Battery protection apparatus and battery protection method

Abstract

A battery protection apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a battery sensing unit for generating state data that represents a measurement value of at least one state parameter in each of a plurality of battery strings of a battery assembly; a battery discharge unit which is connected to the plurality of battery strings and which executes individual energy consumption operations for the plurality of battery strings; and a controller which collects the state data from the battery sensing unit, and which executes a safety operation for controlling the battery discharge unit such that the energy of at least one battery string from among the plurality of battery strings is consumed when it is determined, on the basis of the state data, that the risk of thermal transition of the battery assembly is present.

Description

Battery protection devices and battery protection methods

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for protecting a battery assembly including a plurality of battery strings from the risk of thermal transfer.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0092337, filed on July 12, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[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] Battery assemblies for battery systems requiring large capacity and high voltage (e.g., electric vehicles or energy storage systems) include several to hundreds of battery strings connected in series, parallel, or a series-in-parallel configuration.

[0006] However, while the structure in which battery strings are arranged as closely as possible within the limited space of the battery system is advantageous for achieving high energy density, it has the disadvantage that a few risk factors among the battery strings can easily adversely affect the remaining battery strings. For example, if a thermal abnormality such as overheating, internal short circuit, or thermal runaway occurs in a small number of battery strings, the thermal abnormality can quickly spread to other adjacent battery strings, resulting in so-called "thermal propagation."

[0007] Conventionally, thermal barriers have been placed between adjacent battery strings to delay or stop thermal transfer. Thermal barriers, with their high fire resistance and insulation properties, are effective in delaying or stopping thermal transfer when the number of battery strings experiencing thermal abnormalities is small. However, if thermal abnormalities occur simultaneously across multiple battery strings or are severe in a small number of battery strings, thermal barriers alone may be insufficient to protect the battery assembly from thermal transfer.

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a device and method for protecting a battery assembly from the risk of heat transfer by performing a forced discharge that consumes the energy of each battery string having a strong correlation with the risk of heat transfer when it is determined that there is a risk of heat transfer in the battery assembly.

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

[0010] A battery protection device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a battery sensing unit that generates status data representing a measurement value of at least one status parameter of each of a plurality of battery strings of a battery assembly; a battery discharging unit that is connected to the plurality of battery strings and executes individual energy consumption operations for the plurality of battery strings; and a controller that collects the status data from the battery sensing unit and, if it is determined based on the status data that there is a risk of heat transfer in the battery assembly, executes a safety operation for controlling the battery discharging unit so that energy of at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings is consumed.

[0011] The battery discharge unit may include a plurality of switches and a discharge load. One end of the plurality of switches may be individually connected to a first terminal of the plurality of battery strings. The other end of the plurality of switches may be individually connected to one end of the discharge load. The other end of the discharge load may be individually connected to a second terminal of the plurality of battery strings.

[0012] The above battery discharge unit may include a plurality of series discharge circuits individually connected in parallel to the plurality of battery strings. Each series discharge circuit may include a switch and a discharge load.

[0013] The controller may be configured to classify each of the plurality of battery strings as a normal battery string or an abnormal battery string based on the status data of each of the plurality of battery strings. The controller may be configured to:

[0014] If a predetermined number or more of the above plurality of battery strings are classified as the abnormal battery strings, it may be configured to determine that there is a risk of heat transfer in the battery assembly.

[0015] The controller may be configured to control the battery discharge unit so that the energy of each of the abnormal battery strings is consumed.

[0016] The controller may be configured to set at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings as a discharge target based on a thermal anomaly index of at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings when it is determined that there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly. The controller may be configured to control the battery discharge unit so that the energy of each discharge target is consumed.

[0017] The controller may be configured to set at least one normal battery string adjacent to each abnormal battery string having a thermal abnormality index exceeding a threshold value among the plurality of battery strings as the discharge target.

[0018] The controller may be configured to identify an area of ​​interest for each abnormal battery string among the plurality of battery strings based on a thermal abnormality index of each abnormal battery string. The controller may be configured to set each normal battery string located in the area of ​​interest as a discharge target.

[0019] The controller may be configured to determine an energy consumption rate for each of the discharge targets based on a thermal ideal index of each of the discharge targets.

[0020] A battery system according to another aspect of the present invention includes the battery protection device.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery protection method may include the steps of collecting status data representing a measurement of at least one status parameter of each of a plurality of battery strings of a battery assembly; determining whether a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly exists based on the status data; and executing a safety operation for controlling a battery discharge unit connected to the plurality of battery strings so that energy of at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings is consumed if the risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly exists.

[0022] The step of determining the risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly may further include the step of classifying each of the plurality of battery strings as a normal battery or an abnormal battery based on the status data of each of the plurality of battery strings; and the step of determining that a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly exists if a predetermined number or more of the plurality of battery strings are classified as the abnormal batteries.

[0023] The step of executing the above safety operation may include, if it is determined that there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly, a step of setting at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings as a discharge target based on a thermal abnormality index of at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings; and a step of controlling the battery discharge unit so that the energy of each of the discharge targets is consumed.

[0024] The step of setting at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings as a discharge target may be a step of setting at least one normal battery string adjacent to each abnormal battery string having a thermal abnormality index exceeding a threshold value among the plurality of battery strings as the discharge target.

[0025] The step of executing the above safety operation may further include a step of determining an energy consumption rate for each of the discharge targets based on a thermal abnormality index of each of the discharge targets.

[0026] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined that there is a risk of thermal transfer in the battery assembly, each battery string having a strong correlation with the risk of thermal transfer is set as a discharge target, and a forced discharge is performed to consume the energy of each discharge target, thereby protecting the battery assembly from the risk of thermal transfer.

[0027] Additionally, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, by setting at least one normal battery string adjacent to an abnormal battery string as a discharge target, the battery assembly can be effectively protected from the risk of heat transfer.

[0028] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the higher the thermal abnormality index of each abnormal battery string, the more normal battery strings are set as discharge targets, thereby effectively protecting the battery assembly from the risk of thermal transfer.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a drawing for reference in explaining an example of a coupling relationship between the battery string and the battery sensing unit (210) illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a drawing for reference in explaining an example of a coupling relationship between the battery assembly and the battery discharge section illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a drawing for reference in explaining another example of the coupling relationship between the battery assembly and the battery discharge section illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining a battery protection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining an example of a set of routines included in step S520 of FIG. 5.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining another example of a set of routines included in step S520 of FIG. 4.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining an example of a set of routines included in step S530 of FIG. 4.

[0039] FIGS. 9 to 12 are drawings for reference in explaining exemplary relationships between input data and output data of a discharge target identification map.

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that conforms to the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, unless otherwise stated, but rather implies the inclusion of other components. Furthermore, terms such as "control unit" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0044] 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.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery system (1) includes a battery assembly (100) and a battery protection device (200). The battery system (1) may further include a power conversion system (10).

[0047] The battery assembly (100) comprises a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N , N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), includes a first power terminal (P1) and a second power terminal (P2).

[0048] N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. In this specification, a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) In explaining the common content for each, the symbol 'BS' or 'BS' is used for the battery string. k ' is given. k is a natural number less than or equal to N. Depending on the application of the battery system (1), the battery assembly (100) may be referred to as a 'battery pack' or a 'battery rack', and the battery string (BS) may be referred to as a 'battery module'.

[0049] Multiple battery strings (BS1~BS N ) can be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel combination between the first power terminal (P1) and the second power terminal (P2). The battery string (BS) includes at least one battery cell. When the battery string (BS) includes a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells can be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel combination. In the present specification, a battery cell refers to a basic unit of a storage element capable of independent charging and discharging, and is not particularly limited as long as it is rechargeable, such as a lithium-ion cell.

[0050] The battery assembly (100) may further include a heat shielding member (101). The heat shielding member (101) may include a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) may be provided to at least partially cover each of the battery strings. The thermal barrier member (101) may be a physical configuration for the purpose of preventing a thermal abnormality in one battery string from causing or aggravating a thermal abnormality in another battery string by blocking direct heat transfer between adjacent battery strings.

[0051] The battery protection device (200) includes a battery sensing unit (210), a battery discharge unit (220), and a controller (230).

[0052] The battery sensing unit (210) senses multiple battery strings (BS1 to BS) of the battery assembly (100). N ) acquires each status data.

[0053] The battery sensing unit (210) comprises a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) can measure at least one status parameter periodically or aperiodically, and transmit status data representing each measured status parameter to the controller (230). The type of the status parameter is not particularly limited as long as it can directly or indirectly represent a thermal abnormality of the battery string, such as temperature, voltage, and / or impact amount.

[0054] The battery discharge unit (220) is composed of a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) is connected to the battery discharge unit (220). In response to a control signal from the control, a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) performs individual energy-consuming actions.

[0055] The controller (230) may be implemented in hardware using at least one of ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), DSPDs (digital signal processing devices), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), microprocessors, and other electrical units for performing functions.

[0056] The controller (230) is individually operably coupled to the battery sensing unit (210) and the battery discharge unit (220). The two components being operably coupled means that the two components are connected so that signals can be transmitted and received in one direction or both directions.

[0057] The controller (230) may have a memory device. The memory device may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, an SSD (Solid State Disk type), an SDD (Silicon Disk Drive type), a multimedia card micro type, a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a programmable read-only memory (PROM). The memory device may store data and a program required for an operation by the controller (230). The memory device may store data indicating a result of an operation by the controller (230).

[0058] The controller (230) determines whether there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly (100) based on the status data received from the battery sensing unit (210). If the controller (230) determines that there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly (100), it is configured to execute a safety operation for the battery assembly (100). The safety operation is performed by a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) may be an operation of controlling the battery discharge unit (220) so that at least one of the energies is consumed through forced discharge (also referred to as 'energy drain').

[0059] The power conversion system (10) is electrically connected between the battery assembly (100) and the power system (not shown). The power conversion system (10) can be responsible for bidirectional power exchange between the battery assembly (100) and the power system using a DC-AC inverter and / or a DC-DC converter provided therein. That is, the power conversion system (10) can convert AC power supplied from the power system into DC power and supply it to the battery assembly (100) while operating in a battery charging mode. The power conversion system (10) can convert DC power input by the discharge of the battery assembly (100) into AC power and supply it to the power system while operating in a battery discharging mode.

[0060] FIG. 2 is a drawing for reference in explaining an example of a coupling relationship between a battery string and a battery sensing unit illustrated in FIG. 1. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS) included in a battery assembly (100) (100). N ) among a single battery string (BS) k ) was shown only.

[0061] The battery sensing unit (210) comprises a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) are provided individually in multiple battery monitoring circuits (M1 to M). N ) and FIG. 2 shows an exemplary battery monitoring circuit (M) provided to a battery string (BSk). k ) was shown.

[0062] Battery monitoring circuit (M k ) may include at least one of a temperature sensor (T), a voltage sensor (V), and a shock sensor (S).

[0063] The temperature sensor (T) is connected to the battery string (BS) k ) attached to the exterior of the battery string (BS) k ) is installed at a predetermined point away from the battery string (BS) k) measures the temperature of the battery string (BS). The voltage sensor (V) measures the temperature of the battery string (BS k ) through the first terminal (+) and second terminal (-) of the battery string (BS) k ) are connected in parallel to the battery string (BS) k ) measures the voltage of the battery string (BS). The shock sensor (S) measures the voltage of the battery string (BS). k ) attached to the exterior of the battery string (BS) k ) is installed at a predetermined point away from the battery string (BS) k ) measures the amount of shock applied to the battery monitoring circuit (M k ) is a battery string (BS) k ) can provide sensing data representing at least one measurement of temperature, voltage, and impact amount to the controller (230).

[0064] FIG. 3 is a drawing for reference in explaining an example of a coupling relationship between the battery assembly and the battery discharge section illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0065] Referring to Figure 3, the battery discharge unit (220) has a plurality of switches (SW1 to SW N ) and discharge load (DR).

[0066] Multiple switches (SW1~SW N ) is a multiple battery string (BS1~BS N ) are individually connected to the first terminal of multiple switches (SW1 to SW N ) is connected to one end of a discharge load (DR). The other end of the discharge load (DR) is connected to a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) can be individually connected to the second terminal of the battery string (BS). k ) is either a positive terminal or a negative terminal, and the first terminal of the battery string (BS) k ) may be the other of the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

[0067] In the coupling relationship illustrated in Fig. 3, the discharge load (DR) is a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) can be used in common to consume one or more energies. The discharge load (DR) may be a single resistor or a combination of two or more resistors. Each resistor may be a resistive element having a fixed resistance value or an element whose resistance value can be adjusted according to an electrical signal.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a drawing for reference in explaining another example of the coupling relationship between the battery assembly and the battery discharge section illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0069] Referring to Fig. 4, the battery discharge unit (220) comprises a plurality of serial discharge circuits (SS1 to SS N ) is included.

[0070] Multiple serial discharge circuits (SS1~SS N ) is a plurality of battery strings (BS1~BS N ) are provided so that they can be individually connected in parallel.

[0071] Series discharge circuit (SS) k ) is a switch (SW) k ) and discharge load (DR k ) is included. That is, the battery discharge unit (220) illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of switches (SW1 to SW) provided to be paired with each other. N ) and multiple discharge loads (DR1~DR N ) is included.

[0072] Series discharge circuit (SS) k ) discharge load (DR) k ) is the serial discharge circuit (SS) k ) battery strings (BS) connected in parallel k ) is used solely for energy consumption, its purpose is different from that of the discharge load (DR) shown in Fig. 3.

[0073] The switch (SW) shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 k) can be connected to the controller (230) via a signal line. Switch (SW k ) can be implemented by combining one or more of known switching devices such as mechanical contactors, field effect transistors (FETs), etc.

[0074] The controller (230) sets the battery string (BS) as the discharge target. k ) connected to the switch (SW) k ) can be supplied with a turn-on signal (e.g., a voltage pulse above a predetermined level) through a signal line. Switch (SW) k ) can be switched from a turn-off state to a turn-on state in response to a turn-on signal applied by the controller (230). In the turn-on state, the battery string (BS k ) and discharge load (DR in Fig. 3 or DR in Fig. 4 k ) as the current path between the battery strings (BS k ) is stored in the discharge load (DR in Fig. 3 or DR in Fig. 4 k ) is consumed by the battery string (BS k ) is forced to discharge. Switch (SW) k ) can have a turn-off state while a turn-on signal is not applied from the controller (230).

[0075] Discharge load (DR in Fig. 3 or DR in Fig. 4 k ) is a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS) by a heat shield member (101). N ) can be physically separated from the discharge load (DR of Fig. 3 or DR of Fig. 4) during current conduction. By this structure, k ) heat generated from multiple battery strings (BS1~BS N ) can be prevented from being directly authorized.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a battery protection method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method according to FIG. 5 may be repeatedly performed periodically or aperiodically.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 5, in step S510, the controller (230) senses from the battery sensing unit (210) a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS) of the battery assembly (100). N ) collects state data representing measurements of at least one state parameter.

[0078] In step S520, the controller (230) determines whether there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly (100) based on the status data collected in step S520. If the value of step S520 is "Yes," the method according to FIG. 5 proceeds to step S530. If the value of step S520 is "No," the method according to FIG. 5 may be terminated. A detailed description of step S520 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0079] In step S520, the controller (230) can calculate the thermal abnormality index of each abnormal battery string and further determine the thermal abnormality index of at least one normal battery string. In one embodiment, the battery string (BS k ) is the thermal ideal index of the battery string (BS k ) may be determined to be identical to or directly proportional to the temperature measurement, temperature change factor, voltage measurement, voltage change factor, impulse measurement, or impulse change factor of the battery string (BS). In another embodiment, the battery string (BS k ) is the thermal ideal index of the battery string (BS k) can be calculated by applying a predetermined mathematical operation (e.g., weighted sum) to at least one of the temperature measurement, temperature change factor, voltage measurement, voltage change factor, impulse measurement, and impulse change factor. For example, at least one function that outputs a value having a positive correspondence to the measurement value of each state parameter or the state change factor as a thermal anomaly index can be used as the mathematical operation in step S520.

[0080] In step S530, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) so that at least one of the battery strings (BS1 to BS) consumes energy. N ) executes a safety operation for controlling the battery discharge unit (220) connected to the circuit. A detailed description of step S530 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining an example of a set of routines included in step S520 of FIG. 5.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 6, in step S610, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) compares the measurement of each at least one status parameter (included in the status data collected in step S510) with a reference range. For example, if the status parameter is 'temperature', the reference range for it may represent a predetermined normal temperature range. If the status parameter of a certain battery string is outside the reference range, it can be said that the battery string is definitely abnormal or has a strong abnormality sign.

[0083] If multiple state parameters are used to determine the presence of a heat transfer hazard, multiple reference ranges may also be provided. For example, if three state parameters—temperature, voltage, and shock—are used, three reference ranges may be pre-stored in memory.

[0084] In step S620, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS) based on the comparison result in step S610. N ) are classified as a normal battery string or an abnormal battery string. In step S620, it may be performed based only on the comparison result for a single reference range, or based on the comparison result for two or more reference ranges. As an example, each battery string whose temperature measurement is outside the reference range (for temperature) may be classified as an abnormal battery string. As another example, each battery string whose temperature measurement is outside the reference range (for temperature) and whose voltage measurement is also outside the reference range (for voltage) may be classified as an abnormal battery string, and each remaining battery string may be classified as a normal battery string.

[0085] In step S620, an operation of recording identification information of each battery string associated with a measurement value within a reference range in a normal battery string list and / or an operation of recording identification information of each battery string associated with a measurement value outside a reference range in an abnormal battery string list may be performed. A plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) are each fixedly placed in a unique area within the battery assembly (100), and the identification information for each battery corresponds to the physical location of each battery.

[0086] In step S630, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N) determines whether a predetermined number or more are classified as abnormal battery strings. The predetermined number may be 1 or more. If the value of step S630 is "Yes", it may mean that it is determined that there is a risk of heat transfer in the battery assembly (100). For example, if the number of identification information recorded in the abnormal battery string list is a predetermined number or more, the value of step S630 is output as "Yes".

[0087] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining another example of a set of routines included in step S520 of FIG. 4.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 7, in step S700, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) Based on each status data, multiple battery strings (BS1~BS N ) calculates a state change factor of each at least one state parameter. For example, when the state parameter is 'temperature', at least one of 'temperature increase amount' or 'temperature increase rate' for a predetermined period of time can be calculated as the state change factor. As another example, when the state parameter is 'voltage', at least one of 'voltage drop amount' or 'voltage drop rate' for a predetermined period of time can be calculated as the state change factor.

[0089] In step S710, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) compares each at least one state change factor with a reference range. The reference range used in step S710 may be predetermined separately from the reference range used in step S610 of the aforementioned FIG. 6, in that it is related to the change factor.

[0090] In step S720, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS) based on the comparison result in step S710. N) classify each as a normal battery string or an abnormal battery string.

[0091] Step S720 may be performed based solely on the comparison results for a single reference range, or based on the comparison results for two or more reference ranges. For example, each battery string whose temperature rise rate falls outside the reference range (for the temperature rise rate) may be classified as an abnormal battery string, and the remaining battery strings may be classified as normal battery strings. In another example, each battery string whose temperature rise rate falls outside the reference range (for the temperature rise rate) and whose voltage drop also falls outside the reference range (for the voltage drop) may be classified as an abnormal battery string, and the remaining battery strings may be classified as normal battery strings.

[0092] In step S720, an operation of recording identification information of each battery string having a state change factor within a reference range in a normal battery string list and / or an operation of recording identification information of each battery string having a state change factor outside a reference range in an abnormal battery string list may be performed.

[0093] In step S730, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) determines whether a predetermined number or more of battery strings are classified as abnormal. Step S730 may be substantially the same as step S530.

[0094] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining an example of a set of routines included in step S530 of FIG. 4.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 8, in step S810, the controller (230) controls a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) based on the thermal ideal index of at least one battery string, multiple battery strings (BS1 to BS N) sets at least one battery string as a discharge target. The discharge target setting procedure in step S810 may be performed based on the thermal abnormality index of each abnormal battery string, and may further be performed based on the thermal abnormality index of at least one normal battery string.

[0096] In one embodiment, each abnormal battery string may be designated as a discharge target, and at least one normal battery string may be designated as an additional discharge target. Since an abnormal battery string exerts a thermal influence on its surrounding area, normal battery strings adjacent to the abnormal battery string may be exposed to the risk of thermal transfer. Accordingly, adjacent normal battery strings may also be designated as additional discharge targets.

[0097] In another embodiment, only each abnormal battery string with discharge validity among all abnormal battery strings can be set as a discharge target, and at least one normal battery string can be set as an additional discharge target. Battery string (BS k ) discharge effectiveness means that if forced discharge is performed immediately, the battery string (BS) k ) may mean a state where the thermal anomaly index can be lowered below a certain level. For example, a battery string (BS) k ) has already ignited or the signs of ignition are excessive, the battery string (BS) k ) may not prevent ignition even if forced discharge is performed immediately, or the thermal abnormality may be aggravated due to forced discharge, so the battery string (BS) k ) can be said to have no discharge validity.

[0098] Each battery string with a thermal anomaly index below a threshold may be determined as a normal battery string. Conversely, each battery string with a thermal anomaly index above a threshold may be determined as an abnormal battery string. An abnormal battery string with a thermal anomaly index above a reference value (greater than the threshold) may be determined to be ineffective for discharge. The controller (230) may exclude each abnormal battery string with ineffective discharge from the discharge target.

[0099] The controller (230) has a plurality of battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) may set at least one normal battery string adjacent to each abnormal battery string having a thermal abnormality index exceeding a threshold as a discharge target. Specifically, the controller (230) may identify an area of ​​interest of each abnormal battery string based on the thermal abnormality index of each abnormal battery string. For example, in FIG. 9, which will be described later, the grid of coordinates (3,3) and coordinates (4,2) indicated by a bold frame may represent an area of ​​interest when the thermal abnormality index of the battery string corresponding to coordinates (4,2) is 4. A lookup table indicating the correspondence between the thermal abnormality index for each battery string and the area of ​​interest may be pre-recorded in a memory device. The controller (230) may set each normal battery string located in the area of ​​interest of each abnormal battery string as a discharge target.

[0100] In step S820, the controller (230) determines an energy consumption rate for each battery string set as a discharge target. The controller (230) may determine the energy consumption rate of each battery string set as a discharge target based on a thermal ideal index (or a corrected thermal ideal index) of each battery string set as a discharge target. In one embodiment, the controller (230) may apply a predetermined positive correspondence to the thermal ideal index (or the corrected thermal ideal index) of each battery string set as a discharge target to determine a duty ratio of a turn-on signal for a switch (e.g., SW2) provided to each battery string (e.g., BS2) set as a discharge target. Of course, the energy consumption rate for the discharge target may be predetermined, in which case step S820 may be omitted from the method of FIG. 8. As the duty ratio of the turn-on signal output to the switch (e.g., SW2) increases, the turn-on period per unit time of the switch (e.g., SW2) increases, so the energy consumption rate of the battery string (e.g., BS2) provided by the switch (e.g., SW2) may increase.

[0101] In step S830, the controller (230) has a plurality of switches (SW1 to SW N ), a turn-on signal is output to each switch provided to each battery string set as a discharge target. Each battery string set as a discharge target is individually forcibly discharged by step S830, thereby blocking heat transfer within the battery assembly (100), or at least significantly slowing down the speed of heat transfer, and limiting the risk caused by heat transfer.

[0102] The controller (230) can perform step S810 (discharge target setting procedure) of FIG. 8 by calling the discharge target identification map stored in the memory device.

[0103] The discharge target identification map is a multiple battery string (BS1 to BS N) When the thermal abnormality index of at least one battery string is input, multiple battery strings (BS1 to BS) N ) may be a set of data tables, a set of functions, or a combination thereof, pre-designed to return identification information for each battery string set as a discharge target.

[0104] For example, the discharge target identification map may include a plurality of data tables prepared in advance to individually represent a plurality of discharge target sets (each discharge target set representing a list of at least one discharge target) depending on the thermal anomaly index for each battery string. When a data table corresponding to input data is output from the discharge target identification map, the controller (230) may set each battery string indicated in the output data table as a discharge target.

[0105] As another example, the discharge target identification map may include multiple battery strings (BS1 to BS N ) may include multiple functions that are one-to-one related. The formula below is an example of a function that may be included in the discharge target identification map as being related to the kth battery string.

[0106] Formula

[0107]

[0108] In the above formula, when i is a natural number less than or equal to N, F i is the thermal ideality index of the i-th battery string, F i_corrected is the corrected thermal ideality index of the i-th battery string, ΔF i represents an index correction value that reflects the thermal proximity between each battery string other than the i-th battery string and the i-th battery string. That is, in the above formula, the function f() is ΔF when the thermal anomaly indices of (N-1) battery strings other than the k-th battery string are input. kIt may be predetermined to output ΔF. Of course, the thermal anomaly index of each of the (N-1) battery strings other than the k battery string is ΔF k Those skilled in the art will easily understand that a certain amount of correspondence can be had.

[0109] The discharge target identification map is F k_corrected If the threshold is greater than or equal to the kth battery string, a result value (e.g., identification information of the kth battery string) indicating that the kth battery string is set as a discharge target can be output. On the other hand, the discharge target identification map is F k_corrected If the value is below the threshold or above the reference value, a result value indicating that the k battery string is excluded from the discharge target can be output.

[0110] FIGS. 9 to 12 are drawings for reference in explaining exemplary relationships between input data and output data of a discharge target identification map.

[0111] In explaining FIGS. 9 to 12, to help understanding, the input / output data is visualized and illustrated as having the form of a 6×5 matrix data table, and the 30 grids of the data table represent multiple battery strings (BS1 to BS) within the battery assembly (100). N , N=30) individually correspond to the physical locations of the battery strings. In addition, for each grid, the coordinates at the bottom are assumed to represent the physical locations of the battery strings corresponding to the grid, and the numbers at the top are assumed to represent the thermal anomaly index of the battery strings corresponding to the grid. In addition, the threshold is assumed to be 2, and the reference value is assumed to be 6.

[0112] First, referring to Fig. 9, in the left data table representing input data (901), only the grid corresponding to coordinates (4,3) is shaded. The shaded grid indicates that the battery string corresponding to that grid is abnormal, as confirmed by the fact that, unlike the other grids, the thermal anomaly index of that grid is 4, which is greater than the threshold value 2.

[0113] Looking at the data table on the right representing the output data (902), it is common with the input data (901) that only the grid corresponding to the coordinate (4,3) is shaded, but two grids corresponding to the two coordinates (4,2) and (3,3) are marked with bold borders. The grids marked with bold borders represent normal battery strings set as discharge targets. That is, the two battery strings corresponding to the two coordinates (4,2) and (3,3) are currently in a normal state with minimal thermal abnormality, but the abnormal battery string corresponding to the grid of the coordinate (4,3) can be identified as having a high risk of thermal transfer.

[0114] When output data (902) is output from the discharge target identification map, the controller (230) can set three battery strings corresponding to coordinates (4,3), (4,2), and (3,3) as discharge targets.

[0115] Next, referring to Fig. 10, in the left data table representing input data (1001), only the grid corresponding to coordinates (3,4) is shaded, which is confirmed from the fact that the thermal anomaly index of coordinates (3,4) is 4.

[0116] Looking at the data table on the right representing the output data (1002), it is common to the input data (1001) that only the grid corresponding to the coordinate (3,4) is shaded, but the three grids corresponding to the three coordinates (2,4), (3,3), and (3,5) are marked with a bold border. That is, the three battery strings corresponding to the three coordinates (2,4), (3,3), and (3,5) are currently in a normal state, but the abnormal battery string corresponding to the grid at the coordinate (3,4) can be identified as having a high risk of heat transfer.

[0117] When comparing FIGS. 9 and 10, the two input data (901, 1001) have in common that only a single battery string with a thermal anomaly index of 4 is abnormal, but the output data (902) indicates that two normal battery strings are set as discharge targets, whereas the output data (1002) differs in that three normal battery strings are set as discharge targets. This may reflect the results of a pre-simulation in which the influence on the surrounding area varies depending on the physical location of each abnormal battery string, even if the number of abnormal battery strings and the thermal anomaly index are the same.

[0118] When output data (1002) is output from the discharge target identification map, the controller (230) can set four battery strings corresponding to coordinates (3,4), (2,4), (3,3), and (3,5) as discharge targets.

[0119] Referring to Fig. 11, in the left data table representing input data (1101), only two grids corresponding to coordinates (4,3) and (3,4) are shaded. The shading of coordinates (4,3) is common to input data (901) and input data (1101), and the shading of coordinates (3,4) is common to input data (1001) and input data (1101).

[0120] Looking at the right data table representing the output data (1102), only two grids are shaded, which is common to the input data (1101), and four grids corresponding to coordinates (2,4), (3,3), (3,5), and (4,2) are marked with bold borders. Here, the bold borders of coordinates (3,3) and (4,2) are common to the output data (902) and the output data (1102), and the bold borders of coordinates (2,4), (3,3), and (3,5) are common to the output data (1002) and the output data (1102).

[0121] It is noteworthy that in the output data (1102), a bold border (dotted line) is displayed at coordinate (4,4), which was not displayed in a bold border in the output data (902) and the output data (1002). This may reflect the results of a preliminary simulation in which the risk of ignition in the area between two or more abnormal battery strings, where the abnormal states of two or more abnormal battery strings overlap and act, is significantly increased.

[0122] When output data (1102) is output from the discharge target identification map, the controller (230) can set seven battery strings corresponding to coordinates (3,4), (4,3), (2,4), (3,3), (3,5), (4,2), and (4,4) as discharge targets.

[0123] Referring to Fig. 12, in the left data table representing input data (1201), only the two grids corresponding to coordinates (4,3) and (3,4) are shaded. The shading of coordinates (4,3) and (3,4) is common to input data (1101) and input data (1201). However, the input data (1201) differs from the input data (1101) in that the thermal hazard index of coordinate (4,3) is 7 (exceeding the reference value).

[0124] Looking at the data table on the right representing the output data (1202), the points where only two grids are shaded and the points where five grids corresponding to coordinates (2,4), (3,3), (3,5), (4,2), (4,4) are marked with a bold border are common with the output data (1102).

[0125] It is noteworthy that in the output data (1202), bold borders are displayed at coordinates (2,3), (5,2), (5,3), and (5,4), which were not displayed with bold borders in the output data (1102). In particular, a bold border is also displayed at the grid of coordinate (2,3), which is separated from the grid of coordinate (4,3) by the grid of coordinate (3,3). This may be a reflection of the results of a preliminary simulation that the higher the thermal anomaly index of an abnormal battery string, the higher the risk of fire to other battery strings located in a distant surrounding area.

[0126] When output data (1202) is output from the discharge target identification map, the controller (230) can set 11 battery strings corresponding to coordinates (3,4), (4,3), (2,3), (2,4), (3,3), (3,5), (4,2), (4,4), (5,2), (5,3), and (5,4) as discharge targets. Alternatively, the controller (230) can set 10 battery strings, excluding the battery string corresponding to coordinate (4,3) having a thermal anomaly index exceeding a reference value, as discharge targets.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

Claims

A battery sensing unit that generates status data representing a measurement of at least one status parameter of each of a plurality of battery strings of a battery assembly; A battery discharge unit connected to the plurality of battery strings and configured to perform individual energy consumption operations for the plurality of battery strings; and A controller configured to collect the status data from the battery sensing unit, and, if it is determined based on the status data that there is a risk of heat transfer of the battery assembly, execute a safety operation for controlling the battery discharge unit so that the energy of at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings is consumed; A battery protection device comprising: In the first paragraph, The above battery discharge unit includes a plurality of switches and a discharge load, One end of the above plurality of switches is individually connected to the first terminal of the above plurality of battery strings, The other end of the above plurality of switches is connected to one end of the discharge load, A battery protection device, wherein the other end of the above discharge load is individually connected to the second terminal of the plurality of battery strings. In the first paragraph, The above battery discharge part, It comprises a plurality of series discharge circuits individually connected in parallel to the plurality of battery strings, Each series discharge circuit is a battery protection device including a switch and a discharge load. In the first paragraph, The above controller, Based on the status data of each of the plurality of battery strings, each of the plurality of battery strings is classified as a normal battery string or an abnormal battery string, A battery protection device configured to determine that a risk of heat transfer of the battery assembly exists when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of battery strings are classified as abnormal battery strings. In paragraph 4, The above controller, A battery protection device configured to control the battery discharge section so that the energy of each of the above abnormal battery strings is consumed. In the first paragraph, The above controller, If it is determined that there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly, at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings is set as a discharge target based on the thermal abnormality index of at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings, A battery protection device configured to control the battery discharge unit so that the energy of each of the above discharge targets is consumed. In paragraph 6, The above controller, A battery protection device configured to set at least one normal battery string adjacent to each abnormal battery string having a thermal abnormality index exceeding a threshold value among the plurality of battery strings as the discharge target. In paragraph 6, The above controller, Based on the thermal abnormality index of each abnormal battery string among the above multiple battery strings, an area of ​​interest of each abnormal battery string is identified, A battery protection device configured to set each normal battery string located in the above area of ​​interest as the discharge target. In paragraph 6, The above controller, A battery protection device configured to determine an energy consumption rate for each of the discharge targets based on a thermal abnormality index of each of the discharge targets. A battery system comprising a battery protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A step of collecting condition data representing a measurement of at least one condition parameter of each of a plurality of battery strings of a battery assembly; A step of determining whether there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly based on the above status data; and If it is determined that there is a risk of heat transfer of the battery assembly, a step of executing a safety operation for controlling a battery discharge unit connected to the plurality of battery strings so that energy of at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings is consumed; A battery protection method comprising: In Article 11, The step of determining the risk of heat transfer of the above battery assembly is: A step of classifying each of the plurality of battery strings as a normal battery or an abnormal battery based on the status data of each of the plurality of battery strings; and A step of determining that there is a risk of heat transfer in the battery assembly when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of battery strings are classified as abnormal batteries; A battery protection method further comprising: In Article 11, The steps for executing the above safety operation are: If it is determined that there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly, a step of setting at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings as a discharge target based on a thermal abnormality index of at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings; and A step of controlling the battery discharge unit so that the energy of each of the discharge targets is consumed; A battery protection method comprising: In Article 13, The step of setting at least one battery string among the plurality of battery strings as a discharge target is: A battery protection method, comprising the step of setting at least one normal battery string adjacent to each abnormal battery string having a thermal abnormality index exceeding a threshold value among the plurality of battery strings as the discharge target. In Article 13, The steps for executing the above safety operation are: A step of determining an energy consumption rate for each of the discharge targets based on the thermal ideal index of each of the discharge targets; A battery protection method further comprising:

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