Arrangement method of a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system used in a power storage system

Abstract

To provide a method for allocating a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system that automatically assigns serial numbers, and the assigned serial numbers become the serial numbers of the battery packs. 【Solution means】A method for allocating a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system 20 used in a power storage system, the battery management system including a main battery management device and a plurality of sub-battery management devices. The allocation method includes: each sub-battery management device transmitting notification information via a first communication interface, each notification information including an identity code of each sub-battery management device; the main battery management device receiving each notification information and obtaining each identity code from the received notification information; and the main battery management device executing an allocation step when it determines that the quantity of the plurality of identity codes is equal to a planned continuous quantity while counting the quantity of the plurality of identity codes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power storage system having a battery pack, and more particularly to a method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system used in the power storage system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional power storage systems include a plurality of battery packs, and the plurality of battery packs are connected in series, in parallel, or both in series and in parallel to provide power to a load. Each battery pack has a battery management device also called a Battery Management Unit (BMU) or a Cell Monitor Unit (CMU). The battery management device detects the state of each battery pack, such as voltage, current, and temperature. The battery management device combines the state of the battery pack with a predetermined number as state information and transmits it via a communication local bus. The number is for identifying from which battery management device of any battery pack the state information is transmitted by a device (for example, a control computer) that receives the state information. The number is burned into a non-volatile memory in the battery management device when the battery pack is produced. Therefore, when it is desired to change the number of the battery pack again later, it is necessary to change the number stored in the non-volatile memory by a corresponding burning device. Therefore, inconvenience occurs in the operation of changing the number.

[0003] To address the above drawbacks, a conventional battery pack further includes an encoding switch connected to a battery management device, and an operator can set the number of the battery management device by operating the encoding switch. This makes the operation of changing the number more convenient. However, when operating the encoding switch, the operator cannot set the corresponding number without visually checking the numeric code on the encoding switch, and it is easy to misidentify the numeric code. If the encoding switch is incorrectly set, there will be an error in the status information transmitted by the battery management device, and as a result, there is a risk of duplication in the numbers of two battery management devices.

[0004] Therefore, the conventional form of setting numbers is not yet perfect and there is still room for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system, which automatically assigns serial numbers, and the assigned serial numbers become the serial numbers of the battery packs.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, in the method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system provided by the present invention, the battery management system includes a main battery management device and a plurality of sub-battery management devices. The main battery management device is connected to the plurality of sub-battery management devices via a first communication interface, and the first to the last of the plurality of sub-battery management devices are sequentially connected. Among them, the first of the plurality of sub-battery management devices is connected to the main battery management device via a second communication interface, and each pair of the connected plurality of sub-battery management devices is connected via another second communication interface. The arrangement method includes the following steps.

[0007] In step A, any one of the plurality of sub-battery management devices transmits notification information to the main battery management device via the first communication interface. Each piece of the notification information includes the identification code of each sub-battery management device, and among them, the identification codes of each of the plurality of sub-battery management devices are different from each other.

[0008] In step B, while receiving each piece of the notification information transmitted by the plurality of sub-battery management devices, the main battery management device acquires the identification code of each sub-battery management device from each received piece of the notification information.

[0009] In step C, while counting the quantity of the plurality of identification codes, when the main battery management device determines that the quantity of the plurality of identification codes is equal to the planned continuous quantity, it executes an arrangement step.

[0010] Among them, the arrangement step includes the following steps.

[0011] In step D1, the main battery management device transmits a first setting command to the first one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices via the second communication interface, and commands the first one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices to arrange one of the plurality of serial numbers.

[0012] In step D2, from the second one to the last one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices, each arranges one of the plurality of serial numbers in order. Among them, any one from the first one to the second last one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices, when the arrangement of each serial number is completed, until the last one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices completes the arrangement of the last one of the plurality of serial numbers, a second setting command is transmitted to the next sub-battery management device in sequence via the corresponding other second communication interface, and commands the next sub-battery management device in sequence to arrange one of the next plurality of serial numbers.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] The effect of the present invention is that when the main battery management device permits the execution of the arrangement step only when it determines that the number of sub-battery management devices is the same as the planned continuous number, it is possible to avoid the situation where there is an error in the number of sub-battery management devices. By the arrangement step, when the serial numbers are automatically assigned to the sub-battery management devices in order, the problem that it is easy to make a mistake when the operator sets the serial number by the switch can be effectively improved.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] To explain the present invention more clearly, preferred embodiments will be given and described in detail as follows with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a power storage system 1 to which a method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied. The power storage system 1 is for providing power to a load (not shown). The load may be, for example, a transportation means (a vehicle such as a car, a ship, an airplane) or a grid. The power storage system 1 may be applied to an energy storage system. The power storage system 1 includes a plurality of battery packs 10 and a battery management system 20.

[0016] The plurality of battery packs 10 are electrically connected to the power distribution unit (PDU) of the load with the negative electrode of the first battery pack 10a and the positive electrode of the last battery pack 10b as an example in the form of series connection, but this is not the only case. It may also be that the positive electrode of the first battery pack 10a and the negative electrode of the last battery pack 10b are electrically connected to the power distribution unit as a load. Note that the plurality of battery packs 10 may be in parallel connection, or both series connection and parallel connection, but are not limited to series connection. In this embodiment, 12 is taken as an example for the quantity of the battery packs 10, but this is not the only case.

[0017] The battery management system 20 includes a main battery management device 22 and a plurality of sub-battery management devices 24. The main battery management device 22 includes a first transmission module 222 and a second transmission module 224. The first transmission module 222 is for connecting to the first communication interface 30. In this embodiment, for the first transmission module 222, a CAN-bus transmission set is taken as an example, but not limited thereto. For the first communication interface 30, CAN-BUS is taken as an example, but not limited thereto. It may also be an interface for providing communication among a plurality of devices such as USB, LIN BUS (Local Interconnect Network BUS), and Ethernet. The first communication interface 30 is connected to a control device so as to control the communication of the device. For example, when the power storage system 1 is used in a transportation means, the control device may be, for example, a VCU (Vehicle Control Unit) or a control computer. When the power storage system 1 is used in an energy storage system, the control device may be, for example, an EMS (Energy Management System). The second transmission module 224 is for connecting to the second communication interface 32. In this embodiment, for the second transmission module 224, an interface transmission module connected in series is taken as an example, and for the second communication interface 32, a communication interface connected in series is taken as an example. For example, it may be an RS-485 communication interface, but not limited thereto. It may also be RS-232, RS-422, UART, USB, CAN bus, LIN BUS, Ethernet, etc.

[0018] In this embodiment, the number of sub-battery management devices 24 is taken as an example of 12, but it is not limited thereto. Each sub-battery management device 24 is installed in each battery pack 10 and detects the state of each battery pack 10, for example, detects at least one of voltage, current, and temperature. Each sub-battery management device 24 includes a first transmission module 242, a second transmission module 244, and a third transmission module 246. The first transmission module 242 in each sub-battery management device 24 takes the CAN-bus transmission set as an example, but it is not limited thereto. The first transmission modules 242 in the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 are electrically connected to the first communication interface 30, so that the main battery management device 22 is connected to the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 via the first communication interface 30. The second transmission module 244 and the third transmission module 246 in each sub-battery management device 24 take the communication transmission module by serial connection as an example, but it is not limited thereto.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the first (sub-battery management device 24-1) to the last (sub-battery management device 24-12) of the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 are connected in sequence, and in this embodiment, a connection called serial connection is adopted. The sub-battery management devices 24-2 to 24-11 are connected in sequence between the sub-battery management device 24-1 and the sub-battery management device 24-12.

[0020] Specifically, the second transmission module 244 of the first one (sub-battery management device 24-1) among the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 is electrically connected to the second communication interface 32, so that the first one (sub-battery management device 24-1) among the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 is connected to the main battery management device 22 via the second communication interface 32. Between every two consecutive sub-battery management devices 24, they are connected via another second communication interface 34. That is, the second communication interface 34 is electrically connected between the third transmission module 246 in each sub-battery management device 24 and the second transmission module 244 in the next sub-battery management device 24. In this embodiment, for the second communication interface 34, taking the communication interface by serial connection as an example, it is, for example, RS-485, but not limited thereto, and it may also be RS-232, RS-422, UART, USB, CAN bus, LIN BUS, Ethernet, etc. Each second communication interface 34 and the second communication interface 32 are the same. The third transmission module 246 in the last sub-battery management device 24-12 is not connected to the second communication interface 34. Instead, the last sub-battery management device 24-12 may not be provided with the third transmission module 246. Therefore, each of the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 can communicate with the others connected via the corresponding second communication interface 34.

[0021] An identification code is recorded in each sub-battery management device 24. The identification code may be recorded in the memory of each sub-battery management device 24. Each identification code means the unique identification code of each sub-battery management device 24 and / or each battery pack 10. The identification codes are non-consecutive and non-repeating. For example, they may be the production numbers of the sub-battery management devices 24 and / or each battery pack 10, but not limited thereto. The identification codes of the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 may be different from each other.

[0022] According to the above configuration, the method of arranging the serial numbers of the battery management system 20 according to this embodiment can be realized. The arrangement method is for distributing each serial number to each sub-battery management device 24. Each distributed serial number becomes the serial number of each battery pack 10 in the energy storage system 1. Thereby, the main battery management device 22 can identify each sub-battery management device 24 or each battery pack 10 based on each serial number. Each serial number may include one or a combination of a plurality of numbers, letters, symbols, characters, etc. For example, the serial number may be in the form of a sequence of numbers. Each serial number may be in binary notation, decimal notation, hexadecimal notation, or any other base notation. The value of the serial number may increase or decrease. Or, the plurality of serial numbers may be in the form of a sequence of a plurality of letters. Taking 12 English letters as an example, it may increase (for example, A to L) or decrease (L to A) according to the order of the letters in the serial number, for example, increase or decrease according to the value of the ASCII code of the letters. Also, a number is one aspect of the serial numbers in the present invention.

[0023] The arrangement method according to this embodiment is executed every time power is supplied to the main battery management device 22 and the sub-battery management device 24 (Power on). In other words, when the power is turned off and then powered on again, the arrangement method of the serial numbers is executed again so that the serial numbers are distributed again. The arrangement method includes the following steps shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Hereinafter, the serial numbers will be described by taking numbers as an example.

[0024] In step S11, each sub-battery management device 24 transmits notification information to the main battery management device 22 via the first communication interface 30. Each notification information includes the identity code of each sub-battery management device 24.

[0025] In this embodiment, the notification information is, for example, information broadcast to the first communication interface 30. Each sub-battery management device 24 transmits notification information including the identification code of each sub-battery management device 24 via the first communication interface 30. Since the serial number has not been assigned to each sub-battery management device 24 yet, the notification information does not have a serial number in its content. In one embodiment, when the sub-battery management device 24 already stores the serial number assigned when it was last powered on, the sub-battery management device 24 first deletes the existing serial number and then transmits the notification information. In one embodiment, when the sub-battery management device 24 already stores the serial number assigned when it was last powered on, the sub-battery management device 24 does not add and transmit the existing serial number to the content of the notification information.

[0026] In step S12, while receiving the notification information transmitted by each sub-battery management device 24, the main battery management device 22 acquires the identification code of each sub-battery management device 24 from each received notification information.

[0027] In this embodiment, while receiving the plurality of notification information from the first communication interface 30, the main battery management device 22 analyzes the notification information to acquire the identification code among them.

[0028] In step S13, while counting the quantity of the plurality of identification codes, when the main battery management device 22 determines that the quantity of the plurality of identification codes is equal to the planned continuous quantity, the main battery management device 22 executes the arrangement step S14 shown in FIG. 4.

[0029] In this embodiment, the main battery management device 22 records a planned continuous quantity and a plurality of predetermined serial numbers. The planned continuous quantity is the total of the planned sub-battery management devices 24 that are to be continuous in the main battery management device 22, that is, the total number of battery packs 10 whose continuity is set in advance. The planned continuous quantity and the plurality of predetermined serial numbers may be recorded in the memory of the main battery management device 22. For example, if the planned continuous quantity is set to 12, it means that 12 sub-battery management devices 24 or 12 battery packs 10 are set in advance in the main battery management device 22 to be continuous. For example, for the plurality of predetermined serial numbers, the first predetermined serial number is 1 (shown in decimal for convenience of explanation, but not limited thereto), and the second to the last predetermined serial numbers increase sequentially, that is, 2 to 12 (shown in decimal for convenience of explanation, but not limited thereto), and 12 is the maximum value, and the maximum value is the extreme value corresponding to the planned continuous quantity. In this embodiment, the maximum value is equal to the planned continuous quantity. In practice, the first predetermined serial number is not limited to 1, and may be any initial value such as 0. And the last predetermined serial number becomes 11, and the number is not equal to the planned continuous quantity 12, but the last predetermined serial number becomes 11, which means the 12th predetermined serial number, that is, it corresponds to the planned continuous quantity. For example, the predetermined serial numbers are the English letters A to L, and the last predetermined serial number L means the 12th predetermined serial number, and L is the extreme value corresponding to the planned continuous quantity. The extreme value of the letters may be determined by, for example, the ASCII code.

[0030] While counting the quantity of the acquired identification codes, the main battery management device 22 determines whether the quantity of the acquired identification codes is equal to the planned continuous quantity.

[0031] When it is determined as "No", that is, when the quantity of the plurality of identification codes is not equal to the planned continuous quantity, it means that the quantity of the sub-battery management device 24 or the battery pack 10 currently connected to the main battery management device 22 is not accurate, and the main battery management device generates warning information. The warning information is transmitted via the first communication interface 30 to notify the control device that the quantity of the sub-battery management device 24 or the battery pack 10 is not accurate.

[0032] When it is determined as "Yes", it means that the quantity of the sub-battery management device 24 or the battery pack 10 currently connected to the main battery management device 22 is accurate, and the arrangement step S14 is executed. The arrangement step S14 includes the following steps.

[0033] Step S141 is that the main battery management device 22 transmits a first setting command to the first one (sub-battery management device 24-1) among the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 once or multiple times via the second communication interface 32, so as to instruct the first one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 to arrange a serial number.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first setting command includes the first predetermined serial number among the plurality of predetermined serial numbers, that is, its value is 1. When the first sub-battery management device 24-1 receives the first setting command, it arranges its serial number as the first predetermined serial number specified in the first setting command.

[0035] In step S142, from the first one (sub-battery management device 24-1) to the second last one (sub-battery management device 24-11) among the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24, when the arrangement of each serial number is completed in order, until the arrangement of the serial number of the last one (sub-battery management device 24-12) among the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 is completed, a second setting command is transmitted one or more times in sequence via the corresponding second communication interface 34 to the next sub-battery management device 24 that is continuously arranged, and the next sub-battery management device 24 that is continuously arranged is commanded to arrange the next serial number. Step S142 can be realized by arranging one of the plurality of serial numbers in order from the second one (sub-battery management device 24-2) to the last sub-battery management device 24-12 among the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24.

[0036] In this embodiment, the serial number of the sub-battery management device 24 with the arranged serial number becomes n, the sub-battery management device 24 with the arranged serial number designates a predetermined serial number in the second setting command, and the predetermined serial number increments from the arranged serial number, that is, the predetermined serial number becomes n + m. In this embodiment, m = 1, however, it is not limited thereto, m is an integer of 1 or more, and it is only necessary that the predetermined serial number in the second setting command matches the predetermined serial number recorded in the main battery management device 22. When the next sub-battery management device 24 receives the second setting command, it arranges its serial number as the predetermined serial number specified in the second setting command.

[0037] For example, according to the series connection order, since the second sub-battery management device 24-2 is connected in series with the first sub-battery management device 24-1, the first sub-battery management device 24-1 transmits a second setting command to the second sub-battery management device 24-2 via the continuous second communication interface 34, and the predetermined serial number included in the second setting command is 2. The second sub-battery management device 24-2 arranges the serial number as 2.

[0038] Next, the second sub-battery management device 24-2 transmits a second setting command to the third sub-battery management device 24-3 via the continuous second communication interface 34, and the predetermined serial number included in the second setting command is 3. The third sub-battery management device 24-3 arranges its serial number to 3.

[0039] From the third sub-battery management device 24-3 onwards, any one of the second last sub-battery management devices 24-11 transmits the second setting command to the next consecutive sub-battery management device 24 in the same form via the continuous second communication interface 34 in sequence. Among them, the second last sub-battery management device 24-11 transmits the second setting command to the last sub-battery management device 24-12. When the last sub-battery management device 24-12 arranges its serial number to the predetermined serial number 12 specified in the second setting command, since the third transmission module 246 in the sub-battery management device 24-12 is not continuous with the second communication interface 34, the sub-battery management device 24-12 will not transmit the second setting command. However, that is not all. The sub-battery management device 24-12 may output the second setting command from the third transmission module 246. And each sub-battery management device 24 can use the same programming code, eliminating the need to create a dedicated program for the sub-battery management device 24-12.

[0040] In one embodiment, the sub-battery management device 24 stores the serial number arranged during the previous power-on, and when the existing serial number has not been deleted yet in step S11, in the arrangement step S14, the existing serial number is overwritten with the distributed serial number. Instead, when the existing serial number is the same as the distributed serial number, the existing serial number is retained as the new serial number.

[0041] In addition, in order for the main battery management device 22 to determine whether the numbering has been completed for the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24, when the main battery management device 22 sends a first setting command, further, inquiry information is sent once or a plurality of times via the first communication interface 30. The inquiry information is for inquiring whether the numbering has been completed for each sub-battery management device 24. When each sub-battery management device 24 with a numbered serial number receives the inquiry information, it sends response information to the main battery management device 22 via the first communication interface 30. The response information includes the serial numbers of each sub-battery management device 24 with a numbered serial number. In one embodiment, in step S141, the main battery management device 22 sends a plurality of first setting commands to the first sub-battery management device 24-1 via the second communication interface 32. When the main battery management device receives any response information, it stops sending the first setting command. That is, when receiving the response information of the first sub-battery management device 24-1 or another sub-battery management device 24, it can be determined that the numbering of any sub-battery management device 24 has already been completed, so the first setting command is not sent again. In one embodiment, in step S141, the main battery management device 22 sends a plurality of first setting commands to the first sub-battery management device 24-1 via the second communication interface 32, and when the number of times of sending the first setting command reaches a predetermined number of times, the first setting command is not sent again.

[0042] Regarding the serial numbers of the plurality of sub - battery management devices 24, since they are arranged in the order from the first sub - battery management device 24 - 1 to the last sub - battery management device 24 - 12, the value of the serial number of the response information received from the main battery management device 22 increases monotonically. The last sub - battery management device 24 - 12 has the maximum value for the serial number in the response information to be sent when the arrangement is completed. In this embodiment, the maximum value is equal to or corresponds to the planned continuous quantity. When the main battery management device determines that the serial number in any of the received response information is equal to the maximum value (taking 12 as an example) or corresponds to the planned continuous quantity, it stops sending the inquiry information so that the arrangement step S14 is completed.

[0043] In this embodiment, the main battery management device 22 sends a plurality of inquiry information via the first communication interface 30 over a predetermined time. If no response information with a serial number equal to the maximum value is received even after exceeding the predetermined time, it means that the arrangement of the serial number to a certain sub - battery management device 24 has failed. Then, the main battery management device 22 generates warning information so that the arrangement step S14 is completed. The warning information can be sent via the first communication interface 30 to warn the control device that the arrangement of the serial number of the battery pack has failed. The predetermined time can be counted, for example, from the time of sending the first setting command. The predetermined time may be set to be greater than the time required to arrange the serial numbers for the plurality of sub - battery management devices 24 in advance. For example, if the time required to arrange the serial number for each sub - battery management device 24 is 500 ms, the predetermined time can be set to be greater than or equal to 6 seconds (500 ms×12), for example, 6 - 12 seconds. The predetermined time and the time required to arrange the serial number for each sub - battery management device 24 are only for illustrative purposes and are not limited to the times mentioned above. In one embodiment, it may not be necessary to set the predetermined time.

[0044] In this embodiment, the main battery management device 22 adds the recorded plurality of predetermined serial numbers to the inquiry information to be transmitted. When the serial number of the sub-battery management device 24 where the serial number is arranged matches one of the serial numbers of the plurality of predetermined serial numbers, the response information is transmitted to the main battery management device 22 via the first communication interface 30. When the main battery management device 22 determines that the serial number of any of the received response information is equal to the maximum value, it stops transmitting the inquiry information so that the arrangement step S14 is completed. Alternatively, in this embodiment, when the serial number of any of the received response information is equal to or corresponds to the planned continuous quantity, the transmission of the inquiry information is stopped so that the arrangement step S14 is completed.

[0045] When serial numbers are arranged for each sub-battery management device 24, communication can be performed with the main battery management device 22 via the first communication interface 30. For example, the state of each battery pack 10 is transmitted to the main battery management device 22 via the first communication interface 30.

[0046] Next, the main battery management device 22 transmits completion information via the first communication interface 30 to notify that the arrangement of the serial numbers of the control device battery management system 20 has been completed.

[0047] In one embodiment, the main battery management device 22 adds, to the inquiry information transmitted once or a plurality of times, a predetermined serial number having a maximum value, which is the last recorded predetermined serial number (equal to the planned continuous quantity in this embodiment). When the serial number is assigned to the last sub-battery management device 24-12, if the serial number assigned to the last sub-battery management device 24-12 matches the predetermined serial number, the last sub-battery management device 24-12 transmits response information to the main battery management device 22 via the first communication interface 30. When the main battery management device 22 receives the response information, it stops transmitting the inquiry information to complete the placement step S14. Therefore, only the last sub-battery management device 24-12 transmits the response information, and the quantity of the response information transmitted via the first communication interface 30 can be reduced. Optionally, the response information includes the serial number of the last sub-battery management device 24-12. When the main battery management device 22 receives the response information and determines that the serial number in the received response information is equal to the maximum value, it stops transmitting the inquiry information.

[0048] In one embodiment, the main battery management device 22 transmits inquiry information via the first communication interface 30 at least once. For example, the main battery management device 22 may transmit the inquiry information only once when a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the first setting command. The predetermined time may be set to be greater than the time required to assign serial numbers to the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 in advance. The inquiry information may include all the predetermined serial numbers. Thereby, when the inquiry information is received after the serial numbers are assigned to the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24, each responds with response information via the first communication interface 30. Alternatively, the inquiry information may include the last predetermined serial number. Thereby, when the inquiry information is received after the serial number is assigned to the last sub-battery management device 24-12, the response information is responded via the first communication interface 30.

[0049] In one embodiment, in step S141, the main battery management device 22 transmits inquiry information via the first communication interface 30 at least once. The inquiry information includes the first predetermined serial number among the plurality of predetermined serial numbers (taking 1 as an example). The first one (sub-battery management device 24-1) of the sub-battery management devices 24 transmits response information to the main battery management device 22 via the first communication interface 30 when its serial number matches the first predetermined serial number in the inquiry information. The response information includes the serial number of the first one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24. Thereby, when the main battery management device 22 receives the response information of the first sub-battery management device, it can be known that the serial number has been arranged for the first sub-battery management device 24.

[0050] Next, in step S142, the main battery management device 22 sequentially transmits a plurality of other inquiry information via the first communication interface 30. Each of the plurality of other inquiry information includes one of the predetermined serial numbers from the second predetermined serial number (taking 2 as an example) to the last (taking 12 as an example) among the plurality of predetermined serial numbers. Each sub-battery management device 24 with a serial number arranged transmits other response information to the main battery management device 22 via the first communication interface 30 when its serial number matches each predetermined serial number in each of the other inquiry information. The other response information includes the serial numbers of the sub-battery management devices 24 with each serial number arranged. Thereby, when the serial numbers are arranged for each of the sub-battery management devices from the second sub-battery management device 24-2 to the last sub-battery management device 24-12, the main battery management device 22 will sequentially receive the other response information of the sub-battery management devices 24 with serial numbers arranged. Thereby, it can be known that the serial numbers have been arranged for each sub-battery management device 24. When the main battery management device 22 determines that the serial number in the received other response information is equal to the last predetermined serial number, it means that the arrangement of the serial number of the last one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices is completed, so as to complete the arrangement step.

[0051] As described above, the values of the first to last predetermined serial numbers among the plurality of predetermined serial numbers recorded in the main battery management device 22 are incremented as an example, but this is not the only case. In one embodiment, they may be decremented. In this case, the value of the first predetermined serial number is the maximum value (taking 12 as an example), the value of the last predetermined serial number is the minimum value (taking 1 as an example), and the minimum value is the extreme value corresponding to the planned continuous quantity. In step S141, the first setting command includes the first predetermined serial number (taking 12 as an example) among the plurality of predetermined serial numbers. In step S142, when the sub-battery management device with the arranged serial number includes the predetermined serial number specified in the second setting command, it decrements from the arranged serial number n. That is, the predetermined serial number specified in the second setting command becomes n - m. Taking m = 1 as an example, m may be an integer of 1 or more. When the main battery management device 22 determines that the serial number in the received response information is the minimum value (that is, the extreme value corresponding to the planned continuous quantity), it means that the arrangement of the last serial number to the plurality of sub-battery management devices 24 is completed, and the arrangement step is completed.

[0052] As described above, by the method of arranging the serial numbers of the battery management system 20 according to the present invention, the serial numbers can be automatically assigned to the sub-battery management devices 24 in the battery pack 10 in sequential order, and the problem that it is easy to make mistakes when the operator sets the serial numbers by switches can be improved. Even if one or more battery packs 10 have been replaced, or the positions of the battery packs 10 have been exchanged, when the second communication interface 32 and the second communication interface 34 are connected and powered on again, it is possible to reassign the serial numbers of the sub-battery management devices 24, and there is no need for the operator to reset the serial numbers via the switches.

[0053] Note that the main battery management device 22 assigns a serial number only when it determines that the quantity of the sub-battery management devices 24 (i.e., the quantity of the battery packs) matches the predetermined continuous quantity. By not assigning a serial number when the quantity of the battery packs 10 does not continuously match, it is possible to avoid an error in the voltage or current from the power storage system.

[0054] What has been described above is merely a preferred practicable embodiment of the present invention. Any equivalent substitutions made by applying the claims together with the specification of the present invention shall all be included in the claims of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0055] 1 Power storage system 10, 10a, 10b Battery pack 20 Battery management system 22 Main battery management device 222 First transmission module 224 Second transmission module 24, 24-1 to 24-12 Sub-battery management device 242 First transmission module 244 Second transmission module 246 Third transmission module 30 First communication interface 32 Second communication interface 34 Second communication interface S11~S13, S141, S142 Steps S14 Arrangement step

Claims

1. A method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system, wherein the battery management system includes a main battery management device and a plurality of sub-battery management devices, the main battery management device is connected to the plurality of sub-battery management devices via a first communication interface, the first to the last of the plurality of sub-battery management devices are sequentially connected, the first of the plurality of sub-battery management devices is connected to the main battery management device via a second communication interface, and each pair of the sequentially connected plurality of sub-battery management devices is connected via another second communication interface; the arranging method includes: Step A: Any one of the plurality of sub-battery management devices transmits notification information to the main battery management device via the first communication interface, and each piece of the notification information includes an identity code of each sub-battery management device, and the identity codes of the plurality of sub-battery management devices are different from each other; Step B: While receiving each piece of the notification information transmitted by the plurality of sub-battery management devices, the main battery management device obtains each identity code of each sub-battery management device from each piece of the received notification information; Step C: While counting the quantity of the plurality of identity codes, the main battery management device executes an arranging step when it is determined that the quantity of the plurality of identity codes is equal to a predetermined continuous quantity; the arranging step includes: Step D1: The main battery management device transmits a first setting command to the first of the plurality of sub-battery management devices via the second communication interface, and commands the first of the plurality of sub-battery management devices to arrange one of the plurality of serial numbers; From the second to the last of the plurality of sub-battery management devices, one of the plurality of serial numbers is arranged in order. Among them, any one from the first to the second last of the plurality of sub-battery management devices, when the arrangement of each serial number is completed, until the arrangement of the last serial number of the last of the plurality of sub-battery management devices is completed, a second setting command is transmitted to the next sub-battery management device in sequence through the corresponding other second communication interface, and the next sub-battery management device in sequence is commanded to arrange one of the next plurality of serial numbers, step D2, and a method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system, characterized in that it includes this.

2. The arranging step includes The main battery management device transmits inquiry information at least once through the first communication interface, and Each of the sub-battery management devices in which one of the plurality of serial numbers is arranged has received the inquiry information. When each of the sub-battery management devices in which one of the plurality of serial numbers is arranged receives the inquiry information, answer information is transmitted to the main battery management device through the first communication interface respectively, and each of the answer information includes each serial number of each of the sub-battery management devices in which one of the plurality of serial numbers is arranged. A method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes this.

3. The inquiry information includes a plurality of predetermined serial numbers, Each of the sub-battery management devices in which each serial number is arranged transmits each of the answer information to the main battery management device through the first communication interface when each serial number matches one of the plurality of predetermined serial numbers. A method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in a battery management system according to claim 2, characterized in that it is like this.

4. The main battery management device transmits a plurality of the inquiry information through the first communication interface, The plurality of predetermined serial numbers have extreme values corresponding to the planned continuous quantity. The main battery management device stops transmitting the inquiry information when it determines that the serial number in any of the received response information is equal to the extreme value. The method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. The main battery management device transmits a plurality of the inquiry information via the first communication interface over a predetermined time. When the predetermined time has elapsed and the response information equal to the serial number at the extreme value has not been received, a warning information is generated. The method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. The main battery management device transmits a plurality of the inquiry information via the first communication interface. The method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 2, characterized in that.

7. The main battery management device stops transmitting the inquiry information when it determines that the serial number in any of the received response information corresponds to the planned continuous quantity. The method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. In step D1, the main battery management device transmits a plurality of the first setting commands to the first one among the plurality of sub-battery management devices via the second communication interface. The method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 2, characterized in that.

9. The main battery management device stops transmitting the first setting command when it receives any of the response information. The method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The arranging step is The main battery management device transmits the inquiry information via the first communication interface only at least once. The inquiry information includes a predetermined serial number corresponding to the planned continuous quantity, and When the last serial number among the plurality of sub - battery management devices matches the predetermined serial number, answer information is transmitted to the main battery management device via the first communication interface. When the main battery management device receives the answer information, it includes stopping the transmission of the inquiry information. A method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. A plurality of predetermined serial numbers are recorded in the main battery management device. In step D1, the first setting command includes the first predetermined serial number among the plurality of predetermined serial numbers, and the first one among the plurality of sub - battery management devices arranges the serial number as the first predetermined serial number of the first setting command. In step D1, the main battery management device transmits inquiry information via the first communication interface at least once. The inquiry information includes the first predetermined serial number. The first one among the plurality of sub - battery management devices transmits answer information to the main battery management device via the first communication interface when the serial number matches the first predetermined serial number in the inquiry information. The answer information includes the serial number of the first one among the plurality of sub - battery management devices. A method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 1, characterized in that.

12. In step D2, the main battery management device sequentially transmits a plurality of other inquiry information via the first communication interface. Each of the plurality of other inquiry information includes the second predetermined serial number to the last predetermined serial number among the plurality of predetermined serial numbers. Each sub - battery management device with the serial number arranged transmits other answer information to the main battery management device via the first communication interface when the serial number matches each predetermined serial number in each of the other inquiry information. The other answer information includes the serial number of each sub - battery management device with the serial number arranged. In the battery management system according to claim 11, the method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers is characterized in that when the main battery management device determines that the serial number in the received other response information is equal to the last predetermined serial number among the plurality of predetermined serial numbers, the arrangement step is completed.

13. In the method for arranging a plurality of serial numbers in the battery management system according to claim 1, in step C, when the main battery management device determines that the quantity of the plurality of identification codes is not equal to the planned continuous quantity, warning information is generated.

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