KR102342297B1 - Apparatus for Assisting in Discharging the Battery - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a battery discharging assistant device. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the battery discharging assistant device is connected to a battery in series to discharge the battery having a voltage lower than and equal to a preset reference value. The battery discharging assistant device comprises: a transformer that converts a size of external power; a first rectifying module connected to the transformer, wherein the first rectifying module has a first IGBT, a second IGBT disposed in series to have an emitter or collector thereof to face an emitter or collector of the first IGBT, and a resistor disposed between the first IGBT and the second IGBT; and a second rectifying module having the same configuration as the first rectifying module, wherein the second rectifying module is connected in parallel with the first rectifying module based on the transformer.

Description

Apparatus for Assisting in Discharging the Battery}

The present invention relates to a battery discharging auxiliary device that assists for complete discharging of a battery, in particular, a low-voltage battery.

The content described in this section merely provides background information for the present embodiment and does not constitute the prior art.

Secondary batteries, which are easy to apply according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are not only various electronic devices, but also electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles (HEVs) driven by electric driving sources. ) are commonly used. The secondary battery is attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency in that it not only has the primary advantage of reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also does not generate any by-products due to the use of energy.

As a device for testing the charge/discharge efficiency of such a secondary battery, a battery testing device is used. The battery inspection device includes a discharger connected in series with the battery (secondary battery), and inspects the discharge characteristics appearing while discharging the battery. In order for the battery inspection apparatus to record and inspect the discharge characteristics, the current discharged from the battery should be several thousand amperes (A) to ten thousand amperes or more.

The types of secondary batteries currently widely used include a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydrogen battery, a nickel zinc battery, and the like. The operating voltage of these batteries is about 2V to 3V. A low-voltage battery has difficulties in inspecting discharge characteristics in a battery inspection device. In general, since even the internal resistance in the wire connecting the battery and the discharger becomes several mΩ, it is difficult for the low-voltage battery to satisfy the above-described current value for inspection.

To solve this problem, a battery discharging auxiliary device is additionally connected in series to the battery and the discharger. The battery discharge assistant supplies an additional voltage in the closed circuit created by each component so that the amount of current required for the inspection in the closed circuit can flow.

However, since the battery has a polarity, it is inconvenient that the polarity of the battery discharging auxiliary device has to be changed each time depending on which polarity it has and is disposed in the closed circuit. Accordingly, the inspector has to check and match the polarity of the battery discharge auxiliary device together with the battery polarity, or to solve this problem, an additional switching circuit for separately changing the polarity has to be provided in the closed circuit.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an auxiliary device for discharging a battery capable of changing a polarity by itself according to a control signal.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in a battery discharge auxiliary device connected in series with the battery for discharging a battery having a voltage lower than a preset reference value, a transformer for converting the size of an external power source and the transformer are connected, 1 IGBT, a first rectifying module including an emitter or collector of the first IGBT and a second IGBT disposed in series to face it, and a resistor disposed between the first IGBT and the second IGBT, and the first IGBT It provides a battery discharging auxiliary device comprising the same configuration as the first rectifying module, and comprising a second rectifying module connected in parallel with the first rectifying module based on the transformer.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the first rectifying module and the second rectifying module are each implemented as a set of three for processing the three-phase power applied to the transformer.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the first rectifying module and the second rectifying module are parallel to a preset number of the first IGBT, the resistor, and the second IGBT according to the amount of current flowing through the battery discharging auxiliary device. characterized in that it is connected to

According to one aspect of the present invention, the battery discharging auxiliary device is characterized in that it can be connected in series regardless of the polarity of the connected battery.

According to one aspect of the present invention, in the battery discharging auxiliary device, the type of IGBT in the first rectification module and the IGBT in the second rectification module to which the gate voltage is applied varies according to the polarity of the connected battery. .

As described above, according to one aspect of the present invention, since the polarity can be changed by itself according to the control signal, regardless of the polarity of the battery for discharging connected for discharging, it is possible to induce sufficient discharge from the battery by changing the polarity. There are advantages that can be

1 is a diagram illustrating a battery discharging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit of a battery discharging auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an operation state when signals are applied to different IGBTs in the battery discharging auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an embodiment of a rectifying module in a battery discharge auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a schematic diagram of a rectifying module in a battery discharge auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Since the present invention can have various changes and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing each figure, like reference numerals have been used for like elements.

Terms such as first, second, A, and B may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component. and/or includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

When an element is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” to another element, it is understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in between. it should be On the other hand, when a certain element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element is present in the middle.

The terms used in the present application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be understood that terms such as “comprise” or “have” in the present application do not preclude the possibility of addition or existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification in advance. .

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the present application. does not

In addition, each configuration, process, process or method included in each embodiment of the present invention may be shared within a range that does not technically contradict each other.

1 is a diagram illustrating a battery discharging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a battery discharging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery discharging auxiliary device 110 , a discharger 120 , and a control device 130 .

In the battery discharging system 100 , the battery 140 , the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 , and the discharger 120 are respectively connected in series to form a closed circuit and discharge the battery 140 . Meanwhile, the control device 130 is electrically connected to the battery discharge auxiliary device 110 and the discharger 120 to control the operation of the battery discharge auxiliary device 110 and the discharger 120 .

The battery discharging auxiliary device 110 forms a closed circuit together with the battery 140 and the discharger 120 so that a preset amount of current can flow in the closed circuit. As described above in the background art, since the battery 140 has a low voltage of 2 to 3V, the battery 140 alone is insufficient to pass a current of several thousand to ten thousand amperes or more in consideration of the internal resistance of the closed circuit. Accordingly, the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 is connected in series with the battery 140 and the discharger 120, respectively, to form a closed circuit. The battery discharging auxiliary device 110 supplies a voltage several times that of the battery 140 so that a sufficient current (thousands to ten thousand amperes or more) can flow in the closed circuit for the battery performance test.

When the battery 140 is disposed in a closed circuit, it may be disposed having any polarity. That is, one battery may be connected to the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 by a (+) pole, and to the discharger 120 by a (-) pole. Another battery may be connected to the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 by a negative (-) pole, and the discharger 120 by a (+) pole. In order for the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 to apply an additional voltage to the voltage of the battery 140 , the battery 140 must be connected with the same polarity as that connected in the closed circuit. The battery discharging auxiliary device 110 may receive a control signal from the control device 130 to change the polarity of the device itself in the device. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the manager to separately change the polarity or to provide a separate (polarity) switching circuit in the system. A detailed structure of the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 .

The discharger 120 forms a closed circuit together with the battery 140 and the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 to discharge the battery 140 . The discharger 120 includes a predetermined number of resistors to discharge the battery 140 . The discharger 120 includes an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) along with a resistor, so that it can be connected regardless of the polarity of other components in the circuit. A plurality of IGBTs and resistors in the discharger 120 are connected in parallel to discharge a current of a sufficient size, and the resistance value can be adjusted by receiving a control signal from the control device 130 . Each IGBT in the discharger 120 may be shorted or opened according to a control signal, and may have a resistance value therebetween. Accordingly, the resistance value of the discharger 120 can be adjusted, so that the current flowing in the closed circuit or the voltage value to be applied to the discharger 120 can be adjusted.

The discharger 120 may include voltage and current sensors, and may transmit a sensing value of each sensor to the controller 130 . Accordingly, the control device 130 may more accurately adjust the resistance value in the discharger 120 based on the received sensing value.

The control device 130 adjusts the polarity of the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 and analyzes the battery characteristics by controlling the amount of current flowing in the closed circuit.

The control device 130 adjusts the polarity of the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 according to the polarity of the battery 140 disposed in the closed circuit. The control device 130 receives the polarity value of the battery 140 to be disposed in the closed circuit from the outside (eg, a terminal provided by an inspector or an inspector, etc.). Alternatively, the control device 130 may analyze the polarity of the battery 140 from a value sensed by a voltage sensor included in the discharger 120 . The control device 130 controls the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 to have the same polarity as that of the analyzed battery.

The control device 130 controls the amount of current flowing in the closed circuit. As described above, the control device 130 controls the amount of current flowing through the entire closed circuit by adjusting the resistance value of the IGBT in the discharger 120 , so that the amount of current flows suitable for inspecting the characteristics of the battery 140 . . The control device 130 may adjust the amount of current by adjusting the resistance value of the IGBT in the discharger 120 and additionally it in the battery discharge auxiliary device 110 as well.

The control device 130 analyzes the characteristics of the battery 140 connected in a closed circuit. When a certain amount of current is adjusted to flow in the closed circuit, the control device 130 analyzes the characteristics of the battery 140 based on how long the current of the corresponding size is maintained and what characteristics the output current has and is output. do. The characteristics of the battery 140 to be analyzed may include capacity, output characteristics, and safety of the battery 140 .

2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit of a battery discharging auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the battery discharging auxiliary device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a transformer 220 , a first rectifying module 230 , and a second rectifying module 240 .

The transformer 220 is connected to an external power source 210 on one side and each rectification module 230 and 240 on the other side, and supplies power of a desired size to each rectification module 230 and 240 . For example, when three times the voltage of the battery 140 in the closed circuit is required, the transformer 220 converts the voltage from the external power source 210 to a voltage corresponding to three times the voltage of the battery 140 to the rectification module supplied with

The rectifier modules 230 and 240 receive power applied from the transformer 220, adjust them to a desired polarity, and output. The rectifying module 230 includes a first IGBT 231 , a resistor 234 , and a second IGBT 235 .

The IGBT includes a field effect transistor (FET, 232) and a diode 233 therein, and conducts according to the voltage applied to the gate of the transistor 232 or the polarity of the power applied to the emitter or collector of the transistor 232 or open Accordingly, when a voltage greater than or equal to the threshold voltage is applied to the gate of the transistor in the IGBT, the transistor conducts, and when power with a polarity matching the polarity of the diode 233 is applied to the emitter or collector of the transistor, the diode 233 conducts. do.

On the other hand, the transistors and diodes in the first IGBT 231 and the second IGBT 235 are connected in parallel so that the direction in which current flows is opposite to each other when they are conducted. For example, when a threshold voltage or more is applied to the gate of the transistor, if a transistor in which current flows from the emitter to the collector of the transistor is included in the IGBT, the emitter of the transistor and the cathode ( A diode is connected in parallel with the transistor in the form of a cathode).

In addition, in the rectification module 230 , the first IGBT 231 and the second IGBT 235 are disposed so that emitters or collectors face each other.

A resistor 234 is disposed between each of the IGBTs 231 and 235 to prevent an excessively large current from flowing.

The second rectification module 240 includes the same components 241 , 244 , and 245 arranged in the same arrangement as the first rectification module 230 . The second rectifying module 240 is connected in parallel with the first rectifying module 230 with respect to the transformer 220 .

Each of the first rectifying module 230 and the second rectifying module 230 may be included in the battery discharging auxiliary device 110, and three (or more) as shown in FIG. 2 to process three-phase power. ) may be included.

A control signal is applied from the control device 130 to the IGBTs 231 , 235 , 241 , 245 in each of the rectifying modules 230 and 240 . The control signal is applied to the gate of the transistor in the IGBT to control whether the transistor is conductive or not. As a control signal is applied to an appropriate IGBT in each of the rectifying modules 230 and 240 , the polarity of the device 110 itself may be changed. A state in which the polarity is varied is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an operation state when signals are applied to different IGBTs in the battery discharging auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In order for the battery discharge auxiliary device to supply power to the closed circuit, the IGBT in the rectifier modules 230 and 240 operates. At this time, the rectifier modules 230 and 240 are operated by applying control signals to different IGBTs. That is, as in the first group 310 in FIG. 3 or 4 , the first IGBT 231 in the first rectification module 230 and the second IGBT 245 in the second rectification module 240 transmit the control signal. Receive and operate (conduct). Alternatively, the second IGBT 235 in the first rectification module 230 and the first IGBT 241 in the second rectification module 240 receive the control signal to operate (conduct).

3 , a control signal is applied to the IGBTs 235 and 241 corresponding to the second group 320 , and the transistors 236 and 242 in the IGBT become conductive.

Looking specifically at the first rectifying module 230 , a control signal is not applied to the first IGBT 231 . Accordingly, in consideration of the direction of the diode 233 , only when a negative voltage is applied to the first rectifying module 230 , the diode 233 conducts and is output to the output terminal 250 . Conversely, since a control signal is not applied to the second IGBT 245 of the second rectification module 240 , only when a (+) voltage is applied to the second rectification module 240 in consideration of the direction of the diode 247 . The diode 247 conducts and is output to the output terminal 260 . That is, when a control signal is applied to the second group 320 , the battery discharge auxiliary device 110 always outputs an output having (-) and (+) polarities in the order of the output terminal 250 and the output terminal 260 . .

Conversely, referring to FIG. 4 in detail, a control signal is applied to the IGBTs 231 and 245 corresponding to the first group 310, and the transistors 232 and 247 in the IGBT are conducted.

Looking specifically at the first rectifying module 230 , a control signal is not applied to the second IGBT 235 . Accordingly, in consideration of the direction of the diode 237 , only when a (+) voltage is applied to the first rectification module 230 , the diode 237 conducts and is output to the output terminal 250 . Conversely, since a control signal is not applied to the first IGBT 241 of the second rectification module 240, only when a negative voltage is applied to the second rectification module 240 in consideration of the direction of the diode 243. The diode 243 conducts and is output to the output terminal 260 . That is, when a control signal is applied to the first group 310 , the battery discharge auxiliary device 110 always outputs an output having (+) and (-) polarities in the order of the output terminal 250 and the output terminal 260 . .

As such, as the type of the IGBT that receives the control signal from the control device 130 in each of the first rectification module 230 and the second rectification module 240 changes, the polarity of the battery discharge auxiliary device 110 only with the control signal This may vary.

A diode or a capacitor may be connected to the rear end of the output terminals 250 and 260, and the power rectified by the configuration may be smoothed and converted into a DC component. Power converted into a DC component is provided to the closed circuit, and a sufficient amount of current can flow even when the battery 140 having a low voltage is disposed in the closed circuit.

Referring back to FIG. 2 , in FIG. 2 , the rectifying module includes one first IGBT 231 , one resistor 234 , and one second IGBT 235 , respectively, but in general, a plurality of A first IGBT 231 , a resistor 234 and a second IGBT 235 are included. As described above, a current of several thousand to ten thousand amperes or more flows in the closed circuit. Since each element in the rectifier module has a limiting current value that can be processed, each rectifier module includes several or tens of each element in parallel. In this case, when a plurality of IGBTs and resistors are included in the rectifier module, the IGBTs and resistors are disposed in the rectifier module so that the lengths of all electrical paths passing through the respective IGBTs and resistors are the same. The arrangement in the case in which the plurality of first IGBTs 231, resistors 234 and second IGBTs 235 are included in the rectifying modules 230 and 240 are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 .

5 is an embodiment of a rectifier module in a battery discharge auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a rectifier module in a battery discharge auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although only the first rectifying module is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second rectifying module also operates in the same manner as the first rectifying module has the same configuration as that of the first rectifying module.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the rectifying module 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector 510 , a first conductor 520 , a first IGBT 231 , a resistor 234 , and a second IGBT ( 235), a second conductor 530, and a second connector (not shown).

The first connection unit 510 is connected to the transformer 220 to receive power, or is connected to the control device 130 to receive a control signal.

The first conductor 520 transmits the applied power or control signal to each of the first IGBTs 231 . Each of the first IGBTs 231 is disposed on one surface of the first conductor 520 (a surface that does not face the second conductor), and a power or control signal conducted by the first conductor 520 is applied thereto.

The second conductor 530 is disposed opposite to the first conductor 520 with respect to the resistor 234 . The second conductor 530 also transfers the current flowing along the first IGBT 231 , the resistor 234 , and the second IGBT 235 to a second connection part (not shown).

The second connection part (not shown) is disposed on the second conductor 530 , and transmits the current flowing through the second conductor 530 to the discharger 120 . The second connection part (not shown) is disposed at a position symmetrical to the first connection part 510 with respect to the center of the rectification module 230 . That is, when the first connector 510 is positioned at the left end of the first conductor 520 as shown in FIG. 5 , the second connector 510 is positioned at the right end of the second conductor 530 . A second connection part (not shown) is disposed at the above-described position, and transmits the current flowing through the second conductor 530 to the discharger 120 .

The first IGBTs 231 are disposed on the first conductor 520 . A plurality of first IGBTs 231 to be connected in parallel are respectively disposed on the first conductor 520 . The number of the first IGBT 231 , the resistor 234 , and the second IGBT 235 to be disposed depends on the capacity of the current to be processed. For example, if a current of 200A can flow through one of the first IGBT 231 , the resistor 234 and the second IGBT 235 , if the amount of current to flow in the closed circuit is 6000A, the first IGBT in the rectification module 30 , a resistor 234 , and a second IGBT 235 may be disposed.

The resistor 234 is disposed between the first conductor 520 and the second conductor 530 . In this case, each resistor 234 is disposed in parallel with a predetermined interval between the first conductor 520 and the second conductor 530 .

The second IGBTs 235 are disposed on the second conductor 530 . Since each resistor 234 has a predetermined interval and is disposed in parallel, each second IGBT 235 faces each first IGBT 231 with respect to the resistor 234 and is disposed in parallel.

As each configuration is arranged as described above, even if a plurality of IGBTs and resistors are disposed in the rectification module 230 , electrical path lengths of all IGBTs (first IGBT, first IGBT) and resistors may be the same. The reason is shown in FIG. 6 .

6, the power passing through the transformer is introduced from the first connector 510, the first IGBT 231, the resistor 234, the second IGBT 235 and the second connector 530 through the discharger ( 120) is leaked. At this time, since each resistor 234 has a predetermined interval and is arranged in parallel, the electrical path is the same as L' no matter what resistance current flows through. In addition, current flows into the first connection part 510 and flows out to the second connection part 530 disposed at a position symmetrical to the first connection part 510 (point). Accordingly, the length L of the electrical path from the first connection part 510 to the first IGBT 231 and the second The sum of the length L'' of the electrical path from the IGBT 235 to the second connection part 530 is the same regardless of which first IGBT and the second IGBT it passes through. In this way, as the length of the electrical path of all the IGBTs (the first IGBT, the first IGBT) and the resistor in the rectification module 230 becomes the same, the current flowing into the rectifier module is evenly distributed without rushing to the specific IGBT and the resistor. can flow For example, when the length of the electrical path is short of a specific IGBR and resistance, the electrical resistance value of the corresponding path is reduced and more current flows through the corresponding path. Due to this, the IGBT or resistor of the corresponding path is overloaded and there is a risk of being damaged. However, when the IGBTs (the first IGBT, the first IGBT) and the resistor are arranged as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the length of all electrical paths becomes the same, and a problem in which the resistance value of a specific path becomes small can be prevented. Accordingly, the lifespan of each element in the rectifier module can be improved.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of this embodiment, and a person skilled in the art to which this embodiment belongs may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Accordingly, the present embodiments are intended to explain rather than limit the technical spirit of the present embodiment, and the scope of the technical spirit of the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of this embodiment should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present embodiment.

100: battery discharge system
110: battery discharge aid
120: discharger
130: control device
140: battery
210: external power
220: transformer
230: first rectifying module
231, 235, 241, 245: IGBT
232, 236, 242, 246: transistors
233, 237, 243, 247: diode
234, 244: resistance
240: second rectification module
250, 260: output stage
510: first connection part
520: first conductor
530: second conductor

Claims (5)

In the battery discharging auxiliary device connected in series with the battery and the discharger for discharging the battery having a voltage less than or equal to a preset reference value,
a transformer that converts the size of an external power source;
a first rectifying module connected to the transformer and capable of receiving power applied from the transformer and adjusting the polarity to output; and
A second rectifying module capable of receiving power applied from the transformer and adjusting the polarity to output, and connected in parallel with the first rectifying module with respect to the transformer,
Each of the first rectification module and the second rectification module,
a first conductor for transmitting power or a control signal applied from the transformer;
a second conductor disposed on the opposite side of the first conductor to transmit current to the outside;
a plurality of first IGBTs disposed on the first conductor;
a plurality of second IGBTs disposed on the second conductor and disposed in series such that the emitter or collector of each first IGBT and its own are facing; and
a plurality of resistors disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor;
Each resistor has a predetermined interval and is arranged in parallel,
Each second IGBT is disposed facing each first IGBT with respect to each resistor,
A second conductor of the first rectifying module is electrically connected to the discharger, and a second conductor of the second rectifying module is electrically connected to the battery. According to claim 1,
The first rectification module and the second rectification module,
For the processing of the three-phase power applied to the transformer, the battery discharge auxiliary device, characterized in that each is implemented as one set. According to claim 1,
The first rectification module and the second rectification module,
The battery discharge auxiliary device, characterized in that the first IGBT, the resistor and the second IGBT are connected in parallel by a preset number according to the amount of current flowing through the battery discharge auxiliary device. According to claim 1,
The battery discharging auxiliary device,
Battery discharge auxiliary device, characterized in that it can be connected in series regardless of the polarity of the battery to be connected. 5. The method of claim 4,
The battery discharging auxiliary device,
The battery discharge auxiliary device, characterized in that the type of the IGBT in the first rectification module and the IGBT in the second rectification module to which the gate voltage is applied varies according to the polarity of the battery to be connected.

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