Battery Management Apparatus for Parking Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery packs in vehicles experience temperature fluctuations when left parked for extended periods, leading to potential degradation and safety risks due to inadequate cooling management.

Innovation Solution

A battery management apparatus with a master BMS and slave BMSs that operate a battery cooling unit based on state-of-charge information, using power from battery modules to maintain optimal temperatures by adjusting output and communication according to preset charge amounts and temperature ranges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the cooling device is operated continuously to maintain battery temperature, then temperature control is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery pack temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of cooling needs by evaluating SOC differences and temperature conditions before activating the cooling device. The master BMS calculates whether cooling is necessary based on predicted heat generation from unequal battery module discharge, avoiding unnecessary cooling operations and energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring battery module SOC values, temperature conditions, and cooling device operation status. The master BMS adjusts cooling device operation based on real-time SOC differences and temperature feedback, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the cooling device is not operated during parking, then energy consumption is reduced, but temperature management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidbattery pack temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Before the vehicle enters parking mode, the system performs preliminary assessment of battery temperature conditions and SOC equality. If cooling is deemed necessary based on these preliminary conditions, the cooling device is activated during parking to prevent temperature-related degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery management system serves itself by autonomously deciding whether cooling is needed during parking based on SOC measurements and temperature conditions, without requiring external intervention. The master BMS independently determines cooling necessity and controls the cooling device accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If battery modules are discharged unevenly for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but SOC balance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidSOC balance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial discharge to battery modules with higher SOC specifically for cooling purposes, accepting temporary SOC imbalance as a trade-off for effective temperature control. The master BMS calculates the optimal discharge amount needed for cooling while minimizing impact on overall SOC balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts discharge parameters (current, duration) of battery modules based on real-time temperature conditions and SOC status. By changing discharge parameters adaptively, the system achieves effective cooling while minimizing disruption to SOC balance across battery modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures uniform power usage and effective cooling of the battery pack, preventing degradation and ensuring safety by maintaining optimal temperatures even when the vehicle is parked.

Implementation Method 1

a battery cooling unit configured to cool the battery pack by using at least one of the outputs of the plurality of battery modules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat removal: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3540844B1Battery management aparatus and battery pack including same
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP3540844B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3540844B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3540844B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A battery management apparatus includes a master BMS and a plurality of slave BMSs connected to the master BMS by means of communication. The master BMS includes a master control unit configured to generate operation order information of the plurality of slave BMSs based on state-of-charge information of each of a plurality of battery modules respectively connected to the plurality of slave BMSs. Each of the plurality of slave BMSs includes: a slave communication unit configured to receive the operation order information generated by the master control unit and receive battery temperature information measured by a temperature measurement unit; and a slave control unit configured to operate a battery cooling unit by using an output of a corresponding battery module according to a temperature value of the battery temperature information when the operation order corresponds to a first operation order according to the received operation order information or the slave communication unit receives a first operation signal from another slave communication unit.