1. A battery module that wirelessly communicates with an upper-level BMS and is inserted into at least one battery module mounting part formed in a battery rack, the battery module comprising: a pressure detection unit provided on a predetermined surface part of the battery module and configured to detect a pressure applied to the predetermined surface part and output a pressure value; a wireless communication unit configured to transmit a pressure detection signal including the pressure value to the upper-level BMS through wireless communication; and a control unit configured to set and register a received ID information as its own ID when the ID information automatically assigned from the upper-level BMS is received.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the pressure detection unit comprises a pressure sensor that outputs different pressure values according to an area to which pressure is applied.

3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the pressure detection unit comprises a plurality of pressure sensing means for outputting pressure values for a plurality of points to which pressure is applied, and a signal processing unit for outputting a series of digital signals by muxing the outputs from the plurality of pressure sensing means.

4. The battery module of claim 2 or 3, wherein the 26 predetermined surface part receives pressure from a pressure generation unit provided corresponding to a portion where the predetermined surface part contacts the battery module mounting part when the battery module is inserted and mounted in the battery module mounting part, wherein the pressure generation unit is provided with a different size or number for each of the battery module mounting part to apply a different pressure to each battery module.

5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein the predetermined surface part is a bottom part of the battery module.

6. An upper-level BMS that wirelessly communicates with at least one battery module mounted in a battery rack, the upper-level BMS comprising: a control unit configured to identify a battery module that has transmitted a pressure detection signal including a pressure value, and automatically assign an ID to the identified battery module based on a reference pressure value corresponding to a battery module mounting part into which each of the battery modules are inserted; an ID information storage unit configured to store a reference pressure value for identifying the battery module and ID information that is automatically assigned in association with the reference pressure values; and an ID assignment information storage unit configured to store ID information that is automatically assigned to the battery module identified by the control unit. 27

7. The upper-level BMS of claim 6, wherein the control unit identifies the battery module based on the reference pressure value stored in the ID information storage unit, and according to a result of comparing the pressure value included in the pressure detection signal and the reference pressure value stored in the ID information storage unit, if the pressure value does not fall within a predetermined range of the reference pressure value, determines that the identification of the battery module has failed, and notifies the battery module of ID assignment failure.

8. The upper-level BMS of claim 6 or 7, wherein when the identification of the battery module fails, the control unit transmits a position adjustment command to the battery module, and terminates the ID assignment procedure for the battery module.

9. The upper-level BMS of claim 6 or 7, wherein the reference pressure value is a value corresponding to a reference value for pressure applied by a pressure generation unit provided in the battery module mounting part, wherein in order to identify the battery module inserted into the battery module mounting part, the reference value is a different value for each of the pressure generation units provided in the battery module mounting part.

10. An automatic ID assignment system of a battery module comprising: 28 a batter module including: a pressure detection unit provided on a predetermined surface part of a battery module and configured to detect a pressure applied to the predetermined surface part and output a pressure value; a wireless communication unit configured to transmit a pressure detection signal including the pressure value to the upper-level BMS through wireless communication; and when ID information automatically assigned from the upperlevel BMS is received, a first control unit configured to set and register the received ID information as its own ID and inserted into a battery module mounting part formed in at least one battery rack; and an upper-level BMS configured to wirelessly communicate with the battery module and including: a second control unit configured to identify a battery module that has transmitted a pressure detection signal including a pressure value, and automatically assign an ID to the identified battery module based on a reference pressure value corresponding to a battery module mounting part into which each of the battery modules are inserted; an ID information storage unit configured to store a reference pressure value for identifying the battery module and ID information that is automatically assigned in association with the reference pressure values; and an ID assignment information storage unit configured to store ID information that is automatically assigned to the battery module identified by the control unit.

11. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 10, wherein the pressure detection unit comprises a pressure sensor that outputs different pressure values according to 29 an area to which pressure is applied.

12. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 10, wherein the pressure detection unit comprises a plurality of pressure sensing means for outputting pressure values for a plurality of points to which pressure is applied, and a signal processing unit for outputting a series of digital signals by muxing the outputs from the plurality of pressure sensing means.

13. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the predetermined surface part receives pressure from a pressure generation unit provided corresponding to a portion where the predetermined surface part contacts the battery module mounting part when the battery module is inserted and mounted in the battery module mounting part, thereby outputting a pressure value corresponding thereto.

14. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 10, wherein the second control unit identifies the battery module based on the reference pressure value stored in the ID information storage unit, and according to a result of comparing the pressure value included in the pressure detection signal and the reference pressure value stored in the ID information storage unit, if the pressure value does not fall within a predetermined range of the reference pressure value, determines that the identification of the battery module has failed, and notifies the battery module of ID assignment failure. 30

15. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 10 or 11, wherein when the identification of the battery module fails, the second control unit transmits a position adjustment command to the battery module, and terminates the ID assignment procedure for the battery module.

FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“AUTOMATIC ID ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM AND
METHOD FOR BATTERY MODULE”
LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD., of Tower 1, 108, Yeoui-daero,
Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07335, Republic of Korea
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
2
【DESCRIPTION】
【Invention Title】
AUTOMATIC ID ASSIGNMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BATTERY
MODULE
【Technical Field】
Mutual citations with related applications
The present invention claims the benefit of priority
based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0095019
filed on August 5, 2019, and includes all contents
disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent
application as part of this specification.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system in which an
upper-level BMS automatically assigns an ID to a lowerlevel BMS in the same battery rack.
【Background Art】
Recently, research and development on secondary
batteries have been actively conducted. Here, the secondary
batteries, as batteries that can be charged and discharged,
mean that they include conventional Ni/Cd batteries and
Ni/MH batteries, and recent lithium ion batteries. Among
the secondary batteries, the lithium ion battery has an
advantage that the energy density is much higher than that
of the conventional Ni/Cd battery and Ni/MH battery, and
further, the lithium ion battery can be manufactured with a
tendency of a small size so that it is used as a power
source for a mobile apparatus. In addition, the usage range
of the lithium ion battery extends as a power source for
electric vehicles, so that the lithium ion battery attracts
attention as a next generation energy storage medium.
In addition, a secondary battery is generally used as
3
a battery pack including a battery module in which a
plurality of battery cells are connected in series and/or
in parallel. And, a state and an operation of a battery
pack are managed and controlled by a battery management
system (BMS).
A plurality of battery modules are connected in
series/parallel to form a battery rack, and a plurality of
battery racks are connected in parallel to form a battery
bank. Such a battery bank can be used as an energy storage
system (ESS). Each battery module is monitored and
controlled by the corresponding lower-level BMS. The upperlevel BMS, which is the top-level controller in each
battery rack, monitors and controls each lower-level BMS,
and monitors and controls the entire battery rack status
based on information obtained from the lower-level BMS.
At this time, when the lower-level BMS and the upperlevel BMS of multiple battery racks communicate with each
other wirelessly in the same space, the signal may be
transmitted to a battery rack other than the corresponding
battery rack. Therefore, after the initial installation of
the ESS, each upper-level BMS automatically identifies the
lower-level BMS placed in the same battery rack, so that
there is a problem that it is difficult to assign an ID to
the lower-level BMS.
【Disclosure】
【Technical Problem】
An object of the present invention is to automatically
assign an ID of a lower-level BMS disposed in a
corresponding battery rack by an upper-level BMS disposed
in each battery rack in an ESS including a plurality of
battery racks.
4
【Technical Solution】
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
battery module wirelessly communicates with an upper-level
BMS and is inserted into at least one battery module
mounting part formed in a battery rack, and includes: a
pressure detection unit provided on a predetermined surface
part of the battery module and configured to detect a
pressure applied to the predetermined surface part and
output a pressure value; a wireless communication unit
configured to transmit a pressure detection signal
including the pressure value to the upper-level BMS through
wireless communication; and when ID information
automatically assigned from the upper-level BMS is received,
a control unit configured to set and register the received
ID information as its own ID.
In the battery module according to an embodiment of
the present invention, the pressure detection unit includes
a pressure sensor that outputs different pressure values
according to an area to which pressure is applied.
In the battery module according to an embodiment of
the present invention, the pressure detection unit includes
a plurality of pressure sensing means for outputting
pressure values for a plurality of points to which pressure
is applied, and a signal processing unit for outputting a
series of digital signals by muxing the outputs from the
plurality of pressure sensing means.
In the battery module according to an embodiment of
the present invention, the predetermined surface part
receives pressure from a pressure generation unit provided
corresponding to a portion where the predetermined surface
part contacts the battery module mounting part when the
5
battery module is inserted and mounted in the battery
module mounting part, wherein the pressure generation unit
is provided with a different size or number for each of the
battery module mounting part to apply a different pressure
to each battery module.
In the battery module according to an embodiment of
the present invention, the predetermined surface part is a
bottom part of the battery module.
According to an embodiment of the present invention,
an upper-level BMS wirelessly communicates with at least
one battery module mounted in a battery rack, and includes:
a control unit configured to identify a battery module that
has transmitted a pressure detection signal including a
pressure value, and automatically assign an ID to the
identified battery module based on a reference pressure
value corresponding to a battery module mounting part into
which each of the battery modules are inserted; an ID
information storage unit configured to store a reference
pressure value for identifying the battery module and ID
information that is automatically assigned in association
with the reference pressure values; and an ID assignment
information storage unit configured to store ID information
that is automatically assigned to the battery module
identified by the control unit.
In the upper-level BMS according to an embodiment of
the present invention, the control unit identifies the
battery module based on the reference pressure value stored
in the ID information storage unit, and according to a
result of comparing the pressure value included in the
pressure detection signal and the reference pressure value
stored in the ID information storage unit, if the pressure
6
value does not fall within a predetermined range of the
reference pressure value, determines that the
identification of the battery module has failed, and
notifies the battery module of ID assignment failure.
In the upper-level BMS according to an embodiment of
the present invention, when the identification of the
battery module fails, the control unit transmits a position
adjustment command to the battery module, and terminates
the ID assignment procedure for the battery module.
In the upper-level BMS according to an embodiment of
the present invention, the reference pressure value is a
value corresponding to a reference value for pressure
applied by a pressure generation unit provided in the
battery module mounting part, wherein in order to identify
the battery module inserted into the battery module
mounting part, the reference value is a different value for
each of the pressure generation units provided in the
battery module mounting part.
According to another embodiment of the present
invention, an automatic ID assignment system of a battery
module includes: a batter module including: a pressure
detection unit provided on a predetermined surface part of
a battery module and configured to detect a pressure
applied to the predetermined surface part and output a
pressure value; a wireless communication unit configured to
transmit a pressure detection signal including the pressure
value to the upper-level BMS through wireless
communication; and when ID information automatically
assigned from the upper-level BMS is received, a first
control unit configured to set and register the received ID
information as its own ID and inserted into a battery
7
module mounting part formed in at least one battery rack;
and an upper-level BMS configured to wirelessly communicate
with the battery module and including: a second control
unit configured to identify a battery module that has
transmitted a pressure detection signal including a
pressure value, and automatically assign an ID to the
identified battery module based on a reference pressure
value corresponding to a battery module mounting part into
which each of the battery modules are inserted; an ID
information storage unit configured to store a reference
pressure value for identifying the battery module and ID
information that is automatically assigned in association
with the reference pressure values; and an ID assignment
information storage unit configured to store ID information
that is automatically assigned to the battery module
identified by the control unit.
In the automatic ID assignment system according
another embodiment of the present invention, the pressure
detection unit includes a pressure sensor that outputs
different pressure values according to an area to which
pressure is applied.
In the automatic ID assignment system according
another embodiment of the present invention, the pressure
detection unit includes a plurality of pressure sensing
means for outputting pressure values for a plurality of
points to which pressure is applied, and a signal
processing unit for outputting a series of digital signals
by muxing the outputs from the plurality of pressure
sensing means.
In the automatic ID assignment system according
another embodiment of the present invention, the
8
predetermined surface part receives pressure from a
pressure generation unit provided corresponding to a
portion where the predetermined surface part contacts the
battery module mounting part when the battery module is
inserted and mounted in the battery module mounting part,
thereby outputting a pressure value corresponding thereto.
In the automatic ID assignment system according
another embodiment of the present invention, the second
control unit identifies the battery module based on the
reference pressure value stored in the ID information
storage unit, and according to a result of comparing the
pressure value included in the pressure detection signal
and the reference pressure value stored in the ID
information storage unit, if the pressure value does not
fall within a predetermined range of the reference pressure
value, determines that the identification of the battery
module has failed, and notifies the battery module of ID
assignment failure.
In the automatic ID assignment system according
another embodiment of the present invention, when the
identification of the battery module fails, the second
control unit transmits a position adjustment command to the
battery module, and terminates the ID assignment procedure
for the battery module.
The automatic ID allocation method of the battery
module according to another embodiment of the present
invention includes detecting a pressure applied to a
predetermined surface portion, and transmitting a pressure
detection signal including a pressure value corresponding
to the pressure detected through wireless communication to
an upper-level BMS in at least one battery module inserted
9
into at least one battery module mounting part formed in
the battery rack; identifying a battery module that has
transmitted a pressure detection signal including a
pressure value, and automatically assigning an ID to the
identified battery module based on a reference pressure
value corresponding to a battery module mounting part into
which each of the battery modules are inserted in the
upper-level BMS; storing ID information for the
automatically assigned and identified battery module, and
wirelessly communicating the automatically assigned ID
information to the battery module; and setting and
registering its own ID based on ID information
automatically allocated from the upper-level BMS, and
ending setting the ID in the battery module.
【Advantageous Effects】
According to embodiments of the invention, the upperlevel BMS disposed in each battery rack in the ESS
including a plurality of battery racks automatically
assigns the ID of the lower-level BMS arranged in the
corresponding battery rack, thereby enabling efficient
management of the ESS.
【Description of Drawings】
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a configuration of a
plurality of battery racks in an ESS in relation to an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a battery rack briefly
showing the installation state of an upper-level BMS (BMC)
and a lower-level BMS (CMC) according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a main block diagram of a lower-level BMS
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10
FIG. 4(a) is an example of a configuration of the
pressure detection unit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4(b) is a
view showing an example of a configuration of a pressure
generation unit provided in a battery rack.
FIG. 5(a) is another example of a configuration of the
pressure detection unit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5(b) is a
view showing another example of a configuration of a
pressure generation unit provided in a battery rack.
FIG. 6 is a main block diagram of an upper-level BMS
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic ID
allocation method of a battery module according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an automatic ID
allocation method of a battery module according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
【Best Mode】
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present
invention are disclosed with reference to the accompanying
drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments, and it is to be
understood that the invention includes various
modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives. With
respect to the descriptions of the drawings, like reference
numerals refer to like elements.
Terms used in various embodiments of the present
disclosure are used to describe specific embodiments of the
present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope
of other embodiments. The terms of a singular form may
include plural forms unless they have a clearly different
meaning in the context. Otherwise indicated herein, all the
11
terms used herein, which include technical or scientific
terms, may have the same meaning that is generally
understood by a person skilled in the art. In general, the
terms defined in the dictionary should be considered to
have the same meaning as the contextual meaning of the
related art, and, unless clearly defined herein, should not
be understood as having an ideal or excessively formal
meaning. In any cases, even the terms defined in this
specification cannot be interpreted as excluding
embodiments of the present invention.
In addition, in describing the components of the
embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first,
second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are
only to distinguish the components from other components,
and the nature, sequence, or order of the components are
not limited by the terms. In addition, when a component is
described as being "connected to", "coupled to" or "linked
to" another component, the components may be directly
connected to or linked to each other but it should be
understood that other components may be "connected",
“coupled”, or “linked” between each component.
FIG. 1 briefly shows the configuration of a plurality
of battery racks 100 to 140 in the ESS.
The ESS includes a plurality of battery racks. Each
battery rack includes a plurality of battery modules
connected in series and/or parallel. Each battery module is
monitored and controlled by each lower-level BMS.
In this way, when a plurality of battery racks are
included in one ESS, and wirelessly communicates between
the upper-level BMS and the lower-level BMS in the battery
rack, since wireless communication can be performed between
12
the upper-level BMS in the battery rack and the lower-level
BMS in the other battery rack, after the ESS is initially
installed, it is difficult to identify the lower-level BMS
where each upper-level BMS is located in the same battery
rack. Therefore, in the related art, when initially
installing the ESS, the installer had to manually input ID
information to each lower-level BMS or install the modules
in a predetermined order. In this case, there was a problem
that a mistake may occur in the installation process, and
it may take more time to install. An automatic ID
assignment system and method for a battery module according
to an embodiment of the present invention for solving this
problem will be described later.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a battery rack briefly
showing the installation state of an upper-level BMS (BMC
10) and a lower-level BMS (CMC 22) according to an
embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of
the present invention, the lower-level BMS is included in
the battery module, and the upper-level BMS that monitors
and controls the entire battery rack status based on the
information obtained from the lower-level BMS is
illustrated as being included in the battery power unit
(BPU), but this is illustrative and not restrictive.
At least one of battery module mounting parts 50-1 to
50-n is formed in the battery rack, and rail parts 30-1 to
30-n are provided below the battery module mounting parts
50-1 to 50-n, so that when each of the battery module 20-1
to 20-n is inserted into the battery module mounting parts
50-1 to 50-n, it is stably fitted with the help of the rail
parts 30-1 to 30-n.
Pressure generation units 34-1 to 34-n are provided in
13
a predetermined area of the rail parts 30-1 to 30-n, and at
the bottom of the battery modules 20-1 to 20-n, sensors 23-
1 to 23-n are provided to detect the pressure exerted by
the pressure generation units 34-1 to 34-n, and when
battery modules 20-1 to 20-n are properly inserted and
installed, these sensors 23-1 to 23-n are placed in a
position to detect pressure applied from the pressure
generation units 34-1 to 34-n in contact with the pressure
generation units 34-1 to 34-n.
The sensors 23-1 to 23-n may be pressure sensors that
output a predetermined pressure value according to pressure
detection by changing the resistance according to the
pressure applied by the pressure generation units 34-1 to
34-n, and the pressure generation units 34-1 to 34-n may be
provided in different sizes within each battery module
mounting parts 50-1 to 50-n, as shown in FIG. 2. In this
case, since the pressure applied depends on the size of the
pressure generation units 34-1 to 34-n, the sensors 23-1 to
23-n will output a pressure value of a size that can be
associated with the battery module mounting parts 50-1 to
50-n, so that this pressure value allows identification of
which battery mounting parts 50-1 to 50-n the battery
modules 20-1 to 20-n are inserted into. The sensors 23-1 to
23-n may utilize a force sensitive resistor (FRS) or the
like.
A configuration example of the pressure detection unit
230 including the pressure generation units 34-1 to 34-n
and the sensors 23-1 to 23-n will be described with
reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 below.
In addition, the battery modules 20-1 to 20-n, the CMC
22-1 to 22-n, the sensors 23-1 to 23-n, the rail parts 30-1
14
to 30-n, the pressure generation unit formation areas 32-1
to 32-n, the pressure generation units 34-1 to 34-n, and
the battery module mounting parts 50-1 to 50-n, shown in
FIG. 2, are briefly described as the battery module 20, the
CMC 22, the sensor 23, the rail part 30, the pressure
generation unit formation area 32, the pressure generation
unit 34, and battery module mounting parts 50 except the
case where it is necessary to specify each battery module
in the battery rack. For the function of each component, a
portion directly related to the automatic IP assignment
function of the battery module according to an embodiment
of the present invention will be mainly described.
Meanwhile, the BMC 12 of the BPU 10 shown in FIG. 2
communicates wirelessly with the CMC 22 of the battery
module 20 to monitor and control the state of the entire
battery module. The BMC 12 manages a unique ID for
identifying each CMC 22 for wireless communication with
each CMC 22. And, especially in the embodiments of the
present invention, when a pressure detection signal
including a pressure value is received from each CMC 22,
based on the pressure value, the BMC 12 performs a function
of automatically assigning an ID in connection with the
installation location of the battery module 20 equipped
with the CMC 22.
Next, FIG. 3 is a main block diagram of the CMC 22
according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
4(a) is an example of a configuration of the pressure
detection unit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4(b) is a view
showing an example of a configuration of a pressure
generation unit provided in a battery rack.
First, referring to FIG. 3, the CMC 22 includes a
15
wireless communication unit 21 for transmitting and
receiving signals with the wireless communication unit 14
of the BMC 12 (see FIG. 6) in a wireless communication
method such as Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or Bluetooth, a control unit
24 for transmitting a pressure detection signal to the BMC
12 through the wireless communication units 14 and 21 to
perform a series of control operations for automatically
assigning an ID from the BMC 12, and an ID storage unit 25
for registering and setting the ID assigned by the BMC 12
under the control of the control unit 24 and manages it. In
addition, the CMC 22 may additionally include a module
position automatic adjustment unit 26 for adjusting the
position of the battery module 20 through the rail part 30
under the control of the control unit 24 according to the
position adjustment command transmitted from the BMC 12
when recognition of the battery module has failed, and a
notification unit 28 for warning a failure of the
recognition of the battery module 20 under the control of
the control unit 24 according to the position adjustment
command. In an embodiment of the present invention, the
notification unit 28 may employ a buzzer or an announce
device, a warning lamp, or the like, capable of giving a
visual or audible warning.
Meanwhile, the pressure detection unit 230 is provided
on a predetermined surface part of the battery module 20,
for example, a bottom part, as shown in FIG. 2, and
includes the sensor 23, for example, a pressure sensor in
which the resistance value is changed by the pressure
applied by the pressure generation unit 34 of the rail part
30, and outputs the pressure detection signal corresponding
to the corresponding resistance value to the control unit
16
24.
The pressure detection unit 230 may be configured as
shown in FIG. 4(a) or FIG. 5(a).
Referring to FIG. 4(a), the pressure detection unit
230 is provided with the sensor 23 which is a pressure
sensor whose resistance value varies according to an area
to which pressure is applied by the pressure generation
unit 34, and the analog value outputted according to the
resistance value of the pressure sensor is inputted to the
A/D converter through the ADC terminal and outputted as a
digital value.
In this case, the pressure generation unit 34 is
preferably configured as shown in FIG. 4(b).
That is, the pressure generation unit formation area
32 is formed in the rail part 3 provided in each battery
module mounting parts 50, for example, in a concave shape,
and in order to apply a specific pressure to the sensor 23
so as to specify the installation position of the battery
module in connection with each battery module mounting
parts 50 in the pressure generation unit formation area 32,
different sizes of the pressure generation units 34-1 to
34-4 are formed for the respective battery module mounting
parts 50-1 to 50-4. Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 described on the
left side of FIG. 4(b) indicate the numbers of the battery
module mounting parts 50, and as shown in the same drawing,
it is preferable that a pressure generation unit 34 of a
different size is provided for each battery module mounting
parts 50.
According to the configuration of FIG. 4, when the
battery module 20 is inserted into the battery module
mounting parts 50, the pressure detection unit 230 outputs
17
a pressure value corresponding to the pressure applied by
the area of each size of the pressure generation units 34-1
to 34-4. This pressure value will preferably vary depending
on the battery module mounting parts 50 into which the
battery module 20 is inserted.
Meanwhile, another configuration example of the
pressure detection unit 230 will be described with
reference to FIG. 5(a).
According to FIG. 5(a), as in the configuration
example of FIG. 4, the sensor 23 is provided in the bottom
part of the battery module 20, but in order to detect the
pressure of a plurality of points applied by the plurality
of pressure generation units 341 to 344 formed as shown in
FIG. 5(b), a plurality of sensors 1 to 4 may be configured
in positions corresponding to the positions of the
respective pressure generation unit 341 to 344. The sensor
1 to sensor 4 may be piezo sensors. The number of the
sensors 1 to 4 may vary depending on the number of pressure
generation units, and the number of pressure generation
units may be determined according to the number of battery
module mounting parts 50. When it is composed of four as
shown in FIG. 5(b), it is possible to correspond to the
binary number 1000 (No. 1) to 1111 (No. 15), so that up to
15 (24-1) battery module mounting parts can be
distinguished. Likewise, if five pressure generation units
341 to 345 are formed in the pressure generation unit
formation area 32, up to 31 (25-1) of battery module
mounting parts 50 can be distinguished. Here,
distinguishing the battery module mounting parts 50 may be
used as synonymous with distinguishing the battery module.
According to FIG. 5(b), in a structure in which
18
pressure generation units 341 to 344 can be formed at 4
points, when all pressure generation units 341 to 344 are
formed at 4 points, the pressure generation units 341 to
344 are sensed by the sensors 1 to 4, and the corresponding
current value is applied to the MUX 220, so that the
pressure value corresponding to '1111' is outputted from
the MUX 220 and is identified as '15'. If the pressure
generation units 341 and 343 are formed at 4 points, the
pressure generation units 341 and 343 are sensed by the
sensors 1 and 3, and corresponding current values are
applied to the MUX 220, so that the pressure value
corresponding to '1010' is outputted from the MUX 220 and
is identified as '5'. If the pressure generation units 341
and 342 are formed at 4 points, the pressure generation
units 341 and 342 are sensed by the sensors 1 and 2, and
corresponding current values are applied to the MUX 220, so
that the pressure value corresponding to '1100' is
outputted from the MUX 220 and is identified as '3'. Then,
if only the pressure generation unit 341 is formed at 4
points, the pressure generation units 341 is sensed by the
sensor 1, and corresponding current values are applied to
the MUX 220, so that the pressure value corresponding to
'1000' is outputted from the MUX 220 and is identified as
'1'.
Thus, according to the formation position of the
pressure generation unit 34, the position of the battery
module 20 to be inserted into the battery module mounting
part 50 can be easily identified.
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the main configuration
of the BMC 12 corresponding to the upper-level BMS
according to an embodiment of the present invention will be
19
described.
The BMC 12 according to an embodiment of the present
invention includes a wireless communication unit 14 that
communicates wirelessly with the CMC 22, a pressure value
extraction unit 16 that extracts the pressure value from
the pressure detection signal transmitted from the CMC 22
and transmits it to the control unit 13, an ID information
storage unit 18 that stores a reference pressure value for
identifying a battery module that is inserted and mounted
in each battery module mounting parts 50 of a battery rack
and automatically assigned ID information associated with
the reference pressure value, a control unit 13 that
queries the reference input value from the ID information
storage unit 18 by using the pressure value extracted by
the pressure value extraction unit 16 and searches for an
ID stored in association with the reference input value and
applies it to the ID assignment unit 19, and the ID
assignment unit 19 that automatically assigns and registers
an ID for the CMC 22 transmitting the pressure detection
signal using the searched ID and transmits the
automatically assigned ID to the CMC 22 through the
wireless communication unit 14. In addition, the reference
input value stored in the ID information storage unit 18 is
stored in correspondence with each battery module mounting
parts 50, and the reference input value is preferably
determined in relation to the pressure generation unit 34
provided in each battery module mounting parts 50.
Hereinafter, an automatic ID assignment method of a
battery module according to an embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to the flowchart
shown in FIG. 7.
20
When the battery module 20 is inserted into the
battery module mounting parts 50 by an operator, in the
sensor 23 of battery module 20, the resistance value is
changed due to the pressure applied by the pressure
generation unit 34, so that a pressure value corresponding
to the pressure is generated, and the pressure value is
transmitted to the control unit 24 of the CMC 22. The
control unit 24 generates a pressure detection signal
including the pressure value (S2), and transmits it to the
BMC 12 through the wireless communication unit 21 (S4).
In the BMC 12, when the pressure detection signal is
received through the wireless communication unit 14 (S6),
the pressure value extraction unit 16 extracts the pressure
value from the received pressure detection signal and
transmits it to the control unit 13 (S8).
The control unit 13 searches for ID information from
the ID information storage unit 18 using the extracted
pressure value and transmits it to the ID assignment unit
19 (S10). In operation S10, the control unit 13 searches
for a reference pressure value corresponding to the
extracted pressure value from the ID information storage
unit 18, thereby searching for stored ID information
associated with the reference pressure value.
Subsequently, the ID assignment unit 19 assigns the
searched ID to the battery module 20 that has transmitted
the corresponding pressure detection signal under the
control of the control unit 13 (S12), and wirelessly
transmits the ID assignment information to the battery
module 20 through the wireless communication unit 14 (S14).
Subsequently, in the battery module 20, when ID
assignment information is received through the wireless
21
communication unit 21 (S16), after extracting the ID
assigned to the battery module from the ID assignment
information received by the ID storage unit 25 under the
control of the CMC 22 (S18), the process of storing it in
the ID storage unit 25 and registering and setting it as
its own ID is completed (S20). The CMC 22 of the battery
module 20 that has completed the above-described series of
processes notifies the completion of ID setting to the BPU
10 and ends the automatic ID assignment procedure (S22).
In addition, the BMC 12 of the BPU 10 notified of the
completion of ID setting transmitted from the battery
module 20 also ends a series of automatic ID assignment
procedures.
Hereinafter, an automatic ID allocation method of a
battery module according to an embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to the flowchart
shown in FIG. 8.
When the battery module 20 is inserted into the
battery module mounting parts 50 by an operator, in the
sensor 23 of battery module 20, the resistance value is
changed due to the pressure applied by the pressure
generation unit 34, so that a pressure value corresponding
to the pressure is generated, and the pressure value is
transmitted to the control unit 24 of the CMC 22. The
control unit 24 generates a pressure detection signal
including a pressure value (S2). It is transmitted to the
BMC 12 through the wireless communication unit 21 (S4).
In the BMC 12, when the pressure detection signal is
received through the wireless communication unit 14 (S6),
the pressure value extraction unit 16 extracts the pressure
value from the received pressure detection signal and
22
transmits it to the control unit 13 (S8).
The control unit 13 searches for the reference
pressure value corresponding to the extracted pressure
value from the ID information storage unit 18 to search for
the stored ID information associated with the reference
pressure value (S10). Subsequently, if the control unit 13
succeeds in retrieving the ID information (YES in S30),
under the control of the control unit 13, the ID assignment
unit 19 assigns the searched ID to the battery module 20
that has transmitted the corresponding pressure detection
signal (S12), and then, wirelessly transmits ID assignment
information to the battery module 20 through the wireless
communication unit 14 (S14).
Subsequently, in the battery module 20, when ID
allocation information is received through the wireless
communication unit 21 (S16), after extracting the ID
assigned to the battery module from the ID allocation
information received by the ID storage unit 25 under the
control of the CMC 22 (S18), the process of storing it in
the ID storage unit 25 and registering and setting it as
its own ID is completed (S20). The CMC 22 of the battery
module 20 that has completed the above-described series of
processes notifies the completion of ID setting to the BMC
12 and ends the automatic ID assignment procedure (S22).
In addition, the BMC 12 notified of the completion of
ID setting transmitted from the battery module 20 also ends
a series of automatic ID assignment procedures.
Meanwhile, as a result of searching for the reference
pressure value from the ID information storage unit 18
using the extracted pressure value, if the search of the
stored ID information associated with the reference
23
pressure value fails (No in S30), the control unit 13
determines this as a module recognition failure, notifies
the battery module 20 of the module recognition failure,
and transmits a position adjustment command for the
corresponding module (S32). Here, if the pressure value
does not fall within a predetermined range of the reference
pressure value, this may be determined as the module
recognition failure.
The control unit 24 of the battery module receiving
the position adjustment command from the BMC 12 controls
the module position automatic adjustment unit 26 to adjust
the position of the corresponding battery module 20 through
the rail part 30 (S34), and then, proceeds to operation S2
and performs the process from operation S2 to operation S10
again. Optionally, the control unit 24 that has received
the position adjustment command may alert the battery
module 20 of the recognition failure through the
notification unit 28.
In operation S30 to operation S34, the battery module
whose position is automatically adjusted through operation
S34 is moved to the correct position, and the pressure
value detected by the pressure detection unit 230 falls
within a predetermined range of the reference input value
stored in the ID information storage unit 18, so that it is
repeatedly performed until it is determined in S30 that the
ID information search is successful.
Reference herein to 'one embodiment' of the principles
of the present invention and various modifications of such
expressions means that, in relation to this embodiment, the
specific features, structures, characteristics, and the
like are included in at least one embodiment of the
24
principles of the present invention. Thus, the expression
'in one embodiment' and any other modifications disclosed
throughout the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment.
All the embodiments and conditional examples disclosed
in this specification are described to intend to help those
skilled in the art to understand the principles and
concepts of the present invention, so that it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes
in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered
in descriptive sense only not in limited perspective sense.
The scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed
description of the invention but by the appended claims,
and all differences within the scope will be construed as
being included in the present invention.

We Claim:
1. A battery module that wirelessly communicates
with an upper-level BMS and is inserted into at least one
battery module mounting part formed in a battery rack, the
battery module comprising:
a pressure detection unit provided on a predetermined
surface part of the battery module and configured to detect
a pressure applied to the predetermined surface part and
output a pressure value;
a wireless communication unit configured to transmit a
pressure detection signal including the pressure value to
the upper-level BMS through wireless communication; and
a control unit configured to set and register a
received ID information as its own ID when the ID
information automatically assigned from the upper-level BMS
is received.
2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the
pressure detection unit comprises a pressure sensor that
outputs different pressure values according to an area to
which pressure is applied.
3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the
pressure detection unit comprises a plurality of pressure
sensing means for outputting pressure values for a
plurality of points to which pressure is applied, and
a signal processing unit for outputting a series of
digital signals by muxing the outputs from the plurality of
pressure sensing means.
4. The battery module of claim 2 or 3, wherein the
26
predetermined surface part receives pressure from a
pressure generation unit provided corresponding to a
portion where the predetermined surface part contacts the
battery module mounting part when the battery module is
inserted and mounted in the battery module mounting part,
wherein the pressure generation unit is provided with
a different size or number for each of the battery module
mounting part to apply a different pressure to each battery
module.
5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein the
predetermined surface part is a bottom part of the battery
module.
6. An upper-level BMS that wirelessly communicates
with at least one battery module mounted in a battery rack,
the upper-level BMS comprising:
a control unit configured to identify a battery module
that has transmitted a pressure detection signal including
a pressure value, and automatically assign an ID to the
identified battery module based on a reference pressure
value corresponding to a battery module mounting part into
which each of the battery modules are inserted;
an ID information storage unit configured to store a
reference pressure value for identifying the battery module
and ID information that is automatically assigned in
association with the reference pressure values; and
an ID assignment information storage unit configured
to store ID information that is automatically assigned to
the battery module identified by the control unit.
27
7. The upper-level BMS of claim 6, wherein the
control unit identifies the battery module based on the
reference pressure value stored in the ID information
storage unit, and according to a result of comparing the
pressure value included in the pressure detection signal
and the reference pressure value stored in the ID
information storage unit, if the pressure value does not
fall within a predetermined range of the reference pressure
value, determines that the identification of the battery
module has failed, and notifies the battery module of ID
assignment failure.
8. The upper-level BMS of claim 6 or 7, wherein
when the identification of the battery module fails, the
control unit transmits a position adjustment command to the
battery module, and terminates the ID assignment procedure
for the battery module.
9. The upper-level BMS of claim 6 or 7, wherein
the reference pressure value is a value corresponding to a
reference value for pressure applied by a pressure
generation unit provided in the battery module mounting
part,
wherein in order to identify the battery module
inserted into the battery module mounting part, the
reference value is a different value for each of the
pressure generation units provided in the battery module
mounting part.
10. An automatic ID assignment system of a battery
module comprising:
28
a batter module including: a pressure detection unit
provided on a predetermined surface part of a battery
module and configured to detect a pressure applied to the
predetermined surface part and output a pressure value; a
wireless communication unit configured to transmit a
pressure detection signal including the pressure value to
the upper-level BMS through wireless communication; and
when ID information automatically assigned from the upperlevel BMS is received, a first control unit configured to
set and register the received ID information as its own ID
and inserted into a battery module mounting part formed in
at least one battery rack; and
an upper-level BMS configured to wirelessly
communicate with the battery module and including: a second
control unit configured to identify a battery module that
has transmitted a pressure detection signal including a
pressure value, and automatically assign an ID to the
identified battery module based on a reference pressure
value corresponding to a battery module mounting part into
which each of the battery modules are inserted; an ID
information storage unit configured to store a reference
pressure value for identifying the battery module and ID
information that is automatically assigned in association
with the reference pressure values; and an ID assignment
information storage unit configured to store ID information
that is automatically assigned to the battery module
identified by the control unit.
11. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 10,
wherein the pressure detection unit comprises a pressure
sensor that outputs different pressure values according to
29
an area to which pressure is applied.
12. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 10,
wherein the pressure detection unit comprises a plurality
of pressure sensing means for outputting pressure values
for a plurality of points to which pressure is applied, and
a signal processing unit for outputting a series of
digital signals by muxing the outputs from the plurality of
pressure sensing means.
13. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 11
or 12, wherein the predetermined surface part receives
pressure from a pressure generation unit provided
corresponding to a portion where the predetermined surface
part contacts the battery module mounting part when the
battery module is inserted and mounted in the battery
module mounting part, thereby outputting a pressure value
corresponding thereto.
14. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 10,
wherein the second control unit identifies the battery
module based on the reference pressure value stored in the
ID information storage unit, and according to a result of
comparing the pressure value included in the pressure
detection signal and the reference pressure value stored in
the ID information storage unit, if the pressure value does
not fall within a predetermined range of the reference
pressure value, determines that the identification of the
battery module has failed, and notifies the battery module
of ID assignment failure.
30
15. The automatic ID assignment system of claim 10
or 11, wherein when the identification of the battery
module fails, the second control unit transmits a position
adjustment command to the battery module, and terminates
the ID assignment procedure for the battery module.