Battery managing apparatus and method thereof

Abstract

A battery managing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a profile acquisition unit for acquiring first profiles for each of a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack; and a diagnosis unit, which calculates, as diagnosis factors, target values based on capacity values for each of the plurality of batteries on the basis of a first target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles, generates a distribution profile indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of calculated target values and the number of each of the plurality of target values, determines whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition, and diagnoses the state of the battery pack according to the determination result.

Description

Battery management device and method

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery management device and method, and more particularly, to a battery management device and method capable of diagnosing the status of a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0005647, filed on January 12, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0003]

[0004] 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.

[0005] 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.

[0006] Batteries are used in a variety of fields. Recently, applications that have seen significant battery utilization, such as electric vehicles and smart grid systems, often require larger-capacity batteries. One way to increase battery pack capacity is to increase the capacity of the secondary batteries themselves. However, this approach has the disadvantage of not only limiting the capacity increase but also physically limiting the size of the secondary batteries and making them difficult to manage. Therefore, battery packs with multiple battery cells connected in series and parallel are commonly used.

[0007]

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a battery management device and method capable of diagnosing a state of deterioration imbalance between a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack.

[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]

[0011] A battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention may include a profile acquisition unit that acquires a first profile for each of a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack; and a diagnosis unit that calculates a target value based on a capacity value for each of the plurality of batteries as a diagnosis factor based on a first target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles, generates a distribution profile indicating a correspondence between the calculated plurality of target values ​​and a number for each of the plurality of target values, determines whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition, and diagnoses a state of the battery pack based on a determination result.

[0012] The first profile may be a cathode profile, and the first target point may be a cathode engagement end point indicating a cathode point where a charge reaction ends or a discharge reaction starts in the cathode profile.

[0013] If the above distribution profile does not satisfy the above-described condition, the diagnostic unit may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated imbalance state.

[0014] If the above distribution profile satisfies the above-described condition, the diagnostic unit may be configured to compare the characteristic value of the distribution profile with a preset threshold value and diagnose the state of the battery pack based on the comparison result.

[0015] If the above characteristic value exceeds the threshold value, the diagnostic unit may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated imbalance state.

[0016] If the characteristic value is less than or equal to the threshold value, the diagnostic unit may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated equilibrium state.

[0017] The above diagnostic unit may be configured to set the threshold based on the degree of degeneration of the battery pack and a preset reference characteristic value.

[0018] The above diagnostic unit may be configured to calculate a first value and a second value based on the plurality of target values, and determine whether the distribution profile satisfies the predetermined condition based on a ratio between the first value and the second value.

[0019] The above diagnostic unit may be configured to determine a minimum value, a maximum value, and a reference value among the plurality of target values, calculate a difference between the minimum value and the reference value as the first value, and calculate a difference between the reference value and the maximum value as the second value.

[0020] The above diagnostic unit may be configured to determine the target value with the largest number of corresponding target values ​​among the plurality of target values ​​as the reference value.

[0021] If the above ratio falls within a preset critical ratio range, the diagnostic unit may be configured to determine that the distribution profile satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0022] If the above ratio does not fall within the above critical ratio range, the diagnostic unit may be configured to determine that the distribution profile satisfies the above predetermined condition.

[0023] The above diagnostic unit may be configured to calculate the SOC of the first target point based on a ratio of a capacity value of the first target point to a reference capacity set for each of the plurality of batteries, and determine the calculated SOC as the target value.

[0024] The diagnostic unit may be configured to determine the target value based on a reference capacity set for each of the plurality of batteries, the first target point, and a second target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles.

[0025] The first profile may be a cathode profile, and the second target point may be a cathode engagement initiation point included in the cathode profile.

[0026] The above diagnostic unit may be configured to operate a function to resolve the deterioration imbalance or output an alarm when the state of the battery pack is determined to be a deterioration imbalance state.

[0027] The function to resolve the above degenerative imbalance may be configured as a pack balancing function.

[0028] 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.

[0029] A vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention may include a battery management device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery management method may include a profile acquisition step of acquiring a first profile for each of a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack; a target value calculation step of calculating a target value based on a capacity value as a diagnostic factor for each of the plurality of batteries based on a first target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles; a profile generation step of generating a distribution profile indicating a correspondence between the calculated plurality of target values ​​and a number for each of the plurality of target values; a condition determination step of determining whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition; and a condition diagnosis step of diagnosing a condition of the battery pack based on a determination result.

[0031] In the above-mentioned condition diagnosis step, if the condition of the battery pack is diagnosed as a degenerated imbalance state, an action step for activating a function to resolve the degenerated imbalance or outputting an alarm may be further included.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, a storage medium is a non-transitory, readable storage medium storing a program for executing a battery management method, the method comprising: a profile acquisition step of acquiring a first profile for each of a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack; a target value calculation step of calculating a target value based on a capacity value as a diagnostic factor for each of the plurality of batteries based on a first target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles; a profile generation step of generating a distribution profile indicating a correspondence between the calculated plurality of target values ​​and a number for each of the plurality of target values; a condition determination step of determining whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition; and a condition diagnosis step of diagnosing a condition of the battery pack based on a determination result.

[0033]

[0034] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery management device according to the present invention can diagnose a state of deterioration imbalance between a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack.

[0035] 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.

[0036]

[0037] 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.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an anode profile and anode engagement start point according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first distribution profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second distribution profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a reference anode profile and a reference cathode profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIGS. 6 to 8 are drawings for reference in explaining an example of a procedure for generating a comparison profile used for comparison with a battery profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIGS. 9 to 11 are drawings for reference in explaining another example of a procedure for generating a comparison profile used for comparison with a battery profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary configuration of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a condition judgment step and a status diagnosis step of a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049]

[0050] 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.

[0051] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely 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.

[0052] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that the description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Typically, batteries degrade with use. However, due to repeated charging and discharging of the battery pack or long-term storage, the deterioration of each battery within a battery pack can vary. In other words, the deterioration of each battery within a battery pack may not be uniform.

[0057] As batteries degrade, their available capacity decreases. If the deterioration of multiple batteries within a battery pack is uneven, the available capacity of each battery may vary. In this case, the available capacity of the battery pack may be determined based on the smallest available capacity among the multiple batteries.

[0058] For example, suppose a battery pack contains five batteries connected in series, four of which have a usable capacity of 100 [Ah], and one of which has a usable capacity of 90 [Ah]. In this case, the usable capacity of the battery pack is 450 [Ah], not 490 [Ah]. In this case, there is a problem that the capacity for 40 [Ah] is not utilized because the deterioration of the multiple batteries is uneven.

[0059] The present invention provides a technology capable of diagnosing a state of deterioration imbalance between multiple batteries included in a battery pack.

[0060] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery management device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery management device (100) may include a profile acquisition unit (110) and a diagnostic unit (120).

[0063] The profile acquisition unit (110) may be configured to acquire a first profile for each of a plurality of batteries included in the battery pack.

[0064] Here, a battery refers to a physically separate, independent cell having a negative terminal and a positive terminal. For example, a lithium-ion battery or a lithium polymer battery may be considered a battery. Furthermore, the battery may be of a cylindrical type, a prismatic type, or a pouch type. Furthermore, a battery may refer to a battery bank or a battery module 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.

[0065] Here, the first profile is a cathode profile, and the first target point included in the first profile may be a cathode engagement end point included in the cathode profile.

[0066] FIG. 2 is a drawing schematically illustrating a cathode profile (NP) and a cathode engagement end point (nf) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically illustrating a reference anode profile (Rp) and a reference cathode profile (Rn) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 5, the horizontal axis (X-axis) represents capacity (Ah), and the vertical axis (Y-axis) represents voltage (V).

[0068] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may acquire a battery profile (BP) indicating a correspondence between the voltage and capacity of a battery, and adjust a preset reference positive profile (Rp) and a reference negative profile (Rn) to correspond to the battery profile (BP) to acquire a negative profile (NP) and a negative engagement end point (nf).

[0069] Here, the battery profile (BP) may be a profile indicating the correspondence between the voltage (V) and capacity (Q) when the battery is charged. Alternatively, the battery profile (BP) may be a profile indicating the correspondence between the voltage (V) and capacity (Q) when the battery is discharged.

[0070] The reference positive electrode profile (Rp) may be a profile indicating a correspondence between the capacity and voltage of a reference positive electrode cell preset to correspond to the positive electrode of a battery. For example, the reference positive electrode cell may be a positive coin half cell or a positive electrode of a three-electrode cell. And, the reference negative electrode profile (Rn) may be a profile indicating a correspondence between the capacity and voltage of a reference negative electrode cell preset to correspond to the negative electrode of a battery. For example, the reference negative electrode cell may be a negative coin half cell or a negative electrode of a three-electrode cell.

[0071] The profile acquisition unit (110) can acquire an adjusted positive electrode profile and an adjusted negative electrode profile by adjusting (shifting or capacity scaling) each of the reference positive electrode profile (Rp) and the reference negative electrode profile (Rn). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a comparison profile by synthesizing (summing up capacity values ​​for the same voltage value or summing up voltage values ​​for the same capacity value) the adjusted positive electrode profile and the adjusted negative electrode profile. The profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a plurality of comparison profiles by repeating the adjustment procedure and the synthesis procedure for the reference positive electrode profile (Rp) and the reference negative electrode profile (Rn). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) can specify a comparison profile among the plurality of comparison profiles that has a minimum error with respect to the battery profile (BP). The profile acquisition unit (110) can determine the adjusted positive electrode profile and the adjusted negative electrode profile used to generate the specified comparison profile as the positive electrode profile (PP) and the negative electrode profile (NP) of the battery.

[0072] In relation to this, an embodiment in which the profile acquisition unit (110) determines the negative profile (NP) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11.

[0073] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may directly receive a negative profile from an external source instead of generating the first profile on its own. For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may be connected to the external source via wires and / or wirelessly to receive a negative profile (NP) and a negative engagement end point (nf).

[0074] The diagnostic unit (120) can be configured to calculate a target value based on each of a plurality of first profiles and first target points.

[0075] For example, the diagnostic unit (120) can determine a target value based on a reference capacity set for each of a plurality of batteries and a capacity value of the first target point.

[0076] For example, the reference capacity can be set based on the positive profile (PP). For example, the reference capacity can be set as the positive capacity (Qp), which is the difference between the maximum capacity and the minimum capacity of the positive profile (PP). As another example, the reference capacity can be set as the negative capacity (Qn), which is the difference between the maximum capacity and the minimum capacity of the negative profile (NP). As yet another example, the reference capacity can be set as the battery capacity (Qb), which is the difference between the maximum capacity and the minimum capacity of the battery profile (BP). As long as the reference capacity is a value indicating the state of the battery, various values ​​can be applied without being limited to the positive capacity (Qp), the negative capacity (Qn), and the battery capacity (Qb).

[0077] The diagnostic unit (120) may calculate the SOC (State of Charge) of the first target point based on the ratio of the capacity value of the first target point to the reference capacity, and determine the calculated SOC as the target value. For example, the diagnostic unit (120) may calculate the SOC of the first target point by dividing the capacity value of the first target point by the reference capacity, and determine the calculated SOC as the target value. Here, the capacity value of the first target point means the capacity value corresponding to the first target point on the first profile. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the capacity value of the first target point may be the difference between the starting capacity of the first profile (NP) (4 [Ah] of FIG. 2) and the capacity of the first target point (nf of FIG. 2) (50 [Ah] of FIG. 2).

[0078] The above described embodiment calculates the SOC of the first target point as the target value. However, the target value is not limited to the SOC of the first target point and can be applied in various ways as long as it can specify the first target point. For example, the capacity or voltage value of the first target point can also be applied as the target value.

[0079] The diagnostic unit (120) can be configured to generate a distribution profile indicating a correspondence between the plurality of target values ​​produced and the number of each of the plurality of target values.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a drawing schematically illustrating a first distribution profile (p1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a drawing schematically illustrating a second distribution profile (p2) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the horizontal axis (X-axis) represents a target value, and the vertical axis (Y-axis) represents the number of each of a plurality of target values.

[0082] As explained above, the target value can be used as an indicator indicating the degree of degradation of the battery, and a distribution profile indicating the distribution of multiple target values ​​can be used as a profile indicating the degree of degradation uniformity of multiple batteries.

[0083] The diagnostic unit (120) can be configured to determine whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition and diagnose the status of the battery pack based on the determination result.

[0084] In one embodiment, the predetermined condition may be a condition for determining whether the distribution profile follows a Gaussian distribution. In other words, the predetermined condition may be a condition for determining whether the distribution profile exhibits a shape similar to a Gaussian distribution.

[0085] An embodiment in which the diagnostic unit (120) determines whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition is described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0086] If the distribution profile does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the diagnostic unit (120) may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated imbalance state.

[0087] A deterioration imbalance refers to a condition in which the deterioration of each battery within a battery pack is not uniform. For example, if the deterioration of multiple batteries within a battery pack is uneven, the maximum usable capacity of each battery may differ.

[0088] Meanwhile, a state of equilibrium degradation refers to a state in which the degradation of each battery within a battery pack is considered uniform. For example, even if the degradation of each battery varies slightly, if the degree of difference is minimal and negligible, the battery pack can be diagnosed as being in a state of equilibrium degradation.

[0089] As batteries degrade, their available capacity decreases. If the deterioration of multiple batteries within a battery pack is uneven, the available capacity of each battery may vary. For example, if the deterioration of multiple batteries within a battery pack is uneven, the available capacity of the multiple batteries may not all be identical. In this case, the available capacity of the battery pack may be determined based on the smallest available capacity among the multiple batteries.

[0090] For example, suppose a battery pack contains five batteries connected in series, four of which have a usable capacity of 100 [Ah], and one of which has a usable capacity of 90 [Ah]. In this case, the usable capacity of the battery pack is 450 [Ah], not 490 [Ah]. In other words, because the deterioration of the multiple batteries is uneven, there is a problem that the capacity for 40 [Ah] is not utilized.

[0091] The second distribution profile (p2) illustrated in Fig. 4 is an example of a distribution profile that does not satisfy a predetermined condition. The diagnostic unit (120) can diagnose the state of the battery pack corresponding to the second distribution profile (p2) as a state of deterioration imbalance.

[0092] If the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition, the diagnostic unit (120) can be configured to compare the characteristic value of the distribution profile with a preset threshold value and diagnose the condition of the battery pack based on the comparison result.

[0093] The first distribution profile (p1) illustrated in Fig. 3 is an example of a distribution profile that satisfies certain conditions.

[0094] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the diagnostic unit (120) can compare the characteristic values ​​of the first distribution profile (p1) with a preset threshold value and diagnose the state of the battery pack based on the comparison result.

[0095] Here, the feature value means the difference between two target values ​​having the same corresponding number on the distribution profile. The number (Y-axis value) used to determine the feature value can be preset. For example, the feature value can mean the full width at half maximum (FWHM). In this case, the number used to determine the feature value can be preset as half of the maximum number of the distribution profile. As another example, the feature value can mean the maximum difference between two target values ​​having the same corresponding number on the distribution profile. Referring to Fig. 3, the feature value of the first distribution profile (p1) can be the difference (x2-x1) between two target values ​​(x1, x2) having the same corresponding number k.

[0096] The threshold value can be preset based on the Beginning of Life (BOL) status of the battery pack, the current state of the battery pack (e.g., degradation level), a reference value derived from a reference pack corresponding to the battery pack, or a theoretically derived distribution profile. BOL refers to the initial state of the battery, which is the state at which the battery can achieve maximum capacity and performance at the time of first use after manufacturing.

[0097] In one embodiment, if the characteristic value exceeds a threshold value, the diagnostic unit (120) may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated imbalance state. Conversely, if the characteristic value is below the threshold value, the diagnostic unit (120) may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated imbalance state.

[0098] The battery management device (100) according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to diagnose whether the battery pack is in a state of deterioration imbalance through the distribution of target values ​​indicating the deterioration states of a plurality of batteries included in the battery pack.

[0099]

[0100] Meanwhile, the profile acquisition unit (110) and the diagnostic 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 profile acquisition unit (110) and the diagnostic 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 profile acquisition unit (110) and the diagnostic unit (120). The memory may be located inside or outside the battery management device (100) and may be connected to the profile acquisition unit (110) and the diagnostic unit (120) by various well-known means.

[0101] In addition, the battery management device (100) may further include a storage unit (130). The storage unit (130) may 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 (130) 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 deriving data. As an example, the information storage means may include RAM, flash memory, ROM, EEPROM, registers, etc. In addition, the storage unit (130) may store program codes defining processes executable by the profile acquisition unit (110) and the diagnosis unit (120).

[0102] The storage unit (130) can store information required for the profile acquisition unit (110) to acquire a battery profile. The storage unit (130) can store information required for the diagnosis unit (120) to diagnose the status of the battery pack. For example, the storage unit (130) can store a reference positive electrode profile, a reference negative electrode profile, a reference capacity, etc. In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) and the diagnosis unit (120) can access the storage unit (130) to acquire required information. For example, the first profiles and first target points for a plurality of batteries acquired by the profile acquisition unit (110) are stored in the storage unit (130), and the diagnosis unit (120) can access the storage unit (130) to acquire the stored plurality of first profiles and the plurality of first target points.

[0103]

[0104] In one embodiment, the diagnostic unit (120) may set a threshold based on the degree of degradation of the battery pack and a preset reference characteristic value. For example, any value that the diagnostic unit (120) can calculate by associating the degree of degradation of the battery pack with a preset reference characteristic value may be applied as a threshold value without limitation.

[0105] In one embodiment, the diagnostic unit (120) may set a threshold value by multiplying the degradation degree of the battery pack by a preset reference characteristic value.

[0106] The degradation degree of a battery pack indicates the degree to which the battery pack has deteriorated. In other words, the degradation degree of a battery pack indicates its degradation rate. In other words, the degradation degree of a battery pack is the opposite concept of the State of Health (SOH), which indicates the health of the battery pack, and can be expressed by the formula (100-SOH)[%]. Here, SOH is estimated based on the ratio of the current value of the battery pack (e.g., capacity or resistance) to its initial value, and conventional SOH estimation methods can be applied.

[0107] The reference feature values ​​can be preset by considering the BOL status of the battery pack, the feature values ​​of the distribution profile, or the specifications of the battery pack.

[0108] For example, the reference feature value can be preset to a specific value considering the specifications of the battery pack. For example, a general value considering the specifications of the battery pack being diagnosed can be preset as the reference feature value. Meanwhile, the general value considering the specifications of the battery pack can be preset to correspond to the feature value of the battery pack.

[0109] As another example, the reference feature value may be preset as the feature value of the reference distribution profile. Here, the reference distribution profile may refer to a distribution profile obtained from a reference pack corresponding to the battery pack. Alternatively, the reference distribution profile may refer to a distribution profile generated when the battery pack is in a BOL state. The feature value of the reference distribution profile refers to the difference between two target values ​​having the same corresponding number on the reference distribution profile. For example, the criterion for determining the feature value of the reference distribution profile may be the same as the criterion for determining the feature value of the distribution profile. Therefore, the feature value of the reference distribution profile and the feature value of the distribution profile determined according to the same criterion may be corresponding values.

[0110] The threshold value can be set by considering the current degradation level of the battery pack. Therefore, the battery management device (100) has the advantage of being able to more accurately diagnose the condition of the battery pack based on the criteria (threshold value) for the current condition of the battery pack.

[0111]

[0112] Below, an embodiment in which the diagnostic unit (120) determines whether a distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition is described.

[0113] The diagnostic unit (120) can be configured to calculate a first value and a second value based on a plurality of target values, and determine whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition based on a ratio between the first value and the second value.

[0114] For example, the diagnosis unit (120) can calculate the first value and the second value based on the minimum value, maximum value, and reference value of the plurality of target values. For example, the diagnosis unit (120) can determine the minimum value, maximum value, and reference value from the plurality of target values. The diagnosis unit (120) can determine the target value with the largest number of corresponding values ​​from the plurality of target values ​​as the reference value. In addition, the diagnosis unit (120) can be configured to calculate the difference between the minimum value and the reference value as the first value, and to calculate the difference between the reference value and the maximum value as the second value. Finally, the diagnosis unit (120) can determine whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition based on the ratio between the first value and the second value.

[0115] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the diagnosis unit (120) may determine a1 as the minimum value and a3 as the maximum value among the plurality of target values. In addition, the diagnosis unit (120) may determine a2, which has the largest corresponding number among the plurality of target values, as the reference value. In addition, the diagnosis unit (120) may calculate the difference (a2-a1) between a1 and a2 as the first value, and may calculate the difference (a3-a2) between a2 and a3 as the second value. The diagnosis unit (120) may calculate the ratio between the first value (a2-a1) and the second value (a3-a2), "(a2-a1)÷(a3-a2)" or "(a3-a2)÷(a2-a1)", and may determine whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition based on the calculation result.

[0116] For example, if a1 is 11.1%, a2 is 12.1%, and a3 is 13.1%, then the first value is 1% (12.1-11.1) and the second value is 1% (13.1-12.1). The ratio between the first value and the second value is 1.

[0117] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the diagnosis unit (120) may determine b1 as the minimum value and b3 as the maximum value among the plurality of target values. In addition, the diagnosis unit (120) may determine b2, which has the largest corresponding number among the plurality of target values, as the reference value. In addition, the diagnosis unit (120) may calculate the difference (b2-b1) between b1 and b2 as the first value, and may calculate the difference (b3-b2) between b2 and b3 as the second value. The diagnosis unit (120) may calculate the ratio between the first value (b2-b1) and the second value (b3-b2), which is “(b2-b1)÷(b3-b2)” or “(b3-b2)÷(b2-b1)”, and may determine whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition based on the calculation result.

[0118] For example, if b1 is 10.1%, b2 is 11.9%, and b3 is 29.2%, then the first value is 1.8% (11.9-10.1) and the second value is 17.3% (29.2-11.9). The ratio between the first and second values ​​is 9.61 (17.3÷1.8) or 0.10 (1.8÷17.3).

[0119] The diagnostic unit (120) can be configured to compare the ratio with a preset critical ratio range and determine whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition based on the comparison result.

[0120] If the calculated ratio falls within the critical ratio range, the diagnostic unit (120) may determine that the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition. Alternatively, if the calculated ratio does not fall within the critical ratio range, the diagnostic unit (120) may be configured to determine that the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0121] If the ratio between the first value and the second value is greater than or equal to the lower limit of the critical ratio range and less than or equal to the upper limit, the diagnostic unit (120) can determine that the calculated ratio belongs to the critical ratio range. In addition, the diagnostic unit (120) can determine that the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition. Conversely, if the ratio between the first value and the second value is less than the lower limit or exceeds the upper limit, the diagnostic unit (120) can determine that the ratio does not belong to the critical ratio range. In addition, the diagnostic unit (120) can determine that the distribution profile does not satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0122] For example, the lower limit of the critical ratio range may be set to 3÷7, and the upper limit may be set to 7÷3. That is, the critical ratio range may be a range preset to check whether the ratio of the first value to the second value is within the range of 3:7 to 7:3. Hereinafter, the lower limit of the critical ratio range is described as 3÷7, and the upper limit is described as 7÷3, but it should be noted that the numerical values ​​are not limited by one embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] As in the previous embodiment, it is assumed that the lower limit of the critical ratio range is set to 3÷7, and the upper limit is preset to 7÷3. In this case, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the ratio between the first value and the second value (first value (1%) ÷ second value (1%) = 1) is greater than or equal to 3÷7 and less than or equal to 7÷3, so the diagnostic unit (120) can determine that the ratio belongs to the critical ratio range. In addition, the diagnostic unit (120) can determine that the first distribution profile (p1) satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0124] As in the previous embodiment, it is assumed that the lower limit of the critical ratio range is set to 3÷7 and the upper limit is preset to 7÷3. In this case, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, if the critical ratio range is preset to be greater than or equal to 3÷7 and less than or equal to 7÷3, the ratio between the first value and the second value (first value (17.3%) ÷ second value (1.8%) = 9.61 or first value (1.8%) ÷ second value (17.3%) = 0.10) is less than 3÷7 or greater than 7÷3, and therefore the diagnosis unit (120) can determine that the ratio does not belong to the critical ratio range. In addition, the diagnosis unit (120) can determine that the second distribution profile (p2) does not satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0125]

[0126] Below, an embodiment is described in which the diagnostic unit (120) calculates a capacity loss rate based on the SOC of the first target point and the SOC of the second target point, and determines the capacity loss rate as a target value.

[0127] The diagnostic unit (120) may be configured to determine a target value based on a reference capacity set for each of a plurality of batteries, a first target point, and a second target point included in each of a plurality of first profiles. Here, the first profile may be a negative profile, and the second target point may be a negative engagement start point (ni illustrated in FIG. 2) included in the negative profile.

[0128] The diagnostic unit (120) may be configured to determine a target value based on a reference capacity, a first target point, and a second target point set for each of a plurality of batteries.

[0129] As previously explained, the reference capacity can be set as the positive electrode capacity (Qp), negative electrode capacity (Qn), or battery capacity (Qb). The reference capacity is not limited to the positive electrode capacity (Qp), negative electrode capacity (Qn), or battery capacity (Qb), and can have various values, as long as it represents the state of the battery.

[0130] For example, the diagnostic unit (120) can calculate the SOC of the second target point based on the ratio of the capacity value of the second target point to the reference capacity, and determine the SOC of the second target point as the target value.

[0131] For example, the diagnostic unit (120) can divide the capacity value of the second target point by the reference capacity to calculate the SOC of the second target point, and determine the calculated SOC as the target value. Here, the capacity value of the second target point means the capacity value corresponding to the second target point on the first profile. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the capacity value of the second target point can be the difference between the starting capacity (4 [Ah] of FIG. 2) of the first profile (NP) and the capacity (5 [Ah] of FIG. 2) of the second target point (ni of FIG. 2).

[0132] As another example, the diagnostic unit (120) may be configured to calculate the SOC of the first target point based on the ratio of the capacity value of the first target point to the reference capacity, calculate the SOC of the second target point based on the ratio of the capacity value of the second target point to the reference capacity, calculate the capacity loss rate based on the first reference value and the second reference value preset for each of a plurality of batteries and the SOC of the first target point and the SOC of the second target point, and determine the calculated capacity loss rate as the target value.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the diagnostic unit (120) can calculate the capacity loss rate through the following calculation process. The diagnostic unit (120) can calculate the first difference, which is the difference between the first reference value and the second reference value. Then, the diagnostic unit (120) can calculate the third difference, which is the difference between the SOC of the first target point and the SOC of the second target point. Finally, the diagnostic unit (120) can calculate the capacity loss rate by calculating the ratio of the third difference to the first difference.

[0134] Here, the first reference value may be preset as the SOC of the reference engagement end point. The SOC of the reference engagement end point may be calculated by dividing the capacity value of the reference engagement end point by the reference capacity for the battery in the BOL state. The second reference value may be preset as the SOC of the reference engagement start point. That is, the SOC of the reference engagement start point may be preset as the value obtained by dividing the capacity value of the reference engagement start point by the reference capacity for the battery in the BOL state.

[0135] For example, the reference engagement end point may be the positive engagement end point of the positive profile obtained for the battery in the BOL state, and the reference engagement start point may be the positive engagement start point of the positive profile obtained for the battery in the BOL state.

[0136] For example, the diagnostic unit (120) can calculate the capacity loss rate using Equation 1 below.

[0137] [Formula 1]

[0138]

[0139] Here, L Q is the capacity loss rate, and nf MOL represents the SOC of the first target point, and ni MOL represents the SOC of the second target point. pi BOL represents the SOC of the anode participation starting point of the anode profile obtained for the battery in BOL state, and pf BOL represents the SOC at the end point of the anode participation of the anode profile obtained for a battery in the BOL state. Also, MOL (Middle of Life) refers to the state in which the battery has been used to some extent, and although degradation occurs compared to the initial performance (BOL), it still operates normally.

[0140] As another example, the reference engagement end point may be the negative engagement end point of the negative profile obtained for the battery in the BOL state, and the reference engagement start point may be the negative engagement start point of the negative profile obtained for the battery in the BOL state.

[0141] For example, the diagnostic unit (120) can calculate the capacity loss rate using Equation 2 below.

[0142] [Formula 2]

[0143]

[0144] Here, L Q is the capacity loss rate, and nf MOL represents the SOC of the second target point, and ni MOL represents the SOC of the first target point. nf BOL represents the SOC of the cathode participation end point of the cathode profile obtained for the battery in BOL state, and ni BOL represents the SOC of the cathode engagement initiation point of the cathode profile obtained for the battery in the BOL state.

[0145] For example, the capacity loss rate (L) calculated using Equation 1 Q ) and the capacity loss rate (L) calculated using Equation 2 Q ) are the same. This means, "pf BOL -pi BOL " and "nf BOL -ni BOL " is the same value. For example, in the embodiment of Fig. 3, pf BOL and pi BOL The difference between nf BOL and nf BOL Since it corresponds to the difference in , the capacity loss rate (L) calculated using Equations 1 and 2 Q ) are the same.

[0146] The battery management device (100) according to the present invention can diagnose whether a battery pack is deteriorated or not in terms of the degree of capacity loss by calculating a capacity loss rate indicating the state of deterioration of the battery as a target value.

[0147]

[0148] Below, an embodiment in which the profile acquisition unit (110) determines the negative profile (NP) is described.

[0149] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a reference positive electrode profile (Rp) and a reference negative electrode profile (Rn) according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the horizontal axis (X-axis) represents capacity (Ah) and the vertical axis (Y-axis) represents voltage (V).

[0150] FIGS. 6 to 8 are drawings for reference in explaining an example of a procedure for generating a comparison profile (S) used for comparison with a battery profile (BP) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0151] The generation procedure of the comparison profile (S) to be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 is performed in the following order: a first routine (see FIG. 6) for setting four points (positive participation start point (pi), positive participation end point (pf), negative participation start point (ni), negative participation end point (nf)) to correspond to the voltage range of interest; a second routine (see FIG. 7) for performing profile shifting; and a third routine (see FIG. 8) for performing capacity scaling. The generation procedure of the comparison profile (S) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the first to third routines.

[0152] Here, the positive electrode participation initiation point (pi) refers to the positive electrode point where the reaction begins during the charging process or the positive electrode point where the reaction ends during the discharging process. The positive electrode participation end point (pf) refers to the positive electrode point where the reaction ends during the charging process or the positive electrode point where the reaction begins during the discharging process. In addition, the negative electrode participation initiation point (ni) refers to the negative electrode point where the reaction begins during the charging process or the negative electrode point where the reaction ends during the discharging process. The negative electrode participation end point (nf) refers to the negative electrode point where the reaction ends during the charging process or the negative electrode point where the reaction begins during the discharging process.

[0153] First, referring to Fig. 6, the reference anode profile (Rp) and the reference cathode profile (Rn) are the same as those shown in Fig. 5.

[0154] The profile acquisition unit (110) determines the positive engagement start point (pi), the positive engagement end point (pf), the negative engagement start point (ni), and the negative engagement end point (nf) on the reference positive profile (Rp) and the reference negative profile (Rn).

[0155] Either the positive engagement initiation point (pi) or the negative engagement initiation point (ni) depends on the other.

[0156] In one embodiment, the difference between the voltage at the positive engagement initiation point (pi) and the voltage at the negative engagement initiation point (ni) can be set equal to the starting voltage (lowest voltage) of the battery profile (BP).

[0157] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may divide the positive voltage range from the start point to the end point of the reference positive profile (Rp) into a plurality of micro-voltage sections, and then set the boundary points of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections as positive engagement start points (pi). Each micro-voltage section may have a predetermined size (e.g., 0.01 V). Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point that exists on the reference negative profile (Rn) and is lower than the voltage of the positive engagement start point (pi) by a first set voltage (e.g., 3 V) as the negative engagement start point (ni).

[0158] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may divide the negative voltage range from the start point to the end point of the reference negative profile (Rn) into a plurality of micro-voltage sections of a predetermined size, and then set the boundary point of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections as the negative participation start point (ni). Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set the point that exists on the reference positive profile (Rp) and is greater than the voltage of the negative participation start point (ni) by a first set voltage as the positive participation start point (pi).

[0159] Either the positive engagement end point (pf) or the negative engagement end point (nf) depends on the other.

[0160] In one embodiment, the difference between the voltage at the positive engagement end point (pf) and the voltage at the negative engagement end point (nf) can be set equal to the termination voltage (peak voltage) of the battery profile (BP).

[0161] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may divide the anode voltage range from the second set voltage to the end point of the reference anode profile (Rp) into a plurality of micro-voltage sections of a predetermined size, and then set the boundary point of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections as the anode participation end point (pf). Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set the point that exists on the reference cathode profile (Rn) and is lower than the voltage of the anode participation end point (pf) by the second set voltage (e.g., 4 V) as the cathode participation end point (nf).

[0162] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may divide the negative voltage range from the start point to the end point of the reference negative profile (Rn) into a plurality of micro-voltage sections of a predetermined size, and then set the boundary point of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections as the negative participation end point (nf). Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point that exists on the reference positive profile (Rp) and is greater than the negative participation end point (nf) by a second set voltage as the positive participation end point (pf).

[0163] When the determination of the positive participation start point (pi), positive participation end point (pf), negative participation start point (ni), and negative participation end point (nf) is completed, the profile acquisition unit (110) shifts at least one of the reference positive profile (Rp) and the reference negative profile (Rn) to the left or right along the horizontal axis.

[0164] In one embodiment, the difference between the capacity value of the positive engagement start point (pi) and the capacity value of the positive engagement end point (pf), the difference between the capacity value of the negative engagement start point (ni) and the capacity value of the negative engagement end point (nf), and the difference between the starting capacity of the battery profile (BP) and the ending capacity of the battery profile (BP) can be set to be the same.

[0165] Referring to FIG. 7, for example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can shift the reference anode profile (Rp) to the left (low capacity side), shift the reference cathode profile (Rn) to the right (high capacity side), or both, so that the capacity values ​​of the anode participation start point (pi) and the cathode participation start point (ni) match.

[0166] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may shift the reference positive electrode profile (Rp) to the left, shift the reference negative electrode profile (Rn) to the right, or perform both, so that the capacitance values ​​of the positive electrode participation end point (pf) and the negative electrode participation end point (nf) match.

[0167] Fig. 7 illustrates a situation in which the capacity value of the positive engagement start point (pi') matches the capacity value of the negative engagement start point (ni) as a result of generating an adjusted positive engagement profile (Rp') by shifting only the reference positive engagement profile (Rp) to the left. The adjusted positive engagement profile (Rp') is the result of applying an adjustment procedure to the reference positive engagement profile (Rp) that shifts to the left by the difference in capacity values ​​between the positive engagement start point (pi) and the negative engagement start point (ni). Therefore, the two points (pi, pi') differ only in capacity values, and have the same voltage. The two points (pf, pf') differ only in capacity values, and have the same voltage.

[0168] When the adjustment result profiles (Rp', Rn) in which at least one of the reference positive profile (Rp) and the reference negative profile (Rn) is shifted are secured, the profile acquisition unit (110) scales the capacity range of at least one of the adjustment result profiles (Rp', Rn).

[0169] In one embodiment, capacity scaling can be performed such that the capacity range between the positive engagement start point and the positive engagement end point of the regulated positive profile (Rp'), the capacity range between the negative engagement start point and the negative engagement end point of the regulated negative profile (Rn), and the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) are identical.

[0170] According to the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the profile acquisition unit (110) performs an additional adjustment procedure (capacity scaling) to shrink or expand at least one of the adjusted positive profile (Rp') and the reference negative profile (Rn) along the horizontal axis. That is, the voltage range of the adjusted positive profile (Rp') can be kept constant while the capacity range can be shrinked or expanded. Alternatively, the voltage range of the reference negative profile (Rn) can be kept constant while the capacity range can be shrinked or expanded.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 8, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate an adjusted positive electrode profile (Rp') by shrinking or expanding the adjusted positive electrode profile (Rp') so that the capacity range between two points (pi', pf') of the adjusted positive electrode profile (Rp') matches the capacity range of the battery profile (BP). At this time, one of the two points (pi', pf') can be fixed. Accordingly, the capacity range between the two points (pi', pf'') of the adjusted positive electrode profile (Rp'') can match the capacity range of the battery profile (BP).

[0172] In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate an adjusted negative profile (Rn') by shrinking or expanding the reference negative profile (Rn) so that the capacity range between two points (ni, nf) of the reference negative profile (Rn) matches the capacity range of the battery profile (BP). At this time, one of the two points (ni, nf) can be fixed. Accordingly, the capacity range between the two points (ni, nf') of the adjusted negative profile (Rn') can match the capacity range of the battery profile (BP).

[0173] In Fig. 8, the adjusted anode profile (Rp'') is the result of the adjusted anode profile (Rp') shown in Fig. 7 being contracted along the capacity axis, and the adjusted cathode profile (Rn') is the result of the reference cathode profile (Rn) shown in Fig. 6 being expanded along the capacity axis.

[0174] The positive participation end point (pf'') on the adjusted positive profile (Rp'') corresponds to the positive participation end point (pf') on the adjusted positive profile (Rp'). The negative participation end point (nf') on the adjusted negative profile (Rn') corresponds to the negative participation end point (nf) on the reference negative profile (Rn).

[0175] The capacity range between the positive engagement start point (pi') and the positive engagement end point (pf'') of the regulated positive profile (Rp'') matches the capacity range of the battery profile (BP). Similarly, the capacity range between the negative engagement start point (ni) and the negative engagement end point (nf') of the regulated negative profile (Rn') matches the capacity range of the battery profile (BP).

[0176] In addition, the capacity range between two points (pi', pf'') of the adjusted positive electrode profile (Rp'') matches the capacity range between two points (ni, nf') of the adjusted negative electrode profile (Rn'). The profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a comparison profile (S) by subtracting the profile between two points (pi', pf'') of the adjusted positive electrode profile (Rp'') from the profile between two points (ni, nf') of the adjusted negative electrode profile (Rn').

[0177] The profile acquisition unit (110) can calculate the error (profile error) between the comparison profile (S) and the battery profile (BP).

[0178] In this regard, various methods known at the time of filing of the present invention can be employed to determine the error between two profiles, each expressible in a two-dimensional coordinate system. For example, the absolute integral of the area between the two profiles or the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) can be used as the error between the two profiles.

[0179] The profile acquisition unit (110) can record in the storage unit (130) at least two of the adjusted positive profile (Rp''), the adjusted negative profile (Rn'), the positive participation start point (pi'), the positive participation end point (pf''), the negative participation start point (ni), the negative participation end point (nf'), the first scale factor, the second scale factor, the comparison profile (S), and the profile error by mutually mapping them. The first scale factor can represent the ratio of the capacity difference between two points (pi', pf'') to the capacity difference between two points (pi0, pf0). The second scale factor can represent the ratio of the capacity difference between two points (ni, nf') to the capacity difference between two points (ni0, nf0).

[0180] The profile acquisition unit (110) can calculate the anode change ratio (ps) based on the reference anode profile (Rp) and the adjusted anode profile (Rp''). Here, the anode change ratio (ps) means the ratio by which the adjusted anode profile is changed with respect to the reference anode profile. In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) can calculate the cathode change ratio (ns) based on the reference cathode profile (Rn) and the adjusted anode profile (Rn'). Here, the cathode change ratio (ns) means the ratio by which the adjusted cathode profile is changed with respect to the reference cathode profile.

[0181] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can determine the first scale factor as the positive change rate (ps) and the second scale factor as the negative change rate (ns).

[0182] As described above, when the anode voltage range of the reference anode profile (Rp) is divided into a plurality of micro-voltage sections, the boundary points of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections can be set as the anode participation initiation point (pi).

[0183] For example, if the anode voltage range of the reference anode profile (Rp) is divided into 100 microvoltage ranges, there may be 100 boundary points that can be set as anode participation start points (pi). Furthermore, if the voltage range that is higher than the second set voltage in the reference anode profile (Rp) is divided into 40 microvoltage ranges, there may be 40 boundary points that can be set as anode participation end points (pf). In this case, up to 4,000 different comparison profiles can be generated.

[0184] Of course, those skilled in the art will easily understand that as the size of the micro-voltage section decreases, the maximum number of comparison profiles that can be generated increases, and conversely, as the size of the micro-voltage section increases, the maximum number of comparison profiles that can be generated decreases.

[0185] The profile acquisition unit (110) can identify the minimum value among the profile errors of the plurality of comparison profiles generated as described above, and then acquire information mapped to the minimum profile error (e.g., at least one of the positive participation start point, positive participation end point, negative participation start point, negative participation end point, first scale factor, and second scale factor) from the storage unit (130).

[0186] If the comparative full cell profile (S) illustrated in FIG. 8 has a minimum profile error in the battery profile (BP), the adjusted reference negative profile (Rn') can be used as the negative profile (NP).

[0187] FIGS. 9 to 11 are diagrams that are referenced to explain another example of a procedure for generating a comparison profile (U) used for comparison with a battery profile (BP) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that the embodiments according to FIGS. 9 to 11 are independent of the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 8 . Therefore, terms or symbols commonly described in describing the embodiments according to FIGS. 6 to 8 and the embodiments according to FIGS. 9 to 11 should be understood as being limited to each embodiment.

[0188] The generation procedure of the comparison profile (U) to be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 is performed in the following order: a fourth routine (see FIG. 9) for performing capacity scaling, a fifth routine (see FIG. 10) for setting four points (positive participation start point, positive participation end point, negative participation start point, negative participation end point), and a sixth routine (see FIG. 11) for performing profile shifting. That is, the generation procedure of the comparison profile (U) according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the fourth to sixth routines.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 9, the reference anode profile (Rp) and the reference cathode profile (Rn) are the same as those shown in FIG. 5.

[0190] The profile acquisition unit (110) applies a first scale factor and a second scale factor selected from a scaling value range to a reference positive profile (Rp) and a reference negative profile (Rn), respectively, to generate an adjusted positive profile (Rp') and an adjusted negative profile (Rn').

[0191] The scaling value range may be predetermined or may vary depending on the ratio of the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) to the size of the capacity range of the reference profile (R). For example, when values ​​spaced by 0.1% of the scaling value range (e.g., 90-99%) (i.e., 90%, 90.1%, 90.2%, …, 98.9%, 99%) can be selected as the first scale factor and the second scale factor, 91 values ​​can be selected as the first scale factor and the second scale factor, respectively. In this case, a maximum of 8,281 adjusted profile pairs can be generated according to 91 × 91 = 8,281 adjustment levels (combinations of the first scale factor and the second scale factor). An adjusted profile pair means a combination of an adjusted positive electrode profile and an adjusted negative electrode profile.

[0192] The adjusted anode profile (Rp') and the adjusted cathode profile (Rn') illustrated in FIG. 9 illustrate the results of applying a first scale factor and a second scale factor, which are less than 100%, to the reference anode profile (Rp) and the reference cathode profile (Rn), respectively.

[0193] Since the first scale factor and the second scale factor are less than 100%, the adjusted anode profile (Rp') is the reference anode profile (Rp) contracted along the horizontal axis, and the adjusted cathode profile (Rn') is also the reference cathode profile (Rn) contracted along the horizontal axis. To facilitate understanding, the starting points of each of the anode profile (Rp) and the reference cathode profile (Rn) are fixed, and only the remaining portion is contracted to the left along the horizontal axis.

[0194] Referring to FIG. 10, the profile acquisition unit (110) determines the positive engagement start point (pi'), the positive engagement end point (pf'), the negative engagement start point (ni'), and the negative engagement end point (nf') on the adjusted positive profile (Rp') and the adjusted negative profile (Rn').

[0195] Either the positive engagement start point (pi') or the negative engagement start point (ni') may depend on the other. Furthermore, either the positive engagement end point (pf') or the negative engagement end point (nf') may depend on the other. Furthermore, either the positive engagement start point (pi') or the positive engagement end point (pf') may be set based on the other.

[0196] That is, when any one of the positive engagement start point (pi'), positive engagement end point (pf'), negative engagement start point (ni') and negative engagement end point (nf') is set, the remaining three points can be automatically set by the size of the first set voltage, the second set voltage and / or the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) (e.g., charge capacity of 0 to 100% of SOC).

[0197] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may divide the positive voltage range from the starting point to the ending point (or the second set voltage) of the adjusted positive profile (Rp') into a plurality of micro-voltage sections, and then set the boundary point of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections as the positive engagement start point (pi'). Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set the point, which exists on the adjusted negative profile (Rn) and is higher than the voltage of the positive engagement start point (pi') by a first set voltage (e.g., 3 V), as the negative engagement start point (ni').

[0198] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may divide the negative voltage range from the start point to the end point of the adjusted negative profile (Rn') into a plurality of micro-voltage sections of a predetermined size, and then set the boundary point of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections as the negative participation start point (ni'). Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point that exists on the adjusted positive profile (Rp') and is greater than the negative participation start point (ni') by a first set voltage as the positive participation start point (pi').

[0199] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may divide the voltage range from the second set voltage to the end point of the adjusted positive profile (Rp') into a plurality of micro-voltage sections of a predetermined size, and then set the boundary point of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections as the positive participation end point (pf'). Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set the point that exists on the adjusted negative profile (Rn') and is lower than the voltage of the positive participation end point (pf') by the second set voltage (e.g., 4 V) as the negative participation end point (nf').

[0200] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may divide the negative voltage range from the start point to the end point of the adjusted negative profile (Rn') into a plurality of micro-voltage sections of a predetermined size, and then set the boundary point of two adjacent micro-voltage sections among the plurality of micro-voltage sections as the negative participation end point (nf'). Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point that exists on the adjusted positive profile (Rp') and is greater than the voltage of the negative participation end point (nf') by a second set voltage as the positive participation end point (pf').

[0201] When one of the positive participation start point (pi'), positive participation end point (pf'), negative participation start point (ni'), and negative participation end point (nf') is determined, the profile acquisition unit (110) can additionally determine the remaining three points based on the determined point.

[0202] For example, when the positive participation start point (pi') is first determined, the profile acquisition unit (110) can set a point on the adjusted positive profile (Rp') that has a capacity value that is greater than the capacity value of the positive participation start point (pi') by the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) as the positive participation end point (pf'). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) can search for a point that is lower than the voltage of the positive participation start point (pi') by a first set voltage from the adjusted negative profile (Rn') and set the searched point as the negative participation start point (ni'). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) can set a point on the adjusted negative profile (Rn') that has a capacity value that is greater than the capacity value of the negative participation start point (ni') by the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) as the negative participation end point (nf').

[0203] As another example, when the positive participation end point (pf') is first determined, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point on the adjusted positive profile (Rp') that has a capacity value that is smaller by the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) than the capacity value of the positive participation end point (pf') as the positive participation start point (pi'). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) may search for a point that is lower by a second set voltage than the voltage of the positive participation end point (pf') from the adjusted negative profile (Rn') and set the searched point as the negative participation end point (nf'). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point on the adjusted negative profile (Rn') that has a capacity value that is smaller by the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) than the capacity value of the negative participation end point (nf') as the negative participation start point (ni').

[0204] As another example, when the negative participation start point (ni') is determined, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point on the adjusted negative profile (Rn') that has a capacity value that is greater than the capacity value of the negative participation start point (ni') by the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) as the negative participation end point (nf'). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) may search for a point that is higher than the voltage of the negative participation start point (ni') by a first set voltage from the adjusted positive profile (Rp') and set the searched point as the positive participation start point (pi'). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point on the adjusted positive profile (Rp') that has a capacity value that is greater than the capacity value of the positive participation start point (pi') by the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) as the positive participation end point (pf').

[0205] As another example, when the negative participation end point (nf') is determined, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point on the adjusted negative profile (Rn') that has a capacity value that is smaller by the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) than the capacity value of the negative participation end point (nf') as the negative participation start point (ni'). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) may search for a point that is higher by a second set voltage than the voltage of the negative participation end point (nf') from the adjusted positive profile (Rp') and set the searched point as the positive participation end point (pf'). In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) may set a point on the adjusted positive profile (Rp') that has a capacity value that is smaller by the size of the capacity range of the battery profile (BP) than the capacity value of the positive participation end point (pf') as the positive participation start point (pi').

[0206] When the determination of the positive participation start point (pi'), the positive participation end point (pf'), the negative participation start point (ni'), and the negative participation end point (nf') is completed based on the pair of the first scale factor and the second scale factor, the profile acquisition unit (110) can shift at least one of the adjusted positive profile (Rp') and the adjusted negative profile (Rn') to the left or right along the horizontal axis so that the capacity values ​​of the positive participation start point (pi') and the negative participation start point (ni') match, or so that the capacity values ​​of the positive participation end point (pf') and the negative participation end point (nf') match.

[0207] The adjusted cathode profile (Rn'') illustrated in Fig. 11 is only the adjusted cathode profile (Rn') illustrated in Fig. 10 shifted to the right. Accordingly, the capacity values ​​of the positive participation start point (pi') and the negative participation start point (ni'') are matched with each other. In this regard, since the capacity difference between the positive participation start point (pi') and the positive participation end point (pf') is the same as the capacity difference between the negative participation start point (ni') and the negative participation end point (nf'), when the capacity values ​​of the positive participation start point (pi') and the negative participation start point (ni'') are matched with each other, the capacity values ​​of the positive participation end point (pf') and the negative participation end point (nf') also become matched with each other.

[0208] Referring to FIG. 11, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a comparison profile (U) by subtracting a partial profile between two points (pi', pf') of the adjustment positive profile (Rp') from a partial profile between two points (ni'', nf'') of the adjustment negative profile (Rn'').

[0209] The profile acquisition unit (110) can calculate the error (profile error) between the comparison profile (U) and the battery profile (BP).

[0210] The profile acquisition unit (110) can mutually map at least two of the adjusted positive profile (Rp'), the adjusted negative profile (Rn''), the positive participation start point (pi'), the positive participation end point (pf'), the negative participation start point (ni''), the negative participation end point (nf''), the first scale factor, the second scale factor, the comparison profile (U), and the profile error, and record them in the storage unit (130).

[0211] The profile acquisition unit (110) can calculate the anode change ratio (ps) based on the reference anode profile (Rp) and the adjusted anode profile (Rp'). Here, the anode change ratio (ps) means the ratio by which the adjusted anode profile is changed with respect to the reference anode profile. In addition, the profile acquisition unit (110) can calculate the cathode change ratio (ns) based on the reference cathode profile (Rn) and the adjusted anode profile (Rn''). Here, the cathode change ratio (ns) means the ratio by which the adjusted cathode profile is changed with respect to the reference cathode profile.

[0212] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can determine the first scale factor as the positive change rate (ps) and the second scale factor as the negative change rate (ns).

[0213] As described above, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a corresponding comparison profile for each pair of the first scale factor and the second scale factor selected from the scaling value range. Since there are multiple pairs of the first scale factor and the second scale factor, it is obvious that multiple comparison profiles will also be generated. The profile acquisition unit (110) can identify the minimum value among the profile errors of the multiple comparison profiles, and then acquire information mapped to the minimum profile error from the storage unit (130).

[0214] If the comparative full cell profile (U) shown in Fig. 11 has the minimum profile error in the battery profile (BP), the adjusted reference negative profile (Rn'') can be used as the negative profile (NP).

[0215]

[0216] 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 profile acquisition unit (110), the diagnostic unit (120), and the storage unit (130) of the battery management device (100) can be implemented as components of the BMS.

[0217] 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 batteries. Additionally, the battery pack may further include electrical components (relays, fuses, etc.) and a case.

[0218] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an exemplary configuration of a battery pack (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0219] The positive terminal of the battery (11) can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (10), and the negative terminal of the battery (11) can be connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10).

[0220] The measuring unit (12) can be connected to a first sensing line (SL1), a second sensing line (SL2), and a third sensing line (SL3). Specifically, the measuring unit (12) can be connected to a positive terminal of the battery (11) through the first sensing line (SL1), and can be connected to a negative terminal of the battery (11) through the second sensing line (SL2). The measuring unit (12) can measure the voltage of the battery (11) based on the voltage measured at each of the first sensing line (SL1) and the second sensing line (SL2).

[0221] And, the measuring unit (12) can be connected to the current measuring unit (A) through 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 (11). The measuring unit (12) can measure the charging current of the battery (11) through the third sensing line (SL3) to calculate the charging amount. In addition, the measuring unit (12) can measure the discharging current of the battery (11) through the third sensing line (SL3) to calculate the discharging amount.

[0222] An external device (not shown) may have one end connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (10) and the other end connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10). Accordingly, the positive terminal of the battery (11), the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (10), the external device, the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10), and the negative terminal of the battery (11) may be electrically connected.

[0223] For example, the external device may be a charger or a load such as a motor of an electric vehicle that is powered by a battery (11).

[0224]

[0225] Fig. 13 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0226] Referring to FIG. 13, a battery pack (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in a vehicle (1), such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle (HV). Here, the battery pack (10) described above may be applied. In addition, the battery pack (10) may drive the vehicle (1) by supplying power to a motor through an inverter provided in the vehicle (1). Here, the battery pack (10) may include a battery management device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, the vehicle (1) may include the battery management device (100). In this case, the battery management device (100) may be an on-board device included in the vehicle (1).

[0227]

[0228] FIG. 14 is a drawing schematically illustrating a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a drawing schematically illustrating a condition determination step and a status diagnosis step of a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0229] Referring to FIG. 14, the battery management method may include a profile acquisition step (S100), a target value calculation step (S200), a profile creation step (S300), a condition judgment step (S400), and a status diagnosis step (S500).

[0230] Preferably, each step of the battery management method can be performed by a battery management device (100). In the following, for convenience of explanation, any content that overlaps with the previously described content will be omitted or briefly described.

[0231] The profile acquisition step (S100) is a step of acquiring a first profile for each of a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack, and can be performed by the profile acquisition unit (110).

[0232] Here, the first profile is a cathode profile, and the first target point included in the first profile may be a cathode engagement end point included in the cathode profile.

[0233] The target value calculation step (S200) is a step of calculating a target value for each of a plurality of batteries based on the first target point included in each of a plurality of first profiles, and can be performed by the diagnostic unit (120).

[0234] For example, the diagnostic unit (120) may be configured to determine a target value based on a ratio of a capacity value of the first target point to a reference capacity set for each of a plurality of batteries.

[0235] For example, the diagnostic unit (120) can calculate the SOC of the negative participation end point (nf) by dividing the capacity value of the negative participation end point (nf) by the reference capacity, and determine the calculated SOC as the target value.

[0236] The profile generation step (S300) is a step of generating a distribution profile that represents the correspondence between the generated plurality of target values ​​and the number of each of the plurality of target values, and can be performed by the diagnosis unit (120).

[0237] The condition judgment step (S400) is a step for judging whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition and can be performed by the diagnostic unit (120).

[0238] The status diagnosis step (S500) is a step for diagnosing the status of the battery pack based on the judgment result, and can be performed by the diagnosis unit (120).

[0239] In the action step (S600), if the battery is determined to be in a deteriorated imbalance state based on the diagnosis result, various actions can be taken, which can be performed by the diagnosis unit (120) or a separate control unit (not shown). For example, low-rate charging can be performed when charging the battery, a pack balancing function can be activated, or an appropriate alarm can be generated to prompt the user to visit an inspection service and attempt pack balancing or, if necessary, replace the battery pack. According to one embodiment, the recipient of such an alarm output can be an external device that manages the battery pack, such as a BMS, a server, or a user terminal, or an external device, display, or audio device that diagnoses the status of the battery pack.

[0240] Referring to FIG. 15, in step S410, the diagnostic unit (120) can determine whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the predetermined condition may be a condition for determining whether the distribution profile follows a Gaussian distribution. In other words, the predetermined condition may be a condition for determining whether the distribution profile exhibits a shape similar to a Gaussian distribution. If the value of step S410 is YES, step S420 may be performed. If the value of step S410 is NO, step S520 may be performed.

[0241] In step S420, the diagnostic unit (120) can determine whether the characteristic value of the distribution profile is less than or equal to a threshold value. The threshold value can be preset based on the BOL status of the battery pack, the current status of the battery pack (e.g., the degree of degradation), a reference value derived from a reference pack corresponding to the battery pack, or a theoretically derived distribution profile. If the value of step S420 is YES, step S510 can be performed. If the value of step S420 is NO, step S520 can be performed.

[0242] Referring to FIG. 15, in step S510, the diagnostic unit (120) can diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated balance state. In step S520, the diagnostic unit (120) can diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated imbalance state.

[0243] Here, a state of balanced degradation refers to a state in which the degradation states of each of the multiple batteries included in the battery pack can be considered uniform. Furthermore, a state of unbalanced degradation refers to a state in which the degradation states of each of the multiple batteries included in the battery pack can be considered uneven.

[0244]

[0245] 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.

[0246] 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.

[0247] 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.

[0248]

[0249] [Explanation of symbols]

[0250] 1: Car

[0251] 10: Battery pack

[0252] 11: Battery

[0253] 12: Measurement section

[0254] 100: Battery management device

[0255] 110: Profile acquisition section

[0256] 120: Diagnostic Department

[0257] 130: Storage

Claims

1. A profile acquisition unit configured to acquire a first profile for each of a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack; and A battery management device including a diagnostic unit that calculates a target value based on a capacity value for each of the plurality of batteries as a diagnostic factor based on the first target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles, generates a distribution profile indicating a correspondence between the calculated plurality of target values and the number of each of the plurality of target values, determines whether the distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition, and diagnoses the state of the battery pack based on the determination result.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first profile is a cathode profile, A battery management device wherein the above first target point is a cathode engagement end point indicating a cathode point where a charge reaction ends or a discharge reaction starts in the cathode profile.

3. In paragraph 1, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated imbalance state when the above distribution profile does not satisfy the above predetermined condition.

4. In paragraph 1, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device configured to compare a characteristic value of the distribution profile with a preset threshold value when the distribution profile satisfies the predetermined condition, and to diagnose a state of the battery pack based on the comparison result.

5. In paragraph 4, The above diagnostic section, If the above characteristic value exceeds the above threshold, the state of the battery pack is diagnosed as a degenerated imbalance state, A battery management device configured to diagnose the state of the battery pack as a degenerated equilibrium state when the above characteristic value is below the above threshold value.

6. In paragraph 4, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device configured to set the threshold based on the degradation degree of the battery pack and a preset reference characteristic value.

7. In paragraph 1, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device configured to calculate a first value and a second value based on the plurality of target values, and determine whether the distribution profile satisfies the predetermined condition based on a ratio between the first value and the second value.

8. In paragraph 7, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device configured to determine a minimum value, a maximum value, and a reference value from among the plurality of target values, calculate a difference between the minimum value and the reference value as the first value, and calculate a difference between the reference value and the maximum value as the second value.

9. In paragraph 8, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device characterized in that it is configured to determine the target value with the largest number of corresponding target values among the above plurality of target values as the reference value.

10. In paragraph 7, The above diagnostic section, If the above ratio falls within a preset critical ratio range, the distribution profile is judged to satisfy the above-described condition, A battery management device configured to determine that the distribution profile satisfies the predetermined condition if the above ratio does not fall within the above critical ratio range.

11. In paragraph 1, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device configured to calculate the SOC of the first target point based on a ratio of a capacity value of the first target point to a reference capacity set for each of the plurality of batteries, and to determine the calculated SOC as the target value.

12. In paragraph 1, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device configured to determine the target value based on a reference capacity set for each of the plurality of batteries, the first target point, and a second target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles.

13. In paragraph 12, The above first profile is a cathode profile, The above second target point is a battery management device which is a cathode engagement initiation point included in the cathode profile.

14. In paragraph 1, The above diagnostic section, A battery management device that operates a function to resolve degeneration imbalance or outputs an alarm when the state of the above battery pack is diagnosed as a degeneration imbalance state.

15. In paragraph 14, A battery management device with a pack balancing function to resolve the above-mentioned degradation imbalance.

16. A battery pack comprising a battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A vehicle including a battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A profile acquisition step for acquiring a first profile for each of a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack; A target value calculation step for calculating a target value based on a capacity value as a diagnostic factor for each of the plurality of batteries based on a first target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles; A profile generation step for generating a distribution profile representing a correspondence between a plurality of target values produced and a number for each of the plurality of target values; A condition determination step for determining whether the above distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition; and A battery management method including a condition diagnosis step of diagnosing the condition of the battery pack based on the judgment result.

19. In paragraph 18, A battery management method further comprising an action step of activating a function to resolve the deterioration imbalance or outputting an alarm when the state of the battery pack is diagnosed as a deterioration imbalance state in the above state diagnosis step.

20. A profile acquisition step for acquiring a first profile for each of a plurality of batteries included in a battery pack; A target value calculation step for calculating a target value based on a capacity value as a diagnostic factor for each of the plurality of batteries based on a first target point included in each of the plurality of first profiles; A profile generation step for generating a distribution profile representing a correspondence between a plurality of target values produced and a number for each of the plurality of target values; A condition determination step for determining whether the above distribution profile satisfies a predetermined condition; and A non-transitory readable storage medium storing a program for executing a battery management method including a condition diagnosis step of diagnosing the condition of the battery pack based on the judgment result.

Images