U.S. patent application number 16/613482 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-27 for apparatus and method for testing performance of battery cell.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG CHEM, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG CHEM, LTD.. Invention is credited to Won-Tae JOE, Jin-Hyung LIM, Gi-Min NAM, Du-Seong YOON.
Application Number | 20210156923 16/613482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005430947 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210156923 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAM; Gi-Min ; et
al. |
May 27, 2021 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TESTING PERFORMANCE OF BATTERY CELL
Abstract
Provided is an apparatus and method for testing the
electrochemical performance of a battery cell in a non-destructive
manner. The apparatus includes a measuring unit configured to
measure an open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery cell, a memory
unit configured to store data obtained through pre-experiments for
each of a plurality of reference cells and a process deviation
value occurred in a manufacturing process of the battery cell, and
a control unit electrically connected to the measuring unit and the
memory unit. The control unit is configured to determine at least
one of a capacity of the battery cell, an estimated profile data
indicating a change in OCV of the battery cell in a predetermined
state of charge (SOC) range and a resistance of the battery
cell.
Inventors: |
NAM; Gi-Min; (Daejeon,
KR) ; LIM; Jin-Hyung; (Daejeon, KR) ; YOON;
Du-Seong; (Daejeon, KR) ; JOE; Won-Tae;
(Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG CHEM, LTD. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG CHEM, LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000005430947 |
Appl. No.: |
16/613482 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
January 8, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2019/000292 |
371 Date: |
November 14, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R 31/3842 20190101;
G01R 31/389 20190101 |
International
Class: |
G01R 31/389 20060101
G01R031/389; G01R 31/3842 20060101 G01R031/3842 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 9, 2018 |
KR |
10-2018-0002735 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for testing performance of a battery cell,
comprising: a measuring unit electrically connected to the battery
cell, the measuring unit being configured to measure an open
circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery cell with a change in state of
charge (SOC) of the battery cell; a memory unit configured to store
a plurality of profile data indicating a change in OCV of a
positive electrode or a negative electrode of each of a plurality
of reference cells, a plurality of upper limits corresponding to an
amount of lithium ions stored in the positive electrode or the
negative electrode of each of the plurality of reference cells at
an upper limit of a predetermined SOC range, a plurality of lower
limits corresponding to an amount of lithium ions stored in the
positive electrode or the negative electrode of each of the
plurality of reference cells at a lower limit of the predetermined
SOC range, and a process deviation value occurred in a
manufacturing process of the battery cell; and a control unit
electrically connected to the measuring unit and the memory unit,
the control unit being configured to: generate a plurality of
reference profile data indicating a change in OCV of the plurality
of reference cells in the predetermined SOC range based on the
plurality of profile data, the plurality of upper limits, and the
plurality of lower limits; generate measured profile data
indicating a change in OCV of the battery cell in the predetermined
SOC range; and determine at least one of a capacity of the battery
cell, an estimated profile data indicating a change in OCV of the
battery cell in the predetermined SOC range, and a resistance of
the battery cell based on the plurality of reference profile data,
the measured profile data, and the process deviation value.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process
deviation value includes at least one of a deviation value of an
amount of positive electrode active materials per unit area, a
deviation value of an amount of negative electrode active materials
per unit area, a deviation value of a total positive electrode
area, and a deviation value of a total negative electrode area, of
the battery cell occurred in the manufacturing process of the
battery cell.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of
profile data includes positive electrode profile data and negative
electrode profile data of each of the plurality of reference cells;
the plurality of upper limits includes a reference positive
electrode upper limit and a reference negative electrode upper
limit of each of the plurality of reference cells; the plurality of
lower limits includes a reference positive electrode lower limit
and a reference negative electrode lower limit of each of the
plurality of reference cells; the positive electrode profile data
indicates a change in OCV of the positive electrode of the
reference cell with a change in an amount of lithium ions stored in
the positive electrode of the reference cell; the negative
electrode profile data indicates a change in OCV of the negative
electrode of the reference cell with a change in an amount of
lithium ions stored in the negative electrode of the reference
cell; the reference positive electrode upper limit indicates an
amount of lithium ions stored in the positive electrode of the
reference cell at the upper limit of the predetermined SOC range;
the reference negative electrode upper limit indicates an amount of
lithium ions stored in the negative electrode of the reference cell
at the upper limit of the predetermined SOC range; the reference
positive electrode lower limit indicates an amount of lithium ions
stored in the positive electrode of the reference cell at the lower
limit of the predetermined SOC range; and the reference negative
electrode lower limit indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in
the negative electrode of the reference cell at the lower limit of
the predetermined SOC range.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: the control unit is
configured to determine an estimated positive electrode upper
limit, an estimated positive electrode lower limit, an estimated
negative electrode upper limit and an estimated negative electrode
lower limit of the battery cell based on the plurality of reference
profile data and the measured profile data; the estimated positive
electrode upper limit indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in
the positive electrode of the battery cell at the upper limit of
the predetermined SOC range; the estimated positive electrode lower
limit indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode of the battery cell at the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range; the estimated negative electrode upper
limit indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the battery cell at the upper limit of the
predetermined SOC range; and the estimated negative electrode lower
limit indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the battery cell at the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is
further configured to: declare a cost function indicating a sum of
squares of residuals between the plurality of reference profile
data and the measured profile data; and estimate the estimated
positive electrode upper limit, the estimated positive electrode
lower limit, the estimated negative electrode upper limit, and the
estimated negative electrode lower limit of the battery cell, such
that a value of the cost function is minimum.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: the control unit is
further configured to calculate a positive electrode irreversible
capacity, a negative electrode irreversible capacity, and a
negative electrode side reaction capacity of the battery cell based
on the plurality of profile data, the estimated positive electrode
upper limit, the estimated positive electrode lower limit, the
estimated negative electrode upper limit, and the estimated
negative electrode lower limit; the positive electrode irreversible
capacity indicates an unusable capacity of the positive electrode
of the battery cell outside the predetermined SOC range; the
negative electrode irreversible capacity indicates an unusable
capacity of the negative electrode of the battery cell outside the
predetermined SOC range; and the negative electrode side reaction
capacity indicates a side reaction capacity generated by a Solid
Electrolyte Interface (SEI) film formed on a surface of the
negative electrode of the battery cell.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is
further configured to determine the capacity of the battery cell
using: a positive electrode reversible capacity corresponding to a
capacity range from the estimated positive electrode lower limit to
the estimated positive electrode upper limit; a negative electrode
reversible capacity corresponding to a capacity range from the
estimated negative electrode lower limit to the estimated negative
electrode upper limit; and the capacity of the battery cell being
equal.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is
configured to determine the capacity of the battery cell, the
estimated profile data, and the resistance of the battery cell
based on the process deviation value and the negative electrode
side reaction capacity.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is
configured to estimate the capacity of the battery cell by
multiplying a capacity density constant corresponding to the
negative electrode side reaction capacity by the process deviation
value.
10. A method for testing performance of a battery cell, the method
comprising: storing a plurality of profile data indicating a change
in open circuit voltage (OCV) of a positive electrode or a negative
electrode of each of a plurality of reference cells, a plurality of
upper limits corresponding to an amount of lithium ions stored in
the positive electrode or the negative electrode of each of the
plurality of reference cells at an upper limit of a predetermined
state of charge (SOC) range, a plurality of lower limits
corresponding to an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode or the negative electrode of each of the plurality of
reference cells at a lower limit of the predetermined SOC range,
and a process deviation value occurred in a manufacturing process
of the battery cell; generating a plurality of reference profile
data indicating a change in OCV of each of the plurality of
reference cells in the predetermined SOC range based on the
plurality of profile data, the plurality of upper limits, and the
plurality of lower limits; measuring an OCV of the battery cell in
the predetermined SOC range; generating measured profile data
indicating a change in OCV of the battery cell in the predetermined
SOC range; and determining at least one of a capacity of the
battery cell, an estimated profile data indicating a change in OCV
of the battery cell in the predetermined SOC range, and a
resistance of the battery cell based on the plurality of reference
profile data, the measured profile data, and the process deviation
value.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method
for testing the performance of a battery cell, and more
particularly, to an apparatus and method for testing the
electrochemical performance of a battery cell in a non-destructive
manner, taking process deviation occurred in the manufacturing
process of the battery cell into account.
[0002] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2018-0002735 filed in the Republic of Korea on
Jan. 9, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Recently, there is dramatically growing demand for portable
electronic products such as laptop computers, video cameras and
mobile phones, and with the extensive development of electric
vehicles, accumulators for energy storage, robots and satellites,
many studies are being made on high performance batteries that can
be recharged repeatedly.
[0004] Currently, commercially available batteries include
nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc
batteries, lithium secondary batteries and the like, and among
them, lithium batteries have little or no memory effect, and thus
they are gaining more attention than nickel-based batteries for
their advantages of free charging and discharging, a very low
self-discharge rate and high energy density.
[0005] A battery cell included in a battery basically includes a
positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte. The
charging and discharging of the battery cell is accomplished by
movements of working ions (for example, lithium ions) involved in
electrochemical reactions of the battery cell from the positive
electrode to the negative electrode or from the negative electrode
to the positive electrode.
[0006] The battery cell is manufactured through an activation
process. In the activation process, the battery cell is charged and
discharged in a predetermined number of cycles under a preset
condition with a charging/discharging device being connected to the
battery cell. When the conventional performance testing method is
used, a maximum capacity value that can be actually extracted from
the battery cell may be estimated based on a ratio of the charge
capacity and the discharge capacity of the battery cell measured
during the activation process. The maximum capacity value may be
also called Full Charge Capacity (FCC).
[0007] However, through the conventional performance testing
method, it is only possible to roughly know information about the
usable range including the voltage window across two terminals of
the battery cell, and it is impossible to know information about
the usable range of each of the positive electrode and the negative
electrode of the battery cell.
[0008] Additionally, some of lithium ions are irreversibly lost due
to a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) generated by the reaction of
lithium ions with carbon used in the negative electrode in the
activation process, and thus the maximum capacity value of the
battery cell is smaller than a preset design capacity value.
However, the conventional performance testing method fails to
provide information about the cause of a difference between the
preset design capacity value and the maximum capacity value of the
battery cell after the activation process.
[0009] To solve the above-described problem, a 3-electrode test
method is disclosed. According to the 3-electrode test method, the
usable range and the maximum capacity of each of the positive
electrode and the negative electrode of the battery cell are
measured by comparing the potential of each of the positive
electrode and the negative electrode of the battery cell with the a
potential of a reference electrode. However, to perform the
3-electrode test method, it is necessary to disassemble the battery
cell including the positive electrode and the negative electrode
and separately attach the reference electrode, which causes
inconvenience. Further, the reference electrode may affect the
electrochemical properties of the battery cell, and thus the
measured results from the battery cell including the reference
electrode may be inconsistent with the real electrochemical
properties of the battery cell with no reference electrode.
[0010] Meanwhile, the electrochemical performance of the battery
cell is affected by process deviations occurred in the
manufacturing process of the battery cell. That is, process
deviations of the electrode thickness, the electrode area or the
electrode active material density occurred in the manufacturing
process of the battery cell cause a deviation in the performance of
the completed battery cell.
[0011] In general, the manufacturing process of the battery cell is
divided into an electrode process and an assembly process.
Specifically, the electrode process includes mixing, coating, roll
press and slitting processes, and the assembly process includes
vacuum drying, notching, lamination, folding and packaging
processes. The process deviation occurring in each manufacturing
process of the battery cell cause changes in values of amounts of
positive electrode/negative electrode active materials per unit
area and values of the total positive/negative electrode areas of
the battery cell, and these process deviation values affect the
performance of the completed battery cell.
[0012] To test the actual performance of the battery cell
reflecting the process deviation, the conventional art manufactures
a completed real battery cell and measures the capacity, the
resistance and the usable range of the completed cell, or estimates
the capacity of the completed cell through the design sheet.
[0013] However, the method that manufactures the completed battery
cell and tests the performance is the most accurate method, but
because it needs the activation process, lots of costs and time are
required. Additionally, estimation through the design sheet is only
enabled for the capacity of the battery cell, and it is impossible
to estimate the resistance and the usable range (for example, open
circuit voltage distribution as a function of the state of charge)
of the battery cell.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0014] The present disclosure is designed to solve the
above-described problem, and therefore the present disclosure is
directed to providing an apparatus and method for testing the
performance of a battery cell without disassembling the battery
cell to attach a reference electrode.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present
disclosure will be understood by the following description and will
be apparent from the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Further, it will be readily understood that the objects and
advantages of the present disclosure can be realized by the means
set forth in the appended claims and combinations thereof.
Technical Solution
[0016] An apparatus for testing performance of a battery cell
according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a
measuring unit electrically connected to the battery cell and
configured to measure an open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery
cell with a change in state of charge (SOC) of the battery cell, a
memory unit configured to store a plurality of profile data
indicating a change in OCV of a positive electrode or a negative
electrode of each of a plurality of reference cells, a plurality of
upper limits corresponding to an amount of lithium ions stored in
the positive electrode or the negative electrode of each of the
plurality of reference cells at an upper limit of a predetermined
SOC range, a plurality of lower limits corresponding to an amount
of lithium ions stored in the positive electrode or the negative
electrode of each of the plurality of reference cells at a lower
limit of the predetermined SOC range, and a process deviation value
occurred in a manufacturing process of the battery cell, and a
control unit electrically connected to the measuring unit and the
memory unit. The control unit is configured to generate a plurality
of reference profile data indicating a change in OCV of the
plurality of reference cells in the predetermined SOC range based
on the plurality of profile data, the plurality of upper limits and
the plurality of lower limits. The control unit is configured to
generate measured profile data indicating a change in OCV of the
battery cell in the predetermined SOC range. The control unit is
configured to determine at least one of a capacity of the battery
cell, an estimated profile data indicating a change in OCV of the
battery cell in the predetermined SOC range and a resistance of the
battery cell based on the plurality of reference profile data, the
measured profile data and the process deviation value.
[0017] The process deviation value may include at least one of a
deviation value of an amount of positive electrode active materials
per unit area, a deviation value of an amount of negative electrode
active materials per unit area, a deviation value of a total
positive electrode area, and a deviation value of a total negative
electrode area, of the battery cell occurred in the manufacturing
process of the battery cell.
[0018] The plurality of profile data may include positive electrode
profile data and negative electrode profile data of each of the
plurality of reference cells. The plurality of upper limits may
include a reference positive electrode upper limit and a reference
negative electrode upper limit of each of the plurality of
reference cells. The plurality of lower limits may include a
reference positive electrode lower limit and a reference negative
electrode lower limit of each of the plurality of reference cells.
The positive electrode profile data may indicate a change in OCV of
the positive electrode of the reference cell with a change in an
amount of lithium ions stored in the positive electrode of the
reference cell. The negative electrode profile data may indicate a
change in OCV of the negative electrode of the reference cell with
a change in an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the reference cell. The reference positive electrode
upper limit may indicate an amount of lithium ions stored in the
positive electrode of the reference cell at the upper limit of the
predetermined SOC range. The reference negative electrode upper
limit may indicate an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the reference cell at the upper limit of the
predetermined SOC range. The reference positive electrode lower
limit may indicate an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode of the reference cell at the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range. The reference negative electrode lower
limit may indicate an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the reference cell at the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range.
[0019] The control unit may be configured to determine an estimated
positive electrode upper limit, an estimated positive electrode
lower limit, an estimated negative electrode upper limit and an
estimated negative electrode lower limit of the battery cell based
on the plurality of reference profile data and the measured profile
data. The estimated positive electrode upper limit may indicate an
amount of lithium ions stored in the positive electrode of the
battery cell at the upper limit of the predetermined SOC range. The
estimated positive electrode lower limit may indicate an amount of
lithium ions stored in the positive electrode of the battery cell
at the lower limit of the predetermined SOC range. The estimated
negative electrode upper limit may indicate an amount of lithium
ions stored in the negative electrode of the battery cell at the
upper limit of the predetermined SOC range. The estimated negative
electrode lower limit may indicate an amount of lithium ions stored
in the negative electrode of the battery cell at the lower limit of
the predetermined SOC range.
[0020] The control unit may configured to declare a cost function
indicating a sum of squares of residuals between the plurality of
reference profile data and the measured profile data. The control
unit may configured to estimate the estimated positive electrode
upper limit, the estimated positive electrode lower limit, the
estimated negative electrode upper limit, and the estimated
negative electrode lower limit of the battery cell such that a
value of the cost function is minimum.
[0021] The control unit may be configured to calculate a positive
electrode irreversible capacity, a negative electrode irreversible
capacity and a negative electrode side reaction capacity of the
battery cell based on the plurality of profile data, the estimated
positive electrode upper limit, the estimated positive electrode
lower limit, the estimated negative electrode upper limit and the
estimated negative electrode lower limit. The positive electrode
irreversible capacity may indicate an unusable capacity of the
positive electrode of the battery cell outside the predetermined
SOC range. The negative electrode irreversible capacity may
indicate an unusable capacity of the negative electrode of the
battery cell outside the predetermined SOC range. The negative
electrode side reaction capacity may indicate a side reaction
capacity generated by a Solid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) film
formed on a surface of the negative electrode of the battery
cell.
[0022] The control unit may be configured to determine the capacity
of the battery cell using a positive electrode reversible capacity
corresponding to a capacity range from the estimated positive
electrode lower limit to the estimated positive electrode upper
limit, a negative electrode reversible capacity corresponding to a
capacity range from the estimated negative electrode lower limit to
the estimated negative electrode upper limit, and the capacity of
the battery cell being equal.
[0023] The control unit may be configured to determine the capacity
of the battery cell, the estimated profile data and the resistance
of the battery cell based on the process deviation value and the
negative electrode side reaction capacity.
[0024] The control unit may be configured to estimate the capacity
of the battery cell by multiplying a capacity density constant
corresponding to the negative electrode side reaction capacity by
the process deviation value.
[0025] A method for testing performance of a battery cell according
to another aspect of the present disclosure includes storing a
plurality of profile data indicating a change in OCV of a positive
electrode or a negative electrode of each of a plurality of
reference cells, a plurality of upper limits corresponding to an
amount of lithium ions stored in the positive electrode or the
negative electrode of each of the plurality of reference cells at
an upper limit of a predetermined SOC range, a plurality of lower
limits corresponding to an amount of lithium ions stored in the
positive electrode or the negative electrode of each of the
plurality of reference cells at a lower limit of the predetermined
SOC range, and a process deviation value occurred in a
manufacturing process of the battery cell, generating a plurality
of reference profile data indicating a change in OCV of each of the
plurality of reference cells in the predetermined SOC range based
on the plurality of profile data, the plurality of upper limits and
the plurality of lower limits, measuring an OCV of the battery cell
in the predetermined SOC range, generating measured profile data
indicating a change in OCV of the battery cell in the predetermined
SOC range, and determining at least one of a capacity of the
battery cell, an estimated profile data indicating a change in OCV
of the battery cell in the predetermined SOC range and a resistance
of the battery cell based on the plurality of reference profile
data, the measured profile data and the process deviation
value.
Advantageous Effects
[0026] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to test
the electrochemical performance of a test cell, taking process
deviation occurred in the battery cell manufacturing process into
account, without battery cell disassembly. Accordingly, it is
possible to save the cost and time required to test the battery
cell.
[0027] The present disclosure may have a variety of other effects,
and these and other effects will be understood by the following
description and will be apparent from the embodiments of the
present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment
of the present disclosure, and together with the following detailed
description of the present disclosure, serve to provide a further
understanding of the technical aspects of the present disclosure,
and thus the present disclosure should not be construed as limited
to the drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the functional
configuration of an apparatus for testing the performance of a
battery cell according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0030] FIGS. 2 and 3 are exemplary diagrams showing a positive
electrode open circuit voltage (OCV) profile of a specific
reference cell for reference made by an apparatus for testing the
performance of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0031] FIGS. 4 and 5 are exemplary diagrams showing a negative
electrode OCV profile of a specific reference cell for reference
made by an apparatus for testing the performance of a battery cell
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a two-terminal OCV
profile of a specific reference cell for reference made by an
apparatus for testing the performance of a battery cell according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing a two-terminal OCV
profile of a battery cell.
[0034] FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for reference in describing an
operation of estimating the usable range of a battery cell 10 by an
apparatus for testing the performance of the battery cell according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams for reference in describing an
operation in which an apparatus for testing the performance of a
battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
estimates the capacity of the battery cell.
[0036] FIGS. 12 to 14 show the results of comparison between the
performance of a battery cell estimated by an apparatus according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the actual
performance of the battery cell.
[0037] FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart showing a method for
testing the performance of a battery cell according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
MODE FOR DISCLOSURE
[0038] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be
understood that the terms or words used in the specification and
the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general
and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and
concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present
disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is
allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation.
[0039] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and
illustrations shown in the drawings are just a most preferred
embodiment of the present disclosure, but not intended to fully
describe the technical aspects of the present disclosure, so it
should be understood that a variety of other equivalents and
variations could be made thereto at the time of filing the
application.
[0040] Additionally, in describing the present disclosure, when it
is deemed that a detailed description of relevant known elements or
functions renders the key subject matter of the present disclosure
ambiguous, the detailed description is omitted herein.
[0041] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, it will be
understood that the term "comprises" or "includes" when used in
this specification, specifies the presence of stated elements, but
does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
elements. Additionally, the term `control unit` as used herein
refers to a processing unit of at least one function or operation,
and this may be implemented in hardware or software alone or in
combination.
[0042] In addition, throughout the specification, it will be
further understood that when an element is referred to as being
"connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the
other element or intervening elements may be present.
[0043] In the specification, a battery cell has a negative
electrode terminal and a positive electrode terminal, and it refers
to a physically separable independent cell. For example, a pouch
type lithium polymer cell may be regarded as the battery cell.
Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the battery cell may
be simply called a `cell`. Additionally, a variety of voltage
profiles as described below are not necessarily limited to those
having a continuous shape, and may have a discrete shape.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the functional
configuration of an apparatus for testing the performance of a
battery cell according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes a measuring unit
200, a memory unit 100 and a control unit 300.
[0046] The measuring unit 200 is electrically connectable to the
battery cell 10. The measuring unit 200 may be configured to
measure an open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery cell 10 with a
change in state of charge (SOC) of the battery cell 10.
Additionally, the measuring unit 200 may be electrically connected
to the control unit 300, and transmit data measured from the
battery cell 10 to the control unit 300. For example, as shown in
FIG. 1, the measuring unit 200 may include at least one of a
voltage sensor 210, a current sensor 220 and a temperature sensor
230. At least one of the voltage sensor 210, the current sensor 220
and the temperature sensor 230 may individually measure at least
one of a voltage value, a current value and a temperature value of
the battery cell 10 in response to a control signal provided from
the control unit 300, and transmit a signal indicating the measured
value to the control unit 300.
[0047] For example, the voltage sensor 210 may be implemented using
a voltage measurement circuit commonly used in the art.
Additionally, the current sensor 220 may be implemented using a
hall sensor or a sense resistor commonly used in the art.
Additionally, the temperature sensor 230 may be implemented using a
thermocouple commonly used in the art.
[0048] The memory unit 100 may be configured to store reference
information indicating the performance of each of a plurality of
reference cells. Here, the reference information may be used as
criteria of comparison for testing the performance of the battery
cell 10.
[0049] Additionally, the reference information includes data
obtained beforehand through pre-testing for each of the plurality
of reference cells at Beginning Of Life (BOL). Here, the BOL may
refer to the period of time from the time point at which the
reference cell is initially manufactured to the time point at which
the charge/discharge cycle of the reference cell reaches a
predetermined number.
[0050] The reference information may include a plurality of profile
data, a plurality of upper limits, a plurality of lower limits, and
a process deviation value. Here, the plurality of profile data may
be data indicating a change in OCV of the positive electrode or the
negative electrode of each of the plurality of reference cells.
Additionally, the plurality of upper limits may be a value
corresponding to an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode or the negative electrode of each of the plurality of
reference cells at the upper limit of a predetermined SOC range.
Additionally, the plurality of lower limits may be a value
corresponding to an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode or the negative electrode of each of the plurality of
reference cells at the lower limit of the predetermined SOC
range.
[0051] The process deviation value may be values occurred in the
manufacturing process of the battery cell 10. The process deviation
value may include at least one of a deviation value (for example,
unit: mg/cm.sup.2) of an amount of positive electrode active
materials per unit area, a deviation value (for example, unit:
mg/cm.sup.2) of an amount of negative electrode active materials
per unit area, a deviation value (for example, unit: cm.sup.2) of a
total positive electrode area, and a deviation value (for example,
unit: cm.sup.2) of a total negative electrode area, of the battery
cell 10 occurred in the manufacturing process of the battery cell
10.
[0052] For example, the process deviation value may include a
loading deviation value occurred in the coating process included in
the electrode process in the manufacturing process of the battery
cell 10, and a width deviation value and a length deviation value
occurred in the notching process included in the assembly process
in the manufacturing process of the battery cell 10.
[0053] The memory unit 100 may additionally store various data,
instructions and software required for the overall operation of the
apparatus. The memory unit 100 is not limited to a particular type,
and may include any storage media capable of recording and erasing
information.
[0054] For example, the memory unit 100 may be RAM, ROM, register,
hard disk, an optical recording medium or a magnetic recording
medium. Additionally, the memory unit 100 may be electrically
connected to the control unit 300, for example, through a data bus,
to allow the control unit 300 to access. Additionally, the memory
unit 100 may store and/or update and/or erase and/or transmit
programs including various control logics executed by the control
unit 300 and/or data created when the control logics are
executed.
[0055] The memory unit 100 may be logically split into two or
more.
[0056] The control unit 300 may be operably coupled to the
measuring unit 200 and the memory unit 100, and exchange an
electrical signal with the measuring unit 200 and the memory unit
100. The control unit 300 may receive the plurality of profile
data, the plurality of upper limits and the plurality of lower
limits from the measuring unit 200 and the memory unit 100.
[0057] The control unit 300 may generate a plurality of reference
profile data indicating a change in OCV of each of the plurality of
reference cells in the predetermined SOC range based on the
plurality of profile data, the plurality of upper limits and the
plurality of lower limits. Each reference profile data indicates a
difference between positive electrode OCV profile and negative
electrode OCV profile of each reference cell indicating profile
data associated with each reference cell, i.e., OCV profile across
two terminals of each reference cell.
[0058] Aside from the plurality of reference cells, the control
unit 300 may generate measured profile data associated with the
battery cell 10. Here, the battery cell 10 may be designed and
manufactured with the same electrochemical properties as the
plurality of reference cells. However, there may be a difference in
the actual performance between the battery cell 10 and at least one
of the reference cells, for example, due to a process
deviation.
[0059] The control unit 300 may generate the measured profile data
indicating a change in OCV across two terminals of the battery cell
10 in the predetermined SOC range measured by the measuring unit
200. In more detail, the control unit 300 may generate the measured
profile data indicating the OCV profile across two terminals of the
battery cell 10 in the predetermined SOC range based on voltage
data of the battery cell 10 provided from the measuring unit 200.
That is, the measured profile data indicates a change in OCV across
two terminals of the battery cell 10 in the predetermined SOC
range.
[0060] Additionally, the control unit 300 may be configured to test
the electrochemical performance of the battery cell 10 in a
nondestructive manner by referring to the data and instructions
stored in the memory unit 100 or executing the software. That is,
the control unit 300 may test the electrochemical performance of
the battery cell 10 based on information obtained from the
measuring unit 200 and the memory unit 100.
[0061] The control unit 300 may execute software for at least one
of voltage value measurement, current value measurement,
temperature value measurement, SOC estimation and state of health
(SOH) estimation of the battery cell 10.
[0062] In detail, the control unit 300 may generate the plurality
of reference profile data and the measured profile data based on
information obtained from the measuring unit 200 and the memory.
Additionally, the control unit 300 may determine at least one of
the capacity of the battery cell 10, an estimated profile data
indicating a change in OCV across two terminals of the battery cell
10 in the predetermined SOC range, and the resistance of the
battery cell 10, based on the plurality of reference profile data,
the measured profile data and the process deviation value.
[0063] The control unit 300 may be implemented such that it
selectively includes a processor, an Application-Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a chipset, a logic circuit, a register,
a communication modem and/or a data processing device known in the
art to perform the above-described operation.
[0064] The apparatus may further include an output unit 400. The
output unit 400 outputs data processed by the control unit 300 in a
recognizable form by a user. For example, the output unit 400 may
include a display that outputs data processed by the control unit
300 in a visual form.
[0065] In another example, the output unit 400 may include a
speaker that outputs data processed by the control unit 300 in an
audible form. The user may receive the test result of the battery
cell 10 through the output unit 400.
[0066] Hereinafter, assume that the positive electrode and the
negative electrode of each reference cell and the battery cell 10
are Li.sub.x(NMC)O.sub.2 and Li.sub.yC.sub.6 respectively, and a
working ion involved in electrochemical reactions causing the
charge and discharge of each reference cell and the battery cell 10
is a lithium ion (Li+). Here, x is a stoichiometric value
indicating an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode, and y is a stoichiometric value indicating an amount of
lithium ions stored in the negative electrode. For example, NMC may
be a metal element such as Ni, Mn, Mg and Al.
[0067] Additionally, assume that the predetermined SOC range is
between 0 and 1. The SOC of the cell being 1 indicates that the
voltage across two terminals of the cell reaches a preset upper
limit voltage and the cell is fully charged, and the SOC of the
cell being 0 indicates that the voltage across two terminals of the
cell reaches a preset lower limit voltage and the cell is fully
discharged.
[0068] FIGS. 2 and 3 are exemplary diagrams showing a positive
electrode OCV profile of a specific reference cell for reference
made by the apparatus for testing the performance of a battery cell
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0069] First, referring to FIG. 2, shown is the positive electrode
OCV profile U.sub.p(x) of the reference cell measured while the
amount x of lithium ions stored in the positive electrode
(Li.sub.x(NMC)O.sub.2) of the reference cell is adjusted in the
range between a first experimental value x1 and a second
experimental value x2 through pre-experiment for the reference
cell. Here, the positive electrode OCV of the reference cell is a
difference between the positive electrode potential of the
reference cell and the reference potential (for example, 0V).
[0070] According to the positive electrode OCV profile U.sub.p(x)
of the reference cell shown in FIG. 2, as the amount x of lithium
ions stored in the positive electrode of the reference cell
increases from the first experimental value x1 toward the second
experimental value x2, the positive electrode OCV of the reference
cell gradually reduces. Here, the amount x of lithium ions may be
determined from the following Equation 1.
x=P.sub.i+(1-SOC).times.(P.sub.f-P.sub.i) <Equation 1>
Here, x is the amount of lithium ions, P.sub.i is the reference
positive electrode lower limit, P.sub.f is the reference positive
electrode upper limit, and SOC is the SOC of the reference cell. In
this instance, P.sub.f and P.sub.i are a predefined constant, and x
is dependent on a change in SOC. That is, when one of x and SOC is
known, the other will be known.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 3 together with FIG. 2, the control unit
300 may convert the positive electrode OCV profile U.sub.p(x) shown
in FIG. 2 to positive electrode voltage profile U.sub.p(SOC) as a
function of the SOC of the reference cell. That is, the control
unit 300 may obtain U.sub.p(SOC) of FIG. 3 from the U.sub.p(x) of
FIG. 2 using Equation 1. According to the positive electrode
voltage profile U.sub.p(SOC) shown in FIG. 3, as the SOC increases
from 0 toward 1, the positive electrode OCV of the reference cell
gradually increases.
[0072] The plurality of profile data stored in the memory unit 100
may include positive electrode profile data of each of the
plurality of reference cells.
[0073] In detail, the positive electrode profile data indicates a
change in OCV of the positive electrode of the reference cell with
a change in the amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode of the reference cell. That is, the positive electrode
profile data may be the positive electrode OCV profile
(U.sub.p(x)). For example, as the charging cycle of the reference
cell increases, the amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode of the reference cell gradually reduces, while the
potential of the positive electrode of the reference cell gradually
increases.
[0074] The plurality of upper limits stored in the memory unit 100
may include a plurality of reference positive electrode upper
limits.
[0075] In detail, the reference positive electrode upper limit
corresponds to an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode of the reference cell at the upper limit of the
predetermined SOC range. In more detail, the reference positive
electrode upper limit refers to a stoichiometric value indicating,
in the range between 0 and 1, a value obtained by subtracting the
first experimental value indicating an amount of working ions
stored in the positive electrode of the reference cell at the time
point at which the SOC of the reference cell reaches the upper
limit of the predetermined SOC range from a first threshold on the
basis of the first threshold, where the first threshold indicates a
maximum amount of working ions (for example, lithium ions) that can
be stored in the positive electrode of the reference cell. For
example, if the amount of working ions stored in the positive
electrode of the reference cell when the SOC of the reference cell
reaches the upper limit of the predetermined SOC range is 10% of
the first threshold, the reference positive electrode upper limit
is (100%-10%)/100%=0.90.
[0076] The plurality of lower limits stored in the memory unit 100
may include a plurality of reference positive electrode lower
limits.
[0077] In detail, the reference positive electrode lower limit
corresponds to an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode of the reference cell at the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range. In more detail, the reference positive
electrode lower limit refers to a stoichiometric value indicating,
in the range between 0 and 1, a value obtained by subtracting the
second experimental value indicating an amount of working ions
stored in the positive electrode of the reference cell at the time
point at which the SOC of the reference cell reaches the lower
limit of the predetermined SOC range from the first threshold on
the basis of the first threshold. For example, if the amount of
working ions stored in the positive electrode of the reference cell
when the SOC of the reference cell reaches the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range is 80% of the first threshold, the
reference positive electrode lower limit is
(100%-80%)/100%=0.20.
[0078] As the SOC of the reference cell reduces, the amount of
working ions stored in the positive electrode of the reference cell
increases. Accordingly, the reference positive electrode lower
limit is lower than the reference positive electrode upper
limit.
[0079] FIGS. 4 and 5 are exemplary diagrams showing a negative
electrode OCV profile of the specific reference cell for reference
made by the apparatus for testing the performance of a battery cell
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0080] First, referring to FIG. 4, shown is the negative electrode
OCV profile U.sub.N(y) of the reference cell measured while the
amount y of lithium ions stored in the negative electrode
(Li.sub.yC.sub.6) of the reference cell is adjusted in the range
between a third experimental value y1 and a fourth experimental
value y2 through pre-experiment for the reference cell. The
negative electrode OCV of the reference cell is a difference
between the negative electrode potential of the reference cell and
the reference potential (for example, 0V).
[0081] According to the negative electrode OCV profile U.sub.N(y)
of the reference cell shown in FIG. 4, as the amount y of lithium
ions stored in the negative electrode of the reference cell
increases from the third experimental value y1 toward the fourth
experimental value y2, the negative electrode OCV of the reference
cell gradually reduces. Here, the amount y of lithium ions may be
determined from the following Equation 2.
y=N.sub.i+SOC.times.(N.sub.f-N.sub.i) <Equation 2>
[0082] Here, y is the amount of lithium ions, N.sub.i is the
reference negative electrode lower limit, N.sub.f is the reference
negative electrode upper limit, and SOC is the SOC of the reference
cell. In this instance, N.sub.f and N.sub.i are a predefined
constant, and y is dependent on a change in SOC. That is, when one
of y and SOC is known, the other will be known.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 5 together with FIG. 4, the control unit
300 may convert the negative electrode OCV profile U.sub.N(y) to
negative electrode voltage profile U.sub.N(SOC) as a function of
the SOC of the reference cell. That is, the control unit 300 may
obtain U.sub.N(SOC) of FIG. 5 from the U.sub.N(y) of FIG. 4 using
the above Equation 2. According to the negative electrode voltage
profile U.sub.N(SOC) as a function of the SOC of the reference cell
shown in FIG. 5, as the SOC increases from 0 toward 1, the negative
electrode OCV of the reference cell gradually reduces.
[0084] The plurality of profile data stored in the memory unit 100
may include negative electrode profile data of each of the
plurality of reference cells.
[0085] In detail, the negative electrode profile data indicates a
change in OCV of the negative electrode of the reference cell with
a change in the amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the reference cell. That is, the negative electrode
profile data may be the negative electrode OCV profile U.sub.N(y)).
For example, as the charging cycle of the reference cell increases,
the amount of lithium ions stored in the negative electrode of the
reference cell gradually increases, while the potential of the
negative electrode of the reference cell gradually reduces.
[0086] The plurality of upper limits stored in the memory unit 100
may include reference negative electrode upper limits of each of
the plurality of reference cells.
[0087] Additionally, the reference negative electrode upper limit
corresponds to an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the reference cell at the upper limit of the
predetermined SOC range. In more detail, the reference negative
electrode upper limit refers to a stoichiometric value indicating,
in the range between 0 and 1, the third experimental value
indicating an amount of working ions stored in the negative
electrode of the reference cell at the time point at which the SOC
of the reference cell reaches the upper limit of the predetermined
SOC range on the basis of a second threshold indicating a maximum
amount of working ions (for example, lithium ions) that can be
stored in the negative electrode of the reference cell. For
example, if the amount of working ions stored in the negative
electrode of the reference cell when the SOC of the reference cell
reaches the upper limit of the predetermined SOC range is 95% of
the second threshold, the reference negative electrode upper limit
is 95%/100%=0.95.
[0088] The plurality of lower limits stored in the memory unit 100
may include reference negative electrode lower limits of each of
the plurality of reference cells.
[0089] The reference negative electrode lower limit corresponds to
an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative electrode of the
reference cell at the lower limit of the predetermined SOC range.
In more detail, the reference negative electrode lower limit refers
to a stoichiometric value indicating, in the range between 0 and 1,
the fourth experimental value indicating an amount of working ions
stored in the negative electrode of the reference cell at the time
point at which the SOC of the reference cell reaches the lower
limit of the predetermined SOC range on the basis of the second
threshold. For example, if the amount of working ions stored in the
negative electrode of the reference cell when the SOC of the
reference cell reaches the lower limit of the predetermined SOC
range is 5% of the second threshold, the reference negative
electrode lower limit is 5%/100%=0.05.
[0090] As the SOC of the reference cell reduces, the amount of
working ions stored in the negative electrode of the reference cell
reduces. Accordingly, the reference negative electrode lower limit
is lower than the reference negative electrode upper limit.
[0091] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a two-terminal OCV
profile of the specific reference cell for reference made by the
apparatus for testing the performance of a battery cell according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0092] Referring to FIG. 6, the two-terminal OCV profile UR(SOC) as
a function of the SOC of the reference cell is shown. Here, UR(SOC)
may be obtained from a difference between the positive electrode
voltage profile U.sub.p(SOC) shown in FIG. 3 and the negative
electrode voltage profile U.sub.N(SOC) shown in FIG. 5 in the SOC
range between 0 and 1.
[0093] As described above, the positive electrode voltage profile
U.sub.p(SOC) is associated with the positive electrode profile
data, the reference positive electrode upper limit and the
reference positive electrode lower limit, and the negative
electrode voltage profile U.sub.N(SOC) is associated with the
negative electrode profile data, the reference negative electrode
upper limit and the reference negative electrode lower limit.
Accordingly, the control unit 300 may generate the reference
profile data indicating the two-terminal OCV profile UR(SOC) of the
specific reference cell based on the positive electrode profile
data, the negative electrode profile data, the reference positive
electrode upper limit, the reference positive electrode lower
limit, the reference negative electrode upper limit and the
reference negative electrode lower limit.
[0094] FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing a two-terminal OCV
profile of the battery cell.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 7, the two-terminal OCV profile
U.sub.T(SOC) as a function of the SOC of the battery cell 10 is
shown. Here, U.sub.T(SOC) indicates a change in OCV across two
terminals of the battery cell 10 measured by the measuring unit 200
with changing SOC of the battery cell 10 in the predetermined SOC
range (for example, 0.about.1). As described above, the control
unit 300 may generate the measured profile data based on the
measured voltage value provided from the measuring unit 200.
[0096] For example, in U.sub.T(SOC) shown in FIG. 7, the OCV of the
battery cell 10 measured by the measuring unit 200 at the SOC of
the battery cell 10 of 0 is 2.611V, and the OCV of the battery cell
10 measured by the measuring unit 200 at the SOC of the battery
cell 10 of 1 is 4.198V.
[0097] The apparatus is an apparatus that estimates the
electrochemical performance of the completed cell changing due to
the process deviation occurred in the manufacturing process of the
battery cell 10. For convenience of estimation, under the
assumption that the lower limit 2.611V and the upper limit 4.198V
of OCV across two terminals of the battery cell 10 are fixed, while
a SOC-OCV curve associated with the battery cell 10 changes due to
the process deviation, the apparatus estimates the SOC-OCV curve of
the battery cell 10, i.e., OCV profile across two terminals as a
function of SOC.
[0098] FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams for reference in describing an
operation in which the apparatus for testing the performance of a
battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
estimates the usable range of the battery cell 10.
[0099] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the control unit 300 may
estimate an estimated positive electrode upper limit P.sub.f, an
estimated positive electrode lower limit P.sub.i, an estimated
negative electrode upper limit N.sub.f, and an estimated negative
electrode lower limit N.sub.i of the battery cell 10. In detail,
when the generation of the measured profile data is completed, the
control unit 300 may determine the estimated positive electrode
upper limit, the estimated positive electrode lower limit, the
estimated negative electrode upper limit and the estimated negative
electrode lower limit of the battery cell 10 based on the plurality
of reference profile data and the measured profile data.
[0100] Here, the estimated positive electrode upper limit indicates
an estimated amount of working ions stored in the positive
electrode of the battery cell 10 when the SOC of the battery cell
10 is equal to the upper limit of the predetermined SOC range. In
detail, the estimated positive electrode upper limit refers to a
stoichiometric value indicating, in the range between 0 and 1, a
value obtained by subtracting a first estimated value indicating an
estimated amount of working ions stored in the positive electrode
of the battery cell 10 at the time point at which the SOC of the
battery cell 10 reaches the upper limit of the predetermined SOC
range from the first threshold on the basis of the first threshold.
For example, if the first estimated value is 5% of the first
threshold, the estimated positive electrode upper limit is
(100%-5%)/100%=0.95.
[0101] The estimated positive electrode lower limit indicates an
estimated amount of working ions stored in the positive electrode
of the battery cell 10 when the SOC of the battery cell 10 is equal
to the lower limit of the predetermined SOC range. In detail, the
estimated positive electrode lower limit refers to a stoichiometric
value indicating, in the range between 0 and 1, a value obtained by
subtracting a second estimated value indicating an estimated amount
of working ions stored in the positive electrode of the battery
cell 10 at the time point at which the SOC of the battery cell 10
reaches the lower limit of the predetermined SOC range from the
first threshold on the basis of the first threshold. For example,
if the second estimated value is 95% of the first threshold, the
estimated positive electrode lower limit is (100%-95%)/100%=0.05.
Here, as the SOC of the battery cell 10 reduces, the amount of
working ions stored in the positive electrode of the battery cell
10 increases, and thus the estimated positive electrode lower limit
is lower than the estimated positive electrode upper limit.
[0102] The estimated negative electrode upper limit indicates an
estimated amount of working ions stored in the negative electrode
of the battery cell 10 when the SOC of the battery cell 10 is equal
to the upper limit of the predetermined SOC range. In detail, the
estimated negative electrode upper limit refers to a stoichiometric
value indicating, in the range between 0 and 1, a third estimated
value indicating an estimated amount of working ions stored in the
negative electrode of the battery cell 10 at the time point at
which the SOC of the battery cell 10 reaches the upper limit of the
predetermined SOC range on the basis of the second threshold. For
example, if the amount of working ions stored in the negative
electrode of the battery cell 10 when the SOC of the battery cell
10 reaches the upper limit of the predetermined SOC range is 90% of
the second threshold, the estimated negative electrode upper limit
is 90%/100%=0.90.
[0103] The estimated negative electrode lower limit indicates an
estimated amount of working ions stored in the negative electrode
of the battery cell 10 when the SOC of the battery cell 10 is equal
to the lower limit of the predetermined SOC range. In detail, the
estimated negative electrode lower limit refers to a stoichiometric
value indicating, in the range between 0 and 1, a fourth estimated
value indicating an estimated amount of working ions stored in the
negative electrode of the battery cell at the time point at which
the SOC of the battery cell 10 reaches the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range on the basis of the second threshold. For
example, if the amount of working ions stored in the negative
electrode of the battery cell 10 when the SOC of the battery cell
10 reaches the lower limit of the predetermined SOC range is 10% of
the second threshold, the estimated negative electrode lower limit
is 10%/100%=0.10. Here, as the SOC of the battery cell 10 reduces,
the amount of working ions stored in the negative electrode of the
battery cell 10 reduces, and thus the estimated negative electrode
lower limit is lower than the estimated negative electrode upper
limit.
[0104] The control unit 300 may declare a cost function indicating
the sum of the squares of residuals between the two-terminal OCV
profile U.sub.T(SOC) shown in FIG. 7 and the two-terminal OCV
profile UR(SOC, .theta. shown in FIG. 6. n sample values obtained
from each of the measured profile data and the plurality of
reference profile data are used as input values of the cost
function. The cost function may be expressed as the following
Equation 3.
S ( .theta. ) = i = 1 n U T ( SOC i ) - U R ( SOC i , .theta. ) 2
< Equation 3 > ##EQU00001##
[0105] Here, the SOC.sub.i is any one of the sample values, and the
S(.theta.) is the cost function. Assume that when an arbitrary
.theta. is given, U.sub.R(SOC, .theta.) and U.sub.T(SOC) perfectly
match. In this case, obviously, an output value of the cost
function is 0, and the control unit 300 may calculate that the
usable range of the battery cell 10 is equal to .theta.. In this
respect, the control unit 300 may estimate the parameters
indicating the usable range of the battery cell 10 such that the
value of the cost function is minimum through a preset probability
model. In this instance, the usable range of the battery cell 10
represents the performance of the battery cell 10.
[0106] The following algorithms may be used to estimate the usable
range of the battery cell 10 from the cost function.
[0107] 1) Gradient based optimization algorithm: fmincon,
fminsearch
[0108] 2) Global optimization algorithm: simulated annealing,
genetic algorithm
[0109] 3) Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm:
Metropolis-Hastings, Gibbs Sampling
[0110] Of course, it should be understood that optimization
algorithms other than the above-listed algorithms or Bayesian
estimation scheme may be used to estimate the usable range of the
battery cell 10.
[0111] Referring to FIG. 8, histograms showing the posterior
distributions for each of four parameters P.sub.f, P.sub.i,
N.sub.f, N.sub.i related to the usable range of the battery cell 10
calculated from the cost function using the probability model are
shown. In each histogram, the horizontal axis denotes a value of
the parameter, and the vertical axis denotes probability.
[0112] For example, the control unit 300 may estimate that specific
parameter values conforming to a preset rule (for example, having a
largest probability value) are the estimated positive electrode
upper limit, the estimated positive electrode lower limit, the
estimated negative electrode upper limit and the estimated negative
electrode lower limit of the battery cell 10 from each posterior
distribution.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 9, the control unit 300 may determine the
estimated positive electrode upper limit P.sub.f, the estimated
positive electrode lower limit P.sub.i, the estimated negative
electrode upper limit N.sub.f and the estimated negative electrode
lower limit N.sub.i of the battery cell 10 satisfying the lower
limit 2.611V and the upper limit 4.198V of OCV across two terminals
of the battery cell 10.
[0114] In detail, the control unit 300 may determine points of
U.sub.T(SOC), U.sub.T(SOC) and U.sub.N(SOC) from U.sub.p(SOC) shown
in FIG. 3, U.sub.N(SOC) shown in FIG. 5 and U.sub.T(SOC) shown in
FIG. 7 at SOC 0 on a vertical axis as the estimated positive
electrode lower limit P.sub.i and the estimated negative electrode
lower limit N.sub.i. Additionally, the control unit 300 may
estimate points of U.sub.T(SOC), U.sub.T(SOC) and U.sub.N(SOC) at
SOC 1 on a vertical axis as the estimated positive electrode upper
limit P.sub.f and the estimated negative electrode upper limit
N.sub.f. For example, a voltage difference between OCV at the point
of the estimated positive electrode lower limit P.sub.i and OCV at
the point of the estimated negative electrode lower limit N.sub.i
may be 2.611V. Additionally, a voltage difference between OCV at
the point of the estimated positive electrode upper limit P.sub.f
and OCV at the point of the estimated negative electrode upper
limit N.sub.f may be 4.198V.
[0115] For reference, in the graph of FIG. 9, Po indicates the OCV
of the point at which the SOC of the positive electrode is 0, and
P.sub.i indicates the OCV of the point at which the SOC of the
positive electrode is 1. Additionally, No indicates the OCV of the
point at which the SOC of the negative electrode is 0, and N.sub.i
indicates the OCV of the point at which the SOC of the negative
electrode is 1.
[0116] FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams for reference in describing an
operation of estimating the capacity of the battery cell by the
apparatus for testing the performance of a battery cell according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0117] Referring to FIG. 10, a relationship between a positive
electrode irreversible capacity Q.sub.P(loss), a positive electrode
reversible capacity Q.sub.P(use) and a capacity(Q.sub.T) of the
battery cell 10 is shown. Additionally, referring to FIG. 11, a
relationship between a negative electrode side reaction capacity
Q.sub.N(sei), a negative electrode irreversible capacity
Q.sub.N(loss), a negative electrode reversible capacity
Q.sub.N(use) and a capacity(Q.sub.T) of the battery cell 10 is
shown.
[0118] The control unit 300 may estimate the positive electrode
irreversible capacity, the negative electrode irreversible
capacity, and the negative electrode side reaction capacity of the
battery cell 10 based on the plurality of profile data, and the
estimated positive electrode upper limit, the estimated positive
electrode lower limit, the estimated negative electrode upper
limit, and the estimated negative electrode lower limit of the
battery cell 10.
[0119] Here, the positive electrode reversible capacity indicates a
usable capacity of the positive electrode of the battery cell 10 in
the predetermined SOC range. The negative electrode reversible
capacity indicates a usable capacity of the negative electrode of
the battery cell 10 in the predetermined SOC range. The positive
electrode irreversible capacity indicates an unusable capacity of
the positive electrode of the battery cell 10 outside the
predetermined SOC range. The negative electrode irreversible
capacity indicates an unusable capacity of the negative electrode
of the battery cell 10 outside the predetermined SOC range.
Additionally, the negative electrode side reaction capacity
indicates a side reaction capacity of the negative electrode
generated by the Solid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) film formed on
the negative electrode surface of the battery cell 10.
[0120] In detail, the control unit 300 may estimate the capacity of
the battery cell 10 based on the positive electrode profile data of
each of the plurality of reference cells, the negative electrode
profile data of each of the plurality of reference cells, the
estimated positive electrode upper limit, the estimated positive
electrode lower limit, the estimated negative electrode upper limit
and the estimated negative electrode lower limit.
[0121] The control unit 300 may estimate the capacity of the
battery cell 10 using the positive electrode reversible capacity
corresponding to the capacity range from the estimated positive
electrode lower limit to the estimated positive electrode upper
limit, the negative electrode reversible capacity corresponding to
the capacity range from the estimated negative electrode lower
limit to the estimated negative electrode upper limit, and the
capacity of the battery cell 10 being equal.
[0122] In more detail, the control unit 300 may estimate the
capacity of the battery cell using the following Equations 4 and
5.
Q.sub.T=Q.sub.P(P.sub.f)-Q.sub.P(P.sub.i) <Equation 4>
[0123] Here, Q.sub.T denotes the capacity of the battery cell 10,
Q.sub.P denotes the positive electrode reversible capacity, P.sub.f
denotes the estimated positive electrode upper limit, and P.sub.i
denotes the estimated positive electrode lower limit.
Q.sub.T=Q.sub.N(N.sub.f)-Q.sub.N(N.sub.i) <Equation 5>
[0124] Here, Q.sub.T denotes the capacity of the battery cell,
Q.sub.N denotes the negative electrode reversible capacity, N.sub.f
denotes the estimated negative electrode upper limit, and N.sub.i
denotes the estimated negative electrode lower limit.
[0125] The control unit 300 may estimate the capacity of the
battery cell 10 from the positive electrode reversible capacity and
the negative electrode reversible capacity obtained from the
positive electrode profile data and the negative electrode profile
data based on the estimated positive electrode upper limit, the
estimated positive electrode lower limit, the estimated negative
electrode upper limit and the estimated negative electrode lower
limit.
[0126] The control unit 300 may calculate the irreversible capacity
of the battery cell 10 in the predetermined SOC range using the
following Equation 6.
Q(loss)=Q.sub.P.times.P.sub.i-Q.sub.N.times.N.sub.i <Equation
6>
[0127] Here, Q(loss) is the irreversible capacity of the battery
cell 10. (Q.sub.P.times.P.sub.i) denotes the positive electrode
irreversible capacity of the battery cell 10.
(Q.sub.N.times.N.sub.i) denotes the negative electrode irreversible
capacity of the battery cell 10.
[0128] The control unit 300 may calculate the negative electrode
side reaction capacity of the battery cell 10 using the following
Equation 7.
Q.sub.P(loss)+Q.sub.P.times.P.sub.i=Q.sub.N(loss)+Q.sub.N(sei)+Q.sub.N.t-
imes.N.sub.i <Equation 7>
[0129] Here, Q.sub.P(loss) denotes the positive electrode
irreversible capacity of the battery cell 10, Q.sub.P denotes the
positive electrode reversible capacity, and P.sub.i denotes the
estimated positive electrode lower limit. Additionally,
Q.sub.N(loss) denotes the negative electrode irreversible capacity
of the battery cell 10, Q.sub.N(sei) denotes the negative electrode
side reaction capacity of the battery cell, Q.sub.N denotes the
negative electrode reversible capacity, and N.sub.i denotes the
estimated negative electrode lower limit.
[0130] The control unit 300 may calculate the irreversible capacity
of the battery cell 10 using the above Equation 6 based on the
positive electrode irreversible capacity and the negative electrode
irreversible capacity obtained from the positive electrode profile
data and the negative electrode profile data.
[0131] The control unit 300 may estimate the capacity of the
battery cell 10, the estimated profile data, and the resistance of
the battery cell 10 based on the process deviation value and the
negative electrode side reaction capacity. In detail, the control
unit 300 may estimate the estimated positive electrode upper limit,
the estimated positive electrode lower limit, the estimated
negative electrode upper limit and the estimated negative electrode
lower limit reflecting the process deviation value, and based on
this, may estimate the capacity of the battery cell 10, the
estimated profile data, and the resistance of the battery cell
10.
[0132] The control unit 300 may calculate a capacity density
constant of the battery cell 10 using the following Equation 8.
Q T = Q N ( s e i ) R loading .times. R width .times. R length <
Equation 8 > ##EQU00002##
[0133] Here, Q.sub.S is the capacity density constant. The unit of
the capacity density constant may be indicated in capacity per unit
mass. For example, the unit of the capacity density constant may be
mAh/g. Additionally, Q.sub.N(sei) denotes the negative electrode
irreversible capacity of the battery cell 10, R.sub.loading denotes
a value (for example, unit: mg/cm.sup.2) of the amount of negative
electrode active materials per unit area in the reference cell, and
R.sub.width.lamda.R.sub.length denotes a value of the total
negative electrode area (for example, unit: cm.sup.2) of the
reference cell. Here, R.sub.loading and
R.sub.width.times.R.sub.length may be pre-stored in the memory unit
100.
[0134] The capacity density constant of the battery cell 10 is a
value that is proportional to a value of the negative electrode
side reaction capacity of the battery cell 10. That is, the
capacity density constant of the battery cell 10 corresponds to the
value of the negative electrode side reaction capacity of the
battery cell 10.
[0135] The control unit 300 may estimate the capacity of the
battery cell 10 by multiplying the capacity density constant
corresponding to the negative electrode side reaction capacity by
the process deviation value.
[0136] The control unit 300 may calculate the capacity of the
battery cell 10 by multiplying the capacity density constant by the
process deviation value using the following Equation 9.
Q.sub.T=Q.sub.S.times.T.sub.loading.times.T.sub.width.times.T.sub.length
<Equation 9>
[0137] Here, Q.sub.T denotes the capacity of the battery cell 10,
Q.sub.S denotes the capacity density constant of the battery cell
10, and T.sub.loading denotes a value (for example, unit:
mg/cm.sup.2) of the amount of positive electrode active materials
or negative electrode active materials per unit area of the battery
cell 10. T.sub.width.times.T.sub.length denotes a value (for
example, unit: cm.sup.2) of the total area of the positive
electrode or the negative electrode of the battery cell 10.
T.sub.width denotes a value (for example, unit: cm) of the width of
the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the battery
cell 10. T.sub.length denotes a value (for example, unit: cm.sup.2)
of the length of the positive electrode or the negative electrode
of the battery cell 10. The above-described calculated results may
be provided to the user through the output unit. Here,
T.sub.loading and T.sub.width.times.T.sub.length may be pre-stored
in the memory unit 100.
[0138] The control unit 300 may calculate the capacity of the
battery cell 10 reflecting the process deviation value, the
estimated profile data indicating a change in two-terminal OCV of
the battery cell 10 and the resistance of the battery cell 10 using
the above Equation 9. Here, the T.sub.loading, the T.sub.width and
the T.sub.length may be a value reflecting the process deviation
value occurred in the manufacturing process of the battery cell 10.
In detail, T.sub.loading may reflect the deviation value of the
amount of positive active materials or negative electrode active
materials per unit area in the battery cell 10. T.sub.width may
reflect the deviation value of the width of the positive electrode
or the negative electrode of the battery cell 10. T.sub.length may
reflect the deviation value of the length of the positive electrode
or the negative electrode of the battery cell 10.
[0139] In detail, the control unit 300 may estimate the positive
electrode reversible capacity, the positive electrode irreversible
capacity, the estimated positive electrode upper limit and the
estimated positive electrode lower limit of the battery cell 10
reflecting the process deviation value based on the value of the
amount of positive electrode active materials per unit area in the
battery cell 10 and the total positive electrode area of the
battery cell 10.
[0140] The control unit 300 may determine the negative electrode
reversible capacity, the negative electrode irreversible capacity,
the estimated negative electrode upper limit and the estimated
negative electrode lower limit of the battery cell 10 reflecting
the process deviation value based on the value of the amount of
negative electrode active materials per unit area in the battery
cell 10 and the total negative electrode area of the battery cell
10.
[0141] The control unit 300 may estimate the capacity of the
battery cell 10 and the estimated profile data indicating a change
in OCV across two terminals of the battery cell 10 in the
predetermined SOC range based on the estimated results.
[0142] The control unit 300 may estimate the resistance of the
battery cell 10 based on the estimated results. For example, the
resistance of the battery cell 10 may be calculated using a change
in OCV over time obtained through the discharge experiment of the
battery cell 10 conducted for 10 sec from the OCV when the SOC of
the battery cell 10 is 0.5. In this case, the resistance of the
battery cell 10 reflecting the process deviation value may be
estimated using the OCV reflecting the process deviation value and
a SOC-OCV table.
[0143] The control unit 300 may use the above-described estimation
scheme and simulation scheme (for example, SIMBA battery
simulation) and the above-described equations in the process of
estimating the capacity of the battery cell 10, the estimated
profile data of the battery cell 10 and the resistance of the
battery cell 10.
[0144] The above-described apparatus for testing the performance of
the battery cell 10 may test the deviation of the capacity of the
battery cell 10 resulting from the process deviation occurred in
the manufacturing process of the battery cell 10. Additionally, the
apparatus may test the deviation of the SOC-OCV profile of the
battery cell 10 resulting from the process deviation. Additionally,
the apparatus may test the deviation of the resistance of the
battery cell 10 resulting from the process deviation.
[0145] FIGS. 12 to 14 show the results of comparison between the
performance of the battery cell estimated by the apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and the actual
performance of the battery cell.
[0146] First, referring to FIG. 12, normal distribution curves of a
comparative example, an example, and an experimental value relating
to the capacity of the battery cell 10 are shown. The comparative
example is a normal distribution curve showing the capacity of the
battery cell 10 as conventionally estimated using the design sheet.
The example is a normal distribution curve showing the capacity of
the battery cell 10 estimated by the apparatus. The experimental
value is a normal distribution curve showing the measured value of
the actual capacity of the battery cell 10. As shown in FIG. 12,
the normal distribution curve of the example is closer to the
normal distribution curve of the experimental value than the
comparative example.
[0147] That is, the comparison results shown in FIG. 12 support
that when the apparatus is used, it is possible to obtain capacity
test results corresponding to the actual performance of the battery
cell 10 well without disassembling the battery cell 10.
[0148] Referring to FIG. 13, the SOC-OCV curve of the battery cell
10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, i.e., the
estimated profile data indicating a change in OCV across two
terminal of the battery cell 10 in the predetermined SOC range is
shown. For convenience of description, FIG. 13 shows the SOC-OCV
curves of the plurality of battery cells 10 estimated in the range
between SOC 0.52 and SOC 0.64.
[0149] The apparatus may estimate different SOC-OCV curves for each
battery cell 10 by reflecting the process deviation value occurred
in the manufacturing process of the battery cell 10. In contrast,
in the case of the comparative example using the design sheet, only
one SOC-OCV curve may be estimated.
[0150] The graph of FIG. 13 shows the SOC-OCV curves of the
plurality of battery cells 10 estimated in the range between the
maximum value U.sub.T(max) of the SOC-OCV curve of the battery cell
10 and the minimum value U.sub.T(min) of the SOC-OCV curve of the
battery cell 10. Here, the experimental value indicating the
actually measured SOC-OCV curve of the battery cell 10 is
distributed between U.sub.T(max) and U.sub.T(min).
[0151] As shown in FIG. 13, the distribution of the SOC-OCV curve
of the example may estimate the SOC-OCV curve of the experimental
value more accurately than the comparative example. Additionally,
an accurate SOC-OCV curve reflecting the process deviation may be
estimated. Through this, the apparatus may estimate a SOC-OCV curve
close to the real experimental value, and provide the accurate
SOC-OCV curve to Battery Management System (BMS).
[0152] That is, the comparison results shown in FIG. 13 support
that when the apparatus is used, it is possible to obtain SOC-OCV
curve test results corresponding to the actual performance of the
battery cell 10 well without disassembling the battery cell 10.
[0153] Referring to FIG. 14, normal distribution curves of the
example and the experimental value relating to the resistance of
the battery cell 10 are shown. The example is a normal distribution
curve showing the resistance of the battery cell 10 estimated by
the apparatus. The experimental value is a normal distribution
curve showing the measured value of the actual resistance of the
battery cell 10. FIG. 14 shows that the normal distribution curve
of the example is close to the normal distribution curve of the
experimental value. In contrast, the conventional method for
testing the performance of a battery cell using the design sheet
cannot estimate the resistance of the battery cell 10.
[0154] That is, the comparison results shown in FIG. 14 support
that when the apparatus is used, it is possible to obtain
resistance test results corresponding to the actual performance of
the battery cell 10 well without disassembling the battery cell
10.
[0155] FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart showing a method for
testing the performance of a battery cell according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0156] Referring to FIG. 15, in step S100, the memory unit 100
stores a plurality of profile data indicating a change in OCV of
the positive electrode or the negative electrode of each of a
plurality of reference cells, a plurality of upper limits
corresponding to an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode or the negative electrode of each of the plurality of
reference cells at the upper limit of a predetermined SOC range, a
plurality of lower limits corresponding to an amount of lithium
ions stored in the positive electrode or the negative electrode of
each of the plurality of reference cells at the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range, and a process deviation value occurred in
the manufacturing process of the battery cell 10.
[0157] In step S110, the control unit 300 generates a plurality of
reference profile data indicating a change in OCV of each of the
plurality of reference cells in the predetermined SOC range based
on the plurality of profile data, the plurality of upper limits and
the plurality of lower limits.
[0158] In step S120, the measuring unit 200 measures an OCV across
two terminals of the battery cell 10 with a change in SOC of the
battery cell 10.
[0159] In step S130, the control unit 300 generates measured
profile data indicating a change in OCV across two terminals of the
battery cell 10 in the predetermined SOC range measured by the step
of measuring the OCV of the battery cell 10.
[0160] Subsequently, in step S140, the control unit 300 determines
at least one of the capacity of the battery cell 10, the estimated
profile data indicating a change in OCV across two terminals of the
battery cell 10 in the predetermined SOC range and the resistance
of the battery cell 10 based on the plurality of reference profile
data, the measured profile data and the process deviation
value.
[0161] In the above step S140, the control unit 300 estimates an
estimated positive electrode upper limit, an estimated positive
electrode lower limit, an estimated negative electrode upper limit
and an estimated negative electrode lower limit of the battery cell
10 based on the plurality of reference profile data and the
measured profile data. The estimated positive electrode upper limit
indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode of the battery cell 10 at the upper limit of the
predetermined SOC range. The estimated positive electrode lower
limit indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in the positive
electrode of the battery cell 10 at the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range. The estimated negative electrode upper
limit indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the battery cell 10 at the upper limit of the
predetermined SOC range. The estimated negative electrode lower
limit indicates an amount of lithium ions stored in the negative
electrode of the battery cell 10 at the lower limit of the
predetermined SOC range.
[0162] In the above step S140, the control unit 300 declares a cost
function indicating the sum of the squares of residuals between the
plurality of reference profile data and the measured profile data.
Subsequently, the control unit 300 may determine the estimated
positive electrode upper limit, the estimated positive electrode
lower limit, the estimated negative electrode upper limit and the
estimated negative electrode lower limit of the battery cell 10
such that a value of the cost function is minimum.
[0163] In the above step S140, the control unit 300 may calculate a
positive electrode irreversible capacity, a negative electrode
irreversible capacity and a negative electrode side reaction
capacity of the battery cell 10 based on the plurality of profile
data and the estimated positive electrode upper limit, the
estimated positive electrode lower limit, the estimated negative
electrode upper limit and the estimated negative electrode lower
limit of the battery cell 10. The positive electrode irreversible
capacity indicates an unusable capacity of the positive electrode
of the battery cell 10 other than the predetermined SOC range. The
negative electrode irreversible capacity indicates an unusable
capacity of the negative electrode of the battery cell 10 other
than the predetermined SOC range. The negative electrode side
reaction capacity may indicate a side reaction capacity generated
by the SEI film formed on the negative electrode surface of the
battery cell 10.
[0164] In the above step S140, the control unit 300 may estimate
the capacity of the battery cell 10 on the basis that a positive
electrode reversible capacity corresponding to the capacity range
from the estimated positive electrode lower limit to the estimated
positive electrode upper limit, a negative electrode reversible
capacity corresponding to the capacity range from the estimated
negative electrode lower limit to the estimated negative electrode
upper limit, and the capacity of the battery cell 10 are equal.
[0165] In the above step S140, the control unit 300 may estimate
the capacity of the battery cell 10, the estimated profile data,
and the resistance of the battery cell 10 based on the process
deviation value and the negative electrode side reaction
capacity.
[0166] In the above step S140, the control unit 300 may estimate
the capacity of the battery cell 10 by multiplying the capacity
density constant associated with the negative electrode side
reaction capacity by the process deviation value.
[0167] When the control logics are implemented in software, the
control unit 300 may be implemented as a set of program modules. In
this instance, the program module may be stored in the memory
device and executed by the processor.
[0168] There is no particular limitation on the type of control
logics of the control unit 300 if at least one of control logics
may be combined and the combined control logics may be written in
computer-readable coding system to allow the computer to access and
read. For example, the recording media includes at least one
selected from the group consisting of ROM, RAM, register, CD-ROM,
magnetic tape, hard disk, floppy disk and an optical data recording
device. Additionally, the coding system may be stored and executed
in computers connected via a network in distributed manner.
Additionally, functional programs, codes and code segments for
implementing the combined control logics may be readily inferred by
programmers in the technical field to which the present disclosure
belongs.
[0169] While the present disclosure has been hereinabove described
with regard to a limited number of embodiments and drawings, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto and various modifications
and changes may be made thereto by those skilled in the art within
the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the equivalent
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *