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 battery monitoring information indicating individual states of a plurality of battery blocks; a switching unit for changing electrical connection states between the plurality of battery blocks; and a control unit for controlling the switching unit on the basis of the battery monitoring information.

Description

Battery Management System and Battery Management Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for protecting a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery blocks from the risk of thermal transfer.

[0002] This application is a priority application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0128993 filed on September 24, 2024 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0120422 filed on August 27, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of said applications are incorporated into this application by reference.

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

[0004] Currently commercialized batteries include nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-zinc, and lithium batteries. Among these, lithium batteries are gaining attention for their advantages, such as the ability to freely charge and discharge with almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Battery packs for battery systems requiring high capacity and high voltage (e.g., electric vehicles or energy storage systems) may include several to hundreds of battery blocks connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel.

[0006] A structure in which battery blocks are closely arranged within a limited space in a battery pack is advantageous for achieving high energy density, but it has the disadvantage that the abnormal condition of some battery blocks can easily have an adverse effect on the remaining battery blocks. For example, if thermal runaway occurs in a specific battery block due to overheating or an internal short circuit, so-called 'thermal propagation' can occur, causing thermal runaway to spread sequentially to other adjacent battery blocks.

[0007] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide an apparatus and method capable of electrically disconnecting at least one battery block having an abnormal state from the remaining battery blocks by monitoring the individual state of a plurality of battery blocks included in a battery pack and changing the electrical connection state between the plurality of battery blocks.

[0008] In addition, the present invention aims to provide an apparatus and method for determining a battery block to be electrically disconnected from a charge / discharge terminal using differential criteria dependent on the usage intensity of the battery pack.

[0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will become more clearly apparent from 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 battery monitoring information indicating the individual state of a plurality of battery blocks, a switching unit that changes the electrical connection state between the plurality of battery blocks, and a control unit that controls the switching unit based on the battery monitoring information.

[0011] The control unit can diagnose the risk of thermal runaway for each of the plurality of battery blocks based on the battery monitoring information. The control unit can control the switching unit according to the diagnosis result of the risk of thermal runaway.

[0012] The control unit above can classify each of the plurality of battery blocks into a first group or a second group based on the diagnostic result.

[0013] The control unit can control the switching unit to electrically separate each battery block of the first group from each battery block of the second group.

[0014] The switching unit can electrically disconnect each battery block of the first group from the charge / discharge terminal. The switching unit can electrically connect each battery block of the second group to the charge / discharge terminal.

[0015] The above control unit can differentially change the grouping criteria for the plurality of battery blocks according to the usage intensity of the battery pack.

[0016] The control unit can classify each abnormal battery block, which is a battery block with a risk of thermal runaway among the plurality of battery blocks, into the first group when the usage intensity of the battery pack is greater than or equal to the upper limit of a predetermined intensity range.

[0017] The control unit can classify each adjacent battery block, which is a battery block adjacent to the abnormal battery block among the plurality of battery blocks, into the first group when the usage intensity of the battery pack is within a predetermined intensity range.

[0018] The control unit can classify each degraded battery block, which is a battery block with a SOH less than a threshold value among the plurality of battery blocks, into the first group when the usage strength of the battery pack is lower than or equal to the lower limit of a predetermined strength range.

[0019] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention includes the battery management system.

[0020] An electric vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes the battery pack.

[0021] A battery management method according to another aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: acquiring battery monitoring information indicating the individual state of a plurality of battery blocks; and controlling a switching unit that changes an electrical connection path between the plurality of battery blocks based on the battery monitoring information.

[0022] The step of controlling the switching unit may include diagnosing the thermal runaway risk of each of the plurality of battery blocks based on the battery monitoring information, and controlling the switching unit according to the diagnosis result of the thermal runaway risk.

[0023] The step of controlling the switching unit may further include the step of classifying each of the plurality of battery blocks into a first group or a second group based on the diagnostic result.

[0024] The step of controlling the switching unit may further include the step of controlling the switching unit to electrically separate each battery block of the first group from each battery block of the second group.

[0025] A computer-readable medium according to another aspect of the present invention records a program for executing the battery management method on a computer.

[0026] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the individual state of a plurality of battery blocks included in a battery pack can be monitored to change the electrical connection state between the plurality of battery blocks. Accordingly, at least one battery block having an abnormal state can be electrically disconnected from the remaining battery blocks, and consequently, the adverse effect that the abnormal state (risk of thermal runaway) of some battery blocks may have on the remaining battery blocks can be reduced.

[0027] In addition, the present invention can determine which battery blocks to be electrically disconnected from the charging / discharging terminals by using differential criteria dependent on the usage intensity of the battery pack. Accordingly, the risk of accidents caused by the sudden electrical disconnection of the majority of multiple battery blocks from the charging / discharging terminals (e.g., an electric vehicle stopping unintentionally due to a sudden decrease / loss of power supplied by the battery pack) can be reduced, and emergency operation of the battery system equipped with the battery pack (e.g., temporary driving to move the electric vehicle to a safe area) can be enabled.

[0028] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.

[0029] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

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

[0031] Figure 2 is a drawing referenced to explain an example of the coupling relationship between the battery block and the sensing unit shown in Figure 1.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a drawing referenced to explain an example of the coupling relationship between the battery block and the switching unit shown in FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a drawing referenced to explain an exemplary configuration of the switching circuit illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a drawing referenced to explain an example of the coupling relationship between the battery block and the discharge part shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] Figure 6 is a drawing referenced to explain another example of the coupling relationship between the battery block and the discharge part shown in Figure 1.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart referenced to schematically explain a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a flowchart referenced to schematically illustrate an example of a set of routines that may be included in step S720 of FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a flowchart referenced to schematically illustrate another example of a set of routines that may be included in step S720 of FIG. 4.

[0039] FIG. 10 is a flowchart referenced to schematically illustrate an example of a set of routines that may be included in step S920 of FIG. 9.

[0040] FIGS. 11 to 14 are drawings referenced to explain the differential grouping procedure related to the method of FIG. 10.

[0041] FIG. 15 is a flowchart referenced to schematically illustrate an example of a set of routines that may be included in step S820 of FIG. 8.

[0042] FIGS. 16 and FIGS. 17 are exemplary data tables referenced to explain the method of FIG. 15.

[0043] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0044] Therefore, 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; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0045] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., are used for the purpose of distinguishing one of the various components from the rest, and are not used to limit the components by such terms.

[0046] Throughout the specification, when a part is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components. Furthermore, terms such as "<unit>" as used in the specification refer to a unit that performs at least one function or operation and may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0047] Additionally, throughout the specification, when it is said that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "indirectly connected" with other components in between.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an electric vehicle including a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1, the electric vehicle (1) may include a battery pack (10), a battery management system (100), a relay (20), a vehicle controller (2), a power converter (30), and an electric load (40). The electric vehicle (1) may further include peripheral devices (50).

[0050] The battery pack (10) comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N , N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), includes a first charge / discharge terminal (P1) and a second charge / discharge terminal (P2).

[0051] In this specification, a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N In explaining the contents common to each, the symbol 'BB' or 'BB' for the battery block k It is decided to assign '. k is a natural number less than or equal to N.

[0052] Multiple battery blocks (BB1~BB N ) can be connected to each other in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel between the first charge / discharge terminal (P1) and the second charge / discharge terminal (P2).

[0053] A battery block (BB) may include a single battery module or two or more battery modules. If the battery block (BB) includes multiple battery modules, the multiple battery modules may be connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel.

[0054] Each battery module may include a single battery cell or an assembly of two or more battery cells. If a battery module includes multiple battery cells, the multiple battery cells may be connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel. In this 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, for example.

[0055] A relay (20) is installed in a power line connecting a battery pack (10) and charging / discharging terminals (P1, P2). In FIG. 1, the relay (20) is illustrated as being connected between the positive terminal of the battery pack (10) and the charging / discharging terminal (P1), but an additional relay (20) connected between the negative terminal of the battery pack (10) and the charging / discharging terminal (P2) may be further included in the electric vehicle (1). The relay (20) is turned on / off in response to a switching signal from a battery management system (100) or a vehicle controller. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the relay (20) may be a mechanical contactor that is turned on / off by the magnetic force of a coil, or a semiconductor switch such as a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor).

[0056] The battery management system (100) includes a control unit (130). The battery management system (100) may further include at least one of a sensing unit (110), a switching unit (120), a communication unit (140), and a discharge unit (150). At least one of the sensing unit (110), the switching unit (120), the communication unit (140), and the discharge unit (150) may be provided as a sub-component of the battery pack (10) instead of being provided as a sub-component of the battery management system (100).

[0057] The sensing unit (110) is a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB) of the battery pack (10). N) Generates battery monitoring information representing each state.

[0058] The sensing unit (110) comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Each of at least one state parameter can be measured periodically or non-periodically, and battery monitoring information representing each measured state parameter can be provided to the control unit (130).

[0059] Battery Block (BB) k The state parameters of ) are the battery block (BB k It may represent the temperature of the battery block (BB) (which may be referred to as 'block temperature'), the cell voltage of each battery cell (BC) included in the battery block (BB), or a secondary parameter (e.g., amount of change, rate of change) that can be derived through the application of a mathematical function therefrom. Of course, in addition to this, the battery block (BB k If it can directly or indirectly indicate the degree of thermal abnormality of ), the type of state parameter is not particularly limited.

[0060] A current sensor (A) is installed in a power line connecting the battery pack (10) and the charging / discharging terminals (P1, P2) to measure the current flowing through the battery pack (10). The current sensor (A) may be included in the sensing unit (110).

[0061] The switching unit (120) comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N It is provided to change the electrical connection path between ). The switching unit (120) will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4.

[0062] The discharge section (150) comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N It is connected to ). The discharge unit (150) responds to a control signal from the control and, in response to the control signal, a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Execute individual energy consumption operations (i.e., forced discharge) for ).

[0063] The control unit (130) can 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.

[0064] The control unit (130) is operably coupled to at least one of the switching unit (120), the sensing unit (110), the communication unit (140), and the discharge unit (150). Being operably coupled to two components means that the two components are connected so that signals can be transmitted and received in either a unidirectional or bidirectional manner.

[0065] The control unit (130) may have a memory device. The memory device may include at least one type of storage medium among flash memory type, hard disk type, SSD type (Solid State Disk type), SSD type (Silicon Disk Drive type), multimedia card micro type, RAM (random access memory; RAM), SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory; ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), and PROM (programmable read-only memory). The memory device may store data and programs required for operation by the control unit (130). The memory device may store data representing the result of operation by the control unit (130).

[0066] The control unit (220) may include one or more memory devices and one or more processors, may be referred to as a ‘battery controller’, etc., and may be manufactured, used and / or sold as an independent device.

[0067] The control unit (130), based on the status data received from the sensing unit (110), has a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N ) determines whether each is abnormal. The control unit (130) determines whether there is an abnormality in each of the plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N If at least one of ) is diagnosed as abnormal, it can be configured to perform at least one safety operation for the battery pack (10).

[0068] For example, the safety operation is a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB NThe operation may include electrically disconnecting at least one of the ) from the remaining battery blocks. As another example, the safety operation includes a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N It may include an operation of forcibly discharging at least one of the energy (which may also be referred to as an 'energy drain').

[0069] The power converter (30) may include at least one of a DC-AC inverter and a DC-DC converter. The power converter (30) may convert direct current power (discharge power) supplied from the battery pack (10) into alternating current power and supply it to an electric load (40) during the discharge of the battery pack (10). The electric load (40) may include a three-phase alternating current motor that generates kinetic energy for driving the electric vehicle (1).

[0070] The control unit (130), based on battery monitoring information, has a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Each state of charge (SOC) can be determined, and the state of health (SOH) can be further determined.

[0071] The SOC of a battery block (BB) is the ratio of the remaining capacity to the maximum capacity (FCC: Full Charge Capacity) of the battery block, and is typically expressed in the range of 0 to 100% or 0 to 1. The remaining capacity represents the amount of charge currently stored in the battery block (BB).

[0072] The State of Health (SOH) of a battery block (BB) is the ratio of the maximum capacity to the design capacity of the battery block (BB), and is typically expressed in the range of 0 to 100% or 0 to 1. The design capacity represents the maximum amount of charge that can be stored in the battery block (BB) when the battery block (BB) is in a new condition. As the battery block (BB) deteriorates, the maximum capacity gradually decreases from the design capacity. Since the SOC and SOH can each be estimated from one or a combination of two or more of various known methods, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0073] The communication unit (140) includes at least one communication circuit that supports wired or wireless communication between the control unit (130) and the vehicle controller (2) and / or peripheral device (50). Wired communication may be, for example, CAN (controller area network) communication, and wireless communication may be, for example, Zeegbee or Bluetooth communication. Of course, as long as wired or wireless communication is supported, the type of communication protocol is not specifically limited to the examples listed above.

[0074] The peripheral device (50) may include vehicle sensor(s) that measure at least one parameter (e.g., vehicle speed, etc.) related to the state of the electric vehicle (1). The peripheral device (50) may include an output device (e.g., display, speaker) that provides information received from the control unit (130) and / or the vehicle controller (2) in a form recognizable by the user. The peripheral device (50) may be driven using direct current power or alternating current power supplied from the power converter (30).

[0075] Although the battery pack (10) and the battery management system (100) are shown as physically independent in FIG. 1, the battery management system (100) may be included as a sub-component of the battery pack (10).

[0076] FIG. 2 is a drawing referenced to explain an example of the coupling relationship between the battery block and the sensing unit illustrated in FIG. 1. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 2 shows a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB) included in a battery pack (10). N Among ), the battery block (BB k Only ) was depicted.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 2, the sensing unit (110) is a battery block (BB k The sensing circuit (SB) provided to ) k ...includes ). Accordingly, the sensing unit (110) includes a plurality of sensing circuits (SB1~SB N Those skilled in the art will easily understand that it may include ).

[0078] Sensing circuit (SB) k ) includes a temperature sensor (TS) and may further include a voltage detection circuit (VS).

[0079] The temperature sensor (TS) is the battery block (BB k Attached to the outer surface of ) or battery block (BB k It is installed at a predetermined point spaced apart from ), and the battery block (BB k Measures the temperature of the battery block (i.e., block temperature). The temperature sensor (TS) measures the temperature of the battery block (BB k A temperature signal indicating the temperature of ) can be generated, and the control unit (130) can collect the temperature signal of the temperature sensor (TS).

[0080] The voltage detection circuit (VS) includes at least one voltage sensor. The voltage detection circuit (VS) includes a battery block (BB k The block voltage of the battery block (BB) can be measured. The block voltage is... k It is the voltage between the two ends of ). The voltage detection circuit (VS) also includes the battery block (BB kThe cell voltage of each battery cell (BC) included in ) can be further measured. The cell voltage is the voltage across the terminals of the battery cell (BC). The voltage detection circuit (VS) is the battery block (BB k A voltage signal representing the block voltage of ) and the cell voltage of the battery cell (BC) is generated, and the control unit (130) can collect the voltage signal of the voltage detection circuit (VS).

[0081] FIG. 3 is a drawing referenced to explain an example of the coupling relationship between the battery block and the switching unit shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a drawing referenced to explain an exemplary configuration of the switching circuit shown in FIG. 3.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the switching unit (120) comprises a plurality of switching circuits (SC1~SC N It may include ) and a plurality of bypass lines (BL1~BL N It may include more ).

[0083] Switching circuit (SC k ) is, battery block (BB k ) electrically connects to the power path between the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2), or the battery block (BB k ) is provided to be electrically isolated from the power path between the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2).

[0084] Switching circuit (SC k ) is, switch (SWA k ) and switch (SWB k It may include ).

[0085] Switch (SWA) k ) is, battery block (BB k-1 The second terminal (e.g., negative terminal) of ) and the battery block (BB k It can be installed in a power path connecting the first terminals (e.g., positive terminals) of the battery block (BB). k The first terminal of ) is the battery block (BB kIt is either the positive terminal or the negative terminal of ), and the battery block (BB k The second terminal of ) is the battery block (BB k It can be one of the positive and negative terminals of ).

[0086] Switch (SWB) k ) is, battery block (BB k-1 The second terminal of ) and the battery block (BB k A bypass path (BL) connecting the second terminals of ) k It can be installed in ).

[0087] Switch (SWA) k ) and switch (SWB k While either of the switching circuits is turned on, the turning on of the other may be prohibited. Switching circuit (SC k ) can be controlled to a first state or a second state.

[0088] The control unit (130) is a battery block (BB k If ) is classified into the first group, the switching circuit (SC k ) can be controlled to the first state.

[0089] The control unit (130) is a battery block (BB k If ) is classified into the second group, the switching circuit (SC k ) can be controlled to a second state.

[0090] Switching circuit (SC k The fact that ) is in the first state means that the switch (SWA k ) is turned off, and the switch (SWB k ) can mean that it is turned on. Switching circuit (SC k The fact that ) is in the second state means that the switch (SWA k ) is turned on, and the switch (SWB k ) can mean that it is turned off.

[0091] Switch (SWA) k When ) is turned on, the battery block (BBk ) can be electrically connected to the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2). Switch (SWA k When ) is turned off, the battery block (BB k ) is electrically isolated from the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2).

[0092] Switch (SWB) k When ) is turned on, the charging and discharging current of the battery pack (10) is the battery block (BB k Instead of ) bypass path (BL k It can flow through ).

[0093] Each battery block classified into the first group comprises a plurality of switching circuits (SC1~SC N Each switching circuit in the first state of ) can be electrically connected to the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2).

[0094] Each battery block classified into the second group comprises a plurality of switching circuits (SC1~SC N Each battery block classified into the first group can be electrically separated by each switching circuit in the second state among ).

[0095] Each switch included in the switching unit (120) can be connected to the control unit (130) via a signal line. As a switch, a known switching device such as a field effect transistor (FET) can be used.

[0096] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the switching unit (120) described above is such that the switching unit (120) comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N This relates to an example of implementation in which at least two series circuits are formed to electrically connect charging and discharging terminals (P1, P2).

[0097] Alternatively, the switching unit (120) comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB NIt may also be implemented to form at least two parallel circuits among ) so as to electrically connect the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2). In this case, the switching unit (120) is a battery block (BB k A switch and battery block (BB) connected between the first terminal and the charge / discharge terminal (P1) of ) k It may include at least one of the switches connected between the second terminal of ) and the charge / discharge terminal (P2). In addition, a plurality of bypass lines (BL1~BL1) shown in FIG. 3 N At least one of ) may be omitted from the switching unit (120).

[0098] FIG. 5 is a reference drawing used to explain an example of the coupling relationship between the battery block and the discharge section illustrated in FIG. 1. For better understanding, FIG. 5 includes the battery block (BB) illustrated in FIG. 3. k ) and sensing circuit (SB k An example was given in which a discharge part (150) is additionally combined with ).

[0099] Referring to FIG. 5, the discharge unit (150) comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Multiple discharge circuits (DU1~DU) individually provided to ) N It may include ).

[0100] Discharge circuit (DU) k ) is, battery block (BB k It can be electrically connected in parallel to ).

[0101] The control unit (130) is a battery block (BB k If ) is identified as an abnormal battery block with a risk of thermal runaway, the discharge circuit (DU k ) can be activated. Specifically, the control unit (130) can activate the switching circuit (SC k While controlling ) to the first state, the discharge circuit (DU k Activate ) and accordingly, the battery block (BB k ) is a discharge circuit (DU kIt can be discharged by ). Discharge circuit (DU k ) may include a series circuit of a discharge load (e.g., resistor element, cooling device) and a switch. In this case, the discharge circuit (DU k Activating ) means that the discharge circuit (DU k It can mean turning on the switch of ).

[0102] FIG. 6 is a diagram referenced to explain another example of the coupling relationship between the battery block and the discharge section illustrated in FIG. 1. For better understanding, FIG. 6 includes the battery block (BB) illustrated in FIG. 3. k ) and sensing circuit (SB k An example was given in which a discharge part (150) is additionally combined with ).

[0103] Referring to FIG. 6, the discharge unit (150) comprises a discharge load (DL) and a plurality of switches (SWC1~SWC N ) and multiple switches (SWD1~SWD N It may include ).

[0104] As the discharge load (DL), for example, a resistor element and / or a cooling device may be used.

[0105] Switch (SWC) k ) is, battery block (BB k It can be connected between the first terminal of the switch (SWD) and one end of the discharge load (DL). k ) is, battery block (BB k It can be connected between the second terminal of ) and the other end of the discharge load (DL). That is, the discharge load (DL) is connected to a pair of switches (SWC k , SWD k Through the battery block (BB k It can be connected in parallel to ).

[0106] Two switches (SWC k , SWD k When ) is turned on, the battery block (BB) is discharged by the discharge load (DL). k ) is discharged. Two switches (SWC k, SWD k When at least one of ) is turned off, the battery block (BB) by the discharge load (DL) k Discharge of ) is not possible.

[0107] FIG. 7 is a flowchart referenced to schematically explain a battery management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method according to FIG. 7 may be repeated periodically or non-periodically.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 7, in step S710, the control unit (130) receives from the sensing unit (110) a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Obtain battery monitoring information indicating the individual status of ).

[0109] In step S720, the control unit (130), based on battery monitoring information, comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Controls the switching unit (120) provided to change the electrical connection path between ).

[0110] FIG. 8 is a flowchart referenced to schematically illustrate an example of a set of routines that may be included in step S720 of FIG. 7.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 8, in step S810, the control unit (130) diagnoses the risk of thermal runaway for each of the plurality of battery blocks based on battery monitoring information.

[0112] The control unit (130) is a battery block (BB k A measurement of at least one state parameter of ) can be compared with a reference range (or reference value). For example, if the state parameter is 'temperature (block temperature)', the reference range for it may represent a predetermined normal temperature range. If, battery block (BB k If the state parameters of ) fall outside the reference range, the battery block (BB k ) may be diagnosed as having a risk of thermal runaway, otherwise the battery block (BB kIt can be diagnosed as having no risk of thermal runaway.

[0113] In step S820, the control unit (130), based on the result of the diagnosis performed in step S810, has a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Each is classified into a first group or a second group. For example, each battery block with a risk of thermal runaway (which may be referred to as an "abnormal battery block") may be classified into the first group, and each battery block without a risk of thermal runaway may be classified into the second group.

[0114] Each battery block of the first group may be prohibited from being used as a discharge power source for the electric vehicle (1). On the other hand, each battery block of the second group may be permitted to be used as a discharge power source for the electric vehicle (1).

[0115] The control unit (130) can distinguish and record the identification information of each battery block classified into a first group and the identification information of each battery block classified into a second group in a memory device. A plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Each of them is fixedly placed in different physical regions within the battery pack (10), and the identification information of a battery block can correspond to a physical region (a kind of address) within the battery pack (10) where the battery block is placed.

[0116] In step S830, the control unit (130) controls the switching unit (120) based on the result of the classification in step S820.

[0117] The switching unit (120) can electrically disconnect each battery block of the first group from each battery block of the second group. The switching unit (120) can electrically connect each battery block of the second group to a charge / discharge terminal. As a result, each battery block of the first group can be electrically disconnected from the charge / discharge terminal (P+, P-).

[0118] FIG. 9 is a flowchart referenced to schematically illustrate another example of a routine set that may be included in step S720 of FIG. 4. For convenience of explanation, in describing the method of FIG. 9, the parts common to the content described above with reference to FIG. 8 will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the differences from the method according to FIG. 8.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 9, in step S910, the control unit (130), based on battery monitoring information, controls a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N ) Diagnose each thermal runaway risk. Step S910 may be substantially the same as Step S810.

[0120] In step S912, the control unit (130) obtains the usage intensity of the battery pack (10). The usage intensity of the battery pack (10) may be a value that directly or indirectly indicates the discharge level required of the battery pack (10) by the electric vehicle (1). For example, the speed of the electric vehicle (1), the discharge current or discharge power of the battery pack (10), etc., may be used as the usage intensity of the battery pack (10). The usage intensity of the battery pack (10) may be notified to the control unit (130) in real time through communication between the communication unit (150) and the vehicle controller (2).

[0121] In step S920, the control unit (130), based on the result of the diagnosis performed in step S910 and the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) obtained in step S912, has a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N Each is classified into the first group or the second group.

[0122] In step S930, the control unit (130) controls the switching unit (120) based on the result of the classification in step S920.

[0123] FIG. 10 is a flowchart referenced to schematically illustrate an example of a set of routines that may be included in step S920 of FIG. 9.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 10, in step S1010, the control unit (130) determines whether the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) is greater than or equal to the upper limit of a predetermined intensity range. The predetermined intensity range may be a range between a first intensity and a second intensity (less than the first intensity). If the value of step S1010 is "Yes," the process may proceed to step S1012. For example, if the speed of the electric vehicle (1) exceeds 60 km / h, the control unit (130) may treat the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) as exceeding the first intensity. If the value of step S1010 is "No," the process may proceed to step S1020.

[0125] In step S1012, the control unit (130) may classify each abnormal battery block, which is a battery block at risk of thermal runaway, into a first group, similar to step S820, and classify each remaining battery block into a second group. An abnormal battery block may refer to a battery block identified as having a risk of thermal runaway.

[0126] In step S1020, the control unit (130) determines whether the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) is within a predetermined intensity range. For example, if the speed of the electric vehicle (1) is greater than 20 km / h and less than or equal to 60 km / h, the control unit (130) may process the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) as being less than or equal to the first intensity and greater than the second intensity. For another example, if the speed of the electric vehicle (1) is less than or equal to 20 km / h, the control unit (130) may process the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) as being less than or equal to the second intensity. A degraded battery block may refer to a battery block having an SOH below a threshold value. If the value of step S1020 is "Yes," the process may proceed to step S1022. If the value of step S1020 is "No," it may indicate that the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) is below the lower limit of the predetermined intensity range. If the value of step S1020 is "No", the process can proceed to step S1030.

[0127] In step S1022, the control unit (130) may classify each abnormal battery block and each adjacent battery block into a first group, while classifying the remaining battery blocks into a second group. An adjacent battery block may refer to a normal battery block adjacent to an abnormal battery block.

[0128] Step S1030 being executed may indicate that the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) is less than or equal to the second intensity. In step S1030, the control unit (130) may classify each abnormal battery block, each adjacent battery block, and each degraded battery block into a first group, while classifying the remaining battery blocks into a second group.

[0129] FIGS. 11 to 14 are drawings referenced to explain differential grouping procedures related to the method of FIG. 10.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 11, a layout (1100) of a battery pack (10) exemplified to have a 6x3 matrix form can be seen. The 18 grids (#1 to #18) of the layout (1100) are a plurality of battery blocks (BB1 to BB2) included in the battery pack (10). 18 It is assumed that it corresponds individually to ). That is, n=18, and #i is the battery block (BB i Indicates the physical location of ).

[0131] A shaded grid in the layout (1100) indicates that the battery block corresponding to the grid is an abnormal battery block identified as having a risk of thermal runaway. In FIG. 11, since two grids (#9, #14) are shaded, two battery blocks (BB9, BB 14 A person skilled in the art would easily understand that each of these is identified as an abnormal battery block.

[0132] The layout (1200) of FIG. 12 illustrates the grouping results when the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) exceeds a first intensity under the situation conditions exemplified in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, the two grids (#9, #14) marked with thick solid lines represent abnormal battery blocks (BB9, BB9) classified into the first group. 14 ...represents ), and each other grid represents a battery block classified into a second group. That is, when the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) exceeds the first intensity, the control unit (130) classifies only each abnormal battery block into the first group, while classifying the remaining battery blocks into the second group. In this case, 16 battery blocks (BB1~BB8, BB 10 ~BB 13, BB 15 ~BB 18 ) is electrically connected to the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2) by the switching unit (120), while the two battery blocks (BB9, BB 14 ) can be electrically disconnected from the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2) by the switching unit (120).

[0133] The layout (1300) of FIG. 13 illustrates the grouping results when the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) is less than or equal to the first intensity and greater than the second intensity under the situation conditions exemplified in FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 13, the thick solid lines marked on two grids (#9, #14) are common to FIG. 12, but it differs from the layout (1200) of FIG. 12 in that thick dotted lines are marked on seven grids (#4, #8, #10, #11, #13, #15, #16). The grids marked with thick dotted lines indicate that the battery block corresponding to that grid has been classified into the first group as an adjacent battery block. Therefore, it can be seen that the first group shown in the layout (1300) of FIG. 13 is expanded compared to the first group shown in the layout (1200) of FIG. 12. The four grids (#4, #8, #10, #16) are adjacent battery blocks (BB4, BB9) of the abnormal battery block (BB9). 8, BB 10, BB 16 ) corresponds to, and the remaining 3 grids (#11, #13, #15) are abnormal battery blocks (BB 94 ) adjacent battery block (BB 11 , BB 13, BB 15 Corresponds to ). In this case, 9 battery blocks (BB1~BB3, BB5~BB 7, BB 12 , BB 17 ~BB 18 ) is not only electrically connected in series (or parallel) by the switching unit (120), but is also electrically connected between the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2), whereas the remaining 9 battery blocks (BB4, BB8~BB 11 , BB 13 ~BB 16 ) can be electrically disconnected from the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2) by the switching unit (120).

[0134] The layout (1400) of FIG. 14 illustrates the grouping result when the usage intensity of the battery pack (10) is less than or equal to the second intensity under the situation conditions exemplified in FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 14, the thick solid lines or thick dotted lines are marked on the nine grids (#4, #8~#11, #13~#16) in common with FIG. 13, but it differs from the layout (1300) of FIG. 13 in that a thick dashed line is additionally marked on the grid (#6).

[0135] Grid (#6) indicates the physical location of the degraded battery block (BB6). The degraded battery block (BB6) is one of two abnormal battery blocks (BB9, BB9) corresponding to the two grids (#9, #14). 14 It corresponds to battery blocks that are not adjacent to ) but have a SOH below the threshold value. In this case, 8 battery blocks (BB1~BB3, BB5, BB 7, BB 12 , BB 17 ~BB 18 ) is connected in series (or parallel) by a switching unit (120) and electrically connected between charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2), whereas 10 battery blocks (BB4, BB6, BB8~BB 11 , BB 13 ~BB 16 ) can be electrically disconnected from the charge / discharge terminals (P1, P2) by the switching unit (120). For reference, FIG. 14 shows a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N This applies to cases where the SOH of only the battery block (BB6) among them is below the threshold value, but if there are two or more degraded battery blocks, they can all be classified into the first group.

[0136] FIG. 15 is a flowchart referenced to schematically illustrate an example of a set of routines that may be included in step S820 of FIG. 8, and FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are exemplary data tables referenced to illustrate the method of FIG. 15.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 15, in step S1510, the control unit (130) comprises a plurality of battery blocks (BB1~BB N ) A correction table corresponding to the diagnosis result of each thermal runaway risk is read from the memory device. Multiple pre-prepared correction tables may be recorded in the memory device. Specifically, multiple battery blocks (BB1~BB N Among ), multiple correction tables (sets of data tables) individually corresponding to situations ranging from one to (N-1) abnormal battery blocks may be stored in a memory device. For reference, multiple battery blocks (BB1~BB N The total number of correction tables individually associated with abnormal situations that ) may have can be equal to the following formula.

[0138] <Formula>

[0139]

[0140] In the above formula, N DT can be the total number of correction tables.

[0141] FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate two correction tables (1600, 1700) corresponding to two different diagnostic results. For better understanding, the two correction tables (1600, 1700) are also shown in the form of a 6x3 matrix, similar to the layout (1100) shown in FIG. 11.

[0142] The correction table (1600) of FIG. 16 corresponds to a situation where only the battery block (BB9) is identified as an abnormal battery block. Those skilled in the art will easily understand that if only a battery block other than the battery block (BB9) is an abnormal battery block, a correction table other than the correction table (1600) can be read from the memory device.

[0143] The correction table (1700) of FIG. 17 is two battery blocks (BB9, BB 14This corresponds to a situation where ) is identified as an abnormal battery block. Likewise, two battery blocks (BB9, BB) as abnormal battery blocks. 14 A person skilled in the art will easily understand that if at least one of the ) is replaced with another battery block, a correction table other than the correction table (1700) can be read from the memory device.

[0144] Each correction table may have a predetermined correction weight recorded therein, which represents the temperature influence of the abnormal battery block(s) on each remaining battery block after the abnormal battery block(s) have been excluded.

[0145] In step S1520, the control unit (130) obtains a correction weight for each normal battery block from the correction table read out in step S1510.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 16, a relatively large correction weight is assigned to an area relatively close to the abnormal battery block (BB9), and conversely, a relatively small correction weight is assigned to an area relatively far from the battery block (BB9). For example, in the correction table (1600), a correction weight of 0.20 is assigned to a battery block (e.g., BB8) immediately adjacent to the battery block (BB9), and a correction weight of 0.02, which is smaller than 0.20, is assigned to a battery block (e.g., BB1) placed far away.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 17, two abnormal battery blocks (BB9, BB 14 Battery blocks located between ) (e.g., BB 10In ), a correction weight of 0.25 is assigned, which is relatively larger than the value of 0.20 in the correction table (1600). Additionally, based on the same grid, the value of the correction table (1700) is greater than the value of the correction table (1600), which can be seen as reflecting the tendency for the thermal risk to other surrounding battery blocks to increase by one more abnormal battery block.

[0148] In step S1530, the control unit (130) applies a correction weight of the normal battery block to the state parameter of each normal battery block to correct the state parameter of each normal battery block.

[0149] For example, the block temperature is used as a state parameter, and as shown in FIG. 11, two battery blocks (BB9, BB 14 Let's assume that ) is an abnormal battery block. If, the battery block (BB 10 If the block temperature of ) is 45℃, a correction weight of 0.25 obtained from the correction table (1700) is applied to 45℃, so that the battery block (BB 10 10℃ can be calculated as a correction amount for ). Accordingly, the battery block (BB 10 The state parameter of ) can have a correction amount of 10℃ added to 45℃. That is, the battery block (BB 10 The corrected state parameter of ) can be 55℃. The state parameter of each of the remaining battery blocks can also be corrected in the same way.

[0150] The control unit (130) may additionally classify a normal battery block into a first group if the corrected state parameter of the normal battery block deviates from a reference range or is greater than a reference value. For example, if the reference value used to identify the risk of thermal runaway is 50°C, two battery blocks (BB9, BB 14 ) as well as the normal battery block (BB 10 ) can also be classified into the first group.

[0151] Another embodiment of the present invention may provide a computer-readable medium having a program recorded thereon for executing the various embodiments described above on a computer.

[0152] A program may be implemented as hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware and software components. A program may be executed by any system capable of executing computer-readable instructions.

[0153] Software may include computer programs, code, instructions, or a combination thereof, and may configure a processing unit to operate as desired or command the processing unit independently or collectively.

[0154] Software may be implemented as a computer program containing instructions stored on a computer-readable storage media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random-access memory), floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)). Computer-readable storage media may be distributed across networked computer systems, allowing computer-readable code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The storage media may be readable by a computer (one or more processors), stored in memory (one or more memory devices), and executed by a computer (one or more processors).

[0155] Computer-readable media may be provided in the form of non-transitory recording media. Here, 'non-transitory storage media' simply means that it is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily. For example, 'non-transitory storage media' may include a buffer in which data is stored temporarily.

[0156] In addition, the program may be provided as part of a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between a seller and a buyer as goods.

[0157] A computer program product may include a software program or a computer-readable recording medium on which the software program is stored. For example, a computer program product may include a product in the form of a software program that is distributed electronically through a manufacturer of an electronic device or an electronic market (e.g., a downloadable application). For electronic distribution, at least a portion of the software program may be stored on a recording medium or temporarily created. In this case, the recording medium may be a server of the manufacturer of the electronic device, a server of the electronic market, or a recording medium of a relay server that temporarily stores the software program.

[0158] The embodiments of the present invention described above are not limited to implementation 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 such a program is recorded. Such implementation can be easily achieved by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, based on the description of the embodiments described above.

[0159] Although the present invention has been described above by 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 spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0160] Furthermore, since the present invention described above allows for various substitutions, modifications, and changes within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention, it is not limited by the aforementioned embodiments and attached drawings, but rather all or part of each embodiment may be selectively combined to allow for various modifications.

Claims

1. A sensing unit that generates battery monitoring information indicating the individual status of multiple battery blocks; A switching unit that changes the electrical connection state between the plurality of battery blocks; and A control unit that controls the switching unit based on the battery monitoring information above; A battery management system including 2. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit is, Based on the above battery monitoring information, the risk of thermal runaway for each of the plurality of battery blocks is diagnosed, and A battery management system that controls the switching unit according to the diagnosis result of the above thermal runaway risk.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above control unit is, A battery management system that classifies each of the plurality of battery blocks into a first group or a second group based on the above diagnostic results.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above control unit is, A battery management system that controls the switching unit to electrically separate each battery block of the first group from each battery block of the second group.

5. In Paragraph 3, The above switching unit is, Each battery block of the first group above is electrically separated from the charge / discharge terminals, and A battery management system that electrically connects each battery block of the second group above to the charge / discharge terminals.

6. In Paragraph 3, The above control unit is, A battery management system that differentially changes the grouping criteria for the plurality of battery blocks according to the usage intensity of the battery pack.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above control unit is, A battery management system that classifies each abnormal battery block, which is a battery block with a risk of thermal runaway among the plurality of battery blocks, into the first group when the usage intensity of the battery pack is greater than or equal to the upper limit of a predetermined intensity range.

8. In Paragraph 6, The above control unit is, A battery management system that classifies each adjacent battery block, which is a battery block adjacent to the abnormal battery block among the plurality of battery blocks, into the first group when the usage strength of the battery pack is within a predetermined strength range.

9. In Paragraph 6, The above control unit is, A battery management system that classifies each degraded battery block, which is a battery block with a SOH less than a threshold value among the plurality of battery blocks, into the first group when the usage strength of the battery pack is lower than or equal to the lower limit of a predetermined strength range.

10. A battery pack comprising a battery management system according to any one of paragraphs 1 through 9.

11. An electric vehicle including a battery pack pursuant to Paragraph 10.

12. A step of acquiring battery monitoring information indicating the individual status of a plurality of battery blocks; and A step of controlling a switching unit that changes the electrical connection path between the plurality of battery blocks based on the battery monitoring information above; A battery management method including 13. In Paragraph 12, The step of controlling the above-mentioned switching unit is, A step of diagnosing the risk of thermal runaway for each of the plurality of battery blocks based on the battery monitoring information; and A battery management method comprising the step of controlling the switching unit according to the diagnosis result of the above-mentioned thermal runaway risk.

14. In Paragraph 13, The step of controlling the above-mentioned switching unit is, A battery management method further comprising the step of classifying each of the plurality of battery blocks into a first group or a second group based on the above diagnostic results.

15. In Paragraph 14, The step of controlling the above-mentioned switching unit is, A battery management method further comprising the step of controlling the switching unit to electrically separate each battery block of the first group from each battery block of the second group.

16. A computer-readable medium storing a program for executing a battery management method according to any one of paragraphs 12 through 15 on a computer.

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