Battery management system and battery management method

Abstract

A battery management system and a battery management method are provided. The battery management system according to the present invention comprises: a sensing unit for generating state data of each of a plurality of cell groups included in a battery assembly; a discharge unit for individually opening / closing a plurality of discharge paths provided to the plurality of cell groups; and a control unit for performing a diagnosis procedure that identifies, on the basis of the state data, whether each of the plurality of cell groups has a high-temperature abnormality or a low-temperature abnormality. The control unit determines at least one cell group from among the plurality of cell groups as a discharge object according to the result of the diagnosis procedure, and controls the discharge unit such that at least one discharge path provided to the discharge object is electrically connected.

Description

Battery management system and battery management method

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for individual temperature management of a plurality of cell groups included in a battery assembly.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0097678, filed on July 24, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0089967, filed on July 4, 2025, the entire contents of which are disclosed in the specification and drawings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[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) contain several to hundreds of cell groups connected in series, parallel, or a series-parallel combination.

[0006] To achieve high energy density, a structure in which cell groups are arranged as closely as possible within the limited space of a battery system is advantageous. However, if a high-temperature abnormality, such as overheating or thermal runaway, occurs in a few cell groups, the high-temperature abnormality can rapidly spread to other adjacent cell groups, resulting in so-called "thermal propagation." Conventionally, overheating prevention elements have been typically placed between adjacent cell groups to delay or stop the thermal propagation phenomenon. Overheating prevention elements have high fire resistance, making them effective in delaying or stopping thermal propagation when the number of cell groups experiencing high-temperature abnormalities is small. However, if high-temperature abnormalities occur simultaneously in multiple cell groups or are severe in a small number of cell groups, overheating prevention elements alone may not be sufficient to protect the battery assembly from the risk of thermal propagation.

[0007] Furthermore, battery cells, which are sub-elements of the cell group, have a characteristic that their charge / discharge performance significantly deteriorates when their temperature falls below an appropriate temperature. Forcibly charging and discharging battery cells in extremely low temperatures can result in serious internal damage. Conventionally, prior to performing a typical charge / discharge cycle, a temperature-raising circuit separately provided in the battery management system or similar system is used to heat the low-temperature battery cells to bring them within the normal temperature range, thereby mitigating the risk of low-temperature abnormalities.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a battery management system and a battery management method that reduce risks due to high or low temperatures by performing forced discharge that consumes energy of at least one cell group when a risk due to high or low temperatures exists in a 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 management system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sensing unit that generates status data for each of a plurality of cell groups included in a battery assembly; a discharging unit configured to individually open and close a plurality of discharge paths provided to the plurality of cell groups; and a control unit that performs a diagnostic procedure to identify whether each of the plurality of cell groups has a high temperature or a low temperature abnormality based on the status data. The control unit is configured to determine, based on a result of the diagnostic procedure, at least one cell group among the plurality of cell groups as a discharge target and control the discharging unit so that at least one discharge path provided to the discharge target is conducted.

[0011] The control unit may be configured to determine the discharge target using a selection map stored in advance for preventing heat transfer of the battery assembly when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of cell groups are identified as having the high temperature or higher.

[0012] The control unit may be configured to determine the discharge target using a pre-stored selection map to prevent performance degradation of the battery assembly when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of cell groups are identified as having a temperature higher than the low temperature.

[0013] The control unit may be configured to determine, when two discharge paths are provided to the discharge target, at least one discharge path to be connected among the two discharge paths based on the state data of each cell group identified as having the low temperature or higher.

[0014] The above control unit may be configured to determine a discharge intensity for the discharge target based on the status data of each cell group identified as having the above low temperature or higher.

[0015] The above discharge unit may include a plurality of first discharge circuits individually connected in parallel to the plurality of cell groups. Each of the first discharge circuits may include a first switch and a first discharge load connected in series with each other.

[0016] The above discharge unit may further include a plurality of second discharge circuits individually connected in parallel to the plurality of cell groups. Each of the second discharge circuits may include a second switch and a second discharge load connected in series with each other.

[0017] The second discharge load may be placed closer to the cell group than the first discharge load.

[0018] The control unit may be configured to turn on at least the first switch among the first switch and the second switch connected to the discharge target when a group of cells identified as having the high temperature or higher is set as the discharge target.

[0019] The control unit may be configured to turn on at least the second switch among the first switch and the second switch connected to the discharge target when a group of cells identified as having the above low temperature or higher is set as the discharge target.

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

[0021] A battery management method according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a step of performing a diagnostic procedure for identifying whether each of a plurality of cell groups included in a battery assembly has a high temperature or a low temperature abnormality based on status data of each of the plurality of cell groups; a step of determining at least one cell group among the plurality of cell groups as a discharge target based on a result of the diagnostic procedure; and a step of controlling the discharge unit so that at least one discharge path provided to the discharge target is conductive.

[0022] The step of determining the discharge target may determine the discharge target using a selection map stored in advance to prevent the risk of heat transfer of the battery assembly, when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of cell groups are identified as having the high temperature or higher.

[0023] The step of determining the discharge target may determine the discharge target using a selection map stored in advance to prevent performance degradation of the battery assembly, when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of cell groups are identified as having the low temperature or higher.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable medium records a program for executing the battery management method on a computer.

[0025] According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, when a risk due to high or low temperature exists in a battery assembly, the risk due to at least one of high temperature abnormality or low temperature abnormality can be reduced by performing a forced discharge that consumes energy of at least one cell group.

[0026] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the spread of the risk of heat transfer can be effectively prevented by performing forced discharge on at least one normal cell group adjacent to an abnormal cell group having a high temperature or higher.

[0027] In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, by performing forced discharge on at least one normal cell group adjacent to an abnormal cell group having a low temperature abnormality, it is possible to quickly alleviate the risk of performance degradation and prevent the SOC deviation between adjacent cell groups from increasing.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a drawing for reference in explaining an example of the coupling relationship between the cell group, sensing unit, and discharge unit shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a drawing for reference in explaining another example of the coupling relationship between the cell group, sensing unit, and discharge unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining an example of a set of routines included in step S440 of FIG. 4.

[0035] Figures 6 to 9 are drawings for reference in explaining a first selection map used to execute the first safety operation.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining an example of a set of routines included in step S442 of FIG. 4.

[0037] FIGS. 11 to 14 are drawings for reference in explaining a second selection map used to execute a second safety operation.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, unless otherwise stated, but rather implies that other components may be included. Furthermore, terms such as "unit" used throughout 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery system (1) includes a battery assembly (100) and a battery management system (200). The battery system (1) may further include a power conversion system (10).

[0045] The battery assembly (100) comprises a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N , N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), includes a first power terminal (P1) and a second power terminal (P2).

[0046] N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. In this specification, a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) In explaining the common content of each, the symbol 'CG' or 'CG' is used for the cell group. 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 cell group (CG) may be referred to as a 'battery module'.

[0047] Multiple cell groups (CG1~CG N) can be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel combination between the first power terminal (P1) and the second power terminal (P2). The cell group (CG) includes at least one battery cell. When the cell group (CG) includes multiple battery cells, the multiple battery 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.

[0048] The battery assembly (100) may further include an overheating prevention member (101). The overheating prevention member (101) may include a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) may be provided to at least partially cover each of the cells. The overheat prevention member (101) may be a physical configuration for the purpose of preventing a thermal abnormality in one cell group from causing or aggravating a thermal abnormality in another cell group by blocking direct heat transfer between adjacent cell groups.

[0049] 'Thermal abnormality' can be a term that refers to either a high-temperature-induced abnormality or a low-temperature-induced abnormality, or a general term for both.

[0050] The battery management system (200) includes a sensing unit (210), a discharge unit (220), and a control unit (230).

[0051] The sensing unit (210) senses multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG) of the battery assembly (100). N ) generates each state data. In detail, the sensing unit (210) generates a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N) Each of at least one state parameter may be measured periodically or aperiodically, and state data representing each measured state parameter may be collected by the control unit (230). The type of the state parameter is not particularly limited as long as it can directly or indirectly represent a thermal abnormality of a cell group, such as temperature, voltage, and / or shock.

[0052] The discharge unit (220) is composed of a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) for each, one or more discharge paths are provided. The discharge unit (220) comprises a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) to individually open and close multiple discharge paths provided in multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG) N ) is connected to the discharge unit (220). In response to a control signal from the control unit (230), the discharge unit (220) controls a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) through a plurality of discharge paths. N ) performs an individual energy consumption operation. The discharge unit (220) can be used to prevent at least one of the risk of heat transfer or the risk of performance degradation of the battery assembly (100).

[0053] The control unit (230) may be implemented in hardware using at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors, and other electrical units for performing functions.

[0054] The control unit (230) is individually operable and coupled to the sensing unit (210) and the discharge unit (220). The fact that the two components are operable and coupled means that the two components are connected so that signals can be transmitted and received in one direction or both directions.

[0055] The control unit (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 performed by the control unit (230). The memory device may store data indicating a result of an operation performed by the control unit (230).

[0056] The power conversion system (10) is electrically connected between the battery assembly (100) and a power system (not shown) and / or between the battery assembly (100) and a system load (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 and / or the system load while operating in a battery discharging mode.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a drawing for reference in explaining an example of the coupling relationship between the cell group, sensing unit, and discharge unit shown in FIG. 1. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) included in a battery assembly (100). N ) among a single cell group (CG) k ) was shown only.

[0058] The sensing unit (210) comprises a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) are provided individually in multiple battery monitoring circuits (M1 to M). N ) and Figure 2 shows a cell group (CG) k ) provides an exemplary battery monitoring circuit (M k ) was shown.

[0059] Battery monitoring circuit (M k ) may include at least one of a temperature sensor (T), a voltage sensor (V), and a shock sensor (S).

[0060] The temperature sensor (T) is a cell group (CG) k ) attached to the outer surface of the cell group (CG) k ) can be installed at a predetermined point away from the cell group (CG)k ) can measure the temperature of the cell group (CG). The voltage sensor (V) is k ) through the first terminal (+) and second terminal (-) of the cell group (CG) k ) are connected in parallel to a cell group (CG) k ) measures the voltage of the shock sensor (S). The shock sensor (S) measures the voltage of the cell group (CG k ) attached to the outer surface of the cell group (CG) k ) is installed at a predetermined point away from the cell group (CG) k ) measures the amount of shock applied to the battery monitoring circuit (M k ) is a cell group (CG) k ) can provide sensing data representing at least one measurement value among temperature, voltage, and impact amount to the control unit (230).

[0061] The control unit (230) controls the cell group (CG1 to CG) based on the status data. N ) can be subjected to a diagnostic procedure for each. The diagnostic procedure may be a procedure for identifying whether at least one of high temperature abnormality or low temperature abnormality is present.

[0062] High temperature anomaly may be an anomaly type that directly or indirectly indicates the risk of heat transfer in the battery assembly (100). Cell group (CG) k ) exceeds a predetermined first threshold temperature above the upper limit of a given normal temperature range, the cell group (CG) k ) can be identified as having high temperature or higher. Multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) is identified as having a high temperature or higher than a predetermined first number (e.g., 1 or 2 or more), it can be determined that there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly (100). The control unit (230) is configured to execute a safety operation for the battery assembly (100) when it is determined that there is a risk of thermal transfer of the battery assembly (100). The safety operation is performed by executing a safety operation for a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N) may be an operation of controlling the discharge unit (220) so that at least one of the energies is consumed through forced discharge (which may also be referred to as 'energy drain').

[0063] Low-temperature anomalies can be an anomaly type that directly or indirectly indicates the need for temperature increase. As is well known, when battery cells are placed in a low-temperature environment, the charge-discharge performance of the battery cells is significantly reduced. Cell group (CG) k ) is below a predetermined second critical temperature below the lower limit of a given normal temperature range, the cell group (CG) k ) can be identified as having a low temperature anomaly. Multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) is identified as having a low temperature abnormality or higher than a predetermined second number (e.g., 1 or 2 or more), it can be determined that there is a risk of performance degradation of the battery assembly (100).

[0064] The discharge unit (220) is composed of a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) are individually provided in multiple first discharge circuits (DA1~DA) N ) and Figure 2 shows a cell group (CG) k ) is an exemplary first discharge circuit (DA) provided in k ) was shown.

[0065] 1st discharge circuit (DA) k ) are connected in series with each other, the first switch (SA) k ) and first resistor (RA k ) may be included. The first switch (SA k ) and first resistor (RA k ) Each end is connected to each other, and the first switch (SA) k ) is the other end of the cell group (CG) k ) is connected to the first terminal (e.g., positive terminal) of the first resistor (RA k ) is the other end of the cell group (CG) k ) is connected to the second terminal (e.g., negative terminal).

[0066] 1st switch (SA) k ) is turned off, the first discharge circuit (DA k ) by cell group (CG) k ) is opened. Conversely, the first switch (SA) k ) is turned on, the first discharge circuit (DA k ) by cell group (CG) k ) is closed, thereby closing the discharge path provided to the cell group (CG). k ) is the energy stored in the first resistor (RA k ) can be consumed.

[0067] FIG. 3 is a drawing for reference in explaining another example of the coupling relationship between the cell group, sensing unit, and discharge unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0068] The discharge unit (220) is composed of multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) are individually connected in parallel to a plurality of second discharge circuits (DB1 to DB) N ) can be further included, and in Figure 3, a cell group (CG) k ) is an exemplary second discharge circuit (DB) provided in k ) as the first discharge circuit (DA) k , and is shown together with (the same as in Fig. 2).

[0069] Second discharge circuit (DB k ) are connected in series with each other, the second switch (SB) k ) and the second resistor (RB k ) may be included.

[0070] Second switch (SB k ) and the second resistor (RB k ) Each end is connected to each other, and the second switch (SB k ) is the other end of the cell group (CG) k ) is connected to the first terminal of the second resistor (RB k ) is the other end of the cell group (CG) k ) is connected to the second terminal.

[0071] Second switch (SB k ) is turned off, the second discharge circuit (DB k ) by cell group (CG) k ) becomes open (i.e., non-conductive). Conversely, the second switch (SB k ) is turned on, the second discharge circuit (DB k ) by cell group (CG) k ) is closed (i.e., conducting), thereby forming a cell group (CG). k ) is the energy stored in the resistor (RB k ) can be consumed.

[0072] For each discharge circuit, a resistor element can be used as a discharge load, for example.

[0073] The two discharge circuits (DA) of the discharge unit (220) shown in Fig. 3 k ,DB k ) is a cell group (CG) k ) can be said to be different from the discharge unit (220) illustrated in FIG. 2 in that it provides two discharge paths. The control unit (230) can determine at least one discharge path to be conducted among the two discharge paths provided to the discharge target based on the status data of each cell group identified as having a low temperature or higher.

[0074] First discharge load (RA) k ) and the second discharge load (RB k ) can be laminated in layers. The first discharge load (RA k ) and the second discharge load (RB k ) may be spaced apart from each other, or an insulator may be placed between them.

[0075] Second discharge load (RB k ) is the first discharge load (RA k ) than the cell group (CG) k ) can be placed close to the first discharge load (RA). Therefore, the first discharge load (RA k) and the heat generation per unit time of the second discharge load (RB k ) when the heat generation per unit time is the same, the second discharge load (RB k ) is the first discharge load (RA) k ) than the cell group (CG) k ) can have a greater impact on the temperature rise.

[0076] Second discharge load (RB k ) is the first discharge load (RA) k ) than the cell group (CG) k ) are placed close to the cell group (CG). k ) is set as a discharge target associated with the first safety action to prevent heat transfer risk, the control unit (230) controls two discharge circuits (DA k ,DB k ) among the discharge circuits (DA) k ) to the discharge circuit (DB) k ) can be conducted in priority. That is, two switches (SA) k , SB k ) at least one switch (SA) k ) can be turned on.

[0077] Second discharge load (RB k ) is the first discharge load (RA) k ) than the cell group (CG) k ) are placed close to the cell group (CG). k ) is set as a discharge target associated with the second safety operation to prevent the risk of performance degradation, the control unit (230) controls the two discharge circuits (DA k ,DB k ) among the discharge circuits (DB) k ) to the discharge circuit (DA) k ) can be conducted in priority. That is, two switches (SA) k , SB k ) at least switch (SB) k ) can be turned on.

[0078] The switch (SA) shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 k ,SB k) can be connected to the control unit (230) via a signal line. Switch (SA k ,SB k ) can be implemented by combining one or more of known switching devices such as mechanical contactors, field effect transistors (FETs), etc.

[0079] Cell Group (CG) k ) is set as a discharge target, the control unit (230) sets the cell group (CG) k ) connected to two switches (SA) k ,SB k ) can be applied with a turn-on signal (e.g., a voltage pulse greater than a predetermined level) through a signal line to at least one of the two switches (SA). k ,SB k ) can be switched from a turn-off state to a turn-on state in response to a turn-on signal applied by the control unit (230).

[0080] Two discharge loads (RA) k , RB k ) can have predetermined resistance values ​​that are equal or different from each other. The two discharge loads (RA k , RB k ) is conducted alone, compared to the case where two discharge loads (RA) k , RB k ) both generate more heat when conducting. This is because the two discharge loads (RA) k , RB k ) in parallel connection, two discharge loads (RA k , RB k ) decreases, so that a larger current flows at the same voltage, and the amount of heat generated is proportional to the square of the current flowing through the resistor, which is a circuit characteristic.

[0081] Therefore, the control unit (230) controls the cell group (CG) k) in low temperature situations where the two switches (SA) k ,SB k ) and turn on only one of them, the cell group (CG) k ) in situations where the degree of low temperature is higher than that of the two switches (SA k ,SB k ) can both be turned on.

[0082] Two discharge loads (RA) k , RB k ) at least one of the plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) by the overheat prevention member (101) N ) can be physically separated from the

[0083] FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method according to FIG. 4 may be repeatedly performed periodically or aperiodically.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 4, in step S410, the control unit (230) controls a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) from the sensing unit (210). N ) collects each status data.

[0085] In step S420, the control unit (230) controls a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) based on the collected status data. N ) performs a diagnostic procedure to identify whether each has a high temperature abnormality or a low temperature abnormality. In step S420, only one of the procedure for identifying a high temperature abnormality and the procedure for identifying a low temperature abnormality may be executed. A plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) For each, if both the procedure for identifying high temperature anomalies and the procedure for identifying low temperature anomalies are executed, the procedure for identifying high temperature anomalies may precede the procedure for identifying low temperature anomalies.

[0086] In step S420, an operation of recording identification information of each cell group identified as having a high temperature abnormality in a first abnormal list and / or an operation of recording identification information of each cell group identified as not having a high temperature abnormality in a first normal list may be performed. In step S420, an operation of recording identification information of each cell group identified as having a low temperature abnormality in a second abnormal list and / or an operation of recording identification information of each cell group identified as not having a low temperature abnormality in a second normal list may be performed. A plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) may be configured. N ) are each fixedly placed in a unique area within the battery assembly (100), and the identification information for each cell group corresponds to the physical location for each cell group.

[0087] In step S430, the control unit (230) determines whether there is a risk of heat transfer in the battery assembly (100) based on the results of the diagnosis performed in step S420. If the value of step S430 is "Yes," the method according to FIG. 4 may proceed to step S440. If the value of step S430 is "No," the method according to FIG. 4 may proceed to step S432.

[0088] In step S432, the control unit (230) determines whether there is a risk of performance degradation of the battery assembly (100) based on the results of the diagnosis performed in step S420. If the value of step S432 is "Yes," the method according to FIG. 4 may proceed to step S442. If the value of step S432 is "No," the method according to FIG. 4 may be terminated.

[0089] In step S440, the control unit (230) executes the first safety operation. A detailed description of the first safety operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

[0090] In step S442, the control unit (230) executes a second safety operation. A detailed description of the second safety operation will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

[0091] In the flowchart according to FIG. 4, step S430 is described as preceding step S432, but this should be understood as an example. That is, step S432 may precede step S430, or steps S430 and S432 may be executed concurrently.

[0092] If, in step S420, multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) If only the procedure for identifying each high temperature anomaly is executed, steps S432 and S442 may be omitted from the method of FIG. 4. Similarly, in step S420, a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) If only the procedure for identifying each low temperature anomaly is executed, steps S430 and S440 may be omitted from the method of FIG. 4.

[0093] In this specification, a 'high temperature abnormal cell group' refers to a group of cells identified as having a high temperature abnormality, a 'low temperature abnormal cell group' refers to a group of cells identified as having a low temperature abnormality, and a 'normal cell group' refers to a group of cells in which neither a high temperature abnormality nor a low temperature abnormality is identified.

[0094] The control unit (230) can calculate the first abnormality index of each high temperature abnormal cell group and further determine the first abnormality index of at least one normal cell group. In one embodiment, the cell group (CG k ) is the first ideal index of the cell group (CG) k ) may be determined to be equal to or have a predetermined positive correspondence with a temperature measurement, temperature change factor, voltage measurement, voltage change factor, impulse measurement, or impulse change factor of the cell group (CG). In another embodiment, the cell group (CG) k ) is the first ideal index of the cell group (CG)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 of each state parameter or state change factor as a first ideal index can be used as the mathematical operation.

[0095] The control unit (230) can calculate the second abnormality index of each low-temperature abnormal cell group and further determine the second abnormality index of at least one normal cell group. The lower the temperature of the low-temperature abnormal cell group, the higher the second abnormality index of the low-temperature abnormal cell group. In one embodiment, the cell group (CG k ) is the second ideal index of the cell group (CG) k ) may be determined to have a temperature measurement value equal to or having a predetermined negative correspondence to the temperature measurement value. In another embodiment, a cell group (CG) k ) is the second ideal index of the cell group (CG) k ) may be determined to be equal to the difference between the temperature measurement and the reference temperature (e.g., the lower limit of a predetermined normal temperature range), or to have a predetermined negative correspondence to the difference.

[0096] To identify high temperature abnormalities, the control unit (230) controls a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) Based on each state data, multiple cell groups (CG1~CG N) can calculate a state change factor of each at least one state parameter. For example, when the state parameter is 'temperature', at least one of the 'temperature increase amount' or the 'temperature increase rate' for a predetermined period of time can be calculated as the state change factor (i.e., temperature change factor). As another example, when the state parameter is 'voltage', at least one of the 'voltage drop amount' or the 'voltage drop rate' for a predetermined period of time can be calculated as the state change factor (i.e., voltage change factor).

[0097] The control unit (230) comprises a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) N ) each at least one state change factor can be compared to a reference range (different from the reference range to which the state parameters are compared).

[0098] The identification procedure for high temperature abnormalities may be performed based solely on comparison results for a single reference range, or based on comparison results for two or more reference ranges. For example, each cell group whose temperature rise rate falls outside a reference range (for the temperature rise rate) may be identified as having high temperature abnormalities, and the remaining cell groups may be identified as not having high temperature abnormalities. In another example, each cell group whose values ​​for three status parameters (e.g., temperature measurement, temperature rise rate, and voltage drop rate) fall outside three reference ranges associated with the three status parameters may be identified as having high temperature abnormalities, and the remaining cell groups may be classified as normal cell groups.

[0099] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining an example of a set of routines included in step S440 of FIG. 4.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 5, in step S510, the control unit (230) controls a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) based on the first or higher index of at least one cell group, a plurality of cell groups (CG1~CG N) sets at least one cell group as a discharge target. The discharge target setting procedure in step S510 may be performed based on the first abnormality index of each high-temperature abnormal cell group, and may further be performed based on the first abnormality index of at least one normal cell group.

[0101] In one embodiment, each of the high temperature abnormal cell groups may be set as a discharge target, and at least one normal cell group may be set as an additional discharge target. This is because the high temperature abnormal cell group may have a thermal effect on its surrounding area, which may increase the possibility of ignition of the normal cell group adjacent to the high temperature abnormal cell group.

[0102] In another embodiment, among all high temperature abnormal cell groups, only each high temperature abnormal cell group with discharge validity can be set as a discharge target, and at least one normal cell group can be set as an additional discharge target. Cell group (CG k ) discharge effectiveness means that if forced discharge is performed immediately, the cell group (CG) k ) may mean a state where the first abnormal index can be lowered below a certain level. For example, a cell group (CG) k ) has already ignited or in situations where signs of ignition are excessive, the cell group (CG) k ) may not prevent ignition even if forced discharge is performed immediately, or the high temperature abnormality may be aggravated due to forced discharge, so the cell group (CG) k ) can be said to have no discharge validity.

[0103] Each cell group whose first abnormality index is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold may be determined as a high-temperature abnormality cell group. A high-temperature abnormality cell group whose first abnormality index is greater than or equal to a predetermined tolerance (greater than the threshold) may be determined to have no discharge validity. The control unit (230) may exclude each high-temperature abnormality cell group that has no discharge validity from the discharge target.

[0104] The control unit (230) comprises a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) N ) can set at least one normal cell group adjacent to each high temperature abnormal cell group having a first abnormal index exceeding a threshold as a discharge target. Specifically, the control unit (230) can identify the thermal effective area of ​​each high temperature abnormal cell group based on the first abnormal index of each high temperature abnormal cell group. A plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) Each thermal effective area can be predetermined.

[0105] For example, in FIG. 6, which will be described later, the grid of coordinates (3,3) and (4,2) indicated by the dotted line frame may correspond to a sub-region included in the thermal effective area when the first abnormality index of the cell group corresponding to the coordinate (4,2) is 4. A lookup table indicating the correspondence between the first abnormality index and the thermal effective area for each cell group may be pre-recorded in the memory device. The control unit (230) may set each normal cell group located in the thermal effective area of ​​each high-temperature abnormal cell group as a discharge target. In relation to the high-temperature abnormality, information indicating the thermal effective area for each cell group may be pre-recorded in the memory device. The fact that one cell group is arranged in the thermal effective area of ​​another cell group may mean that the two cell groups are adjacent to each other.

[0106] In step S520, the control unit (230) determines an energy consumption rate for each cell group set as a discharge target. The control unit (230) may determine the energy consumption rate of each cell group set as a discharge target based on the first ideal index (or the corrected first ideal index) of each cell group set as a discharge target. In one embodiment, the control unit (230) may apply a predetermined positive correspondence to the first ideal index (or the corrected first ideal index) of each cell group set as a discharge target to determine the duty ratio of the turn-on signal for at least one switch (e.g., SA2) connected to each cell group (e.g., CG2) set as a discharge target. As the duty ratio of the turn-on signal output to at least one switch (e.g., SA2) increases, the turn-on period per unit time of the switch (e.g., SA2) increases, and thus the energy consumption rate of the cell group (e.g., CG2) may become faster. Of course, the energy consumption rate for the discharge target may be predetermined, in which case step S520 may be omitted from the method of FIG. 5.

[0107] In step S530, the control unit (230) outputs a turn-on signal to at least one switch connected to each cell group set as a discharge target. Each cell group set as a discharge target is individually forcibly discharged by step S530, 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.

[0108] The control unit (230) can perform step S510 (discharge target setting procedure) of FIG. 5 by calling the first selection map stored in the memory device. The first selection map may be one stored in advance to prevent heat transfer of the battery assembly (100).

[0109] The first selection map is a group of multiple cells (CG1~CG N) When the first or higher index of at least one cell group is input, multiple cell groups (CG1~CG) N ) may be a set of data tables, a set of functions, or a combination thereof, pre-designed to return identification information for each cell group set as a discharge target.

[0110] For example, the first selection 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 a first abnormality index for each cell group. When one of the data tables corresponding to the input data is output from the first selection map, the control unit (230) may set each cell group indicated in the output data table as a discharge target.

[0111] As another example, the first selection map includes multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) can contain multiple functions that are one-to-one related. Equation 1 below is the k-th cell group (CG k ) is an example of a function that can be included in the first selection map.

[0112] <Formula 1>

[0113]

[0114] In the above equation 1, when k is a natural number less than or equal to N, FA k is the k-cell group (CG) k ) first ideal index, FA k_corrected is the k-cell group (CG) k ) corrected first anomaly index, ΔFA k is the k-cell group (CG) k ) and each of the cell groups other than the k-th cell group (CG k ) represents an index correction value that reflects the thermal proximity between cells. That is, in the above equation 1, the function f1() represents the k-th cell group (CG k ) When the first or higher indices of the (N-1) cell groups other than ΔFA are input, kIt may be predetermined to output. Of course, the k-cell group (CG k ) The first ideal index of each group of (N-1) cells is ΔFA k Those skilled in the art will easily understand that a certain amount of correspondence can be had.

[0115] The first choice map is FA k_corrected If is greater than the threshold, the k-th cell group (CG k ) can output a result value (e.g., identification information of the k-th cell group) indicating that the FA has been set as a discharge target. On the other hand, the first selection map, FA k_corrected If the threshold is less than or equal to the tolerance, the k-cell group (CG) k ) can output a result value indicating that it has been excluded from the discharge target.

[0116] Figures 6 to 9 are drawings for reference in explaining a first selection map used to execute the first safety operation.

[0117] In explaining FIGS. 6 to 9, 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 cell groups (CG1 to CG) within the battery assembly (100). N , N=30) are assumed to individually correspond to the physical locations of the cells. In addition, for each grid, the values ​​(coordinates) in the first line represent the physical locations of the cell groups corresponding to the grid, and the values ​​in the second line represent the first anomaly index of the cell groups corresponding to the grid. In addition, the coordinate (i,j) can correspond to the ((i-1)×n+j)th cell group. For example, if n=5, the coordinate (1,1) corresponds to the first cell group (CG1), and the coordinate (3,2) corresponds to the twelfth cell group (CG 12 ) corresponds to the 10th cell group (CG) and the coordinates (2,5) correspond to the 10th cell group (CG) 10) can be responded to. In addition, it is assumed that the threshold is 2 and the tolerance is 6.

[0118] First, referring to Fig. 6, in the left data table representing input data (601), only the grid corresponding to coordinates (4,3) is shaded. The shaded grid is a cell group (CG) corresponding to the grid. 18 ) indicates that it has a high temperature anomaly, which is confirmed by the fact that, unlike the other grids, the first anomaly index of the grid is 4, which is greater than the critical value of 2.

[0119] Looking at the data table on the right representing the output data (602), the grid corresponding to the coordinate (4,3) is shaded, which is common to the input data (601), but the grid corresponding to the coordinate (4,3) as well as the two grids corresponding to the two coordinates (3,2) and (3,3) are marked with dotted borders. The grids marked with dotted borders represent cell groups set as discharge targets. The two coordinates (3,2) and (3,3) are two cell groups (CG 13 , CG 17 ) may indicate two cell groups (CG). 13 , CG 17 ) is currently in a normal state with no high temperature abnormalities, but the adjacent cell group (CG) 18 ) can be identified as having a high probability of having high temperature abnormalities.

[0120] When output data (602) is output from the first selection map, the control unit (230) selects three cell groups (CG) corresponding to coordinates (4,3), (4,2) and (3,3). 13 , CG 17 , CG 18 ) can be set as a discharge target.

[0121] Next, referring to FIG. 7, in the left data table representing input data (701), only the grid corresponding to coordinates (3,4) is shaded, which is confirmed by the fact that the first ideal index of coordinates (3,4) is 4.

[0122] Looking at the right data table representing the output data (702), the grid corresponding to the coordinate (3,4) is shaded, which is common to the input data (701), but the grid corresponding to the coordinate (3,4) as well as the three grids corresponding to the three coordinates (2,4), (3,3) and (3,5) are marked with dotted borders. That is, the three cell groups (CG9, CG) corresponding to the three coordinates (2,4), (3,3) and (3,5) 13 , CG 15 ) is currently in a normal state, but the cell group (CG) at coordinates (3,4) 14 ) may have been identified as having a high probability of having high temperature abnormalities.

[0123] When comparing Figures 6 and 7, the two input data (601, 701) have in common that only a single cell group with a first anomaly index of 4 has a high temperature anomaly, but the output data (602) has two normal cell groups (CG 13 , CG 17 ) is set as a discharge target, while the output data (702) indicates that three normal cell groups (CG9, CG 13 , CG 15 ) is set as a discharge target. This may be a reflection of the results of a pre-test or pre-simulation in which the influence on the surrounding area varies depending on the physical location of each high-temperature abnormal cell group, even if the number of high-temperature abnormal cell groups and the first abnormality index are the same.

[0124] When output data (702) is output from the first selection map, the control unit (230) selects a single high temperature abnormal cell group (CG) 14 ) and three normal cell groups (CG9, CG13 , CG 15 ) can be set as a discharge target.

[0125] Referring to Fig. 8, in the left data table representing input data (801), two grids corresponding to coordinates (4,3) and (3,4) are shaded. The shaded display of coordinates (4,3) is common to input data (601), and the shaded display of coordinates (3,4) is common to input data (701).

[0126] Looking at the data table on the right representing the output data (802), the two grids are shaded, which are common to the input data (801), and the two grids corresponding to the coordinates (4,3) and (3,4) as well as the four grids corresponding to the coordinates (2,4), (3,3), (3,5), and (4,2) are marked with dotted borders. Here, the dotted borders of the coordinates (3,3) and (4,2) are common to the output data (602), and the dotted borders of the coordinates (2,4), (3,3), and (3,5) are common to the output data (702).

[0127] It is noteworthy that in the output data (802), a dotted line border is displayed on the grid at coordinate (4,4), which was not displayed with a dotted line border in the output data (602) and output data (702). This may reflect the results of a pre-test or pre-simulation that significantly increases the risk of ignition of a group of normal cells positioned in an overlapping area of ​​the thermally effective areas of two or more high-temperature abnormal cell groups. In other words, the coordinate (4,4) may be within the overlapping area of ​​the thermally effective areas associated with the coordinates (4,3) and (3,4).

[0128] When output data (802) is output from the first selection map, the control unit (230) selects two high temperature or higher cell groups (CG 14 , CG 18 ) and five normal cell groups (CG9, CG 13 , CG 15 , CG 17 , CG19 ) can be set as a discharge target.

[0129] Referring to Fig. 9, in the left data table representing input data (901), two grids corresponding to coordinates (4,3) and (3,4) are shaded. The shading of coordinates (4,3) and (3,4) is common to the input data (801). However, the input data (901) differs from the input data (801) in that the first abnormality index of coordinate (4,3) is 7 (exceeding the allowable value of 6).

[0130] Looking at the data table on the right representing the output data (902), the points shaded in the two grids of coordinates (4,3) and (3,4) and the points with dotted borders in the five grids of coordinates (2,4), (3,3), (3,5), (4,2), (4,4) are common to the output data (802).

[0131] The output data (902) differs from the output data (802) in that dotted borders are additionally displayed on the four grids of coordinates (2,3), (5,2), (5,3), and (5,4). In particular, a dotted border is also displayed on the grid of coordinates (2,3), which is separated from the grid of coordinates (4,3) by the grid of coordinates (3,3). This may reflect the results of a pre-test or pre-simulation in which the higher the first abnormality index of a high-temperature abnormal cell group, the higher the risk of fire to other cell groups located in a surrounding area far from the high-temperature abnormal cell group.

[0132] It is noteworthy that, unlike the output data (602, 802) of FIGS. 6 and 8, the grid at coordinate (4,3) of the output data (902) does not have a dotted border. That is, the cell group (CG) corresponding to coordinate (4,3) 18 ) may indicate that it was excluded from the discharge target even though it had a high temperature or higher. This indicates that the cell group (CG) 18) may be due to the absence of the aforementioned discharge validity.

[0133] When output data (902) is output from the first selection map, the control unit (230) selects 10 cell groups (CG8, CG9, CG 13 , CG 14 , CG 15 , CG 17 , CG 19 , CG 22 , CG 23 , CG 24 ) can be set as a discharge target.

[0134] So far, the first safety operation related to high temperature and above has been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. Hereinafter, the second safety operation related to low temperature and above has been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14.

[0135] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for reference in schematically explaining an example of a set of routines included in step S442 of FIG. 4.

[0136] Referring to FIG. 10, in step S1010, the control unit (230) controls a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) based on the second or higher index of at least one cell group, multiple cell groups (CG1~CG N ) sets at least one cell group as a discharge target. The discharge target setting procedure in step S1010 may be performed based on the second abnormality index of each low-temperature abnormality cell group, and may further be performed based on the second abnormality index of at least one normal cell group.

[0137] In one embodiment, each of the groups of low-temperature abnormal cells can be set as a discharge target, and at least one group of normal cells can be set as an additional discharge target.

[0138] In another embodiment, only each low-temperature abnormal cell group with discharge validity among all low-temperature abnormal cell groups can be set as a discharge target, and at least one normal cell group can be set as an additional discharge target.

[0139] The control unit (230) comprises a plurality of cell groups (CG1 to CG) N ) may set at least one normal cell group adjacent to each low-temperature abnormal cell group having a second abnormality index exceeding a threshold as a discharge target. The remaining capacity (or SOC: State Of Charge) of each normal cell group set as a discharge target may be greater than the remaining capacity (or SOC) of each low-temperature abnormal cell group adjacent thereto.

[0140] In step S1020, the control unit (230) determines an energy consumption rate for each cell group set as a discharge target. The energy consumption rate of each discharge target may be determined based on at least one of a second ideal index, a remaining capacity, or a SOC of the discharge target. In one embodiment, the control unit (230) may apply a predetermined positive correspondence to the second ideal index (or a corrected second ideal index) of the cell group (e.g., CG1) set as a discharge target, to determine a duty ratio of a turn-on signal for at least one switch (e.g., SB1) connected to the cell group (e.g., CG1). As the duty ratio of the turn-on signal output to the switch (e.g., SB1) increases, the amount of heat generated by the discharge load (e.g., RB1) conducted by the switch (e.g., SB1) increases, so that the temperature of the cell group (e.g., CG1) can be rapidly increased. Of course, the energy consumption rate for the discharge target may be predetermined, in which case step S1020 may be omitted from the method of FIG. 10.

[0141] In step S1030, the control unit (230) outputs a turn-on signal to at least one switch connected to each cell group set as a discharge target. By individually raising the temperature of each discharge target through step S1030, the low temperature abnormality of each discharge target is resolved, and the temperature can be quickly returned to the normal temperature range.

[0142] The control unit (230) can perform step S1010 (discharge target setting procedure) of FIG. 10 by calling the second selection map stored in the memory device. The second selection map may be stored in advance to prevent performance degradation of the battery assembly (100).

[0143] The second selection map is a group of multiple cells (CG1~CG N ) when a state data set of at least one cell group (see symbols 1101, 1201, 1301, 1401 of FIGS. 11 to 14) is input, multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) may be a set of data tables, a set of functions, or a combination thereof, which are pre-designed to return a result data set (see reference numerals 1102, 1202, 1302, and 1402 of FIGS. 11 to 14) for each cell group set as a discharge target. The state data set may include at least one of a second abnormality index, a remaining capacity, and a SOC. The result data set may include at least one of identification information or switch control information for each cell group set as a discharge target. The switch control information may indicate at least one of a switch number to be turned on or a duty ratio. The switch control information indicates a discharge intensity (e.g., a duty ratio per switch) to be applied to the discharge target.

[0144] For example, the second selection 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 second abnormality index for each cell group. When one of the data tables corresponding to the input data is output from the second selection map, the control unit (230) may set each cell group indicated in the output data table as a discharge target.

[0145] As another example, the second selection map includes multiple cell groups (CG1 to CG N ) can contain multiple functions that are one-to-one related. Equation 2 below is the k-th cell group (CG k ) is an example of a function that can be included in the second selection map.

[0146] <Formula 2>

[0147]

[0148] In the above formula 2, when k is a natural number less than or equal to N, FB k is the k-cell group (CG) k ) second ideal index, FB k_corrected is the k-cell group (CG) k ) corrected second anomaly index, ΔFB k Each cell group other than the k-th cell group and the k-th cell group (CG k ) represents an index correction value that reflects the thermal proximity between cells. That is, in the above equation 2, the function f2() represents the k-th cell group (CG k ) When the second or higher indices of the (N-1) cell group are input, ΔFB k It may be predetermined to output. Of course, the k-cell group (CG k ) The second ideal index of each group of (N-1) cells is ΔFB k Those skilled in the art will easily understand that a certain amount of correspondence can be had.

[0149] The second choice map is FBk_corrected If is greater than the threshold, the k-th cell group (CG k ) can output a result value (e.g., identification information of the k-th cell group) indicating that the FB has been set as a discharge target. On the other hand, the second selection map, FB k_corrected If is less than the threshold, the k-th cell group (CG k ) can output a result value indicating that it has been excluded from the discharge target.

[0150] The discharge intensity of each discharge target determined by the second selection map may be determined based on the state data of at least one of the discharge target or the abnormal cell group adjacent to the discharge target. For example, the temperature of the discharge target may have a predetermined negative correlation with the discharge intensity of the discharge target. As another example, the SOC (or remaining capacity) of the discharge target may have a predetermined positive correlation with the discharge intensity of the discharge target.

[0151] FIGS. 11 to 14 are drawings for reference in explaining a second selection map used to execute a second safety operation.

[0152] In explaining FIGS. 11 to 14, 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 cell groups (CG1 to CG) within the battery assembly (100). N , N=30) are assumed to individually correspond to the physical locations of the cells in the grid. In addition, for each grid, the values ​​(coordinates) in the first line represent the physical locations of the cell groups corresponding to the grid, the values ​​in the second line represent the second anomaly index of the cell groups corresponding to the grid, and the values ​​in the third line represent the SOC of the cell groups corresponding to the grid. The values ​​in the third line may represent the remaining capacity instead of the SOC.

[0153] Also, the coordinate (i,j) can correspond to the ((i-1)×n+j)th cell group. For example, if n=5, the coordinate (1,1) corresponds to the first cell group (CG1), and the coordinate (3,2) corresponds to the twelfth cell group (CG 12 ) corresponds to the 10th cell group (CG) and the coordinates (2,5) correspond to the 10th cell group (CG) 10 ) can respond.

[0154] First, referring to Fig. 11, in the left data table representing input data (1101) as a state data set, only the grid corresponding to coordinates (4,2) is shaded. The shaded grid indicates that the cell group corresponding to the grid has a low temperature anomaly.

[0155] Looking at the data table on the right representing the output data (1102) as a result data set, the grid dp corresponding to the coordinate (4,2) is shaded, which is common to the input data (1101), and a bold border is also displayed. The grid with a bold border indicates that it is set as a discharge target. In addition, the grid corresponding to the coordinate (4,2) has 'A: 30%' added to the fourth line, which may represent switch control information. 'A' in the fourth line may represent the identification number of the switch to be turned on, and '30%' may represent the duty ratio of the turn-on signal.

[0156] When output data (1102) is output from the second selection map, the control unit (230) selects a single cell group (CG) corresponding to the coordinate (4,2) designated as the discharge target in the output data (1102). 17 ) can be executed as a second safety operation to force discharge. For example, the control unit (230) may send a turn-on signal having a duty ratio of 30% to the cell group (CG). 17 ) connected to the switch (SA) 17 ) while outputting a turn-on signal to all the remaining switches of the discharge unit (220).

[0157] Next, referring to Fig. 12, when compared with the input data (1101) of Fig. 11, the shaded point in the grid corresponding to the coordinate (4,2) in the input data (1201) is common, but the second anomaly index is increased from 4 to 6, which is different. That is, the situation in Fig. 12 is a cell group (CG 17 ) is lower than the situation in Fig. 11, so it can be said that the need for temperature increase is higher.

[0158] Compared with the output data (1102) of Fig. 11, the common point is that a bold border is indicated on the grid corresponding to the coordinates (4,2) of the output data (1202) illustrated in Fig. 12. However, the switch control information of the coordinates (4,2) is different in that it has been changed from 'A: 30%' to 'A, B: 40%'. 'A, B: 40%' is switch control information that induces a faster temperature increase than 'A: 30%'. That is, in 'A, B: 40%', 'A' and 'B' may represent the identification numbers of the switches to be turned on, and '40%' may represent the duty ratio of the turn-on signal.

[0159] When output data (1202) is output from the second selection map, the control unit (230) selects a group of cells (CG) designated as a discharge target in the output data (1202). 17 ) can be executed as a second safety operation. For example, the control unit (230) may send a turn-on signal having a duty ratio of 40% to the cell group (CG). 17 ) connected to two switches (SA) 17 , SB 17 ) may be output individually to the switch, while not outputting a turn-on signal to all the remaining switches of the discharge unit (220).

[0160] Next, referring to Fig. 13, the input data (1201) differs from the input data (1101) of Fig. 11 in the shaded points on the two grids corresponding to coordinates (4,2) and (4,3). In addition, when compared to the input data (1101), the input data (1201) has information corresponding to coordinates (4,2) in common, but the information corresponding to coordinates (4,3) shows a higher second anomaly index and a higher SOC compared to the input data (1101).

[0161] Compared with the output data (1102) of Fig. 11, the two grids with bold borders in the output data (1302) shown in Fig. 13 are two cell groups (CG) corresponding to the two coordinates (4,2) and (4,3). 17, CG 18 ) indicates that it has been set as a discharge target.

[0162] Meanwhile, although the state data set of the coordinate (4,2) of the input data (1301) is the same as the state data set of the coordinate (4,2) of the input data (1201), the switch control information of the coordinate (4,2) of the output data (1302) is different from the switch control information of the coordinate (4,2) of the output data (1102). Specifically, in the output data (1302), the switch control information of the grid corresponding to the coordinate (4,2) was changed from 'A: 30%' to 'A: 20%', and 'B: 40%' was added as switch control information to the grid corresponding to the coordinate (4,3).

[0163] When output data (1302) is output from the second selection map, the control unit (230) selects two cell groups (CG) designated as discharge targets in the output data (1302). 17, CG 18 ) can be executed as a second safety operation. For example, the control unit (230) may send a turn-on signal having a duty ratio of 20% to the cell group (CG). 17 ) connected to the switch (SA) 17) and simultaneously outputs a turn-on signal with a duty ratio of 40% to the cell group (CG). 18 ) connected to the switch (SB) 18 ) while outputting a turn-on signal to all the remaining switches of the discharge unit (220).

[0164] Two cell groups (CG) 17 , CG 18 ) have the same second ideal index, but the cell group (CG) 18 ) is applied because (i) the cell group (CG) 18 ) of the SOC is the cell group (CG) 17 ) and (ii) two cell groups (CG 17 , CG 18 ) may be considered as adjacent points. Cell group (CG) 18 ) by applying a higher discharge intensity to the two cell groups (CG 17 , CG 18 ) can suppress the increase in SOC deviation between cell groups (CG) 18 ) provided to the discharge load (RB) 18 ) by the fever of the cell group (CG) 18 ) is elevated, as well as the cell group (CG) 17 ) can also be indirectly heated.

[0165] Next, referring to Fig. 14, when compared with the input data (1101) of Fig. 11, the shaded point in the grid corresponding to the coordinate (4,2) in the input data (1401) is common, and the state data set of the coordinate (4,2) is also the same. However, it is different in that the SOC of the coordinate (3,2) and the coordinate (4,1) of the input data (1401) are higher than the SOC of the coordinate (3,2) and the coordinate (4,1) of the input data (1101). In the input data (1401), there is no shaded mark in the two grids corresponding to the coordinate (3,2) and the coordinate (4,1), which means that the two cell groups (CG) 12, CG 16) may mean that there is no low temperature abnormality.

[0166] Looking at the output data (1402) shown in Fig. 14, there is a group of cells (CG) with low temperature abnormalities. 17 ) has no bold border on the grid at coordinates (4,2), but rather two normal cell groups (CG 12, CG 16 ) are marked with bold borders on the two grids corresponding to coordinates (3,2) and (4,1). That is, the cell group (CG) with low temperature anomalies 17 ) were excluded from the discharge target, while two cell groups (CG) without low-temperature abnormalities 12, CG 16 ) is set as the discharge target.

[0167] The control unit (230) controls a group of cells (e.g., CG) that have a low temperature abnormality. 17 ) at least one group of normal cells (e.g., CG) placed in the thermally effective region 12, CG 16 ) of a cell group (e.g., CG) with a SOC (or remaining capacity) above the low temperature 17 ) is greater than the SOC (or remaining capacity), a group of cells with low temperature anomalies (e.g., CG) 17 ) instead of at least one normal cell group (e.g., CG 12, CG 16 ) can be set as a discharge target.

[0168] The control unit (230) can, if it is possible to resolve the low temperature abnormality of all of the plurality of low temperature abnormal cell groups by forcibly discharging the remaining cell groups except for at least one of the plurality of low temperature abnormal cell groups adjacent to each other, exclude at least one cell group from the discharge target among the plurality of low temperature abnormal cell groups.

[0169] In relation to low-temperature anomalies, information indicating the thermal effective area of ​​each cell group may be pre-recorded in the memory device. The placement of one cell group within the thermal effective area of ​​another cell group may imply that the two cell groups are adjacent to each other.

[0170] For reference, the discharge unit (220) is a cell group (CG) as shown in FIG. 3. k ) provided in the two switches (SA k , SB k ) and two discharge loads (RA k , RB k ), the discharge load (RB) k ) is the discharge load (RA) k ) than the cell group (CG) k ) can be placed close to the discharge load (RB). Therefore, if the duty ratio is constant, the discharge load (RB k ) is a cell group (CG) that conducts k ) may be advantageous for rapid temperature rise.

[0171] The output data (1402) is a cell group (CG) 12 ) is 'B:40%', and the switch control information for the cell group (CG) 16 ) indicates that the switch control information for cell group (CG) is 'A:30%'. Therefore, the cell group (CG) 12 ) for the discharge intensity of the cell group (CG) 16 ) will be easily understood by those skilled in the art to be higher than the discharge intensity.

[0172] When output data (1402) is output from the second selection map, the control unit (230) selects two cell groups (CG) designated as discharge targets. 12 , CG 16 ) can be executed as a second safety operation. For example, the control unit (230) may be configured to control a cell group (CG) 12 ) connected to the switch (SB) 12 ) outputs a turn-on signal with a duty ratio of 40% to the cell group (CG). 16 ) connected to the switch (SA) 16 ) may output a turn-on signal with a duty ratio of 30%, while not outputting a turn-on signal to all the remaining switches of the discharge unit (220).

[0173] Cell Group (CG)17 ) were excluded from the discharge target despite having low temperature abnormalities, while two cell groups (CG 12 , CG 16 ) is set as a discharge target even though there is no low temperature abnormality, because (i) two cell groups (CG 12 , CG 16 ) of the SOC is the cell group (CG) 17 ) or (ii) two cell groups (CG) 12 , CG 16 ) is a cell group (CG) 17 ) may be considered. In addition, two cell groups (CG 12 , CG 16 ) among cell groups (CG) 12 ) is applied to the cell group (CG). 12 ) is the second ideal index of the cell group (CG) 16 ) is less than the second ideal index of the point and cell group (CG) 12 ) is the SOC of the cell group (CG) 16 ) may have been considered to be higher than the SOC.

[0174] When the second safety action based on the output data (1402) is performed, the following advantages are available: First, the three cell groups (CG 12 , CG 16 , CG 17 ) can suppress the increase in SOC deviation between cell groups (CG). Second, the increase in SOC deviation between cell groups (CG) can be suppressed. 17 ) without its own energy consumption, two discharge loads (RB 12 , RA 16 ) by the fever of the cell group (CG) 17 ) can be indirectly heated.

[0175] In summary, the second selection map is a group of multiple cells (CG1 to CG N) may include a plurality of predetermined output data to correspond to a plurality of low-temperature abnormality scenarios that can occur by a combination of individual state data sets. Each of the input data (1101, 1201, 1301, 1401) exemplified in FIGS. 11 to 15 may be used as a kind of search keyword to specify any one of the plurality of low-temperature abnormality scenarios.

[0176] Another embodiment of the present invention can provide a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the various embodiments described above on a computer.

[0177] The program may be implemented as hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware components and software components. The program may be executed by any system capable of executing computer-readable instructions.

[0178] Software may include computer programs, codes, instructions, or any combination thereof, which may configure a processing device to perform a desired operation or may independently or collectively command a processing device.

[0179] Software may be implemented as a computer program comprising instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic storage media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROMs, Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs)). The computer-readable storage media may be distributed across network-connected computer systems, so that computer-readable code may be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The storage media may be readable by a computer, stored in a memory, and executed by a processor.

[0180] Computer-readable storage media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. Here, the term "non-transitory storage media" simply means a tangible device that does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is permanently stored on the storage media and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0181] Additionally, the program may be provided as part of a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between sellers and buyers.

[0182] A computer program product may include a software program or a computer-readable storage medium storing the software program. For example, a computer program product may include a product in the form of a software program (e.g., a downloadable application) distributed electronically by an electronic device manufacturer or through an electronic marketplace. For electronic distribution, at least a portion of the software program may be stored on a storage medium or temporarily generated. In this case, the storage medium may be a storage medium of the electronic device manufacturer's server, an electronic marketplace server, or an intermediary server that temporarily stores the software program.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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.

[0185] 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 sensing unit that generates status data for each of a plurality of cell groups included in a battery assembly; A discharge unit configured to individually open and close a plurality of discharge paths provided to the plurality of cell groups; and A control unit that performs a diagnostic procedure to identify whether each of the plurality of cell groups has a high temperature or low temperature abnormality based on the above status data, The above control unit, Based on the results of the above diagnostic procedure, at least one cell group among the plurality of cell groups is determined to be a discharge target, A battery management system configured to control the discharge unit so that at least one discharge path provided to the discharge target is conductive. In the first paragraph, The above control unit, A battery management system configured to determine the discharge target using a selection map stored in advance for preventing heat transfer of the battery assembly when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of cell groups are identified as having the high temperature or higher. In the first paragraph, The above control unit, A battery management system configured to determine the discharge target using a pre-stored selection map to prevent performance degradation of the battery assembly when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of cell groups are identified as having the low temperature or higher. In the first paragraph, The above control unit, A battery management system configured to determine at least one discharge path to be connected among the two discharge paths based on the state data of each cell group identified as having the low temperature or higher when two discharge paths are provided to the discharge target. In the first paragraph, The above control unit, A battery management system configured to determine a discharge intensity for the discharge target based on the status data of each cell group identified as having the above low temperature abnormality. In the first paragraph, The above discharge unit is, comprising a plurality of first discharge circuits individually connected in parallel to the plurality of cell groups; A battery management system, wherein each of the first discharge circuits includes a first switch and a first discharge load connected in series with each other. In paragraph 6, The above discharge unit is, Further comprising a plurality of second discharge circuits individually connected in parallel to the plurality of cell groups, A battery management system, wherein each of the second discharge circuits includes a second switch and a second discharge load connected in series with each other. In paragraph 7, A battery management system, wherein the second discharge load is placed closer to the cell group than the first discharge load. In paragraph 8, The above control unit, A battery management system configured to turn on at least the first switch among the first switch and the second switch connected to the discharge target when a group of cells identified as having the above high temperature or higher is set as the discharge target. In paragraph 8, The above control unit, A battery management system configured to turn on at least the second switch among the first switch and the second switch connected to the discharge target when a group of cells identified as having the above low temperature or higher is set as the discharge target. A battery system comprising a battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A step of performing a diagnostic procedure for identifying whether each of a plurality of cell groups included in a battery assembly has a high temperature abnormality or a low temperature abnormality based on status data of each of the plurality of cell groups; A step of determining at least one cell group among the plurality of cell groups as a discharge target according to the result of the above diagnostic procedure; and A step of controlling the discharge unit so that at least one discharge path provided to the discharge target is conductive; A battery management method comprising: In Article 12, The step of determining the above discharge target is: A battery management method, wherein, when a predetermined number or more of the above-described cell groups are identified as having the above-described high temperature or higher, the discharge target is determined using a pre-stored selection map to prevent the risk of heat transfer of the battery assembly. In Article 13, The step of determining the above discharge target is: A battery management method for determining the discharge target using a pre-stored selection map to prevent performance degradation of the battery assembly when a predetermined number or more of the plurality of cell groups are identified as having a temperature higher than the low temperature. A computer-readable medium recording a program for executing a battery management method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 on a computer.

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