JP2012185990A - Secondary battery replacing method and device for acquiring secondary battery for replacement - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To induce a performance of a battery pack more efficiently when a secondary battery constituting the battery pack is replaced.SOLUTION: When a battery module (secondary battery) constituting a battery pack 10 is replaced, a control part 350 selects a battery module having a characteristic approximate to a characteristic of residual battery modules of the battery pack 10 from battery modules housed in a stock battery group 40, based on a use history and the characteristics of the residual battery modules. When there is no appropriate battery module, a battery processing device 20 applies aging-processing to the battery module, so as to generate the battery module having the characteristic approximate to the characteristic of the residual battery modules. The characteristics of the battery modules of the battery pack 10 are made identical to each other, so that a performance of the battery pack 10 can be induced more sufficiently.

Description

  The present invention relates to a secondary battery replacement method for a secondary battery constituting an assembled battery, and a replacement secondary battery acquisition device for acquiring a replacement secondary battery in the secondary battery replacement method.

It is known that when charging / discharging is repeated with respect to an assembled battery in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series, variations in battery characteristics such as maximum charging voltage occur, and some related techniques have been proposed.
For example, in order to prevent overcharge and overdischarge due to cell voltage variations, it is necessary to measure the voltage for each cell. Regarding the measurement of the voltage for each cell, the cell voltage detection device described in Patent Document 1 uses a flying capacitor circuit as a first step to set a capacitor for any cell having a different ground potential of an assembled battery in which multiple cells are connected in series. The pulse corresponding to the time when the cell voltage is charged and the voltage of the capacitor charged to the cell voltage is attenuated to reach the threshold voltage by the action of the capacitor of the flying capacitor circuit, the discharge circuit and the voltage comparator as the second step. A pulse having a width is obtained, and as a third step, a digital value of the cell voltage is obtained by the action of the time measuring means and the computing means of the pulse width. Accordingly, the number of cells in series as a measurement unit can be freely set, a high-precision A / D converter is not required, and a cell voltage can be detected with high accuracy.

JP 2001-204141 A

  The variation in battery characteristics can be a problem when the secondary battery constituting the assembled battery is replaced. For example, when the secondary battery constituting the assembled battery has an abnormality or the like and the secondary battery is replaced, the characteristics of the secondary battery newly incorporated in the assembled battery and the secondary battery originally incorporated Due to the difference, there is a possibility that the performance of the assembled battery cannot be fully exploited.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a secondary battery that can bring out the performance of the assembled battery better when the secondary battery constituting the assembled battery is replaced. The object is to provide a battery replacement method and a replacement secondary battery acquisition apparatus.

  This invention was made in order to solve the subject mentioned above, the secondary battery exchange method by one mode of the present invention is the 1st characteristic acquisition step which acquires the characteristic of the secondary battery which constitutes an assembled battery, The replacement necessity determination step for determining whether or not the secondary battery needs to be replaced based on the characteristic acquired in the first characteristic acquisition step, and the secondary battery determined to be replacement in the replacement necessity determination step A second characteristic acquisition step of acquiring characteristics that the replacement secondary battery should have; a replacement secondary battery acquisition step of acquiring a replacement secondary battery based on the characteristics acquired in the second characteristic acquisition step; And a replacement step of replacing the secondary battery acquired in the replacement secondary battery acquisition step with the secondary battery determined to be required replacement in the replacement necessity determination step.

  The secondary battery replacement method according to one aspect of the present invention is the above-described secondary battery replacement method, wherein the replacement secondary battery acquisition step is based on the characteristics acquired in the second characteristics acquisition step. A replacement secondary battery selection step of selecting a replacement secondary battery is provided.

  The secondary battery replacement method according to one aspect of the present invention is the above-described secondary battery replacement method, wherein the replacement secondary battery acquisition step is based on the characteristics acquired in the second characteristics acquisition step. An aging process is performed on the secondary battery so as to generate a replacement secondary battery.

  The secondary battery replacement method according to one aspect of the present invention is the above-described secondary battery replacement method, wherein the second characteristic acquisition step acquires a plurality of characteristics having priority. To do.

  A secondary battery replacement method according to an aspect of the present invention is the above-described secondary battery replacement method, in which, in the replacement secondary battery selection step, an aging process is performed among a plurality of characteristics. The characteristics that are difficult to change are preferentially reflected in the selection of the replacement secondary battery.

  Further, a secondary battery replacement method according to an aspect of the present invention is the above-described secondary battery replacement method, wherein the replacement secondary battery selection step includes a usage history of secondary batteries included in the assembled battery, The usage history acquisition step of acquiring the usage history of the secondary battery candidate for the replacement secondary battery, and the usage acquired in the usage history acquisition step among the secondary batteries of the candidate replacement secondary battery A usage history matching secondary battery selection step of selecting a secondary battery whose history matches a usage history of a secondary battery included in the assembled battery.

  A replacement secondary battery acquisition device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a characteristic acquisition unit that acquires characteristics that the replacement secondary battery should have, and a replacement secondary battery based on the characteristics acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit A replacement secondary battery acquisition unit for acquiring

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when replacing | exchanging the secondary battery which comprises an assembled battery, the performance of the said assembled battery can be drawn out better.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the assembled battery system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the example of the discharge profile in the embodiment. In the same embodiment, it is a graph which shows the example of the correlation of the internal resistance of a battery module and a capacity | capacitance memorize | stored beforehand by the control part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the battery replacement | exchange in the assembled battery system of the embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an assembled battery system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the assembled battery system 1 includes an assembled battery 10, a battery processing device 20, an inventory battery management server device 30, and an inventory battery group 40. The assembled battery 10 includes battery modules 110-1 to 110-m and a BMU (Battery Management Unit) 120. The battery processing apparatus 20 includes a server communication unit 210, a battery communication unit 220, a charge / discharge execution unit 230, a battery characteristic acquisition unit 240, and a control unit 250. The inventory battery management server device 30 includes a communication unit 310, a control unit 350, and an inventory battery management database (DB) 360. The stock battery group 40 includes battery modules 110- (m + 1) to 110- (m + n). Each of the battery modules 110-1 to 110- (m + n) includes a cell 111 and a CMU (Cell Management Unit) 112.

The assembled battery 10 is a secondary battery configured by combining cells. The assembled battery 10 may be used for various purposes, for example, a secondary battery used in a power storage device for stable power supply in solar power generation or wind power generation, or for work such as a forklift or a crane. It may be a secondary battery used in equipment.
Each of the battery modules 110-1 to 110- (m + n) is a secondary battery that is packaged. When the secondary battery included in the assembled battery 10 is replaced, the replacement is performed in units of battery modules.

The cell 111 is a single secondary battery. As the cell 111, various secondary batteries such as a lithium ion battery and a lead battery can be used.
Each of the battery modules 110-1 to 110- (m + n) may include one cell 111 or a plurality of cells 111. When the battery modules 110-1 to 110- (m + n) include a plurality of cells 111, the plurality of cells 111 may be connected in series, may be connected in parallel, or may be connected in series. And a parallel connection may be combined.

The CMU 112 is provided for each battery module, and performs control such as monitoring the state of each cell 111 included in the battery module and taking charge balance. Further, the CMU 112 has a storage device and stores data such as a verification code described later.
The BMU 120 exchanges data with the CMU 112 of each battery module included in the assembled battery 10 to control each battery module.

  The battery processing device 20 is a device that performs processing on the battery module, reads various information such as a verification code described later from the battery module, and writes various information such as a verification code and setting information to the battery module, Further, various processes such as an aging process for charging / discharging the battery module are performed.

The server communication unit 210 communicates with the communication unit 310 of the inventory battery management server device 30.
The battery communication unit 220 reads information from the CMU 112 of the battery module and writes information to the CMU 112. In particular, the battery communication unit 220 reads a verification code (to be described later) from the CMU 112 of the battery module, and writes the verification code to the CMU 112.
Reading and writing of information is performed, for example, through a signal connection terminal that the battery processing device 20 has at a predetermined position. When the battery module is loaded at the predetermined position and the signal connection terminal on the battery processing device 20 side and the signal connection terminal on the battery module side are connected, the battery communication unit 220 reads / writes information from / to the CMU 112. Can be done.

The charge / discharge execution unit 230 causes the battery module to charge / discharge. By the charge / discharge, the charge / discharge execution unit 230 performs an aging process for changing the characteristics of the battery module and adjusts the battery voltage of the battery module.
The battery module is charged and discharged, for example, through a power connection terminal that the battery processing apparatus 20 has at a predetermined position. When the battery module is loaded at the predetermined position and the power connection terminal on the battery processing device 20 side and the power connection terminal on the battery module side are connected, the charge / discharge execution unit 230 is connected to the battery module. It becomes possible to supply power (charge the battery module) and acquire power from the battery module (discharge the battery module).

  The battery characteristic acquisition unit 240 acquires characteristic information such as battery voltage and capacity (charge amount at full charge) and internal resistance of the battery module. Specifically, the battery characteristic acquisition unit 240 measures the characteristics of the battery module loaded at a predetermined position through the power terminal described above. Alternatively, the CMU 112 of the battery module measures and stores the characteristics of the battery module, and the battery characteristic acquisition unit 240 reads the characteristic information from the CMU 112. You may make it acquire.

  The control unit 250 controls each unit of the battery processing device 20. In particular, the control unit 250 transmits / receives information to / from the inventory battery management server device 30 via the server communication unit 210. Further, the control unit 250 reads / writes information from / to the CMU 112 of the battery module via the battery communication unit 220. Moreover, the control part 250 controls the charging / discharging execution part 230, and performs the aging process with respect to a battery module, or adjustment of a battery voltage.

  The stock battery management server device 30 stores characteristic information such as battery voltage, capacity, and internal resistance in advance for each of the battery modules 110- (m + 1) to 110- (m + n) included in the stock battery group 40. Based on the information transmitted from the battery processing device 20, a replacement battery module for the battery module of the assembled battery 10 is selected.

The communication unit 310 communicates with the server communication unit 210 of the battery processing apparatus 20.
The stock battery management database 360 stores characteristic information such as battery voltage, capacity, and internal resistance in advance for each of the battery modules 110- (m + 1) to 110- (m + n) included in the stock battery group 40. The characteristic information is written in the inventory battery management database 360 by the administrator of the assembled battery system 1 when the battery module is stored in the inventory battery group 40, for example.
The control unit 350 controls each unit of the inventory battery management server device 30. In particular, when the battery module of the assembled battery 10 is replaced, the control unit 350 acquires the characteristics that should be possessed by the battery module used for replacement from the battery processing apparatus 20 via the battery communication unit 220 and acquires the characteristics. Based on the characteristics, the inventory battery management database 360 is searched to determine a battery module (replacement battery module) used for replacement with the battery module of the assembled battery 10.

The stock battery group 40 is, for example, a battery module storage, and stores battery modules 110- (m + 1) to 110- (m + n). The battery modules 110- (m + 1) to 110- (m + n) stored in the stock battery group 40 are exchange battery modules when any of the battery modules 110-1 to 110-m included in the assembled battery 10 is replaced. Candidate for
The battery modules 110- (m + 1) to 110- (m + n) may be stored in a plurality of locations. For example, the stock battery group 40 may be composed of a plurality of storages, and battery modules may be stored in the storages.

The battery processing device 20 and the stock battery management server device 30 constitute a replacement battery acquisition device.
That is, first, the control unit 250 configures a characteristic acquisition unit. Specifically, the control unit 250 reads characteristics to be included in the replacement battery module from the CMU 112 of the battery module via the battery communication unit 220. Thereby, the control part 250 (characteristic acquisition part) acquires the characteristic which the battery module for replacement (replacement secondary battery) should have.

  Control unit 350 and charge / discharge execution unit 230 constitute a replacement battery acquisition unit. Specifically, first, the control unit 350 selects a battery module to be used for replacement from the battery modules included in the stock battery group 40, and the charge / discharge execution unit 230 selects the battery module selected by the control unit 350. On the other hand, aging processing and battery voltage adjustment are performed as necessary. As a result, the control unit 350 and the charge / discharge execution unit 230 (replacement battery acquisition unit) acquire a replacement battery module (replacement secondary battery).

  Next, selection of the replacement battery module by the inventory battery management server device 30 will be described. The stock battery management server device 30 (the control unit 350) acquires information indicating the usage history, discharge profile, internal resistance, and capacity that the replacement battery module should have from the battery processing device 20, and the information Based on the above, a replacement battery module is selected from the battery modules stored in the stock battery group 40.

The usage history is information indicating the type of device in which the battery module has been incorporated (used) so far, and is used to narrow down candidate replacement battery modules.
Here, it can be expected that battery modules having the same usage history have the same characteristics. For example, characteristics of a secondary battery used as a power source for driving a forklift and a secondary battery used in a power generation output smoothing device of a solar power generation facility are different from each other due to differences in ambient temperature and charge / discharge patterns. It is possible that there will be a difference.

  Therefore, the control unit 350, for example, as a candidate narrowing down prior to the selection of the replacement battery module based on characteristics such as capacity and internal resistance, for example, the usage history of each battery module 110 included in the assembled battery 10 (for example, “forklift” ”,“ Power generation output smoothing device ”, etc.), the battery module having the same usage history as the most frequent (Mode) is selected from the battery modules stored in the stock battery group 40.

The discharge profile is information indicating the relationship between the state of charge and characteristics of the battery module.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of a discharge profile. The horizontal axis of the figure shows the discharge integrated amount (integrated amount of discharge current in the time direction) as a relative value where the value in the fully charged state is 0% and the value in the fully discharged state is 100%. . Moreover, the vertical axis | shaft of the same figure shows the battery voltage (electromotive force) by the relative value which made 0% the value in the state fully discharged, and made the value in the state of full charge 100%. The accumulated discharge amount is an example of information indicating a state of charge, and the battery voltage is an example of information indicating characteristics.
A line L11 in the figure shows an example of a discharge profile of a new (immediately after production) battery module, a line L12 shows an example of a discharge profile of a battery module that has deteriorated to some extent, and a line L13 shows an end of life. The example of the discharge profile of the battery module of is shown.

  The discharge profile is generated, for example, by the CMU 112 periodically measuring and calculating the accumulated discharge amount and internal resistance of its own battery module and storing it. When the battery module is replaced, the BMU 120 discharges from the CMU 112 of the battery modules other than the battery module requiring replacement (hereinafter referred to as “remaining battery module”) among the battery modules included in the assembled battery 10. The profile is read, the mode value (Mode) of these discharge profiles is calculated, and written in the CMU 112 of the battery module requiring replacement as the discharge profile that the replacement battery module should have.

  By selecting the replacement battery module based on the discharge profile, the control unit 350 can compare the characteristics of the battery module in more detail and select a more appropriate replacement battery module.

  The discharge profile that the replacement battery module should have is not limited to the mode value of the discharge profile of each battery module. For example, the BMU 120 may calculate the average value or the median value (Median) of the discharge profiles of each battery module, and write it to the CMU 112 of the battery module requiring replacement as the discharge profile that the replacement battery module should have. As described above, when the mode value is used, when the remaining battery module included in the assembled battery 10 includes a battery module having a discharge profile greatly different from that of the other battery modules, the discharge of the battery module is performed. Without being influenced by the profile, a discharge profile similar to the discharge profile of many battery modules can be a discharge profile that the replacement battery module should have.

The discharge profile acquired by the control unit 350 is not limited to data in which the battery voltage is associated with each integrated discharge amount as shown in FIG. 2, but may be information indicating the relationship between the charge state and characteristics of the battery module. Good. For example, the CMU 112 calculates the integrated discharge amount corresponding to each of the voltages V ₁ and V _{2 in} the figure, and the rate of change in the section (for example, when the discharge profile is shown by the line L11, the point P ₁ such as calculation and storing the inclination) of a line connecting the point P ₂ as the discharge profile, in a voltage section that is defined as a practical voltage, an index value that indicates the rate of change of the characteristics of the battery module is used as a discharge profile You may do it.

  The internal resistance acquired by the control unit 350 is the internal resistance of the remaining battery modules included in the assembled battery 10 when the battery module is replaced. In order for the control unit 350 to acquire the internal resistance, for example, the CMU 112 of each battery module measures and stores the internal resistance of the battery module. Then, the BMU 120 reads the internal resistance from each CMU 112 and writes it in the CMU 112 of the battery module requiring replacement. As in the case of the discharge profile, the internal resistance that the BMU 120 writes to the CMU 112 of the battery module requiring replacement may be a mode value (Mode) of the internal resistance of each battery module, or an average value or a median value (Median ).

  The capacity acquired by the control unit 350 is the capacity of the remaining battery modules included in the assembled battery 10 when the battery module is replaced, as in the case of the internal resistance. For example, the CMU 112 of each battery module has the capacity of the battery module. Is measured and memorized. Then, the BMU 120 reads the capacity from each CMU 112 and writes it in the CMU 112 of the battery module requiring replacement. As in the case of the internal resistance, the capacity written by the BMU 120 to the CMU 112 of the battery module requiring replacement may be a mode value (Mode) of the capacity of each battery module, or an average value or a median value (Median). There may be.

The control unit 350 narrows down the battery modules 110- (m + 1) to 110- (m + n) stored in the stock battery group 40 based on the above-described usage history, and from among the obtained candidates, a replacement battery A battery module having the characteristics that the module should have is selected as a replacement battery module.
Here, the characteristics that the replacement battery module should have are set as a predetermined range based on the characteristics of the remaining battery modules (for example, a range within a certain value centered on the mode of the internal resistance of the remaining battery modules). Is done. For example, the control unit 350 calculates the characteristics that the replacement battery module should have based on the characteristics of the remaining battery modules.

  When there are a plurality of battery modules having characteristics that the replacement battery module should have, for example, the control unit 350 selects a battery module having characteristics closer to the characteristics that the replacement battery module should have as the replacement battery module. To do.

On the other hand, when there is no battery module having the characteristics to be included in the replacement battery module, the stock battery management server device 30 selects a battery module that is not relatively deteriorated, and the battery processing device 20 By performing an aging process on the battery module, a battery module having characteristics that the replacement battery module should have is generated.
In this case, the control unit 350 stores in advance a correlation between the capacity of the battery module and the internal resistance, and predicts the characteristics of the battery module after the aging process based on the correlation. Then, the control unit 350 selects a battery module that is predicted to obtain the characteristics that the replacement battery module should have from the candidates.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing an example of the correlation between the internal resistance and capacity of the battery module stored in advance in the control unit 350. The horizontal axis of the figure shows the internal resistance of the battery module as a relative value with the value immediately after manufacture being 100%. Moreover, the vertical axis | shaft of the same figure shows the capacity | capacitance of a battery module by the relative value which makes the value immediately after manufacture 100%.
In addition, lines L21 and L22 in the figure indicate the correlation between the internal resistance and the capacity (deterioration pattern due to aging processing), respectively. Control unit 350 stores similar correlations in advance for various combinations of capacitance and internal resistance in addition to lines L21 and L22. These correlations are obtained, for example, by actually aging the battery module and measuring the capacity and internal resistance.

In addition, the control unit 350 is set so as to increase the priority of characteristics that are difficult to change due to the aging process, as the priority when selecting a battery module.
For example, in a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, in general, internal resistance tends to be less likely to change (deteriorate) between internal resistance and capacity. Therefore, the control unit 350 first determines the internal resistance of the battery module whose internal resistance (relatively difficult to deteriorate) is equal to or less than the internal resistance that the replacement battery module should have (that is, the degree of deterioration is small). The ordering is performed in descending order (that is, the order close to the characteristics of the replacement battery module). As described above, the control unit 350 preferentially reflects in the selection of the replacement battery module the characteristics that are difficult to change when the aging process is performed.

Then, in accordance with this ordering (that is, in descending order of internal resistance), the control unit 350 determines whether or not the replacement battery module should have a range of internal resistance and capacity by aging processing, The battery module determined to be possible is selected as a replacement battery module.
Thereafter, the battery processing device 20 (the charge / discharge execution unit 230 according to the control of the server communication unit 210) performs an aging process on the battery module selected by the control unit 350 to replace the internal resistance and capacity of the battery module. The internal resistance and capacity of the battery module should be changed.

  Thus, when the battery module 1 replaces the battery module included in the battery pack 10, the battery module having characteristics close to those of the remaining battery modules is used as the replacement battery module. Thereby, the assembled battery system 1 can arrange | equalize the characteristic of the battery module which the assembled battery 10 comprises after replacement | exchange of a battery module, and can draw out the performance of the assembled battery 10 better.

  Further, the battery processing device 20 performs an aging process on the battery module selected by the control unit 350 as the replacement battery module, so that the characteristics of the remaining battery modules in the battery modules stored in the stock battery group 40 are as follows. Even when there is no battery module with characteristics close to, an appropriate replacement battery module can be obtained. Thereby, the assembled battery system 1 can arrange | equalize the characteristic of the battery module which the assembled battery 10 comprises after replacement | exchange of a battery module, and can draw out the performance of the assembled battery 10 better.

In addition, when the battery processing apparatus 20 performs the aging process, the control unit 350 selects the battery module that performs the aging process according to the priority set in the characteristics of the battery module. Specifically, the control unit 350 selects a battery module whose characteristics that are difficult to change are close to the characteristics that the replacement battery module should have.
Here, it can be expected that the battery module whose characteristics that hardly change are closer to the characteristics that the replacement battery module should have can be changed to the characteristics that the replacement battery module should have. Therefore, it can be expected that the controller 350 can select an appropriate battery module faster.

Next, the operation of the assembled battery system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a battery replacement processing procedure in the assembled battery system 1. The assembled battery system 1 starts the process of FIG.
First, each CMU 112 included in each of the battery modules 110-1 to 110-m acquires characteristics such as battery voltage and capacity of each of the cells 111 included in the battery module of the CMU 112 itself. Then, it is determined whether the battery module needs to be replaced, and the determination result is output to the BMU 120. Receiving the determination result output from each CMU 112, the BMU 120 detects a battery module that needs to be replaced according to the determination result (step S101).

Then, the BMU 120 determines whether or not there is a battery module that needs to be replaced according to the detection result (step S102). If it is determined that there is no battery module that needs to be replaced (step S102: No), the process of FIG. To do.
On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a battery module that needs to be replaced (step S102: Yes), the BMU 120 collates with the CMU 112 of the battery module that needs to be replaced detected in step S101 (hereinafter referred to as “replaceable battery module”). The code is written (step S111).

  Here, the verification code is a code for identifying whether or not the battery module is legitimate (the one approved by the administrator of the assembled battery system 1 for use in the assembled battery 10). If the characteristics of the battery modules used in the assembled battery 10 vary, there is a risk that the performance of the assembled battery 10 may not be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, in order to prevent a battery module from being replaced by an unauthorized person, a verification code is provided. Used.

In addition, the BMU 120 uses the discharge profile of the remaining battery modules included in the assembled battery 10 as information indicating characteristics that the replacement battery module (battery module incorporated in the assembled battery 10 instead of the replacement battery module required) should have. Information indicating characteristics such as battery voltage, capacity, and internal resistance is written in the CMU 112.
At that time, the BMU 120 generates a verification code including these pieces of information and writes it into the CMU 112. Alternatively, the BMU 120 may write these information in the CMU 112 separately from the verification code.
Further, the information written by the BMU 120 to the CMU 112 may be a mode value of measured values in each battery module, or may be an average value or a median value. Alternatively, the BMU 120 may write the measurement value itself into the CMU 112, and the control unit 250 or the control unit 350 may calculate the mode value, the average value, or the median value.

Next, charging / discharging of the assembled battery 10 is stopped, and the replacement battery module is extracted from the assembled battery 10 and loaded at a predetermined position of the battery processing apparatus 20 (step S112). This processing is performed manually by a maintenance worker, for example. Alternatively, the assembled battery 10 or the battery processing device 20 may include a transfer unit such as a robot arm and perform the operation automatically.
Moreover, the battery processing apparatus 20 has a connection terminal for communication and a connection terminal for electric power with a battery module in the said predetermined position. Through this communication connection terminal, the battery processing device 20 can write and read information to and from the CMU 112 of the battery module loaded at the predetermined position. Moreover, the battery processing apparatus 20 can charge / discharge the battery module mounted in the predetermined position through the power connection terminal.

  Next, the control unit 250 includes a verification code (including information indicating characteristics that the replacement battery module should have) written in step S111 from the CMU 112 of the replacement battery module loaded on the battery processing apparatus 20, Each time the CMU 112 detects an abnormality, the abnormality history stored and the setting information when the battery module is incorporated into the assembled battery 10 are read via the battery communication unit 220 (step S113).

Furthermore, the control unit 250 controls the battery characteristic acquisition unit 240 so as to measure characteristics such as battery voltage, capacity, and internal resistance of the replacement battery module, and the battery characteristic acquisition unit 240 is required according to the control of the control unit 250. Measure the characteristics of the replacement battery module. Then, the battery characteristic acquisition unit 240 outputs the measured characteristics of the battery module requiring replacement to the control unit 250.
If the replacement factor of the battery module requiring replacement (the item indicating the abnormal value that caused the replacement to be determined) is clear, the control unit 250 sets the normal value among the characteristics of the battery module requiring replacement. You may make it use the measured value of what is shown (the item which is not an exchange factor) as a characteristic which the battery module for replacement should have. For example, when the capacity of the battery module requiring replacement is an abnormal value but the battery voltage and internal resistance are normal values, the control unit 250 stores the measurement of the battery voltage and internal resistance in the CMU 112 for replacement. Instead of the battery voltage and internal resistance information among the characteristics that the battery module should have, it may be used as the characteristics that the replacement battery module should have.

  Next, the control unit 250 determines whether or not the replacement factor is a battery voltage shift based on the abnormality history read from the CMU 112 or the measured value of the characteristics of the battery module requiring replacement (step S114). When it is determined that the replacement factor is a battery voltage shift (step S114: Yes), the control unit 250 controls the charge / discharge execution unit 230 to adjust the battery voltage. Then, according to the control of the control unit 250, the charging / discharging execution unit 230 causes the battery processing device so that the battery voltage of the battery module loaded on the battery processing device 20 becomes the battery voltage that the replacement battery module should have. The battery module loaded on 20 is charged and discharged (step S201).

  Next, the battery module loaded with the battery processing apparatus 20 is incorporated into the assembled battery 10 as a replacement battery module for the battery module requiring replacement (step S202). This processing is performed manually by a maintenance worker, for example. Alternatively, the assembled battery 10 or the battery processing device 20 may include a transfer unit such as a robot arm and perform the operation automatically.

  In the assembled battery 10 in which the replacement battery module is incorporated, the BMU 120 determines whether the verification code is appropriate (step S203). Specifically, the BMU 120 determines whether the CMU 112 of the replacement battery module stores the same verification code as the verification code written in the replacement battery in step S111, and stores it. If it is determined, the verification code conforms, and if it is determined that it is not stored, the verification code does not conform.

When it is determined that the verification code is suitable (step S203: Yes), the BMU 120 restarts charging / discharging by the assembled battery 10 (step S211). Thereafter, the process of FIG.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the verification code is incompatible (step S203: No), the BMU 120 displays that charging / discharging by the assembled battery 10 cannot be resumed (step S221). For example, the battery pack 10 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and the BMU 120 displays a message indicating that the operation cannot be resumed on the display screen.
Then, the process of the figure is complete | finished, for example, when a new replacement battery is incorporated in the assembled battery 10, the assembled battery 10 performs the process after step S203 again.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S114 that the replacement factor is other than the battery voltage shift (step S114: No), the control unit 250 outputs various information read from the CMU 112 in step S113 to the server communication unit 210. . And the server communication part 210 transmits the various information output from the control part 250 to the inventory battery management server apparatus 30 (step S121).

  In the inventory battery management server device 30, the communication unit 310 receives various information transmitted from the server communication unit 210 and outputs the received information to the control unit 350. And as above-mentioned, the control part 350 is based on the use log | history among the various information output from the communication part 310, Battery module 110- (m + 1) -110- (m + n) which the stock battery group 40 accommodates. The candidate of the replacement battery module is narrowed down from the list (step S122).

  Next, as described above, the control unit 350 selects the assembled battery 10 from the candidates narrowed down in step S122 based on various information (particularly, the discharge profile, internal resistance, and capacity) acquired from the communication unit 310. A battery module that can be incorporated (that is, a battery module having characteristics that the replacement battery should have) is selected (step S123), and it is determined whether or not a battery module that can be incorporated into the assembled battery 10 has been obtained (step S124). ).

When it is determined that a battery module that can be incorporated into the assembled battery 10 has been obtained (step S124: Yes), the battery module that can be incorporated (if there are a plurality of battery modules, for example, the characteristics of the remaining battery modules included in the assembled battery 10). The battery module having the characteristics closest to the mode value) is acquired from the stock battery group 40 and loaded at a predetermined position of the battery processing apparatus 20 (step S141).
This process is performed manually by a maintenance worker based on the battery module identification information displayed by the inventory battery management server device 30, for example. Alternatively, the assembled battery 10, the stock battery group 40, or the battery processing device 20 may be automatically provided with a transportation unit such as a robot arm.

The battery processing device 20 loaded with the battery module writes the verification code read from the battery module requiring replacement and setting information for incorporating the loaded battery module into the assembled battery 10 in the CMU 112 of the battery module. (Step S151).
Then, it progresses to step S201.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S124 that a battery module that can be incorporated into the assembled battery 10 has not been obtained (step S124: No), the control unit 350 performs the replacement battery module candidate obtained in step S122. Then, narrowing down based on the above-described discharge profile is performed (step S141). For example, the control unit 350 selects a battery module whose discharge profile is within a predetermined value range centered on the mode value of the discharge profiles of the remaining battery modules included in the assembled battery 10.

Next, as described above, the controller 350 performs ordering based on the internal resistance for the replacement battery module candidates narrowed down in step S141 (step S142).
Then, according to this ordering, the control unit 350 determines whether or not the replacement battery module should have the internal resistance and capacity range by aging processing, and replaces the battery module determined to be possible for replacement. Select as battery module.
In addition, before performing the ordering in step S142, the controller 350 may exclude in advance from the replacement battery module candidates those having a capacity smaller than the capacity that the replacement battery module should have. Thereby, the object which estimates the characteristic after an aging process can be reduced, and the amount of calculations can be reduced.

Thereafter, the battery module selected by the control unit 350 is acquired from the stock battery group 40 and loaded at a predetermined position of the battery processing apparatus 20 (step S143).
This process is performed manually by a maintenance worker based on the battery module identification information displayed by the inventory battery management server device 30, for example. Alternatively, the assembled battery 10, the stock battery group 40, or the battery processing device 20 may be automatically provided with a transportation unit such as a robot arm.

In the battery processing apparatus 20 loaded with the battery modules, the control unit 250 controls the charge / discharge execution unit 230 to perform an aging process for charging / discharging the battery modules, and the charge / discharge execution unit 230 is controlled by the control unit 250. So that the battery module can be incorporated into the assembled battery 10 (for example, the internal resistance is within a predetermined range centered on the internal resistance that the replacement battery module should have, and the capacity is the replacement battery module Aging processing is performed (within a predetermined range centered on the capacity to be included) (step S144).
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S151.

Note that the battery processing device 20 and the stock battery management server device 30 acquire information such as usage history and characteristics that the replacement battery module should have as a method of storing the above information by the CMU 112 of the replacement battery described above. Not limited to. For example, for each battery module, the assembled battery system 1 includes a database that stores the identification number of the battery module and these pieces of information in association with each other, and the battery processing device 20 reads out necessary information from the database. It may be. For example, in step S113 of FIG. 4, the battery processing device 20 reads the identification number of the battery module that requires replacement, and uses the identification number to obtain information such as usage history and characteristics of the remaining battery modules included in the assembled battery 10. Is read.
This eliminates the need for the CMU 112 to store various types of information, thereby reducing the storage capacity that the CMU 112 should have.

A program for realizing all or a part of the functions of the control unit 250 and the inventory battery management server device 30 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system. The processing of each unit may be performed by executing. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.
The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 assembled battery system 10 assembled battery 110-1 to 110- (m + n) battery module 111 cell 112 CMU
120 BMU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Battery processing apparatus 210 Server communication part 220 Battery communication part 230 Charging / discharging execution part 240 Battery characteristic acquisition part 250, 350 Control part 30 Inventory battery management server apparatus 310 Communication part 360 Inventory battery management database 40 Inventory battery group

Claims (7)

A first characteristic acquisition step of acquiring characteristics of a secondary battery constituting the assembled battery;
A replacement necessity determination step for determining whether or not the secondary battery needs to be replaced based on the characteristic acquired in the first characteristic acquisition step;
A second characteristic acquisition step of acquiring characteristics that should be possessed by the replacement secondary battery for the secondary battery determined to be replacement in the replacement necessity determination step;
A replacement secondary battery acquisition step of acquiring a replacement secondary battery based on the characteristics acquired in the second characteristic acquisition step;
A replacement step of replacing the secondary battery acquired in the replacement secondary battery acquisition step with the secondary battery determined to be replacement in the replacement necessity determination step;
A secondary battery replacement method comprising:   2. The replacement secondary battery acquisition step includes a replacement secondary battery selection step of selecting a replacement secondary battery based on the characteristic acquired in the second characteristic acquisition step. The secondary battery replacement method described in 1.   The replacement secondary battery acquisition step includes an aging process step of performing an aging process on the secondary battery based on the characteristic acquired in the second characteristic acquisition step to generate a replacement secondary battery. The secondary battery replacement method according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery is replaced.   The secondary battery replacement method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of characteristics having a priority order are acquired in the second characteristic acquisition step.   In the replacement secondary battery selection step, a characteristic that hardly changes when aging processing is performed among a plurality of characteristics is preferentially reflected in selection of the replacement secondary battery. Item 5. The secondary battery replacement method according to Item 2. The replacement secondary battery selection step includes:
A use history acquisition step of acquiring a use history of a secondary battery included in the assembled battery and a use history of a candidate secondary battery of the replacement secondary battery;
Use for selecting a secondary battery whose usage history acquired in the usage history acquisition step matches a usage history of a secondary battery included in the assembled battery among the candidate secondary batteries for the replacement secondary battery History matching secondary battery selection step,
The secondary battery replacement method according to claim 2, further comprising: A characteristic acquisition unit for acquiring characteristics that the replacement secondary battery should have;
A replacement secondary battery acquisition unit that acquires a replacement secondary battery based on the characteristics acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit;
A secondary battery acquisition device for replacement, comprising:

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