JP2022047954A - Storage battery and control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a storage battery and a control system that enables each of storage battery to be appropriately used with a simple configuration when using the storage battery in a low temperature environment.SOLUTION: In a control system, a storage battery 2 includes: one or more first batteries A that include a first active material as a negative electrode active material and are located in a region at a first temperature; and one or more second batteries B that include a second active material having an operating potential higher than the operating potential of the first active material as a negative electrode active material and arranged in a region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to storage batteries and control systems.

In recent years, storage batteries have been installed in battery-equipped devices such as smartphones, vehicles, stationary power supplies, robots and drones. As described above, as a storage battery mounted on a battery-mounted device, there is a storage battery formed by combining two or more types of batteries whose active material materials are different from each other. For example, a storage battery is formed by combining a battery having a titanium oxide as a negative electrode active material and a battery having a carbonaceous material as a negative electrode active material. Further, as described above, a control system for controlling charging and discharging of a storage battery formed of two or more types of batteries has been developed.

In the storage battery and the control system as described above, when the storage battery is used in a low temperature environment, it is required that each of the batteries forming the storage battery is appropriately used with a simple configuration.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-231911 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-143185

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a storage battery and a control system that enable each of the storage battery batteries to be appropriately used with a simple configuration when the storage battery is used in a low temperature environment.

According to the embodiment, the storage battery comprises one or more first batteries and one or more second batteries. The first battery contains the first active material as the negative electrode active material and is arranged in the region of the first temperature. The second battery contains a second active material having an operating potential higher than the operating potential of the first active material as the negative electrode active material, and is arranged in a region of a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

Further, according to the embodiment, the control system includes the above-mentioned storage battery and the charge / discharge control device. The charge / discharge control device includes a controller that controls charging and discharging of the storage battery. The controller stops charging and discharging of one or more second batteries based on the temperature below the temperature threshold. Then, one or more second batteries are charged or discharged based on the temperature being equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a control system including a storage battery according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing an example of battery arrangement in the storage battery according to the embodiment. FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing another example of the arrangement of the batteries in the storage battery according to the embodiment, which is different from FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is a schematic view showing an example different from FIGS. 2A and 2B in the arrangement of the batteries in the storage battery according to the embodiment. FIG. 2D is a schematic view showing an example different from FIGS. 2A to 2C in the arrangement of the batteries in the storage battery according to the embodiment. FIG. 2E is a schematic view showing an example different from FIGS. 2A to 2D in the arrangement of the batteries in the storage battery according to the embodiment. FIG. 2F is a schematic view showing an example different from FIGS. 2A to 2E in the arrangement of the batteries in the storage battery according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the controller of the charge / discharge control device in the use of the storage battery according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the control system 1 according to the first embodiment as an example of the control system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 includes a storage battery 2 and a charge / discharge control device 3. The storage battery 2 is mounted on the battery-mounted device 5. Examples of the battery-mounted device 5 include a smartphone, a vehicle, a stationary power supply device, a robot, a drone, and the like, and examples of the vehicle to be the battery-mounted device 5 include an electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, an electric motorcycle, and the like. Further, examples of the robot on which the storage battery 2 is mounted include a transfer robot such as an automated guided vehicle (AGV) used in a factory or the like.

In the present embodiment, the storage battery 2 includes one or more batteries (first battery) A and one or more batteries (second battery) B. In one example of FIG. 1, the storage battery 2 includes a plurality of batteries A and a plurality of batteries B. Further, in the storage battery 2 of the example of FIG. 1, a battery module (first battery module) X is formed from all of the plurality of batteries A, and in the battery module X, the plurality of batteries A are electrically connected in series. .. Then, in the storage battery 2, a battery module (second battery module) Y is formed from all of the plurality of batteries B, and in the battery module Y, the plurality of batteries B are electrically connected in series. At the start of use of the storage battery 2, the capacity, size, weight, and the like of the plurality of batteries A are the same and substantially the same as each other. Then, at the start of use of the storage battery 2, the capacity, size, weight, and the like of the plurality of batteries B are the same and substantially the same as each other.

Each of the batteries A and B may be a single cell (single battery), or may be a cell block in which a plurality of single cells are electrically connected. When each of the batteries A and B is a cell block formed from a plurality of single cells, in each of the batteries A and B, the plurality of single cells may be electrically connected in series or electrically in parallel. May be connected to. Further, in each of the batteries A and B, both a series connection structure in which a plurality of single cells are electrically connected in series and a parallel connection structure in which a plurality of single cells are electrically connected in parallel are formed. You may.

A single cell is, for example, a battery cell that forms a lithium ion secondary battery. The single cell includes a group of electrodes, and the group of electrodes includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode. In the electrode group, a separator is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator is formed of an electrically insulating material and electrically insulates the positive electrode from the negative electrode. The separator may be provided separately from the electrode, or may be provided integrally with the electrode. In one example, a porous film made of synthetic resin, a non-woven fabric, or the like is used as the separator. Further, in another example, an electrode-integrated separator or the like in which organic fibers are directly volumetrically formed on an active material-containing layer is used.

The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector such as a positive electrode current collector foil, and a positive electrode active material-containing layer supported on the surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode current collector is not limited to these, but is, for example, an aluminum foil, an aluminum alloy foil, or the like, and has a thickness of about 10 μm to 20 μm. The positive electrode active material-containing layer includes a positive electrode active material, and may optionally contain a binder and a conductive agent. Examples of the positive electrode active material include, but are not limited to, oxides, sulfides, polymers, and the like that can occlude and release lithium ions. The positive electrode active material is, for example, manganese dioxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, nickel oxide, lithium manganese composite oxide, lithium nickel composite oxide, lithium cobalt composite oxide, lithium nickel cobalt composite oxide, lithium manganese cobalt composite oxide. , At least one selected from the group consisting of lithium nickel manganese cobalt composite oxide, spinel type lithium manganese nickel composite oxide, lithium phosphorus oxide having an olivine structure, iron sulfate, and vanadium oxide. Further, the positive electrode current collector is provided with a positive electrode current collector tab as a portion where the positive electrode active material-containing layer is not supported.

The negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector such as a negative electrode current collector foil, and a negative electrode active material-containing layer supported on the surface of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode current collector is not limited to these, but is, for example, an aluminum foil, an aluminum alloy foil, a copper foil, or the like, and has a thickness of about 10 μm to 20 μm. In the single cell forming the battery (first battery) A, a copper foil is preferably used as the negative electrode current collector, and in the single cell forming the battery (second battery) B, an aluminum foil or an aluminum alloy foil is used. Is preferably used as a negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode active material-containing layer includes a negative electrode active material, and may optionally contain a binder and a conductive agent. The negative electrode active material is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal nitrides, and carbonaceous materials capable of absorbing and releasing lithium ions. Examples of the metal oxide serving as the negative electrode active material include titanium-containing oxides. The titanium-containing oxide serving as the negative electrode active material includes, for example, titanium oxide, lithium-titanium-containing composite oxide, niobium-titanium-containing composite oxide, and sodium niobium-titanium-containing composite oxide. Moreover, as a carbonaceous substance which becomes a negative electrode active material, graphite and the like can be mentioned. The negative electrode current collector includes a negative electrode current collector tab as a portion where the negative electrode active material-containing layer is not supported.

Here, in the single cell forming the battery (first battery) A, the first active material is used as the negative electrode active material, and in the single cell forming the battery (second battery) B, the first active material is used. A second active material having a higher operating potential than the material is used as the negative electrode active material. For example, the lowest working potential of the second active material is higher than the lowest working potential of the first active material. In one example, an active material having an operating potential of less than 0.4 V (vs. Li / Li +) is used as the first active material, and an active material having an operating potential of 0.4 V (vs. Li / Li /) is used as the second active material. Li +) or higher active material is used. In this case, for example, any kind of carbonaceous substance is used as the first active material, and for example, any kind of titanium-containing oxide is used as the second active material. Since the working potential of the first active material is lower than the working potential of the second active material, if the conditions other than the type of the negative electrode active material are the same with respect to each other, the negative electrode potential of the single cell forming the battery A is , Lower than the negative electrode potential of the single cell forming the battery B.

In the electrode group, for example, with the separator sandwiched between the positive electrode active material-containing layer and the negative electrode active material-containing layer, the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator are wound around the winding axis, and the electrode group is wound. Has a structure. In another example, the electrode group has a stack structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes are alternately laminated, and a separator is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

Further, in the single cell, the electrolytic solution is held (impregnated) in the electrode group. The electrolytic solution may be a non-aqueous electrolytic solution in which the electrolyte is dissolved in an organic solvent, or may be an aqueous electrolytic solution such as an aqueous solution in which the electrolyte is dissolved in an aqueous solvent. Further, instead of the electrolytic solution, a gel-like electrolyte in which an electrolytic solution and a polymer material are combined may be used. Further, a solid electrolyte may be used instead of the electrolytic solution or in addition to the electrolytic solution. When a solid electrolyte is used as the electrolyte, a solid electrolyte may be interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode instead of the separator in the electrode group. In this case, the solid electrolyte electrically insulates the positive electrode from the negative electrode.

Further, in the single cell, the electrode group is housed inside the exterior member. As the exterior member, either a bag-shaped container made of a laminated film or a metal container can be used. As the laminating film, for example, a multilayer film is used, and the multilayer film includes a plurality of resin layers and a metal layer arranged between the resin layers. The thickness of the laminated film is preferably 0.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.2 mm or less. The metal container is preferably formed of, for example, at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, titanium and iron, or an alloy of these metals. The wall thickness of the metal container is preferably 0.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.2 mm or less.

Further, the single cell includes a pair of electrode terminals. One of the electrode terminals is a positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode current collecting tab, and the other one of the electrode terminals is a negative electrode terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode current collecting tab. The electrode terminal may be an internal terminal formed inside the exterior member, or may be an external terminal formed on the outer surface of the exterior member. The electrode terminals are preferably formed of a conductive material and are preferably formed of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc, titanium and iron, or an alloy of these metals.

Since each of the batteries A and B is formed as described above, the negative electrode active materials of the batteries A and B are different from each other. That is, in the battery A, the first active material having a relatively low operating potential such as a carbonaceous material is used as the negative electrode active material, and in the battery B, the operating potential of the titanium-containing oxide or the like is higher than that of the first active material. The active material of 2 is used as the negative electrode active material. As described above, since the negative electrode active materials of the batteries A and B are different from each other, when the battery (first battery) A is rapidly charged, for example, in a low temperature environment, lithium metal or the like is likely to precipitate on the negative electrode. On the other hand, even if the battery (second battery) B is charged in a low temperature environment, for example, lithium metal or the like does not precipitate on the negative electrode. Further, the battery A has a larger capacity than the battery B. Therefore, when used in an environment where the temperature has risen to some extent from a low temperature environment, the battery A can be continuously discharged for a long time as compared with the battery B. On the other hand, the battery B can be discharged with a larger current than the battery A, and has higher output characteristics than the battery A. Especially when used in a low temperature environment, the difference in the output characteristics of the batteries A and B is remarkable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 is provided with a power supply and a load (indicated by reference numeral 6). The power source can supply electric power to the storage batteries 2 (batteries A and B), and the storage battery 2 is charged by being supplied with electric power from the power source or the like. Electric power can be supplied to the load from the storage batteries 2 (batteries A and B), and the storage battery 2 discharges by supplying electric power to the load and the like. Examples of the power source include a battery different from the storage battery 2, a generator, and the like. Examples of the load include a motor and a light. In one example, a capacitor to which power is supplied from the storage battery 2 may be provided in place of or in addition to the load. In this case, the storage battery 2 discharges by supplying electric power to the capacitor. Then, the capacitor can store the electric power supplied from the storage battery 2. Further, in another example, a motor generator may be provided. In this case, the electric power can be supplied from the storage battery 2 to the motor generator, and the electric power can be supplied from the motor generator to the storage battery 2. That is, the motor generator functions as both a power source and a load. In FIG. 1, the power supply and the load are mounted on the battery-mounted device 5, but the power supply and the load are not limited to this. The storage battery 2 may be capable of supplying electric power to an external load of the battery-mounted device 5, or may be capable of supplying electric power to the storage battery 2 from an external power source of the battery-mounted device 5.

The charge / discharge control device 3 controls charging and discharging of the storage battery 2. The charge / discharge control device 3 includes a controller 10. In one example of FIG. 1, the charge / discharge control device 3 is mounted on the battery-mounted device 5 and constitutes a processing device (computer) in the battery-mounted device 5. The controller 10 of the charge / discharge control device 3 includes a processor and a storage medium. The processor includes any one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and the like. The storage medium may include an auxiliary storage device in addition to a main storage device such as a memory. Examples of the storage medium include magnetic disks, optical disks (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, etc.), magneto-optical disks (MO, etc.), semiconductor memories, and the like. In the controller 10, each of the processor and the storage medium may be one or a plurality. In the controller 10, the processor performs processing by executing a program or the like stored in a storage medium or the like. Further, the program executed by the processor of the controller 10 may be stored in a computer (server) connected via a network such as the Internet, or a server in a cloud environment. In this case, the processor downloads the program over the network.

Further, the charge / discharge control device 3 may be provided outside the battery-mounted device 5. In this case, the charge / discharge control device 3 is, for example, an external server of the battery-mounted device 5, and can communicate with the processing device (computer) mounted on the battery-mounted device 5 via the network. Also in this case, the controller 10 of the charge / discharge control device 3 includes a processor and a storage medium. Further, the processing of the controller 10 of the charge / discharge control device 3 may be performed by the processing device mounted on the battery-mounted device 5 and the external server (processing device) of the battery-mounted device 5 in cooperation with each other. In this case, for example, a server or the like outside the battery-mounted device 5 becomes the master control device, and the processing device or the like mounted on the battery-mounted device 5 becomes the slave control device. In another example, the processing of the controller 10 of the charge / discharge control device 3 may be performed by a cloud server configured in the cloud environment. Here, the infrastructure of the cloud environment is composed of a virtual processor such as a virtual CPU and a cloud memory. Therefore, when the cloud server functions as the controller 10, processing is performed by the virtual processor, and data and the like required for processing are stored in the cloud memory. Further, the processing of the controller 10 may be performed by the processing device mounted on the battery-mounted device 5 and the cloud server in cooperation with each other. In this case, the processing device (computer) mounted on the battery-mounted device 5 can communicate with the cloud server.

The control system 1 is provided with a drive circuit 11. The controller 10 controls the drive of the drive circuit 11 to control the power supply from the storage battery 2 to the load and the power supply from the power source to the storage battery 2. That is, the controller 10 controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery 2 (batteries A and B) by controlling the driving of the drive circuit 11. The drive circuit 11 includes a relay circuit for switching the output of electric power from the storage battery 2 and the input of electric power to the storage battery 2. Further, the drive circuit 11 includes a conversion circuit, and the conversion circuit converts the power from the power source into the DC power supplied to the storage battery 2. Further, the conversion circuit converts the DC power from the storage battery 2 into the power supplied to the load. The conversion circuit can include a transformer circuit, a DC / AC conversion circuit, an AC / DC transformer circuit, and the like. Further, the conversion circuit may include a DC / DC conversion circuit (DC / DC converter) that converts between a DC power having a voltage suitable for the battery A and a DC power having a voltage suitable for the battery B.

In the present embodiment, by controlling the drive of the drive circuit 11, the current input to the plurality of batteries A (battery module X), the output from the plurality of batteries A (battery module X), and the like are controlled. Ru. By controlling the drive of the drive circuit 11, the current input to the plurality of batteries B (battery module Y), the output from the plurality of batteries B (battery module Y), and the like are controlled. Further, in the present embodiment, by controlling the drive of the drive circuit 11, the battery module X is charged or discharged in all of the plurality of batteries A, and in all of the plurality of batteries A. It is possible to switch only to the state where charging and discharging are stopped. Then, by controlling the drive of the drive circuit 11, the battery module Y is in a state where charging or discharging is performed in all of the plurality of batteries B, and charging and discharging are stopped in all of the plurality of batteries B. It is possible to switch only to the state where it is done.

In charging the battery module X, the voltage of the battery (first battery) A is controlled so as not to exceed the upper limit of the voltage range imposed on the battery A. When the battery module X is discharged, the battery A is controlled so as not to drop below the lower limit of the voltage range imposed on the battery A. In one example, the discharge from the battery module X is terminated based on the fact that one or more voltages of the battery A have dropped to the lower limit of the voltage range of the battery A. In this case, the lower limit of the voltage range of the battery A is the discharge cutoff voltage value VAoff. In another example, the discharge cutoff voltage value VAoff may be set to a value higher than the lower limit of the voltage range of the battery A. In this case, the discharge from the battery module X is terminated based on the fact that the voltage of one or more of the batteries A drops to the discharge cutoff voltage value VAoff, which is higher than the lower limit of the voltage range of the battery A.

Further, in charging the battery module Y, the voltage of the battery (second battery) B is controlled so as not to exceed the upper limit of the voltage range imposed on the battery B. When the battery module Y is discharged, the battery B is controlled so as not to drop below the lower limit of the voltage range imposed on the battery B. In one example, the discharge from the battery module Y is terminated based on the fact that one or more voltages of the battery B have dropped to the lower limit of the voltage range of the battery B. In this case, the lower limit of the voltage range of the battery B is the discharge cutoff voltage value VBoff. In another example, the discharge cutoff voltage value VBoff may be set to a value higher than the lower limit of the voltage range of the battery B. In this case, the discharge from the battery module Y is terminated based on the fact that the voltage of one or more of the batteries B drops to the discharge cutoff voltage value VBoff, which is higher than the lower limit of the voltage range of the battery B.

Further, as described above, since the negative electrode active materials of the batteries A and B are different from each other, the set value of the discharge cutoff voltage VAoff of the battery A is lower than the set value of the discharge cutoff voltage VBoff of the battery B. Even if the temperature T of the storage battery 2 described later is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold Tth, the discharge from the battery module X ends based on the fact that the voltage of one or more of the batteries A drops to the discharge cutoff voltage value VAoff. Will be done. Further, even if the temperature T of the storage battery 2 described later is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold Tth, the discharge from the battery module Y ends based on the fact that the voltage of one or more of the batteries B drops to the discharge cutoff voltage value VBoff. Will be done.

The control system 1 is provided with a measurement circuit 12. The measurement circuit 12 detects and measures the parameters related to the storage battery 2. The measurement circuit 12 has, as parameters related to the storage battery 2, the current flowing through the battery module X (plurality of batteries A), the current flowing through the battery module Y (plurality of batteries A), the respective voltages of the batteries A and B, and the battery module. Measure one of the respective voltages of X and Y.

Further, the measurement circuit 12 measures the temperature T of the storage battery 2 as a parameter related to the storage battery 2. The measurement circuit 12 includes one or more temperature sensors that measure the temperature. The measuring circuit 12 measures the temperature at one or more points of the storage battery 2 by using the temperature sensor. The measurement circuit 12 has the measured value of the temperature at one place of the storage battery 2, the lowest lowest value among the measured values of the temperature at a plurality of places of the storage battery 2, and the average value of the measured values of the temperature at a plurality of places of the storage battery 2. Any one of the intermediate values is defined as the temperature T of the storage battery 2. In the storage battery 2, it is preferable that at least the temperature in the region where the battery (first battery) A is arranged is measured. In the storage battery 2, in addition to the temperature of the region where the battery (first battery) A is arranged, the temperature of the region where the battery (second battery) B is arranged may be measured. Further, in the storage battery 2, the temperature distribution in the region where the battery (first battery) A is arranged may be measured, or the temperature distribution in the region where the battery (second battery) B is arranged may be measured. good. Further, in the storage battery 2, the temperature distribution in the region where the battery (first battery) A is arranged and / or the temperature distribution in the region where the battery (second battery) B is arranged may be predicted. Even when the temperature distribution is measured or predicted in the storage battery 2, the measurement circuit 12 sets the temperature T of the storage battery 2 in the same manner as in the case of measuring using the temperature sensor.

In the storage battery 2, the region where the battery (first battery) A is arranged is the region of the first temperature. Further, in the storage battery 2, the region where the battery (second battery) B is arranged is the region of the second temperature. In one example, in battery A, a first active material having a relatively low operating potential such as a carbonaceous material is used as a negative electrode active material, and in battery B, an operating potential such as a titanium-containing oxide is higher than that of the first active material. The higher second active material is used as the negative electrode active material. As described above, when the storage battery 2 is used in a low temperature environment, the battery B has a particularly high output characteristic as compared with the battery A. Therefore, the battery B is arranged in the region where the temperature is relatively low in the storage battery 2, and the battery A is arranged in the region where the temperature is relatively high in the storage battery 2. That is, the temperature of the region where the battery B is arranged (second temperature) is lower than the temperature of the region where the battery A is arranged (first temperature).

The controller 10 acquires the measurement results of the parameters related to the storage battery 2 including the temperature T. The measurement of the parameters related to the storage battery 2 such as the temperature T is periodically performed at a predetermined timing. Therefore, the controller 10 periodically acquires the measurement result of the parameter such as the temperature T. Then, the controller 10 controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery 2 based on the measurement results of the parameters related to the storage battery 2 including the temperature T. Further, the temperature threshold value Tth regarding the temperature T of the storage battery 2 is stored in the storage medium of the controller 10, the cloud memory, or the like. The controller 10 controls the drive of the drive circuit 11 based on the temperature T and the temperature threshold value Tth, and controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery 2. Here, the temperature threshold value Tth is preferably a temperature value of 0 ° C. or higher.

Further, in the control system 1, the user interface 15 is mounted on the battery-mounted device 5. The user interface 15 functions as an operation device for inputting operations and the like by the user and the like of the battery-mounted device 5, and also functions as a notification device for notifying the user and the like of the battery-mounted device 5. The user interface 15 includes any of a button, a dial, a touch panel, and the like as an operation device, and the controller 10 performs processing based on an operation command or the like input by the user interface 15. Further, the controller 10 notifies information and the like via the user interface 15. In the user interface 15, information is announced by either screen display or voice.

2A to 2F show the arrangement of batteries A and B in the storage battery 2. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2F, in the storage battery 2, the batteries A and B have a first direction (directions indicated by arrows X1 and X2) and a second direction (arrows Y1 and) intersecting the first direction. It is arranged in space along at least one of a third direction (direction indicated by arrow Z1 and arrow Z2) that intersects both the first direction and the second direction (direction indicated by arrow Y2). Further, in FIGS. 2A to 2F, the battery A is hatched with diagonal lines.

In one example of FIG. 2A, the batteries A and B are arranged along both the first and second directions. The battery A and the battery B are arranged in only one layer (one stage) in the third direction. That is, the batteries A and B are not overlapped with each other in the third direction. In this example, four batteries A and / or battery B are arranged in the first direction and four in the second direction. That is, in the storage battery 2, the total number of batteries A and B is 16. The battery B is arranged outside the battery A in the first direction. Further, the battery B is arranged outside the battery A in the second direction. As a result, in the storage battery 2, all the batteries B are arranged on the outer peripheral side (outside in both the first direction and the second direction) of the storage battery 2 with respect to all the batteries A. Therefore, in this example, 12 batteries B are arranged on the outer peripheral side portion of the storage battery 2, and on the inner peripheral side portion of the storage battery 2 (inner portion in both the first direction and the second direction). Four batteries A are arranged.

In the example of FIG. 2B and the example of FIG. 2C, the batteries A and B are arranged along either the first direction or the second direction, and one layer is provided in the third direction, as in the example of FIG. 2A. Only placed. In the example of FIG. 2B, all the batteries B are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the storage battery 2 with respect to all the batteries A. However, in the storage battery 2, the battery B is not arranged outside the battery A at the portion on one side of the second direction (the direction side indicated by the arrow Y1). That is, a part of the battery A is not surrounded from the outer peripheral side of the storage battery 2. In this example, eight batteries B are arranged and four batteries A are arranged. Even in the example of FIG. 2C, a part of the battery A is not surrounded from the outer peripheral side of the storage battery 2. Further, in the storage battery 2, the battery B is not arranged outside the battery A at a portion on the side opposite to the example of FIG. 2B (direction side indicated by the arrow Y2) in the second direction. In this example, in the storage battery 2, eight batteries A are arranged and twelve batteries B are arranged.

In one example of FIG. 2D, the batteries A, B are arranged along either the first direction or the second direction, and only one layer is arranged in the third direction. In this example, five batteries A and / or battery B are arranged in the first direction and five in the second direction. That is, in the storage battery 2, the total number of batteries A and B is 25. The battery A is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the storage battery 2 with respect to at least one battery B. Further, the batteries A are not arranged adjacent to each other. That is, the battery B is arranged between one battery A and another battery A. Therefore, a part of the battery B is arranged on the outer peripheral side portion of the storage battery 2, and a part of the battery A is arranged on the inner peripheral side portion of the storage battery 2. In this example, in the storage battery 2, five batteries A are arranged and 20 batteries B are arranged.

In one example of FIG. 2E and the example of FIG. 2F, the batteries A and B are arranged along one of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction. In one example of FIG. 2E, some of the batteries A, B are stacked relative to each other in a third direction. In the storage battery 2 of this example, two layers are arranged in the third direction at the portion on one side (arrow Y1 side) of the second direction. In the storage battery 2, all the batteries B are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the storage battery 2 with respect to all the batteries A. Therefore, in this example, 12 batteries B are arranged on the outer peripheral side portion of the storage battery 2, and 6 batteries A are arranged on the inner peripheral side portion of the storage battery 2. In an example of FIG. 2F, the battery B is arranged outside the battery A in the first direction. The batteries B are adjacent to each other in the second direction and the batteries B are adjacent to each other in the second direction. Also, the batteries B are stacked with respect to each other in the third direction. However, the batteries A are not overlapped with each other in the third direction. That is, the battery A is arranged only in the first layer in the third direction. In this example, eight batteries A are arranged and 16 batteries B are arranged. The arrangement of the batteries A and B in the storage battery 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and the batteries A and B can be arranged at appropriate positions in the storage battery 2.

In any of the examples of FIGS. 2A to 2F, the gap formed between the batteries A and the battery B is preferably narrower than the gap formed between the batteries A and the batteries B. That is, it is preferable that the gap formed between the batteries containing different negative electrode active materials is narrower than the gap formed between the batteries containing the same negative electrode active material. Further, a member having a higher thermal conductivity than air is provided in the gap formed between the battery A and the battery B, and the gap formed between the batteries A and the gap between the batteries B are formed. It is preferable that the above-mentioned member is not arranged in the gap to be formed. In one example, the metal plate is arranged in the gap formed between the battery A and the battery B.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the processing performed by the controller 10 in the use of the storage battery 2. As shown in FIG. 3, when it is determined in S101 that the storage battery 2 has started to be used (S101-Yes), the controller 10 charges or discharges only the battery (second battery) B (S102), and the battery (First battery) A is maintained in a state where charging and discharging are stopped (S103). As a result, the input or output of electric power is performed only in the battery module Y, and the input and output of electric power is stopped in the battery module X. Then, in the battery module Y, charging or discharging is performed in all of the plurality of batteries B, and in the battery module X, charging and discharging are stopped in all of the plurality of batteries A.

Then, the controller 10 acquires the temperature T of the storage battery 2 described above (S104). The controller 10 determines whether or not the acquired temperature T is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth (S105). When the temperature T is less than the temperature threshold Tth (S105-No), the controller 10 charges or discharges only the battery B (battery module Y) (S106) in the same manner as in the processing of S102, and is the same as in the processing of S103. In addition, charging and discharging of the battery A (battery module X) are stopped (S107). As a result, the input or output of electric power is performed only in the battery module Y, and the input and output of electric power are stopped in the battery module X, as in the case of the start of use and immediately after the start of use of the storage battery 2. If it is determined in S110 that the use of the storage battery 2 is not terminated (S110-No), the process returns to S104. Then, the controller 10 sequentially executes the processes after S104.

In S105, when the temperature T is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth (S105-Yes), the controller 10 charges or discharges the battery (second battery) B (S108). Further, in addition to the battery (second battery) B, the battery (first battery) A is charged or discharged (S109). As a result, power is input or output in both the battery modules X and Y. Then, in the battery module X, all of the plurality of batteries A are charged or discharged, and in the battery module Y, all of the plurality of batteries B are charged and discharged. Then, if it is determined in S110 that the use of the storage battery 2 is not terminated (S110-No), the process returns to S104. Then, the controller 10 sequentially executes the processes after S104.

In the present embodiment, the battery (first battery) A contains the first active material as the negative electrode active material and is arranged in the region of the first temperature. The battery (second battery) B contains the second active material as the negative electrode active material and is arranged in the second temperature region. The working potential of the second active material is higher than the working potential of the first active material. The second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Therefore, in the storage battery 2, the second battery is used in a region where the temperature is lower than that of the first battery. Therefore, when the storage battery 2 is used in a low temperature environment, an appropriate operating temperature of the battery A and the battery B is ensured. Therefore, when the storage battery 2 is used in a low temperature environment, each of the batteries A and B forming the storage battery 2 with a simple configuration can be used at an appropriate operating temperature. Further, since the batteries A and B can be used in the storage battery 2 at an appropriate operating temperature, it is not necessary to provide the storage battery 2 with a heating mechanism such as a heater separately from the batteries A and B.

In the present embodiment, in the storage battery 2, at least one battery (second battery) B is arranged on the outer peripheral side with respect to the battery (first battery) A. Therefore, when the storage battery 2 is used in a low temperature environment, the battery B is arranged at a position close to the low temperature external environment, and the battery A is arranged at a position relatively far from the low temperature external environment. Therefore, compared to the region where the battery B is arranged (the region of the second temperature), in the region where the battery A is arranged (the region of the first temperature), heat is less likely to be dissipated to the external environment and the temperature becomes lower. Hateful. As a result, in the storage battery 2, each of the batteries A and B can be used at an appropriate operating temperature.

In the present embodiment, in the storage battery 2, the gap formed between the battery (first battery) A and the battery (second battery) B is a gap formed between the batteries A and between the batteries B. It is preferable that it is narrower than that. As a result, when the storage battery 2 is used, heat is more efficiently conducted between the battery A and the battery B. Therefore, the battery A is efficiently heated by the battery B. Further, in the present embodiment, in the storage battery 2, it is preferable that a member having a higher thermal conductivity than air is provided in the gap formed between the battery A and the battery B. As a result, when the storage battery 2 is used, heat is more efficiently conducted between the battery A and the battery B. Therefore, the battery A can be heated more efficiently by the battery B.

In the present embodiment, since the above-described processing is performed, the controller 10 stops charging and discharging the battery (first battery) A based on the temperature T of the storage battery 2 being less than the temperature threshold value Tth. Let me. Therefore, when the storage battery 2 is being charged or discharged in a low temperature environment, the input and output of electric power in the battery A (battery module X) are stopped. Therefore, when the storage battery 2 is being charged or discharged in a low temperature environment, each of the batteries A is not charged. As a result, the charging and discharging of the battery A in which lithium metal and the like are likely to deposit on the negative electrode are stopped in the rapid charging in a low temperature environment, and the charging and discharging of the storage battery 2 are appropriately controlled.

In the present embodiment, the controller 10 charges or discharges the battery (first battery) A based on the temperature T of the storage battery 2 being equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value Tth. Therefore, when the storage battery 2 is used in an environment where the temperature has risen to some extent from the low temperature environment, electric power is output from each of the batteries A. As a result, the charging and discharging of the storage battery 2 are controlled so that the battery A is used at an appropriate operating temperature.

In the present embodiment, the controller 10 charges or discharges the battery (second battery) B when the temperature T of the storage battery 2 is less than the temperature threshold value Tth. Therefore, when the storage battery 2 is being charged or discharged in a low temperature environment, electric power is input or output in the battery B (battery module Y). Each of the batteries B can output a large current even in a low temperature environment, and can discharge with a large current. Further, each of the batteries B can input a large current even in a low temperature environment, and can be charged with a large current. Therefore, even when the storage battery 2 is used in a low temperature environment, the input characteristics and the output characteristics of the storage battery 2 are ensured.

In the present embodiment, the controller 10 stops the charging and discharging of the battery (first battery) A from the start of use of the storage battery 2 to the first determination based on the temperature threshold value Tth. Actually, the storage battery 2 in which the charge / discharge control is performed as described above has a low temperature at the start of use and immediately after the start of use. Therefore, the battery A is not used outside the appropriate operating temperature range because the charging and discharging of the battery A are stopped at the start of use and immediately after the start of use. Thereby, each of the batteries A and B forming the storage battery 2 can be used more appropriately in the charging and discharging of the storage battery 2 in a low temperature environment or the like.

(Modification example)
In one modification, when the temperature is greater than or equal to the temperature threshold Tth (S105-Yes), the controller 10 charges or discharges the battery (first battery) A instead of processing S108 and S109, and the battery The charging or discharging of (second battery) B may be stopped. In this case, the battery B is charged or discharged when the temperature T of the storage battery 2 is less than the temperature threshold Tth. Also in this modification, the battery A is stopped from being charged and discharged based on the fact that the temperature T of the storage battery 2 is less than the temperature threshold Tth, and the battery is based on the fact that the temperature T of the storage battery 2 is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold Tth. A is charged or discharged. Therefore, even in this modification, the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment and the like are obtained.

Further, in a modification, even if the controller 10 controls the charging and discharging of the plurality of batteries A independently of each other and the charging and discharging of the plurality of batteries B independently of each other. good. Therefore, by controlling the drive of the drive circuit 11, the controller 10 may charge or discharge only a part of the plurality of batteries A, and stop charging and discharging the remaining part of the plurality of batteries A. It is possible. Similarly, by controlling the drive of the drive circuit 11, the controller 10 may charge or discharge only a part of the plurality of batteries B, and stop charging and discharging the remaining part of the plurality of batteries B. It is possible. In this case, the measurement circuit 12 measures each temperature of the battery A as a parameter related to the storage battery 2. The controller 10 controls the driving of the drive circuit 11 based on the respective temperatures of the battery A and the above-mentioned temperature threshold value Tth, and controls the charging and discharging of the storage battery 2. That is, in the battery A whose temperature is less than the temperature threshold Tth, charging and discharging are stopped, and the battery A whose temperature is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold Tth is charged or discharged. Therefore, even in this modification, the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment and the like are obtained.

According to the above-described embodiment, the storage battery comprises one or more first batteries and one or more second batteries. The first battery contains the first active material as the negative electrode active material and is arranged in the region of the first temperature. The second battery contains a second active material having an operating potential higher than the operating potential of the first active material as the negative electrode active material, and is arranged in a region of a second temperature lower than the first temperature. This provides a storage battery and a control system that enables appropriate use of each of the batteries that form the storage battery with a simple configuration when the storage battery is used in a low temperature environment.

In at least one embodiment described above, the control system includes the storage battery described above and a charge / discharge control device. The charge / discharge control device includes a controller that controls charging and discharging of the storage battery. The controller stops charging and discharging of one or more second batteries based on the temperature below the temperature threshold. Then, one or more second batteries are charged or discharged based on the temperature being equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value. This provides a storage battery and a control system that enables appropriate use of each of the storage battery batteries in a simple configuration when the storage battery is used in a low temperature environment.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... Control system, 2 ... Storage battery, 3 ... Charge / discharge control device, 5 ... Battery-equipped device, 10 ... Controller, A ... Battery (first battery), B ... Battery (second battery), X ... Battery module (First battery module), Y ... Battery module (second battery module).

Claims (8)

With one or more first batteries containing the first active material as the negative electrode active material and located in the region of the first temperature.
One or more second active materials containing a second active material having an operating potential higher than the operating potential of the first active material as a negative electrode active material and arranged in a region of a second temperature lower than the first temperature. With batteries
Equipped with a storage battery. The storage battery according to claim 1 and
A charge / discharge control device including a controller for controlling charging and discharging of the storage battery, and
A control system equipped with. The controller stops charging and discharging of the first battery based on the temperature of the storage battery being less than the temperature threshold.
The control system according to claim 2. The controller
When the temperature of the storage battery is less than the temperature threshold value, only the second battery is charged or discharged, and the charging and discharging of the first battery is stopped.
When the temperature of the storage battery is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value, the first battery and the second battery are charged or discharged.
The control system according to claim 3. The storage battery is provided with a plurality of the first batteries.
The plurality of the first batteries can be switched only to a state in which charging or discharging is performed in all cases and a state in which charging and discharging are stopped in all cases.
When the temperature of the storage battery is less than the temperature threshold value, the controller stops charging and discharging in all of the plurality of first batteries.
The control system according to claim 3 or 4. The storage battery is provided with a plurality of the second batteries.
The plurality of the second batteries can be switched only to a state in which charging or discharging is performed in all cases and a state in which charging and discharging are stopped in all cases.
The controller
When the temperature of the storage battery is less than the temperature threshold value, all of the plurality of the second batteries are charged or discharged, and all of the plurality of the first batteries are stopped from being charged and discharged.
When the temperature of the storage battery is equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value, all of the plurality of the first batteries and all of the plurality of the second batteries are charged or discharged.
The control system according to claim 5. The controller is an average value obtained by averaging the measured values of the temperature at one location of the storage battery, the lowest minimum value among the measured values of the temperature at a plurality of locations of the storage battery, and the measured values of the temperature at a plurality of locations of the storage battery. It further comprises acquiring any one of the above as the temperature of the storage battery.
The control system according to any one of claims 3 to 6. Further equipped with a battery-mounted device on which the storage battery is mounted,
The control system according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

Images