Abnormality determination device and abnormality determination method

Abstract

To determine an abnormality of a battery pack with high accuracy.SOLUTION: An ECU executes processing including the steps of: acquiring a detection result (S100); determining whether or not a vehicle is stopping (S102); when the vehicle is determined to be stopping (YES in S102), determining whether or not an output value of a hydrogen sulfide sensor is a first threshold value or more (S104); when the output value is determined to be the first threshold value or more (YES in S104), lighting an alarm lamp; when the vehicle is determined not to be stopping (NO in S102), determining whether or not the output value of the hydrogen sulfide sensor is a second threshold value or more (S106); and when the output value is determined to be the second threshold value or more (YES in S108), lighting the alarm lamp (S108).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an abnormality determination device for a battery pack. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology is known in which a detection device for detecting the concentration of hydrogen sulfide is disposed in a battery pack including a solid-state battery that uses a sulfide-based material, and the detection device is used to detect the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide to determine an abnormality in the battery pack.

[0003] Regarding such a technology, for example, JP 2015-041598 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology in which a concentration information acquisition means is provided inside the housing of a battery pack for acquiring hydrogen sulfide concentration information, and the presence or absence of a hydrogen sulfide leak is detected using the acquired concentration information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-041598 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Cooling and heating of the battery pack cause temperature variations in the air inside the housing, which creates air convection within the housing. As a result, when gas containing hydrogen sulfide is generated inside the housing, the gas is easily stirred and diluted by the convection. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide may not be detected accurately using the detection device. As a result, an abnormality in the battery pack may not be determined accurately.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an abnormality determination device and an abnormality determination method that accurately determine an abnormality in a battery pack. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an abnormality determination device that includes a battery pack that is mounted on a mobile body and includes a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery housed in a housing, a hydrogen sulfide sensor that outputs a signal indicating the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the battery pack, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the battery pack is abnormal using an output value of the hydrogen sulfide sensor. The determination unit determines that the battery pack is abnormal when the output value is greater than a threshold value, and determines whether or not the battery pack is abnormal using a threshold value that differs depending on the state of the mobile body.

[0008] In this way, since the degree of air convection within the battery pack varies depending on the state of the mobile body, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the battery pack by using the output value of the hydrogen sulfide sensor as a threshold value that differs depending on the state of the mobile body.

[0009] In this embodiment, the moving object is equipped with a cooling device that cools the battery pack. When the cooling device is in operation, the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a first threshold value, and when the cooling device is not in operation, the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a second threshold value. The second threshold value is a value greater than the first threshold value.

[0010] In this way, air convection is less likely to occur in the battery pack while the cooling device is in operation, and hydrogen sulfide remaining in the battery pack can be detected with high accuracy, so that an abnormality in the battery pack can be determined with high accuracy when the output value is greater than the first threshold value.

[0011] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the moving object includes a vehicle. When the vehicle is stopped, the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a first threshold value, and when the vehicle is running, the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a second threshold value. The second threshold value is a value greater than the first threshold value.

[0012] In this way, since the battery pack generates little heat while the vehicle is stopped, air convection is unlikely to occur within the battery pack. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide remaining within the battery pack can be detected with high accuracy, and an abnormality in the battery pack can be determined with high accuracy when the output value is greater than the first threshold value.

[0013] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined period of time after the system is stopped and the vehicle transitions to a system startup state, the judgment unit judges that there is an abnormality in the battery pack when the output value is greater than the first threshold value.

[0014] In this manner, hydrogen sulfide can be detected with high accuracy when the vehicle is in a state in which no air convection occurs within the battery pack, and therefore an abnormality in the battery pack can be determined with high accuracy when the output value is greater than the first threshold value.

[0015] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the abnormality determination device further includes a notification unit that notifies the occurrence of an abnormality when the determination unit determines that an abnormality exists in the battery pack.

[0016] In this way, by using the notification unit to notify the occurrence of an abnormality, it is possible to inform the user of the vehicle of an abnormality in the battery pack.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the moving object includes a vehicle. The determination unit is activated every time a predetermined time elapses when the vehicle is in a system stopped state, and determines that an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a threshold value.

[0018] In this way, hydrogen sulfide can be detected with high accuracy and an abnormality in the battery pack can be determined with high accuracy even when the vehicle is in a state where no air convection occurs within the battery pack.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the abnormality determination device further includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a terminal, and when the determination unit determines that the battery pack has an abnormality, the communication unit transmits information indicating that the battery pack has an abnormality to the terminal.

[0020] In this way, by transmitting information indicating that an abnormality has occurred to the terminal using the communication unit, it is possible to notify the user of the vehicle of an abnormality in the battery pack.

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the battery pack is configured to be capable of being externally charged using a power source external to the vehicle. The determination unit determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the battery pack while the battery pack is being externally charged.

[0022] In this way, hydrogen sulfide can be detected with high accuracy and an abnormality in the battery pack can be determined with high accuracy even when the vehicle is in a state where no air convection occurs within the battery pack.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the abnormality determination device further includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a terminal, and a notification unit. When the determination unit determines that the battery pack has an abnormality, the determination unit notifies the terminal that the battery pack has an abnormality using the notification unit, and transmits information indicating that the battery pack has an abnormality to the terminal using the communication unit.

[0024] In this way, it is possible to notify the user of the vehicle of an abnormality in the battery pack by using the notification unit to notify that there is an abnormality in the battery pack and by sending information about the abnormality in the battery pack to the terminal using the communication unit.

[0025] An abnormality determination method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for determining an abnormality in a battery pack mounted on a mobile body and configured by housing a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery, the method including the steps of outputting a signal indicating a concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the battery pack, determining whether or not an abnormality exists in the battery pack using the output value of the concentration, determining that an abnormality exists in the battery pack if the output value is greater than a threshold value, and determining whether or not an abnormality exists in the battery pack using a threshold value that differs depending on the state of the mobile body. Effect of the Invention

[0026] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an abnormality determination device and an abnormality determination method that accurately determine an abnormality in a battery pack. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic overall configuration of a vehicle equipped with a battery pack. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a battery pack. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a cell in the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks configured by an ECU. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by an ECU. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of processing executed by an ECU in a modified example. [Figure 7] 10 is a second flowchart illustrating an example of the process executed by the ECU in the modified example. [Figure 8] 11 is a third flowchart illustrating an example of the process executed by the ECU in the modified example. [Figure 9] 11 is a fourth flowchart illustrating an example of the process executed by the ECU in the modified example. [Figure 10] 5 is a fifth flowchart illustrating an example of the process executed by the ECU in the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of a vehicle 100 equipped with a battery pack 200. The vehicle 100 includes a battery pack 200 that stores electric power for traveling. The vehicle 100 is configured to be able to travel using the electric power stored in the battery pack 200. In this embodiment, the vehicle 100 is described as an electric vehicle (BEV) that does not include an engine (internal combustion engine) as an example, but the vehicle 100 may be a hybrid vehicle (HEV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) that includes an engine. The battery pack 200 is provided with a cooling device 202. The cooling device 202 is configured, for example, with a cooling passage configured to be able to exchange heat with a battery module in the battery pack 200, a pump (neither of which is shown) that circulates a coolant in the cooling passage, and the like.

[0030] The vehicle 100 includes a control device (ECU: Electronic Control Unit) 150. The ECU 150 is configured to be able to execute charge control and discharge control of the battery pack 200. The ECU 150 includes a processor 151, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 152, a storage unit 153, and a communication unit 154. The RAM 152 functions as a working memory that temporarily stores data processed by the processor 151. The storage unit 153 stores information used in the programs (for example, maps, mathematical expressions, and various parameters). The processor 151 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 153, thereby executing various controls in the ECU 150 (charge control and discharge control of the battery pack 200, cooling control using the cooling device 202, and communication control using the communication unit 154). The communication unit 154 is configured to be able to perform wireless communication with an external terminal 300 in a predetermined communication method.

[0031] When ECU 150 operates cooling device 202, for example by operating a pump to circulate the cooling liquid in the cooling passage, it sets a flag indicating that the cooling device is operating to an on state, and when ECU 150 stops cooling device 202, it sets the flag to an off state.

[0032] The terminal 300 includes a control device 302, a communication device 304, and a touch panel display 306. The control device 302 includes a processor and a storage device such as a memory. The communication device 304 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the communication unit 154 of the vehicle 100. The touch panel display 306 is configured with a display unit and an input unit (neither shown). The control device 302 of the terminal 300 executes various control processes of the terminal 300 by the processor executing programs in the memory.

[0033] The monitoring module 130 includes various sensors that detect the state (for example, voltage, current, and temperature) of the battery pack 200 (battery module 50) and outputs the detection results to the ECU 150. The battery pack 200 is charged by regenerative power from the traveling drive unit 110 described later, or is charged by power supplied from a charging facility external to the vehicle 100 (external charging).

[0034] The vehicle 100 further includes a traveling drive unit 110, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device 120, a MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) 125, and drive wheels W. The traveling drive unit 110 includes a PCU (Power Control Unit) and an MG (Motor Generator), not shown, and is configured to drive the MG using power stored in a battery pack 200 to cause the vehicle 100 to travel. The MG is also configured to perform regenerative power generation and supply the generated power to the battery pack 200. The traveling drive unit 110 includes a vehicle speed sensor 112. The vehicle speed sensor 112 detects the speed Va of the vehicle 100 (hereinafter referred to as vehicle speed) and transmits the detection result to the ECU 150. Instead of the vehicle speed sensor 112, the wheel speed detected by a wheel speed sensor that detects the rotation speed (wheel speed) of the drive wheels W may be transmitted to the ECU 150, and the vehicle speed Va may be calculated in the ECU 150 using the wheel speed, or the rotation speed detected by a rotation speed sensor that detects the rotation speed of the MG may be transmitted to the ECU 150, and the vehicle speed Va may be calculated in the ECU 150 using the rotation speed. Alternatively, a current detected by a current sensor that detects a current flowing through the MG may be transmitted to the ECU 150, and the vehicle speed Va may be calculated in the ECU 150 using the current.

[0035] The HMI device 120 includes an input device and a display device. The HMI device 120 may include a touch panel display. The MIL 125 includes various warning lights arranged on an instrument panel. The MIL 125 includes, for example, a warning light indicating that there is an abnormality in the battery pack 200.

[0036] The battery pack 200 includes a battery case 90 and a battery module 50 stored in the battery case 90. The battery case 90 is composed of a lower case 91 and an upper case 92. In this embodiment, two battery modules 50 are stored in a space formed by the lower case 91 and the upper case 92. The battery pack 200 is mounted on the floor of the vehicle 100. The battery pack 200 may be mounted on the interior side of the vehicle 100 or on the exterior side of the vehicle 100.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a battery pack 200. Fig. 2 shows a cross section taken along line AA in Fig. 1. A battery module 50 is an assembled battery in which a plurality of unit cells 10 are connected. The plurality of unit cells 10 are stacked between a pair of end plates 31, 32.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a cell 10 in this embodiment. Fig. 3(A) is a top view of the cell 10. The cell 10 is a laminate-type all-solid-state battery using a laminate film as an exterior member 20, and a negative electrode terminal (negative electrode tab) 1a and a positive electrode terminal (positive electrode tab) 5a protrude from the exterior member 20. The laminate film may be, for example, a pouch made of aluminum laminate film, or a film with a three-layer structure in which aluminum foil is sandwiched between resin films.

[0039] FIG. 3(B) shows the all-solid-state battery laminate 15 housed in the exterior member 20, and shows the cross section BB of FIG. 3(A). In the all-solid-state battery laminate 15, three all-solid-state battery elements 8 each including a negative electrode current collector layer 1, a negative electrode active material layer 2, a solid electrolyte layer 3, a positive electrode active material layer 4, and a positive electrode current collector layer 5 are laminated in this order, and the negative electrode current collector layer 1 and the positive electrode current collector layer 5 are shared and laminated in the reverse order. The negative electrode current collector layer 1 is connected to the negative electrode terminal 1a, and the positive electrode current collector layer 5 is connected to the positive electrode terminal 5a. The number of all-solid-state battery elements 8 included in the all-solid-state battery laminate 15 may be one or four or more. The insulating film 7 insulates between the all-solid-state battery laminate 15 and the exterior member (laminate film) 20.

[0040] The cell 10 is a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery. In the present disclosure, a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery is one in which at least one of the material of the positive electrode active material layer 4 or the material of the solid electrolyte layer 3 contains a sulfur component. In the present embodiment, the solid electrolyte layer 3 contains a sulfide-based solid electrolyte, and for example, the sulfide-based solid electrolyte may be one that uses phosphorus pentasulfide (P2S5) or lithium sulfide (Li2S) as a starting material. In this case, the positive electrode active material layer 4 may contain, for example, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium iron phosphate, or the like. When the solid electrolyte layer 3 is composed of an oxide-based solid electrolyte, a sulfur-based positive electrode active material is used as the positive electrode active material layer 4. The sulfur-based positive electrode active material may be an organic sulfur compound or an inorganic sulfur compound. Note that both the solid electrolyte layer 3 and the positive electrode active material layer 4 may contain a sulfur component.

[0041] There is a concern that air may infiltrate from a sealed portion of the exterior member 20 (laminate film) in the single battery 10. If the infiltrating air contains moisture, the sulfur component contained in the solid electrolyte layer 3 or the positive electrode active material layer 4 may react with the moisture to generate hydrogen sulfide, which may be released into the battery case 90.

[0042] 2, a plurality of unit cells 10 are arranged and stacked between a pair of end plates 31, 32. The plurality of unit cells 10 are sandwiched between the pair of end plates 31, 32 in a stacked state, and a predetermined restraining load is applied to them by a restraining band or the like (not shown). The pair of end plates 31, 32 are fixed to a bottom plate 30 by brackets 41, 42. A battery module 50 including the unit cells 10 stacked between the pair of end plates 31, 32 and the bottom plate 30 is fixed to a bottom surface 91a of a lower case 91. The battery case 90 is a case (housing) that houses the battery module 50.

[0043] A hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is disposed inside the battery case 90. The hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is a sensor that detects the concentration C of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contained in the atmosphere (the air in the battery pack 200) and outputs a voltage signal indicating the detection result to the ECU 150. Hereinafter, the output value of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 will be referred to as "output value Vb." The hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 may be, for example, a hot wire type semiconductor sensor or a constant potential electrolysis sensor. In this embodiment, the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is provided on or near the bottom surface 91a of the lower case 91.

[0044] 4 is a diagram showing functional blocks configured by the ECU 150. The ECU 150 includes a determination unit 150a and a notification unit 150b. The determination unit 150a determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied based on a voltage signal output from the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 and a voltage signal output from the vehicle speed sensor 112. When the determination unit 150a determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the notification unit 150b issues a predetermined notification using at least one of the HMI device 120 and the MIL 125.

[0045] Since the battery pack 200 having the above configuration includes a solid-state battery using a sulfide-based material, the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide can be detected using the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 arranged in the battery case 90, thereby determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the battery pack 200. However, the air in the battery case 90 may vary in temperature due to cooling or heating of the battery pack 200. Therefore, air convection may occur in the battery case 90. As a result, when gas containing hydrogen sulfide is generated in the battery case 90, it is likely to be stirred and diluted by the convection. This may make it difficult to accurately detect hydrogen sulfide using the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70. As a result, it may not be possible to accurately determine an abnormality in the battery pack 200.

[0046] Therefore, in this embodiment, the determination unit 150a determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack 200 when the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is greater than a threshold value, and determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the battery pack 200 using a threshold value that differs depending on the state of the mobile object. More specifically, the determination unit 150a determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack 200 when the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is greater than a first threshold value Vb(1), and when the vehicle 100 is running, determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack 200 when the output value Vb is greater than a second threshold value Vb(2). The second threshold value Vb(2) is a value greater than the first threshold value Vb(1).

[0047] In this way, the degree of air convection in battery pack 200 differs depending on whether vehicle 100 is moving or stopped. In particular, when the vehicle is stopped, heat generation in battery pack 200 is small, and air convection is unlikely to occur in battery pack 200. Therefore, when the vehicle is stopped, the threshold value is set to a smaller value Vb(1) than when the vehicle is moving, so that hydrogen sulfide in battery pack 200 can be detected with high accuracy. As a result, an abnormality in battery pack 200 can be determined with high accuracy.

[0048] An example of the processing executed in ECU 150 will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing executed in ECU 150. A series of processing shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals.

[0049] In step (hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as S) 100, ECU 150 acquires detection results from various sensors. Specifically, ECU 150 acquires the detection result (output value Vb) of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 and the detection result (vehicle speed Va) of vehicle speed sensor 112. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S102.

[0050] In S102, ECU 150 determines whether vehicle 100 is stopped. For example, when vehicle speed Va detected by vehicle speed sensor 112 is within a speed range corresponding to a stopped state that is equal to or less than threshold value Va(0), ECU 150 determines that vehicle 100 is stopped. When it is determined that vehicle 100 is stopped (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S104.

[0051] In S104, ECU 150 determines whether output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value Vb(1). First threshold value Vb(1) is the output value of the sensor when hydrogen sulfide concentration C is a predetermined first value. If it is determined that output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than first threshold value Vb(1) (YES in S104), control proceeds to S108. Note that if it is determined that vehicle 100 is not within the speed range corresponding to a stopped state (i.e., within the speed range corresponding to a traveling state) and is not stopped (NO in S102), control proceeds to S106.

[0052] In S106, ECU 150 determines whether output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than second threshold value Vb(2). Second threshold value Vb(2) is the output value of the sensor when hydrogen sulfide concentration C is a predetermined second value (>first value). If it is determined that output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than second threshold value Vb(2) (YES in S106), processing proceeds to S108. Note that if it is determined that output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is smaller than first threshold value Vb(1) (NO in S104) or if it is determined that output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is smaller than second threshold value Vb(2) (NO in S106), processing returns to S100.

[0053] In S108, ECU 150 turns on a warning light in MIL 125 indicating that hydrogen sulfide is contained in the air within battery pack 200. Then, the process ends.

[0054] An example of the operation of ECU 150 based on the above-described structure and flowchart will now be described.

[0055] For example, assume that gas is generated inside one of the cells 10 included in the two battery modules 50 in the battery pack 200 due to deterioration or the like, and the generated gas flows into the battery pack 200. As the amount of gas that flows out of the generated cell 10 increases, the amount of sulfur components contained in the gas also increases. As a result, hydrogen sulfide is generated by the sulfur components of the gas that has flowed into the battery pack 200 and the moisture contained in the air within the battery pack 200. As the amount of gas that flows out increases, the concentration C of hydrogen sulfide in the battery pack 200 also increases.

[0056] When the detection results of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 and the vehicle speed sensor 112 are acquired (S100), it is determined whether the vehicle 100 is stopped (S102).

[0057] <When the vehicle 100 is stopped> When the vehicle speed Va is equal to or lower than threshold value Va(0) and the vehicle is in a stopped state, it is determined that vehicle 100 is stopped (YES in S102), and it is determined whether output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or higher than first threshold value Vb(1).

[0058] When the vehicle 100 is stopped, the power of the battery pack 200 is not used, so there is no factor that causes variation in the air temperature inside the battery pack 200, and air convection is unlikely to occur. Hydrogen sulfide, which is heavier than air, accumulates in the lower space inside the battery pack 200. Therefore, by setting the first threshold value Vb(1) smaller than the second threshold value Vb(2), hydrogen sulfide can be detected with high accuracy. If the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Vb(1) (the concentration C is equal to or greater than the first value) (YES in S104), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the battery pack 200, and the warning light is turned on (S108). If the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is smaller than the first threshold value Vb(1) (NO in S104), the warning light is maintained in the off state.

[0059] <When the vehicle 100 is moving> When the vehicle speed Va is greater than threshold value Va(0), it is determined that vehicle 100 is moving (NO in S102), and it is determined whether output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is greater than or equal to second threshold value Vb(2).

[0060] When the battery pack 200 is mounted outside the vehicle cabin, it may be affected by wind while the vehicle 100 is traveling. Alternatively, when the battery pack 200 is mounted inside the vehicle cabin, it may be affected by air inside the vehicle cabin caused by the air conditioning of the vehicle 100 while the vehicle 100 is traveling. Due to these influences, the temperature of the air inside the battery pack 200 may rise or fall partially, and convection may easily occur. As a result, the gas containing hydrogen sulfide inside the battery pack 200 is agitated and diluted. Therefore, by setting the second threshold value Vb(2) to be larger than the first threshold value Vb(1), it is possible to prevent erroneous detection. When the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or larger than the second threshold value Vb(2) (the concentration C is equal to or larger than the second value) (YES in S106), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the battery pack 200, and a warning light is turned on (S108). When the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is smaller than the second threshold value Vb(2) (NO in S106), the warning light remains turned off.

[0061] As described above, according to the ECU 150 which is the abnormality determination device according to the present embodiment, the degree of air convection in the battery pack 200 differs depending on whether the vehicle 100 is running or stopped. In particular, when the vehicle is stopped, the battery pack 200 generates less heat, so gas convection is less likely to occur in the battery pack 200. Therefore, when gas containing hydrogen sulfide is discharged into the battery pack 200, hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and therefore accumulates in the lower part of the battery pack 200. As a result, when the vehicle is stopped, the threshold value is set to a smaller value than when the vehicle is running, so that hydrogen sulfide in the battery pack 200 can be detected with high accuracy. This makes it possible to determine an abnormality in the battery pack 200 with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to provide an abnormality determination device and an abnormality determination method which determine an abnormality in the battery pack with high accuracy.

[0062] Modifications will be described below.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the vehicle 100 has been described as an example of a moving body, but the moving body may be any moving body that is equipped with a battery pack 200 formed of a sulfide-based solid battery, and is not particularly limited to the vehicle 100. For example, instead of the vehicle 100, moving bodies such as a train, a ship, an airplane, etc. may also be used.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is provided on the bottom surface of the battery case 90, but the present invention is not limited to providing the sensor on the bottom surface, and the sensor may be provided on the top or side of the battery case 90.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case has been described as an example in which one hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is provided inside the battery case 90, but a plurality of hydrogen sulfide sensors 70 may be provided inside the battery case 90. For example, the hydrogen sulfide sensors 70 may be provided in two locations, one on the front side of the battery case 90 (the front side of the vehicle 100) and the other on the rear side of the battery case 90 (the rear side of the vehicle 100).

[0066] In this manner, for example, even when vehicle 100 is traveling uphill or downhill on a sloping road surface or is parked on a sloping road surface, the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide can be detected with high accuracy by detecting hydrogen sulfide using one of the sensors where hydrogen sulfide accumulates (for example, the sensor positioned vertically downward), and an abnormality in battery pack 200 can be determined with high accuracy.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 has been described as outputting a voltage signal proportional to the concentration; however, for example, the sensor may output a first voltage when the concentration is equal to or greater than a second value, output a second voltage when the concentration is equal to or greater than the first value but less than the second value, and not output a signal when the concentration is less than the second value.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it has been described that when the vehicle 100 is stopped, it is determined whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Vb(1), and when the vehicle 100 is running, it is determined whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value Vb(2). However, the state of the vehicle 100 (mobile body) is not limited to being stopped or running. For example, when the cooling device 202 of the vehicle 100 is operating, the ECU 150 may determine whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Vb(1), and when the cooling device 202 is not operating, it may determine whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value Vb(2). In this case, instead of the determination process of "whether the vehicle 100 is stopped" in the process of S102 in FIG. 5, a determination process of "whether the cooling device 202 is operating" is executed. The other steps are similar to those described in FIG. 5, and therefore detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0069] Even in this manner, hydrogen sulfide remaining in the battery pack 200 while the cooling device 202 is operating can be detected with high accuracy, and an abnormality in the battery pack 200 can be determined with high accuracy when the output value Vb is greater than the first threshold value Vb(1).

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it has been described that when the vehicle 100 is stopped, it is determined whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Vb(1). However, the present invention is not limited to such an operation of the ECU 150.

[0071] For example, ECU 150 may determine whether output value Vb(1) is equal to or greater than first threshold value Vb(1) when a condition is satisfied that the vehicle 100 has been stopped for a predetermined period of time after transitioning from a system stop state (IG-OFF state) to a system start state (IG-ON state) instead of the vehicle 100 being stopped. Furthermore, ECU 150 may determine whether output value Vb is equal to or greater than second threshold value Vb(2) when the condition is not satisfied. The predetermined period of time is not particularly limited as long as it is the period of time until power supply starts.

[0072] Fig. 6 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of processing executed by ECU 150 in a modified example. Except as described below, the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, and S108 in Fig. 6 is the same as the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, and S108 in Fig. 5. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0073] If it is determined that vehicle 100 is stopped (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S200.

[0074] In S200, ECU 150 determines whether the vehicle stop time after transition from the IG-OFF state to the IG-ON state is within a predetermined time. When transition from the IG-OFF state to the IG-ON state occurs, ECU 150 measures the elapsed time (vehicle stop time) using a timer or the like. If it is determined that the vehicle stop time is within the predetermined time (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S104. If the vehicle stop time has exceeded the predetermined time (NO in S200), the process proceeds to S106.

[0075] In this manner, by determining whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is greater than or equal to the first threshold value Vb(1), particularly when the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined period of time or less, hydrogen sulfide can be detected with high accuracy before the vehicle 100 starts to move, thereby making it possible to accurately determine an abnormality in the battery pack 200.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it has been described that when the vehicle 100 is stopped, it is determined whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Vb(1), but the ECU 150 may also operate as follows. That is, when the vehicle 100 is stopped and the battery pack 200 is being externally charged by AC charging, the ECU 150 determines whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Vb(1). When the vehicle 100 is stopped and the battery pack 200 is being externally charged by DC charging, the ECU 150 determines whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value Vb(2).

[0077] Fig. 7 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of the processing executed by ECU 150 in the modified example. Except as described below, the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, and S108 in Fig. 7 is the same as the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, and S108 in Fig. 5. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0078] If it is determined that vehicle 100 is stopped (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S300.

[0079] In S300, ECU 150 determines whether external charging is in progress. ECU 150 determines that external charging is in progress, for example, when a connector is attached to an inlet of vehicle 100 (not shown) and a charging current is flowing through battery pack 200. For example, the inlet is provided with a switch or a circuit that outputs an ON signal to ECU 150 when a connector is attached. ECU 150 determines that a connector is attached to the inlet when it receives an ON signal from the switch or circuit. If it is determined that external charging is in progress (YES in S300), the process proceeds to S302.

[0080] In S302, ECU 150 determines whether AC charging is in progress. For example, the inlet is provided with a switch or a circuit that outputs a signal indicating the type of connector attached to ECU 150 when a connector is attached. ECU 150 determines that AC charging is in progress when, for example, it receives a signal from the switch or circuit indicating that an AC charging connector is attached. Also, ECU 150 determines that AC charging is not in progress (DC charging is in progress) when it receives a signal from the switch or circuit indicating that a DC charging connector is attached. If it is determined that AC charging is in progress (YES in S302), the process proceeds to S104. If it is determined that AC charging is not in progress (NO in S302), the process proceeds to S106. If it is determined that external charging is not in progress (NO in S300), the process proceeds to S104.

[0081] In this way, during AC charging, the charging time is long and battery pack 200 generates heat slowly, so the amount of heat generated is small compared to during DC charging, and air convection is unlikely to occur within battery pack 200. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide can be detected with high accuracy, and an abnormality in battery pack 200 can be determined with high accuracy. Also, during DC charging, the amount of heat generated in battery pack 200 is large compared to during AC charging, and air convection may occur within battery pack 200. Therefore, by determining whether output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than second threshold value Vb(2), erroneous detection can be prevented.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a warning light is turned on when an abnormality occurs in battery pack 200, but the notification method is not limited to turning on a warning light as long as the user is at least notified of an abnormality in battery pack 200. For example, a warning may be displayed as text information or an image on the display device of the touch panel display of HIM 120, or a warning sound or a voice warning that there is an abnormality in battery pack 200 may be generated from a speaker or the like (not shown) to notify the user of the abnormality in battery pack 200.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the user is notified of the abnormality of battery pack 200 by turning on a warning light when battery pack 200 is abnormal. However, the method of notifying the user is not limited to using a device in vehicle 100. For example, in addition to turning on the warning light, information indicating that battery pack 200 is abnormal may be transmitted to user terminal 300. Specifically, when ECU 150 determines that output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (Vb(1) or Vb(2)), ECU 150 turns on a warning light and transmits information that battery pack 200 is abnormal to terminal 300 via communication unit 154. When terminal 300 receives the information that battery pack 200 is abnormal, it causes touch panel display 306 of terminal 300 to display the information.

[0084] Fig. 8 is a flowchart (part 3) showing an example of the processing executed by ECU 150 in the modified example. Except as described below, the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, and S108 in Fig. 8 is the same as the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, and S108 in Fig. 5. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0085] If it is determined that the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is greater than or equal to the first threshold value Vb(1) (YES in S104), or if it is determined that the output value Vb is greater than or equal to the second threshold value Vb(2) (YES in S106), the warning light is turned on (S108) and then the process proceeds to S400.

[0086] In S400, ECU 150 transmits information indicating that battery pack 200 is abnormal to a pre-registered terminal (for example, terminal 300) using communication unit 154. Thereafter, the process ends.

[0087] In this way, for example, when the user is away from the vehicle 100 during external charging, the user can be notified that there is an abnormality in the battery pack 200.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it has been described that when the vehicle 100 is stopped, it is determined whether the output value of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. However, when the system of the vehicle 100 is stopped, it is also possible to start up the system of the vehicle 100 every time a predetermined time elapses and determine whether the output value Vb of the hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is greater than or equal to the first threshold value Vb(1).

[0089] Fig. 9 is a flowchart (part 4) showing an example of the processing executed by ECU 150 in a modified example. Except as described below, the processing of S100, S102, S106, and S108 in Fig. 9 is the same as the processing of S100, S102, S106, and S108 in Fig. 5. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0090] If it is determined that vehicle 100 is stopped (YES in S102), the process proceeds to S500.

[0091] In S500, ECU 150 determines whether or not the system of vehicle 100 is in a stopped state (IG-OFF state). If it is determined that the system of vehicle 100 is in a stopped state (YES in S500), the process proceeds to S502.

[0092] In S502, ECU 150 determines whether the duration of the stopped state is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. If it is determined that the duration of the stopped state is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (YES in S502), the process proceeds to S504.

[0093] In S504, ECU 150 changes the system from a stopped state to an activated state (IG-ON state), after which the process proceeds to S506.

[0094] In S506, ECU 150 determines whether output value Vb of hydrogen sulfide sensor 70 is equal to or greater than first threshold value Vb(1). If it is determined that output value Vb is equal to or greater than first threshold value Vb(1) (YES in S506), the process proceeds to S108. On the other hand, if it is determined that output value Vb is smaller than first threshold value Vb(1) (NO in S506), the process proceeds to S508.

[0095] In S508, ECU 150 changes the system of vehicle 100 from the activated state to the stopped state. Thereafter, the process returns to S100.

[0096] In this manner, when the system of vehicle 100 is in a stopped state, it can be changed to a started state every time a predetermined time has elapsed, and the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide generation, i.e., the presence or absence of an abnormality in battery pack 200, can be detected.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that whether or not the output value Vb is greater than or equal to the second threshold value Vb(2) is determined while the vehicle 100 is running, regardless of the cooling state of the battery pack 200. However, even if the vehicle 100 is running, if the cooling device 202 is operating, it may be determined whether or not the output value Vb is greater than or equal to the first threshold value Vb(1), and if the cooling device 202 is not operating, it may be determined whether or not the output value Vb is greater than or equal to the second threshold value Vb(2).

[0098] Fig. 10 is a flowchart (part 5) showing an example of the processing executed by ECU 150 in the modified example. Except as described below, the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, and S108 in Fig. 10 is the same as the processing of S100, S102, S104, S106, and S108 in Fig. 5. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0099] If it is determined that vehicle 100 is not stopped (NO in S102), the process proceeds to S600.

[0100] In S600, ECU 150 determines whether cooling device 202 is operating. ECU 150 determines that cooling device 202 is operating, for example, when a flag indicating that cooling device 202 is operating is in an on state. If it is determined that cooling device 202 is operating (YES in S600), the process proceeds to S104. If it is determined that cooling device 202 is not operating (NO in S600), the process proceeds to S106.

[0101] In this way, even if the vehicle 100 is traveling, when the cooling device 202 is operating, temperature variations are eliminated and no convection occurs, making it possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide generation.

[0102] The above-described modified examples may be implemented in whole or in part in appropriate combination.

[0103] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 negative electrode collector layer, 1a negative electrode terminal, 2 negative electrode active material layer, 3 solid electrolyte layer, 4 positive electrode active material layer, 5 positive electrode collector layer, 5a positive electrode terminal, 7 insulating film, 8 all-solid-state battery element, 10 single cell, 15 all-solid-state battery laminate, 20 exterior member, 30 bottom plate, 31 end plate, 41 bracket, 50 battery module, 70 hydrogen sulfide sensor, 90 battery case, 91 lower case, 91a bottom surface, 92 upper case, 100 vehicle, 110 driving drive unit, 112 vehicle speed sensor, 120 HMI device, 125 MIL, 130 monitoring module, 150 ECU, 150a determination unit, 150b notification unit, 151 processor, 152 RAM, 153 memory unit, 154 communication unit, 200 battery pack, 202 Cooling device, 300 terminal, 302 control device, 304 communication device, 306 touch panel display.

Claims

1. A battery pack is mounted on a moving body and configured by housing a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery; a hydrogen sulfide sensor that outputs a signal indicative of a concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the battery pack; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the battery pack by using an output value of the hydrogen sulfide sensor, The determination unit is If the output value is greater than a threshold value, it is determined that an abnormality exists in the battery pack; An abnormality determination device that determines whether or not an abnormality exists in the battery pack by using a threshold value that varies depending on the state of the mobile object.

2. the moving object is equipped with a cooling device that cools the battery pack; the determination unit determines that an abnormality exists in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a first threshold value when the cooling device is in operation, and determines that an abnormality exists in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a second threshold value when the cooling device is not in operation; The abnormality determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value.

3. The moving object includes a vehicle. the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a first threshold value when the vehicle is stopped, and determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a second threshold value when the vehicle is running; The abnormality determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the second threshold value is greater than the first threshold value.

4. 4. The abnormality determination device according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines that an abnormality exists in the battery pack when the output value is greater than the first threshold value if the vehicle is stopped for a predetermined period of time after the vehicle enters a system stopped state and then transitions to a system started state.

5. The abnormality determination device according to claim 4 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies an occurrence of an abnormality when the determination unit determines that an abnormality exists in the battery pack.

6. The moving object includes a vehicle.

2. The abnormality determination device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is activated every time a predetermined time elapses when the vehicle is in a system-stopped state, and determines that an abnormality exists in the battery pack if the output value is greater than the threshold value.

7. The abnormality determination device further includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a terminal, The abnormality determination device according to claim 6 , wherein the communication unit transmits information indicating that the battery pack has an abnormality to the terminal when the determination unit determines that the battery pack has an abnormality.

8. The battery pack is configured to be externally charged using a power source external to the vehicle, The abnormality determination device according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit determines whether or not an abnormality occurs in the battery pack while the external charging of the battery pack is being performed.

9. The abnormality determination device includes: A communication unit capable of communicating with a terminal; A notification unit is further provided, The abnormality determination device according to claim 8, wherein when the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the battery pack, the determination unit notifies the terminal that there is an abnormality in the battery pack using the notification unit and transmits information that there is an abnormality in the battery pack to the terminal using the communication unit.

10. A method for determining an abnormality in a battery pack that is mounted on a moving object and has a sulfide-based all-solid-state battery housed in a housing, comprising: outputting a signal indicative of a concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the battery pack; determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the battery pack by using the output value of the concentration; determining that an abnormality exists in the battery pack when the output value is greater than a threshold value; A method for determining whether or not an abnormality exists in the battery pack, the method comprising: determining whether or not an abnormality exists in the battery pack by using a threshold value that varies depending on a state of the mobile object.

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