KR20180026947A - Power supply circuit, and battery pack including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A power supply circuit and a battery pack and an electric vehicle including the same are disclosed. The power supply circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention is for a battery pack including a first battery module and a second battery module configured to be mutually serially connected. The power supply circuit includes a first main switch for opening/closing a current path through a first main power line connecting the positive terminal of the first battery module and the positive terminal of a load; a first emergency switch for opening/closing a current path through a first sub power line connecting the positive terminal of the second battery module and the positive terminal of the load; and a control part for determining whether each of the first battery module and the second battery module is in a normal state and separately controlling the first main switch and the first emergency switch. It is possible to selectively remove some battery cells from the battery pack.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a power supply circuit,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a power supply circuit and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a power supply circuit capable of selectively using only a battery cell in a normal state when a part of a plurality of battery cells included in the battery pack is in an abnormal state A power supply circuit for maintaining a power supply to a load, and a battery pack including the same.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, video cameras, and portable telephones has rapidly increased, and electric vehicles, storage batteries for energy storage, robots, and satellites have been developed in earnest. Researches are being actively conducted.

Among the commercially available batteries, there are nickel cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among them, lithium batteries have almost no memory effect compared with nickel-based batteries, It is very popular because it has very low energy density.

The minimum unit of the battery may be referred to as a battery cell, and a plurality of battery cells connected in series may constitute a battery module. In addition, a plurality of battery modules may be connected in series or in parallel to constitute a battery pack.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] A battery pack mounted on an electric vehicle or the like generally includes a plurality of battery modules connected to each other in series or in parallel. The state of each battery module included in the battery pack and the battery cells included therein is monitored by a controller equipped with a battery management system (BMS). The controller may output a signal for controlling a balancing operation, a cooling operation, a charging operation, a discharging operation, and the like based on the monitored state.

On the other hand, the individual battery modules and / or the battery cells included in the battery pack may deviate from the normal state due to various causes such as a use environment or an external impact. The 'steady state' means a state in which the charging operation and the discharging operation can be performed without a safety problem. At this time, the battery cell that is out of the normal state may be said to be in an 'abnormal state'. For example, when the battery cell is overheated, overcharged, or overdischarged, it may be said to be in an abnormal state. As another example, when the power line connected to the battery cell is disconnected, the battery cell is in an abnormal state regardless of the abnormality of the battery cell itself.

(Hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) and Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2013-0040575 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) Have been disclosed. Patent Document 1 discloses an emergency running control method for an electric vehicle that enters an emergency running mode when a failure occurs in a battery, thereby limiting the maximum speed and running distance of the vehicle. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for determining whether or not each of a plurality of batteries has failed.

According to Patent Documents 1 and 2, the safety problem due to the failure of the battery cell can be solved to some extent. However, there is a limitation that the failed battery must be continuously used for the emergency running according to the patent document 1. In addition, Patent Document 2 only provides a method for detecting a failure based on the internal pressure of each battery cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been conceived to solve the problems as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to separately determine whether a plurality of battery cells included in a battery pack are in a normal state, selectively remove some battery cells in an abnormal state from a battery pack And a battery pack including the same.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited thereto. It is also to be understood that the objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations thereof.

Various embodiments of the present invention for achieving the above object are as follows.

A power supply circuit according to an aspect of the present invention is for a battery pack including a first battery module and a second battery module configured to be connected in series to each other and includes a positive terminal of the first battery module and a positive terminal of the load A first main switch for opening / closing a current path through a first main power line connecting the first main switch and the second main switch; A first emergency switch for opening and closing a current path through a first sub power line connecting a positive terminal of the second battery module and a positive terminal of the load; And a controller for determining whether each of the first battery module and the second battery module is in a normal state and separately controlling the first main switch and the first emergency switch. The control unit turns off the first emergency switch while allowing the first main switch to turn on when it is determined that all the battery cells included in the first battery module are in a normal state. If it is determined that all the battery cells included in the first battery module are in an abnormal state, the first main switch is turned off and the first emergency switch is turned on. In this case, the first battery module includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell configured to be connected to each other in series. In addition, the second battery module includes a third battery cell and a fourth battery cell configured to be connected to each other in series.

A second main switch for opening and closing a current path through a second main power line connecting the negative terminal of the second battery module and the negative terminal of the load; And

And a second emergency switch for opening and closing a current path through a second sub power line connecting the negative terminal of the first battery module and the negative terminal of the load. In this case, if it is determined that all the battery cells included in the second battery module are in a normal state, the control unit may turn off the second emergency switch while allowing the second main switch to turn on. If it is determined that all the battery cells included in the second battery module are in an abnormal state, the second main switch may be turned off and the second emergency switch may be turned on.

A first cell removing circuit configured to selectively disconnect at least one of the plurality of battery cells included in the first battery module from the first battery module, the first cell removing circuit including a plurality of switches; And a second cell removing circuit configured to selectively disconnect at least one of the plurality of battery cells included in the second battery module from the second battery module, the plurality of switches including a plurality of switches. In this case, the control unit can individually control the plurality of switches included in the first cell removing circuit and the plurality of switches included in the second cell removing circuit.

According to an embodiment, the first cell removing circuit may include: a first serial switch connected between a positive terminal of the first battery module and a positive terminal of the first battery cell; A second serial switch connected between a negative terminal of the first battery cell and a positive terminal of the second battery cell; A first parallel switch connected to a positive terminal of the first battery module and a negative terminal of the first battery cell; And a second parallel switch connected to the negative terminal of the first battery cell and the negative terminal of the second battery cell. In this case, if it is determined that only the first battery cell among the first battery cell and the second battery cell is in an abnormal state, the control unit turns off the first serial switch and the second parallel switch, 2 serial switch and the first parallel switch. If it is determined that only the second battery cell among the first battery cell and the second battery cell is in an abnormal state, the second serial switch and the first parallel switch are turned off, The second parallel switch can be turned on.

According to another embodiment, the first cell removing circuit may include a fifth serial switch connected between the negative terminal of the first battery cell and the positive terminal of the second battery cell; A sixth serial switch connected between the negative terminal of the second battery cell and the negative terminal of the first battery module; A fifth parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the first battery module and the positive terminal of the second battery cell; And a sixth parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the second battery cell and the negative terminal of the first battery module. In this case, if it is determined that only the first battery cell among the first battery cell and the second battery cell is in an abnormal state, the control unit turns off the fifth serial switch and the sixth parallel switch, 6 serial switch and the fifth parallel switch. If it is determined that only the second battery cell among the first battery cell and the second battery cell is in an abnormal state, the sixth serial switch and the fifth parallel switch are turned off, and the fifth serial switch and the fifth serial switch The sixth parallel switch can be turned on.

According to an embodiment, the second cell removing circuit may include: a third serial switch connected between the positive terminal of the second battery module and the positive terminal of the third battery cell; A fourth serial switch connected between a negative terminal of the third battery cell and a positive terminal of the fourth battery cell; A third parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the second battery module and the negative terminal of the third battery cell; And a fourth parallel switch connected to the negative terminal of the third battery cell and the negative terminal of the fourth battery cell. In this case, if it is determined that only the third battery cell among the third battery cell and the fourth battery cell is in an abnormal state, the controller turns off the third and fourth parallel switches, 4 serial switch and the third parallel switch. If it is determined that only the fourth battery cell among the third battery cell and the fourth battery cell is in an abnormal state, the fourth serial switch and the third parallel switch are turned off, The fourth parallel switch can be turned on.

According to another embodiment, the second cell removing circuit may include: a seventh serial switch connected between the negative terminal of the third battery cell and the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell; An eighth serial switch connected between the negative terminal of the fourth battery cell and the negative terminal of the second battery module; A seventh parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the second battery module and the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell; And an eighth parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell and the negative terminal of the second battery module. In this case, if it is determined that only the third battery cell among the third battery cell and the fourth battery cell is in an abnormal state, the control unit turns off the seventh and eighth parallel switches, 8 serial switch and the seventh parallel switch can be turned on. If it is determined that only the fourth battery cell among the third battery cell and the fourth battery cell is in an abnormal state, the seventh and eighth serial switches and the seventh parallel switch are turned off, The eighth parallel switch can be turned on.

The battery pack according to another aspect of the present invention includes the power supply circuit.

An electric vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes a fraudulent battery pack.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to individually determine whether the plurality of battery cells included in the battery pack are in a normal state, and to selectively remove some battery cells in an abnormal state from the battery pack.

In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, power supply to the load can be maintained using the battery cells other than the battery cells in an abnormal state among a plurality of battery cells included in the battery pack. Accordingly, even if some of the battery cells included in the battery pack are in an abnormal state, continuous power supply to the load is possible, so that a risk of sudden power cutoff in an electric vehicle or the like can be prevented.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description of the invention given below, serve to further the understanding of the technical idea of the invention. And should not be construed as limiting.
1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an electric vehicle including a battery pack and a power supply circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 2 to 4 are diagrams referred to explain the operation performed by the power supply circuit shown in Fig. 1. Fig.
5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a power supply circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the first cell removing circuit and the second cell removing circuit shown in FIG.
9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a power supply circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams referred to explain the operation of the third cell removing circuit and the fourth cell removing circuit shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary terms, and the inventor should appropriately interpret the concepts of the terms appropriately It should be construed as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that it can be defined.

Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, It is to be understood that equivalents and modifications are possible.

In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as "comprising ", it means that it can include other elements, not excluding other elements unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, the term " control unit " as described in the specification means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, and may be implemented by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

In addition, throughout the specification, when a portion is referred to as being "connected" to another portion, it is not necessarily the case that it is "directly connected", but also "indirectly connected" .

Terms including ordinals, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to these terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

Hereinafter, a power supply circuit and a battery pack including the same according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electric vehicle 1 including a battery pack 10 and a power supply circuit 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, an electric vehicle 1 includes a battery pack 10, a load 20, a first main power line 110, a second main power line 120, a first sub power line 130, A second sub-power line 140 and a power supply circuit 30.

The battery pack 10 may include a plurality of battery modules 11 and 12 configured to be connectable to each other in series. Each battery module may include a plurality of battery cells configured to be connectable to each other in series. Each battery cell may be the smallest unit of a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydride battery, a nickel zinc battery, or the like. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the battery pack 10 includes only the first battery module 11 and the second battery module 12 configured to be connected in series to each other.

The load 20 is a device configured to be driven by receiving power from the battery pack 10. The load 20 is provided with a positive electrode terminal 20a connected to the positive electrode terminal 10a of the battery pack 10 and a negative electrode terminal 20b connected to the negative electrode terminal 10b of the battery pack 10. [ According to an embodiment, the load 20 may include a link capacitor 21, an inverter 22 and an electric motor 23. Both ends of the link capacitor 21 are individually connected to the positive terminal 20a and the negative terminal 20b. The inverter 22 can supply electric power to the electric motor 23 through the electric line. For example, the inverter 22 can convert the DC voltage supplied from the battery pack 10 into an AC voltage and supply it to the electric motor 23. [

The first main power line 110 is configured to connect the positive terminal 11a of the first battery module 11 and the positive terminal 20a of the load 20. The first battery module 11 may have the highest electric potential among the battery modules included in the battery pack 10. In this case, the potentials of the positive electrode terminal 11a of the first battery module 11 and the positive electrode terminal 10a of the battery pack 10 may be substantially the same.

The second main power line 120 is configured to connect the negative terminal 12b of the second battery module 12 and the negative terminal 20b of the load 20. [ The second battery module 12 may have the lowest potential among the battery modules included in the battery pack 10. In this case, the potentials of the negative terminal 12b of the second battery module 12 and the negative terminal 10b of the battery pack 10 may be substantially the same.

The first sub power line 130 is configured to connect the positive terminal 12a of the second battery module 12 and the positive terminal 20a of the load 20. [

The second sub power line 140 is configured to connect the negative terminal 11b of the first battery module 11 and the negative terminal 20b of the load 20. [

The power supply circuit 30 includes a sensing unit 200, a first main switch 111, a second main switch 121, a first emergency switch 131, a second emergency switch 141, a precharge circuit 150 And a control unit 300. [0029]

The sensing unit 200 may be physically and / or electrically connected to the battery pack 10 to measure parameters related to the battery pack 10. Specifically, the sensing unit 200 can measure at least one or more kinds of parameters that vary according to the state of the battery pack 10, the battery modules 11 and 12, and the battery cell at predetermined intervals. For example, parameters measurable by the sensing unit 200 include voltage, current, temperature, or pressure. The sensing unit 200 may provide measurement data D indicating the measured result to the control unit 300 to be described later. The sensing unit 200 may be configured to be capable of measuring a voltage applied between the terminals 20a and 20b of the link capacitor 21. [ 1, the sensing unit 200 is physically separated from the battery pack 10. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, at least one sensor included in the sensing unit 200 may be directly mounted on the battery pack 10.

The first main switch 111 is configured to open and close a current path through the first main power line 110. In this case, both ends of the first main switch 111 are respectively connected to the positive terminal 10a of the battery pack 10, and the first main switch 111 is connected to the first main power line 110. [ And the positive terminal 20a of the load 20. [ The battery pack 10 and the load 20 can be electrically connected or disconnected from each other by the first main switch 111. [

The second main switch 121 is configured to open and close a current path through the second main power line 120. In this case, both ends of the second main switch 121 are respectively connected to the negative terminal 10b of the battery pack 10, and the second main switch 121 is connected to the second main power line 120. In this case, And the negative terminal 20b of the load 20. [ The battery pack 10 and the load 20 can be electrically connected or disconnected from each other by the second main switch 121. [

The first emergency switch 131 is configured to open and close a current path through the first sub power line 130. The first emergency switch 131 may be provided in the first sub power line 130. In this case, both ends of the first emergency switch 131 are connected to the positive terminal of the second battery module 12 12a of the load 20 and the positive terminal 20a of the load 20.

The second emergency switch 141 is configured to open and close the current path through the second sub power line 140. Specifically, the second emergency switch 141 may be provided in the second sub power line 140, in which case both ends of the second emergency switch 141 are connected to the negative terminal of the first battery module 11 11b of the load 20 and the negative terminal 20b of the load 20, respectively.

The precharge circuit 150 may include a precharge switch 151 and a precharge resistor 152 connected in series with each other. The precharge circuit 150 may be connected to the first main switch 111 in parallel.

The precharge circuit 150 can precharge the link capacitor 21 to suppress the inrush current due to the difference between the voltage across the battery pack 10 and the voltage across the load 20. [ Specifically, when the precharge switch 151 is turned on in the state where the first main switch 111 is turned off, precharging is performed on the link capacitor 21 by a limited current while passing through the precharge resistor 152 .

The first main switch 111, the second main switch 121, the first emergency switch 131, the second emergency switch 141 and the precharge switch 151 described above are electrically connected to an electronic contactor, a relay, a MOSFET , A thyristor, and the like, or a combination of two or more of them.

The control unit 300 individually controls the operation positions of the first main switch 111, the precharge switch 151, the second main switch 121, the first emergency switch 131 and the second emergency switch 141 Lt; / RTI > Each of the first main switch 111, the precharge switch 151, the second main switch 121, the first emergency switch 131 and the second emergency switch 141 responds to a signal output from the control unit 300 So as to be switchable from any one of the open position and the closed position to the other. The control unit 300 may be referred to as a " controller ".

The control unit 300 may include a first control module 310, a second control module 320, and a memory 330. The first control module 310 and the second control module 320 may each include at least one microprocessor. The microprocessor may be implemented in hardware as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) Micro-controllers, and other electronic units for performing other functions.

The first control module 310 monitors the state of the battery pack 10 based on the measurement data D provided from the sensing unit 200. The first control module 310 may include at least one battery management system (BMS), and each BMS may include at least one of the battery modules 11 and 12 included in the battery pack 10. [ You can monitor the status. Also, the first control module 310 may monitor the status of each battery cell included in each battery module 11, 12.

Also, the first control module 310 can determine the states of the battery pack 10, the battery module, and the battery cell, respectively, based on the data provided from the sensing unit 200. For example, the first control module 310 can determine the state of each of the battery pack 10, the battery module, and the battery cell as either a normal state or an abnormal state.

In addition, the first control module 310 can calculate an abnormal level indicating the degree of abnormality of the battery cell determined to be in an abnormal state. At this time, the more the battery cell deviates from the normal state, the more the abnormal level calculated for the battery cell increases. Also, the first control module 310 may calculate an abnormal level of each of the battery modules 11 and 12 based on a result of synthesizing the abnormal levels of the battery cells.

As an example, suppose that an appropriate temperature range for ensuring normal operation of the battery cell is set to 10 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less. If the temperature of the first battery cell included in the battery pack 10 is measured to be between 40 degrees and 45 degrees or between 5 degrees and 10 degrees, the first control module 310 determines whether the first battery cell has an abnormal level of '1 Can be computed. On the other hand, when the temperature of the first battery cell is between 45 and 50 degrees or between 0 and 5 degrees, '2' may be calculated as an abnormal level of the first battery cell.

The first control module 310 may provide diagnostic data to the second control module 320 indicating the result of monitoring for the battery pack 10, the battery modules 11, 12, or the battery cells, respectively.

The second control module 320 controls the first main switch 111, the precharge switch 151, the second main switch 121, the first main switch 111, the second main switch 121, and the second main switch 121 based on the diagnosis data provided from the first control module 310. [ And is configured to output a signal for separately controlling the emergency switch 131 and the second emergency switch 141. Specifically, the first main switch 111 can be turned on or off in response to the first signal S1. The second main switch 121 may be turned on or off in response to the second signal S2. The first emergency switch 131 can be turned on or off in response to the third signal S3. The second emergency switch 141 can be turned on or off in response to the fourth signal S4. The precharge switch 151 may be turned on or off in response to the fifth signal S5.

The memory 330 may store various data and instructions required for the overall operation of the power supply circuit 30. [ The first control module 310 may execute a process for determining whether each battery module and / or the battery cell included in the battery pack 10 is in a normal state by referring to data and an instruction stored in the memory 330 have. The second control module 320 also refers to the data and the commands stored in the memory 330 so that the first main switch 111, the second main switch 121, the first emergency switch 131, It is possible to output a signal for individually controlling the operation positions of the emergency switch 141 and the precharge switch 151.

The memory 330 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid state disk type, an SDD type (Silicon Disk Drive type), a multimedia card micro type a random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and a programmable read-only memory (PROM) And may include at least one type of storage medium.

Figs. 2 to 4 are diagrams referred to explain the operation performed by the power supply circuit 30 shown in Fig. For convenience of explanation, the load 20 shown in Fig. 1 is shown simplified.

2 shows an operation performed by the power supply circuit 30 when it is determined that both the first battery module 11 and the second battery module 12 are in a normal state. At this time, when a battery module is in a normal state, it may mean that all battery cells included in the battery module are in a normal state. Also, the fact that a battery module is in an abnormal state may mean that a predetermined number (e.g., one) of all the battery cells included in the battery module is in an abnormal state.

2, if the first battery module 11 and the second battery module 12 are all determined to be in a normal state, the controller 300 determines that the first sub-power line 130 and the second sub- The first emergency switch 131 and the second emergency switch 141 are turned off in order to cut off the current path through the first emergency switch 140. That is, each of the first emergency switch 131 and the second emergency switch 141 is turned off in response to the third signal S3 and the fourth signal S4 provided from the controller 300.

The controller 300 includes a first main switch 111 and a second main switch 121 so as to form a transmission current path between the first main power line 110 and the second main power line 120, Lt; / RTI > When a power supply request is received from the outside (e.g., the ECU of the vehicle) while the first main switch 111 and the second main switch 121 are allowed to turn on, the control unit 300 controls the first main switch 111 and the second main switch 121. The first signal S1 and the second signal S2 indicate the turn-on of the first main switch 111 and the second main switch 121, respectively. Each of the first main switch 111 and the second main switch 121 is turned on in response to the first signal S1 and the second signal S2 provided from the control unit 300.

Accordingly, the positive terminal 10a of the battery pack 10, the first main switch 111, the load 20, the load 20, the second main switch 121, and the negative terminal of the battery pack 10 It is possible to supply electric power from the battery pack 10 to the load 20 through the current path CF1 made up of the battery cells 10a and 10b.

3 shows an operation performed by the power supply circuit 30 when it is determined that only the second battery module 12 of the first battery module 11 and the second battery module 12 is in a normal state. 3 illustrates a case where the first battery module 11 is in an abnormal state and the second battery module 12 is in a normal state.

3, when the first battery module 11 is determined to be in an abnormal state, the controller 300 cuts off the current path through the first main power line 110 and the second sub power line 140 The first main switch 111 and the second emergency switch 141 are turned off. That is, each of the first main switch 111 and the second emergency switch 141 is turned off in response to the first signal S1 and the fourth signal S4 provided from the controller 300.

The control unit 300 also controls the first emergency switch 131 and the second main switch 121 so that current paths can be formed through the first sub power line 130 and the second main power line 120. [ Allow turn-on. If a power supply request is received from the outside (e.g., the ECU of the vehicle) while the first emergency switch 131 and the second main switch 121 are turned on, the control unit 300 controls the first emergency switch And a third signal S3 and a second signal S2 for instructing turn-on of the first main switch 131 and the second main switch 121, respectively. Each of the first emergency switch 131 and the second main switch 121 is turned on in response to the third signal S3 and the second signal S2 provided from the control unit 300. [

Accordingly, the positive terminal 12a of the second battery module 12 → the first emergency switch 131 → the load 20 → the second main switch 121 → the negative terminal 12b of the second battery module 12 It is possible to supply power from the second battery module 12 to the load 20 through the current path CF2 formed by the first battery module 12 and the second battery module 12. [

4 shows an operation performed by the power supply circuit 30 when only the first one of the first battery module 11 and the second battery module 12 is determined to be in a normal state. That is, FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the first battery module 11 is in a normal state and the second battery module 12 is in an abnormal state.

4, when the second battery module 12 is determined to be in an abnormal state, the controller 300 disconnects the current path through the second main power line 120 and the first sub power line 130 The second main switch 121 and the first emergency switch 131 are turned off. That is, each of the second main switch 121 and the first emergency switch 131 is turned off in response to the second signal S2 and the third signal S3 provided from the control unit 300.

The control unit 300 also controls the operation of the first main switch 111 and the second emergency switch 141 so that a current path can be formed through the first main power line 110 and the second sub power line 140. [ Allow turn-on. When a power supply request is received from the outside (e.g., the ECU of the vehicle) while the first main switch 111 and the second emergency switch 141 are allowed to turn on, the control unit 300 controls the first main switch 111 and the second emergency switch 141. The first signal S1 and the fourth signal S4 indicate the turn-on of the first emergency switch 111 and the second emergency switch 141, respectively. Each of the first main switch 111 and the second emergency switch 141 is turned on in response to the first signal S1 and the fourth signal S4 provided from the control unit 300. [

Accordingly, the positive terminal 11a of the first battery module 11 → the first main switch 111 → the load 20 → the second emergency switch 141 → the negative terminal 11b of the first battery module 11 It becomes possible to supply electric energy from the first battery module 11 to the load 20 through the current path CF3 formed of the current path CF2.

1 to 4, the second main switch 121, the second sub power line 140, and the second emergency switch 141 may be omitted from the power supply circuit 30 . If the power supply circuit 30 is implemented not to include the second main switch 121, the second sub power line 140 and the second emergency switch 141, The main switch 111, the first emergency switch 131, and the precharge switch 151, respectively.

5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the power supply circuit 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 1, the power supply circuit 30 is different only in that it further includes a first cell removal circuit and a second cell removal circuit, so that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and the first cell removal circuit and the second cell removal circuit The second cell removing circuit will be mainly described.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first battery module 11 includes a first battery cell B1 and a second battery cell B2. The first cell removal circuit includes a plurality of switches SS1, SS2, SP1 and SP2 and at least one of the plurality of battery cells B1 and B2 included in the first battery module 11 is connected to the first battery module 0.0 > 11). ≪ / RTI > At this time, the first cell removing circuit can electrically isolate only the battery cell indicated by the signal provided from the controller 300 from the first battery module 11. [ For example, the first cell cancellation circuit can isolate only the battery cells in the abnormal state included in the first battery module 11.

In addition, the second battery module 12 includes a third battery cell B3 and a fourth battery cell B4. The second cell removal circuit includes a plurality of switches SS3, SS4, SP3 and SP4 and at least one of the plurality of battery cells B3 and B4 included in the second battery module 12 is connected to the second battery module 12). ≪ / RTI > At this time, the second cell removing circuit can electrically isolate only the battery cell indicated by the signal provided from the controller 300 from the second battery module 12. [ For example, the second cell removal circuit may isolate only the battery cells in the abnormal state included in the second battery module 12. [

The control unit 300 can individually control the plurality of switches SS1, SS2, SP1, and SP2 included in the first cell cancellation circuit, and the plurality of switches SS3, SS4, and SP3 , SP4) can be individually controlled.

The first cell cancellation circuit may include a first serial switch SS1, a second serial switch SS2, a first parallel switch SP1 and a second parallel switch SP2.

The first series switch SS1 is connected between the positive terminal of the first battery module 11 and the positive terminal of the first battery cell B1. The second series switch SS2 is connected between the negative terminal of the first battery cell B1 and the positive terminal of the second battery cell B2. The first parallel switch SP1 is connected to the positive terminal 11a of the first battery module 11 and the negative terminal of the first battery cell B1. The second parallel switch SP2 is connected to the negative terminal of the first battery cell B1 and the negative terminal of the second battery cell B2.

The control unit 300 can determine whether the first battery cell B1 and the second battery cell B2 are in a normal state. The controller 300 also controls the first serial switch SS1, the second serial switch SS2, the first parallel switch SS2, and the second parallel switch SS2 based on the determination result of the first battery cell B1 and the second battery cell B2. The operating positions of the switch SP1 and the second parallel switch SP2 can be individually controlled.

The first battery cell B1 is electrically disconnected from the first battery module 11 when the first series switch SS1 is turned off and the first parallel switch SP1 is turned on. On the other hand, when the second series switch SS2 is turned off and the second parallel switch SP2 is turned on, the second battery cell B2 is electrically disconnected from the first battery module 11. [

The second cell removal circuit may include a third serial switch SS3, a fourth serial switch SS4, a third parallel switch SP3, and a fourth parallel switch SP4.

The third serial switch SS3 is connected between the positive terminal 12a of the second battery module 12 and the positive terminal of the third battery cell B3. The fourth serial switch SS4 is connected between the negative terminal of the third battery cell B3 and the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell B4. The third parallel switch SP3 is connected to the positive terminal 12a of the second battery module 12 and the negative terminal of the third battery cell B3. The fourth parallel switch SP4 is connected to the negative terminal of the third battery cell B3 and the negative terminal of the fourth battery cell B4.

The controller 300 can determine whether each of the third battery cell B3 and the fourth battery cell B4 is in a normal state. The controller 300 also controls the third serial switch SS3, the fourth serial switch SS4 and the third parallel switch SS4 based on the result of the determination on the third battery cell B3 and the fourth battery cell B4. The operation positions of the switch SP3 and the fourth parallel switch SP4 can be individually controlled.

The third battery cell B3 is electrically disconnected from the second battery module 12 when the third series switch SS3 is turned off and the third parallel switch SP3 is turned on. On the other hand, when the fourth serial switch SS4 is turned off and the fourth parallel switch SP4 is turned on, the fourth battery cell B4 is electrically disconnected from the second battery module 12. [

FIGS. 6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the first cell removing circuit and the second cell removing circuit shown in FIG.

6 shows operations performed by the first cell cancellation circuit and the second cell cancellation circuit when all the first to fourth battery cells B1 to B4 are determined to be in a normal state.

Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 300 may turn on all of the first to fourth serial switches SS1 to SS4. Also, the controller 300 may turn off all of the first to fourth parallel switches SP1 to SP4. Thus, the series connection between the first to fourth battery cells B1 to B4 can be achieved. As a result, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, the first emergency switch 131 and the second emergency switch 141 are turned off by the control unit 300, and the first main switch 111 and the second main switch 111 are turned off, The turn-on of the switch 121 is permitted.

7 shows operations performed by the first cell cancellation circuit and the second cell cancellation circuit when only the first battery cell B1 is determined to be in an abnormal state. That is, FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the second to fourth battery cells B2 to B4 are in a normal state and the first battery cell B1 is in an abnormal state.

7, the controller 300 turns off the first serial switch SS1 and the second parallel switch SP2 and turns on the second serial switch SS2 and the first parallel switch SP1, Can be turned on. The controller 300 may also turn on the third and fourth serial switches SS3 and SS4 and turn off the third and fourth parallel switches SP3 and SP4. have.

Accordingly, the first battery cell B1 is electrically disconnected from the battery pack 10, and the second to fourth battery cells B2 to B4 can be connected in series.

8 shows operations performed by the first cell cancellation circuit and the second cell cancellation circuit when only the second and third battery cells B2 and B3 are determined to be in an abnormal state. That is, FIG. 8 illustrates a case where the first and fourth battery cells B4 are in a normal state and the second battery cell B2 and the third battery cell B3 are in an abnormal state.

8, the controller 300 turns on the first serial switch SS1 and the second parallel switch SP2 and turns on the second serial switch SS2 and the first parallel switch SP1 Can be turned off. The controller 300 may also turn off the third and fourth parallel switches SS3 and SP4 and turn on the third and fourth serial switches SP3 and SS4. have.

Accordingly, the second and third battery cells B2 and B3 are electrically disconnected from the battery pack 10, so that a series connection can be made between the first and fourth battery cells B1 and B4.

9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the power supply circuit 30 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 5, the power supply circuit 30 is different only in that the first cell cancellation circuit and the second cell cancellation circuit are replaced by a third cell cancellation circuit and a fourth cell cancellation circuit, respectively, The third cell removing circuit and the fourth cell removing circuit will be mainly described.

9, the third cell removing circuit includes a plurality of switches SS5, SS6, SP5, and SP6, and at least one of the plurality of battery cells B1 and B2 included in the first battery module 11 The first battery module 11 can be selectively detached from the first battery module 11. At this time, the third cell removal circuit can separate only the battery cells in the abnormal state included in the first battery module 11, based on the signal provided from the control unit 300.

The fourth cell removing circuit includes a plurality of switches SS7, SS8, SP7 and SP8 and at least one of the plurality of battery cells B3 and B4 included in the second battery module 12 is connected to the second battery And may be selectively removable from the module 12. At this time, the fourth cell removal circuit can separate only the battery cells in the abnormal state included in the second battery module 12, based on the signal provided from the control unit 300.

The control unit 300 can individually control the plurality of switches SS5, SS6, SP5, and SP6 included in the third cell cancellation circuit, and the plurality of switches SS7, SS8, and SP7 , SP8) can be individually controlled.

The third cell removal circuit may include a fifth serial switch SS5, a sixth serial switch SS6, a fifth parallel switch SP5 and a sixth parallel switch SP6.

The fifth serial switch SS5 is connected between the negative terminal of the first battery cell B1 and the positive terminal of the second battery cell B2. The sixth serial switch SS6 is connected between the negative terminal of the second battery cell B2 and the negative terminal 11b of the first battery module 11. [ The fifth parallel switch SP5 is connected to the positive terminal 11a of the first battery module 11 and the positive terminal of the second battery B2. The sixth parallel switch SP6 is connected to the positive terminal of the second battery cell B2 and the negative terminal 11b of the first battery module 11. [

The control unit 300 controls the fifth serial switch SS5 and the sixth serial switch SS6 based on the result of the determination as to whether the first battery cell B1 and the second battery cell B2 are in a normal state, , The fifth parallel switch (SP5), and the sixth parallel switch (SP6) can be individually controlled.

The first battery cell B1 is electrically disconnected from the first battery module 11 when the fifth series switch SS5 is turned off and the fifth parallel switch SP5 is turned on. On the other hand, when the sixth serial switch SS6 is turned off and the sixth parallel switch SP6 is turned on, the second battery cell B2 is electrically disconnected from the first battery module 11. [

The fourth cell removal circuit may include a seventh serial switch SS7, an eighth serial switch SS8, a seventh parallel switch SP7, and an eighth parallel switch SP8.

The seventh series switch SS7 is connected between the negative terminal of the third battery cell B3 and the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell B4. The eighth serial switch SS8 is connected between the negative terminal of the fourth battery cell B4 and the negative terminal 12b of the second battery module 12. The seventh parallel switch SP7 is connected to the positive terminal of the second battery module 12 and the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell B4. The eighth parallel switch SP8 is connected to the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell B4 and the negative terminal 12b of the second battery module 12.

The control unit 300 controls the seventh serial switch SS7 and the eighth serial switch SS8 based on the result of the determination as to whether the third battery cell B3 and the fourth battery cell B4 are in the normal state, The seventh parallel switch SP7 and the eighth parallel switch SP8 can be individually controlled.

The third battery cell B3 is electrically disconnected from the second battery module 12 when the seventh series switch SS7 is turned off and the seventh parallel switch SP7 is turned on. On the other hand, when the eighth serial switch SS8 is turned off and the eighth parallel switch SP8 is turned on, the fourth battery cell B4 is electrically disconnected from the second battery module 12. [

FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams referred to explain the operation of the third cell removing circuit and the fourth cell removing circuit shown in FIG.

10 shows operations performed by the third cell cancellation circuit and the fourth cell cancellation circuit when only the second battery cell B2 is determined to be in an abnormal state. 11 illustrates a case where the first, third, and fourth battery cells B1, B3, and B4 are in a normal state and the second battery cell B2 is in an abnormal state.

10, the controller 300 turns on the fifth serial switch SS5 and the sixth parallel switch SP6 and turns on the sixth serial switch SS6 and the fifth parallel switch SP5 Can be turned off. The controller 300 may also turn on the seventh and eighth serial switches SS7 and SS8 and turn off the seventh and eighth parallel switches SP7 and SP8. have.

Accordingly, the second battery cell B2 is electrically disconnected from the battery pack 10, so that a series connection can be made between the first, third, and fourth battery cells B1, B3, and B4.

11 shows operations performed by the third cell cancellation circuit and the fourth cell cancellation circuit when only the first and fourth battery cells B1 and B4 are determined to be in an abnormal state. 11 illustrates a case where the first and fourth battery cells B1 and B4 are in an abnormal state and the second battery cell B2 and the third battery cell B3 are in a normal state.

11, the controller 300 turns off the fifth serial switch SS5 and the sixth parallel switch SP6 and turns on the sixth serial switch SS6 and the fifth parallel switch SP5, Can be turned on. The controller 300 may also turn on the seventh and eighth parallel switches SS7 and SP8 and turn off the seventh and eighth serial switches SP7 and SS8. have.

Accordingly, the first and fourth battery cells B1 and B4 are electrically disconnected from the battery pack 10, and a series connection between the second and third battery cells B2 and B3 can be achieved.

The power supply circuit 30 according to the embodiments described above with reference to Figs. 7, 8, 10 and 11 is a battery pack in which some of the plurality of battery cells B1 to B4 included in the battery pack 10 When the cell is determined to be in an abnormal state and the remaining battery cells are determined to be in a normal state, it is possible to supply power to the load 20 using only the battery cells determined to be in a normal state.

According to one embodiment, when all of the battery cells B1 to B4 included in the battery pack 10 are in an abnormal state, the controller 300 determines that the abnormal level of the battery cells B1 to B4 is a predetermined number Only the battery cells may be used to maintain the power supply to the load 20.

Although the battery pack 10 and the power supply circuit 30 are illustrated as being separate from each other in FIGS. 1 to 11, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the power supply circuit 30 may be included in the battery pack 10.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are not only implemented by the apparatus and method but may be implemented through a program for realizing the function corresponding to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, The embodiments can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art from the description of the embodiments described above.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details thereof and that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. And various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to be illustrative, The present invention is not limited to the drawings, but all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications may be made.

1: Electric vehicle
10: Battery pack
20: Load
30: power supply circuit
110: first main power line
120: Second main power line
130: first sub power line
140: second sub power line
111: first main switch
121: second main switch
131: first emergency switch
141: second emergency switch
150: precharge circuit
151: Precharge switch
152: pre-charge resistance
SS1 to SS8: First to eighth serial switches
SP1 to SP8: First to eighth parallel switches
200: sensing unit
300:
310: first control module
320: second control module
330: Memory

Claims (13)

A power supply circuit for a battery pack including a first battery module and a second battery module configured to be capable of mutual serial connection,
A first main switch for opening and closing a current path through a first main power line connecting a positive terminal of the first battery module and a positive terminal of the load;
A first emergency switch for opening and closing a current path through a first sub power line connecting a positive terminal of the second battery module and a positive terminal of the load; And
And a controller for determining whether each of the first battery module and the second battery module is in a normal state and individually controlling the first main switch and the first emergency switch,
Wherein,
Wherein when it is determined that all the battery cells included in the first battery module are in a normal state, the first emergency switch is turned off while allowing the first main switch to turn on,
Wherein when it is determined that all the battery cells included in the first battery module are in an abnormal state, the first main switch is turned off and the first emergency switch is turned on,
The first battery module includes:
A first battery cell and a second battery cell configured to be connectable in series with each other,
The second battery module includes:
A third battery cell and a fourth battery cell configured to be capable of series connection with each other. The method according to claim 1,
A second main switch for opening / closing a current path through a second main power line connecting a negative terminal of the second battery module and a negative terminal of the load; And
And a second emergency switch for opening and closing a current path through a second sub power line connecting the negative terminal of the first battery module and the negative terminal of the load,
Wherein,
Wherein when it is determined that all the battery cells included in the second battery module are in a normal state, the second emergency switch is turned off while allowing the second main switch to turn on,
And turns off the second main switch and allows the second emergency switch to turn on if all battery cells included in the second battery module are determined to be in an abnormal state. The method according to claim 1,
A first cell cancellation circuit including a plurality of switches, configured to be capable of selectively separating at least one of a plurality of battery cells included in the first battery module from the first battery module; And
And a second cell cancellation circuit including a plurality of switches and configured to selectively disconnect at least one of a plurality of battery cells included in the second battery module from the second battery module,
Wherein,
Wherein the plurality of switches included in the first cell cancellation circuit and the plurality of switches included in the second cell cancellation circuit are separately controlled. The method of claim 3,
The first cell cancellation circuit includes:
A first serial switch connected between a positive terminal of the first battery module and a positive terminal of the first battery cell;
A second serial switch connected between a negative terminal of the first battery cell and a positive terminal of the second battery cell;
A first parallel switch connected to a positive terminal of the first battery module and a negative terminal of the first battery cell; And
And a second parallel switch connected to the negative terminal of the first battery cell and the negative terminal of the second battery cell. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein,
Wherein when it is determined that only the first battery cell among the first battery cell and the second battery cell is in an abnormal state, the first serial switch and the second parallel switch are turned off, and the second serial switch and the first Turning on the parallel switch,
Wherein when it is determined that only the second battery cell among the first battery cell and the second battery cell is in an abnormal state, the second serial switch and the first parallel switch are turned off, and the first serial switch and the second A power supply circuit for turning on a parallel switch. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the second cell cancellation circuit comprises:
A third serial switch connected between the positive terminal of the second battery module and the positive terminal of the third battery cell;
A fourth serial switch connected between a negative terminal of the third battery cell and a positive terminal of the fourth battery cell;
A third parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the second battery module and the negative terminal of the third battery cell; And
And a fourth parallel switch connected to the negative terminal of the third battery cell and the negative terminal of the fourth battery cell. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein,
The third serial switch and the fourth parallel switch are turned off when it is determined that only the third battery cell among the third battery cell and the fourth battery cell is in an abnormal state, Turning on the parallel switch,
The fourth serial switch and the third parallel switch are turned off when it is determined that only the fourth battery cell among the third battery cell and the fourth battery cell is in an abnormal state, A power supply circuit for turning on a parallel switch. The method of claim 3,
The first cell cancellation circuit includes:
A fifth serial switch connected between a negative terminal of the first battery cell and a positive terminal of the second battery cell;
A sixth serial switch connected between the negative terminal of the second battery cell and the negative terminal of the first battery module;
A fifth parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the first battery module and the positive terminal of the second battery cell; And
And a sixth parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the second battery cell and the negative terminal of the first battery module. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein,
And turns off the fifth serial switch and the sixth parallel switch when it is determined that only the first battery cell among the first battery cell and the second battery cell is in an abnormal state, Turning on the parallel switch,
And turns off the sixth serial switch and the fifth parallel switch when it is determined that only the second battery cell among the first battery cell and the second battery cell is in an abnormal state, A power supply circuit for turning on a parallel switch. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the second cell cancellation circuit comprises:
A seventh serial switch connected between the negative terminal of the third battery cell and the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell;
An eighth serial switch connected between the negative terminal of the fourth battery cell and the negative terminal of the second battery module;
A seventh parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the second battery module and the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell; And
And an eighth parallel switch connected to the positive terminal of the fourth battery cell and the negative terminal of the second battery module. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein,
And turns off the seventh serial switch and the eighth parallel switch when it is determined that only the third battery cell among the third battery cell and the fourth battery cell is in an abnormal state and turns on the eighth serial switch and the seventh Turning on the parallel switch,
And turns off the eighth serial switch and the seventh parallel switch when it is determined that only the fourth battery cell out of the third battery cell and the fourth battery cell is in an abnormal state and turns on the seventh serial switch and the eighth A power supply circuit for turning on a parallel switch. A power supply circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 11;
. The battery pack according to claim 12,
The electric vehicle.

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