Apparatus and method for generating charging protocol

Abstract

An apparatus for generating a charging protocol, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes: a profile-obtaining unit configured to obtain a charging profile of a battery charged by repeating a charging period and a rest period at a preset charging C-rate; and a control unit configured to generate a resistance profile representing a correspondence between resistances of a plurality of rest periods and a state of charge (SOC), determine a maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-rate on the basis of a resistance pattern of a target SOC section of the generated resistance profile, and generate a charging protocol including the correspondence between the charging C-rate and the maximum allowable SOC.

Description

Charging protocol generation device and method

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0070934, filed on May 30, 2024, the entire contents of which are disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a device and method for generating a charging protocol, and more particularly, to a device and method for generating a rapid charging protocol.

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

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

[0005] As electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and electric bicycles become more commercialized, the demand for high-capacity and high-performance batteries is increasing. However, as battery capacity increases, the time required to charge the battery also increases, highlighting the drawback. To address this issue, rapid battery charging technologies are being developed. However, there are concerns that rapid charging may accelerate battery deterioration.

[0006] In particular, during the rapid charging process of a battery, lithium plating can occur on the surface of the negative electrode. This deposition of lithium on the surface of the negative electrode can lead to side reactions with the electrolyte and changes in the kinetic balance of the battery, potentially contributing to battery degradation. Furthermore, the deposition of lithium metal on the surface of the negative electrode can cause internal short circuits within the battery, posing a risk of fire or explosion due to this internal short circuit. Therefore, the development of a charging protocol that prevents lithium metal deposition on the surface of the negative electrode and enables rapid charging of the battery is necessary.

[0007] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and aims to create a charging protocol capable of efficiently and rapidly charging a battery.

[0008] 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.

[0009] A charging profile generation device according to one aspect of the present invention may include a profile acquisition unit configured to acquire a charging profile of a charged battery by repeating a charger and an idle period with a preset charging C-RATE; and a control unit configured to generate a resistance profile indicating a correspondence between resistances of a plurality of idle periods and a SOC (State of Charge), determine a maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-RATE based on a resistance pattern of a target SOC section of the generated resistance profile, and generate a charging protocol including a correspondence between the charging C-RATE and the maximum allowable SOC.

[0010] The control unit may be configured to calculate the resistance of each of the plurality of rest periods based on the voltage drop of each of the plurality of rest periods and the current value corresponding to the charging C-RATE.

[0011] The above control unit may be configured to calculate the voltage drop amount by calculating the difference between the voltage at the target point and the voltage at the end point in each of the plurality of rest periods.

[0012] The above control unit may be configured to determine, as the target point, a point with the largest voltage among points where the instantaneous rate of change of voltage is greater than or equal to a preset reference rate of change in each of the plurality of rest periods.

[0013] The above control unit may be configured to set the voltage change rate of the start point and the end point in each of the plurality of rest periods to the reference change rate corresponding to the corresponding rest period.

[0014] The control unit may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC to the upper limit SOC when the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section among the plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile is the greatest.

[0015] The control unit may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC based on one or more of the plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile, if there is a resistance greater than a resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section, and if there is one or more local maximum points in the target SOC section.

[0016] The control unit may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC based on one or more inflection points when, among a plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile, there is a resistance greater than a resistance corresponding to an upper limit SOC of the target SOC section, there is no maximum point in the target SOC section, and there is one or more inflection points in the target SOC section.

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

[0018] A server according to another aspect of the present invention may include a charging protocol generation device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0019] A charging control device according to another aspect of the present invention may include a memory configured to store a charging protocol generated by a charging protocol generating device according to one aspect of the present invention; and a processor configured to control charging of a target battery based on the charging protocol.

[0020] A method for generating a charging protocol according to another aspect of the present invention may include a charging profile acquisition step of obtaining a charging profile of a charged battery by repeating a charger and an idle period with a preset charging C-RATE; a resistance profile generation step of generating a resistance profile indicating a correspondence between resistances of a plurality of idle periods and a State of Charge (SOC); a maximum allowable SOC determination step of determining a maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-RATE based on a resistance pattern of a target SOC section of the generated resistance profile; and a charging protocol generation step of generating a charging protocol including a correspondence between the charging C-RATE and the maximum allowable SOC.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, a charging protocol generation device can generate a charging protocol that prevents lithium plating from occurring during the charging process. In other words, the charging protocol generation device has the advantage of being able to generate a charging protocol that can increase the expected lifespan of a battery by preventing unnecessary degradation of the battery.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging protocol generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a charging profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the charging profile of Fig. 2.

[0027] Figures 4 to 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating resistance profiles according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a charging protocol according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a server according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of a charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating a charging protocol generation method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0038] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042]

[0043] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging protocol generation device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, the charging protocol generation device (100) may include a profile acquisition unit (110) and a control unit (120).

[0046] 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 also refer to a battery bank, a battery module, or a battery pack in which multiple cells are connected in series and / or parallel. For convenience of explanation, the term "battery" will be described herein below as referring to a single, independent cell.

[0047] The profile acquisition unit (110) can be configured to acquire a charging profile of a charged battery by repeating a charging and resting period at a preset charging C-RATE (current rate).

[0048] Specifically, the battery can be charged until the state of charge (SOC) is charged from a preset start state of charge (SOC) or 0% to a preset end state of charge (SOC) or 100%. Preferably, the charge C-RATE can be maintained the same during the charging process of the battery. Here, the charge C-RATE can be a C-RATE selected to set or change the maximum allowable SOC.

[0049] Additionally, the battery can be charged by repeating charging and rest periods. For example, the battery may be charged for a first period of time, and then charging may be paused for a second period of time. Preferably, the rest period may be repeated at preset intervals.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging profile according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the charging profile may be configured to represent a correspondence between time (X-axis) and voltage (Y-axis). However, depending on the embodiment, the charging profile may also be configured to represent a correspondence between the battery's SOC and voltage, or between its capacity and voltage.

[0051] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the battery was charged for approximately 105 minutes, alternating between charging and resting periods, with the resting periods being repeated approximately every three minutes. Since the battery is in an unloaded state during the resting period (Rr), the battery voltage may drop during the resting period.

[0052] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the charging profile of FIG. 2. Specifically, a rest period may proceed for a period of time △T (Td-Ts). The voltage at the start point (Ps) of the rest period is Vs, and the voltage at the end point (Pd) of the rest period is Vd. In other words, during the rest period, the battery voltage may drop by "Vs-Vd."

[0053] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can directly receive the charging profile of the battery from the outside. That is, the profile acquisition unit (110) can acquire the charging profile by being connected to the outside via wire and / or wirelessly and receiving the charging profile.

[0054] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may receive voltage information based on the battery's charging time from an external source. Furthermore, the profile acquisition unit (110) may generate a charging profile based on the received voltage information. In other words, the profile acquisition unit (110) may directly generate a charging profile based on the battery's voltage information, thereby acquiring the charging profile.

[0055] The profile acquisition unit (110) may be connected to the control unit (120) so as to be able to communicate with it. For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may be connected to the control unit (120) via wire and / or wirelessly. The profile acquisition unit may transmit the acquired charging profile to the control unit (120).

[0056] The control unit (120) may be configured to generate a resistance profile indicating a correspondence between the resistance of multiple rest periods and the SOC (State of Charge).

[0057] Specifically, the control unit (120) can determine the resistance and SOC for each rest period. In addition, the control unit (120) can map the corresponding resistance and SOC to generate a resistance profile indicating the correspondence between the resistance and SOC.

[0058] First, the control unit (120) may be configured to calculate the resistance of each of the plurality of idle periods based on the voltage drop of each of the plurality of idle periods and the current value corresponding to the charge C-RATE. That is, since the battery is in a no-load state during the idle period, the voltage of the battery naturally decreases. The control unit (120) may calculate the resistance corresponding to the idle period from the voltage drop of the idle period and the current value according to the charge C-RATE using Ohm's law. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the voltage drop of the idle period is "Vs-Vd", and the current is Ic. Therefore, the control unit (120) may calculate the resistance of the idle period by calculating the formula "(Vs-Vd)÷Ic".

[0059] And, the control unit (120) can estimate the SOC corresponding to the rest period.

[0060] For example, the control unit (120) can estimate the SOC corresponding to the voltage at the starting point of the rest period by using a table indicating the correspondence between the SOC and the voltage. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the control unit (120) can estimate the SOC corresponding to the rest period by comparing the voltage (Vs) at the starting point (Ps) of the rest period with a preset table.

[0061] As another example, the control unit (120) may estimate the SOC of the idle period based on the capacity of the battery charged until the idle period. In this case, the control unit (120) may estimate the SOC by using a current integration method (ampere counting, coulomb counting) that adds up the charging current until the idle period. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the control unit (120) may estimate the SOC corresponding to the idle period based on the capacity of the battery charged until the starting point (Ps) of the idle period. Preferably, the control unit (120) may calculate the capacity of the battery charged until the idle period based on the total charging time and current. Here, the control unit (120) may calculate the total charging time by adding up only the charger time, excluding the time of the previous idle period.

[0062] The control unit (120) can estimate resistance and SOC for each of a plurality of rest periods and generate a resistance profile indicating the correspondence between the estimated resistance and SOC. For example, the resistance profile can be expressed as an XY graph in which the X-axis is set to SOC and the Y-axis is set to resistance.

[0063] The control unit (120) may be configured to determine the maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-RATE based on the resistance pattern of the target SOC section of the generated resistance profile.

[0064] Here, the maximum allowable SOC refers to the maximum SOC at which lithium plating is estimated not to occur when the battery is charged at the charge C-RATE. This maximum allowable SOC for each charge C-RATE can be determined based on the resistance pattern of the target SOC section included in the resistance profile. Here, the target SOC section refers to the section where the SOC is 50% or higher based on the BOL (Beginning of life) battery. In other words, as the battery deteriorates or the charge C-RATE increases, the proportion included in the target SOC section in the resistance profile may decrease.

[0065] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the control unit (120) sets the maximum allowable SOC will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIGS. 4 to 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating a resistance profile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] For example, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC as the upper limit SOC when the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section among the plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile is the largest.

[0067] Specifically, if the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section is the largest, the maximum allowable SOC for the charging C-RATE can be set to the upper limit SOC even if a maximum point and / or an inflection point exists in the target SOC section.

[0068] In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the first resistance profile (S1) is a profile for a battery charged at C1 C-RATE. In the first resistance profile (S1), Pa is the upper limit of the target SOC range (TR). Among the multiple resistances belonging to the target SOC range (TR), the resistance corresponding to Pa is the largest. Therefore, the maximum allowable SOC corresponding to C1 C-RATE can be set to SOCa corresponding to Pa.

[0069] As another example, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC based on one or more of the maximum points when there is a resistance greater than the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section among a plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile and there is one or more maximum points in the target SOC section.

[0070] Specifically, if the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section is not the largest and a maximum point exists in the target SOC section, the maximum allowable SOC for the charging C-RATE can be set to the SOC of the maximum point even if an inflection point exists in the target SOC section.

[0071] Preferably, if the target SOC range includes multiple local maxima, one of the local maxima may be set as the maximum allowable SOC. More preferably, the largest SOC among the SOCs corresponding to the multiple local maxima may be set as the maximum allowable SOC.

[0072] In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the second resistance profile (S2) is a profile for a battery charged with C2 C-RATE. In the second resistance profile (S2), Pb is a maximum point of the target SOC range (TR). Among the plurality of resistors belonging to the target SOC range (TR), the resistance corresponding to Pb is the largest. That is, among the plurality of resistors belonging to the target SOC range (TR), the resistance corresponding to the upper limit of the target SOC range (TR) is not the largest. Therefore, the maximum allowable SOC corresponding to C2 C-RATE can be set to SOCb corresponding to Pb.

[0073] As another example, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC based on one or more inflection points when, among a plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile, there is a resistance greater than the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section, there is no maximum point in the target SOC section, and there is one or more inflection points in the target SOC section.

[0074] Specifically, even if an inflection point exists in the target SOC range, only if the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC among the multiple resistances included in the target SOC range is not the largest and there is no maximum point in the target SOC range, the SOC corresponding to the inflection point can be set as the upper limit SOC for the maximum allowable SOC for the charge C-RATE. This is because the maximum allowable SOC must be conservatively and strictly set to represent the SOC at which lithium plating does not occur even if the battery is charged at the charge C-RATE.

[0075] Preferably, when the target SOC range includes multiple inflection points, the SOC of any one of the multiple inflection points may be set as the maximum allowable SOC. More preferably, the largest SOC among the SOCs corresponding to the multiple inflection points may be set as the maximum allowable SOC.

[0076] In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the third resistance profile (S3) is a profile for a battery charged with C3 C-RATE. In the third resistance profile (S3), Pc is an inflection point of the target SOC section (TR). Among the multiple resistances belonging to the target SOC section (TR), the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC is not the largest, and there is no maximum point in the target SOC section (TR). Therefore, the maximum allowable SOC corresponding to C3 C-RATE can be set to SOCc corresponding to Pc.

[0077] The control unit (120) may be configured to generate a charging protocol including a correspondence between the charging C-RATE and the maximum allowable SOC.

[0078] The control unit (120) can set the maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-RATE and generate a charging protocol indicating the correspondence between them. That is, the charging protocol can include information on the maximum allowable SOC at which lithium plating does not occur for each charging C-RATE.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a charging protocol according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Specifically, the charging protocol (CP) of FIG. 7 is a charging protocol that represents a correspondence between the charging C-RATE and the maximum allowable SOC set in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 to 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the maximum allowable SOC for C1 C-RATE is set to SOCa, the maximum allowable SOC for C2 C-RATE is set to SOCb, and the maximum allowable SOC for C3 C-RATE is set to SOCc.

[0081] For example, when a battery is charged at a C1 C-RATE, lithium plating may occur in the battery at a SOC exceeding SOCa. Therefore, the battery may be first charged at the C1 C-RATE until the SOC of the battery reaches SOCa, and then the battery may be charged at a C-RATE whose maximum allowable SOC is higher than SOCa. Since reducing the charge C-RATE lengthens the charging time of the battery, it is preferable that the charge C-RATE be changed when the SOC of the battery reaches an SOC corresponding to the charge C-RATE.

[0082] The charging protocol generation device (100) according to the present invention can generate a charging protocol that prevents lithium plating from occurring during the charging process. Therefore, according to the charging protocol generated by the charging protocol generation device (100), unintended battery degradation due to charging can be prevented. In other words, the charging protocol generation device (100) has the advantage of being able to generate a charging protocol that can increase the expected lifespan of the battery by preventing unnecessary battery degradation.

[0083]

[0084] Meanwhile, the profile acquisition unit (110) and the control unit (120) provided in the charging protocol generation 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 (1100) and the control unit (120) may be implemented as a set of program modules. At this time, the program modules may be stored in a memory and executed by the profile acquisition unit (110) and the control unit (120). The memory may be located inside or outside the profile acquisition unit (110) and the control unit (120), and may be connected to the control unit (120) by various well-known means.

[0085] In addition, the charging protocol generation device (100) may further include a storage unit (130). The storage unit (130) may store data or programs required for each component of the charging protocol generation 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 reading 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 control unit (120).

[0086] For example, the control unit (130) can store a charging profile, a resistance profile, and a charging protocol.

[0087]

[0088] In another embodiment, the control unit (120) may be configured to calculate the voltage drop amount by calculating the difference between the voltage at the target point and the voltage at the end point at each of the plurality of rest periods.

[0089] Specifically, the resistance calculated based on the voltage drop between the start and end points of the rest period is a value that includes both the battery's ohmic resistance (Ro) and charge transfer resistance (Rct). However, since the battery's ohmic resistance is not an indicator of lithium plating, it is desirable to consider only the charge transfer resistance to set the maximum allowable SOC related to lithium plating.

[0090] For example, if the ohmic resistance is excessively large, the ratio of charge transfer resistance to the resting resistance is low, making it difficult to set a maximum allowable SOC that prevents lithium plating. In other words, the battery's ohmic resistance can act as noise in terms of lithium plating. Therefore, when developing a charging protocol to prevent lithium plating, it is desirable to exclude ohmic resistance and consider only charge transfer resistance.

[0091] Specifically, the control unit (120) may calculate the voltage drop amount by calculating the difference between the voltage of the target point and the voltage of the end point to calculate the charge transfer resistance, and may calculate the resistance corresponding to the corresponding rest period based on the calculated voltage drop amount and the charging current. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the control unit (120) may calculate the voltage drop amount (Vt-Vd) between the voltage (Vt) of the target point (Pt) and the voltage (Vd) of the end point (Pd), and may calculate the resistance of the corresponding rest period by calculating the formula “(Vt-Vd)÷Ic”.

[0092] That is, the resistance corresponding to the starting point of the rest period (resistance calculated according to the formula "(Vs-Vd)÷Ic") is a value that includes both the ohmic resistance and the charge transfer resistance of the battery, and the resistance corresponding to the target point of the rest period (resistance calculated according to the formula "(Vt-Vd)÷Ic") is a value that includes only the charge transfer resistance of the battery.

[0093] The charging protocol generation device (100) has the advantage of being able to generate a charging protocol that further prevents lithium plating from occurring during the charging process by excluding ohmic resistance and considering only charge transfer resistance.

[0094]

[0095] Here, the control unit (120) may be configured to determine, as a target point, the point with the largest voltage among points where the instantaneous rate of change of voltage is greater than or equal to a preset reference rate of change, in each of the plurality of rest periods.

[0096] Specifically, when the battery enters the resting state (i.e., when charging stops), the ohmic resistance and charge transfer resistance sequentially affect the battery voltage, causing it to drop. First, immediately after charging stops and the battery enters the resting state, the ohmic resistance causes the battery voltage to drop immediately. Thereafter, the charge transfer resistance causes the battery voltage to gradually drop.

[0097] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, when entering the resting state, the voltage of the battery immediately drops from Vs to Vt due to the influence of the ohmic resistance. Thereafter, the voltage of the battery gradually drops from Vt to Vd due to the influence of the charge transfer resistance. That is, the voltage drop due to the ohmic resistance progresses rapidly, but the voltage drop due to the charge transfer resistance progresses more gradually.

[0098] Accordingly, the control unit (120) can determine the target point based on the result of comparing the instantaneous rate of change of voltage with the reference rate of change in order to determine the point affected by the charge transfer resistance as the target point. This is because the instantaneous rate of change of voltage dropped due to the influence of the ohmic resistance is less than the reference rate of change, but the instantaneous rate of change of voltage dropped due to the influence of the charge transfer resistance is greater than the reference rate of change.

[0099]

[0100] More specifically, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the voltage change rate at the start point and the end point in each of the plurality of rest periods to a reference change rate corresponding to the corresponding rest period.

[0101] Specifically, the voltage change rate at the start and end points of the rest period is greater than the voltage change rate due to the ohmic resistance and is equal to or less than the voltage change rate due to the charge transfer resistance. Therefore, the control unit (120) can set the voltage change rate at the start and end points of the rest period as a reference change rate in order to more accurately determine the target point where the charge transfer resistance begins to have an effect in each rest period. That is, the control unit (120) can set the average voltage change rate of the rest period as the reference change rate for the rest period.

[0102] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the voltage change rates at the start and end points of the rest period can be determined according to the formula “(Pd-Ps)÷△T”. The control unit (120) can set the voltage change rates at the start and end points (Pd) of the rest period as reference change rates, and determine points where the instantaneous voltage change rate in the rest period is greater than or equal to the reference change rate. In addition, the control unit (120) can determine the point with the largest corresponding voltage among the determined points as the target point (Pt).

[0103] That is, according to the charging protocol generation device (100), the target point where the influence of the charge transfer resistance begins can be more accurately set among multiple points where the voltage change rate is greater than the reference change rate. Furthermore, since the reference change rate can be set for each rest period, a charging protocol reflecting the current state of the battery can be generated by setting a reference change rate for each rest period that reflects the current state of the battery.

[0104]

[0105] The charging protocol generation 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 charging protocol generation device (100) described above. In this configuration, at least some of the components of the charging protocol generation device (100) can be implemented by supplementing or adding functions of the components included in a conventional BMS. For example, the profile acquisition unit (110), the control unit (120), and the storage unit (130) of the charging protocol generation device (100) can be implemented as components of the BMS.

[0106] Additionally, the charging protocol generation 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 charging protocol generation device (100) described above and one or more battery cells. In addition, the battery pack may further include electrical components (relays, fuses, etc.) and a case.

[0107] Figure 8 is a schematic drawing of a battery pack (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] The positive terminal of the battery (10) can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (1), and the negative terminal of the battery (10) can be connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (1).

[0109] The measuring unit (20) can be connected to a first sensing line (SL1), a second sensing line (SL2), and a third sensing line (SL3). Specifically, the measuring unit (20) can be connected to a positive terminal of the battery (10) through the first sensing line (SL1), and can be connected to a negative terminal of the battery (10) through the second sensing line (SL2). The measuring unit (20) can measure the voltage of the battery (10) based on the voltage measured at each of the first sensing line (SL1) and the second sensing line (SL2).

[0110] And, the measuring unit (20) 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 (10). The measuring unit (20) can measure the charging current of the battery (10) through the third sensing line (SL3) to calculate the charging amount. In addition, the measuring unit (20) can measure the discharging current of the battery (10) through the third sensing line (SL3) to calculate the discharging amount.

[0111] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can directly receive the charging profile of the battery from the measurement unit (20). That is, the profile acquisition unit (110) can acquire the charging profile by being connected to the measurement unit (20) by wire and / or wirelessly and receiving the charging profile.

[0112] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can receive voltage information according to the battery charging time from the measurement unit (20). Furthermore, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a charging profile based on the received voltage information. That is, the profile acquisition unit (110) can acquire a charging profile by directly generating a charging profile based on the battery voltage information.

[0113] An external device can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) and negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (1). For example, the external device can be a charging device or a load. In addition, the positive terminal of the battery (10), the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (1), the external device, the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (1), and the negative terminal of the battery (10) can be electrically connected.

[0114]

[0115] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a server (900) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] A server (900) according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a charging protocol generation device (100).

[0117] The server (900) may be connected to one or more BMSs to enable wired and / or wireless communication. For example, the server (900) may be connected to enable communication with a BMS, a vehicle BMS installed in a vehicle, and an ESS BMS installed in an ESS. Furthermore, the server (900) may be connected to enable communication with devices capable of controlling battery charging, such as a charging station and a charging device, in addition to the BMS. Furthermore, the server (900) may be connected to enable communication with one or more user terminals. Furthermore, the server (900) may be connected to enable communication with a battery manufacturing system that manufactures batteries and sets initial data for the batteries.

[0118] For example, the server (900) may receive a charging profile for a battery from an external source. Then, the server (900) may generate a charging protocol for the battery based on the charging profile. As another example, the server (900) may receive a charging profile for a reference battery and generate a reference charging protocol for a battery of the same type as the reference battery. Then, the server (900) may transmit the generated charging protocol to one or more connected devices so that communication is possible.

[0119] Additionally, the server (900) can store the charging protocol for the battery and manage the history of changes to the charging protocol, thereby checking the status of the battery. For example, since batteries deteriorate with use, applying a charging protocol generated for a BOL battery to a MOL (Middle of Life) battery may cause lithium plating during the charging process. Therefore, the server (900) can update the charging protocol according to the status of the battery and check the status of the battery based on the update history. For example, the server (900) can generate and update the charging protocol for the battery whenever the SOH of the battery decreases by a preset threshold. In one embodiment, the server (900) can update the charging protocol for the battery whenever the SOH of the battery decreases by 2%.

[0120]

[0121] FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of a charging control device (200) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 10, the charging control device (200) may include a memory (210) and a processor (220).

[0123] Specifically, the charging protocol set by the charging protocol generation device (100) may be stored in the memory (210). Then, when the processor (220) needs to control the charging of the target battery, it may access the memory (210) and obtain the stored charging protocol. Then, the processor (220) may be configured to control the charging of the target battery based on the charging protocol.

[0124] Meanwhile, the processor (220) provided in the charging control device (200) 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 as software, the processor (220) 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 processor (220). The memory may be located inside or outside the processor (220) and may be connected to the processor (220) by various well-known means.

[0125] In addition, the memory (210) provided in the charging control device (200) can store data or programs required for each component of the charging control device (200) to perform operations and functions, or data generated in the process of performing operations and functions. The memory (210) is not particularly limited in type as long as it is a known information storage means known to be capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. As an example, the information storage means may include RAM, flash memory, ROM, EEPROM, registers, etc. In addition, the memory (210) can store program codes defining processes executable by the processor (220).

[0126]

[0127] In addition, the charging control device (200) according to the present invention may be provided in a battery pack (1). That is, the battery pack (1) according to the present invention may include the charging control device (200) described above and one or more battery cells. In addition, the battery pack (1) may further include electrical components (relays, fuses, etc.) and a case, etc.

[0128] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The battery (10), measuring unit (20), and first to third sensing lines (SL1, SL2, SL3) included in the battery pack (1) are the same as those illustrated in Fig. 8, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0129] Battery information measured by the measuring unit (20) may be transmitted to the charging control device (200). For example, the measuring unit (20) and the charging control device (200) may be connected to enable communication via a cable and / or wirelessly. Battery information received from the measuring unit (20) may be stored in the memory (210) and input to the processor (220). In addition, the processor (220) may access the memory (210) to obtain the stored battery information.

[0130] A charging device (2) can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) and negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (1). Here, the charging device (2) is a device for charging the battery (10).

[0131] The processor (220) may be connected to the charging device (2) via a communication line (CL) to enable wired and / or wireless communication. For example, the processor (220) may perform power-line communication (PLC) with the charging device (2). The processor (220) may determine, based on a charging protocol stored in the memory (210), whether the SOC of the battery (10) has reached the upper charge limit SOC corresponding to the current C-rate. If the SOC of the battery (10) has reached the upper charge limit SOC, the processor (220) may command the charging device (2) to decrease the C-rate. Preferably, the processor (220) may select a C-rate lower than the current C-rate in the charging protocol and command the charging device (2) to charge at the selected C-rate.

[0132]

[0133] FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of a charging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] A battery pack (1) may include a battery (10), a measuring unit (20), and a BMS (30). Here, the BMS (30) is a battery management system that diagnoses the status of the battery and controls the charging and discharging of the battery. For example, the BMS (30) may be a configuration widely used in the past.

[0135] The charging device (2) may include a charging control device (200). For example, the charging device (2) may output a charging current at a C-RATE set by the charging control device (200).

[0136] The BMS (30) can be connected to the charging device (2) via a communication line (CL) to enable wired and / or wireless communication. Preferably, the charging device (2) can receive battery information from the BMS (30). The battery information can be stored in the memory (210) and input to the processor (220). In addition, the processor (220) can access the memory (210) to obtain the stored battery information.

[0137] The processor (220) can determine whether the SOC of the battery (10) has reached the upper limit SOC of the charge corresponding to the current C-RATE based on the charging protocol stored in the memory (210). If the SOC of the battery (10) has reached the upper limit SOC of the charge, the processor (220) can reduce the charging C-RATE. That is, the processor (220) can reduce the charging current output from the charging device (2). Preferably, the processor (220) can select a C-RATE lower than the current C-RATE in the charging protocol, and change the C-RATE of the charging current output from the charging device (2) to the selected C-RATE. Accordingly, the charging device (2) can output a charging current corresponding to the lowered C-RATE toward the battery (10).

[0138]

[0139] FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of a vehicle (1300) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 13, a battery pack (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in a vehicle (1300), such as an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid vehicle (HV). Furthermore, the battery pack (1) may drive the vehicle (1300) by supplying power to a motor through an inverter provided in the vehicle (1300). For example, the battery pack (1) may include a charging protocol generation device (100) and / or a charging control device (200).

[0141]

[0142] FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating a charging protocol generation method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 14, a method for generating a charging protocol may include a charging profile acquisition step (S100), a resistance profile generation step (S200), a maximum allowable SOC determination step (S300), and a charging protocol generation step (S400).

[0144] Preferably, each step of the charging protocol generation method can be performed by the charging protocol generation device (100). In the following, for convenience of explanation, any content that overlaps with the previously described content will be omitted or briefly described.

[0145] The charging profile acquisition step (S100) is a step of acquiring a charging profile of a charged battery by repeating a charger and rest period at a preset charging C-RATE, and can be performed by a profile acquisition unit (110).

[0146] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can directly receive the charging profile of the battery from the outside. That is, the profile acquisition unit (110) can acquire the charging profile by being connected to the outside via wire and / or wirelessly and receiving the charging profile.

[0147] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) may receive voltage information based on the battery's charging time from an external source. Furthermore, the profile acquisition unit (110) may generate a charging profile based on the received voltage information. In other words, the profile acquisition unit (110) may directly generate a charging profile based on the battery's voltage information, thereby acquiring the charging profile.

[0148] The resistance profile generation step (S200) is a step of generating a resistance profile indicating the correspondence between the resistance of multiple rest periods and SOC, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0149] First, the control unit (120) may be configured to calculate the resistance of each of the plurality of resting periods based on the voltage drop of each of the plurality of resting periods and the current value corresponding to the charging C-RATE. Then, the control unit (120) may estimate the SOC corresponding to each of the plurality of resting periods. Finally, the control unit (120) may generate a resistance profile by mapping the corresponding resistance and SOC.

[0150] The maximum allowable SOC determination step (S300) is a step of determining the maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-RATE based on the resistance pattern of the target SOC section of the generated resistance profile, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0151] For example, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC as the upper limit SOC when the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section among the plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile is the largest.

[0152] As another example, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC based on one or more of the maximum points when there is a resistance greater than the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section among a plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile and there is one or more maximum points in the target SOC section.

[0153] As another example, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the maximum allowable SOC based on one or more inflection points when, among a plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile, there is a resistance greater than the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section, there is no maximum point in the target SOC section, and there is one or more inflection points in the target SOC section.

[0154] The charging protocol generation step (S400) is a step of generating a charging protocol including a correspondence between the charging C-RATE and the maximum allowable SOC, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0155] The control unit (120) can set the maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-RATE and generate a charging protocol indicating the correspondence between them. That is, the charging protocol can include information on the maximum allowable SOC at which lithium plating does not occur for each charging C-RATE.

[0156]

[0157] 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.

[0158] 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.

[0159] 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.

[0160] (Explanation of symbols)

[0161] 1: Battery pack

[0162] 2: Charging device

[0163] 10: Battery

[0164] 20: Measurement section

[0165] 30: BMS

[0166] 100: Charging profile generator

[0167] 110: Profile acquisition section

[0168] 120: Control unit

[0169] 130: Storage

[0170] 200: Charging control device

[0171] 210: Memory

[0172] 220: Processor

[0173] 900: Server

[0174] 1300: Car

Claims

1. A profile acquisition unit configured to acquire a charging profile of a charged battery by repeating a charger and rest period at a preset charging C-RATE; and A charging protocol generating device comprising a control unit configured to generate a resistance profile indicating a correspondence between resistances of multiple rest periods and SOC (State of Charge), determine a maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-RATE based on a resistance pattern of a target SOC section of the generated resistance profile, and generate a charging protocol including a correspondence between the charging C-RATE and the maximum allowable SOC.

2. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A charging protocol generation device configured to calculate the resistance of each of the plurality of rest periods based on the voltage drop of each of the plurality of rest periods and the current value corresponding to the charging C-RATE.

3. In paragraph 2, The above control unit, A charging protocol generation device configured to calculate the voltage drop amount by calculating the difference between the voltage of the target point and the voltage of the end point in each of the plurality of rest periods.

4. In paragraph 3, The above control unit, A charging protocol generation device configured to determine, as the target point, a point with the largest voltage among points where the instantaneous rate of change in voltage is greater than or equal to a preset reference rate of change in voltage in each of the plurality of rest periods.

5. In paragraph 4, The above control unit, A charging protocol generation device configured to set the voltage change rate of the starting point and the ending point to the reference change rate corresponding to the respective pause period in each of the plurality of pause periods.

6. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A charging protocol generation device configured to set the maximum allowable SOC to the upper limit SOC when the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section among a plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile is the greatest.

7. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A charging protocol generation device configured to set the maximum allowable SOC based on one or more of the plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile, if there is a resistance greater than the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section, and if there is one or more local maximum points in the target SOC section.

8. In paragraph 1, The above control unit, A charging protocol generation device configured to set the maximum allowable SOC based on one or more inflection points when, among a plurality of resistances corresponding to the target SOC section of the resistance profile, there is a resistance greater than the resistance corresponding to the upper limit SOC of the target SOC section, there is no maximum point in the target SOC section, and there is one or more inflection points in the target SOC section.

9. A battery pack comprising a charging protocol generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A server including a charging protocol generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A memory configured to store a charging protocol generated by a charging protocol generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and A battery charging control device comprising a processor configured to control charging of a battery to be charged based on the above charging protocol.

12. A charging profile acquisition step for acquiring a charging profile of a charged battery by repeating the charging and resting periods at a preset charging C-RATE; A resistance profile generation step for generating a resistance profile representing the correspondence between the resistance of multiple rest periods and the SOC (State of Charge); A maximum allowable SOC determination step for determining the maximum allowable SOC corresponding to the charging C-RATE based on the resistance pattern of the target SOC section of the generated resistance profile; and A charging protocol generation method comprising a charging protocol generation step of generating a charging protocol including a correspondence relationship between the charging C-RATE and the maximum allowable SOC.

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