Battery management system

Abstract

A battery management system includes a monitoring device (30) and a control device (40). The control device sends request data requesting the transmission of battery information, and the monitoring device sends response data including the battery information to the control device. The control device causes the next request data to include communication establishment information and sends the next request data. The monitoring device includes a transmission buffer (350) capable of individually accumulating multiple transmissions of battery information. The monitoring device deletes battery information corresponding to communication establishment from the transmission buffer and retains battery information corresponding to communication failure in the transmission buffer based on the communication establishment information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery management system. Background Technology

[0002] JP 6093448 B2 discloses a battery management system. The disclosure of JP 6093448 B2 is incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of interpreting the technical elements therein. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to JP 6093448 B2, when the assembled battery management device continuously detects communication errors with the first battery cell management device, it determines that wireless communication with the first battery cell management device is impossible. Then, the assembled battery management device wirelessly communicates with the first battery cell management device via a second battery cell management device, which is different from the first battery cell management device. Thus, with the occurrence of communication failures between the battery cell management device (monitoring device) and the assembled battery management device (control device), data, including battery information, may be lost. In view of the above or other points not mentioned, the battery management system requires further improvement.

[0004] One object of this disclosure is to provide a battery management system capable of suppressing the omission of data including battery information.

[0005] A battery management system according to one aspect of this disclosure includes a monitoring device and a control device. The monitoring device includes: a monitoring unit configured to acquire and monitor battery information indicating battery status; and a wireless circuit unit configured to send data to and receive data from the monitoring unit and capable of wireless communication. The control device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless circuit unit and perform predetermined processing based on the battery information. The control device is further configured to send request data to the monitoring device requesting the transmission of battery information. The monitoring device is configured to, in response to receiving the request data, send response data including battery information to the control device. The control device is further configured to cause the next request data to include communication establishment information and send the next request data, wherein the communication establishment information is capable of distinguishing between communication establishment information in which response data regarding the request data is received normally and communication establishment information in which response data regarding the request data is received abnormally. The request data includes periodic data transmitted at a predetermined period. The wireless circuit unit includes a transmission buffer capable of individually accumulating multiple battery information acquired by the monitoring unit. The wireless circuit unit is further configured to send one set of battery information in the transmission buffer to the control device regarding the one request data. The wireless circuit unit is further configured to delete battery information corresponding to communication establishment from the transmission buffer based on communication establishment information and retain battery information corresponding to communication failure in the transmission buffer.

[0006] In the aforementioned battery management system, the wireless circuit unit of the monitoring device includes a transmission buffer. Therefore, multiple battery information entries can be accumulated in the transmission buffer. The battery information accumulated in the transmission buffer is deleted when communication with the control device is established, and is not deleted but retained in the transmission buffer if communication with the control device is not established. As a result, the omission of data including battery information can be suppressed. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0008] Figure 1 It is a picture showing a vehicle equipped with a battery pack;

[0009] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the battery pack;

[0010] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing the assembled battery;

[0011] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the battery management system according to the first embodiment;

[0012] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the sequence of requests and responses for battery information;

[0013] Figure 6 This is a sequence diagram showing an example of a request and response;

[0014] Figure 7 This is a sequence diagram showing another example of a request and response;

[0015] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the order of requests and responses for battery information in a battery management system according to the second embodiment;

[0016] Figure 9 This is a sequence diagram showing an example of a request and response;

[0017] Figure 10 This is a sequence diagram showing another example of a request and response;

[0018] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing data deletion performed via a wireless IC in a battery management system according to a third embodiment;

[0019] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing another example of data deletion performed via a wireless IC; and

[0020] Figure 13 This is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the battery management system. Detailed Implementation

[0021] In the following description, several embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are assigned to corresponding elements in each embodiment, thus redundant descriptions may be omitted. While a portion of a feature in each embodiment is described, the remainder of that feature may be provided by features in other foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, not only combinations of configurations explicitly indicated in the description of each embodiment, but also configurations of multiple embodiments may be partially combined without particularly explicit indication, provided that such combinations are not particularly difficult.

[0022] (First Embodiment)

[0023] First, based on Figure 1 The configuration around a vehicle equipped with a battery management system according to this embodiment, and particularly a battery pack equipped with a battery management system, will be described. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle. The vehicle is an electric vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle.

[0024] <Vehicles>

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 10 includes battery pack (BAT) 11, PCU 12, MG 13, and ECU 14. PCU is an abbreviation for Power Control Unit. MG is an abbreviation for Motor Generator. ECU is an abbreviation for Electronic Control Unit.

[0026] Battery pack 11 includes assembled battery 20, which will be described later, and provides a DC voltage source capable of being charged and discharged. Battery pack 11 supplies power to the electrical loads of vehicle 10. Battery pack 11 supplies power to electric generator (MG) 13 via power control unit (PCU) 12. Battery pack 11 is charged via power control unit 12. Battery pack 11 is referred to as the main battery.

[0027] The battery pack 11 is located in the front compartment of the vehicle 10, for example, as Figure 1 As shown. The battery pack 11 can be located in the rear compartment, under the seats, under the floor, etc. For example, in the case of a hybrid electric vehicle, the compartment where the engine is located can be called the engine compartment or engine room.

[0028] The power control unit 12 performs bidirectional power conversion between the battery pack 11 and the electric generator 13 based on control signals from the ECU 14. The power control unit 12 may be referred to as a power converter. The power control unit 12 includes, for example, an inverter. The inverter converts DC voltage to AC voltage, such as three-phase AC voltage, and outputs the AC voltage to the electric generator 13. The inverter converts the power generated by the electric generator 13 back to DC voltage and outputs that DC voltage to the converter. The power control unit 12 may include this converter. The converter is arranged in the power path between the battery pack 11 and the inverter. The converter has the function of increasing and decreasing DC voltage.

[0029] The electric generator 13 is an AC rotating motor, such as a three-phase AC synchronous motor with permanent magnets embedded in the rotor. The electric generator 13 serves as the driving source for the vehicle 10, i.e., the electric motor. The electric generator 13 is driven by the power control unit 12 to generate rotational driving force. The driving force generated by the electric generator 13 is transmitted to the drive wheels. The electric generator 13 acts as a generator when the vehicle 10 is braked and performs regenerative power generation. The electricity generated by the electric generator 13 is supplied to the battery pack 11 via the power control unit 12 and stored in the assembled batteries 20 within the battery pack 11.

[0030] ECU 14 includes a computer, which comprises a processor, memory, input / output interfaces, buses connecting these components, etc. The processor is hardware used for arithmetic processing. The processor includes, for example, a CPU as its core. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. Memory is a non-transitory, physical storage medium that non-transitorily stores programs and data that can be read by the computer. Memory stores various programs executed by the processor.

[0031] ECU 14 obtains information about the assembled battery 20 from battery pack 11, for example, and controls power control unit 12 to control the drive of electric generator 13 and the charging and discharging of battery pack 11. ECU 14 can obtain information from battery pack 11 such as the voltage, temperature, current, state of charge (SOC), and state of health (SOH) of the assembled battery 20. ECU 14 can obtain battery information of the assembled battery 20, such as voltage, temperature, and current, to calculate SOC and SOH. SOC is an abbreviation for State of Charge. SOH is an abbreviation for State of Health.

[0032] The processor of ECU 14 executes multiple instructions contained in a PCU control program, for example, stored in memory. Accordingly, ECU 14 constructs multiple functional units for controlling the power control unit 12. ECU 14 constructs multiple functional units by causing the processor to execute multiple instructions. ECU 14 may be referred to as an EVECU.

[0033] <Battery Pack>

[0034] Next, we will refer to Figure 2 and 3 An example describing the configuration of battery pack 11. Figure 2 This is a schematic perspective view showing the interior of battery pack 11. Figure 2 In the middle, the shell is displayed by a long dashed double-dotted line. Figure 3 It is a plan view showing the top surface of each battery stack.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the battery pack 11 includes a modular battery 20, multiple monitoring devices 30, a control device 40, and a housing 50. The housing 50 houses the other components that make up the battery pack 11, namely the modular battery 20, the monitoring devices 30, and the control device 40.

[0036] Below, as Figure 2 As shown, on the surface of the generally rectangular housing 50, on the mounting surface of the vehicle 10, the longitudinal direction is represented by the X direction, and the transverse direction is represented by the Y direction. Figure 2 The lower surface is the mounting surface. The vertical direction perpendicular to the mounting surface is called the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, the left-right direction of the vehicle 10 corresponds to the X direction, the front-rear direction corresponds to the Y direction, and the vertical direction corresponds to the Z direction. Figure 2 and 3 The arrangement shown is merely an example; the battery pack 11 can be arranged relative to the vehicle 10 in any manner.

[0037] The assembled battery 20 includes multiple battery stacks 21 arranged side-by-side in the X direction. Each battery stack 21 can be referred to as a battery block or battery module. The assembled battery 20 is constructed by connecting multiple battery stacks 21 in series. Each battery stack 21 includes multiple battery cells 22. In this embodiment, the battery stack 21 is constructed by connecting multiple battery cells 22 arranged side-by-side in the Y direction in series. The assembled battery 20 provides the aforementioned DC voltage source. The assembled battery 20, battery stacks 21, and battery cells 22 correspond to batteries.

[0038] Each of the 22 battery cells is a secondary battery that generates an electromotive force through a chemical reaction. As a secondary battery, for example, a lithium-ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery can be used. A lithium-ion secondary battery is a secondary battery that uses lithium as a charge carrier. In addition to general lithium-ion secondary batteries with a liquid electrolyte, so-called all-solid-state batteries using a solid electrolyte can also be included.

[0039] On the upper surface of each battery stack 21, linear bus bar units 23 are arranged at both ends in the X direction. That is, a pair of bus bar units 23 are arranged in each battery stack 21. The bus bar units 23 are electrically connected to multiple battery cells 22. Figure 3 As shown, each battery cell 22 is formed in a flat shape and is stacked such that its side surfaces overlap each other in the Y direction. Each battery cell 22 has a positive terminal 25 and a negative terminal 26 protruding in the Z direction (more specifically, in the upward Z+ direction) at both ends in the X direction. The battery cells 22 are stacked such that the positive terminal 25 and the negative terminal 26 are arranged alternately in the Y direction.

[0040] Each busbar unit 23 includes a plurality of busbars 24 electrically connecting a positive terminal 25 and a negative terminal 26, and a plurality of busbar covers 27 covering the plurality of busbars 24. Each busbar 24 is a plate made of a metal with good conductivity (such as copper). Each busbar 24 electrically connects the positive terminal 25 and the negative terminal 26 of an adjacent battery cell 22 in the Y direction. Therefore, in each battery stack 21, a plurality of battery cells 22 are connected in series. In each battery stack 21, the positive terminal 25 of the battery cell 22 arranged at one end in the Y direction is connected to a predetermined positive wiring, and the negative terminal 26 of the battery cell 22 arranged at the other end is connected to a predetermined negative wiring.

[0041] Each busbar cover 27 is formed using an electrically insulating material such as resin. The busbar cover 27 is arranged linearly along the Y direction from one end of the battery stack 21 to the other to cover multiple busbars 24.

[0042] Each battery stack 21 is provided with a separate monitoring device 30. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the monitoring device 30 is arranged between the pair of bus units 23 in each battery stack 21. The monitoring device 30 is fixed to the bus unit 23 using screws or the like. As described later, the monitoring device 30 is configured to communicate wirelessly with the control device 40. The antenna 37 included in the monitoring device 30 is arranged so as not to overlap with the bus unit 23 in the Z direction, i.e., it protrudes from the bus unit 23 in the Z direction.

[0043] The control device 40 is attached to the outer surface of the battery stack 21 located at one end in the X direction. The control device 40 is configured to communicate wirelessly with each monitoring device 30. The antenna 42 included in the control device 40 is arranged at the same height as the radio antenna of the monitoring device 30 in the Z direction. That is, the antenna 42 of the control device 40 is configured to protrude from the bus unit 23 in the Z direction.

[0044] In battery pack 11, monitoring device 30 and control device 40 provide a battery management system, which will be described later. That is, battery pack 11 includes a battery management system.

[0045] Battery Management System

[0046] Next, we will refer to Figure 4 Describe a schematic configuration of the battery management system. Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the battery management system.

[0047] like Figure 4As shown, the battery management system 100 includes multiple monitoring devices (SBMs) 30 and a control device (ECU) 40. SBM is an abbreviation for Statenite Battery Module. The control device 40 may be referred to as a battery ECU or BMU. BMU is an abbreviation for Battery Management Unit. The battery management system 100 is a system that manages the battery using wireless communication. In the battery management system 100, wireless communication occurs between a control device 40 and multiple monitoring devices 30.

[0048] <Monitoring Device>

[0049] First, the monitoring device 30 will be described. Since the configurations of the monitoring devices 30 are almost identical, the common configuration will be described below. Each monitoring device 30 includes a power supply circuit (PSC) 31, a multiplexer (MUX) 32, a monitoring IC (MIC) 33, a microcomputer (MC) 34, a wireless IC (WIC) 35, a front-end circuit (FE) 36, and an antenna (ANT) 37. Communication between the components in each monitoring device 30 is via cables.

[0050] Power supply circuit 31 uses the voltage supplied from battery stack 21 to generate operating power for other circuit elements included in monitoring device 30. In this embodiment, power supply circuit 31 includes power supply circuits 311, 312, and 313. Power supply circuit 311 uses the voltage supplied from battery stack 21 to generate a predetermined voltage and supplies the predetermined voltage to monitoring IC 33. Power supply circuit 312 uses the voltage generated by power supply circuit 311 to generate the predetermined voltage and supplies the predetermined voltage to microcomputer 34. Power supply circuit 313 uses the voltage generated by power supply circuit 311 to generate the predetermined voltage and supplies the predetermined voltage to wireless IC 35.

[0051] Multiplexer 32 is a selection circuit that receives detection signals from multiple sensors 60 included in battery pack 11 and outputs the detection signals as a single signal. Multiplexer 32 selects (switches) inputs based on a selection signal from monitoring IC 33 and outputs them as a single signal. For example, sensor 60 includes sensors for detecting physical quantities of each battery cell 22 and sensors for distinguishing each battery cell 22. Sensors for detecting physical quantities include, for example, voltage sensors, temperature sensors, current sensors, etc.

[0052] The monitoring IC 33 senses (acquires) battery information, such as cell voltage, cell temperature, and cell identification, via multiplexer 32, and sends the battery information to microcomputer 34. The monitoring IC 33 may be referred to as CSC, which is an abbreviation for Cell Supervising Circuit. The monitoring IC 33 may have the function of performing fault diagnosis on the circuit units of the monitoring device 30, including the monitoring IC 33, and sending the diagnostic results along with the battery information as monitoring data. When the monitoring IC 33 receives data from microcomputer 34 requesting the acquisition of battery information, the monitoring IC 33 senses the battery information via multiplexer 32 and sends monitoring data, including at least the battery information, to microcomputer 34. The monitoring IC 33 corresponds to a monitoring unit.

[0053] A microcomputer 34 is a microcomputer that includes a CPU as a processor, ROM and RAM as memory, input / output interfaces, and buses connecting these components. The CPU constructs multiple functional units by executing various programs stored in ROM while using the temporary storage function of RAM. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory.

[0054] The microcomputer 34 controls the sensing and self-diagnostic schedule (or process) via the monitoring IC 33. The microcomputer 34 receives monitoring data sent from the monitoring IC 33 and transmits it to the wireless IC 35. The microcomputer 34 also sends data requesting battery information to the monitoring IC 33. As an example, when the microcomputer 34 in this embodiment receives data requesting battery information from the wireless IC 35, it sends the data requesting battery information to the monitoring IC 33.

[0055] Wireless IC 35 includes RF circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In addition to the RF circuitry, Wireless IC 35 may include a microcomputer. Wireless IC 35 has a transmission function that modulates the transmitted data and oscillates at the frequency of the RF signal. Wireless IC 35 has a reception function for demodulating the received data. RF is an abbreviation for Radio Frequency.

[0056] The wireless IC 35 modulates the data containing monitoring information transmitted from the microcomputer 34 and transmits it to the control device 40 via the front-end circuitry 36 and antenna 37. The wireless IC 35 adds data necessary for wireless communication, such as communication control information, to the transmission data including battery information, and then transmits this transmission data. Data required for wireless communication includes, for example, identifiers (IDs) and error detection codes. The wireless IC 35 controls the data size, communication format, schedule (process), and error detection of the communication between the monitoring device 30 and the control device 40.

[0057] The wireless IC 35 receives data transmitted from the control device 40 via the antenna 37 and the front-end circuitry 36, and demodulates the data. For example, when the wireless IC 35 receives data including a transmission request containing battery information, the wireless IC 35 transmits data including the battery information to the control device 40 as a response to the request. As an example, when the wireless IC 35 of this embodiment receives data including a retrieval request containing battery information, the wireless IC 35 transmits data (information) related to the retrieval request to the microcomputer 34. The wireless IC 35 corresponds to a wireless circuit unit.

[0058] The wireless IC 35 has a transmission buffer (BUF) 350 for accumulating battery information. The transmission buffer 350 temporarily holds monitoring data including battery information. The transmission buffer 350 is configured to accumulate multiple sets of monitoring data, i.e., battery information acquired multiple times by the monitoring IC 33. In this embodiment, the transmission buffer 350 is a hardware circuit configured in the RF circuitry. In a configuration where the wireless IC 35 includes a microcomputer, the transmission buffer 350 can be configured in software. When the wireless IC 35 receives communication establishment information sent by the control device 40, the wireless IC 35 deletes the established communication monitoring data from the transmission buffer 350.

[0059] The front-end circuit 36 ​​has a matching circuit for impedance matching between the wireless IC 35 and the antenna 37, and a filtering circuit for removing unwanted frequency components.

[0060] Antenna 37 converts the RF signal, which is an electrical signal, into radio waves and transmits it into space. Antenna 37 receives radio waves propagating in space and converts them into electrical signals.

[0061] <Control Device>

[0062] Next, the control device 40 will be described. The control device 40 includes a power supply circuit (PSC) 41, an antenna (ANT) 42, a front-end circuit (FE) 43, a wireless IC (WIC) 44, a main microcomputer (MMC) 45, and a sub-microcomputer (SMC) 46. Communication between each component in the control device 40 is via cables.

[0063] Power supply circuit 41 uses the voltage supplied from battery (BAT) 15 to generate operating power for other circuit elements included in control device 40. Battery 15 is a DC (direct current) voltage source installed on vehicle 10 and is different from battery pack 11. Battery 15 may be referred to as an auxiliary battery because it provides power to auxiliary devices of vehicle 10. In this embodiment, power supply circuit 41 includes power supply circuits 411 and 412. Power supply circuit 411 uses the voltage supplied from battery 15 to generate a predetermined voltage and supplies this predetermined voltage to main microcomputer 45 and auxiliary microcomputer 46. For simplicity of the drawings, the electrical connection between power supply circuit 411 and auxiliary microcomputer 46 is omitted. Power supply circuit 412 uses the voltage generated by power supply circuit 411 to generate the predetermined voltage and supplies this predetermined voltage to wireless IC 44.

[0064] Antenna 42 converts the RF signal, which is an electrical signal, into radio waves and transmits it into space. Antenna 37 receives the radio waves propagating in space and converts them into electrical signals.

[0065] The front-end circuit 43 has a matching circuit for impedance matching between the wireless IC 44 and the antenna 42, and a filtering circuit for removing unwanted frequency components.

[0066] Wireless IC 44 has RF circuitry for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. Wireless IC 44 has a similar configuration to Wireless IC 35. Wireless IC 44 has both transmitting and receiving functions. Wireless IC 44 receives data transmitted from monitoring device 30 via antenna 42 and front-end circuitry 43, and demodulates the data. Then, Wireless IC 44 transmits monitoring data containing battery information to main microcomputer 45. Wireless IC 44 receives data transmitted from main microcomputer 45, modulates the data, and transmits the modulated data to monitoring device 30 via front-end circuitry 43 and antenna 42. Wireless IC 44 adds data required for wireless communication (such as communication control information) to the transmitted data and transmits the data. Data required for wireless communication includes, for example, identifiers (IDs) and error detection codes. Wireless IC 44 controls the data size, communication format, schedule (process), error detection, etc., of the communication between monitoring device 30 and control device 40.

[0067] The main microcomputer 45 is a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output interfaces, buses connecting these components, etc. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU. The main microcomputer 45 generates commands requesting the monitoring device 30 to perform processing and sends transmission data including the commands to the wireless IC 44.

[0068] The main microcomputer 45 generates, for example, a transmission request command requesting the transmission of monitoring data including battery information. In addition to the transmission request command, the main microcomputer 45 can cause the transmitted data to include an acquisition request command requesting the acquisition of monitoring data. In addition to the transmission request command, the main microcomputer 45 can cause the transmitted data to include communication establishment information indicating whether wireless communication with the monitoring device 30 is proceeding normally.

[0069] The main microcomputer 45 receives monitoring data including battery information transmitted from the wireless IC 44 and performs predetermined processing based on the monitoring data. For example, the main microcomputer 45 performs processing to send the acquired battery information to the ECU 14. The main microcomputer 45 can calculate the SOC and / or SOH based on the battery information and can send the calculated battery information including SOC and / or SOH to the ECU. The main microcomputer 45 can perform equalization processing to equalize the voltage of each battery cell 22 based on the battery information. The main microcomputer 45 can acquire the ignition (IG) signal of the vehicle 10 and perform the above processing based on the IG signal according to the driving state of the vehicle 10. The main microcomputer 45 can perform processing to detect abnormalities in the battery cells 22 based on the battery information, or can send abnormality detection information to the ECU 14.

[0070] The secondary microcomputer 46 is a microcomputer provided with a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output interfaces, buses connecting these components, etc. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU. The secondary microcomputer 46 performs monitoring processing in the control device 40. For example, the secondary microcomputer 46 can monitor data between the wireless IC 44 and the main microcomputer 45. The secondary microcomputer 46 can monitor the status of the main microcomputer 45. The secondary microcomputer 46 can monitor the status of the wireless IC 44.

[0071] <Sending and Receiving Battery Information>

[0072] Next, we will refer to Figure 5 Describes the transmission and reception of battery information between one of the control device 40 and the monitoring device 30. Figure 5 An example of the timing of battery information requests and responses is shown. Figure 5In the diagram, the monitoring IC 33 is displayed as MIC 33, the wireless IC 35 is displayed as WIC 35, and the control device 40 is displayed as ECU 40.

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, control device 40 sends request data, including a request to acquire and a request to send monitoring data containing battery information, to monitoring device 30 (S10). The sending data in S10 corresponds to periodic data sent at a predetermined interval in the request data. The request can be referred to as an instruction. The request data to be sent also includes communication establishment information, which indicates whether control device 40 has successfully received response data including battery information from previous transmissions and receptions (i.e., previous requests and responses). For example, in the case of the first transmission and reception after power is turned on, the communication establishment information can indicate communication failure. Since all data in the transmission buffer 350 is deleted by powering off, the communication establishment information can indicate communication establishment.

[0074] When the wireless IC 35 of the monitoring device 30 receives the request data, if the communication establishment information indicates that communication has been established, the communication establishment data, i.e., the previous monitoring data, is deleted from the transmission buffer 350 (S20). The deletion of previous monitoring data is only performed if communication has been established. If communication has not yet been established, the previous monitoring data is not deleted from the transmission buffer 350 but is retained.

[0075] Next, the wireless IC 35 sends a request to acquire monitoring data, including battery information, to the monitoring IC 33 (S30). In this embodiment, the wireless IC 35 sends the acquisition request to the monitoring IC 33 via the microcomputer 34.

[0076] Upon receiving an acquisition request, the monitoring IC 33 performs sensing (S40). The monitoring IC 33 performs sensing via the multiplexer 32 and acquires battery information for each battery cell 22. In addition, the monitoring IC 33 performs fault diagnosis on the circuitry.

[0077] Then, the monitoring IC 33 sends monitoring data, including battery information, to the wireless IC 35 (S50). In this embodiment, the monitoring data includes fault diagnosis results and battery information. The monitoring IC 33 sends the monitoring data to the wireless IC 35 via the microcomputer 34.

[0078] When the wireless IC 35 receives monitoring data acquired by the monitoring IC 33, the wireless IC 35 accumulates the monitoring data in the transmission buffer 350 (S60). Then, the wireless IC 35 sends transmission data, including one set of monitoring data accumulated in the transmission buffer 350, to the control device 40 as response data (S70). For example, the wireless IC 35 transmits the monitoring data accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 in chronological order. When no previous monitoring data is accumulated in the transmission buffer 350, the wireless IC 35 sends the data acquired in S60, i.e., the monitoring data acquired this time, to the control device 40.

[0079] After performing the processing in S10, the control device 40 determines the establishment of communication (S80). The control device 40 determines whether monitoring data including battery information has been received normally within a transmission and reception cycle, and reflects the determination result in the communication establishment information to be transmitted next.

[0080] Communication establishment information distinguishes between communication establishment where the control device 40 has successfully received monitoring data and communication failure where the control device 40 has not yet successfully received monitoring data. For example, if monitoring data including battery information cannot be received within one cycle, the control device 40 determines that communication has failed. If monitoring data cannot be received within a predetermined time shorter than one cycle, the control device 40 can also determine that communication has failed. For example, the control device 40 can perform a timeout check by including a sequence number in the request data to be sent and requesting the return of the sequence number via response data. Furthermore, even if monitoring data can be received, the control device 40 can also determine that communication has failed if a communication error is detected by a check performed upon reception. When the control device 40 receives data, it performs a check using, for example, an error detection code. Communication establishment information may include information indicating communication establishment and / or information indicating communication failure. Even when either information indicating communication establishment or information indicating communication failure is included, the wireless IC 35 can determine whether previous communication was established.

[0081] The battery management system 100 repeatedly executes the above processes S10 to S80 at predetermined cycles.

[0082] <Summary of the First Embodiment>

[0083] According to the battery management system 100 of this embodiment, the wireless IC 35 of the monitoring device 30 includes a transmission buffer 350. The transmission buffer 350 can accumulate multiple monitoring data, i.e., multiple battery information, acquired by the monitoring IC 33 of the monitoring device 30. When communication with the control device 40 has been successfully performed based on communication establishment information from the control device 40, the monitoring data accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 is deleted. On the other hand, when communication has not been successfully performed, the monitoring data is not deleted, but is retained in the transmission buffer 350 and retransmitted. As a result, the omission of data including battery information can be suppressed.

[0084] In wireless communication, the communication speed is slower than wired communication, and the communication frequency is often very low. Therefore, if at least one physical quantity of the battery cell 22, such as voltage, becomes abnormal, or if an abnormality is detected by fault diagnosis information, the value may change suddenly if monitoring data is missed. If this value changes suddenly, the control will change abruptly, which, while not a safety issue, poses a risk to operability. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the control device 40 determines whether a communication error has occurred in response to receiving voltage data included in the response data, and requests the wireless IC 35 to retransmit the voltage data when a communication error is determined to have occurred. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the omission of monitoring data indicating abnormalities and suppress the impact on operability.

[0085] Furthermore, by suppressing the omission of monitoring data, the elements estimated through the accumulation of monitoring data (e.g., the accumulation of battery damage) can be accurately estimated. In addition, anomaly detection can be performed more than a threshold number of times. Also in this case, by suppressing the omission of monitoring data, the anomaly detection time can be accelerated.

[0086] Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is a timing diagram showing examples of sending and receiving, i.e., requests and responses, in the battery management system 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 6 This shows an example of sending and receiving normally across multiple cycles. Figure 7 This shows an example of abnormal sending and receiving.

[0087] Figure 6 and Figure 7Each of T1, T2, and T3 shown indicates one cycle of transmission and reception. TxA indicates request data sent from control device 40 to monitoring device 30. TxA corresponds to periodic data. Rx indicates monitoring data in response data sent from monitoring device 30 to control device 40. The number added to Rx indicates the number of times (cycle number) monitoring data is acquired by monitoring IC 33. For example, Rx1 is the monitoring data acquired in the first time period T1. In the following, it is assumed that during the processing of the first cycle T1, monitoring data is not accumulated in the transmission buffer 350.

[0088] When communication has been performed normally, the previously accumulated monitoring data in the send buffer 350 is deleted via the communication establishment information included in the data TxA. Therefore, as... Figure 6 As shown, when communication continues, the monitoring data acquired during that period can be sent to the control device 40 as a response signal. That is, monitoring data including the latest acquired battery information can be sent to the control device 40. The control device 40 can then perform processing based on the latest monitoring data.

[0089] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, during the first period T1, the control device 40 fails to receive data Rx1 normally. Therefore, during the second period T2, the communication establishment information included in data TxA indicates communication failure. As a result, data Rx1 in the transmit buffer 350 is retained and transmitted as response data during the second period T2. Data Rx2 acquired during the second period T2 is not transmitted during the second period T2, but is retained in the transmit buffer 350. During the second period T2, the control device 40 successfully receives data Rx1. Therefore, data Rx2 is transmitted during the third period T3. In this way, data for which communication was not established can be retransmitted without being deleted. That is, the omission of data including battery information can be suppressed.

[0090] In this embodiment, the control device 40 requests and sends monitoring data including battery information, and the monitoring IC 33 accordingly acquires and sends the monitoring data. This eliminates the need for the monitoring IC 33 to manage and control the communication schedule. Furthermore, by centrally managing the communication schedule by the control device 40, managing and changing the communication schedule becomes easier. Additionally, control within the monitoring IC 33 can be simplified.

[0091] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which monitoring data acquired by the monitoring IC 33 is accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 after the previous data for communication establishment is deleted from the transmission buffer 350. However, after the acquired monitoring data is accumulated in the transmission buffer 350, the previous data for communication establishment can be deleted from the transmission buffer 350. It is sufficient to delete the previous data for communication establishment and accumulate the acquired monitoring data before performing the data transmission process of S70.

[0092] (Second Embodiment)

[0093] The second embodiment is a modification of the foregoing embodiments as a basic configuration and can be combined with the description of the foregoing embodiments. In the preceding embodiments, an example of processing requests and responses for monitoring data only once per cycle has been described. Alternatively, the processing of requests and responses can be performed multiple times based on accumulated data in the send buffer 350.

[0094] Figure 8 An example of the timing of battery information requests and responses in the battery management system 100 according to this embodiment is shown. Figure 8 Corresponding to Figure 5 The processing up to S60 is the same as that in the previous embodiment. Therefore, the description of S10 to S50 is omitted, and these processes will be shown from S60.

[0095] like Figure 8 As shown, the wireless IC 35 performs the process of S60, that is, accumulating the monitoring data acquired by the monitoring IC 33 in the transmission buffer 350, and then performs the process of S70A. In S70A, instead of the process of S70 described in the previous embodiment, the untransmitted accumulated information is transmitted together with one piece of monitoring data accumulated in the transmission buffer 350. The untransmitted accumulated information is information related to monitoring data accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 but different from the monitoring data transmitted in S70A and which has not yet been transmitted in this transmission and reception cycle. For example, the number of the untransmitted monitoring data can be used, or an identifier identifying the untransmitted monitoring data can be used. The battery information included in the monitoring data transmitted in the process of S70A corresponds to the first battery information. The battery information included in the untransmitted monitoring data corresponds to the second battery information.

[0096] After executing S70A, the control device 40 executes the processing of S80, that is, communication establishment is confirmed, as in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0097] Control device 40 performs a determination of additional transmission processing (S90) based on the accumulated information of untransmitted data in the received response data. Control device 40 determines whether additional transmission and reception processing is possible based on, for example, whether there is untransmitted data and the remaining time of the transmission and reception cycle. If it is determined that additional transmission and reception processing is possible, control device 40 performs the processing of S100. If it is determined that additional transmission and reception processing is not possible, the processing of S100 is not performed, and the processing of S10 is performed in the next cycle.

[0098] In S100, the control device 40 performs a process to exclude the monitoring data acquisition request from the processing of S10. That is, request data including a request to send monitoring data and communication establishment information is sent. The request data sent in the processing of S10 corresponds to the first request data. The request data sent in the processing of S100 corresponds to the second request data.

[0099] Upon receiving the request data processed by S100, the wireless IC 35 of the monitoring device 30 executes the processing of S110. S110 is the same as the processing of S20. In S110, when communication establishment information indicates that communication has been established, the wireless IC 35 deletes the previously monitored data indicating established communication from the transmission buffer 350.

[0100] Since the received request data does not include an acquisition request, the additional transmission and reception processing does not perform the same processing as in S30 to S60. When the processing in S110 is complete, the wireless IC 35 performs the processing in S120. S120 is the same processing as in S70A.

[0101] After S120 is executed, control device 40 executes processes S130 and S140. S130 is the same process as S80, and S140 is the same process as S90. Figure 8 The process enclosed by the long dashed double-dotted line shown, i.e., the processes from S100 to S140, corresponds to additional transmission and reception processes. In S140, when the control device 40 determines that additional transmission and reception processes are possible, the control device 40 performs the additional transmission and reception processes again. As described above, when there is untransmitted monitoring data in the transmission buffer 350 and transmission and reception are possible within that cycle, the additional transmission and reception processes are repeatedly performed.

[0102] In the above process, for example, the wireless IC 35 can manage the flag of the transmit buffer 350. When monitoring data accumulated in the transmit buffer is transmitted, the wireless IC 35 sets the flag to 1. When communication is established in this state, the corresponding monitoring data is deleted from the transmit buffer 350. On the other hand, when communication fails, the flag of the corresponding monitoring data is reset to 0. As a result, in the case of communication failure, the monitoring data is not deleted but retained. This method can be applied to the aforementioned embodiments.

[0103] For example, when multiple monitoring data are accumulated, the transmit buffer 350 performs monitoring data transmission processing in the order they were acquired. When an additional transmission is performed within a cycle (S120), the transmit buffer 350 shifts the operation position by one. Therefore, if the communication of the first transmitted monitoring data fails, the monitoring data is retained instead of being deleted, and another monitoring data can be transmitted within a cycle.

[0104] <Summary of the Second Embodiment>

[0105] In this embodiment, when the wireless IC 35 sends monitoring data (battery information) accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 in response to request data (first request data) from the control device 40, the wireless IC 35 causes the response data to include untransmitted accumulated information (second battery information) that was not sent, which is different from the battery information to be sent (first battery information). When the control device 40 receives the response data including the untransmitted accumulated information, the control device 40 sends request data (second request data) requesting the transmission of the untransmitted battery information to the monitoring device 30 within the same period as the first request data. That is, when there is remaining data in the transmission buffer 350, additional transmission and reception processing is performed. As a result, as in the above embodiment, the transmission delay of the latest monitoring data can be suppressed, while the omission of monitoring data can be suppressed.

[0106] For example, it is preferable to use the latest battery information for charge / discharge control of the assembled battery 20 and for control of PCU12 and MG13. According to this embodiment, estimation accuracy can be improved, for example, estimation accuracy affected by omissions in monitoring data (e.g., accumulation of battery damage), and the accuracy of various controls in which the latest monitoring data is important can be improved.

[0107] Figure 9 and Figure 10 This is a timing diagram showing an example of requests and responses from the battery management system 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 9 and Figure 10 Corresponding to the above Figure 6 and Figure 7TxA represents the first requested data, and TxB represents the second requested data (additional requested data). TxA corresponds to periodic data. Also in these examples, it is assumed that no data is accumulated in the send buffer 350 during the processing of the first time period T1.

[0108] Figure 9 The display control device 40 cannot receive data Rx1 sent by the monitoring device 30 in the first cycle T1. The control device 40 cannot receive untransmitted accumulated information. In the second cycle T2, the communication establishment information included in the data TxA indicates communication failure. Therefore, when the monitoring device 30 receives the data TxA, the monitoring device 30 retains the data Rx1 accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 without deleting it. In the second cycle T2, the monitoring device 30 sends the data Rx1 from the transmission buffer 350 as response data. The data Rx2 acquired in the second cycle T2 was not sent and is retained in the transmission buffer 350. Therefore, the response signal includes the data Rx1 and untransmitted accumulated information indicating the existence of untransmitted data.

[0109] In the second cycle T2, the control device 40 normally receives data Rx1. Because there is untransmitted monitoring data, the control device 40 transmits data TxB including an additional transmission request. When the monitoring device 30 receives data TxB, it deletes the accumulated data Rx1 in the transmission buffer 350 based on the communication establishment information included in data TxB. Further, the monitoring device 30 transmits data Rx2 from the transmission buffer 350. The response signal includes data Rx2 and an indication that there is no untransmitted accumulated data.

[0110] In the second cycle T2, the control device 40 normally receives data Rx2. Since there is no untransmitted data, the control device 40 does not execute an additional transmission request. In the third cycle T3, the communication establishment information included in data TxA indicates the establishment of communication for data Rx2. When the monitoring device 30 receives data TxA, it deletes the accumulated data Rx2 from the transmission buffer 350 based on the communication establishment information. Further, the monitoring device 30 transmits the acquired data Rx3 from the transmission buffer 350.

[0111] Figure 10 The display control device 40 fails to receive data Rx1 in the first cycle T1 and detects a communication error through a check, while simultaneously receiving data Rx1 in the second cycle T2. In the second cycle T2, the monitoring device 30 continues to receive the data Rx1 stream until it retransmits it. Figure 9 The stream is the same as the one in the previous example, so its description is omitted. Data Rx1 is sent together with unsent cumulative information indicating the presence of unsent data.

[0112] In the second cycle T2, the control device 40 receives data Rx1 but detects a communication error by checking using error correction codes, etc. Since there is untransmitted data, the control device 40 sends data TxB including an additional transmission request. Data TxB includes communication establishment information indicating communication failure. When the monitoring device 30 receives data TxB, based on the communication establishment information included in data TxB, the monitoring device 30 retains data Rx1 accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 without deleting data Rx1. Further, the monitoring device 30 sends data Rx2 from the transmission buffer 350. The response signal includes data Rx2 and untransmitted accumulation information indicating that there is no untransmitted data.

[0113] In the second cycle T2, the control device 40 normally receives data Rx2. Since there is no untransmitted data, the control device 40 does not execute an additional transmission request. In the third cycle T3, the communication establishment information included in data TxA indicates the establishment of communication for data Rx2. When the monitoring device 30 receives data TxA, it deletes data Rx2 accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 based on the communication establishment information. In the third cycle T3, the monitoring device 30 transmits data Rx1 from the transmission buffer 350 as response data. Data Rx3 acquired in the third cycle T3 is not transmitted and is retained in the transmission buffer 350. The response signal includes data Rx1 and untransmitted accumulation information indicating the existence of untransmitted data.

[0114] In the third cycle T3, the control device 40 normally receives data Rx1. Because there is untransmitted data, the control device 40 sends data TxB including an additional transmission request. When the monitoring device 30 receives data TxB, it deletes the data Rx1 accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 based on the communication establishment information included in data TxB. Further, the monitoring device 30 sends data Rx3 from the transmission buffer 350. The response signal includes data Rx3 and untransmitted data accumulation information indicating that there is no untransmitted data.

[0115] from Figure 9 and Figure 10 As can be seen from the example shown, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the omission of monitoring data while suppressing the delay in sending the latest monitoring data.

[0116] (Third Embodiment)

[0117] The third embodiment is a modification of the foregoing embodiments as a basic configuration, and can be combined with the description of the foregoing embodiments. Although not specifically mentioned in the foregoing embodiments, all data accumulated in the transmission buffer 350 can be deleted when predetermined conditions are met.

[0118] Figure 11 This diagram illustrates the processing performed by the wireless IC 35 in the battery management system 100 according to this embodiment. When the transmit buffer 350 is full, that is, when new monitoring data acquired by the monitoring IC 33 cannot be accumulated in the transmit buffer 350, the wireless IC 35 deletes all monitoring data (data X, data Z, data A, data C, data F) from the transmit buffer (BUF) 350. In other words, the wireless IC 35 restores the transmit buffer 350 to its initial state where no monitoring data has been accumulated. As a result, newly acquired monitoring data (data G) can be accumulated in the transmit buffer 350.

[0119] The wireless IC 35 can determine whether there is a gap in the transmit buffer 350 based on accumulated information of the monitored data. If no gap is found, all data in the transmit buffer 350 can be deleted immediately. For example, all data can be deleted via hardware processing such as a power-on reset. All data can also be deleted via a software reset.

[0120] Furthermore, the connection establishment state between the monitoring device 30 and the control device 40 can be cancelled, and all data can be deleted using this cancellation. In this case, connection establishment work, such as so-called pairing, is required again. Further, the control device 40 can determine the availability of the transmit buffer 350 and send an instruction to the monitoring device 30 to delete all data accumulated in the transmit buffer 350. When the monitoring device 30 receives the instruction to delete all data, it immediately deletes all data in the transmit buffer 350. The control device 40 can determine the availability of the transmit buffer 350 based on, for example, untransmitted accumulation information and communication establishment information.

[0121] <Summary of the Third Embodiment>

[0122] As described above, in this embodiment, when the transmit buffer 350 is full, the wireless IC 35 deletes all monitoring data in the transmit buffer 350. Therefore, when the communication environment between the monitoring device 30 and the control device 40 deteriorates and communication anomalies (i.e., communication failures) continue, it is possible to prevent newly acquired monitoring data from being transmitted. For example, in a configuration that performs additional transmit and receive processing, it is possible to prevent newly acquired monitoring data from being transmitted within the acquired period.

[0123] <Variation>

[0124] The deletion of all data accumulated in the transmit buffer 350 is not limited to the state where the transmit buffer 350 is full. For example, the amount of data that can be transmitted in a transmit and receive cycle may be less than the amount of data that can be accumulated in the transmit buffer 350. In this case, when the amount of data accumulated in the transmit buffer 350 exceeds the amount of data that can be transmitted in a cycle, the wireless IC 35 can delete all the data accumulated in the transmit buffer 350.

[0125] For example, when the number of data that can be transmitted from monitoring device 30 in one cycle is three, such as Figure 12 As shown, three surveillance data points (data X, data Z, and data A) are accumulated in the transmit buffer (BUF) 350. Since four surveillance data points will be accumulated when newly acquired surveillance data is included, the wireless IC 35 deletes all surveillance data from the transmit buffer 350. As a result, the newly acquired surveillance data (data G) can be accumulated in the transmit buffer 350.

[0126] The deletion and modification of all data shown in the third embodiment can be combined with any of the data in the preceding embodiments.

[0127] (Other embodiments)

[0128] The disclosure in this specification, drawings, etc., is not limited to exemplary embodiments. This disclosure includes the illustrated embodiments and variations made by those skilled in the art. For example, this disclosure is not limited to the combinations of components and / or elements shown in the embodiments. This disclosure can be implemented in various combinations. This disclosure may have additional portions that can be added to the embodiments. This disclosure includes omissions of components and / or elements from the embodiments. This disclosure includes substitutions or combinations of components and / or elements between one embodiment and another. The scope of the disclosed technology is not limited to the description of the embodiments. It should be understood that some of the scope of the disclosed technology is indicated by the description of the claims and includes all modifications within the equivalent meaning and scope of the description of the claims.

[0129] The disclosures in the specification, drawings, etc., are not limited to the descriptions in the claims. The disclosures in the specification, drawings, etc., include the technical ideas described in the claims, and further extend to technical ideas that are broader than those described in the claims. Therefore, various technical ideas can be extracted from the disclosures in the specification, drawings, etc., and are not limited to the descriptions in the claims.

[0130] When an element or layer is described as “arranged above” or “connected”, the element or layer may be directly arranged above or connected to another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers between them. Conversely, when an element or layer is described as “directly arranged above” or “directly connected”, there are no intermediate elements or layers. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements (e.g., “between” vs. “directly between”, and “adjacent” vs. “directly adjacent”) should be interpreted similarly. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations relating to one or more of the listed items. For example, the terms A and / or B include only A, include only B, or both A and B.

[0131] Spatial relative terms such as “inside,” “outside,” “back,” “bottom,” “low,” “top,” and “high” are used herein to help describe the relationship between one element or feature and another. In addition to the orientations depicted in the figures, spatial relative terms may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, when the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as “below” or “directly below” another element or feature points “above” another element or feature. Thus, the term “below” can include both above and below. The device may be oriented in another direction (rotated 90 degrees or in any other direction), and the spatial relative terms used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0132] The apparatuses, systems, and methods disclosed in this disclosure can be implemented by a dedicated computer, which constitutes a processor programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Furthermore, the apparatuses and methods described in this disclosure can also be implemented by dedicated hardware logic circuitry. Moreover, the apparatuses and methods described in this disclosure can be implemented by one or more dedicated computers comprising a processor executing a computer program and one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program can be stored as instructions to be executed by a computer in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium. That is, the means and / or functions provided by the processor, etc., can be provided by software, software-only, hardware-only, or a combination thereof stored in a tangible memory device and a computer used to execute them. For example, some or all of the functions provided by the processor can be implemented as hardware. Modes among the functions implemented as hardware include modes using one or more ICs. The processor can be implemented using an MPU, GPU, or DFP instead of a CPU. The processor can be implemented by combining multiple types of arithmetic processing units such as CPU, MPU, GPU, etc. The processor can be implemented as a SoC. Further, various processing units can be implemented using an FPGA or ASIC. Various programs can be stored in a non-transitory physical recording medium. Various storage media can be used for program storage, such as HDDs, SSDs, flash memory, and SD cards. DFP is an abbreviation for Data Flow Processor. SoC is an abbreviation for System on Chip. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. SSD is an abbreviation for Solid State Drive. SD is an abbreviation for Secure Digital.

[0133] For example, an example of a monitoring device 30 including a microcomputer 34 has been described, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 13 As shown, a battery management system 100 that does not include a microcomputer 34 can also be used, with monitoring device 30. Figure 13 Corresponding to Figure 4 In this configuration, the wireless IC 35 sends data to and receives data from the monitoring IC 33. The wireless IC 35 can perform schedule control based on sensing and self-diagnosis by the monitoring IC 33, or the main microcomputer 45 of the control device 40 can perform schedule control.

[0134] Examples have been described of periodic data (TxA) that includes acquisition requests and transmission requests for monitoring data containing battery information, which are periodically sent by the control device 40; however, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The periodic data may include only transmission requests for monitoring data and not acquisition requests for monitoring data. The monitoring device 30 may acquire monitoring data at a predetermined, pre-set cycle based on the transmission and reception cycle, rather than acquiring new monitoring data triggered by acquisition requests from the control device 40. The predetermined cycle corresponds, for example, one cycle of transmission and reception.

[0135] An example of arranging a monitoring device 30 for each of the individual battery stacks 21 has been shown, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, one monitoring device 30 may be arranged for multiple battery stacks 21. Multiple monitoring devices 30 may be arranged for one battery stack 21.

[0136] An example of a battery pack 11 including a control device 40 has been described, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The battery pack 11 may include multiple control devices 40. That is, the battery pack 11 may include one or more monitoring devices 30 and one or more control devices 40. The battery management system 100 may include multiple sets of wireless communication systems established between a control device 40 and one or more monitoring devices 30.

[0137] An example of a monitoring device 30 including a monitoring IC 33 has been described, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The monitoring device 30 may include multiple monitoring ICs 33. In this case, a wireless IC 35 may be provided for each monitoring IC 33, or a single wireless IC 35 may be provided for multiple monitoring ICs 33.

[0138] The arrangement and number of the battery stack 21 and battery cells 22 constituting the assembled battery 20 are not limited to the examples described above. The arrangement of the monitoring device 30 and / or control device 40 in the battery pack 11 is also not limited to the examples described above.

Claims

1. A battery management system, comprising: A monitoring device includes a monitoring unit and a wireless circuit unit, the monitoring unit being configured to acquire and monitor battery information indicating battery status, and the wireless circuit unit being configured to send data to and receive data from the monitoring unit and to perform wireless communication. and A control device configured to wirelessly communicate with the wireless circuit unit and perform predetermined processing based on the battery information, wherein... The control device is further configured to send request data to the monitoring device requesting the transmission of battery information. The monitoring device is configured to send response data, including battery information, to the control device in response to receiving the request data. The control device is further configured to include communication establishment information in the next request data, the communication establishment information being able to distinguish between a communication establishment in which the response data regarding the request data is received normally and a communication failure in which the response data regarding the request data is received abnormally, and then send the next request data. The requested data includes periodic data sent at predetermined intervals. The wireless circuit unit includes a transmission buffer, which is capable of individually accumulating battery information acquired by the monitoring unit multiple times. The wireless circuit unit is also configured to send battery information in the transmission buffer to the control device in response to a request for data, and The wireless circuit unit is further configured to delete battery information corresponding to the communication establishment from the transmit buffer based on the communication establishment information, and to retain battery information corresponding to the communication failure in the transmit buffer.

2. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein The wireless circuit unit is further configured such that the response data includes untransmitted accumulated information of the first battery information and the second battery information, and in response to the first request data which is the request data, the response data is sent to the control device. Each of the first battery information and the second information is battery information that has been accumulated once in the transmission buffer. The unsent cumulative information of the second battery information indicates that second battery information, which is different from the first battery information, has not been sent, and The control device is also configured to, in response to receiving unsent cumulative information of the second battery information, send a second request data requesting the transmission of the second battery information to the monitoring device at the same period as the first request data.

3. The battery management system according to claim 2, wherein... The control device is further configured to, under the condition that the control device normally receives response data including first battery information regarding the first request data, send second request data including communication establishment information indicating the establishment of the communication, and The wireless circuit unit is further configured to, in response to a second request data from the control device, delete the first battery information for which communication has been established from the transmit buffer, and send the second battery information accumulated in the transmit buffer to the control device.

4. The battery management system according to claim 2, wherein The control device is further configured to, in the event that a reception error occurs simultaneously with the control device receiving response data including the first battery information regarding the first request data, send second request data including communication establishment information indicating communication failure, and The wireless circuit unit is further configured to, in response to the second request data from the control device, send the second battery information accumulated in the transmission buffer to the control device, while retaining the first battery information in the transmission buffer without deleting the first battery information.

5. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The wireless circuit unit is further configured to delete all data in the transmission buffer when there is no empty space in the transmission buffer.

6. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The wireless circuit unit is further configured to delete all data in the transmission buffer if the amount of data accumulated in the transmission buffer exceeds the amount of data that can be transmitted in one cycle.

7. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The periodic data includes requests to acquire and send battery information, and The monitoring unit is further configured to acquire the battery information in response to the acquisition request.

8. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The wireless circuit unit is further configured to delete all battery information accumulated in the transmission buffer when the power of the battery management system is turned off.

9. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The control device is further configured to determine whether a communication error has occurred in response to receiving voltage data included in the response data, and to request the wireless circuit unit to retransmit the voltage data when a communication error is determined to have occurred.

10. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The battery management system is configured to be installed in the vehicle, and The control device is further configured to calculate the battery state from the battery information based on the vehicle's ignition signal.

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