JUDGMENT SYSTEM, VEHICLE AND JUDGMENT METHOD

Abstract

To determine whether or not a battery pack is a regular product even without charging / discharging it.SOLUTION: A battery ECU is a system for determining a battery pack in which electric power to be used for travel of a vehicle is stored and which is mounted on the vehicle in a replaceable state. The battery ECU comprises: a processor; a memory for storing regular product characteristics which are temperature change characteristics of a regular product while it is not under charge / discharge with respect to an index which is changed by a temperature of the battery pack; and a sensor for acquiring determination target characteristics which are temperature change characteristics while it is not under charge / discharge with respect to an index of a battery pack after replacement mounted on the vehicle. The processor compares the determination target characteristics acquired by the sensor with the regular product characteristics stored in the memory and determines, from a comparison result, whether or not the battery pack mounted on the vehicle is a regular product (step S122 and step S124).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a determination system, a vehicle, and a determination method, and in particular to a determination system for a secondary battery that stores power used to run the vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle in a replaceable state, a vehicle equipped with a determination system for a secondary battery, and a determination method using the determination system for a secondary battery that stores power used to run the vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle in a replaceable state. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, in order to provide a semiconductor device capable of detecting non-genuine battery cells with high accuracy, there was a technique for counting the number of charge / discharge cycles of a battery cell, measuring the charging rate and internal resistance of the battery cell, calculating the internal resistance of the battery cell at the time of shipment by normalizing the internal resistance based on the number of cycles, temperature, and charging rate, and performing a determination process as to whether the battery cell is non-genuine based on the internal resistance at the time of shipment (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-114437 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, genuine products are identified based on the internal resistance measured during charging. Therefore, even if the materials constituting the battery cells are different, if battery cells with the same internal resistance are assembled, the battery cells may be erroneously determined to be genuine.

[0005] This disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide a determination system, vehicle, and determination method that are capable of determining whether a secondary battery is genuine or not without charging and discharging the secondary battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The determination system according to this disclosure is a determination system for a secondary battery that stores power used for running the vehicle and is mounted on a vehicle in a replaceable state, and includes a processor, a storage device that stores genuine product characteristics that are temperature change characteristics of an indicator that changes with the temperature of the secondary battery when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged, and a characteristic acquisition unit that acquires a determination target characteristic that is the temperature change characteristic of an indicator of a replaced secondary battery mounted on the vehicle when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged. The processor compares the determination target characteristic acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristics stored in the storage device, and determines whether the secondary battery mounted on the vehicle is genuine or not from the comparison result.

[0007] With this configuration, the characteristics to be determined, which are the temperature change characteristics of the acquired indicators of the replaced secondary battery mounted on the vehicle when not being charged or discharged, are compared with the genuine product characteristics, which are the temperature change characteristics of the stored indicators that change with the temperature of the secondary battery when not being charged or discharged, and it is determined from the comparison result whether the secondary battery mounted on the vehicle is genuine or not. As a result, it is possible to provide a determination system that can determine whether a secondary battery is genuine or not without charging or discharging the secondary battery.

[0008] The indicator may be an open circuit voltage of the secondary battery. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the secondary battery is genuine or not using the open circuit voltage of the secondary battery without charging or discharging the secondary battery.

[0009] The secondary battery may be configured to include a plurality of cells, and the indicator may be a binding load binding the plurality of cells. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the secondary battery is genuine or not by using the binding load binding the plurality of cells of the secondary battery, without charging or discharging the secondary battery.

[0010] Furthermore, the binding load may be a binding load at a predetermined open circuit voltage. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the secondary battery is genuine or not by using the binding load that binds the multiple cells of the secondary battery at a predetermined open circuit voltage, without charging or discharging the secondary battery.

[0011] The secondary battery is composed of a plurality of cells, and the indicators are the open circuit voltage of the secondary battery and the binding load binding the plurality of cells. The processor compares the characteristic to be judged, the open circuit voltage acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit, with the genuine product characteristic to determine whether the difference is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and if it is determined that the difference is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determines that the secondary battery is not genuine; if it is determined that the difference is less than the first threshold, compares the characteristic to be judged, the binding load acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit, with the genuine product characteristic to determine whether the difference is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and if it is determined that the difference is greater than or equal to the second threshold, determines that the secondary battery is not genuine; and if it is determined that the difference is less than the second threshold, determines that the secondary battery is genuine.

[0012] With this configuration, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not a secondary battery is genuine, using the open circuit voltage of the secondary battery and the binding load binding a plurality of cells, without charging and discharging the secondary battery.

[0013] The secondary battery may be configured to include a plurality of cells, and the indicators may be an open circuit voltage of the secondary battery and a binding load binding the plurality of cells. If a representative value of the temperature at which the characteristic acquisition unit acquired the characteristic to be judged of the open circuit voltage is in a first temperature range, the processor may compare the characteristic to be judged of the open circuit voltage acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with a genuine product characteristic to determine whether the difference is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, and if a representative value of the temperature at which the characteristic acquisition unit acquired the characteristic to be judged of the binding load is in a second temperature range different from the first temperature range, the processor may compare the characteristic to be judged of the binding load acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with a genuine product characteristic to determine whether the difference is equal to or greater than a second threshold value, and if it determines that the difference is equal to or greater than the first threshold value or the second threshold value, it may determine that the secondary battery is not genuine, and if it determines that the difference is less than the first threshold value or the second threshold value, it may determine that the secondary battery is genuine.

[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not a secondary battery is genuine, using the open circuit voltage of the secondary battery and the binding load binding a plurality of cells, without charging and discharging the secondary battery.

[0015] The memory device may store information capable of identifying a graph showing the relationship between the index value and the temperature of the secondary battery as genuine product characteristics, and the processor may compare the index values ​​for each of the multiple changed temperatures acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the graph.

[0016] According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether the secondary battery is genuine or not without charging and discharging the secondary battery.

[0017] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a vehicle is equipped with a secondary battery determination system. The secondary battery stores power used for running the vehicle and is installed in a replaceable state. The determination system includes a processor, a storage device that stores genuine product characteristics that are temperature change characteristics of an index that changes with the temperature of the secondary battery, when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged, and a characteristic acquisition unit that acquires a determination target characteristic that is a temperature change characteristic of an index of a replaced secondary battery installed in the vehicle, when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged. The processor compares the determination target characteristic acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristics stored in the storage device, and determines whether the secondary battery installed in the vehicle is genuine or not from the comparison result.

[0018] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle that is capable of determining whether or not the secondary battery is genuine without charging and discharging the secondary battery.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the determination method is a determination method by a determination system for a secondary battery that stores power used for running the vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle in a replaceable state. The determination system includes a processor, a storage device that stores genuine product characteristics that are temperature change characteristics of an index that changes with the temperature of the secondary battery when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged, and a characteristic acquisition unit that acquires a determination target characteristic that is a temperature change characteristic of an index of a replaced secondary battery mounted on the vehicle when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged. The determination method includes a step in which the processor compares the determination target characteristic acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristics stored in the storage device, and a step in which the processor judges whether the secondary battery mounted on the vehicle is genuine or not from the comparison result.

[0020] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a method for determining whether a secondary battery is genuine or not, without charging and discharging the secondary battery. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a determination system, a vehicle, and a determination method that are capable of determining whether a secondary battery is genuine or not without charging and discharging the secondary battery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the overall configuration of a vehicle equipped with a determination system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a battery pack according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view showing an example of a cell configuration. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a battery determination process in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a graph showing changes in open circuit voltage with respect to temperature changes for genuine and non-genuine battery packs according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a battery determination process in a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a graph showing a change in restraint load with respect to a change in temperature at the same open circuit voltage for a genuine and a non-genuine battery pack according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a battery determination process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a battery determination process according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0024] In the following embodiment, an example in which the "determination system" according to the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle will be described. However, the use of the "determination system" according to the present disclosure is not limited to vehicle use, and may be, for example, a stationary use.

[0025] [First embodiment] <System configuration> 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of a vehicle 1 equipped with a determination system according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle). However, the type of vehicle 1 is not limited to this as long as it is a vehicle equipped with a battery pack. The vehicle 1 may be a hybrid vehicle (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).

[0026] The vehicle 1 includes an inlet 10, an AC / DC converter 20, a charge relay (CHR) 30, a battery pack 40, a motor generator (MG) 8, a power control unit (PCU) 50, a motor generator (MG) 60, and an integrated electronic control unit (ECU) 70. The battery pack 40 includes a battery pack 41, a monitoring unit 42, and a battery ECU 43 serving as a determination system.

[0027] The inlet 10 is configured so that a charging connector provided at the tip of a charging cable 91 can be inserted into it. The charging cable 91 electrically connects the vehicle 1 to an external power source (for example, a system power source) 92 installed outside the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is configured so that "plug-in charging" is possible, in which the battery pack 41 is charged using power supplied from the external power source 92.

[0028] AC / DC converter 20 is electrically connected between inlet 10 and charging relay 30. AC / DC converter 20 converts AC power supplied from external power source 92 via inlet 10 into DC power, and outputs the DC power to charging relay 30. AC / DC converter 20 also converts DC power supplied from battery pack 41 (or PCU 50) via charging relay 30 into AC power, and outputs the AC power to inlet 10.

[0029] The charging relay 30 is electrically connected to a power line connecting the AC / DC converter 20 and the battery pack 41. The charging relay 30 is opened / closed in response to a control signal from the integrated ECU .

[0030] The battery pack 41 stores power for driving the motor generator 60 and supplies the power to the motor generator 60 via the PCU 50. During plug-in charging, the battery pack 41 is charged with power output from the AC / DC converter 20. Furthermore, the battery pack 41 is charged by receiving the generated power via the PCU 50 when the motor generator 60 is generating power (such as during regenerative power generation).

[0031] The monitoring unit 42 includes a voltage sensor 421, a current sensor 422, a temperature sensor 423, and a load sensor 424. The voltage sensor 421 detects the voltage V of the assembled battery 41. The current sensor 422 detects the current I input to and output from the assembled battery 41. The temperature sensor 423 includes a thermistor or a thermocouple, and detects the temperature T of the assembled battery 41. The load sensor 424 detects the load L of the assembled battery 41 (described later). Each sensor outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the battery ECU 43.

[0032] The battery ECU 43 includes a processor 431 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory 432 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an input / output port (not shown) for inputting and outputting various signals. The battery ECU 43 manages the battery pack 41 in cooperation with the integrated ECU 70 based on input of signals from each sensor of the monitoring unit 42 and maps and programs stored in the memory 432. In this embodiment, a main process executed by the battery ECU 43 is a "determination process" for determining whether the battery pack 41 is a genuine product. The determination process by the battery ECU 43 will be described later.

[0033] The PCU 50 includes, for example, an inverter and a converter, and performs bidirectional power conversion between the battery pack 41 and the motor generator 60 in accordance with a control signal from the integrated ECU 70.

[0034] The motor generator 60 is, for example, a three-phase AC rotating electric machine with a permanent magnet embedded in the rotor. The motor generator 60 rotates a drive shaft using power supplied from the battery pack 41. The motor generator 60 can also generate power through regenerative braking. The AC power generated by the motor generator 60 is converted to DC power by the PCU 50 and charged into the battery pack 41.

[0035] The integrated ECU 70 includes a processor, a memory, and an input / output port (none of which are shown), similar to the battery ECU 43. The integrated ECU 70 controls the devices (AC / DC converter 20, charging relay 30, and PCU 50) so that the vehicle 1 is in a desired state, based on the input of signals from the various sensors provided in the vehicle 1 and the maps and programs stored in the memory. The integrated ECU 70 controls the charging and discharging of the battery pack 41, for example, by controlling the AC / DC converter 20 and / or the PCU 50. The ECUs mounted on the vehicle 1 may be configured as an integrated unit or may be configured as separate units for each function, as appropriate.

[0036] <Battery assembly structure> Fig. 2 is a perspective view that shows a schematic structure of a battery pack 41 in this embodiment. The battery pack 41 includes a plurality of stacks 410 (also called modules or blocks). The plurality of stacks 410 may be connected in series or in parallel to each other. Fig. 1 shows one of the plurality of stacks 410 as a representative example.

[0037] The stack 410 includes a plurality of cells 81, a plurality of resin frames 82, a pair of end plates 83, and a pair of restraining bands 84. In the stack 410, a laminate is formed by stacking the plurality of cells 81 and the plurality of resin frames 82. Hereinafter, the height direction of the laminate is referred to as HG, the length direction (stacking direction) of the laminate is referred to as LN, and the width direction of the laminate is referred to as WD.

[0038] Each of the multiple cells 81 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, an all-solid-state battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The number of cells included in the stack 410 is not particularly limited. Each cell 81 has a common configuration. The configuration of the cell 81 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0039] Each of the multiple resin frames 82 is disposed between two cells 81 adjacent to each other in the stacking direction LN.

[0040] The pair of end plates 83 are disposed at one end and the other end of the stack in the stacking direction LN. That is, the end plates 83 are disposed so as to sandwich the stack from both sides in the stacking direction LN.

[0041] The pair of restraining bands 84 are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the resin frame 82. The restraining bands 84 restrain the pair of end plates 83 that sandwich the laminate between them.

[0042] 3 is a transparent perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the cell 81. In this example, the cell 81 is a lithium ion battery.

[0043] The cell 81 is a square cell having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The upper surface of the case of the cell 81 is sealed by a lid 811. The lid 811 is provided with a positive electrode terminal 812 and a negative electrode terminal 813. One end of each of the positive electrode terminal 812 and the negative electrode terminal 813 protrudes from the lid 811 to the outside. The other end of each of the positive electrode terminal 812 and the negative electrode terminal 813 is electrically connected to an internal positive electrode terminal and an internal negative electrode terminal (neither of which are shown) inside the case, respectively. Although not shown, two adjacent cells 81 are electrically connected to each other by a bus bar.

[0044] An electrode body 814 is housed inside the case. The electrode body 814 is formed, for example, by stacking a positive electrode 815 and a negative electrode 816 with a separator 817 between them, and then winding them into a cylindrical shape. An electrolyte is held in the positive electrode 815, the negative electrode 816, the separator 817, etc. It is also possible to adopt a laminate as the electrode body 814 instead of the wound body.

[0045] The positive electrode 815, the negative electrode 816, the separator 817, and the electrolyte may be of the conventionally known configuration and materials as the positive electrode, the negative electrode, the separator, and the electrolyte of a lithium ion secondary battery. 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 The negative electrode 816 includes a negative electrode mixture of graphite (C) and a negative electrode foil of copper (Cu). The separator may be made of polyolefin (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene). The electrolyte includes an organic solvent (e.g., a mixed solvent of DMC (dimethyl carbonate), EMC (ethyl methyl carbonate), and EC (ethylene carbonate), a lithium salt (e.g., LiPF6), and an additive (e.g., LiBOB (lithium bis(oxalate)borate) or Li[PF2(C2O4)2]).

[0046] <Determination of battery pack 41> It is conceivable that the above-mentioned battery pack 41 can be identified as genuine based on the internal resistance measured during charging. In this case, even if the materials constituting the cells 81 of the battery pack 41 are different, if cells 81 having the same internal resistance are assembled, there is a possibility that the battery pack 41 will be erroneously determined to be genuine.

[0047] Therefore, the memory 432 of the battery ECU 43 stores genuine product characteristics, which are temperature change characteristics of the indicators that change with the temperature of the battery pack 41 (for example, the open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery pack 41, and the load L that restrains the stack 410 of the battery pack 41) of the genuine product when not being charged or discharged. A characteristic acquisition unit (for example, the voltage sensor 421, the load sensor 424) acquires a judgment target characteristic, which is the temperature change characteristic of the indicators of the replaced battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 when not being charged or discharged. The processor 431 of the battery ECU 43 compares the judgment target characteristic acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristics stored in the memory 432, and judges whether the battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 is genuine or not from the comparison result.

[0048] Thus, the obtained characteristic to be determined, which is the temperature change characteristic of the indicators of the replaced battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 when not being charged or discharged, is compared with the genuine product characteristic, which is the temperature change characteristic of the stored indicators of the battery pack 41 that change with temperature when not being charged or discharged, and it is determined from the comparison result whether the battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 is genuine or not. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine or not without charging or discharging the battery pack 41.

[0049] 2, a load sensor 424 is provided in the stacking direction LN of the stack of each stack 410. The load sensor 424 includes a load cell, a tactile sensor, or the like. The load sensor 424 measures a change in the load restraining the stack 410 that accompanies a change in temperature of the battery pack 41 when not being charged or discharged.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the battery determination process of the first embodiment. This battery determination process is called from a higher-level process at a predetermined cycle and executed by the processor 431 of the battery ECU 43. Referring to Fig. 4, the processor 431 of the battery ECU 43 determines whether or not the ignition switch (also called a "power switch") is immediately turned off (step S111). "Immediately after being turned off" refers to a relatively short time after being turned off, and may be, for example, a predetermined number of cycles (e.g., the first time) after the off state is detected, or a predetermined number of seconds (e.g., one second) after the off state is detected.

[0051] If it is determined that the ignition switch has just been turned off (YES in step S111), the processor 431 obtains the battery temperature T0 and the open circuit voltage V0 of the battery pack 41 from the detection values ​​of the temperature sensor 423 and the voltage sensor 421, respectively (step S112).

[0052] After step S112, or if it is determined that the ignition switch has not been turned off immediately (NO in step S111), processor 431 determines whether it is a predetermined timing after the ignition switch has been turned off (step S113). The predetermined timing after the ignition switch has been turned off may be, for example, a predetermined period (e.g., 1 hour) after the ignition switch has been turned off, or may be after the battery temperature has changed (e.g., dropped) by a predetermined temperature (e.g., 10° C.) after the ignition switch has been turned off. The predetermined timing may be predetermined, for example, every predetermined period, or every time the battery temperature changes (e.g., dropped) by a predetermined temperature (e.g., 5° C.).

[0053] If it is determined that it is a predetermined timing after the ignition switch is turned off (YES in step S113), the processor 431 obtains the battery temperature Tn and the open circuit voltage Vn of the battery pack 41 from the detection values ​​of the temperature sensor 423 and the voltage sensor 421, respectively (step S114).

[0054] After step S114 or when it is determined that it is not the predetermined timing after the ignition switch is turned off (NO in step S113), the processor 431 determines whether it is the timing to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine (step S121). The timing to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine may be, for example, immediately after the ignition switch is turned on, or may be a timing after a specific period (for example, a predetermined time such as 5 hours) has elapsed since the ignition switch was turned off. Immediately after being turned on means after a relatively short time has elapsed since being turned on, and may be, for example, a predetermined cycle a predetermined number of times (for example, the first time) after it is detected that it is turned on, or a predetermined number of seconds (for example, one second) after it is detected that it is turned on.

[0055] If it is determined that it is time for judgment (YES in step S121), the processor 431 compares the change in open circuit voltage associated with the temperature change of the genuine product corresponding to the battery temperature T0 when the ignition switch is turned off, which is stored in the memory 432, with the change in open circuit voltage acquired in steps S112 and S114 (step S122).

[0056] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the change in open circuit voltage with respect to the temperature change of genuine and non-genuine battery pack 41 in this embodiment. The open circuit voltage is the voltage when no current is applied to battery pack 41. Referring to FIG. 5, this graph is a graph in which the temperature of battery pack 41 immediately after the ignition switch is turned off is 25° C. Memory 432 of battery ECU 43 prestores at least data showing the graph of genuine battery pack 41, but data showing the graph of non-genuine battery pack 41 may also be stored. Furthermore, memory 432 of battery ECU 43 prestores data showing respective graphs of a plurality of temperatures (for example, temperatures at predetermined temperatures (for example, 1° C.) in a predetermined range (for example, −30° C. to +50° C.)) of battery pack 41 immediately after the ignition switch is turned off.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 5, for the genuine product and the non-genuine product A, as the temperature of the battery pack 41 drops from 25°C, the voltage difference with the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41 immediately after the ignition switch is turned off gradually increases in the negative direction. In other words, the open circuit voltage decreases as the temperature drops. On the other hand, for the non-genuine product B, as the temperature of the battery pack 41 drops from 25°C, the voltage difference with the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41 immediately after the ignition switch is turned off increases in the positive direction. In other words, the open circuit voltage increases as the temperature drops.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 4, processor 431 determines whether or not the difference between the acquired open circuit voltage for acquired temperatures T0, Tn and the value of the graph is equal to or greater than a first threshold value as a result of the comparison in step S122 (step S123).

[0059] When it is determined that the difference is less than the first threshold value (NO in step S123), the processor 431 determines that the current replaced assembled battery 41 mounted in the vehicle 1 is a genuine product (step S126).

[0060] On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (YES in step S123), the processor 431 determines that the current replaced battery pack 41 installed in the vehicle 1 is a non-genuine product (step S127) and executes a warning process (step S128). The warning process may be, for example, a process of issuing a warning through an HMI (Human Machine Interface) of the vehicle 1, a process of transmitting information indicating a warning to an external server such as a server of the manufacturer of the vehicle 1, or a process of transmitting information indicating a warning from the external server to a mobile terminal or the like of the user of the vehicle 1.

[0061] After step S126, after step S128, or when it is determined that it is not the determination timing (NO in step S121), processor 431 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this battery determination process.

[0062] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the index used to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine is the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41. In the second embodiment, the index used to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine is the binding load of the stack 410 of the battery pack 41.

[0063] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the battery determination process of the second embodiment. This battery determination process is called from a higher-level process at predetermined intervals and executed by the processor 431 of the battery ECU 43. In Fig. 6, the processes with the same step numbers as those in Fig. 4 are the same processes as those in Fig. 4, so that redundant description will not be repeated.

[0064] If it is determined that the ignition switch has just been turned off (YES in step S111), the processor 431 obtains the battery temperature T0, the open circuit voltage V0, and the restraining load L0 of the battery pack 41 from the detection values ​​of the temperature sensor 423, the voltage sensor 421, and the load sensor 424, respectively (step S112A).

[0065] If it is determined that it is a predetermined timing after the ignition switch is turned off (YES in step S113), the processor 431 acquires the battery temperature Tn, the open circuit voltage Vn, and the restraining load L0 of the battery pack 41 from the detection values ​​of the temperature sensor 423, the voltage sensor 421, and the load sensor 424, respectively (step S114A).

[0066] If it is determined that it is time for judgment (YES in step S121), the processor 431 compares the change in the restraint load associated with the temperature change of a genuine product having the same open circuit voltage V0 and corresponding to the battery temperature T0 when the ignition switch is turned off, which is stored in the memory 432, with the change in the restraint load acquired in step S112A and step S114A (step S124).

[0067] FIG. 7 is a graph showing the change in binding load at the same open circuit voltage against the temperature change of genuine and non-genuine battery pack 41 in this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, this graph is for the case where the temperature of battery pack 41 immediately after the ignition switch is turned off is 10° C. Memory 432 of battery ECU 43 prestores at least data showing the graph for genuine battery pack 41, but data showing the graph for non-genuine battery pack 41 may also be stored. Also, memory 432 of battery ECU 43 prestores data showing respective graphs of a plurality of temperatures (for example, temperatures at predetermined temperatures (for example, 1° C.) in a predetermined range (for example, from −30° C. to +50° C.)) of battery pack 41 immediately after the ignition switch is turned off.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, the increase in the load loss of the restraining load as the temperature of the battery pack 41 decreases from 10° C. differs between the genuine product and the non-genuine product.

[0069] Returning to FIG. 6, processor 431 determines whether the difference between the load loss amount, which is the difference between the acquired restraint load Ln and the restraint load L0 for the acquired temperature Tn, and the value on the graph is greater than or equal to a second threshold value as a result of the comparison in step S122 (step S125).

[0070] If it is determined that the difference is less than the second threshold (NO in step S125), processor 431 executes the process of step S126 described in Fig. 4. On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the second threshold (YES in step S125), processor 431 executes the processes of steps S127 and S128 described in Fig. 4.

[0071] [Third embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, for example, one of a plurality of indexes such as the open circuit voltage and the binding load is compared with an index of a genuine product to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine. In the third embodiment, two or more of the plurality of indexes are used in stages to compare with an index of a genuine product to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine.

[0072] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the battery determination process of the third embodiment. This battery determination process is called from a higher-level process at predetermined intervals and executed by the processor 431 of the battery ECU 43. In Fig. 8, the processes with the same step numbers as Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 are the same processes as Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, so that redundant description will not be repeated.

[0073] In FIG. 8, when processor 431 determines in step S123 in FIG. 4 that the difference between the temperatures is not equal to or greater than the first threshold value (NO), it executes the processing in and after step S124 in FIG.

[0074] [Fourth embodiment] In the third embodiment, two or more of the multiple indicators are used in stages to compare with the indicator of the genuine product to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine. In the fourth embodiment, different indicators among the multiple indicators depending on the temperature range of the battery pack 41 are used to compare with the indicator of the genuine product to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine.

[0075] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the battery determination process of the fourth embodiment. This battery determination process is called from a higher-level process at predetermined intervals and executed by the processor 431 of the battery ECU 43. In Fig. 9, the processes with the same step numbers as Figs. 4, 6 and 8 are the same processes as Figs. 4, 6 and 8, so that redundant description will not be repeated.

[0076] Steps S111 to S114A are the same as those in Figures 6 and 8. If it is determined that the timing is not the same as after step S114A or the predetermined timing after the ignition switch is turned off (NO in step S113), processor 431 determines whether it is the timing to determine whether battery pack 41 is a genuine product (step S131), similar to step S121 in Figures 4, 6, and 8. If it is determined that it is not the timing to determine whether battery pack 41 is a genuine product (NO in step S131), processor 431 returns the process to be executed to the higher-level process that called this battery determination process.

[0077] On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the judgment timing (YES in step S131), the processor 431 determines whether the battery temperature T0 of the battery pack 41 immediately after the ignition is turned off, which is acquired in step S112A, is within a predetermined range (step S132). Here, the predetermined range is a temperature range of the battery pack 41 in which the accuracy of the comparison with a genuine product using the open circuit voltage can be compared with the accuracy of the comparison with a genuine product using the restraint load.

[0078] If it is determined that the battery temperature T0 is within the predetermined range (YES in step S132), the processor 431 compares the change in open circuit voltage associated with the temperature change of the genuine product corresponding to the battery temperature T0 when the ignition switch is turned off, which is stored in the memory 432, with the change in open circuit voltage acquired in steps S112 and S114 (step S133), as in step S122 of Figures 4 and 8.

[0079] Similar to step S123 in FIGS. 4 and 8, processor 431 determines, as a result of the comparison in step S133, whether the difference between the acquired open circuit voltage for the acquired temperatures T0, Tn and the value of the graph shown in FIG. 5 is greater than or equal to a first threshold value (step S134).

[0080] If it is determined that the difference is less than the first threshold value (NO in step S134), similar to step S126 in Figures 4, 6, and 8, the processor 431 determines that the current replaced battery pack 41 installed in the vehicle 1 is a genuine product (step S151).

[0081] On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (YES in step S134), similar to steps S127 and S128 in Figures 4, 6, and 8, respectively, the processor 431 determines that the current replaced battery pack 41 installed in the vehicle 1 is a non-genuine product (step S152) and executes a warning process (step S153).

[0082] If it is determined that the battery temperature T0 is not within the specified range (NO in step S132), the processor 431 compares the change in the restraint load associated with the temperature change of a genuine product with the same open circuit voltage V0 and corresponding to the battery temperature T0 when the ignition switch is turned off, which is stored in memory 432, as in step S124 of Figures 6 and 8, with the change in the restraint load acquired in step S112A and step S114A (step S141).

[0083] As in step S125 of Figures 6 and 8, processor 431 determines, as a result of the comparison in step S141, whether the difference between the load loss amount, which is the difference between the acquired restraint load Ln and the restraint load L0 for the acquired temperature Tn, and the value of the graph shown in Figure 7 is greater than or equal to a second threshold value (step S142).

[0084] If it is determined that the difference is less than the second threshold (NO in step S142), processor 431 executes the process of step S151 described above. On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the second threshold (YES in step S142), processor 431 executes the processes of steps S152 and S153 described above.

[0085] [Variations] (1) In the above-described embodiment, the index value is acquired immediately after the ignition is turned off and at a predetermined timing, as shown in Figures 4, 6, 8, and 9. However, this is not limited to this, and the timing at which the index value is acquired may be other timing, as shown in steps S111 and S113 of Figure 4.

[0086] (2) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in step S122 in Figures 4 and 8, step S124 in Figures 6 and 8, and step S133 and step S141 in Figure 9, a battery is determined to be genuine when the difference between the open circuit voltage or binding load at the same battery temperature is less than a predetermined threshold. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the method of comparing the acquired open circuit voltage or binding load value with the graph of a genuine battery may be any other method as long as it compares the degree of agreement between the two values. For example, the degree of agreement may be evaluated by comparing an approximation line of the acquired multiple values ​​with the graph.

[0087] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the changes in the restraining load are compared for the same open circuit voltage as shown in step S124 in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 and step S141 in Fig. 9. However, this is not limited to this, and the changes in the restraining load may be compared assuming that the open circuit voltages are the same regardless of whether the open circuit voltages are the same or not.

[0088] (4) In the embodiment described above, the battery ECU 43 serving as the determination system of the vehicle 1 determines whether the battery pack 41 is genuine. However, this is not limited to this, and the device that determines whether the battery pack 41 is genuine is not limited to the battery ECU 43 serving as the determination system, and may be an external device (data logger, server) that can communicate with the vehicle 1.

[0089] When the determination system is the battery ECU 43, the acquisition unit that acquires the temperature change characteristics of the indicators (e.g., open circuit voltage, restraint load) of the replaced battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 when not being charged or discharged is a sensor (e.g., voltage sensor 421, load sensor 424) provided in the vehicle 1. When the determination system is an external device, such an acquisition unit may be a communication unit of the external device that acquires the sensor values ​​from the vehicle 1.

[0090] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the predetermined timing of step S113 in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 may be a single timing or a plurality of timings, as described above.

[0091] (6) The above-described embodiments can be understood as disclosure of a determination system such as the battery ECU 43, or a vehicle 1 including the determination system, or as disclosure of a determination method or determination program executed by the determination system or vehicle 1, or as disclosure of an external device that executes the determination method or determination program.

[0092] [summary] (1) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the determination system (e.g., battery ECU 43, external device) is a system that stores power used for driving the vehicle 1 and determines the battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 in a replaceable state, and includes a processor (e.g., processor 431. If the determination system is an external device, the CPU of the external device), a storage device (e.g., memory 432. If the determination system is an external device, the memory of the external device) that stores genuine product characteristics that are the temperature change characteristics of a genuine product when the indicators that change with the temperature of the battery pack 41 are not being charged or discharged, and a characteristic acquisition unit (e.g., voltage sensor 421, load sensor 424. If the determination system is an external device, a communication unit) that acquires the determination target characteristic that is the temperature change characteristics of an indicator of the replaced battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 when not being charged or discharged. As shown in Figures 4, 6, 8 and 9, the processor compares the characteristics to be judged acquired by the characteristics acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristics stored in the storage device, and determines whether the battery pack 41 installed in the vehicle 1 is a genuine product based on the comparison result (for example, step S122 in Figures 4 and 8, step S124 in Figures 6 and 8, step S133 and step S141 in Figure 9).

[0093] Thus, the obtained characteristic to be determined, which is the temperature change characteristic of the indicators of the replaced battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 when not being charged or discharged, is compared with the genuine product characteristic, which is the temperature change characteristic of the stored indicators of the battery pack 41 that change with temperature when not being charged or discharged, and it is determined from the comparison result whether the battery pack 41 mounted on the vehicle 1 is genuine or not. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine or not without charging or discharging the battery pack 41.

[0094] (2) As shown in Figures 4, 8, and 9, the indicator may be the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41. In this way, it is possible to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine or not using the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41 without charging or discharging the battery pack 41.

[0095] (3) As shown in Fig. 2, the battery pack 41 includes a plurality of stacks 410. As shown in Figs. 6, 8, and 9, the indicator may be a binding load binding the plurality of stacks 410. In this way, even if the battery pack 41 is not charged or discharged, it is possible to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine or not by using the binding load binding the plurality of stacks 410 of the battery pack 41.

[0096] (4) As shown in Figures 6, 8, and 9, the binding load may be a binding load at a predetermined open circuit voltage. In this way, even if the battery pack 41 is not charged or discharged, it is possible to determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine or not by using the binding load that binds the multiple stacks 410 of the battery pack 41 at the predetermined open circuit voltage.

[0097] (5) As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 41 includes a plurality of stacks 410. As shown in FIG. 8, the indicators are the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41 and the binding load binding the multiple stacks 410, and the processor may compare the characteristic to be judged of the open circuit voltage acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristics (for example, step S122), determine whether the difference is equal to or greater than a first threshold (for example, step S123), and if it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the first threshold, determine that the secondary battery is not genuine (for example, step S127), and if it is determined that the difference is less than the first threshold, compare the characteristic to be judged of the binding load acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristics (for example, step S124), determine whether the difference is equal to or greater than a second threshold (for example, step S125), and if it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the second threshold, determine that the secondary battery is not genuine (for example, step S127), and if it is determined that the difference is less than the second threshold, determine that the secondary battery is genuine (for example, step S126).

[0098] This makes it possible to more accurately determine whether or not the battery pack 41 is genuine, using the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41 and the binding load binding the plurality of stacks 410 together, without charging or discharging the battery pack 41.

[0099] (6) As shown in Fig. 2, the battery pack 41 includes a plurality of stacks 410. As shown in Fig. 9, the indicators are the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41 and the binding load binding the plurality of stacks 410, and when a representative value of the temperature at which the characteristic acquisition unit acquires the determination target characteristic of the open circuit voltage is within a first temperature range (for example, a predetermined range) (for example, when determining YES in step S132), the processor compares the determination target characteristic of the open circuit voltage acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristic (for example, step S133), determines whether the difference is equal to or greater than a first threshold value (for example, step S134), and determines whether the representative value of the temperature at which the characteristic acquisition unit acquires the determination target characteristic of the binding load is within the first temperature range (for example, a predetermined range). If the second temperature range is different from the first threshold (for example, a range different from the predetermined range) (for example, if NO is determined in step S132), the characteristics to be judged of the restraint load acquired by the characteristics acquisition unit may be compared with the genuine product characteristics (for example, step S141), and it may be determined whether the difference is equal to or greater than a second threshold (for example, step S142). If it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the first threshold or the second threshold, it may be determined that the secondary battery is not genuine (for example, step S152), and if it is determined that the difference is less than the first threshold or the second threshold, it may be determined that the secondary battery is genuine (for example, step S151).

[0100] This makes it possible to more accurately determine whether or not the battery pack 41 is genuine, using the open circuit voltage of the battery pack 41 and the binding load binding the plurality of stacks 410 together, without charging or discharging the battery pack 41.

[0101] (7) As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the storage device stores information capable of identifying a graph showing the relationship between the index value and the temperature of the secondary battery as a genuine product characteristic. As shown in Figures 4, 6, 8 and 9, the processor may compare the changed index values ​​for each of a plurality of temperatures acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the graph (for example, step S122 in Figures 4 and 8, step S124 in Figures 6 and 8, step S133 and step S141 in Figure 9).

[0102] This makes it possible to accurately determine whether the battery pack 41 is genuine or not without charging or discharging it.

[0103] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 vehicle, 10 inlet, 20 converter, 30 charging relay, 40 battery pack, 41 battery pack, 42 ​​monitoring unit, 43 battery ECU, 50 PCU, 60 motor generator, 70 ECU, 81 cell, 82 resin frame, 83 end plate, 84 restraining band, 91 charging cable, 92 external power supply, 410 stack, 421 voltage sensor, 422 current sensor, 423 temperature sensor, 424 load sensor, 431 processor, 432 memory, 811 lid, 812 positive terminal, 813 negative terminal, 814 electrode body, 815 positive electrode, 816 negative electrode, 817 separator.

Claims

1. A determination system for a secondary battery that stores electric power used for running a vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle in a replaceable state, comprising: A processor; a storage device that stores a genuine product characteristic, which is a temperature change characteristic of a genuine product when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged, of an index that changes with temperature of the secondary battery; a characteristic acquisition unit that acquires a judgment target characteristic, which is a temperature change characteristic of the indicator of the replaced secondary battery mounted on the vehicle when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged; The processor, comparing the judgment target characteristic acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristic stored in the storage device; determining whether the secondary battery installed in the vehicle is a genuine product based on a comparison result; The secondary battery is configured to include a plurality of cells, A judgment system, wherein the index is a restraining load binding a plurality of the cells.

2. The determination system according to claim 1 , wherein the indicator is an open circuit voltage of the secondary battery in addition to the restraining load.

3. The determination system according to claim 1 , wherein the restraining load is a load when a predetermined open circuit voltage is reached.

4. The processor, comparing the judgment target characteristic of the open circuit voltage acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristic to determine whether or not a difference therebetween is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; If it is determined that the value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, it is determined that the secondary battery is not a genuine product; When it is determined that the restraint load is less than the first threshold value, the determination target characteristic of the restraint load acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit is compared with the genuine product characteristic to determine whether or not a difference therebetween is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; If it is determined that the second threshold value is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that the secondary battery is not a genuine product; The determination system according to claim 2 , wherein when it is determined that the difference is less than the second threshold, it is determined that the secondary battery is the genuine product.

5. The processor, When a representative value of the temperature at which the characteristic acquisition unit acquires the judgment target characteristic of the open circuit voltage is within a first temperature range, the judgment target characteristic of the open circuit voltage acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit is compared with the genuine product characteristic to determine whether or not a difference therebetween is equal to or greater than a first threshold value; When a representative value of the temperature at which the characteristic acquisition unit acquires the judgment target characteristic of the restraining load is in a second temperature range different from the first temperature range, the judgment target characteristic of the restraining load acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit is compared with the genuine product characteristic to determine whether or not a difference therebetween is equal to or greater than a second threshold value; If it is determined that the detected value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value or equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that the secondary battery is not a genuine product; The determination system according to claim 2 , wherein when it is determined that the difference is less than the first threshold value or less than the second threshold value, it is determined that the secondary battery is the genuine product.

6. the storage device stores, as the genuine product characteristics, information capable of identifying a graph showing a relationship between the value of the index and a temperature of the secondary battery; The determination system according to claim 1 , wherein the processor compares the values ​​of the index for each of the plurality of changed temperatures acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the graph.

7. A vehicle equipped with a secondary battery determination system, the secondary battery stores electric power used for running the vehicle and is mounted in a replaceable state; The determination system comprises: A processor; a storage device that stores a genuine product characteristic, which is a temperature change characteristic of a genuine product when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged, of an index that changes with temperature of the secondary battery; a characteristic acquisition unit that acquires a judgment target characteristic, which is a temperature change characteristic of the indicator of the replaced secondary battery mounted on the vehicle when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged; The processor, comparing the judgment target characteristic acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristic stored in the storage device; determining whether the secondary battery installed in the vehicle is a genuine product based on a comparison result; The secondary battery is configured to include a plurality of cells, A vehicle, wherein the indicator is a restraining load binding a plurality of the cells.

8. A method for judging a secondary battery by a judgment system for a secondary battery which stores electric power used for running a vehicle and is mounted on the vehicle in a replaceable state, comprising: The determination system comprises: A processor; a storage device that stores a genuine product characteristic, which is a temperature change characteristic of a genuine product when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged, of an index that changes with temperature of the secondary battery; a characteristic acquisition unit that acquires a judgment target characteristic, which is a temperature change characteristic of the indicator of the replaced secondary battery mounted on the vehicle when the secondary battery is not being charged or discharged; The method includes the processor: A step of comparing the judgment target characteristic acquired by the characteristic acquisition unit with the genuine product characteristic stored in the storage device; and determining whether or not the secondary battery installed in the vehicle is a genuine product based on a comparison result, The secondary battery is configured to include a plurality of cells, A determination method, wherein the index is a restraining load binding a plurality of the cells.

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