JP2010125907A - State detecting device for battery for starting vehicle engine, battery and vehicle including the same, and method for detecting state of battery for starting vehicle engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for determining the state of a battery, accurately determining an overdischarging alarm by electrical equipment and an overdischarging alarm by dark current of a vehicle by discriminating them from one another in the battery for starting a vehicle engine. <P>SOLUTION: The load state in an engine stopped state is estimated by measuring the voltage (Vb) of the battery, and a determination value for notifying the overdischarging alarm is changed according to the estimated load state. Thus, wrong issuance of the overdischarging alarm in spite of not being overdischarging can be prevented. Also, because the cause of overdischarging becomes noticeable to a user, the user is allowed to react according to the cause. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a state detection device and a state detection method for a starting battery of a vehicle that uses an engine as power.

  In recent years, motorization has become widespread, but the ratio of the failure of the battery for starting the engine to the failure such that the vehicle cannot run is still large. Among them, the majority of cases where the engine cannot be started due to overdischarge of the battery or insufficient charge.

  When such over-discharge or under-charging of the battery occurs, the battery needs to be recharged or replaced, and the vehicle user can not reach the predetermined position at the scheduled date and time. It will cause direct or indirect damage.

  On the other hand, in general engine-driven vehicles, a battery warning light is standardly equipped in the instrument panel, but it is intended to warn of an abnormality in the battery charging system of the vehicle, and an abnormality in the battery itself. Is not a warning.

  Therefore, as a device to notify the user of the abnormality of the battery itself, the battery abnormality is detected by measuring the voltage and internal resistance of the battery, and the result is displayed with an LED on the battery body, or a warning sound is emitted with a buzzer. Products to be generated have been put into practical use.

  In such a battery abnormality detection device, a D / A converter and a microcomputer are used inside, and the battery voltage when the engine is started, when there is no load, or when the engine is stopped or the engine is running is detected. It is known to determine battery overdischarge by measuring a change and comparing it with a predetermined determination voltage or a predetermined voltage change amount.

  For example, the battery voltage under no load, that is, the open circuit voltage of the battery and the state of charge (State Of Charge; hereinafter, abbreviated as SOC. In some cases, the remaining capacity is also referred to as SOC. There is a case where both are substantially the same.) In particular, in the case of a lead battery, the correlation between the open circuit voltage and the SOC has a linear relationship. At the stage where the SOC of the battery has dropped from the open circuit voltage of the battery to an SOC that has a risk of reaching an overdischarge state, an overdischarge state can be warned in advance.

  However, in the battery actually mounted on the vehicle, even when the vehicle is stopped, the battery is discharged by a dark current by the ECU or the like, and the battery is constantly charged and discharged for most of the time while the vehicle is running. It is done. Of course, even when the charge / discharge current to the battery becomes 0 or the charge / discharge is temporarily stopped when changing from charge to discharge or from discharge to charge, the charge / discharge current to the battery is temporarily stopped. Since 0 becomes 0, it is possible to measure the battery voltage at this time as an open circuit voltage.

  However, the battery voltage when the charge / discharge current instantaneously becomes 0 in the middle of charge / discharge includes charge polarization when the current becomes 0 after charge, and the current becomes 0 after discharge. Includes discharge polarization, and the battery voltage at this time includes these polarizations and cannot be said to be an accurate open circuit voltage. Further, the charge voltage or discharge polarization remains in the battery voltage immediately after the charging / discharging has been paused, and thus cannot be said to be an accurate open circuit voltage.

  In Patent Document 1, when a timer is started from the time when charging / discharging is stopped, and the suspension period T is longer than the time Tmax required for the disappearance of polarization, the polarization of the open circuit voltage (OCV) is reduced. It is shown that when the pause period T is less than Tmax without correction, the open circuit voltage (OCV) is corrected according to the pause time T. Then, using the corrected open circuit voltage (OCV), a method for accurately measuring the remaining capacity (SOC) of the secondary battery from the correlation between the open circuit voltage (OCV) and the remaining capacity (SOC) is shown. Yes.

  Using such a method of Patent Document 1, a range of SOC in which the engine can be started is obtained in advance, a threshold value is set to a value slightly higher than the lower limit value, and the SOC of the battery is reduced to this threshold value. If a battery overdischarge warning or a battery shortage warning is issued, the frequency of occurrence of the trouble that the battery cannot be started as described above can be reduced to some extent.

  However, since the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 measures the remaining capacity (SOC) using a so-called rest period without charging / discharging, naturally, the battery rest period is necessary for the implementation of Patent Document 1. It is.

  However, in recent years, there are various types of vehicle electrical components, and even when the vehicle engine is stopped, the frequency at which the battery is “paused” has become extremely low. For example, when various devices of the vehicle are controlled by the ECU, a back-up dark current constantly flows through the ECU.

  In addition to the above-described discharge due to dark current, on the other hand, car navigation systems and car audio (or car audio / visual (car AV)) systems are frequently used when the engine is stopped. Moreover, in the car security system that is becoming popular recently, it is assumed that the engine is stopped (parking state). Even in the car security system, the power consumption and the consumption of the car security system always depend on the model. There are various power patterns.

In order to measure the power consumption pattern, a method using a current sensor has also been proposed. However, the current sensor is expensive, and the operating current range of the battery for starting the vehicle ranges from several hundred A at the start to dark current discharge. Therefore, it was extremely difficult to accurately measure such a wide range of current values with a current sensor.
JP 2001-272444 A

  As described above, even during a vehicle suspension period, the battery is not in an open circuit state, and almost always in the form of use of a battery in which some electrical component load is connected to the battery, due to these electrical component loads, In order to prevent overdischarge of the battery, it is necessary to monitor the state of charge of the battery. And in the stage before the battery charge state falls into the engine start impossible, warning the vehicle user that the charge state of the battery has fallen, to prompt the interruption of the power supply to the electrical components, It is necessary to prompt the battery to be charged by starting the engine. Such countermeasures are performed manually by the user, and a warning signal is generated from the battery state determination device, and control for forcibly cutting off the power supply to the electrical components based on the warning signal is incorporated. Or a control for automatically starting the engine can be incorporated.

  However, as described above, there are the following problems in performing an overdischarge alarm for a battery discharged by various electrical components.

  That is, among the various electrical components as described above, the load on the ECU is almost constant and stable, but other loads, that is, a car navigation system, car audio (or car audio / visual (car audio / car) AV)) Fluctuations in the load of the system and car security system are large, and the battery voltage is not stable. Therefore, when judging the state of charge of the battery from the battery voltage, when waiting until the time when the fluctuation of the battery voltage becomes small enough to estimate the state of charge of the battery, when the battery voltage becomes stable, There is a problem that the battery voltage is already in an overdischarged state. As a countermeasure against such a problem, there is a method of issuing an overdischarge warning when the battery voltage falls below a certain voltage threshold when the battery voltage has decreased, but the load current of the electrical equipment When the battery capacity is larger than the battery capacity, even if the SOC of the battery has a sufficient SOC for starting the engine, the battery voltage falls below the above-mentioned voltage threshold value and an erroneous overdischarge alarm is issued. there were.

  Furthermore, the conventional method for detecting the state of charge of the battery detects the SOC based on the relationship between the battery voltage in the no-load state, that is, the open circuit voltage (OCV) and the SOC, but for example, there is an abnormality in the charging system of the vehicle. In spite of this, when the SOC decreases and the battery is in the overdischarge region, the cause of the overdischarge is (1) For example, the load on the security system is heavy, the engine is stopped, and the car AV is It may be due to other electrical component loads other than the ECU, such as using the system, or (2) due to overdischarge due to an increase in dark current of the ECU, or due to insufficient charging due to low frequency of use of the vehicle I wasn't sure what it was. Regarding cause (1) and cause (2), it can be considered that a current sensor is provided in the battery and the load current is monitored so that the two can be distinguished. While overdischarge can be prevented by alerting the vehicle user, the cause (2) may be on the vehicle side as well as the vehicle usage. Cannot be solved even by the user's attention.

  In view of the above-described situation, the present invention suppresses an erroneous determination that an overdischarge warning is issued when the state of the battery for starting an engine of a vehicle is not in a state where the overdischarge should be warned. When judging a warning, a vehicle engine that can judge whether the cause of the overdischarge warning is due to an excessive load of electrical components or whether the overcurrent is caused by dark current due to low vehicle use frequency It is an object of the present invention to provide a starting battery state determination device and a vehicle engine starting battery state determination method.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a battery state detection device for starting a vehicle engine, comprising voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage (Vb) of the battery, A state where the engine is starting is defined as a vehicle state (1), a state where the engine is completely started and a state where the engine is operating is defined as a vehicle state (2), the engine is stopped, and the battery is stopped. A state where the load of the vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (Ir (where Ir> 0)) is the vehicle state (3), the engine is stopped, and the load of the battery is less than the predetermined value (Ir) Is the vehicle state (4), the state detection device determines whether the vehicle state is the vehicle state (3) or the vehicle state (4) based on the voltage (Vb) of the battery, or vehicle Vehicle state determination means for determining which state is not the state (3) or the vehicle state (4), in the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4), A battery state determination means for determining a discharge warning when the voltage (Vb) of the battery becomes equal to or less than a determination value (Vr), and an output port for issuing a discharge warning signal or a notification means for notifying the discharge warning. And a vehicle engine start battery state detection device in which the determination value (Vr) in the vehicle state (3) is set lower than the determination (Vr) in the vehicle state (4).

  Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine start-up battery state detection device according to the first aspect, the voltage measuring means continuously applies the battery voltage (Vb) at predetermined time intervals (T1). And a minimum voltage value (Vb) of the plurality of voltages (Vb) obtained at a second predetermined time (T2) interval set to an integer multiple of 2 or more of the predetermined time (T1). Vmin), the maximum voltage value (Vmax), or the average voltage value (Vba) is acquired, and the difference (ΔV) between the maximum voltage value (Vmax) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin), or The second difference (ΔV2) given by the difference between the average voltage value (Vba) and the lowest voltage value (Vmin) or the difference between the highest voltage value (Vmax) and the average voltage value (Vba). The third at least one difference (△ V3) to be, and judging the state of the vehicle.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine starting battery state detection device according to the first or second aspect, the vehicle state is changed from the vehicle state (2) by the vehicle determination means. The vehicle state between the time when the transition to the vehicle state (4) is determined and the third predetermined time (T3) is regarded as the vehicle state (3), and the third predetermined time ( After T3), the vehicle state is set to the vehicle state (4).

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine start-up battery state detecting device according to the second aspect, the vehicle state is the vehicle state (4), and the difference ( [Delta] V) or the second difference ([Delta] V2) or the third difference ([Delta] V3) is equal to or greater than a set difference value ([Delta] Vr), thereby shifting to the vehicle state (3). From the time of detection, the state of the vehicle within a fourth predetermined time (T4) is determined as the vehicle state (3).

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine start-up battery state detecting device according to the first or second aspect, the vehicle state determination means indicates the vehicle state (3). In the state where the transition from the vehicle state (4) to the vehicle state (4) is determined, the period during which either the maximum voltage value (Vmax), the average voltage value (Vba), or the minimum voltage value (Vmin) is increasing is The vehicle state (4) is regarded as the vehicle state (3).

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine start-up battery state detection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the voltage measuring means includes the voltage value (Vb), the average voltage value ( Vba), a storage means for storing at least one of the minimum voltage value (Vmin) or the maximum voltage value (Vmax), and a second port for externally outputting these values. .

  Further, an invention according to claim 7 of the present invention shows a battery integrally provided with the vehicle engine start-up battery state detection device according to claims 1 to 6.

  An invention according to claim 8 of the present invention includes the vehicle engine start battery state detection device according to claim 1 or 6, or the battery according to claim 7, wherein the state detection device includes an output port, An overdischarge warning signal from an output port is input to the vehicle ECU, and a state detection result is transmitted to the vehicle ECU. The vehicle ECU, according to the state detection result, The vehicle is characterized in that the power supply to the vehicle ECU is cut off.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery state detection method for starting a vehicle engine, wherein the voltage (Vb) of the battery is measured by a voltage measuring means, and the engine is being started. Is the vehicle state (1), the start of the engine is completed, the state where the engine is operating is the vehicle state (2), the engine is stopped, and the load of the battery is a predetermined value (Ir ( However, a state where Ir> 0)) or more is defined as a vehicle state (3), and a state where the engine is stopped and the load of the battery is less than the predetermined value (Ir) is defined as a vehicle state (4). Sometimes, due to the voltage (Vb), the state of the vehicle is not the vehicle state (3), the vehicle state (4), or the vehicle state (3), and the vehicle state (4 Not) Of the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4), the battery voltage (Vb) becomes a determination value (Vr) or less in the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4). A discharge warning is determined by the state determination means, and the discharge warning is issued as a discharge warning signal from the output port, or the discharge warning is notified by the notification means, and the determination value (Vr) in the vehicle state (3) is determined by the vehicle. The present invention shows a state detection method for a vehicle engine starting battery, which is set lower than the determination (Vr) in the state (4).

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine starting battery state detecting method according to the ninth aspect, the voltage (Vb) of the battery is set at a predetermined time (T1) interval by the voltage measuring means. And the minimum voltage value (Vmin) of the plurality of voltages (Vb) obtained at a second predetermined time (T2) interval set to an integer multiple of 2 or more of the predetermined time (T1). Or at least two of the maximum voltage value (Vmax) or the average voltage value (Vba), and the difference (ΔV) between the maximum voltage value (Vmax) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin), or The second difference (ΔV2) given by the difference between the average voltage value (Vba) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin), or given by the maximum voltage (Vmax) and the average voltage value (Vba). By at least one third of the difference is, and judging the state of the vehicle.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine starting battery state detection method according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the vehicle state changes from the vehicle state (2) to the vehicle state (4). From the time when it is determined that the vehicle has transitioned to the third predetermined time (T3), the vehicle state is regarded as the vehicle state (3), and after the third predetermined time (T3) is exceeded The vehicle state is the vehicle state (4).

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine starting battery state detection method according to the tenth aspect, the vehicle state is the vehicle state (4), and the first When at least one of the difference (ΔV), the second difference (ΔV2), or the third difference (ΔV3) is equal to or greater than a set difference value (ΔVr), the vehicle state is changed to the vehicle state. From the time when the transition to (3) is detected, the vehicle state within the fourth predetermined time (T4) is determined as the vehicle state (3) and determined.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine starting battery state detection method according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the vehicle state changes from the vehicle state (3) to the vehicle state (4). ) In the state in which any one of the voltage (Vb), the maximum voltage value (Vmax), or the average voltage value (Vba) is rising is in the vehicle state (4 ) Is regarded as the vehicle state (3).

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine starting battery state detecting method according to the ninth to thirteenth aspects, the voltage measuring means includes the voltage value (Vb), the average voltage value ( Vba), a minimum voltage value (Vmin), or a storage means for storing at least one of the maximum voltage value (Vmax), and these values are externally output by an output port.

  Further, according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle engine starting battery state detection method according to the ninth to fourteenth aspects, a state detection result is transmitted to the vehicle ECU, and the vehicle ECU detects the state detection. According to the result, the electric component mounted on the vehicle and / or the power supply to the vehicle ECU is cut off.

  The present invention has an effect of suppressing an erroneous determination that an overdischarge warning is issued when the state of the battery for starting the engine of the vehicle is not in a state where the overdischarge should be warned. Furthermore, when determining an overdischarge warning, whether the cause of the overdischarge warning is due to an excessive load of electrical components or whether the overcurrent was caused by dark current due to low vehicle use frequency. It is possible to provide a state determination device for a vehicle engine start battery that can be determined, and a state determination method for a vehicle engine start battery.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a battery state detection device (hereinafter, state detection device 1) for starting a vehicle engine according to the present invention. Both the first embodiment of the present invention and the second embodiment to be described later are expensive and unsuitable for accurately measuring a very wide range of current ranging from several hundreds A to several tens of mA like a starting battery. The current sensor is not used.

  The state detection device 1 includes a voltage measurement unit 3 that measures the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2. The voltage measuring means 3 can realize its function by, for example, a microcomputer (not shown). More specifically, the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter built in the microcomputer. For example, in the starting battery 2 used for a general vehicle, the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 is determined from the maximum voltage (for example, 16 V) of the alternator (not shown) for charging the battery 2 (Vb). Therefore, when a voltage value of 0V to 16V is converted into 12 bits by the A / D converter described above, the voltage (Vb) can be measured with a resolution of 4 mV. The measurement frequency depends on the operating frequency of the microcomputer, but the most popular general microcomputer can measure the voltage (Vb) continuously every 1 msec. However, the measurement frequency is not limited to 1 msec, and may be set as appropriate from a range of 0.1 msec to 100 msec, for example.

  The state detection device 1 of the present invention is based on the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 obtained by the voltage measuring means 3, and shows the state of a vehicle (not shown) in which the battery 2 is mounted by the vehicle state determination means 4. Classification into four states shown in 3 or division into three states.

  The vehicle state (1) is a state in which the engine is being started. At this time, the cell motor for starting the engine becomes a load of the battery 2. Immediately after the cell motor is energized, an inrush current of 100 to 900 A flows, so that the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 rapidly decreases and the load current decreases with the rotation of the cell motor, and the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 Will rise.

  When the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 obtained by the voltage measuring means 3 shows such a rapid decrease as described above, the vehicle state determining means 4 may indicate that the vehicle is starting the engine, that is, the vehicle state (1). Can be detected.

  Subsequent to the engine start in the vehicle state (1), the state where the engine is started and the engine is operated is referred to as a vehicle state (2). The vehicle state (2) does not matter whether the vehicle is traveling. In the vehicle state (2), since the battery 2 is charged with power supplied from the alternator, at least the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 is the open circuit voltage of the battery 2 (for example, 12.6V for a 12V battery). To the maximum charging voltage of the alternator (for example, 12V system voltage is 14.5V), the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 obtained by the voltage measuring means 3 is 12.6V to 14 as illustrated. When the range of .5V is included, the vehicle state determination means may determine the vehicle state as the vehicle state (2).

  In the present invention, the vehicle state (1) and the vehicle state (2) do not need to be distinguished because the overdischarge alarm is not performed in the vehicle state (1) and the vehicle state (2).

  The above is a description of the vehicle state determination method when the engine is starting or operating. Hereinafter, a vehicle state determination method in which the engine is stopped will be described.

  In the present invention, the state where the engine is stopped is divided into the following two types by the vehicle state determination means. That is, when the engine is in a stopped state and the load on the battery 2 is only a dark current by the vehicle ECU or the like, the vehicle state (4) is set, and the dark current load is applied to the battery 2 when the engine is in a stopped state. In addition to the above, a vehicle state to which various electric loads such as lights, audio, and security systems are applied is referred to as a vehicle state (3).

  The distinction between the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4) can be made as follows. That is, in both cases, since the battery 2 is in a discharged state, the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 is equal to or lower than the open circuit voltage of the battery 2. Among them, the load in the vehicle state (4) is a dark current load, which is as small as tens of mA to tens of mA and is almost constant. On the other hand, in the vehicle state (3), the load is larger than the dark current load described above (for example, tens of A to several A), and the load amount also varies. Therefore, the vehicle state (4) is when the battery voltage (Vb) falls within a certain range, that is, the amount of decrease per unit time, more broadly, the vehicle state (Vb). (3) What is necessary is just to determine with the vehicle state determination means 4.

  In the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, when the load is less than the predetermined value (Ir), it is determined as the vehicle state (4), and the load is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (Ir). Is defined as the vehicle state state (3). However, the predetermined value (Ir) described in the claims is at least a dark current (a dozen mA to a few dozens) of the vehicle ECU or the like from the above vehicle state classification. mA) and a value smaller than a load larger than the dark current load (for example, several tens of A to several A). In the present invention, the predetermined load value (Ir) is defined for the sake of convenience in order to distinguish between a state in which discharge is caused only by a dark current such as an ECU and a state in which other electrical components are used. Thus, it is not necessary to directly set or detect the predetermined value (Ir) of the load.

  For example, the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 is monitored by the voltage measuring means 3, and the change amount per unit time of the detected voltage (Vb) is the smallest, and the change amount when the load is less than the predetermined value (Ir). As long as it is stored in a storage means such as a memory. Actually, even when the amount of change is small, when the amount of change in the voltage (Vb) obtained by monitoring the voltage (Vb) for a certain period is assumed as S, for example, when the amount of change in the load is expected, When the amount is in the range of 0 to 5S, the vehicle state (4) may be determined, and when the amount of change exceeds 5S, the vehicle state (3) may be determined. In such a method, the predetermined value (Ir) of the load is not directly used, and the amount of change per hour of the voltage (Vb) when discharging at the predetermined value (Ir) of the load is determined as the vehicle state determination. Used for.

  The present invention is characterized in that the determination criterion of the battery state is changed in the vehicle state 3 and the vehicle state 4 described above. That is, in the vehicle state 3 and the vehicle state 4, the determination voltage (Vr) at which the overdischarge warning of the battery 2 should be changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the determination voltage (hereinafter referred to as Vr-3) in the vehicle state (3) is set lower than the determination voltage (hereinafter referred to as Vr-4) in the vehicle state (4).

  Then, the state detection device 1 of the present invention uses the battery state determination means 5 to determine the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 in the vehicle state (3) or the vehicle state (4) as the respective determination voltage (Vr-3) and When the battery voltage (Vb) is reduced to a corresponding vehicle state determination voltage (Vr (hereinafter, the determination voltages Vr-3 and Vr-4 are collectively referred to as Vr)) compared to the determination voltage (Vr-4). In this case, an overdischarge warning is given.

  Note that the determination voltage (Vr) is set so that the overdischarge warning is performed in a state where the battery 2 has the SOC necessary for starting the engine.

  FIG. 4 shows the SOC based on the rated capacity by 5-hour rate discharge. In general, the battery 2 for starting an engine of a vehicle on the market is discharged to a discharge end voltage of 1.75 V / cell (10.5 V in a 12 V battery) at a 5 hour rate current, and is completely in a so-called 5 hour rate discharge. The engine can be started even in a discharge state, and when expressed as SOC by 5-hour rate discharge, the voltage (Vb) to which an electrical component load is applied in a state where the SOC is about -5% is determined as a determination voltage (Vr )And it is sufficient.

  It should be noted that not only the starting battery 2 but also almost all secondary batteries have different capacities depending on the discharge rate, that is, the higher the discharge rate (discharge current with respect to the battery capacity), the lower the discharge capacity and the discharge rate. The lower the value, the greater the discharge capacity. In FIG. 4, since the SOC of 5 hour rate discharge is used, negative SOC appears. However, if the discharge rate is lowered, the discharge capacity increases, so from the SOC corresponding to the determination voltage (Vr), Transition from negative to positive. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 4, the voltage (Vb) corresponding to an SOC of about −5% is set as the determination voltage (Vr). However, the SOC used as the determination reference is based on the discharge capacity at which discharge rate. The reference discharge rate may be appropriately set by those skilled in the art.

  From FIG. 4, for example, in the vehicle state 3, the voltage (Vb) = 12.0 V is not lowered to the determination voltage (Vr−3), and the engine can be started, but in the vehicle state (4). The voltage (Vb) = 12.0 V is lower than the determination voltage (Vr−4), and it is understood that the engine cannot be started. In the present invention, it is possible to issue an overdischarge warning suitable for the vehicle state after determining the vehicle state.

  Further, for example, when the voltage of the battery 2 (Vb) = the determination voltage (Vr−4), the vehicle state (4) is a state in which an overdischarge warning is issued, but the vehicle state (3) is the same voltage. Then, it turns out that it is not the state which should perform an overdischarge warning. As described above, the present invention has an effect of preventing an erroneous determination that an overdischarge warning is issued when the overdischarge warning is not to be performed.

  Further, according to the present invention, a countermeasure can be shown to the vehicle user depending on in which vehicle state the overdischarge warning is issued.

  For example, the overdischarge warning determined in the vehicle state (3) is due to excessive use of electrical components such as car audio, for example, and the vehicle user is notified of this together with the overdischarge warning. The notification may be made according to 6.

  Based on the above notification, the user may take measures to charge the battery 2 by stopping the use of the illustrated car audio or starting the engine and operating the engine.

  For example, the overdischarge warning determined in the vehicle state (4) is due to a dark current from the ECU or the like, and the user starts the engine and operates the engine to charge the battery 2. Just do it.

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to notify the user of a countermeasure for the overdischarge warning.

  It is obvious that various methods can be applied as the notification means 6, such as a method of notifying as light lighting or character information using an LED or an LCD panel, or a method of notification by electronic voice.

  In place of the notification means 6, an output port 7 for outputting an overdischarge warning signal is provided, and a receiving device (not shown) for receiving a signal from the output port is provided, for example, in a vehicle compartment, and the receiving device described above. You may make it the structure provided with the function equivalent to the notification means 6. FIG. Further, when a signal from the output port 7 is transmitted to the vehicle ECU and an overdischarge warning is given, the power supply to an electrical component load such as a car audio may be cut off depending on the vehicle state, or The power supply to the ECU may be cut off.

  By adopting a configuration in which an overdischarge warning signal is input to the vehicle-side ECU, it is possible to automatically deal with the vehicle without relying on the user's judgment, and it is possible to prevent the engine from being disabled due to overdischarge of the battery 2.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle state determination method in the first embodiment described above is as follows, and other configurations are not different from the first embodiment.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the voltage (Vb) of the battery 2 is continuously measured at predetermined time (T1) intervals. For example, as shown in the first embodiment, setting the predetermined time (T1) to 1 msec is not limited to this, and is appropriately set from a range of 0.1 msec to 100 msec.

  The voltage (Vb) value sequentially measured at the predetermined time (T1) interval is sequentially stored in the memory. Then, the lowest voltage value (Vmin) among the voltage (Vb) values stored during the second predetermined time (T2) set to an integer multiple of 2 or more of the predetermined time (T1) is acquired. Then store them in memory sequentially. Therefore, the minimum voltage value (Vmin) is a value obtained sequentially at intervals of the second predetermined time (T2). For example, a value of several seconds to several tens of seconds can be set as the second predetermined time (T2), but the present invention is not limited to this and may be set as appropriate as a design matter.

  Further, similarly, at least one of the maximum voltage value (Vmax) or the average voltage value (Vba) within the second predetermined time (T2) is obtained. The calculation of the maximum voltage value (Vmax), the average voltage value (Vba), and the minimum voltage value (Vmin) may be performed by the voltage measurement means 3 or the vehicle state determination means 4, and separately to obtain these values. The calculation means (not shown) may be provided in addition to the voltage measurement means 3 and the vehicle state determination means 4.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the difference (ΔV) between the maximum voltage value (Vmax) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin), or the difference between the average voltage value (Vba) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin). At least one of the second differences (ΔV2) given by (1) is determined.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the vehicle state during the use period of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3 and the difference (ΔV) described above. As can be seen from FIG. 5, in the case of the vehicle state (1) and the vehicle state (2), ΔV indicates a high value that rapidly exceeds 0.14V. On the other hand, in the vehicle state (3), a value of 40 mV to 140 mV is taken except for an overdischarge state, and in the vehicle state (4), the difference (ΔV) takes a value of 3 mV to 30 mV.

  In the second embodiment, the vehicle state is determined based on the value of the difference (ΔV). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the set difference value (ΔVr) is set to 35 mV, and the vehicle state (3) is compared with the difference value (ΔV) and the set difference value (ΔVr). The vehicle state (4) can be distinguished.

  Instead of this difference, a second difference (ΔV2) given by the difference between the average voltage value (Vba) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin) may be used. Note that at least the difference used for determining the vehicle state is preferably a value that directly includes the minimum voltage (Vmin). The difference between the maximum voltage (Vmax) and the average voltage (Va) is also a value that reflects the minimum voltage (Vmin), but since it is indirectly reflected, detection of a sudden drop in the voltage (Vb) that appears at engine start-up is detected. This is because the accuracy slightly decreases.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above is obtained, but the determination of the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4) can be performed more accurately. This makes it possible to provide more accurate overdischarge warning notifications. In the first embodiment, the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4) are distinguished by an average voltage drop caused by a discharge load connected to a battery of several seconds to several minutes. The embodiment is different in that the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4) are distinguished by voltage fluctuation due to load fluctuation.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, when the vehicle state (4) is detected from the vehicle state (2), a third predetermined time set from 1 minute to 30 minutes from this detection time point. It is preferable to consider the period (T3) as the vehicle state (3) regardless of the detection of the vehicle state (4). Generally, the electrical component load used in the vehicle state (3) starts to be used in the state of the vehicle state (2) and continues to be used even after the engine is stopped. In the embodiment, when the electrical component load is used from when the engine is running to when the engine is stopped, the above-described ΔV1 to ΔV3 take lower values, so that the vehicle state (3) is originally the vehicle state (3). This is because 4) may be erroneously determined.

  In the second embodiment, when the vehicle state is the vehicle state (4) detected, the difference (ΔV), the second difference (ΔV2), or the third difference (ΔV3) The state of the vehicle within a fourth predetermined time (T4) set in, for example, 1 minute to several minutes from the time when at least one becomes the set difference value (ΔVr) or more is regarded as the vehicle state (3). It is preferable to determine. This is because when the transition from the vehicle state (4) to the vehicle state (3), the ΔV1 to ΔV3 values suddenly increase, so that the set difference value (ΔVr) is far exceeded. Depending on the type of electrical component load, ΔV1 to ΔV3 suddenly drop to the vicinity of the set difference value (ΔVr), and the vehicle state (4) is erroneously determined although it is in the vehicle state (3). Because there is a case to do.

  In the first and second embodiments, the voltage (Vb) and the maximum voltage value (Vmax) when the vehicle state determination means determines the vehicle state from the vehicle state (3) to the vehicle state (4). ) Or the average voltage value (Vba) or the voltage value (Vmin) is preferably considered as the vehicle state (3) during the period when the voltage value (Vmin) is increasing. This is because even when the electrical component load is OFF, the discharge polarization remains for a certain period of time, while the determination value (Vr) for performing the overdischarge warning is higher than the determination value (Vr-3). -4) is instantaneously shifted according to the algorithm, so that the determination value (Vr-4) is the determination value (Vr-4) in the fourth vehicle state even though the battery 2 has a sufficient capacity for starting the engine. This is because an overdischarge warning may be erroneously determined at the moment of shifting to ().

  Therefore, when the load decreases from the third vehicle state to the fourth vehicle state, the voltage (Vb) (or the maximum voltage value (Vmax) or the average voltage value due to the cancellation of the discharge polarization is eliminated. When either (Vba) or the minimum voltage value (Vmin) increases, the judgment value (Vr-3) of the vehicle state (3) is applied as the judgment value (Vr) of the overdischarge warning. This is good to do. This means that the vehicle state (4) is regarded as the vehicle state (3) under the above-described conditions.

  Preferably, in each of the first to second embodiments described above, the voltage measuring means 3 is configured such that the voltage value (Vb), the average voltage value (Vba), the lowest voltage value (Vmin), or the highest voltage. It is preferable to include storage means for storing at least one of the values (Vmax) and a second port (not shown) for externally outputting these values. This is because the usage status of the battery 2 when the overdischarge alarm is issued becomes clearer from these data, and when the battery reaches the end of its life, it is possible to estimate the failure mode. . In addition, you may apply the thing for infrared communication, optical communication, and radio | wireless communication as a 2nd port.

  According to the first and second embodiments described above, in the vehicle engine starting battery, the overdischarge alarm due to the electrical component and the overdischarge alarm due to the dark current of the vehicle can be distinguished from each other and determined accurately. In addition, since the cause of the overdischarge alarm can be clearly determined, the coping method for the overdischarge alarm can be clearly indicated to the user. In addition, it is expensive and does not use a current sensor that is inappropriate for measuring a current in a very wide current range such as a vehicle battery, and its reliability is extremely high and its industrial value is very high.

  The present invention can be applied to a vehicle engine starting battery and a vehicle equipped with the same.

The figure which shows the structure of the state detection apparatus of the battery for engine starting of this invention Diagram showing vehicle status Diagram showing vehicle status and battery voltage over time The figure which shows the relationship between SOC and battery voltage by vehicle state Diagram showing the relationship between vehicle status and battery voltage fluctuation

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 State detection apparatus 2 Battery 3 Voltage measurement means 4 Vehicle state determination means 5 Battery state determination means 6 Notification means 7 Output port

Claims (15)

A battery state detection device for starting a vehicle engine,
Voltage measuring means for measuring the voltage (Vb) of the battery,
A state where the engine is starting is a vehicle state (1),
A state in which the start of the engine is completed and the engine is operating is a vehicle state (2),
A state where the engine is stopped and the load of the battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (Ir (where Ir> 0)) is defined as a vehicle state (3),
When the state in which the engine is stopped and the load of the battery is less than the predetermined value (Ir) is the vehicle state (4),
Based on the voltage (Vb) of the battery, the state detection device detects that the vehicle state is not the vehicle state (3), the vehicle state (4), or the vehicle state (3), but the vehicle state (4 A vehicle state determination means for determining which of the states is not,
In the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4), battery state determination means for determining a discharge warning when the voltage (Vb) of the battery becomes a determination value (Vr) or less,
An output port that issues a discharge warning signal, or a notification means that notifies a discharge warning,
The determination value (Vr) in the vehicle state (3) is set lower than the determination (Vr) in the vehicle state (4).
A battery state detection device for starting a vehicle engine. The voltage measuring means has a function of continuously measuring the voltage (Vb) of the battery at a predetermined time (T1) interval,
A minimum voltage value (Vmin) of the plurality of voltages (Vb) obtained in a second predetermined time (T2) interval set to an integer multiple of 2 or more of the predetermined time (T1);
Or the maximum voltage value (Vmax),
Alternatively, obtain at least two average voltage values (Vba)
A difference (ΔV) between the maximum voltage value (Vmax) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin);
Alternatively, a second difference (ΔV2) given by the difference between the average voltage value (Vba) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin).
Alternatively, the state of the vehicle is determined by at least one of a third difference (ΔV3) given by a difference between the maximum voltage value (Vmax) and the average voltage value (Vba). A battery status detection device for starting an engine. The vehicle state between the time when the vehicle state is determined by the vehicle determination means to determine the transition from the vehicle state (2) to the vehicle state (4) until a third predetermined time (T3). 3. The vehicle state (3) is regarded as the vehicle state (4) after the third predetermined time (T3) is exceeded. A vehicle engine start-up battery state detection device as described. From the state in which the vehicle state is the vehicle state (4), at least one of the difference (ΔV), the second difference (ΔV2), or the third difference (ΔV3) is a set difference value. (ΔVr) or higher, the vehicle state (3) is determined to be the vehicle state within a fourth predetermined time (T4) from the time when the transition to the vehicle state (3) is detected. Item 3. The vehicle engine start-up battery state detection device according to Item 2. In the state where the vehicle state determination means determines the transition of the vehicle state from the vehicle state (3) to the vehicle state (4), the maximum voltage value (Vmax) or the average voltage value (Vba) or The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle state (4) is regarded as the vehicle state (3) during a period when any one of the minimum voltage values (Vmin) is increasing. A battery status detection device for starting an engine. The voltage measuring means includes storage means for storing at least one of the voltage value (Vb), the average voltage value (Vba), the lowest voltage value (Vmin), or the highest voltage value (Vmax); and The vehicle engine start-up battery state detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a second port that outputs a value to the outside. A battery comprising the vehicle engine start-up battery state detection device according to claim 1. The vehicle engine start-up battery state detection device according to claim 1, or the battery according to claim 7, wherein the state detection device includes an output port, and an overdischarge warning signal from the output port is input to the vehicle ECU. The vehicle ECU transmits a state detection result to the vehicle ECU, and the vehicle ECU shuts off the electrical components mounted on the vehicle and / or the power supply to the vehicle ECU according to the state detection result. Characteristic vehicle. A battery state detection method for starting a vehicle engine,
The voltage measurement means measures the voltage (Vb) of the battery,
A state where the engine is starting is a vehicle state (1),
The start of the engine is completed, and the state where the engine is operating is a vehicle state (2),
A state where the engine is stopped and the load of the battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (Ir (where Ir> 0)) is defined as a vehicle state (3),
When the state in which the engine is stopped and the load of the battery is less than the predetermined value (Ir) is the vehicle state (4),
According to the voltage (Vb), the state of the vehicle is not the vehicle state (3), the vehicle state (4), the vehicle state (3), or the vehicle state (4). Determine which of the states you are in,
In the vehicle state (3) and the vehicle state (4), when the voltage (Vb) of the battery becomes equal to or lower than a determination value (Vr), the battery state determination unit determines a discharge warning,
The discharge warning is issued as a discharge warning signal from the output port, or the discharge warning is notified by a notification means,
The determination value (Vr) in the vehicle state (3) is set lower than the determination (Vr) in the vehicle state (4).
A method for detecting a state of a battery for starting a vehicle engine. The battery voltage (Vb) is continuously measured at predetermined time (T1) intervals by the voltage measuring means,
A minimum voltage value (Vmin) of the plurality of voltages (Vb) obtained at a second predetermined time (T2) interval set to an integer multiple of 2 or more of the predetermined time (T1);
Or the maximum voltage value (Vmax),
Alternatively, obtain at least two average voltage values (Vba)
A difference (ΔV) between the maximum voltage value (Vmax) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin);
Alternatively, a second difference (ΔV2) given by the difference between the average voltage value (Vba) and the minimum voltage value (Vmin).
10. The vehicle engine start according to claim 9, wherein the vehicle state is determined based on at least one of third differences given by the maximum voltage (Vmax) and the average voltage value (Vba). Battery status detection method. The vehicle state (3) is determined from the time when it is determined that the vehicle state has transitioned from the vehicle state (2) to the vehicle state (4) until a third predetermined time (T3). The vehicle engine start state according to claim 9 or 10, wherein after the third predetermined time (T3) is exceeded, the vehicle state is set to the vehicle state (4). Battery status detection method. The vehicle state is the vehicle state (4), and at least one of the first difference (ΔV), the second difference (ΔV2), or the third difference (ΔV3) is set. When the difference value (ΔVr) or more is reached, the vehicle state is changed to the vehicle state within a fourth predetermined time (T4) from the time when the vehicle state is detected to shift to the vehicle state (3). The vehicle engine start-up battery state detection method according to claim 10, wherein (3) is determined. The voltage (Vb), the highest voltage value (Vmax), or the average voltage value (Vba) when the vehicle state is determined to be a transition from the vehicle state (3) to the vehicle state (4). The vehicle engine start-up battery state according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the vehicle state (4) is regarded as the vehicle state (3) during a period during which either one of the vehicle is rising. Detection method. The voltage measuring means has storage means for storing at least one of the voltage value (Vb), the average voltage value (Vba), the lowest voltage value (Vmin), or the highest voltage value (Vmax), 14. The vehicle engine start-up battery state detection method according to claim 9 to 13, wherein these values are externally output through an output port. The state detection result is transmitted to the vehicle ECU, and the vehicle ECU cuts off the power supply to the electrical component mounted on the vehicle and / or the vehicle ECU according to the state detection result. Detection method for vehicle engine start-up battery.

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