Battery management system with over-discharge detection and warning, battery pack comprising the same, and method for protecting a battery from over-discharge
First Claim
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1. A battery management system comprising:
- a recognition unit configured to determine that a battery is in a non-use state if the battery is not in use for a period of time and to generate a recognition signal, wherein the recognition unit is configured to determine that a battery is in the non-use state if the battery current is below a threshold;
a timer configured to receive the recognition signal from the recognition unit and provide elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, wherein the elapsed time of the non-use state includes an elapsed time of neglect after receiving the recognition signal;
a detection unit directly connected to at least the recognition unit and the battery, the detection unit configured to receive the recognition signal and to detect a battery voltage, the battery current and a battery temperature of the battery while the battery is in the non-use state;
an indicating unit configured to compare the battery voltage detected by the detection unit with an over-discharge reference voltage and, if the battery voltage is less than the over-discharge reference voltage, to generate a warning signal and communicate the elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, the battery voltage, the battery current and the battery temperature to a display; and
a memory unit configured to store the battery voltage, the battery current the battery temperature and the elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, wherein the memory unit is directly connected to the detection unit.
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Abstract
A battery management system and a battery pack are disclosed. The battery management system determines that a battery is in a non-use state, and thereafter, detects a battery voltage of the battery. If the battery voltage is less than an over-discharge reference voltage, the system generates a warning signal.
19 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A battery management system comprising:
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a recognition unit configured to determine that a battery is in a non-use state if the battery is not in use for a period of time and to generate a recognition signal, wherein the recognition unit is configured to determine that a battery is in the non-use state if the battery current is below a threshold; a timer configured to receive the recognition signal from the recognition unit and provide elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, wherein the elapsed time of the non-use state includes an elapsed time of neglect after receiving the recognition signal; a detection unit directly connected to at least the recognition unit and the battery, the detection unit configured to receive the recognition signal and to detect a battery voltage, the battery current and a battery temperature of the battery while the battery is in the non-use state; an indicating unit configured to compare the battery voltage detected by the detection unit with an over-discharge reference voltage and, if the battery voltage is less than the over-discharge reference voltage, to generate a warning signal and communicate the elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, the battery voltage, the battery current and the battery temperature to a display; and a memory unit configured to store the battery voltage, the battery current the battery temperature and the elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, wherein the memory unit is directly connected to the detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A battery pack comprising:
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a battery including at least one battery cell; and a battery management unit configured to identify a non-use state of the battery if the battery is not used for a period of time, wherein the battery management unit comprises; a recognition unit configured to determine that a battery is in a non-use state if the battery is neither being charged nor discharged for a period of time and to generate a recognition signal, wherein the recognition unit is configured to determine that a battery is in the non-use state if the battery current is below a threshold; a timer configured to receive the recognition signal from the recognition unit and provide elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, wherein the elapsed time of the non-use state includes an elapsed time of neglect after receiving the recognition signal; a detection unit directly connected to at least the recognition unit and the battery, the detection unit configured to receive the recognition signal and to detect a battery voltage, the battery current and a battery temperature of the battery while the battery is in the non-use state; an indicating unit configured to compare the battery voltage detected by the detection unit with an over-discharge reference voltage and, if the battery voltage is less than the over-discharge reference voltage, to generate an over-discharge warning signal and communicate the elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, the battery voltage, the battery current and the battery temperature to a display; and a memory unit configured to store the battery voltage, the battery current, the battery temperature and the elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, wherein the memory unit is directly connected to the detection unit. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of protecting a battery, the method comprising:
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determining that a battery is not in use as a result of the battery current being below a threshold; while a battery is not in use for more than a predetermined period of time, detecting a battery voltage, a battery current and a battery temperature of the battery; if determining that the battery is not in use, providing elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, wherein the elapsed time of the non-use state includes an elapsed time of neglect after determining the battery is not in use; setting an over-discharge reference voltage to be a value greater than a predetermined minimum over-discharge voltage for the battery; comparing the battery voltage with the over-discharge reference voltage; and
,if the battery voltage is less than the over-discharge reference voltage, generating a warning signal and communicating the elapsed time of the non-use state of the battery, the battery voltage, the battery current and the battery temperature to a display. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification