Control device, battery performance estimation method, and program

Abstract

A control device (10) is provided with a module information management unit (110) and a performance information output unit (120). A module information management unit (110) estimates the deterioration state of each of a plurality of battery modules, generates module information indicating the deterioration state of each battery module, and stores the module information in a non-volatile memory (30). A performance information output unit (120) outputs performance information indicating the performance of the battery pack on the basis of the module information stored in the non-volatile memory (30). In response to at least one of a plurality of battery modules included in the battery pack (20) being replaced, the module information management unit (110) updates, in the module information, information corresponding to the at least one battery module, and the performance information output unit (120) updates the performance information on the basis of information corresponding to battery modules other than the at least one battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technique for estimating the performance of a battery. Background Technology

[0002] Rechargeable batteries are used in a variety of applications. The performance of a rechargeable battery can be estimated based on its state of charge.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a technique for estimating the performance of a rechargeable battery. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which the state of each of a plurality of battery modules is calculated, and the performance of a battery pack comprising the plurality of battery modules is determined based on the minimum value among the calculated states.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: JP Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-004955 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] As a power source for electrically powered products, battery packs utilize multiple rechargeable and dischargeable batteries. The need for such battery packs increases annually, resulting in a continuous rise in their cost. Battery pack performance degrades due to various factors such as usage frequency and time, eventually leading to the end of the battery pack's lifespan, necessitating replacement at regular intervals. A technology is desired that reduces the cost associated with battery pack replacement.

[0009] One example of the object of the present invention is to provide a technique for addressing the costs involved in suppressing the performance degradation of battery packs.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a control device is provided, comprising: a module information management unit that estimates the degradation state of each of a plurality of battery modules and generates module information representing the degradation state of each battery module, and stores the module information in a non-volatile memory; and a performance information output unit that outputs performance information representing the performance of a battery pack comprising the plurality of battery modules based on the module information stored in the non-volatile memory, wherein, in response to the replacement of at least one of the plurality of battery modules, the module information management unit updates information in the module information corresponding to the at least one battery module, and the performance information output unit updates the performance information based on information corresponding to battery modules other than the at least one battery module.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery performance estimation method is provided, comprising: at least one computer performing the following processing: estimating the degradation state of each of a plurality of battery modules and generating module information representing the degradation state of each battery module, storing the module information in a non-volatile memory, outputting performance information representing the performance of a battery pack comprising the plurality of battery modules based on the module information stored in the non-volatile memory, updating information in the module information corresponding to the at least one battery module as at least one of the plurality of battery modules is replaced, and updating the performance information based on information corresponding to battery modules other than the at least one battery module.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that enables at least one computer to function as a unit that: estimates the degradation state of each of a plurality of battery modules and generates module information representing the degradation state of each battery module, and stores the module information in a non-volatile memory; outputs performance information representing the performance of a battery pack comprising the plurality of battery modules based on the module information stored in the non-volatile memory; updates information in the module information corresponding to the at least one battery module as at least one of the plurality of battery modules is replaced; and updates the performance information based on information corresponding to battery modules other than the at least one battery module.

[0014] The effects of the invention

[0015] According to the present invention, the cost involved in suppressing the performance degradation of the battery pack can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the usage environment of the control device involved in this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the functional structure of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the hardware structure of an integrated circuit.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a flowchart used to illustratively explain the operation of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a flowchart used to illustratively explain the operation of the control device according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the specific process flow of S112 and S114.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the specific process flow of S112 and S114.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device according to the second embodiment.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the estimated degradation state of each of the multiple individual cells contained in the battery module being processed. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same constituent elements, and descriptions are omitted where appropriate. Also, unless specifically stated otherwise, in the block diagrams, each block represents a functional unit structure rather than a hardware unit structure. Furthermore, the direction of the arrows in the drawings is merely for ease of understanding of information flow, etc., and unless specifically stated otherwise, the direction of communication (one-way communication / two-way communication) is not limited.

[0026] ·summary

[0027] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the operating environment of the control device 10 involved in this disclosure. Figure 1 In the illustrated usage environment, the control device 10 is connected to the battery pack 20.

[0028] The battery pack 20 is assembled into an electric drive product (not shown) and functions as a power source for that product. The battery pack 20 comprises two or more battery modules 22. A battery module 22 is a structural unit that combines and encapsulates multiple individual cells. A single cell is the smallest structural unit that functions as a battery. Furthermore, although not shown, the battery pack 20 may also include other components such as charging / discharging circuits, protection circuits, and cooling mechanisms.

[0029] The control device 10 has at least the following functions: managing the degradation state of each of the multiple battery modules 22 contained in the battery pack 20, and estimating the performance of the battery pack 20 based on the degradation state of each battery module 22. The former function is to estimate the degradation state of each of the multiple battery modules 22 contained in the battery pack 20, generate information representing the degradation state of each battery module (hereinafter also referred to as "module information"), and store the generated module information in a given storage area. Furthermore, the latter function is to output information representing the performance of the battery pack 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "performance information") based on the module information stored in the given storage area.

[0030] Alternatively, the control device 10 may also function as a battery management system (BMS). Or, the control device 10 may be a device that expands the functionality of an existing BMS by being integrated into it. Furthermore, the control device 10 may also be incorporated into the battery pack 20 as a component of the battery pack 20.

[0031] The following examples illustrate several embodiments of the control device 10 involved in this disclosure.

[0032] • First Implementation

[0033] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the functional structure of the control device 10 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 The illustrated control device 10 includes a module information management unit 110 and a performance information output unit 120, and also includes a non-volatile memory 30.

[0034] The module information management unit 110 estimates the degradation state of each of the multiple battery modules 22 contained in the battery pack 20. Furthermore, based on the estimated degradation state of each of the multiple battery modules 22, the module information management unit 110 generates module information representing the degradation state of each battery module 22. The module information management unit 110 stores the generated module information in a given storage area, such as the non-volatile memory 30 shown in the figure. Alternatively, the non-volatile memory 30 can be installed externally to the control device 10. For example, the non-volatile memory 30 can also be installed inside the battery pack 20, or inside the BMS (not shown) that manages the battery pack 20.

[0035] The performance information output unit 120 outputs performance information representing the performance of the battery pack 20 based on the module information stored in the non-volatile memory 30. The performance information output from the performance information output unit 120 is not particularly limited, and may include, for example, information representing the overall degradation state of the battery pack 20, the overall usable electrical power of the battery pack 20, etc.

[0036] In the control device 10 disclosed herein, when at least one of the plurality of battery modules 22 contained in the battery pack 20 is replaced, the module information management unit 110 and the performance information output unit 120 respectively perform the operations described below.

[0037] The module information management unit 110 updates the module information when at least one of the multiple battery modules 22 contained in the battery pack 20 is replaced. Specifically, the module information management unit 110 updates the information corresponding to the at least one battery module 22 in the module information.

[0038] The performance information output unit 120 updates the performance information of the battery pack 20 using module information updated based on the replacement of at least one of the plurality of battery modules 22 contained in the battery pack 20. Specifically, the performance information output unit 120 updates the performance information of the battery pack 20 based on information corresponding to battery modules 22 other than the at least one battery module 22.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the hardware structure of integrated circuit 40. In this diagram, the module information management unit 110 and the performance information output unit 120 of the control device 10 are installed using integrated circuit 40.

[0040] Integrated circuit 40 is, for example, a system-on-a-chip (SoC). Integrated circuit 40 has a bus 402, a processor 404, a memory 406, a storage device 408, an input / output interface 410, and a network interface 412.

[0041] Bus 402 is a data transmission path for the processor 404, memory 406, storage device 408, input / output interface 410, and network interface 412 to send and receive data. However, the method of interconnecting the processor 404 and the others is not limited to bus connection.

[0042] Processor 404 is an arithmetic processing device implemented using a microprocessor or similar device.

[0043] Memory 406 is a main storage device implemented using random access memory (RAM) or similar.

[0044] Storage device 408 is an auxiliary storage device implemented using read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc. Storage device 408 can serve as... Figure 2 The illustrated non-volatile memory 30 performs its function.

[0045] Input / output interface 410 is an interface for connecting input / output devices to integrated circuit 40 (control device 10). For example, input devices such as keyboards and touch panels, and output devices such as displays and speakers are connected to integrated circuit 40 (control device 10) via input / output interface 410.

[0046] Network interface 412 is an interface used to connect integrated circuit 40 (control device 10) to a communication network. This communication network may include, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or a Controller Area Network (CAN). Furthermore, the method of connecting to the communication network via network interface 412 can be either a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0047] Storage device 408 stores program modules corresponding to various functions of control device 10. Storage device 408 stores at least a program module corresponding to the function of module information management unit 110 described in this disclosure and a program module corresponding to the function of performance information output unit 120. Processor 404 implements the function corresponding to the program module by expanding and executing the program module read from storage device 408 on memory 406. For example, processor 404 implements the function of module information management unit 110 described in this disclosure by reading the program module corresponding to module information management unit 110 onto memory 406 and executing it. Furthermore, for example, processor 404 implements the function of performance information output unit 120 described in this disclosure by reading the program module corresponding to performance information output unit 120 onto memory 406 and executing it. The operation of processor 404 is common to the embodiments included in this disclosure.

[0048] The hardware structure of integrated circuit 40 (control device 10) is not limited to the structure shown in this figure. For example, program modules corresponding to the functions of control device 10 can also be stored in memory 406. In this case, integrated circuit 40 (control device 10) may not have storage device 408.

[0049] Hereinafter, the operation example of the control device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described using the accompanying drawings. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0050] The control device 10 monitors whether at least one of the multiple battery modules 22 contained in the battery pack 20 has been replaced (S102). For example, the control device 10 can determine whether a battery module 22 has been replaced based on metadata obtainable from each battery module 22, such as data containing individual identification information of each battery module 22. Specifically, if a new individual identification number is detected when at least one individual identification number managed in the module information stored in the non-volatile memory 30 is replaced, the control device 10 can detect that at least one of the multiple battery modules 22 has been replaced.

[0051] If no replacement of battery module 22 is detected (S102: No), the processes S104 to S110 described below are executed. Furthermore, the processes S104 to S110 are executed at any arbitrary time. For example, the processes S104 to S110 can be executed at a time indicated by schedule information pre-stored in memory 406, or at a time when the power-on of battery pack 20 ends.

[0052] First, the module information management unit 110 estimates the degradation state of each of the plurality of battery modules 22 (S104). The degradation state of the battery module 22 is not particularly limited, and can be represented by indicators such as State of Health (SOH) and State of Resistance (SOR). In this case, the module information management unit 110 can use various known methods to estimate the degradation state of the battery module 22.

[0053] Then, the module information management unit 110 generates or updates the module information stored in the non-volatile memory 30 based on the degradation state of each of the multiple battery modules 22 estimated in the processing of S104 (S106). Specifically, if no module information is stored in the non-volatile memory 30, the module information management unit 110 generates new module information based on the degradation state of each of the multiple battery modules 22 estimated in the processing of S104, and stores the generated module information in the non-volatile memory 30. On the other hand, if module information is already stored in the non-volatile memory 30, the module information management unit 110 updates the module information stored in the non-volatile memory 30 based on the degradation state of each of the multiple battery modules 22 estimated in the processing of S104.

[0054] The performance information output unit 120 generates or updates the performance information of the battery pack 20 based on the module information generated or updated in the process of S106 (S108). Specifically, if new module information is generated in the process of S106, the performance information output unit 120 generates new performance information of the battery pack 20 based on that module information. The generated performance information is stored in a given storage area, such as non-volatile memory 30. On the other hand, if the module information is updated in the process of S106, the performance information output unit 120 updates the already stored performance information of the battery pack 20 based on the updated module information.

[0055] Here, the performance of the battery pack 20 depends on the worst-performing battery module 22 among the multiple battery modules 22. Therefore, when the state of degradation of the multiple battery modules 22 is represented by State of Health (SOH), preferably, the performance information output unit 120 determines the lowest SOH value among the multiple battery modules 22 and generates the determined lowest SOH value as the performance information of the battery pack 20. Furthermore, when the state of degradation of the multiple battery modules 22 is represented by State of Reduction (SOR), preferably, the performance information output unit 120 determines the highest SOR value among the multiple battery modules 22 and generates the determined highest SOR value as the performance information of the battery pack 20. In this way, information appropriately representing the performance of the battery pack 20 is obtained.

[0056] Then, the performance information output unit 120 outputs the performance information of the battery pack 20 (S110). As an example, the performance information output unit 120 displays the performance information generated or updated during the processing of S108 on a display (not shown) connected via the input / output interface 410 of the control device 10. As another example, the performance information output unit 120 may also output the performance information generated or updated during the processing of S108 to other processing units (not shown) that perform processing using the performance information of the battery pack 20. These other processing units may be processing units installed in devices different from the control device 10.

[0057] Returning to the explanation of the decision processing in S102. If a replacement of battery module 22 is detected (S102: Yes), the following steps are executed: Figure 5 The processes S112 to S116 are illustrated.

[0058] First, the module information management unit 110 updates the information corresponding to the replaced battery module in the module information (S112). As an example, the module information management unit 110 operates as follows: The module information management unit 110 determines the information corresponding to the no longer detected battery module 22 as the information to be updated. Specifically, the module information management unit 110 determines the no longer detected individual identification number from among the multiple individual identification numbers managed in the module information. Then, the module information management unit 110 determines the information associated with that individual identification number as the information to be updated. Then, the module information management unit 110 replaces the information of the updated object with the information of the newly detected battery module 22. Thus, the module information stored in the non-volatile memory 30 is updated to the state after the replacement of the battery module 22. The specific flow of the process for updating module information based on the replacement of the battery module 22 will be explained using other diagrams.

[0059] Then, the performance information output unit 120 updates the performance information of the battery pack 20 based on the information corresponding to the unreplaced battery module 22 (S114). For example, the performance information output unit 120 determines the information corresponding to the battery module 22 that was not identified as an object in the process of S112 as the information corresponding to the unreplaced battery module 22. Then, the performance information output unit 120 updates the performance information of the battery pack 20 based on the information thus determined. The specific flow of the process of updating the performance of the battery pack 20 according to the replacement of the battery module 22 will be explained using other figures.

[0060] Then, the performance information output unit 120 outputs the updated performance information of the battery pack 20 during the processing in S114 (S116). This processing is consistent with... Figure 4 The processing of S110 is the same.

[0061] Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the specific flow of processes S112 and S114. Figure 6 The example illustrates information about at least one previous module before replacing multiple battery modules 22. Figure 7 The example illustrates module information after at least one of multiple battery modules 22 has been replaced. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 In the example, the battery pack 20 is composed of five battery modules 22, each with an individual identification number.

[0062] First, the process for updating module information by the Module Information Management Department 110 will be explained. For example, ... Figure 7 As illustrated, battery module 22 with individual identification number "ID005" is replaced with battery module 22 with individual identification number "ID006". In this case, because in Figure 6 The battery module 22 with individual identification number "ID005" is no longer detected in the illustrated module information. Therefore, the module information management unit 110 will store the information associated with individual identification number "ID005", specifically... Figure 6 The information in the bottom row of the illustrated module information is determined to be the information of the object to be updated. Then, the module information management department 110, as follows... Figure 7 The information is updated as illustrated, which is determined by the information of the updated object.

[0063] Here, the module information management unit 110 sets the degradation status of the replaced battery module 22, i.e., the battery module 22 with individual identification number "ID006", to a given value. Although not specifically limited, Figure 7In the example, the module information management unit 110 sets "SOH: 100%" as the degradation state of the replaced battery module 22. Since the replaced battery module 22 is generally considered to be in a new or similar condition, the module information management unit 110 can simply set the information of the replaced battery module 22 to a value similar to that of a new product (e.g., a value of 98% or higher). Furthermore, since the replaced battery module 22 is generally considered to be in a new or similar condition, the performance of the battery pack 20 can be said to be not significantly affected by the newly replaced battery module 22. Therefore, the accuracy of the information set for the replaced battery module 22 can be relatively low. Even assuming that the accuracy of the information set immediately after replacement is low, the module information can be updated later (e.g., ...). Figure 4 (The processing of S104) can also maintain the accuracy of information related to each battery module 22.

[0064] Next, the process of updating the performance information of the battery pack 20 by the performance information output unit 120 will be explained. First, in order to update the performance information of the battery pack 20 by the performance information output unit 120... Figure 6 When the information illustrated is stored as module information in the non-volatile memory 30, the performance information output unit 120 can, for example, output the lowest value of the deterioration state (SOH: 81%) as the performance information of the battery pack 20. Then, by replacing a certain battery module 22... Figure 7 When the module information is updated as illustrated, the performance information output unit 120 uses the information corresponding to the unreplaced battery module 22 to update the performance information of the battery pack 20. Specifically, the performance information output unit 120 determines the information related to the battery module 22 with an individual identification number other than "ID005" as the information to be used for updating the performance information of the battery pack 20. Figure 7 In this example, the performance information output unit 120 identifies information related to the four battery modules 22 with individual identification numbers "ID001" to "ID004" as the information to be processed. Here, among the four identified battery modules 22, the battery module 22 corresponding to individual identification number "ID002" has the lowest degradation state (SOH: 85%). In this case, the performance information output unit 120 updates the performance information of the battery pack 20 from the state before replacement (SOH: 81%) to the state after replacement (SOH: 85%).

[0065] The operation and effects of the control device 10 according to the first embodiment are illustrated. According to this embodiment, when at least one of the plurality of battery modules 22 included in the battery pack 20 is replaced, the information corresponding to the replaced battery module 22 is updated, and the performance information representing the performance of the battery pack 20 is updated using the information corresponding to the battery modules 22 other than the replaced battery module 22. By adopting such a structure, it is possible to replace only the battery modules 22 that are the cause of performance degradation in the battery pack 20. By being able to replace battery modules 22 at a time, costs can be reduced compared to replacing the entire battery pack 20.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information used to generate performance information for the battery pack 20 is stored on a per-module basis (battery module 22) within the battery pack 20. This reduces the capacity of the data representing the performance of the battery pack 20. By reducing the capacity of the data representing the performance of the battery pack 20, for example, when managing such data using a ROM or similar device within the battery pack 20, a smaller ROM can be used. In other words, this also reduces the manufacturing cost of the battery pack 20.

[0067] • Second implementation method

[0068] The control device 10 according to the second embodiment has the same structure as the first embodiment described above, except for the points described below.

[0069] The control device 10 of this embodiment has Figure 2 The functional structure is as shown. However, in this embodiment, the module information management unit 110 operates as follows when estimating the degradation state of each battery module 22. First, the module information management unit 110 estimates the degradation state of each of the plurality of individual cells constituting each battery module 22. Then, based on the estimated degradation state of each of the plurality of individual cells, the module information management unit 110 determines a given number of individual cells in the order of degradation progression. Then, the module information management unit 110 includes information indicating the degradation state of the determined given number of individual cells as information indicating the degradation state of the corresponding battery module 22 in the module information.

[0070] Here, the "given number" is a value less than the total number of individual cells contained in each battery module 22, and can be set to any value. Furthermore, the smaller the "given number," the less information is contained in the module information. For example, the "given number" can be set to "20% or less of the number of individual cells connected in series in each battery module 22." For another example, the "given number" can be set to "1." In this case, the effect of reducing the amount of module information is greater in the latter case than in the former.

[0071] Hereinafter, the operation example of the control device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described using the accompanying drawings. Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating, for example, the operation of the control device 10 according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 The flowchart illustrates a specific example of the process for estimating the degradation state of each battery module 22. The process shown in this figure is, for example, described in the first embodiment. Figure 4 S104 and Figure 5 In S112, the process is performed separately for each battery module 22 of the processing object.

[0072] First, the module information management unit 110 estimates the degradation state of each of the multiple individual cells contained in the battery module 22 to be processed (S202). Furthermore, the module information management unit 110 can estimate the degradation state of each of the multiple individual cells using known methods. For example, the module information management unit 110 can use the voltage and current values ​​of each of the multiple individual cells, as well as the temperature (internal temperature, ambient temperature) of the battery pack 20's operating environment, as input information to estimate the SOH and SOR of each of the multiple individual cells.

[0073] Next, the module information management unit 110 determines a given number of individual cells based on the estimated degradation state of each of the multiple individual cells contained in the battery module 22 being processed (S204). For example, if the battery module 22 being processed contains 30 individual cells, this is obtained as a result of the processing in S202. Figure 9 The result shown. Additionally, in Figure 9 The example depicts the status of information related to the degradation state of multiple individual cells, arranged in ascending order of the degree of degradation progression. Module Information Management Department 110 is based on... Figure 9 The given number of individual cells is determined by the result shown. For example, if the "given number" is "10% of the total number of battery modules 22 contained in battery module 22", the module information management unit 110 will determine the top three individual cells as the "given number of individual cells". Furthermore, for example, if the "given number" is "1", the module information management unit 110 will determine the topmost individual cell as the "given number of individual cells". Additionally, information related to the "given number" is pre-stored in a storage area accessible to the module information management unit 110, such as memory 406 or storage device 408. The module information management unit 110 can identify the "given number" by referring to the information stored in this storage area.

[0074] Then, the module information management unit 110 includes the degradation state of the "given number of single cells" determined in S204 as information representing the degradation state of the battery module 22 to be processed in the module information (S206). For example, if one single cell is determined as the "given number of single cells", the module information management unit 110 includes the degradation state of that single cell as the degradation state of the battery module 22 to be processed in the module information. Figure 9 In the illustrated scenario where one single cell is identified as a "given number of single cells," the module information management unit 110 includes the degradation state (SOH: 80%) of the topmost single cell in the module information as information indicating the degradation state of the battery module 22 to be processed. Furthermore, when two or more single cells are identified as a "given number of single cells," the module information management unit 110 includes the degradation states of these two or more single cells in the module information as the degradation state of the battery module 22 to be processed. Figure 9 In the illustrated case where three individual cells are identified as "a given number of individual cells", the module information management unit 110 includes the degradation status of the battery module 22, which is the object of processing, as the degradation status of the three uppermost individual cells (SOH: 80%, SOH: 82%, and SOH: 82%, respectively).

[0075] According to the control device 10 of the second embodiment, the same functions and effects as described in the first embodiment can also be obtained.

[0076] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other structures besides those described above can also be employed.

[0077] Furthermore, while multiple steps (processes) are sequentially described in the flowcharts used in the above description, the execution order of the steps in each embodiment is not limited to the described order. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that there are no content-related obstacles. Moreover, the above embodiments can be combined to the extent that the content is not contradictory.

[0078] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-064452, filed on April 11, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0079] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0080] 10. Control device

[0081] Module 110 Information Management Department

[0082] 120 Performance Information Output Department

[0083] 20 battery packs

[0084] 22 Battery Modules

[0085] 30 Non-volatile memory

[0086] 40 Integrated Circuits

[0087] 402 bus

[0088] 404 Processor

[0089] 406 memory

[0090] 408 Storage Equipment

[0091] 410 Input / Output Interface

[0092] 412 Network interface.

Claims

1. A control device comprising: The module information management unit estimates the degradation state of multiple battery modules and generates module information representing the degradation state of each battery module, storing this module information in non-volatile memory; and A performance information output unit, based on the module information stored in the non-volatile memory, outputs performance information representing the performance of the battery pack comprising the plurality of battery modules, depending on at least one of the plurality of battery modules being replaced. The module information management unit updates the information corresponding to the at least one battery module in the module information. The performance information output unit updates the performance information based on information corresponding to battery modules other than the at least one battery module.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein, The degradation state of the battery module is represented by the state of health (SOH) or the state of resistance (SOR).

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The module information management unit performs the following processing: For each battery module, the presumed degradation state is determined for each of the multiple individual cells constituting that battery module. Based on the estimated degradation state of each of the plurality of individual cells, a given number of individual cells are determined in the order of degradation progression. Information representing the degradation state of a given number of individual cells is included in the module information as information representing the degradation state of the battery module.

4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein, The given number is less than 20% of the number of the multiple individual cells connected in series in the battery module.

5. The control device according to claim 3, wherein, The given number is 1.

6. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The module information management unit performs the following processing: In updating the information corresponding to the at least one battery module, the degradation state of the at least one battery module is set to a given value.

7. A method for estimating battery performance, comprising: At least one computer performs the following processing: The degradation state of multiple battery modules is estimated, and module information representing the degradation state of each battery module is generated and stored in non-volatile memory. Based on the module information stored in the non-volatile memory, performance information representing the performance of the battery pack comprising the multiple battery modules is output. Based on the replacement of at least one of the plurality of battery modules. In the module information, update the information corresponding to the at least one battery module. The performance information is updated based on information corresponding to a battery module other than the at least one battery module.

8. A program for enabling at least one computer to function as a unit: The degradation state of multiple battery modules is estimated and module information representing the degradation state of each battery module is generated, and the module information is stored in non-volatile memory. Based on the module information stored in the non-volatile memory, performance information representing the performance of the battery pack comprising the plurality of battery modules is output. Based on the replacement of at least one of the plurality of battery modules. In the module information, update the information corresponding to the at least one battery module; and The performance information is updated based on information corresponding to a battery module other than the at least one battery module.

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