WO2024095704A1

WO2024095704A1 - Identification information setting device, battery system, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2024095704A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/036599
Authority: WO
Inventors: 真也加藤; 康人田邉; 良規鈴木
Original assignee: 株式会社デンソー
Priority date: 2022-10-31
Filing date: 2023-10-06
Publication date: 2024-05-10
Also published as: JP2024065629A

Abstract

This battery system comprises a storage battery (11), and a plurality of battery modules (10) that have monitoring units (12) that monitor said storage battery. An identification information setting device (20) is provided so as to be able to communicate with the monitoring units, and individually sets module identification information for each battery module. The identification information setting device comprises: a communication determination unit that, at a time of startup of the identification information setting device, references communication identification information that is set for each monitoring unit, and, on the basis of a referenced result, determines whether communication is established; and a setting unit that sets the module identification information on the basis of a determination by the communication determination unit that communication has not been established.

Description

Identification information setting device, battery system and program

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2022-174596, filed on October 31, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This disclosure relates to an identification information setting device, a battery system, and a program.

In a battery system having multiple battery modules (battery packs), a technology is known in which an identification number is assigned to each battery module (e.g., Patent Document 1). The identification information of each battery module is set when each battery module is mounted on the vehicle, for example, during vehicle manufacture.

Japanese Patent No. 5735098

Incidentally, when a battery module is replaced in the market in a battery system of a vehicle or the like, it becomes necessary to reset the identification information of each battery module. However, with existing technology, it may be difficult for a user of a vehicle or the like to reset the identification information of a battery module when replacing a battery module. Similarly, when a battery module is removed from a battery system and then reattached after charging or the like, problems may arise when resetting the identification information of the battery module. It is believed that there is room for improvement in this regard.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an identification information setting device, battery system, and program that can easily set the identification information of each battery module when a battery module is replaced, etc.

The present disclosure relates to
The present invention is applied to a battery system having a plurality of battery modules each having a storage battery and a monitoring unit that monitors the storage battery,
an identification information setting device that is provided to be able to communicate with the monitoring unit and sets module identification information for each of the battery modules,
a communication determination unit that, when the identification information setting device is started, checks the communication identification information determined for each of the monitoring units and determines whether or not communication has been established based on the check result;
a setting unit that sets the module identification information based on the determination by the communication determination unit that communication has not been established;
Equipped with.

In the above configuration, in a battery system in which the monitoring unit of each battery module and the identification information setting device are capable of communicating with each other, when the identification information setting device is started up, the communication identification information is collated for each monitoring unit, and it is determined whether communication has been established or not based on the collation results. In this case, if the communication identification information of each monitoring unit is correctly recognized in the identification information setting device, it is determined that communication has been established.

Furthermore, in a battery system in which such communication determination is performed, if the battery module is replaced, the communication identification information in the battery module is in an unset state (e.g., initial state), and when the identification information setting device is started, the communication identification information is not correctly recognized and it is determined that communication has not been established. In this case, based on the determination result that communication cannot be established, it becomes possible to know that the battery module has been replaced. Therefore, when the identification information setting device is started, the module identification information is set based on the determination that communication has not been established. This allows the module identification information to be set appropriately and easily, even if the user himself replaces the battery module.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a battery system; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection state of each battery module; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of battery modules are mounted on a vehicle; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic mounting state of each battery module; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for setting an ID in each battery module; FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a module ID. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a replacement history flag. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a module ID in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a replacement history flag in another example. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a module ID in another example. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an on-board battery system and a battery storage system.

Below, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a specific configuration of a battery system mounted on an electrically powered vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle will be described. However, this disclosure is not limited to the aspects of the embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. In the following embodiments and modified examples, parts that are identical or equivalent to each other are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the explanations of the parts with the same reference numerals are incorporated herein.

[First embodiment]
1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a battery system according to the present embodiment. The battery system includes a plurality of battery modules 10 mounted on a vehicle, and a battery ECU 20 that controls the plurality of battery modules 10.

The battery module 10 has a battery pack 11 consisting of a number of single cells, a monitoring unit 12 that monitors the state of the battery pack 11, and a housing 13 that houses the battery pack 11 and the monitoring unit 12. The battery pack 11 is a secondary battery (storage battery) such as a lithium ion battery. The battery pack 11 of each battery module 10 is used as a power source for a rotating electric machine 31 that is a driving power source for a vehicle, and as shown in FIG. 2(a), for example, the battery pack 11 of each battery module 10 is connected in series to the rotating electric machine 31. More specifically, the rotating electric machine 31 has an inverter that controls the current of each phase, and a positive power supply line 32 extending from the positive terminal of the multiple battery packs 11 (the most positive terminal of the series-connected battery packs 11) and a negative power supply line 33 extending from the negative terminal of the multiple battery packs 11 (the most negative terminal of the series-connected battery packs 11) are connected to the positive and negative sides of the inverter, respectively. Each

power line

32, 33 is provided with a power switch 34, and when the power switch 34 is turned on, electricity can be passed between each battery pack 11 and the rotating electric machine 31. However, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the battery pack 11 of each battery module 10 may be connected in parallel to the rotating electric machine 31.

The monitoring unit 12 is made up of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU and various memories, and detects or calculates the terminal voltage of each cell, charge/discharge current, temperature, SOC (state of charge), and SOH (state of health) as the state of the battery pack 11. The monitoring unit 12 constitutes a BMU (Battery Management Unit). A low-voltage battery (+B) is connected to the monitoring unit 12, and the monitoring unit 12 operates by power supply from the low-voltage battery.

The battery ECU 20 is made up of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU and various memories, and is connected to the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 by a communication line 21 that enables, for example, CAN communication. The battery ECU 20 appropriately performs processes related to charging and discharging in each battery module 10, as well as processes related to overheating, deterioration, communication abnormalities, etc. in each battery module 10. For example, the battery ECU 20 calculates the amount of power that can be charged and discharged in the battery system based on battery status information received from the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10, and notifies other on-board ECUs of this amount of power that can be charged and discharged. The battery ECU 20 also notifies other on-board ECUs of abnormality diagnosis results for various abnormalities in each battery module 10, such as overheating, deterioration, and communication abnormalities.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which multiple battery modules 10 are mounted on a vehicle 40, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the mounting state of each battery module 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 40 has a rack 41 as a mounting portion on which multiple battery modules 10 are mounted. The rack 41 has multiple battery housing sections 42, and each battery module 10 is housed in each of these battery housing sections 42. In the vehicle 40, users including the driver can attach and detach the battery modules 10, and each battery module 10 is individually attached and detached from the side of the vehicle, for example. In other words, the multiple battery modules 10 can be individually replaced.

As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 13 of the battery module 10 is provided with a module connector 14, and the rack 41 is provided with a rack connector 43. These

connectors

14, 43 are connectable to each other, and the

connectors

14, 43 are connected to each other when the battery module 10 is attached to the rack 41. When the

connectors

14, 43 are connected, the monitoring unit 12 and the battery ECU 20 can communicate with each other via the communication line 21. Also, in the same connector-connected state, +B power is supplied to the monitoring unit 12. That is, when the battery module 10 is attached to the rack 41, a power supply voltage (+B voltage) is applied to the monitoring unit 12, while when the battery module 10 is removed from the rack 41, the application of the power supply voltage to the monitoring unit 12 is cut off. Therefore, the monitoring unit 12 is started by the application of the power supply voltage accompanying the attachment of the battery module 10 to the rack 41.

Although a detailed explanation using illustrations is omitted, when the battery modules 10 are mounted on the rack 41, the vehicle side power supply power lines (e.g.,

power supply lines

32, 33 shown in FIG. 2) are electrically connected to the assembled batteries 11 of each battery module 10. The power supply connector may be provided integrally with, for example, the module connector 14 and the rack connector 43. By connecting the power supply connector, the assembled batteries 11 of each battery module 10 are connected in series or parallel in the vehicle 40.

The system is also provided with a locking device 50 that makes it impossible or difficult to remove the battery module 10 when the battery module 10 is attached. The locking device 50 has locking

members

51, 52 provided on the battery module 10 side and the rack 41 side, respectively, and outputs different locking signals to the battery ECU 20 depending on whether the locking device 50 is in a locked state or an unlocked state. The battery ECU 20 determines whether the locking device 50 is in a locked state based on the locking signal from the locking device 50.

In this battery system, a module ID and a communication ID are set as identification information for each battery module 10, in other words, for each monitoring unit 12. The module ID corresponds to the module identification information, and the communication ID corresponds to the communication identification information. The identification information of the battery module 10 is stored in the memory of the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 and in the memory of the battery ECU 20. The battery ECU 20 recognizes each battery module 10 to be controlled based on the identification information of each battery module 10, and appropriately performs charge/discharge control and abnormality diagnosis for each battery module 10. The battery ECU 20 receives the communication ID from the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 via the communication line 21, and compares the received communication ID with the communication ID recognized by the battery ECU 20, and determines whether communication with the monitoring unit 12 has been established based on the comparison result.

The identification information (module ID and communication ID) of each battery module 10 is initialized before the battery module 10 is attached to the vehicle 40, and is set after the battery module 10 is attached to the vehicle 40. Specifically, when the battery pack 11 loses charge or deteriorates, the battery module 10 is replaced with another battery module 10, or is temporarily removed from the vehicle 40 to be charged by an external charging device, and is then reattached after charging. In this case, when the battery module 10 is replaced, a battery module 10 in an ID-initialized state is attached to the vehicle 40, and after the attachment, identification information is set for each battery module 10. When the battery modules 10 are shipped from the factory, a common identification information is set for all battery modules 10 as the ID initial value.

When the battery module 10 is externally charged, the battery module 10 is removed from the vehicle 40 and attached to an external charging device such as a charging station, and in this state, the identification information is initialized in each monitoring unit 12. Assuming that the battery module 10 is used while attached to the vehicle 40, it is preferable that the identification information is initialized in the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 based on the fact that the battery module 10 is attached to a different device than during normal use. Then, after the battery module 10 is attached to the vehicle 40, the identification information is set for each battery module 10.

In addition, when the battery module 10 is removed from the vehicle 40 (rack 41), the identification information can be initialized in the monitoring unit 12 based on the disconnection of the connector.

In this embodiment, the identification information of each battery module 10 is set based on the PWM signal output from the battery ECU 20 to each monitoring unit 12, and an example of the configuration for ID setting is described below. This ID setting is performed by the battery ECU 20 when the battery module 10 is attached to the vehicle 40, such as when replacing the battery module 10. In this embodiment, the battery ECU 20 corresponds to the identification information setting device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the battery ECU 20 and the monitoring units 12 of each battery module 10 are connected by a communication line 22 for PWM communication. This communication line 22 is provided to connect the monitoring units 12 of each battery module 10 in series. In the following description, in order to distinguish between the

communication lines

21 and 22, the communication line 21 for CAN communication will be referred to as the CAN communication line 21, and the communication line 22 for PWM communication will be referred to as the PWM communication line 22. The battery ECU 20 transmits a PWM signal of a predetermined duty to the first monitoring unit 12 out of the n monitoring units 12 that are connected in series, and receives a PWM signal from the last monitoring unit 12, the nth monitoring unit 12.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for setting the ID for each battery module 10. In FIG. 5, the number of battery modules 10 is four, and the module IDs for all of the battery modules 10 are set to their initial values (unset state). When all battery modules 10 in the vehicle 40 have been replaced, all module IDs are set to their initial values. When some of the battery modules 10 in the vehicle 40 have been replaced, causing some of the module IDs to be set to their initial values, all module IDs are initialized based on the fact that the vehicle includes a battery module 10 with a module ID that is set to its initial value.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), in the ID setting start process, an ID setting request is sent from the battery ECU 20 to each monitoring unit 12 via the CAN communication line 21, and each monitoring unit 12 goes into a preparation state for ID setting. The battery ECU 20 also outputs a PWM signal with a duty ratio a via the PWM communication line 22. At this time, each monitoring unit 12 in the preparation state outputs the input PWM signal as is to the monitoring unit 12 on the lower side in series. As a result, the bottommost monitoring unit 12 outputs a PWM signal with a duty ratio a to the battery ECU 20. By inputting the PWM signal with duty ratio a, the battery ECU 20 knows that all monitoring units 12 are in a preparation state. For example, the duty ratio a is 64%.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5(b), in the ID setting process, the battery ECU 20 outputs a PWM signal for ID setting to the PWM communication line 22, while each monitoring unit 12 changes the duty ratio of the input PWM signal by a predetermined value and outputs it to the monitoring unit 12 on the lower level. In this case, a module ID is set for each monitoring unit 12 based on the input duty, which is the duty ratio of the input PWM signal.

The monitoring unit 12 calculates an output duty by adding or subtracting a predetermined value to the input duty, and outputs the output duty to the monitoring unit 12 on the lower stage.
The duty ratio of the PWM signal output by the battery ECU 20 is b0.
The duty ratio of the PWM signal output by the first stage monitoring unit 12 is b1,
The duty ratio of the PWM signal output by the second stage monitoring unit 12 is b2.
The duty ratio of the PWM signal output by the third stage monitoring unit 12 is b3.
The duty ratio of the PWM signal output by the fourth stage monitoring unit 12 is b4.
The PWM signal (duty ratio b4) output from the monitoring unit 12 in the fourth row (bottom row) is input to the battery ECU 20. For example, the duty ratio b0 is 60%, the duty ratio b1 is 56%, the duty ratio b2 is 52%, the duty ratio b3 is 48%, and the duty ratio b4 is 44%.

Each monitoring unit 12 recognizes its own module ID based on the input duty (duty ratio b0 to b3) of the PWM signal and stores it in memory. Specifically, in each monitoring unit 12, ID1 to ID4 are set as the module ID based on the input duty, i.e., duty ratio b0 to b3. In addition, in each monitoring unit 12, a communication ID is set in correspondence with the module ID.

On the other hand, the battery ECU 20 determines that the input duty from the fourth stage monitoring unit 12 is duty ratio b4, and therefore that module IDs have been set in all monitoring units 12. The battery ECU 20 also recognizes that ID1 to ID4 have been set as module IDs in each battery module 10.

After that, as shown in FIG. 5(c), in the ID setting completion process, the battery ECU 20 transmits a setting completion signal to each monitoring unit 12 via the CAN communication line 21. As a result, each monitoring unit 12 cancels the ID setting preparation state and returns to the normal state.

In this embodiment, when the battery ECU 20 is started, the battery ECU 20 checks the communication IDs set for the monitoring units 12 of each battery module 10, and based on the check result, determines whether communication has been established, and sets the module ID if it is determined that communication has not been established (hereinafter, this process is referred to as the first setting process). In this case, if the battery module 10 has been replaced or the like immediately before the current ECU start, the communication ID of the battery module 10 is in an unset state (initial value), and the communication ID is not correctly recognized, and it is determined that communication has not been established. The battery ECU 20 sets the module ID based on the determination result that communication cannot be established. It is preferable that the monitoring unit 12 is configured not to send or receive the communication ID when the communication ID is initialized.

In addition, in this embodiment, in addition to the first setting process described above, a second setting process described below is performed. As the second setting process, the battery ECU 20 determines whether or not the battery module 10 has been replaced (reinstalled by removing and attaching) at least after the initial setting of the module ID for each battery module 10, and sets the module ID based on the determination that the battery module 10 has been replaced.

The second setting process directly grasps that the battery module 10 has been replaced, and sets the module ID based on that history. Here, it is considered that the replacement (reinstallation) of the battery module 10 is performed with the IG switch of the vehicle 40 in the off state (with the vehicle stopped), i.e., with the battery ECU 20 stopped. The monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 is activated by the application of the power supply voltage (more specifically, the connection of the module connector 14) associated with the installation of the battery module 10 to the rack 41. In this case, when the battery ECU 20 is activated (activated when the system is off) in response to the activation of the monitoring unit 12 associated with the installation of the battery module 10 in the IG off state, it is determined that the battery module 10 has been reinstalled based on the occurrence of the activation when the system is off.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the steps of the module ID setting process, which is executed by the battery ECU 20.

In FIG. 6, in step S11, it is determined whether the replacement history flag, which indicates that the battery module 10 has been replaced or the like, is 0. At this time, if the battery module 10 has not been replaced or the like (reinstalled), the replacement history flag is 0, and step S11 is answered in the affirmative. On the other hand, if the battery module 10 has been replaced, the replacement history flag is 1, and step S11 is answered in the negative.

Here, the process for setting the replacement history flag will be explained using the flowchart in FIG. 7. This process is executed by the battery ECU 20 at startup.

In FIG. 7, in step S31, it is determined whether the current startup of the battery ECU 20 corresponds to the startup of the monitoring unit 12 accompanying the installation of the battery module 10 (startup when the system is off). If it is startup when the system is off, the process proceeds to step S32, where it is assumed that the battery module 10 has been replaced, and the replacement history flag is set to 1. If it is not startup when the system is off, the replacement history flag is left at 0.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 6, if the replacement history flag is 1, proceed to step S12. In step S12, the processing mode is shifted to an ID setting mode in which a module ID is set. In other words, the replacement history flag being 1 means that it has been directly understood that a battery module 10 has been replaced, etc. In this case, the module ID is set. In other words, with the shift to the ID setting mode, the module ID of each battery module 10 is set based on the PWM signal output from the battery ECU 20 as described above (see FIG. 5 (a) to (c)).

In step S13, the process waits until the ID setting is complete, and when the ID setting is complete, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the exchange history flag is reset to 0. Then, in step S21, the process transitions from the ID setting mode to the normal mode.

Also, if the replacement history flag is 0, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, a communication diagnostic mask is implemented. According to this communication diagnostic mask, even if an abnormality is determined in the abnormality diagnosis regarding communication, indicating that the communication is not normal, the determination result is temporarily suspended. After that, in step S16, CAN communication with each monitoring unit 12 is started.

In step S17, it is determined whether communication has been established with the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10. Specifically, the battery ECU 20 compares the communication ID received from each monitoring unit 12 via the communication line 21 with the communication ID recognized by the battery ECU 20, and determines whether communication has been established with the monitoring unit 12 based on the comparison result. In this case, if replacement or the like has been performed on any of the battery modules 10 immediately before the current ECU startup, this will include a monitoring unit 12 with a mismatched communication ID, and it is determined that communication has not been established. It is preferable to determine that communication has not been established based on the communication ID of the monitoring unit 12 being set to its initial value.

If communication has not been established with all of the monitoring units 12, the process proceeds to step S18 and transitions to ID setting mode. Note that since diagnostic masking is in progress as described above, even if it is determined that communication has not been established, the determination that there is a communication abnormality is temporarily withheld.

If communication with all monitoring units 12 has been established, the process proceeds to step S21 and transitions to normal mode. In other words, if communication with all monitoring units 12 is possible when the battery ECU 20 is started, control in normal mode is initiated. In this step S21, the communication diagnostic mask is released.

In step S18, the module ID is set in the ID setting mode. That is, when the mode is changed to the ID setting mode, the module ID of each battery module 10 is set based on the PWM signal output from the battery ECU 20 as described above (see Figures 5(a) to (c)).

In step S19, the process waits until the ID setting is complete, and when the ID setting is complete, the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, it is determined whether the module ID has been set correctly in the ID setting process. If communication between the battery ECU 20 and each monitoring unit 12 is not established, this non-established communication situation may be due to ID initialization due to replacement of the battery module 10, etc., or it may be due to the occurrence of an actual communication abnormality, such as a malfunction of the communication equipment or a poor connection of the communication connector. With this in mind, if an actual communication abnormality occurs, the series of ID setting processes cannot be performed correctly, and as a result, the module ID may not be set correctly.

In addition, in step S19, once a series of ID setting processes have been performed, or once a predetermined period of time has elapsed for the implementation of the ID setting processes, the process proceeds to the next step S20 regardless of whether the module ID has been set correctly or not.

If it is determined in step S20 that the module ID has been set correctly, the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the communication state is determined to be normal, and a transition from ID setting mode to normal mode is made. In this step S21, the communication diagnostic mask is released.

Also, if it is determined in step S20 that the module ID was not set correctly, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, it is determined that the communication state is abnormal, and a predetermined fail-safe process is performed. As a fail-safe process, the battery ECU 20, for example, notifies the user to check the installation state of the battery module 10. Here, if communication between the battery ECU 20 and each monitoring unit 12 is not established and this is due to the occurrence of a communication abnormality, it is considered that this is caused by an improper replacement operation of the battery module 10 by the user. In this regard, by notifying the user as described above, even if communication is not established due to an improper replacement operation of the battery module 10, the situation can be corrected. In this case, it is preferable to re-install the battery module 10 and then execute the process of FIG. 6 again.

The present embodiment described above provides the following excellent effects:

In a battery system in which the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 and the battery ECU 20 can communicate with each other, the communication ID is collated for each monitoring unit 12 when the battery ECU 20 is started, and whether or not communication has been established is determined based on the collation result. In a battery system in which such communication determination is performed, if the battery module 10 is replaced, the communication ID of the battery module 10 is in an unset state (for example, an initial state), and the communication ID is not correctly recognized when the battery ECU 20 is started, and it is determined that communication has not been established. In this case, based on the determination result that communication cannot be established, it is possible to know that the battery module 10 has been replaced. Therefore, the module ID is set based on the determination that communication has not been established when the battery ECU 20 is started. This allows the module ID to be set appropriately and easily even if the user himself replaces the battery module 10.

When the battery module 10 is removed from the rack 41, specifically when it is being charged by an external charging device, for example, the communication ID is initialized in the monitoring unit 12. In this case, in the communication ID matching process at startup, the communication ID of the monitoring unit 12 is set to the initial value, resulting in a state where communication is not established. This makes it possible to appropriately determine that the battery module 10 has been replaced, etc.

If, at the start-up of the battery ECU 20, it is determined that communication with each monitoring unit 12 has not been established, the determination that there is a communication abnormality is temporarily suspended, and during this suspension period (communication diagnostic mask period), the module ID is set. This makes it possible to suitably transition to the ID setting mode while assuming that the lack of communication is due to the replacement of the battery module 10, or the like, i.e., due to the initialization of the communication ID due to the module replacement, or the like.

When communication between the battery ECU 20 and each monitoring unit 12 is not established, the non-established communication situation may be due to ID initialization due to replacement of the battery module 10, etc., or it may be due to an actual communication abnormality such as a malfunction of the communication equipment or a poor connection of the communication connector. With this in mind, after the module ID setting process is performed, it is determined whether the module ID was set correctly, and if it is determined that the module ID was set correctly, it is determined that the communication state is normal, and if it is determined that the module ID was not set correctly, it is determined that the communication state is abnormal. This makes it possible to prevent an actual communication abnormality from being overlooked.

If it is determined that the module ID was not set correctly after the module ID setting process has been performed, a fail-safe is provided, prompting the user to check the installation status of the battery module 10. This makes it possible to correct a situation in which communication has not been established due to an improper replacement of the battery module 10, etc.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that if the module ID is not set correctly after it has been set, the battery module 10 for which the module ID was not set correctly is made unusable and the remaining battery modules 10 are made usable, provided that multiple battery modules 10 are connected in parallel.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for setting a module ID, and this process is executed by replacing the process in FIG. 6. The process in FIG. 8 is a partial modification of the process in FIG. 6, and the same processes as in FIG. 6 are given the same step numbers and will not be described.

In FIG. 8, when communication with the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 has not been established, the module ID is set in the ID setting mode, and it is determined whether the module ID has been set correctly (steps S17 to S20). If it is determined in step S20 that the module ID has not been set correctly, the process proceeds to step S41. In step S41, it is determined whether the assembled batteries 11 of the multiple battery modules 10 are connected in series in this battery system. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2(a), if the assembled batteries 11 of each battery module 10 are connected in series, the process proceeds to step S22, and as a fail-safe process, a notification is issued to the user urging them to check the installation status of the battery modules 10.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2(b), if the assembled batteries 11 of each battery module 10 are connected in parallel, the process proceeds to step S42, where the battery module 10 for which the module ID was not set correctly is disabled, and the remaining battery modules 10 are enabled. In this case, on the premise that the vehicle 40 can run even if some of the battery modules 10 are disabled, the battery module 10 for which the module ID setting failed is not used, and the vehicle is run using the remaining battery modules 10. Note that if the process of step S22 is the first fail-safe process, the process of step S42 corresponds to the second fail-safe process.

If it is determined that the module ID was not set correctly, the battery modules 10 for which the module ID was not set correctly are set to an unusable state, and the remaining battery modules 10 are set to a usable state, provided that the assembled batteries 11 of each battery module 10 are connected in parallel. This allows the vehicle to be driven as quickly as possible after replacing the battery modules 10, while leaving some battery modules 10 unused.

Other Embodiments
The above embodiment may be modified, for example, as follows.

- The ID setting process (second setting process) for setting the module ID based on the history of the battery module 10 being reinstalled may be configured to perform the process shown below.

In the process shown in FIG. 9(a), the lock signal output from the lock device 50 provided on the rack 41 is used to determine whether the battery module 10 has been re-installed. In this case, the battery ECU 20 acquires the lock signal output from the lock device 50 (step S51), and determines whether the lock device 50 has transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state based on the lock signal (step S52). If it is determined that the lock device 50 has transitioned from a locked state to an unlocked state, the replacement history flag is set to 1 (step S53). It is also possible to set the replacement history flag to 1 if it is determined that the lock device 50 has transitioned from an unlocked state to a locked state.

In other words, when the battery module 10 is replaced or otherwise processed, the locking device 50 provided on the rack 41 is unlocked and locked. With this in mind, the system is designed to determine that the battery module 10 has been reinstalled based on the detection that the locking device 50 has transitioned from one of the locked and unlocked states to the other. This makes it possible to appropriately determine that the battery module 10 has been replaced or otherwise processed.

In addition, in the process shown in FIG. 9(b), in a configuration in which the monitoring units 12 of the battery modules 10 are connected in series by a series connection line, it is determined that the battery module 10 has been reinstalled based on an input signal input to the series connection line and an output signal output from the series connection line. For example, the PWM communication line 22 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the series connection line. In this case, while the IG is off, the battery ECU 20 is started at a predetermined cycle and a PWM signal with a predetermined duty is output to the PWM communication line 22. The PWM signal is returned to the battery ECU 20 via each monitoring unit 12.

In FIG. 9(b), the battery ECU 20 outputs a PWM signal to the monitoring unit 12 at the top of the series via the PWM communication line 22 (step S61), and determines whether the PWM signal input from the monitoring unit 12 at the bottom of the series is the same PWM signal as when it was output (whether the duty ratios match) (steps S62, S63). If it is determined that the output and input PWM signals in the battery ECU 20 do not match, the replacement history flag is set to 1 (step S64).

Note that a connection line other than the PWM communication line 22 may be used as the series connection line. Specifically, each monitoring unit 12 is connected in series between the output terminal and input terminal of the battery ECU 20 by a connection line, and a predetermined voltage signal is output from the output terminal of the battery ECU 20. In this case, it is preferable that a predetermined voltage signal (i.e. a voltage equal to or greater than a threshold value) is normally input to the input terminal of the battery ECU 20, and when the battery module 10 is removed for replacement or the like, a voltage signal of 0V (i.e. a voltage less than the threshold value) is input to the input terminal of the battery ECU 20.

When the battery module 10 is replaced or otherwise processed, the transmission signal transmitted through the series connection line (such as the PWM communication line 22) is interrupted in one of the monitoring units 12 connected in series by the series connection line. When the transmission signal transmitted through the series connection line is interrupted, the relationship between the input signal and the output signal of the battery ECU 20 is different compared to when the transmission signal is not interrupted. Focusing on this point, it is determined that the battery module 10 has been reinstalled based on the input signal input to the series connection line and the output signal output from the series connection line. This makes it possible to appropriately determine that the battery module 10 has been replaced or otherwise processed.

- In the above embodiment, the battery ECU 20 and the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 are capable of communicating with each other via a CAN communication line, but this may be modified to a configuration in which the battery ECU 20 and each monitoring unit 12 are capable of wireless communication with each other. In this case, for example, information regarding the +B start-up of the monitoring unit 12, module replacement history, etc. may be transmitted to the battery ECU 20 via wireless communication.

- In the vehicle 40, after the battery module 10 is removed from the rack 41, it is possible that another battery module 10 is reinstalled, or that the battery module 10 that was removed this time (the same battery module 10) is reinstalled after charging, etc. In this case, when the battery module 10 is reinstalled, the ID setting process may be different depending on whether a different battery module 10 or the same battery module 10 is installed.

Specifically, when the battery ECU 20 is started, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 may be executed by the battery ECU 20. In FIG. 10, in step S71, it is determined whether the replacement history flag is 1, and in the following step S72, it is determined whether the battery module 10 removed last time is the same as the battery module 10 installed this time. In this case, it is preferable to recognize that the battery module 10 is the same at the time of removal and the time of installation, for example, by an operation input by the user. For example, in a series of battery module 10 replacement operations, the user is asked, "Is the battery module 10 the same?", and the battery ECU 20 determines whether the battery modules 10 are the same based on the operation input in response. In addition, the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10 may store past ID history, and the battery ECU 20 may determine whether the battery modules 10 are the same based on the ID history. In addition, when the same battery module 10 is reattached after charging with an external charging device, it is preferable not to initialize the identification information (module ID, communication ID) of the monitoring unit 12 at the time of charging. In this case, when the ECU is started immediately after reinstallation, the same identification information will be recognized as before removal.

If the battery modules 10 are the same, proceed to step S73, do not reassign the module ID, and use the original module ID as is. On the other hand, if the battery modules 10 are different, proceed to step S74, and switch to ID setting mode to reassign the module ID. Then, after steps S73 and S74, switch to normal mode (step S75).

In addition, cases where the battery module 10 is the same when removed and when attached include cases where the battery module 10 is reinstalled without being charged, and cases where the battery module 10 is reinstalled after being charged. For example, the former case may be when the battery module 10 is temporarily removed for inspection or the like. In both cases where the battery modules 10 are the same, the module ID is not reassigned and the original module ID is used as is. However, when the battery module 10 is reinstalled without being charged, the module ID is not reassigned and the original module ID is used as is, whereas when the battery module 10 is reinstalled after being charged, the module ID may be reassigned.

When it is determined that the battery module 10 has been reinstalled, the module ID setting mode is changed depending on whether the reinstalled battery module 10 is the same as the battery module 10 that was previously removed. This allows the appropriate ID setting process to be performed depending on whether the module ID needs to be reset.

It is also possible that in the vehicle 40, the storage locations of at least two battery modules 10 are swapped without changing the combination of all the battery modules 10 stored in the rack 41. In this case, it is determined whether or not the battery modules 10 have been swapped based on the past ID history of each monitoring unit 12, and if the reattachment of the battery modules 10 is a battery module 10 swap, the original module IDs may be used as they are without reassigning the module IDs.

- In the above embodiments, the identification information of each battery module 10 is set based on the PWM signal output from the battery ECU 20 to each monitoring unit 12, but the ID setting method is not limited to this, and other methods can be used. For example, the monitoring units 12 can be connected in series, a predetermined voltage is applied to the topmost monitoring unit 12, and the module IDs can be set in order from the top to the bottom based on the divided voltage of each monitoring unit 12.

- In each of the above embodiments, the battery ECU 20 is configured to be able to perform both a first setting process that sets a module ID based on the fact that communication has not been established between the battery ECU 20 and each monitoring unit 12 when the battery ECU 20 is started, and a second setting process that sets a module ID based on the history of the battery module 10 being reinstalled, but this may be changed. It may be configured to perform only the first setting process (i.e., a configuration in which steps S11 to S14 and S21 in FIG. 6 are performed as the ID setting process). Or, it may be configured to perform only the second setting process (i.e., a configuration in which steps S15 to S22 in FIG. 6 are performed as the ID setting process).

In the second setting process, when the monitoring unit 12 is started up due to the re-installation of the battery module 10 in the vehicle 40 (when the monitoring unit 12 is started up in +B), the replacement history flag may be set in the monitoring unit 12, and the replacement history flag may be transmitted from the monitoring unit 12 to the battery ECU 20.

- In the above embodiment, the battery ECU 20 in the battery system is the identification information setting device, but this configuration may be changed to include an identification information setting device separate from the battery ECU 20. For example, a provisioning device for ID setting (ID assignment) may be provided as the identification information setting device.

- In the above embodiment, the battery system has been described as a battery system for a vehicle, but it may also be a battery system for a moving body other than a vehicle, such as an aircraft or a ship. It may also be a battery system other than a moving body, i.e., a stationary battery system. Specifically, the ID setting method disclosed herein can be applied to a battery system attached to a building such as a house, a store, or a public facility. Furthermore, in a battery storage system that stores battery modules 10, the ID may be set as described above for the battery modules 10 in storage.

- The rack for each battery module 10 may have multiple storage shelves for storing the battery modules 10, and may have a housing section that is open on one side, and an opening/closing section (door section) that is provided at the opening of the housing section so as to be able to open and close. Within the housing section, the monitoring section 12 of each battery module 10 may be capable of wireless communication. The housing section may be provided with a ventilation section for heat dissipation, or a cooling section that performs cooling using a refrigerant. The housing section or the opening/closing section may be provided with a waveguide and a radio wave absorber.

- A first battery system for using the power of the battery modules 10 and a second battery system for storing the battery modules 10 may be provided, and the battery modules 10 may be interchangeable between the first battery system and the second battery system. Specifically, the system shown in FIG. 11 may be used. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an on-board battery system as a first battery system including a plurality of battery modules 10 and a battery ECU 20, and a battery storage system as a second battery system including a plurality of battery modules 10 and a management ECU 60. In the battery storage system, a rack 61 as a mounting portion houses a plurality of battery modules 10. Although not shown, the rack 61 is provided with a rack connector and a locking device, similar to the rack 41. The battery modules 10 housed in each

rack

41, 61 are interchangeable between the systems.

The number of modules accommodated in the

racks

41, 61 may be different between the on-board battery system and the battery storage system. For example, the battery storage system may be configured to accommodate a greater number of modules than the on-board battery system. A group of battery modules in the rack 61 may be assigned to each vehicle 40. Also, the number of modules accommodated in the

racks

41, 61 may be the same between the on-board battery system and the battery storage system.

As described above, the battery ECU 20 performs an ID setting process when the battery module 10 is replaced, etc., while the management ECU 60 also performs an ID setting process when the battery module 10 is replaced, etc. In other words, each

ECU

20, 60 has a communication function of the same communication format, and each time a battery module 10 is reinstalled in the on-board battery system or each time a battery module 10 is reinstalled in the battery storage system, each

ECU

20, 60 sets the ID of each battery module 10 using the method described above.

When each

ECU

20, 60 determines that a battery module 10 has been replaced, it may notify the user or worker of this by displaying a message on the screen or by audio. In this case, it may be possible to notify which battery module 10 has been replaced in the

rack

41, 61 based on the module ID. This allows the user to be informed that the battery module 10 has been properly recognized as having been replaced. Also, if a battery module 10 has been fraudulently replaced, it is possible to notify the user that this fraudulent act has occurred. In other words, the ID setting function of the present disclosure can be used to implement fraud prevention measures.

Furthermore, if the battery modules 10 are stored in the battery storage system for a long period of time, it is possible that the amount of stored electricity in the battery modules 10 will decrease due to natural discharge, and the battery life will decrease due to deterioration. Therefore, it is desirable to monitor the battery modules 10 in the stored state using the management ECU 60. In addition, it is advisable for the management ECU 60 to periodically start up the monitoring unit 12 of each battery module 10.

In this case, if each battery module 10 housed in the rack 61 is assigned a module ID, the position of the battery module 10 in the rack 61 can be ascertained. Therefore, when a drop in the amount of stored electricity or deterioration occurs in a battery module 10 in the battery storage system, it is easy to ascertain which battery module 10 is in question. This makes it possible to improve maintainability. Also, in the battery storage system, each battery module 10 may be capable of being charged while attached to the rack 61, and in such a configuration, it becomes possible to selectively charge the battery module 10 that is to be charged.

Furthermore, the

ECUs

20, 60 of each system are capable of wireless communication with an external server 70. When each

ECU

20, 60 determines that a battery module 10 has been replaced, it may transmit that information to the external server 70. This allows the external server 70 to easily and appropriately manage battery replacement in each system.

The battery module 10 can be interchanged between the vehicle battery system and the battery storage system, and the module ID can be set in the same manner in each of these systems. This allows the module ID to be set correctly both when the battery module 10 is in use and when it is in storage, and thus allows the battery module 10 to be continuously and appropriately monitored.

The control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by one or more dedicated computers configured by combining a processor and memory programmed to execute one or more functions with a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transient tangible recording medium as instructions executed by the computer.

The technical ideas extracted from the above-described embodiments will be described below.
[Configuration 1]
The present invention is applied to a battery system having a plurality of battery modules (10) each having a storage battery (11) and a monitoring unit (12) for monitoring the storage battery,
An identification information setting device (20) that is provided to be capable of communicating with the monitoring unit and sets module identification information individually for each of the battery modules,
a communication determination unit that, when the identification information setting device is started, checks the communication identification information determined for each of the monitoring units and determines whether or not communication has been established based on the check result;
a setting unit that sets the module identification information based on the determination by the communication determination unit that communication has not been established;
An identification information setting device comprising:
[Configuration 2]
the communication identification information of the monitoring unit is initialized in a state in which the battery module is removed from the battery system,
2. The identification information setting device according to configuration 1, wherein the communication determination unit determines that communication has not been established when the communication identification information of the monitoring unit is set to an initial value during a process of checking the communication identification information at startup.
[Configuration 3]
In the battery system, the plurality of battery modules are used in a state where they are attached to a predetermined attachment portion (41), and are capable of being charged by an external charging device in a state where they are detached from the attachment portion;
When the battery module is charged by the external charging device, the communication identification information is initialized in the monitoring unit,
2. The identification information setting device according to configuration 1, wherein the communication determination unit determines that communication has not been established when the communication identification information of the monitoring unit is set to an initial value during a process of checking the communication identification information at startup.
[Configuration 4]
An identification information setting device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, in which when the communication determination unit determines that communication has not been established, the determination that there is a communication abnormality is temporarily suspended, and during the suspension period, the setting unit is caused to set the module identification information.
[Configuration 5]
a correctness determining unit that determines whether the module identification information has been correctly set after the setting unit has set the module identification information,
The communication determination unit
determining that the communication state is normal when the correctness determining unit determines that the module identification information has been set correctly under a condition in which it is determined that communication has not been established;
An identification information setting device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, which determines that the communication state is abnormal when the correct/incorrect determination unit determines that the module identification information was not set correctly under a situation where it is determined that communication has not been established.
[Configuration 6]
6. The identification information setting device according to configuration 5, wherein, when the correctness determining unit determines that the module identification information has not been set correctly, a notification is given to prompt the user to check an installation state of the battery module.
[Configuration 7]
a correctness determining unit that determines whether the module identification information has been correctly set after the setting unit has set the module identification information,
An identification information setting device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein when the correct/incorrect determination unit determines that the module identification information was not set correctly, the battery module for which the module identification information was not set correctly is set to an unusable state, and the remaining battery modules are set to a usable state, provided that the storage batteries of each of the battery modules are connected in parallel.
[Configuration 8]
The battery system includes a first battery system intended to use the electric power of the battery modules and a second battery system intended to store the battery modules, and the battery modules are interchangeable between the first battery system and the second battery system,
The battery system, wherein the first battery system and the second battery system each have an identification information setting device (20, 60) according to any one of configurations 1 to 7.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

The present invention is applied to a battery system having a plurality of battery modules (10) each having a storage battery (11) and a monitoring unit (12) for monitoring the storage battery,
An identification information setting device (20) that is provided to be capable of communicating with the monitoring unit and sets module identification information individually for each of the battery modules,
a communication determination unit that, when the identification information setting device is started, checks the communication identification information determined for each of the monitoring units and determines whether or not communication has been established based on the check result;
a setting unit that sets the module identification information based on the determination by the communication determination unit that communication has not been established;
An identification information setting device comprising:
the communication identification information of the monitoring unit is initialized in a state in which the battery module is removed from the battery system,
2 . The identification information setting device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication determination unit determines that communication has not been established when the communication identification information of the monitoring unit is set to an initial value in a process of checking the communication identification information at startup.
In the battery system, the plurality of battery modules are used in a state where they are attached to a predetermined attachment portion (41), and are capable of being charged by an external charging device in a state where they are detached from the attachment portion;
When the battery module is charged by the external charging device, the communication identification information is initialized in the monitoring unit,
2 . The identification information setting device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication determination unit determines that communication has not been established when the communication identification information of the monitoring unit is set to an initial value in a process of checking the communication identification information at startup.
The identification information setting device according to claim 1, which, when the communication determination unit determines that communication has not been established, temporarily suspends the determination that there is a communication abnormality, and causes the setting unit to set the module identification information during the suspension period.
a correctness determining unit that determines whether the module identification information has been correctly set after the setting unit has set the module identification information,
The communication determination unit
determining that the communication state is normal when the correctness determining unit determines that the module identification information has been set correctly under a condition in which it is determined that communication has not been established;
The identification information setting device described in claim 1, which determines that the communication state is abnormal when the correct/incorrect determination unit determines that the module identification information was not set correctly under a situation where communication is determined to be not established.
The identification information setting device according to claim 5, which issues a notification to prompt the user to check the installation status of the battery module when the correctness determination unit determines that the module identification information was not set correctly.
a correctness determining unit that determines whether the module identification information has been correctly set after the setting unit has set the module identification information,
2. The identification information setting device according to claim 1, wherein, when the correct/incorrect determination unit determines that the module identification information was not set correctly, the battery module for which the module identification information was not set correctly is set to an unusable state and the remaining battery modules are set to a usable state, provided that the storage batteries of each of the battery modules are connected in parallel.
The battery system includes a first battery system intended to use the electric power of the battery modules and a second battery system intended to store the battery modules, and the battery modules can be interchanged between the first battery system and the second battery system,
A battery system, wherein the first battery system and the second battery system each have an identification information setting device (20, 60) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
In a battery system having a plurality of battery modules (10) each having a storage battery (11) and a monitoring unit (12) that monitors the storage battery, a program executed by an identification information setting device (20) that is provided to be capable of communicating with the monitoring unit and sets module identification information individually for each of the battery modules,
a communication determination step of checking communication identification information determined for each of the monitoring units when the identification information setting device is started, and determining whether or not communication has been established based on a result of the checking;
a setting step of setting the module identification information based on the determination that communication has not been established in the communication determination step;
A program that includes: