阅读说明：本技术 电池管理系统、电池管理方法、电池组件和电动车辆 (Battery management system, battery management method, battery pack, and electric vehicle ) 是由 金钟阮 于 2020-09-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：根据本公开的电池管理系统包括第一连接单元、第一从属控制器和主控制器。第一连接单元将包括在第一电池组中的第一电池电芯电连接到第一从属控制器。来自第一电池组的电力通过包括在第一连接单元中的第一电源线被提供给第一从属控制器。第一从属控制器确定指示第一电池电芯的在执行第一通信模式期间的电压的第一参考电压值,并且确定指示第一电池电芯的在执行第二通信模式期间的电压的第一比较电压值。主控制器基于第一参考电压值和第一比较电压值确定是否发生了第一电源线的线断开故障。(The battery management system according to the present disclosure includes a first connection unit, a first slave controller, and a master controller. The first connection unit electrically connects a first battery cell included in the first battery pack to the first slave controller. The power from the first battery pack is supplied to the first slave controller through a first power supply line included in the first connection unit. The first slave controller determines a first reference voltage value indicating the voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the first communication mode, and determines a first comparative voltage value indicating the voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the second communication mode. The main controller determines whether an open-line fault of the first power line has occurred based on the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value.)

1. A battery management system, the battery management system comprising:

a first connection unit including a first power line, a first sensing line, a second sensing line, and a first diode connected between the first sensing line and the first power line;

a first slave controller including a first power supply terminal connected to a positive terminal of a first battery cell included in a first battery pack through the first power supply line, a first sensing terminal connected to the positive terminal of the first battery cell through the first sensing line, and a second sensing terminal connected to a negative terminal of the first battery cell through the second sensing line; and

a master controller operably coupled to the first slave controller,

wherein the first slave controller is configured to:

sequentially performing a first communication mode and a second communication mode in response to a first diagnosis request signal from the main controller, wherein an amount of power required to perform the first communication mode is different from an amount of power required to perform the second communication mode,

determining a first reference voltage value indicative of a voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the first communication mode, an

Determining a first comparative voltage value indicative of a voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the second communication mode, and

wherein the main controller is configured to determine whether the first power line has an open fault based on the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value.

2. The battery management system of claim 1 wherein a cathode of the first diode is connected to the first power line, and

an anode of the first diode is connected to the first sense line.

3. The battery management system of claim 1, wherein a resistance value of the first sense line is greater than a resistance value of the first power supply line.

4. The battery management system of claim 1, wherein the master controller is configured to determine that an open fault exists in the first power line when an absolute value of a difference between the first reference voltage value and the first comparative voltage value is greater than a threshold.

5. The battery management system of claim 1 wherein the first slave controller further comprises a first communication module and a second communication module, and

the first slave controller is configured to:

activating both the first communication module and the second communication module when the first communication mode is executed, and

activating the first communication module and deactivating the second communication module when the second communication mode is executed.

6. The battery management system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second connection unit including a second power line, a third sensing line, a fourth sensing line, and a second diode connected between the third sensing line and the second power line; and

a second slave controller including a second power supply terminal connected to a positive terminal of a second battery cell included in a second battery pack through the second power supply line, a third sensing terminal connected to the positive terminal of the second battery cell in series to the first battery pack, and a fourth sensing terminal connected to a negative terminal of the second battery cell through the fourth sensing line.

7. The battery management system of claim 6, wherein the second slave controller is configured to:

sequentially performing the first communication mode and the second communication mode in response to a second diagnosis request signal from the main controller,

determining a second reference voltage value indicative of a voltage of the second battery cell during the execution of the first communication mode, an

Determining a second comparison voltage value indicative of a voltage of the second battery cell during the execution of the second communication mode, and

wherein the main controller is configured to determine whether there is an open fault of the second power line based on the second reference voltage value and the second comparison voltage value.

8. The battery management system of claim 7 wherein the second slave controller further comprises a third communication module and a fourth communication module, and

the second slave controller is configured to:

activating both the third communication module and the fourth communication module when the first communication mode is executed, and

activating the third communication module and deactivating the fourth communication module when the second communication mode is executed.

9. A battery assembly comprising the battery management system of any of claims 1-8.

10. An electric vehicle comprising the battery assembly of claim 9.

11. A battery management method using the battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the battery management method comprising the steps of:

executing, by the first slave controller, the first communication mode in response to a first diagnostic request signal from the master controller;

determining, by the first slave controller, the first reference voltage value indicative of a voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the first communication mode;

executing, by the first slave controller, the second communication mode;

determining, by the first slave controller, a first comparative voltage value indicative of a voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the second communication mode;

the first slave controller transmitting a first response signal including the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value to the master controller; and

determining, by the master controller, whether there is an open fault with the first power line based on the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value when the master controller receives the first response signal.

12. The battery management method of claim 11 wherein when the first communication mode is executed, both the first communication module and the second communication module are activated, and

when the second communication mode is executed, the first communication module is activated and the second communication module is deactivated.

13. The battery management method of claim 11, wherein it is determined that the first power line has an open fault when an absolute value of a difference between the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value is greater than a threshold.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a technique of diagnosing a state of a power supply line for receiving power from a battery pack.

This application claims priority from korean patent application No.10-2019-0116945, filed in korea at 23.9.2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Recently, the demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, video cameras, mobile phones, etc. is sharply increased, and many studies on rechargeable high-performance batteries are being conducted with the widespread development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc.

Currently commercially available batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydrogen batteries, nickel zinc batteries, lithium batteries, etc., in which the lithium battery has little or no memory effect, and thus the lithium battery is more interesting than the nickel-based battery due to the advantages of recharging, very low self-discharge rate, high energy density, etc., whenever and wherever possible.

A battery pack applied to an electric vehicle generally includes a plurality of battery packs connected in series and a battery management system. The battery management system monitors the voltage of each battery cell included in the battery pack. Recently, the number of battery packs in a battery pack is increasing in order to meet the demand for a high-capacity high-output battery pack.

A single master-multiple slave structure for efficiently managing each battery pack included in a battery assembly includes a plurality of slave controllers arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of battery packs and a master controller controlling all of the plurality of slave controllers.

Furthermore, each slave controller may use the battery pack arranged to be monitored by the respective slave controller as an operational power supply. When the high voltage node of the battery pack is connected to the power supply terminal of the slave controller through the power supply line, power is supplied from the battery pack to the slave controller.

However, when the power supply line is damaged due to external impact, overheating, or aging, the slave controller may be inadvertently disabled.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present disclosure is designed to solve the above-described problems, and therefore aims to provide a battery management system, a battery pack, and an electric vehicle, whereby power can be supplied from a battery pack to a slave controller through a sensing wire connected to a battery cell included in the battery pack even in the case where a power supply line provided for transmitting power between the battery pack and the slave controller is open.

The present disclosure is also directed to providing a battery management system, a battery management method, a battery assembly, and an electric vehicle to diagnose a state of a power supply line based on a power consumption difference between two operation modes that may be performed by a slave controller.

These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be understood by the following description and will be apparent from the embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Technical scheme

A battery management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first connection unit, a first slave controller, and a master controller. The first connection unit includes a first power line, a first sensing line, a second sensing line, and a first diode. The first diode is connected between the first sensing line and the first power line. The first slave controller includes a first power supply terminal connected to a positive terminal of a first battery cell included in the first battery pack through a first power supply line, a first sensing terminal connected to the positive terminal of the first battery cell through a first sensing line, and a second sensing terminal connected to a negative terminal of the first battery cell through a second sensing line. The master controller is operatively coupled to the first slave controller. The first slave controller is configured to sequentially execute a first communication mode and a second communication mode in response to a first diagnostic request signal from the master controller. The amount of power required to perform the first communication mode is different from the amount of power required to perform the second communication mode. The first slave controller is configured to determine a first reference voltage value indicative of a voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the first communication mode. The first slave controller is configured to determine a first comparative voltage value indicative of a voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the second communication mode. The main controller is configured to determine whether there is an open fault in the first power line based on the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value.

A cathode (cathode) of the first diode may be connected to a first power line. An anode (anode) of the first diode may be connected to the first sensing line.

The resistance value of the first sensing line may be greater than that of the first power line.

The main controller may be configured to determine that the first power line has an open fault when an absolute value of a difference between the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value is greater than a threshold.

The first slave controller may further include a first communication module and a second communication module. The first slave controller may be configured to activate both the first communication module and the second communication module when the first communication mode is executed. The first slave controller may be configured to activate the first communication module and deactivate the second communication module when the second communication mode is executed.

The battery management system may further include a second connection unit and a second slave controller. The second connection unit may include a second power line, a third sensing line, a fourth sensing line, and a second diode. The second diode may be connected between the third sensing line and the second power line. The second slave controller may include: a second power supply terminal connected to a positive terminal of a second battery cell included in a second battery pack, the second battery pack being connected in series to the first battery pack through a second power supply line; a third sensing terminal connected to the positive terminal of the second battery cell through a third sensing line; and a fourth sensing terminal connected to the negative terminal of the second battery cell through a fourth sensing line.

The second slave controller may be configured to sequentially perform the first communication mode and the second communication mode in response to a second diagnosis request signal from the master controller. The second slave controller may be configured to determine a second reference voltage value indicative of a voltage of the second battery cell during execution of the first communication mode. The second slave controller may be configured to determine a second comparison voltage value indicative of a voltage of the second battery cell during execution of the second communication mode. The second slave controller may be configured to determine whether there is an open fault in the second power line based on the second reference voltage value and the second comparison voltage value.

The second slave controller may further include a third communication module and a fourth communication module. The second slave controller may be configured to activate both the third communication module and the fourth communication module when the first communication mode is executed. The second slave controller may be configured to activate the third communication module and deactivate the fourth communication module when the second communication mode is executed.

A battery assembly according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery management system.

An electric vehicle according to still another aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery assembly.

A battery management method according to still another aspect of the present disclosure uses a battery management system. The battery management method comprises the following steps: executing, by the first slave controller, a first communication mode in response to a first diagnostic request signal from the master controller; determining, by the first slave controller, a first reference voltage value indicative of a voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the first communication mode; executing, by the first slave controller, the second communication mode; determining, by the first slave controller, a first comparative voltage value indicative of a voltage of the first battery cell during execution of the second communication mode; transmitting, by the first slave controller, a first response signal including a first reference voltage value and a first comparison voltage value to the master controller; and determining, by the main controller, whether there is an open fault of the first power line based on the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value when the main controller receives the first response signal.

Both the first communication module and the second communication module may be activated when the first communication mode is executed. When the second communication mode is executed, the first communication module may be activated and the second communication module may be deactivated.

In the determining whether the first power line has the open fault, it may be determined that the first power line has the open fault when an absolute value of a difference between the first reference voltage value and the first comparison voltage value is greater than a threshold.

Advantageous effects

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, when a power supply line provided for transmitting power between the battery pack and the slave controller is open, power may be supplied from the battery pack to the slave controller through a sensing line connected to a battery cell included in the battery pack.

Further, the state of the power supply line may be diagnosed based on a power consumption difference between two operation modes that may be performed by the slave controller.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and these and other effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the appended claims.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the disclosure described below, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore the disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagram exemplarily showing a configuration of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a diagram exemplarily showing a detailed configuration of the slave controller of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 and 4 are flowcharts exemplarily illustrating a battery management method using the battery management system of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 and 6 are reference diagrams for describing a battery management method according to fig. 3 and 4.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms or words used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish one element from another element, but are not intended to limit the elements by the terms.

Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, it will be understood that the term "comprising" when used in this specification specifies the presence of the stated elements, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements. In addition, the term "control unit" used herein refers to a processing unit having at least one function or operation, and may be implemented by hardware or software alone or in combination.

Further, throughout the specification, it will be further understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present.

Fig. 1 is a diagram exemplarily showing a configuration of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and fig. 2 is a diagram exemplarily showing a detailed configuration of a cell management device of fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, an electric vehicle 1 includes a battery assembly 10 and an advanced controller 2. The electric vehicle 1 may further include a Direct Current (DC) -Alternating Current (AC) inverter (not shown) and a motor (not shown).

The battery assembly 10 includes n battery packs 20_{_1}～20_{_n}And a battery management system 5. 1 st to nth battery packs 20_{_1}～20_{_n}Are electrically connected in series by a charge/discharge line 3. The battery management system 5 includes n cell management devices 100_{_1}～100_{_n}And a main controller 200. n is a natural number of 1 or more.

When i is a natural number equal to or less than n, the battery pack 20_{_i}Comprising m battery cells 30_{_1}～30_{_m}. m is a natural number of 1 or more. The battery cells 30 may include any type of rechargeable battery, such as lithium ion cells, and are not limited to a particular type. When m is equal to or greater than 2, the battery cell 30_{_1}～30_{_m}Are electrically connected in series. When j is a natural number less than m, the battery cell 30 u_jMay be electrically connected to the battery pack 20_{_i}Battery cell 30 u_j+1The positive terminal of (1).

In the battery pack 20_{_i}Middle and high voltage battery core 30 u₁In the battery cell 30_{_1}～30_{_m}Has the highest potential, and the battery pack 20_{_i}30 u of battery cell₁May be referred to as an "ith highest potential cell" or an "ith high voltage cell".

Cell management device 100_{_i}Includes a connection unit 110_{_i}And a slave controller 120_{_i}。

Connection unit 110_{_i}Includes a power line PL_{_i}And a sensing line SL_{_1}～SL_{_m+1}And a diode D_{_i}. Battery pack 20_{_i}Each battery cell 30_{_1}～30_{_m}Through the connection unit 110_{_i}Is electrically connected to the slave controller 120_{_i}。

Power line PL_{_i}Is electrically connected to the battery cell 30₁The positive terminal of (1). Power line PL_{_i}Is electrically connected to the slave controller 120_{_i}. Power line PL_{_i}A fuse F may be included.

Sense line SL_{_1}Is electrically connected to the battery cell 30₁The positive terminal of (1). Sense line SL_{_1}Is electrically connected to the slave controller 120_{_i}. When h is a natural number equal to 2 to m +1, the sense line SL_{_h}Is electrically connected to the battery cell 30_{_h-1}And sense line SL_{_h}Is electrically connected to the slave controller 120_{_i}。

Sense line SL_{_1}～SL_{_m+1}May include a protection resistor R. The protection resistor R may have a predetermined resistance value (e.g., 10K Ω), and the slave controller 120 is protected by the protection resistor R_{_i}From the battery cells 30_{_1}～30_{_m}The impact voltage of (c).

SensingLine SL_{_1}～SL_{_m+1}A resistance value of each of which may be equal to or greater than the power supply line PL_{_i}The resistance value of (2). For example, sense line SL_{_1}～SL_{_m+1}Resistance value and power line PL_{_i}May be equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value (e.g., 10).

Diode D_{_i}Is electrically connected to power supply line PL_{_i}And sensing line SL_{_1}In the meantime. In particular, diode D_{_i}Connected in parallel to the sense line SL_{_1}Protective resistor R and power supply line PL_{_i}The series circuit of (1). As shown in fig. 2, a diode D_{_i}Is connected to the sensing line SL_{_1}And a diode D_{_i}Is connected to power supply line PL_{_i}The second end of (a).

Setting the slave controller 120_{_i}To monitor the battery pack 20 included in the battery pack_{_i}Each battery cell 30 of_{_1}～30_{_m}State (e.g., voltage, temperature). Slave controller 120_{_i}Including a power generation circuit 130, a voltage detection circuit 140, and a control unit 150.

The power generation circuit 130 includes a power supply terminal PP. Power supply terminal PP is electrically connected to power supply line PL_{_i}The second end of (a). The power generation circuit 130 may be, for example, a DC-DC converter. The power generation circuit 130 passes through the power supply line PL_{_i}Slave battery pack 20_{_i}The power supplied to the power supply terminal PP is DC-DC converted to generate a power supply voltage V_DD. Supply voltage V_DDIs provided to the voltage detection circuit 140 and the control unit 150. The voltage detection circuit 140 and the control unit 150 pass the power supply voltage V_DDAnd (5) carrying out operation. Although not shown, the battery cell 30 u_mMay serve as a ground for the power generation circuit 130.

At the connection unit 110_{_i}In power line PL_{_i}And a sense line SL_{_1}All in normal state, the diode D_{_i}Has a potential equal to or higher than that of the diode D_{_i}The potential of the anode of (1). Thus, via the diode D_{_i}From the battery pack 20_{_i}Is only passed through power supply line PL_{_i}Is supplied to the power generation circuit 130.

In contrast, when the sense line SL_{_1}In a normal state and power supply line PL_{_i}In the presence of open-circuit fault, diode D_{_i}Is higher than the potential of the diode D_{_i}The potential of the cathode. Thus, from the battery pack 20_{_i}Is passed through the sensing line SL_{_1}And a diode D_{_i}Is supplied to the power generation circuit 130. That is, when power supply line PL is connected to power supply line_{_i}At open circuit, the sensing line SL_{_1}And a diode D_{_i}May be used as an additional power supply line.

The voltage detection circuit 140 includes a sense terminal SP_{_1}～SP_{_m+1}. Sensing terminal SP_{_1}Is electrically connected to the sensing line SL_{_1}The second end of (a). When h is 2 to m +1, the sense terminal SP_{_h}Electrically connected to a sense line SL_{_h}The second end of (a). The voltage detection circuit 140 detects the sense terminal SP_{_h-1}And a sensing terminal SP_{_h}The potential difference therebetween as the battery cell 30_{_h-1}The voltage of (c). The voltage detection circuit 140 will indicate each battery cell 30_{_1}～30_{_m}The cell voltage information of the detected voltage is transmitted to the control unit 150.

The control unit 150 is operatively coupled to the power generation circuit 130, the voltage detection circuit 140, and the main controller 200. The control unit 150 determines, via data communication with the main controller 200, an instruction to instruct each battery cell 30 using the voltage detection circuit 140_{_1}～30_{_m}Voltage value of the voltage of (a).

The control unit 150 may be implemented in hardware using at least one of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Digital Signal Processing Device (DSPD), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a microprocessor, or an electrical unit for performing other functions. The control unit 150 may include a memory therein. The memory may store programs and data necessary to perform the methods described below. The memory may, for example, include at least one type of flash memory type, hard disk type, Solid State Disk (SSD) type, silicon hard disk drive (SDD) type, micro multimedia card type storage medium, Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), or Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM).

Slave controller 120_{_1}～120_{_n}And the main controller 200 may be connected in a daisy chain or a loop form through a communication channel to perform bidirectional data communication therebetween.

The control unit 150 comprises two communication modules 161, 162. The communication module 161 passes through a communication line CL_{_i}Connected to a master or slave controller 120_{_i+1}. The communication module 162 may be positioned to pass through a communication line CL_{_i-1}Connected or not to the slave controller 120_{_i-1}Or master controller 200. The communication modules 161, 162 may communicate data bi-directionally with another slave controller 120 and/or the master controller 200 using well-known communication protocols, such as Controller Area Network (CAN).

The main controller 200150 may also be implemented in hardware using at least one of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Digital Signal Processing Device (DSPD), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a microprocessor, or an electrical unit for performing other functions. The main controller 200 may include a memory therein. The memory may store programs and data necessary to perform the methods described below. The memory may include, for example, at least one type of flash memory type, hard disk type, Solid State Disk (SSD) type, silicon hard disk drive (SDD) type, micro multimedia card type storage medium, Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), or Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM).

The master controller 200 is operably coupled to the slave controller 120_{_1}～120_{_n}And a high-level controller 2. The master controller 200 may communicate with the slave controller 120_{_1}～120_{_n}The relevant information is transmitted to the high level controller 2 and a corresponding command is received from the high level controller 2. The advanced controller 2 may be, for example, an electronic of the electric vehicle 1 to which the battery pack 10 is appliedA control unit (ECU).

The main controller 200 may be electrically connected with the current detection circuit 4 mounted on the charge/discharge line 3 to obtain a current signal from the current detection circuit 4, and the current signal indicates a current detected by the current detection circuit 4.

The master controller 200 may be based on the current signal from the current detection circuit 4 and the current signal from the slave controller 120_{_i}To determine the battery pack 20_{_i}Each battery cell 30_{_1}～30_{_m}State of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH).

When a preset event occurs, the main controller 200 may perform a diagnosis mode. The diagnosis mode is for diagnosing each of the cell management devices 100_{_1}～100_{_n}The pattern of power supply line PL. For example, the main controller 200 may execute the diagnostic mode in response to a standby command received from the advanced controller 2. The standby command may be a request to release the slave controller 120_{_1}～120_{_n}A message to change from awake state to sleep state.

When the diagnosis mode is performed, the master controller 200 may sequentially transmit to the slave controller 120 according to a preset rule_{_1}～120_{_n}A diagnostic request signal is transmitted. For example, the master controller 200 may sequentially transmit the diagnosis request signal to the slave controllers 120 based on a communication distance from the master controller 200_{_1}～120_{_n}. For example, the master controller 200 may first target the slave controller 120 having the longest communication distance with the master controller 200_{_1}Transmits a diagnosis request signal and may finally be directed to the slave controller 120 having the shortest communication distance with the master controller 200_{_n}A diagnostic request signal is transmitted. In addition, the master controller 200 receives the command from the slave controller 120_{_i}After the response signal(s), the master controller 200 may target the slave controller 120_{_i+1}A diagnostic request signal is transmitted.

Alternatively, the master controller 200 does not repeatedly transmit the diagnosis request signal, but each slave controller 120 may transmit a response signal to the master controller 200 and then transmit the diagnosis request signal to the next slave controller 120.

Fig. 3 and 4 are flowcharts exemplarily illustrating a battery management method using the battery management system of fig. 1, and fig. 5 and 6 are reference diagrams for describing the battery management method according to fig. 3 and 4. The battery management method of fig. 3 and 4 can be performed when the master controller 200 is at the slave controller 120_{_1}～120_{_n}Is performed in the wake-up state of (a).

Referring to fig. 3 to 6, the main controller 200 sets a count index k equal to 1 in step S300.

In step S305, the master controller 200 targets the kth slave controller 120_{_k}A diagnostic request signal is transmitted. That is, the master controller 200 is slave to the slave controller 120_{_1}～120_{_n}Selects the kth slave controller 120 corresponding to the order indicated by the count index k_{_k}. The diagnosis request signal transmitted in step S305 may pass through the slave controller 120_{_k+1}～120_{_n}And a communication line CL_{_k+1}～CL_{_n}To the kth slave controller 120_{_k}The communication terminal 161.

In step S310, the kth slave controller 120 responds to the diagnosis request signal_{_k}A first communication mode is performed.

In step S315, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}Determining to indicate the battery pack 20 detected during the execution of the first communication mode_{_k}30 u of battery cell₁The kth reference voltage value of the voltage of (a). For example, the kth reference voltage value may be the battery cell 30 measured sequentially a first number of times (e.g., 10 times) over a first time period (e.g., 0.5 seconds) during performance of the first communication mode₁Average value of the voltage of (1). The first communication mode may end when the kth reference voltage value is determined.

In step S320, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}A second communication mode is performed.

In step S325, the slave controller 120 determines that the indication indicates the battery pack 20 detected during the execution of the second communication mode_{_k}30 u of battery cell₁The kth comparison voltage value of the voltage of (1). For example, the kth comparison voltage valueThe battery cells 30 may be sequentially measured a second number of times (e.g., 10 times) over a second time period (e.g., 0.5 seconds) during performance of the second communication mode₁Average value of the voltage of (1). The second communication mode may end when the kth comparison voltage value is determined. In step S315 or S325, the kth slave controller 120 may_{_k}Additionally determining the indicating battery pack 20_{_k}Of the remaining battery cells 30_{_2～}30_{_m}Voltage value of each of the voltages.

Even if any one of the first communication mode and the second communication mode is performed, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}The communication module 161 may also be kept in an active state. In addition, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}The communication module 162 may be deactivated during any one of the first communication mode and the second communication mode, and the communication module 162 may be activated during the other communication mode. For example, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}Both the communication module 161 and the communication module 162 may be activated during the first communication mode. In contrast, during the second communication mode, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}The communication module 161 may be activated but the communication module 162 is deactivated. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the amount of power required to activate both the communication module 161 and the communication module 162 is lower than the amount of power required to activate only the communication module 161. That is, the amount of power required to perform the first communication mode is different from the amount of power required to perform the second communication mode.

When connecting the unit 110_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}When open, the current flows through the connection unit 110_{_k}Sense line SL of_{_1}And a diode D_{_k}Therefore, and power line PL_{_k}Compared with the case of no open circuit, the cross sensing line SL_{_1}A large voltage drop is generated.

FIG. 5 shows the connection unit 110_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}When an open-circuit fault occurs, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}An exemplary case of performing the first communication mode. Referring to FIG. 5, at current I1_{_k}Flows through the connection unit 110_{_k}Sense line SL of_{_1}The power required for executing the first communication mode is supplied to the power supplyWhen the circuit 130 is in operation, cross-sensing line SL occurs due to ohm's law_{_1}Voltage drop V1_{_k}. Therefore, the k-th reference voltage value determined in step S315 indicates the specific battery pack 20_{_k}30 u of battery cell₁Actual voltage low voltage drop V1_{_k}The voltage of (c). FIG. 6 shows the connection unit 110 when in use_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}In the event of an open-circuit fault, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}A case where the second communication mode is executed. Referring to FIG. 6, when at current I2_{_k}Flows through the connection unit 110_{_k}Sense line SL of_{_1}When the power necessary for executing the second communication mode is supplied to the power generation circuit 130, the cross-sensing line SL occurs_{_1}Voltage drop V2_{_k}. Therefore, the k-th comparison voltage value determined in step S325 indicates the ratio battery pack 20_{_k}30 u of battery cell₁Actual voltage low voltage drop V2_{_k}The voltage of (c). Due to the current I1_{_k}And a current I2_{_k}Are different from each other, so the voltage drop V1_{_k}And the voltage drop V2_{_k}And also differ from each other. Thus, there is a voltage drop V1_{_k}And the voltage drop V2_{_k}The difference between the k-th reference voltage value and the k-th comparison voltage value.

On the contrary, when the connection unit 110_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}Is not opened and is in a normal state, is supplied from the battery pack 20_{_i}Is only passed through power supply line PL_{_k}Is provided to the power generation circuit 130. Therefore, even if any one of the first communication mode and the second communication mode is performed, the sense line SL is not crossed_{_1}A voltage drop occurs. Therefore, the connection unit 110 shown in fig. 5 and 6_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}In contrast to the open circuit case, the kth reference voltage value determined in step S315 and the kth comparison voltage value determined in step S325 are equal or have a difference less than a predetermined level.

In step S330, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}A kth response signal including the kth reference voltage value and the kth comparison voltage value is transmitted to the main controller 200. The kth response signal may also include an indication of the battery cell 30_{_2}～30_{_m}Voltage of each ofThe voltage value of (2). The kth slave controller 120_{_k}After transmitting the k-th response signal to the main controller 200, it may be changed to a sleep state.

In step S335, the main controller 20 determines whether the absolute value of the difference between the kth reference voltage value and the kth comparison voltage value included in the kth response signal is greater than a threshold value. The threshold may be a value preset based on an experimental result of a current consumed in the first communication mode and a current consumed in the second communication mode different from the first communication mode. The value of step S335 is yes indicating the connection unit 110_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}There is an open circuit fault. A value of no at step S335 indicates the connection unit 110_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}Is in a normal state. When the value of step S335 is yes, step S340 is performed. When the value of step S335 is "no", step S345 is performed.

In step S340, the main controller 200 sets the kth diagnostic flag equal to a first predetermined value (e.g., 1). The first predetermined value indicates the connection unit 110_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}And (4) opening the circuit. In addition, the main controller 200 may compensate the kth reference voltage value by adding the first compensation value to the kth reference voltage value, or may compensate the kth comparison voltage value by adding the second compensation value to the kth comparison voltage value. The first compensation value may be the sum of the current consumed in the first communication mode and the sensing line SL_{_1}The product of the resistance values of (a) and (b) corresponds to a predetermined value. The second compensation value may be the current consumed in the second communication mode and the sensing line SL_{_1}The product of the resistance values of (a) and (b) corresponds to a predetermined value. Each of the compensated kth reference voltage value and the compensated kth comparison voltage value indicates the battery pack 20_{_k}30 u of battery cell₁An estimate of the actual voltage of. Instead of the kth reference voltage value or the kth comparison voltage value, the main controller 200 may determine the kth high-voltage battery cell 30 using the compensated kth reference voltage value or the compensated kth comparison voltage value_{_1}The SOC of (1).

In step S345, the main controller 200 sets the kth diagnostic flag equal to a second predetermined value (e.g., 0). The second predetermined value indicates the connection unit 110_{_k}Power supply line PL of_{_k}And no open circuit is formed.

In this case, in order to prevent the battery pack 20 from being damaged during the period from step S315 to step S325_{_k}May set the time difference between step S315 and step S325 to be equal to or less than a predetermined reference time (e.g., 0.1 second). Therefore, the battery cell 30 u at the time of determining the k-th reference voltage value can be determined₁And the battery cell 30 u at the time of determining the kth comparison voltage value₁Are regarded as substantially equal to each other, thereby preventing erroneous determination in step S335.

In step S350, the main controller 200 increments the count index k by 1.

In step S355, the main controller 200 determines whether the count index k is greater than n. A value of yes at step S355 indicates the connection unit 110_{_1}～100_{_n}Power supply line PL included therein_{_k}The diagnosis of (2) is completed. When the value of step S355 is yes, step S360 is performed. A value of no in step S355 indicates the connection unit 110_{_k+1}～100_{_n}The diagnosis of the power supply line PL included in each of (a) has not been completed yet. When the value of step S355 is "no", the process returns to step S305.

In step S360, the main controller 200 may store the first to nth diagnostic flags in the memory of the main controller 200. Further, the main controller 200 may transmit the first to nth diagnostic flags to the advanced controller 2. The high level controller 2 may output a message indicating the presence of an open fault at the connection unit 110 associated with each diagnostic flag set to the first predetermined value to a remote server or a vehicle user.

Alternatively, when the kth slave controller 120_{_k}Upon receiving the kth diagnosis request signal, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}An operation mode different from the first communication mode and the second communication mode may be performed. For example, in step S310, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}A first voltage detection mode may be performed and, in step S320, the kth slave controller 120_{_k}The second voltage detection mode may be performed. The first voltage detection mode may be a first samplingThe pattern of sample rates (e.g., 100 times/second) determines the kth reference voltage value, and the second voltage detection pattern may be a pattern of determining the kth comparison voltage value at a second sample rate (e.g., 200 times/second) different from the first sample rate. That is, the operation modes performed in steps S310 and S320 are not limited to the first communication mode and the second communication mode, and two modes having different power consumption per unit time may be performed in steps S310 and S320, respectively.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are not implemented only by the apparatuses and methods but also by programs that implement functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of the present disclosure or recording media on which the programs are recorded, and those skilled in the art can easily implement such implementations from the disclosure of the embodiments described above.

Furthermore, since numerous alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present disclosure may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical aspects of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited by the foregoing embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and some or all of the embodiments may be selectively combined to make various modifications of the present disclosure.