Abnormality cause determination method, abnormality cause determination program, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To improve convenience of a user or the like by reducing a burden on the user or the like when an abnormality occurs in a power storage device.SOLUTION: An abnormality cause determining method for determining a cause of an abnormality of a power storage apparatus 23, wherein the information processing apparatus 1 obtains determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality of the power storage apparatus 23 through the telecommunication line 2, determines the cause of the abnormality of the power storage apparatus 23 based on the obtained determination information, and notifies a user of the power storage apparatus 23 that the power storage apparatus 23 is reusable without repair through the telecommunication line 2 when the determined cause of the abnormality is the cause of the abnormality which allows the power storage apparatus 23 to be reused without repair.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an abnormality cause determination method for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, an abnormality cause determination program, and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, information related to a power storage device has been transmitted to an information processing device via a telecommunications line (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, the lithium ion battery system described in Patent Document 1 includes a lithium ion battery module including a plurality of cells, a transmitter that transmits status data representing the status of the plurality of cells, and a battery status estimation system. The battery status estimation system generates analysis data related to the period for which the lithium ion battery module can be used from the received status data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-163600 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, sometimes an abnormality occurs in a power storage device, making it unable to be used normally. When an abnormality occurs in a power storage device, the user must bring the abnormal power storage device to a power storage device service center, call a repair technician, or inquire about how to deal with the problem from the company that manufactured the power storage device (battery supplier), which is a burden not only for the user but also for the workers at the service center and the repair technician. This has not been sufficiently considered in the past, and there is room for improvement in reducing the burden on users and others. An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to reduce the burden on users and the like when an abnormality occurs in a power storage device, thereby improving convenience for users and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The method for determining the cause of an abnormality disclosed in this specification is a method for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, in which an information processing device acquires, via a telecommunications line, determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device in which an abnormality has occurred, determines the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information, and if the determined cause of the abnormality is one that allows the power storage device to be reused without repair, notifies a predetermined notification destination via the telecommunications line that the power storage device can be reused without repair. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the burden on users and the like when an abnormality occurs in the power storage device, thereby improving convenience for users and the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing device and an external device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical configuration of the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical configuration of the power storage device. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating a protection process for the power storage device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the cause of an abnormality, responsibility classification, and determination of measures to deal with the abnormality. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the cause of an abnormality, responsibility classification, and determination of measures to deal with the abnormality. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a process for determining responsibility (when the cause of the abnormality is deterioration of a storage element). [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of the process for determining responsibility (when the cause of the abnormality is overcharging). [Figure 10A]Graph showing the results of aggregating the number of units by quarter and by cause of abnormality. [Figure 10B] Graph showing the results of tallying the number of units by quarter and responsibility category. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Outline of the embodiment] An overview of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0009] (1) An embodiment of the method for determining the cause of an abnormality is a method for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, in which an information processing device acquires, via a telecommunications line, determination information for determining the cause of an abnormality in the power storage device in which an abnormality has occurred, determines the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information, and if the determined cause of the abnormality is one that allows the power storage device to be reused without repair, notifies a predetermined notification destination via the telecommunications line that the power storage device can be reused without repair.

[0010] The "abnormality of the power storage device" mentioned above includes a breakdown and a state in which the power storage device cannot be used normally for some reason (such as a drop in voltage) even though it is not a breakdown. The breakdown includes a breakdown in which the power storage device can be reused if repaired, and a breakdown in which the power storage device cannot be repaired and requires replacement of the entire power storage device. According to the method for determining the cause of anomaly described in (1) above, even if an abnormality occurs in a power storage device, if the cause of the abnormality is such that the power storage device can be reused without repair, a predetermined notification destination is notified that the power storage device can be reused without repair. For example, if the predetermined notification destination is a user of the power storage device, the user does not need to bring the power storage device in which the abnormality has occurred to a power storage device service center, call a repair company, or inquire with the business that manufactured the power storage device about how to respond. This reduces the burden on users and others when an abnormality occurs in the power storage device, thereby improving convenience for users and others.

[0011] (2) In the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in (1) above, if the cause of the abnormality determined based on the determination information is an abnormality that allows the storage device to be reused without repair, the information processing device may notify the specified notification destination of measures to be taken to reuse the storage device without repair.

[0012] Even if the power storage device can be reused without repair, it is conceivable that the notification recipient may not know what steps should be taken to reuse the device. According to the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described above in (2), the notification destination is notified of the measures to be taken to reuse the storage device without repairing it, so that even a notification destination who does not know the measures to be taken to reuse the storage device can reuse the storage device.

[0013] (3) In the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in (1) or (2) above, if the cause of the abnormality determined based on the determination information is not an abnormality that allows the storage device to be reused without repair, the information processing device may determine the responsibility category for the abnormality of the storage device based on the determined cause of the abnormality.

[0014] The above phrase "if the cause of the abnormality is not such that the storage device can be reused without repair" can also be rephrased as "if the cause of the abnormality is such that the storage device can be reused if it is repaired, or if the cause of the abnormality is such that the storage device cannot be repaired and must be replaced." Multiple businesses are involved in the process from manufacturing an energy storage device to providing it to a user. If an abnormality occurs in an energy storage device that requires repair or replacement, which business should be held responsible for the abnormality depends on the cause of the abnormality in the energy storage device. The "responsibility category for the abnormality" mentioned above refers to the business that should be held responsible for the abnormality that has occurred. However, because abnormalities can also occur due to the way the energy storage device is used by the user, the "responsibility category for the abnormality" also includes the user.

[0015] The costs of dealing with abnormalities in power storage devices are borne by the business operator or user who is responsible for the abnormality. Conventionally, workers at a service center for power storage devices have investigated the cause of the abnormality for each power storage device and determined the division of responsibility, and since an investigation is required for each power storage device in which an abnormality occurred, the investigation requires a large number of man-hours. In particular, in the case of a storage device that uses a lithium-ion secondary battery as the storage element, there are a wide variety of causes of abnormalities, and storage devices that use a lithium-ion secondary battery are equipped with a management unit (BMU: Battery Management Unit) that manages the lithium-ion secondary battery, so analyzing the information from the BMU is often difficult. According to the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in (3) above, the information processing device determines the cause of the abnormality from the determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device and determines the responsibility division, so that the responsibility division can be determined without the need for an operator to investigate the cause of the abnormality for each power storage device, thereby reducing the man-hours required for determining the responsibility division.

[0016] (4) In the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the information processing device may compile information regarding the abnormality of the storage device based on the multiple pieces of determination information it has acquired.

[0017] According to the method for determining the cause of anomaly described in (4) above, by aggregating information on abnormalities in the power storage device based on the multiple pieces of judgment information obtained, it becomes possible to grasp trends in the causes of abnormalities, trends in responsibility allocation, etc. As a result, the obtained judgment information can be used for purposes other than determining the cause of abnormality and responsibility allocation (measures to suppress abnormalities, improvements to the specifications of power storage devices for the next generation, prediction of the number of power storage devices required for replacement, prediction of the number of parts required for repair, etc.).

[0018] (5) In the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in (4) above, the information regarding the abnormality of the storage device may be the number of storage devices in which an abnormality has occurred, for each responsibility category and for each cause of the abnormality, and the information processing device may compile the information regarding the abnormality of the storage device for each specific period.

[0019] Invoicing businesses and users for repair and replacement costs for each storage battery device results in a lot of administrative work. If the repair and replacement of storage batteries is performed collectively by a service center and the number of storage batteries that have developed abnormalities is tallied for each specific period by responsibility category and by cause of abnormality, the costs can be billed collectively to each business and user for each specific period. This reduces administrative work. The reason for tallying not only by responsibility category but also by cause of abnormality is that costs vary depending on the cause of the abnormality.

[0020] (6) The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to (4) or (5) above, wherein the information processing device further acquires regional information capable of identifying the region in which the storage device is located via the telecommunications line, and compiles information relating to abnormalities in the storage device for each of the regions.

[0021] The method for determining the cause of anomalies described in (6) above makes it possible to grasp the trends in the causes of anomalies and the trends in the allocation of responsibility by region, which allows measures to suppress anomalies, improvements to the specifications of power storage devices for the next generation, and predictions of the number of power storage devices required as replacements to be made, all while taking into account the region in which the power storage device is used.

[0022] (7) In the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in any one of (4) to (6) above, the information processing device may further acquire time information that can identify the time when an abnormality occurred in the storage device, and compile information regarding the abnormality in the storage device for each time period.

[0023] According to the method for determining the cause of an anomaly described in (7) above, it is possible to grasp the trends in the causes of anomalies and the trends in the division of responsibility by period (for example, by month or by season). This makes it possible to take measures to suppress anomalies, improve the specifications of power storage devices for the next generation, and predict the number of power storage devices that will be required as replacements, taking into account the period when the power storage devices will be used.

[0024] (8) In the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in any one of (3) to (7) above, if the cause of the abnormality determined based on the determination information is not an abnormality that allows the storage device to be reused without repairing it, the information processing device may notify a service center for the storage device of the cause of the abnormality of the storage device via the telecommunications line.

[0025] According to the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in (8) above, by notifying the service center of the cause of the abnormality, the worker at the service center can quickly arrange for the parts required for repairs, the arrangements for the replacement power storage device, etc.

[0026] (9) In the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in any one of (1) to (8) above, the storage device or a system to which the storage device is connected may predict an abnormality in the storage device and transmit the determination information to the information processing device via the telecommunications line before the predicted abnormality occurs.

[0027] The system may be a vehicle equipped with a power storage device, industrial equipment powered by a power storage device, etc. The system may also be an external device that acquires various types of information from the power storage device. If an abnormality occurs in the power storage device, the power storage device may be unable to transmit determination information to the information processing device. If the power storage device serves as the power source for the system, if an abnormality occurs in the power storage device, the system may be unable to transmit determination information to the information processing device. Even if the power storage device does not serve as the power source for the system, if an abnormality occurs in the power storage device, the system may be unable to obtain determination information from the power storage device and may be unable to transmit the determination information. According to the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in (9) above, if an abnormality in the power storage device is predicted, the power storage device or system transmits determination information before the abnormality occurs, so that the information processing device can obtain the determination information.

[0028] (10) An embodiment of the method for determining the cause of an abnormality is a method for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, in which an information processing device acquires, via a telecommunications line, determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device in which an abnormality has occurred, determines the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information, and determines the responsibility category for the abnormality in the power storage device based on the determined cause of the abnormality.

[0029] According to the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described in (10) above, the information processing device determines the cause of the abnormality from the determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device and determines the responsibility division, so that the responsibility division can be determined without the need for an operator to investigate the cause of the abnormality for each power storage device, thereby reducing the man-hours required for determining the responsibility division.

[0030] (11) The abnormality cause determination program according to the embodiment is an abnormality cause determination program for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, and causes a computer to execute the following processes: a process of acquiring, via a telecommunications line, determination information for determining the cause of an abnormality in the power storage device in which an abnormality has occurred; a process of determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information; and a process of notifying a predetermined notification destination via the telecommunications line that the power storage device can be reused without repair, if the determined cause of the abnormality is one that allows the power storage device to be reused without repair.

[0031] According to the abnormality cause determination program described in (11) above, the burden on users and the like when an abnormality occurs in the power storage device can be reduced, thereby improving convenience for users and the like.

[0032] (12) An information processing device according to an embodiment is an information processing device that determines the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, and includes a communication unit that communicates with an external device via a telecommunications line, and an information processing unit. The information processing unit acquires, via the communication unit, determination information for determining the cause of an abnormality in the power storage device in which an abnormality has occurred, determines the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information, and, if the determined cause of the abnormality is one that allows the power storage device to be reused without repair, notifies a predetermined notification destination via the communication unit that the power storage device can be reused without repair.

[0033] According to the information processing device described in (12) above, it is possible to reduce the burden on users and the like when an abnormality occurs in the power storage device, thereby improving convenience for users and the like.

[0034] [Details of the embodiment] The present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples and is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized in various forms, such as an apparatus, a method, a computer program for implementing the functions of these apparatuses or methods, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

[0035] <Embodiment 1> The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. In the following description, the reference numerals of the drawings may be omitted for the same components, with some exceptions.

[0036] (1) Information processing device An information processing device 1 (an example of a computer) according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The information processing device 1 is a device that receives (acquires) determination information for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device 23 (see Fig. 3) in which an abnormality has occurred via a telecommunications line 2 such as the Internet, determines the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device 23 based on the received determination information, and executes various processes described below based on the determined cause of the abnormality.

[0037] The information processing device 1 is located in a data center 8 and is capable of communicating with external devices via a telecommunications line 2. The external devices include a vehicle 3 (an example of a system) equipped with a power storage device 23, a computer in industrial equipment 4 (an example of a system) powered by the power storage device 23, a computer in a service center 5 that repairs the power storage device 23, a computer in an OEM / battery supplier 6, and a computer 7 (e.g., a smartphone) of a user of the power storage device 23 (an example of a predetermined notification destination). The battery supplier refers to a business (battery manufacturer) that manufactures the power storage device 23. The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) refers to a business (vehicle manufacturer) that manufactures the vehicle 3 equipped with the power storage device 23.

[0038] The electrical configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The information processing device 1 is a so-called personal computer or server computer, and includes an information processing unit 10, a storage unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, and a communication unit 14. The information processing unit 10 has a CPU 10A and a RAM 10B. The storage unit 11 stores various programs and data executed by the CPU 10A. The display unit 12 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a drive circuit for driving the display device, etc. The operation unit 13 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. The communication unit 14 is a communication circuit for connecting the information processing device 1 to an electric communication line 2.

[0039] The various programs stored in the storage unit 11 include an abnormality cause determination program that determines the cause of an abnormality in the power storage device 23. The various data includes a determination information database in which determination information, which will be described later, is registered.

[0040] (2) Vehicles The electrical configuration of the vehicle 3 will be described briefly with reference to Fig. 3. The vehicle 3 according to the first embodiment is a so-called connected car, and can be connected to a telecommunications line 2 via a mobile communications network. The vehicle 3 is an engine vehicle and is equipped with an engine starting device 20 (so-called starter motor), a vehicle power generation system 21, various accessories 22, and a power storage device 23. Although not shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle 3 also includes various sensors such as a voltage sensor that detects the charging voltage when the power storage device 23 is charged by the vehicle power generation system 21, a current sensor that detects the charging current, and an impact detection sensor.

[0041] The vehicle power generation system 21 includes a vehicle generator 21A (so-called alternator) that uses the engine of the vehicle 3 as a power source. Here, the case where the vehicle 3 is an engine vehicle is illustrated as an example, but the vehicle 3 may also be an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle includes a power storage device 23 that supplies power to the auxiliary devices 22, a high-voltage power storage device that supplies power to the vehicle drive motor, and a DC / DC converter that transforms the voltage of the high-voltage power storage device, and the power storage device 23 can be charged with the power transformed by the DC / DC converter. In the case of an electric vehicle, the high-voltage power storage device and the DC / DC converter correspond to the vehicle power generation system.

[0042] The various auxiliary devices 22 include a master ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a first communication unit, and a second communication unit. The first communication unit is a communication circuit that enables the master ECU to communicate with external devices via a mobile communication network. The second communication unit is a communication circuit that enables the master ECU to communicate with the power storage device 23. The master ECU can also communicate with other auxiliary devices 22 and various sensors via the second communication unit.

[0043] (3) Energy storage device The electrical configuration of the power storage device 23 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The power storage device 23 is a power storage device that supplies electric power to the engine starting device 20 and various auxiliary devices 22, and is charged by the vehicle power generation system 21. The power storage device 23 includes a housing 30, a positive external terminal 31P, a negative external terminal 31N, a battery pack 32, a BMU 33 (Battery Management Unit), and a communication connector .

[0044] The battery pack 32 is connected to the positive external terminal 31P by a power line 35 and to the negative external terminal 31N by a power line 36. The battery pack 32 has 12 storage elements 32A connected in three parallel connections and four in series. In FIG. 4, three storage elements 32A connected in parallel are represented by one battery symbol. The storage elements 32A are secondary batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, and specifically, are, for example, lithium-ion secondary batteries.

[0045] The BMU 33 is a device that manages the power storage device 23. The BMU 33 includes a current sensor 33A, a voltage sensor 33B, a temperature sensor 33C, a relay 33D, a balancer 33E, and a management unit 33F. The current sensor 33A is provided on the power line 36. The current sensor 33A measures the charge / discharge current of the battery pack 32 and outputs the result to the management unit 33F. The voltage sensor 33B is connected to both ends of each storage element 32A. The voltage sensor 33B measures the voltage of each storage element 32A and outputs the result to the management unit 33F.

[0046] Temperature sensor 33C is a sensor that detects the temperature of power storage element 32A. Relay 33D is provided on power line 35. Relay 33D is provided to protect power storage device 23 from overcharging and overdischarging. Relay 33D is opened and closed by management unit 33F. Balancer 33E is a circuit that equalizes the voltages of each storage element 32A. Balancer 33E is sometimes referred to as an equalization circuit. Balancer 33E includes a discharge resistor 37 connected in parallel with storage element 32A, and a switch 38 connected in series to discharge resistor 37. Switch 38 is, for example, a field effect transistor (FET), and is turned on / off by management unit 33F.

[0047] The management unit 33F includes a microcomputer 39 in which a CPU 39A, a RAM 39B, etc. are integrated into one chip, a storage unit 40 having a rewritable non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory, and a communication unit 41. The microcomputer 39 executes a control program stored in the storage unit 40 to manage each unit of the power storage device 23. The storage unit 40 stores the control program and various data. The various data include various data for determining abnormalities in the power storage device 23. These data will be described later. The communication unit 41 is a communication circuit that enables the BMU 33 to communicate with the master ECU. The communication connector 34 is a connector to which a signal line is connected for communication between the BMU 33 and the master ECU.

[0048] (4) Processing to protect the power storage device from abnormalities Here, as examples of the process for protecting power storage device 23 from abnormalities, a process for protecting power storage device 23 from overcharging, a process for protecting power storage device 23 from overdischarging, and a process for protecting power storage device 23 from external short circuits will be described.

[0049] (4-1) Overcharging protection The process of protecting the power storage device 23 from overcharging will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The BMU 33 according to the first embodiment protects the power storage device 23 from overcharging in the following three stages.

[0050] Stage 1: When the power storage device 23 is charged and the voltage rises to the overcharge threshold Va1, the BMU 33 notifies the master ECU of overcharge. At this point, the relay 33D has not yet opened. After some time has passed, when the voltage falls below the overcharge threshold Va1, the BMU 33 recovers from the overcharge state and notifies the master ECU that overcharge is not occurring. Stage 2: When the power storage device 23 is further charged and the voltage rises to the overcharge threshold Va2, the BMU 33 opens the relay 33D. After that, when time passes and the voltage falls below the overcharge threshold Va2, the BMU 33 closes the relay 33D. Then, when the voltage falls below the overcharge threshold Va1, the BMU 33 recovers from the overcharge state and notifies the master ECU that the battery is not overcharged. Stage 3: If the relay 33D does not open due to a malfunction or the like when the voltage rises to the overcharge threshold Va2 and the voltage rises to the overcharge threshold Va3, the BMU 33 prohibits reuse of the power storage device 23.

[0051] When the master ECU is notified of overcharging in stage 1, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the power storage device 23 and transmits determination information, which will be described later, to the information processing device 1. In the following explanation, this transmission will be referred to as the first transmission. After being notified of overcharging, the master ECU will not start the engine even if instructed to do so by the driver of the vehicle 3, until it is notified that overcharging has not occurred. The master ECU then notifies the driver of the abnormality in the power storage device 23 by, for example, turning on an indicator lamp of the vehicle 3.

[0052] When the BMU 33 prohibits reuse of the power storage device 23 in Stage 3, it predicts that reuse of the power storage device 23 will be prohibited (in other words, an abnormality that prohibits reuse) when the voltage rises to a first predetermined voltage Vat that is lower than the overcharge threshold Va3, and notifies the master ECU of the prohibition of reuse before prohibiting reuse. Then, when the voltage subsequently rises to the overcharge threshold Va3, the BMU 33 prohibits reuse of the power storage device 23. When the master ECU is notified that reuse is prohibited, it retransmits the latest determination information at that time to the information processing device 1. Since reuse is not yet prohibited at this point, the master ECU can retransmit the determination information before reuse is prohibited (in other words, before an abnormality that prohibits reuse occurs). At this time, the master ECU notifies the information processing device 1 that this is the second transmission for the same power storage device 23.

[0053] When the information processing device 1 receives the second determination information for the same power storage device 23, the information processing device 1 determines the cause of the abnormality from the second transmitted determination information, not from the initially received determination information. When the information processing device 1 receives the second determination information, the information processing device 1 considers that reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited. The determination information may include information indicating that reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited. If the determination information includes such information, the information processing device 1 may consider that reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited.

[0054] (4-2) Protection against over-discharge The process of protecting the power storage device 23 from over-discharge will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The BMU 33 according to the first embodiment protects the power storage device 23 from over-discharge in the following three stages.

[0055] Stage 1: When the power storage device 23 is discharged and the voltage drops to the over-discharge threshold Vb1, the BMU 33 notifies the master ECU of over-discharge. At this point, the relay 33D is not yet opened. When the power storage device 23 is subsequently charged by an external charger or the like and the voltage rises above the over-discharge threshold Vb1, the BMU 33 recovers from the over-discharge state and notifies the master ECU that the power storage device 23 is not over-discharged. Stage 2: When the power storage device 23 is further discharged and falls to the over-discharge threshold Vb2, the BMU 33 opens the relay 33D. When an external charger or the like is subsequently connected, the BMU 33 closes the relay 33D. Then, when the power storage device 23 is charged and rises above the over-discharge threshold Vb1, the BMU 33 recovers from the over-discharge state and notifies the master ECU that the power storage device 23 is not over-discharged. Stage 3: If the voltage drops further after the relay 33D is opened and the battery is not charged for a long period of time, the BMU 33 prohibits reuse of the power storage device 23 if the voltage drops to the over-discharge threshold Vb3.

[0056] When the master ECU is notified of over-discharge in stage 1, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the power storage device 23 and transmits determination information, which will be described later, to the information processing device 1. When the BMU 33 prohibits reuse of the power storage device 23 in Stage 3, it predicts that reuse of the power storage device 23 will be prohibited (in other words, an abnormality that prohibits reuse) when the voltage drops to a second predetermined voltage Vbt that is higher than the overcharge threshold Va3, and before prohibiting reuse, it temporarily closes relay 33D to supply power to the master ECU. Then, the BMU 33 notifies the master ECU that reuse of the power storage device 23 will be prohibited. When the master ECU is notified that reuse is prohibited, it retransmits the latest determination information at that time to the information processing device 1. After the determination information is retransmitted, the BMU 33 opens the relay 33D again.

[0057] (4-3) Protection against external short circuits An external short circuit refers to a short circuit caused by some kind of conductor coming into contact with the positive external terminal 31P and the negative external terminal 31N outside the housing 30 of the electricity storage device 23. For example, an external short circuit occurs when the vehicle 3 crashes in an accident (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle crash) and a metal part of the vehicle 3 comes into contact with the positive external terminal 31P and the negative external terminal 31N. When an external short circuit occurs, a large current flows through the electricity storage device 23.

[0058] The power storage device 23 may or may not have a fuse, and the method of protecting it from an external short circuit differs depending on whether or not it has a fuse. If a fuse is present, the power storage device 23 is protected by blowing the fuse. If the current value at which the fuse blows is defined as the fuse blowing current value, the BMU 33 predicts that the fuse will blow when the current rises to a predetermined current value lower than the fuse blowing current value, and notifies the master ECU of an external short circuit. When the master ECU is notified of the external short circuit, it transmits determination information, which will be described later, to the information processing device 1. Therefore, the determination information is transmitted before the fuse blows.

[0059] In the case where there is no fuse, the BMU 33 opens the relay 33D when an external short circuit occurs. The BMU 33 then determines whether or not to prohibit reuse of the power storage device 23 based on the current value. Specifically, if a current value used as a criterion for determining whether an external short circuit has occurred is defined as current threshold I1, and a current value greater than current threshold I1 is defined as current threshold I2, the BMU 33 notifies the master ECU of the external short circuit before opening relay 33D if the detected current value is equal to or greater than current threshold I1 and less than current threshold I2. When notified of the external short circuit, the master ECU transmits determination information to the information processing device 1. The BMU 33 then opens relay 33D, and closes it when an external charger or the like is connected. This allows the power storage device 23 to be reused after a certain period of time has passed.

[0060] If the detected current value is equal to or greater than the current threshold value I2, the BMU 33 notifies the master ECU that reuse is prohibited before opening the relay 33D. When the master ECU is notified that reuse is prohibited, it transmits determination information to the information processing device 1. This determination information includes information indicating that reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited. The BMU 33 then opens the relay 33D and prohibits reuse of the power storage device 23. If the determination information includes information indicating that reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited, the information processing device 1 considers that reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited.

[0061] (5) Other abnormalities Other abnormalities include deterioration of the storage element, an internal short circuit, a BMU failure, deformation, etc. When other abnormalities occur, the BMU 33 also notifies the master ECU of the abnormality. When the master ECU is notified of the abnormality, it transmits determination information, which will be described later, to the information processing device 1.

[0062] (6) Judgment information The above-mentioned determination information will be explained. The master ECU records, as history data, detection values ​​detected by various sensors equipped in the vehicle 3. When the master ECU is notified of an abnormality from the power storage device 23, the master ECU acquires information for determining the cause of the abnormality from the power storage device 23 and transmits this information, together with various history data and information related to the vehicle 3 recorded by the master ECU, to the information processing device 1 as determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device 23. Examples of the determination information will be described below. Because there are a wide variety of abnormalities in the power storage device 23, only some of them will be described below.

[0063] (6-1) Information obtained from BMU An example of information that the master ECU acquires from the BMU 33 when an abnormality occurs in the power storage device 23 will be described.

[0064] Deterioration flag The degradation flag is a flag indicating whether or not the storage element 32A has deteriorated. A value indicating no deterioration (for example, 0) is set as an initial value in the degradation flag. The BMU 33 monitors the deterioration of the storage element 32A, and when the storage element 32A deteriorates, a value indicating deterioration (for example, 1) is set in the degradation flag. Whether or not the storage element 32A has deteriorated can be determined by various methods. For example, the storage element 32A may be determined to have deteriorated when the charge capacity (maximum chargeable amount of electricity) of the storage device 23 falls below a predetermined capacity, or the storage device 23 may be determined to have deteriorated when the internal resistance value of the storage device 23 rises above a predetermined value, or the deterioration may be estimated from a degradation state estimation model.

[0065] Temperature history data of storage element 32A The temperature history data is history data of the temperature of power storage element 32A. BMU 33 measures the temperature of power storage element 32A at predetermined time intervals using temperature sensor 33C, and records the measured temperature as temperature history data. Charging voltage / current history data The charging voltage / current history data is history data of the voltage value and current value when the power storage device 23 is being charged. The BMU 33 measures the voltage value and current value at predetermined time intervals when the power storage device 23 is being charged, and records the measured voltage value and current value as the charging voltage / current history data.

[0066] Voltage history data of storage element 32A The voltage history data of the storage element 32A is history data in which the voltage of each storage element 32A is recorded. Discharge current history data The discharge current history data is data in which the current value of the discharge current detected by the current sensor 33A is recorded. The BMU 33 measures the current value of the discharge current using the current sensor 33A at predetermined time intervals and records the measured current value as the discharge current history data.

[0067] Balancer operation history data In voltage equalization by balancer 33E, the storage element 32A with the lowest voltage is used as a reference, and the voltages are equalized by discharging the other storage elements 32A until their voltages become the same as the voltage of the reference storage element 32A. The balancer operation history data is data that records the operation of balancer 33E. BMU33 self-diagnosis history data The BMU 33 performs a self-diagnosis at a predetermined timing, such as while the vehicle is parked, to check for any malfunctions in the components of the BMU 33 (current sensor 33A, voltage sensor 33B, temperature sensor 33C, relay 33D, etc.) The self-diagnosis history data of the BMU 33 is data in which the diagnosis results are recorded.

[0068] The current voltage of the storage device 23 The current voltage of the power storage device 23 is the voltage of the power storage device 23 at the time when an abnormality occurs in the power storage device 23. In the case of the second determination information described above, it is the voltage of the power storage device 23 at the time when the second determination information is transmitted. -Current charge status of the storage device The state of charge (SOC) is the ratio (%) of the current amount of electricity [Ah] of the power storage device 23 to the full charge capacity [Ah] of the power storage device 23. The BMU 33 measures the charge / discharge current at a predetermined time interval and estimates the SOC by adding or subtracting the measured current value from an initial value. In the case of the second determination information described above, the SOC is the SOC at the time the second determination information is transmitted.

[0069] Fuse status flag The fuse status flag is a flag indicating whether the fuse has blown in the case of the power storage device 23 that is equipped with a fuse. A value (e.g., 0) indicating that the fuse has not blown is set as an initial value to the fuse status flag, and a value (e.g., 1) indicating that the fuse has blown is set when the fuse has blown.

[0070] Various data related to the power storage device 23 The various data related to the power storage device 23 include identification information for uniquely identifying the power storage device 23, model information indicating the model of the power storage device 23, the manufacturing date of the power storage device 23, and the warranty period of the power storage device 23. The warranty period is information indicating, for example, the start date and end date of the warranty period. The warranty period may be registered in advance in the determination information database for each model of the power storage device 23. The various data related to the power storage device 23 are not limited to these, and may include appropriate information required for the information processing device 1 to execute various processes described later.

[0071] (6-2) Information recorded by the master ECU An example of information recorded by the master ECU will be described below.

[0072] Charging voltage / current history data The charging voltage / current history data is history data of voltage values ​​and current values ​​when the power storage device 23 is charged by the vehicle power generation system 21. As described above, the vehicle 3 has a voltage sensor and a current sensor that are separate from the voltage sensor 33B and current sensor 33A that the power storage device 23 is equipped with. The master ECU measures the voltage value and current value when the power storage device 23 is charged by the vehicle power generation system 21, and records the measured values ​​as the charging voltage / current history data.

[0073] · Vehicle power generation system failure history data The master ECU performs a self-diagnosis at a predetermined timing, such as while the vehicle is parked, to check for any failures in the components of the vehicle power generation system 21. The vehicle power generation system failure history data is data in which the results of the diagnosis are recorded. Current consumption history data The current consumption history data is data that records the current consumed by the auxiliary devices 22. Power consumption [W] may be recorded instead of the consumed current.

[0074] Parking history data for vehicle 3 The parking history data is data that records the time (year, month, day, hour, minute) when the vehicle 3 was parked. From the difference between the time when the vehicle 3 was parked and the time when the abnormality occurred in the electricity storage device 23, the time from when the vehicle 3 was parked until the abnormality occurred can be determined. Vehicle status data The vehicle state data is data that records various states of the vehicle 3. The various states include information indicating whether the vehicle 3 is in a traveling state or a parked state. For example, if the vehicle state data included in the determination information records that the vehicle 3 is in a parked state, this means that an abnormality occurred in the power storage device 23 while the vehicle 3 was parked.

[0075] Vehicle crash detection history data The vehicle crash detection history data is data that records crashes of the vehicle 3. When the vehicle 3 crashes due to an accident or the like, the impact is detected by the impact detection sensor, and the fact that the vehicle 3 has crashed is recorded in the vehicle crash detection history data. Airbag deployment history data The airbag deployment history data is data that records the history of deployment of the airbags of the vehicle 3. The vehicle crash detection history data and the airbag deployment history data described above are used to determine whether the vehicle 3 has crashed.

[0076] -Various vehicle data The various vehicle-related data include vehicle information for uniquely identifying the vehicle 3, address information required when the information processing device 1 communicates with the vehicle 3 via the telecommunication line 2, the date on which battery use began, and the email address of the driver (or owner) of the vehicle 3. The date on which battery use began is recorded by the master ECU, for example, when the power storage device 23 is mounted on the vehicle 3 and begins to be used. The email address can be registered in the vehicle 3 by an appropriate method, such as by inputting it from an operation unit provided in the vehicle 3 or by sending it to the vehicle 3 from a smartphone. The driver of the vehicle 3 may access the information processing device 1 from a computer in advance and register the email address in the determination information database in association with the vehicle information. The various data relating to the vehicle 3 are not limited to these, and include appropriate information required for the information processing device 1 to execute various processes described below.

[0077] (7) Determining the cause of the abnormality, the division of responsibility, and the measures to be taken to deal with the abnormality 6 and 7, the determination of the cause of the abnormality, the responsibility classification, and the measures to be taken to deal with the abnormality, which are performed by the information processing device 1 that executes the abnormality cause determination program, will be described. When the information processing device 1 receives determination information from the master ECU, it registers the received determination information in the determination information database in association with the date on which the determination information was acquired. The date is an example of time information that can identify when the abnormality occurred in the power storage device 23.

[0078] The information processing device 1 then determines the cause of the abnormality based on the registered determination information, and determines the responsibility category for the abnormality and the measures to be taken to deal with the abnormality based on the determined cause of the abnormality. Because there are many causes of abnormalities in the power storage device 23, only some of them will be described here.

[0079] (a) Deterioration of the storage element The information processing device 1 determines whether the storage element 32A is degraded based on the degradation flag, and if it is degraded, determines that the degradation of the storage element is the cause of the abnormality. If the cause of the abnormality is degradation of the storage element, the information processing device 1 determines the responsibility category based on the warranty period, the date of start of battery use, etc. received as determination information. A specific explanation of how to determine the responsibility category when the cause of the abnormality is degradation of the storage element will be given later.

[0080] In the first embodiment, if the power storage element 32A is deteriorated, the power storage device 23 cannot be repaired and the entire power storage device 23 must be replaced. Therefore, if the cause of the abnormality is deterioration of the power storage element, the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the power storage device 23, regardless of whether the power storage device 23 is within the warranty period. Deterioration of the power storage element is an example of a failure in which the power storage device 23 cannot be repaired and must be replaced. If power storage element 32A housed in housing 30 of power storage device 23 can be removed and replaced, the measure to deal with the abnormality may be to replace power storage element 32A. In this case, deterioration of the power storage element is an example of a failure in which power storage device 23 can be repaired and reused.

[0081] (b) Overcharging due to misuse of the external charger When the voltage of the power storage device 23 drops and the engine cannot be started (when the battery is dead), the user may use an external charger to charge the power storage device 23. Overcharging due to improper use of an external charger is an abnormality in which the power storage element 32A is overcharged due to the user using an inappropriate external charger. An inappropriate external charger is, for example, an external charger that charges the power storage device 23 at a voltage higher than the rated voltage.

[0082] The power storage device 23 may be charged by the vehicle power generation system 21 or by an external charger. In order to determine whether the overcharging is due to misuse of the external charger, it is necessary to determine whether the power storage device 23 has been charged by the external charger. The information processing device 1 determines whether the power storage device 23 is overcharged from the current voltage (or current SOC) of the power storage device 23, and if it is overcharged, determines from the charging voltage / current history data of the master ECU whether charging that would result in overcharge was performed by the vehicle power generation system 21. If charging that would result in overcharge was not performed, the cause of the overcharge was not the vehicle power generation system 21, and it is therefore assumed that charging was performed by an external charger. Therefore, the information processing device 1 determines from the charging voltage / current history data of the BMU 33 whether charging that would result in overcharge was performed, and if charging that would result in overcharge was performed, it determines that overcharging due to misuse of the external charger was the cause of the abnormality.

[0083] As described above, if the received determination information is the second determination information, the information processing device 1 considers that reuse is prohibited. If the received determination information is the second determination information (i.e., if reuse is prohibited), the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the power storage device 23. In this case, the cause of the abnormality is the user's use of an inappropriate external charger, so the responsibility falls on the user.

[0084] If reuse is not prohibited even when overcharge occurs (i.e., if this is the first determination information), the power storage device 23 can be reused, but the master ECU is notified of overcharge, so the engine cannot be started. A state in which reuse is not prohibited even when overcharge occurs is an example of a state in which the power storage device cannot be used normally for some reason, even though it is not a malfunction.

[0085] As described above, even if the battery is overcharged, the BMU 33 notifies the master ECU that the battery is not overcharged if the voltage drops below the overcharge threshold Va1 over time. This allows the engine to be started. In other words, even if the battery is overcharged, if reuse is not prohibited, the battery can be reused without repair. If the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair, there will be no cost incurred to deal with the abnormality, and therefore the information processing device 1 does not determine the responsibility division. In this case, the measure to deal with the abnormality is to "try again after xx hours." "Try again" means to try starting the engine again. "xx hours" is determined appropriately for each model of the power storage device 23. As will be described in more detail later, if the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair, the information processing device 1 notifies the user that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair and of the steps that should be taken to reuse the power storage device 23 without repair.

[0086] (c) Overcharging due to vehicle malfunction There is also a possibility that a malfunction of the vehicle power generation system 21 may cause the power storage device 23 to be overcharged. For example, a malfunction of the vehicle generator 21A may cause the charging voltage to increase, which may cause the power storage device 23 to be overcharged. The information processing device 1 determines whether the storage device 23 is overcharged based on the current voltage (or current SOC) of the storage device 23, and if it is overcharged, determines whether charging that resulted in overcharging was performed based on the charging voltage / current history data of the master ECU.

[0087] If charging that would result in overcharging is being performed, the information processing device 1 determines from the vehicle power generation system failure history data whether there is a failure in a component of the vehicle power generation system 21. If there is a failure in a component of the vehicle power generation system 21, the information processing device 1 determines that the abnormality is caused by overcharging due to a vehicle failure. If the cause of the abnormality is overcharging due to a vehicle malfunction, the information processing device 1 determines whether reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited. Specifically, if the determination information used to determine the cause of the abnormality is the second determination information, the information processing device 1 considers that reuse is prohibited. If reuse is prohibited, the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the power storage device 23. In this case, since the cause of the abnormality is a vehicle malfunction, the responsibility falls on the OEM. If reuse is not prohibited even when overcharge occurs, the power storage device 23 can be reused after time has passed, so the information processing device 1 does not determine the responsibility category. In this case, the action to deal with the abnormality is to "retry after xx hours."

[0088] (d) Overdischarge due to large dark current The dark current refers to a standby current that flows from the power storage device 23 to the vehicle 3 even when the vehicle 3 is parked (i.e., when the ignition switch is off) to supply power to the auxiliary devices 22. Normally, the power storage device 23 does not become over-discharged when the vehicle is parked for a short period of time, but if the dark current becomes large due to some abnormality, over-discharge may occur even when the vehicle is parked for a short period of time.

[0089] The information processing device 1 determines whether the power storage device 23 is over-discharged based on the current voltage (or current SOC) of the power storage device 23, and if it is over-discharged, determines whether the over-discharge occurred while the vehicle 23 was parked based on the parking history data of the vehicle 3. If the over-discharge occurred while the vehicle 23 was parked, the information processing device 1 creates a histogram of the dark current consumed while the vehicle 23 was parked based on the current consumption history data. If some abnormality occurs in the vehicle 3 and the dark current is large, the mode (position of the peak) of the histogram changes compared to when no abnormality occurs. Therefore, the information processing device 1 compares the mode of the created histogram with the mode when no abnormality occurs, and if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, determines that the abnormality is caused by a large dark current (large dark current). If the cause of the abnormality is a large dark current, the OEM is responsible because the abnormality is in the vehicle 3. If reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited (i.e., the received determination information is the second determination information), the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the power storage device 23.

[0090] (e) Over-discharge due to large self-discharge Even if the power storage device 23 is left unused, chemical reactions will gradually occur inside the device, causing the voltage to drop. This is called self-discharge. The power storage device 23 may experience large self-discharge due to some abnormality. If the self-discharge is large, the voltage may drop significantly over a certain period of time, resulting in over-discharge.

[0091] There are various methods for determining whether the self-discharge of the power storage device 23 is large. For example, if the voltage of the power storage device 23 drops significantly in a short period of time even though the dark current of the power storage device 23 is within the normal range, it may be determined that the self-discharge is large. Alternatively, since the temperature of the power storage element 32A increases when the self-discharge is large, it may also be determined from the temperature of the power storage element 32A. Here, an example of determining the self-discharge from the dark current will be described.

[0092] If the power storage device 23 is over-discharged, the information processing device 1 determines whether the over-discharge occurred while the vehicle was parked, based on the parking history data of the vehicle 3. If the over-discharge occurred while the vehicle was parked, the information processing device 1 determines whether the dark current is large, based on the dark current histogram described above. If the dark current is not large, the information processing device 1 compares the time from when the vehicle was parked until the over-discharge occurred with a predetermined threshold, and if the time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold (in other words, if the dark current is small but the over-discharge occurred shortly after the vehicle was parked), it determines that the cause of the abnormality is large self-discharge of the power storage device 23 (large self-discharge). If the cause of the abnormality is large self-discharge, the battery supplier is responsible because the abnormality is in the power storage device 23. If reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited, the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the power storage device 23.

[0093] (f) Overdischarge (long-term parking) Since dark current flows from the power storage device 23 to the vehicle 3 even while the vehicle is parked, the power storage device 23 will be over-discharged if the vehicle is parked for a long period of time. In the case of over-discharge, the information processing device 1 determines the parking time from when the vehicle 3 was parked until the over-discharge occurred from the parking history data of the vehicle 3, and if the parking time is longer than the long-term parking determination threshold, determines that long-term parking is the cause of the abnormality.

[0094] The power storage device 23 is designed so that it will not over-discharge even if the vehicle 3 is parked for a certain period of time. Therefore, if the cause of the abnormality is long-term parking, the battery supplier is responsible. If reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited, the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the power storage device 23.

[0095] However, since long-term parking can also be said to be the responsibility of the user, it may be determined that the user is responsible. For example, a second long-term parking determination threshold that is longer than the long-term parking determination threshold described above may be set, and if the parking time is equal to or greater than the long-term parking determination threshold and less than the second long-term parking determination threshold, it is considered to be within the expected long-term parking and the battery supplier is responsible, and if the parking time exceeds the second long-term parking determination threshold, it is considered to be unexpect- ed long-term parking and the user is responsible.

[0096] (g) Overdischarge (can be reused) If reuse is not prohibited even when over-discharge occurs due to the above-mentioned (d), (e), or (f), the power storage device 23 can be reused without repairing it. Therefore, if reuse is not prohibited, the information processing device 1 does not determine the responsibility category. However, since the voltage has dropped significantly due to over-discharge, the engine cannot be started in this state. Therefore, the measures to deal with this abnormality are "external charging or jump start." External charging refers to charging using an external charger. Jump start refers to connecting the abnormal power storage device 23 to a power storage device of another vehicle via an electric cable and starting the engine. When the power storage device 23 is charged and the voltage reaches or exceeds the over-discharge threshold Vb1, the BMU 33 notifies the master ECU that there is no over-discharge, and the engine can be started.

[0097] (h) Internal short circuit of the storage element An internal short circuit in a storage element occurs when the separator arranged between the positive and negative electrodes contained inside the storage element 32A is torn or the separator is misaligned, causing the positive and negative electrodes to come into contact inside the storage element 32A.

[0098] When an internal short circuit occurs in the storage element 32A, the voltage drops to the overdischarge threshold Vb2 and the relay 33D opens. In this case as well, the BMU 33 notifies the master ECU of the abnormality just before the voltage drops to the overdischarge threshold Vb2, and the master ECU transmits determination information to the information processing device 1. Therefore, the master ECU can transmit the determination information to the information processing device 1 before the relay 33D opens. The information processing device 1 determines the voltage of each storage element 32A at the time when the relay 33D opens (more precisely, just before the relay 33D opens) from the voltage history data of the storage elements 32A, and if the voltage difference between the storage elements 32A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it determines that the abnormality is caused by the internal short circuit of the storage element 32A.

[0099] As another method for determining an internal short circuit of a storage element, information processing device 1 may determine whether balancer 33E has operated from balancer operation history data, and if it has operated, determine the amount of electricity discharged from each storage element 32A during equalization from voltage history data of storage elements 32A. Then, if the amount of electricity discharged from any storage element 32A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, information processing device 1 may determine that the abnormality is caused by an internal short circuit of storage element 32A.

[0100] If the cause of the abnormality is an internal short circuit in the storage element, the battery supplier is responsible. In the case of an internal short circuit, the measures to deal with the abnormality are to replace the storage device 23 or the target storage element 32A. Whether it is not possible to replace the storage element 32A and the entire storage device 23 must be replaced, or whether it is possible to reuse the storage device 23 by replacing only the target storage element 32A, depends on the design of the storage device 23.

[0101] (i)BMU failure The information processing device 1 determines whether the BMU 33 has failed based on the failure diagnosis history data of the BMU 33, and if the BMU 33 has failed, determines that the BMU failure is the cause of the abnormality. If the cause of the abnormality is a BMU failure, the battery supplier is responsible. In this case, the measures to deal with the abnormality are to replace the power storage device 23 or replace the BMU 33 (i.e., repair). Whether replacing the BMU 33 is impossible and the entire power storage device 23 must be replaced, or whether replacing the BMU 33 makes it possible to reuse the power storage device 23, depends on the design of the power storage device 23.

[0102] (j) External short circuit The information processing device 1 determines whether an external short circuit has occurred based on the discharge current history data of the BMU 33. Then, the information processing device 1 determines whether the vehicle 3 was traveling when the external short circuit occurred based on the vehicle state data at the time of the external short circuit. If the vehicle 3 was traveling, the information processing device 1 determines whether a vehicle crash occurred due to an accident based on the vehicle crash detection history data, and if a vehicle crash occurred, determines that the external short circuit due to the vehicle crash was the cause of the abnormality. In this case, the user crashed the vehicle 3, so the responsibility falls on the user.

[0103] If the cause of the abnormality is an external short circuit, the information processing device 1 determines whether or not there is a fuse in the power storage device 23. The presence or absence of a fuse can be determined from the model information of the power storage device 23, for example. If there is a fuse, the power storage device 23 can be reused by replacing the fuse (that is, repairing the power storage device 23), so the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the fuse.

[0104] If there is no fuse, whether or not the storage battery device 23 can be reused is determined based on whether or not the determination information includes information indicating that reuse of the storage battery device 23 is prohibited. As described above, when an external short circuit occurs and a current value equal to or greater than the current threshold value I2 is detected, the determination information includes information indicating that reuse of the storage battery device 23 is prohibited. If the information indicating that reuse is prohibited is included, the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the storage battery device 23.

[0105] If an external short circuit occurs but the current value is less than the current threshold I2, the determination information does not include information indicating that reuse of the power storage device 23 is prohibited. In this case, when an external charger or the like is connected, the relay 33D is closed and the power storage device 23 can be reused, so the information processing device 1 does not determine the responsibility category. However, because the voltage has dropped significantly due to the external short circuit, the action to deal with the abnormality is "external charging or jump start."

[0106] Here, an example has been given in which a vehicle crash is used as a condition for an external short circuit, but external short circuits can also occur for reasons other than a vehicle crash. For example, an external short circuit can occur when a tool comes into contact with the positive external terminal 31P and the negative external terminal 31N while a user is servicing the vehicle 3. For this reason, the information processing device 1 may determine that an external short circuit has occurred if a large current that would not normally flow is flowing, regardless of whether the vehicle 3 is running. Alternatively, the information processing device 1 may determine whether a fuse has blown from a fuse status flag, and determine that an external short circuit has occurred if the fuse has blown.

[0107] (k) Deformation due to vehicle crash, etc. Deformation due to a vehicle crash or the like refers to deformation of the electricity storage device 23 due to a vehicle crash or the like. If the electricity storage device 23 is deformed, it may not be able to perform as intended, so it is not desirable to continue using it as is.

[0108] The information processing device 1 determines whether the power storage device 23 is deformed based on the airbag operation history data and the vehicle crash detection history data. Specifically, when a vehicle crash occurs, the power storage device 23 may be deformed by the impact. Therefore, when a vehicle crash occurs, the information processing device 1 determines that the power storage device 23 is deformed. In this case, the user is responsible because the user crashed the vehicle 3. Since it is not desirable to continue using the deformed electricity storage device 23 as is, the measure to deal with the abnormality is to replace the electricity storage device 23.

[0109] (8) Notification that the storage device can be reused without repair If the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair, the information processing device 1 notifies the user of the power storage device 23 in which the abnormality has occurred (an example of a predetermined notification destination) by email via the telecommunications line 2 that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair and of the measures that should be taken to reuse the power storage device 23 without repair.

[0110] For example, in the case of the above-mentioned "(b) overcharging due to misuse of an external charger," if reuse is not prohibited, the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair. In this case, the action to be taken to reuse the power storage device 23 without repair is "try again after xx hours." In the case of the above-mentioned "(g) overdischarge," the action to be taken to reuse the power storage device 23 without repair is "external charging or jump start."

[0111] The method of notifying the user that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repairing, etc., is not limited to email, and can be any appropriate method. For example, the information processing device 1 may notify the master ECU (an example of a predetermined notification destination) of the vehicle 3 in which the abnormal power storage device 23 is mounted that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repairing, etc. Then, the master ECU may display the fact that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repairing, etc., on a display device of the vehicle 3, or may sound the fact through a speaker of the vehicle 3.

[0112] (9) Flow of responsibility classification determination process The flow of the responsibility classification determination process executed by the information processing device 1 will be described using the degradation and overcharging of the power storage element as an example.

[0113] (9-1) Determination of responsibility when the cause of the abnormality is the deterioration of the storage element The process of determining the responsibility division when the cause of the abnormality is the deterioration of the power storage element will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This process is executed when it is determined that the cause of the abnormality is the deterioration of the power storage element.

[0114] In S101, the information processing device 1 determines whether the battery usage period of the power storage device 23 has exceeded the warranty period. Specifically, the information processing device 1 determines whether the battery usage period has exceeded the warranty period by calculating the difference between the battery usage start date and the current date, and comparing the calculated battery usage period with the warranty period. If the warranty period has expired (i.e., outside the warranty period), the information processing device 1 proceeds to S102, and if the warranty period has not expired (i.e., within the warranty period), the information processing device 1 proceeds to S103. In S102, the information processing device 1 determines that the responsibility belongs to the user because the power storage device 23 has been used beyond the warranty period.

[0115] In S103, the information processing device 1 creates a temperature histogram from the temperature history data of the energy storage element 32A, and determines whether the energy storage element 32A was used under usage conditions within the battery supplier's expectations based on the created histogram. Specifically, the temperature of the energy storage element 32A increases when the element is used under unexpectedly harsh usage conditions. Therefore, if the temperature of the energy storage element 32A is high, it is possible that the energy storage element 32A was used under usage conditions beyond the expectations of the OEM, causing the energy storage element 32A to deteriorate within the warranty period. In contrast, if the temperature of the energy storage element 32A is low, it is possible that there is a problem with the energy storage element 32A itself, causing the energy storage element 32A to deteriorate within the warranty period. The information processing device 1 determines whether the difference between the most frequent value (in other words, the peak value) of the created histogram and the most frequent value when the storage element 32A is used under the expected usage conditions is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and if it is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, proceeds to S104, and if it is less than the predetermined value, proceeds to S105.

[0116] In S104, the information processing device 1 determines that the responsibility category is OEM. In S105, the information processing device 1 determines that the responsibility belongs to the battery supplier.

[0117] (9-2) Determining responsibility when the cause of the abnormality is overcharging The process of determining the responsibility category when the cause of the abnormality is overcharging will be described with reference to Fig. 8. This process is executed when it is determined that the cause of the abnormality is overcharging.

[0118] In S201, the information processing device 1 determines whether the power storage device 23 is reusable (i.e., whether reuse is prohibited). If the power storage device 23 is reusable, the information processing device 1 proceeds to S202, and if the power storage device 23 is not reusable (i.e., if reuse is prohibited), the information processing device 1 proceeds to S203.

[0119] In S202, the information processing device 1 does not determine the responsibility classification, but notifies the user that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair, and the steps that should be taken to reuse the power storage device 23 without repair. In S203, the information processing device 1 determines whether or not overcharging has been detected during charging by the external charger. If overcharging has been detected during charging by the external charger, the information processing device 1 proceeds to S204, and if overcharging has been detected when not charging by the external charger, the information processing device 1 proceeds to S205.

[0120] In S204, the information processing device 1 determines that the cause of the abnormality is the user's misuse of the external charger, and determines that the user is responsible. In S205, the information processing device 1 determines whether or not overcharging has been detected during charging by the vehicle power generation system 21. If overcharging has been detected during charging by the vehicle power generation system 21, the information processing device 1 proceeds to S206, and if overcharging has been detected when charging by the vehicle power generation system 21 is not being performed, the information processing device 1 proceeds to S207.

[0121] In S206, the information processing device 1 determines that the responsibility category is OEM. In S207, the information processing device 1 determines that the cause is unknown because overcharging was detected when charging was not being performed by an external charger or by the vehicle power generation system 21. If the cause is unknown, the power storage device 23 is individually investigated by a worker at the service base 5 for the power storage device 23 to determine the responsibility division.

[0122] (10) Notify the service center of the cause of the abnormality If the cause of the abnormality is not such that the storage battery device 23 can be reused without being repaired (in other words, if the cause of the abnormality is such that the storage battery device 23 can be reused if it is repaired, or if the cause of the abnormality is such that the storage battery device 23 cannot be repaired and must be replaced), the information processing device 1 notifies the service center 5 of the storage battery device 23 of the cause of the abnormality in the storage battery device 23 via the telecommunications line 2.

[0123] The notification of the cause of the abnormality is made, for example, by email. The method of notifying the cause of the abnormality is not limited to email, and any appropriate method can be adopted. For example, a worker at the service site 5 may inquire of the information processing device 1 from a computer at the service site 5 about information regarding the power storage device 23 that needs to be repaired or replaced, and the information processing device 1, upon receiving the inquiry, may transmit the information to the computer at the service site 5.

[0124] If the cause of the abnormality is such that the storage battery device 23 can be reused if it is repaired, the storage battery device 23 is sent from the maintenance shop of the vehicle 3 to the service base 5, where it is repaired by a worker at the service base 5 and sent back to the maintenance shop. If the cause of the abnormality is such that the storage battery device 23 cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced, the worker at the service base 5 sends a replacement storage battery device 23 to the maintenance shop.

[0125] (11) Compilation of information regarding abnormalities in the power storage device The information processing device 1 associates the determined cause of the abnormality and the responsibility category with the determination information and registers them in the determination information database, and at a predetermined timing, tally information related to the abnormality of the power storage device 23. Here, the information to be tally will be described using, as an example, the number of power storage devices 23 in which an abnormality has occurred per quarter and per cause of abnormality, and the number of power storage devices 23 per quarter and per responsibility category.

[0126] 10A is a graph showing an example of the results of tallying the number of units by quarter and by cause of abnormality. As described above, judgment information is registered in the judgment information database in association with the year, month, and date. The information processing device 1 acquires data from the judgment information database and tallys up the number of power storage devices 23 in which an abnormality has occurred by quarter and by cause of abnormality. In FIG. 10A, Q1 means the first quarter (January to March), Q2 means the second quarter (April to June), Q3 means the third quarter (July to September), and Q4 means the fourth quarter (October to December). FIG. 10B is a graph showing an example of the results of tallying the number of units by quarter and by responsibility category.

[0127] Here, the case where the number of power storage devices 23 in which an abnormality has occurred is counted by period (specifically, by quarter) has been exemplified, but the number may also be counted by region. For example, when transmitting the determination information, the master ECU may further transmit to the information processing device 1 location information (an example of area information that can identify the area in which the power storage device 23 is located) obtained from a location information system such as a GPS (Global Positioning System). Then, the information processing device 1 may count the number of power storage devices 23 in which an abnormality has occurred by region. The vehicle 3 may transmit the name of the area in which the vehicle 3 is located as location information. The information processing device 1 may tally up the number of vehicles for each abnormality cause and the number of vehicles for each responsibility category for all determination information registered in the determination information database, regardless of time or region.

[0128] The information processing device 1 may tally up the number of power storage devices 23 that have experienced an abnormality during a specific period (for example, every quarter) by responsibility category and by abnormality cause. This allows the costs for dealing with the abnormality to be billed collectively to each responsibility category for each period. The reason for tallying up not only by responsibility category but also by abnormality cause is that the costs differ depending on the abnormality cause.

[0129] Here, the number of units for each responsibility category and each cause of abnormality has been exemplified as the information to be compiled, but the information to be compiled is not limited to these and may be other information as long as it is information that is compiled based on multiple pieces of acquired judgment information. For example, the information to be compiled may be a failure rate. The failure rate here refers to the proportion of power storage devices 23 that require repair or replacement among power storage devices 23 in which an abnormality has occurred.

[0130] (12) Effects of the embodiment According to the method for determining the cause of anomaly according to the first embodiment, even if an abnormality occurs in the power storage device 23, if the cause of the abnormality is such that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair, the user of the power storage device 23 is notified that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair, so the user does not need to bring the power storage device 23 in which the abnormality has occurred to the service center 5 for the power storage device 23, call a repair person, or inquire about how to deal with the problem from a battery supplier. This reduces the burden on the user when an abnormality occurs in the power storage device 23, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0131] According to the above-described method for determining the cause of an abnormality, the user is notified of the measures to be taken to reuse the electricity storage device 23 without repairing it, so that even a user who does not know the measures to be taken to reuse the electricity storage device 23 can reuse the electricity storage device 23.

[0132] According to the above-described method for determining the cause of an abnormality, the information processing device 1 determines the cause of the abnormality from the determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device 23, and determines the responsibility division, so that the operator can determine the responsibility division without investigating the cause of the abnormality for each power storage device 23. This reduces the man-hours required for determining the responsibility division.

[0133] According to the above-described method for determining the cause of an abnormality, it is possible to grasp the trends in the causes of the abnormality and the trends in the division of responsibility by aggregating information on abnormalities in the power storage device 23 based on the multiple pieces of judgment information acquired. As a result, the acquired judgment information can be used for purposes other than determining the causes of the abnormality and the division of responsibility (measures to suppress abnormalities, improvements to the specifications of the power storage device 23 for the next generation, prediction of the number of power storage devices 23 required for replacement, prediction of the number of parts required for repair, etc.).

[0134] According to the method for determining the cause of an abnormality described above, the costs can be billed collectively to each business operator or each user for each specific period, thereby reducing the amount of administrative work required.

[0135] The above-described method for determining the cause of an abnormality makes it possible to grasp the trends in the causes of abnormalities and the trends in the allocation of responsibility by region. This allows measures to suppress abnormalities, improvements to the specifications of the power storage device 23 for the next generation, and predictions of the number of power storage devices 23 required as replacements to be made, all while taking into account the region in which the power storage device 23 is used.

[0136] The above-described method for determining the cause of an abnormality makes it possible to grasp the trends in the causes of abnormalities and the trends in the allocation of responsibility on a periodic basis (for example, monthly or quarterly). This makes it possible to take measures to suppress abnormalities, improve the specifications of the power storage device 23 for the next generation, and predict the number of power storage devices 23 that will be required as replacements, taking into account the period when the power storage device 23 will be used.

[0137] According to the above-described method for determining the cause of the abnormality, by notifying the worker at the service center 5 of the cause of the abnormality, the worker at the service center 5 can quickly arrange for parts required for repairs, arrange for a replacement power storage device 23, and so on.

[0138] According to the above-described method for determining the cause of an abnormality, when an abnormality that prohibits reuse of the power storage device 23 is predicted, the vehicle 3 transmits judgment information before the abnormality occurs (in other words, before reuse is prohibited), so that the information processing device 1 can acquire the judgment information.

[0139] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0140] (1) In the above embodiment, the case where the information processing device 1 receives (acquires) the determination information from the master ECU of the vehicle 3 has been exemplified. That is, the case where the vehicle 3 is the source of the determination information has been exemplified. However, the source of the determination information is not particularly limited as long as it is a source from which the information processing device 1 can acquire the determination information via the telecommunications line 2. For example, the source may be the power storage device 23 itself, a computer in the industrial equipment 4 powered by the power storage device 23, or an external device (such as an OBD scan tool or a smartphone) that acquires various information from the power storage device 23. Alternatively, instead of the information processing device 1 directly acquiring the determination information from these sources, another computer may collect the determination information from these sources, and the information processing device 1 may acquire the determination information from that computer.

[0141] (2) In the above embodiment, the power storage device 23 is mounted on the vehicle 3 as an example. However, the power storage device 23 is not limited to being mounted on the vehicle 3. For example, the power storage device 23 may be one that supplies power to the industrial facility 4, one that is used as a backup power source for equipment such as a computer, one that stores power generated by natural energy such as wind power generation, or one that is used for peak shifting of commercial power sources.

[0142] (3) In the above embodiment, when the determined cause of the abnormality is one that allows the storage device 23 to be reused without repair, the user is notified that the storage device 23 can be reused without repair and of the measures that should be taken to reuse the storage device 23 without repair. However, it is not necessary to notify the user of the measures that should be taken to reuse the storage device 23 without repair.

[0143] (4) In the above embodiment, when the cause of the abnormality is such that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair, the user is notified that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair. In addition, even when the cause of the abnormality is such that the power storage device 23 cannot be reused without repair, the notification destination may be notified of information related to the abnormality, such as the need to repair or replace the power storage device 23 and the cause of the abnormality.

[0144] (5) In the above embodiment, when the determined cause of the abnormality is one that allows the power storage device 23 to be reused without repair, the user is notified that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair. However, this notification does not have to be given. For example, the information processing device 1 may not perform the process of notifying the user that the power storage device 23 can be reused without repair, but may only determine the responsibility category (or only determine the responsibility category and the measures to take to deal with the abnormality).

[0145] (6) In the first embodiment, the user and the master ECU are exemplified as the predetermined notification destinations. However, the predetermined notification destinations are not limited to these and can be determined as appropriate. For example, the predetermined notification destination may be a maintenance shop for the vehicle 3, or multiple notification destinations may be notified.

[0146] (7) In the first embodiment, a lithium ion secondary battery is used as the power storage element 32A, but the power storage element 32A is not limited to a lithium ion secondary battery. For example, the power storage element 32A may be a capacitor that undergoes an electrochemical reaction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1: Information processing equipment 2: Telecommunications lines 3: Vehicle (system, example of external device) 4: Industrial equipment (system, example of external equipment) 5: Service locations 10: Information Processing Department 14: Communications Department 23: Energy storage device

Claims

1. A method for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, comprising: The information processing device acquires, via a telecommunications line, determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device in which the abnormality has occurred; determining a cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information; If the determined cause of the abnormality is such that the power storage device can be reused without repair, notify a predetermined notification destination via the electric communication line that the power storage device can be reused without repair. How to determine the cause of an abnormality.

2. 2. The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to claim 1, The method for determining the cause of an abnormality, in which, if the cause of the abnormality determined based on the determination information is an abnormality cause that allows the storage device to be reused without repair, the information processing device notifies the specified notification destination of the measures that should be taken to reuse the storage device without repair.

3. 3. The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to claim 1 or 2, An abnormality cause determination method in which, if the abnormality cause determined based on the determination information is not an abnormality cause that allows the storage device to be reused without repair, the information processing device determines the responsibility classification for the abnormality of the storage device based on the determined abnormality cause.

4. 4. The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to claim 3, The information processing device compiles information relating to the abnormality of the power storage device based on the acquired plurality of pieces of determination information.

5. 5. The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to claim 4, The information about the abnormality of the power storage device is the number of the power storage devices in which an abnormality has occurred, for each responsibility category and for each cause of the abnormality, The information processing device compiles information relating to an abnormality in the power storage device for each specific period.

6. 5. The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to claim 4, The method for determining the cause of an abnormality, wherein the information processing device further acquires, via the telecommunications line, regional information that can identify the region in which the storage device is located, and compiles information regarding abnormalities in the storage device for each of the regions.

7. 5. The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to claim 4, The method for determining the cause of an abnormality, wherein the information processing device further acquires time information that can identify a time when an abnormality occurred in the power storage device, and compiles information about the abnormality in the power storage device for each of the time periods.

8. 4. The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to claim 3, The method for determining the cause of an abnormality, in which, if the cause of the abnormality determined based on the determination information is not one that allows the storage device to be reused without repairing it, the information processing device notifies a service center for the storage device of the cause of the abnormality of the storage device via the telecommunications line.

9. 3. The method for determining the cause of an abnormality according to claim 1 or 2, A method for determining the cause of an abnormality, in which the storage device or a system to which the storage device is connected predicts an abnormality in the storage device and transmits the determination information to the information processing device via the telecommunications line before the predicted abnormality occurs.

10. A method for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, comprising: The information processing device acquires, via a telecommunications line, determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device in which the abnormality has occurred; determining a cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information; determining a responsibility category for the abnormality in the power storage device based on the determined cause of the abnormality; How to determine the cause of an abnormality.

11. An abnormality cause determination program for determining the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, a process of acquiring, via a telecommunications line, determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device in which the abnormality has occurred; a process of determining a cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information; a process of notifying a predetermined notification destination through the electric communication line that the power storage device can be reused without repair, when the determined cause of the abnormality is one that allows the power storage device to be reused without repair; A program for determining the cause of an abnormality that causes a computer to execute the above.

12. An information processing device that determines the cause of an abnormality in a power storage device, a communication unit that communicates with an external device through an electric communication line; an information processing unit; Equipped with The information processing unit acquires, via the communication unit, determination information for determining the cause of the abnormality in the power storage device in which the abnormality has occurred; determining a cause of the abnormality in the power storage device based on the acquired determination information; If the determined cause of the abnormality is such that the power storage device can be reused without repair, notify a predetermined notification destination via the communication unit that the power storage device can be reused without repair. Information processing device.

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