WO2023189724A1

WO2023189724A1 - Battery management program and battery management apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023189724A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/010576
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masanori Ishigaki; Keisuke Ishikawa; Kazuya Shitaoka; Toshihiko Fujita
Original assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
Priority date: 2022-03-29
Filing date: 2023-03-17
Publication date: 2023-10-05
Also published as: JP2023146536A

Abstract

An advantage of the present disclosure lies in distributing loads of information processes among system constituting elements in a system in which a battery management apparatus acquires information related to a battery. A battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 generates a measurement signal in a battery 12, and produces from the measurement signal basic data including a discrete measurement signal value and a battery ID. A battery management apparatus 22 executes a data acquisition process in which the basic data are acquired from the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14, and an analysis process in which the battery ID is acquired from the basic data and characteristic analysis data of the battery 12 are determined based on the basic data. The battery management apparatus 22 further executes an information production process in which battery analysis information in which the characteristic analysis data is correlated with the battery ID is produced, and a transmission process in which the battery analysis information is transmitted. The battery management apparatus 22 executes a request reception process in which request information transmitted from a user terminal 16 is received, and executes the transmission process, or the analysis process and the transmission process according to the request information.

Description

BATTERY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND BATTERY MANAGEMENT APPARATUS

The present disclosure relates to a battery management program and a battery management apparatus, and in particular to analysis of characteristics of a battery.

Background

Electricity driven automobiles such as hybrid electric automobiles and battery electric automobiles which travel using electric power of a battery are in wide use. For electricity driven automobiles, charging apparatuses connected to an electric power supply network provided by an electric power supplying company or the like are provided in service stations, parking lots, and the like. The battery of the electricity driven automobile is charged by the charging apparatus.

In factories, offices, event venues, or the like, electricity driven apparatuses which use batteries are used, such as forklifts, carrier vehicles, and the like. In order to use a plurality of electricity driven apparatuses at any location in a site of the factory, the office, or the like, charging systems are developed in which charging apparatuses are connected to important locations in the electric power supply network which is locally constructed.

With regard to the electricity driven vehicles and charging systems, techniques are known for controlling a plurality of charging apparatuses connected to the electric power supply network. In these techniques, a control apparatus acquires information representing a state of charge of the battery from each charging apparatus, and controls each charging apparatus according to the state of charge of the battery in the charging apparatus. Patent Literature 1 discloses a distributed power supply system using such a technique. The distributed power supply system comprises a plurality of electric power converters (charging apparatuses), and a controller (control apparatus) which controls each of the electric power converters. A battery is connected to each electric power converter. The controller acquires an SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery from each of the plurality of electric power converters, and controls charging and discharging of each electric power converter according to the SOC.

Patent Literature 2 discloses a battery history information management system, as a technique related to the present disclosure. The battery history information management system comprises a charging/discharging apparatus, and a battery information management apparatus. The charging/discharging apparatus is connected to a secondary battery, and charges or discharges the secondary battery. The battery information management apparatus transmits to a server history information related to charging or discharging of the secondary battery by the charging/discharging apparatus.

JP 2016-116428 A WO 2012/140835

Summary

In general, performance of a battery degrades with use. In consideration of this, a system may be considered in which each charging apparatus measures a degree of degradation of the battery, and information related to the degree of degradation measured at each charging apparatus is collected by a battery management apparatus. A user of each charging apparatus acquires the information related to the degree of degradation from the battery management apparatus through an information processing terminal owned by the user. However, in this system, because each charging apparatus measures the degree of degradation, load of processes executed by each charging apparatus becomes large.

Alternatively, a configuration may be considered in which each charging apparatus transmits an amount of charge charged to the battery, an amount of charge discharged from the battery, or the like to the battery management apparatus at all times, and the battery management apparatus determines the degree of degradation through calculation. In this case, an amount of information transmitted from the charging apparatus to the battery management apparatus becomes large, and load of communication processes executed between the charging apparatus and the battery management apparatus becomes large.

An advantage of the present disclosure lies in distribution of load of information processes over system-constituting elements, for a system in which information related to the battery is managed by the battery management apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery management program which, when executed, causes a computer to execute: a data acquisition process in which basic data are acquired from a battery characteristic measurement apparatus which generates a measurement signal in a battery and which produces from the measurement signal the basic data including a discrete measurement signal value and a battery ID; an analysis process in which the battery ID is acquired from the basic data, and characteristic analysis data of the battery are determined based on the basic data; an information production process in which battery analysis information in which the characteristic analysis data are correlated with the battery ID is produced; and a transmission process in which the battery analysis information is transmitted.

Desirably, the computer is caused to further execute a request reception process in which request information transmitted from a user terminal is received, and the transmission process, or the analysis process and the transmission process is/are executed according to the request information.

Desirably, the computer is caused to further execute an abnormality judgment process in which it is judged whether or not the battery is abnormal based on the basic data, and diagnostic information indicating whether or not the battery is abnormal is produced, and the transmission process includes a process in which information in which the diagnostic information is correlated with the battery ID is transmitted.

Desirably, the characteristic analysis data represent a degree of degradation of the battery.

Desirably, the computer is caused to further execute an added value information production process in which added value information for the battery is produced based on the characteristic analysis data, and the information production process includes a process in which there is produced the battery analysis information in which the added value information is correlated with the battery ID in addition to the characteristic analysis data.

Desirably, the computer is caused to further execute: an information amount analysis process in which an amount of information of the battery analysis information or an amount of calculation required for executing the information production process is determined; and a billing process in which billing information indicating a billing fee point corresponding to the amount of information or the amount of calculation is transmitted to an external computer, and the computer is caused to execute the transmission process after a payment process for the billing information is completed.

Desirably, the computer is caused to further execute: a history production process in which history information related to the battery analysis information is produced; a history transmission process in which the history information is encrypted and stored in a storage computer; and a transmission command process in which, when history request information is transmitted from a user terminal, a decrypting key for decrypting the history information is transmitted to a user terminal which is an origin of transmission of the history request information, and the storage computer is caused to transmit the history information which is encrypted to the user terminal which is the origin of transmission of the history request information.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery management apparatus configured to execute: a data acquisition process in which basic data are acquired from a battery characteristic measurement apparatus which generates a measurement signal in a battery and which produces from the measurement signal the basic data including a discrete measurement signal value and a battery ID; an analysis process in which the battery ID is acquired from the basic data, and characteristic analysis data of the battery are determined based on the basic data; an information production process in which battery analysis information in which the characteristic analysis data are correlated with the battery ID is produced; and a transmission process in which the battery analysis information is transmitted.

Desirably, the battery management apparatus is configured to further execute a request reception process in which request information transmitted from a user terminal is received, and the transmission process, or the analysis process and the transmission process is/are executed according to the request information.

Desirably, the battery management apparatus is configured to further execute an abnormality judgment process in which it is judged whether or not the battery is abnormal based on the basic data, and diagnostic information indicating whether or not the battery is abnormal is produced, and the transmission process includes a process in which information in which the diagnostic information is correlated with the battery ID is transmitted.

Desirably, the characteristic analysis data are data representing a degree of degradation of the battery.

Desirably, the battery management apparatus is configured to further execute an added value information production process in which added value information for the battery is produced based on the characteristic analysis data, and the information production process includes a process in which the battery analysis information in which the added value information is correlated with the battery ID in addition to the characteristic analysis data is produced.

Desirably, the battery management apparatus is configured to further execute: an information amount analysis process in which an amount of information of the battery analysis information or an amount of calculation required for executing the information production process is determined; and a billing process in which billing information indicating a billing fee point corresponding to the amount of information or the amount of calculation is transmitted to an external computer, and the transmission process is executed after a payment process for the billing information is completed.

Desirably, the battery management apparatus is configured to further execute: a history production process in which history information related to the battery analysis information is produced; a history transmission process in which the history information is encrypted and stored in a storage computer; and a transmission command process in which, when history request information is transmitted from a user terminal, a decrypting key for decrypting the history information is transmitted to a user terminal which is an origin of transmission of the history request information, and the storage computer is caused to transmit the history information which is encrypted to the user terminal which is the origin of transmission of the history request information.

According to the present disclosure, in a system in which a battery management apparatus acquires information related to a battery, load of information processes can be distributed over the system-constituting elements.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a battery management system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example structure of a measurement device provided in a battery characteristic measurement apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a damped oscillation voltage which appears in a secondary inductor. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of a battery degradation analyzer. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a relaxation voltage for a lead battery. FIG. 6 is a graph correlating a degradation parameter measured by a reference measurement apparatus and a measured value of a real part of impedance of a lead battery measured by a battery management apparatus. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of a battery degradation analyzer. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between machine learning data of a lithium ion battery, and a machine learning model of the lithium ion battery. FIG. 9 is a graph correlating a change of a real part of impedance with respect to a degree of degradation of a battery capacity. FIG. 10 is a sequence chart of processes executed by a battery management system. FIG. 11 is a sequence chart of a first application process. FIG. 12 is a sequence chart of a second application process. FIG. 13A is a sequence chart of a third application process. FIG. 13B is a sequence chart of the third application process.

An embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements shown in a plurality of drawings will be assigned the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof will be simplified.

FIG. 1 shows a structure of a battery management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The battery management system 100 comprises a communication line 10, a battery 12, a battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14, a user terminal 16, a wireless communication system 18, a storage computer 20, and a battery management apparatus 22. The battery management apparatus 22 and the storage computer 20 form a provider system 102, which may be operated by a provider which is a company analyzing the battery 12.

The battery 12 may be used as a power supply in a factory, an office, or the like. The battery 12 may alternatively be equipped on an electricity driven automobile in a state of being detached from the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14, or together with the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14. Alternatively, the battery 12 may be connected to a charging apparatus connected to an electric power supply network.

The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 generates a measurement signal in the battery 12, and produces from the measurement signal basic data including a discrete measurement signal value and a battery ID (Identification) for identifying the battery 12. For example, the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 applies a pulse current as the measurement signal to the battery 12, and acquires a discrete value of the pulse current as the discrete measurement signal value. The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 transmits the basic data including the discrete value of the pulse current and the battery ID assigned to the battery 12 to the storage computer 20 via the communication line 10. The storage computer 20 stores the basic data.

The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 may comprise a temperature sensor which measures a temperature of the battery 12. The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 may include in the basic data a measured value of the temperature of the battery 12 (battery temperature). In addition, the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 may include a circuit which measures an accumulated value (amount of use) of amounts of charges charged and discharged from a state of a new product until the current time. The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 may include in the basic data information such as a type of the battery 12 (a type such as a lead battery, a lithium ion battery, or the like), a charge capacity of the battery 12 (mAh), an amount of use from a state of a new product until the current time, a manufacturer, a manufacturing serial number, and the like.

The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 which executes such a process may include, for example, a resonance circuit with a loss. The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 connects the resonance circuit to the battery 12, applies to the battery 12 a pulse current which dampedly oscillates, and extracts the discrete value of the pulse current as the discrete measurement signal value. The discrete value of the pulse current to be included in the basic data may be two or more discrete values arranged on a time axis.

FIG. 2 shows an example structure of a measurement device 30 provided in the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14. The measurement device 30 comprises a primary inductor L1, a capacitive element C0, a resistor R0, a switch SW, and a discrete value extraction circuit 32. The primary inductor L1, the capacitive element C0, and the switch SW are connected in series. The resistor R0 is connected in parallel to the capacitive element C0. A terminal of the primary inductor L1 at a side opposite from a terminal on a side of the capacitive element C0 is connected to a positive electrode of the battery 12. A terminal of the switch SW at a side opposite from the capacitive element C0 is connected to a negative electrode of the battery 12. A secondary inductor L2 is coupled to the primary inductor L1. One end of the secondary inductor L2 is grounded, and the other end is connected to the discrete value extraction circuit 32.

The primary inductor L1, the capacitive element C0, and the resistor R0 form a resonance circuit with a loss. When the switch SW is switched ON in a pulsed manner, a damped oscillation current Ia flows in the battery 12 and the resonance circuit. The switch SW being switched ON in the pulsed manner refers to a process in which the switch SW is switched from an OFF state to an ON state, is maintained in the ON state for a predetermined period of time, and is then switched from the ON state to the OFF state.

With the flow of the damped oscillation current Ia through the primary inductor L1, a damped oscillation voltage Ea corresponding to the damped oscillation current Ia appears in the secondary inductor L2. The damped oscillation voltage Ea is output to the discrete value extraction circuit 32. The discrete value extraction circuit 32 extracts a plurality of maxima of the damped oscillation voltage Ea as discrete values, and outputs a plurality of discrete values.

FIG. 3 shows the damped oscillation voltage Ea which appears in the secondary inductor L2. The discrete value extraction circuit 32 extracts as the discrete values, for example, maxima which appear at times t1 and t2, which are later than time 0 at which the damped oscillation voltage Ea appears in the secondary inductor L2. Here, a configuration is described in which the discrete value extraction circuit 32 extracts two maxima, but alternatively, the discrete value extraction circuit 32 may extract three or more maxima of the damped oscillation voltage Ea, and output three or more discrete values.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the battery management system 100 will be described. The communication line 10 may be a communication line available to unspecified people such as the Internet, or a communication line constructed for a specific business organization.

The user terminal 16 may be an information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function such as a smartphone, a personal computer with a wireless module, or the like. The user terminal 16 may be, for example, owned by a user of the battery 12, and operated by the user of the battery 12. The user terminal 16 wirelessly transmits to the wireless communication system 18 request information requesting transmission of battery analysis information. The request information includes the battery ID of the battery 12. The battery analysis information is information in which information indicating a degree of degradation of the battery 12 and the battery ID are correlated with each other. The degree of degradation of the battery 12 will be described later.

The wireless communication system 18 may be a local area network using WiFi (registered trademark) or the like, or a mobile communication system. The wireless communication system 18 receives the request information wirelessly transmitted from the user terminal 16, and transmits the request information to the battery management apparatus 22 via the communication line 10. When the battery management apparatus 22 receives the request information, the battery management apparatus 22 reads from the storage computer 20 the basic data including a battery ID which is identical to the battery ID included in the request information.

The battery management apparatus 22 is formed from one or a plurality of computers. The battery management apparatus 22 executes processes described below, by executing a battery management program. The battery management program may be recorded in a recording medium built in the computer or a recording medium which can be connected to and disconnected from the computer. The recording medium may be a hard disk drive, a USB memory, a CD-ROM, or the like. In this case, the battery management apparatus 22 may read the battery management program from the recording medium which is built in or which is detachably connected to the battery management apparatus 22. Alternatively, a recording medium recording the battery management program may be built in or detachably connected to an external computer connected to the communication line 10. In this case, the battery management apparatus 22 may read the battery management program from the external computer, and execute the battery management program. When the battery management apparatus 22 is formed from a plurality of computers, the plurality of computers may be connected to each other via the communication line 10, and the processes according to the battery management program may be distributedly executed by the plurality of computers.

The battery management apparatus 22 determines a degree of degradation as characteristic analysis data of the battery 12 based on the discrete value of the measurement signal included in the basic data. The degree of degradation includes SOH_R and SOH_C. The value SOH_R shows a resistance degradation, and the value SOH_C shows a capacity degradation. The value SOH_R is defined as, for example, a value indicating a ratio of increase in a real part of an impedance (increased by what %) with respect to a new battery. The real part of the impedance refers to a real part when an internal impedance of the battery is represented in a complex number for a certain frequency. In general, a higher value of SOH_R means a greater degree of degradation of the battery. The SOH_C is defined as, for example, a value indicating a ratio of reduction of a discharge capacity (mAh) (reduced by what %) with respect to a new battery. In general, a higher value of SOH_C means a greater degree of degradation of the battery. When the battery 12 is the lithium ion battery, in addition to the values SOH_R and SOH_C, a value SOH_S indicating a safety degradation may be determined. The value SOH_S may be, for example, a value indicating an amount of precipitation of metals to an active material.

A process for the battery management apparatus 22 to determine the degree of degradation of the battery 12 will now be described exemplifying a case in which the basic data include three discrete values of the measurement signal. The basic data include discrete values Pm1, Pm2, and Pm3 as discrete values at times t1, t2, and t3, respectively.

The battery management apparatus 22 determines a real part Rhf of the impedance of the battery 12 according to (Equation 1) and based on the discrete values Pm2 and Pm3.

Here, ln refers to natural logarithm. Constants ar and br are determined in advance based on characteristics of a circuit formed from the primary inductor L1, the secondary inductor L2, the capacitive element C0, and the resistor R0. Equation 1 is derived from the phenomenon that a time constant when peaks of the damped oscillation current Ia and the damped oscillation voltage Ea are damped with elapse of time is determined according to the real part of the impedance of the battery 12.

The battery management apparatus 22 determines an output voltage Vb of the battery 12 according to (Equation 2).

Here, k is a gain of the discrete value extraction circuit 32, N is a wiring ratio of a wiring forming the secondary inductor L2 with respect to a wiring forming the primary inductor L1, tr is a time between the time t0 and the time t1, and Lr is a self-inductance of the primary inductor L1.

The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 sequentially acquires the basic data with the elapse of time, and sequentially transmits the basic data to the storage computer 20 with the elapse of time. The battery management apparatus 22 sequentially determines the real part Rhf of the impedance and the output voltage Vb of the battery of the battery 12 with the elapse of time, based on the basic data stored in the storage computer 20 sequentially with the elapse of time.

In the above, a case has been described in which the basic data include three discrete values. Alternatively, when the basic data include two discrete values or four or more discrete values, the real part Rhf of the impedance and the output voltage Vb of the battery 12 may be determined by the following process. Namely, the battery management apparatus 22 determines, for example, a function representing an envelope on the positive side of the damped oscillation voltage Ea shown in FIG. 3, based on the plurality of discrete values. The function may be a function in which a damping time constant and a function value are determined by giving the real part Rhf of the impedance and the output voltage Vb. The battery management apparatus 22 determines the real part Rhf of the impedance and the output voltage Vb based on the determined function.

As will be described below, a battery degradation analyzer is formed in the battery management apparatus 22. The battery degradation analyzer determines the degree of degradation of the battery 12 by fitting at least one of the real part of the impedance or the output voltage to a machine learning model by machine learning data, which is acquired in advance. Here, a configuration will be described in which the basic data acquired by the battery management apparatus 22 include the battery temperature in addition to the discrete measurement signal value (discrete value).

FIG. 4 shows a battery degradation analyzer 60 formed in the battery management apparatus 22. The battery degradation analyzer 60 is used for determining the degree of degradation of the lead battery. The battery degradation analyzer 60 receives inputs of the real part Rhf of the impedance, the output voltage Vb of the battery 12, and the battery temperature Tmp, which are sequentially acquired with the elapse of time. Here, the output voltage Vb may be a voltage having a value changed due to a change of a load electric power of the battery 12. For example, when the state changes from a state in which a load current flows in the battery 12 (ON state) to a state in which the load current is shut out (OFF state), a relaxation voltage which increases with the elapse of time may be input to the battery degradation analyzer 60. Alternatively, when the state changes from the OFF state to the ON state, a relaxation voltage which is reduced with the elapse of time may be input to the battery degradation analyzer 60.

The battery degradation analyzer 60 fits at least one of the real part Rhf of the impedance, the output voltage Vb of the battery (for example, a temporal waveform of the output voltage Vb in a certain time range), or the battery temperature Tmp to the machine learning model which is constructed in advance, to determine SOH_R and SOH_C as the degree of degradation.

The machine learning model may be constructed, for example, by determining machine learning data for a plurality of batteries having different amounts of use from the start of use. For example, the battery management apparatus 22 acquires the basic data for each of the plurality of batteries having different amounts of use. Further, SOH_R and SOH_C for each of the plurality of batteries having different amounts of use are measured by an apparatus or the like separate from the battery management system 100. The basic data and the measured SOH_R and the measured SOH_C are correlated by the battery management apparatus 22 through a machine learning algorithm, to determine machine learning data. The machine learning data may be stored in the storage computer 20, and read from the storage computer 20 to the battery degradation analyzer 60.

FIG. 5 shows at an upper part an example of the relaxation voltage for the lead battery. The horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the output voltage of the battery. An output voltage 62-1 indicates a relaxation voltage of a new battery, and an output voltage 62-2 indicates a relaxation voltage of a degraded battery having an amount of use which is not zero. The battery is switched from the OFF state to the ON state at time 40 sec., and the output voltage thereof is reduced. In addition, the battery is switched from the ON state to the OFF state at time 240 sec., and the output voltage thereof is increased.

FIG. 5 shows at a lower part a measurement result of a real part of an impedance of the lead battery measured by the battery management apparatus 22 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the real part of the impedance. A real part 64-1 of the impedance indicates a value for a new battery, and a real part 64-2 of the impedance indicates a value for a degraded battery in which the amount of use is not zero. FIG. 5 shows at the lower part that the variation of the real part of the impedance is small even when the output voltage varies in a manner as shown in the upper part of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows a graph correlating a degradation parameter measured by a typical measurement apparatus which serves as a reference (reference measurement apparatus), and a measured value of the real part of the impedance of the lead voltage measured by the battery management apparatus 22 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The horizontal axis indicates the degradation parameter by the reference measurement apparatus. In FIG. 6, a smaller value of the degradation parameter means a larger degree of degradation. The vertical axis indicates the real part of the impedance measured by the battery management apparatus 22. A tendency can be observed in which, as the degradation parameter measured by the reference measurement apparatus becomes smaller; that is, as the degree of degradation becomes larger, the real part of the impedance becomes larger. The machine learning model for the lead battery may take advantage of such a tendency.

FIG. 7 shows a structure of a battery degradation analyzer 70 formed in the battery management apparatus 22. The battery degradation analyzer 70 is used for determining the degree of degradation of the lithium ion battery. The battery degradation analyzer 70 receives inputs of the real part Rhf of the impedance, the output voltage Vb of the battery, and the battery temperature Tmp, which are sequentially acquired with the elapse of time. As the output voltage Vb, the relaxation voltage may be input to the battery degradation analyzer 70.

The battery degradation analyzer 70 fits at least one of the real part Rhf of the impedance, the relaxation voltage of the output voltage Vb of the battery (for example, a temporal waveform of the output voltage Vb in a certain time range), or the battery temperature Tmp to a machine learning model which is constructed in advance, to determine the SOH_R, the SOH_C, and the SOH_S as the degree of degradation.

Similar to the case of the lead battery, the machine learning model may be constructed by determining the machine learning data for a plurality of batteries having different amounts of use. For example, the battery management apparatus 22 acquires the basic data for each of the plurality of batteries having different amounts of use. Further, the SOH_R, the SOH_C, and the SOH_S for each of the plurality of batteries having different amounts of use are measured by an apparatus or the like separate from the battery management system 100. The battery management apparatus 22 correlates the basic data and the measured SOH_R, the measured SOH_C, and the measured SOH_S through a machine learning algorithm, to determine the machine learning data. The machine learning data may be stored in the storage computer 20, and read from the storage computer 20 to the battery degradation analyzer 70.

FIG. 8 shows an example of results obtained by the machine learning data of the lithium ion battery and the machine learning model of the lithium ion battery. FIG. 8 shows at an upper part a graph showing the machine learning data. A graph at upper left shows machine learning data correlating the output voltage and the discharge capacity for a new battery and three degraded batteries A~C having different amounts of use. The horizontal axis indicates the discharge capacity, and the vertical axis indicates the output voltage. A graph at upper right shows the relaxation voltage as the machine learning data, for the new battery and the three degraded batteries A~C having different amounts of use. The horizontal axis indicates the time and the vertical axis indicates the output voltage.

FIG. 8 shows at a lower part an example of results obtained by the machine learning model of the lithium ion battery. At the lower left of FIG. 8, a graph in which an expected value is obtained by giving the measured value of the discharge capacity (graph based on the machine learning model) is shown. The horizontal axis indicates the measured value of the discharge capacity, and the vertical axis indicates the expected value. The measured value and the expected values are correlated with each other by a straight line on the graph. At the lower right of FIG. 8, a graph in which an expected value can be obtained by giving a measured value of the real part of the impedance (graph based on the machine learning model) for a battery having different amount of use from the degraded batteries A~C is shown. The horizontal axis indicates the measured value of the real part of the impedance, and the vertical axis indicates the expected value. The measured value and the expected value are correlated with each other by a straight line on the graph. The battery degradation analyzer 70 may determine the SOC_R and the SOH_C based on the machine learning model shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a graph correlating a change of the real part of the impedance to the degree of degradation of the battery capacity. The real part of the impedance is measured by the battery management apparatus 22 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A battery for which the real part of the impedance is measured and which is shown with a white circle has a larger amount of precipitation of the metal than does a battery for which the real part of the impedance is measured and which is shown with a black circle. As shown in FIG. 9, in the battery having a larger amount of precipitation of the metal, the reduction of the real part of the impedance is larger with respect to the reduction of the battery capacity. That is, the lithium ion battery shows a stronger tendency that the real part of the impedance is reduced as the reduction of the battery capacity becomes larger. The machine learning model of the lithium ion battery may take advantage of such a tendency.

The battery management apparatus 22 produces battery analysis information in which the degree of degradation serving as the characteristic analysis data and the battery ID of the battery 12 are correlated with each other, and transmits the battery analysis information to the user terminal 16 via the communication line 10 and the wireless communication system 18. The user terminal 16 may receive the battery analysis information, and present the degree of degradation for the battery 12 to the user.

The battery management apparatus 22 may transmit the battery analysis information to the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 through the communication line 10. The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 may execute control related to charging or discharging of the battery 12 based on the degree of degradation included in the battery analysis information. For example, when the degree of degradation is large, the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 may execute a process to limit an amount of charges for charging or an amount of charges for discharging for the battery 12.

The communication between each of the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14, the storage computer 20, and the battery management apparatus 22 and the communication line 10 may be realized through wireless communication or wired communication. The communication between the user terminal 16 and the communication line 10 may alternatively be realized by the wired communication without passing through the wireless communication system 18.

FIG. 10 shows a sequence chart of processes executed by the battery management system 100. Straight lines extending downward from the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14, the storage computer 20, the battery management apparatus 22, and the user terminal 16 indicate a time axis. Because the communication line 10 and the wireless communication system 18 are information transmission paths, these elements are omitted in the sequence chart.

The battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 transmits the basic data of the battery 12 to the storage computer 20 (S1). The storage computer 20 stores the basic data. This process may be repeatedly executed with the elapse of time. The user terminal 16 transmits the request information to the battery management apparatus 22 in response to a manipulation by a user (S2). In response to receiving the request information, the battery management apparatus 22 reads the basic data from the storage computer 20 (S3), and executes an analysis process (S4). As described above, the analysis process is a process to determine the degree of degradation as the characteristic analysis data of the battery 12 based on the discrete value of the measurement signal included in the basic data.

The battery management apparatus 22 executes an abnormality judgment process based on the degree of degradation (S5). The abnormality judgment process is a process to judge whether or not the battery 12 is abnormal, and to produce diagnostic information indicating whether or not the battery 12 is abnormal. For example, when the battery 12 is the lead battery and the battery management apparatus 22 determines the SOH_R and SOH_C, the battery management apparatus 22 judges that the battery 12 is abnormal when at least one of SOH_R or SOH_C exceeds a respective predetermined abnormality judgment threshold. That is, when at least one of a condition that SOH_R exceeds a predetermined abnormality judgment threshold PR or a condition that SOH_C exceeds a predetermined abnormality judgment threshold PC is satisfied, the battery management apparatus 22 judges that the battery 12 is abnormal.

When SOH_R and SOH_C are both less than or equal to the predetermined abnormality judgment thresholds, the battery management apparatus 22 judges that the battery 12 is not abnormal. That is, when a condition that SOH_R is less than or equal to the predetermined abnormality judgment threshold PR and a condition that SOH_C is less than or equal to the predetermined abnormality judgment threshold PC are both satisfied, the battery management apparatus 22 judges that the battery 12 is not abnormal.

When the battery 12 is the lithium ion battery, and the battery management apparatus 22 determines SOH_R, SOH_C, and SOH_S, the battery management apparatus 22 judges that the battery 12 is abnormal when at least one of SOH_R, SOH_C, or SOH_S exceeds a respective predetermined abnormality judgment threshold. That is, when at least one of a condition that SOH_R exceeds a predetermined abnormality judgment threshold LR, a condition that SOH_C exceeds a predetermined abnormality judgment threshold LC, or a condition that SOH_S exceeds a predetermined abnormality judgment threshold LS is satisfied, the battery management apparatus 22 judges that the battery 12 is abnormal.

The battery management apparatus 22 determines that the battery 12 is not abnormal when all of SOH_R, SOH_C, and SOH_S are less than or equal to the respective predetermined abnormality judgment thresholds. That is, when all of a condition that SOH_R is less than or equal to the predetermined abnormality judgment threshold LR, a condition that SOH_C is less than or equal to the predetermined abnormality judgment threshold LC, and a condition that SOH_S is less than or equal to the predetermined abnormality judgment threshold LS are satisfied, the battery management apparatus 22 judges that the battery 12 is not abnormal.

The battery management apparatus 22 transmits to the user terminal 16 battery analysis information in which the degree of degradation serving as the characteristic analysis data, the diagnostic information, and the battery ID are correlated with each other (S6). The battery management apparatus 22 may further transmit the battery analysis information to the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 (S7).

Here, a process has been described in which the battery management apparatus 22 executes the analysis process (S4) and the abnormality judgment process (S5) in response to reception of the request information transmitted from the user terminal 16. Alternatively, the battery management apparatus 22 may execute a process in which the analysis process (S4) and the abnormality judgment process (S5) are repeatedly executed with the elapse of time regardless of whether or not the request information is received, and the battery analysis information is transmitted to the user terminal 16 in response to receiving the request information (SS2). Further, the information in which the diagnostic information and the battery ID are correlated with each other may be transmitted by the battery management apparatus 22 to the user terminal 16 or to the user terminal 16 and the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14, as information separate from the battery analysis information.

In this manner, the battery management apparatus 22 which is a part of the battery management system 100 executes the following process by executing the battery management program.

Namely, the battery management apparatus 22 executes a data acquisition process (S3) in which the basic data are acquired from the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14, and the analysis process (S4) in which the battery ID for identifying the battery 12 is acquired from the basic data, and the characteristic analysis data of the battery 12 are determined based on the basic data. The battery management apparatus 22 further executes an information production process in which the battery analysis information in which the characteristic analysis data and the battery ID are correlated with each other is produced, and a transmission process (S7) in which the battery analysis information is transmitted.

The battery management apparatus 22 executes a request reception process in which the request information transmitted from the user terminal 16 is received (S2). The battery management apparatus 22 executes the transmission process, or the analysis process and the transmission process according to the request information. The battery management apparatus 22 may execute the abnormality judgment process (S5) in which it is judged whether or not the battery 12 is abnormal based on the basic data, and diagnostic information indicating whether or not the battery 12 is abnormal is produced. In this case, the transmission process described above includes a process in which information in which the diagnostic information and the battery ID are correlated to each other is transmitted.

In the battery management system 100, the basic data including the discrete measurement signal value are transmitted from the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 to the battery management apparatus 22. The discrete measurement signal value is a discrete value obtained through a process in which the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 generates the measurement signal in the battery 12, and the discrete value is produced from the measurement signal. Therefore, in comparison to a case in which the measurement signal itself is transmitted from the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 to the battery management apparatus 22, the load of the communication process can be reduced. In addition, in the battery management system 100, the battery management apparatus 22 produces the battery analysis information including the characteristic analysis data based on the basic data. With this configuration, the process to produce the battery analysis information is executed in a distributed manner by the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 and the battery management apparatus 22, and the amount of processes executed respectively by the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 and the battery management apparatus 22 can be reduced.

Moreover, the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 only needs to acquire the discrete measurement signal value. As such, the computer used for the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 may be a computer with a slower computation speed in comparison with the computer forming the battery management apparatus 22. With this configuration, the user’s load with regard to the cost can be reduced. On the other hand, for the battery management apparatus 22, there may be used a computer having a high computation speed and in which an advanced-level machine learning model can be constructed. With this configuration, precision of the battery analysis information can be improved.

FIG. 11 shows a sequence chart showing a first application process executed by the battery management system 100. The battery management apparatus 22 executes an information amount analysis process (S21), to determine an amount of information (bytes) of the battery analysis information produced by the analysis process (S4) and the abnormality judgment process (S5), and determines a fee point to be billed to the user (billing fee point) according to the amount of information. The fee point is a numerical value indicating an economical value, and may be, for example, a value of currency, or a point (such as a point in a business model in which a “point” which is economical valuable for a consumer is granted with purchase of a product or the like). The battery management apparatus 22 may set a larger billing fee point for a larger amount of information. The battery management apparatus 22 may determine the billing fee point based on, in addition to the amount of information of the battery analysis information, an amount of calculation (bytes) required for executing the analysis process (S4) and the abnormality judgment process (S5).

The battery management apparatus 22 executes a billing process for the billing fee point. That is, the battery management apparatus 22 transmits billing information including the information indicating the billing fee point to an external computer 40 (S22). The external computer 40 is a computer connected to the communication line 10 (FIG. 1). The external computer 40 may be formed from a plurality of computers, and the plurality of computers may be computers operated respectively by a plurality of various business companies. The external computer 40 may be, for example, a computer operated by a credit card company. When the external computer 40 receives the billing information, the external computer 40 executes a process with the user terminal 16 for paying the billing value through the credit card (S23). With the payment process, for example, a monetary value of an equal value as the billing fee point is transferred from a bank account designated by the user to a bank account of the credit card company, and a monetary value of an equal value as the billing fee point is transferred from the bank account of the credit card company to a bank account of the provider.

When the external computer 40 completes the payment process (S23), the external computer 40 transmits payment completion information to the battery management apparatus 22 (S24). When the battery management apparatus 22 receives the payment completion information, the battery management apparatus 22 transmits the battery analysis information to at least one of the user terminal 16 or the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14.

FIG. 12 shows a sequence chart of a second application process. The second application process differs from the first application process in that an added value information production process (S25) is executed after the analysis process (S4) and the abnormality judgment process (S5).

The battery management apparatus 22 executes the added value information production process (S25), to produce added value information based on the characteristic analysis data. The added value information includes, for example, information indicating an expected time of replacement of the battery 12, and information necessary for the user when replacing the battery 12. The information necessary for the user includes, for example, a URL indicating information of a vending company of the battery 12, an input format for ordering a new battery from the vending company, or the like. In the example described herein, the battery management apparatus 22 estimates the expected time of replacement of the battery 12. For this purpose, the basic data which are produced by the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 and stored in the storage computer 20 may include a type of the battery 12 (type such as a lead battery, a lithium ion battery, or the like), a charge capacity (mAh) of the battery 12, an amount of use from a state of a new product until the current time, the manufacturer, the manufacturing serial number, or the like.

Alternatively, the added value information may be charge plan information corresponding to the degree of degradation and the charge capacity of the battery 12. The charge plan information includes an upper limit value of a current flowing in the battery 12 when the battery 12 is charged, an upper limit value of a voltage applied to the battery 12 when the battery 12 is charged, a time required for charging, or the like. In addition, the charge plan information may include a charge characteristic when the battery 12 is charged. The charge characteristic includes, for example, a resistance value of a resistor equivalently connected to the battery 12, a voltage applied to the battery 12, or the like.

In the added value information production process (S25), the battery management apparatus 22 produces battery analysis information in which the added value information is correlated with the battery ID in addition to the characteristic analysis data.

The battery management apparatus 22 executes the information amount analysis process (S21), to determine an amount of information (bytes) of the battery analysis information produced by the analysis process (S4), the abnormality judgment process (S5), and the added value information production process (S25), and determines a billing fee point for the user according to the amount of information. The battery management apparatus 22 may set a larger billing fee point for a larger amount of information. Alternatively, the battery management apparatus 22 may determine the billing fee point according to an amount of calculation (bytes) required for executing the analysis process (S4), the abnormality judgment process (S5), and the added value information production process (S25), in addition to the amount of information of the battery analysis information.

The processes from transmission of the billing information from the battery management apparatus 22 to the external computer 40 to the transmission of the battery analysis information to the user terminal 16 and the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 (S22~S24, S6, and S7) are similar to those in the first application process shown in FIG. 11.

In the first and second application processes, the process in which the battery management apparatus 22 transmits the billing information to the external computer 40 does not need to be executed every time the battery analysis information is produced. For example, the process to transmit the billing information to the external computer 40 may be executed every time an accumulated sum of unpaid fee points reaches a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the battery management apparatus 22 may transmit billing information corresponding to the accumulated sum of the unpaid fee points to the external computer 40 every predetermined time interval (for example, a one-month interval, a one-year interval, or the like).

FIGs. 13A and 13B show a sequence chart of a third application process. In the third application process, history information indicating a history of production of the battery management information is produced by the battery management apparatus 22, and stored in the storage computer 20. The user terminal 16 may request the history information to the battery management apparatus 22. When the user terminal 16 requests the history information to the battery management apparatus 22, a payment process is executed, and, after the payment process is completed, the history information is transmitted from the storage computer 20 to the user terminal 16 under a command of the battery management apparatus 22.

Details of the third application process will now be described. The battery management apparatus 22 executes a history production process (S30), to produce history information in which the battery analysis information, and date and time at which the battery analysis information is produced are correlated with each other (S30). The battery management apparatus 22 executes a history transmission process. Specifically, the battery management apparatus 22 encrypts the history information, transmits the encrypted information to the storage computer 20, and stores the transmitted information in the storage computer 20.

When the user terminal 16 is to acquire the history information from the storage computer 20, the user terminal 16 transmits history request information to the battery management apparatus 22 (S32). The history request information includes time range designation information which designates date and time at which the battery analysis information to be acquired is produced. In addition, the history request information includes a passcode which is agreed in advance between the user terminal 16 and the battery management apparatus 22. When the battery management apparatus 22 receives the history request information and the passcode included in the history request information is that which is agreed upon in advance, the battery management apparatus 22 transmits to the external computer 40 billing information including information indicating the billing fee point (S33). When the passcode included in the history request information differs from that agreed upon in advance, the battery management apparatus 22 does not need to execute the process in response to the history request information.

When the external computer 40 receives the billing information, the external computer 40 executes a process to pay the billing value through a credit card, with the user terminal 16 (S34). When the payment process (S34) is completed, the external computer 40 transmits payment completion information to the battery management apparatus 22 (S35). When the battery management apparatus 22 receives the payment completion information, the battery management apparatus 22 transmits a decrypting key to the user terminal 16 (S36). The decrypting key is information used for decrypting (undoing the encryption) the encrypted history information received from the storage computer 20. The battery management apparatus 22 further executes a transmission command process for the storage computer 20. That is, the battery management apparatus 22 transmits transmission command information to the storage computer 20 (S37). The transmission command information includes the above-described time range designation information. The storage computer 20 receiving the transmission command information transmits designation/history information including the battery analysis information designated by the time range designation information to the user terminal 16 (the user terminal 16 which is the origin of transmission of the history request information) (S38). The user terminal 16 decrypts the designation/history information using the decrypting key received in step S36.

As the payment process (S23 and S34) described above, a process using a credit card has been exemplified. Alternatively, as the payment process (S23 and S34), a payment process at a retail store such as a convenience store, or a payment process using a smartphone of the user, provided by a payment agent company, may be employed. Alternatively, an automatic transfer from the bank account of the user to the bank account of the provider may be employed as the payment process.

In addition to the processes shown in FIGs. 10~13B, the battery management apparatus 22 may transmit via the communication line 10 the battery analysis information as feedback information to a communication terminal of a manufacturing and vending company of the battery 12. In this case, the battery management apparatus 22 may include, in the battery analysis information, information such as the battery ID, the degree of degradation, the diagnostic information, the type of the battery 12, the amount of use from the state of a new product until the current time, the manufacturer, the manufacturing serial number, or the like. The manufacturing and vending company of the battery may utilize the battery analysis information for product development and countermeasures for deficient products.

The battery management program described above is created based on a method of managing a battery described below. Specifically, the method of managing the battery includes: a data acquisition step in which the basic data is acquired from the battery characteristic measurement apparatus 14 which generates a measurement signal in the battery 12 and which produces from the measurement signal the basic data including the discrete measurement signal value and the battery ID; an analysis step in which the battery ID is acquired from the basic data, and the characteristic analysis data of the battery is determined based on the basic data; an information production step in which battery analysis information in which the characteristic analysis data is correlated with the battery ID is produced; and a transmission step in which the battery analysis information is transmitted.

Desirably, the method of managing the battery further includes a request reception step in which the request information transmitted from the user terminal 16 is received, wherein the transmission step, or the analysis step and the transmission step is/are executed according to the request information.

Desirably, the method of managing the battery further includes an abnormality judgment step in which it is judged whether or not the battery 12 is abnormal based on the basic data, and diagnostic information indicating whether or not the battery 12 is abnormal is produced, wherein the transmission step includes a step in which information in which the diagnostic information is correlated with the battery ID is transmitted.

The characteristic analysis data may be data representing a degree of degradation of the battery 12.

Desirably, the method of managing the battery further includes an added value information production step in which added value information for the battery 12 is produced based on the characteristic analysis data, wherein the information production step includes a step in which the battery analysis information in which the added value information is correlated with the battery ID in addition to the characteristic analysis data is produced.

Desirably, the method of managing the battery further includes: an information amount analysis step in which an amount of information of the battery analysis information or an amount of calculation required for executing the information production step is determined; and a billing step in which billing information indicating a billing fee point corresponding to the amount of information or the amount of calculation is transmitted to an external computer, wherein the transmission step is executed after a payment process for the billing information is completed.

Desirably, the method of managing the battery further includes: a history production step in which history information related to the battery analysis information is produced; a history transmission step in which the history information is encrypted and stored in the storage computer 20; and a transmission command step in which, when history request information is transmitted from a user terminal 16, a decrypting key for decrypting the history information is transmitted to a user terminal 16 which is an origin of transmission of the history request information, and the storage computer 20 is caused to transmit the history information which is encrypted to the user terminal 16 which is the origin of transmission of the history request information.

10 communication line, 12 battery, 14 battery characteristic measurement apparatus, 16 user terminal, 18 wireless communication system, 20 storage computer, 22 battery management apparatus, 30 measurement device, 32 discrete value extraction circuit, 40 external computer, 60, 70 battery degradation analyzer, 62-1, 62-2 output voltage, 64-1, 64-2 real part of impedance, L1 primary inductor, C0 capacitive element, R0 resistor R0, SW switch, 100 battery management system, 102 provider system.

Claims

A battery management program, which, when executed, causes a computer to execute:
a data acquisition process in which basic data are acquired from a battery characteristic measurement apparatus which generates a measurement signal in a battery and which produces from the measurement signal the basic data including a discrete measurement signal value and a battery ID;
an analysis process in which the battery ID is acquired from the basic data, and characteristic analysis data of the battery are determined based on the basic data;
an information production process in which battery analysis information in which the characteristic analysis data are correlated with the battery ID is produced; and
a transmission process in which the battery analysis information is transmitted.
The battery management program according to claim 1, which, when executed, causes the computer to further execute:
a request reception process in which request information transmitted from a user terminal is received, wherein
the transmission process, or the analysis process and the transmission process is/are executed according to the request information.
The battery management program according to claim 1 or 2, which, when executed, causes the computer to further execute:
an abnormality judgment process in which it is judged whether or not the battery is abnormal based on the basic data, and diagnostic information indicating whether or not the battery is abnormal is produced, wherein
the transmission process includes a process in which information in which the diagnostic information is correlated with the battery ID is transmitted.
The battery management program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
the characteristic analysis data are data representing a degree of degradation of the battery.
The battery management program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which, when executed, causes the computer to further execute:
an added value information production process in which added value information for the battery is produced based on the characteristic analysis data, wherein
the information production process includes a process in which the battery analysis information in which the added value information is correlated with the battery ID in addition to the characteristic analysis data is produced.
The battery management program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which, when executed, causes the computer to further execute:
an information amount analysis process in which an amount of information of the battery analysis information or an amount of calculation required for executing the information production process is determined; and
a billing process in which billing information indicating a billing fee point corresponding to the amount of information or the amount of calculation is transmitted to an external computer; wherein
the battery management program, when executed, causes the computer to execute the transmission process after a payment process for the billing information is completed.
The battery management program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which, when executed, causes the computer to further execute:
a history production process in which history information related to the battery analysis information is produced;
a history transmission process in which the history information is encrypted and stored in a storage computer; and
a transmission command process in which, when history request information is transmitted from a user terminal, a decrypting key for decrypting the history information is transmitted to a user terminal which is an origin of transmission of the history request information, and the storage computer is caused to transmit the history information which is encrypted to the user terminal which is the origin of transmission of the history request information.
A battery management apparatus configured to execute:
a data acquisition process in which basic data is acquired from a battery characteristic measurement apparatus which generates a measurement signal in a battery and which produces from the measurement signal the basic data including a discrete measurement signal value and a battery ID;
an analysis process in which the battery ID is acquired from the basic data, and characteristic analysis data of the battery are determined based on the basic data;
an information production process in which battery analysis information in which the characteristic analysis data are correlated with the battery ID is produced; and
a transmission process in which the battery analysis information is transmitted.
The battery management apparatus according to claim 8, configured to further execute:
a request reception process in which request information transmitted from a user terminal is received, wherein
the transmission process, or the analysis process and the transmission process is/are executed according to the request information.
The battery management apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, configured to further execute:
an abnormality judgment process in which it is judged whether or not the battery is abnormal based on the basic data, and diagnostic information indicating whether or not the battery is abnormal is produced, wherein
the transmission process includes a process in which information in which the diagnostic information is correlated with the battery ID is transmitted.
The battery management apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein
the characteristic analysis data are data representing a degree of degradation of the battery.
The battery management apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, configured to further execute:
an added value information production process in which added value information for the battery is produced based on the characteristic analysis data, wherein
the information production process includes a process in which the battery analysis information in which the added value information is correlated with the battery ID in addition to the characteristic analysis data is produced.
The battery management apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, configured to further execute:
an information amount analysis process in which an amount of information of the battery analysis information or an amount of calculation required for executing the information production process is determined; and
a billing process in which billing information indicating a billing fee point corresponding to the amount of information or the amount of calculation is transmitted to an external computer, wherein
the apparatus is configured to execute the transmission process after a payment process for the billing information is completed.
The battery management apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 13, configured to further execute:
a history production process in which history information related to the battery analysis information is produced;
a history transmission process in which the history information is encrypted and stored in a storage computer; and
a transmission command process in which, when history request information is transmitted from a user terminal, a decrypting key for decrypting the history information is transmitted to a user terminal which is an origin of transmission of the history request information, and the storage computer is caused to transmit the history information which is encrypted to the user terminal which is the origin of transmission of the history request information.