Battery monitoring device and identification information assignment method

Abstract

To provide a battery monitoring device and an identification information assigning method for assigning identification information indicating an arrangement position to a battery state detection device without wired connection between a monitoring device and the battery state detection device, in the battery monitoring device in which the monitoring device and the battery state detection device are capable of wireless communication.SOLUTION: A battery monitoring system S, which is a battery monitoring device, includes: battery state detection devices A1 that detect the state of battery modules M1 to Mn; and a monitoring device B that is wirelessly connected to the plurality of battery state detection devices and manages the state of the battery modules. The battery state detection devices include light source units 5 that emit light. The monitoring device B includes an infrared array sensor 12 that receives the light emitted from the light source units, and assigns identification information to each battery state detection device based on the light emission position of the light source units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery monitoring device and a method for assigning identification information. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a battery monitoring device mounted on a vehicle. In Patent Document 1, the battery monitoring device includes a battery ECU and a battery monitor. The battery ECU wirelessly transmits commands to the battery monitor. The battery monitor also detects voltage information of the unit batteries and wirelessly transmits the information to the battery ECU. In such a battery monitoring device, the battery ECU needs to assign an ID to the battery monitor according to its location so that the battery ECU can determine where the voltage information of the unit battery is located. For example, in Patent Document 1, the battery ECU and the battery monitor are wired together via a power line, and the battery monitors are sequentially activated via the power line while being assigned IDs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-127318 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a battery monitoring device that wirelessly connects a control device such as a battery ECU to a battery state detection device such as a battery monitor, connecting the control device and the battery state detection device by a wired power line as in Patent Document 1 would diminish the benefits of the wireless connection. For example, connecting the control device and the battery state detection device by a wired connection would reduce the degree of freedom in layout of the control device and the battery state detection device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to enable a battery monitoring device in which a control device and a battery status detection device are capable of wireless communication to be provided with identification information indicating the placement position of the battery status detection device without connecting the control device and the battery status detection device via a wired connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention employs the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a battery monitoring device comprising a battery status detection device that detects the status of a battery module, and a control device that is wirelessly connected to a plurality of battery status detection devices and manages the status of the battery modules, wherein the battery status detection device comprises a light source unit that emits light, the control device comprises a light receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the light source unit, and identification information is assigned to each of the battery status detection devices based on the light emitting position of the light source unit.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is the same as the first aspect, in that the control device sequentially inputs light emission instructions for the light source unit to each of the battery state detection devices via wireless communication, and the battery state detection devices emit the light from the light source unit based on the light emission instructions input from the control device.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention adopts a configuration in which, in the first or second aspect, the light source unit is an infrared emitting light source unit that emits infrared rays as the light, and the control device is an infrared array sensor that receives the infrared rays.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, employs a configuration in which the light source units in different battery state detection devices are arranged at the same positions with respect to the battery modules.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is configured such that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control device stores a table showing the relationship between the identification information and the light-emitting position of the light source unit, and determines the identification information to be assigned to the battery state detection device by referring to the table based on the light-emitting position of the light source unit.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a method for assigning identification information to a battery state detection device that detects the state of a battery module, which method employs a configuration in which an emission position of a light source unit provided in the battery state detection device is detected, and identification information is assigned to the battery state detection device based on the detected emission position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, a light source unit is provided in the battery state detection device. Furthermore, identification information is assigned to the battery state detection device based on the light-emitting position of the light source unit. Therefore, even if the battery state detection device and the control device are not connected by wire, it is possible to assign identification information to the battery state detection device by light. Therefore, according to the present invention, in a battery monitoring device in which the control device and the battery state detection device can communicate wirelessly, it is possible to assign identification information indicating the placement position to the battery state detection device without connecting the control device and the battery state detection device by wire. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a battery monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram including a voltage detection device and a monitoring device provided in a battery monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an arrangement of battery modules. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a monitoring device provided in a battery monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a voltage detection device provided in a battery monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A battery monitoring device and an identification information assigning method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a battery monitoring system S (battery monitoring device) of this embodiment. The battery monitoring system S of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The battery monitoring system S of this embodiment monitors the voltage, etc. of a battery (a battery pack C, described below) mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. This battery is, for example, a drive battery for a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment includes a plurality of voltage detection devices A1 to An (battery state detection devices) and a single monitoring device B (control device). These voltage detection devices A1 to An and monitoring device B are wirelessly connected to each other via a predetermined wireless line so that they can communicate wirelessly. In this embodiment, "n" is a subscript that indicates an arbitrary natural number.

[0018] The object to be monitored by such a battery monitoring system S is an assembled battery C including n battery modules M1 to Mn. The n battery modules M1 to Mn include a plurality of battery cells connected in series, and the total voltage of the battery cells is the output voltage. These n battery modules M1 to Mn are connected in series. In other words, the assembled battery C to be monitored in this embodiment is a secondary battery whose output voltage is the total voltage of the n battery modules M1 to Mn.

[0019] The battery pack C in this embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle such as an electric car or a hybrid car, and supplies DC power to, for example, a traction motor (load) that serves as a power source for the vehicle. This battery pack C may be a fuel cell, in addition to the lithium-ion battery or nickel-metal hydride battery described above. The battery pack C outputs an output voltage of, for example, several hundred volts.

[0020] A plurality of n voltage detection devices A1-An are provided corresponding to the n battery modules M1-Mn. That is, a plurality (n) of voltage detection devices A1-An are provided corresponding to the battery modules M1-Mn. The voltage detection devices A1-An detect the voltages (voltages of each cell) of the corresponding battery modules M1-Mn, and wirelessly transmit the detected voltage values (voltage information) to the monitoring device B together with, for example, their own identification information (ID).

[0021] The monitoring device B monitors the state of the battery pack C based on the cell voltage detection values of each of the battery modules M1 to Mn wirelessly received from each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An. The monitoring device B successively reports the monitoring results of the battery pack C to a higher-level control device (not shown).

[0022] Such voltage detecting devices A1 to An and monitoring device B will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2. Note that although the n voltage detecting devices A1 to An are assigned individual identification information (ID) to identify their respective locations, they have the same basic configuration. Therefore, the detailed configuration of voltage detecting device A1 will be described below as a representative.

[0023] 2 is a block diagram including a voltage detection device A1 and a monitoring device B provided in a battery monitoring system S in this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the voltage detection device A1 includes a voltage measurement unit 1, a plurality of discharge circuits 2, a voltage detection device storage unit 3, a voltage detection device wireless communication unit 4, a light source unit 5, and a voltage detection device processing unit 6.

[0024] The voltage measurement unit 1 detects the output voltages (cell voltages) of the m battery cells that make up the battery module M1, and outputs the detected values of the m cell voltages (detected cell voltage values) to the voltage detection device processing unit 6. As shown in the figure, the electrodes (positive and negative electrodes) of each battery cell in the battery module M1 are connected to multiple input terminals, and the voltage measurement unit 1 obtains the detected cell voltage value for each battery cell based on the difference between the potential of the positive electrode and the potential of the negative electrode.

[0025] The voltage measurement unit 1 detects the cell voltage, which is an analog value, by sampling the potential of the positive electrode and the negative electrode of each battery cell at a predetermined time interval. The voltage measurement unit 1 also outputs the detected cell voltage values to the voltage detection device processing unit 6 in sequence.

[0026] As described above, the n battery modules M1 to Mn are secondary batteries that can discharge and charge. The multiple discharge circuits 2 are series circuits of resistors and electronic switches provided for each battery cell in the m battery cells in the battery module M1 to equalize the charge states of the cells.

[0027] These discharge circuits 2 are composed of an electronic switch such as a switching transistor that is turned on or off by the voltage detection device processing unit 6, and a resistor with a predetermined resistance value that is connected in series to the electronic switch. The electronic switch of the discharge circuit 2 corresponding to each battery cell is switched on or off by the voltage detection device processing unit 6. When the electronic switch of the discharge circuit 2 is turned on, the power of the battery cell is discharged.

[0028] The voltage detection device storage unit 3 is, for example, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, etc. The voltage detection device storage unit 3 stores the cell voltages measured by the voltage measurement unit 1 and programs and parameters required for processing by the voltage detection device processing unit 6. The voltage detection device storage unit 3 also stores unique information such as the serial number of the voltage detection device A1 (i.e., the battery module M1).

[0029] The voltage detection device wireless communication unit 4 transmits and receives information by wirelessly communicating with the monitoring device B. The voltage detection device wireless communication unit 4 receives information obtained from the monitoring device B by wireless communication and outputs it to the voltage detection device processing unit 6, and transmits information from the voltage detection device processing unit 6 to the monitoring device B by wireless communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication method for wireless communication as long as it is wireless.

[0030] The light source unit 5 is an infrared emitting light source unit that emits infrared rays. In this embodiment, the light source unit 5 is made up of an infrared LED (light emitting diode) that emits infrared rays (light). This light source unit 5 emits infrared rays when controlled to be in an on state. The on / off state of the light source unit 5 is controlled by the voltage detection device processing unit 6. When the light source unit 5 is in an on state, it emits infrared rays discretely or continuously.

[0031] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an arrangement of battery modules M1 to Mn. In Fig. 3, the subscript n, which indicates an arbitrary natural number, is omitted, and the reference symbol for a battery module is simply M. A single battery module M and a voltage detection device (one of voltage detection devices A1 to An) connected to this battery module M are packaged.

[0032] 3, the light source unit 5 is disposed at the same position for each battery module M. In this embodiment, the light source unit 5 is disposed at the center of the upper surface of the battery module M in the width direction.

[0033] These battery modules M are installed in predetermined positions and in predetermined orientations. For example, the battery modules M are housed in a case together with a monitoring device B and a power converter (not shown) and packaged as a battery package. A plurality of installation sections for installing the battery modules M are provided inside the case, and each battery module M is attached to each of these installation sections in a predetermined orientation. As a result, the battery modules M are arranged in a predetermined pattern, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. Note that, for example, different identification information is set for each of these installation sections. Therefore, the identification information is information indicating the arrangement position of the module M (voltage detection devices A1 to An).

[0034] The battery modules M are formed in the same shape, and it is not predetermined which battery module M is to be installed in which installation part. However, since the light source unit 5 is arranged in the same position for different battery modules M, the light source unit 5 is arranged in the same position regardless of which battery module M is attached to which installation part.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 2, the voltage detection device processing unit 6 performs cell balance control by controlling the discharge circuit 2 based on the multiple cell voltages acquired from the voltage measurement unit 1. The voltage detection device processing unit 6 also transmits information required for stable operation of the battery module M1 (hereinafter referred to as "management information") to the monitoring device B via wireless communication. The management information is, for example, information indicating the multiple cell voltages, the highest cell voltage, and the lowest cell voltage. The voltage detection device processing unit 6 also controls the driving of the light source unit 5, and controls the light source unit 5 to be in an on state based on a light emission instruction input from the monitoring device B.

[0036] Such a voltage detection device A1 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The voltage detection device processing unit 6 may also include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)). For example, the voltage detection device processing unit 6 may be a microcontroller such as an MCU.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 1, the monitoring device B transmits and receives information via wireless communication with each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An, and manages the battery modules M1 to Mn. The monitoring device B communicates with each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An and receives management information for each of the battery modules M1 to Mn. The monitoring device B grasps the state of each of the battery modules M1 to Mn based on this management information. For example, the monitoring device B is a BMU (Battery Management Unit).

[0038] The monitoring device B may include a processor such as a CPU or MPU. The monitoring device B may also include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM). For example, the monitoring device B may be a microcontroller such as an MCU. As shown in FIG. 2, such a monitoring device B includes a monitoring device wireless communication unit 11, an infrared array sensor 12 (light receiving unit), a monitoring device processing unit 13, and a monitoring device storage unit 14.

[0039] The monitoring device wireless communication unit 11 communicates wirelessly with the voltage detection device wireless communication units 4 of the voltage detection devices A1 to An to transmit and receive information. The monitoring device wireless communication unit 11 receives information obtained by wireless communication from the voltage detection device wireless communication units 4 of the voltage detection devices A1 to An and outputs it to the monitoring device processing unit 13, and transmits information from the monitoring device processing unit 13 to the voltage detection device wireless communication unit 4 by wireless communication.

[0040] The infrared array sensor 12 is a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays. This infrared array sensor 12 receives infrared rays emitted from, for example, the light source unit 5. The infrared array sensor 12 transmits the detected temperature to the monitoring device processing unit 13. As shown in Fig. 3, the temperature detection range of the infrared array sensor 12 is the area in which all the battery modules M are installed, and it detects the spatial temperature distribution.

[0041] When infrared rays are emitted from the light source unit 5, the infrared array sensor 12 receives the infrared rays emitted from the light source unit 5 and outputs a temperature signal including position information of the light source unit 5 that emitted the infrared rays (i.e., the light emission position). Furthermore, when the battery module M generates heat, infrared rays of an intensity according to the temperature are emitted from the battery module M. Therefore, the infrared array sensor 12 can also output a temperature signal including temperature information of the battery module M. In other words, the infrared array sensor 12 can be used as a sensor that identifies the position of the light source unit 5 that emitted the infrared rays and as a sensor that measures the temperature of the battery module M. The detection result of the infrared array sensor 12 is output to the monitoring device processing unit 13.

[0042] The monitoring device processing unit 13 acquires management information obtained from the voltage detection devices A1 to An via wireless communication. For example, the monitoring device processing unit 13 determines whether or not each of the battery modules M1 to Mn is normal based on the management information obtained from the voltage detection devices A1 to An.

[0043] For example, the monitoring device processing unit 13 calculates the amount of heat generated by the battery module M based on a temperature signal obtained from the infrared array sensor 12, and determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the battery module M based on the amount of heat generated. Note that the wireless communication between the monitoring device B and each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An is scheduled using a timer or the like to prevent communication between the monitoring device B and each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An from intermingling.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment is assembled, the monitoring device processing unit 13 performs an identification information assignment process that associates each of the voltage detection devices A1-An with identification information that indicates the arrangement position of the battery modules M1-Mn. For example, the monitoring device processing unit 13 assigns identification information to each of the voltage detection devices A1-An by associating unique information stored in each of the voltage detection devices A1-An with identification information (ID) set for each arrangement position of the battery modules M1-Mn on a one-to-one basis. The monitoring device processing unit 13 creates an identification information assignment table that indicates the correspondence between each of the voltage detection devices A1-An and the identification information, and stores the table in the monitoring device storage unit 14.

[0045] Once the identification information allocation table is stored in the monitoring device storage unit 14, the monitoring device processing unit 13 performs subsequent processing based on the identification information allocation table. In other words, the identification information assignment process is performed only once, immediately after the battery monitoring system S is assembled. However, for example, during maintenance, the identification information assignment process may be performed again based on instructions from a worker or the like to update the identification information allocation table.

[0046] When the monitoring device processing unit 13 assigns identification information to each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An, the assigned identification information is transmitted to each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An and stored in the voltage detection device storage unit 3. That is, each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An stores the assigned identification information in the voltage detection device storage unit 3.

[0047] In the identification information assignment process, the monitoring device processing unit 13 turns on (or blinks) the light source unit 5 for each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An in turn. According to the light emission position of the light source unit 5 at this time, identification information is assigned to the voltage detection device A1 to An that includes the light source unit 5 that emitted light. The monitoring device storage unit 14 stores a table (light emission position identification information table) that shows the relationship between the light emission position of the light source unit 5 inside the case (the installation position of the battery module M) and the identification information. The monitoring device processing unit 13 determines the light emission position from the temperature information acquired by the infrared array sensor 12, and identifies the identification information by comparing the determined light emission position with the light emission position identification information table. The monitoring device processing unit 13 assigns the identified identification information to the voltage detection device A1 to An that includes the light source unit 5 that emitted light.

[0048] The monitoring device storage unit 14 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory or the like. The monitoring device storage unit 14 stores, for example, programs and parameters for causing the monitoring device processing unit 13 to execute an identification information assignment process. The monitoring device storage unit 14 also stores a light emission position identification information table that indicates the relationship between the light emission position of the light source unit 5 inside the case (the installation position of the battery module M) and the identification information.

[0049] Next, the identification information assignment process (identification information assignment method) in the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the monitoring device B in the identification information assignment process. Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the voltage detection device A1 in the identification information assignment process. Note that, since the operation in the identification information assignment process is the same for each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An, the explanation based on Fig. 5 will explain the operation of the voltage detection device A1.

[0051] The identification information assignment process is a process that is executed after the battery monitoring system S is assembled and before starting monitoring and management of the battery pack C. This identification information assignment process is a process of assigning identification information that specifies the placement position to each battery module M1 to Mn. For example, if n installation sections for installing the battery modules M1 to Mn are provided inside the case of a battery package, the identification information is information that indicates which battery module M1 to Mn is installed in which installation section. By assigning identification information to each battery module M1 to Mn, monitoring and management of the battery pack C can be performed.

[0052] The identification information assignment process is started when the battery modules M1-Mn are attached to the installation section. As shown in Fig. 4, when the identification information assignment process is started, the monitoring device B searches for the voltage detection devices A1-An and permits wireless connection to each of the voltage detection devices A1-An (step S11). Here, for example, the monitoring device processing unit 13 of the monitoring device B searches for the voltage detection devices A1-An that are emitting radio waves, and permits wireless connection when permission for wireless connection is requested from the voltage detection devices A1-An that detected the radio waves. Note that even though the monitoring device B is wirelessly connected to the voltage detection devices A1-An and can obtain unique information at this point, it is not yet able to grasp the arrangement positions of the battery modules M1-Mn.

[0053] Next, the monitoring device B inputs a light emission instruction for the light source unit 5 to the wirelessly connected voltage detection devices A1 to An (step S12). In this embodiment, the monitoring device B selects one of the wirelessly connected voltage detection devices A1 to An that has not been assigned identification information, and inputs a light emission instruction to the selected voltage detection device A1 to An. Here, the monitoring device processing unit 13 of the monitoring device B outputs a light emission instruction to the wirelessly connected voltage detection devices A1 to An via the monitoring device wireless communication unit 11. Note that the monitoring device B inputs a light emission instruction to only one voltage detection device A1 to An so that multiple light source units 5 do not emit light at the same time.

[0054] Furthermore, the monitoring device B acquires unique information (information including serial numbers, etc.) from all of the wirelessly connected voltage detecting devices A1 to An. The monitoring device B identifies the wirelessly connected voltage detecting devices A1 to An, for example, based on this unique information. For example, in step S12, the monitoring device B selects the voltage detecting devices A1 to An based on the unique information.

[0055] Next, the monitoring device B determines whether the light source unit 5 is emitting light or not (step S13). Here, the monitoring device processing unit 13 of the monitoring device B determines whether the light source unit 5 is emitting light or not based on the temperature signal acquired by the infrared array sensor 12. The monitoring device B determines that the light source unit 5 is emitting light when the temperature signal includes information indicating that the light source unit 5 is emitting light.

[0056] If it is determined in step S13 that the light source unit 5 is emitting light, the monitoring device B assigns identification information to the voltage detection devices A1-An that received the light emission instruction for the light source unit 5 in step S12 (step S14). Here, the monitoring device B determines the light emission position of the light source unit 5 (the position of the light source unit 5 that is emitting light) based on the temperature information received from the infrared array sensor 12 in the monitoring device processing unit 13. The monitoring device B determines the identification information to be assigned to the voltage detection devices A1-An (i.e., the battery modules M1-Mn) based on the position of the light source unit 5 determined by the monitoring device processing unit 13 and the light emission position identification information table stored in the monitoring device storage unit 14. Furthermore, the monitoring device B transmits the determined identification information to the voltage detection devices A1-An that received the light emission instruction via the monitoring device wireless communication unit 11.

[0057] Next, the monitoring device B determines whether or not identification information has been assigned to all of the voltage detection devices A1 to An (step S15). Here, the monitoring device B determines whether or not identification information has been assigned to all of the voltage detection devices A1 to An for which the unique information has been acquired, for example. If the monitoring device B determines in step S13 that the light source unit 5 is not emitting light, it skips step S14 and executes step S15. If identification information has been assigned to all of the voltage detection devices A1 to An, the monitoring device B completes the identification information assignment process. On the other hand, if identification information has not been assigned to all of the voltage detection devices A1 to An, the monitoring device B returns to step S12.

[0058] 5, when the identification information assignment process is started, the voltage detecting device A1 requests permission for wireless connection from the monitoring device B (step S21). If it is determined that permission for wireless connection cannot be obtained (step S22), the voltage detecting device A1 returns to step S21 and repeatedly requests permission for connection.

[0059] If permission for wireless connection is obtained in step S21, the voltage detecting device A1 determines whether or not a light emission instruction has been input from the monitoring device B (step S23). If a light emission instruction has not been input, the voltage detecting device A1 repeats step S23 and waits until a light emission instruction is input.

[0060] When the light emission instruction is input from the monitoring device B, the voltage detecting device A1 turns on the light source unit 5 and emits infrared rays (light) from the light source unit 5 (step S24). Here, the voltage detecting device processing unit 6 of the voltage detecting device A1 controls the light source unit 5 to turn on.

[0061] Next, the voltage detecting device A1 determines whether or not it has received identification information from the monitoring device B (step S25). If it has not received identification information, the voltage detecting device A1 repeats step S25 and waits until identification information is input.

[0062] When the voltage detecting device A1 receives the identification information, it stores the received identification information in the voltage detecting device storage unit 3 (step S26). Here, the voltage detecting device processing unit 6 of the voltage detecting device A1 stores the identification information in the voltage detecting device storage unit 3. Then, when step S26 is completed, the voltage detecting device A1 ends the identification information assignment process.

[0063] The battery monitoring system S of this embodiment as described above includes a plurality of voltage detecting devices A1-An and a monitoring device B. The voltage detecting devices A1-An detect the states of the battery modules M1-Mn. The monitoring device B is wirelessly connected to the plurality of voltage detecting devices A1-An to manage the states of the battery modules. The voltage detecting devices A1-An also include a light source unit 5 that emits light. The monitoring device B also includes an infrared array sensor 12 that receives the light emitted from the light source unit 5. The monitoring device B also assigns identification information to each of the voltage detecting devices A1-An based on the light emitting position of the light source unit 5.

[0064] According to the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment, the voltage detecting devices A1 to An are provided with a light source unit 5. Furthermore, according to the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment, identification information is assigned to the voltage detecting devices A1 to An based on the light emitting position of the light source unit 5. Therefore, even if the voltage detecting devices A1 to An and the monitoring device B are not connected by wire, it is possible to assign identification information to the voltage detecting devices A1 to An by light.

[0065] Therefore, according to the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment, in a battery monitoring system S in which the monitoring device B and the voltage detection devices A1 to An are capable of wireless communication, it is possible to assign identification information indicating the placement position to the voltage detection devices A1 to An without connecting the monitoring device B and the voltage detection devices A1 to An by wire.

[0066] Furthermore, in the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment, the monitoring device B sequentially inputs light emission instructions for the light source units 5 to each of the voltage detection devices A1 to An via wireless communication, and the voltage detection devices A1 to An emit light from the light source units 5 based on the light emission instructions input from the monitoring device B. This makes it possible for the monitoring device B to control the light emission timing of the light source units 5 of the monitoring device B. This prevents multiple light source units 5 from emitting light simultaneously, and makes it possible to reliably assign identification information to the voltage detection devices A1 to An.

[0067] Furthermore, in the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment, the light source unit 5 is an infrared emitting light source unit that emits infrared light. Furthermore, in the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment, the monitoring device B has an infrared array sensor 12 as a light receiving unit that receives infrared light. By using the infrared array sensor 12 in this manner, it is possible to accurately determine the position of the light source unit 5 that emitted the light. Furthermore, by using the infrared array sensor 12, it is also possible to monitor the heat generation state of the battery modules M1 to Mn. For example, if the battery monitoring system S has an infrared array sensor that monitors the heat generation state of the battery modules M1 to Mn, it is possible to use the already installed infrared array sensor, without having to provide a separate light receiving unit for the light emitted from the light source unit 5.

[0068] Furthermore, in the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment, the light source unit 5 is arranged in the same position relative to the battery modules M1 to Mn in the different voltage detection devices A1 to An. Therefore, regardless of which battery module M1 to Mn is installed in a predetermined installation position, the position of the light source unit 5 is the same. Therefore, it is possible to reliably determine whether the light source unit 5 is emitting light and the position of the light source unit 5 based on the output of the infrared array sensor 12.

[0069] Furthermore, in the battery monitoring system S of this embodiment, the monitoring device B stores a light-emitting position identification information table that indicates the relationship between identification information and the light-emitting position of the light source unit 5, and determines the identification information to be assigned to the voltage detection devices A1 to An by referring to the light-emitting position identification information table based on the light-emitting position of the light source unit 5. This makes it possible to determine the identification information to be assigned to the voltage detection devices A1 to An through simple processing.

[0070] The identification information assigning method of this embodiment assigns identification information to the voltage detection devices A1 to An that detect the state of the battery module. The identification information assigning method of this embodiment detects the light-emitting position of the light source unit 5 provided in the voltage detection devices A1 to An, and assigns the identification information to the voltage detection devices A1 to An based on the detected light-emitting position.

[0071] According to the identification information assigning method of this embodiment, the voltage detecting devices A1 to An are provided with a light source unit 5. Furthermore, according to the identification information assigning method of this embodiment, the voltage detecting devices A1 to An are assigned identification information based on the light emitting position of the light source unit 5. Therefore, even if the voltage detecting devices A1 to An and the monitoring device B are not connected by wire, it is possible to assign identification information to the voltage detecting devices A1 to An by light.

[0072] Therefore, according to the identification information assignment method of this embodiment, in a battery monitoring system S in which the monitoring device B and the voltage detection devices A1 to An are capable of wireless communication, it is possible to assign identification information indicating the placement position to the voltage detection devices A1 to An without connecting the monitoring device B and the voltage detection devices A1 to An by wire.

[0073] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0074] For example, in the above embodiment, the light emitted from the light source unit 5 is infrared light (infrared light). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light emitted from the light source unit 5 may be visible light. In such a case, an array sensor capable of detecting visible light is used instead of the infrared array sensor 12.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the infrared array sensor 12 is used as the light receiving unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an imaging camera capable of capturing infrared or visible light is used as the light receiving unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...Voltage measurement unit, 2...Discharge circuit, 3...Voltage detection device memory unit, 4...Voltage detection device wireless communication unit, 5...Light source unit, 6...Voltage detection device processing unit, 11...Monitoring device wireless communication unit, 12...Infrared array sensor (light receiving unit), 13...Monitoring device processing unit, 14...Monitoring device memory unit, A1 to An...Voltage detection device (battery state detection device), B...Monitoring device (control device), M1 to Mn...Battery module, S...Battery monitoring system

Claims

1. A battery monitoring device comprising: a battery state detection device that detects the state of a battery module; and a control device that is wirelessly connected to a plurality of battery state detection devices and manages the state of the battery module, the battery state detection device includes a light source unit that emits light, the control device includes a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light source unit, and assigns identification information indicating a location of each of the battery state detection devices based on a light emitting position of the light source unit; the control device sequentially inputs a light emission instruction for the light source unit to each of the battery state detection devices via wireless communication; The battery state detection device emits the light from the light source unit based on the light emission instruction input from the control device. A battery monitoring device characterized by:

2. A battery monitoring device comprising: a battery state detection device that detects the state of a battery module; and a control device that is wirelessly connected to a plurality of battery state detection devices and manages the state of the battery module, the battery state detection device includes a light source unit that emits light, The control device a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light source unit, and assigns identification information indicating a location of each of the battery state detection devices based on a light emitting position of the light source unit; storing a table showing a relationship between the identification information and the light emitting position of the light source unit; The identification information to be assigned to the battery state detection device is determined by referring to the table based on the light emitting position of the light source unit. A battery monitoring device characterized by:

3. the light source unit is an infrared emitting light source unit that emits infrared rays as the light, The light receiving unit includes an infrared array sensor that receives the infrared light.

3. The battery monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The battery monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the light source units are arranged at the same positions with respect to the battery modules in different battery state detection devices.

5. 1. An identification information assigning method for assigning identification information to a battery state detection device that detects the state of a battery module, comprising: detecting a light emitting position of a light source unit provided in the battery state detection device, and assigning identification information indicating an installation position to the battery state detection device based on the detected light emitting position; a light emitting instruction for the light source unit is input to each of the battery state detection devices sequentially via wireless communication; The light source unit emits light based on the light emission instruction.

1. A method for assigning identification information.

6. 1. An identification information assigning method for assigning identification information to a battery state detection device that detects the state of a battery module, comprising: detecting a light emitting position of a light source unit provided in the battery state detection device, and assigning identification information indicating an installation position to the battery state detection device based on the detected light emitting position; storing a table showing a relationship between the identification information and the light emitting position of the light source unit; The identification information to be assigned to the battery state detection device is determined by referring to the table based on the light emitting position of the light source unit.

1. A method for assigning identification information.

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