Battery management system

Abstract

To allow power consumption to be reduced in a battery management system in which a voltage detection device and a management device wirelessly communicate with each other.SOLUTION: A management device 3 includes an occupant detection unit 3b that detects that a driver has entered a vehicle, and can transition between a normal communication mode in which the management device can communicate with a voltage detection device 2, which makes it possible to manage a battery module M, and a low communication mode in which the management device communicates with the voltage detection device 2 less frequently than in the normal communication mode. When the occupant detection unit 3b detects that the driver has entered the vehicle and a startup operation performed by the driver after entering the vehicle has begun, the management device transitions from the low communication mode to the normal communication mode, and when the startup operation is not completed, the management device transitions from the normal communication mode to the low communication mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery management system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery monitoring device mounted on a vehicle. The battery monitoring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a battery ECU, a satellite provided for each battery module, and a wireless module that performs wireless communication between the battery ECU and the satellite. The battery monitoring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can quickly start monitoring the battery modules by wirelessly connecting the battery ECU and the satellite before the start switch of the vehicle's power plant is turned on. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-78115 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in the battery monitoring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a wireless connection between the battery ECU and the satellite is started based on an unlocking signal from a controller of a keyless entry device. That is, in Patent Document 1, a voltage detection device such as a satellite and a management device that manages a battery module based on a detection result of the voltage detection device are capable of wireless communication, and the voltage detection device and the management device are in a state in which wireless communication is possible before an ignition switch (start switch) is turned on. However, in order to maintain a state in which wireless communication is possible between the voltage detection device and the management device to an extent that the battery module can be managed, the processing load of the voltage detection device and the management device becomes large, and power consumption increases. For this reason, for example, even if an occupant gets into a vehicle to take a rest in the vehicle without driving the vehicle, the state in which wireless communication is possible between the voltage detection device and the management device is unnecessarily maintained, resulting in high power consumption.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to make it possible to reduce power consumption in a battery management system in which a voltage detection device and a management device perform wireless communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention employs the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a battery management system comprising a voltage detection device that detects the voltage of a battery module mounted on a vehicle, and a management device that is capable of wireless communication with the voltage detection device and manages the battery module based on the detection results of the voltage detection device, wherein the management device has an occupant detection unit that detects when an occupant has boarded the vehicle, and is capable of transitioning between a normal communication mode in which communication with the voltage detection device is possible in a state where the battery module can be managed, and a low communication mode in which communication with the voltage detection device is less frequent than in the normal communication mode, and when the occupant detection unit detects that the occupant has boarded the vehicle and a startup operation performed by the occupant after boarding has been initiated, the management device transitions from the low communication mode to the normal communication mode, and when the startup operation is not completed, the management device transitions from the normal communication mode to the low communication mode. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, even if an occupant gets in the vehicle and starts the startup operation to transition to the normal communication mode, if the startup operation is not completed, the vehicle transitions to the low communication mode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the normal communication mode from being maintained when the occupant has no intention of driving the vehicle. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption in a battery management system in which a voltage detection device and a management device wirelessly communicate with each other. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a battery pack having a battery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a battery management system in one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a battery management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 equipped with a battery management system 1 of the present embodiment. The vehicle 100 is an electrically powered vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The vehicle 100 is equipped with a wide variety of components for driving the vehicle 100, etc. FIG. 1 shows some of these components that are related to the battery management system 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 is equipped with a seat 101, a car navigation device 102 (electronic device), a brake pedal 103, an ignition switch 104, a battery pack 105, and a motor 106 (power unit).

[0012] The seat 101 is disposed inside the vehicle 100 and is a component on which a passenger riding in the vehicle 100 sits. A plurality of seats 101 are provided for the vehicle 100. One of these seats 101 is for a passenger (driver 200) to sit on while driving the vehicle 100, and is located at the front of the vehicle 100. The driver 200 sits above the seating surface and in front of the back of the seat 101, which is the riding position of the driver 200.

[0013] The car navigation device 102 is an electronic device that provides the driver 200 with information on the current position of the vehicle 100 and a route to the destination. The car navigation device 102 is disposed in front of the driver 200's riding position. In this embodiment, the car navigation device 102 emits a radiated radio wave D (radio wave) for determining whether the driver 200 is sitting in the riding position. This radiated radio wave D may be a dedicated radio wave or may be a radio wave used for other purposes.

[0014] The car navigation device 102 also emits the radiated radio waves D when the vehicle 100 is stopped and the ignition switch 104 is turned off. In this embodiment, the car navigation device 102 is disposed so as to sandwich the riding position of the driver 200 between the car navigation device 102 and a management device 3 (to be described later) of the battery management system 1.

[0015] In this embodiment, the electronic device that emits the radiated radio waves D is a car navigation device 102. However, the electronic device that emits the radiated radio waves D may be a drive recorder device or an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection System) in-vehicle device. Also, a dedicated electronic device that emits the radiated radio waves D may be provided.

[0016] The brake pedal 103 is a pedal that is operated by the driver 200 to stop the moving vehicle 100. The brake pedal 103 is disposed at the feet of the driver 200, and is operated by the driver 200 stepping on it with his / her foot.

[0017] In this embodiment, a sensor (not shown) that detects the operation of the brake pedal 103 is electrically connected to the battery management system 1, and a signal indicating that the brake pedal 103 is depressed is input to the battery management system 1.

[0018] The ignition switch 104 is a switch that the driver 200 operates to start the motor 106, which is a power unit. The ignition switch 104 can be switched between an on state and an off state, for example, by being pressed down. The ignition switch 104 may also be switched between an on state and an off state, for example, by being rotated. As shown in FIG. 1, the ignition switch 104 is located in front of the driver 200.

[0019] When the ignition switch 104 is changed from an off state to an on state, the motor 106 can generate power. The motor 106 generates power when power is supplied from the battery pack 105. A power conversion device (not shown) is provided between the battery pack 105 and the motor 106. The power conversion device converts, for example, DC power output from the battery pack 105 into AC power and supplies it to the motor 106. For example, when the brake pedal 103 is depressed, the ignition switch 104 is changed from an off state to an on state, which activates the power conversion device (not shown) and enables the motor 106 to operate.

[0020] The battery pack 105 is accommodated, for example, in the bottom of the vehicle 100. The battery pack 105 includes a storage case. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the battery pack 105. The battery pack 105 includes a plurality of battery modules M, a plurality of voltage detection devices 2, and a single management device 3. The battery modules M, the plurality of voltage detection devices 2, and the single management device 3 are accommodated inside the storage case. The plurality of voltage detection devices 2 and the single management device 3 are included in the battery management system 1 of this embodiment.

[0021] Each battery module M includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series. The battery module M is a secondary battery that supplies DC power of an output voltage (battery voltage) obtained by adding up the electromotive voltages of the plurality of battery cells to an external load. Such a battery module M is, for example, a lithium ion battery. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 105 includes a plurality of battery modules M. These battery modules M are connected in series.

[0022] The battery management system 1 of the present embodiment is provided in a battery pack 105, and as described above, includes a plurality of voltage detection devices 2 and a single management device 3. The battery management system 1 of the present embodiment manages the battery modules M provided in the battery pack 105. For example, the management of the battery modules M includes monitoring the total voltage of the battery modules M and the voltage of each battery cell (cell voltage).

[0023] Furthermore, the management of the battery module M may include an equalization process for equalizing the voltages of the individual battery cells. The management of the battery module M may also include changing the connection state of the battery module M with an external device (e.g., a power conversion device). For example, the battery management system 1 changes the connection state of the battery module M with the external device by controlling a contactor provided between the battery module M and the external device.

[0024] The voltage detection device 2 is provided for each battery module M, detects the voltage of the battery module M, and outputs the detection result. Each voltage detection device 2 is capable of detecting the voltage (cell voltage) of each of the multiple battery cells included in the battery module M. Such a voltage detection device 2 detects the voltage of the battery module M mounted on the vehicle 100.

[0025] Each voltage detection device 2 includes, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit and a memory mounted on a board, and functions when these hardware components operate based on a predetermined program. Such a voltage detection device 2 includes, for example, a discharge circuit for discharging each of the battery cells. The voltage detection device 2 can equalize the cell voltages using these discharge circuits under the control of the management device 3.

[0026] 2, in this embodiment, each voltage detection device 2 includes a wireless communication antenna 2a. The wireless communication antenna 2a is an antenna for wireless communication with the management device 3. That is, in this embodiment, each voltage detection device 2 is connected to the management device 3 inside the storage case of the battery pack 105 so as to be able to wirelessly communicate with each other.

[0027] The management device 3 judges the state of the battery modules M based on the detection results input from each voltage detection device 2, and manages each battery module M based on the judgment results. In other words, the management device 3 is capable of wireless communication with the voltage detection devices 2, and manages the battery modules M based on the detection results of the voltage detection devices 2. The management device 3 includes, for example, a one-chip microcomputer mounted on a board, and functions when such hardware operates based on a predetermined program.

[0028] 2, the management device 3 includes a wireless communication antenna 3a (receiving antenna). The wireless communication antenna 3a of the management device 3 is an antenna for performing wireless communication with each voltage detection device 2. In addition, the wireless communication antenna 3a of the management device 3 is capable of receiving a radiated radio wave D radiated from the car navigation device 102.

[0029] 1, the wireless communication antenna 3a of the management device 3 is disposed between the driver 200 and the car navigation device 102 mounted on the vehicle 100. In other words, when the driver 200 sits in the seat 101, the driver 200 is positioned between the car navigation device 102 and the wireless communication antenna 3a of the management device 3.

[0030] 2, the management device 3 has, as its functional units, an occupant detection unit 3b and a management control unit 3c. The occupant detection unit 3b detects that the driver 200 of the vehicle 100 has boarded the vehicle. In this embodiment, the occupant detection unit 3b detects that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle 100 based on the reception intensity at the wireless communication antenna 3a of the radiation radio wave D radiated from the car navigation device 102, which is an electronic device mounted on the vehicle 100.

[0031] The radiated radio waves D radiated from the car navigation device 102 are attenuated as they pass through the human body. Therefore, the reception strength of the radiated radio waves D at the wireless communication antenna 3a when the driver 200 is sitting in the seat 101 is smaller than when the driver 200 is not sitting in the seat 101. Therefore, the occupant detection unit 3b determines that the driver 200 has got in the car when the reception strength of the radiated radio waves D at the wireless communication antenna 3a becomes weak.

[0032] For example, the occupant detection unit 3b compares a threshold based on the reception strength of the radiated radio wave D at the wireless communication antenna 3a when the driver 200 is not sitting in the seat 101 with the current reception strength of the radiated radio wave D at the wireless communication antenna 3a, and determines that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle when the current reception strength falls below the threshold. When the occupant detection unit 3b detects that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle, it inputs a detection result indicating this to the management control unit 3c.

[0033] The management control unit 3c performs control for managing the battery modules M. In this embodiment, the management control unit 3c determines the state of charge and the like of the battery modules M based on the voltages of the battery modules M (battery cells) input from the voltage detection device 2. Furthermore, for example, the management control unit 3c determines whether or not equalization processing of the cell voltages is necessary, and if it is determined that equalization processing is necessary, causes the voltage detection device 2 to execute the equalization processing.

[0034] Moreover, in this embodiment, the management control unit 3c controls each voltage detection device 2. Specifically, the management control unit 3c controls the voltage detection device 2 to change the state of the voltage detection device 2 between a normal startup mode and a sleep mode. The normal startup mode is a mode in which the voltage detection device 2 detects the voltage of the battery module M (battery cell) and can transmit the detection result to the management device 3. In this normal startup mode, information that enables the management device 3 to manage the battery module M can be transmitted from the voltage detection device 2 to the management device 3 via the wireless communication antenna 2a and the wireless communication antenna 3a. When the vehicle 100 is in a state in which it is possible to run, the voltage detection device 2 is in the normal startup mode.

[0035] The sleep mode is a mode in which communication between the voltage detection device 2 and the management device 3 occurs less frequently than in the normal startup mode. Here, less frequent communication also includes no communication between the voltage detection device 2 and the management device 3. For example, when the operation of the motor 106 is stopped and the vehicle 100 cannot run, the voltage detection device 2 enters the sleep mode.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment, the management control unit 3c can transition the state of the management device 3 between a normal communication mode and a low communication mode. That is, the management device 3 can transition between the normal communication mode and the low communication mode.

[0037] The normal communication mode is a mode in which communication with the voltage detection device 2 is possible to manage the battery module M. In this normal communication mode, wireless communication with the voltage detection device 2 is frequently performed. When the management control unit 3c is to enter the normal communication mode, it sets the voltage detection device 2 to a normal startup mode.

[0038] The low communication mode is a mode in which communication with the voltage detection device 2 is less frequent than in the normal communication mode. Low communication frequency here also includes no communication between the voltage detection device 2 and the management device 3, as described above. For example, in the low communication mode, it is not necessary to manage the battery module M based on the detection result of the voltage detection device 2. Also, in the low communication mode, the power stored in the battery module M is hardly consumed, so communication between the management device 3 and the voltage detection device 2 may be performed much less frequently than in the normal communication mode.

[0039] For example, in the case where a communication module having a wireless communication antenna 3a is provided, in the low communication mode, the communication module is activated only when communication is to be performed. Therefore, the power consumption of the communication module in the low communication mode, in which communication is infrequent or not performed, is extremely small. On the other hand, in the normal communication mode, communication can be performed frequently so that the vehicle 100 can be driven immediately, so that the communication module is constantly activated. Therefore, the power consumption in the normal communication mode is larger than that in the low communication mode.

[0040] That is, in this embodiment, the management device 3 can transition between a low communication mode in which power consumption is relatively low and a normal communication mode in which power consumption is relatively high. In this embodiment, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 transitions the management device 3 from the low communication mode to the normal communication mode when two conditions are met in the low communication mode: the driver 200 has gotten in the vehicle and the brake pedal 103 has been depressed.

[0041] The management control unit 3c determines that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle when a detection result indicating that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle is input from the passenger detection unit 3b. In other words, the management control unit 3c determines that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle when the passenger detection unit 3b detects that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle.

[0042] In addition, the management control unit 3c determines that the brake pedal 103 has been depressed when a signal indicating that the brake pedal 103 has been depressed (brake pedal operation signal) is input from a sensor (not shown) that detects the operation of the brake pedal 103.

[0043] The motor 106 of the vehicle 100 can be operated by switching the ignition switch 104 from an OFF state to an ON state (ON operation) while the brake pedal 103 is depressed. In this manner, the motor 106 is started by depressing the brake pedal 103 and turning on the ignition switch 104. Such depressing the brake pedal 103 and turning on the ignition switch 104 are start-up operations that the driver 200 performs after getting in the vehicle. Such a start-up operation is started by depressing the brake pedal 103 and completed by turning on the ignition switch 104.

[0044] In this embodiment, the management control unit 3c causes the management device 3 to transition from the low communication mode to the normal communication mode by depressing the brake pedal 103 after the driver 200 gets in the vehicle. That is, the management device 3 transitions from the low communication mode to the normal communication mode when the occupant detection unit 3b detects that the driver 200 has gotten in the vehicle and the startup operation performed by the driver 200 after getting in the vehicle is started. In this embodiment, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 starts the voltage detection device 2 when switching from the low communication mode to the normal communication mode. The management control unit 3c inputs a startup signal to the voltage detection device 2 via the wireless communication antenna 3a. This causes the voltage detection device 2 to switch from the sleep mode to the normal startup mode.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the start-up operation is not completed, the management control unit 3c transitions the management device 3 from the normal communication mode to the low communication mode. For example, if the brake pedal 103 is released after switching from the low communication mode to the normal communication mode as described above, the management control unit 3c determines that the start-up operation is not completed.

[0046] When the ignition switch 104 is turned on, the entire battery management system 1 of this embodiment is started up, the voltages detected by each voltage detection device 2 are input to the management device 3, and the management device 3 constantly manages the status of the battery module M.

[0047] Next, the operation of the battery management system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In the following description, the operation from the state in which the vehicle 100 is stopped and unable to travel until the entire battery management system 1 is started will be described. In other words, the operation described below starts from the state in which the voltage detection device 2 is in the sleep mode and the management device 3 is in the low communication mode.

[0048] When the ignition switch 104 is in the OFF state and no passenger is in the vehicle, the management device 3 is in the low communication mode (step S1) as described above. When the management device 3 is in the low communication mode, the voltage detection device 2 is in the sleep mode.

[0049] In this state, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 judges whether the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle (step S2). Here, the management control unit 3c judges that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle when a detection result indicating that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle is input from the passenger detection unit 3b. Note that the passenger detection unit 3b outputs a detection result indicating that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle when the reception strength of the radiated radio wave D at the wireless communication antenna 3a falls below a preset threshold.

[0050] When it is determined in step S2 that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle, the management control unit 3c may start up some functions of the management device 3 to perform preparation processing for transition to the normal communication mode.

[0051] Furthermore, if no detection result indicating that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle is input from the occupant detection unit 3b in step S2, the management control unit 3c determines that the driver 200 is not boarding the vehicle, and returns to step S1 again.

[0052] When it is determined in step S2 that the driver 200 has got in the vehicle, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 determines whether or not the brake pedal 103 has been depressed (step S3). Here, the management control unit 3c determines that the brake pedal 103 has been depressed when a brake pedal operation signal is input from a sensor (not shown).

[0053] When the brake pedal 103 is depressed, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 transitions the management device 3 to the normal communication mode (step S4). Depressing the brake pedal 103 is the start of the startup operation. In other words, when the startup operation is started after the driver 200 gets in the vehicle, the management control unit 3c transitions the management device 3 to the normal communication mode.

[0054] Next, the management control unit 3c starts up the voltage detection device 2 (step S5). When started up by the management control unit 3c, the voltage detection device 2 transitions from the sleep mode to the normal startup mode. In this way, the management device 3 goes into the normal communication mode and the voltage detection device 2 goes into the normal startup mode, so that the management device 3 and the voltage detection device 2 can manage the battery module M required for the vehicle 100 to travel.

[0055] Next, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 determines whether the brake pedal 103 has been released (step S6). Here, the management control unit 3c determines that the brake pedal 103 has been released when the brake pedal operation signal is no longer input from a sensor (not shown). When the brake pedal 103 is released, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 returns to step S1 again. That is, when the brake pedal 103 is released during the start-up operation without the ignition switch 104 being turned on, the management control unit 3c transitions the management device 3 to the low communication mode. At this time, the management control unit 3c transitions, for example, the voltage detection device 2 to a sleep mode. Thus, in the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, even if the start-up operation is started, if the start-up operation is not completed, the management device 3 transitions to the low communication mode again.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the brake pedal 103 has not been released, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 determines whether the ignition switch 104 has been turned on (step S7). Here, if an ignition switch on operation signal is input from the ignition switch 104, the management control unit 3c determines that the ignition switch 104 has been turned on.

[0057] When the ignition switch 104 is turned on in step S7, voltage detection results and control signals are transmitted and received between the management device 3 and the voltage detection device 2 to manage the battery module M. That is, the battery management system 1 of this embodiment is activated, and management of the battery module M required for the running of the vehicle 100 is started (step S8).

[0058] If the ignition switch 104 is not turned on in step S7, the management control unit 3c of the management device 3 returns to step S6 again. In other words, if the ignition switch 104 is not turned on with the brake pedal 103 depressed, the management device 3 waits by repeating steps S6 and S7.

[0059] The battery management system 1 of the present embodiment as described above includes a voltage detection device 2 and a management device 3. The voltage detection device 2 detects the voltage of the battery module M mounted on the vehicle 100. The management device 3 is capable of wireless communication with the voltage detection device 2 and manages the battery module M based on the detection result of the voltage detection device 2.

[0060] Furthermore, in the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, the management device 3 includes an occupant detection unit 3b that detects that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the management device 3 can transition between a normal communication mode and a low communication mode. The normal communication mode is a mode in which communication with the voltage detection device 2 is possible to enable management of the battery module M. The low communication mode is a mode in which communication with the voltage detection device 2 is performed less frequently than in the normal communication mode.

[0061] In addition, in the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, the management device 3 transitions from the low communication mode to the normal communication mode when the occupant detection unit 3b detects that the driver 200 has entered the vehicle and the start-up operation performed by the driver 200 after entering the vehicle is initiated.In addition, the management device 3 transitions from the normal communication mode to the low communication mode when the start-up operation is not completed.

[0062] According to the battery management system 1 of the present embodiment, even if the driver 200 starts the start-up operation after getting in the vehicle and transitions to the normal communication mode, if the start-up operation is not completed, the mode transitions to the low communication mode. This makes it possible to prevent the normal communication mode from being maintained when the driver 200 has no intention of driving the vehicle 100. Therefore, the battery management system 1 of the present embodiment makes it possible to reduce power consumption in the battery management system 1 in which the voltage detection device 2 and the management device 3 perform wireless communication.

[0063] Furthermore, in the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, the management device 3 includes a wireless communication antenna 3a that is arranged to sandwich the riding position of the driver 200 between the management device 3 and an electronic device mounted on the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the occupant detection unit 3b detects that the driver 200 has boarded the vehicle 100 based on the reception strength of radio waves (radiated radio waves D) radiated from the electronic device mounted on the vehicle 100 at the wireless communication antenna 3a.

[0064] The battery management system 1 of this embodiment detects that the driver 200 has entered the vehicle 100 by using radio waves emitted from an electronic device mounted on the vehicle 100. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the driver 200 has entered the vehicle 100 without providing a dedicated sensor for detecting that the driver 200 has entered the vehicle.

[0065] In the battery management system 1 of the present embodiment, the management device 3 includes a wireless communication antenna 3a that performs wireless communication with the voltage detection device 2. The management device 3 uses the wireless communication antenna 3a as a receiving antenna for detecting that the driver 200 has got in the vehicle.

[0066] The battery management system 1 of this embodiment can detect the entry of the driver 200 using the voltage detection device 2 and the wireless communication antenna 3a. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a receiving antenna for detecting the entry of the driver 200 in addition to the wireless communication antenna 3a. Therefore, the battery management system 1 of this embodiment can minimize the number of antennas provided in the management device 3.

[0067] In the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, the electronic device that emits the radiated radio waves D is the car navigation device 102. In the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, the radiated radio waves D for detecting the occupant of the driver 200 are emitted from the car navigation device 102. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide an electronic device that emits the radiated radio waves D separately from the car navigation device 102. Therefore, the battery management system 1 does not need to include an electronic device that emits the radiated radio waves D. However, the battery management system 1 may include a dedicated electronic device that emits the radiated radio waves D.

[0068] Furthermore, in the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, the start-up operation includes depressing the brake pedal 103 mounted on the vehicle 100 and turning on the ignition switch 104 that starts the motor 106 mounted on the vehicle 100. In the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, the start-up operation of the motor 106 is started by depressing the brake pedal 103 and completed by turning on the ignition switch 104. Furthermore, in the battery management system 1 of this embodiment, the management device 3 determines that the start-up operation has been started by depressing the brake pedal 103, and determines that the start-up operation has not been completed when the brake pedal 103 is released without turning on the ignition switch 104 after depressing the brake pedal 103.

[0069] The battery management system 1 of this embodiment transitions to the low communication mode when the brake pedal 103 is released without the ignition switch 104 being turned on, even if the brake pedal 103 is depressed to enter the normal communication mode. Therefore, even if the driver 200 depresses the brake pedal 103, the vehicle 100 can transition to the low communication mode when the driver releases the brake pedal 103 without intending to drive the vehicle 100. Therefore, the battery management system 1 of this embodiment can reduce power consumption.

[0070] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0071] For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the start-up operation for starting the motor 106 includes the depression of the brake pedal 103 and the ON operation of the ignition switch 104. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the start-up device may include an unlocking operation by a keyless entry and a depression of the brake pedal 103. In such a case, for example, the unlocking operation by the keyless entry may be the start of the start-up device, and the depression of the brake pedal 103 may be the completion of the start-up device. Furthermore, if the depression operation is not performed for a certain period of time after the above-mentioned unlocking operation, it may be determined that the start-up device is not completed, and the device may transition to the low communication mode.

[0072] The above embodiment can also be described as, for example, the following supplementary notes.

[0073] (Appendix 1) A battery management system including: a voltage detection device that detects a voltage of a battery module mounted on a vehicle; and a management device that is capable of wireless communication with the voltage detection device and manages the battery module based on a detection result of the voltage detection device, The management device includes: an occupant detection unit for detecting that an occupant has boarded the vehicle; a normal communication mode in which communication with the voltage detection device is possible in a state in which the battery module can be managed; a low communication mode in which communication with the voltage detection device is performed less frequently than in the normal communication mode; can transition to when the occupant detection unit detects that the occupant has entered the vehicle and a start-up operation performed by the occupant after entering the vehicle is started, the low communication mode is transitioned to the normal communication mode, If the startup operation is not completed, the normal communication mode is transitioned to the low communication mode. A battery management system comprising:

[0074] (Appendix 2) the management device includes a receiving antenna disposed between the vehicle and an electronic device mounted on the vehicle and a seating position of the occupant; The occupant detection unit detects that the occupant has entered the vehicle based on a reception strength at the receiving antenna of radio waves radiated from an electronic device mounted in the vehicle. 2. A battery management system according to claim 1.

[0075] (Appendix 3) the management device includes a wireless communication antenna for wirelessly communicating with the voltage detection device, The receiving antenna is the wireless communication antenna. 3. The battery management system according to claim 2.

[0076] (Appendix 4) 4. The battery management system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device is a car navigation device.

[0077] (Appendix 5) The start-up operation includes a stepping operation of a brake pedal mounted on the vehicle and an on-operation of an ignition switch for starting a power unit mounted on the vehicle, The management device includes: determining that the start operation has been started by depression of the brake pedal; When the brake pedal is released without turning on the ignition switch after the brake pedal is depressed, it is determined that the start-up operation has not been completed. 5. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein the battery management system comprises: [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Battery Management System 2. Voltage detection device 2a Wireless communication antenna 3 Management device 3a Wireless communication antenna (receiving antenna) 3b Occupant detection section 3c Management and control section 100 vehicles 101 sheets 102 Car navigation devices 103 Brake pedal 104 Ignition switch 105 Battery Pack 106 Motor 200 Driver (passenger) D radiated radio waves M Battery Module

Claims

1. A battery management system including: a voltage detection device that detects a voltage of a battery module mounted on a vehicle; and a management device that is capable of wireless communication with the voltage detection device and manages the battery module based on a detection result of the voltage detection device, The management device includes: an occupant detection unit for detecting that an occupant has boarded the vehicle; a normal communication mode in which communication with the voltage detection device is possible in a state in which the battery module can be managed; a low communication mode in which communication with the voltage detection device is performed less frequently than in the normal communication mode; can transition to when the occupant detection unit detects that the occupant has entered the vehicle and a start-up operation performed by the occupant after entering the vehicle is started, the low communication mode is transitioned to the normal communication mode, If the startup operation is not completed, the normal communication mode is transitioned to the low communication mode. A battery management system comprising:

2. the management device includes a receiving antenna disposed between the vehicle and an electronic device mounted on the vehicle and a seating position of the occupant; The occupant detection unit detects that the occupant has entered the vehicle based on a reception strength at the receiving antenna of radio waves radiated from an electronic device mounted in the vehicle. The battery management system according to claim 1 .

3. the management device includes a wireless communication antenna for wirelessly communicating with the voltage detection device, The receiving antenna is the wireless communication antenna. The battery management system according to claim 2 .

4. 4. The battery management system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device is a car navigation device.

5. The start-up operation includes a stepping operation of a brake pedal mounted on the vehicle and an on-operation of an ignition switch for starting a power unit mounted on the vehicle, The management device includes: determining that the start operation has been started by depression of the brake pedal; When the brake pedal is released without turning on the ignition switch after the brake pedal is depressed, it is determined that the start-up operation has not been completed.

4. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

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