Auxiliary power supply system, module, auxiliary power supply control method, and program

Abstract

This auxiliary power supply system comprises a plurality of power storage devices for supplying electric power to an electrical device, and includes a communication function for establishing communication with the electrical device and each of the plurality of power storage devices. Each of the plurality of power storage devices temporarily determines, as a communication address of that power storage device, one of a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage devices set by the electrical device, the number of the first communication addresses being the same as that of the plurality of power storage devices. Each of the plurality of power storage devices sends a response signal in response to a transmission signal to which the temporarily determined communication address of that power storage device is attached. When a communication abnormality occurs in the sending of the response signal, each of the plurality of power storage devices changes the temporarily determined communication address of that power storage device to one of one or more unused communication addresses of the set plurality of first communication addresses.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an auxiliary power supply system, a module, an auxiliary power supply control method, and a program. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an auxiliary power supply system, a module, an auxiliary power supply control method, and a program that supply power to a backup target.

Background Art

[0002] The in-vehicle power supply device (auxiliary power supply system) described in Patent Document 1 includes an electronic control unit, a battery (power storage device), and a capacitor. The battery supplies power to the electronic control unit. The capacitor functions as an auxiliary power supply and is connected between the battery and the electronic control unit, and supplies power to the electronic control unit when the battery is abnormal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the in-vehicle power supply device described in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of power storage devices are provided, it is necessary to assign communication addresses to the plurality of power storage devices in order to control the plurality of power storage devices individually. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture and manage the plurality of power storage devices by distinguishing them by communication addresses from the manufacturing stage of the power storage devices. For this reason, when the inventory of each power storage device becomes surplus or insufficient due to the communication address, it becomes difficult to manage the inventory of each power storage device.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an auxiliary power supply system, a module, an auxiliary power supply control method, and a program that can be manufactured and managed without distinguishing a plurality of power storage devices by communication addresses.

[0006] An auxiliary power supply system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power storage devices for supplying power to a backup target partner. Each of the plurality of power storage devices has a communication function for communicating with the same communication partner. Each of the plurality of power storage devices tentatively determines, as its own communication address, one of a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage device set for the communication partner, the number of the first communication addresses being the same as the number of the plurality of power storage devices. Each of the plurality of power storage devices returns a response signal to a transmission signal with the tentatively determined own communication address attached thereto. When a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal, each of the plurality of power storage devices changes the tentatively determined own communication address to one of one or more unused communication addresses among the plurality of first communication addresses set for the power storage device.

[0007] A module according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a module used as the power storage device of the auxiliary power supply system.

[0008] An auxiliary power supply control method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an auxiliary power supply control method for controlling an auxiliary power supply system including a plurality of power storage devices for supplying power to a backup target partner. Each of the plurality of power storage devices has a communication function for communicating with the same communication partner. The auxiliary power supply control method includes a tentative determination step, a return step, and a change step.

[0009] In the tentative determination step, each of the plurality of power storage devices tentatively determines, as its own communication address, one of a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage device set for the communication partner, the number of the first communication addresses being the same as the number of the plurality of power storage devices. In the return step, each of the plurality of power storage devices returns a response signal to a transmission signal with the tentatively determined own communication address attached thereto. In the change step, when a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal, each of the plurality of power storage devices changes the tentatively determined own communication address to one of one or more unused communication addresses among the communication addresses set for the plurality of power storage devices.

[0010] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the auxiliary power supply control method.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, there is an effect that a plurality of power storage devices can be manufactured and managed without being distinguished by communication addresses.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] (Embodiment) (Overview) The auxiliary power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The configuration described in this embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment, and various changes can be made according to the design and the like without departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary power supply system 1 is mounted on, for example, an automobile, and when an abnormality (such as inability to supply power) occurs in the main power supply 2, it supplies power from the auxiliary power supply 5 to the electrical equipment 3 instead of the main power supply 2. Thereby, even when the power supply from the main power supply 2 becomes unavailable, the electrical equipment 3 can continue to operate by the power supply from the auxiliary power supply 5. In this embodiment, the case of being mounted on an automobile is exemplified, but it may be mounted on a moving body other than an automobile (such as an airplane, a ship, or a train).

[0015] In this embodiment, the auxiliary power supply 5 is composed of a plurality of power storage devices 4. Thereby, the specifications of the auxiliary power supply 5 (such as capacity or output voltage) can be easily changed according to the specifications required by the mounted automobile by changing the number of the plurality of power storage devices 4. In addition, a communication address is assigned to each of the plurality of power storage devices 4. Thereby, for example, the plurality of power storage devices 4 can be individually controlled by the control from the electrical equipment 3. By distinguishing the plurality of power storage devices 4 in this way, the states of the plurality of power storage devices 4 can be individually recognized. Thereby, a diagnosis (self-diagnosis function) can be individually performed on the plurality of power storage devices 4. Also, it is possible to grasp which power storage device 4 the notification at the time of occurrence of an abnormality in the power storage device 4 is from. Further, in the plurality of power storage devices 4, the voltage of the modules in the power storage device 4 can be individually controlled.

[0016] In addition, in the present embodiment, after a plurality of power storage devices 4 are connected to the auxiliary power supply system 1, before normal communication using the communication line 8 is performed between the electrical device 3 and the plurality of power storage devices 4, communication addresses are assigned to the plurality of power storage devices 4. As a result, it is possible to manufacture and manage the plurality of power storage devices 4 without distinguishing them by communication addresses. As a result, a situation where the inventory of the power storage devices 4 becomes surplus or insufficient due to communication addresses is suppressed, and the inventory management of the power storage devices 4 becomes easy. Note that the above "normal communication" includes communication performed between the electrical device 3 and the plurality of power storage devices 4 in order to enable power supply from the auxiliary power supply 5 (that is, the plurality of power storage devices 4) to the electrical device 3 when an abnormality occurs in the main power supply 2. Further, the above "normal communication" includes communication for transmitting various control commands from the electrical device 3 to the plurality of power storage devices 4.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the electrical device 3 is the backup target of the plurality of power storage devices 4. Further, the plurality of power storage devices 4 supply power to the same backup target (electrical device 3). In the present embodiment, the electrical device 3 and the plurality of power storage devices 4 operate in cooperation with each other, for example, in a master / slave system, the electrical device 3 functions as a master device, and the plurality of power storage devices 4 function as slave devices. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the auxiliary power supply system 1 will be described in detail.

[0018] (Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary power supply system 1 includes a main power supply 2, an electrical device 3, and a plurality (for example, three) of power storage devices 4 as an auxiliary power supply 5. The auxiliary power supply system 1 also includes a power supply line 6 and a communication line 8. Note that at least one of the main power supply 2 and the electrical device 3 may not be a component of the auxiliary power supply system 1.

[0019] (Power Supply Line) The power supply line 6 is a circuit that supplies the output power of the main power supply 2 to the electrical device 3 and the plurality of power storage devices 4. The power supply line 6 includes a first power supply line 61 and a plurality of second power supply lines 62.

[0020] The first power supply circuit 61 is a circuit that directly supplies the output power of the main power supply 2 to the electrical device 3. The first power supply circuit 61 is provided so as to be directly connected between the main power supply 2 and the electrical device 3. Each of the plurality of second power supply circuits 62 corresponds one-to-one to the plurality of power storage devices 4, and is a circuit that supplies the output power of the main power supply 2 to the electrical device 3 via the corresponding power storage device 4. The plurality of second power supply circuits 62 are provided so as to branch from the first power supply circuit 61 and merge into the first power supply circuit 61 via the corresponding power storage device 4. The second power supply circuit 62 has a third power supply circuit 62a and a fourth power supply circuit 62b. The third power supply circuit 62a is a portion that connects the power input section of the power storage device 4 and the first power supply circuit 61. The fourth power supply circuit 62b is a portion that connects the power output section of the power storage device 4 and the first power supply circuit 61. The third power supply circuit 62a is a circuit for supplying the output power of the main power supply 2 to the power storage device 4. The fourth power supply circuit 62b is a circuit for supplying the output power of the power storage device 4 to the electrical device 3.

[0021] (Communication line) The communication line 8 is a circuit for performing communication (for example, bus-type communication) between the electrical device 3 and the plurality of power storage devices 4. The electrical device 3 and the plurality of power storage devices 4 are connected to the communication line 8.

[0022] (Main power supply) The main power supply 2 is, for example, a rechargeable battery (for example, a battery). The main power supply 2 supplies its output power to the electrical device 3 via the first power supply circuit 61 and to the plurality of power storage devices 4 via the plurality of second power supply circuits 62.

[0023] (Electrical device) The electrical device 3 is an example of the object to be backed up by the auxiliary power supply 5. The electrical device 3 is not limited to a device and includes a system. The electrical device 3 operates by the power supplied from the main power supply 2 in the normal state of the main power supply 2, and operates by the power supplied from the auxiliary power supply 5 (that is, a plurality of power storage devices 4) in the abnormal state of the main power supply 2. The electrical device 3 is, for example, an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle. Specifically, the electrical device 3 is, for example, a braking system or a steering system. The braking system is a system that controls the braking device of an automobile according to the driver's brake pedal operation and the detection results of various sensors. The steering system is a system that controls the steering of an automobile according to the driver's steering wheel operation and the detection results of various sensors.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the electrical device 3 includes a power supply circuit 31, a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, a control unit 34, and a determination unit 35.

[0025] The power supply circuit 31 is connected to the first power supply line 61 and supplies the power supplied through the first power supply line 61 to each part of the electrical device 3 (such as the storage unit 32, the communication unit 33, the control unit 34, and the determination unit 35).

[0026] The communication unit 33 communicates with the communication units 43 provided in each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 via the communication line 8. The communication unit 33 is connected to the communication units 43 of the plurality of power storage devices 4 via the communication line 8. The communication unit 33 is, for example, a communication unit that adopts a bus-type communication method. As the bus-type communication method, for example, an in-vehicle network (e.g., LIN (Local Interconnect Network) or an extended method based on LIN) may be adopted. Note that in the specification of the above extended method, it may not be within the range of the LIN specification. In bus-type communication, unicast communication can be performed with a communication partner by specifying the communication address of the communication partner. Therefore, after each power storage device 4 sets (determines) its own communication address (self-use communication address), unicast communication becomes possible between the communication unit 33 and the communication unit 43 of each power storage device 4. Note that unicast communication is one-to-one communication performed by specifying one communication address.

[0027] The storage unit 32 is a rewritable non-volatile storage device (e.g., flash memory). The storage unit 32 stores a plurality of communication addresses used in communication using the communication line 8. The plurality of communication addresses described above are a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage device 4 and one second communication address for the electrical device 3. The first communication address is a communication address for setting the self-use communication address in the power storage device 4. The second communication address is a communication address for setting the self-use communication address in the electrical device 3.

[0028] More specifically, the storage unit 32 stores one communication address as the second communication address. Also, the storage unit 32 stores, as a plurality of first communication addresses, communication addresses corresponding to the maximum number of power storage devices 4 that can be connected to the auxiliary power source 5. Among the plurality of first communication addresses stored in the storage unit 32, only the required number (i.e., the same number as the number of power storage devices 4) of communication addresses are set as the communication addresses actually used in communication using the signal line 8.

[0029] The control unit 34 controls the power supply circuit 31 and the communication unit 33. Also, the control unit 34 sets a plurality of first communication addresses and one second communication address that are actually used in communication using the communication line 8. More specifically, for example, the control unit 34 calculates the amount of power used by the electrical equipment 3 and determines the number of power storage devices 4 (for example, three) necessary to cover the calculated amount of power. Then, the control unit 34 sets, as the first communication addresses actually used, the same number of first communication addresses as the determined necessary number of power storage devices 4 from among the plurality of first communication addresses stored in the storage unit 32. That is, the number of set first communication addresses matches the number of the plurality of power storage devices 4 connected to the auxiliary power supply 5. Note that at this stage, it is not determined which first communication address is allocated to which power storage device 4. In the present embodiment, the operator connects the necessary number of power storage devices 4 to the auxiliary power supply 5. The control unit 34 sets the second communication address pre-stored in the storage unit 32 as the second communication address actually used. In this way, the control unit 34 sets a plurality of communication addresses (a plurality of first communication addresses and one second communication address) actually used in communication using the signal line 8.

[0030] When the auxiliary power supply system 1 is activated, the control unit 34 sets a plurality of communication addresses (a plurality of first communication addresses and one second communication address) actually used in communication using the communication line 8 as described above. The control unit 34 determines the order (predetermined order) of the plurality of set communication addresses (a plurality of first communication addresses and one second communication address). For example, the second communication address is set as the first, and the plurality (for example, three) of first communication addresses are determined as the second, third, and fourth in order.

[0031] The control unit 34 attaches the set multiple communication addresses (multiple first communication addresses and one second communication address) one by one to the header of the transmission signal in the above order, and transmits them to the plurality of power storage devices 4 in the above order by broadcast transmission in communication using the communication line 8. Specifically, the control unit 34 first transmits a transmission signal with the second communication address whose order is the first in the above order, and second transmits a transmission signal with the first communication address whose order is the second in the above order. Further, the control unit 4 third transmits a transmission signal with the first communication address whose order is the third in the above order, and fourth transmits a transmission signal with the first communication address whose order is the fourth in the above order.

[0032] The control unit 34 takes one round of transmitting the multiple communication addresses (multiple first communication addresses and one second communication address) according to the above order, and repeats this round. By repeating this transmission, as will be described later, the multiple first communication addresses are allocated to each of the power storage devices 4 so that the same communication address does not overlap among the multiple power storage devices 4. That is, by repeating this transmission, as will be described later, the multiple power storage devices 4 determine (confirm) the communication address (own-use communication address) used by themselves in communication using the communication line 8 from among the multiple first communication addresses so as not to overlap with other power storage devices 4.

[0033] The control unit 34 identifies an unused communication address among the set plurality of first communication addresses by monitoring the usage status of its own communication address by others (a plurality of power storage devices 4) in communication using the signal line 8. The unused communication address is a communication address (first communication address) that is not temporarily set in all of the plurality of power storage devices 4. In other words, the unused communication address is a communication address that is not used as a transmission source communication address in communication using the communication line 8. When there are no more unused communication addresses among the set plurality of first communication addresses, the control unit 34 ends the above-described repeated transmission and starts normal communication. Note that instead of ending the above-described repeated transmission when there are no more unused communication addresses as described above, the control unit 34 may end the above-described repeated transmission and start normal communication when it receives a notification informing it of the determined communication address for its own use from all of the plurality of power storage devices 4.

[0034] The control unit 34 controls the output voltage of each power storage device 4 by a control command transmitted from the communication unit 33. For example, the control unit 34 increases or decreases the output voltage of each power storage device 4 by a control command transmitted from the communication unit 33. Also, for example, the control unit 34 controls so that the output voltages of all the power storage devices 4 are the same (aligned with the highest output voltage).

[0035] The determination unit 35 determines whether the main power supply 2 is normal (i.e., whether there is a defect) based on the voltage applied to the first power supply path 61. In the present embodiment, as an example, when the voltage applied to the first power supply path 61 is equal to or higher than a threshold value, the determination unit 35 determines that the main power supply 2 is normal (i.e., there is no defect). Also, when the voltage applied to the first power supply path 61 is less than the threshold value, the determination unit 35 determines that the main power supply 2 is abnormal (i.e., there is a defect).

[0036] When the determination unit 35 determines that the main power supply 2 is normal, the control unit 34 stops the power supply from each power storage device 4 to the electrical equipment 3 by a control command transmitted from the communication unit 33. When the determination unit 35 determines that the main power supply 2 is abnormal, the control unit 34 starts the power supply from each power storage device 4 to the electrical equipment 3 by a control command transmitted from the communication unit 33.

[0037] In this embodiment, the electrical equipment 3 (more specifically, the determination unit 35) determines whether the main power supply 2 is normal. Instead of the electrical equipment 3, each power storage device 4 may determine whether the main power supply 2 is normal. In this case, when each power storage device 4 determines that the main power supply 2 is abnormal, it automatically starts supplying power from each power storage device 4 to the electrical equipment 3 via each fourth power supply path 62b.

[0038] When the electrical equipment 3 is a braking system, the control unit 34 controls the braking device of the vehicle according to the driver's brake pedal operation and the detection results of various sensors. When the electrical equipment 3 is a steering system, the control unit 34 controls the steering of the vehicle according to the driver's steering wheel operation and the detection results of various sensors.

[0039] In this embodiment, the communication unit 33, the control unit 34, and the determination unit 35 are configured by, for example, a microcomputer (processor) mainly composed of a CPU and a memory. In other words, the communication unit 33, the control unit 34, and the determination unit 35 are realized by a computer having a CPU and a memory, and the computer functions as the communication unit 33, the control unit 34, and the determination unit 35 by the CPU executing the program stored in the memory. The program is pre-recorded in the memory, but may be provided by being recorded through an electric communication line such as the Internet or on a recording medium such as a memory card.

[0040] (Power Storage Device) As shown in FIG. 3, the power storage device 4 is a component of the auxiliary power supply 5 that supplies power to the electrical device 3 (backup target partner and the same communication partner) in the abnormal state of the main power supply 2. In the normal state of the main power supply 2, the power storage device 4 stores the power supplied from the main power supply 2 via the third power supply path 62a, and supplies the stored power to the electrical device 3 via the fourth power supply path 62b in response to a control command received from the electrical device 3 via the communication line 8. In the present embodiment, a plurality of power storage devices 4 are connected in parallel.

[0041] At the time of manufacturing the power storage device 4, a communication address (own communication address) used for communication using the communication line 8 is not allocated. For this reason, a plurality of power storage devices 4 have exactly the same configuration at the manufacturing stage. As will be described later, after the power storage device 4 is connected to the auxiliary power supply 5 (that is, after the power storage device 4 is manufactured), the power storage device 4 automatically sets (determines) its own communication address in response to the repetition of the above-described transmission by the electrical device 3.

[0042] The power storage device 4 includes a capacitor 41, a storage unit 42, a communication unit 43, and a control unit 44.

[0043] The capacitor 41 is a component that stores the power supplied from the main power supply 2 via the third power supply path 62a. The capacitor 41 is, for example, an electric double layer capacitor or an energy polymer capacitor.

[0044] The storage unit 42 is a rewritable non-volatile storage device (for example, a flash memory). A bit string representing the unique manufacturing number of the power storage device 4 is stored in the storage unit 42.

[0045] The communication unit 43 is connected to the communication line 8 and performs communication (for example, bus-type communication) with other power storage devices 4 and the electrical device 3 via the communication line 8. Each communication unit 43 of the plurality of power storage devices 4 executes a communication function of communicating with the same communication partner (electrical device 3).

[0046] The control unit 44 controls the communication unit 43. Further, the control unit 44 monitors the usage status of the communication addresses of others (i.e., other power storage devices 4 and electrical devices 3) in communication using the communication line 8, and identifies the communication addresses of others that are already being used in communication using the communication line 8 for its own communication address.

[0047] The control unit 44 receives the above transmission signal from the electrical device 3 via the communication unit 43. In the repetition of the above transmission by the electrical device 3, the control unit 44 monitors the first address attached to each of the plurality of transmission signals transmitted from the electrical device 3 between the reception of the transmission signal attached with the second communication address and the reception of the transmission signal attached with the second communication address again. It is assumed that the control unit 44 knows the second communication address in advance. That is, the second communication address is set in the control unit 44 in advance. Through the above monitoring, the control unit 44 acquires information on a set of a plurality of first communication addresses set by the control unit 34 of the electrical device 3, for example, in the first round of the repetition of the above transmission.

[0048] In, for example, the first round of the repetition of the above transmission by the electrical device 3, the control unit 44 tentatively determines the communication address (i.e., the first communication address) attached to the header of the second transmission signal (i.e., the transmission signal received next to the first transmission signal attached with the second communication address) as its own communication address. Note that "tentative determination" means a state in which the own communication address is determined to be changeable. Then, in, for example, the second round and subsequent rounds of the repetition of the above transmission, every time a transmission signal attached with the tentatively determined own communication address is received, a response signal for the received transmission signal is returned to the electrical device 3. In the present embodiment, the response signal is unicast transmitted from the power storage device 4 to the electrical device 3, but it may be broadcast transmitted from the power storage device 4 to the electrical device 3.

[0049] When a communication abnormality occurs during the above reply, the control unit 44 changes the temporarily determined communication address for itself to one of the one or more unused communication addresses among the plurality of the above-set first communication addresses. The unused communication address is a communication address that has not been temporarily determined in all of the plurality of power storage devices 4. In other words, the unused communication address is a communication address that has not been used as a transmission source communication address in communication using the communication line 8.

[0050] Also, when a communication abnormality does not occur during the above reply, the control unit 44 does not change the temporarily determined communication address for itself and continues to use the temporarily determined communication address for itself. When no communication abnormality occurs during the above reply and there is no unused communication address among the plurality of the above-set first communication addresses, the control unit 44 determines that the plurality of the above-set first communication addresses are allocated to the plurality of power storage devices 4 without duplication, and determines (i.e., formally determines) the temporarily determined communication address for itself.

[0051] In the present embodiment, when a response signal is returned from another power storage device 4 that has temporarily set a common communication address for itself when the power storage device 4 returns a response signal, a communication abnormality may occur in the return of one of those power storage devices 4. That is, the power storage device 4 may return a response signal in which the above-described communication abnormality occurs as a response signal.

[0052] More specifically, each power storage device 4 returns a first response signal or a second response signal as a response signal. The first response signal is a response signal that does not cause a communication abnormality in the return of the first response signal by the power storage device 4 when a response signal (first response signal or second response signal) is returned from another power storage device 4 having the same first communication address as its own communication address. The second response signal is a response signal that does not cause a communication abnormality in the return of the second response signal by the power storage device 4 when a second response signal is returned from another power storage device 4 having the same first communication address as its own communication address. Also, the second response signal is a response signal that causes a communication abnormality in the return of the second response signal by the power storage device 4 when a first response signal with the same own communication address is returned from another power storage device 4 when the second response signal is returned with its own communication address attached from the power storage device 4.

[0053] The first response signal is data of "0x00" in hexadecimal notation, for example, and the second response signal is data of "0xFF" in hexadecimal notation, for example. In communication using LIN, for example, the data of "0x00" is transmitted by dropping the potential of the signal line 8 to the ground potential (low potential). The data of "0xFF" is transmitted by maintaining the potential of the signal line 8 at a high potential. When these data are transmitted simultaneously, the transmission of the data of "0x00" is prioritized and the data of "0xFF" is not transmitted. Consider a case where a plurality of power storage devices 4 return response signals with the same own communication address. When some power storage devices 4 transmit data of "0x00" as a response signal and other communication devices transmit data of "0xFF" as a response signal. In this case, the data of "0x00" is transmitted normally, but the data of "0xFF" is not transmitted, and a communication error (communication abnormality) occurs at the transmission source.

[0054] In this embodiment, the power storage device 4 irregularly determines whether to return the first response signal (e.g., "0x00") or the second response signal (e.g., "0xFF") as the response signal by using the bit string representing the production number stored in the storage unit 42. More specifically, when the number of a specific bit position in the bit string representing the production number is "0", the power storage device 4 returns the first response signal as the response signal. Also, when the number of the above specific bit position is "1", the power storage device 4 returns the second response signal as the response signal. Each time the power storage device 4 transmits a response signal, it shifts the specific bit position by one bit at a time from the bit position at one end (e.g., the right end) of the bit string toward the bit position at the other end (e.g., the left end). Thereby, each time the power storage device 4 transmits a response signal, it can irregularly change whether to return the first response signal or the second response signal as the response signal.

[0055] The control unit 44 does not store the determined communication address for itself in the storage unit 42. Therefore, when the power storage device 4 starts and stops, the control unit 44 erases the determined communication address for itself. When the control unit 44 receives the above-described repeated transmissions from the electrical device 3 after the power storage device 4 is started, it determines the communication address for itself as described above.

[0056] The control unit 44 starts and stops the power supply to the electrical device 3 via the fourth power supply path 62b in response to the control command received from the electrical device 3 via the communication line 8. Also, the control unit 44 increases and decreases the voltage output to the electrical device 3 via the fourth power supply path 62b in response to the control command received from the electrical device 3 via the communication line 8.

[0057] In this embodiment, the communication unit 43 and the control unit 44 are configured by, for example, a microcomputer (processor) mainly composed of a CPU and a memory. In other words, the communication unit 43 and the control unit 44 are realized by a computer having a CPU and a memory, and the computer functions as the communication unit 43 and the control unit 44 by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory. The program is pre-recorded in the memory, but may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card through a telecommunication line such as the Internet.

[0058] (Operation) (Overview of Operation) Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an overview of the operation of the auxiliary power supply system 1 will be described. More specifically, an overview of the operation for the power storage device 4 to set (determine) its own communication address will be described.

[0059] A plurality of power storage devices 4 are connected to the auxiliary power supply system 1. In this state, the power storage devices 4 do not have their own communication addresses set (determined) for use in communication using the communication line 8. The power storage device 4 monitors the communication status on the communication line 8 and waits for a plurality of communication addresses (a plurality of first communication addresses and one second communication address) used in communication using the communication line 8 to be repeatedly transmitted from the electrical device 3 in a predetermined order. When the power storage device 4 receives, for example, in the first round of the above-mentioned repeated transmission by the electrical device 3, the transmission signal transmitted next to the transmission signal with the second communication address, the communication address (that is, the first communication address) attached to the next transmission signal is tentatively determined as its own communication address (step S1).

[0060] Note that in the tentative determination in step S1, all of the plurality of power storage devices 4 tentatively determine the same first communication address as their own communication addresses. Therefore, at this stage, the communication addresses tentatively determined by each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 overlap with each other.

[0061] Then, when the power storage device 4 receives a transmission signal with its temporarily determined own communication address during, for example, the second round of the above-mentioned transmissions repeated by the electrical device 3, it returns a response signal to the reception (step S2). At this time, the power storage device 4 irregularly selects and returns either the first response signal (for example, data of "0x00" in hexadecimal notation) or the second response signal (for example, data of "0xFF" in hexadecimal notation) as the response signal.

[0062] And when a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the above-mentioned response signal (Yes in step S3), the power storage device 4 changes the temporarily determined own communication address to one of one or more unused communication addresses (step S4). More specifically, the power storage device 4 monitors the usage status of other devices' own communication addresses in the above-mentioned communication, and in, for example, the first round of the above-mentioned repeated transmissions, checks a set of a plurality of first communication addresses set in the electrical device 3 for use in the above-mentioned communication. Then, the power storage device 4 identifies the first communication address that has already been used in the above-mentioned communication by the above-mentioned monitoring (that is, the first communication address temporarily determined as the own communication address by any of the power storage devices 4). Thereby, the power storage device 4 identifies an unused communication address among the above-mentioned set of a plurality of first communication addresses, and changes the temporarily determined own communication address to one of the identified unused communication addresses. Then, the process returns to step S2.

[0063] On the other hand, when no communication abnormality occurs in the return of the above response signal (No in step S3), the power storage device 4 monitors the usage status of the communication addresses for others' own use in the above communication. Thereby, it is determined whether there is an unused communication address among the above plurality of sets of first communication addresses (step S5). As a result of this determination, if there is an unused communication address (No in step S5), the power storage device 4 determines that the plurality of set first communication addresses are not allocated without overlapping to the plurality of power storage devices 4, and returns to the process of step S2. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S5, if there is no unused communication address among the above plurality of sets of first communication addresses (Yes in step S5), the power storage device 4 determines that the plurality of set first communication addresses are allocated without overlapping to the plurality of power storage devices 4, and determines the temporarily determined communication address for its own use (step S6). Then, the process ends.

[0064] In the above operation, each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 returns a response signal each time it receives a transmission signal with the temporarily determined communication address for its own use in the above repeated transmission (step S2). And each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 changes the temporarily determined communication address for its own use to one of one or more unused communication addresses each time a communication abnormality occurs in the return (step S3) (step S4). Thereby, in the above repeated transmission, the overlap of the communication addresses for their own use is gradually eliminated among the plurality of power storage devices 4. And when there is no unused communication address left among the above plurality of sets of first communication addresses, it means that different first communication addresses are allocated to all of the plurality of power storage devices 4. And in each power storage device 4, the temporarily determined communication address for its own use is determined (step S6), and the process ends.

[0065] (Details of the operation) Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the details of the operation of the auxiliary power supply system 1 will be described. That is, the operation described in FIG. 4 will be described in detail.

[0066] The electrical device 3 sets a plurality of communication addresses (a plurality of first communication addresses and one second communication address) used in communication using the communication line 8. Then, the electrical device 3 attaches the set plurality of communication addresses one by one to the header of the transmission signal in a predetermined order (a predetermined order), and performs broadband transmission in communication using the communication line 8 to transmit to the plurality of power storage devices 4. And the electrical device 3 repeats the above transmission with one round of the above transmission as one cycle.

[0067] The power storage device 4 tentatively determines the communication address attached to the transmission signal received next to the transmission signal attached with the second communication address as its own communication address (step S100). In the present embodiment, all of the plurality of power storage devices 4 tentatively determine the first communication address attached to the transmission signal received next as their own communication address. Therefore, at this stage, all of the plurality of power storage devices 4 have tentatively determined the same first communication address as their own communication address.

[0068] Also, the power storage device 4 receives the plurality of transmission signals transmitted from the electrical device 3 in a predetermined order in, for example, the first round of the above repeated transmission. And the power storage device 4 acquires information on the set of the plurality of communication addresses set by the electrical device 3 from the communication addresses (that is, the first communication addresses) attached to these plurality of transmission signals. Thereby, the power storage device 4 confirms the set of the plurality of first communication addresses (that is, the communication addresses for the power storage device 4) used in the communication line 8 (step S100).

[0069] Then, the power storage device 4 waits to receive a transmission signal from the electrical device 3 in communication using the communication line 8. Thereby, the power storage device 4 waits to receive a communication address (the first communication address and the second communication address) from the electrical device 3 (step S101).

[0070] When the power storage device 4 receives a transmission signal from the electrical device 3, it determines whether the communication address attached to the transmission signal matches the self-use communication address tentatively determined for itself (step 102). As a result of this determination, if the received communication address matches the self-use communication address tentatively determined for itself (Yes in step 102), the power storage device 4 returns a response signal to the received transmission signal (step 103). More specifically, when the value at a specific bit position of the bit string representing the production number stored in the storage unit 42 is "0", the power storage device 4 returns a first response signal (for example, "0x00") as the response signal. Also, when the value at the specific bit position is "1", the power storage device 4 returns a second response signal (for example, "0xFF") as the response signal.

[0071] And when a communication abnormality occurs in the above reply (Yes in step 104), the power storage device 4 changes the tentatively determined self-use communication address to one of the unused communication addresses among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed in step S101 (step S105). More specifically, the power storage device 4 monitors the usage status of other self-use communication addresses on the communication line 8. Thereby, the power storage device 4 identifies the self-use communication addresses of others that have already been used in the communication using the communication line 8 (that is, the first communication addresses tentatively determined as self-use communication addresses in any of the power storage devices 4). Then, the power storage device 4 identifies an unused communication address among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed in step S101 based on the above specific result. Then, the power storage device 4 changes the tentatively determined self-use communication address to one of the above unused communication addresses. And the power storage device 4 returns the specific bit position to the initial position (for example, the right end) of the bit string (that is, resets the specific bit position) (step S106). Then, the process returns to step S101.

[0072] On the other hand, when no communication abnormality occurs in the reply in step S103 (No in step 104), the process returns to step S101.

[0073] On the other hand, if as a result of the determination in step S102, the received communication address does not match the temporarily determined communication address for itself (No in step 102), the power storage device 4 determines whether the received communication address matches the second communication address (step S107). If as a result of this determination, the received communication address does not match the second communication address (No in step 107), the power storage device 4 monitors the usage status of the communication addresses of others (i.e., other power storage devices 4) on the signal line 8. Then, the power storage device 4 updates the information of the unused communication address among the plurality of sets of first communication addresses confirmed in step S100 (step 108). Then, the process returns to step S101.

[0074] On the other hand, if as a result of the determination in step S107, the received communication address matches the second communication address (Yes in step 107), the power storage device 4 determines whether there is an unused communication address among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed in step S100 (step 109). If as a result of this determination, there is an unused communication address among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed in step S100 (No in step 109), the power storage device 4 shifts a specific bit position set in the bit string representing the manufacturing number stored in the storage unit 42 by one bit to the left from the current bit position (i.e., from the side of the rightmost bit position toward the side of the leftmost bit position) (step 110). Then, the process returns to step S101.

[0075] On the other hand, if as a result of the determination in step S109, there is no unused communication address among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed in step S100 (Yes in step 109), the power storage device 4 determines that the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed in step S100 have been allocated to a plurality of power storage devices 4 without duplication, and determines (i.e., formally determines) the temporarily determined communication address for itself. Then, the process ends.

[0076] In the operation described above, in, for example, the first round of repetition of the transmission of a plurality of communication addresses (a plurality of first communication addresses and one second communication address) by the electrical device 3, step S100 is executed, and the communication addresses for its own use are temporarily determined for the plurality of power storage devices 4. At this stage, the communication addresses for its own use temporarily determined by each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 overlap with each other. Then, in each round after, for example, the second round of the above-mentioned transmission repetition, when a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal, the power storage device 4 changes the temporarily determined communication address for its own use to one of the unused communication addresses (step S105). As a result, the overlap of the communication addresses for its own use among the plurality of power storage devices 4 is gradually eliminated. And finally, in step S109, when there are no unused communication addresses among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed in step S100, the overlap of the communication addresses for its own use among the plurality of power storage devices 4 is eliminated (step S111). That is, different communication addresses for its own use are assigned to the plurality of power storage devices 4. And the process ends.

[0077] Also, in the operation described above, when the power storage device 4 changes the temporarily determined communication address for its own use (step S105), and when there are unused communication addresses when the power storage device 4 receives a transmission signal with a second communication address attached (No in step S109), a specific bit position is changed (steps S106, S110). As a result, in the return of the response signal performed by each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 whose communication addresses for their own use overlap, a communication abnormality is likely to occur with an equal probability. Thereby, the overlap of the communication addresses for its own use among the power storage devices 4 is quickly eliminated.

[0078] (Details of step S100 in FIG. 5) Next, referring to FIG. 6, the details of the operation of step S100 in FIG. 5 (that is, the operation in which the power storage device 4 checks a set of a plurality of first communication addresses set by the electrical device 3) will be described.

[0079] The power storage device 4 waits to receive a transmission signal from the electrical device 3 in communication using the communication line 8 (step S110). That is, the power storage device 4 waits to receive the communication address attached to the transmission signal via the transmission signal from the electrical device 3 (step S110). Then, when the power storage device 4 receives the communication address from the electrical device 3, it determines whether the received communication address matches the second communication address (that is, whether the received communication address matches the second communication address preset in the power storage device 4) (step S120). As a result of this determination, if the communication address does not match the second communication address (No in step 120), the power storage device 4 regards the received communication address as the first communication address and stores it in the storage unit 42 (step S130). Then, the process returns to step S110.

[0080] On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S120, if the received communication address matches the second communication address (Yes in step 120), the power storage device 4 further determines whether the received communication address (that is, the second communication address) is the second communication address for the second time (step 140). As a result of this determination, if the received communication address is not the second communication address for the second time (No in step 140), the process returns to step S110.

[0081] On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S140, if the received communication address is the second communication address for the second time (Yes in step 140), the power storage device 4 determines the set of a plurality of first communication addresses stored in step S130 to be the set of a plurality of first communication addresses set by the electrical device 3 for use in communication using the communication line 8 between the time of receiving the first second communication address and the time of receiving the second second communication address (step S150). That is, the power storage device 4 obtains the communication address attached to each of the plurality of transmission signals transmitted from the electrical device 3 between the time of receiving the transmission signal attached with the second communication address and the time of receiving the transmission signal attached with the second communication address again, so as to confirm the set of a plurality of first communication addresses set by the electrical device 3 for use in communication using the communication line 8. Then, the process ends.

[0082] Note that in step S140, since the second communication address has already been acquired in step S120, it is determined whether the received communication address is the second communication address using the acquired second communication address.

[0083] In this embodiment, the electric device 3 repeatedly transmits a plurality of communication addresses (a plurality of first communication addresses and one second communication address) set by the electric device 3 for use in communication using the communication line 8 in a predetermined order. Therefore, it is possible to confirm a set of a plurality of first communication addresses set by the electric device 3 for use in the communication line 8 from a plurality of communication addresses (i.e., a plurality of first communication addresses) received between receiving the first second communication address and receiving the second second communication address.

[0084] (Operation when changing a specific bit position) Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the operation when shifting a specific bit position set in the bit string representing the manufacturing number of the power storage device 4 will be described.

[0085] When the specific bit position (initially the position at the right end (one end) of the bit string) in the bit string representing the manufacturing number stored in the storage unit 42 of the power storage device 4 is "0", the power storage device 4 returns a first response signal (e.g., "0x00" in hexadecimal notation) as a response signal. Also, when the specific bit position is "1", the power storage device 4 returns a second response signal (e.g., "0xFF" in hexadecimal notation) as a response signal (step S200).

[0086] Then, the power storage device 4 determines whether the power storage device 4 has received a transmission signal with a second communication address (in other words, whether the power storage device 4 has received the second communication address via the transmission signal) (step S210). As a result of this determination, when the power storage device 4 has received the second communication address, the power storage device 4 determines whether there is an unused communication address among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed by the power storage device 4 (step S211). As a result of this determination, when there is no unused communication address among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed by the power storage device 4 (No in step S211), since the plurality of first communication addresses are allocated to the plurality of power storage devices 4 without duplication, the process ends.

[0087] On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S211, when there is an unused communication address among the plurality of first communication addresses confirmed by the power storage device 4 (Yes in step S211), the power storage device 4 determines whether a specific bit position is not the left end of the bit string representing the manufacturing number (step S220). As a result of this determination, when the specific bit position is not the left end of the bit string representing the manufacturing number (Yes in step S220), the power storage device 4 shifts the specific bit position one bit to the left (step S230). Then, the process returns to step S200.

[0088] On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S220, when the specific bit position is the left end of the bit string representing the manufacturing number (No in step S220), the specific bit position is returned to the right end of the bit string representing the manufacturing number (step S240). Then, the process returns to step S200.

[0089] On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S210, when the power storage device 4 does not receive the second communication address (No in step S210), the power storage device 4 determines whether it has changed its own communication address tentatively determined (step S250). As a result of this determination, when the power storage device 4 does not change its own communication address tentatively determined (No in step S250), the process returns to step 210. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S250, when the power storage device 4 has changed its own communication address tentatively determined (Yes in step S250), the power storage device 4 returns the right end of the bit string representing the production number to a specific bit position (step S260). Then, the process returns to step 200.

[0090] In the operation described above, when the power storage device 4 receives the second communication address and there is an unused communication address (Yes in step S211), and when the power storage device 4 changes the first communication address tentatively determined to one of the unused communication addresses (step S250), these cases are utilized to change a specific bit position.

[0091] (Main effects) As described above, according to the auxiliary power supply system 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of power storage devices 4 for supplying power to a backup target partner are provided. Each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 has a communication function (communication unit 43) for communicating with the same communication partner (electrical device 3). Each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 tentatively determines, as its own communication address, one of a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage device set in the electrical device 3 (communication partner), and the number of the plurality of first communication addresses is the same as the number of the plurality of power storage devices 4. In addition, each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 returns a response signal to the transmission signal with the tentatively determined own communication address attached. Further, when a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the above response signal, each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 changes the tentatively determined own communication address to one of one or more unused communication addresses set among the plurality of first communication addresses.

[0092] According to this configuration, each power storage device changes the temporarily determined communication address for itself to one of the unused communication addresses each time a communication abnormality occurs in the reply of the response signal it has sent. As a result, even if the communication addresses for itself overlap among multiple power storage devices, the overlap is gradually resolved, and ultimately, communication addresses (first communication addresses) are allocated to the multiple power storage devices without duplication. Thereby, after connecting multiple power storage devices to the auxiliary power supply system, communication addresses can be allocated to the multiple power storage devices. As a result, it becomes possible to manufacture and manage the multiple power storage devices without distinguishing them by communication addresses.

[0093] (Modification example) The modification examples described below can be applied in appropriate combinations. In the modification examples described below, the description will focus on the points different from the embodiment. Also, in the modification examples described below, the same parts as those in the embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted. Further, functions similar to those of the auxiliary power supply system 1 according to the embodiment may be embodied by an auxiliary power supply control method, a program for causing one or more processors to execute this auxiliary power supply control method, a non-transitory recording medium recording this program, or the like. Also, functions similar to those of the auxiliary power supply system 1 according to the embodiment may be embodied by a module or the like used as the power storage device 4 of the auxiliary power supply system 1.

[0094] The above auxiliary power supply control method is an auxiliary power supply control method for controlling an auxiliary power supply system 1 including a plurality of power storage devices 4 for supplying power to a backup target partner. Each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 has a communication function (communication unit 43) for communicating with the same communication partner (electrical device 3). This auxiliary power supply control method includes a preliminary determination step, a response step, and a change step. In the preliminary determination step, each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 preliminarily determines, as its own communication address, one of a plurality of first communication addresses for power storage devices set in the electrical device 3 (communication partner), and the number of the first communication addresses is the same as the number of the plurality of power storage devices 4. In the response step, each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 returns a response signal to the transmission signal with the preliminarily determined own communication address attached thereto. In the change step, when a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the above response signal, each of the plurality of power storage devices 4 changes the preliminarily determined own communication address to one of one or more unused communication addresses among the communication addresses set for the plurality of power storage devices.

[0095] (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, each power storage device 4 does not store the determined own communication address in the non-volatile storage unit, but may store the determined own communication address in the non-volatile storage unit. Thereby, from the next time, each power storage device 4 does not need to determine its own communication address before performing normal communication.

[0096] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the electrical device 3 is the backup target partner of the plurality of auxiliary power supplies 5, but a device other than the electrical device 3 may be the backup target partner of the auxiliary power supply 5. Also, the plurality of power storage devices 4 supply power to the same backup target partner, but may supply power to different partners.

[0097] (Summary) As is clear from the embodiments described above, the following aspects can be adopted.

[0098] The auxiliary power supply system (1) of the first aspect includes a plurality of power storage devices (4) for supplying power to a backup target (e.g., an electrical device). Each of the plurality of power storage devices (4) has a communication function for communicating with the same communication partner (e.g., the electrical device 3). Each of the plurality of power storage devices (4) tentatively determines, as its own communication address, one of a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage device (4) set by the communication partner, and the number of the plurality of first communication addresses is the same as the number of the plurality of power storage devices (4). Each of the plurality of power storage devices (4) returns a response signal to the transmitted signal with the tentatively determined own communication address attached. When a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal, each of the plurality of power storage devices (4) changes the tentatively determined own communication address to one of one or more unused communication addresses among the set plurality of first communication addresses.

[0099] According to this configuration, each time a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal made by the power storage device (4), the power storage device (4) changes the tentatively determined own communication address to one of the unused communication addresses. Thereby, even if the own communication addresses overlap among the plurality of power storage devices (4), the overlap is gradually eliminated, and finally, communication addresses (first communication addresses) are allocated to the plurality of power storage devices (4) without duplication. As a result, after connecting the plurality of power storage devices (4) to the auxiliary power supply system (1), communication addresses can be allocated to the plurality of power storage devices (4). As a result, it becomes possible to manufacture and manage the plurality of power storage devices (4) without distinguishing them by communication addresses.

[0100] In the second aspect, in the auxiliary power supply system (1), when no communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal, the power storage device (4) continues to use the tentatively determined own communication address.

[0101] According to this configuration, when no communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal made by the power storage device (4), the power storage device (4) does not need to change the tentatively determined own communication address.

[0102] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the power storage device (4) monitors the communication between the communication partner and the plurality of power storage devices (4), and if there is no unused communication address among the set plurality of first communication addresses, it determines the temporarily determined communication address for itself.

[0103] According to this configuration, it is possible to determine, in a simple manner, for each power storage device (4) that communication addresses have been assigned to the plurality of power storage devices (4) without duplication.

[0104] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the communication partner repeatedly attaches one by one the plurality of first communication addresses and the second communication address for the communication partner to the transmission signal in a predetermined order and transmits the signal to the plurality of power storage devices (4).

[0105] According to this configuration, the communication partner can simply repeatedly transmit the transmission signals each attached with the plurality of first communication addresses and the second communication addresses to the plurality of power storage devices (4) in a predetermined order, and after connecting the plurality of power storage devices (4) to the auxiliary power supply system (1), assign communication addresses to the plurality of power storage devices (4) without duplication. That is, after connecting the plurality of power storage devices (4) to the auxiliary power supply system (1), the communication partner does not need to perform special processing to assign communication addresses to the plurality of power storage devices (4).

[0106] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the fifth aspect, in the fourth aspect, the power storage device (4) tentatively determines the first communication address attached to the transmission signal received after the transmission signal attached with the second communication address as the communication address for itself.

[0107] According to this configuration, it is possible to tentatively determine the communication address for itself for the power storage device (4) in a simple manner.

[0108] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the sixth aspect, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the power storage device (4) tentatively determines its own communication address in the first round of the above repetition, and in each subsequent round of the above repetition, returns a response signal.

[0109] According to this configuration, the power storage device (4) can gradually eliminate the duplication of its own communication address among a plurality of power storage devices (4) from the second round and subsequent rounds of the above repetition.

[0110] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, after the power storage device (4) receives a transmission signal with a second communication address and until it receives a transmission signal with a second communication address again, based on the first communication address attached to each of the plurality of received transmission signals, it acquires information on a set of a plurality of first communication addresses.

[0111] According to this configuration, the power storage device (4) can acquire information on a set of a plurality of first communication addresses set by a communication partner by using the above repetition of transmission.

[0112] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, the power storage device (4) includes a storage unit (42) that stores a unique manufacturing number. When the number of specific bit positions in the bit string representing the manufacturing number is "0", the power storage device (4) returns a first response signal as a response signal. When the number of specific bit positions is "1", the power storage device (4) returns a second response signal as a response signal. The first response signal is a response signal that does not cause a communication abnormality in the return of the above first response signal by the power storage device (4) when a second response signal is simultaneously returned from another power storage device (4) having the common first communication address as its own communication address. The second response signal is a response signal that causes a communication abnormality in the return of the above second response signal by the power storage device (4) when a first response signal is simultaneously returned from another power storage device (4) having the common first communication address as its own communication address.

[0113] According to this configuration, in the reply of the response signal by the power storage device (4) that temporarily determines the same communication address for itself using the unique manufacturing number of the power storage device (4), a communication abnormality can be caused.

[0114] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) of the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the first response signal is data of "0x00" in hexadecimal notation, and the second response signal is data of "0xFF" in hexadecimal notation.

[0115] According to this configuration, the first response signal and the second response signal can be easily configured using "0x00" and "0xFF" in hexadecimal notation. Among a plurality of power storage devices (4) that have temporarily determined the same communication address for themselves, if one power storage device (4) transmits "0x00" and another power storage device (4) transmits "0xFF", the transmission of "0x00" is prioritized and "0xFF" is not transmitted. In this case, a bit error (communication abnormality) occurs in the power storage device (4) that transmitted "0xFF". By using this characteristic and causing the power storage device (4) to transmit "0x00" or "0xFF" as a response signal, a bit error (communication abnormality) can be caused in the power storage device (4) that transmitted "0xFF" among a plurality of power storage devices (4) that have temporarily determined the same communication address for themselves. Also, when all the power storage devices (4) transmit "0xFF", no communication abnormality occurs.

[0116] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) of the tenth aspect, in the eighth or ninth aspect, when the power storage device (4) receives a transmission signal with a second communication address and has an unused communication address, it shifts a specific bit position by one bit from the bit position at one end of the bit string representing the manufacturing number toward the bit position at the other end.

[0117] According to this configuration, the case where the power storage device (4) receives a transmission signal with a second communication address and has an unused communication address can be used as a case where a specific bit position is shifted by one bit. As a result, it becomes easier to cause a communication abnormality with an equal opportunity in the reply of the response signal among a plurality of power storage devices (4) that have temporarily determined the same communication address for themselves.

[0118] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the 11th aspect, in any one of the 8th to 10th aspects, when the power storage device (4) shifts a specific bit position by one from the bit position at one end of the bit string representing the manufacturing number toward the bit position at the other end, if the specific bit position is located at the bit position at the other end of the bit string, the specific bit position is returned to the bit position at one end of the bit string.

[0119] According to this configuration, in a bit string having a finite number of bits, a specific bit position can be shifted any number of times.

[0120] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the 12th aspect, in any one of the 8th to 10th aspects, when the power storage device (4) changes its temporarily determined own communication address to one of the unused communication addresses, the specific bit position is returned to the initial position.

[0121] According to this configuration, using the timing when the power storage device (4) changes its temporarily determined own communication address, the specific bit position can be returned to the initial position. That is, it can be expected that the manufacturing numbers of the plurality of power storage devices (4) incorporated in the auxiliary power supply (5) will be relatively close values. Therefore, by selecting a specific bit position from the least significant bit of the manufacturing number, it is easy to generate different response signals early and it can be expected to speed up the determination of the own communication address. In the present disclosure, using the timing when the power storage device (4) changes its temporarily determined own communication address, the specific bit position is returned to the initial position.

[0122] In the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the 13th aspect, in any one of the 1st to 12th aspects, the power storage device (4) specifies an unused communication address by monitoring the communication status between the communication partner and the plurality of power storage devices (4).

[0123] According to this configuration, the power storage device (4) can be made to specify an unused communication address by a simple method.

[0124] The auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the 14th aspect can have an additional power storage device (4) in addition to the plurality of power storage devices (4) in any one of the 1st to 13th aspects.

[0125] According to this configuration, after connecting a plurality of power storage devices (4) to the auxiliary power supply system (1), the power storage device (4) can be further added.

[0126] The auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the 15th aspect is such that, in the 1st to 14th aspects, the communication partner is the partner to be backed up.

[0127] According to this configuration, the partner to be backed up can be set as the communication partner.

[0128] The auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the 16th aspect is such that, in any one of the 1st to 15th aspects, the communication method used for communication between the plurality of power storage devices (4) and the communication partner is LIN or a method obtained by expanding LIN.

[0129] According to this configuration, LIN can be used as the communication method used for communication between the plurality of power storage devices (4) and the communication partner.

[0130] The auxiliary power supply system (1) according to the 17th aspect is such that, in any one of the 1st to 16th aspects, the partner to be backed up is an in-vehicle device.

[0131] According to this configuration, an in-vehicle device can be used as the partner to be backed up.

[0132] The module according to the 18th aspect is used as the power storage device (4) of the auxiliary power supply system (1) according to any one of the 1st to 17th aspects.

[0133] According to this configuration, a module used as the power storage device (4) of the auxiliary power supply system (1) can be provided.

[0134] The auxiliary power supply control method according to the 19th aspect is an auxiliary power supply control method for controlling an auxiliary power supply system (1) including a plurality of power storage devices (4) for supplying power to a backup target partner. Each of the plurality of power storage devices (4) has a communication function for communicating with the same communication partner. The auxiliary power supply control method includes a preliminary determination step, a response step, and a change step.

[0135] In the preliminary determination step, each of the plurality of power storage devices (4) preliminarily determines, as its own communication address, one of a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage device (4) set by the communication partner, the number of first communication addresses being the same as the number of the plurality of power storage devices (4). In the response step, each of the plurality of power storage devices (4) returns a response signal to the transmission signal with its own preliminarily determined communication address attached. In the change step, when a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal, each of the plurality of power storage devices (4) changes the preliminarily determined own communication address to one of one or more unused communication addresses among the plurality of set first communication addresses.

[0136] According to this configuration, each time a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal made by the power storage device, the power storage device changes the preliminarily determined own communication address to one of the unused communication addresses. As a result, even if the own communication addresses overlap among the plurality of power storage devices, the overlap is gradually eliminated, and finally, communication addresses (first communication addresses) are allocated to the plurality of power storage devices without duplication. Thereby, after connecting the plurality of power storage devices to the auxiliary power supply system, communication addresses can be allocated to the plurality of power storage devices. As a result, manufacturing and management can be performed without distinguishing the plurality of power storage devices by communication addresses.

[0137] The program according to the 20th aspect causes one or more processors to execute the auxiliary power supply control method according to the 19th aspect.

[0138] According to this configuration, a program for causing one or more processors to execute the above-described auxiliary power supply control method can be provided.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0139] 1 Auxiliary power supply system 3 Electrical equipment (backup target, communication partner) 4 Energy storage device 43 Communication unit (communication function)

Claims

1. Comprising a plurality of power storage devices for supplying power to a backup target partner, Each of the plurality of power storage devices, Has a communication function for communicating with the same communication partner, Among a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage device set by the communication partner, one of the first communication addresses equal in number to the plurality of power storage devices is temporarily determined as its own communication address, and a response signal to a transmission signal with the temporarily determined own communication address attached is returned. When a communication abnormality occurs in the return of the response signal, the temporarily determined own communication address is changed to one of one or more unused communication addresses within the plurality of set first communication addresses. Auxiliary power supply system.

2. When a communication abnormality does not occur in the return of the response signal, the power storage device continues to use the temporarily determined own communication address. The auxiliary power supply system according to claim 1.

3. The power storage device monitors communication between the communication partner and the plurality of power storage devices, and when there is no unused communication address within the plurality of set first communication addresses, determines the temporarily determined own communication address. The auxiliary power supply system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The communication partner repeatedly attaches the plurality of first communication addresses and a second communication address for the communication partner to a transmission signal in a predetermined order one by one and transmits it to the plurality of power storage devices. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The power storage device temporarily determines the first communication address attached to the transmission signal received next after the transmission signal attached with the second communication address as its own communication address. The auxiliary power supply system according to claim 4.

6. The power storage device temporarily determines its own communication address in the first round of the repetition, and returns the response signal in each round after the second round of the repetition. The auxiliary power supply system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The power storage device acquires information on a set of the plurality of first communication addresses based on each of the first communication addresses attached to a plurality of transmission signals received after receiving the transmission signal attached with the second communication address until receiving the transmission signal attached with the second communication address again. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. The power storage device includes a storage unit that stores a unique manufacturing number. When the number of specific bit positions in the bit string representing the manufacturing number is "0", a first response signal is returned as the response signal. When the number of the specific bit positions is "1", a second response signal is returned as the response signal. The first response signal is a response signal that does not cause a communication abnormality in the return of the first response signal by the power storage device when the second response signal is simultaneously returned from another power storage device having a common first communication address as its own communication address. The second response signal is a response signal that causes a communication abnormality in the return of the second response signal by the power storage device when the first response signal is simultaneously returned from another power storage device having a common first communication address as its own communication address. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. The first response signal is data of "0x00" in hexadecimal notation, and the second response signal is data of "0xFF" in hexadecimal notation. The auxiliary power supply system according to claim 8.

10. When the power storage device receives a transmission signal with the second communication address and has the unused communication address, the specific bit position is shifted by 1 bit from the bit position at one end of the bit string representing the manufacturing number toward the bit position at the other end. The auxiliary power supply system according to claim 8 or 9.

11. When the power storage device shifts the specific bit position by 1 bit from the bit position at one end of the bit string representing the manufacturing number toward the bit position at the other end, if the specific bit position is located at the bit position at the other end of the bit string, the specific bit position is returned to the bit position at one end of the bit string. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. When the power storage device changes the temporarily determined own communication address to one of the unused communication addresses, the specific bit position is returned to the initial position. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

13. The power storage device identifies the unused communication address by monitoring the communication status between the communication partner and the plurality of power storage devices. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The power storage device can be added in addition to the plurality of power storage devices. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The communication partner is the partner to be backed up. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The communication method used in the communication between the plurality of power storage devices and the communication partner is LIN (Local Interconnect Network) or a method extended based on LIN. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The partner to be backed up is an in-vehicle device. The auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The module used as the power storage device of the auxiliary power supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. An auxiliary power supply control method for controlling an auxiliary power supply system including a plurality of power storage devices for supplying power to a partner to be backed up, each of the plurality of power storage devices having a communication function of communicating with the same communication partner, a temporary determination step in which each of the plurality of power storage devices temporarily determines, as its own communication address, one of a plurality of first communication addresses for the power storage devices set for the communication partner and having the same number as the plurality of power storage devices, a reply step in which each of the plurality of power storage devices replies with a response signal to the transmission signal with the temporarily determined own communication address attached, and a change step in which, when a communication abnormality occurs in the reply of the response signal, each of the plurality of power storage devices changes the temporarily determined own communication address to one of one or more unused communication addresses among the communication addresses set for the plurality of power storage devices. Auxiliary power supply control method.

20. A program for causing one or more processors to execute the auxiliary power supply control method according to claim 19.

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