Battery monitoring system, transmitter for battery monitoring system, receiver for battery monitoring system, wireless communication program, and wireless communication method

Abstract

To provide a battery monitoring system, a transmitter for a battery monitoring system, a receiver for a battery monitoring system, a wireless communication program, and a wireless communication method that can reduce the amount of communication data.SOLUTION: A battery monitoring system 100 includes a battery control device 40 that transmits control data by wireless communication using a communication channel, and a battery monitoring device 30 that acquires and returns battery information of battery cells 22 according to the control data. The battery monitoring device 30 includes a monitoring IC 31, and a child device side wireless IC 32 that determines the communication quality of the communication channel used for transmission when control data is received, and returns the battery information when the determined communication quality is good, but does not return the battery information when the determined communication quality is not good. The battery control device 40 includes a parent device side wireless IC 42 for evaluating that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when the control data is transmitted is poor when battery information is not returned after transmitting the control data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless device of a battery monitoring system, a battery monitoring system, a wireless communication program, and a wireless communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there have been battery monitoring systems that transmit or receive battery information by wireless communication. In some of these battery monitoring systems, the slave unit transmits information about the reception state together with the battery information to the master unit. The master unit then grasps the communication quality of each communication channel based on the received information about the reception state, and uses this information to select a communication channel for the next and subsequent transmissions. Such a battery monitoring system is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6514694 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in such a battery monitoring system, every time the slave unit transmits battery information, it also transmits information about the reception state, which increases the amount of communication data transmitted from the slave unit to the master unit.When the amount of communication data increases, the communication speed decreases and the communication error rate also increases, which is a problem.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its main object is to provide a battery monitoring system, a transmitter for a battery monitoring system, a receiver for a battery monitoring system, a wireless communication program, and a wireless communication method that can reduce the amount of communication data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first means for solving the above problem is a battery monitoring system that monitors a battery unit, comprising a transmitter that transmits control information via wireless communication using a communication channel selected from among a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver that performs various controls according to the control information and returns the control results, wherein the receiver comprises a control unit that performs control according to the control information, a communication quality determination unit that determines the communication quality of the communication channel used for transmission when receiving the control information, and a reply unit that replies with the control result by the control unit if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, but does not reply with the control result if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good, and the transmitter comprises an evaluation unit that evaluates the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information to be poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after transmitting the control information.

[0007] In this way, if the communication quality is not good, the control result is not returned. This prevents a vicious circle in which the amount of communication data increases in order to notify the user that the communication quality is poor, and prevents the communication quality from further deteriorating.

[0008] A second means for solving the above problem is a battery monitoring system that monitors a battery unit, comprising a transmitter that transmits control information via wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver that performs various controls according to the control information and returns the control results. In the receiver of the battery monitoring system, the transmitter comprises an evaluation unit that evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after transmitting the control information, and comprises a control unit that performs control according to the control information, a communication quality determination unit that determines the communication quality of the communication channel used for transmission when receiving the control information, and a reply unit that replies with the control result by the control unit if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, but does not reply with the control result if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good.

[0009] In this way, if the communication quality is not good, the control result is not returned. This prevents a vicious circle in which the amount of communication data increases in order to notify the user that the communication quality is poor, and prevents the communication quality from further deteriorating.

[0010] A third means for solving the above problem is a battery monitoring system that monitors a battery unit, comprising a transmitter that transmits control information via wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver that performs various controls according to the control information and returns the control results. In the transmitter of the battery monitoring system, the receiver comprises a control unit that performs control according to the control information, a communication quality determination unit that determines the communication quality of the communication channel used for transmission when receiving the control information, and a reply unit that replies with the control result by the control unit if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, but does not reply with the control result if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good. The transmitter also comprises an evaluation unit that evaluates the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information to be poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after transmitting the control information.

[0011] In this way, if the communication quality is not good, the control result is not returned. This prevents a vicious circle in which the amount of communication data increases in order to notify the user that the communication quality is poor, and prevents the communication quality from further deteriorating.

[0012] A fourth means for solving the above problem is a battery monitoring system that monitors a battery unit, the battery monitoring system comprising a transmitter that transmits control information via wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver that performs various controls in accordance with the control information and returns the control results. In the wireless communication program executed by the transmitter and receiver of the battery monitoring system, the receiver is caused to perform a control process that performs control in accordance with the control information, a communication quality determination process that determines the communication quality of the communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received, and a return process that returns the control result of the control process if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is good, but does not return the control result if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good, and the transmitter is caused to perform an evaluation process that evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after transmitting the control information.

[0013] In this way, if the communication quality is not good, the control result is not returned. This prevents a vicious circle in which the amount of communication data increases in order to notify the user that the communication quality is poor, and prevents the communication quality from further deteriorating.

[0014] A fifth means for solving the above problem is a wireless communication method implemented by the transmitter and receiver of a battery monitoring system that monitors a battery unit, the battery monitoring system including a transmitter that transmits control information via wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver that performs various controls according to the control information and returns the control results, wherein the receiver performs a control process that performs control according to the control information, a communication quality determination process that determines the communication quality of the communication channel used for transmission when receiving the control information, and a return process that returns the control result of the control process if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is good, but does not return the control result if the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good, and the transmitter performs an evaluation process that evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after transmitting the control information.

[0015] In this way, if the communication quality is not good, the control result is not returned. This prevents a vicious circle in which the amount of communication data increases in order to notify the user that the communication quality is poor, and prevents the communication quality from further deteriorating.

[0016] In this way, if the communication quality is not good, the control result is not returned. This prevents a vicious circle in which the amount of communication data increases in order to notify the user that the communication quality is poor, and prevents the communication quality from further deteriorating. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a battery pack. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of data communication. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of data communication. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a connection establishment process. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing frequency bands of communication channels. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data flow when a connection is established. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a channel map. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of data communication in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a channel map according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of an abnormality determination process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of an abnormality determination process according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the battery monitoring system, transmitter, receiver, wireless communication program, and wireless communication method according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, between the embodiments and the modifications, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated in principle. Below, the case where the present invention is applied to a vehicle will be described, but the present invention can also be applied to applications other than vehicles, such as flying objects such as drones, ships, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, and the like.

[0019] (First embodiment) <Vehicle> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is an electrically powered vehicle such as an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle (HV), or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV). The vehicle 10 includes a battery pack 11 (shown as "Battey" in FIG. 1), a power control unit (hereinafter referred to as "PCU") 12 as a power conversion device, a motor 13 (shown as "MG" in FIG. 1) as an electric load, and a vehicle ECU 14 (shown as "ECU" in FIG. 1). Note that PCU is an abbreviation for "Power Control Unit", MG is an abbreviation for "Motor Generator", and ECU is an abbreviation for "Electronic Control Unit".

[0020] The battery pack 11 is mounted on the vehicle 10 as a driving power source for the vehicle 10. In Fig. 1, the battery pack 11 is arranged, for example, in a front compartment. The battery pack 11 may also be arranged in the rear compartment, under a seat, under the floor, or the like.

[0021] The battery pack 11 includes a battery assembly 20, which will be described later, and is a chargeable and dischargeable DC voltage source. The battery pack 11 supplies power to an electrical load of the vehicle 10. The battery pack 11 also converts power via the PCU 12 and supplies the power to the motor 13. The battery pack 11 is also charged via the PCU 12.

[0022] The PCU 12 performs bidirectional power conversion between the battery pack 11 and the motor 13 in accordance with a control signal from the vehicle ECU 14. The PCU 12 includes, for example, an inverter that converts a DC voltage from the battery pack 11 into an AC voltage to drive the motor 13, and a converter that boosts the DC voltage supplied to the inverter to an output voltage of the battery pack 11 or higher.

[0023] 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 driving wheels. On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 is braked, the motor 13 operates as a generator and performs regenerative power generation. The electric power generated by the motor 13 is supplied to the battery pack 11 via the PCU 12 and stored in the battery pack 20.

[0024] The vehicle ECU 14 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, input / output ports for inputting and outputting various signals, etc. The CPU loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM describes 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, SOC (State Of Charge), and SOH (State Of Health) of the battery pack 20 from the battery pack 11, and controls the PCU 12 to instruct the driving of the motor 13 and the charging and discharging of the battery pack 11.

[0025] <Battery pack> The battery pack 11 will be described in detail. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the battery pack 11, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the battery pack 11. The battery pack 11 includes a battery pack 20, a battery monitoring system 100, and a housing 50 (shown by a dashed line) that houses them. The battery monitoring system 100 is a system that monitors and manages the battery pack 20 using wireless communication. The battery monitoring system 100 includes a plurality of battery monitoring devices 30 and a battery control device 40, and wireless communication is performed between these. For this wireless communication, a frequency band used for short-range communication, such as the 2.4 GHz band or the 5 GHz band, is used.

[0026] <Battery pack> The assembled battery 20 includes a plurality of battery blocks 21 (sometimes referred to as battery stacks or battery modules). The assembled battery 20 is configured by connecting the plurality of battery blocks 21 in series and / or parallel. Each battery block 21 includes a plurality of battery cells 22. Each battery cell 22 is configured by a lithium ion secondary battery, a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery, or the like. The lithium ion secondary battery is a secondary battery that uses lithium as a charge carrier, and may include a general lithium ion secondary battery with a liquid electrolyte as well as a so-called all-solid-state battery using a solid electrolyte. The plurality of battery cells 22 are connected in series and / or parallel via a bus bar 23 to configure the battery block 21. It is optional whether or not to provide the battery block 21, and the assembled battery 20 may be configured by connecting the plurality of battery cells 22 in series and / or parallel.

[0027] <Battery monitoring device> The battery monitoring device 30 will be described. Note that each battery monitoring device 30 has a common configuration. The battery monitoring device 30 is also called a satellite battery module (SBM), and is provided for each battery block 21, that is, for each of a plurality of battery cells 22. As shown in FIG. 2, each battery monitoring device 30 includes a monitoring IC 31, a child device side wireless IC 32, a child device side wireless antenna 33, and the like. The child device side wireless IC 32 is connected to the monitoring IC 31 by a wire. The child device side wireless IC 32 is connected to the child device side wireless antenna 33 by a wire.

[0028] The monitoring IC 31 is also called a cell supervising circuit (CSC), and acquires (senses) battery information of each battery cell 22 constituting the battery block 21 via a physical quantity detection sensor (not shown) or the like. The physical quantity detection sensor is, for example, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, a current sensor, or the like, and the battery information includes, for example, voltage information, temperature information, current information, and the like of each battery cell 22. Note that the object to be monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 may be the battery block 21 or the entire battery pack 20, and may be changed as desired.

[0029] When the monitoring IC 31 receives data (control data as control information) requesting acquisition and transmission of battery information, it acquires the battery information according to the control data and transmits monitoring data (control result) including at least the battery information. The monitoring IC 31 may have a function of performing a fault diagnosis (self-diagnosis) of the circuit portion of the battery monitoring device 30 including itself, and including the diagnosis result in the monitoring data together with the acquired battery information and transmitting the same. Therefore, the monitoring IC 31 functions as a control unit that performs control according to the control information.

[0030] The slave-side wireless IC 32 includes an RF circuit, a microcomputer, a front-end circuit, and the like (not shown) for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. The slave-side wireless IC 32 has a transmission function of modulating data and oscillating at the frequency of an RF signal. In addition, the slave-side wireless IC 32 has a reception function of demodulating received data. RF is an abbreviation for "radio frequency."

[0031] The slave-side wireless IC 32 modulates the monitoring data including the battery information received from the monitoring IC 31 and transmits it to the battery control device 40 via the slave-side wireless antenna 33. At this time, the slave-side wireless IC 32 adds data necessary for wireless communication, such as communication control information, to the monitoring data including the battery information and transmits it. Data necessary for wireless communication is, for example, an identifier (ID) and an error detection code. The slave-side wireless IC 32 also has a function of determining the data size, communication format, and schedule of communication between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40, a function of detecting errors, and the like.

[0032] Furthermore, the slave side wireless IC 32 receives and demodulates data wirelessly transmitted from the battery control device 40 via the slave side wireless antenna 33. When the slave side wireless IC 32 receives control data including a request to acquire and transmit battery information, for example, the slave side wireless IC 32 transmits (transfers) the control data via a wired connection to the monitoring IC 31. When the slave side wireless IC 32 receives monitoring data including battery information from the monitoring IC 31 in response to the request, the slave side wireless IC 32 modulates response data including the monitoring data and wirelessly transmits the response data to the battery control device 40 via the slave side wireless antenna 33.

[0033] The slave side wireless antenna 33 converts the RF signal, which is an electrical signal, into radio waves and radiates it into space. The slave side wireless antenna 33 also receives the radio waves propagating through space and converts them into an electrical signal.

[0034] <Battery control device> The battery control device 40 is also called a battery ECU or a BMU (Battery Management Unit). The battery control device 40 is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with each battery monitoring device 30.

[0035] 2, the battery control device 40 includes a battery control MCU 41, a parent device side wireless IC 42, and a parent device side wireless antenna 43. The parent device side wireless IC 42 is connected to the battery control MCU 41 by a wire. The parent device side wireless IC 42 is also connected to the parent device side wireless antenna 43 by a wire.

[0036] The battery control MCU 41 is composed of a microcontroller unit (microcontroller unit) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, an input / output interface, etc. The CPU of the battery control MCU 41 loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it. The program stored in the ROM contains, for example, processes related to battery control.

[0037] As an example of the main processing, the battery control MCU 41 transmits control data to the battery monitoring device 30 to request acquisition and transmission of battery information. The battery control MCU 41 also performs various processing related to monitoring the assembled battery 20, the battery block 21, and the battery cells 22 based on the monitoring data including the battery information received from the battery monitoring device 30. For example, the battery control MCU 41 may transmit the monitoring result (monitoring data) to the vehicle ECU 14, which is a higher-level ECU. In this case, the battery control MCU 41 may calculate the SOC and / or SOH based on the battery information and transmit the battery information including the calculated SOC and SOH to the vehicle ECU 14. The battery control MCU 41 also controls a relay switch that switches between the energized and de-energized states of the assembled battery 20 and the PCU 12 or the motor 13 based on the monitoring result or the like. The battery control MCU 41 may also transmit an equalization signal that equalizes the voltage of each battery cell 22. In this embodiment, the vehicle ECU 14 issues instructions to the PCU 12 to control the charging and discharging of the battery pack 20, but the battery control MCU 41 may be configured to perform this function. As described above, the battery control MCU 41 monitors and manages the battery pack 20, the battery block 21, and the battery cells 22.

[0038] The master-side wireless IC 42 includes an RF circuit, a microcomputer, a front-end circuit, and the like (not shown) for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, similar to the slave-side wireless IC 32. The master-side wireless IC 42 has a transmitting function and a receiving function, similar to the slave-side wireless IC 32.

[0039] The master unit side wireless IC 42 demodulates the received monitoring data including the battery information via the master unit side wireless antenna 43 and transmits the demodulated data to the battery control MCU 41. The master unit side wireless IC 42 also modulates the control data received from the battery control MCU 41 with data necessary for wireless communication such as communication control information, and transmits the modulated data to the battery monitoring device 30 via the master unit side wireless antenna 43. The data necessary for wireless communication includes, for example, an identifier (ID) and an error detection code. The master unit side wireless IC 42 also has a function of determining the data size, communication format, schedule, and the like of the communication between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40, a function of detecting errors, and the like.

[0040] The parent-side wireless antenna 43 has the same configuration and function as the child-side wireless antenna 33. That is, the parent-side wireless antenna 43 converts an RF signal, which is an electrical signal, into a radio wave and radiates it into space, and also receives the radio wave propagating through space and converts it into an electrical signal.

[0041] <Case> The housing 50 is made of a conductor such as metal. The housing 50 is formed in a metal box shape, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Note that a part or the whole may be made of a non-conductive material such as resin. The housing 50 houses the battery pack 20, the battery monitoring device 30, and the battery control device 40.

[0042] Here, the arrangement of the battery pack 20, the battery monitoring device 30, and the battery control device 40 will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 3. The bottom surface of the housing 50 serves as the mounting surface for the vehicle 10. As shown in Fig. 3, inside the substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 50, a plurality of battery blocks 21 constituting the battery pack 20 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction (X direction in Fig. 3). In each battery block 21, the battery cells 22 constituting the battery block 21 are arranged so as to be stacked side by side in the lateral direction of the housing 50 (Y direction in Fig. 3).

[0043] The battery monitoring device 30 and bus bars 23 are arranged on the top surface of each battery block 21 (the surface on the Z+ direction side in FIG. 3) and fixed with screws or the like. The battery control device 40 is arranged at the very end in the longitudinal direction (X direction). In this case, it is attached to the side surface of one of the battery blocks 21 (the battery block 21 at the end in the X direction in this embodiment) so that the circuit board on which the battery control device 40 is arranged is vertical. Note that it is desirable to arrange the parent unit side wireless antenna 43 so that it protrudes from the top surface of the battery block 21.

[0044] The arrangement of the battery pack 20, the battery monitoring device 30, and the battery control device 40 shown in Fig. 3 is one example and may be changed as desired. In addition, in this embodiment, the battery pack 20 and the battery monitoring system 100 are housed inside the housing 50, but a part of them may be disposed outside the housing 50. Also, the housing 50 may not be provided, and the battery pack 20 and the like may be directly attached to a vehicle body frame or the like. That is, the vehicle body frame may replace the housing 50.

[0045] <Wireless communication> Next, wireless communication (wireless communication method) between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing an example of a communication sequence in data communication between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40. This communication sequence is repeated at predetermined intervals or is performed according to a determined communication schedule. The battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 execute wireless communication programs stored in their respective storage devices (ROM, etc.), thereby carrying out each process.

[0046] 4 to 6, wireless communication between one battery monitoring device 30 and a battery control device 40 will be described. The battery monitoring device 30 to be communicated with is determined by a communication schedule or the like. In Figs. 4 to 6, the monitoring IC 31 is indicated as MIC31, the child device side wireless IC 32 is indicated as WIC32, the battery control MCU 41 is indicated as MCU41, and the parent device side wireless IC 42 is indicated as WIC42. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the connection establishment process (step S10) shown in Fig. 4.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the slave side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 and the master side wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 execute a process for establishing a connection (step S10).

[0048] Here, the connection establishment process of step S10 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the master side wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 executes a scanning operation (slave detection operation) (step S11), and the slave side wireless IC 32 executes an advertising operation (connection information transmission operation) (step S12). The scanning operation may start earlier than the advertising operation, or at approximately the same timing. It may also start later than the advertising operation.

[0049] The advertising operation is an operation in which the slave wireless IC 32 transmits an advertisement packet (ADV_PKT) by broadcast communication in order to inform the master wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 of its existence. The advertisement packet includes ID information of the slave wireless IC 32 (the battery monitoring device 30) and the battery control device 40.

[0050] In this advertising operation, a communication channel for connection establishment is used among a plurality of communication channels. The communication channel is a frequency band used in short-distance communication, for example, a 2.4 GHz band, divided by a predetermined bandwidth (for example, 2 MHz), and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, it is divided into 40 channels, 0ch to 39ch. The communication channel for connection establishment is a predetermined communication channel (for example, 37ch to 39ch) among the 40 channels. Meanwhile, the channels other than the communication channel for connection establishment (for example, 0ch to 36ch) among the plurality of communication channels are communication channels for data transmission, which will be described later.

[0051] In the advertising operation, as shown in Fig. 8, advertisement packets are transmitted at predetermined intervals using multiple (three in this embodiment) communication channels for connection establishment. As a result, even if communication failure occurs in any of the communication channels for connection establishment, communication can be performed in the other communication channels for connection establishment. For this reason, the three communication channels for connection establishment are set with frequency bands as far apart as possible so as not to cause interference with each other (see Fig. 7). In addition, it is desirable to set the communication channels for connection establishment so as not to overlap with frequency bands used by other devices, etc.

[0052] Returning to the explanation of the connection establishment process, as shown in Fig. 6, when the master side wireless IC 42 of the battery control device 40 detects an advertisement packet, i.e., the slave side wireless IC 32, by a scan operation, it transmits a connection request (CONNECT_REQ) to the detected slave side wireless IC 32 (step S13).

[0053] Then, when the slave side wireless IC 32 receives the connection request, a wireless communication path connection is established between one of the battery monitoring devices 30 and the battery control device 40 (step S14). When the connection is established, the slave side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 stops transmitting advertisement packets. The slave side wireless IC 32 periodically transmits advertisement packets until the connection is established.

[0054] It should be noted that this connection establishment process is executed, for example, at startup. At startup refers to, for example, when operating power is supplied. In a configuration in which power is constantly supplied from the battery block 21, startup occurs during the manufacturing process of the vehicle 10 or after parts are replaced at a repair shop. Start-up may also occur when a startup signal such as an IG signal output when the ignition switch is turned on is input. For example, startup occurs when the ignition switch is switched from off to on by a user's operation. Also, when the ignition switch is turned off, the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 are in a sleep state (standby mode), but are activated intermittently. The connection establishment process may also be executed during this intermittent startup.

[0055] Then, at the time of startup, a connection establishment process is executed between the battery control device 40 and all of the battery monitoring devices 30 that are targets for connection with the battery control device 40 in wireless communication.

[0056] Furthermore, when the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 are disconnected, they again execute the connection establishment process (step S10). That is, they execute reconnection. The battery control device 40 executes reconnection (establishment of connection) with the disconnected battery monitoring device 30 while continuing data communication with the remaining battery monitoring devices 30 with which the connection has been established. For example, the disconnection occurs due to a deterioration in the communication environment.

[0057] Furthermore, once a wireless communication connection is established, the connection establishment process is skipped and the subsequent processes are performed unless the connection is disconnected. In other words, once a wireless communication connection is established in step S10, the battery control device 40 periodically performs data communication with the battery monitoring device 30 (the processes of steps S20 to S33).

[0058] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the battery control MCU 41 of the battery control device 40 transmits control data (control information) including a request to obtain and a request to transmit monitoring data including battery information to the battery monitoring device 30 with which the connection has been established (step S20). When the master-side wireless IC 42 receives the control data, it generates transmission data by adding data necessary for wireless communication such as communication control information to the control data (step S21). At the same time, the master-side wireless IC 42 selects one of the communication channels for data transmission (for example, 0ch to 36ch) (step S22). At that time, as shown in FIG. 9, the master-side wireless IC 42 refers to a channel map in which the status (state) of each communication channel is set to usable or unusable (unselectable, the same applies below), and selects a communication channel from the usable communication channels for data transmission. The method of setting each communication channel to usable or unusable will be described later.

[0059] Then, the master side wireless IC 42 wirelessly transmits the transmission data to the slave side wireless IC 32 via the master side wireless antenna 43 (step S23). At that time, the master side wireless IC 42 wirelessly transmits the transmission data to the slave side wireless IC 32 using the selected communication channel for data transmission.

[0060] When the slave-side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 receives the transmission data via the slave-side wireless antenna 33, it determines whether the communication quality of the communication channel used to transmit the transmission data was good (step S24). In other words, the slave-side wireless IC 32 determines whether the transmission data was normally received.

[0061] In step S24, the slave side wireless IC 32 may determine that the communication quality is poor (cannot be normally received) if the received signal strength (RSSI: Received Signal Strength Indicator) is equal to or lower than a predetermined strength threshold. The slave side wireless IC 32 may determine the communication quality by, for example, CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check). The slave side wireless IC 32 may determine the communication quality based on, for example, whether a packet error rate is equal to or lower than a predetermined error rate. The slave side wireless IC 32 may determine the communication quality based on the communication time from when the master side wireless IC 42 transmits data to when the slave side wireless IC 32 receives data. When the transmission data is divided into packets and transmitted, the slave side wireless IC 32 may determine the communication quality based on the variation in the interval from when one packet arrives to when the next packet arrives. The communication quality may be determined based on SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio). Also, other known methods may be adopted, or a combination of any of these may be used to determine the communication quality based on the determination results. As described above, the slave-side wireless IC 32 of this embodiment functions as a communication quality determination unit that determines the communication quality of the communication channel used for transmission when control data is received. The process of step S24 corresponds to a communication quality determination process that determines the communication quality of the communication channel used for transmission when control information is received.

[0062] If the communication quality is good, the determination result in step S24 is affirmative, and if the communication quality is poor, the determination result in step S24 is negative. If the determination result in step S24 is affirmative, that is, if the data is normally received, the slave side wireless IC 32 transmits the control data included in the received transmission data to the monitor IC 31 (step S25).

[0063] When the monitoring IC 31 receives the control data, it executes acquisition (sensing) of battery information (step S26). The monitoring IC 31 may also execute a fault diagnosis of the circuit.

[0064] Next, the monitoring IC 31 transmits monitoring data including the battery information to the slave-side wireless IC 32 (step S27). At this time, the monitoring data including the diagnosis result may be transmitted together with the battery information.

[0065] When the slave-side wireless IC 32 receives the monitoring data from the monitoring IC 31, it generates transmission data including the monitoring data, that is, response data, and wirelessly transmits (responses) the data to the master-side wireless IC 42 via the slave-side wireless antenna 33 (step S28). At this time, data necessary for wireless communication, such as communication control information, is added to the response data, as in the process of the master-side wireless IC 42 in step S21. In addition, the slave-side wireless IC 32 selects the same communication channel as the communication channel used when it received the transmission data transmitted by the master-side wireless IC 42, and wirelessly transmits the data to the master-side wireless IC 42. That is, the slave-side wireless IC 32 transmits the data using the communication channel for data transmission selected in step S22. Therefore, the communication channel for data transmission corresponds to the communication channel for battery information transmission for transmitting and receiving battery information.

[0066] Conventionally, when the slave-side wireless IC 32 judges the communication quality, it always returns the judgment result (communication quality) to the master-side wireless IC 42. In other words, when the slave-side wireless IC 32 cannot normally receive the transmission data (when it judges that the communication quality is poor), it returns the judgment result to the master-side wireless IC 42. Then, the master-side wireless IC 42 judges the communication quality for each communication channel based on the judgment result.

[0067] However, even when the transmission data could not be received normally (when the communication quality was poor), the determination result was returned to the parent device's wireless IC 42 as described above, which led to a vicious circle in which the amount of communication data increased and the communication quality further deteriorated. In other words, there were problems such as the communication speed becoming slower and the communication error rate becoming worse.

[0068] Therefore, in the slave side wireless IC 32 of this embodiment, when the determination result in step S24 is negative (when the communication quality is poor), the slave side wireless IC 32 ends the data communication in the period and does not respond (reply) to the master side wireless IC 42. This makes it possible to prevent the amount of communication data in a communication channel from increasing when the communication quality of the communication channel to be used is poor.

[0069] As a result, the slave side wireless IC 32 of the present embodiment functions as a reply unit that returns monitoring data (control result) when the communication quality is good, and does not return monitoring data when the communication quality is not good. The processes of steps S24 to S38 correspond to the reply process.

[0070] 5, after transmitting the transmission data in step S23, the master side wireless IC 42 determines whether or not response data has been returned from the slave side wireless IC 32, which is the transmission destination (step S29). Specifically, after transmitting the transmission data in step S23, the master side wireless IC 42 determines whether or not response data has been received before a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0071] If the determination result in step S24 is negative, that is, the slave-side wireless IC 32 does not return response data, the determination result in step S29 is negative. Even if the determination result in step S24 is positive, that is, the slave-side wireless IC 32 returns response data, if the master-side wireless IC 42 cannot receive the response data due to a communication failure or the like, the determination result in step S29 is negative.

[0072] If the judgment result in step S29 is negative, i.e., if the response data cannot be received, the parent device wireless IC 42 evaluates the communication quality of the communication channel used when transmitting the transmission data to the child device wireless IC 32, i.e., the communication channel for data transmission selected in step S22, and stores the evaluation result in the channel map (step S30).

[0073] Specifically, in step S30, the master wireless IC 42 determines that the communication quality of the communication channel for data transmission selected in step S22 is poor. In this embodiment, when the master wireless IC 42 determines that the communication quality is poor, it stores the status of the communication channel as unusable (unselectable) in the channel map from the next time onwards. As a result, the communication channel will not be selected in step S22 from the next time onwards. Then, the master wireless IC 42 ends data communication for that period.

[0074] Therefore, when the master side wireless IC 42 of the present embodiment transmits the control data and no monitoring data is returned from the battery monitoring device 30, the master side wireless IC 42 functions as an evaluation unit that evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control data is poor. The process of step S30 corresponds to the evaluation process.

[0075] If the determination result in step S29 is positive, that is, if response data is returned, the master wireless IC 42 determines whether the communication quality of the communication channel used to transmit the response data was good (step S31). In step S31, the communication quality of the communication channel used is determined by performing the same process as in step S24. If the determination result is negative (if the communication quality is poor), the process proceeds to step S30.

[0076] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S31 is positive, that is, if the data is normally received (if the communication quality is good), the master wireless IC 42 transmits the monitoring data included in the received response data to the battery control MCU 41 (step S32). The battery control MCU 41 executes a predetermined process based on the monitoring data (step S33). Then, the master wireless IC 42 ends the data communication in the period.

[0077] As described above, the battery control device 40 periodically performs the above-mentioned data communication with the battery monitoring device 30 with which a connection has been established.

[0078] According to the battery monitoring system 100, the battery monitoring device 30, the battery control device 40, the wireless communication program, and the wireless communication method of the above-described embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.

[0079] When the battery monitoring device 30, which is a receiver, receives transmission data including control data (control information) from the battery control device 40, it judges the communication quality of the communication channel used for the transmission, and if the communication quality is good, it returns response data including monitoring data (control result), whereas if the communication quality is not good, it does not return the response data. This makes it possible to prevent the amount of communication data from increasing and the communication quality from further deteriorating, when the battery monitoring device 30 returns communication quality data to notify the battery control device 40 that the communication quality is poor.

[0080] Furthermore, if response data including monitoring data (control result) is not returned from the battery monitoring device 30 after the battery control device 40, which is a transmitter, transmits the transmission data including control data (control information), the battery control device 40 evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the transmission data is poor. Specifically, if the master wireless IC 42 does not receive response data within a predetermined time after transmitting the transmission data in step S23, the master wireless IC 42 evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel is poor. This allows the battery monitoring device 30 to indirectly notify the battery control device 40 that the communication quality is poor without directly notifying the battery control device 40 via wireless communication.

[0081] In addition, the battery control device 40 stores the communication channel determined to have poor communication quality in the channel map as unusable (unselectable) for the next and subsequent data communications. This prevents the communication channel with poor communication quality from being used from the next and subsequent data communications.

[0082] The communication channels include a communication channel for establishing a connection used to establish a wireless communication connection, and a communication channel for transmitting data used to transmit and receive battery information, and the battery control device 40 evaluates the communication channel when the communication channel for transmitting data is used, thereby preventing the communication channel for establishing a connection from becoming unavailable.

[0083] The battery monitoring device 30 selects the same communication channel as the communication channel used when receiving the transmission data transmitted by the battery control device 40, and replies with the response data to the battery control device 40. In other words, the response data is replies using a communication channel with good communication quality. This makes it possible to prevent the communication quality of a communication channel with poor communication quality from being further deteriorated by the response data when a communication channel with poor communication quality is used.

[0084] Second embodiment A second embodiment in which a part of the configuration of the battery monitoring system 100 of the first embodiment is modified will be described.

[0085] The flow of data communication processing in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations and drawings will be omitted. The following mainly describes the processes according to the second embodiment.

[0086] In the second embodiment, if the judgment result in step S29 is negative or if the judgment result in step S31 is negative, the parent device side wireless IC 42 evaluates the communication quality of the communication channel used when transmitting the transmission data to the child device side wireless IC 32, i.e., the communication channel for data transmission selected in step S22, and updates the channel map (step S130).

[0087] In step S130, the master wireless IC 42 determines that the communication quality of the communication channel for data transmission selected in step S22 is poor, and adds 1 to the number of failures indicating the number of times that the communication quality of the communication channel has been determined to be poor. This number of failures is stored in the channel map in association with each communication channel, as shown in FIG.

[0088] Then, the master wireless IC 42 judges whether the number of failures after adding 1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number threshold (step S131). The number threshold is an arbitrary value, but is set to "5" in the third embodiment. If the judgment result is positive, the master wireless IC 42 stores the status of the communication channel as unusable (unselectable) in the channel map (step S132). For example, as in the case of communication channels ch1, ch12, ch23, and ch34 shown in FIG. 11, when the number of failures is 5 or more, the status of the communication channel becomes unusable. As a result, the communication channel is not selected in step S22 from the next time onwards. Then, the master wireless IC 42 ends the data communication in the period.

[0089] If the result of this determination is negative, the master wireless IC 42 ends the data communication in that period.

[0090] The second embodiment provides the following advantages.

[0091] The communication quality may become poor due to the external environment. For example, when there is a lot of noise from the outside, or when the vehicle 10 vibrates a lot due to the road surface or other conditions, the communication quality is likely to become poor. In such a case, if all communication channels with poor communication quality are immediately made unselectable, there is a risk that there will be too many unselectable communication channels, leaving little room for choice. Therefore, the number of times that the communication quality is determined to be poor is stored, and only when the number of times is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold, the communication channels are made unselectable (unusable). This makes it possible to reduce the number of unselectable communication channels.

[0092] In the second embodiment, the number threshold may be changed arbitrarily. The battery control device 40 may also include a threshold setting unit that changes the number threshold depending on the vehicle state or the communication speed. For example, the master wireless IC 42 may increase the number threshold (e.g., change it from "5" to "7") when the vehicle speed as the vehicle state is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the number of communication channels that are unnecessarily made unselectable, even when the vehicle 10 moves at high speed and vibrations transmitted from the vehicle 10 to the battery pack 11 increase, resulting in a predicted deterioration in communication quality (communication environment). The vehicle speed may be acquired directly from a vehicle speed sensor or indirectly via the battery control MCU 41.

[0093] In addition, the master side wireless IC 42 may increase the number threshold value when the communication speed is set to a predetermined value or higher. In other words, by increasing the communication speed, the possibility that the communication quality is poor increases, but in this case, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of communication channels that are unselectable.

[0094] Furthermore, when the vehicle 10 is traveling in an environment with a lot of external noise, for example, when the vehicle 10 is traveling near a radio tower, the master wireless IC 42 may be modified to increase the number of times threshold. This can prevent an increase in the number of communication channels that are unnecessarily made unselectable even when the vehicle 10 is traveling in an environment with a lot of external noise and the communication quality (communication environment) is predicted to deteriorate. Whether or not the vehicle 10 is traveling in an environment with a lot of external noise may be obtained indirectly via the battery control MCU 41, or the external noise may be measured directly.

[0095] In the above modification, the master-side wireless IC 42 functions as a threshold setting unit, but the battery control MCU 41 may function as a threshold setting unit. In this case, the battery control MCU 41 may notify the master-side wireless IC 42 of the number threshold.

[0096] Third embodiment A third embodiment in which the configuration of the battery monitoring system 100 of the first embodiment is partially modified will be described.

[0097] The battery control device 40 of the third embodiment is configured to perform data communication with multiple battery monitoring devices 30, and is configured to determine that some abnormality has occurred in the battery monitoring system 100 or the battery control device 40 if response data is not returned multiple times in succession from all of the battery monitoring devices 30.

[0098] The flow of the system abnormality determination process in the third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 12. The system abnormality determination process is executed by the master side wireless IC 42 at predetermined intervals, more specifically, at each data communication interval.

[0099] First, the parent device wireless IC 42 reads the number of communication errors and determines whether the number of communication errors is greater than "0" (step S201). The number of communication errors indicates the number of times that the communication quality was determined to be poor in the data communication described in Figs. 4 and 5, and is stored in the parent device wireless IC 42 or the like. Specifically, it indicates the number of times that the communication quality was determined to be poor in step S30. Note that the number of times when the connection establishment process (step S10) was not performed normally, that is, the number of times when the connection could not be established, may also be included.

[0100] If the determination result is positive, the master wireless IC 42 increments the communication count counter by 1 to update the value (step S202). The communication count counter indicates the number of times data communication (the process of step S203) has been performed since the number of communication errors became 1 or more, and is stored in the master wireless IC 42 or the like.

[0101] If the determination result in step S201 is negative, or after the process in step S202, the process related to the data communication described in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (the process in steps S20 to S33) is performed (step S203). Note that if the connection has already been established, the connection establishment process (step S10) is skipped and the process related to the data communication is performed.

[0102] After the process related to the data communication is completed, the master wireless IC 42 determines whether or not a communication error has occurred in the data communication (step S204). Specifically, if the communication quality is determined to be poor in step S30, it is determined that a communication error has occurred. Note that, if the connection establishment process is not performed normally, it may also be determined that a communication error has occurred.

[0103] If the determination result in step S204 is positive, the master wireless IC 42 adds 1 to the number of communication errors and updates the value (step S205). Next, the master wireless IC 42 determines whether the updated number of communication errors is greater than a predetermined abnormality determination threshold (step S206). The abnormality determination threshold is a value of 2 or more, and is 5 in this embodiment.

[0104] If the determination result is positive, the master side wireless IC 42 sets a system abnormality flag to "1" indicating that some abnormality has occurred in the battery monitoring system 100 or the battery control device 40 (step S207). Then, the master side wireless IC 42 notifies an external higher-level ECU (such as the vehicle ECU 14) that an abnormality has occurred in the battery monitoring system 100 or the battery control device 40 (step S208). Then, the series of processes ends.

[0105] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S204 or step S206 is negative, the master side wireless IC 42 determines whether the communication count counter is smaller than a set value (step S209). If the result of this determination is positive, the series of processes ends. The set value is, for example, 5.

[0106] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S209 is negative, the master side wireless IC 42 initializes the communication count counter and the communication error count, i.e., sets them to "0" (step S210). In other words, if no communication error equal to or greater than the abnormality determination threshold occurs during the period from when a communication error occurs until the communication count counter reaches a set value or more, the master side wireless IC 42 initializes the communication count counter as being normal.

[0107] According to the third embodiment, if response data is not returned multiple times consecutively within a certain period of time, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred in the battery monitoring system 100 or the battery control device 40, making it possible to discover the abnormality in the battery monitoring system 100 or the battery control device 40. Therefore, the battery control device 40 of this embodiment functions as an abnormality determination unit.

[0108] (Fourth embodiment) A fourth embodiment in which a part of the configuration of the battery monitoring system 100 of the first embodiment is modified will be described.

[0109] The battery control device 40 of the fourth embodiment is configured to perform data communication with multiple battery monitoring devices 30, and is configured to determine that some abnormality has occurred in a specific battery monitoring device 30 if response data is not returned from that specific battery monitoring device 30 multiple times in succession.

[0110] The flow of the child unit abnormality determination process in the fourth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 13. The child unit abnormality determination process is executed by the parent unit wireless IC 42 at predetermined intervals, more specifically, at each data communication interval.

[0111] First, the master-side wireless IC 42 selects a battery monitoring device 30 to be a communication partner from among a plurality of battery monitoring devices 30 with which communication is possible, in accordance with a predetermined order (step S301). Then, the master-side wireless IC 42 reads the number of child device communication errors of the selected battery monitoring device 30, and judges whether the number of child device communication errors is greater than "0" (step S302). The number of child device communication errors is stored for each battery monitoring device 30, and indicates the number of times that the communication quality was determined to be poor in the data communication described in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 for each battery monitoring device 30. Specifically, it indicates the number of times that the communication quality was determined to be poor in step S30 for each battery monitoring device 30. Note that the number of times when the connection establishment process (step S10) was not performed normally, that is, the number of times when the connection could not be established, may be included.

[0112] If the determination result is positive, the master side wireless IC 42 adds 1 to the child device communication count counter of the battery monitoring device 30 selected in step S301 to update the value (step S303). The child device communication count counter is stored for each battery monitoring device 30, and indicates the number of times data communication (the processing of step S304) has been performed with the battery monitoring device 30 selected in step S301 since the child device communication error count became 1 or more.

[0113] If the determination result in step S302 is negative, or after the process in step S303, the process related to the data communication described in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (the process in steps S20 to S33) is performed (step S304). Note that if the connection has already been established, the connection establishment process (step S10) is skipped and the process related to the data communication is performed.

[0114] After the process related to the data communication is completed, the master wireless IC 42 determines whether or not a communication error has occurred with the battery monitoring device 30, which is the communication partner in the data communication (step S305). Specifically, if it is determined in step S30 that the communication quality is poor, it is determined that a communication error has occurred. Note that it may also be determined that a communication error has occurred if the connection establishment process is not performed normally.

[0115] If the determination result in step S305 is positive, the master side wireless IC 42 adds 1 to the number of child device communication errors of the battery monitoring device 30 selected in step S301, and updates the value (step S306). Next, the master side wireless IC 42 determines whether the updated number of child device communication errors is greater than a predetermined child device abnormality determination threshold (step S307). The child device abnormality determination threshold is a value of 2 or more, and is 5 in this embodiment.

[0116] If the determination result is positive, the master wireless IC 42 sets the slave abnormality flag, which indicates that some abnormality has occurred in the battery monitoring device 30 of the communication partner (the partner selected in step S301), to "1" (step S308). Then, the master wireless IC 42 notifies an external higher-level ECU (such as the vehicle ECU 14) that an abnormality has occurred in the battery monitoring device 30 (step S309). At this time, the master wireless IC 42 may also notify the identification number (ID) of the communication partner battery monitoring device 30. Then, the series of processes ends.

[0117] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S305 or step S307 is negative, the master side wireless IC 42 determines whether the slave communication number counter is smaller than a set value (step S310). The set value is an arbitrary value, for example, 5. If the determination result is positive, the series of processes ends.

[0118] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S310 is negative, the master side wireless IC 42 initializes the slave communication count counter and the slave communication error count, i.e., sets them to "0" (step S311). In other words, if no communication error occurs equal to or exceeds the slave abnormality determination threshold during the period from when a communication error occurs until the slave communication count counter reaches a set value or more, the master side wireless IC 42 initializes the slave communication count counter as being normal.

[0119] According to the fourth embodiment, when response data is not returned from a specific battery monitoring device 30 multiple times in succession, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred in the specific battery monitoring device 30, making it possible to discover the abnormality in the battery monitoring device 30. Thus, the battery control device 40 of this embodiment functions as an abnormality determination unit.

[0120] (Modification) The configuration of the battery monitoring system 100 in the above embodiment may be partially modified as described below. A modified example with some modifications will be described.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the parent device wireless IC 42 has a function as an evaluation unit, but the battery control MCU 41 may have a function as an evaluation unit. Also, the selection of a communication channel may be performed by the battery control MCU 41. Similarly, the setting of a communication channel as unselectable may be performed by the battery control MCU 41.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the slave side wireless IC 32 has a function as a communication quality determination unit, but the monitoring IC 31 may have a function as a communication quality determination unit. Similarly, the slave side wireless IC 32 has a function as a reply unit, but the monitoring IC 31 may have a function as a reply unit.

[0123] In the third or fourth embodiment, the number threshold may be changed according to the distance between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40. The number threshold may also be changed according to the shielding properties of the battery pack 11 and the size of the internal space of the battery pack 11. For example, when the shielding properties are high and external noise is low, the number threshold may be small.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the slave wireless IC 32 may use any communication channel when returning the response data.

[0125] In step S24 of the above embodiment, the threshold value (such as intensity threshold value or error rate) used to determine whether the communication quality is poor may be changed. For example, the threshold value may be changed according to the vehicle state or the communication speed. Also, the threshold value may be changed according to the distance between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40. Also, the threshold value may be changed according to the shielding property or size of the battery pack 11.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the connection establishment process (step S10) may be executed when the battery pack 11 is receiving power from an external charging device outside the vehicle. In this case, the external charging device and the battery monitoring device 30 may execute the connection establishment process instead of the battery control device 40, and data communication may be performed between the external charging device and the battery monitoring device 30. In other words, the external charging device may obtain and monitor battery information of the battery cells 22 instead of the battery control device 40.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the distance between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 is the communication distance between the parent unit side wireless antenna 43 and the child unit side wireless antenna 33. If there is no obstacle between the parent unit side wireless antenna 43 and the child unit side wireless antenna 33, the communication distance is the distance between the parent unit side wireless antenna 43 and the child unit side wireless antenna 33 in a straight line, as shown in Fig. 3. On the other hand, if there is an obstacle between the parent unit side wireless antenna 43 and the child unit side wireless antenna 33, the communication distance is the shortest distance in the wireless communication path along which radio waves travel, taking into account reflected waves.

[0128] In the above embodiment, even if the status of any communication channel becomes unavailable, the status may be reset at a predetermined timing, for example, when the ignition switch is turned off. Also, the status may be reset (initialized) when the vehicle state or communication speed is changed. Also, when a predetermined number or more of communication channels become unavailable, some or all of the communication channels may be reset.

[0129] In the above embodiment, if the status of any communication channel becomes unavailable (unselectable), the communication channels in the adjacent frequency bands may also be made unavailable because the communication quality of the adjacent frequency bands is likely to be poor. For example, if communication channel ch23 becomes unavailable, communication channels ch22 and ch24 may also be made unavailable.

[0130] In the above third embodiment, the parent side wireless IC 42 determined that an abnormality has occurred if it was unable to receive monitoring data (control result) from the battery monitoring device 30 a predetermined number of times in succession. However, it may also determine that an abnormality has occurred if it is unable to receive monitoring data from the battery monitoring device 30 a predetermined number of times within a certain period of time.

[0131] In the above fourth embodiment, the parent side wireless IC 42 determined that an abnormality has occurred if it was unable to receive monitoring data (control result) a predetermined number of times consecutively from a specific battery monitoring device 30. However, it may also determine that an abnormality has occurred if it is unable to receive monitoring data a predetermined number of times from a specific battery monitoring device 30 within a certain period of time.

[0132] The control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by a special-purpose computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit and the method described in the present disclosure may be realized by one or more special-purpose computers configured by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. In addition, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by a computer.

[0133] Characteristic configurations extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described below.

[0134] [Configuration 1] In a battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring battery units (20, 21, 22), a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels; a receiver (30) that performs various controls according to the control information and returns the control results; The receiver includes: A control unit (31) that performs control according to the control information; a communication quality determination unit (32) for determining a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received; a reply unit (32) that, when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, returns a control result by the control unit, and, when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good, does not return the control result; The transmitter includes: A battery monitoring system comprising an evaluation unit (42) that, if the control result is not returned from the receiver after the control information is transmitted, evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor.

[0135] [Configuration 2] The number of times that the communication quality is evaluated as poor by the evaluation unit is accumulated for each of the communication channels; 2. The battery monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter makes the communication channel in which the number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold unselectable.

[0136] [Configuration 3] 3. The battery monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the transmitter includes a threshold setting unit that changes the threshold depending on a vehicle state or a communication speed.

[0137] [Configuration 4] The battery monitoring system according to configuration 3 or 4, wherein the threshold setting unit changes the threshold when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, or when the vehicle is in an environment with a lot of external noise.

[0138] [Configuration 5] The communication channels include a communication channel for establishing a connection used for establishing a wireless communication connection, and a communication channel for transmitting and receiving battery information used for transmitting and receiving battery information, the transmitter selects a communication channel for transmitting the battery information when transmitting the control information; 5. The battery monitoring system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates the communication channel for transmitting and receiving battery information when the communication channel is used.

[0139] [Configuration 6] 6. The battery monitoring system according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the receiver returns the control result using the communication channel that was used when the transmitter transmitted the control information.

[0140] [Configuration 7] the transmitter is a battery control device that transmits, as the control information, control data requesting acquisition and transmission of battery information of the battery unit; A battery monitoring system described in any of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the receiver is a battery monitoring device that acquires battery information of the battery unit based on the received control data and replies with the acquired battery information as the control result.

[0141] [Configuration 8] A plurality of the battery monitoring devices are provided, The battery monitoring system of configuration 7, wherein the battery control device is provided with an abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in a specific battery monitoring device among the multiple battery monitoring devices when the battery control device is unable to receive the control result from the specific battery monitoring device a predetermined number of times in succession.

[0142] [Configuration 9] A plurality of the battery monitoring devices are provided, The battery monitoring system of configuration 7 or 8, wherein the battery control device is provided with an abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the battery monitoring system or the battery control device when the battery control device fails to receive the control result from the battery monitoring device a predetermined number of times in succession.

[0143] [Configuration 10] A battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring a battery unit (20, 21, 22) includes a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver (30) for performing various controls in accordance with the control information and returning the control results, the transmitter includes an evaluation unit (42) that evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor when the control result is not returned from the receiver after transmitting the control information, A control unit (31) that performs control according to the control information; a communication quality determination unit (32) for determining a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received; A receiver for a battery monitoring system comprising: a reply unit (32) that replies with a control result by the control unit when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, and that does not reply with the control result when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good.

[0144] [Configuration 11] A battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring a battery unit (20, 21, 22) includes a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver (30) for performing various controls according to the control information and returning the control results, The receiver includes a control unit (31) that performs control according to the control information, a communication quality determination unit (32) that determines a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received, and a reply unit (32) that returns a control result by the control unit when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, but does not return the control result when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good; a transmitter for a battery monitoring system comprising an evaluation unit (42) that, if the control result is not returned from the receiver after the control information is transmitted, evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor.

[0145] [Configuration 12] A battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring a battery unit (20, 21, 22), the battery monitoring system including a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver (30) for performing various controls in accordance with the control information and returning the control results, the wireless communication program being executed by the transmitter and receiver of the battery monitoring system, The receiver includes: A control process that performs control according to the control information; a communication quality determination process for determining a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received; a reply process of returning a control result of the control process when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is good, and not returning the control result when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is not good; The transmitter, A wireless communication program that performs an evaluation process to evaluate the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information as poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after the control information is transmitted.

[0146] [Configuration 13] A battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring a battery unit (20, 21, 22) includes a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver (30) for performing various controls according to the control information and returning the control results. A wireless communication method implemented by the transmitter and receiver of the battery monitoring system includes the following: The receiver, A control process that performs control according to the control information; a communication quality determination process for determining a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received; a reply process of returning a control result of the control process when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is good, and not returning the control result when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is not good; The transmitter, A wireless communication method comprising: performing an evaluation process for evaluating that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after the control information is transmitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 20... battery pack, 21... battery block, 22... battery cell, 30... battery monitoring device, 31... monitoring IC, 32... child device side wireless IC, 40... battery control device, 42... parent device side wireless IC, 100... battery monitoring system, 41... battery control MCU.

Claims

1. In a battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring battery units (20, 21, 22), a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels; a receiver (30) that performs various controls according to the control information and returns the control results; The receiver includes: A control unit (31) that performs control according to the control information; a communication quality determination unit (32) for determining a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received; a reply unit (32) that, when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, returns a control result by the control unit, and, when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good, does not return the control result; The transmitter includes: A battery monitoring system comprising an evaluation unit (42) that, if the control result is not returned from the receiver after the control information is transmitted, evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor.

2. The number of times that the communication quality is evaluated as poor by the evaluation unit is accumulated for each of the communication channels; The battery monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitter makes the communication channel in which the number of times is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold unselectable.

3. The battery monitoring system according to claim 2 , wherein the transmitter includes a threshold setting unit that changes the threshold depending on a vehicle state or a communication speed.

4. The battery monitoring system according to claim 3 , wherein the threshold setting unit changes the threshold when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed, or when the vehicle is in an environment with a lot of external noise.

5. The communication channels include a communication channel for establishing a connection used for establishing a wireless communication connection, and a communication channel for transmitting and receiving battery information used for transmitting and receiving battery information, the transmitter selects a communication channel for transmitting the battery information when transmitting the control information; 5. The battery monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates the communication channel for transmitting and receiving battery information when the communication channel is used.

6. The battery monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiver returns the control result using a communication channel used when the transmitter transmitted the control information.

7. the transmitter is a battery control device that transmits, as the control information, control data requesting acquisition and transmission of battery information of the battery unit; A battery monitoring system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiver is a battery monitoring device that acquires battery information of the battery unit based on the received control data and replies with the acquired battery information as the control result.

8. A plurality of the battery monitoring devices are provided, The battery monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the battery control device is provided with an abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in a specific battery monitoring device among the plurality of battery monitoring devices when the battery control device is unable to receive the control result from the specific battery monitoring device a predetermined number of times in succession.

9. A plurality of the battery monitoring devices are provided, The battery monitoring system according to claim 7 , further comprising an abnormality determination unit that determines that an abnormality has occurred in the battery monitoring system or the battery control device when the battery control device fails to receive the control result from the battery monitoring device a predetermined number of times in succession.

10. A battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring a battery unit (20, 21, 22) includes a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver (30) for performing various controls according to the control information and returning the control results, the transmitter includes an evaluation unit (42) that evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor when the control result is not returned from the receiver after transmitting the control information, A control unit (31) that performs control according to the control information; a communication quality determination unit (32) for determining a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received; A receiver for a battery monitoring system comprising: a reply unit (32) that replies with a control result by the control unit when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, and does not reply with the control result when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good.

11. A battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring a battery unit (20, 21, 22) includes a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver (30) for performing various controls according to the control information and returning the control results, The receiver includes a control unit (31) that performs control according to the control information, a communication quality determination unit (32) that determines a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received, and a reply unit (32) that returns a control result by the control unit when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is good, but does not return the control result when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination unit is not good, A transmitter of a battery monitoring system comprising an evaluation unit (42) that evaluates that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after the control information is transmitted.

12. A battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring a battery unit (20, 21, 22) includes a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver (30) for performing various controls according to the control information and returning the control results. A wireless communication program executed by the transmitter and receiver of the battery monitoring system, The receiver includes: A control process that performs control according to the control information; a communication quality determination process for determining a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received; a reply process of returning a control result of the control process when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is good, and not returning the control result when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is not good; The transmitter, A wireless communication program that performs an evaluation process to evaluate the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information as poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after the control information is transmitted.

13. A battery monitoring system (100) for monitoring a battery unit (20, 21, 22) includes a transmitter (40) for transmitting control information by wireless communication using a communication channel selected from a plurality of communication channels, and a receiver (30) for performing various controls according to the control information and returning the control results. A wireless communication method implemented by the transmitter and receiver of the battery monitoring system includes the following: The receiver, A control process that performs control according to the control information; a communication quality determination process for determining a communication quality of a communication channel used for transmission when the control information is received; a reply process of returning a control result of the control process when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is good, and not returning the control result when the communication quality determined by the communication quality determination process is not good; The transmitter, A wireless communication method comprising: performing an evaluation process for evaluating that the communication quality of the communication channel selected when transmitting the control information is poor if the control result is not returned from the receiver after the control information is transmitted.

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