WO2011132434A1

WO2011132434A1 - Battery module, electric vehicle provided with same, mobile body, power storage device, power source device, and electric equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2011132434A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/002378
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智徳國光; 由知西原; 浩也村尾; 計美大倉
Original assignee: 三洋電機株式会社
Priority date: 2010-04-22
Filing date: 2011-04-22
Publication date: 2011-10-27

Abstract

The disclosed battery module is provided with a plurality of battery cells, a first circuit, a second circuit, and a printed circuit board. The first circuit contains a detection unit that detects the voltage of each battery cell. The second circuit contains a processing unit that processes information relating to the voltages detected by the detection unit of the first circuit. The first circuit and the second circuit are mounted to a common printed circuit board. Power is supplied to the first circuit from the plurality of battery cells of the battery module. Power is supplied to the second circuit from a battery for the second circuit or a battery that is not for motive power in an electric vehicle.

Description

BATTERY MODULE, ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH THE SAME, MOBILE BODY, POWER STORAGE DEVICE, POWER SUPPLY DEVICE, AND ELECTRIC DEVICE

The present invention relates to a battery module, and an electric vehicle, a moving body, a power storage device, a power supply device, and an electric device including the battery module.

A battery module that can be charged and discharged is used as a drive source for a moving body such as an electric vehicle. Such a battery module has a configuration in which, for example, a plurality of batteries (battery cells) are connected in series.

The battery system described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of battery modules, a plurality of battery cell controllers, and a battery controller. Each battery module consists of a group of a plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell controller includes a plurality of integrated circuits corresponding to a plurality of battery groups. The plurality of integrated circuits of each battery cell controller detects the voltage of each battery cell belonging to the corresponding plurality of battery groups. The battery controller acquires data such as voltage of each battery cell from a plurality of battery cell controllers by communication, and controls the state of each battery cell via the plurality of battery cell controllers. Each battery cell controller is supplied with power from the battery cells of the corresponding battery module. On the other hand, power is supplied to the battery controller from another power system mounted on the vehicle.
JP 2010-16928 A

In the battery system described in Patent Document 1, the battery controller can operate even when the voltage of the battery cell of any battery module drops. Thereby, data, such as the voltage of each battery cell of another battery module, can be acquired.

However, in the battery system described above, the battery controller controls the state of the plurality of battery cells by processing data acquired from the plurality of battery cell controllers. Therefore, the processing burden on the battery controller is large. As a result, when an abnormality occurs in the battery controller, it becomes impossible to acquire and process data of all the battery cells included in all the battery modules of the battery system, so that the entire function of the battery system is stopped. . As a result, it is difficult to ensure a stable operation of the battery system.

An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module that makes it possible to ensure a stable operation of a battery system, and an electric vehicle, a moving body, a power storage device, a power supply device, and an electric device including the battery module.

(1) A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention is a battery module connectable to an external power supply, and includes a plurality of battery cells, and a first circuit unit including a detection unit that detects a voltage of each battery cell; A second circuit unit including a processing unit that processes information on the voltage detected by the detection unit of the first circuit unit, and a common circuit board on which the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit are mounted. The first circuit unit is configured to be operable with power supplied from at least a part of the plurality of battery cells, and the second circuit unit is configured to be operable with power supplied from an external power source. Is.

In this battery module, information on the voltage of each battery cell is detected by the detection unit of the first circuit unit. Further, information regarding the voltage of each battery cell detected by the detection unit of the first circuit unit is processed by the processing unit of the second circuit unit. The first circuit unit and the second circuit unit are mounted on a common circuit board. The first circuit unit operates with electric power supplied from at least a part of the plurality of battery cells, and the second circuit unit operates with electric power supplied from an external power source.

In this case, the operation of the second circuit unit does not stop due to a decrease in the voltage of the plurality of battery cells. Thereby, even when the voltage of a some battery cell falls, the process part of a 2nd circuit part can continue the process of information. Therefore, in a battery system including a plurality of battery modules, it is possible to prevent the entire function of the battery system from being stopped due to a decrease in the voltage of the battery cell in any one of the battery modules. As a result, stable operation of the battery system is ensured.

Also, the processing unit of the battery module has a function of processing information regarding the detected voltage. Therefore, in a battery system including a plurality of battery modules, the number and type of battery modules can be easily changed. Thereby, it is possible to easily change the specifications of the battery system.

Furthermore, since the first circuit unit including the detection unit and the second circuit unit including the processing unit are mounted on a common circuit board, it is possible to easily add and replace the battery module.

In addition, since the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit are operated by independent power supplies, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the operations of the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit, the other is normal. Can work. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine which of the first circuit portion and the second circuit portion is abnormal.

(2) The first circuit unit further includes a first power supply circuit that obtains an operating voltage of the detection unit based on electric power supplied by two or more predetermined number of battery cells among the plurality of battery cells, and the detection unit May be connected to operate at an operating voltage obtained by the first power supply circuit.

In this case, the detection unit operates with electric power supplied from a predetermined number of battery cells of two or more of the plurality of battery cells. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power consumption of one battery cell from becoming significantly larger than the power consumption of other battery cells. As a result, it is possible to alleviate variations in the voltages of the plurality of battery cells.

(3) The battery module is provided separately from the plurality of voltage detection lines for voltage detection that connect the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells and the detection unit, and the plurality of voltage detection lines. You may further provide the internal power supply line which connects the electrode terminal of the battery cell which has the highest electric potential, and the 1st power supply circuit of a 1st circuit part.

In this case, the voltage of each battery cell is detected by connecting the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells and the detection units through a plurality of voltage detection lines. In addition, the electrode terminal of the battery cell having the highest potential among the predetermined number of battery cells and the first power supply circuit of the first circuit unit are connected by the internal power supply line, whereby power is supplied to the first power supply circuit. Supplied. This prevents a voltage drop due to a current flowing when power is supplied to the first circuit unit from occurring in the voltage detection line. As a result, it is possible to reduce information detection errors related to voltage by the detection unit.

(4) The battery module further includes a connection member that electrically connects the circuit board and another circuit, and the processing unit of the second circuit unit includes a communication circuit that communicates with the outside, and the second circuit unit Further includes a second power supply circuit that obtains the operating voltage of the processing unit based on power supplied from an external power supply, and the connection member is connected to the first connection terminal connected to the second power supply circuit and the communication circuit. Including a connector having a second connection terminal, an external power line connected to the first connection terminal of the connector, and a communication line connected to the second connection terminal of the connector, and communicating with the external power line The wire may be bound together.

In this case, the external power supply line of the connection member is connected to the second power supply circuit of the second circuit unit via the first connection terminal of the connector. The communication line of the connection member is connected to the communication circuit of the processing unit of the second circuit unit via the second connection terminal of the connector. Further, the external power supply line and the communication line are bound together. Thus, the external power supply line and the communication line are connected to the second power supply circuit and the communication circuit, respectively, using a common connector. Therefore, the communication circuit of the battery module can be connected to another circuit by simple wiring, and the second power supply circuit of the battery module can be connected to the external power supply. As a result, it is possible to simplify the wiring of a battery system including a plurality of battery modules and reduce the size of the battery system.

Also, information on the voltage or information processed by the communication circuit of the second circuit unit is transmitted to another circuit, or information is received from the other circuit. Thereby, even when the voltage of the battery cell of any battery module of the battery system is lowered, the battery module can communicate information with other circuits.

(5) The first power supply circuit includes a boosting unit that boosts a voltage obtained from a predetermined number of battery cells, and a step-down unit that steps down a voltage obtained from the predetermined number of battery cells. When the obtained voltage is equal to or higher than the operating voltage, the step-down unit supplies the operating voltage to the detecting unit, and when the voltage obtained by a predetermined number of battery cells is lower than the operating voltage, the operating unit detects the operating voltage. May be supplied to the unit.

When the voltage obtained by the predetermined number of battery cells is equal to or higher than the operating voltage, the detection unit operates with the power supplied by the step-down unit, and when the voltage is lower than the voltage obtained by the predetermined number of battery cells, the detection unit is Operates with supplied power. Thereby, even if the voltage of a predetermined number of battery cells falls, a fixed voltage is given to a detection part from the 1st power supply circuit. As a result, the detection unit can detect the voltage of each battery cell stably and with high accuracy.

(6) The battery module further includes an equalization circuit that equalizes the charge states of the plurality of battery cells, and the first circuit unit includes a charge state of any one of the battery cells based on a voltage detected by the detection unit. It may further include an equalization stop unit that determines whether or not the battery has exceeded an allowable value and stops equalization by the equalization circuit when the state of charge of any of the battery cells exceeds the allowable value.

In this case, the charge state of the plurality of battery cells is equalized by the equalization circuit. During the equalization, if the state of charge of any battery cell exceeds the allowable value, the equalization stop unit of the first circuit unit stops the equalization in the equalization circuit. Therefore, overcharge and overdischarge of each battery cell can be reliably prevented.

(7) The battery module further includes an equalization circuit that equalizes the state of charge of the plurality of battery cells, and the second circuit unit transmits a control signal for controlling the operation of the equalization circuit to the first circuit unit. The first circuit unit includes an equalization control unit that controls the operation of the equalization circuit based on the control signal transmitted by the second circuit unit, and the second circuit unit. It may further include an equalization stop unit that determines whether or not communication is disabled and stops equalization by the equalization circuit when communication is disabled.

In this case, the operation of the equalization circuit is controlled by the equalization control unit of the first circuit unit based on the control signal transmitted by the second circuit unit. Therefore, a plurality of charge states are equalized by the equalization circuit. When communication by the second circuit unit is disabled, the operation of the equalization circuit is not controlled. Even in such a case, equalization in the equalization circuit is stopped by the equalization stop unit of the first circuit unit. Therefore, even when an abnormality occurs in the operation of the second circuit unit, overcharge and overdischarge of each battery cell can be reliably prevented.

(8) An electric vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention, a motor driven by electric power from the battery module, and drive wheels that rotate by the rotational force of the motor. is there.

In this electric vehicle, the motor is driven by the electric power from the battery module. The drive wheel is rotated by the rotational force of the motor, so that the electric vehicle moves.

Since the battery module according to one aspect of the present invention is used for this electric vehicle, stable operation of the battery system included in the electric vehicle is ensured. Thereby, the stable operation | movement of an electric vehicle is ensured.

Also, it becomes possible to easily change the specifications of the battery system included in the electric vehicle. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily change the specification of the electric vehicle.

(9) A moving body according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention, a moving main body, and a power source that converts electric power from the battery module into power for moving the moving main body. Are provided.

In this moving body, electric power from the battery module according to one aspect of the present invention is converted into power by a power source, and the moving main body moves by the power.

Since the battery module according to one aspect of the present invention is used for this moving body, stable operation of the battery system included in the moving body is ensured. Thereby, the stable operation | movement of a moving body is ensured.

Also, it is possible to easily change the specifications of the battery system included in the mobile object. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily change the specifications of the moving body.

(10) A power storage device according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention and a system control unit that performs control related to discharging or charging of the battery module.

In this power storage device, control related to charging or discharging of the battery module according to one aspect of the present invention is performed by the system control unit. Thereby, deterioration, overdischarge, and overcharge of the battery module can be prevented.

Since the battery module according to one aspect of the present invention is used for this power storage device, stable operation of the battery system included in the power storage device is ensured. Thereby, the stable operation | movement of an electric power storage apparatus is ensured.

Also, it is possible to easily change the specifications of the battery system included in the power storage device. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily change the specifications of the power storage device.

(11) A power supply device according to still another aspect of the present invention is a power supply device connectable to the outside, and is controlled by a power storage device according to still another aspect of the present invention and a system control unit of the power storage device, And a power conversion device that performs power conversion between the battery module of the power storage device and the outside.

In this power supply device, power conversion is performed between the battery module and the outside by the power conversion device. Control related to charging or discharging of the battery module is performed by controlling the power conversion device by the system control unit of the power storage device. Thereby, deterioration, overdischarge, and overcharge of the battery module can be prevented.

Since the battery module according to one aspect of the present invention is used for this power supply device, stable operation of the battery system included in the power supply device is ensured. Thereby, a stable operation of the power supply device is ensured.

Also, it is possible to easily change the specifications of the battery system included in the power supply device. Thereby, it is possible to easily change the specifications of the power supply device.

(12) An electric device according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention and a load driven by electric power from the battery module.

In this electrical device, the load is driven by the power from the battery module. Since the battery module according to one aspect of the present invention is used for this electric device, stable operation of the battery system included in the electric device is ensured. Thereby, the stable operation | movement of an electric equipment is ensured.

Also, it is possible to easily change the specifications of the battery system included in the electrical equipment. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily change the specification of the electric device.

According to the present invention, stable operation of the battery system can be ensured.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a battery system using the battery module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing connection of the printed circuit board of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printed circuit board of FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first circuit on the low potential side. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second circuit. 6 is a schematic plan view of an input / output harness connected to the connector of the printed circuit board of FIG. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the battery module. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the battery module. FIG. 9 is an end view of the battery module. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the bus bar. FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a state where a plurality of bus bars and a plurality of PTC elements are attached to the FPC board. FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view for explaining the connection between the bus bar, the low potential side first circuit, and the high potential side first circuit. FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view showing the voltage / current bus bar and the FPC board. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration example of a printed circuit board. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an overdischarge prevention process in the battery cell equalization process by the control unit of the low potential side first circuit and the high potential side first circuit. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an overdischarge prevention process in the battery cell equalization process by the control unit of the low potential side first circuit and the high potential side first circuit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric automobile including a battery system. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply apparatus.

[1] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a battery module according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The battery module according to the present embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle (for example, an electric automobile) that uses electric power as a drive source.

(1) Configuration of Battery System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a battery system using the battery module according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery system 500 includes a plurality of battery modules 100 (four in this example), a battery ECU 101 and a contactor 102. In the battery system 500, the plurality of battery modules 100 are connected to the battery ECU 101 via the bus 103. Further, the battery ECU 101 of the battery system 500 is connected to the main control unit 300 of the electric vehicle via the bus 104.

The plurality of battery modules 100 of the battery system 500 are connected to each other through the power line 501. Each battery module 100 includes a plurality (18 in this example) of battery cells 10, a plurality (4 in this example) of thermistors 11 and a rigid printed circuit board (hereinafter abbreviated as a printed circuit board) 21.

In each battery module 100, the plurality of battery cells 10 are integrally arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, and are connected in series by a plurality of bus bars 40. Each battery cell 10 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery.

The battery cells 10 arranged at both ends are connected to the power line 501 through the bus bar 40a. Thereby, in the battery system 500, all the battery cells 10 of the plurality of battery modules 100 are connected in series. A power line 501 drawn from the battery system 500 is connected to a load such as a motor of an electric vehicle. Details of the battery module 100 will be described later.

The contactor 102 is inserted in the power supply line 501 connected to the battery module 100 at one end. When the battery ECU 101 detects an abnormality in the battery module 100, the battery ECU 101 turns off the contactor 102. Thereby, when an abnormality occurs, no current flows through each battery module 100, and thus abnormal heat generation of the battery module 100 is prevented.

The battery ECU 101 gives the main controller 300 the amount of charge of each battery module 100 (the amount of charge of the battery cell 10). The main control unit 300 controls the power of the electric vehicle (for example, the rotational speed of the motor) based on the amount of charge. When the charge amount of each battery module 100 decreases, the main control unit 300 controls a power generation device (not shown) connected to the power line 501 to charge each battery module 100.

In the present embodiment, the power generation device is a motor connected to the power supply line 501 described above, for example. In this case, the motor converts the electric power supplied from the battery system 500 during acceleration of the electric vehicle into motive power for driving drive wheels (not shown). The motor generates regenerative power when the electric vehicle is decelerated. Each battery module 100 is charged by this regenerative power.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the connection of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21 of FIG. A plurality of first circuits 30, a common second circuit 24 and a connector 23 are mounted on each printed circuit board 21. The one first circuit 30 and the second circuit 24 are connected so as to be communicable while being electrically insulated from each other by the insulating element 25. Another first circuit 30 is connected to one first circuit 30.

1st circuit 30 has the detection part 20 which detects the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10. FIG. The plurality of battery cells 10 of the battery module 100 are used as a power source for the first circuit 30. The second circuit 24 includes a processing unit 241 that processes the terminal voltage detected by the detection unit 20 and other information. A non-power battery 12 mounted on an electric vehicle 600 described later is used as a power source for the second circuit 24. In the present embodiment, the non-power battery 12 is a lead storage battery.

The connector 23 is connected to the second circuit 24. The connector 23 is connected to the bus 103 via a plurality of conductor wires 53 of an input / output harness H described later.

The battery ECU 101 has a printed circuit board 105. A microprocessor (MPU) 106, a switch circuit 107, and a plurality of connectors 108 are mounted on the printed circuit board 105. The printed circuit board 105 is also mounted with other circuits such as a power supply circuit for stepping down the voltage supplied by the non-power battery 12 and a contactor control circuit for turning on and off the contactor 102 of FIG. Electric power is supplied to the MPU 106 and the switch circuit 107 by the non-power battery 12.

The plurality of connectors 108 of the printed circuit board 105 and the connectors 23 of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21 are connected by a plurality of conductor wires 54 of a plurality of input / output harnesses H described later.

The on / off of the switch circuit 107 is controlled by the MPU 106. When the switch circuit 107 is on, power from the non-power battery 12 is supplied to the plurality of printed circuit boards via the switch circuit 107, the plurality of connectors 108, the plurality of conductor wires 54, and the connectors 23 of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21. 21 to the second circuit 24. Thereby, each second circuit 24 operates.

The MPU 106 is connected to the bus 103. Thereby, MPU106 of battery ECU101 and the 2nd circuit 24 of each battery module 100 are connected so that communication is possible. The MPU 106 is communicably connected to the main control unit 300 of the electric automobile 600 via the bus 104.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printed circuit board 21 of FIG. A plurality of series circuits SC including a resistor R and a switching element SW are mounted on the printed circuit board 21 together with the plurality of first circuits 30, the second circuit 24, and the insulating elements 25 described above.

In the present embodiment, two first circuits 30 are mounted on the printed circuit board 21. One of the first circuits 30 (hereinafter referred to as the low potential side first circuit 30L) is half the low potential side (9 in this example) of the plurality of battery cells 10 (hereinafter referred to as the low potential). Corresponds to the side battery cell group 10L). The other first circuit 30 (hereinafter, referred to as a high potential side first circuit 30H) has half (9 in this example) of battery cells 10 (hereinafter referred to as high potential) among the plurality of battery cells 10. Corresponds to the side battery cell group 10H). The low potential side first circuit 30L detects the terminal voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the low potential side battery cell group 10L. The high potential side first circuit 30H detects the terminal voltage of each of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the high potential side battery cell group 10H.

The low potential side first circuit 30L is electrically connected to the bus bars 40, 40a of the low potential side battery cell group 10L via a plurality of conductor lines 52 and PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) elements 60. Similarly, the high potential side first circuit 30H is electrically connected to the bus bars 40, 40a of the high potential side battery cell group 10H via the plurality of conductor lines 52 and the PTC element 60.

Here, the PTC element 60 has a resistance temperature characteristic in which the resistance value rapidly increases when the temperature exceeds a certain value. Therefore, when a short circuit occurs in the low potential side first circuit 30L, the high potential side first circuit 30H, the conductor line 52, or the like, if the temperature of the PTC element 60 rises due to the current flowing through the short circuit path, The resistance value increases. Thereby, it is suppressed that a large current flows through the short circuit path including the PTC element 60.

The low potential side first circuit 30L is electrically connected to the bus bar 40 of the battery cell 10 having the highest potential among the battery cells 10 of the low potential side battery cell group 10L through the conductor line 55L. Further, the reference potential (ground potential) of the low potential side first circuit 30L is held at the lowest potential of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the low potential side battery cell group 10L. Thereby, electric power is supplied to the low potential side first circuit 30L from the plurality of battery cells 10 of the low potential side battery cell group 10L.

Similarly, the high potential side first circuit 30H is electrically connected to the bus bar 40a of the battery cell 10 having the highest potential among the battery cells 10 of the high potential side battery cell group 10H via the conductor line 55H. The reference potential (ground potential) of the high potential side first circuit 30H is held at the lowest potential of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the high potential side battery cell group 10H. Thereby, electric power is supplied to the high potential side first circuit 30H from the plurality of battery cells 10 of the high potential side battery cell group 10H.

A series circuit SC composed of a resistor R and a switching element SW is connected between each two adjacent bus bars 40. A series circuit SC composed of a resistor R and a switching element SW is also connected between each two adjacent bus bars 40, 40a. The switching element SW is turned on and off by the corresponding high potential side first circuit 30H or low potential side first circuit 30L. In the normal state, the switching element SW is turned off.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the low potential side first circuit 30L. The low-potential-side first circuit 30L is composed of, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The low potential side first circuit 30 </ b> L includes a control unit 31, a communication circuit 32, an equalization control circuit 33, a timer 34, and a power supply circuit 35 along with the detection unit 20. The reference of the detection unit 20, the control unit 31, the communication circuit 32, the equalization control circuit 33, the timer 34, and the power supply circuit 35 (hereinafter referred to as each unit of the low potential side first circuit 30L) of the low potential side first circuit 30L. The potential (ground potential) is held at the lowest potential of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the low potential side battery cell group 10L.

The detection unit 20 includes a multiplexer 20a, an A / D (analog / digital) converter 20b, and a plurality of differential amplifiers 20c. Each differential amplifier 20c of the detection unit 20 has two input terminals and an output terminal. Each differential amplifier 20c differentially amplifies the voltage input to the two input terminals, and outputs the amplified voltage from the output terminal.

Two input terminals of each differential amplifier 20c are electrically connected between two adjacent bus bars 40 of a plurality of corresponding battery cells 10 or two adjacent bus bars 40, 40a via a conductor line 52 and a PTC element 60. Connected. A voltage between two adjacent bus bars 40 or a voltage between two adjacent bus bars 40 and 40a is differentially amplified by each differential amplifier 20c. The output voltage of each differential amplifier 20c corresponds to the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 in the low potential side battery cell group 10L. Terminal voltages output from the plurality of differential amplifiers 20c are applied to the multiplexer 20a. The multiplexer 20a sequentially outputs the terminal voltages supplied from the plurality of differential amplifiers 20c to the A / D converter 20b. The A / D converter 20b converts the terminal voltage output from the multiplexer 20a into a digital value.

The control unit 31 is connected to the detection unit 20, the communication circuit 32, the equalization control circuit 33, the timer 34, and the power supply circuit 35. The communication circuit 32 has a communication function and is communicably connected to the second circuit 24 of FIG. 2 via the insulating element 25 of FIG. The communication circuit 32 is connected to be communicable with the high potential side first circuit 30H of FIG.

The control unit 31 acquires the digital value of the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 of the low potential side battery cell group 10L from the A / D converter 20b of the detection unit 20. Further, as will be described later, the control unit 31 acquires the digital value of the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 of the high potential side battery cell group 10H from the high potential side first circuit 30H via the communication circuit 32. Further, the control unit 31 isolates the digital value of the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 of the low potential side battery cell group 10L and the digital value of the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 of the high potential side battery cell group 10H from the communication circuit 32. It transmits to the 2nd circuit 24 through the element 25 (refer FIG. 2). The control unit 31 receives a command for equalization processing, which will be described later, transmitted from the second circuit 24 via the insulating element 25 and the communication circuit 32, and gives the command to the equalization control circuit 33.

The equalization control circuit 33 performs the equalization process of the state of charge of the battery cell 10 by turning on and off the switching element SW based on a command from the second circuit 24. When the second circuit 24 is stopped or when an abnormality occurs in the second circuit 24, the control unit 31 controls the stop of the equalization process by the equalization control circuit 33.

Timer 34 measures elapsed time. The timer 34 is controlled by the control unit 31. Details will be described later.

The power supply circuit 35 includes a step-down unit 35a, a step-up unit 35b, and a switching circuit 35c. The step-down unit 35a steps down the input voltage to a predetermined voltage (for example, 5V) and outputs it. The booster 35b boosts the input voltage to a predetermined voltage (for example, 5V) and outputs the boosted voltage. Each part of the low potential side first circuit 30L operates with the voltage output from the step-down unit 35a or the step-up unit 35b.

The switching circuit 35c includes a plurality of terminals CP0, CP1, CP2, CP3. The terminal CP0 is electrically connected to the bus bar 40 of the battery cell 10 having the highest potential among the plurality of battery cells 10 of the low potential side battery cell group 10L through the conductor line 55L. Terminals CP1 and CP2 are electrically connected to step-down unit 35a and step-up unit 35b, respectively. Terminal CP3 is not electrically connected to any of them. The switching circuit 35c is switched by the control unit 31 so that one of the plurality of terminals CP1 to CP3 is connected to the terminal CP0.

The control unit 31 switches the switching circuit 35c so that the terminal CP0 is connected to the terminal CP3 when stopping the operation of each unit of the low potential side first circuit 30L. In this case, since the power supply circuit 35 does not output a voltage, the operation of each part of the low potential side first circuit 30L is stopped. Here, before the operation of each part of the low potential side first circuit 30L stops, the control unit 31 turns off the switching element SW of the series circuit SC by the equalization control circuit 33.

The control unit 31 calculates the total voltage of the low-potential side battery cell group 10L based on the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 detected by the detection unit 20. Here, the total voltage of the low potential side battery cell group 10L is the highest potential of the low potential side battery cell group 10L (the potential of the conductor line 55L) and the lowest potential of the low potential side battery cell group 10L (the potential of the bus bar 40a). This is equivalent to the difference.

The control unit 31 compares the total voltage of the low-potential side battery cell group 10L with a predetermined operating voltage (for example, 5V) of the low-potential side first circuit 30L. When the total voltage of the low potential side battery cell group 10L is equal to or higher than the operating voltage of the low potential side first circuit 30L, the control unit 31 switches the switching circuit 35c so that the terminal CP0 is connected to the terminal CP1. In this case, the total voltage of the low potential side battery cell group 10L is stepped down to a predetermined voltage equal to the operating voltage and output by the step-down unit 35a. On the other hand, when the total voltage of the low potential side battery cell group 10L is lower than the operating voltage of the low potential side first circuit 30L, the control unit 31 switches the switching circuit 35c so that the terminal CP0 is connected to the terminal CP2. In this case, the booster 35b boosts and outputs the total voltage of the low potential side battery cell group 10L to a predetermined voltage equal to the operating voltage.

In this case, each part of the low potential side first circuit 30L operates at a constant operating voltage. Thereby, the detection unit 20 can detect the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 of the low-potential side battery cell group 10L stably and with high accuracy. Further, since each part of the low potential side first circuit 30L is supplied with power from all the battery cells 10 of the low potential side battery cell group 10L, the power consumption of the battery cells 10 of the low potential side battery cell group 10L is reduced. Can be approximately equal. Furthermore, since the power supply conductor line 55L is provided separately from the voltage detection conductor line 52, a voltage drop is generated in the conductor line 52 due to the current that flows when power is supplied to the low potential side first circuit 30L. Is prevented. As a result, the detection error of the terminal voltage by the detection unit 20 can be reduced.

The high potential side first circuit 30H in FIG. 3 has the same configuration as the low potential side first circuit 30L in FIG. 4 except for the following points.

The reference of the detection unit 20, the control unit 31, the communication circuit 32, the equalization control circuit 33, the timer 34, and the power supply circuit 35 (hereinafter referred to as each unit of the high potential side first circuit 30H) of the high potential side first circuit 30H. The potential (ground potential) is held at the lowest potential of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the high potential side battery cell group 10H. The terminal CP0 of the switching circuit 35c is electrically connected to the bus bar 40a of the battery cell 10 having the highest potential among the plurality of battery cells 10 of the high potential side battery cell group 10H by the conductor line 55H instead of the conductor line 55L of FIG. Connected.

Similarly to the low potential side first circuit 30L, each part of the high potential side first circuit 30H operates at a constant operating voltage. As a result, the detection unit 20 can stably and accurately detect the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 in the high potential side battery cell group 10H. Moreover, since each part of the high potential side first circuit 30H is supplied with power from all the battery cells 10 in the high potential side battery cell group 10H, the power consumption of the battery cells 10 in the high potential side battery cell group 10H is reduced. Can be approximately equal. Further, since the power supply conductor wire 55H is provided separately from the voltage detection conductor wire 52, a voltage drop is generated in the conductor wire 52 due to the current flowing when power is supplied to the high potential side first circuit 30H. Is prevented. As a result, the detection error of the terminal voltage by the detection unit 20 can be reduced.

The communication circuit 32 of the high potential side first circuit 30H is communicably connected to the communication circuit 32 (see FIG. 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L. As a result, the control unit 31 of the high potential side first circuit 30H includes the high potential side battery cell group 10H via the communication circuit 32 of the high potential side first circuit 30H and the communication circuit 32 of the low potential side first circuit 30L. The digital value of the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 is given to the control unit 31 (see FIG. 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L. As a result, the digital value of the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 of the high potential side battery cell group 10H can be transmitted to the second circuit 24 as described above.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second circuit 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the second circuit 24 includes a storage unit 242, a communication interface 244, and a power supply circuit 245 along with the processing unit 241.

The processing unit 241 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, and is connected to the storage unit 242. The processing unit 241 is connected to the plurality of thermistors 11 shown in FIG. Thereby, the processing unit 241 acquires the temperature of the battery module 100. The processing unit 241 has a function of processing the terminal voltage and other information detected by the detection unit 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H. . In the present embodiment, the processing unit 241 calculates the charge amount of each battery cell 10, the current flowing through the plurality of battery cells 10, and the like. Hereinafter, the terminal voltage of the battery cell, the current flowing through the plurality of battery cells 10 and the temperature of the battery module 100 are referred to as cell information. Details of the current calculation will be described later.

The storage unit 242 includes a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory). The processing unit 241 includes a communication circuit 246 having a communication function. The processing unit 241 is communicably connected to the communication circuit 32 (see FIG. 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L via the insulating element 25 (see FIG. 2). The processing unit 241 gives various commands for equalization processing to be described later to the control unit 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H.

A communication interface 244 is connected to the processing unit 241. The communication interface 244 is an RS-485 standard serial communication interface, for example. The communication interface 244 is connected to the connector 23 in FIG. In the present embodiment, the communication circuit 246 performs RS-485 standard serial communication with the battery ECU 101 of FIG. 2, but is not limited thereto. For example, the communication circuit 246 may perform serial communication of other standards with the battery ECU 101, and may perform CAN (Controller Area Network) communication with the battery ECU 101.

The power supply circuit 245 includes a step-down unit (not shown). The power supply circuit 245 is connected to the non-power battery 12 of the electric automobile 600 through the connector 23 of FIG. The voltage of the non-power battery 12 is stepped down to a predetermined voltage (for example, 5 V) by the step-down unit of the power supply circuit 245 and output. The processing unit 241, the storage unit 242, the communication interface 244, the power supply circuit 245 and the communication circuit 246 of the second circuit 24 operate with the voltage output from the power supply circuit 245.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the input / output harness H connected to the connector 23 of the printed circuit board 21 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the input / output harness H includes a connector 23 a, a connector 103 a, a connector 108 a, and a plurality of

conductor wires

53 and 54. The connector 23a has a plurality of

connection terminals

23b and 23c. The connector 103a has a plurality of connection terminals 103b. The connector 108a has a plurality of connection terminals 108b.

The plurality of connection terminals 23 b of the connector 23 a and the plurality of connection terminals 103 b of the connector 103 a are connected by a plurality of conductor wires 53. Further, the plurality of connection terminals 23 c of the connector 23 a and the plurality of connection terminals 108 b of the connector 108 a are connected by a plurality of conductor wires 54. In the present embodiment, the plurality of

conductor wires

53 and 54 are united together.

The connector 23a is connected to the connector 23 of the printed circuit board 21 in FIG. Thereby, the connection terminal 23b of the connector 23a is connected to the communication circuit 246 of the second circuit 24 of FIG. 5, and the connection terminal 23c of the connector 23a is connected to the power supply circuit 245 of the second circuit 24 of FIG. The connector 103a is connected to the bus 103 in FIG. The connector 108a is connected to the connector 108 of the printed circuit board 105 in FIG.

As a result, the power supply circuit 245 of the second circuit 24 of FIG. 5 and the non-power battery 12 of the electric automobile 600 are connected via the switch circuit 107 of the printed circuit board 105 (see FIG. 2). The communication circuit 246 of the second circuit 24 and the MPU 106 of the battery ECU 101 are communicably connected via the bus 103 (see FIG. 2).

In this case, the communication circuit 246 of the battery module 100 can be connected to the battery ECU 101 and the power circuit 245 of the battery module 100 can be connected to the non-power battery 12 by simple wiring. Thereby, the wiring of the battery system 500 can be simplified and the battery system 500 can be miniaturized.

Further, cell information is transmitted to the battery ECU 101 by the communication circuit 246 of the second circuit 24, or various information and commands are received from the battery ECU 101. Thereby, even when the voltage of the battery cell 10 of any battery module 100 of the battery system 500 is lowered, the battery module 100 can communicate with the battery ECU 101.

The second circuit 24 of each battery module 100 calculates the charge amount of each battery cell 10 based on the cell information. The second circuit 24 performs charge / discharge control of each battery cell 10 based on the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10. Details of charge / discharge control of each battery cell 10 will be described later.

The second circuit 24 of each battery module 100 detects an abnormality of each battery module 100 based on the cell information. The abnormality of the battery module 100 is, for example, overdischarge, overcharge, or temperature abnormality of the battery cell 10. In addition, each second circuit 24 provides the battery ECU 101 with a calculation result of the charge amount of each battery cell 10 and detection results such as overdischarge, overcharge, and temperature abnormality of the battery cell 10.

In the present embodiment, the second circuit 24 of each battery module 100 calculates the amount of charge of each battery cell 10 and detects the overdischarge, overcharge, temperature abnormality, etc. of the battery cell 10. It is not limited to. The battery ECU 101 may calculate the amount of charge of each battery cell 10 or detect overdischarge, overcharge, temperature abnormality, and the like of the battery cell 10.

(2) Details of Battery Module Details of the battery module 100 will be described. 7 is an external perspective view of the battery module 100, FIG. 8 is a plan view of the battery module 100, and FIG. 9 is an end view of the battery module 100.

In FIGS. 7 to 9 and FIGS. 11 to 13 to be described later, as shown by arrows X, Y, and Z, three directions orthogonal to each other are defined as an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction. In this example, the X direction and the Y direction are directions parallel to the horizontal plane, and the Z direction is a direction orthogonal to the horizontal plane.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the battery module 100, a plurality of battery cells 10 having a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape are arranged in the X direction. In this state, the plurality of battery cells 10 are integrally fixed by a pair of end face frames 92, a pair of upper end frames 93 and a pair of lower end frames 94.

The pair of end face frames 92 have a substantially plate shape and are arranged in parallel to the YZ plane. The pair of upper end frames 93 and the pair of lower end frames 94 are arranged so as to extend in the X direction.

Connection portions for connecting the pair of upper end frames 93 and the pair of lower end frames 94 are formed at the four corners of the pair of end face frames 92. In a state where the plurality of battery cells 10 are disposed between the pair of end surface frames 92, the pair of upper end frames 93 are attached to the upper connection portions of the pair of end surface frames 92, and the lower connection of the pair of end surface frames 92 is performed. A pair of lower end frames 94 are attached to the part. Thereby, the some battery cell 10 is fixed integrally in the state arrange | positioned so that it may rank with a X direction. The printed circuit board 21 is attached to one end face frame 92 with an interval on the outer surface.

Here, the plurality of battery cells 10 have a plus electrode 10a on the upper surface portion on one end side and the other end side in the Y direction, and a minus electrode 10b on the upper surface portion on the opposite side. Each

electrode

10a, 10b is provided to be inclined so as to protrude upward (see FIG. 9).

In the following description, the first to 18th battery cells from the battery cell 10 adjacent to the end face frame 92 to which the printed circuit board 21 is not attached to the battery cell 10 adjacent to the end face frame 92 to which the printed circuit board 21 is attached are described. Call it 10.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the battery module 100, each battery cell 10 is arranged so that the positional relationship between the plus electrode 10 a and the minus electrode 10 b in the Y direction is opposite between adjacent battery cells 10.

Thereby, between two adjacent battery cells 10, the plus electrode 10a of one battery cell 10 and the minus electrode 10b of the other battery cell 10 are close to each other, and the minus electrode 10b of one battery cell 10 and the other electrode are The positive electrode 10a of the battery cell 10 is in close proximity. In this state, the bus bar 40 is attached to two adjacent electrodes. Thereby, the some battery cell 10 is connected in series.

Specifically, a common bus bar 40 is attached to the negative electrode 10b of the first battery cell 10 and the positive electrode 10a of the second battery cell 10. A common bus bar 40 is attached to the negative electrode 10b of the second battery cell 10 and the positive electrode 10a of the third battery cell 10. Similarly, a common bus bar 40 is attached to the minus electrode 10b of each odd-numbered battery cell 10 and the plus electrode 10a of the even-numbered battery cell 10 adjacent thereto. A common bus bar 40 is attached to the minus electrode 10b of each even-numbered battery cell 10 and the plus electrode 10a of the odd-numbered battery cell 10 adjacent thereto.

Further, a bus bar 40a for connecting a power line 501 (see FIG. 1) from the outside is attached to the plus electrode 10a of the first battery cell 10 and the minus electrode 10b of the 18th battery cell 10, respectively.

A long flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter abbreviated as FPC board) 50 extending in the X direction is commonly connected to the plurality of bus bars 40 on one end side of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the Y direction. . Similarly, a long FPC board 50 extending in the X direction is commonly connected to the plurality of

bus bars

40 and 40a on the other end side of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the Y direction.

The FPC board 50 has a configuration in which a plurality of

conductor wires

51 and 52 shown in FIG. 12, which will be described later, are mainly formed on an insulating layer, and has flexibility and flexibility. For example, polyimide is used as the material of the insulating layer constituting the FPC board 50, and copper is used as the material of the

conductor wires

51 and 52, for example. On the FPC board 50, the PTC elements 60 are arranged so as to be close to the bus bars 40, 40a.

Each FPC board 50 is folded at a right angle toward the inside at the upper end portion of the end face frame 92 (end face frame 92 to which the printed circuit board 21 is attached), and is further folded downward to be connected to the printed circuit board 21. .

(3) Structure of Bus Bar and FPC Board Next, details of the structure of the bus bars 40 and 40a and the FPC board 50 will be described. Hereinafter, the bus bar 40 for connecting the plus electrode 10a and the minus electrode 10b of the two adjacent battery cells 10 is referred to as a bus bar 40 for two electrodes, and the plus electrode 10a or the minus electrode 10b of one battery cell 10 is called. The bus bar 40a for connecting the power line 501 and the power line 501 is referred to as a one-electrode bus bar 40a.

FIG. 10A is an external perspective view of the bus bar 40 for two electrodes, and FIG. 10B is an external perspective view of the bus bar 40a for one electrode.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the two-electrode bus bar 40 includes a base portion 41 having a substantially rectangular shape and a pair of attachment pieces 42 that are bent and extended from one side of the base portion 41 to the one surface side. A pair of electrode connection holes 43 are formed in the base portion 41.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the bus bar 40a for one electrode includes a base portion 45 having a substantially square shape and a mounting piece 46 that is bent and extends from one side of the base portion 45 to one side thereof. An electrode connection hole 47 is formed in the base portion 45.

In the present embodiment, the bus bars 40, 40a have a configuration in which, for example, nickel plating is applied to the surface of tough pitch copper.

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of bus bars 40, 40a and a plurality of PTC elements 60 are attached to the FPC board 50. FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, mounting

pieces

42 and 46 of a plurality of

bus bars

40 and 40a are attached to the two FPC boards 50 at predetermined intervals along the X direction. Further, the plurality of PTC elements 60 are respectively attached to the two FPC boards 50 at the same interval as the interval between the plurality of bus bars 40, 40a.

When the battery module 100 is manufactured, the plurality of bus bars 40, 40a and the plurality of bus bars 40, 40a and the plurality of battery cells 10 integrally fixed by the end face frame 92, the upper end frame 93, and the lower end frame 94 of FIG. Two FPC boards 50 to which a plurality of PTC elements 60 are attached are attached.

At the time of attachment, the plus electrode 10a and the minus electrode 10b of the adjacent battery cell 10 are fitted into the electrode connection holes 43 and 47 formed in the bus bars 40 and 40a. Male screws are formed on the plus electrode 10a and the minus electrode 10b. Nuts (not shown) are screwed into male threads of the plus electrode 10a and the minus electrode 10b in a state where the bus bars 40, 40a are fitted in the plus electrode 10a and the minus electrode 10b of the adjacent battery cell 10.

Thus, the plurality of bus bars 40, 40a are attached to the plurality of battery cells 10, and the FPC board 50 is held in a substantially horizontal posture by the plurality of bus bars 40, 40a.

(4) Connection between Bus Bar and First Circuit Next, connection between the bus bars 40, 40a, the low potential side first circuit 30L, and the high potential side first circuit 30H will be described. FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view for explaining the connection between the bus bars 40, 40a, the low potential side first circuit 30L, and the high potential side first circuit 30H.

As shown in FIG. 12, the FPC board 50 is provided with a plurality of

conductor wires

51 and 52 so as to correspond to each of the plurality of

bus bars

40 and 40a. Each conductor wire 51 is provided so as to extend in parallel in the Y direction between the mounting

pieces

42 and 46 of the bus bars 40 and 40a and the PTC element 60 disposed in the vicinity of the bus bars 40 and 40a. Are provided so as to extend parallel to the X direction between the PTC element 60 and one end of the FPC board 50.

One end of each conductor wire 51 is provided so as to be exposed on the lower surface side of the FPC board 50. One end of each conductor wire 51 exposed on the lower surface side is electrically connected to the mounting

pieces

42 and 46 of each

bus bar

40 and 40a, for example, by soldering or welding. Thereby, the FPC board 50 is fixed to each

bus bar

40, 40a.

The other end of each conductor line 51 and one end of each conductor line 52 are provided so as to be exposed on the upper surface side of the FPC board 50. A pair of terminals (not shown) of the PTC element 60 are connected to the other end of each conductor wire 51 and one end of each conductor wire 52 by, for example, soldering.

Each PTC element 60 is preferably arranged in a region between both ends of the corresponding

bus bar

40, 40a in the X direction. When stress is applied to the FPC board 50, the area of the FPC board 50 between the adjacent bus bars 40, 40a is easily bent, but the area of the FPC board 50 between both ends of each

bus bar

40, 40a is fixed to the bus bars 40, 40a. Therefore, it is kept relatively flat. Therefore, each PTC element 60 is disposed in the region of the FPC board 50 between both ends of each

bus bar

40, 40a, so that the connectivity between the PTC element 60 and the

conductor wires

51, 52 is sufficiently ensured. Moreover, the influence (for example, change of the resistance value of the PTC element 60) on each PTC element 60 by the bending of the FPC board 50 is suppressed.

The printed circuit board 21 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals 22 corresponding to the plurality of conductor lines 52 of the FPC board 50. The plurality of connection terminals 22, the low potential side first circuit 30 </ b> L, and the high potential side first circuit 30 </ b> H are electrically connected on the printed circuit board 21. The other end of each conductor wire 52 of the FPC board 50 is connected to the corresponding connection terminal 22 by, for example, soldering or welding. The connection between the printed circuit board 21 and the FPC board 50 is not limited to soldering or welding, and may be performed using a connector.

In this way, the bus bars 40, 40a are electrically connected to the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H via the PTC element 60. Thereby, the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 is detected.

One of the plurality of bus bars 40 in at least one battery module 100 is used as a shunt resistor for current detection. The bus bar 40 used as the shunt resistor is referred to as a voltage / current bus bar 40y. FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view showing the voltage / current bus bar 40y and the FPC board 50. FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the printed circuit board 21 further includes an amplifier circuit 410.

On the base portion 41 of the voltage / current bus bar 40y, a pair of solder patterns H1 and H2 are formed in parallel with each other at regular intervals. The solder pattern H1 is disposed between the two electrode connection holes 43 in the vicinity of one electrode connection hole 43, and the solder pattern H2 is disposed between the electrode connection holes 43 in the vicinity of the other electrode connection hole 43. The resistance formed between the solder patterns H1 and H2 in the voltage / current bus bar 40y is referred to as a current detection shunt resistance RS.

The solder pattern H1 of the voltage / current bus bar 40y is connected to one input terminal of the amplifier circuit 410 via the conductor line 51, the PTC element 60, the conductor line 52, and the connection terminal 22. Similarly, the solder pattern H2 of the voltage / current bus bar 40y is connected to the other input terminal of the amplifier circuit 410 via the conductor line 51, the PTC element 60, the conductor line 52, and the connection terminal 22. The output terminal of the amplifier circuit 410 is connected to the connection terminal 22 by a conductor line. Thereby, the low potential side first circuit 30L or the high potential side first circuit 30H detects the voltage between the solder patterns H1 and H2 based on the output voltage of the amplifier circuit 410. The voltage between the solder patterns H1, H2 detected by the low potential side first circuit 30L or the high potential side first circuit 30H is applied to the second circuit 24 of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the value of the shunt resistance RS between the solder patterns H1 and H2 in the voltage / current bus bar 40y is stored in advance in the storage unit 242 of the second circuit 24 in FIG. The processing unit 241 of the second circuit 24 in FIG. 5 includes a shunt resistor in which the voltage between the solder patterns H1 and H2 given from the low potential side first circuit 30L or the high potential side first circuit 30H is stored in the storage unit 242. By dividing by the value of RS, the value of the current flowing through the voltage / current bus bar 40y is calculated. In this way, the value of the current flowing through the plurality of battery cells 10 is detected.

(5) One Configuration Example of Printed Circuit Board Next, one configuration example of the printed circuit board 21 will be described. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration example of the printed circuit board 21. The printed circuit board 21 has a substantially rectangular shape and has one side and the other side. 14A and 14B show one surface and the other surface of the printed circuit board 21, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the low potential side first circuit 30L, the high potential side first circuit 30H, the second circuit 24, the insulating element 25, and the connector 23 are mounted on one surface of the printed circuit board 21. The A plurality of connection terminals 22 are formed on the printed circuit board 21. The printed circuit board 21 has a first mounting region 10G, a second mounting region 12G, and a strip-shaped insulating region 26 on one surface.

The second mounting region 12G is formed at one corner of the printed circuit board 21. The insulating region 26 is formed so as to extend along the second mounting region 12G. The first mounting region 10G is formed in the remaining part of the printed circuit board 21. The first mounting region 10G and the second mounting region 12G are separated from each other by the insulating region 26. Thereby, the first mounting region 10G and the second mounting region 12G are electrically insulated by the insulating region 26.

In the first mounting region 10G, the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H are mounted and a plurality of connection terminals 22 are formed, and the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit One circuit 30H and the plurality of connection terminals 22 are electrically connected on the printed circuit board 21 by connection lines. In addition, as a power source for the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H, the plurality of battery cells 10 (see FIG. 1) of the battery module 100 include the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit. Connected to 30H.

The ground pattern GND1L is formed around the mounting region of the low potential side first circuit 30L except for the mounting region of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the connection line forming region. The ground pattern GND1L is held at the lowest potential of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the low potential side battery cell group 10L (see FIG. 3). A ground pattern GND1H is formed around the mounting region of the high potential side first circuit 30H, except for the mounting region of the high potential side first circuit 30H and the connection line forming region. The ground pattern GND1H is held at the lowest potential of the plurality of battery cells 10 in the high potential side battery cell group 10H (see FIG. 3).

The second circuit 24 and the connector 23 are mounted in the second mounting region 12G, and the second circuit 24 and the connector 23 are electrically connected on the printed circuit board 21 by a plurality of connection lines. Further, as a power source for the second circuit 24, the non-power battery 12 (see FIG. 1) provided in the electric vehicle is connected to the second circuit 24 via the connector 23. A ground pattern GND2 is formed in the second mounting region 12G except for the mounting region of the second circuit 24 and the connector 23 and the formation region of a plurality of connection lines. The ground pattern GND2 is held at the reference potential (ground potential) of the non-power battery 12.

The insulating element 25 is mounted so as to straddle the insulating region 26. The insulating element 25 transmits a signal between the first circuit 30L on the low potential side and the second circuit 24 while electrically insulating the ground pattern GND1L and the ground pattern GND2 from each other. As the insulating element 25, for example, a digital isolator or a photocoupler can be used. In the present embodiment, a digital isolator is used as the insulating element 25.

Thus, the low potential side first circuit 30L and the second circuit 24 are connected so as to be able to communicate while being electrically insulated by the insulating element 25. The high potential side first circuit 30H and the second circuit 24 are connected to each other via the low potential side first circuit 30L while being electrically insulated. As a result, a plurality of battery cells 10 can be used as the power source of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H, and the non-power battery 12 (see FIG. 1) is used as the power source of the second circuit 24. Can be used. As a result, the second circuit 24 can be stably operated independently from the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H.

As shown in FIG. 14B, on the other surface of the printed circuit board 21, a plurality of resistors R and a plurality of switching elements SW are mounted, and a connection terminal 22 is formed. The plurality of resistors R on the other surface of the printed circuit board 21 are arranged at positions above positions corresponding to the low potential side first circuit 30L, the high potential side first circuit 30H, and the second circuit 24. Thereby, the heat generated from the resistor R can be efficiently dissipated. Further, the heat generated from the resistor R can be prevented from being conducted to the low potential side first circuit 30L, the high potential side first circuit 30H, and the second circuit 24. As a result, it is possible to prevent malfunction and deterioration of the low potential side first circuit 30L, the high potential side first circuit 30H, and the second circuit 24 due to heat.

(6) Battery cell equalization process The charge state equalization process of the battery cell 10 is demonstrated. In the following description, the terminal voltage equalization process will be described as an example of the charge state of the plurality of battery cells 10, but instead of this, other charge states such as the charge amounts of the plurality of battery cells 10 may be equalized. Good.

The processing unit 241 (see FIG. 5) of the second circuit 24 receives the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 from the detection unit 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H. To get. Here, when the processing unit 241 determines that the terminal voltage of a certain battery cell 10 is higher than the terminal voltage of another battery cell 10 (when equalization processing is necessary), the low-potential-side first circuit 30L or A command (ON command) for turning on the switching element SW (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the battery cell 10 to the equalization control circuit 33 through the control unit 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the first circuit 30H on the high potential side. give. Thereby, the equalization control circuit 33 turns on the switching element SW. As a result, the charge charged in the battery cell 10 is discharged through the resistor R (see FIG. 3).

When the processing unit 241 determines that the terminal voltage of the battery cell 10 has decreased to be substantially equal to the terminal voltage of the other battery cell 10 (when equalization processing is not necessary), the low-potential-side first circuit 30L. Alternatively, a command (off command) for turning off the switching element SW corresponding to the battery cell 10 is given to the equalization control circuit 33 through the control unit 31 of the first circuit 30H on the high potential side. Thereby, the equalization control circuit 33 turns off the switching element SW. In this way, the terminal voltages of all the battery cells 10 are kept substantially equal. Thereby, the overcharge and overdischarge of some battery cells 10 can be prevented. As a result, deterioration of the battery cell 10 can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the second circuit 24 compares the terminal voltages of the respective battery cells 10 and transmits the ON command and the OFF command of the switching element SW, but is not limited thereto. The battery ECU 101 in FIG. 1 may detect the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 and transmit an ON command and an OFF command for the switching element SW.

(7) Overdischarge prevention process in equalization process It is possible to perform the equalization process of the battery cell 10 even when the electric vehicle 600 of FIG. While the electric automobile 600 is stopped, the processing unit 241 of the second circuit 24 enters a resting state at regular intervals. Therefore, after the equalization process is started, when the processing unit 241 is in a dormant state when the equalization of the battery cells 10 is completed, an off command is not transmitted from the processing unit 241. In the present embodiment, the following overdischarge prevention process is performed in order to prevent the battery cell 10 from being overdischarged by continuing the equalization process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an overdischarge prevention process in the equalization process of the battery cells 10 by the control unit 31 of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H. As shown in FIG. 15, when equalization processing is necessary, the control unit 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H An on command to turn on the switching element SW (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the battery cell 10 that needs equalization processing is received from the processing unit 241 (see FIG. 5), and the on command is given to the equalization control circuit 33. (Step S1). Thereby, the electric charge charged in the battery cell 10 is discharged through the resistor R (see FIG. 3).

Thereafter, the processing unit 241 of the second circuit 24 shifts to a dormant state. In this case, the power consumed by the second circuit 24 is reduced. Thereby, the power consumption of the non-power battery 12 of FIG. 1 is suppressed. The processing unit 241 shifts from the hibernation state to the operation state after elapse of a preset pause time. Here, the processing unit 241 determines whether or not the above equalization processing is necessary. When the equalization process is necessary, the processing unit 241 shifts to the sleep state again. On the other hand, when there is no need for equalization processing, the processing unit 241 transmits an equalization end command indicating that the equalization processing is to be ended to the control unit 31, and then shifts to the sleep state again.

The control unit 31 determines whether or not an equalization end command has been received (step S2). When the processing unit 241 is in the dormant state, the equalization end command is not transmitted from the processing unit 241. The control part 31 hold | maintains the ON command of switching element SW, when not receiving an equalization completion command (step S3). Moreover, the control part 31 acquires the terminal voltage of the battery cell 10 to which the switching element SW in the ON state is connected from the detection part 20 (see FIG. 4) of the first circuit 30 (step S4). And the control part 31 determines whether a terminal voltage is lower than an overdischarge voltage (step S5). Here, the overdischarge voltage is the lowest voltage (minimum allowable voltage) at which the battery cell 10 is not overdischarged. When the terminal voltage is equal to or higher than the overdischarge voltage, the control unit 31 returns to the process of step S2.

When the equalization end command is received in step S2, the control unit 31 proceeds to the process of step S6. When the terminal voltage is lower than the overdischarge voltage in step S5, the control unit 31 gives an off command to turn off the switching element SW in the on state to the equalization control circuit 33 (step S6). Thereby, the equalization process of the battery cell 10 is complete | finished. The time required for the processing in steps S2 to S5 is shorter than the pause time of the processing unit 241.

In the above processing, when the terminal voltage of the battery cell 10 connected to the switching element SW in the on state is lower than the overdischarge voltage while the processing unit 241 of the second circuit 24 is in the dormant state, the control unit 31 The switching element SW is turned off. Thereby, the discharge of the battery cell 10 is stopped. As a result, when the electric automobile 600 is stopped, overdischarge of some of the battery cells 10 can be reliably prevented while suppressing power consumption of the non-power battery 12. Further, even when the control unit 31 does not receive the equalization end command due to a communication failure between the processing unit 241 or the processing unit 241 and the control unit 31, overdischarge of some of the battery cells 10 can be prevented. .

(8) Effect In the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment, the detection unit 20 of the first circuit 30 detects the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10. Further, based on the terminal voltage of each battery cell 10 detected by the detection unit 20 of the first circuit 30, the processing unit 241 of the second circuit 24 transmits a command related to the equalization processing of the battery cell 10 and calculates cell information. Information processing such as transmission of cell information is performed. The first circuit 30 operates with electric power supplied from the plurality of battery cells 10, and the second circuit 24 operates with electric power supplied from the non-power battery 12.

In this case, the operation of the second circuit 24 does not stop due to the voltage drop of the plurality of battery cells 10. Thereby, even when the voltage of the some battery cell 10 falls, the process part 241 of the 2nd circuit 24 can continue the process of information. Therefore, in the battery system 500, it is possible to prevent the entire function of the battery system 500 from being stopped due to a decrease in the voltage of the battery cell 10 in any one of the battery modules 100. As a result, stable operation of the battery system 500 is ensured.

Further, the processing unit 241 of the battery module 100 has a function of processing information regarding the detected terminal voltage. Therefore, in battery system 500, the number and type of battery modules 100 can be easily changed without changing the configuration of battery ECU 101. Thereby, the specification of the battery system 500 can be easily changed.

Furthermore, since the first circuit 30 including the detection unit 20 and the second circuit 24 including the processing unit 241 are mounted on the common printed circuit board 21, the battery module 100 can be easily added and replaced. .

In addition, since the first circuit 30 and the second circuit 24 operate with independent power supplies, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the operations of the first circuit 30 and the second circuit 24, the other operates normally. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine which of the first circuit 30 and the second circuit 24 is abnormal.

[2] Second Embodiment A battery module 100 according to a second embodiment will be described while referring to differences from the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an overdischarge prevention process in the equalization process of the battery cells 10 by the control unit 31 of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, when equalization processing is necessary, the control unit 31 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H An on command to turn on the switching element SW (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the battery cell 10 that needs equalization processing is received from the processing unit 241 (see FIG. 5), and the on command is given to the equalization control circuit 33. (Step S11). Thereby, the electric charge charged in the battery cell 10 is discharged through the resistor R (see FIG. 3).

Next, the control unit 31 resets the timer 34 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H based on the control from the processing unit 241 (step S12). ), The operation of the timer 34 is started (step S13). The processing unit 241 transmits to the control unit 31 a reset command for instructing resetting of the timer 34 every preset time (hereinafter referred to as reset time).

The control unit 31 determines whether or not a reset command has been received (step S14). When the reset command is not received, the control unit 31 continues the operation of the timer 34 (step S15). Thereafter, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the time measured by the timer 34 is shorter than a preset time (hereinafter referred to as equalization end time) (step S16). If the measurement time is shorter than the end of equalization, the control unit 31 returns to the process of step S14.

In step S14, when the equalization end command is received, the control unit 31 returns to the process of step S12. In step S16, when the measurement time is equal to or greater than the equalization end time, the control unit 31 gives an off command to turn off the switching element SW in the on state to the equalization control circuit 33 (step S17). Thereby, the equalization process of the battery cell 10 is complete | finished. The reset time is shorter than the equalization end time.

Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the terminal voltages of all the battery cells 10 are substantially equal, the control unit 31 determines that all of the battery cells 10 are all based on a command from the processing unit 241. The switching element SW is turned off. This completes the equalization process.

In the above equalization processing, when the measurement time is equal to or longer than the equalization processing time, the control unit 31 turns off the switching element SW of each battery cell 10. Thereby, discharge of each battery cell 10 stops. As a result, even when communication between the control unit 31 and the processing unit 241 (see FIG. 2) of the second circuit 24 is disabled after the equalization processing is started, overcharge and overdischarge of some battery cells 10 are performed. Can be reliably prevented.

[3] Third Embodiment (1) Configuration and Operation Hereinafter, an electric vehicle according to a third embodiment will be described. The electric vehicle according to the present embodiment includes a battery system 500 including the battery module 100 according to the first or second embodiment. In the following, an electric vehicle will be described as an example of an electric vehicle.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electric vehicle including the battery system 500. As shown in FIG. 17, the electric automobile 600 according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle body 610. The vehicle body 610 includes the non-power battery 12 of FIG. 1, the main control unit 300 and the battery system 500, the power conversion unit 601, the motor 602, the drive wheels 603, the accelerator device 604, the brake device 605, and the rotation speed sensor 606. When motor 602 is an alternating current (AC) motor, power conversion unit 601 includes an inverter circuit.

In the present embodiment, the non-power battery 12 is connected to the battery system 500. The battery system 500 is connected to the motor 602 via the power conversion unit 601 and also connected to the main control unit 300. As described above, the main controller 300 has the amount of charge of each battery cell 10 (see FIG. 1) and the value of the current flowing through the plurality of battery cells 10 from the battery ECU 101 (see FIG. 1) constituting the battery system 500. Given.

Accelerator device 604, brake device 605 and rotation speed sensor 606 are connected to main controller 300. The main control unit 300 includes, for example, a CPU and a memory, or a microcomputer. A non-power battery 12 is connected to the main controller 300. The electric power output from the non-power battery 12 is supplied to some electrical components of the electric automobile 600 based on the control by the main control unit 300.

The accelerator device 604 includes an accelerator pedal 604a included in the electric automobile 600 and an accelerator detection unit 604b that detects an operation amount (depression amount) of the accelerator pedal 604a. When the accelerator pedal 604a is operated by the driver, the accelerator detector 604b detects the operation amount of the accelerator pedal 604a based on a state where the driver is not operated. The detected operation amount of the accelerator pedal 604a is given to the main controller 300.

The brake device 605 includes a brake pedal 605a included in the electric automobile 600 and a brake detection unit 605b that detects an operation amount (depression amount) of the brake pedal 605a by the driver. When the brake pedal 605a is operated by the driver, the operation amount is detected by the brake detection unit 605b. The detected operation amount of the brake pedal 605a is given to the main control unit 300.

Rotational speed sensor 606 detects the rotational speed of motor 602. The detected rotation speed is given to the main control unit 300.

As described above, the main control unit 300 includes the charge amount of each battery cell 10, the value of the current flowing through the plurality of battery cells 10, the operation amount of the accelerator pedal 604a, the operation amount of the brake pedal 605a, and the rotation of the motor 602. Speed is given. The main control unit 300 performs charge / discharge control of the battery module 100 and power conversion control of the power conversion unit 601 based on these pieces of information.

For example, when the electric vehicle 600 is started and accelerated based on the accelerator operation, the battery module 100 supplies power to the power conversion unit 601.

Further, the main control unit 300 calculates a rotational force (command torque) to be transmitted to the drive wheels 603 based on the given operation amount of the accelerator pedal 604a, and outputs a control signal based on the command torque to the power conversion unit 601. To give.

The power conversion unit 601 that has received the control signal converts the power supplied from the battery system 500 into power (drive power) necessary for driving the drive wheels 603. As a result, the driving power converted by the power converter 601 is supplied to the motor 602, and the rotational force of the motor 602 based on the driving power is transmitted to the driving wheels 603.

On the other hand, when the electric automobile 600 is decelerated based on the brake operation, the motor 602 functions as a power generator. In this case, the power conversion unit 601 converts the regenerative power generated by the motor 602 into power suitable for charging the battery module 100 and supplies the power to the battery module 100. Thereby, the battery module 100 is charged.

(2) Effect As described above, the electric vehicle 600 according to the present embodiment is provided with the battery system 500 including the battery module 100 according to the first or second embodiment. Stable operation of the battery system 500 is ensured. Thereby, the stable operation of the electric automobile 600 is ensured.

Also, it is possible to easily change the specifications of the battery system 500 included in the electric automobile 600. Thereby, it becomes possible to easily change the specification of the electric automobile 600.

(3) Other mobile object In the above, the example in which the battery system 500 including the battery module 100 according to the first or second embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle has been described. However, the battery system 500 is a ship, an aircraft, You may mount in other moving bodies, such as an elevator or a walking robot.

A ship equipped with the battery system 500 includes, for example, a hull instead of the vehicle body 610 in FIG. 17, a screw instead of the driving wheel 603, an acceleration input unit instead of the accelerator device 604, and a brake device 605. Instead, a deceleration input unit is provided. The driver operates the acceleration input unit instead of the accelerator device 604 when accelerating the hull, and operates the deceleration input unit instead of the brake device 605 when decelerating the hull. In this case, the hull corresponds to the moving main body, the motor corresponds to the power source, and the screw corresponds to the drive unit. In such a configuration, the motor receives electric power from the battery system 500 and converts the electric power into motive power, and the hull moves as the screw is rotated by the motive power.

Similarly, an aircraft equipped with the battery system 500 includes, for example, a fuselage instead of the vehicle body 610 in FIG. 17, a propeller instead of the driving wheel 603, an acceleration input unit instead of the accelerator device 604, and a brake. A deceleration input unit is provided instead of the device 605. In this case, the airframe corresponds to the moving main body, the motor corresponds to the power source, and the propeller corresponds to the drive unit. In such a configuration, the motor receives electric power from the battery system 500 and converts the electric power into motive power, and the propeller is rotated by the motive power, so that the aircraft moves.

The elevator equipped with the battery system 500 includes, for example, a saddle instead of the vehicle body 610 in FIG. 17, a lifting rope attached to the saddle instead of the driving wheel 603, and an acceleration input unit instead of the accelerator device 604. And a deceleration input unit instead of the brake device 605. In this case, the kite corresponds to the moving main body, the motor corresponds to the power source, and the lifting rope corresponds to the drive unit. In such a configuration, the motor receives electric power from the battery system 500 and converts the electric power into motive power, and the elevating rope is wound up by the motive power, so that the kite moves up and down.

A walking robot equipped with the battery system 500 includes, for example, a torso instead of the vehicle body 610 in FIG. 17, a foot instead of the driving wheel 603, an acceleration input unit instead of the accelerator device 604, and a brake device 605. A deceleration input unit is provided instead of. In this case, the body corresponds to the moving main body, the motor corresponds to the power source, and the foot corresponds to the drive unit. In such a configuration, the motor receives electric power from the battery system 500, converts the electric power into power, and the torso moves by driving the foot with the power.

As described above, in the moving body on which the battery system 500 is mounted, the power source receives power from the battery system 500 and converts the power into power, and the drive unit is moved by the power converted by the power source. Move.

Further, other moving bodies such as a ship, an aircraft, an elevator, or a walking robot equipped with the battery system 500 include a second circuit battery different from the battery module 100 instead of the non-power battery 12 of FIG. The second circuit battery is a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery. The second circuit battery can be charged by the same charging system as the charging system for charging the battery module 100. The second circuit battery may be charged by a charging system different from the charging system for charging the battery module 100. The second circuit battery is connected to the switch circuit 107 of the battery ECU 101 of FIG. When the switch circuit 107 is turned on, the second circuit of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21 is connected by the second circuit battery via the plurality of connectors 108, the plurality of conductor lines 54, and the connectors 23 of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21 in FIG. 24 is supplied with power. Thereby, each second circuit 24 operates.

[4] Fourth Embodiment (1) Configuration and Operation Hereinafter, a power supply device according to a fourth embodiment will be described. The power supply device according to the present embodiment includes a battery system 500 including the battery module 100 according to the first or second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power supply device. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the power supply device 700 includes a power storage device 710 and a power conversion device 720. The power storage device 710 includes a battery system group 711, a controller 712, and a second circuit battery 713. The battery system group 711 includes a plurality of battery systems 500. The plurality of battery systems 500 may be connected in parallel with each other, or may be connected in series with each other.

The second circuit battery 713 is a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery. The second circuit battery 713 is connected to the switch circuit 107 of the battery ECU 101 of FIG. When the switch circuit 107 is turned on, the second circuit battery 713 causes the second of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21 to pass through the plurality of connectors 108, the plurality of conductor wires 54, and the connectors 23 of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21 of FIG. Power is applied to the circuit 24. Thereby, each second circuit 24 operates.

The controller 712 includes, for example, a CPU and a memory, or a microcomputer. The controller 712 is connected to a battery ECU 101 (see FIG. 1) included in each battery system 500. The controller 712 controls the power conversion device 720 based on the charge amount of each battery cell 10 given from each battery ECU 101. The controller 712 performs later-described control as control related to discharging or charging of the battery module 100 of the battery system 500.

The power converter 720 includes a DC / DC (DC / DC) converter 721 and a DC / AC (DC / AC) inverter 722. The DC / DC converter 721 has input /

output terminals

721a and 721b, and the DC / AC inverter 722 has input /

output terminals

722a and 722b. The input / output terminal 721 a of the DC / DC converter 721 is connected to the battery system group 711 and the second circuit battery 713 of the power storage device 710. The second circuit battery 713 is charged by the DC / DC converter 721.

The input / output terminal 721b of the DC / DC converter 721 and the input / output terminal 722a of the DC / AC inverter 722 are connected to each other and to the power output unit PU1. The input / output terminal 722b of the DC / AC inverter 722 is connected to the power output unit PU2 and to another power system.

The power output units PU1 and PU2 include, for example, outlets. For example, various loads are connected to the power output units PU1 and PU2. Other power systems include, for example, commercial power sources or solar cells. This is an external example in which power output units PU1, PU2 and another power system are connected to a power supply device. When a solar cell is used as the power system, the solar cell is connected to the input / output terminal 721b of the DC / DC converter 721. On the other hand, when a solar power generation system including a solar battery is used as the power system, the AC output unit of the power conditioner of the solar power generation system is connected to the input / output terminal 722 b of the DC / AC inverter 722.

When the DC / DC converter 721 and the DC / AC inverter 722 are controlled by the controller 712, the battery system group 711 is discharged and charged. When the battery system group 711 is discharged, power supplied from the battery system group 711 is DC / DC (direct current / direct current) converted by the DC / DC converter 721, and further DC / AC (direct current / alternating current) conversion is performed by the DC / AC inverter 722. Is done.

When the power supply device 700 is used as a DC power supply, the power DC / DC converted by the DC / DC converter 721 is supplied to the power output unit PU1. When the power supply device 700 is used as an AC power supply, the power that is DC / AC converted by the DC / AC inverter 722 is supplied to the power output unit PU2. Moreover, the electric power converted into alternating current by the DC / AC inverter 722 can also be supplied to another electric power system.

The controller 712 performs the following control as an example of control related to the discharge of the battery module 100 of the battery system group 711. When the battery system group 711 is discharged, the controller 712 determines whether to stop discharging the battery system group 711 based on the calculated charge amount or whether to limit the discharge current (or discharge power), The power conversion device 720 is controlled based on the determination result. Specifically, when the charge amount of any one of the plurality of battery cells 10 (see FIG. 1) included in the battery system group 711 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the controller 712 The DC / DC converter 721 and the DC / AC inverter 722 are controlled so that the discharge of the battery system group 711 is stopped or the discharge current (or discharge power) is limited. Thereby, overdischarge of each battery cell 10 is prevented.

The discharge current (or discharge power) is limited by limiting the voltage of the battery system group 711 to a constant reference voltage. The reference voltage is set by the controller 712 based on the charge amount of the battery cell 10.

On the other hand, when the battery system group 711 is charged, AC power supplied from another power system is AC / DC (AC / DC) converted by the DC / AC inverter 722, and further DC / DC (DC) is converted by the DC / DC converter 721. / DC) converted. When power is supplied from the DC / DC converter 721 to the battery system group 711, the plurality of battery cells 10 (see FIG. 1) included in the battery system group 711 are charged.

The controller 712 performs the following control as an example of control related to the charging of the battery module 100 of the battery system group 711. When charging the battery system group 711, the controller 712 determines whether to stop charging the battery system group 711 or limit the charging current (or charging power) based on the calculated charge amount, The power conversion device 720 is controlled based on the determination result. Specifically, when the charge amount of any one of the plurality of battery cells 10 (see FIG. 1) included in the battery system group 711 is greater than a predetermined threshold, the controller 712 The DC / DC converter 721 and the DC / AC inverter 722 are controlled so that the charging of the battery system group 711 is stopped or the charging current (or charging power) is limited. Thereby, overcharge of each battery cell 10 is prevented.

The charging current (or charging power) is limited by limiting the voltage of the battery system group 711 to a constant reference voltage. The reference voltage is set by the controller 712 based on the charge amount of the battery cell 10.

Note that the power conversion device 720 may include only one of the DC / DC converter 721 and the DC / AC inverter 722 as long as power can be supplied between the power supply device 700 and the outside. Further, the power conversion device 720 may not be provided as long as power can be supplied between the power supply device 700 and the outside.

(2) Effect In the power supply device 700, the controller 712 controls the power supply between the battery system group 711 and the outside. Thereby, overdischarge and overcharge of each battery cell 10 included in the battery system group 711 are prevented.

As described above, the power supply apparatus 700 according to the present embodiment is provided with the battery system 500 including the battery module 100 according to the first or second embodiment. Therefore, the battery system 500 included in the power supply apparatus 700 is provided. Stable operation is ensured. Thereby, stable operation of the power supply device 700 is ensured.

Also, it is possible to easily change the specifications of the battery system 500 included in the power supply device 700. As a result, the specification of the power supply device 700 can be easily changed.

[5] Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the two first circuits 30 (the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H) are mounted on the printed circuit board 21. However, it is not limited to this. When the withstand voltage of the first circuit 30 is sufficiently large, one first circuit 30 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 21. When the number of battery cells 10 is small, one first circuit 30 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 21. Further, when the number of battery cells 10 is large, three or more first circuits 30 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 21.

In the above embodiment, the first circuit 30 is supplied with power from all the battery cells 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. Electric power may be supplied from two or more predetermined number of battery cells 10. In this case, it is possible to prevent the power consumption of one battery cell 10 from becoming significantly larger than the power consumption of other battery cells 10. Thereby, the dispersion | variation in the voltage of the some battery cell 10 can be relieve | moderated.

(2) In the above embodiment, the second circuit 24 of the plurality of battery modules 100 and the battery ECU 101 are connected by the bus 103, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second circuit 24 and the battery ECU 101 of the plurality of battery modules 100 may be connected in series.

(3) In step S17 of the second embodiment, the control unit 31 of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H turns off the switching element SW of the series circuit SC. Not. For example, the control unit 31 may switch the switching circuit 35c so that the terminals CP0 and CP3 in FIG. 4 are connected. In this case, the switching element SW of the series circuit SC is turned off, and the operation of each part of the low potential side first circuit 30L and each part of the high potential side first circuit 30H is stopped. As a result, power is not consumed in the low-potential side first circuit 30L and the high-potential side first circuit 30H, so that the charge amounts of the plurality of battery cells 10 are prevented from becoming uneven.

In the above description, the control unit 31 switches the switching circuit 35c so that the terminal CP0 of FIG. 4 is connected to the terminal CP3, so that each part of the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H Although the operation of each unit is stopped, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a switching element is provided between the step-down unit 35a and step-up unit 35b of FIG. 4 and each part of the low potential side first circuit 30L, and the control unit 31 of the low potential side first circuit 30L turns off the switching element. Also good. Thereby, operation | movement of each part of the low electric potential side 1st circuit 30L can be stopped. Similarly, a switching element may be provided between the step-down unit 35a and step-up unit 35b and each part of the high potential side first circuit 30H, and the control unit 31 of the high potential side first circuit 30H may turn off the switching element. . Thereby, the operation of each part of the high potential side first circuit 30H can be stopped.

(4) A moving body such as the electric automobile 600, a ship, an aircraft, an elevator, or a walking robot according to the above embodiment is an electric device including the battery module 100 and a motor 602 as a load. The electric device according to the present invention is not limited to a moving body such as an electric automobile 600, a ship, an aircraft, an elevator, or a walking robot, and may be a washing machine, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, or the like. For example, a washing machine is an electric device including a motor as a load, and a refrigerator or an air conditioner is an electric device including a compressor as a load.

An electric device such as a washing machine, a refrigerator, or an air conditioner includes a second circuit battery different from the battery module 100 in place of the non-power battery 12 of FIG. The second circuit battery is a secondary battery such as a lead storage battery. The second circuit battery can be charged by the same charging system as the charging system for charging the battery module 100. The second circuit battery may be charged by a charging system different from the charging system for charging the battery module 100. The second circuit battery is connected to the switch circuit 107 of the battery ECU 101 of FIG. When the switch circuit 107 is turned on, the second circuit of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21 is connected by the second circuit battery via the plurality of connectors 108, the plurality of conductor lines 54, and the connectors 23 of the plurality of printed circuit boards 21 in FIG. 24 is supplied with power. Thereby, each second circuit 24 operates.

[6] Correspondence relationship between each constituent element of claim and each part of the embodiment Hereinafter, an example of correspondence between each constituent element of the claim and each part of the embodiment will be described. It is not limited.

In the above embodiment, the non-power battery 12 or the second circuit battery 713 is an example of an external power source, the battery module 100 is an example of a battery module, the battery cell 10 is an example of a battery cell, and detection The unit 20 is an example of a detection unit. The first circuit 30 (the low potential side first circuit 30L and the high potential side first circuit 30H) is an example of the first circuit unit, the processing unit 241 is an example of the processing unit, and the second circuit 24 is the second circuit unit. The printed circuit board 21 is an example of a circuit board. The power supply circuit 35 is an example of a first power supply circuit, the plus electrode 10a and the minus electrode 10b are examples of electrode terminals, the conductor line 52 is an example of a voltage detection line, and the

conductor lines

55L and 55H are internal power supply lines. The input / output harness H is an example of a connection member.

The communication circuit 246 is an example of a communication circuit, the power supply circuit 245 is an example of a second power supply circuit, the connection terminal 23c is an example of a first connection terminal, and the connection terminal 23b is an example of a second connection terminal. The connector 23a is an example of a connector, and the conductor line 54 is an example of an external power supply line. The conductor line 53 is an example of a communication line, the step-up unit 35b is an example of a step-up unit, the step-down unit 35a is an example of a step-down unit, the series circuit SC is an example of an equalization circuit, and the control unit 31 is equal. This is an example of the equalization stop unit, and the equalization control circuit 33 is an example of the equalization control unit.

The motor 602 is an example of a motor, the driving wheel 603 is an example of a driving wheel, and the electric automobile 600 is an example of an electric vehicle. The body 610, the ship hull, the aircraft fuselage, the elevator cage or the body of the walking robot are examples of the moving main body, and the motor 602, the drive wheel 603, the screw, the propeller, the hoisting motor of the lifting rope or the walking robot. A foot is an example of a power source. An electric vehicle 600, a ship, an aircraft, an elevator, or a walking robot are examples of moving objects. The controller 712 is an example of a system control unit, the power storage device 710 is an example of a power storage device, the power supply device 700 is an example of a power supply device, and the power conversion device 720 is an example of a power conversion device. The motor 602 or the compressor is an example of a load, and the electric automobile 600, a ship, an aircraft, an elevator, a walking robot, a washing machine, a refrigerator, or an air conditioner is an example of an electric device.

As the constituent elements of the claims, various other elements having configurations or functions described in the claims can be used.

The present invention can be effectively used for various mobile objects using electric power as a drive source, power storage devices, mobile devices, and the like.

Claims

A battery module that can be connected to an external power source,
Multiple battery cells;
A first circuit unit including a detection unit for detecting the voltage of each battery cell;
A second circuit unit including a processing unit for processing information on the voltage detected by the detection unit of the first circuit unit;
A common circuit board on which the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit are mounted;
The first circuit unit is configured to be operable by electric power supplied from at least some of the plurality of battery cells,
The second circuit unit is a battery module configured to be operable by electric power supplied from the external power source.
The first circuit unit further includes a first power supply circuit that obtains an operating voltage of the detection unit based on power supplied by a predetermined number of battery cells of two or more of the plurality of battery cells,
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is connected to operate at an operating voltage obtained by the first power supply circuit.
A plurality of voltage detection lines for voltage detection connecting the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery cells and the detection unit;
An internal power supply that is provided separately from the plurality of voltage detection lines and connects the electrode terminal of the battery cell having the highest potential among the predetermined number of battery cells and the first power supply circuit of the first circuit unit. The battery module according to claim 2, further comprising a wire.
A connection member for electrically connecting the circuit board and another circuit;
The processing unit of the second circuit unit includes a communication circuit that communicates with the outside,
The second circuit unit further includes a second power supply circuit that obtains an operating voltage of the processing unit based on power supplied from the external power supply,
The connecting member is
A connector having a first connection terminal connected to the second power supply circuit and a second connection terminal connected to the communication circuit;
An external power line connected to the first connection terminal of the connector;
A communication line connected to the second connection terminal of the connector,
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the external power line and the communication line are integrally bound.
The first power supply circuit includes:
A booster that boosts a voltage obtained by the predetermined number of battery cells;
A step-down unit for stepping down a voltage obtained by the predetermined number of battery cells,
When the voltage obtained by the predetermined number of battery cells is equal to or higher than the operating voltage, the operating voltage is supplied to the detection unit by the step-down unit, and the voltage obtained by the predetermined number of battery cells is greater than the operating voltage. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the operating voltage is supplied to the detection unit by the boosting unit when the voltage is lower.
Further comprising an equalization circuit for equalizing the state of charge of the plurality of battery cells;
The first circuit unit determines whether the state of charge of any battery cell exceeds an allowable value based on the voltage detected by the detection unit, and the state of charge of any battery cell is an allowable value The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising an equalization stop unit that stops equalization by the equalization circuit when exceeding the value.
Further comprising an equalization circuit for equalizing the state of charge of the plurality of battery cells;
The second circuit unit has a communication function of transmitting a control signal for controlling the operation of the equalization circuit to the first circuit unit,
The first circuit unit includes:
An equalization control unit that controls the operation of the equalization circuit based on a control signal transmitted by the second circuit unit;
The equalization stop part which determines whether the communication by the said 2nd circuit part became impossible, and stops the equalization by the said equalization circuit when the said communication becomes impossible is further included. Battery module.
The battery module according to claim 1;
A motor driven by electric power from the battery module;
An electric vehicle comprising drive wheels that are rotated by the rotational force of the motor.
The battery module according to claim 1;
A moving body,
A moving body comprising: a power source that converts electric power from the battery module into power for moving the moving main body.
The battery module according to claim 1;
A power storage device comprising: a system control unit that performs control related to discharging or charging of the battery module.
An externally connectable power supply,
The power storage device according to claim 10;
A power supply device comprising: a power conversion device that is controlled by the system control unit of the power storage device and performs power conversion between the battery module of the power storage device and the outside.
The battery module according to claim 1;
An electric device comprising a load driven by electric power from the battery module.