Battery pack and battery system

Abstract

To detect an abnormality in the entire pack case of a battery pack.SOLUTION: A battery pack 10 includes: a plurality of cell module units 20; and a pack case 30 accommodating the plurality of cell module units 20. The cell module unit 20 has: a cell module 40 having a plurality of battery cells 41; and abnormality detection means 50 electrically connected to the cell module 40 as a power source. The abnormality detection means 50 is configured to perform an output to an external controller 80 when detecting an abnormality in the entire pack case 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-80135 discloses a battery system including multiple battery blocks connected in series, a battery state detection circuit, and a main control circuit. In each battery block, multiple battery cells are connected in series. The battery state detection circuit is connected to each battery cell and includes circuits for detecting the voltage and temperature of the battery cell.

[0003] The battery state detection circuit outputs the voltage and temperature of each battery cell to the main control circuit, which manages the state of each battery cell based on the voltage and temperature of each battery cell. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-80135 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the battery system disclosed in JP 2010-80135 A, the battery state detection circuit is electrically connected to the battery block to be detected and uses the battery block as its power source. If an abnormality occurs in the battery block and power is not supplied to the battery state detection circuit, the battery state detection circuit may lose power. In this case, the battery state detection circuit may not start up normally, and the state of the battery block may not be detected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The battery pack disclosed herein comprises a plurality of cell module units and a pack case housing the plurality of cell module units. The cell module units each comprise a cell module having a plurality of battery cells, and an abnormality detection means electrically connected to the cell module using the cell module as a power source. The abnormality detection means is configured to output a signal to an external controller when it detects an overall abnormality within the pack case.

[0007] In the battery pack disclosed herein, a pack case contains multiple cell modules, and an abnormality detection means is provided that is electrically connected to each cell module. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in one of the multiple cell modules and one of the multiple abnormality detection means loses power, the remaining abnormality detection means can detect the entire abnormality within the pack case. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an anomaly detection method. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sub-controller. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a battery system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the technology disclosed herein will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Each drawing is a schematic diagram and does not necessarily faithfully reflect an actual product. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are appropriately used for components and parts that perform the same function, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0010] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery system 100 according to a first embodiment. The battery system 100 according to this embodiment is connected to a load (not shown). The type of load connected to the battery system 100 is not particularly limited. The load may be, for example, a vehicle load, such as a drive device such as an electric motor of the vehicle, or an inverter. The battery system 100 is mounted on a vehicle such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and is used as a power source that supplies power to an electric motor that drives the vehicle. However, the battery system 100 is not limited to use in a vehicle.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery system 100 includes a plurality of battery packs 10, a controller 80, and an auxiliary power supply 90. The number of battery packs 10 is not particularly limited, but is two here. The number of battery packs 10 may be three or more. In the following description, one of the two battery packs 10 will be referred to as battery pack 10A, and the other as battery pack 10B. Here, the battery packs 10A and 10B have the same configuration. In the following description, the term battery pack 10 will be used in common to both battery packs 10A and 10B.

[0012] The battery pack 10 includes a plurality of cell module units 20 and a pack case 30. The plurality of cell module units 20 are housed in the pack case 30. The pack case 30 is a sealed case. Here, "sealed" refers to a state in which external air does not enter the pack case 30 and the pressure inside the pack case 30 does not change due to external factors. The pack case 30 is formed, for example, from a metal, but the material from which the pack case 30 is formed is not particularly limited.

[0013] The number of cell module units 20 housed in one pack case 30 is not particularly limited as long as it is plural. In this embodiment, the number of cell module units 20 housed in one pack case 30 is two. Here, one of the two cell module units 20 is also referred to as cell module unit 20A, and the other is also referred to as cell module unit 20B. The cell module units 20A and 20B have the same configuration. In the following, when a common description is given to the cell module units 20A and 20B, the term cell module unit 20 will be used.

[0014] In this embodiment, the cell module unit 20 includes a cell module 40 and an abnormality detection means 50. The cell module 40 includes a plurality of battery cells 41. The battery cells 41 are chargeable and dischargeable. For example, a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged by the movement of charge carriers between a pair of electrodes (e.g., a positive electrode and a negative electrode) via an electrolyte may be used as the battery cell 41. For example, a lithium-ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery may be used as the battery cell 41. In this embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 41 are connected in series. Here, the plurality of battery cells 41 are connected in series via a bus bar (not shown). However, the plurality of battery cells 41 may also be connected in parallel. The number of battery cells 41 in one cell module 40 is not particularly limited and is a predetermined number. The number of battery cells 41 in the cell modules 40 in each cell module unit 20 may be the same or different.

[0015] The anomaly detection means 50 is a means for detecting an overall abnormality within the pack case 30. Here, an overall abnormality within the pack case 30 refers to an abnormality in components such as the battery cells 41 of the cell modules 40 housed in the pack case 30. An abnormality in the cell modules 40 (e.g., the battery cells 41) refers to, for example, a high temperature abnormality caused by the battery cells 41 becoming too hot. The anomaly detection means 50 is configured to output an overall abnormality within the pack case 30 to an external controller 80 when it detects an overall abnormality within the pack case 30. In the following description, an "overall abnormality within the pack case 30" is also referred to as an abnormality within the pack case 30. As shown in FIG. 1 , the anomaly detection means 50 is housed in the pack case 30. However, at least some of the components constituting the anomaly detection means 50 may be provided outside the pack case 30. In this embodiment, the anomaly detection means 50 is powered by the multiple battery cells 41 of the cell modules 40. The anomaly detection means 50 is electrically connected to the cell modules 40 (in other words, the multiple battery cells 41). In this embodiment, the abnormality detection means 50 is electrically connected to the cell module 40 via a power supply wiring 54. The power supply wiring 54 has a first power supply wiring 54a electrically connected to the positive electrode side of the cell module 40 and a second power supply wiring 54b electrically connected to the negative electrode side of the cell module 40.

[0016] The configuration of the abnormality detection means 50 is not particularly limited. Here, as shown in FIG. 1 , the abnormality detection means 50 has a pressure sensor 51 and a sub-controller 53. The pressure sensor 51 is housed in the pack case 30. In this embodiment, one pack case 30 houses multiple pressure sensors 51 (here, two pressure sensors 51). The pressure sensor 51 detects the pressure inside the pack case 30. In this embodiment, for example, when an abnormality occurs throughout the pack case 30, the pressure inside the pack case 30 may increase. Therefore, when the pressure inside the pack case 30 detected by the pressure sensor 51 increases, the abnormality detection means 50 detects that an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case 30.

[0017] The sub-controller 53 determines whether an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case 30, and when it determines that an abnormality has occurred, outputs a result to the external controller 80. The sub-controller 53 is configured, for example, by an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). However, the sub-controller 53 may also be configured, for example, by a microcomputer. The sub-controller 53 may include a communications interface, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions from a control program, a read-only memory (ROM) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a random access memory (RAM) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as a memory that stores the program and various data. The sub-controller 53 may be configured by a single device (for example, a single CPU), or may be configured to be controlled jointly by multiple devices.

[0018] In this embodiment, the sub-controller 53 is housed in the pack case 30. However, the sub-controller 53 may be provided outside the pack case 30. The sub-controller 53 is communicatively connected to the pressure sensor 51 of the same cell module unit 20. For example, the sub-controller 53 acquires from the pressure sensor 51 a detected pressure value P1 (see FIG. 2) inside the pack case 30 detected by the pressure sensor 51. The sub-controller 53 then determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case 30 based on the detected pressure value P1 acquired from the pressure sensor 51. Here, for example, the sub-controller 53 determines whether or not the detected pressure value P1 inside the pack case 30 is high (for example, higher than a reference pressure value P2 (see FIG. 2) described below). When the sub-controller 53 determines that the detected pressure value P1 is high (for example, higher than the reference pressure value P2), it determines that an abnormality has occurred within the pack case 30. At this time, when the sub-controller 53 determines that an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case 30, it outputs the result to the external controller 80. For example, the sub-controller 53 transmits an abnormality signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the pack case 30 to the controller 80 .

[0019] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in one battery pack 10, a plurality of cell module units 20 (here, cell module units 20A and 20B) are connected in series. A plurality of cell modules 40 (in other words, a plurality of battery cells 41 connected in series) included in the plurality of cell module units 20 are connected in series. Also, a plurality of battery packs 10 (here, battery packs 10A and 10B) included in the battery system 100 are connected in series. That is, a plurality of cell modules 40 included in the plurality of battery packs 10 are connected in series. However, a plurality of cell modules 40 may also be connected in parallel.

[0020] The controller 80, like the sub-controller 53, is configured by, for example, an ASIC, but may also be configured by a microcomputer. Like the sub-controller 53, the controller 80 may include a communication interface, an internal processing unit, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, etc. Furthermore, the controller 80 may be configured by a single device (for example, a single CPU), or may be configured to be controlled jointly by multiple devices. The controller 80 is provided outside the pack case 30.

[0021] In this embodiment, the controller 80 is not powered by the cell modules 40 of the battery pack 10, but by the auxiliary power supply 90. The controller 80 is electrically connected to the auxiliary power supply 90. The type of the auxiliary power supply 90 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a storage battery (here, a lead-acid battery).

[0022] In this embodiment, the controller 80 is communicatively connected to a plurality of abnormality detection means 50 provided in each of the plurality of battery packs 10. Here, the controller 80 is communicatively connected to a plurality of sub-controllers 53 in each of the plurality of abnormality detection means 50. In this embodiment, when the sub-controller 53 detects that an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case 30, the controller 80 receives information output from the sub-controller 53 (for example, an abnormality signal indicating that an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case 30). By receiving the abnormality signal, the controller 80 can determine that an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack 10 (more specifically, within the pack case 30) to which the sub-controller 53 that output the abnormality signal belongs.

[0023] 1, in this embodiment, the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 (more specifically, the plurality of sub-controllers 53) and the controller 80 are communicatively connected in a ring configuration. The connection form (topology) between the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 and the controller 80 is a ring configuration. In other words, the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 and the controller 80 are communicatively connected in a loop configuration.

[0024] For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the controller 80 and the multiple abnormality detection means 50 are communicatively connected via communication wiring 95. Two communication wirings 95 are connected to each of the multiple abnormality detection means 50 and the controller 80. The sub-controllers 53 of the multiple abnormality detection means 50 are capable of bidirectional output to the controller 80. In this embodiment, the controller 80 is communicatively connected to the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20A in the battery pack 10A via communication wiring 95a. The abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20A in the battery pack 10A and the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20B in the battery pack 10A are communicatively connected via communication wiring 95b. The abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20B in the battery pack 10A and the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20A in the battery pack 10B are communicatively connected via communication wiring 95c. The abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20A in the battery pack 10B and the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20B in the battery pack 10B are communicatively connected via a communication line 95d. In addition, the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20B in the battery pack 10B is communicatively connected to the controller 80 via a communication line 95e.

[0025] The configuration of the battery system 100 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, an abnormality detection method for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the entire pack case 30 of any of the battery packs 10 included in the battery system 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0026] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sub-controller 53. In this embodiment, in order to execute the processes in the flowchart of Fig. 2 in order, the sub-controller 53 of each abnormality detection means 50 includes a storage unit 55, an acquisition unit 56, a determination unit 57, and an output unit 58. Each unit of the sub-controller 53 may be realized by one or more processors, or may be realized by a circuit.

[0027] In this embodiment, the battery system 100 starts up in step S101 of FIG. 2. Here, a predetermined startup process is executed by the controller 80. This startup process starts up the pressure sensor 51 and sub-controller 53 of each abnormality detection means 50. Here, the startup process by the controller 80 starts up the pressure sensor 51 and sub-controller 53 of each abnormality detection means 50 by supplying power from the cell module 40 (here, a plurality of battery cells 41) electrically connected via the power supply wiring 54. Here, the startup of the pressure sensor 51 refers to a state in which it can detect the detected pressure value P1 (see FIG. 2) inside the pack case 30. The startup of the sub-controller 53 refers to a state in which it can acquire the detected pressure value P1 detected by the pressure sensor 51 and output it to the controller 80.

[0028] In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 51 detects (measures) the detected pressure value P1 of the pack case 30 every time a predetermined sampling time has elapsed after startup. However, for example, the pressure sensor 51 may be configured to detect the detected pressure value P1 inside the pack case 30 at the timing when the pressure sensor 51 receives a detection signal transmitted from the sub-controller 53.

[0029] Next, in step S103 of FIG. 2, the acquisition unit 56 of the sub-controller 53 of FIG. 3 acquires the detected pressure value P1. In this embodiment, the sub-controller 53 receives a command from the controller 80 and executes the abnormality detection method. Here, for example, the controller 80 transmits a detection signal to each sub-controller 53 (more specifically, to the sub-controller 53 of the abnormality detection means 50 of each of the cell module units 20A and 20B in each of the battery packs 10A and 10B) every time a predetermined detection time elapses. The sub-controller 53 that receives this detection signal starts abnormality detection. At this time, the acquisition unit 56 of the sub-controller 53 acquires the detected pressure value P1 from the pressure sensor 51. The detected pressure value P1 acquired by the acquisition unit 56 is stored in the memory unit 55 of FIG. 3.

[0030] Next, in step S105 of FIG. 2, the determination unit 57 of the sub-controller 53 of FIG. 3 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the pack case 30. Here, the determination unit 57 determines whether the detected pressure value P1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference pressure value P2. For example, if an abnormality occurs in any of the multiple cell modules 40 housed in the pack case 30, the pressure inside the pack case 30 increases. For example, if an abnormality occurs inside the pack case 30, the detected pressure value P1 detected by the pressure sensor 51 increases. Therefore, in step S105, the determination unit 57 determines whether the detected pressure value P1 is equal to or greater than the reference pressure value P2. The reference pressure value P2 is pre-stored in the memory unit 55 (see FIG. 3) of each sub-controller 53. The reference pressure value P2 is set based on the pressure value inside the pack case 30 that is expected when an abnormality occurs inside the pack case 30.

[0031] If the determination unit 57 determines in step S105 that the detected pressure value P1 is less than the reference pressure value P2, the process proceeds to step S107 in Fig. 2. In step S107, the sub-controller 53 determines that the inside of the pack case 30 is normal. On the other hand, if the determination unit 57 determines in step S105 that the detected pressure value P1 is equal to or greater than the reference pressure value P2, the process proceeds to step S109 in Fig. 2. In step S109, the sub-controller 53 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the pack case 30.

[0032] In this embodiment, even if it is determined in step S107 that the inside of the pack case 30 is normal, or even if it is determined in step S109 that an abnormality has occurred inside the pack case 30, the process proceeds to step S111 in FIG. 2.

[0033] In step S111, the output unit 58 of the sub-controller 53 in Fig. 3 outputs the state inside the pack case 30 (here, pack state information) to the controller 80. Here, the state inside the pack case 30 is either a normal state or a state in which an abnormality has occurred. The output unit 58 outputs the pack state information to the controller 80 according to the state inside the pack case 30.

[0034] For example, if the sub-controller 53 determines in step S107 of FIG. 2 that the inside of the pack case 30 is normal, then in step S111 the output unit 58 outputs (e.g., transmits) normal information indicating that the inside of the pack case 30 is normal to the controller 80 as pack status information. Here, the output unit 58 transmits a normal signal as normal information to the controller 80. On the other hand, if the sub-controller 53 determines in step S109 of FIG. 2 that an abnormality has occurred in the pack case 30, then in step S111 the output unit 58 outputs abnormality information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the pack case 30 to the controller 80 as pack status information. Here, the output unit 58 transmits an abnormality signal to the controller 80 as abnormality information.

[0035] As described above, the abnormality detection method is performed by sequentially executing the flowchart in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, as described above, the controller 80 transmits a detection signal to each sub-controller 53 every time a predetermined detection time elapses. Each sub-controller 53 sequentially executes steps S103 to S111 in Fig. 2 at the timing when it receives the detection signal.

[0036] The controller 80 performs control based on pack state information output from each sub-controller 53. As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, multiple (here, two) abnormality detection means 50 are provided for one pack case 30. Therefore, if the pack state information output from either sub-controller 53 of the two abnormality detection means 50 indicates abnormality, the controller 80 determines that an abnormality has occurred in that pack case 30 and that an abnormality has occurred in the battery system 100. When the controller 80 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the battery system 100, it executes a predetermined abnormality process. The content of this abnormality process is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a process to stop the battery system 100 or a process to notify a higher-level control device (for example, an overall control device of a vehicle equipped with the battery system 100). If the pack state information output from all sub-controllers 53 indicates normality, the battery system 100 is normal, and the controller 80 does not perform any special control.

[0037] In this embodiment, as described above, for one battery pack 10, an abnormality within the entire pack case 30 is detected by a plurality of abnormality detection means 50. That is, an abnormality within one pack case 30 is detected by a plurality of abnormality detection means 50 housed in the pack case 30. When an abnormality occurs within the entire pack case 30, the cause may be, for example, an abnormality in one of the plurality of cell modules 40 housed in the pack case 30 (for example, a high temperature abnormality caused by a cell module 40 (at least one of the plurality of battery cells 41) becoming too hot).

[0038] 1, let us assume that an abnormality occurs in the cell module 40 of the cell module unit 20B of the cell module units 20A and 20B in the battery pack 10A. In this case, the temperature inside the pack case 30 of the battery pack 10A becomes high, and the abnormality detection means 50 in both the cell module units 20A and 20B detects an abnormality inside the pack case 30.

[0039] For example, if an abnormality occurs in a cell module 40 of cell module unit 20B, power may not be supplied to the abnormality detection means 50 of cell module unit 20B, which receives power from the cell module 40 where the abnormality occurred. If power is not supplied, the abnormality detection means 50 will not start up properly, and will not be able to detect an abnormality within the pack case 30. However, in this embodiment, the abnormality detection means 50 in both cell module units 20A and 20B detects an abnormality within the pack case 30, so even if the abnormality detection means 50 of cell module unit 20B loses power and is unusable, the abnormality within the pack case 30 can be detected by the abnormality detection means 50 of cell module unit 20A.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the connection between the multiple abnormality detection means 50 (specifically, sub-controllers 53) and the controller 80 is a ring type. Pack status information output from the sub-controller 53 to the controller 80 is output via a communication wiring 95. As described above, if an abnormality occurs in the cell module 40 of the cell module unit 20B of the battery pack 10A and the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20B of the battery pack 10A becomes unusable, the communication wirings 95b and 95c connected to the abnormality detection means 50 become unusable. Therefore, in this case, for example, the output unit 58 of the sub-controller 53 in the cell module unit 20A of the battery pack 10A outputs pack status information to the controller 80 via the communication wiring 95a. For example, the output unit 58 of the sub-controller 53 in the cell module unit 20A of the battery pack 10B outputs pack status information to the controller 80 via the communication wirings 95d and 95e.

[0041] As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the battery system 100 includes a battery pack 10 and a controller 80. The battery pack 10 includes a plurality of cell module units 20 and a pack case 30 that houses the plurality of cell module units 20. The cell module unit 20 includes a cell module 40 having a plurality of battery cells 41 and an abnormality detection means 50 that is electrically connected to the cell module 40 using the cell module 40 as a power source. The abnormality detection means 50 is configured to output an overall abnormality within the pack case 30 to an external controller 80 when it detects an abnormality within the pack case 30. The controller 80 is communicatively connected to the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 of the battery pack 10 and is provided outside the pack case 30. As a result, a single pack case 30 houses a plurality of cell modules 40, and an abnormality detection means 50 is provided that is electrically connected to each cell module 40. Therefore, even if an abnormality occurs in any of the multiple cell modules 40 and the power supply to any of the multiple abnormality detection means 50 is lost, the remaining abnormality detection means 50 can detect all abnormalities within the pack case 30.

[0042] 1, for example, the pack case 30 of the battery pack 10A houses the cell modules 40 of the cell module units 20A and 20B. Therefore, two abnormality detection means 50 are used to detect abnormalities throughout the pack case 30. For example, even if an abnormality occurs in the cell module 40 of the cell module unit 20B and the power supply to the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20B is lost, the abnormality throughout the pack case 30 can be detected by the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20A. Therefore, abnormalities throughout the pack case 30 can be detected appropriately.

[0043] In this embodiment, the pack case 30 is sealed. The abnormality detection means 50 has a pressure sensor 51 that detects a detected pressure value P1 (see FIG. 2) inside the pack case 30. Here, because the pack case 30 is sealed, if an abnormality occurs inside the pack case 30, the pressure inside the pack case 30 may increase. Therefore, by the pressure sensor 51 detecting the detected pressure value P1 inside the pack case 30, the abnormality detection means 50 can detect an abnormality inside the pack case 30 based on the detected pressure value P1.

[0044] In this embodiment, the abnormality detection means 50 includes a sub-controller 53. The sub-controller 53 includes an acquisition unit 56 (see FIG. 3) that acquires a detected pressure value P1 from the pressure sensor 51, and a determination unit 57 (see FIG. 3) that determines whether the detected pressure value P1 acquired by the acquisition unit 56 is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference pressure value P2 (see FIG. 2). The sub-controller 53 is configured to detect that an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case 30 when the determination unit 57 determines that the detected pressure value P1 is equal to or greater than the reference pressure value P2. Here, the reference pressure value P2 may be the minimum pressure value within the pack case 30 that is expected when an abnormality has occurred within the pack case 30. Therefore, an abnormality within the pack case 30 can be detected by the simple control of determining whether the detected pressure value P1 is equal to or greater than the reference pressure value P2.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the battery system 100 includes a plurality of battery packs 10. The connection between the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 in each of the plurality of battery packs 10 and the controller 80 is a ring type. By connecting the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 and the controller 80 in a ring type configuration, even when the number of battery packs 10 is increased, the additional battery packs 10 can be easily connected, providing good scalability. For example, in Fig. 1, when adding one battery pack 10, it is advisable to place the additional battery pack 10 between the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20B of the battery pack 10B and the communication wiring 95e.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by using a ring-type connection, it is possible to output from the abnormality detection means 50 to the controller 80 in two directions. For example, the abnormality detection means 50 of the cell module unit 20A of the battery pack 10A can output to the controller 80 in two directions, from the communication wiring 95a side and the communication wiring 95b side. Therefore, even if the power supply to the abnormality detection means 50 in the cell module unit 20B of the battery pack 10A is lost, it can still output to the controller 80 via the communication wiring 95a.

[0047] Second Embodiment Next, a battery system 100A according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the battery system 100A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the battery system 100A includes a plurality of battery packs 10 (here, battery packs 10A and 10B), a controller 80, and an auxiliary power supply 90. In the battery system 100A, the configuration other than the connection between the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 in each of the plurality of battery packs 10 and the controller 80 is the same as the configuration of the battery system 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, description of the configuration of the battery system 100A will be omitted as appropriate.

[0048] In this embodiment, the connection between the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 (more specifically, sub-controllers 53) in each of the plurality of battery packs 10 (here, battery packs 10A and 10B) and the controller 80 is a star type. That is, the plurality of abnormality detection means 50 are independently connected to the controller 80 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0049] 4, the sub-controllers 53 of the multiple abnormality detection means 50 are communicatively connected to the controller 80 via a communication wiring 96. Here, the sub-controller 53 of the cell module unit 20A of the battery pack 10A and the controller 80 are communicatively connected via a communication wiring 96a, and the sub-controller 53 of the cell module unit 20B of the battery pack 10A and the controller 80 are communicatively connected via a communication wiring 96b. The sub-controller 53 of the cell module unit 20A of the battery pack 10B and the controller 80 are communicatively connected via a communication wiring 96c, and the sub-controller 53 of the cell module unit 20B of the battery pack 10B and the controller 80 are communicatively connected via a communication wiring 96d. In this embodiment, the number of communication wirings 96 connecting the sub-controller 53 of one abnormality detection means 50 to the controller 80 is one, but there may be multiple communication wirings 96.

[0050] In this way, even if the connection between the multiple abnormality detection means 50 in each of the multiple battery packs 10 and the controller 80 is a star type, the abnormality detection means 50 can output to the controller 80 even if the power supply of another abnormality detection means 50 is lost. Therefore, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0051] In each of the above embodiments, the abnormality detection means 50 has a pressure sensor 51, and detects a detected pressure value P1 inside the pack case 30 using the pressure sensor 51. Then, based on the detected pressure value P1, the abnormality detection means 50 detects an abnormality inside the pack case 30 when the detected pressure value P1 is equal to or greater than a reference pressure value P2. However, the abnormality detection means 50 may detect an abnormality inside the pack case 30 based on a value other than the pressure inside the pack case 30.

[0052] For example, the abnormality detection means 50 may have a gas sensor that detects the detected gas concentration of a predetermined type of gas inside the pack case 30. In this case, the sub-controller 53 of the abnormality detection means 50 may acquire the detected gas concentration in the pack case 30 detected by the gas sensor, and may detect an abnormality throughout the pack case 30 when the detected gas concentration is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference concentration.

[0053] The abnormality detection means 50 may include a temperature fuse that is housed in the pack case 30 and blows when the temperature inside the pack case 30 becomes high (for example, exceeds a predetermined reference temperature). In this case, the abnormality detection means 50 may detect an abnormality throughout the pack case 30 when the temperature fuse blows. The abnormality detection means 50 may also include a temperature sensor that detects the detected temperature inside the pack case 30. In this case, the sub-controller 53 of the abnormality detection means 50 may detect an abnormality throughout the pack case 30 when the temperature inside the pack case 30 detected by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference temperature.

[0054] The invention disclosed herein has been described in various ways. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments described herein do not limit the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein can be modified in various ways, and each component and each process described herein can be omitted or combined as appropriate, unless a particular problem arises.

[0055] As described above, this specification includes the disclosures set forth in the following sections. Section 1: a plurality of cell module units; a pack case that houses a plurality of the cell module units; Equipped with The cell module unit comprises: a cell module having a plurality of battery cells; an abnormality detection means electrically connected to the cell module using the cell module as a power source; and The battery pack is configured such that when the abnormality detection means detects an overall abnormality within the pack case, it outputs an output to an external controller.

[0056] Section 2: The pack case is sealed, Item 2. The battery pack according to item 1, wherein the abnormality detection means has a pressure sensor that detects a detected pressure value inside the pack case.

[0057] Section 3: the abnormality detection means has a sub-controller, The sub-controller an acquisition unit that acquires the detected pressure value from the pressure sensor; a determination unit that determines whether the detected pressure value acquired by the acquisition unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference pressure value; Equipped with Item 3. The battery pack according to item 2, wherein the sub-controller is configured to detect that an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case when the determination unit determines that the detected pressure value is equal to or greater than the reference pressure value.

[0058] Section 4: A battery pack according to any one of items 1 to 3, a controller that is communicably connected to the plurality of abnormality detection means in the battery pack and that is provided outside the pack case; A battery system comprising:

[0059] Section 5: the battery pack is a plurality of battery packs, Item 5. The battery system according to item 4, wherein the plurality of abnormality detection means in the plurality of battery packs are connected to the controller in a ring configuration.

[0060] Item 6: the battery pack is a plurality of battery packs, Item 5. The battery system according to item 4, wherein the plurality of abnormality detection means in each of the plurality of battery packs are connected to the controller in a star configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10, 10A, 10B battery pack 20, 20A, 20B cell module unit 30 pack case 40 cell module 41 Battery Cells 50 Abnormality detection means 51 Pressure Sensor 53 Sub-controller 56 Acquisition Department 57 Judgment section 58 Output section 80 Controller 100, 100A battery system P1 Detected pressure value P2 Reference pressure value

Claims

1. a plurality of cell module units; a pack case that houses a plurality of the cell module units; Equipped with The cell module unit comprises: a cell module having a plurality of battery cells; an abnormality detection means electrically connected to the cell module using the cell module as a power source; and The battery pack is configured such that when the abnormality detection means detects an overall abnormality within the pack case, it outputs an output to an external controller.

2. The pack case is sealed, 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality detection means includes a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure value inside the pack case.

3. the abnormality detection means has a sub-controller, The sub-controller an acquisition unit that acquires the detected pressure value from the pressure sensor; a determination unit that determines whether the detected pressure value acquired by the acquisition unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference pressure value; Equipped with 3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the sub-controller is configured to detect that an abnormality has occurred throughout the pack case when the determination unit determines that the detected pressure value is equal to or greater than the reference pressure value.

4. A battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a controller that is communicably connected to the plurality of abnormality detection means in the battery pack and that is provided outside the pack case; A battery system comprising:

5. the battery pack is a plurality of battery packs, 5. The battery system according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of abnormality detection means in the plurality of battery packs are connected to the controller in a ring configuration.

6. the battery pack is a plurality of battery packs, 5. The battery system according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of abnormality detection means in the plurality of battery packs are connected to the controller in a star configuration.

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