KR102569634B1 - Circuit for protecting of battery module and a method for protecting of battery module using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, when the voltage applied from the battery pack is higher than the rated voltage of the module connected to the battery pack, first, the pyro switch connected between the battery pack and the module is opened, and then the protection device connected to the module is operated. The present invention relates to a module protection circuit capable of efficiently protecting a module by using a protection device having a relatively low rated voltage specification by protecting the corresponding module, and a module protection method using the same.

Description

Module protection circuit and module protection method using the same {Circuit for protecting of battery module and a method for protecting of battery module using the same}

The present invention relates to a module protection circuit and a module protection method using the same, and more particularly, when a voltage applied from a battery pack is higher than the rated voltage of a module connected to the battery pack, first, a battery connected between the battery pack and the module After opening the pyro switch, the protection device connected to the module is operated to protect the module, and a module protection circuit capable of efficiently protecting the module using a protection device with a relatively low rated voltage specification and a module protection method using the same It is about.

A secondary battery is a storage battery or rechargeable battery that converts external electrical energy into a form of chemical energy to be stored and used, and unlike a primary battery, it repeatedly performs charging and discharging.

On the other hand, in the case of a small capacity, such a secondary battery is used in portable small electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers and camcorders, and in the case of a large capacity, it is also used as a power source for driving motors of hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.

At this time, the secondary battery is used as a single cell in the case of a small electronic device, and is used in a module state in which a plurality of cells are electrically connected in the case of a large capacity such as for driving a motor. Here, the secondary battery module connects the electrode terminals of the unit cells directly to a bus. By doing so, it is configured by being connected in series or parallel.

Meanwhile, like the secondary battery module, since a plurality of secondary batteries are electrically connected, when an event such as overcharging or external short circuit occurs in any one unit battery among the plurality of secondary batteries, the flow from the unit battery where the event occurred There is a problem in that overcurrent flows to the last connected unit battery and may even damage some unit cells in which an event has not occurred.

Recently, this problem is solved, and when a problem occurs in one or more of a plurality of battery modules, a protection device connected to a battery module having a problem among a plurality of battery modules operates (for example, a fuse melts) However, in the case of this technology, based on the voltage of the battery pack, the protection device connected to the battery module in question is operated, and the protection device's rating is Since the voltage must satisfy the rated voltage of the battery pack, it is high regardless of the rated voltage of the battery module, and as a result, there is a problem in that the size and cost of the protection device are unnecessarily increased.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0013900

An object of the present invention is to first open the pyro switch connected between the battery pack and the module when the voltage applied from the battery pack is higher than the rated voltage of the module connected to the battery pack, and then the protection device connected to the corresponding module. It is to provide a module protection circuit capable of efficiently protecting a module using a protection device with a relatively low rated voltage specification and a module protection method using the same by operating a protection device to protect a corresponding module.

In addition, since a protection element with a relatively low rated voltage specification is used to protect the module, it is possible to configure the protection element in a smaller size and at a lower cost, thereby enabling a more efficient circuit design and a module protection circuit and the same. It is to provide a module protection method using

A module protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to the battery pack through a battery pack and a first pyro switch, and one or more modules to which a protection element operating based on an overvoltage is connected, respectively, applied from the battery pack and a controller configured to open the first pyro switch when the detected voltage is greater than or equal to a rated voltage of any one of the one or more modules.

In one embodiment, the detection unit may detect any one or more of a voltage applied from the battery pack, a temperature overload of any one or more of the battery pack and the module, and a short circuit of a circuit connected to any one or more of the battery pack and the module. The control unit may perform any one or more of the following: when the detected voltage is equal to or higher than the rated voltage of the battery pack, when a temperature overload of one or more of the battery pack and the module is detected, and when a short circuit in the circuit is detected. In this case, the first pyro switch may be opened.

In one embodiment, the control unit opens the first pyro switch when the sensed voltage is equal to or higher than the rated voltage of any one of the one or more modules, and after a predetermined time, the protection element connected to the corresponding module can make it work.

In one embodiment, the protection element may be a fuse that is blown by the control unit when the sensed voltage is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the connected module.

In one embodiment, the protection element may be a second pyro switch that opens when the sensed voltage is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the connected module.

In one embodiment, the predetermined time may be varied by a delay device.

In one embodiment, the sensing unit may be connected outside the module protection circuit.

Meanwhile, a module protection method using a module protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of detecting a voltage applied from a battery pack and the detected voltage being connected to the battery pack through a first pyro switch. When the rated voltage of any one of the above modules is higher than the rated voltage, the step of opening the first pyro switch may be included.

In one embodiment, the detecting may include any one or more of a voltage applied from the battery pack, a temperature overload of one or more of the battery pack and the module, and a short circuit of a circuit connected to one or more of the battery pack and the module. In the case of detecting, in the step of opening, when the sensed voltage is higher than the rated voltage of the battery pack, when a temperature overload of one or more of the battery pack and the module is detected, and when a short circuit of the circuit is detected. In one or more cases, the first pyro switch may be opened.

In one embodiment, the module protection method using the module protection circuit includes, after a predetermined time elapses after the first pyro switch is opened, a protection device connected to the one or more modules and operating based on an overvoltage. An operating step may be further included.

In one embodiment, the protection element may be a fuse that is blown by the control unit when the sensed voltage is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the connected module.

In one embodiment, the protection element may be a second pyro switch opened by the control unit when the sensed voltage is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the connected module.

In one embodiment, the predetermined time may be varied by a delay device.

In one embodiment, the sensing may be performed by a sensing unit externally connected to a module protection circuit including the battery pack, the first pyro switch, and the module.

According to one aspect of the present invention, when the voltage applied from the battery pack is higher than the rated voltage of the module connected to the battery pack, first, after opening the pyro switch connected between the battery pack and the module, A module protection circuit capable of efficiently protecting a module using a protection device having a relatively low rated voltage specification by operating a protection device to protect a corresponding module and a module protection method using the same are provided.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, since a protection element with a relatively low rated voltage specification is used to protect the module, it is possible to configure the protection element with a smaller size and lower cost, thereby making the circuit more efficient. A module protection circuit capable of designing and a module protection method using the same are provided.

1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a module protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a module protection circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a module protection method using a module protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, repeated descriptions, well-known functions that may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, and detailed descriptions of configurations are omitted. Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

Throughout the specification, when a certain component is said to "include", it means that it may further include other components without excluding other components unless otherwise stated.

In addition, the term "unit" described in the specification means a unit that processes one or more functions or operations, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a module protection circuit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a module protection circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

However, the module protection circuit 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is according to each embodiment, and its components are not limited to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and some as needed. Note that elements may be added, changed or deleted.

First, referring to FIG. 1 , the module protection circuit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first pyro switch 110, a module 120, a protection element 130, a detection unit 140, and a control unit. (150) may be included. Components of the module protection circuit 100 will be described in more detail below.

First, referring to FIG. 1 , in the module protection circuit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack 1 and one or more modules 120 are connected with a first pyro switch 110 interposed therebetween. may consist of

At this time, the first pyro switch 110 may serve to conduct or block the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 based on the opening or closing, and the opening and closing of the first pyro switch 110 Note that may be controlled by the control unit 150 to be described later, but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, a protection element 130 for protecting each module 120 from overvoltage may be connected to one or more modules 120 connected to the battery pack 1 through the first pyro switch 110.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 , the protection element 130 may be formed in the form of a fuse 131 that is melted when an overvoltage is applied to protect the module 120 from overvoltage. Meanwhile, in this case, the protection element 130 may be melted by an overcurrent regardless of the control of the controller 150 . However, it should be noted that the protection element 130 is not limited to being formed in the form of the fuse 131 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the protection element 130 may be formed in the form of a second pyro switch 132 that is opened and closed to conduct or block the applied voltage. .

On the other hand, here, the protection element 130 may be formed to satisfy the rated voltage of each connected module 120.

Also, here, the protection element 130 may be rugged or opened and closed by the control unit 150 to be described later, but note that it is not limited thereto.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the sensing unit 140 will be described. The sensing unit 140 is connected to the first pyro switch 110 and one or more modules 120 and is connected to the first pyro switch. 110 and one or more modules 120 may serve to sense the voltage applied to any one or more.

Also, the detector 140 may serve to detect a temperature overload of one or more of the connected battery pack 1 and one or more modules 120 .

In addition, the detector 140 may serve to detect a short circuit of one or more of the battery pack 1 and one or more modules 120 .

At this time, note that the sensing unit 140 of the module protection circuit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to being connected together with the control unit 150 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

For example, the sensing unit 140 may be separately connected outside the module protection circuit 100 .

Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the control unit 150 will be described. The control unit 150 operates the first pyro switch 110 and the protection device 130 based on the voltage sensed by the sensing unit 140. ) can play a role in controlling any one of them.

More specifically, when the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of any one or more modules 120 among the one or more modules 120, the controller 150 first turns the first pyro switch 110 on. After opening, the protection device 130 can be operated.

In addition, when a temperature overload of one or more of the battery pack 1 and one or more modules 120 is detected, the control unit 150 first opens the first pyro switch 110 and then, the protection device 130 ) can be operated.

In addition, the controller 150 first opens the first pyro switch 110 when a short circuit of one or more of the battery pack 1 and the one or more modules 120 is detected, and then, the protection device 130 ) can be operated.

Meanwhile, the control unit 150 opens the first pyro switch 110 when the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 is higher than the rated voltage of any one or more modules 120 among the one or more modules 120, After a predetermined time, the protection device 130 may be operated. In this case, the predetermined time may be varied by a delay element (not shown), but is not limited thereto.

For example, with reference to FIG. 1 , the control unit 150, when the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 is equal to or higher than the rated voltage of one or more modules 120 among the one or more modules 120, the first pyro switch ( 110) is opened, and after 1 ms set by a delay device (not shown), the protection device 130 in the form of a fuse 131 connected to the corresponding module 120 is melted to protect the module 120 from overvoltage. can protect

As another example, referring to FIG. 2 , the controller 150 controls the first pyro switch 110 when the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 is higher than the rated voltage of one or more modules 120 among the one or more modules 120 . ) is opened, and after 2 ms set by a delay device (not shown), the protection device 130 in the form of a pyro switch 132 connected to the module 120 is opened, thereby protecting the module 120 from overvoltage. ) can be protected.

That is, in the case of the module protection circuit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 is higher than the rated voltage of any one of the one or more modules 120, first, the first pyro Since the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 is blocked by opening the switch 110, it is recommended to use the protection element 130 that satisfies the rated voltage of the module 120 rather than the rated voltage of the battery pack 1. It is possible, and since the module 120 is protected from overvoltage using the first pyro switch 110 and the protection element 130, the module 120 can be effectively protected.

Next, FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method for protecting a module using a module protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

However, the module protection method using the module protection circuit shown in FIG. 3 is according to an embodiment, and the process is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and some processes are added, changed, or deleted as necessary. Note that it can be

Referring to FIG. 3, the module protection method using the module protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. First, the sensing unit 140 detects the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 (S301). do. At this time, when the sensed voltage is higher than the rated voltage of one or more of the one or more modules 120, the control unit 150 opens the first pyro switch 110 (S302).

Subsequently, the control unit 150 opens the first pyro switch 110 and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the fuse 131 connected to the corresponding module 120 or the second pyro switch 132 type of protection element Operation (S303) (for example, melting or opening) of step 130 is performed, whereby the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 is cut off (S304).

That is, in the module protection method using the module protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 sensed by the sensing unit 140 is equal to or higher than the rated voltage of one or more of the one or more modules 120. In this case, the first pyro switch 110 connected between the battery pack 1 and the module 120 is opened to block the voltage applied from the battery pack 1, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the protection device 130 ) to protect the module 120 from overvoltage, and because of this, it is possible to use the protection element 130 that satisfies the rated voltage of the module 120, so the size of the protection element 130 It is possible to reduce , and it has the advantage of being able to protect the module 120 using a less expensive protection element 130 .

Meanwhile, it should be noted that the predetermined time may vary based on the configuration of the delay element.

In addition, it should be noted that the role of the sensing unit 140 is not limited to sensing the voltage applied from the battery pack 1 . For example, the detection unit 140 may serve to detect a temperature overload of any one or more of the connected battery pack 1 and one or more modules 120, or the battery pack 1 and one or more modules 120 It may also play a role in detecting any one or more short-circuits.

On the other hand, the control unit 150, when a temperature overload of any one or more of the battery pack 1 and one or more modules 120 is detected by the sensor 140, any one of the battery pack 1 and one or more modules 120 Even when one or more short circuits are sensed, first, the first pyro switch 110 may be opened, and then the protection device 130 may be operated.

However, it should be noted that the foregoing is based on the module protection method using the module protection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the module protection method using the module protection circuit according to the present invention is not limited to the above.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the accompanying drawings and the above description, and various forms of modification are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, and variations in this form will be considered to fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention within the scope that does not violate the spirit of the present invention.

1: battery pack
100: module protection circuit
110: first pyro switch
120: module
131: fuse
132: second pyro switch
140: sensing unit
150: control unit

Claims (14)

A plurality of battery modules each including a protection element and connected in series;
a detector for detecting an anomaly occurring in the battery modules;
A controller provided at the output terminals of the battery modules to control the pyro switch;
The control unit,
When the abnormal phenomenon is detected in a specific battery module, the pyro switch is opened and the protection element of the specific battery module is operated;
the sensor,
A module protection circuit that detects any one of overvoltage, overcurrent, overtemperature, and short-circuit abnormalities. According to claim 1,
The protection element,
A module protection circuit provided in a standard that satisfies the rated voltage of the battery modules. According to claim 1,
The control unit,
When the voltage measured by the sensing unit is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the specific battery module, the pyro switch is opened;
Characterized in that, after a predetermined time, operating the protection element connected to the specific battery module, the module protection circuit. According to claim 3,
The protection element,
When the voltage measured by the sensing unit is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the specific battery module, the fuse is blown by the controller. According to claim 3,
The protection element,
Characterized in that, the module protection circuit is a pyro switch opened by the control unit when the voltage measured by the sensing unit is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the specific battery module. According to claim 3,
The predetermined time is
Characterized in that it is variable by the delay element,
module protection circuit. According to claim 1,
the sensor,
Characterized in that connected outside the module protection circuit,
module protection circuit. Detecting an anomaly occurring in a plurality of battery modules each including a protection element;
controlling a pyro switch provided at output terminals of the battery modules; and
When the abnormal phenomenon is detected in a specific battery, operating the protection device after opening the pyro switch;
The detecting step is
A module protection method using a module protection circuit comprising the step of detecting any one of overvoltage, overcurrent, overtemperature and short circuit. According to claim 8,
The protection element,
Module protection method using a module protection circuit provided in a standard that satisfies the rated voltage of the battery modules. According to claim 8,
The operating step is
opening the pyro switch when the voltage measured from the battery modules is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the specific battery module; and
A module protection method using a module protection circuit, characterized in that it comprises the step of operating the protection element connected to the specific battery module after a predetermined time. According to claim 10,
The protection element,
Module protection method using a module protection circuit, characterized in that the fuse is blown under the control of a control unit when the voltage measured from the battery modules is greater than or equal to the rated voltage of the specific battery module. According to claim 10,
The protection element,
Module protection method using a module protection circuit, characterized in that the pyro switch is opened under the control of a control unit when the voltage measured from the battery modules is equal to or higher than the rated voltage of the specific battery module. According to claim 10,
The predetermined time is
Characterized in that it is variable by the delay element,
Module protection method using module protection circuit. According to claim 8,
The detecting step is
A module protection method using a module protection circuit, characterized in that performed by a sensing unit externally connected to a module protection circuit including the battery module and the pyro switch.