Semiconductor device, battery module balance control method, and battery module system

Abstract

To more appropriately perform cell balancing when a plurality of battery modules are connected in series.SOLUTION: A semiconductor device includes a first battery module and a second battery module connected in series, the first battery module includes a first control unit that controls a first cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, and a controller that communicates with a device that receives power supply from the first and second battery modules, the second battery module includes a second control unit that controls a second cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, and a first measurement circuit that measures the difference in the amount of electricity consumed by the first battery module and the second battery module, and discharging from a plurality of battery cells included in the second cell group on the basis of the difference in the amount of electricity consumed measured by the first measurement circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device, a battery module balance control method, and a battery module system. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been known that imbalances in capacity between cells (cell imbalances) can occur due to manufacturing variations in battery cells and individual differences in deterioration over long periods of use. When charging or discharging in such a state, some cells may be overcharged or overdischarged. Furthermore, if some cells are overcharged or overdischarged, the protection function of those cells may stop charging or discharging. In this case, the original performance of the remaining cells may not be fully realized, even though they remain usable.

[0003] In a battery pack composed of multiple cells, a technique for equalizing the voltages of the cells (cell balancing) is known to prevent over-discharge and over-charge caused by variations in remaining capacity between the cells (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-058013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When multiple battery modules (battery packs, assembled batteries) each having multiple cells connected in series are connected in series, a capacity imbalance (module imbalance) occurs due to differences in current consumption between the battery modules. In the prior art, there is room for improvement in the cell balancing method when multiple battery modules (battery packs, assembled batteries) each having multiple cells connected in series are connected in series. Other issues and novel features will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a semiconductor device is provided that has a first battery module and a second battery module connected in series, the first battery module having a first control unit that controls a first cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, and a controller that communicates with a device that is powered by power supplied from the first and second battery modules, the second battery module having a second control unit that controls a second cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, and a first measurement circuit that measures the difference in the amount of electricity consumed between the first battery module and the second battery module, and discharging from a plurality of battery cells included in the second cell group based on the difference in the amount of electricity consumed measured by the first measurement circuit.

[0007] In addition, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery module balance control method comprising a first battery module and a second battery module, the first module having a first cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, and a controller that communicates with a device that receives power supply from the first and second battery modules and is driven by the first and second battery modules, and the second module having a second cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, measuring a difference in the amount of electricity consumed between the first battery module and the second battery module, and discharging from a plurality of battery cells included in the second cell group based on the measured difference in the amount of electricity consumed.

[0008] In addition, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery module system having a first battery module and a second battery module connected in series, wherein the first battery module has a first cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, a first control unit that controls the first cell group, and a controller that communicates with a device that is driven by power supplied from the first and second battery modules, and the second battery module has a second cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, a second control unit that controls the second cell group, and a first measurement circuit that measures the difference in the amount of electricity consumed between the first battery module and the second battery module, and discharges from a plurality of battery cells included in the second cell group based on the difference in the amount of electricity consumed measured by the first measurement circuit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect, when a plurality of battery modules are connected in series, cell balancing can be performed more appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a battery pack (bottom module) according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a battery pack (middle module) according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a battery pack (top module) according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a current flow in each battery pack according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a battery pack balancing process according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The principles of the present disclosure will be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are set forth for illustrative purposes only, to aid those skilled in the art in understanding and practicing the present disclosure, without implying any limitation on the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0012] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. <Configuration> The configuration of a device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device 1 according to an embodiment. The device 1 may be, for example, a personal computer, a server, a home appliance, a factory appliance, or a vehicle. Examples of vehicles in the present disclosure may include, for example, an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), an electric motorcycle, an electrically assisted bicycle, and an electric kick scooter.

[0014] In the example of FIG. 1, the device 1 includes battery packs 101 to 10 m (m is an integer of 2 or more) and a main body 20. The main body 20 is the main body part of the device 1, and includes battery packs 101 to 10 m The device is driven by receiving power supply from the battery packs 101 to 10 m The battery packs 101 to 102 may be housed in the housing of the main body 20. m When there is no need to distinguish between them, they are also simply referred to as "battery pack 10." Note that the number of battery packs in the present disclosure may be two or more. When the number of battery packs is two (m=2), the battery pack 101 (bottom module) and the battery pack 10 mThe battery packs 101 to 100 are configured to have only a top module and not a middle module, which will be described later. m The battery packs 101 to 10 m The part of the system that does not include the individual battery cells can also be called a "battery module balance control system."

[0015] Battery packs 101-10 m Each of the battery packs 101, 102, . . . , 10 m The battery packs 101 to 10 m The battery packs 101 to 103 may be electrically connected in series in this order, and the physical arrangement order is arbitrary. m For example, battery packs 101, 102, . . . , 10 m They may be physically arranged in this order from the vertically bottom side, or in another order.

[0016] The negative electrode side of the battery pack 101 (bottom module) is electrically connected to the main body 20 at a connection point P-. m The positive electrode side of the (top module) is electrically connected to the main body 20 at a connection point P+.

[0017] The battery pack 101, which is the bottom module, is electrically connected to the battery pack 102 at a connection point D1. k (k is an integer between 2 and m-1) is the connection point D k-1 (For example, D1 for battery pack 102) k-1 and is electrically connected to connection point D k (For example, D2 for battery pack 102) k+1 The battery pack 10, which is the top module, is electrically connected to the m is the connection point D m-1 Battery pack 10 m-1 is electrically connected to

[0018] The positive electrode side of the battery pack 101, which is the bottom module, is electrically connected to the negative electrode side of the battery pack 102 at a connection point B1. k The positive side of the k (For example, B2 for battery pack 102) k+1 The negative electrode side of the battery pack 10 is electrically connected to the negative electrode side of the battery pack 10. k The negative side of the k-1 (For example, B1 for battery pack 102) k-1 The battery pack 10 is electrically connected to the positive electrode side of the top module. m The negative side of the m-1 Battery pack 10 m-1 is electrically connected to the positive electrode side of the

[0019] In addition, each battery pack 101 to 10 m The battery pack 101 is electrically connected to the main body 20 at a communication connection point T for notifying the battery status, etc. The battery pack 101, which is the bottom module, is connected to the battery pack 102 at a communication connection point T1 for receiving notifications of the battery status, etc., so as to be able to communicate with the battery pack 102. The battery pack 101, which is the middle module, is connected to the main body 20 at a communication connection point T2 for receiving notifications of the battery status, etc. k The battery pack is 10 k+1 ~10 m Communication connection point T for receiving notifications such as battery status k (For example, T2 for battery pack 102) k+1 The battery pack 10 is connected to the k The battery pack is 10 k ~10 m Communication connection point T for notifying the battery status etc. k-1 (For example, T1 for battery pack 102) k-1 The battery pack 10 is connected to the top module so that it can communicate with the m The battery pack is 10 m Communication connection point T for notifying the battery status etc. m-1Battery pack 10 m-1 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0020] <<Configuration of battery pack 101 (bottom module)>> Next, the configuration of the battery pack 101 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the battery pack 101 (bottom module) according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 2, the battery pack 101 includes battery cells C11 to C1 n (n is an integer of 2 or more), a battery management IC 111, and a controller (battery management system (BMS) control device) 12. n are electrically connected in series. n The controller 12 notifies the main body 20 of information such as the battery state of each battery cell in each battery pack 10, for example.

[0021] In the example of FIG. 2, the positive electrode side of the first cell group is connected to connection point B1. Furthermore, connection point D1 is connected to the controller 12 via a series regulator 1161. Furthermore, the series regulator 1161 is connected to the negative electrode side of the first cell group without going through a sense resistor Rs1. Furthermore, the negative electrode side of the first cell group is connected to connection point P for the main body 20 via a line L1 connected to the negative electrode side of the first cell group and through a sense resistor Rs1. - and the controller 12.

[0022] The battery management IC 111 and the controller 12 are supplied with power from a line L2 connected at a connection point N21 in the battery pack 102, and are grounded by a line L1 connected at a connection point N11.

[0023] The battery management IC 111 includes a cell balance unit 1111, a selection circuit 1121, a voltage measurement circuit 1131, a current measurement circuit 1141, a control unit 1151, and a series regulator 1161. The cell balance unit 1111 includes resistors R11 to R1 n , switches S11 to S1n and switch control circuits SC11 to SC1 n The combination of each battery cell C11 to C1 n Each has.

[0024] The selection circuit 1121 selects the battery cells C11 to C1 n This is a circuit that electrically connects only one battery cell designated by the control unit 1151 to the voltage measurement circuit 1131 .

[0025] The voltage measurement circuit 1131 measures the voltage of the battery cells C11 to C1 n The voltage measurement circuit 1131 measures the voltages of the battery cells C11 to C1 n This is a circuit that measures the voltage of the battery cell selected by the selection circuit 1121 from among the above.

[0026] The current measurement circuit 1141 measures the current of the battery cells C11 to C1 n The current measuring circuit 1141 measures the current flowing through the battery cells C11 to C1 n Based on the magnitude of the voltage drop across the sense resistor Rs1 provided on the electrical circuit to which the battery cells C11 to C1 n The control unit 1151 measures the current flowing through the battery cells C11 to C11 based on the measurement results from the voltage measurement circuit 1131 and the measurement results from the current measurement circuit 1141. n The series regulator 1161 adjusts the power of at least one battery cell among the battery management IC 11. n Generates power supplied to

[0027] << Battery pack 10 k (Middle module) configuration>> Next, referring to FIG. 3, the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment will be described. k 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment. k 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a battery pack 10 (middle module). kIn the example shown, the battery pack 102 is used as the battery pack 103. In the case where the device 1 includes a plurality of middle modules, the battery packs 103 to 102 are used as the battery packs 103 to 102. m-1 Each example may be similar to the example of the battery pack 102.

[0028] The battery pack 102 includes battery cells C21 to C2 n , and a battery management IC 112. The number n of battery cells in the battery pack 102 may be different from the number n of battery cells in the other battery packs 10. Battery cells C21 to C2 n are electrically connected in series. n is also referred to as the second cell group as appropriate.

[0029] In the example of Figure 3, the negative electrode side of the second cell group is electrically connected to the positive electrode side of the first cell group via connection point B1. The positive electrode side of the second cell group is connected to connection point B2. Connection point D2 is connected to external device connection point G2+ and series regulator 1162. The series regulator 1162 is connected to connection point D1 and external device connection point G2- without via sense resistor Rs2, and is also connected to the negative electrode side of the second cell group via sense resistor Rs2 via line L2.

[0030] The battery management IC 112 is connected to the battery pack 103 (10 m ) at the connection point N31 (N3 if m=3) m ) connected by line L3 (when m=3, L m ), and the line L2 connected at connection point N22 serves as the ground. Connection point N21 is provided on line L2 between sense resistor Rs2 and connection point N22 for the ground of the battery management IC 112. The sense resistor Rs2 is provided between the positive electrode side of the first cell group and connection point N21.

[0031] The battery management IC 112 includes a cell balance unit 1112, a selection circuit 1122, a voltage measurement circuit 1132, a current measurement circuit 1142, a control unit 1152, and a series regulator 1162. The cell balance unit 1112 includes resistors R21 to R2 n , switches S21 to S2 n and switch control circuits SC21 to SC22 that control the switches. n The combination of each battery cell C21 to C2 n The battery management IC 112 may be the same as the battery management IC 111. Therefore, the explanation of the battery management IC 112 can be made by replacing the "1" in the subscript indicating each battery pack 10 in the reference numeral with a "2" in the reference numeral in the explanation of the battery management IC 111 described above.

[0032] << Battery pack 10 m (Top module) configuration>> Next, referring to FIG. 4, the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment will be described. m 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the battery pack 10 according to the embodiment. m FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a (top module).

[0033] Battery pack 10 m is the battery cell Cm1~Cm n , and battery management IC11 m The battery pack 10 m The number n of battery cells in this battery pack 10 may be different from the number n of battery cells in the other battery packs 10. n are electrically connected in series. Below, the battery cells Cm1 to Cm n is also referred to as the mth cell group as appropriate.

[0034] In the example of Figure 4, the negative electrode of the mth cell group is at connection point B m-1 via battery pack 10 m-1 The positive electrode side of the mth cell group is electrically connected to the positive electrode side of the mth cell group. + and external device connection point G m + and series regulator 116m Also, the series regulator 116 m is the sense resistor Rs m Connection point D without going through m-1 and external device connection point G m - and connected to each of the lines L m Therefore, the sense resistor Rs m The line L is connected to the negative electrode side of the m-th cell group. m is connected to the negative electrode side of the mth cell group, and the connection point B m-1 via battery pack 10 m-1 The positive electrode side of the cell group is also electrically connected.

[0035] Battery management IC11 m is supplied with power from the positive electrode of the mth cell group and connected to the line L at the connection point Nm2. m The connection point Nm1 is connected to the line L m Above, sense resistor Rs m and battery management IC11 m The sense resistor Rs is connected to the ground connection point Nm2. m is provided between the positive electrode side of the (m-1)th cell group and the connection point Nm1.

[0036] Battery management IC11 m The cell balance unit 111 m , selection circuit 112 m , voltage measurement circuit 113 m , current measurement circuit 114 m , control unit 115 m , and series regulator 116 m The cell balance unit 111 m are resistors Rm1 to Rm n , switches Sm1~Sm n and switch control circuits SCm1 to SCm2 that control the switches. n The combination of each battery cell Cm1 to Cm n Battery management IC11 m may be the same as the battery management IC 111. mThe explanation of this can be made by replacing the "1" in the subscript indicating each battery pack 10 in the reference numerals in the explanation of the battery management IC 111 described above with "m". (Regarding current flow)

[0037] Next, the flow of current in each battery pack 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of current in each battery pack 10 according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 shows the battery pack 101, the battery pack 102, and the battery pack 10. m The arrows f1, f2, and f indicate the flow of current consumed by each of the m is shown.

[0038] ((Current flow in the battery pack 101 (bottom module))) 5, current from the positive electrode side of the first cell group flows to the battery pack 102 via connection point B1, passes through line L2 including sense resistor Rs2, and returns to the battery pack 101 via connection point D1. The current then branches into two paths. One path passes through the controller 12 and sense resistor Rs1, passes through line L1, and returns to the negative electrode side of the first cell group. The other path passes through the battery management IC 111, passes through line L1 without passing through sense resistor Rs1, and returns to the negative electrode side of the first cell group.

[0039] ((Battery pack 10 k (Current flow in the middle module) First, the battery pack 10 k Here, k is an integer between 2 and (m-1). In the example of Figure 5, the current from the positive electrode side of the kth cell group flows through the connection point B k via battery pack 10 k+1 (not shown) flows to the sense resistor Rs k+1 (not shown) including line L k+1 (not shown) to connection point D k via battery pack 10 k Return to.

[0040] External device connection point G k +, G k When a load such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is connected to the MOSFET, the current branches into two paths. One path is connected to the load and the sense resistor Rs k Via Line L k The other path goes through the battery management IC11 and returns to the negative electrode side of the Kth cell group. k and sense resistor Rs k Via Line L k and returns to the negative electrode side of the Kth cell group.

[0041] On the other hand, external device connection point G k +, G k When no load is connected, the current flows through the battery management IC 112 and the sense resistor Rs k Via Line L k The current flows through the battery pack 102, which is one of the middle modules, and returns to the negative electrode side of the Kth cell group. As an example, the current flowing through the battery pack 102, which is one of the middle modules, is shown in FIG. 5 as current f2.

[0042] ((Battery pack 10 m (Current flow in the top module) In the example of Figure 5, the current from the positive electrode side of the mth cell group flows through the external device connection point G m +, G m When a load such as an LED is connected to the m Via Line L m The other path passes through the battery management IC11 and returns to the negative electrode side of the m-th cell group. m and sense resistor Rs m Via Line L m and returns to the negative electrode side of the mth cell group.

[0043] On the other hand, external device connection point G m +, G m -When no load is connected, the current is m and sense resistor Rs m Via Line L mThis series of current flows through the negative electrode of the mth cell group and returns to the negative electrode of the mth cell group. m is shown in Figure 5. <Processing>

[0044] <<Battery pack balancing between 10 packs>> Next, an example of the balancing process among the battery packs 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the balancing process among the battery packs 10 according to the embodiment. Note that the process in Fig. 6 may be executed, for example, periodically.

[0045] In step S101, the control unit 115 j (j is an integer between 2 and m) is the battery pack 10 j Sense resistor Rs j The current I j and the integrated value S of the time t during which the current flows. j is calculated as in the following formula (1). j The battery pack is 10 j-1 From the positive side of the cell group to connection point B j-1 via the sense resistor Rs j The current flowing into the positive electrode (from left to right in FIG. 5) may be regarded as positive. S j =∫I j dt (1)

[0046] Next, the control unit 115 j The battery pack 102 is connected to the battery pack 10 j (Battery pack 10 j and battery pack 10 j The sum of the current flowing through the sense resistor in each of the other middle modules connected between the bottom module and the bottom module (SA) and the integrated value of the time during which that current flows. j (Step S102), where l is a subscript from 2 to j. SA j =ΣS l ···(2)

[0047] In the battery pack 102, SA2=S2 from the above formula (2), so the processing of step S102 is unnecessary. In the battery pack 103, SA3=S2+S3 from the above formula (2). m Control unit 115 j The battery pack 102 is connected to the battery pack 10 j-1 The sum of the current flowing through the sense resistor and the time during which that current flows is SA. j-1 A battery pack 10 j-1 Alternatively, it may be obtained from the controller 12 by communication via the terminal COM.

[0048] Next, the control unit 115 j is the total value SA j It is determined whether the sum SA is greater than 0 (step S103). j If is not greater than 0 (NO in step S103), the process ends.

[0049] On the other hand, the total value SA j If is greater than 0 (YES in step S103), the cell balance unit 111 j Using the sum SA j The battery pack 10 j Then, the cells are discharged from the group (step S104), and the process ends. As a result, the battery capacities of the battery packs 10 become the same. Also, instead of discharging in step S104, the battery capacity of the battery pack 10 may be reduced by causing the battery pack 10 to consume current using an external device. For example, n + and external device connection point G n A load such as an LED may be connected between the terminals to consume current.

[0050] 1, a controller 12 is connected to a battery pack 101, which is a bottom module. Therefore, the battery pack 101 consumes more current than the other battery packs 10 by the amount of current consumed by the controller 12. Therefore, when a plurality of battery packs 10, each having a plurality of battery cells connected in series, are connected in series, the difference in the amount of electricity consumed by each battery pack 10 causes a variation (imbalance) in the remaining capacity of the plurality of battery cells included in each battery pack 10.

[0051] According to the present disclosure, the top module and each of the zero or more middle modules have a mechanism for measuring the difference in the amount of electricity consumed with the module one level below. Each module then discharges an amount of electricity corresponding to the total value of the difference. This allows for more appropriate cell balancing in each module when multiple battery packs 10, each having multiple battery cells connected in series, are connected in series.

[0052] (Control unit 1151 to control unit 115 m About FIG. 7 shows the control units 1151 to 115 according to the embodiment. m 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 115 (hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between them, they will also be simply referred to as "control unit 115"). In the example of FIG. 7, the control unit 115 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a communication interface 103. These units may be connected by a bus or the like. The memory 102 stores at least a part of the program 104. The communication interface 103 includes an interface required for communication with other network elements.

[0053] When the program 104 is executed by the processor 101, memory 102, and the like in cooperation with each other, the computer 100 performs at least some of the processing of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The memory 102 may be of any type. As a non-limiting example, the memory 102 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The memory 102 may also be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. Although only one memory 102 is shown in the computer 100, several physically different memory modules may exist in the computer 100. The processor 101 may be of any type. The processor 101 may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture, as a non-limiting example. The computer 100 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-slaved to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0054] The program can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, optical disk media, and semiconductor memory. Magnetic recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives. Magneto-optical recording media include, for example, magneto-optical disks. Optical disk media include, for example, Blu-ray discs, CD (Compact Disc)-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs (Recordable), and CD-RWs (Rewritable). Semiconductor memory includes, for example, solid-state drives, mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory). The program may also be provided to a computer by various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0055] <Modification> In the above example, the total value SA j In the above description, the total value SA is calculated by the control unit 115 of each battery pack 10, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. j may be calculated by the controller 12, for example.

[0056] The battery pack 101 is an example of a "first battery module." The battery pack 102 is an example of a "second battery module." When m is 3, the battery pack 10 m is an example of a "third battery module." Line L1 is an example of a "first line." Line L2 is an example of a "second line." When m is 3, line L mis an example of a "third line." The connection point N21 is an example of a "first connection point." The sense resistor Rs2 is an example of a "first sense resistor." The connection point Nm1 is an example of a "second connection point." The sense resistor Rs m is an example of a "second sense resistor."

[0057] The invention made by the inventor has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments already described, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 equipment 101~10 m Battery pack C11~C1 n , C21~C2 n ,...,Cm1~Cm n Battery cell Rs1~Rs m Sense Resistor 111~11 m Battery management IC 1111~111 m Cell balancing section 1121~112 m Selection Circuit 1131~113 m Voltage Measurement Circuit 1141~114 m current measurement circuit 1151~115 m Control unit 1161~116 m Series Regulator L1~L m line N11~Nm1, N22~Nm2 connection points D1~D m-1 Attachment Points T1~T m-1 Attachment Points B1~B m-1 Attachment Points 20 Main Unit

Claims

1. a first battery module and a second battery module connected in series; The first battery module includes: a first control unit that controls a first cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series; a controller that communicates with a device that is driven by receiving power from the first and second battery modules; The second battery module is a second control unit that controls a second cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series; and a first measurement circuit that measures a difference in the amount of electricity consumed by the first battery module and the second battery module, discharging the plurality of battery cells included in the second cell group based on the difference in the amount of consumed electricity measured by the first measurement circuit; Semiconductor device.

2. the positive electrode side of the first cell group and the negative electrode side of the second cell group are electrically connected; the first battery module has a first line connected to a negative electrode side of the first cell group; the second battery module has a second line connected to a positive electrode side of the first cell group and a negative electrode side of the second cell group; the first control unit and the controller are supplied with power from the second line connected at a first connection point, and the first line is used as a ground; the second control unit is supplied with power from the positive electrode side of the second cell group and uses the second line as a ground; the first connection point is provided on the second line, the first measurement circuit measures a current flowing through a first sense resistor provided between the positive electrode side of the first cell group and the first connection point; The semiconductor device according to claim 1 .

3. a third battery module connected in series to the first battery module and the second battery module; The third battery module is a third control unit that controls a third cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series; and a second measurement circuit that measures a difference in the amount of electricity consumed by the second battery module and the third battery module, discharging the plurality of battery cells included in the third cell group based on the sum of the difference in the amount of consumed electricity measured by the second measurement circuit and the difference in the amount of consumed electricity measured by the first measurement circuit; The semiconductor device according to claim 1 .

4. the positive electrode side of the first cell group and the negative electrode side of the second cell group are electrically connected; the first battery module has a first line connected to a negative electrode side of the first cell group; the second battery module has a second line connected to a positive electrode side of the first cell group and a negative electrode side of the second cell group; the first control unit and the controller are supplied with power from the second line connected at a first connection point, and the first line is used as a ground; the second control unit is supplied with power from the positive electrode side of the second cell group and uses the second line as a ground; the first connection point is provided on the second line, the first measurement circuit measures a current flowing through a first sense resistor provided between the positive electrode side of the first cell group and the first connection point; the positive electrode side of the second cell group and the negative electrode side of the third cell group are electrically connected; the third battery module has a third line connected to a positive electrode side of the second cell group and a negative electrode side of the third cell group; the second control unit is supplied with power from the third line connected at a second connection point; the third control unit is supplied with power from the positive electrode side of the third cell group and uses the third line as a ground; the second connection point is provided on the third line, the second measurement circuit measures a current flowing through a second sense resistor provided between the positive electrode side of the second cell group and the second connection point; The semiconductor device according to claim 3 .

5. The battery system includes a first battery module and a second battery module, the first battery module having a first cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, and a controller that communicates with a device that receives power supply from the first and second battery modules and is driven by the device, and the second battery module having a second cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, measuring a difference in the amount of electricity consumed between the first battery module and the second battery module; Discharging the plurality of battery cells included in the second cell group based on the difference in the measured amount of consumed electricity. Battery module balancing control method.

6. a third battery module connected in series to the first battery module and the second battery module, the third battery module having a third cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series; measuring a difference in the amount of electricity consumed between the second battery module and the third battery module; discharging the battery cells included in a third cell group based on a sum of a difference in the amount of electricity consumed between the first battery module and the second battery module and a difference in the amount of electricity consumed between the second battery module and the third battery module; The battery module balance control method according to claim 5 .

7. a first battery module and a second battery module connected in series; The first battery module includes: The battery pack includes a first cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, a first control unit that controls the first cell group, and a controller that communicates with a main body of the device, The second battery module is a second cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series, a second control unit that controls the second cell group, and a first measurement circuit that measures a difference in the amount of electricity consumed by the first battery module and the second battery module; discharging the plurality of battery cells included in the second cell group based on the difference in the amount of consumed electricity measured by the first measurement circuit; Battery module system.

8. a third battery module connected in series to the first battery module and the second battery module; The third battery module is a third control unit that controls a third cell group in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series; and a second measurement circuit that measures a difference in the amount of electricity consumed by the second battery module and the third battery module, discharging the plurality of battery cells included in the third cell group based on the sum of the difference in the amount of consumed electricity measured by the second measurement circuit and the difference in the amount of consumed electricity measured by the first measurement circuit; The battery module system according to claim 7 .

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