Apparatus and method for sorting battery

Abstract

An apparatus for sorting a battery, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a profile acquisition unit for acquiring a differential profile that represents a corresponding relationship between voltages and differential capacities of a plurality of batteries; and a control unit for determining a target peak in respective differential profiles, dividing the plurality of batteries into one or more groups on the basis of the voltages of the determined plurality of target peaks, and setting the grade of a plurality of target batteries belonging to a target group from among the one or more groups.

Description

Battery classification device and method

[0001] This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0151111 filed on October 30, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of said application are incorporated into this application by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery classification device and method.

[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 having almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, allowing for free charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] However, as batteries are used, their performance deteriorates compared to batteries in the BOL (Beginning of Life) state. Furthermore, as technological advancements expand the fields in which batteries are used, the number of degraded batteries (hereinafter referred to as waste batteries) is also increasing. Disposing of waste batteries requires significant resources and manpower, and the generation of toxic substances creates environmental problems. Therefore, simply disposing of waste batteries as is can cause significant environmental and economic issues.

[0006] However, even if they are waste batteries, their utility can vary depending on the application. For example, even waste batteries that have low utility due to performance degradation in electric vehicles can still have high utility in ESS (Energy storage system), etc.

[0007] Furthermore, reusing spent batteries can reduce carbon emissions associated with the production of new batteries or recycling. For example, when new batteries are produced to replace spent ones, significant greenhouse gases are emitted during processes such as the extraction and processing of raw materials and battery manufacturing. Additionally, substantial greenhouse gases are emitted due to physical and chemical treatments during the recycling process of extracting materials such as lithium and nickel from spent batteries.

[0008] Therefore, reusing waste batteries can create significant environmental, economic, and social value.

[0009] However, using waste batteries with significantly different conditions together may lead to unexpected problems (e.g., inrush current) and reduce overall usage efficiency. Therefore, to reuse waste batteries, it is necessary to accurately diagnose their current condition. Furthermore, appropriate classification of the batteries to be reused is required, taking into account their current state, so that batteries in identical or similar conditions can be reused together.

[0010] The present invention is devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a battery classification device and method capable of appropriately classifying a plurality of batteries by reflecting the current state.

[0011] 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.

[0012] A battery classification device according to one aspect of the present invention may include: a profile acquisition unit configured to acquire a differential profile representing a corresponding relationship between the voltage and differential capacity of a plurality of batteries; and a control unit configured to determine a target peak in each of the plurality of differential profiles, classify the plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of the determined plurality of target peaks, and set a grade of a plurality of target batteries belonging to a target group among the one or more groups.

[0013] The control unit may be configured to set the grade of the plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity of the plurality of target batteries.

[0014] The control unit may be configured to set a plurality of differential capacity ranges for the target group based on the differential capacity of the plurality of target batteries, and to set a grade for each of the plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity range to which the differential capacity of the plurality of target batteries belongs.

[0015] The control unit may be configured to select the maximum differential capacity and the minimum differential capacity of the plurality of target batteries, and to divide the differential capacity range including the maximum differential capacity to the minimum differential capacity into a preset number of the plurality of differential capacity ranges.

[0016] The control unit above may be configured to separate batteries into the group such that the voltage difference of the target peak is below a preset threshold voltage.

[0017] The control unit may be configured to determine a plurality of target peaks in each of a plurality of differential profiles and to classify the plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of the determined plurality of target peaks.

[0018] The control unit above may be configured to separate batteries into groups such that the voltage difference between each of the plurality of target peaks is below a preset threshold voltage.

[0019] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention may include a plurality of batteries of the same grade set by a battery classification device according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0020] A battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention may further include a Battery Management System (BMS) configured to determine a charge / discharge profile corresponding to the grade of the plurality of batteries included in the battery pack among a plurality of preset charge / discharge profiles, and to control the charge / discharge of the plurality of batteries included in the battery pack according to the determined charge / discharge profile.

[0021] A battery classification method according to another aspect of the present invention may include: a profile acquisition step of acquiring a differential profile representing a correspondence relationship between the voltage and differential capacity of a plurality of batteries; a target peak determination step of determining a target peak in each of the plurality of differential profiles; a group classification step of classifying the plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of the determined plurality of target peaks; and a grade setting step of setting a grade of a plurality of target batteries belonging to a target group among the one or more groups.

[0022] A computer-readable recording medium according to another aspect of the present invention may store a program for executing a battery classification method comprising: a profile acquisition step of acquiring a differential profile representing a correspondence relationship between the voltage and differential capacity of a plurality of batteries; a target peak determination step of determining a target peak in each of the plurality of differential profiles; a group classification step of classifying the plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of the determined plurality of target peaks; and a grade setting step of setting a grade of a plurality of target batteries belonging to a target group among the one or more groups.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery classification device has the advantage of being able to classify a plurality of batteries more accurately and effectively by determining the degree of similarity of the current state based on the voltage and differential capacity of the target peak.

[0024] 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.

[0025] The following drawings attached to this specification serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the invention in conjunction with the detailed description of the invention set forth below; therefore, the invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery classification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are schematic diagrams illustrating differential profiles of a plurality of batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery classification method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0031] 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.

[0032] In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions may obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Throughout the specification, when a part is described as "including" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0035] 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.

[0036]

[0037] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery classification device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery classification device (100) may include a profile acquisition unit (110) and a control unit (120).

[0040] Here, a battery refers to a single independent cell that is physically separable and equipped with a negative terminal and a positive terminal. For example, a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-polymer battery may be considered a battery. Additionally, the type of battery may be cylindrical, prismatic, or pouch type. Furthermore, a battery may refer to a battery bank, battery module, or battery pack in which a plurality of cells are connected in series and / or parallel.

[0041] The profile acquisition unit (110) may be configured to acquire a differential profile that represents the corresponding relationship between the voltage and differential capacity of a plurality of batteries.

[0042] Here, the differential capacity (dQ / dV) is the value obtained by differentiating the capacity (Q) with respect to the voltage (V). For example, if a battery profile representing the relationship between the battery's voltage and capacity is differentiated with respect to voltage, a differential profile representing the relationship between the battery's voltage and differential capacity can be generated. In other words, the differential profile can be described as a profile obtained by differentiating the battery profile with respect to voltage.

[0043] For example, a battery profile is a profile that represents the correspondence between voltage (V) and capacity (Q) when the battery's SOC is charged from a preset starting charge SOC or 0% to a preset ending charge SOC or 100%. As another example, the battery profile may represent the correspondence between voltage (V) and capacity (Q) when the battery's SOC is discharged from a preset starting discharge SOC or 100% to a preset ending discharge SOC or 0%. Here, there are no specific restrictions on the C-rate during charging or discharging for generating the battery profile. However, preferably, to obtain a more accurate battery profile and differential profile, the battery must be charged or discharged at a low rate. For example, a battery profile can be generated during the process of charging or discharging the battery at 0.05C. Then, by differentiating the battery profile with respect to voltage, a differential profile representing the correspondence between voltage (V) and differential capacity (dQ / dV) can be generated.

[0044] FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are schematic diagrams illustrating differential profiles of a plurality of batteries according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, the differential profile can be represented as an XY graph where the X-axis is set to voltage (V) and the Y-axis is set to differential capacity (dQdV). However, it should be noted that there are no restrictions on the format for representing the differential profile as long as a corresponding relationship between the differential capacity and voltage of the battery is shown.

[0046] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can directly receive a differential profile from an external source connected via wired and / or wireless connection.

[0047] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can directly receive a battery profile from an external source connected via wired and / or wireless connection. Additionally, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a differential profile by differentiating the battery profile with respect to voltage.

[0048] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can receive battery information regarding the voltage and capacity of the battery. Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a battery profile based on the received battery information and generate a differential profile based on the generated battery profile. That is, the profile acquisition unit (110) can acquire a differential profile by directly generating a differential profile based on the battery information.

[0049] The profile acquisition unit (110) can be connected to communicate with the control unit (120). For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can be connected to the control unit (120) via wired and / or wireless connections. The profile acquisition unit can transmit the acquired differential profile to the control unit (120).

[0050] The control unit (120) can be configured to determine a target peak in each of the plurality of differential profiles.

[0051] Specifically, the control unit (120) can determine a target peak in each of the plurality of differential profiles received from the profile acquisition unit (110). For example, when the control unit (120) receives n differential profiles from the profile acquisition unit (110), the control unit (120) can determine a target peak in each of the n differential profiles.

[0052] A peak is an upwardly convex point in a derivative profile, representing a maximum point of the derivative profile. For example, when a derivative profile is represented as an XY graph, a peak is the point in the derivative profile where the slope is zero. Also, the slope of the derivative profile can change from positive to negative relative to the peak. Furthermore, a derivative profile may contain multiple peaks.

[0053] A target peak refers to a peak among the peaks included in a differential profile that meets a preset condition. For example, if the target peak is preset as the peak with the smallest corresponding voltage among a plurality of peaks, the control unit (120) can determine the peak with the smallest corresponding voltage in each of the plurality of differential profiles as the target peak. As another example, if the target peak is preset to include all of the plurality of peaks, the control unit (120) can determine the plurality of peaks included in each of the plurality of differential profiles as the target peak.

[0054] Specifically, FIG. 2 is an embodiment in which the target peak is preset as the peak with the smallest corresponding voltage among a plurality of peaks. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the peak marked with "●" corresponds to the target peak. Each of the plurality of differential profiles includes at least three peaks, but the control unit (120) can determine the peak with the smallest corresponding voltage as the target peak according to a preset rule.

[0055] The control unit (120) may be configured to divide a plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of a plurality of determined target peaks.

[0056] Specifically, the control unit (120) can group multiple batteries by comparing the voltages of multiple determined target peaks with each other.

[0057] Preferably, the control unit (120) may be configured to group batteries such that the voltage difference of the target peak is below a preset threshold voltage.

[0058] For example, the control unit (120) can group batteries with the same target peak voltage. Here, the threshold voltage can be pre-set to 0. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, batteries with a target peak voltage of v1 are grouped into one group. The minimum derivative capacity of this group is v1d1 and the maximum derivative capacity is v1d2.

[0059] As another example, the control unit (120) can calculate the voltage difference between a plurality of target peaks and group batteries whose calculated voltage difference is below a threshold voltage. Here, the threshold voltage can be pre-set to a value greater than 0. That is, the control unit (120) can group batteries that do not have a large difference in voltage between target peaks into one group, even if the voltages of the target peaks are not identical. For example, the threshold voltage can be pre-set to 0.01V, and batteries with a voltage difference of 0.01V or less can be grouped into one group.

[0060] The control unit (120) may be configured to set the grade of a plurality of target batteries belonging to a target group among one or more groups.

[0061] Here, the target group refers to the group selected among multiple groups to set the battery grade. For example, the target group can be selected sequentially from multiple groups. As another example, the target group can be selected as the group with the largest number of batteries among multiple groups. As yet another example, the target group can be selected sequentially from among multiple groups where the number of batteries is greater than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0062] Furthermore, the grade serves as an indicator of the battery's condition, and the battery's condition can be classified into a predetermined number of grades. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the battery grades described below are classified as Grade A, Grade B, or Grade C. Here, Grade A indicates the best condition, Grade B indicates an average condition, and Grade C indicates the worst condition.

[0063] Specifically, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the grade of a plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity of a plurality of target batteries.

[0064] First, the control unit (120) may be configured to set a differential capacity range for a target group based on the differential capacity of a plurality of target batteries.

[0065] Specifically, the control unit (120) can select the maximum derivative capacity and the minimum derivative capacity of a plurality of target batteries. Additionally, the control unit (120) can set the range between the minimum derivative capacity and the maximum derivative capacity as the derivative capacity range for the plurality of target batteries.

[0066] For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a battery with a target peak voltage of v1 is assumed to be the target battery. Among the differential capacities of the plurality of target batteries, the minimum differential capacitance is v1d1 and the maximum differential capacitance is v1d2. The control unit (120) can set the interval from v1d1 to v1d2 as the differential capacitance interval for the plurality of target batteries.

[0067] And, the control unit (120) may be configured to set a plurality of differential capacity ranges based on the set differential capacity range.

[0068] Specifically, the control unit (120) may be configured to divide a differential capacity range (i.e., a differential capacity range for a plurality of target batteries) including a maximum differential capacity to a minimum differential capacity into a preset number of differential capacity ranges. Preferably, the control unit (120) may divide the set differential capacity range into a preset number of differential capacity ranges. For example, the control unit (120) may allocate the set differential capacity range into a plurality of differential capacity ranges of the same size.

[0069] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, assuming that the preset number is 3, the control unit (120) can divide the differential capacity range for a plurality of target batteries into 3 differential capacity ranges. Specifically, the control unit (120) can set a first differential capacity range of v1d4 or more and v1d2 or less, set a second differential capacity range of v1d3 or more and less than v1d4, and set a third differential capacity range of v1d1 or more and less than v1d3.

[0070] Preferably, a plurality of differential capacity ranges can be set to a higher grade as the corresponding differential capacity increases. Specifically, as the differential capacity of the target peak decreases as the battery degrades, the control unit (120) can set the grade of the differential capacity range to a higher grade as the corresponding differential capacity increases.

[0071] Here, the derivative capacity corresponding to the derivative capacity interval may be a value that represents the derivative capacity interval and is set to distinguish the derivative capacity interval from other derivative capacity intervals. For example, the derivative capacity corresponding to the derivative capacity interval may be set as the upper limit, lower limit, middle value, or average value of the derivative capacity interval.

[0072] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit (120) may set the grade corresponding to the first differential capacity section as Grade A, the grade corresponding to the second differential capacity section as Grade B, and the grade corresponding to the third differential capacity section as Grade C.

[0073] And, the control unit (120) may be configured to set the grade of each of the plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity range to which the differential capacity of the plurality of target batteries belongs.

[0074] Specifically, the control unit (120) can set the grade of each of the plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity range to which each of the plurality of target batteries belongs.

[0075] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, among a plurality of target batteries, the grade of a target battery belonging to the first differential capacity range (a range of v1d4 or more and v1d2 or less) is set to Grade A, the grade of a target battery belonging to the second differential capacity range (a range of v1d3 or more and less than v1d4) is set to Grade B, and the grade of a target battery belonging to the third differential capacity range (a range of v1d1 or more and less than v1d3) can be set to Grade C.

[0076] A battery classification device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can primarily classify a plurality of target batteries among a plurality of batteries based on the voltage of a target peak, and secondarily set the grade of a plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity of the target peak. That is, the battery classification device (100) has the advantage of being able to classify a plurality of batteries more accurately and effectively by determining the degree of similarity of the current state based on the voltage of the target peak and the differential capacity.

[0077]

[0078] Meanwhile, the profile acquisition unit (110) and / or control unit (120) provided in the battery classification device (100) may optionally include a processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, communication modems, data processing devices, etc., known in the art, to execute various control logics performed in the present invention. Additionally, when the control logic is implemented in software, the profile acquisition unit (110) and / or control unit (120) may be implemented as a set of program modules. In this case, the program modules may be stored in memory and executed by the profile acquisition unit (110) and / or control unit (120). The memory may be located inside or outside the profile acquisition unit (110) and / or control unit (120) and may be connected to the profile acquisition unit (110) and / or control unit (120) by various well-known means.

[0079] Additionally, the battery classification device (100) may further include a storage unit (130). The storage unit (130) may store data or programs necessary for each component of the battery classification device (100) to perform operations and functions, or data generated during the process of performing operations and functions. The storage unit (130) is not subject to any special restrictions on its type as long as it is a known information storage means capable of recording, erasing, updating, and reading data. As an example, the information storage means may include RAM, flash memory, ROM, EEPROM, registers, etc. Additionally, the storage unit (130) may store program codes that define processes executable by each component of the battery classification device (100).

[0080]

[0081] The following describes an example in which multiple target peaks are determined in each of multiple differential profiles.

[0082] The control unit (120) may be configured to determine a plurality of target peaks in each of a plurality of differential profiles.

[0083] Specifically, FIG. 3 is an embodiment in which the target peak is preset as a plurality of peaks.

[0084] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the peak marked with "●" is the first target peak with the smallest corresponding voltage, the peak marked with "■" is the second target peak with the middle corresponding voltage, and the peak marked with "▲" is the third target peak with the largest corresponding voltage. Each of the plurality of differential profiles includes three peaks, and the control unit (120) can determine all three peaks included in each differential profile as target peaks.

[0085] The control unit (120) may be configured to divide a plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of a plurality of determined target peaks.

[0086] Specifically, the control unit (120) can determine a group of multiple batteries by considering the voltage of each of the multiple target peaks. That is, in order to classify the multiple batteries more accurately, the control unit (120) can distinguish the group of multiple batteries by considering all of the multiple target peaks.

[0087] For example, the control unit (120) can group batteries in which the voltage of each of the plurality of target peaks is the same. Here, the threshold voltage can be pre-set to 0. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, batteries in which the voltage of the first target peak is v1, the voltage of the second target peak is v2, and the voltage of the third target peak is v3 are grouped into one group. The minimum derivative capacity corresponding to the first target peak of this group is v1d1 and the maximum derivative capacity is v1d2. And, the minimum derivative capacity corresponding to the second target peak of this group is v2d1 and the maximum derivative capacity is v2d2. Finally, the minimum derivative capacity corresponding to the third target peak of this group is v3d1 and the maximum derivative capacity is v3d2.

[0088] As another example, the control unit (120) can group batteries in which the voltage difference of each of a plurality of target peaks is less than or equal to a preset threshold voltage. Here, the threshold voltage can be preset to a value greater than 0. That is, the control unit (120) can group batteries in which the difference in voltage of the target peaks is not large, even if at least one of the voltages of the plurality of target peaks is not the same. For example, the threshold voltage can be set to 0.01V, and batteries in which the voltage difference is 0.01V or less can be grouped together.

[0089] In addition, the control unit (120) can set the grade of a plurality of target batteries belonging to the same group. Here, the control unit (120) can set the grade of a plurality of target batteries for each corresponding target peak.

[0090] For example, if there are m target peaks, the control unit (120) can set a total of m grades for each of the plurality of target batteries. Specifically, the control unit (120) can set a first grade corresponding to the first target peak, a second grade corresponding to the second target peak, and a m grade corresponding to the m target peak for each of the plurality of target batteries.

[0091] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the differential capacitance intervals corresponding to each target peak are divided into three. The control unit (120) can divide the differential capacitance intervals (v1d1 to v1d2) corresponding to the first voltage (v1) among the plurality of first target peaks (peaks marked with ●) into three differential capacitance intervals. Then, the control unit (120) can set the first grade of the divided plurality of differential capacitance intervals as Grade A1, Grade B1, or Grade C1. Here, the control unit (120) can set the first grade of the divided plurality of differential capacitance intervals as Grade A1, Grade B1, or Grade C1 in order of increasing differential capacitance. For example, referring to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control unit (120) may set the first grade of the first differential capacity range (a range of v1d4 or more and v1d2 or less) to grade A, set the first grade of the second differential capacity range (a range of v1d3 or more and less than v1d4) to grade B, and set the first grade of the third differential capacity range (a range of v1d1 or more and less than v1d3) to grade C.

[0092] The control unit (120) can divide the differential capacitance sections (v2d1 to v2d2) corresponding to the second voltage (v2) among the plurality of second target peaks (peaks marked with ■) into three differential capacitance sections. The control unit (120) can set the second grade of the divided plurality of differential capacitance sections as Grade A2, Grade B2, or Grade C2 in order of increasing differential capacitance.

[0093] The control unit (120) can divide the differential capacitance intervals (v3d1 to v3d2) corresponding to the third voltage (v3) among the plurality of third target peaks (▲ marked peaks) into three differential capacitance intervals. The control unit (120) can set the third grade of the divided differential capacitance intervals as Grade A3, Grade B3, or Grade C3 in order of the corresponding differential capacitance being larger.

[0094] A battery classification device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can classify a plurality of batteries more accurately by considering both the voltage similarity of a plurality of target peaks and the degree of reduction of differential capacity.

[0095] In addition, according to the battery classification device (100), since the grades of multiple target batteries are subdivided and set for each of the multiple target peaks, the grades set by the battery classification device (100) have the advantage of being usable to determine the batteries to be reused together. For example, among the multiple batteries, batteries in which the first grade is A1 grade, the second grade is A2 grade, and the third grade is A3 grade can be reused together. In this case, since the condition of the batteries being reused together is very similar, problems that may occur due to performance imbalances such as charge / discharge imbalance, capacity degradation, energy loss, heat generation, and thermal runaway can be prevented in advance.

[0096]

[0097] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery pack (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] The battery pack (10) may include a plurality of batteries (11), a measuring unit (12), and a BMS (Battery management system) (13). Additionally, the battery pack (10) may further include electrical components (relays, fuses, etc.) and a case, etc.

[0099] Multiple batteries (11) may be connected to each other in series and / or parallel. Preferably, the multiple batteries (11) are batteries of the same grade set by the battery classification device (100). That is, the battery pack (10) may include batteries of the same grade set by the battery classification device (100) for reuse. In other words, the battery pack (10) may include batteries of uniform performance for reuse.

[0100] For example, some or all of the plurality of batteries (11) may be composed of battery modules and / or battery banks, and the composed battery modules and / or battery banks may be included in a battery pack.

[0101] As another example, multiple batteries (11) may be included in a battery pack (10) in a cell-to-pack (CTP) manner.

[0102] The positive terminals of the plurality of batteries (11) can be connected to the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (10), and the negative terminals of the plurality of batteries (11) can be connected to the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10).

[0103] The measuring unit (12) can measure at least one of the voltage, current, and temperature of a plurality of batteries (11).

[0104] The BMS (13) can monitor the status of multiple batteries (11) and control the charging and discharging of multiple batteries based on the monitoring results. In addition, the BMS (13) can perform various operations that a conventional BMS can perform.

[0105] An external device may be connected to the positive terminal (P+) and the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10). For example, the external device may be a charging device or a load. In addition, the positive terminal of a plurality of batteries (11), the positive terminal (P+) of the battery pack (10), the external device, the negative terminal (P-) of the battery pack (10), and the negative terminal of a plurality of batteries (11) may be electrically connected.

[0106]

[0107] The BMS (13) may be configured to determine a charge / discharge profile corresponding to the grade of a plurality of batteries (11) included in the battery pack (10) among a plurality of preset charge / discharge profiles.

[0108] Here, the charge / discharge profile is a profile in which conditions regarding the charging and / or discharging of a battery are pre-set. For example, conditions such as a charging upper limit voltage and a charge / discharge C-RATE may be pre-set in the charge / discharge profile. If the charging and discharging of a battery is controlled according to an unsuitable charge / discharge profile, the degradation of the battery may be accelerated, thereby reducing its expected lifespan.

[0109] Specifically, a corresponding charge / discharge profile can be pre-set for each distinguishable battery class.

[0110] For example, the BMS (13) can obtain information regarding the grade set for each of the plurality of batteries (11) from the battery classification device (100). As another example, the information regarding the grade set for each of the plurality of batteries (11) from the battery classification device (100) can be stored in another external device such as a server. Also, the BMS (13) can obtain information regarding the grade of the plurality of batteries (11) from the external device. And, the BMS (13) can determine a charge / discharge profile corresponding to the grade of the plurality of batteries (11) among the plurality of charge / discharge profiles.

[0111] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the grade of a plurality of target batteries, where the voltage of the target peak is v1, can be set to Grade A, Grade B, or Grade C. In this case, a charge / discharge profile corresponding to each of the Grade A target battery, Grade B target battery, and Grade C target battery can be pre-set. For example, since the target peak is a peak related to the state of the negative electrode, the charge / discharge C-RATE can be set lower as the grade of the corresponding battery decreases.

[0112] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the first grade of a plurality of target batteries may be set to Grade A1, Grade B1, or Grade C1, the second grade may be set to Grade A2, Grade B2, or Grade C2, and the third grade may be set to Grade A3, Grade B3, or Grade C3. In this case, there are a total of 27 combinations of battery grades (3×3×3) that can be determined by the combination of the first to third grades. Accordingly, a charge / discharge profile corresponding to each grade combination can be pre-set. For example, since the first target peak is a peak related to the state of the negative electrode, the charge / discharge C-RATE of the charge / discharge profile may be set lower as the grade of the corresponding battery decreases. And, since the third target peak is a peak related to the state of the positive electrode, the charge / discharge profile may be set lower as the grade of the corresponding battery decreases.

[0113] The BMS (13) can be configured to control the charging and discharging of a plurality of batteries (11) included in the battery pack (10) according to a determined charging and discharging profile.

[0114] For example, it is assumed that the first grade of a plurality of batteries (11) is grade A1, the second grade is grade A2, and the third grade is grade A3. The BMS (13) can determine a charge / discharge profile corresponding to grades A1-A2-A3 among a plurality of preset charge / discharge profiles, and control the charge / discharge of the plurality of batteries (11) using the determined charge / discharge profile.

[0115] As another example, it is assumed that the first grade of a plurality of batteries (11) is grade B1, the second grade is grade A2, and the third grade is grade B3. The BMS (13) can determine a charge / discharge profile corresponding to grades B1-A2-B3 among a plurality of preset charge / discharge profiles, and control the charge / discharge of the plurality of batteries (11) using the determined charge / discharge profile.

[0116] A battery pack (10) according to another embodiment of the present invention can control the charging and discharging of a plurality of batteries (11) using a charging and discharging profile most suitable for a plurality of batteries (11). Accordingly, as the charging and discharging efficiency of the plurality of reused batteries (11) is improved, there is an advantage that the expected lifespan of the battery pack (10) can be increased.

[0117]

[0118] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery classification method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery classification method may include a profile acquisition step (S100), a target peak determination step (S200), a group classification step (S300), and a grade setting step (S400).

[0120] Preferably, each step of the battery classification method can be performed by a battery classification device (100). For convenience of explanation, details that overlap with previously described content will be omitted or briefly explained below.

[0121] The profile acquisition step (S100) is a step of acquiring a differential profile representing the corresponding relationship between the voltage and differential capacity of a plurality of batteries, and can be performed by the profile acquisition unit (110).

[0122] For example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can directly receive a differential profile from an external source connected via wired and / or wireless connection.

[0123] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can directly receive a battery profile from an external source connected via wired and / or wireless connection. Additionally, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a differential profile by differentiating the battery profile with respect to voltage.

[0124] As another example, the profile acquisition unit (110) can receive battery information regarding the voltage and capacity of the battery. Then, the profile acquisition unit (110) can generate a battery profile based on the received battery information and generate a differential profile based on the generated battery profile. That is, the profile acquisition unit (110) can acquire a differential profile by directly generating a differential profile based on the battery information.

[0125] The target peak determination step (S200) is a step of determining a target peak in each of a plurality of differential profiles, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0126] The control unit (120) can determine a plurality of peaks in each of the plurality of differential profiles. And, the control unit (120) can determine a target peak that meets a preset condition among the plurality of peaks in each of the plurality of differential profiles.

[0127] The group classification step (S300) is a step of classifying a plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of a plurality of determined target peaks, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0128] The control unit (120) can group multiple batteries by comparing the voltages of multiple determined target peaks with each other. Specifically, the control unit (120) can group batteries in which the voltage difference of the target peaks is less than or equal to a preset threshold voltage.

[0129] The grade setting step (S400) is a step of setting the grade of a plurality of target batteries belonging to a target group among one or more groups, and can be performed by the control unit (120).

[0130] The control unit (120) can set the grade of a plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity of a plurality of target batteries. Specifically, the control unit (120) can set a differential capacity range for a target group based on the differential capacity of a plurality of target batteries. And, the control unit (120) can set the grade of each of a plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity range to which the differential capacity of the plurality of target batteries belongs.

[0131]

[0132] 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.

[0133] Another embodiment of the present invention may provide a computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon for executing the various embodiments described above on a computer.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] Software can be implemented as a computer program containing instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. 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-ROMs, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs)). Computer-readable storage media can be distributed across networked computer systems, allowing computer-readable code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The storage medium is readable by a computer, stored in memory, and can be executed by a processor.

[0137] Computer-readable recording 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] (Explanation of symbols)

[0143] 10: Battery pack

[0144] 11: Multiple batteries

[0145] 12: Measurement section

[0146] 13: BMS

[0147] 100: Battery sorting device

[0148] 110: Profile Acquisition Section

[0149] 120: Control unit

[0150] 130: Storage section

Claims

1. A profile acquisition unit configured to acquire a differential profile representing the correspondence relationship between the voltage and differential capacity of a plurality of batteries; and A battery classification device comprising a control unit configured to determine a target peak in each of a plurality of differential profiles, classify the plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of the determined plurality of target peaks, and set a grade of the plurality of target batteries belonging to the target group among the one or more groups.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit is, A battery classification device configured to set the grade of the plurality of target batteries based on the differential capacity of the plurality of target batteries.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above control unit is, A battery classification device configured to set multiple differential capacity ranges for the target group based on the differential capacities of the multiple target batteries, and to set a grade for each of the multiple target batteries based on the differential capacity range to which the differential capacities of the multiple target batteries belong.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above control unit is, A battery classification device configured to select the maximum differential capacity and minimum differential capacity of the plurality of target batteries and to divide the differential capacity range including the maximum differential capacity to the minimum differential capacity into a preset number of the plurality of differential capacity ranges.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit is, A battery classification device configured to classify batteries into the above groups such that the voltage difference of the above target peak is below a preset threshold voltage.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above control unit is, A battery classification device configured to determine a plurality of target peaks in each of a plurality of differential profiles and to classify the plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of the determined plurality of target peaks.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above control unit is, A battery classification device configured to classify batteries into groups such that the voltage difference between each of the plurality of target peaks is less than or equal to a preset threshold voltage.

8. A battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries of the same grade set by a battery classification device according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 7.

9. In Paragraph 8, A battery pack further comprising a Battery Management System (BMS) configured to determine a charge / discharge profile corresponding to the grade of the plurality of batteries included in the battery pack among a plurality of preset charge / discharge profiles, and to control the charge / discharge of the plurality of batteries included in the battery pack according to the determined charge / discharge profile.

10. A profile acquisition step for acquiring a differential profile representing the correspondence relationship between the voltage and differential capacity of multiple batteries; A target peak determination step for determining a target peak in each of a plurality of differential profiles; A group classification step of classifying the plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of a plurality of determined target peaks; and A battery classification method comprising a grade setting step for setting the grade of a plurality of target batteries belonging to a target group among one or more of the above-mentioned groups.

11. A profile acquisition step for acquiring a differential profile representing the correspondence relationship between the voltage and differential capacity of multiple batteries; A target peak determination step for determining a target peak in each of a plurality of differential profiles; A group classification step of classifying the plurality of batteries into one or more groups based on the voltage of a plurality of determined target peaks; and A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing a battery classification method comprising a grade setting step of setting grades for a plurality of target batteries belonging to a target group among one or more of the above-mentioned groups.

Images