Battery management system

Abstract

This battery management system enables using cell monitoring controllers (CMCs) which are of the same type as each other even when a battery is composed of battery modules having various numbers of battery cells, and thus the CMCs may be commonized regardless of the quantities of the battery cells in the battery modules.

Description

Battery Management System

[0001] This document concerns battery management systems.

[0002] Currently commercialized rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries are gaining attention for their advantages over nickel-based batteries, such as the almost complete absence of the memory effect, allowing for free charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0003] Recently, secondary batteries are being widely used for propulsion or energy storage in vehicles such as electric motorcycles and electric vehicles, as well as in medium-to-large devices such as Energy Storage Systems (ESS). As a result, interest in batteries is increasing, and research and development related to batteries is becoming more active. Furthermore, in the case of batteries used in vehicles, commercialization and research on interchangeable battery packs are also being actively conducted.

[0004] Lithium secondary batteries primarily utilize lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative active materials, respectively. Furthermore, a lithium secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly in which a positive plate and a negative plate, each coated with the positive and negative active materials respectively, are arranged with a separator in between, and an outer casing (i.e., a battery case) that seals and encloses the electrode assembly along with the electrolyte. Depending on the shape of the outer casing, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet. Additionally, can-type secondary batteries can be further classified into prismatic and cylindrical secondary batteries based on their shape.

[0005] A battery module or battery pack can be formed by housing multiple secondary batteries together inside a module case (module housing) or a pack case (pack housing) while electrically connected to each other. In this case, each secondary battery included in the battery module or battery pack may be referred to as a battery cell.

[0006] It is crucial to diagnose the condition of batteries and take appropriate measures to ensure stable performance for batteries in the form of battery cells, modules, or packs, and to protect devices equipped with batteries or users utilizing them. A representative technology for this purpose is the inclusion of control devices, such as Battery Management Systems (BMS), in battery packs and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) to diagnose the battery and perform related actions.

[0007] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional battery management system.

[0008] Conventional Battery Management Systems (BMS) may include a master controller that measures battery voltage, current, and insulation resistance and controls the battery, as well as a Cell Monitoring Controller (CMC) that measures battery cell voltage, battery module voltage, and module temperature, and incorporates a Battery Monitoring Integrated Chip (BMIC). Battery modules connected to each CMC consist of multiple battery cells, and the number of cells and the size of the modules are determined and designed according to customer requirements. In the case of conventional BMS systems containing battery modules with varying numbers of cells, different types of CMCs are utilized to manage each battery module. Although it is possible to use a single type of cell monitoring controller (CMC) by processing some of the battery cell channels of a cell monitoring controller (CMC) that uses more battery cell channels than the number of battery cells in the battery module as NC, this causes problems with unstable voltage values ​​due to floating. Therefore, it is desirable to connect the unused battery cell channels to the ground of the battery monitoring integrated chip (BMIC) to prevent problems caused by floating. As a result, changes to the internal circuitry of the cell monitoring controller (CMC) are unavoidable, making it inevitable to use multiple types of cell monitoring controllers (CMCs).

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, a cell monitoring controller (CMC) 1 (20-1) is connected to a battery module 1 (10-1) and can monitor various information regarding five battery cells included in the battery module 1 (10-1). Additionally, a cell monitoring controller (CMC) 2 (20-2) is connected to a battery module 2 (10-2) and can monitor various information regarding three battery cells included in the battery module 2 (10-2). At this time, since the battery module 1 (10-1) contains five battery cells and the battery module 2 (10-2) contains three battery cells, two cell monitoring controllers (CMCs) of the same type cannot be used, and cell monitoring controllers (CMC) 1 (20-1) and cell monitoring controllers (CMC) 2 (20-2) of different types must be used. Accordingly, there is a problem of having to use multiple types of cell monitoring controllers (CMCs) of different types.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present document, a battery management system may be provided that utilizes a Cell Monitoring Controller (CMC) of the same type, even when the battery is composed of battery modules having various numbers of battery cells.

[0011] The problems to be solved in this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above and can be extended in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0012] A battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document comprises: a plurality of battery modules; and a battery management device comprising a plurality of cell monitoring controllers (CMCs) each having the same internal circuitry and connected to each of the plurality of battery modules.

[0013] A plurality of the above battery modules may include at least two of the above battery modules, each containing a different number of battery cells.

[0014] The cell monitoring controller (CMC) can be connected to the battery module by changing the wire harness configuration according to the number of battery cells of the battery module connected to it.

[0015] The cell monitoring controller (CMC) can be connected to the battery module by changing the wire harness configuration so that at least one battery cell channel that is not in use among the total battery cell channels is connected to ground, based on the number of battery cells of the battery module connected to it.

[0016] The above ground may be the ground of the Battery Monitoring Integrated Chip (BMIC) included in the cell monitoring controller (CMC).

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present document, even when a battery is composed of battery modules having various numbers of battery cells, the cell monitoring controller (CMC) can be shared regardless of the number of battery cells in the battery modules by using a cell monitoring controller (CMC) of the same type.

[0018] The effects according to the various embodiments of this document are not limited to those described above, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various effects are inherent in this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional battery management system.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an example of a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of this document will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the embodiments of this document, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the details described below in conjunction with the attached drawings. However, the embodiments of this document are not limited to those disclosed below but can be implemented in various different forms, and the embodiments of this document are defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0023] Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments of this document pertain. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0024] In this specification, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used to distinguish one component from another, and the scope of rights shall not be limited by these terms. For example, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0025] In this specification, identification symbols (e.g., a, b, c, etc.) for each step are used for convenience of explanation and do not indicate the order of the steps; the steps may occur differently from the specified order unless the context clearly indicates a specific order. That is, the steps may occur in the same order as specified, may be performed substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in the reverse order.

[0026] In this specification, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “include,” or “may include” refer to the existence of the relevant feature (e.g., a numerical value, function, operation, or component, etc.) and do not exclude the existence of additional features.

[0027] Additionally, the term “part” as used in this specification refers to software or hardware components such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or ASICs, and the “part” performs certain roles. However, the “part” is not limited to software or hardware. The “part” may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or configured to run one or more processors. Thus, by example, the “part” includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, as well as processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data structures, and variables. The functions provided within the components and “parts” may be combined into a smaller number of components and “parts” or further separated into additional components and “parts.”

[0028]

[0029] A battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030]

[0031] First, a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document may include a battery management device (100) and a battery (200) connected to the battery management device (100).

[0034] The battery (200) may include a plurality of battery modules (210). A battery module (210) may include a plurality of battery cells representing a single secondary battery. Here, the plurality of battery modules (210) may include at least two battery modules (210) that include different numbers of battery cells. For example, the plurality of battery modules (210) may include a battery module (210) composed of five battery cells and a battery module (210) composed of three battery cells.

[0035] The battery management device (100) can perform diagnostic and control operations of the battery (200). To this end, the battery management device (100) may include a plurality of cell monitoring controllers (CMCs) (120) connected to each of a plurality of battery modules (210), and a master controller (110) connected to the battery (200) and the plurality of cell monitoring controllers (CMCs) (120).

[0036] The master controller (110) can measure the voltage of the battery (200), the current of the battery (200), the insulation resistance of the battery (200), etc., and control the battery (200).

[0037] The cell monitoring controller (CMC) (120) measures the voltage of the battery cell, the voltage of the battery module (210), the temperature of the battery module (210), etc., and may have a battery monitoring integrated chip (BMIC) mounted inside.

[0038] To this end, multiple cell monitoring controllers (CMC) (120) have the same internal circuitry and can be connected to each of the multiple battery modules (210).

[0039] At this time, the cell monitoring controller (CMC) (120) can be connected to the battery module (210) by changing the wire harness configuration according to the number of battery cells of the battery module (210) connected to it. That is, the cell monitoring controller (CMC) (120) can be connected to the battery module (210) by changing the wire harness configuration so that at least one battery cell channel that is not used among the total battery cell channels is connected to ground, based on the number of battery cells of the battery module (210) connected to it. For example, if the total number of battery cell channels is "5" and the number of battery cells of the battery module (210) is "3", the cell monitoring controller (CMC) (120) can be connected to the battery module (210) by changing the wire harness configuration so that two battery cell channels that are not used are connected to ground.

[0040] Here, the ground may be the ground of the battery monitoring integrated chip (BMIC) included in the cell monitoring controller (CMC) (120).

[0041] To explain the operation of the battery management device (100) in more detail, the battery management device (100), which includes a master controller (110) and a plurality of cell monitoring controllers (CMCs) (120), may include a measurement unit (not shown), a storage unit (not shown), and a control unit (not shown), which are functionally separated components.

[0042] The measuring unit may be configured to measure state information of the battery (200). Here, the state information of the battery (200) may include the internal state and / or external state of the battery (200). For example, the measuring unit may measure information such as the voltage, current, temperature, State of Charge (SOC), Depth of Discharge (DOD), internal resistance, State of Health (SOH), rest state, overvoltage or overcurrent state, balancing state, etc., as the internal state of the battery (200). To this end, the measuring unit may be equipped with various sensors, such as a voltage sensor or a current sensor. As another example, the measuring unit may measure state information such as the temperature, humidity, or smoke around the battery (200) as the external state of the battery (200). To this end, the measuring unit may be equipped with sensors such as a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or a smoke sensor. In this respect, the measuring unit may be referred to as a sensor.

[0043] At this time, the measuring unit can measure voltage, current, temperature, etc. through a sensor to measure the state information of the battery (200) in one dimension. In addition, the measuring unit can perform two-dimensional processing, such as calculations, on the information obtained in one dimension. For example, the measuring unit can measure the state information of the battery (200) by calculating or estimating the state of charge (SOC), internal resistance, remaining life (SOH), and imbalance based on state information such as voltage, current, and temperature.

[0044] And, the measuring unit can transmit the measured state information of the battery (200) to the control unit.

[0045] The storage unit may be configured to store computer-executable instructions or program code, program data and / or other suitable forms of information for each component of the battery management device (100), namely the measuring unit and / or the control unit, to perform their functions. A program stored in the storage unit may include a set of instructions executable by the control unit. In one embodiment of the present document, the storage unit may be memory (volatile memory such as random access memory, non-volatile memory, or a suitable combination thereof), one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, other forms of storage media that are accessed by the battery management device (100) and capable of storing desired information, or a suitable combination thereof.

[0046] At this time, the storage unit may be implemented in a form integrated with other components included in the battery management device (100), such as a component functioning as a control unit. For example, the storage unit may be implemented in the form of an embedded memory mounted on a processor functioning as a control unit.

[0047] The control unit can receive measured status information from the measurement unit. The control unit can then use the status information received from the measurement unit to perform diagnostic operations and / or control operations of the battery (200).

[0048] At this time, the control unit may transmit or store information regarding the diagnostic operation and / or control operation of the battery (200) to another component. Here, the other component may be a component included inside the battery management device (100) according to one embodiment of the present document, or a component included in another device existing outside the battery management device (100). In particular, when the target battery (200) is mounted on a vehicle, the battery management device (100) may transmit information regarding the diagnostic operation and / or control operation of the battery (200) to a higher-level control system on the vehicle side, such as a VCU (Vehicle Control Unit), ECU (Electronic Control Unit), etc.

[0049] In addition, the control unit can transmit information regarding the diagnostic operation and / or control operation of the battery (200) through various wired or wireless communication configurations or methods. For example, the control unit can transmit information regarding the diagnostic operation and / or control operation of the battery (200) to the vehicle-side control system using CAN (Controller Area Network) communication.

[0050] Additionally, the control unit may be configured to control the charging or discharging operation of the battery (200) as one of the control operations of the battery (200). In this case, the control unit may directly perform charging control or discharging control for the battery (200). Of course, the control unit may indirectly instruct or control other components located inside or outside the battery management device (100) to perform charging control or discharging control.

[0051] Additionally, the control unit can perform processing operations according to the state of the battery (200). At this time, the control unit may be configured to perform different processing operations for each state. Additionally, the control unit may perform at least partially identical processing operations for different states. Furthermore, processing operations by the control unit do not necessarily include only active operations, but may also include passive operations. In particular, processing operations by the control unit may include not performing any control or communication.

[0052] In addition, if the control unit directly performs the processing operation of the battery (200), it can transmit the performed processing result to another component.

[0053] In addition, the control unit may perform related operations or functions by optionally including, at least partially, a processor, controller, ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), other chipset, logic circuit, register, communication modem, data processing unit, etc., known in the art. Furthermore, the operations thereof may be implemented in software, in which case the program may be stored in the storage unit. In this regard, the control unit may be replaced with terms such as processor, controller, or chipset. Additionally, at least some functions of the measurement unit may also be implemented with these components.

[0054] Additionally, the control unit does not necessarily have to be physically integrated or located in the same place. For example, some functions of the control unit may be performed on the battery (200) side, and other functions of the control unit may be performed on the vehicle side.

[0055] More specifically, at least a portion of the control unit (130) may be implemented by a Battery Management System (BMS). In this case, at least a portion of the control unit may be implemented in a form included in the battery (200). Alternatively, at least a portion of the control unit may be located outside the battery management device (100). For example, at least some functions of the control unit may be implemented by a control device mounted in the vehicle, such as a VCU or ECU. Additionally, the measurement unit may also be implemented as an integrated or separate part or component.

[0056] Accordingly, in a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document, even when the battery (200) is composed of battery modules (210) having various numbers of battery cells, the cell monitoring controller (CMC) (120) can be shared regardless of the number of battery cells in the battery modules (210) by using cell monitoring controllers (CMC) (120) of the same type.

[0057]

[0058] Then, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document will be described.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an example of a battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, a cell monitoring controller (CMC) 1 (120-1) is connected to a battery module 1 (210-1) and can monitor various information regarding five battery cells included in the battery module 1 (210-1). Additionally, a cell monitoring controller (CMC) 2 (120-2) is connected to a battery module 2 (210-2) and can monitor various information regarding three battery cells included in the battery module 2 (210-2). At this time, although the battery module 1 (210-1) includes five battery cells and the battery module 2 (210-2) includes three battery cells, the battery management system according to one embodiment of the present document may use a cell monitoring controller (CMC) 1 (120-1) and a cell monitoring controller (CMC) 2 (120-2) of the same type. That is, two battery modules (210) having different numbers of battery cells can be connected using two cell monitoring controllers (CMC) (120) with identical internal circuits. Accordingly, the cell monitoring controllers (CMC) (120) can be shared regardless of the number of battery cells in the battery modules (210).

[0061]

[0062] The operation according to the embodiments of this document described above may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. A computer-readable storage medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, or a combination thereof. Examples include magnetic media, optical storage media, memory, etc. Computer programs may be distributed over networked computer systems, and computer-readable code may be stored and executed in a distributed manner. Functional programs, code, and code segments for implementing the embodiments of this document will be readily deducible by programmers in the art to which the embodiments of this document belong.

[0063] The embodiments of this document are intended to illustrate technical concepts, and the scope of the technical concepts of the embodiments of this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the embodiments of this document shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the embodiments of this document.

[0064]

[0065] < Explanation of Symbols >

[0066] 100 : Battery management unit,

[0067] 110 : Master controller,

[0068] 120 : Cell monitoring controller,

[0069] 200 : Battery,

[0070] 210: Battery module

Claims

1. Multiple battery modules; and A battery management device comprising a plurality of cell monitoring controllers (CMCs) each having the same internal circuit and connected to each of the plurality of battery modules; A battery management system including 2. In Paragraph 1, A plurality of the above battery modules are, at least two battery modules comprising different numbers of battery cells, Battery management system.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above cell monitoring controller (CMC) is, A wire harness configuration that changes according to the number of battery cells of the battery module connected to itself, and is connected to the battery module, Battery management system.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above cell monitoring controller (CMC) is, Based on the number of battery cells of the battery module connected to itself, the wire harness configuration is modified so that at least one unused battery cell channel among the total battery cell channels is connected to ground and connected to the battery module. Battery management system.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above ground is, The ground of the Battery Monitoring Integrated Chip (BMIC) included in the above Cell Monitoring Controller (CMC), Battery management system.

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