Charging control system, charging control method, and program

The charging control system on the charger side adjusts output settings based on vehicle commands to manage battery charging, enhancing the accuracy of battery state estimation and charging efficiency.

JP7605700B2Active Publication Date: 2024-12-24HITACHI LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021096845
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-06-09
Publication Date
2024-12-24
Estimated Expiration
2041-06-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing charging control systems for batteries in vehicles primarily control charging on the vehicle side, making it difficult to manage charging current on the charger side effectively.

Method used

A charging control system that controls battery charging on the charger side by setting multiple threshold values and adjusting the charger's output setting based on the vehicle's charging current command, calculating the battery's state quantities using the charging current and voltage changes, and determining the charging mode accordingly.

Benefits of technology

Enables accurate estimation of the battery's state of health and capacity, allowing for efficient charging management and improved accuracy in predicting the remaining travel distance of vehicles, especially in logistics delivery scenarios.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a charging control system or the like that controls charging of a battery of a mobile object on the charger side.SOLUTION: A charging control system 100 includes charging control means 1 for controlling charging of a battery 21 of a vehicle 20 by a charger 10 on the basis of a charging current command value or a charging power command value transmitted from the vehicle 20 to the charger 10, and the charging control means 1 changes a charging current of the battery 21 by changing an output setting value of the charger 10 when the charging mode is constant current charging or constant power charging.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging control system and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to reduce CO2 emissions, the use of batteries for electrification is being promoted not only for automobiles, nor for manned or unmanned vehicles, but also for all land, sea and air vehicles (ships, railway vehicles on non-electrified lines, aircraft and flying objects, etc.). For example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known as a charging control system that controls the charging of batteries. That is, Patent Document 1 describes that "...the charging operation of the power storage device is controlled so that the power storage device is charged under constant current or constant power charging conditions throughout the charging period from the start of charging until a predetermined charging completion condition is met." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-115715 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, an electricity storage device (battery) is charged under constant current charging conditions based on a constant charging current command value set on the vehicle side. In other words, the technology described in Patent Document 1 controls the charging current exclusively on the vehicle side, making it difficult to control the charging current on the charger side.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a charging control system or the like that controls charging of a battery of a mobile body on the charger side. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a charging control means for controlling charging of a battery of the mobile body by the charger based on a charging current command value or a charging power command value transmitted from the mobile body to the charger, A plurality of threshold values ​​having different magnitudes are set in advance as the charging rate of the battery, When the charging mode is constant current charging or constant power charging, the charging control means changes the charging current of the battery by changing the output setting value of the charger. calculating at least one state quantity of an internal resistance value and an open circuit voltage of the battery based on information including the charging current after the change of the output set value and the voltage of the battery, and when the charging mode of the battery is the constant current charging or the constant power charging, changing the output set value every time the charging rate of the battery reaches a plurality of threshold values, calculating the state quantity, and associating the state quantity with the charging rate of the battery. It is characterized by: Other details will be explained in the embodiments. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a charging control system or the like that controls charging of a battery of a mobile body on the charger side. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram including a charge control system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a functional block diagram of a charge control means included in the charge control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a functional block diagram of a charge control unit included in a charge control means of the charge control system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by a charge control unit of the charge control system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a time chart showing an example of constant-current constant-voltage charging by the charging control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a time chart showing behavior of current and voltage in the charge control system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the SOC and OCV of a battery in the charge control system according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a charge control means included in the charge control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a charge control unit included in a charge control means of a charge control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a parameter table generating unit included in a charge control means of a charge control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a voltage equivalent circuit model of a battery in a charge control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram relating to the internal resistance characteristics of a battery in the charge control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a parameter table relating to a battery in the charge control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14A] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by a charge control unit of a charge control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14B] 10 is a flowchart of a process executed by a charge control unit of a charge control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a time chart showing an example of constant-current constant-voltage charging by the charging control system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] 10 is a time chart showing behavior of current and voltage in a charge control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a parameter table generating unit included in a charge control means of a charge control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18A] 13 is a flowchart of a process executed by a charge control unit of a charge control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18B] 13 is a flowchart of a process executed by a charge control unit of a charge control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 19] 13 is a time chart showing a first charging pattern for identifying a voltage model parameter in a charging control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 20]13 is a time chart showing a second charging pattern for identifying a temperature model parameter in the charging control system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 21] 13 is a time chart relating to a method of estimating the temperature of a battery when extracting a temperature model parameter in a charge control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram including a charge control system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a charge control means included in a charge control system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of a charge mode determination unit included in a charge control means of a charge control system according to a fourth embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram relating to charging methods for different types of vehicles in a charging control system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of feature amounts of a charging pattern stored in a charging pattern storage unit of a charging control system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 27] 4 is a time chart of constant current and constant voltage charging in a case where the charger side is set to high output in the first comparative example. [Figure 28] 13 is a time chart of constant-current constant-voltage charging in a case where the charger side is set to low output in the second comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment <Charging control system configuration> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram including a charge control system 100 according to the first embodiment. Among the lines connecting the components in Fig. 1, solid lines indicate power lines, while dashed lines indicate signal lines. The charging control system 100 is a system that controls charging of a battery 21 of a vehicle 20 (mobile body). The charging control system 100 also has a function of estimating the deterioration rate (State of Health: SOH) of the battery 21, etc. Before describing the charging control system 100, a brief description will be given below of the vehicle 20 as an example of a mobile body.

[0010] The vehicle 20 is a land mobile object that runs on power from a battery 21. Examples of such a vehicle 20 include an electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 20 includes a battery 21, an inverter 22, a motor 23, and a socket 24 for a charging plug (not shown). The battery 21 is a secondary battery that can be charged and discharged. The battery 21 is connected to the outlet 24 via a wiring 25, and is also connected to the inverter 22 via the wiring 25 (part) and a wiring 26 in this order.

[0011] The inverter 22 is a power converter that converts DC power into AC power. That is, the inverter 22 converts the DC power supplied from the battery 21 into AC power, and outputs the converted AC power to the motor 23. The motor 23 is a drive source for the vehicle 20, and is connected to the inverter 22 via a wiring 27. The socket 24 is a connection portion into which a charging plug (not shown) is inserted when charging the battery 21. When the charging plug is inserted into the socket 24, the battery 21 and the charger 10 are electrically connected to each other.

[0012] The charger 10 has a function of estimating a deterioration rate of the battery 21 in addition to charging the battery 21. In the example of Fig. 1, the charge control system 100 is configured to include the charger 10, but may further include one or more servers (not shown) capable of communicating with the charger 10.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the charger 10 includes a charging control means 1, a voltage measurement means 2, a current measurement means 3, and a charging circuit 4, and is configured to operate by receiving power supply from a commercial power source E (three-phase AC power source). The voltage measurement means 2 measures the voltage of the battery 21. The current measurement means 3 measures the charging current supplied from the charging circuit 4 to the battery 21. The charging circuit 4 generates a charging current based on a current command input from the charging control means 1.

[0014] Although not shown in the figure, the charging control means 1 includes electronic circuits such as a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and various interfaces as a hardware configuration. The CPU reads out a program stored in the ROM and expands it in the RAM, and executes various processes. The charging control means 1 controls the charging of the battery 21 of the vehicle 20 by the charger 10 based on a charging current command value (or a charging power command value) transmitted from the vehicle 20 (mobile body) to the charger 10. That is, the charging control means 1 generates a current command for charging based on information received from the vehicle 20 as well as measurement values ​​of the voltage measurement means 2 and the current measurement means 3, and outputs the generated current command to the charging circuit 4. The processes executed by the charging control means 1 will be described later.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the charge control means 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the charging control means 1 includes a charging mode determination unit 11, a charging control unit 12, and a battery state estimation unit 13. The charging mode determination unit 11 determines whether the charging mode of the vehicle 20 (see FIG. 1) is a constant current charging mode. Here, the "constant current charging mode" is a mode in which the battery 21 (see FIG. 1) is charged while maintaining a predetermined magnitude of the charging current. Hereinafter, the "constant current charging mode" is also referred to as CC (Constant Current) charging. For example, when the voltage of the battery 21 being charged is lower than the charging voltage upper limit value received from the vehicle 20, the charging mode determination unit 11 determines that the current charging mode is CC charging. On the other hand, when the voltage of the battery 21 being charged is equal to the charging voltage upper limit value, the charging mode determination unit 11 determines that the current charging mode is other than CC charging (or constant power charging). Such a determination result is output from the charging mode determination unit 11 to the charging control unit 12.

[0016] As a charging mode other than CC charging, for example, a constant voltage charging mode may be performed. Here, the "constant voltage charging mode" is a mode in which charging is performed while maintaining the voltage of the battery 21 at a predetermined level. Hereinafter, the "constant voltage charging mode" is also referred to as CV (Constant Voltage) charging. Moreover, the charging mode to be performed is preset in the vehicle 20 (see FIG. 1).

[0017] The charging control unit 12 sets the chargeable current based on the determination result of the charging mode determination unit 11, a charging current command value received from the vehicle 20 (see FIG. 1), and the charging rate (State Of Charge: SOC) of the battery 21. Here, the "chargeable current" is the upper limit value of the charging current of the battery 21. The value of the chargeable current set by the charging control unit 12 is transmitted to the vehicle 20.

[0018] The battery state estimation unit 13 estimates the battery state, such as the internal resistance and battery capacity of the battery 21, based on the voltage and charging current of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1) during charging. The internal resistance and battery capacity of the battery 21 change with deterioration of the battery 21. Therefore, the battery state estimation unit 13 calculates the relative changes to the initial internal resistance and battery capacity of the battery 21 based on the following formulas (1) and (2).

[0019] SOHR[%]=100×R1[mΩ] / R0[mΩ]...Formula (1) SOHC[%]=100×Qmax1[Ah] / Qmax0[Ah]...Equation (2)

[0020] In addition, R1 included in formula (1) is the internal resistance of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1) during charging, and R0 is the initial internal resistance of the battery 21. In addition, Qmax1 included in formula (2) is the battery capacity of the battery 21 during charging, and Qmax0 is the initial battery capacity of the battery 21. In addition, it is assumed that the initial internal resistance R0 and battery capacity Qmax0 of the battery 21 are stored in advance in the charge control means 1. In addition, a method for calculating the internal resistance R1 and battery capacity Qmax1 of the battery 21 during charging will be described later.

[0021] As the battery 21 deteriorates, the internal resistance R1 included in formula (1) increases, and therefore the SOHR (rate of increase in internal resistance) rises. On the other hand, as the battery 21 deteriorates, the battery capacity Qmax1 included in formula (2) decreases, and therefore the SOHC (rate of decrease in battery capacity) decreases. Note that battery state data such as SOHR and SOHC are used, for example, by a management system (not shown) when creating an operation plan for the vehicle 20.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the charge control section 12 included in the charge control means. 3, the charging control unit 12 includes a charger output setting change unit 12a and a charging current determination unit 12b. The charger output setting change unit 12a determines whether or not it is necessary to change the output setting of the charger 10 (see FIG. 1) based on the determination result of the charging mode determination unit 11 (see FIG. 2) and also on the SOC (the charging rate of the battery 21) received from the vehicle 20.

[0023] Note that "changing the output setting" in the charger 10 means changing the set value of the output (power) of the charger 10. Also, a plurality of values ​​of different magnitudes (e.g., 45 [kW], 30 [kW], and 0 [kW]) are stored in advance as candidates for the output setting value of the charger 10. The charger output setting change unit 12a outputs a new output setting value based on the determination result of whether or not the output setting needs to be changed to the charging current determination unit 12b.

[0024] The charging current determination unit 12b determines the chargeable current in the charger 10 (see FIG. 1) based on the output set value from the charger output setting change unit 12a. Specifically, the charging current determination unit 12b increases the chargeable current as the output set value of the charger 10 increases. The value of the chargeable current determined in this manner is transmitted from the charging current determination unit 12b to the vehicle 20 (see FIG. 1). Next, a comparative example in which the chargeable current is maintained constant during CC charging will be briefly described with reference to Figs.

[0025] FIG. 27 is a time chart of constant-current constant-voltage charging in the first comparative example when the charger side is set to high output (see FIG. 1 as appropriate). The horizontal axis in Fig. 27 represents time. The vertical axis in Fig. 27 represents, from the top of the page, the charging current flowing through the battery 21 and the voltage of the battery 21. Fig. 27 shows current and voltage waveforms in what is called constant current constant voltage charging (CCCV charging) (the same applies to the following Fig. 28). In CCCV charging, CC charging is performed until the voltage of the battery 21 reaches a predetermined charging voltage upper limit, and then CV charging is performed while maintaining the voltage of the battery 21.

[0026] In the example of FIG. 27, during the CC charging period (time t1 to t2), the charging current command value I com The value I2 is the chargeable current I based on the output setting value of the charger 10. p Therefore, during CC charging, the charging current command value I com is set as a current command in the charger 10, and the charging current I ch is supplied to the battery 21.

[0027] FIG. 28 is a time chart of constant-current constant-voltage charging in the second comparative example when the charger side is set to low output. In FIG. 28, the charger 10 is set to a low output, so the chargeable current I p In the vehicle 20, the chargeable current I p Based on this, the charging current command value I com Although the chargeable current I p Since is relatively small, the charging current command value I com As a result, during the CC charging period (time t1 to t2), the chargeable current I p The charging current command value I com is set, and the actual charging current I ch The maximum chargeable current I p In other words, the chargeable current I p When the charging current command value I com is the chargeable current I p So, it has hit a plateau, so to speak, and is being forced to stay low.

[0028] However, in both Figures 27 and 28, the charging current I ch In contrast, in the first embodiment, the charger 10 (see FIG. 1) changes the output setting value during CC charging, so that the charging current command value I com is forcibly changed, and the actual charging current Ich The charging control means 1 (see FIG. 2) estimates the above-mentioned SOHR and SOHC based on the amount of change in the charging current and the voltage of the battery 21 during CC charging. This is one of the main features of the first embodiment.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the process executed by the charging control means. The process of the charging control means 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 as appropriate). Note that charging begins at "START" in Figure 4. In step S101, the charge control means 1 determines whether or not the current charge mode is a constant current charge mode (CC charge) by the charge mode determination unit 11 (see FIG. 2). That is, when the voltage of the battery 21 being charged is lower than the charge voltage upper limit value transmitted from the vehicle 20 (mobile body) to the charger 10, the charge control means 1 determines that the current charge mode is constant current charge (or constant power charge).

[0030] In step S101, if the current charging mode is the constant current charging mode (S101: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1 proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, in step S101, if the current charging mode is not the constant current charging mode (S101: No), the charging control means 1 charges the battery 21 in a predetermined charging mode other than the constant current charging mode (for example, CV charging), although this is omitted in FIG.

[0031] In step S102, the charging control means 1 determines whether it is time to change the output setting. For example, when the SOC of the battery 21 reaches a predetermined value, the charging control means 1 determines that it is time to change the output setting. The aforementioned predetermined value is a threshold value of the SOC that serves as a criterion for determining whether to change the output setting, and is set in advance. In step S102, if it is time to change the output setting (S102: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1 proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, in step S102, if it is not time to change the output setting (S102: No), the charging control means 1 repeats the determination processing of step S102 while continuing charging in the constant current charging mode up to that point.

[0032] Next, in step S103, the charge control means 1 changes the output setting of the charger 10 by the charger output setting change unit 12a (see FIG. 3). For example, the charge control means 1 lowers the output setting of the charger 10 in the middle of the constant current charging mode.

[0033] In step S104, the charging control means 1 changes the chargeable current by the charging current determination unit 12b (see FIG. 3). For example, the charging control means 1 makes the chargeable current in the charger 10 smaller than the charging current command value received from the vehicle 20 immediately before changing the chargeable current. The changed value of the chargeable current is transmitted from the charger 10 to the vehicle 20. The vehicle 20 then resets the charging current command value so that it is equal to or smaller than the changed chargeable current. The new charging current command value thus reset is transmitted from the vehicle 20 to the charger 10.

[0034] Next, in step S105, the charging control means 1 determines whether or not the new charging current command value from the vehicle 20 is equal to or less than the chargeable current of the charger 10. If the new charging current command value is equal to or less than the chargeable current (S105: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1 proceeds to step S106. In step S106, the charging control means 1 performs CC charging based on the changed charging current command value. This makes it possible to change the charging current during CC charging.

[0035] In this way, when the charging mode is constant current charging (or constant power charging) (S101: Yes), the charging control means 1 changes the output setting value of the charger 10 (S103) to change the charging current of the battery 21. As a result, the charging current changes from a constant state, and the state (SOHR or SOHC) of the battery 21 can be estimated with high accuracy based on the current change ΔI and the voltage change ΔV.

[0036] On the other hand, in step S105, if the charging current command value is greater than the chargeable current (S105: No), the processing of the charging control means 1 proceeds to step S107. As described above, the charging current command value is usually reset on the vehicle 20 side so that it is equal to or less than the chargeable current, but this resetting is rarely not performed. In step S107, the charging control means 1 performs CC charging with the value of the chargeable current. In other words, the charging control means 1 performs CC charging so that the actual charging current is equal to the changed chargeable current. After performing the processing of step S106 or S107, the processing of the charging control means 1 proceeds to step S108.

[0037] In step S108, the charging control means 1 estimates the state (SOHR or SOHC) of the battery 21 by the battery state estimation unit 13 (see FIG. 2). Details of the processing in step S108 will be described later. Although omitted in FIG. 4, the CC charging of the battery 21 continues, for example, until the voltage of the battery 21 reaches a predetermined charging voltage upper limit value.

[0038] It is preferable that the charge control means 1 does not change the chargeable current during a charging mode in which the charging current changes continuously, such as CV charging (i.e., the charging current command value from the vehicle 20 changes continuously). This is because a pattern in which the current value changes continuously, such as CV charging, may cause the behavior of the internal resistance during current flow to become complex and may not be suitable for estimating the state of the battery 21. In addition, if the chargeable current is suddenly changed during CV charging or the like, a malfunction may occur in the charging control in the vehicle 20, which finely controls the charging current so that the voltage of the battery 21 does not deviate from the charging voltage upper limit value.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an example of constant-current constant-voltage charging in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as appropriate). The horizontal axis of Fig. 5 represents time. The vertical axis of Fig. 5 represents, from the top of the page, the charging current flowing through the battery 21 and the voltage of the battery 21. The downward white arrow W shown in Fig. 5 represents the timing at which the output setting of the charger 10 is changed. As shown in FIG. 5, in the period from time t1 to time t2 when charging starts, the charging current command value I com The value I2 is the chargeable current I based on the output setting value of the charger 10. p The actual charging current I ch is the charging current command value I com CC charging is performed so that it is equal to

[0040] Also, when it is time to change the output setting value (S102 in FIG. 4: Yes), the charging control means 1 changes the output setting value of the charger 10 (white arrow W at time t2). For example, the charging control means 1 lowers the output setting value of the charger 10 from a predetermined value to zero when the SOC of the battery 21 reaches 50%, and accordingly, the chargeable current I p This chargeable current I p The value of is transmitted from the charger 10 to the vehicle 20.

[0041] In the vehicle 20, the changed chargeable current I p Based on this, the charging current command value I com is changed, and the changed charging current command value I com As shown in FIG. 5, the chargeable current I p If is zero, the charging current I ch Charging in which the charging current command value I exceeds zero is not permitted in the charger 10. com is changed from the value I2 to zero, and the actual charging current I ch Also, the charge current decreases from the value I2 to zero. In this manner, in the first embodiment, the charging current is forcibly changed in the middle of CC charging.

[0042] Specifically, when the charging mode is constant current charging (or constant power charging), the charging control means 1 controls the chargeable current I p is the charging current command value I just before the output setting value is changed. com Then, at time t3, which is a predetermined time after time t2, the charging control means 1 returns the output setting value of the charger 10 to its original value, and accordingly, the chargeable current I p In other words, when the charging mode is constant current charging (or constant power charging), the charging control means 1 changes the output setting value of the charger 10 by lowering the output setting value during charging of the battery 21 and then raising the output setting value. Also, in the example of FIG. 5, when the voltage of the battery 21 reaches the charging voltage upper limit value V Lim At time t4 when the charging time reaches t1, the charging control means 1 switches from CC charging to CV charging.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the behavior of current and voltage (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as appropriate). The charging current command value I com , charging current I ch , and the manner in which the voltage of the battery 21 changes is the same as in FIG. 5. Also, in FIG. 6, the chargeable current I p Although the illustration is omitted, in reality, the chargeable current I p changes in the same way as in Figure 5. As shown in Fig. 6, a predetermined current change ΔI and voltage change ΔV occur at the timing when the output setting of the charger 10 is changed (for example, at time t2). The battery state estimation unit 13 (see Fig. 2) calculates the internal resistance (= ΔV / ΔI) of the battery 21 based on the current change ΔI and voltage change ΔV. Then, as described above, the battery state estimation unit 13 calculates the SOHR of the battery 21 based on the formula (1) including the internal resistance R1.

[0044] 6, it is preferable to change the charging current into a square wave shape during CC charging in order to ensure accuracy in calculating the internal resistance R1 of the battery 21. Since the internal resistance R1 of the battery 21 varies depending on the magnitude of the SOC, it is preferable to change the charging current when a predetermined SOC (e.g., SOC=50[%]) is reached, and estimate the internal resistance R1 based on the current change ΔI and the voltage change ΔV.

[0045] On the other hand, the SOHC included in the above-mentioned equation (2) is calculated based on the voltage Vb of the battery 21 at the start of charging (time t1 in FIG. 6), the voltage Va of the battery 21 at the time when the charging current is changed (time t2), and also on the current integration amount Q between times t1 and t2.

[0046] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the SOC and the OCV of a battery. The horizontal axis in FIG. 7 is the SOC of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1). The vertical axis in FIG. 7 is the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery 21. Here, the OCV of the battery 21 refers to a stable voltage at no load when no current flows through the battery 21. As shown in FIG. 7, as the SOC of the battery 21 increases, the OCV also increases. Such a relationship between SOC and OCV is stored in advance in the charging control means 1 in the form of a formula or a data table.

[0047] The battery state estimation unit 13 (see FIG. 2) identifies the SOC corresponding to each voltage Vb, Va based on the voltage Vb (see FIG. 6) at the start of charging and the stable voltage Va (see FIG. 6) after charging is temporarily stopped. Specifically, the battery state estimation unit 13 calculates the SOCb (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the voltage Vb at time t1 in FIG. 6 and the SOCa (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the voltage Va at time t3. The relationship of the following formula (3) is established between the difference between these SOCa and SOCb and the current integration amount Q (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the battery capacity Qmax1 of the battery 21 is calculated based on the formula (4) obtained by modifying the formula (3). The SOHC of the battery 21 is calculated based on this battery capacity Qmax1 and the initial battery capacity Qmax0 using the above formula (2).

[0048] (SOCb-SOCa) / 100×Qmax1=Q...Equation (3) Qmax1=Q / ((SOCb-SOCa) / 100) Equation (4)

[0049] It is also possible to calculate the OCV of the battery 21 by subtracting the voltage change due to the internal resistance from the detected voltage value of the battery 21. However, with this method, an error in the calculation of the OCV may occur due to the influence of an error in the measurement of the charging current or an error in the internal resistance, which may result in an error in the battery capacity Qmax1. In contrast, in the first embodiment, after the output setting of the charger 10 is changed, charging is stopped until the voltage of the battery 21 stabilizes, and a voltage equivalent to the OCV is used to calculate the SOHC. This makes it possible to eliminate the influence of an error in the OCV due to an error in the charging current or the internal resistance. Therefore, the SOHC of the battery 21 can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0050] In Figure 6, the charging current I ch In the above example, the SOHR of the battery 21 is calculated based on the current change ΔI and the voltage change ΔV at the falling edge of the battery 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, after the charging current of the battery 21 is set to zero, chThe battery state estimation unit 13 may calculate the SOHR of the battery 21 based on the current change ΔI and the voltage change ΔV at the time when the current change ΔI rises.

[0051] <Effects> According to the first embodiment, during the constant current charging mode, the charging control means 1 changes the output setting of the charger 10 so that the chargeable current falls below the charging current command value (the value immediately before the output setting is changed). This makes it possible to control the charging of the battery 21 on the charger 10 side. In addition, since the charging current changes from a constant current state, the charging control means 1 can estimate the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 with high accuracy based on the current change ΔI and voltage change ΔV.

[0052] Also, for example, a traffic control system (not shown) that manages the logistics delivery vehicle 20 makes an efficient operation plan taking into consideration the time required to charge the battery 21. For this reason, the traffic control system needs to know the remaining driving distance of the vehicle 20, and it is important to perform charging management such as ensuring the amount of charge required to travel the planned delivery route.

[0053] The battery state is also estimated by a battery management system (BMS) mounted on the vehicle 20, but this battery state often contains a certain error. One of the factors that causes such an error is that changes in the internal resistance, etc. of the battery 21 differ depending on the charging and discharging pattern of the battery 21 (i.e., the driving pattern of the vehicle 20). For this reason, depending on the driving route before charging, the accuracy of the battery state calculated by the BMS may be low, which ultimately leads to a decrease in the accuracy of the calculation of the remaining driving distance of the vehicle 20 by the driving management system.

[0054] In contrast, in the first embodiment, as described above, the charger 10 forcibly changes the charging current during the CC charging period, thereby making it possible to estimate with high accuracy the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21. Therefore, for example, even when the vehicle 20 is used for logistics delivery, the remaining mileage and the like of the vehicle 20 can be accurately grasped in the operation management system (not shown).

[0055] Second Embodiment The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, with regard to the internal resistance of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1), the charging control means 1A (see FIG. 8) calculates a resistance component that is independent of the current-flow time and a resistance component that is dependent on the current-flow time. The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the charging control means 1A (see FIG. 8) generates a predetermined parameter table. Note that the other points (such as the overall configuration of the charger 10: see FIG. 1) are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the points that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and a description of the overlapping points will be omitted.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a charge control means 1A included in the charge control system according to the second embodiment. 8, the charge control means 1A includes a charge mode determination unit 11, a charge control unit 12A, a battery state estimation unit 13A, and a parameter table generation unit 14. The function of the charge mode determination unit 11 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The charge control unit 12A controls the charging of the battery 21 based on the charge current command value and SOC from the vehicle 20, the determination result of the charge mode determination unit 11, and a parameter generation state flag input from the parameter table generation unit 14.

[0057] The battery state estimation unit 13A estimates the battery state such as SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 based on the voltage and charging current of the battery 21. The internal resistance of the battery 21 includes a resistance component that is not dependent on the current-flow time and a resistance component that is dependent on the current-flow time. The magnitudes of these resistance components often vary depending on the SOC and temperature of the battery. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a parameter table is generated in which the resistance component that is dependent on the current-flow time and the resistance component that is not dependent on the current-flow time are associated with the SOC and temperature of the battery 21.

[0058] The parameter table generating unit 14 generates a predetermined parameter table (database) based on the voltage, charging current, SOC, and temperature of the battery 21. The parameter table generating unit 14 also has a function of setting a parameter generation status flag indicating the generation status (generation completed or incomplete) of the parameter table. Details of the parameter table and the parameter generation status flag will be described later.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the charge control section 12A included in the charge control means. As shown in Fig. 9, the charging control unit 12A includes a charger output setting change unit 12Aa and a charging current determination unit 12Ab. The charger output setting change unit 12Aa changes the output setting of the charger 10 (see Fig. 1) based on the determination result of the charging mode determination unit 11 (see Fig. 8) and the parameter generation state flag from the parameter table generation unit 14 (see Fig. 8). Specifically, the charger output setting change unit 12Aa changes the output setting of the charger 10 when the determination result of the charging mode determination unit 11 is CC charging and further the parameter generation state flag is "1" (parameter table is incomplete).

[0060] The charging current determination unit 12Ab determines the chargeable current based on the output setting value input from the charger output setting change unit 12Aa. Note that the processing of the charging current determination unit 12Ab is similar to that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the parameter table generating unit 14 included in the charging control means. As shown in FIG. 10, the parameter table generating unit 14 includes a parameter generation execution determining unit 14a, a voltage model parameter estimating unit 14b, and a voltage model parameter database 14c. The parameter generation execution determination unit 14a determines whether or not it is necessary to generate voltage parameters based on the determination result of the charging mode determination unit 11 (see FIG. 8) and the parameter generation state flag input from the voltage model parameter estimation unit 14b. The determination result of the parameter generation execution determination unit 14a is output to the voltage model parameter estimation unit 14b.

[0062] The voltage model parameter estimation unit 14b estimates predetermined voltage model parameters based on the voltage, charging current, temperature, and SOC of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1) as well as the determination result of the parameter generation execution determination unit 14a. The estimation result of the voltage model parameter estimation unit 41b is stored in the voltage model parameter database 14c as a predetermined parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13). In addition, the voltage model parameter estimation unit 14b outputs a parameter generation state flag indicating whether or not generation of the voltage model parameters has been completed to the parameter generation execution determination unit 14a, and also outputs the flag to the charger output setting change unit 12Aa (see FIG. 9).

[0063] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a voltage equivalent circuit model M of a battery. 11 is an equivalent circuit model in which the internal resistance of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1) is simulated by a resistor in an electric circuit in order to reproduce the change in the voltage of the battery 21. The OCV included in the voltage equivalent circuit model M is the open circuit voltage of the battery 21.

[0064] Furthermore, Ro included in the voltage equivalent circuit model M is a resistance component that does not depend on the current-flow time in the internal resistance of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1). This resistance component Ro corresponds to the resistance of components such as the electrodes and electrolyte of the battery 21. Meanwhile, the parallel circuit of Rp and C included in the voltage equivalent circuit model M is a resistance component that depends on the current-flow time in the internal resistance of the battery 21. This resistance component Rp corresponds to the internal resistance (polarization resistance) that causes a voltage change due to an electrochemical reaction inside the battery 21 and a voltage change due to the diffusion of lithium ions.

[0065] The time constant τ of the polarization phenomenon in the battery 21 (see FIG. 1) is expressed as the product (Rp×C) of the resistance component Rp and the capacitance C. This time constant τ is also included in the parameters that indicate the characteristics of the battery 21. The parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) included in such a voltage equivalent circuit model M often take different values ​​depending on the SOC and temperature of the battery 21. An example of this will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0066] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram relating to the internal resistance characteristics of a battery. The horizontal axis of FIG. 12 is the SOC of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1). The vertical axis of FIG. 12 is the resistance component Ro of the battery 21, which is independent of the current-flow time. The resistance component Ro in each of the high, normal, and low temperature ranges is plotted in association with a plurality of SOCs of different magnitudes. As shown in FIG. 12, the higher the temperature of the battery 21, the smaller the resistance component Ro, and the higher the SOC of the battery 21, the smaller the resistance component Ro. The resistance component Rp and the time constant τ, which depend on the current-flow time, also depend on the SOC and temperature of the battery 21.

[0067] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the parameter table 15 relating to the battery voltage model parameters. As described above, the resistance components Ro, Rp and the time constant τ of the internal resistance of the battery 21 (see FIG. 1) depend on the SOC and temperature of the battery 21. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the parameter table generating unit 14 (see FIG. 10) generates the parameter table 15 in association with each SOC and each temperature of the battery 21. Note that "aa", "ba", etc. in FIG. 13 represent parameters (resistance components Ro, Rp, τ, etc.) associated with the SOC and temperature of the battery 21.

[0068] In addition, the OCV (open circuit voltage) included in the voltage equivalent circuit model M in FIG. 11 also changes depending on the SOC of the battery 21. Therefore, the parameter table generating unit 14 (see FIG. 8) extracts, for example, SOC states of the battery 21 from 20% to 90% in 10% increments, and calculates the OCV at each SOC. Note that, depending on the constituent materials of the positive and negative electrodes of the battery 21, the OCV may depend on the temperature. In such a case, the parameter table generating unit 14 (see FIG. 10) generates a parameter table in which the OCV corresponds to the SOC and temperature of the battery 21.

[0069] 14A and 14B are flowcharts of the process executed by the charging control means. The process of the charging control means 1A will be described based on these Figs. 14A and 14B (see Fig. 8 as appropriate). It is assumed that charging starts at "START" in Fig. 14A. In step S201, the charging control means 1A determines whether or not the current charging mode is the constant current charging mode by the charging mode determination unit 11. If the current charging mode is the constant current charging mode (S201: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if the current charging mode is not the constant current charging mode (S201: No) in step S201, the processing of the charging control means 1A returns to "START" ("RETURN" in FIG. 14B). In this case, although omitted in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the charging control means 1A charges the battery 21 in a predetermined charging mode other than CC charging.

[0070] Next, in step S202, the charging control means 1A judges whether or not the current value of the parameter generation state flag is "1". If the current value of the parameter generation state flag is "1" (S202: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S203. The processing of steps S203 to S208 is similar to the processing of steps S102 to S107 in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4). However, in the second embodiment, the charging control means 1A changes the chargeable current in a pulsed manner to increase the SOC of the battery 21 in a stepwise manner (see also FIG. 15).

[0071] Next, in step S209 in Fig. 14B, the charging control means 1A estimates the voltage model parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ). Note that the method of estimating the voltage model parameters will be described later. In step S210, the charging control means 1A judges whether or not the generation of the parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13) is completed. For example, when data is stored in all the lattice points prepared in advance in the parameter table 15, the charging control means 1A judges that the generation of the parameter table 15 is completed. Even if data cannot be stored in all the lattice points, for example, when each data is stored in the lattice point corresponding to the temperature of the battery 21 at the start of charging, the charging control means 1A may set the parameter generation state flag to "0" as described later.

[0072] In step S210, if the generation of the parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13) is completed (S210: Yes), the process of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S211. In step S211, the charging control means 1A sets the value of the parameter generation status flag to "0." As described above, the parameter generation status flag is a flag indicating whether or not the generation of the parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13) has been completed. On the other hand, in step S210, if the generation of the parameter table 15 has not been completed (S210: No), the charging control means 1A leaves the value of the parameter generation status flag at "1" and proceeds to the process of step S212.

[0073] In step S212, the charging control means 1A estimates the state of the battery 21. That is, the charging control means 1A estimates the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 based on the voltage model parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) estimated in step S209. If there is a temperature and SOC of the battery 21 that serves as a reference for calculating the SOHR and SOHC, the charging control means 1A estimates the state of the battery 21 at this temperature and SOC.

[0074] Also, in step S202 of Fig. 14A, if the value of the parameter generation state flag is not "1" (S202: No), the process of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S213 of Fig. 14B. That is, if the value of the parameter generation state flag is "0" and generation of the parameter table 15 (see Fig. 13) is completed, the process of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S213 of Fig. 14B. In step S213, the charging control means 1A refers to the parameter table 15 (see Fig. 13) and reads out parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) corresponding to the SOC and temperature of the battery 21.

[0075] Next, in step S212, the charging control means 1A estimates the state of the battery 21. That is, the charging control means 1A estimates the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 based on the above-mentioned parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ). In this case, since the generation of the parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13) has already been completed (S210: Yes), there is no particular need for the charging control means 1A to change the output setting or chargeable current of the battery 21. Therefore, the battery 21 can be charged in a relatively short time. Next, calculation of parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) for multiple SOCs will be described with reference to FIG.

[0076] FIG. 15 is a time chart showing an example of constant current constant voltage charging. The horizontal axis of Fig. 15 represents time. The vertical axis of Fig. 15 represents, from the top of the page, the charging current flowing through the battery 21 (see Fig. 1), the voltage of the battery 21, and the SOC of the battery 21. The downward white arrow W shown in Fig. 15 indicates the timing at which the output setting of the charger 10 (see Fig. 1) is changed. As described above, the parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) in the voltage equivalent circuit model M (see FIG. 11) of the battery 21 have different values ​​depending on the SOC of the battery 21. Therefore, for example, when the SOC of the battery 21 reaches a predetermined value preset in the parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13), the charging control means 1A (see FIG. 8) changes the output setting of the charger 10.

[0077] In the example of FIG. 15, when the SOC of the battery 21 reaches a predetermined value SOC1 (for example, 30%), the charging control means 1A changes the output setting value to zero, and accordingly, the chargeable current I p The charging control means 1A also changes the output set value to zero to temporarily stop charging of the battery 21 (time t2). After a predetermined time (times t2 to t3) has elapsed, the charging control means 1A restarts charging by resetting the output set value to a value greater than zero (time t3). In the example of FIG. 15, the charging current command value I com The available current I p The value of I1 is larger.

[0078] Then, at the point (time t4) when the SOC of the battery 21 reaches a predetermined value SOC2 (e.g., 50%) which is the next change timing, the charging control means 1A changes the output setting value of the charger 10 to zero again and temporarily stops charging. In this way, when the charging mode is constant current charging (or constant power charging), the charging control means 1A intermittently charges the battery 21. By repeating this process, the charging control means 1A obtains the detected values ​​of the charging current and the voltage of the battery 21 at each SOC and extracts each parameter (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) of the voltage equivalent circuit model M (see FIG. 11).

[0079] In this way, a plurality of threshold values ​​(SOC1, SOC2, etc. in FIG. 15) having different magnitudes are set in advance as the charging rate of the battery 21. When the charging mode of the battery 21 is constant current charging (or constant power charging), the charging control means 1A changes the output setting value every time the SOC (charging rate) of the battery 21 reaches the plurality of threshold values, calculates at least one state quantity of the battery's internal resistance value and open circuit voltage, and associates the state quantity with the SOC of the battery 21.

[0080] FIG. 16 is a time chart showing the behavior of current and voltage. In addition, the charging current command value I com , charging current I ch , and the manner in which the voltage of the battery 21 changes is the same as in FIG. 15. In addition, in FIG. 16, the chargeable current I p Although the illustration is omitted, in reality, the chargeable current I p changes in the same way as in Figure 15. The charging control means 1A (see FIG. 8) detects the voltage drop Vo (see FIG. 11) caused by the component resistance, and detects the voltage change Vp (see FIG. 11) associated with the electrochemical reaction and the diffusion of lithium ions. Then, the charging control means 1A calculates the resistance components Ro and Rp based on the following equations (5) and (6). The overall internal resistance of the battery 21 is represented by the sum of the resistance components Ro and Rp.

[0081] Ro = Vo / I (5) Rp=Vp / I...Equation (6)

[0082] In this way, the charging control means 1A calculates, as the internal resistance value of the battery 21, a first resistance component Ro that changes depending on the current-flow time of the battery 21 and a second resistance component Rp that does not depend on the current-flow time of the battery 21.

[0083] The charging control means 1A also calculates the time constant τ as the time required for the voltage change Vp that has occurred up to a certain point in time to decrease by approximately 63.2% after the current is interrupted. The charging control means 1A also obtains the voltage after the charging is suspended (the voltage at time t3 in FIG. 16) as the OCV at a given SOC. In this way, the charging control means 1A calculates the parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) of the voltage equivalent circuit model M (see FIG. 11) corresponding to each SOC.

[0084] Similarly, the charging control means 1A calculates parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) corresponding to each temperature of the battery 21. It is assumed that a plurality of threshold values ​​with different magnitudes are set in advance as the temperature of the battery 21. When the charging mode of the battery 21 is constant current charging (or constant power charging), the charging control means 1A changes the output setting value every time the temperature of the battery 21 reaches the plurality of threshold values, calculates at least one state quantity of the internal resistance value and the open circuit voltage of the battery 21, and associates the state quantity with the temperature of the battery 21.

[0085] Then, the charging control means 1A generates a parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13) by associating each parameter with the SOC and temperature of the battery 21. Since it may be difficult to set the temperature of the battery 21 to a predetermined value, the internal resistance values ​​of the battery 21 at a plurality of temperatures may be obtained in advance and linear interpolation may be performed. Then, the parameters corresponding to each preset temperature may be calculated.

[0086] Additionally, for example, the Arrhenius law shown in the following formula (7) holds for the resistance components Ro and Rp of the internal resistance of the battery 21. Therefore, the resistance components Ro and Rp of the battery 21 at each temperature may be calculated based on formula (7) (by performing interpolation or extrapolation based on linear interpolation).

[0087] R=A×exp(-B / T)...Equation (7)

[0088] Here, R included in the formula (7) is the internal resistance (resistance component Ro or Rp) of the battery 21. Also, A and B included in the formula (7) are coefficients that are set based on fitting that assumes the formula (7) from the actual measured values ​​of the temperature and internal resistance of the battery 21.

[0089] 16, it is assumed that when the charging control means 1A changes the output set value, the charging current command value of the vehicle 20 responds immediately and changes in a pulse-like manner, but it may not change in a pulse-like manner and may gradually decrease or increase. In such a case, instead of the above-mentioned equations (5) and (6), a statistical method such as multiple regression analysis, or a parameter extraction method using a Kalman filter may be applied.

[0090] In addition, the charging pattern of the second embodiment is an intermittent charging pattern with a predetermined rest period between, and may require a relatively long time for charging. Therefore, for example, the charging patterns shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 may be avoided during the day when the vehicle is frequently charged and driven, but may be applied during charging at night.

[0091] Furthermore, the polarization resistance and time constant of the battery 21 may differ depending on the temperature and SOC of the battery 21. Therefore, the charging control means 1A may change the time (for example, times t2 to t3 in Figs. 15 and 16) until the output setting value of the charger 10 is changed from zero to a predetermined value based on the temperature and SOC of the battery 21. Specifically, the time required to obtain the OCV when the output setting value of the charger 10 is set to zero (the time for the voltage to relax) tends to be longer as the temperature of the battery 21 is lower, and may also be specifically long at a predetermined SOC.

[0092] Therefore, the charge control means 1A may be configured to lengthen the period until the output set value of the charger 10 is changed from zero to the predetermined value as the temperature of the battery 21 decreases. Also, in a range of SOCs where the time required to obtain the OCV becomes particularly long when the output set value is set to zero, the period until the output set value is changed from zero to the predetermined value may be lengthened. This allows the parameters of the voltage equivalent circuit model M (see FIG. 11) at each temperature and each SOC to be calculated with high accuracy.

[0093] Furthermore, as the deterioration of the battery 21 progresses, the internal resistance and the like also change. Therefore, after the generation of the parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13) is completed, the charging control means 1A may update the parameter table 15 at a timing when the SOHR changes to a certain extent.

[0094] Also, the operation management system (not shown) of the charger 10 and the vehicle 20 may not be able to obtain information on the battery characteristics of the battery 21 in advance. In such a case, the initial battery characteristics of the battery 21 can be obtained by applying the charging pattern in Fig. 15 at a relatively early timing after the vehicle 20 to be managed starts operating. Also, the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 can be calculated with high accuracy based on the information in the parameter table 15 (see Fig. 13).

[0095] <Effects> According to the second embodiment, the charging control means 1A individually extracts the resistance component Ro that does not depend on the current flow time and the resistance component Rp that depends on the current flow time, so that the internal resistance value (R=Ro+Rp) of the battery 21 can be calculated with high accuracy. Furthermore, during CC charging, the charging control means 1A intermittently charges the battery 21, and calculates the parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) of the voltage equivalent circuit model M (see FIG. 11) based on the current change and voltage change at the timing when the output setting of the charger 10 is changed. This makes it possible to generate a parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13) in which each parameter is associated with a plurality of preset SOCs and temperatures.

[0096] Furthermore, when charging the battery 21 after the parameter table 15 is completed, the charging control means 1A refers to the parameter table 15 (see FIG. 13) and reads out the parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) corresponding to the SOC and temperature, thereby making it possible to highly accurately estimate the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21. In this case, there is no particular need to change the charging current during CC charging, so that charging of the battery 21 can be completed in a short time.

[0097] Third Embodiment The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the charging control means 1A (see FIG. 8) generates thermal model parameters used to predict a temperature rise of the battery 21 based on data acquired during charging of the battery 21. Also, the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the charging control means 1A (see FIG. 8) controls the charging current so as to suppress a temperature rise of the battery 21, for the purpose of calculating the parameters of the voltage model, before the generation of the thermal model parameters is completed. In the third embodiment, the charging control means 1A (see FIG. 8) is configured to include a parameter table generating unit 14A shown in FIG. 17 instead of the parameter table generating unit 14 (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 10) described in the second embodiment. The rest is the same as in the second embodiment. Therefore, only the parts that are different from the second embodiment will be described, and the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted.

[0098] FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of a parameter table generating unit 14A provided in the charge control means of the charge control system. As shown in FIG. 17, the parameter table generating unit 14A includes a parameter generation execution determining unit 14a, a voltage model parameter estimating unit 14b, a voltage model parameter database 14c, a temperature model parameter estimating unit 14d, a temperature model parameter database 14e, and a generation completion flag calculating unit 14f.

[0099] The parameter generation execution determination unit 14a determines whether or not it is necessary to generate voltage model parameters and temperature model parameters during CC charging. The determination result of the parameter generation execution determination unit 14a is output to the voltage model parameter estimation unit 14b and also to the temperature model parameter estimation unit 14d. Note that the voltage model parameter estimation unit 14b and the voltage model parameter database 14c are the same as those in the second embodiment (see FIG. 10), and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] The temperature model parameter estimation unit 14d shown in Fig. 17 estimates the temperature model parameters based on the charging current flowing through the battery 21, the temperature and SOC of the battery 21, as well as the determination result of the parameter generation execution determination unit and the voltage model parameters (specifically, the OCV of the battery 21). The temperature model parameters are the heat capacity and heat transfer coefficient of the battery 21, and are used to predict the temperature of the battery 21 when a predetermined charging current flows. The estimation results of the temperature model parameter estimation unit 14d are stored in a temperature model parameter database 14e. In addition, the temperature model parameter estimation unit 14d outputs a temperature parameter generation completion flag indicating whether generation of the temperature model parameters has been completed to a generation completion flag calculation unit 14f.

[0101] The generation completion flag calculation unit 14f generates a parameter generation state flag based on the voltage parameter generation completion flag and the temperature parameter generation completion flag. The parameter generation state flag thus generated is output to the charging control unit 12A (see FIG. 8). The parameter generation state flag will be described later in detail.

[0102] 18A and 18B are flowcharts of the process executed by the charge control means of the charge control system. The process of the charge control means 1A will be described based on these Figs. 18A and 18B (see Fig. 8 as appropriate). It is assumed that charging starts at "START" in FIG. 18A. In step S301, the charging control means 1A determines whether the current charging mode is the constant current charging mode. If the current charging mode is the constant current charging mode (S301: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if the current charging mode is not the constant current charging mode (S301: No), the processing of the charging control means 1A returns to "START" ("RETURN" in FIG. 18B). In this case, although omitted in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the charging control means 1A charges the battery 21 in a predetermined charging mode other than the constant current charging mode.

[0103] In step S302, the charging control means 1A judges whether the current value of the parameter generation state flag is "2". If the current value of the parameter generation state flag is "2" (S302: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S303. In other words, if the generation of the voltage model parameters is not completed and further, the generation of the temperature model parameters is not completed, the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S303. In step S303, the charge control means 1A charges the battery 21 in a first charge pattern. Here, the "first charge pattern" is a charge pattern for identifying the voltage model parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) of the battery 21. Note that the specific processing of step S303 is similar to steps S203 to S208 in Figs. 14A and 14B (second embodiment). This "first charge pattern" will be described with reference to Fig. 19.

[0104] FIG. 19 is a time chart showing a first charging pattern for identifying the voltage model parameters. The horizontal axis of Fig. 19 represents time. The vertical axis of Fig. 19 represents, from the top of the page, the charging current flowing through the battery 21, the voltage of the battery 21, and the temperature of the battery 21. The downward white arrow W shown in Fig. 19 indicates the timing at which the output setting of the charger 10 (see Fig. 1) is changed.

[0105] As explained in the second embodiment, the voltage model parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) often take different values ​​depending on the temperature of the battery 21. In addition, the higher the temperature of the battery 21, the more likely it is that the battery 21 will deteriorate. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress the temperature rise during charging. Therefore, when estimating the voltage model parameters, the charging control means 1A (see FIG. 8) uses the charging current I ch This suppresses the temperature rise of the battery 21 during charging (see "Temperature" in FIG. 19), improving the accuracy of estimating the voltage model parameters and suppressing deterioration of the battery 21. During CC charging, the charging control means 1A alternately stops charging and recharges while controlling the charging current I ch Adjust the output setting so that I4 is a relatively small value.

[0106] Returning to FIG. 18A again, the explanation will be continued. After charging with the first charging pattern (see FIG. 19) in step S303, the charging control means 1A estimates voltage model parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) in step S304. That is, the charging control means 1A generates a voltage model parameter database 14c (first database) including the open circuit voltage (OCV) and internal resistance values ​​(Ro, Rp) of the battery 21 based on information including the charging current after the output setting value of the charger 10 is changed and the voltage of the battery 21. Note that the method of estimating the voltage model parameters is the same as in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described. The charging control means 1A stores the estimation results of the voltage model parameters in the voltage model parameter database 14c (see FIG. 17).

[0107] In step S305, the charging control means 1A judges whether or not the generation of the voltage model parameters is completed. If the generation of the voltage model parameters is completed (S305: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the charging control means 1A sets the value of the parameter generation state flag to "1" and proceeds to the processing of step S307 in Fig. 18B. On the other hand, in step S305, if the generation of the voltage model parameters is not completed (S305: No), the charging control means 1A keeps the parameter generation state flag at "2" and proceeds to step S307 in Fig. 18B.

[0108] In step S307, the charging control means 1A estimates the state of the battery 21. That is, the charging control means 1A calculates the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 based on the voltage model parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) estimated in step S304. After the process of step S307 is performed, the process of the charging control means 1A returns to "START" ("RETURN"). After the estimation of the voltage model parameters is completed, the temperature model parameters described below are generated during the next and subsequent charging (charging of the same type of battery).

[0109] Furthermore, in step S302 of FIG. 18A, if the current value of the parameter generation state flag is not "2" (S302: No), the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S308. In step S308, the charging control means 1A judges whether the current value of the parameter generation state flag is "1". If the current value of the parameter generation state flag is "1" (S308: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S309. In other words, if the generation of the voltage model parameters is completed but the generation of the temperature model parameters is not completed, the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S309.

[0110] In step S309, the charge control means 1A performs charging in a second charging pattern. Here, the "second charging pattern" is a charging pattern for identifying the temperature model parameters of the battery 21. This second charging pattern will be described with reference to FIG. 20.

[0111] FIG. 20 is a time chart showing a second charging pattern for identifying the temperature model parameters. In the example in Figure 20, the charging current I8 is relatively large immediately after the start of CC charging. ch The output setting value of the charger 10 and the chargeable current I p In this way, in order to calculate the temperature model parameters, the charging control means 1A intentionally applies a large charging current to raise the temperature of the battery 21 (see "Temperature" in FIG. 20). Then, at time t2, the chargeable current I p is reduced to zero, charging of the battery 21 is temporarily suspended, and then charging is resumed at time t3.

[0112] Returning to FIG. 18A again, the explanation will be continued. After charging with the second charging pattern in step S309, the charging control means 1A estimates temperature model parameters in step S310. Examples of such temperature model parameters include heat capacity indicating how easily the temperature of the battery 21 changes, and a heat dissipation coefficient (heat transfer coefficient, parameter indicating heat dissipation) indicating how easily heat is dissipated when calculating the amount of heat dissipation proportional to the difference between the battery 21 and the ambient temperature.

[0113] Specifically, the charging control means 1A changes the output setting value of the charger 10 when charging the battery 21 again after generating the voltage model parameter database 14c (first database). Then, the charging control means 1A generates a temperature model parameter database 14e (second database) including at least one of the heat capacity of the battery 21 and the heat dissipation coefficient (parameter indicating heat dissipation property) of the battery, based on the charging current after the output setting value is changed, the voltage of the battery 21, and information in the voltage model parameter database 14c. Moreover, the charging current (value I4 in FIG. 19) when the output set value is increased when generating the voltage model parameter database 14c (first database) is preferably smaller than the charging current (value I8 in FIG. 20) when the output set value is increased when generating the temperature model parameter database 14e (second database). This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the battery 21 due to a rise in temperature during charging.

[0114] 20, when a relatively large value I8 flows, the temperature of the battery 21 rises significantly between times t1 and t2. The charging control means 1A calculates a temperature model parameter by using, for example, the following temperature prediction formula (8) based on the charging current of the battery 21 as well as the voltage, temperature, and SOC of the battery 21. In addition to a statistical method such as multiple regression analysis, a Kalman filter or the like may be used in calculating the temperature model parameter.

[0115] Tcell=Tcell0+1 / HC×(∫(CCV-OCV)×Idt+HTC×(Tcell-Tamb)) Formula (8)

[0116] Here, Tcell included in formula (8) is the temperature [°C] of the battery 21, Tcell0 is the initial temperature [°C] of the battery 21, and HC is the heat capacity [J / °C] of the battery 21. Also, CCV included in formula (8) is the measured voltage [V] of the battery 21, OCV is the open circuit voltage [V], and I is the current value [A] of the charging current flowing through the battery 21. Also, HTC included in formula (8) is the heat transfer coefficient [J / °C] of the battery 21, and Tamb is the ambient temperature [°C] of the battery 21. Note that the initial temperature Tcell0 of the battery 21 at the start of charging may be used as the ambient temperature Tamb of the battery 21. Also, the OCV included in the voltage model parameter described above is used as the OCV in formula (8).

[0117] The charging control means 1A substitutes the measured voltage (CCV), SOC, current value (I) and ambient temperature (Tamb) of the battery 21 into equation (8) and calculates the heat capacity HC and the heat transfer coefficient HTC as values ​​that can reproduce the actual temperature Tcell of the battery 21.

[0118] In this way, after estimating the temperature model parameters in step S310 in Fig. 18A, the charging control means 1A determines whether or not the generation of the temperature model parameters is completed in step S311. If the generation of the temperature model parameters is completed (S311: Yes), the processing of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S312.

[0119] In step S312, the charging control means 1A sets the value of the parameter generation state flag to "0" and proceeds to the processing of step S307 in Fig. 18B. On the other hand, in step S312, if the generation of the temperature model parameters is not completed (S312: No), the charging control means 1A keeps the parameter generation state flag at "1" and proceeds to the processing of step S307 in Fig. 18B. In step S307, the charging control means 1A estimates the state of the battery 21. That is, the charging control means 1A calculates the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 based on the voltage model parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ).

[0120] Also, if the value of the parameter generation state flag is not "1" in step S308 in Fig. 18A, the process of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S313 in Fig. 18B. That is, if the generation of the voltage model parameters and the temperature model parameters is completed and the value of the parameter generation state flag is "0", the process of the charging control means 1A proceeds to step S313 in Fig. 18B.

[0121] In step S313, the charging control means 1A refers to the voltage model parameter database 14c (see FIG. 17) and reads out parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ) corresponding to the SOC and temperature of the battery 21. Next, in step S307, the charging control means 1A estimates the state of the battery 21. Specifically, the charging control means 1A calculates the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 based on the above-mentioned parameters (OCV, Ro, Rp, τ). In this case, since the generation of the voltage model parameters and the temperature model parameters has already been completed, there is no particular need to change the output setting and the chargeable current of the battery 21.

[0122] When estimating the state of the battery 21 after completing generation of the temperature parameters, the charge control means 1A predicts the temperature of the battery 21 when a predetermined charging current flows based on the temperature model parameters (thermal capacity and heat dissipation coefficient of the battery 21). Then, the charge control means 1A controls the charging current so that the temperature of the battery 21 does not exceed a predetermined value during charging, for example. This makes it possible to suppress deterioration of the battery 21.

[0123] Note that there are cases where the real-time temperature detection value of the battery 21 being charged is not transmitted from the vehicle 20 to the charger 10. In such cases, as will be described with reference to the following FIG. 21, the charging control means 1A stores in advance the relationship between the temperature and the internal resistance of the battery 21, and estimates the temperature of the battery 21 being charged based on the internal resistance of the battery 21.

[0124] FIG. 21 is a time chart relating to a method of estimating the battery temperature when extracting the temperature model parameters. It is assumed that a database showing the temperature dependency of the voltage model parameters is stored in advance. The charging control means 1A detects the amount of change Vo1, Vo2, . . . , V(n) in the voltage of the battery 21 when the charging current changes (decreases or increases). This amount of change in voltage is a voltage drop caused by the resistance component Ro that does not depend on the current-carrying time of the battery 21, and corresponds to the voltage Vo in FIG. 11. The charging control means 1A calculates the resistance component Ro by dividing this voltage Vo by the value of the charging current. Then, the charging control means 1A refers to the database showing the temperature dependency of the voltage model parameters, and specifies the temperature associated with the resistance component Ro. It is noted that in FIG. 21, the estimated result of the temperature of the battery 21 is indicated by dots. Although it is discrete in this way, by estimating the temperature of the battery 21 from the resistance component Ro, the heat capacity (HC) and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) of the battery 21 included in the formula (8) can be estimated.

[0125] <Effects> According to the third embodiment, the charge control means 1A calculates at least one of the heat capacity of the battery 21 and a parameter (heat dissipation coefficient) indicating the heat dissipation property of the battery 21 based on information including the charging current after the output set value is changed, the voltage of the battery 21, and the temperature of the battery 21. This allows the charge control means 1A to predict the temperature of the battery 21 when a predetermined charging current flows based on the temperature model parameter. As a result, when charging the battery 21, it is possible to predict a temperature rise of the battery 21 and adjust the output set value of the charger 10 so as to suppress the temperature rise. For example, when an excessive temperature rise accompanying charging of the battery 21 is predicted, the charge control means 1A sets the output set value of the charger 10 low, thereby suppressing deterioration of the battery 21.

[0126] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, when estimating the voltage model parameters of the battery 21 (particularly the dependency of the internal resistance on the SOC), the charge control means 1A changes the output setting value of the charger 10 so that the temperature rise of the battery 21 during charging becomes relatively small. This makes it possible to estimate the voltage model parameters with high accuracy. On the other hand, when estimating the temperature model parameters, the charge control means 1A changes the output setting value of the charger 10 so that the temperature rise of the battery 21 during charging becomes relatively large. This makes it possible to estimate the temperature model parameters with high accuracy, and as a result, it is possible to estimate the internal resistance corresponding to each SOC with high accuracy while suppressing the temperature rise of the battery 21.

[0127] Fourth Embodiment The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the charging control means 1B (see FIG. 22) changes the output setting value of the charger 10B (see FIG. 22) in response to the type of vehicle. Other points are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, only the points that are different from the first embodiment will be described, and a description of the overlapping points will be omitted.

[0128] FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram including a charge control system 100B according to the fourth embodiment. It is assumed that a plurality of vehicles A to Z of different types may be connected to the charger 10B shown in Fig. 22. For example, when vehicle A is connected to the charger 10B, vehicle A transmits information including a charging current command value, SOC, charging voltage upper limit value, and vehicle ID of vehicle A to the charger 10B. Meanwhile, charger 10B transmits to vehicle A the chargeable current and the detection values ​​of the current and voltage actually flowing. The same applies when any of vehicles B to Z of different types is connected to the charger 10B.

[0129] FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram of a charge control means 1B provided in the charge control system. As shown in Fig. 23, in addition to the charging voltage upper limit and the voltage (battery voltage) of the battery 21, a vehicle ID is input to the charging mode determination unit 11B of the charging control means 1B. The vehicle ID is identification information of a vehicle connected to the charger 10B. Even if the vehicle ID is not transmitted to the charger 10B (see Fig. 22), for example, a vehicle operation management system (not shown) may separately provide an ID of a vehicle used for delivery, and when charging, a driver or the like may transmit the vehicle ID to the charger 10B (see Fig. 22) using a terminal device (not shown) or the like.

[0130] FIG. 24 is a functional block diagram of the charge mode determination unit 11B included in the charge control means. The charge mode determination unit 11B shown in Fig. 24 has a function of determining the charge mode of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 24, the charge mode determination unit 11B includes a charge voltage determination unit 11a, a charge pattern detection unit 11b, a charge pattern storage unit 11c, and a mode determination unit 11d. The charging voltage determination unit 11a determines whether or not the voltage of the battery 21 has reached a charging voltage upper limit value. The result of the determination by the charging voltage determination unit 11a is output to the mode determination unit 11d.

[0131] The charging pattern detection unit 11b detects the characteristics of the charging pattern of the vehicle based on the voltage, current, and SOC of the battery 21. The "charging pattern" includes, for example, the current value during CC charging, as well as other characteristics such as the current switching voltage and current switching SOC when switching the current value, the upper limit voltage, and the upper limit SOC.

[0132] The charging pattern storage unit 11c stores the characteristic amounts of the charging pattern detected by the charging pattern detection unit 11b in association with the vehicle ID. The mode determination unit 11d determines the charging mode based on the determination result of the charging voltage determination unit 11a, as well as the characteristic amounts of the charging pattern stored in the charging pattern storage unit 11c and the voltage, current, and SOC of the battery 21. For example, the mode determination unit 11d determines whether the charging mode is CC charging or other than CC charging. The determination result of the mode determination unit 11d is output to the charging control unit 12B (see FIG. 23).

[0133] FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram regarding charging methods for different types of vehicles. FIG. 25 shows the waveforms of current, voltage, and SOC during charging of the battery 21 for each of different types of vehicles A, B, ..., Z. For vehicle A, the current waveform shows a charging waveform by so-called CCCV charging, and the voltage of the battery 21 is a predetermined charging voltage upper limit value V Lim CC charging is performed at a constant current until the battery voltage reaches 1 V, and then CV charging is performed, in which the voltage is kept constant and the current is reduced. This charging method is preset in vehicle A.

[0134] In vehicle B, charging is performed at a constant current from the start of charging, and the voltage of the battery 21 reaches a predetermined charging voltage upper limit value V Lim When the charging current reaches the upper limit of the charging voltage V, the charging current is reduced by a predetermined amount, and the voltage of the battery 21 again reaches the upper limit of the charging voltage V Lim This process of charging at a constant current value after the drop is repeated until the battery reaches a constant current value. This type of charging method is called step charging.

[0135] In vehicle Z, the voltage of the battery 21 reaches the charging voltage upper limit value V Lim The charging current is reduced before reaching the upper limit of SOC. Lim When the voltage of the battery 21 reaches the current switching SOC (value SOC1), the charging current is reduced while the upper limit SOC is reached. Lim In addition, although not shown, a current switching voltage that serves as a threshold for reducing the charging current may be set instead of the current switching SOC1 described above. In this way, various charging methods are used depending on the type of vehicle.

[0136] Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, in addition to the current value during CC charging, the current switching voltage, current switching SOC, upper limit SOC, upper limit voltage, etc. are extracted from the actual charging waveform as the characteristics of the charging waveform of each type of vehicle, and are stored in a database. Such information is stored in the charging pattern storage unit 11c (see FIG. 24) in association with the vehicle ID as the characteristic amount of the charging pattern.

[0137] FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the feature amount of the charging pattern stored in the charging pattern storage unit. In the example of FIG. 26, the current value, current switching voltage, current switching SOC, upper limit voltage, and upper limit SOC during CC charging of vehicle A are stored as a database in the charging pattern storage unit 11c (see FIG. 24) in association with the vehicle ID. That is, the feature amount of the charging pattern of the battery 21 is a threshold value when switching from constant current charging (or constant power charging) to another charging mode, and the threshold value is at least one of the charging current, the voltage of the battery 21, and the charging rate. Every time a new type of vehicle is charged, the charging control means 1B (see FIG. 23) extracts the feature amount of the charging pattern of the vehicle, and stores it in the charging pattern storage unit 11c (see FIG. 24) in association with the vehicle ID. Note that when information corresponding to the vehicle ID has already been stored in the charging pattern storage unit 11c, the charging control means 1B performs charging control of the battery 21 based on this information.

[0138] The mode determination unit 11d shown in FIG. 24 determines whether the current charging mode is CC charging (i.e., conditions suitable for changing the output setting of the charger 10B) based on the information stored in the charging pattern storage unit 11c as well as the determination result of the charging voltage determination unit 11a. That is, the mode determination unit 11d of the charging control means 1B determines whether the charging mode is constant current charging (or constant power charging) based on a charging pattern that is a time-series change in at least one of the charging current, the voltage of the battery 21, and the SOC (charging rate). For example, in the case of vehicle Z (see FIG. 25), a current switching SOC (value SOC1) is set. Therefore, in the case of vehicle Z, in addition to the determination result of whether the voltage of the battery 21 is lower than the charging voltage upper limit, the condition for determining CC charging is that the SOC of the battery 21 is lower than the current switching SOC.

[0139] The charge control unit 12B (see FIG. 23) changes the output setting of the charger 10B based on the determination result of the charge mode determination unit 11B, charges the battery 21, and estimates the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21. The charge control unit 12B may also generate a parameter table indicating the correspondence between the SOC and temperature of the battery 21 and the internal resistance value of the battery 21. Note that the estimation of the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 and the generation of the parameter table are similar to those described in the first to third embodiments, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0140] <Effects> According to the fourth embodiment, the charging control means 1B detects the characteristic amount of the charging pattern corresponding to the type of vehicle and stores it in a database, so that the timing of changing the output set value corresponding to the charging pattern of each vehicle can be appropriately set. Lim Even if the current starts to decrease before reaching the maximum current, the charging mode can be appropriately determined.

[0141] <<Variations>> Although the charging control system 100 according to the present invention has been described in each embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and can be modified in various ways. For example, in each embodiment, the charging control means 1 changes the output setting value of the charger 10 when the charging mode is constant current charging (CC charging), but this is not limited to the above. That is, each embodiment can be applied to constant power charging instead of constant current charging. Note that constant power charging is a method of charging while maintaining the charging power to the battery 21.

[0142] In addition, in each embodiment, the charging control means 1 changes the output setting value of the charger 10 and calculates the internal resistance value and OCV (open circuit voltage) of the battery 21, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the charging control means 1 may calculate at least one state quantity of the internal resistance value and OCV (open circuit voltage) of the battery based on information including the charging current after the output setting value is changed and the voltage of the battery 21.

[0143] In addition, in each embodiment, the charging control means 1 sets the charging current to zero during CC charging and temporarily stops charging, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the charging control means 1 may change the charging current from a predetermined value to a value smaller than the predetermined value (a value larger than zero) during CC charging.

[0144] In addition, in each embodiment, the charging control means 1 estimates the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 based on the amount of change in current and voltage at the timing of the fall of the charging current during CC charging, but this is not limiting. That is, the charging control means 1 may estimate the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 based on the amount of change in current and voltage at the timing of the rise of the charging current during CC charging.

[0145] In addition, in each embodiment, the case where the charge current is controlled using the charger 10 has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a bidirectional charger that can charge the vehicle 20 from the charger 10 and also discharge from the vehicle 20 to the charger 10. In such a case, the charge control means 1 may change the output setting value in the discharging direction to discharge the battery 21 of the vehicle 20 and obtain the current and voltage at that time. Since the internal resistance of the battery 21 may have different values ​​during charging and discharging, when discharging is possible, the internal resistance of the battery 21 can be accurately calculated by also obtaining the internal resistance value on the discharging side.

[0146] Moreover, each embodiment may be appropriately combined. For example, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined, and the charging control means 1 may calculate a resistance component Ro that does not depend on the current-flow time and a resistance component Rp that depends on the current-flow time for the internal resistance of the battery 21, and the SOHR and SOHC of the battery 21 may be estimated based on information including these resistance components Ro and Rp. In addition, the second embodiment may be combined with the fourth embodiment, or the third embodiment may be combined with the fourth embodiment.

[0147] In addition, although each embodiment has been described with respect to the case where the vehicle 20 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, the embodiment can also be applied to an electrically driven two-wheeled vehicle or three-wheeled vehicle. In addition to the vehicle 20, each embodiment can also be applied to "mobiles" on land and sea, such as railway vehicles on non-electrified lines, ships, aircraft, and agricultural machinery. The aforementioned aircraft also include unmanned aircraft and drones.

[0148] Furthermore, the processes executed by the charging control means 1 and the like may be executed as a predetermined program of a computer. The program may be provided via a communication line, or may be written on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed.

[0149] In addition, each embodiment is described in detail to explain the present invention in an easily understandable manner, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace some of the configurations of the embodiments with other configurations. In addition, the above-mentioned mechanisms and configurations are those that are considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily show all of the mechanisms and configurations in the product. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 100,100B Charging Control System 10,10B charger 1, 1A, 1B Charging control means 2. Voltage measurement means 3 Current measurement means 4 Charging circuit 11, 11B Charging mode determination unit 12,12A Charging control unit 13, 13A Battery state estimation unit 14, 14A Parameter table generator 15 Parameter Table 20 Vehicles (moving objects) 21 Battery

Claims

1. a charge control means for controlling charging of a battery of the mobile body by the charger based on a charging current command value or a charging power command value transmitted from the mobile body to the charger, A plurality of threshold values ​​having different magnitudes are set in advance as the charging rate of the battery, The charge control means includes: When the charging mode is a constant current charging or a constant power charging, the charging current of the battery is changed by changing the output setting value of the charger; Calculating at least one state quantity of an internal resistance value and an open circuit voltage of the battery based on information including the charging current after the output setting value is changed and the voltage of the battery; When the charging mode of the battery is the constant current charging or the constant power charging, the output setting value is changed every time the charging rate of the battery reaches a plurality of threshold values, the state quantity is calculated, and the state quantity is associated with the charging rate of the battery. A charging control system comprising:

2. a charge control means for controlling charging of a battery of the mobile body by the charger based on a charging current command value or a charging power command value transmitted from the mobile body to the charger, A plurality of threshold values ​​having different magnitudes are preset as the temperature of the battery, The charge control means includes: When the charging mode is a constant current charging or a constant power charging, the charging current of the battery is changed by changing the output setting value of the charger; Calculating at least one state quantity of an internal resistance value and an open circuit voltage of the battery based on information including the charging current after the output setting value is changed and the voltage of the battery; When the charging mode of the battery is the constant current charging or the constant power charging, the output setting value is changed every time the temperature of the battery reaches a plurality of threshold values, the state quantity is calculated, and the state quantity is associated with the temperature of the battery. A charging control system comprising:

3. a charge control means for controlling charging of a battery of the mobile body by the charger based on a charging current command value or a charging power command value transmitted from the mobile body to the charger, The charge control means includes: When the charging mode is a constant current charging or a constant power charging, the charging current of the battery is changed by changing the output setting value of the charger; Calculating at least one state quantity of an internal resistance value and an open circuit voltage of the battery based on information including the charging current after the output setting value is changed and the voltage of the battery; Calculating, as the internal resistance value of the battery, a first resistance component that changes depending on a current-carrying time of the battery and a second resistance component that does not depend on a current-carrying time of the battery. A charging control system comprising:

4. a charge control means for controlling charging of a battery of the mobile body by the charger based on a charging current command value or a charging power command value transmitted from the mobile body to the charger, The charge control means includes: When the charging mode is a constant current charging or a constant power charging, the charging current of the battery is changed by changing the output setting value of the charger; Calculating at least one of parameters indicating a heat capacity of the battery and a heat dissipation property of the battery based on information including a charging current after the output setting value is changed, a voltage of the battery, and a temperature of the battery. A charging control system comprising:

5. a charge control means for controlling charging of a battery of the mobile body by the charger based on a charging current command value or a charging power command value transmitted from the mobile body to the charger, The charge control means includes: When the charging mode is a constant current charging or a constant power charging, the charging current of the battery is changed by changing the output setting value of the charger; generating a first database including an open circuit voltage and an internal resistance value of the battery based on information including the charging current after the output setting value is changed and the voltage of the battery; When charging the battery again after generating the first database, the output setting value is changed, and a second database is generated based on the charging current after the output setting value is changed, the voltage of the battery, and information of the first database, the second database including at least one of parameters indicating the thermal capacity of the battery and the heat dissipation property of the battery; A charging current when the output setting value is increased when the first database is generated is smaller than a charging current when the output setting value is increased when the second database is generated. A charging control system comprising:

6. When the charging mode is the constant current charging or the constant power charging, the charging control means changes the output setting value of the charger by lowering the output setting value during charging of the battery and then raising the output setting value. The charging control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

7. When the charging mode is the constant current charging or the constant power charging, the charging control means reduces the output set value so that a chargeable current in the charger becomes smaller than the charging current command value immediately before the output set value is changed. The charging control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

8. The charging control means determines that the charging is the constant current charging or the constant power charging when the voltage of the battery being charged is lower than a charging voltage upper limit value transmitted from the mobile object to the charger. The charging control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

9. The charging control means, when the charging mode is the constant current charging or the constant power charging, performs intermittent charging of the battery. The charging control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

10. The charge control means determines whether the charge mode is the constant current charge or the constant power charge based on a charge pattern that is a time-series change in at least one of a charge current, a voltage of the battery, and a charging rate. The charging control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

11. The characteristic amount of the charging pattern is a threshold value for switching from the constant current charging or the constant power charging to another charging mode, and the threshold value is at least one of a charging current, a voltage of the battery, and a charging rate. The charging control system according to claim 10 .

12. Controlling charging of the battery of the mobile body by the charger based on a charging current command value or a charging power command value transmitted from the mobile body to the charger; A plurality of threshold values ​​having different magnitudes are set in advance as the charging rate of the battery, When the charging mode is a constant current charging or a constant power charging, the charging current of the battery is changed by changing the output setting value of the charger; Calculating at least one state quantity of an internal resistance value and an open circuit voltage of the battery based on information including the charging current after the output setting value is changed and the voltage of the battery; When the charging mode of the battery is the constant current charging or the constant power charging, the output setting value is changed every time the charging rate of the battery reaches a plurality of threshold values, the state quantity is calculated, and the state quantity is associated with the charging rate of the battery. A charging control method comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to execute the charge control method according to claim 12.

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