Battery pack inspection device

Abstract

We provide a battery pack inspection device that can perform multiple inspections and can be made compact. [Solution] The battery pack inspection device of the present disclosure comprises a battery pack 1 comprising a relay box 3 that connects or disconnects between the battery module 2 and the positive-side high-voltage connector 11, and between the battery module 2 and the negative-side high-voltage connector 12, and a case 7 that houses the battery module 2, a relay box operation unit 32a that operates the relay box 3, and a voltage measuring unit 36 ​​that measures the voltage between the positive-side connection terminal 31a and the negative-side connection terminal 31b, the voltage between the positive-side connection terminal 31a and the case connection terminal 31c, and the voltage between the negative-side connection terminal 31b and the case connection terminal 31c.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inspection device for a battery pack.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack inspection device that inspects the state of electrical characteristics of a battery pack, such as the voltage value of the entire battery pack, the voltage value of each battery cell, and the charge amount (remaining capacity).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The inspection of a battery pack includes multiple aspects such as checking the operation of components and the insulation performance. Since there is an inspection device for each inspection item, many installation locations are required. The present disclosure solves such problems and provides an inspection device for a battery pack that can perform multiple inspections and can be made compact.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The battery pack inspection device of the present disclosure comprises a battery module having a plurality of cells, a positive-side high-voltage connector connected to the positive terminal of the battery module, a negative-side high-voltage connector connected to the negative terminal of the battery module, a relay box connecting or disconnecting the battery module and the positive-side high-voltage connector, and the battery module and the negative-side high-voltage connector, and a case housing at least the battery module, and further comprises a relay box operating unit for operating the relay box, a positive-side connection terminal connected to the positive-side high-voltage connector, a negative-side connection terminal connected to the negative-side high-voltage connector, a case connection terminal connected to the case, and a voltage measuring unit for measuring the voltage between the positive-side connection terminal and the negative-side connection terminal, the voltage between the positive-side connection terminal and the case connection terminal, and the voltage between the negative-side connection terminal and the case connection terminal. This configuration allows for the performance of multiple tests and enables the device to be made more compact.

[0006] The relay box operation unit is operated so that the battery module and the positive-side high-voltage connector and the battery module and the negative-side high-voltage connector are connected. Based on the voltage between the positive-side connection terminal and the negative-side connection terminal measured by the voltage measurement unit, the relay box is inspected. Based on the voltage between the positive-side connection terminal and the negative-side connection terminal measured by the voltage measurement unit, the voltage between the positive-side connection terminal and the case connection terminal, and the voltage between the negative-side connection terminal and the case connection terminal, the insulation performance between the battery module and the case is inspected. This configuration allows for inspection of the insulation performance between the relay box, the battery module, and the case.

[0007] The battery pack inspection apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a battery module having a plurality of cells, a cooling fan for cooling the battery module, a battery control unit for acquiring information relating to the battery module and information relating to the cooling fan, a low-voltage connector connected to the battery control unit, a cooling fan operation unit for operating the cooling fan, an information acquisition unit connected to the low-voltage connector for acquiring information relating to the battery module and information relating to the cooling fan from the battery control unit, and a monitor for displaying the information acquired by the information acquisition unit. This configuration allows for the performance of multiple tests and enables the device to be made more compact.

[0008] The information acquisition unit inspects the battery module based on the information about the battery module acquired from the battery control unit, the cooling fan is operated by the cooling fan operation unit, and the cooling fan is inspected based on the information about the cooling fan acquired from the battery control unit by the information acquisition unit. With this configuration, the battery module and the cooling fan can be inspected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This disclosure provides a battery pack inspection device that can perform multiple inspections and can be made more compact. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a battery pack. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack inspection device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack inspection device according to Embodiment 1, in which the positive electrode cable is connected to the positive electrode connection terminal and the negative electrode cable is connected to the negative electrode connection terminal. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack inspection device according to Embodiment 1, in which the positive electrode cable is connected to the positive electrode connection terminal and the negative electrode cable is connected to the case connection terminal. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack inspection device according to Embodiment 1, in which the positive electrode cable is connected to the case connection terminal and the negative electrode cable is connected to the negative electrode connection terminal. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a battery pack. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack inspection device according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack inspection device according to Embodiment 1, showing a state in which the positive electrode cable is connected to the positive electrode connection terminal and the negative electrode cable is connected to the negative electrode connection terminal. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack inspection device according to Embodiment 1, showing a state in which the positive electrode cable is connected to the positive electrode connection terminal and the negative electrode cable is connected to the case connection terminal. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a battery pack inspection device according to Embodiment 1, showing a state in which the positive electrode cable is connected to the case connection terminal and the negative electrode cable is connected to the negative electrode connection terminal.

[0012] Embodiment 1 The battery pack 1, which is the subject of inspection, and the vehicle 20 equipped with the battery pack 1 will be explained using Figure 1. The battery pack 1 is installed in a vehicle 20 such as an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, or fuel cell vehicle. The motor generator 22 is driven via the power control unit 21 by the power supplied from the battery pack 1. When the motor generator 22 is driven, the wheels 24 rotate and the vehicle 20 moves.

[0013] The battery pack 1 includes a battery module 2, a relay box 3, a battery monitoring unit 4, a cooling fan 5, a battery control unit 6, a case 7, a positive-side high-voltage connector 11, a negative-side high-voltage connector 12, and a low-voltage connector 13.

[0014] The battery module 2 supplies power for driving to the motor generator 22 via the power control unit 21. The battery module 2 includes multiple cells connected in series, each cell consisting of a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or nickel-metal hydride battery, or a capacitor.

[0015] The relay box 3 includes a positive-side system main relay 3a and a negative-side system main relay 3b. The positive-side system main relay 3a is located between the battery module 2 and the positive-side high-voltage connector 11. The positive-side system main relay 3a is connected to the positive terminal of the battery module 2 and the positive-side high-voltage connector 11 by positive-side wiring 8a. The negative-side system main relay 3b is located between the battery module 2 and the negative-side high-voltage connector 12. The negative-side system main relay 3b is connected to the negative terminal of the battery module 2 and the negative-side high-voltage connector 12 by negative-side wiring 8b.

[0016] The positive terminal system main relay 3a switches the electrical connection (on) and disconnection (off) between the battery module 2 and the positive terminal high-voltage connector 11 in response to a control command from the battery control unit 6. The negative terminal system main relay 3b switches the electrical connection (on) and disconnection (off) between the battery module 2 and the negative terminal high-voltage connector 12 in response to a control command from the battery control unit 6.

[0017] The battery monitoring unit 4 is composed of multiple sensors for monitoring the status of the battery module 2. The battery monitoring unit 4 includes a voltage sensor group 41, a current sensor 42, and a temperature sensor 43. The voltage sensor group 41 includes multiple voltage sensors and detects the voltage of each cell in the battery module 2. The current sensor 42 detects the current input and output to the battery module 2. The temperature sensor 43 detects the temperature of the battery module 2. Each sensor outputs its detection result to the battery control unit 6.

[0018] The cooling fan 5 includes a fan motor 5a that rotates the cooling fan 5 and a fan circuit 5b that controls the rotation speed of the fan motor 5a. The cooling fan 5 operates by the fan motor 5a via the fan circuit 5b in response to a control command from the battery control unit 6. When the cooling fan 5 operates, air is supplied to the battery module 2, and the battery module 2 is cooled. The cooling fan 5 outputs the rotation speed of the fan motor 5a detected by the fan circuit 5b to the battery control unit 6.

[0019] The battery control unit 6 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and input / output ports (not shown in any figure) for inputting / outputting various signals.

[0020] The battery control unit 6 acquires information regarding the battery module 2 from the battery monitoring unit 4. The battery control unit 6 monitors and manages the states of the battery module 2 and the battery monitoring unit 4 based on the signals received from each sensor of the battery monitoring unit 4 and programs stored in the memory, etc. For example, the battery control unit 6 determines whether any abnormality has occurred in each cell of the battery module 2 and each sensor of the battery monitoring unit 4 based on the signals received from each sensor of the battery monitoring unit 4.

[0021] The battery control unit 6 controls the rotation speed of the cooling fan 5 based on temperature information of the battery module 2 detected by the current sensor 42, etc. The battery control unit 6 acquires information such as the rotation speed of the cooling fan 5 from the cooling fan 5 and monitors the state of the cooling fan 5. The battery control unit 6 controls the on / off of the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b in response to a control command from the integrated ECU 23.

[0022] The battery control unit 6 is connected to the integrated ECU 23 via a low-voltage connector 13. The battery control unit 6 is connected to the integrated ECU 23 via CAN (Controller Area Network) communication and outputs monitoring results of the battery module 2 to the integrated ECU 23.

[0023] Case 7 is made of a metal such as aluminum and houses all the components of the battery pack 1, including the battery module 2 and the relay box 3. The positive-side high-voltage connector 11, the negative-side high-voltage connector 12, and the low-voltage connector 13 are fixed to Case 7. The positive-side high-voltage connector 11, the negative-side high-voltage connector 12, and the low-voltage connector 13 are electrically insulated from Case 7.

[0024] The battery pack inspection device 30 will be explained using Figure 2. The battery pack inspection device 30 is a device that checks the operation of the components and the insulation performance of the assembled battery pack 1 before it is installed in the vehicle 20.

[0025] The battery pack inspection device 30 includes a connection terminal section 31, an operation section 32, an information processing section 33, a monitor 34, a microphone 35, and a voltage measurement section 36.

[0026] The connection terminal section 31 has a positive electrode connection terminal 31a, a negative electrode connection terminal 31b, and a case connection terminal 31c. The positive electrode connection terminal 31a is connected to the positive electrode high-voltage connector 11 via a positive electrode voltage measurement wiring 37a. The negative electrode connection terminal 31b is connected to the negative electrode high-voltage connector 12 via a negative electrode voltage measurement wiring 37b. The case connection terminal 31c is connected to the case 7 via a case voltage measurement wiring 37c.

[0027] The voltage measurement unit 36 ​​measures the voltage between the positive terminal 31a and the negative terminal 31b. A digital high tester, digital multimeter, or analog tester can be used for the voltage measurement unit 36. The voltage measurement unit 36 ​​includes a positive terminal cable 36a, a negative terminal cable 36b, and a display unit 36c. With the positive terminal system main relay 3a and the negative terminal system main relay 3b turned on, the voltage of the entire battery module 2 can be measured by connecting the positive terminal cable 36a to the positive terminal 31a and the negative terminal cable 36b to the negative terminal 31b. The measured voltage is displayed on the display unit 36c.

[0028] The control unit 32 comprises a relay box control unit 32a and a cooling fan control unit 32b. The control unit 32 is connected to the low-voltage connector 13 via a communication line 39. By operating the relay box control unit 32a, the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b can be switched on or off. By operating the cooling fan control unit 32b, the cooling fan 5 can be switched on or off.

[0029] The connection terminal section 31 and the operation section 32 are integrated into the box 40. However, the connection terminal section 31 and the operation section 32 may be provided separately instead of being integrated.

[0030] The information processing unit 33 includes an information acquisition unit 33a and an information output unit 33b. The information processing unit 33 can be a single-board computer such as a Raspberry Pi or a personal computer. The information processing unit 33 is connected to the low-voltage connector 13 via a communication line 39.

[0031] The information acquisition unit 33a acquires information about the battery pack 1 from the battery control unit 6. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 33a acquires information about the battery module 2 (current and temperature of the battery module 2, voltage of each cell, etc.), information about the battery monitoring unit 4 (abnormalities of each sensor, etc.), and information about the cooling fan 5 (rotation speed of the cooling fan 5, etc.) from the battery control unit 6.

[0032] The information processing unit 33 is connected to a microphone 35 that detects sound. The information acquisition unit 33a acquires the sound detected by the microphone 35.

[0033] The information output unit 33b outputs the information about the battery pack 1 acquired by the information acquisition unit 33a to the monitor 34. The monitor 34 displays the information about the battery pack 1 output by the information output unit 33b.

[0034] The inspection method using the battery pack inspection device 30 will be explained. The battery pack inspection device 30 inspects (A) the relay box, (B) the insulation performance, (C) the battery module and battery monitoring unit, and (D) the cooling fan.

[0035] (A) Relay box This section explains how to inspect relay box 3. The relay box control unit 32a is operated to repeatedly switch the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b on and off. If the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b are functioning correctly, they will operate and produce an operating sound. If the microphone 35 can detect this operating sound, it can be determined that the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b are functioning correctly. Alternatively, the operator may determine the presence of the operating sound by ear without using the microphone 35.

[0036] If either the positive-side system main relay 3a or the negative-side system main relay 3b is functioning correctly but the other is malfunctioning, the malfunction cannot be detected by sound alone. Therefore, with both the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b turned on, the voltage of the entire battery module 2 is measured to determine if there is a malfunction.

[0037] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the positive side cable 36a of the voltage measurement unit 36 ​​is connected to the positive side connection terminal 31a, and the negative side cable 36b is connected to the negative side connection terminal 31b. Then, the relay box operation unit 32a is operated to turn on the positive side system main relay 3a and the negative side system main relay 3b. As a result, the voltage between the positive side connection terminal 31a and the negative side connection terminal 31b, i.e., the voltage of the entire battery module 2, is measured by the voltage measurement unit 36. If the measured voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage, it is determined that the positive side system main relay 3a and the negative side system main relay 3b are operating normally. If the measured voltage does not exceed a predetermined voltage, it is determined that both or either of the positive side system main relay 3a and the negative side system main relay 3b are malfunctioning.

[0038] Next, the relay box operation unit 32a is operated to turn off the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b. If the voltage measured by the voltage measurement unit 36 ​​does not exceed a predetermined voltage, it is determined that the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b are operating normally. If the measured voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage, it is determined that both the positive-side system main relay 3a and the negative-side system main relay 3b are malfunctioning due to being stuck in the ON position.

[0039] (B) Insulation performance Next, we will explain the method for testing the insulation performance of battery pack 1.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the positive side cable 36a of the voltage measurement unit 36 ​​is connected to the positive side connection terminal 31a, and the negative side cable 36b is connected to the negative side connection terminal 31b. Then, the relay box operation unit 32a is operated to turn on the positive side system main relay 3a and the negative side system main relay 3b. As a result, the voltage between the positive side connection terminal 31a and the negative side connection terminal 31b, i.e., the total voltage V of the battery module 2, is measured by the voltage measurement unit 36. A reference voltage V0 is set based on this measured voltage V. For example, a few percent of the measured voltage V is set as the reference voltage V0.

[0041] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the positive electrode cable 36a of the voltage measurement unit 36 ​​is connected to the positive electrode connection terminal 31a, and the negative electrode cable 36b is connected to the case connection terminal 31c. That is, the voltage V1 between the positive electrode connection terminal 31a and the case connection terminal 31c is measured by the voltage measurement unit 36. If the measured voltage V1 is less than or equal to the reference voltage V0, it is determined that the negative electrode side of the battery module 2 is properly insulated from the case 7. On the other hand, if the measured voltage V1 exceeds the reference voltage V0, it is determined that the negative electrode side of the battery module 2 is not properly insulated from the case 7.

[0042] Next, as shown in Figure 5, the positive electrode cable 36a of the voltage measurement unit 36 ​​is connected to the case connection terminal 31c, and the negative electrode cable 36b is connected to the negative electrode connection terminal 31b. That is, the voltage V2 between the negative electrode connection terminal 31b and the case connection terminal 31c is measured by the voltage measurement unit 36. If the measured voltage V2 is less than or equal to the reference voltage V0, it is determined that the positive electrode side of the battery module 2 is properly insulated from the case 7. On the other hand, if the measured voltage V2 exceeds the reference voltage V0, it is determined that the positive electrode side of the battery module 2 is not properly insulated from the case 7.

[0043] Thus, the inspection of (A) the relay box and (B) the insulation performance is performed by the connection terminal section 31, the relay box operation section 32a, and the voltage measurement section 36. According to the battery pack inspection device 30 of this disclosure, by including the connection terminal section 31, the relay box operation section 32a, and the voltage measurement section 36, multiple inspections, specifically the inspection of (A) the relay box and (B) the insulation performance, can be performed, and the device can be made more compact.

[0044] (C) Battery module and battery monitoring unit Next, we will explain the inspection method for the battery module 2 and the battery monitoring unit 4. The information acquisition unit 33a acquires information about the battery module 2 (such as the current and temperature of the battery module 2 and the voltage of each cell) and information about the battery monitoring unit 4 (such as abnormalities in each sensor) from the battery control unit 6. The information output unit 33b outputs the information about the battery module 2 and battery monitoring unit 4 acquired by the information acquisition unit 33a to the monitor 34. The monitor 34 displays the information about the battery module 2 and battery monitoring unit 4 output by the information output unit 33b. Based on the information about the battery module 2 and battery monitoring unit 4 displayed on the monitor 34, it is checked whether there are any abnormalities in the battery module 2 or battery monitoring unit 4.

[0045] (D) Cooling fan Next, we will explain how to inspect cooling fan 5. The cooling fan 5 is activated by operating the cooling fan control unit 32b. If the microphone 35 can detect the operating sound of the cooling fan 5, the cooling fan 5 can be determined to be functioning normally. Alternatively, the inspection worker may determine the presence of the operating sound by ear without using the microphone 35.

[0046] Even if the cooling fan 5 is operating, if, for example, its rotation speed is abnormally low, this cannot be detected by the operating sound alone. Therefore, the battery control unit 6 determines the abnormality based on the information it has acquired about the cooling fan 5.

[0047] Specifically, the information acquisition unit 33a acquires the rotation speed information of the cooling fan 5 obtained by the battery control unit 6. The information output unit 33b outputs the rotation speed information of the cooling fan 5 acquired by the information acquisition unit 33a to the monitor 34. The monitor 34 displays the rotation speed information of the cooling fan 5 output by the information output unit 33b. Based on the rotation speed information of the cooling fan 5 displayed on the monitor 34, it is checked whether there is any abnormality in the cooling fan 5. For example, if the rotation speed of the cooling fan 5 is lower than a predetermined rotation speed, it is determined that the cooling fan 5 is abnormal.

[0048] Thus, the inspection of (C) the battery module, the battery monitoring unit, and (D) the cooling fan is performed by the information processing unit 33, the monitor 34, and the cooling fan operation unit 32b. According to the battery pack inspection device 30 of this disclosure, by including the information processing unit 33, the monitor 34, and the cooling fan operation unit 32b, multiple inspections, specifically the inspection of (C) the battery module, the battery monitoring unit, and (D) the cooling fan, can be performed, and the device can be made more compact.

[0049] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1. Battery pack 2. Battery Module 3. Relay box 4. Battery monitoring unit 5. Cooling fan 6. Battery Control Unit 7 cases 11. Positive side high-voltage connector 12. Negative side high-voltage connector 13. Low-voltage connector 30. Battery pack inspection device 31...Connection terminal section 31a ··Positive side connection terminal 31b ··Negative side connection terminal 31c Case connection terminal 32...Operation unit 32a Relay box control unit 32b · Cooling fan control unit 33. Information Processing Section 33a·Information acquisition department 33b...Information output section 34... Monitor 36. Voltage measurement section

Claims

1. A battery pack inspection device, The aforementioned battery pack is A battery module having multiple cells, A positive-side high-voltage connector that connects to the positive terminal of the aforementioned battery module, A negative-side high-voltage connector that connects to the negative terminal of the battery module, A relay box that connects or disconnects the battery module and the positive-side high-voltage connector, and the battery module and the negative-side high-voltage connector, It comprises at least a case for housing the battery module, A relay box operating unit for operating the aforementioned relay box, A positive-side connection terminal that connects to the positive-side high-voltage connector, The negative electrode side connection terminal connects to the aforementioned negative electrode side high voltage connector, A case connection terminal that connects to the aforementioned case, The system includes a voltage measuring unit that measures the voltage between the positive terminal and the negative terminal, the voltage between the positive terminal and the case terminal, and the voltage between the negative terminal and the case terminal. Battery pack inspection device.

2. The relay box operating unit is operated so that the battery module and the positive-side high-voltage connector and the battery module and the negative-side high-voltage connector are connected. Based on the voltage between the positive-side connection terminal and the negative-side connection terminal measured by the voltage measuring unit, the relay box is inspected. Based on the voltage measured by the voltage measuring unit between the positive electrode connection terminal and the negative electrode connection terminal, the voltage between the positive electrode connection terminal and the case connection terminal, and the voltage between the negative electrode connection terminal and the case connection terminal, the insulation performance between the battery module and the case is inspected. The battery pack inspection device according to claim 1.

3. A battery pack inspection device, The aforementioned battery pack is A battery module having multiple cells, A cooling fan for cooling the aforementioned battery module, A battery control unit that acquires information regarding the battery module and information regarding the cooling fan, It includes a low-voltage connector connected to the battery control unit, A cooling fan operating unit for operating the aforementioned cooling fan, An information acquisition unit is connected to the low-voltage connector and acquires information about the battery module and information about the cooling fan from the battery control unit, A monitor that displays the information acquired by the information acquisition unit is provided. Battery pack inspection device.

4. The information acquisition unit inspects the battery module based on the information about the battery module acquired from the battery control unit. The cooling fan is operated using the cooling fan control unit. The information acquisition unit inspects the cooling fan based on the information about the cooling fan acquired from the battery control unit. The battery pack inspection device according to claim 3.

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