized by comprising a control unit configured to determine a voltage pattern and a resistance pattern of the battery based on the battery profile, compare at least one of the voltage pattern and the resistance pattern with a preset diagnosis rule, and diagnose the state of the battery based on the comparison result.

2. In paragraph 1, The above voltage pattern is configured to include a voltage increase pattern, a voltage decrease pattern, and a voltage constant pattern, A battery management device characterized in that the above resistance pattern is configured to include a resistance increase pattern and a resistance constant pattern.

3. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, If the voltage of the above battery is maintained within a preset voltage range, the voltage pattern is determined as the voltage constant pattern, As time passes, the voltage of the battery increases, but when it goes out of the voltage range, the voltage pattern is determined as the voltage increase pattern, A battery management device characterized in that the voltage of the battery decreases over time, and when the voltage falls outside the voltage range, the voltage pattern is determined as the voltage decrease pattern.

4. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, If the resistance of the above battery is maintained within a preset resistance range, the resistance pattern is determined as the resistance constant pattern, A battery management device characterized in that the resistance of the battery increases over time, and when the resistance range is exceeded, the resistance pattern is determined as the resistance increase pattern.

5. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, If the above voltage pattern is the above voltage reduction pattern, the state of the battery is diagnosed as normal, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to diagnose the state of the battery as a deteriorated state if the voltage pattern is not the voltage reduction pattern.

6. In paragraph 5, The above control unit, If the condition of the above battery is in the above deteriorated state, If the above resistance pattern is the above resistance constant pattern, the state of the battery is diagnosed as an initial deterioration state, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to diagnose the state of the battery as a mid-to-late deterioration state if the resistance pattern is the resistance increase pattern.

7. In paragraph 6, The above control unit, If the condition of the above battery is in the mid-to-late stage of deterioration, If the above voltage pattern is the above voltage constant pattern, the state of the battery is diagnosed as a mid-term deterioration state, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to diagnose the state of the battery as a late deterioration state if the voltage pattern is the voltage increase pattern.

8. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to set usage conditions for the battery based on the state of the battery.

9. In paragraph 1, A battery management device characterized in that the voltage constituting the battery profile is the voltage after discharge of the battery is terminated, and the resistance constituting the battery profile is the resistance after discharge of the battery is terminated.

10. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a display coupled to the above control unit, A battery management device characterized in that the control unit is configured to output the diagnosis results through the display.

11. A battery pack comprising a battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A vehicle characterized by including a battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A server characterized by including a battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. A profile acquisition step for acquiring a battery profile representing the correspondence between the resistance and voltage of the battery; A pattern determination step for determining a voltage pattern and a resistance pattern of the battery based on the battery profile; and A battery management method, characterized by including a condition diagnosis step of comparing a preset diagnosis rule with the voltage pattern and the resistance pattern and diagnosing the condition of the battery based on the comparison result.

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