Patent Description:
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for updating a current pattern for rapid charging, and a computer program stored in a storage medium performing the method.

Recently, with the spread of electronic devices such as smartphones and the development of electric vehicles, research on secondary batteries as a power source has also been actively conducted. The secondary battery is provided in the form of a battery pack including a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series and/or in parallel, and a battery management system (BMS) that manages the operation of the battery module.

The battery pack performs rapid charging based on a current pattern for rapid charging, if necessary, but there is a fear that the capacity of the battery pack rapidly decreases as the number of rapid charging increases.

<CIT> describes a charging and discharging method for a lithium secondary battery. The charging method comprises (<NUM>) charging the lithium secondary battery by applying a constant current to the lithium secondary battery; (<NUM>) measuring internal resistance by a method of cutting off the constant current and measuring the open-circuit voltage; (<NUM>) modifying the value of the constant current used for charging according to the measured internal resistance value; and (<NUM>) charging the lithium secondary battery by applying the modified constant current to the lithium secondary battery, wherein, subsequent to operation (<NUM>), operations (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) are sequentially repeated.

<CIT> refers to a method of controlling charging and discharging of an assembled battery formed by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series while calculating the capacity of the assembled battery.

<CIT> refers to an apparatus for diagnosing battery in which when the processor <NUM> receives the measurement signal from the sensing unit <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine a digital value of each of voltage and current of the battery through signal processing, and store the digital value in the memory unit <NUM>. In addition, the processor <NUM> may adjust the magnitude of the charge or discharge current of the battery B only when it is diagnosed that the electrode reaction resistance of the battery B is increased. <CIT> (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>), deals with providing a charging method that a constant-current charging and a constant-voltage charging are alternately repeated in multiple steps until the battery is fully charged. In the charging process, the current for the constant-current charging is switched in multiple stages e.g., Ic(<NUM>), Ic(<NUM>),. , Ic(x) of decreasing current values in a stepped manner, which enables high-rate charging in a low-voltage area, and low-rate charging in a high-voltage area. As a result, the charging time can be shortened while the deterioration of the battery is suppressed. Further, according to the increase in the frequency of use or the number of charge/discharge cycles of the battery, the current values Ic(k) and Ic(k+<NUM>) are decreased, thereby mitigating the decrease in cycles caused by an increase in internal resistance due to battery usage.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such a situation, and has an object to provide a rapid charging current pattern updating device and method for efficiently performing rapid charging of a battery pack and not affecting the life of the battery pack, and a computer program stored in a storage medium performing the method.

To solve the above technical problem, an apparatus for updating a current pattern for rapid charging according to claim <NUM> is provided.

To solve the above technical problem, a method of updating a current pattern for rapid charging according to claim <NUM> is provided.

To solve the above technical problem, a computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium and allowing a computer to execute the method of updating a current pattern for rapid charging according to claim <NUM> is provided.

According to the above-described current pattern updating device and method for rapid charging, and a computer program stored in a storage medium performing the method, it is possible to minimize the effect on the life of the battery module when performing rapid charging.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this document, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and duplicate descriptions for the same components are omitted.

For various embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this document, specific structural or functional descriptions are exemplified only for the purpose of explaining an embodiment of the present invention, and various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in this document.

The terms such as "1st", "2nd", "first", "second", and the like used herein may refer to modifying various different elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, but do not limit the elements. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component and vice versa without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

Terms used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the scope of other embodiments. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless they have a clearly different meaning in the context.

<FIG> is a view showing the configuration of a battery pack <NUM> including a battery management system <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> includes a battery module <NUM> composed of one or more battery cells and capable of being charged and discharged, a switching unit <NUM> connected in series to the + terminal side or the - terminal side of the battery module <NUM> to control the charge/discharge current flow of the battery module <NUM>, and a battery management system <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as 'BMS') that monitors the voltage, current, temperature, and the like of the battery cell and/or the battery module <NUM> to control and manage the prevention of overcharge and overdischarge.

The battery module <NUM> includes one or more battery cells <NUM> that can be charged and discharged. The battery cell <NUM> may be a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery, a lithium ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) battery, a nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery, a nickel hydrogen (Ni-MH) battery, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The BMS <NUM> may control the operation of the switching unit <NUM> to control charging and discharging of the battery module <NUM>. In addition, the BMS <NUM> may monitor the voltage, current, temperature, and the like of the battery module <NUM> and/or each battery cell <NUM> included in the battery module <NUM>. In addition, for monitoring by the BMS <NUM>, sensors or various measurement modules (not shown) may be additionally installed at any location of the battery module <NUM>, or the charge/discharge path, or the battery pack <NUM>. The BMS <NUM> may calculate parameters indicating the state of the battery module <NUM>, for example, SOC or SOH, based on the measurement values of the monitored voltage, current, and temperature.

The BMS <NUM> controls and manages the overall operation of the battery pack <NUM>. For this, the BMS <NUM> may include various components such as a microcomputer as a controller that executes a program and controls the overall operation of the BMS <NUM>, input/output devices such as sensors and measurement means, and other peripheral circuits.

In addition, the BMS <NUM> may perform rapid charging of the battery module <NUM> according to a preset algorithm. The preset algorithm may be to charge the battery module <NUM> according to a specific current pattern. In particular, the BMS <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for updating the current pattern for rapid charging of the battery module <NUM> and a method for determining when to update. In addition, the BMS <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for determining when to stop using the battery module <NUM>. Details of the functions of the BMS <NUM> will be described later.

The switching unit <NUM> is a semiconductor switching element for controlling the current flow for the charge or discharge of the battery module <NUM>, and for example, at least one MOSFET may be used. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that a relay or a contactor may be used as the switching unit <NUM> in addition to the semiconductor switching element.

The battery pack <NUM> may be further communicatively connected to an external upper-level controller <NUM>. That is, the battery pack <NUM> may transmit various data for the battery pack <NUM> to the upper-level controller <NUM> and receive control signals for the operation of the battery pack <NUM> from the upper-level controller <NUM>. The upper-level controller <NUM> may be a vehicle controller for controlling the operation of the vehicle when the battery pack <NUM> is mounted in an electric vehicle. The upper-level controller <NUM> may be a rack BMS that manages a plurality of battery modules or a BMS that controls the overall operation of an energy storage device (ESS) when the battery pack <NUM> is used in the ESS.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing functions of a BMS <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the BMS <NUM> includes a resistance calculation unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a calculation unit <NUM>, and a communication unit <NUM>.

The resistance calculation unit <NUM> calculates the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM>. The resistance calculation unit <NUM> may indicate a set of various sensors for calculating the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM>. For example, the resistance calculation unit <NUM> may include at least one of a voltage measurement means for measuring the OCV of the battery module <NUM>, a current measurement means for measuring the current charged and discharged in the battery module <NUM>, and a temperature measurement means for measuring the temperature of the battery module <NUM>. The resistance calculation unit <NUM> may include a calculation means for calculating the internal resistance value of the battery module <NUM> from values measured by each measurement means in addition to the various measurement means described above.

The storage unit <NUM> may store various programs and data necessary for the operation of the BMS <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> may store an algorithm for rapidly charging the battery module <NUM> as described above. In addition, the storage unit <NUM> stores a current pattern for rapid charging for the battery module <NUM> for use during rapid charging. The algorithm for rapid charging includes a method for updating a current pattern for rapid charging and information on when to update.

The calculation unit <NUM> updates the current pattern according to the state of the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM>. The detailed operation of the calculation unit <NUM> will be described later with reference to <FIG>.

The communication unit <NUM> may transmit various information on the battery cell <NUM>, the battery module <NUM> and/or the battery pack <NUM> to the upper-level controller <NUM> as necessary. Also, the communication unit <NUM> may receive a control signal for controlling the battery pack <NUM> from the upper-level controller <NUM>. If it is determined that the communication module <NUM> should stop using the battery module <NUM>, it may transmit the message to the upper-level controller <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing detailed functions of a calculation unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the calculation unit <NUM> includes a resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM>, an adjustment coefficient calculation unit <NUM>, a current pattern calculation unit <NUM>, an update requirement determination unit <NUM>, and a voltage measurement unit <NUM>.

The resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM> calculates a resistance increase rate based on the internal resistance calculated by the resistance calculation unit <NUM>. The resistance increase rate can be calculated as follows.

The resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM> may calculate the rate at which the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM> changes for a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be any period periodically set. Alternatively, the resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM> may calculate a resistance increase rate based on the internal resistance measured immediately before the rapid charging is performed and the previously measured internal resistance. However, the contents of the time point and the period for calculating the internal resistance are only examples and are not limited thereto.

The adjustment coefficient calculation unit <NUM> calculates an adjustment coefficient based on the resistance increase rate calculated by the resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM>. The adjustment coefficient calculation unit <NUM> calculates an adjustment coefficient to decrease the adjustment coefficient as the resistance increase rate increases.

As an example, the resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM> may calculate an adjustment coefficient by Equation <NUM> below.

In this case, the α value may be a value determined according to the type of the battery module <NUM>. That is, the α value may be a value determined according to the chemical components constituting the battery cell, such as whether the battery module <NUM> is a lithium ion battery or a lithium ion polymer battery. This α value may have a value between <NUM> and <NUM>.

As another example, the resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM> may calculate an adjustment coefficient by Equation <NUM> below.

The α value at this time is also the same value as the α value in Equation <NUM>.

That is, the resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM> calculates an adjustment coefficient to reduce the current pattern. In other words, the algorithm for updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to embodiments of the present invention is to reduce the current magnitude of the current pattern.

The current pattern calculation unit <NUM> uses the calculated adjustment coefficient and the current pattern stored in the storage unit <NUM> to update the current pattern. Specifically, the current pattern calculation unit <NUM> calculates a value obtained by multiplying a previously stored current pattern by an adjustment coefficient calculated by the adjustment coefficient calculation unit <NUM> as a new current pattern for rapid charging in order for updating.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically showing a method of updating a current pattern for rapid charging according to an embodiment. As described above, it is shown that a new current pattern b is calculated by multiplying an existing current pattern for rapid charging by an adjustment coefficient a. In the case of <FIG>, when charging is performed in a capacity-restricted manner, the current gradually decreases depending on the state of charge (SOC) of the battery module <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the current pattern is set to charge the current magnitude with i1 until SOC becomes s1, with i2 in the section from s1 to s2, with i3 in the section s3, and with i4 from s3 to full charge. And the current pattern is changed as a dotted line by multiplying the adjustment coefficient by the time point at which the current pattern for rapid charging needs to be updated. The currents are changed to <NUM>', i2', i3' and i4', respectively. Here, i1'= i1*(adjustment coefficient), i2'=i2*(adjustment coefficient), i3'=i3*(adjustment coefficient), and i4'= i4*(adjustment coefficient). That is, an existing current pattern is updated with a current pattern having a new magnitude generated by multiplying the magnitude of the current in the current pattern by an adjustment coefficient (current derating type update).

The update requirement determination unit <NUM> determines when to update the current pattern for rapid charging. In the present embodiment, as described in <FIG>, the current pattern for rapid charging is applied with a capacity limiting method that performs charging until the battery module <NUM> reaches a preset charging capacity. In this case, the update requirement determination unit <NUM> determines that it is time to update the current pattern when the transition curve of the charge end voltage, which is the voltage upon completion of charging of the rapid charging, satisfies a preset criterion. The preset criterion for the transition curve of the charge end voltage may be that an inflection point is generated in the transition curve of the charge end voltage. The inflection point may be a signal indicating that an abnormality is occurring in the battery cell <NUM>. Therefore, by monitoring the occurrence of this inflection point, it is possible to identify the update time point of the current pattern for rapid charging.

When it is determined by the update requirement determination unit <NUM> that the current pattern needs to be updated, the current pattern for rapid charging is updated with the new current pattern calculated by the current pattern calculation unit <NUM>. In this case, the updated current pattern may be stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

The voltage measurement unit <NUM> measures the charge end voltage, which is the voltage at the completion of the rapid charging whenever the battery module <NUM> is rapidly charged. The voltage measurement unit <NUM> may be a voltage sensor that monitors the voltage of the battery cell <NUM> and/or the battery module <NUM>. In addition, the voltage measurement unit <NUM> may derive the charge end voltage in a manner that monitors the voltage of the battery module <NUM> in real time and uses a voltage at a time point required when determining an update requirement.

In this embodiment, the update requirement is determined using the charge end voltage, but this is exemplary and is not limited thereto. For example, if the parameter is correlated with the characteristics of the charge end voltage, the parameter may be used as a factor for determining the update requirement. For example, an update requirement may be determined using a resistance value calculated using a charge end voltage and an OCV value.

<FIG> is test data showing a change in capacity of the battery module <NUM> when updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As can be seen in the 'comparative example' graph in <FIG>, when rapidly charging the battery module <NUM> without changing the current pattern for rapid charging, it may be checked that the capacity of the battery module <NUM> rapidly decreases. Specifically, when the rapid charging was repeated about <NUM> times, the capacity of the battery module <NUM> rapidly decreased.

On the other hand, as can be seen in the 'Embodiment' graph, when rapidly charging the battery module <NUM> by updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to the present invention, there was almost no change in the capacity of the battery module <NUM>. That is, the capacity change of the battery module <NUM> according to the number of rapid charges was hardly found.

When the current pattern for rapid charging of the battery module <NUM> is continuously used without changing the previously stored current pattern, due to the change in the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM>, it also affects the capacity of the battery module <NUM>.

However, according to the method of updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the current pattern also changes in consideration of the change in the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM>. Therefore, even if the battery module <NUM> is rapidly charged, the capacity change of the battery module <NUM> can be minimized.

<FIG> is a graph showing an update timing of a current pattern for rapid charging according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the transition of the charge end voltage measured upon completion of the rapid charging is illustrated. The update requirement determination unit <NUM> detects an inflection point in the transition curve of the charge end voltage, as indicated by the arrow.

<FIG> is test data showing a change in capacity of a battery module when a current pattern is updated according to an update timing of a current pattern for rapid charging according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the "Comparative Example <NUM>" graph is a graph showing a change in the charge end voltage of the battery module <NUM> when the update algorithm of the current pattern for rapid charging is not applied at all. It was checked that the charge end voltage rapidly increased after about <NUM> times of rapid charging.

The 'Comparative Example <NUM>' graph applies the update algorithm of the rapid charging current pattern, but the update time point is a graph applied when the inflection point is generated. Compared to Comparative Example <NUM>, it was checked that the charge end voltage did not change even after a considerable number of rapid charging repetitions. However, after about <NUM> times of rapid charging, it was checked that the charge end voltage rapidly increased.

The 'Embodiment' graph is a graph in which the update algorithm of the current pattern for rapid charging is applied immediately after the inflection point occurs. As can be clearly seen in the graph, it was confirmed that the increase in the charge end voltage of the battery module <NUM> was significantly suppressed despite repeated rapid charging of <NUM> times or more.

When not updating the current pattern for rapid charging of the battery module <NUM> and also update timing is delayed even when updating, the capacity reduction of the battery module <NUM> cannot be avoided.

However, according to the method of determining the update timing of the current pattern for rapid charging according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, it is possible to accurately and quickly identify the time point that needs to update the current pattern for rapid charging, so that it is possible to minimize the change in capacity of the battery module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of updating a current pattern for rapid charging according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a current pattern for rapid charging is previously set in the storage unit <NUM> of the BMS <NUM> (S10). The current pattern can be set before shipment of the battery pack <NUM> by the manufacturer. Alternatively, even after the battery pack <NUM> is shipped, the current pattern for rapid charging may be set by the manufacturer or the user.

Thereafter, while the battery pack <NUM> is mounted and used in a vehicle or the like, the BMS <NUM> monitors the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM> (S11). In other words, the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM> is calculated. And the resistance increase rate of the internal resistance is calculated from the monitored internal resistance (S12). And, an adjustment coefficient is calculated based on the calculated resistance increase rate (S13). Since the calculation of the resistance increase rate and the calculation of the adjustment coefficient in operations S12 and S13 has been described in detail in <FIG> and <FIG>, a detailed description is omitted here.

The BMS <NUM> calls the current pattern for rapid charging stored in the storage unit <NUM> (S14), and determines whether the update requirement of the current pattern is satisfied (S15).

When the update requirement of the current pattern is satisfied (YES in S16), the current pattern is updated. The update of the current pattern can be performed using the adjustment coefficient calculated in operation S13 and the current pattern called in operation S14. If the update requirement of the current pattern is not satisfied (NO in S16), the process returns to operation S11 again and the algorithm for updating the current pattern is repeatedly performed.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining an update timing of a current pattern for rapid charging according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> shows detailed operation S15 of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the BMS <NUM> determines whether the battery pack <NUM> starts charging (S20), and if it is determined that charging is started, determines whether the corresponding charging is rapid charging (S21). If charging is not started or the charging is not rapid charging, the algorithm according to the embodiments of the present invention is not applied, so the process proceeds to operation S11.

On the other hand, when the rapid charging is started (YES in S21), it waits until the rapid charging is finished. Then, when the rapid charge ending s, the charge end voltage of the battery module <NUM> is measured (S23). Then, the transition of the charge end voltage is determined from the repeatedly measured charge end voltage (S24).

When occurrence of the inflection point is detected in the transition curve of the charge end voltage as the update requirement of the current pattern for rapid charging (YES in S25), the process proceeds to step S17 to update the current pattern. On the other hand, if the inflection point is not detected in the transition curve of the charge end voltage (NO in S25), it is determined that rapid charging may be performed using an existing current pattern. Therefore, the process proceeds to operation S11. That is, operation S25 corresponds to operation S16 of <FIG>.

The operation of measurement of the charge end voltage in operation S23 to operation S25, inflection point detection, and the like has been described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a view showing a modification of the method of updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to the embodiment of <FIG>. In <FIG>, only a new current pattern obtained by multiplying a current pattern by an adjustment coefficient. In this example, charging is also performed in a capacity-limited manner, and the current is gradually reduced according to the SOC of the battery module <NUM>.

However, in this example, the current pattern is changed as a dotted line by multiplying the value of SOC set as the time point for changing the magnitude of the current by an adjustment coefficient. In other words, the time point at which the current changes from i1 to i2 changes from s1 to s1', the time point at which the current changes from i2 to i3 changes from s2 to s2', and the time point at which the current changes from i3 to i4 changes from s3 to s3'. Here, s1'= s1*(adjustment coefficient), s2'= s2*(adjustment coefficient), and s3'= s3*(adjustment coefficient). That is, an existing current pattern is updated to a new SOC value obtained by multiplying the value of the SOC set as a time point to change the magnitude of the current in the current pattern by an adjustment coefficient as a current pattern with a time point that changes the magnitude of the current (SOC derating type update).

The adjustment coefficient may be a value calculated according to Equation <NUM> or Equation <NUM> below. That is, it may be a different value from the adjustment coefficient described in Equations <NUM> and <NUM> above. <MAT> <MAT>.

In this case, the β value may be a value determined according to the type of the battery module <NUM>. That is, the β value may be a value determined according to the chemical components constituting the battery cell, such as whether the battery module <NUM> is a lithium ion battery or a lithium ion polymer battery. This β value may have a value between <NUM> and <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view showing another modification of the method of updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to the embodiment of <FIG>. In <FIG>, only a new current pattern obtained by multiplying a current pattern by an adjustment coefficient. In this example, charging is also performed in a capacity-limited manner, and the current is gradually reduced according to the SOC of the battery module <NUM>.

In this example, the current pattern is updated by a hybrid update method in which both the current derating type update method described in <FIG> and the SOC derating type update described in <FIG> are applied. Therefore, the magnitude of the current is adjusted according to the adjustment coefficient described in <FIG>, and the time point for adjusting the magnitude of the current is adjusted according to the adjustment coefficient described in <FIG>.

<FIG> is experimental data for measuring a change in capacity of a battery module using the current pattern update method for rapid charging of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. In the experiment of <FIG>, the α value and the β value were set to <NUM>. In addition, experiments were conducted using <NUM> cells with a resistance increase rate of <NUM>%. If each of the four cells has no current pattern update, the current derating type update method, the SOC derating type update method, and the mixed update method were applied, and rapid charging was repeatedly performed.

As shown in <FIG>, when rapid charging is continued with the initial current pattern (BOL), as the capacity of the battery module rapidly decreases as the number of rapid charges is repeated, it can be checked that sudden deterioration occurred. On the other hand, in the current derating type update method and the SOC derating type update method, it can be seen that the deterioration degree is similarly improved. In addition, in the case of the mixed update method, it can be seen that instead of taking the longest charging time, the degree of degradation is the lowest.

However, according to the various methods of updating the current pattern for rapid charging as described above, the current pattern also changes in consideration of the change in the internal resistance of the battery module <NUM>. Therefore, even if the battery module <NUM> is rapidly charged, the capacity change of the battery module <NUM> can be minimized.

The below embodiments indicated in <FIG> based on the voltage-limited manner are not covered by the invention.

<FIG> is a view showing a method of updating a current pattern for rapid charging according to an example. In <FIG>, only a new current pattern obtained by multiplying a current pattern by an adjustment coefficient.

<FIG> is a case in which charging is performed in a voltage-limited manner, and the current gradually decreases according to the voltage value of the battery module <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the current pattern is set to charge the current magnitude with i1 until the voltage value becomes v1, with i2 in the section from v1 to v2, with i3 in the section from v2 to v3, and with i4 from v3 to full charge. And the current pattern is changed as a dotted line by multiplying the adjustment coefficient by the time point at which the current pattern for rapid charging needs to be updated. The currents are changed to i1', i2', i3' and i4', respectively. Here, i1'= i1*(adjustment coefficient), i2'=i2*(adjustment coefficient), i3'=i3*(adjustment coefficient), and i4'= i4*(adjustment coefficient). That is, an existing current pattern is updated with a current pattern having a new magnitude generated by multiplying the magnitude of the current in the current pattern by an adjustment coefficient (current derating type update).

<FIG> is a view showing a modification of the method of updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to the example of <FIG>. In <FIG>, only a new current pattern obtained by multiplying a current pattern by an adjustment coefficient. In this example, charging is also performed in a voltage-limited manner, and the current is gradually reduced according to the voltage value of the battery module <NUM>.

However, in this example, the current pattern is changed as a dotted line by multiplying the voltage value set as the time point for changing the magnitude of the current by an adjustment coefficient. In other words, the time point at which the current changes from i1 to i2 changes from v1 to v1', the time point at which the current changes from i2 to i3 changes from v2 to v2', and the time point at which the current changes from i3 to i4 changes from v3 to v3'. Here, v1'= v1*(adjustment coefficient), v2'= v2*(adjustment coefficient), and v3'= v3*(adjustment coefficient). That is, an existing current pattern is updated to a new voltage value obtained by multiplying the voltage value set as a time point to change the magnitude of the current in the current pattern by an adjustment coefficient as a current pattern with a time point that changes the magnitude of the current (voltage derating type update).

Also in this example, the adjustment coefficient according to <FIG> and the adjustment coefficient according to <FIG> may be separately calculated as in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view showing another modification of the method of updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to the example of <FIG>. In <FIG>, only a new current pattern obtained by multiplying a current pattern by an adjustment coefficient. In this example, charging is also performed in a voltage-limited manner, and the current is gradually reduced according to the voltage value of the battery module <NUM>.

In this example, the current pattern is updated by a hybrid update method in which both the current derating type update method described in <FIG> and the voltage derating type update described in <FIG> are applied. Therefore, the magnitude of the current is adjusted according to the adjustment coefficient described in <FIG>, and the time point for adjusting the magnitude of the current is adjusted according to the adjustment coefficient described in <FIG>.

Even in the case of performing rapid charging in the voltage-limited manner as described above, when the current pattern is updated by either the current derating type update method, the voltage derating type update method, or the mixed update method, rapid charging is performed so that it is possible to minimize the change in capacity of the battery module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing detailed functions of a calculation unit according to an example. Here, the differences from <FIG> will be mainly described.

The update requirement determination unit <NUM> determines when to update the current pattern for rapid charging. In the example, the current pattern for rapid charging is applied with a voltage limiting method that performs charging until the battery module <NUM> reaches a preset voltage. In this case, the update requirement determination unit <NUM> determines that it is time to update the current pattern when the transition curve of the charge ending capacity, which is the capacity upon completion of charging of the rapid charging, satisfies a preset criterion. The preset criterion for the transition curve of the charge ending capacity may be that an inflection point is generated in the transition curve of the charge ending capacity.

The capacity calculation unit <NUM> calculates the charge ending capacity, which is the capacity of the battery module <NUM> upon completion of the rapid charging, whenever the rapid charging of the battery module <NUM> is performed. The capacity calculation unit <NUM> may use a sensor that monitors the voltage, current, and the like of the battery cell <NUM> and/or the battery module <NUM>. In addition, the capacity calculation unit <NUM> may calculate the capacity of the battery module <NUM> by a method such as calculating the capacity of the battery module <NUM> from a value measured using a sensor.

<FIG> is test data showing a change in capacity of a battery module when updating a current pattern for rapid charging according to an example.

Referring to <FIG>, the "Comparative Example <NUM>" graph is a graph showing a change in the charge ending capacity of the battery module <NUM> when the update algorithm of the current pattern for rapid charging is not applied at all. It was checked that the charge ending capacity rapidly decreased after about <NUM> times of rapid charging.

The 'Comparative Example <NUM>' graph applies the update algorithm of the rapid charging current pattern, but the update time point is a graph applied when the inflection point is generated. Compared to Comparative Example <NUM>, it was checked that the charge ending capacity did not change even after a considerable number of rapid charging repetitions. However, after about <NUM> times of rapid charging, it was checked that the charge ending capacity rapidly decreased.

The 'Embodiment' graph is a graph in which the update algorithm of the current pattern for rapid charging is applied immediately after the inflection point occurs. As can be clearly seen in the graph, it was confirmed that despite the repeated rapid charging of <NUM> times or more, there was little increase in the charge ending capacity of the battery module <NUM>.

However, according to the method of determining the update timing of the current pattern for rapid charging according to the example of the present invention as described above, it is possible to accurately and quickly identify the time point that needs to update the current pattern for rapid charging, so that it is possible to minimize the change in capacity of the battery module <NUM>.

Alternatively, other methods may be used in addition to determining the time point for updating the current pattern for rapid charging based on the inflection point of the transition curve of the charge end voltage or the transition curve of the charge ending capacity as described above. For example, it may be set to update the current pattern when the increase rate of the resistance calculated above becomes a preset reference value or more.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining a time point of stopping the use of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, an algorithm for determining a time point of stopping the use of a battery module determines whether rapid charging is performed (S30). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the current pattern for rapid charging is already applied to the update algorithm according to the embodiment of the present invention. When it is determined that the rapid charging is performed, the charge end voltage or charge ending capacity is detected (S31). Then, it is determined whether the detected charge end voltage or charge ending capacity has changed more than a reference value (S32). Determining whether or not the reference value has fluctuated may include determining whether the voltage at the end of charge has exceeded the reference value. In addition, determining whether it has fluctuated more than the reference value may include determining whether the charge ending capacity is less than the reference value.

When the charge end voltage or the charge ending capacity fluctuates more than a reference value, it is determined that the use limit of the battery module <NUM> has been reached, and the use of the battery module <NUM> is stopped (S33). And it is possible to notify the upper-level controller <NUM> of the purpose that the use of the battery module <NUM> is stopped. On the other hand, if the charge end voltage or charge ending capacity has not changed more than the reference value, it is determined that the battery module <NUM> can be continuously used.

<FIG> and <FIG> are graphs for explaining a time point of stopping the use of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the rapid charging is repeated, a case in which the charge end voltage or the charge ending capacity fluctuates rapidly occurs, and in this case, the battery module <NUM> cannot supply the required output. Therefore, a serious safety situation may occur in a vehicle in which the battery pack <NUM> is mounted. Therefore, when the charge end voltage or the charge end capacity fluctuates more than a reference value, the use of the battery module <NUM> is stopped.

Alternatively, the determination of the time point of stopping the use of the battery module <NUM> may use other methods. For example, when the number of times of detecting that an inflection point occurs in a transition curve of charge end voltage or charge end capacity detected earlier becomes a preset reference number, it may be set to stop the use of the battery module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a hardware configuration diagram of a battery management system.

Referring to <FIG>, the BMS <NUM> may include a controller (MCU) <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an input/output interface <NUM>, and a communication interface <NUM>.

The MCU <NUM> performs processing of various operations and calculations in the BMS <NUM> and control of each component.

In the memory <NUM>, an operating system program and a program for performing the functions of the BMS <NUM> are recorded. That is, computer programs provided with an algorithm for updating the current pattern for rapid charging according to embodiments of the present invention, and an algorithm for determining the update timing of the current pattern and the timing of the stopping the use of the battery module <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may include volatile memory and nonvolatile memory. For example, at least one of various storage media such as a semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, and flash memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk may be used as the memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be a memory built in the MCU <NUM> or an additional memory installed separately from the MCU <NUM>.

The input/output interface <NUM> performs input/output of various input signals and output signals. For example, the MCU <NUM> included in the BMS <NUM> may receive signals from various sensors through the input/output interface <NUM>.

The communication interface <NUM> is a component capable of communicating with the outside in a wired and/or wireless manner.

As the MCU <NUM> executes a program stored in the memory <NUM>, it is possible to implement a module for performing the functions of the resistance calculation unit <NUM>, the calculation unit <NUM>, the resistance increase rate calculation unit <NUM>, and adjustment coefficient calculation unit <NUM>, the current pattern calculation unit <NUM>, the update requirement determination unit <NUM>, and the capacity calculation unit <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may function as the storage unit <NUM>. The MCU <NUM> may operate together with the input/output interface <NUM> to perform functions as the resistance calculation unit <NUM> and the voltage measurement unit <NUM>. In addition, the MCU <NUM> may operate with the communication interface <NUM> to perform a function as the communication unit <NUM>.

In addition, the terms "include", "compose", or "have" as described above means that the corresponding component can be intrinsic, unless otherwise stated, so that it should be interpreted that other components may be further included, not excluded. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, can be interpreted as having the same meaning as generally understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. Generally used terms, such as predefined terms, should be interpreted as being consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art, and are not to be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense, unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

Claim 1:
An apparatus for updating a current pattern for rapid charging, the apparatus comprising:
a resistance calculation unit (<NUM>) configured to calculate an internal resistance of a battery module;
a storage unit (<NUM>) configured to store a current pattern for rapid charging of the battery module; and
a calculation unit (<NUM>) configured to update the current pattern according to a state of the internal resistance of the battery module,
wherein the calculation unit (<NUM>) is configured to
calculate a resistance increase rate based on the internal resistance calculated by the resistance calculation unit (<NUM>),
calculate an adjustment coefficient based on the calculated resistance increase rate, and
update the current pattern using the calculated adjustment coefficient and the stored current pattern if an update requirement of the current pattern is satisfied,
wherein the apparatus is configured to perform a capacity-limited method in which the rapid charging of the battery module is performed until a preset charging capacity is reached, wherein in the capacity-limited method a charging current gradually decreases depending on an SOC of the battery module,
wherein the calculation unit (<NUM>) is configured to update the current pattern with a current pattern in which a value of a new SOC generated by multiplying a value of an SOC set as a time point for changing a magnitude of current in the current pattern stored in the storage unit (<NUM>) by the adjustment coefficient is a time point for changing the magnitude of the current.