Information processing device and OCV adjustment method

Abstract

An information processing device is provided. An acquisition unit acquires first information related to the OCV (Optical Values) of multiple vehicle batteries to be reused. A decision unit determines a combination of vehicle batteries based on the first information, such that the OCV of the vehicle batteries converges to a target range due to the charging and discharging of the vehicle batteries relative to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an OCV adjustment method. Background Technology

[0002] Regarding batteries used in electric vehicles such as electric cars, there is a known technique for homogenizing the SOC (State of Charge) of each module in a battery pack, which includes multiple modules (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-75936 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, sometimes when batteries used in electric vehicles are removed from the vehicle body for reuse, batteries removed from multiple vehicles are connected to each other. When connecting batteries to each other, it is necessary to adjust the open circuit voltage (OCV) of each battery, but there is room for improvement in the method of adjusting the OCV.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a technique for efficiently adjusting the OCV of a battery.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus is provided, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires first information relating to the OCV of a plurality of vehicle batteries to be reused; and a determination unit that determines a combination of the vehicle batteries based on the first information such that the OCV of the vehicle batteries converges to a target range due to the charging and discharging of the vehicle batteries to each other.

[0011] The effects of the invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the OCV of the battery can be adjusted efficiently. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a structural example of an OCV adjustment system according to one embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of a vehicle and the battery mounted on it.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the processing unit of an information processing device.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a screen displayed on the display unit of an information processing device.

[0017] Figure 5A This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a screen displayed on a monitor or other display unit in a vehicle.

[0018] Figure 5B This is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a screen displayed on a monitor or other display unit in a vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as described in the claims, and the present invention does not require a combination of all the features described in the embodiments. Any combination of two or more features described in the embodiments is also possible. Additionally, the same reference numerals are used for the same or identical structures, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0020] <System Structure>

[0021] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a structural example of an OCV adjustment system SY (hereinafter referred to as System SY) according to one embodiment. System SY is a system for adjusting the OCV of a vehicle battery when it is removed from the vehicle body for reuse. This vehicle battery is mounted and used in electric vehicles, such as electric vehicles. In this embodiment, System SY includes an information processing device 1 and a battery 2 (vehicle battery) mounted in the vehicle V. Furthermore, in... Figure 1 The diagram shows vehicles VA to VD, but in the following description, these will sometimes be collectively referred to as vehicle V. Additionally, in... Figure 1 The diagram shows batteries 2A to 2D respectively installed in vehicle VA to VD, but in the following description, these will sometimes be collectively referred to as battery 2.

[0022] When the battery 2 is to be reused, the information processing device 1 adjusts the OCV of the battery 2. The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 10 and a display unit 12. The control unit 10 includes a processing unit 101, a storage unit 102, and an I / F unit 103 (interface unit). Moreover, it is also possible to adopt a structure in which the display unit and the information processing device 1 are set separately, or the display unit is omitted.

[0023] The processing unit 101 is a processor, represented by a CPU, that executes programs stored in the storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 is RAM, ROM, etc., and in addition to storing the programs executed by the processing unit 101, it also stores data used by the processing unit 101 during processing. The I / F unit 103 relays the transmission and reception of signals between external devices and the processing unit 101.

[0024] In this embodiment, the I / F unit 103 includes a communication I / F, and the vehicle V is equipped with a communication device capable of network communication. The processing unit 101 sends and receives signals with the vehicle V via the I / F unit 103 and via a network NT such as the Internet.

[0025] Additionally, a storage area 102a is provided in the storage unit 102, and a database DB is stored in the storage area 102a. This database DB is used to manage information about the vehicle V and the battery 2 installed in the vehicle V. In this embodiment, the vehicle name, battery name, and battery OCV are associated and managed. The vehicle name and battery name may, for example, be unique identification numbers of the vehicle V and the battery 2. The processing unit 101 obtains the information managed in the database DB by communicating with the vehicle V. Moreover, the database DB may also manage information related to other batteries 2.

[0026] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware structure of a vehicle V and a battery 2 mounted on the vehicle V, showing the structure during charging and discharging between vehicles (vehicle VA and vehicle VD). Vehicle V includes: battery 2; and a connection port 3 for exchanging electricity between battery 2 and external power supply devices or other vehicles. Furthermore, the charging and discharging structure between vehicles can utilize known techniques; the two vehicles V are connected via an electrical connection member 5, thereby allowing current to flow from one vehicle V to the other. Additionally, the battery 2 mounted on vehicle V includes a battery storage unit 21, various sensors 22, and a control unit 23.

[0027] The energy storage unit 21 stores electricity. For example, multiple battery cells are connected in series or parallel to form the energy storage unit 21. In one embodiment, the energy storage unit 21 can be a lithium-ion battery.

[0028] Various sensors 22 detect the state of the battery storage unit 21. For example, the various sensors 22 include temperature sensors that detect the temperature of the battery cells, voltage sensors that detect the voltage of the battery cells, and current sensors that detect the current in the circuit.

[0029] The control unit 23 controls the charging and discharging of the electricity stored in the energy storage unit 21. The control unit 23 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU; a memory such as RAM or ROM; and an interface for relaying signals to and from the outside. The control unit 23 controls the charging and discharging of the electricity stored in the energy storage unit 21 based on the detection results of various sensors 22. Alternatively, the control unit 23 may estimate the SOC (State of Charge) and SOH (State of Health) of the battery cell based on the detection results of various sensors 22. Furthermore, known techniques can be used to estimate the SOC and SOH.

[0030] <Reuse of Vehicle Batteries>

[0031] Sometimes, after being used by vehicle V, battery 2 (vehicle battery) is removed from the vehicle body and reused. Here, depending on the battery capacity required at the secondary reuse destination, sometimes the capacity of battery 2 of one vehicle V is insufficient. In such cases, for example, multiple batteries 2 removed from multiple vehicles V may be combined into a single unit and provided to the secondary reuse destination.

[0032] On the other hand, the OCV of the battery 2 when removed from vehicle V varies from vehicle to vehicle. Therefore, when batteries 2 removed from multiple vehicles V are connected to each other while maintaining their original state, a large current may sometimes flow during the connection. From the viewpoint of protecting the battery 2 and other structural components, it is desirable to suppress the flow of large current in the circuit.

[0033] Here, in order to match the OCV of the batteries 2 to be combined, it is also considered to adjust the OCV of each battery 2, but this may sometimes increase the amount of operation required when combining batteries.

[0034] Therefore, in this embodiment, the information processing device 1 performs the processing described below, thereby efficiently adjusting the OCV of the battery 2 when it is connected to the battery 2 removed from multiple vehicles V for secondary use.

[0035] <Processing Example of an Information Processing Device>

[0036] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the processing unit 101 of the information processing device 1. For example, the processing unit 101 reads and executes a program stored in the storage unit 102, thereby implementing this processing example.

[0037] This process illustrates an example of a process where, when combining batteries 2 mounted on multiple vehicles V to provide a secondary use destination, the combination of batteries 2 is determined. Furthermore, in the following description, in conjunction with... Figure 1The example illustrates the case where four batteries 2A to 2D are combined in pairs to form a unit. However, this processing example can also be applied to five or more batteries 2. Furthermore, this processing example can also be applied when three or more batteries 2 are combined into a single unit.

[0038] In S101, the processing unit 101 acquires information related to the OCV of the battery 2. Figure 1 In this example, the processing unit 101 communicates with the vehicle VA to VD to obtain information related to the OCV of the multiple batteries 2A to 2D to be reused. The information related to OCV can be the OCV value detected by the voltage sensor among the various sensors 22, i.e., the voltage value itself, or other information that can be used to estimate the OCV.

[0039] Furthermore, if the battery 2 has a communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device 1, the information processing device 1 can communicate directly with the battery 2 to exchange information without going through the vehicle V. For example, the processing unit 101 manages the acquired information using a database DB. Additionally, in Figure 1 In this example, the processing unit 101 communicates with the vehicle V via the network NT, but it is also possible for the processing unit 101 to communicate directly with the vehicle V via a wired or wireless connection.

[0040] In S102, the processing unit 101 determines the target range of the combined OCV. In this embodiment, the processing unit 101 calculates the average value of the OCV of the batteries 2A to 2D that are to be combined, based on the information related to the OCV of the plurality of batteries 2 obtained in S101, and sets the range including the average value as the target range. For example, if the average value of the OCV is set as Y and the allowable difference between the average value and the average value is set as y, the range including the average value can be set using Yy to Y+y.

[0041] In S103, the processing unit 101 determines the combination of batteries 2A to 2D so that the OCV of batteries 2 converges to the target range determined in S102 due to the charging and discharging of batteries 2 to each other.

[0042] exist Figure 1In the example, the OCVs of batteries 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D of battery 2 are values ​​that increase sequentially from low to high. Therefore, processing unit 101 can consider (1) battery 2A and battery 2D and (2) battery 2B and battery 2C as candidates for combination, so that the OCVs homogenized by the combined batteries 2 through charging and discharging are close to the average value. Furthermore, if the OCVs of batteries 2A and 2D, homogenized by charging and discharging between batteries 2A and 2D, converge to the target range after charging and discharging, processing unit 101 decides to combine batteries 2A and 2D. Similarly, if the OCVs of batteries 2B and 2C, homogenized by charging and discharging between batteries 2B and 2C, converge to the target range after charging and discharging, processing unit 101 decides to combine batteries 2B and 2C.

[0043] In S104, the processing unit 101 displays information related to the combination of the storage battery 2 determined in S103. For example, the processing unit 101 displays information related to the combination of the storage battery 2 on the display unit 12 of the information processing device 1. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a structural example of the screen 12a displayed on the display unit 12. The screen 12a can include information regarding the assembly of the battery 2 and the charging / discharging relationship between the batteries to be assembled, serving as information related to the assembly of the battery 2. Furthermore, the screen 12a can include information about the vehicle V equipped with the battery 2 to be assembled. Figure 4 Examples suggest that the battery 2A mounted in vehicle VA is combined with the battery 2D mounted in vehicle VD; and the charging and discharging relationship between the batteries is described as discharging X1 [Ah] from battery 2A to battery 2D. OCV depends on the amount of electricity (chargeable capacity) stored in the storage section 21 of battery 2. Therefore, by causing current to flow from battery 2A (high OCV) to battery 2D (low OCV), i.e., discharging from battery 2A to battery 2D, the OCV of batteries 2A and 2D can be averaged. In one embodiment, the processing unit 101 may acquire information representing the relationship between OCV and chargeable capacity held by the control unit 23 of battery 2, and determine the amount of electricity to be charged and discharged between the batteries 2 based on this relationship and the value of OCV.

[0044] Furthermore, the processing unit 101 may also display information related to the combination of the battery 2 on the vehicle V side to provide a prompt. Figure 5A This diagram illustrates an example of the structure of screen 4a displayed on a display unit such as a monitor in a vehicle VA. Figure 5B This diagram illustrates an example of the structure of a 4D image displayed on a monitor or other display unit in a vehicle's VD (Vehicle Display Device). Figure 5A as well as Figure 5BThe information includes: the name of the vehicle V equipped with battery 2 and its charging / discharging relationship; and that battery 2 is the battery to be combined with the battery 2 installed in this vehicle. This information related to the combination of battery 2 is displayed on the vehicle V side, making it easier for the operator to obtain relevant information when moving the vehicle V based on the combination of battery 2.

[0045] <System Usage Methods>

[0046] This demonstrates that it utilized Figure 3 The example shown illustrates the processing method of the information processing device 1 and the operation of system SY. The battery provider recycles batteries 2 and combines the recycled batteries to provide them to secondary utilization destinations. The battery provider performs this process while gathering multiple vehicles V recycled from vehicle users, etc., at the same location. Figure 3 The information processing device 1 shown is used for processing.

[0047] Then, the battery provider, based on... Figure 3 The combination of batteries 2, determined by the processing, allows batteries 2 to be charged and discharged through the connection port 3 of vehicle V while battery 2 is mounted on vehicle V (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0048] Afterwards, the battery provider removes battery 2 from the vehicle body and combines batteries 2 together to provide to secondary users.

[0049] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the combination of batteries 2 is determined so that the OCV converges to the target range. Therefore, charging and discharging between vehicles V according to the determined combination completes the OCV adjustment, eliminating the need for individual OCV adjustment of each battery 2, and enabling more efficient adjustment of the OCV between batteries 2. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to discharge the electricity stored in the batteries 2 to the outside for OCV adjustment, the residual electricity in the batteries 2 can be used without waste when recovering the vehicle V. Additionally, since the OCV of the batteries 2 to be combined is homogenized before combining them, large currents flowing in the circuit during connection can be suppressed.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the batteries 2 charge and discharge each other via the vehicle V, so no additional charging, discharging, or measuring equipment is required, and the OCV of the batteries 2 can be adjusted with a simple structure.

[0051] Furthermore, the target range for OCV can be appropriately set. For example, instead of using the average value of the acquired OCV values, a pre-defined range can be used. For instance, considering that the desired initial OCV value varies depending on the battery's intended use at the secondary reuse destination and its installation method, the target range can be set to the range of OCV corresponding to the secondary reuse destination.

[0052] Furthermore, during the processing in S103, the processing unit 101 may exclude a portion of the batteries 2 whose OCV-related information was obtained in S101 from the objects of combination. For example, if a battery 2 cannot converge its OCV to the target range even when combined with other batteries 2 due to reasons such as extremely high or low OCV, the processing unit 101 may exclude that battery 2 from the objects of combination.

[0053] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0054] In the above embodiment, a four-wheeled electric vehicle is exemplified as vehicle V, and a battery 2A mounted on the four-wheeled electric vehicle is also exemplified. However, the structure involved in the above embodiment can also be applied to batteries mounted on riding electric vehicles, batteries that can be detached from electric scooters, batteries used in electric work machines such as electric tillers and electric tractors, and other mobile bodies.

[0055] <Summary of Implementation Methods>

[0056] The above embodiments disclose at least the following information processing apparatus and OCV adjustment method.

[0057] The information processing apparatus (e.g., 1) described in the above embodiments includes:

[0058] The acquisition unit (e.g., 101, S101) acquires first information related to the OCV of multiple vehicle batteries to be reused; and

[0059] The decision unit (e.g., 101, S103) determines the combination of the vehicle batteries based on the first information so that the OCV of the vehicle batteries converges to a target range due to the charging and discharging of the vehicle batteries to each other.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the combination of batteries is determined so that the OCV of the batteries after charging and discharging converges to the target range, thus enabling efficient adjustment of the OCV of the batteries.

[0061] 2. According to the above implementation method,

[0062] The target range is a range that includes the average value of the OCV of the plurality of vehicle batteries.

[0063] According to this embodiment, the OCV value of the combined battery can be made uniform.

[0064] 3. According to the above implementation method,

[0065] With the vehicle battery installed in the vehicle, the acquisition unit obtains information related to the OCV by communicating with the vehicle.

[0066] According to this embodiment, even if the vehicle battery itself does not have a structure for communicating with the information processing device, the information processing device can still obtain information about the battery via the vehicle.

[0067] 4. According to the above implementation method,

[0068] It also includes a prompting unit (e.g., 101, S104) that prompts second information related to the combination determined by the decision unit.

[0069] According to this implementation, the user can easily identify the determined combination.

[0070] 5. According to the above implementation method,

[0071] The second information prompted by the prompting unit includes the charging and discharging relationship between the vehicle batteries.

[0072] According to this embodiment, the user can identify the charging and discharging relationship between the batteries.

[0073] 6. According to the above embodiment, the prompting unit displays the second information on the display section of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle battery, thereby prompting the second information.

[0074] According to this implementation method, operators can more easily obtain information related to the combination of vehicle batteries.

[0075] 7. The OCV adjustment method of the above-described embodiment is a method for adjusting the OCV of a vehicle battery when multiple vehicle batteries are combined for secondary use. The OCV adjustment method includes:

[0076] In the acquisition step (e.g., S101), the computer acquires information related to the OCV of multiple vehicle batteries to be reused; and

[0077] In the decision step (e.g., S103), the computer determines the combination of the vehicle batteries based on information related to the OCV, so that the OCV of the vehicle batteries converges to a target range due to the charging and discharging of the vehicle batteries to each other.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the combination of batteries is determined so that the OCV of the batteries after charging and discharging converges to the target range, thus enabling efficient adjustment of the OCV of the batteries.

[0079] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and alterations can be made within the scope of the inventive intent.

[0080] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-057898, filed on March 27, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0081] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0082] 1: Information processing device; 2: Storage battery; SY: System.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: The acquisition unit acquires first information relating to the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of multiple vehicle batteries installed in multiple vehicles and intended for reuse; and The decision unit, based on the first information, determines a combination of multiple vehicle batteries to be reused from among the multiple vehicle batteries installed in the multiple vehicles, such that the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of each of the multiple vehicle batteries to be combined converges to a target range due to the charging and discharging of the multiple vehicle batteries to be combined with each other. With the multiple vehicle batteries to be reused mounted in the multiple vehicles, the acquisition unit acquires information related to the open circuit voltage (OCV) via the multiple vehicles.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The target range includes the average value of the open-circuit voltages (OCVs) of the multiple vehicle batteries to be reused.

3. An information processing apparatus, comprising: The acquisition unit acquires first information relating to the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of multiple vehicle batteries that are installed in multiple vehicles and are to be reused. The decision unit, based on the first information, determines a combination of multiple vehicle batteries from the multiple vehicle batteries to be reused installed in the multiple vehicles, such that the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of each of the multiple vehicle batteries to be combined converges to a target range due to the charging and discharging of the multiple vehicle batteries to be combined with each other. as well as The prompting unit prompts a second piece of information related to the combination determined by the decision unit on the display section of the information processing device or the display section of one of the plurality of vehicles.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second information prompted by the prompting unit includes the charging and discharging relationship between the vehicle batteries.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The prompting unit displays the second information on the display section of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle battery, thereby prompting the second information.

6. An open-circuit voltage (OCV) adjustment method for a vehicle battery used in a secondary utilization scenario where multiple vehicle batteries are combined, the open-circuit voltage (OCV) adjustment method comprising: In the acquisition step, the computer acquires information related to the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of multiple vehicle batteries that are installed in multiple vehicles and are to be reused. as well as In the decision-making step, the computer, based on information related to the open-circuit voltage (OCV), determines a combination of multiple vehicle batteries to be reused from among the multiple vehicle batteries installed in the multiple vehicles, so that the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of each of the multiple vehicle batteries to be combined converges to a target range due to the charging and discharging of the multiple vehicle batteries to be combined. In the state where the multiple vehicle batteries to be reused are mounted in the multiple vehicles, the information related to the open circuit voltage (OCV) is obtained via the multiple vehicles in the acquisition step.

7. An open-circuit voltage (OCV) adjustment method for a vehicle battery used in a secondary utilization scenario involving multiple vehicle battery packs, the open-circuit voltage (OCV) adjustment method comprising: In the acquisition step, the computer acquires information related to the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of multiple vehicle batteries that are installed in multiple vehicles and are to be reused. In the decision-making step, the computer, based on information related to the open-circuit voltage (OCV), determines a combination of multiple vehicle batteries to be reused from among the multiple vehicle batteries installed in the multiple vehicles, such that the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of each of the multiple vehicle batteries to be combined converges to a target range due to the charging and discharging of the multiple vehicle batteries to be combined with each other. The prompting step involves displaying second information related to the combination determined in the decision step on the display unit set on the computer or on the display unit of one of the plurality of vehicles.

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