Universal battery management method and system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a universal battery management method and system. The universal battery management method comprises the steps of: sensing the voltages of battery cells and the number of serial / parallel connections; measuring the voltages of the battery cells according to charging capacity; calculating the slope of the voltage of the battery cells according to the charging capacity; and specifying the type of each of the battery cells.

Description

Universal battery management method and system

[0001] This invention claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0196477 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 29, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a universal battery management method and a system therefor, and more specifically, to a universal battery management method and a system therefor that measures voltage according to the charge capacity of a battery cell, identifies the type of battery cell through the slope value calculated therefrom, and manages the voltage, current, and temperature within the allowable range of the battery cell.

[0003]

[0004] A secondary battery (rechargeable battery) is a battery that can store and reuse electrical energy by converting it into chemical energy. Lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, and nickel-cadmium batteries (NiCd) are used.

[0005] In particular, lithium-ion batteries are secondary batteries used in various applications such as mobile phones, laptops, and electric vehicles, and have features such as high energy density, light weight, high voltage, high power, and energy efficiency.

[0006] However, due to the high volatility of lithium elements, safe management is essential. Lithium-ion batteries pose a risk of fire and explosion under conditions such as high temperatures, overcharge and overdischarge, and physical shock, requiring safety measures to prevent these risks.

[0007] To achieve this, the battery can be controlled and its status diagnosed through a Battery Management System (BMS). More specifically, the BMS senses, controls, and diagnoses the voltage, current, and temperature of a battery module with multiple battery cells connected through slave controllers. Furthermore, by receiving information from each slave controller, the BMS can perform battery state of charge (SOC), cell balancing, and cooling control.

[0008] However, since the general battery management system is only applied to a specific battery module, when installing a different type of battery, the problem arises that the battery management system must be replaced according to the type of battery.

[0009] The background technology described above is technical information that the inventor possessed for the purpose of deriving embodiments of the present invention or acquired during the derivation process, and cannot necessarily be said to be publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the filing of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0010]

[0011] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a universal battery management method and a system therefor, which measure voltage according to the charge capacity of a battery cell, identify the type of battery cell through the slope value calculated therefrom, and manage the voltage, current, and temperature within the allowable range of the battery cell.

[0012]

[0013] A universal battery management method using a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of: sensing the voltage and the number of series / parallel connections of each battery cell in a plurality of battery cells connected to the battery management system; measuring the voltage according to the charge capacity of each battery cell; calculating a slope value of the voltage according to the charge capacity of each battery cell; and specifying the type of each battery cell according to the calculated slope value.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of measuring voltage according to charge capacity can be performed by discharging and charging each battery cell within a predetermined voltage range.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell may be a lithium ion battery.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined voltage range may be 3.0 V or more and 3.6 V or less.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include a step of storing a voltage slope value according to a charge capacity for each type of battery cell.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of specifying each type of battery cell can be specified by comparing the slope value stored for each type of battery cell with the calculated slope value.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of specifying each type of battery cell may be performed by measuring a voltage according to the total charge capacity of the battery cell by fully discharging and then fully charging each battery cell, and comparing the slope value stored for each type of battery cell with the slope value of the voltage according to the total charge capacity of the battery cell.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include a step of storing voltage, current, and temperature values ​​within an allowable range for each type of battery cell.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include a step of measuring voltage, current and temperature values ​​of a battery cell, comparing the stored voltage, current and temperature values ​​according to the type of the specified battery cell, and diagnosing the state of charge of the specified battery cell.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of diagnosing the state of charge of a battery cell can be diagnosed through a current integration method using a current value flowing in the battery cell.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the step of diagnosing the state of charge of a battery cell can be diagnosed through a Kalman filter using the measured voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of the battery cell.

[0024] A universal battery management system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a sensing unit that senses the voltage of each battery cell and the number of series / parallel connections, and the voltage according to the charge capacity of each battery cell, in a plurality of battery cells connected to the universal battery management system; and a calculating unit that calculates a slope value of the voltage according to the charge capacity of each battery cell and specifies the type of the battery cell according to the slope value.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a storage unit may further be included that stores a voltage slope value according to a charging capacity for each type of battery.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the calculation unit can specify the type of battery cell by comparing the slope value stored for each type of battery with the calculated slope value.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit can store voltage, current, and temperature values ​​within an allowable range for each type of battery.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sensing unit may further include a control unit that senses voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of a specific battery cell, and compares the sensed voltage, current, and temperature values ​​with voltage, current, and temperature values ​​stored in a storage unit according to the type of battery cell specified by the operation unit, thereby diagnosing the state of charge of the specific battery cell.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device may further include a communication unit that transmits data measured by the sensing unit and data calculated and specified by the calculation unit to the outside, and receives data capable of specifying a battery and data on the slope value of voltage according to the charging capacity for each type of battery from the outside.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the operation unit can specify the type of battery cell by comparing the slope value stored for each type of battery received from the communication unit with the slope value calculated by the operation unit.

[0031]

[0032] A universal battery management method and system according to one embodiment of the present invention has the effect of effectively managing a battery regardless of the type of battery.

[0033] Additionally, it has the advantage of being widely applicable to various systems that use energy storage devices.

[0034] Additionally, it is economical because it can be applied to existing battery management systems.

[0035] The effects that can be obtained from the invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0036]

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a universal battery management method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an algorithm of a universal battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 3 is a graph showing voltage curves according to charging capacity of each type of lithium ion battery.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a universal battery management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a data sharing process through a communication unit in a universal battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] ※ Explanation of symbols

[0043] 100: Universal Battery Management System

[0044] 110: Sensing unit

[0045] 120: Operation section

[0046] 130: Storage

[0047] 140: Control Unit

[0048] 150: Communications Department

[0049]

[0050] The present invention will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. The present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims. Meanwhile, the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0051] Throughout this specification, singular forms also include plural forms unless specifically stated otherwise in the text.

[0052] Throughout this specification, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and / or elements, and do not exclude other components unless specifically stated to the contrary, but rather include other components.

[0053] Additionally, terms such as “unit” described throughout this specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0054] Additionally, when it is said throughout this specification that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected" but also cases where it is connected "with another structure in between."

[0055]

[0056] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0057] A universal battery management method (S1) using a battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a step (S10) of sensing the voltage of a battery cell and the number of series / parallel connections, a step (S20) of measuring a voltage according to a charge capacity of a battery cell, a step (S30) of calculating a slope value of a voltage according to a charge capacity of a battery cell, and a step (S40) of specifying each type of battery cell.

[0058] FIG. 1 illustrates a flowchart of a universal battery management method (S1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 illustrates an algorithm of a universal battery management method (S1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the step (S10) of sensing the voltage of battery cells and the number of series / parallel connections is a process of sensing the voltage and connection relationship of battery cells connected to a battery management system. A plurality of battery cells are connected to one battery pack, and these battery cells can be individually connected in series and / or in parallel. When the battery cells are connected in series, the voltage of the battery pack increases, and when the battery cells are connected in parallel, the usable capacity of the battery pack increases. Therefore, in a battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the series and / or parallel connection of battery cells and the respective voltages can be measured depending on the number and voltage of battery cells installed in the corresponding device.

[0060] The step (S20) of measuring the voltage according to the charge capacity of the battery cell is a process of measuring the voltage according to the change in the charge capacity of each battery cell.

[0061] Here, the battery cell may be a general secondary battery, and this is not particularly limited, but as an example, it may be a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in mobile devices, electric bicycles, electric vehicles, energy storage devices, etc., and are characterized by being lightweight, having a high energy density, being rechargeable, and being extremely stable.

[0062] Meanwhile, battery characteristics vary depending on the type, ratio, and manufacturing method of the components they comprise. In particular, the change in voltage according to charging capacity makes it easy to identify the type of battery pack.

[0063] Figure 3 is a graph depicting voltage curves based on charge capacity for different types of lithium-ion batteries. Referring to Figure 3, it can be seen that batteries follow a specific curve, indicating changes in voltage value based on charge capacity, depending on the manufacturer and type. Therefore, by measuring these characteristics, it is possible to inversely identify the type of installed battery cell.

[0064] In particular, to measure voltage according to charge capacity, each battery cell can be discharged and charged within a predetermined voltage range. For battery discharge testing, discharge can be performed by connecting a discharge resistor between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cell.

[0065] Meanwhile, voltage measurements based on the charge capacity of a battery cell can be performed within a specified voltage range. This is to ensure that discharge tests are performed within the battery's safe voltage range.

[0066] In particular, in the battery management method according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the battery cell is a lithium ion battery, the predetermined voltage range may be 3.0 V or more and 3.6 V or less. This range is a common voltage operating range of the lithium ion battery series, and since the type of battery cell is not specified, a safe discharge test can be performed within the voltage range. In order to calculate a more accurate slope value, it is preferable to form the initial voltage for conducting the discharge test close to 3.6 V.

[0067] The step (S30) of calculating the voltage slope value according to the charging capacity is a process of converting the voltage measured according to the charging capacity of the battery cell into data, thereby converting the slope value into data. In other words, the slope value can be derived from the difference in voltage that changes according to the capacity of the battery cell measured at predetermined intervals.

[0068] The step (S40) of specifying each type of battery cell is a process of specifying the corresponding battery by comparing the slopes according to the type of battery with the calculated slope values. More specifically, since the slope of the voltage change within a specific charging capacity range differs depending on the type of battery, the slope value calculated through the battery management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is compared with the voltage change within the stored charging capacity range according to the type of battery, and the battery type corresponding to the value within the error range can be specified.

[0069] Here, a step (S31) of storing the voltage slope value according to the charging capacity of each battery type may be further included. That is, the voltage slope value according to the charging capacity of each type of battery that can be installed in the device is stored in a database, and the battery can be identified by comparing the calculated slope value. This step can separately calculate the slope value of each battery installed in the device and compare it with the stored slope value, so that even when the types of batteries are different, the identification can be easily made.

[0070] In addition, in the step (S40) of specifying each type of battery cell described above, the battery can be specified more accurately through additional measurement and calculation processes.

[0071] More specifically, the total charge capacity of an installed battery cell can be measured by fully discharging and fully charging the battery cell, and the resulting voltage changes can be measured. This data can be used to calculate the voltage slope value based on charge capacity, and by comparing the slope values ​​stored for each battery cell type, the specific battery cell type can be identified.

[0072] In this case, the specific accuracy can be further improved by reconfirming the type of battery cell through the voltage slope value according to the charging capacity within a certain range and through the voltage slope value according to the total charging capacity.

[0073] However, in the step (S40) of specifying each type of battery cell, if there is no stored slope value corresponding to the calculated slope value, the battery cannot be specified, so the step of the universal battery management method (S1) of the invention is stopped.

[0074] In this case, the voltage value based on the measured charge capacity may have an error in the slope value due to measurement error, or the type of battery cell corresponding to the slope may not be stored. In the former case, the voltage based on the charge capacity of the battery cell may be remeasured, and in the latter case, data related to the voltage slope value based on the charge capacity for each battery cell type may be additionally stored.

[0075]

[0076] Meanwhile, a universal battery management method (S1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a step (S50) of storing voltage, current, and temperature values ​​within an allowable range for each type of battery cell. Batteries may differ in capacity, output, voltage, and stability, etc., depending on the manufacturer and specifications. In particular, the allowable voltage, current, and temperature ranges for each type of battery are different. Therefore, in order to universally manage battery cells, it is necessary to manage them within the allowable current, voltage, and temperature ranges for each type of battery. Here, the 'allowable range' refers to the range corresponding to over / under voltage, over / under current, and high / low temperature of a specific battery cell. If the allowable range is exceeded, the efficiency of the battery cell may be reduced, or the battery cell may be damaged, such as by swelling.

[0077] Finally, the universal battery management method (S1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a step (S60) of measuring voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of installed battery cells, comparing the stored voltage, current, and temperature values ​​according to the type of battery cell specified by the method, and diagnosing the state of charge of the specified battery cell. Accordingly, in order to prevent overvoltage, overcurrent, and high temperature of the specified battery cell, management can be performed within a range that ensures the stability of the battery.

[0078] In addition, a predetermined method can be used to diagnose the state of charge of a battery cell. For example, in one embodiment, the current flowing through the battery cell can be diagnosed using the current integration method. The current integration method (Coulomb Counting Method) is a method of tracking the battery state of charge by calculating the value by integrating the current during the battery's charge and discharge cycles with the initial value of the battery's state of charge, and has the advantage of being able to track the state of charge in real time.

[0079] In another embodiment, the measured voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of a battery cell can be used to diagnose the condition through a Kalman filter. A Kalman filter is a filter that tracks the state of a linear dynamical system containing noise. It can predict the state in the next step using the actual measured data values ​​and the prediction model obtained in the previous step. These measured and predicted data values ​​have the advantage of being able to diagnose the optimal voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of a specific battery cell.

[0080]

[0081] A universal battery management system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sensing unit (110) and a calculation unit (120). FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a universal battery management system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 4, the sensing unit (110) is configured to sense the voltage of each battery cell and the number of series / parallel connections and the voltage according to the charge capacity of each battery cell among a plurality of battery cells connected to the universal battery management system (100).

[0083] The calculation unit (120) is configured to calculate the voltage slope value according to the charge capacity of each battery cell and to specify the type of battery cell according to the slope value.

[0084] In addition, the universal battery management system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a storage unit (130) that can store the slope value of the voltage according to the charging capacity for each type of battery, and based on the stored data, the calculation unit (120) can compare the slope value stored for each type of battery with the calculated slope value to specify the type of battery cell.

[0085] In addition, the universal battery management system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a control unit (140). The storage unit (130) stores voltage, current, and temperature values ​​within an allowable range for each type of battery, and the sensing unit (110) senses voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of a specific battery cell, and compares the voltage, current, and temperature values ​​sensed by the control unit (140) with the voltage, current, and temperature values ​​stored in the storage unit (130) according to the type of battery cell specified by the operation unit (120), thereby diagnosing the state of charge of the specific battery cell.

[0086] In a universal battery management system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing unit (110), the calculation unit (120), the storage unit (130), and the control unit (140) may include all of the steps of the universal battery management method (S1) according to the embodiment of the present invention mentioned above. That is, when measuring the voltage according to the charge capacity, the measurement may be made through discharging and charging within a predetermined voltage range, and the type of battery cell may also be the same. In addition, in the process of specifying the type of battery cell, the voltage according to the total charge capacity of the battery cell, which is measured by completely discharging and then completely charging the battery cell, may be measured, and the type of battery cell may be specified through the slope thereof.

[0087] Meanwhile, the universal battery management system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a communication unit (150) to transmit and receive measured, calculated, and specified data to and from the outside. More specifically, voltage data according to the voltage of the battery cell sensed by the sensing unit (110) and the number of series / parallel connections and the charge capacity of each battery cell, voltage slope value data according to the charge capacity of each battery cell calculated by the calculation unit (120), and battery cell type data according to the slope value specified by the calculation unit (120) can be transmitted to the outside as needed. In addition, data on the voltage slope value according to the charge capacity for each battery type can be received from the outside.

[0088] In the former case, the universal battery management system (100) has the advantage of being able to determine data related to a specific battery cell even from outside the device. In the latter case, not only can the data be received in real time as needed without a separate data storage unit (130) for each type of battery cell, but also the battery cell can be more accurately identified based on the latest data.

[0089] Accordingly, the type of battery cell can be specified by comparing the slope value stored for each type of battery received from the communication unit (150) with the slope value calculated from the calculation unit (120).

[0090] Alternatively, data that can identify a battery can be received through the communication unit (150). More specifically, based on data that can identify the type of battery cell installed in the device, the charging state of the battery cell can be diagnosed by comparing the voltage, current, and temperature values ​​sensed through the control unit (140) without the need to separately identify the type of battery cell.

[0091] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a data sharing process via a communication unit in a universal battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the universal battery management system (100) has an advantage in that, when an identical battery module is additionally connected after the type of connected battery is specified, it can operate without a series of processes by sharing stored data via the communication unit (150). An example of a communication method of the communication unit (150) may be wired communication (SPI, CAN, I2C, UART) or wireless communication (Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-wave).

[0092]

[0093] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments, 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.

Claims

1. A universal battery management method through a battery management system. A step of sensing the voltage of each battery cell and the number of series / parallel connections in a plurality of battery cells connected to the battery management system; A step of measuring the voltage according to the charge capacity of each of the above battery cells; A step of calculating a voltage slope value according to the charge capacity of each of the above battery cells; and A universal battery management method, comprising: a step of specifying the type of each battery cell according to the calculated slope value; 2. In paragraph 1, The step of measuring the voltage according to the above charging capacity is: A universal battery management method, wherein each of the above battery cells is measured by discharging and charging within a predetermined voltage range.

3. In paragraph 2, A universal battery management method, wherein the above battery cell is a lithium-ion battery.

4. In paragraph 3, A general-purpose battery management method, wherein the above-mentioned predetermined voltage range is 3.0 V or more and 3.6 V or less.

5. In paragraph 1, A universal battery management method further comprising a step of storing a voltage slope value according to a charge capacity for each type of the battery cell.

6. In paragraph 5, The step of specifying each type of the above battery cell is: A general-purpose battery management method, wherein the stored slope value and the calculated slope value are compared and specified for each type of battery cell.

7. In paragraph 6, The step of specifying each type of the above battery cell is: A general-purpose battery management method comprising: measuring a voltage according to the total charge capacity of the battery cell by fully discharging and then fully charging each of the battery cells; and comparing the slope value stored for each type of battery cell with the slope value of the voltage according to the total charge capacity of the battery cell to determine the specific value.

8. In paragraph 1, A general-purpose battery management method further comprising the step of storing voltage, current and temperature values ​​within an allowable range for each type of battery cell.

9. In paragraph 8, A general-purpose battery management method further comprising the step of measuring voltage, current and temperature values ​​of the battery cell, and comparing the stored voltage, current and temperature values ​​according to the type of the specified battery cell, thereby diagnosing the state of charge of the specified battery cell.

10. In paragraph 9, The step of diagnosing the state of charge of the above battery cell is: A general-purpose battery management method for diagnosing a current value flowing through the battery cell using a current integration method.

11. In paragraph 9, The step of diagnosing the state of charge of the above battery cell is: A universal battery management method, wherein the measured voltage, current, and temperature values ​​of the battery cell are diagnosed through a Kalman filter.

12. With a universal battery management system, A sensing unit for sensing the voltage of each battery cell and the number of series / parallel connections, and the voltage according to the charge capacity of each battery cell, in a plurality of battery cells connected to the above universal battery management system; and A general-purpose battery management system including a calculation unit that calculates a voltage slope value according to the charge capacity of each battery cell and specifies the type of each battery cell according to the slope value.

13. In paragraph 12, A general-purpose battery management system further comprising a storage unit that stores a voltage gradient value according to a charge capacity for each type of the battery.

14. In paragraph 13, The above operation unit, A general-purpose battery management system that compares the slope value stored for each type of battery with the calculated slope value to specify the type of each battery cell.

15. In paragraph 13, The above storage unit is, A universal battery management system that stores voltage, current and temperature values ​​within an acceptable range for each type of battery.

16. In paragraph 15, The above sensing unit senses the voltage, current and temperature values ​​of the specified battery cell, A general-purpose battery management system further comprising a control unit that compares the sensed voltage, current and temperature values ​​with the voltage, current and temperature values ​​stored in the storage unit according to the type of the battery cell specified by the operation unit to diagnose the state of charge of the specified battery cell.

17. In paragraph 12, A general-purpose battery management system further comprising a communication unit that transmits data measured by the sensing unit and data calculated and specified by the calculation unit to the outside, and receives data capable of specifying the battery and data of a voltage slope value according to a charging capacity by type of the battery from the outside.

18. In paragraph 17, The above operation unit, A general-purpose battery management system that compares the slope value stored for each type of battery received from the communication unit with the slope value calculated from the calculation unit to specify the type of each battery cell.

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