Battery Information Collection Device and Battery Monitoring System

Abstract

To provide a battery information collecting device and a battery monitoring system that can more accurately evaluate thermal runway of a plurality of batteries than before.SOLUTION: A battery information collecting device includes: a communication unit that receives, from a plurality of battery systems equipped with batteries, battery data indicating operation states of the batteries and transmits, to the battery systems, an evaluation threshold value for the battery systems to evaluate thermal runway of the batteries; and an arithmetic unit that generates the evaluation threshold value on the basis of the battery data obtained from the communication unit and outputs the evaluation threshold value to the communication unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery information collection device and a battery monitoring system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle power supply device that can reliably prevent thermal runaway while extremely simplifying the circuit configuration for preventing thermal runaway of a battery. This power supply device includes a plurality of batteries that drive a motor, a temperature detection circuit that detects the temperature of the battery, and an abnormal temperature rise prevention circuit that prevents an abnormal temperature rise of the battery. The temperature detection circuit is disposed so as to be thermally coupled to the battery, and includes a plurality of temperature sensors that change the electrical resistance according to the battery temperature, a voltage conversion circuit that converts the change in the electrical resistance of each temperature sensor into a voltage change, an A / D converter that converts the output voltage of the voltage conversion circuit into a digital signal, and a control circuit into which the temperature signal output from this A / D converter is input. The abnormal temperature rise prevention circuit includes a comparator that compares the output voltage output from the voltage conversion circuit of the temperature detection circuit with a reference voltage and outputs an abnormal temperature signal when the battery rises to a set temperature, and a forced current interruption circuit that is connected to the comparator and detects the abnormal temperature signal of the comparator and interrupts the current of the battery. The control circuit and the abnormal temperature rise prevention circuit monitor the temperature of the battery and control the current of the battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the above background art evaluates thermal runaway in a single vehicle, that is, a single battery. However, depending on the operating environment and operating state of the vehicle or battery, it is assumed that the characteristics of thermal runaway differ for each vehicle or battery. In the above background art, it is difficult to accurately evaluate thermal runaway for a plurality of batteries with different operating environments and operating states.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a battery information collection device and a battery monitoring system capable of more accurately evaluating thermal runaway of a plurality of batteries than in the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, as a first solution means related to a battery information collection device, a communication unit that receives battery data indicating an operating state of the battery from a plurality of battery systems including the battery and transmits an evaluation threshold value for the battery system to evaluate thermal runaway of the battery to the battery system, and an arithmetic unit that generates the evaluation threshold value based on the battery data acquired from the communication unit and outputs the evaluation threshold value to the communication unit are provided.

[0007] In the present invention, as a second solution means related to a battery information collection device, in the above first solution means, the arithmetic unit creates a histogram regarding data values of the plurality of batteries based on the battery data, and generates the evaluation threshold value based on the histogram.

[0008] In the present invention, as a third solution means related to a battery information collection device, in the above first solution means, the battery data includes normal battery data when the battery is normal and abnormal battery data when the battery is abnormal, and the arithmetic unit uses a data value between a normal histogram indicating the distribution of the normal battery data and an abnormal histogram indicating the distribution of the abnormal battery data as the evaluation threshold value.

[0009] In the present invention, as a fourth solution means related to the battery information collection device, in any of the first to third solution means, the arithmetic unit generates the evaluation threshold value for each type of the battery data and outputs the evaluation threshold value to the communication unit.

[0010] In the present invention, as a first solution means related to the battery monitoring system, a battery information collection device according to any of the first to fourth solution means and a plurality of the battery systems are provided.

[0011] In the present invention, as a second solution means related to the battery monitoring system, in the first solution means, the battery system updates the evaluation threshold value stored by itself to the evaluation threshold value received from the battery information collection device, and evaluates the thermal runaway of the battery based on the updated evaluation threshold value.

[0012] In the present invention, as a third solution means related to the battery monitoring system, in the first or second solution means, the battery system transmits at least the battery voltage and the battery temperature to the battery information collection device as the battery data.

[0013] In the present invention, as a fourth solution means related to the battery monitoring system, in any of the first to third solution means, each battery system transmits the abnormality of the battery to the battery information collection device when detecting the thermal runaway of the battery.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery information collection device and a battery monitoring system capable of more accurately evaluating the thermal runaway of a plurality of batteries than in the prior art.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery monitoring system A according to this embodiment includes a plurality (n) of battery systems P1 to Pn, a public line N, and a battery monitoring support server D. Note that the above "n" is a natural number of 2 or more.

[0017] The n battery systems P1 to Pn are respectively provided in electric vehicles M1 to Mn. That is, the first battery system P1 is provided in the first electric vehicle M1, the second battery system P2 is provided in the second electric vehicle M2, (omitted), and the nth battery system Pn is provided in the nth electric vehicle Mn.

[0018] The plurality (n) of electric vehicles M1 to Mn are vehicles that travel based on the driving force generated by the electric motor, and are equipped with battery systems P1 to Pn as a power supply system for driving the electric motor. Note that such electric vehicles M1 to Mn are, for example, hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 2(a), such n battery systems P1 to Pn have almost the same functional configuration. That is, the n battery systems P1 to Pn include, as common functional components, a battery 1, a CVS 2, a BMU 3, a communication unit 4, and an abnormality detection circuit 5. These battery 1, CVS 2, BMU 3, and communication unit 4 are electrically interconnected.

[0020] The battery 1 is a battery pack and a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a fuel cell, and is formed by connecting one or more battery modules in series, and supplies DC power of the total voltage (battery voltage) of the electromotive force of the battery modules to an external load. In addition, the battery modules constituting the battery 1 are formed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Note that this load is a PCU (Power Control Unit) that electrically drives the above-described electric motor (travel motor).

[0021] In addition, several sensors are attached to the battery 1. That is, the battery 1 is additionally provided with a temperature sensor that outputs a temperature detection signal indicating the temperature of the battery 1 (battery temperature), and a current sensor that outputs a current detection signal indicating the output current of the battery 1 (battery current). When the battery 1 is composed of a plurality of battery modules, the temperature sensors are provided for each battery module.

[0022] The CVS 2 is electrically connected to such a battery 1, and is a voltage detection circuit (Cell Voltage Sensor) that detects the voltage of each battery cell (cell voltage). That is, the CVS 2 receives an electrode voltage signal indicating the voltage of each electrode from each battery cell, and detects the cell voltage of each battery cell based on this electrode voltage signal. In addition, the CVS 2 converts the cell voltage (analog voltage) of each battery cell into a digital value (cell voltage data) and outputs it to the BMU 3.

[0023] Further, CVS2 generates battery temperature data indicating the battery temperature of battery 1 by amplifying the temperature detection signal input from battery 1 and then performing A / D conversion. This CVS2 outputs the battery temperature data to BMU3 in addition to the cell voltage data of each battery cell described above. Such cell voltage data and battery temperature data are battery data indicating the operating state of battery 1.

[0024] Furthermore, a plurality of discharge circuits are provided in this CVS2 for each battery cell to forcibly discharge each battery cell. This discharge circuit is a series circuit of an electronic switch that turns ON / OFF based on a control signal input from BMU3 and a discharge resistor with a predetermined resistance value. One end is connected to one electrode of the battery cell, and the other end is connected to the other electrode of the battery cell. Such a discharge circuit sets the battery cell to a forced discharge state when the electronic switch is set to the ON state, and sets the battery cell to a non-discharge state when the electronic switch is set to the OFF state.

[0025] BMU3 is a battery monitoring device (Battery Management Unit) that monitors battery 1. That is, this BMU3 monitors the operation of battery 1 by comprehensively controlling CVS2 and communication unit 4 based on a pre-stored monitoring control program.

[0026] More specifically, BMU3 monitors the operation of battery 1 based on the battery data (cell voltage data and battery temperature data) input from CVS2, the current detection signal input from battery 1, and the control command input from the upper control device of electric vehicles M1 to Mn, and executes several monitoring processes as necessary.

[0027] This BMU3 evaluates the thermal runaway of battery 1 as part of the above monitoring process, outputs the evaluation result to communication unit 4 together with the battery data (cell voltage data and battery temperature data), and transmits it to battery monitoring support server D. The battery data in this embodiment includes normal battery data when battery 1 is normal (not in a thermal runaway state) and abnormal battery data when battery 1 is abnormal (in a thermal runaway state).

[0028] That is, the BMU 3 classifies battery data (cell voltage data and battery temperature data) into abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) when battery 1 has a thermal runaway and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) when battery 1 does not have a thermal runaway, and transmits it to the battery monitoring support server D.

[0029] Also, other monitoring processes are cell balance control for equalizing the state of charge of each battery cell. That is, when the BMU 3 determines that the uniformity of the state of charge of each battery cell is disrupted, it sets the discharge circuit of the battery cell with a larger charge amount to the ON state, thereby forcibly discharging the battery cell with a larger charge amount. As a result, the uniformity of the state of charge of each battery cell is restored.

[0030] The communication unit 4 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication via the public line N. That is, this communication unit 4 generates a transmission packet (uplink communication packet) compliant with the communication protocol of the public line N and transmits it to the battery monitoring support server D, and receives a transmission packet (downlink communication packet) compliant with the communication protocol of the public line N from the battery monitoring support server D.

[0031] Here, for example, abnormal data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) or normal data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) is stored as transmission data in the uplink communication packet. On the other hand, an evaluation threshold value for the BMU 3 to evaluate the thermal runaway of battery 1 is stored as transmission data in the downlink communication packet.

[0032] The abnormality detection circuit 5 is electrically connected to battery 1, CVS 2, and BMU 3, and an electrode voltage signal and a temperature detection signal of each battery cell are input from battery 1. This abnormality detection circuit 5 compares each electrode voltage signal and temperature detection signal with the evaluation threshold value to determine whether the operating state of battery 1 is normal / abnormal, and outputs this determination result to CVS 2 and BMU 3.

[0033] That is, when the abnormality detection circuit 5 determines that the battery 1 is abnormal as a result of comparing each electrode voltage signal and the temperature detection signal with the evaluation threshold value, the abnormality detection circuit 5 outputs an abnormality signal indicating the abnormality of the battery to the CVS 2 and the BMU 3. On the other hand, when the abnormality detection circuit 5 determines that the battery 1 is normal as a result of comparing each electrode voltage signal and the temperature detection signal with the evaluation threshold value, the abnormality detection circuit 5 outputs a normal signal indicating the normality of the battery to the CVS 2 and the BMU 3.

[0034] Here, the n battery systems P1 to Pn have a sleep mode and a normal mode as operation modes. The sleep mode is a power-saving mode with limited functions compared to the normal mode. The normal mode is an operation mode that exhibits all possible functions and is a normal power mode with significantly higher power consumption than the power-saving mode.

[0035] Among the battery 1, the CVS 2, the BMU 3, the communication unit 4, and the abnormality detection circuit 5 that constitute each battery system P1 to Pn, the abnormality detection circuit 5 is a constantly powered circuit that is always supplied with power and exhibits a desired function regardless of whether it is in the sleep mode or the normal mode. In contrast, the CVS 2 and the BMU 3 are emergency-powered circuits that are supplied with power and exhibit desired functions during the normal mode but are not supplied with power and do not exhibit desired functions during the sleep mode.

[0036] Also, the public line N shown in FIG. 1 is a wireless communication line such as a mobile phone line, and relays wireless communication between the n battery systems P1 to Pn and the battery monitoring support server D. This public line N is connected to the well-known Internet and enables wireless connection between the battery monitoring support server D provided as a Web server on the Internet and the n battery systems P1 to Pn that are mobile terminals.

[0037] The battery monitoring support server D is a battery information collection device according to the present embodiment. This battery monitoring support server D is provided as a Web server on the Internet as described above. The n battery systems P1 to Pn are positioned as clients of the battery monitoring support server D (Web server).

[0038] Such a battery monitoring support server D includes a communication unit 6, a calculation unit 7, and a storage unit 8 as shown in Fig. 2(b). The communication unit 6 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication via the public line N, similar to the communication unit 4 of each of the battery systems P1 to Pn described above. That is, the communication unit 6 generates a transmission packet (downlink communication packet) compliant with the communication protocol of the public line N and transmits it to each of the battery systems P1 to Pn, and receives a transmission packet (uplink communication packet) compliant with the communication protocol of the public line N from each of the battery systems P1 to Pn.

[0039] Such a communication unit 6 extracts transmission data, that is, abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) or normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) from the uplink communication packet and outputs it to the calculation unit 7. Further, the communication unit 6 stores the evaluation threshold value input from the calculation unit 7 as transmission data in the uplink communication packet and transmits it to each of the battery systems P1 to Pn.

[0040] The calculation unit 7 performs predetermined information processing based on the battery monitoring support program read from the storage unit 8. That is, the calculation unit 7 is electrically connected to the communication unit 6 and the storage unit 8, and based on the battery monitoring support program, stores battery data input from the communication unit 6, that is, abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) in the storage unit 8.

[0041] Further, the calculation unit 7 generates an evaluation threshold value based on the battery data read from the storage unit 8 and the attribute data of battery 1 previously stored in the storage unit 8 based on the battery monitoring support program, and outputs the evaluation threshold value to the communication unit 6. That is, the calculation unit 7 generates an evaluation threshold value by performing predetermined information processing on the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) once stored in the storage unit 8.

[0042] The memory unit 8 pre-stores the attribute data of the batteries 1 mounted on each electric vehicle M1 to Mn for each battery 1. Further, this memory unit 8 sequentially stores the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) input from the arithmetic unit 7. Furthermore, this memory unit 8 pre-stores the above-described battery monitoring support program.

[0043] Next, the operation of the battery monitoring system A according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0044] The battery monitoring system A has an effect of more accurately evaluating the thermal runaway of each individual battery 1 mounted on each electric vehicle M1 to Mn by wirelessly communicating with each other between the n battery systems P1 to Pn and the battery monitoring support server D (the battery information collection device according to the present embodiment) via the public line N.

[0045] First, the operation of each battery system P1 to Pn will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. In each battery system P1 to Pn, the abnormality detection circuit 5, which is a constantly energized circuit, constantly performs a state evaluation of the battery 1 based on the electrode voltage signal and temperature detection signal of each battery cell and the evaluation threshold value regardless of whether it is in the sleep mode or the normal mode (step S1).

[0046] When the detection result of such an abnormality detection circuit 5, that is, the state evaluation result of the battery 1 is "abnormal", an abnormal signal is output to the CVS2 and the BMU3. When the operation mode of the CVS2 and the BMU3 is the sleep mode, the power supply is started and they are activated (step S2). That is, when an abnormal signal is input from the abnormality detection circuit 5, the operation mode of the CVS2 and the BMU3 switches from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

[0047] Then, CVS2 starts taking in the cell voltage and battery temperature from battery 1, sequentially acquires the cell voltage and battery temperature at a predetermined time interval (step S3), and sequentially outputs abnormal cell voltage data indicating the cell voltage and abnormal battery temperature data indicating the battery temperature, that is, abnormal battery data, to BMU3. Then, BMU3 sequentially stores the abnormal battery data sequentially input from CVS2 in the internal memory (step S4).

[0048] Then, when the data volume of the abnormal battery data in the internal memory of BMU3 exceeds a predetermined amount (step S5), BMU3 causes the communication unit 4 to transmit the abnormal battery data (step S6). That is, BMU3 reads out a predetermined amount of abnormal battery data from the internal memory and outputs it to the communication unit 4, thereby loading a predetermined amount of abnormal battery data onto an upstream communication packet and transmitting it to the battery monitoring support server D.

[0049] On the other hand, when the abnormality detection circuit 5 evaluates that battery 1 is "normal" (step S1), it outputs a normal signal to CVS2 and BMU3. CVS2 and BMU3 are activated when their operation mode is the sleep mode, but in the case of the normal mode, CVS2 starts taking in the cell voltage and battery temperature from battery 1. Then, CVS2 sequentially acquires the cell voltage and battery temperature at a predetermined time interval (step S7), and sequentially outputs normal cell voltage data indicating the cell voltage and normal battery temperature data indicating the battery temperature, that is, normal battery data, to BMU3. Then, BMU3 sequentially stores the normal battery data sequentially input from CVS2 in the internal memory (step S8).

[0050] Then, when the data volume of the normal battery data in the internal memory of BMU3 exceeds a predetermined amount (step S9), BMU3 causes the communication unit 4 to transmit the normal battery data (step S10). That is, BMU3 reads out a predetermined amount of normal battery data from the internal memory and outputs it to the communication unit 4, thereby loading a predetermined amount of normal battery data onto an upstream communication packet and transmitting it to the battery monitoring support server D.

[0051] Furthermore, when the communication unit 4 receives an update request, the determination result in step S1 becomes "update". That is, when the communication unit 4 receives an update request from the battery monitoring support server D, this update request is input from the communication unit 4 to the BMU 3. When this update request is received by the BMU 3, if its operation mode was the sleep mode, the power supply is started and it is activated (step S11). That is, when an update request is input from the communication unit 4 to the CVS 2 and the BMU 3, the operation mode switches from the sleep mode to the normal mode.

[0052] Then, the BMU 3 causes the communication unit 4 to receive a new evaluation threshold value (update evaluation threshold value) based on the update request (step S12). And the BMU 3 stores the update evaluation threshold value in the internal memory (step S13). When the update evaluation threshold value is newly stored in the internal memory, the abnormality detection circuit 5 evaluates the operating state of the battery 1 using the update evaluation threshold value.

[0053] That is, in each battery system P1 to Pn in the present embodiment, every time a new update evaluation threshold value is stored in the BMU 3, the evaluation threshold value for evaluating the operating state of the battery 1 is updated.

[0054] Also, the evaluation threshold values that are sequentially updated in each battery system P1 to Pn are generated based on the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) received by the battery monitoring support server D from the battery systems P1 to Pn, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0055] The communication unit 6 of the battery monitoring support server D receives the upstream communication packets sequentially sent from the communication unit 1 of each battery system P1 to Pn (step Sa1), extracts abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) or normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) from the upstream communication packets, and outputs them to the arithmetic unit 7.

[0056] Then, the arithmetic unit 7 sequentially stores (saves) the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) or normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) sequentially input from the communication unit 6 in the storage unit 8.

[0057] Then, the arithmetic unit 7 creates a thermal runaway model of the battery 1 by performing statistical processing described below on the abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) read from the storage unit 8 (step Sa2).

[0058] That is, the arithmetic unit 7 creates histograms of the abnormal battery data and normal battery data as shown in FIG. 5 by performing histogram processing on the plurality of abnormal battery data (abnormal cell voltage data and abnormal battery temperature data) and normal battery data (normal cell voltage data and normal battery temperature data) acquired from each battery system P1 to Pn.

[0059] This histogram is created for each type of abnormal battery data and normal battery data. That is, the arithmetic unit 7 creates a cell voltage histogram for the abnormal cell voltage data and normal cell voltage data and a battery temperature histogram for the abnormal battery temperature data and normal battery temperature data.

[0060] The histogram for each such type has different frequency distributions in which the data values are independent between the abnormal battery data and the normal battery data. That is, the abnormal histogram formed by the plurality of abnormal battery data and the normal histogram formed by the plurality of normal battery data are obtained when the operating state of the battery 1 is different, so they have independent individual frequency distributions that do not overlap with each other.

[0061] Such histograms for each type of abnormal battery data and normal battery data are the statistical thermal runaway model of the battery 1. That is, the thermal runaway model of the battery 1 in the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of histograms given by the abnormal battery data and normal battery data for each type.

[0062] For each type of such histograms (the cell voltage histogram and the battery temperature histogram), the calculation unit 7 updates and evaluates the data value R located in the middle between the minimum value of the abnormal histogram and the maximum value of the normal histogram, and extracts it as a threshold value (step Sa3).

[0063] The calculation unit 7 calculates the difference between the update evaluation threshold value extracted in this way and the current evaluation threshold value, that is, the amount of change (threshold value change amount) between the update evaluation threshold value extracted in step Sa3 and the evaluation threshold value set in the previous update process (step Sa4). Then, the calculation unit 7 determines whether or not this threshold value change amount exceeds a preset change amount evaluation value (step Sa5).

[0064] When the determination in this step Sa5 is "Yes", the calculation unit 7 outputs the update evaluation threshold value extracted in step Sa3 to the communication unit 6 and causes it to be transmitted to each battery system P1 to Pn (step Sa6). That is, when the update evaluation threshold value is input from the calculation unit 7, the communication unit 6 mounts the update evaluation threshold value on a downlink communication packet and transmits it to each battery system P1 to Pn.

[0065] According to such an embodiment, since the battery monitoring support server D generates an update evaluation threshold value based on a plurality of abnormal battery data and normal battery data acquired from a plurality of battery systems P1 to Pn, the update evaluation threshold value reflects the operating states of the plurality of batteries 1 in the plurality of battery systems P1 to Pn. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to more accurately evaluate the thermal runaway of the plurality of batteries 1 than in the prior art.

[0066] In addition, the update evaluation threshold values in the plurality of battery systems P1 to Pn are updated by receiving them from the battery monitoring support server D each time the threshold value change amount exceeds the change amount evaluation value, so they will be updated appropriately during the usage process of the battery 1. That is, according to this embodiment, since the update evaluation threshold value is sequentially updated in time series, it is possible to accurately determine the thermal runaway of the plurality of batteries 1 during the usage process of the battery 1.

[0067] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the evaluation threshold values for evaluating the cell voltage and the battery temperature are generated based on the abnormal battery data and the normal battery data in the plurality of batteries 1, it is possible to more accurately evaluate the thermal runaway of the plurality of batteries 1 based on the cell voltage and the battery temperature.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the battery information collection device is configured as a battery monitoring support server D, that is, a Web server, it is easy to exchange information with the plurality of battery systems P1 to Pn, that is, the plurality of electric vehicles M1 to Mn which are mobile bodies. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a battery monitoring system A with good convenience.

[0069] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, the following modification examples can be considered. (1) In the above embodiment, the case where the types of battery data, that is, the parameters for evaluating the thermal runaway of the battery 1 are cell voltage data (cell voltage) and battery temperature data (battery temperature) has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As the types of battery data, that is, the parameters for evaluating the thermal runaway of the battery 1, for example, those shown in FIG. 6(a) can be considered.

[0070] That is, in addition to the cell voltage data (cell voltage) and the battery temperature data (battery temperature), the types of battery data include, for example, the overall SOC (State of Charge) data (SOC) of the battery 1, the charge cycle data (cycle) of the battery 1, the type data (type) of the battery 1, the vehicle type data (vehicle type) of the electric vehicles M1 to Mn on which the battery 1 is mounted, the usage environment data (usage environment) of the battery 1 (electric vehicles M1 to Mn), and the like.

[0071] Each battery system P1 to Pn transmits the above cell voltage data, battery temperature data, SOC data, charge cycle data, type data, vehicle type data, usage environment data, etc. to the battery monitoring support server D (battery information collection device). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the battery monitoring support server D creates a plurality of histograms based on voltage data, battery temperature data, SOC data, charge cycle data, type data, vehicle type data, usage environment data, etc.

[0072] Then, based on each histogram, the battery monitoring support server D generates an evaluation threshold value (cell voltage evaluation threshold value) corresponding to the voltage data, an evaluation threshold value (battery temperature evaluation threshold value) corresponding to the battery temperature data, an evaluation threshold value (SOC voltage evaluation threshold value) corresponding to the SOC data, an evaluation threshold value (charge cycle evaluation threshold value) corresponding to the charge cycle data, an evaluation threshold value (battery type evaluation threshold value) corresponding to the type data, an evaluation threshold value (vehicle type evaluation threshold value) corresponding to the vehicle type data, and an evaluation threshold value (usage environment evaluation threshold value) corresponding to the usage environment data, etc.

[0073] Then, the battery monitoring support server D transmits such a plurality of evaluation threshold values (cell voltage evaluation threshold value, battery temperature evaluation threshold value, SOC voltage evaluation threshold value, charge cycle evaluation threshold value, battery type evaluation threshold value, vehicle type evaluation threshold value, and usage environment evaluation threshold value, etc.) to each battery system P1 to Pn. And each battery system P1 to Pn evaluates the thermal runaway of its own battery 1 based on the cell voltage evaluation threshold value, battery temperature evaluation threshold value, SOC voltage evaluation threshold value, charge cycle evaluation threshold value, battery type evaluation threshold value, vehicle type evaluation threshold value, and usage environment evaluation threshold value, etc.

[0074] (2) In the above embodiment, the update condition is that the threshold change amount exceeds the change amount evaluation value, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an amount other than the threshold change amount, such as the elapsed time from the previous update time, may be used as the update condition. When the elapsed time is used as the update condition, when the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined elapsed time evaluation value, the evaluation threshold value newly obtained at this time is transmitted to each battery system P1 to Pn for update.

[0075] (3) In the above embodiment, a thermal runaway model consisting of histograms of various battery data was created, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a thermal runaway model may be created based on statistical data other than histograms.

[0076] (4) In the above embodiment, a plurality of battery systems P1 to Pn and a battery monitoring support server D (battery information collection device) were wirelessly communicably connected via a public line N (relay line), but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the plurality of battery systems P1 to Pn and the battery monitoring support server D (battery information collection device) may be directly wirelessly communicably connected without passing through a relay line.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] A Battery monitoring system D Battery monitoring support server (battery information collection device) M1 to Mn Electric vehicles N Public line P1 to Pn Battery systems 1 Battery 2 CVS 3 BMU 4 Communication unit 5 Abnormality detection circuit 6 Communication unit 7 Arithmetic unit 8 Storage unit

Claims

【Claim 1】 A battery information collection device comprising: a communication unit that receives battery data indicating an operating state of the battery from a plurality of battery systems each including an abnormality diagnosis unit that compares the battery data indicating the operating state of the battery with an evaluation threshold value for evaluating thermal runaway of the battery and detects an abnormality, and transmits the evaluation threshold value for evaluating thermal runaway of the battery to the battery systems; an arithmetic unit that generates the evaluation threshold value based on the battery data acquired from the communication unit and outputs the evaluation threshold value to the communication unit; and the battery data includes normal battery data when the battery is normal and abnormal battery data when the battery is abnormal; wherein the arithmetic unit creates a histogram regarding data values of the plurality of batteries based on the battery data, and generates the evaluation threshold value based on the histogram; and sets a data value between a normal histogram indicating a distribution of the normal battery data and an abnormal histogram indicating a distribution of the abnormal battery data as the evaluation threshold value. A battery information collection device characterized by the above.

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