Communication System

Abstract

In a communication system having a plurality of management devices and a plurality of terminal devices, a management device (2a) included in a first group and a management device (2b) included in a second group each include a corresponding multi-band communication device (22a, 22b) for performing communication using a first frequency band and a second frequency band. A terminal device (4a) included in the first group and a terminal device (4b) included in the second group each include a corresponding specific communication device (42a, 42b) for performing communication using an assigned frequency band assigned to a corresponding group to which the subject terminal device belongs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system, which includes: at least one terminal device for acquiring information about a battery, and at least one management device for communicating with the terminal device. Background Art

[0002] For example, the following Patent Document 1 proposes a battery system including an intermediate management device and a terminal management device provided in each battery. The terminal management device acquires information about the battery.

[0003] Patent Document 1: JP 2016-12954 A

[0004] In the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, the intermediate management device and the terminal management device use one specific frequency band to perform wireless communication. However, as a result of detailed research by the inventors, a problem was found in a communication system including a plurality of intermediate management devices and a plurality of terminal management devices: since one specific frequency band is used in such a system, it is difficult to improve the communication efficiency in such a system, and therefore it is necessary to perform communication in a time division manner. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology capable of improving communication efficiency in a communication system including a plurality of intermediate management devices and a plurality of terminal management devices.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system includes a plurality of management devices and a plurality of terminal devices. Each management device communicates with at least one terminal device. Each terminal device acquires information about at least one battery and communicates with at least one management device. The plurality of management devices and the plurality of terminal devices form a plurality of groups including one management device and at least one terminal device. The plurality of groups include a first group and a second group.

[0007] Among the first frequency band and the second frequency band different from the first frequency band, the first group has the first frequency band assigned thereto as the frequency band assigned to the first group, and the second group has the second frequency band assigned thereto as the assigned frequency band. The management device included in the first group and the management device included in the second group are respectively provided with a multi-band communication device for performing communication using the first frequency band or the second frequency band. The terminal device included in the first group and the terminal device included in the second group are respectively provided with a specific communication device for performing communication using the assigned frequency band assigned to the corresponding group to which the corresponding terminal device belongs.

[0008] With this configuration, in the communication system, the communication of the first group and the communication of the second group are respectively performed using different frequency bands, and thus can be performed in parallel in time. In other words, in the communication system, the communication of the first group and the communication of the second group do not need to be synchronized with each other in time, and the communication processing capacity can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of a communication system;

[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a communication system;

[0012] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of frequency bands used in a communication system;

[0013] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a configuration of a wireless communication unit included in a management device;

[0014] Figure 5 is a block diagram of the functions of the management device;

[0015] Figure 6 It is a block diagram of the functions of the terminal device;

[0016] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a management process performed by a management control unit;

[0017] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a monitoring process performed by a management control unit;

[0018] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a process performed by a terminal control unit;

[0019] Fig.10 is a diagram showing the effect of a communication system; and

[0020] Fig.11 is a block diagram of a configuration of a management device including an internal management communication device that performs wired communication. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] [1. First embodiment]

[0023] [1. Configuration]

[0024] <Overall Configuration>

[0025] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The configuration of the battery system 100 according to the present embodiment is described. The battery system 100 is mounted on the vehicle V1. The battery system 100 includes a plurality of management devices 2 and a plurality of battery modules 3. The battery system 100 may also be referred to as a communication system 100.

[0026] The battery module 3 is configured similarly. One battery module 3 includes one terminal device 4 and at least one battery cell 5. That is, the battery system 100 includes a plurality of management devices 2 and a plurality of terminal devices 4. The management device 2 performs wireless communication with the terminal device 4. The terminal device 4 acquires battery information from the battery cell 5 and performs wireless communication with the management device 2. Battery information means information about the state of the battery cell 5. For example, the voltage of the battery cell 5 corresponds to the battery information. For example, the battery module 3a (3_1) includes a management device 2a and a terminal device 4 (4a).

[0027] In the present embodiment, a plurality of management devices 2 and a plurality of terminal devices 4 included in the battery system 100 form a plurality of groups, each group including one management device 2 and at least one terminal device 4. The plurality of groups include a first group 1a and a second group 1b. Hereinafter, individual constituent elements related to the first group 1a are represented by reference numerals such as the management device 2a with a subscript "a", and individual constituent elements related to the second group 1b are represented by reference numerals such as the management device 2b with a subscript "b". In addition, when describing common elements, for example, the suffix is ​​abbreviated / omitted, and only a number is shown like the management device 2.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of management devices 2 and a plurality of battery modules 3 included in the battery system 100 are arranged in a housing 200 installed in the vehicle V1. In this embodiment, the housing 200 is made of metal. Figure 2 In the example shown, the management device 2 and the terminal device 4 belonging to the first group 1a are arranged in Figure 2 , and the management device 2 and the terminal device 4 belonging to the second group 1b are arranged Figure 2 on the right side of .

[0029] Note that the arrangement of the first group 1 a and the second group 1 b is not limited to the above. The management devices 2 and the terminal devices 4 belonging to the first group 1 a and the management devices 2 and the terminal devices 4 belonging to the second group 1 b may be arbitrarily arranged in the housing 200 .

[0030] In the present embodiment, the first group of battery modules 3a includes battery modules 3_1 to 3_4, and the second group of battery modules 3b includes battery modules 3_5 to 3_8. Hereinafter, when describing individual battery modules and constituent elements included in the corresponding battery modules, reference numerals may be added, such as battery module 3_1 and terminal device 4_1. For example, the battery system 100 includes a plurality of management devices 2 and a plurality of terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8.

[0031] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the battery system 100 includes management devices 2a and 2b and terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8. The management device 2a and the terminal devices 4_1 to 4_4 form a first group 1a, and the management device 2a and the terminal devices 4_5 to 4_8 form a second group 1b.

[0032] Note that the number of management devices 2 and the number of terminal devices 4 included in the battery system 100 are not limited to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition, for example, the battery system 100 may include one or more first groups 1a, and may include one or more second groups 1b. The number of the first group 1a and the second group 1b may be different. In addition, for example, the first group 1a and the second group 1b may each include a different number of battery modules 3, that is, a different number of terminal devices 4.

[0033] In addition, Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment, the battery module 3 includes a plurality of battery cells 5, but the battery module 3 may include only one battery cell 5. The number of battery cells 5 included in each of the plurality of battery modules 3 may be different for the respective battery modules 3. When the battery module 3 includes a plurality of battery cells 5, the plurality of battery cells 5 may be as follows: Figure 1 The devices are shown connected in series with each other, or may be connected in parallel (not shown), or may be connected in series and in parallel.

[0034] In addition, the housing 200 is not limited to a housing made of metal. For example, the housing 200 may be made of resin, may be made of both metal and resin, or may be made of a material other than metal and resin. Figure 2 The housing 200 is formed in a box shape, but the shape of the housing 200 is not limited to this shape. For example, the housing 200 may have a shape that can accommodate the battery system 100 inside, and may have any shape other than a box shape. In addition, for example, the housing 200 may or may not have a radio wave shielding effect. For example, the housing 200 may be the outer shell of the vehicle V1 itself. The housing 200 may not be hermetically sealed.

[0035] <Management Device 2>

[0036] Description Back to Figure 1 . The management device 2 includes: an antenna 21, a wireless communication unit 22 as a multi-band communication device described later, a management control unit 23, and an internal management communication unit 29. As described in detail later, the multi-band communication device is a device configured to perform communication using a first frequency band and a second frequency band, which are multiple different predetermined frequency bands for communication between the management device 2 and the terminal device 4 in the battery system 100. The multiple frequency bands used in the battery system 100 described below refer to multiple different predetermined frequency bands, which are used for communication between the management device 2 and the terminal device 4 in the battery system 100 described above.

[0037] <Wireless Communication Unit 22>

[0038] The wireless communication unit 22 transmits / receives wireless communication signals in a plurality of frequency bands used in the battery system 100 to / from a terminal device 4 included in each of the plurality of battery modules 3 via the antenna 21. That is, the antenna 21 may be an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals in a plurality of frequency bands used in the battery system 100. The plurality of frequency bands used in the battery system 100 may be, for example, a high UHF band using a frequency of several GHz.

[0039] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the multiple frequency bands used in the battery system 100 are two frequency bands. The two frequency bands include a first frequency band and a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The first frequency band and the second frequency band do not overlap with each other. As used herein, "non-overlapping" means that the range of the first frequency band and the range of the second frequency band do not overlap. In the following figures, "F1" represents the first frequency band and "F2" represents the second frequency band.

[0040] Among the first frequency band and the second frequency band, the first frequency band is assigned to the first group 1a, and the second frequency band is assigned to the second group 1b, respectively as assigned frequency bands. The assigned frequency band is one of a plurality of frequency bands included in the battery system 100, and refers to a frequency band pre-assigned to each of a plurality of groups in the battery system 100.

[0041] The first frequency band may be, for example, a 5 GHz frequency band. The second frequency band is a frequency band different from the first frequency band, and may be, for example, a 2.4 GHz frequency band. Figure 3 As shown, the first frequency band may be a higher frequency band than the second frequency band or may be a lower frequency band than the second frequency band (not shown).

[0042] In each frequency band, frequency channels can be provided by dividing the frequency band by a number obtained by a specific bandwidth. For example, in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the number of frequency channels (e.g., 2.4 GHz-2.48 GHz) is derived by dividing by a specific bandwidth of 2 MHz (which is 40 channels).

[0043] The wireless communication unit 22 transmits and receives wireless communication signals according to a predetermined communication standard for each of the first frequency band and the second frequency band. Examples of the predetermined communication standard include WiFi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Bluetooth low energy consumption, etc. In addition, the wireless communication unit 22 may be a device to which a standard using UWB is applied. UWB is an abbreviation for ultra-wideband. In addition, the wireless communication unit 22 may be a device to which standards of other frequency bands are applied.

[0044] The wireless communication unit 22 of this embodiment includes, for example, Figure 4 As shown, a first transmission / reception unit 221 (also referred to as a first transceiver), a second transmission / reception unit 222 (also referred to as a second transceiver), and a switch 225. Although not shown, the wireless communication unit 22 may appropriately include various filters, such as a BPF (band pass filter, not shown) that passes the first frequency band and a BPF that passes the second frequency band.

[0045] The switch 225 (also referred to as a management main switch) has three terminals. One of the three terminals is connected to the antenna 21, another terminal is connected to the transmission / reception switching unit 401 (also referred to as a first transceiver switch) included in the first transmission / reception unit 221, and another terminal is connected to the transmission / reception switching unit 401 (also referred to as a second transceiver switch) included in the second transmission / reception unit 222.

[0046] The switch 225 takes one of three states, namely, (i) a state in which the transmission / reception switching unit 401 of the first transmission / reception unit 221 is selected, (ii) a state in which the transmission / reception switching unit 401 of the second transmission / reception unit 222 is selected, and (iii) a stop state. The selection is made according to a switch signal from the management control unit 23. The stop state here means a state in which neither the transmission / reception switching unit 401 of the first transmission / reception unit 221 nor the transmission / reception switching unit 401 of the second transmission / reception unit 222 is selected, or alternatively means a terminated state.

[0047] The first transmission / reception unit 221 transmits / receives wireless communication signals using a first frequency band. The second transmission / reception unit 222 transmits / receives wireless communication signals using a second frequency band. The first transmission / reception unit 221 and the second transmission / reception unit 222 have the same configuration except for the frequency band used for communication. Therefore, only the first transmission / reception unit 221 is described below.

[0048] The first transmission / reception unit 221 includes a transmission / reception switching unit 401, a transmitter 404, a transmission frequency switching unit 405, a receiver 406, and a reception frequency switching unit 407. The transmission / reception switching unit 401 has three terminals. One of the three terminals is connected to the switch 225, another terminal is connected to the transmitter 404, and another terminal is connected to the receiver 406. The transmission / reception switching unit 401 selects one of the following three states according to a switch signal from the management control unit 23, for example: (i) a state in which the transmitter 404 is selected; (ii) a state in which the transmission frequency switching unit 405 is selected; and (iii) a stop state. The stop state here means a state in which neither the transmitter 404 nor the receiver 406 is selected, or may alternatively mean a terminated state.

[0049] The transmitter 404 uses the first frequency band according to the predetermined communication standard described above and transmits a wireless communication signal. The transmission frequency switching unit 405 sequentially switches the frequency used by the transmitter 404 according to a predetermined rule (i.e., according to a schedule) for transmission in the first frequency band. Hereinafter, the frequency of the wireless communication signal transmitted by the transmitter 404 is referred to as a designated frequency. Although not described here, such frequency switching can be performed, for example, by using a known technique of frequency hopping.

[0050] The receiver 406 uses the first frequency band according to the predetermined communication standard described above and receives the wireless communication signal. The reception frequency switching unit 407 sequentially switches the frequency received by the receiver 406 in the first frequency band according to the predetermined rule described above. The switching can be performed, for example, synchronously with the transmission frequency switching unit 405 provided in the transmission source of the communication signal (e.g., the terminal device 4), so that the same frequency becomes the specified frequency at the same time.

[0051] Although not shown, the wireless communication unit 22 may include a detection device that detects the reception strength of the received signal and outputs a detection result. As described above, the second sending / receiving unit 222 is configured similarly to the first sending / receiving unit 221, and the difference between them is that the second sending / receiving unit 222 uses a second frequency band.

[0052] <Internal Management Communication Unit 29>

[0053] The internal management communication unit 29 is a device that provides a communication function between management devices. The internal management communication device is a communication device that is used for communication between the main management device and other management devices. The main management device refers to, for example, a management device in one group. Another management device is a management device included in another group. Another group refers to: among the multiple groups included in the battery system 100 (that is, among the first group 1a and the second group 1b), the group to which the main management device does not belong.

[0054] For example, when management device 2a is a main body management device, another group corresponds to second group 1b, and management device 2b corresponds to another management device. In addition, for example, when management device 2b is a main body management device, another group corresponds to first group 1a, and management device 2a corresponds to another management device.

[0055] The internal management communication unit 29 uses a wireless communication signal in the third frequency band to communicate with an internal management communication unit 29 included in another management device. In the present embodiment, the third frequency band is a frequency band different from the first frequency band and the second frequency band. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The third frequency band may also be at least one of the first frequency band and the second frequency band. In addition, as shown in the modified example described later, the internal management communication unit 29 is not limited to wireless communication and can be implemented in various ways.

[0056] <Management Control Unit 23>

[0057] The management control unit 23 includes a microcontroller 25 including a CPU 26, a ROM, a RAM, and a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) 27. The management control unit 23 implements the following functions by the CPU 26 executing a program stored in a non-transitory, tangible recording medium. Figure 5 Each function shown. The memory 27 corresponds to a non-transitory, tangible recording medium storing a computer program. In addition, by executing the computer program, a method corresponding to the computer program is executed.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, the management control unit 23 has the functions of: a battery management unit 61, a monitoring unit 62, an output unit 63, a switching unit 64, and an operation confirmation unit 65. By using the wireless communication unit 22 in the assigned frequency band assigned to the group to which the main body management device belongs, the battery management unit 61 performs communication with at least one terminal device 4 included in the group to which the main body management device belongs from among the plurality of groups included in the battery system 100.

[0059] More specifically, the battery management unit 61 uses the wireless communication unit 22 to communicate with at least one terminal device 4 in the group to which the main management device belongs at a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the battery management period) using an assigned frequency band to manage the status of the battery unit 5.

[0060] For example, the management device 2a belonging to the first group 1a uses the first frequency band assigned to the first group 1a as the assigned frequency band to communicate with the terminal device 4a included in the first group 1a to which the subject management device 2a belongs. The management device 2b belonging to the second group 1b uses the second frequency band assigned to the second group 1b as the assigned frequency band to communicate with the terminal device 4b included in the second group 1b to which the subject management device 2b belongs.

[0061] The management mentioned herein means, for example, that the voltage and temperature of the battery cell 5 are transmitted as battery information from the terminal device 4 in the assigned frequency band, and the acquired battery information is stored in the memory 27. In the present embodiment, as described above, the voltage of the battery cell 5 is acquired as the battery information. The battery management unit 61 realizes these functions by executing the management process described later.

[0062] The monitoring unit 62 performs the monitoring process described below, and determines whether an abnormality has occurred in another management device based on the communication with the other management device via the internal management communication unit 29 described above. The output unit 63 outputs the battery information stored in the memory 27 to an external device of the battery system 100. The external device may be, for example, an electronic control device (not shown) included in the vehicle V1.

[0063] The switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the wireless communication unit 22 according to the execution instruction from the battery management unit 61 and the monitoring unit 62. The switch signal is a signal for switching the communication state of the wireless communication unit 22. The execution instruction is a signal for causing the switching unit 64 to switch the communication state of the wireless communication unit 22. In the present embodiment, the switching unit 64 switches the communication state of the wireless communication unit 22 to any one of four communication states.

[0064] The four communication states include a first sending state, a first receiving state, a second sending state, and a second receiving state. The first sending state is a state in which a communication signal in a first frequency band is sent, and the first receiving state is a state in which a communication signal in the first frequency band is received. The second sending state is a state in which a communication signal in a second frequency band is sent, and the second receiving state is a state in which a communication signal in a second frequency band is received.

[0065] For example, when an execution instruction for setting the wireless communication unit 22 to the first transmission state is input, the switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the wireless communication unit 22 as follows. That is, the switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the switch 225, which connects the antenna 21 and the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221. In addition, a switch signal for connecting the switch 225 and the transmitter 404 is output to the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221. It should be noted that the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222 outputs a switch signal for setting the stop state. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 22 enters a state of transmitting a communication signal in the first frequency band.

[0066] When an execution instruction for setting the wireless communication unit 22 to the first receiving state is input, the switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the wireless communication unit 22 as follows. That is, the switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the switch 225, which connects the antenna 21 and the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221. In addition, a switch signal for connecting the switch 225 and the receiver 406 is output to the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221. It should be noted that the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222 outputs a switch signal for setting the stop state. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 22 enters a state of receiving a communication signal in the first frequency band.

[0067] When the execution instruction for placing the wireless communication unit 22 in the second transmission state is input, the switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the wireless communication unit 22 as follows. That is, the switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the switch 225, the switch signal for connecting the antenna 21 and the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222. In addition, the switch signal for connecting the switch 225 and the transmitter 404 is output to the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222. It should be noted that the switch signal for placing the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221 in the stop state is input to the transmission / reception switching unit 401. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 22 enters a state of transmitting a communication signal in the second frequency band.

[0068] When an execution instruction for setting the wireless communication unit 22 to the second receiving state is input, the switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the wireless communication unit 22 as follows. That is, the switching unit 64 outputs a switch signal to the switch 225, the switch signal for connecting the antenna 21 and the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222. In addition, a switch signal for connecting the switch 225 and the receiver 406 is output to the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222. It should be noted that a switch signal for placing the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221 in the stop state is input to the transmission / reception switching unit 401. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 22 is in a state of receiving a communication signal in the second frequency band.

[0069] The operation confirmation unit 65 is configured to send an operation response signal described below when receiving an operation confirmation signal described below. Correspondence information is stored in the memory 27. The correspondence information is information in which identification information for identifying each of the plurality of terminal devices 4, a group to which each of the plurality of terminal devices 4 belongs, and an assigned frequency band of each of the plurality of groups are associated with each other.

[0070] <Terminal device 4>

[0071] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the battery system 100 includes a plurality of battery modules 3, and one battery module 3 includes one terminal device 4 and a plurality of battery cells 5. The terminal device 4 is similarly configured. One terminal device 4 includes an antenna 41, a wireless communication unit 42, and a terminal control unit 43.

[0072] <Wireless Communication Unit 42>

[0073] The wireless communication unit 42 transmits and receives wireless communication signals to and from the management device 2 included in the battery system 100 via the antenna 41 using the plurality of frequency bands used in the battery system 100 described above.

[0074] The wireless communication unit 42 includes a specific communication device. The specific communication device refers to a communication device configured to perform communication using the assigned frequency band described above, which is assigned to the group to which the subject terminal device belongs among the plurality of groups included in the battery system 100. The subject terminal device refers to the terminal device 4 itself.

[0075] For the terminal device 4a belonging to the first group 1a, the assigned frequency band of the group (i.e., the first group 1a) to which the terminal device 4a itself belongs is the first frequency band. The specific communication device included in the wireless communication unit 42 of the terminal device 4a uses the first frequency band to perform communication. For the terminal device 4b belonging to the second group 1b, the assigned frequency band of the group (i.e., the second group 1b) to which the main terminal device 4b itself belongs is the second frequency band. The specific communication device included in the wireless communication unit 42 of the terminal device 4a uses the second frequency band to perform communication.

[0076] The specific communication device uses the assigned frequency band assigned to such a group to realize the communication between the terminal device 4 and the management device 2 belonging to the same group. Incidentally, the wireless communication unit included in the terminal device 4 can be configured to further include a non-specific communication device. The non-specific communication device is a communication device configured to perform communication by using the assigned frequency band assigned to another group to which the subject terminal device does not belong. As described later, the wireless communication unit 42 of the present embodiment includes the non-specific communication device in addition to the specific communication device, so that only the specific communication device operates and the non-specific communication device always stops operating.

[0077] Since the assigned frequency band for each group is different (i.e., different frequencies are assigned to different groups), the configuration of the wireless communication unit 42 may have to be different depending on the group to which the subject wireless communication unit 42 belongs. However, in the present disclosure, by including specific communication devices and non-specific communication devices, the configuration of the wireless communication unit 42 is common in all groups. Note that for the terminal device 4a, the assigned frequency band of the other group (i.e., the first group 1a) is the first frequency band, and for the terminal device 4b, the assigned frequency band of the other group (i.e., the second group 1b) is the second frequency band.

[0078] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 42 includes the same elements as the wireless communication unit 22. However, in the wireless communication unit 42, unlike the wireless communication unit 22, the terminal of the switch 225 is connected to the antenna 41 instead of the antenna 21. In addition, in the wireless communication unit 42, the switch 225, the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221, and the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222 respectively select the terminals to be connected according to the switch signal from the terminal control unit 43.

[0079] The first transmission / reception unit 221 and the antenna 41a included in the wireless communication unit 42a correspond to a specific communication device, and the second transmission / reception unit 222 and the antenna 41a included in the wireless communication unit 42a correspond to a non-specific communication device. The second transmission / reception unit 222 and the antenna 41b included in the wireless communication unit 42b correspond to a specific communication device, and the first transmission / reception unit 221 and the antenna 41b correspond to a non-specific communication device.

[0080] Here, in the wireless communication unit 42a included in the terminal device 4a belonging to the first group 1a, the switch 225 is connected to perform communication only in the first frequency band assigned to the first group 1a. For example, a switch signal for connecting the antenna 41 and the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221 can be constantly input to the switch 225 from the terminal control unit 43a.

[0081] On the other hand, in the wireless communication unit 42b included in the terminal device 4b belonging to the second group 1b, the switch 225 is connected to perform communication only in the second frequency band assigned to the second group 1b. For example, a switch signal for connecting the antenna 41 and the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222 can be constantly input from the terminal control unit 43b to the switch 225.

[0082] Therefore, in the terminal device 4, only a specific communication device in the wireless communication unit 42 is used for communication with the management device 2. However, the configuration of the wireless communication unit 42 is not limited to the above. The wireless communication unit 42 may be configured, for example, in a modified example described later or in various other ways.

[0083] <Terminal control unit 43>

[0084] The terminal control unit 43 includes a microcontroller 45, and the microcontroller 45 includes a CPU 46 and a memory 47. The terminal control unit 43 implements the following through the CPU 46: Figure 5 For each of the functions shown, the CPU 46 executes a program stored in a non-transitory, tangible recording medium. The memory 47 corresponds to a non-transitory, tangible recording medium storing a computer program. In addition, by executing the computer program, a method corresponding to the computer program is executed.

[0085] like Figure 6As shown, the terminal control unit 43 has the functions of a battery information acquisition unit 71, an information transmitter unit 72, and a switching unit 74. The terminal control unit 43 may have the function of a reception strength detection unit 73. The battery information acquisition unit 71 acquires battery information from the battery cell 5 and stores it in the memory 47 at a predetermined cycle (hereinafter referred to as an information acquisition cycle). Here, as described above, the voltage values ​​at both ends of the battery cell 5 are acquired. The information acquisition cycle may be shorter than the terminal management cycle described later.

[0086] The information transmitter unit 72 uses the wireless communication unit 42 as a specific communication device (on the one hand of the wireless communication unit 42), and communicates with the management device included in the group to which the main terminal device 4 belongs, from among the multiple groups included in the battery system 100, in the assigned frequency band of the group to which the main terminal device 4 belongs.

[0087] More specifically, the information transmitter unit 72 uses the wireless communication unit 42 to: perform communication in an assigned frequency band according to a sending instruction signal received from the management device 2 at a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the terminal side management period) to send battery information to the management device 2.

[0088] The reception strength detection unit 73 detects the reception strength of the wireless communication signal by the above-described detection device (not shown) each time the wireless communication unit 42 receives a wireless communication signal, and stores information indicating the detected reception strength in the memory 47 .

[0089] The switching unit 74 is configured similarly to the switching unit 64 included in the management control unit 23. However, the switching unit 74 outputs a switch signal to the wireless communication unit 42 according to an execution instruction from the information transmitter unit 72. The switching unit 74 switches the communication state of the wireless communication unit 42.

[0090] The process performed by the terminal control unit 43 described later corresponds to the process as the information transmitter unit 72.

[0091] [2. Process]

[0092] <Process Executed by Management Control Unit 23>

[0093] <Management Process>

[0094] Figure 7 There is described a management process performed by the battery management unit 61 of the management control unit 23. This management process is repeatedly performed in the battery management cycle described above.

[0095] In S100, the management control unit 23 identifies the assigned frequency band of the subject group to which the subject management device belongs, and sets the wireless communication unit 22 to transmit a communication signal of the identified assigned frequency band. The assigned frequency band of the subject group is pre-stored in the memory 27.

[0096] Here, when the first frequency band is identified as the assigned frequency band in this step, the management control unit 23 outputs an execution instruction to the switching unit 64 to place the wireless communication unit 22 in the first transmission state. On the other hand, when the second frequency band is identified as the assigned frequency band in this step, the management control unit 23 outputs an execution instruction to the switching unit 64 to place the wireless communication unit 22 in the second transmission state. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 22 switches to the first transmission state or the second transmission state according to the switch signal from the switching unit 64.

[0097] In S110, the management control unit 23 selects a terminal device 4 that sends battery information from among a plurality of terminal devices 4 included in the main group for obtaining battery information. Information indicating the following is pre-stored in the memory 27: (i) which of the terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8 included in the battery system 100 is the terminal device 4 included in the main group, and (ii) which terminal device 4 is the terminal device 4 included in another group. In the following, the selected terminal device 4 is described as the terminal device X4. The management control unit 23 selects the terminal device 4 to which the battery information is not sent from the plurality of terminal devices 4 included in the main group as the terminal device X4.

[0098] In S120, the management control unit 23 uses the wireless communication unit 22 to transmit the transmission instruction signal in the assigned frequency band identified in S100. The transmission instruction signal is a wireless communication signal in the assigned frequency band identified in S100, and is a wireless communication signal including transmission instruction information. The transmission instruction information includes at least information indicating an instruction for transmitting battery information and identification information of the terminal device X4 as a target for executing the instruction.

[0099] Then, the management control unit 23 sets the wireless communication unit 22 to receive the wireless communication signal in the assigned frequency band selected in S100 after the transmission instruction signal is transmitted. That is, the management control unit 23 outputs an execution instruction for setting the communication state of the wireless communication unit 22 to the switching unit 64. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 22 switches to the first reception state or the second reception state according to the switch signal from the switching unit 64.

[0100] In S130, the management control unit 23 determines whether a transmission response signal has been received from the terminal device X4. The transmission response signal is a wireless communication signal in the assigned frequency band identified in S100, and is a wireless communication signal including at least the battery information acquired by the terminal device X4. Note that the transmission response signal may include the battery information and the identification information of the terminal device X4 that has acquired the battery information (i.e., the terminal device X4 that is the transmission source of the transmission response signal).

[0101] Here, when the transmission response signal is not received from the terminal device X4, the management control unit 23 transfers the process to S120, and sets the wireless communication unit 22 to transmit the wireless communication signal of the assigned frequency band selected in S100, and transmits the transmission instruction signal again. On the other hand, when the transmission response signal is received from the terminal device X4, the management control unit 23 transfers the process to S140.

[0102] In S140, the management control unit 23 stores the battery information received from the terminal device X4 in association with the identification information of the terminal device X4 in the memory 27. In S150, the management control unit 23 determines whether the process of S110 to S140 (i.e., the process of transmitting the battery information and storing the transmitted battery information in the memory 27) has been performed for all the terminal devices 4.

[0103] Here, when determining that the process described above has not been performed for all the terminal devices 4, the management control unit 23 shifts the process to S110. Then, the management control unit 23 repeats the process of S110 to S150.

[0104] On the other hand, when it is determined that the above process has been performed for all terminal devices 4, the management control unit 23 ends the management process. At this time, the memory 27 stores the battery information about all terminal devices 4 belonging to the subject group. In this embodiment, the identification information and battery information of each of the plurality of terminal devices 4 are associated and stored in the memory 27.

[0105] <Monitoring process>

[0106] refer to Figure 8 The flowchart in 2000 describes a monitoring process performed by the monitoring unit 62 of the management control unit 23. The monitoring process is repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle in parallel with the management process described above.

[0107] In S210, the management control unit 23 uses the internal management communication unit 29 to send an operation confirmation signal to another management device. The operation confirmation signal is a predetermined signal that prompts another management device that receives the operation confirmation signal to send an operation response signal. That is, the operation confirmation signal is a signal for confirming that when the operation response signal is normally received from another management device that is the transmission destination of the operation confirmation signal, the operation of the other management device is normal. In the present embodiment, the operation confirmation signal is a wireless communication signal in the third frequency band.

[0108] The operation confirmation signal may be a signal including operation confirmation information represented by a predetermined identification pattern using binary values ​​(eg, “0” and “1”). In addition, the operation confirmation signal may be a signal including identification information of the terminal device X4.

[0109] In S220, the management control unit 23 determines whether an operation response signal is received from another management device via the internal management communication unit 29 of the main management device via the internal management communication unit 29 of the other management device. The operation response signal is a predetermined signal to be sent when the operation confirmation signal is received. In the present embodiment, the operation response signal is a wireless communication signal in the third frequency band.

[0110] Note that the operation response signal includes the operation confirmation information. In addition, the operation response signal may include the identification information of another management device (i.e., the management device 2 as the transmission source of the operation response signal) and the operation confirmation information. In other words, the management control unit 23 determines that at least the internal management communication unit 29 in another management device is normal by receiving the operation response signal from the other management device.

[0111] When an operation response signal is received from another management device, the management control unit 23 transfers the process to S240, and when an operation response signal is not received, the process is transferred to S230. In S230, the management control unit 23 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since the operation confirmation signal was sent. When the predetermined time has not passed, the management control unit 23 transfers the process to S220, and when the predetermined time has passed, the process is transferred to S250.

[0112] That is, when the operation confirmation signal is received within the predetermined time, the management control unit 23 determines that at least the internal management communication unit 29 in the other management device is normal, and transfers the process to S240. On the other hand, if the operation confirmation signal is not received within the predetermined time, the management control unit 23 determines that there is an abnormality in the other management device, and transfers the process to S250.

[0113] In S240, the management control unit 23 determines whether the operation confirmation information included in the operation response signal is normal. When the information in the received response signal matches the operation confirmation information included in the operation confirmation signal sent in S210, the management control unit 23 determines that the operation confirmation information included in the operation response signal is normal. In other words, when the operation confirmation information included in the operation response signal is normal, the management control unit 23 determines that the management control unit 23 in the other management device is normal except for the internal management communication unit 29 in the other management device. That is, the management control unit 23 determines that the other management device is normal.

[0114] Here, when it is determined that the operation confirmation information included in the operation response signal is normal, the management control unit 23 ends the present process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation confirmation information included in the operation response signal is abnormal, the management control unit 23 determines that another management device is abnormal and transfers the process to S250.

[0115] In S250 to S290, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in another management device, the management control unit 23 uses the wireless communication unit 22 to communicate with at least one terminal device 4 included in another group. Then, the management control unit 23 causes the terminal devices 4 of another group to transmit the battery information acquired by those terminal devices 4.

[0116] That is, when it is determined in S250 that an abnormality has occurred in another management device, the management control unit 23 outputs a switch instruction to the wireless communication unit 22. The switch instruction is an instruction for switching the frequency band used in the wireless communication unit 22. Here, the management control unit 23 outputs a switch instruction, which is an instruction for performing communication using another group of assigned frequency bands among the first frequency band and the second frequency band. More specifically, the management control unit 23 outputs to the switching unit 64: (i) an execution instruction for setting the wireless communication unit 22 to the second transmission state, or (ii) an execution instruction for setting the wireless communication unit 22 to the first transmission state. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 22 switches to the second transmission state or the first transmission state according to the switch signal from the switching unit 64.

[0117] Then, the management control unit 23 selects one terminal device 4 from which the battery information is transmitted from among the plurality of terminal devices 4 included in the other group. Hereinafter, the selected terminal device 4 is described as the terminal device X4. The management control unit 23 selects the terminal device 4 from which the battery information is not transmitted to the management device 2 from among the plurality of terminal devices 4 included in the other group as the terminal device X4.

[0118] In S260, the management control unit 23 uses the wireless communication unit 22 to transmit the transmission instruction signal in the assigned frequency band of the other group. The transmission instruction information included in the transmission instruction signal includes at least: (i) information indicating the instruction to transmit the battery information and (ii) identification information of the terminal device X4 of the other group as the target for executing the instruction.

[0119] Then, after transmitting the transmission instruction signal, the management control unit 23 sets the wireless communication unit 22 to receive the wireless communication signal of the assigned frequency band of another group. That is, the management control unit 23 outputs an execution instruction for setting the communication state of the wireless communication unit 22 to the switching unit 64. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 22 switches to the second reception state or the first reception state according to the switch signal from the switching unit 64.

[0120] In S270, the management control unit 23 determines whether a transmission response signal has been received from the terminal device X4. The transmission response signal may include battery information and identification information of the terminal device X4 that has acquired the battery information (ie, the terminal device X4 of another group as the transmission source of the transmission response signal).

[0121] Here, when the transmission response signal is not received from the terminal device X4, the management control unit 23 transfers the process to S260, and sets the wireless communication unit 22 to transmit a wireless communication signal of another group of assigned frequency bands, and transmits the transmission instruction signal again. On the other hand, when the transmission response signal is received from the terminal device X4, the management control unit 23 transfers the process to S280.

[0122] In S280, the management control unit 23 stores the battery information received from the terminal device X4 in association with the identification information of the terminal device X4 in the memory 27. In S290, the management control unit 23 determines whether the process of S250 to S280 (i.e., the process of transmitting the battery information and storing the transmitted battery information in the memory 27) has been performed for all the terminal devices 4 included in the other group. Here, when it is determined that the above process has not been performed for all the terminal devices 4 included in the other group, the management control unit 23 transfers the process to S250. Then, the management control unit 23 repeats the process of S250 to S290.

[0123] On the other hand, when it is determined that the above process has been performed for all terminal devices 4 included in the other group, the management control unit 23 ends the process. At this time, the memory 27 stores the battery information about all terminal devices 4 belonging to the main group and the battery information about all terminal devices 4 belonging to the other group. In the present embodiment, the battery information and the identification information of the terminal device 4 that has acquired the battery information are stored in the memory 27 in association with each other.

[0124] <Process Executed by Terminal Control Unit 43>

[0125] Fig. 9 The process performed by the terminal control unit 43 is described. In S300, the terminal control unit 43 outputs an execution instruction to the switching unit 64, and sets the wireless communication unit 42 to receive a wireless communication signal of the assigned frequency band of the subject group.

[0126] In S310, the terminal control unit 43 determines whether a transmission instruction signal has been received. The terminal control unit 43 waits until a transmission instruction signal is received, and when a transmission instruction signal is received, the process is transferred to S320.

[0127] Note that in the terminal device 4 including the terminal control unit 43, the wireless communication unit 42 is configured to send and receive wireless communication signals in the assigned frequency band of the main group including the main terminal device 4. In addition, the sending source of the sending instruction signal here can be a management device belonging to the main group or a management device belonging to another group.

[0128] The terminal control unit 43 acquires the battery information stored in the memory 47 in S320. The battery information mentioned here is the battery information most recently acquired by the battery information acquisition unit 71 and is the battery information stored in the memory 47.

[0129] In S330, the terminal control unit 43 outputs the execution instruction to the switching unit 64, and sets the wireless communication unit 42 to send the wireless communication signal of the assigned frequency band of the subject group. Then, the terminal control unit 43 sends the sending response signal using the wireless communication unit 42. The sending response signal may include the battery information and the identification information of the subject terminal device 4 that has acquired the battery information. Then, the terminal control unit 43 ends the present process.

[0130] <Action>

[0131] The operation of the battery system 100 of the configuration described above is now described. In the following description, an example is specifically described, assuming that the main management device is the management device 2a, the main terminal device is the terminal device 4a, the other management device is the management device 2b, and the other terminal device belonging to the other group is the terminal device 4b. In the following example, the main group is the first group 1a, and the other group is the second group 1b.

[0132] The management control unit 23a repeatedly sends the sending instruction signal at a predetermined period (i.e., the battery management period described above) through wireless communication, and obtains battery information from the terminal device 4a belonging to the first group 1a as the main group, and the obtained battery information is stored in the memory 27a.

[0133] Subsequently, the management control unit 23a transmits an operation confirmation signal to another management device 2b belonging to the second group 1b as another group through wireless communication to determine whether the other management device 2b is abnormal. When it is determined that the other management device 2b is abnormal, the management control unit 23a transmits a transmission instruction signal on behalf of the other management device 2b through wireless communication, obtains battery information from the terminal device 4b belonging to the other group, and stores the battery information in the memory 27.

[0134] In this embodiment, the management device 2b also operates similarly to the management device 2a. That is, the management device 2a and the management device 2b manage the battery information of the main group respectively, and confirm with each other whether the abnormality occurs (in the other group). When the abnormality occurs in the other management device, the battery information of the terminal device belonging to the other group is managed together with the battery information of the terminal device of the main group.

[0135] [3. Effect]

[0136] According to the first embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are achievable.

[0137] (3a) Each of the management device 2a included in the first group 1a and the management device 2b included in the second group 1b is provided with wireless communication units 22a and 22b, which are respectively configured to perform communication using the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and they act as multi-band communication devices. Each of the terminal devices 4a included in the first group 1a and the terminal devices 4b included in the second group 1b is provided with wireless communication units 42a and 42b, which are respectively configured to perform communication using the assigned frequency band assigned to the relevant group to which the subject terminal device belongs, so as to act as a specific communication device. Among the first frequency band and the second frequency band different from the first frequency band, the first frequency band is assigned to the first group 1a as the assigned frequency band, and the second frequency band is assigned to the second group 1b as the assigned frequency band.

[0138] According to the above, the management device 2a and the terminal device 4a belonging to the first group 1a can communicate with each other using the first frequency band, and the management device 2b and the terminal device 4b belonging to the second group 1b can communicate with each other using the second frequency band. That is, in the battery system 100 arranged in the housing 200, the communication of the first group 1a and the communication of the second group 1b are performed using different frequency bands, and therefore, the two communications are performed in parallel in time. In other words, in the communication system (100), the communication of the first group (1a) and the communication of the second group (1b) do not need to be synchronized with each other in time, and the communication processing capability (in terms of processing time) can be improved.

[0139] Here, for comparison, consider the case where the communication of the first group 1a and the communication of the second group 1b are performed using the same frequency and the case where adjacent frequencies are used. Fig.10 As shown, in the case of this comparative example, one radio wave of the first group 1a and the other radio wave of the second group 1b interfere with each other, which may be a factor that deteriorates the reception sensitivity of the other wave.

[0140] On the other hand, in the battery system 100, the communication of the first group 1a and the communication of the second group 1b are performed using different frequency bands. Fig.10 As shown, the radio waves of the first group 1a and the second group 1b are prevented from interfering with each other, that is, the reception sensitivity of the other wave is not deteriorated. Therefore, as described above, in the battery system 100, the communication of the first group 1a and the communication of the second group 1b can be performed in parallel (that is, synchronously executable) in time, and the communication processing capacity can be improved in time (in terms of processing time).

[0141] (3b) Each of the management device 2a included in the first group 1a and the management device 2b included in the second group 1b includes a battery management unit 61 as a conventional management communication unit (in the claims). The battery management unit 61 uses the wireless communication unit 22 to communicate with at least one terminal device included in the group to which the main body management device belongs in the assigned frequency band of the group to which the main body management device belongs.

[0142] That is, the management device 2a and the terminal device 4a communicate with each other in the first frequency band which is the assigned frequency band of the first group 1a, and the management device 2b and the terminal device 4b communicate with each other in the second frequency band which is the assigned frequency band of the second group 1b. Therefore, in the battery system 100, since the communication of the first group 1a and the communication of the second group 1b do not require time synchronization, it is possible to improve the communication processing capacity (in terms of processing time).

[0143] (3c) The first frequency band and the second frequency band do not overlap. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the communication signal used in the first group 1a and the communication signal used in the second group 1b from interfering with each other, and in the battery system 100, the communication of the first group 1a can be performed asynchronously with the communication of the second group 1b. Asynchronous means that time synchronization is not required. Therefore, the battery system 100 can improve communication efficiency in terms of processing time.

[0144] (3d) In the battery system 100, at least one of the management device 2a included in the first group 1a and the management device 2b included in the second group 1b includes an abnormality determination unit. In the present embodiment, both the management device 2a included in the first group 1a and the management device 2b included in the second group 1b include an abnormality determination unit. In S220 to S240 of the process as the abnormality determination unit, the management control unit 23 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in another management device based on communication with the other management device via the internal management communication unit 29 as the internal management communication device.

[0145] Therefore, the management device 2a and the management device 2b can mutually confirm whether an abnormality has occurred.

[0146] (3e) In the battery system 100, among the management device 2a included in the first group 1a and the management device 2b included in the second group 1b, the management device 2 including the abnormality determination unit described above includes an abnormal time communication unit. In S250 to S290 of the process of the abnormal time communication unit as an abnormality, when it is determined that the abnormality has occurred in another management device, the management control unit 23 uses the wireless communication unit 22 to perform communication with at least one terminal device in the other group.

[0147] Therefore, in the battery system 100, the function of performing wireless communication between the management device 2 and the plurality of terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8 may have a redundant configuration. For example, when the battery system 100 is a battery system mounted on the vehicle V1 as in the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of functional safety of the system mounted on the vehicle V1, the function for performing wireless communication within the battery system 100 preferably has a redundant design (e.g., duplex). The battery system is a system for periodically acquiring battery information indicating the state of the battery cell 5 and monitoring the state of the battery cell 5.

[0148] As a comparative example of a configuration for realizing redundancy, for example, a configuration is considered in which a plurality of groups each including one management device 2 and terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8 are simply provided. However, in this configuration, the number of components is simply increased.

[0149] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, unlike the comparative example, a plurality of groups each including one management device 2 and terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8 are not simply provided, but a plurality of management devices 2 and terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8 are provided. By providing 4_8, a redundant configuration is achieved only when an abnormality exists. The abnormal time means the time when an abnormality occurs in any one of the plurality of management devices 2. Therefore, in the battery system 100, a redundant configuration can be achieved while suppressing an increase in the number of elements.

[0150] (3f) The wireless communication unit 22 is configured to perform communication using one of the first frequency band and the second frequency band according to the switch instruction. Among the management device 2a included in the first group 1a and the management device 2b included in the second group 1b, the management device 2 including the abnormality determination unit described above includes a switch instruction unit. In S250 and S260 as a process of the switch instruction unit, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in another management device, the management control unit 23 outputs a switch instruction for performing communication by using the assigned frequency band of the other group to the wireless communication unit 22.

[0151] Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in another management device, the management device 2a and the management device 2b can perform communication with a terminal device of a group to which the other management device belongs using the wireless communication unit 22 instead of (ie, on behalf of) the other management device.

[0152] (3g) At least one of the terminal device 4a included in the first group 1a and the terminal device 4b included in the second group 1b may include a non-specific communication device. In the present embodiment, both the terminal device 4a and the terminal device 4b include a non-specific communication device.

[0153] Therefore, the terminal devices 4 belonging to the first group 1a and the terminal devices 4 belonging to the second group 1b can be commonly used (that is, can have the same configuration).

[0154] [4. Modification]

[0155] Some modifications of the present disclosure are shown below.

[0156] <Edit 1>

[0157] In the embodiment described above, the management device 2 includes the internal management communication unit 29 as an internal management communication device, and the management control unit 23 (i.e., the monitoring unit 62) determines whether another management device is abnormal via wireless communication. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the internal management communication unit 29 included in the management device 2 may be a communication device that performs wired communication. The management control unit 23 (i.e., the monitoring unit 62) may also be configured to determine whether another management device is abnormal via wired communication using the internal management communication unit 29 at a predetermined period.

[0158] For example, Fig.11 As shown, the internal management communication unit 29a (IMC) included in the management device 2a and the internal management communication unit 29b included in the management device 2b may be directly connected to each other via the communication line 28 so that they can communicate with each other. Alternatively, although not shown, the internal management communication unit 29a included in the management device 2a and the internal management communication unit 29b included in the management device 2b may be communicatively connected to a common communication line in the vehicle V1.

[0159] In this case, Figure 8 In S210 shown, an operation confirmation signal is transmitted by wired communication using the internal management communication unit 29 , and in S220 , an operation response signal is received by wired communication using the internal management communication unit 29 .

[0160] <Edit 2>

[0161] In the embodiment described above, the wireless communication unit 42 has the same configuration as the wireless communication unit 22. In modification 2, for example, the wireless communication unit 42 may be provided with a circuit board that connects / wires each of the terminals of the switch 225 to use the first frequency band or the second frequency band (not shown) instead of having the switch 225. In this case, in the embodiment described above, a switch instruction of the switch 225 by the switching unit 74 is omitted.

[0162] <Edit 3>

[0163] In the modification 3, although not shown, for example, the wireless communication unit 42a may include only the first transmission / reception unit 221 and the antenna 21. Furthermore, although not shown, the wireless communication unit 42b may include only, for example, the second transmission / reception unit 222 and the antenna 21. In this case as well, in the above-described embodiment, the switching instruction of the switch 225 by the switching unit 74 is omitted.

[0164] [5. Other embodiments]

[0165] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications may be implemented.

[0166] (5a) In the embodiment described above, the wireless communication unit 22 includes the switch 225, the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the first transmission / reception unit 221, and the transmission / reception switching unit 401 included in the second transmission / reception unit 222, so as to switch the four communication states described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The wireless communication unit 22 is not limited to using a switch, and various other configurations may be used to switch the four communication states described above.

[0167] (5b) In the embodiment described above, both the management device 2a and the management device 2b include an abnormality determination unit, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above. The management device 2a or the management device 2b may include an abnormality determination unit. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in a management device that does not include an abnormality determination unit, wireless communication can be continued between the management device that includes the abnormality determination unit and the terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8. Therefore, the acquisition of battery information can be continued.

[0168] (5c) In the embodiment described above, all terminal devices 4_1 to 4_8 include a wireless communication unit 42, which includes a non-specific communication device and a specific communication device, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above. For example, at least one of the plurality of terminal devices 4 included in the battery system 100 may include a non-specific communication device and a specific communication device. In addition, the battery system 100 may be configured so that the terminal device 4 uses both a non-specific communication device and a specific communication device.

[0169] (5d) In the above-described embodiment, the battery system 100 is mounted on the vehicle V1, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above. For example, the battery system 100 may be mounted in various devices other than the vehicle V1, or may be used by being connected to various devices.

[0170] (5e) The management control unit 23, the terminal control unit 43 and the method thereof according to the present disclosure may be implemented as a special-purpose computer having a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory being programmed to perform one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the management control unit 23, the terminal control unit 43 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a special-purpose computer, which is provided by a processor having one or more special-purpose hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the management control unit 23, the terminal control unit 43 and the method thereof described in the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers, each of which has a combination of the following: (i) a processor and a memory programmed to perform one or more functions, and (ii) a special-purpose computer, which is provided by a processor having one or more special-purpose hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable, non-temporary tangible storage medium as an instruction to be executed by a computer. The method for implementing the functions of the corresponding units included in the management control unit 23 and the terminal control unit 43 does not necessarily include software, and all functions may be implemented by using one or more hardware.

[0171] (5f) In the embodiments described above, multiple functions of an element may also be implemented by multiple elements, or a function of an element may be implemented by multiple elements. In addition, multiple functions of multiple elements may be implemented by one element, or a single function implemented by multiple elements may be implemented by one element. In addition, a part of the configuration / structure of the embodiments described above may be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of the embodiments described above may be added to or replaced by the configuration of other embodiments described above.

[0172] (5g) In addition to the management control unit 23, terminal control unit 43, CPU 26, CPU 46, management device 2, terminal device 4, battery module 3, and battery system 100 described above, the present disclosure may be implemented / realized in various forms, such as (i) a program that functions as the management control unit 23 and / or the terminal control unit 43, (ii) a non-temporary substantial recording medium such as a semiconductor memory that records such a program, (iii) a communication method, etc. The communication system corresponds to the battery system but does not necessarily include a battery.

[0173] In the embodiment described above, the wireless communication unit 22 corresponds to a multi-band communication device, the internal management communication unit 29 corresponds to an internal management communication device, and the wireless communication unit 42 corresponds to a specific communication device and a non-specific communication device. The battery management unit 61 corresponds to a conventional management communication unit, and the monitoring unit 62 corresponds to an abnormality determination unit, an abnormal time communication unit, and a switch instruction unit. The information transmitter unit 72 corresponds to a conventional terminal communication unit. S220-S240 correspond to a process as an abnormality determination unit, S250-S290 correspond to a process as an abnormal time communication unit, and S250 and S260 correspond to a process as a switch instruction unit.

Claims

1. A communication system, comprising: a plurality of management devices for performing communications; as well as a plurality of terminal devices which acquire information about at least one battery and perform communication with at least one of the plurality of management devices, in The plurality of management devices and the plurality of terminal devices form a plurality of groups, each group including at least one management device and at least one terminal device, The plurality of groups include a first group and a second group, from among a first frequency band and a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, the first frequency band being assigned as the first set of assigned frequency bands, and the second frequency band being assigned as the second set of assigned frequency bands, The management devices included in the first group and the management devices included in the second group each include a corresponding multi-band communication device that performs communication using the first frequency band and the second frequency band, and the terminal devices included in the first group and the terminal devices included in the second group each include a corresponding specific communication device that performs communication using an assigned frequency band assigned to a corresponding group to which the subject terminal device belongs, Wherein, at least one of the management devices in the first group and the management devices in the second group includes: an abnormality determination unit that determines, via an internal management communication device for performing communication between the subject management device and another management device, whether an abnormality has occurred in another management device of another group to which the subject management device does not belong among the plurality of groups, based on communication with the another management device, And wherein, among the management devices in the first group and the management devices in the second group, the management device having the abnormality determination unit includes: an abnormal time communication unit that, when it is determined that another management device has an abnormality occurring therein, performs communication with at least one terminal device in the other group by using the multi-band communication device, The subject management device having the abnormality determination unit performs the following operations in response to determining that the abnormality occurs: setting a terminal device included in another group to which the subject management device does not belong to an assigned frequency band assigned to the group to which the subject management device belongs; Send the command signal. Confirm that the send response signal is received, storing battery information included in the transmission response signal; and Make sure all end devices are processed.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein Each of the management devices included in the first group and the management devices included in the second group includes: a corresponding regular management communication unit, which performs communication with at least one terminal device of the group to which the subject management device belongs in the assigned frequency band of the group to which the subject management device belongs, by using the multi-band communication device, and Each of the terminal devices included in the first group and the terminal devices included in the second group includes: a corresponding conventional terminal communication unit, which performs communication with the management device of the group to which the main terminal device belongs in the assigned frequency band of the group to which the main terminal device belongs by using the specific communication device.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein The first frequency band and the second frequency band do not overlap with each other.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein Both the management device in the first group and the management device in the second group include the abnormality determination unit.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein The multi-band communication device performs communication using one of the first frequency band and the second frequency band according to a switch instruction, and The management device having the abnormality determination unit among the management devices in the first group and the management devices in the second group, when determining that an abnormality has occurred in the other management device, includes: A switch instruction unit outputs the switch instruction for performing communication by using the assigned frequency band from the other group among the first frequency band and the second frequency band to the multi-band communication device.

6. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: At least one of the plurality of terminal devices included in the communication system includes a non-specific communication device that performs communication by using a frequency band assigned to another group among the plurality of groups to which the subject terminal device does not belong.

7. A communication system comprising: A first management device, comprising: First internal management communicator, a first management controller, and a first management wireless communicator; The first terminal device comprises: a first terminal wireless communicator, a first terminal controller, and First battery; The second management device comprises: Second internal management communicator, a second management controller, and a second management wireless communicator; The second terminal device comprises: a second terminal wireless communicator, a second terminal controller, and Second battery; wherein the first management device and the first terminal device form a first group initially operating in a first frequency band, wherein the second management device and the second terminal device form a second group initially operating in a second frequency band, The communication system is configured to perform a monitoring process, the monitoring process comprising: sending an operation confirmation signal from the first management device to the second management device, determining that an operation response signal is received by the first management device from the second management device, determining that the operation response signal is not normal, setting the first terminal wireless communicator to the second frequency band, Send the command signal. Confirm that the send response signal is received, Store battery information, and Make sure all end devices are processed. Wherein, at least one of the first management device in the first group and the second management device in the second group includes: an abnormality determination unit that determines, via an internal management communication device for performing communication between the subject management device and another management device, whether an abnormality has occurred in another management device of another group to which the subject management device does not belong among the plurality of groups, based on communication with the another management device, And wherein, among the management devices in the first group and the management devices in the second group, the management device having the abnormality determination unit includes: an abnormal time communication unit that, when it is determined that another management device has an abnormality occurring therein, performs communication with at least one terminal device in the other group by using a multi-band communication device, Wherein, the management device having the abnormality determination unit performs the following operations in response to determining that the abnormality occurs: setting a terminal device included in another group to which the management device does not belong to be assigned to an assigned frequency band assigned to the group to which the management device belongs; Send the command signal. Confirm that the send response signal is received, storing battery information included in the transmission response signal; and Make sure all end devices are processed.

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