Simulator of battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack simulator according to an embodiment of the present invention simulates a battery pack comprising a battery management system (BMS) and a cell module assembly (CMA) including a plurality of battery cell stacks, and comprises a plurality of BMS simulation units for simulating the BMS; and each of the BMS simulation units manages and controls the state and operation of a battery pack to be simulated.

Description

Battery Pack Simulator

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0079553, filed June 21, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to a battery pack simulator, and more particularly, to a battery pack simulator that can be used in battery pack inspection, such as EOL (End-Of-Line) inspection.

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

[0005] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary 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 secondary batteries.

[0006] Meanwhile, these battery packs are equipped with a Cell Module Assembly (CMA) and a Battery Management System (BMS), and a process of verifying (inspecting) their functions in advance is required to determine whether they will operate normally during actual battery pack operation.

[0007] When testing with actual battery packs, there are limitations in terms of battery cell lifespan and SOC, requiring periodic replacement of the battery pack at regular intervals (e.g., every few months). Therefore, testing with actual battery packs incurs significant costs. To address this issue, a method for testing battery packs by simulating a virtual battery pack is needed.

[0008] In addition, since multiple battery packs can be implemented in various ways by varying the number and connection method, a method is needed to easily perform inspection of battery packs with one (or a small number of) simulators without having to create simulators corresponding to each of them.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery pack simulator that can conduct inspection of a plurality of battery packs in a simpler and more cost-effective manner.

[0010] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the problems described above and can be expanded in various ways within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention.

[0011] A battery pack simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention simulates a battery pack including a cell module assembly (CMA) including a plurality of battery cell stacks and a battery management system (BMS), and includes a plurality of BMS simulation units that simulate the BMS, and each BMS simulation unit can manage and control the state and operation of the battery pack to be simulated.

[0012] The above-described plurality of BMS simulation units are connected to each other in series and / or in parallel, are integrated and arranged on a substrate, and each of the plurality of BMS simulation units can be selectively connected by a switch or selector so as to enable adjustment of the number of battery packs to be simulated and adjustment of the series and / or parallel connection.

[0013] Each of the plurality of BMS simulation units may be electrically connected to a cell simulation unit simulating the CMA, and may further include a plurality of connectors for managing and controlling the status and operation of the simulating cell simulation unit and electrically connecting each BMS simulation unit and each cell simulation unit, and the plurality of connectors may be integrated and arranged on the substrate.

[0014] Each BMS simulation unit and each connector may be detachable from the substrate.

[0015] The above CMA further comprises a plurality of cell simulation units that simulate the above CMA, and the plurality of cell simulation units can be integrated and arranged on the substrate.

[0016]

[0017] Each cell simulation unit may be removable from the substrate.

[0018] An inspection device for inspecting the battery pack may be directly or indirectly connected to the BMS simulation unit.

[0019] A Rack Battery Management System (RBMS) that manages and controls multiple battery packs as a whole may be directly or indirectly connected to the BMS simulation unit, and an inspection device that inspects the battery packs may be connected to the RBMS.

[0020] The BMS simulation unit can receive status information of the battery pack, including at least one of the voltage of the battery cell of the CMA, the voltage of the battery pack, the current of the battery pack, and the temperature of the battery pack, and transmit the information to the inspection device.

[0021] The BMS simulation unit can receive status information of a battery pack including at least one of a voltage of a battery cell of the CMA, a voltage of the battery pack, a current of the battery pack, and a temperature of the battery pack, and change the status information according to inspection conditions or generate the status information of the battery pack according to inspection conditions.

[0022] The above BMS simulation unit may include at least one of a cell voltage control unit that controls the output of individual battery cells, a pack voltage control unit that controls the output of pack voltage, a current control unit that controls the output of current, and a temperature control unit that controls the output of temperature.

[0023] The above BMS simulation unit may further include at least one of an SOH calculation unit for calculating an SOH estimation value and an SOC calculation unit for calculating an SOC estimation value.

[0024] The above BMS simulation unit may further include a defect determination unit that determines whether the battery pack is defective by comparing a cell voltage value, a pack voltage value, a current value, a temperature value, a SOH, or a SOC with a predetermined reference value.

[0025] The above BMS simulation unit may further include a calculation unit that calculates an average value or deviation, or a remaining charging time, for each of a cell voltage value, a pack voltage value, a current value, a temperature value, a SOH, or a SOC.

[0026] The above BMS simulation unit may include a transceiver unit for communicating between the cell simulation unit and the inspection device.

[0027] The above battery pack simulator is provided in multiple units, and the battery pack simulators can be electrically connected in series or parallel.

[0028] According to the present invention, in the process of inspecting a battery pack, inspection can be performed in a simple and cost-saving manner using a battery pack simulator that simulates a virtual battery pack.

[0029] In addition, when implementing multiple battery packs in various ways by varying the number and / or connection method, testing can be easily performed with one (or a small number of) simulators.

[0030] 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.

[0031] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a case where a plurality of conventional battery packs (P) are provided.

[0032] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a battery pack simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 illustrates detailed components of the BMS simulation unit provided in the battery pack simulator of Figure 2.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a battery pack simulator according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a modified example of FIG. 2.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a battery pack simulator according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing another modified example of FIG. 2.

[0036] Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a case where multiple simulators of Figures 2, 4, and 5 are connected, respectively.

[0037] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0038] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0039] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The same or similar components will be given the same or similar drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and / or "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0040] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0041] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0042] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0043] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a case where a plurality of battery packs (P) are provided in a typical manner. As illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the battery packs (P) may be provided in a stacked manner, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be applied to a case where a plurality of battery packs (P) are inspected even if they are not necessarily stacked. The plurality of battery packs (P) may be provided as n battery packs, where n is a natural number. Each battery pack (P) may include a plurality of CMAs (Cell Module Assemblies) and a BMS (Battery Management System) that manages the CMAs. The BMS may be separately connected to the outside of the battery pack (P), or may be formed by being integrated into the inside of the battery pack (P) as illustrated in FIG. 1. The BMS may manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the CMA and the plurality of battery cells included in the CMA. For example, the BMS may monitor the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the CMA.

[0044] In the specification of the present invention, BMS may more specifically mean PBMS (Pack BMS) to distinguish it from RBMS (Rack BMS) described later, but for convenience of explanation, it is collectively referred to as “BMS.”

[0045] A plurality of battery packs (P) may be connected in series or in parallel, as a whole or in part. In addition, the plurality of battery packs (P) are connected to a Rack Battery Management System (RBMS) 200. The RBMS (200) is electrically connected to the BMS of each battery pack (P) to manage and control the plurality of battery packs (P) as a whole. For reference, the RBMS (200) and the BMS are also referred to as a master BMS and a slave BMS, respectively. The RBMS (200) may be stacked on the top of the plurality of battery packs (P), may be coupled to one side of the plurality of battery packs (P), may be separated from the plurality of battery packs (P) and provided in a separate space, etc., and there is no limitation on the way the RBMS is actually implemented. Various inspection devices (300) may be connected to the RBMS (200) to perform inspection of the battery packs (P).

[0046] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a battery pack simulator according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 illustrates detailed components of a BMS simulation unit provided in the battery pack simulator of Fig. 2.

[0047] The battery pack simulator (100) of FIG. 2 simulates the BMS provided in each of the plurality of battery packs (P) of FIG. 1.

[0048] First, the battery pack simulator (100) includes a plurality of BMS simulation units (120). The plurality of BMS simulation units (120) may be electrically connected to a plurality of cell simulation units (110), respectively. In some cases, each of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) may be connected to an actual battery cell stack or an actual battery pack.

[0049] Additionally, the battery pack simulator (100) may additionally include a plurality of cell simulation units (110). Additionally, the battery pack simulator (100) may include a plurality of connectors (130) that enable a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) to be connected to a plurality of cell simulation units (110), respectively.

[0050] Each of the cell simulation unit (110), the BMS simulation unit (120), and the connector (130) may be provided in numbers of, for example, n, where n is a natural number. For convenience, in Fig. 2, the cell simulation units (110) are designated as 1101, 1102, ..., 110 in order from the left. k , 110 n (where k is a natural number from 1 to n) is expressed as 1201, 1202, ..., 120. k , 120 n , and the connector (130) is also 1301, 1302, ..., 130 k , 130 n It is expressed as . Here, k is a natural number from 1 to n.

[0051] As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) and a plurality of connectors (130) may be integrated and arranged on a substrate (140), and a plurality of cell simulation units (110) may be electrically connected to each of the plurality of connectors (130). Alternatively, in some cases, a plurality of cell simulation units (110) may also be integrated and arranged on a substrate (140) of a battery pack simulator (100).

[0052] The cell simulation unit (110) is a circuit unit configured with an equivalent circuit to an actual CMA (cell module assembly) so that it can simulate an actual CMA. More specifically, it outputs data that implements the specifications of the CMA to be simulated, the operating status and operating conditions of the CMA, etc. For example, it outputs the voltage value of the battery pack to be simulated, the current value of the battery pack, the temperature of the battery pack, the resistance value of the thermistor for temperature measurement, the voltage value of each battery cell of the CMA, etc. The configuration and function of the cell simulation unit (110) can refer to the configuration and function of a typical cell simulation unit.

[0053] The BMS simulation unit (120) can receive voltage values ​​of battery cells, voltage values ​​of battery packs, current values ​​of battery packs, temperature values ​​of battery packs, resistance values ​​of thermistors for temperature measurement, etc. from the cell simulation unit (110) electrically connected to the BMS simulation unit (120).

[0054] In addition, the BMS simulation unit (120) may generate status information of the battery pack including at least one of the voltage value of the battery cell of the CMA, the voltage value of the battery pack, the current value of the battery pack, and the temperature value of the battery pack in accordance with the inspection (test) conditions, and may also change or adjust the value transmitted from the cell simulation unit (110) in accordance with the inspection (test) conditions. For example, for various inspections in the inspection device (300), the value transmitted from the cell simulation unit (110) may be arbitrarily changed in the BMS simulation unit (120) to a value corresponding to a defect in the battery pack. In some cases, for inspection under desired conditions in the inspection device (300), data such as voltage of individual cells, pack voltage, current, or temperature for simulation under desired conditions may be input into the BMS simulation unit (120).

[0055] The BMS simulation unit (120) can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the cell simulation unit (110). For example, the BMS simulation unit (120) can monitor and sense voltage values, current values, temperature values, resistance values, etc. of the cell simulation unit (110), and the BMS simulation unit (120) can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the cell simulation unit (110).

[0056] In addition, the BMS simulation unit (120) can calculate parameters indicating the state of the CMA, such as SOC (State of Charge), SOH (State of Health), and remaining charging time, based on measured values ​​such as cell voltage values, pack voltage values, current values, and temperature values ​​received from the cell simulation unit (110). In addition, the BMS simulation unit (120) can detect whether an error (defect) has occurred from the voltage values ​​of the battery cells, the voltage values ​​of the battery pack, the current values ​​of the battery pack, and the temperature values ​​of the battery pack received from the cell simulation unit (110).

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, the BMS simulation unit (120) may include at least one cell voltage control unit (121) for controlling the output of individual battery cells, a pack voltage control unit (122) for controlling the output of pack voltage, a current control unit (123) for controlling the output of current, and a temperature control unit (124) for controlling the output of temperature. In addition, the BMS simulation unit (120) may include a defect determination unit (125) for determining whether the battery pack is defective based on measured values ​​such as cell voltage values, pack voltage values, current values, and temperature values, an SOH calculation unit (126) for calculating SOH, an SOC calculation unit (127) for calculating SOC, a calculation unit (128), and / or a transceiver unit (129) for communicating between the cell simulation unit (110) and the RBMS (200) and the inspection device (300).

[0058] The cell voltage control unit (121), pack voltage control unit (122), current control unit (123), and temperature control unit (124) each receive voltage, pack voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of individual cells, adjust and control them to suit desired inspection conditions and environments, and transmit them to the RBMS (200) and the inspection device (300). Alternatively, control signals for voltage, pack voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of individual cells may be transmitted to the cell simulation unit (110) to suit desired inspection conditions and environments.

[0059] The defect judgment unit (125) compares the measured values ​​of the data to be inspected, such as the voltage of each cell, pack voltage, current, and temperature, with predetermined reference values ​​to judge (diagnose) whether the battery pack is defective.

[0060] At this time, the cell voltage value, pack voltage value, current value, and temperature value may be values ​​received from the cell simulation unit (110), and in some cases, may be values ​​generated from the cell voltage control unit (121), pack voltage control unit (122), current control unit (123), and temperature control unit (124) of the BMS simulation unit (120), or may be values ​​adjusted from values ​​received from the cell simulation unit (110).

[0061] The defect determination unit (125) can compare cell voltage values, pack voltage values, current values, temperature values, SOH, SOC, etc. with predetermined reference values, and if the corresponding data is determined to be a normal value that is not a defect, a first flag value declaring the data to be a normal state can be generated, and if the corresponding data is determined to be an abnormal state value corresponding to a defect, a second flag value declaring the data to be an abnormal state can be generated. The first flag value declaring the data to be a normal state may be, for example, “0”, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the second flag value declaring the data to be an abnormal state may be, for example, “1”, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The second flag value may be designated as various predetermined values ​​according to various abnormal states. That is, it may be designated as a single-digit binary number, but in some cases, it may be designated as various values ​​as a value having multiple digits.

[0062] The SOH calculation unit (126) can calculate an SOH estimate value. To this end, the capacity of the battery cell stack can be estimated to predict the degree of battery degradation. Here, the capacity estimation of the battery cell stack can be performed in various ways. For example, the internal resistance of the battery pack (i.e., the cell simulation unit (110)) can be indirectly calculated by applying Ohm's law to the current and voltage received from the cell simulation unit (110) that simulates the battery pack.

[0063] The SOC calculation unit (127) can calculate an SOC estimation value. For this purpose, for example, the SOC of the battery cell stack can be estimated using the capacity and current of the battery cell stack estimated from the SOH calculation unit (126).

[0064] The calculation unit (128) calculates an average and / or deviation, etc. using at least one of the data including the cell voltage, pack voltage, current, temperature, SOC, SOH, etc. described above. The calculated data may be transmitted to the RBMS (200) and / or the inspection device (300), or may be stored in a data storage device (not shown). Alternatively, the calculation unit (128) may also calculate the remaining charging time.

[0065] The transceiver (129) transmits and receives data and commands so that two-way communication can be achieved between the cell simulation unit (110) - the BMS simulation unit (120) - the RBMS (200). The transceiver (129) can employ a communication method used for PCB communication. The transceiver (129) can transmit data and commands using internal communication methods such as I2C, SMBus, CAN, UART, and SPI, for example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described methods and can employ various communication methods suitable for the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0066] The BMS simulation unit (120) may additionally include a data storage device (not shown). The data storage device may be integrated into the BMS simulation unit (120) or may be provided externally and communicated with via wired or wireless means. The data storage device may store data including the cell voltage, pack voltage, current, temperature, SOC, SOH, etc. described above and / or the average and / or deviation calculated from these data by the calculation unit (128).

[0067] Each component of the BMS simulation unit (120) described above can be modified and changed in various ways, such as all components being provided or only necessary components being selectively provided, to suit the environment in which the present invention is implemented and the purpose of inspection.

[0068] The connector (130) electrically connects the cell simulation unit (110) and the BMS simulation unit (120). In the actual battery pack of Fig. 1, the CMA and the BMS are electrically connected using bus bars and wires. On the other hand, in the battery pack simulator (100) of Fig. 2, the BMS simulation unit (120), rather than the actual CMA and BMS, is electrically connected to the cell simulation unit (110), which provides compatibility in the electrical connection between the BMS simulation unit (120) and the cell simulation unit (110). The connector (130) may include input / output terminals, switches, etc. It is sufficient if the shape / structure of the connector (130) is implemented to match (correspond to) the shape / structure of the input / output unit of the cell simulation unit (110), and may be implemented in various ways according to various environments in which the present invention is implemented.

[0069] Additionally, the battery pack simulator (100) may include a thermistor (not shown). In the present invention, the thermistor provides a reference temperature for testing whether the RBMS (200) is operating properly, rather than being a temperature sensor. The thermistor may have a resistance of 10 kΩ corresponding to, for example, 25 degrees Celsius as a reference temperature. The thermistor may be placed on the substrate (140), and may be placed, for example, between the BMS simulation unit (120) and the RBMS (200), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if it is provided within the battery pack simulator (100).

[0070] In addition, a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) are electrically connected to the RBMS (200) that manages and controls a plurality of battery packs (P) as a whole. The plurality of BMS simulation units (120) can be directly connected to the RBMS (200). Fig. 2 illustrates a case where a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) are connected in series to simulate a case where a plurality of actual battery packs (P) are connected in series.

[0071] In addition, by additionally providing a switch (150), in case where only a desired number of battery packs among a plurality of battery packs (P) are to be simulated, the switch (150) may be selectively turned on / off to electrically connect a desired number of BMS simulation units (120) among the BMS simulation units (120) provided on the board (140) to the RBMS (200). The present invention is not limited to the case where a plurality of battery packs (P) are connected, and in some cases, the switch (150) may perform inspection of a single battery pack (P). In FIG. 2, for convenience, the switches (150) are sequentially indicated as 1501, 1502, ..., 150 from the left. k , 150 n (where k is a natural number from 1 to n) is expressed as. Here, k is a natural number from 1 to n.

[0072] In detail, a plurality of battery packs (P) as illustrated in FIG. 1 can be implemented in various numbers in an actual environment. In this case, without individually providing battery pack simulators (100) with different numbers of BMS simulation units (120) corresponding to different numbers of battery packs (P), all or some of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) can be selected by individually turning on / off the switch (150) and connected to the RBMS (200).

[0073] FIG. 4 is a battery pack simulator according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a modified example of FIG. 2.

[0074] Fig. 4 illustrates a case where multiple BMS simulation units (120) are connected in parallel to simulate a case where multiple actual battery packs (P) are connected in parallel. Components that overlap with those in Fig. 2 refer to those described above in Fig. 2.

[0075] Meanwhile, the present invention also allows for a combination of FIGS. 2 and 4. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the case where all of the multiple BMS simulation units (120) are connected in series as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, or the case where all of the multiple BMS simulation units (120) are connected in parallel, and various modifications and changes are possible, such as cases where some of the multiple BMS simulation units (120) are connected in series and others are connected in parallel.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a battery pack simulator according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing another modified example of FIG. 2.

[0077] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a plurality of BMS simulation units (120) may be indirectly connected to the RBMS (200) via a selector (160). The selector (160) is provided with wiring to enable series and parallel connection between the plurality of BMS simulation units (120), and connects each wiring with a switch. Accordingly, all of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) provided on the board (140) may be electrically connected to the RBMS (200), or a desired number of BMS simulation units (120) among the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) provided on the board (140) may be electrically connected to the RBMS (200). The present invention is not limited to the case where a plurality of battery packs (P) are connected, and in some cases, the switch (150) may perform inspection of a single battery pack (P).

[0078] In detail, a plurality of battery packs (P) as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be implemented in various numbers in an actual environment. In this case, without individually providing battery pack simulators (100) with different numbers of BMS simulation units (120) corresponding to different numbers of battery packs (P), all or some of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) may be selected from the selector (160) as illustrated in FIG. 5 and connected to the RBMS (200).

[0079] Additionally, by using the selector (160), not only can the number of BMS simulation units (120) electrically connected between multiple BMS simulation units (120) be selected, but also a series or parallel connection between the BMS simulation units (120) can be selected.

[0080] In summary, according to embodiments of the present invention, simulations can be performed to suit various actual environments by varying the number of battery packs (P) using one battery pack simulator (100).

[0081] Again, according to the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, each of the plurality of BMS simulation units (120) and each of the plurality of connectors (130) may be individually detached from the substrate (140). In addition, when the plurality of cell simulation units (110) are integrated and arranged on the substrate (140), each of the cell simulation units (110) may be individually detached from the substrate (140). Accordingly, when an abnormality (failure) occurs in some of the plurality of cell simulation units (110), the plurality of BMS simulation units (120), and the plurality of connectors (130), only the cell simulation unit (110) in which the abnormality occurs, the BMS simulation unit (120) in which the abnormality occurs, or the connector (130) in which the abnormality occurs can be replaced.

[0082] In addition, in a case where a case is to be tested in which a number of battery packs (P) are connected more than the number of battery packs that can be tested with one battery pack simulator (100), a plurality of battery pack simulators (100) may be implemented by electrically connecting them to each other.

[0083] Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a case where multiple simulators (100) of Figures 2, 4, and 5 are connected, respectively. Figures 6 to 8 illustrate a case where two simulators (100) are connected, as an example.

[0084] For example, if a battery pack simulator (100) is equipped with seven cell simulation units (110), seven BMS simulation units (120), and seven connectors (130), and if it is desired to test, for example, a case where three battery packs are connected or a case where five battery packs are connected, the test can be conducted by connecting as many BMS simulation units (120) as the number of battery packs to be tested with the switch (150) or selector (160) as described above in FIGS. 2 to 5. However, if it is desired to test, for example, a case where nine battery packs are connected, two battery pack simulators (100) can be connected as in FIGS. 6 to 8, and nine BMS simulation units (120) can be connected with each switch (150) or selector (160).

[0085] In summary, instead of an actual battery pack (P) as illustrated in FIG. 1, the inspection device (300) can be connected to the battery pack simulator (100) described above in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 5, so that inspection of a desired number of electrically connected battery packs (P) can be performed. The types of inspections that can be performed by connecting the inspection device (300) to the battery pack simulator (100) include SOC measurement, cell voltage measurement, cell voltage deviation measurement, battery pack voltage measurement, temperature measurement with a thermistor, BMS function inspection, communication, and the like, which can be performed in the same manner as inspections that can be performed by connecting the inspection device (300) to an actual battery pack (i.e., a battery pack equipped with an actual cell module assembly and an actual BMS). The inspection can be performed by connecting the inspection device (300) to the BMS simulation unit (120) of the battery pack simulator (100), and the inspection can be performed via the RBMS (200) between the BMS simulation unit (120) and the inspection device (300). In addition, as described above, a switch (150) or a selector (160) may be provided in the path between the BMS simulation unit (120) and the inspection device (300), so that inspection of a desired number of electrically connected battery packs (P) can be performed. In some cases, inspection of a single battery pack (P) may be performed using the switch (150) or the selector (160).

[0086]

[0087] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0088] [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 100: Battery Pack Simulator

[0090] 110: Cell Simulation Unit

[0091] 120: BMS Simulation Unit

[0092] 121: Cell voltage control unit

[0093] 122: Pack voltage control unit

[0094] 123: Current control unit

[0095] 124: Temperature control unit

[0096] 125: Defect Evaluation Department

[0097] 126: SOH calculation unit

[0098] 127: SOC calculation section

[0099] 128: Operation section

[0100] 129: Transmitter and receiver

[0101] 130: Connector

[0102] 140: Substrate

[0103] 150: Switch

[0104] 160: Selector

[0105] 200: RBMS

[0106] 300: Inspection device

Claims

1. In a battery pack simulator that simulates a battery pack including a cell module assembly (CMA) including a plurality of battery cell stacks and a battery management system (BMS), Contains a plurality of BMS simulation units that simulate the above BMS, Each BMS simulation unit is a battery pack simulator that manages and controls the status and operation of the battery pack to be simulated.

2. In paragraph 1, The above multiple BMS simulation units are connected to each other in series and / or in parallel and are integrated and arranged on a board, A battery pack simulator, wherein each of the plurality of BMS simulation units can be selectively connected by a switch or selector so as to enable adjustment of the number of battery packs to be simulated and adjustment of the series and / or parallel connection.

3. In paragraph 2, Each of the above plurality of BMS simulation units can be electrically connected to a cell simulation unit simulating the CMA, and manages and controls the status and operation of the simulating cell simulation unit, Further comprising a plurality of connectors electrically connecting each BMS simulation unit and each cell simulation unit, A battery pack simulator wherein the plurality of connectors are integrated and arranged on the substrate.

4. In paragraph 3, A battery pack simulator, wherein each BMS simulation unit and each connector are detachable from the substrate.

5. In paragraph 3, Further comprising a plurality of cell simulation units simulating the above CMA, A battery pack simulator wherein the above-described plurality of cell simulation units are integrated and arranged on the substrate.

6. In paragraph 5, Each cell simulation unit is a battery pack simulator that is detachable from the substrate.

7. In paragraph 1, A battery pack simulator, wherein an inspection device for inspecting the battery pack can be directly or indirectly connected to the BMS simulation unit.

8. In paragraph 7, A battery pack simulator in which a Rack Battery Management System (RBMS) that manages and controls multiple battery packs as a whole is directly or indirectly connected to the BMS simulation unit, and an inspection device that inspects the battery packs is connected to the RBMS.

9. In paragraph 7, A battery pack simulator in which the BMS simulation unit receives status information of a battery pack including at least one of a voltage of a battery cell of the CMA, a voltage of the battery pack, a current of the battery pack, and a temperature of the battery pack and transmits the information to the inspection device.

10. In paragraph 7, A battery pack simulator in which the BMS simulation unit receives status information of a battery pack including at least one of a voltage of a battery cell of the CMA, a voltage of the battery pack, a current of the battery pack, and a temperature of the battery pack, and changes the status information of the battery pack to suit inspection conditions or generates the status information of the battery pack to suit inspection conditions.

11. In paragraph 1, A battery pack simulator, wherein the BMS simulation unit includes at least one of a cell voltage control unit that controls the output of individual battery cells, a pack voltage control unit that controls the output of pack voltage, a current control unit that controls the output of current, and a temperature control unit that controls the output of temperature.

12. In paragraph 11, A battery pack simulator, wherein the BMS simulation unit further includes at least one of an SOH calculation unit for calculating an SOH estimation value and an SOC calculation unit for calculating an SOC estimation value.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery pack simulator, wherein the BMS simulation unit further includes a defect determination unit that determines whether the battery pack is defective by comparing a cell voltage value, a pack voltage value, a current value, a temperature value, a SOH, or a SOC with a predetermined reference value.

14. In paragraph 12, The above BMS simulation unit is a battery pack simulator further including a calculation unit that calculates an average value or deviation, or a remaining charging time, for each of a cell voltage value, a pack voltage value, a current value, a temperature value, a SOH, or a SOC.

15. In paragraph 12, A battery pack simulator, wherein the BMS simulation unit further includes a transceiver unit for communicating between the cell simulation unit and the inspection device.

16. In paragraph 1, A battery pack simulator, wherein the above battery pack simulator is provided in multiple units and can be electrically connected in series or parallel between the battery pack simulators.

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