Foreign substance detection device and operation method thereof

Abstract

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, a foreign substance detection device may comprise: a suction unit for suctioning outside air from a target point; a sensor that detects foreign substances contained in the air suctioned from the suction unit; and a controller that controls the flow rate of air suctioned from the suction unit and determines the level of foreign substance at the target point on the basis of the foreign substances detected by the sensor.

Description

Foreign body detection device and its operating method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0095446, filed July 21, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a foreign body detection device and an operating method thereof.

[0005] If unintended foreign substances are introduced during the manufacturing process of a particular product, the resulting product may be defective. In particular, for precision products like battery cells, the introduction of foreign substances during the manufacturing process can be a fatal cause of defects.

[0006] Therefore, during the product manufacturing process, it is essential to monitor the air flow in the space where the manufacturing process takes place using fine dust sensors and the like to determine the air condition.

[0007] However, typical fine dust sensors and foreign matter detection devices have the problem of only monitoring the general airflow within the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the confined shape of the inlet limits the measurement points available to these devices. Consequently, it is impossible to intensively monitor specific points during the manufacturing process.

[0008] According to an embodiment disclosed in this document, a foreign matter detection device may include a suction unit that sucks in external air at a target point, a sensor that detects foreign matter contained in air sucked from the suction unit, a flow meter that measures the flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit, a pump that generates the flow rate, and a controller that adjusts the duty of the pump based on the flow rate measured by the flow meter and determines the degree of foreign matter at the target point based on the foreign matter detected by the sensor.

[0009] According to an embodiment, the controller can set a target flow rate and adjust the duty of the pump based on a result of comparing the target flow rate with a flow rate measured by the flow meter.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the controller may decrease the duty by a preset value when the flow rate measured by the flow meter exceeds a preset ratio range of the target flow rate, and may increase the duty by the preset value when the flow rate measured by the flow meter is below a preset ratio range of the target flow rate.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the controller can determine whether the filter for removing foreign substances and the pump are abnormal based on the duty of the pump and the flow rate measured by the flow meter.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the controller may determine that the pump is abnormal when the flow rate is measured by the flow meter while the duty of the pump is 0%, or when the flow rate measured by the flow meter does not change while the duty is changing.

[0013] According to an embodiment, if the flow rate measured by the flow meter is lower than the target flow rate when the duty of the pump is 100%, the filter may be judged to be abnormal.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the suction portion may be capable of changing angle and length.

[0015] According to an embodiment disclosed in this document, a method of operating a foreign matter detection device may include a step of sucking outside air at a target point, a step of detecting a foreign matter contained in the sucked air, a step of measuring a flow rate of the sucked air, a step of adjusting a duty of a pump for generating the flow rate based on the measured flow rate, and a step of determining the degree of foreign matter at the target point based on the detected foreign matter.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the step of adjusting the duty of the pump may include the steps of: setting a target flow rate; comparing the measured flow rate with the target flow rate; and adjusting the duty of the pump based on a result of comparing the measured flow rate with the target flow rate.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the method may further include a step of determining whether the filter for removing the foreign matter and the pump are abnormal based on the duty of the pump and the measured flow rate.

[0018] The foreign matter detection device and its operating method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document can determine the degree of foreign matter at a desired target point by changing the length and angle of the suction portion.

[0019] In addition, the foreign matter detection device and its operating method according to the embodiments disclosed in this document can determine the degree of foreign matter and at the same time determine whether the configuration of the foreign matter detection device is defective and / or needs to be replaced.

[0020] In addition, various effects may be provided, either directly or indirectly, through this document.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a foreign body detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an example of the structure of a foreign body detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of a foreign substance detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the flow rate of air sucked by a foreign body detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific operation process of a foreign body detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computing system for performing an operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0027] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the present invention encompasses various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0028] In this document, the singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" may each include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish the corresponding element from other corresponding elements, and do not limit the corresponding elements in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another component (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0029] Each component (e.g., a module or a program) described in this document may include one or more entities. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0030] The term "module" or "part" used in this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0031] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program or an application) including one or more instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., memory). For example, a processor of the device may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the device to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction called. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, "non-transitory" only means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily in the storage medium.

[0032]

[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a foreign body detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, the foreign matter detection device (100) may include a suction unit (110), a sensor (120), a controller (130), a flow meter (140), and a pump (150). The foreign matter detection device (100) may further include a filter (160).

[0035] The foreign matter detection device (100) can be used to determine the level of foreign matter within a space where a manufacturing process for equipment is performed, where defects may occur due to the introduction of foreign matter. For example, the foreign matter detection device (100) can be used in a space where battery cells are manufactured. For example, the foreign matter detection device (100) can detect foreign matter that may be generated from a winding device in a roll-to-roll process for manufacturing cylindrical cells.

[0036] The suction unit (110) can draw in external air at a target point. The target point may be an area within a space where the equipment manufacturing process takes place. For example, if the foreign matter detection device (100) is used to determine the level of foreign matter in a battery cell manufacturing process, the target point may be an area near the process equipment, an area where a worker's hands or face are located, an area where a battery cell is located, etc. In particular, the target point may be a point where there is a relatively high possibility of foreign matter entering the product during the manufacturing process.

[0037] The suction unit (110) can suck external air into the foreign substance detection device (100) at the target point. At this time, if foreign substances exist in the air near the target point, they can be drawn into the foreign substance detection device (100) together with the air.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the suction part (110) may be capable of changing the angle and length. That is, the suction part (110) may have a flexible shape. The user of the foreign substance detection device (100) may change the angle and length of the suction part (110) according to the location of the target point at which the foreign substance is to be detected. The foreign substance detection device (100) can detect foreign substances even in locations where foreign substances cannot be detected by devices with a fixed inlet by using the flexible suction part (110). For example, the foreign substance detection device (100) can detect foreign substances inside the process equipment by inserting the suction part (110) into a gap in the process equipment.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the suction part (110) may have various shapes depending on the size, structure, purpose, etc. of the object to be detected as a foreign substance. Conventional devices for detecting foreign substances use a fixed-shaped suction inlet, and even if the suction inlet can be replaced and used, there are restrictions on the shape. However, as described below, the foreign substance detection device (100) can control the flow rate of the air being sucked, so that the shape and size of the suction part (110) can be configured relatively freely.

[0040] The sensor (120) can detect foreign substances contained in the air sucked from the suction unit. For example, the sensor (120) can detect whether foreign substances are present in the sucked air, and if so, the amount (e.g., number of foreign substances) and concentration of the foreign substances. For example, the sensor (120) can be an OPC (Optical Particle Counter) capable of counting the number of foreign substances.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the sensor (120) may have its own abnormal alarm function. The sensor (120) may transmit foreign substance detection information and abnormality information to the controller (130).

[0042] The controller (130) can control the flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit (110). The controller (130) can control the flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit (110) by adjusting the duty of the pump (150) based on the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140). In addition, the controller (130) can further control the flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit (110) by adjusting the degree of opening of the suction unit (110), the angle formed with the target point, etc.

[0043] In particular, when the suction part (110) has a flexible shape, when the foreign matter detection device (100) monitors the level of foreign matter in a space, the length and angle (bending) of the suction part (110) change as the target point changes, causing a change in flow rate. At this time, in order for the foreign matter detection device (100) to determine the level of foreign matter under the same conditions, the change in flow rate due to the change in the length and angle of the suction part (110) must be compensated for. Accordingly, the controller (130) can continuously adjust the flow rate of air sucked from the suction part (110).

[0044] The controller (130) can determine the level of foreign substances at the target point based on the foreign substances detected by the sensor (120). For example, the controller (130) can determine the level of foreign substances based on the number, concentration, etc. of foreign substances detected by the sensor (120). Furthermore, the controller (130) can determine whether the manufacturing process is suitable based on the level of foreign substances at the target point. For example, if the level of foreign substances at the target point exceeds a preset level, the controller (130) can determine that the manufacturing process is not suitable or that ventilation and / or cleaning are necessary.

[0045] Since the foreign substance detection device (100) detects foreign substances through the sensor (120) and determines the level of foreign substances at the target point based on the detected foreign substances, the foreign substance detection device (100) needs to be operated under the same flow rate conditions in order to increase the detection reliability of the sensor (120) and the judgment accuracy of the controller (130). Accordingly, the foreign substance detection device (100) can maintain the same flow rate conditions by adjusting the flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit (110).

[0046] The flow meter (140) can measure the flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit (110). For example, the foreign body detection device (100) can allow air sucked from the suction unit (110) to flow through a pipe, and the flow meter (140) can measure the flow rate of air flowing through the pipe. The flow meter (140) can transmit the flow rate measurement results to the controller (130).

[0047] The pump (150) can generate a flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit (110). Here, the fact that the pump (150) generates a flow rate of air may mean that air can be drawn into the foreign body detection device (100) from the suction unit (110) due to the pumping action of the pump (150).

[0048] In an embodiment, the controller (130) may adjust the duty of the pump (150) based on the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140). Here, adjusting the duty of the pump (150) by the controller (130) may include adjusting the pumping cycle of the pump (150). For example, the controller (130) may increase the duty of the pump (150) if the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) falls below a reference flow rate. In another example, the controller (130) may increase the duty of the pump (150) to compensate for the decreasing flow rate if the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) continues to decrease.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the controller (130) can set a target flow rate. Setting the target flow rate by the controller (130) may include receiving information about the target flow rate from a user of the foreign substance detection device (100). The target flow rate may be set based on the internal capacity of the foreign substance detection device (100), the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction portion (110), the rated flow rate of the sensor (120), etc. For example, the controller (130) may set the target flow rate to the rated flow rate of the sensor (120). In this case, the reliability of foreign substance detection by the sensor (120) may be increased.

[0050] In an embodiment, the controller (130) may adjust the duty of the pump (150) based on the result of comparing the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) with the target flow rate. For example, the controller (130) may adjust the duty of the pump based on the relationship between the flow rate of the flow meter (140) and the target flow rate. In another example, the controller (130) may adjust the duty of the pump (150) so as to be proportional to the difference between the flow rate of the flow meter (140) and the target flow rate.

[0051] The controller (130) can maintain the duty of the pump (150) if the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) is within a preset ratio range of the target flow rate. The preset ratio range may be set based on a degree that can be regarded as an error range from the target flow rate, for example, taking into account the measurement error of the flow meter (140). In another example, the preset ratio range may be set based on a minimum limit value of the change in flow rate according to the duty adjustment of the pump (150). For example, if the change in flow rate is x% when the duty of the pump (150) is adjusted in the minimum unit, the preset ratio range may be set based on x% (e.g., (100-x)% to (100+x)%). The preset ratio range may be set to, for example, 95% to 105%.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the controller (130) may reduce the duty of the pump (150) by a preset value when the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) exceeds a preset ratio range of the target flow rate. Conversely, the controller (130) may increase the duty of the pump (150) by a preset value when the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) is below a preset ratio range of the target flow rate.

[0053] The preset value can be determined experimentally and statistically in advance, and the value can be changed depending on the status of the components of the foreign body detection device (100). For example, the preset value can be set to 5%.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the controller (130) can determine whether the filter (160) and the pump (150) are abnormal based on the duty of the pump (150) and the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140). The filter (160) can remove foreign substances contained in the air sucked from the suction unit (110). For example, the filter (160) can be an adsorption filter, in which case the foreign substances can be removed by being adsorbed to the filter (160). However, the type of the filter (160) is not limited thereto.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the controller (130) may determine that the pump (150) is abnormal when the flow rate is measured by the flow meter (140) while the duty of the pump (150) is 0%. Since the pump (150) does not perform pumping when the duty of the pump (150) is 0%, air should not be sucked through the suction unit (110). Therefore, the controller (130) may determine that the pump (150) is abnormal when the flow rate is measured by the flow meter (140) while the duty of the pump (150) is 0%.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the controller (130) may determine that the pump (150) is abnormal if the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) does not change while the duty of the pump (150) changes. Since the flow rate sucked from the suction unit (110) must change due to a change in the pumping cycle or the like when the duty of the pump (150) changes, the controller (130) may determine that the pump (150) is abnormal if the flow rate of the flow meter (140) does not change even when the duty of the pump (150) changes.

[0057] According to an embodiment, when the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) is lower than the target flow rate when the duty of the pump (150) is 100%, the filter (160) may be determined to be abnormal. When the duty of the pump (150) is 100%, the flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit (110) may be maximum, and when the flow rate of the flow meter (140) is lower than the target flow rate even when the flow rate of the sucked air is maximum, it may be determined that the flow of air is obstructed, such as by foreign substances adsorbed on the filter (160). Therefore, the controller (130) may determine that the filter (160) is abnormal when the flow rate of the flow meter (140) is lower than the target flow rate when the duty of the pump (150) is 100%. In this case, the controller (130) may determine that the filter (160) needs to be replaced.

[0058] The foreign matter detection device (100) may provide judgment information to the user when it is determined that the process is not suitable because the level of foreign matter at the target point exceeds the standard level, or when it is determined that there is an abnormality in at least one of the sensor (120), pump (150), and filter (160). For example, the foreign matter detection device (100) may provide judgment information to the user through a display unit (not shown) or a notification unit (not shown).

[0059] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an example of the structure of a foreign body detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, the foreign matter detection device (100) can detect foreign matter by sucking air through the suction unit (110), remove the foreign matter, and discharge the air through the discharge unit (170).

[0061] The suction part (110) may be configured to protrude from, for example, a portion of the foreign substance detection device (100). The suction part (110) may suck in air outside the foreign substance detection device (100) at the target point.

[0062] Air sucked from the suction unit (110) can be moved through a pipe inside the foreign substance detection device (100). For example, the pipe inside the foreign substance detection device (100) can connect between the suction unit (110) and the discharge unit (170), and a sensor (120), a pump (130), a flow meter (140), and a filter (160) can be arranged in the pipe. The arrangement order of the sensor (120), the pump (130), and the flow meter (140) illustrated in FIG. 2 is only an example and is not limited thereto.

[0063] The sensor (120) can detect foreign substances contained in the air flowing through the pipe. For example, the sensor (120) can sense the number, concentration, etc. of foreign substances.

[0064] The pump (150) can generate a flow rate of air drawn in from the suction portion (110), for example, through a pumping action.

[0065] The flow meter (140) can measure the flow rate of air sucked from the suction unit (110).

[0066] The filter (160) can remove foreign substances contained in the inhaled air. For example, the filter (160) may be an adsorption filter, in which case foreign substances may be adsorbed onto the filter (160) and removed.

[0067] Air from which foreign substances have been removed by the filter (160) can be discharged outside the foreign substance detection device (100) through the discharge portion (170).

[0068] The controller (130) can receive signals and / or information from the sensor (120) and the flow meter (140). For example, the controller (130) can receive foreign matter detection information and abnormality information from the sensor (120), and can receive measured flow rate information from the flow meter (140). In addition, the controller (130) can set target information and adjust the duty of the pump (150) based on the target information and the measured flow rate information.

[0069] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of a foreign substance detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 3, the operating method of the foreign matter detection device may include a step of sucking external air at a target point (S100), a step of detecting foreign matter contained in the sucked air (S200), a step of measuring the flow rate of the sucked air (S300), a step of adjusting the duty of a pump based on the measured flow rate (S400), and a step of determining the degree of foreign matter at the target point based on the detected foreign matter (S500).

[0071] In step S100, the suction unit (110) can draw in external air at a target point. The target point may be an area within a space where the equipment manufacturing process takes place. In an embodiment, the suction unit (110) can be angled and length-changed, allowing for various points to be selected as target points.

[0072] At step S200, the sensor (120) can detect foreign substances contained in the inhaled air.

[0073] At step S300, the flow meter (140) can measure the flow rate of the inhaled air.

[0074] At step S400, the controller (130) can adjust the duty of the pump (150) based on the measured flow rate.

[0075] At step S500, the controller (130) can determine the level of foreign matter at the target point based on the detected foreign matter. The controller (130) can provide the user with the result of the determination of the level of foreign matter.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the flow rate of air sucked by a foreign body detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, the step of controlling the flow rate of the air being sucked by the foreign body detection device may include a step of setting a target flow rate (S410), a step of comparing the flow rate measured by the flow meter with the target flow rate (S420), and a step of controlling the duty of the pump based on the result of comparing the flow rate measured by the flow meter with the target flow rate (S430).

[0078] At step S410, the controller (130) can set a target flow rate. The target flow rate can be set based on the internal capacity of the foreign matter detection device (100), the cross-sectional area of ​​the suction portion (110), the rated flow rate of the sensor (120), etc.

[0079] At step S420, the controller (130) can compare the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) with the target flow rate.

[0080] At step S430, the controller (130) can adjust the duty of the pump (150) based on the result of comparing the flow rate measured by the flow meter (140) with the target flow rate. Through this, the controller (130) can maintain the flow rate condition constant during the operation of the foreign matter detection device (100).

[0081] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a specific operation process of a foreign body detection device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, the foreign body detection device (100) can control the flow rate of the intake air and determine abnormalities in the filter (160) and pump (150).

[0083] At step S610, the controller (130) can set a target flow rate. Setting the target flow rate by the controller (130) may include receiving information about the target flow rate from a user of the foreign body detection device (100).

[0084] At step S620, the controller (130) can check the flow rate of the flow meter (140). The controller (130) can receive measured flow rate information from the flow meter (140).

[0085] At step S630, the controller (130) can check whether the target flow rate and the current flow rate match. The current flow rate may refer to the flow rate confirmed by the flow meter (140). If the current flow rate is within a preset ratio range of the target flow rate, the controller (130) can determine that the target flow rate and the current flow rate match. If the current flow rate is within the preset ratio range of the target flow rate (S630 - Yes), the operation can be terminated. If the current flow rate is not within the preset ratio range of the target flow rate (S630 - No), the operation can proceed to step S640.

[0086] At step S640, the controller (130) can determine whether the current flow rate exceeds the preset ratio range of the target flow rate. If the current flow rate exceeds the preset ratio range of the target flow rate (S640 - Yes), the process can proceed to step S650. If the current flow rate does not exceed the preset ratio range of the target flow rate (S640 - No), the process can proceed to step S700.

[0087] At step S650, the controller (130) can reduce the duty of the pump (150). More specifically, the controller (130) can reduce the duty of the pump (150) by a preset value.

[0088] At step S660, the controller (130) can check whether the duty of the pump (150) is 0%. If the duty of the pump (150) is 0% (S560 - Yes), the process can proceed to step S680. If the duty of the pump (150) is not 0% (S560 - No), the process can proceed to step S670.

[0089] At step S670, the controller (130) can determine whether a change in flow rate has occurred. The controller (130) can determine a change in flow rate by receiving flow rate information measured by the flow meter (140). If a change in flow rate has occurred (S670 - Yes), the process can return to step S620. If no change in flow rate has occurred (S670 - No), the process can proceed to step S690.

[0090] At step S680, the controller (130) can determine whether a flow rate has occurred. If a flow rate has occurred (S680 - Yes), the process can proceed to step S690. If a flow rate has not occurred (S680 - No), the process can return to step S620.

[0091] At step S690, the controller (130) may determine that the pump (150) is abnormal.

[0092] At step S700, the controller (130) can determine whether the current flow rate is less than the preset ratio range of the target flow rate. If the current flow rate is less than the preset ratio range of the target flow rate (S700 - Yes), the process can proceed to step S710. If the current flow rate is greater than the preset ratio range of the target flow rate (S700 - No), the operation can be terminated.

[0093] At step S710, the controller (130) can increase the duty of the pump (150). More specifically, the controller (130) can increase the duty of the pump (150) by a preset value.

[0094] At step S720, the controller (130) can check whether the duty of the pump (150) is 100%. If the duty of the pump (150) is 1000% (S720 - Yes), the process can proceed to step S730. If the duty of the pump (150) is not 1000% (S720 - No), the process can proceed to step S670.

[0095] At step S730, the controller (130) can determine whether the current flow rate is less than the preset ratio range of the target flow rate. If the current flow rate is less than the preset ratio range of the target flow rate (S730 - Yes), the process can proceed to step S740. If the current flow rate is greater than the preset ratio range of the target flow rate (S730 - No), the operation can be terminated.

[0096] At step S740, the controller (130) may determine that the filter (160) is abnormal.

[0097] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a computing system for performing an operating method of a battery management device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 7, a computing system (1000) according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document may include an MCU (1010), a memory (1020), an input / output I / F (1030), and a communication I / F (1040).

[0099] The MCU (1010) may be a processor that executes various programs stored in the memory (1020) (e.g., a battery cell SOC, OCV collection program, a battery cell parameter calculation program, a SOC-OCV set creation program, a battery cell diagnosis program, etc.), processes various information including the battery cell SOC, OCV, and parameters through these programs, and performs the functions of the controller included in the battery management device shown in FIG. 2 described above.

[0100] The memory (1020) can store various programs, such as a battery cell SOC, OCV collection program, a battery cell parameter calculation program, a SOC-OCV set creation program, and a battery cell diagnosis program. In addition, the memory (1020) can store various information, including the battery cell SOC, OCV, and parameters.

[0101] Such memories (1020) may be provided in multiple numbers as needed. The memories (1020) may be volatile memories or non-volatile memories. As volatile memories (1020), RAM, DRAM, SRAM, etc. may be used. As non-volatile memories (1020), ROM, PROM, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memories, etc. may be used. The examples of the memories (1020) listed above are merely examples and are not limited to these examples.

[0102] The input / output I / F (1030) can provide an interface that enables data transmission and reception between an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and an output device (not shown) such as a display and the MCU (1010).

[0103] The communication I / F (1040) is a component capable of transmitting and receiving various data with the server, and may be any device capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, the battery management device can transmit and receive various information, including the SOC, OCV, and parameters of the battery cell, from a separately provided external server via the communication I / F (1040).

[0104] In this way, a computer program according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may be implemented as a module that is recorded in a memory (1020) and processed by an MCU (1010) to perform each function illustrated in FIG. 2, for example.

[0105] Although all components constituting the embodiments disclosed in this document have been described as being combined or operating in combination as one, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the purpose of the embodiments disclosed in this document, all of the components may be selectively combined and operated one or more times.

[0106] In addition, terms such as "include," "comprise," or "have" described above, unless specifically stated otherwise, mean that the corresponding component can be included, and therefore should be interpreted to include other components rather than excluding other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as terms defined in a dictionary, should be interpreted to be consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined in this document.

[0107] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea disclosed in this document, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the embodiments disclosed in this document, but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical idea disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of this document.

Claims

1. Intake section that draws in outside air at the target point; A sensor that detects foreign substances contained in air sucked from the above suction unit; A flow meter that measures the flow rate of air sucked from the above suction unit; a pump for generating the above flow rate; and A foreign matter detection device comprising a controller that adjusts the duty of the pump based on the flow rate measured by the flow meter and determines the level of foreign matter at the target point based on the foreign matter detected by the sensor.

2. In paragraph 1, The above controller, Set the target flow rate, A foreign matter detection device that adjusts the duty of the pump based on the result of comparing the flow rate measured by the flow meter and the target flow rate.

3. In paragraph 2, The above controller, If the flow rate measured by the above flow meter exceeds the preset ratio range of the above target flow rate, the duty is reduced by the preset value, A foreign matter detection device that increases the duty by the preset value when the flow rate measured by the flow meter is below the preset ratio range of the target flow rate.

4. In paragraph 1, The above controller, A filter for removing foreign substances based on the duty of the pump and the flow rate measured by the flow meter, and a foreign substance detection device for determining whether the pump is abnormal.

5. In paragraph 4, The above controller, A foreign matter detection device that determines that the pump is abnormal when the flow rate is measured by the flow meter while the duty of the pump is 0% or when the flow rate measured by the flow meter does not change while the duty is changed.

6. In paragraph 4, A foreign matter detection device that determines the filter as abnormal when the flow rate measured by the flow meter is lower than the target flow rate while the duty of the pump is 100%.

7. In paragraph 1, The above suction unit is a foreign body detection device capable of changing the angle and length.

8. Step of inhaling outside air at the target point; A step of detecting foreign substances contained in the inhaled air; A step of measuring the flow rate of inhaled air; A step of adjusting the duty of a pump for generating the flow rate based on the measured flow rate; and A method of operating a foreign substance detection device, comprising a step of determining the degree of foreign substances at the target point based on the detected foreign substances.

9. In paragraph 8, The step of adjusting the duty of the above pump is: Step of setting the target flow rate; A step of comparing the measured flow rate with the target flow rate; and A method of operating a foreign matter detection device, comprising a step of adjusting the duty of the pump based on a result of comparing the measured flow rate and the target flow rate.

10. In paragraph 8, A method of operating a foreign matter detection device, further comprising a step of determining whether a filter for removing the foreign matter and the pump are abnormal based on the duty of the pump and the measured flow rate.

Images