Patent ID: 12214695

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and a method for achieving the advantages and features will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be implemented in various different forms. This embodiment is only provided so that the disclosure of the present disclosure is complete, and to completely inform those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains of the scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

In addition, a term such as “ . . . part”, “ . . . unit”, “ . . . module”, etc. described in the specification means a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

In addition, in the specification, names of components are divided using first, second, etc. to distinguish the names of the components since the names are the same, and the order is not necessarily limited in the following description.

The detailed description is illustrative of the disclosure. In addition, the above description shows and describes preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments. That is, changes or modifications are possible within the scope of the concept of the disclosure disclosed herein, the scope equivalent to the described disclosure, and/or the scope of skill or knowledge in the art. The embodiments describe the best state for implementing the technical idea of the present disclosure, and various changes required in specific application fields and uses of the present disclosure are possible. Accordingly, the detailed description of the present disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the disclosed embodiments. In addition, the appended claims should be construed as including other embodiments.

FIG.1is a diagram illustrating an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.2is a diagram illustrating a vehicle battery management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the vehicle battery management system may include a battery unit100, a charging device210, a power distribution device230, a motor300, and a controller500. The vehicle battery management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a pure electric vehicle (EV). An electric vehicle10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be limited to that used in a specified large complex space such as a logistics warehouse, a resort, a golf course, an industrial complex, an airport, a port, a smart farm, or a smart city. In other words, the electric vehicle10may be operated within a specified space, and the specified space may refer to a specified large complex space such as a logistics warehouse, a resort, a golf course, an industrial complex, an airport, a port, a smart farm, or a smart city. The electric vehicle10may be driven based on information obtained from various infrastructure arranged in the specified space.

The battery unit100may store power required for driving of the electric vehicle10and power supplied to the outside of the electric vehicle10. For example, supplying power to the outside of the electric vehicle10may include supplying power to a work lamp, an electric appliance, a robotic arm, and an auxiliary vehicle, etc., which are attachments attached to the electric vehicle10rather than power required for driving the electric vehicle10. In addition, supplying power to the outside of the electric vehicle10may include supplying power to various devices requiring power in a work space. The battery unit100may be divided into a first battery unit110and a second battery unit130. Mainly, the first battery unit110may supply power to the motor300that generates driving force of the electric vehicle10. Mainly, the second battery unit130may supply power to the outside of the electric vehicle10. However, depending on the state of the electric vehicle10, power stored in the first battery unit110may be supplied to the outside of the electric vehicle10, and power stored in the second battery unit130may be used for driving the vehicle.

The first battery unit110and the second battery unit130may be high-voltage batteries. The electric vehicle10of the present disclosure may perform functions for driving within a specified space and supplying power to the outside of the electric vehicle10. Accordingly, a high-voltage battery may be divided into two batteries, one high-voltage battery may be set as a driving battery, and the other high-voltage battery may be set as a working battery. For example, the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130may be lithium-ion batteries. However, the type of battery is not particularly limited. As an example, the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130may be configured as separate battery packs. The first battery unit110and the second battery unit130may be separate components and disposed in different spaces within the electric vehicle10. Accordingly, for charging, a path of power supplied to each of the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130may be controlled. As another example, the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130may be configured as separate modules in one battery pack. That is, in one battery pack, a battery for driving and a battery for external supply may be distinguished from each other. However, the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130may be batteries other than the high-voltage batteries.

The charging device210may supply a DC voltage to each of the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130. As an example, the charging device210may boost a DC voltage supplied through a charging terminal50into a high DC voltage, output the DC voltage, and supply the DC voltage to the battery unit100. As another example, the charging device210may convert an AC voltage supplied through the charging terminal50into a DC voltage and supply the DC voltage to the battery unit100. In this instance, the charging device210may be a part of an on-board charger (OBC).

The power distribution device230may distribute power supplied from the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130to the motor300or an external terminal400. For example, the power distribution device230may include an inverter or a converter. Power supplied to the external terminal400may be supplied to as another vehicle or external equipment of the electric vehicle10such a logistics robot.

The controller500may control the charging device210and the power distribution device230. The controller500may control the charging device210to determine the order of supplying power for charging to the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130. The controller500may control the power distribution device230based on state information of the electric vehicle10to distribute power supplied from the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130to the motor300or the external terminal400. The controller500may control switches S1, S2, S3, and S4to control paths of power supplied to the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130and power supplied from the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130.

The controller500may monitor an SOC of each of the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130in real time. The controller500may calculate a range of the electric vehicle10based on the SOC of the first battery unit110. The controller500may calculate the amount of power that can be supplied to external equipment30based on the SOC of the second battery unit130. The controller500may perform a control operation to supply power supplied from the first battery unit110to the outside of the electric vehicle10or supply power supplied from the second battery unit130to the motor300based on the SOC of each of the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130and the state information of the electric vehicle10. The outside of the electric vehicle10may refer to the external equipment30. The state information of the electric vehicle10may include whether the electric vehicle10is being driven, whether the electric vehicle10is stopped, a current location of the electric vehicle10, and a distance between the electric vehicle and an electric charging station20.

The controller500may determine whether the SOC of the first battery unit110is insufficient compared to the amount of power required for driving the electric vehicle10. When the SOC of the first battery unit110is insufficient compared to the amount of power required for driving the electric vehicle10, the controller500may control the power distribution device230so that power stored in the second battery unit130is supplied to the first battery unit130or the motor300. Upon determining that the SOC of the first battery unit110is insufficient based on the range of the electric vehicle10and a distance between the current location of the electric vehicle10and a destination, the controller500may perform a control operation so that power stored in the first battery unit130is supplied to the first battery unit130or the motor300. The range may be determined based on the SOC of the first battery unit110.

As an example, when the destination of the electric vehicle10is the electric charging station20, the controller500may supply power supplied from the second battery unit130to the first battery unit110or the motor300.

As another example, when the destination of the electric vehicle10is not the electric charging station20, the controller500may calculate the amount of power required for the electric vehicle10to reach the destination. The controller500may supply power supplied from the second battery unit130to the first battery unit110until the SOC of the first battery unit110reaches the amount of power. That is, when the destination is the electric charging station20, even if the second battery unit130is discharged, a special problem does not occur. However, when the destination is a work space other than the electric charging station20, the second battery unit130needs to supply power to the external equipment30. Thus, the controller500may supply power supplied from the second battery unit130to the first battery unit110in order to satisfy the amount of power required for the electric vehicle10to reach the destination.

When power stored in the second battery unit130is supplied to the external equipment30, the controller500may control the power distribution device230so that power stored in the first battery unit110is supplied to the second battery unit130or supplied directly to the external equipment30. In this instance, the controller500may determine a lower limit of charging of the SOC of the first battery unit110in consideration of the range of the electric vehicle10and the distance between the electric vehicle10and the electric charging station20. The range may be determined based on the SOC of the first battery unit110. The controller500may perform a control operation to supply power supplied from the first battery unit110to an external port400for supplying power to the second battery unit130or the external equipment30until the SOC of the first battery unit110reaches the lower limit of charging. The lower limit of charging may be determined based on the minimum amount of power required for the electric vehicle10to reach the electric charging station20. That is, the controller500may perform a control operation to supply remaining power of the first battery unit110excluding the amount of power required for the electric vehicle10to reach the electric charging station20to the second battery unit130or the external port400.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may use the electric vehicle10for various purposes by dividing a battery into a battery required for driving the electric vehicle10and a battery required for work. In addition, since the battery is divided into the battery required for driving and the battery required for work, it is possible to solve a problem in that the remaining amount of the battery is rapidly changed or it is difficult to clearly determine the remaining amount of the battery when power is supplied to the outside. In other words, even when power stored in the battery required for work is used, the range of the electric vehicle10may not change, and thus the user may smoothly control a degree at which the electric vehicle10is put into a work site.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a subject to which power stored in the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130is supplied may be determined in consideration of the distance between the electric vehicle10and the destination, the type of destination, and the SOC of the battery unit100. Accordingly, when the power stored in the battery unit100is sufficient, power may be distributed according to uses of the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130, and when the power stored in the battery unit100is insufficient, power distribution/supply between the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130may be controlled.

FIG.3is a diagram for describing a management strategy of a vehicle battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, a communication module550may be mounted in the electric vehicle10. The communication module550may receive information on a location of the electric charging station20. The electric charging station20may transmit location information of the electric charging station20to the communication module550. The electric charging station20is to be disposed in a specified space such as a logistics warehouse, a golf course, or a resort, and may be disposed at a predetermined location. The controller500may receive information on a current location of the electric vehicle10from a location recognition device600. For example, the location recognition device600may include a GPS device and a device capable of recognizing movement in a space in which the electric vehicle10is specified. The controller500may determine a first distance D1between the current location of the electric vehicle10and the electric charging station20based on information received from the location recognition device600and the communication module550.

The controller500may calculate the range of the electric vehicle10based on the SOC of the first battery unit110, and calculate the amount of power with which the first battery unit110is charged based on the SOC or the range of the first battery unit110and the first distance D1between the electric vehicle10and the electric charging station20.

As an example, when the electric vehicle10is being driven or is scheduled to be driven, the controller500may supply the power stored in the second battery unit130to the first battery unit110or directly to the motor300. Accordingly, the electric vehicle10may reach the electric charging station20.

As an example, when the electric vehicle10is put into the work site and is supplying power to the external equipment30, the controller500may supply the power stored in the first battery unit110to the second battery unit130or directly to the external equipment30. In this instance, the controller500may calculate the amount of power required for the electric vehicle10to reach the electric charging station20in consideration of the first distance D1between the electric vehicle10and the electric charging station20. The lower limit of charging of the first battery unit110may be determined based on the amount of power. When the SOC of the first battery unit110is less than the lower limit of charging, the electric vehicle10may not be able to reach the electric charging station20. The controller500may supply power supplied from the first battery unit110to the second battery unit130or the external port400until the SOC of the first battery unit110reaches the lower limit of charge.

As another example, a plurality of electric charging stations20may be disposed in a specified space in which the electric vehicle10is driven and is put to work. The plurality of electric charging stations20may be disposed at different locations. The communication module550may receive information on locations of the plurality of electric charging stations20. The controller500may calculate a distance between a current location of each of the plurality of electric charging stations2and the electric vehicle10and the amount of power required when the electric vehicle10reaches each of the plurality of electric charging stations20. The controller500may set an electric charging station20having a close distance to the electric vehicle10among the plurality of electric charging stations20as a destination. In addition, the controller500may set any one of the electric charging stations20as the destination in consideration of the destination after charging of the electric vehicle10. The controller500may determine which electric charging station20to set as a destination based on information on a schedule of the electric vehicle10.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller500may control the second battery unit130by determining whether the electric vehicle10can be driven to the electric charging station20disposed at a fixed location in a specified space. Accordingly, the amount of power supplied by the electric vehicle10to the external equipment30may be determined based on the distance between the electric vehicle10and the electric charging station20.

FIG.4is a diagram for describing a management strategy of vehicle batteries of a plurality of electric vehicles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.2and4, a plurality of electric vehicles10aand10bmay be disposed in a specified space. The controller500and the communication module550may be mounted in each of the electric vehicles10aand10b. The communication module550may transmit the SOCs of the first battery unit110and the second battery unit130of each of the electric vehicles10aand10bto an integrated control center1000. The integrated control center1000may monitor the SOC of each of the plurality of electric vehicles10aand10band the locations of the plurality of electric charging stations20in real time.

As an example, the integrated control center1000may transmit a signal for a driving route for charging to each of the electric vehicles10aand10bin consideration of the SOC of the first battery unit110of each of the electric vehicles10aand10band the locations of the electric charging stations20. The integrated control center1000may determine a driving schedule of the plurality of electric vehicles10aand10bin a specified space and monitor the locations of the electric vehicles10aand10bin real time. In addition, the integrated control center1000identifies the locations of the electric charging stations20. That is, the integrated control center1000may allocate the electric vehicles10aand10bso that each of the electric vehicles10aand10bis driven to an electric charging station20close to each of the electric vehicles10aand10b. For example, when a second distance D2between the first electric vehicle10aand the electric charging station20is shorter than a third distance D3between the second electric vehicle10band the electric charging station the integrated control center1000may allocate the first electric vehicle10ato the electric charging station20. After the integrated control center1000allocates the first electric vehicle10ato the electric charging station20, the controller500may calculate a target to which the second battery unit130supplies power and the amount of power to be supplied in consideration of the SOC of the first battery unit110and the locations of the electric charging stations20. For example, when there is difficulty in driving the first electric vehicle10ato the electric charging station20in consideration of the SOC of the first battery unit110, the controller500may perform a control operation so that power of the second battery unit130is used for driving the first electric vehicle10a.

Unlike the above-described embodiments, the integrated control center1000may allocate the electric vehicle10aor10brelatively far from the electric charging station20to the electric charging station20in consideration of the driving schedule of the electric vehicles10aand10band the SOC of each of the batteries of the electric vehicles10aand10b.

As another example, the controller500mounted in the electric vehicle10aor may share the SOC of the first battery unit110with the controller500of another electric vehicle10aor10blocated within a preset distance. Information on the SOC of each of the electric vehicles10aand10bin the specified space may be used to allocate an electric charging station20at which the electric vehicles10aand10bare charged. A plurality of controllers500may allocate the electric vehicles10aand10bto the electric charging stations20in consideration of the SOC of the first battery unit110of each of the electric vehicles10aand10band the locations of the plurality of electric charging stations20. For example, when the electric vehicles10aand10bare started, each of the controllers500may provide information on the SOC of the first battery unit110to other surrounding controllers500. That is, a location at which the electric vehicles10aand10bare charged may be determined through information sharing between the plurality of controllers500without the integrated control center1000.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving schedule of the electric vehicles10aand10bin the specified space may be determined by the integrated control center1000. That is, the integrated control center1000may determine an electric charging station20at which the electric vehicles10aand10bneed to be charged, and thus it is possible to prevent consumption of a lot of time for electric charging due to a large number of electric vehicles10aand10bgathering at a specific electric charging station20.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when there is no integrated control center1000capable of managing the plurality of electric vehicles10aand10b, it is possible to determine an electric charging station20at which the electric vehicles10aand10bare charged through communication between the controllers500mounted in the electric vehicles10aand10b.

FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle battery management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For brevity of description, description of overlapping content is omitted.

Referring toFIG.5, the controller mounted in the electric vehicle and the integrated control center may determine a state of the electric vehicle. The state of the electric vehicle may include whether the electric vehicle is supplying power to the outside, whether the electric vehicle is started, whether the electric vehicle is being driven, and the location of the electric vehicle (S100).

The controller may determine whether the electric vehicle is supplying power to the outside. When the electric vehicle is supplying power to the outside, the controller may determine whether to supply the power stored in the first battery unit to the second battery unit or the external port (S200).

When the electric vehicle is supplying power to the outside, the controller may determine a lower limit of charging of the first battery unit according to the range of the electric vehicle and the distance between the electric vehicle and the electric charging station. The lower limit of charging may be determined based on the minimum amount of power required for the electric vehicle to reach the electric charging station (S300).

The controller may perform a control operation so that power of the first battery unit is used to supply power to the outside of the electric vehicle until the SOC of the first battery unit reaches the lower limit of charging. Specifically, the controller may supply power from the first battery unit to the second battery unit or the external port. Accordingly, while the maximum power may be supplied to the outside in a space where the electric vehicle is currently working, power enabling the electric vehicle to be driven to the electric charging station may remain in the first battery unit (S400).

When the electric vehicle is being driven instead of supplying power to the outside, the controller may monitor the SOC of the first battery unit, which is a battery for driving. That is, the controller may determine whether the SOC of the first battery unit is sufficient for the electric vehicle to reach the destination. When the SOC of the first battery unit is sufficient for the electric vehicle to reach the destination, the controller may not use the power of the second battery unit for driving of the electric vehicle (S500).

When the SOC of the first battery unit is insufficient for the electric vehicle to reach the destination, the controller may determine whether the destination is the electric charging station or another work space (S600).

When the destination is another work space, the controller may calculate the amount of power required for driving in consideration of the distance between the current location of the electric vehicle and the destination (S700).

The controller may use power supplied from the second battery unit to drive the electric vehicle until the SOC of the first battery unit reaches the amount of power. When the destination is another work space, power may be supplied to the external equipment after the electric vehicle arrives at the work space. Accordingly, power that can be supplied to the external equipment needs to be sufficiently stored in the second battery unit of the electric vehicle. In preparation for the time after the electric vehicle arrives at the work space, the controller may perform a control operation so that only power sufficient to allow the electric vehicle to arrive at the destination may be supplied from the second battery unit to the first battery unit or the motor (S800).

When the destination is the electric charging station, the controller may use power supplied from the second battery unit to drive the electric vehicle. That is, when the electric vehicle reaches the electric charging station, the first battery unit and the second battery unit may be charged. Accordingly, the controller may perform a control operation so that power of the second battery unit is used for driving of the electric vehicle until the limit value is all or minimally reached (S900).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may use the electric vehicle for various purposes by dividing a battery into a battery required for driving the electric vehicle and a battery required for work.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a subject to which power stored in the first battery unit and the second battery unit is supplied may be determined in consideration of the distance between the electric vehicle and the destination, the type of destination, and the SOC of the battery unit. Accordingly, when the power stored in the battery unit is sufficient, power may be distributed according to uses of the first battery unit and the second battery unit, and when the power stored in the battery unit is insufficient, power distribution/supply between the first battery unit and the second battery unit may be controlled.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller may control the second battery unit by determining whether the electric vehicle can be driven to the electric charging station disposed at a fixed location in a specified space. Accordingly, the amount of power supplied by the electric vehicle to the external equipment may be determined based on the distance between the electric vehicle and the electric charging station.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving schedule of the electric vehicles in the specified space may be determined by the integrated control center. That is, the integrated control center may determine an electric charging station at which the electric vehicles need to be charged, and thus it is possible to prevent consumption of a lot of time for electric charging due to a large number of electric vehicles gathering at a specific electric charging station.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when there is no integrated control center capable of managing the plurality of electric vehicles, it is possible to determine an electric charging station at which the electric vehicles are charged through communication between the controllers mounted in the electric vehicles.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will understand that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.