Apparatus and method for managing battery

Abstract

An apparatus for managing a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a storage unit configured to store battery information including a voltage and a current; and a control unit configured to calculate the rate capability for each voltage interval of the battery on the basis of the battery information, compare the rate capability calculated for each of the plurality of voltage intervals with a preset reference rate capability, and determine the state of the battery on the basis of the comparison result.

Description

Battery management device and method

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0190471, filed on December 22, 2023, the entire contents of which are disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery management device and method, and more particularly, to a battery management device and method for determining the state of a battery.

[0003] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has rapidly increased, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has been in full swing, research into high-performance batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively being conducted.

[0004] Currently commercialized batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries. Among these, lithium batteries are receiving attention for their advantages of being able to charge and discharge freely, having a very low self-discharge rate, and having a high energy density, as they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries.

[0005] Among electrochemical devices, interest is growing in the development of rechargeable secondary batteries, and in particular, lithium secondary batteries developed in the early 1990s are attracting attention due to their high operating voltage and superior energy density.

[0006] Lithium secondary batteries developed to date primarily use lithium nickel oxide as the cathode active material, and carbon and / or silicon as the anode active material. However, these conventional lithium secondary batteries fail to sufficiently meet the energy density required for electric vehicle batteries. Therefore, to achieve high capacity, the use of lithium manganese oxide, which contains a high amount of lithium, as the cathode active material is being considered.

[0007] In the case of lithium-excessive manganese peroxide, it has a crystal structure that mixes the layered phase (LiMO2) and the rock salt phase (Li2MnO3). During the charge / discharge process, the rock salt phase is activated, and additional capacity is developed through the oxygen redox reaction, which can realize high capacity. Specifically, since the oxygen redox reaction induces the manganese redox reaction, the battery capacity can be additionally developed. However, there is a problem that the crystal structure of the positive electrode active material changes during the manganese redox reaction process, which reduces the cycle life characteristics.

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a battery management device and method for diagnosing the state of a battery based on the capacity developed by the positive electrode of the battery.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0010] A battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention may include a storage unit configured to store battery information including voltage and current; and a control unit configured to calculate a capacity rate for each voltage section of the battery based on the battery information, compare the calculated capacity rate with a preset reference capacity rate for each of a plurality of voltage sections, and determine a state of the battery based on the comparison result.

[0011] The control unit may be configured to calculate a difference in capacity between the target voltage range among the plurality of voltage ranges and the reference capacity range, and to calculate a capacity rate expressed by the positive electrode of the battery based on the calculated capacity rate difference.

[0012] The control unit may be configured to determine a voltage section among the plurality of voltage sections in which the capacity rate is greater than or equal to the reference capacity rate as the target voltage section.

[0013] The control unit may be configured to determine a voltage section in which the capacity rate is greater than or equal to the reference capacity rate, starting from the lowest voltage section among the plurality of voltage sections, as the target voltage section.

[0014] The control unit may be configured to compare the expression capacity rate with a preset threshold value and change the usage conditions set for the battery based on the comparison result.

[0015] The control unit may be configured to calculate the total capacity for the entire voltage range of the battery, and calculate the ratio of the capacity for each voltage range to the calculated total capacity to calculate the capacity rate for each voltage range.

[0016] The above battery may be configured to include a lithium manganese oxide having a crystal structure in which a layered LiMO2 phase (wherein M is Ni, Co, Mn) and a rock salt structure Li2MnO3 phase are mixed as a cathode active material.

[0017] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention may include a battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0018] A vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention may include a battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0019] A battery management method according to another aspect of the present invention may include a capacity rate calculation step of calculating a capacity rate for each voltage section of the battery based on battery information including voltage and current of the battery; a capacity rate comparison step of comparing the calculated capacity rate for each of a plurality of voltage sections with a preset reference capacity rate; and a battery status determination step of determining a status of the battery based on a comparison result of the capacity rate comparison step.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery management device has the advantage of being able to more specifically determine the state of the battery by determining whether additional capacity of the battery is developed and the additional developed capacity.

[0021] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0022] The following drawings attached to this specification serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention described below, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in such drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is a diagram dividing the battery profile of Figure 2 into multiple voltage sections.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a capacity rate and a reference capacity rate by voltage section according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing in detail the capacity rate and reference capacity rate by voltage section according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the difference in capacity between the voltage section capacity rate and the reference capacity rate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the capacity retention rate of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best possible manner.

[0034] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0035] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0036] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one of the various components from the rest, and are not used to limit the components by such terms.

[0037] Throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0038] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected" but also cases where it is "indirectly connected" with other elements in between.

[0039]

[0040] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery management device (100) may include a storage unit (110) and a control unit (120).

[0043] The storage unit (110) may be configured to store battery information including voltage and current.

[0044] Here, a battery refers to a physically separate, independent cell having a negative terminal and a positive terminal. For example, the battery may be cylindrical, prismatic, or pouch-type. Furthermore, a battery may also refer to a battery bank, battery module, or battery pack in which multiple cells are connected in series and / or parallel. For convenience of explanation, the term "battery" will be described herein below as referring to a single, independent cell.

[0045] In addition, the storage unit (110) can store data or programs required for each component of the battery management device (100) to perform operations and functions, or data generated in the process of performing operations and functions. The storage unit (110) is not particularly limited in type as long as it is a known information storage means known to be capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. As an example, the information storage means may include RAM, flash memory, ROM, EEPROM, registers, etc. In addition, the storage unit (110) can store program codes defining processes executable by the control unit (120).

[0046] Preferably, battery information regarding voltage and current measured during the charging or discharging process of the battery may be stored in the storage unit (110). For example, it is assumed that battery charging starts at SOC (State of Charge) 0% and ends at SOC 100%. Battery information including voltage and current corresponding to SOC 0% to 100% may be stored in the storage unit (110).

[0047] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery profile (M) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the battery profile (M) can be expressed as a two-dimensional graph in which the X-axis is set to capacity (Q) and the Y-axis is set to voltage (V). In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the capacity range of the battery is Qi to Qf, and the voltage range is Vi to Vf.

[0048] The storage unit (110) may be connected to the control unit (120) to enable wired and / or wireless communication. For example, the storage unit (110) may transmit battery information to the control unit (120), and the control unit (120) may receive battery information from the storage unit (110). As another example, the control unit (120) may access the storage unit (110) and obtain battery information stored in the storage unit (110).

[0049] The control unit (120) can be configured to calculate the capacity rate of the battery for each voltage section based on battery information.

[0050] Specifically, capacity ratio refers to the proportion of the capacity of the corresponding voltage range among the total capacity of the battery.

[0051] First, the control unit (120) may be configured to calculate the total capacity for the entire voltage range of the battery. Here, the entire voltage range refers to the voltage range in which the battery is charged or discharged. Preferably, the entire voltage range refers to the voltage range set to allow the battery to be fully charged and discharged.

[0052] For example, if a battery is charged from 2.8 [V] to 4.35 [V], the battery is assumed to be fully charged. In this case, the entire voltage range of the battery is 2.8 [V] to 4.35 [V].

[0053] As another example, if the battery is discharged from 4.35 [V] to 2.8 [V], it is assumed that the battery is completely discharged. In this case, the entire voltage range of the battery is 2.8 [V] to 4.35 [V].

[0054] The control unit (120) may be configured to divide the entire voltage range of the battery into multiple voltage ranges.

[0055] Specifically, the control unit (120) can divide the entire voltage range of the battery into preset voltage levels. For example, the control unit (120) can divide the entire voltage range of the battery into voltage levels of 0.2 [V]. Assuming that the entire voltage range of the battery is 2.8 [V] to 4.35 [V], the entire voltage range of the battery can be divided into a first voltage range (RV1) (2.8 [V] to 3.0 [V]), a second voltage range (RV2) (3.0 [V] to 3.2 [V]), a third voltage range (RV3) (3.2 [V] to 3.4 [V]), a fourth voltage range (RV4) (3.4 [V] to 3.6 [V]), a fifth voltage range (RV5) (3.6 [V] to 3.8 [V]), a sixth voltage range (RV6) (3.8 [V] to 4.0 [V]), a seventh voltage range (RV7) (4.0 [V] to 4.2 [V]), and an eighth voltage range (RV8) (4.2 [V] to 4.35 [V]).

[0056] In the above, an embodiment in which the entire voltage range is divided into a voltage size of 0.2 [V] has been described, but the voltage size may be appropriately changed depending on the size of the entire voltage range of the battery and the system performance of the battery management device (100).

[0057] Figure 3 is a diagram dividing the battery profile (M) of Figure 2 into multiple voltage sections.

[0058] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the control unit (120) can divide the entire voltage range (Vi to Vf) of the battery into a first voltage range (RV1), a second voltage range (RV2), and a third voltage range (RV3). Here, the sizes of the first to third voltage ranges (RV1 to RV3) are the same.

[0059] The control unit (120) can be configured to calculate the capacity for each voltage range.

[0060] Specifically, the control unit (120) can calculate the capacity for each voltage section by calculating the difference between the capacity corresponding to the start voltage (lower limit) of the voltage section and the capacity corresponding to the end voltage (upper limit).

[0061] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the control unit (120) can calculate the capacity for the first voltage section (RV1) as “Q1-Qi”, the capacity for the second voltage section (RV2) as “Q2-Q1”, and the capacity for the third voltage section (RV3) as “Qf-Q2”.

[0062] Finally, the control unit (120) can be configured to calculate the capacity rate for each voltage section by calculating the ratio of the capacity for each voltage section to the total capacity produced.

[0063] Specifically, the control unit (120) can calculate the ratio of the capacity of each voltage section to the total capacity. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the capacity ratio of the first voltage section (RV1) can be calculated according to the formula “(Q1-Qi)÷(Qf-Qi)”. The capacity ratio of the second voltage section (RV2) can be calculated according to the formula “(Q2-Q1)÷(Qf-Qi)”. The capacity ratio of the third voltage section (RV3) can be calculated according to the formula “(Qf-Q2)÷(Qf-Qi)”.

[0064] The control unit (120) may be configured to compare the calculated capacity rate for each of a plurality of voltage sections with a preset reference capacity rate.

[0065] Specifically, the reference capacity rate can be preset for each of a plurality of voltage sections. For example, the reference capacity rate may be a capacity rate set for a reference battery. That is, the capacity for each voltage section relative to the total capacity of a battery in a BOL state may be set as the reference capacity rate for the corresponding voltage section. Here, the reference battery may be a battery in a BOL (beginning of life) state, a reference battery set as a comparison target, or a hypothetical battery based on theory.

[0066] In addition, the capacity rate can be calculated for each of multiple voltage sections. Accordingly, the control unit (120) can compare the capacity rate calculated for each of multiple voltage sections with the reference capacity rate. For example, the control unit (120) can calculate the difference in capacity rate between the capacity rate and the reference capacity rate.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the capacity ratio and the reference capacity ratio by voltage section according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram detailing the capacity ratio and the reference capacity ratio by voltage section according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the difference in capacity ratio between the capacity ratio and the reference capacity ratio by voltage section according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] In the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 6, the entire voltage range of the battery is divided into eight voltage ranges. Specifically, the entire voltage range of the battery is divided into first to eighth voltage ranges (RV1 to RV8).

[0069] The capacity ratio of the first voltage section (RV1) is 6.58%, and the reference capacity ratio is 5.04%. The control unit (120) can calculate the formula of "6.58-5.04" to determine the difference in capacity ratio of the first voltage section (RV1) as "1.54%".

[0070] The capacity ratio of the second voltage section (RV2) is 11.80%, and the reference capacity ratio is 10.74%. The control unit (120) can calculate the formula of "11.80-10.74" to determine the difference in capacity ratio of the second voltage section (RV2) as "1.06%".

[0071] The capacity ratio of the third voltage section (RV3) is 9.32%, and the reference capacity ratio is 9.38%. The control unit (120) can calculate the formula of "9.32-9.38" to calculate the capacity ratio difference of the third voltage section (RV3) as "-0.06%".

[0072] The capacity ratio of the fourth voltage section (RV4) is 15.83%, and the reference capacity ratio is 15.93%. The control unit (120) can calculate the formula of "15.83-15.93" to calculate the capacity ratio difference of the fourth voltage section (RV4) as "-0.10%".

[0073] The capacity ratio of the fifth voltage section (RV5) is 23.59%, and the reference capacity ratio is 24.36%. The control unit (120) can calculate the formula of "23.59-24.36" to calculate the capacity ratio difference of the fifth voltage section (RV5) as "-0.77%".

[0074] The capacity ratio of the sixth voltage section (RV6) is 12.58%, and the reference capacity ratio is 13.39%. The control unit (120) can calculate the formula of "12.58-13.39" to calculate the capacity ratio difference of the sixth voltage section (RV6) as "-0.81%".

[0075] The capacity ratio of the seventh voltage section (RV7) is 11.36%, and the reference capacity ratio is 11.90%. The control unit (120) can calculate the formula "11.36-11.90" to calculate the capacity ratio difference of the seventh voltage section (RV7) as "-0.54%".

[0076] The capacity ratio of the 8th voltage section (RV8) is 8.94%, and the reference capacity ratio is 9.26%. The control unit (120) can calculate the formula of "8.94-9.26" to calculate the capacity ratio difference of the 8th voltage section (RV8) as "-0.32%".

[0077] The control unit (120) may be configured to determine the state of the battery based on the comparison result.

[0078] Specifically, the control unit (120) can determine the state of the battery based on the difference in capacity rate between the reference capacity rate and the capacity rate for each voltage section. A battery may develop additional capacity beyond its design capacity through a redox reaction, and the additionally developed capacity may result in a difference in capacity rate for each voltage section. Accordingly, the control unit (120) can determine whether the battery's capacity has been additionally developed based on the difference in capacity rate for each voltage section.

[0079] In one embodiment, the battery may be configured to include a lithium manganese oxide having a crystal structure in which a layered LiMO2 phase (wherein M is Ni, Co, and Mn) and a rock salt structured Li2MnO3 phase are mixed as a cathode active material. A battery including the lithium manganese oxide can realize high capacity because the rock salt phase is activated during the charge / discharge process, thereby additionally developing capacity through an oxygen redox reaction. However, there is a problem in that a large amount of gas is generated during the oxygen redox reaction process and the crystal structure of the cathode active material is changed, resulting in a deterioration in life characteristics.

[0080] Figure 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the capacity retention of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, the capacity retention refers to the capacity in each cycle compared to the BOL (beginning of life) capacity. For example, if the capacity retention is 100%, the BOL capacity and the capacity of the corresponding cycle are the same. In another example, if the capacity retention is less than 100%, the capacity of the corresponding cycle is reduced compared to the BOL capacity. In another example, if the capacity retention exceeds 100%, the capacity of the corresponding cycle is increased compared to the BOL capacity.

[0081] In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the capacity retention rate of a battery including lithium manganese oxide can increase as the initial cycle progresses. This phenomenon, as previously explained, is due to additional capacity development through redox reactions.

[0082] Therefore, the battery management device (100) has the advantage of being able to more specifically determine the state of the battery by determining whether additional capacity of the battery is expressed through a relatively simple method of comparing the capacity rate by voltage section and the reference capacity rate.

[0083]

[0084] Meanwhile, the control unit (120) provided in the battery management device (100) may optionally include a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), another chipset, a logic circuit, a register, a communication modem, a data processing device, etc. known in the art to execute various control logics performed in the present invention. In addition, when the control logic is implemented in software, the control unit (120) may be implemented as a set of program modules. At this time, the program modules may be stored in a memory and executed by the control unit (120). The memory may be located inside or outside the control unit (120) and may be connected to the control unit (120) by various well-known means.

[0085]

[0086] In one embodiment, the control unit (120) may be configured to calculate the difference in capacity between the target voltage section among the plurality of voltage sections and the reference capacity section.

[0087] First, the control unit (120) can be configured to determine a voltage section having a capacity rate greater than or equal to a reference capacity rate among a plurality of voltage sections as a target voltage section.

[0088] A voltage range in which the capacity rate is greater than or equal to the reference capacity rate is a voltage range in which the battery capacity is further increased by a redox reaction. For example, in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 6, the first voltage range (RV1) and the second voltage range (RV2) correspond to voltage ranges in which the capacity rate is greater than or equal to the reference capacity rate. Specifically, the first voltage range (RV1) has a capacity rate (6.58%) that is 1.54% greater than the reference capacity rate (5.04%), and the second voltage range (RV2) has a capacity rate (11.80%) that is 1.06% greater than the reference capacity rate (10.74%).

[0089] The control unit (120) can determine the first voltage section (RV1) and the second voltage section (RV2) as target voltage sections. In addition, the control unit (120) can calculate the difference in capacity rate of the target voltage section as 2.60 (1.54+1.06)%.

[0090] The control unit (120) can be configured to calculate the capacity rate expressed by the positive electrode of the battery according to the calculated capacity rate difference.

[0091] Specifically, the control unit (120) can calculate the difference in the calculated capacity rate as the developed capacity rate by the positive electrode of the battery. Here, the developed capacity rate refers to the ratio of the additional developed capacity due to the redox reaction compared to the design capacity of the battery. In other words, the developed capacity rate can be said to be the ratio of the additional developed capacity (developed capacity due to the redox reaction) to the design capacity.

[0092] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, assuming that the design capacity of the battery is 100%, the control unit (120) can calculate the developed capacity rate as 2.60%. In other words, it can be said that the capacity of the battery has increased by 2.60% compared to the initial capacity due to the redox reaction of the battery. Furthermore, the control unit (120) can quantitatively calculate the additional developed capacity due to the redox reaction based on the design capacity of the battery and the calculated developed capacity rate.

[0093] The battery management device (100) can quantitatively determine not only whether additional capacity of the battery has been developed, but also the additional developed capacity, so it has the advantage of being able to determine the state of the battery more specifically.

[0094]

[0095] Preferably, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine a voltage section having a capacity rate greater than or equal to a reference capacity rate, starting from the lowest voltage section among a plurality of voltage sections, as a target voltage section.

[0096] Specifically, the capacity development of a battery containing lithium manganese oxide can occur as the crystal structure of the cathode active material changes. Furthermore, the redox reaction of the cathode active material occurs in the initial voltage range of charge or the voltage range of discharge. In summary, even if there are multiple voltage ranges with a capacity rate higher than the reference capacity rate among multiple voltage ranges, only the voltage range continuing from the lowest voltage range can be determined as the target voltage range.

[0097] For example, in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, the lowest voltage section is the first voltage section (RV1), and voltage sections in which the capacity rate is continuously greater than or equal to the reference capacity rate from the lowest voltage section are the first voltage section (RV1) and the second voltage section (RV2). Accordingly, the control unit (120) can determine the first voltage section (RV1) and the second voltage section (RV2) as target voltage sections.

[0098] If it is assumed that the capacity ratio of the third voltage section (RV3) is greater than or equal to the reference capacity ratio, since the first to third voltage sections (RV1 to RV3) are continuous, the control unit (120) can determine the first to third voltage sections (RV1 to RV3) as the target voltage section.

[0099] If, it is assumed that the capacity rate is higher than the reference capacity rate in at least one of the fourth to eighth voltage sections (RV4 to RV8). In this case, there may be three or more voltage sections in which the capacity rate is higher than the reference capacity rate. However, since the only voltage sections that are continuous from the lowest voltage section are the first voltage section (RV1) and the second voltage section (RV2), the control unit (120) can determine the first voltage section (RV1) and the second voltage section (RV2) as the target voltage sections.

[0100] The battery management device (100) has the advantage of being able to more specifically determine whether additional capacity is developed and the additional developed capacity by the oxidation-reduction reaction of the positive electrode active material by specifically determining a target voltage range among multiple voltage ranges.

[0101]

[0102] The control unit (120) may be configured to compare the expression capacity rate with a preset threshold value and change the usage conditions set for the battery based on the comparison result.

[0103] As previously explained, capacity development in batteries containing lithium manganese oxide can occur as the crystal structure of the cathode active material changes. While this change in the crystal structure of the cathode active material can result in additional capacity development, it can also lead to cathode degradation. In other words, the capacity development rate can be considered a factor proportional to the degree of cathode degradation.

[0104] Accordingly, the control unit (120) can indirectly determine the degree of battery degradation (specifically, the degree of anode degradation) by comparing the developed capacity rate with a preset threshold value. In addition, the control unit (120) can change the preset usage conditions for the battery.

[0105] For example, if the expression capacity rate exceeds a threshold value, the control unit (120) may reduce at least one of the upper limit of the preset charge / discharge C-rate, the upper limit of the available SOC, the maximum allowable voltage value, or the maximum allowable temperature value for the battery.

[0106] The battery management device (100) can indirectly determine the degree of battery degradation through the developed capacity rate, thereby appropriately changing the battery's usage conditions. Therefore, accelerated battery degradation can be prevented, thereby increasing the expected battery life.

[0107]

[0108] The battery management device (100) according to the present invention can be applied to a BMS (Battery Management System). That is, the BMS according to the present invention can include the battery management device (100) described above. In this configuration, at least some of the components of the battery management device (100) can be implemented by supplementing or adding to the functions of the components included in a conventional BMS. For example, the storage unit (110) and the control unit (120) of the battery management device (100) can be implemented as components of the BMS.

[0109] Additionally, the battery management device (100) according to the present invention may be provided in a battery pack. That is, the battery pack according to the present invention may include the battery management device (100) described above and one or more battery cells. Additionally, the battery pack may further include electrical components (relays, fuses, etc.) and a case.

[0110] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] The positive terminal of the battery (10) can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (1), and the negative terminal of the battery (10) can be connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (1).

[0112] The measuring unit (20) can be connected to a first sensing line (SL1), a second sensing line (SL2), and a third sensing line (SL3). Specifically, the measuring unit (20) can be connected to a positive terminal of the battery (10) through the first sensing line (SL1), and can be connected to a negative terminal of the battery (10) through the second sensing line (SL2). The measuring unit (20) can measure the voltage of the battery (10) based on the voltage measured at each of the first sensing line (SL1) and the second sensing line (SL2).

[0113] In addition, the measuring unit (20) can be connected to the current measuring unit (A) via the third sensing line (SL3). For example, the current measuring unit (A) can be an ammeter or a shunt resistor capable of measuring the charging current and discharging current of the battery (10). The measuring unit (20) can measure the charging current or discharging current of the battery (10) via the third sensing line (SL3).

[0114] The voltage and current of the battery (10) measured by the measuring unit (20) can be stored in the storage unit (110)(110). That is, the storage unit (110)(110) can store battery information including the voltage and current of the battery measured by the measuring unit (20).

[0115] An external device can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) and negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (1). For example, the external device may be a charging device for the battery (10) or a load that receives power from the battery (10).

[0116]

[0117] FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle (900) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 9, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in a vehicle (900), such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle (HV). Furthermore, the battery pack (910) may drive the vehicle (900) by supplying power to a motor through an inverter provided in the vehicle (900). Here, the battery pack (910) may include a battery management device (100). That is, the vehicle (900) may include a battery management device (100). In this case, the battery management device (100) may be an onboard diagnostic device included in the vehicle (900).

[0119]

[0120] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 10, the battery management method may include a capacity rate calculation step (S100), a capacity rate comparison step (S200), and a battery status judgment step (S300).

[0122] Preferably, each step of the battery management method can be performed by a battery management device (100). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, any description that overlaps with the previously described content will be omitted or briefly described.

[0123] The capacity rate calculation step (S100) is a step of calculating the capacity rate for each voltage section of the battery based on battery information including the voltage and current of the battery, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0124] For example, the control unit (120) may be configured to calculate the total capacity for the entire voltage range of the battery. In addition, the control unit (120) may be configured to calculate the capacity rate for each voltage range by calculating the ratio of the capacity for each voltage range to the calculated total capacity.

[0125] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the capacity factor of the first voltage section (RV1) is 6.58%, the capacity factor of the second voltage section (RV2) is 11.80%, and the capacity factor of the third voltage section (RV3) is 9.32%. In addition, the capacity factor of the fourth voltage section (RV4) is 15.83%, the capacity factor of the fifth voltage section (RV5) is 23.59%, and the capacity factor of the sixth voltage section (RV6) is 12.58%. Finally, the capacity factor of the seventh voltage section (RV7) is 11.36%, and the capacity factor of the eighth voltage section (RV8) is 8.94%.

[0126] The capacity rate comparison step (S200) is a step of comparing the capacity rate calculated for each of multiple voltage sections with a preset reference capacity rate, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0127] For example, the control unit (120) can calculate the difference in capacity between the capacity rate and the reference capacity rate.

[0128] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the capacity difference of the first voltage section (RV1) is "1.54%", the capacity difference of the second voltage section (RV2) is "1.06%", and the capacity difference of the third voltage section (RV3) is "-0.06%". In addition, the capacity difference of the fourth voltage section (RV4) is "-0.10%", the capacity difference of the fifth voltage section (RV5) is "-0.77%", and the capacity difference of the sixth voltage section (RV6) is "-0.81%". The capacity difference of the seventh voltage section (RV7) is "-0.54%", and the capacity difference of the eighth voltage section (RV8) is "-0.32%".

[0129] The battery status judgment step (S300) is a step of judging the status of the battery based on the comparison result of the capacity rate comparison step (S200), and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0130] For example, the control unit (120) can more specifically determine the state of the battery by determining whether additional capacity of the battery is expressed and the additional expressed capacity.

[0131]

[0132] The embodiments of the present invention described above are not implemented only through devices and methods, but may also be implemented through a program that realizes a function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and such implementation can be easily implemented by an expert in the technical field to which the present invention belongs based on the description of the embodiments described above.

[0133] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0134] In addition, the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the attached drawings, and all or part of each embodiment may be selectively combined and configured so that various modifications can be made, as those skilled in the art can make various substitutions, modifications, and changes within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0135] (Explanation of symbols)

[0136] 1: Battery pack

[0137] 10: Battery

[0138] 20: Measurement section

[0139] 100: Battery management device

[0140] 110: Storage

[0141] 120: Control unit

[0142] 900: Car

[0143] 910: Battery Pack

Claims

1. A storage unit configured to store battery information including voltage and current; and A battery management device characterized by including a control unit configured to calculate a capacity rate for each voltage section of the battery based on the battery information, compare the calculated capacity rate for each of a plurality of voltage sections with a preset reference capacity rate, and determine the state of the battery based on the comparison result.

2. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to calculate the difference in capacity rate between the target voltage range and the reference capacity rate among the plurality of voltage ranges, and calculate the capacity rate expressed by the positive electrode of the battery according to the calculated capacity rate difference.

3. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to determine a voltage section among the plurality of voltage sections in which the capacity rate is greater than or equal to the reference capacity rate as the target voltage section.

4. In paragraph 3, The above control unit, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to determine a voltage section in which the capacity rate is greater than or equal to the reference capacity rate, starting from the lowest voltage section among the plurality of voltage sections, as the target voltage section.

5. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to compare the above-mentioned expression capacity rate with a preset threshold value and change the usage conditions set for the battery based on the comparison result.

6. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to calculate the total capacity for the entire voltage range of the battery, and calculate the capacity rate for each voltage range by calculating the ratio of the capacity for each voltage range to the calculated total capacity.

7. In paragraph 1, The above battery, A battery management device characterized in that it comprises a lithium manganese oxide having a crystal structure in which a layered LiMO2 phase (wherein, M is Ni, Co, Mn) and a rock salt structure Li2MnO3 phase are mixed in a cathode active material.

8. A battery pack comprising a battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A vehicle including a battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A capacity rate calculation step for calculating the capacity rate of the battery by voltage section based on battery information including the voltage and current of the battery; A capacity rate comparison step for comparing the calculated capacity rate with a preset reference capacity rate for each of multiple voltage sections; and A battery management method, characterized by including a battery status judgment step for judging the status of the battery based on the comparison result of the capacity rate comparison step.

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