METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH  BATTERY CONTROL

A method including determining a first internal short circuit resistance value of a first battery based on the sensor data, determining a first internal short circuit state of the first battery using the first internal short circuit resistance value, and performing a first control process of reducing a current of the first battery, for alleviating a current burden of the first battery, in response to the determined first internal short circuit state being a first state other than a predetermined normal state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0117145, filed on Sep. 16, 2022, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The following disclosure relates to a method and apparatus with battery control.

2. Description of Related Art

A battery short circuit not only deteriorates battery efficiency but also provides a main cause of thermal runaway of the battery and may cause a safety issue, such as battery explosion. Thus, battery safety can be effectively improved by detecting the short circuit before an increase in physical and thermal deformation of the battery due to the short circuit occurs. In general, a battery's short circuit may be detected by sensing a change in the current, voltage, capacity, or temperature of the battery or detecting a change in various parameters of an electric circuit model. In addition, a method of detecting multi-cell battery pack short circuit may use various deviation values between the various unit cells constituting the multi-cell battery.

SUMMARY

In a general aspect, here is provided a processor-implemented method including determining a first internal short circuit resistance value of a first battery based on obtained sensor data, determining a first internal short circuit state of the first battery using the first internal short circuit resistance value, and performing a first control process of reducing a current of the first battery, for alleviating a current burden of the first battery, in response to the determined first internal short circuit state being a first state other than a predetermined normal state.

The performing of the first control process may include transmitting a control signal to a first switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the first battery to control a portion of a charging current of a charger to flow into the first circuit.

The method may include electrically isolating the first battery in response to the first internal short circuit state of the first battery being a reduced-performance state compared to the first state.

The performing of the first control process may include, in response to a second battery having a second internal short circuit state that is determined to be the predetermined normal state, charging the second battery with a first charging current of a charger by causing a second switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the second battery to be turned off and transmitting a control signal to a first switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the first battery to control a portion of the first charging current to flow into the first circuit connected in parallel with the first battery.

The performing of the first control process may include, in response to a charging current of the charger changing from the first charging current to a second charging current representing that a charging of the second battery is completed, charging the first battery with the second charging current by causing the first switch in the first circuit connected in parallel with the first battery to be turned off, and transmitting a control signal to the second switch in the first circuit connected in parallel with the second battery.

The performing of the first control process may include, in response to a second battery having a second internal short circuit state determined to be the predetermined normal state, controlling a first converter of the first battery and a second converter of the second battery to control a current greater than the first charging current supplied to the second battery and a current less than the first charging current to be supplied to the first battery.

The method may include controlling the first converter to transmit a portion of the first charging current to the second converter of the second battery and controlling the second converter to supply the current received from the first converter of the first battery to the second battery.

The performing of the first control process may include, in response to a charging current of the charger changing from the first charging current to a second charging current representing a charging of the second battery is completed, controlling the first converter and the second converter to control a current to not be supplied to the second battery and the second charging current is to be supplied to the first battery.

The performing of the first control process may include, in response to a second battery having a second internal short circuit state determined to be the predetermined normal state, controlling a first converter of the first battery and a second converter of the second battery to control a current greater than a required current of a load to be output from the second battery and a current less than the required current to be output from the first battery.

The controlling may include controlling the second converter to transmit a portion of the current output from the second battery to the first converter and controlling the first converter to supply a current received from the second converter to the load.

The method may include, in response to the first internal short circuit state being determined to be a second state and a second battery having a second internal short circuit state determined to be the predetermined normal state, performing a second control process of causing state information of the first battery to be within a first range.

The performing of the second control process may include determining whether the state information is within the first range, in response to the state information being within the first range, controlling the first battery to be in a bypass state of being electrically isolated from the second battery, in response to the state information being above the first range, controlling the first battery to be discharged faster than the second battery, and in response to the state information being below the first range, controlling the first battery to be charged until the state information enters the first range.

The method may include obtaining the sensor data from a sensor measuring information about the first battery, and the controlling of the first battery to be in the bypass state comprises controlling a first switch connected in series with first the battery to be turned off and a second switch connected in parallel with the first battery to be turned on.

In another general aspect, here is provided an electronic device including a first battery, a sensor configured to sense the first battery, a first circuit connected in parallel with the first battery, and a processor configured to obtain sensor data of the first battery from the sensor, determine a first internal short circuit resistance value of the first battery based on the sensor data, determine a first internal short circuit state of the first battery using the first internal short circuit resistance value, and perform a first control process of reducing a current of the first battery for alleviating a current burden of the first battery, in response to the determined first internal short circuit state of the first battery being a first state other than a predetermined normal state.

The processor may be configured to transmit a control signal to a first switch in the first circuit to control a portion of a charging current of a charger to flow into the first circuit.

The processor may be configured to electrically isolate the first battery in response to the first internal short circuit state of the first battery being a reduced performance state compared to the first state.

The electronic device may include a second battery. The processor may be configured to, in response to the second battery having a second internal short circuit state determined to be the predetermined normal state, charge the second battery with a first charging current of a charger by causing a second switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the second battery to be turned off, and transmit a control signal to a third switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the first battery to control a portion of the first charging current to flow into the first circuit connected in parallel with the first battery.

The first circuit may include a converter and the processor is configured to, in response to a second battery of the electronic device having a second internal short circuit state determined to be the predetermined normal state, control the converter and a converter of the second battery to control a current greater than a first charging current of a charger is supplied to the second battery and a current less than the first charging current is supplied to the first battery.

The first circuit may include a converter and the processor is configured to, in response to there being a second battery of the electronic device having a second internal short circuit state determined to be the predetermined normal state, control the converter and a converter of the second battery to control a current greater than a required current of a load is output from the second battery and a current less than the required current is output from the first battery.

In another general aspect, here is provided a battery pack that includes a plurality of batteries and a control apparatus electrically connected to the plurality of batteries, the control apparatus includes a sensor configured to monitor each of the plurality of batteries, a first circuit connected in parallel with each battery of the plurality of batteries, and a processor configured to obtain sensor data of each of the plurality of batteries from the sensor, determine a plurality of internal short circuit resistance values for each of the plurality of batteries based on the sensor data, determine a respective internal short circuit state of each battery of the plurality of batteries using respective internal short circuit resistance values, and perform a first control process of reducing a current of a first battery among the plurality of batteries for alleviating a current burden on the first battery through the first circuit connected in parallel with the first battery in response to a determined internal short circuit state of the first battery being a first state other than a predetermined normal state.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described or provided, the same drawing reference numerals may be understood to refer to the same or like elements, features, and structures. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the specification, when a component or element is described as being “on”, “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “joined to” another component, element, or layer it may be directly (e.g., in contact with the other component or element) “on”, “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “joined to” the other component, element, or layer or there may reasonably be one or more other components, elements, layers intervening therebetween. When a component or element is described as being “directly on”, “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” or “directly joined” to another component or element, there can be no other elements intervening therebetween. Likewise, expressions, for example, “between” and “immediately between” and “adjacent to” and “immediately adjacent to” may also be construed as described in the foregoing.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items. The phrases “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, and the like are intended to have disjunctive meanings, and these phrases “at least one of A, B, and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, and the like also include examples where there may be one or more of each of A, B, and/or C (e.g., any combination of one or more of each of A, B, and C), unless the corresponding description and embodiment necessitates such listings (e.g., “at least one of A, B, and C”) to be interpreted to have a conjunctive meaning.

Typically, there are methods of detecting a battery's internal short circuit. On the other hand, the typical methods of detecting a battery short circuit do not provide the capability of maintaining a stable state of a battery when the internal short circuit occurs in the battery.

FIG.1Aillustrates an example of a battery control apparatus and batteries according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.1A, a battery control apparatus110may obtain sensor data for each battery of batteries120using one or more sensors of an electronic device100. The sensor is representative of, for example, any one or any combination of a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. The voltage sensor may obtain voltage data of each of the batteries120by sensing the voltage of each of the batteries120. The current sensor may obtain current data of each of the batteries120by sensing the current of each of the batteries120. The temperature sensor may obtain temperature data of each of the batteries120by sensing the temperature of each of the batteries120.

The battery control apparatus110may detect an internal short circuit (ISC) in each of the batteries120based on the sensor data (e.g., the voltage data, the current data, or the temperature data) from each of the batteries120. The battery control apparatus110may calculate an estimated value of an internal short circuit current for each of the batteries120and determine (or calculate) a resistance value for an internal short circuit. Detecting an internal short circuit, calculating an estimated value of an internal short circuit current, and determining an internal short circuit resistance value will be described in further detail below with reference toFIGS.24and25.

The battery control apparatus110may determine an internal state (or an internal short circuit level) of each of the batteries120using the estimated value of the internal short circuit current or the internal short circuit resistance value of each of the batteries120. The internal state includes an internal short circuit state of each of the batteries120.

For example, in response to the estimated value of the internal short circuit current of each of the batteries120being less than or equal to a first value (e.g., a C-rate of 1/4480), or in response to the internal short circuit resistance value being greater than or equal to a first resistance value (e.g., 6700 ohms), the battery control apparatus110may determine that the internal state of each of the batteries120is at a normal state. The normal state may be a state in which no internal short circuit (or a micro internal short) is detected.

For example, in response to an estimated value of an internal short circuit current of a first battery among the batteries120being between the first value (e.g., a C-rate of 1/4480) and a second value (e.g., a C-rate of 1/75), or in response to an internal short circuit resistance value of the first battery being between the first resistance value (e.g., 6700 ohms) and a second resistance value (e.g., 110 ohms), the battery control apparatus110may determine that the state the first battery indicates that a condition of the battery to be in an initial short circuit state (or a first state). The initial short circuit state may be a state in which an internal short circuit is detected and the resulting risk from the internal short circuit is low.

For example, in response to the estimated value of the internal short circuit current of the first battery among the batteries120being between the second value (e.g., a C-rate of 1/75) and a third value (e.g., a C-rate of 1/3.7), or in response to the internal short circuit resistance value of the first battery being between the second resistance value (e.g., 110 ohms) and the third resistance value (e.g., 5.5 ohms), the battery control apparatus110may determine that the internal state of the first battery indicates that a condition of a middle short circuit state (or a second state). The middle short circuit state may be a state in which an internal short circuit has grown compared to the initial short circuit state, and may have higher risk than the initial short circuit state.

For example, in response to the estimated value of the internal short circuit current of the first battery among the batteries120being greater than or equal to the third value, or in response to the internal short circuit resistance value of the first battery being less than or equal to the third resistance value, the battery control apparatus110may determine the internal state of the first battery indicates that a condition of the battery to be in a hard short circuit state (or a third state). The hard short circuit state may be a state in which an internal short circuit has grown compared to the middle short circuit state, and may have higher risk than the middle short circuit state.

The first value, the second value, the third value, the first resistance value, the second resistance value, and the third resistance value described above are not limited to the above examples.

The first battery in the above example may perform a self-discharge due to the internal short circuit, and the self-discharge may cause heat to occur. In response to the heat created by self-discharge and the heat caused by a repeated charge and discharge of the first battery being added together, the condition of the internal short circuit of the first battery may rapidly grow worse. An internal short circuit in the initial short circuit state may grow into an internal short circuit in the middle short circuit state, and an internal short circuit in the middle short circuit state may grow into an internal short circuit in the hard short circuit state. In response to the growth of an internal short circuit in the hard short circuit state, the internal short circuit may be in a state of high risk of thermal runaway.

The battery control apparatus110may perform a first control process in response to the initial short circuit state among the batteries120, perform a second control process in response to the middle short circuit state among the batteries120, and perform a third control process in response to the hard short circuit state among the batteries120. The first control process, the second control process, and the third control process may be different from one another. The battery control apparatus110may perform a control process corresponding to a determined internal state of a respective battery.

When the first battery among the batteries120is determined to be the initial short circuit state, the battery control apparatus110may perform the first control process of reducing a current (e.g., a charging current or a discharging current) of the first battery to alleviate a current burden of the first battery. As described above, the heat caused by the repeated charge and discharge of the first battery and the heat caused by the self-discharge due to the internal short circuit may cause the severity of the internal short circuit of the first battery to grow rapidly. The battery control apparatus110may perform the first control process of reducing the current (e.g., the charging current or the discharging current) of the first battery, to slow the growth of the internal short circuit of the first battery in response to the internal state of the first battery being the initial short circuit state.

For example, the battery control apparatus110may charge the first battery with a charging current (or a charging rate) that is less than a normal charging current (or a charging rate) as in the normal state, and discharge the first battery with a discharging current (or a discharging rate) that is less than a discharging current (or a discharging rate) in the normal state. The current burden (or a power burden) of the first battery may thereby be reduced. The current burden of the battery may be reduced, such that heat corresponding to the reduced current burden may not be generated, reducing a growth rate of the internal short circuit of the first battery. The battery control apparatus110may prevent the first battery from being burdened with power greater than or equal to the amount of heat generated by the internal short circuit of the first battery.

In response to determining that the internal state of the first battery is the middle short circuit state, the battery control apparatus110may perform the second control process. In the second control process, the battery control apparatus110may maintain state information (e.g., a state of charge (SOC) or a capacity) of the first battery within a first range and electrically isolate the first battery from the other batteries in response to the state information of the first battery being within the first range. The first range may include a SOC range (e.g., a range from a first SOC value to a second SOC value) for causing the first battery in the middle short circuit state to be in a stable state. A lower bound (e.g., the first SOC value) of the first range may be, for example, “0”. However, examples are not limited thereto. An upper bound (e.g., the second SOC value) of the first range may be a value close to “0”, for example, “0.05”. However, examples are not limited thereto.

When the first battery is determined to be in the hard short circuit state, the battery control apparatus110may perform the third control process of electrically disconnecting the batteries120from a load and electrically disconnecting the batteries120from a charger. In the third control process, the battery control apparatus110may notify a user that a portion of the batteries120are in an abnormal state.

Referring toFIG.1B, a battery pack101of an electronic device100may include the battery control apparatus110and the batteries120according to one or more embodiments.

The battery pack101may be, or included in, various types of electronic devices, such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an autonomous vehicle, an energy storage system, and a mobile terminal (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet PC, etc.).

The battery pack101may receive a charging current from a charger140(e.g., an on-board charger), and the batteries120may be charged with the charging current.

The battery pack101may supply power to a load130(e.g., a motor of a vehicle, an inverter, etc.).

In response to determining that the internal state of the first battery among the batteries120is the hard short circuit state, the battery control apparatus110may electrically disconnect the battery pack101from the load130and electrically disconnect the battery pack101from the charger140.

FIG.2illustrates an example of a configuration of a battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.2, a battery control apparatus110may include a sensor210, a processor220, a plurality of first circuits230-1to230-n, a plurality of second circuits240-1to240-n, and a third circuit250.

Batteries201-1to201-n(e.g., the batteries120) may each be a battery cell or a battery module.

The batteries201-1to201-nmay be, for example, connected in series. However, examples are not limited thereto.

The batteries201-1to201-nand the battery control apparatus110may be included in the battery pack101.

The sensor210may obtain sensor data of each of the batteries201-1to201-n. The sensor210may include a plurality of voltage sensors, a plurality of current sensors, and a plurality of temperature sensors. Each of the voltage sensors may obtain voltage data of a corresponding battery by sensing the voltage of the corresponding battery. Each of the current sensors may obtain current data of a corresponding battery by sensing the current of the corresponding battery. Each of the temperature sensors may obtain temperature data of a corresponding battery by sensing the temperature of the corresponding battery.

The sensor210may transmit the sensor data of each of the batteries201-1to201-nto the processor220. The sensor data of each of the batteries201-1to201-nmay include, for example, any one or any combination of the voltage data, the current data, and the temperature data of each of the batteries201-1to201-n.

The sensor210may obtain current data of the battery pack101by sensing a current of the battery pack101(e.g., a current supplied by the battery pack101to a load270(e.g., the load130) and/or a current flowing from a charger280(e.g., the charger140) into the battery pack101). The sensor210may transmit the current data of the battery pack101to the processor220.

The first circuits230-1to230-nmay correspond to the batteries201-1to201-n, respectively. Each of the first circuits230-1to230-nmay be connected in parallel with a corresponding battery. The first circuits230-1to230-nmay operate in response to an internal state of a portion of the batteries201-1to201-nbeing determined to be an initial short circuit state and a middle short circuit state. The first circuits230-1to230-nmay be of a passive type or an active type. The passive type may be a type that consumes a portion of power supplied to a corresponding battery, and the active type may be a type that transmits power supplied to a corresponding battery to other first circuits. The passive type will be described in further detail below with reference toFIG.3, and the active type will be described in further detail below with reference toFIG.4.

Depending on an example, the processor220may perform balancing (e.g., passive balancing or active balancing) on the batteries201-1to201-nusing the first circuits230-1to230-n. Accordingly, the SOCs of the batteries201-1to201-nmay be equalized.

The second circuits240-1to240-nmay correspond to the batteries201-1to201-n, respectively. The second circuits240-1to240-nmay operate in response to an internal state of a portion of the batteries201-1to201-nbeing determined to be a middle short circuit state. In charging or discharging the battery pack101, each of the second circuits240-1to240-nmay electrically isolate a corresponding battery from the other batteries under the control of the processor220. A state in which one of the batteries201-1to201-nis electrically isolated from (or not electrically connected to) the other batteries may be referred to as a “bypass state”.

The processor220may detect an internal short circuit of each of the batteries201-1to201-nbased on the sensor data of each of the batteries201-1to201-n. For example, the processor220may calculate an estimated value of an internal short circuit current of each of the batteries201-1to201-n, and determine an internal short circuit resistance value of each of the batteries201-1to201-n.

The processor220may determine that the internal state for each of the batteries201-1to201-nto is one of a normal state, an initial short circuit state, a middle short circuit state, or a hard short circuit state using the estimated value of the internal short circuit current or the internal short circuit resistance value of each of the batteries201-1to201-n.

The processor220may determine an internal state of a portion of the batteries201-1to201-nto be the initial short circuit state and determine that the internal states of the other batteries are in the normal state. The processor220may control the first circuits230-1to230-nso that a current less than a first charging current of the charger280may be supplied to a battery in the initial short circuit state and the first charging current of the charger280may be supplied to the other batteries. The processor220may control the first circuits230-1to230-nsuch that a battery in the initial short circuit state may output a current less than a required current of the load270and each of the other batteries may output a current greater than the required current of the load270.

The operation of the battery control apparatus110in response to an internal state of a portion of batteries being determined to be an initial short circuit state will be described in further detail below with reference toFIGS.8and9andFIGS.15A to16.

In one scenario, the processor220may determine a respective internal state of one or more of the batteries201-1to201-nto be the middle short circuit state while also determining that the other batteries are in the normal internal states. In this instance, the processor220may determine whether state information (e.g., a SOC) of the battery or batteries found to be in the middle short circuit state are within a first range.

In response to the state information (e.g., the SOC) indicating that the battery is in the middle short circuit state and within the first range, the processor220may control at least a portion of the first circuits230-1to230-nor the second circuits240-1to240-nto cause the battery in the middle short circuit state to be placed in the bypass state.

In response to the state information (e.g., the SOC) indicating that the battery is in the middle short circuit state and above the first range, the processor220may cause the battery to be discharged faster than the other batteries that are in the normal state. In response to the state information (e.g., the SOC) of the battery in the middle short circuit state being within the first range and being discharged, the processor220may place that battery into the bypass state.

If the state information (e.g., the SOC) of the battery having the middle short circuit state is within the first range, the SOC of the battery in the middle short circuit state may be decreased by a self-discharge so as to be below the first range. In other words, the SOC of the battery in the middle short circuit state may reach “0” or be less than “0”. For example, even if a SOC of battery A is calculated at “0”, the voltage of battery A may not be “0”. If battery A is discharged in this situation, the SOC of battery A may be calculated numerically as a negative number. The SOC of the battery in the middle short circuit state may be calculated at “0” or a negative number. In this situation, the battery in the middle short circuit state may become damaged unless it is charged. In response to the SOC of the battery being in the middle short circuit state having a value below the first range (or in response to the SOC of the battery in the middle short circuit state being calculated at a value less than “0”), the processor220may charge that battery. In response to the state information (e.g., the SOC) of the battery having the middle short circuit state showing that the charging has placed the battery to be within the first range, the processor220may place that battery into the bypass state.

The processor220may determine that one or more of the batteries201-1to201-nhave an internal state within the hard short circuit state. In this case, the processor220may electrically disconnect the battery pack101from the charger280and electrically disconnect the battery pack101from the load270using the third circuit250. The processor220may warn a user that one or more of the batteries is in an abnormal state.

FIG.3illustrates an example of a passive type of a first circuit of a battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

In an example, each of the first circuits230-1to230-nofFIG.2may correspond to a first circuit310shown inFIG.3.

A second circuit320may include a plurality of switches, which will be described in further detail below with reference toFIG.5.

The first circuit310may include a resistor311and a switch312.

The processor220may control the switch312based on a control signal (e.g., a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal). According to the PWM signal, the switch312may be repeatedly turned on and off. A duty ratio of the PWM signal may be related to an intensity of a current flowing into the first circuit310, which will be described in further detail below. The greater the duty ratio, the greater the intensity of the current flowing into the first circuit310may be.

In response to the switch312being turned on, a portion of the current supplied to the battery301may flow into the resistor311, and power may be consumed by the resistor311.

FIG.4illustrates an example of an active type of a first circuit of a battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

In an example, each of the first circuits230-1to230-nofFIG.2may include a converter410as illustrated inFIG.4.

A second circuit420may include a plurality of switches, which will be described in further detail below with reference toFIG.5.

The converter410may be, for example, a bidirectional direct current (DC)-to-DC converter.

The converter410may be connected in parallel with a battery401.

The converter410may operate in a first direction to transmit a current (or power) to another converter and in a second direction to receive a current (or power) from another converter.

In the first direction, the converter410may transmit a portion of a current I supplied to the battery401to another converter.

In the second direction, the converter410may supply a current received from another converter to the battery401or to the load270.

FIG.5illustrates an example of a second circuit of a battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.5, a second circuit520(e.g., the second circuit320ofFIG.3or the second circuit420ofFIG.4) may include a plurality of switches521and522. The switch521may be connected in series with a battery501, and the switch522may be connected in parallel with the battery501.

A first circuit510may include the first circuit310ofFIG.3or the converter410ofFIG.4.

Each of the second circuits240-1to240-nofFIG.2may correspond to the second circuit520.

The processor220may control the switches521and522. For example, the processor220may transmit an on signal to the switch522to cause the switch522to be turned on, and may not transmit an on signal to the switch521to cause the switch521to be turned off. In this example, the process of turning the switch521is described in the manner where the processor220does not transmit an on signal to the switch521. In another example, the processor220may transmit an off signal to the switch521to cause the switch521to be turned off.

In response to the switch522being turned on and the switch521being turned off, the battery501may not be electrically connected to the other batteries. In other words, the battery501may be placed in a bypass state by the second circuit520.

FIG.6illustrates an example of a third circuit of a battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.6, a third circuit610(e.g., the third circuit250ofFIG.2) may include a switch611.

In response to an internal state of each of the batteries201-1to201-nnot being a hard short circuit state, the processor220may transmit an on signal to the switch611to cause the switch611to be turned on. In response to an internal state of a portion of the batteries201-1to201-nbeing the hard short circuit state, the processor220may not transmit the on signal to the switch611to cause the switch611to be turned off. Depending on an example, the processor220may instead transmit an off signal to the switch611to cause the switch611to be turned off. In response to the switch611being turned off, the battery pack101may not be connected to the load270and the charger280.

FIG.7illustrates an example of an operation of a battery control apparatus including a passive type of a first circuit, in response to determining internal short circuit states of batteries to be a normal state by the battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.7, first circuits710-1to710-nmay each be of a passive type. The first circuit710-1may include a resistor731and a switch732. The first circuit710-2may include a resistor741and a switch742. The first circuit710-nmay include a resistor751and a switch752.

A charger720(e.g., the charger140ofFIG.1Bor the charger280ofFIG.2) may output a first charging current ICHR #1.

In the example shown inFIG.7, the processor220may determine an internal state of each of batteries701-1to701-n(e.g., the batteries120ofFIGS.1A and1Bor the batteries201-1to201-nofFIG.2) to be a normal state. In this case, the processor220may cause a switch included in each of the first circuits710-1to710-nto be turned off.

The charger720may charge the batteries701-1to701-nwith the first charging current ICHR #1.

FIGS.8and9illustrate examples of an operation of a battery control apparatus including a passive type of a first circuit, in response to determining internal states of a portion of batteries to be an initial short circuit state by the battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

In the example shown inFIG.8, the processor220may determine the internal state of the battery701-2among the batteries701-1to701-nto be an initial short circuit state and determine that the internal states of the remaining batteries are at a normal state.

In this example where battery701-2is in an initial short circuit state, the processor220may perform a first control process of reducing a current of the battery701-2to alleviate a current burden of the battery701-2through the first circuit710-2connected in parallel with the battery701-2.

The processor220may determine a current value (or an intensity) of a current Icompto flow into the first circuit710-2of the battery701-2, of the first charging current ICHR #1. For example, the processor220may calculate an estimated value of an internal short circuit current of the battery701-2, and set the current value (or the intensity) of the current Icompto be equal to or greater than the calculated estimated value. Accordingly, power greater than or equal to the power generated by the internal short circuit of the battery701-2may be consumed by the resistor741.

The processor220may determine a duty ratio of a PWM signal based on the determined current value. The greater the determined current value, the greater the duty ratio of the PWM signal may be. Depending on an example, the processor220may use a resistance value of the resistor741and the determined current value to determine the duty ratio of the PWM signal.

The processor220may transmit the PWM signal to the switch742in the first circuit710-2of the battery701-2. The switch742may be repeatedly turned off and on according to the PWM signal.

The processor220may cause a switch in a first circuit of each of the other batteries in the normal state to be turned off. In other words, the switch in the first circuit of each of the other batteries in the normal state may be turned off. InFIG.8, the switch732and the switch752may be turned off.

The charger720may output the first charging current ICHR #1.

The battery701-1may be charged with the first charging current ICHR #1.

A portion Icompof the first charging current ICHR #1may flow into the first circuit710-2, and power may be consumed by the resistor741.

The battery701-2may be charged with a charging current ICHR #1−Icomp, which is less than the first charging current ICHR #1.

The battery701-nmay be charged with the first charging current ICHR #1.

In the example shown inFIG.8, the charging current ICHR #1−Icompof the battery701-2having its internal state be the initial short circuit state may be less than the first charging current ICHR #1, and thus, the current burden of the battery701-2during charging may be alleviated. Accordingly, with the smaller charging current, a growth rate of the internal short circuit of the battery701-2may be slower than a growth rate where the same battery701-2would be charged with the first charging current ICHR #1.

Since the charging current ICHR #1−Icompof the battery701-2is less than the first charging current ICHR #1of each of the other batteries in the normal state, a full charge time of the battery701-2may be longer than a full charge time of the other batteries in the normal state. The operation of the battery control apparatus110in response to the other batteries in the normal state being fully charged will be described with reference toFIG.9.

In the example shown inFIG.9, the processor220may determine state information (e.g., a SOC) of each of the batteries701-1to701-nbased on sensor data of each of the batteries701-1to701-n. The processor220may determine that the remaining batteries (e.g., the other batteries in the normal state) other than the battery701-2among the batteries701-1to701-nare fully charged.

The processor220may transmit information indicating that the remaining batteries are fully charged to the charger720. In response to the remaining batteries being fully charged, the charger720may output a second charging current ICHR #2lower than the first charging current ICHR #1to charge the battery701-2. An intensity of the second charging current ICHR #2may be the same as the intensity of the current IcompofFIG.8. However, examples are not limited thereto. The intensity of the second charging current ICHR #2may be, for example, a C-rate of 0.01 or a C-rate of 0.02. However, examples are not limited thereto.

The processor220may transmit a PWM signal to the switch732in the first circuit710-1of the battery701-1. The switch732may be repeatedly turned on and off according to the PWM signal.

The processor220may cause the switch742in the first circuit710-2of the battery701-2that is not fully charged to be turned off.

The processor220may transmit a PWM signal to the switch752in the first circuit710-nof the battery701-n. The switch752may be repeatedly turned on and off according to the PWM signal.

The switch742in the first circuit710-2may be turned off, so that the second charging current ICHR #2may not flow into the first circuit710-2but may flow into the battery701-2. Accordingly, the battery701-2may be charged with the second charging current ICHR #2.

The processor220may determine a SOC of the battery701-2and determine whether the battery701-2is fully charged. In response to the battery701-2being fully charged, the processor220may notify the charger720that the battery701-2is fully charged, and the charger720may terminate charging.

FIGS.10to13illustrate examples of an operation of a battery control apparatus including a passive type of a first circuit, in response to determining internal states of a portion of batteries to be a middle short circuit state by the battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

In the examples ofFIGS.10to13, second circuits1010-1to1010-nmay each correspond to the second circuit520ofFIG.5.

The second circuit1010-1may include a switch1031connected in series with a corresponding battery701-1and a switch1032connected in parallel with the corresponding battery701-1.

The second circuit1010-2may include a switch1041connected in series with a corresponding battery701-2and a switch1042connected in parallel with the corresponding battery701-2.

The second circuit1010-nmay include a switch1051connected in series with a corresponding battery701-nand a switch1052connected in parallel with the corresponding battery701-n.

In the example shown inFIG.10, the processor220may determine the internal state of each of the batteries701-1to701-nto be a normal state.

The processor220may cause a switch of each of the first circuits710-1to710-nto be turned off. In the example shown inFIG.10, the switch732, the switch742, and the switch752may be turned off.

The processor220may cause a switch connected in series with a corresponding battery of each of the second circuits1010-1to1010-nto be turned on, and cause a switch connected in parallel with a corresponding battery of each of the second circuits1010-1to1010-nto be turned off. In the example shown inFIG.10, the switch1032, the switch1042, and the switch1052may be turned on, and the switch1031, the switch1041, and the switch1051may be turned off.

The batteries701-1to701-nmay be charged with a first charging current of a charger1020-2(e.g., the charger720) or supply power to a load1020-1(e.g., the load270).

In the example shown inFIG.11, the processor220may determine that the internal state of the battery701-2among the batteries701-1to701-nis a middle short circuit state and determine that the internal states of the other batteries are a normal state. In this case, the processor220may maintain the SOC of the battery701-2within a first range, and electrically isolate the battery701-2from the other batteries in response to the SOC of the battery701-2being within the first range.

The processor220may cause a switch in a first circuit of each of the other, normal state batteries and a switch connected in parallel with each of the other, normal batteries to be turned off, and cause a switch connected in series with each of the other, normal batteries to be turned on. InFIG.11, the switch732in the first circuit710-1and the switch752in the first circuit710-nmay be turned off, and the switch1032in the second circuit1010-1and the switch1052in the second circuit1010-nmay be turned off. The switch1031in the second circuit1010-1and the switch1051in the second circuit1010-nmay be turned on.

The processor220may determine whether the SOC of the battery701-2is within the first range. In response to the SOC of the battery701-2being greater than the first range, the processor220may control the first circuit710-2so that the battery701-2may be discharged faster than the other batteries in the normal state. For example, the processor220may transmit a PWM signal to the switch742in the first circuit710-2of the battery701-2. The switch742may be repeatedly turned on and off according to the PWM signal. In response to the switch742being turned on, a portion Ixof an output current of the battery701-2may flow into the resistor741. An intensity (or a current value) of the current Ixmay be determined by a duty ratio of the PWM signal of the switch742of the resistor741and/or a resistance value. As a result of the current Ixflowing into the resistor741, the battery701-2may output a current IDISCHR+Ix, which is greater than the output current of each of the other batteries in the normal state. The battery701-2may be discharged faster than the other, normal batteries. In an example, the intensity of the current Ixmay be the same as or different from the intensity of the current IcompofFIG.8.

The SOC of the battery701-2may decrease and thus, may enter the first range.

In response to the SOC of the battery701-2being within the first range, the processor220may cause the switch1041of the second circuit1010-2of the battery701-2to be turned off as shown inFIG.12, and transmit an on signal to the switch1042of the second circuit1010-2. The switch1042may be turned on according to the on signal.

In response to the switch1041being turned off and the switch1042being turned on, the battery701-2may be in a bypass state of being electrically isolated from the other batteries. A bypass path may be formed through the switch1042.

In the example shown inFIG.12, the remaining, normal batteries701-1and701-n, other than the battery701-2that is in the middle state, may supply power to the load1020-1during discharging. The remaining batteries701-1and701-nmay be charged with a charging current (e.g., the first charging current ICHR #1ofFIG.7) of the charger1020-2during charging.

The battery701-2in the bypass state may perform a self-discharge due to the internal short circuit. Accordingly, the SOC of the battery701-2may decrease and thus, may become less than the first range. In other words, the SOC of the battery701-2may be less than “0”. The processor220may transmit a low power (or low C-rate) charge request to the charger1020-2to prevent over-discharge of the battery701-2.

The charger1020-2may output a third charging current ICHR #3as shown in the example ofFIG.13in response to the low power charge request from the processor220. A C-rate (or an intensity) of the third charging current ICHR #3may be less than a C-rate (or an intensity) of the first charging current ICHR #1. Depending on an example, the C-rate (or the intensity) of the charging current ICHR #3may be the same as or different from the C-rate (or the intensity) of the charging current ICHR #2.

In the example shown inFIG.13, the processor220may transmit a PWM signal to the switch742in the first circuit710-2of the battery701-2. The switch742may be repeatedly turned off and on according to the PWM signal. The processor220may transmit an on signal to the switch1041in the second circuit1010-2of the battery701-2. The switch1041may be turned on according to the on signal. The processor220may cause the switch1042in the second circuit1010-2of the battery701-2to be turned off.

A portion Iyof the charging current ICHR #3may flow into the first circuit710-2, and the battery701-2may be charged with a charging current ICHR #3−Iy. Depending on an example, an intensity of the current Iy ofFIG.13may be the same as or different from an intensity of the current IxfFIG.11.

As the battery701-2is charged with the charging current ICHR #3−Iy, the SOC of the battery701-2may increase. As the SOC increases, the SOC of the battery701-2may become within the first range. In response to the SOC of the battery701-2being within the first range, the processor220may request the charger1020-2to stop charging. In response to the SOC of the battery701-2being within the first range, the processor220may cause the battery701-2to be in the bypass state as described with reference toFIG.12.

FIGS.14A and14Billustrate an example of an operation of a battery control apparatus including an active type of a first circuit, in response to determining internal states of batteries to be a normal state by the battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

Examples of the first circuits230-1to230-nofFIG.2each being of an active type are shown inFIGS.14A and14B.

In the examples shown inFIGS.14A and14B, converters1410-1to1410-nmay each correspond to the converter410ofFIG.4.

Each of the converters1410-1to1410-nmay be connected in parallel with a corresponding battery.

The converters1410-1to1410-nmay each be a bidirectional DC-DC converter.

Each of the converters1410-1to1410-nmay operate in a first direction to transmit a current (or power) to another converter and in a second direction to receive a current (or power) from another converter. The processor220may control each of the converters1410-1to1410-nto operate in the first direction or the second direction.

The processor220may determine that an internal state of each of the batteries1401-1to1401-n(e.g., the batteries120ofFIG.1Aor the batteries201-1to201-nofFIG.2) is within a normal state. In this case, the processor220may prevent each of the converters1410-1to1410-nfrom operating. The processor220may not control each of the converters1410-1to1410-n. The converters1410-1to1410-nmay operate in neither the first direction nor the second direction.

In the example shown inFIG.14A, a charger1420(e.g., the charger140ofFIG.1B) may output a first charging current ICHR #1, and the batteries1401-1to1401-nmay be charged with the first charging current ICHR #1.

In the example shown inFIG.14B, in response to a required current of a load1430(e.g., the load130ofFIG.1B) being IDISCHR, each of the batteries1401-1to1401-nmay output a current IDISCHRto the load1430.

FIGS.15A to16illustrate examples of an operation of a battery control apparatus including an active type of a first circuit, in response to determining internal states of a portion of the batteries to be an initial short circuit state by the battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

In the example shown inFIG.15A, the processor220may determine an internal state of the battery1401-2among the batteries1401-1to1401-nto be an initial short circuit state, and determine that the internal states of the remaining batteries are within a normal state.

The processor220may perform a first control process of reducing a current of the battery1401-2to alleviate a current burden on the battery1401-2.

The processor220may determine a current value (or an intensity) of the current Icomp, similar to the description provided with reference toFIG.8. The processor220may determine a current value (N−1)×Icompof a current to be transmitted to the remaining converters by the converter #21410-2. Here, N may denote the number of batteries1401-1to1401-n.

The processor220may control the converters1410-1to1410-nso that a current greater than the first charging current ICHR #1of the charger1420may be supplied to the other batteries in the normal state and a current less than the first charging current ICHR #1of the charger1420may be supplied to the battery1401-2. The processor220may control the converter #21410-2of the battery1401-2to operate in the first direction, and transmit the determined current value (N−1)×Icompto the converter #21410-2. The processor220may control a converter of each of the other batteries in the normal state to operate in the second direction.

The converter #21410-2of the battery1410-2may operate in the first direction under the control of the processor220. The converter #21410-2may equally divide the current (N−1)×Icompof the first charging current ICHR #1and transmit the current Icompto each of the remaining converters other than the converter #21410-2.

The remaining converters may operate in the second direction under the control of the processor220. Each of the remaining converters may receive the current Icompfrom the converter #21410-2. The converter #11410-1may receive the current Icompfrom the converter #21410-2, and the converter #n1410-nmay receive the current Icompfrom the converter #21410-2.

The converter #11410-1may supply the current Icompto the battery1401-1.

The battery1401-1may be charged with a charging current I1 (e.g., ICHR #1+Icomp), which is greater than the first charging current ICHR #1.

The converter #n1410-nmay supply the current Icompto the battery1401-n.

The battery1410-nmay be charged with a charging current In (e.g., ICHR #1+Icomp), which is greater than the first charging current ICHR #1.

The battery1401-2may be charged with a charging current I2 (e.g., ICHR #1−(N−1)×Icomp), which is less than the first charging current ICHR #1.

In the example shown inFIG.15A, the charging current ICHR #1−(N−1)×Icompof the battery1401-2whose internal state is determined to be an initial short circuit state may be less than the first charging current ICHR #1. A current burden of the battery1401-2during charging may be alleviated by the lesser current. Accordingly, a growth rate of the internal short circuit of the battery1401-2may be slower than a growth rate in response to the battery1401-2being charged with the first charging current ICHR #1.

The charging current ICHR #1−(N−1)×Icompof the battery1401-2may be less than the charging current of each of the other batteries in the normal state. Thus, a full charge time of the battery1401-2may be longer than a full charge time of the other batteries that are in the normal state. The operation of the battery control apparatus110in response to the other batteries in the normal state being fully charged will be described with reference toFIG.15B.

In the example shown inFIG.15B, the processor220may determine state information (e.g., a SOC) of each of the batteries1401-1to1401-nbased on sensor data of each of the batteries1401-1to1401-n. The processor220may determine that the remaining batteries other than the battery1401-2among the batteries1401-1to1401-nare fully charged.

The processor220may transmit information indicating that the remaining batteries are fully charged to the charger1420. In response to the remaining batteries being fully charged, the charger1420may output a second charging current ICHR #2lower than the first charging current ICHR #1to charge the battery1401-2. An intensity of the charging current ICHR #2may be the same as the intensity of the current IcompofFIG.15A. However, examples are not limited thereto.

In response to the other, normal batteries being fully charged, the processor220may control the converters1410-1to1410-nso that the remaining converters, other than the converter #21410-2and the battery1401-2, may form a current path with the charger1420. At this time, the processor220may prevent the converter #21410-2from operating. The other batteries in the normal state and the converter #21410-2may be excluded from the formed current path.

The converter #11410-1may prevent the second charging current ICHR #2from flowing into the corresponding battery1401-1under the control of the processor220, and transmit the second charging current ICHR #2to the battery1401-2. The battery1401-2may be charged with the second charging current ICHR #2.

Each of the converters, other than the converter #11410-1and the converter #21410-2, may prevent the second charging current ICHR #2from flowing into a corresponding battery, and cause the second charging current ICHR #2to flow into the formed current path. For example, the converter #n−11410-(n−1) may prevent the second charging current ICHR #2from flowing into a corresponding battery1401-(n−1), and output the second charging current ICHR #2to the battery1401-nor the converter #n1410-n. The converter #n1410-nmay prevent the second charging current ICHR #2from flowing into the corresponding battery1401-n.

In response to the battery1401-2being fully charged, the processor220may notify the charger1420of the full charge of the battery1401-2. The charger1420may terminate the charging in response to the battery1401-2being fully charged.

In an example, each of the remaining converters, other than the converter #21410-2, may supply a portion of the current input in a situation in which the current path is formed, to a low DC-to-DC converter (LDC). For example, as in the example shown inFIG.15C, the converter #11410-1may supply a portion Iaof the input current ICHR #2to a LDC1510, and transmit the remaining current ICHR #2−Iato the battery1401-2. The converter #21410-2may not operate, and thus, the battery1401-2may be charged with the current ICHR #2−Ia. The converter #n−11410-(n−1) may supply a portion Iaof the input current ICHR #2−(N−3)Iato the LDC1510. The converter #n−11410-(n−1) may prevent the remaining current ICHR #2−(N−2)Iafrom flowing into the corresponding battery1401-(n−1), and output the current ICHR #2−(N−2)Iato the battery1401-nor the converter #n1410-n. The converter #n1410-nmay supply a portion Iaof the input current ICHR #2−(N−2)Iato the LDC1510, and prevent the remaining current ICHR #2−(N−1)Iafrom flowing into the corresponding battery1401-n.

The LDC1510may supply (N−1)Iato a load (e.g., a low-voltage load).

In one example, the processor220may control the converters1410-1to1410-nso that a current greater than the required current IDISCHRof the load1430may be supplied by the remaining batteries other than the battery1401-2and a current less than the required current of the load1430may be supplied by the battery1401-2. The processor220may control the converter #21410-2of the battery1401-2to operate in the second direction, and control the remaining converters to operate in the first direction.

In the example shown inFIG.16, the converter #11410-1may operate in the second direction, and the battery1401-1may output a current IDISCHR+Icomp, which is greater than the required current IDISCHRof the load1430. The converter #11410-1may transmit a portion Icompof the output current IDISCHR+Icompof the battery1401-1to the converter #21410-2. Similarly, the converter #n1410-nmay operate in the second direction, and the battery1401-nmay output a current IDISCHR+Icomp, which is greater than the required current IDISCHRof the load1430. The converter #n1410-nmay transmit a portion Icompof the output current IDISCHR+Icompof the battery1401-nto the converter #21410-2.

The converter #21410-2may cause the battery1401-2to output a current IDISCHR−(N−1)×Icomp, which is less than the required current IDISCHRof the load1430. The converter #21410-2may operate in the second direction, and receive the current Icompfrom each of the other converters. In other words, the converter #21410-2may receive the current (N−1)×Icompfrom the other converters.

The converter #21410-2may supply the current (N−1)×Icompto the load1430, and the battery1401-2may supply the current IDISCHR−(N−1)×Icompto the load1430.

The battery1401-2may supply a current less than the required current IDISCHRto the load1430, which may reduce the growth rate of the internal short circuit compared to when the battery1401-2supplies the required current IDISCHR.

FIGS.17to21illustrate examples of an operation of a battery control apparatus including an active type of a first circuit, in response to determining internal states of a portion of batteries to be a middle short circuit state by the battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

In the examples ofFIGS.17to21, second circuits1710-1to1710-nmay each correspond to the second circuit520ofFIG.5.

The second circuit1710-1may include a switch1731connected in series with a corresponding battery1401-1and a switch1732connected in parallel with the corresponding battery1401-1.

The second circuit1710-2may include a switch1741connected in series with a corresponding battery1401-2and a switch1742connected in parallel with the corresponding battery1401-2.

The second circuit1710-nmay include a switch1751connected in series with a corresponding battery141-nand a switch1752connected in parallel with the corresponding battery1401-n.

In the example shown inFIG.17, the processor220may determine that the internal state of each of the batteries1401-1to1401-nis in a normal state. In this case, the processor220may prevent the converters1410-1to1410-nfrom operating. The processor220may cause a switch (e.g., the switch1731, the switch1741, the switch1751, or the like) connected in series with a corresponding battery of each of the second circuits1710-1to1710-nto be turned on, and cause a switch (e.g., the switch1732, the switch1742, the switch1752, or the like) connected in parallel with a corresponding battery of each of the second circuits1710-1to1710-nto be turned off.

The batteries1401-1to1401-nmay either be charged with a charging current (e.g., ICHR #1) of the charger1420or supply power to the load1430.

In the example shown inFIG.18, the processor220may determine that the internal state of the battery1401-2, among the batteries1401-1to1401-n, to be a middle short circuit state and determine that the internal states of the remaining batteries are in a normal state. In this case, the processor220may maintain the SOC of the battery1401-2within a first range, and electrically isolate the battery1401-2from the other batteries in response to the SOC of the battery1401-2being within the first range.

The processor220may control a converter of each of the other batteries in the normal state to operate in the second direction. The processor220may cause a switch connected in parallel with each of the other batteries in the normal state to be turned off, and cause a switch connected in series with each of the other batteries in the normal state to be turned on. InFIG.18, the converter #11410-1and the converter #n1410-nmay operate in the second direction, and the switch1732in the second circuit1710-1and the switch1752in the second circuit1710-nmay be turned off. The switch1731in the second circuit1710-1and the switch1751in the second circuit1710-nmay be turned on.

The processor220may determine whether the SOC of the battery1401-2is within the first range. In response to the SOC of the battery701-2being greater than the first range, the processor220may control the converter #21410-2so that the battery1401-2may be discharged faster than the other, normal batteries (or so that the battery1401-2may output greater power than the remaining batteries). The converter #21410-2may operate in the first direction under the control of the processor220.

The converter #21410-2may control the battery1401-2to output a current IDISCHR+(N−1)×Ix. The converter #21410-2may equally divide the current (N−1)×Ixof the output current IDISCHR+(N−1)×Ixof the battery1401-2, and transmit the current Ixto each of the remaining converters.

Each of the remaining converters may operate in the second direction under the control of the processor220. The converter #11410-1may receive the current Ixfrom the converter #21410-2, and the converter #n1410-nmay receive the current Ixfrom the converter #21410-2.

The battery1401-1may output a current IDISCHR−Ixand supply the output current to the load1430, and the converter #11410-1may supply the current Ixto the load1430. The battery1401-nmay output a current IDISCHR−Ixand supply the output current to the load1430, and the converter #n1410-nmay supply the current Ixto the load1430.

The battery1401-2may output a greater current IDISCHR+(N−1)×Ixthan each of the other batteries in the normal state and thus, may be discharged faster than the other batteries in the normal state.

The battery1401-2may supply power to the load1430, such that the SOC of the battery1401-2may decrease. In response to the SOC of the battery1401-2being within the first range, the processor220may prevent the converters1410-1to1410-nfrom operating as in the example shown inFIG.19. Accordingly, no current (or power) may be exchanged between the converter #21410-2and each of the remaining converters. In response to the SOC of the battery1401-2being within the first range, the processor220may cause the switch1741of the second circuit1710-2of the battery1401-2to be turned off, and transmit an on signal to the switch1742. The switch1742may be turned on according to the on signal.

In response to the switch1741being turned off and the switch1742being turned on, the battery1401-2may be in a bypass state of being electrically isolated from the other batteries in the normal state. A bypass path through the switch1742may be formed.

The remaining batteries other than the battery1401-2among the batteries1401-1to1401-nmay supply a current IDISCHRto the load1430.

The battery1401-2in the bypass state may perform self-discharge due to the internal short circuit. Accordingly, the SOC of the battery1401-2may decrease and thus, may be under the first range. In this case, the processor220may transmit a low power charge request to the charger1420to prevent over-discharge of the battery1401-2. A low power charging of the battery1401-2will be described with reference toFIG.20.

In the example shown inFIG.20, the processor220may control the converters1410-1to1410-nso that a current greater than a third charging current ICHR #3of the charger1420may be supplied to the other batteries in the normal state and a current less than the third charging current ICHR #3of the charger1420may be supplied to the battery1401-2. The processor220may control the converter1410-2of the battery1401-2to operate in the first direction, and control the remaining converters to operate in the second direction.

The processor220may cause the switch1741in the second circuit1710-2of the battery1401-2to be turned on and cause the switch1742to be turned off. In other words, the processor220may release the bypass state of the battery1401-2.

The charger1420may output the third charging current ICHR #3in response to the low power charge request of the processor220. A C-rate of the third charging current ICHR #3may be less than a C-rate of the charging current ICHR #1ofFIG.14A.

The converter #21410-2of the battery1410-2may operate in the first direction under the control of the processor220. The converter #21410-2may equally divide a portion (N−1)Iyof the third charging current ICHR #3and transmit the current lyto each of the remaining converters.

Each of the remaining converters may operate in the second direction under the control of the processor220. The converter #11410-1may receive the current Iyfrom the converter #21410-2, and the converter #n1410-nmay receive the current Iyfrom the converter #21410-2.

The converter #11410-1may supply the current Iyto the battery1401-1. Accordingly, a current (e.g., ICHR #3+Iy), which is greater than the third charging current ICHR #3, may be supplied to the battery1401-1.

The converter #n1410-nmay supply the current Iyto the battery1401-n. Accordingly, a current (e.g., ICHR #3+Iy), which is greater than the third charging current ICHR #3, may be supplied to the battery1401-n.

The battery1401-2may be charged with a current (e.g., ICHR #3−(N−1)Iy), which is less than the third charging current ICHR #3.

In response to the battery1401-2being charged, the SOC of the battery1401-2may be increased to be within the first range. In response to the SOC of the battery1401-2being within the first range, the processor220may request the charger1420to stop charging. In response to the SOC of the battery1401-2being within the first range, the processor220may prevent the converters1410-1to1410-nfrom operating as in the example shown inFIG.21. Accordingly, no current (or power) may be exchanged between the converter #21410-2and each of the remaining converters.

In response to the SOC of the battery1401-2being within the first range, the processor220may cause the switch1741of the second circuit1710-2of the battery1401-2to be turned off, and transmit an on signal to the switch1742. The switch1742may be turned on according to the on signal. In response to the switch1742being turned on, the battery1401-2may be in a bypass state of being electrically isolated from the other batteries. Thus, a bypass path through the switch1742may be formed.

In response to the battery1401-2being in the bypass state, the processor220may request the charger1420to change the charging current. The charger1420may output the first charging current ICHR #1, which is greater than the third charging current ICHR #3. The remaining batteries other than the battery1401-2among the batteries1401-1to1401-nmay be charged with the first charging current ICHR #1of the charger1420.

FIG.22illustrates an example of a battery control apparatus and a single battery according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.22, an electronic device2200(e.g., the electronic device100ofFIG.1AorFIG.1B) includes a battery control apparatus2210(e.g., the battery control apparatus110) may obtain sensor data of a battery2220using a sensor. The sensor data may include, for example, any one or any combination of voltage data, current data, and temperature data of the battery2220.

The battery control apparatus2210may detect an internal short circuit of the battery2220based on the sensor data of the battery2220. The battery control apparatus2210may calculate an estimated value of an internal short circuit current of the battery2220and determine (or calculate) an internal short circuit resistance value. This will be described in further detail below with reference toFIGS.24and25.

The battery control apparatus2210may determine an internal state (or an internal level) (e.g., a normal state, an initial short circuit state, a middle short circuit state, or a hard short circuit state) of the battery2220using the estimated value of the internal short circuit current or the internal short circuit resistance value of the battery2220.

In response to determining that the internal state of the battery2220is the initial short circuit state, the battery control apparatus2210may perform a first control process of reducing a current of the battery2220. In response to determining that the internal state of the battery2220is in the middle short circuit state or in the hard short circuit state, the battery control apparatus2210may perform a third control process of electrically isolating the battery2220.

The description provided with reference toFIGS.1to21may also apply to the description ofFIG.22, and thus, a detailed description will be omitted for conciseness.

FIG.23illustrates an example of an electronic device including a battery control apparatus and a single battery according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.23, an electronic device2300may include the battery2220, a processor2310(e.g., the processor220), a first circuit2320(e.g., the first circuit310ofFIG.3), a second circuit2330(e.g., the second circuit520ofFIG.5), a third circuit2340(e.g., the third circuit610ofFIG.6), a sensor2350, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC)2360, and a load2370.

Depending on an example, the electronic device2300may not include the second circuit2330.

The electronic device2300be, or a component of, a mobile device such as a smart phone, a PDA, a netbook, a tablet computer or a laptop computer, a wearable device such as a smart watch, a smart band or smart glasses, a home appliance such as a television, a smart television or a refrigerator, or a security device such as a door lock. However, the implementation may not be limited to these examples.

The load2370may be a component of the electronic device2300that uses the battery2220as a power source. The load2370(as well as other loads described herein) is representative of, for example, the processor2310, the sensor2350, a display, a camera, a speaker, a communication module (e.g., a mobile communication module, a Wi-Fi communication module, and/or a Bluetooth communication module, etc.), and/or a graphics processing unit (GPU), and the like. However, examples are not limited thereto.

The battery control apparatus2210ofFIG.22may include the processor2310, the first circuit2320, the second circuit2330, the third circuit2340, and the sensor2350.

The first circuit2320may include a resistor2321and a switch2322.

The second circuit2330may include a switch2331connected in series with the battery2220and a switch2332connected in parallel with the battery2220.

The sensor2350may include any one or any combination of a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a temperature sensor.

The sensor2350may transmit the sensor data obtained by sensing any one or any combination of a voltage, a current, and a temperature of the battery2220to the processor2310.

The processor2310may determine that the internal state of the battery2220is the initial short circuit state based on the sensor data (e.g., the voltage data, the current data, or the temperature data) of the battery2220. The processor2310may transmit a PWM signal to the switch2322in the first circuit2320. The switch2322may be repeatedly turn on and off according to the PWM signal. The processor2310may cause the switch2331to be turned on by transmitting an on signal to the switch2331in the second circuit2330, and cause the switch2332to be turned off. The processor2310may transmit an on signal to a switch (e.g., the switch611ofFIG.6) in the third circuit2340to cause the switch in the third circuit2340to be turned on.

In response to the switch2322being turned on, the switch2331being turned on, and the switch2332being turned off in a situation in which the battery2220is being charged with a charging current of the PMIC2360, a portion of the charging current of the PMIC2360may flow into the resistor2321. A current less than the charging current of the PMIC2360may be supplied to the battery2220. Accordingly, a growth rate of the internal short circuit of the battery2220may be decreased.

The processor2310may determine that the internal state of the battery2220is in the middle short circuit state or in the hard short circuit state based on the sensor data of the battery2220. In this case, the processor2310may cause the switch in the third circuit2340to be turned off. Accordingly, the battery2220may be electrically isolated from the PMIC2360and the load2370. In response to determining the internal state of the battery2220to be the middle short circuit state or the hard short circuit state, the processor2310may notify a user that the battery2220is in an abnormal state.

The description provided with reference toFIGS.1to22may also apply toFIG.23and the description ofFIG.23, and thus, a detailed description will be omitted for conciseness.

FIGS.24and25illustrate an example of a method of detecting an internal short circuit of a battery by a battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.24, graphs2410to2430may exhibit a compensation voltage, a short circuit current, and a short circuit resistance, where a time tsdenotes a short circuit detection time. The graphs2420and2430may correspond to results of detecting a short circuit in a discharging period, and accordingly, there may be breaks (charging periods) between the curves.

The battery control apparatus110,2210may determine an internal resistance value R_I of a battery (e.g., each of the batteries120ofFIG.1, or the battery2220ofFIG.22) according to an estimated voltage value V_E and a sensed current value I_M of the battery. The battery control apparatus110,2210may determine an error ratio ER according to a ratio between the internal resistance value R_I and a resistance error parameter by an electrochemical model. The resistance error parameter will be described in further detail below with reference toFIG.25.

The battery control apparatus110,2210may calculate an estimated value I_S of the internal short circuit current according to the product of the measured current value I_M and the error ratio ER, and determine an internal short circuit resistance value R_S according to the ratio between the estimated voltage value V_E and the estimated value I_S of the internal short circuit current.

For example, the internal resistance value R_I may be calculated by Estimated voltage value V_E/Measured current value I_M. The error ratio ER may be calculated by Resistance error parameter/Internal resistance value R_I. The internal short circuit resistance value R_S may be calculated by Estimated voltage value V_E/Short circuit current value I_S.

In the example shown inFIG.25, the battery control apparatus110,2210may set a first sub-period2510of a discharging period of the battery and a second sub-period2520of a charging period of the battery as target periods, determine an average resistance error2511of the first sub-period2510and an average resistance error2521of the second sub-period2520, and determine the resistance error parameter indicating the difference between the average resistance error2511and the average resistance error2521.

The method of calculating the estimated value of the internal short circuit current and the internal short circuit resistance value of the battery by the battery control apparatus110,2210is not limited to the method described with reference toFIGS.24and25. The battery control apparatus110,2210may calculate the estimated value of the internal short circuit current and the internal short circuit resistance value of the battery through an electrochemical thermal (ECT) model, an electric circuit model, or a change in the sensor data of the battery.

FIG.26illustrates an example of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.26, an electronic device2600may include a battery2610(e.g., at least one of the batteries120ofFIGS.1A and1B, or the battery2220), a sensor2620(e.g., the sensor210ofFIG.2or the sensor2350ofFIG.23), a first circuit2630(e.g., the first circuit310), and a processor2640(e.g., the processor220ofFIG.2or the processor2310ofFIG.23).

The electronic device2600may be an electronic device as, or including, the battery pack101ofFIG.1Bor the electronic device2300ofFIG.23.

The sensor2620may sense the battery2610.

The first circuit2630may be connected in parallel with the battery2610.

The processor2640may perform an operation of the processor220or an operation of the processor2310.

The processor2640may obtain sensor data of the battery2610using the sensor2620.

The processor2640may determine an internal short circuit resistance value of the battery2610based on the obtained sensor data.

The processor2640may determine an internal state of the battery2610using the determined internal short circuit resistance value.

In response to a determination that the internal state of the battery2610is in a first state (e.g., an initial short circuit state) other than a normal state, the processor2640may perform a first control process of reducing a current of the battery2610to alleviate a current burden of the battery2610through the first circuit2630.

The processor2640may transmit a control signal (e.g., a PWM signal) to a switch (e.g., the switch312) in the first circuit2630so that a portion of a charging current of a charger (e.g., the charger140or the PMIC2360) may flow into the first circuit2630.

In response to the internal state of the battery2610being a reduced performance state (e.g., a middle short circuit state or a hard short circuit state) having grown in a severity compared to the first state, the processor2640may electrically isolate the battery2610.

Depending on an example, the electronic device2600may further include at least one battery other than the battery2610.

The processor2640may determine the internal state of the battery2610to be the first state, and determine a short circuit state of the remaining battery to be a normal state. In other words, the electronic device2600may include at least one other battery whose internal state is determined to be the normal state (hereinafter, referred to as the “normal battery”). In this case, the processor2640may cause a switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the normal battery to be turned off so that the normal battery may be charged with a first charging current of the charger, and transmit a control signal (e.g., a PWM signal) to a switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the battery2610so that a portion of the first charging current may flow into the first circuit connected in parallel with the battery2610. In this regard, the description provided with reference toFIGS.8and9may apply.

The first circuit2630may include a converter (e.g., the converter410ofFIG.4).

The processor2640may control the converter in the first circuit2630and a converter of the normal battery so that a current greater than the first charging current of the charger may be supplied to the normal battery and a current less than the first charging current may be supplied to the battery2610, during charging. The processor2640may control the converter in the first circuit2630and the converter of the normal battery so that the normal battery may output a current greater than a required current of a load and the battery2610may output a current less than the required current, during discharging. In this regard, the description provided with reference toFIGS.15A to16may apply.

The description provided with reference toFIGS.1to25may apply to the electronic device2600ofFIG.26.

FIG.27illustrates an example of an operating method of a battery control apparatus according to one or more embodiments.

Referring toFIG.27, in operation2710, the battery control apparatus110,2210may obtain sensor data of at least one battery from one or more sensors associated with that battery.

For example, the sensor may be a temperature sensor, a voltage sensor, or a current sensor.

In operation2720, the battery control apparatus110,2210may determine an internal short circuit resistance value of the battery based on the obtained sensor data.

In operation2730, the battery control apparatus110,2210may determine an internal state of the battery using the determined internal short circuit resistance value.

In operation2740, in response to the determination that the internal state of the battery is in a first state (e.g., an initial short circuit state) other than a normal state, the battery control apparatus110,2210may perform a first control process of reducing a current of the battery to alleviate a current burden of the battery.

In the first control process, the battery control apparatus110,2210may transmit a control signal to a switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the battery so that a portion of a charging current of a charger may flow into the first circuit.

In response to the internal state of the battery being a reduced performance state (e.g., a middle short circuit state or a hard short circuit state) of having grown worse compared to the first state, the battery control apparatus110,2210may electrically isolate the battery.

In an example, the battery control apparatus110,2210may determine that the internal state of the battery (e.g., the battery701-2) is in the first state, and in response to there being another battery whose internal state is determined to be in a normal state (e.g., a normal battery), may cause a switch in a first circuit connected in parallel with the normal battery to be turned off so that the normal battery may be charged with a first charging current of the charger. The battery control apparatus110,2210may transmit a control signal to a switch (e.g., the switch742) in a first circuit (e.g., the first circuit710-2) connected in parallel with the battery so that a portion of the first charging current may flow into the first circuit connected in parallel with the battery in the first state. In this regard, the description ofFIG.8may apply.

In an example, in response to the charging current of the charger changing from the first charging current to a second charging current as charging the normal battery is completed, the battery control apparatus110,2210may cause the switch (e.g., the switch742) in the first circuit (e.g., the first circuit710-2) connected in parallel with the battery (e.g., the battery701-2) in the first state to be turned off, so that the battery in the first state may be charged with the second charging current. The battery control apparatus110,2210may transmit the control signal to the switch in the first circuit connected in parallel with the normal battery. In this regard, the description ofFIG.9may apply.

In an example, the battery control apparatus110,2210may determine that the internal state of the battery (e.g., the battery1401-2) is in the first state, and in response to there being another normal battery whose internal state is determined to be in the normal state, control a converter of the normal battery and a converter (e.g., the converter #21410-2) of the battery so that a current greater than the first charging current of the charger may be supplied to the normal battery and a current less than the first charging current may be supplied to the battery in the first state. The battery control apparatus110,2210may control the converter of the battery in the first state to transmit a portion of the first charging current to the converter of the normal battery, and control the converter of the normal battery to supply the current received from the converter of the battery in the first state to the normal battery. In this regard, the description ofFIG.15Amay apply.

In an example, in response to the charging current of the charger changing from the first charging current to a second charging current as the charging of the normal battery is completed, the battery control apparatus110,2210may control the converter (e.g., the converter #21410-2) of the battery and the converter of the normal battery so that a current may not be supplied to the normal battery and the second charging current may be supplied to the battery (e.g., the battery1401-2) in the first state. In this regard, the description ofFIG.15Bmay apply.

In an example, the battery control apparatus110,2210may determine that the internal state of the battery (e.g., the battery1401-2) is in the first state, and in response to there being another normal battery whose internal state is determined to be in a normal state, may control the converter (e.g., the converter #21410-2) of the battery in the first state and the converter of the normal battery so that the normal battery may output a current greater than a required current of a load and the battery in the first state may output a current less than the required current. The battery control apparatus110,2210may control the converter of the normal battery to transmit a portion of the output current of the normal battery to the converter of the battery, and control the converter of the battery to supply the current received from the converter of the normal battery to the load. In this regard, the description ofFIG.16may apply.

In an example, the battery control apparatus110,2210may determine that the internal state of the battery tis in a second state (e.g., a middle short circuit state), and in response to there being another normal battery whose internal state is determined to be the normal state, may perform a second control process of causing state information (e.g., a SOC) of the battery in the second state to be within a first range.

In the second control process, the battery control apparatus110,2210may determine whether the state information of the battery is within the first range. In response to the state information of the battery in the second state being within the first range, the battery control apparatus110,2210may control the battery in the second state to be in a bypass state of being electrically isolated from the normal battery. For example, the battery control apparatus110,2210may control a switch connected in series with the battery to be turned off and a switch connected in parallel with the battery to be turned on.

In response to the state information of the battery in the second state being above the first range, the battery control apparatus110,2210may control the battery in the second state to be discharged faster than the normal battery. In response to the state information of the battery in the second state being below the first range, the battery control apparatus110,2210may control the battery to be charged until the state information of the battery in the second state enters the first range.

The description provided with reference toFIGS.1to26may apply to the operating method ofFIG.27.

The electronic devices100and2200, processors, battery control apparatus110,2210, processor2640, first circuit2630, sensor210, a processor220, a plurality of first circuits230-1to230-n, a plurality of second circuits240-1to240-n, and third circuit250, and other circuits, switches, and processors described herein and disclosed herein described with respect toFIGS.1-27are implemented by or representative of hardware components. As described above, or in addition to the descriptions above, hardware components that may be used to perform the operations described in this application where appropriate include controllers, sensors, generators, drivers, memories, comparators, arithmetic logic units, adders, subtractors, multipliers, dividers, integrators, and any other electronic components configured to perform the operations described in this application. In other examples, one or more of the hardware components that perform the operations described in this application are implemented by computing hardware, for example, by one or more processors or computers. A processor or computer may be implemented by one or more processing elements, such as an array of logic gates, a controller and an arithmetic logic unit, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller, a field-programmable gate array, a programmable logic array, a microprocessor, or any other device or combination of devices that is configured to respond to and execute instructions in a defined manner to achieve a desired result.

In one example, a processor or computer includes, or is connected to, one or more memories storing instructions or software that are executed by the processor or computer. Hardware components implemented by a processor or computer may execute instructions or software, such as an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the OS, to perform the operations described in this application. The hardware components may also access, manipulate, process, create, and store data in response to execution of the instructions or software. For simplicity, the singular term “processor” or “computer” may be used in the description of the examples described in this application, but in other examples multiple processors or computers may be used, or a processor or computer may include multiple processing elements, or multiple types of processing elements, or both. For example, a single hardware component or two or more hardware components may be implemented by a single processor, or two or more processors, or a processor and a controller. One or more hardware components may be implemented by one or more processors, or a processor and a controller, and one or more other hardware components may be implemented by one or more other processors, or another processor and another controller. One or more processors, or a processor and a controller, may implement a single hardware component, or two or more hardware components.

As described above, or in addition to the descriptions above, example hardware components may have any one or more of different processing configurations, examples of which include a single processor, independent processors, parallel processors, single-instruction single-data (SISD) multiprocessing, single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) multiprocessing, multiple-instruction single-data (MISD) multiprocessing, and multiple-instruction multiple-data (MIMD) multiprocessing.