Diagnostic device and operating method thereof

Abstract

A diagnostic device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may comprise: a first information generation unit that receives an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter and generates first information related to the frequency of the infrared signal; a second information generation unit that receives the infrared signal and generates second information related to the amount of light of the infrared signal; and a processor that diagnoses the state of the transmitter on the basis of the first information and the second information.

Description

Diagnostic device and its operating method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0146831, filed October 30, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] One embodiment disclosed in this document relates to a diagnostic device and a method of operating the same.

[0005] Recently, active research and development has been conducted on secondary batteries. The term "secondary battery" refers to a rechargeable battery, encompassing both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as more recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries boast a significantly higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight form, making them a popular power source for mobile devices. Recently, their use has expanded to include power sources for electric vehicles, drawing attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0006] The battery management device that controls the overall operation of these secondary batteries communicates with the outside world via wired and / or wireless communication methods, such as infrared communication. In the case of battery management devices that communicate with the outside world via infrared communication, the locations of the transmitter and receiver, which transmit infrared signals, are fixed, making it difficult to diagnose the quality of infrared communication.

[0007] One embodiment disclosed in this document relates to a diagnostic device for verifying the operating status of a battery management device that communicates based on infrared rays and an operating method thereof.

[0008] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0009] A diagnostic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include a first information generating unit that receives an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter and generates first information related to a frequency of the infrared signal; a second information generating unit that receives the infrared signal and generates second information related to a light amount of the infrared signal; and a processor that diagnoses a state of the transmitter based on the first information and the second information.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the first information generating unit includes a conversion unit that converts the infrared signal into an electrical signal; and a filter unit that includes an RC filter that delays the converted electrical signal for a preset period of time; and the first information may be related to the electrical signal delayed for the preset period of time.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the processor can diagnose the operating state of the transmitter based on a comparison result between the frequency of the delayed electrical signal obtained based on the first information and a preset reference frequency.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the second information generating unit includes a conversion unit that converts the infrared signal into an electrical signal; and a storage unit that includes a capacitor that stores energy related to the converted electrical signal; and the second information may be related to a level of voltage applied across the capacitor.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the processor can diagnose the operating status of the transmitter based on a comparison result between a voltage level obtained based on the second information and a preset reference voltage level.

[0014] In one embodiment, the reference voltage level may be related to a distance between the diagnostic device and the external transmitter.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the external part may correspond to a transmitter of a battery management system (BMS) that performs infrared communication.

[0016] An operating method of a diagnostic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include the steps of: receiving an infrared signal transmitted from the outside; converting the infrared signal into an electrical signal; diagnosing a frequency of the infrared signal based on first information generated based on the electrical signal; and diagnosing a light quantity of the infrared signal based on second information generated based on the electrical signal.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first information may be related to the frequency of a signal that delays the electrical signal for a preset reference time, and the second information may be related to the energy of the electrical signal.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the step of verifying the frequency of the infrared signal may include: obtaining the frequency of the signal delayed for the reference time based on the first information; comparing the frequency of the signal delayed for the reference time with a preset reference frequency; and verifying the frequency of the infrared signal based on a comparison result between the frequencies.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the step of verifying the amount of light of the infrared signal may include: obtaining a voltage level applied across a capacitor storing energy of the electrical signal based on the second information; comparing the level of the voltage obtained based on the second information with a preset reference voltage level; and verifying the amount of light of the infrared signal based on a result of the comparison of the voltage levels.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the reference voltage level is determined based on a distance between the external device and the diagnostic device, and the external device may correspond to a transmitter of a battery management system (BMS) that performs infrared communication.

[0021] According to one embodiment disclosed in this document, a diagnostic device for verifying the operating status of a battery management device communicating based on infrared rays and an operating method thereof are disclosed.

[0022] The effects according to the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art according to the disclosure of this document.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating a diagnostic device and peripheral configuration according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a diagnostic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining first information according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0026] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are drawings for explaining second information according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a diagnostic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When designating components in each drawing, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components are given identical reference numerals, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments disclosed in this document, detailed descriptions of related known structures or functions will be omitted if they are deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0029] In describing the components of the embodiments disclosed in this document, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, 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. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating a diagnostic device and peripheral configuration according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the diagnostic device (100) can be configured to diagnose the status of the transmitter (1210) of the battery management device (1200).

[0032] The battery pack (1000) may include a battery module (1100) and a battery management system (BMS, 1200).

[0033] The battery module (1100) may include a plurality of battery cells (not shown). Here, the plurality of battery cells (not shown) may be, but are not limited to, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) batteries, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, etc.

[0034] The battery module (1100) may be configured to be connected to a target device (not shown) and supply power to the target device. To this end, the battery module (1100) may be electrically connected to the target device (not shown). The target device may include an electrical, electronic, or mechanical device that operates by receiving power from the battery module (1100). For example, the target device (not shown) may be an electric vehicle (EV), but is not limited to such examples.

[0035] In FIG. 1, the battery pack (1000) is illustrated as including one battery module (1100), but is not limited to this example, and the battery pack (1000) may include at least one battery module.

[0036] The battery management device (1200) can control the overall operation of the battery pack (1000). For example, the battery management device (1200) can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the battery module (1100) and / or a plurality of battery cells (not shown) included in the battery module (1100). The battery management device (1200) can manage charging and / or discharging of the battery module (1100).

[0037] The battery management device (1200) can communicate with the outside to measure at least one of the voltage, current, temperature, and resistance of the battery module (1100) and / or each of the plurality of battery cells (not shown) included in the battery module (1100) and / or provide the measured voltage, current, temperature, and resistance of the battery module (1100) and / or each of the plurality of battery cells (not shown) included in the battery module (1100) to the outside. The battery management device (1200) can communicate with the outside using a wired and / or wireless communication method, and the outside may include, but is not limited to, a battery management device (not shown) included in another battery pack (not shown) and / or an upper controller.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the battery management device (1200) can communicate with the outside world based on an infrared (IR) communication method. Here, infrared communication, which is a type of wireless communication among various wired and / or wireless communication methods, may be a method for transmitting data remotely and / or communicating between electronic devices by utilizing infrared (IR). Infrared communication may be performed between an infrared transmitter that generates and / or transmits infrared and an infrared receiver that receives the transmitted infrared.

[0039] The battery management device (1200) may include an infrared communication unit (1210) that performs infrared communication, and the infrared communication unit (1210) may include a transmission unit (1211) that generates and / or transmits an infrared signal and a reception unit (1212) that receives an infrared signal transmitted from the outside.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the transmitter (1211) may include an LED (light emitting diode) that generates infrared rays. The infrared transmitter may be configured to control the intensity of infrared rays generated by the LED by controlling the amount of current flowing through the LED.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the receiver (1212) may include a sensor capable of detecting infrared rays, such as a semiconductor device having a light detection function, such as a photodiode. In addition, the infrared receiver may be configured to convert a current flowing in the photodiode into an electrical signal to interpret and / or process an infrared signal transmitted by the infrared transmitter. However, this is merely exemplary, and the infrared communication unit (1210) may be configured in various ways to perform infrared communication, or may further include various configurations not described.

[0042] The battery management device (1200) can control the infrared communication unit (1210) to generate and / or transmit a test infrared signal for diagnosing the communication status of the infrared communication unit (1210). Here, the test infrared signal may be a signal having a preset constant frequency and a preset constant light quantity. According to one embodiment, the battery management device (1200) can control the infrared communication unit (1210) to transmit a test infrared signal having a preset constant frequency and a preset constant light quantity to the outside in order to diagnose the status of the transmitter (1211).

[0043] The diagnostic device (100) may be configured to diagnose the status of the transmitter (1211). The diagnostic device (100) may be configured to diagnose the status of the transmitter (1211) at a location that is a reference distance (d) away from the transmitter (1211).

[0044] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) can receive a test infrared signal transmitted by the transmitter (1211) and diagnose the status of the transmitter (1211) based on the received test infrared signal.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) can receive a test infrared signal transmitted by the transmitter (1211) and diagnose the state of the transmitter (1211) based on the frequency of the test infrared signal and the amount of light of the test infrared signal.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) can convert a test infrared signal into an electrical signal, delay the converted electrical signal for a preset time, and obtain the frequency of the delayed electrical signal.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) can compare the frequency of the delayed electrical signal with a constant reference frequency of the preset test infrared signal described above. Assuming that the transmitter (1211) operates normally, the transmitter (1211) can normally transmit the test infrared signal having the preset frequency, and therefore the frequency of the electrical signal acquired by the diagnostic device (100) can also be the same as and / or similar to the preset reference frequency. Accordingly, the diagnostic device (100) can diagnose that the state of the transmitter (1211) is normal when the difference between the frequency of the acquired electrical signal and the preset reference frequency is within the error range.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the second information generation unit (120, see FIG. 1) can convert a test infrared signal into an electrical signal, store energy related to the converted electrical signal, and obtain a voltage level value related to the energy of the converted electrical signal.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) can compare the voltage level value related to the energy of the converted electrical signal with the reference voltage level of the preset test infrared signal described above. Assuming that the transmitter (1211) operates normally, the transmitter (1211) can normally transmit the test infrared signal having the preset light quantity, and therefore the light quantity of the electrical signal acquired by the diagnostic device (100) can also be the same as and / or similar to the preset light quantity. Accordingly, the diagnostic device (100) can diagnose that the state of the transmitter (1211) is normal when the difference between the voltage level of the acquired electrical signal and the preset reference voltage level is within the error range.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the reference voltage level may be related to the distance (d) between the diagnostic device (100) and the transmitter (1211). Since infrared communication transmits and receives data based on infrared signals, the amount of light of the infrared signal received by the receiver may decrease as the distance between the transmitter and the receiver increases. Therefore, diagnosis may be performed by setting the reference voltage level differently based on the distance between the diagnostic device (100) and the transmitter (1211).

[0051] According to one embodiment, the error ranges of frequency and light quantity can be set and changed in various ways based on the range of allowable errors, etc.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) can diagnose that the communication status of the transmitter (1211) is normal when the result of comparing the frequency obtained from the test infrared signal transmitted from the transmitter (1211) with the reference frequency and the result of comparing the voltage level obtained from the test infrared signal with the reference voltage level are normal.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) may be implemented in the form of an OBD (On Board Diagnosis) diagnostic device. In this case, the diagnostic device (100) may be placed in proximity to the transmitter (1211) and receive a test infrared signal from the emitting transmitter (1211) to perform a diagnosis on the transmitter (1211).

[0054] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) may be configured to diagnose the status of the transmitter (1211) that performs infrared communication during the production and processing stages of the battery pack (1000). For example, the diagnostic device (100) may be configured to diagnose the status of the transmitter (1211) during an EOL (End of Line) inspection during the processing stages including the production and verification of the battery pack (1000).

[0055] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) may be configured to diagnose the communication status between a plurality of battery packs (not shown) included in an energy storage system (ESS). For example, since there may be a space between a plurality of battery packs that perform infrared communication included in the energy storage device, the diagnostic device (100) may be positioned in the space between the battery packs to diagnose the communication status between the battery packs that perform infrared communication.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a diagnostic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0057] The diagnostic device (100) may be configured to receive an infrared signal transmitted from the outside, particularly from an external infrared transmitter, and diagnose the infrared transmitter based on the received infrared signal. The diagnostic device (100) may include a first information generating unit (110), a second information generating unit (120), a processor (130), and a memory (140).

[0058] According to one embodiment, the first information generation unit (110) may include a conversion unit (111) and a filter unit (112). Here, the conversion unit (111) may be configured to convert an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter into an electrical signal.

[0059] For example, the conversion unit (111) may be configured to convert an infrared signal into an electrical signal based on a current flowing through a photodiode or the like that detects infrared light transmitted from an external transmitter, but is not limited to this example.

[0060] The filter unit (112) may be configured to delay the electrical signal converted by the converter unit (111) for a preset period of time. For example, the filter unit (112) may include an RC filter, but is not limited to this example. In addition, the delay time may be determined by an RC constant, and the delay time may be set and changed in various ways according to the design value.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the first information generating unit (110) may be configured to generate first information. Here, the first information may be related to the frequency of an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter. For example, the first information generating unit (110) may generate an electrical signal by delaying an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter, which has been converted into an electrical signal by the conversion unit (111), for a preset period of time. Here, the first information may include information related to the frequency of the electrical signal delayed for the preset period of time.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the second information generation unit (120) may include a conversion unit (121) and a storage unit (122). Here, the conversion unit (121) may be configured to convert an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter into an electrical signal. For example, the conversion unit (111) may be configured to convert an infrared signal into an electrical signal based on a current flowing through a photodiode or the like that detects infrared light transmitted from an external transmitter, but is not limited to this example. In addition, although FIG. 2 illustrates that each of the first information generation unit (110) and the second information generation unit (120) includes conversion units (111, 121), the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be implemented as a single configuration that converts an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter into an electrical signal.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the storage unit (122) may be configured to store energy associated with an electrical signal converted by the conversion unit (121). For example, the storage unit (122) may include a capacitor that stores energy.

[0064] According to one embodiment, a capacitor included in the storage unit (122) can store energy related to an electrical signal converted by the conversion unit (121).

[0065] According to one embodiment, the second information generation unit (120) may be configured to generate second information. Here, the second information may be related to the energy of an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter. For example, the second information generation unit (120) may store energy related to an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter that has been converted into an electrical signal by the conversion unit (121). Here, the second information may include information related to a voltage applied across a capacitor.

[0066] The processor (130) can control the overall operation of the diagnostic device (100).

[0067] According to one embodiment, the processor (130) may execute software to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software) of the diagnostic device (100), or perform operations such as processing and / or calculating various data.

[0068] The processor (130) can perform an operation of diagnosing the status of an external transmitter based on the first information and the second information.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the processor (130) may be configured to diagnose the operating status of the transmitter by comparing the frequency of the electrical signal acquired based on the first information with a preset reference frequency. Here, the preset reference frequency may be defined as a frequency that is predetermined to be transmitted by the external transmitter. For example, a test infrared signal transmitted by the external transmitter to diagnose the communication status may have a constant frequency and a constant light amount. The preset reference frequency may be related to the frequency of the above-described test infrared signal.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the processor (130) may be configured to diagnose the operating state of the transmitter by comparing the level of the voltage applied across the terminals of the aforementioned capacitor, which is related to the energy of the electrical signal acquired based on the second information, with a preset reference voltage level. Here, the preset reference voltage level may be defined as the energy related to the light amount of the aforementioned test infrared signal that is predetermined to be transmitted by the external transmitter.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the processor (130) may diagnose the operating state and / or communication state of the external transmitter as normal when the difference between the frequency of the electrical signal acquired based on the first information and the reference frequency is within a threshold value, and the difference between the level of the voltage acquired based on the second information and the reference voltage level is within a threshold value. Here, the threshold value may be set and applied in various ways depending on the range of the allowable error and / or the circuit design of the external transmitter.

[0072] The memory (140) may be configured to store data related to the above-described reference frequency and reference voltage level and / or to store various data generated by other diagnostic devices (100). According to one embodiment, the memory (140) may include a volatile memory device such as a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or a non-volatile memory device such as a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), or a flash memory, but is not limited to these examples.

[0073] As described above, the diagnostic device (100) according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document can receive an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter and perform analysis of frequency and light quantity in parallel based on the received infrared signal. In addition, the diagnostic device (100) is implemented as a separate device and can perform diagnosis on a battery pack (1000) that performs infrared communication regardless of the environment. In addition, since the criteria for the test infrared signal and the frequency and light quantity related thereto can be set differently based on the distance and / or allowable error between the diagnostic device (100) and the battery pack (1000), flexible diagnosis of the transmitter (1112) can be possible.

[0074] FIG. 3, FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are drawings for explaining the operation of the diagnostic device (100).

[0075] First, FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining first information according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, and FIGS. 4a and 4b are drawings for explaining second information according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 3, an electrical signal generated by the first information generating unit (110, see FIG. 2) is illustrated.

[0077] As described above, the first information generation unit (110) can receive an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter and convert the received infrared signal into an electrical signal. Here, the infrared signal may be the same infrared signal as the test infrared signal described above. For example, the first information generation unit (110) can convert the received infrared signal into an electrical signal to generate a signal (a) such as a pulse waveform having a constant frequency. However, the waveform of the signal illustrated in FIG. 3 is an example for convenience of explanation, and is not limited to examples having the waveform and / or frequency illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0078] The first information generation unit (110) can delay an infrared signal (a) converted into an electrical signal for a preset time (t1). According to one embodiment, the first information generation unit (110) can generate a delayed signal (b) by passing the signal (a) converted into an electrical signal through an RC filter. Here, the preset time (t1) can be variously set and changed according to the resistance of the RC filter and the capacitance value of the capacitor. The first information generation unit (110) can obtain a frequency based on the waveform of the signal delayed for the preset time (t1).

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, an electrical signal generated by the second information generating unit (120, see FIG. 2) is illustrated.

[0080] As described above, the second information generation unit (120) can receive an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter and convert the received infrared signal into an electrical signal. Here, the infrared signal may be the same infrared signal as the test infrared signal described above. For example, the second information generation unit (120) can convert the received infrared signal into an electrical signal to generate a signal such as a pulse waveform having a constant frequency. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , the infrared signal converted into an electrical signal may correspond to a graph shown in a dotted line. In addition, the graph shown in a solid line may be a signal assuming that there is no light loss of a preset test infrared signal. However, the waveforms of the signals shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are examples for convenience of explanation, and are not limited to examples having waveforms and / or frequencies as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B .

[0081] In one embodiment, assuming that there is a loss in the amount of light of an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the level of an electrical signal converted from the infrared signal transmitted from the external transmitter may be lower than the level of the test infrared signal. In this case, the voltage applied across the capacitor accumulated over a reference time (tref) and contained in the storage unit (122, see FIG. 2) may be lower than the reference voltage level by a threshold value or more.

[0082] According to one embodiment, assuming that there is no loss in the amount of light of the infrared signal transmitted from the external transmitter, as illustrated in FIG. 4b, the level of the electrical signal converted from the infrared signal transmitted from the external transmitter may be equal to or similar to the level of the test infrared signal even when considering the loss due to the distance (d) between the diagnostic device (100) and the transmitter (1211). In this case, the voltage applied across the capacitor accumulated during the reference time (tref) and included in the storage unit (122, see FIG. 2) may be similar to the reference voltage level or within a threshold value.

[0083] As described above, the diagnostic device (100) can diagnose the operating status of the transmitter (1211) based on the comparison result of the frequency and the comparison result of the voltage level.

[0084] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a diagnostic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0085] In step S501, the diagnostic device (100, see FIG. 2) can receive an infrared signal transmitted from the outside. According to one embodiment, the outside may correspond to a transmitter of a battery management system (BMS) that performs infrared communication, and the external transmitter may be configured to output a test infrared signal having a preset reference frequency level and a preset reference voltage level.

[0086] In step S503, the diagnostic device (100) may convert the received infrared signal into an electrical signal. According to one embodiment, the diagnostic device (100) may be configured to convert the infrared signal into an electrical signal based on a current flowing through a photodiode or the like that detects infrared light, but is not limited to this example.

[0087] In step S505, the diagnostic device (100) can diagnose the frequency of the infrared signal based on the first information generated based on the converted electrical signal. According to one embodiment, the step of verifying the frequency of the infrared signal may include the step of obtaining the frequency of the signal delayed for the reference time based on the first information, the step of comparing the frequency of the signal delayed for the reference time with a preset reference frequency, and the step of verifying the frequency of the infrared signal based on the comparison result between the frequencies. Here, the preset reference frequency may be defined as the frequency of a test infrared signal that is predetermined to be transmitted by an external transmitter. For example, the test infrared signal that the external transmitter transmits to diagnose a communication status may have a constant frequency and a constant light amount. The preset reference frequency may be related to the frequency of the above-described test infrared signal.

[0088] The diagnostic device (100) can diagnose the status of the transmitter (1211) as normal if the difference in frequency as a result of the comparison is within the threshold value.

[0089] In step S507, the diagnostic device (100) can diagnose the light quantity of the infrared signal based on second information generated based on the converted electrical signal. According to one embodiment, the step of verifying the light quantity of the infrared signal may include the step of obtaining a voltage level applied across a capacitor that stores energy of the electrical signal based on the second information, the step of comparing the level of the voltage obtained based on the second information with a preset reference voltage level, and the step of verifying the light quantity of the infrared signal based on a result of the comparison of the voltage levels. Here, the reference voltage level may be defined as energy related to the light quantity of the aforementioned test infrared signal that is predetermined to be transmitted by an external transmitter.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the first information may be related to the frequency of a signal that delays the converted electrical signal for a preset reference time, and the second information may be related to the energy of the converted electrical signal.

[0091] In the above, all components constituting the embodiments have been described as being combined or operating in combination as one. However, this is not necessarily limited to such embodiments, and within the scope of the purpose, all components may be selectively combined and operated in one or more combinations. Furthermore, terms such as "include," "comprise," or "have" described above, unless specifically stated to the contrary, imply that the corresponding component may be inherent, and therefore should be interpreted to include other components rather than excluding other components.

[0092] 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.

[0093] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this document are intended to illustrate, rather than limit, the technical concepts disclosed in this document, and the scope of the technical concepts disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical concepts disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of this document.

[0094] [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 100: Diagnostic Device

[0096] 110: First Information Generation Unit

[0097] 120: Second Information Generation Unit

[0098] 130: Processor

[0099] 140: Memory

[0100] 1000: Battery Pack

[0101] 1100: Battery module

[0102] 1200: Battery Management Device

[0103] 1210: Infrared Communication Unit

Claims

1. A first information generating unit that receives an infrared signal transmitted from an external transmitter and generates first information related to the frequency of the infrared signal; A second information generating unit that receives the infrared signal and generates second information related to the amount of light of the infrared signal; and A diagnostic device comprising a processor that diagnoses the status of the transmitter based on the first information and the second information.

2. In the first paragraph, the first information generating unit, A conversion unit that converts the above infrared signal into an electrical signal; and A filter unit including an RC filter that delays the electrical signal to be converted for a preset period of time; A diagnostic device wherein the first information is related to the electrical signal delayed for the preset time.

3. In the second paragraph, the processor, A diagnostic device that diagnoses the operating status of the transmitter based on a comparison result between the frequency of the delayed electrical signal obtained based on the first information and a preset reference frequency.

4. In the first paragraph, the second information generating unit, A conversion unit that converts the above infrared signal into an electrical signal; and A storage unit including a capacitor that stores energy related to the electrical signal to be converted; A diagnostic device wherein the second information relates to the level of voltage applied across the capacitor.

5. In the fourth paragraph, the processor, A diagnostic device that diagnoses the operating status of the transmitter based on the comparison result between the voltage level obtained based on the second information and the preset reference voltage level.

6. In the fifth paragraph, the reference voltage level is A diagnostic device relating to the distance between the above diagnostic device and the external transmitter.

7. In paragraph 1, The above external device is a diagnostic device corresponding to the transmitter of a battery management system (BMS) that performs infrared communication.

8. A step of receiving an infrared signal transmitted from the outside; A step of converting the above infrared signal into an electrical signal; A step of verifying the frequency of the infrared signal based on first information generated based on the electrical signal; and A method of operating a diagnostic device, comprising: a step of verifying the amount of light of the infrared signal based on second information generated based on the electrical signal; 9. In paragraph 8, The above first information is related to the frequency of the signal that delays the electrical signal for a preset reference time, The second information is a method of operating a diagnostic device related to the energy of the electrical signal.

10. In the 9th paragraph, the step of verifying the frequency of the infrared signal is: A step of obtaining the frequency of a signal delayed for the reference time based on the first information; A step of comparing the frequency of the signal delayed for the above reference time with a preset reference frequency; and A method of operating a diagnostic device, comprising: a step of verifying the frequency of the infrared signal based on a comparison result between the frequencies; 11. In the 9th paragraph, the step of verifying the amount of light of the infrared signal is: A step of obtaining a voltage level applied across both terminals of a capacitor storing the energy of the electrical signal based on the second information; A step of comparing the voltage level obtained based on the second information and the preset reference voltage level; and A method of operating a diagnostic device, comprising: a step of verifying the amount of light of the infrared signal based on the comparison result of the voltage level; 12. In paragraph 11, The above reference voltage level is determined based on the distance between the external and diagnostic devices, The above external is an operation method of a diagnostic device corresponding to a transmitter of a battery management system (BMS) that performs infrared communication.

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