Battery management device

Abstract

A battery management device, according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document, comprises: an optical signal generation unit that generates an optical signal for performing optical communication with another battery management device on the basis of a preset operating voltage applied from the outside; a driving unit including a plurality of resistor units selectively connected to the optical signal generation unit, each resistor unit including a resistor and a switch electrically connected to the resistor; and a control unit that controls selective connection between the optical signal generation unit and the plurality of resistor units by controlling the operations of the plurality of switches.

Description

Battery management device

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0180526, 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 management device.

[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] These secondary batteries are produced as battery modules containing multiple battery cells and battery packs containing multiple battery modules. Multiple battery management devices included in the battery pack communicate with other battery management devices to transmit and receive information related to the battery's condition. Battery management devices can communicate with other battery management devices via wired or wireless means. When performing wireless communication, particularly optical communication, it is difficult to precisely control the intensity of the optical signal.

[0007] One object of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide a battery management device capable of controlling the intensity of an optical signal.

[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 management device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may include an optical signal generation unit that generates an optical signal for performing optical communication with another battery management device based on a preset operating voltage applied from the outside; a driving unit that includes a plurality of resistors, each resistor including a resistor and a switch electrically connected to the resistor, and selectively connected to the optical signal generation unit; and a control unit that controls selective connection between the optical signal generation unit and the plurality of resistors by controlling operations of the plurality of switches.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the optical signal generating unit includes a light emitting diode that receives the operating voltage through an anode terminal and has a cathode terminal electrically connected to one end of the driving unit, and the other end of the driving unit can be electrically connected to a ground terminal.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the driving unit may include a first reference resistor and a plurality of first resistor units connected in parallel with the first reference resistor, and each of the plurality of first resistor units may include a control resistor and a switch connected in series with the control resistor.

[0012] According to one embodiment, one end of the first reference resistor and one end of a switch included in each of the plurality of first resistance sections may be electrically connected to the cathode terminal, one end of each of the adjustment resistors included in each of the plurality of first resistance sections may be electrically connected to the other end of each of the switches, and the other end of the first reference resistor and the other end of each of the adjustment resistors included in each of the plurality of first resistance sections may be electrically connected to the ground terminal.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the maximum value of the magnitude of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit may correspond to the first reference resistance value.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the sizes of each of the control resistors included in each of the plurality of first resistance sections may be different from each other.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the driving unit may include a second reference resistor and a plurality of second resistor units connected in series with the second reference resistor, and each of the plurality of second resistor units may include a control resistor and a switch connected in parallel with the control resistor.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each of the control resistors included in the plurality of second resistance sections is connected in series, one end of each of the switches is connected in parallel to each of the terminals connecting the second reference resistor and the control resistor and each of the control resistors, and the other end of each of the switches can be electrically connected to the ground terminal.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the minimum value of the magnitude of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit may correspond to the second reference resistance value.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the sizes of each of the control resistors included in each of the plurality of second resistance sections may be different from each other.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the driving unit includes a reference resistor unit and a plurality of adjustable resistor units connected in parallel with the reference resistor unit, and each of the reference resistor unit and the plurality of adjustable resistor units may include a third reference resistor, a plurality of adjustable resistors connected in series with the third reference resistor, and a plurality of switches connected in parallel to each of the plurality of adjustable resistors.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the third reference resistor and each of the plurality of adjustable resistors included in the reference resistor section and each of the plurality of adjustable resistor sections are connected in series, one end of each of the switches is connected in parallel to each of the terminals connecting the third reference resistor and the adjustable resistor and each of the adjustable resistors, and the other end of each of the switches can be electrically connected to the ground terminal.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the driving unit may include a fourth resistor unit including a fourth reference resistor having one end electrically connected to a first node, which is the cathode terminal, a plurality of switches having one end electrically connected to the first node, and a plurality of fourth adjustment resistors connected in series with other ends of each of the plurality of switches; and a fifth resistor unit including a fifth reference resistor connected in series to a second node, which is the other end of the fourth reference resistor and the plurality of adjustment resistors, a plurality of fifth adjustment resistors connected in series to the fifth reference resistor, and a plurality of switches each connected between a terminal between the second node, the plurality of fifth adjustment resistors, and the ground terminal.

[0022] A battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include an optical signal generation unit that generates an optical signal for performing optical communication with another battery management device based on a preset operating voltage applied from the outside; a driving unit that includes a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches electrically connected to each of the plurality of resistors; and a control unit that controls the operation of the plurality of switches so that the magnitude of a current flowing through the driving unit reaches the magnitude of a target current.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the optical signal generating unit may include a light emitting diode that receives the operating voltage through an anode terminal and has a cathode terminal electrically connected to one end of the driving unit.

[0024] In one embodiment, the control unit may increase the size of the target current when communication performed based on the optical signal with the other battery management device is cut off.

[0025] In one embodiment, the control unit may increase the magnitude of the target current based on data related to the magnitude of the received current flowing to the other battery device.

[0026] According to one embodiment disclosed in this document, a battery management device capable of controlling the intensity of an optical signal is provided.

[0027] 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.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a process of performing optical communication according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a process of generating an optical signal according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a driving unit according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a driving unit according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0033] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b are drawings for explaining a driving unit according to another embodiment disclosed in another document.

[0034] FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b are drawings for explaining a driving unit according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a battery management device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0038] 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).

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The battery management device (100) can manage and / or control the status and / or operation of the battery module (10). For example, the battery management device (100) 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). Here, the battery management device (100) may be a battery module BMS or a battery pack BMS, but is not limited to these examples.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a battery management device (100) may include an optical signal generation unit (110), a driving unit (120), a control unit (130), a receiving unit (140), and a memory (150).

[0043] The optical signal generation unit (110) can generate an optical signal for performing optical communication with an external device. Here, the optical signal can include data related to 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). For example, the optical signal can include data related to the voltage, current, and / or temperature of each of the battery module (10) and / or the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10), but is not limited to these examples.

[0044] In one embodiment, the external device may include another battery management device, etc. For example, the optical signal may be provided to the battery management device (100) and another battery management device, wherein the other battery management device may receive the status of the battery module (10) and / or each of the plurality of battery cells (11, 12, 13, 14) included in the battery module (10).

[0045] According to one embodiment, the optical signal generation unit (110) may include a light emitting diode for generating an optical signal, but is not limited to this example.

[0046] The driving unit (120) may be configured to control the intensity of an optical signal generated by the optical signal generating unit (110). According to one embodiment, the driving unit (120) may include at least one resistance unit, each of which includes a resistor and a switch electrically connected to the resistor.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the driving unit (120) may include a reference resistor and at least one resistor connected in series and / or in parallel with the reference resistor. Here, one resistor may include a resistor and a switch connected in series or in parallel with the resistor. That is, one resistor may be configured to include a resistor and a switch connected in series with the resistor or a resistor and a switch connected in parallel with the resistor.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the reference resistance may be a resistance having a maximum or minimum value of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit. Details related to this are described in the description of FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0049] The control unit (130) can control the overall operation of the battery management device (100). The control unit (130) can control the selective connection of the switch of at least one resistance unit included in the driving unit (120) to adjust the intensity of the optical signal generated by the optical signal generating unit (110). That is, the control unit (130) can be configured to control the size of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) by controlling the selective connection of the switch of at least one resistance unit included in the driving unit (120).

[0050] According to one embodiment, the control unit (130) may be implemented as at least one processor that executes software to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software) of the battery management device (100) or performs operations such as processing and / or calculating various data.

[0051] The receiving unit (140) may be configured to receive an optical signal received from the outside. According to one embodiment, the receiving unit (140) may include a photodiode (not shown) that detects an optical signal, and the photodiode may convert the received optical signal into an electrical signal.

[0052] The memory (150) may be configured to store various data generated and / or stored by the battery management device (100). According to one embodiment, the memory (150) may be configured to store data related to the intensity of an optical signal and the size of an equivalent resistance corresponding to the intensity of each optical signal.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the memory (150) 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.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a process of performing optical communication according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery management device (100) can communicate with another battery management device (200) based on a wired and / or wireless communication method.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the battery management device (100) can communicate with the outside based on an optical communication method. Here, optical communication, which is a type of wireless communication method among various wired and / or wireless communication methods, may be a method for transmitting data remotely and / or performing communication between electronic devices by utilizing an optical signal, and the optical communication method may be performed between an optical signal generating unit that generates and / or transmits an optical signal and an optical signal receiving unit that receives the transmitted optical signal. The optical signal may be composed of visible light, infrared light, or ultraviolet light, which are distinguished based on the wavelength of the optical signal, but is not limited to these examples.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the optical signal generation unit (110), the driving unit (120), and the control unit (130) of the battery management device (100) may constitute one transmission unit (100a), and the optical signal generation unit (210), the driving unit (220), and the control unit (230) of the battery management device (200) may constitute one transmission unit (200a), but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the receiver (240) of the battery management device (200) may be arranged to correspond to the transmitter (100a) of the battery management device (100), and the receiver (140) of the battery management device (100) may be arranged to correspond to the transmitter (200a) of the battery management device (200). However, the embodiment disclosed in this document is not limited to these examples, and it is sufficient if the transmitters (100a, 200a) and the receivers (140, 240) can be arranged to transmit and receive optical signals between them.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the receiver (140, 240) can detect an optical signal and convert the optical signal into an electrical signal. For example, the receiver (240) can detect an optical signal transmitted by the battery management device (100) and convert the received optical signal into an electrical signal, such as a received current.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the reception current flowing in the receiver (140, 240) may be related to the intensity of the optical signal. For example, when the intensity of the optical signal transmitted by the battery management device (100) increases, the magnitude of the reception current flowing in the receiver (240) may increase, and when the intensity of the optical signal transmitted by the battery management device (100) decreases, the magnitude of the reception current flowing in the receiver (240) may decrease, and when optical communication is not performed between the battery management device (100) and the battery management device (200), the reception current may not flow in the receiver (240).

[0061] The battery management device (100) and the battery management device (200) can communicate with each other through an optical communication method and provide information related to the optical communication status to each other's battery management device. According to one embodiment, the battery management device (100) can provide data related to the size of the reception current generated based on the optical signal transmitted by the battery management device (200) to the battery management device (200), and the battery management device (200) can provide data related to the size of the reception current generated based on the optical signal transmitted by the battery management device (100) to the battery management device (100).

[0062] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a process of generating an optical signal according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 3, the connection relationship between the optical signal generation unit (110) and the driving unit (120) is illustrated.

[0064] The optical signal generation unit (110) may include a photodiode (D1) that generates an optical signal. Referring to FIG. 3, the optical signal generation unit (110) is illustrated as including one photodiode (D1), but the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to this example.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the optical signal generation unit (110) can operate based on an operating power (Vop) applied from the outside. Here, the operating power (Vop) can be supplied through the anode terminal of the photodiode (D1) included in the optical signal generation unit (110), and the magnitude of the operating power (Vop) can be set to have a preset constant reference level.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the cathode terminal of the photodiode (D1) included in the optical signal generation unit (110) can be electrically connected to one end of the driving unit (120), and the other end of the driving unit (120) can be electrically connected to a ground terminal.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the driving unit (120) may include at least one first resistance unit (121) and / or at least one second resistance unit (122). Details related to the first resistance unit (121) and the second resistance unit (122) are described in detail with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0068] The intensity of the optical signal generated by the optical signal generating unit (110) may be related to the magnitude of the diode current flowing through the photodiode (D1). For example, when the magnitude of the current flowing through the photodiode (D1) increases, the intensity of the optical signal generated by the optical signal generating unit (110) may increase, and when the magnitude of the current flowing through the photodiode (D1) decreases, the intensity of the optical signal generated by the optical signal generating unit (110) may decrease.

[0069] As described above, since the magnitude of the operating voltage (Vop) can be set to have a constant level, the diode current flowing through the photodiode (D1) can be related to the magnitude of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) by at least one first resistor unit (121) and / or second resistor unit (122) included in the driving unit (120). For example, when the magnitude of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) increases, the magnitude of the diode current flowing through the photodiode (D1) can decrease, and when the magnitude of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) decreases, the magnitude of the diode current flowing through the photodiode (D1) can increase. Therefore, when the magnitude of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) is controlled, the magnitude of the current flowing through the photodiode (D1) can be controlled, and thus the intensity of the optical signal can vary based on the magnitude of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120).

[0070] The control unit (130, see FIG. 1) can control the driving unit (120) to change the magnitude of the current flowing through the photodiode (D1). According to one embodiment, the control unit (130) can control the driving unit (120) so that the magnitude of the current flowing through the photodiode (D1) corresponds to the magnitude of a target current, wherein the target current can correspond to a threshold value of the current that must flow through the photodiode (D1) for optical communication to be performed smoothly.

[0071] For example, as described above in the detailed description of FIG. 2, when the magnitude of the reception current flowing through the receiving unit (240) included in the battery management device (200, see FIG. 2) decreases, the intensity of the optical signal transmitted by the battery management device (100) may be reduced due to various causes. The control unit (130) included in the battery management device (100) may increase the magnitude of the target current that should flow to the photodiode (D1) based on data related to the magnitude of the reception current received from the battery management device (200).

[0072] According to one embodiment, the control unit (130) can control the driving unit (120) to allow a target current to flow through the photodiode (D1). For example, the control unit (130) can control the electrical connection of a plurality of switches (not shown) included in the driving unit (120) to adjust the size of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120).

[0073] According to one embodiment, the control unit (130) can control at least one resistor unit in the driving unit (120) to open and / or short each switch included in each of the at least one resistor units. Here, the control unit (130) can control the driving unit (120) to sequentially increase the intensity of the optical signal.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the control unit (130) can calculate the size of the equivalent resistance corresponding to the intensity of each optical signal, and control the electrical connection of the switch included in at least one resistance unit so that the driving unit (120) has the size of the calculated equivalent resistance.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the control unit (130) may increase the size of the target current when no reception current flows to the battery management device (200). For example, when it is determined that no reception current flows to the battery management device (200), i.e., no optical communication is performed, based on data regarding the size of the reception current received from the battery management device (200), the control unit (130) may control the driving unit (120) so that the size of the current flowing through the photodiode (D1) corresponds to the size of the target current. Here, the control unit (130) may sequentially increase the size of the target current, thereby controlling the driving unit (120) so that the size of the current flowing through the photodiode (D1) sequentially increases. When a current corresponding to the size of the target current flows through the photodiode (D1), the control unit (130) may diagnose the optical communication status based on data regarding the size of the reception current received from the battery management device (200). That is, the control unit (130) can sequentially increase the size of the target current until the received current flows to the battery management device (200) based on data regarding the size of the received current received from the battery management device (200).

[0076] According to one embodiment, the control unit (130) can adjust the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) based on data regarding the magnitude of the reception current provided by the battery management device (200) at each preset cycle. For example, the control unit (130) can obtain the magnitude of the reception current flowing in the battery management device (200) based on the data received at each preset cycle, and when the magnitude of the reception current decreases, can increase the magnitude of the target current, which is a threshold value of the current that must flow through the photodiode (D1).

[0077] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a driving unit according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the driving unit (120) may include a first reference resistor (R1_ref) and a plurality of first resistor units (121a, 121b, 121n) connected in parallel with the first reference resistor (R1_ref). In FIG. 4, the driving unit (120) is illustrated as including n first resistor units (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2), but is not limited to this example.

[0079] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of first resistor units (121a, 121b, 121n) may include a control resistor and a switch connected in series with the control resistor. For example, the first resistor unit (121a) may include a control resistor (Ra) and a switch (SW_a) connected in series with the control resistor (Ra), the first resistor unit (121b) may include a control resistor (Rb) and a switch (SW_b) connected in series with the control resistor (Rb), and the first resistor unit (121n) may include a control resistor (Rn) and a switch (SW_n) connected in series with the control resistor (Rn).

[0080] According to one embodiment, one end of a first reference resistor (R1_ref) and one end of a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) included in each of a plurality of first resistor units (121a, 121b, 121n) may be electrically connected via a first node (N1). Here, the first node (N1) may be electrically connected to a cathode terminal of a photodiode (D1, see FIG. 3).

[0081] According to one embodiment, the other ends of the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) included in each of the plurality of first resistance units (121a, 121b, 121n) may be electrically connected to one end of the plurality of control resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn) included in each of the plurality of first resistance units (121a, 121b, 121n). For example, the other end of the switch (SW_a) included in the first resistance section (121a) may be electrically connected to one end of the control resistor (Ra) included in the first resistance section (121a), the other end of the switch (SW_b) included in the first resistance section (121b) may be electrically connected to one end of the control resistor (Rb) included in the first resistance section (121b), and the other end of the switch (SW_n) included in the first resistance section (121n) may be electrically connected to one end of the control resistor (Rn) included in the first resistance section (121n).

[0082] According to one embodiment, the other end of the first reference resistor (R1_ref) and the other end of each of the plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn) included in each of the plurality of first resistance units (121a, 121b, 121n) may be electrically connected via a second node (N2). Here, the second node (N2) may be electrically connected to the ground terminal illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the size of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) can be determined based on the connection state of a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) included in each of a plurality of first resistance units (121a, 121b, 121n). For example, when all of the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) are in an open state, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) may correspond to the first reference resistance (R1_ref), and when the switch (SW_a) among the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) is in a short-circuited state and the switches (SW_b, SW_n) are in an open state, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) may correspond to (R1_ref∥Ra), and when the switches (SW_a, SW_b) among the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) are in a short-circuited state and the switches (SW_n) are in an open state, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) may correspond to (R1_ref∥Ra∥Rb), and when all of the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) are in a short-circuited state, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) It can correspond to (R1_ref∥Ra∥Rb∥Rn).

[0084] According to one embodiment, the size of the first reference resistor (R1_ref) may correspond to the maximum value of the size of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120). This is because when a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) are short-circuited, the size of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) decreases.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the control unit (130, see FIG. 1) can increase the amount of current flowing to the photodiode (D1, see FIG. 3) by controlling the electrical connection of a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) that are in an open state to reduce the amount of equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120). In other words, the control unit (130) can increase the intensity of an optical signal generated by the optical signal generating unit (110, see FIG. 1) by reducing the amount of equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) by short-circuiting a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) that are in an open state.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the sizes of the plurality of control resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn) included in each of the plurality of first resistance units (121a, 121b, 121n) may be the same or different from each other.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a driving unit according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the driving unit (120) may include a second reference resistor (R2_ref) and a plurality of second resistor units (122a, 122b, 122n) connected in series with the second reference resistor (R2_ref). In FIG. 5, the driving unit (120) is illustrated as including n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) second resistor units, but is not limited to this example.

[0089] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of second resistor units (122a, 122b, 122n) may include a control resistor and a switch connected in parallel with the control resistor. For example, the second resistor unit (122a) may include a control resistor (Ra) and a switch (SW_a) connected in parallel with the control resistor (Ra), the second resistor unit (122b) may include a control resistor (Rb) and a switch (SW_b) connected in parallel with the control resistor (Rb), and the second resistor unit (122n) may include a control resistor (Rn) and a switch (SW_n) connected in parallel with the control resistor (Rn).

[0090] According to one embodiment, one end of the second reference resistor (R2_ref) may be electrically connected to the cathode terminal of the photodiode (D1, see FIG. 3).

[0091] According to one embodiment, the other end of the second reference resistor (R2_ref) may be electrically connected to one end of the second resistor unit (122n) among the plurality of second resistor units (122a, 122b, 122n). That is, the other end of the second reference resistor (R2_ref) may be electrically connected to one end of the adjustment resistor (Rn) included in the second resistor unit (122n) and one end of the switch (SW_n) included in the second resistor unit (122n).

[0092] According to one embodiment, the other end of the second resistor unit (122n) may be electrically connected to one end of the second resistor unit (122n-1). That is, the other end of the control resistor (Rn) included in the second resistor unit (122n) may be electrically connected to one end of the control resistor (Rn-1) included in the second resistor unit (122n-1) and one end of the switch (SW_n-1) included in the second resistor unit (122n-1).

[0093] Likewise, according to one embodiment, the other end of the second resistor unit (122b) may be electrically connected to one end of the second resistor unit (122a). That is, the other end of the adjustment resistor (Rb) included in the second resistor unit (122b) may be electrically connected to one end of the adjustment resistor (Ra) included in the second resistor unit (122a) and one end of the switch (SW_a) included in the second resistor unit (122a).

[0094] According to one embodiment, the other end of the control resistor (Ra) included in the second resistor unit (122a) and the other ends of the switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n-1, SW_n) included in each of the plurality of second resistor units (122a, 122b, 122n-1, 122n) may be electrically connected via a second node (N2). Here, the second node (N2) may be electrically connected to the ground terminal illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the size of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) can be determined based on the connection state of a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) included in each of a plurality of second resistance units (122a, 122b, 122n-1, 122n). For example, when all of the multiple switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) are in an open state, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) may correspond to (R2_ref + Ra + Rb + … + Rn-1 + Rn), and when among the multiple switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n-1, SW_n), the switch (SW_a) is in a short-circuit state and the switches (SW_b, SW_n-1, SW_n) are in an open state, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) may correspond to (R2_ref + Rb + … + Rn-1 + Rn), and when among the multiple switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n-1, SW_n), the switches (SW_a, SW_b) are in a short-circuit state and the switches (SW_n-1, SW_n) are in an open state, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) may correspond to (R2_ref + … + Rn-1 + When the switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n-1, SW_n) among the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n-1) are short-circuited and the switch (SW_n) is open, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) may correspond to (R2_ref + Rn), and when the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n-1, SW_n) are all short-circuited, the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) may correspond to R2_ref.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the size of the second reference resistor (R2_ref) may correspond to the minimum value of the size of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120). This is because when a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) are short-circuited, the size of the equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) decreases.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the control unit (130, see FIG. 1) can increase the amount of current flowing to the photodiode (D1, see FIG. 3) by controlling the electrical connection of a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) that are in an open state to reduce the amount of equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120). In other words, the control unit (130) can increase the intensity of an optical signal generated by the optical signal generating unit (110, see FIG. 1) by reducing the amount of equivalent resistance of the driving unit (120) by short-circuiting a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) that are in an open state.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the sizes of the plurality of control resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn-1, Rn) included in each of the plurality of second resistance units (122a, 122b, 122n-1, 122n) may be the same or different from each other.

[0099] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b are drawings for explaining a driving unit according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0100] First, referring to FIG. 6A, the driving unit (120) may include a reference resistor unit (123) and a plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n) connected in parallel with the reference resistor unit (123). In FIG. 6A, the driving unit (120) is illustrated as including n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) adjustable resistor units, but is not limited to this example.

[0101] According to one embodiment, each of the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n) may include a plurality of adjustable resistors and a plurality of switches electrically connected to the plurality of adjustable resistors. The configuration of each of the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n) will be described later in the description with respect to FIG. 6b.

[0102] According to one embodiment, one end of the reference resistor unit (123) and one end of each of the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n) may be electrically connected via a first node (N1). Here, the first node (N1) may be electrically connected to a cathode terminal of a photodiode (D1, see FIG. 3).

[0103] According to one embodiment, the other end of the reference resistor unit (123) and the other end of each of the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n) may be electrically connected via a second node (N2). Here, the second node (N2) may be electrically connected to the ground terminal illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 6b, the specific structure of the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n) is illustrated.

[0105] According to one embodiment, each of the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustment resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n-1, 123n) may include a third reference resistor (R3_ref), a plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn-1, Rn) connected in series with the third reference resistor (R3_ref), and a plurality of switches connected in parallel to each of the plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn-1, Rn). In FIG. 6b, the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n-1, 123n) are illustrated as each including n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) adjustable resistors and n switches, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the numbers of adjustable resistors and switches included in the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n-1, 123n) may be different from each other.

[0106] According to one embodiment, one end of each of the third reference resistors (R3_ref) included in each of the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n-1, 123n) may be electrically connected to a cathode terminal of a photodiode (D1, see FIG. 3). Here, the sizes of the third reference resistors (R3_ref) included in each of the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n-1, 123n) may be the same or different from each other.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the structure of each of the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of adjustable resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n-1, 123n) may be the same as that of the driving unit (120) illustrated in FIG. 5. Any description overlapping with that of FIG. 5 will be omitted.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the control resistor (Ra) and the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n-1, SW_n) included in each of the reference resistor unit (123) and the plurality of control resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n-1, 123n) may be electrically connected via a second node (N2). Here, the second node (N2) may be electrically connected to the ground terminal illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the sizes of the plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn-1, Rn) included in each of the reference resistance unit (123) and the plurality of adjustment resistor units (123a, 123b, 123n-1, 123n) may be the same or different from each other.

[0110] FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b are drawings for explaining a driving unit according to another embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0111] First, referring to FIG. 7A, the driving unit (120) may include a fourth resistor unit (124) and a fifth resistor unit (125) that are connected in series. Here, one end of the fourth resistor unit (124) may be electrically connected to a first node (N1), and the other end of the fourth resistor unit (124) and one end of the fifth resistor unit (125) may be electrically connected via a second node (N2). The first node (N1) may be electrically connected to a cathode terminal of a photodiode (D1, see FIG. 3), and the other end of the fifth resistor unit (125) may be electrically connected to a ground terminal illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 7b, the specific structure of the fourth resistor unit (124) and the fifth resistor unit (125) connected in series with the fourth resistor unit (124) is illustrated.

[0113] First, the fourth resistor unit (124) may include a fourth reference resistor (R4_ref), a plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn) connected in parallel with the fourth reference resistor (R4_ref), and a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) connected in series with the plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn). One end of the fourth reference resistor (R4_ref) and one end of the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n) may be electrically connected via a first node (N1).

[0114] Similarly, the other terminal of the fourth reference resistor (R4_ref) and the other terminals of the plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn) can be electrically connected through the second node (N2).

[0115] According to one embodiment, the fourth resistor unit (124) may have the same structure as the driving unit (120) illustrated in FIG. 4. Any details overlapping with the description of FIG. 4 are omitted.

[0116] The fifth resistor unit (125) may include a fifth reference resistor (R5_ref), a plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn) connected in series with the fifth reference resistor (R5_ref), and a plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n, SW_n+1) connected in parallel to each of the fifth reference resistor (R5_ref) and the plurality of adjustment resistors (Ra, Rb, Rn).

[0117] According to one embodiment, one end of the fifth reference resistor (R5_ref) and the switch (SW_n+1) may be electrically connected via the second node (N2).

[0118] According to one embodiment, the other end of the fifth reference resistor (R5_ref) may be electrically connected to a control resistor (Rn) and a switch (SW_n) connected in parallel with the control resistor (Rn).

[0119] Similarly, the other end of the regulating resistor (Rb) may include one end of the regulating resistor (Ra) and a switch (SW_a) connected in parallel with the regulating resistor (Ra).

[0120] According to one embodiment, the other terminal of the control resistor (Ra) and the other terminal of the plurality of switches (SW_a, SW_b, SW_n, SW_n+1) can be electrically connected to the ground terminal illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0121] As described above, the driving unit (120, see FIG. 1) may include a reference resistor, a plurality of adjustment resistors, and a plurality of switches. The battery management device (100, see FIG. 1) according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document can control the electrical connection of the switches included in the driving unit (120) to control the intensity of the optical signal even when a constant level of operating voltage is applied. In addition, according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, the number, size, etc. of the adjustment resistors can be set in various ways, so that the intensity of the optical signal can be precisely controlled.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

Claims

1. An optical signal generation unit that generates an optical signal for performing optical communication with another battery management device based on a preset operating voltage applied from the outside; A driving unit including a plurality of resistors, each of which includes a resistor and a switch electrically connected to the resistor, and which are selectively connected to the optical signal generating unit; and A battery management device comprising a control unit that controls the operation of the plurality of switches to control selective connection between the optical signal generating unit and the plurality of resistor units.

2. In paragraph 1, The above optical signal generating unit includes a light emitting diode that receives the operating voltage through the anode terminal and has a cathode terminal electrically connected to one end of the driving unit. A battery management device in which the other end of the above driving unit is electrically connected to a ground terminal.

3. In the second paragraph, the driving unit, It comprises a first reference resistor and a plurality of first resistor sections connected in parallel with the first reference resistor, A battery management device wherein each of the plurality of first resistance sections includes a control resistor and a switch connected in series with the control resistor.

4. In paragraph 3, One end of the first reference resistor and one end of the switch included in each of the plurality of first resistor sections are electrically connected to the cathode terminal, One end of each of the control resistors included in each of the plurality of first resistance sections is electrically connected to the other end of each of the switches, A battery management device in which the other terminal of the first reference resistor and the other terminal of each of the control resistors included in each of the plurality of first resistance sections are electrically connected to the ground terminal.

5. In paragraph 3, A battery management device in which the maximum value of the equivalent resistance of the above driving unit corresponds to the first reference resistance value.

6. In paragraph 3, A battery management device in which each of the adjustment resistors included in each of the plurality of first resistance sections above has a different size.

7. In the second paragraph, the driving unit, It comprises a second reference resistor and a plurality of second resistor sections connected in series with the second reference resistor, A battery management device wherein each of the plurality of second resistor sections includes a control resistor and a switch connected in parallel with the control resistor.

8. In paragraph 7, Each of the control resistors included in the plurality of second resistance sections is connected in series, and one end of each of the switches is connected in parallel to each of the terminals connecting the second reference resistor and the control resistor and each of the control resistors. A battery management device in which each terminal of the above switches is electrically connected to the ground terminal.

9. In paragraph 7, A battery management device in which the minimum value of the equivalent resistance of the above driving unit corresponds to the second reference resistance value.

10. In paragraph 7, A battery management device in which each of the adjustment resistors included in each of the plurality of second resistance sections above has a different size.

11. In the second paragraph, the driving unit, It comprises a reference resistor section and a plurality of adjustable resistor sections connected in parallel with the reference resistor section, A battery management device, wherein each of the reference resistor section and the plurality of adjustable resistor sections includes a third reference resistor, a plurality of adjustable resistors connected in series with the third reference resistor, and a plurality of switches connected in parallel with each of the plurality of adjustable resistors.

12. In paragraph 11, The third reference resistor and each of the plurality of regulating resistors included in the above reference resistor section and each of the plurality of regulating resistor sections are connected in series, and one end of each of the switches is connected in parallel to each of the terminals connecting the third reference resistor and the regulating resistor and each of the regulating resistors. A battery management device in which each terminal of the above switches is electrically connected to the ground terminal.

13. In the second paragraph, the driving unit, A fourth resistor section including a fourth reference resistor having one end electrically connected to the first node, which is the cathode terminal, a plurality of switches having one end electrically connected to the first node, and a plurality of fourth control resistors connected in series with the other end of each of the plurality of switches; and A battery management device comprising: a fifth resistor unit including a fifth reference resistor connected in series to a second node, which is the other terminal of the fourth reference resistor and the plurality of regulating resistors; a plurality of fifth regulating resistors connected in series to the fifth reference resistor; and a plurality of switches each connected between the second node, terminals between the plurality of fifth regulating resistors, and the ground terminal.

14. An optical signal generation unit that generates an optical signal for performing optical communication with another battery management device based on a preset operating voltage applied from the outside; A driving unit comprising a plurality of resistors and a plurality of switches electrically connected to each of the plurality of resistors; and A battery management device including a control unit that controls the operation of the plurality of switches so that the size of the current flowing through the driving unit reaches the size of the target current.

15. In paragraph 14, A battery management device including a light emitting diode in which the above-described optical signal generating unit receives the operating voltage through an anode terminal and a cathode terminal is electrically connected to one end of the driving unit.

16. In the 15th paragraph, the control unit, A battery management device that increases the size of the target current when communication based on the optical signal is not performed with the other battery management device.

17. In the 15th paragraph, the control unit, A battery management device that increases the size of the target current based on data related to the size of the received current flowing to the other battery device.

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