JP5839093B2 - Battery management system and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembled battery management system and an apparatus used therefor.

  In recent years, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles that travel using electric energy have been put to practical use. Travel using electric energy has various features such as high energy efficiency and low emission.

  A vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle includes a power storage device. The power storage device includes, for example, an assembled battery configured by combining a plurality of batteries in order to obtain a desired capacity. The assembled battery may not be suitable for use due to deterioration over time. In this case, as maintenance for the assembled battery mounted on the vehicle, for example, replacement work with a new assembled battery can be performed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-141464).

JP 2007-141464 A

  Maintenance of the assembled battery is performed by a dealer or the like. The assembled battery is brought into a dealer together with the vehicle when the user drives the vehicle on which the assembled battery is mounted, for example. However, if the assembled battery cannot be used, when the vehicle is an electric vehicle, the user cannot drive the vehicle and bring the assembled battery into the dealer. In addition, when the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle, the user cannot enjoy the benefits of traveling using electric energy.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an assembled battery management system and apparatus that can notify a user to perform maintenance of the assembled battery at an appropriate time before the assembled battery becomes unusable.

  In one aspect, the present invention is a battery pack management system including a plurality of battery blocks. The management system includes an assembled battery information acquisition unit, a calculation unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The assembled battery information acquisition unit acquires assembled battery information of the assembled battery. The calculation unit calculates a value resulting from variation in characteristics of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery, based on the assembled battery information acquired by the assembled battery information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether or not the assembled battery needs to be maintained based on a value caused by the variation calculated by the calculation unit. When the determining unit determines that the maintenance is necessary, the notifying unit notifies the related parties of the assembled battery of information related to the assembled battery.

  Preferably, the assembled battery information includes information regarding the battery block capacity of each of the plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery.

  More preferably, the value resulting from the variation is a change amount with respect to time of the variation of the battery block capacity in the assembled battery.

  Or an assembled battery is mounted and used for a vehicle. The value resulting from the variation is the amount of change with respect to the vehicle travel distance of the variation in the battery block capacity in the assembled battery.

  Preferably, the assembled battery information includes information regarding each battery block resistance of the plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery.

  More preferably, the value resulting from the variation is a change amount with respect to time of the variation of the battery block resistance in the assembled battery.

  Or an assembled battery is mounted and used for a vehicle. The value resulting from the variation is the amount of change of the variation in the battery block resistance in the assembled battery with respect to the travel distance of the vehicle.

  In another aspect, the present invention is an apparatus used in a battery pack management system including a plurality of battery blocks. The apparatus includes an assembled battery information acquisition unit, a calculation unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The assembled battery information acquisition unit acquires assembled battery information of the assembled battery. The calculation unit calculates a value resulting from variation in characteristics of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery, based on the assembled battery information acquired by the assembled battery information acquisition unit. The determination unit determines whether or not the assembled battery needs to be maintained based on a value caused by the variation calculated by the calculation unit. When the determining unit determines that the maintenance is necessary, the notifying unit notifies the related parties of the assembled battery of information related to the assembled battery.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to notify the user to perform maintenance of the assembled battery at an appropriate time before the assembled battery cannot be used.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the assembled battery management system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a structure of an assembled battery. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a structure of a diagnostic apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the dispersion | variation in the capacity | capacitance of the some battery block contained in an assembled battery. It is a figure for demonstrating the value resulting from the dispersion | variation in the capacity | capacitance of the some battery block contained in an assembled battery. 4 is a flowchart for illustrating processing performed in the assembled battery management system according to the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the dispersion | variation in the internal resistance of the some battery block contained in an assembled battery. It is a figure for demonstrating the value resulting from the dispersion | variation in the internal resistance of the some battery block contained in an assembled battery. It is a figure for demonstrating the cause of deterioration of the some battery block contained in an assembled battery, and the factor which accelerates deterioration. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating processing performed in the assembled battery management system according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an assembled battery management system 100 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, in the market 200, the assembled battery is used for traveling a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as “vehicle”). In FIG. 1, an assembled battery 211 is mounted on a vehicle 210 and used. It should be understood that the number of vehicles and the number of assembled batteries shown in FIG. 1 are examples, and that there are more vehicles and assembled batteries in the actual market. In the present embodiment, management of the assembled battery 211 will be mainly described.

  The assembled battery 211 is configured by combining a plurality of battery blocks. The assembled battery 211 can be mounted on the vehicle 210 as a part of a power storage device (not shown), for example. Information about the assembled battery 211 (assembled battery information) is acquired by the power storage device or the vehicle 210 and transmitted to the assembled battery information collection unit 300. The assembled battery information may include information such as characteristics of the assembled battery and identification information for identifying the assembled battery. The transmission of the assembled battery information is realized by communication between the vehicle 210 (or power storage device) and the assembled battery information collection unit 300, for example. In addition, transmission of the assembled battery information from the vehicle 210 to the assembled battery information collecting unit 300 can be performed periodically. The assembled battery information may be once acquired by the dealer 220 and then transmitted from the dealer 220 to the assembled battery information collection unit 300. Note that the assembled battery 211 itself may be configured to acquire the assembled battery information and / or transmit the assembled battery information to the assembled battery information collection unit 300 instead of the power storage device.

  The dealer 220 performs sales and / or maintenance of vehicles and assembled batteries. At the time of maintenance, for example, assembled battery information of the assembled battery 211 is acquired, and the state and various characteristics of the assembled battery 211 are diagnosed. Acquisition of assembled battery information and diagnosis of the assembled battery are performed using, for example, a diagnostic tool 221.

  The diagnostic apparatus 400 acquires the assembled battery information collected by the assembled battery information collection unit 300. The diagnosis apparatus 400 determines whether or not maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary based on the assembled battery information. When maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary, the diagnostic apparatus 400 notifies the related person of information related to the assembled battery (hereinafter referred to as “assembled battery related information”). The parties include the dealer 220 or the supplier 500 in addition to the user of the assembled battery 211 (the owner of the vehicle 210). Supplier 500 develops and manufactures vehicles and / or assembled batteries. The assembled battery related information may include information on whether maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary and the assembled battery information itself.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the assembled battery 211 in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 2, the assembled battery 211 is a battery pack including a plurality of battery blocks 213. The battery block 213 can include a plurality of single cells 212. The unit cell 212 is, for example, a battery module obtained by modularizing a lithium ion battery (Li ion battery) cell or a plurality of lithium ion battery cells. The number of the single cells 212 included in one battery block 213 is, for example, about several to a dozen or more, but one single cell 212 may constitute one battery block 213. The assembled battery 211 includes, for example, eight battery blocks 213 (battery blocks 1 to 8), but one battery block 213 may form the battery stack 214. Further, two battery blocks 213 may constitute one battery stack 214. In that case, the assembled battery 211 includes four battery stacks. The unit cell 212 may be constituted by a nickel hydride rechargeable battery (Ni-MH battery) cell or module.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the diagnostic apparatus 400 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 3, diagnostic device 400 includes a communication unit 410, a calculation unit 420, a determination unit 430, and a communication unit 440.

  The communication unit 410 is an assembled battery information acquisition unit that acquires assembled battery information. For example, the communication unit 410 communicates with the assembled battery information collection unit 300 in FIG. 1 and acquires the assembled battery information collected by the assembled battery information collection unit 300. The assembled battery information includes information on characteristics of each of a plurality of battery blocks, battery stacks, and / or single cells in the assembled battery, for example, capacity. In the present embodiment, as an example, the assembled battery information of the assembled battery 211 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is acquired. The acquired battery pack information is sent to the calculation unit 420. The assembled battery information is also acquired by the communication unit 440 described later.

  Based on the assembled battery information sent from the communication unit 410, the calculating unit 420 calculates a value resulting from the variation in characteristics of the plurality of battery blocks (battery block 213 in FIG. 2) included in the assembled battery 211. The characteristic in Embodiment 1 is the capacity | capacitance for every battery block, for example. The capacity of the battery block is calculated based on the charge / discharge history of the battery block. The variation may be a difference between the largest capacity and the smallest capacity, or may be a variance value. In addition to the variation itself, the value resulting from the variation in the characteristics may include a travel distance of the vehicle (the vehicle 210 in FIG. 1) or a variation amount of the variation with respect to the time (for example, the elapsed days) when the assembled battery 211 is used.

  The calculation unit 420 can also calculate a value caused by variation in characteristics of a plurality of battery stacks (battery stack 214 in FIG. 2) instead of a value caused by variations in characteristics of the plurality of battery blocks. Or the calculation part 420 can also calculate the value resulting from the dispersion | variation in the characteristic of a several cell (cell 212 of FIG. 2). Hereinafter, the value that is calculated by the calculation unit 420 and is caused by variation in characteristics such as a battery block may be simply abbreviated as “determination value”. The calculated determination value is transmitted to the determination unit 430.

  Based on the determination value transmitted from calculation unit 420, determination unit 430 determines whether or not maintenance of assembled battery 211 is necessary. For example, when the determination value exceeds a predetermined range, determination unit 430 determines that maintenance of assembled battery 211 is necessary. Conversely, when the determination value is within the predetermined range, the determination unit 430 determines that maintenance of the assembled battery 211 is not necessary. Details of the determination performed by the determination unit 430 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The determination result of the determination unit 430 is sent to the communication unit 440.

  The communication unit 440 is a notification unit that notifies the battery pack related information to the parties involved in the battery pack. When the determination unit 430 determines that the maintenance of the assembled battery 211 is necessary, the communication unit 440 notifies the related party of the assembled battery of the assembled battery related information. Specifically, the communication unit 440 notifies the owner of the vehicle 210 (see FIG. 1) that maintenance of the assembled battery 211 is necessary. The owner of the vehicle 210 is also a user of the assembled battery 211. Thereby, the user of the assembled battery 211 can know that the maintenance of the assembled battery 211 is required.

  Furthermore, the communication unit 440 also notifies the dealer 220 (FIG. 1) that the assembled battery 211 needs to be maintained. The dealer 220 can also receive notification from the communication unit 440 and notify the owner of the vehicle 210 that maintenance of the assembled battery 211 is necessary. Further, the dealer 220 can prepare for the maintenance of the assembled battery 211.

  On the other hand, the communication unit 440 notifies the supplier 500 (FIG. 1) that the assembled battery 211 needs to be maintained. At that time, the assembled battery information of the assembled battery 211 is also transmitted to the supplier 500. As a result, the supplier 500 can analyze the assembled battery 211 that requires maintenance, for example, and use it for development of the assembled battery.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining variation in characteristics of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery. The graph of FIG. 4 shows the battery block capacity of each of a plurality of battery blocks (battery blocks 1 to 8) included in the assembled battery. FIG. 4A shows a case where the variation in battery block capacity is relatively large, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the variation in battery block capacity is relatively small.

  4A, among the battery blocks 1 to 8, the capacity of the battery block 6 is the largest and the capacity of the battery block 4 is the smallest. Further, the capacity of the battery block 4 is considerably smaller than the capacity of the other battery blocks 1 to 3 and 5 to 8, and the deterioration of the battery block 4 is remarkable. The assembled battery including the battery blocks 1 to 8 is likely to be unusable in the near future due to a failure of the battery block 4 or the like.

  Referring to FIG. 4B, among the battery blocks 1 to 8, the capacity of the battery block 1 is the largest and the capacity of the battery block 2 is the smallest. However, the difference between the capacity of the battery block 1 and the capacity of the battery block 2 in FIG. 4B is considerably smaller than the difference between the capacity of the battery block 6 and the capacity of the battery block 4 in FIG. That is, in the case of FIG. 4B, it is considered that the battery block 2 having the smallest capacity has not deteriorated so much. Such an assembled battery including the battery blocks 1 to 8 can be used for the time being.

  For an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks as shown in FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B, the calculation unit 420 of FIG. 3 calculates the variation in capacity of each battery block. The variation is calculated, for example, as the difference between the capacity of the battery block having the largest capacity and the capacity of the battery block having the smallest capacity. Alternatively, the variation may be calculated as a variance value of the capacities of the battery blocks 1-8. In either case, the variation is relatively large in the case of FIG. 4A, and the variation is relatively small in the case of FIG. 4B.

  For example, when the variation exceeds a predetermined range, the determination unit 430 of FIG. 3 can determine that the assembled battery needs to be maintained. On the other hand, when the variation is within the predetermined range, the determination unit 430 can determine that maintenance of the assembled battery is unnecessary. For example, the predetermined range is determined to require maintenance for the assembled battery of FIG. 4A, and determined to require no maintenance for the assembled battery of FIG. 4B. It is determined as follows. By determining whether maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary or not based on the predetermined range thus defined, the assembled battery user can perform maintenance of the assembled battery at an appropriate time before the assembled battery becomes unusable. It becomes possible to inform. Since the assembled battery can be used at that time (time), the vehicle can travel using electric energy. As a result, for example, the user of the assembled battery can drive a vehicle equipped with the assembled battery and visit a dealer.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining values resulting from variations in characteristics of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery. Referring to FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the travel distance (or elapsed days) of the vehicle on which the assembled battery is mounted. The vertical axis represents the assembled battery capacity and the variation in battery block capacity.

  Regarding the battery pack capacity, the battery pack capacity changes as the travel distance increases. Here, the capacity of the battery is affected by environmental changes (for example, temperature changes). Therefore, the assembled battery capacity increases or decreases (fluctuates). Overall, the battery pack capacity tends to decrease as the travel distance increases. However, the decrease is relatively gradual. Such a change in the capacity of the assembled battery is difficult to understand. Therefore, it is difficult to determine whether maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary based on the change in the capacity of the assembled battery.

  On the other hand, regarding the variation in battery block capacity, even when the travel distance increases, the magnitude of the variation is initially constant (almost zero). That is, the magnitude of variation is not significantly affected by environmental changes. This is because the capacity of each battery block varies in the same way (in the same direction) due to environmental changes. Therefore, if the variation in the battery block capacity is monitored, the capacity variation due to the environmental change is removed. When the travel distance increases and exceeds a certain travel distance (L0), the variation in battery block capacity begins to increase. Further, once the variation starts to increase, the increase amount increases rapidly in a relatively short period. Such changes in battery block capacity variation are easy to understand. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether or not the assembled battery needs to be maintained based on a change in variation in battery block capacity. That is, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the assembled battery needs to be maintained by using the variation in the battery block capacity or the element (value) resulting therefrom.

  The calculation unit 420 of FIG. 3 can calculate the amount of change of the battery block capacity variation with respect to the travel distance (or elapsed days) with respect to the battery pack block capacity variation. For example, referring to FIG. 5, calculation unit 420 calculates change amount β1 of variation in battery block capacity between travel distances L1 and L2. Specifically, assuming that the variation in battery block capacity at the travel distance L1 is α1 and the variation in battery block capacity at the travel distance L2 is α2, the change amount β1 is β1 = (α2−α1) / (L2−L1). Calculated. Alternatively, the change amount β2 of the battery block capacity variation between the elapsed days D1 and D2 is calculated as β2 = (α2−α1) / (D2−D1). The change amounts β1 and β2 are values (that is, determination values) due to variations in battery block capacity.

  However, the value resulting from the variation does not take into account the distance traveled and the number of days (elapsed time), but simply the variation of the most recently acquired battery block capacity. (Change rate β3 = α2 / α1). Both the change amount β2 and the change rate β3 represent changes in battery block capacity variation with respect to time.

  The determination unit 430 of FIG. 3 can determine that maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary when the determination value exceeds a predetermined range. On the other hand, when the determination value is within the predetermined range, the determination unit 430 can determine that maintenance of the assembled battery is unnecessary. In the predetermined range, for example, it is determined that maintenance is unnecessary for the determination value obtained when the travel distance in FIG. 5 is between L1 and L2, and it is determined that maintenance is required for the determination value obtained when the travel distance is L2 or more. Determined to be. The determination unit 430 determines whether or not two or more parameters out of the three parameters of the change amount β1, the change amount β2, and the change rate β2 each exceed a predetermined range, and combines the results, It is also possible to determine whether or not maintenance is necessary. The determination value is not limited to a value resulting from variation in the capacity of the battery block. The determination value may be a value resulting from a variation in the capacity of the single cell (the single cell 212 in FIG. 2) or a value resulting from a variation in the capacity of the battery stack (the battery stack 214 in FIG. 2). Also good.

  The number of battery blocks included in the assembled battery may be smaller than the number of single cells included in the assembled battery. Similarly, the number of battery stacks may be smaller than the number of unit cells included in the assembled battery. Therefore, in the determination based on the determination value based on the battery block or the battery stack, the amount of information (assembled battery information) to be handled is reduced compared to the determination based on the determination value based on the single cell. Thereby, the burden required for calculation of the determination value of the calculation unit 420 and / or the determination unit 430 of FIG. 3 and determination based on the determination value can be reduced.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating processing performed in the assembled battery management system according to the first embodiment. This flowchart and the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 to be described later are executed by the diagnostic apparatus 400 shown in FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, first, assembled battery information is acquired (step S101). Next, based on the assembled battery information acquired in step S101, a value resulting from variation in battery block capacity, that is, a determination value is calculated (step S102).

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not the determination value calculated in step S102 is within a predetermined range. If the determination value is within the predetermined range (YES in step S103), it is determined that maintenance of the assembled battery is unnecessary (step S104), and the process returns to step S101 again. On the other hand, when the determination value exceeds the predetermined range (NO in step S103), it is determined that the assembled battery needs to be maintained (step S105).

  When it is determined in step S105 that the maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary, the battery pack related information is notified to the parties involved in the assembled battery (step S106), and the flowchart ends.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the necessity of maintenance of the assembled battery is determined based on the capacity variation between the battery blocks included in the assembled battery. If the amount of decrease in capacity (absolute amount) is used to determine whether maintenance is necessary, maintenance is not performed until the capacity of any battery block falls below a predetermined threshold value, and the capacity is equal to the above threshold value. The battery pack may become unusable at a point below the value. On the other hand, by using the capacity variation, it is possible to notify the user to perform maintenance of the assembled battery at an appropriate time before the assembled battery cannot be used. At that time, since the vehicle can travel using the electric energy stored in the assembled battery, the user can drive the vehicle and visit a dealer or the like.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, an example in which a defect in the battery block is detected based on the variation in the battery block capacity has been described. However, there is an internal resistance as another parameter that can be used for detecting a defect in the battery block. In the second embodiment, a process for informing the user to perform maintenance of the assembled battery based on variations in the internal resistance of the battery block will be described. In addition, since the structure of the assembled battery management system which concerns on Embodiment 2 is equivalent to the structure (refer FIGS. 1-3) of the assembled battery management system which concerns on Embodiment 1, detailed description is not repeated.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining variation in internal resistance of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery. The graph of FIG. 7 shows the internal resistance (hereinafter also referred to as “battery block resistance”) of each of the battery blocks of the plurality of battery blocks (battery blocks 1 to 8 shown in FIG. 2) included in the assembled battery.

  Fig.7 (a) shows the dispersion | variation in battery block resistance in an initial state (for example, the state immediately after manufacture of the battery blocks 1-8). Referring to FIG. 7A, in the initial state, the internal resistance between battery blocks 1 to 8 is substantially equal.

  FIG. 7B shows variations in battery block resistance when normal deterioration occurs (for example, when normal deterioration progresses and battery blocks are replaced). Note that “normal deterioration” means deterioration with time or deterioration due to repeated use, and can also be referred to as aging deterioration. Referring to FIG. 7B, in the case of normal deterioration, among battery blocks 1-8, the increase amount of the internal resistance of battery blocks 3-6 is relatively large, and the increase amount of the internal resistance of battery block 5 is the largest. large. On the other hand, among the battery blocks 1 to 8, the increase amount of the internal resistance of the battery blocks 1, 2, 7, and 8 is relatively small, and the increase amount of the internal resistance of the battery block 7 is the smallest. As described above, in the case of normal deterioration, the internal resistance increases in all the battery blocks 1 to 8 although there is a difference in the amount of increase in the internal resistance between the battery blocks 1 to 8.

  For an assembled battery composed of a plurality of battery blocks 1 to 8 as shown in FIG. 7B, the calculation unit 420 of FIG. 3 calculates variation in internal resistance of each of the battery blocks 1 to 8. Similar to the first embodiment, the variation may be calculated, for example, as a difference in resistance value between the battery block having the largest internal resistance and the battery block having the smallest internal resistance. The variation may be calculated as a difference between the resistance value of the battery block having the largest internal resistance and the average value of the internal resistances of the battery blocks 1 to 8, and the resistance value of the battery block having the smallest internal resistance, You may calculate as a difference with the average value of the internal resistance of the battery blocks 1-8. Alternatively, the variation may be calculated as a dispersion value of the internal resistance of the battery blocks 1 to 8.

  Furthermore, as the value resulting from the variation, the variation amount of the variation with respect to the travel distance of the vehicle 210 or the usage time of the assembled battery 211 can also be used. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining values resulting from variations in internal resistance of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery.

  Referring to FIG. 8, calculation unit 420 calculates change amount δ1 of variation in battery block resistance between travel distance L1 and travel distance L2. Specifically, assuming that the variation in battery block resistance at the travel distance L1 is γ1 and the variation in battery block resistance at the travel distance L2 is γ2, the amount of change δ1 is δ1 = (γ2−γ1) / (L2−L1). Calculated. Alternatively, the variation δ2 of variation in battery block resistance between the elapsed days D1 and the elapsed days D2 is calculated as δ2 = (γ2−γ1) / (D2−D1). The change amounts δ1 and δ2 are values (that is, determination values) due to variations in battery block resistance.

  However, the value resulting from the variation does not take into account the distance traveled and the number of days elapsed (elapsed time), and simply determines the most recently obtained variation in battery block resistance. A ratio to the ratio (change rate δ3 = γ2 / γ1) may be used. Both the change amount δ2 and the change rate δ3 represent changes in battery block resistance variation with respect to time.

  Referring back to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 (c) shows the variation in battery block resistance when an internal short circuit occurs. Here, “internal short circuit” means not only a state in which the electrodes are completely short-circuited but also a state in which a weak current flows when a voltage is applied due to a foreign matter or the like mixed inside the battery (a state of a short circuit). . With reference to FIG.7 (c), the internal resistance of the battery block 3 is remarkably small compared with the other battery blocks 1, 2, 4-8 among the battery blocks 1-8. Thus, when an internal short circuit occurs, only the internal resistance of the battery block is smaller than the internal resistance of other battery blocks.

  For each battery block as shown in FIG. 7C, the calculation unit 420 calculates the variation in internal resistance. As a method for calculating the variation, various methods described in FIG. 7B can be used. In particular, the resistance value of the battery block having the smallest internal resistance and the internal resistances of the battery blocks 1 to 8 can be used. It is preferable to use a difference (difference value) from the average value. This is because when the internal short circuit occurs, the difference value becomes relatively large, and thus detection is easy.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a cause of deterioration of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery and factors for accelerating the deterioration. Referring to FIG. 9, “◯” (circle) in the figure indicates a high temperature state or a high SOC (Stage Of Charge) state of the battery block with respect to various deterioration causes that cause a decrease in the capacity of the battery block or an increase in internal resistance. Shows that the cause of the deterioration can be accelerated.

  As shown in FIG. 9, generally, a high temperature state or a high SOC state of a battery block can cause a decrease in the capacity of the battery block and an increase in internal resistance in parallel. That is, the high temperature state can cause various deterioration causes that lead to a decrease in capacity, and can cause various deterioration causes that lead to an increase in resistance. Similarly, the high SOC state can cause various deterioration causes that lead to a decrease in capacity, and can cause various deterioration causes that lead to an increase in resistance.

  Sensitivity to various causes of deterioration may be different for each battery block. Therefore, there may be a battery block in which the capacity reduction is more noticeable and a battery block in which the resistance increase is more noticeable. Therefore, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the defect in the battery block, it is desirable to use not only one of the detection result of the capacity decrease and the detection result of the resistance increase but also both as described below.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for illustrating processing performed in the assembled battery management system according to the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 differs from the flowchart (see FIG. 6) in the first embodiment in that it further includes the processes of steps S102A and S103A.

  Referring to FIG. 10, based on the assembled battery information, a determination value due to battery block capacity variation is calculated (step S102), and a determination value due to battery block resistance variation is calculated (step S102). S102A).

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not the determination value resulting from the variation in battery block capacity is within a predetermined range R1. Further, in step S103A, it is determined whether or not the determination value resulting from the variation in battery block resistance is within a predetermined range R2. When the determination value resulting from the battery block capacity variation is within the range R1 and the determination value resulting from the battery block resistance variation is within the range R2 (YES in step S103 and YES in step S103A), the set It is determined that battery maintenance is unnecessary (step S104).

  On the other hand, when the determination value resulting from the variation in the battery block capacity is outside the range R1 (NO in step S103), or when the determination value resulting from the variation in the battery block resistance is outside the range R2, maintenance of the assembled battery is performed. It is determined that it is necessary (step S105). Note that the process of S106 is equivalent to the corresponding process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, and thus detailed description will not be repeated.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the necessity of maintenance of the assembled battery is determined based on the variation in the internal resistance (battery block resistance) of each battery block. As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to notify the user to perform maintenance of the assembled battery at an appropriate time before the assembled battery becomes unusable. Further, by using the detection result of the capacity drop and the detection result of the increase in internal resistance in combination with the determination of whether or not maintenance is necessary, the accuracy of determining whether or not maintenance is necessary can be improved.

  Finally, embodiments of the present invention will be summarized. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, an assembled battery management system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an assembled battery information acquisition unit (communication unit 410) that acquires assembled battery information of the assembled battery, and acquires assembled battery information. Based on the assembled battery information acquired by the unit (communication unit 410), a calculation unit 420 that calculates values caused by variations in characteristics of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery, and the variations calculated by the calculation unit 420 A determination unit 430 that determines whether or not maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary based on the value to be determined, and when the determination unit 430 determines that maintenance is necessary, A notification unit (communication unit 440) for notifying related information. This makes it possible to notify the user to perform maintenance of the assembled battery at an appropriate time before the assembled battery becomes unusable.

  Preferably, the assembled battery information includes information on each battery block capacity of a plurality of battery blocks (battery block 213 or battery stack 214 in FIG. 2) included in the assembled battery. More preferably, the value resulting from the variation is the amount of change (β2 in FIG. 5) with respect to the time of variation of the battery block capacity in the assembled battery. Alternatively, the assembled battery is mounted on a vehicle and used, and the value resulting from the variation is a change amount (β1 in FIG. 5) with respect to the traveling distance of the variation in the battery block capacity in the assembled battery. Thereby, the necessity of maintenance of the assembled battery is accurately determined.

  Preferably, the assembled battery information includes information regarding the battery block resistance of each of a plurality of battery blocks (battery block 213 or battery stack 214 in FIG. 2) included in the assembled battery. More preferably, the value resulting from the variation is the amount of change (δ2 in FIG. 8) with respect to the variation of the battery block resistance in the battery pack over time. Alternatively, the assembled battery is mounted on a vehicle and used, and the value resulting from the variation is a change amount (δ1 in FIG. 8) of the variation in battery block resistance in the assembled battery with respect to the travel distance of the vehicle. Thereby, the necessity of maintenance of the assembled battery is accurately determined.

  The diagnostic apparatus 400 is an apparatus used in an assembled battery management system including a plurality of battery blocks, and includes an assembled battery information acquisition unit (communication unit 410) that acquires assembled battery information of the assembled battery, and an assembled battery information acquisition unit. Based on the assembled battery information acquired by the (communication unit 410), a calculation unit 420 that calculates a value caused by a variation in characteristics of a plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery, and a variation that is calculated by the calculation unit 420 A determination unit 430 that determines whether or not maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary based on the value; and when the determination unit 430 determines that maintenance is necessary, the related person of the assembled battery is related to the assembled battery A notification unit (communication unit 440) for notifying information to be transmitted.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiment but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

  100 assembled battery management system, 200 market, 210 vehicle, 211 assembled battery, 212 cell, 213 battery block, 214 battery stack, 220 dealer, 221 diagnostic tool, 300 assembled battery information collection unit, 400 diagnostic device, 410, 440 communication Part, 420 calculation part, 430 judgment part, 500 supplier.

Claims (6)

A battery pack management system including a plurality of battery blocks,
An assembled battery information obtaining unit for obtaining assembled battery information of the assembled battery;
Based on the assembled battery information acquired by the assembled battery information acquisition unit, a calculation unit that calculates values resulting from variations in characteristics of the plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery;
A determination unit that determines whether maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary based on a value caused by the variation calculated by the calculation unit;
When the determination unit determines that maintenance is necessary, a notification unit that notifies information related to the assembled battery to the parties involved in the assembled battery ,
Value due to the variation, Ru variation der respect to time of the variation, the assembled battery management system. A battery pack management system including a plurality of battery blocks,
An assembled battery information obtaining unit for obtaining assembled battery information of the assembled battery;
Based on the assembled battery information acquired by the assembled battery information acquisition unit, a calculation unit that calculates values resulting from variations in characteristics of the plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery;
A determination unit that determines whether maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary based on a value caused by the variation calculated by the calculation unit;
When the determination unit determines that maintenance is necessary, a notification unit that notifies information related to the assembled battery to the parties involved in the assembled battery,
The assembled battery is used by being mounted on a vehicle,
The assembled battery management system, wherein the value resulting from the variation is a change amount of the variation with respect to a travel distance of the vehicle. The assembled battery information, see contains information about each of the battery blocks the capacity of the plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery,
The variation is the a variation in the battery block capacity, assembled battery management system according to claim 1 or 2. The assembled battery information, see contains information about battery block resistance of each of the plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery,
The variation is the a variation in the battery block resistance, assembled battery management system according to claim 1 or 2. An apparatus used in an assembled battery management system including a plurality of battery blocks,
An assembled battery information obtaining unit for obtaining assembled battery information of the assembled battery;
Based on the assembled battery information acquired by the assembled battery information acquisition unit, a calculation unit that calculates values resulting from variations in characteristics of the plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery;
A determination unit that determines whether maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary based on a value caused by the variation calculated by the calculation unit;
When the determination unit determines that maintenance is necessary, a notification unit that notifies information related to the assembled battery to the parties involved in the assembled battery ,
Value due to the variation, Ru variation der respect to time of the variation device. An apparatus used in an assembled battery management system including a plurality of battery blocks,
An assembled battery information obtaining unit for obtaining assembled battery information of the assembled battery;
Based on the assembled battery information acquired by the assembled battery information acquisition unit, a calculation unit that calculates values resulting from variations in characteristics of the plurality of battery blocks included in the assembled battery;
A determination unit that determines whether maintenance of the assembled battery is necessary based on a value caused by the variation calculated by the calculation unit;
When the determination unit determines that maintenance is necessary, a notification unit that notifies information related to the assembled battery to the parties involved in the assembled battery ,
The assembled battery is used by being mounted on a vehicle,
Value due to the variation, Ru variation der respect to the running distance of the vehicle of the variation device.

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