Secondary battery management device, secondary battery management method, and storage medium

Abstract

This invention provides a secondary battery management device, a secondary battery management method, and a storage medium that can easily balance the durability of a secondary battery used for vehicle operation with the convenience of the vehicle. The secondary battery management device includes: a target setting unit that sets a target charge rate and a target charge rate attainment time; a main charge setting unit that sets a main charge start time and a main charge speed based on the charger output, the target charge rate, and the target charge rate attainment time; at least one of a discharge setting unit and a secondary charge setting unit, the discharge setting unit setting a discharge start time and a discharge speed (i.e., discharge rate) from the secondary battery, and the secondary charge setting unit setting a secondary charge start time and a secondary charge speed for charging the secondary battery at a secondary charge speed; and a charge / discharge execution unit that performs main charge, discharge, and secondary charge according to the set parameters.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a secondary battery management device, a secondary battery management method, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, the spread of vehicles, such as electric vehicles (EV), hybrid vehicles (HV), and fuel cell vehicles (FCV), which utilize a motor driven by electric power supplied from a secondary battery as a power source, is advancing. A secondary battery mounted on these vehicles is self-discharged without being charged after becoming a full charge state once. Therefore, the charge rate of the secondary battery described above continues to decrease, and there is a case where sufficient electric power cannot be supplied to the vehicle when the vehicle is used.

[0003] As a technique to solve such a problem, for example, a power supply system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5672186 can be cited. The power supply system controls the charge and discharge electric power of a storage battery of a storage unit provided outside a vehicle and a vehicle-mounted storage battery of a vehicle-mounted storage device in accordance with a charge and discharge schedule. SUMMARY

[0004] However, the power supply system described above sometimes requires the storage battery of the storage unit provided outside the vehicle in order to suppress the deterioration of the vehicle-mounted storage battery caused by a higher charge rate and to supply sufficient electric power to the vehicle when the vehicle is used. Therefore, the power supply system sometimes cannot balance the durability of the vehicle-mounted storage battery and the convenience of the vehicle in a case where the storage battery of the storage unit cannot be used.

[0005] The present application is achieved in consideration of such a situation, and one of the objects is to provide a secondary battery management device, a secondary battery management method, and a storage medium that can easily balance the durability of a secondary battery used for the purpose of traveling of a vehicle and the convenience of the vehicle.

[0006] To solve the above problem and achieve the above object, the present application adopts the following solution.

[0007] (1) : The secondary battery management device of one aspect of the present application has: a target setting section that sets a target of a state of charge of a secondary battery used for a purpose of traveling of a vehicle, i.e., a target state of charge, and a time of completion of main charging of the secondary battery to the target state of charge, i.e., a target state of charge reaching time; a main charging setting section that sets a time of start of the main charging, i.e., a main charging start time, and a main charging speed based on an output of a charger that charges the secondary battery, the target state of charge, and the target state of charge reaching time; at least one of a discharge setting section that sets a time of start of discharge from the secondary battery, i.e., a discharge start time, and a discharge speed, and a sub-charging setting section that sets a time of start of sub-charging of the secondary battery at a sub-charging speed, i.e., a sub-charging start time, and the sub-charging speed; and a charge / discharge execution section that executes the main charging in accordance with contents set by the main charging setting section, executes the discharge in accordance with contents set by the discharge setting section, and executes the sub-charging in accordance with contents set by the sub-charging setting section.

[0008] (2) : In the aspect of the above (1), the sub-charging setting section can be configured to set the sub-charging to be executed before the main charging start time.

[0009] (3) : In the aspect of the above (1) or (2), the discharge setting section can be configured to set the discharge to be executed before the main charging start time.

[0010] (4) : In any one of the aspects of the above (1) to (3), the discharge setting section can be configured to set the discharge to be executed after the main charging start time.

[0011] (5) : In any one of the aspects of the above (1) to (4), the secondary battery management device can further have a tendency data acquisition section that acquires tendency data indicating a predetermined tendency of use of the vehicle, the main charging setting section can calculate an amount of electric power that can be subjected to the main charging of the secondary battery, i.e., a main chargeable electric power amount, based on the tendency data, and set the main charging start time and the main charging speed based on the main chargeable electric power amount, and the sub-charging setting section can calculate an amount of electric power that can be subjected to the sub-charging of the secondary battery, i.e., a sub-chargeable electric power amount, based on the tendency data, and set the sub-charging start time and the sub-charging speed based on the sub-chargeable electric power amount.

[0012] (6) In the aspect of (5) above, the discharge setting section can calculate the amount of dischargeable power based on the main chargeable power amount and the sub chargeable power amount, and set the discharge start timing and the discharge rate based on the dischargeable power amount.

[0013] (7) In the aspect of (5) or (6) above, the tendency data acquisition section can acquire the tendency data indicating a first period during which the vehicle is not driven, a second period during which the vehicle is driven and which follows the first period, and a third period during which the vehicle is not driven and which follows the second period, and the target setting section can set the target charge rate reaching timing to the end of the first period, and set the target charge rate to a charge rate that is higher than or equal to a charge rate required for the vehicle to travel during the second period.

[0014] (8) In the aspect of (5) or (6) above, the tendency data acquisition section can acquire the tendency data indicating a first period during which the vehicle is not driven, a second period during which the vehicle is driven and which follows the first period, and a third period during which the vehicle is not driven and which follows the second period, and the target setting section can set the target charge rate to a charge rate that is higher than or equal to a prescribed charge rate, and set the target charge rate reaching timing to the end of the third period.

[0015] (9) In any of the aspects of (1) to (8) above, the secondary battery management device can further include a determination section that determines whether a person is present in an interior of the vehicle, and in a case where it is determined that a person is present in the interior of the vehicle, the discharge setting section can set to prohibit the discharge.

[0016] (10) In the aspect of (9) above, the discharge setting section can cancel the setting to prohibit the discharge of the secondary battery in a case where the charge rate of the secondary battery exceeds a prescribed threshold after the discharge is prohibited.

[0017] (11) In any of the aspects of (1) to (10) above, the discharge setting section can set to utilize power output from the secondary battery by the discharge for at least one of warming of the secondary battery, cooling of the secondary battery, air conditioning of an interior of the vehicle, and heating of oil of the vehicle.

[0018] (12) In any of the above (1) to (10), the main charging setting section can perform the process of setting the main charging start time and the main charging rate at least once based on the power generated by the solar power panel.

[0019] (13) In the above (12), the solar power panel can be mounted on the vehicle.

[0020] (14) A storage medium according to an aspect of the present application stores a secondary battery management program that causes a computer to function as: a target setting function that sets a target of a state of charge of a secondary battery used for a purpose of traveling of a vehicle, i.e., a target state of charge, and a time at which the secondary battery is charged to the target state of charge at a main charging rate, i.e., a target state of charge reaching time; a main charging setting function that sets a main charging start time at which a charger that charges the secondary battery starts to charge the secondary battery, and a main charging rate at which the secondary battery is charged, based on an output of the charger, the target state of charge, and the target state of charge reaching time; at least one of a discharging setting function that sets a discharging start time at which discharging from the secondary battery starts, and a discharging rate at which the secondary battery is discharged, and a sub-charging setting function that sets a sub-charging start time at which the secondary battery is charged at a sub-charging rate, and the sub-charging rate; and a charge / discharge execution function that executes the main charging in accordance with the content set by the main charging setting function, executes the discharging in accordance with the content set by the discharging setting function, and executes the sub-charging in accordance with the content set by the sub-charging setting function.

[0021] (15) A secondary battery management method of one aspect of the present application causes a computer to perform the following processing: set a target of a state of charge of a secondary battery used for a purpose of causing a vehicle to travel, i.e., a target state of charge, and a time of completion of charging the secondary battery to the target state of charge at a main charging rate, i.e., a target state of charge reaching time; set a time of start of the main charging, i.e., a main charging start time, and the main charging rate, based on an output of a charger that charges the secondary battery, the target state of charge, and the target state of charge reaching time; perform at least one of processing of setting a time of start of discharging from the secondary battery, i.e., a discharging start time, and a rate of the discharging, i.e., a discharging rate, and processing of setting a time of start of charging the secondary battery at a sub-charging rate, i.e., a sub-charging start time, and the sub-charging rate; perform the main charging in accordance with contents set by the main charging setting section, perform the discharging in accordance with contents set by the discharging setting section, and perform the sub-charging in accordance with contents set by the sub-charging setting section.

[0022] According to (1) to (13), the secondary battery management device performs at least one of processing of performing discharging to decrease a state of charge of the secondary battery and processing of performing sub-charging to increase the state of charge of the secondary battery relatively slowly, and processing of performing main charging to increase the state of charge of the secondary battery relatively quickly. Thereby, the secondary battery management device maintains an average of the state of charge during a period from an earliest time among a main charging start time, a sub-charging start time, and a discharging start time to the target state of charge reaching time as a relatively low state of charge, and causes the state of charge of the secondary battery at the target state of charge reaching time to be the target state of charge. Therefore, the secondary battery management device can suppress deterioration of the secondary battery mounted on the vehicle, and can cause the state of charge of the secondary battery when the vehicle is used to be a desired state of charge.

[0023] According to (2), the secondary battery management device performs sub-charging as a preliminary for performing main charging. Thereby, the secondary battery management device can maintain an average of the state of charge during a period from the sub-charging start time to the target state of charge reaching time as a relatively low state of charge, and can complete preparation for causing the state of charge of the secondary battery at the target state of charge reaching time to be the target state of charge.

[0024] According to (3), the secondary battery management device causes the secondary battery to perform discharging before performing main charging. Thereby, the secondary battery management device can maintain an average of the state of charge during a period from the discharging start time to the target state of charge reaching time as a relatively low state of charge, and can complete preparation for causing the state of charge of the secondary battery at the target state of charge reaching time to be the target state of charge.

[0025] According to (4), the secondary battery management device performs discharging after the main charging start timing. Thereby, the secondary battery management device can increase the charge rate of the secondary battery corresponding to the period from the main charging start timing to the target charge rate attainment timing, and make the charge rate of the secondary battery at the target charge rate attainment timing the target charge rate.

[0026] According to (5), the secondary battery management device sets the main charging start timing, the main charging speed, the sub-charging start timing, and the sub-charging speed based on tendency data indicating a predetermined tendency of use of the vehicle. Thereby, the secondary battery management device can perform the main charging and the sub-charging corresponding to the predetermined tendency of use of the vehicle.

[0027] According to (6), the secondary battery management device sets the discharging start timing and the discharging speed based on the dischargeable electric power amount calculated from the main chargeable electric power amount and the sub-chargeable electric power amount. Thereby, the secondary battery management device can perform the discharging corresponding to the predetermined tendency of use of the vehicle.

[0028] According to (7), the secondary battery management device sets the target charge rate attainment timing to the end of the first period, and sets the target charge rate to a charge rate that is higher than a charge rate required for the vehicle to travel in the second period. Thereby, the secondary battery management device can make the secondary battery a state in which the secondary battery can supply sufficient electric power to the vehicle when the vehicle is used in the second period.

[0029] According to (8), the secondary battery management device sets the target charge rate attainment timing to the end of the third period. Thereby, the secondary battery management device can perform the above-described processing regardless of the second period in a case where the second period is short between the first period that is a period in which the vehicle is not traveled and the third period, and make the secondary battery a state in which the secondary battery can supply sufficient electric power to the vehicle at the end of the third period.

[0030] According to (9), the secondary battery management device is set to prohibit discharging in a case where it is determined that a person is present in the interior of the vehicle. Thereby, the secondary battery management device can avoid a case where the person present in the interior of the vehicle cannot use the in-vehicle device that operates using electric power of the secondary battery.

[0031] According to (10), the secondary battery management device can appropriately perform discharging to reduce the charge rate of the secondary battery and suppress deterioration of the secondary battery even in a case where there is a possibility that the person present in the interior of the vehicle uses the in-vehicle device that operates using electric power of the secondary battery, in a case where the charge rate of the secondary battery is sufficiently high.

[0032] According to (11), the secondary battery management device is configured to utilize the electric power output from the secondary battery by discharging for at least one of warming of the secondary battery, cooling of the secondary battery, air conditioning of an interior of the vehicle, and heating of oil of the vehicle. Thus, the secondary battery management device can effectively utilize the electric power output from the secondary battery by discharging.

[0033] According to (12) and (13), the secondary battery management device at least once performs a process of setting the main charging start timing and the main charging rate based on the electric power generated by the solar power generation panel. Thus, the secondary battery management device can appropriately correct the main charging start timing and the main charging rate based on an actual value of the electric power generated by the solar power generation panel even if there is a possibility that the electric power generated by the solar power generation panel fluctuates due to a change in weather or the like.

[0034] According to (14), the storage medium executes at least one of a process of discharging to decrease the state of charge of the secondary battery and a process of performing sub-charging to increase the state of charge of the secondary battery relatively slowly, and a process of performing main charging to increase the state of charge of the secondary battery relatively quickly. Thus, the storage medium maintains an average of the state of charge during a period from an earliest timing among the main charging start timing, the sub-charging start timing, and the discharging start timing to the target state of charge reaching timing to be a relatively low state of charge, and the state of charge of the secondary battery at the target state of charge reaching timing is the target state of charge. Therefore, the storage medium can suppress deterioration of the secondary battery mounted on the vehicle, and can cause the state of charge of the secondary battery when the vehicle is used to be a desired state of charge.

[0035] According to (15), the secondary battery management method executes at least one of a process of discharging to decrease the state of charge of the secondary battery and a process of performing sub-charging to increase the state of charge of the secondary battery relatively slowly, and a process of performing main charging to increase the state of charge of the secondary battery relatively quickly. Thus, the secondary battery management method maintains an average of the state of charge during a period from an earliest timing among the main charging start timing, the sub-charging start timing, and the discharging start timing to the target state of charge reaching timing to be a relatively low state of charge, and the state of charge of the secondary battery at the target state of charge reaching timing is the target state of charge. Therefore, the secondary battery management method can suppress deterioration of the secondary battery mounted on the vehicle, and can cause the state of charge of the secondary battery when the vehicle is used to be a desired state of charge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware structure of the secondary battery management device of the embodiment.

[0037] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software structure of the secondary battery management device of the embodiment.

[0038] Figure 3 Fig. 8 is an example of a graph showing a schedule of a change in the state of charge of the secondary battery with time when the discharge is executed before the main charging start time, and a schedule of a change in the state of charge of the secondary battery of the first comparative example.

[0039] Figure 4 Fig. 9 is an example of a graph showing a schedule of a change in the state of charge of the secondary battery with time when the discharge is executed before the main charging start time, and a schedule of a change in the state of charge of the secondary battery of the second comparative example.

[0040] Figure 5 Fig. 10 is an example of a graph showing a schedule of a change in the state of charge of the secondary battery with time when the discharge is executed after the main charging start time.

[0041] Figure 6 Fig. 11 is an example of a flowchart showing a process executed by the secondary battery management device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a secondary battery management device, a secondary battery management program, a secondary battery management method, and a storage medium of the present application will be described.

[0043] <EMBODIMENT>

[0044] First, with reference to Figure 1 The hardware structure of the vehicle control device of the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 Fig. 1 is an example of a graph showing a hardware structure of the secondary battery management device of the embodiment. Figure 1 The secondary battery management device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) mounted on a vehicle. The secondary battery management device 1, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with a processor 11, an input interface 12, an output interface 13, and a storage device 14. Figure 1

[0045] The processor 11 is, for example, a central processing device (CPU: Central Processing Unit) that reads and executes the secondary battery management program described later, and realizes each function possessed by the secondary battery management device 1. The processor 11 can also read and execute a program other than the secondary battery management program, and realize each function possessed by the vehicle.

[0046] ​The input interface 12 is an interface circuit for receiving data from an electronic control unit other than the secondary battery management device 1, a sensor mounted on a vehicle, and the like. The input interface 12 receives data transmitted via a CAN (Controller Area Network), a LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or the like.

[0047] The output interface 13 is an interface circuit for transmitting data representing a result calculated by the processor 11 based on data received by the input interface 12. The output interface 13 transmits data transmitted via a CAN, a LIN, or the like.

[0048] The storage device 14 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores, in advance, a secondary battery management program, other programs, which are read out and executed by the processor 11. The storage device 14 can also have a storage area in which data representing a result calculated by the processor 11 is saved.

[0049] Next, the secondary battery management device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2 The software structure of the secondary battery management device according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the software structure of the secondary battery management device according to the embodiment. The secondary battery management device 1 is mounted on a vehicle, for example, an electric motor vehicle, a hybrid motor vehicle, a fuel cell motor vehicle, a motor vehicle mounted with a solar power generation panel. As shown in Figure 2 The secondary battery management device 1 includes a tendency data acquisition section 101, a target setting section 102, a main charge setting section 103, a sub-charge setting section 104, a discharge setting section 105, a determination section 106, and a charge / discharge execution section 107.

[0050] At least a part of the functions of the secondary battery management device 1 is realized, for example, by the processor 11 as hardware executing the secondary battery management program as software. At least a part of the functions of the secondary battery management device 1 can be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like, or can be realized by a cooperative operation of software and hardware.

[0051] The tendency data acquisition unit 101 acquires tendency data. The tendency data is data indicating a predetermined tendency of use of the vehicle. The tendency data indicates a tendency of a period during which the vehicle travels, a period during which the vehicle does not travel, a place where the vehicle is present, and the like. For example, the tendency data can also indicate tendencies thereof by day of the week, by season, or by region.

[0052] The target setting unit 102 sets a target charge rate of the secondary battery for the purpose of use of the vehicle, which is a target charge rate, and a time at which main charging of the secondary battery to the target charge rate is completed, which is a target charge rate reaching time. The secondary battery referred to herein is, for example, a lithium ion battery.

[0053] For example, the target charge rate is set based on at least one of a distance predicted to be traveled by the vehicle and a time predicted to be used for using a vehicle-mounted device such as an air conditioner, a sound system, or the like mounted on the vehicle, which is indicated by the tendency data. Alternatively, the target charge rate can also be set based on weather of a place where the vehicle is present, in the case where the vehicle is mounted with a solar power panel that supplies power to the secondary battery. The target charge rate reaching time is set to, for example, a time predicted to be when the vehicle starts traveling, which is indicated by the tendency data.

[0054] The main charging setting unit 103 sets parameters related to main charging that is charging of the secondary battery at a faster speed than sub-charging. Specifically, the main charging setting unit 103 sets a main charging start time that is a time when main charging starts and a main charging speed based on an output of a charger that charges the secondary battery, the target charge rate, and the target charge rate reaching time. That is, the main charging setting unit 103 sets the main charging start time and the main charging speed in such a way that the charge rate of the secondary battery reaches the target charge rate at the target charge rate reaching time within the range of the output of the charger. Furthermore, the main charging is a charging method that charges the secondary battery at a relatively fast speed. Therefore, the main charging setting unit 103 sets the main charging start time and the main charging speed mostly on the premise that the output of the charger is increased to a certain output or more.

[0055] The main charging setting unit 103 can also calculate a main chargeable electric power amount that is an amount of electric power that can be subjected to main charging of the secondary battery based on the tendency data, and set the main charging start time and the main charging speed based on the main chargeable electric power amount. For example, in the case of a vehicle that is not mounted with a solar power panel that supplies power to the secondary battery, the main chargeable electric power amount becomes an amount of electric power calculated as a product of a time such as nighttime during which the vehicle does not travel and the output of the charger. Alternatively, in the case of a vehicle that is mounted with a solar power panel that supplies power to the secondary battery, the main chargeable electric power amount becomes an amount of electric power obtained by subtracting an amount of electric power required for the vehicle to travel to a destination from an amount of electric power that can be generated by the solar power panel during daytime or the like.

[0056] In the case of a vehicle equipped with a solar panel that supplies power to a secondary battery, the main charging setting unit 103 can also perform at least one process to set the main charging start time and main charging speed based on the shift in the power generated by the solar panel. This process is performed to adjust the main charging start time and main charging speed in accordance with the actual situation when the power generated by the solar panel changes due to weather changes, etc.

[0057] The auxiliary charging setting unit 104 sets parameters related to auxiliary charging, which involves charging the secondary battery at a slower rate than the main charging rate. Specifically, the auxiliary charging setting unit 104 sets the start time of auxiliary charging (i.e., the start time of auxiliary charging) and the auxiliary charging speed. Furthermore, auxiliary charging is a charging method that adjusts the charging rate of the secondary battery by charging it at a slower rate, and is intended to prepare the secondary battery to reach the target charging rate at the target charging rate time through the main charging. Therefore, the auxiliary charging setting unit 104 typically sets the start time and speed of auxiliary charging with the premise of suppressing the charger's output to a certain level. The auxiliary charging setting unit 104 may also be configured to perform auxiliary charging before the start time of main charging.

[0058] The auxiliary charging setting unit 104 can also calculate the available electrical power (i.e., auxiliary charging power) for auxiliary charging of the secondary battery based on trend data, and set the auxiliary charging start time and auxiliary charging speed based on the available auxiliary charging power. For example, in the case of a vehicle that is not equipped with a solar panel that supplies power to the secondary battery, the available auxiliary charging power is the product of the time when the vehicle is not in motion, such as at night, and the output of the charger. Alternatively, in the case of a vehicle equipped with a solar panel that supplies power to the secondary battery, the available auxiliary charging power is the power obtained by subtracting the electrical power required to drive the vehicle to its destination from the electrical power that the solar panel can generate during the day.

[0059] The discharge setting unit 105 sets parameters related to the discharge of the secondary battery. Discharge is an action that adjusts the charging rate of the secondary battery by causing it to output power, and prepares the secondary battery to reach the target charging rate at the target charging rate time through main charging. The discharge setting unit 105 sets the discharge start time (discharge start time) and the discharge speed (discharge speed) from the secondary battery. For example, the discharge setting unit 105 calculates the dischargeable power (dischargeable power) based on the main charging power and the auxiliary charging power, and sets the discharge start time and discharge speed based on the dischargeable power.

[0060] The discharge setting unit 105 can also be set to perform discharge before the start of main charging. Alternatively, the discharge setting unit 105 can also be set to perform discharge after the start of main charging.

[0061] The discharge setting unit 105 can also be configured to use the power output from the secondary battery through discharge for at least one of heating the secondary battery, cooling the secondary battery, air conditioning in the vehicle interior, and heating the vehicle oil.

[0062] The determination unit 106 determines whether a person is present inside the vehicle. For example, the determination unit 106 uses a human detection sensor mounted on the vehicle to determine whether a person is present inside the vehicle. Examples of human detection sensors include seating sensors installed in the vehicle seats. Alternatively, the determination unit 106 applies deep learning to still or moving images captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle and capturing images of the vehicle's interior to determine whether a human figure is depicted. Alternatively, the determination unit 106 determines whether a person is present inside the vehicle by detecting whether the vehicle navigation system, seat belts, or other devices mounted on the vehicle are being operated.

[0063] If the determination unit 106 determines that a person is present inside the vehicle, the discharge setting unit 105 can also set to prohibit discharge. Furthermore, the discharge setting unit 105 can also deactivate the setting that prohibits the discharge of the secondary battery if the charge rate of the secondary battery exceeds a predetermined threshold after discharge is prohibited.

[0064] The charge / discharge execution unit 107 performs main charging according to the settings set by the main charging setting unit 103, causing the charger connected to the vehicle via the charging cable to perform main charging. The charge / discharge execution unit 107 performs discharging according to the settings set by the discharging setting unit 105. Furthermore, the charge / discharge execution unit 107 performs auxiliary charging according to the settings set by the auxiliary charging setting unit 104, causing the charger connected to the vehicle via the charging cable to perform auxiliary charging.

[0065] Next, refer to Figure 3 The first example of the schedule of the change of the charging rate of the secondary battery over time in the embodiment will be described. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the time-varying schedule of the charging rate of a secondary battery when the secondary charging is set to be performed before the start of the main charging, and an example of the time-varying schedule of the charging rate of a secondary battery in a first comparative example. Figure 3 This illustrates an example of someone using their vehicle to return home at 6:00 PM, parking it in their home's parking lot from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM the following day, and then using the vehicle to go to work at 6:00 AM. Figure 3 In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the charging rate.

[0066] Figure 3The dashed line represents an example of the time-varying charging rate of the secondary battery in the first comparative example. The secondary battery management device of the first comparative example is as follows: Figure 3 As shown by the dashed line, charging continues until 0:00, then charging stops, and the secondary battery is allowed to self-discharge until 6:00.

[0067] on the other hand, Figure 3 The solid line represents an example of a schedule showing the change in the charging rate of a secondary battery over time when the secondary charging is scheduled to be performed before the start of the main charging. Figure 3 The solid line shown is composed of points P31, P32, P33, line segment L312, and line segment L323.

[0068] The horizontal axis coordinate of point P31 represents 6:00, as an example of the time when the target charging rate is reached. The vertical axis coordinate of point P31 represents 95%, as an example of the target charging rate. The coordinates of point P31 are set by the target setting unit 102.

[0069] The horizontal axis coordinate of point P32 represents the start time of main charging. The vertical axis coordinate of point P32 represents the charge rate of the secondary battery at the moment when auxiliary charging is completed and main charging begins. One end of line segment L312 coincides with point P31, and the other end of line segment L312 coincides with point P32. The slope of line segment L312 represents the main charging speed. The horizontal axis coordinate of point P33 represents 18:00, which is an example of the start time of auxiliary charging. The vertical axis coordinate of point P33 represents the charge rate of the secondary battery at the time when the vehicle ends its journey.

[0070] One end of line segment L323 coincides with point P32, and the other end coincides with point P33. The inclination of line segment L323 represents the secondary charging speed. Therefore, the coordinates of point P32 are determined by the target charging rate attainment time and target charging rate set by the target setting unit 102, the main charging start time and main charging speed set by the main charging setting unit 103, the secondary charging start time set by the secondary charging setting unit 104, and the charging rate of the secondary battery at the time when the vehicle ends its journey. Line segment L333 represents an example of the change in the charging rate of the secondary battery over time during vehicle operation.

[0071] In this case, the charge / discharge actuator 107, as Figure 3 As shown in the middle segment L323, the charger performs secondary charging and as... Figure 4 The middle segment L312 indicates that the charger performs main charging. As a result, the charge / discharge execution unit 107 can ensure that the average charge rate of the secondary battery from 18:00 to 6:00 the next day is lower than that of the secondary battery management device of the first comparative example.

[0072] Next, refer to Figure 4A second example of the schedule for the change of the charging rate of the secondary battery over time in the embodiment will be described. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of the time-varying schedule of the charging rate of a secondary battery when it is set to perform discharge before the start of main charging, and an example of the time-varying schedule of the charging rate of a secondary battery in a second comparative example. Figure 4 This illustrates an example of parking one's vehicle in their home parking lot between 6:00 PM on a rest day and 6:00 AM the following day, and then using the vehicle to go to work at 6:00 AM. Figure 4 In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the charging rate.

[0073] Figure 4 The dashed line represents an example of the time-varying charging rate of the secondary battery in the second comparative example. The secondary battery management device of the second comparative example is as follows: Figure 4 The dashed line indicates that the secondary battery undergoes self-discharge from 18:00 to 6:00.

[0074] on the other hand, Figure 4 The solid line represents an example of a schedule in which the charging rate of a secondary battery changes over time when the discharge is scheduled to occur before the start of the main charge. Figure 4 The solid line shown is composed of points P41, P42, P43, line segment L412, and line segment L423.

[0075] The horizontal axis coordinate of point P41 represents 6:00, as an example of the time when the target charging rate is reached. The vertical axis coordinate of point P41 represents 95%, as an example of the target charging rate. The coordinates of point P41 are set by the target setting unit 102.

[0076] The horizontal axis coordinate of point P42 represents the start time of main charging. The vertical axis coordinate of point P42 represents the charge rate of the secondary battery at the moment when discharging is complete and main charging begins. One end of line segment L412 coincides with point P41, and the other end of line segment L412 coincides with point P42. The slope of line segment L412 represents the main charging speed. The horizontal axis coordinate of point P43 represents 18:00, which serves as an example of the start time of discharging. The vertical axis coordinate of point P43 represents the charge rate of the secondary battery at the moment discharging begins.

[0077] One end of line segment L423 coincides with point P42, and the other end coincides with point P43. The inclination of line segment L423 represents the discharge rate. Therefore, the coordinates of point P42 are determined by the target charge rate attainment time and target charge rate set by the target setting unit 102, the main charge start time and main charge rate set by the main charge setting unit 103, the discharge start time set by the discharge setting unit 105, and the charge rate of the secondary battery at the discharge start time. Line segment L433 represents an example of the change in charge rate over time caused by self-discharge of the secondary battery during vehicle parking.

[0078] In this case, the charge / discharge actuator 107, as Figure 4 The middle segment L423, as shown, causes the charger to discharge, and as... Figure 5 The middle segment L412 indicates that the charger performs main charging. As a result, the charge / discharge execution unit 107 can ensure that the average charge rate of the secondary battery from 18:00 to 6:00 the next day is lower than that of the secondary battery management device of the second comparative example.

[0079] Next, refer to Figure 5 A third example of the schedule for the change of the charging rate of the secondary battery over time in the embodiment will be described. Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a schedule showing the change in the charging rate of a secondary battery over time when it is set to discharge after the start of the main charge. Figure 5 The third example shown is a vehicle equipped with solar panels that supply power to a secondary battery.

[0080] Figure 5 This illustrates an example of someone using a vehicle to go to work at 6:00 AM, parking the vehicle from approximately 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and then using the vehicle to leave work at 5:30 PM. Figure 5 In the graph, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the charging rate. Furthermore, Figure 5 The increase in the charging rate based on the main charge is represented by a triangle with an applied oblique profile, and the decrease in the charging rate based on the discharge is represented by a triangle with an applied dot profile. Figure 5 The solid line shown is composed of points P51, P52, P53, P54, line segment L512, line segment L523, line segment L534, and line segment L544, and represents the hypothetical shift of the secondary battery assuming that the main charging is performed after discharge.

[0081] The horizontal axis coordinate of point P51 represents 17:30, an example of the time when the target charging rate is reached. The vertical axis coordinate of point P51 represents 95%, an example of the target charging rate. The coordinates of point P51 are set by the target setting unit 102.

[0082] The horizontal axis coordinate of point P54 represents 6:00, which serves as an example of the start time of main charging and the start time of discharge. The vertical axis coordinate of point P54 represents the charge rate of the secondary battery at the start time of main charging and the start time of discharge. Figure 5 As shown in the triangle with oblique profile lines applied, main charging begins at 6:00. On the other hand, as... Figure 5 As shown in the triangle with applied point profile lines, discharge begins at 6:00. Furthermore, assuming that main charging occurs after discharge, the charge rate of the secondary battery is as follows: Figure 6 It moves as shown by the solid line in the middle.

[0083] The horizontal axis coordinate of point P52 represents the hypothetical start time of main charging. The vertical axis coordinate of point P52 represents the hypothetical charge rate of the secondary battery at the start time of main charging. One end of line segment L512 coincides with point P51, and the other end of line segment L512 coincides with point P52. The slope of line segment L512 represents the hypothetical main charging speed. The horizontal axis coordinate of point P53 represents an example of the hypothetical start time of discharge. The vertical axis coordinate of point P53 represents the hypothetical charge rate of the secondary battery at the start time of discharge.

[0084] One end of line segment L523 coincides with point P52, and the other end of line segment L523 coincides with point P53. The inclination of line segment L523 represents the discharge rate based on the self-discharge of the secondary battery. Therefore, the coordinates of point P52 are determined by the target charge rate achievement time and target charge rate set by the target setting unit 102, the hypothetical main charge start time and main charge speed set by the main charge setting unit 103, the hypothetical discharge start time set by the discharge setting unit 105, and the charge rate of the secondary battery at the hypothetical discharge start time.

[0085] Line segment L534 represents an example of the change in charge rate over time caused by the discharge of the secondary battery for vehicle operation. Line segment L544 represents an example of the change in charge rate over time caused by the self-discharge of the secondary battery while the vehicle is stationary.

[0086] Next, refer to Figure 6 The processing performed by the second grounding determination unit of the embodiment will be explained. ​ This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by the secondary battery management device according to an embodiment.

[0087] In step S10, the tendency data acquisition unit 101 acquires tendency data indicating a predetermined tendency to use the vehicle.

[0088] In step S20, the target setting unit 102 sets a target charging rate for the secondary battery used for driving the vehicle, i.e., the target charging rate, and the time when the main charging of the secondary battery at the main charging speed to the target charging rate is completed, i.e., the time when the target charging rate is reached.

[0089] In step S30, the main charging setting unit 103 sets the main charging start time (i.e., the main charging start time) and the main charging speed based on the output of the charger charging the secondary battery, the target charging rate, and the time when the target charging rate is reached.

[0090] In step S40, the auxiliary charging setting unit 104 sets the auxiliary charging start time, i.e., the auxiliary charging start time, and the auxiliary charging speed for charging the secondary battery at the auxiliary charging speed.

[0091] In step S50, the discharge setting unit 105 sets the discharge start time (i.e., discharge start time) and the discharge speed (i.e., discharge speed) from the secondary battery.

[0092] In step S60, the charge / discharge execution unit 107 performs main charging according to the content set by the main charging setting unit 103, performs discharging according to the content set by the discharging setting unit 105, and performs auxiliary charging according to the content set by the auxiliary charging setting unit 104.

[0093] The vehicle and the secondary battery management device 1 according to the embodiment have been described above. The secondary battery management device 1 includes at least one of a target setting unit 102, a main charging setting unit 103, a discharge setting unit 105 and a secondary charging setting unit 104, and a charge / discharge execution unit 107.

[0094] The target setting unit 102 sets a target charging rate for the secondary battery used for vehicle operation, i.e., the target charging rate, and the time when main charging to the target charging rate is completed, i.e., the target charging rate attainment time, at the main charging speed. The main charging setting unit 103 sets the main charging start time, i.e., the main charging start time, and the main charging speed based on the output of the charger charging the secondary battery, the target charging rate, and the target charging rate attainment time.

[0095] The discharge setting unit 105 sets the discharge start time (i.e., discharge start time) and discharge speed (i.e., discharge speed) from the secondary battery. The auxiliary charging setting unit 104 sets the auxiliary charging start time (i.e., auxiliary charging start time) and auxiliary charging speed for charging the secondary battery at the auxiliary charging speed. The charge / discharge execution unit 107 performs main charging according to the settings set by the main charging setting unit 103, performs discharging according to the settings set by the discharge setting unit 105, and performs auxiliary charging according to the settings set by the auxiliary charging setting unit 104.

[0096] That is, the secondary battery management device 1 uses at least one of the following processes: processing to reduce the charging rate of the secondary battery by performing discharge and processing to increase the charging rate of the secondary battery relatively slowly by performing auxiliary charging, and processing to increase the charging rate of the secondary battery relatively quickly by performing main charging.

[0097] Therefore, the secondary battery management device 1 maintains an average low charging rate from the earliest of the main charging start time, auxiliary charging start time, and discharge start time to the time when the target charging rate is reached, and ensures that the charging rate of the secondary battery at the time the target charging rate is reached is the target charging rate. Thus, the secondary battery management device 1 can suppress the degradation of the secondary battery installed in the vehicle and ensure that the charging rate of the secondary battery when the vehicle is in use is the desired charging rate.

[0098] The secondary battery management device 1 is configured to perform auxiliary charging before the start of main charging. As a result, the secondary battery management device 1 can maintain an average charging rate of relatively low during the period from the start of auxiliary charging to the time when the target charging rate is reached, and can prepare the secondary battery to reach the target charging rate at the target charging rate.

[0099] The secondary battery management device 1 is configured to perform discharge before the start of main charging. As a result, the secondary battery management device 1 can maintain the average charging rate of the period from the start of discharge to the time when the target charging rate is reached at a relatively low charging rate, and can prepare the secondary battery to reach the target charging rate at the time when the target charging rate is reached.

[0100] The secondary battery management device 1 is configured to perform discharge after the start of main charging. Therefore, the secondary battery management device 1 can increase the charging rate of the secondary battery in accordance with the period from the start of main charging to the time when the target charging rate is reached, and ensure that the charging rate of the secondary battery at the time the target charging rate is reached is the target charging rate.

[0101] The secondary battery management device 1 calculates the electrical force capable of main charging the secondary battery (i.e., the main charging force) based on trend data, and sets the main charging start time and main charging speed based on the main charging force. Furthermore, the secondary battery management device 1 calculates the electrical force capable of auxiliary charging the secondary battery (i.e., the auxiliary charging force) based on trend data, and sets the auxiliary charging start time and auxiliary charging speed based on the auxiliary charging force.

[0102] Therefore, the secondary battery management device 1 sets the main charging start time, main charging speed, auxiliary charging start time, and auxiliary charging speed based on tendency data indicating a predetermined tendency to use the vehicle. Thus, the secondary battery management device 1 can perform main charging and auxiliary charging in accordance with the predetermined tendency to use the vehicle.

[0103] The secondary battery management device 1 calculates the discharge capacity (i.e., the dischargeable capacity) based on the main charging capacity and the auxiliary charging capacity, and sets the discharge start time and discharge rate based on the dischargeable capacity. Thus, the secondary battery management device 1 can perform discharge in accordance with the intended use of the vehicle.

[0104] The secondary battery management device 1 is configured to prevent discharge when it is determined that a person is present inside the vehicle. Therefore, the secondary battery management device 1 can prevent situations where a person inside the vehicle is unable to use onboard equipment powered by the secondary battery.

[0105] When the secondary battery charging rate exceeds a predetermined threshold after discharge is prohibited, the secondary battery management device 1 removes the setting that prohibits secondary battery discharge. Therefore, even if there is a possibility that someone inside the vehicle will use onboard equipment powered by the secondary battery, the secondary battery management device 1 can appropriately discharge the secondary battery while its charging rate is sufficiently high, thereby reducing the charging rate and suppressing secondary battery degradation.

[0106] The secondary battery management device 1 is configured to utilize the power output from the secondary battery through discharge for at least one of the following: heating the secondary battery, cooling the secondary battery, air conditioning in the vehicle's interior, and heating the vehicle's fuel. Therefore, the secondary battery management device 1 can effectively utilize the power output from the secondary battery through discharge.

[0107] When the secondary battery has electricity generated by the solar panel stored in the secondary battery, the secondary battery management device 1 performs at least one process to set the main charging start time and main charging speed based on the change in the electricity generated by the solar panel. Therefore, even if the electricity generated by the solar panel may change due to weather variations, the secondary battery management device 1 can appropriately adjust the main charging start time and main charging speed based on the actual value of the electricity generated by the solar panel.

[0108] The tendency data acquisition unit 101 can also acquire tendency data representing a first period, a second period, and a third period, where the first period is a period during which the vehicle is not driven, the second period is a period during which the vehicle is driven and follows the first period, and the third period is a period during which the vehicle is not driven and follows the second period. In this case, the target setting unit 102 sets the target charge rate achievement time to the end of the first period and sets the target charge rate to a charge rate higher than the charge rate required for the vehicle to drive in the second period. As a result, the secondary battery management device 1 can ensure that the secondary battery is in a state capable of supplying sufficient power to the vehicle when the vehicle is used in the second period.

[0109] The trend data acquisition unit 101 can also acquire trend data representing a first period, a second period, and a third period, where the first period is a period during which the vehicle is not driven, the second period is a period during which the vehicle is driven and follows the first period, and the third period is a period during which the vehicle is not driven and follows the second period. In this case, the secondary battery management device 1 can perform the above-described processing independently of the second period when the second period, which is a period during which the vehicle is not driven, is relatively short, and at the end of the third period, the secondary battery is in a state where it can supply sufficient power to the vehicle.

[0110] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the secondary battery management device, secondary battery management program, and secondary battery management method are not limited to the embodiments described above, and at least one of various modifications, substitutions, combinations, and design changes can be applied without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0111] The effects described above for the embodiments of the present invention are merely illustrative examples. Therefore, in addition to the effects described above, the embodiments of the present invention can also achieve other effects that those skilled in the art can recognize from the description of the embodiments.

Claims

1. A secondary battery management device, wherein, The secondary battery management device includes: The target setting unit sets a target charging rate for the secondary battery used for the purpose of driving the vehicle, i.e., the target charging rate, and the time when the secondary battery is charged at the main charging speed until the main charging is completed at the target charging rate, i.e., the time when the target charging rate is reached. The main charging setting unit sets the main charging start time (i.e., the main charging start time) and the main charging speed based on the output of the charger that charges the secondary battery, the target charging rate, and the time when the target charging rate is reached. At least one of a discharge setting unit and a secondary charging setting unit, wherein the discharge setting unit sets the discharge start time from the secondary battery, i.e., the discharge start time and the discharge speed, i.e., the discharge speed, and the secondary charging setting unit sets the secondary charging start time, i.e., the secondary charging start time and the secondary charging speed, for charging the secondary battery at a secondary charging speed. The charge / discharge execution unit performs the main charge according to the content set by the main charge setting unit, performs the discharge according to the content set by the discharge setting unit, and performs the auxiliary charge according to the content set by the auxiliary charge setting unit; as well as The tendency data acquisition unit acquires tendency data indicating a predetermined tendency to use the vehicle. The main charging setting unit calculates the electrical force capable of main charging the secondary battery based on the tendency data, i.e., the main charging force, and sets the main charging start time and the main charging speed based on the main charging force. The auxiliary charging setting unit calculates the electric power that can perform auxiliary charging on the secondary battery based on the tendency data, and sets the auxiliary charging start time and the auxiliary charging speed based on the auxiliary charging power.

2. The secondary battery management device according to claim 1, wherein, The discharge setting unit calculates the discharge power (i.e., the discharge power) that can be used to perform the discharge based on the main chargeable power and the auxiliary chargeable power, and sets the discharge start time and the discharge speed based on the dischargeable power.

3. The secondary battery management device according to claim 1, wherein, The tendency data acquisition unit acquires tendency data representing a first period, a second period, and a third period, wherein the first period is a period during which the vehicle is not driven, the second period is a period during which the vehicle is driven and follows the first period, and the third period is a period during which the vehicle is not driven and follows the second period. The target setting unit sets the time when the target charging rate is reached to the end of the first period, and sets the target charging rate to a charging rate that is higher than the charging rate required for the vehicle to operate during the second period.

4. The secondary battery management device according to claim 1, wherein, The tendency data acquisition unit acquires tendency data representing a first period, a second period, and a third period, wherein the first period is a period during which the vehicle is not driven, the second period is a period during which the vehicle is driven and follows the first period, and the third period is a period during which the vehicle is not driven and follows the second period. The target setting unit sets the target charging rate to a charging rate above a predetermined charging rate, and sets the time when the target charging rate is reached to the end of the third period.

5. The secondary battery management device according to claim 1, wherein, The secondary battery management device also includes a determination unit that determines whether a person is present inside the vehicle. If it is determined that a person is present inside the vehicle, the discharge setting unit sets itself to prohibit the discharge.

6. The secondary battery management device according to claim 5, wherein, If the discharge setting unit removes the setting that prohibits the discharge of the secondary battery when the charging rate of the secondary battery exceeds a predetermined threshold after the discharge is prohibited, the discharge setting unit will remove the setting that prohibits the discharge of the secondary battery.

7. The secondary battery management device according to claim 1, wherein, The discharge setting unit is configured to utilize the power output from the secondary battery through the discharge for at least one of heating the secondary battery, cooling the secondary battery, air conditioning in the vehicle's interior, and heating the vehicle's fuel.

8. The secondary battery management device according to claim 1, wherein, The secondary battery stores electricity generated by the solar panels. The main charging setting unit performs at least one process to set the main charging start time and the main charging speed based on the shift of electricity generated by the solar panel.

9. The secondary battery management device according to claim 8, wherein, The solar panels are mounted on the vehicle.

10. The secondary battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The secondary charging setting unit is configured to perform the secondary charging before the start time of the main charging.

11. The secondary battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The discharge setting unit is configured to perform the discharge before the start time of the main charge.

12. The secondary battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The discharge setting unit is configured to perform the discharge after the start time of the main charge.

13. A storage medium storing a secondary battery management program, wherein, The secondary battery management program enables the computer to perform the following functions: The target setting function sets a target charging rate for the secondary battery used for the purpose of driving the vehicle, i.e., the target charging rate, and the time when the main charging is completed at the main charging speed to the target charging rate, i.e., the time when the target charging rate is reached. The main charging setting function sets the main charging start time (i.e., the main charging start time) and the main charging speed based on the output of the charger that charges the secondary battery, the target charging rate, and the time when the target charging rate is reached. At least one of a discharge setting function and a secondary charging setting function, wherein the discharge setting function sets the discharge start time from the secondary battery, i.e., the discharge start time and the discharge speed, i.e., the discharge speed, and the secondary charging setting function sets the secondary charging start time for charging the secondary battery at a secondary charging speed, i.e., the secondary charging start time and the secondary charging speed. as well as The charging / discharging execution function performs the main charging according to the settings configured by the main charging setting function, the discharging according to the settings configured by the discharging setting function, and the auxiliary charging according to the settings configured by the auxiliary charging setting function. The tendency data acquisition function acquires tendency data representing a predetermined tendency to use the vehicle. The main charging setting function calculates the electrical force capable of providing main charging to the secondary battery based on the tendency data, i.e., the main charging force, and sets the main charging start time and the main charging speed based on the main charging force. The auxiliary charging setting function calculates the amount of electrical power that can perform auxiliary charging on the secondary battery based on the tendency data, and sets the auxiliary charging start time and the auxiliary charging speed based on the available auxiliary charging power.

14. A method for managing a secondary battery, wherein, The secondary battery management method causes the computer to perform the following processing: The target charging rate is set as the target charging rate of the secondary battery used for the purpose of driving the vehicle, and the time when the main charging of the secondary battery is completed at the main charging speed to the target charging rate is the target charging rate achieved. The start time of the main charging and the main charging speed are set based on the output of the charger that charges the secondary battery, the target charging rate, and the time when the target charging rate is reached. Perform at least one of the following processes: setting the discharge start time (i.e., discharge start time) and the discharge rate (i.e., discharge speed) from the secondary battery; and setting the secondary battery charging at a secondary charging rate (i.e., secondary charging start time and secondary charging speed). The main charging is performed according to the set parameters, the discharging is performed according to the set parameters, and the auxiliary charging is performed according to the set parameters. Obtain tendency data indicating a predetermined tendency to use the vehicle. Based on the aforementioned tendency data, the electrical force capable of performing the main charging of the secondary battery is calculated, i.e., the main charging force. Based on this main charging force, the start time and speed of the main charging are then set. Based on the aforementioned tendency data, the electrical force capable of performing the secondary charging of the secondary battery is calculated, i.e., the secondary charging power, and the secondary charging start time and the secondary charging speed are set based on the secondary charging power.

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