Battery system and identifier allocation method therefor

Abstract

A battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a plurality of lower control devices connected in parallel; and an upper control device for controlling the plurality of lower control devices, wherein the upper control device may sequentially allocate identifiers to the plurality of lower control devices and determine whether to terminate identifier allocation for the plurality of lower control devices on the basis of a termination identification signal received from any one of the plurality of lower control devices.

Description

Battery system and method for assigning identifiers thereof

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0149102, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 1, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery system and an identifier assignment method thereof, and more particularly, to a method for assigning identifiers of lower level control devices within a battery system.

[0003] An energy storage system (ESS) is a system that connects renewable energy, batteries that store electricity, and existing grid power.

[0004] With the recent expansion of smart grids and renewable energy and the emphasis on efficiency and stability of power systems, demand for energy storage systems is increasing.

[0005] Typically, an energy storage system is provided with a battery system comprising at least one battery pack and a battery rack.

[0006] In a battery system, batteries are managed by communicating with each other using a Battery Management System (BMS) individually housed in at least one battery pack or battery rack. Accordingly, the BMS essentially requires the assignment of identifiers for battery management.

[0007] However, the conventional identifier assignment method has a disadvantage in that a separate circuit is required to assign identifiers according to the connection order of battery management devices.

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

[0009] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a method for assigning an identifier to a battery system.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a battery system includes a plurality of lower control devices connected in parallel and an upper control device managing the plurality of lower control devices, wherein the upper control device sequentially assigns identifiers to the plurality of lower control devices and determines whether to terminate identifier assignment of the plurality of lower control devices based on a terminal identification signal received from any one of the plurality of lower control devices.

[0011] Additionally, the battery system may further include a communication cable connecting the plurality of lower control devices and the upper control device.

[0012] Accordingly, the upper control device can be sequentially connected in series with the plurality of lower control devices by the communication cable.

[0013] Meanwhile, the upper control device can check the terminal identification signal of an activated lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices, and if the terminal identification signal is a specific value, can terminate the identifier allocation of the plurality of lower control devices.

[0014] At this time, the terminal identification signal may have the specific value when the terminal resistor is connected.

[0015] Here, the terminal resistance may be provided to a lower control device connected last among the plurality of lower control devices.

[0016] Meanwhile, the upper control device can transmit an identifier assignment message to an activated lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices, and receive a reception completion message for the identifier assignment message from the activated lower control device, thereby assigning an identifier to the activated lower control device.

[0017] At this time, the first lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices can be activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from the upper control device, and the plurality of lower control devices excluding the first lower control device can be activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from a previous lower control device connected by a communication cable.

[0018] Meanwhile, if the upper control device does not receive the reception completion message from the activated lower control device, the upper control device can determine whether the activated lower control device is abnormal.

[0019] At this time, if the upper control device does not receive the reception completion message from the activated lower control device, the upper control device can compare the number information of the pre-stored lower control devices with the last assigned identifier information to determine a failure in the connection of at least one configuration in the activated lower control device.

[0020]

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, a method for assigning identifiers by a battery system includes a step of an upper control device sequentially assigning identifiers to the plurality of lower control devices, and a step of the upper control device determining whether to terminate identifier assignment of the plurality of lower control devices based on a terminal identification signal received from any one of the plurality of lower control devices.

[0022] Additionally, the battery system may further include a communication cable connecting the plurality of lower control devices and the communication modules of the upper control device.

[0023] Accordingly, the upper control device can be sequentially connected in series with the plurality of lower control devices by the communication cable.

[0024] Meanwhile, the step of determining whether to terminate the identifier allocation may include a step in which the upper control device checks the terminal identification signal of an activated lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices, and a step in which the upper control device terminates the identifier allocation of the plurality of lower control devices when the terminal identification signal is a specific value.

[0025] At this time, the terminal identification signal may have the specific value when the terminal resistor is connected.

[0026] Here, the terminal resistance may be provided to a lower control device connected last among the plurality of lower control devices.

[0027] Meanwhile, the step of sequentially assigning identifiers may further include a step of the upper control device transmitting an identifier assignment message to a lower control device activated by a wake-up signal among the plurality of lower control devices, and a step of assigning an identifier to the activated lower control device when the upper control device receives a message of completion of reception of the identifier assignment message from the activated lower control device.

[0028] At this time, the first lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices can be activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from the upper control device, and the plurality of lower control devices excluding the first lower control device can be activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from a previous lower control device connected by a communication cable.

[0029] Meanwhile, the step of determining whether the identifier allocation is terminated may further include a step of determining whether the activated lower control device is abnormal if the upper control device does not receive the reception completion message.

[0030] At this time, the step of analyzing the cause of the abnormality of the activated lower control device may include a step of determining a connection failure of at least one configuration in the activated lower control device by comparing the number information of the pre-stored lower control devices with the last assigned identifier information when the upper control device does not receive the reception completion message.

[0031] The battery system and its identifier allocation method according to an embodiment of the present invention can identify the end point of identifier allocation by recognizing a terminal resistor connected to a lower control device, and can detect hardware abnormalities such as a terminal resistor or communication cable connection failure or device failure in case of an identifier allocation error.

[0032] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an energy storage system to which the present invention can be applied.

[0033] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 3 is an image for explaining a communication cable within a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 4 is an image of a communication network connection structure of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an upper control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a lower control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for assigning identifiers of lower control devices by a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a step of sequentially assigning identifiers among the identifier assignment methods of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a step of analyzing the cause of an abnormality in identifier allocation among the identifier allocation methods of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] 110: Upper control unit 120: Lower control unit

[0042] 130: Communication cable 140: Termination resistor

[0043] 111, 121: Memory 112, 122: Processor

[0044] 113, 123: Transmitter / receiver device 114, 124: Input interface device

[0045] 115, 125: Output interface device 116, 126: Storage device

[0046] bus: bus

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0053]

[0054] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an energy storage system to which the present invention can be applied.

[0055] Referring to Fig. 1, the smallest unit of a battery that stores power in an energy storage system (ESS) is typically a battery cell. A series / parallel combination of battery cells forms a battery pack, and multiple battery packs can form a battery rack. In other words, a battery rack can be the smallest unit of a battery system by combining series / parallel battery packs. 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, batteries #1, #2, …, and #N illustrated in Fig. 1 may be in the form of battery packs or battery modules.

[0056] At this time, a battery management system (BMS) (10) may be installed in each battery. The BMS (10) monitors the current, voltage, and temperature of each battery pack (or rack) it manages, calculates the SOC (Status Of Charge) based on the monitoring results, and controls charging and discharging.

[0057] Meanwhile, a battery system controller (BSC) may be installed in each battery system comprising a plurality of batteries and peripheral circuits, devices, etc. Accordingly, the BSC (20) can monitor and control control targets such as voltage, current, temperature, circuit breakers, etc. within the battery system.

[0058] Meanwhile, communication (indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 1) can be performed between the BMS (10), BSC (20), PMS (30), and PCS (40) using CAN (Controller Area Network) or Ethernet.

[0059]

[0060] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery system (100) may include a higher control device (110) and a plurality of lower control devices (120) that manage battery groups and are controlled by the higher control device (110).

[0062] Additionally, the battery system (100) may include a communication cable (130) and a termination resistor (140) connecting the upper control device (110) and each of the plurality of lower control devices (110).

[0063] According to an embodiment, the upper control device (110) can control the operation of a plurality of lower control devices (120). At this time, in order for the upper control device (110) to control the operation of the plurality of lower control devices (120), a unique identifier must be assigned to each of the plurality of lower control devices (120). Accordingly, the upper control device (110) can individually assign identifiers to the plurality of lower control devices (120).

[0064] To explain in more detail by configuration, the upper control device (110) can sequentially transmit a wake-up signal to a plurality of lower control devices (120) through a communication cable (130) to activate them.

[0065] Thereafter, the upper control device (110) can assign identifiers to the sequentially activated lower control devices (120). For example, the upper control device (110) can be a battery bank management system (BBMS) or a battery system controller (BSC).

[0066] A plurality of sub-control devices (120) are provided in parallel and can individually manage battery groups. According to an embodiment, the battery group may be a battery rack. In other words, the plurality of sub-control devices (120) may be a battery rack management device (RBMS).

[0067]

[0068] FIG. 3 is an image for explaining a communication cable within a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, a communication cable (130) can sequentially connect each of an upper control device (110) and a plurality of lower control devices (120).

[0070] According to an embodiment, a plurality of communication cables (130) are provided so that the communication module of the upper control device (110) and the communication modules of each of the plurality of lower control devices (120) can be sequentially connected in series.

[0071] For example, to explain more specifically, the communication modules of the upper control device (110) and each of the plurality of lower control devices (120) can be connected in a daisy chain manner by a communication cable (130). In other words, the upper control device (110) and the first lower control device (120-1) can be connected to each other by a first communication cable (130-1), the first lower control device (120-1) and the second lower control device (120-2) can be connected to each other by a second communication cable (130-2), and the N-1th lower control device (120-(N-1)) and the Nth lower control device (120-N) can be connected by an Nth communication cable (130-N). Here, N can be a natural number greater than or equal to 1.

[0072] The communication cable (130) may be provided as a cable having multiple lines. Accordingly, the communication cable (130) can sequentially transmit at least one piece of data between control devices (110, 120) that are connected in series with each other.

[0073] The following [Table 1] may be a table (Pin map) that organizes pin information within each sub-control device (120) to which the lines of the communication cable (130) are individually connected.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the communication cable (130) can transmit at least one piece of information among a wake-up signal, an end identification signal, a communication network connection signal (CAN Low, CAN High), and ground information (GND) between the control devices (110, 120) through each line, as shown in [Table 1].

[0075]

[0076] 87654321GND wakeup signal terminal identification signal CAN Low CAN High

[0077]

[0078] To be more specific, according to the embodiment, the communication cable (130) can be connected to different pins depending on the control devices (110 and 120) to which it is connected.

[0079] According to one embodiment, both ends of the first communication cable (130-1) may be connected between the wake-up signal pin, the ground pin, the terminal identification pin, and the communication network connection pin (CAN Low, CAN High signal) of the upper control device (110) and the first lower control device (120-1), respectively. Here, the wake-up signal may be wake-up voltage signal information.

[0080] In addition, according to another embodiment, both ends of the second to Nth communication cables (130) connected in a daisy chain form between the first to Nth lower control devices (120) may be connected between the wake-up signal pin, the ground pin, and the communication network connection pin (CAN Low, CAN High signal) of each lower control device (120). Here, the terminal identification pin may be a pin that transmits an identification signal regarding whether the terminal resistor (140) is connected.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the terminal identification pin is provided as a GPIO Input Pin, so that the output terminal can be controlled to be connected to either the wake-up pin or the ground pin depending on whether the terminal resistor (140) is connected or not.

[0082]

[0083] FIG. 4 is an image of a communication network connection structure of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, an erminating resistor (140, Erminating Resistance) can be connected to an upper control device (110) and an Nth lower control device (120-N), which are located at the beginning and end of a communication cable (130) among a plurality of lower control devices (120).

[0085] For communication cables (130), various impedance resistance values ​​can be applied depending on the design criteria.

[0086] Accordingly, the battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce the reflection phenomenon of communication signals and eliminate noise by connecting a termination resistor (140) having a specific resistance value to the Nth lower control device (120-N) to which the upper control device (110) and the Nth lower control device (120-N) to which the N-1 communication cable (130-N) is connected, thereby inducing a current of a certain size to flow through the communication line. Accordingly, it can provide improved communication performance.

[0087] Meanwhile, the terminating resistor (140) connected to the Nth lower control device (120-N) may be provided in the form of a cable. In other words, the terminating resistor (140) may be connected to a terminating identification pin provided to the Nth lower control device (120-N). However, it is not limited to what is described, and various forms such as being inserted into the control device (110 or 120-N) or in the form of a cable connector may be applied.

[0088] At this time, the terminal identification signal of the terminal resistor (140) may be a signal for identifying whether the terminal resistor (140) is connected.

[0089] According to an embodiment, the terminal identification pin can recognize a signal received when the terminal resistor (140) is connected as a first signal, and can recognize a signal received when the terminal resistor is not connected as a second signal. In other words, the terminal identification pin can recognize the terminal identification signal in reverse depending on whether the terminal resistor is connected or not.

[0090] To be more specific, according to one embodiment, when the terminal identification pin recognizes a first signal received from any one of the first to N-1th lower control devices (120-1 to 120-N-1) to which the terminal resistor (140) is not connected as a Low signal, when a signal is received from the Nth lower control device (120-N) to which the terminal resistor (140) is connected, the terminal identification pin can connect the output terminal to the wake-up pin. Accordingly, the terminal identification pin can recognize a signal received from the Nth lower control device (120-N) as a High signal.

[0091] In another embodiment, when the terminal identification pin recognizes a first signal received from any one of the first to N-1 sub-control devices (120-1 to 120-N-1) to which the terminal resistor (140) is not connected as a High signal, when a signal is received from the Nth sub-control device (120-N) to which the terminal resistor (140) is connected, the terminal identification pin can connect the output terminal to the ground pin. Accordingly, the terminal identification pin can recognize a signal received from the Nth sub-control device (120-N) as a Low signal.

[0092] Accordingly, the battery system according to the embodiment of the present invention can identify a lower control device connected to a terminal among a plurality of lower control devices based on a terminal identification signal, thereby enabling identification of the end point of identifier allocation or the presence of a communication error when assigning identifiers to a plurality of lower control devices.

[0093]

[0094] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an upper control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 5, the upper control device (110) may include a memory (111), a processor (112), a transmission / reception device (113), an input interface device (114), an output interface device (115), and a storage device (116).

[0096] According to an embodiment, each of the components (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116) included in the upper control device (110) may be connected to each other by a bus and communicate with each other. Here, the bus may be a CAN bus.

[0097] Among the components (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116) of the upper control device (110), the memory (111) and the storage device (116) may be configured with at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory (111) and the storage device (116) may be configured with at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0098] Among these, the memory (111) may include at least one command executed by the processor (112).

[0099] According to an embodiment, at least one command within the upper control device (110) may include a command to sequentially assign identifiers to the plurality of lower control devices and a command to determine whether to terminate identifier assignment of the plurality of lower control devices based on a terminal identification signal received from any one of the plurality of lower control devices.

[0100] At this time, the command for determining whether to terminate the identifier allocation may include a command for checking the terminal identification signal of an activated lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices, and a command for causing the upper control device to terminate the identifier allocation of the plurality of lower control devices when the terminal identification signal is a specific value.

[0101] Meanwhile, the command to sequentially assign identifiers may further include a command to transmit an identifier assignment message to a lower control device activated by a wake-up signal among the plurality of lower control devices, and a command to assign an identifier to the activated lower control device when a message indicating completion of receiving the identifier assignment message is received from the activated lower control device.

[0102] Meanwhile, the command to determine whether to terminate the identifier allocation may further include a command to determine whether the activated lower control device is abnormal if the reception completion message is not received.

[0103] At this time, the command to analyze the cause of the abnormality of the activated lower control device may include a command to determine a connection failure of at least one configuration in the activated lower control device by comparing the number information of the pre-stored lower control devices with the last assigned identifier information when the reception completion message is not received.

[0104] The processor (112) may mean 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.

[0105] As described above, the processor (112) can execute at least one program command stored in the memory (111).

[0106]

[0107] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a lower control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 6, each of the sub-control devices (120) may include a memory (121), a processor (122), a transmission / reception device (123), an input interface device (124), an output interface device (125), and a storage device (126).

[0109] According to an embodiment, each of the components (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) included in the lower control device (120) may be connected to each other by a bus and communicate with each other. Here, the bus may be a CAN bus.

[0110] Among the components (121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126) of the lower control device (120), the memory (121) and the storage device (126) may be configured with at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory (121) and the storage device (126) may be configured with at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0111] Among these, the memory (121) may include at least one command executed by the processor (122).

[0112] According to an embodiment, at least one command within the lower control device (120) may include a command to be activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from a previous lower control device connected by a communication cable.

[0113] The processor (122) may mean 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.

[0114] As described above, the processor (122) can execute at least one program command stored in the memory (121).

[0115]

[0116] The configurations of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention have been described above. Below, a method for assigning identifiers to subordinate control devices using the battery system will be described.

[0117]

[0118] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for assigning identifiers of lower control devices by a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 7, the upper control device (110) in the battery system (100) can sequentially assign an identifier to each of the plurality of lower control devices (120) (S710).

[0120] Thereafter, the upper control device (110) can determine whether to end identifier allocation based on whether a terminal identification signal is received from any one of the plurality of lower control devices (120) (S720).

[0121]

[0122] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a step of sequentially assigning identifiers among the identifier assignment methods of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 8, the upper control device (110) within the battery system (100) can transmit a wake-up signal to the first lower control device (120-1) connected via a communication cable in an initial state (S810) (S820). Accordingly, the first lower control device (120-1) can be activated (S830). Here, the initial state is a state in which the index information is 0, and the index information may be information for counting the number of lower control devices to which an identifier is assigned.

[0124] Afterwards, the upper control device (110) can transmit an identifier assignment message to a bus, which is a communication network (S840).

[0125] Afterwards, the upper control device (110) can check whether an identifier has been assigned to the first lower control device (120-1).

[0126] More specifically, each of the upper control device (110) and the plurality of lower control devices (120) can be independently connected to the bus. According to an embodiment, each of the upper control device (110) and the plurality of lower control devices (120) can be connected to the bus by a first signal and a second signal. Here, the first signal can be a High signal of CAN, and the second signal can be a Low signal of CAN.

[0127] Thereafter, the upper control device (110) can transmit an identifier assignment message to the bus. Accordingly, the first lower control device (120-1) activated by the wake-up signal can receive the identifier assignment message from the bus.

[0128] Meanwhile, the upper control device (110) can check whether an identifier has been assigned to the first lower control device (120-1) based on whether a reception completion message transmitted from the first lower control device (120-1) has been received.

[0129] To be more specific, when the first lower control device (120-1) receives an identifier assignment message, it can transmit a reception completion message to the upper control device (110) through the bus.

[0130] At this time, if a reception completion message is not received from the first lower control device (120-1) (S850), the upper control device (110) can determine that an abnormality has occurred in identifier allocation (S851). Thereafter, the upper control device (110) can analyze the cause of the abnormality in identifier allocation (S852).

[0131] Meanwhile, when a reception completion message is received from the first lower control device (120-1) (S850), the upper control device (110) can confirm that an identifier has been assigned to the first lower control device (120-1) (S860). At this time, the identifier may be assigned to correspond to index information. For example, the identifier of the first lower control device (120-1) may be a value obtained by adding 1 to the initial index information (ID=Index+1).

[0132] Thereafter, the upper control device (110) can check the terminal identification signal of the first lower control device (120-1) (S870). Here, the terminal identification signal may be a signal transmitted through the first communication cable (130-1).

[0133] According to one embodiment, the upper control device (110) can confirm that the first lower control device (120-1) is the last lower control device if the terminal identification signal of the first lower control device (120-1) is the first signal (S870). Accordingly, the upper control device (110) can terminate the allocation of the identifier (S880). For example, the first signal of the terminal identification signal may be a High (1) value.

[0134] According to another embodiment, when the terminal identification signal of the first lower control device (120-1) is the second signal (S870), the first lower control device (120-1) can transmit a wake-up signal to the second lower control device (120-2) (S871). Thereafter, the upper control device (110) can count the index information (Index++) (S872). For example, the second signal of the terminal identification signal can be a Low (0) value.

[0135] Thereafter, the first sub-control device (120-1) can sequentially repeat steps S830 to S880 until the identifier allocation of the Nth sub-control device (120-N), which is the last sub-control device (120), is completed.

[0136]

[0137] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a step of analyzing the cause of an abnormality in identifier allocation among the identifier allocation methods of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 9, the upper control device (110) can check the number information of a plurality of pre-stored lower control devices (120). Thereafter, the upper control device (110) can compare the pre-stored number information with index information or the last assigned identifier information.

[0139] At this time, if the index information or the last assigned identifier information is greater than or equal to a threshold value compared to the previously stored number information (S910), the upper control device (110) can determine that an abnormality has occurred in the physical connection of the terminating resistor (140) in the Nth lower control device (120-N) (S920). In other words, the upper control device (110) can determine that a defect has occurred in the connection of the terminating resistor (140).

[0140] Meanwhile, if the index information or the last assigned identifier information is less than the threshold value compared to the number information stored above (S910), the upper control device (110) can determine that a failure has occurred in the corresponding lower control device (120) or that an abnormality has occurred in the physical connection of the communication cable connected to the corresponding lower control device (120) (S930). In other words, the upper control device (110) can determine that a failure has occurred in the corresponding lower control device (120) or that a defect has occurred in the connection of the communication cable connected to the corresponding lower control device (120).

[0141]

[0142] The battery management device and its communication method in the battery system according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described.

[0143] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery management device of a battery rack and a wireless communication method thereof transmit a communication transmission command signal to battery management devices of battery packs using a wireless communication module, receive a plurality of response signals, analyze the received response signals to sequentially assign identifiers of battery management devices in the battery packs, verify whether the assigned identifiers are normally assigned, and reassign the identifiers if abnormal, thereby providing a highly accurate and highly reliable wireless communication environment capable of precise identifier assignment of a plurality of battery packs in wireless communication.

[0144]

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] 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. Multiple parallel-connected sub-control devices; and Including an upper control device that manages the above plurality of lower control devices, The above upper control device, Sequentially assigning identifiers to the above multiple sub-control devices, A battery system that determines whether to terminate identifier allocation of the plurality of lower control devices based on a terminal identification signal received from any one of the plurality of lower control devices.

2. In claim 1, A battery system further comprising a communication cable connecting the plurality of lower control devices and the upper control device.

3. In claim 2, The above upper control device, by the communication cable, A battery system sequentially connected in series with the above-mentioned plurality of sub-control devices.

4. In claim 3, The above upper control device, A battery system that verifies the terminal identification signal of an activated lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices, and terminates the identifier assignment of the plurality of lower control devices when the terminal identification signal is a specific value.

5. In claim 4, The above terminal identification signal is a battery system having the specific value when the terminal resistor is connected.

6. In claim 5, The above terminal resistance is, A battery system provided to a sub-control device connected last among the plurality of sub-control devices.

7. In claim 1, The above upper control device, Transmit an identifier assignment message to an activated subordinate control device among the plurality of subordinate control devices, By receiving a reception completion message for the identifier assignment message from the activated sub-control device, A battery system that assigns an identifier to the activated sub-control device.

8. In claim 7, The first lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices is activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from the upper control device, A battery system wherein the plurality of sub-control devices, excluding the first sub-control device, are activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from a previous sub-control device connected by a communication cable.

9. In claim 7, The above upper control device, A battery system that determines whether the activated subordinate control device is abnormal when the reception completion message is not received from the activated subordinate control device.

10. In claim 9, The above upper control device, A battery system that determines a failure in the connection of at least one configuration of the activated lower control device by comparing the number information of the pre-stored lower control devices with the last assigned identifier information when the reception completion message is not received from the activated lower control device.

11. As a method of assigning identifiers by the battery system, A step in which the upper control device sequentially assigns identifiers to the plurality of lower control devices; and An identifier allocation method, comprising a step of determining whether to terminate identifier allocation of the plurality of lower control devices based on a terminal identification signal received from any one of the plurality of lower control devices.

12. In claim 11, The above battery system, An identifier assignment method further comprising a communication cable connecting the plurality of lower control devices and the communication modules of the upper control device.

13. In claim 12, The above upper control device, by the communication cable, A method for assigning identifiers, which is sequentially connected in series with the above-mentioned plurality of lower control devices.

14. In claim 11, The step of determining whether to terminate the above identifier allocation is: A step in which the upper control device checks the terminal identification signal of an activated lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices; and An identifier assignment method, comprising a step of the upper control device terminating identifier assignment of the plurality of lower control devices when the terminal identification signal is a specific value.

15. In claim 14, The above terminal identification signal is an identifier assignment method having the specific value when the terminal resistor is connected.

16. In claim 15, The above terminal resistance is, A method for assigning an identifier provided to a lower control device connected last among the above multiple lower control devices.

17. In claim 11, The step of sequentially assigning identifiers is as follows: The step of the upper control device transmitting an identifier assignment message to a lower control device activated by a wake-up signal among the plurality of lower control devices; and An identifier assignment method further comprising a step of assigning an identifier to the activated lower control device when the upper control device receives a reception completion message of the identifier assignment message from the activated lower control device.

18. In claim 17, The first lower control device among the plurality of lower control devices is activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from the upper control device, A method for assigning identifiers, wherein the plurality of lower control devices, excluding the first lower control device, are activated by a wake-up signal transmitted from a previous lower control device connected by a communication cable.

19. In claim 14, The step of determining whether to terminate the above identifier allocation is: An identifier assignment method further comprising a step of determining whether the activated lower control device is abnormal when the upper control device does not receive the reception completion message.

20. In claim 19, The step of analyzing the cause of the abnormality of the above activated sub-control device is as follows: An identifier assignment method comprising a step of comparing the number information of pre-stored lower control devices with the last assigned identifier information to determine a failure in the connection of at least one configuration in the activated lower control device when the upper control device does not receive the reception completion message.

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