Charge depth determination device and operation method thereof

Abstract

A charge depth determination device according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document may comprise: an interface for acquiring, on the basis of a designated C-rate, a voltage of a battery during charging of the battery; and a controller for calculating, on the basis of an SOC change amount of the battery and a charge amount corresponding to the SOC change amount, a diagnosis value corresponding to a degradation state of the battery, calculating a capacity shrinkage rate of the battery on the basis of the difference between the diagnosis value and a reference value corresponding to the diagnosis value, and determining an upper limit depth of charge at the designated C-rate on the basis of the capacity shrinkage rate.

Description

Device for determining filling depth and method of operation thereof

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] The present invention claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0188185 filed on December 17, 2024, and includes all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application as part of this specification.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a filling depth determining device and a method of operating the same.

[0005] Recently, active research and development on secondary batteries has been underway. Here, the term "secondary battery" refers to a rechargeable battery, encompassing conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries as well as the more recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of significantly higher energy density compared to conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight manner, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their scope of application has expanded to include electric vehicles, drawing attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0006] As the industrial sectors utilizing batteries expand, the demand for high-capacity batteries is also increasing. While increasing battery capacity offers the advantage of extended usage time, it also increases the time required to charge high-capacity batteries. Although charging with high current can shorten charging time, it leads to side effects such as heat generation and lithium deposition. Accordingly, active research is being conducted to design charging protocols for the rapid charging of high-capacity batteries.

[0007] As the number of charge-discharge cycles increases, the battery may degrade. Conventionally, a three-electrode cell with a reference electrode inserted into the battery cell was fabricated to identify the lithium deposition site. In other words, since the conventional technology determined the lithium deposition site by directly disassembling the battery cell, there was a problem in that the battery cell had to be reassembled after the determination. Furthermore, there was a risk that the safety of the battery could be compromised due to the ingress of foreign substances during the reassembly process.

[0008] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0009] A charging depth determination device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include: an interface for obtaining the voltage of the battery during the process of charging the battery based on a designated C-rate; and a controller for calculating a diagnostic value corresponding to the degradation state of the battery based on a change in the SOC of the battery and a charge amount corresponding to the change in the SOC, calculating a capacity shrinkage rate of the battery based on the difference between the diagnostic value and a reference value corresponding to the diagnostic value, and determining the charging upper limit charging depth at the designated C-rate based on the capacity shrinkage rate.

[0010] In one embodiment, the reference value is calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount at the BOL (Beginning Of Life) of the battery, and the diagnostic value can be calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount at the point when N (N: natural number) charge cycles have been performed from the BOL.

[0011] In one embodiment, the controller can calculate the diagnostic value by dividing the charge amount by the change in SOC.

[0012] In one embodiment, the controller can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate by dividing the difference between the diagnostic value and the reference value by the reference value.

[0013] In one embodiment, the controller may identify a reference upper charge depth corresponding to the specified C-rate from a stored C-rate-specific charge depth profile, and determine the upper charge depth at the specified C-rate by correcting the reference upper charge depth based on the capacity shrinkage rate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the controller can generate an SOC-voltage profile based on the process of charging the battery until the SOC of the battery corresponds to 0 to 100, and calculate the diagnostic value based on the SOC-voltage profile.

[0015] A method of operation of a charging depth determination device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include: acquiring a voltage of a battery during the process of charging a battery based on a designated C-rate; calculating a diagnostic value corresponding to the degradation state of the battery based on a change in the SOC of the battery and a charge amount corresponding to the change in the SOC; calculating a capacity shrinkage rate of the battery based on the difference between the diagnostic value and a reference value corresponding to the diagnostic value; and determining a charging upper limit charging depth at the designated C-rate based on the capacity shrinkage rate.

[0016] In one embodiment, the reference value is calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount at the BOL (Beginning Of Life) of the battery, and the diagnostic value can be calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount when N (N: natural number) charge cycles have been performed from the BOL.

[0017] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating the diagnostic value may include the operation of calculating the diagnostic value by dividing the charge amount by the change in SOC.

[0018] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating the capacity shrinkage rate may include the operation of calculating the capacity shrinkage rate by dividing the difference between the diagnostic value and the reference value by the reference value.

[0019] In one embodiment, the operation of determining the upper limit filling depth at the specified C-rate may include the operation of identifying a reference upper limit filling depth corresponding to the specified C-rate from a previously stored C-rate-specific filling depth profile, and the operation of determining the upper limit filling depth at the specified C-rate by correcting the reference upper limit filling depth based on the capacity shrinkage rate.

[0020] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating the diagnostic value may include the operation of generating an SOC-voltage profile until the SOC of the battery corresponds to 0 to 100 based on the process of charging the battery, and the operation of calculating the diagnostic value based on the SOC-voltage profile.

[0021] The charging depth determination device and the method of operation thereof according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document can calculate the degree of degradation relative to the initial state (BOL: Beginning Of Life) of the battery based on the amount of change in SOC and the amount of charge obtained during the process of charging and discharging the battery, and reflect the calculated degree of degradation at the lithium precipitation point of the initial state.

[0022] Accordingly, the charge depth determination device can predict variations in lithium precipitation points due to battery degradation in a non-destructive manner and can correct existing charging protocols into charging protocols that reflect battery degradation.

[0023] The effects of the battery diagnostic device and the method of operation thereof disclosed in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art in accordance with the disclosure of this document.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a filling depth determining device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a graph showing the degree of degradation of a battery according to a charge-discharge cycle according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an SOC-voltage profile according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0027] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the change in diagnostic values ​​by C-rate according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a method for correcting a filling depth profile by C-rate according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of a filling depth determining device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a computing system for executing operations of a battery diagnostic device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0031] In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] The embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of said embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0034] In this document, each of the phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” or “(b)” may be used simply to distinguish a component from another component and, unless specifically stated otherwise, do not limit the components in any other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

[0035] In this document, where it is stated that any (e.g., 1) component is "connected," "coupled," or "joined" to another (e.g., 2) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicationly," or where it is stated that the component is "coupled" or "connected," it means that the component may be connected to the other component directly (e.g., by wire or wirelessly) or indirectly (e.g., through a 3) component.

[0036] Methods according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as part of a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM) or distributed online (e.g., download or upload) through an application store or directly between two user devices. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0037] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, each component (e.g., module or program) of the components described above may include a singular or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, one or more of the components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Generally or additionally, multiple components (e.g., module or program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the components of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the corresponding components among the multiple components prior to the integration. According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a filling depth determining device (10) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0039] The charging depth determining device (10) can obtain the voltage of the battery during the process of charging the battery based on a specified C-rate. The charging depth determining device (10) can calculate a diagnostic value corresponding to the degradation state of the battery based on the change in the battery's SOC and the charge amount. The charging depth determining device (10) can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate of the battery based on the difference between the diagnostic value and the reference value. The charging depth determining device (10) can determine the upper charging depth at the specified C-rate based on the capacity shrinkage rate.

[0040] In one embodiment, the charge depth determining device (10) may be included in a BMS capable of diagnosing battery cells included in an electronic device, and operations performed by the charge depth determining device (10) may be performed in the BMS. In one embodiment, the charge depth determining device (10) may be included in a server or a charge / discharger capable of diagnosing battery cells outside the electronic device, and operations performed by the charge depth determining device (10) may be performed in an external server or charge / discharger.

[0041] Based on the above description, the charge depth determining device (10) can predict the point where the lithium precipitation point changes according to the degradation of the battery when charging at a specified C-rate without directly disassembling the battery. Below, the operation performed in each of the components (interface (100) and controller (102)) included in the charge depth determining device (10) is described.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, the charge depth determining device (10) may include an interface (100) and a controller (102). According to an embodiment, the charge depth determining device (10) illustrated in FIG. 1 may further include at least one component (e.g., a display, an input device, or an output device) in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0043] The interface (100) can obtain the voltage of the battery. Here, the voltage may include the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery. The open circuit voltage may refer to the voltage obtained during the process of charging the battery while the battery is disconnected from the load.

[0044] The interface (100) can obtain a voltage measured during the process of charging the battery based on a specified C-rate. The interface (100) can obtain a voltage measured during the process of discharging the battery. Here, the battery may include a battery cell, a battery module, and a battery pack. The battery may be included in an electronic device, and the electronic device may be a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a smart pad), an electric vehicle (e.g., an EV (electric vehicle), a HEV (hybrid EV), a PHEV (plug-in HEV), a FCEV (fuel cell EV)), or an energy storage system (ESS). The specified C-rate may include one or more C-rates and may include a C-rate included in the charging protocol.

[0045] According to various embodiments, the interface (100) may include various interface circuits for acquiring signals, information and / or data, such as sensors and communication circuits.

[0046] The controller (102) can calculate a diagnostic value corresponding to the degradation state of the battery based on the change in the battery's SOC and the charge capacity corresponding to the change in the SOC. Here, the charge capacity may refer to the actual amount of charge in the battery equal to the change in SOC. The charge capacity may be calculated based on a current integration method, etc. The current integration method may be a method of calculating the charge capacity by integrating the current measured during the charging or discharging process of the battery. The diagnostic value may be an indicator that can confirm the degree of degradation of the battery. The battery may degrade as the charge-discharge cycle progresses. Specifically, during the process of repeated charging or discharging, degradation including lithium precipitation may occur in the battery, and accordingly, the chargeable capacity may decrease. The battery's State of Health (SOH) is an indicator that can confirm the amount of degradation of the battery and can represent the chargeable capacity (total capacity - degraded capacity) relative to the battery's total capacity. Assuming the SOH in the initial state (BOL) is 100%, it gradually decreases as the battery degrades. On the other hand, the State of Charge (SOC) of a battery can represent the actual charged capacity relative to the rechargeable capacity (total capacity - degraded capacity) and can correspond to 0% to 100% regardless of whether the battery has degraded. Based on this, the diagnostic value is calculated based on the actual charge amount and the change in SOC, so it can serve as an indicator to check the degree of battery degradation.

[0047] In one embodiment, the controller (102) can calculate a diagnostic value based on the actual amount charged relative to the amount of change in SOC. The controller (102) can calculate a diagnostic value by dividing the amount charged by the amount of change in SOC. The diagnostic value can be calculated based on Equation 1.

[0048] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0049] Diagnostic Value = Charge Amount / (SOCB -SOC A )

[0050] Here, SOC A and SOC B Each can refer to the SOC at point A and point B. The charge amount can refer to the amount charged while charging from point A to point B.

[0051] The controller (102) can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate of the battery based on the difference between the diagnostic value and the reference value. Here, the reference value is a value corresponding to the diagnostic value and can be calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount in the initial state (BOL) of the battery. For example, the reference value may be a diagnostic value calculated based on the change in SOC and the corresponding charge amount calculated during the process of charging the battery in the initial state (BOL). However, the reference value is not limited to values ​​calculated in the initial state (BOL) of the battery but may include values ​​calculated after a certain amount of charge-discharge cycles have been performed on the battery. For convenience of explanation, the following description assumes that the reference value is a value calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount in the initial state (BOL) of the battery, and the diagnostic value is a value calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount at the point in time when N charge-discharge cycles (N: natural number) have been performed from the initial state (BOL).

[0052] In one embodiment, the controller (102) can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate based on the difference between a reference value and a diagnostic value. The controller (102) can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate by dividing the difference between a reference value and a diagnostic value by the reference value. The capacity shrinkage rate can be calculated based on Equation 2.

[0053] [Mathematical Formula 2]

[0054] Dose shrinkage rate = (Reference value - Diagnostic value) / Reference value

[0055] The controller (102) can determine the upper charge depth at a specified C-rate based on the capacity shrinkage rate. Here, the upper charge depth at a specified C-rate may represent the starting point of the SOC at which lithium precipitation occurs inside the battery when the battery is charged based on the specified C-rate.

[0056] In one embodiment, the controller (102) can identify a reference upper charge depth corresponding to a specified C-rate in a stored C-rate-specific charge depth profile. Here, the stored C-rate-specific charge depth profile may correspond to a profile in which the point where lithium precipitation occurs for each of the multiple C-rates is determined as the upper charge depth by directly disassembling the battery in the initial state (BOL). The stored C-rate-specific charge depth profile may vary depending on the type of battery and / or material. The controller (102) can correct the reference upper charge depth based on the volume shrinkage rate and determine the corrected charge depth as the upper charge depth at the specified C-rate. The stored C-rate-specific charge depth profile may be stored in the memory (not shown) of the charge depth determination device (10).

[0057] Based on the above description, the charging depth determining device (10) can correct the charging protocol according to battery degradation by C-rate by correcting the previously stored charging upper limit charging depth based on the capacity shrinkage rate. Accordingly, since a charging protocol reflecting the battery degradation situation can be used instead of applying the charging protocol to the degraded battery in bulk to charge the battery, more stable battery charging can be enabled.

[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates a graph showing the degree of degradation of a battery according to charge-discharge cycles according to an embodiment disclosed in this document. FIG. 3 illustrates an SOC-voltage profile according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 2, the graph (20) shows that the battery degrades as the charge / discharge cycles continue. Referring to the graph (20), the x-axis represents the charge or discharge cycles of the battery, and the y-axis represents the battery capacity, which may correspond to the dischargeable capacity based on the maximum charge amount of the battery or the maximum chargeable capacity based on the battery's degrade. Referring to the graph (20), it can be seen that as the charge / discharge cycles corresponding to the x-axis increase, the chargeable capacity corresponding to the y-axis decreases. Based on this, the reference value can be calculated when the charge / discharge cycles of the battery are less than or equal to a specified value (e.g., 10), and the diagnostic value can be calculated when the charge / discharge cycles of the battery exceed a specified value (e.g., 10).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, the charge depth determining device (10) can obtain a voltage during the charging process of a battery in which the charge / discharge cycle has been performed N times (e.g., N is a natural number in which the charge / discharge cycle exceeds a specified value), and can generate an SOC-voltage profile (30) including a correlation between the SOC and the obtained voltage.

[0061] Referring to the SOC-voltage profile (30), the first graph (300) may correspond to the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery. The open circuit voltage may refer to the voltage obtained during the charging process of the battery while the battery is disconnected from the load terminal. The second graph (310) may refer to the amount of charge during the charging process of the battery.

[0062] The charge depth determining device (10) can calculate a diagnostic value based on two points (302, 304) included in the first graph (300). The charge depth determining device (10) calculates the SOC corresponding to point A (302). A and SOC corresponding to point B (304)B The amount of change in SOC between them can be calculated, and the amount of charge corresponding to the difference can be calculated based on the second graph (310). The charge depth determining device (10) can calculate a diagnostic value of the battery based on the calculated amount of change in SOC and the amount of charge.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the change in diagnostic values ​​by C-rate according to an embodiment disclosed in this document. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for correcting the filling depth profile by C-rate according to an embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, the drawing (40) may include a reference value (400) for each C-rate and a diagnostic value (420) for each C-rate. Referring to FIG. 40, the charging depth determining device (10) can calculate a capacity shrinkage rate (△x1 to △x6) for each C-rate, and can calculate a diagnostic value (420) for each C-rate by correcting the reference value (400) for each C-rate based on the capacity shrinkage rate.

[0065] Referring to the drawing (40), when the C-rate is 3.0C, the reference value may be 4.88 and the diagnostic value may be 4.53, and the capacity shrinkage rate may be 7.05%. When the C-rate is 2.5C, the reference value may be 4.80 and the diagnostic value may be 4.39, and the capacity shrinkage rate may be 8.56%. That is, the filling depth determining device (10) can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate for each C-rate based on the reference value and the diagnostic value for each C-rate.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, the graph (50) may include an initial state charge depth profile (500) and a charge depth profile (520) after degradation. Here, the initial state charge depth profile (500) may correspond to the previously stored C-rate charge depth profile described above, and the charge depth profile (520) after degradation may correspond to a charge depth profile corrected based on the capacity shrinkage rate.

[0067] The filling depth determining device (10) can calculate a corrected filling depth by removing a value corresponding to the capacity shrinkage rate from the filling depth according to the C-rate included in the filling depth profile (500) of the initial state. The filling depth determining device (10) can calculate a corrected filling depth by removing a value corresponding to the capacity shrinkage rate from the filling depth according to each of the plurality of C-rates (3.0C to 0.5C).

[0068] Referring to graph (50), when the C-rate is 3.0C, the initial maximum filling depth may be 29.00% and the maximum filling depth after degeneration may be 21.95%. When the C-rate is 2.5C, the initial maximum filling depth may be 37.90% and the maximum filling depth after degeneration may be 29.34%.

[0069] Based on the above description, the charging depth determining device (10) can design a charging protocol that reflects the degree of degradation during the process of battery degradation by determining the charging upper limit charging depth after degradation.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of a filling depth determining device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 600, the charging depth determining device (10) can obtain the voltage of the battery during the process of charging the battery based on a specified C-rate. The interface (100) can obtain the voltage of the battery. The charging depth determining device (10) can obtain the measured voltage during the process of charging the battery based on a specified C-rate.

[0072] In operation 610, the charge depth determining device (10) can calculate a diagnostic value based on the amount of change in SOC and the amount of charge. The charge depth determining device (10) can calculate a diagnostic value corresponding to the degradation state of the battery based on the amount of change in SOC of the battery and the amount of charge corresponding to the amount of change in SOC.

[0073] In one embodiment, the charging depth determining device (10) can calculate a diagnostic value based on the actual amount charged relative to the amount of change in SOC. The charging depth determining device (10) can calculate a diagnostic value by dividing the amount charged by the amount of change in SOC.

[0074] In operation 620, the charge depth determining device (10) can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate of the battery based on the difference between the diagnostic value and the reference value.

[0075] In one embodiment, the filling depth determining device (10) can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate based on the difference between a reference value and a diagnostic value. The filling depth determining device (10) can calculate the capacity shrinkage rate by dividing the difference between a reference value and a diagnostic value by the reference value.

[0076] In operation 630, the filling depth determining device (10) can determine the filling upper limit filling depth at a specified C-rate based on the capacity shrinkage rate.

[0077] In one embodiment, the filling depth determining device (10) can identify a reference filling upper limit filling depth corresponding to a specified C-rate in a previously stored filling depth profile for each C-rate. The filling depth determining device (10) can correct the reference filling upper limit filling depth based on the shrinkage rate and can determine the corrected filling depth as the filling upper limit filling depth at the specified C-rate.

[0078] FIG. 7 illustrates a computing system for executing operations of a charge depth determining device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 7, a computing system (70) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may include an MCU (700), memory (710), an input / output I / F (720), and a communication I / F (730).

[0080] The MCU (700) may be a processor that executes various programs (e.g., battery diagnostic programs) stored in memory (710), processes various data from these programs, and performs the functions of the charge depth determining device (10) shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0081] The memory (710) can store various programs regarding the operation of the charge depth determining device (10). In addition, the memory (710) can store operation data of the charge depth determining device (10). For example, the memory (710) can store a charging profile by C-rate of the initial state (BOL) of the battery described in FIG. 1.

[0082] These memories (710) may be provided in multiple quantities as needed. The memories (710) may be volatile memories or non-volatile memories. As volatile memories, the memory (710) may use RAM, DRAM, SRAM, etc. As non-volatile memories, the memory (710) may use ROM, PROM, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc. The memories (710) listed above are merely examples and are not limited to these examples.

[0083] The input / output I / F (720) can provide an interface that enables data transmission and reception between an input device (not shown), such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and an output device (not shown), such as a display, and the MCU (700).

[0084] The communication I / F (730) is configured to transmit and receive various data to and from a server and may be various devices capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, through the communication I / F (730), a program for diagnosing abnormalities or various data (e.g., status values) can be transmitted and received from a separately provided external server.

[0085] Terms such as "include," "compose," or "have" as used above, unless specifically stated otherwise, mean that the relevant component may be inherent; therefore, they should be interpreted as allowing for the inclusion of additional components rather than excluding them. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in advance, should be interpreted in accordance with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology and, unless explicitly defined in this document, should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense.

[0086] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept disclosed in this document, and a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain can make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this document are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the embodiments disclosed in this document, and the scope of the technical concept disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical concept disclosed in 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 this document.

Claims

1. An interface for obtaining the voltage of the battery during the process of charging the battery based on a specified C-rate; and A diagnostic value corresponding to the degradation state of the battery is calculated based on the change in SOC of the battery and the charge amount corresponding to the change in SOC, and Calculate the capacity shrinkage rate of the battery based on the difference between the above diagnostic value and the reference value corresponding to the above diagnostic value, and A controller comprising determining the upper limit filling depth at the specified C-rate based on the above capacity shrinkage rate, Fill depth determining device.

2. In Claim 1, The above reference value is calculated based on the change in SOC and charge amount at the BOL (Beginning Of Life) of the battery, and The above diagnostic value is calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount at the point when the charge cycle has proceeded N times (N: natural number) from the above BOL, Fill depth determining device.

3. In Claim 1, The above controller is, Calculating the diagnostic value by dividing the above charging amount by the above SOC change amount, Fill depth determining device.

4. In Claim 1, The above controller is, Calculating the volume reduction rate by dividing the difference between the above diagnostic value and the above reference value by the above reference value, Fill depth determining device.

5. In Claim 1, The above controller is, Identify the reference upper filling depth corresponding to the specified C-rate from the previously stored C-rate-specific filling depth profile, and Determining the upper limit filling depth at the specified C-rate by correcting the above standard upper limit filling depth based on the above capacity shrinkage rate, Fill depth determining device.

6. In Claim 1, The above controller is, Based on the process of charging the battery, an SOC-voltage profile is generated until the SOC of the battery corresponds to 0 to 100, and Calculating the diagnostic value based on the above SOC-voltage profile, Fill depth determining device.

7. An operation to obtain the voltage of the battery during the process of charging the battery based on a specified C-rate; An operation to calculate a diagnostic value corresponding to the degradation state of the battery based on the change in SOC of the battery and the charge amount corresponding to the change in SOC; An operation to calculate the capacity shrinkage rate of the battery based on the difference between the above diagnostic value and a reference value corresponding to the above diagnostic value; and The operation of determining the upper limit filling depth at the specified C-rate based on the above capacity shrinkage rate, Method of operation of a filling depth determining device.

8. In Claim 7, The above reference value is calculated based on the change in SOC and charge amount at the BOL (Beginning Of Life) of the battery, and The above diagnostic value is calculated based on the change in SOC and the charge amount when the charge cycle has proceeded N times (N: natural number) from the above BOL, Method of operation of a filling depth determining device.

9. In Claim 7, The operation of calculating the above diagnostic value is, A process including the operation of calculating the diagnostic value by dividing the above charging amount by the above SOC change amount, Method of operation of a filling depth determining device.

10. In Claim 7, The operation of calculating the above-mentioned capacity shrinkage rate is, The operation of calculating the capacity reduction rate by dividing the difference between the above diagnostic value and the above reference value by the above reference value, Method of operation of a filling depth determining device.

11. In Claim 7, The operation of determining the upper filling depth at the specified C-rate is, An operation to identify a reference upper charging depth corresponding to the specified C-rate in a previously stored C-rate charging depth profile, and The method includes the operation of determining the upper limit of the charge depth at the specified C-rate by correcting the upper limit of the charge depth based on the capacity shrinkage rate. Method of operation of a filling depth determining device.

12. In Claim 7, The operation of calculating the above diagnostic value is, An operation to generate an SOC-voltage profile until the SOC of the battery corresponds to 0 to 100 based on the process of charging the battery, and The operation of calculating the diagnostic value based on the above SOC-voltage profile, Method of operation of a filling depth determining device.

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