Battery System

Abstract

To provide a battery system in which a monitoring unit included in each battery module can be shared.SOLUTION: A battery system 100 includes a plurality of battery modules M1-M3. Each of the battery modules includes: a battery pack 22 having a series connection body of a plurality of battery cells 24; a monitoring unit 30 for monitoring the battery pack; and external members THA1-THA3 electrically connected to the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit 30 includes a generation part for generating identification information different for each battery module on the basis of an electrical signal input from the external members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, battery systems equipped with multiple battery modules have been known to accommodate a wide range of electrification, for example in electric vehicles (for example, Patent Document 1). In such battery systems, a control unit that controls each battery system needs to identify each battery module in order to monitor the charging state of each battery module and perform fault diagnosis. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, unique identification information is set in advance in a monitoring unit that monitors the assembled battery in each battery module, and the control unit uses this identification information to identify each battery module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5710013 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a battery system having multiple battery modules, it is desirable to standardize the monitoring units included in each battery module in order to reduce costs, etc. However, in the above embodiment, the identification information set in each monitoring unit is different from one another, which causes a problem that the monitoring units included in each battery module cannot be standardized.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a battery system in which the monitoring units included in each battery module can be standardized. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a battery system comprising a plurality of battery modules, each of which comprises a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells connected in series, a monitoring unit that monitors the battery pack, and an external component electrically connected to the monitoring unit, and identification information defined for each battery module is generated as different identification information for each battery module in each monitoring unit based on an electrical signal input from the external component.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the identification information for each battery module is generated as different identification information for each battery module based on an electrical signal input from an external member in each monitoring unit, so there is no need to set the identification information internally. As a result, the monitoring unit can be shared among the multiple battery modules that make up the battery system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a power supply system for a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 11 is a flowchart showing an identification process and an identification information generation process. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the battery module and identification information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing temperature characteristics of temperature data and out-of-range data. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a power supply system for a vehicle according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing temperature characteristics of first temperature data and second temperature data. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between battery modules and identification information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a power supply system for a vehicle according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A battery system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1, the battery system 100 includes three battery modules M1 to M3 and a control unit 10. Each of the battery modules M1 to M3 includes a cell module 20 and a monitoring unit 30.

[0011] The cell module 20 includes an assembled battery 22 having a series connection of multiple battery cells 24. Three temperature sensors THA1 to THA3 are provided near the assembled battery 22 to detect the temperature of the assembled battery 22. Each of the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3 detects the temperature of a different location of the assembled battery 22 and outputs a voltage signal according to the detected temperature. Note that, for example, a temperature-sensitive diode or a thermistor can be used as the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3. In this embodiment, the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3 correspond to an "external member."

[0012] The monitoring unit 30 monitors the assembled battery 22. The monitoring unit 30 is connected to both electrodes of each battery cell 24 constituting the assembled battery 22 via detection lines 32, detects the voltage (terminal voltage) of each battery cell 24, and obtains cell voltage data VD, which is a voltage signal corresponding to each battery cell 24.

[0013] The monitoring unit 30 is provided with a connector 34. The connector 34 has four terminals CH1 to CH4 that can be connected to the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3. Electrical wiring 36 extending from the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3 is connected to the connector 34, thereby electrically connecting the monitoring unit 30 and the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3. The monitoring unit 30 acquires temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 based on voltage signals input from the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3 via the connector 34.

[0014] The electrical wiring 36 is connected one-to-one to the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34. In this embodiment, the number of terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 is one more than the number of the temperature sensors THA1-THA3. Therefore, in the connector 34, one of the terminals CH1-CH4 is an unused terminal that is not connected to the temperature sensors THA1-THA3. Which of the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 is to be the unused terminal can be freely set by an operator during the manufacture of the battery modules M1-M3.

[0015] The monitoring unit 30 includes a communication circuit 38 and wirelessly transmits the acquired cell voltage data VD and temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 to the control unit 10. In addition, the monitoring unit 30 wirelessly receives various commands from the control unit 10 via the communication circuit 38.

[0016] Next, a description will be given of the control unit 10. The control unit 10 is mainly configured as a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and controls each of the battery modules M1 to M3 individually by executing various control programs stored in the ROM.

[0017] The control unit 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the monitoring units 30 of the battery modules M1 to M3. Specifically, the control unit 10 includes a communication circuit 12 and wirelessly receives the cell voltage data VD and temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 wirelessly transmitted by the monitoring unit 30. The control unit 10 controls the assembled battery 22 using the received cell voltage data VD and temperature data TDA1 to TDA3. For example, the control unit 10 calculates the state of charge (SOC) of the assembled battery 22 using the received cell voltage data VD and temperature data TDA1 to TDA3. Then, the control unit 10 wirelessly transmits a command to the monitoring unit 30 via the communication circuit 12 to prevent the assembled battery 22 from being overcharged or overdischarged.

[0018] In the battery system 100, the control unit 10 needs to identify each of the battery modules M1-M3 in order to monitor the charging state and perform fault diagnosis for each of the battery modules M1-M3. For example, consider a case where a unique identification information ID is set in the monitoring unit 30 for each of the battery modules M1-M3. Note that a form for setting the identification information ID includes a form in which the identification information ID is stored in a storage unit included in the monitoring unit 30. In this case, the control unit 10 can identify each of the battery modules M1-M3 by acquiring the identification information ID set in the monitoring unit 30 through wireless communication with the monitoring unit 30.

[0019] In the battery system 100, it is desirable to standardize the monitoring units 30 included in the battery modules M1 to M3 in order to reduce costs, etc. However, in the above case, a different identification information ID is set in the monitoring units 30 for each of the battery modules M1 to M3, which causes a problem that the monitoring units 30 cannot be standardized for each of the battery modules M1 to M3.

[0020] To solve the above problem, in the battery system 100 of this embodiment, the monitoring unit 30 generates different identification information ID for each battery module M1-M3 based on the voltage signals input from the temperature sensors THA1-THA3. Specifically, the connection patterns between the temperature sensors THA1-THA3 and the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 are different for each battery module M1-M3, and the unused terminals not connected to the temperature sensors THA1-THA3 are different. Therefore, the signals input to the terminals CH1-CH4 are different for each battery module M1-M3.

[0021] The monitoring unit 30 performs an identification information generation process to generate identification information ID based on signals input to the multiple terminals CH1-CH4. Since the monitoring unit 30 can generate the identification information ID based on voltage signals input from the temperature sensors THA1-THA3, it is not necessary for the identification information ID to be set internally. As a result, the monitoring unit 30 can be shared among the multiple battery modules M1-M3 constituting the battery system 100.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of the identification process and the identification information generation process of this embodiment. The identification process is a process for identifying each of the battery modules M1-M3 using the identification information ID generated by the identification information generation process, and is performed by the control unit 10. Fig. 2(a) is a flowchart showing the identification process by the control unit 10, and Fig. 2(b) is a flowchart showing the identification information generation process by the monitoring unit 30. The control unit 10 and the monitoring unit 30 perform each process when the vehicle is started, that is, when the ignition switch of the vehicle is switched to the on state.

[0023] First, a description will be given of the identification information generation process performed by the monitoring unit 30. When the monitoring unit 30 starts the identification information generation process, it first determines in step S30 whether or not a data transmission command has been received from the control unit 10.

[0024] If a negative determination is made in step S30, step S30 is repeated. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S30, cell voltage data VD is acquired in step S32. In the following step S34, input processing is performed to acquire temperature data TDA1-TDA3 based on voltage signals input from temperature sensors THA1-THA3. In this embodiment, the processing in step S34 corresponds to an "input processing unit."

[0025] In step S34, the monitoring unit 30 inputs and processes the voltage signals of the temperature sensors THA1-THA3 in a predetermined voltage range HV (see FIG. 4) to the terminals connected to the temperature sensors THA1-THA3 among the multiple terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34. Specifically, the monitoring unit 30 converts the voltage signals, which are analog signals corresponding to the temperature of the battery pack 22, into temperature data TDA1-TDA3, which are digital signals indicating voltage values ​​within the predetermined voltage range HV. The predetermined voltage range HV is, for example, a voltage range from 0.5V to 4.5V.

[0026] On the other hand, among the multiple terminals CH1 to CH4 of the connector 34, no voltage signal is input to the unused terminals, and the voltage of the unused terminals is set to a constant voltage such as a ground voltage. The monitoring unit 30 sets the voltage of the unused terminal to a voltage outside the predetermined voltage range HV. Specifically, the monitoring unit 30 generates out-of-range data ND, which is a digital signal indicating a voltage value outside the predetermined voltage range HV, as the voltage of the unused terminal. The voltage value of the out-of-range data ND is, for example, 0V.

[0027] In step S36, the identification information ID is generated. Specifically, the identification information ID is generated by arranging the data input and processed in step S34 in the order of the terminals CH1 to CH4 of the connector 34. Therefore, the identification information ID is composed of three pieces of temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 and one piece of out-of-range data ND. In this embodiment, the available terminals are set differently for each of the battery modules M1 to M3, and the order of the temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND differs for each of the battery modules M1 to M3. Therefore, a different identification information ID is generated for each of the battery modules M1 to M3. In this embodiment, the process of step S36 corresponds to a "generation unit."

[0028] In the following step S38, data including the cell voltage data VD and the identification information ID is transmitted to the control unit 10, and the identification information generation process is terminated.

[0029] Next, the identification process by the control unit 10 will be described. When the control unit 10 starts the identification process, first in step S10, the control unit 10 transmits a data transmission command to the monitoring unit 30 of each of the battery modules M1 to M3. In the following step S12, it is determined whether data has been acquired from the monitoring unit 30 of each of the battery modules M1 to M3. In this embodiment, the process of step S12 corresponds to the "identification information acquisition unit."

[0030] If a negative determination is made in step S12, step S12 is repeated. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S12, in step S14, the battery modules M1 to M3 whose data were acquired in step S12 are identified. In this embodiment, the process of step S14 corresponds to an "identification unit."

[0031] In step S14, the control unit 10 identifies the battery modules M1-M3 based on the identification information ID included in the data acquired in step S12, using a map MP (see FIG. 3) stored in the memory unit 14 (see FIG. 1) of the control unit 10. The memory unit 14 is configured, for example, with a ROM, a rewritable non-volatile memory, etc.

[0032] The map MP is correspondence information in which the battery modules M1 to M3 are associated with identification information IDs. The map MP stores the identification information IDs for all the battery modules M1 to M3 included in the battery system 100 in association with the battery modules M1 to M3. In this embodiment, the identification information IDs stored in the map MP are limited to the identification information IDs corresponding to the battery modules M1 to M3 included in the battery system 100.

[0033] In the following step S16, it is determined whether data has been acquired from the monitoring units 30 of all the battery modules M1 to M3. If a negative determination is made in step S16, the process returns to step S12. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S16, it is determined in step S18 whether all the battery modules M1 to M3 have been identified.

[0034] If a positive determination is made in step S18, the identification process is terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S18, that is, if there is a non-identified module that has not been identified, then in step S20, it is determined whether the number of non-identified modules is 1. Note that causes of the presence of a non-identified module include a malfunction of the monitoring unit 30 causing inaccurate identification information ID to be acquired, and a malfunction of the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3 causing an identification information ID different from the identification information ID stored in the map MP to be acquired.

[0035] If a negative determination is made in step S20, the occurrence of an identification abnormality in the battery modules M1-M3 is notified in step S22, and the identification process is terminated. Here, the identification abnormality is an abnormality in which all of the battery modules M1-M3 cannot be identified. When an identification abnormality occurs, the control unit 10 cannot properly acquire the voltage and temperature of the assembled battery 22 of each of the battery modules M1-M3, and cannot properly control each of the battery modules M1-M3. Therefore, when an identification abnormality occurs, the vehicle is not started normally. Methods for notifying the occurrence of an identification abnormality include generating an alarm sound or displaying the abnormality on the display of the car navigation device.

[0036] On the other hand, if the result in step S20 is YES, in step S24, the non-identified modules are identified by a process of elimination. Specifically, the non-identified modules are identified as the battery modules M1 to M3 associated with the identification information ID that is not used to identify the battery modules M1 to M3 in the map MP.

[0037] In the next step S26, the occurrence of a replacement request is notified, and the identification process is terminated. Here, the replacement request is a request to prompt replacement of a non-identified module. When a replacement request occurs, although a non-identified module is present, the control unit 10 can identify all battery modules M1-M3, and can properly obtain the voltage and temperature of the assembled battery 22 of each battery module M1-M3. Therefore, when a replacement request occurs, the vehicle is started normally. By notifying the occurrence of a replacement request, the driver is prompted to replace the non-identified module, and the occurrence of an identification abnormality can be suppressed.

[0038] Next, the map MP is shown in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, in the battery module M1, the temperature sensor THA1 is connected to the terminal CH1 of the connector 34, the temperature sensor THA2 is connected to the terminal CH2, and the temperature sensor THA3 is connected to the terminal CH3. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, in the map MP, information in which the temperature data TDA1, the temperature data TDA2, the temperature data TDA3, and the out-of-range data ND are successive in this order is stored as the identification information ID corresponding to the battery module M1.

[0039] Similarly, in the battery module M2, the temperature sensor THA1 is connected to the terminal CH1 of the connector 34, the temperature sensor THA2 is connected to the terminal CH2, and the temperature sensor THA3 is connected to the terminal CH4. Therefore, in the map MP, information in which the temperature data TDA1, the temperature data TDA2, the out-of-range data ND, and the temperature data TDA3 are successively arranged in this order is stored as the identification information ID corresponding to the battery module M2.

[0040] In the battery module M3, the temperature sensor THA1 is connected to the terminal CH1 of the connector 34, the temperature sensor THA2 is connected to the terminal CH3, and the temperature sensor THA3 is connected to the terminal CH4. Therefore, in the map MP, information in which the temperature data TDA1, the out-of-range data ND, the temperature data TDA2, and the temperature data TDA3 are successive in this order is stored as the identification information ID corresponding to the battery module M3.

[0041] Therefore, for example, when the control unit 10 acquires data from a certain monitoring unit 30, the identification information ID included in the data is information in which the temperature data TDA1, the temperature data TDA2, the temperature data TDA3, and the out-of-range data ND are successively arranged in this order. In this case, the control unit 10 can identify the battery module from which the data was acquired as the battery module M1.

[0042] Specifically, the control unit 10 divides the acquired identification information ID into four voltage value data indicating voltage values, and determines whether the voltage value indicated by each voltage value data is within the predetermined voltage range HV. If the voltage value indicated by the voltage value data is within the predetermined voltage range HV, the control unit 10 determines that the voltage value data is temperature data TDA1 to TDA3. If the voltage value indicated by the voltage value data is not within the predetermined voltage range HV, the control unit 10 determines that the voltage value data is out-of-range data ND. If the voltage value data is temperature data TDA1 to TDA3, the voltage value indicated by the voltage value data is within the predetermined voltage range HV regardless of the temperature of the battery pack 22. Therefore, the control unit 10 can determine whether the voltage value data is temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 regardless of the temperature of the battery pack 22.

[0043] After identifying the battery module M1, the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 included in the identification information ID is used to acquire the temperature of the battery pack 22. That is, in this embodiment, the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 serve both as data for identifying the battery module M1 and data for acquiring the temperature of the battery pack 22. Therefore, there is no need to generate data for identifying the battery module M1 separately from the data for acquiring the temperature of the battery pack 22.

[0044] 4 shows the temperature characteristics of the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND. In the battery modules M1-M3, a predetermined temperature range HT is set in advance as a temperature range in which the assembled battery 22 can operate. When the temperature of the assembled battery 22 is within the predetermined temperature range HT, the monitoring unit 30 inputs and processes the voltage signals of the temperature sensors THA1-THA3 in a predetermined voltage range HV, and generates temperature data TDA1-TDA3 indicating voltage values ​​within the predetermined voltage range HV. Specifically, the input is processed so that the voltage changes linearly in the predetermined voltage range HV in response to the temperature change of the assembled battery 22 in the predetermined temperature range HT, and more specifically, the input is processed so that the temperature characteristics have an inverse characteristic in which the voltage decreases in response to an increase in temperature.

[0045] The predetermined temperature range HT includes an outside air temperature range HG and a high temperature range HK. The outside air temperature range HG is a temperature range corresponding to the outside air temperature, and the vehicle is generally started in this outside air temperature range HG. The high temperature range HK is a temperature range on the higher temperature side than the outside air temperature range HG. In this embodiment, in the input process of the identification process, the voltage signals of the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3 are inputted so as to have the inverse temperature characteristic, so that in the predetermined voltage range HV, the voltage corresponding to the outside air temperature range HG is higher than the voltage corresponding to the high temperature range HK.

[0046] In this embodiment, in response to the temperature characteristic of the inverse characteristic, the voltage outside the predetermined voltage range HV generated at the free terminal is set to a voltage on the lower voltage side than the predetermined voltage range HV, and out-of-range data ND indicating a voltage value lower than the predetermined voltage range HV is generated. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, in the outside air temperature range HG, the voltage value difference between the temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND can be made relatively large. As a result, it becomes easy to distinguish between the temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND, and the identification information ID can be appropriately identified.

[0047] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained.

[0048] In this embodiment, each of the battery modules M1-M3 includes a monitoring unit 30 and temperature sensors THA1-THA3 electrically connected to the monitoring unit 30, and the monitoring unit 30 generates a different identification information ID for each of the battery modules M1-M3 based on the electrical signals input from the temperature sensors THA1-THA3. Since the monitoring unit 30 can generate the identification information ID based on the electrical signals input from the temperature sensors THA1-THA3, it is not necessary for the identification information ID to be set internally. As a result, the monitoring unit 30 can be shared among the multiple battery modules M1-M3 that constitute the battery system 100.

[0049] In this embodiment, the temperature sensors THA1-THA3 are connected to the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 so that the free terminal of the connector 34 is different for each battery module M1-M3. Of the multiple terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34, the terminals connected to the temperature sensors THA1-THA3 and the free terminals receive different signals. Therefore, by connecting the free terminals differently for each battery module M1-M3, the signals input to the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 can be made different for each battery module M1-M3, and identification information ID can be generated based on these signals.

[0050] In this embodiment, the voltage signals input to the terminals connected to the temperature sensors THA1-THA3 among the multiple terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 are input and processed within a predetermined voltage range HV, and the voltage of the unused terminals is set to a voltage outside the predetermined voltage range HV. Therefore, the unused terminals can be identified from the input-processed data, and information about the identified unused terminals can be used as identification information ID to identify each of the battery modules M1-M3.

[0051] In order to improve the accuracy of identifying the battery modules M1-M3 by the identification information ID, it is desirable that the identification information ID itself be appropriately identified. Since the identification information ID is composed of the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND, it is necessary to appropriately determine the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND. Generally, the start of a vehicle is performed in the outside temperature range HG, and the identification information ID is generated in the outside temperature range HG. Therefore, it is desirable to appropriately determine the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND in the outside temperature range HG.

[0052] In this embodiment, the voltage outside the predetermined voltage range HV, that is, the voltage value indicated by the out-of-range data ND, is set based on the magnitude relationship between the voltage corresponding to the outside temperature range HG and the voltage corresponding to the high temperature range HK. For example, in the predetermined voltage range HV, when the voltage corresponding to the outside temperature range HG is higher than the voltage corresponding to the high temperature range HK, the voltage outside the predetermined voltage range HV is set to a voltage lower than the predetermined voltage range HV. This makes it possible to increase the difference in voltage value indicated by the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND in the outside temperature range HG. As a result, the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND can be appropriately determined, and the accuracy of identifying the battery modules M1-M3 by the identification information ID can be improved.

[0053] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 7, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the cell module 20 includes a temperature sensor THB1. Hereinafter, the temperature sensors THA1 to THA3 will be referred to as first sensors THA1 to THA3, and the temperature sensor THB1 will be referred to as second sensor THB1.

[0054] The first sensors THA1-THA3 and the second sensor THB1 output voltage signals at different voltage levels according to the temperature of the battery pack 22. Therefore, even if the temperature of the battery pack 22 is the same, the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3 of the first sensors THA1-THA3, to which these voltage signals are input and processed, and the second temperature data TDB1 of the second sensor THB1 indicate different voltage values.

[0055] Fig. 6 shows the temperature characteristics of the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the second temperature data TDB1. As shown in Fig. 6, the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the second temperature data TDB1 have the same output increase / decrease characteristics with respect to the temperature of the battery pack 22, that is, the same increase / decrease characteristics of the voltage value indicated by the temperature data.

[0056] On the other hand, the voltage values ​​indicated by the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3 are offset to the higher voltage side with respect to the voltage values ​​indicated by the second temperature data TDB1. Therefore, the second voltage range HVB, which is the voltage range of the second temperature data TDB1, is offset to the higher voltage side with respect to the first voltage range HVA, which is the voltage range of the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3. The first voltage range HVA is, for example, a voltage range from 0.5V to 4.0V, and the second voltage range HVB is, for example, a voltage range from 1.0V to 4.5V, and the offset is, for example, 0.5V.

[0057] The present embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that there is no vacant terminal in the connector 34. In the present embodiment, the connection patterns of the first sensors THA1-THA3 and the second sensor THB1 to the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 are different for each of the battery modules M1-M3, and as a result, the terminal to which the second sensor THB1 is connected is set to be different for each of the battery modules M1-M3.

[0058] The map MP of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 7. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, in the battery module M1, the first sensor THA1 is connected to the terminal CH1 of the connector 34, the first sensor THA2 is connected to the terminal CH2, the first sensor THA3 is connected to the terminal CH3, and the second sensor THB1 is connected to the terminal CH4. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7, in the map MP, information in which the first temperature data TDA1, the first temperature data TDA2, the first temperature data TDA3, and the second temperature data TDB1 are consecutive in this order is stored as the identification information ID corresponding to the battery module M1.

[0059] Similarly, in the battery module M2, the first sensor THA1 is connected to the terminal CH1 of the connector 34, the first sensor THA2 is connected to the terminal CH2, the second sensor THB1 is connected to the terminal CH3, and the first sensor THA3 is connected to the terminal CH4. Therefore, in the map MP, information in which the first temperature data TDA1, the first temperature data TDA2, the second temperature data TDB1, and the first temperature data TDA3 are consecutive in this order is stored as identification information ID corresponding to the battery module M2.

[0060] In the battery module M3, the first sensor THA1 is connected to the terminal CH1 of the connector 34, the second sensor THB1 is connected to the terminal CH2, the first sensor THA2 is connected to the terminal CH3, and the first sensor THA3 is connected to the terminal CH4. Therefore, in the map MP, information in which the first temperature data TDA1, the second temperature data TDB1, the first temperature data TDA2, and the first temperature data TDA3 are consecutive in this order is stored as identification information ID corresponding to the battery module M3.

[0061] Therefore, for example, when the control unit 10 acquires data from a certain monitoring unit 30, the identification information ID included in the data is information in which the first temperature data TDA1, the first temperature data TDA2, the first temperature data TDA3, and the second temperature data TDB1 are consecutively arranged in this order. In this case, the control unit 10 identifies the battery module from which the data was acquired as the battery module M1.

[0062] Specifically, the control unit 10 divides the acquired identification information ID into four voltage value data indicating voltage values, and selects the voltage value data indicating the largest voltage value from the four voltage value data. The control unit 10 determines the selected voltage value data as the second temperature data TDB1, and determines the other voltage value data as the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3. This makes it possible to distinguish between the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the second temperature data TDB1, and to identify each of the battery modules M1-M3 using the identification information ID composed of these temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and TDB1.

[0063] According to the present embodiment described above, the temperature sensors THA1-THA3, THB1 are connected to the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 such that the terminal to which the second sensor THB1 is connected is different for each of the battery modules M1-M3. Of the multiple terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34, the terminals connected to the first sensors THA1-THA3 and the terminals connected to the second sensor THB1 have different voltage levels of voltage signals. Therefore, by connecting the electrical wiring 36 such that the terminal to which the second sensor THB1 is connected is different for each of the electrical modules, the signals input to the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 can be made different for each of the battery modules M1-M3, and identification information ID can be generated based on these signals.

[0064] In this embodiment, the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the second temperature data TDB1 have the same output increase / decrease characteristics relative to the temperature of the battery pack 22, and the difference in voltage values ​​indicated by the first temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the second temperature data TDB1, i.e., the offset, is maintained constant regardless of the temperature of the battery pack 22. As a result, the temperature data TDA1-TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND can be determined with constant accuracy regardless of the temperature of the battery pack 22, and the accuracy of identifying the battery modules M1-M3 using the identification information ID can be improved.

[0065] Third embodiment The third embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 8, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the cell module 20 includes a power supply unit 26 that supplies power to the monitoring unit 30 using power from the assembled battery 22. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 26 corresponds to the "external member."

[0066] The monitoring unit 30 is provided with a power connector 40. The power connector 40 has three power terminals CH11 to CH13 that can be connected to the power supply unit 26. A power line 42 extending from the power supply unit 26 is connected to the power connector 40, thereby supplying power to the monitoring unit 30.

[0067] The power supply line 42 is connected to one of the power supply terminals CH11 to CH13. In this embodiment, the power supply terminals CH11 to CH13 to which the power supply line 42 is connected are set to be different for each of the battery modules M1 to M3. Therefore, the power supply terminals CH11 to CH13 to which the power supply line 42 is connected can be used as identification information ID to identify each of the battery modules M1 to M3.

[0068] According to the present embodiment described above, each of the battery modules M1-M3 includes a monitoring unit 30 and a power supply unit 26 electrically connected to the monitoring unit 30, and the monitoring unit 30 generates a different identification information ID for each of the battery modules M1-M3 based on the power supplied from the power supply unit 26. Since the monitoring unit 30 can generate the identification information ID based on the power supplied from the power supply unit 26, it is not necessary for the identification information ID to be set internally. As a result, the monitoring unit 30 can be shared among the multiple battery modules M1-M3 constituting the battery system 100.

[0069] (Other embodiments) Each of the above embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0070] The number of battery modules is not limited to three, but may be two, four or more.

[0071] The external member may be a resistor connected to the monitoring unit 30. This resistor may be an internal resistor connected to the monitoring unit 30 inside the battery modules M1 to M3, or may be an internal resistor connected to the monitoring unit 30 outside the battery modules M1 to M3.

[0072] In the first and second embodiments, the temperature characteristics of the temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 are inverse characteristics in which the voltage decreases with an increase in temperature, but the present invention is not limited to this. The temperature characteristics may be direct characteristics in which the voltage increases with an increase in temperature.

[0073] In the first embodiment, when the temperature characteristic of the temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 is positive, the voltage corresponding to the outside air temperature range HG is lower than the voltage corresponding to the high temperature range HK in the specified voltage range HV. In this case, in accordance with this positive temperature characteristic, the voltage outside the specified voltage range HV generated at the unused terminal may be set to a voltage on the higher voltage side than the specified voltage range HV, and out-of-range data ND indicating a voltage value higher than the specified voltage range HV may be generated. The voltage value higher than the specified voltage range HV is, for example, 5.0V. This allows the voltage value difference between the temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 and the out-of-range data ND to be relatively large in the outside air temperature range HG.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the number of temperature sensors is not limited to three, and the number of terminals of the connector 34 is not limited to four. Therefore, the number of free terminals of the connector 34 is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

[0075] In the second embodiment, an example in which there is no free terminal in the connector 34 has been shown, but a free terminal may be provided in the connector 34, for example, by reducing one first sensor. In this case, the connection pattern of the first sensors THA1-THA2 and the second sensor THB1 to the terminals CH1-CH4 of the connector 34 may be different for each of the battery modules M1-M3. In this way, the connection pattern of each of the battery modules M1-M3 is set so that the combination of the free terminal and the terminal to which the second sensor THB1 is connected is different for each of the battery modules M1-M3. By using a combination of the free terminal and the terminal to which the second sensor THB1 is connected, it is possible to identify many battery modules without increasing the number of terminals of the connector 34.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the identification process and the identification information generation process are performed when the vehicle is started up, but this is not limited to the above. The identification process and the identification information generation process may be performed when the vehicle is assembled, or may be performed at a predetermined measurement interval.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the voltages indicated by the temperature data TDA1 to TDA3 change linearly with respect to the temperature change of the battery pack, but this is not limiting. The voltages may change nonlinearly, for example, exponentially with respect to the temperature change.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 and the monitoring unit 30 are not connected by a communication line, and the control unit 10 acquires the identification information ID and the like from the monitoring unit 30 by wireless communication, but this is not limited to the above. The control unit 10 and the monitoring unit 30 may be connected by a communication line, and the control unit 10 may acquire the identification information ID and the like from the monitoring unit 30 by wired communication. For example, when the control unit 10 and the multiple monitoring units 30 are connected in a ring shape by a communication line, the identification information ID can be generated based on the order in which the monitoring units 30 are connected, but instead, the identification information ID may be generated based on an electrical signal input from an external member. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 22 ... battery pack, 24 ... battery cell, 26 ... power supply unit, 30 ... monitoring unit, 100 ... battery system, ID ... identification information, M1 to M3 ... battery modules, THA1 to THA3 ... (first) temperature sensors, THB1 ... second temperature sensor.

Claims

1. A battery system (100) including a plurality of battery modules (M1 to M3) and a control unit (10), Each of the battery modules includes: An assembled battery (22) having a plurality of battery cells (24) connected in series; A monitoring unit (30) capable of communicating with the control unit and monitoring the battery pack; and an external member (THA1 to THA3, THB1, 26) electrically connected to the monitoring unit, the identification information determined for each of the battery modules is generated as different identification information for each of the battery modules in each of the monitoring units based on an electrical signal input from the external member, The control unit is an identification unit for identifying the battery module based on the identification information for each battery module; an abnormality determination unit that determines that an identification abnormality has occurred based on the fact that the plurality of battery modules includes an unidentifiable module, which is the battery module that cannot be identified based on the identification information; the abnormality determination unit, when the unidentifiable module is included in the plurality of battery modules, determines whether or not the number of the unidentifiable modules is one; A battery system in which, when the identification unit determines that the number of unidentifiable modules is one, it identifies the one unidentifiable module as a battery module associated with identification information that is not used to identify the battery module in a map in which identification information for all battery modules included in the battery system is stored.

2. The monitoring unit and the control unit are capable of wireless communication. The battery system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit identifies the battery module based on the identification information for each battery module, and notifies a request to replace the battery module based on a result of the identification of the battery module.

3. The battery system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit notifies the occurrence of the identification abnormality when the abnormality determination unit determines that the identification abnormality occurs.

4. The battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit notifies a request to replace the unidentifiable module when the abnormality determination unit determines that the identification abnormality occurs.

5. A battery system mounted on a vehicle, 5. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is not started when the abnormality determination unit determines that the identification abnormality occurs.

6. 6. The battery system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit of each of the battery modules is not provided with unique information for individually identifying the battery module.

7. The monitoring unit includes a connector (34) having a plurality of terminals (CH1 to CH4), In the connector, at least one of the plurality of terminals is an unused terminal, and the terminals other than the unused terminal are input terminals to which the electrical signal is input from the external member, The battery system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information is generated based on the electrical signal input to the input terminal.

8. The battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the external member is a resistor connected to the monitoring unit or a power supply unit (26) that supplies power to the monitoring unit.

9. A power supply system applied to a vehicle, The battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the identification information is generated for each battery module at least when the vehicle is started, at a predetermined interval after the vehicle is started, and when the power supply system is assembled to the vehicle.

10. Each of the battery modules includes a cell module (20) having the assembled battery, The battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the external member is a member that connects the monitoring unit and the cell module in each of the battery modules.

11. The battery system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the battery system is mounted on a vehicle, and voltage data of the assembled battery is wirelessly transmitted from the monitoring unit to the control unit.

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