Battery control device, battery monitoring system including battery control device and battery monitoring device, and method for determining abnormal battery using battery monitoring system

Abstract

The battery control device (40) is provided with: a master-side storage unit (44) that stores parameters relating to the communication quality of wireless communication when the batteries (21, 21A-21D, 200), the battery monitoring devices (30, 30A-30D), and the battery control device are arranged in a predetermined arrangement state in the housing unit (55, 105), and relating to the battery monitoring devices; a master-side communication unit (42, 43) for performing wireless communication with the battery monitoring device; and a specifying unit (41) that specifies a battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device, which is a transmission source of the received wireless signal, on the basis of the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master-side communication unit and the parameter stored in the storage unit.

Description

Citation of related applications

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-098017 filed on June 17, 2022, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery control device, a battery monitoring system including the battery control device and a battery monitoring device, and a method for determining an abnormal battery using the battery monitoring system. Background Art

[0003] As such a system, there is known a system for monitoring the status of a plurality of cell groups constituting a battery module, as described in Patent Document 1. Specifically, the system includes a battery monitoring device and a battery control device. The battery monitoring device is independently provided corresponding to each of the plurality of cell groups and monitors the status of the cell groups. The battery control device acquires battery information as a monitoring result from each battery monitoring device by wirelessly communicating with each battery monitoring device. The battery control device performs various controls based on the acquired battery information.

[0004] In order to perform wireless communication between the battery control device and the battery monitoring device, each battery monitoring device is given unique identification information. Each battery monitoring device wirelessly transmits the identification information together with the battery information. Thus, the battery control device can determine from which battery monitoring device the battery information is transmitted.

[0005] A plurality of cell groups are connected in series, so there is the following relationship: the higher the potential of the cell group, the higher the potential relative to the ground potential. Using this relationship, the battery control device described in Patent Document 1 grasps the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and the cell group that is the monitoring object of each battery monitoring device. In detail, each battery monitoring device measures the potential of the cell group that is the monitoring object relative to the ground potential. Each battery monitoring device wirelessly transmits the identification information together with the measured potential to the battery control device. Thus, the battery control device grasps the above-mentioned correspondence. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0006] Patent document 1: International Publication No. 2013 / 051157. Summary of the invention

[0007] Typically, batteries such as a cell group, a battery monitoring device that monitors each battery, and a battery control device are housed in a housing. The housing is configured to partially reflect radio waves. Therefore, when the battery monitoring device sends a wireless signal, the transmitted wireless signal is reflected by the wall of the housing. As a result, multipath may occur, and the correct measured potential and identification information cannot be sent from the battery monitoring device to the battery control device. In this case, the battery control device cannot grasp the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and the battery that is the monitoring target of each battery monitoring device.

[0008] The main purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a battery control device capable of grasping the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device, a battery monitoring system including the battery control device and the battery monitoring device, and a method for determining an abnormal battery using the battery monitoring system.

[0009] The present disclosure is applicable to a battery monitoring system including a battery monitoring device, wherein the battery monitoring device is independently arranged corresponding to a plurality of batteries and monitors the states of the batteries. The battery control device is arranged in a predetermined arrangement state together with the batteries and the battery monitoring devices in a housing configured to reflect at least a portion of the radio waves, wherein: The battery control device comprises: a main machine-side storage unit storing parameters related to the communication quality of wireless communication when the batteries, the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the accommodating unit in the prescribed arrangement state, and the parameters are parameters associated with the battery monitoring devices; a mother machine side communication unit for wirelessly communicating with the battery monitoring device; and A determination unit performs determination processing, wherein the determination processing is to determine the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device as the transmission source of the received wireless signal based on the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the host side communication unit and the parameters stored in the storage unit.

[0010] The above parameters are information related to the communication quality of wireless communication between the battery monitoring device and the battery control device when each battery, each battery monitoring device and the battery control device are arranged in the storage unit in a specified arrangement state, and are associated with each battery monitoring device. Therefore, when the above specified arrangement state is achieved, the above parameters become information for identifying which battery is being monitored by each battery monitoring device.

[0011] In view of this point, the determination unit of the present disclosure determines the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device, which is the source of the received wireless signal, based on the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the host side communication unit and the above-mentioned parameters stored in the host side storage unit. As a result, the battery control device can grasp the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device in a structure where multipath may occur. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the vehicle according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a battery pack. Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the arrangement of battery blocks and the like in a casing. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 4-4 line cross-sectional view. Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the arrangement of battery cells constituting a battery block. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a transmitting and receiving antenna in an environment where radio waves are not reflected. Figure 7 This is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the strength of a wireless signal received in an environment that does not reflect radio waves. Figure 8 The figure shows the transmitting and receiving antennas in an environment where radio waves are reflected. Fig. 9 This is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the strength of a wireless signal received in a reflected radio wave environment. Fig.10 It is a diagram showing a state where a battery pack is connected to a measuring device. Fig.11 This is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength associated with each battery monitoring device. Fig.12 This is a diagram showing an example of the measurement result of the wireless signal strength. Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring target identification process. Fig.14 This is a flowchart showing a method for identifying a battery block in which an abnormality has occurred. Fig.15 It is a perspective view showing the arrangement of battery blocks and the like in a casing according to a modification of the first embodiment. Fig.16This is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring target identification process according to the second embodiment. Fig.17 This is a flowchart showing the procedure of storage processing in the battery monitoring device. Fig.18 This is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring target identification process according to the third embodiment. Fig.19 It is a plan view of the battery pack in a state where the cover is removed according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 20 This is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength associated with each battery monitoring device. Fig.21 It is a top view of the battery pack of the comparative example with the cover removed. Fig. 22 It is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength in a comparative example. Fig.23 It is a plan view of the battery pack in the fifth embodiment with the cover removed. Fig.24 This is a top view of the battery pack with the cover removed. Fig.25 It is a plan view of the battery pack in the sixth embodiment with the cover removed. Fig.26 : is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength before the directivity is switched. Fig. 27 : is a graph showing the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength after the directivity is switched. Fig.28 This is a diagram showing an example of an antenna capable of changing directivity. Fig.29 This is a diagram showing an example of an antenna capable of changing directivity. Fig.30 It is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the battery blocks in the normal state according to the seventh embodiment. Fig.31 This is a perspective view showing a state in which the arrangement position of the battery block is deviated from the normal position. Fig.32 It is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength in normal and abnormal conditions of the battery block. Fig.33 This is a flowchart showing the procedures of the monitoring target identification process and the abnormality determination process. Fig.34 It is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength according to the eighth embodiment. Fig.35 This is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring target identification process. Fig.36This is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring target identification process according to the ninth embodiment. Fig.37 This is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring target identification process according to the tenth embodiment. Fig.38 It is a diagram showing the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength according to the eleventh embodiment. Fig.39 This is a flowchart showing the procedure of the monitoring target identification process. Fig.40 It is a diagram showing the arrangement of battery packs in a storage space within a vehicle chassis according to a twelfth embodiment. Fig.41 yes Fig.40 Sectional view along line 41-41. Fig.42 It is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a thirteenth embodiment. Fig.43 It is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to a fourteenth embodiment. Fig.44 It is a diagram showing the arrangement of batteries in a storage space within a vehicle chassis according to a fifteenth embodiment. Fig.45 It is a perspective view showing a battery according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Hereinafter, multiple embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In multiple embodiments, functionally and / or structurally corresponding parts and / or associated parts are sometimes marked with the same reference numerals. For corresponding parts and / or associated parts, reference can be made to the description of other embodiments.

[0014] <First embodiment> A first embodiment of a battery monitoring system according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The battery monitoring system is installed in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that uses a rotating electric machine as a driving power source.

[0015] Figure 1 1 is a diagram schematically showing a structure of a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a battery pack 11, a power control unit (hereinafter referred to as “PCU”) 12, a motor 13, and a vehicle ECU 14.

[0016] The battery pack 11 is installed in the vehicle 10 as a driving power source of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the battery pack 11 is installed in, for example, an engine room, a trunk, under a seat, or under a floor of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 runs using the power stored in the battery pack 11.

[0017] like Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , the battery pack 11 includes a battery pack 20 including a plurality of battery cells 22 (specifically, secondary cells) connected in series. The battery pack 20 stores power for driving the motor 13 and can supply power to the motor 13 via the PCU 12. In addition, when the motor 13 regenerates power, such as when the vehicle 10 is braking, the battery pack 20 is charged by receiving power generated by the motor 13 via the PCU 12. Figure 1 As shown, the battery pack 20 can be connected to an external charger CM provided outside the vehicle 10. The external charger CM is, for example, a fixed facility. The battery pack 20 is charged by the external charger CM.

[0018] The PCU 12 performs bidirectional power conversion between the battery pack 11 and the motor 13 based on a control signal from the vehicle ECU 14. The PCU 12 includes, for example, an inverter for driving the motor 13 and a converter for boosting a DC voltage supplied to the inverter to a voltage higher than the output voltage of the battery pack 11.

[0019] The motor 13 is an AC rotating electric machine, for example, a three-phase AC synchronous motor with a permanent magnet embedded in the rotor. The motor 13 is driven by the PCU 12 to generate a rotational driving force, and the driving force generated by the motor 13 is transmitted to the drive wheels of the vehicle 10. On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 brakes, the motor 13 acts as a generator to generate regenerative power. The power generated by the motor 13 is supplied to the battery pack 11 through the PCU 12 and stored in the battery pack 20 in the battery pack 11.

[0020] The vehicle ECU 14 includes a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, an input / output port for inputting and outputting various signals, and the like. The CPU expands the program stored in the ROM to the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM records the processing of the vehicle ECU 14. As an example of the main processing of the vehicle ECU 14, the vehicle ECU 14 receives information such as the voltage, current, and SOC (State Of Charge) of the battery pack 20 from the battery pack 11, and controls the driving of the motor 13 and the charging and discharging of the battery pack 11 by controlling the PCU 12.

[0021] Figure 2 1 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the battery pack 11. The battery pack 11 includes a battery group 20, a plurality of battery monitoring devices 30, a battery control device 40, and a case 50 that accommodates them.

[0022] The battery pack 20 includes a plurality of battery blocks 21 connected in series. The battery block 21 may also be referred to as a battery stack or a battery module. Each battery block 21 has a plurality of battery cells 22. Each battery cell 22 is composed of a lithium-ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery. In addition, a lithium-ion secondary battery is a secondary battery that uses lithium as a charge carrier. In addition to conventional lithium-ion secondary batteries in which the electrolyte is a liquid, it may also include a so-called all-solid-state battery that uses a solid electrolyte. In addition, the battery pack 20 may also include a plurality of battery blocks 21 connected in series, and each series connection is connected in parallel. In addition, the battery pack 20 is connected to the PCU 12 via a switch SW (e.g., a relay) and wiring 16.

[0023] The battery monitoring device 30 is also called a satellite battery module (SBM), and is provided for each battery block 21. Figure 2 As shown, each battery monitoring device 30 includes a monitoring IC 31 as a monitoring unit, a slave-side wireless IC 32 as a wireless control unit, and a slave-side antenna 33 as a wireless antenna. The slave-side wireless IC 32 and the slave-side antenna 33 correspond to the "slave-side communication unit" of the battery monitoring device 30. The monitoring IC 31 is also called a single-cell battery monitoring circuit (CSC), and obtains battery information from each battery cell 22 constituting the battery block 21 or a sensor not shown. The battery information includes, for example, voltage information, temperature information, and current information of each battery cell 22. In addition, the monitoring IC 31 performs self-diagnosis and generates self-diagnosis information. The self-diagnosis information is, for example, information related to the operation confirmation of the battery monitoring device 30, that is, information related to the abnormality or failure of the battery monitoring device 30. Specifically, it is information related to the operation confirmation of the monitoring IC 31 or the slave-side wireless IC 32 constituting the battery monitoring device 30.

[0024] The slave-side wireless IC 32 is wiredly connected to the monitoring IC 31, and has a wireless MCU (Micro Control Unit) and an RF device (high frequency device module). The slave-side wireless IC 32 wirelessly transmits the data received from the monitoring IC 31 via the slave-side antenna 33. In addition, the slave-side wireless IC 32 transmits the data received via the slave-side antenna 33 to the monitoring IC 31.

[0025] The monitoring IC 31 includes a slave-side storage unit 34. The slave-side storage unit 34 is a non-transitory physical storage medium other than a ROM (for example, a non-volatile memory other than a ROM).

[0026] The battery control device 40 is also called a battery ECU or BMU (Battery Management Unit). The battery control device 40 is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with each battery monitoring device 30. In detail, the battery control device 40 includes: a battery control MCU 41 as a battery control unit; a mother machine side wireless IC 42 as a wireless control unit; and a mother machine side antenna 43 as a wireless antenna. The mother machine side wireless IC 42 and the mother machine side antenna 43 are equivalent to the "mother machine side communication unit" of the battery control device 40. The battery control MCU 41 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output interface, etc. The CPU of the battery control MCU 41 expands the program stored in the ROM to the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM records the processing related to battery control.

[0027] As an example of the main processing, the battery control MCU 41 instructs the battery monitoring device 30 to obtain and transmit the battery information. In addition, the battery control MCU 41 monitors the battery pack 20, the battery block 21, and the battery cell 22 based on the battery information received from the battery monitoring device 30. In addition, the battery control MCU 41 controls the switch SW based on the monitoring result, and the switch SW switches the energization and de-energization state of the battery pack 20 and the PCU 12 or the motor 13. In addition, the battery control MCU 41 sometimes sends an equalization signal to equalize the voltage of each battery cell 22.

[0028] The base station side wireless IC 42 is wiredly connected to the battery control MCU 41, and has a wireless MCU and an RF device similar to the slave station side wireless IC 32. The base station side wireless IC 42 wirelessly transmits the data received from the battery control MCU 41 via the base station side antenna 43. In addition, the base station side wireless IC 42 transmits the data received via the base station side antenna 43 to the battery control MCU 41. In addition, as the base station side antenna 43 and the slave station side antenna 33, for example, a dipole antenna, a Yagi antenna, a slot antenna, an inverted F antenna, an inverted L antenna, a chip antenna, or a zero-order antenna (for example, a zero-order resonant antenna) can be used.

[0029] The battery control MCU 41 includes a host-side storage unit 44. The host-side storage unit 44 is a non-transitory physical storage medium other than a ROM (for example, a non-volatile memory other than a ROM).

[0030] A battery monitoring system is constructed including the battery pack 20 , the battery monitoring device 30 , the battery control device 40 , and a housing 50 that accommodates them as structural components.

[0031] Next, use Figure 3 and Figure 4The case 50 and the arrangement of the battery blocks 21 and the like in the case 50 will be described. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 4-4 line section view. Figure 4 For the sake of convenience, some of the structures shown are not illustrated with hatching indicating cross sections.

[0032] The housing 50 includes a bottom plate 51 and a wall portion formed along the peripheral edge of the bottom plate 51. The bottom plate 51 is rectangular, specifically, rectangular. The wall portion includes a pair of first wall portions 52 extending along the short side direction of the bottom plate 51 and a pair of second wall portions 53 extending along the length direction of the bottom plate 51.

[0033] The housing 50 includes a cover 54. The cover 54 covers the first wall portion 52 and the second wall portion 53 from above. The cover 54 is detachable from the base portion composed of the bottom plate portion 51 and the wall portion. The bottom plate portion 51, the first wall portion 52, the second wall portion 53 and the inner surface of the cover 54 constitute a housing portion 55. The housing portion 55 has a continuous space for housing the battery block 21, the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 in a predetermined arrangement state.

[0034] In this embodiment, the bottom plate 51, the first wall 52, the second wall 53 and the cover 54 are configured to have an electromagnetic shielding effect of blocking or absorbing radio waves. For example, by being configured with a metal material (such as aluminum), a structure having an electromagnetic shielding effect is achieved.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the housing 50 is mounted on the vehicle 10 such that the long side direction of the housing 50 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is the vehicle length direction of the vehicle 10. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the figure, the long side direction of the housing 50 (the vehicle length direction of the vehicle 10) is shown as the X direction, the short side direction of the housing 50 (the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10) is shown as the Y direction, and the height direction of the housing 50 is shown as the Z direction. For example, the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 51 becomes the installation surface relative to the body of the vehicle 10.

[0036] Each battery block 21 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and is composed of a plurality of battery cells 22 connected in series. In the present embodiment, the battery cells 22 are in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped. Figure 5 As shown in (A), a plurality of battery cells 22 are stacked in a row along the short side direction of the housing 50. Figure 5 As shown in (B) of FIG. 5 , the plurality of battery cells 22 may be arranged and stacked along the longitudinal direction of the case 50. In addition, the plurality of battery cells 22 constituting each battery block 21 may be connected in parallel to each other.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, each battery block 21 is arranged on the bottom plate portion 51 in such a manner that the long side direction is the short side direction of the housing 50. In this embodiment, for convenience, four battery blocks 21 are accommodated in the housing 50. Therefore, four battery monitoring devices 30 are also accommodated in the housing 50. Hereinafter, the battery blocks 21 will be referred to as the first to fourth battery blocks 21A to 21D, and the battery monitoring devices 30 will be referred to as the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D. In addition, Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the figure, bus bars and the like for electrically connecting the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals of the adjacent battery cells 22 in each battery block 21 are omitted from illustration.

[0038] In the housing 55, the junction box 15 is arranged on the bottom plate 51. The junction box 15 is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and accommodates the switch SW. The junction box 15 is arranged side by side with the first battery block 21A so that the long side direction is parallel to the long side direction of the battery block 21. The height dimension of the junction box 15 is smaller than the height dimension of the battery block 21.

[0039] The battery control device 40 is arranged on the upper surface of the junction box 15. The battery monitoring device 30 is arranged on the upper surface of each battery block 21. In the storage portion 55, the arrangement position of the battery control device 40 is located at a position lower than the arrangement position of each battery monitoring device 30.

[0040] The first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D store their own unique identification information in the slave-side storage unit 34. When transmitting battery information to the battery control device 40, the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D transmit their own identification information together. Thus, the battery control device 40 can determine from which battery monitoring device the battery information is transmitted.

[0041] Next, a method by which the battery control device 40 determines which battery block among the battery blocks 21 is to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D will be described.

[0042] Figure 6 The figure shows the transmitting antenna A1 and the first and second receiving antennas B1 and B2 placed in an environment where radio waves are not reflected. When a wireless signal is sent from the transmitting antenna A1, the strength of the wireless signal received by the first and second receiving antennas B1 and B2 becomes Figure 7 The frequency characteristics are shown in Figure 2. Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the longer the distance from the transmitting antenna A1, the smaller the signal strength due to attenuation. The signal strength at this time has almost no frequency dependence. Therefore, by measuring the magnitude of the signal strength, the battery monitoring device 30 that sent the signal can be identified, and further the battery block 21 that is monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 can be identified.

[0043] Figure 8 The figure shows the transmitting antenna A1 and the first and second receiving antennas B1 and B2 arranged in the housing. When a wireless signal is transmitted from the transmitting antenna A1, the transmitted signal is diffusely reflected in the housing. As a result, multipath is generated, and the strength of the wireless signal received by the first and second receiving antennas B1 and B2 becomes Fig. 9 The frequency characteristics are shown in Figure 2. Fig. 9 As shown, the signal strength does not decrease due to attenuation as the distance from the transmitting antenna A1 increases. For example, depending on the frequency, a significant decrease in the received power may occur. Therefore, the strength of the received signal from the battery monitoring device 30 that is far away from the battery control device 40 may be greater than the strength of the received signal from the battery monitoring device 30 that is short from the battery control device 40. In this way, in a space where diffuse reflection occurs, no proportional relationship is observed between the distance between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna and the attenuation of the received signal depending on the frequency. Therefore, it is difficult to identify the battery monitoring device 30 that sent the signal by simply comparing the signal strength.

[0044] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength from the battery monitoring device 30 are measured during the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11. Then, based on the correlation coefficient between the measured wireless signal strength and the wireless signal strength measured in advance when designing the battery pack 11, the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30 is determined.

[0045] Specifically, first, during the development stage of the battery pack 11, i.e., during the design process, the battery blocks 21, the battery monitoring device 30, the battery control device 40, and the junction box 15 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement state within the housing 50. The predetermined arrangement state refers to the arrangement state of the battery blocks 21, etc. in mass-produced battery packs.

[0046] like Fig.10 As shown, in a state where an external measuring device MA is electrically connected to the battery control device 40 (specifically, for example, the main machine side antenna 43) and the battery monitoring device 30 (specifically, for example, the slave machine side antenna 33), the measuring device MA measures the frequency characteristics of the signal strength when the wireless signal is independently output from each battery monitoring device 30. In detail, the measuring device MA measures the power loss (for example, through the characteristics) when the radio wave is propagated from the slave machine side antenna 33 to the main machine side antenna 43. The measuring device MA calculates the frequency characteristics of the received power of the battery control device 40, that is, the frequency characteristics of the signal strength, by adding the transmission power from the slave machine side antenna 33 and the power loss of the main machine side wireless IC 42, the main machine side antenna 43, the slave machine side wireless IC 32, and the slave machine side antenna 33 to the measured power loss. Fig.11In the figure, SLA represents the frequency characteristic of the signal strength when the battery control device 40 receives a wireless signal from the first battery monitoring device 30A, and SLB represents the frequency characteristic of the signal strength when the battery control device 40 receives a wireless signal from the second battery monitoring device 30B. SLC represents the frequency characteristic of the signal strength when the battery control device 40 receives a wireless signal from the third battery monitoring device 30C, and SLD represents the frequency characteristic of the signal strength when the battery control device 40 receives a wireless signal from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D. In this way, the frequency characteristic of the signal strength measured in advance is sometimes referred to as the reference strength below. By the way, instead of using the measuring device MA, the battery control device 40 may measure the received power and read the measurement result, and the frequency characteristic of the signal strength calculated based on the read measurement result may be processed as the reference strength.

[0047] In the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11, the writing device provided in the production line is electrically connected to the battery pack 11. The writing device stores the information of the reference strength in the main machine side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40. In addition, the information of the reference strength may also be stored in the main machine side storage unit 44 by the writing device in the manufacturing process of the battery control device 40 as a component of the battery pack 11.

[0048] In the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11, the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are sequentially caused to transmit wireless signals so that the transmission periods of the wireless signals do not overlap. Fig.12 An example of the strength of the signal received by the battery control device 40 when the fourth battery monitoring device 30D transmits a wireless signal is shown.

[0049] Next, the battery control device 40 is caused to perform determination processing. When describing the determination processing, the battery control MCU 41 calculates the correlation coefficient between the strength of the received signal of the first battery monitoring device and the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD, and the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD are associated with the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D. The battery control MCU 41 determines that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the reference strength used for calculation of the maximum correlation coefficient among the calculated four correlation coefficients is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculation of the maximum correlation coefficient.

[0050] For example, for the first received signal, the correlation coefficient of the first reference strength SLA associated with the first battery monitoring device 30A is 0.3, the correlation coefficient of the second reference strength SLB associated with the second battery monitoring device 30B is 0.5, the correlation coefficient of the third reference strength SLC associated with the third battery monitoring device 30C is 0.4, and the correlation coefficient of the fourth reference strength SLD associated with the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is 0.7. At this time, the maximum correlation coefficient is 0.7. The battery control MCU 41 determines that the monitoring object of the battery monitoring device 30, which is the transmission source of the wireless signal for calculating the correlation coefficient of 0.7, is the fourth battery block 21D on which the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is installed.

[0051] Next, the battery control MCU 41 calculates the correlation coefficient between the strength of the second received signal and the remaining three of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD. The battery control MCU 41 determines that, among the three calculated correlation coefficients, the battery block monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the reference strength for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient.

[0052] Next, the battery control MCU 41 calculates the correlation coefficient between the strength of the third received signal and the remaining two of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD. The battery control MCU 41 determines that, among the two calculated correlation coefficients, the battery block monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the reference strength for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient is the monitoring object of the battery monitoring device of the transmission source of the wireless signal for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient. In addition, the battery control MCU 41 determines that the monitoring object of the battery monitoring device 30 of the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the smaller correlation coefficient of the two calculated correlation coefficients is the battery block monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the remaining one of the reference strengths.

[0053] As the battery block to be monitored is identified, the number of correlation coefficients to be calculated decreases, and thus the processing load of the battery control MCU 41 is reduced.

[0054] The frequency range of the signal strength used to calculate the correlation coefficient is a frequency range specified by at least one channel. The frequency range specified by one channel is, for example, a range of "fc-Δf / 2" to "fc+Δf / 2" specified by the frequency median fc and the channel width Δf of the channel. The frequency range specified by multiple channels is, for example, a range of "fLc-Δf / 2" to "fHc+Δf / 2" specified by the frequency median fLc of the lowest frequency channel among multiple channels, the frequency median fHc of the highest frequency channel among multiple channels, and the channel width Δf. The wider the frequency range of the signal strength used to calculate the correlation coefficient, the higher the accuracy of determining the monitored object. On the other hand, the narrower the frequency range, the shorter the time required for determination.

[0055] Fig.13 The following is a flowchart showing the steps of a determination process performed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. The battery control MCU 41 corresponds to a "determination unit".

[0056] In step S10, a wireless signal is received from the battery monitoring device 30. The wireless signal includes identification information of the battery monitoring device 30 as a transmission source.

[0057] In step S11, the strength of the received signal (RSSI) associated with the frequency is calculated, and the calculated strength is associated with the identification information included in the received signal.

[0058] In step S12 , it is determined whether or not wireless signals have been received from all of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D.

[0059] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S13, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are determined by using the above-described method of determining the correlation coefficient.

[0060] In step S14, information on the correspondence between the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D is stored in the host-side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40. Thus, for example, after the battery pack 11 is shipped from the manufacturing plant, it is not necessary to determine the correspondence each time.

[0061] As described above, the monitoring IC 31 is capable of generating self-diagnostic information and sending the generated self-diagnostic information together with identification information to the battery control device 40. The self-diagnostic information uses at least one of the battery block to be monitored and itself as a judgment object. For example, when the judgment object is set to a battery block, the battery control device 40 stores the information of the abnormal battery block 21 in the mother machine side storage unit 44. The above-mentioned correspondence information and the information of the abnormal battery block 21 stored in the mother machine side storage unit 44 are used, for example, in a vehicle repair factory or maintenance factory when replacing an abnormal battery block. In the following, Fig.14 The flowchart of the present invention describes the method for determining abnormal batteries.

[0062] In step S20, the factory operator connects the battery control device 40 to the inspection device in the factory so that they can communicate. The inspection device is, for example, a diagnostic device. The connection in this step is a wireless connection or a wired connection between the battery control device 40 and the inspection device.

[0063] In step S21, the operator reads information on the correspondence between the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the battery blocks 21 that are monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D, as well as information on the battery blocks 21 where abnormalities have occurred, from the mother machine side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40 by operating the inspection device.

[0064] In step S22, the inspection device notifies the operator which of the first to fourth battery blocks 21A to 21D has an abnormality based on the read information. This notification can be made, for example, by displaying on the display unit of the inspection device or by sound from the inspection device.

[0065] In step S23, the operator opens the cover 54 of the housing 50 and removes the abnormal battery block. Then, the operator installs a new battery block or a reused battery block and closes the cover 54. Thus, the battery block replacement operation is completed.

[0066] In addition, the operator can also operate the inspection device after closing the cover 54 to make the battery control MCU 41 execute the above-mentioned determination process again. In addition, when the determination object of the self-diagnosis information includes the battery monitoring device 30, the abnormal battery monitoring device 30 can be determined and replaced with a normal battery monitoring device 30. The abnormality of the battery monitoring device 30 includes the abnormality of the monitoring IC 31.

[0067] According to the present embodiment described in detail above, in the configuration including the storage section 55 where multiple paths may occur, the battery control device 40 can grasp the correspondence between each battery monitoring device 30 and the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30 .

[0068] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the battery block 21 to be monitored can be identified without performing special management in the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11 .

[0069] <Modification of the first embodiment> The arrangement of the battery control device 40 and each battery monitoring device 30 in the housing 55 of the housing 50 is not limited to Figure 3 and Figure 4 For example, Fig.15 As shown, the battery control device 40 may be mounted on the upper surface of the battery block 21 , and the battery monitoring device may be mounted on each side surface of the battery block 21 .

[0070] A part of the bottom plate 51, the first wall 52, the second wall 53, and the cover 54 may be a structure without electromagnetic shielding effect. For example, by being made of synthetic resin, a structure without electromagnetic shielding effect is achieved.

[0071] In the monitoring target determination process, at least a portion of the transmission periods of the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D for transmitting wireless signals to the battery control device 40 may overlap. In this case, the transmission frequency used by one of the battery monitoring devices with overlapping transmission periods may be significantly different from the transmission frequency used by the other.

[0072] The parameter for determining the battery block 21 to be monitored is not limited to the strength of the wireless signal, and may be, for example, the communication error rate in the wireless communication between the battery control device 40 and the battery monitoring device 30. The communication error rate is, for example, a packet error rate or a bit error rate. When the communication error rate is used, the communication error rate associated with each battery monitoring device 30 is stored in the mother machine side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40. The battery control device 40 may determine the battery block 21 to be monitored by the battery monitoring device 30, which is the transmission source of the received wireless signal, based on the wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device 30 and the communication error rate stored in the mother machine side storage unit 44.

[0073] <Second embodiment> Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, information on the correspondence between the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D is not stored in the battery control device 40 but is stored in the slave-side storage unit 34 of each battery monitoring device 30.

[0074] Fig.16FIG. 4 shows the steps of the determination process performed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. Fig.16 For convenience, Fig.13 The same processes are denoted by the same symbols.

[0075] After step S13 is completed, in step S15 , information on the correspondence between the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D is transmitted to the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D.

[0076] Fig.17 The following is a procedure of processing executed by the monitoring IC 31 of the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D in the manufacturing process.

[0077] In step S30, it is determined whether the above-mentioned correspondence information has been received from the battery control device 40. If an affirmative determination is made in step S30, the process proceeds to step S31, and the slave-side storage unit 34 of the battery monitoring device 30 stores the above-mentioned correspondence information.

[0078] According to the present embodiment described above, even when the battery control device 40 as the master fails, it is possible to identify the monitoring object of each battery monitoring device 30. In addition, it is possible to reduce the memory usage of the master-side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40. In addition, in the present embodiment, the information of the reference strength may be stored in the slave-side storage unit 34 by a writing device during the manufacturing process of the battery monitoring device 30 as a component of the battery pack 11.

[0079] <Third embodiment> Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The process of determining which battery block 21 is to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30 is not limited to the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11, but can also be performed after the vehicle 10 is delivered to the user. In this embodiment, the determination process is allowed to be performed when the vehicle 10 is parked or the battery pack 20 is charged by the external charger CM.

[0080] Fig.18 FIG. 4 shows the steps of the determination process performed by the battery control MCU 41. Fig.18 For convenience, Fig.13 The same or corresponding processes are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0081] In step S16, it is determined whether one of the first condition that the vehicle 10 is parked or the second condition that the battery pack 20 mounted on the parked vehicle 10 is charged by the external charger CM is satisfied. The process of step S20 is a process for improving the accuracy of identifying the battery block to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30.

[0082] The frequency characteristics of the intensity of the wireless signal received by the battery control device 40 may change due to vibrations generated by the travel of the vehicle 10. At this time, there is a concern that the accuracy of determining the battery block to be monitored will be reduced, or the time required for determination will be longer. Therefore, the determination process is preferably performed under conditions where no vibrations are generated. Therefore, the first condition is set. In addition, for example, when it is determined that the switch that allows the vehicle 10 to travel or instructs starting, that is, the start switch or ignition switch operated by the user is turned off, it is determined that the first condition is met.

[0083] When the battery pack 20 is charged by the external charger CM, the vehicle 10 is also in a stopped state, and there is no vibration etc. In view of this point, the second condition is set.

[0084] According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to improve the accuracy of identifying a battery block to be monitored.

[0085] <Fourth embodiment> Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, the fourth embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Fig.19 As shown, the characteristic lies in the configuration of the battery monitoring device 30. Fig.19 FIG. 1 is a top view of the battery pack 11 with the cover 54 of the housing 50 removed. Fig.19 For convenience, the same symbols are used for structures that are the same as or correspond to those shown in the previous embodiments.

[0086] In the housing 55, the battery blocks 21A to 21D, the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D, and the battery control device 40 are arranged in a line-symmetrical manner with respect to a reference axis LP extending in the long-side direction and in the horizontal direction of the housing 50. The center of the radio wave directivity of the host-side antenna 43 is oriented toward the battery block 21, which is the direction in which the reference axis LP extends.

[0087] The first and second battery monitoring devices 30A, 30B in each battery monitoring device 30A~30D are arranged at the same distance from the battery control device 40 (specifically, the main machine side antenna 43) in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends, and the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity of the first and second sub-machine side antennas 33A, 33B constituting the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A, 30B is not linearly symmetrical with respect to the reference axis LP.

[0088] In addition, the third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D are arranged at the same distance from the battery control device 40 in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends, and the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the third and fourth slave side antennas 33C and 33D constituting the third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D are not linearly symmetrical with respect to the reference axis LP. In the present embodiment, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first and third slave side antennas 33A and 33C are shifted by 180 degrees from the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the second and fourth slave side antennas 33B and 33D. In addition, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first and third slave side antennas 33A and 33C are the same, and the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the second and fourth slave side antennas 33B and 33D are the same.

[0089] according to Fig.19 The configuration shown, such as Fig. 20 As shown, the frequency characteristics of the strength of the wireless signals of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D received by the battery control device 40 can be greatly different. As a result, the accuracy of identifying the battery block to be monitored in the identification process can be improved.

[0090] In contrast, Fig.21 In the comparative example shown, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first and second slave-side antennas 33A and 33B disposed at the same distance from the battery control device 40 in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends are line-symmetrical with respect to the reference axis LP. Fig. 22 As shown, the frequency characteristics of the strength of the wireless signals of the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B received by the battery control device 40 are substantially the same. As a result, it is difficult to identify the monitoring target by the identification process.

[0091] In addition, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the third and fourth slave-side antennas 33C and 33D, which are arranged at the same distance from the battery control device 40 in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends, are also line-symmetrical with respect to the reference axis LP. Fig. 22 As shown, the frequency characteristics of the strength of the wireless signals of the third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D received by the battery control device 40 are also substantially the same.

[0092] <Fifth embodiment> Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, the fifth embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the fourth embodiment. Fig.23 As shown, the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B are arranged at the same distance from the battery control device 40 in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends (i.e., the long side direction of the housing 50), and are arranged at different distances from the reference axis LP in the short side direction of the housing 50. The third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D are also arranged in the same manner. Fig.23 For convenience, Fig.19 The same structures or corresponding structures shown in the figure are marked with the same symbols.

[0093] The directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first and second slave-side antennas 33A and 33B constituting the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B are line-symmetrical with respect to the reference axis LP. Even in this case, since the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B are at different distances from the reference axis LP in the short-side direction of the housing 50, the frequency characteristics of the strength of the wireless signals of the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B received by the battery control device 40 can be greatly different. In addition, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the third and fourth slave-side antennas 33C and 33D constituting the third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D are also line-symmetrical with respect to the reference axis LP.

[0094] Incidentally, the arrangement of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the slave-side antennas 33A to 33D is not limited to Fig.23 As shown, for example, it can also be Fig.24 In this embodiment, the distances between the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the reference axis LP in the short side direction of the housing 50 are different. Fig.24 In the illustrated structure, the battery control device 40 may be arranged at the center of the housing 50 in the short-side direction or at the right end or the left end in the short-side direction of the housing 50 .

[0095] <Sixth embodiment> Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Each of the slave-side antennas 33A to 33D of this embodiment is configured to be able to select and change the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity from a plurality of directions. Fig.25 In FIG. 1 , only the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is shown among the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D.

[0096] The fourth slave-side antenna 33D is configured to be able to select and change the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity from two directions. When directivity A is selected, the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity is the direction of the long side direction of the housing 50. On the other hand, when directivity B is selected, the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity is the direction of the short side direction of the housing 50.

[0097] The structure capable of changing the directivity of radio waves is a structure for improving the accuracy of identifying the monitoring object. Fig.26 (A) shows the frequency characteristics of the strength of the wireless signal received by the battery control device 40 from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D when the directivity A is selected. Fig.26 (B) represents the second and fourth reference strengths SLB and SLD associated with the second and fourth battery monitoring devices 30B and 30D when directivity A is selected. Fig.26 With the wireless signal strength of (A), it is difficult to determine whether the monitored object is the second battery block 21B in which the second battery monitoring device 30B is mounted or the fourth battery block 21D in which the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is mounted.

[0098] To deal with this situation, you can switch to directivity B. Fig. 27 (A) shows the frequency characteristics of the strength of the wireless signal received by the battery control device 40 from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D when the directivity B is selected. Fig. 27 (B) represents the second and fourth reference strengths SLB and SLD associated with the second and fourth battery monitoring devices 30B and 30D when directivity B is selected. Fig. 27 The wireless signal strength of (A) can easily determine that the monitoring target is the fourth battery block 21D in which the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is mounted.

[0099] The main machine side storage unit 44 of the present embodiment stores the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD associated with the directivities A and B. For example, in the determination process, when it is determined that the difference between the largest correlation coefficient and the second largest correlation coefficient is less than a predetermined value, the battery control MCU 41 switches the directivity from A to B to determine the monitoring object.

[0100] Below, use Fig.28 and Fig.29 , describing two examples of slave-side antennas that can change the direction of the center of radio wave directivity.

[0101] Fig.28 The first slave-side antenna 60 is shown. The first example is a configuration that includes a plurality of antennas having different directions of the center of radio wave directivity and switches the antenna to be used.

[0102] The handset-side antenna 60 includes a circuit substrate 61, a baseband IC 62 provided on a surface of the circuit substrate 61, a switch 63, a plurality of antennas, a first feeder line 65A, and a second feeder line 65B. Fig.28 , a first antenna 64A and a second antenna 64B are shown as antennas.

[0103] The baseband IC 62 communicates with the monitoring IC 31 via the slave-side wireless IC 32. The baseband IC 62 is connected to the first feeder line 65A or the second feeder line 65B via the switch 63. Fig.28 As shown in (A), when the baseband IC 62 is connected to the first feeder 65A through the switch 63, the first antenna 64A is used. At this time, the radio wave directivity is directivity A. On the other hand, Fig.28 As shown in (B), when the baseband IC 62 and the second feeder 65B are connected via the switch 63, the second antenna 64B is used. At this time, the directivity of the radio wave is directivity B.

[0104] Fig.29 60. The second example is a structure in which the directivity is changed by changing the feeding point of the antenna. Fig.29 For convenience, Fig.28 The same structures or corresponding structures shown in the figure are marked with the same symbols.

[0105] The slave-side antenna 60 includes an antenna 66 and first to fourth feeder lines 67A to 67D. The antenna 66 and the first to fourth feeder lines 67A to 67D are provided on the board surface of the circuit board 61. The antenna 66 is, for example, a patch antenna.

[0106] exist Fig.29 In the structure shown, the directivity can be changed into four types, two of which are described below. Fig.29 As shown in (A), when the baseband IC 62 is connected to the first feeder 67A via the switch 63, the radio wave directivity of the antenna 66 is directivity A. Fig.29 As shown in (B), when the baseband IC 62 and the fourth feeder line 67D are connected via the switch 63, the radio wave directivity of the antenna 66 is directivity B.

[0107] In addition, instead of the configuration including the changeover switch 63 described above, the baseband IC 62 may be independently connected to each feeder line and the baseband IC 62 to be operated may be switched to change the radio wave directivity.

[0108] According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to improve the accuracy of specifying a monitoring target.

[0109] <Modification of Sixth Embodiment> The base unit side antenna 43 provided in the battery control device 40 may be configured to be able to change the directivity of radio waves instead of or in addition to the base unit side antenna.

[0110] <Seventh embodiment> Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the correlation coefficient is used to identify the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30. In the present embodiment, the correlation coefficient is used to determine whether an abnormality occurs in the battery pack 11.

[0111] Fig.30 Indicates the normal state of the battery pack 11, Fig.31 Indicates the abnormal battery pack 11. Fig.30 and Fig.31 , a bus bar that electrically connects the positive and negative terminals of adjacent battery cells 22 in each battery block 21 is shown. Fig.30 and Fig.31 For convenience, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The same structures or corresponding structures shown in the same figures are marked with the same symbols.

[0112] exist Fig.31 In the example shown, the first battery block 21A is positioned at a position deviated from the normal position. Fig.32 As shown, for example, the strength of the wireless signal received by the battery control device 40 from the first battery monitoring device 30A deviates greatly from the normal strength. This deviation is used to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack 11. In addition, the abnormality of the battery pack 11 may also include, for example, a deviation in the configuration position of the battery monitoring device 30 or a fall-off of the cover 54.

[0113] Fig.33 FIG. 4 shows the steps of the determination process performed by the battery control MCU 41. Fig.33 For convenience, Fig.13 The same processes are denoted by the same symbols.

[0114] In the case where a positive determination is made in step S12, in step S17, a correlation coefficient is calculated by the same method as described in the previous step S13. Then, based on the calculated correlation coefficient, it is determined whether an abnormality has occurred. For example, the correlation coefficients of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD and the received wireless signal strength are calculated, and when the calculated four correlation coefficients are below the determination value, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred. The determination value can be set to a value indicating a weak correlation (e.g., 0.4) or a value indicating almost no correlation (e.g., 0.2).

[0115] In step S18, it is determined whether an abnormality has occurred. If it is determined that no abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S19, and a process of notifying the occurrence of an abnormality and the like is performed.

[0116] According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to determine an abnormality in the battery pack 11 .

[0117] <Eighth Embodiment> Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, the eighth embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of the correlation coefficient, the magnitude relationship of the strength of the wireless signal received from each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D at a specific frequency is compared with the magnitude relationship of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD at the specific frequency, thereby determining the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D.

[0118] use Fig.34 The determination process when the specific frequency is set to f1 will be described.

[0119] Assume that the first reference strength SLA at the specific frequency f1 is -10 dBm, the second reference strength SLB is -20 dBm, the third reference strength SLC is -30 dBm, and the fourth reference strength SLD is -40 dBm. The reference strengths SLA to SLD at the specific frequency f1 are stored in the base station side storage unit 44 .

[0120] The battery control MCU 41 obtains the strength of four wireless signals received from the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D. Assume that the strength of the wireless signal received from the first battery monitoring device 30A is -22dBm, the strength of the wireless signal received from the second battery monitoring device 30B is -28dBm, the strength of the wireless signal received from the third battery monitoring device 30C is -38dBm, and the strength of the wireless signal received from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is -55dBm.

[0121] The magnitude relation of the reference strengths is "SLA>SLB>SLC>SLD". The magnitude relation of the acquired strengths is "strength of 30A>strength of 30B>strength of 30C>strength of 30D". The battery control MCU 41 determines the battery block 21 of the monitoring object in such a manner that the magnitude relation of the reference strengths is the same as the magnitude relation of the acquired strengths. In detail, the battery control MCU 41 determines that the monitoring object of the first battery monitoring device 30A is the first battery block 21A associated with the first reference strength SLA, and determines that the monitoring object of the second battery monitoring device 30B is the second battery block 21B associated with the second reference strength SLB. In addition, the battery control MCU 41 determines that the monitoring object of the third battery monitoring device 30C is the third battery block 21C associated with the third reference strength SLC, and determines that the monitoring object of the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is the fourth battery block 21D associated with the fourth reference strength SLD.

[0122] Although f1 is exemplified as the specific frequency, f2 which is higher frequency than f1 may be used as the specific frequency. The specific frequency is not limited to a predetermined fixed value, but may be a frequency selected based on the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength calculated by the battery control device 40 .

[0123] Fig.35 FIG. 4 shows the steps of the determination process performed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. Fig.35 For convenience, Fig.16 The same processes are denoted by the same symbols.

[0124] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S30, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are determined by using the above-described method of determining the magnitude relationship.

[0125] According to the present embodiment described above, the number of frequencies required to identify the monitoring target can be reduced, and thus the time required for the identification can be shortened.

[0126] <Ninth embodiment> Hereinafter, the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, focusing on the differences from the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D is determined based on the difference between the wireless signal received from each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D and the reference strength at a specific frequency.

[0127] use Fig.34 The determination process when the specific frequency is set to f1 will be described.

[0128] Assume that the first reference strength SLA at the specific frequency f1 is -10 dBm, the second reference strength SLB is -20 dBm, the third reference strength SLC is -30 dBm, and the fourth reference strength SLD is -40 dBm. The reference strengths SLA to SLD at the specific frequency f1 are stored in the base station side storage unit 44 .

[0129] The battery control MCU 41 calculates the difference between the strength of the received signal of the first battery monitoring device at a specific frequency and the values ​​of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD at the specific frequency. Here, it is assumed that the strength of the received signal at the specific frequency is -22dBm. Therefore, the difference with the first reference strength SLA is 12dBm, the difference with the second reference strength SLB is 2dBm, the difference with the third reference strength SLC is 8dBm, and the difference with the fourth reference strength SLD is 18dBm.

[0130] The battery control MCU 41 determines that the second battery block 21B, which is the monitoring target of the second battery monitoring device 30B associated with the second reference strength SLB used to calculate the minimum difference among the calculated four differences, is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used to calculate the minimum difference. In addition, when the two calculated differences are the same, the battery control MCU 41 can prioritize the monitoring targets of other battery monitoring devices based on the received signals from other battery monitoring devices.

[0131] The battery control MCU 41 uses the same method to sequentially identify the battery blocks 21 to be monitored based on the remaining received signals.

[0132] Fig.36 FIG. 4 shows the steps of the determination process performed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. Fig.36 For convenience, Fig.35 The same processes are denoted by the same symbols.

[0133] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S31, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 31D are determined by using the above-described difference determination method.

[0134] According to the present embodiment described above, the number of frequencies required to identify the monitoring target can be reduced, and thus the time required for the identification can be shortened.

[0135] Incidentally, by combining the determination method of this embodiment and the determination method of the eighth embodiment, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy.

[0136] <Tenth embodiment> Hereinafter, the tenth embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, centering on the differences from the eighth and ninth embodiments. In this embodiment, the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D is determined based on the average value of the wireless signals received from each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D within the prescribed frequency range and the average value of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD within the prescribed frequency range. The prescribed frequency range is preferably a frequency range in which the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD differ greatly. The average value of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD within the prescribed frequency range is stored in the host side storage unit 44.

[0137] The battery control MCU 41 calculates the average value of the received signal of the first battery monitoring device within the predetermined frequency range. The battery control MCU 41 calculates the difference between the calculated average value and the average values ​​of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD within the predetermined frequency range.

[0138] The battery control MCU 41 determines that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 associated with the reference strength used for calculating the minimum difference among the calculated four differences is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the average value within the specified frequency range. The battery control MCU 41 uses the same method to sequentially determine the battery blocks 21 to be monitored based on the remaining received signals.

[0139] Fig.37 FIG. 4 shows the steps of the determination process performed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. Fig.37 For convenience, Fig.35 The same processes are denoted by the same symbols.

[0140] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S32, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 32D are determined by using the above-described method of determining the difference in average values.

[0141] <Eleventh Embodiment> Hereinafter, the eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D is determined based on the slope of the wireless signal received from each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D within a predetermined frequency range and the slope of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD within a predetermined frequency range. Fig.38As shown, the predetermined frequency range Rc is preferably a frequency range in which the slopes of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD differ greatly. The slopes of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD in the predetermined frequency range are stored in the host-side storage unit 44 .

[0142] The battery control MCU 41 calculates the slope of the reception signal of the first battery monitoring device within the predetermined frequency range Rc. The battery control MCU 41 calculates the difference between the calculated slope and the slopes of the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD within the predetermined frequency range Rc.

[0143] The battery control MCU 41 determines that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 associated with the reference strength used for calculating the minimum difference among the calculated four differences is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the slope within the specified frequency range Rc. The battery control MCU 41 uses the same method to sequentially determine the battery blocks 21 to be monitored based on the remaining received signals.

[0144] Fig.39 FIG. 4 shows the steps of the determination process performed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. Fig.39 For convenience, Fig.35 The same processes are denoted by the same symbols.

[0145] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S33, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 33D are determined by using the above-described method of determining the difference in slope.

[0146] According to the present embodiment described above, for example, even when the strength of the received wireless signal does not match the reference strength, the monitoring target can be identified.

[0147] <Twelfth embodiment> Below, refer to Fig.40 and Fig.41 The twelfth embodiment will be described with the focus on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiments. Fig.40 and Fig.41 For convenience, the same reference numerals are used for structures identical to or corresponding to the structures described in the above embodiments. Fig.41 yes Fig.40 Sectional view along line 41-41.

[0148] The vehicle includes a chassis 100 as a vehicle body made of metal material and wheels 110. The chassis 100 includes a chassis bottom plate portion 101, a side plate portion 102, a chassis top plate portion 103 and an end plate portion 104 extending in the vehicle length direction. The side plate portion 102 extends upward from an end portion of the chassis bottom plate portion 101 in the vehicle width direction. The chassis top plate portion 103 covers the side plate portion 102 from above. The end plate portion 104 covers both ends of the chassis bottom plate portion 101, the side plate portion 102 and the chassis top plate portion 103. The inner surfaces of the chassis bottom plate portion 101, the side plate portion 102, the chassis top plate portion 103 and the end plate portion 104 constitute a storage portion 105 for storing the battery pack 11.

[0149] The bottom plate portion 51 constituting the housing 50 is arranged on the chassis bottom plate portion 101. A space is formed between the chassis top plate portion 103 and the cover 54 constituting the housing 50. In the present embodiment, the bottom plate portion 51, the first wall portion 52, the second wall portion 53 and the cover 54 are made of synthetic resin, and thus have a structure without an electromagnetic shielding effect. Therefore, the radio waves transmitted from the main machine side antenna 43 and / or the slave machine side antenna 33 pass through the housing 50. However, the radio waves are reflected by the chassis 100 made of a metal material.

[0150] Incidentally, a part of the bottom plate portion 51 , the first wall portion 52 , the second wall portion 53 , and the cover 54 (for example, the cover 54 ) may be formed of a synthetic resin.

[0151] In the present embodiment described above, diffuse reflection of radio waves also occurs in the housing portion 105. Therefore, the configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be applied.

[0152] <Thirteenth embodiment> Below, refer to Fig.42 , the thirteenth embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the twelfth embodiment. Fig.42 In the present invention, for convenience, the same symbols are marked for structures that are the same as or corresponding to the structures described in the above embodiments.

[0153] The battery control device 40 is arranged outside the housing 50 in the housing 105 . Specifically, the battery control device 40 is attached to the upper surface of the cover 54 .

[0154] In this embodiment, the cover 54, the first wall 52, the second wall 53 and the bottom plate 51 are made of metal. In order to communicate between the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D accommodated in the housing 50 and the battery control device 40, a structure that connects the inside and outside of the housing 50 is required.

[0155] As a communication connection structure, the battery pack 11 of the present embodiment includes a relay device 120. The relay device 120 includes: an antenna 120a located on the upper surface side of the cover 54; and a shaft portion 120b extending downward from the antenna 120a and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the antenna 120a. The cover 54 is formed with a through hole 54a for inserting the shaft portion 120b. In the present embodiment, the through holes 54a are arranged in a row on the cover 54 along the long side direction of the cover 54. The relay device 120 is configured in a state where the antenna 120a is located on the upper surface side of the cover 54 and the shaft portion 120b is inserted into the through hole 54a formed in the cover 54. The relay device 120 is independently provided corresponding to each battery monitoring device 30. In addition, the antenna 120a may also be covered by a cover that transmits radio waves.

[0156] The through hole 54a is blocked by the antenna 120a of the relay device 120. In addition, a sealing member may be interposed between the antenna 120a and the upper surface of the cover 54.

[0157] The slave-side wireless IC 32 and antenna 120a of the battery monitoring device 30 are electrically connected via a communication wiring provided on the shaft 120b. This enables wireless communication between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 via the antenna 120a and the master-side antenna 43.

[0158] In the present embodiment described above, diffuse reflection of radio waves also occurs in the housing portion 105. Therefore, the configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be applied.

[0159] <Fourteenth embodiment> Below, refer to Fig.43 , the fourteenth embodiment is described centering on the differences from the thirteenth embodiment. Fig.43 In the present invention, for convenience, the same symbols are marked for structures that are the same as or corresponding to the structures described in the above embodiments.

[0160] The battery control device 40 is mounted on the upper surface of the junction box 15 in the housing 50. On the other hand, the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are arranged outside the housing 50 in the storage portion 105, and more specifically, are mounted on the upper surface of the cover 54. At this time, in order to communicate between the battery control device 40 accommodated in the housing 50 and the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D arranged outside the housing 50, a structure for communicatingly connecting the inside and outside of the housing 50 is required.

[0161] As a communication connection structure, the battery pack 11 of this embodiment includes a relay device 130. The relay device 130 includes: a connection portion 130b located on the upper surface side of the cover 54; and an antenna 130a extending downward from the connection portion 130b. The cover 54 is formed with a through hole 54a for inserting the antenna 130a. The through holes 54a are arranged in a row on the cover 54 along the long side direction of the cover 54. The relay device 130 is independently provided corresponding to each battery monitoring device 30. In addition, the antenna 130a can also be covered by a cover that transmits radio waves.

[0162] The through hole 54a is blocked by the connection portion 130b of the relay device 130. In addition, a sealing member may be interposed between the connection portion 130b and the upper surface of the cover 54.

[0163] The slave-side wireless IC 32 and antenna 130a of the battery monitoring device 30 are electrically connected via a communication wiring provided in the connection portion 130b. This enables wireless communication between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 via the antenna 130a and the master-side antenna 43.

[0164] In the present embodiment described above, diffuse reflection of radio waves also occurs in the housing portion 105. Therefore, the configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be applied.

[0165] <Fifteenth embodiment> Below, refer to Fig.44 The fifteenth embodiment will be described with a focus on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiments. Fig.44 In the present invention, for convenience, the same symbols are marked for structures that are the same as or corresponding to the structures described in the above embodiments.

[0166] like Fig.44 As shown, the case 50 may not be provided, and the battery blocks 21A to 21D, the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D, and the battery control device 40 may be directly accommodated in the accommodation portion 105 of the chassis 100. This structure is called MTP (Module to Platform).

[0167] In the present embodiment described above, diffuse reflection of radio waves also occurs in the housing portion 105. Therefore, the configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be applied.

[0168] <Other embodiments> In addition, each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented with the following modifications.

[0169] In the above embodiments, a structure is adopted in which a plurality of battery cells are assembled into a battery block and each battery block is connected in series. Instead of this structure, a so-called CTP (Cell to Pack) structure may be adopted in which a plurality of battery cells connected in series are accommodated in the accommodation portion 105 of the chassis 100 without making a battery block. Fig.45 An example of this situation is shown in FIG. Fig.45 In the example shown, a plurality of long battery cells 200 that are long in the vehicle width direction are accommodated in the housing portion 105. The positive terminal 201 of one of the adjacent battery cells 200 and the negative terminal 202 of the other are electrically connected via a bus bar (not shown). In this case, for example, a battery monitoring device may be independently provided corresponding to each battery cell 200.

[0170] In addition, instead of the CTP structure, a so-called CTC (Cell to Chassis) structure may be adopted in which a housing for housing a battery cell is formed in a chassis of a vehicle and a plurality of battery cells are housed in the housing.

[0171] Even in the case of a CTP or CTC structure, since radio waves are reflected by at least a portion of the housing portion, there is an advantage in applying the structure described in the above embodiments.

[0172] The mobile body on which the battery monitoring system is installed is not limited to a vehicle, and may be, for example, an airplane or a ship. Furthermore, the control system is not limited to a system installed on a mobile body, and may be a fixed system.

[0173] ·The control unit and method described in the present disclosure may also be implemented by a special-purpose computer, which is provided by constituting a processor and a memory, and the above-mentioned processor is programmed to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit and method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a special-purpose computer, which is provided by constituting a processor composed of one or more special-purpose hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit and method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers, which are constituted by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor constituted by one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program may also be stored in a computer-readable non-temporary tangible storage medium as an instruction executed by a computer.

[0174] Hereinafter, characteristic structures extracted from the above-mentioned embodiments will be described. [Structure 1] A battery control device is suitable for a battery monitoring system including a battery monitoring device (30, 30A-30D), wherein the battery monitoring device is independently arranged corresponding to a plurality of batteries (21, 21A-21D, 200) and monitors the states of the batteries. The battery control device (40) is arranged in a predetermined arrangement state together with the batteries and the battery monitoring devices in a storage portion (55, 105) configured to at least partially reflect radio waves, wherein: The battery control device comprises: a main machine-side storage unit (44) storing parameters related to the communication quality of wireless communication when the batteries, the battery monitoring devices and the battery control device are arranged in the accommodating unit in the prescribed arrangement state, and the parameters are parameters associated with the battery monitoring devices; a mother machine side communication unit (42, 43) for wirelessly communicating with the battery monitoring device; and A determination unit (41) performs determination processing, wherein the determination processing is based on the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the mother machine side communication unit and the parameters stored in the storage unit, to determine the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device as the transmission source of the received wireless signal. [Structure 2] According to the battery control device according to configuration 1, the parameter is the strength of a wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device when the batteries, the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the housing portion in the predetermined arrangement state. [Structure 3] According to the battery control device described in configuration 2, as the determination processing, the determination unit performs the following processing: calculating, for each of the battery monitoring devices, a correlation coefficient between the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the host-side communication unit and the parameter; The battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient among the calculated correlation coefficients is determined as the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient. [Structure 4] According to the battery control device described in Configuration 3, the identification unit determines whether an abnormality has occurred in which the arrangement state of the batteries, the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device in the housing portion deviates from the predetermined arrangement state based on the calculated correlation coefficient. [Structure 5] According to the battery control device described in Structure 2, as the determination processing, the determination unit performs the following processing: by comparing the magnitude relationship of the intensity of the wireless signal received from each battery monitoring device at a specific frequency with the magnitude relationship of the parameter associated with each battery monitoring device at the specific frequency, the battery that is the monitoring object of each battery monitoring device is determined. [Structure 6] According to the battery control device described in configuration 2, as the determination processing, the determination unit performs the following processing: calculating the difference between the wireless signal received by the host-side communication unit and the parameter at a specific frequency for each battery monitoring device, The battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter used for calculating the minimum difference among the calculated differences is determined as the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the minimum difference. [Structure 7] According to the battery control device described in structure 1, the parameter is a slope of the strength of the wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device within a prescribed frequency range when the batteries, the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the housing portion in the prescribed arrangement state. As the determination process, the determination unit performs the following process: calculating a slope of the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the host-side communication unit within the predetermined frequency range; The battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter having the smallest calculated slope difference among the parameters is determined as the battery monitoring device to be monitored as the transmission source of the wireless signal used for slope calculation. [Structure 8] According to the battery control device described in structure 1, the parameter is an average value of the strength of the wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device within a specified frequency range when the batteries, the battery monitoring devices and the battery control device are arranged in the storage portion in the specified arrangement state, As the determination process, the determination unit performs the following process: calculating an average value of the strength of the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master-side communication unit within the predetermined frequency range; The battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter having the smallest difference from the calculated average value among the parameters is determined as the battery monitoring device to be monitored as the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the average value. [Structure 9] According to the battery control device described in any one of Structures 1 to 8, the determination unit determines the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device through the determination processing, and stores information on the determined correspondence in the host side storage unit. [Structure 10] A method for determining an abnormal battery, which uses the battery monitoring system including the battery control device described in structure 9 and the battery monitoring devices to determine the battery that has an abnormality among the batteries accommodated in the accommodation portion, The battery monitoring device has a slave-side communication unit (32, 33) for wirelessly communicating with the battery control device. determining whether an abnormality occurs in a determination object, the determination object being at least one of the battery and the self as a monitoring object of the self, When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, information indicating the abnormality has occurred is transmitted from the slave-side communication unit to the battery control device together with the identification information of the slave-side communication unit. The battery control device receives the information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality and the identification information through the mother machine side communication unit, storing the received information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality in the host-side storage unit of the battery control device, The determination method includes: connecting the battery control device and the inspection device so as to be communicable; A step of reading the information of the correspondence relationship and the information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality from the storage unit on the master side by the inspection device; and a step of causing the inspection device to identify a battery having an abnormality among the batteries accommodated in the accommodation section based on the information read from the host-side storage section. [Structure 11] A battery monitoring system, comprising a battery control device as described in any one of structures 1 to 8 and each of the battery monitoring devices, wherein: Each of the battery monitoring devices comprises: a slave-side communication unit (32, 33) for wirelessly communicating with the battery control device; and A storage unit (34) on the slave side, The determination unit determines the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device through the determination process, and transmits information on the determined correspondence from the host-side communication unit to each battery monitoring device. Each of the battery monitoring devices stores the information on the correspondence relationship received by the slave-side communication unit in the slave-side storage unit. [Structure 12] According to the battery control device described in any one of structures 1 to 11, the battery monitoring system is installed on a mobile body (10) that a user can ride on, The determination unit performs the determination process on the condition that the user has not issued an instruction to start the moving body and the moving body is in a stopped state. [Structure 13] A battery monitoring system, comprising a battery control device as described in any one of structures 1 to 9, 11, and 12 and each of the battery monitoring devices, wherein: Each of the battery monitoring devices has a slave-side communication unit (32, 33) for wirelessly communicating with the battery control device. The direction of the center of the radio wave directivity of the antenna unit (33A to 33D, 60) included in each slave-side communication unit is set so that the frequency characteristics of the intensity of the wireless signal received by the master-side communication unit differ in each battery monitoring device. [Structure 14] According to the battery monitoring system described in configuration 13, the antenna unit (60) provided in each slave-side communication unit is configured to be able to select and change the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity from a plurality of directions. The host machine-side storage unit stores the parameters associated with the battery monitoring devices and the directions. [Structure 15] According to the battery monitoring system described in structure 13, when looking down at the batteries (21A to 21D), the battery monitoring devices (30A to 30D), the battery control device and the storage unit (55), the batteries, the battery monitoring devices, the battery control device and the storage unit are linearly symmetrical with respect to a reference axis (LP) that passes through the antenna unit (43) of the mother machine side communication unit and extends in the horizontal direction. The center of the radio wave directivity of the antenna unit (33A to 33D) of each of the battery monitoring devices arranged at the same distance as the battery control device in the direction in which the reference axis extends is not linearly symmetrical with respect to the reference axis. [Structure 16] According to the battery monitoring system described in structure 13, when looking down at the batteries (21A to 21D) and the storage unit (55), the batteries, the battery control device and the storage unit are linearly symmetrical with respect to a reference axis (LP) that passes through the antenna unit (43) of the mother machine side communication unit and extends in the horizontal direction. The battery monitoring device is arranged on one side and the other side with respect to the reference axis, The battery monitoring devices (30A, 30C) disposed on one side of the reference axis and the battery monitoring devices (30B, 30D) disposed on the other side of the reference axis are asymmetrically disposed with respect to the reference axis.

[0175] Although the present disclosure is described based on the embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and structures. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and methods, and other combinations and methods containing only one element, above or below them, also belong to the scope and thought range of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery control device, suitable for a battery monitoring system including a battery monitoring device (30, 30A to 30D), wherein the battery monitoring device is independently arranged corresponding to a plurality of batteries (21, 21A to 21D, 200) and monitors the status of the batteries, The battery control device (40) is arranged in a housing (55, 105) in a predetermined arrangement together with each of the batteries and each of the battery monitoring devices, and the housing is configured to at least partially reflect radio waves. The battery control device comprises: a host-side storage unit (44) storing parameters related to the communication quality of wireless communication when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the accommodating unit in the prescribed arrangement state, and the parameters are parameters associated with each of the battery monitoring devices; a mother machine side communication unit (42, 43) for wirelessly communicating with the battery monitoring device; and A determination unit (41) performs determination processing, in which the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device, which is the source of the received wireless signal, is determined based on the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the mother machine side communication unit and the parameters stored in the storage unit.

2. The battery control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The parameter is the strength of a wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the housing portion in the predetermined arrangement state.

3. The battery control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: As the determination process, the determination unit performs the following process: calculating, for each of the battery monitoring devices, a correlation coefficient between the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the host-side communication unit and the parameter; The battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient among the calculated correlation coefficients is determined as the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient.

4. The battery control device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The identification unit determines whether an abnormality has occurred in which the arrangement state of each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device in the housing unit deviates from the predetermined arrangement state based on the calculated correlation coefficient.

5. The battery control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: As the determination processing, the determination unit performs the following processing: by comparing the magnitude relationship of the intensity of the wireless signal received from each of the battery monitoring devices at a specific frequency with the magnitude relationship of the parameter associated with each of the battery monitoring devices at the specific frequency, the battery that is the monitoring object of each of the battery monitoring devices is determined.

6. The battery control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: As the determination process, the determination unit performs the following process: calculating, for each of the battery monitoring devices, a difference between a wireless signal received by the host-side communication unit and the parameter at a specific frequency; The battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter used for calculating the minimum difference among the calculated differences is identified as the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the minimum difference.

7. The battery control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The parameter is a slope of the strength of a wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device within a predetermined frequency range when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device is arranged in the housing portion in the predetermined arrangement state. As the determination process, the determination unit performs the following process: calculating a slope of the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master-side communication unit within the predetermined frequency range; The battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter having the smallest difference from the calculated slope among the parameters is determined as the battery monitoring device to be monitored as the transmission source of the wireless signal used for slope calculation.

8. The battery control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The parameter is an average value of the strength of the wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device within a predetermined frequency range when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device is arranged in the housing portion in the predetermined arrangement state, As the determination process, the determination unit performs the following process: calculating an average value of the strength of the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master-side communication unit within the predetermined frequency range, The battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter having the smallest difference from the calculated average value among the parameters is determined as the battery monitoring device to be monitored as the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the average value.

9. The battery control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The specifying unit specifies the correspondence between each of the battery monitoring devices and the battery to be monitored by each of the battery monitoring devices through the specifying process, and stores information on the specified correspondence in the host-side storage unit.

10. A method for determining an abnormal battery, using the battery monitoring system comprising the battery control device according to claim 9 and each of the battery monitoring devices to determine an abnormal battery among the batteries accommodated in the accommodation portion, wherein: The battery monitoring device has a slave-side communication unit (32, 33) for wirelessly communicating with the battery control device. Determine whether an abnormality occurs in a determination object, the determination object being at least one of the battery and the self as a monitoring object of the self, When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, information indicating the abnormality has occurred is transmitted from the slave-side communication unit to the battery control device together with the identification information of the slave-side communication unit. The battery control device receives the information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality and the identification information through the mother machine side communication unit, storing the received information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality in the host-side storage unit of the battery control device, The method for determining an abnormal battery includes: The step of connecting the battery control device and the inspection device so as to be communicable; A step of reading the information of the correspondence relationship and the information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality from the storage unit on the master side by the inspection device; and a step of causing the inspection device to identify a battery having an abnormality among the batteries accommodated in the accommodation section based on the information read from the host-side storage section.

11. A battery monitoring system, comprising the battery control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and each of the battery monitoring devices, Each of the battery monitoring devices has: a slave-side communication unit (32, 33) for wirelessly communicating with the battery control device; and A storage unit (34) on the slave side, The determination unit determines the correspondence between each of the battery monitoring devices and the battery to be monitored by each of the battery monitoring devices through the determination process, and transmits information on the determined correspondence from the host-side communication unit to each of the battery monitoring devices. Each of the battery monitoring devices stores the information on the correspondence relationship received by the slave-side communication unit in the slave-side storage unit.

12. The battery control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The battery monitoring system is installed on a mobile body (10) that a user can ride on. The determination unit performs the determination process on the condition that a user has not issued a start instruction for the moving body and the moving body is in a stopped state.

13. A battery monitoring system, comprising the battery control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and each of the battery monitoring devices, Each of the battery monitoring devices has a slave-side communication unit (32, 33) for wirelessly communicating with the battery control device. The direction of the center of the radio wave directivity of the antenna unit (33A to 33D, 60) included in each of the slave-side communication units is set so that the frequency characteristics of the intensity of the wireless signal received by the master-side communication unit differ in each of the battery monitoring devices.

14. The battery monitoring system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The antenna unit (60) included in each slave-side communication unit is configured to be able to select and change the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity from a plurality of directions. The host machine-side storage unit stores the parameters associated with each of the battery monitoring devices and each of the directions.

15. The battery monitoring system according to claim 13, characterized in that: When each of the batteries (21A to 21D), each of the battery monitoring devices (30A to 30D), the battery control device and the storage portion (55) is viewed from above, each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, the battery control device and the storage portion is linearly symmetrical with respect to a reference axis (LP) that passes through the antenna portion (43) of the mother machine side communication portion and extends in the horizontal direction. In each of the battery monitoring devices, the center of the radio wave directivity of the antenna unit (33A to 33D) of the battery monitoring device arranged at the same distance as the battery control device in the direction in which the reference axis extends is not linearly symmetrical with respect to the reference axis.

16. The battery monitoring system according to claim 13, characterized in that: When the batteries (21A to 21D) and the storage unit (55) are viewed from above, the batteries, the battery control device and the storage unit are arranged in a line-symmetrical structure with respect to a reference axis (LP) that passes through the antenna unit (43) of the mother machine side communication unit and extends in the horizontal direction. The battery monitoring device is arranged on one side and the other side with respect to the reference axis, The battery monitoring devices (30A, 30C) disposed on one side of the reference axis and the battery monitoring devices (30B, 30D) disposed on the other side of the reference axis are asymmetrically disposed with respect to the reference axis.

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