Battery system and operating method thereof

Abstract

In a battery system and an operating method thereof according to embodiments of the present invention, as a virtual machine recognizes in real time and executes updated control logic from a control logic generation apparatus, the updated control logic can be executed without stopping the battery management system, thereby providing software that enables highly efficient battery management and operation.

Description

Battery system and method of operation thereof

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0101048 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 2, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery system and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to a battery system and an operating method thereof capable of updating a control program of a battery management device without interruption of battery monitoring during operation of the battery system.

[0003] An energy storage system (ESS) connects renewable energy sources, batteries that store power, and existing grid power. With the recent expansion of smart grids and renewable energy sources, and the emphasis on power system efficiency and stability, demand for energy storage systems is increasing to manage power supply and demand, as well as improve power quality. Energy storage systems vary in output and capacity depending on their intended use. To build a large-capacity energy storage system, multiple battery systems can be interconnected.

[0004] For example, an energy storage system applied to a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system may include a battery section composed of multiple batteries, a battery management system for battery management, a power conversion system (PCS), an energy management system (EMS), a DC-DC converter, etc.

[0005] Among these, the battery management system is a core component that manages batteries, and continuous system updates are required to efficiently manage batteries operating on site.

[0006] Accordingly, in the conventional battery management system, software updates were performed by having the administrator visit the site in person, stop the operation of the battery system in operation, and then update the software.

[0007] However, in this case, there was an inefficient disadvantage in that compensation for the outage of the battery management system was essential, and an on-site visit had to be performed for software updates, resulting in time and material costs.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a high-efficiency battery system.

[0009] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a method for operating a high-efficiency battery system.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a battery system including a plurality of BMSs having a hierarchical structure includes a plurality of slave BMSs and a master BMS that is linked with the plurality of slave BMSs, wherein the master BMS identifies an application target of a control program input from the outside for battery management during operation of the battery system, and transmits a control program corresponding to the application target to the application target.

[0011] Here, the master BMS, if the control program is a control program applied to a slave BMS, compares the version information for each of the plurality of slave BMSs with the version information of the control program, determines a specific slave BMS having a lower version than the version information of the control program as the application target, and transmits the control program to the application target.

[0012] At this time, the master BMS can transmit the control program to the storage space of the application target.

[0013] Meanwhile, the specific slave BMS can delete the control program stored in the first area of ​​the memory of the specific slave BMS, copy the control program stored in the storage space of the specific slave BMS, and store it in the second area of ​​the memory.

[0014] At this time, when a re-execution signal is received from the master BMS, the specific slave BMS can copy the control program stored in the second area and store it in the first area.

[0015] Meanwhile, the plurality of slave BMSs may include at least one first slave BMS and a second slave BMS having a hierarchical structure, and the second slave BMS may be a lower layer of the first slave BMS.

[0016] Accordingly, the master BMS can transmit the control program of the second slave BMS to the storage space of the first slave BMS when the control program is a control program applied to the second slave BMS, and the first slave BMS can transmit the control program of the second slave BMS, which has been transmitted to the storage space of the first slave BMS, to the storage space of the second slave BMS.

[0017] In addition, the master BMS, when the control program is a control program applied to the second slave BMS, compares at least one piece of version information individually received from the plurality of second slave BMSs with the version information of at least one control program, determines a specific second slave BMS having a lower version than the version information of the control program as the application target, and transmits the at least one control program to the storage space of the application target.

[0018] Additionally, the second slave BMS can delete a control program stored in a first area of ​​the memory of the second slave BMS, copy a control program stored in a storage space of the second slave BMS, and store the control program in a second area of ​​the memory.

[0019] At this time, when a re-execution signal is received from the master BMS, the second slave BMS can copy the control program stored in the second area and store it in the first area.

[0020] Meanwhile, the storage space may include external memory.

[0021] Additionally, the first region may be an inactive region and the second region may be an active region.

[0022]

[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided a method for operating a battery system including a plurality of BMSs having a hierarchical structure, the method comprising: a step of a master BMS obtaining a control program input from the outside for battery management during operation of the battery system; a step of the master BMS identifying each target of application of the control program; and a step of the master BMS transmitting a control program corresponding to the target of application to the target of application.

[0024] Here, the step of the master BMS identifying each target of application of the control program may include, if the control program is a control program applied to a slave BMS, a step of the master BMS comparing version information for each of a plurality of slave BMSs linked to the master BMS with version information of the control program, and a step of the master BMS determining a specific slave BMS having a lower version than the version information of the control program as the target of application.

[0025] At this time, the step of the master BMS transmitting a control program corresponding to the application target to the application target may include a step of the master BMS transmitting the control program to the storage space of the application target.

[0026] In addition, the method for operating the battery system may further include, when a control program of a specific slave BMS is stored in the storage space, a step of deleting a control program pre-stored in a first area of ​​the memory by the specific slave BMS, and a step of copying the control program stored in the storage space of the specific slave BMS and storing it in a second area of ​​the memory by the specific slave BMS.

[0027] In addition, the method of operating the battery system may include a step in which the specific slave BMS receives a re-execution signal from the master BMS, a step in which the specific slave BMS copies the control program stored in the second area and stores it in the first area, and a step in which the specific slave BMS is re-executed.

[0028] Meanwhile, the plurality of slave BMSs may include at least one first slave BMS and a second slave BMS having a hierarchical structure, and the second slave BMS may be a lower layer of the first slave BMS.

[0029] Accordingly, the step of the master BMS transmitting a control program corresponding to the application target to the application target may include, when the control program is a control program applied to the second slave BMS, a step of the master BMS transmitting the control program of the second slave BMS to a storage space of the first slave BMS, and a step of the first slave BMS transmitting the control program of the second slave BMS, which has been transmitted to the storage space of the first slave BMS, to the storage space of the second slave BMS.

[0030] In addition, the method of operating the battery system may further include, when the control program of the second slave BMS is stored in the storage space, a step of the second slave BMS deleting the control program pre-stored in the first area of ​​the memory, and a step of the second slave BMS copying the control program stored in the storage space of the second slave BMS and storing it in the second area of ​​the memory.

[0031] At this time, the operating method of the battery system may further include a step of, when a re-execution signal is received from the master BMS, causing the second slave BMS to copy the control program stored in the second area, and a step of causing the second slave BMS to store the copied control program in the first area.

[0032] The battery system and its operating method according to an embodiment of the present invention can continuously perform battery status monitoring by updating a battery management device without interrupting battery operation.

[0033] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an energy storage system to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0034] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a typical battery system.

[0035] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of a BMS in a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the memory structure of a BMS in a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a plurality of first slave BMSs in a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a plurality of second slave BMSs in a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] 100: Battery System 110: BMS

[0042] 111: Master BMS 112: 1st Slave BMS

[0043] 113: Second slave BMS 120: External storage device

[0044] 130: Storage space 410: Memory

[0045] 411: Area 1 412: Area 2

[0046] 420: Processor 430: Transmitter / Receiver

[0047] 440: Input interface device 450: Output interface device

[0048] 460: Storage device 470: Bus

[0049] The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Throughout the description of each drawing, similar reference numerals have been used to designate similar components.

[0050] Terms such as "first," "second," "A," and "B" may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component could be referred to as the "second component," and similarly, the second component could also be referred to as the "first component." The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related items listed or any one of multiple related items listed.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0054]

[0055] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an energy storage system to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery that plays a role in storing power in an energy storage system can typically be implemented in a form in which a series / parallel combination of battery cells constitutes a plurality of battery packs, and the plurality of battery packs constitute a battery rack. Here, depending on the device or system in which the battery is used, the battery pack may also be referred to as a battery module. For example, battery #1, battery #2, …, battery #N illustrated in FIG. 1 may be in the form of a battery pack or a battery rack.

[0057] At this time, a battery management system (BMS) (100) may be installed in each battery.

[0058] A battery management system (1000, BMS) to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied can monitor the current, voltage, and temperature of each battery pack (or rack) it manages, calculate the SOC (Status Of Charge) based on the monitoring results, and control charging and discharging.

[0059] Meanwhile, a Battery System Controller (BSC) may be installed in each battery section comprising a plurality of batteries and peripheral circuits, devices, etc. Accordingly, the BSC (2000) can monitor and control control targets such as voltage, current, temperature, circuit breakers, etc. within the battery section. In addition, the BSC (2000) calculates the output of each DC-DC converter (5000) based on the status information of the monitored battery section and transmits it to the DC-DC converter.

[0060] Additionally, a power conversion system (PCS, 4000) installed in each battery section can control the charging and discharging of the battery by controlling the power supplied from an external rotor and the power supplied externally from the battery section. For example, the PCS (4000) may include a DC-AC inverter.

[0061] Meanwhile, communication (indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 1) can be performed between BMS (1000), BSC (2000), PMS (3000), and PCS (4000) using CAN (Controller Area Network) or Ethernet.

[0062]

[0063] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a typical battery system.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 2, a typical battery system applied to an energy storage system (ESS) includes multiple BMSs that manage the battery according to its hierarchical structure.

[0065] Multiple BMSs require continuous updates of their control programs for efficient management of each battery unit. Accordingly, a typical battery system obtains a higher version of the control program for at least one of the multiple BMSs from an external storage device and updates the corresponding BMS.

[0066] At this time, acquiring a higher-level control program requires re-execution of the BMS. Accordingly, a typical battery system, after the system is shut down by the administrator, individually receives the control programs corresponding to the BMSs in the same hierarchy from an external storage device and updates the BMS.

[0067] Therefore, a typical battery system has a disadvantage in that it is difficult to monitor the status of the battery because the operation of the battery system is necessarily interrupted when an update to a higher version of the control program of at least one of the multiple BMSs is performed.

[0068] Accordingly, the present invention will describe a battery system capable of updating a control program of at least one of a plurality of BMSs without interrupting the battery system.

[0069]

[0070] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery system (100) can be applied to an energy storage system (ESS). Accordingly, the battery system (100) can manage the status of a battery operating on site.

[0072] To be more specific, according to an embodiment, the battery system (100) may include a plurality of BMSs (110) for efficiently managing the battery.

[0073] A plurality of BMSs (110) may be provided to correspond to unit batteries provided in a hierarchical structure within an energy storage system (ESS). In this case, each of the plurality of BMSs (110) may include a control program for managing the status of the corresponding unit battery. For example, the control program may be a software program of the BMS.

[0074] Accordingly, each of the plurality of BMSs can be operated by a control program to perform at least one of charge / discharge control, cell balancing, and status monitoring for the corresponding unit battery.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the plurality of BMSs (110) may include a master BMS (111), at least one first slave BMS (112), and a second slave BMS (113) for each unit battery provided in a hierarchical structure. For example, the master BMS (111) may be a Bank BMS (BBMS) and may include a control program that manages a battery status in a bank unit. In addition, the first slave BMS (112) may be a Rack BMS (RBMS) and may include a control program that manages a battery status in a rack unit. In addition, the second slave BMS (113) may be a Pack BMS (PBMS, or Module BMS) and may manage a battery status in a pack or module unit.

[0076] The control program of each of the multiple BMSs (110) can be continuously updated by the manager for efficient management of each unit battery.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the master BMS (111) may be linked to an external storage device (120) through communication. For example, the master BMS (111) may be linked to the external storage device (120) through CAN communication. Accordingly, the master BMS (111) may obtain at least one control program stored in the external storage device (120) during operation of the battery system (100). Here, the external storage device (120) may be a dual-source supplier PC.

[0078] In addition, the control program may be a higher version of at least one control program among the plurality of BMSs (110). More specifically, the master BMS (111) may store the control program in a storage space (130 in FIG. 5). Here, the storage space (130) may include an external memory connected to a corresponding BMS among the plurality of BMSs (100). For example, the storage space (130) may be provided in the form of physical hardware such as a hard disk drive (HDD), flash memory, EEPROM, or a removable storage device.

[0079] Meanwhile, the master BMS (111) can be individually linked to a plurality of slave BMSs (112, 113) through communication. Accordingly, the master BMS (111) can obtain and manage identification information of individually stored control programs from the plurality of slave BMSs (112, 113). Accordingly, when at least one control program is stored in the storage space (130) during operation of the battery system (100), the master BMS (111) can compare the identification information of the at least one control program with the identification information individually obtained from the plurality of slave BMSs (112, 113). Accordingly, the master BMS (111) can identify at least one target BMS to which at least one control program should be applied.

[0080] Thereafter, the master BMS (111) can transmit at least one control program to the storage space (130) of at least one corresponding target BMS. At this time, if at least one target BMS includes a second slave BMS (113), the master BMS (111) can sequentially transmit at least one control program through a specific first slave BMS (112), which is an upper BMS of the second slave BMS (113).

[0081] Thereafter, when the target BMS is physically connected to the storage space (130), the loader can be executed. Accordingly, the loader can copy at least one control program stored in the storage space (130) and temporarily store it in an inactive area of ​​the memory within the target BMS. For example, the loader may be a bootloader.

[0082] Afterwards, the target BMS can delete the control program stored in the active area in memory.

[0083] Thereafter, the master BMS (111) can send a re-execution signal to the target BMS. Accordingly, the target BMS, which has received the re-execution signal, can transfer the control program temporarily stored in the inactive area to the active area in the memory.

[0084] Thereafter, the target BMS can execute the control program stored in the active area while being re-executed by the re-execution signal of the master BMS (111). Accordingly, the battery system according to the embodiment of the present invention can efficiently operate at least one battery constituting the energy storage system (ESS) by executing the updated control program without interrupting the battery system.

[0085]

[0086] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware structure of a BMS in a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the memory structure of a BMS in a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 4, each of the plurality of BMSs (111, 112, 113) may include a memory (410), a processor (420), a transmission / reception device (430), an input interface device (440), an output interface device (450), and a storage device (460).

[0088] According to an embodiment, each of the components (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460) individually included in a plurality of BMSs (110) may be connected by a bus (bus, 470) to communicate with each other.

[0089] Among the components (410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460), the memory (410) and the storage device (460) may be configured with at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory (410) may be configured with at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0090] Referring to FIG. 5, according to one embodiment, a memory (410) provided as a volatile storage medium may include a first region (411) and a second region (412). For example, the first region (411) may be an inactive region, in which a control program for update received from a master BMS may be temporarily stored. In addition, the second region (412) may be an active region, in which at least one program stored in the second region (412) may be operated by the processor (420). For example, a pre-stored control program or a control program updated from the first region (411) may be stored in the second region (412).

[0091] According to another embodiment, the memory (410) provided as a non-volatile storage medium may include at least one program command.

[0092] Meanwhile, the storage device (460) may be replaced with a storage space (130) connected to a plurality of BMSs (110), depending on the embodiment.

[0093] The processor (420) may refer to a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which methods according to embodiments of the present invention are performed.

[0094] The processor (420) can execute at least one program command stored in the memory (410) provided as the non-volatile storage medium.

[0095] The transceiver (430) can provide a communication environment with at least one of an external storage device (120) and a plurality of slave BMSs (110). According to an embodiment, the transceiver (430) can provide a wired or wireless network environment. For example, the transceiver (430) can perform CAN communication.

[0096]

[0097] Figure 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 6, the master BMS (111) within the battery system (100) can receive at least one control program from an external storage device (120) during operation of the battery system (100). Accordingly, the master BMS (111) can store the received at least one control program in a storage space (130) (S600). Here, the storage space (130) may be an external memory physically connected to the master BMS (111). For example, the master BMS (111) may be a Bank BMS (BBMS).

[0099] Thereafter, the master BMS (111) can identify a target BMS corresponding to each control program by comparing the identification information of at least one control program stored in the storage space (130) connected thereto with the identification information of multiple BMSs (111, 112, 113) managed by the master BMS (111). More specifically, the identification information can include application target information and software version information. Accordingly, the master BMS (111) can extract at least one BMS corresponding to the application target of each control program from among multiple BMSs (111, 112, 113) managed by the master BMS (111). For example, the target BMS can be any one of the master BMS (111), the first slave BMS (112), and the second slave BMS (113). Accordingly, the master BMS (111) can select at least one BMS having a lower version than the corresponding control program among at least one extracted BMS (110) as the target BMS.

[0100] According to one embodiment, when the target BMS is a master BMS (111) (S610), the master BMS (111) can delete a BMS control program pre-stored in a first area (411) in the memory (410). Thereafter, the master (111) can copy the corresponding control program stored in the storage space (130) and store it in a second area (412) in the memory (410) (S620). In other words, the master BMS (111) can delete the BMS control program pre-stored in the first area (411) and download the corresponding control program stored in the storage space (130).

[0101] According to another embodiment, when the target BMS is at least one slave BMS (S610), the master BMS (111) may transmit each of at least one control program to a specific first slave BMS (112) to which the corresponding target BMS belongs. Here, the at least one slave BMS may include at least one of the first slave BMS (112) or the second slave BMS (113). For example, the first slave BMS (112) may be a Rack BMS (RBMS), and the second slave BMS may be a Pack (or Module) BMS (PBMS).

[0102] To be more specific, if the target of application of a specific control program is at least one first slave BMS (112) (S630), the master BMS (111) may select at least one specific first slave BMS (112) among the first slave BMSs (112) managed by the master BMS (111) and having a lower version than the version information of the specific control program as the target BMS (S631). Thereafter, the master BMS (111) may transfer the specific control program stored in the storage space (130) of the master BMS (111) to the storage space (130) of at least one specific first slave BMS (112), which is the target BMS (S632).

[0103] Thereafter, when a specific first slave BMS (112) recognizes the specific control program stored in the storage space (130) of the specific first slave BMS, the specific first slave BMS can delete the BMS control program pre-stored in the first area (411) of the memory (410) of the specific first slave BMS (S633). Thereafter, the specific first slave BMS (112) can copy the specific control program stored in the storage space (130) and store it in the second area (412) of the memory (410) (S634). In other words, the specific first slave BMS (112) can download the corresponding control program stored in the storage space (130) of the specific first slave BMS.

[0104] Here, the first region (411) may be an active region, and the second region (412) may be an inactive region.

[0105] Meanwhile, if the target of a specific control program is at least one second slave BMS (113) (S630), the master BMS (111) may select at least one specific second slave BMS (113) that has a lower version than the version information of the specific control program among the second slave BMSs (113) managed by the master BMS (111) as the target BMS (S640). Thereafter,

[0106] The master BMS (111) can transfer at least one of the specific control programs stored in the storage space (130) of the master BMS (111) to the storage space (130) of the specific first slave BMS (112), which is the upper BMS of each of the specific second slave BMSs (113), which are the target BMSs (S641).

[0107] Thereafter, a specific first slave BMS (112) can transfer the specific control program stored in the storage space (130) of the specific first slave BMS (112) to the storage space (130) of the specific second slave BMS (113) (S642).

[0108] Thereafter, when the specific control program stored in the storage space (130) of the specific second slave BMS (113) is recognized, the specific second slave BMS (113) can delete (S643) the BMS control program pre-stored in the first area (411) of the memory (410) of the specific second slave BMS (113). Thereafter, the specific second slave BMS (113) can copy the specific control program stored in the storage space (130) of the specific second slave BMS (113) and store it in the second area (412) of the memory (410) of the specific second slave BMS (113) (S644). In other words, the specific second slave BMS (113) can download the corresponding control program stored in the storage space (130) of the specific second slave BMS (113) and update the program for battery status management.

[0109] Thereafter, the master BMS (111) can sequentially transmit a re-execution signal according to the hierarchical structure of at least one target BMS (for example, the master BMS (111) can receive a re-execution signal in the order of the master BMS (111), at least one first slave BMS (112), and at least one second slave BMS (113) (S650).

[0110] At least one target BMS that has received a re-execution signal can copy a specific control program stored in a second area (412) within the memory (410) of each target BMS and store it in a first area (411) within the memory (410) (S660). Thereafter, at least one target BMS can perform a program update of the target BMS without interrupting the operation of the battery system by executing the updated control program in the first area (411) during re-execution (S670).

[0111]

[0112] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a plurality of first slave BMSs in a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, when the first slave BMS (112) receives a re-execution signal from the master BMS (111), the first slave BMS (112) can perform an update of the specific control program from the first BMS (BMS #1) to the Nth BMS (BMS #N). Here, N can be a natural number.

[0114] To be more specific, when the first BMS (S700) of the first slave BMSs (112) receives a re-execution signal from the master BMS (111), that is, when the master BMS (111) transmits a re-execution signal to the first BMS (S710), it can check whether a control program is stored in the second area (412) in the memory (410) (S720). At this time, when the control program is stored in the second area (412), the first BMS can copy the control program stored in the second area (412) and store it in the first area (411) in the memory (410) (S730).

[0115] Thereafter, the first BMS can be re-executed (S740) to activate the control program stored in the first area (411), thereby completing the control program update of the first BMS.

[0116] Thereafter, the first BMS can transmit a re-execution completion signal to the master BMS (111) (S750). Accordingly, the master BMS (111) can transmit a re-execution signal to the second BMS among the first slave BMSs (112) (S760). Thereafter, the master BMS (111) can control the repeating of steps S710 to S760 up to the Nth BMS within the first slave BMS (112) (S770).

[0117]

[0118] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for updating a plurality of second slave BMSs in a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of second slave BMSs (113) can be managed by a specific first slave BMS (112). In other words, the plurality of second slave BMSs (113) are subordinate BMSs of the specific first slave BMSs (112). Accordingly, the second slave BMS (113) can receive a re-execution signal from the specific first slave BMS (112) after step S750 of FIG. 7. Accordingly, the second slave BMS (113) can perform an update of a specific control program targeting the first BMS to the Nth BMS among the second slave BMSs (113).

[0120] To be more specific, when the first BMS (S800) of the second slave BMSs (113) receives a re-execution signal from the master BMS (111), that is, when a specific first slave BMS (112) transmits a re-execution signal to the first BMS of the second slave BMSs (113) (S810), it can check whether a control program is stored in the second area (412) of the memory (410) (S820). At this time, when a control program is stored in the second area (412), the first BMS can copy the control program stored in the second area (412) and store it in the first area (411) (S830).

[0121] Thereafter, the first BMS is re-executed (S840) to activate the control program stored in the first area (411) in the memory (410), thereby completing the control program update of the first BMS.

[0122] Thereafter, the first BMS can transmit a re-execution completion signal to the specific first slave BMS (112) (S850). Accordingly, the specific first slave BMS (112) can transmit a re-execution signal to the second BMS among the second slave BMSs (113) (S860). Thereafter, the specific first slave BMS (112) can control to repeatedly perform steps S810 to S860 up to the Nth BMS among the plurality of second slave BMSs (113) (S870).

[0123] Afterwards, when the control program update of the Nth BMS of the second slave BMS is completed, the specific first slave BMS (112) can continuously perform the control program update of the first slave BMS (112) by performing step S760 of FIG. 7.

[0124]

[0125] The battery system and its operation method according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described above.

[0126] A battery system and an operating method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention can provide a battery system and an operating method thereof capable of high-efficiency battery management operation by updating a control program of a battery management system (BMS) without interrupting battery monitoring during operation of the battery system.

[0127]

[0128] The operations of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes any type of recording device that stores data readable by a computer system. Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium can be distributed across network-connected computer systems, allowing the computer-readable program or code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0129] Additionally, the computer-readable recording medium may include hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. The program instructions may include not only machine language codes produced by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0130] While some aspects of the present invention have been described in the context of a device, they may also represent a description of a corresponding method, wherein a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may also be described as a corresponding block or item or a feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware device, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most significant method steps may be performed by such a device.

[0131] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

1. A battery system including multiple BMS having a hierarchical structure, Multiple slave BMSs; and Includes a master BMS that is linked to the above multiple slave BMSs, The above master BMS is a battery system that, during operation of the battery system, identifies the target of application of a control program input from the outside for battery management and transmits a control program corresponding to the target of application to the target of application.

2. In claim 1, The above master BMS is, If the above control program is a control program applied to a slave BMS, Compare the version information for each of the plurality of slave BMSs with the version information of the control program, A battery system that determines a specific slave BMS having a lower version than the version information of the above control program as the application target and transmits the control program to the application target.

3. In claim 2, The above master BMS is, A battery system that transmits the control program to the storage space of the above application target.

4. In claim 2, The above specific slave BMS is, Delete the control program stored in the first area of ​​the memory of the above specific slave BMS, A battery system that copies a control program stored in the storage space of the above-mentioned specific slave BMS and stores it in a second area of ​​the memory.

5. In claim 4, The above specific slave BMS is, A battery system that, when a re-execution signal is received from the master BMS, copies the control program stored in the second area and stores it in the first area.

6. In claim 1, The above multiple slave BMSs, comprising at least one first slave BMS and a second slave BMS having a hierarchical structure, A battery system wherein the second slave BMS is a lower layer of the first slave BMS.

7. In claim 6, The above master BMS is, If the above control program is a control program applied to the second slave BMS, Transferring the control program of the second slave BMS to the storage space of the first slave BMS, The above first slave BMS, A battery system that transmits the control program of the second slave BMS, which is transmitted to the storage space of the first slave BMS, to the storage space of the second slave BMS.

8. In claim 6, The above master BMS is, If the above control program is a control program applied to the second slave BMS, Compare at least one version information individually received from the plurality of second slave BMSs with the version information of at least one control program, A battery system that determines a specific second slave BMS having a lower version than the version information of the control program as the application target and transmits at least one control program to the storage space of the application target.

9. In claim 7, The above second slave BMS is, Delete the control program stored in the first area of ​​the memory of the second slave BMS, A battery system that copies a control program stored in the storage space of the second slave BMS and stores it in the second area of ​​the memory.

10. In claim 9, The above second slave BMS is, A battery system that, when a re-execution signal is received from the master BMS, copies the control program stored in the second area and stores it in the first area.

11. In any one of claims 2 and 8, The above storage space is a battery system including external memory.

12. In any one of claims 4 and 9, A battery system wherein the first region is an inactive region and the second region is an active region.

13. A method for operating a battery system including multiple BMSs having a hierarchical structure, A step in which the master BMS acquires a control program input from an external source for battery management during operation of the battery system; The step of the above master BMS identifying each target of application of the control program; and A method for operating a battery system, comprising a step of the master BMS transmitting a control program corresponding to the application target to the application target.

14. In claim 13, The step of identifying each target of application of the control program by the above master BMS is as follows: If the above control program is a control program applied to a slave BMS, the step of the master BMS comparing the version information of each of a plurality of slave BMSs linked to the master BMS with the version information of the control program; and A method for operating a battery system, comprising a step of determining, by the master BMS, a specific slave BMS having a lower version than the version information of the control program as the application target.

15. In claim 14, The step in which the above master BMS transmits a control program corresponding to the application target to the application target is as follows: A method of operating a battery system, comprising a step of transmitting the control program to the storage space of the application target by the master BMS.

16. In claim 14, When a control program of a specific slave BMS is stored in the above storage space, a step of deleting the control program pre-stored in the first area of ​​the memory by the specific slave BMS; and A method of operating a battery system, further comprising a step of copying a control program stored in a storage space of the specific slave BMS and storing the copy in a second area of ​​the memory.

17. In claim 16, A step in which the specific slave BMS receives a re-execution signal from the master BMS; A step in which the specific slave BMS copies the control program stored in the second area and stores it in the first area; and A method of operating a battery system, comprising a step of re-running the above-mentioned specific slave BMS.

18. In claim 14, The above multiple slave BMSs, comprising at least one first slave BMS and a second slave BMS having a hierarchical structure, A method of operating a battery system, wherein the second slave BMS is a lower layer of the first slave BMS.

19. In claim 18, The step in which the above master BMS transmits a control program corresponding to the application target to the application target is as follows: If the control program is a control program applied to the second slave BMS, the step of the master BMS transferring the control program of the second slave BMS to the storage space of the first slave BMS; and A method of operating a battery system, comprising a step of transmitting, by the first slave BMS, a control program of the second slave BMS, which has been transmitted to the storage space of the first slave BMS, to the storage space of the second slave BMS.

20. In claim 19, When the control program of the second slave BMS is stored in the storage space, the second slave BMS deletes the control program pre-stored in the first area of ​​the memory; and A method for operating a battery system, further comprising a step of copying a control program stored in a storage space of the second slave BMS and storing the copy in a second area of ​​the memory.

21. In claim 20, When a re-execution signal is received from the master BMS, the second slave BMS copies the control program stored in the second area; and A method of operating a battery system, further comprising the step of causing the second slave BMS to store the copied control program in the first area.

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