Apparatus and method for detecting failure of battery

An apparatus for detecting a failure of a battery, comprising:

• a plurality of cell internal pressure sensors, each provided in a corresponding one of a plurality of battery cells included in a battery, the cell internal pressure sensors each being configured to measure internal pressure of a corresponding one of the plurality of battery cells and generate and transmit pressure signals including internal pressure data corresponding to the measured internal pressure;
• a sensing unit configured to receive the pressure signals from the plurality of cell internal pressure sensors to sense the internal pressure of each of the plurality of battery cells;
• a control logic unit configured to receive the internal pressure data of each of the plurality of battery cells sensed by the sensing unit and determine a battery cell from among the plurality of battery cells having cell internal pressure out of a normal range of the internal pressure of the battery cells as a failed cell;
• a battery control unit configured to control charging or discharging of the other battery cells from among the battery cells of the battery except for the failed cell while the failed cell is repaired or replaced;
• and
• a power control unit configured to assist in supplying power to an external power system coupled to the battery in response to the determination of the failed cell by the control logic unit.