Battery carrier and control method thereof

Abstract

A battery carrier according to an embodiment comprises: a case in which a battery is mounted; a door for opening or closing the case; a cooling device disposed inside the case to cool the battery; and a control circuit that detects the mounting of the battery and supplies the remaining power in the battery to the cooling device to cool the battery.

Description

Battery carrier and control method thereof

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a battery carrier for safely transporting waste batteries and a method for controlling the same.

[0002] Vehicle batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries) have the advantage of high energy density, but they also have the disadvantage of potential fires and explosions caused by impact or heat. In the case of spent batteries, due to their low safety profile, the risk of fire and explosion caused by residual energy is relatively high.

[0003] In particular, shocks or temperature fluctuations that may occur when transporting waste batteries for recycling can increase the risk of fire. Therefore, a system capable of safely transporting waste batteries is required.

[0004] The disclosed invention provides a battery carrier capable of cooling a waste battery by utilizing residual energy within the waste battery and a method for controlling the same.

[0005] The disclosed invention provides a battery carrier capable of discharging a waste battery while transporting the waste battery and a method for controlling the same.

[0006] The technical problems to be solved in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs from the description below.

[0007] A battery carrier according to one embodiment may include: a case in which a battery is mounted; a door for opening or closing the case; a cooling device disposed inside the case to cool the battery; and a control circuit that detects the mounting of the battery and supplies the remaining power of the battery to the cooling device to cool the battery.

[0008] The above control circuit can supply the remaining power of the battery to the cooling device based on identifying the closure of the door.

[0009] The above case may include a charger connector disposed on the outside of the case to connect the battery and an external charger. The control circuit may supply at least a portion of the remaining power of the battery to the charging target based on identifying the connection between the external charger and the charging target.

[0010] The above case may include a battery connector for electrical connection with the battery.

[0011] The above case may include a cushioning material to protect the battery from external impact.

[0012] The above case may include an insulating material to prevent heat transfer between the battery and the outside of the case.

[0013] The battery carrier may further include a locking device to prevent the opening of the door.

[0014] A control method for a battery carrier according to one embodiment may include detecting the mounting of a battery inside a case; and supplying the remaining power of the battery to a cooling device disposed inside the case to cool the battery.

[0015] Supplying the remaining power of the above battery can be performed based on identifying the closure of the door coupled to the above case.

[0016] The control method of the battery carrier may further include identifying the connection between the external charger and the charging target through a charger connector disposed on the outside of the case; and supplying at least a portion of the remaining power of the battery to the charging target based on identifying the connection between the external charger and the charging target.

[0017] The disclosed battery carrier and its control method can efficiently utilize residual energy by cooling the waste battery using residual energy within the waste battery, and can prevent fire and explosion of the waste battery during transportation.

[0018] The disclosed battery carrier and its control method can eliminate the pretreatment process prior to the crushing process of waste batteries by discharging the waste batteries during transportation, minimize the risk of fire through freezing, and reduce the cost of the pretreatment process by satisfying the battery input conditions in advance while transporting the batteries to the pretreatment process at the factory.

[0019] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 illustrate the structure of a battery carrier according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which a battery carrier according to one embodiment is mounted on a vehicle.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a battery carrier according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a battery carrier according to various embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a battery carrier according to various embodiments.

[0024] The embodiments described in this document and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely preferred examples of the disclosed invention, and various modifications that may replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0025] The terms used in this document are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit or restrict the disclosed invention.

[0026] For example, in this specification, singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related described components or any of the multiple related described components. For example, "A and / or B" may include only "A," only "B," or both "A and B."

[0029] Additionally, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to express the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the additional existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0030] When it is said that a component is "connected," "combined," "supported," or "in contact" with another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, combined, supported, or in contact, but also cases where they are indirectly connected, combined, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0031] When it is said that a component is located "on" another component, this includes not only cases where one component is in contact with the other, but also cases where another component exists between the two components.

[0032] Meanwhile, terms such as "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" used in the following description are defined based on the drawings; however, the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. For example, the front side may be defined as the +X side and the rear side as the -X side. For example, based on the drawings, the right side may be defined as the +Y side and the left side as the -Y side. For example, based on the drawings, the top side may be defined as the +Z side and the bottom side as the -Z side.

[0033] In addition, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the components.

[0034] In addition, terms such as "~part," "~unit," "~block," "~part," and "~module" may refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation. For example, the terms may refer to at least one piece of hardware such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), at least one piece of software stored in memory, or at least one process processed by a processor.

[0035] An embodiment of the disclosed invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Identical reference numbers or symbols in the attached drawings may indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0036] The operating principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 illustrate the structure of a battery carrier according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which a battery carrier according to one embodiment is mounted on a vehicle.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery carrier (1) may include a case (10) and a door (20) in which a battery (B) is mounted. The case (10) may include a receiving space (11) for receiving the battery (B). The case (10) may have a rectangular shape. The receiving space (11) may correspond to the size of the battery (B). The case (10) may protect the battery (B) from external impact. To minimize external impact on the battery (B), the case (10) may include a cushioning material to protect the battery (B) from external impact.

[0039] The door (20) can open or close the case (10). The door (20) can be opened to place the battery (B) into the receiving space (11) of the case (10). The battery (B) may be a waste battery. The door (20) may be rotatably connected to one side of the case (10). For example, the door (20) may be connected to the case (10) via a hinge. The door (20) may rotate in the up-and-down direction (Z direction) with one side of the case (10) as the axis of rotation. When the door (20) is closed, the receiving space (11) of the case (10) may be sealed. The door (20) may be fully open to facilitate the storage of the battery (B). Additionally, the door (20) may prevent the battery (B) from falling out when the battery carrier (1) is moved.

[0040] A fixing device (12) may be formed on the outer surface of the case (10). The fixing device (12) may protrude outward from the case (10). The fixing device (12) may be used to connect the case (10) and the vehicle (2) when the battery carrier (1) is loaded onto the vehicle (2). The battery carrier (1) can be stably fixed to the vehicle (2) through the fixing device (12).

[0041] A battery connector (13) for electrical connection with a battery (B) may be provided on the inner surface of the case (10). The residual power of the battery (B) may be transmitted to various configurations of the battery carrier (1) through the battery connector (13).

[0042] A cooling device (30) for cooling a battery (B) may be placed inside the case (10). One or more cooling devices (30) may be provided. For example, a cooling device (30) may be provided on each side (e.g., left) and the other side (e.g., right) inside the case (10) along the X direction shown in FIG. 1. Two cooling devices (30) may be arranged to face each other. When the battery (B) is placed in the receiving space (11), the battery (B) may be positioned between the two cooling devices (30).

[0043] The cooling device (30) can operate using the residual power of the battery (B) placed inside the case (10). By operating the cooling device (30) using the residual power of the battery (B), additional energy supply may be unnecessary or reduced. Thus, energy can be saved.

[0044] The case (10) can block heat transfer between the inside and outside of the case (10) to improve the cooling efficiency of the battery (B) by the cooling device (30). For example, the case (10) may include an insulating material to prevent heat transfer between the battery (B) and the outside of the case (10).

[0045] A locking device (40) may be provided on the door (20). The locking device (40) can prevent the door (20) from opening. When the door (20) is closed, the locking device (40) can secure the door (20) to the case (10). Even if the battery carrier (1) moves, the door (20) can be maintained in a closed state by the locking device (40). Additionally, safe storage and transportation of the battery (B) are possible.

[0046] The case (10) may include a charger connector (14) for connecting the battery (B) and the external charger (50). The charger connector (14) may be positioned on the outside of the case (10). The charger connector (14) and the external charger (50) may be connected via a charging cable (C). The remaining power of the battery (B) may be transmitted to the external charger (50) via the charging cable (C).

[0047] The battery carrier (1) may include a control circuit (100). The control circuit (100) may be provided at various locations on the case (10) and / or door (20). For example, the control circuit (100) may be provided on the door (20). The control circuit (100) may be located on the outer surface of the door (20) or on the inner surface of the door (20). The control circuit (100) may also be placed inside the case (10). The control circuit (100) may be electrically connected to various parts and / or devices of the battery carrier (1) and may transmit residual power of the battery (B) to various parts and / or devices.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 3, a battery carrier (1) can be mounted on a vehicle (2). An external charger (50) connected to the battery carrier (1) can charge the battery of the vehicle (2). The battery carrier (1) can supply at least a portion of the residual power of the battery (B) to the battery of the vehicle (2). By supplying the residual power of the battery (B) to the battery of the vehicle (2), the battery carrier (1) can discharge the battery (B) while the vehicle (2) is transporting the battery carrier (1). By discharging the battery scheduled for crushing in advance, a pretreatment process for discharging the battery before the crushing process can be omitted. Additionally, by providing the residual power of the battery (B) to the vehicle (2), efficient use of energy is also possible.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of a battery carrier according to one embodiment.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 4, the battery carrier (1) may include a cooling device (30) and a control circuit (100). The control circuit (100) is electrically connected to the cooling device (30) and can control the cooling device (30).

[0051] The control circuit (100) can be electrically connected to various parts and / or devices of the battery carrier (1) and can control various parts and / or devices. For example, the control circuit (100) can control the cooling device (30). If an external charger (40) is connected to the battery carrier (1), the control circuit (100) can control the external charger (50).

[0052] The cooling device (30) can cool the receiving space (11) of the case (10). The cooling device (30) can cool the battery (B) contained inside the case (10). The cooling device (30) can operate using the residual power of the battery (B) placed inside the case (10).

[0053] The cooling device (30) may be provided in various types. For example, the cooling device (30) may include at least one of an air-cooled cooling device that cools the battery (B) by circulating air, a water-cooled cooling device that cools the battery (B) by circulating water or cooling water, a Peltier cooling device that cools the battery (B) using a Peltier element, and an evaporative cooling device that cools the battery (B) using an endothermic reaction that occurs when a liquid evaporates.

[0054] The control circuit (100) may include an inverter (110), a processor (120), and a memory (130). The inverter (110) is electrically connected to the battery (B) and can convert the residual power of the battery (B) into power suitable for various components and / or devices of the battery carrier (1). For example, the inverter (110) can convert direct current power into alternating current power. The inverter (110) can adjust the voltage and frequency to levels required by various components and / or devices.

[0055] The memory (130) may include volatile memory (e.g., S-RAM, D-RAM) and non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM). The processor (120) and the memory (130) may be implemented as separate chips or as a single chip. Additionally, multiple processors and multiple memories may be provided.

[0056] The processor (120) can process various data and various signals using instructions, data, programs and / or software stored in memory (130). The processor (120) may include one core or multiple cores. The processor (120) can generate control signals for controlling components of the battery carrier (1).

[0057] The processor (120) may be configured to perform various operations of the battery carrier (1). The processor (120) may perform operations of the battery carrier (1) according to various embodiments by executing at least one instruction, algorithm, program and / or software stored in memory (130). The processor (120) may control one or any combination of the components of the battery carrier (1).

[0058] The processor (120) may include various types of circuits. For example, the processor (120) may include one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), MIC (Many Integrated Core), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), NPU (Neural Processing Unit), hardware accelerator, or machine learning accelerator.

[0059] Additionally, the battery carrier (1) may include a temperature sensor (60) for detecting the temperature inside the case (10). The temperature sensor (60) can detect the temperature of the battery (B) housed in the case (10). The temperature sensor (60) can transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the temperature of the battery (B) to a control circuit (100). The control circuit (100) can identify the temperature of the battery (B) based on the electrical signal transmitted from the temperature sensor (60).

[0060] The battery carrier (1) may include a voltage sensor (70) that detects the voltage of the battery (B). The voltage sensor (70) may transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the detected voltage of the battery (B) to a control circuit (100). The control circuit (100) may identify the voltage of the battery (B) based on the electrical signal transmitted from the voltage sensor (70). The control circuit (100) may determine whether the battery (B) is discharged by identifying a voltage drop of the battery (B).

[0061] The control circuit (100) can detect the installation of a battery (B) within the case (10). When the battery (B) is connected to the battery connector (13), the battery connector (13) can transmit an electrical signal to the control circuit (100). The control circuit (100) can identify the installation of the battery (B) based on the electrical signal received through the battery connector (13).

[0062] The control circuit (100) can supply the remaining power of the battery (B) to the cooling device (30) to cool the battery (B). The remaining power of the battery (B) can be converted into power suitable for the cooling device (30) through the inverter (110), and the power converted by the inverter (110) can be supplied to the cooling device (30).

[0063] The control circuit (100) can supply the remaining power of the battery (B) to the cooling device (30) based on identifying the closure of the door (20). Since the battery (B) may not be cooled if the cooling device (30) is operated while the door (20) is open, it is preferable to operate the cooling device (30) while the door (20) is closed.

[0064] The control circuit (100) can control the cooling device (30) to maintain the temperature of the battery (B) below a critical temperature. The critical temperature can be set in various ways depending on the design. If the temperature of the battery (B) detected by the temperature sensor (60) is higher than the critical temperature, the control circuit (100) can control the operation of the cooling device (30) to increase the cooling performance of the cooling device (30). By maintaining the temperature of the battery (B) below the critical temperature, fire and explosion of the battery (B) can be prevented during transport.

[0065] The control circuit (100) can monitor an abnormal voltage drop of the battery (B) by controlling the voltage sensor (70). When an abnormal voltage drop of the battery (B) occurs, the control circuit (100) can stop the discharge of the battery (B) by executing a safety mode. For example, the control circuit (100) can stop the operation of the inverter (110) to stop the discharge of the battery (B).

[0066] The control circuit (100) can identify the connection between the external charger (50) and the charger connector (14) of the case (10). When the external charger (50) is connected to the charger connector (14) of the case (10), the charger connector (14) can transmit an electrical signal to the control circuit (100). The control circuit (100) can identify the connection of the external charger (50) based on the electrical signal received through the charger connector (14).

[0067] Additionally, the control circuit (100) can identify the connection between the external charger (50) and the charging target (e.g., the battery of the vehicle (2)). When the external charger (50) is connected to the charging target, the external charger (50) can transmit an electrical signal to the control circuit (100) through the charger connector (14). The control circuit (100) can identify the connection between the external charger (50) and the charging target based on the electrical signal transmitted from the external charger (50). Based on identifying the connection between the external charger (50) and the charging target, the control circuit (100) can supply at least a portion of the remaining power of the battery (B) housed in the case (10) to the charging target.

[0068] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a battery carrier according to various embodiments.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 5, the battery carrier (1) can detect the mounting of the battery (B) (501). As described above, when the battery (B) is connected to the battery connector (13), the battery connector (13) can transmit an electrical signal to the control circuit (100). The control circuit (100) can identify the mounting of the battery (B) based on the electrical signal received through the battery connector (13).

[0070] The battery carrier (1) can operate the cooling device (30) using the remaining power of the battery (B) (502). The control circuit (100) can supply the remaining power of the battery (B) to the cooling device (30). The remaining power of the battery (B) can be converted into power suitable for the cooling device (30) through the inverter (110), and the power converted by the inverter (110) can be supplied to the cooling device (30).

[0071] The battery carrier (1) can control the cooling device (30) to maintain the temperature of the battery (B) below a critical temperature. The critical temperature can be set differently depending on the design. If the temperature of the battery (B) detected by the temperature sensor (60) is higher than the critical temperature, the battery carrier (1) can control the operation of the cooling device (30) to increase the cooling performance of the cooling device (30). By maintaining the temperature of the battery (B) below the critical temperature, fire and explosion of the battery (B) can be prevented during transport.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a battery carrier according to various embodiments.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 6, steps 601 and 602 are identical to steps 501 and 502 described in FIG. 5.

[0074] The battery carrier (1) can identify the connection of the external charger (50) (603). The connection of the external charger (50) may include a connection between the external charger (50) and the charger connector (14) of the case (10), and a connection between the external charger (50) and the charging target (e.g., the battery of the vehicle (2)). The battery carrier (1) can identify the connection between the external charger (50) and the charging target through the charger connector (14) located on the outside of the case (10).

[0075] The battery carrier (1) can supply the remaining power of the battery (B) to the charging target based on identifying the connection between the external charger (50) and the charging target (604). The battery carrier (1) can supply at least a portion of the remaining power of the battery (B) to the charging target.

[0076] The disclosed battery carrier and its control method can efficiently utilize residual energy by cooling the waste battery using residual energy within the waste battery, and can prevent fire and explosion of the waste battery during transportation.

[0077] The disclosed battery carrier and its control method can eliminate the pretreatment process prior to the crushing process of waste batteries by discharging the waste batteries while transporting them, and can also reduce the cost of the crushing process.

[0078] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operation of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0079] Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media that store instructions that can be decoded by a computer. Examples include ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0080] Additionally, computer-readable recording media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage 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 this 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.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as included in 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 recording medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable recording medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0082] As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been explained with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be practiced in forms different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be interpreted restrictively.

Claims

1. Case in which the battery is installed; A door for opening or closing the above case; A cooling device disposed inside the case to cool the battery; and A battery carrier comprising: a control circuit that detects the mounting of the battery and supplies the residual power of the battery to the cooling device to cool the battery.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above control circuit is A battery carrier that supplies the remaining power of the battery to the cooling device based on identifying the closure of the above door.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above case is A charger connector disposed on the outside of the case to connect the battery and an external charger; is included. The above control circuit is A battery carrier that supplies at least a portion of the remaining power of the battery to the charging target based on identifying the connection between the external charger and the charging target.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above case is A battery carrier comprising a battery connector for electrical connection with the above-mentioned battery.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above case is A battery carrier comprising a cushioning material for protecting the above-mentioned battery from external impact.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above case is A battery carrier comprising an insulating material to prevent heat transfer between the battery and the outside of the case.

7. In Paragraph 1, A battery carrier further comprising a locking device to prevent the opening of the above door.

8. Detect the installation of a battery inside the case; A method for controlling a battery carrier comprising: supplying the residual power of the battery to a cooling device disposed inside the case to cool the battery.

9. In Paragraph 8, Supplying the remaining power of the above battery is, A method for controlling a battery carrier based on identifying the closure of a door combined with the above case.

10. In Paragraph 8, Identifying the connection between the external charger and the charging target through a charger connector disposed on the outside of the above case; A method for controlling a battery carrier, further comprising supplying at least a portion of the remaining power of the battery to the charging target based on identifying the connection between the external charger and the charging target.

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