Polarity short control device for fully discharging battery and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a polarity short control device for fully discharging a battery and a method thereof, wherein the polarity short control device for fully discharging a battery comprises: a connection state checking unit which checks a connection state between a discharger and a battery pack; an interface activation unit which supplies power via an internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) to activate an interface and then operate the battery pack once the connection between the discharger and the battery pack is complete; a discharge operation performing unit which forwards information from a battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack, obtained through the activated interface, to the discharger so that the discharge operation of the discharger can be performed; and a short contactor operation unit which monitors a discharge voltage among the obtained information from the battery management system of the battery pack to operate a short contactor through the interface to short an electrode of the battery pack.

Description

Polarity short-circuit control device and method for complete battery discharge

[0001] The present invention relates to a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery and a method thereof, which, when connection between a discharger and a battery pack is completed, transmits information of a battery management system of a battery pack acquired through an interface activated by an internal switching mode power supply to the discharger to perform a discharge operation of the discharger, and monitors a discharge voltage among the acquired information of the battery management system of the battery pack and operates a short contactor through the interface to short-circuit electrodes of the battery pack.

[0002]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable across a wide range of product groups and possess electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electrical power sources. These batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they can reduce fossil fuel use but also because they produce no byproducts from energy use.

[0004] Additionally, the use of battery packs containing multiple unit battery modules has been increasing recently. Specifically, battery packs contain multiple electrically connected battery modules and are used in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which require relatively large electrical capacities. In particular, with the increasing demand for electric vehicles, the amount of waste batteries generated after scrapping vehicles is increasing exponentially.

[0005] After evaluating the performance of electric vehicle waste batteries to determine their residual value, those with good performance are reused in ESS or used as raw materials for after-sales service. Those with poor performance are completely discharged, shredded, and recycled to extract rare metals.

[0006] Since the used batteries are separated from the electric vehicle, the cooling system of the battery itself does not operate during performance evaluation and complete discharge, exposing it to the risk of fire due to the rise in the internal temperature of the battery. In addition, since the battery status, such as cell voltage, cannot be known, it is essential to monitor the battery cells for abnormalities and ensure safe charging and discharging.

[0007] In this regard, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2022-0126077 discloses “a discharge treatment device, a discharge treatment method, and a discharge treatment system for a used battery.”

[0008]

[0009] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a polarity short control device and method for complete discharge of a battery, which transmits information of a battery management system (BMS) of a battery pack acquired through an interface activated by an internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) to the discharger when connection between the discharger and the battery pack is completed, thereby performing a discharge operation of the discharger.

[0010] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a polarity short control device and method for complete discharge of a battery, which short-circuits the electrodes of a battery pack by operating a short contactor through an interface when the discharge voltage among the information of a battery management system of an acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range.

[0011] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a polarity short control device and method for complete discharge of a battery, which releases the connection with a discharger when the discharge of the battery pack is completed, and controls the release after maintaining the connection with the battery pack for a preset time to completely discharge it.

[0012]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention includes: a connection status detection unit for detecting a connection status between a discharger and a battery pack; an interface activation unit for activating an interface by supplying power through an internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) when the connection between the discharger and the battery pack is completed, and then operating the battery pack; a discharge operation execution unit for transmitting information of a battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack acquired through the activated interface to the discharger so that a discharge operation of the discharger is performed; and a short contactor operation unit for monitoring a discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the battery pack acquired and operating a short contactor through the interface to short-circuit electrodes of the battery pack.

[0014] In addition, the discharge operation performing unit is characterized in that it operates the main relay of the battery management system of the battery pack through the interface to connect a high voltage line between the discharger and the battery pack to start the discharge operation of the discharger.

[0015] In addition, the short contactor operating unit is characterized in that it operates the short contactor when the discharge voltage of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range.

[0016] In addition, it is characterized by including a discharger disconnection unit that controls disconnection from the discharger when discharge of the battery pack is completed.

[0017] In addition, after the connection with the discharger is disconnected, the connection with the battery pack is maintained for a preset time to completely discharge, and then a battery pack disconnection unit is included to control the disconnection.

[0018] In order to achieve the above object, a polarity short control method for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention includes the steps of: identifying a connection status between a discharger and a battery pack by a connection status identifying unit; activating the interface by supplying power through an internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) when the connection between the discharger and the battery pack is completed by an interface activating unit and then operating the battery pack; transmitting information of a battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack acquired through the activated interface by a discharge operation performing unit to the discharger so that a discharge operation of the discharger is performed; and monitoring a discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the battery pack acquired by a short contactor operating unit and operating a short contactor through the interface to short-circuit electrodes of the battery pack.

[0019] In addition, the step of transmitting information of the battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack acquired through the activated interface to the discharger to perform a discharge operation of the discharger is characterized by starting the discharge operation of the discharger by operating the main relay of the battery management system of the battery pack through the interface to connect a high voltage line between the discharger and the battery pack.

[0020] In addition, the step of monitoring the discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack and operating the short contactor through the interface to short-circuit the electrodes of the battery pack is characterized in that the short contactor is operated when the discharge voltage of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range.

[0021] In addition, it is characterized by including a step of controlling disconnection from a discharger when discharge of the battery pack is completed after the step of monitoring the discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack and operating a short contactor through an interface to short-circuit the electrodes of the battery pack.

[0022] In addition, after the discharge of the battery pack is completed, after the step of controlling the disconnection from the discharger, the step of controlling the disconnection after the connection with the discharger is disconnected is characterized by including a step of controlling the disconnection after the connection with the battery pack is maintained for a preset time to ensure complete discharge.

[0023]

[0024] The polarity short control device and method for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention transmits information of a battery management system (BMS) of a battery pack acquired through an interface activated by an internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) to the discharger when connection between the discharger and the battery pack is completed, thereby performing a discharge operation of the discharger, thereby preventing exposure of a worker to high voltage and performing safe discharge, and has the effect of reducing the work time with a simple connection.

[0025] In addition, the present invention can individually perform complete battery discharge by short-circuiting the electrodes of the battery pack by operating a short contactor through an interface when the discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range, thereby having the effect of independently continuously operating the discharger and the discharge of multiple battery packs in a method of discharging one battery pack per discharger.

[0026] In addition, the present invention has the effect of preventing the battery pack voltage from increasing due to battery recovery and enabling complete discharge by disconnecting the connection with the discharger when the discharge of the battery pack is completed and maintaining the connection with the battery pack for a preset period of time to allow complete discharge and then disconnecting the connection.

[0027]

[0028] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining the configuration of a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for preparing for discharge in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for power connection in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete battery discharge according to the present invention is applied.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of the main relay and the operation of the relays for discharge in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for performing discharge in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for short contactor operation during discharge in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for discharge termination and contactor separation in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete battery discharge according to the present invention is applied.

[0035] Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining the sequence of a polarity short control method for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention.

[0036]

[0037] The present invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail.

[0038] However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are included. Similar reference numerals have been used to designate similar components throughout the description of each drawing.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail. Hereinafter, identical components in the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of identical components will be omitted.

[0042]

[0043] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining the configuration of a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a polarity short control device (100) for complete battery discharge according to the present invention is connected between a discharger and a battery pack, monitors the battery discharge status through information from a battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack as SOC and battery cell voltage, operates to match the discharger cut-off point and the polar short point, and maintains the short by continuously operating the main relay and contactor of the battery pack even when the high voltage line of the discharger is disconnected.

[0045] In addition, the polarity short control device (100) for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention may be configured with a busbar-shaped configuration box that can be connected in parallel with a main relay, a contactor connected to a fuse resistor that can be connected in series with the busbar-shaped configuration box, an interface that can collect information from a battery management system (BMS) of a battery pack, an adapter that supports 12 V power, and an operation switch, which will be described in detail later in FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0046] To this end, the polarity short control device (100) for complete battery discharge according to the present invention largely includes a connection status detection unit (110), an interface activation unit (120), a discharge operation performing unit (130), a short contactor operating unit (140), a discharger disconnection unit (150), and a battery pack disconnection unit (160).

[0047] The connection status detection unit (110) detects the connection status with the discharger and battery pack.

[0048] When the connection with the discharger and the battery pack is completed, the interface activator (120) supplies power through an internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) to activate the interface and then operates the battery pack.

[0049] The discharge operation performing unit (130) transmits information of the battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack acquired through the activated interface to the discharger so that the discharger performs the discharge operation. Here, the battery management system is a system that manages the battery. It measures the current, voltage, temperature, etc. of the battery installed in an electric vehicle (BEV) or ESS through a sensor and determines in advance so that the battery can exhibit optimal performance. The battery is composed of a cell, which is the smallest basic unit, a module, which is a set number of cells, and a pack, which can be considered the final form of the battery. The role of the battery management system in such a battery is to harmoniously adjust the current and voltage of each cell.

[0050] The discharge operation execution unit (130) operates the main relay of the battery management system of the battery pack through the interface to connect the high voltage line between the discharger and the battery pack, thereby starting the discharge operation of the discharger.

[0051] The short contactor operating unit (140) monitors the discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack and operates the short contactor through the interface to short the electrodes (+, -) of the battery pack.

[0052] The short contactor operating unit (140) operates the short contactor when the discharge voltage of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range (at the time of a polar short circuit). At this time, the preset reference range is within 5 to 20 V, but is not limited thereto.

[0053] The discharger disconnect unit (150) controls the disconnection from the discharger (discharger cut-off point) when the discharge of the battery pack is completed. At this time, the completion of the discharge of the battery pack can be determined by information from the battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack obtained through the activated interface.

[0054] The battery pack disconnection unit (160) controls the release after the connection with the discharger is disconnected, by maintaining the connection with the battery pack for a preset time (continuously supplying external power) to ensure complete discharge.

[0055] The battery pack disconnection unit (160) is configured to disconnect the battery pack by cutting off the switch power after a preset time, i.e., about 1 to 2 days, at the discretion of the operator, thereby preventing the battery pack voltage from increasing due to battery recovery and enabling complete discharge.

[0056]

[0057] Figures 2 to 7 are drawings for explaining the operation of relays in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied.

[0058] Here, the system to which the polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied is composed of a busbar-shaped configuration box that is connected between a discharger and a battery pack and can be connected in parallel with a main relay, a fuse that can be connected in series with the box (the S1 switch does not operate when the battery voltage is 20 V or higher, but protects the battery pack by disconnection in the event of a momentary overcurrent due to a short circuit), a contactor connected to a resistor (which prevents contactor contact fusion in the event of a short circuit because voltage exists even at low voltage), an interface that can collect information from a battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack, an adapter that supports 12 V power, and an operation switch.

[0059] Additionally, the discharger discharges the charge voltage of the battery to a certain level and includes a communication module that receives information from the battery management system of the battery pack transmitted from a polarity short control device for complete discharge of the battery.

[0060] Additionally, the battery pack may include a battery management system (BMS) that collects real-time current data from the battery pack. The BMS senses relevant information, such as battery current, voltage, and temperature, to ensure optimal battery performance. This monitoring can prevent overcharging and / or overdischarging of the battery.

[0061] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for preparing for discharge in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied, in which a discharger, a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery, and a battery pack are connected to prepare for discharge.

[0062] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for power connection in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete battery discharge according to the present invention is applied, in which a battery pack is operated by supplying interface 12V power through a switching mode power supply (SMPS) inside the polarity short control device for complete battery discharge.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of the main relay and the relays for discharge in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied, wherein information of a battery management system (BMS) of a battery pack acquired through an interface within the polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery is transmitted to a discharger. Next, when the main relay of the BMS (Battery Management System) through the interface operates, the high voltage line of the battery pack and the discharge period is connected, and then the discharge operation of the discharger is performed.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for performing discharge in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied. When the discharge voltage of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range (5 to 20 V), a short contactor is operated through an interface inside the polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery to short-circuit the electrodes (+, -) of the battery pack.

[0065] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for short contactor operation during discharge in a system to which a polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention is applied. When discharge of a battery pack is completed, the connection with the discharger is controlled, and then the complete discharge of the battery pack is maintained for a preset time through the short contactor of the polarity short control device for complete discharge of the battery.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the operation of relays for discharge termination and contactor separation in a system to which a polarity short control device for battery complete discharge according to the present invention is applied. When a battery pack is completely discharged after a preset time has elapsed through a short contactor of the polarity short control device for battery complete discharge, the connection between the polarity short control device for battery complete discharge and the battery pack is released.

[0067]

[0068] Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining the sequence of a polarity short control method for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 8, the polarity short control method for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention uses the polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery according to the present invention described above, and thus, any redundant description will be omitted.

[0070] First, determine the connection status with the discharger and battery pack (S100).

[0071] Next, when the connection to the discharger and the battery pack is completed, power is supplied through the internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) to activate the interface and then operate the battery pack (S110).

[0072] Next, information from the battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack acquired through the activated interface is transmitted to the discharger so that the discharger performs a discharge operation (S120).

[0073] Step S120 operates the main relay of the battery management system of the battery pack through the interface to connect the high voltage line between the discharger and the battery pack, thereby initiating the discharge operation of the discharger.

[0074] Next, the discharge voltage is monitored among the information of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack, and the short contactor is operated through the interface to short-circuit the electrodes (+, -) of the battery pack (S130).

[0075] Step S130 operates the short contactor when the discharge voltage of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range. At this time, the preset reference range is, but is not limited to, 5 to 20 V.

[0076] Next, when the discharge of the battery pack is completed, the disconnection from the discharger is controlled (S140).

[0077] At step S140, the end of discharge of the battery pack can be determined by information from the battery management system of the battery pack obtained through the activated interface.

[0078] Finally, after the connection with the discharger is disconnected, the connection with the battery pack is controlled to be completely discharged after maintaining the preset time (S150).

[0079] Step S150 is to prevent the battery pack voltage from rising due to battery recovery and to enable complete discharge by turning off the switch power and disconnecting it at the operator's discretion after a preset time, i.e., approximately 1 to 2 days.

[0080]

[0081] The functional operations described in this specification and the embodiments of the present subject matter can be implemented in digital electronic circuits, computer software, firmware or hardware, or in a combination of one or more of these, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents.

[0082] Embodiments of the subject matter described herein may be implemented as one or more modules of a computer program product, i.e., one or more computer program instructions encoded on a tangible program medium for execution by or to control the operation of a data processing device. The tangible program medium may be a radio signal or a computer-readable medium. A radio signal is an artificially generated signal, such as a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encode information for transmission to a suitable receiver device for execution by a computer. The computer-readable medium may be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a combination of materials that affect a machine-readable radio signal, or a combination of one or more of these.

[0083] The description herein presents the best mode of the present invention, and provides examples to illustrate the invention and enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The specification, as written, is not intended to limit the invention to the specific terms presented.

[0084] Accordingly, while the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the examples described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications, variations, and variations can be made to the examples without departing from the scope of the present invention. In short, it should be noted that in order to achieve the intended effects of the present invention, not all functional blocks depicted in the drawings must be separately included or all orders depicted in the drawings must be followed in the exact order shown, and that even if not, the technical scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims may be included.

Claims

1. Connection status detection unit that detects the connection status with the discharger and battery pack; An interface activator that activates the interface by supplying power through an internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) after connection with the discharger and battery pack is completed, and then operates the battery pack; A discharge operation performing unit that transmits information of a battery management system (BMS) of a battery pack acquired through an activated interface to a discharger so that a discharge operation of the discharger is performed; and A short contactor operating unit that monitors the discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack and operates the short contactor through the interface to short the electrodes of the battery pack; A polarity short circuit control device for complete discharge of a battery, characterized by including a .

2. In paragraph 1, A polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery, characterized in that the discharge operation performing unit operates the main relay of the battery management system of the battery pack through an interface to connect a high voltage line between the discharger and the battery pack and start the discharge operation of the discharger.

3. In paragraph 1, A polarity short control device for complete discharge of a battery, characterized in that the short contactor operating unit operates the short contactor when the discharge voltage of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range.

4. In paragraph 1, A polarity short control device for complete battery discharge, characterized by including a discharger disconnection unit that controls disconnection from the discharger when discharge of the battery pack is completed.

5. In paragraph 1, A polarity short control device for battery complete discharge, characterized in that it includes a battery pack disconnection unit that controls the disconnection after the connection with the discharger is disconnected, so that the connection with the battery pack is maintained for a preset time to completely discharge, and then the disconnection.

6. A step of identifying the connection status with the discharger and the battery pack by the connection status identifying unit; A step of activating the interface by supplying power through an internal switching mode power supply (SMPS) after connection with the discharger and the battery pack is completed by the interface activator, and then operating the battery pack; A step for transmitting information of a battery management system (BMS) of a battery pack acquired through an activated interface by a discharge operation performing unit to a discharger so that a discharge operation of the discharger is performed; and A step of monitoring a discharge voltage among information of a battery management system of a battery pack acquired by a short contactor operating unit and operating a short contactor through an interface to short-circuit the electrodes of the battery pack; A polarity short control method for complete discharge of a battery, characterized by including a.

7. In paragraph 6, The step of transmitting information of the battery management system (BMS) of the battery pack acquired through the activated interface to the discharger so that the discharger performs a discharge operation is as follows. A polarity short control method for complete discharge of a battery, characterized in that the main relay of the battery management system of the battery pack is operated through an interface to connect a high voltage line between the discharger and the battery pack and start the discharge operation of the discharger.

8. In paragraph 6, The step of monitoring the discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack and operating the short contactor through the interface to short the electrodes of the battery pack is as follows. A polarity short control method for complete discharge of a battery, characterized in that a short contactor is operated when the discharge voltage of a battery management system of an acquired battery pack is within a preset reference range.

9. In paragraph 6, After the step of monitoring the discharge voltage among the information of the battery management system of the acquired battery pack and operating the short contactor through the interface to short the electrodes of the battery pack, A polarity short control method for complete discharge of a battery, characterized by including a step of controlling disconnection from a discharger when discharge of a battery pack is terminated.

10. In paragraph 9, After the discharge of the battery pack is completed, after the step of controlling the disconnection from the discharger. A method for controlling polarity short circuit for battery complete discharge, characterized in that after the connection with the discharger is disconnected, the connection with the battery pack is maintained for a preset time to completely discharge, and then the release is controlled.

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