Patent ID: 8212524
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: H01M,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling the operation of battery modules in a battery system comprising two or more battery modules or battery module assemblies, wherein: (A) the battery system further comprises energy consuming loads for consuming charged energy, and (B) the method comprises, when a specific battery module or a specific battery module assembly is abnormally operated, connecting the abnormally operated battery module or the abnormally operated battery module assembly to the corresponding energy consuming load to forcibly discharge the charged energy, and (C) during the abnormal operation of the specific battery module or the specific battery module assembly: (1) the battery module or the battery module assembly exhibits a voltage difference of 200 mV or more or an abrupt battery capacity reduction of 30% or more as compared to the remaining battery modules or the remaining battery module assemblies, or (2) the temperature of the battery module or the battery module assembly is increased to 70° C. or more, or the temperature of the battery module or the battery module assembly is gradually increased and is then sharply increased, or (3) the communication between a master BMS and the battery module or the battery module assembly is interrupted, wherein: (a) each battery module assembly comprises a plurality of battery modules connected in series with each other, the respective battery module assemblies are connected in parallel to the external circuit, and the battery system further includes an upper control unit located at the connection region between the external circuit and the respective battery module assemblies for controlling the operation of the battery module assemblies; (b) the battery modules, constituting each battery module assembly, comprise lower control units for controlling the operation of the respective battery modules, and the lower control units are connected to the upper control unit; and (c) when the abnormal operation of a specific battery module is confirmed by the corresponding lower control unit, the upper control unit interrupts the connection between the battery module assembly, to which the abnormally operated battery module belongs, and the external circuit and connects the battery module assembly to the corresponding energy consuming load.