U.S. patent application number 14/113257 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for detachable battery module, and method and apparatus for the charge equalization of a battery string using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Chol-Ho Kim, Moon-Young Kim, Gun-Woo Moon, Jeong Hwan Yang. Invention is credited to Chol-Ho Kim, Moon-Young Kim, Gun-Woo Moon, Jeong Hwan Yang.
Application Number | 20140042974 14/113257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47041757 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140042974 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yang; Jeong Hwan ; et
al. |
February 13, 2014 |
DETACHABLE BATTERY MODULE, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE CHARGE
EQUALIZATION OF A BATTERY STRING USING SAME
Abstract
Provided are a detachable battery module and a charge
equalization method and apparatus for a battery string. According
to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the charge
equalization apparatus are modularized by being divided into the
master unit and the slave unit, such that the charge equalization
apparatus may be expanded and contracted independent of the number
of batteries, the circuits are separated for each module, such that
the circuits may be easily implemented, and when the circuits are
damaged, only the damaged module is replaced, such that the
effective countermeasure may be performed.
Inventors: |
Yang; Jeong Hwan; (Busan,
KR) ; Moon; Gun-Woo; (Daejeon, KR) ; Kim;
Chol-Ho; (Daejeon, KR) ; Kim; Moon-Young;
(Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yang; Jeong Hwan
Moon; Gun-Woo
Kim; Chol-Ho
Kim; Moon-Young |
Busan
Daejeon
Daejeon
Daejeon |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
47041757 |
Appl. No.: |
14/113257 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
April 22, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR11/02926 |
371 Date: |
October 22, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/119 ;
320/116 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0014 20130101;
H02J 7/0047 20130101; G01R 31/3835 20190101; G01R 19/16542
20130101; G01R 31/396 20190101; H02J 7/0048 20200101; Y02E 60/10
20130101; H01M 10/441 20130101; H01M 10/482 20130101; H02J 7/0018
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/119 ;
320/116 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00 |
Claims
1.-17. (canceled)
18. A detachable battery module, comprising: at least one battery
cell; a switch block unit which switches the battery cell; a module
switch unit which selects the switch block; and a battery
monitoring unit which monitors the battery cell and measures a cell
potential to transmit cell potential information.
19. The detachable battery module of claim 18, wherein the battery
monitoring unit and the switch block unit are configured of a
single integrated circuit.
20. The detachable battery module of claim 18, wherein the switch
block unit or the module switch unit is configured of at least any
one of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor
(MOSFET), a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), and a relay.
21. The detachable battery module of claim 19, wherein the switch
block unit or the module switch unit is configured of at least any
one of a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor
(MOSFET), a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), and a relay.
22. A charge equalization apparatus for a battery string,
comprising: at least one detachable battery module of claim 18; a
control unit which receives cell potential information from the
detachable battery module to compare the cell potential information
with a prestored reference value so as to determine whether the
charge of the battery cell is equalized; and an equalization
converter which performs the charge equalization by charging or
discharging the battery cell for a predetermined operation time
depending on whether the control unit performs the charge
equalization.
23. The charge equalization apparatus of claim 22, wherein the
control unit and the equalization converter are a master module and
the detachable battery module is a slave module which is removed
from the mater module.
24. The charge equalization apparatus of claim 22, wherein the
reference value is any one of a state of charge (SOC) of the
battery cell, a user's designated voltage, a battery pack or
average voltage, and the user's designated voltage and a state of
health (SOH) increased and decreased in the battery pack or average
voltage.
25. The charge equalization apparatus of claim 22, wherein the
control unit determines whether the charge is equalized by
comparing the cell potential information with an average value of
the battery cells of all of the removable battery modules, an
average value of all the battery cells in one of the removable
battery modules, or a preset value.
26. The charge equalization apparatus of claim 22, wherein the
battery monitoring unit controls the detachable battery module and
the module switch unit shares equalization converters for each
detachable battery module or insulates between the detachable
battery modules.
27. The charge equalization apparatus of claim 22, wherein the
equalization converter is configured of a chargeable/dischargeable
DC/DC converter or an insulating transformer and the switch block
unit or the module switch unit is configured of at least any one of
a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), a
bipolar junction transistor (BJT), and a relay.
28. The charge equalization apparatus of claim 22, wherein when the
corresponding battery cell is undercharged or overcharged over
other battery cells, the control unit moves a total energy of the
battery cell to the corresponding battery cell, and when only the
corresponding battery cell is undercharged or overcharged, energy
of an external power supply moves to the undercharged battery cell
or the energy of the overcharged battery cell moves to the energy
of the external power supply.
29. The charge equalization apparatus of claim 22, wherein the
predetermined operation time is defined by comparing a programmed
and prestored value with a value calculated by mathematical
modeling depending on a charging or discharging current amount of
the equalization unit and a energy storage capacity of the
corresponding battery cell, a prestored value, or the user's
desired value obtained by measuring a cell voltage, a stage of
charge (SOC), or a state of health (SOH) after an charge
equalization operation is periodically performed on the
corresponding battery cell for a predetermined time.
30. A charge equalization method for a battery string using a
detachable battery module, comprising: measuring a potential for at
least one battery cell included in at least one detachable battery
module by monitoring the battery cell; transmitting information on
the measured potential of the battery cell; preparing a charge
equalization cell list about overcharged or undercharged battery
cells by comparing the transmitted cell potential information with
a prestored reference value; connecting battery modules including
the corresponding battery cell depending on the charge equalization
list; and performing the charge equalization on the corresponding
battery cell for a predetermined period by an equalization
converter.
31. The charge equalization method of claim 30, wherein the
performing the charge equalization on the corresponding battery
cell includes: determining whether the charge of the corresponding
battery cell is equalized; and re-measuring the cell potential of
the corresponding battery cell when the charge equalization is
completed, as a result of whether the charge is equalized.
32. The charge equalization method of claim 30, wherein the
reference value is any one of a state of charge (SOC) of the
battery cell, a user's designated voltage, a battery pack or
average voltage, and the user's designated voltage and a state of
health (SOH) increased and decreased in the battery pack or average
voltage.
33. The charge equalization method of claim 30, wherein it is
determined whether the charge of the corresponding battery cell is
equalized, by comparing an average value of the battery cells of
all of the detachable battery modules with the reference value,
comparing an average value of all the battery cells in one of the
detachable battery modules with the reference value, or comparing a
preset value with the reference value.
34. The charge equalization method of claim 33, further comprising:
when the corresponding battery cell is undercharged or overcharged
over other battery cells, moving total energy of the battery cell
to the corresponding battery cell, and when only the corresponding
battery cell is undercharged or overcharged, moving energy of an
external power supply to the undercharged battery cell or moving
the energy of the overcharged battery cell to the energy of the
external power supply.
35. The charge equalization method of claim 30, wherein the
predetermined operation time is defined by comparing a programmed
and prestored value (reference value) with a value calculated by
mathematical modeling depending on a charging or discharging
current amount of the equalization unit and a energy storage
capacity of the corresponding battery cell, a prestored value, or
the user's desired value obtained by measuring a cell voltage, a
stage of charge (SOC), or a state of health (SOH) after an charge
equalization operation is periodically performed on the
corresponding battery cell for a predetermined time.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a detachable battery module
and a charge equalization method and apparatus for a battery
string, and more particularly, to a charge equalization method and
apparatus for charge equalization of a plurality of battery strings
by using a charge equalization apparatus for cell balancing
(referred to as charge equalization; they are mixedly used herein)
with an IC monitoring state information of a battery in real
time.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In the case of a battery operation system according to the
related art, k batteries are divided into M module units and are
connected to each other in series, in which each module is provided
with switch blocks which are connected to a right of the battery.
The switch block serves to select a specific cell to provide a
current path to a capacitor of a next stage Further, a potential
stored in the capacitor is read by an A/D converter and a value
thereof is input to a microprocessor. The input battery sensing
information is used as information to allow the microprocessor to
operate the battery and if a specific cell is undercharged or
overcharged, the microprocessor drives cell equalization
apparatuses which are connected to each module in parallel to
achieve the charge equalization of all the batteries.
[0003] However, when a plurality of batteries are operated for each
module by being connected to each other in series in the battery
operation system according to the related art, sensing circuits for
sensing batteries for each module and the cell equalization
apparatuses for each module are required.
[0004] However, the above-mentioned configuration requires the
sensing circuits and the cell equalization apparatuses for each
module, such that a circuit of the battery operation system may be
complicated.
[0005] Further, when one module fails, the overall battery
operation system is not used, which acts as a factor of reducing
reliability of the battery operation system.
[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a method of reducing a volume
and cost of the overall battery operation system by allowing the
sensing circuit to control a part of the cell charge equalization
apparatuses while configuring the number of sensing circuits for
each module as small as possible.
[0007] Further, a need exists for a method for increasing
reliability of the system by adopting the commercialized battery
monitoring IC for the battery sensing and the cell balancing.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a
high-reliability, effective charge equalization apparatus and
method by using the one charge equalization converter and a battery
monitoring dedicated IC circuit without individual circuits
increasing complexity being used for each cell or module to control
a plurality of cells.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
charge equalization apparatus and method for sufficiently
controlling a quantity of charge input to cells while greatly
reducing complexity, cost, and volume of a battery operation
system.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a charge equalization apparatus and method capable of overcoming a
voltage stress of a control switch used by modularizing a plurality
of batteries and stably using the batteries, in using a control
switch under a high stack voltage of the batteries.
Technical Solution
[0011] In one general aspect, there is provided a detachable
battery module, including: at least one battery cell; a switch
block unit which switches the battery cell; a module switch unit
which selects the switch block; and a battery monitoring unit which
monitors the battery cell and measures a cell potential to transmit
cell potential information.
[0012] The battery monitoring unit and the switch block unit may be
configured of a single integrated circuit.
[0013] The switch block unit or the module switch unit may be
configured of at least any one of a metal oxide semiconductor field
effect transistor (MOSFET), a bipolar junction transistor (BJT),
and a relay.
[0014] In another general aspect, there is provided a charge
equalization apparatus for a battery string, including: at least
one detachable battery module as described above; a control unit
which receives cell potential information from the detachable
battery module to compare the cell potential information with a
prestored reference value so as to determine whether the charge of
the battery cell is equalized; and an equalization converter which
performs the charge equalization by charging or discharging the
battery cell for a predetermined operation time depending on
whether the control unit performs the charge equalization.
[0015] The control unit and the equalization converter may be a
master module and the detachable battery module may be a slave
module which is removed from the mater module.
[0016] The battery monitoring unit may control the detachable
battery module and the module switch unit may share equalization
converters for each detachable battery module or insulates between
the detachable battery modules.
[0017] The equalization converter may be configured of a
chargeable/dischargeable DC/DC converter or an insulating
transformer and the switch block unit or the module switch unit may
be configured of at least any one of a metal oxide semiconductor
field effect transistor (MOSFET), a bipolar junction transistor
(BJT), and a relay.
[0018] When the corresponding battery cell is undercharged or
overcharged over other battery cells, the control unit may move a
total energy of the battery cell to the corresponding battery cell
and when only the corresponding battery cell is undercharged or
overcharged, energy of an external power supply may move to the
undercharged battery cell or the energy of the overcharged battery
cell may move to the energy of the external power supply.
[0019] In still another general aspect, there is provided a charge
equalization method for a battery string using a detachable battery
module, including: measuring a potential for at least one battery
cell included in at least one detachable battery module by
monitoring the battery cell; transmitting information on the
measured potential of the battery cell; preparing a charge
equalization cell list about overcharged or undercharged battery
cells by comparing the transmitted cell potential information with
a prestored reference value; connecting battery modules including
the corresponding battery cell depending on the charge equalization
list; and performing the charge equalization on the corresponding
battery cell for a predetermined period by an equalization
converter.
[0020] The performing the charge equalization on the corresponding
battery cell may include: determining whether the charge of the
corresponding battery cell is equalized; and re-measuring the cell
potential of the corresponding battery cell when the charge
equalization is completed, as a result of whether the charge is
equalized.
[0021] The reference value may be any one of a state of charge
(SOC) of the battery cell, a user's designated voltage, a battery
pack or average voltage, and the user's designated voltage and a
state of health (SOH) increased and decreased in the battery pack
or average voltage.
[0022] It may be determined whether the charge of the corresponding
battery cell is equalized by comparing the cell potential
information with an average value of the battery cells of all of
the removable battery modules, an average value of all the battery
cells in one of the removable battery modules, or a preset
value.
[0023] The charge equalization method for a battery string using a
detachable battery module may further include: when the
corresponding battery cell is undercharged or overcharged over
other battery cells, moving total energy of the battery cell to the
corresponding battery cell, and when only the corresponding battery
cell is undercharged or overcharged, moving energy of an external
power supply to the undercharged battery cell or moving the energy
of the overcharged battery cell to the energy of the external power
supply.
[0024] The predetermined operation time may be defined by comparing
a programmed and prestored value (reference value) with a value
calculated by mathematical modeling depending on a charging or
discharging current amount of the equalization unit and a energy
storage capacity of the corresponding battery cell, a prestored
value, or the user's desired value obtained by measuring a cell
voltage, a stage of charge (SOC), or a state of health (SOH) after
an charge equalization operation is periodically performed on the
corresponding battery cell for a predetermined time.
Advantageous Effects
[0025] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, the charge equalization apparatus and the battery
monitoring IC are used in one module and the specific function of
the monitoring IC is used in the charge equalization apparatus,
thereby reducing the complexity, cost, and volume of the overall
battery operation system.
[0026] Further, according to the exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, the charge equalization apparatus commonly uses
one direct current (DC)-DC converter, thereby easily controlling
the charge equalization current quantity and the charge
equalization apparatus uses the high-reliability monitoring IC,
thereby allowing the central processing unit (that is, control
unit) to process the cell information in real time independent of
the charge equalization circuit.
[0027] Further, according to the exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, the charge equalization apparatus are
modularized by being divided into the master unit and the slave
unit, such that the charge equalization apparatus may be expanded
and contracted independent of the number of batteries, the circuits
are separated for each module, such that the circuits may be easily
implemented, and when the circuits are damaged, only the damaged
module is replaced, such that the effective countermeasure may be
performed.
[0028] In addition, according to the exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, the charge equalization apparatus uses the DC-DC
converter and thus is driven for each module by dividing all the
battery cells into a predetermined number, such that the voltage
stress of the switches used in the switch blocks may be reduced and
the driving algorithm of the charge equalization apparatus may be
defined by the user or the program calculation and may vary by the
communication between the central processing unit (that is, control
unit) and the module.
[0029] Moreover, according to the exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, all the battery cells are used by being grouped
into the k battery modules, such that the charged charge of the
battery cells may be sufficiently controlled by the low-voltage
bidirectional control switch having only the k battery voltage as
the withstand voltage, instead of the bidirectional control switch
having the overall battery voltage as the withstand voltage.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0030] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following
description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram implementing a charge
equalization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram implementing the concept
of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the charge
equalization apparatus according to the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit operation of the
charge equalization apparatus for a second cell of a second module
in FIG. 2;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration
example of an element of the charge equalization apparatus
according to the embodiment of the present invention; and
[0036] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an operation sequence of
a charge equalization circuit according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0037] 100: Control unit [0038] 110a to 110m: Module switch unit
[0039] 111a to 111m: Module Switch [0040] 112a to 112m: Switch
block [0041] 113a to 113m: battery pack [0042] 120a to 120m:
battery monitoring unit [0043] 130: Equalization converter [0044]
140a to 140m: module
BEST MODE
[0045] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram implementing a charge
equalization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The charge equalization apparatus according to the
exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes detachable
battery modules 140a to 140m, a control unit 100 which controls the
detachable battery modules, an equalization converter 130 which
provides charge equalization of the battery modules 140a to 140m
depending on a command of the control unit, and the like. These
components will be described below.
[0047] The battery modules 140a to 140m are configured in a
detachable type and include battery cells, a battery monitoring IC
which monitors a state of the battery cells, and switches which
switch the modules. This is illustrated in FIG. 2. This will be
described below with reference to FIG. 2.
[0048] The control unit 100 may be a microprocessor, a
microcomputer, and the like and is programmed with an algorithm
which performs a balancing (that is, charge equalization) operation
of the battery cells according to the embodiment of the present
invention. To this end, the control unit 100 may include a memory,
and as the memory, an internal memory of the control unit 100 may
also be used, or a separate memory may be used.
[0049] As the separate memory, non-volatile memories, such as an
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a
static RAM (SRAM), a ferro-electric RAM (FRAM), a phase-change RAM
(PRAM), and a magnetic RAM (MRAM) may be used.
[0050] The equalization converter 130 serves to perform the charge
equalization of the battery modules 140a to 140m to implement at
least one cell balancing (charge equalization) of the battery
modules 140a to 140m depending on the command of the control unit
100. Therefore, as the equalization converter 130 a DC-DC converter
of a chargeable and dischargeable type may be used.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram implementing the concept
of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the battery module 140a among the
detachable battery modules 140a to 140m is configured to include a
battery pack 113a which is configured of battery cells B.sub.1,1 to
B.sub.1,K, a monitoring unit 120a which monitors a state of the
battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.1,K in the battery pack 113a, a
switch block 112a which switches the battery cells B.sub.1,1 to
B.sub.1,K in the battery pack 113a, a module switch unit 111a which
switches to charge or discharge the corresponding battery cells by
selecting the switch block 112a, and the like. The detachable
battery module 140a is arranged in plural (140a to 140m) within the
equalization apparatus. These components will be described
below.
[0052] The battery packs 113a to 113n include the plurality of
battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.1,K which are connected to each
other in series, in which the plurality of battery cells are
modularized in any number of batteries (normally, the battery cells
are configured in 8, but the embodiment of the present invention is
not limited thereto). Further, the case in which the battery cells
B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.1,K are configured in series within the battery
pack 113a is illustrated, but the battery cells B.sub.1,1 to
B.sub.1,K may be configured in parallel. The battery cell may be a
hybrid battery, such as a nickel metal battery and a lithium ion
battery.
[0053] The battery monitoring units 120a and 120b may be configured
using a battery dedicated IC which is commercially used. The
battery monitoring units each transfer the state information of the
battery cells (for example, B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.1,K) to the control
unit 100 and take part in the battery protection and the cell
balancing (referred to as the charge equalization) control
depending on the command of the control unit.
[0054] The switch block units 112a to 112n serve to connect a
specific battery cell, which is undercharged during the charge
equalization or overcharged, to the equalization converter 130.
[0055] In addition to the cell switch block units 113a to 113m
connected to the cells, the module switch units 111a to 111n are
present in each module in each of the battery modules 140a to 140n
and thus share the equalization converters 130 for each module.
Further, these module switch units serve to insulate between the
battery modules 140a to 140m to separate these battery modules as
the individual module.
[0056] Describing FIG. 2, voltage information and information such
as temperature of the battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.M,K are
collected and controlled by the battery monitoring units 120a to
120m and the battery monitoring unit is partially responsible for
the control of the equalization converter 130 through communication
between the control unit 100 and the battery monitoring units 120a
to 120m. The operation of the equalization converter 130 for the
charge equalization is controlled depending on a defined algorithm
through the battery cell sensing information of the control unit
100. The algorithm is illustrated in FIG. 6. This will be described
below.
[0057] FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the charge
equalization apparatus according to the embodiment of the present
invention. That is, FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the charge
equalization apparatus which uses one equalization converter 130,
the battery monitoring units 120a to 120m, and the control switches
112a to 112m and 200.
[0058] That is, the control unit 100 responsible for the system
control based on the information of all the battery cells B.sub.1,1
to B.sub.M,K is present and the one equalization converter 130
generating cell charge equalization energy is controlled by the
control unit 100 and is connected to the module switch unit 200.
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, as
the equalization converter 130, the chargeable/dischargeable
bidirectional DC-DC converter may be used.
[0059] However, the embodiment of the present invention is not
limited thereto. The module switch units 200 each present in each
battery module are shared by the bidirectional cell selective
switches 112a to 112m connected to each of the battery cells
B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.M,K and the cell switch blocks 112a to 112m
selecting the cells are controlled by control signals of the
battery monitoring units 120a to 120m. The battery monitoring units
120a to 120m which are present in each battery module are directly
connected to each of the battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.M,K to
acquire the state information (for example, SOC, SOH, current,
voltage, and the like) of the battery cells.
[0060] The battery monitoring units 120a to 120m collects the state
information of each of the battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.M,K and
transfers the collected state information to the control unit 100,
which is a central processing unit, depending on a data
communication protocol. That is, as described above, the battery
monitoring unit 120a collects the state information (for example,
SOC, SOH, voltage, current, and the like) of each of the battery
cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.1,K and the battery monitoring unit 120m
collects the state information of each of the battery cells BM,1 to
BM,K.
[0061] The control unit 100 determines whether the charge of the
specific battery cell is equalized by the defined algorithm to
transmit the control signals to the battery monitoring units 120a
to 120m of each of the battery modules 140a to 140m (FIG. 2). As
such, the control unit 100 and the battery monitoring units 120a to
120m are connected to each other to transmit and receive the
information to and from each other. That is, as illustrated in FIG.
3, the communication lines shown by a dotted line is connected to
each other. Therefore, even though one of the battery modules 140a
to 140m (FIG. 2) is removed due to an abnormal operation, the
remaining battery modules may still communicate with the control
unit 100.
[0062] Referring back to FIG. 3, the battery monitoring units 120a
to 120m are directly connected to each of the battery cells to
obtain the battery information in real time and receive the command
of the control unit 100 to generate the specific control signal.
The control switches 112a to 112m and 200 connected to the battery
monitoring units 120a to 120m receive the control signals in the
battery monitoring units 120a to 120m to turn on/off the switch
block units 112a to 112m which select the corresponding battery
cells BM,1 to BM,K, such that a cell charge equalization current
path for the specific cell may be generated.
[0063] Further, the battery monitoring units 120a to 120m control
turn on/off operations of the module switching units 111a to 111m
(FIG. 2) of the corresponding battery modules 140a to 140m (FIG.
2). The control of the control unit 100 may be changed depending on
the number of output pins of the battery monitoring units 120a to
120m and the control unit 100 may be configured to directly control
the module switch units 111a to 111m (FIG. 2).
[0064] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit operation of the
charge equalization apparatus for a second cell of a second module
in FIG. 2. For example, a battery stack monitor (Product Name:
"LTC6802", Linear Technology Co.) may be applied to the battery
monitoring units 120a to 120m and the application example is
illustrated in FIG. 4. The "LTC6802" is directly connected to each
of the battery cells to measure a potential of the battery cell and
measure a temperature of the battery cell and includes a switch
controlling the corresponding battery cell disposed therein.
[0065] Further, FIG. 4 illustrates only the case in which in order
to understand the embodiment of the present invention, the
"LTC6802" is applied, and therefore any electronic component having
the above-mentioned function may also be applied.
[0066] Referring back to FIG. 4, the DC-DC converter 130 commonly
used is operated by an overall voltage or an external voltage of
battery cells B.sub.2,1 to B.sub.2,K and is controlled
bidirectionally or unidirectionally. Therefore, the DC-DC converter
130 serves to charge or discharge the specific battery cells
B.sub.2,1 to B.sub.2,K. Further, the DC-DC converter 130 receives a
pulse width modulation (PWM) signal of the control unit 100 or a
PWM signal of a controller (a portion controlling the operation of
the DC-DC converter 130) which is controlled by the control unit
100.
[0067] Low-voltage bidirectional control switches 111b and 112b
which control the charging and discharging current of the battery
cells B.sub.2,1 to B.sub.2,K within the battery pack 113b are
operated by receiving turn on and off signals of the battery
monitoring unit 120b. In this case, the inputs of each of the
bidirectional control switches 111b and 112b are connected to
simple circuits O2,2, S2,2, and the like, which receive the turn
on/off signals of the battery monitoring unit 120b to perform the
turn on and off operations of the switch.
[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the circuit uses the voltage of
the battery cells B.sub.2,1 to B.sub.2,K as a power supply
apparatus and needs to perform the high-reliability turn on/off
switch operations.
[0069] It is already described that the embodiment of the present
invention may be configured of two units in structure. The control
unit 100 which is a central processing unit and the DC-DC converter
130 are a single master module and the control switches 111b and
112b and the battery monitoring unit 120b is a slave module.
[0070] The master module controls the slave module based on the
information on the overall battery situation and the system
situation and generates charging/discharging energy for the cell
charge equalization. The slave module serves to read the battery
cell information which is connected to the module and control the
switch for the charge equalization of the specific battery
cell.
[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit which connects the low-voltage
bidirectional control switches to each of the battery modules 140a
to 140m (FIG. 2) and performs the individual charge equalization
operation using the one common DC-DC converter 130.
[0072] Further, FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the sensing
circuit part which is intricately configured to sense the cell
voltage information of each of the plurality of cells B.sub.2,1 to
B.sub.2,K is simply configured by using an integrated monitoring IC
element. Further, FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the
battery stack monitor (Product Name "LTC6802", Linear Technology
Co.) is applied, but the embodiment of the present invention is not
limited thereto.
[0073] Next, the operation process of the charge equalization
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4 will be described. The battery cell
to be charged (referring to FIG. 4, assumed to correspond to one of
the battery cells B.sub.2,1 to B.sub.2,K within the battery module
140b) is determined, and thus it is assumed that the bidirectional
control switch 112b corresponding thereto is turned on and a relay
switch 116b which is the module switch unit of the battery module
140b belonging to the battery cell to be charged is turned on. In
this case, the bidirectional DC-DC converter 130 commonly used is
operated by the control of the control unit 100.
[0074] In the case of the bidirectional DC-DC converter 130, the
DC-DC converter may be operated to meet the charging or the
discharging situation and in the case of the unidirectional DC-DC
converter 130, the DC-DC converter 130 may be operated by a
predefined direction. In this case, the operation of the used DC-DC
converter may be changed depending on the used converter type.
Further, in the case of a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) which
receives the PWM control signal and in the case of performing an
operation of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or other switches,
the control method may be changed.
[0075] The amount of the charge equalization charging and
discharging current may be simply and efficiently generated
depending on the capacity of the battery cell by the one common
DC-DC converter 130 illustrated in FIG. 4 and the use of the
battery monitoring unit 120b may lead to the reduction in the cost
and volume of the charge equalization apparatus.
[0076] The above-mentioned DC-DC converter 130 may be configured of
a combination of the existing various types of DC-DC converters or
linear regulators. In this case, each of the converters or
regulators includes a switch unit and thus may be output
bidirectionally or unidirectionally. The switch unit may be
configured of a combination of switches electrically insulated from
each other, such as an electrical switch and a mechanical switch.
This is illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration
example of an element of the charge equalization apparatus
according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to
FIG. 5, as the DC-DC converter, a flyback type bidirectional DC-DC
converter 130 may be used and as the switch unit, a metal oxide
semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) may be used.
Further, FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the charge
equalization apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is implemented using
other circuit elements, and therefore it may be understood that the
DC-DC converter and the switch may be configured of a combination
of other apparatuses.
[0078] The charge equalization apparatus according to the
embodiment of the present invention is performed when potentials of
each of the serially connected batteries are different from each
other under the situation in which the serially connected batteries
are not connected to an electrical charging apparatus or electrical
loads. However, when a current capacity of the charge equalization
apparatus is large or a magnitude in the charged current or the
discharged current is small, the charge equalization apparatus may
be performed even though the serially connected batteries are
connected to the electrical charging apparatus or the electrical
loads.
[0079] The charge equalization apparatus according to the
embodiment of the present invention starts to operate when the
potentials of each of the battery cells are different from each
other and the starting of the charge equalization apparatus is
determined according to the algorithm previously programmed in the
control unit 100 (FIG. 1) based on a battery cell voltage
measurement value input to the control unit 100, a state of charge
(SOC) value by the battery cell voltage, or a stage of health
(SOH).
[0080] Next, a process of performing the charge equalization
operation will be described with reference to the configuration and
the operation of the charge equalization apparatus illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of the
charge equalization operation according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0081] Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 6, when the charge
equalization algorithm stored in the control unit 100 is operated,
the battery monitoring units 120a to 120m (FIG. 2) sense the
potentials of the battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.M,K disposed in
each of the battery modules 140a to 140m in real time (steps S600
and S610).
[0082] The sensed cell potential values (that is, voltage values)
of the battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.M,K are transmitted to the
control unit 100 from the battery monitoring units 120a to 120m
through the communication lines between the battery monitoring
units 120a to 120m and the control unit 100. Further, the
transmission may be performed in real time or at each predetermined
time period. Therefore, the control unit 100 determined whether the
transmission is completed (step S620).
[0083] As the determination result, when the transmission from the
battery monitoring units 120a to 120m to the control unit 100 is
completed, the control unit 100 generates a list of the battery
cells exceeding a reference value and the battery cells less than
the reference value based on a cell balancing targeted voltage of
all of the batteries (step S630).
[0084] Unlike this, as the determination result of the step S620,
when the transmission of the potential values of the battery cells
is not completed, the steps S600 to S620 are executed again.
[0085] When the battery cell to be charged or discharged by the
cell list is defined, the control unit 100 first connects the
corresponding battery modules 140a to 140m of at least one of the
module switch units 110a to 110m (FIG. 2) to the equalization
converter 130. Further, the battery monitoring units 120a to 120m
connect the corresponding battery modules to the equalization
converters. When the corresponding battery module (this may be in
singular or plural) is connected to the equalization converter 130,
the battery monitoring units 120a to 120m allow the switch block
unit 112a to select the corresponding battery cells B.sub.1,1 to
B.sub.M,K (step S640).
[0086] Further, the control unit 100 performs the following
operation to perform the charge equalization process.
[0087] Step a): When the potential of any battery cell configuring
the serially connected battery is higher or lower than a preset
value, the control command is transferred to the battery monitoring
units 120a to 120m of the corresponding battery modules 140a to
140m.
[0088] Step b): The battery monitoring units 120a to 120m of the
corresponding battery modules 140a to 140m are operated. The
battery monitoring units 120a to 120m preferentially operate the
bidirectional control switches 111a to 111m by the internal switch.
Next, the control signal to operate the module switch units 112a to
112m associated with the battery modules in which the corresponding
battery cells are included is transmitted.
[0089] Step c): The control unit 100 performs the charge
equalization operation by operating the common equalization
converter 130 (in particular, DC-DC converter) in the charging
direction or the discharging direction.
[0090] Referring back to FIG. 6, when the corresponding battery
cell is selected, the equalization converter 130 charges a charge
in the corresponding battery cell or discharges a charge from the
corresponding battery cell to perform the charge equalization
(steps S650 and S660). Further, the equalization converter 130
sequentially performs the charge equalization operation from the
most preferential battery cell depending on the command of the
control unit 100.
[0091] The method of executing the charge equalization may be
divided into largely four, which is as follows.
[0092] {circle around (1)} When it is determined that the specific
battery cell is undercharged over other cells:
[0093] The potential of the corresponding undercharged battery cell
is effectively increased by moving the total energy of the battery
to an undercharged battery cell.
[0094] {circle around (2)} When it is determined that only the
specific cell is undercharged:
[0095] The potential of the corresponding undercharged battery cell
is effectively increased by moving the energy of the external power
supply to the undercharged battery cell.
[0096] {circle around (3)} When it is determined that the specific
battery cell is overcharged over other cells:
[0097] The potential of the overcharged battery cell is effectively
reduced by moving the overcharged battery energy to all the battery
calls.
[0098] {circle around (4)} When it is determined that only the
specific battery cell is overcharged:
[0099] The potential of the corresponding overcharged battery cell
may be reduced by moving the overcharged battery energy to the
external power supply.
[0100] The overall charge equalization effect is implemented by
repeating the above {circle around (1)} to {circle around (4)}
processes.
[0101] Further, for the charge equalization, a predetermined
operation time (hereinafter, referred to as the charge equalization
time) is present and in defining the predetermined operation time,
various methods may be present. These methods are as follows.
[0102] i) A method of defining the charge equalization time by
mathematical modeling depending on the charging or discharging
current quantity of the equalization converter 130 and an energy
storage capacity of the battery cell. The charge equalization
operation time is defined by the so obtained charge equalization
time and the equalization converter may be turned on/off depending
on the operation time.
[0103] ii) A method of using the value previously stored in the
control unit 100. Therefore, when the specific battery cell reaches
the preset cell voltage value by the equalization converter 130
based on a relationship table between the stage of charge (SOC)
value and the voltage of the corresponding battery cell, the method
is a method of turning off the equalization converter.
[0104] Herein, the value of the corresponding battery cell which is
previously stored may be changed by the user. As an example, the
value of the specific cell may be an average value of all the
batteries, an SOC average of all the batteries, and a specific
value which is increased or reduced to a preset fixed value in the
average or SOC of all the batteries.
[0105] iii) A method of periodically performing the charge
equalization operation in the specific battery cell for a
predetermined time, not driving the apparatus for the predetermined
charge equalization time and then comparing the cell voltage or the
user's desired value through the SOC and SOH measurement with the
reference value which is programmed or previously stored. The
reference value may be any one of the user's designated voltage,
the battery pack or average voltage, and the user's designated
voltage and the state of health (SOH) increased and decreased in
the battery pack or average voltage.
[0106] By the comparison and the continuous driving of the cell,
the charge equalization is performed after the predetermined time.
In this case, the reference value of the specific cell may be
defined by the above-mentioned method.
[0107] Referring back to FIG. 6, the control unit 100 (FIG. 2)
determines whether the charge equalization is completed by the
process (step S670).
[0108] As the determination result, when the charge equalization
for the corresponding battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.M,K is
completed, the battery monitoring units 120a to 120m re-measures
the potentials of the battery cells to determine whether the
potentials of the battery cells reach the reference value (step
S680).
[0109] Unlike this, in the step S670, when the charge equalization
for the corresponding battery cells B.sub.1,1 to B.sub.M,K is not
completed, the steps S630 to S670 are performed.
[0110] In the step S680, when the re-measured potential of the
battery cell reaches the reference value, the charge equalization
process ends.
[0111] Although the exemplary embodiment of the present invention
has been described above with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
the scope of the present invention is not limited to the
above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, but may be variously
modified
* * * * *