Patent Description:
Various methods are used to charge a battery. In a constant current (CC)-constant voltage (CV) method, a battery is charged with a CC until a battery voltage reaches a preset voltage, and is then charged at a CV. In a varying current decay charging method, a battery is charged with a high current in a low state of charge (SOC) until the battery reaches a preset SOC, and is then charged with a gradually decreasing current. Battery may also be charger using a fast charging method to reduce an amount of time to charge a battery. When fast charging is repeated, a life of a battery is reduced.

In an existing fast charging method, the battery is charged by controlling a current supplied to the battery. Generally, the current supplied to the battery is controlled based on a charging current profile. In the fast charging method, the same charging current profile is used regardless of a temperature and/or a degradation level of the battery. For example, the same charging current profile may be used regardless of whether the degradation level of the battery is high or low, or regardless of whether the temperature of the battery is high or low. This may accelerate a degradation of the battery. <CIT> refers to a battery charging method and apparatus. A battery charging method includes determining a battery overpotential based on a reference physical quantity and a battery physical quantity corresponding to a charging capacity of a battery while charging the battery in an initial charging step, determining whether a condition for charging a battery charging step is satisfied based on the battery overpotential, and changing the battery step from the initial charging step to an adjusted charging step in response to the condition being satisfied. When it is determined that the battery overpotential is greater than or equal to a threshold voltage, the battery charging apparatus enters a relaxation period. <CIT> refers to a method and configuration for estimating the efficiency of at least one battery unit of a rechargeable battery. The state of charge of at least one battery unit of a rechargeable battery is initially estimated, and at least one variable of the battery unit which describes the state of health of this battery unit at a selected operating point with the aid of a model is estimated. The variable describing the state of health is an instantaneous charge capacity of the battery unit, which is estimated from the load current of the battery unit at the operating point and the reciprocal value of the derivation over time of the previously estimated state of charge of the battery unit. <CIT> refers to systems and methods for charging an electrochemical device, such as a secondary electrochemical cell.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved battery charging method and a battery charging apparatus.

In an general aspect, there is provided a battery charging method including determining a setting value of charging control information based on an overpotential value and a voltage value of a battery, applying the setting value in the charging control information, and controlling a voltage applied to charge the battery based on the charging control information that reflects the setting value.

The setting value may include at least one of a shift value to shift a voltage function of the charging control information or an initial value of a voltage sweep rate of the charging control information.

The voltage sweep rate may correspond to a rate at which the voltage increases.

The determining of the setting value includes deriving a time value corresponding to a sum of the voltage value and the overpotential value based on an inverse function of a voltage function of the charging control information, and determining the time value as a shift value to shift the voltage function.

The applying of the setting value includes shifting the voltage function based on the shift value.

The determining of the setting value may include identifying a voltage range among voltage ranges, the voltage range may include a sum of the voltage value and the overpotential value, and selecting a voltage sweep rate, from among voltage sweep rates, the voltage sweep rate corresponding to a boundary voltage value of the identified voltage range as an initial value of the voltage sweep rate of the charging control information, and wherein each of the voltage sweep rates may indicate a rate at which the voltage increases in each of the respective voltage ranges.

The applying of the setting value may include setting the initial value of the voltage sweep rate as a slope of a linear voltage function of the charging control information.

The voltage may constantly increase up to a boundary voltage value of a voltage range subsequent to the identified voltage range.

The battery charging method may include changing the voltage sweep rate of the charging control information from the selected voltage sweep rate to a voltage sweep rate corresponding to a boundary voltage value of a subsequent voltage range, in response to a charging voltage value of the battery being less than or equal to a boundary voltage value of a voltage range subsequent to the identified voltage range.

The battery charging method may include charging the battery at a constant voltage (CV), in response to a charging voltage value of the battery being greater than or equal to a threshold voltage value, and terminating the charging of the battery, in response to a current value of the battery being equal to a threshold current and the battery is being charged at the CV.

The overpotential value may be determined based on any one or any combination of a temperature and a degradation level of the battery within an overpotential range.

In another general aspect, there is provided a battery charging apparatus including a controller configured to determine a setting value of charging control information based on an overpotential value and a voltage value of a battery, apply the setting value in the charging control information, and control a voltage applied to charge the battery based on the charging control information that reflects the setting value.

The controller is configured to derive a time value corresponding to a sum of the voltage value and the overpotential value based on an inverse function of a voltage function of the charging control information, and to determine the time value as a shift value to shift the voltage function.

The controller is configured to shift the voltage function based on the shift value.

The controller may be configured to identify a voltage range among voltage ranges, the voltage range may include a sum of the voltage value and the overpotential value, and to select a voltage sweep rate, from among voltage sweep rates, the voltage sweep rate corresponding to a boundary voltage value of the identified voltage range as an initial value of the voltage sweep rate of the charging control information, and wherein each of the voltage sweep rates may indicate a rate at which the voltage increases in each of the respective voltage ranges.

The controller may be configured to set the initial value of the voltage sweep rate as a slope of a linear voltage function of charging control information.

The voltage may constantly increases up to a boundary voltage value of a voltage range subsequent to the identified voltage range.

The controller may be configured to change the voltage sweep rate of the charging control information from the selected voltage sweep rate to a voltage sweep rate corresponding to a boundary voltage value of a subsequent voltage range, in response to a charging voltage value of the battery being less than or equal to a boundary voltage value of a voltage range subsequent to the identified voltage range.

The overpotential value may be determined based on an one or any combination of a temperature and a degradation level of the battery within an preset overpotential range.

In another general aspect, there is provided a vehicle including a battery module, sensors configured to sense voltage values of the battery module, a memory configured to store instructions, and a battery charging apparatus implemented on a processor, the battery charging apparatus being configured to execute the instructions to determine a setting value based on an overpotential value and the voltage value of a battery, apply the setting value in the charging control information, and control a voltage applied to charge the battery based on the charging control information that reflects the setting value.

The battery charging apparatus may be configured to identify a voltage range may include a sum of the voltage values and a overpotential value, and select a voltage sweep rate corresponding to a boundary voltage value of the identified voltage range as an initial value of the voltage sweep rate of the charging control information, and the memory may be configured to store correspondence relationship between voltage sweep rates and boundary voltage values of voltage ranges.

The following specific structural or functional descriptions are exemplary to merely describe the examples, and the scope of the examples is not limited to the descriptions provided in the present specification. Various changes and modifications can be made after gaining an understanding of the disclosure of this application.

<FIG> illustrates a battery charging device <NUM> according to the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery charging device <NUM> includes a battery <NUM> and a battery charging apparatus <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> is, for example, at least one battery cell, at least one battery module, or at least one battery pack.

In an example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> collects or acquires voltage data of the battery <NUM> using a voltage sensor. For example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> receives the voltage data of the battery <NUM> from the voltage sensor. The voltage data includes at least one voltage value.

In the invention, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines setting value of charging control information based on a voltage value and an overpotential value of the battery <NUM>, reflects or applies the setting value to the charging control information, and charges the battery <NUM> based on the charging control information reflecting the setting value. An example of an overpotential value will be described below with reference to <FIG>. The charging control information is information used to control charging of the battery <NUM>. The charging control information is information used to control a voltage applied to the battery <NUM> for charging of the battery <NUM>.

The battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines a shift value based on the voltage value and the overpotential value, and reflects the shift value in a voltage function. The shift value is an example of the above-described setting value, and the voltage function is an example of the above-described charging control information. The battery charging apparatus <NUM> controls a voltage applied to the battery <NUM> using the voltage function reflecting the shift value, and charges the battery <NUM>. This will be further described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

In an example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines an initial value of a voltage sweep rate of the charging control information based on the voltage value and the overpotential value, and reflects the initial value in the voltage sweep rate of the charging control information. The battery charging apparatus <NUM> controls a voltage applied to the battery <NUM> based on the charging control information reflecting the initial value, and charges the battery <NUM>. This example will be further described below with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>.

In an example, when a charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches a threshold voltage during charging of the battery <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> at a constant voltage (CV). The threshold voltage is, for example, a final voltage or a maximum voltage. The charging voltage value corresponds to, for example, a result obtained by sensing a voltage of the battery <NUM> that is charging.

When a current value of the battery <NUM> reaches a threshold current during charging of the battery <NUM> at the CV, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> terminates the charging of the battery <NUM>. The threshold current is, for example, a final current. The current value corresponds to, for example, a result obtained by sensing a current of the battery <NUM> that is charging at the CV.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate examples of a battery charging methods.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines the setting value of the charging control information based on the voltage value and the overpotential value of the battery <NUM>, and reflects the setting value in the charging control information. The charging control information includes a voltage function, and the setting value includes a shift value to shift a corresponding voltage function. Examples of operations of the battery charging apparatus <NUM> are described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a voltage function V=f(t) <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, when the battery <NUM> has a voltage value Vi and an overpotential value ηi, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> derives a time value ti corresponding to Vi+ηi that is a sum of the voltage value Vi and the overpotential value ni, using an inverse function of the voltage function V=f(t) <NUM>. In this example, the time value ti is expressed using Equation <NUM> shown below.

The battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines the derived time value ti as a shift value.

The battery charging apparatus <NUM> reflects the shift value ti in the voltage function V=f(t) <NUM>. For example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> shifts the voltage function V=f(t) <NUM> based on the shift value ti. Referring to <FIG>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> shifts the voltage function V=f(t) <NUM> to the left by the shift value ti. A voltage function shifted as shown in <FIG> is expressed using Equation <NUM> shown below.

The battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> based on the shifted voltage function. A voltage is applied to the battery <NUM> for charging of the battery <NUM>, and the battery charging apparatus <NUM> controls the voltage applied to the battery <NUM> based on the shifted voltage function. For example, a voltage corresponding to "Vi+ηi" is applied first to the battery <NUM>. The battery charging apparatus <NUM> sets a charging start voltage or an initial charging voltage to be "Vi+ηi", and allows a voltage corresponding to "Vi+ηi" to be applied first to the battery <NUM>. Also, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> by increasing the voltage applied to the battery <NUM> based on the shifted voltage function.

When a charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches a threshold voltage during charging of the battery <NUM> based on the shifted voltage function, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> at a CV. For example, in <FIG>, when a charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches a threshold voltage Vf, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> at the threshold voltage Vf. In this example, a CV is applied to the battery <NUM>.

When the battery <NUM> is charged at the CV, an amount of current supplied to the battery <NUM> gradually decreases. When a current value of the battery <NUM> reaches a threshold current If during charging of the battery <NUM> at the CV, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> terminates the charging of the battery <NUM>. The threshold current If is, for example, a value set in advance.

<FIG> illustrate examples of a battery charging method.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines an initial value of a voltage sweep rate of the charging control information based on a voltage value and an overpotential value of the battery <NUM>, and reflects the initial value in the charging control information. Examples of operations of the battery charging apparatus <NUM> are described below with reference to <FIG>.

In an example of <FIG>, when the battery <NUM> has a voltage value Vi and an overpotential value ηi, a value of "Vi+ηi" is greater than V<NUM> and less than V<NUM>. In this example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> sets "n" that satisfies "Vn-<NUM> ≤ Vi+ni < Vn" to be "<NUM>" and selects a voltage sweep rate corresponding to "<NUM>" as an initial value of a voltage sweep rate of charging control information based on a table. The battery charging apparatus <NUM> identifies a voltage range of V<NUM> to V<NUM> including the value of "Vi+ηi" among preset voltage ranges, for example, a voltage range of V<NUM> to V<NUM> and a voltage range of Vn-<NUM> to Vn, and selects a voltage sweep rate corresponding to a boundary voltage value of the identified voltage range of V<NUM> to V<NUM> as an initial value, based on the table. The table corresponds to, for example, a table that stores a correspondence relationship between voltage sweep rates and boundary voltage values V<NUM> to Vn of voltage ranges. Each of the voltage sweep rates is a rate at which a voltage increases in each of the voltage ranges. Table <NUM> is shown below as an example of the table.

In the example of <FIG>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> selects r<NUM>, and sets r<NUM> as an initial value of a voltage sweep rate of charging control information. Also, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> sets a charging start voltage in the charging control information to be "Vi+ηi. " For example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> sets a slope and an initial value of a function to be r<NUM> and "Vi+ηi," respectively, to determine a linear voltage function "r<NUM> × t + Vi + ηi.

The battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> based on the charging control information with the set initial value of the voltage sweep rate and the set charging start voltage. In the example of <FIG>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> controls a voltage applied to the battery <NUM> based on the charging control information that reflects r<NUM> and "Vi+ηi," and charges the battery <NUM>. For example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> controls a voltage applied to the battery <NUM> based on the linear voltage function "r<NUM> × t + Vi + ηi" and charges the battery <NUM>. In this example, the voltage applied to the battery <NUM> increases at a rate of r<NUM> from "Vi+ηi. " Also, the voltage applied to the battery <NUM> constantly increases up to a boundary voltage value V<NUM> (that is subsequent to V<NUM>) of a voltage range of V<NUM> to V<NUM> subsequent to the identified voltage range of V<NUM> to V<NUM>.

When a charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches a subsequent boundary voltage value that is subsequent to a boundary voltage value corresponding to a determined voltage sweep rate, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> at a voltage sweep rate corresponding to the subsequent boundary voltage value. For example, when the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches a boundary voltage value of a subsequent voltage range that is subsequent to the identified voltage range, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> changes the voltage sweep rate and charges the battery <NUM>. In an example of <FIG>, when the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches V<NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> changes a voltage sweep rate of charging control information from r<NUM> to r<NUM>, and charges the battery <NUM>. In this example, V<NUM> corresponds to a boundary voltage value subsequent to V<NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, when the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches V<NUM> during charging of the battery <NUM> at r<NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> changes the voltage sweep rate of the charging control information from r<NUM> to r<NUM>, and charges the battery <NUM>. When the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches V<NUM> during charging of the battery <NUM> at r<NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> changes the voltage sweep rate of the charging control information from r<NUM> to r<NUM>, and charges the battery <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates points <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> at which the voltage sweep rate changes.

In the example of <FIG>, when the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches a threshold voltage Vf during charging of the battery <NUM> at r<NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> at Vf. When a current value of the battery <NUM> reaches a threshold current If during charging of the battery <NUM> at Vf, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> terminates the charging.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of a battery charging method. The operations in <FIG> and <FIG> may be performed in the sequence and manner as shown, although the order of some operations may be changed or some of the operations omitted without departing from the scope of the illustrative examples described. Many of the operations shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may be performed in parallel or concurrently. One or more blocks of <FIG> and <FIG>, and combinations of the blocks, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer that perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. In addition to the description of <FIG> and <FIG> below, the descriptions of <FIG> are also applicable to <FIG> and <FIG>, and are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the above description may not be repeated here. In an example, a battery charging method of <FIG> corresponds to the examples of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> acquires a voltage value Vi of the battery <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines a shift value to shift a voltage function, and shifts a voltage function based on the shift value. As described above with reference to <FIG>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> derives a time value ti corresponding to a sum of the voltage value Vi and an overpotential value ηi of the battery <NUM> based on an inverse function of the voltage function, and determines the derived time value ti as a shift value. The battery charging apparatus <NUM> shifts the voltage function by the shift value ti.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> based on the shifted voltage function.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines whether a charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> is greater than or equal to a threshold voltage Vf. In an example, when the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> is determined to be less than the threshold voltage Vf in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> continues to charge the battery <NUM>. In another example, when the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> is determined to be greater than or equal to the threshold voltage Vf in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> at a CV Vf in operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines whether a current value of a current supplied to the battery <NUM> (for example, a charging current) is less than or equal to a threshold current Ir. In an example, when the current value is determined to be greater than the threshold current If in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> continues to charge the battery <NUM> at the CV Vf. In another example, when the current value is determined to be less than or equal to the threshold current If in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> terminates the charging of the battery <NUM>.

In an example, a battery charging method of <FIG> corresponds to the examples of <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> identifies a voltage range including a sum of the voltage value Vi and an overpotential value ηi of the battery <NUM>.

When the voltage range with "Vi+ηi" is identified to be a range of Vn-<NUM> to Vn in operation <NUM>, in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> selects a voltage sweep rate rn corresponding to a boundary voltage value Vn of the identified voltage range of Vn-<NUM> to Vn.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> based on a voltage function V=(rn×t)+Vi+ηi that reflects the voltage sweep rate rn and "Vi+ηi.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines whether a charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> is greater than or equal to a boundary voltage value Vn+<NUM>. The boundary voltage value Vn+<NUM> corresponds to a boundary voltage value subsequent to the boundary voltage value Vn, which corresponds to the voltage sweep rate rn.

When the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> is determined to be greater than or equal to the boundary voltage value Vn+<NUM>, in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines whether index "n+<NUM>"of Vn+<NUM> corresponds to a final index f. For example, in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches a threshold voltage Vf.

In an example, in operation <NUM>, when the index "n+<NUM>" is determined not to correspond to the final index f, i.e., when the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> is less than the threshold voltage Vf, in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> updates "n" to "n+<NUM>". In this example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> changes the voltage sweep rate rn to rn+<NUM> and charges the battery <NUM>.

In another example, when the index "n+<NUM>" is determined to correspond to the final index f in operation <NUM>, i.e., when the charging voltage value of the battery <NUM> reaches the threshold voltage Vf, in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> at a CV Vf.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines whether a current value of a current supplied to the battery <NUM> (for example, a charging current) is less than or equal to a threshold current Ir. In an example, when the current value is determined to be less than or equal to the threshold current If in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> terminates the charging of the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of determining an overpotential value in a battery charging apparatus. The operations in <FIG> may be performed in the sequence and manner as shown, although the order of some operations may be changed or some of the operations omitted without departing from the scope of the illustrative examples described. Many of the operations shown in <FIG> may be performed in parallel or concurrently. One or more blocks of <FIG>, and combinations of the blocks, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer that perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. In addition to the description of <FIG> below, the descriptions of <FIG> are also applicable to <FIG>, and are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the above description may not be repeated here.

The overpotential value described above with reference to <FIG> is a value in an overpotential range of <NUM> V to <NUM> V or of <NUM> V to <NUM> V, and is, for example, <NUM> V. Depending on examples, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines an overpotential value suitable for a current state of the battery <NUM> within a corresponding overpotential range, which will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> acquires at least one of a temperature and information about a degradation level of the battery <NUM>. For example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines the degradation level or a degradation state of the battery <NUM> using a degradation estimation model or a degradation estimation algorithm, or receives the information about the degradation level of the battery <NUM> from another device or sensor. In an example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> acquires or collects the temperature of the battery <NUM> using a temperature sensor.

In operation <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines an overpotential value based on at least one of the temperature and the degradation level of the battery <NUM>. For example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines an overpotential value within an overpotential range of <NUM> V to <NUM> V or an overpotential range of <NUM> V to <NUM> V based on either one or both of the temperature and the degradation level of the battery <NUM>. In an example, when the degradation level of the battery <NUM> is greater than a reference degradation level, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines an overpotential to have a relatively high value. In another example, when the temperature of the battery <NUM> is less than a reference temperature, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines an overpotential to have a relatively low value. The battery charging apparatus <NUM> determines an appropriate overpotential value based on either one or both of the temperature and the degradation level of the battery <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the battery charging apparatus <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>.

In an example, the controller <NUM> performs the operations of the battery charging apparatus <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>. For example, the controller <NUM> determines a setting value of charging control information based on a voltage value and an overpotential value of the battery <NUM>, and reflects the setting value in the charging control information. In an example, the controller <NUM> controls a voltage applied to the battery <NUM> based on the charging control information reflecting the setting value, and charges the battery <NUM>.

The battery charging apparatus <NUM> further includes a memory (not shown). The memory stores a table (for example, Table <NUM> shown above) that stores a correspondence relationship between voltage sweep rates and boundary voltage values of voltage ranges. Further description of the memory is provided below.

The above description of <FIG> is also applicable to <FIG>, and accordingly is not repeated here.

The battery charging apparatus <NUM> is included in, for example, various electronic devices, such as, for example, a vehicle, an energy storage system, a walking assistance apparatus, a drone or a mobile terminal, and performs the operations described above with reference to <FIG>.

In an example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> is external to the vehicle or the mobile terminal, and is disposed in a device, such as, for example, a computer, a server, and a mobile phone, and communicates with the vehicle or the mobile terminal through wireless communication or network communication consistent with the disclosed herein.

Hereinafter, an example in which the battery charging apparatus <NUM> is included in a vehicle, and an example in which the battery charging apparatus <NUM> is included in a mobile terminal are described with reference to <FIG>, respectively. Description of <FIG> is also applicable to other electronic devices.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> described herein refers to any mode of transportation, delivery, or communication such as, for example, an automobile, a truck, a tractor, a scooter, a motorcycle, a cycle, an amphibious vehicle, a snowmobile, a boat, a public transit vehicle, a bus, a monorail, a train, a tram, an autonomous or automated driving vehicle, an intelligent vehicle, a self-driving vehicle, an unmanned aerial vehicle, , an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle, or a drone.

Referring to <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> includes a battery pack <NUM> and a battery management system (BMS) <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> uses the battery pack <NUM> as a power source.

The BMS <NUM> monitors whether an abnormality occurs in the battery pack <NUM>, and prevents the battery pack <NUM> from being overcharged or over-discharged. Also, the BMS <NUM> performs a thermal control on the battery pack <NUM> when a temperature of the battery pack <NUM> exceeds a first temperature (for example, <NUM>) or is less than a second temperature (for example, -<NUM>). Furthermore, the BMS <NUM> performs cell balancing to equalize states of charge of battery cells included in the battery pack <NUM>.

In an example, the BMS <NUM> performs operations of the battery charging apparatus <NUM>. When the vehicle <NUM> is connected to a power source, the BMS <NUM> charges the battery pack <NUM> based on the above-described battery charging methods. The power source is, for example, a source to supply a direct current (DC) power or an alternating current (AC) power.

In another example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> is physically separated from the BMS <NUM>. For example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> is included as an on-board charger in the vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a mobile terminal <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the mobile terminal <NUM> and a power source <NUM>. In an example, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> disclosed herein is incorporated in various types of mobile terminals <NUM> such as, for example, an intelligent agent, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wearable smart device (such as, a ring, a watch, a pair of glasses, glasses-type device, a bracelet, an ankle bracket, a belt, a necklace, an earring, a headband, a helmet, a device embedded in the cloths, or an eye glass display (EGD)), a server, a personal computer (PC), a laptop, a notebook, a subnotebook, a netbook, an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), a tablet personal computer (tablet), a phablet, a mobile internet device (MID), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an enterprise digital assistant (EDA), a digital camera, a digital video camera, a portable game console, an MP3 player, a portable/personal multimedia player (PMP), a handheld e-book, an ultra mobile personal computer (UMPC), a portable lab-top PC, a global positioning system (GPS) navigation, a personal navigation device, portable navigation device (PND), a handheld game console, an e-book, a high definition television (HDTV), a smart appliance, communication systems, image processing systems, graphics processing systems, various Internet of Things (IoT) devices that are controlled through a network, , other consumer electronics/information technology(CE/lT) device, or any other device capable of wireless communication or network communication consistent with that disclosed herein. However, the mobile terminal <NUM> is not limited to the examples described in the forgoing.

In an example, the mobile terminal <NUM> includes the battery <NUM> and the battery charging apparatus <NUM>. When the mobile terminal <NUM> is connected to the power source <NUM> via a wire or wirelessly, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> performs the above-described battery charging methods.

To extend a period of use of the battery <NUM> in the fast charging method, the charging current profile needs to change based on the temperature and/or the degradation level of the battery <NUM>. Also, in an example of a relatively high degradation level and a relatively low temperature of the battery <NUM>, the battery <NUM> is charged based on the same charging current profile in the fast charging method, and accordingly an overpotential is applied to the battery <NUM>. Thus, a side reaction may occur in the battery <NUM>, and the degradation of the battery <NUM> may be accelerated.

According to examples, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> charges the battery <NUM> based on a charging voltage profile rather than the charging current profile. In an example, the charging voltage profile corresponds to the above-described charging control information. The acceleration of degradation of the battery <NUM> may be prevented, even if the battery <NUM> is charged based on the same charging voltage profile at different temperatures and/or different degradation levels of the battery <NUM>, and thus a user may use the battery <NUM> for a longer period of time, instead of needing to change the charging voltage profile. Also, the battery charging apparatus <NUM> applies an overpotential (for example, an overpotential with an overpotential value ηi) regardless of a temperature and/or a degradation level of the battery <NUM>, and accordingly a side reaction in the battery <NUM> is relatively inhibited. Thus, the acceleration of the degradation of the battery <NUM> is mitigated or prevented.

The battery device <NUM>, the battery charging apparatus <NUM>, the BMS <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM>, and other apparatuses, units, modules, devices, and other components described herein with respect to <FIG> and <FIG> are implemented by hardware components. Examples of 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. A hardware component 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.

Instructions or software to control a processor or computer to implement the hardware components and perform the methods as described above are written as computer programs, code segments, instructions or any combination thereof, for individually or collectively instructing or configuring the processor or computer to operate as a machine or special-purpose computer to perform the operations performed by the hardware components and the methods as described above. In an example, the instructions or software includes at least one of an applet, a dynamic link library (DLL), middleware, firmware, a device driver, an application program storing the method of preventing the collision. In one example, the instructions or software include machine code that is directly executed by the processor or computer, such as machine code produced by a compiler. In another example, the instructions or software include higher-level code that is executed by the processor or computer using an interpreter. Programmers of ordinary skill in the art can readily write the instructions or software based on the block diagrams and the flow charts illustrated in the drawings and the corresponding descriptions in the specification, which disclose algorithms for performing the operations performed by the hardware components and the methods as described above.

Claim 1:
A battery charging method comprising:
determining (<NUM>) a setting value of charging control information based on an overpotential value and a voltage value of a battery (<NUM>);
applying (<NUM>) the setting value in the charging control information; and
controlling (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) a voltage applied to charge the battery (<NUM>) based on the charging control information that applies the setting value,
wherein the determining (<NUM>) of the setting value comprises deriving a time value corresponding to a sum of the voltage value and the overpotential value based on an inverse function of a voltage function of the charging control information, and determining the time value as a shift value to shift the voltage function, and
wherein applying of the setting value comprises shifting the voltage function based on the shift value.