JP5366194B2

JP5366194B2 - Secondary battery pack

Info

Publication number: JP5366194B2
Application number: JP2009007488A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 滋野澤; 伸鈴木
Original assignee: NEC Energy Devices Ltd
Current assignee: Envision AESC Energy Devices Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-16
Filing date: 2009-01-16
Publication date: 2013-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-16
Also published as: JP2010166721A

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a secondary battery pack which makes voltage balance adjustment between secondary batteries constituting secondary battery modules, and between the secondary battery modules, more efficiently than before and in a short period of time. <P>SOLUTION: The secondary battery pack has: a module control unit 15 monitoring the voltage of the secondary battery 11 constituting the secondary battery module 12 and having a battery voltage balance adjusting part 13 for adjusting the voltage of the secondary battery 11; a temperature detecting part 17; a current detecting part 16; a charging switch 19; a discharging switch 18; a change-over switch 21 for changing over respective charging routes to the secondary battery modules 12; a charging control part 22; and a battery control part 20 for controlling the module control part 15, a charging control part 22, the switch-over switch 21, the charging switch 19 and the discharging switch 18 by deciding a charging voltage, a charging current and the need for charging the respective secondary battery modules 12, based on voltage information, temperature information and current information from the module control part 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、複数の二次電池を直列に接続して構成される二次電池モジュールを複数個直列または並列に接続して構成される二次電池パックに関し、特に二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整が可能な二次電池パックに関する。 The present invention relates to a secondary battery pack configured by connecting a plurality of secondary battery modules configured by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series, in particular, a voltage balance between the secondary battery modules. The present invention relates to an adjustable secondary battery pack.

リチウムイオン電池等の二次電池は、近年、電動機器や蓄電等の分野における用途が拡大してきており、これに伴って高電圧対応のための多直化(多数個が直列に接続した状態)の要求が増えている。また、同時に長期信頼性、安全性や寿命についても高い要求がある。二次電池パックを二次電池を複数個直列接続して構成する際、信頼性、安全性、寿命の観点からは、理想的には二次電池パックを構成するそれぞれの二次電池が寿命に至るまで、充放電動作や保存において均一に電圧が推移し性能が劣化することが望まれるが、現実的には二次電池単体の性能や劣化のバラツキ等が作用し、電圧バランスが崩れる場合がある。この対策の一つとして、一般的には各二次電池の電圧をモニタし、充電途中に各二次電池間の電圧バランス調整を行う方法がとられている。特許文献１には各二次電池の電圧を検出して、充電途中あるいは充電完了後に電圧の高い二次電池のバランス放電を行い、電圧の低い二次電池に他の二次電池より高い充電電流を供給してバランス充電を行う充電方法が示されている。 In recent years, secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries have been increasingly used in the fields of electric devices and power storage, etc. The demand for is increasing. At the same time, there is a high demand for long-term reliability, safety and life. When configuring a secondary battery pack by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series, each secondary battery constituting the secondary battery pack should ideally have a lifetime from the viewpoint of reliability, safety and life. Until then, it is desirable for the voltage to change evenly during charge / discharge operation and storage, and it is desirable that the performance deteriorate. is there. As one of countermeasures, generally, a method is adopted in which the voltage of each secondary battery is monitored and the voltage balance between the secondary batteries is adjusted during charging. In Patent Document 1, the voltage of each secondary battery is detected, and the secondary battery having a high voltage is balanced and discharged during charging or after the charging is completed, and the secondary battery having a low voltage has a higher charging current than the other secondary batteries. A charging method for performing balance charging by supplying a battery is shown.

特許第３２２９６９６号公報Japanese Patent No. 3229696

上記のような電圧バランス調整回路を二次電池を多直化して構成した二次電池モジュールをさらに多直化して構成した二次電池パックに適用する場合、回路の高集積化のためや電子部品の定格電圧等の都合により、パーソナルコンピュータ用電池パック向け等に開発された一般的なアナログＩＣやカスタム開発された専用ＩＣ等をベースとして二次電池モジュール単位で調整・制御回路が構成される場合が多い。しかし、この場合、二次電池モジュール内での構成電池間の電圧バランス調整がなされても、回路構成部品の消費電流のバラツキにより、二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランスが崩れるという問題があった。また、二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整に時間がかかるため、二次電池モジュール入換えの際には電圧レベルを他の二次電池モジュールと合わせてから接続する必要があるという問題があった。 When applying the voltage balance adjustment circuit as described above to a secondary battery pack configured by further increasing the number of secondary battery modules configured by increasing the number of secondary batteries, it is necessary to increase the integration of the circuit or electronic components. When the adjustment / control circuit is configured in units of secondary battery modules based on general analog ICs developed for personal computer battery packs, custom-developed dedicated ICs, etc. There are many. However, in this case, even if the voltage balance between the constituent batteries in the secondary battery module is adjusted, there is a problem that the voltage balance between the secondary battery modules is lost due to variations in the current consumption of the circuit components. In addition, since it takes time to adjust the voltage balance between the secondary battery modules, there is a problem in that when the secondary battery module is replaced, it is necessary to connect the voltage level after combining it with other secondary battery modules. .

図３は一般的なアナログＩＣにより構成された従来の二次電池パックの構成例を示す回路ブロック図である。図３において、二次電池１が複数個直列に接続され、二次電池モジュール２が構成されている。モジュール制御部５はその二次電池モジュールの電圧と二次電池モジュール内の構成電池の電圧をモニタする機能を有し、電池電圧バランス調整部３及びモジュール電圧バランス調整部４を備えている。また、この二次電池パックは二次電池モジュール２の温度をモニタする温度検出部７と、二次電池パック全体の充電電流および放電電流をモニタする電流検出部６と、二次電池パック全体の充電経路および放電経路をそれぞれ開閉する充電スイッチ９および放電スイッチ８を備えており、電池制御部１０はモジュール制御部５と、電流検出部６と、温度検出部７からの電圧、電流、温度情報を元にモジュール制御部５と放電スイッチ８、充電スイッチ９を制御する。モジュール制御部５は、電池制御部１０からの制御により、規定された時期及び期間、電池電圧バランス調整部及びモジュール電圧バランス調整部を制御し、構成電池間の電圧バランス調整および二次電池モジュールの電圧調整と各電圧のモニタを行う。 FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional secondary battery pack configured by a general analog IC. In FIG. 3, a plurality of secondary batteries 1 are connected in series to form a secondary battery module 2. The module control unit 5 has a function of monitoring the voltage of the secondary battery module and the voltage of the constituent batteries in the secondary battery module, and includes a battery voltage balance adjustment unit 3 and a module voltage balance adjustment unit 4. The secondary battery pack includes a temperature detection unit 7 that monitors the temperature of the secondary battery module 2, a current detection unit 6 that monitors the charging current and the discharge current of the entire secondary battery pack, and the entire secondary battery pack. A charge switch 9 and a discharge switch 8 are provided to open and close the charging path and the discharging path, respectively. The battery control unit 10 includes voltage, current, and temperature information from the module control unit 5, the current detection unit 6, and the temperature detection unit 7. The module controller 5, the discharge switch 8, and the charge switch 9 are controlled based on the above. The module control unit 5 controls the specified time and period, the battery voltage balance adjustment unit, and the module voltage balance adjustment unit under the control of the battery control unit 10 to adjust the voltage balance between the constituent batteries and the secondary battery module. Adjust the voltage and monitor each voltage.

このような電池パックにおいて、二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を一般的な抵抗放電によって行う場合、抵抗の許容電力により実際に放電できる電流量に限度があるので比較的低い電流値で時間をかけて調整せざるを得なくなり、メンテナンス等における二次電池モジュール入換えの際には、この調整時間を短縮するために、予め充電量、すなわち電圧レベルを他の二次電池モジュールと合わせてから接続する必要があった。 In such a battery pack, when the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is performed by general resistance discharge, there is a limit to the amount of current that can be actually discharged by the allowable power of the resistance. In order to shorten this adjustment time when replacing the secondary battery module for maintenance, etc., the charge amount, that is, the voltage level is adjusted in advance with other secondary battery modules. There was a need to connect.

上記の問題を解決するため、本発明の課題は、複数の二次電池モジュールを直列または並列に接続して構成される二次電池パックにおいて、二次電池モジュールを構成する二次電池間、および二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を従来よりも効果的、かつ、短時間に行うことが可能な二次電池パックを提供することにある。 In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery pack configured by connecting a plurality of secondary battery modules in series or in parallel, between the secondary batteries constituting the secondary battery module, and An object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery pack capable of adjusting the voltage balance between the secondary battery modules more effectively than in the past and in a short time.

上記課題を解決するため、本発明の二次電池パックは、複数の二次電池を直列に接続して構成される二次電池モジュールを複数個直列または並列に接続して構成される二次電池パックにおいて、前記二次電池モジュールのそれぞれに対応して配置され該二次電池モジュールを構成する二次電池の電圧をモニタし該二次電池の電圧を調整する電池電圧バランス調整部を備えたモジュール制御部と、前記二次電池モジュールの温度をモニタする温度検出部と、当該二次電池パック全体の充電電流および放電電流をモニタする電流検出部と、当該二次電池パック全体の充電経路および放電経路をそれぞれ開閉する充電スイッチおよび放電スイッチと、前記二次電池モジュールのそれぞれへの充電経路を切換える切換スイッチと、前記二次電池モジュールへの充電電圧および充電電流を制御する充電制御部と、前記モジュール制御部からの前記二次電池モジュールの電圧及び該二次電池モジュールを構成する二次電池の電圧情報と前記温度検出部からの温度情報と前記電流検出部からの電流情報とを元に前記二次電池モジュールのそれぞれの充電の要否および充電電圧と充電電流を決定し、前記モジュール制御部、前記充電制御部、前記切換えスイッチ、前記充電スイッチ及び前記放電スイッチを制御する電池制御部とを有し、
前記電池制御部は、個々の二次電池モジュール単位又は連続した複数の二次電池モジュール単位で定電圧定電流充電を行うことにより前記二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を行い、
さらに、前記電池制御部は、充電手段への接続を制御する上位の制御部及び前記上位の制御部への信号伝達手段を有し、前記二次電池モジュール間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が規定の電圧値を超えた場合は放電を禁止して前記上位の制御部への充電要求を行い、前記二次電池モジュール間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が前記規定の電圧値以下になった場合は放電を許可する制御を行うことを特徴とする二次電池パック。 In order to solve the above problems, the secondary battery pack of the present invention is a secondary battery configured by connecting a plurality of secondary battery modules configured by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series or in series. In the pack, a module provided with a battery voltage balance adjusting unit that is arranged corresponding to each of the secondary battery modules and monitors the voltage of the secondary battery constituting the secondary battery module and adjusts the voltage of the secondary battery. A control unit; a temperature detection unit that monitors a temperature of the secondary battery module; a current detection unit that monitors a charging current and a discharging current of the entire secondary battery pack; and a charging path and a discharging of the entire secondary battery pack. A charge switch and a discharge switch for opening and closing a path; a changeover switch for switching a charge path to each of the secondary battery modules; and the secondary battery module. A charge control unit for controlling a charging voltage and a charging current to the battery, a voltage of the secondary battery module from the module control unit, a voltage information of a secondary battery constituting the secondary battery module, and the temperature detection unit. Determining whether or not each of the secondary battery modules needs to be charged and a charging voltage and a charging current based on the temperature information of the current and the current information from the current detection unit, the module control unit, the charge control unit, the switching A battery control unit that controls the switch, the charge switch, and the discharge switch;
The battery control unit may have the row voltage balancing between the secondary battery module by performing the constant-voltage constant-current charging at each secondary battery module units or a plurality of successive secondary battery module units,
Further, the battery control unit includes a higher-level control unit that controls connection to a charging unit and a signal transmission unit to the higher-level control unit, and the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules. When the voltage exceeds a specified voltage value, discharging is prohibited and a charge request is made to the upper control unit, and the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules is less than the specified voltage value. rechargeable battery pack when it becomes, characterized in row Ukoto control to allow the discharge.

また、前記電池制御部は、前記個々の二次電池モジュール単位又は連続した複数の二次電池モジュール単位での充電を行う調整充電期間と前記二次電池または前記二次電池モジュールの電圧をモニタする電圧モニタ期間を規定し、前記電池制御部が電圧バランス調整が不要と判断するかまたは当該二次電池パックへの充電が停止されるまで前記調整充電期間と前記モニタ期間を繰返すことにより、前記二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を行なってもよい。 In addition, the battery control unit monitors an adjustment charging period in which charging is performed in units of the individual secondary battery modules or a plurality of continuous secondary battery modules, and a voltage of the secondary battery or the secondary battery module. By defining the voltage monitoring period and repeating the adjustment charging period and the monitoring period until the battery control unit determines that the voltage balance adjustment is unnecessary or until the charging to the secondary battery pack is stopped, The voltage balance between secondary battery modules may be adjusted.

また、前記電池制御部は、前記調整充電期間と前記電圧モニタ期間を前記温度検出部からの温度情報により調整してもよい。 The battery control unit may adjust the adjustment charging period and the voltage monitoring period based on temperature information from the temperature detection unit.

また、前記電池制御部は充放電容量の積算機能を有し、前記二次電池の電圧、前記充電電流、前記積算された充放電容量のそれぞれの規定値を設定し、前記電池制御部はこれらの規定値のいずれか又は複数の規定値に達するまで前記二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を行ってもよい。 In addition, the battery control unit has a charge / discharge capacity integration function, and sets respective specified values for the voltage of the secondary battery, the charge current, and the integrated charge / discharge capacity. The voltage balance between the secondary battery modules may be adjusted until one or a plurality of specified values is reached.

また、前記電池制御部は、前記二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を完了後に、二次電池モジュールを構成する二次電池の電圧のモニタ結果を元にモジュール制御部を介し該二次電池間の電圧バランス調整を行ってもよい。 In addition, the battery control unit, after completing the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules, between the secondary batteries through the module control unit based on the monitoring result of the voltage of the secondary battery constituting the secondary battery module The voltage balance may be adjusted.

また、前記電池制御部は、前記二次電池モジュール間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が規定の電圧値を超えた場合、前記二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を開始し、前記規定の電圧値を下回った場合、前記二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を停止するように制御し、かつ、前記二次電池間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が規定の電圧値を超えた場合、前記二次電池間の電圧バランス調整を開始し、前記規定の電圧値を下回った場合、前記二次電池間の電圧バランス調整を停止するように制御してもよい。 In addition, when the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules exceeds a specified voltage value, the battery control unit starts a voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules, When the voltage value falls below the voltage value, the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is controlled to stop, and the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary batteries exceeds the specified voltage value. The voltage balance adjustment between the secondary batteries may be started, and the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary batteries may be stopped when the voltage falls below the specified voltage value.

また、前記電池制御部は、前記二次電池モジュール間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が規定の電圧値を超えた場合、電圧の小さい二次電池モジュールから順番に二次電池モジュール単位又は連続した複数の二次電池モジュール単位での充電を行うように制御してもよい。 In addition, the battery control unit, when the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules exceeds a specified voltage value, the secondary battery module unit or continuous from the secondary battery module in ascending order of voltage. Control may be performed so that charging is performed in units of a plurality of secondary battery modules.

また、前記電池制御部は、前記二次電池間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が規定の電圧値を超えた場合、電圧の大きい二次電池から順番に単体又は連続した複数の二次電池単位で電圧バランス調整を行うように制御してもよい。 In addition, the battery control unit, when the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary batteries exceeds a specified voltage value, a plurality of secondary batteries that are single or continuous in order from the secondary battery having the highest voltage You may control so that voltage balance adjustment may be performed per unit.

また、前記二次電池モジュール間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差の規定の電圧値をモジュール間電圧規定値とし、前記二次電池間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差の規定の電圧値を二次電池間電圧規定値とするとき、モジュール間電圧規定値は二次電池間電圧規定値と等しいかまたはそれより大きくしてもよい。 In addition, a specified voltage value of the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules is defined as an inter-module voltage specified value, and a specified voltage value of the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary batteries is defined. When setting the secondary battery voltage specified value, the inter-module voltage specified value may be equal to or greater than the secondary battery voltage specified value.

また、前記電池制御部は、前記二次電池モジュール間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が第一の規定の電圧値を超えた場合は放電を禁止し、前記二次モジュール間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が前記第一の規定の電圧値以下になった場合は放電を許可する制御を行い、かつ、前記二次電池モジュール間の最小電圧と最大電圧との差が第二の規定の電圧値を超えた場合は前記二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を開始し、前記第二の規定の電圧値を下回った場合は前記二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を停止するように制御し、前記第一の規定の電圧値は前記第二の規定の電圧値と等しいかまたはそれより大きくしてもよい。 Further, the battery control unit prohibits discharging when the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules exceeds a first specified voltage value, and the minimum voltage between the secondary modules When the difference from the maximum voltage is less than or equal to the first specified voltage value, control is performed to permit discharge, and the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules is the second specified voltage value. The voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is started when the voltage value of the secondary battery module is exceeded, and the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is stopped when the voltage value falls below the second specified voltage value. And the first prescribed voltage value may be equal to or greater than the second prescribed voltage value.

以上のように、本発明は、二次電池パックの電圧バランス調整において、二次電池モジュールのそれぞれへの充電経路を切換える切換スイッチを備え、充電中は二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランスを調整し、充電完了後は二次電池モジュール内の構成電池間の電圧バランスを調整することにより、構成電池間の電圧バランス調整および二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を可能とするものであり、本発明により、複数の二次電池モジュールを直列または並列に接続して構成される二次電池パックにおいて、二次電池モジュールを構成する二次電池間、および二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を従来よりも効果的、かつ、短時間に行うことが可能な二次電池パックが得られる。これにより、特に二次電池モジュール単位でのメンテナンス等における二次電池モジュール入換えの際には、予め充電量を他のモジュールと合わせてから接続する必要がなくなる。 As described above, the present invention includes a changeover switch that switches a charging path to each of the secondary battery modules in the voltage balance adjustment of the secondary battery pack, and adjusts the voltage balance between the secondary battery modules during charging. After the completion of charging, by adjusting the voltage balance between the constituent batteries in the secondary battery module, it is possible to adjust the voltage balance between the constituent batteries and the voltage balance between the secondary battery modules. In the secondary battery pack configured by connecting a plurality of secondary battery modules in series or in parallel, voltage balance adjustment between the secondary batteries constituting the secondary battery module and between the secondary battery modules has been conventionally performed. The secondary battery pack can be obtained effectively and in a short time. This eliminates the need to connect the charge amount with other modules in advance when the secondary battery module is replaced, particularly during maintenance in units of secondary battery modules.

本発明による二次電池パックの一実施の形態の構成を示す回路ブロック図。The circuit block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the secondary battery pack by this invention. 本実施の形態の二次電池パックにおける制御フロー図。The control flow figure in the secondary battery pack of this Embodiment. 従来の二次電池パックの構成例を示す回路ブロック図。The circuit block diagram which shows the structural example of the conventional secondary battery pack.

以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照しつつ説明する。図１は、本発明による二次電池パックの一実施の形態の構成を示す回路ブロック図である。図２は、本実施の形態の二次電池パックにおける制御フロー図である。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a secondary battery pack according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control flow diagram in the secondary battery pack of the present embodiment.

図１において、複数の二次電池１１を直列に接続して構成される二次電池モジュール１２を複数個直列または並列に接続して構成される二次電池パックにおいて、二次電池モジュール１２のそれぞれに対応して配置され二次電池モジュール１２を構成する二次電池１１の電圧をモニタし二次電池１１の電圧を調整する電池電圧バランス調整部１３を備えたモジュール制御部１５と、二次電池モジュール１２の温度をモニタする温度検出部１７と、二次電池パック全体の充電電流および放電電流をモニタする電流検出部１６と、二次電池パック全体の充電経路および放電経路をそれぞれ開閉する充電スイッチ１９および放電スイッチ１８と、二次電池モジュール１２のそれぞれへの充電経路を切換える切換スイッチ２１と、二次電池モジュールへの充電電圧および充電電流を制御する充電制御部２２と、モジュール制御部１５からの二次電池モジュール１２の電圧及び二次電池モジュール１２を構成する二次電池１１の電圧情報と温度検出部１７からの温度情報と電流検出部１６からの電流情報とを元に二次電池モジュール１２のそれぞれの充電の要否、およびその充電電圧と充電電流、および二次電池１１のバランス調整の要否を決定し、モジュール制御部１５、充電制御部２２、切換スイッチ２１、充電スイッチ１９及び放電スイッチ１８を制御する電池制御部２０とを有している。 In FIG. 1, each of the secondary battery modules 12 in the secondary battery pack configured by connecting a plurality of secondary battery modules 12 configured by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries 11 in series to each other in series or in parallel. A module control unit 15 including a battery voltage balance adjustment unit 13 that monitors the voltage of the secondary battery 11 that is arranged corresponding to the secondary battery module 12 and adjusts the voltage of the secondary battery 11, and the secondary battery A temperature detector 17 that monitors the temperature of the module 12, a current detector 16 that monitors the charging current and discharging current of the entire secondary battery pack, and a charging switch that opens and closes the charging path and discharging path of the entire secondary battery pack, respectively. 19 and the discharge switch 18, the changeover switch 21 for switching the charging path to each of the secondary battery modules 12, and the secondary battery module From the charging control unit 22 that controls the charging voltage and charging current of the battery, the voltage of the secondary battery module 12 from the module control unit 15, the voltage information of the secondary battery 11 that constitutes the secondary battery module 12, and the temperature detection unit 17 Based on the temperature information and current information from the current detection unit 16, the necessity of charging each of the secondary battery modules 12, the charging voltage and charging current, and the necessity of balance adjustment of the secondary battery 11 are determined. And a module control unit 15, a charge control unit 22, a changeover switch 21, a charge switch 19, and a battery control unit 20 that controls the discharge switch 18.

次に、図１および図２に基づいて、本実施の形態の二次電池パックの動作モードについて説明する。第１の動作モードは二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を行なう動作モードである。第１の動作モードにおいては、二次電池パックの保護回路全体の起動後に、先ずモジュール制御部１５によりモニタされた二次電池モジュール１２を構成する二次電池１１の電圧情報が電池制御部２０に伝えられる。電池制御部２０は、電流検出部１６より伝えられる電流情報を元に充電状態と判定した場合、モジュール制御部１５からの電圧情報を元に二次電池モジュール１２間の電圧バランス状態を検証し、各二次電池モジュールの電圧の最小値と最大値の差が規定の電圧値以上となると二次電池モジュール単位での電圧バランス調整が必要と判断し、切換スイッチ２１を制御し該当する単一又は連続した複数の二次電池モジュール１２に対し充電ラインを形成する。次に電池制御部２０は、該当二次電池モジュールに必要な電圧および電流を決定し充電制御部２２にその決定値での充電を指示する。充電制御部２２は指示された電圧および電流に設定された定電圧定電流による充電、すなわち電圧バランス調整充電を開始し、電圧、電流設定値の変更又は充電停止の指示が電池制御部２０から入るまでその充電状態を維持する。 Next, based on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the operation mode of the secondary battery pack of the present embodiment will be described. The first operation mode is an operation mode for adjusting the voltage balance between the secondary battery modules. In the first operation mode, after starting the entire protection circuit of the secondary battery pack, voltage information of the secondary battery 11 constituting the secondary battery module 12 monitored by the module control unit 15 is first sent to the battery control unit 20. Reportedly. When the battery control unit 20 determines that the charging state is based on the current information transmitted from the current detection unit 16, the battery control unit 20 verifies the voltage balance state between the secondary battery modules 12 based on the voltage information from the module control unit 15, When the difference between the minimum value and the maximum value of the voltage of each secondary battery module is equal to or greater than a specified voltage value, it is determined that the voltage balance adjustment is required for each secondary battery module, and the changeover switch 21 is controlled to select the corresponding single or A charging line is formed for a plurality of continuous secondary battery modules 12. Next, the battery control unit 20 determines the voltage and current required for the corresponding secondary battery module, and instructs the charge control unit 22 to charge at the determined value. The charging control unit 22 starts charging with a constant voltage and constant current set to the instructed voltage and current, that is, voltage balance adjustment charging, and an instruction to change the voltage or current set value or stop charging is input from the battery control unit 20. Maintain its state of charge until.

電圧バランス調整充電は電池制御部２０により規定された電圧バランス調整のための充電期間、すなわち電圧調整充電期間と二次電池および二次電池モジュールの電圧をモニタするための期間、すなわち電圧モニタ期間とを繰返す動作からなる。この電圧バランス調整充電は、電池制御部２０が二次電池モジュール単位での電圧調整を不要と判断するか、電圧、電流、積算容量のいずれかの値又はそれらの複数の値より決められた規定の充電状態に達するまで継続する。 The voltage balance adjustment charging is a charging period for voltage balance adjustment defined by the battery control unit 20, that is, a voltage adjustment charging period and a period for monitoring the voltage of the secondary battery and the secondary battery module, that is, a voltage monitoring period. It consists of the operation of repeating. In this voltage balance adjustment charging, the battery control unit 20 determines that the voltage adjustment in the unit of the secondary battery module is unnecessary, or is a rule determined from any value of voltage, current, integrated capacity, or a plurality thereof. Continue until it reaches the state of charge.

上記の電池制御部２０による二次電池モジュール単体での電圧バランス調整充電の要否判断の判定基準となる規定値としては、二次電池モジュール間の電圧差として例えば数十〜数百ｍＶに設定することができる。また、電池制御部２０により連続した二次電池モジュールを一つの単位として電圧バランス調整充電を行うかを判断する規定値レベルとしては、その連続した二次電池モジュール間での電圧差の規定値を例えば数ｍＶ〜数十ｍＶに設定することが出来る。また、電池制御部２０により制御が行われる電圧調整充電期間と電圧モニタ期間の規定値レベルとしては例えば数十〜数百ｓｅｃに設定することができる。また、二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整充電を停止する判定条件の一つとなる充電状態としては、例えば満充電到達前の充電量となったときの充電状態、具体的な例としては、満充電の７０％〜９０％の領域に相当する電圧、電流又は容量となったときを停止の条件に設定することができる。 The prescribed value that is a criterion for determining whether or not the battery control unit 20 needs to perform voltage balance adjustment charging for the secondary battery module alone is set to, for example, several tens to several hundreds mV as the voltage difference between the secondary battery modules. can do. In addition, as a specified value level for determining whether or not to perform voltage balance adjustment charging with a continuous secondary battery module as one unit by the battery control unit 20, a specified value of a voltage difference between the continuous secondary battery modules is used. For example, it can be set to several mV to several tens mV. Further, the specified value level of the voltage adjustment charging period and the voltage monitoring period controlled by the battery control unit 20 can be set to several tens to several hundreds sec, for example. In addition, as a charging state that is one of the determination conditions for stopping the voltage balance adjustment charging between the secondary battery modules, for example, the charging state when the amount of charge before reaching the full charge is reached. When the voltage, current, or capacity corresponding to the region of 70% to 90% of charge is reached, the stop condition can be set.

この二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整充電における切換スイッチ２１の状態の一例としては、図１において、例えば、最上段の二次電池モジュールのみの電圧バランス調整充電を行う場合には、電池制御部２０により、切換スイッチ２１のスイッチ端子は、ＡがＯＦＦ、ＢがＯＮ、ＣがＯＮ、ＤがＯＦＦ、Ｅ〜ＨがＯＦＦの状態に設定される。 As an example of the state of the changeover switch 21 in the voltage balance adjustment charge between the secondary battery modules, in FIG. 1, for example, when performing the voltage balance adjustment charge only for the uppermost secondary battery module, the battery control unit 20, the switch terminal of the changeover switch 21 is set to a state in which A is OFF, B is ON, C is ON, D is OFF, and E to H are OFF.

次に第２の動作モードは、二次電池モジュール内の構成電池間の電圧バランス調整を行なう動作モードである。電池制御部２０が電圧情報や電流情報をもとに満充電と判断し充電スイッチ１９をＯＦＦし充電動作を停止すると、電池制御部２０はモジュール制御部１５からの電圧情報を元に二次電池モジュール１２を構成する二次電池１１間の電圧バランス状態を検証し、二次電池１１間の電圧の最小値と最大値の差が規定の電圧値以上となると二次電池１１間の電圧バランス調整が必要と判断し、モジュール制御部１５へ電圧バランス調整を指示する。モジュール制御部１５は電池制御部２０からの電圧バランス調整指示を受けると、該当する二次電池１１の電圧調整を開始する。モジュール制御部１５による電圧バランス調整では電圧調整を行う電圧調整期間と電圧をモニタする電圧モニタ期間が規定され、これらを繰返す動作を行う。電池制御部２０が二次電池１１間の電圧調整を不要と判断するか、電流検出部１６からの電流情報により放電状態と判断するまでこの電圧バランス調整を継続する。また、電池制御部２０が電圧バランス調整を不要と判断した後も電池制御部２０により定期的に二次電池１１の電圧状態が確認され、その確認頻度の見直しが行なわれる。上記の電池制御部２０が電圧バランス調整の要否を判定する二次電池１１間の電圧差の規定値としては例えば数十ｍＶに設定することができる。また、電圧調整期間と電圧モニタ期間の規定値としては例えば数十〜数百ｓｅｃに設定することができる。 Next, the second operation mode is an operation mode in which voltage balance adjustment between constituent batteries in the secondary battery module is performed. When the battery control unit 20 determines that the battery is fully charged based on the voltage information and the current information and turns off the charging switch 19 to stop the charging operation, the battery control unit 20 uses the voltage information from the module control unit 15 to recharge the secondary battery. The voltage balance state between the secondary batteries 11 constituting the module 12 is verified, and the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary batteries 11 is performed when the difference between the minimum value and the maximum value of the voltages between the secondary batteries 11 exceeds a specified voltage value. Is determined to be necessary, and the module controller 15 is instructed to adjust the voltage balance. When receiving a voltage balance adjustment instruction from the battery control unit 20, the module control unit 15 starts voltage adjustment of the corresponding secondary battery 11. In the voltage balance adjustment by the module control unit 15, a voltage adjustment period for adjusting the voltage and a voltage monitor period for monitoring the voltage are defined, and an operation is repeated. This voltage balance adjustment is continued until the battery control unit 20 determines that the voltage adjustment between the secondary batteries 11 is unnecessary or determines that the current state from the current detection unit 16 indicates the discharge state. Even after the battery control unit 20 determines that the voltage balance adjustment is unnecessary, the battery control unit 20 periodically confirms the voltage state of the secondary battery 11 and reviews the confirmation frequency. The specified value of the voltage difference between the secondary batteries 11 by which the battery control unit 20 determines whether or not voltage balance adjustment is necessary can be set to several tens of mV, for example. Further, the specified value of the voltage adjustment period and the voltage monitoring period can be set to several tens to several hundreds of seconds, for example.

ここで、電池制御部２０は温度検出部１７からの二次電池モジュール１２の温度情報を元に前記電圧調整期間と電圧モニタ期間を調整してもよい。また、二次電池１１の電圧バランス調整の対象は比較対象の中で最大電圧を保有する二次電池のみを調整する制御でも、規定値を越えた全ての二次電池を調整する制御でもよい。また、電池制御部２０は、対象の二次電池モジュール１２又は構成電池間の電圧バランス調整の要否の判断を行う電圧差の規定値レベルを、二次電池モジュール間の規定の電圧値をモジュール間電圧規定値とし、二次電池間の規定の電圧値を二次電池間電圧規定値とするとき、二次電池間電圧規定値≦モジュール間電圧規定値、となるように設定し制御してもよい。 Here, the battery control unit 20 may adjust the voltage adjustment period and the voltage monitoring period based on the temperature information of the secondary battery module 12 from the temperature detection unit 17. Further, the voltage balance adjustment target of the secondary battery 11 may be control for adjusting only the secondary battery having the maximum voltage among the comparison targets, or control for adjusting all the secondary batteries exceeding the specified value. In addition, the battery control unit 20 is configured to set a specified value level of a voltage difference for determining whether or not voltage balance adjustment between the target secondary battery modules 12 or constituent batteries is necessary, and a specified voltage value between the secondary battery modules. When the specified voltage value between the secondary batteries is the specified voltage value between the secondary batteries, the secondary battery voltage specified value ≤ the specified voltage between modules is set and controlled. Also good.

また、電池制御部２０が充電手段への接続を制御する上位の制御部を有する場合、電池制御部２０は、その上位の制御部への信号伝達手段を有し、二次電池モジュール１２間の電圧バランス状態が、規定された範囲を超える場合は放電を禁止して上位の制御部への充電要求を行い、電圧バランス調整充電により電圧バランス状態が規定された範囲になると放電を許可する制御を行ってもよい。 In addition, when the battery control unit 20 has an upper control unit that controls connection to the charging unit, the battery control unit 20 includes a signal transmission unit to the upper control unit, and between the secondary battery modules 12. When the voltage balance state exceeds the specified range, discharge is prohibited and a charge request is sent to the higher-level control unit, and discharge is controlled when the voltage balance state falls within the specified range by voltage balance adjustment charging. You may go.

ここで、電池制御部２０が放電可否の判断を行う電圧差の規定値レベルとしては、例えば数百ｍＶ〜数Ｖに設定することができる。この放電可否に対する二次電池モジュール間の電圧差の規定値を放電規定値とするとき、前記の二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整の要否の判断を規定するモジュール間電圧規定値との比較では、モジュール間電圧規定値≦放電規定値、となるように設定し制御を行ってもよい。 Here, the specified value level of the voltage difference at which the battery control unit 20 determines whether or not discharge is possible can be set to several hundred mV to several V, for example. When the specified value of the voltage difference between the secondary battery modules with respect to whether discharge is possible is used as the specified discharge value, the comparison with the inter-module voltage specified value that determines whether or not the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is necessary Then, control may be performed by setting the inter-module voltage stipulated value ≦ the discharge stipulated value.

また、電池制御部２０が二次電池モジュール１２間の電圧バランス調整を行う場合、電圧の小さい二次電池モジュールから順番に二次電池モジュール単位又は連続した複数の二次電池モジュール単位での充電を行うように制御する方がより短期間にバランス調整を行うことができ、また、二次電池間の電圧バランス調整を放電により行う場合、電圧の大きい二次電池から順番に単体又は連続した複数の二次電池単位で電圧バランス調整を行うように制御する方がより短期間に調整が可能である。 In addition, when the battery control unit 20 adjusts the voltage balance between the secondary battery modules 12, charging is performed in units of secondary battery modules or in units of a plurality of continuous secondary battery modules in order from the secondary battery module having the lowest voltage. It is possible to perform the balance adjustment in a shorter time by controlling so that it is performed, and when performing the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary batteries by discharging, a plurality of single batteries or a plurality of continuous batteries in order from the secondary battery having the highest voltage. It is possible to make adjustments in a shorter period of time by controlling the voltage balance to be adjusted in units of secondary batteries.

このように、本実施の形態の二次電池パックでは、二次電池パックの電圧バランス調整において、充電中は二次電池モジュール間のバランスを調整し、充電完了後は二次電池モジュールを構成する二次電池間のバランスを調整することにより、構成電池間の電圧バランス調整および二次電池モジュール間の電圧バランス調整を可能とするものであり、これにより、特に二次電池モジュール単位でのメンテナンス等における電池モジュール入換えの際には、予め充電量を他のモジュールと合わせてから接続する必要がなくなる。 Thus, in the secondary battery pack of the present embodiment, in the voltage balance adjustment of the secondary battery pack, the balance between the secondary battery modules is adjusted during charging, and the secondary battery module is configured after charging is completed. By adjusting the balance between the secondary batteries, the voltage balance between the constituent batteries and the voltage balance between the secondary battery modules can be adjusted. When replacing the battery module in, there is no need to connect after the amount of charge is matched with other modules in advance.

なお、本発明は上記の実施の形態に限定されるものではないことはいうまでもなく、目的とする二次電池パックの要求機能や性能などに応じて設計変更可能である。例えば、二次電池モジュールを並列に接続して二次電池パックを構成すること、二次電池モジュール間および二次電池間の電圧バランス調整の要否を判断する基準に電圧差以外の要素を加えること、電圧バランス調整と同時に電圧モニタを行うこと、他の保護回路機能を追加すること等、様々な変更が可能である。 Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the design can be changed according to the required function and performance of the intended secondary battery pack. For example, a secondary battery pack is configured by connecting secondary battery modules in parallel, and elements other than the voltage difference are added to the criteria for determining the necessity of voltage balance adjustment between secondary battery modules and between secondary batteries. In addition, various changes such as performing voltage monitoring at the same time as voltage balance adjustment and adding other protection circuit functions are possible.

１、１１二次電池
２、１２二次電池モジュール
３、１３電池電圧バランス調整部
４モジュール電圧バランス調整部
５、１５モジュール制御部
６、１６電流検出部
７、１７温度検出部
８、１８放電スイッチ
９、１９充電スイッチ
１０、２０電池制御部
２１切換スイッチ
２２充電制御部 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,11 Secondary battery 2,12 Secondary battery module 3,13 Battery voltage balance adjustment part 4 Module voltage balance adjustment part 5,15 Module control part 6,16 Current detection part 7,17 Temperature detection part 8,18 Discharge switch 9, 19 Charge switch 10, 20 Battery control unit 21 Changeover switch 22 Charge control unit

Claims

In a secondary battery pack configured by connecting a plurality of secondary battery modules configured by connecting a plurality of secondary batteries in series, the plurality of secondary battery modules are arranged corresponding to each of the secondary battery modules. A module control unit having a battery voltage balance adjustment unit for monitoring a voltage of a secondary battery constituting the secondary battery module and adjusting a voltage of the secondary battery; and a temperature detection for monitoring a temperature of the secondary battery module. Unit, a current detection unit that monitors the charging current and discharging current of the entire secondary battery pack, a charging switch and a discharging switch that open and close the charging path and discharging path of the entire secondary battery pack, respectively, and the secondary battery A changeover switch for switching a charging path to each of the modules, and a charging control unit for controlling a charging voltage and a charging current to the secondary battery module Based on the voltage of the secondary battery module from the module control unit, voltage information of the secondary battery constituting the secondary battery module, temperature information from the temperature detection unit, and current information from the current detection unit A battery control unit that determines whether or not each secondary battery module needs to be charged, a charging voltage and a charging current, and controls the module control unit, the charge control unit, the changeover switch, the charge switch, and the discharge switch. And
The battery control unit may have the row voltage balancing between the secondary battery module by performing the constant-voltage constant-current charging at each secondary battery module units or a plurality of successive secondary battery module units,
Further, the battery control unit includes a higher-level control unit that controls connection to a charging unit and a signal transmission unit to the higher-level control unit, and the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules. When the voltage exceeds a specified voltage value, discharging is prohibited and a charge request is made to the upper control unit, and the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules is less than the specified voltage value. rechargeable battery pack when it becomes, characterized in row Ukoto control to allow the discharge.

The battery control unit includes an adjustment charging period for performing charging in units of the individual secondary battery modules or a plurality of continuous secondary battery modules, and a voltage monitor for monitoring the voltage of the secondary battery or the secondary battery module. The secondary battery is defined by repeating the adjustment charging period and the monitoring period until the battery control unit determines that the voltage balance adjustment is unnecessary or charging to the secondary battery pack is stopped. The secondary battery pack according to claim 1, wherein voltage balance adjustment between modules is performed.

The secondary battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the battery control unit adjusts the adjustment charging period and the voltage monitoring period based on temperature information from the temperature detection unit.

The battery control unit has a charging / discharging capacity integrating function, and sets respective specified values of the voltage of the secondary battery, the charging current, and the integrated charging / discharging capacity, and the battery controlling unit sets these specified values. The secondary battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is performed until one or a plurality of specified values are reached.

The battery control unit, after completing the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules, the voltage between the secondary batteries via the module control unit based on the monitoring result of the voltage of the secondary battery constituting the secondary battery module. Balance adjustment is performed, The secondary battery pack of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

When the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules exceeds a specified voltage value, the battery control unit starts voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules, and the specified voltage value The voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is controlled to stop, and if the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary batteries exceeds a specified voltage value, 6. The voltage balance adjustment between the secondary batteries is controlled to start when the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary batteries is started and falls below the specified voltage value. The secondary battery pack according to claim 1.

When the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules exceeds a specified voltage value, the battery control unit is a secondary battery module unit or a plurality of consecutive secondary battery modules in order from a small voltage. The secondary battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery pack is controlled to be charged in units of secondary battery modules.

When the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary batteries exceeds a specified voltage value, the battery control unit may be a single battery or a plurality of continuous secondary battery units in order from the secondary battery with the largest voltage. It controls so that voltage balance adjustment may be performed, The secondary battery pack of any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned.

The prescribed voltage value of the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules is defined as an inter-module voltage prescribed value, and the prescribed voltage value of the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary batteries is a secondary voltage. The secondary battery according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein when the inter-battery voltage specified value is set, the inter-module voltage specified value is equal to or greater than the secondary battery voltage specified value. pack.

The battery control unit prohibits discharge when the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules exceeds a first specified voltage value, and the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary modules. When the difference between the second battery module and the secondary battery module is less than or equal to the first specified voltage value, control is performed to permit discharge, and the difference between the minimum voltage and the maximum voltage between the secondary battery modules is the second specified voltage. When the voltage exceeds the value, the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is started, and when the voltage falls below the second specified voltage value, the voltage balance adjustment between the secondary battery modules is stopped. The secondary battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the first specified voltage value is equal to or greater than the second specified voltage value.