Battery control device and short-circuit detection method thereof

An abnormal cell detection device, comprising:

• a voltage detector to detect a cell voltage of each of a plurality of cells included in a battery pack;
• and
• a battery management system including at least one processor configured to:
• receive one or more first signals from the voltage detector during a first rest period in which cell balancing of the plurality of cells is permitted, the first signals being indicative of the cell voltage of each of the plurality of cells;
• obtain a first discharge rate of each of the plurality of cells based on cell voltage over time during the first rest period;
• prohibit cell balancing of the plurality of cells if at least one cell having the first discharge rate greater than or equal to a first threshold value is detected;
• receive one or more second signals from the voltage detector during a second rest period in which cell balancing of the plurality of cells is prohibited, the second signals being indicative of the cell voltage of each of the plurality of cells;
• obtain a second discharge rate for at least one cell having the first discharge rate greater than or equal to the first threshold value among the plurality of cells, based on cell voltage over time during the second rest period;
• detect an abnormal cell having the second discharge rate greater than or equal to a second threshold value;
• and
• block charging and discharging of the battery pack if the abnormal cell is detected.

A battery pack including an abnormal cell detection device, the battery pack comprising:

• a voltage detector to detect a cell voltage of each of a plurality of cells included in the battery pack;
• and
• a battery management system including at least one processor,
• wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
• receive one or more first signals from the voltage detector during a first rest period in which cell balancing of the plurality of cells is permitted, the first signals being indicative of the cell voltage of each of the plurality of cells;
• obtain a first discharge rate of each of the plurality of cells based on cell voltage over time during the first rest period;
• prohibit cell balancing of the plurality of cells if at least one cell having the first discharge rate greater than or equal to a first threshold value is detected;
• receive one or more second signals from the voltage detector during a second rest period in which cell balancing of the plurality of cells is prohibited, the second signals being indicative of the cell voltage of each of the plurality of cells;
• obtain a second discharge rate for at least one cell having the first discharge rate greater than or equal to the first threshold value among the plurality of cells, based on cell voltage over time during the second rest period;
• detect an abnormal cell having the second discharge rate greater than or equal to a second threshold value;
• and
• block charging and discharging of the battery pack if the abnormal cell is detected.