JP6790474B2 - Secondary battery monitoring device, battery system, secondary battery protection system, vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a technique relating to protective conditions applied to a secondary battery.

For example, a 12V battery mounted on an automobile is used to power an engine starter, various vehicle loads, and charge from an alternator. In order to use such a battery safely and efficiently, some batteries are equipped with a battery monitoring device and a current cutoff device (Patent Document 1 below).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-195183

In general, the safety performance required for a secondary battery (battery) differs between traveling and parking, for example, and higher safety is required during traveling. However, if the safety performance during driving is uniformly applied, the quality may be excessive or the battery performance may be deteriorated when parking.
The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to obtain safety performance suitable for a usage state or suppression of deterioration of battery performance.

The secondary battery monitoring device disclosed by the present specification includes a detection unit for detecting the usage state of the secondary battery and a switching unit, and the switching unit corresponds to the usage state of the secondary battery. Then, the protection conditions applied to the secondary battery are switched. The "protection condition" is a condition applied to a secondary battery or a device that protects the secondary battery for the purpose of using the secondary battery safely, and also receives power from the secondary battery such as a vehicle. Includes conditions applicable to secondary batteries or devices that protect secondary batteries for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the devices that operate in the same way or the suppression of deterioration of battery performance.

According to the secondary battery monitoring device disclosed in the present specification, since the protection conditions are switched according to the usage state of the secondary battery, safety performance suitable for the usage state can be obtained, or deterioration of the battery performance can be suppressed. Alternatively, it is possible to prevent the secondary battery from becoming unsafe or the battery performance from deteriorating due to a malfunction on the vehicle side (hardware or software failure such as a vehicle failure or a control device failure).

Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the battery pack applied to the first embodiment (showing when mounted on a vehicle) The figure which shows the use range (protection condition) of the total voltage V of an assembled battery Flow chart showing the processing flow of the protection condition switching sequence Chart summarizing the usage status of assembled batteries Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the battery pack (showing when used alone) The flowchart which shows the process flow of the switching sequence of the protection condition applied to Embodiment 2. Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the battery pack The figure which shows the use range (protection condition) of the total voltage V of an assembled battery Chart summarizing the usage status of assembled batteries The figure which shows the use range of the total voltage V of the assembled battery and the specified period T in Embodiment 3. Block diagram showing other configurations of the battery pack Block diagram showing other configurations of the battery pack

(Outline of this embodiment)
First, an outline of the secondary battery monitoring device disclosed in the present embodiment will be described. The monitoring device for the secondary battery includes a detection unit for detecting the usage state of the secondary battery and a switching unit, and the switching unit is attached to the secondary battery according to the usage state of the secondary battery. Switch the protection conditions to be applied. In this configuration, since the protection conditions are switched according to the usage state of the secondary battery, safety performance suitable for the usage state or deterioration suppression of battery performance can be obtained. The "protection condition" is in addition to the condition applied to the secondary battery or the device for protecting the secondary battery for the purpose of using the secondary battery safely or while suppressing the deterioration of the battery performance. Includes conditions applicable to secondary batteries or devices that protect secondary batteries for the purpose of ensuring the safety of devices that operate by receiving power from the secondary batteries such as vehicles, or suppressing deterioration of battery performance. ..

Further, the secondary battery monitoring device disclosed in the present embodiment preferably has the following configuration.
The detection unit detects whether the secondary battery is in the first use state used in a vehicle that is running or is preparing to run, and the switching unit detects whether the secondary battery is in the first use state, depending on the detected use state. Switch the protection conditions of the next battery. Two usage states are detected because the required safety performance or the method for suppressing deterioration of battery performance differs between the usage state used in the vehicle being driven or preparing to run and the other usage states. Therefore, the protection conditions of the secondary battery can be preferably switched.

The detection unit detects whether the secondary battery is in a second usage state other than the first usage state, and the switching unit detects whether the secondary battery is in a second usage state other than the first usage state, and the switching unit responds to the detected usage state. Switch the protection conditions of the secondary battery. Further, the detection unit detects whether the secondary battery is in a third usage state other than the first usage state and the second usage state, and the switching unit responds to the detected usage state. , The protection condition of the secondary battery is switched.

In this configuration, the protection conditions are switched according to not only the first usage state but also the second usage state and the third usage state, so that safety performance suitable for each usage state or deterioration suppression of battery performance can be obtained.

As the protection condition, the switching unit switches the voltage of the secondary battery or the usage range of the SOC. In this configuration, the secondary battery can be used efficiently and safely as compared with the case where the usage range is uniformly applied regardless of the usage state of the secondary battery. Alternatively, it is possible to suppress deterioration of battery performance while making maximum use of battery performance. Further, as the protection condition, the switching unit switches the period from the establishment of the condition for shutting off the current of the secondary battery to the execution of the shutoff. In this configuration, the period from the establishment of the condition for shutting off the battery to the execution can be switched according to the usage state of the secondary battery.

The monitoring device communicates information regarding the switching of the protection conditions to the outside. In this configuration, appropriate control can be performed on the vehicle side according to the protection conditions after switching. Further, the switching unit switches the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the usage range according to the detected usage state.

The usage range includes a plurality of usage ranges having different upper limit values, and the switching unit has a lower upper limit value when the secondary battery is used in a vehicle in which the secondary battery is running or is preparing to run in the first usage state. The range is applied, and when the secondary battery is in a usage state other than that, the usage range having a high upper limit value is applied. In this configuration, safety can be prioritized in the usage state during running or preparation for running, and usage efficiency can be prioritized in other usage states. Alternatively, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the battery performance while maximizing the battery performance.

The usage range includes a plurality of usage ranges having different lower limit values, and the switching unit has a high lower limit value when the secondary battery is used in a vehicle in which the secondary battery is running or is in preparation for running. The range is applied, and when the secondary battery is in other usage states, the usage range having a lower lower limit is applied. In this configuration, safety can be prioritized in the usage state during running or preparation for running, and usage efficiency can be prioritized in other usage states. Alternatively, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the battery performance while maximizing the battery performance.

The detection unit detects the usage state of the secondary battery based on the signal from the vehicle side and the presence / absence of charge / discharge current. It is possible to detect the usage status of the secondary battery by using the basic function of the monitoring device, and there is no cost increase due to the addition of hardware.

<Embodiment 1>
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
1. 1. Configuration of Battery Pack 20 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the battery pack 20 in the present embodiment. The battery pack 20 of the present embodiment is mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, supplies power to a vehicle load of 10A such as an engine starting device, and is charged by a vehicle generator (alternator) 10A. Reference numeral 21 shown in FIG. 1 is a positive electrode terminal of the battery pack 20, and reference numeral 22 is a negative electrode terminal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 20 includes an assembled battery 30, a current detection resistor 41, a thermistor 43, a current cutoff device 45, and a battery-manager (hereinafter, BM) 50 that manages the assembled battery 30. .. The assembled battery 30 is composed of a plurality of lithium ion secondary batteries 31 connected in series. The BM50 is an example of a "monitoring device". Further, the current cutoff device 45 and the BM50 are examples of the "secondary battery protection system".

The assembled battery 30, the current detection resistor 41, and the current cutoff device 45 are connected in series via the power line 35. In this example, the current detection resistor 41 is arranged on the negative electrode side and the current cutoff device 45 is arranged on the positive electrode side. The current detection resistor 41 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 22, and the current cutoff device 45 is connected to the positive electrode terminal 21, respectively.

The current detection resistor 41 functions to detect the current flowing through the assembled battery 30. The thermistor 43 functions to measure the temperature [° C.] of the assembled battery 30 by a contact type or a non-contact type. The current detection resistor 41 and the thermistor 43 are connected to the BM 50 by a signal line, and the detection value of the current detection resistor 41 and the detection value of the thermistor 43 are incorporated into the BM 50.

The current cutoff device 45 is, for example, a semiconductor switch or relay such as an FET, and fulfills a function of cutting off the current of the assembled battery 30 by opening the power line 35 on the positive electrode side in response to a command from the BM 50. ..

The BM 50 is provided inside the battery pack 20, and includes a voltage detection circuit 60 and a control unit 70.

The voltage detection circuit 60 is connected to both ends of each secondary battery 31 via a detection line, and in response to an instruction from the control unit 70, the voltage of each secondary battery 31 and the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 Serves the function of measuring.

The control unit 70 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter, CPU) 71, a memory 73, and a communication unit 75. The control unit 70 functions to determine the usage state of the assembled battery 30 and to switch the protection conditions. The control unit 70 is an example of a “detection unit” and a “switching unit”.

The memory 73 stores a calculation program for executing a process of switching protection conditions and data necessary for executing the program. In addition, data regarding the protection conditions of the assembled battery 30 is stored.

The communication unit 75 is communicably connected to the vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 100 and functions to communicate with the vehicle ECU 100. In this example, the event information generated in the vehicle is notified from the ECU 100 side to the control unit 70 by communication. The event information includes a signal (IG_ON signal) relating to the operating status of the IG switch (ignition switch) 110 provided in the vehicle and a signal relating to the operating status of the safety device of the vehicle.

Then, the battery pack 20 configured as described above communicates with the vehicle ECU 100 mounted on the vehicle, controls the vehicle generator 10A, and exchanges electric power with the vehicle.

2. 2. Protective conditions and protective operation of the assembled battery 30 The assembled battery 30 has two protection conditions A and B set for safe use. The "protection condition A" is a protection condition applied in the first usage state in which the battery pack 20 is used in a running vehicle or a vehicle preparing to run. "Protection condition B" is a protection condition applied in a usage state other than the first usage state. In addition, "preparing for running" means that the vehicle can immediately shift to running, and the ignition key is inserted and rotated to the on position (not the ignition key rotation type, but the button type engine start type (not the ignition key rotation type). In push start or button start), the state in which the vehicle is stopped with the ignition turned on) and the state in which the vehicle is idling stopped are included. "Protection condition B" is a protection condition applied in a usage state other than the first usage state.

In the first embodiment, the range of use of the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 is defined as a protection condition. Further, a specified period T from the establishment of the condition for shutting off the assembled battery 30 to the execution of the shutoff is specified. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage range of the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30, and “V4” is a lower limit value of the total voltage V that can safely use the assembled battery 30 or suppress deterioration of battery performance, “V1”. Is the upper limit of the total voltage V that allows the assembled battery 30 to be used safely or suppresses deterioration of battery performance.

When discharged to a state lower than "V4", the assembled battery 30 becomes unstable and deteriorates. Similarly, when "V1" is charged to a higher state, the assembled battery 30 becomes unstable and deteriorates.

As shown in FIG. 2, the protection condition A has a usage range of the total voltage V of “V5” to “V2”. On the other hand, under the protection condition B, the range of use of the total voltage V is "V4" to "V1". As shown in FIG. 2, the protection condition A has a narrower usable range of the total usable voltage V than the protection condition B, and is set to a voltage different from the upper limit value and the lower limit value. That is, the upper limit value V2 on the protection condition A side is set lower than the upper limit value V1 on the protection condition B side, and the lower limit value V5 on the protection condition A side is set to a voltage higher than the lower limit value V4 on the protection condition B side.

When the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches the upper limit value “V2” or the lower limit value “V5” during the period in which the “protection condition A” is applied, the BM 50 shuts off the assembled battery 30 from the vehicle ECU 100. Notify that the conditions are met. Then, when the specified period T1 elapses after the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches "V2" or "V5", a command is sent to the current cutoff device 45 to cut off the energization of the assembled battery 30 (protection operation). A).

In the example of FIG. 2, a command is sent to the current cutoff device 45 at the time t2 when the specified period T1 elapses from the time t1 when the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches “V2” to energize the assembled battery 30. Cut off. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the assembled battery 30 from being overcharged or overdischarged, and it is possible to prevent the assembled battery 30 from being in an unsafe state.

Further, the current cutoff is executed when the specified period T1 elapses from the time when the cutoff condition is satisfied, and the information is notified to the vehicle ECU 100 when the cutoff condition is satisfied. Therefore, by issuing a warning in response to the notification on the vehicle ECU 100 side, the user can move the vehicle to a safe place during the specified period T1. The reason why the upper limit of the voltage is set to "V2", which is lower than "V1", is that it is expected that the voltage will increase due to charging during the specified period T1. That is, even if the voltage rises due to charging during the specified period T1, the upper limit value of the total voltage V is suppressed low in advance so as not to exceed the upper limit value "V1". Further, the lower limit value "V5" on the protection condition A side is set to a voltage higher than the lower limit value V4 on the protection condition B side for the same reason.

On the other hand, when the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches the upper limit value “V1” or the lower limit value “V4” during the period in which the “protection condition B” is applied, the BM 50 causes the current cutoff device 45 at that time. A command is sent to directly cut off the energization of the assembled battery 30 (protection operation B). That is, in the protection condition A, the length of the specified period T is set to "T1", whereas in the protection condition B, the length of the specified period T is set to zero. In the example of FIG. 2, at the time t3 when the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches “V1”, a command is sent to the current cutoff device 45 to directly cut off the energization of the assembled battery 30. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the assembled battery 30 from being overcharged or overdischarged, and it is possible to prevent the assembled battery 30 from being in an unsafe state. Further, since the "protection condition B" has a wider range of use of the total voltage V than the "protection condition A", the assembled battery 30 can be used efficiently.

3. 3. Protection condition switching sequence by BM50 Next, the protection condition switching sequence will be described. The protection condition switching sequence shown in FIG. 3 is composed of steps S10 to S40, and is executed at the same time as, for example, the BM50 is activated and the monitoring of the assembled battery 30 is started.

When the process starts, the control unit 70 executes a process of determining whether the assembled battery 30 is in the first use state used in the running or running vehicle (S10). Specifically, when the vehicle is running or preparing to run, the IG switch 110 is in the ON state, and the vehicle side is in a state in which major electric devices and electrical components are activated and a load is generated. Therefore, electric power is exchanged with the battery pack 20. Therefore, as shown below, the usage state of the assembled battery 30 can be determined from the presence / absence of the "IG_ON signal" and the presence / absence of the "charge / discharge current". The function of the "detection unit" of the present invention is realized by the processing of S10 executed by the control unit 70.

(A) Presence / absence of IG_ON signal When the IG switch 110 is switched from off to on, the vehicle ECU 100 detects the ON operation of the IG switch 110 and transmits the IG_ON signal to the BM50. Therefore, the control unit 70 can detect the presence / absence of the IG_ON signal by communicating with the vehicle ECU 100. The IG_ON signal is an example of the "signal from the vehicle" of the present invention.

(B) Presence / absence of charge / discharge current The current flowing through the assembled battery 30 is detected by the current detection resistor 41. Therefore, the presence or absence of charge / discharge current can be detected from the detection value of the current detection resistor 41. In the present embodiment, the detected value of the current detection resistor 41 is compared with the threshold value, and if the current value is lower than the threshold value, it is determined that there is no charge / discharge current, and if the current value exceeds the threshold value, the charge is charged. It is judged that there is a discharge current.

Then, the control unit 70 detects the presence / absence of the above two conditions (a) and (b), and when both of the two conditions (a) and (b) are "present" (the case of the number 1 shown in FIG. 4). ), The control unit 70 determines that the used state of the assembled battery 30 is the first used state, and applies the protection condition A to the assembled battery 30 (S20).

On the other hand, when at least one of the two conditions (a) and (b) is "none", the control unit 70 determines that the used state of the assembled battery 30 is not the first used state, and protects the condition. B is applied to the assembled battery 30 (S30).

When it is determined that the used state of the assembled battery 30 is not the first used state, as shown in Nos. 2 to 4 shown in FIG. 4, when the vehicle is parked, the battery pack 20 is removed from the vehicle. Is used alone (see FIG. 5), the case where the power line is broken, and the like are included.

When either the protection condition A or the protection condition B is applied, it is subsequently determined whether or not to end the monitoring of the assembled battery 30 (S40). When the monitoring of the assembled battery 30 is continued, the process returns to S10, and the process of determining whether the used state of the assembled battery 30 is the first used state is performed again. Then, the protection conditions of the assembled battery 30 are switched according to the determination result.

From the above, during the period when the BM50 monitors the assembled battery 30, the processes of S10 to S40 are repeatedly executed, and depending on whether or not the used state of the assembled battery 30 is the first used state. The protection conditions of the assembled battery 30 are automatically switched. That is, when the assembled battery 30 is in the first use state such as when the vehicle is running, stopped, or idling stopped, the protection condition A is applied. On the other hand, when the used state of the assembled battery 30 is not the first used state, such as when the vehicle is parked or the battery pack 20 is used alone, the protection condition B is applied to the assembled battery 30. Then, when a condition for ending the monitoring of the assembled battery 30 is satisfied, such as a state of no current continuing for a certain period of time, a YES determination is made in S40, and a series of processes is completed. The function of the "switching unit" of the present invention is realized by the processing of S20 and S30 executed by the control unit 70.

4. Explanation of Effect As described above, since the BM50 switches the protection conditions according to the usage state of the assembled battery 30, it is possible to secure the safety performance suitable for the usage state. Alternatively, the method of suppressing the deterioration of the battery performance can be switched according to the situation, and the deterioration of the battery performance can be suppressed while maximizing the battery performance. That is, when the protection condition A is applied (in the case of the first use state), the usage range of the total voltage V is set narrow as the protection condition. By narrowing the usage range, it is possible to provide a specified period T1 because there is a margin from when the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches the limit value of the usage ranges V2 to V5 to when it reaches the deterioration region. .. Therefore, the user can move the vehicle to a safe place during the specified period T1.

Further, in the protection condition B, since the usage range of the total voltage V is set wider than that in the protection condition A, the usage efficiency of the assembled battery 30 is compared with the case where the usage range of the protection condition A is uniformly applied. Can be improved. Alternatively, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the battery performance while maximizing the battery performance. Then, even when the protection condition B is applied (use state other than the first use state), if the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches the upper limit value V1 or the lower limit value V4, the current is immediately cut off. Therefore, the assembled battery 30 can be used safely. Alternatively, the method of suppressing the deterioration of the battery performance can be switched according to the situation, and the deterioration of the battery performance can be suppressed while maximizing the battery performance. For example, in the case where the removed battery pack 20 is charged by the external charger 10B having a high charging voltage (see FIG. 5), the current cutoff device 45 is used when the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches the upper limit value V1. Cuts off the current, so that the assembled battery 30 can be used safely.

Further, since it is detected by using the basic functions of the BM50 (current monitoring function and communication function with the vehicle ECU) whether the assembled battery 30 is in the first used state, there is no cost increase due to the addition of hardware. There are merits.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.
The battery pack 20 of the second embodiment has the assembled battery 30, the current detection resistor 41, the current cutoff device 45, and the BM 50 that manages the assembled battery 30, similarly to the battery pack 20 of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit 70 of the BM 50 detects whether the used state of the assembled battery 30 is the first used state, and switches the protection conditions according to the detection result. In the second embodiment, the control unit 70 of the BM 50 detects whether the usage state of the assembled battery 30 corresponds to the first usage state to the third usage state, and the protection conditions A to C are determined according to the detection result. To switch.

The "first use state" is a state in which the battery pack 20 is used in a vehicle that is running or is preparing to run. The "second usage state" is a usage state in which the battery pack 20 is used in a vehicle other than the first usage state. Further, the "third usage state" is a usage state other than the first usage state and the second usage state. In the "third usage state", a state in which the battery pack 20 is removed from the vehicle and used, or a state in which the battery pack 20 is used for a purpose other than the vehicle from the beginning can be exemplified.

FIG. 6 is a switching sequence of protection conditions applied to the second embodiment, and the processes of S13 to S17 are added to the switching sequence of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the changes from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

The switching sequence shown in FIG. 6 is executed at the same time as, for example, the BM50 is activated and the monitoring of the assembled battery 30 is started. When the process starts, the control unit 70 executes a process of determining whether the assembled battery 30 is in the first use state used in the running or running vehicle (S10). Then, when it is determined that the usage state is the first usage state, the protection condition A is applied to the assembled battery 30 (S20, FIG. 9).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the used state is not the first used state, the control unit 70 executes a process of determining whether the assembled battery 30 is in the second used state (S13). Specifically, this is performed by detecting whether or not the communication line L that is communicably connected to the vehicle ECU 100 is connected to the BM50. That is, if the communication line L is connected, it can be determined that the battery pack 20 is mounted on the vehicle. Therefore, when it can be detected that the communication line L is connected, it can be determined that the assembled battery 30 is in the second used state.

On the other hand, if the communication line L is not connected, it can be determined that the battery pack 20 has been removed from the vehicle or has been used for purposes other than the vehicle from the beginning. Therefore, when the communication line L is not connected, it can be determined that the assembled battery 30 is in the third used state.

Whether or not the communication line L is connected to the BM50 is determined by, for example, a method of detecting the voltage value of the pin 85 for connecting the communication line or fitting of the connector 120 for connecting the communication line to the connector receiving portion 80. A method of detecting the presence or absence can be exemplified (see FIG. 7).

Then, when the assembled battery 30 is in the second use state, the protection condition C is applied (S15, FIG. 9). Further, when the assembled battery 30 is in the third used state, the protection condition B is applied (S17, FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 8, the protection condition C has a total voltage V usage range of “V6” to “V3”, and the protection condition B has a total voltage V usage range of “V4” to “V1”. The range of use of protection condition C is narrower on both the upper limit side and the lower limit side than the range of use of protection condition B. In this way, the reason why the range of use on the protection condition C side is set narrow is that the required safety is higher or the battery performance is higher when the vehicle is mounted than when it is removed from the vehicle. This is because it is often easy to suppress deterioration. In both the protection condition B and the protection condition C, the specified period T is "zero", and the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches the upper limit values "V1" and "V3" and the lower limit values "V4" and "V6". Then, at that time, a command is sent to the current cutoff device 45 to directly cut off the energization of the assembled battery 30 (protection operations B and C).

Then, when any of the protection conditions A to C is applied, it is then determined whether or not to end the monitoring of the assembled battery 30 (S40). When the monitoring of the assembled battery 30 is continued, the process returns to S10, and the process of determining the usage state of the assembled battery 30 (S10, S13, S17) is performed again. Then, the protection conditions A to C of the assembled battery 30 are switched according to the determination result.

In the second embodiment, the protection conditions are switched according to not only the first usage state but also the second usage state and the third usage state, so that safety performance suitable for each usage state can be obtained. Alternatively, the method of suppressing the deterioration of the battery performance can be switched according to the situation, and the deterioration of the battery performance can be suppressed while maximizing the battery performance. In addition, usage efficiency is also improved.

In addition, as an example of the second usage state, the usage state in a parked vehicle is illustrated, but if the vehicle is in a usage state other than parking, it is also possible to apply protection conditions according to the usage state. .. For example, a state in which the battery pack 20 is used in an emergency vehicle, such as when an accident occurs or a dangerous state occurs during traveling, can be included in the second use state. In an emergency, unlike in a normal case, if the assembled battery 30 is cut off by the current cutoff device 45, for example, a window or a door may be opened but not opened. Therefore, in an emergency, even if the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches the upper limit value V3 or the lower limit value V6, the assembled battery 30 is not cut off (the current cutoff device 45 is not operated) and is connected to the vehicle ECU 100. Therefore, the electric power is continuously supplied to the equipment related to the driver's safety, and the electric power to other equipment is cut off.

By doing so, the assembled battery 30 can be used safely while ensuring the safety of the driver. Whether the vehicle is in an emergency can be detected from the output of the BM50, for example, by mounting an acceleration sensor (not shown) on the BM50. In addition to that, the operating status of a safety device (for example, an automatic brake or a device for reducing a collision) mounted on a vehicle can be detected by receiving communication through the vehicle ECU 100.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the first embodiment, as an example of switching the protection conditions A and B, an example of switching the usage range of the set voltage 30 has been described. That is, an example has been described in which the control unit 70 of the BM 50 detects whether the used state of the assembled battery 30 is the first used state, and switches the used range of the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 according to the detection result. Then, the specified period T from the establishment of the condition for shutting off the assembled battery 30 to the shutting off of the assembled battery 30 is also switched, and when the protection condition A is applied (in the case of the first use state), the assembled battery When the specified period T1 elapses after the condition for shutting off 30 is satisfied, a command is given to the current shutoff device 45 to shut off the assembled battery 30. Further, when the protection condition B is applied (in the case of a usage state other than the first usage state), a command is given to the current cutoff device 45 when the condition for shutting off the assembled battery 30 is satisfied, and the assembled battery 30 is directly operated. I shut it off.

The battery pack 20 of the third embodiment does not switch the usage range of the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30, but switches only the specified period T as a protection condition.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 is common to the protection conditions A and B, and is “V6 to V3”. Then, when the protection condition A is applied (in the case of the first use state), the control unit 70 starts from t1 when the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 reaches the limit value (for example, the upper limit value “V3”). At t2 when the "specified period T1" has elapsed, a command is sent to the current cutoff device 45 to cut off the energization of the assembled battery 30.

Further, when the protection condition B is applied (in the case of a usage state other than the first usage state), the control unit 70 has reached the limit value (for example, the upper limit value "V3") of the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30. At the time point t1, a command is sent to the current cutoff device 45 to directly cut off the energization of the assembled battery 30.

The optimum value of the specified period T differs depending on the usage state of the assembled battery 30, and in the case of the first used state in which the assembled battery 30 is used for a vehicle running or preparing to run, the time for moving the vehicle to a safe place is set. In order to secure it, it is preferable to secure a certain long time. On the other hand, in other usage states, the safety of the battery may be ensured, or deterioration of the battery performance may be suppressed, and the specified period T may be short. In the third embodiment, since the specified period T is switched according to the usage state of the assembled battery 30, it is possible to secure the safety performance suitable for the usage state. Alternatively, the method of suppressing the deterioration of the battery performance can be switched according to the situation, and the deterioration of the battery performance can be suppressed while maximizing the battery performance. In this example, the specified period of protection condition B is set to "zero", but the specified period of protection condition B is set to "T2", and the length of the specified period "T" is switched between protection conditions A and B. Of course it is good.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the above description and drawings, and for example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the first embodiment, a lithium ion secondary battery is illustrated as an example of the secondary battery 31, but the type of the battery is not limited to the lithium ion secondary battery, for example, a lead storage battery or the like. It may be another secondary battery.

(2) In the first embodiment, as an example of the protection condition, the usage range of the total voltage V of the assembled battery 30 and the specified period T from the establishment of the condition for shutting off the assembled battery to the execution of the shutoff are illustrated. , The range of use or the specified period T may be switched. Further, the protection condition is not limited to the usage range of the total voltage V and the specified period T, and may be, for example, the usage range of the SOC of the assembled battery 30. In addition to the above, any condition may be used as long as it is a protection condition, such as a condition relating to a constraint on a load for supplying power. Further, when switching the usage range of the total voltage V, in addition to switching both the upper limit value and the lower limit value, only one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value may be switched.

(3) In the first embodiment, the on / off of the IG switch 110 is detected depending on whether or not the IG_ON signal is received in the communication with the vehicle ECU 100, but other detection methods may be used. For example, a dedicated signal line may be provided between the IG switch 110 and the IG switch 110 to directly detect the on / off of the IG switch 110.

(4) In the second embodiment, an example in which the protection condition C is applied to the assembled battery 30 in the third used state is shown. The third usage state is a usage state other than the first usage state and the second usage state, which includes a state in which the battery pack 20 is removed from the vehicle and used, or a state other than the vehicle from the beginning. It is possible to exemplify the state used for the purpose. Therefore, if the intended use can be determined, the protection conditions can be changed according to the intended use.

(5) If the power line of the battery pack 20 mounted on the vehicle is disconnected, the battery pack 20 may be short-circuited via the disconnected power line. In the first embodiment, an example in which the protection condition B is applied is shown when the usage state of the assembled battery 30 is not the first usage state, but in the case of the numbers 2 and 4 shown in FIG. 4, the power line is disconnected. It can be determined that the battery is in the state of being. Therefore, when the disconnection of the power line is detected, the safety of the assembled battery 30 can be ensured by operating the current cutoff device 45. It should be noted that which of the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side power lines is disconnected can be determined by whether or not communication is established between the BM 50 and the vehicle ECU 100. When communication is established between the two, it can be determined that the reference potential (ground) is the same on the BM50 side and the vehicle ECU100 side, so that the power line on the negative electrode side (ground side) is normal and the power line on the positive electrode side is disconnected. It can be judged that it is doing. On the other hand, when communication is not established, it is assumed that the reference potential (ground) is different between the BM50 side and the vehicle ECU100 side, so it can be determined that the power line on the negative electrode side (ground side) is disconnected.

(6) In the second embodiment, it is determined whether the battery pack 20 is mounted on the vehicle by detecting the connection state of the communication line L to the BM50. In addition to this, for example, by detecting contact signals of switches, relays, etc. mounted on a vehicle with the BM50 via a signal line, it is possible to detect whether or not the vehicle is mounted.

(7) In the first embodiment, a configuration is described in which the usage range of the total voltage of the assembled battery 30 is switched as a protection condition of the assembled battery 30 according to the usage state of the assembled battery 30. In addition to this, when the protection condition is switched, the vehicle is notified of the information regarding the switching of the protection condition (for example, the notification that the switching has been performed and the content of the protection condition after the switching), and the protection condition after the switching is set. Vehicle control may be changed accordingly. Alternatively, the charging method (charging control) may be changed according to the protection conditions after switching. That is, in the configuration of the first embodiment, since the BM50 independently switches the protection conditions, when the protection conditions are switched, the vehicle is notified and the vehicle is switched according to the protection conditions after the switching. Appropriate control can be done on the side. The notification to the vehicle corresponds to the "notification to the outside (outside when viewed from the battery pack)" of the present invention.

(8) In the first embodiment, an example in which the BM 50 is mounted in the battery pack 20 is shown, but as shown in FIG. 11, the BM 50 may be mounted outside the battery pack 20, for example, in a vehicle. Further, the BM 50 is not limited to the case where the BM 50 is driven by receiving the power supply from the assembled battery 30, and may be of the type which is driven by receiving the power supply from the external power source 150 other than the assembled battery 30.

(9) In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the usage state of the assembled battery 30 is determined based on the signal indicating the operating state of the IG switch 110 transmitted from the vehicle and the presence / absence of the charge / discharge current. The method of determining the usage state is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, an acceleration sensor 170, a GPS sensor (not shown), or the like is provided in the battery pack 20, and the battery is determined based on the output of these sensors. The judgment may be made inside the pack 20. That is, when the state in which the position of the battery pack 20 does not change from the output of the acceleration sensor or the GPS sensor continues for a predetermined period, the used state of the assembled battery 30 is the second used state, and in other cases, the first used state. You may judge that it is in use. The acceleration sensor 170 and the GPS sensor are examples of "sensors that detect changes in the position of the battery pack".

In this configuration, since the battery pack 20 can independently determine the usage state without receiving a signal indicating the operating state of the IG switch 110 from the vehicle, a vehicle malfunction (vehicle failure or control) can be determined. It is possible to prevent the assembled battery 30 from becoming unsafe or the battery performance from deteriorating due to a heart-like or soft failure such as a device failure. In this case as well (in the case of a configuration in which the acceleration sensor 170 is mounted on the battery pack to determine the usage state), when the protection conditions are switched, information regarding the switching of the protection conditions (for example, switching is performed) to the vehicle side. The vehicle control may be changed according to the protection condition after the switching by notifying the communication and the content of the protection condition after the switching. Alternatively, the charging method (charging control) may be changed according to the protection conditions after switching.

Of course, the usage state of the assembled battery 30 may be determined from both the signal from the vehicle and the signal from the sensor provided in the battery pack 20.

(10) In the first embodiment, an example in which the usage state of the assembled battery 30 is determined (detected) based on the presence / absence of the IG_ON signal and the presence / absence of the charge / discharge current is shown. The usage state of the assembled battery 30 can be determined based on the signal from the vehicle and the presence / absence of the charge / discharge current. The signal from the vehicle is not limited to the IG_ON signal, and may be, for example, an IG_ACC signal (a signal for detecting that the ignition switch is turned to the ACC (accessory position)). That is, the presence / absence of the IG_ACC signal may be detected instead of the presence / absence of the IG_ON signal.

20 ... Battery pack 30 ... Battery pack 31 ... Secondary battery 41 ... Current detection resistor 45 ... Current cutoff device 50 ... Battery manager (corresponding to the "monitoring device" of the present invention)
60 ... Voltage detection circuit 70 ... Control unit

Claims (16)

It is a secondary battery monitoring device
A detector that detects the usage status of the secondary battery,
With a switching unit
The detection unit detects whether or not the secondary battery is in the first use state used in a vehicle that is running or is preparing to run.
As a protection condition applied to the secondary battery, the switching unit detects the period from when the condition for shutting off the current of the secondary battery to shutting off the current is detected in the usage state of the secondary battery. A secondary battery monitoring device that switches according to the situation. The secondary battery monitoring device according to claim 1.
Before Kisetsu section, when the secondary battery is first use, the period until the condition for interrupting the current of the secondary battery to cut off the current from the established and defined period,
When the secondary battery is in a usage state other than the first usage state, the secondary battery monitoring device sets the period from when the condition for cutting off the current of the secondary battery is satisfied to zero. .. The secondary battery monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2.
As the protection condition, the switching unit switches the voltage of the secondary battery or the usage range of the SOC in addition to the period from the establishment of the condition for cutting off the current of the secondary battery to the cutoff of the current. Secondary battery monitoring device. The secondary battery monitoring device according to claim 3.
The detection unit includes a first usage state in which the secondary battery is used in a vehicle running or preparing to run, a second usage state used in a vehicle other than the first usage state, and the first usage state. And, among the third usage states other than the second usage state, which usage state is detected,
The switching unit is a secondary battery monitoring device that switches the voltage of the secondary battery or the usage range of the SOC as a protection condition for the secondary battery according to the detected usage state. The secondary battery monitoring device according to claim 3 or 4.
The switching unit is a secondary battery monitoring device that switches the upper limit of the usage range according to the detected usage state. The secondary battery monitoring device according to claim 5.
The usage range includes a plurality of usage ranges having different upper limit values.
The switching unit is
In the case of the first use state in which the secondary battery is used in a vehicle that is running or is preparing to run, a use range with a low upper limit is applied.
A secondary battery monitoring device that applies a high upper limit usage range when the secondary battery is in any other usage state. The secondary battery monitoring device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.
The switching unit is a secondary battery monitoring device that switches the lower limit of the usage range according to the detected usage state. The secondary battery monitoring device according to claim 7.
The usage range includes a plurality of usage ranges having different lower limit values.
The switching unit is
In the case of the first use state in which the secondary battery is used in a vehicle that is running or preparing to run, a use range with a high lower limit value is applied.
A secondary battery monitoring device that applies a low lower limit usage range when the secondary battery is in any other usage state. The secondary battery monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A secondary battery monitoring device that notifies the outside of information regarding the switching of the protection conditions. The secondary battery monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The detection unit is running or preparing to run the secondary battery based on a signal regarding the operating status of the ignition switch transmitted from the vehicle ECU mounted on the vehicle and the presence or absence of charge / discharge current. A secondary battery monitoring device that detects whether or not it is in the first use state used in a vehicle. The secondary battery monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
As the usage range of the voltage or SOC of the secondary battery, the protection condition of the secondary battery is applied to the first usage range corresponding to the first usage state used in the running or preparing vehicle. When the voltage of the secondary battery or the upper limit of the first use range applied by the SOC is reached during the period, the vehicle is notified that the condition for shutting off the secondary battery is satisfied, and the secondary is notified. When a specified period elapses after the battery voltage or SOC reaches the upper limit of the first use range, a command is sent to the current cutoff device to cut off the energization of the secondary battery.
The upper limit of the secondary usage range applied by the voltage of the secondary battery or the SOC during the period when the second usage range corresponding to the usage state other than the first usage state is applied to the protection condition of the secondary battery. When the value is reached, when the voltage or SOC of the secondary battery reaches the upper limit value, a command is sent to the current cutoff device to immediately cut off the energization of the secondary battery. It is a secondary battery monitoring device
A detector that detects the usage status of the secondary battery,
With a switching unit
Based on the signal regarding the operating status of the ignition switch transmitted from the vehicle ECU mounted on the vehicle and the presence / absence of charge / discharge current, the detection unit is in the state of use of the secondary battery during traveling or in preparation for traveling. Detects whether or not it is in the first use state used in the vehicle,
The switching unit is a monitoring device that switches the protection conditions applied to the secondary battery according to the detected usage state of the secondary battery. The secondary battery monitoring device according to claim 12.
When the usage state of the secondary battery is not the first usage state
The detection unit detects the connection state of the connection line connecting the vehicle ECU and the monitoring device, and detects the connection state.
When the connection line is in the connected state, it is determined that the usage state of the secondary battery is the second usage state used in a vehicle other than the first usage state.
When the connection line is not connected, it is determined that the usage state of the secondary battery is a third usage state other than the first usage state and the second usage state.
The switching unit is a monitoring device that switches the protection conditions applied to the secondary battery according to the detected usage state of the secondary battery. It ’s a battery system ,
Lithium-ion secondary battery and
The secondary battery monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
A sensor for detecting a change in the position of the lithium ion secondary battery is provided.
The detection unit is a battery system that detects the usage state of the lithium ion secondary battery based on the output of the sensor. It is a protection system for secondary batteries
The secondary battery monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
A current cutoff device for cutting off the energization of the secondary battery is provided.
The monitoring device
As the usage range of the voltage or SOC of the secondary battery, the protection condition of the secondary battery is applied to the first usage range corresponding to the first usage state used in the running or preparing vehicle. When the voltage of the secondary battery or the upper limit of the first use range applied by the SOC is reached during the period, the vehicle is notified that the condition for shutting off the secondary battery is satisfied, and the secondary is notified. When a specified period has elapsed since the voltage or SOC of the battery reached the upper limit of the first use range, a command was sent to the current cutoff device to cut off the energization of the secondary battery.
The upper limit of the secondary usage range applied by the voltage of the secondary battery or the SOC during the period when the second usage range corresponding to the usage state other than the first usage state is applied to the protection condition of the secondary battery. When the value is reached, when the voltage or SOC of the secondary battery reaches the upper limit value, a command is sent to the current cutoff device to immediately cut off the energization of the secondary battery. .. It ’s a vehicle,
A battery system including a lithium ion secondary battery and the monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or a vehicle equipped with the battery system according to claim 14 .

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