Information processing center and system

Abstract

The present application relates to an information processing center and a system that can communicate with a vehicle, and is provided with: a receiving section that receives, from the vehicle, a state amount of a storage battery including an internal resistance value, a temperature, and a storage rate of a storage battery mounted on the vehicle; an deriving section that derives, in a case where the internal resistance value received by the receiving section is a prescribed resistance value or more, estimation resistance information based on the state amount received by the receiving section, the estimation resistance information being data that estimates a correspondence relationship between the temperature and the internal resistance value of the storage battery; and a determination section that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality of the storage battery based on the estimation resistance information and deterioration resistance information, the deterioration resistance information being data that indicates a correspondence relationship between the temperature and the internal resistance value in a deteriorated state of the storage battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing center capable of communicating with a vehicle, and systems including the vehicle and the information processing center. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-206215 discloses a vehicle power supply diagnostic device that, when starting the vehicle and while driving the vehicle, monitors the current terminal voltage and current of the battery inside the vehicle and compares them with pre-stored characteristic values ​​of the battery during abnormal situations to diagnose battery abnormalities.

[0003] The internal resistance value used for diagnosing battery malfunctions depends on the battery temperature. Therefore, if battery malfunction diagnosis is performed while the vehicle is in motion, where the battery temperature may fluctuate, as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-206215, there is a concern that accurate malfunction determination based on the internal resistance value may not be possible. Therefore, further research is warranted regarding battery malfunction diagnosis. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned issues, and its purpose is to provide an information processing center, etc., that can effectively perform abnormal diagnosis of batteries in response to temperature changes of batteries installed in vehicles.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, one aspect of this disclosure is an information processing center capable of communicating with a vehicle, comprising: a receiving unit that receives from the vehicle state parameters of a battery, including its internal resistance value, temperature, and charge capacity; an output unit that, when the internal resistance value of the battery received by the receiving unit is above a predetermined resistance value, outputs inferred resistance information based on the battery state parameters received by the receiving unit, the inferred resistance information being data that infers the correspondence between the battery temperature and its internal resistance value; and a determination unit that, based on the inferred resistance information and deterioration resistance information output by the output unit, determines whether there is an abnormality in the battery, the deterioration resistance information being data indicating the correspondence between the temperature and the internal resistance value in a deteriorated state of the battery.

[0006] According to the information processing center disclosed herein, it is possible to effectively perform abnormal diagnosis of batteries installed in vehicles by responding to temperature changes in the batteries. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, technical and industrial importance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements, wherein:

[0008] Figure 1This is a block diagram illustrating a simplified structure of a system including an information processing center according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the resistance wires.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the abnormal diagnosis and handling of the battery performed by the information processing center.

[0011] Figure 4 Yes Figure 3 The flowchart illustrates the inference resistance line update process.

[0012] Figure 5 This is an example of a standard resistance mapping used to determine a standard resistance line.

[0013] Figure 6 This is an example of how to determine the degradation resistance mapping for degradation resistance lines.

[0014] Figure 7 This is an example of a response rate mapping that determines the response rate.

[0015] Figure 8 This is an image of the abnormal diagnosis and handling of batteries implemented by the information processing center.

[0016] Figure 9 This is an image of the abnormal diagnosis and handling of batteries implemented by the information processing center. Detailed Implementation

[0017] For the purposes of this disclosure, the information processing center communicating with the vehicle uses dynamic changes in benchmark values ​​to determine the presence or absence of abnormalities in the on-board battery based on changes in physical quantities detected during information collection from the vehicle. Thus, the information processing center can effectively diagnose on-board battery abnormalities in response to temperature changes and accelerated degradation.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] [Implementation Method]

[0020] <Structure>

[0021] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a simplified structure of a system 1 including an information processing center 20 according to one embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1 The illustrated system 1 includes a vehicle 10 and an information processing center 20.

[0022] The vehicle 10 is, for example, an electric vehicle capable of autonomous driving. The vehicle 10 includes at least a DC-DC converter 11, a battery 12, a control unit 13, and a communication module 14.

[0023] The DC-DC converter 11 is a device that converts power input from a primary system connected to an electric motor, alternator, and main battery (not shown) into power of a specified voltage and outputs it to a secondary system connected to a battery 12, auxiliary load (not shown), etc.

[0024] The battery 12 is configured as a rechargeable secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery. The battery 12 stores power supplied from the primary system via the DC-DC converter 11, or supplies its stored power to auxiliary loads (not shown) connected to the secondary system. As an example, the battery 12 is a so-called "sub-battery" that is redundantly configured to provide backup power even if the main battery (not shown) connected to the primary system fails during autonomous driving of the vehicle 10.

[0025] The control unit 13, for example, is an electronic control unit (ECU) including a microcomputer, and is capable of controlling the charging and discharging current of the battery 12 in the DC-DC converter 11, monitoring the status of the battery 12, etc. In monitoring the status of the battery 12, the control unit 13 uses a detection element (voltage sensor, current sensor, temperature sensor, etc.) provided on the battery 12 (not shown) to detect physical quantities (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) related to the battery 12, and obtains battery status quantities (hereinafter referred to as "battery status") including the internal resistance value, temperature, and state of charge (SOC) of the battery 12 based on the detected physical quantities related to the battery 12. This obtained battery status is output to the communication module 14.

[0026] The communication module 14 is a communication device that controls the communication between the information processing center 20 and the vehicle 10. For example, the communication module 14 is wirelessly connected to the information processing center 20 via a network not shown, and sends information related to the vehicle 10, including the status of the battery 12 (battery status) output from the control unit 13, to the information processing center 20 (transmitting unit).

[0027] The information processing center 20 is connected to the vehicle 10 for communication and performs various processes related to the vehicle 10. One of the executable processes is that the information processing center 20 can use resistance information that reveals the characteristics of the battery 12 and, based on various information obtainable from the vehicle 10, diagnose whether the battery 12 installed in the vehicle 10 is malfunctioning. This resistance information is data representing the correspondence between temperature and internal resistance values, which are physical quantities related to the battery 12. In this embodiment, as resistance information, such as… Figure 2 As illustrated, a column of data, i.e., a resistance line, is used to represent the correspondence between the temperature and internal resistance value of the battery 12. For abnormal diagnosis and processing of the battery 12, the information processing center 20 includes a receiving unit 21, an output unit 22, a judgment unit 23, and a notification unit 24.

[0028] The receiving unit 21 receives battery status information from the vehicle 10, including the internal resistance value, temperature, and charge rate of the battery 12. The receiving unit 21 can receive the battery status information from the vehicle 10 periodically, or only at predetermined times determined by the information processing center 20.

[0029] The derivation unit 22 derives an inferred resistance line (inferred resistance information) based on the battery status received by the receiving unit 21. This inferred resistance line is a column of data that infers the correspondence between the temperature (hereinafter referred to as "detection temperature") when a physical quantity related to the battery 12 is detected and the internal resistance value (hereinafter referred to as "detection resistance value"). Details regarding the inferred resistance line will be described later. Whenever the receiving unit 21 receives new information about the battery status of the battery 12, it reconsiders the inferred resistance line and updates it as needed.

[0030] The determination unit 23 performs anomaly diagnosis processing to determine whether the battery 12 has any abnormalities based on the inferred resistance line and deterioration resistance line (deterioration resistance information) derived by the derivation unit 22. The deterioration resistance line is a column of data that shows the correspondence between temperature and internal resistance value in the deteriorated state of the battery 12. Details regarding the anomaly diagnosis processing of the battery 12 will be described later.

[0031] If the determination unit 23 determines that the battery 12 is abnormal, the notification unit 24 will notify that an abnormality has occurred.

[0032] The receiving unit 21, the output unit 22, the determination unit 23, and the notification unit 24 described above can typically be configured as a control device including a processor, a memory, and an input / output interface. This control device reads and executes a program stored in the memory using a processor to achieve all or part of the functions of the receiving unit 21, the output unit 22, the determination unit 23, and the notification unit 24.

[0033] <Control>

[0034] Next, also refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The control performed by the information processing center 20 involved in this embodiment will be explained. Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of abnormal diagnosis and processing of the battery 12 performed on each structure of the information processing center 20. Figure 4 Yes Figure 3 A flowchart explaining the detailed steps of the inferred resistance line update process (step S305) is provided.

[0035] For example, the information processing center 20 first identifies the vehicle 10 (battery 12) because the vehicle 10 is registered with the information processing center 20, or the information processing center 20 identifies that the battery 12 installed in the vehicle 10 has been replaced, and thus begins... Figure 3 The abnormal diagnosis and handling are shown.

[0036] (Step S301)

[0037] The output unit 22 sets the column representing the correspondence between the temperature and internal resistance value of the battery 12 when it is unused (when it is new), i.e., the standard resistance line, to the initial value of the inferred resistance line. This standard resistance line is pre-created by the manufacturer of the battery 12, the vehicle 10, etc.

[0038] Figure 5 This shows an example of a standard resistance mapping used to determine a standard resistance line. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the standard resistance mapping is a two-dimensional table that uses the temperature [°C] and charge rate [%] of battery 12 as parameters to calculate the resistance value Rstd of battery 12 when it is unused (new). Figure 5 In the standard resistance mapping, for example, when the battery 12 has a charge rate of "SOC2" and a temperature of "T1", the standard resistance value is represented as "Rstd_21".

[0039] If the standard resistance line is initially set as the inferred resistance line, the process proceeds to step S302.

[0040] (Step S302)

[0041] The determination unit 23 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the last abnormality diagnosis of the battery 12. This determination is performed in order to periodically perform abnormality diagnoses of the battery 12. The predetermined time can be arbitrarily set based on factors such as the required accuracy of the abnormality diagnosis results for the battery 12. Once the predetermined time has elapsed since the last abnormality diagnosis of the battery 12 (step S302, yes), the process proceeds to step S303.

[0042] (Step S303)

[0043] The receiving unit 21 receives the detected resistance value Rpre, detected temperature Tpre, and detected charge rate SOCpre from the vehicle 10 as the battery status. The aforementioned detected resistance value Rpre, detected temperature Tpre, and detected charge rate SOCpre are the current internal resistance value, temperature, and charge rate of the battery 12. If the battery status is received from the vehicle 10, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0044] (Step S304)

[0045] The determination unit 23 determines whether the detected resistance value Rpre of the battery 12 is above the inferred resistance line. This determination is performed to prevent abnormal diagnosis of the battery 12 based on the battery status received from the vehicle 10 if there is an error. More specifically, the determination unit 23 determines whether the detected resistance value Rpre of the battery 12 received by the receiving unit 21 is above the resistance value Rest_Tpre, which is the inferred resistance value Rest on the inferred resistance line (in the inferred resistance information) corresponding to the detected temperature Tpre of the battery 12.

[0046] If the detected resistance value Rpre of the battery 12 is above the inferred resistance line (Rpre≥Rest_Tpre) (step S304, Yes), the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if the detected resistance value Rpre of the battery 12 is less than the inferred resistance line (Rpre<Rest_Tpre) (step S304, No), the process proceeds to step S302.

[0047] (Step S305)

[0048] The output unit 22 performs a process to update the inferred resistance line. That is, if the internal resistance value (detected resistance value Rpre) of the battery 12 is above a predetermined resistance value (inferred resistance line), the inferred resistance line update process is performed. This inferred resistance line update process will be described later. If the inferred resistance line update process is completed, the process proceeds to step S306.

[0049] (Step S306)

[0050] The determination unit 23 determines whether the inference resistance line has come into contact with the deteriorated resistance line. This determination is performed to determine whether there is an abnormality in the battery 12. The deteriorated resistance line is a column of data showing the relationship between temperature and internal resistance value when the battery 12 is in a deteriorated state. This deteriorated resistance line is pre-created by the manufacturers of the battery 12 and the vehicle 10, etc.

[0051] Figure 6This illustrates an example of a degradation resistance mapping used to determine the degradation resistance line. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the degradation resistance mapping is a two-dimensional correspondence table that uses the temperature [°C] and charge rate [%] of battery 12 as parameters to calculate the resistance value Rdet of battery 12 in a degraded state. Figure 6 In the degradation resistance mapping, for example, when the battery 12 has a charge rate of "SOC2" and a temperature of "T1", the degradation resistance value is represented as "Rdet_21".

[0052] Here, "the inferred resistance line touches the degraded resistance line" means that at least a portion of the temperature, the inferred resistance value Rest of the inferred resistance line is greater than the degraded resistance value Rdet of the degraded resistance line.

[0053] If it is deduced that the resistance wire has touched the degraded resistance wire (step S306, Yes), it is determined that the battery 12 is abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, if it is deduced that the resistance wire has not touched the degraded resistance wire (step S306, No), it is determined that the battery 12 is not abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S302.

[0054] (Step S307)

[0055] Notification unit 24 notifies the outside of the information processing center 20 that there is an abnormality in the battery 12. Typically, this notification is sent outwards. As an example, notification unit 24 may be used to notify service personnel using vehicle 10 that the service they are providing may be interrupted due to the vehicle 10 being stopped. Once the notification that there is an abnormality in the battery 12 has been sent, the abnormality diagnosis and processing of the battery 12 is completed.

[0056] exist Figure 3 In step S305, during the inference resistance line update process, the following steps are performed: Figure 4 The following steps S401 to S404 are shown.

[0057] (Step S401)

[0058] The output section 22 outputs the response rate. The response rate is a coefficient used to determine the extent to which the inference resistor line to be updated reflects the current state of the battery 12. This response rate is predetermined by the manufacturers of the battery 12, vehicle 10, etc.

[0059] Figure 7 This represents an example of a response rate mapping that determines the response rate under various conditions. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the response rate mapping is a two-dimensional correspondence table that uses the temperature [°C] and charge rate [%] of battery 12 as parameters to calculate the response rate applicable to the resistance values ​​Rest of the inference resistance line. Figure 7In the response rate mapping, for example, when the battery 12 has a charge capacity of "SOC2" and a temperature of "T1", the response rate is represented as "P21". Here, because the change in the internal resistance of the battery 12 is greater in the low-temperature region than in the high-temperature region, the detection accuracy of the resistance value in the high-temperature region is lower. Therefore, it is desirable to set the response rate to be higher in the low-temperature region than in the high-temperature region, taking into account the detection error of the resistance value.

[0060] The output unit 22 derives a "response rate Ppre" based on the detected temperature Tpre and the detected charge rate SOCpre of the battery 12. The "response rate Ppre" is the response rate corresponding to the detected temperature Tpre and the detected charge rate SOCpre. If the response rate Ppre is derived, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0061] (Step S402)

[0062] The decomposition unit 22 derives the degradation rate. The degradation rate is a coefficient used to indicate the degree to which the current state of the battery 12 has deteriorated from its new state. The decomposition unit 22 derives the "degradation rate Dpre" according to the following [Equation 1], which is a degradation rate based on the detection resistance value Rpre, detection temperature Tpre, and detection charge rate SOCpre of the battery 12. In [Equation 1], the standard resistance value Rstd_pre is the resistance value of the standard resistance line corresponding to the detection temperature Tpre and the detection charge rate SOCpre, and the degradation resistance value Rdet_pre is the resistance value of the degradation resistance line corresponding to the detection temperature Tpre and the detection charge rate SOCpre. If the degradation rate Dpre is derived, the process proceeds to step S403.

[0063] Degradation rate Dpre = (Detected resistance value Rpre - Standard resistance value Rstd_pre) / (Degraded resistance value Rdet_pre - Standard resistance value Rstd_pre) ... [Equation 1]

[0064] For all combinations (m×n groups) of the storage rate from SOC1 to SOCm (where m is a predetermined positive integer) and the temperature from T1 to Tn (where n is a predetermined positive integer) that the storage battery 12 can obtain, the following steps S403 and S404 are repeatedly performed to calculate the inferred resistance value.

[0065] (Step S403)

[0066] The derivation unit 22 calculates the original value of the inferred resistance R'est_xy, which is related to the combination of the energy storage rate SOCx (x is any value from 1 to m) and the temperature Ty (y is any value from 1 to n). The original value of the inferred resistance R'est is calculated using the standard resistance value Rstd_xy of the standard resistance line corresponding to the energy storage rate SOCx and the temperature Ty, the degraded resistance value Rdet_xy of the degraded resistance line corresponding to the energy storage rate SOCx and the temperature Ty, and the degrade ratio Dpre, and by the following [Equation 2]. If the original value of the inferred resistance R'est_xy is calculated, the process proceeds to step S404.

[0067] The original resistance value R'est_xy is calculated as follows: R'est_xy = standard resistance value Rstd_xy + (degraded resistance value Rdet_xy - standard resistance value Rstd_xy) × degradation factor Dpre…[Equation 2]

[0068] (Step S404)

[0069] The derivation unit 22 calculates a new inferred resistance value Rest_new_xy related to the combination of the energy storage rate SOCx and the temperature Ty. Using the original inferred resistance value R'est_xy calculated under the conditions of energy storage rate SOCx and temperature Ty, the inferred resistance value Rest_xy corresponding to the energy storage rate SOCx and temperature Ty of the currently set inferred resistance line, and the response rate Ppre, the new inferred resistance value Rest_new_xy is calculated using the following [Equation 3]. If a new inferred resistance value Rest_new is calculated, the process proceeds to step S405.

[0070] The new inferred resistance value Rest_new_xy = Inferred resistance value Rest_xy + (Inferred resistance original value R'est_xy - Inferred resistance value Rest_xy) × Response rate Ppre…[Equation 3]

[0071] (Step S405)

[0072] If a new inferred resistance value Rest_new is calculated based on all combinations of the available charge rate and temperature of the battery 12, the derivation unit 22 resets the data column consisting of the calculated multiple inferred resistance values ​​Rest_new, i.e., the new inferred resistance line, to update the inferred resistance line. If the inferred resistance line is updated, the inferred resistance line update process ends, and the process proceeds to step S306.

[0073] Then refer to Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 This document describes the image of the abnormal diagnosis and processing of the battery 12 implemented in the information processing center 20.

[0074] exist Figure 8In the example, the detected resistance value Rpre (× mark) received by the information processing center 20 from the vehicle 10 is greater than the inferred resistance value Rest (● mark) on the inferred resistance line at the detected temperature Tpre. Therefore, the inferred resistance line used for abnormal diagnosis processing of the battery 12 is updated from the currently set inferred resistance line (solid line) to a new inferred resistance line (dashed line) calculated based on each detected value (resistance value, temperature, charge rate) (correcting the line upwards towards the point where the resistance value increases). Figure 8 In the example, because the updated inferred resistance line did not touch the degraded resistance line, battery 12 has not yet been identified as abnormal.

[0075] exist Figure 9 In the example, for with Figure 8 Similarly, regarding the updated inferred resistance line (dashed line), although the detected resistance value Rpre (× mark) is less than the deteriorated resistance value, the portion indicated by the dashed circle touches the deteriorated resistance line. Therefore, battery 12 is determined to be abnormal.

[0076] [Function / Effect]

[0077] According to the information processing center 20 of one embodiment of the present disclosure described above, when performing anomaly diagnosis of the battery 12 based on battery state (battery state variables) including the internal resistance value, temperature, and charge rate of the battery 12 received from the vehicle 10, whenever the internal resistance value of the battery 12 becomes higher than or equal to the resistance value of the currently set inferred resistance line, the inferred resistance line (inferred resistance information) used in the anomaly diagnosis is re-derived and updated. Through this process, the inferred resistance line used in the anomaly diagnosis can be optimally set according to the temperature and degree of degradation under the current operating environment of the battery 12. Therefore, anomaly diagnosis of the battery 12 installed in the vehicle can be effectively implemented to cope with temperature changes and accelerated degradation of the battery.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the information processing center 20 of this embodiment, the service personnel are notified that the battery 12 is malfunctioning. Through this process, service personnel can be aware of the battery 12's degradation before a backup solution is available. Therefore, for example, it can prevent situations where mobile services using Maas vehicles 10 require replacement of the battery pack due to battery degradation, leading to a temporary suspension of service.

[0079] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure can be understood not only as an information processing center, but also as a control method, control program and computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the control program, or a system including an information processing center and a vehicle.

[0080] The information processing center disclosed herein can be used in situations such as diagnosing abnormalities in batteries installed in vehicles.

Claims

1. An information processing center capable of communicating with a vehicle, wherein, Possessing: a receiving section that receives, from the vehicle, state quantities of the storage battery including an internal resistance value, a temperature, and a state of charge of a storage battery mounted on the vehicle; an deriving section that derives, in a case where the internal resistance value of the storage battery received by the receiving section is a prescribed resistance value or more, estimation resistance information that is data that estimates a correspondence relationship between a temperature and an internal resistance value of the storage battery, based on the state quantities of the storage battery received by the receiving section; and a determining section that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality of the storage battery based on the estimation resistance information derived by the deriving section and degradation resistance information that is data that indicates a correspondence relationship between a temperature and an internal resistance value in a degraded state of the storage battery, the estimation resistance information is estimation resistance lines that are data that estimates a correspondence relationship between a temperature and an internal resistance value at a time when a physical quantity related to the storage battery is detected, the estimation resistance lines are reconsidered each time the receiving section newly receives storage battery state of the storage battery, and the estimation resistance lines are updated as necessary, in a case where a resistance value of the estimation resistance lines as the estimation resistance information exceeds a resistance value of the degradation resistance information at at least a part of the temperatures, the determining section determines that the storage battery has an abnormality.

2. The information processing center according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed resistance value is a resistance value corresponding to the temperature of the storage battery received by the receiving section in the estimation resistance information last derived by the deriving section.

3. The information processing center according to claim 1 or 2, wherein after a prescribed time elapses from a last determination of the presence or absence of an abnormality of the storage battery by the determining section, the receiving section receives the state quantities of the storage battery from the vehicle.

4. The information processing center according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notifying section that performs notification of an abnormality occurrence in a case where the determining section determines that the storage battery has an abnormality.

5. A system including a vehicle and an information processing center capable of communicating with the vehicle, wherein the vehicle possesses: a control section that acquires state quantities of a mounted storage battery including an internal resistance value, a temperature, and a state of charge; and a transmission section that transmits the state quantities of the storage battery acquired by the control section to the information processing center, the information processing center possesses: a receiving section that receives the state quantities of the storage battery from the vehicle; a deriving section that derives, in a case where the internal resistance value of the storage battery received by the receiving section is a prescribed resistance value or more, estimation resistance information that is data that estimates a correspondence relationship between a temperature and an internal resistance value of the storage battery, based on the state quantities of the storage battery received by the receiving section; and a determining section that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality of the storage battery based on the estimation resistance information derived by the deriving section and degradation resistance information that is data that indicates a correspondence relationship between a temperature and an internal resistance value in a degraded state of the storage battery, ​ ​ ​ The inferred resistance information is an inferred resistance line, which is a column of data that infers the correspondence between temperature and internal resistance value when physical quantities related to the battery are detected. Whenever the receiving unit receives new information about the battery status, it reconsiders the inferred resistance line and updates it as needed. When the resistance value of the inferred resistance line, which is the inferred resistance information, exceeds the resistance value of the deterioration resistance information at at least a portion of the temperature, the determination unit determines that the battery is abnormal.

Images