Battery system and operation method thereof

Abstract

A battery system according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document comprises: a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of antennas, each of which is connected to corresponding one of the battery cells for power transmission and reception of each of the plurality of battery cells and which have different pattern sizes depending on the corresponding battery cells; and a battery management device, which balances the states of charge of the plurality of battery cells by controlling connections between the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of antennas on the basis of respective states of the plurality of battery cells.

Description

Battery system and its operating method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0180527, filed December 13, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] One embodiment disclosed in this document relates to a battery system 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] Secondary batteries include battery modules in which battery cells, the smallest units that store energy, are connected to each other. To maximize battery life, battery cells require cell balancing operations that reduce variations among them. Cell balancing operations include passive cell balancing, which discharges the energy of the battery cell being balanced, and active cell balancing, which charges the energy of the battery cell being balanced to other battery cells. Active cell balancing, however, requires various circuit configurations, including switching elements and wires connected to all battery cells, which leads to space constraints within the battery pack and increases circuit complexity.

[0007] One object of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide a battery system and its operating method that performs cell balancing operation based on a wireless antenna printed as a pattern on a PCB substrate.

[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 battery system according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may include a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of antennas connected to each of the plurality of battery cells to transmit and receive power to each of the plurality of battery cells and having different pattern sizes according to the corresponding battery cells; and a battery management device that controls connections between the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of antennas based on the states of each of the plurality of battery cells to balance the charge states of the plurality of battery cells.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the plurality of antennas may be arranged on a plurality of PCB laminated substrates on which the battery management device is mounted.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the plurality of antennas can be coupled to each other.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the pattern sizes of corresponding antennas among the plurality of antennas formed on different substrates among the plurality of PCB substrates may be configured to correspond to each other.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the battery system further includes a plurality of switches electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of antennas, respectively, and the battery management device can balance the charge states of the plurality of battery cells by controlling the electrical connections of the plurality of switches.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the battery management device may include a data acquisition unit that acquires battery data related to at least one of voltage, current, and temperature of each of the battery cells; and a controller that controls electrical connections of the plurality of switches and determines at least one first target battery cell to supply power and at least one second target battery cell to receive power supplied by the first target battery cell based on a State of Charge (SoC) of each of the plurality of battery cells calculated based on the battery data.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the controller may determine the first target battery cell from a battery cell having the highest SoC among the plurality of battery cells, and determine the second target battery cell from a battery cell having the lowest SoC among the plurality of battery cells.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the controller may electrically connect a first switch between the first target battery cell and the first antenna to transfer power from the first target battery cell to a first antenna corresponding to the first target battery cell, and electrically connect a second switch between the second target battery cell and a second antenna corresponding to the second target battery cell to transfer power transferred to the first antenna to the second target battery cell.

[0017] In one embodiment, the controller can control the electrical connection between the first switch and the second switch until the SoC of the second target battery cell reaches a preset reference SoC.

[0018] An operating method of a battery system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include: acquiring battery data related to at least one of voltage, current, and temperature of each of a plurality of battery cells; and balancing a state of charge of each of the plurality of battery cells by controlling a connection between the plurality of battery cells and a plurality of antennas corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells based on a state of each of the plurality of battery cells.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the plurality of antennas are arranged on a plurality of PCB laminated substrates on which a battery management device is mounted, and the pattern sizes of the plurality of antennas may be different depending on the corresponding battery cells.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the step of balancing the state of charge of the plurality of battery cells may include: calculating a state of charge (SoC) of each of the plurality of battery cells based on the battery data; determining at least one first target battery cell to supply power and at least one second target battery cell to receive power supplied by the first target battery cell among the plurality of battery cells based on the SoC of each of the plurality of battery cells; electrically connecting a first switch between the first target battery cell and the first antenna so as to transfer power from the first target battery cell to a first antenna corresponding to the first target battery cell; and electrically connecting a second switch between the second target battery cell and a second antenna corresponding to the second target battery cell so as to transfer power transferred to the first antenna to the second target battery cell.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the first target battery cell and the second target battery cell may include the step of determining the first target battery cell from a battery cell having the highest SoC among the plurality of battery cells; and the step of determining the second target battery cell from a battery cell having the lowest SoC among the plurality of battery cells.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the step of balancing the charge states of the plurality of battery cells may be performed until the SoC of the second target battery cell reaches a preset reference SoC.

[0023] According to one embodiment disclosed in this document, a battery system and an operating method thereof for performing cell balancing operation based on a simplified circuit are provided.

[0024] 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.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a battery system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an antenna according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an antenna according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the connection between a battery cell and an antenna according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a controller according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a battery system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a battery system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a battery system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery system (1) according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include a battery module (10), an antenna (100), and a battery management device (1000).

[0036] The battery module (10) may include a plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14). In FIG. 1, the number of battery cells is illustrated as four, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the battery module (10) may be configured to include n battery cells (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2).

[0037] The plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) 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. Meanwhile, in FIG. 1, one battery module (10) is illustrated, but according to an embodiment, the battery module (10) may be configured in multiple pieces.

[0038] The battery module (10) can supply power to a target device (not shown). For this purpose, the battery module (10) can be electrically connected to the target device. Here, the target device can include an electrical, electronic, or mechanical device that operates by receiving power from a battery system (1) including a plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13). For example, the target device can be a two-wheeled electric vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV) or an electric scooter, but is not limited to these examples.

[0039] The antenna (100) may be configured to be electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10) and to transmit power provided by the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14). For example, the antenna (100) may be configured to transmit power between the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) when a cell balancing operation is performed between the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14), but is not limited to this example.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the antenna (100) may be configured as a wired and / or wireless antenna. Specific details related to the antenna (100) will be described later.

[0041] The battery management device (1000) can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the battery module (10). For example, the battery management device (1000) can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of a plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10), or manage charging and / or discharging of the battery module (10).

[0042] According to one embodiment, a battery management device (1000) may include a data acquisition unit (1100), a controller (1200), and a memory (1300).

[0043] The data acquisition unit (1100) can acquire battery data related to at least one of the voltage, current, and temperature of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14). According to one embodiment, the data acquisition unit (1100) can acquire battery data by monitoring the voltage, current, and temperature of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10) and / or the battery module (10). In this case, for monitoring by the data acquisition unit (1100), a sensor or various measuring modules not shown may be additionally installed in an arbitrary location of the battery module (10), a charge / discharge path, or the battery module (10).

[0044] According to one embodiment, the data acquisition unit (10) can indirectly acquire battery data of the battery module (10) and / or each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10). In this case, the data acquisition unit (1100) can include a wired and / or wireless communication module for acquiring battery data.

[0045] The controller (1200) can control the overall operation of the battery management device (1000). For example, the controller (1200) can execute software to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software) of the battery management device (1000), or perform operations such as processing and / or calculating various data.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) can calculate parameters indicating the state of each of the battery module (10) and / or the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10), such as SOC (State of Charge) or SOH (State of Health), based on the battery data acquired by the data acquisition unit (1100).

[0047] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) can balance the state of charge of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14). For example, the controller (1200) can control the electrical connection between the battery module (10) and / or the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10) and the antenna (100) to perform a cell balancing operation. Here, the controller (1200) can determine at least one first target battery cell to provide power and at least one second target battery cell to receive power provided by the first target battery cell based on the SOC of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14).

[0048] The memory (1300) may store battery data related to at least one of voltage, current, and temperature of the battery module (10) and / or each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10), and data related to the SoC or SoH of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14). According to one embodiment, the memory (1300) 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.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the antenna (100) may be positioned on a PCB substrate on which the battery management device (1000) is mounted. The relationship between the antenna (100) and the plurality of PCB substrates will be described below.

[0050] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are drawings for explaining an antenna according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0051] First, referring to FIG. 2, the antenna (100) can be implemented in a form in which multiple PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140) are stacked.

[0052] The antenna (100) may include a plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140) and a plurality of antennas (not shown) printed on each of the plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140). Here, the sizes of the plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140) may be the same and may be stacked in an aligned state to form the antenna (100).

[0053] According to one embodiment, the plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140) may be PCB substrates on which a battery management device (1000, see FIG. 1) is mounted. For example, various circuit configurations constituting the battery management device (1000) may be mounted on at least one PCB substrate (110, 120, 130, 140) among the plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140).

[0054] Referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of an antenna (111 to 144) formed on one PCB substrate is illustrated.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the plurality of antennas (111 to 144) may be formed on each of the plurality of stacked PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140). Here, the plurality of antennas (111 to 144) may include an inductor printed on the PCB substrate to have a certain pattern. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of antennas (111 to 144) may be formed on each of the plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140) to have a rectangular pattern, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0056] According to one embodiment, a plurality of antennas (111, 112, 113, 114) may be formed on a first PCB substrate (110, see FIG. 2), a plurality of antennas (121, 122, 123, 124) may be formed on a second PCB substrate (120, see FIG. 2), a plurality of antennas (131, 132, 133, 134) may be formed on a third PCB substrate (130, see FIG. 2), and a plurality of antennas (141, 142, 143, 144) may be formed on a fourth PCB substrate (140, see FIG. 2). Although four antennas are described as being formed on one PCB substrate, the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the plurality of antennas (111 to 144) may each correspond to a plurality of battery cells. For example, the antenna (111) may be connected to a battery cell (11, see FIG. 1), the antenna (112) may be connected to a battery cell (12, see FIG. 1), the antenna (113) may be connected to a battery cell (13, see FIG. 1), and the antenna (114) may be connected to a battery cell (14, see FIG. 1), but is not limited to these examples. That is, it is sufficient if each of the plurality of antennas can correspond to a plurality of battery cells.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the pattern sizes of a plurality of antennas (111, 112, 113, 114) formed on a single PCB substrate, for example, a first PCB substrate (110), may be different from each other. For example, assuming that the patterns of the plurality of antennas (111, 112, 113, 114) are rectangular, the pattern size of the antenna (111), i.e., the horizontal and vertical lengths of the pattern, may be different from those of other antennas (112, 113, 114). As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pattern of the antenna (111) may have the longest horizontal and vertical lengths, the antenna (112) may be included in the antenna (111), and the pattern of the antenna (111) may have horizontal and vertical lengths smaller than the pattern of the antenna (112), the antenna (113) may be included in the antenna (112), and the pattern of the antenna (112) may have horizontal and vertical lengths smaller than the pattern of the antenna (113), and the antenna (114) may be included in the antenna (113), and the pattern of the antenna (114) may have horizontal and vertical lengths smaller than the pattern of the antenna (113).

[0059] According to one embodiment, the pattern sizes of the plurality of antennas (111, 112, 113, 114) may have a certain tendency (e.g., the ratio of the length to width is constant), but is not limited to this example.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the pattern sizes of corresponding antennas among the plurality of antennas formed on different substrates among the plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140) may be configured to correspond to each other. For example, the sizes of the antenna (111) having the largest pattern size formed on the first PCB substrate (110), the antenna (121) having the largest pattern size formed on the second PCB substrate (120), the antenna (131) having the largest pattern size formed on the third PCB substrate (130), and the antenna (141) having the largest pattern size formed on the fourth PCB substrate (140) may be configured to correspond to each other. Similarly, the sizes of corresponding antennas (e.g., 112, 122, 132, 142) among the plurality of antennas formed on the plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140) may also be configured to correspond to each other.

[0061] According to one embodiment, a plurality of antennas (e.g., 111, 112, 113, 114) formed on the first PCB substrate can be coupled to each other. For example, the antenna (111) can be coupled to the antennas (112, 113, 114) formed on the first PCB substrate (110), the antenna (112) can be coupled to the antennas (113, 114) formed on the first PCB substrate (110), and the antenna (113) can be coupled to the antenna (114) formed on the first PCB substrate (110). Likewise, a plurality of antennas (121, 122, 123, 124) formed on the second PCB substrate (120) can also be coupled to each other, a plurality of antennas (131, 132, 133, 134) formed on the third PCB substrate (130) can also be coupled to each other, and a plurality of antennas (141, 142, 143, 144) formed on the fourth PCB substrate (140) can also be coupled to each other.

[0062] According to one embodiment, a plurality of antennas (111 to 144) formed on each of a plurality of PCB substrates (110, 120, 130, 140) may be coupled to each other. For example, a plurality of antennas (111 to 114) formed on a first PCB substrate (110) may be coupled to a plurality of antennas (121 to 124) formed on a second PCB substrate (120), a plurality of antennas (131 to 134) formed on a third PCB substrate (130), and a plurality of antennas (141 to 144) formed on a fourth PCB substrate (140). Likewise, a plurality of antennas (121 to 124) formed on a second PCB substrate (120) can be coupled to a plurality of antennas (131 to 134) formed on a third PCB substrate (130) and a plurality of antennas (141 to 144) formed on a fourth PCB substrate (140), and a plurality of antennas (131 to 134) formed on a third PCB substrate (130) can be coupled to a plurality of antennas (141 to 144) formed on a fourth PCB substrate (140).

[0063] In one embodiment, the meaning that different antennas are coupled may correspond to the meaning that they are within the sphere of influence of the magnetic field generated by the different antennas. For example, if all of the plurality of antennas (141 to 144) formed on the fourth PCB substrate (140) can be influenced by the magnetic field generated by the antenna (111) formed on the first PCB substrate (110) to wirelessly transmit power and / or data, the antenna (111) formed on the first PCB substrate (110) may be coupled with the plurality of antennas (141 to 144) formed on the fourth PCB substrate (140).

[0064] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a connection between a battery cell and an antenna according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, and FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining an operation of a controller according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 4, each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) can be electrically connected to a corresponding plurality of antennas (111, 112, 113, 114).

[0066] As described above, the data acquisition unit (1100) can acquire battery data, which is data related to at least one of the voltage, current, and temperature of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14). Here, the data acquisition unit (1100) can directly monitor the voltage, current, and temperature of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) and / or indirectly acquire battery data of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14).

[0067] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) can balance the state of charge among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) based on battery data. The controller (1200) can determine at least one first target battery cell and at least one second target battery cell based on the SoC of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) calculated based on the battery data of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14).

[0068] Referring to FIG. 5, SoCs of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) calculated based on battery data of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) are shown according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the SoC (A) corresponding to the first battery cell (11) may be the highest, the SOC (D) corresponding to the third battery cell (13) may be the lowest, and the SoCs of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) may be arranged in descending order.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may determine at least one first target battery cell from among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) having the highest SoC. For example, when the controller (1200) determines one first target battery cell, the controller (1200) may determine the first battery cell (11) having the highest SoC from among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) as the first target battery cell. Similarly, when the controller (1200) determines two first target battery cells, the controller (1200) may determine two first target battery cells (11, 12) from among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) having the highest SoC.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may determine at least one second target battery cell from among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) having the lowest SoC. For example, when the controller (1200) determines one second target battery cell, the controller (1200) may determine the third battery cell (13) having the lowest SoC from among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) as the second target battery cell. Similarly, when the controller (1200) determines two second target battery cells, the controller (1200) may determine two first target battery cells (13, 14) from among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) having the lowest SoC.

[0071] Referring again to FIG. 4, each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) according to one embodiment may be connected to a different antenna. For example, the first battery cell (11) may be electrically connected to the first antenna (111), the second battery cell (12) may be electrically connected to the second antenna (112), the third battery cell (13) may be electrically connected to the third antenna (113), and the fourth battery cell (14) may be electrically connected to the fourth antenna (114).

[0072] According to one embodiment, a switch (11a, 12a, 13a, 14a) for controlling electrical connection may be positioned between a plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) and a plurality of corresponding antennas (111, 112, 113, 114).

[0073] The controller (1200) can control the connection between the switch between the first target battery cell and the antenna corresponding to the first target battery cell and the switch between the second target battery cell and the antenna corresponding to the second target battery cell so that power is transferred from the first target battery cell to the second target battery cell. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the first target battery cell is the first battery cell (11) and the second target battery cell is the third battery cell (13), but the present invention is not limited to this example. The controller (1200) can control the electrical connection of the switches (11a, 13a) so that power is transferred from the first target battery cell (11) to the second target battery cell (13) until the SoC of the third battery cell (13), which is the second target battery cell, reaches a preset reference SoC.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may control the electrical connection of the first switch (11a) between the first battery cell (11), which is the first target battery cell, and the antenna (111) corresponding to the first battery cell (11), and may control the electrical connection of the third switch (13a) between the second battery cell (13), which is the second target battery cell, and the antenna (113) corresponding to the second battery cell (13).

[0075] Referring again to FIG. 5, an example of the state of the switches of each of the first target battery cell (11) and the second target battery cell (13) over time is illustrated.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may close the first switch (11a) so that the first battery cell (11) and the first antenna (111) are electrically connected at time t1. Here, during the time period from time t1 when the first switch (11a) is closed to time t2, power may be transmitted from the first battery cell (11) to the first antenna (111) and stored in the first antenna (111).

[0077] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may short-circuit the third switch (13a) so that the third battery cell (13) and the third antenna (113) are electrically connected at time t2, and open the first switch (11a) so that the first battery cell (11) and the first antenna (111) are not electrically connected. As described above, since the first antenna (111) and the third antenna (113) are coupled to each other, the power stored in the first antenna (111) may be transferred to the third antenna (113) and supplied to the third battery cell (13) electrically connected to the third antenna (113).

[0078] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may calculate the SoC of the third battery cell (13) based on the battery data of the third battery cell (13) at time t3. If the SoC of the third battery cell (13) is lower than a preset reference SoC, the controller (1200) may control the electrical connection of the first switch (11a) and the third switch (13a) so that power is transferred from the first battery cell (11), which is the first target battery cell, to the third battery cell (13), which is the second target battery cell.

[0079] As described above, the controller (1200) can short-circuit the first switch (11a) so that the first battery cell (11) and the first antenna (111) are electrically connected at time t3, and can open the third switch (13a) so that the third battery cell (13) and the third antenna (113) are not electrically connected. Here, during the time period from time t3 when the first switch (11a) is short-circuited to time t4, power can be transmitted from the first battery cell (11) to the first antenna (111) and stored in the first antenna (111).

[0080] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may short-circuit the third switch (13a) so that the third battery cell (13) and the third antenna (113) are electrically connected at time t4, and open the first switch (11a) so that the first battery cell (11) and the first antenna (111) are not electrically connected. As described above, since the first antenna (111) and the third antenna (113) are coupled to each other, the power stored in the first antenna (111) may be transferred to the third antenna (113) and supplied to the third battery cell (13) electrically connected to the third antenna (113).

[0081] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may calculate the SoC of the third battery cell (13) based on the battery data of the third battery cell (13) at time t5. If the SoC of the third battery cell (13) is lower than a preset reference SoC, the controller (1200) may control the electrical connection of the first switch (11a) and the third switch (13a) so that power is transferred from the first battery cell (11), which is the first target battery cell, to the third battery cell (13), which is the second target battery cell.

[0082] As described above, the controller (1200) can short-circuit the first switch (11a) so that the first battery cell (11) and the first antenna (111) are electrically connected at time t5, and can open the third switch (13a) so that the third battery cell (13) and the third antenna (113) are not electrically connected. Here, during the time period from time t5 when the first switch (11a) is short-circuited to time t6, power can be transmitted from the first battery cell (11) to the first antenna (111) and stored in the first antenna (111).

[0083] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may short-circuit the third switch (13a) so that the third battery cell (13) and the third antenna (113) are electrically connected at time t6, and open the first switch (11a) so that the first battery cell (11) and the first antenna (111) are not electrically connected. As described above, since the first antenna (111) and the third antenna (113) are coupled to each other, the power stored in the first antenna (111) may be transferred to the third antenna (113) and supplied to the third battery cell (13) electrically connected to the third antenna (113).

[0084] According to one embodiment, the controller (1200) may calculate the SoC of the third battery cell (13) based on the battery data of the third battery cell (13) at time t7. If the SoC of the third battery cell (13) is higher than or equal to a preset reference SoC, the controller (1200) may stop the cell balancing operation that balances the state of charge between the first battery cell (11) and the third battery cell (13). Here, the controller (1200) may open both the first switch (11a) and the third switch (13a) from time t7.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the preset reference SoC may correspond to the SoC of the second target battery cell to be reached by performing a cell balancing operation, and the value of the reference SoC may be variously set, changed, and applied according to the SoC and / or design of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) when performing the cell balancing operation.

[0086] A battery system (1) according to an embodiment disclosed in this document can perform an active cell balancing operation based on a plurality of antennas (100) formed on a plurality of laminated PCB substrates. That is, since the battery system (1) according to an embodiment disclosed in this document can perform an active cell balancing operation based on wireless antennas, it can increase the space efficiency within a battery pack compared to a battery system that performs an active cell balancing operation based on wired antennas that require wires or various circuit elements. In addition, since the antenna (100) mounted on the battery system (1) disclosed in this document can be printed as a pattern on the PCB substrate, it can be produced without error with respect to the distance between antennas, the size of the antenna pattern, the position of the antenna for coupling, etc., and thus the efficiency when performing the cell balancing operation can be increased. In addition, since the antenna (100) mounted on the battery system (1) disclosed in this document can be formed on laminated PCB substrates, the space efficiency is increased.

[0087] FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of a battery system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0088] First, referring to FIG. 6, in step S601, the battery system (1, see FIG. 1) can obtain battery data related to at least one of voltage, current, and temperature of each of a plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14, see FIG. 1).

[0089] At step S603, the battery system (1) can balance the charge states of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) by controlling the connection between the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) and the plurality of antennas (111 to 114, see FIG. 4) corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) based on the states of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14).

[0090] According to one embodiment, a plurality of antennas (111 to 114) may be formed on a plurality of PCB substrates on which a battery management device (1000, see FIG. 1) included in a battery system (1) is mounted. In addition, the pattern sizes of the plurality of antennas (111 to 114) may be different depending on the corresponding battery cells.

[0091] Referring to Fig. 7, the specific process of step S603 is illustrated.

[0092] First, referring to step S701, the battery system (1) can calculate the SoC (State of Charge) of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) based on battery data of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14).

[0093] At step S703, the battery system (1) can determine at least one first target battery cell to supply power and at least one second target battery cell to receive power supplied by the first target battery cell among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) based on the SoC of each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14).

[0094] According to one embodiment, the step of determining the first target battery cell may include a step of determining the first target battery cell from a battery cell having the highest SoC among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14), and the step of determining the second target battery cell may include a step of determining the second target battery cell from a battery cell having the lowest SoC among the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14).

[0095] At step S705, the battery system (1) can electrically connect a first switch between the first target battery cell and the first antenna to transfer power from the first target battery cell to the first antenna corresponding to the first target battery cell.

[0096] At step S707, the battery system (1) can electrically connect a second switch between the second target battery cell and the second antenna corresponding to the second target battery cell to transfer power transmitted to the first antenna to the second target battery cell.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the step of balancing the state of charge of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) may be performed until the SoC of the second target battery cell reaches a preset reference SoC.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: Battery system

[0103] 10: Battery module

[0104] 11, 12, 13, 14: Battery cells

[0105] 100: Antenna

[0106] 1000: Battery Management Device

[0107] 1100: Data Acquisition Department

[0108] 1200: Controller

[0109] 1300: Memory

Claims

1. Multiple battery cells; A plurality of antennas connected to each of the plurality of battery cells to transmit and receive power from each of the plurality of battery cells and having different pattern sizes according to the corresponding battery cells; and A battery system including a battery management device that balances the charge states of the plurality of battery cells by controlling the connection between the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of antennas based on the state of each of the plurality of battery cells.

2. In the first paragraph, the plurality of antennas, A battery system disposed on a plurality of PCB laminated substrates on which the above battery management device is mounted.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery system in which the above multiple antennas are coupled to each other.

4. In paragraph 3, A battery system in which the pattern sizes of corresponding antennas among a plurality of antennas formed on different substrates among the plurality of PCB substrates are configured to correspond to each other.

5. In paragraph 2, Further comprising a plurality of switches electrically connecting between the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of antennas, respectively; The above battery management device, A battery system that balances the charge states of the plurality of battery cells by controlling the electrical connections of the plurality of switches.

6. In the fifth paragraph, the battery management device, A data acquisition unit for acquiring battery data related to at least one of the voltage, current, and temperature of each of the battery cells; and A battery system comprising: a controller for controlling the electrical connection of the plurality of switches and determining at least one first target battery cell to supply power and at least one second target battery cell to receive power supplied by the first target battery cell based on a SoC (State of Charge) of each of the plurality of battery cells calculated based on the battery data; 7. In the 6th paragraph, the controller, The first target battery cell is determined from the battery cell having the highest SoC among the plurality of battery cells, A battery system that determines the second target battery cell from among the plurality of battery cells having the lowest SoC.

8. In the 7th paragraph, the controller, Electrically connecting a first switch between the first target battery cell and the first antenna to transmit power from the first target battery cell to a first antenna corresponding to the first target battery cell, A battery system electrically connecting a second switch between the second target battery cell and a second antenna corresponding to the second target battery cell so as to transmit power transmitted to the first antenna to the second target battery cell.

9. In the 8th paragraph, the controller, A battery system that controls the electrical connection between the first switch and the second switch until the SoC of the second target battery cell reaches a preset reference SoC.

10. A step of obtaining battery data related to at least one of voltage, current and temperature of each of a plurality of battery cells; and A method for operating a battery system, comprising: a step of controlling connections between the plurality of battery cells and the plurality of antennas corresponding to each of the plurality of battery cells based on the states of each of the plurality of battery cells, thereby balancing the charge states of the plurality of battery cells.

11. In Article 10, The above plurality of antennas are arranged on a plurality of PCB laminated substrates on which a battery management device is mounted, The pattern sizes of the above multiple antennas are different for different battery system operation methods depending on the corresponding battery cells.

12. In the 10th paragraph, the step of balancing the charge state of the plurality of battery cells is as follows: A step of calculating the SoC (State of Charge) of each of the plurality of battery cells based on the battery data; A step of determining at least one first target battery cell to supply power and at least one second target battery cell to receive power supplied by the first target battery cell among the plurality of battery cells based on the SoC of each of the plurality of battery cells; A step of electrically connecting a first switch between the first target battery cell and the first antenna to transmit power from the first target battery cell to a first antenna corresponding to the first target battery cell; and A method of operating a battery system, comprising: a step of electrically connecting a second switch between the second target battery cell and a second antenna corresponding to the second target battery cell so as to transmit power transmitted to the first antenna to the second target battery cell.

13. In the 12th paragraph, the step of determining the first target battery cell and the second target battery cell is, A step of determining the first target battery cell from the battery cell having the highest SoC among the plurality of battery cells; and A method of operating a battery system, comprising: determining the second target battery cell from among the plurality of battery cells having the lowest SoC.

14. In the 12th paragraph, the step of balancing the charge state of the plurality of battery cells is as follows: An operating method of a battery system performed until the SoC of the second target battery cell reaches a preset reference SoC.

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