Patent Description:
As the demand for automobiles and other portable electronic devices increases, batteries such as secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for these devices. In particular, lithium-ion batteries are widely used due to their high energy density, high operating voltage, relatively large charging capacity, and convenient portability as compared to conventional batteries.

As such batteries are continuously charged and discharged, durability thereof is reduced, and there is a risk of accidents such as explosion. In addition, as charging and discharging are repeated, there is a problem in that the charging capacity decreases, thereby reducing the use time. In order to address such problems, it is necessary to predict abnormality and life span of the battery by obtaining state information such as temperature and voltage of the battery.

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are direct to a system for measuring state information of a battery. The technical problem to be achieved by the present disclosure is not limited to the technical problem as described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments.

According to an embodiment, a system for obtaining state information of a battery includes: at least one first harness cable configured to obtain data indicating state information of the battery from a battery management system of the battery; an analyzer configured to provide a driving signal for driving the battery management system; and a first junction box configured to transmit the data input through the first harness cable to the analyzer, wherein the analyzer is configured to output the data received from the first junction box to the outside.

In some embodiments, the system may further include a power supply connected to the first junction box to supply a power to the battery management system.

In some embodiments, the state information of the battery may include at least one of voltage, temperature, state of charge (SoC), state of health (SoH), state of power (SoP), state of energy (SoE), and state of balance (SoB) of the battery.

In some embodiments, the system may further include: an alternating current (AC) impedance analyzer configured to detect an AC impedance of the battery and, a second junction box connected through at least one second harness cable to the battery, the second junction box including a circuit configured to allow the AC impedance analyzer to detect the AC impedance.

In some embodiments, the AC impedance analyzer may measure an AC impedance of the battery in a fully charged state, an AC impedance of the battery in a fully discharged state, and an AC impedance of the battery in a partially charged or partially discharged state.

In some embodiments, the AC impedance analyzer may measure the AC impedance by measuring at least one of a resistance, an inductance, and a capacitance at a reference frequency or within a reference frequency range.

In some embodiments, the AC impedance analyzer may measure the AC impedance by measuring at least one of a resistance, an inductance, and a capacitance at a reference frequency or within a reference frequency range, and configuring an equivalent circuit corresponding to the measured resistance, inductance, and capacitance.

In some embodiments, the AC impedance analyzer may output information on the AC impedance to the outside based on a TCP/IP.

In some embodiments, the system may further include: a charge/discharge apparatus configured to charge or discharge the battery, wherein the charge/discharge apparatus is connected to the battery through the second junction box.

In some embodiments, the system may further include: an insulation resistor configured to measure an insulation resistance of the battery, wherein the insulation resistor is connected to the battery through the second junction box.

In some embodiments, the system may further include: a voltage meter configured to measure a voltage of the battery, wherein the voltage meter is connected to the battery through the second junction box.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first junction box and the second junction box may include a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature inside the first junction box.

In some embodiments, the analyzer may output the data based on a control area network (CAN) protocol.

According to another embodiment, a system for obtaining state information of a battery includes: at least one first harness cable connected to the battery and configured to obtain at least one signal indicating the state information; a first junction box including at least one fuse allowing the at least one signal input through the first harness cable to pass through, the first junction box configured to output the at least one signal having passed through the fuse; and an interface device configured to convert the at least one signal input from the first junction box into at least one digital data and output the at least one converted digital data to the outside.

In some embodiments, the state information may include at least one of voltage information and temperature information of the battery, and the signal may include at least one of a first signal indicating the voltage information and a second signal indicating the temperature information.

In some embodiments, the battery may include a plurality of modules, and the at least one first harness cable may include a plurality of harness cables configured to obtain a plurality of signals indicating the state information for the plurality of modules from the plurality of modules, respectively.

In some embodiments, the interface device may include: input ports configured to receive the plurality of signals from the first junction box, respectively; and at least one analog-digital converter configured to convert the plurality of signals into the at least one digital data, respectively.

In some embodiments, the interface device may output the at least one digital data based on a control area network (CAN) protocol, the system further including: a first LED indicating a communication state based on the CAN protocol; and a second LED indicating an operation state of the at least one analog-digital converter.

In some embodiments, the at least one fuse may be configured to protect the interface device from a short circuit resulting from the at least one signal.

In some embodiments, the first junction box may include: a plurality of input ports connected to the plurality of harness cables to receive the plurality of signals, respectively; and a plurality of output ports configured to output the plurality of signals to the interface device, respectively.

In some embodiments, one end of the at least one first harness cable may include a first connector for connection with the battery and another end thereof includes a second connector for connection with the first junction box, and at least one of the first connector and the second connector may be attached with a protective cap for safety.

In some embodiments, the system may further include: a second junction box connected to the battery through at least one second harness cable; and an AC impedance analyzer configured to detect an AC impedance of the battery through the second junction box, wherein the second junction box may include a circuit configured to detect the AC impedance.

In some embodiments, the system may further include: an insulation resistor configured to measure an insulation resistance of the battery; and a voltage meter configured to measure a voltage of the battery, wherein the insulation resistor and the voltage meter are connected to the battery through the second junction box.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may efficiently and accurately obtain battery state information and provide the obtained information to an external diagnosis device.

In addition, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may efficiently and accurately diagnose state of a battery even when a battery management system (BMS) is not operating or is unavailable.

Hereinafter, some embodiments will be described clearly in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains (hereinafter, ordinary technicians) may easily implement the present invention.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a system for obtaining state information of a battery according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a system <NUM> may include a battery <NUM>, a first junction box <NUM>, a power supply <NUM>, and an analyzer <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may refer to one battery cell or a module in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other. In addition, the battery <NUM> may include a plurality of battery modules. Each of the plurality of battery modules may include a plurality of cells. The plurality of battery modules may be connected mixedly in series and parallel. According to an embodiment, the plurality of battery modules may be secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries. In addition, capacities of the plurality of battery modules may be substantially the same as or different from each other.

The battery <NUM> may be a battery for an electric vehicle (EV). In such an embodiment, the battery <NUM> may have a different shape, structure, number of cells, or a pin-map depending on the vehicle type. According to an embodiment, the battery <NUM> may be composed of <NUM> modules, and each module may include <NUM> cells. According to another embodiment, the battery <NUM> may be configured as one module including <NUM> cells.

According to an embodiment, the battery <NUM> may include a battery management system (BMS). The battery management system (BMS) serves to improve energy efficiency and extend life span by optimally managing the battery <NUM>. For example, the battery management system BMS may monitor voltage, current, and temperature of the battery <NUM> in real time to substantially prevent excessive charging or discharging in advance and increase the safety and reliability of the battery <NUM>. The battery management system (BMS) is a device that measures voltage, current, and temperature in the battery <NUM> and may serve to monitor state (or status) of the battery such as charge capacity and life and send a control signal to a switch to shut off power before a dangerous situation occurs due to overcharge, discharge, or voltage fluctuation. Accordingly, the battery management system (BMS) may manage various data (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) related to the state of the battery <NUM> and may output data to the outside through a predetermined communication protocol (for example, WiFi, Bluetooth, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or Control Area Network (CAN) protocol).

The first junction box <NUM> may be connected to the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> through a harness cable <NUM>. The first junction box <NUM> may receive various data related to the state of the battery <NUM> from the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> through the harness cable <NUM> based on a predetermined communication protocol such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, CDMA, and CAN protocol. Data received by the first junction box <NUM> may be transmitted to the analyzer <NUM>. The first junction box <NUM> may be configured as a communication circuit which connects the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> and the analyzer <NUM> for data transfer therebetween. The analyzer <NUM> may supply a driving signal for the battery management system (BMS) through the first junction box <NUM> or receive data related to the battery state information received from the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> through the first junction box <NUM>. To this end, a circuit for transmitting a command to the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> or receiving data from the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> may be included. The analyzer <NUM> may transmit data to a diagnosis device <NUM> based on a predetermined communication protocol such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, CDMA, and CAN protocol. For example, the analyzer <NUM> may be a control area network (CAN protocol) analyzer.

In addition, the first junction box <NUM> may connect the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> and the power supply <NUM> so that a power of the power supply <NUM> may be supplied to the battery management system (BMS) <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may supply the power to the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> of the battery <NUM> through the first junction box <NUM>. To this end, the power supply <NUM> may be electrically connected to the battery management system (BMS) <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may control the battery <NUM> and obtain information relevant to the battery by supplying power (e.g., DC <NUM> V) to the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> to drive the battery management system (BMS) <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the power supply <NUM> may be a device configured to receive an external power and then convert the external power to voltage and current required by the battery management system (BMS) <NUM> to supply it to the battery management system (BMS) <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first junction box <NUM> may include a temperature sensor. For example, the first junction box <NUM> may be configured so that when an internal temperature of the first junction box <NUM> rises above a temperature preset through an external display, a user may recognize it through an alarm.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram illustrating a system for obtaining state information of a battery according to an embodiment.

Since a system <NUM> of <FIG> illustrates a specific embodiment of the system <NUM> of <FIG>, the description of the system <NUM> of <FIG> may also be applicable to the system <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the system <NUM> may further include a second junction box <NUM>, an alternating current (AC) impedance analyzer <NUM>, and a charge/discharge apparatus <NUM>.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect an AC impedance of the battery <NUM>. For example, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may be connected to a terminal of the battery <NUM> through the second junction box <NUM> to detect the AC impedance of the battery <NUM>.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect at least one of a resistance R, an inductance L, and a capacitance C (e.g., resistor, inductor, and capacitor) of the battery <NUM> at a reference frequency or within a reference frequency range to detect an AC impedance of the battery. In such an embodiment, the AC impedance of the battery may be detected by measuring at least one of the resistance R, the inductance L and the capacitance C and then forming an equivalent circuit.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may include a configuration for measuring a resistance, an inductance, and a capacitance, and an operation processing circuit or apparatus for calculating an impedance value using the same.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may further include a temperature measurer (not illustrated) that measures a temperature of the battery <NUM>.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may measure a temperature of the battery <NUM> through a temperature measurer (not illustrated) and may detect the AC impedance in consideration of battery temperature dependence.

In one embodiment, when measured by the AC impedance analyzer <NUM>, a voltage may be in a range from <NUM> to <NUM> V, a resistance may be in a range from <NUM>µΩ to <NUM> S2, a frequency may be in a range from <NUM> to <NUM>, and a temperature may be in a range from -<NUM> to <NUM>.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect the AC impedance of the battery in various states. Specifically, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect an AC impedance for the battery in a fully charged state, an AC impedance for the battery in a fully discharged state, and an AC impedance for the battery in a partially charged and discharged state.

The charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> may charge or discharge the battery <NUM>. The charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> may charge or discharge the battery <NUM> to make the battery <NUM> in a fully charged state, a fully discharged state, or a partial charged state. According to an embodiment, the charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> may further include a temperature measurer (not illustrated) that measures the temperature of the battery <NUM>. By measuring the temperature of the battery <NUM> by the temperature measurer, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect the AC impedance of the battery <NUM> in various states in consideration of battery temperature dependence.

Information on the resistance R, inductance L, capacitance C, voltage, temperature, and AC impedance measured and detected by the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may be transmitted to the diagnosis device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may transmit battery state information to the diagnosis device <NUM> based on a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). According to an embodiment, the diagnosis device <NUM> may analyze the resistance R, the inductance L, the capacitance C, and the AC impedance received from the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> to diagnose the state of the battery <NUM> such as State of Charge (SoC), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Energy (SoE), and State of Balance (SoB), and to this end, may include at least one processor.

The second junction box <NUM> may be connected to the battery <NUM> through a harness cable <NUM>. The second junction box <NUM> may be connected to an AC impedance analyzer <NUM> and a charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> and serve as a medium for connecting the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> and the charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> to the battery <NUM>. For example, the second junction box <NUM> may include a circuit configured to allow the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> to detect an AC impedance. The harness cable <NUM> is a passage for charging and discharging the battery <NUM> or measuring the AC impedance.

Since a system <NUM> of <FIG> represents a specific embodiment of the systems <NUM> and <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the description of the systems <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may also be applicable to the system <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the system <NUM> may further include an insulation resistor <NUM> and a voltage meter <NUM>. The insulation resistor <NUM> and the voltage meter <NUM> are configurations to ensure safety when state information of the battery <NUM> is measured.

The insulation resistor <NUM> may measure an insulation resistance of the battery <NUM> through the second junction box <NUM>. For example, the insulation resistor <NUM> may be connected to a (+) terminal, a (-) terminal, and a ground terminal of the second junction box <NUM>. The insulation resistor <NUM> may be connected to either the (+) terminal or the (-) terminal of the battery <NUM> and a body of the battery <NUM> to measure an insulation resistance of the battery. Accordingly, since it is possible to check whether the body of the battery <NUM> is insulated or not, an accident may be substantially prevented in which the user is electrocuted by a current flowing through the body of the battery <NUM>. The insulation resistor <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it is an element or device capable of measuring a resistance of the battery body. Information on the resistance of the battery <NUM> measured by the insulation resistor <NUM> may be transmitted to the diagnosis device <NUM>.

The voltage meter <NUM> may be connected to the battery <NUM> through the second junction box <NUM> to measure a voltage of the battery <NUM>. For example, the voltage meter <NUM> may be connected to a (+) terminal and a (-) terminal of the second junction box <NUM>. The voltage meter <NUM> may check a connection state between the second junction box <NUM> and the battery <NUM> and identify whether the battery <NUM> is disconnected from MSD (Manual Service Disconnect) by measuring the voltage of the battery <NUM>. The MSD serves to shut off electrical connection of the battery <NUM> in order to substantially prevent the user from electric shock during inspection or management. The voltage meter <NUM> is connected to a terminal of the battery <NUM> and measures a voltage of the battery <NUM> to determine whether the battery <NUM> is stably separated from the MSD, thereby ensuring safety. Information on the voltage of the battery <NUM> measured by the voltage meter <NUM> may be transmitted to the diagnosis device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a system for obtaining state information of a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a system <NUM>-<NUM> may include a battery <NUM>-<NUM>, a first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>, and an interface device <NUM>-<NUM>.

The battery <NUM>-<NUM> may refer to one battery cell or a module in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other. In addition, the battery <NUM>-<NUM> may include a plurality of battery modules. Each of the plurality of battery modules may include a plurality of cells. The plurality of battery modules may be connected mixedly in series and parallel. According to an embodiment, the plurality of battery modules may be secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries. In addition, capacities of the plurality of battery modules may be substantially the same as or different from each other.

The battery <NUM>-<NUM> may be a battery for an electric vehicle (EV). In such an embodiment, the battery <NUM>-<NUM> may have a different shape, structure, number of cells, or a pin-map depending on the vehicle type. According to an embodiment, the battery <NUM> may be composed of <NUM> modules, and each module may include <NUM> cells. According to another embodiment, the battery <NUM> may be configured as one module including <NUM> cells, but embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, the state information of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> may include information on a voltage and a temperature of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. According to an embodiment, the state information may include information on voltages of each of N number of battery cells of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> and information on temperatures at M number of points (where N and M are positive integers). For example, the system <NUM>-<NUM> may obtain voltage information of each of <NUM> battery cells and temperature information of <NUM> points.

According to an embodiment, the battery <NUM>-<NUM> may include a battery management system (BMS) (not illustrated). The battery management system serves to improve energy efficiency and extend life span by optimally managing the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the battery management system may monitor voltage, current, and temperature of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> in real time to substantially prevent excessive charging or discharging in advance and increase the safety and reliability of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. The battery management system (BMS) is a device that measures voltage, current, and temperature in the battery <NUM>-<NUM> and may serve to monitor state (or status) of the battery such as charge capacity and life and send a control signal to a switch to shut off power before a dangerous situation occurs due to overcharge, discharge, or voltage fluctuation. Accordingly, the battery management system (BMS) may manage various data (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) related to the state of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>.

The system <NUM>-<NUM> may be useful when the battery management system (BMS) is not operated or is not available due to a failure or the like. For example, if data managed by the battery management system cannot be utilized because the protocol of the battery management system (BMS) is private or unavailable, the system <NUM>-<NUM> may serve to measure the voltage and temperature of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may serve as a medium for stably connecting the battery <NUM>-<NUM> and the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> to each other. The first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to the battery <NUM>-<NUM> through a harness cable <NUM>-<NUM>. The harness cable <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to the battery <NUM>-<NUM> to transmit at least one signal indicating the obtained state information of the battery to the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>.

One of opposite ends of the harness cable <NUM>-<NUM> may include a first connector to be connected to a terminal of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. The first connector may be designed with reference to a pin map of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the first connector may be designed differently depending on a vehicle model in which the battery <NUM>-<NUM> is used. The other end of the opposite ends of the harness cable <NUM>-<NUM> may include a second connector to be connected to the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>. A protective cap for safety may be attached to at least one of the first connector and the second connector. For example, a rubber cap for an electric vehicle may be attached to the first connector. In addition, a safety cap may be attached to the second connector connected to the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>. The safety cap may be used for safe storage of the harness cable <NUM>-<NUM> when the harness cable <NUM>-<NUM> is not connected to the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may output a signal received through the harness cable <NUM>-<NUM> to the interface device <NUM>-<NUM>. The first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may include at least one fuse for protecting the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> from a short circuit generated from a signal. Fuses may substantially prevent accidents by preventing excessive current from flowing. A signal received to the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> through the harness cable <NUM>-<NUM> may pass through a fuse in the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> to be output to the interface device <NUM>-<NUM>.

The interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may convert at least one signal received from the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> into at least one digital data and output the converted digital data to the outside. For example, the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may output the converted digital data to the outside through a predetermined communication protocol such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Control Area Network (CAN) protocol. For example, the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may output bit information indicating the voltage of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> and bit information indicating the temperature to the external diagnosis device <NUM>-<NUM> based on the CAN protocol.

The interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may include at least one microcontroller unit (MCU) for converting at least one signal received from the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> into digital data. According to an embodiment, the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may include at least one MCU in which an analog-digital converter (ADC) is embedded. In addition, the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may include a CAN communication member corresponding to a CAN communication network.

The diagnosis device <NUM>-<NUM> may determine life information of the battery, such as State of Charge (SoC), State of Health (SoH), State of Power (SoP), State of Energy (SoE), and State of Balance (SoB), based on digital data received from the interface device <NUM>-<NUM>. According to an embodiment, the diagnosis device <NUM>-<NUM> may include a memory (not illustrated) for storing program codes and algorithms for analyzing the digital data, and accordingly, may include at least one processor for executing a program or performing an algorithm.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram illustrating a system according to another embodiment.

A system <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> illustrates a detailed embodiment of the system <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. Accordingly, although contents are omitted below, the description of the system <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> may also be applicable to the system <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the system <NUM>-<NUM> may include a battery <NUM>-<NUM>, a first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>, and an interface device <NUM>-<NUM>. The battery <NUM>-<NUM>, the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>, and the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may correspond to the battery <NUM>-<NUM>, the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>, and the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>, respectively.

The battery <NUM>-<NUM> may include modules <NUM>. For example, the battery <NUM>-<NUM> may include six modules <NUM>. One module may contain <NUM> cells.

The battery <NUM>-<NUM> and the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected by a harness cable through a plurality of ports <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, six output ports <NUM> of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> and six input ports <NUM> of the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to each other through a harness cable, respectively. The six output ports <NUM> of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> may correspond to the modules <NUM>, respectively, and state information on the modules <NUM> may be output through the corresponding output ports <NUM> and may pass through the harness cable to reach the input ports <NUM> of the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, six ports <NUM> may be positioned on one surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>. <FIG> illustrates six ports <NUM> located on one surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> and second connectors of the harness cable <NUM>-<NUM> being connected to each other.

According to an embodiment, each of the ports may include <NUM> voltage channels through which voltage information is transmitted and <NUM> temperature channels through which temperature information is transmitted. For example, each of the voltage channels may be a channel for transmitting voltage information of one battery cell, and each of the temperature channels may be a channel for transmitting temperature information of one point.

Referring back to <FIG>, the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may include fuses <NUM> through which signals received from the input ports <NUM> pass. For example, the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may include six input ports <NUM> and six fuses <NUM> corresponding to the six input ports <NUM>, respectively. Each of the fuses <NUM> may protect the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> from a short circuit that may be generated from a signal received by the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>. The first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may output a signal having passed through the fuses <NUM> to the interface device <NUM>-<NUM>.

The first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> and the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to each other by physical connection through a plurality of ports <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> may output a signal having passed through the fuses <NUM> through the six output ports <NUM>. The interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may receive the signal from the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> through the six input ports <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, six output ports <NUM> may be included on another surface <NUM>-<NUM> of the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM>. Signals may be transmitted to the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> through the six output ports <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may include slave MCUs <NUM> and a master MCU <NUM> for converting a received signal into digital data.

For example, the six slave MCUs <NUM> may convert signals received from the six ports <NUM> into digital data and transmit the converted digital data to the master MCU <NUM>. The master MCU <NUM> may output the digital data to the diagnosis device <NUM>-<NUM> through a CAN protocol. To this end, the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may include a CAN communication member corresponding to a CAN communication network.

<FIG> illustrates one surface and another surface of an interface device according to another embodiment.

One surface <NUM> of the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may include six input ports <NUM> for receiving signals from the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> and a CAN port <NUM> for performing CAN communication with the outside. The input ports <NUM> may be respectively connected to the output ports <NUM> of <FIG> and may respectively receive signals from the output ports <NUM>.

Another surface <NUM> of the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may include, for each port, at least one LED <NUM> indicating an operation state of the MCU (e.g., an operation state of an analog-digital converter) corresponding to each of the ports. For example, at least one LED <NUM> may indicate the operation state of the master MCU or slave MCU described above with reference to <FIG>. The LED <NUM> may be turned on when the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> is connected to the battery <NUM>-<NUM> through the first junction box <NUM>-<NUM> using a harness cable.

Further, another surface <NUM> of the interface device <NUM>-<NUM> may include an LED <NUM> which indicates a communication state based on a CAN protocol. For example, when CAN communication is normally performed, the LED <NUM> may be turned on, and otherwise, the LED <NUM> may be turned off. Another surface <NUM> may include an additional port (not illustrated) for performing firmware update of the master MCU, but embodiments are not limited thereto.

<FIG> illustrates a detailed block diagram illustrating a system according to another embodiment.

Since a system <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> represents a specific embodiment of the systems <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, the description of the systems <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may also be applicable to the system <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the system <NUM>-<NUM> may further include a second junction box <NUM>, an AC impedance analyzer <NUM>, an insulation resistor <NUM>, a voltage meter <NUM>, and a charge/discharge apparatus <NUM>.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect an AC impedance of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may be connected to a terminal of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> through the second junction box <NUM> to detect the AC impedance of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect a battery AC impedance by measuring at least one of a resistance R, an inductance L, and a capacitance C of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> at a reference frequency or within a reference frequency range. In such an embodiment, the AC impedance of the battery may be detected by measuring at least one of the resistance R, the inductance L and the capacitance C and then forming an equivalent circuit.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may include a configuration for measuring a resistance, an inductance, and a capacitance, and an operation processing circuit or apparatus for calculating an impedance value using the same. In addition, according to an embodiment, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may further include a temperature measurer (not illustrated) that measures a temperature of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may measure the temperature of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> through the temperature measurer (not illustrated) and detect the AC impedance in consideration of battery temperature dependence.

The AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect the AC impedance of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> in various states. Specifically, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect an AC impedance for the battery in a fully charged state, an AC impedance for the battery in a fully discharged state, and an AC impedance for the battery in a partially charged and discharged state.

The charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> may charge or discharge the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. The charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> may charge or discharge the battery <NUM>-<NUM> to make the battery <NUM>-<NUM> in a fully charged state, a fully discharged state, or a partial charged state. According to an embodiment, the charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> may further include a temperature measurer (not illustrated) that measures the temperature of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. By measuring the temperature of the battery by the temperature measurer, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may detect the AC impedance of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> in various states in consideration of battery temperature dependence.

Information on the resistance R, inductance L, capacitance C, voltage, temperature, and AC impedance measured and detected by the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may be transmitted to the diagnosis device <NUM>-<NUM>. According to an embodiment, the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> may transmit battery state information to the diagnosis device <NUM>-<NUM> based on a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). According to an embodiment, the diagnosis device <NUM>-<NUM> may analyze the resistance R, the inductance L, the capacitance C, and the AC impedance received from the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> to diagnose the state (or status) of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> such as SoC, SoH, SoP, SoE, and SoB, and to this end, may include at least one processor.

The second junction box <NUM> may be connected to the battery <NUM>-<NUM> through a harness cable <NUM>. The second junction box <NUM> may be connected to the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> and the charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> and serve as a medium for connecting the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> and the charge/discharge apparatus <NUM> to the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the second junction box <NUM> may include a circuit configured to allow the AC impedance analyzer <NUM> to detect an AC impedance. The harness cable <NUM> is a passage for charging and discharging the battery <NUM>-<NUM> or measuring the AC impedance.

The insulation resistor <NUM> and the voltage meter <NUM> are configured to ensure safety when obtaining state information of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>.

The insulation resistor <NUM> is connected to the battery <NUM>-<NUM> through the second junction box <NUM> to measure an insulation resistance of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the insulation resistor <NUM> may be connected to a (+) terminal, a (-) terminal, and a ground terminal of the second junction box <NUM>. The insulation resistor <NUM> may be connected to either the (+) terminal or the (-) terminal of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> and a body of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> to measure the insulation resistance of the battery. Accordingly, since it is possible to check whether the body of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> is insulated or not, it is possible to substantially prevent an accident in which the user is electrocuted by a current flowing through the body of the battery <NUM>-<NUM>. The insulation resistor <NUM> is not particularly limited as long as it is an element or device capable of measuring a resistance of the battery body. Information on the resistance of the battery <NUM>-<NUM> measured by the insulation resistor <NUM> may be transmitted to the diagnosis device <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A system for obtaining state information of a battery (<NUM>), comprising:
a battery management system (<NUM>) included in the battery (<NUM>);
at least one first harness cable (<NUM>) connected to the battery management system (<NUM>) and_configured to obtain data indicating state information of the battery (<NUM>) from the battery management system (<NUM>);
a first junction box (<NUM>) for transmitting the obtained data through the first harness cable (<NUM>), and
an analyzer (<NUM>) configured to output the data received from the first junction box (<NUM>) to the outside and configured to provide a driving signal for driving the battery management system (<NUM>) through the data received from the first junction box (<NUM>);
wherein at least one second harness cable (<NUM>) directly connected to the battery (<NUM>) to obtain data representing state information of the battery (<NUM>);
a second junction box (<NUM>) for transmitting the obtained data through the second harness cable (<NUM>);
an AC impedance analyzer (<NUM>) connected to the second junction box (<NUM>) and detecting an AC impedance of the battery (<NUM>) through data received from the second junction box (<NUM>); and,
a charge/discharge apparatus (<NUM>) connected to the second junction box (<NUM>), thereby charging or discharging the battery (<NUM>) to make the battery (<NUM>) in a fully charged state, a fully discharged state, or a partial charged state.