Battery pack with equilibrium management capability
Abstract
Problem to be solved.To provide a battery management system for a battery pack. A battery management system for a battery pack having a plurality of battery modules is disclosed. Each of the battery modules includes a plurality of battery cells. The battery management system is connected to a plurality of first equilibrium units, a plurality of first control devices, a second equilibrium unit including a plurality of second equilibrium circuits, a battery module, and a second equilibrium circuit. It is equipped with a second control device. The first controller can control the first balancing unit to adjust the voltage of the battery cells in the battery module when an imbalance occurs between the battery cells. The second controller can control the second balancing circuit to adjust the voltage of the battery modules when an imbalance occurs between the battery modules. [Selection diagram] Fig. 4

Term
4.7 yearsto projected expiry
Projected expiry 30 May 2031, counted from filing; an application has no term until it is granted.
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44 claims: 14 independent, 30 dependent
- 1それぞれが複数のバッテリセルを含む複数のバッテリモジュールを有するバッテリパックのための、バッテリ管理システムであって、前記バッテリ管理システムが、 それぞれのバッテリモジュールにそれぞれが連結される複数の第1平衡用ユニットと、 それぞれのバッテリモジュール及びそれぞれの第1平衡用ユニットにそれぞれが連結されると共に、前記バッテリセルの間に不平衡が発生する場合に、前記バッテリモジュール内のバッテリセルの電圧を調整するように前記第1平衡用ユニットを制御することができる、複数の第1制御装置と、 それぞれのバッテリモジュールにそれぞれが連結される複数の第2平衡用回路を含む、第2平衡用ユニットと、 前記バッテリモジュール及び前記第2平衡用回路に連結されると共に、前記バッテリモジュールの間に不平衡が発生する場合に、前記バッテリモジュールの電圧を調整するように前記第2平衡用回路を制御することができる、第2制御装置と、を備えることを特徴とするバッテリ管理システム。
- 2それぞれの第1制御装置にそれぞれが連結されると共に、前記第1制御装置が提供するデータを処理することができる、複数の電子制御ユニット、を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 3前記第1平衡用ユニットの各々が、それぞれのバッテリセルにそれぞれが連結される複数の第1平衡用回路を含み、 前記第1平衡用回路の各々が、 抵抗器と、 前記抵抗器に直列に連結されると共に、対応する第1制御装置によって制御される、スイッチと、を備えることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 4もし第1バッテリセルと第2バッテリセルとの間に、前記第1バッテリセルの電圧が前記第2バッテリセルの電圧より大きくなるような不平衡が発生するならば、その場合に、前記第1制御装置が、前記第1バッテリセル及び対応する抵抗器に連結される第1スイッチをターンオンすると共に、前記第2バッテリセルに連結される第2スイッチをターンオフすることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 5前記第1平衡用ユニットの各々が、 第1スイッチを介して前記バッテリパックに連結される一次巻線と、 複数の第2スイッチを介して前記バッテリセルに連結されると共に、それぞれのバッテリセルにそれぞれが連結される、複数の二次巻線と、を備えることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 6前記第2制御装置に連結されると共に、前記第2制御装置が提供するデータを処理することができる、電子制御ユニット、を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 7もし異常状態がバッテリセルを横断して発生するならば、対応する第1制御装置が、前記バッテリセルを無効にするように、対応する第1平衡用ユニットを制御することを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 8それぞれの第1制御装置にそれぞれが連結されると共に、前記第1制御装置が提供するデータを処理することができる、複数の第1電子制御ユニットと、 前記第2制御装置に連結されると共に、前記第2制御装置が提供するデータを処理することができる、第2電子制御ユニットと、 それぞれの第1電子制御ユニットにそれぞれが連結されると共に、前記第2電子制御ユニットにそれぞれが連結され、そして前記第1電子制御ユニットと前記第2電子制御ユニットとの間の通信を分離することができる、複数の結合器と、を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 9前記第2平衡用回路の各々が、 抵抗器と、 前記抵抗器に直列に連結されると共に、前記第2制御装置によって制御される、スイッチと、を備えることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 10もし第1バッテリモジュールと第2バッテリモジュールとの間に、前記第1バッテリモジュールの電圧が前記第2バッテリモジュールの電圧より大きくなるような不平衡が発生するならば、その場合に、前記第2制御装置が、前記第1バッテリモジュール及び対応する抵抗器に連結される第1スイッチをターンオンすると共に、前記第2バッテリモジュールに連結される第2スイッチをターンオフすることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 11前記第2平衡用ユニットが、 第1スイッチを介して前記バッテリパックに連結される一次巻線と、 複数の第2スイッチを介して前記バッテリモジュールに連結されると共に、それぞれのバッテリモジュールにそれぞれが連結される、複数の二次巻線と、を備えることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 12もし第1バッテリセルの間に不平衡が発生し、同時に、更に第1バッテリモジュールの間に不平衡が発生するならば、その場合に、前記第1制御装置が、前記第1バッテリセルの電圧を調整するように前記第1平衡用ユニットを制御すると共に、前記第2制御装置が、前記第1バッテリモジュールの電圧を調整するように前記第2平衡用回路を制御することを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 13それぞれのバッテリモジュールに連結されると共に、前記バッテリモジュールの電圧を監視し、前記バッテリモジュールに関して過電圧状態が発生するかどうかを判定することができる、検出回路と、 前記バッテリモジュール及び前記検出回路に連結されると共に、前記バッテリモジュールに関して前記過電圧状態が発生する場合に、前記バッテリモジュールの前記電圧を調整することができる、第3平衡用回路と、を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項1に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 14前記検出回路が、前記バッテリモジュールの前記電圧の所定のしきい値との比較に基づいて前記過電圧状態を判定することを特徴とする請求項13に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 15前記所定のしきい値が、前記バッテリモジュール内のバッテリセルの数に従って設定されることを特徴とする請求項14に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 16前記第3平衡用回路が、 抵抗器と、 前記抵抗器に直列に連結されると共に、前記検出回路によって制御される、スイッチと、を備えることを特徴とする請求項13に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 17前記第3平衡用回路内の前記抵抗器の抵抗が、前記バッテリモジュール内の前記バッテリセルの数に従って設定されることを特徴とする請求項16に記載のバッテリ管理システム。
- 18電動の乗り物であって、 それぞれが複数のバッテリセルを含む複数のバッテリモジュールを有するバッテリパックと、 前記バッテリパックに連結されると共に、バッテリセルの間に不平衡が発生する場合に、前記バッテリセルの電圧を調整し、そしてバッテリモジュールの間に不平衡が発生する場合に、前記バッテリモジュールの電圧を調整することができる、バッテリ管理システムと、 前記バッテリ管理システムに連結される制御回路と、 前記制御回路に連結されると共に、前記電動の乗り物にエネルギーを提供することができる、エンジンと、を備え、 前記制御回路が、前記バッテリパックから前記エンジンへの電力供給を制御することを特徴とする電動の乗り物。
- 19前記バッテリ管理システムが、 それぞれのバッテリモジュールにそれぞれが連結される複数の第1平衡用ユニットと、 それぞれのバッテリモジュール及びそれぞれの第1平衡用ユニットにそれぞれが連結されると共に、前記バッテリセルの間に不平衡が発生する場合に、前記バッテリモジュール内のバッテリセルの電圧を調整するように前記第1平衡用ユニットを制御することができる、複数の第1制御装置と、 それぞれのバッテリモジュールにそれぞれが連結される複数の第2平衡用回路を含む、第2平衡用ユニットと、 前記バッテリモジュール及び前記第2平衡用回路に連結されると共に、前記バッテリモジュールの間に不平衡が発生する場合に、前記バッテリモジュールの電圧を調整するように前記第2平衡用回路を制御することができる、第2制御装置と、を備えることを特徴とする請求項18に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 20前記バッテリ管理システムが、 それぞれの第1制御装置にそれぞれが連結されると共に、前記第1制御装置が提供するデータを処理することができる、複数の電子制御ユニット、を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 21前記第1平衡用ユニットの各々が、それぞれのバッテリセルにそれぞれが連結される複数の第1平衡用回路を含み、 前記第1平衡用回路の各々が、 抵抗器と、 前記抵抗器に直列に連結されると共に、対応する第1制御装置によって制御される、スイッチと、を備えることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 22もし第1バッテリセルと第2バッテリセルとの間に、前記第1バッテリセルの電圧が前記第2バッテリセルの電圧より大きくなるような不平衡が発生するならば、その場合に、前記第1制御装置が、前記第1バッテリセル及び対応する抵抗器に連結される第1スイッチをターンオンすると共に、前記第2バッテリセルに連結される第2スイッチをターンオフすることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 23前記第1平衡用回路の各々が、 第1スイッチを介して前記バッテリパックに連結される一次巻線と、 複数の第2スイッチを介して前記バッテリセルに連結されると共に、それぞれのバッテリセルにそれぞれが連結される、複数の二次巻線と、を備えることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 24前記バッテリ管理システムが、 前記第2制御装置に連結されると共に、前記第2制御装置が提供するデータを処理することができる、電子制御ユニット、を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 25もし異常状態がバッテリセルを横断して発生するならば、対応する第1制御装置が、前記バッテリセルを無効にするように、対応する第1平衡用ユニットを制御することを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 26前記バッテリ管理システムが、 それぞれの第1制御装置にそれぞれが連結されると共に、前記第1制御装置が提供するデータを処理することができる、複数の第1電子制御ユニットと、 前記第2制御装置に連結されると共に、前記第2制御装置が提供するデータを処理することができる、第2電子制御ユニットと、 それぞれの第1電子制御ユニットにそれぞれが連結されると共に、前記第2電子制御ユニットにそれぞれが連結され、そして前記第1電子制御ユニットと前記第2電子制御ユニットとの間の通信を分離することができる、複数の結合器と、を更に備えることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 27前記第2平衡用回路の各々が、 抵抗器と、 前記抵抗器に直列に連結されると共に、前記第2制御装置によって制御される、スイッチと、を備えることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 28もし第1バッテリモジュールと第2バッテリモジュールとの間に、前記第1バッテリモジュールの電圧が前記第2バッテリモジュールの電圧より大きくなるような不平衡が発生するならば、その場合に、前記第1制御装置が、前記第1バッテリモジュール及び対応する抵抗器に連結される第1スイッチをターンオンすると共に、前記第2バッテリモジュールに連結される第2スイッチをターンオフすることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 29前記第1平衡用ユニットの各々が、 第1スイッチを介して前記バッテリパックに連結される一次巻線と、 複数の第2スイッチを介して前記バッテリセルに連結されると共に、それぞれのバッテリセルにそれぞれが連結される、複数の二次巻線と、を備えることを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 30もし第1バッテリセルの間に不平衡が発生し、同時に、更に第1バッテリモジュールの間に不平衡が発生するならば、その場合に、前記第1制御装置が、前記第1バッテリセルの電圧を調整するように前記第1平衡用ユニットを制御すると共に、前記第2制御装置が、前記第1バッテリモジュールの電圧を調整するように前記第2平衡用回路を制御することを特徴とする請求項19に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 31前記バッテリ管理システムが、 それぞれのバッテリモジュールに連結されると共に、前記バッテリモジュールの電圧を監視し、前記バッテリモジュールに関して過電圧状態が発生するかどうかを判定することができる、検出回路と、 前記バッテリモジュール及び前記検出回路に連結されると共に、前記バッテリモジュールに関して前記過電圧状態が発生する場合に、前記バッテリモジュールの前記電圧を調整することができる、第3平衡用回路と、を備えることを特徴とする請求項18に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 32前記検出回路が、前記バッテリモジュールの前記電圧の所定のしきい値との比較に基づいて前記過電圧状態を判定すると共に、 前記所定のしきい値が、前記バッテリモジュール内の前記バッテリセルの数に従って設定されることを特徴とする請求項31に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 33前記第3平衡用回路が、 抵抗器と、 前記抵抗器に直列に連結されると共に、前記検出回路によって制御される、スイッチと、を備え、 前記第3平衡用回路内の前記抵抗器の抵抗が、前記バッテリモジュール内の前記バッテリセルの数に従って設定されることを特徴とする請求項31に記載の電動の乗り物。
- 34それぞれが複数のバッテリセルを含む複数のバッテリモジュールを有するバッテリパックを、平衡させる方法であって、 複数の第1制御装置によって前記バッテリセルの電圧を監視する段階と、 前記バッテリセルの間の電圧差に基づいて不平衡が発生するかどうかを判定する段階と、 もし前記バッテリセルの間に不平衡が発生するならば、前記バッテリセルの前記電圧を調整するように複数の第1平衡用回路を制御する段階と、 第2制御装置によって前記バッテリモジュールの電圧を監視する段階と、 前記バッテリモジュールの間の電圧差に基づいて不平衡が発生するかどうかを判定する段階と、 もし前記バッテリモジュールの間に不平衡が発生するならば、前記バッテリモジュールの前記電圧を調整するように第2平衡用回路を制御する段階と、を含むことを特徴とする方法。
- 35もし第1バッテリセルと第2バッテリセルとの間に、前記第1バッテリセルの電圧が前記第2バッテリセルの電圧より大きくなるような不平衡が発生するならば、平衡が達成されるまで、前記第1バッテリセルを放電する段階を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項34に記載の方法。
- 36もし第1バッテリセルと第2バッテリセルとの間に、前記第1バッテリセルの電圧が前記第2バッテリセルの電圧より大きくなるような不平衡が発生するならば、平衡が達成されるまで、充電期間において前記第1バッテリセルをバイパスする段階を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項34に記載の方法。
- 37もし第1バッテリセルと第2バッテリセルとの間に、前記第1バッテリセルの電圧が前記第2バッテリセルの電圧より大きくなるような不平衡が発生するならば、平衡が達成されるまで、前記第1バッテリセルから前記第2バッテリセルにエネルギーを転送する段階を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項34に記載の方法。
- 38もし異常状態がバッテリセルに発生するならば、前記異常のあるバッテリセルを無効にするように、対応する第1平衡用ユニットを制御する段階を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項34に記載の方法。
- 39もし第1バッテリモジュールと第2バッテリモジュールとの間に、前記第1バッテリモジュールの電圧が前記第2バッテリモジュールの電圧より大きくなるような前記不平衡が発生するならば、平衡が達成されるまで、前記第1バッテリモジュールを放電する段階を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項34に記載の方法。
- 40もし第1バッテリモジュールと第2バッテリモジュールとの間に、前記第1バッテリモジュールの電圧が前記第2バッテリモジュールの電圧より大きくなるような前記不平衡が発生するならば、平衡が達成されるまで、充電期間において前記第1バッテリモジュールをバイパスする段階を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項34に記載の方法。
- 41もし第1バッテリモジュールと第2バッテリモジュールとの間に、前記第1バッテリモジュールの電圧が前記第2バッテリモジュールの電圧より大きくなるような前記不平衡が発生するならば、平衡が達成されるまで、前記第1バッテリモジュールから前記第2バッテリモジュールにエネルギーを転送する段階を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項34に記載の方法。
- 42前記バッテリモジュールの電圧を監視する段階と、 前記バッテリモジュールに関して前記過電圧状態が発生する場合に、前記バッテリモジュールの前記電圧を調整するように第3平衡用ユニットを制御する段階と、を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項34に記載の方法。
- 43前記バッテリモジュールに関して過電圧状態が発生するかどうかを判定するために、前記バッテリモジュールの前記電圧を所定のしきい値と比較する段階を更に含むことを特徴とする請求項42に記載の方法。
- 44前記所定のしきい値が、それぞれのバッテリモジュール内のバッテリセルの数に従って設定されることを特徴とする請求項43に記載の方法。
Independent claims44
81 paragraphs, as filed
The present invention relates to a battery management system for a battery pack.
This application claims priority over the Chinese patent application, Application No. 201010215983.2, filed June 25, 2010, which is included by reference.
Over the last few decades, there has been increasing interest in electronic devices such as power supplies for various applications. The increasing demand for power sources has led to the sustained development of battery packs, such as rechargeable battery packs.
A battery pack can consist of a plurality of battery cells connected in series. If one of the battery cells is damaged, the life of the battery pack will be shortened. An imbalance between any two of the battery cells can lead to reduced battery life. FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a conventional lead-acid battery pack 100. Lead-acid battery packs 100 are commonly used in low-cost applications due to their simple construction.
<p> The lead-acid battery pack 100 can include a plurality of battery modules 101 to 104 connected in series. Each of the battery modules 101 to 104 can be composed of six battery cells 111 to 116 and two electrodes 120 and 129. Only the voltage of each battery module can be monitored via the two electrodes 120 and 129. Once any of the battery cells 111 to 116 is damaged, the entire battery pack 100 will be damaged. An imbalance between any two of the battery cells 111-116 can further shorten the life of the lead-acid battery pack 100.</p>
<p> Examples of battery management systems for battery packs with multiple battery modules are disclosed. Each of the battery modules includes a plurality of battery cells. In one embodiment, the battery management system includes a plurality of first equilibrium units, a plurality of first control devices, a second equilibrium unit including a plurality of second equilibrium circuits, the battery module, and the first equilibrium unit. 2 It is equipped with a second control device connected to the equilibrium circuit. The first control device can control the first balancing unit so as to adjust the voltage of the battery cells in the battery module when an imbalance occurs between the battery cells. The second control device can control the second equilibrium circuit so as to adjust the voltage of the battery module when an imbalance occurs between the battery modules.</p>
<figref num="1">It is a figure which illustrates the block diagram of the conventional lead-acid battery pack.</figref><figref num="2A">It is a figure which illustrates the block diagram of the battery management system for the battery pack according to one Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2B">FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of a balancing circuit in a battery management system for a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="2C">FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of a balancing unit in a battery management system for a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure which illustrates the block diagram of the battery management system for the battery pack by another Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="4">It is a figure which illustrates the block diagram of the battery management system for the battery pack by another Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="5">It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the battery pack by one Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of operations performed by a battery management system for a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="7">It is a figure which illustrates the block diagram of the component element of the electric vehicle by one Example of this invention.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration diagram of a battery management system for a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="9">FIG. 5 illustrates a configuration diagram of a battery management system for a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.</figref><figref num="10">FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of operations performed by a battery management system for a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.</figref>
The features and advantages of the embodiments of the subject matter described in the claims will be apparent by the progress of the detailed description below and by reference to the drawings in which the equivalent reference numerals depict the equivalent components.
References to the examples of the present invention will be made in detail from here. While the invention will be described with these examples, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these examples. Contrary to this, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. There is.
In addition, a number of specific details will be described in the following detailed description of the invention for a complete understanding of the invention. However, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be performed without these particular details. In other examples, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the features of the invention.
In one embodiment, the battery management system for a battery pack detects the voltage of a plurality of battery cells connected in series and adjusts the voltage of the battery cells when an imbalance occurs between the battery cells. A plurality of first control devices for controlling a plurality of first balancing circuits can be provided. If an abnormal condition occurs, the first controller can take steps to protect the corresponding battery cell. The battery management system detects the voltage of multiple battery modules connected in series and adjusts the voltage of the battery modules when an imbalance occurs between the battery modules. A second control device for controlling the above can be further provided. The balancing technology used for battery cells and battery modules protects the battery cells and / or battery modules from damage. Therefore, the economy of the battery management system can be improved and the battery life can be extended.
FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of a battery management system 200 for a battery pack, eg, a lead-acid battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Balancing techniques are used to increase the life of the battery pack and improve the economics of the battery management system 200.
In one embodiment, the battery pack can have multiple battery modules connected in series, such as battery modules 211-216. Each of the battery modules 211-216 can further include a plurality of battery cells, such as 3, 4, 5, or 6 battery cells. For example, the voltage of each battery module can have a voltage of 2 volts, in which case the voltage of each battery module can be 6 volts, 8 volts, 10 volts, or 12 volts, depending on the number of battery cells. Can be. The battery pack is connected to the balancing unit 220. In one embodiment, the balancing unit 220 may include a plurality of balancing circuits 221 to 226 coupled to the battery modules 211 to 216. Specifically, the balancing circuit 221 is connected to the battery module 211, the balancing circuit 222 is connected to the battery module 212, and so on. The number of battery cells, the number of battery modules, and the number of balancing circuits are not limited and can vary based on the requirements of different applications. For simplicity and clarity, an example of a 12 volt battery module will be described in detail below.
The control device 230 can be connected to a battery pack, for example, battery modules 211 to 216, and can monitor the parameters of battery modules 211 to 216, for example, the voltage and / or temperature of battery modules 211 to 216. In one embodiment, the controller 230 can timely detect the voltage of the battery modules 211-216 and then calculate the voltage difference between the battery modules 211-216. The control device 230 can determine whether or not an imbalance occurs based on the voltage difference. If an imbalance occurs between the battery modules 211-216, the controller 230 can control the corresponding balancing circuit to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery module. In one embodiment, controller 230 has a threshold V to determine if an imbalance occurs.<sub>THM</sub>Can be enforced. If the voltage difference between the battery modules 211 to 216 is greater than the threshold value, the controller 230 can determine that an imbalance exists. In that case, the controller 230 can start the corresponding balancing circuit to control the voltage adjustment of the unbalanced battery module.
In one embodiment, the voltages of battery modules 211 and 212 detected by controller 230 are V, respectively.<sub>M1</sub>And V<sub>M2</sub>Equal to, for example, 12.4 volts and 12 volts. If the voltage difference between battery module 211 and battery module 212 ΔV<sub>M12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THM</sub>For example, if it is greater than 0.1 volt, the controller 230 can determine that there is an imbalance between the battery module 211 and the battery module 212. Under the control of the controller 230, the balancing circuits 221 and 222 have a threshold V of the voltage difference between, for example, the battery module 211 and the battery module 212 so that the battery modules 211 and 212 are balanced.<sub>THM</sub>The voltage of the battery modules 211 and 212 can be adjusted so that it does not become larger. In one embodiment, in passive mode, ΔV<sub>M12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THM</sub>The equilibrium circuit 221 can discharge the battery module 211 during the discharge period or bypass the battery module 211 in one or more cycles during the charge period until reduced to. Can be done. In another embodiment, in active mode, ΔV<sub>M12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THM</sub>The energy of the battery module 211 may be transferred to the battery module 212 via a transformer (not shown) until reduced to.
In one embodiment, if imbalance occurs across multiple battery modules, controller 230 calculates and prioritizes the voltage differences between those battery modules. For example, the voltage difference with the largest value can be given the highest priority, and the voltage difference with the smallest value can be given the lowest priority. If two or more voltage differences have the same value, these voltage differences can be given the same priority. In that case, the controller 230 can adjust the unbalanced battery module according to the priority for thermal management purposes. In such an embodiment, if two or more voltage differences have the same priority, controller 230 provides the corresponding balancing circuit to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery module. It can be controlled at the same time. In another embodiment, if the battery management system 200 is equipped with a cooler or fan to solve the thermal problem, controller 230 does not determine and / or provide voltage difference priorities. At the same time, all unbalanced battery modules can be tuned at the same time.
In one embodiment, the electronic control unit (ECU) 240 can be connected to the control device 230 via the bus 250 and can process the data read from the control device 230. The data can include, but is not limited to, the voltage and / or temperature of the battery modules 211-216. The ECU 240 is provided with software control to manage the balance of the battery pack. The ECU 240 can further display the data and / or send the data to another device (not shown) for further processing. The ECU 240 is optional. In one embodiment, the ECU 240 is omitted for cost reduction purposes.
Advantageously, the controller 230 can timely monitor the imbalance between the battery modules 211-216 and control the corresponding balancing circuit to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery module. Therefore, the measures mentioned above may be taken to protect the unbalanced battery module from damage. As a result of the balancing techniques used for battery modules, battery pack life can be increased.
FIG. 2B illustrates the structure of a balancing circuit 200B in a battery management system for a battery pack, eg, a lead-acid battery pack in passive mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B is described in combination with FIG. 2A. In one embodiment, the balancing circuit, eg, the balancing circuits 221-226 in FIG. 2A, can use the structure of the balancing circuit 200B.
In one embodiment, the balancing circuit 200B may include a resistor 281 and a switch 282 connected in series. The balancing circuit 200B may be coupled to one of the battery modules in FIG. 2A. More specifically, the terminal of the resistor 281 can be connected to the positive electrode of one battery module, and the terminal of the switch 282 can be connected to the negative electrode of that battery module. Switch 282 may be controlled by controller 230.
In one embodiment, the first balancing circuit is connected to the first battery module and the second balancing circuit is connected to the second battery module. An imbalance exists when the voltage of the first battery module is greater than the voltage of the second battery module and the voltage difference between the first battery module and the second battery module is greater than the threshold. The control device 230 turns on the first switch in the first equilibrium circuit and turns off the second switch in the second equilibrium circuit. During the discharge period, the discharge current can flow through the first resistor in the first equilibrium circuit and therefore the first equilibrium circuit is between the first battery module and the second battery module. The first battery module can be discharged until equilibrium is achieved. During the charging period, the bypassing current can flow through the first resistor, so that the first balancing circuit is balanced between the first and second battery modules. The first battery module can be bypassed until it is done.
FIG. 2C illustrates the structure of a balancing unit 200C in a battery management system for a battery pack, eg, a lead-acid battery pack in active mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the balancing unit 200C may include a transformer. FIG. 2C is described in combination with FIG. 2A. In one embodiment, the balancing unit 200C can function as a balancing unit 220 instead of the balancing circuits 221-226 in FIG. 2A.
In one embodiment, the balancing unit 200C comprises a plurality of secondary windings, eg, secondary windings 291 to 296, connected in series with the plurality of switches 291A to 296A. Each of the secondary windings 291 to 296 is connected to the respective battery module, for example one of the battery modules 211 to 216. More specifically, the secondary winding 291 can be connected to the battery module 211 via the switch 291A, and the secondary winding 292 can be connected to the battery module 212 via the switch 292A. And so on. The balancing unit 200C can further include a primary winding 290 connected in series with the switch 290A. The primary winding 290 may be connected to the battery pack via switch 290A. All of the switches, eg switches 290A-296A, may be controlled by controller 230.
In one embodiment, the first secondary winding is connected to the first battery module via the first switch, and the second secondary winding is connected to the second battery module via the second switch. The module. An imbalance exists when the voltage of the first battery module is greater than the voltage of the second battery module and the voltage difference between the first battery module and the second battery module is greater than the threshold. The control device 230 turns on the first switch and turns off the other switches, so that the energy of the first battery module is stored in the first secondary winding. In one embodiment, the controller 230 turns on the second switch and turns off the other switch, so that the energy on the first secondary winding is transferred to the second secondary winding. In another embodiment, the controller 230 turns on the switch 290A and turns off the other switches so that the energy on the primary secondary winding is transferred to the primary winding 290. The energy on the primary winding 290 can be shared by all battery modules 211-216. The above process can be repeated until equilibrium is achieved.
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a battery management system 300 for a battery pack, eg, a lead-acid battery pack, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Balancing techniques are used to increase the life of the battery pack and improve the economics of the battery management system 300.
In one embodiment, the battery pack has a plurality of battery modules (not shown) connected in series. FIG. 3 illustrates one of the battery modules, eg, the battery module 310. The battery module 310 can further include a plurality of battery cells, such as battery cells 301-306. The battery cells 301 to 306 are connected to the balancing unit 320. In one embodiment, the equilibrium unit 320 can include a plurality of equilibrium circuits, such as equilibrium circuits 321A to 326A, which can use the structure of the equilibrium circuit 200B in FIG. 2B. Specifically, the balancing circuits 321A to 326A may include resistors, such as resistors 311 to 316, and switches connected in series, such as switches 321 to 326. The number of battery cells, the number of battery modules, and the number of balancing circuits here are not limited and may vary based on the requirements of different applications. An example of a 2 volt battery cell will be described in detail below.
The control device 330 is connected to the battery module 310, for example, battery cells 301 to 306, and can monitor the parameters of the battery cells 301 to 306, for example, the voltage and / or temperature of the battery cells 301 to 306. In one embodiment, the controller 330 can timely detect the voltage of the battery cells 301-306 and then calculate the voltage difference between the battery cells 301-306. When an imbalance occurs between the battery cells 301 to 306, the controller 330 can control the corresponding balancing circuits 321A to 326A to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery cell. In one embodiment, controller 330 has a threshold V to determine if an imbalance occurs.<sub>THC</sub>Can be enforced. If the voltage difference between the battery cells 301 to 306 is greater than the threshold value, the controller 330 can determine that an imbalance exists. In that case, the controller 330 can start the corresponding balancing circuit to control the voltage adjustment of the unbalanced battery cell.
In one embodiment, the voltages of battery cells 301 and 302 detected by controller 330 are V, respectively.<sub>C1</sub>And V<sub>C2</sub>Equal to, for example, 2.1 volts and 2.0 volts. If the voltage difference between battery cell 301 and battery cell 302 is ΔV<sub>C12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THC</sub>For example, if it is greater than 0.02 volt, controller 330 can determine that there is an imbalance between battery cell 301 and battery cell 302. In this situation, the controller 330 controls, for example, the voltage difference ΔV between the battery cell 301 and the battery cell 302 until equilibrium between the battery cell 301 and the battery cell 302 is achieved.<sub>C12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THC</sub>The equilibrium circuit 321A and the equilibrium circuit 322A can be controlled so as to adjust the voltage of the battery cells 301 and 302 until the state is not larger. In one embodiment, in passive mode, ΔV<sub>C12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THC</sub>The balancing circuit 321A can either discharge the battery cell 301 during the discharge period or bypass the battery cell 301 during the charge period until reduced to. More specifically, in this situation, the controller 330 can transmit a control signal to the switch 321 and the switch 321 is then turned on in one or more cycles. Thus, current can flow through the resistor 311 and switch 321 and, as a result, V.<sub>C1</sub>Can decrease. Once V to achieve equilibrium between battery cell 301 and battery cell 302<sub>C1</sub>If is reduced, the controller 330 can turn off the switch 321 to stop discharging the battery cell 301 or bypassing the battery cell 301.
In one embodiment, if imbalance occurs across multiple battery cells, controller 330 may calculate and prioritize the voltage differences between those battery cells. it can. In that case, controller 330 can adjust the unbalanced battery cells according to their priorities for thermal management purposes. If two or more voltage differences have the same priority, the controller 330 can simultaneously control the corresponding balancing circuit to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery cell. In another embodiment, if the battery management system 300 is equipped with a cooler or fan to solve the thermal problem, controller 330 does not determine and / or provide voltage difference priorities. At the same time, all unbalanced battery cells can be adjusted at the same time.
If an abnormal condition occurs, the controller 330 can generate an alarm signal and the electronic control unit (ECU) 340 can read the alarm signal via the bus 350. Controller 330 identifies abnormal conditions that may include, but are not limited to, over-voltage (OV) conditions, under-voltage (UV) conditions, or over-temperature (OT) conditions. be able to. In the event of an abnormal condition, controller 330 may take certain steps to protect the corresponding battery cell.
In one embodiment, if an OV condition occurs, the controller 330 can control the corresponding balancing circuit to disable charging of the OV battery cell. If a UV condition occurs, the controller 330 can control the corresponding balancing circuit to disable the discharge of the UV battery cells. If an OT condition occurs, the controller 330 has a corresponding equilibrium to reduce the charge or discharge current of the OT battery cell, or even to stop the charge or discharge of the OT battery cell. The circuit can be controlled. When the battery management system 300 is in an operating state, the number of battery cells with an abnormal state can vary. If an abnormal condition occurs in multiple battery cells, the controller 330 can simultaneously control the corresponding balancing circuitry to further improve the efficiency of the battery management system 300.
The ECU 340 is connected to the control device 330 via the bus 350 and can process the data read from the control device 330. The data can include, but is not limited to, the voltage and / or temperature of battery cells 301-306, and an alarm signal indicating an abnormal condition. The ECU 340 is provided with software control to manage the balance of the battery pack. The ECU 340 can also display the data and / or send the data to another device (not shown) for further processing. The ECU 340 is optional. In one embodiment, the ECU 340 is omitted for cost reduction purposes.
In one embodiment, further referring to both FIGS. 2C and 3C, the equilibrium unit 200C replaces all of the equilibrium circuits including the equilibrium unit 320 in active mode, eg, equilibrium circuits 321A-326A. be able to. The first secondary winding is connected to the first battery cell via the first switch, and the second secondary winding is connected to the second battery cell via the second switch. An imbalance exists when the voltage of the first battery cell is greater than the voltage of the second battery cell and the voltage difference between the first battery cell and the second battery cell is greater than the threshold value. The control device 330 turns on the first switch and turns off the other switches, so that the energy of the first battery cell is stored in the first secondary winding. In one embodiment, the controller 330 turns on the second switch and turns off the other switch, so that the energy on the first secondary winding is transferred to the second secondary winding. In another embodiment, the controller 330 turns on the switch 290A and turns off the other switches so that the energy on the primary secondary winding is transferred to the primary winding 290. The energy on the primary winding 290 may be shared by all battery cells 301-306. The above process can be repeated until equilibrium is achieved.
Advantageously, the controller 330 can timely monitor the imbalance between the battery cells 301-306 and control the corresponding balancing circuit to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery cell. Therefore, the measures mentioned above may be taken to protect the unbalanced battery cell from damage. The control device 330 can detect an abnormal state in the battery cells 301 to 306, and in that case, can take the above-mentioned measures in order to protect each battery cell and extend the battery life. As a result, battery pack life can be increased.
FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a battery management system 400 for a battery pack, eg, a lead-acid battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Balancing techniques for battery cells and balancing techniques for battery modules facilitate the life of the battery pack and the balancing rate in the event of any imbalance. Used in the battery management system 400 to do so. FIG. 4 is described in combination with FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3. The components in FIG. 4 to which a reference code similar to the reference code in other drawings is assigned have the same function.
In one embodiment, the battery pack can have multiple battery modules, such as battery modules 411 to 416. Each of the battery modules can consist of a plurality of battery cells (not shown in FIG. 4) connected in series. An example of battery module 411 will be described below. Each of the battery cells in the battery module 411 is connected to the respective balancing circuit in the balancing unit 421. In one embodiment, the equilibration unit 421 can use the structure of the equilibration unit 320 in FIG. In another embodiment, the equilibration unit 421 can use the structure of the equilibration unit 200C in FIG. 2C.
The control device 431 is connected to the battery cell in the battery module 411 and can monitor the parameters of the battery cell, for example, the voltage and / or temperature of the battery cell. Controller 431 can function as a front-end module. When an abnormal condition occurs in one battery cell, the controller 431 can control the corresponding balancing circuit to protect the abnormal battery cell and electronically send an alarm signal via bus 491. Can be generated for control unit (ECU) 441. If the anomaly occurs in multiple battery cells, controller 431 simultaneously controls the corresponding balancing circuit to protect the corresponding battery cell in order to improve the efficiency of the battery management system 400. be able to.
The control device 431 can detect the voltage of the battery cell in the battery module 411 in a timely manner. When an imbalance occurs between the battery cells in the battery module 411, the controller 431 transfers energy between the corresponding battery cells by discharging or bypassing the corresponding battery cells. Thereby, the corresponding balancing circuit can be controlled so as to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery cell.
The ECU 441 can be connected to the control device 431 via the bus 491 and can process the data received from the control device 431. ECU441 can also display data. In one embodiment, the ECU 441 can transfer data to the ECU 480 via the coupler 451 for further processing. Couplers are used to separate communication between the low voltage side, eg the ECU 480, and the high voltage side, eg the ECU 441, to protect the ECU 480 from being damaged by higher voltages.
In one embodiment, the controller 431 may be coupled to a battery cell in another battery module (not shown), eg, a first battery cell in the battery module 412. Therefore, the control device 431 can simultaneously detect the voltage of the first battery cell in the battery module 412 and the voltage of the battery cell in the battery module 411. If an abnormal condition occurs or an imbalance occurs between the first battery cell in the battery module 412 and the battery cell in the battery module 411, the controller 431 uses the above measures. This problem can be solved.
In one embodiment, if unbalance occurs across multiple battery cells, controller 431 will use the unbalanced battery according to the priority of the voltage difference between the battery cells for thermal management purposes. The corresponding balancing circuit can be controlled to regulate the voltage of the cell. In another embodiment, if a cooler or fan is included to solve the thermal problem, controller 431 will not and / or will not prioritize the voltage difference, and all Unbalanced battery cells can be adjusted at the same time. If an anomaly occurs in multiple battery cells, controller 431 simultaneously takes the measures previously described to protect the corresponding battery cells in order to improve the efficiency of the battery management system 400. be able to.
The control device 470 is connected to a balancing unit 460, for example, a plurality of balancing circuits, for example, smoothing circuits 461 to 466, and can detect the voltage of the battery modules 411 to 416 in a timely manner. In one embodiment, balancing circuits 461-466 can use the structure of balancing circuit 200B in FIG. 2B and can perform similar functions as previously described herein. In another embodiment, the equilibrium unit 460 can use the structure of the equilibrium unit 200C in FIG. 2C and can perform similar functions as previously described herein. When an unbalance occurs between two battery modules of the battery modules 411 to 416, the controller 470 controls the corresponding balancing circuits 461 to 466 to adjust the unbalanced battery module. be able to. In one embodiment, if the unbalance occurs across multiple battery modules, the controller 470 will use the unbalanced battery according to the priority of the voltage difference between the battery modules for thermal management purposes. The corresponding balancing circuit can be controlled to regulate the voltage of the module. In another embodiment, if a cooler or fan is included to solve the thermal problem, controller 470 will not and / or provide prioritization for voltage differences, and all. Unbalanced battery modules can be adjusted at the same time.
The ECU 480 is connected to the control device 470 via the bus 482 and can process the data read from the control device 470. The ECU 480 can also display the data and / or send the data to another device (not shown) for further processing. Advantageously, balancing techniques for battery cells and balancing techniques for battery modules are used to increase the efficiency of the battery management system 400 in the event of imbalance. Therefore, the corresponding battery cell, or corresponding battery module, is protected from damage. As a result, the life of the battery pack can be extended.
ECUs 441 to 446, balancing circuits 461 to 466, controller 470, and ECU 480 included in the battery management system 400 are optional. In one embodiment, balancing circuits 461-466 and controller 470 are omitted and the corresponding functions are performed by software. For example, ECU 480 can read data from controllers 431 to 436 via ECU 441 to 446, and controllers 431 to 436 take the measures described above to solve different problems. Can be done. Bus 482 can be omitted in this situation. In another embodiment, ECU 441-446, balancing circuits 461-466, controller 470, and ECU 480 are omitted, and controllers 431-436 are described above to solve different problems. Measures can be taken.
FIG. 5 illustrates a battery pack 500, for example a lead-acid battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the battery management system 200, 300, or 400 is used for the battery pack 500. The battery pack 500 can have a plurality of battery modules, for example, battery modules 501 to 506 connected in series. Each battery module has two electrodes. Each voltage of battery modules 501-506 can be monitored via two electrodes. For example, battery module 501 may be monitored via electrode 530 and electrode 531 while battery module 506 may be monitored via electrode 535 and electrode 536.
In one embodiment, each battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells, eg, battery cells 511-516 connected in series. Each battery cell has two electrodes. Each voltage of battery cells 511-516 can be monitored via two electrodes. For example, battery cell 511 may be monitored via electrode 520 and electrode 521, and battery cell 516 may be monitored via electrode 525 and electrode 526.
FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart 600 of operations performed by a battery management system for a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 will be described in combination with FIG.
In block 601, control devices 431 to 436 can monitor the parameters of the battery cells in the battery modules 411 to 416, such as the voltage and / or temperature of the battery cells. The controller 470 can monitor the parameters of battery modules 411 to 416, such as the voltage and / or temperature of battery modules 411 to 416.
At block 610, if an anomalous condition occurs in the battery cell, controllers 431-436 can take certain steps to protect the corresponding battery cell. If an OV condition occurs, controllers 431 to 436 can control the corresponding equilibrium units 421 to 426 to disable charging of the OV battery cells. If a UV condition occurs, controllers 431-436 can control the corresponding balancing units 421-426 to disable the discharge of the UV battery cells. If an OT condition occurs, controllers 431 to 436 respond to reduce the charge or discharge current of the OT battery cell, or even stop charging or discharging the OT battery cell. It is possible to control the balancing units 421 to 426. Advantageously, the controllers 431 to 436 can simultaneously control the corresponding balancing units 421 to 426 in order to improve the efficiency of the battery management system 400.
In block 620, controllers 431 to 436 refer to voltage differences between battery cells, such as ΔV.<sub>C</sub>Along with calculating ΔV<sub>C</sub>The threshold V<sub>THC</sub>Can be compared with. If ΔV<sub>C</sub>Is V<sub>THC</sub>If it is larger, an imbalance occurs. In one embodiment, controllers 431-436 adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery cell according to the priority of the voltage difference for thermal management purposes until equilibrium is achieved. The balancing circuit in ~ 416 can be controlled. In another embodiment, if a cooler or fan is included to solve the thermal problem, the controllers 431-436 can simultaneously adjust the unbalanced battery cells.
More specifically, in passive mode, ΔV<sub>C</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THC</sub>The corresponding balancing circuit can discharge the battery cell with the higher voltage during the discharge period, or is higher in one or more cycles during the charge period. Battery cells with voltage can be bypassed. In active mode, ΔV<sub>C</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THC</sub>The energy of the battery cell with the higher voltage can be transferred to the battery cell with the lower voltage via a transformer (not shown) until reduced to.
At block 630, controller 470 receives a voltage difference between the battery modules, eg ΔV.<sub>M</sub>Can be calculated and ΔV<sub>M</sub>The threshold V<sub>THM</sub>Can be compared with. If ΔV<sub>M</sub>Is V<sub>THM</sub>If it is larger, an imbalance occurs. In one embodiment, controller 470 corresponds to the corresponding balancing circuit 461 to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery module according to the priority of the voltage difference for thermal management purposes until equilibrium is achieved. ~ 466 can be controlled. In another embodiment, if a cooler or fan is included to solve the thermal problem, the controller 470 can simultaneously adjust the unbalanced battery module.
More specifically, in passive mode, ΔV<sub>M</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THM</sub>The corresponding balancing circuit can discharge the battery module with the higher voltage during the discharge period, or is higher in one or more cycles during the charge period. Battery modules with voltage can be bypassed. In active mode, ΔV<sub>M</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>THM</sub>The energy of the battery module with the higher voltage can be transferred to the battery module with the lower voltage via a transformer (not shown) until reduced to.
Advantageously, the balancing technique adjusts the voltages of multiple battery cells and / or multiple battery modules simultaneously to adjust the voltage according to the priority of the voltage difference or to improve the efficiency of the battery management system 400. Can be used.
FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an electric vehicle 700 (eg, an automobile) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 will be described in combination with other drawings. The electric vehicle 700 may include other well-known components in addition to the components shown.
In one embodiment, the electric vehicle 700 can include a lead-acid battery pack 701, a battery management system 702, a control circuit 703, and an engine 704. The lead-acid battery pack 701 is not limited, and other types of battery packs may be used. A battery management system 200, 300, or 400 can be used as the battery management system 702. In one embodiment, the battery management system 702 and the lead-acid battery pack 701 can be integrated into one integrated circuit (IC). The control circuit 703 can control the power supply from the lead-acid battery pack 701 to the engine 704. The engine 704 can supply energy to the electric vehicle 700.
Advantageously, the battery management system 702 uses balancing techniques to balance multiple battery cells and / or multiple battery modules in a timely manner, and thus the lead-acid battery pack 701 causes imbalance. If you do, you can be protected from damage. Therefore, the life of the lead-acid battery pack 701 can be increased and the reliability of the electric vehicle 700 can be extended.
FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a battery management system 800 for a battery pack, eg, a lead-acid battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The inter-cell controller 850 is used to increase the life of the battery pack and reduce the cost of the battery pack. FIG. 8 is illustrated with FIG. 2B.
In one embodiment, the battery pack can have one or more battery modules connected in series. In the example of FIG. 8, the battery pack can have two battery modules 841 and 842 connected in series. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the battery module 841 can include six battery cells 801 to 806, and the battery module 842 can include six battery cells 807 to 812. Each of the battery cells 801 to 812 is connected to the respective balancing circuit. In one embodiment, each of the balancing circuits 821-832 can use the structure of the balancing circuit 200B in FIG. 2B. More specifically, the balancing circuit can include a resistor such as a resistor 281 and a switch connected in series such as switch 282. The number of battery cells, the number of battery modules, and the number of balancing circuits are not limited herein and can vary based on the requirements of different applications. An example of a 2 volt battery cell will be described in detail below.
The cell-to-cell controller 850 is connected to the balancing circuits 821 to 832 and the battery cells 801 to 812, and monitors the parameters of the battery cells 801 to 812, for example, the voltage, current, and / or temperature of the battery cells 801 to 812. At the same time, the balancing circuits 821 to 832 can be controlled when an imbalance occurs, and further, a protective operation can be induced when an abnormal state occurs. In one embodiment, the cell-to-cell controller 850 can monitor the voltage of battery cells 801 to 812 and is located between any two battery cells of battery cells 801 to 812 in battery modules 841 and 842. The voltage difference can be calculated. In this situation, the cell-to-cell controller 850 can determine if an imbalance occurs between any two battery cells, even if the battery cells are in different battery modules. As a result, the efficiency of cell equilibration can be improved. When an imbalance occurs between any two battery cells of the battery cells 801 to 812, the cell-to-cell controller 850 adjusts the voltage of the battery cells to adjust the corresponding balancing circuit 821 to 832. Can be controlled. In one embodiment, the imbalance can be detected by the cell-to-cell controller 850. For example, the cell-to-cell controller 850 has a threshold V to determine if an imbalance occurs.<sub>TH1</sub>Can be enforced. If the voltage difference between any two battery cells 801 to 812 is the threshold V<sub>TH1</sub>If greater than, the cell-to-cell controller 850 determines that an imbalance exists. The cell-to-cell controller 850 can start the corresponding balancing circuit to control the voltage adjustment of the unbalanced battery cell.
As an example, the voltage of the battery cell 801 in the battery module 841 and the voltage of the battery cell 807 in the battery module 842 detected by the cell-to-cell controller 850 are V, respectively.<sub>1</sub>And V<sub>2</sub>Equal to, for example, 2.1 volts and 2.0 volts. If the voltage difference between battery cell 801 and battery cell 807 is ΔV<sub>12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>TH1</sub>For example, if it is larger than 0.02 volt, the cell-to-cell controller 850 determines that an imbalance occurs between the battery cell 801 and the battery cell 807. In this situation, the cell-to-cell controller 850 is charged with a voltage difference ΔV between, for example, battery cell 801 and battery cell 807 until equilibrium between battery cell 801 and battery cell 807 is achieved.<sub>12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>TH1</sub>The equilibrium circuits 821 and 827 can be controlled until they are not larger. In one embodiment, in passive mode, ΔV<sub>12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>TH1</sub>The equilibrium circuit 821 can either discharge the battery cell 801 during the discharge period or bypass the battery cell 801 during the charge period until reduced to. Each of the balancing circuits 821-832 can use the structure of the balancing circuit in FIG. 2B. The cell-to-cell controller 850 can transmit a control signal to the switch 282 included in the balancing circuit 821, and the switch 282 in the balancing circuit 821 can be turned on in one or more cycles. Therefore, during the discharge period, the discharge current can flow through the resistor 281 and the switch 282 included in the equilibrium circuit 821. As a result, V<sub>1</sub>Can be reduced. During the charging period, the charging current can flow through the resistor 281 and switch 282 included in the balancing circuit 821. Once ΔV<sub>12</sub>Is the threshold V<sub>TH1</sub>When not larger, the equilibrium between the battery cell 801 and the battery cell 807 is achieved and the cell-to-cell controller 850 stops discharging the battery cell 801 or bypassing the battery cell 801. To do so, the switch 282 in the balancing circuit 821 can be turned off.
If the imbalance occurs across multiple battery cells, the cell-to-cell controller 850 can calculate and prioritize the voltage differences between those battery cells. it can. In one embodiment, the largest voltage difference can be given the highest priority and the smallest voltage difference can be given the lowest priority, so the larger the voltage difference, the higher the priority. Given. The cell-to-cell controller 850 can adjust the unbalanced battery cells according to their respective priorities. If two or more voltage differences have the same priority, the cell-to-cell controller 850 can simultaneously control the corresponding balancing circuit to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced cell. .. In another embodiment, if a cooler or fan is included to solve the thermal problem, the cell-to-cell controller 850 will not and / or will not prioritize the voltage difference. , All unbalanced battery cells can be adjusted at the same time.
Further, the cell-to-cell control device 850 can monitor each parameter of the battery cells 801 to 812, for example, the current, voltage, and temperature of each of the battery cells 801 to 812. The cell-to-cell controller 850 further includes, but is not limited to, an over-voltage (OV) state, an under-voltage (UV) state, an over-temperature (OT) state, and a discharge overcurrent (over-temperature: OT) state. Abnormal conditions including discharge over current (DOC) state and charging over current (COC) state can be detected. If an abnormal condition occurs, the cell-to-cell controller 850 shall generate a control signal to turn off the discharge switch 861 in the lead-acid battery pack in order to end the discharge or charge of the battery cells 801 to 812. And / or can generate a control signal to turn off the charge switch 862 in the lead-acid battery pack.
In one embodiment, the cell-to-cell controller 850 can monitor the respective voltages of the battery cells 801 to 812 and set these voltages to a predetermined threshold value V set by the cell-to-cell controller 850.<sub>OV</sub>And V<sub>UV</sub>And can determine if an overvoltage or undervoltage condition occurs. The cell-to-cell controller 850 can further monitor the voltage of the detection resistor 872 and set the voltage to a predetermined threshold value V set by the cell-to-cell controller 850.<sub>COC</sub>And V<sub>DOC</sub>Can be compared with, and it can be determined whether a charge overcurrent condition or a discharge overcurrent condition occurs. The cell-to-cell control device 850 can further monitor the voltage of the thermistor (not shown in FIG. 8) connected to each of the cells 801 to 812, and the voltage is set by the cell-to-cell control device 850. Predetermined threshold V to be<sub>OT</sub>Can be compared with, and whether or not an overheating condition occurs can be determined. If one of these cell voltages is the given threshold V<sub>OV</sub>If greater than, an overvoltage (OV) condition occurs and the cell-to-cell controller 850 may generate a control signal to turn off the charging switch 862 to finish charging battery cells 801-812. it can. If one of these cell voltages is the given threshold V<sub>UV</sub>If less, an undervoltage (UV) condition occurs and the cell-to-cell controller 850 generates a control signal to turn off the discharge switch 861 to end the discharge of battery cells 801-812. Can be done. If the voltage of the detection resistor 872 has a predetermined threshold V during the charging period<sub>COC</sub>If greater than, then a charging overcurrent (COC) condition occurs and the cell-to-cell controller 850 controls to turn off the charging switch 862 to finish charging the battery cells 801 to 812. A signal can be generated. If the voltage of the detection resistor 872 has a predetermined threshold V during the discharge period<sub>DOC</sub>If greater than, a discharge overcurrent (DOC) condition occurs and the cell-to-cell controller 850 generates a control signal to turn off the discharge switch 861 to end the discharge of battery cells 801-812. be able to. If the thermistor voltage is a given threshold V<sub>OT</sub>If greater than, then an overheat (OT) condition occurs and the cell-to-cell controller 850 turns off the discharge switch 861 and / or the charge switch 862 to terminate the discharge and / or charge of the battery cells 801 to 812. It is possible to generate a control signal for the operation.
Advantageously, the cell-to-cell controller 850 monitors the imbalance between the battery cells 801 to 812 in the battery pack and, even if they are in different battery modules, any two of the battery cells 801 to 812. The corresponding balancing circuit can be controlled to calculate the voltage difference between the battery cells and adjust the voltage of the unbalanced battery cell. Further, the cell-to-cell controller 850 can detect that an abnormal condition occurs in the battery cells 801 to 812, and discharge and / or discharge the battery cells 801 to 812 in order to protect the battery cells from damage. Alternatively, a control signal can be generated to turn off the discharge switch 861 and / or the charge switch 862 to end charging. Therefore, the battery life of the battery pack can be increased.
FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a battery management system 900 for a battery pack, eg, a lead-acid battery pack, according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is described in combination with FIGS. 2B and 3.
In one embodiment, the battery pack can have multiple battery modules. In the example of FIG. 9, a battery module containing six battery cells 901 to 906 connected in series is shown. Each of the battery cells 901 to 906 may be connected to one of the balancing circuits 921A to 926A. The control device 930 can be connected to the battery cells 901 to 906 and the balancing circuits 921A to 926A, and can monitor the parameters of the battery cells 901 to 906, for example, the voltage of the battery cells 901 to 906. Components with the same reference numerals as the components in FIG. 3 have similar functions and will not be described repeatedly here.
In one embodiment, the overvoltage (OV) detection circuit 960 can be connected to the terminals of the battery module and can monitor the voltage of the battery module in the battery pack. The OV detection circuit 960 may be further connected to the module OV balancing circuit 962 which is connected to the terminals of the battery module. In one embodiment, the module OV balancing circuit 962 can use the balancing circuit structure described in FIG. 2B to reduce the cost of the battery pack. More specifically, the module OV balancing circuit 962 can include a resistor 281 and a switch 282 connected in series, as shown in FIG. 2B.
In one embodiment, the OV detection circuit 960 can monitor the voltage of the battery module and determine whether an overvoltage condition occurs. More specifically, the OV detection circuit 960 has a predetermined threshold value V.<sub>THOV</sub>For example, for a 12 volt battery module, 14.76 volt can be set. The OV detection circuit 960 can monitor the voltage of the battery module and set the detected voltage to a predetermined threshold value V.<sub>THOV</sub>Can be compared with, and the detected voltage is a given threshold V<sub>THOV</sub>If it is larger than, it can be determined that an overvoltage state occurs. In response to an overvoltage condition, the OV detection circuit 960 can generate a control signal for the module OV balancing circuit 962 to switch on the switch 282 included in the module OV balancing circuit 962. Therefore, a bypass path including the switch 282 and the resistor 281 can be established between the terminals of the battery module. In this situation, the voltage of the battery module is the threshold V<sub>THOV</sub>The module OV balancing circuit 962 can discharge the battery module when the charging mode ends, or the module OV balancing circuit 962 can be used during the charging mode until it is not larger. The battery module can be bypassed in one or more cycles.
The OV detection circuit 960 can be used to monitor a battery module that includes a variety of battery cells. Therefore, a predetermined threshold value V<sub>THOV</sub>Can be set based on the number of battery cells in the battery module and, for example, for a battery module containing 12 battery cells and having a battery module voltage of 24 volts, is set to 26 volts. In addition, the resistance of the resistors contained within the module OV balancing circuit 962 can be set according to the number of battery cells in the battery module to adjust the bypass current to improve the efficiency of the battery management system 900. ..
Advantageously, the module OV balancing circuit 962 can adjust the battery module voltage, and the balancing circuits 921A to 926A can simultaneously adjust the voltage of the battery cells in the battery module. Therefore, the response rate of the battery management system 900 can be increased, the efficiency of the battery management system 900 can be improved, and the life of the battery pack can be increased.
FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart 1000 of operations performed by a battery management system for a battery pack, eg, a lead-acid battery pack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 will be described in combination with FIG.
At block 1001, controller 930 can monitor parameters of multiple battery cells 901-906, such as batteries 901-906, in the battery module, eg, voltage of battery cells 901-906, and OV, as illustrated in FIG. The detection circuit 960 is the voltage V of the battery module.<sub>M</sub>To monitor.
At block 1100, the OV detection circuit 960 can determine if an overvoltage condition occurs. For example, the OV detection circuit 960 has a battery module voltage V.<sub>M</sub>Can be monitored and V<sub>M</sub>The predetermined threshold V<sub>THMOV</sub>Can be compared with. Battery module voltage V<sub>M</sub>Is a given threshold V<sub>THMOV</sub>If greater than, an overvoltage condition is detected. The OV detection circuit 960 has a battery module voltage V.<sub>M</sub>The module OV balancing circuit 962 can be controlled so as to adjust. More specifically, the module OV balancing circuit 962 has a battery module voltage V.<sub>M</sub>Is a given threshold V<sub>THMOV</sub>The battery module can be discharged or bypassed until it is reduced to. In addition, a predetermined threshold V<sub>THMOV</sub>Can be set according to the number of cells in the battery module so that the overvoltage condition can be detected regardless of the number of cells in the battery module, as well as the resistor in the module OV balancing circuit 962. The resistance of the can be set according to the number of cells in the battery module so that the bypass current can be adjusted and the efficiency of the battery management system 900 can be improved.
At block 1200, controller 930 determines the voltage difference between any two battery cells in the plurality of battery cells, eg ΔV.<sub>CELL</sub>Can be calculated and the voltage difference ΔV<sub>CELL</sub>The predetermined threshold V<sub>THCELL</sub>Can be compared with. ΔV<sub>CELL</sub>Is a given threshold V<sub>THCELL</sub>If greater, an unbalanced condition occurs across multiple battery cells. The controller 930 can control the corresponding balancing circuit to adjust the voltage of the unbalanced cell.
More specifically, the voltage difference ΔV<sub>CELL</sub>Is a given threshold V<sub>THCELL</sub>The corresponding balancing circuit either discharges the battery cell with the higher voltage during the discharge period, or has the higher voltage in one or more cycles during the charge period. The battery cell can be bypassed.
Advantageously, multiple balancing circuits and module OV balancing circuits can be utilized to simultaneously regulate the voltages of multiple battery cells and / or multiple battery modules in order to improve the efficiency of the battery management system 900. ..
Accordingly, the embodiments according to the invention provide a battery management system for battery packs such as lead acid battery packs. The battery management system detects the voltage of multiple battery cells connected in series and adjusts the voltage of the battery cells if an imbalance occurs between the battery cells. A plurality of control devices for controlling can be included. If an abnormal condition occurs in the battery cell, the controller can take steps to protect the battery cell. Thanks to the balancing technology, the battery cell is protected from damage. Therefore, the efficiency of the battery management system can be improved and the battery life can be extended.
The battery management system also detects the voltage of the battery modules connected in series and, if an imbalance occurs between the battery modules, multiple balancing circuits to adjust the voltage of the battery modules. A control device for controlling the above can be provided. Thanks to the balancing technology, the battery module is protected from damage. Therefore, the efficiency of the battery management system can be improved and the battery life can be extended.
The above description and drawings represent embodiments of the invention, but various additions, modifications, and substitutions are made to these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the principles of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be understood that it can be added to the morphology. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be used in the practice of the present invention, with many modifications of shape, structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, elements, and components, and others used. As well as being made, many of these modifications are adapted, in particular, to the particular environment and operating requirements without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are considered to be exemplary and not limiting in all respects, as well as within the scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Should be, and are not limited to the above description.
100 lead acid battery pack 101 ~ 104 Battery module 111 ~ 116 Battery cell 120, 129 electrodes 200 battery management system 200B balancing circuit 200C balancing unit 211 ~ 216 Battery module 220 Equilibrium unit 221 ~ 226 Equilibrium circuit 230 controller 240 Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 250 bus 281 resistor 282 switch 290 Primary winding 290A ~ 296A switch 291 ~ 296 Secondary winding 291A ~ 296A switch 300 battery management system 301 ~ 306 Battery cell 310 battery module 311 ~ 316 resistor 320 Equilibrium unit 321 ~ 326 switch 321A ~ 326A Equilibrium circuit 330 Control unit 340 Electronic control unit (ECU) 350 bus 400 Battery management system 411 ~ 416 Battery module 421 ~ 426 Equilibrium unit 431 ~ 436 Control unit 441 ~ 446 Electronic control unit (ECU) 451 ~ 456 Coupler 460 Equilibrium unit 461 ~ 466 Smoothing circuit 470 control unit 480 ECU 481 bus 482 Bus 491 ~ 496 Bus 500 battery pack 501 ~ 506 Battery module 520 ~ 526, 530 ~ 536 electrodes 511 ~ 516 Battery cell 700 electric vehicle 701 Lead-acid battery pack 702 Battery management system 703 control circuit 704 engine 800 battery management system 801 ~ 812 Battery cell 821 ~ 832 Equilibrium circuit 841, 842 Battery module 850 inter-cell controller 861 Discharge switch 862 Charging switch 872 Detection resistor 900 battery management system 901 ~ 906 Battery cell 921A ~ 926A Equilibrium circuit 930 controller 960 Overvoltage (OV) detection circuit 962 Module OV balancing circuit
13 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6 Sheet 7 Sheet 8 Sheet 9 Sheet 10 Sheet 11 Sheet 12 Sheet 13
15 members in 5 offices
Priority claims4
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010102159832 | China | – | |
| 201010215983 | China | A | |
| 12850033 | United States of America | – | |
| 85003310 | United States of America | A |
Members15
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2011089897A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2011140650A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CN102299529A | China | A | |
| EP2400624A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| US2011316483A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP2012010584AThis record | Japan | A | |
| US8198862B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US8242745B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| CN102916457A | China | A | |
| TW201308832A | Taiwan Province of China | A | |
| CN102299529B | China | B | |
| US8723481B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP2400624A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| TWI474578B | Taiwan Province of China | B | |
| CN102916457B | China | B |
1 legal event, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Events
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Application deemed to be withdrawn because no request for examination was validly filedWithdrawnJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A300A300 | A300 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2012010584
- Application
- 120282
Titles2
- Japanese
- 平衡管理能力を有するバッテリパック
- English
- Battery pack with equilibrium management capability
Classification
- CPC, 10
- H02J7/54
- H01M10/4207
- H01M2010/4271
- B60L58/22
- Y02T10/70
- Y02E60/10
- H02J7/56
- H02J7/62
- H02J7/64
- H02J7/65
- IPC, 4
- H02J7 02
- H01M10 44
- H01M10 42
- H01M10 48