Power supply device

Abstract

To provide a power supply device capable of determining fail safe according to the number of battery packs electrically connected to external equipment.SOLUTION: A power supply device comprises a plurality of battery packs 10 connected in parallel with external equipment 2, and a control device 9 that communicates with the plurality of battery packs. A battery pack has a plurality of battery cells 11a and 11b, and a monitoring device 13 for detecting states of the battery cells, and controlling electrical connection with the external equipment according to the states of the batteries in cooperation with the control device. After the control is performed, the monitoring device grasps a target number being the number of target battery packs 10d being battery packs electrically connected to the external equipment. Target monitoring devices 13d being monitoring devices contained in the target battery packs determine fail safe depending on the target number in a case thereafter abnormality occurs in a battery cell contained in the target battery packs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosure described in this specification relates to a power supply device.

Background Art

[0002] The power supply system described in Patent Document 1 includes a vehicle ECU, a first power storage device, and a second power storage device. The vehicle ECU is communicably connected to the first power storage device and the second power storage device. The first power storage device includes a first current cutoff device, a first battery pack, and a first BMU. The second power storage device includes a second current cutoff device, a second battery pack, and a second BMU.

[0003] When there are a normal power storage device and an abnormal power storage device, the vehicle ECU permits current cutoff for the abnormal power storage device. Thereby, even if an abnormality occurs in one power storage device, power can be continuously supplied to the vehicle by the other power storage device, and redundancy can be provided for the vehicle's power supply. Also, when all power storage devices are abnormal, the vehicle ECU prohibits current cutoff for two or more power storage devices. Thereby, the time for the vehicle to safely stop is ensured.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, based on the combination of normal and abnormal states of each power storage device, current conduction and cutoff are controlled for each power storage device so that at least one power storage device is in an energized state. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, fail-safe is determined as current cutoff, and it has not been possible to determine the fail-safe according to the number of battery packs currently connected to an external device.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a power supply device capable of determining a failsafe according to the number of battery packs electrically connected to an external device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A power supply device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of battery packs (10) connected in parallel to an external device (2), and a control device (9) that communicates with the plurality of battery packs. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells (11a, 11b), and a monitoring device (13) that detects the state of the battery cells and controls the electrical connection with the external device in cooperation with the control device according to the state of the battery cells. The monitoring device grasps the target number, which is the number of target battery packs (10d) that are electrically connected to the external device after the control is performed, and the target monitoring device (13d), which is the monitoring device included in the target battery pack, determines a failsafe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cells included in the target battery pack according to the target number.

[0008] According to the number of target battery packs (10d) that are electrically connected to the external device (2), the target monitoring device (13d) included in the target battery pack can determine the subsequent failsafe.

[0009] Note that the reference numerals in the parentheses above only indicate the correspondence with the configurations described in the embodiments below, and do not limit the technical scope in any way.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a plurality of modes for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each mode, the same reference numerals may be given to the parts corresponding to those described in the preceding mode, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each mode, other modes described previously can be applied to other parts of the configuration.

[0012] In addition, not only combinations of parts clearly shown to be combinable in each embodiment, but also combinations of embodiments with each other, embodiments with modification examples, and modification examples with each other can be partially combined as long as there is no problem with the combination.

[0013] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a power system 1 including a power supply device 3 according to the first embodiment. As an example, the power system 1 is mounted on a vehicle and supplies power for the vehicle to run. Note that the mounting destination of the power system 1 is not limited to a vehicle. As another example, the power system 1 includes mobile computer devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and tablet computers. Or as another example, it may be mounted on a portable multimedia device including a digital camera, a video camera, an audio / video playback device, etc.

[0014] In the following, as an example, the form in which the power system 1 is mounted on a vehicle will be mainly described. The power system 1 includes an electric mechanism 2 that supplies power to drive wheels to make the vehicle run. The electric mechanism 2 can include an inverter circuit 2a, a rotating electric machine 2b such as a generator motor, a power transmission device such as a transmission, and the drive wheels of the vehicle. The electric mechanism 2 is mounted on the vehicle as the main power device of an electric vehicle or as a power device alongside the internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle. Note that the electric mechanism 2 may be referred to as an external device. In the drawings, the inverter circuit 2a is shown as INV and the rotating electric machine 2b is shown as MG.

[0015] The power system 1 includes a power supply device 3 that supplies DC power to the electric mechanism 2. The power supply device 3 includes a battery pack 4 that takes the electric mechanism 2 as a load. The power supply device 3 also includes a control device 9 that controls the electric mechanism 2 and the power supply device 3. The power system 1 has the power supply device 3 and the electric mechanism 2. Note that the control device 9 is shown as ECU in the drawings.

[0016] The control device 9 controls the electric mechanism 2 so that the vehicle runs appropriately. The control device 9 is also a control device for controlling the battery pack 4. For example, the control device 9 controls a plurality of relays, which will be described later, when the power system 1 starts up and shuts down in order to control the power supply to the electric mechanism 2. The control device 9 provides a drive control method for controlling the electric mechanism 2 according to the state of charge of the battery pack 4. The control device 9 provides a charging control method for controlling the power supply device 3 when the battery pack 4 is charged by the electric mechanism 2 functioning as a generator or when the battery pack 4 is charged from an external power source.

[0017] The control device 9 is electrically connected to the rotation electric machine control device 2c of the electric mechanism 2 in order to control the inverter circuit 2a and the rotation electric machine 2b of the electric mechanism 2. Further, the control device 9 is electrically connected to the monitoring device 13 of a plurality of battery packs 10 included in the assembled battery 4. The electrical connection between the control device 9 and the plurality of monitoring devices 13 is provided by a network connection that enables information communication. Note that the rotation electric machine control device 2c is shown as the MGECU in the drawings.

[0018] The control device 9 and the monitoring device 13 are control devices that are powered by a low-voltage secondary battery mounted on the vehicle and operate. The control device 9 and / or the monitoring device 13 are provided by a microcomputer having a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium stores a computer-readable program. The storage medium can be provided by a memory.

[0019] The program, when executed by the control device 9 and / or the monitoring device 13, causes these to function as devices. Further, the program causes the control device 9 and / or the monitoring device 13 to function so as to execute the control method described in this specification. The method provided by the control device 9 and / or the monitoring device 13 can also be called functional blocks or modules that achieve a predetermined function.

[0020] The assembled battery 4 includes a plurality of battery packs 10. In the figure, as an example, a plurality of battery packs 10a, 10b, 10c are illustrated. In the following description, when referring to a specific one of the battery packs, the reference numerals 10a, 10b, 10c are used, and when referring to any battery pack, the reference numeral 10 is used. The plurality of battery packs 10 are connected in parallel to the load. The battery packs 10a, 10b, 10c all have the same configuration.

[0021] The battery pack 10 includes a battery 11, a first power relay 12a, a second power relay 12b, and a monitoring device 13. The battery 11 is a large-capacity, high-voltage secondary battery that can function as a power source for driving a vehicle. The battery 11 can be provided by a lithium-ion battery that supplies a voltage of several hundred volts. The battery 11 has a plurality of battery cells.

[0022] In the figure, as an example, a plurality of battery cells 11a, 11b are illustrated. The battery cell 11a and the battery cell 11b are connected in series. The positive electrode of the battery cell 11a is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the electric mechanism 2. The negative electrode of the battery cell 11a is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery cell 11b. The negative electrode of the battery cell 11b is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the electric mechanism 2.

[0023] The first power relay 12a is provided between the positive electrode of the battery cell 11a of each battery pack 10a, 10b, 10c and the electric mechanism 2. The first power relay 12a is a system relay on the positive electrode side in the power supply device 3. The second power relay 12b is provided between the negative electrode of the battery cell 11b of each battery pack 10a, 10b, 10c and the electric mechanism 2. The second power relay 12b is a system relay on the negative electrode side in the power supply device 3. The power relays 12a, 12b interrupt the connection between the battery 11 and the electric mechanism 2.

[0024] The monitoring device 13 detects the state of the battery 11 of the battery pack 10 in which it is included, and controls the opening and closing of the power relays 12a, 12b. Note that one monitoring device 13 may monitor a plurality of battery packs 10. The monitoring device 13 detects statuses such as the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery pack 10. The monitoring device 13 can determine whether the battery 11 to be monitored is normal or abnormal based on the detected status. Abnormalities of the battery 11 include overcharging, over-discharging, temperature abnormalities, and the like. Status information of each battery pack 10 is transmitted from each monitoring device 13 to the control device 9. The status information is information regarding whether the battery 11 is in a normal state or an abnormal state.

[0025] In response to this, a control instruction for the power relays 12a and 12b is transmitted from the control device 9 to each monitoring device 13. As an example, the control instruction is an instruction to permit energization between the battery pack 10 including the normal battery 11 and the electric mechanism 2 when the state of the battery 11 is normal. As another example, the control instruction is an instruction to cut off the energization between the battery pack 10 including the abnormal battery 11 and the electric mechanism 2 when the state of the battery 11 is abnormal. As still another example, the control instruction is a control instruction performed when there is a voltage variation among the battery packs 10a, 10b, and 10c. Specifically speaking, it is an instruction to cut off the energization between the battery pack 10 whose voltage deviates significantly from their average value and the electric mechanism 2.

[0026] The monitoring device 13 can control the power relays 12a and 12b to cut off the energization between them and the electric mechanism 2 for the battery pack 10 with an abnormality or a voltage that deviates significantly from the average value. As described above, the battery 11 has a plurality of serially connected battery cells 11a and 11b. The performance and characteristics of these plurality of battery cells 11a and 11b are different from each other due to product variations. Therefore, when charging and discharging are repeated, the SOCs of the plurality of battery cells 11a and 11b become different from each other. By nature, the battery cells 11a and 11b must suppress the occurrence of over-discharge and over-charge. In other words, over-discharge and over-charge are extremely low and extremely high SOCs.

[0027] The fact that the SOCs of the respective battery cells 11a and 11b vary means that the degree to which over-discharge and over-charge occur in the respective battery cells 11a and 11b also varies. In order to accurately control the SOC of the battery 11 so that it does not become over-discharged or over-charged, it is necessary to equalize the SOCs of the plurality of battery cells 11a and 11b. In other words, it is necessary to make the SOCs of the respective battery cells 11a and 11b coincide with the SOC of the battery 11, which is the sum average of these. Due to such a requirement, the monitoring device 13 also performs equalization processing of the battery cells 11a and 11b together with the fail-safe processing described later.

[0028] The control results of the power relays 12a and 12b by the monitoring device 13 are transmitted to the control device 9. In response to the control results, the control device 9 transmits the number information of the battery packs 10 that are electrically connected to the electric mechanism 2 at the current time to the monitoring devices 13 of the respective battery packs 10. Even if the control of the power relays 12a and 12b by the monitoring device 13 is performed, the battery pack 10 that is still electrically connected to the electric mechanism 2 may be referred to as the target battery pack 10d. The monitoring device 13 included in the target battery pack 10d may be referred to as the target monitoring device 13d. The number information of the target battery pack 10d may be referred to as the target number information.

[0029] As described above, the monitoring device 13 can determine whether the battery 11 that is the monitoring target is normal or abnormal. In the target monitoring device 13d, it is determined that the battery 11 included in the target battery pack 10d is normal. The target number information is further transmitted to the target monitoring device 13d from the control device 9. The target monitoring device 13d is set so that it can determine the subsequent fail-safe according to the target number information.

[0030] In the monitoring device 13, when the target number is less than or equal to a predetermined number, a program for performing a fail-safe to limit the operation of the target battery pack 10d when an abnormality occurs in the target battery pack 10d is set. Also, in the monitoring device 13, when the target number is greater than the predetermined number, a program for performing a fail-safe to electrically disconnect only the target battery pack 10d in which the abnormality has occurred from the electric mechanism 2 when an abnormality occurs in the target battery pack 10d is set. The predetermined number is, for example, 1. Note that the predetermined number is not limited to 1. The predetermined number may be 2 or more.

[0031] When electrically disconnecting the target battery pack 10d in which an abnormality has occurred from the electric mechanism 2, a limit signal for limiting the output of the rotating electric machine 2b is transmitted from the control device 9 to the rotating electric machine control device 2c before the disconnection. The rotating electric machine control device 2c limits the output of the rotating electric machine 2b based on the limit signal. According to this, the amount of current required in the energization path between the battery pack 10 and the electric mechanism 2 can be suppressed. Accordingly, the target battery pack 10d in which an abnormality has occurred can be safely disconnected from the electric mechanism 2.

[0032] Also, as a fail-safe when the target number is less than or equal to a predetermined number, a method of restricting the charging of the battery 11 is adopted. For example, during traveling, it is prohibited to charge the assembled battery 4 by the electric mechanism 2 functioning as a generator. By performing charging, the SOC of the battery pack 10 gradually increases. By restricting the charging before overcharging occurs, the time until the target battery pack 10d reaches a voltage at which it loses its battery performance is lengthened. The time until the vehicle can stop safely can be ensured.

[0033] As another fail-safe when the target number is less than or equal to a predetermined number, a method of restricting the discharge from the target battery pack 10d is adopted. By performing discharge, the SOC of the battery pack 10 gradually decreases. By restricting the discharge of the target battery pack 10d when the target number is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the reduction of the SOC of the target battery pack 10d is suppressed. The time until the vehicle can stop safely can be ensured.

[0034] Note that the monitoring device 13 determines a threshold value so that the SOC of the target battery pack 10d does not become over-discharged or over-charged, and controls the amount of electric power flowing in and out of the target battery pack 10d. As an example, the monitoring device 13 measures the current value at a constant period and estimates the SOC by the current integration method. The current integration method measures the amount of electric power flowing in and out of the battery 11 by constantly measuring the charge and discharge current of the battery 11. Then, the SOC is estimated by adding or subtracting this from the initial capacity. The monitoring device 13 determines that it is over-charged when the estimated SOC or the voltage of the battery cell is greater than a predetermined upper limit value, and determines that it is over-discharged when it is less than a predetermined lower limit value.

[0035] In addition, the monitoring device 13 has a timer and measures the time during which charging and discharging occur. The monitoring device 13 determines whether the measurement time indicated by the timer has exceeded a preset limit time. The monitoring device 13 can sufficiently secure the time until the vehicle can stop safely by controlling the power input to and output from the battery 11 before the measurement time exceeds the limit time.

[0036] The electric mechanism 2 also has a function of generating electric power by at least one of the rotational energy of the engine and the rotational energy of the wheels. The rotating electrical machine 2b generates an alternating voltage by power generation. This alternating voltage is converted into a direct current voltage by an inverter. This direct current voltage is supplied to the battery pack 10 and each electrical load.

[0037] The electrical load includes a general load and a protection load that is more related to vehicle running than the general load. The general load is in-vehicle equipment such as a seat heater, a blower fan, an electric compressor, a dome light, and a headlight. These general loads have the property that the supplied power does not have to be constant. The required power consumption of the general load varies according to the operation of the user on board the vehicle.

[0038] The protection load includes an electric shift position, an electric power steering (EPS), a brake (ABS), a door lock, a navigation system, and an audio. These protection loads require a constant supplied power. The protection load has the property of switching from an on state to an off state when the supplied voltage falls below a threshold voltage. The required power consumption of the protection load is always greater than a certain amount so as to respond to changes in vehicle running.

[0039] The main purpose of controlling the opening and closing of the power relay is to supply power to the rotating electrical machine. When the power system 1 is in the driving state, the monitoring device 13 controls the power relays 12a and 12b based on the command signal from the control device 9. The target monitoring device 13d controls the opening and closing of the power relays 12a and 12b based on the driving state of the rotating electrical machine 2b and the SOC of the battery pack 10. The target monitoring device 13d controls the opening and closing of the power relays 12a and 12b so that the supply voltage to the protected load does not fall below the threshold voltage. According to this, the risk of power supply to the protected load being cut off can be reduced.

[0040] Hereinafter, the fail-safe of the power supply device 3 will be described based on FIG. 2. The startup process is executed, for example, when the vehicle power is turned on and the control device 9 starts control for running the vehicle. In step S10, each monitoring device 13 detects the status such as the voltage, current, and temperature of the battery 11, and determines whether each battery pack 10 is normal or abnormal. The status of each battery pack 10 determined in step S10 is transmitted from each monitoring device 13 to the control device 9.

[0041] In step S20, the control device 9 identifies the battery pack 10 in the normal state and the battery pack 10 in the abnormal state and outputs different control signals to each. For the battery pack 10 determined to be normal in step S20, in step S30, the control device 9 transmits a signal to close the power relays 12a and 12b to the monitoring device 13. In step S30, the monitoring device 13 performs a process of closing the power relays 12a and 12b for the battery pack 10 determined to be normal. For the battery pack 10 determined to be abnormal in step S20, in step S40, the control device 9 transmits a signal to open the power relays 12a and 12b to the monitoring device 13. In step S40, the monitoring device 13 performs a process of opening the power relays 12a and 12b for the battery pack 10 determined to be abnormal.

[0042] Next, in step S50, the control device 9 totals the target number, which is the number of battery packs 10 currently electrically connected to the electric mechanism 2. The number of battery packs 10 that are electrically connected means the number of battery packs 10 in which both the power relays 12a and 12b in FIG. 1 are in the connected state. The target number information aggregated in step S50 is transmitted to each monitoring device 13. In step S60, the target monitoring device 13d determines whether the target number is greater than a predetermined number.

[0043] If it is determined in step S60 that the target number is less than or equal to the predetermined number, the target monitoring device 13d restricts the operation of the target battery pack 10d as a failsafe for the subsequent target battery pack 10d in step S80. If it is determined in step S60 that the target number is greater than the predetermined number, the target monitoring device 13d electrically disconnects the target battery pack 10d from the electric mechanism 2 as a failsafe for the subsequent target battery pack 10d in step S70. Note that in both step S70 and step S80, the above failsafe is applied only to the target battery pack 10d in which an abnormality has occurred thereafter. In step S70, if an abnormality subsequently occurs in some of the target battery packs 10d, only the target battery pack 10d in which the abnormality has occurred is electrically disconnected from the electric mechanism 2. The target battery packs 10d in which no abnormality has occurred maintain the state of being electrically energized with the electric mechanism 2. Also in step S70, if an abnormality subsequently occurs in all of the target battery packs 10d, all of the target battery packs 10d are not electrically disconnected from the electric mechanism 2. At least one of the target battery packs 10d maintains the state of being electrically energized with the electric mechanism 2. The power supply device 3 starts the above-described flow again via END from step S70 or step S80. The above-described flow is repeated until the vehicle power is turned off and the control device 9 performs control to stop the vehicle.

[0044] Also, in step S10, each monitoring device 13 may determine whether the voltage of each battery pack 10 significantly deviates from the average value instead of determining the state of each battery pack 10. The fail-safe of the power supply device 3 will be described based on FIG. 3. In step S20, the control device 9 identifies the battery pack 10 that significantly deviates from the average value and the other battery packs 10 and outputs different control signals to each of them.

[0045] For the battery pack 10 identified as not significantly deviating from the average value in step S20, in step S30, the control device 9 transmits a signal to close the power relays 12a and 12b. For the battery pack identified as significantly deviating from the average value in step S20, in step S40, the control device 9 transmits a signal to open the power relays 12a and 12b. Note that the description of the flow after step S50 is omitted because it is the same.

[0046] <Function and Effect> The power supply device 3 includes a plurality of battery packs 10 and a control device 9. The plurality of battery packs 10 are connected in parallel to the electric mechanism 2. The control device 9 communicates with the plurality of battery packs 10. Each battery pack 10 includes a battery 11 and a monitoring device 13. The monitoring device 13 detects the state of the battery 11. The monitoring device 13 cooperates with the control device 9 to control the electrical connection with the electric mechanism 2 according to the state of the battery 11. The monitoring device 13 further grasps the target number, which is the number of target battery packs. The target monitoring device determines the fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery 11 included in the target battery pack 10d thereafter according to the target number. The target monitoring device can determine the subsequent fail-safe according to the number of target battery packs.

[0047] When the number of target battery packs is less than or equal to a predetermined number and an abnormality occurs in the battery 11 included in the target battery pack thereafter, the target monitoring device restricts the operation of the target battery pack. When the number of target battery packs is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the risk of the electric mechanism 2 not being supplied with power can be reduced.

[0048] When the number of target battery packs is greater than a predetermined number and then an abnormality occurs in battery 11 included in the target battery pack, the target monitoring device electrically disconnects only the target battery pack in which the abnormality has occurred from the electric mechanism 2. Even when the number of target battery packs is greater than a predetermined number, the risk of the electric mechanism 2 losing power supply can be reduced.

[0049] As a fail-safe when the number of target battery packs is greater than a predetermined number, after the energization between the battery pack 10 and the electric mechanism 2 is restricted, the target monitoring device electrically disconnects only the target battery pack in which the abnormality has occurred from the electric mechanism 2. When electrically cutting off the target battery pack in which an abnormality has occurred from the electric mechanism 2, a limit signal for limiting the output of the rotating electric machine 2b is transmitted from the control device 9 to the rotating electric machine control device 2c before cutting off. The rotating electric machine control device 2c performs output limitation of the rotating electric machine 2b based on the limit signal. According to this, the amount of current required for the energization path between the battery pack 10 and the electric mechanism 2 can be suppressed. Therefore, the target battery pack in which an abnormality has occurred can be safely cut off from the electric mechanism 2.

[0050] As a fail-safe when the number of target battery packs is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the target monitoring device restricts charging of the target battery pack. For example, during running, charging from the electric mechanism 2 to the assembled battery 4 is prohibited. By restricting charging before the target battery pack becomes overcharged, the time until the target battery pack reaches a voltage at which it loses battery performance is lengthened. The time until the vehicle can be safely stopped can be ensured.

[0051] As another fail-safe when the number of target battery packs is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the target monitoring device restricts discharging of the target battery pack. By restricting discharging of the target battery pack, reduction of the SOC of the target battery pack is suppressed. The time until the vehicle can be safely stopped can be ensured.

[0052] When the number of target battery packs is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the fail-safe is performed according to the SOC, voltage, or limited time of the target battery pack. As an example, the target monitoring device controls the amount of power flowing in and out by setting a threshold value so that the SOC of the target battery pack does not become overcharged. The target monitoring device limits the amount of power flowing in and out by setting a threshold value so that the SOC of the target battery pack does not become overdischarged.

[0053] The monitoring device 13 controls the power relays 12a and 12b based on a command signal from the control device 9. The target monitoring device opens and closes the power relays 12a and 12b based on the driving state of the rotating electrical machine 2b or the like. The target monitoring device opens and closes the power relays 12a and 12b so that the supply voltage to the rotating electrical machine 2b does not fall below the threshold voltage. The risk of power supply to the electric mechanism 2 being cut off can be reduced.

[0054] The monitoring device 13 also has a timer and measures the time during which charging and discharging occur. The monitoring device 13 determines whether the measurement time indicated by the timer has elapsed a preset limited time. Before the measurement time exceeds the limited time, the monitoring device 13 controls the power input to and output from the battery 11 to switch the battery pack 10 to limited operation. This can also ensure the time until the vehicle can stop safely.

[0055] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a configuration in which the assembled battery 4 has a plurality of battery packs 10 including the same components was described. Each of the plurality of battery packs 10 in the first embodiment includes a battery 11, a first power relay 12a, a second power relay 12b, and a monitoring device 13.

[0056] Each monitoring device 13 of the first embodiment detects the state of the battery 11 and controls the power relays 12a and 12b. The status of the battery 11 of each battery pack 10 is transmitted from each monitoring device 13 to the control device 9. In response to this, a control instruction for the power relays 12a and 12b is transmitted from the control device 9 to each monitoring device 13. The control result of the power relays 12a and 12b by the monitoring device 13 is transmitted to the control device 9. In response to the control result, the control device 9 aggregates the number of battery packs 10 currently connected to the electric mechanism 2.

[0057] The number information of the battery packs 10 currently connected to the electric mechanism 2 is transmitted from the control device 9 to the monitoring devices 13 of each battery pack 10. The target monitoring device 13d is set so that it can determine the subsequent fail-safe according to the target number information.

[0058] In contrast, in the second embodiment, the assembled battery 4 has a plurality of battery packs 10 including different components. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a power system including the power supply device 3 in the second embodiment. The plurality of battery packs 10 in the second embodiment include a first battery pack 10e having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and a second battery pack 10f having a different type of monitoring device 13 from the first battery pack 10e. The monitoring device 13 included in the second battery pack 10f is a general monitoring device 13f that summarizes the information transmitted from the monitoring device 13 included in the first battery pack 10e.

[0059] Each monitoring device 13 of the second embodiment detects the state of the battery 11 and controls the power relays 12a and 12b. The state information of the battery 11 in the first battery pack 10e is transmitted from each monitoring device 13e included in the first battery pack 10e to the general monitoring device 13f. In response to this, a control instruction for the power relays 12a and 12b is transmitted from the general monitoring device 13f to the monitoring device 13e of the first battery pack 10e. The general monitoring device 13f detects the state information included in its own second battery pack 10f and controls the power relays 12a and 12b based on it.

[0060] The control results of the power relays 12a and 12b by the monitoring device 13e are transmitted to the overall monitoring device 13f. In response to the control results, the overall monitoring device 13f aggregates the number of battery packs 10 currently connected to the electric mechanism 2. The overall monitoring device 13f transmits the number information of the battery packs 10 currently connected to the electric mechanism 2 to the monitoring device 13e of the first battery pack 10e. The target monitoring device 13d can determine the subsequent fail-safe according to the target number information. Although in the figure, the battery pack 10a has the overall monitoring device 13f, and the battery packs 10b and 10c have the target monitoring device 13d, the present invention is not limited thereto. When the overall monitoring device 13f becomes the target battery pack 10d itself, it determines the subsequent fail-safe according to the target number information it grasps.

[0061] As described above, in the second embodiment, at least the function of aggregating the target number information and the function of transmitting the target number information to each monitoring device 13, which the control device 9 in the first embodiment has, are transferred to the overall monitoring device 13f. Thus, the same effects as those in the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described in accordance with the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and structures. The present disclosure includes various modifications and modifications within the equivalent scope. In addition, although various combinations and forms are shown in the present disclosure, other combinations and forms including only one element, more, or less thereof are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0063] (Disclosure of Technical Idea) This specification discloses a plurality of technical ideas described in a plurality of claims listed below. Some claims may be described in a multiple dependent form that alternatively cites preceding claims in subsequent claims. Some claims may be described in a multiple dependent form that refers to other multiple dependent form claims. The claims described in these multiple dependent forms define a plurality of technical ideas.

[0064] (Technical idea 1) A plurality of battery packs (10) connected in parallel to an external device (2), A control device (9) that communicates with the plurality of battery packs, comprising: The battery pack includes: A plurality of battery cells (11a, 11b), A monitoring device (13) that detects the state of the battery cell and controls the electrical connection with the external device according to the state of the battery cell in cooperation with the control device. The monitoring device grasps the target number, which is the number of target battery packs (10d) that are electrically connected to the external device after the control is performed, The target monitoring device (13d), which is the monitoring device included in the target battery pack, is a power supply device that determines a fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell included in the target battery pack according to the target number.

[0065] (Technical idea 2) When the number of the target battery packs is less than or equal to a predetermined number, The target monitoring device is the power supply device according to Technical idea 1 that restricts the operation of the target battery pack as the fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell included in the target battery pack thereafter.

[0066] (Technical idea 3) When the number of the target battery packs is larger than the predetermined number, when an abnormality occurs in the battery cells included in the target battery pack thereafter, the target monitoring device is the power supply device according to Technical Idea 2 that electrically disconnects only the target battery pack in which the abnormality has occurred in the battery cells as the fail-safe from the external device.

[0067] (Technical Idea 4) after the energization between the battery pack and the external device is restricted, the target monitoring device is the power supply device according to Technical Idea 3 that electrically disconnects only the target battery pack in which the abnormality has occurred in the battery cells from the external device.

[0068] (Technical Idea 5) as the fail-safe, the target monitoring device is the power supply device according to Technical Idea 2 that restricts charging of the target battery pack.

[0069] (Technical Idea 6) as the fail-safe, the target monitoring device is the power supply device according to Technical Idea 2 or 5 that restricts discharging of the target battery pack.

[0070] (Technical Idea 7) the fail-safe is the power supply device according to Technical Idea 5 or 6 that is performed according to the state of charge (SOC) of the target battery pack, the voltage of the target battery pack, or a preset limit time.

[0071] (Technical Idea 8) the target monitoring device is the power supply device according to any one of Technical Ideas 1 to 7 that determines the fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cells included in the target battery pack thereafter according to the target number sent from the control device.

[0072] (Technical Idea 9) one of the plurality of battery packs has a monitoring device that functions as a master monitoring device (13f) that controls the monitoring devices included in the remaining battery packs and grasps the target number, The power supply device according to any one of technical concepts 1 to 7 that determines the fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cells included in the target battery pack thereafter, in which the target monitoring device excluding the overall monitoring device is configured according to the number of targets sent from the overall monitoring device.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 2 External device, 9 Control device, 10 Battery pack, 10d Target battery pack, 11a, 11b Battery cell, 13 Monitoring device, 13d Target monitoring device, 13f Overall monitoring device.

Claims

1. A plurality of battery packs (10) connected in parallel to an external device (2); A control device (9) communicating with the plurality of battery packs; and the power supply device is provided with: The battery pack includes: A plurality of battery cells (11a, 11b); A monitoring device (13) that detects the state of the battery cell and controls the electrical connection with the external device in cooperation with the control device according to the state of the battery cell; The monitoring device grasps the target number, which is the number of target battery packs (10d) that are electrically connected to the external device after the control is performed; The target monitoring device (13d), which is the monitoring device included in the target battery pack, is a power supply device that determines a fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell included in the target battery pack according to the target number.

2. When the number of the target battery packs is equal to or less than a predetermined number, The target monitoring device restricts the operation of the target battery pack as the fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell included in the target battery pack thereafter. The power supply device according to claim 1.

3. When the number of the target battery packs is more than the predetermined number, The target monitoring device electrically disconnects only the target battery pack in which an abnormality has occurred in the battery cell from the external device as the fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cell included in the target battery pack thereafter. The power supply device according to claim 2.

4. After the energization between the battery pack and the external device is restricted, the target monitoring device electrically disconnects only the target battery pack in which an abnormality has occurred in the battery cell from the external device. The power supply device according to claim 3.

5. As the fail-safe, the target monitoring device restricts the charging of the target battery pack. The power supply device according to claim 2.

6. As the fail-safe, the target monitoring device restricts the discharging of the target battery pack. The power supply device according to claim 2.

7. The fail-safe is performed according to the state of charge (SOC) of the target battery pack, the voltage of the target battery pack, or a preset limit time. The power supply device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The target monitoring device is the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which determines the fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cells included in the target battery pack thereafter according to the target number sent from the control device.

9. One of the plurality of battery packs functions as a master monitoring device (13f) that oversees the monitoring devices included in the remaining battery packs and grasps the target number, and The target monitoring device excluding the master monitoring device is the power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which determines the fail-safe when an abnormality occurs in the battery cells included in the target battery pack thereafter according to the target number sent from the master monitoring device.

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