Device and Method for Battery Abnormality Processing

• US 20130200856A1
• Filed: 06/01/2012
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: O2 Micro International Limited (O2 Micro Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: O2 Micro International Limited (O2 Micro Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zhang, Wei
• Application Number:
  US13/486,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20130200856A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/150
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/18 of two or more battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a battery abnormality processing device for processing abnormalities in a battery pack with multiple battery modules. The battery abnormality processing device includes a detecting unit coupled to the battery modules, a comparison unit coupled to the detecting unit and a processing unit coupled to the comparison unit. The detecting unit detects the temperature at each end of each battery module in the battery pack. The comparison unit determines the abnormalities in the battery pack based on the detected temperatures. The processing unit executes an abnormality handling process if an abnormality is determined.

Claims

1. A battery abnormality processing device, for processing abnormalities in a battery pack, the battery pack having a plurality of battery modules, each battery module having two ends, comprising:

a detecting unit, coupled to the battery modules, for detecting temperatures at each end of each battery module in the battery pack;

a comparison unit, coupled to the detecting unit, for determining the abnormalities in the battery pack based on the detected temperatures; and

a processing unit, coupled to the comparison unit, for executing an abnormality handling process if an abnormality is determined.

2. The battery abnormality processing device of claim 1, wherein the comparison unit is configured to:

label a battery module as an abnormal battery module if a temperature difference between two ends of the battery module is greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold;

label a battery module as an abnormal battery module if a temperature on either end of the battery module is greater than or equal to a second predetermined threshold; and

label a battery module which has a higher temperature of two adjacent battery modules as an abnormal battery module if a temperature difference between the two adjacent battery modules is greater than or equal to a third predetermined threshold.

3. The battery abnormality processing device of claim 2, wherein if the comparison unit determines an abnormality in the battery pack, the processing unit is configured to:

stop charging the abnormal battery module if the abnormal battery module is in a charging process; and

stop discharging the abnormal battery module if the abnormal battery module is in a discharging process.

4. The battery abnormality processing device of claim 1, wherein if the comparison unit determines an abnormality in the battery pack, the processing unit further generates a warning signal.

5. The battery abnormality processing device of claim 4, further comprising:

an output unit that outputs the warning signal to indicate that the battery pack is abnormal.

6. The battery abnormality processing device of claim 1, if the comparison unit determines an abnormality in the battery pack, the processing unit controls a speed control module in an electric vehicle to slow down or stop the electric vehicle.

7. An electric equipment comprising:

a battery system having a battery pack for supplying power for the electric equipment, wherein said battery pack comprises a plurality of battery modules, and wherein the battery system comprises;

a battery abnormality processing device, coupled to the battery pack, for determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack based on temperatures at both ends of each battery module in the battery modules of the battery pack and for executing an abnormality handling process if the abnormality is determined in the battery pack.

8. The electric equipment of claim 7, wherein the battery abnormality processing device is configured to:

label a battery module as an abnormal battery module if a temperature difference between two ends of the battery module is greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold;

label a battery module as an abnormal battery module if a temperature on either end of the battery module is greater than or equal to a second predetermined threshold; and

label a battery module which has a higher temperature of two adjacent battery modules as an abnormal battery module if a temperature difference between the two adjacent battery modules is greater than or equal to a third predetermined threshold.

9. The electric equipment of claim 8, wherein if the battery abnormality processing device determines an abnormality in the battery pack, the battery abnormality processing device is configured to:

stop charging the abnormal battery module if the abnormal battery module is in a charging process; and

stop discharging the abnormal battery module if the abnormal battery module is in a discharging process.

10. A method, for handling battery abnormalities in a battery pack having a plurality of battery modules, comprising:

detecting temperatures at both ends of each battery module;

determining if an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack based on the detected temperatures; and

performing an abnormality handling processing if the abnormality has occurred in the battery pack.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining if an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack further comprises:

labeling a battery module as an abnormal battery module if a temperature difference between two ends of the battery module is greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold;

labeling a battery module as an abnormal battery module if a temperature at either end of the battery module is greater than or equal to a second predetermined threshold; and

labeling a battery module which has a higher temperature of two adjacent battery modules as an abnormal battery module if a temperature difference between the two adjacent battery modules is greater than or equal to a third predetermined threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of performing an abnormality handling processing further comprises:

stop charging the abnormal battery module if the abnormal battery module is in a charging process; and

stop discharging the abnormal battery module if the abnormal battery module is in a discharging process.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of performing an abnormality handling processing further comprises:

generating a warning signal if an abnormality is determined in the battery pack.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

outputting the warning signal to indicate that the battery pack is abnormal.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of performing an abnormality handling processing further comprises:

controlling a speed control module in an electric vehicle to slow down or stop the electric vehicle.