Battery module circuit

Abstract

To provide technique enabling facilitation of suppression of power consumption of a battery module before being mounted to a vehicle, the battery module being configured to supply dark current by turning on a switch.SOLUTION: A circuit 30 for a battery module is used for a battery module 10 including a battery 20 and mounted to a vehicle. The battery module 10 is mounted to the vehicle in a predetermined normal mounting state. When the battery module 10 is in a release state in which it is released from the normal mounting state, a second conductive path 42 and a second terminal 34 are isolated. The circuit 30 for the battery module has such a configuration that the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 are conducted by setting the battery module 10 to the normal mounting state. In a state in which the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 are isolated, a switch 35 is in an OFF state. A control unit 36 turns on the switch 35 in the case in which a portion between the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 is switched to a conductive state from an isolation state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a circuit for a battery module. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack to be mounted on a vehicle (automobile). This battery pack includes a battery (battery module) and a switch for switching on and off the supply of power from the battery to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 191679 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To ensure that dark current is constantly supplied from the battery pack after it is installed in the vehicle, the switch must be kept on. In particular, if the switch is a normally open type, the switch must be continuously supplied with an on signal. However, if the switch is configured to be constantly supplied with an on signal, the on signal will continue to be supplied to the switch even before the battery pack is installed in the vehicle, which could result in unnecessary consumption of battery power.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a technology that makes it easy to reduce power consumption in a battery module that supplies dark current by turning on a switch before the battery module is installed in a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The circuit for a battery module of the present disclosure includes: Used in a battery module having a battery and mounted on a vehicle, a positive electrode side conductive path electrically connected to a positive electrode of the battery; a negative electrode side conductive path electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery; a first terminal provided on the positive electrode side conductive path; a switch that is provided in the positive electrode side conductive path, which, when in an ON state, connects the positive electrode of the battery and the first terminal, and which, when in an OFF state, disconnects the positive electrode of the battery and the first terminal; a control unit that controls the switch; a second terminal provided on the negative electrode side conductive path; a power supply unit that is a part that supplies power to the control unit, the power supply unit including a first conductive path electrically connected to the positive electrode side conductive path and a second conductive path that forms a low potential side path; the power supply unit is configured to supply power to the control unit when the second conductive path is electrically connected to the second terminal; the battery module is installed in a vehicle in a predetermined normal installation state, When the battery module is in a released state in which it has been released from the properly attached state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other; When the battery module is in the normally attached state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other, When the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other, the switch is in the off state. The control unit turns the switch to the on state when the state between the second conductive path and the second terminal changes from an insulating state to a conductive state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The technology according to the present disclosure makes it easy to reduce power consumption before a battery module that supplies dark current with a switch in the on state is installed in a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a battery module in a released state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a battery module in a conductive state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a battery module in a released state according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating a battery module in a conductive state according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a battery module in a released state according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a battery module in a conductive state according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and illustrated.

[0010] [1] Used in a battery module that has a battery and is attached to a vehicle, a positive electrode side conductive path electrically connected to a positive electrode of the battery; a negative electrode side conductive path electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery; a first terminal provided on the positive electrode side conductive path; a switch that is provided in the positive electrode side conductive path, which, when in an ON state, connects the positive electrode of the battery and the first terminal, and which, when in an OFF state, disconnects the positive electrode of the battery and the first terminal; a control unit that controls the switch; a second terminal provided on the negative electrode side conductive path; a power supply unit that is a part that supplies power to the control unit, the power supply unit including a first conductive path electrically connected to the positive electrode side conductive path and a second conductive path that forms a low potential side path; the power supply unit is configured to supply power to the control unit when the second conductive path is electrically connected to the second terminal; the battery module is installed in a vehicle in a predetermined normal installation state, When the battery module is in a released state in which it has been released from the properly attached state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other; When the battery module is in the normally attached state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other, When the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other, the switch is in the off state. The control unit turns the switch to the on state when the state between the second conductive path and the second terminal changes from an insulating state to a conductive state. Circuit for battery module.

[0011] In the above-described battery module circuit, when the battery module is in a released state after being released from the normally installed state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated, and the switch is in the OFF state. Then, when the battery module is placed in the normally installed state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected, and the control unit turns the switch on. In other words, before the battery module is placed in the normally installed state, the power consumption required to turn the switch on can be reduced, thereby reducing battery power consumption. Furthermore, after the battery module is placed in the normally installed state, the switch is switched on, enabling the supply of dark current. Therefore, with this configuration, it is easy to reduce power consumption before the battery module is attached to a vehicle, in a battery module that supplies dark current by turning the switch on.

[0012] [2] The second terminal is a terminal that is electrically connected to ground in the normal installation state, The second conductive path is provided with a third terminal that is electrically connected to ground in the normally attached state and is insulated from the second terminal in the released state. The circuit for a battery module according to [1].

[0013] According to this configuration, the second terminal and the third terminal are electrically connected to ground, thereby establishing a conductive state between the second conductive path and the third terminal, which makes it easier to avoid the internal structure of the battery module circuit becoming complicated.

[0014] [3] A conductive part is provided for conducting between the second conductive path and the second terminal, The normal installation state is a state in which at least the conductive part is installed in a normal installation position, When the conductive component is attached to the normal attachment position, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other. When the conductive part is not attached to the normal attachment position, the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other. The circuit for a battery module according to [1].

[0015] According to this configuration, by attaching the conductive part to the correct mounting position, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected, making it easy to switch the state between the second conductive path and the second terminal from an insulated state to a conductive state.

[0016] [4] A switching unit that switches between a first state and a second state, The normal attachment state is a state in which at least the switching unit is in the second state, When the switching unit is in the first state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other, and when the switching unit is in the second state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other. The circuit for a battery module according to [1].

[0017] According to this configuration, the state between the second conductive path and the second terminal can be switched from an insulating state to a conductive state by switching the switching unit to the second state, which makes it easy to switch the state between the second conductive path and the second terminal from an insulating state to a conductive state.

[0018] [5] When the state between the second conductive path and the second terminal is switched from the insulating state to the conductive state, the control unit checks the voltage between the switch and the first terminal in the positive electrode side conductive path before switching the switch to the on state, and determines that an abnormality has occurred if the voltage is not in a normal low voltage state. A circuit for a battery module according to any one of [1] to [4].

[0019] According to this configuration, it is possible to detect an abnormality in which the voltage between the switch and the first terminal is not in the normal low voltage state even though the switch is not switched to the on state.

[0020] [6] When the control unit switches the switch to the on state in response to a change from the insulating state to the conductive state between the second conductive path and the second terminal, if the voltage between the switch and the first terminal in the positive electrode side conductive path is not in a normal high voltage state, it determines that an abnormality has occurred. 5. The circuit for a battery module according to claim 1.

[0021] According to this configuration, it is possible to detect an abnormality in which the voltage between the switch and the first terminal is not in a normal high voltage state even though the switch has been switched to the on state.

[0022] First Embodiment 1. Configuration of the battery module 10 1 is attached to a vehicle (not shown). The battery module 10 includes a battery 20 and a battery module circuit 30.

[0023] The battery 20 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, etc. The battery 20 has a plurality of battery cells 21. The plurality of battery cells 21 are connected in series to one another.

[0024] The battery module circuit 30 is used in the battery module 10. The battery module circuit 30 has a positive electrode side conductive path 31 and a negative electrode side conductive path 32. One end of the positive electrode side conductive path 31 is electrically connected to the positive electrode 22 of the battery 20. One end of the negative electrode side conductive path 32 is electrically connected to the negative electrode 23 of the battery 20. The positive electrode side conductive path 31 and the negative electrode side conductive path 32 are formed by, for example, bus bars. The battery module 10 is formed by electrically connecting the positive electrode side conductive path 31 and the negative electrode side conductive path 32 to the battery 20.

[0025] The battery module circuit 30 has a first terminal 33 and a second terminal 34. The first terminal 33 is provided at the other end of the positive electrode side conductive path 31. The second terminal 34 is provided at the other end of the negative electrode side conductive path 32. The first terminal 33 and the second terminal 34 are exposed to the outside of the battery module 10.

[0026] The battery module circuit 30 has a switch 35 provided in the positive electrode side conductive path 31. The switch 35 is of a normally open type (normally off type). The switch 35 is turned on when a high level signal (on signal) is given to it, and turned off when a low level signal (off signal) is given to it. When the switch 35 is in the on state, it connects the positive electrode 22 of the battery 20 to the first terminal 33, and when it is in the off state, it cuts off the connection between the positive electrode 22 of the battery 20 and the first terminal 33. The switch 35 may be a semiconductor switch such as a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), or may be an electromagnetic switch.

[0027] The battery module circuit 30 has a control unit 36 ​​that controls the switch 35. The control unit 36 ​​is configured as, for example, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The control unit 36 ​​turns the switch 35 on by providing a high-level signal (on signal) to the switch 35, and turns the switch 35 off by providing a low-level signal (off signal) to the switch 35.

[0028] The battery module circuit 30 includes a power supply unit 40 that supplies power to the control unit 36. The power supply unit 40 includes a first conductive path 41 electrically connected to the positive electrode side conductive path 31, a second conductive path 42 that forms a low-potential side path, and a power supply circuit 43. The first conductive path 41 is electrically connected to an upstream conductive path 31A that is provided in the positive electrode side conductive path 31 between the positive electrode 22 of the battery 20 and the switch 35. The power supply circuit 43 is provided between the first conductive path 41 and the second conductive path 42 and is electrically connected to the first conductive path 41, the second conductive path 42, and the control unit 36. The power supply circuit 43 generates a drive voltage for the control unit 36 ​​based on the output voltage of the battery 20 and outputs the drive voltage to the control unit 36. The first conductive path 41 and the second conductive path 42 are configured, for example, as wiring patterns provided on a circuit board. The power supply circuit 43 is configured, for example, as a DC-DC converter.

[0029] The battery module 10 is mounted on a vehicle in a predetermined normal mounting state. The battery module circuit 30 is configured so that the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 are insulated when the battery module 10 is in a released state after being released from the normal mounting state. When the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 are insulated, no power is supplied to the power supply unit 40, and no drive power is supplied to the control unit 36. Therefore, the switch 35 is maintained in the off state.

[0030] The battery module circuit 30 is configured so that the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 are electrically connected when the battery module 10 is properly attached. The power supply unit 40 described above is configured to supply power to the control unit 36 ​​when the second conductive path 42 is electrically connected to the second terminal 34. When the second conductive path 42 is electrically connected to the second terminal 34, the power supply unit 40 is supplied with power from the battery 20, converts the power from the battery 20 into drive power for the control unit 36, and supplies the power to the control unit 36. When power is supplied from the power supply unit 40, the control unit 36 ​​switches the switch 35 to the on state (see FIG. 2). More specifically, the control unit 36 ​​starts up when power is supplied from the power supply unit 40, and switches the switch 35 to the on state when started up. In this way, the control unit 36 ​​switches the switch 35 to the on state when the state between the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 changes from an insulating state to a conductive state, that is, when the battery module 10 is properly installed.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the second terminal 34 is a terminal that is electrically connected to the ground 90 in the properly attached state. The ground 90 is, for example, a body earth. The second terminal 34 is electrically connected to the ground 90 via, for example, a second wiring portion 92. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the battery module circuit 30 has a third terminal 50. The third terminal 50 is provided on the second conductive path 42 and is insulated from the second terminal 34 in the released state. The third terminal 50 is exposed to the outside of the battery module 10. The third terminal 50 is electrically connected to the ground 90 in the properly attached state. For example, the third terminal 50 is electrically connected to the ground 90 via a third wiring portion 93. As a result, the second conductive path 42 is electrically connected to the second terminal 34 via the ground 90. In other words, in this embodiment, the properly attached state is a state in which the second terminal 34 and the third terminal 50 are electrically connected to the ground 90.

[0032] After switching the switch 35 to the ON state, the control unit 36 ​​monitors the potential difference across the battery 20 and the value of the current discharged from the battery 20, and when it determines that at least one of these has reached an abnormal value, switches the switch 35 to the OFF state. The control unit 36 ​​may be configured to monitor only either the potential difference across the battery 20 or the value of the current discharged from the battery 20, or may be configured to monitor neither.

[0033] The battery module circuit 30 has a voltage detection unit 44 that detects the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 on the positive electrode side conductive path 31. The voltage detection unit 44 detects the potential difference between the downstream conductive path 31B, which is provided between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 on the positive electrode side conductive path 31, and the negative electrode side conductive path 32. The voltage detection unit 44 is configured as, for example, a known voltage detection circuit. A signal indicating the detection value of the voltage detection unit 44 is input to the control unit 36.

[0034] The first terminal 33 is connected to an electric junction box 94 via the first wiring portion 91. The electric junction box 94 is, for example, a fuse box. The electric junction box 94 has a plurality of distribution paths 95 for distributing the power supplied from the first wiring portion 91, and a fuse 96 provided in each distribution path 95.

[0035] 2. Operation of the Battery Module Circuit 30 When the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 are electrically connected, the control unit 36 ​​receives power from the power supply unit 40 and starts up. When started up, the control unit 36 ​​performs the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3. First, in step S10, the control unit 36 ​​determines whether the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 is in the normal low-voltage state. That is, the control unit 36 ​​determines whether the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 is in the normal low-voltage state before switching the switch 35 to the on state. In this embodiment, the control unit 36 ​​determines that the normal low-voltage state exists when the detection value of the voltage detection unit 44 (i.e., the potential difference between the downstream-side conductive path 31B and the negative-side conductive path 32) is less than a predetermined first threshold value, and determines that the normal low-voltage state does not exist when the detection value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. The first threshold value is a value greater than 0 V and equal to or less than the output voltage of the battery 20 when fully charged.

[0036] If the control unit 36 ​​determines that the detected value of the voltage detection unit 44 is not in a normal low voltage state (No in step S10), it determines that an abnormality has occurred in step S11, and performs a protective action in step S12. The protective action may, for example, stop switching the switch 35 to the on state, or notify a control device higher than the control unit 36 ​​of the abnormality.

[0037] If the control unit 36 ​​determines that the detected value of the voltage detection unit 44 is in a normal low voltage state (Yes in step S10), the control unit 36 ​​switches the switch 35 to the ON state in step S13.

[0038] After switching the switch 35 to the on state, the control unit 36 ​​determines in step S14 whether the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 is in a normal high-voltage state. In this embodiment, the control unit 36 ​​determines that the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 is in a normal high-voltage state when the detection value of the voltage detection unit 44 (i.e., the potential difference between the downstream-side conductive path 31B and the negative-side conductive path 32) is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold, and determines that the voltage is not in a normal high-voltage state when the detection value is less than the second threshold. The second threshold is a value greater than 0 V, equal to or less than the output voltage of the battery 20 when fully charged, and greater than the first threshold.

[0039] If the control unit 36 ​​determines that the detected value of the voltage detection unit 44 is not in a normal high voltage state (No in step S14), it determines that an abnormality has occurred in step S15, and performs a protective action in step S16. The protective action may be, for example, switching the switch 35 to an OFF state, or notifying a control device higher than the control unit 36 ​​of the abnormality.

[0040] If the control unit 36 ​​determines that the detected value of the voltage detection unit 44 is in a normal high voltage state (Yes in step S14), the control unit 36 ​​ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0041] 3. Example of Effects of the Battery Module Circuit 30 In the battery module circuit 30, when the battery module 10 is in a released state after being released from the properly installed state, the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 are insulated, and the switch 35 is in the OFF state. When the battery module 10 is placed in the properly installed state, the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 are electrically connected, and the control unit 36 ​​turns the switch 35 on. In other words, before the battery module 10 is placed in the properly installed state, the power consumption required to turn the switch 35 on can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the battery 20. Furthermore, after the battery module 10 is placed in the properly installed state, the switch 35 is switched on, enabling the supply of dark current. Therefore, this configuration makes it easier to reduce power consumption in the battery module 10, which supplies dark current with the switch 35 on, before the battery module 10 is attached to a vehicle.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the circuit 30 for battery modules, the second terminal 34 and the third terminal 50 are electrically connected to ground, thereby establishing a conductive state between the second conductive path 42 and the third terminal 50, which makes it easy to avoid the internal structure of the circuit 30 for battery modules becoming complicated.

[0043] Furthermore, when the state between the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34 switches from an insulating state to a conductive state, the control unit 36 ​​checks the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 in the positive-side conductive path 31 before switching the switch 35 to the on state, and determines that an abnormality has occurred if this voltage is not in the normal low voltage state. With this configuration, it is possible to detect an abnormality in which the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 is not in the normal low voltage state even though the switch 35 has not been switched to the on state.

[0044] Furthermore, when the control unit 36 ​​switches the switch 35 to the on state in response to the change from an insulating state to a conductive state between the second conductive path 42 and the second terminal 34, the control unit 36 ​​determines that an abnormality has occurred if the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 in the positive electrode-side conductive path 31 is not in a normal high voltage state. With this configuration, it is possible to detect an abnormality in which the voltage between the switch 35 and the first terminal 33 is not in a normal high voltage state even though the switch 35 has been switched to the on state.

[0045] Second Embodiment Another example of the structure in which the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected when the battery module is properly attached will be described below. Note that, in the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] 4 includes a battery 20 and a battery module circuit 230. The battery module circuit 230 includes a positive electrode side conductive path 31, a negative electrode side conductive path 32, a first terminal 33, a second terminal 34, a switch 35, a control unit 36, a power supply unit 240, and a voltage detection unit 44. The power supply unit 240 includes a first conductive path 41, a second conductive path 242, and a power supply circuit 43. The second conductive path 242 is configured as a wiring pattern provided on a circuit board, for example.

[0047] The battery module circuit 230 includes a conductive component 250, a first relay section 260, and a second relay section 270.

[0048] The conductive component 250 is a component for establishing electrical continuity between the second conductive path 242 and the second terminal 34. The conductive component 250 is configured as, for example, a harness. The conductive component 250 has an electric wire 251, a first connector 252, and a second connector 253. The electric wire 251 is configured as a coated electric wire and is capable of flexibly deforming. The first connector 252 is attached to one end of the electric wire 251, and the second connector 253 is attached to the other end of the electric wire 251.

[0049] The first relay section 260 is electrically connected to the second conductive path 242. The first relay section 260 has a first relay wire 261 and a first relay connector 262. The first relay wire 261 is configured as a coated wire and is flexible. One end of the first relay wire 261 is electrically connected to the second conductive path 242. The first relay connector 262 is attached to the other end of the first relay wire 261.

[0050] The second relay section 270 branches off from the negative-side conductive path 32. The second relay section 270 has a second relay wire 271 and a second relay connector 272. The second relay wire 271 is configured as a coated wire and is flexible. One end of the second relay wire 271 is electrically connected to the negative-side conductive path 32. The second relay connector 272 is attached to the other end of the second relay wire 271.

[0051] When the first connector 252 is connected to the first relay connector 262, the electric wire 251 is electrically connected to the first relay wire 261, and the conductive component 250 is connected to the first relay section 260. When the second connector 253 is connected to the second relay connector 272, the electric wire 251 is electrically connected to the second relay wire 271, and the conductive component 250 is connected to the second relay section 270. The first relay connector 262 and the second relay connector 272 are exposed to the outside of the battery module 210. Therefore, it is possible to connect the conductive component 250 to the first relay section 260 and the second relay section 270 from outside the battery module 210.

[0052] In this embodiment, the normal mounting state is a state in which at least the conductive component 250 is mounted in the normal mounting position. In this embodiment, the "state in which the conductive component 250 is mounted in the normal mounting position" means "a state in which the conductive component 250 is connected to the first relay portion 260 and the second relay portion 270." The "state in which the conductive component 250 is not mounted in the normal mounting position" means "a state in which the conductive component 250 is not connected to at least one of the first relay portion 260 and the second relay portion 270."

[0053] When the conductive component 250 is attached to the correct attachment position, the conductive component 250 is electrically connected to the first relay portion 260 and the second relay portion 270, resulting in electrical continuity between the second conductive path 242 and the second terminal 34. When the conductive component 250 is not attached to the correct attachment position, the second conductive path 242 and the second terminal 34 are insulated from each other.

[0054] The first terminal 33 is connected to an electric junction box 94 via a first wiring portion 91. The second terminal 34 is electrically connected to the ground 90 via a second wiring portion 92. The operation of the battery module circuit 230 is the same as that of the battery module circuit 30 of the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] According to the battery module circuit 230 of the second embodiment, by attaching the conductive component 250 to the correct attachment position, the second conductive path 242 and the second terminal 34 are electrically connected to each other. This makes it easy to switch the state between the second conductive path 242 and the second terminal 34 from an insulated state to a conductive state.

[0056] <Third embodiment> A third example of a structure in which the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected when the battery module is properly attached will be described below. Note that, in the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] 6 includes a battery 20 and a battery module circuit 330. The battery module circuit 330 includes a positive electrode side conductive path 31, a negative electrode side conductive path 32, a first terminal 33, a second terminal 34, a switch 35, a control unit 36, a power supply unit 340, and a voltage detection unit 44. The power supply unit 340 includes a first conductive path 41, a second conductive path 342, and a power supply circuit 43. The second conductive path 342 is configured as a wiring pattern provided on a circuit board, for example.

[0058] The battery module circuit 330 has a switching unit 350 that switches between a first state and a second state. In this embodiment, the normal installation state is a state in which at least the switching unit 350 is in the second state. When the switching unit 350 is in the first state, the second conductive path 242 and the second terminal 34 are insulated from each other, and when the switching unit 350 is in the second state, the second conductive path 242 and the second terminal 34 are electrically connected to each other.

[0059] The switching unit 350 is configured as, for example, a manual switch. The switching unit 350 may be, for example, a toggle switch or a push button switch. The switching unit 350 can be manually switched between an on state and an off state. "When the switching unit is in the first state" means "when the manual switch is in the off state." "When the switching unit is in the second state" means "when the manual switch is in the on state." The switching unit 350 is exposed to the outside of the battery module 310. Therefore, the switching unit 350 can be operated from outside the battery module 310.

[0060] The battery module circuit 330 has a branch path 360 branching off from the negative electrode side conductive path 32. The branch path 360 is configured as a wiring pattern provided on a circuit board, for example.

[0061] The switching unit 350 is provided between the second conductive path 342 and the branch path 360. When the switching unit 350 is in the first state, the second conductive path 342 and the branch path 360 are insulated from each other, and as a result, the second conductive path 342 and the second terminal 34 are insulated from each other. When the switching unit 350 is in the second state, the second conductive path 342 and the branch path 360 are brought into conduction, and as a result, the second conductive path 342 and the second terminal 34 are brought into conduction from each other.

[0062] The first terminal 33 is connected to an electric junction box 94 via a first wiring portion 91. The second terminal 34 is electrically connected to ground 90 via a second wiring portion 92. The operation of the battery module circuit 330 is the same as that of the battery module circuit 30 of the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] According to the battery module circuit 330 of the third embodiment, by switching the switching unit 350 to the second state, it is possible to switch the state between the second conductive path 342 and the second terminal 34 from an insulating state to a conductive state. This makes it easy to switch the state between the second conductive path 342 and the second terminal 34 from an insulating state to a conductive state.

[0064] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, any combination of features of the above-described or following embodiments is possible within a range that does not contradict. Furthermore, any feature of the above-described or following embodiments may be omitted unless explicitly stated as essential. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0065] In the above embodiments, the case where "the voltage between the switch and the first terminal in the positive-side conduction path is not in the normal low-voltage state" is exemplified as "the potential difference between the downstream-side conduction path 31B and the negative-side conduction path 32 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value." However, other configurations are also possible. For example, the case where "the voltage between the switch and the first terminal in the positive-side conduction path is not in the normal low-voltage state" may be "the potential difference across the switch 35 is less than a predetermined first reference value." In this case, for example, the voltage detection unit 44 may detect the potential difference across the switch 35, and the control unit 36 ​​may determine that the normal low-voltage state exists when the detected value of the voltage detection unit 44 is equal to or greater than the first reference value, and may determine that the normal low-voltage state does not exist when the detected value of the voltage detection unit 44 is less than the first reference value.

[0066] In the above embodiments, the case where "the voltage between the switch and the first terminal in the positive-side conduction path is not in the normal high-voltage state" is exemplified as "the case where the potential difference between the downstream-side conduction path 31B and the negative-side conduction path 32 is less than the second threshold value." However, other configurations are also possible. For example, the case where "the voltage between the switch and the first terminal in the positive-side conduction path is not in the normal high-voltage state" may be "the case where the potential difference across the switch 35 is equal to or greater than a predetermined second reference value." In this case, for example, the voltage detection unit 44 may detect the potential difference across the switch 35, and the control unit 36 ​​may determine that the normal high-voltage state exists when the detected value of the voltage detection unit 44 is less than the second reference value, and may determine that the normal high-voltage state does not exist when the detected value of the voltage detection unit 44 is equal to or greater than the second reference value.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the third terminal 50 is electrically connected to the ground 90 as an example of the configuration in which the third terminal 50 is electrically connected to the ground 90. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the third terminal 50 may be electrically connected to the second terminal 34.

[0068] In the second embodiment, the first relay portion 260 may not be provided, and one end of the conductive component 250 may be electrically connected to the second conductive path 242 in advance. In the second embodiment, the second relay portion 270 may not be provided, and the other end of the conductive component 250 may be electrically connected to the negative-side conductive path 32 in advance.

[0069] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is intended to include all modifications within the scope indicated by the claims or the scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10: Battery module 20: Battery 21: Battery cell 22: Positive electrode 23:Negative electrode 30: Circuit for battery module 31: Positive conductive path 31A: Upstream conductive path 31B: Downstream conductive path 32: Negative conductive path 33: 1st terminal 34: 2nd terminal 35: Switch 36: Control section 40: Power supply section 41: First conductive path 42: Second conductive path 43: Power supply circuit 44: Voltage detection unit 50: 3rd terminal 90: Ground 91: 1st wiring section 92: 2nd wiring section 93: 3rd wiring section 94: Electrical junction box 95: Distribution route 96: Fuse 210: Battery module 230: Circuit for battery module 240: Power supply section 242: Second conductive path 250: Conductive parts 251:Electric wire 252: First connector 253: Second connector 260: First relay section 261: First relay wire 262: First relay connector 270: Second relay section 271: Second relay wire 272: Second relay connector 310: Battery module 330: Circuit for battery module 340: Power supply section 342: Second conductive path 350: Switching section 360: Fork in the road

Claims

1. Used in a battery module having a battery and mounted on a vehicle, a positive electrode side conductive path electrically connected to a positive electrode of the battery; a negative electrode side conductive path electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery; a first terminal provided on the positive electrode side conductive path; a switch that is provided in the positive electrode side conductive path, and that, when in an ON state, connects the positive electrode of the battery and the first terminal, and, when in an OFF state, cuts off the connection between the positive electrode of the battery and the first terminal; a control unit that controls the switch; a second terminal provided on the negative electrode side conductive path; a power supply unit that includes a first conductive path electrically connected to the positive electrode side conductive path and a second conductive path that constitutes a low potential side path, and that supplies power to the control unit; the power supply unit is configured to supply power to the control unit when the second conductive path is electrically connected to the second terminal; the battery module is installed in a vehicle in a predetermined normal installation state, When the battery module is in a released state in which it has been released from the properly attached state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other; When the battery module is in the properly attached state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other, When the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other, the switch is in the off state. The control unit turns the switch to the on state when the state between the second conductive path and the second terminal changes from an insulating state to a conductive state. Circuit for battery module.

2. the second terminal is a terminal that is electrically connected to ground in the normal installation state, The second conductive path is provided with a third terminal that is electrically connected to ground in the normally attached state and is insulated from the second terminal in the released state. The circuit for a battery module according to claim 1 .

3. a conductive part for electrically connecting the second conductive path and the second terminal; The normal installation state is a state in which at least the conductive part is installed in a normal installation position, When the conductive component is attached to the normal attachment position, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other. When the conductive part is not attached to the normal attachment position, the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other. The circuit for a battery module according to claim 1 .

4. a switching unit that switches between a first state and a second state; The normal attachment state is a state in which at least the switching unit is in the second state, When the switching unit is in the first state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are insulated from each other, and when the switching unit is in the second state, the second conductive path and the second terminal are electrically connected to each other. The circuit for a battery module according to claim 1 .

5. When the state between the second conductive path and the second terminal is switched from the insulating state to the conductive state, the control unit checks the voltage between the switch and the first terminal in the positive electrode side conductive path before switching the switch to the on state, and determines that an abnormality has occurred if the voltage is not in a normal low voltage state. The circuit for a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. When the control unit switches the switch to the on state in response to the switching from the insulating state to the conductive state between the second conductive path and the second terminal, if the voltage between the switch and the first terminal in the positive electrode side conductive path is not in a normal high voltage state, it determines that an abnormality has occurred. The circuit for a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images