Battery control device, battery monitoring system including the battery control device and a battery monitoring device, and method for identifying an abnormal battery using the battery monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a battery control device that can grasp the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and batteries monitored by each battery monitoring device, a battery monitoring system equipped with the battery control device and the battery monitoring device, and a method for identifying abnormal batteries using the battery monitoring system.SOLUTION: In a housing section of a battery monitoring system, each battery block 21, each battery monitoring device 30, and a battery control device 40 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement state. The battery control device 40 includes a battery control MCU 41 and a master unit-side storage unit 44. The master unit-side storage unit 44 stores parameters which are related to communication quality of wireless communication when arranged in the predetermined arrangement state, and which are associated with each battery monitoring device 30. Based on a received wireless signal from the battery monitoring device 30 and the stored parameters, the battery control MCU 41 identifies a battery block 21 monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 that is the source of the received wireless signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery control device, a battery monitoring system including the battery control device and a battery monitoring device, and a method for identifying an abnormal battery using the battery monitoring system.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of system, as described in Patent Document 1, a system for monitoring the states of a plurality of cell groups constituting a battery module is known. Specifically, this system includes a battery monitoring device that is individually provided corresponding to each of the plurality of cell groups and monitors the state of the cell group, and a battery control device that acquires battery information, which is a monitoring result, from each battery monitoring device by performing wireless communication with each battery monitoring device. The battery control device executes various controls based on the acquired battery information.

[0003] In order to perform wireless communication between the battery control device and the battery monitoring device, unique identification information is given to each battery monitoring device. Each battery monitoring device wirelessly transmits the identification information together with the battery information. Thereby, the battery control device can determine from which battery monitoring device the transmitted battery information is.

[0004] Since the plurality of cell groups are connected in series, the potential with respect to the ground potential becomes higher as the cell group on the high-potential side is higher. Utilizing this relationship, the battery control device described in Patent Document 1 grasps the correspondence relationship between each battery monitoring device and the cell group to be monitored by each battery monitoring device. Specifically, each battery monitoring device measures the potential of the cell group to be monitored by itself with respect to the ground potential. Each battery monitoring device wirelessly transmits the measured potential and the identification information to the battery control device. Thereby, the battery control device grasps the above correspondence relationship.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Batteries such as cell groups, battery monitoring devices for monitoring each battery, and battery control devices are usually housed in a housing. The housing is configured such that a part thereof reflects radio waves. For this reason, when the battery monitoring device transmits a wireless signal, the transmitted wireless signal is reflected on the wall surface of the housing. As a result, multipath occurs, and accurate measured potential and identification information may not be transmitted from the battery monitoring device to the battery control device. In this case, the battery control device cannot grasp the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide a battery control device capable of grasping the correspondence between each battery monitoring device and the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device, a battery monitoring system including the battery control device and the battery monitoring device, and a method for identifying an abnormal battery using the battery monitoring system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention is applied to a battery monitoring system including battery monitoring devices that are individually provided corresponding to a plurality of batteries and monitor the states of the batteries, in a battery control device that is arranged in a predetermined arrangement state together with each of the batteries and each of the battery monitoring devices in a housing configured to reflect radio waves at least in part, the battery control device includes a master unit side storage unit that stores parameters related to the communication quality of the wireless communication when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing, and parameters associated with each of the battery monitoring devices; and a master unit side communication unit for performing wireless communication with the battery monitoring device, A specifying unit that performs a specifying process of specifying the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the received wireless signal based on the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit side communication unit and the parameter stored in the storage unit. It has.

[0009] The parameter is information regarding the communication quality of wireless communication between the battery monitoring device and the battery control device when each battery, each battery monitoring device, and the battery control device are arranged in a predetermined arrangement state in the housing, and is associated with each battery monitoring device. Therefore, when the predetermined arrangement state is realized, the parameter becomes information for identifying which battery is the monitoring target of each battery monitoring device.

[0010] In view of this, the specifying unit of the present invention specifies the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the received wireless signal based on the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit side communication unit and the parameter stored in the master unit side storage unit. Thereby, in a configuration in which multipath can occur, the battery control device can grasp the correspondence relationship between each battery monitoring device and the battery that is the monitoring target of each battery monitoring device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] A plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In a plurality of embodiments, parts that functionally and / or structurally correspond and / or are associated may be given the same reference numerals. For corresponding parts and / or associated parts, the description of other embodiments can be referred to.

[0013] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a battery monitoring system according to the present invention is embodied will be described with reference to the drawings. The battery monitoring system is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that uses a rotating electric machine as a driving power source.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a battery pack 11, a power control unit (hereinafter referred to as "PCU") 12, a motor 13, and a vehicle ECU 14.

[0015] The battery pack 11 is mounted on the vehicle 10 as a driving power source for the vehicle 10. Specifically, the battery pack 11 is mounted, for example, in the engine room, trunk room, under the seat, or under the floor of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 runs using the electric power stored in the battery pack 11.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 11 includes an assembled battery 20 including a series connection body of a plurality of battery cells 22 (specifically, secondary single cells). The assembled battery 20 stores electric power for driving the motor 13 and can supply electric power to the motor 13 through the PCU 12. Further, the assembled battery 20 is charged by receiving the generated electric power of the motor 13 through the PCU 12 during regenerative power generation of the motor 13 when the vehicle 10 is braked or the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the assembled battery 20 can be connected to an external charger CM provided outside the vehicle 10. The external charger CM is, for example, a stationary facility. The assembled battery 20 is charged from the external charger CM.

[0017] Based on a control signal from the vehicle ECU 14, the PCU 12 performs bidirectional power conversion between the battery pack 11 and the motor 13. The PCU 12 includes, for example, an inverter that drives the motor 13 and a converter that boosts the DC voltage supplied to the inverter to be equal to or higher than the output voltage of the battery pack 11.

[0018] The motor 13 is an AC rotating electric machine, for example, a three-phase AC synchronous motor in which permanent magnets are embedded in the rotor. The motor 13 is driven by the PCU 12 to generate a rotational driving force, and the driving force generated by the motor 13 is transmitted to the drive wheels of the vehicle 10. On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 is braked, the motor 13 operates as a generator to perform regenerative power generation. The electric power generated by the motor 13 is supplied to the battery pack 11 through the PCU 12 and stored in the assembled battery 20 in the battery pack 11.

[0019] The vehicle ECU 14 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, input / output ports for inputting / outputting various signals, and the like. The CPU expands and executes the program stored in the ROM in the RAM. The program stored in the ROM describes the processing of the vehicle ECU 14. As an example of the main processing of the vehicle ECU 14, the vehicle ECU 14 receives information such as the voltage, current, and SOC (State Of Charge) of the assembled battery 20 from the battery pack 11 and controls the driving of the motor 13 and the charge / discharge of the battery pack 11 by controlling the PCU 12.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the battery pack 11. The battery pack 11 includes a battery assembly 20, a plurality of battery monitoring devices 30, a battery control device 40, and a housing 50 that houses them.

[0021] The battery assembly 20 includes a series connection body of a plurality of battery blocks 21. The battery block 21 may also be referred to as a battery stack or a battery module. Each battery block 21 has a plurality of battery cells 22. Each battery cell 22 is composed of a lithium-ion secondary battery, a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, or the like. The lithium-ion secondary battery is a secondary battery using lithium as a charge carrier, and includes not only a general lithium-ion secondary battery with a liquid electrolyte but also a so-called all-solid-state battery using a solid electrolyte. The battery assembly 20 may include a plurality of series connection bodies of a plurality of battery blocks 21, and each series connection body may be connected in parallel. Further, a PCU 12 is connected to the battery assembly 20 via a switch SW (for example, a relay) and a wiring 16.

[0022] The battery monitoring device 30, also called a satellite battery module (SBM), is provided for each battery block 21. As shown in FIG. 2, each battery monitoring device 30 includes a monitoring IC 31 as a monitoring unit, a slave-side wireless IC 32 that is a wireless control unit, and a slave-side antenna 33 that is a wireless antenna. The slave-side wireless IC 32 and the slave-side antenna 33 correspond to the "slave-side communication unit" of the battery monitoring device 30. The monitoring IC 31, also called a cell supervising circuit (CSC), acquires battery information from each battery cell 22 constituting the battery block 21 or a sensor (not shown). The battery information includes, for example, voltage information, temperature information, and current information of each battery cell 22. Further, the monitoring IC 31 performs self-diagnosis and generates self-diagnosis information. The self-diagnosis information is, for example, information related to the operation confirmation of the battery monitoring device 30, that is, information related to abnormalities or failures of the battery monitoring device 30. Specifically, it is information related to the operation confirmation of the monitoring IC 31, the slave-side wireless IC 32, etc. that constitute the battery monitoring device 30.

[0023] The slave-side wireless IC 32 is wired-connected to the monitoring IC 31 and has a wireless MCU (Micro Control Unit) and an RF device (high-frequency device / module). The slave-side wireless IC 32 wirelessly transmits the data received from the monitoring IC 31 via the slave-side antenna 33. Also, the slave-side wireless IC 32 sends the data received via the slave-side antenna 33 to the monitoring IC 31.

[0024] The monitoring IC 31 is provided with a slave-side storage unit 34. The slave-side storage unit 34 is a non-transitory physical recording medium other than ROM (for example, a non-volatile memory other than ROM).

[0025] The battery control device 40 is also called a battery ECU or BMU (Battery Management Unit). The battery control device 40 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with each battery monitoring device 30. Specifically, the battery control device 40 includes a battery control MCU 41 as a battery control unit, a master-side wireless IC 42 as a wireless control unit, and a master-side antenna 43 as a wireless antenna. The master-side wireless IC 42 and the master-side antenna 43 correspond to the "master-side communication unit" of the battery control device 40. The battery control MCU 41 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, an input / output interface, etc. The CPU of the battery control MCU 41 expands and executes the program stored in the ROM in the RAM. The program stored in the ROM describes processing related to battery control.

[0026] As an example of the main processing, the battery control MCU 41 instructs the battery monitoring device 30 to acquire and transmit battery information. Also, the battery control MCU 41 monitors the assembled battery 20, the battery block 21, and the battery cell 22 based on the battery information received from the battery monitoring device 30. Also, the battery control MCU 41 controls a switch SW that switches the energization and non-energization states between the assembled battery 20 and the PCU 12 or the motor 13 based on the monitoring results, etc. Also, the battery control MCU 41 may transmit an equalization signal for equalizing the voltages of the respective battery cells 22.

[0027] The parent device side wireless IC 42 is connected to the battery control MCU 41 by wire and has a wireless MCU and an RF device, similar to the child device side wireless IC 32. The parent device side wireless IC 42 wirelessly transmits the data received from the battery control MCU 41 via the parent device side antenna 43. Also, the parent device side wireless IC 42 sends the data received via the parent device side antenna 43 to the battery control MCU 41. Note that, as the parent device side antenna 43 and the child device side antenna 33, for example, a dipole antenna, a Yagi antenna, a slot antenna, an inverted-F antenna, an inverted-L antenna, a chip antenna, or a zero-order antenna (e.g., a zero-order resonant antenna) can be used.

[0028] The battery control MCU 41 includes a parent device side storage unit 44. The parent device side storage unit 44 is a non-transitory physical recording medium other than a ROM (e.g., a non-volatile memory other than a ROM).

[0029] A battery monitoring system is configured with the battery pack 20, the battery monitoring device 30, the battery control device 40, and the housing 50 that houses these as components.

[0030] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 50 and the arrangement state of the battery block 21 and the like in the housing 50 will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3. For some of the configurations shown in FIG. 4, for the sake of convenience, the illustration of the hatching indicating the cross-section is omitted.

[0031] The housing 50 includes a bottom plate portion 51 and a wall portion formed along the peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 51. The bottom plate portion 51 has a rectangular shape, specifically a rectangular shape. The wall portion includes a pair of first wall portions 52 extending in the short side direction of the bottom plate portion 51 and a pair of second wall portions 53 extending in the long side direction of the bottom plate portion 51.

[0032] The housing 50 includes a cover 54. The cover 54 covers the first wall portion 52 and the second wall portion 53 from above. The cover 54 is removably attached to a base portion composed of a bottom plate portion 51 and a wall portion. An accommodation portion 55 is formed by the inner surfaces of the bottom plate portion 51, the first wall portion 52, the second wall portion 53, and the cover 54 respectively. The accommodation portion 55 has a continuous space for accommodating the battery block 21, the battery monitoring device 30, and the battery control device 40 in a predetermined arrangement state.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the bottom plate portion 51, the first wall portion 52, the second wall portion 53, and the cover 54 are configured to have an electromagnetic shielding effect of blocking or absorbing radio waves. For example, by being made of a metal material (such as aluminum), it has a configuration with an electromagnetic shielding effect.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the housing 50 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is mounted on the vehicle 10 such that the longitudinal direction of the housing 50 coincides with the vehicle length direction of the vehicle 10. In FIGS. 3 and 4 and the like, the longitudinal direction of the housing 50 (the vehicle length direction of the vehicle 10) is shown as the X direction, the lateral direction of the housing 50 (the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10) is shown as the Y direction, and the height direction of the housing 50 is shown as the Z direction. For example, the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 51 serves as an installation surface with respect to the vehicle body of the vehicle 10.

[0035] Each battery block 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is configured as a series connection body of a plurality of battery cells 22. In the present embodiment, the battery cell 22 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 5(A), a plurality of battery cells 22 are arranged and stacked in the lateral direction of the housing 50. Incidentally, in each battery block 21, a plurality of battery cells 22 may be arranged and stacked in the longitudinal direction of the housing 50 as shown in FIG. 5(B). Also, a plurality of battery cells 22 constituting each battery block 21 may be connected in parallel to each other.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each battery block 21 is arranged on the bottom plate portion 51 such that the longitudinal direction thereof is the short side direction of the housing 50. In the present embodiment, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that four battery blocks 21 are accommodated in the housing 50. For this reason, four battery monitoring devices 30 are also accommodated in the housing 50. Hereinafter, the battery blocks 21 may be referred to as first to fourth battery blocks 21A to 21D, and the battery monitoring devices 30 may be referred to as first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D. Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4, illustration of bus bars or the like that electrically connect the positive and negative terminals of adjacent battery cells 22 in each battery block 21 is omitted.

[0037] In the accommodating portion 55, a junction box 15 is arranged on the bottom plate portion 51. The junction box 15 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses a switch SW. The junction box 15 is arranged side by side with the first battery block 21A such that the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery block 21. The height dimension of the junction box 15 is smaller than the height dimension of the battery block 21.

[0038] A battery control device 40 is arranged on the upper surface of the junction box 15. A battery monitoring device 30 is arranged on the upper surface of each battery block 21. In the accommodating portion 55, the arrangement position of the battery control device 40 is lower than the arrangement position of each battery monitoring device 30.

[0039] The first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D store unique identification information assigned to themselves in the slave unit side storage unit 34. When the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D transmit battery information to the battery control device 40, they also transmit the identification information assigned to themselves. Thereby, the battery control device 40 can determine from which battery monitoring device the transmitted battery information is.

[0040] Subsequently, a method for the battery control device 40 to specify which battery block among the first to fourth battery blocks 21 the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are monitoring will be described.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a transmission antenna A1 and first and second reception antennas B1 and B2 placed in an environment where radio waves are not reflected. When a radio signal is transmitted from the transmission antenna A1, the intensities of the radio signals received by the first and second reception antennas B1 and B2 have a frequency characteristic as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the signal intensity decreases due to attenuation as the distance from the transmission antenna A1 increases. In this case, the signal intensity has almost no frequency dependence. Therefore, by measuring the magnitude of the signal intensity, the battery monitoring device 30 that transmitted the signal can be identified, and thus the battery block 21 monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 can be identified.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a transmission antenna A1 and first and second reception antennas B1 and B2 arranged inside a housing. When a radio signal is transmitted from the transmission antenna A1, the transmitted signal is diffusely reflected inside the housing. As a result, multipath occurs, and the intensities of the radio signals received by the first and second reception antennas B1 and B2 have a frequency characteristic as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the signal intensity does not decrease due to attenuation as the distance from the transmission antenna A1 increases. For example, a significant decrease in received power may occur depending on the frequency. Therefore, the intensity of the received signal from the battery monitoring device 30 that is far from the battery control device 40 can be greater than the intensity of the received signal from the battery monitoring device 30 that is close to the battery control device 40. Thus, in a space where diffuse reflection occurs, depending on the frequency, no proportional relationship can be seen between the distance between the transmission antenna and the reception antenna and the attenuation amount of the received signal. Therefore, it is difficult to identify the battery monitoring device 30 that transmitted the signal only by a simple comparison of signal intensities.

[0043] Therefore, in this embodiment, in the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11, the frequency characteristic of the radio signal intensity from the battery monitoring device 30 is measured. Then, based on the correlation coefficient between the measured radio signal intensity and the radio signal intensity measured in advance at the time of designing the battery pack 11 or the like, the battery block 21 monitored by each battery monitoring device 30 is identified.

[0044] Specifically, first, during design or other development stages of the battery pack 11, the battery block 21, the battery monitoring device 30, the battery control device 40, and the junction box 15 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement state within the housing 50. The predetermined arrangement state is the arrangement state of the battery block 21 and the like in the mass-produced battery pack.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where an external measuring device MA is electrically connected to the battery control device 40 (specifically, for example, the master unit side antenna 43) and the battery monitoring device 30 (specifically, for example, the slave unit side antenna 33), when a wireless signal is individually output from each battery monitoring device 30 by the measuring device MA, the frequency characteristics of the signal strength are measured. Specifically, the measuring device MA measures the loss power (for example, the passing characteristic) when radio waves are propagated from the slave unit side antenna 33 to the master unit side antenna 43. The measuring device MA calculates the frequency characteristics of the received power in the battery control device 40, that is, the frequency characteristics of the signal strength, by adding the measured loss power to the transmission power from the slave unit side antenna 33 and the loss power in the master unit side wireless IC 42, the master unit side antenna 43, the slave unit side wireless IC 32, the slave unit side antenna 33, and the like. In FIG. 11, SLA shows the frequency characteristics of the signal strength when the battery control device 40 receives a wireless signal from the first battery monitoring device 30A, and SLB shows the frequency characteristics of the signal strength when the battery control device 40 receives a wireless signal from the second battery monitoring device 30B. SLC shows the frequency characteristics of the signal strength when the battery control device 40 receives a wireless signal from the third battery monitoring device 30C, and SLD shows the frequency characteristics of the signal strength when the battery control device 40 receives a wireless signal from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D. Thus, the frequency characteristics of the signal strength measured in advance may hereinafter be referred to as the reference strength. Incidentally, without using the measuring device MA, the received power may be measured by the battery control device 40, the measurement result may be read out, and the frequency characteristics of the signal strength calculated based on the read measurement result may be treated as the reference strength.

[0046] In the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11, the writing device provided on the production line is electrically connected to the battery pack 11. The writing device stores information on the reference strength in the master unit side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40. Note that the information on the reference strength may be stored in the master unit side storage unit 44 by the writing device in the manufacturing process of the battery control device 40, which is a component of the battery pack 11.

[0047] In the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11, the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are sequentially caused to transmit wireless signals so that the transmission periods of the wireless signals do not overlap. Note that FIG. 12 shows an example of the strength of a signal received by the battery control device 40 when a wireless signal is transmitted from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D.

[0048] Subsequently, the battery control device 40 is caused to perform a specific process. To explain the specific process, the battery control MCU 41 calculates the correlation coefficient between the strength of the received signal of the first battery monitoring device and the first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD associated with the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D. The battery control MCU 41 identifies that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the reference strength used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient among the four calculated correlation coefficients is the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient.

[0049] For example, for the first received signal, assume that the correlation coefficient with the first reference strength SLA associated with the first battery monitoring device 30A is 0.3, the correlation coefficient with the second reference strength SLB associated with the second battery monitoring device 30B is 0.5, the correlation coefficient with the third reference strength SLC associated with the third battery monitoring device 30C is 0.4, and the correlation coefficient with the fourth reference strength SLD associated with the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is 0.7. In this case, the maximum correlation coefficient is 0.7. The battery control MCU 41 identifies that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the correlation coefficient of 0.7 is the fourth battery block 21D to which the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is attached.

[0050] Subsequently, the battery control MCU 41 calculates the correlation coefficients between the intensity of the second received signal and the remaining three of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD. The battery control MCU 41 identifies that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the reference intensity used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient among the three calculated correlation coefficients is the object to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the radio signal used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient.

[0051] Subsequently, the battery control MCU 41 calculates the correlation coefficients between the intensity of the third received signal and the remaining two of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD. The battery control MCU 41 identifies that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the reference intensity used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient among the two calculated correlation coefficients is the object to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the radio signal used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient. Also, the battery control MCU 41 identifies that the object to be monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 that is the transmission source of the radio signal used for calculating the smaller correlation coefficient among the two calculated correlation coefficients is the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the remaining one reference intensity.

[0052] As the battery block to be monitored is identified, the number of correlation coefficients to be calculated decreases, thus reducing the processing load on the battery control MCU 41.

[0053] The frequency range of the signal intensity used for calculating the correlation coefficient shall be the frequency range defined by at least one channel. The frequency range defined by one channel is, for example, the range of "fc - Δf / 2" to "fc + Δf / 2" defined by the center frequency fc of this channel and the channel width Δf. The frequency range defined by a plurality of channels is, for example, the range of "fLc - Δf / 2" to "fHc + Δf / 2" defined by the center frequency fLc of the channel with the lowest frequency among the plurality of channels, the center frequency fHc of the channel with the highest frequency among the plurality of channels, and the channel width Δf. The wider the frequency range of the signal intensity used for calculating the correlation coefficient, the higher the identification accuracy of the object to be monitored can be. On the other hand, the narrower the frequency range, the shorter the time required for identification can be.

[0054] Figure 13 shows the procedure of a specific process executed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. Note that the battery control MCU 41 corresponds to the "specific part".

[0055] In step S10, a wireless signal is received from the battery monitoring device 30. The wireless signal includes the identification information of the transmitting battery monitoring device 30.

[0056] In step S11, the intensity (RSSI) of the received signal associated with the frequency is calculated, and the calculated intensity is associated with the identification information included in the received signal.

[0057] In step S12, it is determined whether wireless signals have been received from all the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D.

[0058] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S13, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are identified by the specific method using the above-described correlation coefficient.

[0059] In step S14, information on the correspondence between the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D is stored in the master unit side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40. Thereby, for example, after the battery pack 11 is shipped from the manufacturing factory, it is not necessary to specify the above correspondence each time.

[0060] As described above, the monitoring IC 31 can generate self-diagnostic information for at least one of the battery block to be monitored and itself, and transmits the generated self-diagnostic information to the battery control device 40 together with the identification information. For example, when the determination target is the battery block, the battery control device 40 stores the information of the battery block 21 in which an abnormality has occurred in the host machine side storage unit 44. The information on the correspondence relationship stored in the host machine side storage unit 44 and the information of the battery block 21 in which an abnormality has occurred are used, for example, when replacing the battery block in which an abnormality has occurred at a vehicle repair shop or maintenance shop. Hereinafter, a method for specifying an abnormal battery will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14.

[0061] In step S20, an operator of the factory connects the battery control device 40 and the inspection device of the factory so that they can communicate with each other. The inspection device is, for example, a diagnostic tester. Note that the connection in this step is a wireless connection or a wired connection between the battery control device 40 and the inspection device.

[0062] In step S21, by the operator operating the inspection device, information on the correspondence relationship between the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D, and information on the battery blocks 21 in which an abnormality has occurred are read from the host machine side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40.

[0063] In step S22, the inspection device notifies the operator which of the first to fourth battery blocks 21A to 21D is the battery block in which an abnormality has occurred based on the read information. This notification may be implemented, for example, by display on the display unit of the inspection device or by voice from the inspection device.

[0064] In step S23, the operator opens the cover 54 of the housing 50 and removes the battery block in which an abnormality has occurred. Then, the operator attaches a new battery block or a reused battery block, and closes the cover 54. Thereby, the replacement work of the battery block is completed.

[0065] Note that, after the operator closes the cover 54, the operator may operate the inspection device to cause the battery control MCU 41 to execute the above specific process again. Further, when the battery monitoring device 30 is included in the determination target in the self-diagnosis information, the abnormal battery monitoring device 30 can be specified and replaced with a normal battery monitoring device 30. The abnormality of the battery monitoring device 30 includes the abnormality of the monitoring IC 31.

[0066] According to the present embodiment described in detail above, in a configuration including the accommodating part 55 where multipath can occur, the battery control device 40 can grasp the correspondence relationship between each battery monitoring device 30 and the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30.

[0067] Further, according to the present embodiment, the battery block 21 to be monitored can be specified without performing special management in the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11.

[0068] <Modification Example of the First Embodiment> · The arrangement mode of the battery control device 40 and each battery monitoring device 30 in the accommodating part 55 of the housing 50 is not limited to the modes shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the battery control device 40 may be attached to the upper surface of the battery block 21, and the battery monitoring device may be attached to each side surface of the battery block 21.

[0069] · Among the bottom plate part 51, the first wall part 52, the second wall part 53, and the cover 54, a part of the configuration may not have an electromagnetic shielding effect. For example, by being made of a synthetic resin, the configuration does not have an electromagnetic shielding effect.

[0070] · In the specific process of the monitoring target, at least a part of the transmission periods of the wireless signals of the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D with respect to the battery control device 40 may overlap. In this case, as long as the transmission frequencies used by one of the battery monitoring devices with overlapping transmission periods and the transmission frequencies used by the other are greatly shifted.

[0071] ·As a parameter for identifying the battery block 21 to be monitored, it is not limited to the intensity of the radio signal. For example, it may be the communication error rate in the wireless communication between the battery control device 40 and the battery monitoring device 30. The communication error rate is, for example, the packet error rate or the bit error rate. When the communication error rate is used, the communication error rate associated with each battery monitoring device 30 is stored in the master unit side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40. The battery control device 40 may identify the battery block 21 to be monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 that is the transmission source of the received radio signal based on the radio signal received from the battery monitoring device 30 and the communication error rate stored in the master unit side storage unit 44.

[0072] <Second Embodiment> Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on the differences from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, information on the correspondence between the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D is stored not in the battery control device 40 but in the slave unit side storage unit 34 of each battery monitoring device 30.

[0073] FIG. 16 shows the procedure of the identification process executed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. In FIG. 16, the same processes as those shown in the previous FIG. 13 are, for the sake of convenience, denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0074] After the completion of step S13, in step S15, information on the correspondence between the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D is transmitted to the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D.

[0075] FIG. 17 shows the procedure of the process executed by the monitoring IC 31 of the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D in the manufacturing process.

[0076] In step S30, it is determined whether the information on the correspondence relationship from the battery control device 40 has been received. If an affirmative determination is made in step S30, the process proceeds to step S31, and the information on the correspondence relationship is stored in the slave unit side storage unit 34 of the battery monitoring device 30.

[0077] According to the present embodiment described above, even when the battery control device 40, which is the master unit, malfunctions, it is possible to discriminate the monitoring target of each battery monitoring device 30. In addition, the memory usage amount of the master unit side storage unit 44 of the battery control device 40 can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the information on the reference intensity may be stored in the slave unit side storage unit 34 by a writing device in the manufacturing process of the battery monitoring device 30, which is a component of the battery pack 11.

[0078] <Third Embodiment> Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on the differences from the first embodiment. The process of specifying which battery block 21 each battery monitoring device 30 is monitoring can be executed not only in the manufacturing process of the battery pack 11 but also after the vehicle 10 has been delivered to the user. In the present embodiment, the execution of the specifying process is permitted when the vehicle 10 is in a parked state or when the assembled battery 20 mounted on the parked vehicle 10 is being charged by an external charger CM.

[0079] FIG. 18 shows the procedure of the specifying process executed by the battery control MCU 41. In FIG. 18, the same processes or corresponding processes as those shown in the previous FIG. 13 are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0080] In step S16, it is determined whether either the first condition that the vehicle 10 is in a parked state or the second condition that the assembled battery 20 mounted on the parked vehicle 10 is being charged by an external charger CM is satisfied. The process of step S20 is a process for improving the specifying accuracy of the battery block to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30.

[0081] Due to vibrations and the like generated during the running of the vehicle 10, the frequency characteristics of the intensity of the radio signal received by the battery control device 40 may change. In this case, there is a concern that the accuracy of identifying the battery block to be monitored may decrease or the time required for identification may become longer. For this reason, it is desirable that the identification process be executed in a situation where vibrations and the like do not occur. Therefore, a first condition is set. For example, when it is determined that a start switch or an ignition switch, which is a switch that permits the running of the vehicle 10 or instructs the start and is operated by the user, is turned off, it may be determined that the first condition is satisfied.

[0082] Even when the assembled battery 20 is being charged by the external charger CM, the vehicle 10 is in a stopped state and there is no situation where vibrations and the like occur. In view of this, a second condition is set.

[0083] According to the present embodiment described above, the accuracy of identifying the battery block to be monitored can be improved.

[0084] <Fourth Embodiment> Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on the differences from the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, there are features in the arrangement mode of the battery monitoring device 30. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the battery pack 11 with the cover 54 of the housing 50 removed. In FIG. 19, the same components or corresponding components as those shown in the previous embodiments are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0085] In the housing portion 55, each battery block 21A to 21D, each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D, and the battery control device 40 are arranged so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to the reference axis LP extending in the longitudinal direction and the horizontal direction of the housing 50. The direction of the center of the radio wave directivity of the master unit side antenna 43 faces the battery block 21 and is the direction in which the reference axis LP extends.

[0086] Among the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first and second slave unit side antennas 33A and 33B that constitute the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B arranged at the same positions in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends are not made to be symmetric with respect to the reference axis LP.

[0087] Also, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the third and fourth slave unit side antennas 33C and 33D that constitute the third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D arranged at the same positions in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends are not made to be symmetric with respect to the reference axis LP. In the present embodiment, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first and third slave unit side antennas 33A and 33C are shifted by 180 degrees from the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the second and fourth slave unit side antennas 33B and 33D. Also, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first slave unit side antenna 33A and the third slave unit side antenna 33C are the same, and the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the second slave unit side antenna 33B and the fourth slave unit side antenna 33D are the same.

[0088] According to the arrangement shown in FIG. 19, as shown in FIG. 20, the frequency characteristics of the radio signal strengths of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D received by the battery control device 40 can be made to be greatly different. As a result, the identification accuracy of the battery blocks to be monitored in a specific process can be improved.

[0089] On the other hand, in the comparative example shown in FIG. 21, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first and second slave unit side antennas 33A and 33B arranged at the same positions in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends are made to be symmetric with respect to the reference axis LP. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 22, the frequency characteristics of the radio signal strengths of the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B received by the battery control device 40 become substantially the same. As a result, it becomes difficult to identify the monitoring target by the specific process.

[0090] Also, the directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the third and fourth slave unit side antennas 33C and 33D, which are arranged at the same positions in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends and at the same distances from the battery control device 40, are also symmetric with respect to the reference axis LP. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 22, the frequency characteristics of the radio signal intensities of the third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D received by the battery control device 40 also become substantially the same.

[0091] <Fifth Embodiment> Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on the differences from the fourth embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B, which are arranged at the same positions in the direction in which the reference axis LP extends (that is, the longitudinal direction of the housing 50) and at the same distances from the battery control device 40, are arranged at positions where the distances from the reference axis LP in the lateral direction of the housing 50 are different. The same applies to the third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D. In FIG. 23, the same components or corresponding components as those shown in the previous FIG. 19 are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0092] The directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the first and second slave unit side antennas 33A and 33B that constitute the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B are symmetric with respect to the reference axis LP. Even in this case, since the distances from the reference axis LP in the lateral direction of the housing 50 are different between the first battery monitoring device 30A and the second battery monitoring device 30B, the frequency characteristics of the radio signal intensities of the first and second battery monitoring devices 30A and 30B received by the battery control device 40 can be made significantly different. The directions of the centers of the radio wave directivities of the third and fourth slave unit side antennas 33C and 33D that constitute the third and fourth battery monitoring devices 30C and 30D are also symmetric with respect to the reference axis LP.

[0093] Incidentally, the arrangement modes of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the slave unit side antennas 33A to 33D are not limited to those shown in FIG. 23, and may be, for example, the mode shown in FIG. 24. In this mode, the distances from the reference axis LP in the short side direction of the housing 50 are different for the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D. In the configuration shown in FIG. 24, the battery control device 40 may be arranged at the right end position or the left end position in the short side direction of the housing 50, in addition to being arranged at the central position in the short side direction of the housing 50.

[0094] <Sixth Embodiment> Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on the differences from the first embodiment. Each of the slave unit side antennas 33A to 33D in this embodiment is configured to be able to select and change the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity from a plurality of directions. In FIG. 25, only the fourth battery monitoring device 30D among the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D is shown.

[0095] The fourth slave unit side antenna 33D is configured to be able to select and change the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity from two directions. When directivity A is selected, the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity is the longitudinal direction of the housing 50. On the other hand, when directivity B is selected, the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity is the short side direction of the housing 50.

[0096] The configuration that can change the radio wave directivity is a configuration for improving the specific accuracy of the monitoring target. FIG. 26(A) shows the frequency characteristics of the radio signal strength received by the battery control device 40 from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D when directivity A is selected. FIG. 26(B) shows the second and fourth reference strengths SLB and SLD associated with the second and fourth battery monitoring devices 30B and 30D when directivity A is selected. In this case, based on the radio signal strength in FIG. 26(A), it is difficult to specify whether the monitoring target is the second battery block 21B to which the second battery monitoring device 30B is attached or the fourth battery block 21D to which the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is attached.

[0097] In preparation for such a case, the directivity can be switched to directivity B. Fig. 27(A) shows the frequency characteristics of the strength of the wireless signal received by the battery control device 40 from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D when directivity B is selected. Fig. 27(B) shows the second and fourth reference strengths SLB and SLD associated with the second and fourth battery monitoring devices 30B and 30D when directivity B is selected. In this case, it is easy to identify that the monitoring target is the fourth battery block 21D to which the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is attached, based on the wireless signal strength in Fig. 27(A).

[0098] In this embodiment, the parent device side storage unit 44 stores first to fourth reference strengths SLA to SLD associated with directivities A and B. For example, when the battery control MCU 41 determines in the identification process that the difference between the correlation coefficient with the largest value and the second largest correlation coefficient is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it may switch the directivity from A to B and identify the monitoring target.

[0099] Hereinafter, two examples of a slave unit side antenna that can change the direction of the center of radio wave directivity will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0100] 28 shows the first slave device side antenna 60. The first example is a configuration in which a plurality of antennas with different directions of the center of radio wave directivity are provided, and the antenna to be used is switched.

[0101] The slave device side antenna 60 includes a circuit board 61, a baseband IC 62 provided on the surface of the circuit board 61, a changeover switch 63, a plurality of antennas, a first feeder line 65A, and a second feeder line 65B. In Fig. 28, a first antenna 64A and a second antenna 64B are shown as antennas.

[0102] The baseband IC 62 communicates with the monitoring IC 31 via the slave unit side wireless IC 32. The baseband IC 62 is connected to the first power supply line 65A or the second power supply line 65B by a switching switch 63. As shown in FIG. 28(A), when the baseband IC 62 and the first power supply line 65A are connected by the switching switch 63, the first antenna 64A is used. In this case, the radio wave directivity is directivity A. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 28(B), when the baseband IC 62 and the second power supply line 65B are connected by the switching switch 63, the second antenna 64B is used. In this case, the radio wave directivity is directivity B.

[0103] FIG. 29 shows the second slave unit side antenna 60. The second example is a configuration in which the directivity is changed by changing the power supply location for the antenna. In FIG. 29, the same components or corresponding components as those shown in the previous FIG. 28 are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0104] The slave unit side antenna 60 includes an antenna 66 and first to fourth power supply lines 67A to 67D. The antenna 66 and the first to fourth power supply lines 67A to 67D are provided on the board surface of the circuit board 61. The antenna 66 is, for example, a patch antenna.

[0105] In the configuration shown in FIG. 29, the directivity can be changed in four ways, and two of them will be described. As shown in FIG. 29(A), when the baseband IC 62 and the first power supply line 67A are connected by the switching switch 63, the radio wave directivity at the antenna 66 becomes directivity A. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 29(B), when the baseband IC 62 and the fourth power supply line 67D are connected by the switching switch 63, the radio wave directivity at the antenna 66 becomes directivity B.

[0106] Note that instead of the configuration including the switching switch 63 described above, the baseband IC 62 may be individually connected to each power supply line, and the radio wave directivity may be changed by switching the baseband IC 62 to operate.

[0107] According to the embodiment described above, the identification accuracy of the monitoring target can be improved.

[0108] <Modification Example of the Sixth Embodiment> Instead of or in addition to the slave unit side antenna, the master unit side antenna 43 provided in the battery control device 40 may be configured to be able to change the radio wave directivity.

[0109] <Seventh Embodiment> Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the correlation coefficient was used to identify the battery block 21 to be monitored by each battery monitoring device 30. In this embodiment, the correlation coefficient is used to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack 11.

[0110] FIG. 30 shows the battery pack 11 in a normal state, and FIG. 31 shows the battery pack 11 in an abnormal state. In FIGS. 30 and 31, in each battery block 21, a bus bar that electrically connects the positive and negative terminals of adjacent battery cells 22 is shown. In FIGS. 30 and 31, the same components or corresponding components as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 above are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0111] In the example shown in FIG. 31, the arrangement position of the first battery block 21A is shifted from the normal arrangement position. In this case, as shown in FIG. 32, for example, the intensity of the radio signal from the first battery monitoring device 30A received by the battery control device 40 is greatly deviated from the normal intensity. This deviation is utilized to determine that an abnormality has occurred in the battery pack 11. In addition, other examples of the abnormality of the battery pack 11 include, for example, the deviation of the arrangement position of the battery monitoring device 30 or the removal of the cover 54.

[0112] FIG. 33 shows the procedure of the identification process executed by the battery control MCU 41. In FIG. 33, the same processes as those shown in FIG. 13 above are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0113] If a positive determination is made in step S12, in step S17, the correlation coefficient is calculated by the same method as the method described in the previous step S13. Then, based on the calculated correlation coefficient, it is determined whether an abnormality has occurred. For example, the correlation coefficients between the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD and the received radio signal intensity are calculated, and if the four calculated correlation coefficients are less than or equal to the determination value, it may be determined that an abnormality has occurred. The determination value can be set to a value indicating weak correlation (e.g., 0.4) or a value indicating almost no correlation (e.g., 0.2).

[0114] In step S18, it is determined whether an abnormality has occurred. If it is determined that no abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S19, and a process of notifying that an abnormality has occurred is performed.

[0115] According to the present embodiment described above, an abnormality in the battery pack 11 can be determined.

[0116] <Eighth Embodiment> Hereinafter, the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on the differences from the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, instead of the correlation coefficient, the magnitude relationship of the intensities of the radio signals received from the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D at a specific frequency is compared with the magnitude relationship of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD at the specific frequency, thereby identifying the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D.

[0117] Using FIG. 34, the specific process in the case where the specific frequency is f1 will be described.

[0118] Assume that the first reference intensity SLA at the specific frequency f1 is -10 dBm, the second reference intensity SLB is -20 dBm, the third reference intensity SLC is -30 dBm, and the fourth reference intensity SLD is -40 dBm. Each reference intensity SLA to SLD at the specific frequency f1 is stored in the master unit side storage unit 44.

[0119] The battery control MCU 41 acquires four wireless signal strengths received from the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D. Assume that the wireless signal strength received from the first battery monitoring device 30A is -22 dBm, the wireless signal strength received from the second battery monitoring device 30B is -28 dBm, the wireless signal strength received from the third battery monitoring device 30C is -38 dBm, and the wireless signal strength received from the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is -55 dBm.

[0120] The magnitude relationship of the reference strengths is "SLA > SLB > SLC > SLD". The magnitude relationship of the acquired strengths is "the strength of 30A > the strength of 30B > the strength of 30C > the strength of 30D". The battery control MCU 41 identifies the battery block 21 to be monitored so that the magnitude relationship of the reference strengths is the same as the magnitude relationship of the acquired strengths. Specifically, the battery control MCU 41 identifies that the monitoring target of the first battery monitoring device 30A is the first battery block 21A associated with the first reference strength SLA, and the monitoring target of the second battery monitoring device 30B is the second battery block 21B associated with the second reference strength SLB. Also, the battery control MCU 41 identifies that the monitoring target of the third battery monitoring device 30C is the third battery block 21C associated with the third reference strength SLC, and the monitoring target of the fourth battery monitoring device 30D is the fourth battery block 21D associated with the fourth reference strength SLD.

[0121] Although f1 is exemplified as the specific frequency, for example, f2 on the higher frequency side than f1 may be used as the specific frequency. Also, the specific frequency is not limited to a predetermined fixed value, and may be a frequency selected based on the frequency characteristics of the wireless signal strength calculated by the battery control device 40.

[0122] Fig. 35 shows the procedure of the specific process executed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. In Fig. 35, the same processes as those shown in the previous Fig. 16 are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0123] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S30, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are identified by the identification method using the magnitude relationship described above.

[0124] According to the present embodiment described above, since the number of frequencies required for identifying the monitoring target can be reduced, the time required for identification can be shortened.

[0125] <Ninth Embodiment> Hereinafter, the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on the differences from the eighth embodiment. In this embodiment, based on the difference at a specific frequency between the radio signal received from each of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the reference intensity, the battery block 21 to be monitored by each of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D is identified.

[0126] Using the previous FIG. 34, the identification process when the specific frequency is f1 will be described.

[0127] Assume that the first reference intensity SLA at the specific frequency f1 is -10 dBm, the second reference intensity SLB is -20 dBm, the third reference intensity SLC is -30 dBm, and the fourth reference intensity SLD is -40 dBm. Each of the reference intensities SLA to SLD at the specific frequency f1 is stored in the master unit side storage unit 44.

[0128] The battery control MCU 41 calculates the difference between the intensity at the specific frequency of the received signal of the first battery monitoring device and the values at the specific frequencies of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD. Here, assume that the intensity at the specific frequency of the received signal is -22 dBm. Therefore, the difference from the first reference intensity SLA is 12 dBm, the difference from the second reference intensity SLB is 2 dBm, the difference from the third reference intensity SLC is 8 dBm, and the difference from the fourth reference intensity SLD is 18 dBm.

[0129] The battery control MCU 41 identifies that the second battery block 21B, which is the monitoring target of the second battery monitoring device 30B associated with the second reference intensity SLB used for calculating the minimum difference among the four calculated differences, is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the minimum difference. Note that when the two calculated differences are the same value, the battery control MCU 41 may preferentially identify the monitoring target of another battery monitoring device based on the received signal from another battery monitoring device.

[0130] The battery control MCU 41 sequentially identifies the battery blocks 21 to be monitored based on the remaining received signals using a similar method.

[0131] Fig. 36 shows the procedure of the identification process executed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. In Fig. 36, the same processes as those shown in the previous Fig. 35 are, for convenience, given the same reference numerals.

[0132] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S31, and the battery blocks 21 that are the monitoring targets of the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are identified by the identification method using the above-described differences.

[0133] According to the present embodiment described above, since the number of frequencies required for identifying the monitoring target can be reduced, the time required for identification can be shortened.

[0134] Incidentally, by combining the identification method of the present embodiment and the identification method of the eighth embodiment, the identification accuracy can be improved.

[0135] <Tenth Embodiment> Hereinafter, the 10th embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, centering on the differences from the 8th and 9th embodiments. In this embodiment, based on the average value in the predetermined frequency range of the radio signals received from each of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the average value in the predetermined frequency range of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD, the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by each of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are specified. The predetermined frequency range is desirably a frequency range in which the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD are significantly different. The average values in the predetermined frequency ranges of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD are stored in the master unit side storage unit 44.

[0136] The battery control MCU 41 calculates the average value in the predetermined frequency range of the received signal of the first battery monitoring device. The battery control MCU 41 calculates the difference between the calculated average value and the average value in the predetermined frequency range of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD.

[0137] The battery control MCU 41 identifies that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 associated with the reference intensity used for calculating the minimum difference among the four calculated differences is the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the radio signal used for calculating the average value in the predetermined frequency range. The battery control MCU 41 sequentially identifies the battery blocks 21 to be monitored based on the remaining received signals using the same method.

[0138] Fig. 37 shows the procedure of the specifying process executed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. In Fig. 37, the same processes as those shown in the previous Fig. 35 are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0139] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S32, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are specified by the specifying method using the difference in the average value described above.

[0140] <The 11th embodiment> Hereinafter, the 11th embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, focusing on the differences from the 1st embodiment. In this embodiment, based on the slopes in the predetermined frequency ranges of the wireless signals received from each of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D and the slopes in the predetermined frequency ranges of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD, the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by each of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are specified. As shown in FIG. 38, it is desirable that the predetermined frequency range Rc is a frequency range in which the slopes of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD are significantly different. The slopes in the predetermined frequency ranges of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD are stored in the master unit side storage unit 44.

[0141] The battery control MCU 41 calculates the slope in the predetermined frequency range Rc of the received signal of the first battery monitoring device. The battery control MCU 41 calculates the difference between the calculated slope and the slopes in the predetermined frequency range Rc of the first to fourth reference intensities SLA to SLD.

[0142] The battery control MCU 41 specifies that the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device 30 associated with the reference intensity used for calculating the minimum of the four calculated differences is the battery block to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the slope in the predetermined frequency range Rc. The battery control MCU 41 sequentially specifies the battery blocks 21 to be monitored based on the remaining received signals using the same method.

[0143] FIG. 39 shows the procedure of the specifying process executed by the battery control MCU 41 in the manufacturing process. In FIG. 39, the same processes as those shown in the previous FIG. 35 are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0144] If an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the process proceeds to step S33, and the battery blocks 21 to be monitored by the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are specified by the specifying method using the difference in slopes described above.

[0145] According to the present embodiment described above, for example, even when the intensity of the received radio signal does not match the reference intensity, the monitoring target can be specified.

[0146] <Embodiment 12> Hereinafter, Embodiment 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 and 41, focusing on the differences from the above embodiments. In FIGS. 40 and 41, the same components or corresponding components as those described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals for convenience. Further, FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 41-41 of FIG. 40.

[0147] The vehicle includes a chassis 100 as a vehicle body made of a metal material and wheels 110. The chassis 100 includes a chassis bottom plate portion 101 extending in the vehicle length direction, side plate portions 102, a chassis top plate portion 103, and end plate portions 104. The side plate portions 102 extend upward from the ends of the chassis bottom plate portion 101 in the vehicle width direction. The chassis top plate portion 103 covers the side plate portions 102 from above. The end plate portions 104 cover both ends of the chassis bottom plate portion 101, the side plate portions 102, and the chassis top plate portion 103. An accommodation portion 105 for accommodating the battery pack 11 is formed by the inner surfaces of the chassis bottom plate portion 101, the side plate portions 102, the chassis top plate portion 103, and the end plate portions 104.

[0148] The bottom plate portion 51 constituting the housing 50 is disposed on the chassis bottom plate portion 101. A space is formed between the chassis top plate portion 103 and the cover 54 constituting the housing 50. In the present embodiment, the bottom plate portion 51, the first wall portion 52, the second wall portion 53, and the cover 54 are made of a synthetic resin and do not have an electromagnetic shielding effect. Therefore, radio waves transmitted from the master unit side antenna 43 or the slave unit side antenna 33 pass through the housing 50. However, the radio waves are reflected by the chassis 100 made of a metal material.

[0149] Incidentally, a part (for example, the cover 54) of the bottom plate portion 51, the first wall portion 52, the second wall portion 53, and the cover 54 may be made of a synthetic resin.

[0150] Even in the present embodiment described above, radio wave specular reflection occurs in the housing portion 105. Therefore, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be applied.

[0151] <13th Embodiment> Hereinafter, the 13th embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 42, focusing on the differences from the 12th embodiment. In FIG. 42, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding configurations as those described in the above embodiments for convenience.

[0152] The battery control device 40 is disposed outside the housing 50 in the housing portion 105. Specifically, the battery control device 40 is attached to the upper surface of the cover 54.

[0153] In the present embodiment, the cover 54, the first wall portion 52, the second wall portion 53, and the bottom plate portion 51 are made of a metal material. In this case, in order to communicate between each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D housed in the housing 50 and the battery control device 40, a configuration for communicatingly connecting the inside and outside of the housing 50 is required.

[0154] The battery pack 11 of the present embodiment includes a relay device 120 as a configuration for communication connection. The relay device 120 includes an antenna 120a located on the upper surface side of the cover 54, and a shaft portion 120b extending downward from the antenna 120a and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the antenna 120a. The cover 54 is formed with a through hole 54a for inserting the shaft portion 120b. In the present embodiment, the through holes 54a are provided in a row in the longitudinal direction of the cover 54 in the cover 54. The relay device 120 is disposed in a state where the antenna 120a is located on the upper surface side of the cover 54 and the shaft portion 12Cb is inserted into the through hole 54a formed in the cover 54. The relay device 120 is provided individually corresponding to each battery monitoring device 30. Note that the antenna 120a may be covered with a cover that transmits radio waves.

[0155] The through-hole 54a is blocked by the antenna 120a of the relay device 120. Note that a seal member may be interposed between the antenna 120a and the upper surface of the cover 54.

[0156] The slave unit side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 and the antenna 120a are electrically connected by a communication wiring provided on the shaft portion 120b. Thereby, wireless communication can be performed between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 via the antenna 120a and the master unit side antenna 43.

[0157] Also in the present embodiment described above, radio wave diffuse reflection occurs in the housing portion 105. Therefore, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be applied.

[0158] <14th Embodiment> Hereinafter, the 14th embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 43, centering on the differences from the 13th embodiment. In FIG. 43, the same components or corresponding components as those described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0159] The battery control device 40 is attached to the upper surface of the junction box 15 in the housing 50. On the other hand, the first to fourth battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D are arranged outside the housing 50 in the housing portion 105, and more specifically, are attached to the upper surface of the cover 54. In this case, in order to communicate between the battery control device 40 housed in the housing 50 and each of the battery monitoring devices 30A to 30D arranged outside the housing 50, a configuration for communicating and connecting the inside and outside of the housing 50 is required.

[0160] The battery pack 11 of this embodiment includes a relay device 130 as a configuration for communication connection. The relay device 130 includes a connection part 130b located on the upper surface side of the cover 54 and an antenna 130a extending downward from the connection part 130b. The cover 54 is formed with a through hole 54a for inserting the antenna 130a. The through holes 54a are provided side by side in a row in the longitudinal direction of the cover 54 in the cover 54. The relay device 130 is provided individually corresponding to each battery monitoring device 30. Note that the antenna 130a may be covered with a cover that transmits radio waves.

[0161] The through hole 54a is blocked by the connection part 130b of the relay device 130. Note that a seal member may be interposed between the connection part 130b and the upper surface of the cover 54.

[0162] The slave unit side wireless IC 32 of the battery monitoring device 30 and the antenna 130a are electrically connected by a communication wiring provided in the connection part 130b. Thereby, wireless communication can be performed between the battery monitoring device 30 and the battery control device 40 via the antenna 130a and the master unit side antenna 43.

[0163] Also in this embodiment described above, radio wave diffuse reflection occurs in the housing part 105. Therefore, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be applied.

[0164] <15th Embodiment> Hereinafter, the 15th embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 44, centering on the differences from the above embodiments. In FIG. 44, the same components or corresponding components as those described in the above embodiments are given the same reference numerals for convenience.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 44, a configuration may be adopted in which the housing 50 is not provided and each battery block 21A to 21D, each battery monitoring device 30A to 30D, and the battery control device 40 are directly housed in the housing part 105 of the chassis 100. This configuration is called MTP (Module to Platform).

[0166] Also in the present embodiment described above, radio wave diffuse reflection occurs in the housing portion 105. Therefore, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be applied.

[0167] <Other Embodiments> Note that the above embodiments may be implemented with the following modifications.

[0168] · In each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which a plurality of battery cells are grouped into battery blocks and then the battery blocks are connected in series is used. Instead of this configuration, a so-called CTP (Cell to Pack) configuration in which a series-connected body of a plurality of battery cells is housed in the housing portion 105 of the chassis 100 without creating battery blocks may be used. An example in this case is shown in FIG. 45. In the example shown in FIG. 45, a plurality of long battery cells 200 that are long in the vehicle width direction are housed in the housing portion 105. Among the adjacent battery cells 200, one positive electrode terminal 201 and the other negative electrode terminal 202 are electrically connected by a bus bar (not shown). In this case, for example, a battery monitoring device may be provided individually for each battery cell 200.

[0169] Further, instead of the CTP configuration, a so-called CTC (Cell to Chassis) configuration may be used in which a housing portion for housing battery cells is configured in the vehicle chassis and a plurality of battery cells are housed in the housing portion.

[0170] Even in the CTP or CTC configuration, since radio waves are reflected by at least a part of the housing portion, there is an advantage in applying the configurations described in the above embodiments.

[0171] · The moving body on which the battery monitoring system is mounted is not limited to a vehicle, and may be, for example, an aircraft or a ship. Further, the control system is not limited to a system mounted on the moving body, and may be a stationary system.

[0172] · The control unit and its method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit and its method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Or, the control unit and its method described in the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more dedicated computers configured by a combination of a processor programmed to execute one or more functions and a memory and a processor configured by one or more hardware logic circuits. Further, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executable by a computer.

[0173] Hereinafter, the characteristic configurations extracted from the above-described embodiments will be described. [Configuration 1] Applied to a battery monitoring system including battery monitoring devices (30, 30A to 30D) provided individually corresponding to a plurality of batteries (21, 21A to 21D, 200) and monitoring the states of the batteries, In a battery control device (40) arranged in a predetermined arrangement state together with each of the batteries and each of the battery monitoring devices in a housing portion (55, 105) configured to reflect at least part of radio waves, The battery control device, A master unit side storage unit (44) that stores parameters related to the communication quality of the wireless communication when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing portion, and that are associated with each of the battery monitoring devices; A master unit side communication unit (42, 43) for performing wireless communication with the battery monitoring device; A specifying unit (41) that performs a specifying process of specifying the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the received wireless signal based on the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit-side communication unit and the parameter stored in the storage unit; A battery control device having the same. [Configuration 2] The battery control device according to Configuration 1, wherein the parameter is the intensity of a wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device when each battery, each battery monitoring device, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing unit. [Configuration 3] The specifying unit, as the specifying process, Calculates a correlation coefficient between the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit-side communication unit and the parameter for each battery monitoring device, Among the calculated correlation coefficients, the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient is the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient. The battery control device according to Configuration 2, which performs a process of specifying that it is. [Configuration 4] The specifying unit determines, based on the calculated correlation coefficient, whether or not an abnormality has occurred in that the arrangement state in the housing unit of each battery, each battery monitoring device, and the battery control device is deviated from the predetermined arrangement state. The battery control device according to Configuration 3. [Configuration 5] The specifying unit, as the specifying process, performs a process of specifying the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device by comparing the magnitude relationship of the intensity at a specific frequency of the wireless signal received from each battery monitoring device with the magnitude relationship at the specific frequency of the parameter associated with each battery monitoring device. The battery control device according to Configuration 2. [Configuration 6] The specifying unit, as the specifying process, Calculates a difference at a specific frequency between the wireless signal received by the master unit-side communication unit and the parameter for each battery monitoring device, Of the calculated differences, the battery that is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter used to calculate the minimum difference is identified as the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the radio signal used to calculate the minimum difference. The battery control device according to Configuration 2 that performs the identification process. [Configuration 7] The parameter is the slope in a predetermined frequency range of the intensity of the radio signal received from the battery monitoring device when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing unit. The specifying unit, as the specifying process, Calculates the slope in the predetermined frequency range of the radio signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit side communication unit. Of the parameters, the battery that is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter having the minimum difference from the calculated slope is identified as the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the radio signal used for the calculation of the slope. The battery control device according to Configuration 1 that performs the identification process. [Configuration 8] The parameter is the average value in a predetermined frequency range of the intensity of the radio signal received from the battery monitoring device when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing unit. The specifying unit, as the specifying process, Calculates the average value of the intensity in the predetermined frequency range of the radio signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit side communication unit. Of the parameters, the battery that is the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter having the minimum difference from the calculated average value is identified as the monitoring target of the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the radio signal used for the calculation of the average value. The battery control device according to Configuration 1 that performs the identification process. [Configuration 9] The specifying unit specifies the correspondence relationship between each battery monitoring device and the battery that is the monitoring target of each battery monitoring device by the specifying process, and stores the information on the specified correspondence relationship in the master unit side storage unit. The battery control device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8. [Configuration 10] In an abnormal battery identification method for identifying an abnormal battery among the batteries housed in the housing unit by using the battery monitoring system including the battery control device according to Configuration 9 and the battery monitoring devices, the battery monitoring device has a slave unit side communication unit (32, 33) for performing wireless communication with the battery control device, determines whether an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the battery to be monitored by itself and itself as a determination target, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, transmits information indicating that an abnormality has occurred from the slave unit side communication unit to the battery control device together with its own identification information, the battery control device receives the information indicating that the abnormality has occurred and the identification information by the master unit side communication unit, stores the received information indicating that the abnormality has occurred in the master unit side storage unit of the battery control device, a step of communicably connecting the battery control device and an inspection device, a step of reading out the correspondence information and the information indicating that the abnormality has occurred from the master unit side storage unit by the inspection device, a step of causing the inspection device to identify an abnormal battery among the batteries housed in the housing unit based on the information read out from the master unit side storage unit, An abnormal battery identification method comprising the above steps. [Configuration 11] In the battery monitoring system including the battery control device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8 and the battery monitoring devices, each of the battery monitoring devices has a slave unit side communication unit (32, 33) for performing wireless communication with the battery control device, a slave unit side storage unit (34), and has, the specifying unit specifies the correspondence relationship between each of the battery monitoring devices and the battery to be monitored by each of the battery monitoring devices by the specifying process, and transmits the specified correspondence relationship information from the master unit side communication unit to each of the battery monitoring devices. The battery monitoring system, wherein each of the battery monitoring devices causes the slave unit side storage unit to store the correspondence information received by the slave unit side communication unit. [Configuration 12] The battery monitoring system is mounted on a moving body (10) that can be boarded by a user. The specifying unit performs the specifying process on the condition that the moving body is in a stopped state and no start instruction of the moving body is given by the user, and the battery control device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 11. [Configuration 13] In the battery monitoring system including the battery control device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, 11, and 12 and each of the battery monitoring devices, each of the battery monitoring devices has a slave unit side communication unit (32, 33) for performing wireless communication with the battery control device. A battery monitoring system, wherein the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity in the antenna units (33A to 33D, 60) of the respective slave unit side communication units is set so that the frequency characteristics of the intensity of the radio signal received by the master unit side communication unit are different in each of the battery monitoring devices. [Configuration 14] The antenna unit (60) of each of the slave unit side communication units is configured to be able to select and change the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity from a plurality of directions. The battery monitoring system according to Configuration 13, wherein the master unit side storage unit stores the parameters associated with each of the battery monitoring devices and each of the directions. [Configuration 15] In a plan view of each of the batteries (21A to 21D), each of the battery monitoring devices (30A to 30D), the battery control device, and the housing unit (55), with respect to a reference axis (LP) that passes through the antenna unit (43) of the master unit side communication unit and extends horizontally, each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, the battery control device, and the housing unit has a line-symmetric configuration. Among the battery monitoring devices, the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity in the antenna units (33A to 33D) of the battery monitoring devices arranged at the same distance from the battery control device in the direction in which the reference axis extends is not line-symmetric with respect to the reference axis. The battery monitoring system according to Configuration 13. [Configuration 16] In a plan view of each of the batteries (21A to 21D) and the housing unit (55), the batteries, the battery control device, and the housing unit are configured to be line-symmetric with respect to a reference axis (LP) that passes through the antenna unit (43) of the master unit side communication unit and extends in the horizontal direction. The battery monitoring devices are arranged on each of one side and the other side with respect to the reference axis. The arrangement positions of the battery monitoring devices (30A, 30C) arranged on one side with respect to the reference axis and the arrangement positions of the battery monitoring devices (30B, 30D) arranged on the other side with respect to the reference axis are not line-symmetric with respect to the reference axis. The battery monitoring system according to Configuration 13.

Explanation of Signs

[0174] 11... Battery pack, 21... Battery block, 30... Battery monitoring device, 40... Battery control device, 41... Battery control MCU, 42... Master unit side wireless IC, 43... Master unit side antenna, 44... Master unit side storage unit, 55... Housing unit.

Claims

1. Applied to a battery monitoring system including battery monitoring devices (30, 30A to 30D) provided individually corresponding to a plurality of batteries (21, 21A to 21D, 200) and monitoring the states of the batteries, In a battery control device (40) arranged in a predetermined arrangement state together with each of the batteries and each of the battery monitoring devices in a housing part (55, 105) configured to reflect at least part of radio waves, The battery control device includes: A master unit side storage unit (44) that stores parameters related to the communication quality of the wireless communication when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing part, and that stores parameters associated with each of the battery monitoring devices; A master unit side communication unit (42, 43) for performing wireless communication with the battery monitoring device; A specifying unit (41) that performs a specifying process of specifying the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the received wireless signal based on the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit side communication unit and the parameters stored in the storage unit; A battery control device having the above.

2. The battery control device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is the intensity of a wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device when each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing part.

3. As the specifying process, the specifying unit Calculates a correlation coefficient between the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit side communication unit and the parameter for each of the battery monitoring devices, Among the calculated correlation coefficients, a process of specifying that the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient is the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the maximum correlation coefficient is performed. The battery control device according to claim 2.

4. The battery control device according to claim 3, wherein the specifying unit determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in that the arrangement state in the housing part of each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device has deviated from the predetermined arrangement state based on the calculated correlation coefficient.

5. The specific unit, as the specific process, performs a process of specifying the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device by comparing the magnitude relationship of the intensities at a specific frequency of the wireless signals received from the respective battery monitoring devices with the magnitude relationship at the specific frequency of the parameters associated with the respective battery monitoring devices. The battery control device according to claim 2.

6. The specific unit, as the specific process, calculates, for each battery monitoring device, the difference at a specific frequency between the wireless signal received by the master unit side communication unit and the parameter, Among the calculated differences, the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter used for calculating the minimum difference is specified as the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the minimum difference. The battery control device according to claim 2.

7. The parameter is the slope in a predetermined frequency range of the intensity of the wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device when the respective batteries, the respective battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing unit, The specific unit, as the specific process, calculates the slope in the predetermined frequency range of the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit side communication unit, Among the respective parameters, the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter having the minimum difference from the calculated slope is specified as the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the slope. The battery control device according to claim 1.

8. The parameter is the average value in a predetermined frequency range of the intensity of the wireless signal received from the battery monitoring device when the respective batteries, the respective battery monitoring devices, and the battery control device are arranged in the predetermined arrangement state in the housing unit, The specific unit, as the specific process, calculates the average value of the intensity in the predetermined frequency range of the wireless signal from the battery monitoring device received by the master unit side communication unit, Among the respective parameters, the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device associated with the parameter having the minimum difference from the calculated average value is specified as the battery to be monitored by the battery monitoring device that is the transmission source of the wireless signal used for calculating the average value. The battery control device according to claim 1.

9. The battery control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the specific unit specifies, by the specific process, the correspondence relationship between each battery monitoring device and the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device, and stores information on the specified correspondence relationship in the host device side storage unit.

10. In an abnormal battery identification method for identifying a battery in which an abnormality has occurred among the batteries housed in the housing unit, using the battery monitoring system including the battery control device according to claim 9 and each of the battery monitoring devices, The battery monitoring device, has a slave device side communication unit (32, 33) for performing wireless communication with the battery control device, determines whether an abnormality has occurred in at least one of the battery to be monitored by itself and itself as a determination target, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, transmits information indicating that an abnormality has occurred together with its own identification information from the slave device side communication unit to the battery control device, The battery control device, receives the information indicating that the abnormality has occurred and the identification information by the host device side communication unit, stores the received information indicating that the abnormality has occurred in the host device side storage unit of the battery control device, a step of communicably connecting the battery control device and an inspection device, a step of reading, by the inspection device, the information on the correspondence relationship and the information indicating that the abnormality has occurred from the host device side storage unit, a step of causing the inspection device to identify a battery in which an abnormality has occurred among the batteries housed in the housing unit based on the information read from the host device side storage unit, An abnormal battery identification method comprising:

11. In the battery monitoring system including the battery control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and each of the battery monitoring devices, Each of the battery monitoring devices, has a slave device side communication unit (32, 33) for performing wireless communication with the battery control device, a slave device side storage unit (34), and has, the specific unit specifies, by the specific process, the correspondence relationship between each battery monitoring device and the battery to be monitored by each battery monitoring device, and transmits the information on the specified correspondence relationship from the host device side communication unit to each battery monitoring device, Each of the battery monitoring devices stores the information on the correspondence relationship received by the slave device side communication unit in the slave device side storage unit. A battery monitoring system.

12. The battery monitoring system is mounted on a moving body (10) on which a user can board. The battery control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the specific process is performed on the condition that the user has not given a start instruction to the moving body and the moving body is in a stopped state.

13. In the battery monitoring system including the battery control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and each of the battery monitoring devices, each of the battery monitoring devices has a slave unit side communication unit (32, 33) for performing wireless communication with the battery control device, A battery monitoring system in which the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity in the antenna units (33A to 33D, 60) of the respective slave unit side communication units is set so that the frequency characteristics of the intensity of the radio signal received by the master unit side communication unit are different for each of the battery monitoring devices.

14. The antenna unit (60) of each of the slave unit side communication units is configured to be able to select and change the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity from a plurality of directions, The battery monitoring system according to claim 13, wherein the master unit side storage unit stores the parameters associated with each of the battery monitoring devices and each of the directions.

15. In a plan view of each of the batteries (21A to 21D), each of the battery monitoring devices (30A to 30D), the battery control device, and the housing unit (55), with respect to a reference axis (LP) that passes through the antenna unit (43) of the master unit side communication unit and extends in the horizontal direction, each of the batteries, each of the battery monitoring devices, the battery control device, and the housing unit is configured to be line-symmetrical, In the antenna units (33A to 33D) of the battery monitoring devices arranged at the same position at the same distance from the battery control device in the direction in which the reference axis extends among each of the battery monitoring devices, the direction of the center of the radio wave directivity is not line-symmetrical with respect to the reference axis. The battery monitoring system according to claim 13.

16. In a plan view of each of the batteries (21A to 21D) and the housing unit (55), with respect to a reference axis (LP) that passes through the antenna unit (43) of the master unit side communication unit and extends in the horizontal direction, each of the batteries, the battery control device, and the housing unit is configured to be line-symmetrical, The battery monitoring devices are arranged on one side and the other side with respect to the reference axis, The arrangement position of the battery monitoring devices (30A, 30C) arranged on one side with respect to the reference axis and the arrangement position of the battery monitoring devices (30B, 30D) arranged on the other side with respect to the reference axis are not symmetric with respect to the reference axis, the battery monitoring system according to claim 13.

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