Charging controlling device

An charging control device includes: one or more slave groups including a plurality of slaves for charging or discharging a battery; and a master configured to transmit, to the one or more slave groups, a control signal for controlling operations of the one or more slave groups, and select one of a plurality of slaves included in each of the one or more slave groups as an alternative master, wherein the alternative master is a slave capable of performing some or all of all functions of the master.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0021090, filed on Feb. 11, 2015, the contents of which are all hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a charging control device, and particularly, to a charging control device for efficiently performing the energy management of an energy storage system.

Since electrical energy is easily transferred and converted, it is widely used. Thus, various power generation systems are used to produce electrical energy. Especially, due to concerns about depletion of fossil energy such as petroleum and environmental pollution, there is an increasing interest in alternative energy. Therefore, there are growing interests in solar power and wind power. Solar power generation is to expand panels having solar cells attached on a large scale, thereby mass-producing electricity by using solar energy. Since solar power generation and wind power generation use unlimited and pollution-free solar energy, no cost of fuel is required and there are no air pollution and waste generation.

A generation system includes a stand-alone system and a grid-connected system. The stand-alone system is to supply a generated electrical energy to an independent load. The grid-connected system connects a generation device to an existing power grid and uses it. In the case of an overloading grid, if electricity is generated from a generation system, the grid-connected system transmits the electricity and in the case of a light loading grid, receives electricity from the grid. In order to efficiently use a grid-connected generation system, a solar power generation system is introduced to store idle power in a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the case of light loading, and supply power to a grid by discharging generation power and the BESS in the case of overloading.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a charging control device for efficiently performing management by selecting some of a plurality of slaves as an alternative master for performing a master function.

In one embodiment, a charging control device includes: one or more slave groups including a plurality of slaves for charging or discharging a battery; and a master configured to transmit, to the one or more slave groups, a control signal for controlling operations of the one or more slave groups, and select one of a plurality of slaves included in each of the one or more slave groups as an alternative master, wherein the alternative master is a slave capable of performing some or all of all functions of the master.

When the alternative master performs some functions of the master, the some functions may include a function for detecting whether an overload occurs.

When one alternative master among a plurality of alternative masters detects an overload of a slave included in another slave group, the alternative master detecting the overload may transmit information on the overload occurring salve to another alternative master or the master.

The charging control device may further include a plurality of switch pairs for connecting or separating between the plurality of slaves, wherein the master may control operations of the plurality of switch pairs to bypass an overload occurring slave on the basis of received information.

The bypassing processing may be a process for controlling operations of the plurality of switch pairs to deliver the control signal between the remaining slaves except for the error occurring slave.

The master may transmit a control signal to check an error occurring slave among the plurality of slaves and the alternative master may check an error occurring slave on the basis of a response signal corresponding to the control signal.

The response signal may include a data frame including response data representing state information of each of a plurality of slaves.

The state information may include at least one of values of current and voltage flowing in each slave.

When a value of a current flowing in a slave is greater than a predetermined value, the alternative master may determine this as that an overload is applied to a corresponding slave.

The plurality of slaves and the master may be connected in series to each other to have a ring structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be constructed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Parts not relating to description are omitted in the drawings in order to clearly describe the present invention and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Furthermore, when it is described that one comprises (or includes or has) some elements, it should be understood that it may comprise (or include or has) only those elements, or it may comprise (or include or have) other elements as well as those elements if there is no specific limitation.

Hereinafter, a generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference toFIG. 1.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A generation system100according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a generation device101, an inverter103, an alternating current (AC) filter105, an AC/AC converter107, system109, a charging control device111, a battery energy storage system113, a system control unit115, and a load117

The generation device101generates electrical energy. When the generation system is a solar power generation system, the generation device101may be a solar cell array. The solar cell array combines a plurality of solar cell modules. The solar cell module is a device for generating a predetermined voltage and current by converting solar energy into electrical energy as connecting a plurality of solar cells in series or parallel. Accordingly, the solar cell array absorbs solar energy and converts it into electrical energy. Additionally, when the generation system is a wind power generation system, the generation device101may be a fan for converting wind power energy into electrical energy.

The inverter103inverts DC power into AC power. The inverter103receives DC power supplied by the generation device101or DC power discharged from the battery energy storage system113through the charging control device111, and inverts it into AC power.

The AC filter105filters the noise of a power inverted into AC power.

The AC/AC converter107converts the voltage size of an AC power where noise is filtered and supplies power to the system109or an independent load, in order to supply AC power to the system109or the load117.

The system109is a system where many power plants, substations, transmission and distribution lines, and loads are integrated to generate and use power.

The load117consumes power by receiving electrical energy from a generation system.

The charging control device111may control the charging and discharging of the battery energy storage system113. When the system109or the load117is overloaded, the charging control device111receives power from the battery energy storage system113and delivers the power to the system109or the load117. When the system109or the load117is lightly loaded, the charging control device111receives power from the generation device101and delivers the power to the battery energy storage system113.

The battery energy storage system113receives electronic energy from the generation device101and performs charging, or discharge the charged electrical energy according to a power supply situation of the system109or the load117. In more detail, when the system109or the load117is lightly loaded, the battery energy storage system113receives idle power from the generation device101and performs charging. When the system109or the load117is overloaded, the battery energy storage system113discharges the charged power to supply the power to the system109or the load117. A power supply situation of the system109or the load117may have a great difference for each time. Accordingly, it is inefficient for the generation system100to supply power from the generation device101uniformly without consideration on a power supply situation of the system109or the load117. Therefore, the generation system100adjusts the amount of power supply according to a power supply situation of the system109or the load117by using the battery energy storage system113. Through this, the generation system100may efficiently supply power to the system109or the load117.

The battery energy storage system113may include a plurality of batteries.

The system control unit115controls operation of the inverter103and the AC/AC converter107.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 3is a view illustrating a specific operation of a charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, the charging control device111includes a master200and a plurality of slaves300_1to300_n.

The charging control device111may form a ring structure. The ring structure may represent a structure in which the master200and the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nare connected in series through a communication line. When the charging control device111forms a ring structure, since the master200and the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nare connected in series to each other, the length of a communication wire may be reduced and operational stability may be enhanced. That is, according to a conventional parallel structure, each two transmission/reception lines are required between a master and a slave and when n slaves are connected to one master, 2n communication lines are required. However, the charging control device111of a ring structure is sufficient if there are n+1 communication lines for one master200and n slaves.

A communication line may be configured using a fiber optic but this is just exemplary.

The master200may control operations of the plurality of slaves300_1to300_n. The master200may generate a control signal for controlling operations of the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nand transmit the control signal to the plurality of slaves300_1to300_n. The master200may transmit, to the plurality of slaves300_1to300_n, a charging control signal for requesting the charging of a battery or a discharging control signal for requesting the discharging of a battery.

The master200may transmit a test control signal to the plurality of slaves300_1to300_n, and receive a response signal corresponding thereto. The master200may check whether an error occurs in at least one of the plurality of slaves300_1to300_non the basis of the received signal.

Each of the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nmay charge or discharge a plurality of batteries included in the battery energy storage system113according to a control signal received from the master200. The plurality of slaves300_1to300_nmay correspond to a plurality of batteries and each slave may control the charging or discharging of a corresponding battery.

Referring toFIG. 3, the charging control device111may further include a plurality of switching pairs500_1to500_n.

The master200may bypass a slave where an error occurs by controlling operations of the plurality of switching pairs500_1to500_n. The bypass processing may operate the remaining slaves except for a slave where an error occurs by adjusting a transmission path of a control signal transmitted from the master200.

Each switch pair may connect or disconnect between slaves.

Each switch pair may include two switches. One of two switches is a switch for directly connecting or disconnecting between slaves and the other one is a switch for changing a transmission path of a control signal.

Then, an operation method of a charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 4.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a charging control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the master200may transmit a test control signal to the first slave300_1in order to check whether each of the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nperforms a normal operation in operation S101.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a test control signal may be a control signal for checking whether an error occurs in each of the plurality of slaves300_1to300_n. The test control signal may be a signal for checking whether a battery managed by each slave is in charge or in discharge. The test control signal may be one of a charging control signal for controlling the charging of a battery through each slave and a discharging control signal for controlling the charging of a battery through each slave. An error occurring in a slave may be a short circuit or a malfunction of a slave.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the master200may transmit a test control signal to the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nby using a time synchronization method in order to synchronize the plurality of slaves300_1to300_n. If an interval between time slots (for example, a time corresponding to one bit) between devices for performing communication is different, the time synchronization method may be a data transmission method for guaranteeing the consistency of a timing that occurs when they exchange signals. The master200may transmit a test control signal including a data frame to a slave as shown inFIG. 5below. This will be described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 5is a view illustrating a data frame structure of a test control signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The data frame shown inFIG. 5may include Master Synchronization (MS) data, a plurality of slave data Slave Data #1 to Slave Data #n, and Cyclic Redundancy Checking (CRC) data in one period.

The MS data may be data representing that the master200synchronizes a control signal.

Each of the plurality of slave data Slave Data #1 to Slave Data #n may be data for controlling operations of each slave. Each slave data may include an instruction performed by a slave. The instruction may be a command for charging or discharging a battery.

The CRC data may be data for checking there is an error in data transmitted through a communication line.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a data frame may not include CRC data. In this case, each slave may generate a response signal by inserting response data into corresponding slave data and the master200may check an error of a specific slave on the basis of the response signal. This will be described later.

Although a test control signal is assumed and described with reference toFIG. 5, a control signal having a data frame inFIG. 5may be transmitted to a slave in order for controlling general operations of a slave instead of checking an error of a slave.

Each of the plurality of slaves300_1to300_ngenerates a response signal by inserting its state information into a delivered test control signal and delivers the generated response signal to the next slave in operation S103.

That is, the first slave300_1may generate a response signal by inserting response data representing state information of the first slave300_1into a test control signal received from the master200. The second slave300_2may generate a response signal by inserting response data representing state information of the second slave300_2into a response signal received from the first slave300_1. By repeating this process, the nth slave300_nmay generate a response signal by inserting response data representing state information of the nth slave300_nand then, deliver the response signal to the master300. That is, in the data frame structure shown inFIG. 5, each slave may generate a response signal by including response data representing its state information in each slave. In this case, a data frame may not include CRC data.

State information of a slave may be information on an operation control of a battery performed by a slave. For example, state information of a slave may include a performance result on whether an instruction corresponding to a control signal of the master200is executed. That is, state information of a slave may include a performance result on whether an instruction corresponding to a control signal of the master200is executed.

The master200receives a response signal including state information of each of the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nfrom the nth slave300_nin operation S105and the master200checks a slave having an error among the plurality of slaves300_1to300_non the basis of the received response signal in operation S107.

The master200may check a slave having an error through a data frame included in the received response signal. For example, when information represented by one of a plurality of slave data included in a data frame is different from predetermined information, it is checked that an error occurs in a corresponding slave. In more detail, when the master200requests the charging of a battery from the nth slave300_nbut information represented by response data inserted by the nth slave300nrepresents that the charging of the battery is not performed, the master200may confirm that an error occurs in the nth slave300_n.

The master200may bypass a slave having a checked error in operation S109.

According to an embodiment, the bypass processing may means allowing the remaining normally operating slaves to perform its function except for a slave having a checked error. For this, as shown inFIG. 3, the charging control device111may include the plurality of switching pairs500_1to500_n. Each of the plurality of switching pairs500_1to500_nmay include two switches. The master200may control a plurality of switching pairs so that except for a slave having a checked error, the remaining slaves operate normally.6.

FIG. 6is a view illustrating a process of bypassing an error checked slave according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

It is assumed and described with reference toFIG. 6that an error occurs in the third slave300_3.

The master200may check that an error occurs in the third slave300_3on the basis of a response signal received in correspondence to the transmission of a test control signal. Later, the master200may transmit a control signal to the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nagain. In this case, the master200may perform a transmission path so that a control signal is delivered to the nth slave300_nthrough the first slave300_1, the second slave300_2, and the fourth slave (not shown). For this, the master200may control operations of the plurality of switch pairs500_1to500_n. In more detail, the master200may short-circuit the first switch510_1and open the second switch530_1included in the first switch pair500_1, short-circuit the third switch510_2and open the fourth switch530_2included in the second switch pair500_2, open the fifth switch510_3and short-circuit the sixth switch530_3included in the third switch pair500_3, and short-circuit the n−1th switch510_nand open the n−1th switch510_nand open the nth switch530_nincluded in the nth switch pair500_n. As a result, it has an effect that the master200bypasses the error occurred third slave300_3through a control of a switching pair.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by bypassing an error occurred slave, the master200allows the remaining slaves having no occurred error to operate normally. Through this, even when an error occurs in one slave, efficient operation is possible without stopping operations of the remaining slaves. Additionally, an occurred error slave may be easily replaced.

Then, a charging control device and an operation method thereof according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 to 9.

Especially,FIGS. 7 to 9describe a method of efficiently operating a battery energy storage system as selecting at least one alternative master capable of performing some functions of a master from a plurality of slaves.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a charging control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The master200selects a plurality of alternative masters for managing each of a plurality of slave groups in operation301. According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of a plurality of slave groups may include a plurality of slaves. The master200may select an alternative master capable of performing some functions among all functions of the master200from a plurality of slaves included in each slave group. The master200may control operations of the plurality of slaves. Especially, the master200may perform a function for detecting an error of a slave such as overload possibility and short circuit of each slave and a function for transmitting a charging control signal or a discharging control signal to each slave. Additionally, the master200may bypass an error occurred slave. The alternative master may perform a function for detecting an error such as overload possibility and short circuit of each slave among functions of the above master200. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the alternative master may perform all the functions of the master200.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of a plurality of slave groups may include three slaves but this is just exemplary.

It will be described with reference toFIG. 8that the master200selects an alternative master from each of a plurality of slave groups.

FIG. 8is a view when an alternative master is selected from each of a plurality of slave groups according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A charging control device111shown inFIG. 8may form a ring structure. The ring structure may represent a structure in which the master200and the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nare connected in series through a communication line. When the charging control device111forms a ring structure, since the master200and the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nare connected in series to each other, the length of a communication wire may be reduced and operational stability may be enhanced. Description for this is identical to that ofFIG. 2. Additionally, description for the charging control device111shown inFIG. 8may be included in the content described with reference toFIG. 3.

Referring toFIG. 8, the charging control device111includes a master200and a plurality of slaves groups350_1to350_n. Each of the plurality of slave groups350_1to350_nmay include a plurality of slaves. For example, the first slave group350_1may include a first slave300_1, a second slave300_2, and a third slave300_3, and the second slave group350_2may include a fourth slave400_4, a fifth slave300_5, and a sixth slave300_6.

The master200may select the first slave300_1as a first alternative master from slaves included in the first slave group350_1and may select the fourth slave300_4as a second alternative master from slaves included in the second slave group350_2. Each alternative master may detect an error such as an overload state and short circuit of slaves included in a group belonging to itself. An alternative master may notify information on an error detected slave to another alternative master or the master200.

The master200transmits a control signal to the first slave300_1after selecting a plurality of alternative masters in operation S303. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a control signal may be a signal for detecting whether overload or short circuit occurs in each slave.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the master200may transmit a control signal to the plurality of slaves300_1to300_nby using a time synchronization method in order to synchronize the plurality of slaves300_1to300_n. For this, the master200may transmit a control signal including a data frame to a slave as shown inFIG. 5. Description for a data frame configuring a control signal is identical to that ofFIG. 5.

Each of the plurality of slaves generates a response signal by inserting its state information into a delivered test control signal and delivers the generated response signal to the next slave in operation S305.

That is, the first slave300_1may generate a response signal by inserting response data representing state information of the first slave300_1into a test control signal received from the master200. The second slave300_2may generate a response signal by inserting response data representing state information of the second slave300_2into a response signal received from the first slave300_1. By repeating this process, the nth slave300_nmay generate a response signal by inserting response data representing state information of the nth slave300_nand then, deliver the response signal to the master300. That is, in the data frame structure shown inFIG. 5, each slave may generate a response signal by including response data representing its state information in each slave. In this case, a data frame may not include CRC data.

State information of a slave may include a value of a current flowing in a slave or a voltage applied to a slave. An alternative master may check whether overload is applied to a slave on the basis of the state information of the slave. An alternative master may check whether a short circuit occurs between slaves on the basis of the state information of the slave.

Each alternative master checks whether there is an error detected slave during a process of delivering a response signal in operation S307and if there is an error detected slave, a corresponding alternative master notifies the master200or another alternative master that there is an error detected slave in operation S309.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an alternative master may detect an error of a slave on the basis of a data frame configuring a response signal. For example, the second alternative master300_4shown inFIG. 8may check whether an error is detected from the first slave group350_1on the basis of a data frame configuring a response signal received from the third slave300_3. In more detail, when a current value of the third slave300_3included in a data frame configuring a response signal is greater than a predetermined current value, the second alternative master300_4may check whether overload occurs in the third slave300_3. The second alternative master300_4may notify the first alternative master300_1or the master200that overload occurs in the third slave300_3.

The second alternative master300_4may include, in a response signal, error detection information representing that overload occurs in the third slave300_3and deliver the response signal to the next slave. Through this process, the response signal including error detection information may be delivered to the master200. The master200may know quickly that overload occurs in the third slave300_3without an additional analysis of a data frame configuring a response signal.

The second alternative master300_4may transmit, to the first alternative master300_1, error detection information representing that overload occurs in the third slave300_3wirelessly. In this case, it is assumed that communication is possible wirelessly between each alternative master. The first alternative master300_1may check that overload occurs in the third slave300_3managed by itself on the basis of error detection information received from the second alternative master300_4.

The master200or an alternative master that detects an error controls an operation of an error detected slave in operation S311.

A process for controlling an operation of an error detected slave on the basis of operation S309is described.

If the second alternative master300_4notifies the master200that overload occurs in the third slave300_3, the master200may bypass the third salve300_3. In this case, as shown inFIG. 3, the charging control device111may include a plurality of switching pairs. The master200may bypass the third slave300_3as controlling operations of a plurality of switch pairs. Since the bypass processing process is described with reference toFIG. 6, detailed description is omitted. Additionally, the master200may control operations of the third slave300_3through the first alternative master300_1. That is, the master200may transmit an operation stop control signal for stopping an operation of the third slave300_3to the first alternative master300_1and the first alternative master300_3may stop an operation of the third slave300_3on the basis of the received operation stop control signal.

If the second alternative master300_4notifies the first alternative master300_1through wireless communication that overload occurs in the third slave300_3, the first alternative master300_1may bypass the third salve300_3without receiving an additional control signal from the master200. Additionally, without receiving an additional control signal from the master200, the second alternative master300_4may transmit, to the third salve300_3, an operation stop control signal for stopping an operation of the third slave300_3through the second slave300_2.

Moreover, an error may occur in a slave selected as an alternative master. If an error is detected in an alternative master, an error detected alternative master may be managed by another alternative master. This will be described with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10.

FIGS. 9 and 10are views illustrating a processing method when an error is detected in an alternative master according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It is assumed and described with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10that overload occurs in the first alternative master350_1so that an error is detected.

The second alternative master300_4may check that overload occurs in the first alternative master300_1managing the first slave group350_1on the basis of a response signal received from the third slave300_3. That is, when a value of a current flowing in the first alternative master300_1is greater than a predetermined current value on the basis of a data frame configuring a response signal, the second alternative master300_4may confirm that overload occurs in the first alternative master300_1. The second alternative master300_4may notify the master200that overload occurs in the first alternative master300_1through the delivery of a response signal. The master200may eliminate the qualification of an alternative master assigned to the first slave300_1and select the second alternative master300_4as an alternative master of the first slave group350_1. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 10, the second alternative master300_4may manage the first salve group350_1and the second slave group350_2.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, by selecting some of a plurality of slaves as an alternative master capable of performing a master function, a charging control device may be managed efficiently.

Especially, according to various embodiments of the present invention, as an error occurred slave is detected fast, it is possible to quickly perform the countermeasure for it.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by bypassing an error occurred slave, it is possible to allow the remaining slaves having no occurred error to operate normally. Through this, even when an error occurs in one slave, efficient operation is possible without stopping operations of the remaining slaves. Additionally, an occurred error slave may be easily replaced.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, by selecting some of a plurality of slaves as an alternative master capable of performing a master function, a charging control device may be managed efficiently.